BOARD OF EDUCATION
Study Session
September 25, 2007
|
MEMBERS PRESENT: |
Mrs. Bowles, Mr. Casey, Mrs. Grey, Mr. Huff, Mr. Mincher, Mrs. Wiggins |
|
MEMBERS ABSENT |
Mr. DiLallo |
|
OTHERS PRESENT: |
Dr. Dutkowsky, Mrs. DeFeciani, Ms.
Wetmore, |
The meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6 p.m. by Mr. Casey.
MOTION BY Mrs. Grey, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, to move into Executive Session at 6:01 to discuss personnel matters and contract negotiations.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
MOTION BY Mr. Huff, seconded by Mr. Mincher, to move back into Public Session at 6:50 p.m.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
The study session of the Board of Education was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mr. Casey.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Casey led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Emergency Exits
Mr. Casey pointed out the emergency exits from the room.
Announcements
Mr. Casey announced that an Executive Session was held prior to the Study Session to discuss personnel matters and contract negotiations.
1. ADOPT AGENDA
MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mrs. Grey, to accept this evening’s agenda as presented.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
2. SUPERINTENDENT’S
COMMUNICATION
Dr. Robinson reminded Board members of the 88th Annual New
York State School Boards Association Convention to be held from October 25
through October 28, 2007.
In preparation for the Trails and Field/Track Reconstruction Project
presentation this evening, Dr. Robinson handed out campus maps to the Board
which showed the proposed trail. He
noted concerns about pedestrian traffic near the tennis courts and the possible
installation of amber lights for safety on
STUDY SESSION
Trails & Field/Track Renovation
Dr. Robinson
introduced Mr. Daniel Deats from Cough Harbour & Associates, LLP. Dr. Robinson noted that a meeting was
held yesterday morning at the site with Clough Harbour and it is hoped that a
resolution will go forward at the October 9 Board meeting to ask for public
approval.
Mr. Deats explained
that he hoped to cover: “What’s new
since the last meeting?” “What has
changed?” “What the cost will be and
what comes next.”
The path system is a
new item and was brought to his firm’s attention within the last week or
so. A game plan has been developed to
cover approximately two miles of paths on the campus. The goal is to connect the campus to the
Clifton Commons as best as possible so anyone on foot or bicycle can travel
safely.
Changes were made to
the location of the pole vault pads and restrooms were redesigned. Other changes were made to help the
circulation around the front of the building which may mean the relocation of
one of the memorials closer to the Wall of Fame. A major change is the shifting of the entire field
and track 15 feet to the west to allow a little more room on one end of the
track. The student table for ticketing
may also be moved to allow for more even flow of students.
Dr. Robinson added
that the District hopes to collaborate with the Town of
Board members asked
questions regarding additional bleachers, how we will handle overcrowding,
funding, and safety. Dr. Robinson
explained that moving the concession stand will give us additional seating and make
it easier for people to sit on either side of the football field. Easier access to the visitor’s side is also a
benefit. Dr. Robinson explained
that this work will be tied to the work currently planned at the High School
using EXCEL funds and this will maximize our State aid. Dr. Robinson also explained that alternative
funding will be used for the trails. The
referendum is for the Athletic Complex and will be associated with the High
School project. The path funding would
come from the reserve fund authorized by the Board and we will also look to obtain
some federal and/or State funding. The
total cost estimate of this project at this time is approximately $4.6 million including
the pathways. We will continue to review
the estimated costs.
Mr. Deats responded
to a question concerning the current track’s condition. He said it is at the end of it life. A few years ago the track was patched and
given a five-year life span. It needs to
be replaced from the base up.
AIS Plan Presentation
Dr. Robinson announced
that the AIS Plan will be presented to the Board for acceptance at the next
business meeting.
Dr. Snyder explained
that this is a draft plan and is a living document. The elementary section is larger than the
secondary sections due to the coverage of all the grades at that level. Our goal is to have children become
independent workers. Dr. Snyder answered
questions from the Board concerning parent notification, how children are
identified for Academic Intervention Services, and how children get out of the
system. (A copy of Dr. Snyder’s
presentation is available in the official minutes folder.)
Dr. Robinson added
that our goal is to make certain that the most needy students get services
first, and then services are provided to other students as resources are
available. Dr. Snyder noted that the
goal of AIS services is for these services to be obsolescent.
3. ACTION ITEMS
1) Ratification of STA Contract
MOTION BY Mrs. Grey, seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution and to formally approve the
Memorandum of Understanding Between the District and the Shenendehowa Teachers’
Association. (A copy of the Memorandum
of Understanding is on file in the official minutes folder.)
WHEREAS, the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Shenendehowa
Central School District and the Shenendehowa Teachers’ Association, determining
the terms and conditions of employment for the Association, expired June 30,
2007: and
WHEREAS, the parties to that Agreement have negotiated with each other
for a successor to that Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the parties have entered into a written Memorandum of
Understanding dated September 4, 2007, determining the terms and conditions to
be incorporated into such successor Collective Bargaining Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, be it
RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the
FURTHER RESOLVED that the terms of said Memorandum of Understanding shall
be incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
(Mr. Casey noted that despite his planned absence because of his son’s
wedding in
b. Impartial Hearing Officers – 1st
Approval
MOTION BY Mrs. Bowles, seconded by Mrs. Grey, to approve the
Diane Cohen Jane
Owens
Mary Anne Dimeo Kenneth
S. Ritzenberg
John Farago Jerome
Schad
Dolores Freed Craig
Tessler
Colleen Heinrich Aaron Turetsky
Geoprge Kandilakis James
Walsh
Martin Kehoe, III Joan B. Alexander
Eric Lawson Eugene
Arcery
Michael Lazan Stuart
Bauchner
Edward Luban Robert
Briglio
James McKeever Jaclyn Brilling
Karen Norlander Paul Bumbalo
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
c. Representation Agreement
MOTION BY Mr. Huff, seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, that the Board of Education
approve the Representation Agreement between the Shenendehowa Central School
District and the law firm of Cooper, Erving & Savage, LLP, for defense with
respect to the Article 7 tax assessment proceeding brought against the Town of
Halfmoon by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (A
copy of this Representation Agreement is on file in the official minutes folder.)
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
4. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY Mrs. Wiggins, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m.
Unanimously approved, motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda L. Sparks, Board Stenographer
Approved by: _____________________
Kathleen A. Wetmore
Clerk
of the Board