BOARD OF EDUCATION

Shenendehowa Central School District

Clifton Park, New York

 

Study Session Meeting

September 29, 2009  

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Janet Grey, Mrs. Sharon Bowles, Mr. Gary DiLallo, Dr. William Acker, Mrs. Mary Blaauboer, Mrs. Mary Wiggins, Mr. Rick Mincher

OTHERS PRESENT:

Dr. Oliver Robinson, Mrs. Jill Bush, Mr. Jon Conover, Mrs. Kelly DeFeciani, Mrs. Dorothy Donlon, Dr. Michael Dutkowsky, Mrs. Kristen Giudici, Mrs. Kathy Giunta, Mr. Matt Heckman, Mrs. Laraine Longhurst, Mrs. Jean Lorch, Mrs. Lisa Mickle, Mrs. Michelle Mylod, Mrs. Anna Sugarman, Mrs. Molly Towne

 

The meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Mrs. Janet Grey. 

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Mrs. Janet Grey led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Emergency Exits

 

Mrs. Janet Grey pointed out the emergency exits from the room.

 

1.   ADOPT AGENDA

 

MOTION BY Mrs. Mary Blaauboer, seconded by Mr. Gary DiLallo, to accept the agenda as presented.

 

Unanimously approved.  Motion carried.

 

2.   BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMENTS / REPORT

Dr. Acker reported meeting with the Okte Partnership Group.  He was very impressed with the work done with PLC’s.  In addition, Dr. Acker also attended the Environmental Committee Meeting, for which he noted that he felt the district was doing “the right thing” and would benefit from the savings, both environmentally and financially.

 

Mrs. Mary Blaauboer apologized for missing the last board meeting.  She noted her support of the district goals document.  Mrs. Blaauboer also mentioned her attended at the Open House at Orenda Elementary and thanked the principal and PTA for their efforts on the event.

 

Mr. Rick Mincher spoke of his opportunity to serve on the Gowana Partnership Team and thanked Joe Nicolella for the example he is setting at the middle school. 

 

Mrs. Mary Wiggins thanked Shatekon and Karigon for the work they are doing together on the pond and outdoor classroom.  Mrs. Wiggins also reminded the board that the next Saratoga County School Board Association meeting will be held on October 8th in conjunction with the Adirondack Area School Board Association at Queensbury. 

 

Mrs. Janet Grey mentioned her excitement about the Green and White Awards held at the high school.  Mrs. Grey thanked the staff for their work at the spirit rally.  She also indicated that the Carillon Tower Dedication will be held this Friday at 6:00PM.  Mrs. Grey updated the progress of the Gowana principal interviews, stating that there are four very strong candidates. 

 

       STUDENT SENATE REPORT

Katya Lapina noted the strong turnout for the recent Spirit Rally, with 3,000 students in attendance and perfect weather, too.  Priya Kumar thanked everyone for their support at the Spirit Rally and mentioned that the t-shirt fundraiser collected $1,000 for Coaches vs. Cancer. 

 

      STUDY SESSION PRESENTATIONS

Mrs. Jill Bush thanked all those who worked so diligently on the programs presented at this evening’s meeting. 

 

Mrs. Jean Lorch and Mrs. Dorothy Donlon presented the highlights of the Program Evaluation Plan.  Dr. William Acker thanked both Mrs. Lorch and Mrs. Donlon for their work on this very important subject.  Mrs. Mary Wiggins also commended Mrs. Lorch and Mrs. Donlon for using the resources available to them to assess student improvement at Shenendehowa. 

 

Mrs. Kristen Giudici and Mr. Matt Heckman presented the Shenendehowa Summer School 2009 program.  Questions presented from Mrs. Grey, Mr. Mincher and Dr. Acker were addressed by Mrs. Giudici. 

 

Mrs. Molly Towne and Mrs. Kathy Giunta presented findings on the Special Education - Curriculum, Instruction & Learning program.  Mrs. Towne and Mrs. Giunta covered items related to ESL, Concepts & Skills in Motion and assessments for enrollees. 

 

Mrs. Molly Towne made a presentation on the Summer Academic Program.  Questions asked by Mrs. Bowles were addressed by Mrs. Towne. 

 

Mr. Jon Conover shared details related to the Community Education 2009 Summer Camps.  Highlights included enrollments, program offerings, aligning camp offerings with Profile of a Shen student characteristics and parent feedback.  Questions asked by Mrs. Blaauboer and Mr. Mincher were answered accordingly. 

3.   ACTION ITEMS

a.   Senior Citizens & Disability Tax Exemption

 

      b.  Change Orders

 

It was requested that items 3.a and 3.b. be bundled for approval. 

 

MOTION made by Mrs. Mary Wiggins, seconded by Mr. Rick Mincher, to accept action items 3.a and 3.b.

 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

 

Motion by Mr. Rick Mincher, seconded by Mrs. Sharon Bowles to move into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. 

 

Motion carried, all in favor. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM.

 

  1. ADJOURNMENT

 

                                                                 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                  Vanessa N. Ford

                                                                  Secretary to Clerk of the Board

 

                                                                  Approved by: _____________________

                                                                  Kathleen A. Wetmore

                                                                  Clerk of the Board