BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
January 14, 2008
District Office
The
minutes are unofficial pending Board of Education approval.
Members
Present
Linda
Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha
Smith,
and
Miriam Zubal
Also
Present
Jennifer
Dove, Connie Miller Filzen, Eric Hartz, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle
Pronti, and David Remick
Present in the Audience
Susan
Zavaski, Claire Codner, Ian Boudreau, Randy Sovocool, Laura Sovocool, Ronald
Sovocool, Joy Sovocool, Mark Sovocool, Earl Lenhard
Call
to Order
Miriam
Zubal called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
There was a quorum check, assurance of meeting posting and recitation of
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval
of Revised Agenda
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the revised agenda with the following additions:
Add:
6.D. TST BOCES – L. Competillo
6.
6.F. Recreation Committee – C. Montreuil
6.G. TST BOCES Executive – M. Smith
Approval
of Minutes
A
motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7
ayes, to approve the minutes from the December 10, 2007, Board of Education
meeting.
A
motion was made by Bob Miller, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7
ayes, to approve the minutes from the January 3, 2008, Board of Education
meeting.
Acceptance of
Treasurer’s Reports
A
motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7
ayes, to accept the November 2007 and December 2007 Treasurer’s Reports.
Summary
of Executive Session
Dr. Brenda Myers reported:
- at the December 10, 2007, Executive Session,
the following topics were discussed:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
2. Employment History of a Specific Individual
3. Collective Bargaining
4. Legal Matter
- at the January 3, 2008, Executive Session, the following topic was discussed:
1. Employment History of a Specific Individual
Open Forum with Community and/or Staff
Susan Zavaski and Claire Codner introduced themselves and stated that they were attending the BOE meeting as Student Council Representatives. The Board thanked them for attending.
Celebration
Brenda Myers introduced Randy Sovocool, who scored
#1 on the Tompkins County Civil Service Exam, and was permanently appointed as
Presentations
Dr. Myers,
Superintendent:
1. Gas Lease
- Gordon Thompson, school attorney, negotiated this contract for
the school
- Earl Lenhard, Ansbro Petroleum Company representative, explained
what the company is
doing in the area and
that he would come back in the morning with new contracts, as the
company has changed
names
- 5-year lease (longer lease would take a public vote) with
payment of $13,398 not to be made
until July 1, 2008
-
company has no service rights – will not come on
school property
-
if “unit” went into production, school would receive
1/8 of the proceeds of production after reaching the market per acre under the
contract
2. Budget Development – Guiding
Principles
a. UPK Funding
- distributed handout
- serving 30 students; 9 still on waiting list
- would like 2 full day programs serving 36
students (teacher and aide in each room)
- “why are we being penalized for full
day-program”
- able to add 10 more students this year because
of increased funding
- 18 GCS students and 12 Head Start students –
all must have same program
b. Wellness Development – OCM BOCES Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- would like to offer program to GCS employees –
next school year
- through OCM BOCES – have location in
- cost - $30.00/employee; 80% aid in the
following year
- recommend to pilot for 2008-09 then make a
decision for 2009-10
3. Clerical Realignment
- Barb Nelson has submitted her letter of retirement
- have piecemealed some clerical duties over the last few years
- handed out current and proposed staffing list – actually reduces
staff by .2 f.t.e. with new plan
- explained job descriptions
4. School Business Manager Search
- will begin search process tomorrow
- final interviews will be with the Superintendent and Board
President
- Linda Competillo interested in being BOE representative for
initial interviews
Staff
and/or Board Committee Reports
Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:
1. New
TC3 Program –
- senior year is done at TC3 – looking into
details
- for students that are on track for
graduation but not fitting in here in senior year
- BOE would establish the criteria to get
into the program
- GCS would provide transportation to TC3
- looking at liaison position for the program
2. Facility
Update
- received SED approval
- will be sharing phasing schedule
- will be having a joint meeting of the
Facility Advisory Committee and the Ross Field Advisory
Committee
-
track
is collapsing in the center – resurfacing won’t fix the problem
-
architects
will be at the January 28th meeting and will present track
information
3. 2008-09
Draft B Calendar
- draft A gives 2 full weeks off at Christmas
- draft B
has a long weekend in March, taking the two days from the Christmas break
- will be considering the TST BOCES calendar
4. Mid-Year
Review
- handed out information and discussed
Leadership
Team - Recognitions
David
Remick, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics:
- thanked Dave Parsons and Jim Gibbs for donation
of lights
-
- Dennis Rhoads instrumental in getting
gets training, and GCS gets free archery
equipment
Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching,
Learning & Technology:
- recognized
Technology Advisory Committee members; meetings increased to monthly
- spending
time on technology – Rick Miller and Rick Dillon supportive
Michelle Pronti, Director of Special
Education:
- thanked
Linda Gobel and Teri Evener
- Pat
Howard present to elementary staff about her conference attendance
Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:
- testing
at elementary school
- thanked
Pat Berry and Pat Howard for testing accommodations
- thanked
Julie Shurtleff and Renee Brehm for their help
- thanked
Dave Remick for covering building when he was out
- Giving
Tree was successful
- GPTO
donated $1,000 each for ELA and math supplies and also a $25.00 gift card for
all
classroom
teachers
- thanked Marilyn Levine
for taking a student teacher whose placement fell through
Eric Hartz, High School Principal:
- thanked
Deb VanZandt and Gretchen Pratt
- thanked
Gretchen Pratt for all her work on college applications
- thanked
all the faculty, staff and students for an amazing Holiday Gala
Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School
Principal:
- thanked
Randy Sovocool, Mike Petrella, and Lou Thompson for putting together all the
new music
chairs,
installing the dishwasher in the FACS room, and installing the new drinking
fountain in the
front
hallway
Linda Competillo, T-S-T BOCES Meeting
Report:
- have
new compactor
- all
administrative reports are now on the web
- TST
BOCES have presented their programs at all component school districts
Linda Competillo, CNYSBA Report:
- have
new 3-year contract with Larry Cummings
- Legislative
Breakfast is February 2nd in
- CPSE
costs could be shifted from county responsibility to the schools – would be
very expensive
- Excel
aid to be extended
- Senator
Seward only confirmation at this time for Legislative Breakfast
Chris Montreuil, Recreation Department
Report:
- Winter
Fest
- flyer going out on upcoming Winter Fest;
toboggan contest on February 17th
- received $900 grant for Winter Fest
- trying to recruit crafters
- flyers to be sent to other communities
- Viola
Fitzgerald working on mission statement for Groton Youth Sports
- joint
meeting with Groton Youth Commission
- summer camp – Monica Dykeman is director
- serve 40 students; waiting list of 40
- would like to use school facilities next year
to accommodate all children
- Brenda Myers suggested using high school so
students can walk to the pool
- looking at classroom space, kitchen
facilities, working with Randy Sovocool
Martha Smith, T-S-T BOCES Executive
Committee Meeting Report:
- discussed
supporting our teacher in the classroom (with special education students in the
classroom)
- Dr.
O’Donnell concerned about waiting list for students
- remainder
of the year to discuss “best practices” with
suggestions
to Martha)
Board
President’s Report – Miriam Zubal
1. Work Session
- worked
on six policies during BOE work session
2. School Events
- attendance
at basketball games and track meets
- much
improved concerts with elementary, middle and high school being held individually
3. Legislative Breakfast Reservations
- Linda
Competillo, Miriam Zubal, Chris Montreuil, Michael Lockwood, Brenda Myers
(Jeanne
Petrella to let Mary Walker
know)
Approval
of Substitutes
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded
by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following substitutes:
1. Courtney Coffey, Certified
Teacher
2. Mariah Prentiss, Uncertified
Teacher
3. Margaret Richardson,
Uncertified Teacher
Request for Unpaid
Leave of Absence
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Theresa DeVoe from December 10, 2007 to March 10, 2008
Acceptance
of Letters of Resignation
A motion was made by Martha Smith,
seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept a letter of
resignation from Shawn Bindhammer,
Teacher Aide, effective December 24, 2007, and a letter of resignation from
Kenneth Merriman, Regular Bus Driver, effective at the end of the day January
11, 2008, but remain on the Substitute Bus Driver list.
Acceptance
of Letters of Retirement
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept, with thanks and sadness, letters of retirement from the following:
1. Linda
Perreault, Elementary School Librarian, effective June 30, 2008
2. Sheri
Shurtleff, Business Manager, effective at the end of the day September 26, 2008
3. Barbara
Nelson, ES Attendance Officer, at the end of the day January 30, 2008
Resolution
to Approve and Sign of Ansbro Petroleum Company, LLC Oil and Gas Lease
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following resolution:
Whereas, the District has received a
proposal from the Ansbro Petroleum Company, LLC to allow exploration for oil
and natural gas under the surface of the District property;
Whereas, such exploration will not result in
drilling or pipeline activities on District property or unreasonably interfere
with the operations of the District;
Whereas, the District will receive funds to
allow for the exploration;
It is therefore resolved, upon the
recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Superintendent of
Schools be authorized to execute the proposed agreement between the District
and Ansbro Petroleum Company, LLC.
Approval
of Middle School Chorus Trip
A
motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried –
7 ayes, to approve a middle school chorus trip to
Appointment
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint David Phetteplace to a 2-year probationary appointment as Music Teacher, effective January 28, 2008 to January 27, 2010, on step 9B, Tenure area: Music, Permanent Certification: Music.
Second
A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of the following policies, adding the policy reference number to Policy 5520:
1. 5340 - Borrowing of Funds
2. 5410 - Purchasing and Procurement
3. 5510 - Accounting of Funds
4. 5520 - Extraclassroom Activity Funds
5. 5530 - Petty Cash Funds and Cash in School Buildings
6. 5550 - Maintenance of Fiscal Effort (Title I Programs)
7. 5560 - Use of Federal Funds for Political Expenditures
8. 5570 - Financial Accountability
9. 5571 - Allegations of Fraud
10. 5572 - Audit Committee
11. 5573 - Internal Audit Function
12. 5610 - Insurance
13. 5620 - Inventories
14. 5621 - Accounting of Fixed Assets
Calendar
Announcements
The Board reviewed the calendar announcements. Mr. Hartz noted that high school report cards
would be distributed on January 31st.
Meeting
Summary
- policies
- TC3
college program
- EAP
- preliminary
budget numbers
- music
teacher
- music
trip
- gas
lease
- facility
project
Executive Session – 9:17 p.m.
A
motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7
ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
2. Employment History of a
Specific Individual
3. Specific Student Issue
Board Members Present in Executive Session
Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal
Also Present
Michelle Pronti (left at 9:37 p.m.), Brenda Myers
Reconvene Meeting – 10:18 p.m.
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to reconvene to regular session.
Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.
Adjournment – 10:19 p.m.
On a motion made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Walker
District Clerk