GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

January 28, 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,

Miriam Zubal

Also Present

Connie Miller Filzen, Eric Hartz, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle Pronti, David Remick,

Sheri Shurtleff

Present in the Audience

Randy Sovocool, Pat Flynn, Pete Larson, Roy Herford, Tom Sanford, Matt Cooper, Michelle Compagni, Dianne Benson, Bridget Liccion

Call to Order

Miriam Zubal called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. There was a quorum check, assurance of meeting posting and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Agenda

A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda as presented.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2008, Board of Education meeting amending Mr. Heller’s report to read “GPTO has indicated they will be donating money for ELA and math supplies and also gave a $25.00 gift card to all elementary classroom teachers.”

Acceptance of 2^nd Quarter 2007-08 Student Activities Extra-Classroom Fund Report

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the 2^nd Quarter 2007-08 Student Activities Extra-Classroom Fund Report.

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the January 14, 2008, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:

1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2. Employment History of a Specific Individual

3. Collective Bargaining

Presentations

1. Facility Update - Roy Herford and Tom Sanford from The Greenwood Corp. and Pat Flynn and Pete Larson from Ashley McGraw Architects presented:

- did a PowerPoint presentation

- budget looks good

- went over additions/alternates (handout)

- contingency money can be used at the end of the project

- delayed bidding – site work at MS-HS track

- change in track – don’t have enough information – will reconvene community group and talk about new findings

- phasing plans – to be presented to Groton faculty on March 14 at their faculty meetings

- bidding process

- February 8 – go to printer

- walk through with potential bidders/contractors

- bid opening in the District Office and bids reviewed

- possibly have “mini” BOE meeting to award bids prior to BOE/Superintendent Retreat on March 17^th

- Dr. Myers spoke:

- Randy Sovocool has done an incredible amount of work on the project plans

- shared flooring color palette

- no interior painting of rooms

2. 2^nd Step – Tim Heller, Dianne Benson, Michelle Compagni, Bridget Liccion:

- distributed handouts

- increases positive attitude, decreases physical aggression

- types of discipline referrals have changed/decreased

- program includes a family guide, prepackaged kit

- uses role playing

- kits cost $300-500 which is BOCES Aidable

3. BOUNCE Program Proposal – Tim Heller

- met with 1^st grade staff on January 15

- 10% retention rate for 1^st grades – if not retention, what can be done?

- distributed Reading Acceleration Specialist Job Description

- pilot program – BOUNCE – designed to accelerate students’ learning by providing them intense, targeted instruction

- summer transportation to be provided by parents

- capacity to serve 12 children

- pilot approval Will be on next BOE agenda

4. Legislative Update – Dr. Brenda Myers

a. Medicaid – Federal Funds

- reviewed letter from Southern Cayuga Board of Education to our Board

- would have to add ½ person if CPSE administration/paperwork became school’s

responsibility

b. Fund Balance

- distributed handout

- next year law allows up to 4% fund balance

- thank the Legislators for increase in fund balance

- resist unfunded mandates

- Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

- distributed and discussed Fund Balance report

- distributed a federal aid multi-year comparison and discussed continuing decline in

federal funding

c. Consortium Proposal

- equalize funding

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1. Enrollment and Class Size

- distributed handouts – Forecast 2008-09 Projected Class Size and Class Size Recommendations (doesn’t factor in retentions or movement out of the District)

- updated enrollment chart distributed

2. Drilling Down with Data

- data analysis on T-S-T BOCES web site

- thanks to Cheryl Covell for all her work

Leadership Team – Questions on Written Reports

Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

- High School Site Base Team is still short one teacher

- There are seven Cornell students working with GCS students

Board President’s Report – Miriam Zubal

1. School Events

- track meet was great

- Winter Sports Awards changed to March 12^th, 7:00 pm

2. Legislative Breakfast Update

- Linda Competillo, Miriam Zubal, Michael Lockwood, Jeanne Petrella, Sheri Shurtleff,

Brenda Myers going – van is leaving school at 7:30 a.m.

Approval of Substitutes

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following substitutes:

1. Steven Riggs, Certified Teacher

2. Stephen Taft, Uncertified Teacher

Second Reading of Policies

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of the following policies:

1. 5660 - School Food Service Program - Lunch and Breakfast (adding the work “eligible” in the first

prior to “elementary and secondary”)

2. 5670 - Records Management

3. 5671 - Disposal of Consumer Report Information and Records

4. 5672 - Information Security Breach and Notification

5. 3291 - Traffic and Parking Regulations on School Property

Appointments

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following appointments:

1. Edward Barhite, Permanent Appointment Bus Driver, with successful completion of his probationary appointment, effective January 29, 2008

2. Lorri Hunter and Annette Twitchell, 2007-08 Co-Advisors Middle School Drama Club

Approval of Veteran’s Diploma

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve a Veteran’s Diploma for Nelson Blanchard.

Approval of Conditions of Employment, Benefits for Business Manager/Treasurer

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the Conditions of Employment, Benefits for the Business Manager/Treasurer.

Create Senior Typist Position

A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes; to create an 11-month/8 hours per day Senior Typist position.

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

Meeting Summary

- BOUNCE program

- 2^nd Step program

- facility update

- data

- legislative breakfast

Executive Session – 8:55 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:

1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2. Specific Student Issue

3. Employment History of a Specific Individual

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 9:16 p.m.), Brenda Myers

Reconvene Meeting – 9:25 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, 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 – 9:26 p.m.

On a motion made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Walker

District Clerk