GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

October 15, 2007

 

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, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle Pronti, and Sheri Shurtleff

 

Present in the Audience

Kathleen Walpole, Joann Morrison, Brittany Parr, Annette Twitchell, Mikhail Kern, Judy Kern, Steven Kern, Christine Hass, Chad DeVoe

 

Call to Order

Miriam Zubal called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 with the following changes:

- Add 5. D. TST BOCES SBA Executive Committee Report – M. Smith

- Add 5. E. Recreation Committee Report – C. Montreuil

- Add 4.B.1. Visual & Performing Arts Trip – J. Morrison

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the September 24, 2007, Board of Education meeting.

 

Acceptance of September 2007 Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the September 2007 Treasurer’s Report.

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported on the Executive Session of September 24, 2007:

- CSE/CPSE Recommendations

- Employment History of a Specific Individual

 

Presentations

Annette Twitchell, French Teacher, presented on the proposed trip to France:

- 10 days

- during April 2008 break

- 10 students, 2 chaperones

- has cancellation insurance policy

Mick LeVick, Co-Advisor for Senior Class, presented on the proposed Senior Trip:

- December 14, 2007 to NYC (one day)

- 45 students, 4 chaperones, and 3 more paying adults

 

Joann Morrison, Performing & Visual Arts Chairperson, presented on proposed trip to Philadelphia:

- will be going April 4-6, 2008

- fundraising through Music Boosters

- cancellation policy costs $35.00

- approval of trip will be added to October 29, 2007 Board of Education agenda

 

Chad DeVoe, Advisor for Generation Z, reported on the Rot-in-Groton composting program:

- distributed handout

- collect and weigh compost materials every day

- collected 576 pounds of garbage last year

- received $400.00 grant from McDonald’s for future organic gardening project

- thanked the cafeteria staff and Rick Perreault for all their help and support

 

Christine Hass, Public Information Specialist, reported on the GCS Marketing Plan:

- distributed handout – updated District Communication Plan

- three newsletters – fall, winter, spring/summer

- two facility newsletters

 

Brenda Myers, Superintendent, and Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal, reported on enrollment, attendance and class size:

- distributed handout

- attendance tracking required

- attendance at high school is taken every period

- often use various incentives to encourage school attendance

- attendance clerks call home when students are absent

- in extreme instances of excessive absences, PINS (Pupils in Need of Supervision) petitions are filed

- no change in Attendance Policy recommended – current policy and strategies are working well

- class size concerns – although enrollment is flat, some class sizes are larger than optimal

- have had six home schooled students re-enrolled into classes at GCS

 

Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager, and Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology, reported on federal funds:

- distributed handout on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) history

- New York State schools received less money from federal government over the past years

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

-     Superintendent’s Annual Conference (NYCOSS)

      - worked with Manny Rivera – Rural Schools

      - concerns – must consistently tell the same message to our legislators

      - need a well-articulated plan for informing our legislators about our need for increased state aid.

 

Jennifer Dove, Directory of Teaching, Learning & Technology:

-     Conference day was great

      -  Barb Nelson was a great help

Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:

-     had good meeting with 1st grade

-     heard plans to monitor enrollment

-     secretaries establishing record-keeping and attendance

-     expenditure tracking is going well

-     gearing up for Halloween

-     SUNY Cortland students working with the ES Physical Education Department

-     Groton Independent did an article on Katie Romeo, ES art teacher

 

Michelle Pronti, Director of Special Education:

-     thanked staff for CSE meeting attendance

-     DCMO BOCES – doing STAC and Medicaid processing

 

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:

-     Chad DeVoe, one of twenty-four individuals to receive $400.00 grant from McDonald’s

 

Martha Smith, TST Executive Committee:

-     had TST BOCES campus tour – Career & Tech, Special Education, Alternative Education,

      Business Office

-     Larry Cummings in attendance – expressing his continued concern about state funding

 

Chris Montreuil, Groton Recreation Department:

-     working on expired agreement – updated and signed new agreement

-     Teri Evener elected as Vice-Chair

-     reviewed summer programs – Groton alumni/staff running many of the programs

      -  pole vault – Matt Scheffler

      -  outdoor science – Chad DeVoe

      -  running program – Mark Perosio

-     Halloween party being planned

-     WinterFest to be held at Stonehedges

-     possibly host weight-training program through the Recreation Program

      - GCS Conditioning Room is for students first, employees second

      - won’t compete with local business

 

Board President’s Report

Jeanne Petrella, Audit Committee Report:

-     Jerry Mickelson gave an overview of the external audit and spoke about future planning

-     the Audit Committee is very pleased with the positive audit report presentation and noted very few

      and minor comments on the management letter

-     had written report from John Russell, Claims Auditor (encountered no exceptions for period July 1-

      October 10, 2007)

-     thanks to Lorri Hunter for work on extra-curricular fund training/reporting

      -  Sheri Shurtleff developed Responsibilities and Accountability Guidelines

 

Miriam Zubal reported:

-     Homecoming Events went well; students were well behaved (Powder Puff Football game, Parade,

      Varsity Football game)

-     CNYSBA Presidents’ Meeting was sponsored by the CNYSBA Corporate Sponsors

 

Approval of Substitutes

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

1.      Jeffrey Allen, Certified Teacher

2.      Sten Anderson, Uncertified Teacher

3.      Judith Brechbiel, Certified Teacher

4.      Martha Dutcher, Nurse (MS-HS only) needs fingerprints

5.      Jennifer Emerson, Uncertified Teacher

6.      Debby Hollern, Certified Teacher

7.      Heather Goehner, Certified Teacher

8.      Faith Miyagi, Certified Teacher

9.      Shawn Pratt, Uncertified Teacher

10.    Mark Robinson, Uncertified Teacher

11.    Michelle Thibault, Uncertified Teacher

12.    Jeffrey Watkins, Certified Teacher

13.    Lisa Yahess, Certified Teacher

 

Request for Leave of Absence

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Theresa DeVoe, Teacher Aide, effective September 10 to December 10, 2007.

 

Appointments

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

1.   Christine Rundell, Permanent Appointment as Part-time Food Service Helper, effective

      October 23, 2007

2.   Michael Poole, 2007-08 Pep Band Advisor (prorated)

3.   Michael Poole, 2007-08 High School Jazz Band Director

4.   Jody Riley, Teacher Aide, Conditional, 26-week probationary, effective October 11, 2007,

      4 hours/day, Rate of pay: $8.50/hour

 

Resignation

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept Stephen Codner’s letter of resignation from his position as Music Teacher, effective January 1, 2008.

 

Second Reading of Policies

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the seconded reading of the following policies with the noted change:

1.   8461 - International School Trips

2.   5710 - Transportation Program

3.   5720 - Scheduling and Routing

4.   5730 - Transportation of Students (change “car” to “vehicle”)

5.   5740 - Use Of Buses by Community Groups

6.   5750 - School Bus Safety Program

7.   5760 - Qualifications of Drivers

8.   5761 - Drug and Alcohol Testing For School Bus Drivers and Other Safety-Sensitive Employees

 

Approval of Trips

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the trip to France in April 2008 and the Senior Trip to NYC on December 14, 2007.

Acceptance of Donation

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept a donation from the Groton Parent Teacher Organization in the amount of $139.00 for the purchase of children’s clothing.

 

Acceptance of Audit Report

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the 2006-07 Audit Report.

 

Veteran’s Diploma

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve a Veteran’s Diploma for Richard VanOrder under the guidelines of Operation Recognition.

 

Create Position

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to create a .5 full time equivalent (f.t.e.) English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching position.

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements and noted an addition of the Fall Parade on October 31st at the elementary school.

 

Meeting Summary

-     trips

-     audit reports

-                              good substitutes

-                              composting program

-                              ESL teacher

 

Executive Session – 9:20 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.   Superintendent’s Evaluation

 

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 9:39 p.m.) and Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 10:07 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to reconvene to regular session.

 

Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

Adjournment – 10:05 p.m.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Sheri Shurtleff

Secretary pro tem