GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

December 10, 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, Eric Hartz, Brenda Myers, David Remick, and Sheri Shurtleff

 

Present in the Audience

Chad DeVoe, Eric Toyama, Heather Sheridan-Thomas, Kayla Lyon, Justina Conner, Katelyn Riese, Travis Williams, Mick Stegeland, Bryan Murray, Tony DiLucci, Mary Walters, Cheryl Button,

Thea Martin, and Travis Winter

 

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 Agenda

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda with the following changes:

Add 5.A.5. First Draft of 2008-09 School Calendar

Add 5.B.1. Transfinder Software

Delete 5.F. Recreation Committee Report

Add 7.G. Approval of 2008-09 Program Services Cost Allocation Methodology for Shared Services

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the November 26, 2007, Board of Education meeting.

 

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the November 26, 2007, Executive Session, the following topic was discussed:

1.     CSE/CPSE Recommendations

 

Presentations

1.   T-S-T BOCES Programs - Dr. Heather Sheridan-Thomas, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services, introduced T-S-T BOCES personnel who presented their various programs:

Ø      Cheryl Button, Supervisor Exceptional Education, introduced Philip Hutchings who spoke about the Bridges program and vocational program:

-    favorite subject is math

-    attends auto service program

-    works on family farm

Ø      Mary Walters, Instructional Supervisor – Turning Point program introduces counselor Travis           Winter, and student Nate Stineford who spoke about his experiences:

   -    has electricity vocational program also

   -    relationship between staff and students in the Turning Point program is like a family – teachers

         are always there to help the students

   -    had a hard time at Groton, and this program has taught him to think before he acts and not talk

         back to teachers

-         is participating in the Groton wrestling team and will go in the Army when he graduates

 

Ø      Thea Martin, GED and Alternative Education Teacher, spoke about her program:

-         students come to the program because they need a smaller environment

-         staff is very caring – treats everyone as an individual

 

Ø      Tony DiLucci, Director of Career and Technical Education, introduced three students who are enrolled in the New Visions Agricultural and Environmental Science program held at Cornell:

-         Justina Conner, interested in international and world development;         hands-on, rigorous, dynamic program; would like to attend Cornell after graduation

      -     Bryan Murray, interested in agriculture business/animal science

      -     Jaimee Burhans, interested in animal science; participated in vet hospital rotations, including

             surgery

 

2.   Alternative Education & GED Programs at Groton Central School – Eric Hartz, High School

      Principal, introduced Mic Stegeland and Travis Williams:

      -    distributed handouts for each program

      -    Mic Stegeland thanked the Board for having the Alternative Education program

             -     program housed at the elementary school - small group of students

             -     “teaching/learning without them knowing”

             -     program gets better each year

             -     David Syracuse comes in to teach Biology and Babs Carr comes in to teach a Life Skills

                   Course

            -     Eric Hartz commented on what a great job Mr. Stegeland does

      -     Travis Williams thanked the Board and Administration for providing a Groton-based GED

             program

            -     has been a special education teacher for 12 years

             -     very excited about this program – for some students it is the last opportunity to get a

                   diploma

            -     program is tailored for specific student needs; textbook and computer components

             -     full-day program – work/BOCES and education piece

 

3.   Technology Integration: Blogs – Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal, introduced Chad

      DeVoe, Middle School Science Teacher, and Eric Toyama, Middle School Music Teacher:

-         Chad demonstrated his science blog with the EZ Pro

-     many hits from around the world

-     students leave comments/ask questions

      -     Eric showed his blog link with the EZ Pro

 

4.   High School Site-Base Team – Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

      -     distributed handout listing topics of discussion, 2007-08 members, and meeting dates

      -     trying to get another teacher on the team

      -     discussing appropriate music for dances (speak with DJ before dance)

      -     HS Open House – “how do we get more parents to come?”

 

5.   2008-09 Budget Development and Calendar – Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent, and

      Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

-         BOE should bring their budget notebooks to each meeting from now on

-         Leadership Team members becoming more independent in their specific budget areas

-         Sheri Shurtleff produced document for each administrator showing current year budget, so administrators can predict budget for 2008-09

-         distributed proposed budget calendar for 2008-09

-         Board decided to change the 5/5/08 BOE meeting to 5/12/08 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. prior to the Public Hearing at 7:00 p.m.

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1.   Tenure Process

      -     distributed handout on the tenure process

      -     eight teachers up for tenure this year

      -     GFA contract states teacher must be notified by March 1 if they won’t be receiving tenure

      -     recommendations for tenure will be on the February 11, 2008, agenda

2.   Bus Accident

      -     team did a great job

      -     Val Sweazey, School Nurse, checked students at the scene

      -     no damage to bus or injuries to students or staff

      -     took 1 hour 10 minutes for police to respond to the scene

3.   Holiday Art

      -     distributed draft of the holiday cards

      -     will be sent out on Thursday

4.   Rural Schools

      -     distributed handout

      -     March 18 – Rural Schools in Albany

5.   2008-09 Calendar

      -     distributed draft calendar

      -     will be working on specifics

 

Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

1.   Transfinder Software

      -     had demo of transportation software

      -     have never had any kind of transportation/routing software

      -     Transfinder is supported by OCM BOCES, uses Student Information System (SIS) data base,

            has web interface

      -     receive BOCES aid

      -     looking at accelerated implementation schedule – start by January 1, 2008

     

Leadership Team - Recognitions

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:

-     new cafeteria program NutriKids is a great program

-     thank you to Michael Lockwood, Mary Walker, Brenda Myers, Sheri Shurtleff for helping at the

      spaghetti dinner

-     thank you Jeanne Petrella for attending MS Honors Breakfast

-     check out GCS artwork at the Tompkins County Airport

-     need a little tweaking, but holding elementary, middle, and high holiday concerts on individual nights seems to be working well

Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

-     extra-curricular vacant offices have been filled

-     teaming with Cornell University for Outward Bound program

-     Reach Program with Cornell – they come and tutor at Groton

-     Kayla Lyon nominated for scholarship

-     Senior Class rang the bell in Groton for the Salvation Army and collected $1,500

-     Cornell people here for college fair and commented on how clean out school is – maintenance

      department does a fantastic job

 

Dr. Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology:

-     Teacher Center is progressing

      -  new books coming in and Linda Perreault is cataloging

-     Denise Sedorus is great

 

David Remick, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics:

-     Boys Varsity Basketball team is off to a great start as is the Varsity Wrestling team

-     three fall scholar athlete teams

      - Girls Varsity Volleyball – 92.046

      -  Varsity Football – 90.21

      -  Girls Varsity Soccer – 90.374 – entire team was above 90

      - thank you to Gretchen Pratt for doing the scores

-     Chris Dempsey fulfilling his promise of a steak dinner on December 20th for the football team

      since they went 8-0 in their season

 

Martha Smith, T-S-T BOCES Executive Committee Meeting Report of December 7, 2007:

-     Larry Cummings was present

-     Topic of the meeting, “Have BOCES stay focused on student achievement”

-     Dr. O’Donnell gave an update on new funding sources

 

Linda Competillo, T-S-T BOCES Meeting Report:

-     Legislative Breakfast to be held on February 2, 2008 – place to be determined

-     very brief meeting – people were asking about Martha

-     moving toward a semi-paperless group

-     looking at a therapy pool at T-S-T BOCES

 

Board President’s Report – Miriam Zubal

-     worked on policies during BOE work session

-     Michael Lockwood and his wife worked at the spaghetti dinner

-     great success with Breakfast with Santa

-     Middle School concert was very nice

-     Jeanne Petrella attended the Presidents’ Roundtable meeting – Kathleen Hanna was the speaker

-     Board Retreat to be held on March 17, 2008, 6:00 p.m., dish-to-pass at Miriam’s home

 

Approval of Substitutes

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

1.   Dixie Franklin, Certified Teacher

2.   Kristen Hewitt, Certified Teacher

 

Acceptance of 2007-08 Tax Collector’s Report

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

the 2007-08 Tax Collector’s Report as presented.  (Copy of report attached to official minutes.)

 

Acceptance of 2008-09 Budget Calendar

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the 2008-09 Budget Calendar as presented.  (Copy of budget calendar attached to official minutes.)

 

Acceptance of Donations

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

1.   Anonymous Donation - $40.00 for Football Program

2.   Groton Education Fund Grant Awards - $1,445.00

      a.   1st Grade Yoga in the Classroom – Cindy Viscotha, purchase of yoga mats,

            $213.55

      b.   High School Student Council Leadership Training Day – Lorri Hunter, purchase

            team building equipment (in partnership with Student Council), $280.00

      c.   Elementary Wellness Through Steps (in partnership with GPTO) –

            Donna Davis, Mike Myers, purchase pedometers, $500.00

      d.   K-4 Math and Literacy Summer Packets – Laura Hathaway, purchase books and

            supplies, $452.00

 

Second Reading  - Policy 5321 – District Credit Cards

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of Policy 5321 – District Credit Cards.

 

Appointment – Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Jeanne Petrella abstained) to appoint Randy Sovocool to a permanent appointment of Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds, with a 26-week probationary period, effective December 11, 2007.

 

Cost Allocation Methodology

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Michael Lockwood abstained) to approve the 2008-09 Program Services Cost Allocation Methodology for Shared Services Unit Cost Determination.

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

 

Meeting Summary

-                              wonderful programs

-                              great presentation on blogs

-                              presentation by BOCES students

-                              Alternative Education and GED programs

-                              grants and donations

-                              budget calendar

-                              safety protocols in place

-                              transportation software

Executive Session – 9:30 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.   Employment History of a Specific Individual

3.   Collective Bargaining

4.   Legal Matter

 

Board Members Present in Executive Session

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 10:28 p.m.

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

 

Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations

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

 

Adjournment – 10:29 p.m.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Mary Walker

District Clerk