GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

February 11, 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

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

Sheri Shurtleff

 

Present in the Audience

Sidney Moonchild, Kathleen Walpole, Robert Walpole, Peter Jackson, Tim Buckley, Tristen Buckley, Margie LaFrance, Mackenzie Corcoran, Adonica Mancuso, Michael Mancuso, Joel Twitchell, Jessie Churchill, Timothy Baxendell, Anneleise Hess, Savannah Wheaton, Katie VanBenschoten

 

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 Bob Miller, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda deleting 4.A. Body Mass Index Presentation and 5.D. T-S-T BOCES SBA Executive Committee Report, and adding the continuation of the Technology Plan presentation to 4.C. Budget Development.

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the January 28, 2008, Board of Education meeting changing “unfounded mandates” to “unfunded mandates” under Legislative Update – Fund Balance.

 

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the January 28, 2008, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:

1.    CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2.    Specific Student Issue

3.    Employment History of a Specific Individual

 

Presentations

1.    Leaders’ Club/Student Councils

      A.   Tim Heller introduced Roxanne Ploss, Elementary School Leaders’ Club Advisor:

            -     Ms. Ploss introduced some of her Leaders’ Club members - Tristen Buckley, Mackenzie Corcoran,

Timothy Baxendell, Anneleise Hess, Savannah Wheaton, Katie VanBenschoten – who shared their posters and explained certain aspects of Leaders’ Club

             -     Leaders’ Club members have helped with activities such as Breakfast with Santa and the Vitamin L

                   Concert

             -     students are fund raising for a trip to Sea Breeze

      B.  Connie Miller Filzen introduced three members of Middle School Student Council - Adonica Mancuso,  Joel Twitchell, Jessie Churchill – who explained some of their activities:

             -     wrote speeches to be elected and/or got signatures to be a member

             -     some activities are: dances, field trips, community service, candy grams

             -     did Caps for Keegan and Coins for Keegan

             -     need to have patience and be reliable and responsible to be a student council member

             -     have to give up lunch period to attend meetings

      C.  Eric Hartz introduced two High School Student Council members, who spoke about some of their activities:

             -     Kathleen Walpole spoke about Holiday Gala, Homecoming and Homecoming Dance, John

                   Hancock Day, pep rallies, activities for regional Rotary students, renting student parking spots, staff

                   basketball game, Middle School Fun Night

             -     Peter Jackson spoke about Hats for Humanity, donations to SPCA and Groton Food Pantry, ringing bell for the Salvation Army, boxes to local armed forces members, participation in Relay for Life

             -     Over the past three years, High School Student Council has given over $8,000 in donations

             -     Lorri Hunter is the advisor

 

2.    Budget Development

      A.   Technology (continued from work session) - Jennifer Dove did a PowerPoint presentation:

            -     Instructional Work Station Upgrade Plan

            -     teachers will be responsible for their laptops (if they choose to receive one)

            -     Joe Urda and Judy Swartwout will be responsible for the inventory

            -     no student information will be stored on laptops

            -     looking for 5-year rather than 3-year warranty through BOCES

            -     support purposeful use of technology with:

                   -    two Library Media Specialists (Polly Case-Codner and Linda Perreault’s replacement)

                   -    twelve Technology Teacher Leaders (new positions)

                   -    one Network Specialist (new position) aidable through T-S-T BOCES, starting September 1,

                        2008

                   -    Linda Competillo stated that the District needs to be mindful of poverty in the District

                   -    proposed 2008-09 Technology Budget is $580,747

                   -    job description of technology support will be changed – anticipated retirement

                   -    summer technology curriculum work

                        almost all items in technology budget generates aid

            -     bring questions regarding the technology budget to the February 25th meeting

      B.   2008-09 Equipment Priorities - building a multi-year plan to ensure equipment is maintained and

             upgraded - Brenda Myers handed out information:                     

             -     music program – leasing instruments

             -     science equipment – microscopes and triple beam balance

             -     mathematics – graphing calculators (state mandated)

             -     athletic equipment – volleyball net system

             -     organizational efficiency – digital, networked copiers – transition to BOCES to receive aid

             -     furniture – classroom replacements

             -     Thursday, received call (and letter) from Senator Seward awarding GCS a one-time grant of

                   $15,000, which will be used to fund the above equipment needs

             -     Board asked that a thank you letter be drafted to Senator Seward - they will all sign

 

3.    Dental Van – Brenda Myers presented information:

      -     UPK and Kindergarten students will need dental screening prior to entering school next year

      -     van will be in Groton one day a month – parked at the Groton Assembly of God upper parking lot

      -     this is not a school program and van can’t be parked on school property

      -     school helped with promoting the project – letters home to parents, information in newsletter

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1.    First Read on Policies

      -     7132 – Non-Resident Students

             -     addressing international students

             -     not all students/families are screened as thoroughly as the Rotary Exchange Program

             -     how many exchange students can the District accommodate?

             -     need to add grandfather statement for 2003-04 students (from previous policy)

      -     7530 – Child Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment

             -     new law – can’t put in the “chain of command” statement

             -     would like to do staff training on the next Superintendent’s Conference Day and then do follow-up

                   training

      -     second reading will be at the February 25th BOE meeting

2.    Snow Day Letter

      -     shared letter that went to all parents and employees of the District

      -     have already used four days – if more than the five allotted days are taken - will need to use March 21

             and/or March 24

3.    Memory Garden

      -     presented information to the Groton Alumni Association

      -     all bricks will be purchased at one time

      -     looking for corporate sponsor

      -     bricks cost $50.00 - $20.00 engraving fee, $5.00 maintenance fee, $5.00 goes to Groton Alumni

             Association and $20.00 to the Groton Education Fund

      -     goal is to have everything ready for the Alumni Weekend

4.    Grant Development

      -     always looking to find new revenue sources

      -     met Chris Semler, grant writer – can purchase his services through BOCES (aidable)

             -     working with Chris on Emergency Preparedness Planning Grant

             -     grant would provide ˝ person for 2 years

             -     grant submitted to federal government

5.    Proposed 2008-09 Calendar (Plan C)

      -     T-S-T BOCES is going with Plan A (two weeks off at Christmas)

      -     need to be mindful of our schedule vs. BOCES schedule

      -     changing September 2 and 3 as Orientation Day and Superintendent Day for Staff; students’ first day

             will be Thursday, September 4

      -     2008-09 calendar will be on February 25th agenda for approval

 

Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

-     Distributed General Fund Revenue Report

      -     District is in good shape

      -     encouraged Board to watch this closely in the next school year

 

Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

-     Groton’s chapter of the National Honor Society received an award from the Red Cross for their 2006 Blood Drive – Advisor Cathy Spallone and President Justina Conner attended the luncheon presentation

 

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

-     recognized Groton graduate, Mike Conner – being inducted in the Section Four Athletic Hall of Fame during the sectional basketball finals in February

-     indoor track sprint medley – broke school record

 

Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:

-     Renee Brehm cross-training for Barb Nelson’s position

-     thanked Julianne Shurtleff – all ELA tests to OCM on Friday

-     thanked Dave Remick for covering the elementary building

 

Michelle Pronti, Director of Special Education:

-     thanked principals for teacher coverage during CSE meetings

-     Nadell Casey has been hired as transition coordinator – will be doing presentation

 

Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology:

-     ELA tests are done

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

-     Amanda Verba did presentation of 2nd Step and other programs

-     Mental Health Grant

-     Lighthouse Without Walls – another layer of support – keeps students in their home schools

 

Chris Montreuil, Recreation Department Report:

-     reviewed Winter Fest events and schedule

      -     Saturday at the elementary school

      -     Sunday at Stonehedges

      -     received $100 donation form Groton Alumni Association

      -     had guest speaker Rebecca from the Learning Web – sets up career exploration and volunteered for

             Winter Fest

 

Board President’s Report – Miriam Zubal

1.    Work Session

      -     technology update

2.    School Events

      -     last basketball game was a heart breaker

      -     track team did great

3.    Legislative Breakfast Update

      -     great article in the Groton Independent

      -     nice banners

      -     Rick Timbs did a great job

      -     discussed property tax cap, CPSE issue

4.    Planning for Board/Superintendent Retreat

      -     will have mini-meeting at the school prior to the retreat – will award bids

      -     topic for retreat – BOE goals

5.    NYSSBA – NYC, October 16-19, 2008

      -     set number of BOE members going to two

 

Approval of Substitutes

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

1.    Kirk Gerhardt, Uncertified Teacher

2.    Margaret Krashes, Uncertified Teacher

3.    Peggy Bradley, Uncertified Teacher

 

Tenure Appointments

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

1.    Wendy Cummings, Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant, effective September 1, 2008

2.    Chad DeVoe, Tenure Area: Science, effective September 1, 2008

3.    Cory Giroux, Tenure Area: Social Studies, effective September 1, 2008

4.    Melissa Sorenson, Tenure Area: Physical Education, effective September 1, 2008

5.    Eric Toyama, Tenure Area: Music, effective September 1, 2008

6.    Karen Brennan, Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant, effective September 1, 2008

7.    Darcy Krupa, Tenure Area: Social Studies, effective September 1, 2008

8.    Paul Wiech, Tenure Area: Science, effective September 1, 2008

9.    Laura Hathaway, Tenure Area: Elementary, effective September 1, 2008

 

Approval of 2007-08 Middle School Drama Club Account

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the 2007-08 Middle School Drama Club Account.

Approval to Pilot the 1st Grade Reading Acceleration Program – “BOUNCE”

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve piloting the1st Grade Reading Acceleration Program – “BOUNCE.”

 

Approval to Develop the Groton Central School Memory Garden in

Collaboration with the Groton Education Fund and the Groton Alumni Association

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the development of the Groton Central School Memory Garden in collaboration with the Groton Education Fund and the Groton Alumni Association.

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

 

Meeting Summary

-     received $15,000 grant from Senator Seward

-     tenured teachers and teaching assistants

-     Memory Garden

 

Executive Session – 9:43 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 10:05 p.m.), Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 10:28 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 – 10:29 p.m.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Mary Walker

District Clerk