BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
March 10, 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
Brenda
Myers, Randy Ray
Call
to Order
Miriam
Zubal called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m..
There was a quorum check
Executive Session – 6:03
p.m.
A
motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried –
7 ayes; to go into executive session for a legal issue.
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, Randy Ray
Out
of Executive Session – 6:50 p.m.
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by
Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes; to go out of Executive Session.
Reconvene
Meeting – 7:02 p.m.
Miriam Zubal reconvened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. in
the middle-high school cafeteria. There
was assurance
of meeting posting and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, David Remick, Sheri Shurtleff, and Randy Ray
Present in the Audience
Approximately
120 people (sign-in sheet attached to official minutes).
Approval
of Agenda
A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda.
Approval
of Minutes
A
motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7
ayes, to approve the minutes from the February 25, 2008, Board of Education
meeting.
Summary
of Executive Session
Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the February 25,
2008, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
2. Employment History of a Specific Individual
3. Collective Bargaining
Open Forum with Community and/or Staff
Miriam Zubal opened the meeting for comments from the audience, stating that the Open Forum section of the meeting would end at 8:00 p.m., so the Board could continue with their business. She asked if anyone wanted to address the Board regarding any matter not relating to Mr. Sheldon Clark.
Eight people signed in to address the Board regarding Mr. Clark.
§ Mark Howser presented a petition to the Board suggesting the Board reconsider their termination of Sheldon Clark, bus driver. Because of the personal nature of Mr. Howser’s questions, the Board offered to meet with him in Executive Session following the Open Forum session of the meeting.
§ Dean Peterson, Gary Knapp, Brad Eldred, Tim Murdock, Gary Root and Arland Jackson addressed the Board regarding Sheldon Clark’s termination.
§ Sheldon Clark read a statement to the Board requesting they reconsider his termination.
Executive Session – 7:15 p.m.
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to go into Executive Session for Employment History of an Individual (in the District Office).
Board Members Present in Executive Session
Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Bob Miller, Chris Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal
Also Present
Mark
Howser, Brenda Myers, Randy Ray
Reconvene Meeting – 7:35 p.m.
The Board reconvened the meeting in the middle-high school cafeteria. Miriam Zubal, Board of Education President, read the following statement,
The
The information shared tonight has already been brought to the Board’s attention
by the Superintendent and has been reviewed and considered by the Board. Please understand that the Board cannot
discuss a pending personnel matter or the employment history of its employees. The Board is bound to confidentiality by
state laws and regulations. As such, the
Board cannot share with the public the many other matters that it has
considered which led to the Board’s decision.
We do, however, appreciate your concerns and will continue to discuss
and review your comments.
Finally, concerns have been raised regarding the cost of the
arbitration. Unfortunately, the due
process procedures initiated require the expense of a professional
arbitrator. The District and the CSEA
share the costs of the arbitrator equally.
The Board is always cognizant of the use of taxpayer funds for
litigation. However, each employee does
have the right to grieve and the District has an obligation to respond.
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with the Board.
Presentation
Dr. Ellen O’Donnell, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga (TST)
BOCES District Superintendent and Rich Weiss, Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga-BOCES
Business Administrator, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed 2008-09
TST Budget (copy of presentation attached to official minutes).
§
Similar to a school district, BOCES is required to
break down its budget into three parts – program, capital, administration
§
By law, the component boards of education must vote
on the TST BOCES Administration Budget and Nominations for the TST BOCES Board,
on the same day - this year on Wednesday, April 23, 2008
§
Dr. O’Donnell stated that there is consideration in
§
The Board asked about the impact on the state budget
with Spitzer’s resignation and questioned the chance of an on-time budget
Work
Session
Dr. Brenda Myers and Sheri Shurtleff distributed information
on the proposed 2008-09 budget:
§
Priorities
- strategic planning
- improve student performance
- maintain facilities and capital assets
- communication/public information
- wellness
- technology integration
- fiscal stability and efficiency
§
Cost Savings
- transition to BOCES to operationalize
aid
- increased monitoring of special
education costs
- reassign elementary school, high school,
special education, and district office clerical staff to
maximize functionality and efficiency
- expand ES librarian position to library
media specialist to facilitate technology integration
- develop internal expertise and
leadership to share promising practices and to provide ongoing
training and support
- develop 5-year facility plan and work with community to develop future
facility projects to
maximize state aid
- use extra resources from Senator Seward to purchase instructional and
athletic equipment
- partner with higher education and county agencies to develop programs
and resources and to
access grants at no cost to the district
§
Issues Not Addressed
- after-school tutoring
- instructional support programs
- additional staff for
special education
- additional equipment
for physical education
- additional
technology
- technology support
for classroom instruction
§
Revenue
- draft budget based on Governor’s aid
projection
- federal funding still decreasing
§
Expense Changes
- most contractual or mandated
- those by choice are: professional
development, BOUNCE program (student achievement),
Employee Assistance Program, Transfinder (bus routing), music equipment
replacement (lease)
§
Bus Proposition
- replace 2 65-passenger buses
- replace 7-passenger van
- 5-year borrowing schedule to coincide
with state aid
§
Capital Reserve Proposition
-
establish Capital Reserve fund to finance future
Capital Projects
-
Staff
and/or Board Committee Reports
Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:
1.
- Tim Heller stated that the GPTO is donating
$3,000 and ½ of their spring fundraising funds
toward
additional items for the new playground at the elementary school
-
a
Pasta Dinner will be held on April 10th with proceeds going to the playground
fund – asked the Board to help in putting on the dinner
-
encouraging
individuals and businesses to contribute
-
Mike
Petrella is making thermometers to chart the donations
2. Facility
Issues and Bids
- had meeting today
- bid opening on March 13th
-
- on March 14, Superintendent’s Conference
Day, will share schedule with faculty and staff
- discussed change order procedures – up to
$20,000 by Superintendent’s approval; above
$20,000
by BOE approval; will bring resolution to March 31st BOE meeting
Michelle Pronti, Director of Special Education:
- Thank you to Pat Howard and Theresa Streeter – testing
Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology:
- Teachers received Teacher Center Grants
Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:
- Middle School Team won
David Remick, Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics:
- girls from
- finished bowling unit in phys. ed. – thanked Darryl Campbell and Lou Mikula
- recognized winter coaches
- Michelle Stewart taking over for Renee Brehm as athletic secretary
Eric Hartz, High School Principal:
- thanked Cathy Spallone and students for another successful blood drive
- many parents and students excited about many college acceptances
- thanked Connie Miller Filzen, Penny Pomeroy, and Becky Scaglione for help with Upward Bound
program
Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:
- thanked Pat Berry for work on Dr. Seuss Day
- thanked Randy Sovocool for work on finalizing evacuation plans
- thanked Jennifer Dove for help in interviewing BOUNCE teacher applicants
- thanked Eric Hartz for help with a student issue
- thanked Teri Evener and Michelle Pronti for work on Manifestation meeting
- interviewed for Attendance/Special Education Secretary
Martha Smith, TST BOCES SBA Executive Committee Report:
- Larry Cummings in attendance – this year’s state budget looks OK, but watch out for next year
- looking for nominations for TST BOCES Annual Award and CNYSBA Award
- Vicky Volpicelli (
- reminder – Annual Meeting, Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Linda Competillo, TST BOCES Meeting Report:
- new COSER – Shared Central Business Offices
- Rich Weiss retiring – position posted; Peggy Johnson will become Clerk of the Board
- some schools have requested Teacher of Chinese
- Thursday, Open House at TST BOCES
- 72
- viewed DVD “commercial” showcasing TST BOCES programs
Linda Competillo, CN YSBA Meeting Report:
- schools will be receiving notification letters this week informing them of CNYSBA dues increase
- eliminating local Lobby Day in March
- encouraging school districts to email NYSSBA.org
- district clerks workshop to be held March 28th with another to be scheduled for fall
- May 29th – CNYSSBA Annual Meeting
at Springside Inn,
- new school board members workshops – June 3, 6, 9, 11
Chris Montreuil, Recreation Committee Report:
- meeting was cancelled
Board
President’s Report – Miriam Zubal
1. School Events
- Miriam read to three classes for Dr.
Seuss Day
2. TST BOCES Annual Meeting
- all BOE members attending, Sheri
Shurtleff and Brenda Myers – Mary Walker will send RSVP
and arrange van
Approval
of Substitutes
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded
by Bob Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following substitutes:
1. Kevin Brockman, Certified
Teacher
2. Amy Williams, Certified
Teacher
Permanent
Appointments
A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following permanent appointments:
1. Dulcie
Turner, School Nurse, effective March 3, 2008
2. Delsy
DeMatteo, Teacher Aide, effective March 3, 2008
3. Tammy
Hays, Teacher Aide, effective March 3, 2008
4. Susan
Stoughton, Teacher Aide, effective March 3, 2008
Acceptance
of Donations
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the following donations:
1.
from
a. $1,200 (48 -
$25.00 gift cards) for each teacher with a classroom
b. $1,000 to support the District’s Mathematics
Initiative
c. $1,000 to support the District’s ELA Initiative
d. $500 to help offset costs of 100 Day
Celebration
2.
from Connie Miller (Filzen), $100.00 MS Student Council Fund – Coins for Keegan
Second
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of Policy #7132 – Non-Resident Students and Policy #7530 – Child Abuse and Neglect/Maltreatment.
Approval
of Request for Proposal (RFP) for School Physician
A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the RFP for School Physician as presented.
Appointments
– Reading Acceleration Specialists
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint Lynn Weeks and Erin Pavente as Reading Acceleration Specialists, effective March 10, 2008, with the rate of pay at $30.00 per hour.
Calendar
Announcements
The Board reviewed the calendar.
Meeting
Summary
- received
very nice donations
- elementary
playground
- permanent
appointments
- substitutes
- policies
- budget
Executive Session – 9:50 p.m.
A
motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7
ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:
1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
2. Employment History of a
Specific Individual
3. 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
Eric
Hartz (left at 10:10 p.m.), Michelle Pronti (left at 10:20 p.m.), Brenda Myers
Reconvene Meeting – 10:30 p.m.
A
motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Bob Miller, and carried – 7
ayes, to reconvene to regular session.
Acceptance of CSE/CPSE
Recommendations
A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Martha
Smith, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as
presented.
Adjournment – 10:31
p.m.
On a motion made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Chris
Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Walker
District Clerk