GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

March 31, 2008

 

District Office

 

The minutes are unofficial pending Board of Education approval.

 

Members Present

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Robert Miller, Christopher 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 Mary Walker

 

Present in the Audience

Mike Kelleher, Larry Housel, Sherry Murray, Gary Knapp, Ella Knapp, Alice Murdock, and Mark Howser

 

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 Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda with the following additions:

6. E. Set Date for Next Communications Committee Meeting

7. F. Appoint Denise Sedorus as Substitute Claims Auditor

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2008, and March 17, 2008, Board of Education meetings.

 

Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Robert Miller, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the February 2008 Treasurer’s Report.

 

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the March 10, 2008, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:

1.    First Executive Session

      a. Employment History of a Specific Individual

2.    Second Executive Session

      a. Employment History of a Specific Individual

3.    Third Executive Session

      a. CSE/CPSE Recommendations

      b. Specific Student Issue

      c. Employee History of a Specific Individual

 

Open Forum with Community and/or Staff  

Gary Knapp informed the Board that he is waiting for them to change their minds about Sheldon Clark’s termination.

 

Ella Knapp presented to the Board a petition signed by students in support of Mr. Clark’s return as bus driver.

 

Work Session - Budget

Ø Revenue/State Budget Update

- have not received revised budget runs from the state

- provided 2007-08 to 2008-09 comparisons for budget (operational and debt service) and tax levy

- went over revenue estimate for 2008-09 budget

- looked at 2007-08 taxable assessed value and tentative 2008-09 assessed value (very preliminary numbers)

Ø Expenditures

- looked at amount of change in 2008-09 proposed budget

- budgeted for another 2nd grade class, but watching enrollment numbers

Ø Professional Development

- looked at budget worksheet for 2008-09 professional development initiatives

- two additional camps offered this summer

- GCS uses many of its own staff to do professional development

Ø Contingency

- worksheet from state used to calculate contingency budget

- required cuts include student supplies, community use of buildings and grounds, certain equipment and certain salary increases

Ø New Budget Notice/Fund Balance

- shared Property Tax Report Card (comparison of two years) that needs to be mailed to all district residents

- explained fund balance

Ø Board will look at the proposed 2008-09 budget again at their April 7, 2008, meeting

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1.    School Report Card

      - last year’s data

      - Report Card was promised by the state in November – just received

- Groton is a school in good standing

 

Questions/Updates on Leadership Team’s Written Reports:

- grades 6-12 Science Night to be held on May 8th

- need pasta and desserts for Spaghetti Dinner

     

Board President’s Report

Work Session

1.    Jeanne Petrella reported on the Work Session which was an Audit Committee meeting

-  Chris Dempsey and Scott Babcock reported to the Board on what insurance the school has – property, liability and vehicle

-  received an “A” rating from Utica National due to the school’s longevity with the company, loss

   record and loss control

2.    Sheri Shurtleff gave the Claims Audit Report:

      -  no payments made that were not properly documented

3.    Dr. Myers went over the new procedures for inventory control

      -  new procedure for tagging inventory

      -  new process for disposal

      -  business manager is responsible for fixed assets

 

Board Presidents’ Roundtable

Miriam Zubal reported that at their last meeting, they discussed:

-  budget

-  Kathy Hannah’s “Bridget” presentation – training in May on “Framework in Poverty”

 

School Events

-  Dr. Myers presenting the proposed budget and facility update to the GBA on April 16th and to the

   GPTO on April 21st

-  school play was great as was the middle school concert

-  three BOE members attended the last facility meeting – some staff members concerned that the track

   (which is not only used by the school but also a community resource)  has been “put on the back

   burner”

 

Report on BOE Superintendent Retreat

-  retreat was great – summary distributed which will be discussed at the April 7th meeting

 

Communications Meeting

- need to establish date for next meeting – will meet after the April 7th BOE meeting

-  will discuss Staff Appreciation Day (Student Council and the GPTO will help with the recognition)

 

Approval of Resolutions

 

Capital Reserve Fund

Linda Competillo presented the following resolution and duly moved that it be adopted and was seconded by Chris Montreuil:

 

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Groton Central School District, New York, as follows:

 

Section 1.          Pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law there is hereby established a capital reserve fund for the Groton Central School District, New York, which shall be designated as the “2008 Building Capital Reserve Fund” of said School District.

 

Section 2.          Such 2008 Building Capital Reserve Fund (hereinafter “Fund”) is hereby established for financing, in whole or in part, the following objects or purposes of said School District:

 

Reconstruction and equipping of the middle/high school and elementary school buildings and facilities, including Ross Field and the school track and field, various site improvements including driveway and parking reconfiguration and paving, and costs incidental thereto.

 

Section 3.          The ultimate amount of such Fund shall be $300,000, plus earnings thereon.

           

Section 4.          The probable term of such Fund shall be ten (10) years, after which time no further funds may be transferred to such Fund, unless previously extended by the voters, but such Fund shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted.

 

Section 5.          The source from which the funds for such Fund will be obtained is as follows: (i) an initial deposit of $9,800.00, to be transferred from the existing Capital Reserve Fund, and (ii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iii) unappropriated fund balance made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all to the extent permitted by law.

 

Section 6.          This resolution shall take effect upon the approval thereof by a majority of the qualified voters of said School District voting on a proposition therefore submitted at the annual or a special district meeting of said School District, the details of which shall be specified by a further resolution of the Board of Education.  Upon such approval, no further action of this Board of Education will be required to perfect the establishment of such Reserve Fund.

 

Section 7.          The form of proposition to be so submitted shall be substantially as follows:

 

PROPOSITION # 3

 

            Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:

 

            RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Groton Central School District is hereby authorized to establish a Building Capital Reserve fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the Education Law, with the purpose of such fund being to finance reconstruction and equipping of the middle/high school and elementary school buildings and facilities, including Ross Field and the school track and field, various site improvements, including driveway and parking reconfiguration and paving, and costs incidental thereto.  The ultimate amount of such fund is to be $300,000.00, plus earnings thereon.  The probable term of such fund is to be 10 years, but such fund shall continue in existence until liquidated in accordance with the Education Law or until the funds are exhausted.  The sources from which the funds shall be obtained for such Reserve are (i) an initial deposit of $9,800, to be transferred from the existing Capital Reserve fund, and (ii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iii) unappropriated fund balance made available by the Board of Education from time to time, and (iv) New York State Aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.

 

            Duly put to a vote as follows:

            AYES                                      NAYS

            Linda Competillo

            Miriam Zubal

            Jeanne Petrella

            Martha Smith

            Robert Miller

            Christopher Montreuil

            Michael Lockwood

 

Change Orders

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following resolution:

 

WHEREAS, the voters of the Groton Central School District (the “District”) have approved a $14,475,000 capital improvement plan (the “2008 Project”), and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Groton Central School District (the “Board”) has approved and anticipates approving certain contracts in connection with the 2008 Project, and

 

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that during the course of the 2008 Project certain changes and other modifications to the 2008 Project contracts will be recommended by the District’s construction manager and architect, and

 

WHEREAS, it may be necessary to act upon change orders recommended by the District construction manger and architect promptly for reasons of efficiency and or economy.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Brenda Myers, be and hereby is authorized to sign on behalf of the District any 2008 Project change order recommended by the District’s construction manager and architect that does not exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board shall approve any 2008 Project change order recommended by the District’s construction manager and architect in excess of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

 

$15,000 Seward Grant

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

RESOLVED, The Groton Central School Board of Education hereby appropriates $15,000 received as a grant-in-aid from the State of New York on March 17, 2008, for purpose of purchasing equipment and materials, including a volleyball net system, microscopes, a triple beam balance, and graphing calculators, which were not included in the authorized 2007-08 budget.

 

Acquisition of Two Buses and One Van

 

Linda Competillo presented the following resolution and duly moved that it be adopted and was seconded by Martha Smith:

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS FOLLOWS:

1.                   The following notice shall be added to the notice of annual meeting and election:

 

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the following proposition will be submitted for voter approval at such time:

 

 

PROPOSITION #2

Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:

 

Resolved that the Board of Education of the Groton Central School District is hereby authorized to undertake the acquisition of two (2) 66-passenger school buses, at an estimated maximum cost of $191,264 and one (1) 7-passenger front wheel drive minivan at an estimated maximum cost of $17,880,  for an estimated maximum aggregate cost of $209,144, less any trade-in value, and that such sum or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax to be collected in annual installments, with such tax to be partially offset by state aid available therefor; and, in anticipation of such tax, debt obligations of the school district as may be necessary not to exceed such estimated maximum aggregate cost shall be issued.

 

2.         At such meeting taxes to be levied by installments will be proposed providing for payment of the acquisition of school buses at an estimated aggregate maximum cost of not to exceed $209,144.  Such taxes shall be levied upon all the taxable property of the District, shall be levied in annual installments and shall be of such amounts and levied in such years as may be determined by the Board of Education.

 

3.         The District Clerk or the Clerk’s designee is hereby directed to add the above to the notice of the annual meeting of the School District.

 

4.         This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

 

            Duly put to a vote as follows:

 

              AYES                                                 NAYS

            Linda Competillo

            Miriam Zubal

            Jeanne Petrella

            Martha Smith

            Robert Miller

            Christopher Montreuil

            Michael Lockwood

 

Leave of Absence

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve an unpaid leave of absence for Theresa DeVoe for March 10, 2008 though June 10, 2008.

 

Appointment – Senior Typist for Attendance/Special Education

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Martha Smith, and carried - 7 ayes, to appoint Diane Diedrickson to a provisional, conditional, 11-months/year; 8 hours per day position of Senior Typist for Attendance/Special Education, effective March 25, 2008, with a rate of pay of $10.50 per hour.

 

Approval of Substitute

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve Linda Palmer as a certified teacher substitute.

 

Acceptance of Donation

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Christopher Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from the Groton Music Boosters to purchase guitars and cases for the middle-high school music program.

 

Appointment – Substitute Claims Auditor

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint Denise Sedorus as the Substitute Claims Auditor, effective March 26, 2008.

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar.

 

Meeting Summary

-                              budget

-                              accepted donations for guitars

-                              new secretary

-                              facility plan

-                              great play

 

Executive Session – 8:42 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Christopher Montreuil, 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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Mary Walker, District Clerk

 

(Mary Walker left the meeting at this time.  Miriam Zubal resumed the minutes.)

 

Board Members Present in Executive Session

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Robert Miller, Christopher Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella, Martha Smith, and Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Michelle Pronti (left at 9:05 p.m.), Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 9:38 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 Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

 

Adjournment – 9:39 p.m.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Miriam Zubal

Secretary pro tem