GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

April 23, 2008

 

District Office

 

The minutes are unofficial pending Board of Education approval.

 

Members Present

Linda Competillo, Michael Lockwood, Robert Miller, Christopher Montreuil, Jeanne Petrella (arrived at 6:03 p.m.), Martha Smith, Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Jennifer Dove, Connie Miller Filzen, Eric Hartz, Timothy Heller, Brenda Myers, David Remick, Sheri Shurtleff, Mary Walker

 

Present in the Audience

Sabrina Quints, Tracie Johnstone, Mike Molino, Deb VanZandt, Gretchen Pratt, Charmaigne Varga, Lorri Hunter

 

Call to Order

Miriam Zubal called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 Robert Miller, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the agenda with the following changes:

- delete 5.A. Science Program

- delete 5.B Body Mass Index

- delete 6.4. Enrollment Update

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Robert Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes of March 31, 2008 and April 7, 2008.

 

Summary of Executive Session

Dr. Brenda Myers reported that at the April 7, 2008, Executive Session, the following topics were discussed:

1.    CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2.    Review Specific Student Issue

 

Open Forum with Community and/or Staff

Sabrina Quints addressed the Board regarding the policy/decision not allowing International Student Exchange Programs ASSE students to enroll at Groton Central School.   She distributed information on the program and asked the Board to reconsider their decision.

 

Tenure Celebration

Tracie Johnstone, Mike Molino, Deb VanZandt, Gretchen Pratt, Charmaigne Varga, and Brenda Myers commented on working with Mr. Hartz:

- “very proud to work for Eric”

- “pleasure to work with”

- “helps with issues”

- “high level of confidence in him”

- “cares about children”

 

The Board took a short break to celebrate Eric Hartz’s tenure appointment.

 

Presentations

English Language Learning (ELL) Plan – Dr. Jennifer Dove:

- distributed handout

- each district is required to have a plan

- will provide professional development only when we have ELL students

- will present for BOE approval at May 12th meeting

 

Budget Overview – Dr. Brenda Myers and Sheri Shurtleff

- distributed handout and provided a PowerPoint presentation

- presented budget at GBA, GPTO

- looking at “budget to budget”

- Maratha Smith stated that Governor Paterson may ask for a 10% cut in state budget next year – could that

   include schools?

- went over the Summary of Appropriations

- if we had to go to a contingency budget – would need to cut $250,000

- need to make sure the bus and van replacement cycle is understood

 

Sample Ballot – Mary Walker

- went over sample of 2008-09 Absentee Ballot, which includes the three propositions and election of Board of

  Education members

- Proposition No. 1 – 2008-09 Spending Plan

- Proposition No. 2 – School Bus and Van Purchase

- Proposition No. 3 – Capital Reserve Fund

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

Marketing Plan Update

- Senator Seward invited to Science Night on May 8th

- waiting to hear from Assemblywoman Lifton about ribbon-cutting ceremony for wireless lab

- groundbreaking ceremony for elementary school playground is May 19th at 11:00 a.m.

- Memory Garden work has started – once the bricks are installed, we’ll have a ribbon-cutting ceremony (June)

 

Technology Teacher Leaders

- 11 Technology Teacher Leaders selected for next year

 

Update on Math Conference

- presented at Math Conference

- six GCS teachers attended

 

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

- server project went well

- wireless lab in place – Keith Goodwin has already used

- Joe Urda and Judy Swartwout did excellent job setting up diagrams/explanations

 

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:

- Middle School Play will be May 29th – looked at calendar and this is only available day

 

Timothy Heller, Elementary School Principal:

- no quorum for site base team meeting

 

Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

- distributed written report

- some May dates on the report were incorrect – should be June

 

Robert Miller complimented all the staff on the effort put into their jobs – it is well appreciated and everyone does an amazing job.

 

Board President’s Report

Conversation – School Events

- Spaghetti Dinner went well – very organized, fun, thanks to Tim for all his hard work

- Michael Lockwood attended GPTO and commented on how the community works together – kids’ workshop

  at the Groton Rod and Gun club

 

TST BOCES Reserve Fund

- Board will be voting tonight on establishing a Reserve Fund – this is for equipment for Career and Tech

 

Communications Committee Report

- working on Staff Appreciation poem – all BOE members to sign

 

CNYSBA Annual Meeting

- this will be held on the same night as the MS play – Board needs to split up

- Jeanne Petrella and Christopher Montreuil will be attending the play

- will look at having the HS Video students film the play

 

Resolution for the 2008-09 Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Administrative Budget

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Robert Miller, and carried – 6 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstention (Michael Lockwood abstained as he is employed by TST BOCES) to approve the resolution approving the 2008-09 Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES Administrative Budget.  (Copy of resolution attached to official minutes.)

 

Resolution to Establish a Career Education Instructional Equipment Reserve Fund by Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Robert Miller, and carried – 6 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstention (Michael Lockwood abstained as he is employed by TST BOCES) to approve the resolution approving the establishment  of a Career Education Instructional Equipment Reserve Fund by Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES.   (Copy of resolution attached to official minutes.)

 

Resolution for the 2008-09 Election of Members of the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 6 ayes; 0 nays; 1 abstention (Michael Lockwood abstained as he is employed by TST BOCES) to elect John Nihill and  Ralph Jones to the T-S-T Board of Cooperative Educational Services, with 3-year terms commencing July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2011.  (Copy of resolution attached to official minutes.)

 

Award RFP for School Physician

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

RESOLVED, Dr. Marshall M. Trabout  and the Community Medical Center of Moravia, New York, are designated to serve as the Director of School Health Services and provide school medical services to the Groton Central School District for the school years 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 in accordance with the District’s Request for Proposals issued March 11, 2008, and as proposed by Dr. Trabout in his response to the RFP dated April 3, 2008, at an annual contract rate of $14,464.00.

 

Approval of Proposed 2008-09 Budget

A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Christopher Montreuil, and carried – 7 yes, to approve the Proposed 2008-09 Budget as presented in the amount of $16,646,492.

 

Approval of 2008-09 Property Tax Report Card

A motion was made by Michael Lockwood, seconded by Christopher Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the 2008-09 Property Tax Report Card as presented.

 

Acceptance of Donations

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the following donations:

1. Anatomical Models for Health & Science, Value: $250.00 from Mashelle Jansen

2. Electric Keyboard, Value: $900.00 from Groton Music Boosters

 

Appointments

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Christopher Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint the following 2008-09 election personnel:

1.  Ramona Forney

2.  Sharon Gallow

3.  Mary Walker

4.  Lewis Robinson

5.  Lee Shurtleff

 

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to appoint Tina Boots to a three-year probationary appointment as School Business Manager, effective August 11, 2008, to August 10, 2011 with a salary of $68,500 for 2008-09 (prorated through June 30, 2009).

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

 

Meeting Summary

- approved budget for 2008-09

- celebrated tenure

- accepted donations

- appointed new Business Manager

- School Physician

- BOCES budget

 

Executive Session – 7:46 p.m.

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Robert Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss:

1.    CSE/CPSE Recommendations

 

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, Miriam Zubal

 

Also Present

Brenda Myers

Reconvene Meeting – 8:03 p.m.

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

 

Discussion of ASSE Exchange Student Program

The Board discussed the ASSE Exchange Student Program.  A letter will be written to Mrs. Quints stating that the Board will not be changing their current policy.

 

Acceptance of CSE/CPSE Recommendations

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Robert Miller, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

 

Adjournment – 8:09 p.m.

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Miriam Zubal

Secretary pro tem