GROTON CENTRAL SCHOOLGROTON CENTRAL SCHOOL

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 

September 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, Tim Heller, Brenda Myers, Michelle Pronti, and

Sheri Shurtleff

 

Call to Order

Miriam Zubal called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.  There was a quorum check, assurance of meeting posting and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Executive Session

A motion was made by Jeanne Petrella, seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to go into Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining.

 

Board Members Present in Executive Session

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

 

Also Present

Randy Ray and Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to reconvene to regular session/work session.

 

Approval of Agenda

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

- Change 7.A.3 to:

Julianne Shurtleff, appointment as full-time substitute Secretary to the Principal from August 31, 2007 to September 7, 2007 and Conditional, Provisional appointment as Secretary to the Principal effective September 10, 2007 – 11 Month/8 hours per day, Rate of Pay $10.50 per hour

- Add 7.D.2 – Anonymous $400.00 gift to the Groton Elementary School for students in acute, immediate need

- Delete 5.D. T-S-T BOCES SBA Executive Committee Report

- Add 10.B. Employment History of Specific Individual

- Add 10.C. Student Issue

 

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the minutes from the August 20, 2007, Board of Education meeting.

 

Open Forum with Community and/or Staff

Bill Chaisson, Editor of the Fingerlakes Community Newspapers, introduced himself.  He started as editor in July.

Presentations

Dr. Jennifer Dove, Director of Teaching, Learning & Technology presented a Review on Summer Curriculum and Instruction:

§  gave handouts and did a movie/slide show highlighting professional development activities held during the summer of 2007

- TST Literacy Institute

- Math Curriculum Camp

- Cornell University Rural Schools Conference

- Co-Teaching

- Instructional Council: Growth Plan Pilot Planning

- Freshman Focus

- Character Education

- New Teacher Orientation

§  there was much participation, engagement and enthusiasm

§  professional development is done by members of the GCS Leadership Team

 

Dr. Dove also did a presentation on the APPR Growth Plan Pilot:

§  distributed handouts on the Professional Growth Plan, timeline, and sample topics

§  Instructional Council worked on the APPR

§  any tenured teacher can pilot the Professional Growth Plan rather than have an observation

 

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal explained the Middle School Boys Camp Out:

§  approached by middle school male teachers about encouraging leadership skills in middle school males

§  came up with idea of a camp out – similar to a lock in

§  will be held on September 21

§  have arranged for students in the Cortland State Recreation program to do some team building activities

 

The Board of Education visited the new Conditioning Room.

 

Staff and/or Board Committee Reports

Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent:

1.   Legal Issues

§ working with our school attorney, Carl Kieper, regarding new laws and whether our policies need to be updated/changed

§ i.e., time off to give blood, cancer screenings, new guidelines on AED location postings, dental screening

2.   Natural Gas

§ reviewed Carl Kieper’s letter regarding company wanting to do natural gas exploration on school property

§ outstanding issues – don’t have list of any other NYS schools that have done this, school needs to use resources and sell excess, need voter approval

§ Bob Miller suggested that Dr. Myers contact Spencer Van Etten and Corning schools

3.   Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – New Conditioning Room

§ celebration will be held prior to the September 24th Board of Education meeting – at 6:00 p.m.

§ discussed schedule

§ Open House will continue after ceremony – Dave Remick will remain to oversee

§ Linda Competillo suggested that representatives from Advantage Sports be invited

4.   Partnership with Red Cross

§ representative spoke with Leadership Team

§ will have tables and free materials at Open Houses

 

Sheri Shurtleff, Business Manager:

1.   Food Service

§ distributed comparative information: 2005-06 and 2006-07

§ change in high school lunch schedule has helped to increase sales of both breakfasts and lunches

§ reimbursable lunches and breakfasts have increased

 

Leadership Team:

Michelle Pronti, Director of Special Education:

§  thanked Teri Evener, Linda Gobel, administrators and teachers (two summer CSE meetings)

 

Tim Heller, Elementary School Principal:

§  thanked Michelle Stewart, Lou Mikula, and Lucy Dates for work on bussing

§  have two great secretaries in the office – well received by everyone

§  custodial team did a great job this summer

§  thanked Randy Sovocool, Mike Petrella, and Lou Thompson for all their work

§  thanked all the kindergarten teachers for the Open House for incoming kindergartners

§  UPK has 18 students at the Groton site and 12 at the Sykes St. site

- thanked Jennifer MacDonald for her visitations

 

Eric Hartz, High School Principal:

§  thanked Randy Sovocool and the entire maintenance crew for doing a fantastic job getting the school ready for a new year

§  thanked Lou Mikula for accommodating the students

§  new teachers are great

§  on Opening Day, his brother Greg Hartz commented on what a great school we have – “teachers care about the kids”

§  Mick LeVick and Lorri Hunter will be featured in a Tompkins Country Trust article

§  our GED program received SED approval – thanked Brenda Myers and Sheri Shurtleff

§  Alternate Education program has 9 students; GED program has 7 students

 

Connie Miller Filzen, Middle School Principal:

§  reiterated thanks all the custodians and maintenance staff for such a clean school – everything shines

§  thanked Tim Heller for all the 6th grade folders

§  thanked Eric Hartz for work on shared staff schedules

§  thanked Jennifer Dove for literacy work

§  thanked Penny Pomeroy and Becky Scaglione for schedules being done in a timely manner

§  thanked Linda Christopher for her work on the 6th grade parent reception

 

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

§  met on September 4th

§  Community School – many students there

§  Literacy Initiative

§  Career & Tech program – lost electrician and heavy equipment teachers – got new teachers for both positions

§  roof project is virtually done

§  will be using ID badges and swipe cards

 

Chris Montreuil, Recreation Department Report:

§  Viola Fitzgerald could not attend (family illness)

§  went over financials – assets increased $2,500

 

Board President’s Report

Miriam Zubal reported:

§   at the work session, the Board of Education discussed transportation policies

§   no interest in OCM SBA Annual meeting on 9/26

§   Board members should email Michael Lockwood on opinions on propositions for NYSBA Conference

§   commented on nice opening day activities

§   attended first Presidents’ Roundtable dinner

 

Appointments

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following appointments:

1.   Shawn Bindhammer, Teacher Aide, 26-week probationary, effective September 1, 2007, 5.5 hours/day, Rate of pay: $8.00/hour

2.   Michael Poole, Extended-Day Substitute Teacher for Music (Steve Codner’s position), conditional, effective September 1, 2007 to no later than January 11, 2008, Rate of Pay: $156.00/day worked

3.   Julianne Shurtleff, appointment as full-time substitute Secretary to the Principal from August 31, 2007 to September 7, 2007 and Conditional, Provisional appointment as Secretary to the Principal effective September 10, 2007 – 11 Month/8 hours per day, Rate of Pay $10.50 per hour

4.   Michael Day, Substitute Bus Driver, effective September 5, 2007, Rate of Pay: $13.15/hour

5.   James Burch, Substitute Bus Driver, effective September 11, 2007, Rate of Pay: $13.15/hour

 

Approval of Substitutes

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the following substitutes:

1.   Michael Miller, Uncertified Teacher

2.   Courtney Durbin, Uncertified Teacher

3.   Kathleen Parker, Certified Teacher

4.   Valerie White, Food Service & Buildings and Grounds

5.   Melissa Swartz, Teacher Aide

 

Approval of 2007-08 Board of Education Goals

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Michael Lockwood, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the 2007-08 Board of Education Goals as presented.  (Copy attached to official minutes.)

 

Acceptance of Donations

A motion was made by Chris Montreuil. Seconded by Linda Competillo, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept, with thanks, the following donations:

1.   Four High Chairs for Score Keepers Table – Value $310.00 – from Dave Parsons

2.   Anonymous $400.00 gift to the elementary school for students in acute, immediate need

 

Approval of Bond Resolution for Buses

A motion was made by Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve a bond resolution to finance the acquisition of school buses.  (Copy of resolution attached to official minutes.)

 

Second Reading of Policies

A motion was made by Linda Competillo, seconded by Chris Montreuil, and carried – 7 ayes, to approve the second reading of the following policies:

 1.     4110   Administrative Personnel

 2.     4210   Administrative Organization and Operation

 3.     4212   Organizational Chart

 4.     4220   Abolishing an Administrative Position

 5.     4230   Administrative Authority During Absence of the Superintendent of Schools

 6.     4240   Administrative Latitude in the Absence of Board Policy

 7.     4250   Use of Committees

 8.     4260   Evaluation of the Superintendent and Other Administrative Staff

 9.     4310   Superintendent of Schools

10.    4320   Superintendent – Board Of Education Relations

11.    4410   Professional Development Opportunities

12.    5110   Budget Planning and Development

13.    5120   School District Budget Hearing

14.    5130   Budget Adoption

15.    5140   Administration of the Budget

16.    5150   Contingency Budget

17.    5210   Revenues

18.    5660   School Food Service Program (Lunch and Breakfast)/School District

                    Nutrition Advisory Committee

19.    5661   District Wellness Policy

20.    5690   Exposure Control Program

21.    8460   Student Trips

 

Calendar Announcements

The Board reviewed the calendar announcements.

- Elementary School Open House starts at 6:00 p.m.

- Homecoming is October 12th  - Dave Remick trying to get more night games for various sports

 

Meeting Summary

- presentations

- nice substitutes

- donations

- GED program

- reviewed policies

- finalized goals

- comments and “thankyous” from Leadership Team

 

Executive Session – 8:42 p.m.

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

1. CSE/CPSE Recommendations

2. Employment History of a Specific Individual

3. Student Issue

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 8:50 p.m.) and Brenda Myers

 

Reconvene Meeting – 9:20 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 Martha Smith, seconded by Jeanne Petrella, and carried – 7 ayes, to accept the CSE/CPSE recommendations as presented.

 

Adjournment – 9:21 p.m.

On a motion duly made, seconded, and carried – 7 ayes, the meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Mary Walker

District Clerk