The Webutuck Board of Education held their January, 2012 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Joanne Boyd

William McGhee

Judy Moran

Kristen Panzer

John Perotti

Robert Trotta

 

Also Present:

James Gratto Jr., Superintendent

Mary Grden, School Business Manager

Therese Trotter, District Clerk

Kenneth Sauer, WHS Principal

Brian Christofel, Student Representative

Jon Zenz, Athletic Director

Cheryl Benken, French Teacher

Bonnie Parmelee, Earth Science Teacher

Al Barros

Darrell Gangloff, Millerton News Reporter

Cathy Christofel

Community

 

1.    CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the business meeting of January 9, 2012 to order at 7:36 p.m.

 

2.    PUBLIC COMMENT

There were no comments from the public.

 

3.    PRESENTATION:  High School French Trip – Cheryl Benken

Mrs. Benken and Mrs. Parmalee gave a short presentation on the French trip to Guadaloupe which took place in November.  Mrs. Parmalee, the Earth Science teacher stated that she was as excited to go to Guadaloupe because the island has three ecosystems.  She noted that before each adventure, whether scuba diving, canyoning in the rainforest or kayaking through the mangroves, Mrs. Parmalee had a planned lesson for students.  Mrs. Benken showed short video clips taken during the trip.  She said the students were very well behaved and everyone that went enjoyed themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.    STUDENT REPORT

Mr. Christofel reported on the three winter concerts in December as well as other holiday events.  He noted all were very successful.  The musical, Anything Goes, is now having daily practices leading up to the performances scheduled for March 16, 17 and 18.  Mr. Christofel stated that Student Council has recently put a suggestion box in the main lobby for students to utilize.  He went on to say that Student Council would like three Board members to be judges for the pep rally on January 20.  Joanne Boyd, Kristen Panzer and Dale Culver volunteered to judge.  Mr. Trotta asked Mr. Christofel to find out what the Student Council intends to do with the information from the suggestion box.

 

5.    CONSENSUS AGENDA VOTE

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion to approve the Consent Agenda (as amended).  The amendment by Ms. Moran called for removing B and D under Business and Operations and Mrs. Boyd called for removing A under District Clerk’s Report. A consent agenda is a single vote, which approves all asterisked items.  Board policy (#008a) prohibits discussion of consent agenda items. Asterisked* items can be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion by any one Board member. 

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

6.    DISTRICT CLERK’S REPORT

A.  Approval of Minutes for December 12, 2011 Board meeting.

This item was taken off from the consent agenda for further discussion.

Mrs. Boyd went through the changes she would like on the minutes.  Mrs. Panzer asked that it be noted under public comment that Mr. Barros had mentioned his concern with the way the Board interacted with each other.

Mr. McGhee made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to accept the minutes (as amended) as submitted:

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

B.  Delegations - None

 

7.    PERSONNEL

*A.  Extra-Curricular Appointment for the 2011-2012 School Year

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following 2011-2012 extra-curricular appointment:

            Shawn Hosier                                                  Cross Country

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*B.  Support Staff Resignation

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,            that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following support staff resignation:

            Jo Ann Herald                                                 Cook

            Effective:  December 30, 2011

            Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

*C.  Amendment of Temporary and Substitute Support Employee Rates

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District amends the following Temporary and Substitute Support Employee Rates to include the Substitute Bus Mechanic Helper at a pay rate of $12.00 per hour for the 2011-2012 school year.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 *D.  Substitute Support Staff Appointments

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education hereby approves the following substitute support staff    appointments:

            Melissa Carr                                                    Substitute Food Service Helper

Effective:  January 10, 2012                           Salary: $10.69/hour

 

John Bilski                                                      Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  January 10, 2012                           Salary: $16.80/hour

 

John Bilski                                                      Substitute Bus Mechanic Helper

            Effective:  January 10, 2012                           Salary: $12.00/hour

 

            Christopher McGhee                                       Substitute Bus Mechanic Helper

            Effective:  January 10, 2012                           Salary: $12.00/hour

 

Kelsey Cougler                                               Substitute Mechanic

            Effective:  January 10, 2012                           Salary: $17.86/hour

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

*E.  Temporary Support Staff Appointment

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby approves the following temporary support staff appointment:

            Wendy Vergara-Gomez                                  Temporary Typist

            Effective: January 17, 2012-June 30, 2012    Salary:  $12.92, Step 1

            Replaces: Trisha Lawrence

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 

8.    SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

A.  Senior Exemption

The School Business Manager contacted several assessors to gather information to help the Board make a decision on whether to move forward with a public hearing. Mrs. Grden stated if the Board decides to change the senior exemptions, it must be completed by March 1 and that includes a public hearing.   The Board President suggested reviewing the information at the next Finance meeting and bringing a recommendation back to the Board.  Discussion ensued.

 

B.  Community Survey

Mr. Gratto reminded the Board that they had spoken about the survey in December and they were to have a draft by early February.  He asked for input on how to draft the survey due to the concerns Board members had when the survey was spoken about at a previous meeting.  There was discussion about who should receive the survey, what the school wants to find out from the survey, and what the goal of the survey is.  Mr. Perotti also had concerns about how the questions were to be worded.   It was decided that the groups should include recent graduates, community, staff and students.  The Board agreed that Mr. Gratto should develop survey questions and place them in the Board packet for review.  The Board President also asked that an exit interview for seniors graduating be developed in the future. Discussion ensued.

 

C.  Request to amend the 2011- 2012 School Calendar to allow Early Release for

      students in Grades 4 – 12 on January 27, March 30, and June 8, 2012.

Mr. Gratto explained that historically the elementary students have had four early release days that the secondary has not had.  The Instructional Council requested that the secondary faculty be given those early release days as well, to work on things such as Common Core Standards, etc.  Ms. Moran questioned how two hours would be enough time to get anything done.  There was discussion on whether a whole day would be more advantageous.  Mr. Gratto explained that secondary staff usually does not want to lose any instruction time with students however with what is coming down from the State this year they would like extra time. Mr. Gratto discussed what the agenda would consist of with an idea of having department meetings.  Discussion ensued.

Mrs. Panzer made and Ms. Moran seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board approves the amendment of the 2011-2012 school calendar to allow for early release in Grades 4-12 on January 27, 2012.

                        Ayes    7          Nays    0

           

9.    CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

*A. Committee on Special Education Monthly Reports

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,            that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the Committee on Special Education report for November and December 2011, prepared by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Pre-School Education and by the Webutuck Central School District Committee Special Education.    Ayes         7          Nays    0          The motion carried

10.    BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

*A.  Acceptance of Donation

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

The Board President acknowledged with gratitude the donation of $300.00 from the Dutchess Community College Foundation.

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education accepts a three hundred ($300.00) dollar donation from the Dutchess Community College Foundation, Inc. to be used for transportation costs on a field trip with the technology teacher.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

       

B.  Authorization for Tax Adjustments

This item was taken off consent agenda for further discussion.

Mr. Perotti made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

WHEREAS, by Judicial Hearing, Charles Devin, Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Dutchess, dated December 12, 2011, in the matter of Small Claims Assessment Review for the 2011 assessment year were adjusted in favor of petitioner, Robert D. Trotta/ Nancy M. Trotta, for property owned in the Town of Northeast, in the Webutuck Central School District, Tax Parcel No. 135889-6965-00-904571-0000, said reductions in assessment.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to the terms of the above    referenced Order, the School Tax Collector is hereby authorized to issue a refund for the 2011-2012 school year, said taxes should be based on assessed value of $932,500 instead of $1,017,000.  The taxes levied were $11,270.74 and should be $10,286.59.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator is hereby authorized to correct the 2011 assessment to reflect such valuation   reductions, with a notation in the margin, opposite said entries that the corrections are by authorization of the above-referenced Order; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to the terms of the above referenced Order, the School Treasurer is hereby authorized to refund any overpayments of school taxes for the 2011-2012 school year, said refund in the amount of $ 984.15.

Ayes    6          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

Mr. Trotta abstained from the vote.

 

*C.  Approval of CNY Elevator Inspection Contract

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education approves the CNY Elevator Inspection Contract for 2011-2012 school year.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 

D.  Approval of Closure of Extracurricular Accounts

This item was removed from the consent agenda for further discussion.

President Culver stated that discussion took place about the monies in these accounts being placed in the Student Council account and be earmarked for use.  However, while the money can be deposited into the account, it cannot be earmarked.  It was suggested that this item be moved to the next Board meeting so further discussion can take place. 

Discussion ensued.

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education approves the closure of the inactive extracurricular student accounts (see attached) as noted in our external auditor report.  Balances will be credited to the Student Council Account to be designated for K-12 students with financial need.

 

*E.  Approval of ERS Mandatory Work Day Reporting

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education hereby establishes the following as standard work days for its employees and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the time keeping system records or the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:

       

Name

Title

Term

Standard Work Day

Emma Jaromin

Tax Collector

7/1/11 – 6/30/12

Varies

Valerie Burdick

Treasurer

7/1/11 – 6/30/12

6

Therese Trotter

District Clerk

7/1/11 – 6/30/12

6

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

*F.  Acceptance of Waste Oil Bid

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,            that the Board of Education accepts the highest bidder of Waste Oil as follows.

                                    Basil Auto Sales at $.65 per gallon

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

11.  BOARD OF EDUCATION

A.  Approval of Official Bank Depository

Mr. McGhee made and Mrs. Panzer seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED             that the Board of Education approves the addition of Salisbury Bank & Trust as an Official Bank Depository for the 2011-2012 school year.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 

*B.  Approval of Revised 2011-2012 Non-Resident Tuition Rates 

Ms. Moran made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,            that the Board of Education hereby approves the Revised Non-Resident Tuition Rate consistent with Policy #507b for the 2011- 2012 school year.  They are as follows:

            Full-Day K-6 Tuition  $10,013 Grades 7-12 Tuition  $12,689

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

C.  Mr. Trotta questioned Brian Christofel about the process for the items that go into the Student Council suggestion box.  Brian will speak with Student Council about the process and bring that information back to the Board.  Mr. Trotta also asked about the cablevision correspondence.  Mary Grden stated the company had not gotten back to her.  There was discussion about the company name and if they were the correct people to speak to; also in question was the amount Mrs. Grden had been quoted for the cost of videotaping the Board meetings. He also asked Mr. Gratto if he was able to visit classrooms to see what is happening in them, which he had been able to do. 

 

Mr. McGhee asked if the uniforms had changed recently.  Mr. Zenz responded that cheerleaders recently had shown up in black uniforms at a game.  He also discussed that there is a lack of protocol in purchasing, distributing and collecting uniforms.  He is working on creating a process for coaches.  Discussion ensued.

 

D.  Mary Grden read her December update which pertained to the Mid-Hudson Cable Company for broadcasting Board meetings.  Discussion ensued.

 

Mrs. Boyd asked that modified sports and limiting players for the team be discussed at a later date.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following topics were commented on by the public:

-Classrooms affected by flooding 

-Information for a Saturday program for basketball 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. McGhee made and Mrs. Panzer seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:12 pm for the purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person or persons.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION

Mr. Culver made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and to reconvene the public session at 10:22 pm. 

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting of January 9, 2011 at 10:23 pm.

Ayes    7          Nays    0          The motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Therese M. Trotter

District Clerk