The Webutuck Board
of Education held their May 9, 2011 meeting
at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.
The following
Board members were present:
Dale Culver,
President
Joanne Boyd
Joseph Herald
Joseph Matteo
William McGhee
John Perotti
Casey Swift
Also Present:
Steven D.
Schoonmaker, Superintendent
Mary Grden, School Business Administrator
Therese Trotter,
District Clerk
Absent:
CALL TO ORDER
President Culver
called the business meeting of May 9, 2011
to order at 7:35 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no comments
from the public.
2011-2012 PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to open the Public
Budget Hearing.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
The Superintendent presented a brief overview of the proposed budget by PowerPoint. He pointed out to the audience where they
could find copies of a more detailed budget for their review and that he would
be happy to answer any questions the audience has. He showed the history of the Webutuck budget
from 2007-2008 school year to the present proposed budget. He noted that the budget was up .5 of 1%,
that State Aid was down by about 12% which caused the tax levy to be up 5.2% or
about 1.7 each of those years.
He spoke about the District’s enrollment history which has declined in
recent years but presently seems to have leveled out at about 787. He spoke about the current class sizes and
the incoming class sizes. The principles
that were guiding budget consideration were to preserve the Webutuck core educational
program and that any reductions will be based on enrollment to protect the
integrity of the program. He stated the reductions
as follows: teacher retirements, business office, support staff, reduced stipends,
curriculum and professional development, CAPE counselor contractual services
and BOCES services. He went over state
aid projections from this year to next year.
He noted revenues for the District; the tax levy at $12,124,186, other
revenues will be interest earned to late payments on taxes etc., using reserve
funds and fund balance while state aid will be reduced. Lastly, he stated next year’s budget will be
$20,227,770 which will be an increase of $446,813 or 2.26% from last year. Discussion
ensued.
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded a motion to close the Public
Budget Hearing.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
PRINCIPAL’S
REPORT
Mrs. McEnroe stated grades 3-8 has begun their
State testing in ELA, Math and Science. She
stated that students have expressed frustration over the testing which she will
pass on to the State. Mrs. McEnroe
stated kindergarten classes are high for Webutuck, there are 22 to 23 students
in a classroom where in the past we have had 17 to 18 students per class.
WES hosted the first annual doll and tea party
and it was a great success. She thanked
the PTA for helping and supporting that event.
Lastly, Mrs. McEnroe noted that the students get nervous about the State
exams.
Mr. Sauer also noted the middle school students
show stress with regards to State testing. He mentioned the high school
students were stressed with the AP exams this past week.
Dr. Mazzarella from DCC will come in to speak on
dual enrollment courses this week as a discussion topic. (where students get
school and college credit) Anyone who is interested may attend. He noted spring sports are going well. A large number of kids are involved which is
great to see. The Prom is next
Friday. Lastly he noted 96 colleges came
to Webutuck last week for the College Fair.
Dover and Millbrook etc brought students over for the event. It was a very good turnout.
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
The Superintendent attended the Rural School Summit this past
week. He stated the President of NYSCOSS
outlined the new seven point plan that NYSSBA is trying to influence the
Legislature to implement in terms of reform such as mandate relief and new
regulations. He also noted that Skip
Holst from Newcomb High School spoke about their program up in the Adirondacks. The school has a total of fifty-five
students K-12. They now are bringing in
F1 foreign students. F1 students must
pay tuition and room and board. They
believe that will bring in revenue to the District. Mr. Holst spoke about impact of the students on
the school and community which was very favorable.
The Superintendent noted
the Board of Regents will vote next week on APPR.
John Dux from IBM showed
up with ten people along with some of our people and built several more beds for
gardening with John Perotti providing soil.
John Roccanova received
a grant for $1800 for a carving machine that will be added to the technology
program.
PTA indicated they will
have a Meet the Candidates Night at 6:00 pm here in the library and at 7:30
there will be a spring concert in the auditorium.
There is a sign up in
school for next week to bring your students by the garden and see what is
happening. It was noted that that event
needs to be promoted better.
DISCUSSION
1. RFP Internal Auditor/Legal Services
The Business Manger received three responses for each one and she is willing to meet with the Finance Chairperson to discuss them. She will be putting together a synopsis of those for the Board members.
2. Bid Results for Waste Oil
The Business Manager stated she received two Bids for waste oil; however, highest bid did not complete the document so it cannot be accepted. Therefore, the Board can award it to the only qualified bidder which is noted later in the agenda.
3. Extension of NECC Lease
Jenny Hansell reached out with a draft agreement between the District and NECC which the Business Manger reviewed. She proposed a month to month lease after the summer and the dollar amount is blank. The Business Manager recommends getting them through the summer and then revisit the lease with a tentative date of September 30. It will be up to the Board if you want to maintain the same rate. The Business Manager noted the safety concern with the playground there and it has been roped off. Jenny Hansell has been advised of the safety concern.
A Board member pointed out at Millerton Elementary School there is a hazard where the equipment playground was ripped up, it is roped off but still a hazard.
4. Grades 4-6 Schedule Next Year
The Superintendent looked at the potential moving of grades 4, 5, and 6 to the High School schedule. He stated he worked with transportation to identify all the bus runs and that there is enough seats for all students, looked a scheduling and staff and looked at the benefits of the students being on the secondary schedule. He recommends moving the grades 4, 5, and 6 to the secondary schedule. A Board member needed clarification on the departmentalized portion for structure. Mrs. McEnroe explained what the grade level structure would look like. Discussion ensued. A survey will be going out to all students that will identify areas of interest. Board members were concerned about the timeline of implementing the survey and data gathering and reporting. Discussion ensued.
CONSENSUS AGENDA VOTE
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion to approve the consent agenda. 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.
CLERK’S REPORT
*1. Approval of Minutes for April 18 and April 26, 2011 Board meetings.
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to accept the minutes as submitted:
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*2. Treasurer’s Report for the month ending April.
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to accept the minutes as submitted:
Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending April.
Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending April.
Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted.
Warrants #67-73
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
3. Delegations - None
4. Non-Staff Communications -None
PERSONNEL
*1. Creation of Position
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
hereby approves the creation of the following position:
(1) Health Aide, 3.5 hours day, 180 day employee
Salary:
$12.47/hour
(No Health/Dental Benefits)
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*2. Approval of Job Description
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the job
description for Health Aide.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*3. Leave of Absence
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Board of Education hereby approves the following unpaid, medical Leave
of Absence:
Donna Merritt Teaching
Assistant
Effective:
approximately May 31, 2011-June 24, 2011
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*4. Support
Staff Resignation
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the
support resignation for the purpose of retirement for the following individual:
Robert Clinch Bus
Driver
Effective: May 27, 2011
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*5. Substitute Support Staff
Appointments
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti 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:
Trisha Gop Substitute
Monitor
Effective: May 10, 2011 Salary:
$11.29/hour
Robert Clinch Substitute
Bus Driver
Effective: May 31, 2011 Salary: $16.80/hour
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*6. Substitute Instructional Appointments
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti 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
Instructional appointments:
Jill Simmons Certified
Substitute Teacher
Effective: May 10, 2011 Salary:
$90/day
Jeffrey Albanesius Substitute Teacher
Effective: May 10, 2011 Salary:
$80/day
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*7. Appointment of Officials and
Election Inspectors for the May 17, 2011 School Budget Vote for the 2011-2012
School Year
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the
appointment of the following persons for the May 17, 2011 School Budget Vote,
PERMANENT CHAIRPERSON & CHIEF ELECTION INSPECTOR:
Richard G. Howard
INSPECTORS OF
ELECTION
Pat Boice
Diane Price
Pat Ambrose
Dorothy Newvine
Jane Rossman
Joan Murphy
Helen Mann
Dorothy Newvine
Jean DeWitt
Rudy Eschbach
Peg Coon
Arlene Iuliano
Frieda Thompson
Mary Clinton
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education requires the
Chairperson and each Election Inspector to sign a statement certifying receipt
of the “Responsibilities and the Rules of Conduct for School Board Elections”,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the District
Clerk to appoint additional officials and inspectors if necessary.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
1.
Approval of Settlement
Mrs. Swift made
and Mr. Herald seconded the following motion:
Upon the
recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education of the
Webutuck Central School District authorizes the Superintendent to enter into a
stipulation of settlement on its behalf to resolve all claims in a matter involving
student #900000675 and students #900000676 on the terms and conditions reviewed
by the Board of Education.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*2. Approval of Extension of Lease Agreement with NECC
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Webutuck Central School approves the extension of the Lease Agreement with NECC to rent a portion of MES (agreement attached).
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*3.
Approval of the Nutrikids Online Pre-payment Agreement
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Nutrikids Online Pre-payment Agreement for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*4. Acceptance of Waste Oil Bid
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti 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 (see attached).
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*5. Approval of Red Cross Agreement
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Red Cross Agreement for the purpose of providing Red Cross AED/CPR training and materials for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*6. Approval of Payroll Schedule
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the payroll schedule for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
7. Authorization
for Tax Refund
Mr. McGhee made
and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
WHEREAS, by Order of Honorable Stephen R. Hunter, Supreme Court of the
State of New York, County of Dutchess, dated April 15, 2011, in the matter of
Small Claims Assessment Review for the 2010 assessment year were adjusted in
favor of petitioner, P. Barlett Wu and Arlouine g. Wu, for property owned in
the Town of Amenia, in the Webutuck Central School District, Tax Parcel No.
13200-7067-00-620205-0000, 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 2010-2011 school year,
said
taxes should be based on assessed value of $118,810 instead of $127,610 less
STAR Exemption. The taxes levied were $1,521.63
and should be $1,416.69.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator is hereby
authorized to correct the 2010 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
2010-201110 school year, said refund in the amount of $ 104.93
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*8. Approval of Surplus Equipment
Mr. Herald made and Mr.
Perotti seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the
list of technology equipment and other miscellaneous equipment (lists attached)
be declared surplus.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
9. Approval of the Needham Risk Management
CPR/AED Agreement
Mr. Perotti made
and Mr. Herald seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Needham Risk Management Resource Group,
L.L.C. agreement for CPR/AED training for Webutuck School District employees.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
Mr. Herald made
and Mr. Matteo seconded a motion to approve the change for the 4-6 grade time
schedule to the 7-12 grade schedule 7:30
am - 2:15 pm for the 2011-2012 school year.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following comments were made by audience members:
When will parents find out about new 4-6 grade schedule change for next
year.
Time in executive session
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:25 pm for the
purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person or persons.
Ayes 7 Nays 0 The motion carried.
John Perotti left at 10:30 p.m.
Casey Swift left 10:50 p.m.
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Matteo made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to adjourn the executive
session and to reconvene the public session at 11:01 pm.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Matteo made and Mrs. Boyd
seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting of May 9, 2011 at 11:01 pm.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Therese M. Trotter
District Clerk