Webutuck Board of Education held the October 20, 2008 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Andrew Jablonsky left at 10:45 pm

Susan Lounsbury

William McGhee

Joseph Matteo

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Linda Peters, School Business Administrator

Therese Trotter District Clerk

 

Absent:

Joseph Herald

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the business meeting of October 20, 2008 to order at 7:35 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following comments were made by audience members:

-Thanked the Board of Education as well as Dale Culver, on behalf of the WTA for the time and effort put into settling the five-year contract.

-Do all of our coaches have New York State certification.?

 

AUDIT PRESENTATION by Sickler, Torchia, Allen and Churchill.

Victor Churchill presented the District's audited financial statement. He stated the District had net assets of $3,988,686 at the end of fiscal 2008.  The District closed the year with combined governmental fund balances of $4,657,864. The governmental fund balances include the general fund, debt service, capital projects, and non-major funds.

 

The only item for consideration was that according to the new accounting regulations (GASB 45), Districts will need to measure and disclose the annual retiree benefit costs. The District will need an actuarial study at least once every three years, commencing with the 2008-09 school year.

 

There were two prior year memorandum items pertaining to Extra classroom Activity Funds and Purchasing. Both items have been resolved.

 

Webutuck Central School District had no audit findings in the current year.

 

 

MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS REPORT

The Director of Maintenance and Operations, Mark Lounsbury gave a report on the District’s status on roofs and boiler systems.  WHS and WES roofs were in good condition except for a section in each building that Mr. Lounsbury felt could be addressed and corrected in house.  MES’s roof has several problems that will be addressed in the EXCEL project.  AES’s roof has several bigger problems that need to be addressed.

 

WHS and MES burners are all in good shape.  The AES boiler has had the firebrick repaired that fell in Boiler #2.  There have been minor steam leaks; both burners are fine.

 

Mr. Lounsbury went over the unsatisfactory concerns sited in the Five Year Annual Inspection Report done by Collins and Scoville last year.  They were the MES driveway, the WHS air handlers in the auditorium, the pump waste pit and windows at AES; it was noted all were still a concern.  It was suggested that Rhinebeck Architects look at the AES building at their earliest convenience and give estimates on the problem areas. 

 

Mr. Lounsbury stated the pizza-oven was taken away from the cafeteria when Jason Thomas worked in the District.  The process of taking it to the scrap metal yard and obtaining a receipt was reviewed.  Mr. Lounsbury took responsibility for the discarding of a piece of equipment that should have been surplused.  The Board reviewed the process of surplusing any and all District equipment.

 

DISCUSSION

1.  Board Goals

The draft Board goals were reviewed and the following comments were made:

Budget should be a longer cycle

Conservation should be on going

Look at a wind generator for the District

Do we use enough fuel to bid a contract for oil?

Time line for E2s and data assessment.  Focusing on transitions at Middle School and High School.

Building perimeters will be secure through the EXCEL project.  There should be a review of the final EXCEL project by the Board before submission to SED.

Look at consolidating sooner than planned.  Need to look at the financial aspect in consolidation of campus. 

The Board should have a joint Facility and Finance Committee meeting in November.

Recommend having Rhinebeck Architect look at AES immediately.

Try to develop a more localized sports program

Each department should be conscientious about under spending their budget particularly this year.

Talk Customer Service in Executive Session.

 

The President will finalize the Board goals from the comments of the evening and the previous draft.  It will be distributed to Board members.

 

 

2.  Food Services –Steamer for WHS

The School Business Administrator has not received prices on steamers.  The current steamer is too small.  The Food Service department would like a steamer that allows them to cook a larger quantity of food at a time.  The new steamer should have a 5 micron filter so the majority of the lime and impurities does not get into the water.  Lime buildup reduces the ability of the steamer to function.  Discussion ensued.

 

3.  403b Administrator

There are new regulations beginning January 1, 2009 for the 403b Administrator.  Because the regulations of administering the plan are very complex, all districts are opting to use an Administrator.  All the districts locally are choosing to use Omni.  There are other firms that would administer 403b for us however they try to sell districts their own investments.  Omni does not sell any products they just administer the 403b plan.  The cost of using Omni was discussed.  If the District goes through NYBEST, which is a co-operative of conglomerate school districts, the price would be less.  There are two hundred school districts in NYBEST.  There is no membership fee to join NYBEST.  Discussion ensued.

 

4.  NYBEST Coop Agreement

See above.

 

5.  Actuarial Firm (Response to RFP)

We are required by law to have an actuarial study done for this school year.  BOCES went out and did cooperative bids on four firms.  The least expensive firm would be BPA-Harbridge Consulting Group.  Discussion ensued.

 

6.  Budget Calendar

The Budget Calendar of 2008-2009 was reviewed by the District’s Legal Council.  In conjunction with the current focus on the Budget process being a year-round work-in-progress; it was suggested that additional meeting be added.  The calendar will be published in the paper and on the school website. 

 

CONSENT AGENDA VOTE

Mr. Perotti made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.  The amendments offered by Mr. McGhee called for removing #2 under Extra-Curricular for further discussion in Executive Session.

The following asterisked items can be consent agenda items.  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.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously

 

CLERK’S REPORT

*1.  Mr. Perotti made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded a motion to accept the Financial Reports as submitted:

            Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted

           Treasurer’s Report for the month ending August.

           Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending August.          

           Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending August.

           Warrants #18-20

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

2.  Delegations

None

3.  Non-Staff Communications

None

 

PERSONNEL

*1. Instructional Substitute Appointment

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Substitute Appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Janet Moore                                        Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 21, 2008 

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*2.  Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2008-2009 School Year

This item was pulled from the consent agenda for further discussion in Executive Session.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Extra-Curricular appointments for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Co-Advisor Class of 2011                  Mary Tauber                                       

            Co-Advisor Class of 2011                  Damian Whitaker

            Year Book Advisor                             Jay Posephney

            Co-Advisor FFA                                 Bonnie Finkle

            Co-Advisor FFA                                 Stephanie Bechard

            Advisor National Honor Society        Sherry Fisher

            Advisor Class 2009                             Mike Riddle

            Advisor Seventh Grade                      Chris Mathers 

            Advisor Eighth Grade                                    Donna Gallo

            Advisor Eighth Grade                                    Kevin Kleespies

 

Mentee                                                            Mentor

            Renee Palmer                                      Michelle McLaughlin Smith

 

3.  Extra-Curricular Appointments

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion:

Board members questioned if certification was need for assistant coaches and if all coaches have to be certified.  It was decided better clarification was needed.  The Superintendent will report back to the Board. Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

           

Jesus Mendoza                                    Asst. Coach Modified Soccer

 

            Mentee                                                Mentor

            Kathleen Kelly                                    John Merwin

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

4.  Instructional Substitute Appointment

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member questioned if Steven Bradley was a previous student and was he going to substitute in the high school.  Substitutes state where they would like to sub on their application.  The Superintendent stated the Principal would use him were he was needed.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education approves the following Instructional Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

            Jessica Thomas                                    Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 21, 2008

           

            Stephen Bradley                                 Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 21, 2008

           

            Patricia Hayes                                     Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 21, 2008

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

1.  Approval of Actuarial Firm

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

The Board President asked if there a dollar figure attached to this firm.  It is $8,295.  Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education hereby approves the Actuarial Firm of BPA-Harbridge Consulting Group in order for the District to comply with GASB 45 regulations, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

2.  Corrected Tax Roll Authorization

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

A Board member questioned that the taxpayer had paid twice.  Their bank paid and they paid the taxes.  Discussion ensued. 

Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the motion to table this item until after Executive Session.

WHEREAS, the Tax Collector has certified that duplicate tax payments have been made on the 2008-2009 school taxes regarding the following taxpayers and property and that refunds for overpayment of such taxes be issued:

                                                                                    Amount of

Taxpayer                           Grid No                             Refund                        Refund To

 

Julian Yankowski   133801-7271-18-309235-0000      $2,158.25      Chase Home Finance

The six Board members present voted to table the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

3.  Authorization for Tax Adjustments

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

WHEREAS, the District has received an Application for Corrected Tax Roll for the Year 2008 for property located within the Webutuck Central School District, as follows:

Martin Markonic  - regarding property owned on  60 Main Street, in the Village of Millerton, described as Grid No. 133801-7271-14-419263-0000, on the basis that a clerical error was made, incorrect assessment by reason of STAR exemption was approved but not entered on roll.  The taxes should be based on assessed value of $275,000 instead of $324,500.  The taxes levied were $4,002.04 and should be $3,394.00; and

WHEREAS, the Director and Investigator of Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service have determined, that a clerical error was made and the assessed value should be changed, as described above, and has recommended that the Applications for Corrected Tax Roll should be approved; and

WHEREAS, we have examined such application and the County Director's recommendations and determine that a clerical error pursuant to Section 550(2)(b) of the Real Property Tax Law as made;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Application for Corrected Tax Roll

for the Year 2008 be approved, that the tax rolls be corrected to reflect the correct assessment, as set forth above, and that notice of approval of such application and a corrected tax bill be issued to the applicant reflecting the change in assessment and taxes to be paid.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

4. Authorization for Issuance of Tax Refund

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

 WHEREAS, by Order of John Barells, Hearing Officer, State of New York, County of Columbia, dated September 25, 2008, reductions in assessment and tax refunds for the 2008 assessment year were adjusted in favor of petitioner, Joseph & Donna Hoyt, for property owned in the Town of Ancram, in the Webutuck Central School District, Tax Parcel No. 102000 221.1.42, said reductions in assessment as follows:

 

                        Assessment Roll               From                      To

                         School Tax Year 

 

                        2008/09- 2008                 $529,600             $390,500 (less Star Exempt)

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator is hereby authorized to correct the 2008 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 2008-2009 school year, said refund in the amount of $ 2,281.58 and reduce the tax certiorari reserve by said amount.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

5. Adoption of Budget Development Calendar for the 2008-2009 School Year

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Budget Development Calendar for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

6.  Approval of NYBEST

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves entering into a cooperative agreement with the NYBEST Association for the purpose of addressing employee benefits and student accident insurance, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

7.  Approve Bid for One (1) Twenty-Eight (28) Passenger Bus

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

The Board President questioned if this bus was similar to the other bus bought that is energy efficient and made in Dutchess County.  The Superintendent state it is.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby awards the acceptable low bid for one (1) twenty-eight (28) passenger bus bid, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

                        Don Brown Sales, Inc. - $38,978

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

*1.  Committee on Special Education Monthly Reports

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the Committee on Special Education report for September 2008, prepared by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Pre-School Education and by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Special Education, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

1. Other – There was none.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following comments were made:

The Board did not ask Mr. Lounsbury about the butterfly garden.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

There were none.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Lounsbury and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 9:36 pm for the purpose of discussing personnel issues.  The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Mr. Matteo made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 11:05 pm.  The five Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2008-2009 School Year

Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Extra-Curricular appointments for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Co-Advisor Class of 2011                  Mary Tauber                                       

            Co-Advisor Class of 2011                  Damian Whitaker

            Year Book Advisor                             Jay Posephney

            Co-Advisor FFA                                 Bonnie Finkle

            Co-Advisor FFA                                 Stephanie Bechard

            Advisor National Honor Society        Sherry Fisher

            Advisor Class 2009                             Mike Riddle

            Advisor Seventh Grade                      Chris Mathers 

            Advisor Eighth Grade                                    Donna Gallo

            Advisor Eighth Grade                                    Kevin Kleespies

 

Mentee                                                            Mentor

            Renee Palmer                                      Michelle McLaughlin Smith

The five Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Corrected Tax Roll Authorization

Mrs. Lounsbury made a motion to take the resolution off the table.  The five Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously

Mr. McGhee made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:

Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the motion to table this item until after Executive Session.

WHEREAS, the Tax Collector has certified that duplicate tax payments have been made on the 2008-2009 school taxes regarding the following taxpayers and property and that refunds for overpayment of such taxes be issued:

                                                                                    Amount of

Taxpayer                           Grid No                              Refund                        Refund To

 

Julian Yankowski   133801-7271-18-309235-0000      $2,158.25      Chase Home Finance

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the meeting of October 20, 2008 at 11:10 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk