Webutuck Board of
Education held the April 20, 2009 meeting
at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.
The following
Board members were present:
Dale Culver,
President
Joseph Herald left
at10:10 pm
William McGhee
Joseph Matteo
John Perotti
Also Present:
Dr. Richard N.
Johns, Superintendent
Linda Peters,
School Business Administrator
Therese Trotter,
District Clerk
Absent:
Andrew Jablonsky
Susan Lounsbury
CALL TO ORDER
President Culver
called the business meeting of April 20, 2009 to order at 7:42 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following comments
were made by audience members:
-I need to go into Executive
Session regarding a staff issue.
-You have budget
discussion tonight so we will be back next month.
-Will there be an ad in
the paper for substitute nurse? Has it
been filled or did you run it for only one week?
-You should be working
alternative budgets at this point? A budget
that shows the students back in the elementary schools and close EBMS. It might be even a better budget.
JACK BIASOTTI – WHS Update
Last January we had two
Regents exams that were postponed due to bad weather. There will be a five month gap until they
take the June Regents. The ELA refresher
course will start tomorrow and the students will be able to take the 3:30 bus
home. He has met with the students and
the parents have been sent a letter home explaining the refresher coarse, time
and place.
Earth Science will begin
tomorrow until the exam is given in June.
The students again will be able to take the 3:30 bus home. A letter was sent home to parents and the
students were spoken to explain the situation.
A Board member asked if the ELA students will be able to learn the grade
they received on the first part of the exam they took in January. Mr. Biasotti will give them that.
The HS staff has come up
with 26 new electives. They have
selected 11 of the 26 courses to prepare for this coming school year. Discussion ensued.
DISCUSSION
1.
Budget
The Board President stated that this budget has adjustments from the
Superintendent’s Budget due to the Finance Committee meeting that took place
before the BOE Meeting tonight.
-The Board decided to include the following in the Board’s proposal:
Bus Garage: extension of the bays; improve the plug in facility for the
diesel buses and add safety features into the gas distribution areas – that
will be approximately $20,000 addition to this area in the budget.
-The Superintendent’s Budget reduces a typist - this has been upgraded to
a senior typist.
- The Board has decided to place kindergarten go to WES so we would not
add an additional teaching assistant.
- We will not hire two teacher aides we will hire only one teacher aide.
-Yearbook stipend will be removed from the budget and we will add the
course.
-Librarian will not be reduced.
-Added the potential of resurfacing the track into the Budget. It has not been determined definitely- the
Board will have more discussion on this before taking action next summer
-UPK program has not maxed out in the years since it was started. This year 45 students have applied; the Board decided to add two teaching assistants for
each class of 20 students.
-These changes reduce the budget by $20,000; unemployment compensation is
amply funded and we can make this reduction.
The Board discussed a tax levy increase that should be right at 0%
increase. Discussion ensued.
2.
Track Top Coat
There are concerns of the expense of the track coating because when it
was originally laid it was suppose to have a longer lifespan.
A Board member asked if the architect that recommended this would be held
accountable. Mr. Lounsbury is looking
into it. Discussion ensued.
The School Business Official handed out revisions to the proposed budget
(since changes had taken place during the Finance Meeting earlier in the
evening) and further discussion took place on the budget.
How is the STAR program being affected?
The rebate check we received last year is in jeopardy this year. That amounts to about $500,000.
The appropriated fund balance that we had on the financial analysis in
the Finance Committee meeting was $2,269,188 now it is at $2,297,928. Discussion took place on why the numbers
changed. We will be between 0.4% to 0.5%
tax levy. The Contingency Budget will be
approximately 4% increase.
Kitty Visconti and Joel Minton:
Presentation on Defense Mechanics
The course is a self defense course specifically designed for women. Women are at a higher risk for sexual assault
than men. The course targets high school
females particularly high school seniors to first year college students. The course is designed around women’s natural
strengths, i.e. lower body strengths. He
explained how these moves were designed and spoke about high risk behavior and
how it has an affect on environment. The
presenters asked the Board to consider providing the course during the school
day or after school. A Board member
asked what the program costs? It is $75 per module for 6 to 7 hours. The Superintendent will bring this program in
front of the Curriculum Council. It was
suggested that if the District offers this course to girls the District would
have to offer a course to boys for self defense. Discussion ensued.
3.
High School Course Offerings
This was reviewed in Mr. Biasotti’s presentation earlier in the meeting.
4.
The Board is still discussing
the use of the Millerton building.
CONSENT AGENDA VOTE
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion to approve the consent agenda.
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 seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
CLERK’S REPORT
*1. Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded a motion to accept the Financial Reports as submitted:
Treasurer’s Report for the month ending February and March.
Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending February and March.
Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending February and March.
Warrants #53-64
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Delegations- None
3. Non-Staff Communications- None
PERSONNEL
*1. Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments
Mr. Perotti
made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments, as
recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:
Virgil
Shook Substitute
Bus Driver
Effective: April 21, 2009
Bonnie Mead Substitute
Bus Driver
Effective: April 21, 2009
Jan Smalley Substitute
Teacher Aide
Effective: April 21, 2009
David Weinstein Substitute
Teacher Aide
Effective: April 21, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*2. Approval of After Hours Nurse
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the addition
of an After-Hour Nurse from 3:30-5:00 pm at a rate of $27.00 an hour for the
remainder of the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of
Schools.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*3. Instructional Substitute Appointments
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following
Instructional Substitute Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of
Schools:
Christopher Shamkin Substitute
Teacher
Effective: April 21, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*4. Approval of Tenure Recommendations for
Teaching Assistants
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby appoint the
following teaching assistants to tenure, effective August 30, 2009, as
recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
|
NAME |
CERTIFICATION |
EFFECTIVE DATE |
|
Ruth Ramos |
Level I |
August 30, 2009 |
|
Jacqueline Woodruff |
Pre-Professional |
August 30, 2009 |
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*5. Approval of Tenure Recommendations for
Teacher
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby appoint the
following teacher to tenure, effective August 30, 2009, as recommended by the
Superintendent of Schools.
Teacher Tenure Area Effective Date
T. Craig Morton Library Media Specialist August 30, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*6. Extra-Curricular Appointment for
the 2008-2009 School Year
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
hereby approves the following Extra-Curricular appointment for the 2008-2009
school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:
Mentee Mentor
Gina Tauro Cindy
Dietter-Smith
Effective: February 2, 2009
Lee Stowe
Effective: February 2, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*7. Approval of Tenure Recommendations for
Teacher
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby appoint the
following teacher to tenure, effective August 30, 2009, as recommended by the
Superintendent of Schools.
Teacher Tenure
Area Effective
Date
Karen Thompson Speech Teacher August 30, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*8. Instructional Resignation
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the
Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Resignation, as
recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:
Jay
Posephney High
School Principal
Effective: July 1,
2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
* 9.
Approval of Interim Principal Appointment
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby approve the
following appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
John Biasotti
Effective: March 31,
2009 Salary: same per diem that he receives as Curriculum
Coordinator
Replaces: Jay Posephney
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*10. Amendment of Resolution
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby approve the
following amendment for the 2008-2009 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent
of Schools.
John Merwin Title IX
Investigative Officer
Replaces: John Biasotti
Rosanna Hamm Interim
Curriculum Coordinator
Replaces: John Biasotti
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
11. Non-Instructional Appointment
Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following
Non-Instructional appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:
Sherry Justry Part-Time
Monitor
Effective: April 21, 2009
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
BUSINESS AND
OPERATIONS
*1. Acceptance
of Obsolete Computers and Related Equipment
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares the list
of computers and related equipment (list attached) obsolete, as recommended by
the Superintendent of Schools:
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
*2. Adoption of Revised Budget
Development Calendar for the 2008-2009 School Year
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo
seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
approves the Revised Budget Development Calendar for the 2008-2009 school year,
as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Adoption of the 2009-2010 Proposed
Budget
Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
The Board President explained about the reconfigured spaces.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2009-2010
Proposed Budget in the amount of $20,480,000
and authorizes the Superintendent to make the necessary personnel
adjustments consistent with the budget.
FURTHERMORE, the Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to
reconfigure District spaces to accommodate the budget assumptions.
The seven 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 Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the
Committee on Special Education report for March 2009, 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 seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approval
of Trips to
This was tabled until the next meeting.
The Superintendent will ask the teachers to come to the next meeting.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Trip to
Paris (March 27-April 3, 2010) and the Costa Rica Trip (March 10 – March 17, 2010) as a school field
trip, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
*1. Acceptance of Donation
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of
Webutuck School hereby gratefully accepts the donation of $100 from the Eastern
Provinces Photographic Society to the Digital Photography class, as recommended
by the Superintendent of Schools.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2.
Appointment of Officials and Election Inspectors for the May 19, 2009
School Budget Vote for the 2009-2010 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 19, 2009 School Budget Vote,
PERMANENT CHAIRPERSON & CHIEF ELECTION
INSPECTOR:
Richard G. Howard
INSPECTORS OF
ELECTION
Joan Murphy
Diane Price
Polly Garvin
Dorothy Newvine
Jane Rossman
Helen Cook
Althea Meade
Jean DeWitt
Barbara VandeBogart
Peg Coon
Arlene Iuliano
Freida Thompson
Lee Howard
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.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Approval of the Curriculum Courses
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the eleven new curriculum
courses listed below, as approved by the Superintendent of Schools.
Conflict in the Modern
Philosophy: Ethical Theory and Contemporary Issue
Forensic Science
Flight Simulation
Contemporary Literature
Literature of War
Geometry (Non-Regents)
Financial math (Non-Regents)
Topics in Math
Video Game Design
Criminal Law
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following comments were made by audience members:
-Some children are not being allowed onto the second bus. The Board will discuss tonight and develop a
regulation for this.
-How many school days will each class miss? An audience member supplied the details.
-When will the teachers be coming to talk about the foreign trips? They
are on a time line for collecting money for the trip. We are having a meeting next Monday and they
will come at that time.
-Has it been determined what the grades 4-12 building will look like here? Not yet.
BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS
-I was able to recently see
-Even though you don’t have specifics about what the buildings will look
like has anything gone home to parents to say what grades will be in what
buildings. No, the budget had to be approved
first and then it will follow.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee
seconded a motion to adjourn to
executive session at 9:25 pm for the
purpose of discussing a personnel issue. The seven Board members present voted
to approve the motion. The motion
carried unanimously.
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 10:12 pm. The four Board members present voted. The motion carried unanimously.
1. Employee MOA
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the MOA by and
between Webutuck Central School District and Arlene Tumas, as recommended by
the Superintendent of Schools.
The four Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Creation of Position(s)
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the
following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
approves the creation of position of Coaches
Aide for Webutuck Central School and that Coach’s Aides be paid at a rate
of 80% of certified rate, as recommended
by the Superintendent of Schools.
The four Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
3. Teaching Assistant Tenure
Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Matteo seconded the
following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
approves a fourth year Juul extention for Kim Coons and that appropriate supervision
be put in place, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
The four 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 April 20, 2009 at 10:17 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Therese M. Trotter
District Clerk