Webutuck Board of Education held the October 2, 2006 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Bernadette Coniglio, President

Joanne Boyd

Dale Culver

Joseph Herald (left at 11:13 p.m.)

Susan Lounsbury

Joseph Matteo

John Perotti

 

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Kevin Geoghan, School Business Administrator

Kenneth Sauer, WHS Principal

Scott Richards, EBMS Principal

Mike O’Neil, WES/AES Principal

Tracy Trotter, Superintendent’s Secretary

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Coniglio called the business meeting of October 3, 2006 to order at 7:36 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Several audience members, who are employees of the District, spoke about their personnel experiences with regards to the effect of the elimination of the 3:30 pm bus run this year.

 

1.  BET Goals

The BET 2006-2007 Building Goals were presented by the principal of each building.

 

Webutuck High School – Mr. Sauer

Mr. Sauer presented the High School Building Goals for this year.  The focus will be on the number of students scoring at or above distinction.

Goal #1 – We will reduce the drop-out rate by 1.5% over the previous year.  For the 2005-2006 school year, we had a drop-out rate of 10.4%. 

Goal #2 - We will increase the percent of our students passing Regents Exams at the level of Distinction by 5% each of the next 3 years.

 

Eugene Brooks Middle School – Mr. Richards

Mr. Richards presented the Middle School Building Goals for this year.  The focus will be on reading comprehension.

Goal #1 – To increase the number of students scoring in the 3 or 4 range on the NYS ELA exams to 85% by 2011.

Goal #2 – To increase the number of students scoring in the 3 or 4 range on the NYS math exams to 80% by 2011 in all grade levels.

 

Webutuck Elementary School - Mr. O’Neil

Mr. O’Neil presented the Elementary Building Goals for this year.

 

Goal #1 - In this year’s ELA exam, 75% of our student sin grades 3-5 will score at the state’s proficient and exceeding reference levels, 3&4, specifically related to the area of reading comprehension.

 

Goal #2 – 75% of our 3-5 students will achieve at the proficient or exceeding reference levels of 3 or 4 on the 2007 State Math Assessment.

 

2.  Personnel

The Board reviewed the current personnel recommendations slated for the October 16, 2006 meeting.  The Superintendent added Bonnie Finkle as FFA Co-Assistant Advisor to the personnel agenda.

 

3.  Ski Club

The Board received the petition to form the Ski Club.  The history of the Ski Club was discussed and it was pointed out that it was never a school program in the past.  As a club it will follow the same rules and procedures as the other District clubs.  Discussion ensued.

 

4.  Request for Corrected Tax Bill

No discussion took place.

 

5.  Economic Textbook Purchase

The Superintendent reported that the book was rigorous with a lot of detail.  It will be good resource for the teacher.

 

7.  3:30 p.m. Bus Run

There was discussion about the problems that have arisen since eliminating the 3:30 bus run this year.  Older students are on the with younger students and BOCES students are leaving class early so the Webutuck bus can make it back to the District for the elementary 3:30 bus run.  The majority of Board members stated that it was not an option for students to lose class time in order for the bus to be on time.  Discussion ensued.

 

8.  Interscholastic Competition

There are procedures to follow when an athlete tests up for a JV or Varsity position on a school team.  The District will follow the procedures outlined in the policy.  The Policy Committee will review #207 and make the necessary revisions and bring it before the Board.  Discussion ensued.

 

9.  Speech Pathologist Agreement/Sharon Hospital

A Board member asked if this agreement is in violation of the Barker decision.  The Superintendent stated the Commissioner is taking another look at Barker; at this time the District is not in violation of the decision.  Ms. Braislin has been a great asset to the District but does not have as much time to give us this year and therefore can only concentrate on the Pre-K students.  The District continues to look for an answer to the Speech situation.  Discussion ensued.

 

10.  Tuition Rates for Non-Resident Students

The Board discussed tuition rates and whether they should be higher or lower than the State formula. There was discussion also on whether to deduct property tax from tuition.

 Discussion ensued.

 

11. Review Policies:               #202 Pupil Evaluation

                                                #205 Independent Study

                                                #210 Title I Programs & Services

                                                #211 Dissemination of IEP Information

                                                #212 Textbook/Library Book Selection & Review                                                             Process

The above policies were reviewed and are scheduled to be on the October business meeting agenda.

 

12. Second Reading of Policy #507b Admission of Non-Resident Students

The above policy was reviewed in a second reading.

 

13.  Surplus Vehicle Results

No discussion took place.

 

14.  FFA Field Trip – Policy #208 (October 23 –30)

The Superintendent stated the FFA field trip was brought before the Board because it will be out of state and overnight in Indianapolis at the National Convention.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

An audience member spoke about fiscal responsibility of the Board and that attention should be given to the cafeteria program.  Someone should research those school districts that are making money on their cafeteria programs.  The Superintendent stated that a public schools cannot make money on a school lunch program, it may break-even but not make money.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

There was a question from a Board member on what the Internal Auditor actually was.  Discussion ensued.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti motioned to adjourn the meeting of October 2, 2006 at 11:24.  The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk