Webutuck Board of
Education held the
The following
Board members were present:
Bernadette
Coniglio, President
Joanne Boyd
Dale Culver
Joseph Herald
Susan Lounsbury
Joseph Matteo
John Perotti
Also Present:
Dr. Richard N.
Johns, Superintendent
Kevin Geoghan,
School Business Administrator
Tracy Trotter, Superintendent’s Secretary
CALL TO ORDER
Ms. Coniglio
called the business meeting of
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
An audience member asked
about the meaning of #6 under Discussion on the agenda. The Superintendent explained what a Juul was. There were additional comments regarding concerns
with the Budget: an increase in the budget does not necessarily mean better
education, what increases to the Budget in the next ten years may look like; is
there a referendum for a transportation garage in this election, be careful in
your decisions as Board members whether it is land, vehicles, supervisors;
taxpayers are at their breaking point, student population is shrinking. Discussion ensued.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The Superintendent reported on the District’s response to the emergency
situation caused by heavy rains and flooding.
Amenia Elementary served as a Red Cross Shelter Monday night and Tuesday
morning. He explained the process of the
early release on Monday and cancellation of school Tuesday.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Facilities Committee Mtg.
Mr. Herald reported the Facility Committee discussion focused on:
·
the well
problem - and where the District is with it and getting to the controls and how
Mr. Lounsbury is handling that situation,
·
herbicides
- Mr. Lounsbury spoke to Mr. Perotti
about his concerns,
·
land
purchase/EXCEL aid – the architects came back and reported the financing with
the state called EXCEL aid cannot be used for land purchase. The architects have to review the project so
the District can present it as zero impact on the taxpayers. Discussion ensued.
Finance/Audit Committee Mtg.
Mr. Matteo reported to the Board the Finance/Audit Committee supported
the current proposed budget of $19,220,904.
The budget is roughly $77,000 less than the original proposed budget in
February. The tax levy is 5.4%.
Mr. Matteo remarked about a local legislation forcing a meeting with
Governor Spitzer to try to raise a supplemental school budget aid bill this
week. They feel the Hudson Valley was
cheated out of additional school aid, the majority going to Long Island.
DISCUSSION
1.
Personnel
Is Gary Murphy coaching Varsity Baseball on his own if Ken Pomeisl is
coaching JV? The Superintendent
responded yes, that is how it always has been.
2.
School Business Official Tenure
This item will be discussed in Executive Session.
3.
District Calendar Approval
No comments were made.
4.
Authorization for Tax Refund
A Board member questioned if the District knew this was out there. The School Business Official stated the
District was aware.
5.
Declare Books Surplus
A Board member suggested when receiving this information if the grade
level or course it was used for could be added to the information.
6.
Teacher Juul Agreement
No comment was made.
7.
Cooperative Bid with Dover & Other Districts for School Lunch
A Board member questioned if milk was included in the bid? He stated by putting specifications into the
bid the District could have the milk delivered in plastic containers instead of
card board containers which can make milk products smell and taste
unusual. Discussion ensued.
8.
Piano Donation
A Board member stated this was great.
9.
2007-2008 Budget
Each Board member spoke about the Budget stating points on the $77,000 from
Variance and its impact on next
year, recurring costs, much thought and planning on this Budget and feels it is
a fiscally sound Budget, Reserve Funds, look at salaries in the future,
maintaining programs, continue to look at Budget parameters, urge public to
come to Budget forums next year. Discussion ensued
Contingent Budget/Debt Service Cost – A Board member questioned the
numbers used for the contingent budget. Discussion
ensued
What is the Foundation Aid? It is
suppose to cover the basic cost of educating a student. It is the new way Governor Spitzer packaged a
number of aids for schools.
BUSINESS AND
OPERATIONS
1.
Adoption of the 2007-2008 Proposed Budget
Mr. Matteo made and Mrs. Boyd seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2007-2008
Proposed Budget in the amount of $19,220,904.00.
The seven Board members present voted.
The motion carried.
Bernadette Coniglio Yes Joseph Herald Yes
Susan Lounsbury Yes Joseph Matteo Yes
Joanne Boyd Yes John Perotti No
Dale Culver Yes
2. Authorization of Debt Service
Costs in the 2007-2008 Contingent Budget
Mrs. Boyd made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the
following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
authorizes the budgetary appropriation up to the full amount of 2007-2008 debt
service costs to be included in the 2007-2008 Contingent Budget, as recommended
by the Superintendent of Schools.
The seven Board members present voted. The motion carried.
Bernadette Coniglio Yes Joseph Herald No
Susan Lounsbury Yes Joseph Matteo Yes
Joanne Boyd Yes John Perotti Yes
Dale Culver Yes
PUBLIC COMMENT
Due to what took place at Virginia Tech an audience member who is an
employee had concerns with security at the High School. Are we going to be doing anything about
security? Yes, the District is looking
at a new lock system.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to adjourn to
executive session at 9:02 pm for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter
and land acquisition. The seven Board
members voted to approve the motion. The
motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE
SESSION
Mr. Perotti made the following motion to adjourn the executive session
and reconvene the public session at 10:28 pm.
The seven Board members voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Perotti motioned to adjourn the
meeting of
Respectfully submitted,
Tracy Trotter
District Clerk