Webutuck Board of Education held the May 7, 2007 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

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 May 7, 2007 to order at 7:30 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

An audience member asked who evaluates the Superintendent.   The Board President stated the Board does.

 

AIS PRESENTATION

The Superintendent gave a brief introduction pertaining to Academic Intervention Services.  Principal O’Neil looked at the common denominators of AIS; how it fits into the bigger educational picture and that AIS cannot stand alone (there needs to be more inclusion, more teaming), students cannot remain in AIS and AIS teachers need higher skills.  Ms. Campbell summarized the AIS meetings held over the winter and Ms. Jaquith spoke about AIS in Amenia Elementary and the services she provides to students.  Principal Richards reported on AIS in the Middle School and how the approach is different than Elementary.  They have found success with front loading also know as pre-teaching.  Ms. Hamm spoke about how Middle School provides services to its students.

 

2007-2008 PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING

No comment was made.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Dr. Johns reported on the Elementary buildings schedules for the last week of school.  A Board member asked for more information for the Board to review.  Discussion ensued.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Policy Committee Mtg. – 4/23/07

Mrs. Boyd gave a brief overview of the changes to the policies. Discussion ensued about the use of cell phones in school and cell phone wording in Policy #502.

 

DISCUSSION

1.  Board Policies 

First Reading

The Board will review the following policies as a first reading:

            Policy #008     Meetings

            Policy #008a   Consent Agenda

            Policy #009     Annual Meeting, Election and Budget Vote

            Policy #010     Legal Duties of Officers

            Policy #502     Student Conduct and Discipline

            Policy #011     Delegations

            Policy #012     Minutes

            Policy #013     Internal Board Policy on Self Evaluation

            Policy #100     Purpose, Beliefs and Responsibilities

            Policy #101a   Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Other Substances

            Policy #101c   Dangerous Weapons in School

            Policy #102     Nondiscrimination

 

Third Reading

The Board will review the following policies as a third reading:

           

            Policy #005     Membership

            Policy #006     Meeting Times

            Policy #007     Reorganization Meeting

            Policy #412     Family Medical Leave Act

 

2.  Personnel

A Board member asked about the stipend connected to the FFA Advisor position and how many Assistant FFA Advisors we have currently.  Discussion ensued.

 

3.  Superintendent’s Evaluation

The Evaluation will take place in closed session.

 

4.  Creation of Athletic Club

Questions were asked about why this was being created.  The School Business Official stated if it is an Athletic Club they can use the money from the gate receipts.  Board members wanted more information about this club regarding the purpose. 

 

5.  Retreat Date

The Board decided the Retreat would be held on May 14 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm.  The place will be announced in the next Board packet.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There were questions from the audience regarding summer reading lists, summer reading clubs, who was interviewed for the Head Maintenance position, questions on harassment of employee, person hired for Head Maintenance.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

A Board member questioned the purpose of the Superintendent’s editorial in the newspaper.  Discussion ensued.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Boyd made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 10:03 pm for the purpose of discussing the Superintendent’s Evaluation, 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 and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 11:28 pm.  The seven Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motioned to adjourn the meeting of May 7, 2007 at 11:30 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk