Webutuck Board of Education held the August 6, 2007 Worksession meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver

Joseph Herald

Bernadette Coniglio

Andrew Jablonsky

Susan Lounsbury

William McGhee

John Perotti

 

Absent:

Kevin Geoghan

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard Johns

Therese Trotter

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the Worksession of August 6, 2007 to order at 7:37 p.m.��

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

No Comment

 

SUPERINTENDENT�S REPORT

Superintendent Johns gave the 2006-2007 State of the District report.� A copy of the report is attached to these minutes.

 

DISCUSSION

1.� Local Diploma

The Superintendent recommended to the Board to approve the local diploma, which allows students to pass Regents with a grade of 55, for the 2007-2008 school year.� A local diploma will be available to New York students until 2013.�� A Board member had concerns with students using this as a crutch.� Discussion ensued.

 

2.� Athletic and Cafeteria Bid

Board members questioned the purchase of new football uniforms if Varsity football is going to be cancelled and questioned what sizes were ordered for the volleyball team.� The Superintendent will look into it.

A Board member brought up the milk bids and using cardboard milk cartons.� Last year it was discussed and noted that the District had to write specs for plastic milk bottles into the bid.� This Cafeteria Bid does not have those specs.� Discussion ensued.

 

3.� Emergency Planning Committee

Two Board members, Mr. McGhee and Mrs. Lounsbury will serve on this Committee.� The approval of the Emergency Planning Committee will be approved at the next Board meeting.� Discussion ensued.�

 

4.� Board Committees

President Culver reported the Board members and which committee they will serve on.

Alternative Funding (WFFEE)�� B. Coniglio

CSE/CPSE ���������������������������� ����J. Herald, B. Coniglio (Alt.)

DCSBA Executive Committee      D. Culver, S. Lounsbury (Alt.)

Emergency Planning Committee   W. McGhee, S. Lounsbury

Facilities Review Committee        A. Jablonsky, J. Herald, W. McGhee

Audit/Finance Committee              J. Herald, S. Lounsbury, W. McGhee

Policy Review Committee             B. Coniglio, A. Jablonsky, J. Perotti

Negotiations Committee                D. Culver, J. Herald, S. Lounsbury

Albany Connections Committee    J. Perotti, W. McGhee

 

5.  ESL

Ms. Baker-Bozsik was out on maternity leave and is ready to come back but would like to only on a half-time basis.  Graduation rate was high this past year in our ESL program so the secondary program numbers will be down.  Mr. Orr, the secondary ESL teacher is willing to help in the elementary school.  Discussion ensued.

 

6.  MOA In-Service Training

The WTA and the Superintendent have been trying to simplify the In-Service Training language.  The teachers have never understood exactly what In-Service Training was.  The Superintendent has given the duty of what in-service a particular teacher will benefit from to the principals.  It makes better sense as the principal knows what is going on in the classroom, what weaknesses and strengths can be found between the class, teacher and curriculum.  This MOA allows for this; it is a mechanism by which that authority moves from the Superintendent’s office to the principal’s office.  A Board member asked if the District is focusing these courses on their certification areas. Discussion ensued.

 

7.  Timeline on Superintendents Goals for 2007-2008

The President of the Board requested time to look over the Superintendent’s goals and discuss them at the next Board meeting.  The Superintendent states these goals are based on the Superintendent’s evaluation by the Board this past June.  The Board needs to review these to see if in fact these are the goals the Board would like the Superintendent to pursue this school year.

 

8.  Setting School Board Goals 2007-2008 (Date and Time)

The President of the Board requested the District Clerk to set a date to finish the Board Retreat utilizing Mr.Geoghan as facilitator and at that time set the Board goals.

 

9.  Administrative Hiring Process

The Superintendent updated the Board on High School Principal and Business Administrator interview schedule.  The WHS Principal interviews will take place on August 7 beginning at 6:00 p.m. and the Business Administrator interviews will be on August 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Discussion ensued.

 

10.  Athletic Director Situation

At the end of last school year we lost Mr. Stefonowich to the Dutchess Community College basketball program.  During the summer we offered the Athletic Director position to two employees of the District, one declined.  We are in need of an A.D.  Board members would like to review the A.D. job description.  Suggestions were made to strengthen the program such as developing an Athletic Committee and developing a vision for the athletic program.  Most districts acquire their coaches within their teaching staff.  Discussion ensued.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

A Board member asked if John Heck does our water testing.  The answer was yes.

A Board member asked if other members had looked at the minutes to see if they were okay as she was not present at those meetings.  One member said they looked good and another said he had not looked them over yet.

The member then spoke about the District not having been affiliated with the National School Board Association and thinks it would be a good idea to be a member.  The Board would have information about school boards nationally and what legislation is doing.  The member requested the cost to the District of memberships to New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) and Dutchess County School Board (DCSB).  The information will be in the next Board packet.  

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

CSEA President Ostrander asked to speak to the Board of Education in Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.  The Board invited her into Executive Session.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 8:55 pm for the purpose of discussing specific personnel matters and invited CSEA President Ostrander into Executive Session. The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 10:25 pm.  The seven Board members present voted.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting of August 6, 2007 at 10:26 pm.