Webutuck Board of Education held the August 13, 2007 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Bernadette Coniglio

Andrew Jablonsky

William McGhee

 

Absent:

Joseph Herald

Susan Lounsbury

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Therese Trotter, Superintendent’s Secretary

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Culver called the business meeting of August 13, 2007 to order at 7:34 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Audience members had the following comments:

-Concerned about the direction of our school system, alarmed at the turn over.  Lack of vision and what is the Board going to do about it?

-Were there exit interviews done to determine why these people left?

- Noted comment in paper from Superintendent that this year’s budget is going to be tough and what is the District doing about it.
- The District should be aware of what the town boards are doing to increase the tax base.

-A student read a letter regarding the influence Mr. Riddle as a coach had on him and why the District should hire him as Athletic Director.

 

Elementary BET Presentation – Lynn Buckley and Sue Campbell

K-5 BET summarized their action plan goals.  They focused on their successes and will build on those for the coming year, also discussed were things that did not work well, reasons why and if they should eliminate that process/activity or tweak it and try it again.  Results of testing were shared with the Board.  Member present were Jennifer Jaffe, Glen White, Denise Conway, Regina McCoy, Sue Campbell, Kathy Austin and Beth Murphy.  The BET Committee and how it works and its purpose were explained to the audience.  A copy of the BET presentation is included in these minutes.

Board members had follow-up questions; are you lacking resources, when do you goal set, how soon in the school year do you address struggling students?  Discussion ensued.

 

-An audience member spoke about athletics at Webutuck Central School.  The track program has come along with Doug Winslow, Mark Moren has had success with girls’ soccer, Pete Stefonowich and Mike Riddle had a successful basketball program.  There is a need to look at redefining the Athletic Director position.  That role needs to better connect with students, community, even colleges.  It needs to go beyond clerical work.  The District needs to set a vision and tone for our athletic program.  Mr. McCaffrey would like to speak to the Board about Mr. Riddle in Executive Session.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 8:55 pm for the purpose of discussing specific personnel matter and invited Mr. McCaffrey and Mr. Ruppel into session. The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 8:45 pm.  The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

DISCUSSION

1.  Board Goals

The President would like the Board Goals set by September 15.  The District Clerk will call Board members to see when a meeting can be held to develop the goals.

 

2.  Superintendent’s Goals

The Board is in possession of the Superintendent’s Goals and it will be discussed at the next Board meeting.

 

CONSENT AGENDA VOTE

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.  The amendment offered by Ms. Coniglio called for removing items #5 (appointment of Trisha Casler) under Personnel, and Mr. Culver called for #2 under Personnel for further discussion.

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   Approval of Minutes for July 9, 2007 Reorganization Meeting, July 9, 2007 Worksession and July 16, 2007 Board meetings.

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the approval of minutes noted as submitted.  The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

3.  Delegations

Mr. McCaffrey spoke about redefining the Athletic Director position noted in the beginning of these minutes.

 

4.  Non-Staff Communications

None

 

PERSONNEL

*1.  Instructional Resignations

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Resignations, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Kenneth Sauer                          Webutuck High School Principal

            Effective:  August 3, 2007

 

            Nicole Cuoco                           3rd Grade Teacher

            Effective:  August 31, 2007

 

            Kristen Hosley                          Speech and Language Therapist

            Effective:  August 1, 2007

 

            Kristin Gargano                        Earth Science Teacher

            Effective:  July 25, 2007

 

            Thomas Grega                          Social Studies Teacher

            Effective:  September 4, 2007

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*2.  Elementary Principal Appointment

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

The Superintendent explained that Mr. Freer comes to us from Highland School District where he was an Assistant Principal.  The Superintendent is fully confident that Mr. Freer will do a great job.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Administrative appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Joel Freer                                 Elementary Principal

            Effective:  August 15, 2007      Replaces D. Michael O’Neil

            Salary:  $85,000                                 

            Tenure Area:  Principal             Estoppel Date:  August 15, 2010

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*3. Instructional Appointments

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Bradford Dana                                     H.S. Social Studies Teacher

            Effective:  September 1, 2007               Replaces Tom Grega

            Tenure Area:  Social Studies                 Estoppel Date:  August 31, 2010

 

            Karen Thompson                                  Speech & Language Pathologist

            Effective:  September 1, 2007               Replaces Kristin Hosley

            Tenure Area: Speech & Language Disabilities (All Grades)                                                                                                                   

Estoppel Date:  August 31, 2010

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*4.  Non-Instructional Appointments

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Ruth Ramos                                          Teacher Assistant

            Effective:  September 1, 2006

 

            Kim Coon                                            Teacher Assistant

            Effective:  September 1, 2006

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

*5.  Extra-Curricular Appointment for the 2007-2008 School Year

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

The portion of this motion, Trisha Casler/Girls’ Athletic Director was removed from consent agenda for further discussion in executive session.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Extra-Curricular appointment for the 2007-2008 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Trisha Casler                            Girls’ Athletic Director

 

            Mentor                          Mentee

            Rebecca Hart                           Christine Henderson

            Michelle Smith (co-mentor)       Renee Palmer

            Allison Karpf    (co-mentor)      Renee Palmer

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

6.  Substitute Appointments

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby approves the following Substitute appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Rosalie Elliott                                        Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  August 14, 2007

 

            Jeffrey Camburn                                   Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  August 14, 2007

 

            Christian H. Greifenstein                       Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  August 14, 2007

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

7.  Instructional Resignation

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the following Instructional resignation, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Tabitha Thomas                                    AIS Teacher

            Effective:  August 31, 2007

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

8.  Instructional Leave of Absence

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the following Instructional Leave of Absence (without pay), as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools for the 2007 – 2008 school year: 

 

            Juan Vazquez Montero             Secondary Science Teacher

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

9.  Extra-Curricular Appointment

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to table this motion until after Executive Session.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approve the following Extra-Curricular appointment for the 2007-2008 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Robert Clinch                                       Boys’ Athletic Director

            Aaron Howard                                     Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

10.  Authorization to Execute In-Service Training Memorandum of Agreement

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to execute the In-Service Training Memorandum of Agreement between the W.T.A. and the District.

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

12.  Instructional Appointments

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following Instructional Appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Audra Berryann                                    AIS Teacher

            Effective: September 1, 2007                Replaces Tabitha Thomas

            Tenure Area:                                        Estoppel Date:  August 31, 2010

 

            Kevin Kleespies                                   8th Gr. Social Studies Teacher

            Effective:  September 1, 2007               Replaces Julia Heenan

            Tenure Area: Social Studies                  Estoppel Date:  August 31, 2010

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

13.  Principal Appointment

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

Meghan Schneider, Student Representative of the Board, reported on the interview with Mr. Posephney.  She and the other students felt he was as a vivacious person, one who studies what works and does not work and believes in a reward system for students who stay out of trouble and for students who make good choices.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Administrative appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Jay Posephney                                      Principal

            Effective: August 29, 2007                    Replaces Kenneth Sauer

            Tenure:  Principal                                  Estoppel Date:  August 28, 2010

            Salary:  $107,000

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

14.  School Business Manger 1 Appointment

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

The Superintendent said Ms. Heslin come from Dutchess County Department of Public Works and is very goal oriented.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following School Business Manger 1 appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

            Marianne Heslin                                    School Business Manager 1

            Effective:  September 10, 2007 Replaces Kevin Geoghan                                 

            Salary:  $88,000

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

15.  Principal Resignation

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to table the motion below

until the District is in receipt of Mr. Richards resignation.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following Principal resignation, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Scott Richards                                      Eugene Brooks Middle School Principal

            Effective:  TBA

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

*1. Cafeteria Bid

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby approves the cooperative cafeteria bid as presented, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

2.  Approval of Bids for Athletic Materials and Supplies

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby award the acceptable low athletic bids presented, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

            Passon’s Sport                              $640.73

            Anaconda-Kingston                    $1,684.60

            Anaconda-Poughkeepsie            $5,078.44

            Greg Larson                                  $178.42

            Gopher Sports                          No Successful Bids

            Pro Look Sport                        No Successful Bids

            Stadium System                        No Successful Bids

            Sportmen’s                                 $1,996.00

            AAE                                        No Successful Bids

            Medco Supply                               $380.46

            Triple Crown                              $1,638.04

            TOTAL                                   $11,596.69

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

*1.  Adoption of Regents Passing Grade for the 2007-2008 School Year

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the passing grade of 55% for Regents exams required for graduation in order to qualify for a local diploma, for the 2007-2008 year only, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools. 

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

1.  Emergency Planning Committee

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:

Meghan Schneider, Student Representative, asked if a student could be added to the Emergency Planning Committee.  Mr. McGhee commented it has been done before.

Ms. Coniglio made motion to amend the previous motion to include a student representative to the Emergency Planning Committee and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked how the student would be chosen.  It was decided to allow the Student Council to choose a student to serve.

BE IT RESOLVED, that for the school year 2007-2008 the following individuals shall be appointed to the positions as indicated and they shall be authorized to act on the Board's behalf in said positions:

 

            School Resource Officer                       George Strid (Chairperson)

            Emergency Coordinator                        Marianne Heslin           

            Superintendent                                      Dr. Richard Johns

            Board Member                                     Bill McGhee/Sue Lounsbury

            Webutuck High School Principal           Jay Posephney

            Eugene Brooks Middle School/ACE Principal TBA

            Amenia Elementary School Principal     Joel Freer

            Webutuck Elementary School Principal Joel Freer

            Faculty Representative                          Nancy Gagne

            Transportation Representative               Ed Tannini

            Building and Grounds                            Mark Lounsbury

            Health Services                                     Marilyn Unger

            Food Services                                      TBA

            Student Representative                         TBA

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

-Why was the Principal resignation tabled?  We are not in receipt of a resignation letter.

-Where was the WHS Principal from? He was an Assistant Principal at Hawthorne Cedar Knolls for the past three years.

-What about the Elementary Principal?  He was from Highland School District and was the Assistant Principal.

-With the changes in the District, particularly the High School, hoping the course offerings will remain the same.

- With contract negotiation -look at requiring resignations earlier in the year so the students and District are not compromised.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

There were none.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:32 pm for the particular personnel issue. The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Ms. Coniglio made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 10:15 pm.  The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Mr. McGhee made a motion to table the Athletic Director position until a future meeting. 

The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Ms. Coniglio made a motion to adjourn the meeting of August 13, 2007 at 10:17 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk