Webutuck Board of
Education held the
The following Board members were present:
Dale Culver
Joseph Herald
Andrew Jablonsky
William McGhee
John Perotti
Bernadette Coniglio arrived at 9:15 p.m.
Absent:
Susan Lounsbury
Also Present:
Dr. Richard Johns
Therese Trotter
Linda Peters
Joel Freer
Jay Posephney
CALL TO ORDER
President Culver called the Worksession of
PUBLIC COMMENT
The PTA President announced the first PTA meeting on
The Superintendent thanked the PTA for providing coffee and donuts on
Superintendent’s Conference Day for all of the District staff.
The Superintendent introduced the District’s new administration team to
the public. Present was School Business
Administrator Linda Peters, WES/AES Principal Joel Freer, and WHS Principal Jay
Posephney.
DISCUSSION
1. Personnel
The Board will go into Executive Session for discussion.
2.
A.P. Biology Textbook
The College Board requests districts to file the curriculum and textbook
to be used for all AP courses being taught in
3.
The Millerton building had three issues cited and was given an
“Unsatisfactory” rating in the 2004 Building Condition Survey given to the
State. The roof, driveway/parking lot
and window system all are in need of repair and a corrective action plan needs
to be formed. The Superintendent is
recommending the roof be replaced immediately with the EXCEL money. He recommends the windows and
driveway/parking lot be put into the next bond issue. A Board member questioned if the Town of
4.
Transportation Revote
The Transportation referendum will be put back up for a vote due to the
mistake in wording at the May vote. The
Transportation Department is strapped for vehicles at this time due to special
needs students moving into the District.
Those students require transporting in smaller vehicles because of their
individual placements. A Board member
asked if the District could lease a small vehicle to help for the moment. Discussion ensued.
5.
Mr. Biasotti’s Contract
It was noted that Mr. Biasotti has worked for eight years in the District
in various capacities. Presently, he is
filling in for Mr. Posephney until he comes to the District permanently. Mr. Biasotti has worked at his current rate
for several years. His rate will be per
diem with no pay for travel.
6.
EXCEL Project
Last year the State Dormitory Association released money for school
improvements. Most of the money went to
7.
Special Education Teaching Assistant position
Special Education enrollment vacillates every year. Ms. Nethercott’s classroom went from a 1:12:1
to a 1:8:1 because there are students with more concentrated needs. There is a need of an additional .5 FTE
Teaching Assistant in that classroom.
Discussion ensued.
8.
International Trip
The German and Spanish teachers are proposing a trip to
PUBLIC COMMENT
Audience members commented on the following:
- Stated the transportation vehicles are needed now – not in November.
- Are we doing a good job identifying at risk four-year-olds now that we
have a Universal Pre-K program? Yes,
between Astor and Pre-K we have 47 students out of a class of 60-70. The Kindergarten teachers say they can see a
difference.
- Is the Board still looking at a Land Purchase? It is up for discussion
with the Board.
- Stated a concern about security at the school. There was a breach of
security at the school at the end of last year.
Is there money the Board can release to help out? The District has been working on this issue.
There are safety committees in each building that meet once a month. The front doors are the only doors to the
outside unlocked. All other doors are to
be locked. The District has a parking
lot attendant that is there to be aware of people/students coming and going. There
is a swipe card entry system being looked at to install in all buildings
instead of metal keys.
BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS
Mr. Herald gave the Superintendent a list of comments regarding the
Athletic Director job description because he was not at the last Board
meeting. Mr. McGhee responded to actions
taken by the District for security measures.
They can be found under public comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn to
executive session at 8:15 pm for the purpose of discussing a particular
personnel matter. The five Board members present voted. The motion carried unanimously.
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mr. Herald made a motion
to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 9:44
pm. The six Board members present
voted. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Herald adjourned
the meeting of
Respectfully submitted,
Therese M. Trotter