Webutuck Board of Education held the September 17, 2007 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Bernadette Coniglio arrived 9:20 p.m.

Joseph Herald

Andrew Jablonsky

Susan Lounsbury

William McGhee

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Tracy Trotter, Superintendent�s Secretary

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Culver called the business meeting of September 17, 2007 to order at 7:45 p.m.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 7:46 p.m. to discuss a particular personnel issue.� The six Board members present voted.� The motion carried unanimously.� President Culver stated the Board would be approximately twenty minutes in executive session.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 8:15 p.m.� The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.� The motion carried unanimously.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Audience members had the following comments:

What is the relationship of Collins and Scoville with the District Facility Committee?

The company is the District�s Architect Firm.

Does a Board member work for Collins and Scoville and also is a member of the Facility Committee?

Yes, Andrew Jablonsky.

Is that a conflict of interest?� Please check with the State Education Department and School Attorney�s.

Parents should be notified if the school is in a lockdown due to a bomb threat.

Would like FFA up and running � helped her daughter and has seen student�s flourish that were not involved in athletics.

Will Stephen Perotti be appointed a Teaching Assistant since he is now certified?

Yes, the District will check on certification and if all is correct he will be appointed in October.

 

DISCUSSION

1.� FFA

The FFA Advisor position is currently open.� President Culver and Mr. Perotti will most generously volunteer their time to be Advisors on a temporary basis until an Advisor can be found.� They will not receive payment for the position.� Both President Culver and Mr. Perotti credit the FFA�s influence in their earlier years.� Bonnie Finkle stated she was Assistant Advisor last year and will be willing to again this year.� However, the students do need someone during the school day to be able to go to with questions about FFA.� The Agriculture Teacher is a part of the team and will be a go between if needed.� Discussion ensued.� �

 

2.� Board Goals � President Culver asked Board members to write down a couple of things they would like the Board to accomplish this year and give them to the District Clerk by the end of the week.� The President will then draft a list of goals for the Board to review.

 

3.� Superintendent�s Goals � After the Board develops their goals, it will be necessary to discuss the Superintendent�s Goals in conjunction with Board Goals.

 

CONSENT AGENDA VOTE

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.  The amendment offered by Mr. Perotti called for removing item #4 under Personnel.  Mr. Culver called for removing #3 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.  Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the motion to approve the Financial Reports as submitted:

           Treasurer’s Report for the month ending June and July.

           Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending June and July.      

           Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending June and July.

           Warrants #1-11

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

 

2.  Delegations

None

3.  Non-Staff Communications

None

 

PERSONNEL

*1.  Principal Resignation

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

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

 

            Scott Richards                                      Eugene Brooks Middle School Principal

            Effective:  August 22, 2007

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

President Culver spoke about Mr. Richards and his great interaction with staff and students.  Other Board members stated they accepted his resignation with great regret and the Board wishes him well in the future.

 

2.  Approval of (1) Teaching Assistant Position replacing (1) Teacher Aide Position

    at AES

Mr. Herald made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves adding one Teaching Assistant position and deleting one Teacher Aide position at Amenia Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

3.  Non-Instructional Appointments

There will be no action taken until after Executive Session.

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

           

            Anthony Trocino                                   Teaching Assistant

            Effective:  September 5, 2007               Replaces Stacy Vitolo

 

            Dawn Rivette                                        Teaching Assistant

            Effective:  September 5, 2007               Replaces Kathy Westfall

 

            Michael Riddle                         Teacher Aide

            Effective:  September 10, 2007 Replaces Stephen Perotti         

 

4.  Extra-Curricular Appointment for the 2007-2008 School Year

There will be no action taken until after 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:

 

            Miriam Straus               Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach

            Aaron Howard             Head Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Head Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach

            Michael Riddle             Assistant Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Modified Baseball Coach

            Anthony Trocino           JV Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Athletic Director

            Rudy Eschbach             Volunteer Assistant Golf Coach (no stipend)

           

            Mentor                          Mentee

          Margaret Brizzie           Kevin Kleespies

            Sherry Fisher                Audra Berryann

            Bill Havranek                Brad Dana

            Paul Wladarczyk          Louis Petty, David Pearson

            Lorraine Laufer             Charity Brady

            Rebecca Hart               Karen Thompson

            Stephanie Shoemaker   Tricia Montalto

            Mark Moren                Kathleen Kelly

 

*5.  Rescind Emergency Coordinator

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education rescinds the resolution dated August 13, 2007, for the portion appointing Marianne Heslin as Emergency Coordinator and appoints Linda Peters as Emergency Coordinator effective October 1, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*6.  Rescind DEHIC Authorization Resolution

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education rescinds the resolution dated August 13, 2007 for the portion appointing District DEHIC Trustee as Kevin Geoghan and appoints Linda Peters as District DEHIC Trustee effective October 1, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*7.  Rescind Position Authorization

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education rescinds the resolution Position Authorization dated July 9, 2007, for the portion appointing Kevin Geoghan as School Purchasing Agent, EEOC, Civil Service Section 75 Hearing Officer and Residency Hearing Officer and appoints Linda Peters as School Purchasing Agent, EEOC, Civil Service Section 75 Hearing Officer and Residency Hearing Officer effective October 1, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

8.  Create One Instructional Position

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion as amended:

A Board member pointed out the resolution should read “Instructional Position” due to a Teaching Assistant instructing students.  The amendment was made.

The Superintendent explained the reason for the creation for this position was due to an increase in students with more concentrated needs not due to an increase in number of students.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education approves the creation of one Teaching Assistant position, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

9.  Instructional Resignation

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

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

 

            Andrea Jarvis                                       Special Education Teacher

            Effective:  October 12, 2007

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

A Board member questioned if the District was actively looking at this time.  The Superintendent responded yes.

 

10.  Instructional Substitute Appointments

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

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

Schools:

 

            Sabrina Klay                                        Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  September 18, 2007

 

            April Ary                                              Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  September 18, 2007

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

 

11.  Extra-Curricular Appointment for the 2007-2008 School Year

Mr. Herald made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion:

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:

 

            Tonise Baker                WES Yearbook Advisor

            Kimberly Coon             Co-Advisor 8th Grade Class

            Patricia Carmody          Co-Advisor 8th Grade Class

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

 

12.  Create Two Non-Instructional Positions

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck Board of Education approves the creation of the following Non-Instructional positions, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

            2 Bus Monitors

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

 

13.  Create Two Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Non-Instructional Substitute appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent of

Schools:

 

            2 Long-Term Temporary Substitute Bus Drivers

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

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

1.  Acceptance of Donated Items

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion:

A Board member stated they accept the donation with thanks.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following donated items from Christine Gillette to the Webutuck Central School District, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

           

                                    2 Lexmark Z22 Color Jetprinters

                                    1 Hewlett-Packard scanjet 2200c scanner

                                    1 Video Collection “World’s Greatest Train Ride” (18 videos each of a different country)

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

 

2.  Approval of the Millerton Elementary School Building Improvement Plan

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion as amended:

The removal of the words “and the hardware for window repair” was removed from the original resolution because it could not be funded through a combination of the EXCEL Aid fund and SED Building Aid.  In Part III, the words “including window repair as stated in the 2004 Building Condition Survey” were added.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck School District Board of Education does hereby commit itself to the following plan to remedy the facility deficiencies within the Millerton Elementary School outlined in the 2004 Building Condition Survey:

 

            Part I: The Millerton Elementary School building shall have a new roof installed. This roofing project shall be funded through a combination of funding from the 2006 EXCEL Aid fund and SED Capital Building Aid paid to districts.

 

            Part II:  Re-surfacing of the driveway and parking area at the Millerton Elementary School shall be advanced to the public for a vote within the context of the next capital bond issue.

 

            Part III: Other (more minor including window repair) deficiencies stated in the 2004 Building Condition Survey shall be remediated by the Webutuck Maintenance and Operations Department.

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

 

3.  Authorization to Establish the Scope of the EXCEL Aid Project

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded the following motion and an a friendly amendment was made by Mrs. Lounsbury and seconded by Mr. Jablonsky to include Project I - add the wording “replacing coping stone and repair parapet wall”; Project III  - strike the words “a new well and water supply system” and add “ redundant pump system”; Project IV delete completely.  An audience member questioned if there was going to be two wells.  A Board member responded yes that is what the Board has discussed and wanted.  An audience member questioned the location of the second well and possibly locating it on the High School side due to if the first well was ever contaminated.  Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Webutuck School District Board of Education hereby authorizes a public election for the purpose of seeking approval of certain capital projects (as listed below).  The projects identified on the ballot of this election shall be funded via EXCEL Aid funding and New York State Building Aid paid to districts.  The Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to pursue the SEQRA approval for the scope of the project.

 

            Project I:  The Millerton Elementary School building shall have a new roof installed, replace coping stone and repair parapet wall.

 

            Project II: The Webutuck Elementary School, Eugene Brooks Middle School and the Webutuck High School shall be equipped with an electronic door system       including, but not limited to: the actual electronic door lock system, the necessary computer systems and controls to make the system fully operational and the   appropriate doors and hardware to accommodate the security system.

 

            Project III:  A redundant pump system at the WSD central campus to serve as a back-up to the original system.

 

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

 

4.  Authorization to Establish the Scope of the Transportation Proposition to be  Placed on the Ballot

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

A Board member asked if the District owned a wheelchair accessible van.  The District does and it is used whether they have a wheelchair occupant or not.  Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District, Dutchess and Columbia Counties, New York, be authorized to purchase (1) one 65-passenger school bus at a maximum estimated cost of $85,000, (1) one 18 passenger school bus equipped for wheelchair transportation at a maximum estimated cost of $52,000, (1) one 28 passenger van at a maximum estimated cost of $39,000 and (2) two cars at a maximum estimated cost of $37,000 ($18,500 each) for an aggregate maximum estimated cost of $213,000, (2) expend such sum for such purposes, (3) levy the tax necessary therefore, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education, taking into account state aid received, and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, to issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $213,000, and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due.

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

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

*1.  Committee on Special Education Monthly Reports

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby accepts the Committee on Special Education report for September 2007, prepared by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Pre-School Education and by the Webutuck Central School District Committee on Special Education, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*2.  Approval of Textbook - “Biology - AP Edition”

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the textbook Biology – AP Edition, 7th Edition Prentice Hall 2005, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

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

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

*1.  Approval of German/Spanish Trip to Europe

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Europe Trip scheduled for April 8 – April 19, 2008 as a WHS school field trip, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*2.  Consultant Appointment

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District agrees to employ the following consultant at a rate of $500 per diem:

 

                        JBio Consultant Services                       Curriculum Consultant

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

 

Mr. Jablonsky reported that Tom Ritzenthaler (Collins and Scoville) can bring options and comparisons to us for the renovation of the bus garage and also look into the land acquisition with the building located on it being renovated.  However, the Board would have to authorize the expenditure of Collins and Scoville to do that at a price of $5,000 to $6,000. 

 

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District approves the expenditure of up to $6,000 for the Collins and Scoville to prepare comparisons of renovating the bus garage at its present location and looking at land purchase with the renovations to the building located on it.

The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Mr. Jablonsky abstained from voting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following were comments made:

Are #3 & #4 under Personnel going to be voted on tonight? Yes, after Executive Session.

Will the FFA be added to tonight? Yes

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

Please put any Facility Committee handouts in Board members packets who did not attend the meeting tonight.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:25 pm for the purpose of discussing a particular personnel issue. The seven Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 9:50 pm.  The seven Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

3.  Non-Instructional Appointments

Mr. Herald made and Mrs. Lounsbury 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:

           

            Anthony Trocino                                   Teaching Assistant

            Effective:  September 5, 2007               Replaces Stacy Vitolo

 

            Dawn Rivette                                        Teaching Assistant

            Effective:  September 5, 2007               Replaces Kathy Westfall

 

            Michael Riddle                         Teacher Aide

            Effective:  September 10, 2007 Replaces Stephen Perotti         

The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

Dale Culver                  Yes      Susan Lounsbury          Yes

Joseph Herald              Yes      William McGhee           No

Bernadette Coniglio      Yes      John Perotti                  Yes

Andrew Jablonsky        Yes

 

4.  Extra-Curricular Appointment for the 2007-2008 School Year

Mr. Herald made and Mrs. Lounsbury seconded the following motion:

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:

 

            Miriam Straus               Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach

            Aaron Howard             Head Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Head Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach

            Michael Riddle             Assistant Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Modified Baseball Coach

            Anthony Trocino           JV Soccer Coach

            Michael Riddle             Athletic Director

            Rudy Eschbach             Volunteer Assistant Golf Coach (no stipend)

            Dale Culver                  Co-Advisor FFA (no stipend)

            John Perotti                  Co-Advisor FFA (no stipend)

            Mentor                 Mentee

          Margaret Brizzie           Kevin Kleespies

            Sherry Fisher                Audra Berryann

            Bill Havranek                Brad Dana

            Paul Wladarczyk          Louis Petty, David Pearson

            Lorraine Laufer             Charity Brady

            Rebecca Hart               Karen Thompson

            Stephanie Shoemaker   Tricia Montalto

            Mark Moren                Kathleen Kelly

The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

Dale Culver                  Yes      Susan Lounsbury          Yes

Joseph Herald              Yes      William McGhee           No

Bernadette Coniglio      Yes      John Perotti                  No

Andrew Jablonsky        Yes

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Herald made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting of September 17, 2007 at 9:53 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk