Webutuck Board of Education held the October 15, 2007 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Joseph Herald

Susan Lounsbury

William McGhee

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Linda Peters, School Business Administrator

Tracy Trotter, Superintendent�s Secretary

 

Absent:

Bernadette Coniglio

Andrew Jablonsky

John Perotti

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the business meeting of October 15, 2007 to order at 7:35 p.m.��

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was none.

 

Auditor�s Financial Report Presentation 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Churchill, the District�s external auditor, reviewed the Audit Report with the Board of Education.� The Board asked questions pertaining to the findings of the audit report.

A copy of the Auditor�s Financial Report is attached to these minutes.

 

DISCUSSION

1.� NECC Utilities

The original contract with NECC stated there would be no rental charge however they would have to pay for utilities used.� It was difficult to calculate that figure.� This year the contract stated NECC would pay a percentage of the utilities based on room usage. �NECC felt the amount was high.� A Board member suggested removing the heating portion of the figure as the District has to heat the building whether NECC is there or not.� Discussion ensued.

 

CONSENT AGENDA VOTE

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

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

 

CLERK�S REPORT

*1�� Approval of Minutes as amended for August 6, August 13, August 20, August 29, September 11, September 17, and September 24, 2007 Board meetings.

Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the approval of minutes noted above as submitted.� The four Board members present voted to approve the motion.� The motion carried unanimously.

 

*2.� Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted

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

���������� Treasurer�s Report for the month ending August.

���������� Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending August.����

���������� Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending August.

���������� Warrants #12-19

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

 

3.  Delegations

There were none.

4.  Non-Staff Communications

There were none.

 

PERSONNEL

*1.  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:

 

            Edith Walsh                                          Substitute Food Service Helper

            Effective:  October 16, 2007

 

            Maria Andrade                         Substitute Food Service Helper

            Effective:  October 16, 2007

 

            Mary Brandt                                         Substitute Bus Driver/ Substitute Monitor

            Effective:  September 26, 2007

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

 

*2.  Increase Instructional Appointment

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following increase in the Instructional position appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools. 

 

            Marilyn Midwood Change                    One Teacher Assistant 3 Hours to 5.625           Hours                                                   One  Nurse 1 Hour to 1.875 Hours

            Effective:  September 1, 2007

            (Board Resolution created position as of October 17, 2005)

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

 

 

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

Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee 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:

           

            Bonnie Finkle                                       FFA Assistant Advisor

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

 

*4.  Amendment of Instructional Appointment

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the following position from a 1 FTE to a .5 FTE position, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Monica Baker-Bozsik                           ESL Teacher

            Effective:  September 1, 2007

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

 

*5.  Instructional Appointment

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

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

 

            Stephen Perotti                         Teaching Assistant

            Effective:  September 1, 2007

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

 

*6.  Create (1) Special Education Department Head

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the creation of (1) Special Education Department Head under the Curriculum Council, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

7.  Amendment of June 25, 2007 Extra-Curricular Resolution

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

A Board member questioned if the District would be filling these positions.  The next resolution fills one of the positions.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby removes the following teacher from the extra-curricular positions due to her resignation, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Tabitha Thomas                                    Play Director

            Tabitha Thomas                                    Choreographer

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

 

8.  Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2007-2008 School Year

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

A Board member requested pulling Tom Marshall for Junior Honor Society Faculty Advisor from the motion to discuss further in executive session.  Mr. Herald made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion as amended:

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

            Paul Wladarczyk                                  Science Department Head

            Susan Campbell                                    ELA Department Head

            Margaret Brizzie                                   Social Studies Department Head

            Rosanna Hamm                                    Math Department Head

            Linda Miller                                          Special Education Department Head

            Susan Harrington                                  Special Areas Department Head

 

            Trisha Casler                                        Assistant to the Athletic Director

            Trisha Casler                                        JV Girls’ Basketball Coach

            Kathleen Kelly                          JV Field Hockey Coach

            Sherry Fisher                                        National Honor Society Faculty Advisor

            Nancy Gagne                                       Play Director

            Tricia Montalto                         Co-Advisor Class of 2009

            Audra Berryann                                    Co-Advisor Class of 2009

           

            Mentor                                               Mentee

            Tammy Nethercott                                Alison Coppola

A Board member questioned if the Superintendent had calculated a stipend for the Assistant to the Athletic Director.  The job descriptions for both Athletic Director and Assistant to the Athletic Director will be approved tonight and it will be determined in the near future how much that stipend will be for that position.

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

 

 

9.  Instructional Appointment

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

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

 

            Alison Coppola                                    Special Education Teacher

            Effective: October 9, 2007                    Estoppel:  January 28, 2010

            Tenure Area: Special Education            Replaces: Andrea Jarvis

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

 

10.  Non-Instructional Substitute Appointments

Mrs. Lounsbury 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:

           

            Jennifer Brandt                         Substitute Teacher Aide

            Effective:  October 10, 2007                 New Position

 

            Alexander Mersand                              Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  October 16, 2007

 

            Sherry Justry                                        Substitute Bus Driver

            Effective:  October 16, 2007

           

            Clarissa Blakely                                    Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 16, 2007

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

 

11.  Appointment of School Lunch Manager

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

A Board member stated he had received several calls from parents with complaints about students going to buy their lunch and the menu had changed and running out of food.  Is there a job description?  The Superintendent will check. Discussion ensued. 

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to table this item for further discussion in executive session.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby approves the following School Lunch Manager appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Robert Rosner                                      School Lunch Manager

            Effective: August 22, 2007                    Salary:  $42,000

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

12.  Instructional Substitute Appointment

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

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Substitute appointment and waive the twenty day itinerant rate provision of Policy #402, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Anthony Trocino                                   ACE Long-Term Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  October 4, 2007                   Leave Replacement for Peter Stefonowich

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

 

12.  Approval of Job Descriptions

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

A Board member noted it was a good job description and a stipend for the Assistant will come out of future discussion.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Athletic Director Job Description as well as the Assistant to the Athletic Director Job Description, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

1.  Accept Independent Audit Report

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Independent Audit Report for the year ending June 30, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

2.  Authorization to Increase the 2007-2008 Budget

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

A Board member questioned if this was the total amount claimed or is there a deductible.  The Superintendent stated he would double check to see if there was a deductible but thought it was the total amount claimed.  Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby increases the 2007-2008 Budget in the amount of $5,606 in Budget Code A2630.400 00 00 20 as a result of receipt of insurance funds for theft date 6/18/07, to be recorded in Revenue Account A2680, with such funds to be expended from A2630.400 00 00 20.

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

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

*1.  Approval of 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip May 21-24, 2008 as a school field trip, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

2.  Approval of FFA National Convention Trip

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

Mrs. Finkle, Assistant FFA Advisor explained that our students will be going with Madison School District on their bus.  They will see several sites along the way including Niagara Falls, the Flight Museum, Cincinnati Zoo, and Indianapolis Speedway to name a few.  The cost is $480 per student.  Discussion ensued.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the FFA National Convention Trip to Indianapolis, Indiana October 22 – 28, 2007 as a school field trip, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

3.  Approve SEQRA Resolution for the Concession Stand

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

A Board member stated he would like the Board to review the plans before any construction or digging begins.

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Webutuck School District (“Board”) has proposed to undertake a project consisting of the construction of concession stand at the Webutuck High School site, (“the Project”); and

           

            WHEREAS, the Board wishes to fully comply with its obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and the regulations thereunder with respect to the proposed action; and

 

            WHEREAS, the Board has carefully considered the nature and scope of the proposed action; and

 

            WHEREAS, upon review of the foregoing, the Board makes the following determinations:

 

            1.         The proposed action involves the construction of a concession stand at the Webutuck High School site (“the Project”);

 

            2.         The proposed Project represents a routine activity of an educational institution, including the expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, within the meaning of 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(8).

 

            3.         The proposed action will in no case have a significant adverse impact based on the environment based on the criteria contained in 6 NYCRR § 617.7(c), and is not otherwise a Type I action as defined by 6 NYCRR § 617.4.

 

            4.         The proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and is therefore not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.

 

            NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board finds and concludes that the proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and therefore is not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.

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

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

 

3.  Appointment of Officials and Election Inspectors for the November 13, 2007 Special Meeting Vote for the 2007-2008 School Year

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

A Board member stated many thanks to the volunteers that help us with the vote.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the appointment of the following persons for the November 13, 2007 School Budget Vote, whereas,

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education requires the Chairperson and each Election Inspector to sign a statement certifying receipt of the “Responsibilities and the Rules of Conduct for School Board Elections”, and whereas,

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes the District Clerk to appoint additional officials and inspectors if necessary:

 

PERMANENT CHAIRPERSON & CHIEF ELECTION INSPECTOR:

 

Richard G. Howard

 

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

Patricia Boice

Tom Pavilga

Joan Murphy

Diane Price

Dorothy Newvine

Jane Rossman

Jean DeWitt

Barbara VandeBogart

Peg Coon

Arlene Iuliano                                                

Freida Thompson

Lea Howard                                              

Valerie Corcoran

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

 

4.  Approval of NYSED New Construction Application

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the NYSED New Construction Application Form for a Concession Stand, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Audience members comments were:

-Great support in EBMS last year; feels the bottom has dropped out at H.S. level. No support from Guidance for parents on S.A.T.’s

-What review is done to monitor if teachers are successful in the classroom? Annual evaluations are done and informal observations are done.  The availability of teachers for extra-help is light.  Discussion ensued.

-Was there any information on the conflict of interest between Mr. Jablonsky and Collins and Scoville.  The Superintendent spoke to the District’s Legal Council and it was determined there was no conflict of interest.  They looked at Mr. Jablonsky’s responsibilities on the Facilities Committee and looked at Collins and Scoville, Mr. Jablonsky is not in a position to profit.  He can not make a decision to hire or have work done without the full Board voting on anything like that.  Discussion ensued.

-Would like copies of policies on security of buildings and documents, and teacher evaluations.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

The American Legion donated a monument to the Millerton School back in 1937.  They would like to now take it and place it at their American Legion site.  It was suggested to have them write a letter and state their request.  Discussion ensued.

It was suggested by a Board member to invite Mike Haggerty to a Board meeting.  He has a lot of experience in grant writing and could help the District in acquiring a generator.  Our buildings have been designated as emergency shelters and a generator would be essential in those emergency situations.  Discussion ensued.

-A Board member stated his disappointment with what happened at the Tractor Pull this past weekend.  There was smoking on school grounds and it is a recurring problem every year.  The District was inappropriately bad mouthed on public radio because the Tractor Pull was asked to provide insurance, as it does for every outside entity, for liability purposes.  Discussion ensued.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 10:10 pm for the purpose of discussing particular personnel issues. The four Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Mr. Herald made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 12:10 pm.  The four Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Appointment of School Lunch Manager

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

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby approves the following School Lunch Manager appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Robert Rosner                                      School Lunch Manager

            Effective: August 22, 2007                    Salary:  $42,000

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

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Herald made a motion to adjourn the meeting of October 15, 2007 at 12:11 am.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Therese M. Trotter

District Clerk