Webutuck Board of Education held the March 10, 2008 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Library.

 

The following Board members were present:

Dale Culver, President

Bernadette Coniglio

Andrew Jablonsky

Susan Lounsbury

William McGhee

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Linda Peters, School Business Administrator

 

Absent:

Joseph Herald

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Culver called the business meeting of March 10, 2008 to order at 7:39 p.m.� The President stated Mr. Herald had a death in the family and would not be at the meeting tonight.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

The following comments were made by audience members:

- student representative would not be at meeting tonight as she is ill

- met in executive session with the Superintendent and Board last week, was frustrated and upset that things that were decided on in that meeting were not done for her son.� The Board decided to invite the parent into executive session to discuss the issue further.

 

Mr. Perotti made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:42 pm for the purpose of a particular student situation.� Mrs. Esposito, a parent was invited into the session by the Board for discussion.� The six Board members voted to approve the motion.� The motion carried unanimously.

 

Ms. Coniglio made and Mr. Perotti seconded a motion to adjourn executive session and enter public session at 7:56 pm.� The six Board members voted to approve the motion.� The motion carried unanimously.

 

CONSENT AGENDA VOTE

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. Perotti seconded the following motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.� The amendment offered by Mr. McGhee called for removing item #1 under Board of Education.

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

 

 

CLERK�S REPORT

*1.� Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted

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

 

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

���������� Comprehensive Budget Status Report ending January.���

���������� Comprehensive Revenue Status Report ending January.

���������� Warrants #43-59

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

 

2.  Delegations

There were none.

3.  Non-Staff Communications

There were none.

 

PERSONNEL

*1.  Increase Instructional Appointment

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. Perotti 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. 

 

            Kerri-Ann Bocker                                Special Education Teacher

            Effective:  February 19, 2008                .5 to 1.0 F.T.E.

            (Board Resolution approved position as of January 28, 2008)

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

 

*2.  Non-Instructional Appointment

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

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

 

            Marilyn Farr                                         Substitute Teacher

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

 

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

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

A Board member questioned if the Board had established a stipend for the Assistant Athletic Director.  The answer was yes, at a previous meeting.

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                                        Assistant to the Athletic Director

            John Roccanova                                   Junior National Honors Society Advisor

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

 

*4.  Approval of Job Description

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Coach Job Description, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*5.  Contract for Math Teacher

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the contract and waiver of Board Policy #402 for Anthony DiUglio for the leave replacement position of High School Math Teacher, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

6.  Revise Resolution of December 3, 2007 Extra-Curricular Appointment for 2007-2008

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Ms. Coniglio seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby revises the resolution of December 3, 2007 Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2007-2008 School Year to reflect Ann Satori as Assistant Varsity Girls Softball Coach which originally stated Kathleen Kelly as the Assistant Varsity Girls Softball Coach, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

7.  Substitute Non-Instructional Appointment

Mr. Jablonsky made and Mr. McGhee 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:

 

                        Robert Haselkamp                    Substitute Custodial Worker

                        Effective:  March 10, 2008

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

 

 

BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

*1.  Authorization to Contract with Dutchess County BOCES for a Three-Year Installment Purchase of Computer Servers, Software Installation and Related Equipment

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby approve a contract with the Dutchess County BOCES for the acquisition of computer/technology hardware, copier/printer and related equipment through a three-year installment purchase agreement (IPA) commencing in 2007-2008 school year with maximum total principal cost of $53,845 and,

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Central School District will pay the Dutchess County BOCES through its regular monthly billing cycle over the three-year period to commence during the 2007-2008 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*2.  Acceptance of Donation in Memory of Thomas Berlinghoff

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

The Board President recognized that the District is grateful for this gesture under the circumstances of a terrible tragedy.

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education accepts the donation by his classmates of a soccer scoreboard in memory of recently deceased Webutuck graduate Thomas Berlinghoff, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

*1.  Committee on Special Education Monthly Reports

Mr. Jablonsky 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 February 2008, 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 voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

2.  Acceptance of Obsolete Books

Ms. Coniglio made and Ms. Lounsbury  seconded the following motion:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares the following listed items obsolete, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Mathematics Applications and Connections Course I, Glencoe/McGraw-          Hill       2001

            Science, Macmillan/McGraw – Hill 1995

            Science, Macmillan/McGraw – Hill 1995

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

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

1.  Authorization for the Removal of the American Legion Post #178 Memorial

This resolution was revised to reflect the correct organization to which the memorial belonged.

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

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education authorizes and approves the moving of the American Legion of Millerton Post #178 Memorial from the Millerton Elementary School site to a more suitable venue by the American Legion of Millerton Post #178, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*2.  Approval of Contract with C2G Environmental Consultants

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

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves entering into a contract with C2G Environmental Consultants, LLC for $2,700 to aid in storage tank compliance, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

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

 

*3.   Authorization for Issuance of Tax Refund

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

 WHEREAS, by Order of John T. Meaney, Esq, Hearing Officer, State of New York, County of Dutchess, dated February 23, 2008, reductions in assessment and tax refunds for the 2007 assessment year were adjusted in favor of petitioner, P Bartlett Wu, for property owned in the Town of Amenia, in the Webutuck Central School District, Tax Parcel No. 132000-7067-00-620205-0000, said reductions in assessment as follows:

 

                              Assessment Roll                           From                      To

                              School Tax Year 

 

                              2007/08- 2007                         $517,600              $480,000

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator is hereby authorized to correct the 2007 assessment to reflect such valuation reductions, with a notation in the margin, opposite said entries that the corrections are by authorization of the above-referenced Order; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to the terms of the above referenced Order, the School Treasurer is hereby authorized to refund any overpayments of school taxes for the 2007-2008 school year, said refund in the amount of $406.17 and reduce the tax certiorari reserve by said amount.

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

 

*4. Authorization for Issuance of Tax Refund

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

WHEREAS, by Order of John T. Meaney, Esq, Hearing Officer, State of New York, County of Dutchess, dated February 23, 2008, reductions in assessment and tax refunds for the 2007 assessment year were adjusted in favor of petitioner, Arlouine Wu, for property owned in the Town of Amenia, in the Webutuck Central School District, Tax Parcel No. 132000-7067-00-620205-0000, said reductions in assessment as follows:

 

                        Assessment Roll               From                      To

                         School Tax Year 

 

                        2007/08- 2007                 $212,500             $190,000 (less Star Exempt)

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Business Administrator is hereby authorized to correct the 2007 assessment to reflect such valuation reductions, with a notation in the margin, opposite said entries that the corrections are by authorization of the above-referenced Order; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that pursuant to the terms of the above referenced Order, the School Treasurer is hereby authorized to refund any overpayments of school taxes for the 2007-2008 school year, said refund in the amount of $355.63 and reduce the tax certiorari reserve by said amount.

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

 

 

2008-2009 Budget Discussion

The Board President stated at the Finance Committee meeting tonight they discussed keeping as much program as possible.  The Board will try alternative funding of a couple of the cuts this year with the understanding if the District is not successful by next year those cuts would need to happen. 

 

The President stated that budget season is not over in May – it is only the beginning.  The Board will need to develop a better plan going forward for the next several years.

 

The Superintendent stated the Board and he are trying to reduce the list of cuts.  They are willing to leave some of the cuts on the table until State Aid is clearer, along with that looking at variance numbers in an effort to stave off some of the program cuts until next year.

 

The President also related he has suggested raising fuel and energy costs in next year’s budget.  The District is presently at 19% and he is suggesting raising it to 30%.

Discussion ensued.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

Virtual Lobby Day on March 19 during Math and Science Night beginning at 5pm with dinner.  Computers will be set up in the computer room.  People can come in and send an email to our representatives.  It gives a chance for local voices to be heard.

 

Suggestion made to have students write their representatives.  It could be made on the announcements in the morning.

 

PTA has received addresses for our legislators for taxpayers to be able to contact.

 

The $300,000 that is set aside for the bus garage, hopes the Board uses it for a something other than bringing down taxes as a one time deal.

 

Is there a report coming about AIS services?  Yes, a report will come but probably not before the budget vote.

 

You have the hardest job as a Board to provide services as best you can to continue these programs, State aid is decreasing, and tax payers do not want to pay more taxes.  Could all the boards get together and rattle Albany?  The District has tried in the past.  Shared service strategies are an excellent way to save money but it did not work out.  Discussion ensued.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

There were none.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Lounsbury made and Ms. Coniglio seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 8:55 pm for the purpose of discussing tenure review and review of administrators. The six Board members present voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION 

Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 10:22 pm.  The six Board members present voted.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti made a motion to adjourn the meeting of March 10, 2008 at 10:22 pm.

 

Respectively submitted,

 

 

Therese M. Trotter