Webutuck Board of Education held the March 5, 2007 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Webutuck High School Library.

 

 

The following Board members were present:

Bernadette Coniglio, President

Joanne Boyd

Dale Culver

Joseph Herald

Susan Lounsbury

Joseph Matteo

John Perotti

 

Also Present:

Dr. Richard N. Johns, Superintendent

Kevin Geoghan, School Business Administrator

Tracy Trotter, Superintendent’s Secretary

 

CALL TO ORDER

Ms. Coniglio called the business meeting of March 5, 2007 to order at 7:30 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

The CSEA Union President questioned why another Head Maintenance position was necessary.  The District already has one and there are very few employees for that person to manage.  The CSEA President also stated the fact that several employees have been in the District longer and therefore have more experience than the employee who has been chosen to fill the position after Board approval.  An employee of the District stated he had more experience than the employee chosen to fill the position.  The School Business Administrator explained the selection criteria of the new Head Maintenance position.  Discussion ensued.

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  BOARD POLICIES - Second Reading

Questions were asked by Board members on several policies.  Discussion ensued.

The Board will review the following policies as a second reading:

 

            Policy #111     Display of Flags              

            Policy #201     Students with Disabilities

            Policy #411     Conditional Appointment of Employees

            Policy #413     Employee Wellness

            Policy #905     Freedom of Information Law

 

2.  “Social Problems” Course Credit

The Superintendent stated this course has dual enrollment.  Students will receive college credit and High School credit after completion of the course.  The Curriculum Council would be reviewing the course for approval.  A Board member suggested sending a letter out to parents to notify them of new courses that become available.

 

3.  NYLAF Municipal Service Agreement

The School Business Administrator discussed what New York Liquid Asset Fund (NYLAF) is, how it came about and the nature of the agreement.

 

4.  Receive Insurance Proceeds to fix H.S. Parking Lot Light Pole

There was no comment.

 

5.  Ballot Proposition – Land Purchase and Garage Reserve, Transportation

     Vehicles, and Budget (We will not discuss details of the land purchase in open

     session)

The Superintendent spoke about the three propositions that will be before the Board.  A Board member asked about the Land Purchase Proposition and whether the District would state in the proposition “not to exceed a certain dollar amount”.  The Superintendent answered affirmative.  Discussion ensued.

 

6.  Notice of Annual Meeting Authorization

There was no comment.

 

7.  Superintendent’s Proposed Budget

The Superintendent itemized and discussed various components of his Proposed Budget. 

The vast majority of the 6.87% proposed increase is the cost of doing business with this year’s expenses next year.  The Superintendent discussed the changes in the Budget such as Teaching Staff, Instructional Costs, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, Food Service and Reserves.  Budget assumptions were explained by Mr. Geoghan such as Reserves Assumptions, Revenue Assumptions, Expense Projection Assumptions and that these assumptions will be updated before the April Board Budget vote.  Discussion ensued. 

 

Additional details about the projected Budget:

Variance (Budget to Budget change)               7.6%

Tax Levy (change from previous year)             6.6%

Fund Balance & Revenues as % of Budget   19.3%

 

8.  NECC Contract Review

The District is considering a fair way to bill the NECC for utilities used at Millerton Elementary School.  A Board member suggested pro rating the total bill on a square footage basis.  Discussion ensued.

 

PERSONNEL

No action was taken on any personnel except for the #5 Instructional Resignation.

 

1.  Non-Instructional Substitute Appointment

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

 

            Ben Moyer                                          Substitute Head Bus Mechanic

            Effective: February 20-23, 2007         (temporary replacement for Norman                                                                                       Orlowski)

2.  Non-Instructional Appointment

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

 

            Tracy Ferreri                                        Teacher Aide

            Effective:  February 1, 2007  

 

3.  Non-Instructional Appointment

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

            Landon Johns                                      Head Maintenance Worker

            Effective:  March 6, 2007                   (Abolished 1 Maintenance Worker position                                                                           and created this position)

4.  Instructional Substitute Appointment

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

Schools:

 

            Roy Burdick                                       Substitute Teacher

            Effective:  March 6, 2007

 

            Jennifer Gdula                                                Long Term Substitute Teacher

            Effective: April 9, 2007

            (leave replacement for Monica Baker-Bozsik)

 

5.  Instructional Resignation (Action Scheduled)

The Superintendent stated this discussion will take place in Executive Session.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following resignation (and terms as provided) for the purpose of retirement, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Lois Lang                                            AIS Teacher

            Effective:  July 1, 2007

 

6.  Non-Instructional Resignation

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

 

            Mary Breyette                                     Food Service Helper

            Effective:  March 6, 2007

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no comment.

 

BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS

A Board member questioned the new changes to the “Senior Privileges” in the WHS handbook.  The new rules are ambiguous. The Superintendent will speak to the Principal of WHS to get further details.  Discussion ensued.

 

A Board member questioned why we were appointing Ms. Gdula to a Long Term Substitute position in ESL when the appointee does not speak Spanish.  The Superintendent stated the Principal felt strongly she was the best candidate and also the Teaching Assistant assigned to the classroom is fluent in Spanish.

 

A Board member stated he would like to discuss in the future pesticide use in the District.  It will be on the April Worksession meeting.

 

A Board member wanted more information on the Rhinebeck boys’ situation that occurred on District property.  The Superintendent reported more information to her.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Culver made and Mr. Herald seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:35 pm for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter and land acquisition.  The seven Board members voted to approve the motion.  The motion carried.

 

1.  Approval of Tenure Recommendations for Principals

No action was taken

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the following principals to tenure in their tenure area effective August 31, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

Kenneth Sauer               High School Principal          Permanent School District Administrator

                                                                        Permanent Math 7-12

                                                                        Permanent Biology, General Science 7-12

                                               

Scott Richards   Middle School Principal       Prov.  School Administrator/Supervisor                                                                                 effective 9/03 thru 8/08

                                                                        Prov.  Pre-K, K, Gr. 1-6 effective 9/03 thru                                                                           8/08

2.  Approval of Tenure Recommendations

No action was taken.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the following teachers to tenure in their respective tenure areas, effective August 31, 2007, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

NAME

TENURE AREA

CERTIFICATION

ESTOPPLE DATE

 

Nancy Bayersdorfer

Social Worker

Perm. Social Worker

8/31/07

 

Denise Conway

Childhood Education Gr. 1-6

Perm.-Pre-K, K & Gr. 1-6

8/31/07

 

Heather Farr-Killmer

Childhood Education Gr. 1-6

Perm. Issued Receipt Pending

8/31/07

 

Patricia Forbes

Childhood Education Gr. 1-6

Prov. Pre-K, K., & Gr. 1-6 thru 8/08

8/31/07

 

William Havranek

Social Studies (7-12)

Prov. SS 7-12 thru 1/09

8/31/07

 

Julia Heenan

Social Studies (7-12)

Perm. SS 7-12

8/31/07

 

Shawn Hosier

Mathematics (7-12)

Prov. Math 7-12 thru

8/08

8/31/07

 

Janice McSpiritt

Social Worker

Perm. Social Worker

8/31/07

 

Vincent Merendino

Guidance Counselor

Perm. School Couns.

8/31/07

 

Stephen Pollak

English Language Art (7-12)

Perm. English 7-12

8/31/07

 

Robert Reid

Mathematics (7-12)

Initial Math 7-12 thru 8/09

8/31/07

 

Peter Stefonowich

Generalist in Middle School Education (Gr.1-6)

Prov. Pre-K, K, & Gr. 1-6 thru 8/07 Must obtain Middle Childhood Ed. Gr. 5-9 by 9/07

8/31/07

 

Mary Tauber

Language other than English (Spanish)

Prov. Pre-K, K. & Gr. 1-6 thru 1/09 Must obtain Spanish Gr. 7-12 by 9/07

8/31/07

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructional Resignation (Action Scheduled)

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

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the following resignation (and terms as provided) for the purpose of retirement, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools:

 

            Lois Lang                                            AIS Teacher

            Effective:  July 1, 2007

Six Board members voted with one abstention on the motion.  The motion carried.

 

Bernadette Coniglio    Yes      Susan Lounsbury        Yes

Joanne Boyd               Yes      Joseph Matteo             Yes

Dale Culver                 Yes      John Perotti                 Yes

Joseph Herald             Abstain

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Perotti adjourned the meeting of March 5, 2007 at 11:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Tracy Trotter

District Clerk