October 16, 2006 Board meeting minutes

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

(Back)

An Executive Session of the Members of the Board of Education of the Goshen Central School District, Orange County, New York, was be held in the Conference Room at the Main Street School, on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of work history of particular employees.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mr. Michael Stroka, Vice President
Mrs. Martha Bogart
Mr. Robert Kish
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Marty Knapp
Mr. Steve Esposito
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Assistant Superintendent for Business Mr. Joseph Abbondanza
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem

A regular meeting of the Members of the Board of Education of the Goshen Central School District, Orange County, New York was held in the Board of Education Room at the Main Street School on Monday, October 16, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mr. Michael Stroka, Vice President
Mrs. Martha Bogart
Mr. Robert Kish
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Steve Esposito

Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Assistant Superintendent for Business Mr. Joseph Abbondanza
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem
Principals: Mr. Robert Litz, Mr. Kent Maslin, and Mrs. Mary Ann Knight, and Mrs. Daria Murphy
Assistant Principals: Mrs. Patricia Lercara, Mr. John Piscitella, and Ms. Colleen Kane
Director of Transportation Mr. James Riley
Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
Student Senate Representative Ms. Katrina Lord
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Green at 7:40 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation.

The Board received the following correspondence: Goshen Public Library and Historical Society newsletter, letter from Senator William J. Larkin, Jr., flyer from Village of Goshen for 2009 Bicentennial, NYSSBA Amendments and Rebuttals, CJH Middle School The Gladiator, O/U BOCES October newsletter

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Steve Esposito, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda as presented, minus item “o”. AYES 6 NAYS 0

Resignation: Nancy Bjornsen food service helper effective October 20, 2006.

Resignation: Jennifer Clearwaters ESL teacher, effective September 1, 2006.

Cancel Appoint: Jody Monroe bus driver effective September 28, 2006. Ms. Monroe is currently on a medical leave and expected to return in November.

Reappointment: Jody Monroe as substitute bus driver effective September 28, 2006.

Leave of Absence: Marguerite Bullaro school bus driver is requesting a medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act effective September 6 through October 20, 2006.

Appointment: Marissa Terrano-Block teacher aide at Goshen Intermediate School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Deborah Carpenter teacher aide at Goshen Intermediate School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Michelle Cooper teacher aide at Goshen Intermediate School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Joanne Kich teacher aide at Goshen Intermediate School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: June Chiusano-Koch teacher aide at Goshen Intermediate School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Jacqueline Vreeland substitute teacher aide at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Ronald Gamma substitute teacher at a salary of $75 per diem effective October 17, 2006. Mr. Gamma has Initial Certification Social Studies 7-12.

Appointment: Margaret Meore substitute teacher at a salary of $70 per diem effective October 17, 2006. Ms. Meore has pending Initial Certification Math 7-12.

Appointment: Kalyn Smith substitute teacher at a salary of $75/diem effective October 17, 2006. Ms. Smith has Initial 1-6 Certification and Initial Student with Disability 1-6 Certification.

Appointment: Aliya Castillo substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective October 17, 2006. Ms. Castillo is not certified.

Appointment: Jaime Phillips substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective October 17, 2006. Ms. Phillips is not certified.

Appointment: Sara Palmer substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective October 17, 2006. Ms. Palmer is not certified.

Appointment: Kimberly Kania substitute teacher aide at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective October 17, 2006.

Appointment: Nela Negru bus monitor at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective October 23, 2006.

Resignation: Sterling Ponder, security aide Evening High School effective September 25, 2006.

Appointment: Gail Frey security aide Evening High School, at a salary of $52.53 per evening, effective October 1, 2006. Mrs. Frey is replacing Sterling Ponder who resigned. This will be an additional night for Mrs. Frey who is currently a security aide in the Evening High School.

Appointment: Robert Hough security aide Evening High School, at a salary of $50.00 per evening, 2 evenings per week, effective September 25, 2006. This is a yearly appointment for a position that was vacant.

Appointment: Patty Douglas library aide Evening High School, at a salary of $10.28/hr. for 2.5 hours per evening, one evening per week effective October 5, 2006.

Appointment: Karen Coldon library aide Evening High School, at a salary of $10.28/ hr. for 2.5 hours per evening, one evening per week effective October 5, 2006.

Disposal of obsolete equipment/obsolete equipment – Food Service

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Al Watson, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoints, whereas, the following employees have been fingerprinted, the fingerprints have been submitted to the New York State Education Department (SED) for processing and the District has not received clearance for such employees as of the date of this meeting. Therefore be it resolved, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board hereby appoints the following instructional and non-instructional employees on an emergency basis:

Deanna Crawford Maria Dymon Margaret Hughes
Parvin Karim Jennifer Musumeci Donna Sypher
Christel Berkley Roberta Krebs

Be it further resolved, that such emergency conditional appointments shall become conditional appointments upon receipt of State clearance from SED. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

No formal action was need on the grade 12 new English textbook presented for review at the last meeting. In March of 2005, the Board took action on the new English textbook series. This is the last textbook being purchased in the series.

The Board briefly discussed the NYSSBA conference. Mr. Watson will be attending the upcoming OCSBA meeting to hear what other districts are considering. Mr. Watson will report back to the Board.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the offering of the current District Retirement Incentive to members of the bargaining unit, as described in the GTA Contract, from September 19, 2006 until October 13, 2006. AYES 6 NAYS 0

Motion carried.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Michael Stroka upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education agrees to extend the period of time for the payment of taxes, without penalty, until October 10, 2006, for senior citizens 65 years or older who receive the Enhance Star Exemption.

AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Michael Stroka upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the High School Class Trip to Orlando, Florida from May 18-21, 2007. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Board reviewed the Committees and Board Goals for the upcoming 2006/07 school year. Two new goals are being added to the six goals adopted last year. The following are the 2006/07 Board of Education Goals:

Aligning Goals and Resources

For Student Achievement

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION GOALS

2006/2007

1. To work collaboratively with the community to support the district budget


2. To develop a budget process that focuses resources on student achievement


3. To support efforts to create a safe and more positive and effective learning environment


4. To support individual student learning through differentiated instruction


5. To increase contact time between educators and students


6. To create an educational environment that will develop and retain a qualified professional and support staff


7. To examine and monitor growth within the community, evaluate its impact, and plan responsibly for future district needs.

8. To support all phases of the athletic program and identify areas of need. This will
include but not limited to:

facilities
program
staffing.
Reports on the progress of the goals will be reported at the December 18th meeting and June 4th meeting.

Privilege of the Floor was open to the public. A community member complimented the middle school staff on their initiative to promote reading for fun. She commented better readers are better learners.

Another community member stated he appreciated the concerns of some board members on the schedule change, but complimented Mr. Maslin and middle school staff on the implementation of the new schedule. He stated many parents have been concerned with ELA scores. He suggested trying for one year and revisit.

Bob Litz on behalf of the members of the GAA and GTA congratulated Cindy Curry on her upcoming marriage.

Mrs. Bogart mentioned she will be addressing the Call to Action discussed under Legislative Update.

Mr. Esposito complimented the district on the display of work of district art teachers. This provides a great opportunity for the art teachers and as well as the community.

Mr. Reese commented that the display was the work of Mr. Robert Hoover and Mrs. Jane Unhjem, and he thanked both for their foresight.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. on a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Martha Bogart to enter into Executive Session with no intent to return for the purpose of work history of a particular employee.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia M. Curry
District Clerk