November 20, 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 held in the Conference Room at the Main Street School, on Monday, November 20, 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. Steve Esposito
Absent Mr. Alvin Watson
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, November 20, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Assistant Superintendent for Business Mr. Joseph Abbondanza
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem
Principals:
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 Buildings & Grounds Mr. James Riley
Director of Transportation Mrs. Donna Weyant
Director of Pupil Personnel Services Ms. Barbara Butler
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: National Honor Society Induction Ceremony program, Fall 2006 Sports Season Summary, correspondence from NYSSBA, memo from Christina Damiano on October website, OCSB A flyer, correspondence from Byram Hills High School Soccer Coach, Middle School Gladiator, Youth Ending Hunger newsletter and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mrs. Green reported on the Roundtable Discussion for Board Presidents and Vice Presidents she and Michael Stroka attended hosted by Orange County School Boards.

Mr. Reese introduced Donna Weyant, Transportation Director, and asked her to join the table to report on the upcoming closure of the Scotchtown Avenue Bridge to traffic over five ton. Mrs. Weyant reported that she recently received word from the DOT that maintenance of the bridge will begin soon, which will place a limit on the weight of vehicles. This construction will affect 10 bus runs. After Thanksgiving new runs will be put in place. There was not an official start time on the new work, but the District is planning ahead. Mrs. Weyant reported that the buses could possibly be a little late getting back for the elementary runs, but letters went home to parents of the children notifying them of this change. The Board thanked Mrs. Weyant for her update.

Mr. Reese reported he had the pleasure of attending the National Honor Society Induction Ceremony with Jane Unhjem and Martha Bogart. Twenty new students were inducted into the National Honor Society.

Mr. Reese mentioned that he had received a phone call earlier in the day that Student Representative Katrina Lord would not be able to attend the meeting, due to a college visit in North Carolina. However, Ms. Lord was able to take an earlier flight and arrived in time for the meeting. Mr. Reese publicly acknowledged her dedication and spoke highly of her values.

Mr. Reese discussed correspondence received from The State Education Department. Under State law, when a District Superintendent resigns, component districts are surveyed on different options available that could impact the future of BOCES services. Mr. Reese asked the Board for direction on the survey. The four options include: 1) No change in current structure of O/U BOCES; 2) Transfer school districts from continguous supervisory districts to O/U BOCES; 3) Request a member of O/U BOCES to be transferred to continguous BOCES; or 4) Merge O/U BOCES with one of the other contingous BOCES. Mr. Reese stated that the District is fortunate to be located in Goshen with the O/U BOCES campus. This has afforded many opportunities for students of the District. After discussing the different options and possible effect on the future for the students, the Board agreed to direct Mr. Reese to complete the survey with Option #1. Mr. Reese thanked the Board for their input.

Mr. Abbondanza introduced Mr. Marty Sassi from Nugent & Haeussler, to present and review the District’s 2005/06 Audit Report at this time.

Mr. Sassi reported that the District had implemented an Audit Committee in compliance with State mandated financial accounting and audit changes. The auditors are required to meet with the committee prior to the start of the fiscal audit and subsequent to the presentation of the annual audit. The auditors met with the committee in May/June and again to present the Management Letter last month. The District is required to present within 90 days to the auditors and State their Corrective Action Plan. The audit includes three separate reports. General Fund, Cafeteria and Federal Accounts, Fiscal Financial Reports and Extra Classroom Activity Fund are part of the audit process. Mr. Sassi reported that as of June 30, 2006, the District was in sound financial shape. Mr. Sassi reported that the District had paid a large tax certiorari during the 2006/07 school year, but had adequately established reserves in the past for this purpose to handle sizable impacts. Mr. Sassi commended the District on a fabulous job. The Board thanked Mr. Sassi on his report.

Mr. Abbondanza reported that verbal approval has been received regarding the telephone project. Meetings were conducted with each building principal and Marty Knapp to discuss placement of the security cameras. Notice will be placed in the newspapers for the bid process. Mr. Abbondanza anticipates the bid openings to take place on January 3, 2007, with a recommendation to the Board for approval at the January 16, 2007 Board meeting. A meeting is schedule with Technology Committee, Project Committee, and Safety Committee on November 29th. Mr. Esposito asked the timeframe of the project. Mr. Abbondanza reported the telephone phase should take place within four to six weeks. The installation of the security cameras will take the majority of the time resulting in approximately 10 to 12 weeks. Mr. Abbondanza is hopeful the project will be completed by April.
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Mrs. Unhjem reported on the building activity during the November Superintendent’s Conference Day. Staff worked on updating Curriculum Maps and course descriptions on the website in line with the maps, data analysis with ELA and math scores, a number of K-6 teachers attended a Literacy Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, Art, music, nurses and PPS staff attended county-wide conferences. Twenty-one teacher aides and teaching assistants attended an all day workshop hosted by the Mid Hudson School Study Council in Newburgh on Promoting Positive School Behavior. Mrs. Unhjem reported the Conference Day was very productive thanking the principals, Barbara Butler, Sandra Giunta and Harvey Babishkin.

PERSONNEL

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Michael Stroka, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda as presented. AYES 5 NAYS 0

Accept resignation of Corwin Howarth bus monitor effective October 31, 2006.

Accept resignation of Ardyth Watson social studies teacher effective January 1, 2007.

Approve leave of absence of Margaret Schumacher is requesting a leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective October 16, 2006 through November 14, 2006.

Approve extended leave of absence of Olympia Ohanrahan cook manager is requesting an extension to her leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective November 18, 2006 through January 1, 2007.

Approve the extended leave replacement for Amanda Capelli ESL leave replacement teacher extension to her appointment effective January 27, 2007 through June 30, 2007. Ms. Capelli is replacing Jennifer Clearwaters.

Approve extended child care leave for Marlena Mooers elementary teacher is requesting an extension to her child care leave effective January 2, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

Approve extended child care leave for Ian Mahony special education leave replacement teacher extension to his appointment effective January 2, 2007 through June 30, 2007. Mr. Mahony is filling the child care leave of Marlena Mooers.

Approve amended retirement date of Patricia Sherman science teacher is extending her retirement date through November 22, 2006.

Approve medical leave of absence of Joan Pisacane is requesting a medical leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective October 23, 2006 to on or about December 11, 2006.

Accept Involuntary Termination of Jennifer Wilding bus driver involuntary termination pursuant to provisions of Section 71 of the Civil Service Law effective November 21, 2006, with the ability to return to work, in accordance with Civil Service Law.

Approve appointment of John Holland bus monitor at a salary of $9.95/hr. (CSEA currently under negotiations) for 5 hours per day effective November 21, 2006. Mr. Holland is replacing Corwin Howarth.

Approve appointment of Megan Finn temporary speech pathologist at a salary of $231.15/diem, for a maximum of three days per week, effective November 21, 2006. Ms. Finn has speech-language pathologist certification. Ms. Finn is filling the child care leave of Debbie Moneymaker.

Approve appointment of Tim Denman substitute Earth Science teacher at a salary of $150 per day effective November 20, 2006. Mr. Denman has permanent Earth Science and Physics certification.

Approve appointment of Donna Helt senior food service helper at a salary of $16,114 (Step A) (CSEA currently in negotiations) effective November 21, 2006. Ms. Helt is replacing Debra Quackenbush.

Approve appointment of Sophie Szarwark substitute food service helper at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective November 21, 2006.

Approve increase in hours of Josephine Medlar food service helper increase in hours to 5 hours per day effective November 21, 2006. Ms. Medlar is replacing Donna Helt.

Approve appointment of Gina Martin, a teacher aide at Goshen High School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective November 21, 2006.

Approve appointment of Mirella Sullivan, a teacher aide at Scotchtown Avenue School, is being appointed a “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective November 21, 2006.

Approve appointment of Jonathan Redeker modified boys basketball team 2 coach at a stipend of $2,266 (Schedule B Step A) effective November 13, 2006. This is a new position created due to dropping Boys Freshman Basketball.

Approve creation of new positions of two 1:1 teacher aide positions for four hours each per day, at a salary of $9.95/hr. (CSEA currently under negotiations) effective November 21, 2006. These two positions are being created for Student #115204.

CSE/CPSE
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/04/06;108807/BOCES/LD
10/05/06;107798/GHS/LD
10/11/06;108576/GHS/ED
Committee on Special Education 10/13/06;114996/GIS/OHI
10/16/06;114890/BOCES/MD
10/16/06;114798/BOCES/ED
10/19/06;114902/BOCES/ED
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/23/06;113924/GHS/OHI
10/27/06;114595/BOCES/LD
Committee on Special Education 10/30/06;115094/GIS/SLI
10/31/06;107728/BOCES/ED
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 11/01/06;114992/Inspire/Preschool w/disability
11/08/06;114316/Preschool w/disability
11/08/06;114355/Declassified
11/13/06;114551/Inspire/Preschool w/disability
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/10/06;111994/GHS/LD
Committee on Special Education 10/17/06;110681/CJH/OHI
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/26/06;113597/Home/ED
10/26/06;113099/BOCES/A
10/26/06;114571/BOCES/ED
11/09/06;107601/GHS/MD
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 11/08/06;113753/Preschool w/disability

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito, 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:

John Holland Megan Finn Tim Denman
Sophie Szarwark

Be it further resolved, that such emergency conditional appointments shall become conditional appointments upon receipt of State clearance from SED. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Robert Kish, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education accepts the financial audit report for the year ended June 30, 2006 as presented by Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. on November 20, 2006. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Robert Kish, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools effective November 21, 2006, the Board of Education pursuant to §3651(1-a) and (3-a) of the Education Law approves the transfer of $1,652,427.98 unappropriated fund balance to appropriated fund balance to increase the tax certiorari reserve to pay potential judgments and claims in tax certiorari proceedings.
AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Steve Esposito, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools effective November 21, 2006, the Board of Education approves the transfer of $513,145.00 from unappropriated fund balance to appropriated fund balance to address additional health and safety issues as stipulated in the State mandated 5-year Buildings & Conditions Survey. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Michael Stroka asked Joe Abbondanza to explain the resolutions for the tax certiorari reserves. Mr. Abbondanza reported that this resolution specifically was due to commercial properties appealing for adjustment in taxes. The process for this is lengthy lasting many years. However, districts are notified when a commercial property or property owner files for an appeal. To prepare for the possible award of adjustment to the taxes, the district has established this type of reserve to take a proactive approach should tax appeal become a reality to address those reimbursements.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the firm of Cooper, Niemann & Company, LLP, as Internal Auditors, for the Goshen Central School District to perform the Initial Risk Assessment at a salary not to exceed $7,000.00, effective November 21, 2006. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.
Mr. Esposito reported that $40,000 (prorated for 7 months) has been allocated for the services of the internal auditor who will work in quarters. The District could possibly require additional services and will present future resolutions.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Steve Esposito, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the High School National Honor Society trip to Montreal and Quebec City, Canada March 30 – April 3, 2007. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mrs. Green opened the second Privilege of the Floor.

A community member asked for an updated report on the replacement for Patricia Sherman.

Mr. Reese reported that a certified Earth Science substitute will begin after the Thanksgiving break. The District has completed an interview search and will be hiring a permanent certified replacement at the December 4th meeting. This candidate has been a forester and geologist who went back to school for Earth Science. He will begin with the District on December 18th.

Another community member thanked the Board of extending Ms. Sherman’s retirement date, and asked the status of the remaining general science classes. Mr. Reese informed her that the candidate is certified in all areas of science.

A community member commended the Board and administration on a sound financial audit report.

She also mentioned the upcoming Science Olympiad Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on December 2nd.

Katrina Lord wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. on a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito to enter into Executive Session with no intent to return to discuss the internal audit.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk