December 3, 2007 Board meeting minutes

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

(Back)

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, December 3, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mrs. Martha Bogart, Vice President
Mr. Steve Esposito
Mr. James Kimiecik
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Michael Stroka
Mr. Robert Kish
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Assistant Superintendent for Business Mr. Robert Miller
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem
Principals: Mr. Robert Litz, Mr. Kent Maslin, Mrs. Mary Ann Knight, Mrs. Daria Murphy
Assistant Principals: Mrs. Patricia Lercara, Mr. John Piscitella, Ms. Colleen Kane, Ms. Melissa Lawson
Director of Buildings & Grounds Mr. James Riley
Director of PPS Ms. Barbara Butler
Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
CSE Chairperson Ms. Deirdre Hallinan
Student Senate Representative Mr. Peter Orlando
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation remembering Pat Gaer’s family.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Robert Kish the Board of Education accepted the draft of minutes of November 5, 2007 and November 19, 2007 AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report for September 2007 was acknowledged under Financial Update.

There was no report from the Audit Committee.

James Kimiecik entered the meeting at 7:33 p.m.

The Board received the following correspondence: The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame Jingle Bells 2007 – Holiday Concert; (December 6, 2007); Capital Project Newsletter; O/U BOCES and SUNY Orange Faculty Exchange: Educators from High School and College Sharing Expectations t Promote Student Success in English;
Correspondence from Mr. Branko Djapic; Fall 2007 Sport Season Summary; The Middle School Gladiator; Mid-Hudson School Study Council Newsletter; and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mrs. Green thanked and appreciated the support of all board members who were able to attend the public presentations for the capital project conducted by Roy Reese and Jane Unhjem for community residents.

Mr. Reese acknowledged Roger Kalin, High School English Department Chair, who was a presenter at a combined SUNY Orange/School presentation.

Mr. Reese recognized Jessica Weir as being the recipient of New York State English Council Educator of Excellence Award. Jessica was nominated by her colleague, Toni Gazzaniga.

Mr. Reese invited Mr. Litz and Judy Moran, Science Olympiad Coach, to join the board at the table to present the 2007/08 Science Olympiad schedule.

An overview of the club and events with schedule and teams was presented. Coaches this year include Judy Moran, Sharon Woelfel, Joe Fedor, Harry Sweet, Steve Hill, and Becky DenDanto. There are 36 students participating in the club. A new schedule was implemented aligning the high school and middle school practices. If Saturday practices are needed closer to competition, a schedule will be created.

The board thanked Mr. Litz and Judy Moran for their overview of the club.

Mr. Miller reported that included in the packet was a response to the Management Letter from the district’s external audit. After the board reviews the response, Mr. Miller will forward to the State Education Department and Nugent & Haeussler.

The board thanked Mr. Miller for his response and stated looks well done.

Mrs. Unhjem presented a summary of her ELA K-12 presentation to the faculty on the November 6th Professional Development Day. The power point included highlights of teaching of reading (new curriculum, Phonics/spelling and word study development by K-6 teachers). Mrs. Unhjem also presented future goals for reading curriculum.

The Board thanked Mrs. Unhjem and for implementing this overview for the Indy.

Mr. Reese reported that he and Mrs. Unhjem attended an Author’s Tea at the Intermediate School in Mrs. Capocciamo’s class. The kids did a wonderful job of writing and illustrating their stories.

Personnel

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by James Kimiecik upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education accepts the retirement of Sandra Giunta, computer/teacher on special assignment, effective July 1, 2008. Mrs. Giunta has been with the District for 18 years. 7 AYES 0 NAYS 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 approves the remainder of the Consent Agenda as presented. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Accept retirement of Sandra Giunta computer/teacher on special assignment effective July 1, 2008. Mrs. Giunta has been with the District for 18 years.

Approve medical leave of absence of Kathy Schmid grade 4 teacher is requesting a medical leave of absence effective October 31, 2007 through December 7, 2007.

Approve appointment of Durreyshawar Ahmad food service helper at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 3 hours per day effective December 4, 2007. Ms. Durreyshawar is replacing Rosel Howell. Ms. Ahmad is a substitute bus driver and substitute food service helper with the District from October 8, 2005.

Approve appointment of Andrea McClorey part-time Tax Collector effective December 4, 2007. Hours and salary to be as follows: 4 hours per day at $14.87/hr. during non-tax season. During school tax season, approximately September 1-mid-November, this position will be 8 hours per day and the salary will be $6,500. This position was reclassified from a part-time account clerk per recommendation of Civil Service.

Approve appointment of Nicholas Camposeo substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Mr. Camposeo is not certified.

Approve appointment of Thomas Cannariato substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Mr. Cannariato is not certified.

Approve appointment of Christine-Sue Fini substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Ms. Fini is currently the part-time claims auditor for the district. Ms. Fini is not certified.

Approve appointment of Nachole Hannon substitute teacher at a salary of $75/diem effective December 4, 2007. Ms. Hannon has Initial 1-6/1-6 special education; Initial 7-12 social studies; and Initial 7-12 special education/social studies pending certifications.

Approve appointment of Maura Koennecke substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Ms. Koennecke is currently a substitute nurse with the District. Ms. Koennecke is not certified.

Approve appointment of Jacqueline Quinones substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Ms. Quinones is not certified.

Approve appointment of Armando Schuppe substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Mr. Schuppe is not certified.

Approve appointment of Virginia Snigur substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective December 4, 2007. Mrs. Snigur is not certified.

Approve appointment of 2007/08 Mentors (see official list)

Approve disposal of Obsolete Equipment (see official minutes)

CSE/CPSE
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/17/07;115570/CJH/ED
Committee on Special Education 10/18/07;115259/GHS/LD
Subcommittee on Special Education 10/20/07;111498/CJH/LD
10/25/07;110877/CJH/OHI
11/05/07;112422/BOCES/LD
Committee on Special Education 11/07/07;115697/BOCES/LD
Subcommittee on Special Education 11/07/07;112939/CJH/LD
11/08/07;114265/BOCES/MD
11/14/07;112548/BOCES/A
11/15/07;108693/AHRC/MR
11/15/07;113074/GHS/LD
11/16/07;113221/GIS/OHI
Committee on Special Education 11/16/07;111191/GIS/Ineligible
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 11/19/07;115545/Preschool w/disability
Subcommittee on Special Education 11/20/07;111349/CJH/A
10/05/07;114552/GHS/OHI
10/15/07;111738/BOCES/LD
10/17/07;113929/CJH/LD
10/17/07;115570/CJH/ED
10/22/07;114551/SAS/HI
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 11/01/07;115701/Initial/Preschool w/disability
Subcommittee on Special Education 11/01/07;115199/BOCES/A
11/09/07;114420/SAS/SLI
11/09/07;114659/GHS/LD
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 11/13/07;115715/Initial/Preschool w/disability
11/14/07;115708/Inspire/Preschool w/disability
11/15/07;114447/Preschool w/disability
11/15/07;112389/GIS/OHI
11/16/07;115231/Preschool Itinerant Services Only
11/16/07;114429/Preschool w/disability

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by James Kimiecik, 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 administrative, instructional and non-instructional employees on an emergency basis:

Nicholas Camposeo

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such emergency conditional appointments shall become conditional appointments upon receipt of State clearance from SED.
AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Reese provided board members with a revised draft of the 2008/09 student calendar which included the correct date for Martin Luther King’s Birthday. After the calendar is adopted by O/U BOCES it will be presented for our district’s approval.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Martha Bogart, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the overnight varsity wrestling trip at Middlebury Tournament, Middlebury, VT from December 27-29, 2007. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education schedules an Executive Session for 7:00 p.m. on December 17, 2007, for the purpose of work history of a particular employee. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mrs. Green opened the second Privilege of the Floor.

A community member thanked the board for the Science Olympiad presentation.

Mr. Watson reported on an article from On Board regarding information from School Law Seminar on doing business by e-mail. Mr. Watson asked that a copy be provided to the board at the next meeting.

Mr. Reese recognized Sandra Giunta’s dedication to the district and students during her employment with the district. Currently Mrs. Giunta is a teacher on assignment in providing instructional technology for students and overseeing the Technology Department. Mr. Reese thanked Mrs. Giunta for her dedication and wished her good luck in her retirement.

Mr. Esposito thanked the Growth Task Force for hard work on the capital project referendum and publicly thanked Mr. Reese for his hard work.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m. on a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Robert Kish. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk