March 3, 2008 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 will be held in the Conference Room at the Main Street School at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2008, for the purpose of medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person(s) or corporation.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mrs. Martha Bogart, Vice President
Absent Mr. Steve Esposito
Mr. James Kimiecik
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Michael Stroka
Mr. Robert Kish
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
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, March 3, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mrs. Martha Bogart, Vice President
Mr. James Kimiecik
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Michael Stroka
Mr. Robert Kish
Absent Mr. Steve Esposito
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
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 7:29 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation.

Mrs. Green moved the O/U BOCES Presentation to this portion of the meeting.

Mr. Olivo introduced members of the BOCES staff and Board. A 50 Year Anniversary DVD presentation was shown.

Mrs. Heppes presented the proposed budget highlighting major components.

Mrs. Yankanin, Director of the C-TECH program introduced Goshen student, Dan Brown. Dan is attending the Plumbing and HVAC program at BOCES and addressed the board and members of the audience on his experience in the program and plans for the future.

Satellite programs were briefly addressed.

The board thanked the members of O/U BOCES and Dan Brown for their presentations.

Mrs. Green called for a 5-minute break. The meeting was reconvened at 8:22 p.m.
On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Robert Kish the Board of Education accepted the draft of minutes of February 4, 2008; February 11, 2008; and February 20, 2008. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report for December 2007 was acknowledged.

The Board received the following correspondence: correspondence from Judy Moran; correspondence from O/U BOCES listing board members whose terms are expiring;
Save the Date flyer from Scotchtown on Grade 1 concerts; Alpine Skiing State Meet information; The C.J. Hooker Middle School “Gladiator”; correspondence from Goshen Public Library and Historical Society on upcoming Referendum Vote; NYSSBA Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals for School Board Members workshop; and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mrs. Green had an opportunity to meet with Town Supervisor Doug Bloomfield and Councilman Phil Canterino concerning recent SCARS and tax certioraris. Mrs. Green reported the meeting was very productive. The role of the assessor and review board were explained. Mr. Reese will follow up with a meeting with the town assessor.

Mr. Reese reported that Daria Murphy has been nominated by Christine Banuls and will be the recipient of the Administrator of the Year Award through O/U BOCES School Library System. A luncheon in Daria’s honor will be held in May.

Mr. Reese reported that Pauline Kehoe has requested the use of the board room for the Library Public Hearing for their upcoming referendum vote.

Mr. Reese mentioned Nominating Petitions to run for the Board of Education will be available on March 17th.

Mr. Miller reported he had contacted Cooper & Niemann per the request of the Audit Committee. A proposal was placed in the board packet for review. If the board is in agreement, a resolution will be placed on the next agenda for Cooper & Niemann to provide audit services.

Mrs. Unhjem announced 5th grade successfully completed trip to Ashokan.

Mrs. Unhjem reported on the recent Odyssey of the Mind competition. Three teams from Goshen competed; two from the Intermediate School placing third and one from the High School placing second. Congratulations to all three teams.

Mrs. Unhjem acknowledged the art work on display from Middle School students.

Mrs. Unhjem provided information on AIS services provided to math students requested from board members.

Personnel

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Robert Kish upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda as presented, pulling items “I, J & K.” AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Accept resignation of Valerie Vetere teacher aide effective March 1, 2008.
Approve reappointment of Valerie Vetere substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective March 1, 2008. Ms. Vetere is not certified and has been a substitute teacher for the District.

Approve appointment of Erin Lappe substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective March 4, 2008. Ms. Lappe is not certified.

Approve appointment of Ann Marie Nelson temporary long-term substitute food service worker at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 3 hours per day, effective approximately March 4 through March 27, 2008. Ms. Nelson is filling the leave of Diane Pena.

Approve appointment of Helen Colon tutor at a salary of $30.06/hr. effective March 4, 2008. Ms. Colon is not certified.

Approve appointment of Sheila Venable “restricted teacher aide” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective March 4, 2008.

Approve appointment of Deborah Matyus as Treasurer, Extra Classroom Activities Account/Middle School effective March 4, 2008. Mrs. Matyus is replacing Nancy Frenette. This is a yearly appointment that does not receive a stipend.

Accept resignation of Amy Vigna modified track coach effective February 18, 2008.

Approve appointment of Jessica Weir modified track coach effective March 10, 2008 at a stipend of $3,053.Mrs. Weir is replacing Amy Vigna.

CSE/CPSE
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/07/08;107755/BOCES/MD
Committee on Special Education 01/11/08;109104/GHS/Ineligible
01/11/08;109615/GHS/LD
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/28/08;111086/GIS/SLI
01/29/08;115503/GHS/OHI
01/29/08;113129/GHS/OHI
01/30/08;115431/SAS/SLI
Committee on Special Education 02/04/08;115447/BOCES/ED
Subcommittee on Special Education 02/04/08/114595/BOCES/LD
Committee on Special Education 02/04/08;113646/GIS/Ineligible
Subcommittee on Special Education 02/06/08;114145/BOCES/A
02/07/08;110449/GHS/LD
02/07/08;114119/GIS/OHI
02/07/08;112898/GIS/A
Committee on Special Education 02/07/08;114008/GIs/Ineligible
Subcommittee on Special Education 02/13/08;114632/GHS/ED
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 02/14/08;115220/Student w/disability
02/21/08;14245/Student w/disability
02/25/08;115713/Student w/disability

On a motion by James Kimiecik and seconded by Robert Kish, 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:

Erin Lappe Helen Colon

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.

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Michael Stroka, that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, nominates Carl Onken for reelection to the Orange-Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Michael Stroka, the Board of Education enters into an agreement with Orrick, Herrington, Sutcliff, LLP to provide services for a $2,400,000 School District Improvement Program to be voted on at the Annual District Meeting in May 2008 as per proposal dated February 29, 2008.
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by James Kimiecik, the Board of Education enters into an agreement with Fiscal Advisors & Marketing to provide services for a $2,400,000 School District Improvement Program to be voted on at the Annual District Meeting in May 2008, at an hourly rate of $120/hr. not to exceed $2,400.00.
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by James Kimiecik, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education enters into an Agreement with Elizabeth Richards to provide Spanish Translation Services for special education students for the 2007/2008 school year in the amount of $15.00 per hour. (see official contract in minutes) AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Martha Bogart, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the overnight trip for the Varsity Baseball team to Cooperstown, New York.
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Michael Isseks, Evening High School Administrator, presented the Evening High School budget and provided a profile of Evening High School; Alternative High School,

GED Preparation, District Tutoring and OCCC courses offered to provide educational services to students.

Mr. Isseks also congratulated Dan Brown who currently is an Economic Student and studying English during Evening High School.

The board thanked Mr. Isseks for his overview of the program and 2008/09 proposed budget presentation.

Mrs. Unhjem, Mr. Miller, and Mr. Reese presented the District-wide Personnel and Central Office proposed budget to the board. The presentation included the first round of personnel requests, a three year proposed salary summary, proposed summary of benefits, and proposed operating cost expenses, including Curriculum & Instruction.

Mrs. Green opened the second Privilege of the Floor.

A community member had a question regarding the OCCC courses offered to students.

A member of the audience commended Mr. Isseks on his presentation.

Mrs. Bogart mentioned the IDA Public Hearing to be held this coming week.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p.m. on a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by James Kimiecik. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk