March 5, 2007 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, March 5, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of work history of particular employees.

Present Mr. Michael Stroka, Vice President
Mrs. Martha Bogart
Mr. Robert Kish
Mr. Steve Esposito
Mr. Alvin Watson
Absent Mrs. Judy Green, President
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Interim Business Official Mr. Ronald Musson
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 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
Present Mr. Michael Stroka, Vice President
Mrs. Martha Bogart
Mr. Robert Kish
Mr. Steve Esposito
Mr. Alvin Watson
Absent Mrs. Judy Green, President
Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Interim Business Official Mr. Ronald Musson
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem
Principals: Mr. Robert Litz, Mr. Kent Maslin, 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 Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
Director of PPS Ms. Barbara Butler
Student Senate Representative
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by Vice President, Mr. Stroka at 7:45 p.m. Mr. Stroka led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation, remembering Angela Hoffman’s family, whose brother passed away.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Al Watson the Board of Education accepted the draft of minutes of February 5, 2007 and February 20, 2007. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report for December 2006 was acknowledged under Financial Update.

Steve Esposito updated the public on the Audit Committee. The internal auditors have begun the first part of their internal audit with the Risk Assessment. Mr. Esposito is hoping to have initial phase of report by the end of the month so a formal report can be presented at the April meeting.

The Board received the following correspondence: Correspondence from Dorothy Slattery asking for support to place her name for nomination for the O/U BOCES Board;
correspondence from Richard McPhillips; correspondence on the Goshen Public Library and Historical Society Annual Election and Budget Vote to be held on April 18, 2007;
correspondence from Paul Capiello regarding Real Property Law 459-c; O/U BOCES Budget Newsletter; save the Date Flyer for Appreciation Dinner for districts participating in the Orange County Tobacco Free School Policy Program; Parent Workshop “DISCIPLINE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD”; and various newspaper articles

Mr. Stroka opened Privilege of the Floor.

A community member addressed the Board stating that Senior Science Olympiad teams will be competing in the State competition at West Point.

A concerned parent addressed the Board referring to an administrative problem at the high school with administrators not returning calls and accessibility to the administrators.

Mr. Stroka acknowledged the Odyssey of the Mind competition and wished the Senior Science Olympiad team good luck on their upcoming competition.

Mr. Reese reported on correspondence from KG & D to extend their Pre-Bond Planning services with the District. This will be placed as an action item at our next Board meeting. KG & D have been working beyond the regular contract agreement, which ended in June 2006. Two members from KG & D will be meeting with the Board at the March 26th Workshop.

Mr. Musson reported that he is currently working on the day-to-day operations of the Business Office and working hard on formulating the current budget.

Mrs. Unhjem reminded administrators that the New York State Grade 3-8 Math Exams will be administered this week.

Odyssey of the Mind competition included four teams from Goshen.

Mrs. Murphy and Kristen Bownas joined Mrs. Unhjem at the Board table to present an overview of a program implemented at Scotchtown Avenue School entitled The Responsive Classroom. Children are taught to care, positive attitudes, discipline and to develop self-control. The program also increases level of social skills and decreases disruptive behavior.

The Board thanked Mrs. Murphy and Ms. Bownas.

Personnel

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. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Approve increase in hours of 1:1 teacher aide position request for an additional 2.75 hours for Student #113741 for a total of 5.75 hours per day. This is being requested due to Student #114902 leaving the District and Student #113741 requiring a 1:1 aid per IEP, effective February 21, 2007.

Approve increase in hours of Emily Shields teacher aide increase in hours from 5.25 hours per day to 5.5 hours per day effective March 6, 2007. This increase is being requested based on new position for 1:1 teacher aide for Student #113741. This position is being shared.

Approve increase in hours of Kathy Kurek teacher aide increase in hours from 2.25 hours per day to 4.75 hours per day effective March 6, 2007. Ms. Kurek is currently a recess aid at Scotchtown Avenue School and will be increasing her 2.25 hour position to 4.75 hours per day, based on the new position of 1:1 teacher aide for Student #113741. This position is being shared.

Approve create position of 1:1 teacher aide at a salary of $9.95/hr. for 5.75 hours per day effective March 5, 2007. This position is being created for Student #111268’s IEP.

Approve appointment of Jody Monroe bus driver at a salary of $16.11/hr. for 5 hours per day, effective March 15, 2007. Ms. Monroe is currently a substitute driver for the District and is filling the position created in September 2006.

Approve appointment of Stephanie Profenna substitute teacher at $75/diem effective March 6, 2007 and appoint as a long-term substitute teacher (math) at a salary of $208.95/diem, (BA-1 pro-rated) effective on or about March 19, 2007. Ms. Profenna has pending Mathematics 7-12 certification/Cross Country Track and Field Coaching Certification. Ms. Profenna will be filling the child care leave for Dominique Meyers.

Approve appointment of Michelle Testa as part-time account clerk for 20 hours per week at a salary of $13.88/hr., effective March 12, 2007. Ms. Testa is filling the part-time position of Karen Lawrence.

Approve appointment of Linda Popowick substitute bus driver at a salary of $15.19/hr., as needed, effective March 15, 2007.

CSE/CPSE
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/08/07;113929/CJH/LD
Committee on Special Education 01/25/07;115239/BOCES/ED
01/31/07;115177/CHJ/LD
Subcommittee on Special Education 02/01/07;11374/CJH/Ineligible
Committee on Special Education 02/05/07;112234/GIS/LD
Subcommittee on Special Education 02/20/07;110491/BOCES/MD
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 02/21/07;114653/Preschool w/disability
02/21/07;114420/Preschool w/disability
02/21/07;113816/Preschool w/disability
02/21/07;114551/Preschool w/disability
02/21/07;114065/Preschool w/disability
Committee on Special Education 02/27/07;115110/Home/ED
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/02/07;113487/SAS/SLI

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Al Watson upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the adoption of the Amended/Revised Student Records: Access and Challenge #7240.
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, the Board of Education adopts the 2007/08 student calendar as presented, noting the split break for the Spring Recess. 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 schedules a Board Workshop with members of the Growth Task Force for Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Reese discussed part two of the policy the Board had just taken action by amending/revising. This will expand the privacy for students. The Board will hold the first reading at the next meeting and adopt the new policy in April. These policies are part of the Guidance Documents, which have been revised due to changes in the laws regarding information on students.

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Robert Kish upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education reschedules their April 23, 2007 meeting to April 26, 2007 for the purpose of voting on the BOCES Annual Budget. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Board discussed correspondence from three candidates interested in running for the O/U BOCES Board. The Board is currently waiting for a fourth letter of support. The nominations for these candidates will be placed on the next agenda and submitted to O/U BOCES prior to their March 28th deadline. There are two incumbents and one open seat.

Mr. Reese presented the last of the budget presentation cycles, Central Office and District-Wide personnel. Current retirements to date total four.

Staff proposal for Central Office, Buildings and Grounds, Technology and Transportation include a principal account clerk, .5 custodian, one tech support assistance and one bus driver.

Staff proposals for Scotchtown Avenue School include: one assistant principal, two classroom teachers, .3 art teacher, .3 librarian, upgrade of teacher aide to clerk typist, two teacher aides (four hours for security), two teacher aides for recess, and increase in hours for two current teacher aides.

Staff proposals for the Intermediate School include: increase of current music teacher position by .2.

Staff proposals for High School include: secretary for assistant principal, computer lab teaching assistance and one teacher aide for nurse’s office.

Staff proposals for Pupil Personnel Services include: special education teacher and teacher aide (for self-contained classroom at Intermediate School), three teaching assistants, and a .5 clerk typist.

A proposed salary summary with a three-year history breakdown was reviewed. A breakdown of salaries for faculty, staff, and administrators show a projection of $2,396,587 increase over the 2006/07 school year.

A proposed summary of benefits and three-year history breakdown, including mandates by Federal law, (ERS and TRS), resulted in an increase of $1,104,950 over the 2006/07 school year.

A proposed summary of Central Administration Operating Costs for the District, which include the Internal and External Auditors, Superintendent, Business Office, Tax Collecting, Legal Expenses, Public Information System, Central Printing and Mailing, Insurance, and Debt Service show a projection of $3,297,298, which is a decrease of $65,200 over the 2006/07 school year.

Mrs. Unhjem presented a three-year history breakdown of the Instruction category. The breakdown included Personnel, Data Administrator, Conferences, Supplies, Curriculum Development (contractual & supplies), Research, Planning and Evaluation, and In-service training (contractual and supplies). This shows a projected increase of $2,450 over the 2006/07 school year.

At the March 19, 2007 meeting a compilation of all proposals will be placed before the Board. Budget runs from the State are not what was originally proposed. Projected revenues and tax levy will be discussed at the April meeting.

Mr. Stroka thanked Mr. Musson, Mrs. Unhjem and Mr. Reese for their presentation.

The Student Representative was in favor of the staffing increases, which he felt would have a positive effect on student learning.

Mr. Stroka said he would attend the O/U BOCES combined district budget presentation on March 14th, representing the District. O/U BOCES will present their budget to our Board of Education on Monday, March 19th.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m. on a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Steve Esposito to enter into Executive Session with no intent to return to discuss work history of a particular employee. AYES 5 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk