April 16, 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, April 16, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Interim Business Official Mr. Ron Musson
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 Buildings & Grounds Mr. James Riley
Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Green at 7:35 p.m.
Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation, remember families of former students Blaine Warren and Stephen Glebocki and also the family members of the 33 innocent victims in the Virginia Tech shooting.

The Board received the following correspondence: Memo from Jacklyn Chapman and Diane Bigg on the upcoming Quiz Bowl competition; New York State School Boards flyer New Directions for School Leadership Accountability; and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mrs. Bogart reported that NYSSBA is pleased with the governor’s budget. New foundation aid allows districts to make local decisions on where to best allocate money.

Mr. Esposito entered the meeting at 7:42 p.m.

Mr. Reese reported that six citizens had picked up petitions with four returning them to be placed on the ballot. A random drawing will be held by the District Clerk in the morning for the placement of candidates.

Mr. Reese reported on the meeting held on April 13 with Brian O’Connor and local politicians, district administrators, and two board members. The meeting was a beginning regarding concern of athletic fields. Mr. Mayfield, from the Orange County Executive Office, will be contacting federal offices for possible help.

Mrs. Unhjem mentioned the new art display from the Middle School in the hall.

Mrs. Unhjem reported that students from the high school competed in Saratoga Springs in Olympics of Visual Arts with a second place winner and three students cited for outstanding creativity.

Mrs. Unhjem mentioned an upcoming opportunity for sixth grade students to participate in learning Mandarin Chinese in cooperation with O/U BOCES. This program is being provided through a foreign language grant.

Mr. Stroka left the meeting at 7:49 p.m.

PERSONNEL

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Al Watson upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda, pulling items o and p, as presented. AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Accept resignation of April McDonald principal payroll clerk effective April 28, 2007.

Approve medical leave of absence of Rick Besaw custodial worker is requesting a medical leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective April 30, 2007 through June 4, 2007.

Approve extended medical leave of absence of Marguerite Bullaro bus driver is requesting an extension to her medical leave of absence effective April 11, 2007 through June 30, 2007.

Approve extended medical leave of absence of Mildred Crigar head custodian is requesting an extension to her medical leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective April 9, 2007 through May 1, 2007.

Approve medial leave of absence of Janice Marsiglio family and consumer science teacher is requesting a medical leave of absence under the Family Medical Leave Act effective March 27, 2007 through May 28, 2007.

Approve appointment of Robert Manco substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective April 17, 2007. Mr. Manco is not certified.

Approve appointment of Therese McLoughlin long-term substitute/art teacher at a salary of $208.95/diem (B-1) effective March 15, 2007 through May 11, 2007. Ms. McLoughlin has provisional art certification. Ms. McLoughlin is filling the leave of Marc Pizzo.

Approve appointment of Nanette DeGroat long-term substitute/family and consumer science teacher at a salary of $208.95/diem effective February 12, 2007 through on or about June 25, 2007. Mrs. DeGroat is filling the leave of Matthew Petrillose.

Approve appointment of Amy Quinn Evening High School tutor at a salary of $29.02/hr., for 3 hours per evening, as needed, effective April 17, 2007. Ms. Quinn is a teacher at the high school.

CSE/CPSE
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 03/27/07;114145/Preschool w/disability
Preschool Learning Experience

On a motion by Steve Esposito 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:

Therese McLoughlin Robert Manco

Be it further resolved, that such emergency conditional appointments shall become conditional appointments upon receipt of State clearance from SED. AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

A motion by Al Watson and seconded by Steve Esposito upon the Board of Education approves the appointment of Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. as independent auditor for the 2006/07 school year. AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Esposito reported that new State requirements mandate an RFP be offered every five years for accounting firms. Mr. Esposito mentioned the district had received and reviewed three proposals. The Audit Committee interviewed one firm and recommended that the district continue services with Nugent & Hauessler, P.C. One member of the firm is a Goshen resident and has children in the District.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Al Watson upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education adopts the McDougal Littell New York State Math Series textbook for Middle School Math grades 6 through 8.
AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Reese presented an overview of this years budget development process. Mr. Musson reviewed State Aid, the tax levy based on analysis of the adopted March 31st State budget. An increase of $17,303 was added to the line item budget after discussions during the April 10th meeting.

A four-year budget history was presented along with a five-year tax levy history. A breakdown of the District on an austerity budget based on State guidelines and worksheets, was summarized. The increase in the budget resulted in a 6.9% increase over the 2006/07 school year, with a 4.3% tax levy increase over the 2006/07 budget.

St. Dominic’s Group Home and Incarcerated Youth, both programs that are required by state law to be incorporated into the budget, but 100% reimbursed by the State of New York was summarized.

Mr. Reese mentioned that on May 15th, voters will be asked to vote on the proposed budget of $55,290,743, approve the bus proposition, telephone/security camera capital project and elect two board members from the four candidates running. It was noted that the telephone/security camera capital project would not impact taxes on the district residents. This project will be reimbursed by State Aide and also eligible for EXCEL Aid.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Al Watson upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the proposed 2007/2008 school year budget in the amount of $55,290,743. AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mrs. Green thanked Central Office Administrators and all District Administrators for their hard work during the budget development process.

The second Privilege of the Floor was open.

Mrs. Bogart asked if tax certioraris had to be paid for in a lump sum or if they could be made in installments. Most tax certioraris are based on court order and Districts comply with order.

Mrs. Green mentioned additional correspondence received from Nancy Wiegand regarding upcoming Junior Science Olympiad competition being held this weekend in New Paltz. The Board wished the team and coaches good luck.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. on a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Martha Bogart. AYES 4 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk