May 1, 2007 Board meeting minutes

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

(Back)

A Public Hearing 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, on Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 7:00 p.m.

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

Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese
Interim Business Official Mr. Ronald Musson
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 Pupil Personnel Services Ms. Barbara Butler
Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
Student Senate Representative Katrina Lord and Kevin Lees
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The Public Hearing was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:08 p.m. Roy Reese and Ron Musson presented an overview of the proposed budget to the audience, acknowledging the hard work by the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee.

The proposed budget is $55,290,743 which is an increase of 6.9% over the 2006/07 budget, with a tax levy increase of 4.3%. A breakdown of the budget development process was presented explaining increases due to student enrollment, energy and utility costs, contractual obligations including costs for BOCES services and services for special needs students, State mandates and responsible fiscal planning (5-year building survey and tax certioraris).

Major revenues include Health and Welfare services, Medicaid, Incarcerated Youth, St. Dominic’s, interest on investments, fund balance and State Aid.

Three areas of significant change include interest earnings, fund balance application and State Aid. A one-time increase of $130,434 has been added to the budget due to the 1998/00 capital project. This project had dragged on with law-suits and numerous turnover in the business office. An additional $130,000 had been spent. This one time increase is to replenish the fund balance. The District has had the good fortune of receiving higher aid this year to formulate the budget.

A comparison of Administrative, Instructional and Capital Costs was presented. A history breakdown was presented along with the bus proposition and telephone/security capital project proposition. The telephone/security capital project will receive EXCEL Aid as well as State Aid. The District is asking the public for approval to spend the money in the budget, which will be reimbursed by the State.

Mr. Musson presented an overview of an austerity budget to the audience. A calculation based on the Consumer Price Index is used to formulate an austerity budget. Strict guidelines and limitations are mandated by the State. Limitations include no equipment purchases, no community use of facilities without full reimbursement and non-essential maintenance and capital projects except in an emergency. Reductions in co-curricular programs, athletics and other student activities are also mandated.

In summary voters will go to the polls on May 15th, to vote on the proposed budget, bus proposition, telephone/security capital project and to elect two board members.

The Public Hearing was closed at 7:41 p.m.

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:42 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation.
Mrs. Green thanked Mr. Musson and Mr. Reese on the budget presentation.
On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Robert Kish the Board of Education accepted the draft of minutes of April 10, 2007 and April 16, 2007. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

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

There was no report from the Audit Committee.

The Board received the following correspondence: National Latin Exam results from Bob Litz, e-mail from Nancy Wiegand with Junior Science Olympiad results, Orange County School Boards Annual Dinner meeting, and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mr. Reese introduced to the Board and assembled guests Josh Shih, an 8th grade student at C. J. Hooker Middle School, who has placed first in the 2007 Geography Bee. National Geographic Society sponsored the competition. Josh will compete in the finals in Washington with the opportunity to win a $25,000 scholarship. The Board congratulated Josh on his winning and wished him good luck in his upcoming competition.

Mr. Reese mentioned that the Bus Poster Contest winners have their posters on display in the Board room.

Mr. Reese introduced members of the Spring Musical; Ingrid Warner, Patrick O’Hern, Cody Hayden, Kaitlyn Urato, Tommy Zerilli and Chris Stahlmann. Mr. Reese also acknowledged Katrina Lord and welcomed her back.

Mr. Reese announced that Jane Unhjem was not present this evening because she was attending a New Member Orientation at Mount Saint Mary College. Jane has been nominated to be a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Alpha Chapter. Daria Murphy is sponsoring Jane on this nice honor.

Bob Litz joined the table and presented an overview of recent conferences he has attended on school safety. Mr. Litz highlighted past activities the District has implemented and mentioned the District is currently working on obtaining the services of a local consultant, Tom Connelly. Mr. Mike Kelly has also helped in the coordination of emergency services and updating, reviewing, creating and prioritizing emergency/safety manuals. The Board thanked Mr. Litz on his update.

Personnel

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Robert Kish, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda as presented. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Accept resignation of Bernadette McKiernan recess teacher aide effective June 29, 2007. Ms. McKiernan will remain on the substitute teacher aide list.

Approve extended leave of absence of Thomas Martinez bus monitor is requesting an extension to his leave of absence effective April 25, 2007 through May 21, 2007.

Approve appointment of Pamela Murphy long-term substitute instrumental music teacher at a salary of $231.15/diem (M-1) effective September 1, 2007 through November 2, 2007. Ms. Murphy is filling the child care leave of Kimberly Longo.

Approve appointment of Sandra Conklin substitute bus driver at a salary of $15.19/hr., as needed, effective May 2, 2007.

CSE/CPSE
Subcommittee on Special Education 03/22/07;112371/Home/LD
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 04/25/07;115366/Initial Eligibility


On a motion by Michael Stroka 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:

Sandra Conklin

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.

Mr. Reese reported that the School District Report Card was made available on Friday, April 27th. The Report Card will be discussed after further review.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Steve Esposito upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education enters into an Agreement with Yvonne Mirro to provide services for special education students for the remaining 2006/07 school year and the 2007/08 school year during CSE and CPSE meetings, in the amount not to exceed $250/diem (see official contract in minutes).
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito the Board of Education agrees to enter into an agreement with Dr. Paul Seversky, of Oneida BOCES (in conjunction with NYSSBA/Advisory Solutions) to conduct an updated Demographic Study in the amount of $5,000. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.
Mr. Esposito asked if there was a timeframe? Mr. Reese reported that the review will be completed by the end of June.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Martha Bogart the Board of Education scheduled an Executive Session for Monday, May 7, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of work history of a particular employee. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mrs. Green opened the second Privilege of the Floor.

Katrina Lord mentioned that the Student Senate would like to support the budget by holding posters in support of the budget vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m. on a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Michael Stroka to enter into Executive Session with no intent to return for the purpose of work history of particular employees. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk