May 27, 2008 Board meeting minutes

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

(Back)

A special 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 Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

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

The special meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mrs. Green invited Loretta Richner to the board table.

Mrs. Green reported tonight’s meeting was to discuss the three options the board needs to decide on. The board can resubmit the same budget, resubmit a revised budget, or go directly to austerity/contingency budget. Mrs. Green reported that the administrative staff has diligently been working for 3½ days on additional cuts to be made that would have the least effect on students.

Mrs. Green asked the board what direction to proceed. The Board was in agreement to place the budget up at a reduced amount.

Mr. Reese and Mrs. Unhjem presented a three phase power point presentation to the board. The proposed first phase totals cuts of over $350,000, the proposed second phase totals cuts of over $500,000, and the proposed third phase totals cuts of over $700,000.

Mr. Reese and Mrs. Unhjem presented a fuel conservation plan to be implemented next year which is not included in the three phase reduction amount, but is separate and in addition to. The District realizes they cannot control the price of fuel, but can converse on gallons used.

Fuel Conservation Measures 2008/09
• Eliminate all field trips
• Eliminate 6:00 p.m. sports bus
• Eliminate long-distance athletic tournament participation
o Long Island
o Vermont
o Pennsylvania
o Cooperstown
• Consolidation of bus routes/bus stops

Phase I - Budget Reduction $350,000 (proposal)
• Conference for faculty, staff & administrators
• Summer School at GHS
• Furniture
• Equipment
• Author’s visits at all schools
• 6 modified Team IIs
• 11 teacher aides
• Classroom teacher at SAS (1.0)
• Physical education teacher (.5)
• Buildings and Grounds: custodial equipment
• Rubber floor in Weight Room at GHS
Budget amount reduced to $58,973,347 with a tax levy increase of 5.8%, which is a reduction of 1%.

Phase II - Budget Reduction $500,000 (proposal)
All previous reductions, plus the following:
• Music teacher GIS (.6)
• Computer teaching assistant GHS
• Buildings & Grounds: fencing and drainage at CJH field
• Technology equipment
• Summer curriculum writing
• Co-curricular activities
Budget amount reduced to $58,819,493 with a tax levy increase of 5.3%, which is a reduction of 1.5%

Phase III – Budget Reduction $700,000 (proposal)
All previous reductions, plus the following:
• Music teacher CJH (1.0)
• Ashokan trip for 5th grade
• Technology equipment
• Summer work (Guidance)
• Co-curricular activities
• Athletic supplies
• Substitute teacher pay increase
Budget amount 58,604,707 with a tax levy of 4.8%, which is a reduction of 2%.

If the District reverts to an austerity/contingency budget a total of $1,400,000 would have to be reduced resulting in additional cuts and inter-scholastic activities and staff over and above the three phases listed.

Board members discussed the possibility of moving some items from the Phase III list to compensate some reductions in the other phases. Mrs. Green reminded members that administrators have worked hard to come up with the three phases in an order that would still allow them to run their buildings efficiently.

The board agreed to present a revised budget with a reduction of $500,000. Members asked if other cuts could be made that would not affect programs for students, and if the teacher incentive code could be looked at. Mr. Miller mentioned that code had been reduced by $112,500 from 2007/08 on the recommendation of the board.

Mr. Reese mentioned that the budget presented on May 20 was a lean budget to begin with and additional cuts would result in some program cuts. Administrators worked hard to cut areas with the least effect on students.

Members asked if Ashokan could be replaced for Co-Curricular programs being reduced in Phase II.

The board unanimously agreed to place a reduced budget of over $500,000 to a re-vote.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Al Watson the Board of Education hereby adopts a budget in the amount of $58,819,493 to place before the voters of the district at a Special District Meeting to be held on June 17, 2008. AYES 7 NAYS 0
Motion carried.

All members thanked Central Office Administration and all administrators for their work.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Michael Stroka the Board of Education schedules a Public Hearing on Monday, June 9, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Street Building to present the 2008/09 budget for a second vote on June 17, 2008.
AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Reese will report on final adjustments and reductions during the regular meeting scheduled for Monday, June 2, 2008.

Mr. Reese handed an Editorial from Sunday’s Times Herald Record to members on Budget Votes. Mr. Reese thanked the board for their support.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m. on a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk