August 20, 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, August 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

Present Mrs. Judy Green, President
Mrs. Martha Bogart, Vice President
Mr. Steve Esposito
Mr. James Kimiecik
Mr. Alvin Watson
Mr. Michael Stroka
Mr. Robert Kish
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. 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
Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse
CSE Chairperson Ms. Deirdre Hallinan
Director of Buildings & Grounds Mr. James Riley
Student Senate Representative
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:37 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation.

The Audit Committee reported briefly on the Internal Audit completed by Cooper & Niemann. The District will be preparing a response to the outlining short-term and long-term litigation measures.

The Board received the following correspondence: Invitation to Opening Day at High School; Correspondence from O/U BOCES regarding District Superintendent search;
OCSBA Delegates’ Meeting flyer; Mid-Hudson School Study Council New (and nearly new) School Board Members flyer; and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Elly Knieriemen, High School Social Studies teacher, addressed the Board thanking the Board of Education, Mr. Reese, Mrs. Unhjem, Mr. Litz, and Mrs. Lercara, for offering the High School Summer School Program. The program was well organized and offered small class sizes. Mrs. Lercara demonstrated outstanding leadership.

Mrs. Green thanked Ms. Knieriemen for her comments.

Mrs. Green did not have a report.

Mrs. Bogart did not have a Legislative Update.

Mr. Reese reminded everyone of the upcoming Summer School Graduation and Freshmen BBQ being held on Wednesday.

Mr. Miller reported on tax levy information included in the Board packet for approval later in the meeting.

Mrs. Unhjem reported that August 28-30 will be New Teacher Orientation and handed an agenda for the Board to refer to.

Personnel

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 Consent Agenda as presented. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Accept resignation of Deborah Matyus teacher aide effective August 25, 2007.
Approve appointment of Deborah Matyus account clerk/typist at a salary of $30,000.00, effective August 27, 2007. Mrs. Matyus is replacing Margaret Gugliotta.

Accept resignation of Sharlene Bischof teacher aide effective September 1, 2007.

Approve appointment of Sharlene Bischof clerk-attendance office at a salary of $27,687 (pro-rated to $23,073) Step B- clerk typist/10 months, effective September 1, 2007. Mrs. Bischof is replacing Millie Ferrara.

Approve appointment of Kim Kastner teacher aide/attendance office at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.5 hours per day, effective September 4, 2007. Ms. Kastner is replacing Anita Spero.

Approve reappointment of Harriet Lefkowtiz teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.75 hours per day, effective September 1, 2007. Mrs. Lefkowitz is being reappointed to her former teacher aide position.

Approve appointment of Wanda Caldwell teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.5 hours per day effective September 4, 2007. Ms. Caldwell is replacing Emily Shields. (Recess aide at 2.25/hrs. plus 3.25 hours from position created during 2007/08 budget = 5.5 hours).

Approve increase in hours of Kendra Parchinski teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.25 hours per day effective September 4, 2007. Ms. Parchinski’s hours are increasing from 5 to 5.25 due to 3.5 hour position created during 2007/08 budget.

Approve appointment of Rosa Mejia substitute food service helper at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective August 21, 2007.

Approve reappointment of substitute teachers at a salary of $70/diem and $75/diem (uncertified or certified respectively), for the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes)

Approve reappointment of tutors at a salary of $30.06/hr. effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute nurses at a salary of $75/diem effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute clerical workers at a salary of $75/diem effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute custodial workers at a salary of $8.50/hr., as needed, effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute bus drivers at a salary of $15.68/hr., as needed, effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute bus monitor at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute food service workers at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve reappointment of substitute teacher aides at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective the 2007/08 school year. (See attached list in minutes).

Approve appointment: 2007/08 Academic Assignments (See attached list in minutes).

Approve Award Food Bid – Ice Cream Vending – Gillette Creamery; Ready to Serve Pizza – ADF Management Company (Pizza Hut); Beverage – Snapple Distributors, Inc., Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Dew Drop Divers – DBA – Lite-N-Rite, and Ginsberg Foods.

Approve Award Student Transportation Bid to TriStar Transport for Special Education Students and Contract for 2007/08 School Year.

Approve Obsolete Computer Equipment (see official minutes).

Mrs. Unhjem and Mr. Reese provided a powerpoint summarizing the 2006/07 Board of Education Goals.

One Board Goal emphasized communication with the community. Some Board members asked when proposed capital project would be communicated along with the last possible date the Board would have to act in order to meet project deadline.

Board members received 2006/07 Board Committees with some updates from prior meetings. Board members did not change the list. Mr. Reese suggested that the Board consider forming a Policy Committee to review new polices submitted from Erie1BOCES with current regulations and changes. This would afford the Board another set of eyes before all members have first and second readings. Members had discussion and Al Watson and Martha Bogart agreed to chair a Policy/Procedure Committee. The Board will officially take action at the September 4th meeting.

Mr. Reese updated the Board on conversations he has had with David Schnunter and Dr. Paul Seversky regarding the proposed capital project. Recent meetings with District’s SEQRA counsel were held. Mr. Esposito asked that the Board meet at a workshop to discuss all information submitted and requested. A tentative date of September 10th was scheduled. (No action was taken).

Mrs. Denise Billings joined the table and presented an overview of the cafeteria budget.

The Board thanked Mrs. Billings.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Al Watson, the Board of Education enters into an agreement with Fiscal Advisors & Marketing for pre-referendum services for the proposed capital project at an hourly rate of $110/hr. not to exceed $5,500.00.
Board members questioned using Fiscal Advisors. Mr. Miller informed the Board that they have been using Fiscal Advisors & Marketing for several projects. An outline of questions answered for services rendered was given to the Board.
AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Martha Bogart, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education adopts the purchase of the new High School New York Biology textbook – Prentice Hall Miller & Levine and Forensic Science – The Basics textbook – Taylor & Francis Group - Jay A. Siegel, as a component of the Science courses effective September 1, 2007.
AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Michael Stroka WHEREAS the Board of Education has been authorized by the voters at the Annual School
Meeting to raise for the current budget of the 2007 – 2008 school year a sum not to
exceed $55,290,743.00;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the board fix the equalized tax rates by towns and confirm the extension of the taxes as they appear on the following described tax roll:

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Name of Town Total Assessed Valuations by Town Equalized Tax Rate by Towns Total Tax Levy by Towns
Chester $ 4,881,600 $26.208981 $ 127,941.76
Goshen $855,140,144 $27.019614 $23,105,556.48
Hamptonburgh $257,373,618 $16.380708 $ 4,215,961.99
Wallkill $ 58,298,278 $77.221507 $ 4,501,880.88
Wawayanda $ 86,991,262 $26.208979 $ 2,279,952.20
Omits & Prorats $ 7,641.69
TOTALS $1,262,684,902 XXX $34,238,935

GOSHEN PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Name of Town Total Assessed Valuations by Town Equalized Tax Rate by Towns Total Tax Levy by Towns
Chester $ 4,881,600 $0.872628 $ 4,259.82
Goshen $855,140,144 $0.899617 $ 769,298.85
Hamptonburgh $257,373,618 $0.545395 $ 140,370.33
Wallkill $ 58,298,278 $2.571088 $ 149,890.00
Wawayanda $ 86,991,262 $0.872627 $ 75,910.94
Omits & Prorats $ 251.06
TOTALS $1,262,684,902 XXX $1,139,981.00
AND BE IT HEREBY DIRECTED THAT the tax warrant of this board, duly signed shall be
affixed to the above-described tax rolls authorizing the collection of said taxes to
begin September 1, 2007 and end November 2, 2007, giving the tax warrant an effective period
of 63 days at the expiration of which time the tax collector shall make an
accounting in writing to the board;
AND IT IS FURTHER DIRECTED THAT the delinquent tax penalties shall be fixed as follows:
1st month free period,
2nd month interest of 2 percent added,
3rd month or fraction thereof, interest of 3 percent added. AYES 7 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 approves the 2007/2008 school tax warrant as presented. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Data Specialist was pulled from the agenda.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by James Kimiecik upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the National Foreign Language Honor Society trip to France in July 2008. AYES 7 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 accepts the Terms & Agreement for Non-Bargaining Unit Employees as presented. (see official minutes) AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion Carried.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by James Kimiecik, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the execution of IRS Form 2848 Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative with Nugent & Haeussler, P.C., Marti Sassi, CPA, authorizing Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. to represent the Goshen Central School District with respect to an Employment Tax, Form 941 Issue No. 0439359972 with the Internal Revenue Service. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Mr. Kish asked how many football games would be played at home? Mr. Reese mentioned 3.

Mr. Esposito asked for an update on the telephone project.

A summary of Schedule B for 2006/07 was requested along with a snapshot of new offerings for the 2007/08 school year.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. on a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Michael Stroka, the Board unanimously agreed to enter into Executive Session with no intent to return for the purpose of work history of a particular employee.
AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk