September 17, 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, September 17, 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
Student Senate Representative Peter Orlando
Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District

The regular meeting was called to order by President, Mrs. Judy Green at 7:36 p.m. Mrs. Green led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation.

The Board received the following correspondence: 2007/08 Board of Education Committees; Schedule of OCSBA Meetings; 2007/08 OCSBA Directory; 2007/08 C.J. Hooker Middle School Planner; Memo from Robert Siracuse on requested sports information; and various newspaper articles.

Mrs. Green opened Privilege of the Floor.

Mrs. Green welcomed Peter Orlando, high school student serving as Student Representative for the Board of Education.

Mr. Esposito entered the meeting at 7:39 p.m.

Mr. Reese reported on a very successful opening day. Bus schedule change is working out fine.

Mr. Reese acknowledged Denise Billings and the High School Cafeteria staff regarding the recent Times Herald Record article on “How Safe are our School Cafeterias?” The high school has had an exemplary record for the past two years.

Mr. Reese asked Mr. Riley to join the members at the table to update the board on the telephone/security project. Mr. Riley reported the project is nearing completion with an anticipated completion date set for the beginning of October.

The Board thanked Mr. Riley for his report.

Mr. Miller addressed the draft of the district’s response to the Internal Auditors. The board was in agreement with the response and asked Mr. Miller to forward the letter to Cooper, Niemann & Co. The board thanked Mr. Miller.

Mrs. Unhjem mentioned the Art Exhibit at Main Street featuring K-12 faculty art work.
Mrs. Unhjem thanked Mr. Tucci and Mr. Hoover for their implementation.

Mrs. Unhjem updated the Board on the Wellness Policy and how staff is working to implement healthy snacks and meeting goals. Mrs. Unhjem reiterated that the policy was not to dictate snacks, but incorporate healthy snacks into the school environment. Mrs. Unhjem thanked Denise Billings, Connie Bertone and Nancy Nowak for their help.

Mrs. Unhjem presented a summary of professional development topics that were offered to faculty during the last school year, along with a list of upcoming topics. The October 24th professional development day is slated for school safety. The presenter will be T. J. Connelly.

Mrs. Unhjem mentioned that the Wellness Policy update and Professional Development topics will be posted on the web.

Mrs. Unhjem also mentioned that two staff members are currently attending Columbia University Teachers College.

Personnel

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito 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 Maria Bujalski teacher aide effective September 15, 2007.

Accept resignation of Marguerite Bullaro bus driver effective August 1, 2007.

Accept resignation of Laurie McGovern special education teacher aide effective September 14, 2007.

Accept resignation of Kim Kaiser bus driver effective August 27, 2007.

Accept resignation of Jody Monroe bus driver effective September 1, 2007.
Approve appointment of Jody Monroe substitute bus driver at a salary of $15.68/hr., as needed, effective September 1, 2007.

Approve appointment of Cori Drummond 1:1 special education teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr., for 5.75 hours per day, effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Drummond is filling the position created on 9/4/07 for student #112389.

Approve appointment of Vera Cornelius bus monitor at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.25 hours per day, effective September 1, 2007. Ms. Cornelius is replacing Theresa Vandenburg.

Approve appointment of Matilda Scherma bus driver at a salary of $16.63/hr. for 5 hours per day, effective September 1, 2007. Ms. Scherma is replacing Frank Capson.

Approve appointment of Anne Marie Walker teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5.75 hours per day, effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Walker is replacing Sharlene Bischof.

Approve appointment of Jean Spehalski teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/h. for 5.5 hours per day effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Spehalski is replacing Deborah Matyus.

Approve appointment of Valerie Vetere teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 4.25 hours per day effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Vetere has been a substitute and is replacing Roberta Krebs who transferred to the high school.

Approve appointment of Roberta Krebs teacher aide at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 5 hours per day effective September 24, 2007. Ms. Krebs is replacing Maria Bujalksi and is transferring from the Middle School.

Approve appointment of Rosa Meja food service helper at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 3 hours per day effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Meja has been a substitute food service worker and is replacing Cristal Berkeley.

Approve appointment of Angela Toscano food service helper at a salary of $10.61/hr. for 3 hours per day effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Toscano has been a substitute food service worker and is replacing Arlene Curtis.

Approve appointment of Francis Clavelle substitute custodial worker at a salary of $8.50/hr., as needed, effective September 18, 2007.

Approve appointment of Patrice Bowen substitute food service helper at a salary of $7.75/hr., as needed, effective September 18, 2007.

Approve appointment of Suzanne Geary substitute teacher at a salary of $75/diem effective September 18, 2007. Ms. Geary has physical education permanent certification.

Approve amended salary of Gail Frey Evening High School Security from $50.00 per evening to $52.53 per evening for 3 hours per evening for 2 evenings per week.

Approve appointments of Wanda Caldwell, Suzanne Cremin, Laura Feeney, Carmela Goldberg Amanda Grunenberg, Joan Hunt and Debra Scheetz as “restricted teacher aides” to cover a classroom when the teacher is out of the room effective September 18, 2007.

Approve appointment of Kelly Ashton substitute teacher aide for the 2007/08 school year. This is a yearly appointment.

Approve Obsolete Equipment (see official minutes).

CSE/CPSE
Committee on Preschool Special Ed 08/29/07;115564/Preschool w/disability
Committee on Special Education 08/31/07;111151/Center for Discover/A
Subcommittee on Special Education 09/11/07;111090/BOCES/SLI
09/07/07;106402/GHS/OHI

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Robert Kish, 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 administrative, instructional and non-instructional employees on an emergency basis:

Cori Drummond Anne Marie Walker Francis Clavelle

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 and Mrs. Unhjem presented a PowerPoint on revisions to the proposed capital project that had been discussed during the two workshops held on September 10th and 11th. A breakdown of original costs –vs- revised cost totaled $4,393,000. Scotchtown Avenue and the High School had reductions to their square footage. Athletic fields were upgraded $1.5 million. The total reduction to Scotchtown Avenue school amounted to $1,415,000 and the High School amounted to $4,478,000. The revised project would total $69,949,000.

Board members commented they were pleased with the changes and how they did not affect programs or classrooms. The Board was unanimously in agreement and felt comfortable in proceeding with the new figure of $69,949,000and revisions presented. They would like to see new site plans, specifically the athletic fields.

On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Robert Kish, the Board of Education approves the Addendum Agreement for Roy Reese, Superintendent of Schools for compensation to the annual salary of $152,600 effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. (See official agreement in minutes) AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Al Watson and seconded by James Kimiecik, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby appoints the firm of Cooper, Niemann & Company, LLP, as Internal Auditors, for the Goshen Central School District to perform the internal audit function per the attached proposal dated September 13, 2007, effective for the 2007/08 school year. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Robert Kish and seconded by Steve Esposito, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the appointment of Martha Bogart as the Legislative Liaison for the New York State School Boards.
AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

On a motion by Steve Esposito and seconded by Robert Kish, that the Board of Education hereby declares certain Science textbooks (as set forth on the attached list, which is made a part of this resolution), to be obsolete, surplus and of no value to the School District; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the Superintendent to dispose of such textbooks through the Follett Book Buy-Back Program, for which the District will receive a credit voucher for the purchase of new books and/or audiovisual materials from Follett Library Resources. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The board had received correspondence from Herikmer BOCES seeking support for a resolution they would like to have presented at the NYSSBA Convention regarding BOCES be entitled to apply and receive EXCEL Aid. This resolution was submitted after the deadline to be published in their Bylaws, Amendments and Resolutions. The board will discuss at a future meeting.

Mrs. Green opened the second Privilege of the Floor.

A community member addressed the board regarding the proposed capital project presentation and hoped the board would have multiple meetings to present project.

A question was asked regarding telephone/security project and if it was tied into the police department. The answer was yes.

A community member commented on the $4.3 million reduction to proposed project and asked that the board maintain a back-up plan. He also suggested that tax increase information be made available to the community.

The board discussed the upcoming NYSSBA Convention briefly addressing resolutions for support and non-support. Mr. Watson touched briefly on some Resolutions being asked for support - Repeal Salary Increments under Triborough, Modified Testing Requirements for Students with Disabilities, Funding of Mandatory State Tests, Regents Exam Results, along with Opposition to Charter Schools. A brief list of non-support Resolutions were discussed including, Nominating Petitions and Tax Assessments. The board will continue their discussion of the Bylaws, Amendments and Resolutions at the next two board meetings.

James Kimiecik mentioned the next OCSBA meeting will hold discussion of the Bylaws, Resolutions and Amendments and recommendations will be made.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. on a motion by Al Watson and seconded by Robert Kish. AYES 7 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia B. Brown
District Clerk