April 4, 2005 Board meeting minutes

GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

(Back)

A regular meeting of the Board of Education was held in the Board of Education Room at the Main Street School, on Monday, April 4, 2005, at 7:30 p.m.

Present: Mr. Steven Esposito, President; Mr. Alvin Watson, Vice President; Mrs. Martha Bogart; Mrs. Judy Green; Mr. Marty Knapp; Mr. Michael Stroka.

Also present: Interim Superintendent of Schools Mr. Roy Reese; Assistant Superintendent Business Mr. Joseph Abbondanza; Assistant Superintendent Curriculum Mrs. Jane Unhjem; Principals: Mr. Robert Litz, Mr. Benjamin Bragg, Mrs. Mary Ann Knight, and Mrs. Daria Murphy; Assistant Principals: Mr. Kent Maslin; Director of PPS Mrs. Kusum Sinha; Director of Athletics Mr. Robert Siracuse; Members of the Faculty, Press and Citizens of the District.

The meeting was called to order by Mr. Steve Esposito, President, at 7:35p.m. Mr. Esposito led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silent meditation remembering the family of Agnes Prochazka Grohoski, former teacher, who recently passed away.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Marty Knapp the Board of Education accepted the draft of minutes of March 7, 2005, March 14, 2005, March 21, 2005 and March 30, 2005. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried.

The Board acknowledged the Treasurer’s Report for February 2005.The Board received the following correspondence: Correspondence from Shaw & Perelson on IDEA, letters from Senator Larkin awarding KidsCount Grants, memo from Jane Unhjem, updated letter from Midstate School Finance Consortium, e-mail from NYSSBA updating summary of Education Budget Decisions, e-mail from NYSSBA regarding SLN news, and various newspaper articles. Additional correspondence handed out at the table Middle School PTO Newsletter.

Mr. Esposito opened Privilege of the Floor.

A community member required what the procedure is for replacing the Math Department Head position.

Martha Bogart commented on Senator Larkin’s generosity to obtain grants for SAS, GIS and the middle school. Martha Bogart commented on the State Assembly passing a budget on time this year. The Governor has 10 days to sign or veto.
Mr. Reese reminded board members of the BOCES Vote and Election meeting scheduled for April 26, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.

Mr. Reese shared the combined Middle School and PTO newsletter called the “Gladiator Gazette.” Mr. Reese was happy to announce the agreement between the GTA and the O/U BOCES medical plan with the District. A lengthy study and research had been completed regarding medical plans. Mr. Reese mentioned that the Growth Task Force will hold its first meeting on April 12, 2005.

Mr. Reese reported that the second SRO started at the high school under Officer Marty.

Mr. Abbondanza highlighted the information the Board received with regard to the renovation of the high school lunch line. Food Service is developing specs and soliciting bids for equipment replacement for the entire serving line. This renovation will come from the present Food Service Fund Balance.

Mr. Abbondanza reported he recently met with Dr. Smith on the BOCES leases with the District. An additional $16,000 a year will be earned in rent for the upcoming year. Negotiations will continue on the balance of capital improvements. Mr. Abbondanza will keep the Board updated.

Mrs. Unhjem reported that seniors will be able to take college courses through OCCC in English 1 & 2 and Elementary Italian 1 & 2 in the fall.

Mrs. Unhjem reported that through the MHRIC a representative offered an Excel workshop to clerical staff during a half-day workshop.

Diane Petit is offering Computer Basics for Beginners. Model Schools, through a co-ser, will be offering in-service courses to the instructional staff.

Mrs. Unhjem informed the Board that a grade 5 class will hold a debate with a grade 5 class in the Monticello School District. The topic will be Casinos. Participants will not know which side of the debate they will be discussing.

Mr. Reese mentioned that the Junior Science Olympiad team competed in Albany and will be competing in Rochester at the end of the month.

Personnel
On a motion by Martha Bogart and seconded by Judy Green upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the Consent Agenda as presented. AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried. Marty Knapp abstained from item “d” and Al Watson abstained from item “a.” Approve the extended child care leave of Ardyth Watson high school social studies teacher is requesting an extension to her child care leave for the 2005/06 school year.

Accept the resignation of Wendy Wee teacher aide effective March 14, 2005.Approve the appointment of Wendy Wee 11-month typist at the middle school at a salary of $25,092 (prorated) Schedule B effective March 14, 2005. Ms. Wee is replacing Nancy Frenette.

Approve the change of status of Brooke Knapp from substitute teacher aide to temporary general teacher aide at a salary of $9.61/hr. for 5.75 hours per week effective March 16, 2005 through June 30, 2005. Mrs. Knapp is filling the position of Kerry Rourke.

Approve the appointment of Roy VanDeWeert as substitute custodial worker at a salary of $8.50/hr. as needed, effective April 5, 2005.

Approve the appointment of Tirzah Meaney as substitute teacher at a salary of $70/diem effective April 5, 2005. Ms. Meaney is not certified.

Approve the appointment of Anna M. Allen as temporary long-term substitute teacher aide at a salary of $9.61/hr. for 5.5 hours per week effective April 4, 2005 through June 23, 2005. Ms. Allen is temporarily filling the position of Annette Michelitch, who is temporarily filling the Senior Library Clerk position until Civil Service List is established.
Approve the appointment of Angela Hoffman as grade 4 chairperson effective April 5, 2005. Ms. Hoffman is filling the position vacated by Erin Sherry who is on child care leave. This position is a contractual stipend, which will be prorated.
CSE/CPSE

Committee on Special Education 12/16/04;113924/CJH/OHI
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/14/05;113776/GHS/OHI
02/22/05;106523/GHS/LD
Committee on Special Education 02/25/05;112756/GHS/OHI
03/03/05;114142/GHS/LD
03/14/05;111454/Initial Referral/Ineligible
Committee on Preschool Special Ed. 03/17/05;114065/Preschool/w disability
Committee on Special Education 1216/04;113924/CJH/OHI
Subcommittee on Special Education 01/14/05;113776/GHS/OHI
02/22/05;106523/GHS/LD
Committee on Special Education 02/23/05;112756/112756/GHS/OHI
03/03/05;114142/GHS/LD
03/14/05;111454/Initial Referral/Ineligible
Committee on Preschool Special Ed. 03/17/05;114065/Preschool w/disability

On a motion by Marty Knapp 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: Roy VanDeWeert Anna Allen

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. Esposito updated the Board and public on the Superintendent Search process. Mr. Esposito thanked Joe Abbondanza, Jane Unhjem and Christina Intranuovo for their input on the District brochure. The District has contracted with McKenzie Management Group, Inc. Advertising has been done state-wide and also on-line advertising.

Mr. McKenzie will be conducting Focus Groups with employees, students and the community. Application deadline is April 29th. Names of volunteers, who have been selected to serve on the Search Committee will be contacted shortly by letter.

On a motion by Michael Stroka and seconded by Marty Knapp upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent, the Board of Education approves the 12-Month Employee Holiday Calendar for 2005/06 school year as presented.

The Budget Workshop began with an overall presentation from Mrs. Sinha comparing the per pupil cost of educating a general education student compared to a special education student. Mrs. Sinha informed the Board that past figures did not include the Incarcerated Youth in the total students. The dollar amount took into account the number, but that number was not reflected in the student calculation. Mrs. Sinha has had conversations with a representative from SED who stated that future numbers should reflect the Incarcerated Youth figure. Mrs. Sinha will be having further conversations as to obtain the procedure for incorporating student number into the total.

Figures presented were for special education students as of September 1st. Mrs. Sinha emphasized that the group home and Incarcerated Youth are fully reimbursed by the State. Mrs. Sinha’s presentation also included a comparison to similar districts. Mrs. Sinha reported that the group home money is received in advance.
The Board thanked Mrs. Sinha for her presentation.

Mrs. Murphy presented a class size presentation based on a request from Al Watson.
Mrs. Murphy presented a comparison from 2001/02 through the current school year 2004/05, of students in grades K-5.

The Board thanked Mrs. Murphy for her presentation.

The Board reviewed the proposed overall budget including discussion of line-by-line account codes, including data processing, district clerk stipend, maintenance of buildings, civil service retirement summary section, conferences and meetings. Mr. Esposito also mentioned bus purchase and the decrease reported reflects an expired bus note.

Mr. Reese and Mr. Abbondanza mentioned that conferences and meetings were further reduced during the school year.

The Board next reviewed the personnel requests for the 2005/06 school year. The proposed personnel requests include two special education teachers, .5 ELL teacher, one social worker, one elementary teacher, .4 AIS elementary math teacher, one 6th grade teacher, one music teacher, one teacher aide, high school assistant principal, secretary, one guidance counselor, .6 English teacher, .2 health teacher, .4 French teacher, .6 Spanish teacher, one art teacher, .4 Family & Consumer Science teacher, .8 technology teacher and a .6 AIS high school teacher. The total for these new positions amount to $751,000. These positions are offset by the staff retiring this year. The net increase totals $437,000.

The Board asked about space in the buildings with the increases at the high school. Academic space will be tight but will be fine for next year. Mr. Watson asked if current assistant principal secretary, along with aides, could share the work of the new proposed assistant principal request.

Mr. Esposito mentioned this is a wonderful opportunity to reestablishment positions and offer more academic learning for the students. However, he would like to proceed with caution. Mr. Esposito asked about the high increase percentage in staff costs. Mr. Abbondanza explained that this figure included Incarcerated Youth and St. Dominic’s. The actual increase in cost amounts to 4.8%, without Incarcerated Youth and St. Dominic’s. Mr. Abbondanza provided projections over the next two years. Mr. Abbondanza reported that currently the District is looking at a 6.4% tax levy increase.

The Board discussed scheduling a Budget Workshop to further discuss the 2005/06 proposed budget.

Mr. Reese reviewed the bus proposition request. Mr. Reese reminded the Board that Wednesday is an Open House at the Transportation Department. The Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee will hold its meeting at the Open House. On a motion by Judy Green and seconded by Marty Knapp, upon the recommendation of the Interim Superintendent, the Board of Education schedules a Budget Workshop for April 11, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. The Board will promote this meeting as a Budget Workshop “Community Meeting.” AYES 6 NAYS 0 Motion carried. A member of the Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee commended the Board and administrators for their hard work during the budget development. She also mentioned that she feels the assistant principal is warranted. She also asked about an update on the new District website.
A community member asked additional questions regarding the Incarcerated Youth and St. Dominic’s programs. Mrs. Bogart reported she will attend the OCSBA meeting, but will leave early to participate in the Open House at the Transportation Department.

Marty Knapp reported to the Board on the DARE Graduation held on March 22nd.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. on a motion by Marty Knapp and seconded by Michael Stroka to go 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 M. Curry
District Clerk