APPROVED MINUTES

PROPOSED                                                   NOVEMBER 4, 2004

MINUTES                             SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION

of the                                                                        of the

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Held in the Senior High School, Room 11

Conklin, New York, County of Broome

 

MEMBERS       Mrs. Janice Young                                                          

PRESENT:       Mrs. Christine Moriarty

                        Mrs. Alicia Bishop                                                         

                        Mr. John Finch, Jr

                        Mrs. Donna Pflanz-May                                                   

                        Mrs. Julia Bowers                                                          

                        Mr. Rusty Storm                                                            

                        Mrs. Eleanor Hamilton                                                                

                        Mrs. Susan Pollock

                       

ALSO               Mr. John Paske, Superintendent

PRESENT:       Mrs. Dawn Shannon, Assistant Superintendent

                        Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board

                        Ms. Diane Kalmen, School District Clerk

                        Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal  

                        Mr. Charles Hutchinson, High School Assistant Principal

                        Ms. Maureen Kline, Director of Special Services (CSE)

                        Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics

                        Mrs. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal

                        Ms. Debbie Merrell, Math Teacher, High School

                        Ms. Sharleen Vascello, Director of Transportation

                        Fox 40

                        Newschannel 34

                        Mr. George Basler, Press & Sun-Bulletin

                        Mr. Mike Chacanaco, Country Courier

                        9 residents, 19 students

 

Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.

 

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to accept into record the attendance for the November 4, 2004 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Brookside Character Education Word of the Month – Mrs. Young read the Brookside Character Education Word of the Month – "Thankfulness – Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and some absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you should begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense ." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2004 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC – Mr. Finch asked if the results of the Keystone Report on the bus stops at Burts and Sullivan Roads would be available for him to look at before the Board discusses the report tonight. Mr. Paske replied that the Board just received the report this afternoon and that Mr. Finch would have to file a Freedom of Information request to get a copy of the report. Mr. Finch voiced his concern with a bus going up Blakeslee Road. Mr. Paske asked him to submit his concern with Blakeslee Road in writing. Mr. Derrick stated that at the last meeting he attended it was stated that the residents could have a copy of the Keystone report. Mr. Paske replied that the procedure to obtain a copy is to file a Freedom of Information request. Mrs. Darlene Finch asked if residents could speak after the presentation on the Keystone Report. Mrs. Young replied that the Voice of the Public would be extended. Mr. Brent Eikenberry asked if the stop at Stewart Road was looked at in this study. Mrs. Young replied that it was not.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Paske

Keystone Associates Report – Mr. Gorgos gave a presentation on the Keystone Report, explaining the procedures Keystone used in determining the safety of the bus stop. Mr. Gorgos reviewed the stopping sight distance measurements for a car going 45 mph, and one going 55 mph. Mr. Gorgos then reviewed some of the recommendations to improve the stop from Keystone: having the Town of Kirkwood petition the state to lower the speed limit, trim some trees by the side of the road, place centerline and edge of pavement striping on Burts and Sullivan Roads; move the "School Bus Stop" sign, move the bus stop in a northerly direction on Sullivan Road. Mr. Gorgos stated that anyone (resident, school, or town) can petition the state to lower the speed limit. Mr. Gorgos stated that the stop is not within the recommended stopping sight distance for the current speed limit and he recommends that the stop be moved. Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that the Board accept the report provided by the consultants at Keystone Associates, LLC regarding the bus stops located at Burts and Sullivan Roads. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

The Board discussed the safety issue of the bus stop. The Board has not had a chance to look in detail at the report and also needs to look at other factors such as if the stop is moved how will the new location change the walking distance for the students. It was agreed that the Kirkwood Highway Superintendent should be privy to the report and that if the NYS DOT knows there is a bus stop in the area it may help lower the speed limit. The stop will be moved 85 feet north on Sullivan Road temporarily. Mrs. Young stated that the report and other factors will be reviewed and a decision made as soon as possible, within days.

 

Voice of the Public #2 – Mr. Jerry Derrick, Mr. David Finch, Mr. Bob Finch, Mrs. Elizabeth Finch, and Mr. Ken Hampton voiced their concerns with the report and the stop being moved 85 feet. They feel the new temporary location is unsafe also and would like to see the bus drive down Burts Road. They do not feel that cutting trees, etc. is going to make a difference. Mr. Derrick asked if Keystone considered road conditions with snow and ice in their findings. Mr. Gorgos replied that it was not explained in the report if snow and ice were taken into consideration for the stopping distances. Mrs. Linda Clugstone expressed her concern that bus stop issues are not being taken seriously. Mrs. Young assured everyone that this is being taken seriously. Mr. Brent Eikenberry expressed his concern that his stepdaughter has one tardy because the bus was late and asked why the buses were not running on time. Mrs. Young replied that this will be looked into. Mrs. Young stated that the report and other factors will be reviewed and a decision made as soon as possible, within days.

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that Doreen Hopkins, elementary teacher, be granted a medical leave of absence effective December 3, 2004, through an anticipated date of April 4, 2005. She will use sick time, personal time, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that Tonia Warpus, elementary teacher, be granted a paid/unpaid medical leave of absence effective February 22, 2005, through the 2004-05 school year. She will use sick time, personal time, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Instructional Resignation – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion seconded by Mr. Finch, that the resignation of Jean McArdle, five year elementary teacher at Cedarhurst, be accepted effective the end of the business day November 23, 2004. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Long-Term Substitute Teacher – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the appointment of Alyssa Brand be approved as long-term substitute elementary teacher at Cedarhurst during Roxanne Terry's leave of absence to begin November 1, 2004, through March 21, 2005, at a $179.95 per diem with no sick days or personal days. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Resolution – Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that be it Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Susquehanna Valley Central School District Board of Education does and hereby accepts a donation in the amount of $500 from the Exxon Education Alliance, awarded to Cedarhurst Elementary, and does

hereby appropriate the donation into the General Fund for 2004-05 as follows:

                                    USE                                                SOURCE

                              02022110-450                                       A980-2705

              (Cedarhurst Teaching-Materials & Supplies)           (Gifts & Donations)

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Special Education Recommendations – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the

Susquehanna Valley Board of Education:

*       Authorize the 12 services recommended on CSE list dated September 29, 2004.

*       Authorize the 14 services recommended on CSE list dated October 6, 2004.

*       Authorize the 12 services recommended on CSE list dated October 13, 2004.

*       Authorize the 14 services recommended on CSE list dated October 20, 2004.

*       Authorize the 10 services recommended on CPSE list dated October 21, 2004.

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Audio Visual Coordinator – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that Krista Clapper be approved as Audio Visual Coordinator at a stipend of $1,000 for the 2004-05 school year. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Instructional Appointment – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that Kelly Ann Browning be appointed Speech-Language Pathologist (2004-05 assignment at Brookside), effective November 29, 2004, at a prorated salary of $39,800, with a two year probation and eligible for tenure November 29, 2006. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Speech-Language Pathologist Extra Duties – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that Kelly Ann Browning receive a Speech-Language Pathologist Extra Duties stipend of $1,200. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that Lorraine Buckley, High School teacher, be granted a medical leave of absence effective October 18, 2004, through an anticipated date of November 29, 2004. She will use sick days, personal days, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that Stacey DiRenzo, Middle School teacher, be granted a medical leave of absence effective January 14, 2005, through an anticipated date of March 21, 2005. She will use sick days, personal days, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that Kathleen Cederholm, Brookside teacher, be granted a medical leave of absence effective October 28, 2004, through an anticipated date of November 22, 2004. She will use sick days, personal days, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Marching Band/Winterguard/Colorguard 2004-05 – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that

the following appointments be approved for 2004-05:

*       Marching Band Director                                                 Meggan Olds             $2,200

*       Marching Band Colorguard Director                                 Crystal Myers            3,000

*       Marching Band Assistant                                               Kasey Cole                    900

*       Marching Band Marching and Music Technician                Mark Murphy                500

*       Winterguard Co-Director                                                Meggan Olds                 800

*       Winterguard Co-Director                                                Crystal Myers              1,500

*       Winterguard Assistant                                                   Kasey Cole                    900

*       Winterguard Marching Technician and Drill Design            Mark Murphy               500

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Mr. Paske reported he has researched the request from the Brookside PTA to help with their after-school swim program and it looks like the District can help. A bus can be supplied at 3:45 to transport the students from Brookside to the High School. Details such as cost and days of the program still need to be worked out.

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Shannon

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that Maryann Travis, Food Service Helper, Donnelly, be granted an unpaid leave of absence from January 3, 2005, through March 14, 2005. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses, Mrs. Pflanz-May stepped out)

 

Substitute Teachers 2004-05 – Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that the following emergency conditional substitute teacher appointments be approved for the 2004-05 school year pending fingerprint clearance and

criminal background check:

Michael Gaeta            Effective 11/5/04                         Certified: MS/Health Ed/SUNY Cortland

Craig Jefferson           Effective 11/5/04              Non-Certified: PhD/MBA/BioStatistics/Business/

                                                                                                     University at Binghamton

                                                                                          MS/Statistics/OK State University

                                                                                     BS/Math/Southern Univ. New Orleans

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses, Mrs. Pflanz-May stepped out)

 

Substitute Teacher Aide – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the emergency conditional substitute teacher aide/substitute clerical appointment be approved of Michelle Howland, at a rate of $6.50 per hour/teacher aide, $6.75 per hour/substitute typist, effective November 5, 2004, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Substitute Teachers (Reappointment) – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that the following

substitute teachers from the 2003-04 school year be reappointed for the 2004-05 school year.

Mark S. Schuster                   Certified                     Physical Education

Mary P. Delanoy                   Certified                     English 7-12

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Substitute Teacher 2004-05 – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that the following emergency conditional substitute teacher appointment be approved for the 2004-05 school year pending fingerprint clearance and

criminal background check:

Kasey Cole                Effective 11/5/04              Non-Certified: BS/Recreation Outdoor Education/

                                                                                       SUNY Cortland

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Emergency Conditional Appointments – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the following be reappointed as emergency conditional appointments, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check,

effective 11/5/04:

*       Marjorie A. Wood                 Sr. Typist, Cedarhurst

*       Laurie A. Henderson              Substitute Teacher

*       Denise Gyllenhammer            Teacher, Cedarhurst

*       Robert Lilley                        Teacher, High School

*       Nicole Shultz                        Teacher, Middle School

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

Mrs. Shannon reported that the 5th grade Social Studies tests are coming up. Students are practicing for the ELA exams. Mrs. Shannon also reported on student IDs.

 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Moriarty, Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Pflanz-May, and Mrs. Bishop reported on the NYSSBA Annual Meeting they attended October 21-24. Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Bowers thanked the community and the District for the opportunity to attend. Mrs. Moriarty, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Pflanz-May and Mrs. Bowers stated that there were great speakers and one of the topics presented was how schools have to involve the community. Mrs. Moriarty also reported on Owego's wireless Board meetings. Mrs. Shannon reported that the District will be applying for grants for getting community involvement in schools.

 

Voice of the administrators – Mrs. Simpson reported on events at Brookside: Parents as Reading Partners Program; Lawrence Pringle, author, visited school; Red Ribbon week; Halloween parade. The students are collecting for UNICEF. Brookside will be having a movie night tomorrow and a pasta fiesta on December 1.

 

Mrs. Kline reported that she met with all the aides, reviewed test accommodations. The department will be welcoming a new school psychologist on Monday, and a speech pathologist November 29.

 

Mrs. Hamilton reported on events at Cedarhurst: Halloween - 117 gift bags were given out; a celebrity read will be held on November 9;. Dinoman will be presenting a science program at the school on November 19. Cedarhurst has started a new reading incentive program – SABER time, Stop And Be Excited Readers.

 

Mr. Wilson reported that the modified athletes were honored this afternoon and senior varsity athletes spoke at the ceremony. The fall sports banquet will be held on November 17 at the high school. Mr. Wilson attended the National Junior Honor Society induction.

 

Mr. Daniels reported that the High School had a quiet Halloween and that 6 Russian students and 2 teachers have arrived.

 

Mrs. Pflanz-May reported that the Donnelly PTA had a Texas Roadhouse dinner fundraiser tonight.

 

SVTA – No Report

SVESSA – No Report

Student Council – Mrs. Merrill

All the clubs have joined forces to participate in fundraisers for food baskets for Thanksgiving and to help needy SV families at Christmas. They are looking into a contest to win a free school dance from Louie G. at STAR 105.7 radio station by donating turkeys.

 

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS – None

Correspondence – Mrs. Pflanz-May sent sympathy cards to Sandra Morgan (mother) and Karen Bidwell (brother). Mrs. Pflanz-May sent a get well card to Ken Goldberg (stroke).

 

R. J. Robertson, Debra Merrell, and Michaeline Rader gave a presentation at a national conference on "Roller Coasters and Applied Mathematics," a project done through a Tech Prep.

 

Mrs. Pflanz-May read the newspaper clippings. Teens shop for the perfect school, college day at Arena - Estelle Reed in picture. Golf - Andy Whalen, SV graduate, tied for 7th place in the field of 55 at the BU/NBT Bank Collegiate Classic at the Links at Hiawatha Landing. State Rankings - Boys soccer, Class A Team Section, SV 10th. Cross Country - WP Invitational, SV score of 443 in Modified. Girls soccer - UE 4, SV 0. Girls swimming - JC 118, SV 68. SV all-star Pease to attend Seton Hall - Shannon Pease. Football - SV 21, WP 7. Weighty issue: Making the grade, schools colleges wrestle with extra credit for courses - David Daniels quoted on AP courses. Cheerleading Competition - Varsity tied for 8th place, JV came in 7th place. Report due on SV bus stop. Cross Country - Candor Invitational - Boys varsity, SV 2nd, score 449, Pat Nickerson leading individual. Boys soccer - Loss of top player may be costly for SV - Scott Hartley. Filbin's throw-ins catch opposing defenses off guard - Ted Hudock quoted. Girls soccer - SV 0 , Owego 4, Ted Hudock quoted. Dustin Wilson, SV graduate, rushed for 79 yards and one touchdown in Albany's 27-22 victory over Stony Brook. Safety drives open-campus debate - David Daniels quoted, SV closed campus. Local author is advocate for student athletes - Kurt Mohney, SV graduate, writes book Your Fledgling Athlete - A Handbook for Sideline Parents. Football - Norwich 32, SV 26. Patch propels SV into Class A soccer final - Joel Patch. Football - Norwich 32, SV 26, Haskell quoted about number of years with some of the athletes. Andy Whalen, SV graduate, carried a stoke average of 77.1 over 14 rounds of golf for St. Bonaventure. Girls swimming – Alycia Mullins could become the third Class B swimmer to reach the state meet in the 50 free if she can shave another half-second on Saturday. Press & Sun-Bulletin Athlete of the Week - Joel Patch.

 

Mr. Storm reported that the 7th grade modified and the JV football teams were undefeated this year.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Finch made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, that the Board of Education meet in Executive Session to

discuss negotiations, and a personnel matter. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

At 8:40 p.m. the Board recessed.

At 8:58 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.

At 9:30 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)

 

There being no further business, Mrs. Young adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk