APPROVED MINUTES
PROPOSED MAY 19, 2005
MINUTES REGULAR 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
Mr. John Finch, Jr.
Mrs. Alicia Bishop
Mrs. Donna Pflanz-May
Mrs. Julia Bowers
Mr. Rusty Storm
Mrs. Eleanor Hamilton
Mrs. Susan Pollock
ALSO Mr. Richard T. Stank, Interim Superintendent
PRESENT: Mr. Michael Melamed, Interim Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board
Ms. Diane Kalmen, School District Clerk
Ms. Irina Pecheny, Central Business Office
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal
Mrs. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School, SVTA Representative
Mr. Richard Brice, Math Teacher, High School
Mr. Daniel Cuomo, NEA/NY UniServ Representative
Mrs. Sue Woolsey, SVESSA President
Ms. Carol Boyce
Mr. John Pollock
Mrs. Mary Haskell
Mr. Andrei Guruianu, Press & Sun-Bulletin
Mrs. Elizabeth Einstein, Country Courier
7 residents
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, to accept into record the attendance for the May 19, 2005 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Middle School Word of the Month – Mrs. Young read the Middle School Word of the Month – "Citizenship – Carrying out the duties and responsibilities to one's country."
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, to approve the minutes of the April 25, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pflanz-May, to approve as amended the minutes of the May 5, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Mr. Stank spoke regarding interviews he had with the media last week on three subjects: the May 18 Mock DWI crash demonstration, the air quality situation at Cedarhurst, and the budget defeat. The reporter from WBNG-TV in his report stated that Mr. Stank attributed the defeat of the budget to the teacher protest at the May 5, 2005 Board of Education meeting. Mr. Stank stated that he would not have attributed the defeat of the budget to the teacher protest. Mr. Stank did send a memo to staff regarding this issue. Mr. Stank had Mr. Hull contact WBNG to get a copy of the interview tape so he could see what was said. Mr. Stank also received a copy of the conversation. Mr. Stank viewed the tape and did use the word "protest" in his statement. Mr. Stank publicly apologized to the teachers.
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 (Agenda Items) – Mr. Bob Orlovsky asked if the budget would be discussed at this meeting. Mr. Orlovsky suggested that each department's budget be looked at and trimmed back. Mr. Orlovsky went on to say that the tax base is going down, the population is aging, and the budget increase needs to be kept at a reasonable level. Mr. Orlovsky also stated that teachers need to pick up more of the cost of their health insurance. Mr. Tom Albrechta also asked if the budget would be discussed at this meeting. Mrs. Young replied that the administration is working on the budget and the Board will be taking action on the new budget at a special meeting on May 31.
Mrs. Kathy Hattala spoke regarding the Brookside Drama Production and stated that she would like to see funding for the High School Drama Club put in the budget. Mrs. Hattala spoke regarding Crystal Lown, who not only works with the High School Drama Club but also put on the Brookside production.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the April financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Stank
Presentation – Mr. Melamed gave a presentation on the 4th and 8th grade ELA results.
Instructional Leaves of Absence – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers,
That Eileen Miller, music teacher, be granted a paid maternity leave of absence, effective September 6, 2005,
through December 19, 2005. She will use sick time, personal time, and Family and Medical Leave;
That Katherine Engle, Spanish teacher, be granted a paid/unpaid maternity leave of absence, effective September 5,
2005, through November 25, 2005. She will use sick time, personal time, and Family and Medical Leave;
That Lynn Goetz, teacher, Cedarhurst, be granted a paid/unpaid maternity leave of absence, effective April 18, 2005, through June 24, 2005. She will use sick time, personal time, sick bank, and Family and Medical
Leave.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Long-Term Substitute Teachers – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock,
That the appointment be approved of Alissa Brand as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Brookside, during Donna Parkison's leave of absence, effective May 11, 2005, through June 24, 2005, at a $34.96 per diem
with no sick days or personal days;
That the appointment be approved of Ilene Whitney as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Cedarhurst, during Lynn Goetz's leave of absence, effective April 18, 2005, through June 24, 2005, at a $134.96 per
diem with no sick days or personal days.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Professional Services Agreement – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the President of the Board of Education be authorized to execute a professional agreement with Management Advisory Group of N.Y., Inc. for the purpose of reviewing and re-filing all state aid filings for the allowable years with the State Education Department at a cost of 15% of monies claimed by re-filing these documents. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
2004-05 Advisor Stipends – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that payment be approved for the
advisors listed on schedule A-1:
High School
Class of 2005 Jody Sebura $750
Jennifer Potter $750
Class of 2006 Debbie Merrell $450
Seth Cosens $450
Class of 2007 Michelle Muraca $450
Sara Welch $450
Class of 2008 Stephanie Semple $450
Diana Browning $450
Yearbook Michaeline Rader $1,650
Diane Hunt $550
Honor Society Holly Brozzetti Fuller $400
Paul Gould $300
Student Council Kathy More $333.33
Debbie Merrell $333.33
Jennifer Potter $333.33
Spirit Kathy More $200
Debbie Merrill $200
Jennifer Potter $200
SADD Kathy More $500
Mathletes R.J. Robertson $500
Mock Trial Sara Welch $450
TBD
Peer Leaders Paul Gould $375
Jennifer Potter $325
Oneitta Ludwig $225
Karen Lyke $125
Science Olympiad Aaron Kaminsky $150
Michael Pavlovich $150
Scholarship Challenge Debbie Merrell $250
Mathways to the Stars Lorraine Buckley $1,400
Andrea Gresko $1,400
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Cooperative Group Bid Milk/Ice Cream, Juice/Water Products Etc. – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that be it RESOLVED that the Board of Education of Susquehanna Valley CSD participate in the Co-operative Bidding for Milk/Ice Cream Products, Juice/Water Products, Cereal, Spices, Canned Goods, Meat/Cheese Products, and
Paper Products for the school year 2005-06 with other school districts in New York State, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Mark Bordeau, Director of Food Services, Susquehanna Valley CSD, or designee be
designated to receive and open said bids and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Susquehanna Valley CSD reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all bids.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Cooperative Group Bid Paper and Miscellaneous Food Products – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that be it RESOLVED that the Board of Education of Susquehanna Valley CSD participate in the Co-operative Bidding for Juice Vending/Water Products and Dishwasher/Chemical Bid for the school year 2005-06 with other school
districts in New York State, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Mark Bordeau, Director of Food Services, Susquehanna Valley CSD, or designee be
designated to receive and open said bids and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of Susquehanna Valley CSD reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all bids.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Playground Equipment Donation – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Board of Education accept a donation from the Donnelly PTA consisting of new "Prime Time swings" and one "Add-A-Bay," valued at $1972, marketed by GameTime, Inc., to be installed at the Donnelly campus. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Board of Education Meeting – Rescheduled – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the June 16, 2005 Board of Education meeting be rescheduled to Wednesday, June 22, 2005. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
2nd Budget Vote Timeline – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the following timetable for
the second budget for Susquehanna Valley be approved:
Tuesday, May 31 Special Board of Education meeting to adopt 2nd budget
Tuesday, June 7 Budget due and available
Tuesday, June 14 Budget Hearing
Wednesday, June 22 Budget Vote (Board of Education meeting)
Mr. Stank reported that he will be meeting with the Administrative Cabinet on Monday, May 23 to discuss possible reductions to the budget. Mrs. Moriarty and Mrs. Hamilton asked for a budget work session so the Board could review the budget before the May 31 adoption date. A budget work session will be held on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:00 p.m. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Resolution Certifying Annual Meeting Election – Board Member Mrs. Pollock offered the following resolution and
moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION SHOWING TABULATION OF VOTES CASTAND DECLARATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE BALLOT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ON MAY 17, 2005
WHEREAS, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Education of Susquehanna Valley Central School District, County of Broome, New York, duly adopted on March 17, 2005, the Annual Meeting and Election was duly called and held on May 17, 2005, for the purpose of voting on the budget and for three (3) members of the Board of Education as set forth
in the Notice calling the Annual Meeting and Election;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT,COUNTY OF BROOME, NEW YORK, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. It is hereby determined that the Annual Meeting and Election held in this School District on May 17, 2005 was held in all respects in the manner prescribed by the Education Law of the State of New York.
Section 2. The Statement of Inspectors of Election has been presented to the Board of Education of said School District and said Board has examined said Certificate and tabulated it.
Section 3. This Board has this day canvassed the returns contained in such Certificate of the Inspectors of
Election and HEREBY DETERMINES the number of votes cast "for" and "against" the budget to be as follows:
RE: 2005-2006 BUDGET
MACHINE TOTAL FOR: __593___
MACHINE TOTAL AGAINST: __630___
ABSENTEE
FOR:___8___ TOTAL FOR: __601___
AGAINST:___2___ TOTAL AGAINST: __632___
Section 4. It is HEREBY FURTHER DETERMINED that the budget was not passed by a majority of votes cast and is hereby declared to be rejected.
Section 5. This Board has this day canvassed the returns as contained in such Certificate of the Inspectors of
Election and HEREBY DETERMINES that the number of votes cast for the respective candidates is as follows:
Machine Votes
MARY HASKELL __770____
WILLIS VERMILYA __363____
JOHN FINCH __292____
HOLLY FINCH __252____
KEVIN McGUIGAN __715____
DONNA PFLANZ-MAY __397____
JOHN POLLOCK __451____
ABSENTEE
Total Votes
MARY HASKELL ____5____
WILLIS VERMILYA ____4____
JOHN FINCH ____3____
HOLLY FINCH ____0____
KEVIN McGUIGAN ____6____
DONNA PFLANZ-MAY ____3____
JOHN POLLOCK ____4____
That the total number of ballots cast for each of the candidates is as follows:
Total Votes
MARY HASKELL __775____
WILLIS VERMILYA __367____
JOHN FINCH __295____
HOLLY FINCH __252____
KEVIN McGUIGAN __721____
DONNA PFLANZ-MAY __400____
JOHN POLLOCK __455____
Section 6. It is HEREBY DETERMINED that Mary Haskell, Kevin McGuigan, and John Pollock are elected as members of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2008.
Section 7. As evidence of the several determinations hereinabove made, pursuant to Section 2034 of the Education Law of the State of New York, this Board has adopted this resolution.
Section 8. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
RESOLUTION SECONDED BY Mr. Storm
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses) The resolution was adopted.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Melamed
Resignation – Teacher Aide – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the resignation of Barbara Winseman, teacher aide, Brookside, be accepted effective June 24, 2005. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
SVTA Representative – Mrs. Hattala provided the Board with a response from Oneitta Ludwig, SVTA President, to a letter received from Janice Young. Mrs. Hattala also asked that Dan Cuomo, NEA/NY UniServ Representative, be allowed to address the Board in Executive Session.
SVESSA Representative – No Report
Student Council Representative – No Report
CORRESPONDENCE – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Legislative Committee – No Report
Health Committee – Mrs. Young reported that the Consortium met on May 13. The rate increase will be 11.7% Mrs. Young talked about the experience modification rate for SV, which was at 99.9% and stated that SV will be assessed a
surcharge if the District keeps going over.
New Board Member Committee – No Report
Committee on Public Relations – No Report
School to Work Committee – No Report
Strategic Planning Committee – Mrs. Pollock reported that the material has not been sent out yet and she is not sure why.
Chem Free After Prom Committee – Mrs. Moriarty reported that the Gateway Welcome Center fundraiser is being held May 20-22. The prom party is coming up in June.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Daniels reported that the National Honor Society induction was held last night, Holly Brozzetti Fuller and Paul Gould are the advisors. Mr. Daniels also talked about the Mock DWI crash demonstration and praised Mr. Hutchinson for all his hard work getting this together. Kathy More was also actively involved and Mr. O'Hearn came back to help with the demonstration.
OLD BUSINESS – Mrs. Young told the Board that they have an opportunity to purchase "SV Fan" tshirts.
Mrs. Rader asked that the April 21, 2005 Board of Education minutes be corrected in the part where she spoke about the Superintendent negotiations to read: Mrs. Rader stated that in her experience on the Board that one person from each term negotiated the standing Superintendent's contract and that the Board Attorney and President negotiated the contract for a new Superintendent. Mrs. Rader spoke at length on the superintendent search, saying that this was not a fair search, and that this is a very difficult time in the District and the Board needs to act as a team in selecting the new superintendent.
Mrs. Rader read a letter to the editor, written by Denise Telfer of Corbettsville, in which the SV Administration was praised for its actions regarding the environmental issues at Cedarhurst. The letter stated that "The administration has gone (and I am sure will continue to go) 'above and beyond' in dealing with the issue."
Mrs. Rader reported on the History of the District book which is in the process of being written. The committee will be meeting in June. Mrs. Rader stated that condensed Board minutes are being put into the book so it is important that minutes be correct. The committee is waiting for guidance from the Board as to whether to proceed with the publishing of the book after a decision is made on the budget. One committee member has suggested that the book still be written and one copy presented to the Board.
Mrs. Rader also commented on the comment regarding Mr. Stank's salary that was made at the Budget Hearing on May 10. Mrs. Rader personally thanked Mr. Stank and Mr. Melamed on a job well done and stated that they are worth every penny that the District has paid for their outstanding leadership during these very difficult months.
Mrs. Rader stated that in every discussion about negotiations it is always the teacher's union that is brought up and there are also other union contracts being negotiated.
NEW BUSINESS – Mrs. Young introduced Mary Haskell and John Pollock, elected to the Board of Education to serve a three year term beginning July 1, 2005.
Newspaper Clippings Reported On – Student joins honors organization – Kelli Ayres becomes member of Sigma Alpha Lambda, the national leadership and honors organization at Binghamton University. Student inducted into honor society –Mary Larkin, Hartwick College, has been inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha the national political science honor society. SV energizes space travel – NASA program to put pupils' signed poster aboard shuttle – students at Brookside sign poster, picture of Whitney Scott. High Rise – SV's Laviska uses Internet to learn pole vault skills – article and picture of Kelli Laviska.
Mrs. Pflanz-May congratulated the boys baseball and girls softball teams for their great season. Mr. Daniels reported that Jake Urda has been named the Press & Sun-Bulletin Athlete of the Week. Mrs. Pollock reported that her son, an SV graduate, is graduating from Brown University and will be working in Senator SchumerÕs office in Washington D.C.
Newspaper Clippings Submitted – Boys tennis – CF 6, SV 1. 180 protest SV impasse over contract. Vaulters expect to challenge Section 4 record at Rotary – Kerri Laviska going for Section 4 pole vault record. Boys baseball – Two-run homers propel SV to victory, SV 9, Horseheads 8. Boys track and field Parkhurst Invitational –Team score SV 10. Boys tennis – SV 4, Binghamton 3. Boys baseball – SV 7, Norwich 0. Girls softball – SV 17, Norwich 1. Girls softball – SV 8, WP 1. Boys baseball – SV 7, WP 2. Boys tennis non-league – Waverly 4, SV 3. Boys baseball non-league – Elmira SS 7, SV 5. Boys baseball – SV 12, Oneonta 5. Boys tennis – SV 4, ME 3. SV's Wiggins stifles Oneonta – SV 2, Oneonta 0. Misses at 10 feet in vault frustrate runner-up Laviska – picture of Kerri Laviska, Rotary Invitation Team Score SV 24. Girls softball – UE to pit offense against SV's ace. Track and Field Boys and Girls Seeds for the Southern Tier Athletic Conference championships. Wiggins' 1-hitter keys SV to STAC softball final, SV 6, UE 0. Boys baseball – Binghamton, SV, Windsor chasing first STAC titles. STAC Championships Track and Field – Boys Team Score 6, Girls Team Score 20. Dissent, duty drive school races –Budget, board concerns lead to contested seats. Girls softball – SV pays a debt in 11-4 victory –SV 11, Brewster 4. STAC boys baseball playoffs – Semifinals – Binghamton 6, SV 4. Weekend Penguin discount sale draws a crowd – picture of Teddi Black, Donnelly Teacher. Girls softball – Susquehanna Valley snaps Williamsville South's 45-game softball win streak, SV 2, Williamsville 1. State Girls Softball Rankings – SV 2nd in Class A. Girls softball Mirabito Tourney – SV 2, Williamsville South 1; SV 3, Blue Ridge 0; SV 6, Horseheads 1. Girls track and field Section 4 Class B Penthathlon – Molly McQuigan 2nd. Rested Wiggins back for SV in title game. SV, O-A vote down budgets – results of May 17 Board and School Board vote. Boys tennis – Class tourneys are set to begin on Thursday. Horseheads wears down Sus Valley – Sabers give up 3-run lead, lose STAC title, Horseheads 4, SV 3.
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #2 (Non-Agenda Items) – Mr. Albrechta asked if the Board would be listening to public input on the proposed budget being put up for vote on June 22. Mr. Gorgos replied that the Board will be having a budget work session on May 25 which is open to the public.
Mrs. Rader reported that Steven Gorgos was named Academic All-Star on WBNG-TV.
Mrs. Ruffo, as a former colleague, sincerely thanked Mr. Finch, Mrs. Pflanz-May, and Mrs. Pollock for their service on the Board of Education. Mrs. Ruffo stated that she knows how committed to the District they are. Mrs. Ruffo also stated that she was glad to see seven candidates running for the three Board seats.
Mrs. Young introduced the new Superintendent, Carol Boyce. Mrs. Boyce thanked everyone for making her feel welcome.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the Board of Education meet in Executive Session to
discuss negotiations and personnel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
At 8:19 p.m. the Board recessed.
At 8:41 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.
At 9:38 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.
Superintendent of Schools – Mr. Finch made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District hereby appoints Carol S. Boyce, as Superintendent of
Schools for a term July 5, 2005 and continuing through June 30, 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education adopt and authorize as part of the term of appointment all those conditions set forth in the SuperintendentÕs Employment Agreement between the Susquehanna Valley Central School
District Board of Education and Carol S. Boyce dated May 19, 2005 and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized and directed to execute
said employment agreement.
Upon poll vote the motion was approved. (7 yeses, 2 noes) (Finch, yes; Bishop, yes; Pflanz-May, yes; Bowers, no; Moriarty, yes; Storm, no; Hamilton, yes: Pollock, yes; Young, yes) Mrs. Young read a statement regarding her vote: "I truly believe that as President of the Board of Education it is my role to strive to work together with my fellow Board members to achieve consensus on important issues. However, I more firmly believe in having strength and courage in one's convictions. One of my first duties as President of this Board was to address our staff on their first day of school. This was and is the same staff that I have always held in the highest regard and I wanted to send a strong message to that effect in my address. Because of this, I carefully crafted a speech that would let the staff know from the top on down that they were first and foremost respected and also appreciated for the hard work that they do for this District. I know that they heard my message and truly believed what I had to say. This staff collectively sent a strong message to the Board of their unconditional support of their peer and coworker. Now, when my actions need to speak louder than any words that I spoke or could speak, I feel convicted that I have to send a message back to them that I listened and that I concurred. But, more importantly, since we cannot change the outcome of this vote and the majority rules, I ask that same staff, for the sake of the District that we love and serve, to stand side by side with me in full support of our new Superintendent of Schools. Even though my loyalties might say no, again, for the sake of this District I vote yes."
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that the Board of Education meet in Executive Session to
discuss negotiations and personnel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
At 9:46 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.
At 10:22 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, 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 10:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk