APPROVED MINUTES
PROPOSED SEPTEMBER 16, 2004
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
Mrs. Eleanor Hamilton
Mrs. Susan Pollock
ABSENT: Mr. Rusty Storm (illness)
ALSO Mr. John Paske, Superintendent
PRESENT: Mrs. Dawn Shannon, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board
Ms. Celia Bucek, District Business Coordinator
Ms. Diane Kalmen, School District Clerk
Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal
Mr. Charles Hutchinson, High School Assistant Principal
Mrs. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal
Ms. Mary Frances Charsky, Donnelly Principal
Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics
Mr. Tim OÕHearn, School Wellness Coordinator
Mrs. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School, SVTA Representative
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Mrs. Karen Bidwell, Physical Education Teacher, Middle School
Mr. Ken Bidwell, Assistant Varsity Football Coach
Mr. Leonard Carissimo, DÕArcangelo & Co, LLP
Mrs. Mary Rader, History of the District CPR Subcommittee
Mr. Jerry Wheelock, Fire Chief, Kirkwood Fire Co., District 1
Mr. Richard Jones, Commissioner of Public Works, Town of Kirkwood
Fox 40 News
Mr. Mike Chacanaco, Country Courier
21 residents, 3 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. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, to accept into record the attendance for the September 16, 2004 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Middle School Word of the Month – Mrs. Young read the Middle School Word of the Month – "Positive – dependable, to be counted on, to fulfill one's obligations and promises."
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2004 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Paske
Resolution – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that be it Resolved that the President of the Board of Education is authorized to execute a consulting agreement with Keystone Associates, LLC, for the purposes of performing transportation safety reviews at bus stop locations as selected by the Superintendent of Schools, at a cost not to exceed $5,000. Mrs. Young reported that 7 Board members took a bus tour of the District and reviewed some bus stops. Mr. Paske explained that there are a lot of bus stops at the bottom of hills, and some roads in the District that are narrow and steep. Mr. Paske also stated that under Education Law students in grades 6-12 can walk 3 miles to the bus stop, grades BK – 5 can walk 2 miles. The Board policy is students in grades 6-12 can walk ¾ of a mile, and grades BK-5 can walk ½ mile. Mrs. Moriarty stated that she thought the cost should not exceed $1,000 for now and if more was needed it could be reviewed and approved later. Mrs. Young and Mrs. Bishop spoke in support of keeping it at $5,000 and reviewing as many stops as possible. Mr. Gorgos stated Keystone Associates indicated that the cost would be more in the $500 to $1,000 range. Mr. Gorgos also stated that it may be possible for the Town of Kirkwood to use data from the transportation safety review to get the speed limit reduced for the Burts/Sullivan Road and Sullivan/Gorman Road bus stops. The Board discussed the cost of the safety reviews and decided that the cost should not exceed $5,000. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 (Agenda Items) – Residents voiced their concerns about bus stops: Mr. David Finch, Mr. Jerry Derrick, Mr. Jerry Wheelock, and Mr. Richard Jones - Burts/Sullivan Road and Sullivan/Gorman Road; Mrs. Jennifer Hawley - Webb Road; Mrs. Heather Orahim - Lathrop Road; Mrs. Sonia Stewart and Ms. Linda Clugstone - Stewart Road; and Mr. Dominick Bailey - Schofield Road. Residents asked if anything would be done to change a bus stop if the safety review by Keystone Associates, LLC, shows a stop to be unsafe. Mr. Gorgos reported that the Board of Education is doing what is appropriate and that the Board and the District will not ignore any recommendations from Keystone. Mr. Tom Albrechta stated that the District should take the money that was spent on parking for high school students in the front of the school and spend it on providing safer bus stops for elementary students. Mr. Wheelock suggested that Keystone associates contact all the fire departments in the District because the fire departments may be able to provide them with information they could not normally get. Mrs. Jennifer Hawley asked what could be done to change the Board policy on bus stops. Mr. Gorgos explained that residents would have to sign a petition asking for a proposition to be put before the voters to approve the funding of door-to-door bus service. Mr. Richard Jones, CPW, Kirkwood, stated that the town could look at the radius on the roads again and think about making some of them bigger to accommodate the school buses. Mrs. Rader stated that Sharleen Vascello, Director of Transportation, is doing her job and following the Board policy with bus stops. Mrs. Young stated that the Board appreciates everyoneÕs comments and that the Board is concerned about safety. The Board will take everything that was said under advisement and discuss these issues.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Mr. Finch made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the August financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT Continued – Mr. Paske
Audit Report – Mr. Leonard Carissimo gave an overview of the 2003-04 school year audit. Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that the 2003-04 Independent Audit Report submitted by DÕArcangelo & Co, LLP be accepted by the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Leave of Absence – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that the Board of Education approve the paid Family and Medical Leave of absence of Sandra Morgan, Math Teacher, RTS Middle School, to care for a family member on an "as needed" basis. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
2004-05 Department Chairpersons – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the following be
appointed Department Chairpersons at a stipend to be determined at a later date:
John Burd Middle School Art
Kathleen Searing High School English
Sharon Rowe High School Foreign Language
Jayne Benson Middle School Library
Ann Laczak Middle School Life Skills
Sandy Morgan Middle School Math
James Apicella High School Music
Lorraine Buckley High School Science
Gina Rachmaninoff High School Social Studies
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Auction Autos/Tractor – Mrs. Pflanz-May made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Pollock, that a 1993 Blue Chevy Lumina, VIN#2G1W54T4P9234119; a 1980 GMC blue stake body truck, gas 8-cylinder, VIN#T16DAAV606484; and a 1964 International Cub Lo-Boy tractor, gas ID#8841 be sold at auction. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Auction Vehicles – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that three (3) 1991 GMC vans that no longer pass DOT inspection due to excessive decay of the bodies and undercarriage, leaks, etc. be sent to the Whitney Point school bus auction. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Instructional Appointment – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Finch, that Carolyn Orzel be appointed reading teacher (2004-05 assignment ½ at Donnelly, ½ High School), effective September 17, 2004, at a salary of $35,231, with a three year probation and eligible for tenure September 17, 2007. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
2004-05 Mentors – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the following mentors be appointed for
the 2004-05 school year per contract under negotiations:
Ellen McCormick – Mentor Coordinator
Debbie Merrill (2 mentees)
Cliff Kasson (2 mentees)
Mike Pavlovich
Ann Laczak
Mark Woitach
Bobbi McCain
Beth Beiber
Ann Vitovsky
George Schuster (2 mentees)
Paula Skube (2 mentees)
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Tim O'Hearn, School Wellness Coordinator, provided an update on the pertussis outbreak and the District's response.
Mr. Paske provided a list of students of non-resident employees attending SV tuition free, volunteer assistants for fall sports, and children being home schooled. Open Houses and Homecoming are coming up. There will be a BTSBA meeting on October 13 and Coughlin and Gerhart will be holding a seminar on "Labor and Employment Law Update" on October 20.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Shannon
Resignation - Bus Driver – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the resignation (due to medical reasons) be accepted and approved of James Kocak, Bus Driver, effective September 2, 2004. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Substitute Teachers – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the following substitute
teacher emergency conditional appointments be approved, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check*,
effective 9/17/04:
Laurie A. Henderson Certified M.S., Binghamton University, Education
B.S., SUNY Cortland, Elem. Education
Joshua D. DeLorme Non-Certified B.A., Binghamton University, Economics
Colleen M. Goff Certified Renewal Appointment (2003-04 Sub List)
*Fingerprint Clearance Received
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Salary Correction (Hourly Rate) – Mrs. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the following correction
in hourly rate be approved:
Sharon Galli PT/SUB Typist $13.81 per hour Effective 7/9/04
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Mrs. Shannon provided a summary of the conference days held September 7 and 8.
SVTA Representative – No Report
SVESSA Representative – No Report
Student Council Representative – No Report
CORRESPONDENCE – None
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Legislative Committee – No Report
Health Committee – No Report
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 committee needs to meet. She would like a copy of the
Standards of Excellence in the next Board packet for committee members to review.
Chem Free After Prom Committee – Mr. Hutchinson reported on the upcoming fundraisers: Gateway Welcome Center and a golf tournament. The next meeting is October 5 at 7:00 p.m.
History of the District CPR Subcommittee – Mrs. Mary Rader reported that committee members have gone through 2,395 slides, and she is going through snapshots. There are some things in Mr. Hull's office to go through. They would like to have the book ready for printing by February. Mrs. Rader reviewed quotes from two publishers, one three times higher than the other one. Mrs. Rader thought the Board had committed to funding the book at the June 17 Board meeting. It was not in the June 17 minutes that the Board had committed to funding the book. Mrs. Rader also stated that it was suggested that Mrs. Pflanz-May look into any grants that might be available to help publish the book. Mr. Paske explained that the Board had not committed to the funding. Mr. Gorgos stated that he would have to meet with Celia Bucek to see how the printing could be funded. Mr. Gorgos will provide an answer to Mrs. Rader within a week.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mrs. Simpson reported on opening days in the elementary schools. The PTAs are meeting in all the elementary schools. There will be a Donnelly School playground fundraiser on September 18. Open Houses are coming up. Mr. Daniels reported on opening days at the high school and freshmen orientation.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS – None
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #2 (Non-Agenda Items) – Mrs. Rader complimented Mrs. Young on her excellent speech on opening day. Mrs. Rader stated that the article in the paper on "School Boards 'last resort' for parents seeking solutions" was a good article. Mrs. Linda Stark asked about the math lab and if it is necessary for every student. Mrs. Stark stated that the lab keeps students, including her children, from taking other electives. Mrs. Shannon spoke about the math lab and how it helps Math A and B students. Mrs. Shannon suggested that Mrs. Stark meet with Mr. Daniels and a math teacher to discuss the lab. Mrs. Becky Arnold and Mrs. Jeanne Caruso asked about the Varsity Boys' Basketball coaching position and the procedure for filling it. Mr. Paske explained that coaching positions are posted every year, that the Athletic Director reviews applications and interviews candidates and makes a recommendation to the Board. The recommendation for the Varsity Boys' Basketball coaching position may be on the agenda for the October 7 Board meeting.
Mrs. Pflanz-May read the newspaper clippings. Boys' soccer – Owego 3, SV 3. New QB looks good as Windsor spoils debut of SV Coach Haskell – Windsor 22, SV 16. Girls' soccer – SV 3, Owego 3. Girls' swimming – CV 129, SV 56. Girls' tennis – outlook of team for this year. Picture of Connie Fabrizi and her grandsons. Summer might be over but its lessons linger – Nick Hellmers, Cedarhurst student, highlighted. Orientation eases kindergarten fears – Mary Frances Charsky quoted. Boys' cross country – outlook of team for this year. School Boards 'last resort' for parents seeking solutions – Sandra Ruffo quoted. Boys' soccer – SV 5, JC 0. Boys' cross country – ME 20, SV 43. Girls' cross country – ME 22, SV 39. Girls' soccer – JC 3, SV 2. Back to School – On the Alert for Whooping Cough – Tim O'Hearn quoted. Girls' swimming – SV 108, Windsor 72. Student Awarded Scholarship – Jessica Lewis receives New York Lottery 2004 Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship. SV unable to harness Forks offense – CF 52, SV 14. Windsor Invitational Cross Country – SV 7th, score of 176. Girls' tennis – SV 4, Windsor 3. Boys' soccer – SV 5, ESS 0. Boys' soccer – SV 9, Windsor 0. Golf – SV 211, Windsor 226. Girls' soccer – SV 6, Windsor 0. Boys' cross country – SV 22, JC 37. Girls' cross country – JC 23, SV 33. Golf – CF 203, SV 209. Boys' soccer – SV 2, CV 0. Boys' soccer – SV 2, CV 0. Whooping cough cases reported at UE, SV – Tim O'Hearn quoted. Parents say 2 SV bus stops unsafe.
Mr. Daniels reported that the morning news showed Joel Patch making three goals in soccer.
Mr. Paske provided an enrollment update for the 2nd day of school.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, 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 9:50 p.m. the Board recessed.
At 10:06 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.
At 10:43 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.
Mr. Paske asked for direction on what the transportation safety review should involve. The Board discussed the safety review.
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
There being no further business, Mrs. Young adjourned the meeting at 11:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk