APPROVED MINUTES
PROPOSED OCTOBER 20, 2005
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION
of the of the
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Held in the Cedarhurst Elementary School Cafeteria
Kirkwood, New York, County of Broome
MEMBERS Mrs. Janice Young
PRESENT: Mrs. Eleanor Hamilton
Mr. John Pollock
Mrs. Mary Haskell
Mrs. Christine Moriarty
Mr. Rusty Storm
Mr. Kevin McGuigan
Mrs. Julia Bowers
ABSENT: Mrs. Alicia Bishop (personal)
ALSO Mrs. Carol Boyce, Superintendent
PRESENT: Dr. Renee Stalma, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board
Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Ms. Irina Pecheny, Central Business Office
Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal
Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics
Mr. Robert Callahan, Cedarhurst Principal
Mrs. Jennifer King, 1st Grade Teacher, Cedarhurst
Mrs. Roxanne Terry. Kindergarten Teacher, Cedarhurst
Mrs. Sue Ganoung, 2nd Grade Teacher, Cedarhurst
Ms. Danielle Shaller, Special Education Teacher, Cedarhurst
Ms. Barbara Heath, Special Education Teacher, Cedarhurst
Ms. Mary Shaw, Kindergarten Teacher, Cedarhurst
Ms. Bev Collins, Secretary, Cedarhurst
Mrs. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School, SVTA Representative
Mr. Jeff Renner, Art Teacher, High School
Mrs. Karen Ostanek, Sr. Library Clerk, Cedarhurst
Ms. Christine Kalinowski, DÕArcangelo & Co., LLP
Ms. Kacey Shephard, DÕArcangelo & Co., LLP
10 residents, 11 students
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to accept into record the attendance for the October 20, 2005 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma
Presentation – Mrs. Jennifer King, Ms. Roxanne Terry gave a presentation on programs at Cedarhurst – Daily Bytes, Kid Writing, and morning program. Mr. Callahan reviewed some of the committees at Cedarhurst and a new program, Alpha-Fit, started by Diana Homoleski. Mrs. Moriarty asked if the Kid Writing program was being shared with Brookside and Donnelly. Dr. Stalma reported that it is starting to be implemented in the other buildings and that the success of the program has to be looked at.
AUDIT REPORT – Ms. Christine Kalinowski gave an overview of the 2004-05 school year audit.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 (Agenda Items) – Mrs. Sue Ganoung talked about teaching at Cedarhurst and stated that she was proud of the people that came tonight and that the students are in good hands. Mr. David Finch, Ms. Holly Finch, and Mrs. Cathy Gardner voiced their concern with class sizes at Cedarhurst and not having aides to help the teachers in the classrooms. They feel some students are falling behind. Mrs. Young replied that their concerns are understandable and that this is the first the Board is hearing of this. The District's hands are tied while on contingency budget, there is no money for additional staff. A Reorganizational Committee, comprised of community members, staff and administrators is being formed and this is one of the areas the committee will look at, to find a cost effective way to work on this situation. Mrs. Young also stated that this Board and previous Boards have taken extreme pride that they have done everything in their power not to cut teachers, other areas may have suffered but teachers have remained. Mrs. Bowers stated that we need more parent involvement in the schools and talked about a reading program at the Middle School that needs volunteers. Mr. Jerry Derrick asked if there are children being transported to Cedarhurst that go by Donnelly School and asked why. Mrs. Young stated that there are and she will look into this and reply to Mr. Derrick. Mrs. Mary Rader stated that teachers gave up their raises to keep teaching staff and talked about what she has heard regarding how other districts feel about this. Mrs. Rader also stated that we are still suffering after a group does this and she is hoping that in years to come this will be rectified. Mrs. Rader said that many have worked hard to keep pride for SV and there has to be a solution so you don't have 23, 24, 25 students in a classroom with no aides. Mr. Derrick stated that he feels the District should either cut down on the number of buildings or work on making the District grow. Mr. Derrick suggested cleaning up the elementary buildings to make them more appealing to families moving to this area. Mrs. Young stated that committees are going to be formed to look at the budget, facilities, capital projects and reorganization. Mrs. Boyce stated that the District is doing a state required five year facilities survey right now and is also looking at the potential of additional energy conservation. The District will be studying both the facilities report and energy statistics.
Mr. Jeff Renner thanked the Board for trying to pass the budget and save jobs. Mr. Renner brought some of Windsor Central School District's financial concerns to our attention and wondered if we have similar ones. Mrs. Young replied that the full analysis is not done yet on the situation at SV.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Ms. Pecheny reviewed the tax accounting columns on the financial report. Mrs. Boyce reported that we are right on schedule with the tax collection. Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the September financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce
School Board Recognition – Governor Pataki has declared October 24-28 School Board Recognition Week. Mrs. Boyce read Governor Pataki's proclamation and thanked the Board for all their hard work and dedication to the District.
Appointments – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that following appointments be approved:
Name Position Location Rate of Pay Effective Date
Linda Hlopko Long-Term Substitute Brookside $185.33 per day 11/3/05
Eugenie Johnston Teacher Aide Middle School $6.92 per hour 10/21/05
Della Finney Substitute Teacher Aide $6.50 per hour 10/7/05
Karen Canini Substitute Teacher 10/7/05
(reappointment, non-
certified)
James Madigan Substitute Teacher 10/12/05
(reappointment, non-
certified)
Nicole Ragard Lifeguard $6.50 per hour 10/21/05
Mark Schuster Assistant JV Wrestling As Per Contract 2005-06
Coach (1st year) School Year
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Appointment – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that following appointment be approved:
Name Position Location Rate of Pay Effective Date
Steve Haskell Asst. Modified Girls As Per Contract 2005-06
Basketball (1st year) School Year
Upon poll vote the motion was approved. (7 yeses, 1 abstain) (Pollock, yes; Haskell, abstain; Moriarty, yes; Storm, yes; Hamilton, yes; McGuigan, yes; Bowers, yes; Young, yes)
Advisor Stipends (Correction) – Mr. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the following advisor
stipends be corrected:
Student Council Jennifer Potter $333.33
(Previously two reps Gina Rachmaninoff $333.33
@ $500 each) Sharon Repp $333.33
Science Olympiad Michael Pavlovich $150.00
(previously one rep Gary Priscott $150.00
@ $300)
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Resolution – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that 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 2005-06 as follows:
Use Source
02022110-450 A980-2705
(Cedarhurst Teaching-Materials & Supplies) (Gifts & Donations)
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Marching Band 2005-06 – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the following
appointments for 2005-06 be approved:
Marching Band Director Meggan Olds $3300
Marching Band Assistant Lisa Klein 1000
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Instructional Leave of Absence – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that Barbara McCain, Brookside teacher, be granted a paid/unpaid maternity leave of absence, effective January 23, 2006 through April 10, 2006. She will use discretionary days, sick bank, and Family and Medical Leave. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Activity Advisors Update – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that Michael Pavlovich and Matt Schneider be approved as Science Olympiad advisors at a previously approved stipend of $500 each for a total of $1,000. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
School Tax Reimbursement – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the following refund be
approved due to the STAR basic exemption not being applied for the tax years 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06:
Payable To Tax Map Year Amount
Robert and Francine Williams 194.11-1-10 2005-06 $800.97
89 Carlin Road 2004-05 797.38
Conklin, NY 13748 2003-04 777.18
Total $2375.50
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
School Tax Reimbursement – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the following refund be
approved due to duplicate school tax payments made by two escrow companies:
Payable To Tax Map Amount
Statewide Settlement 177.03-2-5 $1,264.61
5578 East Avon Plaza, Suite G
Avon, NY 14414
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Mrs. Boyce provided the Board with a copy of the presentation the Central Business Office gave to her on New Fiscal Accountability Legislation.
Mrs. Boyce reported that two organizations and one resident donated school supplies to Cedarhurst: St. Mary's Church in Kirkwood, NYSEG, and Mr. and Mrs. Bealo.
BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Young reminded the Board of the next work session:
* Team Building – Presenter: Al Buyck. Scheduled for November 10, at 7 p.m.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Wilson reported that Nicole Ragard is being named Academic All-Star on WBNG-TV. The JV Boys Soccer team is undefeated and is heading into the playoffs this weekend. The physical education teachers attended a conference at Chenango Valley and the school nurses had an orientation and worked on the procedures manual. The JV cheerleaders placed 5th and the Varsity cheerleaders placed 2nd in competition. Athletics is finishing up senior recognition days.
Mr. Daniels reported on the new student management computer system being used in the high school.
Mr. Callahan thanked the staff and parents for the team effort at Cedarhurst.
SVTA – Mrs. Hattala thanked the Board on behalf of the SVTA for their time and effort. Mrs. Hattala stated that the Board is very visible, approachable, and are always seeking teachers out and asking questions.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the Board of Education meet in Executive Session to
discuss personnel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
At 8:27 p.m. the Board recessed.
At 8:40 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.
At 10:03 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.
The Board by consensus on CouncilÕs advice, requests to have our auditor, D'Arcangelo & Co., LLP, provide a supplementary report regarding the nature and amount of the fund balance of the District as reported in their audit for the year ending June 30, 2005.
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, 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 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk