PROPOSED                                                       APPROVED MINUTES

MINUTES                                                           DECEMBER 1, 2005

of the                                        SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION

of the

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Held in the Senior High School, Music Room

Conklin, New York, County of Broome

 

 

MEMBERS     Mrs. Janice Young                                               

PRESENT:      Mrs. Eleanor Hamilton                                                     

                       Mr. John Pollock                                                 

                       Mrs. Mary Haskell                                               

                       Mrs. Alicia Bishop                                              

                       Mrs. Christine Moriarty 

                       Mr. Raymond Storm (arrived at 7:07 p.m., personal)

                       Mr. Kevin McGuigan

                       Mrs. Julia Bowers (arrived at 8:25 p.m., personal)

 

ALSO             Mrs. Carol Boyce, Superintendent

PRESENT:      Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board

                       Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk

                       Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist

                       Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal

                       Mrs. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal

                       Mrs. Debbie Merrell, Math Teacher, High School

                       Mr. Stephen Potter, AIS Teacher, Cedarhurst

                       Mrs. Jennifer Potter, Special Education Teacher, High School

                       Mrs. Shannon Hogan, 4th grade Teacher, Cedarhurst

                       Mrs. Diane Hunt, Math Teacher, High School

                       Mrs. Barbara Pool, PE/Health Teacher, High School

                       Mr. Al Plouffe, Physical Education Teacher, High School

                       Mr. Seth Cosens, Business Teacher, High School

                       Mrs. Connie Porterfield, BK/RR Teacher, Cedarhurst

                       Mrs. Kathleen Searing, English Teacher and Department Chair, High School

                       Ms. Meghan Snell, Special Education Teacher, High School

                       Mrs. Elizabeth Strnatka, Special Education Teacher, High School

                       Mr. Evan Romer, Math Teacher, High School

                       Mr. Rick Cleary, Science Teacher, High School

                       Mrs. Sharon Rowe, Language Teacher and Department Chair, High School

                       Mrs. Oneitta Ludwig, English Teacher, High School, and SVTA President

                       Ms. Diana Homoleski, Physical Education Teacher, Cedarhurst, and SVTA Vice President

                       Ms. Kate Andreatti, NEA-NY Teachers Union Representative for SVTA

                       Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier

                       6 residents, 2 students

 

Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.

 

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, to accept into record the attendance for the December 1, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve as amended the minutes of November 17, 2005 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses) 

 

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Mr. David Finch voiced his concern that Mrs. Boyce was being interviewed by the media during the Voice of the Public at the November 17 meeting.  Mr. Finch felt she should have stayed at the meeting or a break should have been taken while she was interviewed.  Mrs. Boyce explained that the media was on a deadline and could not wait until the end of the meeting.  Mr. Pollock stated that he appreciated Mrs. Boyce's judgment to be interviewed by the media at that time, and that he felt it was appropriate.  Mrs. Young stated that she did not call for a break because she thought it would fuel the fire of the already heated Voice of the Public.

 

Mr. Finch and Mrs. Debbie Merrill expressed their concern with what they feel are big class sizes at Cedarhurst.  Mrs.

Boyce reviewed the class sizes at Cedarhurst. 

                                                # of Students

BK, 1 class                                 14

Kindergarten, 2 classrooms            21, and 23   (3 students leave the class of 23 for special education classes)

1st Grade, 2 classrooms                 21, and 24   (4 students leave the class of 24 for special education classes)

2nd grade, 3 classrooms                 18, 16, and 15   (3 students leave the class of 15 for special education classes)

3rd grade, 3 classrooms                  16 in each class

4th grade, 3 classrooms                  16, 16, and 15

5th grade, 3 classrooms                  16, 16, and 17

 

Some students leave the regular classroom to go to a 12:1:1 class.  When they are in the regular classroom, there is an aide that accompanies them.  Mrs. Young replied that the DistrictÕs hands are tied and no additional staff can be hired while the District is on the contingency budget.  Mrs. Young stated that the public should be informed of the overall ramifications of being on the contingency budget this year.

 

Mr. Jerry Derrick stated that he appreciates getting a response to his question about transporting children past Donnelly to Cedarhurst but would like to know if there is another reason why – are children transported to Cedarhurst based on their family income.  Mrs. Young and Mrs. Boyce both responded absolutely not, that it would be discriminatory.  Mr. Derrick also asked about special services students in the classroom, could they be put in their own classroom, and if there are special services students in all the schools.  Mr. Gorgos explained that it is federal and state law to have special services students in regular classrooms.  Mrs. Boyce, Mrs. Simpson, and Mr. Daniels talked about the special services students in all the schools.  Mrs. Bishop talked about the two elementary level self-contained programs for grades K-2 at Cedarhurst and grades 3-5 at Brookside.  Mr. Daniels talked about the planning that goes into class sizes and how it can change at a moment's notice with students that come into the schools after September 1, there can be few options as to the grade level or school placement.  Mr. Daniels stated that it makes it very hard to maintain the number of students in a classroom and the staff.  Mr. Finch stated that he has heard that a 2nd grade teacher will be retiring from Cedarhurst in the spring and asked if the teacher will be replaced.  Mrs. Boyce replied that the situation will have to be looked at in the spring, taking into consideration all the retirements and staffing requirements.

 

Mr. Finch and Mrs. Merrill talked about the air quality situation at Cedarhurst, stating that now that the cold weather is here and the school is closed up their children are sick.  This will be looked into.

 

Mrs. Rader stated that for years the District has had problems with classroom sizes, some years there are small classes and other years there are big classes.  Mrs. Rader also stated that she was appalled that at the last meeting Board members were put in a situation to raise their hands and asked to resign.  Mrs. Rader then talked about the negotiated contracts, stating that she thought they had been signed but found out recently that they were not and asked why.  Mr. Gorgos explained that wording for a very complex retirement tax law was being looked at, that the language in the contract had to be right.  The agreements are in place and the contracts will be signed when the language is right.  Mrs. Rader stated that everyone worked very hard in the past to bring the school community together.  Mrs. Rader feels that the hard work needs to be done again to bring the school community together.  Mrs. Rader stated that its takes the school and the community to raise the children.

 

SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT – Mrs. Boyce

Mrs. Boyce reported that she met with the Conklin senior citizens to discuss what concerns they might have with the District.  Mrs. Boyce and Debbie Preston, the Conklin Town Supervisor, are working on a walking track through the high school building for residents for the winter months.

 

Special Education Recommendations – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the Susquehanna

Valley Board of Education:

*    Authorize the 7 services recommended on CPSE list dated November 18, 2005

*    Authorize the 30 services recommended on CSE list dated November 2, 2005

*    Authorize the 15 services recommended on CSE list dated November 7, 2005

*    Authorize the 8 services recommended on CSE list dated November 9, 2005

*    Authorize the 1 services recommended on CSE list dated November 17, 2005

*    Authorize the 18 services recommended on CSE list dated November 16, 2005

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses) 

 

School Policy #5005 – 2nd Reading – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the Board approve Policy #5005 Starting Wage Differentials.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Appointments – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that following appointments be approved:

Name                             Position                        Certified                    Rate of Pay            Effective Date

Jamilynn Poletto          Substitute Teacher                   Non-Certified             As per contract              12/2/05

  (Elementary and Middle Schools only)

Lauren Martin              Substitute Teacher                   Non-Certified             As Per Contract             12/2/05

Andrew Garlach            Substitute Teacher                   Non-Certified             As Per Contract             12/2/05

Lisa Klein                   Substitute Teacher                   Certified                    As Per Contract             12/2/05

Brendan Heslin            Modified Assistant Girls                                          As Per Contract             2005-06

                                 Basketball Coach                                                                                      School Year

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

2006-07 BOCES Services – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that be it Resolved, that the unit cost methodology is hereby approved for shared services with the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the 2006-07 school year.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Wage Increase – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that due to the minimum wage increase

effective January 1, 2006, to $6.75 per hour, that the wage be increased for the following personnel:

Ralph Fuller                             Teacher Aide

Michelle Howland                     Teacher Aide

Angela Keefer                           Teacher Aide

Yvonne Kourliouros                  Teacher Aide

Theresa Cieply                          Food Service Helper

Judith Davis                             Food Service Helper

Mildred Harding                       Food Service Helper

Michele Prozeralik                     Food Service Helper

Sharon Terwilliger                     Food Service Helper

Cynthia VanAtta                       Food Service Helper

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Food Service Worker – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Storm, that the resolution to approve the resignation of Maryann Travis, food service worker, effective December 22, 2005; and the resolution that the appointment of Maryann Travis as substitute foodservice helper, at a rate of $6.75 per hour effective January 3, 2006 be held for discussion in Executive Session.

 

Leave of Absence – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that William Baird, custodian, be granted an unpaid medical leave of absence, effective November 15, 2005, through December 19, 2005.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

2005-06 Advisors – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that Roxanne Terry and Rachel Perry receive a $250 stipend for Odyssey of the Mind advisors at Cedarhurst for 2005-06; and that Kristin Oliver and Nichole Shultz receive a $250 stipend for Odyssey of the Mind advisors at the Middle School for 2005-06.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Cheerleading Clothing Donation – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept a donation to the Junior Varsity Cheerleading Program from Dick's Sporting Goods

valued at $500 for the following items:

Five (5) Gold Nike Shirts ($35 each)

Five (5) Navy Nike Shorts ($35 each)

Five (5) Navy Nike Pants ($35 each)

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Wage Increase – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that due to the minimum wage increase

effective January 1, 2006, to $6.75 per hour, that the wage be increased for the following personnel:

           Name                       Position                    Name                       Position

           Alycia Mullins           Lifeguard                   Marie Bieber              Lifeguard

           Nicole Ragard            Lifeguard                   Kristin Jamba             Lifeguard

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

BOCES Services – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that payment in the amount of $171,599.55 be approved for the supplemental cost for BOCES Services.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Mrs. Boyce reported that Connie Porterfield, Susanne Ganoung, Nancy Coon, and Gail Markstein have been named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT – No Report

 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton reported on the Board Presidents and Vice Presidents Roundtable she attended with Mrs. Young.

 

VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mrs. Simpson reported that parent conferences were held at all the elementary schools today and that the schools are working on the 3rd and 5th grade testing coming up.  Brookside's winter concert is next week.  Pasta Fiesta was held last night.

 

Mr. Daniels reported on students nominated for scholarships:

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program:  Elizabeth Kearns, Brendan Bialy, Josh Hall, John Marshall and Keaton Rood

Principal's Leadership Award:  Brendan Bialy

 

High school students and staff are working on a holiday gift drive for needy families.

 

SVTA – No Report

 

Executive Session – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the Board of Education meet in

Executive Session to discuss negotiations and the held motions.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8

yeses)

At   8:05 p.m. the Board recessed

At   8:35 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session

At  11:13 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session

 

Food Service Worker Resignation– Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the resignation of Maryann Travis, food service worker, be accepted effective January 2, 2005.   Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Food Service Helper – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the appointment be approved of Maryann Travis as substitute food service helper, at a rate of $6.75 per hour effective January 3, 2006.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, 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