APPROVED MINUTES      

PROPOSED                                                 DECEMBER 15, 2005

MINUTES                             REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION

of the                                                                        of the

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

             Held at Donnelly Elementary School   

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

                        Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk

                        Ms. Celia Bucek, District Business Coordinator

                        Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist

                        Ms. Mary Frances Charsky, Donnelly Principal

                        Ms. Eileen Cooley, Speech Teacher, Donnelly

                        Ms. Cheryl Butcher, 1st Grade Teacher, Donnelly

                        Mr. Jim Scanlin, 3rd Grade Teacher, Donnelly

                        Ms. Sharon Corea, Reading Teacher, Donnelly

                        Ms. Vickie Valentine, Special Education Teacher, Donnelly

                        Ms. Sue Shamberger, Kindergarten Teacher, Donnelly

                        Mr. Cliff Kasson, Administrative Intern, Donnelly, and Technology Teacher, High School

                        Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal

                        1 resident

 

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. Haskell, to accept into record the attendance for the December 15, 2005 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 – "Joyful – Showing happiness and optimism."

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to approve the minutes of the November 29, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to approve as amended the minutes of the December 1, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 (Agenda Items) – No Comments

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma

Presentation – Ms. Charsky, Ms. Shamberger, Ms. Corea, Ms. Butcher, Ms. Cooley, Mrs. Valentine, Mr. Scanlin, and Mr. Kasson gave a presentation on how the teaching of literacy is approached by the entire faculty and staff.  Examples were displayed of each grade level activity from BK/K through Grade 5.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the November financial reports.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce

Resolutions – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, to approve the following resolutions:

Special Education Recommendations: That the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education:

á       Authorize the 1 service recommended on CPSE list dated December 9, 2005

 

2005-06 Advisor:  That Teddi Black receive a $500 stipend for Odyssey of the Mind advisor at Donnelly for 2005-06. 

 

Appointments:  That the following appointments be approved:

Name                              Position                    Certified             Rate of Pay             Effective Date

Kimberly VanHart     PT/Sub Teacher Aide                                    $6.75 per hour         12/16/05

Susan Soboleski        PY/Sub Teacher Aide                                    $6.75 per hour         12/16/05           

Jennifer Lewis           Substitute Teacher             Non-Certified         As Per Contract       12/16/05

Diana Freeland          Substitute Teacher             Non-Certified         As Per Contract       12/16/05

Merwin Fuller           Substitute Teacher             Certified               As Per Contract       12/16/05

                                                                    French 7-12

 

Emergency Conditional Reappointment:  That the reappointment be approved of Christina Preston, teacher aide, special education, currently assigned to the High School, as an emergency conditional appointment, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check, effective December 15, 2005. 

 

Wage Increase:  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                              PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Michelle Howland                       PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Angela Keefer                             PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Yvonne Kourliouros                    PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Karen Burns                               PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Della Finney                              PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Rhonda Sharak                           PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Barbara Sabine                           PT/Sub Teacher Aide

Theresa Cieply                           PT/Sub Food Service Helper

Judith Davis                              PT/Sub Food Service Helper

Mildred Harding                         PT/Sub Food Service Helper

Michele Prozeralik                      PT/Sub Food Service Helper

Sharon Terwilliger                      PT/Sub Food Service Helper

Cynthia VanAtta                         PT/Sub Food Service Helper

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

 

Appointment – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the resolution to appoint Janet White as a Long-Term PT/Sub Typist at the rate of $9.85 per hour, effective July 1, 2005, be held for discussion in Executive Session.

 

Audit Committee – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that WHEREAS, pursuant to Education Law section 2116-c, school districts employing more than eight teachers are required to establish, by

resolution of the Board of Education, an audit committee by January 1, 2006; and

WHEREAS, the audit committee shall oversee and report to the Board of Education in an advisory capacity regarding the DistrictÕs internal and external audit functions and shall have such other responsibilities as may be set forth in Education Law Section 2116-c or as may be promulgated by the New York State Education Department;

and;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the provisions of section 2116-c of the Education Law, the Board of Education does hereby appoint the following individuals as members of the Audit Committee of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District, each to serve until a successor has been appointed by resolution of the

Board of Education:  Kathy Blackman, Kenneth Goldberg, William Bialy, and Kevin McGuigan.

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

 

Resolutions – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, to approve the following resolutions:

2005-06 Mentors: That the following mentors be appointed for the 2005-06 school year at the stipend

specified:

Ellen McCormick         Mentor Coordinator         $2500

Natalie Brubaker           (2 mentees)                     $1600

Jack Fox                     (2 mentees)                     $1600

Paula Skube                (2 mentees)                     $1600

Debbie Merrell                                                 $1000

Peggy Guyette                                                 $1000

Jennifer King                                                   $1000

Cliff Kasson                                                    $1000

Erin Foster                                                      $1000

Virginia Perry                                                  $1000

 

Field Trip Permission:  That the following class field trips be approved for Donnelly Elementary (all admissions, transportation, and snacks to be provided by PTA):

o      1st Grade: Anderson Center @ BU, May 5, 2006

o      2nd Grade:  Bement Billings Farmstead, Newark Valley, May 4, 2006

o      3rd Grade: Kopernik Observatory, June 9, 2006

o      4th Grade:  Owego Railroad, Date TBD in May or June

o      5th Grade:  Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame, Date TBD in May or June

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

 

Nursing Position Change – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the resolution to reduce the number of days per week worked for Christine Wettstone, Cedarhurst nurse, to three days per week with the remaining two days to be worked by the long-term substitute teacher, Sonia Stewart for the remainder of the 2005-06 school year be held for discussion in Executive Session.

 

Long-Term Substitute Teacher – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the appointment be approved of Marcy Ambro as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at the Middle School, during Kathleen More's leave of absence, expected to begin January 3, 2006 through the remainder of the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal days.  Also, to approve Marcy to substitute for two days prior to her long-term substitute position begins.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Bus Proposition – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the following proposition be placed before the voters for consideration at a Special District meeting to be held on February 14, 2006, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and the District Clerk is directed to take all necessary steps to arrange for

the publishing of the notice of such meeting and all required actions associated therewith:

Shall the Board of Education of the District purchase one 30 passenger bus at a cost not to exceed $67,665.49, and four 66 passenger buses, each at a cost not to exceed $89,647.49, and to expend therefore not to exceed the estimated total of $423,255.45 as above itemized, including preliminary costs and costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, and said sum of $423,255.45 is hereby approved and appropriated therefore and serial bonds of

the District are authorized to be issued in the principal amount not to exceed $423,255.45?

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

 

Mrs. Boyce provided the Board with information on the six hours of training on fiscal responsibility and budgeting, which will be held on January 21, that new Board members must attend.

 

Mrs. Boyce and Mr. Ranieri have come up with an indoor walking route through the high school for residents to use during the winter months.  The High School will be open to residents for walking from 6:30-7:30 am and 4:30-6:30 pm any day school is in session Monday through Friday starting January 9, 2006.

 

Mrs. Boyce reported on the utility rates that the District has locked into through the consortium.

 

Mrs. Boyce reported on the budget contingency cap for 2006-07.

 

The following teachers have been named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers:

High School                                           Middle School

Meggan Olds                                          Kathleen More

Paul Gould                                             Mary Eagan

Megan Cleary                                         Andra Gresko

Kathleen Searing                                     Brian Staiger

Katherine Hattala                                     Colleen Selby

Richard Cleary                                        Michele Burns

Katherine Engle                                       Jayne Benson

Betta  Borelli

Richard Brice

Eileen Miller

Sharon Repp

 

The District has received an invoice from the Broome County Chamber of Commerce for membership dues in the amount of $563.00.  It was decided not to renew at this time.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Young reported that Allen Buyck will be presenting to the Board on January 12 on team building and becoming a better Board member.

 

Mrs. Hamilton reported on the SVESSA holiday party and the Kirkwood Historical Society holiday party that she attended.

 

Mrs. Bowers stated that there have been some good articles in the Press & Sun-Bulletin, one talking about the committees just set up (Budget Advisory Committee, Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee, Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee) and another one showing a picture of Erin Foster working on spelling with students. 

 

Mrs. Moriarty asked if the reception to meet the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent will be scheduled.  The reception is tentatively scheduled for January 24.

 

Mr. Storm reported on two articles in the School Board News – a guest viewpoint by Michael Levine and an article on school districts extending school days.

 

VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Ms. Charsky thanked everyone for coming to Donnelly tonight.  Ms. Charsky reported on the ELA tests scheduled for January and on the holiday festivities in December.

 

Mr. Daniels reported that the holiday gifts will be delivered to needy families next week.  Mr. Daniels reported on students eligible for scholarships for academic excellence:  Jennifer Bryan, Megan Rychlewski, Nicole Lyon, Keaton Rood, Elizabeth Kearns, and Brendan Bialy.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the Board of Education meet in Executive Session to

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

At   8:11 p.m. the Board recessed.

At   8:17 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session.

At   9:24 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.

 

Appointment – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the appointment be approved of Janet White as a Long-Term PT/Sub Typist at the rate of $9.85 per hour, effective July 1, 2005.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

Nursing Position Change – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to approve the reduction in the number of days per week worked for Christine Wettstone, Cedarhurst nurse, to three days per week with the remaining two days to be worked by the long-term substitute teacher, Sonia Stewart for the remainder of the 2005-06 school year.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mr. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, 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 9:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk