APPROVED MINUTES

PROPOSED                                                 APRIL 20, 2006

MINUTES                             REGULAR MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION

of the                                                                        of the

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

Held in the Senior High School, Auditorium

Conklin, 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                                                                        

                        Mrs. Julia Bowers                                                          

                        Mr. Kevin McGuigan                                                                  

                       

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

                        Ms. Celia Bucek, District Business Coordinator

                        Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist

                        Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal

                        Mr. Charles Hutchinson, High School Assistant Principal

                        Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Middle School Principal

                        Ms. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal

                        Ms. Mary Frances Charsky, Donnelly Principal

                        Mr. Robert Callahan, Cedarhurst Principal

                        Mr. Angelo Ranieri, Director of School Facilities

                        Ms. Maureen Kline, Director of Special Services (CSE)

                        Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics

                        Mr. Don Gerlach, Director, Technology Department

                        Ms. Natalie Brubaker, Health Teacher, Middle School

                        Mr. Chris Monticello, Social Worker, Middle School

                        Ms. Kay Andreatta, NEA/NY UniServ Representative

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

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

                        Mr. George Basler, Press & Sun-Bulletin

                        Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier

                        WBNG News

                        Approximately 30 teachers, 30 residents, 20 students

 

Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:10 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 April 20, 2006 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 – "Sportsmanship – Treating opponents with fairness and courtesy."

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to approve the minutes

of the April 4, 2006 Special Meeting of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve as amended the minutes of the April 6, 2006 Special Meeting of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2006 Special Meeting of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma

Presentation – Mr. Monticello, Mr. Tagliaferri and Natalie Brubaker talked about the Alcohol and other Drug Student Information Program (ADSIP), a component of the Yes! Safe Choices for Kids Program. Students Vincent Chong, Corey Kline, Matt Cornwell, Lisa Donahue, Sarah Haskell, Camden Hodges, James McKeage, and Mackenzie Rounds performed a typical ADSIP presentation that is done at the elementary schools.

 

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Residents George Frailey, Jerry Wheelock, David Finch, Lisa Robinson, Wendy Stettinius, and Susan Sands voiced their concerns with the proposed 2006-07 budget and the change of use of Cedarhurst. They talked about longer bus rides, loss of teachers, and bigger class sizes. Mr. Ken Goldberg asked if there would be more discussion on the budget before it is approved. Mrs. Young and Mrs. Boyce replied that the discussion would only be about revenue, not the spending plan. Mr. Pollock and Mr. Jack Bell talked about the work of the Budget Advisory Committee, the hours spent going over the budget and the tough decisions that had to be made.

Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Stettinius asked if Cedarhurst was being closed because of the air quality issue last year. Mrs. Boyce replied no, that Donnelly was renovated more recently and that asbestos abatement has to be done at Cedarhurst. Mrs. Young stated that this has been one of the difficult decisions, and that it is the best way to produce the greatest education for the tax dollar. Mrs. Rader talked about the writing of the history book, how she does not think any other district has done this, the community input needed for the book, and how SV has always had controversies. Mrs. Rader read a letter from Anthony Ruffo, describing his days of attending SV and now working at SV. Mrs. Rader stated that she hopes that with the decisions made the people will stay involved and that the words "school" and "community" mean all. Mike Hoskins, student, stated that he loves this District, has faith in the Board members, and that the teachers go the extra mile. Mike voiced his concern that the community does not know what is going on and that the District needs to get information out. Mike also voiced his concern with voter turnout at past elections. Connie Williams suggested that during kindergarten orientation families should be invited to tour Donnelly and Brookside. Mrs. Boyce reported that a variety of things are being looked at to help everyone with the transition.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT – Mrs. Bucek stated that there were two months of extracurricular reports. Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the March financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce

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

Appointments: That the following emergency conditional appointment be approved pending fingerprint

clearance and criminal background check:

Name                        Position                      Certified              Rate of Pay         Effective Date

Robert Orr              Substitute Teacher                Certified                 As Per Contract         4/11/06

 

Secretary – That Tammy Manning be appointed permanent secretary, currently assigned in the High School Guidance Office, effective April 5, 2006, at a salary per contract.

 

Donations – That be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept a donation by the RTS Middle

School PTO of $500 for three fans to be placed in the upstairs wing of the Middle School;

That be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept a donation by the Donnelly PTA of $800

for field trip transportation to Cooperstown, NY;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education extends its sincere appreciation for these generous donations.

 

Italy Trip – That a student trip to Italy, organized by Betta Borrelli over the April break 2007, be approved. The trip will be completely funded by the students for a total cost of $2,400.

 

Board of Education Resignation – That be it RESOLVED that the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education hereby accept the resignation of Alicia Bishop from the remainder of her term as a member of the Board of Education effective immediately.

 

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

 

Professional Auditing Services – Mr. McGuigan explained the work of the Audit Committee. Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to authorize the president of the Board of Education to sign the engagement letter with Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little and Mickelson to provide professional auditing services for the years ended June 30, 2006, 2007, and 2008, at an annual cost of $17,000, $17,000, and $17,900 respectively. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Leave of Absence Extension – Mr. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that Kathleen More, Middle School teacher, be granted an extension to her personal leave of absence, effective June 23, 2006, through January 1, 2007, in accordance with Article 8.H.1 of the SVTA contract. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Adopt 2006-07 Budget – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopts the proposed 2006-07 General Fund Budget in the amount of $29,368,401 and puts forth said budget before the public for approval on May 16, 2006. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Property Tax Report Card – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does and hereby accepts the Property Tax Report Card in concurrence with the adoption of the 2006-07 General Fund Budget to be forwarded to the NYS Education Department. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Vote Inspectors – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that be it RESOLVED that Ken Goldberg

serve as Chairperson of the Special Meeting, and Jean Terry to serve as Alternate.

That Angelo Ranieri serve as Chief Inspector of the Vote and Nancy Mangino serve as the Alternate Chief Inspector.

The following persons are nominated to serve as Assistant Clerks and/or Inspectors of the Election: Lila Acker, Jodie Bealo, Shirley Cox, Anita Gabriel, Cindy Gabriel, Mary Harris, Kay Kane, Nancy Mangino, Pat Shelton, Sue Sutton,

Jean Terry.

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

 

Instructional Retirement – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the resignation of Julia Anselm, reading teacher, Donnelly, be accepted effective June 23, 2006. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Instructional Transfer – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Storm, that the instructional transfer of Alexia Miller to a reading position with a two year probationary period be approved. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

Vacant Board Seat – Mrs. Boyce asked for Board direction on filling the seat left vacant by Mrs. BishopÕs resignation. Mr. Gorgos explained that it is too late to add that newly-vacated seat to the ballot for the May 16, 2006 election. Mr. Gorgos further explained that the Board can appoint someone to the seat now or postpone this until July, when the next Board will start. The Board discussed this and decided to appoint someone as soon as possible for a one year period. The Board will accept letters of interest from candidates through May 3, 2006. Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, for the Board of Education to appoint a member from letters of interest to fill the vacant Board of Education seat. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Young reported on the senior class trip, which she chaperoned.

 

SVTA – Ms. Ludwig read a statement from SVTA that they are severely distressed by the loss of 15 teaching positions and that this will impact students and staff. SVTA is interested in working with the District on the process. The increased class size will have a long range effect on classroom behavior, and there will be a decrease in contact time with students in physical education, art, and music. SVTA asked that other alternatives be considered which would have a less devastating effect.

 

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

Executive Session to discuss personnel and negotiations. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)

At 9:09 p.m. the Board recessed

At 9:35 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session

At 12:32 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Hamilton 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 12:32 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk