APPROVED MINUTES      

PROPOSED                                                     AUGUST 18, 2005

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. Eleanor Hamilton                                                    

                        Mrs. Mary Haskell                                                          

                        Mrs. Alicia Bishop                                                         

                        Mrs. Christine Moriarty

                        Mrs. Julia Bowers                                                          

                        Mr. Kevin McGuigan

                       

ABSENT:         Mr. John Pollock (business)

                        Mr. Rusty Storm (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. Mike Chacanaco, Country Courier

                        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. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to accept into record the attendance for the August 18, 2005 Regular 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 Mr. McGuigan, to approve the minutes of the August 4, 2005 Special Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Mrs. Bowers questioned the approval of the July 7 Regular Meeting minutes and the voting on the Confidential Exempt  Employees Increase motion.  The Board discussed the approval of the minutes and the voting on the motion.

 

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 (Agenda Items) – Mrs. Elizabeth Waite stated that she was attending the Board meeting to hear the changes in the Student Attendance Policy.

 

FINANCIAL REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the June financial reports and the July financial reports.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce

Mrs. Boyce reported that she went to Roberson, along with Dr. Stalma, to meet with Dale Ketchum to discuss educational programs.  Mr. Daniels and Mr. Hutchinson were awarded $935 at the 5th Annual Golf for Scholars to go to the Susquehanna Valley Scholarship Foundation/Dollars for Scholars.

 

School Policy 4190 – The Board discussed the proposed changes to Policy 4190 Student Attendance.  Mrs. Moriarty asked for the rationale behind the changes.  Mrs. Boyce explained that each year students are recognized for perfect attendance and it is felt that excellent attendance also needs to be recognized.  With the current policy, if a student is out during the first part of the day, when attendance is taken, they are considered absent.  If a student leaves early, after attendance is taken in the morning, they do not lose their perfect attendance standing.  Excellent attendance would be awarded for students who have excused tardies or early departures with no absences.  The Board also discussed making excellent attendance available for students in the 2004-05 school year that failed to achieve perfect attendance because of an excused tardiness or early departure.  The 1st Reading of this policy is tabled while Mr. Gorgos works on some wording.

 

Instructional Leave of Absence – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that Lynn Goetz, elementary teacher, Cedarhurst, be granted a paid personal leave of absence, effective September 6, 2005, for the 2005-06 school year.  She will use sick time, personal time, sick bank, and Family and Medical Leave.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Long-Term Substitute Teachers – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that the appointment be approved of Ilene Whitney as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Cedarhurst, during Lynn Goetz's leave of absence, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal days; and that the appointment be approved of Jean McArdle as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Cedarhurst, during Susan Ciaravino's leave of absence, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal days.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

2004-05 Tax Warrant – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that WHEREAS: Chapter 73 of the

Laws of 1977, amended 1318, subdivision 1 of the Real Property Tax Law:

BE IT RESOLVED:  That the Board of Education apply $500,000 to the reduction of the tax levy;

BE IT ADDITIONALLY RESOLVED:  To the tax collector of the Susquehanna Valley CSD, Towns of Binghamton,

Conklin, Kirkwood, Vestal, and Windsor, County of Broome, New York State, you are hereby commanded:

1.     To give notice and start collection on September 6, 2005 in accordance with the provisions of 1322 of the Real Property Tax Law.

2.     To give notice that the tax collection will end on October 31, 2005.

3.     To collect taxes in the total sum of $11,640,489 in the same manner that collectors are authorized to collect town and county taxes in accordance with the provisions of 1318 of the Real Property Tax Law.

4.     To make no changes or alterations in the tax warrant or the attached tax rolls but shall return the same to the Board of Education.  The Board may recall its warrant and tax roll for correction of errors or omissions in accordance with the provisions of 553 and 556 of the Real Property Tax Law.

5.     To forward by mail to each owner of the real property listed on the tax rolls within 10 days after the start of the collection a statement of taxes due his/her property on press-numbered tax bill forms provided by the school district in accordance with the provisions of 922 of the Real Property Tax Law.  To forward by mail, without interest penalties, to the Office of the County Treasurer a detailed tax bill of all state land parcels liable for taxes on the school tax rolls in accordance with provisions of 540 and 544 of the Real Property Tax Law.

6.     To receive from each of the taxable corporations and natural persons the sums listed on the attached tax rolls without interest penalties when such sums are paid before the end of the first month of the tax collection period.  To add two percent interest penalties to all taxes collected during the second month of the tax collection and to add three percent interest penalties to all taxes collected during any part of the third month of the tax collection period and to account for such sums as income due to the school district.

7.     To issue receipts in acknowledgement of receipt of payments of taxes and to retain, preserve and file exact copies of all receipts issued as required by 986 of the Real Property Tax Law.

8.     To promptly return the warrant at its expiration and if any taxes on the attached tax rolls shall be unpaid at that time, deliver an accounting thereof on forms showing by Town the total assessed valuation, tax rate, the total tax

      levy, the total amounts remaining uncollected as required by 1330 of the Real Property Tax Law.

This warrant is issued and delivered in accordance with 1306 and 1318 of the Real Property Tax Law.  It is effective immediately after it is properly signed by a majority of the Board of Education.  This warrant shall expire on the date stated above unless a renewal or extension has been endorsed on the face of this warrant in writing in accordance with

1318, subdivision 3 of the Real Property Tax Law.

Mrs. Boyce provided the Board with a copy of the equalization rates for 2004 and 2005.  Mr. Gorgos explained equalization

rates and how they are determined.

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses) (Haskell, yes; Bishop, yes; Moriarty, yes; Hamilton, yes; Young, yes; Bowers, yes; McGuigan , yes)

 

Long-Term Substitute Teachers – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the appointment be approved of Colleen Goff as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Donnelly, during Sharon Corea's transfer to Reading Recovery/AIS Teacher, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick or personal days; that the appointment be approved of Jessica Pavelski as a certified part-time long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Brookside, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal days; that the appointment be approved of Mikian Royer as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at the High School, during Jody Sebura's leave of absence, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal day; and that the appointment be approved of Lisa Klein as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at the High School, during Eileen Miller's leave of absence, effective for the 2005-06 school year, at a $185.33 per diem with no sick days or personal days.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Resignation – Long-Term Substitute – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the resignation of Alissa Brand, as long-term substitute, be approved with regret effective August 16, 2006.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Special Education Liaison Coordinator – Mrs. Bishop made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, to appoint Jennifer Potter as Special Education Liaison Coordinator for the 2005-06 school year at a stipend of $1,600.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce

Resignation – Teacher Aide – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the resignation of Jessica Moscicko, teacher aide, High School, be accepted effective August 22, 2005. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Substitute Teachers 2005-06 – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bishop, that the following substitute

teacher renewal appointments be approved for the 2005-06 school year, all effective August 29, 2005:

Alicia Marean                             Non-Certified

Daniel Munson                           Certified

Mandy Wagstaff                          Non-Certified

Sarah Wilcox                              Non-Certified

Todd Van Volkinburg                  Certified

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Substitute Support Staff 2005-06 – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the following substitute

support staff renewal appointments be approved for the 2005-06 school year, all effective August 19, 2005:

Michele Prozeralik             Food Service Helper       @ $6.25 per hour

Rhonda Sharak                 Teacher Aide                 @ $6.50 per hour

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

School Nurse – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the emergency conditional appointment be approved of Autumn Thabet as School Nurse, currently assigned at Donnelly, at a rate of $13.36 per hour, effective August 29, 2005, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check.  Mrs. Young made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to hold this for discussion in Executive Session.

 

Teacher Aide – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that the appointment of Katherine Williams be approved as a special education teacher aide, currently assigned at Brookside, at a rate of $6.92 per hour, effective September 6, 2005.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

 

Dr. Stalma reported that orientation for new teachers will be held August 31 – September 1.  Dr. Stalma also reported that all the textbooks have been ordered and the school year is getting off to a good start.  Dr. Stalma spent some time in Albany learning about consolidated grants and she is working on the grant applications SV will be submitting.  Mrs. Boyce and Dr. Stalma are preparing for staff development days. 

 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Young reminded Board members of upcoming work sessions:

*       What it means to be a Board of Education Member - Presenters:  Ken Goldberg and Sandy Ruffo.  Scheduled for August 29, at 7 p.m.

*       Developing our Budget – Presenter: CBO.  Scheduled for September 22, at 7 p.m.

*       Team Building – Presenter:  Al Buyck.  Scheduled for October 13, at 7 p.m.

 

CORRESPONDENCE – Mrs. Young reported that a get well card was sent to Sherri Donnelly Slater (surgery) and a sympathy card was sent to Jim Hull (father passed away).

 

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS – None

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #2 (Non-Agenda Items) – No Comments.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

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

discuss personnel and the held motion.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (7 yeses)

At  8:19 p.m. the Board recessed.

At  8:34 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session. (Mrs. Moriarty had to leave during Executive Session)

At  9:25 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session.

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the meeting be adjourned.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (6 yeses)

 

There being no further business, Mrs.Young adjourned the meeting at 9:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk