APPROVED MINUTES

PROPOSED JANUARY 18, 2007

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

Mr. John Pollock

Mrs. Mary Haskell

Mr. Rusty Storm

Mrs. Julia Bowers

Mr. Kevin McGuigan

ABSENT: Mr. Bill Yelverton (vacation)

Mrs. Christine Moriarty (business)

ALSO Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Interim Superintendent

PRESENT: Dr. Renee Stalma, Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board

Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk

Ms. Celia Bucek, Central Business Office

Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal

Ms. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal

Ms. Mary Frances Charsky, Donnelly Principal

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

Mr. Mark Bordeau, Director of Food Service

Mr. Don Gerlach, Director of Technology

Mr. Gerald Abbey, Director of School Facilities

Ms. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School

Mr. Jack Bell, Co-Chair, Budget Advisory Committee

Ms. Connie McKinney, Press & Sun-Bulletin

Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier

5 residents, 11 students

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. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to accept into record the attendance for the January 18, 2007 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2007 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Mrs. Carol Rozboril stated that the Swim Club would like to know before they hire a coach if the District pool will be available for their use. Mrs. Young stated that she thought there was a Swim Club, that the first she had heard there was not was the other night. Mrs. Young apologized for the Board not having knowledge of this. Mrs. Young asked that Mrs. Rozboril, and other parents involved with Swim Club, meet with Mr. Tagliaferri, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Abbey to find out if the pool is available before hiring a coach. Mr. Tagliaferri stated that he would be happy to meet on this and asked to be given time to meet with Mr. Wilson to be brought up to speed

on the situation before meeting with the parents.

Mr. David Finch asked where the request for more practice time for SRUSA soccer stood. Mr. Tagliaferri reported that additional practice time within the custodial hours at Cedarhurst was provided to SRUSA soccer. Mr. Tagliaferri also reported that he is looking at building use policies and procedures, past practices, and charges to outside groups for using school facilities. Mr. Tagliaferri is also looking into other concerns such as contractual issues when non-school activities are scheduled outside of school hours, the impact on the buildings with wear and tear, cost for utilities, access and security. Mr. Tagliaferri stated that he is sensitive to the community desires to use school facilities.

FINANCIAL REPORT – Ms. Bucek reported that everything is running on schedule. Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the December financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Tagliaferri

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

Instructional Leave of Absence – that the following teachers be granted a leave of absence:

Name Paid/Unpaid Anticipated Dates

Michael Vavra Paid 1/22 – 2/9/07 Discretionary, FMLA

Kelly McMahon Paid 3/6 – 4/17/07 Discretionary, Sick Bank, FMLA

Long-Term Substitute Teachers – that the appointment be approved of Lauren Martin as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at Donnelly Elementary, during Michael Vavra's leave of absence, effective January 22 through February 9, 2007, at a $112.81 per diem with no sick days or personal days; that the appointment be approved of Allison Cass as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at RTS Middle School, during Natalie Brubaker's leave of absence, effective January 8 through June 13, 2007, at a $188.02 per diem with no sick days or personal days; that the appointment be approved of Paul Buckley as a certified long-term substitute teacher, assignment at RTS Middle School, during Matthew Schneider's leave of absence effective January 24 through February 16, 2007, at a $112.81 per diem with no sick days or personal days.

Student Health Services – that payment of a $2,954.88 invoice be approved for providing health services to sixteen (16) Susquehanna Valley resident students ($184.68 each) attending non-public schools in the Chenango Forks CSD during 2006-07 school year.

2006-07 Mentors – that the following mentors be appointed for the 2006-07 school year at the stipend specified:

Ellen McCormick Mentor Coordinator $2500

Natalie Brubaker $1000

Peggy Guyette $1000

Jennifer Gaffney $1000

Valerie Hoffman $1000

Diane Hunt $1000

Ann Laczak $1000

Jo Anbro $1000

Activity Advisor – that the following advisor stipend be granted for the 2006-07 school year:

Name Program Stipend

Betta Borrelli Mock Trial $900

Drama Club Activity Account – that a Middle School student activity Drama Club account be opened for the 2006-07 school year. Shirley Goodman and Eugenie Johnston will be the unpaid staff advisors.

Budget Transfers – to approve the following transfers:

FROM: DESCRIPTION: TO: DESCRIPTION: AMOUNT:

09989770-700 District Wide/Debt 09481420-400 District-Wide/Legal/ $14,000.00

Service/RAN/Interest Contractual Services

07305510-434 Bus Garage/ 09481420-400 District-Wide/Legal/ $13,000.00

Transportation/ Contractual Services

Diesel Fuel

07305510-438 Bus Garage/ 09481420-400 District-Wide/Legal/ $13,000.00

Transportation/ Contractual Services

Private Carrier

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

Instructional Appointment – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that be it RESOLVED, that Kathleen More vacate her secondary math position and is recommended for an appointment to a probationary position of secondary social studies teacher effective January 24, 2007, eligible for tenure January 24, 2009. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

Donation – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept the donation of weight equipment listed on Schedule A from the SV Grid Iron Club for

the Susquehanna Valley weight room.

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

donation.

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses) Mrs. Haskell acknowledged Rich Massar and Kevin Moriarty for obtaining this equipment and everyone who helped get the weight room ready. Mrs. Haskell stated that this will benefit our students and that everyoneÕs help in this project is greatly appreciated. Mr. Tagliaferri reported that the equipment was inspected on Wednesday and should be transferred on Saturday.

Senior Typist – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the emergency conditional appointment be approved of Karen Comella as senior typist, currently assigned ½ in the High School Guidance Office, ½ in the Technology Office, at a rate of $8.75 per hour, effective January 24, 2007, pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

Mr. Tagliaferri reported that the February 1 Board meeting will be in the High School with a building walk-through for Board members at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Tagliaferri stated that January 24 is National School Nurses Day and talked about the competent, caring nursing staff the District has. Mr. Tagliaferri reported that SV passed the first portion of the annual SED food service evaluation on the administrative component with flying colors. The nutritional evaluation will take place on February 9. Audit Committee members will be receiving information about training that will be taking place in February. The mandated Fiscal Training for Board members may be offered online, Mr. Tagliaferri will let Board members know when he receives more information. Mr. Tagliaferri reported that eyes are being kept open for grant opportunities and Mrs. Kline is working on a transition grant for $200,000. This grant requires a partner and Windsor has been approached to participate with SV.

Mr. Tagliaferri reported on his building walk-through of Cedarhurst. Most of the rooms are empty, but there is still some furniture, art supplies, books and other materials in the building. Administrators are working with Mr. Tagliaferri to go through what is left to see if it can be used in another building in the District. Anything that cannot be used in the District may be sold during an auction. Mrs. Haskell asked if the old Mac computers left in Cedarhurst could be used at Donnelly. Mr. Gerlach reported that those computers will not hold the standard operating system and software. Mr. McGuigan asked about the bluestone benches that Mr. Gerald Kane requested be moved from Cedarhurst to another District building. Mr. Tagliaferri will look into this.

Mr. Tagliaferri reported that there will be a meeting with Assemblyman Crouch and the Budget Advisory Committee on January 24. Presentations of the efforts of the Budget Advisory Committee will be given to the PTAs.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma

Dr. Stalma reported that grades 3-5 ELA assessments were held last week and grades 6-8 were held this week. SV schools are in good standing on the state report cards. The official report will be reviewed once it comes in. SV was invited to participate in a grant through BOCES. It focuses on Character Education and will be presented in the Participation in Government classes. Dr. Stalma reported that the next steps for curriculum mapping are being looked at.

BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton reported that a list of politicians, the letter that the Budget Advisory Committee sent to the politicians and a proposed letter for residents to send to the politicians were in everyoneÕs Board packet. The list of politicians and the proposed letter to send to them were also available for the public. Mrs. Hamilton encouraged everyone to write to the politicians to appeal for state aid to help make up for the loss of revenue from the flooding. The next meeting of the Budget Advisory Committee is January 22, the meeting with Assemblyman Crouch is January 24, the Facilities Committee is meeting on January 29, legislative lobbying with other Districts at BOCES is being held on January 31. Mrs. Young reported that the Health Consortium is meeting on February 9. Mrs. Haskell will be attending the Consortium meeting.

VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mrs. Simpson reported on the ELA testing and applauded the staff and students. In-house scoring will be done on Friday. Kelly Browning will be giving a presentation on autism for those teachers not scoring. Teachers from Donnelly will also be attending the presentation.

Ms. Charsky also reported on the ELA testing. Planning is now underway for the science fair and the math curriculum night. Ms. Charsky reported on the PTA-sponsored "Reflections" program in which students prepare a project in visual arts, poetry, or literature outside of the school day. "My Favorite Place" was the theme for this year's program. Fifty entries from thirty-seven students were collected, the highest number of entries ever. A team of community members with expertise in the arts served as judges. The PTA hosted a reception on January 3 for all the participants.

Mr. Wilson reported that the District received a $1,000 grant through Steps to a Healthier You and this will be used for training for Middle School staff. Mr. Wilson also reported on events that will be held during Healthy Heart Week in February.

Mr. Abbey reported that he is working on visual inspection reports required by SED. The fire inspection will be held on Monday.

Mr. Gerlach reported that he will be presenting to the Middle School PTO on February 6 on tips for internet safety.

Mr. Daniels reported that Regents and mid-terms are being held next week. On Friday night a chicken and biscuit dinner will be held for the Chem-Free Prom Party and comedy night is being held on Saturday for the Drama Club. Paul Gould has been asked to be the keynote speaker at United Health Services during Pediatric Grand Rounds at an accredited education seminar offered to physicians, nurses, and other clinicians. His topic is "Enhanced Communication and Treatment Objectives between schools and medical providers through social workers.

Four SV teachers have been inducted into National Honor Rolls Outstanding American Teachers - Richard Brice, Kate Engle, R.J. Robertson and Kathy Hattala.

Mr. Bordeau reported that the Nutrition Nuggets newsletter received through Steps to a Healthier NY will be sent home with the February menus. Mrs. Young asked for copies of the newsletter for the Board members.

Mrs. Hattala reported that $1,000 was put in the budget for the Drama Club last year and asked if it was in the budget this year. Mr. Tagliaferri replied that he has not found money designated in any fund for the Drama Club but that he was still looking into it. Mrs. Hattala stated that the Drama Club should not be considered comparable to other clubs in terms of financing. Mrs. Young reported that the money in the budget was a one time assistance and asked if the Drama Club could be considered in a different way than other clubs. Mr. Gorgos replied that it could be recognized as an educational activity. Mr. Tagliaferi stated that this will have to be looked into.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS – None

Mr. Storm commented on the quality individual Mrs. Hattala is. Mrs. Hattala receives a stipend for her work with the Drama Club but she gives it back to the Club.

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

Executive Session to discuss personnel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

At 7:57 p.m. the Board recessed

At 8:12 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session

At 9:51 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session

Resolution – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, authorizing the Board President to execute an agreement confirming the resignation of John Beal, in a form to be approved by legal counsel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)

There being no further business, Mrs. Young adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk