APPROVED MINUTES
PROPOSED OCTOBER 19, 2006
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
Mrs. Christine Moriarty
Mr. Rusty Storm
Mrs. Julia Bowers
Mr. Kevin McGuigan
Mr. Bill Yelverton
ALSO Mrs. Carol Boyce, Superintendent
PRESENT: Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board
Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk
Ms. Celia Bucek, Central Business Office
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Middle School Principal
Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal
Ms. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School, SVTA Representative
Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics
Ms. Connie Way, Food Service
Ms. Leslie Spurgin, Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP
Mrs. Sandra Ruffo, President, Broome-Tioga BOCES Board
Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier
8 residents, 7 students
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to accept into record the attendance for the October 19, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Mrs. Pam Freije asked if a decision had been made regarding the selling of a cooler from Cedarhurst that was tabled at a previous Board meeting. Mrs. Young replied that there was a resolution on tonight's agenda regarding the cooler. Mrs. Freije stated that she just came from an indoor soccer match that was scheduled at Cedarhurst. Mrs. Freije reported that the custodians did not allow them in, stating that they did not have permission to be in the building. Mrs. Freije voiced her concern that there was a communication gap here that needed to be addressed. Mrs. Boyce replied that there may have been some confusion because the Director of School Facilities has been out for illness and bereavement. Mrs. Boyce will look into this so it does not happen again. Mrs. Freije voiced her concern with the lack of parking at Donnelly and the condition of the turn around where parents drop off their children. Mrs. Freije also voiced her concern with the bee infestation at Donnelly. Mrs. Freije would like to see these issues addressed. Mrs. Young asked if Mrs. Freije had spoken to Mary Frances Charsky, Donnelly Principal. Mrs. Freije stated that she had not. Mrs. Young stated that this should be reported to Ms. Charsky.
Mrs. Rader asked about an update on transportation. An update is being given later in this meeting.
Mr. McGuigan asked about the Board touring the school buildings. Mrs. Young replied that there will Board meetings at the different schools with tours before the meetings.
Mrs. Sandra Ruffo provided the Board with a report on SV enrollment in BOCES programs.
FINANCIAL REPORT – The Financial Reports were reviewed. Mr. Storm observed that there is no deficit in the Cafeteria this year. Mrs. Boyce replied that it could be attributed to the changes in the menu and an increase in sales for breakfast and lunch. Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the September financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Monthly Transfers to Reconcile Balances – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve
the following monthly transfers:
FROM DESCRIPTION TO DESCRIPTION AMOUNT
05052110-120 Teaching – Reg Sch 05052110-130 Teaching – Reg Sch $ 8,000.00
02022110-120 Teaching – Reg Sch 05052110-130 Teaching – Reg Sch 50,000.00
09222110-120 Teaching – Reg Sch 06062210-130 Teaching – Reg Sch 27,240.00
04312250-120 Pupils w/Hand. Cond. 05312250-130 Pupils w/Hand. Cond. 55,000.00
06062110-120 Teaching – Reg Sch. 06062110-130 Teaching – Reg Sch 30,000.00
10101620-464 Gas 09101620-160 Non Inst. 16,500.00
10101620-163 Non-Instruct. Subs 10101620-162 Non-Instruct. Summer 6,680.53
Mrs. Haskell asked for an explanation on some of the transfers and codes. Mrs. Bucek explained the transfers and codes. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mrs. Boyce
Presentation – Ms. Leslie Spurgin, Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Company, LLP, gave an overview of the 2005-06 Audit Report. Ms. Spurgin stated that the report is very good and all items have been properly reported. Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to acknowledge receipt of the 2005-06 Audit Report. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Erie 1 BOCES Policy Service – Mrs. Hamilton reviewed the costs associated with using the Erie 1 BOCES Policy Service and stated that the service would be well worth the cost. Mrs. Hamilton also talked about how computer friendly the document will be. Mrs. Boyce stated that it would be a concern not to update the policies as quickly as we can and that the District could not get a better deal. Mr. McGuigan said that the policy manual could not be updated any cheaper. Mr. Gorgos acknowledged that he could not provide this service for this price. Mr. Storm asked about maintenance fees. Mrs. Hamilton reviewed the fees. Mr. Yelverton said that the maintenance cost is very small and that the utility of the document will be enhanced as the search capabilities are improved. Mrs. Hamilton stated that the administrative manual could be done after the policy manual. Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to cross contract with Erie 1 BOCES for policy services at a said amount of $7900, to be paid over two years, said amount to be BOCES aidable. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Discussion – Mrs. Boyce reviewed past facility use charges and asked if the Board wanted to continue these charges. For municipal use and school clubs – no charge; a fee will be charged for staffing for other organizations and groups. The Board agreed.
Appointment – Mrs. Haskell made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the following appointment be
approved, and if required completion of fingerprint clearance and criminal background check:
2006-07 Effective
Name Position Rate of Pay School Year Date
Brian Staiger Modified Boys A Basketball As Per Contract 10th (not 2006-07
Coach continuous)
Extra Duty Assignments – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that the extra duty teacher
assignments listed on Schedule A be approved for the 2006-07 school year at the stipends indicated:
Teacher Extra Duty Stipend
Math
Burke 1 extra class all year $5,000
Brice 1 AIS class per six day cycle $ 417
Cartie 1 AIS class per six day cycle $ 417
Hunt 4 AIS classes per six day cycle $1,668
English
Guyette 1 extra class all year $5,000
Hoffman 1 AIS section per six day cycle $ 417
Searing 3 sections AIS $1,250
Social Studies
Borrelli 5 sections AIS per six day cycle $2,085
McCormick 3 sections AIS per six day cycle $1,250
Rachmaninoff 1 section AIS per six day cycle $ 417
Cline 1 section AIS per six day cycle $ 417
Science
Buckley 1 extra class one semester $2,500
Priscott 1 extra class one semester $2,500
2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
Repp 2 days per cycle all year $1,650
Megan Cleary 2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
Rick Cleary 2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
Egan 2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
Kaminsky 2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
Pavlovich 2 days in a cycle all year $1,650
4 sections AIS one semester $1,668
Spanish
Engle 1 extra class all year $5,000
Mrs. Hamilton asked for an explanation of the six day cycle. Mr. Daniels explained the cycle.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
School Tax Reimbursement – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that due to duplicate
payment of the 2006-07 school tax bill, the following refund is approved:
Payable to Tax Map Amount
Leasure, Gow, Munk & Rizzuto 177.02-1-23 $1503.36
Trust Account
101 Jefferson Ave.
Endicott, NY 13760-5225
And that due to notice of change of assessment by the Brome County Real Property Tax Service, the
following refund is approved:
Payable to Assessment Change Amount
Co-operative Feed Dealers From $2,250,000.00 $4,711.58
PO Box 670 To $2,100,000.00
Conklin, NY 13748
Tax Map #194.07-1-4.2
And that due to notice of change of assessment by the Brome County Real Property Tax Service, the
following refund is approved:
Payable to Assessment Change Amount
Co-operative Feed Dealers From $2,250,000.00 $5,223.21
PO Box 670 To $2,100,000.00
Conklin, NY 13748
Tax Map #194.07-1-4.2
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Instructional Re-Hire – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that the re-hire of Helga Jensen, Spanish teacher in the Middle School be approved, and that she be reinstated effective November 18 or before, depending on her release from duties at Binghamton High School. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Instructional Tenure – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, that Helga Jensen be granted tenure effective on her return to the District. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Truck Disposal – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Yelverton, that a 1977 Dodge pick-up truck with 172,034 miles, a rusted frame, leaks, with many other mechanical problems, and that does not pass inspection, be disposed of. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Reach-In Cooler – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to sell a reach-in cooler that is no longer used in the District for a sale price of $500.00. Mrs. Boyce explained that if we went out for bids on the cooler we would get a lower price and that the worth of the cooler is estimated at $500. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Mrs. Boyce reminded everyone of the BOCES program on One County's Approach to the Provision of Health Insurance on October 24.
Mrs. Boyce read a letter from Lucille Busch praising our varsity girls swim team and coach.
Mrs. Boyce read a letter from Debra Preston regarding young people creating a disturbance in the neighborhood. Mrs. Boyce reported that she had already spoken with John Dancesia about trying to be proactive about this issue and starting neighborhood conversations to see how we all can work together. Mrs. Boyce stated that sometimes it is not our students. Mr. Storm said that he feels one of the biggest problems is students who are suspended, get picked up by transportation and dropped off at school anyway. Mr. Storm feels that transportation should be notified when a student is suspended so they do not pick them up. Mrs. Boyce and Mr. Daniels replied that transportation is notified when students are suspended. Mr. Daniels stated that students are sent home with their parents and come back on their bicycles. Mrs. Haskell asked if there were any liability issues with students that leave the premises and then come back to school and get on a bus for activities. Mr. Gorgos explained that we do not have the closed campus we used to have and that there is no liability issue. Mr. Yelverton asked if this is the first time we, as a school community, have been apprised of this situation. Mr. Tagliaferri replied that this was not the first time, that there is an issue with students hanging out at the fire station smoking. The situation gets addressed, it gets better, and then it happens all over again. Mr. Daniels stated that he gets calls regarding parking. Mr. Daniels also stated that once the student is off school grounds, he has no authority. Mr. Yelverton said that he would like to see the complaints come directly to the school. The response was that it is not a school issue. Mrs. Boyce stated that she gets about 10-15 calls per year. Mr. Daniels stated that he gets calls but he has no authority off school grounds. Mr. Tagliaferri reported that the Middle School has a closed campus and students have to stay in a study hall after school until their activity. Mr. Storm feels that the only recourse he sees for residents is to call the police. Mr. Gorgos replied that this has happened. Mrs. Boyce reported that she has asked the School Resource Officer to spend time across the street in the parking lot to be a presence and encourage appropriate behavior.
Mrs. Boyce reported that the Cornell Army ROTC has been invited by the Conklin Presbyterian Church Relief Center to help the community. The ROTC has 100-400 cadets participating in the effort but they do not have transportation. It was suggested that SV could provide transportation. Mrs. Vascello received the first call and explained that it would be extremely difficult for the District to provide this transportation. Mrs. Vascello did talk to the bus drivers and could not find one available to drive. Drivers would have to be paid overtime for Saturday and triple time for Sunday. Mrs. Boyce asked for suggestions. Mr. McGuigan stated that the Little White Church has busses and recommended that they be asked. Mrs. Moriarty asked about Neighbor Aid hiring a bus. Mrs. Young stated that this is a possibility and she will look into it.
Mrs. Boyce reported on transportation. Elementary runs leave the schools at 3:00 and are back in the bus garage at 3:55 or 4:00. The number of students on each bus varies depending on who is driving and the students in school that day. Mrs. Boyce has a list of the number that should be on each bus. The number of displaced students that the District is providing transportation to is 31. There are a number of displaced students that are not taking District transportation. There is one student that is transported from Whitney Point that arrives at Donnelly at 9:05 am. There have been four appeals for changes. One was refused due to school population and class size. The cost of diesel is down compared to last year and the District has changed supplier. The price from the last delivery was up from the previous one. The number of miles driven is not available, Mrs. Vascello does not do a report on totals until the end of the year. The Transfinder system needs to run parallel for one or two years. They are working on rolling over information and correlation of the routes. Mrs. Young asked how long the District has had Transfinder. Mrs. Boyce replied a number of years but it has not been fully implemented. Mr. Yelverton asked if a report can be done more frequently on the number of miles. Mrs. Young stated that we can ask Mrs. Vascello.
Mrs. Boyce reported that Operation Safe Child is being offered again this year at 23 sites statewide.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – No Report
BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – No Report
Budget Advisory Committee – Mrs. Hamilton reported on the October 12 Budget Advisory Committee meeting. Debra Preston, Town of Conklin Supervisor, and Lou Grubham, Council Member, Kirkwood, were at the meeting and brought the Committee up to date on the flood damage. Ms. Preston also talked about the Maines expansion and stated that she does not have anything to do with the Pilot agreement but would still like to see the expansion done to increase the tax base. Mr. Grubham talked about sharing services and helping with snow plowing for Cedarhurst. They agreed that contacting legislators is a priority. Mr. Pollock would like the Board to write letters to the legislators. Mrs. Boyce will look at BOCES services for grant writing. The District enrollment is down 200 students and this will affect our state aid. Mrs. Young and Mrs. Hamilton are working on a resolution for aid for our District and flood victims. Mrs. Haskell asked if we were involved with BOCES grants before. Mrs. Boyce explained that Dr. Stalma handles federal title grants and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Gould work with Safe and Drug Free School grants. Mrs. Ruffo stated that Doug Titus, BOCES, told her that SV was involved in the BOCES grant writing last year but did not participate this year. Mrs. Boyce stated that she was not aware this was done last year.
Mrs. Young noted that the recorders for the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee and the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee were not in attendance at this meeting so we will wait until the next meeting for those reports. Mr. Pollock asked about having Board liaisons report if the recorder is not able to attend the Board meeting and report. Mrs. Young stated that the recorder for the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee, Gail Ditch, has the minutes and was going to attend tonight but did not make it. Mrs. Rader reported that the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee is meeting in two weeks and plans on reporting to the Board at the November 2 meeting. Mrs. Rader stated that she did not come prepared to report tonight, that information is being gathered. Mrs. Haskell offered to bring things from this committee back to the Board.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Tagliaferri talked about the 8th grade students that participated in a Teen Summit as part of the Worth the Wait Program yesterday. The students were well-behaved and represented the District well. The ADSIP Peer Leaders will be holding Red Ribbon Week next week. Mr. Tagliaferri reviewed the activities for each day, ending with a school dance on October 27.
Mr. Daniels reported that a number of students attended College Information Day at the Broome County Arena. The UHS Career Expo is being held next week.
Mr. Wilson reported that the fall sports season is ending. Senior athletes have been honored. The Modified athletes will have their pizza party on October 31 and the Varsity and JV sports banquet will be held on November 8. Mr. Wilson reported on the accomplishments of the Boys Varsity Soccer team and the Girls Varsity Tennis team. Mallorie Hartmann was been named Scholar Athlete of the Week on WBNG-TV.
SVTA – Mrs. Hattala had nothing to report.
Executive Session – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the Board of Education meet in
Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter and grievance. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9
yeses)
At 8:45 p.m. the Board recessed
At 9:00 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session
At 11:36 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session
Resolution – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the Superintendent be given the authority to sign the Cheerleading resolution to the Office of Civil Rights suit. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 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. (9 yeses)
There being no further business, Mrs. Young adjourned the meeting at 11:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk