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PROPOSED APPROVED MINUTES
MINUTES NOVEMBER 2, 2006
of the SPECIAL MEETING of the BOARD OF EDUCATION
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 (arrived at 7:50 p.m., business)
Mr. Bill Yelverton
Mrs. Christine Moriarty
Mr. Raymond Storm
Mrs. Julia Bowers
Mr. Kevin McGuigan
ALSO Dr. Renee Stalma, Assistant Superintendent
PRESENT: Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board
Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Mr. David Daniels, High School Principal
Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Middle School Principal
Mr. Roland Doig, Middle School Assistant Principal
Ms. Joanne Simpson, Brookside Principal
Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics
Ms. Maureen Kline, Director of Special Services (CSE)
Mr. Ray Haskell, Physical Education Teacher, Brookside
Ms. Debra Merrill, Math Teacher, High School
Mr. Art Johnson, Commissioner of Mental Health
Ms. Conni Way, Food Service
Mrs. Sandra Ruffo, President, Broome-Tioga BOCES Board
Ms. Debbie Russin, Bus Driver
Ms. Brenda Luce, Bus Driver
Mr. Mark Ward, Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach
Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier
Newschannel 34
13 residents, 11 students
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.
Executive Session – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the Board of Education meet in
Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
At 7:02 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session
At 7:10 p.m. the Board recessed (the meeting moved to the Library)
At 7:15 p.m. the Board met in Regular Session
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to accept into record the attendance for the November 2, 2006 Special 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 – "Considerate – Thoughtful of other people's wants and feelings."
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. Yelverton, to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
Mr. Yelverton made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (8 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC – Mr. Rich Massar spoke on behalf of the Gridiron Club, they would like to see new equipment in the weight room. California Fitness, the gym next door to the school, is going out of business and selling their equipment for $25,000. The Gridiron Club has $1,200 and a resident is willing to donate another $1,000. Mr. Massar and Mr. Kevin Moriarty will be putting a down payment on the equipment tomorrow. Mr. Massar stated that they will be looking for donations to help with this purchase. The Country Courier will be running an ad. Mr. Massar also stated that they have been talking with Senator Libous about grants. Mr. Massar asked if there were any funds available in the budget to help purchase this equipment for the weight room. Mr. Massar also suggested opening the weight room to residents like Windsor and Chenango Forks do.
Ms. Holly Finch reported on the Relief Center. The Center will be closing the end of this month. On November 27 and 28, the furniture left at the Relief Center will be moved to two new locations and will still be given to residents as needed. Clothing and other items will go to Project Concern and the YWCA Suited Perfectly Program. To keep this effort going for flood victims and others in need in the community a new center will open at Sall-Stearns with the help of the YWCA, Catholic Charities, Social Services, and other agencies.
Mr. Bill Diffendorf, Jr., voiced his concern with an article in the October 25 Country Courier regarding the October 19 Board meeting. A transportation report was given in which it was said that elementary runs leave the schools at 3:00 and are back in the bus garage at 3:55 or 4:00. Mr. Diffendorf stated that this is not true. His grandchildren do not get dropped off until 3:55 p.m., the bus leaves his house and goes to Five Mile Point, and then back to the school Mr. Diffendorf suggested that the Director of Transportation should be at Board meetings to answer questions. Mr. Diffendorf asked if the District expects every student to be at school for breakfast, and if it is expected that students will be at school to go to class on time. Mrs. Young would like to set up a meeting for Mr. Diffendorf to come in and talk with administrators, since Mrs. Boyce could not attend tonight's meeting and the Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Renee Stalma could not be at the October 19 meeting. Mr. Diffendorf described his grandchildren's bus route. The bus leaves Donnelly and goes to Shaw Road, then turns onto Hardie Road and goes to Powers Road. From Powers Road the bus goes to Ketchum Road, then Murphy Road, then Conklin Forks Road and over to Kirkwood. Mr. Diffendorf stated that this is not the most direct route. Mrs. Young replied that a response will be given to Mr. Diffendorf by the November 16 meeting.
Sue Woolsey, SVESSA, voiced her concern with the Country Courier article regarding the October 19 meeting and the negativism toward the bus drivers. According to the article it was stated at the October 19 meeting that the Director of Transportation had contacted bus drivers regarding transporting ROTC workers on the weekend to help flood victims and that bus drivers responded that they were not available. Ms. Woolsey contacted bus drivers and stated that every bus driver she asked was not contacted regarding transporting ROTC workers. Ms. Woolsey would like a retraction of this statement, an apology to bus drivers, and a correction to the October 19 Board minutes.
Mr. David Finch asked if the Director of Transportation uses the computer program that the District has to set the bus routes. Mrs. Young would like the Director of Transportation at the next meeting to answer these questions. Mr. Finch reported that his daughter gets off the bus at 4:05 p.m. Mrs. Young stated that that has been a subsequent transportation report with the times the bus drivers clock out. Mr. Storm asked Mr. Diffendorf how long his grandchildren's bus ride is. Mr. Diffendorf replied that it is about 50 minutes. Mr. Storm asked Mr. Finch how long his daughter is on the bus. Mr. Finch replied about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. Ms. Holly Finch stated that she has been driving her children to school and picking them up at the end of the day. There were times her children waited outside for 20 minutes before the bus came and did not make it to school on time. They would get home between 3:45 and 4:15 p.m.
Brenda Luce stated that the bus drivers were upset about the article, that none of the bus drivers were asked if they would drive the ROTC workers. Ms. Luce stated that one bus driver was willing to pay for the fuel for the transportation.
Mrs. Sandra Ruffo, BOCES, reported that the BOCES open house scheduled for November 9 has been changed to November 8. Mrs. Ruffo asked that the Board consider two things when preparing the budget for the 2007-08 school year. The first would be to participate in the grant writing service at BOCES. The District did participate in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The cost of participating would have been $500 after aid. If the District had participated during this year they would have been eligible for the federal Department of Educations Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant, which would have brought $21,000 this year and $14,000 last year. The second consideration would be to allocate sufficient funds for Board development.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma
Presentation – Commissioner Johnson gave a presentation on the Child and Family Clinic-Plus Program. This program works with families to help with early identification of a child's emotional needs by providing free voluntary screening in community settings like schools and health centers. Screening is available only with a parent or guardian's signed consent. In compliance with HIPAA laws, the results of a child's screening and any recommendations are shared only with the parent or guardian unless they grant permission for further dissemination. If emotional difficulties are identified, the program works with family members to pinpoint a child's individual needs. In addition to providing access to cutting-edge treatments, services are also offered right in the family home to ensure that interventions work in the child's own personal environment and natural surroundings. Mrs. Moriarty asked who would be the first to identify the students to be tested. Mr. Yelverton asked for more information on the screening process. Mr. Johnson replied that it is a general screening that is done on students whose parent/guardian signs a permission slip.
Facilities and Capital Improvement Advisory Committee – Mrs. Chris Miller brought five recommendations from the
Facilities and Capital Improvement Advisory Committee to the Board:
1.
Contract with a Member Appraisal Institute (MAI) Appraiser to appraise Cedarhurst immediately. A Summary Appraisal will determine fair market value, uses of the facility, determination of sell vs. lease, etc. The appraisal can also determine which, if any, sections of the school are more marketable for leasing purposes. The Committee received information on two highly recommended MAI appraisers. The Committee recommends contracting with John Miller. His prices were the lowest and he has experience with school property.
2.
Revisit the feasibility study
3.
Support of a five year plan for Susquehanna Valley
4.
A census be completed
5.
A written response stating that Òauthorized personnelÕ must be used to clean out the Relief Center for liability
purposes.
Mrs. Miller reviewed what the current zoning of the building will allow: single or multi family dwelling, school, senior living center, medical provider, office space for medical, and daycare. The Committee realizes that SED law may have other restrictions on uses for a leased building. Head Start is still interested in utilizing space at Cedarhurst for the 2007-08 school year. BOCES has no immediate need for additional classroom space. Mrs. Young asked if voter approval is needed if the building is sold. Mr. Gorgos replied that if the sale meets certain criteria voter approval may not be needed. This would have to be determined if the building were to be sold.
Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee – Mrs. Gayle Ditch provided minutes from the October 16, 2006 Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee meeting. Mrs. Ditch asked for a timeframe for a report to the Board. Mrs. Ditch stated that they are at a standstill until a census is done and we know what the student population is. Mrs. Young stated that the committees would like a combined meeting and would like to know how far in the future the Board would like plans for.
District-Wide Safety Plan – Mr. Doig reviewed the District-Wide Safety Plan. Mr. Doig stated that the state is looking at the trend of violence and ways to be proactive and not reactive. The District Plan has been modified slightly to follow the state format. Record keeping had to be put in. There is a quick-flip chart with different scenarios posted in each doorway of the school buildings. There are two plans, the building plan and the district plan. Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, that the District-Wide Safety Plan updated in October 2006 be approved. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Resolutions – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to approve the following resolutions:
Student Health Services – that payment of a $14,552 invoice be approved for providing health services to sixty-eight (68) Susquehanna Valley resident students ($214 each) attending non-public schools in the Binghamton CSD during 2006-07 school year.
Appointments – to approve the following appointments:
Name Position Certified Rate of Pay Effective Date
Merwin Fuller Substitute Teacher Certified As Per Contract 11/3/06
Karen Hanssen Substitute Teacher Certified As Per Contract 11/3/06
Patricia Fian Modified Coach Boys' As Per Contract 2006-07
Swimming & Diving
Special Education Recommendations – that the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education:
*
Authorize the 1 services recommended on CPSE list dated October 13, 2006
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Authorize the 8 services recommended on CSE list dated September 27, 2006
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Authorize the 2 services recommended on CSE list dated October 2, 2006
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Authorize the 14 services recommended on CSE list dated October 17, 2006
*
Authorize the 1 services recommended on CSE list dated October 23, 2006
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Resignation – Mr. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mr. Yelverton, that the resignation of Mary Monopoli, R.N., school nurse, Brookside, be accepted with regret effective December 2, 2006. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Substitute School Nurse – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the appointment be approved of Mary Monopoli, substitute school nurse, at a rate of $12.00 per hour, effective December 3, 2006. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Appraisal Service – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Storm, that based on the recommendation of the Facilities Advisory Committee, that John Miller be hired for a summary appraisal at Cedarhurst Elementary at a cost not to exceed $2100. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Appointments – Mr. McGuigan made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve the following appointments:
Name Position Certified Rate of Pay Effective Date
Kara Bomysoad Substitute Teacher Non-Certified As Per Contract 10/23/06
Angela Keefer Substitute Teacher Non-Certified As Per Contract 10/23/06
Virginia Nugent Substitute Teacher Certified As Per Contract 10/23/06
Whitney Huntley Lifeguard Certified $6.75 Per Hour 11/16/06
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Information on flu shots being given at the school was provided to the Board. A copy of the letter sent to Debra Preston regarding students hanging out in the neighborhood behind the Little White Church was provided to the Board.
Dr. Stalma read a resolution from Senator Libous congratulating the girls softball team for winning 1st place in the Class B NYS Public High School Athletic Association Softball Championship. Dr. Stalma stated that this is a wonderful achievement and a magnificent honor. Mr. Wilson would like to hang the resolution in the trophy case.
Dr. Stalma would like to recognize Kathy Gaji for having an article, Morning Check-In Paves the Way for a Great Day, published in Education World.
Dr. Stalma provided a letter from Renea Pomeroy regarding the youth hanging out in the neighborhood behind the Little White Church and read the last paragraph: "Thanks for all you do at the school. Although people may complain about a lot of things, there is a reason for the demand to live in Conklin, and that is our schools. When we had to move in July, we chose to rent a small, inadequate house just to keep our son in Donnelly. I appreciate your efforts."
Bonnie Travis, Special Education teacher at Richard T. Stank Middle School, and Erin Foster, AIS teacher at Donnelly Elementary School, have been nominated for the 2006-07 Cambridge Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women Teachers in Education.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma
Dr. Stalma reported that we are still in the process of verifying specific scores from the ELA testing. A report on the scores will be given to the board at a later date.
BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton reported on the BOCES program on One County's Approach to the Provision of Health Insurance that she attended along with Mrs. Boyce on October 24. John Garvey, Director of Ontario County Human Resources from Canandaigua, NY, was the speaker. The Ontario Board of Supervisors decided in
1996 to make some changes in health insurance. Employees buy their own insurance with allotted money. Many health plans may be offered but Ontario County is down to three plans. Last year Ontario County introduced a master card plan, Beneversal. Employees get a card to take to the doctor or hospital if they take the cheaper health insurance plan. Last year they saved $116,000. Ontario County has seen a reduction in premiums by handling the health insurance this way.
Budget Advisory Committee – Mrs. Hamilton reported on the Budget Advisory Committee held on October 26. Changes were made to the letter to congressmen and legislators. A second letter will be sent later with a CD with flood pictures. Management positions, such as Director of Building and Grounds, Transportation and Assistant Principals were discussed with the question being "Can administrators do some of these functions?" It would be very difficult as much of the knowledge is specialized. The EXCEL Program is with the Facilities Committee. Debts are retired on certain things. Facilities need to be maintained by making a five year plan. New special equalization rates are needed earlier than May, it would be much better if they could be obtained by December. New rates need to be set so that taxes do not have such an impact on Conklin. There was also discussion on what figures can be obtained right now for next year's budget. NYS Emergency Management should be contacted along with Mr. Schumer to see if our school district qualifies for aid even though we did not suffer physical loss. Mrs. Boyce is in the process of freezing the budget. We need to get and implement a five year plan which should be long range and include education, transportation, maintenance, etc. The committees need to work together so that the Budget Committee can look at the other committees' plans for budgeting purposes. The committee needs to know what the Board envisions their work to be.
Mrs. Young reported that the Health Consortium will be meeting tomorrow.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Wilson thanked Rich Massar and the Gridiron Club for working on obtaining new equipment for the weight room. A concrete plan will be brought to the Board. The fall sports banquet is being held November 8.
Mrs. Simpson reported on Red Ribbon activities held last week. The 5th grade Social Studies assessment will take place in two weeks and they are preparing for ELA testing. Operation Safe Child is being held this month. The PARP Program has started.
Mr. Daniels reported that there will be an article in the Press & Sun-Bulletin naming Jake Pemberton a class act. Mr. Daniels also reported on the Open House held last week. On November 18 the "SV Talent or Not" show will be held.
Mrs. Kline reported that they are looking towards the 2007-08 school year. They will be looking at the life skills program at Johnson City tomorrow as this will be offered at SV next year.
Mr. Tagliaferri reported that the dance went well and thanked all the staff for their work on Red Ribbon week. The Honor Society induction will be held on November 7, Mr. George Schuster will be the guest speaker. ELA test preparation is taking place. The Mathways to the Stars Program will be finishing up on November 15. November 20 will be parent conference day with a change for this year, 7th and 8th grade conferences will be scheduled. Selected Middle School students will be receiving Peer Leadership training through ADSIP on November 27. A Parent Career Connection Workshop is being held on November 28.
Mr. Yelverton commended Rich Massar and Kevin Moriarty for their personal and monetary commitment to obtain new equipment for the weight room. Mr. Yelverton stated that strength training is important. Mr. Yelverton and Mrs. Haskell are willing to help.
Old Business – None
New Business - None
Executive Session – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Board of Education meet in
Executive Session to discuss a grievance and personnel matters. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.
(9 yeses)
At 8:34 p.m. the Board recessed
At 8:50 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session
At 10:58 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session
Grievance Committee – Mr. Pollock made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the Grievance Committee of Bill Yelverton, Julie Bowers, and Rusty Storm be approved. Upon vote the motion was approved. (8 yeses, 1 abstain) (Pollock, yes; Haskell, abstain; Yelverton, yes; Moriarty, yes; Hamilton, yes; Storm, yes; Bowers, yes; McGuigan, yes; Young, yes)
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Moriarty 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 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk
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