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APPROVED MINUTES
PROPOSED DECEMBER 21, 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 Dr. Renee Stalma, Acting Superintendent
PRESENT: Mr. Carl Kieper, Coughlin & Gerhart
Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk
Ms. Celia Bucek, Central Business Office
Mr. Jim Hull, Public Information Specialist
Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Middle School Principal
Mr. Joel Wilson, Director of Health, P.E. and Athletics
Ms. Kathy Hattala, English Teacher, High School
Ms. Donella LaVelle, Head Driver, Transportation
Ms. Debra Preston, Town of Conklin Supervisor
Mr. George Basler, Press & Sun-Bulletin
Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier
14 residents, 9 students
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and led the salute to the American flag.
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to accept into record the attendance for the December 21, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve as amended the minutes of the December 7, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve the minutes of the December 13, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to approve the minutes of the December 18, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Colin Young, Pam Freije, Jerry Derrick, and Liz Finch voiced their concern with the amount of gym time in the school buildings that SRUSA soccer has to practice. Mr. Young stated that the group has been approved for three hours of gym time but that they need more time for practice. Dr. Stalma replied that this is the first time she is hearing that they do not have enough gym time. Mrs. Young and Dr. Stalma explained that a facilities use form needs to be filled out to request more time. Mr. Young asked why custodians have to be available. Mrs. Young replied that the facilities have to be cleaned after being used.
Mr. Rich Massar reported on the equipment for the weight room. The purchase price has gone from $25,000 to $23,000. Some of the equipment will be reupholstered and should be back by January 12. Transferring the equipment to the Gridiron Club will be discussed at the next meeting of the Club. Then the equipment will be transferred to the school. The legal issues of the donation still have to be looked at. Some of the equipment that is not needed in the weight room will be sold and fundraisers will be held to help pay for the equipment.
Mrs. Chris Miller asked for the total amount spent on the issue with the Superintendent. Mrs. Young replied that there are certain things that are discussed in Executive Session that the Board is bound not to discuss. Mrs. Young stated that when she says "no comment" it does not mean she does not have any information, it means that she cannot discuss the issue. Mrs. Miller asked if the Board knew the amount of money spent before the decision was made. Mrs. Young replied that they knew. Mrs. Miller asked how much has been spent to date on legal fees for this issue. Mrs. Young replied that $33,000 has been spent through November 15. Mrs. Miller voiced her concern that the Board does not have a complete plan in place to go forward, that the Board is being reactive instead of proactive. Mrs. Miller asked where the funds will come from once the funds in the budget line for legal fees are used up. Mrs. Young replied it will come from the General Fund. Mrs. Miller stated that taxpayers in SV pay the same taxes as taxpayers in the Maine-Endwell District, but the ME District has more programs.
Ms. Debra Preston stated that it has been six months since the flooding and the community is not better, she feels it will take two or three years and the community will still not be where it was before the flooding. Ms. Preston stated that 18 properties applied for the 2005 buyout. There were 72 properties that applied for Phase I of the buyout for JuneÕs flooding. Phase II will be coming soon. There are 250 homes that will be looked at to be reassessed because of the damage from the flooding. Ms. Preston is concerned with the negative publicity the District has had lately and the amount of time being spent on the superintendent issue when the community is suffering. Ms. Preston feels the division in the community is getting worse and the students have been affected by what is happening in the District. Ms. Preston would like the Board to come together and work together. Ms. Preston stated that what is said in Executive Session should be left there. Ms. Preston stated that if Board members cannot put their differences aside they should resign.
Mr. David Finch voiced his concern that his questions were not answered during the transportation report at the December 7 meeting. The transportation report was held up because the Director of Transportation, Sharleen Vascello, was late due to a bus accident. Residents were not allowed to ask questions after the report. Mrs. Young replied that originally the report was to be given earlier in the meeting and there would be time for questions. Mrs. Young did not want to blindside Mrs. Vascello with questions after the report was delayed. Mr. Finch brought up a concern with a District employee. Mrs. Young told him the proper channels to go through. Ms. Debra Preston asked to clarify an issue with the bus accident. It was reported that the Town of Conklin Highway Superintendent was called and stated that they would not respond to the accident. What happened was that all the workers had gone home for the day and had to be called back in to respond. They did respond and were in route to the accident. The Town of Binghamton Highway Superintendent was also called and responded.
Mrs. Mary Rader voiced her frustration with the problems surfacing and talked about what an unusual year this was. Mrs. Rader stated that this was a time for thankfulness and depression and that it was a time for the District when many positions were left open. Mrs. Rader talked about the concerns brought up at the meeting tonight and how employees in the District try to find the answers. Mrs. Rader stated that the press can file a Freedom of Information request to get information and talked about the leaks and the recent negative articles. Mrs. Rader would like to see more positive articles now. Mrs. Rader stated that it is a time for everyone to pull together and work together. Mrs. Rader stated that, from her experience on the Board, the Board has had problems in the past but has always been able to talk it out, that questions asked cannot always be answered if it was something discussed in Executive Session. Mrs. Rader stated that it is going to be a tough year and another tough year to follow and she trusts the Board to make the right decisions.
Mrs. Kathy Hattala thanked the Board as a taxpayer, a resident and an employee, for all their hard work. Mrs. Hattala stated that she trusts the Board and is behind them.
FINANCIAL REPORT – Ms. Bucek reported that a favorable rate was received on the borrowing for the new buses. Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Board acknowledge receipt of the November financial reports. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Dr. Stalma
Weight Room – Mr. Wilson reported on the weight room action plan. The first goal is to renovate the existing weight room to create more floor space by removing one wall and the second goal is to receive donated equipment from the Gridiron Club. The declaration from the architects that this wall is non-supporting and removal does not require SED approval has been received. A Memorandum of Understanding about contract provisions for volunteer labor has been written and verbally accepted by SVESSA. The legal issues with donating the equipment are still being worked on. A list of equipment to be declared obsolete was provided to the Board. A resolution is not needed to approve the removal of the wall. The waiver form for the volunteer workers has been developed. This work will take place over the holiday break. Mr. Yelverton asked if the ability to supervise will be improved with the removal of the wall. Mr. Wilson replied that it will be improved. Mr. Yelverton asked if the airflow will be improved with the removal of the wall. Mr. Wilson replied that it will have to be looked at and adjusted.
Budget Committee – The Budget Committee will report at the January 4, 2007 Board meeting.
Appointments – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, that the following appointments be
approved:
Effective
Name Position Certified Rate of Pay Date
Karen Bidwell Head Varsity Softball Yes As Per Contract 2006-07
Gerald Abbey Director of School Facilities $58,000 1/16/07
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Vehicle Disposal – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the following vehicles that did not
pass inspection be disposed of:
á
154 GMC 1987 Van 16 Passenger
6.2 Diesel – Automatic Transmission
VIN #2GBGG35J4103630, 115,476 miles
Body rusted, engine will not run
á
139GMC 1987 Van Shop Bus
350 Gas Engine – Automatic Transmission
VIN #2GDGG35K0H4510665
Body totally rusted, nothing to attach brake system to
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Donation – Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept the donation of $500 from Jack Sherman, Inc. for a scholarship to an outstanding
graduating senior at Susquehanna Valley High School;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education extends its sincere appreciation for this generous
donation.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
Resignation – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that the resignation of Rebecca Sefton, R.N., school nurse, Brookside, be accepted effective December 13, 2006; and that the resignation of Sarah Thorson, Social Studies Teacher, High School, be accepted effective January 24, 2007. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – No Report
Appointment – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, that BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Susquehanna Valley Central School District appoints Gerardo Tagliaferri to the position of Interim Superintendent effective December 22, 2006, to serve in that capacity until further action by the Board of Education, at a per diem rate of pay equivalent to his current rate of pay as a District Administrator plus $92.00 per day, with the further understanding that all benefits and privileges afforded to him under the current contract with CNCT shall continue, all as more fully set forth in an agreement to be executed between Mr. Tagliaferri and the District upon the approval of District legal counsel. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9 yeses)
BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton will report on the last two Budget Advisory Committee meetings at the January 4, 2007 Board meeting.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Tagliaferri reported on events at the Middle School. Students in 6th grade have artwork on display at the UHS art show. Student Council hosted a dance on December 8 and donations to CHOW were accepted at the dance. Mr. Tagliaferri reported on the Middle School concert held on December 12. The sr. citizen holiday luncheon was held today. Student Council has been collecting gifts for needy families. Patti Lynch, retied Social Studies teacher, participated in the gift drive.
Executive Session – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Board of Education meet in
Executive Session to discuss the superintendent search. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (9
yeses)
At 8:20 p.m. the Board recessed
At 8:30 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session
At 9:22 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, 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 9:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk
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