APPROVED MINUTES      

PROPOSED                                                 FEBRUARY 1, 2007

MINUTES                             SPECIAL 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 (arrived at 7:10 p.m., business)               

                        Mrs. Christine Moriarty                                                   

                        Mrs. Julia Bowers                                                                      

                        Mr. Kevin McGuigan                                                                  

                        Mr. Bill Yelverton

                        Mr. Rusty Storm                                                            

 

ALSO               Mr. Gerardo Tagliaferri, Interim Superintendent

PRESENT:       Mr. Mark Gorgos, Legal Advisor to the Board

                        Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk

                        Mr. Charles Hutchinson, High School Assistant Principal

                        Mr. Roland Doig, Middle School Assistant Principal

                        Ms. Maureen Kline, Director of Special Services (CSE)

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

                        Mr. Don Gerlach, Director of Technology

                        Dr. Joseph Busch, Superintendent, Broome-Tioga BOCES

                        Mr. Allen Buyck, Chief Operating Officer, BOCES

                        Mrs. Sandra Ruffo, BOCES Board President

                        Mr. Roger Merrill, BOCES Board

                        Mr. Peter Nowacki, BOCES Board

                        Mrs. Gail Markstein, Music Teacher, Middle School and K-6 Music Supervisor

                        Mr. Evan Romer, Math Teacher and Department Chair, High School

                        Ms. Kathleen Searing, English Teacher and Department Chair, High School

                        Ms. Debra Merrell, Math Teacher, High School                   

                        Ms. Connie McKinney, Press & Sun-Bulletin

                        Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier

                        6 residents, 3 students

 

Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 February 1, 2007 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 – "Cheerful – Full of cheer, in good spirits."

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Bowers made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2007 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (8 yeses)


 

BOCES Administrative and Capital Budgets – Mrs. Ruffo introduced the members of the BOCES Board, Dr. Joseph Busch, and Mr. Allen Buyck.  Dr. Busch gave a presentation on BOCES programs and initiatives.  Mr. Allen Buyck presented the Broome-Tioga BOCES Administrative and Capital Budgets.

 


VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Dave Nixon, on the coaching staff at Windsor, stated that SV is doing a great job with the weight room.  Mr. Nixon feels the District should put cardio equipment in the room and open it to the public.  Mr. Nixon offered his help to do this and talked about the fitness facilities at Windsor being open to the public.  Mrs. Haskell asked if Windsor pays someone to staff their fitness center.  Mr. Nixon replied that the staff is paid $12 per hour and talked about the admission and membership fees Windsor charges.  Mr. Yelverton asked if this was using the center outside of school hours. Mr. Nixon replied that it was.  Mrs. Moriarty asked how many members the center has.  Mr. Nixon replied that he does not know the exact number.  Mrs. Haskell asked if the staff in the center was certified.  Mr. Nixon replied that it was coaches and volunteer coaches.  Mr. Yelverton asked if community involvement was expected when Windsor was working on the fitness center.  Mr. Nixon replied that they went out and presented to community groups and got the word out.  Mr. Storm asked if the pool was open in conjunction with the fitness center hours.  Mr. Nixon replied that it was.  Mr. McGuigan stated that the fitness center at Windsor was bigger than SV's.  Mr. Nixon replied that it was about one-third larger but he thought there was room along the one wall in the weight room for the cardio equipment.

 

Mr. Massar asked when the weight room would be open now that the equipment has been moved in.  Mr. Tagliaferri replied that the equipment needs to be professionally cleaned and sanitized and that the District is getting two estimates on this.  One estimate has already been given by ServPro.  Mr. Wilson reported that the other company came today and gave an estimate.  Mr. Tagliaferri stated that the coaches will have to come in for training.  Mr. Nixon reported that the instructors in Windsor clean the equipment at the end of each day.  The weight room will open after the equipment is cleaned and staff is trained, in approximately a week.

 

Mr. Evan Romer spoke on behalf of the Department Chairs in support of Mr. Tagliaferri.  Mr. Romer stated that Mr. Tagliaferri is the leader we need, he listens, is organized, and will hold us accountable and will help us do our jobs.

 

Mrs. Rader updated the Board on the History of the District book.  Eric Saar is doing the cover, Gail Goldberg is writing the book.  The book covers the years 1950 - 2000.  Pictures are still being added and the book is still being looked over.  Mrs. Rader expressed gratitude for Gail Goldberg taking over the writing of the book.  The book should be going to the publisher next week.  Mrs. Rader stated people have been stopping her in the hallways and talking about the self-esteem and trust there is now with Mr. Tagliaferri as Interim Superintendent.  Mrs. Rader also talked about how well the Varsity and JV boys basketball teams are doing and the new coaching.  She stated that the new coach has brought the team around.

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – Mr. Tagliaferri

Resolutions – Mr. Yelverton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Haskell, to approve the following resolutions:

Special Education Recommendations – that the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education:

*    Authorize the 4 services recommended on CPSE list dated January 11, 2007

*   Authorize the 15 services recommended on CSE list dated January 3, 2007

*    Authorize the 8 services recommended on CSE list dated January 10, 2007

*    Authorize the 9 services recommended on CSE list dated January 17, 2007

 

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

Name                         Paid/Unpaid       Anticipated Dates

Patricia Newman          Paid                  5/16/07 – remainder of        Sick/Personal, Sick Bank, FMLA

                                                         2006-07 school year

 

Donation – that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accept the donation of Radio Shack

Synthesizer Keyboard from Kevin Moriarty for the RTS Middle School Music Department.

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

donation. 

Insurance Funds – that be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept $5360 from Graphic Arts Mutual Insurance Company for losses due to the flood of June 2006.

 

Athletic Training Services – to approve the athletic training services of Charles Hutchinson, Certified Athletic Trainer, and John Dancesia, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Critical Care Medic, for the winter and spring 2006-07 sports season at a combined stipend not to exceed $4,000.

 

Appointments – that the following appointments be approved:                                               

Name                              Position                 Certified              Rate of Pay           Effective Date   

Maria Lanternman          Substitute Teacher       Non-Certified       As Per Contract             2/2/07

Jesse Hartley                 Substitute Teacher       Non-Certified       As Per Contract             2/2/07

Kristen Fusaro               Substitute Teacher       Certified              As Per Contract             2/2/07

 

Coaching Appointments – that the following coaching appointments be approved for the 2006-07 school

year:           

Name                    Level & Sport                                    # of Years            Rate of Pay      

Mike Vavra            Assistant JV Baseball                            5th year           As Per Contract

Brendan Heslin       Asst. Modified Baseball                        5th year           As Per Contract

Rick Pflanz            Assistant JV Softball                            1st year            As Per Contract

Rick Cleary           Assistant Varsity Track & Field              14th year          As Per Contract

Ted Hudock           Assistant Varsity Track & Field              6th year           As Per Contract

Mike Ford             Assistant Varsity Track & Field              5th year           As Per Contract

Sara Gorton           Assistant Modified Softball                    1st year            As Per Contract

 

Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (9 yeses)

 

Mr. Tagliaferri reported that he attended a meeting with Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, along with Janice Young, Eleanor Hamilton and members of the Budget Advisory Committee.  Mr. Tagliaferri stated that Assemblyman Crouch is open to our concerns and is working on a couple of bills dealing with flood relief.  Mr. Tagliaferri also reported that a legislative meeting with Tom Rogers, Assemblyman Crouch, Senator Libous, and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo will be held on February 8.  A draft of the BOCES Component Schools calendar was provided to the Board.  Mr. Tagliaferri reported on the Budget Advisory Committee meeting held on January 22.  Different budget scenarios were presented and lobbying efforts were reported on.  Mr. Tagliaferri reported on the Facilities Committee meeting held on January 29.  The appraisal of Cedarhurst is going forward.  There is general agreement that a census needs to be done.  The last census was done in 1999 by a mailing.  The process, timing, and cost factors will be looked into.  The 5 year facilities plan and how to move forward was discussed.  The different kinds of studies and cost factors are being looked into.  Meetings have been set up with program administrators to review preliminary budget requests.  Mr. Tagliaferri reported on the winter sports senior nights that he has attended.

 

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT – No Report

BOARD OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Hamilton reported on the legislative meeting held last night.  The lobbying issues to be presented this year were discussed.  Mrs. Hamilton gave a brief report at the meeting on the flooding and the impact.

 

VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mr. Wilson reported that the modified season concluded tonight and the awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, February 7.  The Varsity and JV season will conclude in two weeks and the awards ceremony will be held on February 26.  Teams that have already clinched their division are Varsity and JV boys bowling and JV girls bowling.

 

Mr. Hutchinson thanked the staff for all their hard work during exam week.  The Drama Club presentation of The Sound of Music will be held March 16, 17, and 18.  The spring concert will be held March 22.  Sarah Dolphin wrote a poem for Broome-Tioga BOCES Deaf Education newsletter.  The AP US History class wrote a pamphlet.  The Dollars for Scholars phoneathon will be held the end of the month.  Mrs. Searing, English Teacher, has won two tickets to the upcoming Grammy Awards.  Students in the AP History class wrote a pamphlet on the southern view.

 

Mr. Doig thanked the Kevin and Christine Moriarty for the donation of the keyboard.  The PTO is sponsoring a Red Cross babysitting course.  Mr. Doig reported on the ELA testing.  The Middle School concert will be held in the gymnasium so the set for The Sound of Music does not have to be moved out of the High School auditorium.  Mrs. Bowers reported that the Texas Roadhouse fundraiser for Dollars for Scholars will be held February 28.

 

Mr. Gerlach reported that ten teachers have taken SMART Board software training in the Middle School.  Mr. Gerlach will be giving a presentation on internet safety in the Middle School on February 8.  Everyone involved in the state reporting has been doing a wonderful job.  Mr. Gerlach stated that Mr. Tagliaferri has provided the administrative team with a vision and that it is his hope that Mr. Tagliaferri will be made the Superintendent.

 

Mrs. Kline reported that she is working a grant with Doug Titus, BOCES, through VESID on school to work transition.

 

Mrs. Ruffo reported that she has a calendar of BOCES graduations if any of the Board members are interested in attending any of them.

 

Mr. Tagliaferri reported that the District purchased a book on the June flooding for the library.  Mrs. Rader talked about the flood in the 1930s when the Julius Rogers School was flooded and also how June's flood is in the History Book.

 

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

Executive Session to discuss negotiations.  Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously.  (9 yeses)

At   8:29 p.m. the Board recessed

At   8:39 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session

At 10:39 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mr. McGuigan, 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 10:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Diane M. Kalmen

School District Clerk