|
PROPOSED APPROVED MINUTES
MINUTES AUGUST 3, 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
Mr. Bill Yelverton
Mrs. Christine Moriarty
Mr. Raymond Storm (arrived at 7:08 p.m., personal)
Mrs. Julia Bowers
ABSENT: Mrs. Mary Haskell (personal)
Mr. Kevin McGuigan (personal)
ALSO Mrs. Carol Boyce, Superintendent
PRESENT: Dr. Renee Stalma, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Carl Kieper, Coughlin & Gerhart
Ms. Diane Kalmen, District Clerk
Ms. Maureen Kline, Director of Special Services (CSE)
Ms. Donella Lavelle, Head Driver, Transportation
Ms. Marcia Guardia, Country Courier
14 residents
Mrs. Young, Board President, called the meeting to order at 7:03 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 August 3, 2006 Special Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (6 yeses)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to approve the minutes of July 20, 2006 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
VOICE OF THE PUBLIC #1 – Madeline Vilello reported that the SVTA and the Town of Binghamton are planning "Neighbor Aid," a barbecue and picnic to benefit flood victims. It will be held on August 26 at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Top Grove. School supplies for students are also being collected. Mrs. Vilello stated that she has
contacted the corporate office at Staples to try to get school supplies.
Holly Finch talked about manning the Relief Center this week and how more space is needed. The Relief Center started in the High School gymnasium and is now in the cafeteria at Cedarhurst. Ms. Finch asked if the 5th grade hallway could be
used as well as a refrigerator for water. Shelving could also be used.
Sue Ganoung expressed appreciation for the people that have put forth effort at the High School and Cedarhurst for flood relief. Mrs. Ganoung especially wanted to thank the students who helped move the relief center from the High School to Cedarhurst. Students also used their own money to purchase items for the flood victims. Mrs. Ganoung stated that she was
very proud of these students.
Mrs. Chris Miller talked about the parent concerns that were voiced at the July 20 meeting regarding student placements in Donnelly and Brookside. Mrs. Miller asked about late changes being made to the school placements and when parents would be able to voice their concerns about the late changes. The next Board meeting is being held August 17 and it will be too late at that point to listen to concerns and make changes. Mrs. Miller asked about sections of grades being restructured to accommodate the changes. Mrs. Miller voiced her concern that changes made this late will create chaos and stated that Board members should be at the schools to help with the chaos. Mrs. Miller talked about how important she feels gender balancing is in the classrooms. Mrs. Miller stated that she would like to know the opinion of the principals on the last minute changes, and that the Board listened to the administrators on the K-2, 3-5 restructuring and they should trust
them now.
Melissa Martinez thanked everyone who has helped her family, and Dr. Stalma for the information on her children's placement. Mrs. Martinez voiced her concern that the placement will change and stated that children need a constant right now. Mrs. Martinez also asked if counseling will be available to students affected by the flooding. Mrs. Martinez asked
the Board to think hard and carefully about their decisions.
Mr. Jerry Wheelock voiced his concern that displaced students may be living out of the area for six months to a year and asked if they will be uprooted again next year by having to change schools. Mr. Wheelock also asked how the District is handling the finances and logistics for the flooding and the cost to the school. Mrs. Boyce replied that through direction from the State Education Department, expenses are being tracked and reported to the BOCES Superintendent and to the
State Education Department. Mr. Wheelock stated that there may be a revenue loss next year and talked about the potential tax increase due to this loss. Mrs. Boyce replied that she has discussed this with Debra Preston and will meet with Gordon Kniffen and with the tax assessors to get an idea of the loss. Mrs. Boyce reported that she watches every expenditure and explained the approval procedure for each expenditure. Monthly financial updates are given to the Board. Mr. Wheelock voiced his concern that there is no system of checks and balances and that the money is already spent when the report gets to the Board. Mrs. Young replied that there is a system of checks and balances in place and it is not the Board's purpose to review each expense before it is spent, that the experts in the District decide. Mrs. Young also reported that Debra Preston is lobbying state officials for tax relief for the town and the school and that everyone is aware that it will be very different next year. Mrs. Hamilton asked Mr. Wheelock to serve on the Budget Advisory Committee when they resume meeting. Mr. Pollock reported that the committee was going to start meeting again in July but it has been postponed to September. Mr. Pollock stated that Mr. Wheelock would be welcome to serve and that there should be more
community members on the committee.
Pam Freije voiced her concern that the Board makes decisions and then makes changes. Mrs. Freije feels the Board should make a decision and stick to it, that the changing of decisions does not portray a qualified image of the Board. Mrs. Young replied that the Board is not swayed by squeaky wheels, that there are things that are part of the mix of the decisions that
the public does not see. Mrs. Young stated that the Board acts in the best interest of the District.
Leslie Hulbert voiced her concern that she does not get any information. Mrs. Hulbert stated that it is her understanding that next year elementary school assignments may change, that her daughter could start at Donnelly this year and be switched to Brookside next year. Mrs. Hulbert also asked for the opening and closing times of school so she can make childcare arrangements. Mrs. Hulbert voiced her concern that only Cedarhurst students are being moved and also with the school placements, that some neighborhoods are being split. Kelly Mastronardi asked how long the bus ride will be for her children.
Kelly Stewart stated that no matter what school your student(s) go to we are still a community and should be acting as a family. Mrs. Stewart stated that students will be welcomed into two family elementary schools and that this could be good for the children and the community.
SUPERINTENDENTÕS REPORT – Mrs. Boyce
Resolutions – Mrs. Moriarty made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, to approve the following resolutions:
Special Education Recommendations – That the Susquehanna Valley Board of Education:
á
Authorize the 2 services recommended on CPSE list dated July 14, 2006
Student Health Services – That payment of a $1117.20 invoice be approved for providing health services to four (4) Susquehanna Valley resident students ($279.30 each) attending non-public schools in the Johnson City CSD during 2005-06 school year; and that payment of a $257.30 invoice be approved for providing health services to one (1) Susquehanna Valley resident student attending non-public schools in the Vestal CSD during 2005-06 school year.
Appointments – That the following emergency conditional appointments be approved pending fingerprint
clearance and criminal background check:
Name Position Rate of Pay Effective Date
Eugenia Johnston Aide $6.75 per hour 9/5/06
Susan Soboleski Aide $6.75 per hour 9/5/06
Professional Services Agreement – That a professional service agreement with Suzanne Vimislik be approved for interpreter services at an hourly rate of $26.00, effective July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007; and that a professional service agreement with Kathleen Luke be approved for interpreter services at an hourly rate of
$26.00, effective July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
Appointments – Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, to hold the following emergency conditional
appointments pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check for discussion in Executive Session:
Name Position Rate of Pay Effective Date
Robin DePersis Special Ed. Teacher $35,471 9/5/06
Marcia Cromer Substitute Social $210/day per diem 8/28/06
Worker (based on CNCT
Contract)
Mark Bordeau Energy Educator $16,500 per year 8/4/06
Manager
Resolutions – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to approve the following resolutions:
Special Education Liaison Coordinator – To appoint Jennifer Potter, as Special Education Liaison Coordinator for the 2006-07 school year at a stipend of $1600.00
Special Education Medicaid Coordinator – To appoint Kelly Browning as Special Education Medicaid Coordinator for the 2006-07 school year at a stipend of $1200.00.
Resignation – Laborer – That the resignation of Eric Freije, Laborer, be accepted effective July 11, 2006.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
Use of Cedarhurst – Mrs. Boyce read a request to use Cedarhurst from Greg Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins would like to use Cedarhurst for the flood relief effort that is currently housed at Conklin Presbyterian Church. The Conklin Presbyterian Church facilities will soon be needed for preschool and after-school activities. Mrs. Boyce stated that this could have ramifications on staff, security, the building, and revenue. Mr. Angelo Ranieri, Director of School Facilities, stated that he had not planned on staffing the building, that his staff is needed for other District needs and there could be real additional costs for his department. Mr. Jenkins, in his application, asked for an idea of the cost of using Cedarhurst for this effort. Mrs. Bowers asked if the gym was being used at Cedarhurst. Mrs. Boyce replied that it is being used for basketball at this time. Mrs. Young stated that she received a call from Mr. Jenkins asking that the discussion be held until he can be at the Board meeting. Mr. Jenkins is out of town today but could be at the August 17 meeting. Mr. Yelverton suggested that a subcommittee of the Board be formed to look at this use of Cedarhurst. Mr. Pollock stated that the District needs to be protected from any severe financial loss, but if we can, we should accommodate this request. Mr. Yelverton and Mr. Storm will serve on this committee, and meet with Angelo Ranieri and Joel Wilson. An estimate of the cost to use Cedarhurst will be looked into. Other requests to rent Cedarhurst are still being accepted and will be looked at also.
Advisory Committees – Mrs. Boyce reported that the advisory committees will begin meeting soon and asked the Board to
review the charges to the committees.
Mission Statements:
Budget Advisory Committee – Mr. Yelverton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to charge the Budget
Advisory Committee as follows:
The Budget Advisory Committee will review with the District administration the financial and staffing requests of the various building administrators and district supervisors along with all fixed costs and other customary expenses for the purpose of advising the Superintendent and the Board of Education in establishing the school district's annual budget. This review will also include examination of projected revenues for the ensuing year. The Central Business Office will be involved in the process to provide documentation and support. In addition, the committee may also investigate issues relating to long term financial planning. The responsibility of the Budget Advisory Committee is not to create the budget, but to advise the Board and the Superintendent in that process. It is the goal of the District to provide the best education for its students at the most reasonable cost to the District taxpayers while meeting all applicable regulations and contractual obligations. The Committee will work in cooperation with the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee and the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee. The Committee will report information to the
Board of Education after each Committee meeting.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee and Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee – Mrs.
Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mr. Pollock, to charge the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee and
the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee as follows:
Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee - The Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee will review with the Board of Education, the Superintendent, and other appropriate District administrators and supervisors the condition and status of all of the District's facilities, including both building and grounds. The purpose of such review is to advise the Superintendent and the Board of Education regarding the need for repair, replacement, expansion or
consolidation of the District's facilities with consideration of the programmatic needs of the District's students.
The responsibility of the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee is not to develop plans or to determine a specific course of action, but rather to advise the Board and the Superintendent in their decision-making. The Committee will work in cooperation with the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee. The Committee will report information to the Board of Education after each Committee meeting.
Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee – The Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee will review with the Board of Education, the Superintendent, and appropriate District administrators and supervisors the need to continue,
discontinue or revise programs of the District.
The responsibility of the Program and Restructuring Advisory Committee is not to evaluate the quality of either staff or program, but to advise the Board of Education and the Superintendent regarding the future status and scope of the program. It is not the responsibility of the committee to determine the day-to-day operation of any department or program, but to advise the Board and the Superintendent of the needs and desires of the community regarding the education of its students and other matters related to that education. The Committee will work in cooperation with the Facilities and Capital Projects Advisory Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee. The Committee will report
information to the Board of Education after each Committee meeting.
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
Mrs. Boyce reported that she has received phone calls from people wanting to donate items for the children. A retired NYS trooper is very concerned with the needs of the children and made our District the recipient of the proceeds from her purchase at Target. The trooper purchased 50 t-shirts for the students. Mrs. Boyce put her in contact with Mary Rader. Mrs. Boyce reported that a fire department near NYC had contacted Greg Jenkins about donating backpacks and school supplies and wanted to know how many were needed. Mrs. Boyce stated that it is hard to know how many will be needed but it was estimated that 400 may need supplies. This number was given to Mr. Jenkins to give to the fire department. AIG, and Verizon have also called asking to donate. Mrs. Young stated that the donations should be coordinated with Christine Miller and Cyndi Manchester. Mr. Storm voiced his concern that handing out of donations needs to be policed better, that some people are coming just to get something for free. Mr. Yelverton talked about how he worked for the Red Cross after a couple of disasters and how things were wasted because there was ineffective distribution capacity available.
Mrs. Boyce reported that to date 17 letters of temporary relocation have been received. At the last Board meeting it was decided that Mary Haskell would work with Sharleen Vascello on the placements and transportation routes. It has been hard for them to get together due to their schedules. On July 21, Mrs. Boyce met with Dr. Stalma and Mrs. Vascello to look at the concerns with the school placements and transportation routes, to try to send students from Main Street to Donnelly and students from Orchard Park to Brookside. On the first attempt it was found that there were too many students a certain age going to Donnelly and art would be on a cart, which is against the balance of programming. To make this work, a third grade would have to be moved from Donnelly to Brookside and a first grade from Brookside to Donnelly. Students may have to be moved again next year due to class sizes, classroom space, and enrollments. The Board discussed the class sizes and grants, the early class size reduction grant and the consolidated grant which includes all of the federal entitlements. Dr. Stalma explained the grants, the placement of students in the school and how the money has to follow where the student is placed. Mrs. Young stated that maybe someone should sit down with town officials and try to get an idea of the people who have lost their homes and may be displaced. Mrs. Young also stated that people are in a state of flux and may not have made the decision as to where their children will go to school. Dr. Stalma stated that the Board is part of the community and outreach is one of the things Board members do. Mrs. Young stated that if we have to send buses to Endwell, Deposit, etc. it changes everything with the transportation routes. Mr. Storm suggested using BOCES for transportation shared services, have an SV students residing out of the District dropped off at BOCES by the District the student is temporarily residing in and then have the SV bus that goes to BOCES bring the student to SV. Mrs. Boyce replied that is may be possible to do this, but we would have to work with each Districts' starting time. Mr. Yelverton stated that we are going to be in a reactive position for a long time, we will have to be flexible, things will change for people. Mrs. Moriarty stated that she is not for making any changes to the school placements and transportation at this time, that the Board should stick with their decision. The other Board members felt the placements should be changed so all of Main Street goes to Donnelly and all of Orchard Park goes to Brookside. The change will be made and letters will go out the first part of next week. Mrs. Young asked if parents could be informed of the approximate amount of time their children would be on the bus. Mrs. Boyce will ask Mrs. Vascello if this is possible.
Mrs. Young, Mrs. Moriarty, and Mr. Yelverton will be attending Fiscal Oversight Fundamentals for School Board Members.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT – No Report
BOARD DEVELOPMENT REPORT – Mrs. Young received a letter from David Daniels to Krista Clapper praising her for all her hard work and dedication for flood relief efforts. Mrs. Boyce asked for a list of volunteers working at the relief center. Mrs. Young replied that it will be given to Mrs. Boyce.
VOICE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS – Mrs. Kline reported that her department is busy with staffing.
Executive Session – Mr. Storm made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Hamilton, that the Board of Education meet in
Executive Session to discuss personnel and the held motion. Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
At 9:52 p.m. the Board recessed
At 10:05 p.m. the Board met in Executive Session
At 11:23 p.m. the Board returned to Regular Session
Appointments – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Moriarty, to approve the following emergency
conditional appointments pending fingerprint clearance and criminal background check:
Name Position Rate of Pay Effective Date
Robin DePersis Special Ed. Teacher $35,471 9/5/06
Marcia Cromer Substitute Social $210/day per diem 8/28/06
Worker (based on CNCT
Contract)
Mark Bordeau Energy Educator $16,500 per year 8/4/06
Manager
Upon vote the motion was approved unanimously. (7 yeses)
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Mrs. Hamilton made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Bowers, 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 11:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane M. Kalmen
School District Clerk
|