The Northeast (Webutuck)
Board of Education held their September 13, 2010 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the
Webutuck High School Library.
The following
Board members were present:
Dale Culver,
President
Joanne Boyd
Joseph Matteo
William McGhee
John Perotti
Casey Swift
Also Present:
Steven D.
Schoonmaker, Superintendent
Mary Grden, School
Business Manager
Therese Trotter,
District Clerk
Absent:
Joseph Herald
CALL TO ORDER
President Culver
called the business meeting of September 13, 2010 to order at 7:40 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following topics
were discussed by audience members:
-Pre-K last minute
change
-lack of additional
nurse in District
-age discrepancy of
students visiting one nurse office
-replacing nurse who
resigned
-health and safety of
students important
-four-year-olds riding a
big school bus
-no opportunity for
parent discussion on Pre-K change
PRESENTATION: Summer Math Curriculum Project
Rosanna Hamm, the Math
Department Head summarized the summer math curriculum that a team of teachers
worked on this past summer. The teachers
represented Kindergarten through sixth grades.
Betty Chin from Ulster BOCES came to guide the team in the math curriculum
writing. Ms. Chin will be back several
more times over the course of this year to work with the teachers. Mrs. Hamm spoke about the team identifying
the benchmarks (E2) that have to be mastered and that teachers worked
horizontally across the grade and vertically so that concepts did not have
large gaps and were not repeated. Teachers
will do benchmarks at the end of the semester which helps identify students who
show weakness and also shows weakness in the program. The benchmark assessments will be given in
the same method as the NY State assessments.
They will be scored by the same teachers who give the assessment to
establish more reliable and valid data. Superintendent thanked the Committee for their
hard work. Discussion ensued.
Principal’s Reports
Ms. McEnroe, WES and
EBIS Principal reported that the opening of school has started well and the
pre-k students adjusted very well as did the kindergarten classes. She noted
that the elementary BET met today to solidify their goals and discuss their
action plan for the year.
Mr. Oates, Jr./Sr. High
School Principal thanked the Board members for their commitment to the
District. He reported that the first
days of school went well. He and Mr.
Wood met with all of the students in the first two days to discuss
expectations. He also commented that he
had a chance to talk with the teachers who have been very receptive. He noted coming events: Jr./Sr./ High School Curriculum
Night is September 22 and Spirit Week has been scheduled for September 27
through October 1. He commented that he
is working on the high school schedule that needs to be revised due to
conflicts that popped up the first days of school. Lastly he noted that the enrollment was at
381 for Grades 7-12.
DISCUSSION
1. Athletic Trainer
The Superintendent and HS nurse interviewed a potential Athletic Trainer. They discussed hours, schedule and types of things this person might and/or might not be able to do. He hopes to have a decision relatively quickly to support the nurse.
2. New School Sign
The Superintendent explained that he had approached Mr. Roccanova, the technology teacher, to ask if his class could build a new school sign that displays school information. Mr. Roccanova felt it was not something he could do this year. However, the Vocational BOCES is interested in working on the sign with us. The Superintendent sent several designs, including the solar plan to them for review. He stated that the cost will be materials only. Discussion ensued.
3. NYSSBA Policy Service
The Superintendent reiterated that this is not a process by where they send a policy book and the Board adopts the whole book. They will send draft policies one or two sections at a time and the Board Policy committee will review them. The policies can be amended to fit more closely to Webutuck’s circumstances if the Board sees the need. The Superintendent emphasized that with this service the District will be in legal compliance. NYSSBA will produce the book for us with policies that the Board has approved. The on-going service provides up-to-date sample policies based on commission decisions, legal opinions, etc. The Superintendent highly recommends the service because it provides coverage from a liability stand point, but even more importantly, it establishes process and procedures the District has established. Discussion ensued.
CONSENSUS AGENDA VOTE
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion to approve the consent agenda as amended.
The amendment by Mrs. Boyd called
for removing the minutes under Clerks Report and removing # 6 under Personnel
for further discussion Mr. McGhee questioned the probationary time for # 7 and
#8 under Personnel. The Superintendent
explained the probationary time noted. A
consent agenda is a single vote, which approves all asterisked items. Board policy (#008a) prohibits discussion of
consent agenda items. Asterisked items can be pulled from the consent agenda
for discussion by any one Board member.
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
CLERK’S REPORT
1. Approval of Minutes for August 9, August 30 and September 7, 2010 Board meetings.
Mr. Perotti made and Mrs. Swift seconded a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. A Board member went over revisions for the August 9, and August 30 minutes which shall be amended.
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
2. Acceptance of Financial Reports as Submitted
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded a motion to approve the financial reports as submitted.
Treasurer’s
Report for the month ending June, July
Comprehensive
Budget Status Report ending July
Comprehensive
Revenue Status Report ending July
Warrants #8 – 15
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
3. Delegations - None
4. Non-Staff Communications - None
PERSONNEL
*1. Support Staff Resignation
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the
Superintendent of
Schools, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby accepts the
following Support Staff Resignation:
Barry
Bullymont Monitor
Effective: September 7, 2010
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*2. Extra-Curricular Appointments
for the 2010-2011 School Year
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the
following extra-curricular appointments:
Mentees
Stefanie Hoelderlin - Reading Renee
Palmer -Kindergarten
Paige Wagner - Kindergarten Michelle
Smith - Kindergarten
David Friedmann - Sp. Ed. Tammy
Nethercott - Sp. Ed.
April Whalen - PreK Allison Lape-Karpf
- 1st Grade
Anna Duffy - Secondary Science Christine
Gillette – 7 & 8 Gr.
Julie Taft - Guidance Cara Tomasetti -
Psychologist
Madeline Ramos - Spanish Susan Harrington – German
Robert Bredow – Earth Science David Reagan Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*3. Substitute Support Staff Appointments
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Substitute Support
Staff appointments:
Patrick Ivain Substitute
Custodial Worker
Effective: September 14, 2010 $13.36/hour
Katherine Van Anden Substitute
Monitor
Effective: September 8, 2010 $11.29/hr.
Robert McGhee Substitute
Bus Driver
Effective: September 8, 2010 $16.80/hr.
Lonnie Vater Substitute
Teacher Aide/Assistant
Effective: September 14, 2010 $11.96/hour
Melissa Carr Substitute
Bus Driver
Effective: September 8, 2010 $16.80/hr.
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*4. Substitute Instructional Appointment
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Substitute Instructional
appointment:
Jenesis Campbell Substitute
Teacher
Effective: September 14, 2010 $90/day
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*5. Leave of Absence
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Leave of Absence as
authorized by the Family Medical Leave Act:
Jennifer Jaffe Kindergarten Teacher
Effective:
September 1, 2010 – October 8, 2010
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
6. Extra-Curricular Appointments for the 2010-2011
School Year
This was removed from the consent agenda for further
discussion. A Board member noted Andre
Lesseur had been previously approved as modified boys soccer coach. After further discussion in executive
session, the Board may decide to amend Andre Lesseur’s appointment. Discussion
ensued.
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the
following extra-curricular appointments:
Henry
Pollinger Modified
Boys Soccer
Courtney Dye Modified
Field Hockey
Julie Taft Class
Advisor 2011
*7. Amendment of Instructional Appointment
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Education hereby amends the tenure area for the following
Instructional Appointment:
Anna Duffy Secondary
Biology
Effective: September 1, 2009 Probation ends: August 31, 2012
Tenure Area:
Secondary Biology
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
*8. Amendment of Instructional Appointment
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Education hereby amends the probationary period for the
following
Instructional Appointment:
Michelle Nowak Secondary
Biology
Effective: September 1, 2010 Probation ends: August 31, 2012
Tenure
Area: Secondary Biology Replaces: Donna Gallo
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS
1. Other
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
The Superintendent reported on the upcoming Spirit week (September 27 – October
1) and explained about the events that will be happening. He noted October 2nd as Community Day and noted
the blood drive taking place that day.
Last year, Webutuck Elementary and Eugene Brooks Intermediate School had
monthly focus activities in terms of building spirit and character
education. The Superintendent will be
taking that concept and incorporating it in all buildings, applying it across
the District.
The Superintendent stated he received the first draft of the building
condition survey which is being reviewed. He also stated he and the Business
Manager will be reporting the audit results to the Finance Committee as well as
the whole Board in the near future.
Lastly he reported that the opening of school went smoothly.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1.
Approval of NYSSBA Policy Service
Mrs. Boyd made and Mrs. Swift seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Board of Education approves the NYSSBA Policy Service at a cost of
$9,500 (payable over two budget years).
Ayes 5 Nays 1 The motion carried.
Mr. Perotti was the dissenter.
2.
Approval of Transfer of Amenia Elementary building
Mrs. Swift made and Mr. Matteo seconded the
following motion:
WHEREAS,
the Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District (“District”) owns
certain real property located at 4988 Route 22 in the Town of Amenia commonly
referred to as the Amenia Elementary School (“Amenia Elementary School”); and
WHEREAS,
by vote on May 19, 2009, District voters approved the transfer of the Amenia
Elementary School to the Town of Amenia (“Town”), for use as Town offices; and
WHEREAS,
subsequently, the Town agreed that, should the District be in need of office or
storage space, at any time during the next twenty (20) years, that it would
have access to space in the Amenia Elementary School (“Use Agreement”); and
WHEREAS,
the parties are prepared to transfer the
IT
IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the transfer of the
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
3. A Board member reminded the other
Board members that the Board President is spokesperson for the media.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following topics
were commented on by audience members:
-# students on 5:00 pm bus
-procedure for signing
up for 5:00 pm bus
-Delora Brooks portrait
of father
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. McGhee made and Mrs. Boyd seconded a motion to adjourn to executive session at 9:27 pm for the
purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person or persons.
Ayes 6 Nays 0 The motion carried.
Mr. Perotti left at
10:50 pm.
RECONVENE PUBLIC SESSION
Mrs. Boyd made and Mrs. Swift seconded a motion to adjourn the executive
session and to reconvene the public session at 10:55 pm.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried
Mrs. Swift made and Mr. Matteo seconded the
following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the
following extra-curricular appointments only:
Andre
Lesseur Modified Girls Soccer
Henry
Pollinger Modified
Boys Soccer
Courtney Dye Modified
Field Hockey
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried
Mr. Matteo made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Board of Education hereby approve the following individual for
employment for the 2010-2011 school year:
Brenna Lape Athletic
Trainer
Effective: September 14,
2010 Salary: $25/hr.
plus benefits
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mrs. Boyd made and Mr. McGhee seconded
a motion to adjourn the meeting of September 13, 2010 at 10:56 pm.
Ayes 5 Nays 0 The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Therese M. Trotter
District Clerk