Webutuck Board of
Education held the
The following
Board members were present:
Dale Culver,
President
Joseph Herald
Andrew Jablonsky
Susan Lounsbury
William McGhee
Joseph Matteo
John Perotti
Also Present:
Dr. Richard N.
Johns, Superintendent
Therese Trotter
District Clerk
CALL TO ORDER
President Culver
called the business meeting of
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following comments were made by audience members:
-spoke about the recent approval of summer
workers recommended by the Superintendent of Schools. The positions were not advertised and there
are two siblings of a Board member on the summer worker list. Would like the Board to move quickly to see
if this was done legally.
-Three students spoke in support of keeping the
football program. They stated why it was
a great sport and asked the Board to consider not cutting it.
-Question was asked about Ms. Coniglio’s
resignation and why the Board did not vote on it.
-What is going to be done to raise the morale
of the ninth grade class for next year?
-Will there be any other classes being offered
over the summer to help the 9th grade class move forward?
-Is the eight grade class going to be discussed
when you speak about the failings of the ninth grade class?
-This class has had a reputation for the last
three or more years as having difficulty.
Part of the problem is responsibility of homework and study habits.
-If it is a non-union job do we need to advertise?
ATHLETIC COMMITTEE PRESENTATION –
Peter McCaffrey
Mr. McCaffrey gave a presentation on the
Athletic Committee’s review of the Athletic Program at Webutuck School
District. He stressed athletics are an
important part of the Webutuck experience. The purpose of athletics is to promote
teamwork, participation and pride in the Webutuck School District. The mission is to field varsity teams that
are competitive with all opponents. He
reviewed the basic principals of the athletic program which are: delimiters and precepts, description of
varsity coaches, becoming competitive and program health check. Discussion ensued.
DISCUSSION
1. Summer Workers
A Board member suggested waiting until Mr. Lounsbury was present to
discuss this issue because he has the necessary information. The Board President felt discussion could
take place to find out if indeed the position was posted and advertised. There were questions as to if the students
were interviewed for the position. It
was also questioned why the District did not use NECC workers because they pick
up some of the salary and it is of educational value to those students. A Board member asked is that limiting the
kids from Amenia? Most students in that
program are from Millerton. It was
decided more information was needed and the information will be sent to the
Board. It was decided the Superintendent would get a legal rendering of the
process the District used in hiring the summer workers. The Board will be advised of the
outcome. Discussion ensued.
2. French Trip
The Board did not receive the information it requested with regards to the minute-by-minute itinerary. How are the kids going to be supervised at night and all throughout the trip? The fifth grade put together a similar itinerary for the Canada trip. It was suggested the Superintendent and/or Mr. Posephney meet with the chaperones to present what is to be expected from them. The Superintendent will get the information for the Board. Discussion ensued.
3. Sports Reductions
The Superintendent stated the budget set forth by the Board and voted on by the taxpayers of the District eliminates two sports, one boys’ fall sport and one girls’ fall sport. The Board is looking at sports cost and sports participation etc. in making their decision. The Superintendent’s recommendation is to eliminate football and volleyball. However, the Board, after looking at the participation and grade levels thought it was possible that the District could have a varsity volleyball team and jv field hockey team. A Board member also suggested the money be used from Senator Leibell to field both sports. The Board asked for more information on the Middle School Football signees. This item will appear on the next Board agenda. Discussion ensued.
4. Set Substitute Rates
A new policy that was established this year stated substitute rates would be set apart from unions to clarify rates and benefits etc. They will be set at the reorganizational meeting each year. The Superintendent suggested a 4 to 5.6% increase for substitutes. The substitute rates in the past have increased at the same rate as the union rates. Several Board members felt that was too big of an increase. It was suggested by a Board member to inquire what area schools’ rates are and to provide the Board with that information. Discussion ensued.
5. Long-Term Itinerant Substitute Contract
The District is looking to hire a second long-term itinerant substitute. However, the contract states the employee has to wait twenty days before paying $200 per day. The Superintendent stated the difficulty in getting substitutes to come to the District and by having a long-term substitute the District benefits in immediately being able to put that employee to work. The Superintendent recommends paying a long-term itinerant substitute $200 per day starting on day one. Discussion ensued.
6. 08-09 Staffing
The budget approved by the taxpayers call for a reduction of four teaching positions. The Board will discuss where staff will be placed next year. The cuts are as follows:
a sixth grade teacher, the ACE program, the Science program and the High School AIS program. The Superintended discussed the plans for each reduction in each area. It was suggested going forward to look for teacher applicants who are dual certified. A Board member asked if eliminating the AIS position and assigning it to current staff, if that affects a sixth period assignment. The Superintendent stated yes. Discussion ensued.
7. 08-09 Academic Policies
An audience member asked if there was going to be policies in place for ninth graders going into tenth grade. The Board President stated that it was not only Earth Science that was a problem for the ninth graders, it was other subjects also. The High School Principal outlined several things that the District realizes now about the weaknesses of the ninth grade and what the High School is planning to do next year such as the realizing the high school was not ready for this class, re-emphasizing study skills, time management, note taking, prioritizing, and planners will be distributed for homework etc. Also there will be summer school for Earth Science and there will be a boot camp for incoming ninth graders. Discussion ensued.
CLERK’S REPORT
1. Delegations
None
2. Non-Staff Communications
None
PERSONNEL
1. Instructional
Substitute Appointment
Mr. Herald made and
Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the following Instructional Substitute appointment, as recommended by the Superintendent of
Schools:
Tom Kelly Long
Term Substitute Teacher
Effective:
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
2. Approval of Itinerent
Substitute Contract Template
Mrs. Lounsbury made and Mr. Herald second the
following motion:
BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education approves the Daily Itinerant
Substitute Teacher contract template starting at $200/day, as recommended by
the Superintendent of Schools.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
BUSINESS AND
OPERATIONS
1. Authorization to increase the 2007-2008
Budget
This item was removed from the agenda so further information could be provided to the Board. It will be moved to the next meeting agenda.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby increases the 2007-2008 Budget in the amount of $75,000.00, in Budget Code A2630.200.05 as a result of a grant from Senator Leibell, to be recorded in Revenue Account CodeA3289, with such funds to be expended from A2630.200 05.
2. Authorization
to increase the 2007-2008 Budget
Ms. Lounsbury made and Mr. McGhee seconded the following motion:
A Board member stated thank you to WFFEE, Class of 2001 and to the Berlinghoff family.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby increases the 2007-2008 Budget in the amount of $5,979.90, in Budget Code A2855.200.00 01 20 as a result of a donation from WFFEE for the purchase of a one (1) soccer scoreboard in the memory of Thomas Berlinghoff, to be recorded in Revenue Account CodeA2770 with such funds to be expended from A2855.200.00 01 20.
The seven Board members present voted to approve the motion. The motion carried unanimously.
CURRICULUM
AND INSTRUCTION
1. Authorization of Sport Program Reductions
This item was removed from the agenda so further information could be provided to the Board. It will be moved to the next meeting agenda.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webutuck Board of Education hereby authorizes
the elimination of the following athletic programs: _____________ and __________________ in
conjunction with the Board’s proposed budget and the election results of
BOARD OF EDUCATION
1. Approval of French Trip to Europe
This item was removed from the agenda so further information could be provided to the Board. It will be moved to the next meeting agenda.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Europe
Trip scheduled for April 5 – April 15, 2009 as a school field trip, as
recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.
2.
Ms.
Lounsbury made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to set a special Business
meeting on
A Board member requested the meeting be restricted
to agenda items only and to restrict public comment. The Board President stated he would not
restrict public comment.
The seven Board members present voted to
approve the motion. The motion carried
unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following comments were made by audience
members:
-Is the Tuesday through Saturday position going
to be posted? Are we filling that?
-An audience member commented about a Board
member stated in the meeting that there should be no public comment at the next
Board meeting. The audience member was
upset with the comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Herald made and Mr. Jablonsky seconded a motion to adjourn to
executive session at 10:20 pm for
the purpose of discussing staffing issues. The seven Board members present
voted. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting of