Minutes � Regular Business Meeting � Board of Education � New Paltz Central High School � Dec. 3, 2008 � 7:00 PM

 

CALL MEETING TO ORDER                                                                                                                                 CALL TO ORDER

Meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by David Dukler, Board President.

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                                              QUORUM CHECK

                                                                Roderick Dressel Jr. (arrived 6:03 PM)

David Dukler

Steven Greenfield

Don Kerr

Patrick Rausch

                                                                Edgar Rodriguez

                                                                Laura Walls

 

ALSO PRESENT:                 Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools

                                                                Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business

 

ROLL CALL

The roll was called as reflected above.

 

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                                                                                                      EXECUTIVE

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Steve Greenfield that the Board of                                                SESSION                       

Education move into Executive Session at 6:03 PM for the purpose of discussing the employment

history of particular individuals, the school history of particular students in accordance with their

FERPA rights and contract negotiations (collective bargaining).

 

Motion carried 6 - 0 with 6 members voting.

 

Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by

Don Kerr that the Board return to Public Session at 7:01 PM.

 

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

CALL TO ORDER                                                                                                                                                     CALL TO ORDER

The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM by David Dukler, Board President.

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                                             QUORUM CHECK

                                                                Roderick Dressel Jr.

David Dukler

Steven Greenfield

Don Kerr

Patrick Rausch

                                                                Edgar Rodriguez

                                                                Laura Walls

 

ALSO PRESENT:                 Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools

                                                                Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business

                                                                Connie Hayes, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services

                                                                Barbara Clinton, Principal, New Paltz Central High School

                                                                Bill Richers, Director of Information & Communications Technology

                                                                Beverly Sickler, District Clerk

                                                                Dan Torres, Substitute Student Representative

                                                                Members of the Public and Press

 

ROLL CALL                                                                                                                                                                        ROLL CALL

The roll was called as reflected above.

 

AGENDA CHANGES                                                                                                                                                          AGENDA

                                                                                                                                                                                                CHANGES

No agenda changes were made.

 

Motion made by Steve Greenfield and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of

Education accept the agenda as presented:

 

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM - NEW PALTZ CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL:  PRINT & BROADCAST

JOURNALISM – High School Principal Barbara Clinton introduced Journalism teacher Joel Nedem who explained the collaborative efforts of students working with NPZ TV and the school newspaper The Maroon in his Journalism course. Student Mike Cerasaro spoke on his personal experience from having taken the Journalism course.  Questions and answers followed. Teacher Joe Dolan who was present was also recognized for his work with the students.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                                                                                                       PUBLIC

                                                                                                                                                                                                COMMENTS

None                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT – Dan Torres substituted for Emily Freedman.  He reported on events and activities at the high school.  He also reported on the School Climate Survey meeting of the Action Team that was held yesterday at BOCES.

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

Ø       SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS – Superintendent Rice reported on her recent correspondence to government officials regarding cuts in educational funding.  A draft letter to the Governor was provided for the board’s approval.  Members reviewed the letter and offered their suggestions.  A number of straw polls were taken to decide what items to eliminate. Mrs. Rice will re-draft the letter and send to all members in the Friday packet.  The final version will be mailed to the Governor next week. 

Ø       EDUCATIONAL MASTER FACILITIES PLANNING – Superintendent Rice presented a proposal to craft an RFP to hire a consultant for the purpose of creating an Educational Facilities Plan.  Her recommendation is a result of her meeting with demographic analysis expert, Peter Fairweather.  The board will vote on the matter at a future meeting, however, questions and concerns were entertained.  There was some disagreement among members as to the need for hiring a consultant and the timing of this RFP.  Members engaged in an exchange of opinions and ideas and agreed to revisit the matter in the future.

 

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

 

Ø       None

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Ø       AUDIT COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch reported on the work of the committee at their last meeting on November 12, 2008.  Discussion ensued regarding Mr. Rausch’s signing of two (2) engagement letters on behalf of the Board with Internal Auditor Sickler, Torchia, Allen & Churchill.  On advice of counsel, it was determined that the letters constitute an agreement/contract and therefore cannot be signed by one board member without authorization by the full board.  Past precedent had established this process, however, the need to make corrections to the process was made evident when the district’s attorney was consulted.  To remedy the situation the following action was taken by the board.

 

 

 

       LETTERS OF ENGAGEMENT

   SICKLER, TORCHIA, ALLEN & CHURCHILL

                           INTERNAL AUDITORS

 

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of Education retroactively authorizes Patrick Rausch, Audit Committee Chair, to sign the two (2) engagement letters from the firm of Sickler Torchia, Allen & Churchill as valid and binding. (Engagement letters shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.)

 

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

Mr. Rausch stated that the December 10 meeting of the committee is being cancelled and another meeting will be held most likely on January 28, 2009 at 6:30 PM

 

Ø       FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr reported that Rhinebeck Associates will require the services of a construction manager.  The Facilities Committee agreed to this and suggested that Greenwood Corporation be used.  Mr. Kerr also reported on discussion at the committee level regarding relocation of the high school Guidance Office.  The committee would like to discuss funding of this project but not without giving the board a heads up.  Discussion followed. Mr. Kerr went on to report that a draft review of the Middle School Feasibility Project will be presented in January and the final report given to the board on February 18, 2009. Additional discussion followed.

 

Ø       POLICY COMMITTEE – Edgar Rodriguez announced that the next meeting of the committee will take place on December 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM.  The second reading and approval of ten policies will take place this evening.

 

Ø       HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr reported that there will be another meeting next month.  He asked the board if the issue of placing pay phones in the buildings should be taken to the Health Advisory Committee. Members agreed that because there is a safety issue involved, the matter should be presented to the HAC to explore.

 

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

 

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Don Kerr

that the Board of Education approve the following recommendation:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        MINUTES

11/19/08

 

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes of the              

Regular Business Meeting of November 19, 2008.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                                                                                             PERSONNEL

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of

Education approve the following personnel (consent agenda) resolutions:

 

12.1        Instructional Leave Replacement Appointment

Recommendation  - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve the leave replacement appointment of the following instructional employee for the 2008/2009 school year:

 

Pamela LaLonde                   French                    Effective 1/5/09 – 2/23/09                    MA Step 6 ($66,010) pro-rated

 

 

 

 

 

12.2        Instructional Substitute Appointments - Certified

Recommendation that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following certified substitute teachers at a per diem rate of $100 for the 2008-2009 school year:

 

John Caparimo

Judi Esmond

Heather Marie Piccone

Marilyn Rivera-Diaz

Dyani Sangnier

Jessie L. Swanson

 

12.3        Non-Instructional Appointments

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint the following:

 

Name                                      Title                                       Effective Date                       Salary                    Other    

Dawn Smith                           Perm. Sub. School Bus        12/4/08                                   $20.00/hr                4 hours per day

                                                     Driver

Hollie Labas                          Perm. Sub. School Bus        12/4/08                                   $20.00/hr                4 hours per day

                                                     Driver

Martha Koenig                     Sub. School Bus Driver       11/24/08                                 $19.00/hr                as needed

James Fabiano                      Sub. Custodial Worker        11/12/08                                 $11.00/hr                as needed

 

12.4        Non-Instructional Increase of Hours

Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby increase the following non-instructional hours:

 

Name                                      Title                                       Effective Date                       Salary                    Other    

Marti Gallo                            School Bus Attendant        12/4/08                                   $15.42/hr                4 hours to 6.25 hrs/day

                                                                                                                                               

12.5        Non-Instructional Extended Emergency Conditional Appointments

Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby extend the appointment of the following non-instructional employees for an additional 20 days in anticipation of fingerprinting clearance.

 

David Young        Sherry Kitay          Pamela Pece

 

12.6        Appointment of Scoreboard/Clock Operator

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint the following scoreboard/clock operator for the 2008-2009 Winter Sports Season at $40 per event:

 

William Judge

 

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS                                                                                                                                            NEW BUSINESS

 

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of

Education approve the following resolution:

 

                                                                                                                                                                     CSE & CPSE PLACEMENTS

 

14.1        Request for Approval of Committee on Special Education Recommendations and Student Placements

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Education approve the following Committee on Special Education (CSE) and Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) recommendations and student placements: 11305, 1798, 11308, 8141, 338, 6804, 9101, 10598, 9346, 9494;  1066B, 10317, 10947, 2005B, 1056B, 9971, 10878, 1047B, 1050B,10001, 10082, 9319, 10880, 10892, 9507, 10060, 10792, 9998, 10013, 9912, 10917, 1063B.

 

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of

Education approve the following resolution:

 

                                                                                                                                                             2009 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

                                                                                                                                                                UC SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOC.

 

14.2        Request for Approval to Adopt the 2009 Legislative Program of the UC School Boards Association

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District adopts the 2009 Legislative Program of the Ulster County School Boards Association.

 

Specifically, we support:

 

Ø       Phasing out reliance on local property tax to provide a “sound basic education” state-wide in favor of a broader state-wide taxing system including income tax.

Ø       To attract and retain regional education leaders, eliminate the salary and benefit cap on District Superintendents.

Ø       Revision of the Contingency Budget Law to exclude increases in Special Education, energy expenses, and health costs for staff and retirees from the formula.

Ø       Update and enhance the BOCES Aid Formula and encourage additional shared services.

Ø       Wicks Law Reform

Ø       Full funding of mandates

Ø       Legislation that provides full funding and supports legal reforms (including Triborough Amendment Reform) for the State’s public schools to eliminate the need to fund Charter School initiatives.

Ø       Reduce reporting requirements.

 

Discussion followed.

 

Motion carried 5 YES to 2 NO (Steve Greenfield, Edgar Rodriguez) with 7 members voting.

 

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Laura Walls for the Board of

Education to approve the following New Business Consent Agenda items 14.3 through 14.12.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                CONSENT AGENDA

                                                                                                                                                                                POLICES:  3130, 3230,

                                                                                                                                                                                5130, 5730, 6170, 7614,

                                                                                                                                                                                7622, 8271, 8430, 8450

 

14.3        Second Reading and Adoption of New Policy 3130 School District Standards and Guidelines for Web Page Publishing

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District adopt Policy 3130 School District Standards and Guidelines for Web Page Publishing as presented.

 

14.4        Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 3230 Complaints and Grievances

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approves a revision to Policy 3230 Complaints and Grievances as presented.

 

14.5            Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 5130 Contingency Budget

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve revision to Policy 5130 Contingency Budget as presented.

 

14.6        Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 5730 Transportation of Students

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 5730 Transportation of Students as presented.

 

14.7        Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 6170 Fingerprinting of Prospective School Employees

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 6170 Fingerprinting of Prospective School Employees as presented.

 

14.8        Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 7614 Preschool Special Education Program

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 7614 Preschool Special Education Program as presented.

 

14.9        Second Reading and Approval New Policy 7622 District Policy Regarding Response to Intervention (RTI) Process

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District adopt new Policy 7622 District Policy Regarding Response to Intervention (RTI) Process as presented.

 

14.10      Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 8271 Children’s Internet Protection Act: Internet Content Filtering/Safety Policy

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 8271 – Children’s Internet Protection Act: Internet Content Filtering/Safety Policy as presented.

 

14.11      Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 8430 Independent Study

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 8430 – Independent Study as presented.

 

14.12         Second Reading and Approval of Revision to Policy 8450 Home Tutoring (Homebound Instruction)

BE IT RESOLVED, that after a first and second reading, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District approve a revision to Policy 8450 – Home Tutoring (Homebound Instruction) as presented.

 

Motion to approve Consent Agenda 14.3 through 14.12 carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

                                                                                                                                                                                               

FINANCIAL REPORTS                                                                                                                                   FINANCIAL REPORTS

 

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Don Kerr that the Treasurer’s Report for   

October 2008 and Budget Transfer Schedules #3 be approved. 

                                                                                               

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

OTHER DISCUSSION                                                                                                                                       OTHER DISCUSSION

 

Edgar Rodriguez asked that the matter of changing the Charge of the Diversity Committee be put on the Comeback List.  It was requested that the Diversity Committee be provided with the Bias Awareness Report and the Discipline Report.

 

Patrick Rausch asked that discussion take place on the matter of whether or not a board member should serve on committees like the Diversity Committee.

 

Steve Greenfield asked for a discussion in the future with Steve Callahan, Director of Facilities, for the purpose of prioritizing the numerous categories assigned the title of “bond” in his Five Year Report. Assistant Superintendent Richard Linden provided some insights regarding the matter.

                                                                                               

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                                                                                                       PUBLIC

            COMMENT

None

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                                                                                                      EXECUTIVE

                                                                                                                                                                                                SESSION

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Laura Walls to move into

Executive Session at 9:42 PM to discuss contract negotiations and the employment

history of particular individuals.

 

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                                              QUORUM CHECK

                                                                Roderick Dressel Jr.

David Dukler

Steven Greenfield

Don Kerr

Patrick Rausch

                                                                Edgar Rodriguez

                                                                Laura Walls

 

ALSO PRESENT:                 Maria Rice, Superintendent

 

Out of Executive Session

Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Laura Walls that the Board                                                               RETURN

return to Public Session at 10:55 PM.                                                                                                                             PUBLIC                

                                                                                                                                                                                                SESSION

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7members voting.

                                                                                                                                                                               

ADJOURN                                                                                                                                                                            ADJOURN

 

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board

adjourn at 10:56 PM.

 

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

________________________

Beverly J. Sickler

District Clerk