Minutes ï¿½ Regular Workshop Meeti

Meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by Roderick Dressel Jr., Board President. Superintendent

Rice was appointed by President Dressel as Clerk Protempore for this portion of the meeting.

The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Roderick Dressel Jr., Board President.

Debora Banner, Assistant Superintendent

ADDENDUM

January 9, 2008

7:00 PM

PERSONNEL

ADD appointments to existing Item 12.3 Non-Instructional Appointments as follows:

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/Rate Other

Fern Woolsey Custodial Worker 1/10/08 $12.81/hr part-time

Adam Hoonbeek Sub. Custodial Worker 1/2/08 $10.00/hr as needed

Theodore Schurko Sub. Custodial Worker 12/11/07 $10.00/hr as needed

Ronald Weller Sub. Custodial Worker 1/3/08 $10.00/hr as needed

Zachary Bialecki Youth Worker 1/9/08 $20.00/hr as needed

ADD

12.6 Non-Instructional Resignation

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept the resignation of the following non-instructional employee:

Kim Scott Food Service Helper Effective 12/12/07

12.7 Request for Approval to Create New Position

Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central School Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby create the following position:

1 – Part-time Custodial Worker

NEW BUSINESS

ADD the following student numbers to existing resolution:

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

Recommendation – that the following resolution be approved: 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: 10873, 9066, 1476, 6043, 10859, 10811, 76.

(continued)

14.2 Request for Approval of Release and Settlement Agreement for Student No 1324

Recommendation – that the following resolution be approved:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education does hereby approve the terms of the Release and Settlement Agreement involving Student Number 1324; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendent of Schools be and hereby is authorized to execute such Release and Settlement Agreement on behalf of the District.

Personnel Item 12.3 - Last line should indicate “as needed for filming board meetings”.

Recommendation that the New Paltz CSD Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Louis W. Richers as Acting Purchasing Agent effective 1/12/08 – 1/27/08.

Motion made by Laura walls and seconded by David Dukler that the Board of Education accept the agenda as amended.

Motion carried 6 – 0 with 6 members voting. (Patrick Rausch was out of the room.)

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM – Superintendent Rice introduced Mr. Bill Richers, Director of Information and Communications Technology, who with the help of his team, created a new Web Site for the district. Mr. Richers recognized the SYSOPS from each building, Fran Lamb, Judy Valk, Janice Pallus, and Sue Bowers, for their contributions. Others included Karen Brooks and Holly Brooker. The Technology Department members include Maria Urquidi, Cheri Pettus and Kevin Conero. Mr. Richers navigated through the site by way of a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting the various features of the Web Site.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT – Mike Labrosse, Student Representative, reported on events and activities at the high school.

Ø SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS – Mrs. Rice reported on the Superintendent’s Coffee held today at the new District Office. A tour was taken of the new facility and part of the time was used to discuss the matter of the middle school dilemma. A number of topics were discussed including the new Web Site. Suggestions and recommendations to improve the site were submitted for consideration with many accolades being made. Other topics of the morning included the district’s connection to the college, a strong tutoring program, handicapped parking, Duzine cafeteria acoustics, sledding at the Duzine hill and the creation of new clubs at the high school. Lively conversation took place over the middle school. Renovations were recommended by some with some questions yet to be answered. Mrs. Rice referenced the blog which allows people to contribute suggestions and comments about the middle school dilemma. Forums will be held by the PTA’s to provide information to parents. David Dukler will present at the upcoming High School PTSA meeting on January 14. A tour of the middle school followed by a forum will take place on January 16 beginning at 6:00 PM for the tour and 7:00 PM for the forum. Parking and accessibility were primary concerns of attendees at the coffee. Many good ideas came out of the Superintendent’s Coffee.

Ø PRE-K PROGRAM REPORT - Principal Debra Hogencamp and Iva Profaci, Pre-K Teacher, were introduced by Mrs. Rice and asked to present a report regarding the Pre-K Program which has been in operation for four years. Mrs. Hogencamp provided a brief history since the inception of the program. Language development and literacy skills as well as math skills are some of the objectives of the program. Parent involvement is crucial. Mrs. Profaci spoke about the program. Academic need is used to evaluated the students. There are currently 16 children in the program. Mrs. Profaci conducts home visits after the children are selected. A classroom orientation takes place after the home visit during which time children meet each other for the first time. Half days are transitioned into full days. Mrs. Hogencamp and Mrs. Profaci spoke of the accomplishments of the program. Social and academic skills are presented and tracked. There is also support for ESL students and parent involvement through group activities and scheduled events as well as a weekly newsletter. Early intervention enables the district to provide appropriate services for the students. One of the challenges is the need for a more intensive educational setting. Pupil Personnel Services and the County have helped in these areas of need. Criteria for selection started with academic need. During the second year economic needs were considered as well. In the third year the district switched back to academic need only. The screening tool was also changed to First Step Screening Test for Pre-School. Questions and answers followed.

Ø FUND BALANCE AND REVENUE DISCUSSION – President Dressel summarized the district’s fund balance history, emphasizing that before the tax levy is set, it is important to have the actuals from the previous year so that appropriate fund balance amounts can be determined by the Board. Discussion needs to take place as to what level the board would like the fund balance to increase or decrease. Members need to be comfortable that the fund balance is being determined by actual figures from the previous year. Mr. Kerr commended Mr. Dressel on his actions to improve the process for the benefit of the taxpayers. Mr. Dressel suggested that the Audit Committee may assist is the effort. Ms. Walls had some reservation that this is not included in the charge to the Audit Committee and some thought would have to take place before any comments on her part. Mr. Dressel asked that the board be provided with the final figures by August, prior to the Tax Warrant being established. Mr. Rausch suggested that this topic be covered for two meetings. To accomplish this, the figures should be provided end of July and the final decision made in August.

Ø Ms. Walls announced a conference in March of this year entitled “Teaching for Intelligence”. She recommended that someone from the board attend this event to be held in Albany.

Ø FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Rod Dressel announced that the committee will meet on January 16 at noon to discuss old business which includes the middle school dilemma. A few candidates are being considered for the Director of Facilities and Operations position. The committee members will be included in the interview process at this meeting. Interviews are confirmed for this date. Mr. Rodriguez asked about the power outage at Duzine. Mrs. Rice reported that the permanent fix was not done as scheduled, thus delaying the process. Central Hudson worked after school hours today to fix the problem. Mrs. Rice further reported on a possible gasoline spill which was reported to DEC. Testing is being done on the garage tanks to be sure that nothing is wrong.

Ø POLICY COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch reported that the committee is waiting for the superintendent and her staff to report back to the committee. Mrs. Rice replied that RTI (Response to Intervention) is being worked on and all of the changes have not been made yet. Mr. Rausch will provide a copy of the master to Beverly Sickler, Board Clerk, so that it can be sent to Erie 1 BOCES.

Ø AUDIT COMMITTEE – Michael Swigart reported on a December 5, 2007 meeting. All items to be accomplished were reviewed and a calendar was established through June 2008.

Ø HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Don Kerr reported on a meeting on January 8, 2008. The full committee received the draft revision of the Code of Conduct. The committee members will provide input to the committee chair and bring the recommendations back to the entire committee for further processing. The Prevention Sub Committee spoke of workshops, the Wellness Sub Committee talked about the Wellness Wake Up Call, the Safety Sub Committee spoke about the lock down drill and the follow up to them. All three student members were present and sit on the Code of Conduct Sub Committee.

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes 12/12/07

Recommendation that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following instructional substitutes for the 2007/2008 school year:

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following as unpaid softball chaperones for the 2007-2008 school year:

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:

Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby increase hours for the following:

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.

Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central School Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby create the following position:

13.1 Second Reading and Approval of New Policy 6216 - Standards of Teaching Quality and Accountability

1. Instructional Delivery: The teacher must demonstrate that the delivery of instruction results in active student involvement, appropriate teacher/student interaction and meaningful lesson plans resulting in student learning.

2. Content Knowledge: The teacher must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the subject matter area and curriculum in the grade or course the teacher is responsible for teaching.

3. Preparation: The teacher must demonstrate appropriate preparation employing the necessary pedagogical practices to support instruction resulting in student learning.

4. Classroom Management: The teacher must demonstrate classroom management skills supportive of diverse student learning needs which create an environment conducive to student learning. A teacher must maintain classroom order so that disorderly, disrespectful or dangerous conduct by students does not impede either the teacher’s ability to teach or the students’ ability to learn.

5. Student Development: The teacher must demonstrate knowledge of student, an understanding and appreciation of diversity and the regular application of developmentally appropriate instructional strategies for the benefit of all students.

6. Student Assessment: The teacher must demonstrate that he or she implements assessment techniques based on appropriate learning standards designed to measure students’ progress in learning.

7. Collaboration: The teacher must demonstrate that he or she develops effective collaborative relationships with students, parents or caregivers, teachers, administrators and other school professionals, and appropriate support personnel to meet the learning needs of students.

8. Reflective and Responsive Practice: The teacher must demonstrate that the teacher reviews his or her professional practices and that the teacher effectively assesses and appropriately adjusts such practices on a continuing basis to meet the learning needs of students.

9. Attendance: The teacher must regularly attend work and avoid unnecessary, unexcused and excessive absences.

10. Professional Character: The teacher must behave professionally and personally in a manner that is a credit to the profession of teaching and is worthy of the trust and respect of students, parents or caregivers, and the public. The teacher must not, in school or out of school, abuse or endanger students or other children, intentionally harm or threaten harm against others, denigrate the human dignity of others, act dishonestly, violate the law, or otherwise behave in a manner that discredits the teacher as a role model for students or as a trustee of their welfare.

The Board of Education expects and requires a probationary teacher to demonstrate to the board’s satisfaction that the probationary teacher, if tenured, be able to consistently and reliably adhere to the district’s standards of teaching quality throughout the remainder of the teacher’s career. The Board of Education will grant tenure only to a teacher who has excellent instructional skills, who has demonstrated an exemplary work ethic, who has demonstrated a trend of continuing improvement, who is highly regarded by students, parents, teachers and administrators, and whom the board expects to be contributor and a pleasure to with for the remainder of their teacher’s career. The board will grant tenure only if all of these factors are amply documented in the teacher’s observation reports and annual evaluations and the superintendent recommends the teacher for tenure without reservation.

The Board of Education expects and requires a tenured teacher to consistently and reliably adhere to the district’s standards of teaching quality. A tenured teacher who fails to conduct himself or herself according to the district’s standards has violated the terms of h is or her tenure appointment and will be counseled, warned, disciplined or removed, depending upon the nature of the deficiency or violation.

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: 8404, 2083, 1619, 6994, 7130, 9446, 2546, 8860, 9971, 9312, 0054K, 10481, 10193, 1021B, 1025B, 9176, 10924, 1022B, 0041G, 10873, 9066, 1476, 6043, 10859, 10811, 76.

14.2 Request for Approval of Release and Settlement Agreement for Student No 1324

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education does hereby approve the terms of the Release and Settlement Agreement involving Student Number 1324; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendent of Schools be and hereby is authorized to execute such Release and Settlement Agreement on behalf of the District.

Edgar Rodriguez announced that February is Black History Month. In his capacity as a member of the Huguenot Historical Society, he has been asked to serve as a representative of the Board of Education in promoting the African American Burial Grounds located on Huguenot Street. He requested that the board allow him to speak the next meeting regarding upcoming activities related to this project. Discussion followed and it was agreed that the matter would be discussed at the next meeting.

Executive Session at 9:20 PM to discuss pending litigation and the employment history