Minutes – Regular Business Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – Dec. 17, 2008 – 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER                                                                 CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by David Dukler, Board President.

Mr. Dukler appointed Laura Walls as Clerk Pro Tempore for this portion of the meeting.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                      QUORUM CHECK
Roderick Dressel Jr.
David Dukler
Steven Greenfield
Don Kerr
Patrick Rausch
Edgar Rodriguez
Laura Walls

ALSO PRESENT:         Jeffrey Schiro, Attorney for the District
Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools (arrived 6:35 PM)
                               
ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                              EXECUTIVE
Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of                                           SESSION
Education move into Executive Session at 6:01 PM for the purpose of discussing
matters made exempt by FERPA and contract negotiations.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by
Steve Greenfield that the Board return to Public Session at 7:02 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

CALL TO ORDER                                                                             CALL TO ORDER
The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:09 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

                                Debora Banner, Assistant Superintendent

                                Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business
                                Connie Hayes, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
                                Beverly Sickler, District Clerk
                                Anthony Zraly, Student Representative
                                Members of the Public and Press

 

ROLL CALL                                                                                        ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

AGENDA CHANGES                                                                          AGENDA
                                                                                                CHANGES
President Dukler presented the following Addendum to the Agenda:

ADDENDUM

ADD:

NEW BUSINESS

    1. Request for Approval to Ratify & Fund CWA Memorandum of Agreement for Period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012

Recommendation – that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS the negotiating teams for the District and the COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, CLC, HEAD CUSTODIAL, CUSTODIAL MAINTENANCE UNIT, GROUNDS AND SCHOOL BUS MECHANICS (the CWA) executed a Memorandum of Agreement dated December 10, 2008, calling for the creation of a four-year successor Collectively Negotiated Agreement to the one that expired on June 30, 2008; and

WHEREAS the Board is required by law to approve the expenditure of additional monies required to fund the provisions of the Collectively Negotiated Agreement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby ratifies the Memorandum of Agreement between the District and the CWA covering the period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012 and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provisions of the 2008-2012 Collectively Negotiated Agreement.

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of Education accept the Agenda as amended by the Addendum.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                               PUBLIC
                                                                                                COMMENT
None

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

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS
 

  1. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS – Superintendent Rice reported on the proposed Executive Budget that the Governor presented to the State yesterday.  She commented on how it will impact New Paltz schools if it is accepted. It represents a $1.6 million deficit revenue to the district.  She encouraged people to contact the Governor and legislature to ask that no more unfunded mandates be imposed
  1. PLANNING FOR COMMUNITY INPUT ON COST SAVINGS MEASURES - Superintendent Rice went on to report on cost saving measures that will be implemented in January in the areas of energy conservation, limiting some overtime, making shift changes, and changing starting and ending school times to name a few.  All types of configurations and organizational patterns are being examined to save costs.  She asked if the board would be in favor of soliciting input from the community that might spark further research.  Discussion followed with members expressing support for the plan and offering additional suggestions on ways to get input not only on cost saving measures but on ways to generate revenue. Mrs. Rice will get back to the board after she fleshes out the suggestions that were offered.

 

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

  1. EDUCATIONAL MASTER FACILITIES PLANNING  - Superintendent Rice asked that the board consider creating a Master Facilities Plan so that the community knows our needs and how much it will cost to meet those needs based on agreed upon demographics to be provided by a demographics consultant.  Mr. Dukler opened up the floor for discussion.  Members offered their opinions.  In summary, Mrs. Rice is asking the board whether the district should pursue an RFP to hire a facilities planner so that the board can commit to moving forward from where we are to where we want to be.  She asked if a resolution should be on the next agenda.  Mr. Dukler took a poll in response to Mrs. Rice’s proposal for a resolution to put out an RFP.  Five members were in favor with moving forward.  Discussion continued.  It was decided that at the next meeting, a resolution to propose an RFP will be on the agenda for board action.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The following committee reports were presented:

  1. AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch, Chair
  2. FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Rod Dressel (on behalf of Don Kerr, Chair)
  3. POLICY COMMITTEE – Edgar Rodriguez, Chair 
  4. HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Patrick Rausch
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:                                                                                                                                                       MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes             12/3/08
of the Regular Workshop Meeting of December 3, 2008.                                             

Edgar Rodriguez asked that the minutes be changed on page 6 under Other Discussion as follows:

From:  “Edgar Rodriguez asked that the matter of recruiting students of color be put on the Comeback List.”
To:  “Edgar Rodriguez asked that the matter of changing the Charge of the Diversity Committee be put on the Comeback List.”
                                                                                                       
Motion carried 7 - 0 to approve the minutes as amended with 7 members voting.

PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                             PERSONNEL
Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Steve Greenfield that the Board of
Education approve the following personnel (consent agenda) resolutions:

12.1        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:

Michelle Bernier
Michael Ferrara
Katherine Hanley
Elizabeth Sealey
Brendan Schweda

 

12.2        Instructional Substitute Appointments - Uncertified
Recommendation that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following uncertified substitute teachers at a per diem rate of $80 for the 2008-2009 school year:

Fawn Burchell
Judy Cohen

12.3        Advisorship – Correcting Resolution
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve a correcting resolution to appoint Jennifer Pottinger as Fall Cheerleading Advisor for the 2008-2009 school year instead of Cheerleading Advisor (approved by BOE on 8/20/08), with a stipend of $500.

12.4        Advisorships
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 advisorships for the 2008/2009 school year, with remuneration as per NPUT contract:

Susan McNaughton     Ulster County Elementary All-county Chorus
      
Laura Faure           Young Elementary Music Symposium (YEMS)      Co-advisor
Susan McNaughton    Young Elementary Music Symposium (YEMS)      Co-advisor

Jennifer Pottinger         Winter Cheerleading Advisor    $500

David Thibodeau         Bowling Club Advisor                $500

12.5        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 (BOE approved this appointment on 12/3/08 with an effective date of 1/5/09 – 2/23/09.  This resolution changes the effective date.):

Pamela LaLonde           French            Effective 12/1/08 – 2/23/09          MA Step 6 ($66,010) pro-rated

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:

Madeline Nostrand      Food Service Helper    Effective 12/12/08

12.7        Non-Instructional Leave of Absence
Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve an unpaid leave of absence for the following non-instructional employee:

Frank Hilton          School Bus Driver                Effective 11/16/08 – 1/16/09

12.8        Non-Instructional Appointment
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:

Pamela Struzziera  Sub. School Monitor   Effective 10/2/08 – 11/19/08        $8.75/hr          as needed

 

 

12.9        Non-Instructional Appointment – Correcting Resolution to Change Effective Date
Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve a correcting resolution to approve appointment dates for the following non-instructional employee: (Original effective date was 9/18/08 approved by BOE on 9/17/08.)

Pamela Struzziera          Sub. Teacher Aide       11/20/08         as per ESS contract
Pamela Sturzziera          Sub. Clerical          11/20/08         as per ESS contract

 

12.10      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

12.11      Coaching 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 coaches for the 2008-2009 school year:

Heather Ligotino          Boys Volleyball Intramural Coach             Unpaid
Jason White          Nordic Ski Assistant Coach               Unpaid

 

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

OLD BUSINESS                                                                            OLD BUSINESS

 

None

 

NEW BUSINESS                                                                            NEW BUSINESS

Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Laura Walls 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: 9494, 8036, 8265, 4820, 11309, 1848, 11317; 10958, 10964, 11288, 10959, 11291, 9317, 10923, 1065B, 1062B, 11298, 1063B, 1068B;

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

 

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                          CAMPBELL/PRESBIE SCHOLARSHIP

14.2        Request for Approval to Establish the Campbell/Presbie Apple II E Scholarship
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, approve the establishment of the Campbell/Presbie Apple II E Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to be given to a graduating senior planning to pursue a career in computer science based on criteria established by the sponsor in agreement with school officials and Board of Education policy.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                                            AWARD DIESEL FUEL BID

14.3        Request for Approval to Award Diesel Fuel Bid to Warex
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, does hereby award the Diesel Fuel Bid to Warex for the period of August 14, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at a marketer differential price of $0.1820 for Ultra Low Premium Diesel #1 and #2.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                                   DONATION OF STORAGE SHED

               

    1. Request for Approval to Accept Donation of Soccer Storage Shed from New Paltz Soccer League

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, accept the donation of a soccer storage shed from The New Paltz Soccer League.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Rod Dressel that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                            DONATION GATEWAY COMPUTER

    1. Request for Approval to Accept Donation of Gateway Computer from Anonymous Donor

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, accept the donation of a Gateway computer from an anonymous donor.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

 

 

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                                DONATION OF ICE MACHINE

    1. Request for Approval to Accept Donation  of Money for the Purchase of Ice Machine

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, accept a donation of $1069.00 from the High School PTSA and $1000.00 from the Athletic Association (Total $2069.00) for the purchase of an ice machine.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Rod Dressel that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                        2009-2010 DISTRICT CALENDAR
                                                                                   VOTE POSTPONED
14.7        Request for Approval of the 2009-2010 District Calendar
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, approve the 2009-2010 New Paltz Central School District Calendar as presented.

Discussion followed.  Superintendent Rice requested that the board postpone voting on the calendar until the next board meeting in order to get additional input from other school districts at the next District Superintendent’s Council meeting.

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Steve Greenfield that the Board of Education postpone taking action on the resolution to approve the 2009-1010 District Calendar until January 7, 2008.

Motion to postpone carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Edgar Rodriguez that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                        ADOPT AMENDED IRS CODE PLAN DOCUMENT
                                                                        403(b) PLAN DOCUMENT

    1.        Request for Approval to Adopt Amended Section 403(b) Internal Revenue Code Plan Document

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby adopts the District’s Section 403(b) Internal Revenue Code Plan Document, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2009, as presented to the Board at this meeting.  A copy of said document shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Laura Walls that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

                                                                        AWARD BID FOR ELECTRICITY
14.9        Request for Approval to Award Bid for Electricity
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, does hereby award the bid for electricity to Hess Corporation effective January 1, 2009.

 

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Steve Greenfield that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:
                                                RATIFY & FUND CWA MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

14.10       Request for Approval to Ratify & Fund CWA Memorandum of Agreement for Period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012

WHEREAS the negotiating teams for the District and the COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, CLC, HEAD CUSTODIAL, CUSTODIAL MAINTENANCE UNIT, GROUNDS AND SCHOOL BUS MECHANICS (the CWA) executed a Memorandum of Agreement dated December 10, 2008, calling for the creation of a four-year successor Collectively Negotiated Agreement to the one that expired on June 30, 2008; and

WHEREAS the Board is required by law to approve the expenditure of additional monies required to fund the provisions of the Collectively Negotiated Agreement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby ratifies the Memorandum of Agreement between the District and the CWA covering the period from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012 and authorizes the funding of those monies necessary to implement the provisions of the 2008-2012 Collectively Negotiated Agreement.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Don Kerr that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution: 
                                                               
                                                                             SECTION 3214 APPEAL – SUPERINTENDENT’S DECISION UPHELD

14.11      Request for Approval to Accept Superintendent’s Decision Pursuant to Section 3214 of Education Law
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board accepts the Superintendent’s decision regarding the November 16, 2008 hearing held pursuant to Section 3214 of the Education Law.

Motion carried 5 YES (Rod Dressel, David Dukler, Don Kerr, Patrick Rausch, Laura Walls) to 2 NO (Steve Greenfield, Edgar Rodriguez).

FINANCIAL REPORTS                                                                           FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Rod Dressel that the Treasurer’s Report for   
November 2008 and Budget Transfer Schedule #4 be approved.       

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                               PUBLIC
            COMMENT
None

ADJOURN                                                                                    ADJOURN
Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Rod Dressel that the Board
adjourn at 9:30 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________
Beverly J. Sickler
District Clerk