Minutes – Regular Meeting

Meeting was called to order at 6:02 PM by Roderick Dressel Jr., Board President.

President Dressel appointed Maria Rice as Clerk Pro Tempore for this portion of the meeting.

Education move into Executive Session at 6:04 PM for the purpose of receiving legal advice,

to discuss contractual issues, and to discuss the employment history of particular individuals.

The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM by Rod Dressel Jr., Board President.

Debora Banner, Assistant Superintendent

ADDENDUM

PERSONNEL

ADD the following appointments to existing item 12.2 Non-Instructional Appointments

12.2 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:

Adam Hoornbeek Custodial Worker 3/27/08 $26,640 full-time

Ron Weller Custodial Worker 3/27/08 $26,640 full-time

David Lotvin Custodial Worker 3/27/08 $26,640 full-time

George Solcberg Custodian 3/27/08 $29,290 full-time

ADD:

12.5 Home Tutor

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 instructional employee, on an as-needed basis with remuneration as per NPUT contract effective for the 2007-2008 school year:

Erin Paltridge

12.6 Instructional Resignation

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

Carisa Gaylardo Physical Education Effective 6/26/08

12.7 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 2007/2008 school year:

Keri Zurlini Elementary Effective 3/26/08-5/6/08 MA, Step1, $55,830 prorated

12.8 Non-Instructional Resignation

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

Stacy Stoliker Administrative Aide/ Effective 4/16/08

Typist

NEW BUSINESS

ADD student numbers to existing item 14.1 as follows:

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

1737, 2145, 1030B, 0033G, 1032B, 10928, 9624

KT Tobin Flusser, New Paltz – Middle School Status (BLOG), Shared Decision Making

President Dressel introduced new Student Representative, Michelle Birch. Ms. Birch is a senior and will be attending Pace College in the fall. She reported on upcoming events and activities at the high school such as “Dancing with the Teachers” fund raiser. Ms. Pace also commented on the New Paltz Youth Commission and the efforts being made to promote collaboration between students and community.

Ø SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS – Ms. Rice commented on additional budget information pertaining to sports activities which was provided to the members this evening. She gave some introductory remarks regarding educational programs which have been incorporated into the second presentation of the 2008-2009 Budget. Some areas of savings have been included.

Ø 2008-2009 BUDGET – SECOND PRESENTATION: Assistant Superintendent Richard Linden provided a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed 2008-2009 Budget. Changes were made since the March 5th presentation resulting is a reduction to the proposed budget. Mr. Linden reviewed the proposed budget in its entirety (Administrative, Program, and Capital) for the benefit of the public. The total proposed budget is $47,662,000 with a 5.85% budget increase over last year. This represents a 6.82% tax levy increase. If the proposed budget is voted down one or two times, the contingent budget must be implemented. Based on data, the contingent budget results in a higher tax levy than the proposed budget. Mr. Linden explained the reasons for this. Members pointed out that the basis for the comparison was confusing because the data used for the proposed budget is different than the data used for contingency. Questions and answers followed. Patrick Rausch asked to see what a 6% tax levy looks like. This involves an additional cut of $502,000. Members agreed that they would like to review a budget with these cuts with a list of prioritized items.

Ø SPECIAL EDUCATION STATE AID AUDIT ON RECOVERED FUNDS – Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business explained that the district will be receiving an increase in excess of $600,000 this school year as a result of an audit of special aid numbers which was performed by an outside company. It is a one time windfall that will not take place again. The board will need to determine how to use this money. Some can be used to offset the tax warrant. The board needs to be provided with options so that an intelligent decision can be made. Superintendent Rice will come back to the board with some recommendations.

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

13.1 Request for Approval of “Plan for the Participation by Teachers and Parents in School-based Planning and Shared Decision Making”

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve the Plan for the Participation by Teachers and Parents in School-based Planning and Shared Decision Making as presented by the 100.11 Committee.

Discussion followed regarding community participation. The plan can be changed to meet the needs as the district proceeds. Consensus is the goal but lack of consensus will not keep the committee from functioning and coming to an impasse. Edgar Rodriguez asked to be allowed to make a statement regarding the matter. Mr. Rodriguez read a prepared statement (copy filed in Supplemental Minute Book) outlining what he believes to be a problem with the plan. Meaningful participation by the community is still not being provided by the plan according to Mr. Rodriguez. He asked that the board allow the community to self select to provide equity. Mr. Rausch pointed out that this statement is Mr. Rodriguez’ perception and the information may not necessarily be accurate. Mr. Kerr expressed appreciation for what the board and the committee have done in regards to promoting diversity. Mr. Swigart agreed that integrating other members of the community is important and needs to happen. Mr. Dressel hopes that the students will benefit from the probability that the plan becomes a state model.

Motion carried 5 YES (Roderick Dressel, David Dukler, Don Kerr, Patrick Rausch, Mike Swigart) – 1 NO (Edgar Rodriguez) with 6 members voting.

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: 6804, 9101, 2042, 6056, 1737, 2145, 1030B, 0033G, 1032B, 10928, 9624.

Ø BOE MEETINGS IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT – Mr. Dressel announced that the board is permitted to meet in different parts of the district as per the advice of the district’s attorney. Discussion followed. Specifically, the Bruderhof at Woodcrest is one of the locations that has been considered. The purpose is to include people from other localities. Gardiner is the southern location under consideration. It was suggested that a social hour be held before the start of the meetings. Logistics issues as well as the ramifications of public perception present some challenges in considering this initiative. Two dates need to be established with the understanding that these meetings are to be held in the usual fashion with some expanded public input. It was suggested to do Gardiner first. The Communications Committee was assigned the task of researching and setting up these meetings with the understanding that there will probably be a need to extend this into the next school year.

Ø FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Rod Dressel reported that the committee has not met. Tuesday noon works for the members but it is recognized that other have difficulty meeting during the day because of work schedules. Mr. Dressel’s preference is to keep the daytime schedule. Mr. Kerr is not able to meet on another evening. Mr. Swigart agreed that he cannot schedule an additional evening for a meeting. Noon meetings will continue unless there is a free Wednesday available.

Ø POLICY COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch reported that the draft policy manual was sent to Erie 1 BOCES in anticipation of draft #3 being returned for final approval.

Ø AUDIT COMMITTEE – Michael Swigart announced the next meeting is April 2^nd from 6 -7 PM.

Ø HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Don Kerr announced that grants are being applied for by the Village for Safe Routes for Students.

BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes of the

Special Budget Meeting of March 5, 2008 and the Regular Workshop Meeting of March 12, 2008.