Minutes – Regular Workshop Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – Jan. 14, 2009 – 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER                                                                 CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:35 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
                               

ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                              EXECUTIVE
Motion made by Steve Greenfield and seconded by Rod Dressel that the Board of                               SESSION                        
Education move into Executive Session at 6:35 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.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by
Laura Walls that the Board return to Public Session at 7:03 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

CALL TO ORDER                                                                             CALL TO ORDER
The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:06 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
                                Debra Hogencamp, Principal, Duzine Elementary School
                                Bill Richers, Director of Information & Communications Technology
                                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
There were no agenda changes.  Motion made by Don Kerr and seconded by Laura
Walls that the board accept the agenda as presented.

Motion to accept agenda carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM: DUZINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SECOND GRADE MUSIC CLASS – Ms. Cheryl Tomasetti’s Second Grade Students and Music Teacher Nicole Cappelli were on hand to demonstrate a typical music lesson using the Fire Robin Method.  The children expressed what they were hearing and feeling through movement and song.  The presentation was well received by the audience with thanks being expressed to Principal Debra Hogencamp, Ms. Tomasetti, Ms. Cappelli and the children.

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                               PUBLIC
                                                                                                COMMENT
KT Tobin Plusser, New Paltz – Survey Re: Funding for Education from Senator Bonacic, Inauguration, Middle School
Jonathan Wright, New Paltz – Middle School
Lagusti Urwood, New Paltz – Middle School

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 announced that all students and staff will be able to view the inauguration live on January 20th due to the efforts of administrators and particularly the Technology Department.  Ms. Rice went on to commend Senator Bonacic and Representative Cahill for their efforts on behalf of the district during this unprecedented fiscal crisis.
  1. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR SCHOOL EXCELLENCE UPDATE – Mrs. Rice reviewed her recent Educational Master Plan which was provided to board members last week.  She explained that the document is in evolution and will hopefully never be completed since the work is ongoing.  The goal is a long-term plan which provides the highest quality educational system to educate our students by creating a dynamic, long term planning process that addresses financially feasible facility needs in the context of the greater community needs.  She spoke of a transformational school model which is a non- linear, interactive, systems based model. She reviewed the district’s mission, vision and goals in conjunction with how these concepts impact the educational process that must be implemented as the district enters the 21st century.  She elaborated on the Educational Master Plan Standards.  Good planning and hard work will be required to carry out the plan as presented.  Discussion followed.

 

This document will be made available on the district Web Site. Superintendent Rice noted that the district needs to move from the standards to what those standards might translate as goals.  The new 100.11 Decision Making Plan is a way to involve parents, community and staff in reviewing the standards.  Discussion, questions and answers continued.

Mr. Dressel suggested that the board vote on a motion that the board receive and approve the direction of the Educational Master Plan.  No formal motion was made and discussion continued.
 

  1. COMMUNITY INPUT ON ALTERNATIVE REVENUE SOURCES – Mrs. Rice commented on the deficit in the State Budget and the impact of the deficit on this district.  She noted that in order to make informed decisions when creating the district’s budget, pubic conversations took place regarding what parameters she should use.  At this point there is a $1.3 million shortfall in State Aid.  The district is looking at starting with a deficit making the need for these parameters essential to the process.  Mrs. Rice briefly reviewed those parameters stating that the budget should be at or below contingency.  She commented on the variety of areas that could be looked at to save money, noting that she is looking at everything.  At the first meeting in February, a budget will be presented to the board.  Mrs. Rice asked that the community provide input regarding alternative funding sources as well as being advocates by faxing, emailing and writing Senator Bonacic, Representative Cahill and Governor Paterson.  Mrs. Rice asked for advocacy to begin now.  Mrs. Rice will appeal to the community through the newsletter, a blog, the PTA and other means as appropriate. It was suggested that a special meeting be called to obtain public input. Members continued to offer suggestion for alternative revenue sources and how to get input from the community.

COMMITTEE REPORTS –The following committee reports were made and upcoming meeting dates were announced.

  1. AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch announced that the next meeting will be held on January 28 at either 6 PM or 6:30 PM at the District Office.
  2. FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr announced that Rhinebeck Architect will present their report on the middle school at the January 21 meeting to held at Noon in the District Office Conference Room.
  3. POLICY COMMITTEE – Edgar Rodriguez announced that the next meeting will be held on February 11 at 5 PM in the District Office.
  4. HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr announced that the next meeting is the regularly scheduled meeting next month.

 

MINUTES OF MEETING   

Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Steve Greenfield
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:                                                                                                                                                   MINUTES
                                                                                                12/17/08

BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of December 17, 2008.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                             PERSONNEL
Motion made by Rod Dressel and seconded by Don Kerr 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:

Maryann Ellen Donadio
Cynthia Listort
Tracy Kline
Nicole Wistreich

12.2     Instructional Substitute Appointment - 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 teacher at a per diem rate of $80 for the 2008-2009 school year:

Kristen Kiley

 
12.3     Emergency Conditional Instructional Substitute Appointment

Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following instructional substitute on an emergency conditional bases:

Azeem Mallick              uncertified     $80.00 per day

12.4     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 2008-2009 school year:

Jennifer Pizzarello

12.5     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:

Michael Lotvin             School Bus Driver                Effective 12/17/08 – 8/31/09

 

12.6     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

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

OLD BUSINESS                                                                            OLD BUSINESS

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

                                                                                        2009-2010 CALENDAR
13.1        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.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

NEW BUSINESS                                                                            NEW BUSINESS

Motion made by Laura Walls and seconded by Patrick Rausch 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
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: 1799, 1706, 11222.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

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

                                      CREATE RFP FOR FACILITATION OF EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES PLAN

14.2       Request for Approval to Create an RFP for the Facilitation of the Educational Facilities Plan
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorize Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, to create and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the services of a consultant/firm to facilitate the development of the district’s Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan.

Discussion followed.           

Motion carried 5 YES to 2 NO (Steve Greenfield and Edgar Rodriguez).

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

                                                                                 DONATION OF CLAY FOR FIELD

14.3        Request for Approval to Accept Donation of $2000 from New Paltz Baseball Association
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby accept a donation of $2000 from the New Paltz Baseball Association to be used to improve the field at Lenape Elementary School for the 2009 Softball Season.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

OTHER DISCUSSION                                                                       OTHER DISCUSSION
                                                               
Don Kerr suggested that the information obtained at the NYSSBA workshop entitled “Fiscal Management in Hard Financial Times” as it relates to creative revenue sources, might be valuable information for presentation to the board.

Patrick Rausch and David Dukler expressed an interest in attending the State Legislative Issues Conference in Albany on March 1 – 3, 2009.  The District Clerk will register them for this event.

Edgar Rodriguez asked that the topic “Depending on Consultants” be included on the Comeback List.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                               PUBLIC
            COMMENT

Jonathan Sennett, New Paltz – Budget Process
                                                                                       
ADJOURN                                                                                    ADJOURN
Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Laura Walls that the Board
adjourn at 10:20 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________
Beverly J. Sickler
District Clerk