Minutes – Workshop Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – November 18, 2009 – 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER                                                                                                                                 CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:31 PM by David Dukler, Board President.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                                              QUORUM CHECK
David Dukler
Kathleen Tobin Flusser
Steven Greenfield
Donald Kerr
Patrick Rausch
Edgar Rodriguez
Daniel Torres
                                                               

ALSO PRESENT:                 Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools
                                                                Connie Hayes, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services

ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                                                                                                      EXECUTIVE
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of                                                     SESSION  
Education move into Executive Session at 6:31 PM for the purpose of discussing
the employment history of particular individuals, matters made exempt by FERPA,
litigation and pending litigation.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

David Dukler served as Clerk Pro Tempore for this portion of the meeting.

Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by
Donald Kerr that the Board return to Public Session at 6:58 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
                                                                David Dukler
Kathleen Tobin Flusser
Steven Greenfield
Donald Kerr
Patrick Rausch
                                                                Edgar Rodriguez
                                                                Daniel Torres
                                                               
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
                                                                Debra Hogencamp, Principal, Duzine Elementary School
                                                                Bill Richers, Director of Information & Communications Technology
                                                                Beverly Sickler, District Clerk
                                                                Naomi Kleinsasser, Student Representative
                                                                Members of the Public and Press

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

PLEDGE TO THE FLAG – The pledge was led by the Duzine Elementary School students.

AGENDA CHANGES                                                                                                                                                          AGENDA
                                                                                                                                                                                                CHANGES

Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser to accept the agenda as amended by the addendum.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM: The Scarecrow Festival (The Green Classroom) – Teacher Mathew Elkin and Grade One students told about their experiences is planting their very own garden.  Each student told their favorite part of the project. A slide presentation provided pictures of the children at work in the garden, an activity which is incorporated into the curriculum at the Duzine School.

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                                                                                                       PUBLIC
                                                                                                                                                                                                COMMENT

Naomi Kleinsasser, Student Representative, reported on events and activities at the high school.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS
 

1. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS – Superintendent Rice reported on the Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner at the Duzine and Lenape Schools. The Superintendent’s Coffee with parents this morning dealt with the Middle School Building Project, homework, European model of education, and the new Commissioner of Education.  Some concerns were expressed about businesses in the community who support education being forced to close due to changes in the laws.  This week Support Professionals Day was celebrated.  Mrs. Rice recognized Mimi Koonz, President of the New Paltz Education Support Staff Unit, and thanked her and her colleagues for all of the work that they do with our students.  She went on to report on presentations that have been and will be made to various school and community groups regarding the Middle School Project.

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

1. STAFF DEVELOPMENT REPORTS – Steven Greenfield, Patrick Rausch and Edgar Rodriguez reported on their attendance at the New York State School Boards Convention in New York City in October.  Edgar requested that he complete his report in more depth at a future meeting.

1. BUDGET PHILOSOPHY AND EFFECT ON MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT – President Dukler asked Assistant Superintendent Richard Linden to tutor the board on budget philosophy options.  Mr. Linden reviewed the various philosophies and the impact on the amount of the tax levy.  He explained reserve funds and how they allow the district to budget some areas conservatively thus keeping the tax levy at a relatively constant level. He also explained that the unappropriated fund balance could also provide the same type of buffer.  The other extreme is to appropriate the entire fund balance making the tax levy fluctuate up and down radically.  Another model is somewhere in between using other criteria.  Maintaining reserves will buffer the bad years and help to regulate the tax levy.  Other districts budget from year to year without consideration of future years. Discussion followed. Mr. Linden continued explaining the variables when creating a budget.  The discussion turned to the matter of the Middle School Project and how to finance it.  Mr. Linden spoke about a delay in borrowing for the project with the goal to postpone the cost of construction until the summer of 2011.  The other side of the equation is consideration of the cost of interest rates increasing at the same time. One of the options to eliminate the interest factor is the use of a bond anticipation note (BAN).  Mr. Linden explained the use of BAN’s versus bonding.  The decision that needs to be made this evening is whether or not to include the cost of the Middle School Project in the amount of the tax levy prescribed by the board.  If the levy is not to exceed 4% does that include the cost of the project? 

Ms. Tobin Flusser suggested that the board discuss the matter of School Tax Reform.  It was agreed to put it on the Comeback List.

COST OF MS PROJECT TO BE INCLUDED
IN THE PRESCRIBED TAX LEVY

Mr. Dukler asked, “Is the tax impact included in the overall tax levy?  Is the Middle School Project within the 4% or is it added on?”  This is the question at hand. 

Members unanimously agreed that the cost of the project will be included within the tax levy amount established by the board.

President Dukler commented that he will memorialize this evening’s discussion on Budget Philosophy by providing his notes to the District Clerk for purposes of further discussion by members of the board.

1. LETTER OF CORRECTION – President Dukler presented the members with a draft of the Letter of Correction.  Discussion followed.  Mr. Dukler will send a revised letter to the papers for publication.

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

                                                                                                                                             LETTER OF CORRECTION

9.1          Request for Approval for Board President to Issue Corrective Letter

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorize the Board President to issue, on behalf of the Board of Education, a corrective letter to the New Paltz Times regarding the following items: Current debt on New Paltz Middle School and debt level projected at proposed bond issue date, overall level of district debt and the use of construction reserves versus other reserve funds.

Discussion followed. 

Motion carried 6 YES to 1 NO (Edgar Rodriguez) with 7 members voting.

Members confirmed that the next Facilities Committee of the Whole will take place on November 24, 2009. 
It was decided that the following members will make presentations at the December Community Forums on the Middle School Project.   December 1 -Don Kerr, KT Tobin Flusser and Steve Greenfield; December 9 - David Dukler, Don Kerr and Daniel Torres.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

1. AUDIT COMMITTEE – Patrick Rausch reported that he signed the Engagement Letter for basic service from our Internal Auditor.  A number of policies were reviewed and sent back to the Policy Committee.  He asked that the Claims Auditor Policy approval be delayed tonight because the changes are not correct.
2. FACILITIES COMMITTEE – Donald Kerr (No Report)
3. POLICY COMMITTEE – David Dukler (No Report)
4. HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Daniel Torres reported that the committee met and discussed bullying and the various proposals to combat bullying.  It was suggested that a garden be planted at the middle school and the high school given that the elementary schools each have one.  The idea of using Twittering to announce school delays was suggested.  The safety of students on Election Day was discussed since school facilities are used as polling places.

Steve Greenfield suggested that Public Comment be moved to this portion of the meeting for the sake of people from the public who are waiting to speak.  Members agreed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Roger Spool, New Paltz – Middle School Project and Debt, Bullying
Susan Zimet, UC Legislator – Budget Philosophy, Taxes,  Middle School Project, Drug Abuse, Short Term Tax Relief, Long Term Tax Reform

NOTE:  CONSENT AGENDA – In the interest of time, members agreed to vote on a Consent Agenda with the exception of OLD BUSINESS Item 13.1 Audit Committee Policy which was taken off the agenda and Financial Statements Item 15 which was voted on separately.

CONSENT AGENDA (Item 11 Minutes, Items 12.1 through 12.9 Personnel, Items 14.1 through 14.4 New Business)

Motion made by Steven Greenfield and seconded by Donald Kerr that the Board of
Education approve Consent Agenda Items 11 (Minutes), 12.1 through 12.9 (Personnel)
and14.1 through 14.4 (New Business) as follows:

11.  MINUTES OF MEETING (CONSENT AGENDA) 

                                                                                                                                                                                MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes                            11/4/09   
of the Regular Business Meeting of November 4, 2009.
                                                                                                                                                                                                               

PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                                                                                             PERSONNEL

12.1        Instructional Resignation – For Purposes of Retirement
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 for purposes of retirement:

Beth O. Lazzaro                    Family & Consumer Science Teacher               Effective 2/1/10

12.2        Instructional Appointment - Substitutes
Recommendation that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following substitute teachers with remuneration as per rates established at the July 1, 2009 Organizational Meeting:

12.3        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:

12.4        Advisorship
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 to the following advisorship for the 2009/2010 school year, with remuneration as per NPUT contract:

High School
Open Studio in Art                              Todd Martin – co-advisor

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 employees, on an as-needed basis with remuneration as per NPUT contract effective for the 2009-2010 school year:
Johanna F. Hill

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:

Pamela Struzzieri                   School Monitor                                    Effective 11/13/09
                
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:

Elaine Purdy                          School Lunch Cashier                         Effective 11/5/09 – 12/7/09
Barbara J. Agor                    School Monitor                                    Effective 11/17/09 – 1/1/10

12.8        Coaching Appointments
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 2009-2010 school year with remuneration as per NPUT Contract:
                                                                                                                                                Stipend
Azeem Mallick                      Modified Boys Basketball                                                  $2160
Daniel Roth                           Varsity Boys Swim Assistant                                            $3460
William Hennessey              Modified Wrestling                                                             $2160
Jason White                          Assistant Nordic Ski Coach                                               Unpaid

12.9        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                    Hours    

Yuliya Kornyeva                  School Monitor                                    11/19/09                                 $10.04/hr                16.75/week
Nina Hein                              School Monitor                                    11/19/09                                 $10.04/hr                16.75/week
John Casiano                        Substitute Custodial Worker             11/18/09                                 $11.00/hr                as needed
Wayne Kreuscher                                Substitute School Bus Driver            11/16/09                                 $20.00/hr                as needed

NEW BUSINESS (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                                                                      NEW BUSINESS

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: 9150, 8287, 1848, 9346, 12007, 9489, 10633, 10060, 11518, 10923, 10895, 9579, 10093, 11507, 10786, 9629, 10965, 9592, 12081.

14.2        Request for Approval of Budgetary Transfer
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, and Richard A. Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business, does hereby approve the following budgetary transfer:             

14.3        Request for Approval to Establish New Extra-Curricular Club – Poetry Club
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby establish a new extra-curricular club at the New Paltz Central High School called the “Poetry Club”.

14.4        Request for Approval to Appoint Advisor to the Poetry Club
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent, does hereby appoint the following Advisorship for the 2009-2010 School Year with remuneration as per NPUT Contract with said funds coming from those already allocated to the Co-advisor position for the Marching Band which is not being filled this year:

Lisa St. John         Poetry Club           Effective 9/1/09

Motion to approve CONSENT AGENDA Items 11, 12.1 through 12.9 and 14.1 through 14.4
carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

FINANCIAL REPORTS                                                                                                                                 FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Treasurer’s Report for           
October 2009 and Budget Transfer Schedules #4, October 2009 be approved.        
                                                                                               
Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

OTHER DISCUSSION                                                                                                                                       OTHER DISCUSSION
                                                                                                               
Edgar Rodriguez will provide the board members with a report on some of the workshops he attended at the New York State School Board Convention at a December meeting.

STATEMENT FROM EDGAR RODRIGUEZ

Mr. Rodriguez took this opportunity to comment for the record why he was unable to attend the previous meeting of the Board of Education on November 4, 2009.  He said, “I missed the board meeting of November 4, 2009 because of a tragedy that I experienced with my youngest sister in Hartford, Connecticut throughout the day of the meeting.  As a result, of my complication I was not able to call anyone in the district to inform them of my board meeting absence.”

EXECUTIVE SESSION                                                                                                                                                      EXECUTIVE
                                                                                                                                                                                                SESSION
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres to move into
Executive Session at 11:05 PM to discuss the employment history of a particular
individual.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                                                                                              QUORUM CHECK
David Dukler
Kathleen Tobin Flusser
Steven Greenfield
Donald Kerr
Patrick Rausch
Edgar Rodriguez
Daniel Torres

ALSO PRESENT:                 Maria Rice, Superintendent

Out of Executive Session
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by KT Tobin Flusser that the Board                                                          RETURN
return to Public Session at 11:12 PM.                                                                                                                                       PUBLIC
                                                                                                                                                                                                        SESSION
Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7members voting.

                                                                                                                                                                               
ADJOURN                                                                                                                                                                                 ADJOURN
Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by KT Tobin Flusser that the Board
adjourn at 11:15 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________
Beverly J. Sickler
District Clerk