Minutes – Business Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – December 2, 2009 – 7:00 PM
CALL MEETING TO ORDER CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:01 PM by David Dukler, Board President.
Donald Kerr was appointed as Clerk Pro Tempore for this portion of the meeting.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: QUORUM CHECK
David Dukler
Kathleen Tobin Flusser
Steven Greenfield
Donald Kerr
Patrick Rausch
Edgar Rodriguez (arrived 6:06 PM)
Daniel Torres
ALSO PRESENT: Maria Rice, Superintendent of Schools (left 6:35 PM)
Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent (arrived 6:18 PM, left 6:25 PM)
Connie Hayes, Assistant Superintendent (arrived 6:01 PM, left 6:06 PM)
ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.
EXECUTIVE SESSION EXECUTIVE
SESSION
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of
Education move into Executive Session at 6:01 PM for the purpose of discussing the
employment history of a particular individual, contract negotiations and receiving
legal advice from the district’s attorney.
Motion carried 6 - 0 with 6 members voting.
Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Kathleen Tobin Flusser and seconded by
Donald Kerr that the Board return to Public Session at 6:55 PM.
Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.
CALL TO ORDER CALL TO ORDER
The Public Meeting was called to order at 7:08 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
Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Connie Hayes, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Barbara Clinton, Principal, New Paltz Central High School
Bill Richers, Director of Information & Communications Technology
Beverly Sickler, District Clerk
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 David Dukler announced the following Addendum to the Agenda:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Item 6 - Correction to November 18, 2009 Meeting Minutes: Page 7 of 8, bottom line should read “Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.”
PERSONNEL
ADD name to existing Personnel Item 7.4 Non-Instructional Appointments
Elena R. Maskell Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent Effective 12/21/09 $49,000/year pro-rated
ADD:
7.6 Instructional Appointment - Mentor
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve the appointment of the following instructional employee as mentor with remuneration as per NPUT contract:
Denise Sanchez Effective 12/3/09 – 6/25/10
NEW BUSINESS
ADD:
9.2 Request to Approve the SEQRA for the High School Vault
Recommendation - that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District is contemplating a capital project involving the construction of a vault in a storage room at New Paltz High School (the “Proposed Action”); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has reviewed the proposed Scope of Work and the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Action is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(8) of the SEQRA Regulations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District is hereby designated as lead agency under SEQRA for the Proposed Action and determines that the proposed construction of a vault in a storage room at the New Paltz High School is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c) (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, and that no further review of the Proposed Action is required.
Motion to accept the agenda as amended by the addendum made by Steven Greenfield and seconded by Daniel Torres.
Motion carried 7 – 0 with members voting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PUBLIC
COMMENT
Robert LaMark, Gardiner – State Cutbacks to Education & MS Project
BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
Amphitheatre
Gym renovations
Multipurpose room addition
Comprehensive auditorium renovations with seating.
Louis Turpin and Phillip Zempke of Rhinebeck Architecture and Planning were on hand to contribute to the discussion and answer questions. Wants and needs were discussed to determine the scope of the project. The amphitheatre was discussed first with some members suggesting that although this is a want, perhaps funds could be raised by the community and not through tax dollars. The amphitheatre will not be included in the project.
Gym renovations at $260,000 to resolve acoustical problems, replace the backboards, and install recessed sleeves in the floor to receive volleyball stanchions were considered. Since the renovations impact the educational program, a majority of the members determined that the renovation should remain.
The multi-purpose room is one of the more expensive add-ons. It would be accessible to the community and also serve as a health/fitness center. The use of this room would be directed by the board based on curriculum needs. It was noted that describing the room as a multi-purpose room is confusing because it does not indicate the educational use for which this room is being built. It was agreed that community use of this room cannot interfere with the educational purpose of this room. There is a community component but education is the primary purpose. It was decided to keep the multi-purpose room/second gym renovation.
The base project for the “gymatorium” would improve heating, lighting, acoustics and seating at a cost of $1,580,000. This renovation removes the gym aspect and makes the area exclusively an auditorium. New stage curtains, performing arts systems, lighting and acoustics are part of this project. The room will seat 400-500 depending on the configuration of the seating. Members expressed some reservation about this expense. It was decided to take this item off the table because all of the infrastructure items are being taken care of.
Members continued to address the base design of the project vis a vis high performance opportunities. LEEDS and CHPS certification and the merits of each were discussed. Being CHPS compliant at 65 points was agreed as a baseline.
AGENDA CHANGE
Members agreed at this point in the meeting take a break in their discussion in order to vote on the Personnel Consent Agenda prior to administrative staff leaving the meeting in the event that board members have questions for them. It was suggested that in the future, action items of this nature should be voted on early in the meeting so that administrators can be dismissed prior to adjournment.
PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA) PERSONNEL
Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser that the Board of
Education approve the following personnel (consent agenda) resolutions:
7.1 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:
Caitlin Maureen McCarron |
effective 12/3/09 – 6/30/10 |
Dora Lee Stack |
effective 12/3/09 – 6/30/10 |
Alicia Simon |
effective 12/3/09 – 6/30/10 |
Lindsay Marchetti |
effective 12/3/09 – 6/30/10 |
7.2 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 instructional employee to the following advisorship for the 2009/2010 school year, with remuneration as per NPUT contract:
High School
Joseph Dolan Co-advisor, Gay Straight Alliance Club
7.3 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:
Jamie L. Levato
7.4 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
Wanda Cruz-Rosa Substitute School Monitor 12/3/09 $9.00/hr as needed
Wanda Cruz-Rosa Substitute Teacher Aide 12/3/09 $10.00/hr as needed
Wanda Cruz-Rosa Substitute Clerical 12/3/09 $12.00/hr as needed
Elena R. Maskell Administrative Assistant 12/21/09 $49,000/yr prorated
to the Superintendent
7.5 Appointment of Ticket Takers/Parking Lot Attendants/Timers/Scorers/Down & Chains/Chaperones/EMTs
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 personnel for fall/winter/spring sporting events:
$40.00 per event Fall/Winter/Spring
Ronald Finigan
$30.00 per evening Fall/Winter/Spring Seasons
Frances Gehrig Lori Marks Geraldine Sabarese Cheryl Gildersleeve Judy Ragule
Walter Huntoon David Dippel Ann Stickel Donna Fischer Julie Dippel
Heather Fuoco Joan Dikowitz Thomas Hasbrouck Linda Nemer
Timers/Scorers/Down & Chains (Fall/Winter/Spring)
$40.00 per event for score clock (Winter Season)
$30.00 per event for 30 second clock (Winter Season)
$54.00 per event for Head Down & Chains (Fall Season)
Frank Ciliberto Pearl Lee Kathleen Buboltz
Ben Babcock Judy Ragule Christopher Brooker Kelly Gibbons
Richard Rommel Jeanne Sheeley Kelly Brooker Denise Martino
Thomas Hasbrouck Nicole Vitale Sam Phelps
Jay Pogemiller Linda Worden Bill Defino
Ron Constable Pat Barberio Albert Cook
$30.00 per event Fall/Winter/Spring Seasons
Donald Bartlett Janice Pallus Matt Moore Pearl Lee
Albert Cook Roger Norcross Laurene Pountain Sharon Randolph
Brandon Gibbons Michele Herter Leo Hohmann Kathleen Buboltz
Suzanne Wirth Frank Ciliberto Kelly Gibbons Ralph Schroer
Erin O’Sullivan William Defino Joel Neden Erin O’Sullivan
Judy Ragule Denise Martino Bonne Masseo Jay Pogemiller
Nicole Vitale Frances Perconti Ann Gregory John Orcutt, Jr.
Michael Vance Susan Bowers Linda Worden Joe Haas
Renee Schaefer Judy Smith Chris Sutton Jennifer Sutton
Melanie Wolfrum Kim Brill Fred Sackett Stacey Sands
Eliezer Espinosa Donna Fischer
$50.00 per event Fall/Winter/Spring Seasons
James Tracy Debra Sokota Jeff Salt
Lauren Rooney Julius W. Shuster
7.6 Instructional Appointment - Mentor
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve the appointment of the following instructional employee as mentor with remuneration as per NPUT contract:
Denise Sanchez Effective 12/3/09 – 6/25/10
MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.
NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
Members agreed to vote on New Business Item 9.1 CSE & CPSE Placements at this point in the meeting in the event that members have questions for staff prior to their leaving the meeting.
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:
CSE & CPSE PLACEMENTS
9.1 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: 12102, 9327, 9167, 10811, 10598, 10979, 11539, 12095, 10516, 10515, 11256, 10592, 9854, 9912, 10081, 10738, 12103, 12105, 11532, 12096, 11289.
Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT DISCUSSION RESUMED
Members resumed their discussion of CHPS and LEEDS certification in an effort to evaluate the benefits of pursuing such certification. Members decided to pursue CHPS compliance. The board continued their discussion on enhanced green construction. Discussion turned towards geo-thermo systems. Lou Rodriguez from the Palombo Group answered questions regarding the estimated cost as well as the unknowable factors in drilling wells to obtain conductivity. Alternative energy sources were discussed. Pay back rates are dependent on many variables. Members agreed that all enhanced green construction should be left in the project. Members decided to strike the amphitheatre and the auditorium renovations resulting in the scope of the project coming in at $49,780,000.
Discussion continued concerning the tax levy as it relates to retiring debt and reserves.
MINUTES OF MEETING
Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser
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
of the Workshop Meeting of November 18, 2009 as amended by the Addendum.
Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.
OLD BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS
Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by David Dukler that the Board of
Education approve revisions to Policy 5572 - Audit Committee after a fourth reading
as follows:
REVISE POLICY 5572
AUDIT COMMITTEE
13.1 Fourth Reading and Approval of Policy 5572 Audit Committee (Yellow highlights indicate changes recommended by the Audit Committee and reviewed by legal counsel since the third reading on October 4, 2009.)
SUBJECT: AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board of Education establishes a standing Audit Committee as an advisory committee. The Audit
Committee (AC) shall consist of three members of the Board of Education and two members of the community at-
large. Members of the Board of Education serve one year terms and community members serve two year terms. Community members’ terms shall be staggered and appointments made by resolution of the Board of Education. Community members serving on the Audit committee are deemed to be School District Officers and shall take an oath of office. They must also maintain the confidentiality of any confidential information received by them as well as information discussed in an executive session of the Audit Committee.
All members serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for any actual and necessary expenditures incurred in relation to attendance at training events or mandatory conferences. Audit Committee members, other than Board Members, must be independent and may not be an employee of the District, an individual who provided within the last two years or currently provides good or services to the District, an individual who owns or has a direct and material interest in a company providing goods or services to the District, a close or immediate family member of an employee, officer or contractor providing services to the District.
The role of the Audit Committee shall be advisory to the Board of Education.
The audit responsibilities of the Audit Committee include the following:
a) Provide recommendations regarding the appointment of the External (Independent) Auditor for the
District
b) Meet with the External (Independent) Auditor prior to commencement of the audit to set audit and risk assessment parameters;
c) Receive and review the draft annual audit report and accompanying draft management letter and, working directly with the External (Independent) Auditor, assist the Board of Education in interpreting such documents;
d) Make recommendation to the Board on accepting the annual audit report;
e) Review every corrective action plan developed by the School District and assist the Board in its implementation;
f) Assist in the oversight of the Internal Audit function including, but not limited to providing recommendations regarding the appointment of the Internal Auditor, meeting regularly with the Internal Auditor, reviewing significant findings and recommendations of the Internal Auditor, monitoring the School District's implementation of such recommendations, and evaluating the performance of the internal audit function. After the Board of Education’s appointment of the Internal Auditor, the Audit Committee Chairperson is delegated the authority to execute the Letter of Engagement and Agreed Upon Procedures with the Internal Auditor;
g) Assist in the oversight of the Claims Audit function including, but not limited to, providing recommendations regarding the appointment of the Claims Auditor, meeting regularly with the Claims Auditor, reviewing significant findings and recommendations of the Claims Auditor, monitoring the School District's implementation of such recommendations, and evaluating the performance of the claims audit function; provided however, that the Claims Auditor shall report directly to the Board of Education and shall be under the supervision and direction of the Superintendent of Schools; for the purposes of time, attendance and location;
h) Review annually Board policies on audit and finance and refer any proposed changes to the policy committee before Board review and action;
i) Review annually this committee charter, for changes that may be necessary as a result of new laws, regulations or special circumstances. Refer any proposed changes to the Board of Education for review and action;
j) Conduct executive sessions as allowed by Public Officers Law and section 170.12 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. Any Board member who is not a member of the Audit Committee may be allowed to attend an executive session of the Audit Committee if authorized by Board resolution;
k) Conduct an annual self assessment of the Audit Committee; and
l) Create an annual committee agenda for the ensuing year to assure completion of all responsibilities.
The finance responsibilities of the Audit Committee include the following:
The Audit Committee shall make monthly reports to the full Board of Education.
NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
The following resolution was voted on earlier in the meeting by agreement of the members and carried with a vote of
7 – 0 with 7 members voting.
CSE & CPSE PLACEMENTS
9.1 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: 12102, 9327, 9167, 10811, 10598, 10979, 11539, 12095, 10516, 10515, 11256, 10592, 9854, 9912, 10081, 10738, 12103, 12105, 11532, 12096, 11289.
Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:
SEQRA FOR HIGH SCHOOL VAULT
9.2 Request to Approve the SEQRA for the High School Vault
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District is contemplating a capital project involving the construction of a vault in a storage room at New Paltz High School (the “Proposed Action”); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has reviewed the proposed Scope of Work and the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Action is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(8) of the SEQRA Regulations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District is hereby designated as lead agency under SEQRA for the Proposed Action and determines that the proposed construction of a vault in a storage room at the New Paltz High School is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c) (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment, and that no further review of the Proposed Action is required.
Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.
OTHER DISCUSSION OTHER DISCUSSION
The following items were suggested by some board members for the Comeback List:
ADJOURN ADJOURN
Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser that the Board
adjourn at 10:06 PM.
Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
Beverly J. Sickler
District Clerk