Untitled Document

Minutes – Business Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – April 21, 2010 – 7:00 PM

CALL MEETING TO ORDER CALL TO ORDER
Meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM by David Dukler, Board President.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: QUORUM CHECK
David Dukler
Kathleen Tobin Flusser
Steven Greenfield
Donald Kerr
Patrick Rausch
Edgar Rodriguez (arrived at 6:11 PM)
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
Barbara Clinton, Principal, New Paltz Central High School

ROLL CALL
The roll was called as reflected above.

EXECUTIVE SESSION EXECUTIVE
Motion made by David Dukler and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of SESSION
Education move into Executive Session at 6:04 PM for the purpose of discussing the
employment history of particular individuals and contract negotiations with NPAA,
NPESS, NPUT and the Secretarial Unit.

Motion carried 6 - 0 with 6 members voting.

Out of Executive Session - Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by
Daniel Torres 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 7:10 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
Barbara Clinton, Principal, New Paltz Central High School
Richard Wiesenthal, Principal, New Paltz Middle School
Michelle Martoni, Principal, Lenape Elementary School
Debra Hogencamp, Principal, Duzine Elementary School
Antonia Woody, Athletic Director
Bill Richers, Director of Information & Communications Technology
Maureen Ryan, Supervisor of Transportation
Mike Robinson, Director of Food Services
Beverly Sickler, District Clerk
Vienna Yee, 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

PERSONNEL

ADD to existing item 12.6

12.6 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 non-instructional employee:

Name Title Effective Date Salary Hours
Barbara D’Amore Substitute Clerical 4/16/10 - 6/30/10 $12.00/hr as needed

ADD:

12.8 Non-Instructional Leave of Absence - Paid
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve a paid leave of absence for the following:

Katrina Bostwick School Bus Driver Effective 4/19/10 – 4/21/10 Paid

12.9 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:

Katrina Bostwick School Bus Driver Effective 4/22/10

Motion made by Steven Greenfield and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of
Education accept the Agenda as Amended.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM – One Book One Lenape
Micelle Martoni, Lenape Elementary School Principal, along with members of her teaching staff and Grade 4 and Grade 5 students, shared what they learned and experienced while participating in this program designed to promote acceptance and diversity. The question that the students had to answer throughout the process was, “How do my words and actions affect others and myself?” This program, which was the outcome of work done by a sub-committee of the Diversity Committee, utilized the services of outside facilitator James Childs who has provided bias awareness training to district students and staff. Superintendent Rice and members of the board expressed appreciation for the outstanding presentation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PUBLIC
COMMENT
Anthony Abbey, Esopus – Assessments

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Edgar Rodriguez that the board answer questions from the public as the questions are asked.

Kathleen Tobin Flusser made a friendly amendment that the motion include the statement that the questions be answered at the time they are asked unless they will be covered in the upcoming presentation. (This motion is to apply to this meeting only.)

Edgar Rodriguez and Patrick Rausch both accepted the friendly amendment to their resolution.

Motion as amended carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

Mr. Linden proceeded to answer the question about assessments . Members commented on the matter.

Fawn Tantillo, New Paltz – Supports 0% tax levy increase
Joe Storch, New Paltz – Supports 0% tax levy increase
Rachel Busher, NPUT President – Concession coming
Juliette Coxum, New Paltz – Thank you to the Board
Susanne Holt, New Paltz – Resources to the children
Matt Malley, New Paltz – 0% is selfish
Tara Rappart, Plattekill – Pre-school Program phenomenal
Jasmine Riffert, Gardiner – Maintain

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT – Vienna Yee was welcomed by Mr. Dukler as the new student representative. Ms Yee reported on events and activities at the high school.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS

SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS – Superintendent Rice commented on “Morning Movers”, a program at the middle school which seeks to encourage healthy activity. “Healthy Steps to Albany” is a program designed to see how far students are walking by wearing a monitoring device. This program fits into the existing Morning Movers program. She also reported on the Kindergarten Reception today at which she addressed a rumor about children with special needs not having their needs met. Mrs. Rice corrected the misconception that the support and services required by student IEP’s will be dropped. She said, “This will not happen.” Reductions in the budget still keep the needs of special students in tact.

UNEMPLOYMENT RESERVE – Richard Linden, Assistant Superintendent for Business explained the purpose of the Unemployment Reserve Fund. The fund is being created to handle unusually large unemployment claims and to decrease the unemployment line on the budget by $100,000. Questions and answers followed. Funds from this year’s surplus will be set aside to cover expenses next year.

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PAYMENT RESERVE FUND

8.1 Request for Approval to Establish and to Fund an Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund

RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Board of Education may establish a reserve fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 6-m of the General Municipal Law for the purpose of paying the cost of reimbursements to the State Unemployment Insurance Fund for payments made to claimants where the employer has elected to use the benefit reimbursement method for paying unemployment insurance, known as the Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Board currently makes payments in lieu of contributions to the State Unemployment Insurance Fund and now wishes to establish an Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby establishes a reserve fund pursuant to Section 6-m of the General Municipal Law, to be known as the Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund, for the purpose of paying the cost of reimbursements to the State Unemployment Insurance Fund for payments made to claimants where the employer has elected to use the benefit reimbursement method for paying unemployment insurance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby appropriates the sum of $200,000 for such purpose from 2009-2010 undesignated fund balance and authorizes the transfer of such monies from the general fund to the Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

APRIL 28, 2010 BOCES BUDGET AND BOARD MEMBER ELECTION - Members discussed the best time to hold the County-wide Vote to elect BOCES Trustees and to approve the BOCES Administrative Budget for 2010-2011. Members agreed to hold the vote on April 28 at 6:30 PM since the Facilities Committee will be meeting just prior to that time.

FINALIZATION AND ADOPTION OF THE 2010-2011 BUDGET – Superintendent Rice reviewed with the board some of the negotiations that have been taking place with various bargaining units to reduce the budget. Concessions have been made with some groups therefore restoring a .5 position. Mr. Linden provided a PowerPoint to demonstrate what a 2.95% tax levy increase looks like. Members commented on the presentation. Questions and answers followed.

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

2010-2011 SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET

9.1 Request for Approval to Adopt the 2010-2011 School District Budget for Presentation to Voters

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District adopt a budget of forty eight million eight hundred thirty thousand dollars ($48,830,000) for school district purposes for the school year July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 to be presented to the voters on May 18, 2010.

Motion carried 6 – 1 (Edgar Rodriguez) with 7 members voting.

Mr. Kerr spoke of a recommendation to establish the Middle School Committee. This recommendation will be presented in early May to the Board of Education.

MINUTES OF MEETING

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution: MINUTES
4/7/10, 4/14/10
BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes
of the Business Meeting of April 7, 2010, and a Special Meeting of April 14, 2010.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

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

12.1 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:

Susan McNaughton Elementary All County Chorus

12.2 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:

George Vladick Track Assistant unpaid

12.3 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:

Cynthia Martinez                 effective 4/22/10 – 6/30/10
Rachel Miller                         effective 4/22/10 – 6/30/10
Wendy Rudder                     effective 4/22/10 – 6/30/10
Carly Tagney                        effective 4/22/10 – 6/30/10
Sara Wilbur                           effective 4/22/10 – 6/30/10

12.4 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:

Joann Decker Food Service Helper Effective 4/23/10

12.5 Irrevocable 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 irrevocable resignation of the following non-instructional employee:

Maryann Tozzi School Lunch Cashier Effective 6/25/10

12.6 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 non-instructional employees:

Name                                      Title                                                       Effective Date                       Salary                    Hours
Linda Bierniak                       Sub. Food Service Helper                   4/5/10                                     $10.00/hr                as needed
Cynthia Velez                        Sub. Food Service Helper                   4/5/10                                     $10.00/hr                as needed
Barbara D’Amore Substitute Clerical                                4/16/10 - 6/30/10                   $12.00/hr                as needed

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:

Angela Bulson School Monitor Effective 3/18/2010 – 6/30/2010

12.8 Non-Instructional Leave of Absence - Paid
Recommendation - that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby approve a paid leave of absence for the following:

Katrina Bostwick School Bus Driver Effective 4/19/10 – 4/21/10 Paid

12.9 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:

Katrina Bostwick School Bus Driver Effective 4/22/10

MOTION to approve Personnel Consent Agenda carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

OLD BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS (CONSENT AGENDA) NEW BUSINESS

Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by David Dukler that the Board of
Education approve the following New Business Consent Agenda items 14.1 through 14.4:

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: 1325, 12154, 12101, 1213, 1789, 10179, 10157, 9406, 1619, 6939, 1697, 10277, 8938, 1792, 8409, 444, 8154, 5817, 10180, 1332, 512, 8410, 11342, 869, 1304, 357, 8275, 8858, 12007, 6994, 880, 2496, 259, 1798,11499, 11532, 11504, 10850, 11322, 11256, 10878, 12074, 10892, 10967, 10395, 9592, 11291, 10030, 11160, 9903, 11337, 10130, 11530, 10889, 10210, 10881

14.2 Request for Approval of Health & Welfare Contract – Kingston City School District 2009-2010
Recommendation – that the following resolution be approved: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the Health and Welfare Contract, forwarded under separate cover, for Kingston City School District for a total amount of $6,507.00 for the 2009-2010 school year for 9 children who are residents in the New Paltz Central School District attending a school in the Kingston City School District.

14.3 Request for Approval of Health & Welfare Contract – Saugerties Central School District 2009-2010
Recommendation – that the following resolution be approved: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the Health and Welfare Contract, forwarded under separate cover, for Saugerties Central School District for a total amount of $604.17 for the 2009-2010 school year for 1 child who is a resident in the New Paltz Central School District attending a school in the Saugerties Central School District.

14.4 Request for Approval of Health & Welfare Contract – Arlington Central School District 2009-2010
Recommendation – that the following resolution be approved: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the Health and Welfare Contract, forwarded under separate cover, for Arlington Central School District for a total amount of $16,610.78 for the 2009-2010 school year for 37 children who are residents in the New Paltz Central School District attending a school in the Arlington Central School District.
Motion made by - and seconded by -
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:

MOTION to approve New Business Consent Agenda Items 14.1 through 14.1 carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

FINANCIAL REPORTS FINANCIAL REPORTS

Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by Donald Kerr that the Treasurer’s Report for
March 2010 and Budget Transfer Schedule #9 March 2010 be approved.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PUBLIC
COMMENT

Bob Rich, Gardiner – Thank you
Rachel Busher, NPUT President – Thank you

ADJOURN ADJOURN
Motion made by Patrick Rausch and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board
adjourn at 9:50 PM.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

Respectfully submitted,

________________________
Beverly J. Sickler
District Clerk