Minutes – Business Meeting – Board of Education – New Paltz Central High School – May 19, 2010 – 7:00 PM

Julliet O. Coxum                                  732
Dominick Profaci                                                932
MaryAnn Tozzi                                     371
Michael S. Swigart                             331
Robert Rich                                          980
Edgar Rodriguez                                 984

Write In Votes
David Dukler                                                       1
KT Tobin Flusser                                                 1
Lagusta Yearwood                                              1

ADD:
14.5        Request for Approval of Revenue Anticipation Note
Recommendation that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Maria C. Rice, approves the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District, Ulster County, New York, as follows:
                Section 1.  Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell, from time to time, revenue anticipation notes of New Paltz Central School District, Ulster County, New York, including renewals thereof, in anticipation of the receipt of State aid becoming due during any fiscal year of said School District, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer.  Such notes shall be of such terms, form and content and shall be sold in such manner as may be determined by said President of the Board of Education, pursuant to the Local Finance Law.
                Section 2.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.

 

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the board approve the agenda as amended by the addendum.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROGRAM: Breaking Down the Walls – Barbara Hastie, Coordinator of Special Education introduced Alice Wexler, Project Organizer along with Elementary, Middle and High School Student Artists who participated in this photo essay project. Student Interns from SUNY New Paltz shared their experiences with special needs students from a number of districts. Some of the students were on hand to tell about the art projects with which they were involved.  Photo essay projects allowed interns to help the children relate their own personal interests to art. Some children produced books, other drawings and still others animation.  No specific product was dictated so that interns could move in the direction that the children expressed.  Parents also shared the benefits that were realized through this project.  Featured student artists included Judy Adams, Matthew Adams, Ben Ambrosini and Alexandra Stackelrodt.

RECOGNITION

Vice President Donald Kerr commented on the generosity of Mark Masseo of Masseo Landscaping who has over the years donated trees and shrubs to beautify school grounds at his own expense.  Mr. Kerr expressed appreciation to Mr. Masseo for his ongoing contributions and presented him with a Certificate of Recognition.  Superintendent Rice further commented on his kind generosity not only to the schools but to the community at large. 

Principal Barbara Clinton introduced Allison LaRussa, Valedictorian for the Class of 2010 and Colleen Maney, Salutatorian for the Class of 2010.  Both young ladies shared their educational plans with each one expressing their gratitude to the teachers and staff of the New Paltz Central School District for making their time at New Paltz enriching. Certificates of Accomplishment were presented to each of them.

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PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW CODE OF CONDUCT &
DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY PLAN

Assistant Superintendent Connie Hayes commented on minor changes to the Code of Conduct.  Members have had opportunity to review the Code prior to this evening.  Daniel Torres expressed concern about language pertaining to sexually explicit materials and zero tolerance.  The Code forces the Assistant Principal or Principal to punish in some form when students are found with offensive materials.  He felt that the Code could set up a student who receives offensive materials without having solicited them.  It was suggested by Steve Greenfield that the word “received” be changed to “retained” so as not to punish a student unjustly.  Mr. Torres was encouraged to take his suggestion back to the committee as he is the representative from the Board of Education to the Health Advisory Committee.

PUBLIC COMMENTS                                                                                                                                                       PUBLIC
COMMENT

Nancy Schniedewind, New Paltz – Race to the Top

 

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS: RACE TO THE TOP & REGENTS REFORM AGENDA – Superintendent Rice commented on the pros and cons of the district supporting the Race to the Top Grant Proposal. At first she expressed support of the district signing the MOU for RTTT stating that the district should not be excluded before we know what is expected.  Mrs. Rice went on to comment on the possible ramifications and outcomes of the Regents Reform Agenda, pointing out a number of flaws in the proposed changes which still need to go to the NYS Legislature.  Discussion followed leading to the conclusion that RTTT should not be supported because the framework is not sound for public education.

 

RESCIND RTTT MOU RESOLUTION

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Steven Greenfield that the Board of Education rescind the vote on Race to the Top (RTTT) authorizing the board president to sign the Race to the Top Memorandum of Agreement.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

 

EDUCATIONAL MASTER PLAN:  Mrs. Rice introduced Assistant Superintendent Debora Banner who spoke briefly on the Educational Master Plan which will be presented to the board for approval on June 16.

Members discussed the issue of some districts facing hardships because of State Aid being delayed.  Patrick Rausch was asked to contact NYSSBA about the possibility of adding New Paltz Central School District to a class action lawsuit related to this matter.   It was suggested that the board would need to obtain legal counsel regarding this possibility.

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT

Motion made by Donald Kerr and seconded by Daniel Torres that the Board of Education authorize Patrick Rausch to investigate the possibility and practicality of adding New Paltz Central School District to the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) class action lawsuit and to proceed if at all possible.

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 members voting.

BOARD COMMUNICATIONS

1. COMPREHENSIVE FACILITIES PLANNER – Vice President Kerr reported on the recent interview process for hiring a Facilities Planner to conduct the five year plan and analysis on how to move forward into the future. Assessing our facilities and educational needs along with the cost so financial planning can take place is important in this process.  Also getting community input is crucial so that analysis and decision making can be made by the board.  Negotiations for a final contract are taking place at present.

 

Motion made by Steve Greenfield and seconded by Edgar Rodriguez that the Board of
Education approve the following resolution:

APPOINT COMPREHENSIVE FACILITIES PLANNER
CSARCH ARCHITECTURE/CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

9.1          Request for Approval to Appoint Comprehensive Facilities Planner

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoint CSArch Architecture/Construction Management for Educational Facilities Planning Facilitation and mandated Building Conditions Survey and Five-Year Facilities Plan (8 NYCRR Section 155).

Motion carried 7 – 0 with 7 member voting.

1. HAC APPOINTMENTS – Mrs. Rice explained that appointments to the Health Advisory Council should be made by June 16.  Interviews will need to be set up to fill five vacant slots for which the Board of Education is responsible. She asked Daniel Torres to chair the interview process. Don Kerr volunteered to work with him. Edgar Rodriquez would also like to be included in the process of interviews. Applications will be forwarded to the designated board members for review.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS – The following committee reports were provided by the chairs of each:

Audit Committee – Patrick Rausch
Facilities Committee – Donald Kerr

MINUTES OF MEETING
               
Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   MINUTES
5/5/10, 5/11/10

BE IT RESOLVED that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education accept the minutes of the Regular Business Meeting of May 5, 2010 and the Special Meeting of May 11, 2010.

Motion carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

PERSONNEL (CONSENT AGENDA)                                                                                                                             PERSONNEL
Motion made by Dan Torres and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser that the Board of
Education approve the following personnel (consent agenda) resolutions:

12.1        Instructional Appointments - 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:

Meaghan Doss                     effective 5/20/10 – 6/30/10
Michelle Palmieri                  effective 5/20/10 – 6/30/10
Sarah Piper                            effective 5/20/10 – 6/30/10
Stephanie Vippolis               effective 5/20/10 – 6/30/10

12.2        Extension of Probationary Term for Instructional Employee
Recommendation – that the New Paltz Central Schools Board of Education approve the following resolution:  BE IT RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools and the Board President are hereby authorized to sign an Agreement extending the probationary term of Matthew McGuire, a Special Education tenure area probationary employee, through June 2011, as recommended by Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools.

12.3        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    
Amanda Cahoon                  Sub. Teacher Aide                               4/22/10 – 6/25/10                  $10.00/hr                as needed
Madeline Nostrand              Sub. Food Service Helper                   5/10/10                                   $10.00/hr                as needed

12.4        Non-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 accept the resignation of the following non-instructional employee for purposes of retirement:

Marilyn Sullivan                   School Bus Driver                Effective 6/25/10

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS                                                                                                                                            NEW BUSINESS

Motion made by Steven Greenfield and seconded by Daniel Torres
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
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: 10109, 10953, 11495, 12169, 11504, 11293, 11502, 11501, 11494, 11523, 10932, 9613, 10141, 11299, 11534, 10981, 12158, 10596, 11493, 11190, 12159, 9123, 2078, 1752, 8870, 8287, 10586, 10551, 9060, 8975, 10598, 10481, 10155, 8857, 9182, 1325, 127, 205, 464, 9995, 11152, 11546, 8910, 11449, 1811, 9101, 8858, 12174, 8828, 8916, 9020, 8114, 8912, 10810, 8094, 11333, 8283.

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

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

                        STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
GARDINER ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIP                                                                                     

14.2        Request for Approval to Establish Student Scholarship Award
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby establish the Gardiner Association of Business Scholarship in the amount of $500.00.

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

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

AWARD PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM BID

14.3        Request for Approval to Award Public Address System Bid
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District, upon the recommendation of Maria C. Rice, Superintendent of Schools, does hereby award the public address system bid to Duchess Tel-Audio, Inc. in the amount of $12,574.00.

MOTION carried 7 - 0 with 7 members voting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motion made by Daniel Torres and seconded by Kathleen Tobin Flusser
that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:  

ELECTION/BUDGET RESULTS
MAY 18, 2010

14.4        Request for Approval to Accept the Results of the Election/Budget Vote Held on May 18, 2010

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District accept the voting results of the election held on May 18, 2010 as follows:

Proposition #1
Shall the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District be authorized to expend $48,830,000 which will be required for school district purposes for the year July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 (The Budget), and to levy the necessary tax therefor?

YES:  1354                              NO:  959

Proposition #2
Shall the Board of Education of the New Paltz Central School District, Ulster County, New York, be authorized to purchase two 65-passenger or larger school buses at a maximum estimated cost of $205,000; five 20-passenger or larger school buses at a  maximum estimated cost of $215,000; and one operations and maintenance vehicle at a maximum estimated cost of $60,000; for an aggregate maximum estimated cost of $480,000; and that the maximum sum of $480,000 shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of the District shall be issued.

YES:  1030                                              NO:  1237

Candidates                                            Votes

Julliet O. Coxum                                    732
Dominick Profaci                                  932
MaryAnn Tozzi                                    371
Michael S. Swigart                               331
Robert Rich                                           980
Edgar Rodriguez                                   984