Middletown City Schools - Board Minutes

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BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

JUNE 3, 2004

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, June 3, 2004, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board Vice-President Susan Botti, presiding.

Present: Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mr. McCormack,
Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Botti – 6.

Absent: Dr. Best, Mrs. Knapp (arrived at 8:30 p.m.), Mrs. Markovits - 3.

Others Kenneth Gray, Acting Superintendent
Present: Timothy Conway, Asst. Superintendent for Business
   Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
   Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
   Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
   Peter Ancona, Director of Technology
   William Geiger, Board member-elect
   Rose Tobiassen, Board member-elect

Mrs. Botti called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session to hear an appeal of a Superintendent’s hearing, to review specific personnel matters pertaining to evaluatory issues, and to discuss contractual matters. Motion was unanimously approved. Public session resumed at 7:30 p.m.

Mrs. Botti asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Jerry Polenski, who worked in the Buildings and Grounds Department of the school district. She said that Mr. Polenski was a man of integrity and his passing will be a great loss to our community.

Mrs. Botti also said that thoughts and prayers go out to Helen Fishbeck, who is ill. Mrs. Fishbeck, whose daughter will be graduating this year from Middletown High School, is a long-time resident and timeless advocate for our community.

Dr. Gray introduced Stefanie Bonfanti, a Middletown High School student, who has been chosen as an Orange County Dairy Princess. Ms. Bonfanti spoke about the importance of dairy farming in the county.

Dr. Gray also presented James Kelly, a Middletown staff member, who has been selected to receive the New York Institute of Technology Dean’s Award for an Office-Campus Student for 2004. This award is conferred upon an off-campus student in instructional technology or elementary education who has shown superior accomplishment in teaching, scholarship, and integration of technology in instruction.

Dr. Gray also announced that MHS teacher Shirley Thompson has been recognized as Orange County Science Teacher of the Year.

Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crescenzo, to approve the minutes of April 1, 22, 29, 2004.

Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti – 6. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

The District Clerk read a letter from Marsha Tepper which recommended that the District conduct a special election or leave the seat vacant until the next regular election should a vacancy occur on the Board.

Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to cast a vote in support of Mary Arne in the election of a member to the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti – 6. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Board Member Reports:

Mr. Estrada reported that he and Mr. Crescenzo visited the Kids First program that is held at the First Presbyterian Church. He commended Bill Noha and the many other people who volunteer their services in this mentoring program.

Mr. Estrada also attended a Chorley Cherubs play at the Paramount; he encouraged the District to utilize this facility for more productions. He also said that while visiting the High School, he sat in on a presentation that Vietnam veterans were giving to students. He concluded by commending High School staff on their fine jobs at the Sports Banquet and the Academic Awards Banquet.

Mr. Perrino spoke about the Pre-K with Dad program held at Memorial, noting that this is a good parental involvement initiative. Mr. Perrino also attended the annual dinner which recognizes outstanding students from the county and the Academy of Finance recognition ceremony held at Orange County Community College.

Mr. Crescenzo attended the recent Renaissance breakfast held at Twin Towers where more than 140 students were recognized. He also spoke about the Kids First after school mentoring program which provides 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders with one-on-one homework assistance. The program is also designed to give support and encouragement to the children to help them achieve their potential. Having each child become an integral part of the community is a primary goal. Mr. Crescenzo said that the program began in 2002 and is sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church. It is a non-religious program, staffed by volunteers, and is funded completely by the community. In addition to the mentoring, the program also provides activities that help to develop a sense of community.

Mrs. Elliott said that it was an honor to attend the Academic Awards Banquet. This year more than 350 awards were presented. She said that there are many more positives about the school district than is reported in the local newspaper. Mrs. Elliott said that the school district and the school board has had to suffer from much inaccurate reporting.

Mrs. Botti noted that since no formal resignations have been tendered from any Board member, no action is necessary at this time.

Mrs. Botti reported that she attended a child abuse reporting training meeting. Scheduling of training sessions for members of the entire district staff and the handling of sex offender and pedophile alerts were discussed. Mrs. Botti said that the administrative team will schedule the training sessions to begin in August and conclude in December. She said that the district’s attorney will again explain Education Law Article 23-b which states that the principal is the primary person who calls the alert regarding suspected abuse.

Response to Previous Questions:

Mr. Scott reported that Mr. Jefferson has made arrangements to repair the lapboard at the High School. These repairs should be done by July 1.

Dr. Gray provided the following information:

The High School project has no overbudgets because the project has not yet come to the bid process.

Only a police department can apply for the funds for a school resource officer. The Middletown Police Department has applied for funding for the District, which is currently on a pending list. Dr. Gray said that the school resource officer remains a police department employee, carries a weapon, and can be scheduled to attend school events outside the normal school day.

The business of the Board of Education is conducted in public session. Taping presentations for viewing on cable does not provide the Board with the opportunity to ask questions.

Attendance at the High School is done period by period. Attendance sheets are put in teachers’ mailboxes each morning and are completed and sent to the Attendance Office at the conclusion of each period. The sheets are scanned and a report is sent to teachers after first period. Dr. Gray said that if parents call about their child’s attendance, information can be obtained from the computer and parents may ask that the child’s attendance be monitored. He also said that there is communication between the Attendance Office and the School Attendance Officer if warranted. Dr. Gray noted that if a student is of age and absent for more that 21 days, that student, with the permission of an administrator, is removed from the attendance rolls.

3020-a charges are not levied out of revenge or to silence outspoken employees. 3020-a charges are brought after severe, serious allegations have been investigated and there is reasonable proof that the charges are true. Dr. Gray said that the District has no ethical or legal choice but to proceed with the process regardless of the pressure that is being brought to bear. He said that the due process rights of the individual must be safeguarded. He also said that the orderly, responsible acts of civil disobedience of some students must be weighed against the possible impact to the due process procedure.

High School Acting Principal GeorgeVanderzell met with the assistant principals at the High School and reported that all clubs are active. A draft of extra curricular assignments is posted and sent to the High School and to the middle schools each year, and the principals advise if there are any defunct clubs.

When a couple retires from the school district they may not purchase two individual health insurance plans, but may purchase a family plan. Dr. Gray presented information on the cost of a single plan vs. the cost of a family plan.

The cost to build the new Monroe-Woodbury High School and the addition to the school was reviewed.

Opportunity to Address the Board:

John Gennarelli spoke about taping presentations, tenure acknowledgements, the school resource officer, and having Mr. Cohen present at graduation.

Krystin Weiss supported Mr. Cohen’s attendance at graduation, and spoke about the community support for action.

Stephen Brown addressed the need for the transportation liaison position, asking that the Board reconsider this position.

Vince Pladdys said that Mr. Cohen should be permitted to attend graduation. He asked that the Board take a vote to ascertain which Board members would support this request.

Nick Constantino supported the appointment of Richard McCormack to fill Mrs. Elliott’s Board seat should she choose to resign.

Mrs. Botti noted that, upon the recommendation of counsel, matters concerning Mr. Cohen should be left with the arbitrator of the 3020-a proceeding. Mr. Cohen has been given assignments and a timeline for their completion and has been re-assigned to work from home. Mrs. Botti said that this is what was approved by the Board when the recommendation came to the Board for a 3020-a proceeding.

Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to amend Personnel Memorandum #21, to vote on the tenure appointment of Patricia Reilly as a separate resolution.