BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
OCTOBER 9, 2003
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, October 9, 2003, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Robin Markovits, presiding.
Present: Dr. Best, Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada,
Mr. McCormack, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Botti, Mrs. Markovits – 8.
Absent: Mrs. Knapp (joined the meeting at 8:15 p.m.) – 1.
Others Present: Patricia McLeod, Acting Superintendent
Patricia Reilly, Acting Asst. Supt. for Curriculum & Instruction
Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Peter Ancona, Director of Technology
Mrs. Markovits called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag.
No recognitions/awards were presented.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of September 25, October 1, 2, 2003.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No written communications were read and no visitors asked to address the Board.
Response to Previous Questions:
Mr. Conway responded to the following questions concerning the proposed High School renovation project:
The renovation will accommodate two classes of students in the library. It would cost an additional $250-300,000 to accommodate each additional class.
To maximize the structure with a third floor would cost approximately $125,000, but it would be less expensive to have this work done now than re-opening the building at a future date.
The project will be put to public vote on either December 9 or December 16, 2003. This date is dependent upon the return of the SEQRA documents.
Mrs. Case will work up debt service numbers and how this project will impact the District’s debt.
Mrs. McLeod said that the addition will be air conditioned.
The Board asked for clarification on the location and size of the health/nurses office and the number that is being used to determine a class size.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Crescenzo reported that a letter was sent to the Mayor of the City of Middletown and to the Supervisor of the Town of Wallkill in an effort to expand the District’s relationship with these municipalities. A meeting was held with Mayor DeStefano where topics including the community outreach person, the school resource officer, curfews, and the superintendent search were discussed. Mr. Crescenzo said that the meeting was very positive and plans were made to meet on an on-going basis. Mr. McCormack added that the City would like to receive informational updates following our Board meetings.
Mr. McCormack attended the recent Orange County School Boards Association meeting where a proposed resolution concerning the Reporting of Sexual Abuse by Non-Certified Staff was discussed. Although this resolution was not supported by the NYSSBA Resolutions Committee, a majority of the Board had previously concluded that Middletown should support this proposed resolution, despite NYSSBA’s assertion of the burden and expense of maintaining a partially duplicate database. Mr. McCormack said that he noted the Board’s support of this resolution at the OCSBA meeting. He said that Newburgh and other school districts also supported the resolution. Mr. McCormack will be working with the Newburgh Board of Education to assure that language safeguarding due process is incorporated into the resolution.
Mr. McCormack also noted that Pine Bush will be supporting Resolution #14 that would permit school districts to award local diplomas.
Mr. Perrino reported that the work and the fundraising for the Field of Dreams project continues.
Dr. Best thanked the District for the congratulatory letter sent in recognition of his 25th year as pastor.
Mrs. Markovits announced that this year the Middletown Teacher Center celebrates its 20th anniversary. She said that she attended a recent meeting of the Teacher Center’s Policy Board and was impressed with the diversity of the representation on this board. Mrs. Markovits reviewed some of the many activities in which the Teacher Center is involved, including training co-teaching teams, inclusion strategies, peer review, internships, certification requirements, etc. Mrs. Markovits said that SUNY Orange is the first community college in New York State, with the help of our Teacher Center, that has a program for teaching assistant certification. She also noted that the Center has an on-line academy and a new Web site, www.middletowntc.org.
Mrs. Knapp arrived at this time, 8:15 p.m.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Crescenzo, to amend Personnel Memorandum #5 to consider an additional item.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion to amend the personnel memorandum was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to include the annual appointment of Selena Fischer as Middletown High School Evening School Program Administrator as part of Personnel Memorandum #5.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Personnel Memorandum #5 as amended.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes: None. Abstain: Knapp, Perrino – 2. Motion was declared approved.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to table the request for personnel folders.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
District Updates:
Mr. Conway said that a mock disaster drill with casualties was held at the High School on September 29. Many emergency services participated.
Mr. Conway said that Ms. Case will be preparing the budget review calendar to be presented for Board approval at its next meeting.
Mrs. McLeod reported that she met with Richard DelMoro, President of the Middletown School Administrators Association, regarding administrative internships. Mrs. McLeod and Mr. DelMoro will be working together to iron out the parameters for this type of position.
Mr. Conway said that Acting Superintendent McLeod’s budget transfer #2 was for nine transfers.
Mr. Conway next presented a draft directive to staff regarding use of computerized information resources. He also shared a draft agreement to be signed by staff members who utilize the School District’s computer system.
Mrs. McLeod said that she and Mr. Conway attended the installation of Key Club officers at Middletown High.
Mrs. McLeod concluded the District Updates by saying that the September Professional Day was very productive and successful.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #5, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Financial Memorandum #5, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Elliott, to have a five minute break in the proceedings of the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved. The meeting resumed at 9:10 p.m.
Roundtable:
Mrs. Markovits introduced the topic of setting time references for Board meeting agenda items to help run the meetings more efficiently. While some Board members thought some structure would be beneficial, others felt that better self-monitoring would be sufficient. It was agreed that the agenda will be re-arranged to list action items before new business and that comments should be concise.
The Board next discussed a resolution proposed by the Levittown School Board which called for NYSSBA to seek legislation directly authorizing local boards of education in school districts which maintain a Regents diploma rate above the state average to award local high school diplomas in lieu of the Regents diploma. The Levittown School Board asked that this resolution be considered at NYSSBA’s 2003 Annual Convention, but the NYSSBA Resolutions Committee did not support the proposed resolution, stating that it would have the result of allowing some students to attain a lesser benchmark merely because their school districts managed to bring others up to standard. The Pine Bush School District has proposed a change to the Levittown resolution that would direct NYSSBA to seek legislation directly authorizing local boards of education the authority to use educational professional discretion to award local high school diplomas in lieu of the Regents diplomas. It was noted that at the 2002 Annual meeting, NYSSBA approved a resolution to continue to be proactive and to persevere in seeking legislation requiring the State Education Department to authorize boards of education the option to award local high school diplomas to school districts that provide alternative courses and multiple assessments that respond more adequately and meaningfully to students’ individual and unique abilities. Acknowledging that the awarding of local diplomas could provide realistic opportunities for some students, the Board agreed that it did not have enough information concerning NYSSBA’s existing policy. Middletown’s NYSSBA delegates were directed to abstain from the vote on the amended resolution, and to voice the need to re-open the 2002 policy.
Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Estrada, Mrs. McLeod said that there are no school sanctioned off-site camps.
At 9:55 p.m., Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session for the discussion of personnel evaluation and contractual matters. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 10:30 p.m. There being no further business, Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
PUPIL PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES
MEMORANDUM #5
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: October 9, 2003
RE: Committee on Special Education/Committee on Preschool Special Education
Resolved, that the special programs and services required by the recommendations in the Pupil Personnel/Special Services Memorandum No. 5 dated October 9, 2003, shall be implemented by the Board of Education within the time period provided by law, and
Be it further resolved, that the proposed appointments set forth below to the CSE and CPSE are hereby confirmed.
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
May 12, 20, July 22, August 5, September 9, 17, 18, 2003
COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
October 7, 2003
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
APPOINTMENTS OF SURROGATE PARENTS:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #5
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Lorelie Case, School Business Administrator
DATE: October 9, 2003
RE: Financial Memorandum #5
1. Approval of Revenue and Expense Reports
Resolved, that the Board of Education accepts the following reports submitted for the months of July and August:
Extraclassroom – High School
Expense Report
Treasurer’s Report
2. Acceptance of Donations
Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts with gratitude the following donations:
John B. Nania Memorial Scholarship
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Beauty School of Middletown, Inc.
Here’s Help Staffing Services, Inc
Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Griffen
Margaret Gobeo
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Davis
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$100.00
75.00
10.00
25.00
50.00
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3. Approval of Budget Amendment #3
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Revenues:
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Budget at Amended
A.530/A.5730 Obligation Authorized
Amended Total
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$87,490,399
578,000
$88,068,399
|
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Appropriations:
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Budget as Amended
A.960/A.1965.8422.10.1300.00
Amended Total
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$87,490,399
578,000
$88,068,399
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