BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
APRIL 22, 2004
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Robin Markovits, presiding.
Present: Dr. Best, Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino,
Mr. McCormack, Mrs. Botti, Mrs. Markovits – 9.
Absent: None.
Others Kenneth Gray, Acting Superintendent
Present: Timothy Conway, Asst. Superintendent for Business
Patricia McLeod, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Mrs. Markovits called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to discuss specific personnel matters leading to evaluation. Motion was unanimously approved. Public session resumed at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of March 4, 13, 17, 2004.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No written communications were read.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Crescenzo attended the OCSBA workshop for prospective school board members. He presented from the perspective of a first-year school board member, and a presentation was also given by a veteran school board member.
Mr. Estrada attended the performance of Death by Disco, a murder mystery performed by students at Twin Towers. He noted the many local businesses who supported this effort. Mr. Estrada also participated in Monhagen’s Read-a-Loud.
Mr. McCormack reported that he attended the recent OCSBA meeting where information on the school report card was shared. Mr. McCormack announced that he has been nominated to be the secretary for the Orange County School Board Association for 2004-05.
Mr. Perrino said he was very impressed by the commitment staff and students made to preparing for the Death by Disco program. He also acknowledged the efforts of our schools during American Library Week and the staff who work with our foreign exchange program.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #18, copy attached
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to table the request for personnel folders.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Response to Previous Questions
Dr. Gray said that based on advice from counsel, Mr. Cohen cannot be on the school premise pending the result of the 3020-a.
Mr. Scott said that the Board will be asked to award the bids for the Chorley and Truman Moon projects at this evening’s meeting.
Dr. Gray reported that the State Education Department requires districts to fingerprint staff after a certain date. Employees hired prior to the designated date were grandfathered and do not have to be fingerprinted.
Mr. Conway provided an explanation of the profit received from sale of items in our schools, such as Snapple products.
Dr. Gray provided a report on the costs of interims in our district.
Dr. Gray said that many school districts who own their own buses are now looking at contracting for this service because of the cost involved in maintaining the fleet of vehicles required.
Mr. Scott said that the re-configured parking lot at Mechanicstown will be adequate.
Dr. Gray said that the problem with a wall at the High School has been solved by making a roof repair.
Dr. Gray reported that Board meetings are re-broadcast at 7:00 p.m. the Monday following the Thursday meeting.
Dr. Gray said that parents are informed when students are assigned to in-school suspension. If parents cannot be reached by phone, they are contacted by letter. If a student is removed from a class for a single period, parents are not informed.
Mrs. Markovits said that the Board will be meeting on Monday, April 26, to consider the BOCES budget and Board member election. The Board will also meet on June 3 to consider another BOCES Board member election.
Mrs. Markovits also said that the District’s budget vote and Board member election will be conducted on May 18.
Visitors:
Vince Pladdys spoke in support of having Mr. Cohen present at graduation, the cost of interims and fingerprinting of employees.
John Gennarelli said that a more thorough investigation regarding the Sigler incident is needed, supported the students’ request to have Mr. Cohen at graduation, encouraged Board members to visit the schools, and thanked the teachers for all their efforts.
Danielle Archer explained the significance of the April 21 day of silence.
Mrs. Markovits said that what is said during a grand jury proceeding should not be communicated outside of the proceeding.
Dr. Gray said that this is the week of the young child, and he visited the pre-k program at Memorial during the week. He said that research has proven the effectiveness of this type of program.
Mr. Conway reported on the recent meeting of the Orange-Ulster Health Board. He said that as of April 1 another provider network has been added to the Orange-Ulster Health Plan. It is now GHI/Devon.
Mr. Conway presented a report on the competitive grant application status prepared by Kenneth Packer, the District’s grant writer. Approximately $5.4 million has been received in grants. The District has received 59% of the grants for which applications were submitted.
Mr. Conway reported on Superintendent-approved budget transfer #12 which was for seven transfers.
Mr. Conway presented information on the Western Suffolk BOCES Long Range Planning Study for the District. He said that the demographic information contained in this report is updated annually. Data concerning population, housing starts, births/deaths, non-public school enrollment, etc. is studied and presented as a planning tool for the District.
Mr. Scott gave an overview of the Mechanicstown project. He said that the contractors have been progressing with their work at the cafetorium and classroom additions, and provided a summary of the individual contractor’s work. Mr. Scott also provided a timetable for the completion of various activities, noting that substantial completion of the cafetorium is anticipated by May.
Mr. Scott presented Section I of the District Safety Plan which deals with the identification of the District Team, the concept of operations, general considerations and planning guidelines, plan review, etc. The Board will be asked to approve the District Safety Plan at its first meeting in May.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to table the review of the 4-day summer workweek, pending receipt of further information.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion to table was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti called a point of order to amend the agenda to consider the approval of bids for the soccer lighting project at this time.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to award the bid for the Soccer Lighting Project to Pantel Electric in the amount of $249,000.
Mrs. Markovits conveyed the thanks of the entire Board to all those who worked so hard on the fundraising and community involvement for the soccer lighting project.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Special Services Memorandum #18, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Financial Memorandum #18, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to adopt the District’s Code of Conduct.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Markovits thanked Susan Short and her committee for their work on the Code of Conduct.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the 2004-05 budget in the amount of $92,651,231.
Mr. Conway reviewed information detailing the District’s budget increases over the past six years. He further explained that last year the District participated in an opportunity provided by the State to refinance our debt and to restructure our bond payments to take advantage of lower interest rates. By doing so, bond payments were decreased resulting in a 2.2% increase in last year’s budget. Mr. Conway said that eleven districts in Orange County have proposed budget increases between 6.8 – 12.0%; Middletown has a 5.9% increase; three districts have budget increases less than the proposed Middletown increase.
Vote on the motion to approve the proposed budget was taken.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the final payment to Tri-State Folding Partitions in the amount of $16,080.00.
Mr. Scott said that this project installed safety devices in our gymnasiums to prevent gym doors from closing when people are in the proximity of the door.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack to award the following bids for general construction and electrical work at Truman Moon and Chorley Schools:
General Construction - WaltechConstruction Corp.
$790,500
Electrical Construction - Harry F. Rotolo and Son
$38,214.00
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the Field Directed Allowance for work at Mechanicstown Elementary School, as follows:
MC-01 David L. Kempton, Inc. in the amount of $1,800.00
PC-01 T.M. Brennan Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $21,956.00
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to table consideration of the fee structure for general counsel John M. Donoghue.
Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Visitors:
Nancy Bookbinder spoke about bulk mailing of school district information, the possibility of publicizing information about our teachers, school board membership, and the status of Bernard Cohen.
John Gennarelli spoke about housing starts and sales in the Town of Wallkill, contact by grand jurists, volunteers in our schools, school safety officers, facility maintenance schedules.
Roundtable:
Mr. Estrada requested information about the District’s substitute teacher program, including the evaluation program. Mr. Estrada also said that the manner in which a message is relayed sometimes causes the message to be lost. Continuing, Mr. Estrada enumerated the accomplishments and achievements of Mr. McCormack and Mrs. Markovits, commending them for running for Board membership under the extreme circumstances of the past year.
Mr. McCormack discussed the possibility of presenting a resolution to the New York State School Boards Association in concert with our attorneys. This resolution would call for making all employees of a school district mandated reporters of suspected child sexual abuse. Mr. McCormack said that the Newburgh School District has expressed interest in joining Middletown in supporting this resolution. The Board agreed to have Mr. McCormack pursue this effort on behalf of the District.
Mr. McCormack suggested that the District investigate the possibility of allowing students to substitute after-school athletic activities for gym credit.
Continuing, Mr. McCormack encouraged residents to contact our local legislators regarding the Wicks law exemption for the High School project.
Mrs. Botti asked if a more local facility could be established as a testing site for teaching assistants who now must take their tests in Yonkers.
Mrs. Botti announced that Mrs. Markovits will be one of the opening presenters at the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys 2004 Advocacy Seminar in Savannah, Georgia this October.
Mrs. Elliott spoke about the importance of observing and adhering to laws. She also addressed scheduling difficulties that could result with substitute gym credits.
Mr. Crescenzo encouraged residents and staff members to contact Board members with their concerns.
Mr. Perrino asked that the District look into establishing procedures for visiting our school buildings.
Mrs. Markovits said that as of February 2 of this year, changes have been made to teacher certification. Teachers must now earn their master’s degree in three years, instead of in five years as in the past. The Shenendehowa Central School District is sponsoring a NYSSBA resolution that will negate this reduction in time for earning a master’s. Mrs. Markovits said that the Board will discuss this topic at the first meeting in May.
At 10:05 p.m., Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session for the discussion of matters relating to the evaluation of specific personnel. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 11:15 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
PUPIL PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES
MEMORANDUM #18
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: April 22, 2004
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. 18 dated April 22, 2004, 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.
1. COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
February 17, 26, March 2, 10, 11, 16, 26, 2004
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
March 22, 24, 30, 2004
3. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
4. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
5. APPOINTMENTS OF SURROGATE PARENTS:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #18
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Timothy J. Conway, Assistant Superintendent for Business
DATE: April 22, 2004
RE: Financial Memorandum #18
1. Budget Transfer #13 Approved
From: A.9020.8801.10.9100.00 State Teachers Retirement $10,000.00
To: A.9040.8805.10.9100.00 Workers Compensation $10,000.00
2. Donation Accepted
Academy of Finance
Orange County Bankers Association $2,500.00