BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
MAY 19, 2004
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Robin Markovits, presiding.
Present: Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. McCormack,
Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Botti, Mrs. Markovits – 7.
Absent: Dr. Best, Mrs. Elliott (arrived at 8:00 p.m.) - 2.
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. Markovits called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session to hear an appeal of a Superintendent’s hearing and to discuss matters pertaining to litigation issues. Motion was unanimously approved. Public session resumed at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Estrada left the meeting at this time.
Mrs. Markovits led the pledge to the flag.
Dr. Gray read a letter received from the Department of Navy that enclosed a certificate signed by the Naval Service Training Command which designates Middletown High School as a distinguished NJROTC unit for the 2004-2005 school year. This distinction is made in recognition of the outstanding support provided by the High School and the overall achievement of the NJROTC unit during the 2003-04 school year. This designation is awarded annually to schools whose program rank in the top 30% of the programs in each NJROTC area. Competing units are ranked according to degree of excellence attained in administration, academic performance, military proficiency, and host school support.
Dr. Gray also recognized Middletown’s scholar-athletes: Caitlin Clancy and Prisco Acevedo. Dr. Gray listed some of Caitlin’s achievements: five years of tennis, two years of basketball, one year of track, five varsity letters in tennis, a 2004 commended National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society. He also noted Prisco’s achievements: three years of cross country and outdoor track, two years of indoor track, one year of wrestling, three varsity letters in cross country and three most valuable player awards, a State qualifier in 2002, National Honor Society.
Mrs. Markovits thanked the residents who came out to support the budget for the 2004-05 school year. She welcomed Board members-elect William Geiger and Rose Tobiassen to the Board.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to approve the minutes of March 18 and March 29, 2004.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No written communications were read.
Board Member Reports:
Mrs. Botti reported that she attended the talent show that was recently held at Twin Towers and noted that $3,000 was raised for scholarships.
Mr. Perrino commended the performers at the recent Annie production and all those who participated in the talent show.
Principals Richard DelMoro, Monhagen Middle School, and Gordon Dean, Twin Towers Middle School, presented the 2002-2003 ELA and Math Assessments scores. Graphs showing the changes in scores from the 2000-01 school year to the present were shared, as were the on-going initiatives at each of the middle schools. Mr. DelMoro noted that there has been a small, but steady gain in the areas that have been targeted by the initiatives.
Mrs. Elliott left the meeting during the following presentation.
Architect John Patterson reviewed the design process that was followed for the High School Reconstruction project. He noted that information was gathered from in-depth meetings with user groups, District personnel and the school principals. Schematic plans were then generated by Clark Patterson Associates, incorporating the input from the user group meetings. Mr. Patterson continued by reviewing the design elements of the project and the schedule for submitting the project to the State Education Department.
At 9:40 p.m., Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to discuss a specific personnel item in the Personnel Memorandum.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott returned to the meeting at this time.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #20, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Markovits – 5. Noes: Elliott, Botti – 2. Motion was declared approved.
Response to Previous Questions:
Dr. Gray reported on the pay scale for substitute teachers. Non-certified teachers receive $75.00 per day and certified teachers receive $85.00 per day. Teachers in the GED program receive $28.00/hour.
Mr. Scott reviewed the maintenance schedule for the High School pool.
Dr. Gray reviewed the salary schedule for executive secretaries.
Dr. Gray said that efforts will continue to be made to improve communication among staff and between principals and schools.
Dr. Gray reported that most of the seniors who do not graduate attend summer school and graduate upon completion of summer school.
Dr. Gray said that test scores are shared with the student’s parents and principals make presentations to their parent groups if requested.
Mrs. Markovits reported that the District has asked its attorneys to contact the insurance company to see if something can be done to move the investigation of the District forward. The insurance company advises that it is still waiting to see if a lawsuit will be filed before the investigation can continue. The District could lose its insurance coverage and the payment of legal fees that would be paid by the insurance company in defense of the District if it continues with an investigation.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Elliott, requesting personnel folders for the purpose of conducting personnel business in executive session.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Opportunity to Address the Board:
Krystin Weiss suggested that presentations given at Board meetings be videotaped and played on Channel 20 instead of being conducted at Board meetings. She also supported having Mr. Cohen present at graduation.
Jared Geisenheimer congratulated Mr. Geiger and Ms. Tobiassen on their election to the Board. He supported the return of Mr. Cohen to the High School and asked that Mr. Cohen be allowed to be present at graduation.
John Gennarelli welcomed Mr. Geiger and Ms. Tobiassen to the Board; spoke about middle school time; thanked Mr. McCormack and Mrs. Markovits for their service; spoke about Board vacancies; and suggested that funding for the school safety officer be included in the budget.
Vince Pladdys said that depending on the offense, a person going through a 3020-a proceeding may remain in-District until the hearing, and asked the Board to re-consider having Mr. Cohen attend graduation ceremonies.
Mr. Conway reviewed Superintendent-approved budget transfer #13.
Mr. Conway and Food Service Director Al Muhlnickel provided information regarding the District’s Food Service program. It was noted that approximately 1 million meals are served annually by 74 employees and that the program is self-sufficient with no local taxpayer dollar support. Mr. Conway reviewed the fund balance in the food service program over the past ten years, the federal reimbursement vs. the breakfast and lunch costs, and projected revenues and expenses. An outline of proposals for 2004/2005 was presented, including the expansion of ala cart offerings to include more choices sanctioned by USDA, an increase in the ala cart prices based on local store prices and bid results, and a realignment of staff. The proposed prices for school meals effective September 2004 are: elementary school breakfast - $1.00; elementary school lunch - $1.75; secondary breakfast - $1.25; secondary lunch - $2.00. It was noted that meal prices were last increased in 1998.
Mr. Conway reported that today the District sold $4.5 million in notes, the balance of the money authorized by the voters in December 2001 for the Mechanicstown, Chorley and Truman Moon construction work. The notes will mature in December 2004 and will be combined with other notes that mature at the same time, at which time a bond sale will be held for approximately $10-11 million. Mr. Conway said that for the notes sold today, bids were received from five different investment houses; the District went with the lowest cost to the District, with a 1.4% interest cost.
Mrs. Markovits presented the following policies for first readings:
Equal Educational Opportunities, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Student Attendance. Mrs. Botti said that before these policies are brought to the Board for first readings they are reviewed by our attorneys for compliance with law and the rules and regulations of small city school districts. Mrs. Markovits said that these policies will be presented for Board adoption at the next Board meeting.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #20, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Financial Memorandum #20, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to accept the May 18, 2004 vote results.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Visitors:
John Gennarelli addressed the following: forwarding of information to the new superintendent; attendance at Board meetings by Board members and administrators; placing a hold on executive positions pending the start of the new superintendent.
Roundtable:
Mrs. Markovits presented a letter from the Shenendehowa Central School District seeking support of a resolution to be considered at the next NYSSBA convention. This resolution supports a change in the State Education Department teacher certification requirements increasing the time available to earn a master’s degree and professional certification to five years, the time allowance available prior to February 2, 2004. The new SED standard allows only three years to satisfy these requirements. The Board unanimously supported the proposed resolution
Mrs. Knapp noted that scholar-athlete Caitlin Clancy also participates in the New Visions program.
At 11:00 p.m., Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to review specific personnel folders. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 11:30 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 #19
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: May 19, 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. 19 dated May 19, 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 4, March 10, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, April 1, 2004
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
May 4, 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 #19
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Timothy J. Conway, Assistant Superintendent for Business
DATE: May 19, 2004
RE: Financial Memorandum #19
1. Budget Transfer #15 Approved
2. Revenue & Expense Reports Approved (see attached)
Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts the following report for the month of March 2004:
Extraclassroom – High School
3. Cancellation & Refund of Taxes Approved