Middletown City Schools - Board Minutes

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BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

MAY 6, 2004

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, May 6, 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. McCormack, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Markovits – 8.

Absent: Mrs. Botti - 1.

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
   Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
   Peter Ancona, Director of Technology

Mrs. Markovits called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag.

Mrs. Markovits announced that this portion of the meeting will be devoted to those residents who wished to express concerns or make comments regarding the proposed budget for the 2004-2005 school year. Since no one asked to be heard, Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to close the informational budget hearing.

Ayes: Best, Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Markovits – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Dr. Gray introduced Randy Keys, who has served as a coach or assistant coach for several sports, including JV wrestling, football, and baseball, and varsity track. He also has served as enlightenment advisor. Dr. Gray said that Mr. Keys is the High School monitor coordinator and the academic eligibility advisor, and said that he is an integral factor in keeping our students and staff safe at the High School.

Dr. Gray said that Paul Halpern has chaired the internal fundraising for the Academy of Finance. Mr. Halpern first became involved with the Academy when his son was part of the Academy and he continues to stay involved to provide leadership to current students. Mr. Halpern has also attended the National Academy Foundation Leadership Summit in Miami and has helped in the coordination of joint regional planning for the academy model. In addition, Dr. Gray said that Mr. Halpern was also part of the group that worked on the field lighting project.

Dr. Gray also recognized Richard Rowley who has chaired the Academy of Finance Advisory Board for the last six of seven years. Under his leadership, the Academy has been acknowledged by the National Academy Foundation as a national model. Mr. Rowley spearheaded the development of the Academy of Information Technology and the Advisory Board’s agreement to expand their role in providing resources and summer internships. Dr. Gray also noted that Mr. Rowley was pivotal in making the lighting project successful.

Mrs. Markovits extended well wishes to George Caffrey and Jerry Polenski. She also reminded residents to vote on May 18. She said the Board will meet on May 19 to formally accept the vote results. The candidates forum sponsored by the Middletown Teachers Association will be re-broadcast on Channel 20. The District will hold a forum on May 11.

Dr. Gray acknowledged the musical achievements of the following Middle School students: Band: Derek Areson, Clinton Yap; Orchestra: Kimberly Pedersen; Chorus: Frank DeGeorge, Marissa Ellerin-Bossley, Tim Gailie, Timothy Hluchan, Harrison Lockhart, Shelby Mann, Ryan Maurizzio, Samantha Seminario,Tatiana Vezquez, Caroline Warren, and Sarah Worden; Jazz All County, Billy Hluchan. He also acknowledged the following elementary students: Elementary All County Chorus: Martin Briones, Denise Nunez, Jessilyn Laput, Matt Rosenblum, Tara Tillman-Myrie, Ana Isidoro, William Stvrtecki, Ashley Lacen, Heather Miller, Demi Farina, Daisy Merino, Jessica Polchinski, Dominic Redmond, Katherine Woodward, Jessica Markman, Lukea Matthews, Cassandra Eason, Carina Blon, Julienne Dorceus; Band: Alexander Claudio, and Collin Murray.

Mrs. Markovits noted the dates of the Annie production at Monhagen Middle School, and the staff-student talent show to benefit the seriously ill infant daughter of one of our teachers. Mrs. Markovits said that the NJROTC will hold its annual tricky tray on May 7 to benefit its scholarship program. Continuing, Mrs. Markovits thanked the Women’s University Club which now offers ten scholarships to our graduating seniors.

Mrs. Markovits acknowledged the efforts of all those who helped to make Dr. Eastwood’s welcome reception a wonderful event. She thanked the leadership of all our bargaining groups who took time to meet with Dr. Eastwood.

No written communications were read.

Board Member Reports:

Mr. Crescenzo congratulated staff on the review classes that were given on two Saturdays at Twin Towers and Monhagen to help students prepare for the State assessments. Mr. Perrino noted that Maple Hill and Mechanicstown held similar review classes. He also commented on the students’ desire to have Mr. Cohen attend graduation.

Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Personnel Memorandum #19, copy attached.

Ayes: Dr. Best, Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp,

Mr. McCormack, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Markovits – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, requesting personnel folders for the purpose of conducting personnel business in executive session.

Ayes: Dr. Best, Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp,

Mr. McCormack, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Markovits – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Estrada, to abolish the School Business Executive position effective June 1, 2004.

Ayes: Dr. Best, Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp,

Mr. McCormack, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Markovits – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Response to Previous Questions:

Mrs. McLeod reported that the School Improvement Teams in all of our schools are very functional; all have specific tasks, most of which focus on academic issues. Mrs. McLeod also said that the State Education Department has abolished the Comprehensive District Education Plan (CDEP) project.

Mr. Conway presented information from Western Suffolk BOCES concerning demographic issues regarding kindergarten capacity, the bulges in enrollment that can be expected at different levels throughout the next several years, and High School enrollment changes. Mr. Conway also reviewed the accuracy of the demographic studies.

Mr. Conway explained how the budget brochures are mailed to residents.

Mr. Conway also reported that over a year ago the City of Middletown applied for funding for a school resource officer, but was unsuccessful in this attempt. He noted that some of our surrounding school districts had to apply for funding for several years before it was granted. The City has assured the School District that our application is still active for consideration for funding in the next round from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mr. Conway reported that there was a misprint in the newspaper concerning the tax levy. The tax levy will be 12%.

Mr. Scott reviewed the maintenance schedule for the High School track, as well as other maintenance requirements throughout the District.

Mrs. Kaplan said that every substitute teacher is required to attend an orientation session. She said that principals notify her if there are any concerns with a particular substitute. Mrs. Kaplan said that the State Education Department advises that the locations for teaching assistant examinations are based on finance; there are not enough people taking the exam in Middletown to warrant the exams being given here. Mrs. Kaplan is working with Orange-Ulster BOCES to determine if there would be enough numbers if surrounding counties would participate.

Mrs. McLeod and Dr. Gray responded to the question of substituting extracurricular sports for credit in lieu of taking a physical education class. They noted the many difficulties with scheduling that would result.

Dr. Gray canvassed our schools regarding visitors gaining access to the buildings. All schools require that parents contact the main office to arrange an appointment.

Dr. Gray clarified that the Mechanicstown cafetorium does include air conditioning, as does the new library, music room, and writing lab. Cooling coils will be installed in classroom units so that air conditioning can be added in the future.

Visitors:

John Gennarelli spoke about the maintenance at the pool, high school graduation issues, the status of the Sigler investigation, the moderator at the Board forum, executive secretary salary schedule, a possible Board vacancy.

Vince Pladdys spoke about the recent High School protest in support of Mr. Cohen’s attendance at graduation.

Mrs. Short, principal of Mechanicstown School, and Mrs. Amaditz, principal of Maple Hill School, reviewed the 2003 ELA and Math test scores for their schools. They also outlined initiatives, such as curriculum mapping, that are being undertaken to help improve the scores.

Mr. Estrada was absent from the meeting at this time.

Mrs. Elliott made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to table the first reading of the Student Attendance policy until the next meeting of the Board.