BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
JUNE 2, 2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, June 2, 2005, at Twin Towers Middle School, 112 Grand Avenue, Board President Vincent Crescenzo, presiding.
Present: Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Mrs. Botti, Mr. Crescenzo – 7.
Absent: Dr. Best – 1.
Others Present: Kenneth Eastwood, Superintendent
Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator
Richard DelMoro, Director for Secondary Education
Darlene McDonough, Director for Elementary Education
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Selena Fischer, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to have an executive session to discuss matters pertaining to litigation.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the minutes of April 26 and May 5, 2005.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve Personnel Memorandum #36, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 6. Noes: Botti -1. Motion was declared approved.
Mrs. Botti said that she did approve the process that was used for tenure determination. (Corrected at the 7/7/05 meeting to read: “Mrs. Botti did not approve of the evaluation process that was used by the Middletown City School District for tenure determination.”
The Board extended congratulations to the more than 40 teachers and teaching assistants who were awarded tenure.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #37, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, requesting personnel folders for the purpose of conducting personnel business in executive session.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
At 8:10 p.m., Mr. Crescenzo called for a break in the meeting, which resumed at 8:30 p.m.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Dennis Reilly, a teacher at BOCES, is retiring this year. He commended Mr. Reilly’s work to have a program so students can receive local high school diplomas.
No written communications were read and no responses to previous questions were pending.
Visitors:
Roy Paul said that fights at the High School had decreased this year and said that the Board should use community criticism constructively.
Sheila Esposito, President of the Middletown Teachers Association, said that teachers need to feel that they are valued. She said that the MTA leadership has invited the Board to meet with them to discuss concerns, and that stress will only diminish when communication is open.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Estrada attended the Orange County School Boards Association meeting held on June 1, 2005. He urged the public to contact their local legislators regarding the pending legislation concerning exemption from the Wicks law which will permit school districts to have a single prime contractor on construction projects. Mr. Estrada presented information regarding the difficulty and costliness of coordinating multiple contractors.
Mr. Estrada said the Academy of Finance graduation was held on May 31; the Academy is still looking for companies to sponsor internships. He also said that the NYSSBA workshop “Planning Your Governance Team’s Transition” will be held at BOCES on June 15. Mr. Estrada concluded by saying that he attended the beginning of the Mechanicstown Vocal Concert that was held this evening.
Mrs. Botti said that members of the MHS Scholastic Bowl, under the tutelage of Science Chair Shirley Thompson, are now in Washington, D. C.
Mr. Geiger congratulated the teachers and teaching assistants who received their tenure appointments this evening, and thanked those responsible for the celebration in recognition of this achievement. Mr. Geiger also spoke about the recent Academic Awards program which recognized high achieving students in our District.
Mr. Perrino spoke about the following activities in the District: National Honor Society induction; productions of The Wizard of Oz and Peter Pan; Chorley performance at the Paramount; incentive breakfast at Twin Towers; Maple Hill Talent Show which raised funds for the Port Jervis flood relief; Memorial Day parade participation; Kids First program graduation; High School weight room. Mr. Perrino also asked to be provided with an update on the status of the school resource officers.
Mr. Crescenzo said that a presentation on the weight room will be given at a future Board meeting. He also thanked Mid City for donating the bus to take children in the Kids First program to the Intrepid. Mr. Crescenzo also noted the professionalism of the students participating in the Academy of Finance graduation ceremony.
Mr. Geiger announced the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be held this weekend. Mrs. Knapp said that the MHS Key Club will be participating in the Relay.
Mr. Perrino said that the Ruthie Dino Marshall Memorial Race will be held this Sunday. He also spoke about the career days recently held at Mechanicstown and Maple Hill.
Mr. Crescenzo congratulated students Jennifer Murray and Marc Mortellaro who received the Orange County Scholastic Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for 2004-2005.
Superintendent-approved budget transfer #16 was presented.
Dr. Eastwood presented the Middletown High School Course Selection Guide for next year which will be sent to the parents of students currently in grades 8 – 11 to help them prepare their children to meet graduation requirements. Mr. Estrada suggested that the guide be sent to next year’s incoming 8th graders so that they are aware of the new requirements.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Special Services Memorandum #21, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Financial Memorandum #19, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education award the following contracts on the Project known as “Middletown High School - 2003 Bond Issue” for which bids were advertised, and publicly opened and read aloud on May 19, 2005, in accordance with Section 103 of the General Municipal Law:
General Construction Work
Morris Park Contracting Corp.
$16,373,773
HVAC Work
Pearl River Plumbing, Heating & Electric, Inc., DBA Bertussi’s
$4,485,929
Plumbing Work
JAC Mechanical Services, Inc.
$1,590,000
Electrical Work
Harry F. Rotolo & Son, Inc.
$3,046,045
Asbestos Abatement Work
NSC Abatement Services, Inc.
$249,000
Theatrical Equipment Work
Barber Marketing, Inc., DBA BMI Supply
$535,985
and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all bids for Site Work be rejected and readvertised in accordance with the provisions of the General Municipal Law; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the aforementioned contract awards are subject to the execution of a written agreement in the form prescribed in the Project Manual, dated April 14, 2005, after review and recommendation by the District’s attorneys, and the successful bidders’ compliance with the applicable terms and conditions set forth in the Project Manual.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to adopt the Policy Manual as a whole, effective June 2, 2005.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Roundtable:
Dr. Eastwood said that Erie I BOCES will be developing administrative regulations to support the newly adopted Policy Manual, and that updates will be received for both manuals.
Dr. Eastwood updated the Board on the status of the school resource officers. He said that many school districts in the State are receiving the services of school resource officers at no cost through the State Police. It has also been discovered that when these federal contracts expire, the State Police picks up the cost of the contracts at no cost to the district. Dr. Eastwood said that he has spoken about this issue with individuals within the State Police and with our local legislators, noting that some school districts receive the services of school resource officers at no cost to the local taxpayers, while some districts, like Middletown, do not receive these same services. Dr. Eastwood said that our legislators are now asking various State officials to determine why Middletown is not involved in receiving school resource officer services at State expense like other districts. He also explained that some jurisdictional issues must be resolved since some of our schools are in the City of Middletown and some in the Town of Wallkill.
Mr. Perrino said that the Board needs to make a commitment to the police department in order to give the appropriate time for training and scheduling of school resource officers.
Mr. Estrada said that no one has higher expectations of the job responsibilities of a member of the Board of Education than the members of the Board.
Responding to a question from Mr. Estrada, Dr. Eastwood said that Mr. Vanderzell and Mrs. Scotto-Padavano are coordinating graduation activities.
At 10:05 p.m., Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion regarding the employment history 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 #21
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: June 2, 2005
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. 21 dated June 2, 2005, 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):
March 17, 23, April 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, May 4, 2005
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
May 31, 2005
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: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: June 2, 2005
RE: Financial Memorandum #19
1. Middletown Community Health Center Scholarship Established
2. Donation Accepted
Vincent Monaco Scholarship
Joseph Masi $200.00
Johanna Masi 50.00
Michael Falanga/Josephine 50.00
Falanga Davis/Therese
Falanga Creta
Denise May 25.00
Peter Ng & family 15.00
3.Budget Transfer #11 Approved (see attached)
4. Revenue and Expense Reports Approved
Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts the following reports for the months of September, October and November 2004:
Treasurer’s Report
Expense Report