BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
JANUARY 6, 2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, January 6, 2005, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Vincent Crescenzo, presiding.
Present: Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Botti, Mr. Crescenzo – 6
Absent: Dr. Best (arrived at 7:27 p.m.), Ms. Tobiassen - 2
Others Present: Kenneth Eastwood, Superintendent
Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator
Richard DelMoro, Director for Secondary Education
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Selena Fischer, Director of Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Peter Ancona, Director for Technology
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to discuss matters regarding the financial history of a particular corporation. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 7:30. Mr. Crescenzo led the pledge to the flag.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of December 2, 2004.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
The Board recognized the achievements of two Middletown High School students. Scott Dickover placed 7th in Section IX Class AA Cross Country Championships, 2nd Team All County, and was 58th Place at Class AA State Championships. Janine DiGennaro took 1st Place in Section IX Diving and 12th Place at State Championships.
No written communications were read and no responses to previous questions were pending.
Mary Chapel of the firm of Allardice & Associates, Inc. presented a Long Range Financial Plan for the District. She said that Allardice & Associates was authorized to prepare a report that projects future operating revenues and expenditures of the District over a three-year period, using the 2004-05 adopted budget as a base. Ms. Chapel said that the report is intended to be a guideline for the District when preparing future budgets and the report should be updated annually.
Ms. Chapel explained that this Three Year Projection of Revenue and Expenditures for General Fund was based upon revenue and expenditures assumptions presented at a prior meeting of the Board. She continued by reviewing the estimated revenues and expenditures for the 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08 school years, as well as the estimated budget increase and tax levy increase for these years.
Ms. Chapel noted that the Board faces a challenge in the development of future budgets as revenues, particularly State Aid, have not kept pace with the increase in expenditures. She said that care should be taken to ensure that all expenditures are required to provide a competitive education for our students. Ms. Chapel also suggested that future negotiations with bargaining groups be done with short and long term budget implications in mind and recommended a review of fringe benefits provided by the District.
Continuing, Ms. Chapel said that an effort should be made to reduce the annual appropriated fund balance and plans should be instituted to develop adequate reserve funds. She concluded her presentation by saying that a conservative budgeting approach must be exercised to ensure that revenues and expenditures are realistic.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Perrino suggested that the District survey some of our graduates to determine how they are doing in college and to obtain their opinion of how well prepared they were for college. Mr. Perrino also spoke about the tremendous parental participation at our holiday programs.
Mr. Geiger said he believes our students are very well prepared for college and also noted that many of the District’s holiday performances were standing room only.
Mrs. Botti said our students are accepted into many colleges and this is a credit to our staff. Mrs. Botti also said that Board representation is needed on the Planning for Restructuring teams. Mr. Perrino will work with the Twin Towers team; Mr. Crescenzo will work with the Monhagen team; and Mrs. Knapp will work with the High School team.
Mr. Crescenzo applauded the students, staff and volunteers for their wonderful holiday programs. He noted that 106 children participated at Maple Hill’s program.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Personnel Memorandum #18, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Superintendent-approved budget transfer #9 for one transfer was presented.
Dr. Eastwood said that an Implementation of Full-day Kindergarten Program committee has been formed, whose task will be to look at the needs for starting the program including staff development, curriculum development, etc. Anticipated kindergarten teacher vacancies will be posted as soon as possible.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to amend the agenda to change an action item to an information item.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to change action item X B. 1 – Approval of Building Reconfiguration Recommendation – to an information item.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Dr. Eastwood recommends that the Board of Education continue its support of an elementary building structure that houses students in a Pre-K through grade 1 and a grade 2-5 configuration. Dr. Eastwood emphasized that regardless of the building configuration, there will be changes in attendance zones. He said that some children will be assigned to different buildings next year.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Middletown Enlarged City School District Board hereby finds that there is a need for standardization in the procurement of a building management and security system manufactured by Siemens Building Technologies for reasons of efficiency, economy; energy guarantee and in the public interest; and
WHEREAS, the systems as manufactured by Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. are essential to the design of the project for reasons of time frame of installation, service, maintenance and warranties of the system; the reliability and longevity of the manufacturer; the energy guarantee of the performance contract; and
WHEREAS, the only way to insure the receipt of quotations from responsible bidders for this type of equipment is to standardize the bidding by limiting proposals to certain manufacturers; and
WHEREAS, New York State General Municipal Law Section 103, paragraph 5, provides that where, for reasons of efficiency or economy, there is need for standardization, purchase contracts for particular type or kind of equipment and services; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Middletown Enlarged City School District be authorized to bid for the systems as manufactured by Siemens Building Technologies and to reject proposed “equivalent” items which are not the standard pursuant to the authorization contained in New York General Municipal Law Section 103, paragraph 5.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #12, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Financial Memorandum #11, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Financial Memorandum #12, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve the following field directed allowances:
Field Directed Allowances – Mechanicstown
CFA No. MC-03 David L. Kempton, Inc. $ 312.36
CFA No. MC-04 David L. Kempton, Inc. $11,227.34
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve the following change orders:
Change Orders – Mechanicstown
No. PC-001 Addition to Contract $ 1,974.10
T. M. Brennan Contractors, Inc. -- Plumbing
No. AC-001 Credit to Contract $20,000.00
Suburban Restoration Co. Inc.
Asbestos Abatement Contract
No. GC-01 Addition to Contract $21,523.00
Eugene DeLorenzo, Inc. – General Construction
No. MC-01 Credit to Contract $20,460.30
David L. Kempton, Inc. – Mechanical Contract
No. EC-02 Credit to Contract $583.80
Harry F. Rotolo & Son, Inc. – Electrical Contract
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve the following final payment:
Final Payment – Mechanicstown $52,900.00
Suburban Restoration
Asbestos Abatement Contract
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the following change order:
Change Order No. 1 – Soccer Lighting Contract
Credit to Contract $3,900.00
Ray S. Pantel, Inc. – Electrical Contract
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the following final payment:
Final Payment – Soccer Lighting Contract
Ray S. Pantel, Inc. – Electrical Contract $21,090.00
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Roundtable:
Mrs. Botti facilitated a review of Board norms. After discussion, the Board agreed to change meeting start times to 7:00 p.m., with executive sessions, if called, to be held prior to the meeting, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This change will be on a trial basis during the months of February and March and will be evaluated after that time.
The Board also reviewed norms dealing with notification of absence from meetings, funneling questions through the Superintendent, and the use of email.
The Board concluded its review of policies that are specific to the Middletown School District.
At 9:55 p.m., Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion of personnel matters concerning the employment histories of particular persons.
Motion was unanimously approved. Public session resumed at 10:24 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 #12
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: January 6, 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. 12 dated January 6, 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):
November 16, 17, 29, December 2, 6, 9, 15, 2004
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
January 4, 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 #11
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: January 6, 2005
RE: Financial Memorandum #11
Return of Uncollected School Taxes Approved
1. Resolved, that the Middletown City School District tax collector’s report of 2004-05 for uncollected school taxes and penalties be acknowledged as follows: as of December 10, 2005 in the City of Middletown an amount of $1,707,649.20, the Town of Wallkill an amount of $1,245,439.74, the Town of Wawayanda an amount of $171,183.41, and the Town of Goshen an amount of $14,581.23; be it further
Resolved, that the County Treasurer be empowered to collect the above delinquent taxes due in the Town of Wallkill, Wawayanda and Goshen respectively, and the City Treasurer be empowered to collect these delinquent school taxes in the City of Middletown, as per the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools.
2. Award of Bid
Item Vendor Amount of Award
Furniture & Equipment
3. Non-Resident Tuition Rates for 2004-05 Approved (see attached)
4. Budget Transfer #5 Approved
From: A.1670.8200.10.1200.07 Equipment Central Printing $41,216.00
To: A.1670.8433.10.1100.00 Photocopier Maintenance $41,2l6.00
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #12
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: January 6, 2005
RE: Financial Memorandum #12
1. Cancellation and Refund of Taxes Approved (see attached)