BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
AUGUST 4, 2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, August 4, 2005, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Vincent Crescenzo, presiding.
Present: Dr. Best, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino,Ms. Tobiassen, Mr. Crescenzo – 8.
Absent: Mrs. Botti – 1.
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 for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to have an executive session to discuss matters regarding the employment history and appointment of particular persons and to hear a grievance. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 8:50 p.m. Mr. Crescenzo led the pledge to the flag. He asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of High School House Principal Michael Barone’s father who passed away unexpectedly.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to amend the minutes of the July 7, 2005 Reorganization meeting.
Ms. Tobiassen asked that the reorganization minutes be amended to indicate that she voted no on the resolution for president of the Board for the 2005-2006 school year.
Vote to amend the July 7, 2005 Reorganization Meeting minutes was taken.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2005 Reorganization meeting, as amended, and the July 7, 2005 regular meeting.
Mr. Geiger read the portion of the July 7, 2005, minutes that said “Mr. Crescenzo asked the Board to indicate their approval to allocate the remaining funds in the budget to place an SRO at Twin Towers. Ms. Tobiassen, Mr. Perrino, Mr. Geiger, and Mr. Crescenzo supported this suggestion. Since this was not a majority approval, the straw vote was defeated.” Mr. Geiger said that some members of the public may be under the impression that this was a resolution placed on the agenda, although it was clearly a straw vote. He said this matter should be placed on the agenda to be voted on it so that the Board can determine what to do with those funds allocated for an SRO that still remain in the budget.
Mr. Crescenzo said that through the straw vote, the Board also gave the Superintendent the direction to look for other funding or avenues of hiring the SRO. A timeframe was given through September for this process.
Vote on the motion to approve the amended July 7, 2005 Reorganization Meeting minutes and the July 7, 2005 Regular Meeting minutes was taken.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #7, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to amend the agenda to consider Personnel Memorandum #8.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion to amend the agenda was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #8, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo welcomed David Coates, the District’s new Director for Physical Education, Health and Athletics.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to amend the agenda to consider Personnel Memorandum #9.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion to amend was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Personnel Memorandum #9, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo welcomed Kathleen Perry, who will be the District’s Director for Food and Nutrition Services.
No written communications were read, no response to previous questions were pending, and no visitors asked to address the Board.
The presentation on Chapter 405 was postponed until the next meeting of the Board.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Geiger announced that New York State Tax Relief Days will be August 30- September 5. Clothing costing less than $110 will be free of NYS tax.
Mr. Estrada said that the NYSSBA Academy for Public School Governance will be held in September and the NYSSBA Annual Convention will be held in Rochester in October. He said that the District’s mentor program will be highlighted at the NYSSBA Convention.
Mr. Perrino spoke about the outstanding summer reading program, a cooperative venture between the School District and Thrall Library; complimented the Times Herald Record for its good coverage of the appointment of High School Executive Principal Larry Ashley; noted the student participation in the recent Empire State games. Mr. Perrino also said that earlier this evening the Board toured the renovations at the High School and said this is indicative of the District’s progress.
Dr. Best spoke about the orderliness of the summer program held at Twin Towers.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Dr. Eastwood has been with the District for over a year now. He complimented Dr. Eastwood on the development of the administrative leadership. Mr. Crescenzo said that the District has made much progress in just one year.
Dr. Eastwood spoke about the successes at the High School this past year toward moving off the State’s identification list. The High School was able to achieve standard this year in the ELA and Math participation and performance testing areas. Dr. Eastwood said that the District is creating new positive history.
Superintendent approved Budget Transfer #3, which was for four transfers, was presented.
Mr. Crescenzo presented the policy on Prekindergarten attendance, copy attached, for a first reading. Discussion followed regarding the minimum 85% attendance requirement, preparing this document in Spanish as well as English, having an appeals process in place, and if the policy will be followed by both the District and universal pre-K programs. In accordance with Board policy, this policy will be considered for adoption at the next regular meeting of the Board.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the creation of two Department Chair Positions in the areas of Speech/Language and Psychology.
Mrs. Fischer said that both departments have experienced growth in membership over the years. A point person is needed to meet monthly with her to disseminate information back to their respective department members. Mrs. Fischer said that these stipended positions will be funded out of the Special Education 611 federal grant.
Motion on the floor to approve the creation of two Department Chair Positions in the areas of Speech/Language and Psychology was taken.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Dr. Best made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, that the Middletown City School District join the Small Cities Lawsuit, as per the attached resolution
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perkins, to designate the Times Herald Record as the official newspaper for the Middletown School District.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Education Law does not require school districts to designate an official newspaper, but the district does need to utilize at least a weekly newspaper in which to place legal advertising. Mr. Estrada said that the District will continue to buy legal advertising space to place notices concerning bids, budget votes, etc., even if an official newspaper is not designated. Mr. Geiger said that while law does not require school districts to designate an official newspaper, if one is designated it must meet certain requirements. Discussion followed regarding the community’s perception that information about the District, including legal advertising, will be in the Times Herald Record.
Vote on the motion to designate the Times Herald Record as the official newspaper for the Middletown School District.
Ayes: Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen – 5. Noes: Best, Estrada, Crescenzo – 3. Motion was declared approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to accept the following International Student Exchange Student: Esther Lausch – Germany.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve Special Services Memorandum #3, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve Financial Memorandum #4, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, to approve advertising for Requests for Proposals for the following:
- Professional Services – Architect/Engineer services for the replacement of the exterior stairs at Twin Towers Middle School
- Replace of water meters, pressure reducing valves and associated plumbing at Twin Towers and Chorley
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. 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: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Roundtable:
Responses to several questions from Ms. Tobiassen were given:
Mr. Crescenzo said that the MTA will contact him with dates for a meeting with the Board and the MTA Board.
Mr. DelMoro said that parents who did not respond to letters concerning summer school were contacted by phone.
Mrs. Kaplan said that summer positions with the District were posted on the District’s website, in our schools and in the Administration Office.
Mrs. McKean said that students in our schools have had different amounts of instructional time. The District has worked out a plan so that all our students will have 6.5 hours of instruction. This plan affects transportation of students, as does the new building configurations and the all-day kindergarten program. In order to efficiently and effectively use District transportation services, school start and stop times had to be changed. Correspondence has been sent to parents regarding the new school start and stop times and information will be sent to parents concerning the transportation schedules.
Ms. Perkins said that correspondence to parents regarding summer school could have been interpreted that attendance was optional. She also asked about the cost per student per year for our pre-k program.
Responding to questions from Mr. Geiger, Dr. Eastwood said that the District is staying with the Syracuse Advancement Placement biology, but is also continuing to work with OCCC regarding a number of courses. Dr. Eastwood said that two problems have caused some difficulties with the master schedule for student course selections: (1) there are a high number of restrictions on courses, and (2) there were more course requests than periods in a day because students have been asked to designate alternative electives in the event their first choices were unavailable. With the resolution of these two issues, the master schedule should be ready shortly.
Dr. Eastwood said that the District is still in the negotiation process with the MTA.
Mr. Estrada inquired about summer school attendance number, and asked if there is any tracking of the achievement of students who attended summer school vs. those who did not take advantage of this program. Dr. Eastwood said that the summer school principals will make a presentation to the Board at one of the September meetings.
Mrs. Knapp addressed the issue of scheduling chorus and band at the High School.
Mr. Perrino inquired about the status of the petition from parents in the Robertson Drive area. Mrs. McKean said that correspondence has been sent to the parents which enclosed information about the procedures to be followed to establish a child safety zone. She said that part of the process requires that various factors such as sidewalks, shoulders, traffic intersections, speed limits, etc. be looked at and assigned a point value. The District is in the process of conducting this review.
Mr. Crescenzo reminded the Board to contact the District Clerk about attending the NYSSBA Academy for Public School Governance and the NYSSBA Annual Convention.
Mr. Crescenzo also noted the following dates: The ceremony for our summer graduates will be held on August 18; the Board retreat is scheduled for August 19 and 20. He also announced that the August 18 Board meeting will be postponed until August 25.
Mr. Estrada spoke about the provision in the Comptroller’s 5 Point Plan which necessitates training for school board members taking office on or after July 1, 2005. This training will focus on financial oversight, accountability and fiduciary responsibilities. Mr. Estrada said that BOCES, NYSSBA and ASBO are working together to provide training in convenient locations.
At 10:30 p.m., Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion of matters leading to the appointment or employment of special personnel. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 11:05 p.m. There being no further business, Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
PUPIL PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES
MEMORANDUM #3
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: August 4, 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. 3 dated August 4, 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.
COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
May 9, 12, 19, 24, 25, 26, June 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23, July 13, 2005
COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
August 2, 2005
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
APPOINTMENTS OF SURROGATE PARENTS:
MEMBER NAME POSITION EFFECTIVE
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #4
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: August 4, 2005
RE: Financial Memorandum #4
1. Extension of Transportation Contract for the 2005-2006 School Year Approved
Whereas, the Board of Education awarded the bid for transportation service for the 2002-2003 school year to the Mid-City Transit Corporation, and whereas the Board of Education previously extended this contract for the 2003-2004, 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 school years,
Be it resolved, that this contract be extended for an additional one-year period (2005-2006) with Mid-City Transit Corporation. The total contract cost for the 2005-2005 school year will be $5,580,497.38 and will include a 3.4% COLA as determined by New York State.
Cost of transportation per day - $29,893.33 x 180 days =$5,396.999.40
Plus 3.4% COLA $183,497.98
Total Transportation Cost $$5,580,497.38
2.Certification of Acceptance for the National School Lunch, School Breakfast and Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk for the 2005-2006 School Year Approved
Resolved, that the Enlarged City School District of Middletown accepts the terms and conditions of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs and Policy Statement for the 2005-2006 school year. The Middletown School District also agrees through the use of these forms to follow the federal guidelines in approving meal applications.