BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
DECEMBER 1, 2005
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday,
December 1, 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, Mrs. Botti, Mr. Crescenzo – 9.
Absent: None.
Others Kenneth W. Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Present: 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 for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Best made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, to have an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and legal matters. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Crescenzo led the pledge to the flag.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of November 3 and 15, 2005.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
The Board recognized the achievements of teacher Jennifer Arceri from Monhagen Middle School. Among her accomplishments, Ms. Arceri is listed in “Who’s Who in American Education.”
Responding to a question from a previous Board meeting, Ms. Kaplan said that information regarding summer help positions is posted in our school buildings and on the District’s website. Applicants must go through the normal hiring process, including fingerprinting and appointment approvals by the Board of Education. It was suggested that the postings also be made available at the High School guidance office, Channel 20, the District newsletter and the High School newspaper.
Stephanie Roth and other members of the MHS Key Club spoke about the many community activities that have been sponsored by the Key Club this year.
Visitors:
Jean DiMatteo addressed the protest conducted by some High School students and the need for greater communication.
Dr. Eastwood said that the District has appointed Art Lange, Risk Manager for Orange Ulster BOCES, to be the liaison between the construction companies working on the High School project and High School students and parents.
Adrianna DiMatteo spoke about the suspensions levied on students who participated in the protest, safety issues, and construction problems at the High School.
Mitchell Polais, JMOA Construction Manager, and Joe Urbanati of Morris Park Contracting, provided information on the status of the High School project. Work for the most part is on schedule and plans and issues are now identified two weeks out. The District’s Buildings and Grounds Office is issuing work permits that identify who is working on projects and when that work is being undertaken. Additional layers of supervision have been introduced on site to increase safety, and quality control measures and inspections have also been increased.
Mr. Jim Oliver of CMA (Capital Markets Advisors, LLC) presented data on enrollment projections. He said that the projections were based on historical data, averaged over both a 10-year and a 3-year period. Projections based on the 3-year average presumed that both the birth rate and inward migration would continue, although evidence seems to suggest that the inward population migration has diminished, leaving the birth rate as the driving force for future classroom needs. The next major additional classroom impact is projected to begin in the 2008-09 school year and will continue for about eight years. Mr. Oliver said that planning for growth should start now, with the District reviewing the use of existing space, factoring in program and educational goals and needs. He also suggested that the District incorporate the maintenance needs of the existing buildings and athletic venues as part of a long range plan.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Personnel Memorandum #24, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to amend the agenda to consider an additional Personnel Memorandum.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion to amend the agenda was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Personnel Memorandum 25, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. 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, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to amend the agenda to have the visitors segment of the meeting at this time. Motion was unanimously approved.
Visitors:
Barbara Ryan suggested that parents be involved in the selection process for a new executive principal at the High School.
Michael McGrath addressed various issues with communication and inquired about the number of students in classrooms.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Perrino said that a District Safety Committee meeting will be held on December 2. He also said that the Common Council will meet with the Board sometime in January. The meeting will be held in the Board Conference Room and an agenda will be followed.
Mr. Estrada said that five members of the Board will be attending a New York State School Boards Association workshop, The Financial Responsibilities of School Board Members, on Saturday, December 3. Attendance at this workshop is required for new board members to meet the state mandate for school board training in financial oversight responsibilities. Mr. Estrada also said that the deadline for nominating a new Area 9 Director is December 15, and the next OCSBA meeting is December 7.
Mr. Crescenzo read a communication from Dr. Ashley which said that over 700 students attended the dance at MHS. Dr. Ashley reported that it was a good evening for all participants.
Mr. Crescenzo also read a communication from Susan Newmark which commended the District on its excellent work in preparing students for college.
Superintendent approved Budget Transfer #12 was presented.
The Board reviewed the following policies:
- Telecommunications Equipment Use by Staff
- Possession and Use of Personal Cell Phones In School
- Use of the District Credit Card
- Reimbursement for Meal Expenses Incurred During Staff Meetings
Suggested changes will be incorporated and the policies will be presented for Board adoption at the December 15 meeting.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to nominate Richard Feller to the position of NYSSBA Area 9 Director.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #11, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger was absent from the meeting during the following vote:
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Financial Memorandum #12, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger returned to the meeting.
Roundtable:
Mr. Perrino noted that Orange County recently adopted an exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers. He asked that the School District investigate the financial impact of adopting a similar exemption.
Mr. DelMoro clarified a parental concern regarding a situation at Monhagen Middle School. He emphasized that bathrooms at the school are locked only when repairs are required.
Mrs. Botti noted Sullivan West Central School District’s new procedures regarding the length of board meetings and public participation at the meetings.
Mr. Estrada inquired if the Times Herald Record will be contacted regarding the inaccuracies in a recent article pertaining to the High School.
Ms. Tobiassen left the meeting at 11:30 p.m.
The Board discussed some of the distractions caused by a reporter at this evening’s meeting. It was suggested that a letter be written to the Times Herald Record concerning these distractions which hinder the conduct of the meeting.
Mrs. Knapp spoke about high achieving students who have been appointed to positions in the district. She said that nepotism is not a factor in these appointments.
Mr. Geiger noted the number of students who volunteer to help teachers. He also said that the Monhagen Middle School Drama Club will present Charles Dickens’ Scrooge on December 9-11.
Mr. Geiger also questioned some inaccuracies on recent report cards, particularly noting the calculation of the GPA.
At 11:40 p.m., Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to have an executive session for the discussion of the employment history of particular persons. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 12:05 a.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 #11
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: December 1, 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. 11 dated December 1, 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):
September 29, October 12, November 2, 3, 9, 15, 2005
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
November 22, 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 #12
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: December 1, 2005
RE: Financial Memorandum #12
1. Budget Transfer #10 approved (see attached)
2. Participation in BOCES Cooperative Bidding January 2006 – December 2006 approved, as per the attached resolution
3. Bid Awards
Item Recommended Vendor Amount of Award
Copy Paper Bid Ricoh Corporation $79,652.30