BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

FEBRUARY 23, 2006

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, February 23, 2006, 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 Present: Kenneth W. Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Elizabeth McKean, Business Administrator
Richard DelMoro, Director for Secondary Education
Darlene McDonough, Director for Elementary Education
Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds

Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and led the pledge to the flag. He asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Anthony Gobeo and Dick Walling. Mr. Perrino said that both of these men had been long-time, valued members of the school district and the Middletown community.

Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best to approve the minutes of January 30 and February 9, 2006.

Ms. Perkins requested that the minutes of February 9, 2006 be amended to indicate her support of Dr. Best’s request about the coverage of Black History Month in our schools.

With this notation duly noted, motion to approve the January 30 and February 9, 2006 minutes was taken.

Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Crescenzo introduced Elvira Scotto-Padavano, MHS Math Team advisor, who presented student Peter Baltera. Peter said that the DUSO Math League is made up of schools from Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Orange counties. He said that the Middletown High School Varsity Math Team competes against Fallsburg, Minisink, Pine Bush and Monticello school districts. Middletown won the Section B title and four out of five matches this year. The team will compete in the sectional competition on March 22 at Vassar College.

Mr. Perrino thanked the Mayor and Common Council for placing a crossing guard at the corner of Wisner and Wickham. He said that the crossing guard started in January.

Mr. Perrino thanked the staff in our Buildings and Grounds department for their work during the winter storms and for their quick response to the heating situation at Monhagen.

Mr. Perrino also acknowledged Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther for acquiring the funds needed to have an additional school resource officer in district.

Mr. Crescenzo announced that a Coffee House Concert will be held on February 24 at Webb Horton Church.

Dr. Best said that a church/community relations day will be held at the St. James Church on March 5 and Black History Month celebrations will occur throughout this weekend.

Mr. Estrada said that a petition letter has been prepared to go to our State representatives asking them to address the inequity of State aid to the Middletown School District as outlined in the Governor’s 2006-2007 proposed budget. He encouraged all our stakeholders to sign and return this petition to the District Administration Office by March 15.

Kaitlyn Coviello and Nijel Watson, students from Mechanicstown, announced that the Adventures of Lewis and Clarke will be presented at the Paramount Theater on March 2 and 3.

Mr. Crescenzo said that the Board would next consider the personnel action items on this evening’s agenda.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Personnel Memorandum #34, 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 Mrs. Botti, to approve Personnel Memorandum #35, copy attached.

Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, 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.

Written Communications:
Mr. Crescenzo read a letter from Carl Onken, President of the Orange-Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services, which advised that the terms of two members of the Orange-Ulster Cooperative Board will expire on June 30, 2006. Candidates for election to the BOCES Board must be nominated by resolution of one or more of the school boards of its component districts prior to March 28. Mr. Crescenzo said that anyone interested in running for these seats must reside within the boundaries of a component school district, but they do not need to be a member of a board of education. Dr. Eastwood noted that Middletown is one of the largest districts in this BOCES and would be well served by having representation on its board.

Response to Previous Questions:
Mr. Scott reviewed the measures that have been taken to correct the heating issues at Monhagen. He also said that the contractor is responsible for keeping the roads and parking lots in the area of the High School clean, but the District will assume this responsibility and backcharge the contractor, if necessary.

Mr. Crescenzo noted that the Middletown High School Honor Society has provided boxes for Board members to take to their places of employment to collect soda can tabs. The money raised by recycling the tabs will help defray the cost for a teacher to stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago, where she will stay while accompanying her ill daughter.

Mr. DelMoro said that the High School has received information from our Technology Department concerning the students who achieved honor roll status in marking periods one and two. The High School will now go forward with planning the Renaissance Breakfast to honor these students.

Dr. Eastwood said that the Times Herald Record recently ran an article about the graduation rates for area schools. Unfortunately, some incorrect information pertaining to Middletown was published. He said that the number of students who graduated on time at 54.8% was reported correctly, as was the number of students earning an IEP diploma at .4%. However, the Record reported the District’s drop out rate at 22.1%, while it was actually 11.9%. The Record also indicated that only 10.3% of our students were still enrolled as summer students or fifth-year students, when this percentage was actually 22.1%. Dr. Eastwood said that almost 75% of this class has earned a high school diploma or is still working toward this achievement.

Dr. Eastwood also pointed out that this past summer an additional 33 students earned their diplomas and the graduation rate for the class at the end of August was 62%.
While this is not where the District wants to be, the figures show that more students are staying in school, more are graduating, and fewer are dropping out.

Mr. Perrino asked that a report be given on the programs that the District is utilizing to help lower our dropout rate. He additionally suggested that the District communicate with Orange County Community College regarding the Liberty Partnership program.

Visitors:
Jean DiMatteo asked about the parents’ tour of the High School and spoke about her concerns with construction and behavioral issues at the High School.

Presentations:
Ms. McKean presented information on the capital and benefits portions of the proposed budget for the 2006-2007 school year, beginning with the five-year histories of these two sections. Ms. McKean also explained each of the anticipated increases in capital expenditures and employee benefits. Concluding, Ms. McKean said that the Board will review revenues on March 2, will have a public hearing on the budget on March 23, and adopt a budget on April 6.

Dr. McDonough said that the District is in the process of applying for a Reading First grant. The purpose of this grant is to help our students be on grade level in reading by grade 3. The grant will service our four elementary schools, the New Beginnings Montessori School and Mt. Carmel. This grant will provide $3 million to our schools each year for three years. Dr. McDonough continued by explaining the grant development and implementation requirements. She said that Middletown has been working on some of these requirements through our current Pre-k -5 District initiatives, such as scope and sequence, 6 + 1 writing, 90 minute uninterrupted literacy blocks, data driven instruction, etc. Dr. McDonough continued by explaining the selection process for the core reading program, Harcourt’s Trophies, that will be utilized. She said that this new core anthology will be presented to the Board for adoption at its March 9 meeting. Dr. McDonough concluded by saying that the grant will be submitted by March; award notifications are made by April 24; the District will hire and train building coaches throughout the summer; and year 1 of the professional development plan will be implemented in 2006-07.

Board Member Reports:
Mrs. Knapp reported that the Restructuring Committee met today at the High School. She said that the late to school/class policy has been implemented and is working well.

Mr. Perrino said that the next meeting of the Board of Education/Common Council will be held at City Hall on March 20.

Ms. Perkins noted that the Teacher Center is offering an eight week immersion Spanish for Educators course beginning in March.

A policy entitled Information Security Breach and Notification was presented for a first reading. In accordance with Board policy, this policy will be on the agenda for adoption at the next regular meeting of the Board.

Dr. Eastwood presented a draft of the 2006-2007 school year calendar, which is aligned with the BOCES calendar. The Board discussed several changes to the calendar to provide for the appropriate number of days of instruction. Revisions will be reviewed with the leadership of the Teachers’ Association and the calendar will be presented to the Board for adoption at the next regular meeting.

Superintendent-approved Budget Transfer #17 was presented.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #16, copy attached.

Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Financial Memorandum #17, copy attached.

Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to adopt the following attached policies:

• Suspension of Students
• Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
• Audit Committee

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to amend the policy entitled Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education to move the designation of the official newspaper(s) to the authorizations section of this policy.
Motion to adopt the policies, as amended, was taken.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Botti, Crescenzo – 9. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

No visitors asked to address the Board.

Roundtable:
Ms. Tobiassen thanked the Middletown Teachers Association for conducting a postcard campaign regarding the impact of State aid revenue.

Dr. Best thanked Dr. Eastwood for providing copies of the extensive materials used in our schools in recognition of Black History Month. He spoke about the importance of having diversity at every level. Ms. Perkins also thanked Dr. Eastwood and our teachers for responding to the request for this information.

Mr. Geiger spoke about the following: the public should be kept informed of any releaseable information pertaining to incidents in our schools; suggested that the Board look at placing a security referendum on the May vote; the process to secure an executive principal at the High School should be accelerated.

Responding to comments from Mr. Geiger regarding the District’s authority to pay for college courses taken by High School students, Dr. Eastwood said that the School District attorney is researching the matter and should provide a legal opinion shortly.

Mr. Perrino said that it is important to recognize that the District is dealing with violence and behavioral issues in our schools. He said that Middletown has a zero tolerance policy for students who assault others.

Mr. Perrino said that there is a need for school officials to speak informally with parents. He also recommended that a tour of the High School be scheduled and a video of the construction site be made. Dr. Eastwood said that a site visit is planned to be held within the next two weeks.

Mrs. Knapp asked about the number of students participating in college courses and the costs involved. She also spoke about comments made that Board members are not concerned about situations that have occurred in our schools, pointing out that several members have children in our schools.

Dr. Eastwood said that a federal grant has enabled the District to place four home school liaisons in the High School, one in each house. One of the responsibilities of the home school liaisons is to notify parents when their children are absent or tardy.

Mr. Estrada said that the Sojourner Truth Award ceremony will be held on March 10 at Orange County Community College. He also thanked Dr. Best for continuing to remind everyone regarding the importance of Black History Month observation.

Mr. Estrada said that with 2000 students, the High School is like a small village, with all its inherent problems. When problems occur, employees take the steps necessary to stop the escalation of the problem.

Mrs. Botti announced that anyone interested in running for a seat on the Board of Education may pick up petitions from the District Clerk’s office beginning March 6.

At 11:30 p.m., Dr. Best made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to discuss the appointment or employment of specific personnel. Motion was unanimously approved. Public session resumed at 12:26 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 #16

TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: February 23, 2006
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. 16 dated February 23, 2006, 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):

January 18, February 1, 2, 2006

2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):

February 21, 23, 2006

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 #17

TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: February 23, 2006
RE: Financial Memorandum #17

1. Budget Transfer #14 Approved

From:	A.2110.8480.15.2100.00	Private School Textbooks	$9,900.00
To:	A.2100.8480.10.2100.00	Districtwide Textbooks	$9,900.00

2. Donation Accepted

Mechanicstown Microsociety
Mechanicstown PTO - $5,000

3. Intermunicipal Agreement for the Services of a School Resource Officer Approved

Be it resolved, that the Board of Education approves an inter-municipal agreement with the Town of Wallkill for the purpose of procuring a School Resource Officer.

4. Amendment of the Energy Services Agreement with Siemens Building Technologies Approved

Be it resolved, that the Board of Education amends the Energy Services Agreement with Siemens Building Technologies previously approved at the October 20, 2005 meeting.