BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

FEBRUARY 9, 2006

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, February 9, 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 Coretta Scott King.

Dr. Best said that Mrs. King brought people from all walks of life together to work toward fulfilling the dream of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He said that Mrs. King was an inspiration and role model for all.

Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of January 26, 2006.

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

Gordon Dean, Principal at Twin Towers Middle School, said that Don Napolitano is the author of Catching Days and Chasing Nights, a collection of original poetic stories that describe the thoughts, dreams and experiences of children. The author contacted 40 Orange County schools to submit student artwork to illustrate his book, and over 4,200 pieces of artwork were submitted from which thirty-nine illustrations were chosen and published. Four of the thirty-nine published student artists attend Twin Towers Middle School and have Kim Dodge as their art teacher. The Board congratulated students Gabriana Guzman, Katie Knapp, Jessilyn Laput, and Aaron Segarra on this wonderful accomplishment.

Kendra Tatusko and Melissa Cruz said that the Middletown High School Honor Society will be collecting soda can tabs until March 31. The tabs will be recycled and the money raised will help defray the cost for a local teacher to stay at the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago, where she will stay while accompanying her ill daughter. They said that each soda can tab is worth five cents, and appealed to all to save these tabs for this worthy cause.

Mr. Perrino acknowledged the efforts of employee Bill Kilcoin’s daughter, who was graduated from Middletown High School in 2003, and from Oneonta this past May. Mr. Kilcoin has indicated that her early graduation was due in part from the opportunity to take advance placement courses while at MHS.

Mr. Perrino also spoke about the students from Twin Towers who helped with the Elks Club pancake breakfast, noting the positive attitude of Middletown students.

Mr. Crescenzo read a letter from Dr. Robert Hanna, Superintendent of Orange-Ulster BOCES and the monitor for our District. Dr. Hanna said that the District has made significant effort in complying with the following four issues: insuring the District has a clear written policy consistent with law for addressing incidents of sexual abuse by employees; reviewing and revamping staff training in the recognition and reporting of sexual abuse to ensure actual attendance by staff at focused training sessions provided by qualified professionals; ensuring compliance with NYS attendance law including the regular maintenance of attendance records reflecting students’ early departure from school property; creating and implementing a mentoring policy that protects students while at the same time promotes positive mentoring relationships.

Mr. Crescenzo also read a letter from Susan and Jonathan Newmark which thanked the District for the opportunities provided to students in our music programs.

Mr. Crescenzo said that the items pertaining to personnel actions would be considered next.

Mrs. Knapp made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Personnel Memorandum #32, 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, to approve Personnel Memorandum #33, copy attached.

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

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, 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.

Visitors:
Janelle Murphy and Peter Baltera, students at MHS, expressed concern about students/parents having to pay tuition for Orange County Community College courses offered through the High School.

Martin Harnick spoke about the transfer of a staff member from the High School to another school.

Dr. Eastwood said that the District must comply with State regulations and reporting requirements concerning student attendance. Changes have been made so that this information is timely and accurate.

Angela Urbina addressed the heating problems at Monhagen. Dr. Eastwood said that the District’s architect has been studying the heating in this building with the intent of providing a long-term permanent solution to the problem. Mr. Scott noted some of the short-term solutions that have been implemented in the District, including providing heaters where feasible and relocating classrooms with heat problems. He explained that each classroom has its own heating system which runs on a heat pump, and said that there are many items which cause the system to fail.

Mr. Crescenzo supplied information regarding a recent fire alarm at Monhagen which was triggered by a faulty light ballast.

Elizabeth Collica, a student at MHS, spoke about the loss of instruction caused by the removal of an art teacher from the classroom.

Jerry Fisher and daughter Reanna Fisher also expressed their hopes that the art teacher would be returned to the classroom.

Kathy Bellars thanked Mr. Scott and others for addressing some of the concerns at the High School, but also noted that the attendance policy needs to be better enforced, there is no student handbook, and the building needs the leadership of an executive principal.
Mr. DelMoro said that the District received several applications for the executive principal position today and is in the processing of reviewing these applications.

Dr. Eastwood said that the District’s Fine Arts program clearly has substance. The High School course catalogue lists 16 art courses, and student interest triggers the courses that are offered. Dr. Eastwood also noted that the new High School construction includes a Fine Arts wing, and additional Fine Arts staff members were employed this year and more are being proposed for the next school budget. In addition, each building receives $15,000 via a grant for an Arts in Education program. Dr. Eastwood said that many students take extra curricular instruction in various subject matters to improve their competitiveness. For the District to offer all these areas of instruction would be cost prohibitive.

Mr. Estrada said that as a public education system funded by the taxpayers, it is the District’s responsibility to provide a sound basic education for all students so that they can be competitive in the outside world. A sound basic education is not necessarily an enhanced education.

Board discussion followed regarding the possibility of placing the District’s Policy Manual on line.

Mitch Palais of JMOA Engineering provided an update on the status of the construction at Middletown High School. He noted that there has been a lot of communication with the stakeholders, with daily meetings held with Mr. Scott and High School principal Michael Barone. Dr. Eastwood emphasized that most of the High School will not be air conditioned due to cost considerations, although there is a capacity to phase this work in at a later time.

Ms. McKean said that in response to the Comptroller’s 5 point plan, the Board established an Audit Committee. The Board now needs to determine the composition of the committee. Ms. McKean said that the committee can be the Board of Education as a whole, a subcommittee of the Board, or an advisory committee that includes non-board members. The committee must consist of at least three members; district employees may not be on the committee.

Ms. McKean reviewed some of the responsibilities of the Audit Committee: provide recommendations for the appointments of the internal and external auditors; review the draft of the external audit; oversee the internal audit function and provide recommendations regarding the acceptance of the external audit; develop a charter and submit same to the Board for approval; hold regularly scheduled meetings and report to the Board as needed.

The Audit Committee’s priorities include the issuance of a request for proposals for the services of both the external and internal auditors. Because the District must proceed with selecting an external auditor, Ms. McKean will prepare an RFP for these services. The contract will be for a 3-5 year period, with annual re-appointment. Mr. Estrada, Ms. Tobiassen and Ms. Perkins (alternate, Mr. Geiger) will meet with Dr. Eastwood and Ms. McKean to discuss the committee composition and make a recommendation to the Board at the first meeting in March.

Superintendent-approved budget transfer #16 was presented.

The following policies were presented for first readings:

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

In accordance with Board policy, these policies will be presented for Board adoption at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Special Services Memorandum #15, 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, to approve Financial Memorandum #16, copy attached.

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

Mrs. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the appointment of the following Board of Registration for the May 16, 2006 Vote:

Marilyn Andrade
Philomena O’Sullivan

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

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve the proposal to perform a master plan for Athletics at MHS, as follows:

RSA Architects
Syracuse, New York
$19,800

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

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve the proposal to perform an evaluation and review of the Monhagen Heating System, as follows:

RSA Architects
Syracuse, New York
$4,950 plus $1,000 for Modular Comfort Technician Services

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

Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to amend the agenda to consider a resolution concerning a request for proposals for external auditing services.

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

Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, authorizing the District to request proposals for external auditor services.

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:
Mr. Perrino said that he attended a meeting of the Common Council where discussion focused on the Masada project. He said that concerns were expressed about emissions from this project. Ms. Perkins suggested that this be placed on a Board agenda for further discussion.

Dr. Eastwood said that he will send the Board information regarding the activities held in the schools in observance of Black History Month.

Mr. Estrada said that stakeholders, such as our parent groups and bargaining units, have been contacted regarding an initiative to send petitions to our legislators. The petition will seek equitable State aid and property tax relief.

Mr. Estrada also reviewed a District policy that states that staff members shall not engage in advertising or commercial solicitations on school time.

The Board discussed the possibility of revising the format of the agenda so that the business of the Board can be addressed in a timelier manner. Mr. Geiger suggested that the Board look into meeting with parents, students and the community on Saturdays.

Mr. Geiger said that several Board members attended Challenge Night at Twin Towers. He said that this was a wonderful community event.

Mr. Geiger spoke about the great benefit college level courses have for our students. Dr. Eastwood said that these payments are considered payment of an individual’s tuition with taxpayer funds. He said that students can still take the college course but not take the college credit, at no cost to the District or the student. The college level course will, however, show on the student’s high school transcript.

Dr. Eastwood said that information regarding the college courses and their associated costs was printed in the District’s course catalogue. He said that he will further investigate this matter with the Comptroller’s Office, presenting the arguments expressed by members of the Board.

Acknowledging the legalities surrounding the expenditure of public funds, it was the consensus of the Board that the District is not able to pay the tuition for students taking college courses.

At 11:25 p.m., Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to discuss proposed or pending litigation and collective negotiations. Motion was unanimously approved.

Public session resumed at 11:55 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 #15

TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: February 9, 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. 15 dated February 9, 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):

December 15, 2005, January 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 26, 27, 30, 2006

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

February 7, 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 #16

TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: February 9, 2006
RE: Financial Memorandum #16

1. Budget Transfer #13 Approved

From:	A.2010.8456.10.2010.00	Curriculum & Development	$15,000.00
To:	A.1340.8440.10.0300.00	Prof & Technical Consultants	$15,000.00
From:	A.9731.8600.10.9101.00	BANS – Principal	$8,600.00
To:	A.1325.8448.10.0402.00	Bond & Note Issue Expense	$8,600.00
From:	A.9731.8600.10.9101.00	BANS – Principal	$5,000.00
To:	A.2010.8440.10.2010.00	Prof & Technical Consultants	$5,000.00
From:	A.9040.8805.10.9100.00	Worker’s Compensation	$20,445.00
To:	A.9040.8490.10.9100.00	Worker’s Compensation – BOCES Admin	$20.445.00

2. Treasurer’s Report and Expense Report – December 2005 -- Accepted

Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts the following reports for the month of December 2005:

Treasurer’s Report
Expense Report