BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
MARCH 9, 2006
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, March 9, 2006, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Vincent Crescenzo, presiding.
Present: Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Mrs. Botti, Mr. Crescenzo – 7.
Absent: Dr. Best, Ms. Tobiassen - 2
Others Present: Elizabeth McKean, Business Administrator
Richard DelMoro, Director for Secondary Education
Darlene McDonough, Director for Elementary Education
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to have an executive session for the discussion of the financial or credit history of a particular corporation and for the discussion of matters leading to the appointment or employment of specific personnel. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Crescenzo led the pledge to the flag and asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of two members of the Middletown School community, Walter Horler and Audrey Finch. Mr. Perrino said that Ms. Finch worked in the Personnel Office in the 1950’s and 60’s. Mr. Horler was the father of two instructors in our District.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Dr. Eastwood was out of town on family business and would not be able to join this evening’s meeting.
Mr. Crescenzo introduced New York State Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther. He said that Assemblywoman Gunther is known as a woman of courage and strength, a legislator of vision and a friend of education. Mr. Crescenzo also said that Assemblywoman Gunther was instrumental in securing grant funds so that the District could place a third school resource officer in our District. Mr. Crescenzo presented a plaque to Assemblywoman Gunther in appreciation of her support of the children of the Middletown School District.
Assemblywoman Gunther said that it is her job to represent the District in Albany so the District will receive the funding needed to ensure that our children are provided an appropriate education. The Board discussed some areas of concern, including funding for full-day kindergarten, alternative methods of funding education, funding for high-needs districts, the need for additional school resource officers, the proposed cap on reimbursement for services that are provided to our neediest students and the proposed cap on reimbursement for shared BOCES services. Assemblywoman Gunther said that the Assembly will be rejecting a lot of the recommendations in the Governor’s proposed budget so that funding can be restored to public school districts.
Mr. Estrada spoke about the petition drive that is currently underway asking our state representatives to address the inequity of State aid to the Middletown School District as outlined in the Governor’s proposed budget. Assemblywoman Gunther will present these letters to the Committee Chair for Education and to the Ways and Means Committee.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the minutes of February 23, 2006.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo introduced Athletic Director David Coates who presented the following High School students, who are State Qualifiers for the Varsity Girls Indoor Track Team:
Sheena Simpkins
NYS Qualifier 600 m
MHS Record Holder 600 m
Daira Veloz, Tyasia Perry, Natavia Berry and Savanna Connors
NYS Qualifiers 800 m Relay
MHS Record Holders 800 m Relay
Mr. Coates also presented Deanna Knapp who broke a school record in the shot put this season.
Mr. Perrino commended the Mechanicstown staff, students and parents who participated in the recent production of Lewis & Clark that was given at the Paramount.
Mr. Perrino said that the MHS Renaissance breakfast was held today. Over 500 students were recognized for attaining high honor roll and honor roll status during the first two marking periods of the year. He thanked Myra Schiff for coordinating this event.
Mr. Perrino spoke about the number and variety of activities that were held at St. James church last week in observance of Black History Month.
Mr. Crescenzo announced that Orange County Legislator Jeffrey Berkman has presented an excellent proposal for Middletown to be included in Orange County Community College’s Liberty Partnership Tutorial program. Mr. Perrino said that Orange County Supervisor Ed Diana is also very supportive of this proposal.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Personnel Memorandum #36, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Personnel Memorandum #37, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, requesting personnel folders for the purpose of conducting personnel business in executive session to consider the employment history of particular person(s), or matters leading to the appointment, employment of particular person(s).
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No written communications were read.
Response to previous questions:
Mr. Scott said that a parent walk-thru of the High School project has been scheduled for Monday, March 13 at 5:00 p.m.
Mr. Crescenzo said that counsel has advised that the District may not pay for college courses taken by our students. However, because the District authorized payment of these expenditures for the fall semester, they will also be authorized for the spring semester. Mr. Crescenzo said that the District will continue to assess this situation.
Mr. Estrada spoke about his emotional response at the last meeting of the Board. He apologized to the District, the parent, and his family for his error in judgment.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Ms. McKean summarized the information regarding the proposed 2006-2007 budget as presented at prior meetings of the Board, and explained program and capital component requests that have been submitted. Ms. McKean said that the District must fund its expenditures either through State aid, other revenues, fund balance or local taxes, and detailed the estimated amounts anticipated to be received from each of these sources. She also presented a comparison of the District’s current budget and the budget as it may be impacted by the Governor’s proposals. Ms. McKean also provided figures that reduced the proposed budget by $1, $2 and $3 million. The Board agreed that residents need to see what the budget will look like at various budget levels.
Ms. McKean continued by explaining that if the voters defeat the budget twice, the District must put a contingent budget in place. This budget is based on the prior year’s budget, and caps most expenditures at a 4% increase, includes no equipment purchases, and has the user cover the costs for any facility usage. Ms. McKean said that a contingent budget would necessitate cutting $4.96 million dollars from the current proposal.
The Board will hold a special meeting on March 16 for continued discussion and to come to consensus on the direction for the proposed budget, including any referendum items. Ms. McKean said that an informational public hearing will be held on March 23, the Board will adopt a budget on April 6, another public hearing will be held on May 4, and the budget vote will be conducted on May 16.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Estrada said that the Sojourner Truth Awards will be presented March 10 at OCCC. He also said that an OCSBA meeting was held on March 1 where the 2006 legislative platform regarding state and federal issues was discussed. OCSBA will sponsor a workshop for prospective school board members on April 8. Mr. Estrada also said that the Board may submit nominations of two persons to serve on the BOCES board.
Continuing, Mr. Estrada provided the following dates for OCSBA activities: 5/3 next OCSBA meeting; 5/6 Presidents’ workshop; 6/3 new school board member workshop; 6/7 OCSBA annual dinner.
Mr. Crescenzo said that each component board is entitled to cast one vote per vacancy on the BOCES Board. He noted that current member Jean Pavek of Minisink Valley CSD is running for re-election. Mr. Crescenzo said that persons interested in this position do not have to be seated members of a component school board, and encouraged residents to consider this position since Middletown is one of the largest school districts in this BOCES.
Mr. Perrino said that the next meeting with the Common Council will be held on March 20 at City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Representatives from Orange County Community College will join the meeting.
Ms. Perkins announced that the Teacher Center is offering a Spanish immersion course beginning March 28.
Superintendent-approved budget transfer #18 was presented.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Special Services Memorandum #17, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Financial Memorandum #18, copy attached
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to adopt the attached policy entitled Information Security Breach and Notification.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to adopt the Core Reading Program as presented at the February 23, 2006 meeting of the Board.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve the 2006-2007 Instructional Calendar, copy attached.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the appointment of RSA Architects for Roof Inspections and New High School Construction projects.
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the following change orders for the MHS project:
Rotolo Electric EC-008 $24,178.21
EC-009 25,273.50
EC-010 6,404.43
NSC Abatement 00001 $10,500.00
Morris Park GC-001 $16,746.49
GC-002 16,738.28
GC-003 16,500.00
GC-004 16,500.00
GC-005 17,000.00
GC-008 14,826.41
GC-009 4,700.50
GC-010 12,147.87
Ayes: Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Botti, Crescenzo – 7. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Visitors:
William Galvin read a correspondence which addressed Mr. Estrada’s gesture at a prior meeting of the Board.
Mr. Crescenzo said that there is no legal requirement that correspondence sent to the Board be read at the meeting.
Roundtable:
The Board agreed on the instrument to be used to evaluate the Superintendent of Schools.
Mrs. Knapp left the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
Ms. McKean said that Twin Towers will be presenting a murder mystery dinner at 7 p.m. on March 17; the All City concert will be held at Monhagen Middle School on March 21 and Coffee House Night will be held at the High School on March 24.
Mr. Crescenzo said that neither a board of education nor a superintendent of schools has the authority to dismiss a seated board member. This responsibility lies with the commissioner of education. Mrs. Botti said that the commissioner will remove a board member for abandonment of position or if the board member has committed a felony.
Mr. Estrada inquired about the arrangements for this year’s graduation. Mr. DelMoro replied that the District is working with SUNY Orange concerning inclement weather arrangements.
Mr. Estrada also thanked the students at the High School who participated in a school funding letter campaign under the direction of Mrs. Scotto-Padavano.
Mr. Estrada said that the reporting of the incident that occurred at the last Board meeting as provided by the Times Herald Record was fair and factual.
Mrs. Botti announced that the new MHS Course Catalogue has been submitted to NYSPRA to be considered for their annual recognition of school district publications.
Mr. Crescenzo reminded everyone that the budget vote/board member election will be held on May 16. Because of the on-going construction, residents who vote at the High School will vote at the Board Administration Office this year. The qualifications to run for a seat on the Board were reviewed.
Mr. Geiger said that the coffee house held at Webb Horton raised over $1,000 for the John Brigham scholarship. Mr. Geiger also expressed how important it is for members of the community to meet with members of the Board in a setting other than a Board meeting. The Board discussed the possibility of utilizing Thrall Library for this purpose, said that parameters will have to be set, and that the Board members will rotate this responsibility.
Mr. Perrino again commended the Mechanicstown school community for their spirit in supporting the production of Lewis and Clark. He also noted the spirit exhibited by the students at their town meetings.
At 10:50 p.m., Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion of the employment history of particular person(s), or matters leading to the appointment, employment of particular person(s).
Public session resumed at 11:22 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
PUPIL PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES
MEMORANDUM #17
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: March 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. 17 dated March 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):
January 24, February 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 2006
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
March 3, 7, 9, 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 #18
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Elizabeth McKean
DATE: March 9, 2006
RE: Financial Memorandum #18
1. Budget Transfer #15 approved.
From: A.2250.8470.10.7407.00 Private Tuition $50,000.00
To: A.2254.8440.10.2250.00 Professional Consultants/ $50,000.00
Services
2. Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts the following reports for the month of January 2006: Treasurer’s Report and Expense Report
3. Bids Awarded
Item Recommended Vendor Amount of Award
Pole Vault Pit Aluminum Athletic Equipment $11,380.00
Scoreboard/Shot Clock Daktronics $15,069.14