BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
APRIL 27, 2006
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, April 27, 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 Kenneth W. Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Present: Elizabeth McKean, Business Administrator
Richard DelMoro, Director for Secondary Education
Darlene McDonough, Director for Elementary Education
Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Michael Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer
Mr. Crescenzo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion of legal matters and the employment history of a particular person. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 7:25 p.m. Mr. Crescenzo led the pledge to the flag and asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of Gene Lawrence who was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Crescenzo said that Mr. Lawrence was the husband of Holly Lawrence, an employee at Middletown High School. Mr. Estrada noted that Mr. Lawrence had worked security for many of our athletic events and was also a well regarded employee in a neighboring school district.
Mr. Crescenzo said that Mrs. Botti left the meeting following executive session to attend a meeting of the Lenten Sewing Club. He said that this is the last meeting of the club which has existed for over 100 years.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve the minutes of April 6, 2006.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
No visitors asked to address the Board.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Personnel Memorandum #41, copy attached.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, to approve Personnel Memorandum #42, 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 Mrs. Knapp, to approve Special Services Memorandum #20, 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 Dr. Best, to elect Michael Bello and Eugenia Pavek to the Orange-Ulster Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Dr. Best made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the 2006-2007 Orange-Ulster BOCES Administrative Budget in the amount of $3,152,777.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen (Amended at May 17, 2006 Board meeting. Ms. Tobiassen voted no on this resolution), Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve the following resolution:
Whereas, the Board of Education considered an appeal of a Superintendent’s hearing decision regarding student #00073020 in executive session on April 27, 2006, be it resolved that the Board’s determination is as follows: The penalty is modified to the extent that the student will be allowed to return to school on Monday, June 5, 2006.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve the following resolution:
Whereas, the Board of Education considered an appeal of a Superintendent’s hearing decision regarding student #0110844 in executive session on April 27, 2006, be it resolved that the Board’s determination is as follows: The penalty is modified to the extent that the original suspension is upheld, but the Board of Education also extends the original suspension until such time that the School District is provided with a statement from a licensed mental health professional that the student in question is no longer a danger to himself or others.
Ms. Tobiassen spoke about a recent article in the New York Times entitled Heading North to Find Affordability. The article highlighted the Wallkill area, cost of housing, and the schools servicing the area. Ms. Tobiassen said that the article correctly reported the statistics of our graduating seniors.
Mr. Perrino spoke about the following activities that have occurred around the District: Family Reading Night at Truman Moon School; the Easter egg hunt at Davidge Park that was successful due to assistance from the NJROTC and the Key Club; the ROTC also assisted at the Lions pancake breakfast. Mr. Perrino also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of food service workers and buildings and grounds staff for all their work during the spring break.
Mrs. Knapp announced that the sophomore class will have a flea market at the High School this Saturday.
Responding to an inquiry from Mr. Estrada regarding the progress of the construction at the High School, Dr. Eastwood said that finishing of the classrooms is on target for September. Dr. Eastwood also said that a presentation will be given by representatives from JMOA at the next meeting of the Board.
Mr. Crescenzo said that three people are vying for two seats on the Board of Education – Roy Paul, John Perrino and Patricia Simmons. The Middletown Teachers Association will host a candidate forum on May 8 at the MTA office; the District will hold a forum on May 11 at the Board Administration Office. Mr. Crescenzo said that questions for the candidate may be forwarded to the District Clerk.
At 7:45 p.m., Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to have an executive session for the discussion of the employment histories of particular persons.
Ayes: Best, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perkins, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 7:45 p.m. There being no further business, Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Dr. Best, 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 #20
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: April 27, 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. 20 dated April 27, 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 25, February 16, 21, 27, March 7, 15, 21, 22, 23, 28, April 5, 2006
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
April 11, 25, 27, 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