BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

OCTOBER 18, 2007  

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, October 18, 2007, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Rose Tobiassen, presiding. 

Present:         Mr. Crescenzo (stepped out 9:06-9:08 p.m./10:00-10:06 p.m/left 10:07 p.m.), Mr.  Estrada, Mrs. Knapp (arrived at 7:20 p.m./left at 8:40 p.m.), Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul (arrived 7:40 p.m./stepped out 8:30-8:31 p.m.), Ms. Perkins (stepped out 10:56-10:59 p.m.), Mr. Perrino (arrived 6:40 p.m./stepped out 10:07-10:12 p.m/10:20-10:22 p.m.), Mr. Geiger (stepped out 9:16-9:28 p.m./left 9:50 p.m.), Ms. Tobiassen – 9.

Absent:          None.           

Others
Attending:    Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator
                      Richard DelMoro, Director of Secondary Education
                      Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
                      Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings & Ground
                      Michael Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer                         

Ms. Tobiassen called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m

Mr. Mauro made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to have an executive session to discuss matters pertaining to collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law (the Taylor Law).  Motion was unanimously approved. 

Public session resumed at 7:45 p.m.

Mrs. McKean led the pledge to the flag.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mauro, approve the agenda with the following amendments:  Remove Mr. John Donoghue, Attorney – Legal Parameters of Board of Education Members and post-pone until the November 1, 2007 Board of Education meeting.

Ayes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 9.  Noes:  None.  Motion was unanimously approved.

Ms. Tobiassen announced the current schedule that the Board of Education meetings will be broadcast on Channel 20 as follows:

Monday                     12 p.m.

Tuesday                    7 p.m.

Wednesday              2 p.m.

Thursday                  3 a.m.

Friday                        10 a.m.

Saturday                   3 p.m.

Sunday                     8 p.m.                       

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul. to approve Resolution – Letter Agreement Dated 9/25/07 Between the District and the District’s Insurance Carrier as follows:

RESOLUTION

Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and District Legal Counsel, it is hereby,

RESOLVED, that a certain Letter Agreement dated September 25, 2007 between the District and the District’s insurance carrier, United America Group, is hereby approved and the President of the Board of Education is authorized to execute same on behalf of the Board.

Ayes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 9.  Noes:  None.  Motion was unanimously approved.

Ms. McKean presented certificates and gifts of appreciation to all Board members in honor of Board Recognition Week.

PRESENTATIONS:

  • Mr. Andrew Arias, CPA, Cooper, Niemann & Co., External Auditors – presented the Middletown School District’s Financial Statement Audit 2007 (see attached).
  • ELL – English Language Learners:
  • Laureen Cervone, Associate Director, Northeast Region, UCLA School Management Program – Developing Rigor in Academic Programs for Second-Language Learners (see attached).
  • Kristin Kerr, Director, Bilingual/ESL – Bilingual/ESL in Middletown (see attached). 
  •  NYSSBA (New York State School Boards Association) Resolutions:
  • Mr. Estrada polled the Board members concerning  proposed bylaw amendments and resolutions which will be acted upon by the delegates at the New York State  School Boards Association’s Annual Business Meeting on  October 27, 2007 at the Sheraton New York Hotel &  Towers.

                     #1)  Repeal Salary Increments under Triborough

                             Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul,

                              Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen - 6.  

                              No:  Mr. Geiger, Mr. Perrino- 2.

                     #2)  Principals of Teacher Discipline Reform

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul,

                              Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen - 6.  

                              No:  Mr. Geiger, Mr. Perrino- 2. 

                     #3) Creation of NYSSBA Task Force on Cost Containment

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None.

                     #4)  Federal Testing for LEP Students

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None.

                     #5)  Modified Testing Requirements for Students with Disabilities

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None.

                     #6)  Funding of Mandatory State Tests

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None.

                     #7)  Regents Exam Results

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None.

                     #8)  Restructure Component Retests

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, 

                              Ms. Tobiassen – 7. 

                              No:  Dr. Mauro – 1.

                     #9)  Conformity of Nominating Petition Submission

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None

                   #10)  Opposition to Charter Schools

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None

                   #11)  Tuition for Non-Approved Private Schools

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                              No:  None

                   #12)  School District Residency Determination

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada,  Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 7. 

                              No:  Mr. Geiger – 1.

                   #13)  Required Notice for Teacher Resignations

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino – 6. 

                              No:  Mr. Geiger, Ms. Tobiassen – 2.

                   #14)  Revocation of Educational Certification

                              Yes:  Mr. Perrino – 1.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen – 7. 

                   #15)  Retention of Bilingual Teachers

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino – 5. 

                              No:  Mr. Geiger, Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen – 3.

                   #16)  Partial State Funding of Charter Schools

                              Yes:  Dr. Mauro – 1.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mr. Paul,

                              Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 7. 

                   #17)  BOCES Administrative Budge Vote

                              Yes:  None.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul,             Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8. 

                   #18)  Increase the Allowable Fund Balance

                              Yes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul,

                              Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen – 6. 

                              No:  Mr. Geiger, Mr. Perrino – 2.

                   #19)  Funding of Adult Education Programs

                              Yes:  Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 4. 

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger,

                              Ms. Tobiassen – 4.

                   #20)  Energy Conservation Incentives

                              Yes:  Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 2.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul,             Ms. Tobiassen – 6. 

                   #21)  Bid Modification for Energy Products

                              Yes:  Mr. Perrino - 1.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul,             Ms. Perkins, Ms. Tobiassen – 7. 

                   #22)  Prospective-Only Reduction of Tax Assessments

                              Yes:  Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 2.

                              No:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro,

                              Mr. Paul, Ms. Tobiassen – 6.  

There being no further business, at 10:35 p.m., Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to adjourn the meeting at this time.  Motion was unanimously approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle K. Towle

District Clerk