BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

OCTOBER 4, 2007

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Rose Tobiassen, presiding. 

Present:         Mr. Crescenzo (stepped out 9:52-9:56 p.m.), Mr.  Estrada, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul (stepped out 8:35-8:47/9:12-9:16 p.m.), Ms. Perkins (stepped out 9:29-9:39 p.m.), Mr. Perrino, Mr. Geiger (stepped out 9:08-9:13 p.m.), Ms. Tobiassen – 9.

Absent:          None.                          

Others            Kenneth W. Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools

Attending:    Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator

                        Richard DelMoro, Director of Secondary Education

                        Dr. McDonough, Director of Elementary 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 6:30 p.m

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to have an executive session to discuss matters pertaining to proposed, pending or current litigation.

Public session resumed at 7:45 p.m.

Ms. Perkins led the pledge to the flag.

 

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mauro, approve the agenda with the following amendments:  

• Add Personnel Memorandum #23
• Table Information Item #2)  Policy Third Reading – Title I Parent Involvement Policy
• Table Action Item #4)  Approval of Title I Parent Involvement Policy

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.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to amend the agenda to move Opportunity to Address the Board before New Business.

By a show of hands, Ayes:  4, Noes:  5.  Motion failed.

Ms. Tobiassen asked for all in favor of approving the agenda as was  originally approved with admendments.

Ayes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 8.  Noes:  Mr. Paul - 1.  Motion was declared approved.

Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve the minutes of August 23, 30, September 6, 26, 2007.

Ayes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 7.  Noes:  Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Perkins - 2.  Motion was declared approved.

RECOGNITIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Mr. Perrino introduced Mr. Willie Carter who presented to Principal Susan Short, a donation of $150 to Mechanicstown Elementary School, and presented to David Coates, Athletic Director, a donation of $2,500 to the Middletown High School for the intramural program.

Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Personnel Memorandum #21.

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.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #22.

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. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Personnel Memorandum #23.

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.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Special Services Memorandum #5.

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.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to approve Financial Memorandum #6.

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.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mauro, to approve the Resolution – Proposition to Reduce Board Member Terms as follows:

WHEREAS, Article 51-2502 of State Education Law provides that a proposition to reduce board member terms of office may be done by either board adoption or election; therefore,

RESOLVED, that a proposition to reduce board member terms from five to three years be placed on the ballot with the annual budget approval.

A discussion pursued.

Ayes:  Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul – 3.  Noes:  Mr. Crescenzo, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 6.  Motion failed.

Ms. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp. to approve the Resolution – Award of Roofing Prime Contract, Weathermaster Roofing Co. as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education award the Roofing Prime Contract to Weathermaster Roofing Co., Inc. in the amount of $1,561,000.

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.

 

BOARD MEMBER REPORTS:

Mr. Estrada discussed the need to review New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) resolutions at the next board meeting for the upcoming NYSSBA convention and also requested that Board members let the District Clerk know who will be attending the Academy of Finance dinner on October 25, 2007.

Ms. Perkins advised that reimbursement policy was discussed at the Orange County School Board’s Association (OCSBA) meeting that she attended and expressed that she would like to have all school board members attend this particular OCSBA event at the NYSSBA conference every year.

Mrs. Knapp reviewed the Audit Committee’s meeting of October 3, 2007.

Mr. Perrino announced a meeting of the Middletown Common Council and Middletown Board of Education to be held on October 11, 2007, 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education office.

 

OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

• Andrew Warren –  parent.  Thanked the Board of Education and commented on how he feels that the school district is improving.  He also discussed his daughter sustaining an injury at a soccer game and asked that the district would consider more than one coach to attend games to better handle incidents in the future.

• Christopher Ryan – a college student.  His assignment was to witness a Board of Education meeting for his class entitled “School in Society”.

• Fred Isseks – teacher at Middletown High School and MTA representative.  Discussed topics of concern:  Scheduling, Crosspointe and software, ordering of textbooks, status of new construction at Middletown High School.

David Coates, Athletic Director at Middletown High School, reviewed concussion management program for student athletes.

Mrs. Knapp requested that her discussion during Roundtable be reflected in the minutes, stating that she disagreed with Superintendent Information Item - Budget Transfer Item #5. 

There being no further business, at 9:42 p.m., Ms. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to adjourn the meeting.  Motion was unanimously approved. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle K. Towle

District Clerk