BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

NOVEMBER 6, 2008

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, November 6, 2008, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board Vice President Lynne Perkins, presiding.

Present:    Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp (left at 7:55 p.m.), Mrs. Martinez,
                   Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen (left at 7:55 p.m.) - 7.

Absent:     Mr. Geiger, Dr. Mauro - 2.

Others       Kenneth Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Attending: Richard DelMoro, Director of Secondary Education
                   Paul Weir, Director for Personnel Services
                   Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
                   Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings & Ground
                   Michael Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer

Ms. Perkins called the meeting to order at 6:44 p.m. Mrs. Knapp made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to have an executive session to discuss matters leading to the appointment or employment of a particular person.

Public session resumed at 7:40 p.m.

Mrs. Martinez led the pledge to the flag.

The meeting was called to order to conduct a public hearing to address the topic of Disability Tax Exemption and to request public input. Dr. Eastwood introduced Mike Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer, sitting in for Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator, who was not present this evening. Mr. Tuttle stated that two weeks ago, Mrs. McKean gave a presentation on Residential Property Tax Disability. Currently, the Board has a policy stating that they adopted in 2004, a resolution pursuant to Section 459c of the Real Property Tax Law, authorizing partial exemption from taxation on residential property owned by qualified disabled persons to the maximum extent provided by law, on a sliding scale of up to 50%. This is an unfunded tax exemption, meaning if you lower the tax of one individual, the rest of the tax payers must pick up the burden. Municipality may set the maximum income limit, $3,000-$28,000. People who receive this may also receive STAR and Veteran’s exemptions. The Board of Education is proposing to amend their policy to allow residential homeowners who have children to have this exemption. The exemption was in place for people who do not have children, now it will be for people who have children in school. Currently, it involved four parcels. These are for households bringing in less than $29,000 income.

Dr. Eastwood asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak or had any questions. There were none.

At 7:46 p.m., Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to adjourn the public hearing. Motion was unanimously approved.

Ms. Perkins called the regular meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. Mrs. Knapp led the pledge to the flag.

Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to move Mr. Paul back to his regular seat and move the most senior board member, Mr. Perrino, to the front of the table.

By roll-call vote:

Ayes: Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Tobiassen - 2. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins – 4. Abstain: Mr. Perrino – 1. Motion was declared defeated.

Mrs. Knapp and Ms. Tobiassen left the meeting and were not present for the proceeding action items.

Ms. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the agenda.

Mr. Perrino stated that there was no Written Correspondence on the agenda. A discussion pursued.

Ms. Perkins called to vote on the original motion to approve the agenda.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2008. No vote was taken.

Mrs. Isseks requested that her comments as to her reasonings on why she voted no on the Change Orders – Middletown High School, at the October 23, 2008 meeting were not included in the minutes, and requested that her comments be included as part of the record and reflected in the minutes. Mrs. Isseks read a prepared statement providing her reasonings on why she voted no, however, her original comments made at the October 23, 2008 meeting are below and will become the official amendment to the October 23, 2008 minutes:

“Why weren’t we told about the Change Orders earlier? They were initiated in August or as early as June. Why do we get Change Orders after the fact? How can we say no when the work is already done—isn’t it the Board’s job to approve projects like this? Isn’t it the Superintendent’s job to keep us informed? These are already done. I was told before if we don’t approve, we might be sued. Three weeks ago it was said it wouldn’t happen again, and it’s happening again. I cannot approve something that is already done and was just brought to us now. It is $129,864.65 in Change Orders. Change Orders can be approved if under $20,000. I think Change Orders shouldn’t be approved without the Board’s approval, which is something that was done before and think should be changed. The Change Orders were broken down to make them under $20,000.”

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2008 as corrected.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

• Ben Brunning – Asked when will the ROTC equipment be released to the American Legion. Dr. Eastwood advised that the district’s attorney has determined the process we must follow to change over the equipment and there is a policy that the Board has to review and change.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to place this topic on the agenda to expedite this matter.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

• Patricia Turkin – Expressed concerns about the way the Board’s meetings are conducted.
• Ben Brunning, Jr. – Pleased with Odyssey of the Mind; suggested the Board meetings to include presentations and found them informative; questioned if the district has been searching for an Elementary Director.
• John Gennarelli – Thanked Dr. Eastwood for letting him sit in on the PTO meeting (Dr. Eastwood added that Mr. Gennarelli was representing Twin Towers at this meeting); questioned the presence of the Guardian Angels at tonight’s meeting; asked if the High School construction project was on budget and Dr. Eastwood replied that it is on schedule and on budget; questioned that his written correspondence was not read and requested that his correspondence be read.
• Edward Godwin – Made observations regarding the Board’s conduct and spoke about civility.
• Michael Foeller – Concerned about the proposed construction of a new elementary school and the access roads and traffic going by his house. Dr. Eastwood advised that there will be a presentation on the new elementary school at the next board meeting on November 20, 2008.
• Kathy Beairsto – Questioned when will the ROTC and Air Rifle Team’s equipment be transferred to the American Legion. Dr. Eastwood reiterated from his comment earlier to Mr. Brunning, that the Board has to go through a process in a way that will protect them legally and without liability, which includes amending policy. Once amended, the Board must pass a resolution to transfer the property and inventory, and anticipates that will be done in December or January. Mrs. Beairsto advised that their deadline is December 15, 2008.
• Janet Tresch – Read a letter from John Gennarelli (copy available upon request). Gave opinions concerning previous meeting’s conduct and topics discussed this evening.

RECOGNITIONS

Bill Blaser, Director of Facilities at Monroe-Woodbury, Certified Director of Facilities and Vice-President of Superintendent’s of Buildings and Grounds, recognized and gave a certificate to Thomas Scott, Middletown Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, who became a Certified Director of Facilities on September 23, 2008.

Mr. Perrino’s recognitions:

• Alan Gonzalez recognized by Kiwanis Club for Everyday Hero Award.
• Kathy Perry, Carol Hunter and Food Services staff for smooth opening of High School kitchen. Mrs. Perry extended an invitation to the Board members to visit the facility.
• Attended Maple Hill Book Fair.
• Chorley Book Fair and Career Week.
• Attending National Academy Foundation dinner – recognized summer 2008 interns and their providers.
• NJROTC students who worked the Elk’s Pancake Breakfast.
• Common Council meeting held on October 30, 2008.
• Thanked Guardian Angels for their work in Middletown.

Mr. Paul recognized that is it National Hispanic Month and requested the Guardian Angels to do a presentation on their programs in the future.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT TO THE BOARD

Dr. Eastwood stated that he meets with the PTO once a month. They wanted him to remind the community that the construction that has been taking place at the high school over the last year is Phase 1 of the proposition that the community approved in December, 2006. Phase 2 repairs will start this spring/summer at Twin Towers, Monhagen, Maple Hill, Truman Moon, and Mechanicstown. All documents will be on the website – building of new elementary school, purchase of property, funding mechanism that we are recommending. Dr. Eastwood advised that we are addressing the speaker noise at the high school stadium.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Personnel Memorandum #12.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to approve Confidential Personnel Memorandum #13.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to approve Special Services Memorandum #8.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Isseks, to approve Financial Memorandum #10.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to approve Agreement – Orange County Department of Probation.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to approve Resolution – Appointment of Impartial Hearing Officer, James McKeever as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the Board of Education, pursuant to Section 200.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, hereby appoints James McKeever to serve as Impartial Hearing Officer, for the purposes of conducting an impartial hearing as requested by the parent of a student with a disabililty.

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to approve Resolution – Extend Disability Tax Exemption as follows:

PARTIAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION

WHEREAS, on January 22, 2004, the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown (“Board of Education”) adopted a resolution, pursuant to Section 459-c of the Real Property Tax Law (“Section 459-c”), authorizing a partial exemption from taxation on residential property owned by qualified, disabled persons to the maximum extent provided by that statute; and

WHEREAS, Section 459-c permits a school board to extend the partial exemption from taxation to residential real property where a child attending public school in the district resides provided that such child was not brought into the residence for the sole purposes of attending a particular school within the district; and

WHEREAS, after publication of legal notice, the Board of Education has held a public hearing, as required by Section 459-c, for the purpose of considering the extension of the partial exemption from taxation to residential real property where a child attending public school in the district resides provided that such child was not brought into the residence for the sole purpose of attending a particular school within the district;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education does hereby amend its prior resolution authorizing a partial exemption from taxation on residential property owned by qualified, disabled persons according to the maximum income thresholds provided under Section 459-c to include residential real property where a child attending public school in the district resides provided that such child was not brought into the residence for the sole purpose of attending a particular school within the district.

By roll-call vote:

Ayes: Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Martinez, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino - 5. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

• John Gennarelli – Expressed concerns that correspondence was not read. Ms. Perkins advised that letters must be received within 24 hours of the meeting and that in the future, correspondence will be read as long as it is not seen as a liability. Mr. Gennarelli questioned a matter from the previous meeting.

ROUNDTABLE

Mrs. Martinez was part of Operation Safe Child at Chorley Elementary and welcomed other elementary schools to set up this program.

Mrs. Isseks commented on a nice article in the Times Herald Record on the cafeteria at the high school.

Mr. Perrino suggested that, as we expand programs on Channel 20,
students from the Institute of Finance and Technology come and shoot video tape.

Mr. Paul congratulated Mr. Scott and Mr. Gonzalez on their awards mentioned this evening.

Ms. Perkins stated that she attended the NYSSBA conference in New York City in October, along with Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Martinez.

There being no further business, at 9:21 p.m., Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Martinez, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle K. Towle

District Clerk