BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FEBRUARY 19, 2009
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, February 19, 2009, at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Nicholas Mauro, presiding.
Present: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen - 8.
Absent: None.
Others Attending: Dr. Kenneth Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Richard DelMoro, Director of Secondary Education
Paul Weir, Director for Personnel Services
Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Michael Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer (sat in for Mrs. McKean)
Dr. Mauro called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. Mrs. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to have an executive session to discuss employment history, or matters leading to the appointment or employment of a particular person.
Public session resumed at 7:42 p.m.
Mrs. Knapp led the pledge to the flag.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the agenda with the following amendments: Move all Action Items to after the first Opportunity to Address the Board; Add additional Action Item after Approval of Change Orders: Support Superintendent’s Disciplinary Decision on Appeal – Student MM; Add Approval of December 19, 2008 Minutes; Due to the inclement weather, move up Discussion of Contract for Professional Services with RSA Architects, to after Presentations.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve minutes of December 19, 2008, January 8, and
January 15, 2009.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen,
Dr. Mauro – 6. Noes: Mrs. Knapp, Ms. Perkins - 2. Motion was declared approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Personnel Memorandum #19.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
PRESENTATION: ARTS – STUDENT/TEACHER
Gregory Bennett – K-12 Music Department Chair
Gave update of Music Department activities from September,2008 to present: K-12 Music Department now has 23 full-time educators; March 27-29, Middletown High School is staging first performance of “Rent”; Monhagen Middle School is presenting “Oliver” weekend of February 27; Twin Towers will be presenting “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” the beginning of May; Prism concerts (continuous music) at the High School in March; Two students from High School in the instrumental program were selected to 2009 New York State Band Director’s Association –the honors band who will be participating the first week in March in Syracuse; 23 High School students selected to 2009 Orange County Music Educator’s Association High School All- County; Chamber singers and Middletown High School traveled to participate with Tim Janice in Albany and at Carnegie Hall, which will air on PBS on March 3; In December 6 students participated at NYSMA All-State in Rochester and performed at Kodak Theatre; High School students participated in Area All-State Musical Festival in November; Instrumental jazz ensemble at Monhagen is continuing to grow; Twin Towers' instrumental program has double in size over the last 2 years; Faculty member has been going across the country to do training for using Smart Board in music classrooms.
Dana Herm – K-12 Art Department Chair
Gave update of Art Department activities: Elementary school art teachers are involved in artsonia.com – a website where teachers can view student’s artwork nationally; In April, Truman Moon will welcome “Rewired”, a music mime and puppetry show; Mechanicstown is working on the 22nd Annual Alcoholism and Drug Abuse poster contest. Awards ceremony for that will be March 31 at Paramount Theater; Professional artist, Cliff Mendleson, “Day in Clay”, will visit students once every marking period; Mechanicstown also brings in professional artist, Nick Catalano, who creates murals and who is a children’s book illustrator whose books can be found on amazon.com; Twin Towers students will participate in OVA (Olympics of Visual Arts) competition in Saratoga in April; Monhagen and Twin Towers students submitted art work for scholastic art awards; Middle school students are creating props for “Oliver” and “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”; At the High School, the numbers and course selections have almost doubled within the last 2 years; An exciting new program at the High School is a jewelry class; There were gold and silver winners from Scholastic Art Awards; Students who graduated in June came back to share with the Middletown students, their successes at college; Student’s artwork is being displayed in the Board Office and Conference Room; Youth Art month is in March.
Discussion on Contract for Professional Services with RSA Architects – Larry Koch, RSA Architects. Dr. Mauro began to discuss the topic of PLA’s. Dr. Eastwood referred to previous comments from architect, Jim Oliver, RSA Architects, who advised that for any PLA project, there has to be a formal study that is conducted. If there is an interest in PLA, that study would have to occur first. Mr. Koch advised the Board that he was not prepared to discuss PLA’s this evening. He stated that Jim Oliver has more experience with PLA’s and we would need to work with our attorney on this.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to table the discussion regarding PLA’s and Contract for Professional Services with RSA Architects.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
RECOGNITIONS/ANNOUNCEMENT/COMMUNITY REPORTS
Ms. Tobiassen commented on an article concerning the MTA’s payroll tax in the New York Times. Dr. Eastwood advised that the MTA wants to tax our payroll, not the individual employees, which according to our studies, would cost our district $250,000 in payroll taxes.
Mr. Perrino reported the following: Recognized Mrs. Barbara Martinez’ resignation and for serving on the Board of Education; Puzzle Pieces program at Twin Towers; NJROTC students worked the Elk’s Pancake breakfast - all proceeds went to Inspire; Guidance Department and Career Counselor at high school had financial aid seminar; Valentine’s Day Dinner hosted by Middletown High School National Honor Society. Collected $1,100 being sent to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties; the Building Advisory Committee has two separate committees – the staff committee, which will meet next Tuesday, February 24, 8:30-3:30, and the other is the community committee, which is comprised of many sub-committees.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to amend the agenda to add a discussion of the open Board seat. A discussion pursued. Ms. Perkins requested to put this topic on the next agenda until we have an opinion from the District’s attorney. Mrs. Knapp stated that past practice has been that we can either nominate someone to fill the seat or choose to leave the seat open.
Ms. Tobiassen called the question, Mr. Paul seconded it, to vote on the motion to amend the agenda to add a discussion of the open Board seat.
By roll-call vote:
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 5. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Ms. Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 3. Motion was declared approved.
A roll-call vote was conducted to amend the agenda to add a discussion of the open Board seat, to be placed after Information Items on the agenda:
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen – 5. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Ms. Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 3. Motion was declared approved.
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
- Sheila Esposito, President, Middletown Teachers Association, and Gordon Dean, President, Middletown Administrators Association - Read and presented a letter to Dr. Mauro and the members of the Middletown Board of Education on behalf of the District’s 8 bargaining units and the president’s of the parents groups, to voice their concerns regarding the actions and behaviors of the Board of Education and reference was made to a previous letter submitted by these same organizations at the January 22, 2009 meeting.
- Glenn Adams – Joined Building Advisory Committee; Commented on topic of PLA’s from this evening; Asked to be considered to fill vacant board position.
- Jim DeGraw – Remarked on: Last meeting’s comments about a Board member’s internet being paid for; Board members comments and conduct; Meetings being adjourn with unfinished business.
- Mary Woodward – Questioned Board member’s internet being paid for; Expressed displeasure about taking time to come to last Thursday’s Board meeting and the meeting did not occur.
- Ben Brunning – Enjoyed the arts presentation; Would like to see principals do presentations of what is going on in the district; Commended the building committee meetings and how everyone worked together.
- John D’Alessandro – Had questions regarding the new Chorley elementary school concerning the land, the school being close to condos, special needs students, classroom size.
- John Gennarelli – Water issues were addressed at the building committee meeting; Commented on the meeting that was cancelled last week; Requested to be considered to sit on the Board of Education.
- Janet Tresch – Commented on the Board’s motives; Stated that the taxpayers are not happy with this district.
- Jim LaPenna – Offered a free of charge, motivational program to the Board; Read Mrs. Martinez’ letter of resignation; Believes that there are many qualified professionals that are sitting on the building committee and many issues have been resolved and answered at these meetings.
- Ed Estrada – Felt that the article in the Times Herald Record did not do Mrs. Martinez justice; reviewed conversations from this evening regarding PLA’s; Asked for Board members who did not show at the last Board meeting to identify themselves.
Ms. Tobiassen requested for the record to show that in attendance at last Thursday’s Board meeting (February 12, 2009) were: Ms. Tobiassen, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino and Mr. Geiger.
- Bill Galvin – Felt it was disgraceful that educators were left sitting here last Thursday night waiting for a meeting that did not happen. Asked if the high school project and change orders have come in under budget. Dr. Eastwood responded yes to both.
At 10:00 p.m., Dr. Mauro called for a recess.
At 10:10 p.m., the meeting resumed.
Dr. Mauro stated that he would put the discussion of occurrences of the last Board meeting on for Roundtable.
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
- Bill Galvin – Commented on the individuals who were here for the last Board meeting but the meeting did not happen.
- Justin Reed – Asked questions pertaining to why last week’s Board meeting did not take place; Invited the Board to the student’s next meeting at the high school on March 5, and to contact Robin Geiger for information.
- Paul Johnson – Commented on procedures of the way the meeting has been conducted this evening.
At 10:35 p.m., Dr. Mauro called for a recess.
At 10:45 p.m., the meeting resumed.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, to approve Special Services Memorandum #14.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Ms. Perkins, to approve Change Orders – Middletown High School – RSA Architects, as follows:
Nikko Construction Corp.
GC-16 $ 4,657.96
GC-17 9,938.00
GC-18 5,927.36
GC-19 14,253.02
GC-20 8,800.00
GC-21 6,835.89
GC-22 8,299.73
GC-23 6,812.45
GC-24 1,596.61
GC-25 6,105.14
GC-26 2,024.10
GC-27 17,430.00
GC-28 11,939.02
GC-29 19,320.00
GC-30 10,262.19
GC-31 2,235.42
GC-32 381.66
GC-33 14,007.41
GC-34 1,302.26
GC-35 2,100.00
GC-36 $ 4,071.00
GC-37 4,071.37
GC-38 15,716.64
GC-39 19,502.80
GC-40 3,999.45
GC-41 18,626.04
GC-42 9,914.89
GC-43 1,626.04
GC-44 10,281.00
Weathermaster Roofing
R-1 $4,619.79
Pearl River
M-1 $6,966.61
M-2 415.29
Harry F. Rotolo
E-5 $8,224.98
7,001.50
9,238.72
415.20
Waltech Construction Corp.
S-4 $4,335.00
S-5 4,278.00
S-6 7,808.00
S-7 16,810.00
S-8 2,432.00
S-9 16,300.00
S-10 1,725.00
A discussion pursued concerning the sum of the change orders.
By roll call-vote:
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, – 5. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Ms. Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 3. Motion was declared approved.
Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve Superintendent’s Disciplinary Decision on Appeal – Student MM.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino,
Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 7. Noes: Ms. Perkins (noted that her concern is procedural) - 1. Motion was declared approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to Approve Occupational Therapist Contract.
Mr. Paul made a motion to table the Approval of Occupational Therapist Contract until issues get ironed out to further discuss. There was no second to Mr. Paul’s motion.
A discussion pursued concerning services with Inspire.
Mr. Geiger called the question to Mr. Perrino’s motion, to vote on the Occupational Therapist Contract.
By roll-call vote:
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, – 4. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Mr. Paul, Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 4. Motion was defeated.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Began analysis of student performance data – Mechanicstown, Monhagen and Twin Towers will be meeting their annual yearly progress; ESL Bilingual program, based on analysis of data and coming from the State, all of their programs and students have met all State performance and attendance requirements; Recently notified by HV Regional School Support Center, that the inclusion program at Monhagen Middle School has been chosen to be a model program for this region;
At the high school, students participated in National Poetry Out Loud Contest and three school winners advanced to regional level; Twin Towers staff won contest – Lesson Plan Alternative Energy; Twin Towers students entered “Name the Mars Rover” program – contest sponsored by NASA; Maple Hill music/arts programs – six students selected to participate in All-County Festival, one student selected to participate in All-County Band Festival; Truman Moon kindergarten teacher will be present a research paper, “Life Crisis Literature – Helping Children to Cope” at Oxford Roundtable in England; January was Soup-per-Bowl at Truman Moon in participation with RECAP– collected over 400 soup cans to donate to Middletown’s soup kitchen; Will look into having Mr. Coates, Athletic Director, come to a meeting to give updates on athletic events; It is college admission time – alumni from Harvard and Brown Universities have been on our campus to interview students; March 20 is Family Literacy Events Night.
At 11:50 p.m., Dr. Mauro called for a recess.
At 12:05 a.m., the meeting resumed.
Mr. Perrino made a motion to go back and meet with our Board, CEO of Inspire, our CEO and our Director of Special Services, to see if Inspire can continue to provide services. No vote was taken.
Mr. Geiger made a motion to amend Mr. Perrino’s proposal to have the Superintendent contact Inspire and report back to the Board. No vote was taken.
Mr. Paul made a motion to amend Mr. Perrino’s motion to set a short time line, no longer than a week, and then the Board has to convene to fix the problem. No vote was taken.
At 11:50 p.m., Dr. Eastwood left the meeting.
Mrs. Isseks referred to Informational Items-Budget Transfer on the agenda, and asked if we still have field trips. Dr. Mauro replied that we need to discuss this with Dr. Eastwood and if the Board has any questions, to email him.
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
- Ed Estrada – Referred to conversations this evening regarding Inspire and Board policy regarding the handling of the OT contract.
At 12:30 a.m., Dr. Eastwood returned to the meeting. A conversation pursued regarding the handling of the
occupational therapist contract and Inspire.
OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD (continued)
- Ben Brunning – Asked if there will be a meeting by quorum when there are change orders needing approval.
- Frank Woodward – Announced that one of Middletown’s college graduates set a conference record and won conference championship at Marist College and qualified for U.S. Swimming Senior Nationals; Requested that the Board listen to the community when they come to speak.
- Jim LaPenna – Again offered a free 3-day, 2-hour motivational program to the Board; Regarding change orders, commended RSA Architects for the work they have done.
- John Gennarelli – Thanked Dr. Eastwood for his leadership of this District; Previously requested the District’s lawyer costs and requested the figures again. Dr. Eastwood replied with the last three years, just the retainer piece which is for Board services: 2006-07: $54,000, 2007-08: $56,000, this year as of 1/15/09: $88,000.
- Bill Galvin – Questioned change order procedures; Regarding the Inspire contract, asked if the students are receiving services currently. Dr. Eastwood explained that the students are not being evaluated right now and that we still need supplemental services.
Dr. Mauro advised the Board that our attorney suggested that filling the open board seat be left to the voters to decide. The way it would be filled would be the third highest person in terms of votes, would complete the term left by Mrs. Martinez, which would be a four-year term. The first two highest votes would receive 5 year terms. The third highest vote would receive a four-year term.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, that in following past practice, to fill the term with the next highest vote that was received from the last election, which would be Ed Estrada. He would serve until the vote in May, 2009. A discussion pursued.
Ms. Perkins called the question for the Board vote to appoint, rather than elect someone only until the next election in May, 2009.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, – 4. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 4. Motion was defeated.
There being no further business, at 1:30 a.m., Ms. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle K. Towle
District Clerk