BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
APRIL 1, 2004
A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District
of Middletown, New York was held Thursday, April 1, 2004, at the Board of
Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue, Board President Robin Markovits, presiding.
Present: Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Estrada, Mr. Perrino,
Mr. McCormack, Mrs. Botti, Mrs. Markovits – 7.
Absent: Dr. Best, Mrs. Knapp – 2.
Others Kenneth Gray, Acting Superintendent
Present: Timothy Conway, Asst. Superintendent for Business
Patricia McLeod, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum
Thomas Scott, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Peter Ancona, Director for Technology Services
Mrs. Markovits called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Mr. McCormack made a
motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an executive session to hear an appeal
of a Superintendent’s hearing, to discuss contract negotiations and matters
pertaining to specific personnel issues. Motion was unanimously approved. Public
session resumed at 7:30 p.m.
Mrs. Markovits asked for a moment of silence in remembrance of the Best family.
Dr. Best’s father-in-law recently passed away.
Dr. Gray announced that the District has been awarded the Title II Part D
competitive grant Enhancing Education Through Technology. The District will
receive $1.3 million over a three-year period to provide for smartboards,
laptops and projectors, along with training and a project manager to oversee the
grant. Dr. Gray thanked Mr. Ancona and grantwriter Ken Packer for their work in
acquiring this grant.
Dr. Gray also congratulated the staff at Maple Hill for receiving the
distinction of having most improved 4th grade English language scores in New
York State for the second year in a row. Principal Paula Amaditz said that more
than 50% of the students at Maple Hill attained the New York State standard and
Maple Hill has had a 29% increase from their 1999 scores.
Mrs. Markovits said that Twin Towers will present a murder mystery dinner
theater on April 2, entitled Death by Disco. She also said that the Middletown
area Youth Chorus and the Kids First Program will have a concert on April 3.
Mrs. Markovits reminded the public that there are two Board seats available to
be filled at the May 18 election.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to approve the following
minutes: February 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 2004.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7.
Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Communications were read from the following:
• Mr. & Mrs. L. J. Pladdys regarding the pending 3020-a proceeding.
• Ms. Marilyn Pierce which applauded the students who have spoken in support of
Mr. Cohen.
• Patty Turken, Twin Towers PTO President, thanking Mrs. Markovits for speaking
at a recent PTO meeting.
Board Member Reports:
Mr. Estrada attended the Spring Fling at Chorley and noted many other
outstanding activities occurring at Chorley. He also addressed the number of
kindergarteners that have been registered for next year.
Mr. McCormack attended the recent production of Anything Goes, saying the
program was very well done. Mr. McCormack also said that Middletown was well
represented at the Orange Ulster BOCES Tech Fair.
Mr. McCormack said that as a result of speaking with local politicians, it was
learned that today was the deadline for submitting bills with no restrictions
into the State assembly. He reported that the Board held a special meeting on
Monday and approved a request for a Wicks Law exemption for the High School
renovation project. The request is now with our local legislators for
consideration.
Mr. Perrino also attended Anything Goes and the Tech Fair and spoke about the
value of parent volunteers.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to approve Personnel
Memorandum #17, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7.
Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to table the request for
personnel folders.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7.
Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to approve the following
resolution:
Resolved, that Kenneth W. Eastwood be and hereby is appointed Superintendent of
Schools for the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York, for a
three-year period commencing July 1, 2004 and expiring June 30, 2007, and
Be it further resolved, that the President of the Board of Education be
authorized to execute the contract negotiated between the District and Dr.
Eastwood.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Estrada, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7.
Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Markovits thanked the members of the focus groups who participated in the
search for a new superintendent of schools. She said that while it is the
Board’s responsibility to make the final selection, the input from the focus
groups was very valuable, noting that the Board read each and every one of the
analyses on the final three candidates. Mrs. Markovits said that a reception for
Dr. Eastwood is being planned for some time in late April.
Response to Previous Questions:
Dr. Gray said that OC Ed spaces are limited because of budget constraints.
Mrs. Knapp joined the meeting at this time.
Mr. Conway presented a graph of the District’s debt information and reviewed the
debt limit history.
Mr. Estrada left the meeting at this time.
Mr. Ancona said that the printing costs of the Middletown School District are
comparable to other school districts in the Mid-Hudson. He said that
approximately 95% of material printed is instructional material.
Mr. Conway reviewed the procedures that residents can follow in order to speak
with a staff member regarding tax matters.
Mrs. Kaplan said that fingerprinting is required of all employees hired
beginning July 1, 2001. Middletown fingerprints in-house. Substitutes are
fingerprinted and pay a fee of $99, but are reimbursed after serving 15 days
in-district.
Mr. Scott said that the scoreboard at the High School pool has a control
problem; Mr. Jefferson has contacted the appropriate firm for service. Mr. Scott
said that the ventilation system at the pool is designed for swimmer comfort at
2 degrees above water temperature. He noted that the unit is serviced every 60
days.
Mr. Scott also reported that the Board will be asked to approve contracts for
the Chorley and Truman Moon projects at the next meeting of the Board.
Construction will be started at the end of the school year and the projects are
expected to be completed by September.
Mr. Ancona said that Keystone Learning is a certified program for home tutoring
in specialized areas for students who do not attend regular high school. The
courses range in cost from $339 - $369 and students will need access to
computers. Mrs. Markovits said that Curriculum and Instruction will determine if
this program would be beneficial to our District.
Opportunity to Address the Board:
Krystin Weiss spoke about having Bernard Cohen attend graduation ceremonies,
validation of diplomas, and students voicing their opinions.
Mrs. Markovits clarified that New York State law states that the president of
the Board of Education validates high school diplomas.
Vince Pladdys said that the Board will soon be receiving dates for an Open
Forum. He also supported having Mr. Cohen at graduation and spoke about the
conduct and comments expressed by students at Board meetings.
Dina Sabella said that she has read the law concerning 3020-a proceedings and
noted that while the employee may be suspended pending the hearing, nothing
prohibits the employee from being on school grounds. Mrs. Markovits explained
that upon the advice of counsel, the Board decided to re-assign the individual
in this particular 3020-a to an alternate work location.
Danielle Archer said that students and parents still see Mr. Cohen as the
principal of the High School.
John Gennarelli addressed the following issues: the movement by students to have
Mr. Cohen at graduation; status of the Chorley parking lot; fingerprinting of
parent volunteers; insurance premium increases; costs for interims in the
District; the beneficiary of the Snapple profit.
Roy Paul spoke about the interviews with local politicians that he conducted and
hopes to have aired on Channel 20.
Dr. Gray presented information on the summer school schedule: elementary school
will start on July 6 and conclude on August 12; middle school will run from July
6 – August 5; high school will begin on July 1 and end on August 16. Regents
exams will be administered on August 17 and 18, with make-ups given on August
19.
Dr. Gray said that many staff members appear to support the 4-day summer
workweek. He noted that the total hours worked each week remain the same. Dr.
Gray will contact Dr. Eastwood regarding this matter.
Dr. Gray said that the 2004-05 budget calls for a budget increase of 5.9%, due
mainly to increases in the retirement system, contributions to health insurance
premiums, negotiated contracts, and inflation. There are no new programs and few
new positions, mostly mandated special education positions.
Mr. Conway said that this is the last evening for comment on the budget before
the Board is scheduled to vote on the budget on April 22. He continued by
reviewing the schedule to be followed up to the date the public votes on the
budget, May 18. Mr. Conway also reviewed the budget brochure that will be mailed
to the public and changes that have been made to the initially proposed budget.
Mr. Conway said that if the District must adopt a contingency budget after two
allowable votes, approximately $2.5 – 3.5 million will have to be cut from the
budget. These cuts can only come from areas such as sports, summer school, and
staff.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to amend the agenda.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to consider the first
reading of the Code of Conduct at this time.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Elliott, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Markovits said that the purpose of the Code of Conduct is to inform parents
and students in plain English about various District policies and how to access
these policies. She said that the Code may be adjusted due to the policies
entitled Reporting Child Abuse in an Educational Setting and Suspected Child
Abuse and Maltreatment to be adopted this evening by the Board. Mrs. Markovits
said that the Code of Conduct will be presented for Board adoption at the next
meeting of the Board.
Mr. Conway presented the latest edition of Health Beat, a monthly information
newsletter distributed to employees in the District’s health plan. Mr. Conway
said that there has been an improvement in claims processing. He also noted the
District will soon become part of the GHI/Devon network.
Mr. Conway also presented the latest edition of the District newsletter which
noted the first day of school for next year – September 2. The newsletter also
addressed topics such as the Gifted and Talented programs, construction
programs, budget, and introduced Dr. Gray.
Mrs. Elliott was absent from the meeting at this time.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Special Services
Memorandum #17, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Financial
Memorandum #17, copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to adopt the policy
entitled Reporting Child Abuse in an Educational Setting (Revised), copy
attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to adopt the policy
entitled Suspected Child Abuse and Maltreatment (Revised), copy attached.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mr. McCormack, to approve the following
resolution:
Whereas, an impartial hearing has been requested by the parent of Student No.
998925; and
Whereas, the parent and the District are desirous of settling the matter;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that all claims for tuition, tutoring,
evaluations, compensatory education, attorney or expert fees, or damages for the
student for the 2001-2002, 2002-2003, and 2003-2004 school years be resolved by
payment to the parents of amounts not to exceed $64,000 in accordance with the
terms and conditions of a Stipulations to be entered into between the Board and
the parents.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the contract for
professional services between the Enlarged City School District and Clark
Patterson Associates for the Middletown High School project.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to accept the Orange-Ulster
BOCES Proposal for Computer Workstation Content Analysis.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Knapp, McCormack, Perrino, Botti, Markovits – 6. Noes: None.
Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Elliott returned to the meeting at this time.
Visitors:
John Gennarelli addressed the following: the possibility of the District owning
its own school buses; parking at Mechanicstown; a wall problem at the High
School; building in the Town of Wallkill; the cost of educating a student in
Middletown; violent activities in the High School.
Roundtable
Mr. Conway reported on the progress of the legislative request regarding a
waiver of the Wicks Law. He said that copies of the Board’s resolution and a
draft bill were sent to our local legislators. Mr. Conway reported that Sen.
Bonacic is considering sponsorship.
Mrs. Knapp said that she was at the High School Band concert earlier this
evening, and then addressed the following: she asked that the Board be provided
with more information concerning the High School Academy of Technology;
suggested that the District re-visit a grant for a school resource officer at
the High School; reported that she attended the High School Renovation Committee
meeting held last week, noting that Mr. Patterson took time to have the high
school staff represent their needs; requested that the Board be provided with
the latest demographic study as part of this project; noted that the High School
track requires some work.
Mrs. Elliott spoke about the issue of credibility, saying that some people close
themselves off to truth.
Mr. Crescenzo said that the meeting with students is very important. He said he
hoped that the students will ask questions and listen to the answers.
At 10:05 p.m., Mr. McCormack made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to have an
executive session to discuss specific personnel issues leading to evaluation and
the negotiation of a contract for legal fees for the 2004-05 school year. Motion
was unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 11:40 p.m. There being no further business, the
meeting was adjourned at this time.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
PUPIL PERSONNEL/SPECIAL SERVICES
MEMORANDUM #17
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
DATE: April 1, 2004
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. 17 dated April 1, 2004,
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 27, 29, February 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, March 2, 3, 12, 18, April 1, 2004
2. COMMITTEE ON PRESCHOOL RECOMMENDATIONS REACHED AT THE FOLLOWING MEETING(S):
March 17, 2004
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
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #17
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Timothy J. Conway,
Assistant Superintendent for Business
DATE: April 1, 2004
RE: Financial Memorandum #17
1. Budget Transfer #12 Approved
From: A.2630.8490.10.2639.00 BOCES-Distance Learning $10,000.00
A.2630.8490.10.2642.00 BOCES- Computer Repairs 5,000.00
To: A.2630.8490.10.2641.00 BOCES – Microcomputer Support $15,000.00
2. Bond Resolution approved authorizing the issuance of bonds not exceeding
$2,171,800 to pay the cost of certain judgments, compromised claims or settled
claims resulting from court orders. See attached.
3. Donation Accepted
Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts with gratitude the
following donation:
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
H&R Block Education Fund $907.00
4. Cancellation and Refund of Taxes Approved (see attached.)
5. Revenue & Expense Reports Approved
Resolved, that the Middletown Board of Education accepts the following reports
for the month of February 2004:
Treasurer’s Report
Extraclassroom Report – High School
Expense Report