REORGANIZATION MEETING
BOARD OF EDUCATION
MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
JULY 8, 2004
The annual reorganization meeting of the Board of Education was held on Thursday
evening, July 8, 2004 at the Board of Education Office, 223 Wisner Avenue,
beginning at 6:30 p.m. This meeting was called to select Board officers,
administer oaths of office, designate bank depositories, and for such other
business as may come before the meeting.
Present: Mr. Crescenzo, Mrs. Botti, Mr. Estrada, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Perrino – 5.
Absent: Mrs. Elliott, Dr. Best – 2.
Others Kenneth W. Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
Attending: Timothy Conway, Deputy Superintendent of Schools
Ellen Kaplan, Director for Personnel Services
Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
Peter Ancona, Director of Technology
William Geiger, Board member-elect
Rose Tobiassen, Board member-elect
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Mrs. Knapp made a motion, seconded
by Mr. Perrino, to have an executive session to review specific personnel
matters pertaining to evaluation.
Ayes: Crescenzo, Estrada, Knapp, Perrino, Botti – 5. Noes: None. Motion was
unanimously approved.
Public session resumed at 7:02 p.m.
The School District Clerk called the meeting to order and led the pledge of
allegiance.
The Oath of Office to support the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the State of New York was administered to William Geiger by the
District Clerk.
The Oath of Office to support the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the State of New York was administered to Rose Tobiassen by the
District Clerk.
The District Clerk declared nominations in order for the position of President
of the Board of Education for the 2004/2005 school year.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, nominating Vincent Crescenzo
as President of the Board of Education for the 2004/2005 school year.
Since there were no other nominations, the District Clerk closed the nominations
and cast one vote in favor of Mr. Crescenzo for President of the Board of
Education for the 2004/2005 school year..
The District Clerk declared nominations in order for the position of
Vice-President of the Board of Education for the 2004/2005 school year.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, nominating Susan Botti as
Vice-President of the Board of Education for the 2004/05 school year.
Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, nominating Rose Tobiassen as
Vice-President of the Board of Education for the 2004/05 school year.
The District Clerk asked for a vote of those in favor of Mrs. Botti for
Vice-President.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Knapp, Crescenzo – 4.
The District Clerk asked for a vote of those in favor of Ms. Tobiassen for
Vice-President:
Ayes: Tobiassen, Geiger, Perrino – 3.
Motions failed since neither nominated Board member received the necessary
five-vote majority.
Attorney James Drohan said that Mrs. Botti will continue in the position as
Vice-President of the Board pending a successful re-vote, in compliance with the
hold-over provision.
The District Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Board President Vincent
Crescenzo.
Mr. Crescenzo said that the Board presidency is an awesome responsibility which
he will undertake to the best of his ability.
Mr. Crescenzo suggested that a re-vote on the vice-president position be
conducted at this time.
The District Clerk asked for a vote of those in favor of Mrs. Botti for
Vice-President.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Knapp, Crescenzo – 4.
The District Clerk asked for a vote of those in favor of Ms. Tobiassen for
Vice-President:
Ayes: Tobiassen, Geiger, Perrino – 3.
Motions again failed since neither nominated Board member received the necessary
five-vote majority. The Board agreed to re-consider the vice-presidency at the
next meeting of the Board.
Mr. Crescenzo welcomed Dr. Eastwood to the Middletown School District.
James Drohan, Esq. administered the Oath of Office to Superintendent of Schools
Kenneth W. Eastwood.
James Drohan, Esq., presented information concerning the reporting requirements
regarding child abuse in an educational setting. Mr. Drohan said it is mandated
by law and by Board policy that annual training be given to employees and Board
members regarding the reporting of child abuse in an educational setting. He
said that any school district employee or school board member to whom an oral or
written allegation has been made that a child has been subjected to child abuse
by an employee or volunteer in an educational setting is required to report the
allegation. Mr. Drohan detailed the types of acts that are classified as abuse,
including intentionally inflicting physical injury, engaging in conduct which
creates a substantial risk of injury, child sexual abuse, the dissemination of
indecent materials to minors. Mr. Drohan detailed the obligations of the
reporter and administrators or superintendents, and noted that any reporter who
reasonably and in good faith makes a report of allegation of child abuse shall
have immunity from civil liability. The presentation concluded with an
explanation of the penalties for failure to comply with this section of
Education Law, and by noting that it is illegal to withhold an allegation of
child abuse in return for the resignation or voluntary suspension of the person
against whom the allegation is made.
The presentation on the Open Meetings Law was deferred until a future meeting.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve the Annual
Appointments as indicated on the attached list.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Crescenzo administered the Oath of Office to the School District Treasurer
and the School District Clerk.
Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada to approve the Board meeting
dates for the 2004/2005 school year, as per the attached schedule.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo –7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to designate the Times Herald
Record as the official newspaper of the District.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to delegate to the
Superintendent of Schools the authorization to approve attendance at a
conference as funded in the current year budget by any employee, officer or
board member of the District for the school year beginning July 1, 2004.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mr. Estrada, to grant the Superintendent
authorization to make budget transfers up to the amount of $5,000.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mrs. Botti made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the election
workers for the 2004/05 school year as per the attached list.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
Mr. Estrada made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Botti, to approve Financial
Memorandum #1, copy attached.
Ayes: Botti, Estrada, Geiger, Knapp, Perrino, Tobiassen, Crescenzo – 7. Noes:
None. Motion was unanimously approved.
The Board reviewed the associations to which it belongs, and will continue its
memberships in the Orange County School Boards Association, the New York State
Association of Small City School Districts, and the New York State School Boards
Association.
Discussion regarding Board committees followed, with appointments to be made at
the next meeting of the Board.
Mr. Crescenzo thanked the Board for its confidence in him. He thanked Mrs.
McLeod for leading the District during a very difficult time for our District
and expressed appreciation to Dr. Hanna and Dr. Gray for their assistance in the
interim positions. Mr. Crescenzo also acknowledged the contributions of Richard
McCormack, saying his work will have positive impact for many years to come.
Mr. Crescenzo said the District is on the threshold of an educational
renaissance, and any obstacles can be overcome by working together.
There being no further business, at 8:05 p.m., Mr. Estrada made a motion,
seconded by Mrs. Botti, to close the reorganization meeting. Motion was
unanimously approved.
A regular meeting of the Board immediately followed.
Respectfully submitted,
Alicia E. Olsen
School District Clerk
ENLARGED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM #1
TO: Board of Education
FROM: Timothy J. Conway,
Deputy Superintendent
DATE: July 8, 2004
RE: Financial Memorandum #1
1. Designation of Depositories
Resolved, that the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of
Middletown, New York, designates the institutions and accounts listed on the
attached as depositories for the funds of the Board of Education of the Enlarged
City School District of Middletown for the year beginning July 1, 2004.
2. Designation of Authorized Signature on Checks
Be it resolved by the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of
the City of Middletown, New York, that the School District Treasurer be
authorized to sign all checks issued by the School District for the school year
beginning July 1, 2004.
3. Authorization to Enter into Contract for Faithful Performance Bond
Resolved, that the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of
the City of Middletown, New York, enters into a contract for a faithful
performance blanket bond to cover all District employees in the amount of
$100,000 except as follows at $900,000: Principal Account Clerks, Treasurer, Tax
Collector, Assistant Tax Collector, Internal Auditor, School Business
Assistants, Account Clerk, Payroll Coordinator, and Payroll Clerk.
4. Petty Cash & Change Funds Approved
Petty Cash Funds
Senior High School George Vanderzell $100.00
Monhagen Middle School Richard DelMoro 100.00
Twin Towers Middle School Gordon Dean 100.00
Maple Hill Paula Amaditz 100.00
J. W. Chorley Frederick Griffin 50.00
Mechanicstown Susan Short 50.00
Pre-K Susan Barsky 50.00
Truman Moon Donna Napolitano 50.00
Special Services Selena Fischer 100.00
District Clerk Alicia Olsen 100.00
Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Eastwood 100.00
Building & Grounds Thomas Scott 100.00
Change Funds
School Lunch Al Muhlnickel 675.00*
Athletics Jonathan Jefferson 100.00
*for Middletown City School District Food Service sites
5. Mileage Rate for the 2004-05 School Year Approved
Resolved, that the Board of Education approves a mileage reimbursement rate of
$.37 per mile for authorized official school district travel when employees use
their personal vehicle for the school year 2004-05.