Special Meeting Minutes

 

A Special Meeting of the Board of Education of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District was held in the Cafeteria at the Middle School in said district on March 27, 2006.

 

President of the Board of Education Margaret Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Present:      Ahnert, Bradley, Carbone, Carpenter, Conlon, Crisafulli, Smith, Superintendent Swartz, Business Administrator Nolie, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kavanaugh, and

Acting District Clerk Hartman.

 

Absent:        None.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Hearing/Privilege of the Floor

 

á      Robert Olori, 11 Washington Road, inquired about the status of asking volunteers to switch elementary schools. 

Superintendent Swartz advised that this is being worked on and a letter will be going out after Easter break.

 

á      Maureen Caccavale, 11 Oakland Avenue, addressed the Board concerning the middle school academics noting that SED revised their expectations for middle school students in 2003, after Scotia-Glenville went to a middle school.  

 

á      Jerry Moore, Jay Street, spoke regarding concerns he has with the districtÕs Foreign Language program and believes the district needs to re-evaluate the program. 

 

 

Recognition of Retiring Personnel:  Lynette Pierson Ð School Bus Driver

 

Lynette Pierson began working at Scotia-Glenville as a regular school bus driver on September 7, 1972.   She is retiring, having served the district as a school bus driver for 33 years, 6 months, and 19 days.  In her many years as a driver, Lynette had an excellent driving record which is truly a remarkable accomplishment considering the amount of driving a school bus driver does in a day.

 

             Lynette has always been an exemplary driver, following all safety procedures.  The safety of the students has always been her number one priority.  Lynette served most of her 33 years on the same route, which is now bus 141.  Some of the children Lynette picked up on this route are now parents of children she currently drives.  She has always maintained a tight ship, but yet treated each child with respect.  Lynette developed a unique style of bus stop efficiency.  She had her children sit in the first seat as they boarded the bus, then move towards the back at the next stop.  This kept the bus and traffic moving and was safe for the children.  It has always been about safety with Lynette, which is why parents never had to worry when putting their children on her bus.

 

Lynette was so concerned with safety that in the 1980Õs she began to train and mentor other new drivers and in 1990 became a NYS Article 19A Certified Examiner.  Many of the drivers here today became school bus drivers under her tutelage.  She is a large part of the outstanding safety record our fleet enjoys today.

 

Lynette has not only been a good employee, but an outstanding one.  She is dedicated and reliable.  Lynette has worked many long days driving not only her morning and afternoon runs, but mid-day kindergarten, Vo-tech, late runs, and after hours sports trips.  Her long dedicated service to us is greatly appreciated and she will be sorely missed.  It is time for Lynette to relax and do the things she enjoys.  Congratulations Lynette for a job well done!

 

Community Forum/Budget Discussion

 

Susan Swartz, Superintendent of Schools, provided a brief overview of the preliminary budget for audience members who may not have been present for the formal presentation.   After the overview, members of the audience were invited to ask any questions or voice any concerns regarding the budget.

 

Several community members spoke in regard to the preliminary budget.  The following questions and comments were raised:

 

á      Jerry Moore, 122 Jay Street, questioned what the current budget is and discussed fund balance.

 

á      Katie Soule, 9 Wildwood Drive, spoke on behalf of ability grouping at the middle school and presented the Board with a petition with 142 signatures who were in agreement with this style of teaching.

 

á      Steve Sargent, Alexander Avenue, a parent of children who attended Scotia-Glenville, commented that the middle school does an effective job, but agreed that ability grouping can help students and believes it is good to reconsider the way things are done and how to enrich the education of children who are ready for more. 

 

á      Jerry Moore commented in regard to the effectiveness of school districts joining together to acquire services for a reduced cost.  He suggested that the proposed Technology Director may be an area that could be looked at in joining with other schools for this position.    In addition to this position, he suggested that the gas and energy purchases, the new proposed HVAC position, attorney services, and elevator contracting services are other possible areas that school districts could join together for services to reduce the cost.

 

á      Michelle Kraines, 8 Barry Lane, questioned the role of the proposed Athletic Trainer position and the cost of the proposed Float Nurse.

 

á      Jerry Moore spoke regarding the districtÕs school administration costs, the reassessments the community is facing and the effect it will have on the Star Program. 

 

The Board then discussed at length additional budget recommendations which included the following: 

 

á      Reduction of Academic Head Teaching Load

á      Director of Technology

á      Increased District Library Clerk Time

á      Athletic Trainer (2 hrs./day, 2 days/week)

á      Increase in Float Nurse Position (.3)

á      Increases in Instructional Operations Support

 

á      Technology Replacement Plan

á      IE/504 Accommodation Aide at Middle School               

 

Margaret Smith noted that the Preliminary Budget reflects a 6-7 percent tax increase.  Mrs. Nolie advised that State Aid and assessments are still unknown at this time and estimates included in the preliminary budget are conservative.  Board members discussed the reassessment that the community has recently undergone and voiced their concern on how this may effect community members.    It was felt that a tax increase of 6 - 7 percent may not be supported by the voters, because of the turmoil over the reassessment.  Board members felt that a tax increase of 3-4 percent would more likely be supported by the taxpayers. 

 

A priority list will be developed by the administrators and presented at the next meeting.    Superintendent Swartz concluded the discussion by stating she appreciated the BoardÕs honesty and direction.   

 

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Ð MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

Joe Kavanaugh, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, provided a power-point presentation proposing possible options for the Academic Enrichment Program at the middle school for grades 6-8.   

 

MOVED by Carbone that the Board of Education approve/accept the following items:

 

Resolution:  Accept Gift and Donation

 

The Resolution, dated March 27, 2006, regarding acceptance of a donation from the New York State Department of Labor of computers and monitors, as submitted.  (The resolution is contained as Appendix A to these minutes.)

 

Communications

 

        a.   Accept the letter of resignation of Dawn E. Scagnelli, Department Chairman/Teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences, effective c.o.b. May 10, 2006, with appreciation for her service to the district.  (The letter of resignation is contained as Appendix B to these minutes.)

 

b.   Accept the letter of resignation of Lisa Munter, Teacher of Children with Handicapping Conditions (General Special Education Tenure Area) (Middle School), effective c.o.b. June 30, 2006, with appreciation for her service to the district.  (The letter of resignation is contained as Appendix C to these minutes.)

 

        c.   Accept the letter of resignation of David Bond, Lead Cleaner (Senior High School), effective c.o.b. April 3, 2006, in order to accept his new temporary appointment of Senior Custodian (Sacandaga Elementary School).  (The letter of resignation is contained as Appendix D to these minutes.)

 

        d.   Accept the letter of resignation of Sharon Becker, Typist (Pupil Personnel Services), effective c.o.b.  April 5, 2006, with appreciation for her service to the district.  (The letter of resignation is contained as Appendix E to these minutes.)

 

 

 

Routine Business

 

a.    Staffing

 

1)  Approve the part-time appointment of Michelle Kudzin as Teaching Assistant (Middle School), effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with 2005-2006 salary to be at the annual rate of $16,350.75 (Step 2, 6.5 hours/day).  Ms. Kudzin has provisional teacher certification.   

 

2) Approve the part-time appointment of Judith Burbank as School Monitor (Senior High School), effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with 2005-2006 salary to be at the rate of $8.00/hour (3.5 hours/day).

 

3)  Approve the part-time appointment of Donna Lapoint as School Bus Driver, effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with 2005-2006 salary to be at the rate of $14.51/hour (4 hours/day, Step 1).        

                     

       4)  Approve the part-time appointment of Helena Georgelas as Teacher Aide (Transportation), effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with 2005-2006 salary to be at the rate of $8.00/hour (4.5 hours/day).

 

5)  Approve the   part-time appointment of Grace DeMarco as Teacher Aide (Transportation), effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with 2005-2006 salary to be at the rate of $8.21/hour (2.25 hours/day).

 

          6)  Approve the change in assignments for the following School Bus Drivers (Transportation), effective March 28, 2006 through June 30, 2006, with no change in current rate of pay:

 

                  Susan Carey from  5.25 hours/day to  6.25 hours/day

       Audrey Gundlach from 5.25 hours/day, plus 1 hour late run, to 6.75 hours/day, plus 1 hour late run   

 

                  7)  Approve the temporary appointment of David Bond as Senior Custodian (Sacandaga Elementary School), effective April 4, 2006, in accordance with Civil Service regulations, with 2005-2006 annual salary to be at the rate of $33,155.20 (Step 1).

 

8)    Approve the following additional substitute for the 2005-2006 school year: 

 

                  Substitute School Nurse

                  *Lisa Forshey      

 

                  *This appointment is conditioned on the school districtÕs receipt of clearance for the employee from the State Education Department following a criminal history records check in accordance with the provision of Education Law ¤3035.

 

b.    Placement of Children with Disabilities

 

Accept the Placement of Children and Disabilities as recommended by the Committee on Special Education at their meetings on March 8, 13, 14, 15, 2006.

 

 

 

c.    Bid:  Infield Groomer

 

Award the bid for an Infield Groomer to Grassland Equipment and Irrigation Corp., in accordance with their low bid.  (The bid summary is contained as Appendix F to these minutes.)

 

                                                           ROLL CALL

                                                                 Ayes:     7

                                                                 Noes:   0

                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

                                                  

OTHER BUSINESS

 

á      Superintendent Susan Swartz commended Lynda Castronovo, High School Principal, and her staff, and John Tobiassen, Sacandga Elementary School Principal, and his staff, as well as Shari Keller, Middle School Principal, and her staff, for all of their efforts during the recent evacuation of the high school.

 

MOVED by Carbone that the meeting be adjourned.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:  7

Noes:  0

                                                                       MOTION CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.    

 

 

 

                            

 

                                                                                                                   ____________________________

                                                                                                                   Diane Hartman, Acting District Clerk