Special Meeting Minutes
A Special Meeting of the Board of Education of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District was held in the Library Media Center of Lincoln Elementary School in said district on January 22, 2007.
President of the Board of Education Margaret Smith called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Present: Ahnert, Conlon, Crisafulli, Normington, Smith, Yagielski, Superintendent Swartz, Director of
Curriculum and Instruction Kavanaugh, Business Administrator Nolie and School District
Attorney Margaret Huff.
Absent: Carbone
ROLL CALL
AYES: 6
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
District Clerk DeLong was present during Open Session.
PUBLIC FORUM - REDISTRICTING
Superintendent Swartz welcomed everyone in attendance. She opened the forum by explaining that there are three main goals the district hopes to achieve with the redistricting plan:
á To maintain equity between the four schools in terms of class size
á To maintain a minimum of two sections at each grade level in all elementary schools
á To stay within a range of the class size guidelines
She then explained that the preferred option for the Board is to establish "swing zones" by phasing them in over the next several years. She explained where these "swing zones" are and also explained the process by which they would be implemented as follows:
á Begin with Phase I streets
á Define New Families
á Continue to reassign students as needed
á Continue with special permissions on a limited basis
She explained that the goal is to have this plan in place in time for Kindergarten registration at the elementary schools. She then opened the floor to the public for questions. Several community members made statements and asked questions of the Board regarding this proposal. President Smith explained that the Board would take the questions and comments made into consideration and make a final decision in regards to this issue at the February 12th Board meeting.
HEARING/PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
RECOGNITION OF RETIRING INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL: KAREN MCKENNEY, SENIOR
HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
Karen McKenney's contributions to the Scotia-Glenville School District have been noteworthy and
admirable. What makes Karen truly an outstanding member of our district is her attention to detail,
her passion for her profession, and her determination to do everything possible to create a positive
experience for her students.
Karen is passionate about her role as a counselor and always gives more than 100%. Her students
leave her office feeling heard, understood, and with the feeling that they have a caring advocate in
the building. One of Karen's special strengths has always been her willingness to sit with students
and discuss anything that is bothering them. She will work with them endlessly to brainstorm
solutions. She has also been instrumental in teaching students to be independent thinkers, enabling
them to believe in themselves and to reach their full potential. She is truly a dedicated professional
and a caring individual who has made exceptional contributions to our community, our school, and
the Guidance Department.
Karen goes beyond the guidance office to get to know the staff in the building. She can tell you
something about most everyone, because she takes the time to get to know each staff member on a
personal level. She readily shares humorous anecdotes and inevitably can remind someone of an
experience that may have occurred years ago, leaving everyone in laughter with the retelling of that
time!
We have witnessed Karen's unique ability to troubleshoot master scheduling dilemmas, either through
her knowledge of persistent underlying problems, or merely by mowing her lawn and applying this
experience to master schedule grid problems!
Over the years, Karen has served on numerous committees. She has been the Director of Guidance,
and has served as a mentor to many Guidance interns. In her free time, she has chaperoned
Saturday Night Cheap, run DISCOVER Days, learned and taught Project Adventure, volunteered as a
basketball coach, helped train students in Color Guard, and has been an advisor to both the
Community Human Services in Burnt Hills and HVCC.
Congratulations, Karen, and we wish you a happy retirement!
CURRICULUM REPORT: ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT PROGRAM - JOSEPH KAVANAUGH
Joseph Kavanaugh, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a brief overview of the changes in
the Academic Enrichment Program. He explained that the name for this program is now OPAL-
Opportunities & Programming for Advanced Learners. He gave a brief description of each program
and then introduced the following staff who gave brief reports on their specific areas:
á Maria Maynard- Elementary OPAL Program
á Lynn Calhoun- Young Scholars, Grade 6
á Randy Jenkins- Scotia Scholars (Math & Science, Grade 6)
á Leanne Napolitano- English 7 & 8 Honors Classes
(This report is contained as Appendix A to these minutes).
MOVED by Conlon that the Board of Education accept/approve the following items:
REQUEST FOR OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP Ð NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY STUDENTS TO
"GRAD NITE 2007" AT DISNEY WORLD, ORLANDO, FL
Approve the request for the overnight trip of the National Honor Society Students and chaperones to "Grad Nite 2007" at Disney World, Orlando, FL, from April 19 - 22, 2007, at no expense to the district.
(This request is contained as Appendix B to these minutes).
REQUEST FOR OVERNIGHT FIELD TRIP - LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5TH GRADERS TO
CAMP CHINGACHGOOK
Approve the request for the overnight trip of the Lincoln Elementary School 5th Graders and chaperones to Camp Chingachgook, Lake George, NY, from June 11 - June 13, 2007. (This request is contained as Appendix C to these minutes).
RESOLUTION: REVISION TO THE GRACE R. SOMMERMAN NURSING-HEALTH CARE
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Adopt the Resolution, dated January 22, 2007, regarding acceptance of the revision to the Grace R. Sommerman Nursing-Health Care Memorial Scholarship to the Grace R. Sommerman and Jean Hinman Nursing-Health Care Memorial Scholarship, as submitted. (This resolution is contained as Appendix D to these minutes).
COMMUNICATIONS
a. Accept the letter of resignation of Amy Stoup, School Social Worker (Lincoln Elementary School), effective c.o.b. January 19, 2007, with appreciation for her service to the district. (This resignation is contained as Appendix E to these minutes).
b. Accept the letter of resignation of Gail Smith, School Monitor (Glendaal Elementary School), effective c.o.b. February 2, 2007, with appreciation for her service to the district. (This resignation in contained as Appendix F to these minutes).
c. Accept the letter of resignation for retirement purposes of Audrey L. Gundlach, School Bus Driver, effective February 27, 2007, with appreciation for her service to the district. (This resignation is contained as Appendix G to these minutes).
d. Accept the letter of resignation of Lisa Cremo, School Monitor (Glendaal Elementary School), effective c.o.b. January 22, 2007, in order for her to accept the position as Teacher Aide. (This resignation is contained as Appendix H to these minutes).
ROUTINE BUSINESS
a. Staffing
1) Approve the following additional substitute appointment for the 2006-2007 school year:
Substitute Teacher
Katherine Clore
James Falvalaro
Linden A. Gregory
Mark Sudano
Clerical Substitute
Pamela Junquera
2) Approve the part-time appointment of Lisa Cremo as Teacher Aide (Glendaal Elementary School), effective January 23, 2007, with 2006-07 salary at the hourly rate of $8.32 (31.75 hours/week).
b. Placement of Children with Disabilities
Accept the Placement of Children with Disabilities as recommended by the Committee on Preschool Special Education at their meeting on 1/12/07 and by the Committee on Special Education at their meetings on 1/8, 1/4, 1/11, 1/16, 1/4, 1/5, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, and 1/17/07.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 6
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board briefly discussed how the boundaries for the proposed swing zones were established and the proposed budget calendar.
ROLL CALL
AYES: 6
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
____________________________
Bobbie DeLong, District Clerk