MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting March 22, 2005
PRESENT: Presidnt, Mrs. Lori H. Montefusco; Vice
President, Mrs. Nancy Gasert; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; Mr. Timothny Griffing and
Mrs. Christine Prete.
ABSENT: Mr. Mary Ellen Harkin and Mr. Timothy
Hubbard.
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Paul R. Doyle, Mr. Jopseph Ogeka,
Mr. Joseph Singleton and Mrs. Nancy Carney.
President, Mrs. Montefusco,
opened the meeting at 5:40 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to recess to executive session to discuss
RCFA and CSEA negotiations and to interview a candidate for Elementary
Principal at Phillips Avenue Elementary School.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
The Board of Education
recessed to executive session at 5:41 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to return to open session.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
The Board of Education
returned to open session at 7:45 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 8:00
pm.
There were about 55 other
people in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Barbara OÕKula.
Pledge of Allegiance
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
(273)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 2
Mr. Doyle recognized the
members of the Key Club
and their two awards
received at the convention in Monticello, New York under the leadership of
Louise Wilkinson. They took first
place in competition for a non-traditional scrapbook and second place for their
service project in a sleepover at the High School in cardboard boxes to raise
money for the homeless. They will
be attending an international convention in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.
He also stated that the
Accountability List has been published by the State Education Department and
the School Report Card published in Newsday.
A power point presentation
on Smaller Learning Communities
was given by Dali Rastello
and Theresa Drozd. The findings of
the committee of teachers and administrators yield that breaking the school
into academies (smaller high schools and the need to reform large high schools)
could reduce the dropout rate, improve learning and help the students develop
closer ties to the community. A
potential planning grant equaling $400,000-$600,000 over a three-year period
for its implementation could be realized.
Mrs. Montefusco commented on
the following:
-efforts by the School Board
and Town Board to work together in
the interests of the community to move forward with a
building
project and trust that the Town Board will honor its
initial commitment and resolution adopted in 2003 to transfer
a
parcel of land at the Calverton (former Grumman) site to the
school district on which to build a new school
-March 23rd will
be a half day of school for students
-nominating petitions to run
for the school board are available
at the District Clerk and must be returned by the deadline
date
of April 18, 2005
-the next budget worksession
will be held at the Phillips Avenue
Elementary School at 7:00 p.m. on March 29
-the budget hearing will
take place on April 12 at the Riverhead
High School auditorium
Opportunity for
Superintendent
Opportunity for
Board Members
(274)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 3
Mrs. Berezny commented on
the outstanding school events: K-12 Science Fair held at the High School on
March 15; and, the Roman Banquet held at the Middle School. She commented on the
Legislative Breakfast on
March 19 held at the Longwood School District and attended by herself, Mrs.
Prete and Mr. Doyle. She
encouraged the community to write and extend their thoughts and ideas toward
Albany for the imperative need for increased state aid and suggested that the
PTOÕs join in this effort.
Mrs. Prete echoed Mrs.
BereznyÕs comments to make a concerted problem solving effort to make Albany
fully aware of the need for more funds for education.
Community comments included:
-the president of Kiddie
Academy offered the organizationÕs
services to handle the overflow of children participating in
the
before and after-school programs
-importance to study our own
school community closely in an
effort to reduce the suspension level
-request to provide
microphones for all board members
-a Òthank youÓ to the Board
for keeping the budget vote
at the High School location
-a Òthank youÓ to the
Superintendent for supporting the
Summer School program in the proposed 2005-06 budget
-costs for field trips
(students provide their way via fundraisers;
the only cost to the district is for chaperones)
-concern of affordability
for students in school activities
-number of ESL teachers
hired by the district (required as
state mandate for teaching of English as a second language
and partially funded by a state grant)
-consideration of monies
toward repair at Roanoke from
proposition to expend $700,000 from unexpended capital
reserve
funds (Mr. Singleton stated that a study of all buildings
will be
made by the architects to bring each into compliance followed
by determination by the Board of Education but for Roanoke
not
part of the $700,000 unexpended reserves for capital
improvements proposition)
-request/need for TVÕs and
VCRÕs in the Science Department
-appointment of ESL
Coordinator position (Per Mr. Ogeka, this is a
probationary appointment at this point in time)
Community Comments
(275)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 4
A motion was made by Mr.
Griffing, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to amend the agenda as follows:
WHEREAS, all component
district Boards of Education are requested to meet on April 20, 2005 to vote on
the Board of Cooperative Educational Services Administration Budget and to
elect Members of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Board, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District will hold a special meeting
for such purpose on April
20, 2005 at _____a.m./p.m.
at the District Administration Office, 700 Osborne Avenue, Riverhead, New York.
Amend Propositon for
Placement on Ballot to reflect:
Émodification of main
offices at Riley Avenue and Phillips Avenue Elementary Schools;É
Amend Resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the creation of
an ESL Assistant Director position
effective July 1, 2005.
Remove:
Christopher Dorr Ð To:
Probationary Appointment, From: Contract
Appointment, To: 4/19/04-4/18/07, From:
9/1/04-6/30/05.
Add:
Thomas Payton Ð Elementary
Principal, effective
4/18/05-4/17/08.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
to Amend Agenda Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the following resolution:
-Approved
Committee on
-Approved
(276)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 5
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District accepts the following
recommendations of the Committee on Special Education regarding children with
disabilities and whose Individualized Education Plans
need to be implemented:
C.S.E. MEETING STUDENT
NUMBERS
01/05/05
204656, 205347, 205508, 205536,
206640, 207032, 207137, 208844,
207274, 207403
01/12/05 206302,
207403
01/13/05
211703, 212214
01/19/05
206383, 206423, 206675, 206819,
207067, 207084, 207473, 207614,
207735, 208843
01/21/05
206041, 206096
01/25/05
211284, 211454, 211662, 212018, 212645
01/26/05
210410
01/27/05
205180, 212609, 212610, 213013,
213114,
213174, 213495, 213560,
214477, 214532, 216223
02/03/05
213562
02/16/05
212632, 213536, 213646, 213516,
213652, 215437, 215511, 215587,
216327, 217310
C.P.S.E. MEETING STUDENT
NUMBERS
02/09/05
218292, 219187, 219244, 218253
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District accepts the second reading
of revised Board Policy #6150-Budget Transfers.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
Second Reading of
Revised Board Policy
#6150
-Budget Transfers
-Approved
(277)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 6
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District adopts the attached school
district calendar for the 2005-2006 school year.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Berezny, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the following
Health Service Contracts:
South Huntington Union Free
School District for one (1) child attending L.I. School for the Gifted for the
2004-05 school year at a total cost of $545.73;
South Huntington Union Free
School District for four (4) students
attending St. AnthonyÕs High
School for the 2004-05 school year at a total cost of $2,182.92;
and, authorizes the
President of the Board of Education to sign such contracts.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the following resolution as
amended:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District directs the District Clerk
to place the following proposition on the May 17, 2005 ballot:
ÒShall the Board of
Education be authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $700,000 from the
unexpended reserves of the capital fund for capital improvements as follows:
rebuilding of boiler at Riverhead High School; renovation of chimneys at
Riverhead High School and Pulaski Street Elementary School; installation of
security system at all school buildings; addition of new science lab at
Riverhead High School; upgrading of wiring in computer labs for
Adoption of School
Calendar for 2005-06
Health Services
Contracts
-Approved
Approval of Proposition
For Placement on Ballot
-Approved as Amended
(278)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 7
all school buildings;
electrical panel upgrades at Phillips Avenue Elementary School; modification of
main offices at Riley Avenue and Phillips Avenue Elementary Schools; HVAC modifications for the music and
library areas at the Riverhead Middle School; renovation of gym bleachers at
Riverhead Middle School.Ó
In a discussion that
followed, Mrs. Prete clarified that these dollars are already in the budget but
are being reallocated in a different manner. Mr. Singleton further explained that the community approved
5-6 capital projects over the last 20 years Ð the project have been closed out;
there remains some monies left that can be applied toward the great need for
improvements in our schools. The
proposition, if approved, will have no impact on the tax rate; we will be able
to get state aid/building aid (39-35%) and get the projects completed.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried as Amended.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the request of the
Outdoors Club (thirty-five students and four chaperones) to participate in a
Pocono whitewater rafting trip to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 28,
2005. The cost is $65 per student
and chaperones for a total of $2,535.
There is no cost to the school district; and,
transportation is subject to
approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes
5 No 0
Motion
Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs.
Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of
Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the request of the
Riverhead High School NJROTC Unit #96871 (approximately 35 cadets) to
participate in visits/NJROTC orientation to the Naval Bases at Newport, Rhode
Island and New London, Connecticut from May 19-21, 2005, at no
-Approved
Out of State/Overnight
-Approved
(279)
Minutes
Board of Education
March 22, 2005
Page 8
cost to the district. Cost to the district is to provide
transportation via district school bus; and, transportation is subject to
approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes
5 No 0
&n