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MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting – April 18, 2006
Aquebogue Elementary School
PRESENT: President, Mrs. Lori Hulse Montefusco; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; Mr. Timothy Griffing; Mrs. Christine Prete; and, Mr. W. Brian Stark.
LATE: Mrs. Nancy Gassert and Mrs. Mary Ellen Harkin.
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Paul R. Doyle, Mr. Joseph Singleton, Mr. Joseph Ogeka, Jr. and Ms. Nancy Carney.
President, Mrs. Hulse Montefusco, opened the meeting at 5:39 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
A motion was made by Mr. Griffing, seconded by Mr. Stark, to appoint Mr. Singleton as Acting District Clerk.
Yes 5 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Griffing, seconded by Mr. Stark, to recess to executive session to discuss personnel (candidate for Assistant Superintendent for Business, investigation of staff member); negotiations (RCFA); and, acquisition of real property (new High School site).
Yes 5 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 5:40 p.m.
Mrs. Gassert arrived at 5:42 p.m.
Mrs. Harkin arrived at 6:37 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to return to open session.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
Pledge of Allegiance
-Joseph Singleton
-Approved
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 2
The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:25 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 7:37 p.m.
There were about 200 other people in attendance.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to approve the minutes of the following meeting:
Regular Meeting - March 28, 2006
Yes 7 No o
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education and Superintendent announced special recognition of the following students and athletic teams for their achievements:
■Interscholastic Teams Section XI Sportsmanship Awards
■Riverhead High School Student, Craig Wellbrock/Bowling Stats &
Awards
■Riverhead Junior Varsity Cheerleaders Win National Championship
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Grade 7 Girls’ Volleyball Team was selected for the Section XI Sportsmanship Award for the 2005-06 Winter season and have best exemplified standards of sportsmanship as assessed by opposing teams within each scheduling device (league, division, etc.) and
-March 28, 2006
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 3
WHEREAS, the students brought credit to themselves, their parents and the Riverhead Central School District, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools commends the student athletes and the leadership of Coach Danielle Altman in the achievement of this honor.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mr. Griffing, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Grade 9 Boys’ Basketball Team was selected for the Section XI Sportsmanship Award for the 2005-06 Winter season and have best exemplified standards of sportsmanship as assessed by opposing teams within each scheduling device (league, division, etc.) and
WHEREAS, the students brought credit to themselves, their parents and the Riverhead Central School District, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools commends the student athletes and the leadership of Coach Victor Guadagnino in the achievement of this honor.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Varsity Boys’ Bowling Team was selected for the Section XI Sportsmanship Award for the 2005-06 Winter season and have best exemplified standards of sportsmanship as assessed by opposing teams within each scheduling device (league, division, etc.) and
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 4
WHEREAS, the students brought credit to themselves, their parents and the Riverhead Central School District, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools commends the student athletes and the leadership of Coach Scott Hackal in the achievement of this honor.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
Mrs. Berezny inquired as to what line item in the budget is applicable to the $40,000 study for Little Flower. Mr. Singleton stated that the monies were coming from the line for Tax Anticipation Notes and that the interest rate was a little lower than anticipated.
Both Mrs. Prete and Mrs. Berezny took a moment to thank all the teachers for their letters and of their careful attention to each and every one.
Comments from the community included:
-request to eliminate the position for Assistant Superintendent for
Business as non-affordable for taxpayers and is indicative of a
multiplication of administrators and that the Board give
consideration to replace the post with a Business Manager. Mrs.
Hulse Montefusco responded in that there are no viable
candidates available off the Civil Service list and that the District
cannot afford not to have qualified people on staff. (In this regard,
Mrs. Prete related to the missed opportunity when an individual
was interning in the Business Office for six months who was a
qualified candidate and who could have been hired at a
reasonable rate.) Mr. Singleton then commented that in his
forty years in the business, there are presently 22 Interim
Assistant Superintendents on Long Island and few candidates
state-wide; therefore, the district was fortunate to have gotten an
outstanding candidate to interview for the position.
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 5
-inquiry as to connection of acquisition of property on Executive
Session agenda with property on Middle Road to which Mrs.
Hulse Montefusco responded “no”
-comment that it is a professional error to tie oneself up with a
participating school as it pertains to social workers only from
Stony Brook as interpreted from the item on tonight’s agenda
relative to an Agreement with Stony Brook University Hospital
-due diligence on the SEQRA process/environmental concerns
relative to any potential acquisition of property and full disclosure
to the public prior to any referendum
-in accordance with the recent audit, the Purchasing Agent cannot
be the business official (Mr. Doyle stated that a Purchasing Agent
is being budgeted for and created in the 2006-07 proposed
budget.)
-any plans for a night football game? Mrs. Hulse Montefusco
responded “no”.
-statement that students being tutored by High School students
should be certified tutors and will the proposed 2006-07 budget
provide for certified tutors (Mr. Doyle responded in the affirmative)
-appeal to the SED to abort the study on Little Flower as a SED
representative informed her that a school District cannot annex a
special act school without legislative authority
-request of importance not to overlook the offering of a retirement
package competitive and comparable to other schools when
settling a fair and equitable contract in support of teachers who
dedicate many hours of personal time and take additional classes
to educate themselves and use out-of-pocket monies to cover
instructional expenses
-comment that the Peer II program is one of the most important
programs in the High School – that students appreciate each
other when students tutor other students – and, that paying
a tutor will be of assistance
-implementation of a program to ensure that teachers and
administrators respond appropriately to sexual harassment
allegations and that all safeguards (EMT’s, ambulance, etc.) are in
place during field days, etc.
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 6
-necessary versus unnecessary expense of Connect-Ed (Mr. Doyle
stated that this system will pay for itself in postage and other
expenses – it is a direct expenditure for parental involvement to
keep parents abreast of tests and events in our schools, as well
as, the importance of timely notification of sexual predators within
our school district) Mrs. Prete expressed her concern that correct
mailing lists be maintained in addition to Connect Ed.
-status of required school board member attendance to seminars
(The District Clerk is presently making arrangements for
Board members to meet the requirement)
Mrs. Berezny requested that the auditors’ findings in the
area of Cultural Arts be presented to the Board.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution:
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
02/09/06 207340
02/14/06 209506
02/16/06 211380, 216059, 217031, 217163,
217389
02/17/06 205072, 207084, 207211, 207258,
207884, 209622, 209557, 209863,
210044, 206841, 207116
02/27/06 205745, 206302, 206764, 207771,
207801, 208465, 208710, 210008,
217153, 218183
02/28/06 208339, 211538, 211644, 212000,
212054, 212356, 212437, 212481,
213021, 213207, 213174
03/03/06 209090, 209654
03/08/06 217195
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 7
03/09/06 217559
03/10/06 211005, 212399
03/14/06 205001, 205182, 205549, 206675,
207146, 207803, 208053, 208232,
208451, 209682
03/16/06 208057, 208106
03/23/06 211005
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the District’s participation and Agreement with Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare in order that students can complete field work experiences; and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and the High School Principal to sign such Agreement.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the District’s participation in the Health Occupation Partnership Program with Stony Brook University Hospital and Health Sciences Center; and, authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and the High School Principal to sign such Agreement.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
-Approved
-Approved
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Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 8
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign an Agreement with Pruzansky & Besunder, LLP to serves as special counsel regarding acquisition of property.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Prete, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the addition of the following Impartial Hearing Officer to the District’s rotational selection list, effective immediately:
Esther Mora
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the deletion of the following Impartial Hearing Officers from the District’s rotational selection list, effective immediately:
Kevin Eardley
Steven Goldsmith
Sanders Gropper
David Nydick
Arthur Riegel
Lucille Thalmann
Eric Zaidins
Pruzansky & Besunder, LLP
-Approved
-Approved
-Approved
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Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 9
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the following contracts for health services:
1.) Center Moriches Union Free School District – (27) children in the total amount of $12,576.06 ($465.78 per student) for the 2005-06 school year;
2.) East Islip Union Free School District – amount to be based/invoiced on actual enrollment for the 2005-06
School year,
and, authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign such contracts.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolutuion:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the request of the 4th grade teachers at Roanoke Avenue Elementary School for the 4th grade students to participate in a field trip to Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut on June 6, 2006. The trip is funded by the BOCES Cultural Arts Program and parents; and, transportation is subject to approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
-Approved
-Approved
-Approved
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Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 10
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District gratefully accepts the donation of $194.01 from the Wamoola for Schools program, Washington Mutual, in support of our schools and on behalf of the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Professional Personnel recommendations be approved per Supplemental File Personnel Report and are subject to Board Policy #9310:
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointments
Kelly Cerney
Jillian Davey
Danielle Goncalves
Noreen Harrigan
Gordon Scott Kenney
Erika Loeb
Mark F. Lynch
Tara Malanga
Genia Merkel
Nancy Poserina
Betsy Fabricatore – Foreign Language Teacher, To: 3/1/06-
4/21/06 (using accumulated sick days) 4/24/06-6/30/06 (FMLA);
From: 3/1/06-4/13/06 (using accumulated sick days) 4/14/06-
6/30/06 (FMLA).
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved
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Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 11
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Professional Personnel recommendations be approved per Supplemental File Personnel Report and are subject to Board Policy #:
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointment
Jack Maroun
Yes 5
Mrs. Gassert
Mr. Griffing
Mrs. Harkin
Mrs. Hulse Montefusco
Mr. Stark
No 2
Mrs. Berezny
Mrs. Prete
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Civil Service Personnel recommendations be approved per Supplemental File Personnel Report and are subject to Board Policy #9310:
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointment
Timothy Crump
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
April 18, 2006
Page 12
Yes 6
Mrs. Berezny
Mrs. Gassert
Mr. Griffing
Mrs. Harkin Mrs. Hulse Montefusco
Mr. Stark
No 1
Mrs. Prete
Mrs. Prete stated that her “no” vote is due to the fact that Mr. Crump is a relative.
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Civil Service Personnel recommendations be approved per Supplemental File Personnel Report and are subject to Board Policy #9310:
Change in Status/Fingerprint Clearance
Edwin Stewart
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointments
Victoria Beers
Walter Brown
Lorraine Cassidy
Carlas Clairborne
Marianne Lynn
Sean Mackie
Carol McKay
Denis Naso
Jennifer Ormandy
Killian Ramos
Marilyn Ross
Cynthia Saletel
Tiana Wells
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April 18, 2006
Page 13
Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointments
Debra Costello – Substitute Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
4/19/06-6/30/06.
Tanya Wigley – Substitute Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
4/19/06-6/30/06.
Appointment
Brian Davis – Substitute Custodial Worker I, effective 4/5/06-
6/30/06.
Change in Status
Joy Regula – To: 12-month Sr. Clerk Typist, From: Part-time Clerk
Typist, effective 4/24/06.
Theresa Cahill – To: School Bus Driver, From: Substitute School
Bus Driver, effective 4/24/06.
Judith Coacci – To: School Bus Driver, From: Substitute School
Bus Driver, effective 4/24/06.
Jeanne Bubka-McCray – School Bus Driver, To: 7.5 hours per day,
From: 8 hours per day, effective 4/3/06.
Lisa Zimmerman – School Teacher Aide, effective 4/14/06.
Terminations
Faye Cowell-Davender – Substitute School Bus Monitor, effective
4/19/06.
Dallas Johnson – Custodial Worker I, effective 3/2/05.
Katherine Karabiberoglu – Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
1/5/05.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.