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MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Special Meeting – May 23, 2006
Riverhead Middle School Cafeteria
PRESENT: President, Mrs. Lori Hulse Montefusco; Vice President, Mrs. Nancy G. Gassert; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; Mr. Timothy Griffing; and, Mrs. Christine Prete.
LATE: 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 5:19 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to recess to executive session to discuss personnel (Interview candidate for Assistant Superintendent for Business); negotiations (RCFA); and, acquisition of real property (new High School site).
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 5:20 p.m.
Mrs. Harkin arrived at 5:52 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to return to open session.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 6:35 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 6:41 p.m.
There were about 300 other people in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Barbara O’Kula.
Pledge of Allegiance
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
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Minutes
Board of Education
May 23, 2006
Page 2
Following the defeat of the District’s proposed 2006-07 budget and proposition to create a Capital Reserve Fund, Mrs. Hulse Montefusco stated that a re-vote on a revised 2006-07 budget will be held on June 20, 2006. A public hearing on the budget will be held on June 6, 2006.
The Board of Education reduced $200,000 of proposed expenditures that does not impact the instructional program.
Revisions included:
-decreases in conferences and dues
-decrease of $5,000 in equipment for Buildings and Grounds
-reduction of $15,000 in salaries for Buildings and Grounds
-elimination of two bus drivers and two bus aides
-a transfer of $23,000 for waterproofing at Aquebogue to
the capital projects
-addition of $202,000 to met increase of 20 additional students in the BOCES Occupational Education program
-increase of $150,000 for diesel fuel and $75,000for heating oil due to rising costs
-reduced borrowing on BANS and TANS for shorter periods
The Capital Reserve Fund proposition will be resubmitted with resolve to improve upon dissemination of information to the public that it is an instrument for long-range planning of and financing of capital improvements and will not have a negative impact on the budget.
Mr. Stark left the meeting at 7:00 p.m.
The recommended reductions will result in an average tax rate of less than 2% (one of the lowest in Suffolk County).
Mrs. Berezny commented on the following:
-attendance to the 4th Grade Spring Concert @ Phillips
-consideration of
resolution for
2006-07 budget
-consideration of
resolution for
Capital Reserve Fund
Opportunity for
Board Members
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Minutes
Board of Education
May 23, 2006
Page 3
-“thank you” to the District and commendation to the children for their involvement in the Long Island Blood Service drive on May 23rd for there is “no greater gift than the gift of blood”
-attendance to the Multi-Cultural Program at the High School on May 19th with dance, poetry and inventions as great entertainment
-attendance to the National Honor Society inductee ceremony on May 18th
Mrs. Prete left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Comments heard from the community included:
-a teacher read a personal statement that addressed the recent budget failure (analysis of accountability, perception of too many administrators, labor relation issues, negative behavior on part of the Board, etc.)
-in support of the RCFA, a teacher requested settlement for a fair and equitable contract
-another teacher stated that a contract settlement is paramount to the passage of a budget and that “all of us are part of the solution”
-a parent expressed support and need to pass the budget
Mrs. Hulse Montefusco stated that the Board of Education felt the original budge to be a responsible one and that it is their duty to revisit the budget with some decreases/revisions. Parents and the general public need to exercise their right to vote.
Mr. Stark returned at 7:20 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to amend the following resolution
RESOLVED, that a Special District Meeting will be held on
June 20, 2006 for the purpose of a re-vote on the 2006-07 School Budget and a Capital Reserve Fund proposition; and
Community
Comments
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
May 23, 2006
Page 4
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a public hearing will be held on
June 6, 2006 for the presentation of the 2006-07 school budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopts
the following propositions that will appear on the ballot at the
Budget Re-vote on June 20, 2006:
Shall the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District be authorized to expend the sums set forth in the budget in the amount of $93,152,740, as proposed, during the 2006-2007 school year and levy the tax therefor?
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes of acquisition, design, planning, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, preservation, development, improvement or modernization of school facilities in the following areas: roofs and masonry renovations, electrical systems renovations, heating, ventilations and air conditioning systems, sites and site work, paving and sidewalk renovations, locker room and stage renovations, window replacements and renovations to bring the school district in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and such fund shall be for a period not to exceed five ( 5 ) years, in an amount not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000 ), and shall be financed from unallocated district funds, state aid for the purpose of capital improvements, donations, or an annual tax levy, not to exceed one million five hundred thousand ($1,500,000).
Mrs. Montefusco stated that the establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, as proposed, will have no impact on the tax levy for 2006-07, if approved by the taxpayers; and, that a public referendum will be put before the public before any monies are expended.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion to Amend Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to approve the following resolution as amended:
-Proposition Budget
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Minutes
Board of Education
May 23, 2006
Page 5
RESOLVED, that a Special District Meeting will be held on
June 20, 2006 for the purpose of a re-vote on the 2006-07 School Budget and a Capital Reserve Fund proposition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a public hearing will be held on
June 6, 2006 for the presentation of the 2006-07 school budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopts
the following propositions that will appear on the ballot at the
Budget Re-vote on June 20, 2006:
Shall the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District be authorized to expend the sums set forth in the budget in the amount of $93,152,740, as proposed, during the 2006-2007 school year and levy the tax therefor?
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund for the purposes of acquisition, design, planning, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, preservation, development, improvement or modernization of school facilities in the following areas: roofs and masonry renovations, electrical systems renovations, heating, ventilations and air conditioning systems, sites and site work, paving and sidewalk renovations, locker room and stage renovations, window replacements and renovations to bring the school district in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and such fund shall be for a period not to exceed five ( 5 ) years, in an amount not to exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000 ), and shall be financed from unallocated district funds, state aid for the purpose of capital improvements, donations, or an annual tax levy, not to exceed one million five hundred thousand ($1,500,000).
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried as Amended.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Stark, to adjourn the meeting.
-Capital Reserve Fund
Proposition
-Approved as
Amended
Adjournment
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Minutes
Board of Education
Board of Education
Page 6
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara O’Kula
District Clerk