(313)
MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting Ð May 10, 2005
Riverhead High School Auditorium
PRESENT: President, Mrs. Lori H. Montefusco; Vice President, Mrs. Nancy Gassert; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; and, Mr. Timothy Hubbard.
ABSENT: Mr. Timothy Griffing.
LATE: Mrs. Mary Ellen Harkin and Mrs. Christine Prete.
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Paul R. Doyle, Mr. Joseph Singleton, Mr. Joseph Ogeka and Ms. Nancy Carney.
President, Mrs. Montefusco, opened the meeting at 5:54 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny, to recess to executive session to discuss Collective Bargaining (CSEA) and personnel negotiations.
Yes 4 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 5:55 p.m.
Mrs. Prete arrived at 6:05 p.m.
Mrs. Harkin arrived at 6:12 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny, to return to open session.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:40 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 7:48 p.m.
There were about 75 other people in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Barbara OÕKula.
Pledge of Allegiance
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
(314)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 2
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to amend the agenda as follows:
Change:
Tenure Appointment
Tracee Beroza Ð English to Speakers of Other Languages,
effective 8/31/05.
Add:
Reinstate
Michelle Leykum Ð ABA Service, effective 4/20/05.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion to Amend Agenda Carried.
The public hearing on the proposed 2005/06 budget commenced at 7:50 p.m. There was no public comment on the proposed 2005/06 budget. The $87,646,337 budget is scheduled for a vote on May 17, 2005 at the Riverhead High School gymnasium from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It represents a spending increase of 5.48% over the current yearÕs budget. The public hearing concluded at 7:52 p.m.
The candidates who are vying for the three vacancies on the Board of Education were each given approximately three minutes to make a statement in support of their candidacy. They spoke in the order as their names will appear on the ballot:
Nancy G. Gassert
Kathleen V. Berezny
Salvatore C. Mastropaolo
W. Brian Stark
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the TreasurerÕs and Budget Transactions Reports for the month of March 2005.
Mr. Doyle commented on the following:
-the EPCAL site is not a Òdone dealÓ and the school board is
contemplating the recommendation made by the Space
Planning Committee and considering other alternatives
-Approved
Re: Proposed Budget
2005/06
& Budget Transactions
-March 2005
-Approved
Opportunity for
Superintendent
(315)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 3
-the central administrative positions of an Assistant
Superintendent for Curriculum, Assistant Superintendent for
Personnel and Assistant Superintendent for Business have
remained the same and not increased
-the staff of administration at the High School remains consistent
with that of a principal and three assistant principals, as well as,
consistency of a principal and an assistant at the Middle School
-the district has shown constraint in eliminating an administrative
position in the Office of Pupil Personnel Services
Mrs. Montefusco commented on the following:
-there will be a work session on June 14, 2005 at
7:00 p.m. at the High School to discuss the Space Planning
CommitteeÕs recommendation and potential alternatives
to a building project with representatives from the districtÕs
architects, BBS. Community input is being sought to
assess information and move forward with the project.
-informed the community that the Town Board has agreed to
transfer the 50 acres at EPCAL with the condition that a
school is built on the parcel
-impressive display of artwork at the Art in Action program
and acknowledgement of staff who worked so diligently to
bring the event to fruition
Mrs. Prete suggested that a link be added to the school
website as another venue to receive communications from the public. She, also, informed the audience that the district is hopeful that SED approval on the portables will be received in the next two weeks; and, expressed concern that students are receiving minimal instruction in the music program that should be addressed by the Board.
Mrs. Berezny congratulated the Blue Masques for their superb production of Into the Woods.
Comments from the community are:
-opposition to the viability to build a school on the
former Grumman site based on her extensive research
and documentation of alleged contaminated/Superfund
sites on the parcel and that the State prohibits placement
of a school within two miles of a toxic waste site
(Mrs. Montefusco stated that the district will examine all
(316)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 4
appropriate options and will place no child in danger and had documentation provided by the Town attesting to the absence of contamination at Grumman according to the Department of Environmental Conservation).
-low current state aid ratio of 30% vs. 50% years ago
-treatment toward minority children and lack of a nurse at Roanoke
to attend to a medical situation (Mr. Doyle stated that the district
is committed to fair treatment toward all children in partnership
with the professional staff
and parents)
-support of a centrally located site for a new school
-appreciation to the candidates to attend Meet the Candidates
Night on May 4th that will be aired on Channel 22 and broadcast of
Something of Substance, a special about the Council for Unity on
Channel 18 at 10:00 p.m. every Wednesday during the month of
May
-clarification that the Riverhead High School Rowing Club is not
a district sponsored club
-timeliness of posting for positions of Assistant Principal and
Spanish teacher (Mr. Doyle stated that the positions will be
advertised shortly with the intent to hire before September)
-clarification of plans for eight portables vs. voter approved $1.1
million for ten portables (Mr. Singleton stated that the High School
did not need ten at this time and that the District ensured that the
approved funds are adequate to fit within the dollars approved by
the community to meet the restricted proposal).
-when will the District interview for the position of Assistant
Superintendent for Business (Mr. Doyle stated that the District
will seek resumes to secure the most qualified person to hire
long-term and maintain quality of the organization)
-suggestion that the District explore new methods of hiring and
seek to fill the position of a Buildings and Grounds administrator
held by an interim for at least two years
-Denise Civiletti informed the public that all documents about
remediation of the sites at EPCAL are in volumes at the
Riverhead Free Library and available on-line to draw conclusions
to allegations of designated Superfund sites
-location of portables (Mr. Singleton stated that the original site
outside the custodial wing of the High School has been rejected
by the engineer and will now be proposed to move just west of the
entrance into the cafeteria Ð the architects will brief the public at
the May 24 meeting)
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
Special Education
(317)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 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
2/28/05 211004
3/3/05 207055, 208028, 208049, 208124, 208404,
208409, 209001, 209065, 209109, 209136,
209686
3/8/05 205389, 206110, 211693, 212016
3/9/05 209138, 211005, 212035, 212602, 212556,
212658, 212691
3/10/05 205081, 205384, 206302, 206607, 206779,
207185, 207290, 207609, 207827, 207850,
208378, 208465, 207146, 208232,
208341, 208451, 208535, 209714
3/30/05 210008*, 210025, 213562*
3/31/05 204123, 205139, 205292, 205314, 205334,
205404, 206664, 207564, 207771, 208480
4/5/05 203269, 204002, 204010, 207349, 207473,
207455, 207803, 207816, 208037, 208702
4/13/05 207403
3/30/05 218165, 219201, 218206, 219217, 219028,
218142, 219086, 218174, 218186, 218036,
219157, 218190
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
-Approved
-Supplemental File
-Approved
(318)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 6
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the revised language in the following proposition to be placed 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 2004-05 General Funds 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 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. Montefusco expressed concern about the language/wording of the proposition to be placed on the ballot authorizing the expenditure of $700,000 from previously authorized binds and that voters will not realize that this will have no impact upon property taxes. She recommended the addition of a line to indicate Òno increase in tax rateÓ. Mr. Singleton stated that an added line is not allowed by the Commissioner of Education and forecloses the opportunity to put in the proposition; to do otherwise could invalidate the vote. Legal counsel, bonding counsel and auditors advise that the language be spelled out. The proposition allows the District to spend the money already on hand as part of the capital project to submit to the State Education Department to enable us to get state aid.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District accepts the second reading of Board Policy #6650-R Ð Internal Claims Auditor Regulation.
Second Reading of
Board Policy #6650-R
-Internal Claims Auditor
Regulation
-Approved
(319)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 7
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District appoints the following persons for the annual School District Budget Vote and Election of Board Members on May 17, 2005:
Chairperson: Edward Doherty
Alternate Chairperson: Barbara OÕKula
Inspectors of Election: Adele Abrahamson, Toni Gallo, Victoria Farruggia, Deborah Goroleski, Gail Kappenberg, Katherine Konkel, Marie Lennon, Deborah Masterson, Barbara Reichel, John Reichel, Patricia Schmitt, Josephine Sideratos, Emily Whitney, Gail Yeager (Chief Inspector of Election).
Poll Clerks: Justyna Breitenbach, Jane Brown, Virginia Carrick, Anita Conforti, Holly Chew, Ann Engelhardt, Tracy Evans, Dorothy Exum, Mary Hatcher, Dorothy Haupt, Barbara Jehle, Alice Kubacki, Irene Lachick, Jean Lapinski, Frances Mapes, Dennis Mueller, Linda Mueller, Jeannette Ott, Patricia Raynor,
Mary Skiba, Toni Vodola and Alison Wickham.
Alternates: Lenard Makowski, Eloise Parker and Maryann Soika.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the Health Services Contract with the Port Jefferson U.F.S.D. for three (3) students at $505.48 per student for a total cost of $1,516.44 for the 2004/05 school year.
-Approved
-Approved
(320)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 8
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves the Health Services Contract with the Three Village Central School District for two (2) students at $576.54 per student for a total cost of $1,153.08 for the 2004/05 school year.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District gratefully accepts the donation of the following six (6) books from the High School PTSO to the High School library:
The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson
Acts of Light Ð Emily Dickinson
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Ð Selected Poems
A Night Without Armor Poems by Jewel
Loving Through Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Hope Through Heartsongs by Mattie J.T. Stepanek
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Harkin, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to approve the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District declares as surplus the following outdated, non-working, non-repairable computer equipment at Phillips Avenue Elementary School:
(6) HP Deskjet Printers
(3) LaserJet Printers
(2) Monitors
(2) CPU Units
(1) small laminating machine
and, authorizes the appropriate disposal of such.
-High School PTSO
-Approved
-Approved
(321)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 9
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District declares as surplus one (1) Brother Typewriter, EM-605, Serial No. L13339279, Property Tag N. 07529, Riverhead Central School District No. 001463, as outdated and non-working in the High School Library; and, authorizes the appropriate disposal of such.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Harkin, to approve the following resolution as amended:
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:
Change in Status-Fingerprint Clearance
Elise Bertolas Ð Substitute Teacher, effective 4/20/05-6/30/05.
Daniel Hafner, Jr. Ð Substitute Teacher, effective 4/18/05.
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointments
Thomas Payton Ð Principal, To: 5/8/05-5/27/05; From: 4/18/05-
5/7/05.
Dr. Kevin Stack Ð Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services &
Special Education, To: 5/10/05-5/29/05; From: 4/20/05-5/9/05.
Michelle Accardi Ð Physical Education, effective 8/31/05.
Jennifer Bay Ð Social Studies 7-12, effective 8/31/05.
Tracee Beroza Ð English to Speakers of Other Languages,
effective 8/31/05.
Patrick Burke- Social Studies 7-12, effective 8/31/05.
Maryellen Carr Ð Biology-General Science 7-12, effective 8/31/05.
Kathleen Devlin Ð Pre-Kindergarten-6th, effective 8/31/05.
Jamie Draskin Ð Pre-Kindergarten-6th, effective 8/31/05.
Lawrence Horowitz Ð Chemistry & General Science 7-12, effective
8/31/05.
Suzanna Lomagno Ð Pre-Kindergarten-6th, effective 8/31/05.
Carol MacQuarrie Ð Spanish 7-12, effective 8/31/05.
Christopher Malanga Ð Technology, effective 8/31/05.
-Approved as Amended
(322)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 10
Samantha McGunnigle Ð Physical Education, effective 8/31/05.
Cheryl Mustacchio Ð Physical Education, effective 8/31/05.
Jennifer Simoes Ð Pre-Kindergarten-6th, effective 8/31/05.
Christy Van Housen Ð School Counselor, effective 8/31/05.
Brenda Tuttle Ð Library Media Specialist, effective 9/23/05.
Change in Status
Kristen Hazard Ð To: Science Teacher; From: Contract
Replacement, effective 9/1/04-8/31/07.
Intramural Coaching Appointments
Thomas Zay Ð Intramural Tennis, effective 5/9/05-6/7/05.
Jerome Duvall Ð Intramural Tennis, effective 5/9/05-6/7/05.
Darren Dunn Ð Intramural Lacrosse, effective 4/11/05-5/27/05.
Chad Haverty Ð Intramural Golf, effective 3/21/05-5/5/05.
Request for Paid Leave of Absence-Child Adoption
Maureen Ahern Ð Elementary Art Teacher, anticipated date in
May 2005.
Michelle Leykum Ð ABA Service, effective 4/20/05.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried as Amended.
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:
Change in Status-Fingerprint Clearance
Charles Clairborne Ð Substitute Guard, effective 3/23/05-6/30/05.
Extension of Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointment
Rosemary Menarchem Ð Senior Account Clerk Typist,
To: 5/10/05-5/29/05; From: 4/20/05-5/9/05.
Christopher Hand Ð Chief Custodian, To: 5/18/05-6/6/05.
-Approved
(323)
Minutes
Board of Education
May 10, 2005
Page 11
Appointments
Clair Smith Ð Substitute Guard, effective 5/11/05-6/30/05.
Rose Osborne Ð Substitute Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
5/11/05-6/30/05.
Change in Status
Arthur Laskowski Ð To: Substitute Custodial Worker I; From:
Part-time Custodial Worker I, effective 4/20/05-6/30/05.
Vincent Ciolino Ð To: School Bus Driver; From: Substitute School
Bus Driver, effective 5/16/05.
Frank Stawski Ð To: School Bus Driver; From: Substitute School Bus Driver, effective 5/16/05.
Keith Kramer Ð School Bus Driver, effective 5/16/05.
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Kathy Karabiberoglu Ð Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
4/11/05-6/24/05.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Prete, to table 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:
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Albert Carter Ð Custodial Worker I, effective 5/16/05-6/24/05.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion to Table Carried.
A motion was made by Mr