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(130)
MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting – January 13, 2004
Riverhead High School Auditorium
PRESENT: President, Mrs. Mary Ellen Harkin; Vice President,
Mrs. Nancy G. Gassert; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; Mr. Timothy
Griffing; Mrs. Lori H. Montefusco; and, Mrs. Marypat Takacs.
ABSENT: Mr. Timothy Hubbard.
ALSO PRESENT: George Duffy III, Joseph Ogeka, Carol
Perkins, Margaret Staib, Dr. Leonard Adler of SCOPE and Christopher
Powers, Esq.
President, Mrs. Harkin, opened the meeting at 6:37 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 personnel.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 6:38
p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to return to open session.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:42 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 7:48 p.m.
There were about 115 other people in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Barbara O’Kula.
Pledge of Allegiance
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
(131)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 2
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Takacs,
to amend the agenda and delete the following items from the
Civil Service Personnel Recommedations:
Conditional Appointment with Conditional Clearance/Change
in Status
Rosanne Ponzo – To: School Teacher Aide, effective 1/5/04.
Change in Status-Fingerprint Clearance
Marjorie Baez – Bilingual Aide, effective 12/10/03.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion to Amend Agenda Carried.
Barbara Barosa, President of the Riverhead Central Faculty
Association, was proud to introduce nine winners in the intermediate
category of the RCFA Essay Contest. Each read their
winning essay of 100 words or less on “How My School
Makes Me A Better Person”. They were presented
their awards along with a gift certificate from Borders.
Kim Skinner, High School Physics teacher, was pleased to present
a trophy that was awarded to participating students in her
advance placement physics class. The students won second
place in a pumpkin distance-throwing contest held at the Suffolk
County Farm in Yaphank using their own design of a catapult
launch.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Takacs,
to approve the minutes of the following meeting:
Regular Meeting – November 18, 2003
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
Amend Agenda
-Approved
Student Presentation
-Barbara Barosa/RCFA
AP Physics Catapult Contest Winners
-Kim Skinner
Approval of Minutes
-Approved
(132)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 3
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of November
2003 and the following Schedule of Bills for the month of
November 2003:
Fund
Check Numbers
Amount
Trust & Agency
6039-6119
$2,150,844.26
General Fund
8385-8673
1,416,595.89
Federal Funds
6912-6933
804,023.25
Cafeteria
7191-7226
73,892.02
Extraclassroom
3716-3726
9,141.96
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The presentation with regard to the Kiddie Academy of Riverhead
by Thomas Denicola did not transpire.
The Superintendent commented on the following:
-congratulations to Leif Shay for being selected as Suffolk
County
Football Coach of the Year, as well as, being awarded
Educator of
the Year by the News Review
-spoke on the opportunity to testify before the Assembly Standing
Committee on Education about the district’s lack
of adequate
funding and the special needs of our students. He
was
accompanied by Mrs. Harkin and parent, Marie Tooker.
-ongoing efforts on his part and that of Mrs. Montefusco (as
task
force members) to discuss appropriate state funding
for education
with Senator LaValle
-announced change in schedule of the next Board meeting from
January 27 to January 26, 2004.
Mrs. Takacs noted the reduction in special education student
enrollment from 18.8% since 1999-2000 to 11.6% in 2003-04.
This reduction corresponds with the increase in enrollment
in Riverhead schools and parochial schools. These impressive
statistics are a reflection of the tremendous efforts by staff,
Betsy Chappell (Director of Special Education) and the Superintendent
of Schools.
Treasurer’s Report and
Schedule of Bills
-Approved
Opportunity for
Superintendent
Opportunity for
Board Members
(133)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 4
Mrs. Harkin provided an update on the highest court ruling
to implement the necessary measures/plan for a sound and basic
education for students in New York State by July 2004. Seven-hundred
responses were received and will be forwarded to the State
in protest of the under-funding to the Riverhead Central School
District. The average median income in the Town of Riverhead
is approximately $45,000, yet, as a result of the large agricultural
base and other environmental protected/preserved lands, we
are considered land wealthy. The High School is overcrowded
and buildings are in need of repair. Riverhead receives
only 29¢ on the dollar in building aid while neighboring
school districts receive 45¢ and as much as 80¢
on the dollar. Our voices must be heard to make a difference.
She also extended appreciation to Marie Tooker to gather
information and testify before the Senate Committee and panel
in pursuit of reformation of the current state aid formula
and realization of a lower tax burden upon the taxpayers of
the school district.
Community comments included:
-“thank you” to teachers and aides for the wonderful
job
they do to educate our children
-confirmation of Superintendent’s departure and starting
date of employment at Seaford Schools (Mr. Duffy’s
tendered resignation effective 2/13/04 appears on
tonight’s Board agenda)
-Melissa Danowski, Treasurer of the Student Government,
thanked the school board for their support of all school
organizations and informed them that during the Christmas
holiday, students collected presents, etc. for 92 poverty
stricken
families in the area
-questionable infraction of the use of district-owned vehicle
by the
Superintendent to go to Seaford Schools for non-district
purposes
-call to remove the district’s legal counsel perceived
by some to
have negotiated in favor of the Superintendent and not
the school
district. Mrs. Harkin stated that the contract
was, in fact, favorable
for the district. Mrs. Montefusco added that certain
safety nets
previously in place in the contract were removed with
the second
amendment. Mr. Powers then detailed the original
contract and
Community
Comments
(134)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 5
subsequent amendments. Mr. Griffing lauded the Superintendent’s
community and political ties. When the amendment was
considered, it was thought to be prudent to keep the current
Superintendent rather than incur additional costs to hire
an interim over and above the superintendent’s current
salary.
-inquiry as to whether anyone in the school district will
assume or
has applied to replace Mr. Duffy’s position.
Mrs. Harkin stated
that no one has stepped forward and that the Board of
Education
will be conducting a search for an interim and Superintendent
of
Schools.
-concern on dropout rate at High School of 8%. Mrs.
Harkin
expressed the Board’s concern and every effort
to reduce
those numbers.
A motion was made by Mrs. Montefusco, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
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
10/15/03
205670
10/21/03
214048, 214051, 214115, 215095, 216503
10/22/03
210107, 210550, 210726, 210738,
211107, 211191, 211547, 211567,
211652, 210742
10/23/03
206703, 207472, 207778, 208567,
209006, 209136, 209793, 211364,
212396, 213214, 214149, 215102,
215535, 216510
10/27/03
205566, 209080*, 215111*, 216200*
10/28/03
204447, 205141, 206096, 212016,
212602, 212658, 213021
Committee on
Special Education
-Approved
(135)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 6
10/29/03
201512, 203003, 203009, 203232,
203318, 203344, 204002, 205001,
205217, 205331, 205660, 207614,
207823, 212483
11/03/03
203279, 204447, 206451, 207468,
206034, 207799
11/05/03
204404, 205180, 205223, 205347,
204455, 205695, 206040, 206276,
206757, 206769, 207290, 207472*,
210705, 211081
11/06/03
202543*, 206385*, 206612, 213194*,
212399, 214038, 216178
11/12/03
206703
11/13/03
211495, 212177, 214017, 216147,
208036, 210528, 213516, 213608,
214527, 215097, 216168
11/18/03
212006, 212025, 212058, 212640, 214444
11/19/03
203136, 203615, 204382, 205006,
205051, 205583, 205598, 205708,
206015, 206068, 206423, 206779*,
207799, 207828
11/20/03
207304, 207775, 208005, 208073, 208077,
209006, 209414, 209659, 209802
11/24/03
207468, 207274, 207724
11/25/03
211563*, 213215*
12/01/03
207518
12/02/03
203006, 203705, 204058, 205001, 205198,
205621, 206034, 206211, 206219, 206757,
207032
12/03/03
210021, 210070, 210118,
210517, 211463,
211607, 211671*
12/04/03
216120, 216259
C.P.S.E. MEETING STUDENT NUMBERS
10/21/03
214048. 214051, 214115, 215095, 216503
10/22/03
210107, 210550, 210726, 210738, 210742,
211107, 211191, 211547, 211567, 211652
10/23/03
206703
*High Cost Student
(136)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 7
Yes 6 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 attendance of students at a HUGS
weekend to Camp Quinnipet, Shelter Island originally scheduled
for December 6-8, 2003 (approved by the Board of Education
on October 28, 2003) which has now been rescheduled for the
weekend of January 23-25, 2004. The students will be
accompanied by chaperone. There will be a cost to the
district to provide one bus for transportation and is subject
to approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
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 attendance of Riverhead High
School students to the Interact-ing Retreat at the Silver
Bay Association, Silver Bay, New York (on Lake George) on
February 6-8, 2004 at no cost to the district. Transportation
is subject to approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes 6 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 request of the Girls’ Varsity
Winter Track Team to attend the Yale Interscholastic Track
Classic on January 16-17, 2004 at Yale University, New Haven,
Connecticut. Costs to the district are limited to the
entry fee of $284,
Change in Dates/HUGS
Overnight Field Trip
-Approved
Annual Interact-ing
Retreat
-Approved
Out of State/Overnight
Field Trip
-Approved
(137)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 8
transportation (one school bus) and cost of lodging for two
coaches and the school bus driver. Transportation is
subject to approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
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 Varsity Boys’
Track Head Coach to attend the Suffern High School Indoor
Track and Field Meet on January 18-19, 2004 at Rockland County
Community College Field House in Suffern, New York. Costs
to the district are limited to the entry fee of $306 plus
lodging for two coaches and use of a district bus driver for
one night @ $99 each. A district bus is requested and
transportation is subject to approval pursuant to Board policy.
Yes 6 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 gratefully acknowledges the donation of an
irrigation system (upon completion of installation) for the
courtyard at Riley Avenue Elementary School by the Riley Avenue
Parents’ Association.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
to approve the following resolution:
Overnight Trip
-Approved
Donation
-Approved
Health Services
Contract
-Approved
(138)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 9
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the health service contract with
East Islip School District for the 2003/04 school year for
two students @ $514.73 = $1,029.46
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, bids for Sale of District-Owned Surplus Vehicles
were opened on December 18, 2003, and
WHEREAS, the Director of Transportation and the Assistant
Superintendent for Business have reviewed such bids, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District awards the following items to the qualified
highest responsible bidders meeting specifications:
VENDOR
ITEMS
AMOUNT
Michael Mujsce
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,
$2,125.00
12,14
Morris Cesspool Service 13
800.00
T.J. Star Industries, Inc.
9,10
113.00
Mary M. Edler
1, 11
75.00
FYI: Interested bidders having any affiliation with the school
district were excluded from the bidding process.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the following change order and authorizes
the President of the Board of Education to sign such certifications:
Bid Award
-Sale of District-
Owned Vehicles
-Approved
Approval of
Change Order No. 3
-Approved
(139)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 10
Change Order No.: 3
Contractor: Angelo Capobianco, Inc.
Date: December 24, 2003
SED Project No.: 58060204-0005-008
Project: General Construction Work @ Aquebogue Elementary
School
Change Order Amount: Credit Amount of $3,307.00
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
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:
Conditional Appointment with Conditional Clearance
Paul Epperlein – Substitute Teacher, effective 1/14/04.
Extension of Emergency 20-Day Conditional Appointments
Susan Boyle – Substitute Teacher, To: 1/20/04-2/8/04.
Marzena Harris – ESL Teacher, Phillips Avenue/Aquebogue
Schools, To: 1/11/04-1/30/04.
Katherine Schaum – Substitute Teacher, To: 1/20/04-2/8/04.
Change in Status-Fingerprint Clearance
Jenifer Bertolone – Mathematics Teacher, Middle School,
effective
1/5/04.
Stephanie Giamundo – Music Teacher, Middle/Pulaski Street
Schools, effective 1/5/04.
Suzanne Krupski – Guidance Counselor, High School, effective
12/1/03.
Keri Conaty – Substitute Teacher, effective 12/10/03.
David Huey – Substitute Teacher, effective 12/10/03.
Professional
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved
(140)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 11
Contract Extensions
Sharon Rosenfeld – Speech Pathologist, Roanoke Avenue,
To: 2/1/04-6/25/04.
Megan Zureck – Library Media Specialist, Riley Avenue,
To: 2/2/04-6/30/04.
Appointments
Steven Paterno – English Teacher, High School, effective
1/14/04-
6/30/04.
George Lavin – Substitute Teacher, effective 1/14/04.
Thomas Tomaszewski – Substitute Teacher, effective 1/14/04.
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Ilene Chafetz – Elementary Teacher, Riley Avenue, effective
3/16/04-3/23/04.
Request for Maternity/Child Care Leave of Absence/FMLA
Kathryn Graves – Science Teacher, Middle School, effective
4/19/04-5/28/04 (using accumulated sick days) 5/31/04-8/20/04
(FMLA).
Gina Kudrzycki – Special Education Teacher, High School,
effective 2/23/04-4/2/04 (using accumulated sick days)
4/5/04-
6/25/04 (FMLA).
Christine Shay – Art Teacher, Middle School, effective
1/26/04-
4/23/04 (using accumulated sick days) 4/27/04-6/25/04
(FMLA).
Request for Extension of Child Care Leave of Absence
Wendy Finter – Elementary Teacher, Roanoke Avenue, To:
2/1/04-
6/30/04.
Ellen Knieriemen – Speech Pathologist, Riley Avenue
School,
To: 2/10/04-6/30/04.
Stacy Seal – Elementary Teacher, Riley Avenue, To: 2/1/04-
6/30/04.
Resignation
George L. Duffy III – Superintendent of Schools, effective
2/13/04.
(141)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 12
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Montefusco, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
to approve the following resolution as amended:
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
Jennifer Crosby – Special Education Aide, Roanoke Avenue
School, effective 9/1/03.
Elizabeth Densieski – Account Clerk Typist, Transportation
Dept.,
effective 12/29/03.
Change in Hours
Maureen Madigan – Bus Driver, To: 6 Hours per day, effective
1/19/04.
Julie Snow – Bus Driver, To: 8 Hours per day, effective
1/19/04.
Returning from Leave of Absence
Joyce Remski – Special Education Aide, Pulaski Street,
effective
1/5/04.
Permanent Appointment from Contract Appointment
Terrell B. Brown – Special Education Aide, Pulaski Street,
effective
1/5/04.
Appointments
Theresa Cahill – Substitute Custodial Worker I, effective
1/14/04.
Warren Fischer – Substitute Custodial Worker I, effective
1/14/04.
Dawn Muller – Substitute School Teacher Aide/School
Monitor,
effective 1/14/04.
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Lynn Foden – School Teacher Aide, effective 2/10/04-2/19/04.
Civil Service
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved as
Amended
(142)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 13
Retirement
Vicky Albin – School Bus Driver, effective 12/26/03.
Resignation
Laura Dow – School Monitor, effective 12/19/03.
Yes 6 No 0
Approved as Amended.
Members of the community applauded Mr. Duffy’s leadership
and accomplishments during his tenure. Another person
requested that the community be kept informed of any candidates
for Superintendent. Mrs. Montefusco requested that a
committee of parents, teachers and Board members be established
in the search for a new superintendent.
A resident of Flanders requested an update on the proposed
Industrial Park adjacent to the Phillips Avenue Elementary
School. Mr. Duffy informed the public that the school
board has no power of authority on the site’s development.
However, close contact with the Town of Southampton
will be maintained. Should any requests for structure
or development be made, the Board of Education will be notified
immediately and any impact upon the
community will be further investigated and discussed.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to recess to executive session. No action will be taken
upon return to open session.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 9:05
p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
to return to open session.
Community
Comments
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
(143)
Minutes
Board of Education
January 13, 2004
Page 14
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 10:27 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Takacs,
to adjourn the meeting.
Yes 6 No 0
Motion Carried.
The meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara J. O’Kula
District Clerk
Adjournment
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