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MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting – February 10, 2004
Riverhead High School Auditorium
PRESENT: President, Mrs. Mary Ellen Harkin; Vice President,
Mrs. Nancy G. Gassert; Mrs. Kathleen Berezny; Mr. Timothy
Griffing; Mr. Timothy Hubbard; Mrs. Lori H. Montefusco; and,
Mrs. Marypat Takacs.
ALSO PRESENT: Dr. Robert D. Pinckney, Mr. Joseph Ogeka,
Mrs. Peggie Staib, Ms. Carol Perkins, Christopher Powers,
Esq.
Board President, Mrs. Harkin, opened the meeting at 6:30 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 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education recessed to executive session at 6:31
p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
to return to open session.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:55 p.m.
A brief recess followed.
The meeting resumed at 8:04 p.m.
There were about 70 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
February 10, 2004
Page 2
Bill Groth, Athletic Director, offered the proposed 2004/05
budget for the department that coordinates almost 700 athletic
events a year, both at home and away. The proposed budget
includes:
-contractual increases
-seven assistant coaching positions and one new Middle School
girls’ volleyball team aimed to increase instruction
-AED equipment and training (a district-wide program to have
defibrillators in place at each building)
-athletic equipment/repairs and supplies
-consultants/ambulatory services
-conferences and competition fees
David Loddengaard, Music Director, presented the program’s
proposed 2004/05 budget for instruction of approximately 1000
students. Essentially the same as last year, the 2004/05
proposed budget contains slight increases in supplies, contractual
agreements and the request to reinstate the teaching position
that was eliminated last year in order to maintain the 4th
grade program (now limited to two classes per month).
Existing staff could provide weekly instruction at the 5th
and 6th grade levels if the fourth grade program were to be
eliminated. However, to address the Board’s
concerns as to impact upon students’ chances to compete
in state-wide competitions, he stated that such opportunities
would be furthered with instruction beginning at the fourth
grade level.
In the company of his administrative staff, Mr. Merone, High
School Principal, prefaced the presentation of the High School’s
proposed 2004/05 budget by stating that test results continue
to improve citing 91% passing the Math A exam administered
in January. The High School proposed budget includes:
-financial support of the Robotics Club currently operating
on
private donation
-one (1) additional clerical person
-equipment (i.e., DVD/VCR recording system, high powered
functional computers, twenty-five computers for the
lab)
Budget Workshop
-Athletics
-Music
-High School
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 3
-textbooks for the Criminal Justice Program and for Math A
and
ELA curriculum (unfunded mandates)
-consideration of $10,000 in funding for the continuation
of the
Council for Unity Program
-request for new or reasonably priced security camera/system
(present conditions of malfunction and inoperative apparatus
pose vulnerability)
-one Spanish teacher, two more security guards (necessary
to
patrol both inside and out), one additional social worker,
.5
physical education teacher, two additional MATH AIS
(intervention) teachers and five contingent positions
due to growth
At 8:50 p.m., the Board of Education took pause to hear a
recital given by the Riverhead High School students and Music
Department faculty.
The meeting resumed at 10:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard,
to approve the minutes of the following meeting:
Regular Meeting – January 13, 2004
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard,
to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December
2003 and the following Schedule of Bills for the month of
December 2003:
Fund
Check Numbers
Amount
General Fund
8674-9155
$4,380,516.94
Trust & Agency
6120-6195
2,183,914.77
Federal Funds
6934-6967
1,377,882.93
Cafeteria
7227-7274
354,541.08
Capital Expansion 2132-2134
178,908.15
Extraclassroom
3727-3739 12,180.95
Riverhead High School
Student-Faculty Recital
Approval of Minutes
-January 13, 2004
-Approved
Treasurer’s Report &
Schedule of Bills
-December 2003
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 4
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
At the invitation of HUGS (Human Understanding Group Seminars),
Mrs. Berezny participated in a weekend trip to Camp
Quinnipet on Shelter Island. She was impressed with
the itinerary and experience for the students and herself.
She also thanked John Merone, Matt DeVincenzo, Dali Rastello
and Alison Conroy for their efforts to coordinate the 8th
grade High School orientation night when a comprehensive overview
of the programs and changes was shared. She mentioned
the Middle School PTO presentation of student awareness of
gang violence in concert with the Suffolk County Probation
Department’s involvement to pursue a pro-active role
in keeping students and parents involved.
The Board of Education complimented the High School students
and faculty for their talented and professional recital.
Mrs. Takacs expressed her pleasure to be entertained by faculty
performing with students in their delightful music program
this evening.
Mrs. Gassert commended the varsity cheerleaders for their
success to place 2nd in the Long Island Championship competition.
Mrs. Harkin updated the community on lobbying efforts as she
went to Albany to ask the Assembly to consider Riverhead’s
special needs and concerns in the state’s attempt to
reformulate the distribution of state aid to New York City
schools and throughout the State. She recommended that
stipends be considered for districts like us with a high percentage
of land off the tax rolls and farmland that portrays us as
being land wealthy. On February 5th, Mrs. Montefusco,
Mrs. Gassert and Mrs. Takacs met with AQE (Alliance for Quality
Education) to ensure that our needs are included in the reformation
of the state aid formula, as well as, to address the Assembly
Ways and Means Committee in the same regard.
Opportunity for
Board Members
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 5
Comments expressed by community members included:
-unfairness to taxpayers to interrupt budget sessions with
programs that could be held at other opportune times
-request to keep the Alternative School budget separate from
that of the High School
-to make instruments available to students who cannot afford
them (approximately $42,000 from the Coca-Cola pouring
rights
contract provides a certain percentage to buy instruments
for
applicable situations)
-elaboration on costs for two Math AIS and five contingent
positions at the High School (proposed budgets will
be refined in
the best interests of the taxpayers’ ability to
pay)
-does the district’s liability insurance cover parents
on field trips,
etc. to which the answer was “yes”
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to accept 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
12/16/03
211670, 212046, 212062, 212283, 212640,
216223, 216330, 216513
12/17/03
203060, 204201, 205138, 205270, 205331,
206612, 206734*, 207799
12/18/03
206276*, 207067, 207084, 207258, 207518,
207829, 208023, 208107, 208409, 209007,
209065, 209134
01/06/04
204239, 204447, 205347, 205282, 205718
C.P.S.E. MEETING STUDENT NUMBERS
12/10/03
217303, 218218, 218203, 219160, 217018,
218215, 218097, 217302, 217301, 217188
*High Cost Student
Community
Comments
Committee on
Special Education
-Accepted
-Supplemental File
(160)
Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 6
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
of Schools, the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District extends the 55-64 pass rate option for students,
leading to the awarding of a local diploma for current high
school students as well as those entering ninth grade in 2004.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the biennial District Site-Based
Plan effective February 1, 2004.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the adoption of legislative changes
in the New York State Real Property Tax Law effective for
the 2004-05 tax bills as follows:
Chapter 462 increases the income limit for disabled persons
by $2,500 to a maximum income of $32,400, and
Chapter 512 increases the income limit for senior citizens
by $2,500 to a maximum of $32,400.
Extension of 55-64
Pass Rate
-Approved
District Site-Based Plan
-Approved
Tax Exemption for
Senior Citizens & Disabled
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 7
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District authorizes the use of 1-2 district buses to
transport children and volunteers to the East End Hospice’s
Camp Good Grief bereavement summer camp that will take place
on July 19-23, 2004 at St. Gabriel’s Spiritual Center
for Youth on Shelter
Island.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
No action was taken on the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the agreement between the Riverhead
Central School District and Wiedersum Associates Architects,
PLLC the facilities study of existing building and sites,
the proposed high school and any other facility and/or additions,
renovations, reconstruction work that will meet the educational
needs of the Riverhead Central School District; and, authorizes
the President of the Board of Education to sign the Owner
Architect Agreement.
No Action Taken.
A motion was made by Mr. Griffing, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District approves the participation of the Varsity
Softball Team at Spring Training to Walt Disney World in Orlando,
Florida on April 3-9,2004. Cost to the district will
be transportation of the players, coaches and parents to Islip/MacArthur
Airport on the day of departure and back to Riverhead High
School on the day of
return.
East End Hospice
Transportation
-Approved
Wiedersum Associates
Contract
-No Action Taken
Out of State Trip
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 8
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny,
to approve the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District gratefully accepts the donation of a Universal
Gym System from Personal Edge Fitness (Kevin and Adeline Driscoll)
to the Riverhead Middle School.
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District gratefully accepts the donation of weight
room equipment (18-45 pound weight plates) from World Gym,
Inc. in Hampton Bays, New York.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District accepts the terms and conditions of the grant
award in the amount of $10,000 to support the Parent-Child
Home Program in the Riverhead Central School District for
the period September 1, 2003 to July 31, 2004 from grantor,
The Sandy River
Charitable Foundation.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
to approve the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District declares as surplus a non-functioning kiln
at the Roanoke Avenue Elementary School and authorizes the
appropriate disposal of it.
Donations
-Approved
Grant for The
Parent-Child Home
Program, Inc.
-Approved
Surplus Equipment
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 9
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central
School District declares as surplus certain broken and/or
obsolete equipment at the District Office as documented in
the corresponding request contained in the Supplemental File;
and, authorizes the appropriate disposal of such.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard,
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:
20-Day Conditional Appointment
Karen Chanda – Special Education Teacher, effective
2/23/04-
6/25/04.
Extension of Emergency 20-Day Conditional Appointments
Susan Boyle – Substitute Teacher, To: 2/9/04-3/2/04.
Marzena Harris – ESL Teacher, To: 12/31/03-2/19/04.
Change in Contract Appointment Dates
Steven Paterno – English Teacher, To: 10/30/03-6/30/04.
David Leone – Science Teacher, To: 1/31/04-2/13/04.
Change in Status
Jacqueline Buono – To: Elementary Teacher, effective
1/5/04-
6/25/04.
Appointment
Jennifer Jones – Substitute Teacher, effective 2/11/04.
Professional
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 10
Contract Appointment
Robert Fallot – Art Teacher, Middle/High School, effective
1/26/04-
6/25/04.
Maternity/Child Care Leave of Absence
Kelly Burke-Evers – Science Teacher, effective 1/9/04-2/23/04.
Resignations
Kathleen Jackson – Art Teacher, effective 2/10/04.
Megan Lane – English Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Retirements
Ellen Baron – School Psychologist, effective 6/30/04.
Ellan Brussee – Kindergarten Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Joseph Colantuoni – School Psychologist, effective 6/30/04.
Carol Gorman – Elementary Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Jori Melius – Kindergarten Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Linda Swiatocha – Elementary Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Ruth Levine – Elementary Teacher, effective 6/30/04.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Montefusco, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
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
Joy Perez – School Teacher Aide, effective 1/27/04-6/25/04.
Change in Hours
Camal Ouyahia – School Bus Driver, effective 1/26/04.
Civil Service
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
February 10, 2004
Page 11
Change in Status/Contract Appointment
Patricia Boardman – To: Special Education Aide, effective
2/2/04-
6/25/04.
Lori Riley – To: .50 Reading Aide, effective 2/11/04-6/25/04.
Extension of Contract Appointment
Diane Tuthill – Special Education Aide, effective 2/2/04-6/25/04.
Appointments
Adam Andersen – Substitute Custodial Worker I, effective
2/11/04.
Latasha Johnson – Substitute 1. School Monitor
2. Hourly Food
Service Worker, effective 2/11/04.
Request for Extension of Unpaid Leave of Absence
Susan DiGeronimo – Special Education Aide, To: 1/31/04-6/30/04.
Resignation
Judy Negron-Falek – Special Education Aide, effective
2/2/04.
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Gassert,
to recess to executive session.
Yes 6
Mrs. Berezny
Mrs. Gassert
Mr. Griffing
Mrs. Harkin
Mr. Hubbard
Mrs. Takacs
No 1
Mrs. Montefusco
Motion Carried.
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