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MINUTES
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting – August 12, 2003
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: Mr. George L. Duffy III, Mrs. Carol M. Perkins, and Christopher Powers, Esq.
President, Mrs. Harkin, opened the meeting at 6:34 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 6:35 p.m.

A motion was made by Mrs. Montefusco, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to return to open session.

Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

The Board of Education returned to open session at 7:33 p.m.
A brief recess followed.

The meeting resumed at 7:41 p.m.
There were about 55 other people in attendance.
ALSO PRESENT: Mrs. Barbara O’Kula.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Takacs, to amend the agenda to include the following
Pledge of Allegiance
Recess to
Executive Session
Return to
Open Session
Recess
Amendments to Agenda
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 2
ADD:
Professional Personnel Recommendation
RESOLVED, that on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Professional Personnel recommendation be approved per Supplemental File Personnel Report and is subject to Board Policy #9310:
Retirement
Shirley Romer – Elementary Teacher, effective 8/13/03.
CORRECTION:
Civil Service Personnel Recommendation
Frank Brown – Custodial Worker I, Riley Avenue, effective 7/1/03-
9/1/03.

Yes 7 No 0
Motion to Amend Agenda Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the minutes of the following meetings:
Reorganization Meeting – July 1, 2003
Special Meeting – July 30, 2003
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried
A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mr. Griffing, to table the minutes of the following meeting pending clarification with audiotape:
Regular Meeting – July 16, 2003

Yes 7 No 0
Motion to Table Carried.
Approval of Minutes
-July 1, 2003
-July 30, 2003
-Approved
-July 16, 2003
-Tabled(032)
Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 3
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May 2003 and the following Schedule of Bills for the month of May 2003:
Fund Check Numbers Amount
Trust & Agency 5572-5686 $3,358,454.71
General Fund 6499-6818 994,278.51
Cafeteria 7025-7059 118,850.42
Extraclassroom 3587-3629 59,251.92
Capital Expansion 2126-2128 56,614.50
Federal Funds 6738-6757 29,886.83
Capital Fund -0-

Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

Mr. Duffy made the following announcements:
-John McCormick, Supervisor of Transportation, received the
Arthur Schock award which is the highest award achieved for
diligent attention to services, safety records, etc. in New York
State
-start of school on September 3; Superintendent’s Conference Day
of September 2; New Teacher Orientation (16-20 teachers) on
August 25-29.
-comments from the audience are to be directed to the Board of
Education and not to people in the audience.

Mrs. Berezny encouraged the community to write letters to our representative, Congressman Tim Bishop, for federal funds to support the financial impact upon school districts resulting from mandates (IDEA, No Child Left Behind Act, etc).

Mrs. Harkin complimented the RCFA for their grand production of Alice in Wonderland.
Comments from the community included:

-announcement of the African-American Educational and Cultural
Festival on September 13 and their Fashion Show on August 21

at the East Wind
Treasurer’s Report &
Schedule of Bills
-May 2003
-Approved
Opportunity for
Superintendent
Opportunity for
Board Members
Community
Comments
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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 4
-continuation of the Urban League Program (notification of
an agreement between the Urban League and the school district
was received today, according to Mr. Duffy)
-concern on police presence within our schools. As stated by Mrs.
Harkin, the school district facilitated the grant application
submitted by the Riverhead Police Department but did not
approve its acceptance. The Board of Education will not entertain
the proposal until such time that a presentation is made to the
community and Board of Education by the Riverhead Police
Department
-request for update on progress of membership in REFIT. Mr.
Duffy stated that the Court of Appeals recently imposed a directive
to the State Legislature to arrive at a formula for equitable funding
for schools by July 2004.
-a mixture of comments concerning the proposed amendment to
the Superintendent’s contract were made in support of his
demonstrative leadership while others considered it fiscally
unfavorable at this time and suggested that extra monies be
dedicated to educational programs. As explained by legal
counsel, the terms of the amendment provides for a two-year
extension (to June 30, 2008) of the present contract (ending
June 30, 2006) at no additional salary increase. Those terms are
to be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Education
by a deadline of October 15, 2005; otherwise, the contract will
expire June 30, 2006. It provides an additional 14 days to the
present annual 26 vacation days, effective immediately (to take or “bank”) and includes accrued unused vacation time earned when
the Superintendent served as Middle School and High School
principal.

A motion was made by Mrs. Montefusco, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District appoints Elizabeth Chappell as liaison for the education of the homeless children and youth population as mandated by federal law under provisions of the No Child
Left Behind Act of 2001.
Appointment of Liaison for
Education of Homeless
Children
-Elizabeth Chappell
-Approved
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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 5
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 approves the third reading and adoption of the Inventories/Capitalization Board policy, #6640. Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, bids for Printing for the 2003/04 school year were opened on July 17, 2003 and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Agent has reviewed such bids and recommended award to the lowest responsible bidders meeting the specifications, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District awards the bids for the following items to the lowest responsible bidders indicated:
Printing of: Awarded to:

5,600 School Calendars: $1,988.00 Tobay Printing Co., Inc.
1361 Marconi Blvd.
Copiague, NY 11726

22,000 Our Schools: $498.00 Web Pro, Inc.
62 Rte. 25A
East Setauket, NY 11733

“Rip Tide” High School Newspaper Web Pro, Inc.
12 pages $345.45 62 Rte. 25A
16 pages 405.50 East Setauket, NY 11733
Photos 7.50 each

Third & Final Reading
Of Board Policy #6640
-Inventories/Capitalization
-ApprovedAward of Printing Bid
For the 2003/04 School
Year
-Approved

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 6
High School Program Planning Guide Web Pro., Inc.
32 pages $545.30 62 Rte. 25A
40 pages 681.63 East Setauket, NY 11733
48 pages 817.95“Newsbrief” Middle School Newspaper Web Pro, Inc.
4 pages $255.00 62 Rte. 25A
8 pages 295.00 East Setauket, NY 11733
12 pages 329.00High School Labyrinth Tobay Printing Co., Inc.
32 pages $565.00 1361 Marconi Blvd.
40 pages 745.00 Copiague, NY 11726
48 pages 896.00 Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, bids for Interscholastic Supplies (Fall, Winter & Spring 2003/04 School Year) were opened on June 12, 2003 and
WHEREAS, the Purchasing Agent and the Director of Athletics have reviewed such bids and recommended award to the lowest responsible bidders meeting the specifications, be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District awards the bids for Interscholastic Supplies to the lowest responsible bidders indicated:

Vendor Fall 2003/04 Winter/Spring 2003/04
Aluminum Athletic Equipment Co. - $ 110.80
E. Parker Yutzler - 300.00
Gopher Sport - 15.42
Metuchen Center $ 5,310.20 3,036.04
Morley, Inc. 3,656.88 8,181.95Award of Interscholastic
Supplies for the 2003/04
School Year
-Approved

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 7
BSN/Passons/US Games 446.82 3,419.08
Port Jefferson Sporting Goods 20,493.91 11,815.84
Riddell/All American 810.50 488.00
Henry Schein, Inc. 3,090.38 -
South Shore Outdoor 1,577.40 2,020.55
Sports Distributors 4.84 92.57
Sportmaster 119.00 1,220.30
Varsity Spirit 4,456.14 -

Total Bid Award: $70,666.62 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 authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign a release from liability for any and all damages school buses may cause by traversing private roads, curbing and landscaping that may occur to Equestrian Estates at Aquebogue, New York.
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the President of the Board of Education to sign a release from liability for any and all damages school buses may cause by entering upon, traversing over or otherwise using Sandpiper Drive and the emanating eight cul-de-sacs (as named and depicted on a filed map entitled “Map of Soundview Meadow”). Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mrs. Takacs, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco, to approve the following resolution:
Hold Harmless
Agreements
-Approved
Donation
-Approved

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 8
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District gratefully accepts the donation of an assortment of hardcover/paperback books for use in the district’s programs and school libraries from Howard B. Graham on behalf of The Millbrook Press, Inc. Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Takacs, to approve the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Riverhead Central School District approves membership in the Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association for the 2003/04 school year and authorizes payment of the annual dues in the amount of $2,430.
Yes 6
Mrs. Berezny
Mrs. Gassert
Mr. Griffing
Mrs. Harkin
Mr. Hubbard
Mrs. Takacs No 1
Mrs. Montefusco
Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mrs. Berezny, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, it is the plan of a number of public school districts in Suffolk County, New York and the Town Governments of Brookhaven and Islip, New York to bid jointly generally needed services and standardized supply and equipment items, and
Membership/Nassau-Suffolk School Boards
Association
-Approved
Eastern Suffolk
BOCES Cooperative
Purchasing Program
-Approved

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 9
WHEREAS, the Riverhead Central School District is desirous of selectively participating with other school districts in Suffolk County, New York and the Town Governments of Brookhaven and Islip, New York, in the joint bidding in the areas mentioned above as authorized by General Municipal Law, Section 119-o, and
WHEREAS, the Riverhead Central School District wishes to delegate to Eastern Suffolk BOCES the responsibility for drafting of specifications, advertising for bids, accepting and opening bids, tabulating bids, reporting the results to the boards of education and making recommendations thereon; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Riverhead Central School District hereby appoints the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Cooperative Purchasing Program Committee to represent it in all matters related above, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Riverhead Central School District hereby authorizes, for the placement of all legal advertisements, the designation of Newsday as the official newspaper for the Eastern Suffolk BOCES Cooperative Purchasing Program, and
be it further
RESOLVED, that the Riverhead Central School District authorizes the above mentioned committee to represent it in all matters leading up to the entering into a contract for the purchases as mentioned above, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Riverhead Central School District agrees to assume its equitable share of the costs of the cooperative bidding, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Riverhead Central School District agrees (1) to abide by majority decisions of the above-mentioned committee on quality standards; and, (2) that unless all bids are rejected, it will award contracts according to the recommendations of the committee.

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 10
Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mr. Hubbard, to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has reviewed and approved the terms of a Second Amendment to the employment contract between George L. Duffy III and the Board of Education for the Riverhead Central School District,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the Board of Education is authorized to execute the Second Amendment to the employment contract between the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools on behalf of the Board of Education.
A discussion then took place during which Mrs. Montefusco stated she could not vote in favor due to the fact that the district has lost over twenty professional positions, programs for students have been cut from the budget and taxes have increased; therefore, the Board’s credibility with the public it represents could be at risk.
Mrs. Berezny stated that as a Board member, it was a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers that the Superintendent fulfill his present contract; and, therefore, she could not vote in favor of the proposed amendment.
The remaining Board members lauded the Superintendent’s dedicated advocacy for the students and education and further stated that the cost to the district to find a replacement would be burdensome.
Yes 5
Mrs. Gassert
Mr. Griffing
Mrs. Harkin
Mr. Hubbard
Mrs. Takacs

Amendment to
Superintendent’s
Employment
Contract
-Approved

(040)
Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 11

No 2
Mrs. Berezny
Mrs. Montefusco

Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Mr. Griffing, seconded by Mrs. Montefusco, 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
LTC Peter McCarthy – To: Appointment From: Emergency 20-day Conditional Appointment, NJROTC Instructor, High School, effective 8/19/03.
Appointments:
Department Heads
Dali Rastello – Foreign Language Department, effective 8/13/03.
David Loddengaard – Music Department, effective 8/13/03.
Frank Minucci – English Department, effective 8/13/03.
David McKillop – Social Studies Department, effective 8/13/03.
Samuel Quaye – Mathematics Department, effective 8/13/03.
Assistant Department Heads
Cheryl Walsh-Edwards – English Department, effective 8/13/03.
Jane Tully – Social Studies Department, effective 8/13/03.
Patricia Passanante – Mathematics Department, effective 8/13/03.
Erich Glanz – Science Department, effective 8/13/03.
Coaching
Kathryn Graves – Girls Soccer, JV Head Coach, effective 8/13/03.
Mandy Schulz – Cheerleading, Middle School Head Coach,
effective 8/13/03.
Edward Grassman – Football, JV Assistant Coach, effective
8/13/03.
Professional
Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved as
Amended

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 12


March Schumacher – Boys Soccer, Varsity Head Coach, effective
8/13/03.
David Spinella – Girls Basketball, Varsity Head Coach, effective
8/13/03.
Intramural Appointments
Florence Ofrias – Intramural Cheerleading, Middle School,
effective 9/15/03-1/16/04.
Chad Haverty – Intramural Golf, Fall, High/Middle Schools,
effective 9/15/03-10/17/03.
Appointment
Darren Ehrhardt – Mathematics Teacher, Alternative High School,
effective 9/1/03-6/30/04.Request for Extension of Child Care Leave of Absence
Jennifer Hughes – Elementary Teacher, Roanoke Avenue, To:
7/1/03-1/30/04.

Request for Extension of Child Care Leave of Absence/FMLA
Ellen Knieriemen – Speech Pathologist, Riley Avenue, To: 7/1/03-
8/8/03 FMLA 6 weeks, 8/9/03-1/30/04 unpaid leave.
Stacey Seal – Elementary Teacher, Riley Avenue School, To:
7/1/03-7/25/03 FMLA 4 weeks, 7/26/03-1/30/04 unpaid leave.
Request for Unpaid Child Care Leave of Absence/FMLA
Danielle O’Connor – Special Education Teacher, Middle School,
effective 9/1/03-11/22/03.
Request for Child Care Leave of Absence
Loren Christie – English Teacher, High School, effective 9/1/03-
8/31/05.
Retirement
Shirley Romer – Elementary Teacher, effective 8/13/03. Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

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Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 13
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:
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Kimberly Heffernan – Elementary Teacher, Roanoke Avenue,
effective 9/1/03-6/30/04.
Laura Ficarra-Hernandez – Elementary Teacher, Riley Avenue
School, effective 9/1/03-6/30/04. No 7 Yes 0
Motion Failed.

A motion was made by Mrs. Gassert, seconded by Mrs. Berezny, 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
Andrzej Aleksandrowicz – To: Permanent Appointment, Custodial
Supervisor, effective 7/13/03.
Appointment
Joan Kelly – Substitute Hourly Food Service Worker, effective
8/13/03.
Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence/FMLA
Frank Brown – Custodial Worker I, Riley Avenue, effective 7/1/03-
9/1/03.

Professional
Personnel
Recommendations
-Requests for Unpaid
Leaves of Absence
-FailedCivil Service Personnel
Recommendations
-Approved as Amended

(043)
Minutes
Board of Education
August 12, 2003
Page 14


Request for Unpaid Leave of Absence
Lauren Kratoville – Administrative Assistant, Pupil Personnel
Services, effective 7/29/03-8/12/03.
Joyce Remski – Special Education Aide, Pulaski Street, effective
9/1/03-1/5/04.

Resignation
Marie Abruzzo – School Monitor, Transportation Department,
effective 7/27/03. Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.

Additional comments from the community are:
-precedent set by Board of Education on approval of the
amendment to the Superintendent’s contract and its provisions
-status on revision of state aid formula (to be reconfigured by
2004)
-request for clearer “show of hands” on part of Board members
when voting and availability of individual microphones
-inquiry on specific policy in place concerning Board members
discrediting other Board members (per legal counsel, such
matters are in the control of the State Education Department)
-comparisons of Superintendent’s salaries

A motion was made by Mr. Hubbard, seconded by Mrs. Gassert, to adjourn the meeting.

Yes 7 No 0
Motion Carried.The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara J. O’Kula
District Clerk
Community
Comments
Adjournment