VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 944 State Route 17K Montgomery, New York. October 13, 2015

Transcription

1 VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 944 State Route 17K Montgomery, New York October 13, 2015 The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order in the Administration Building at 6:44 p.m. by President Brad Conklin. PRESENT: ABSENT: Mr. Conklin, Dr. Flanagan (entered at 6:50 p.m.), Ms. Fox-Pizzonia, Mr. Freeman, Ms. Lewis (entered at 7:15 p.m.), Ms. Schwartz and Mr. Wesenberg All present Also Present: Mr. Xanthis, Ms. Lease-Murphy, Mrs. Raymond, Scott Duell, Senior Director/Architect at Bernier, Carr and Asssociates, Miss Oakes and Mr. Feerick, Student Representatives, and approximately eighteen people in the audience including Administrators, Staff, and Public Also Absent: Media (WVT/THR) EXECUTIVE SESSION Mr. Conklin called for a motion to move into Executive Session. Ms. Schwartz moved, Ms. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Board convene to Executive Session at 6:44 p.m. to discuss the employment of particular personnel and potential litigation. No action is anticipated following Executive Session. Voting YES: Unanimous [5:0] Dr. Flanagan entered Executive Session at approximately 6:50 p.m. and Ms. Lewis entered at approximately 7:15 p.m. Dr. Flanagan moved, Ms. Schwartz seconded that the Board reconvene to Regular Session at 7:26 p.m. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] PLEDGE TO FLAG Mr. Conklin made the regular announcements regarding emergency egress, no smoking, public participation, and audiotaping of the meeting. He made available a copy of the opening statement/ guidelines for public participation for those wishing to speak. CORRESPONDENCE/COMMENDATIONS Mr. Xanthis and Mr. Conklin reviewed the attached listing of correspondence, commendations, and honorable mentions. PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item and asked if there were any items to be removed from the Proposed Consent Agenda. There were none. Mr. Conklin called for a motion. Dr. Flanagan moved, Ms. Schwartz seconded that the following Consent Agenda be accepted/ approved as listed and/or attached: CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES A. Regular Board Meeting Minutes dated 9/21/15 RECOMMENDATIONS OF CSE/CPSE - 1 -

2 SUPERINTENDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS A. Acceptance of Resignation: Noninstructional 2015 Jill Cucuzza, Licensed Practical Nurse, p/t, Valley Central High School, effective October 9, B. Approval of Leave of Absence: Instructional Amanda Borle, Elementary School Teacher (Grade 5), East Coldenham Elementary School, for childcare purposes, effective October 15, 2015 through October 30, 2015 C. Approval of Appointments: Administrative Lead Evaluators for Principals and Teachers, Valley Central School District, effective School Year See Separate Listing Instructional Clara Haecker, Business Teacher (Regular Substitute), p/t, Valley Central High School, effective October 14, 2015 through June 30, 2016 Rose Callahan, certified in ESOL, appointed to a four-year probationary period in the tenure area of English as a Second Language, commencing October 14, 2015 and ending October 14, 2019* Evening High School Staff, p/t, Valley Central High School, effective School Year See Attached Listing Brianna Buckler, certified in Literacy (Birth Grade 6), appointed to a.5 Reading position, commencing October 14, 2015 Andria Nieman, certified in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), appointed to a four-year probationary period in the Elementary Education tenure area, commencing October 14, 2015 and ending October 14, 2019* Substitute Teachers, p/t, Valley Central School District, effective School Year See Attached Listing * To the extent applicable under Education Law Section 3012-d and the accompanying Commissioner s Regulations, in order to be considered for tenure, teachers appointed to a four year probationary period must have received an APPR rating of effective or highly effective in three of the four probationary years and must not receive an ineffective in the fourth year. Noninstructional Keith Woodson, Custodial Worker, Valley Central High School, effective October 14, 2015 Substitute Paraprofessionals/Food Service Helper, p/t, Valley Central School District, effective School Year See Attached Listing Extracurricular Advisors, p/t, Valley Central High School, Valley Central Middle School, Berea Elementary and Montgomery Elementary Schools, effective School Year See Attached Listings Cocurricular Events Personnel, p/t, Valley Central School District, effective School Year See Attached Listing Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] - 2 -

3 REPORTS A. Student Representatives Report Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Mr. Xanthis then introduced Katherine Oakes, who was unable to attend the Board meeting on September 21, 2015, and asked the Student Representative to share some information about herself, which she did. B. Superintendent s Report Following Mr. Conklin s introduction of this Agenda item, Mr. Xanthis provided information on the Second Cup of Coffee, an informal gathering of staff and parents who will be invited to meet with the Central Office Administrators on the second Friday of each month; the ribbon-cutting of the new bleachers and pressbox; and the updated policies that were provided to the Board members tonight. C. Business Report Capital Project Update Bernier, Carr & Associates Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item and introduced Scott Duell from Bernier, Carr and Associates. Mr. Duell then provided a status report and timeline for Phase 1, which includes work to be completed at the elementary schools in 2016 and Phase 2, which includes work at the High School and Middle School to be done in 2017 and He also offered a brief review of the work that was completed this year on the bleachers and pressbox. Mr. Xanthis and Mr. Duell responded to a question from a Board member regarding the audio problems during the football game last week. This work is outside the scope of the capital project; Mr. Xanthis noted that the audio system work will be addressed in-house. Following Mr. Duell s presentation, Mrs. Raymond spoke about a letter that will be sent to Assemblyman James Skoufis regarding the Veterans Partial Tax Exemption and the increased burden on the District s nonveteran taxpayers. The District is asking that the legislators support a bill that would compel the State to cover the cost of the implementation of the Veterans Partial Tax Exemption. A copy of the letter will be sent to the other local legislators representing the District, as well. D. Presentation of End-of-Year Reports: 1. School Lunch Program Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Ms. Eleanore Mills referenced the End-of-Year Report provided to the Board and reviewed the number of meals served, as well as the costs and revenues, for the past year. Ms. Mills also shared information about the Farm to School Grant that was implemented last year; a Point of Sale system that will be used in all the elementary schools this year; and donations of food from UNFI. Related details were shared. Ms. Mills was thanked for her Report. 2. Buildings and Grounds Mr. Conklin then introduced Mr. Eric Strack, Director of Facilities. Mr. Strack referenced and reviewed the End-of-Year Report, highlighting the goals, accomplishments and cost savings of the department over the course of the school year. Related details were shared. Mr. Strack was thanked for his Report. E. Presentation of Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Mr. Conklin then introduced Brent R. Napoleon, CPA, Nugent & Haeussler, P.C., and noted that Mr. Napoleon s daughter, Jenna (Grade 6), accompanied her father for his presentation this evening

4 A copy of the Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 together with the Management Letter and the draft response to the Management Letter were provided to the Board with its package (copies attached). Mr. Napoleon noted he and his colleague, Mark M. Levy, met with and reviewed the Audit Report in detail with the District Audit Committee and noted that the Committee recommended acceptance of the report. This report, in Nugent & Haeussler s opinion, noted the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects and this is an unqualified opinion, which is the highest opinion possible. Review of the Audit took place. Mr. Napoleon and Mrs. Raymond responded to questions from the Board regarding questions on fund balance and reserves. F. Presentation of Special Education Plan and New District Initiatives Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Ms. Butler provided a review of the modifications of the Special Education Plan (copy attached). This plan is reviewed and approved by the Board of Education bi-annually. This plan is in full compliance with the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education that govern Special Education and is on file in the District Office and schools, and is also available on our website. This is a generalized guide of the District s Special Education Program and is updated on a regular basis. Related details were shared. In response to a question from a Board member regarding the section of the Plan that references the opportunities to earn a diploma and the types of diplomas issued, Mrs. Butler noted that this was an error; the Special Education Plan will be amended to reflect the correction. Mrs. Butler then provided information on the life skills and Pathways to Employment programs at the High School. Mrs. Butler was thanked for her presentation. G. Foundation Update Following introduction of this Agenda item by Mr. Conklin, Ms. Lease-Murphy shared comments about the Foundation s annual fundraiser, the Harvest Awards Celebration. Recipients of this year s Sowing the Seed and Reaping the Dream Awards were Mrs. Debra Calvino, Mr. Marc Devitt, Mr. Steve Jardine, and Mr. Paul Teutel, Jr. Ms. Lease-Murphy, on behalf of the Education Foundation, thanked those who were able to come out and support this fundraising effort. H. NYSCOSS Fall Leadership Summit September 27-29, 2015 Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Mr. Xanthis attended this conference and shared highlights of the program. I. District Audit Committee Meeting September 29, 2015 Finalize Internal Audit Focus Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. He noted that the Committee met last week and reviewed the Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 and the Management Letter. He noted that copies of these documents were provided to the Board with its package (copies attached). The Committee agreed to make the recommendation that the Board approve the Audit Report and the Management Letter at tonight s meeting. Mr. Conklin noted that he would like to add at least one additional Board member to the Audit Committee for the school year. Mr. Conklin reported that the Committee discussed the recommendation of a focus for the Internal Audit, and the Committee recommended that the Internal Auditor focus on healthcare and payroll procedures. Mr. Conklin polled the Board, and it was the consensus of the Board that the Internal Audit should be a focus on these areas

5 J. OCSBA Delegates Meeting October 7, 2015 Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. Mr. Conklin, Dr. Flanagan, Ms. Lewis and Ms. Schwartz attended this meeting. Jay Worona, Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel for NYSSBA, was the guest speaker and provided Board members with training on Mandated Child Abuse Reporting. K. Community Participation Report Following introduction of this Agenda item by Mr. Conklin, Board members shared comments on the ribbon-cutting of the bleachers/pressbox, the Homecoming Game at the High School, the Parent s Circle at ALC, and the Color Run. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There were no requests for public participation tonight. OLD BUSINESS A. Determination of Internal Audit Focus This Agenda item was discussed under Reports earlier in the meeting. B. Declaration of Obsolete Equipment Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item, referenced the memorandum from Mrs. Raymond to Mr. Xanthis dated October 8, 2015, and called for a motion. Dr. Flanagan moved, Ms. Schwartz seconded that the Board approve the declaration of obsolete equipment, as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] NEW BUSINESS A. Acceptance of Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. B. Acceptance of Response to Management Letter Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015 Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. Mr. Conklin called for a motion. Ms. Schwartz moved, Ms. Lewis seconded that the Board accept the Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2015, the Management Letter, and the District s Response to the Management Letter as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] C. Approval of Special Education Plan Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item and called for a motion. Ms. Lewis moved, Ms. Schwartz seconded that the Board approve the Special Education Plan, as corrected and amended, and as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] D. Establishment of a Capital Reserve Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. He referenced the memorandum from Mrs. Raymond to Mr. Xanthis dated September 8, 2015 and called for a motion. It was the consensus of the Board to table this Agenda item to the October 26, 2015 Board meeting

6 E. Approval of Guided Reading Materials Grades K-5 Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item. He referenced the memorandum from Mrs. Calvino to Mr. Xanthis dated October 13, 2015 and called for a motion. Ms. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Ms. Lewis seconded that the Board approve the Grade K 5 Guided Reading Materials as presented, and as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] F. Adoption of Resolution: Approval of the Reduction of Tax Assessment and Payment of Refunds due to Court Order and Judgment Mr. Conklin introduced this Agenda item, referenced Mrs. Raymond s memoranda to Mr. Xanthis dated October 8, 2015, and called for a motion. Mr. Wesenberg moved, Dr. Flanagan seconded that the Board adopt the resolution approving the reduction of tax assessment and payment of refunds due to Court Order and Judgment, as detailed in the attached memorandum and resolution. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] ADJOURNMENT Dr. Flanagan moved, Ms. Schwartz seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0] Mr. Conklin adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, /em Reneé Simerson Clerk of the Board - 6 -