WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Transcription

1 WALTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION September 22, 2015 Regular Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order by Vice-President Hoyt, at 5:30 PM, in the Board Room, Stockton Avenue. Trustees present: Hoyt, Neale, Fay, Reynolds, Williams and Ward. Trustees absent: Breese. Call to Order Roll Call Others present: Superintendent Clough; T. Gregory Dale, School Business Administrator; Amanda Hoover, Director of Special Education. The following arrived at 6:00 PM: S. Corey Phraner, District Clerk; Principals Michael Snider and Robert Knuschke; Dr. Michelle Reed, Curriculum Coordinator; P.J. Harmer, Community Relations; Anne Hartman, Jennifer Lamoreaux and Clarence LaParr, Faculty; Michaela Gilmore, Dawson Beers, Tanner Stevens, Lizzie Core, Ethan Young, Elizabeth Carmen and Kristen Banks, O Neill High School Students; Lori Connolly, Jon Brooks, J. VerNooy, Amy Govern, Nancy Meres, Larry Core, Marilynn Lewis, Kathleen Meyers, Richard Meyers, Phil Lewis, Loraine Davila, Jodie Schwartz and Elizabeth Cucciarre, Community Members. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Ward, that the Board Meet, in Executive Session, at 5:30 PM, to review recommendations of the CSE and CPSE. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. General Session re-convened at 6:04 PM. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Ward, that the minutes of the August 25, 2015 Code of Conduct Hearing and Regular Meeting be approved as presented. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. Following review, it was moved by Reynolds, seconded by Williams, that the recommendations of the CSE & CPSE (See Supplemental Minute Folder, August 25, 2015, Attachment #1) be approved by the Board of Education as recommended. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. Vice-President Hoyt introduced a revised Board of Education pamphlet that the district has been working on for some time. The pamphlet covers the Board of Education responsibilities, meeting dates and times, public comment and other items. He emphasized that personal attacks are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Members of the public who have an issue with a staff member are encouraged to meet with Executive Session General Session Approval of Minutes Approval of CSE/CPSE Recommendations Public Comment

2 September 22, 2015 Page 2 appropriate administration. If necessary, a meeting with the Board of Education, in executive session, may be arranged by contacting the District Clerk. Students taking Government class introduced themselves. There was no other public comment. Mrs. Lamoreaux reviewed steps taken over the summer to revitalize the district s recycling program starting with a visit to the landfill to meet with director Susan McIntyre. Vice- President Hoyt asked if there will be student involvement with the recycling program? Yes, both Government students and Honor Society members may earn community service hours by emptying bins. Trustee Williams inquired if the district had enough bins for collection? Some have been purchased with grant money to add to what the district already had. The custodial staff has taken a tour of the recycling facility to become familiar with what will be required and has done a great job getting necessary bins distributed throughout the district. Trustee Reynolds wondered about pick-up. Recyclables are emptied into two outside areas and picked up from there. Presentations Mr. LaParr provided an update of the LINKS plan; the district goal (close text reading) remains the same but has expanded to K-12. A literacy training team has met and will begin training teachers in October, and will be available as a resource for faculty. A Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) component will continue to use the OLWEUS antibullying program in grades K-5 but will use Alternatives to Violence Program (AVP) in both the middle and high schools. Steps to Close Reading will be used district-wide and is flexible to fit all grades. Uniform annotating symbols will be used throughout the district. Vice-President Hoyt invited Mr. Harmer to brief the Board on recording the Board of Education meetings. Mr. Harmer explained the livestream service and potential to be used for concerts, graduation and sporting events and could be viewed on any device, such as mobile phone, tablet or computer. Digital storage would be at BOCES. The district will receive two months free to try the service. Mr. Harmer answered several questions from the Board. Microphones may be added to improve sound. The district could involve students to assist with sporting events. The service is fully aidable and the Board agreed by consensus to pursue the service but would like to know the cost. Mr. Harmer stated it could be in place for the October meeting. Discussion Items MEETINGS - Workers Compensation Self-Insurance Alliance Meeting September 25, 2015

3 September 22, 2015 Page 3 There were no additions/changes to the agenda. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Reynolds, to accept the recommendation of the Superintendent and approve, accept and acknowledge the following Consent Agenda items: that the following current Financial Reports (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #2) be accepted as presented: - Treasurer s Report (June, July and August 2015) - Extra Classroom Account Balances Report (June, July and August 2015) - Revenue Status Report (June, July and August 2015) - Budget Status Report (June, July and August 2015) - Claim Auditor s Logs (Current) - Budget Transfer Report (June, July and August 2015) that the attached list of items dated September 11, 2015 (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #3) be declared surplus and disposed of. that the following donations be accepted with sincere appreciation: tee shirts to all Townsend School students from The Village Closet - Use of a John Deere Gator to the sports program from Delaware Sports Center - Two boxes of assorted school supplies to Townsend School from Charles Piper that the resignation from Kelly Gates as UPK/K/First Grade Chair, for the entire school year, be accepted by the Board of Education. that the attached request for unpaid leave of absence from Ann Lezer, Food Service Helper, (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #6) be approved. that the attached request for unpaid leave of absence from Amanda Hoover, Director of Special Education, (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #7) be approved. that Adam Hoover and Angie Bayne be added to the list of active mentors for the Teacher Assistance Program as of August 31, that the attached mentor recommendations for the school year (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, Attachment #8) be appointed as of August 25, Additions to the Agenda Consent Agenda Accept Financial Reports Declare Surplus Accept Donations Personnel: Resignation(s)/ Retirement(s): Kelly Gates UPK/K/First Grade Chair Unpaid Leave(s) of Absence: Ann Lezer Food Service Helper Amanda Hoover Director of Special Education. Appointment(s): Mentors Adam Hoover and Angie Bayne Mentor Appointments

4 September 22, 2015 Page 4 that the following people be appointed as a Substitute Teacher-Aide effective September 23, 2015: - Hannah Dutcher - Gina Wood that the following people be appointed as a Substitute School Monitor effective September 23, 2015: - Gina Wood that the following people be appointed as a Substitute Food Service Helper effective September 23, 2015: - Gina Wood - JoAnne Bagley that the following people be appointed as a Department Chairs/Co-Curricular Advisors for the school year: - K-12 Guidance Justin Preston - Future Business Leaders of America Amy Randall (effective 9/23/2015) - Drama Club Larry Core that upon the emergency recommendation made by the Superintendent on August 27, 2015, the Board of Education of the Walton Central School District, pursuant to Rule XIV of the Civil Service Rules for Delaware County and its political subdivisions, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Maria Funaro to the labor class position of Part-Time School Monitor, and serving a 26-week probationary period, to commence on September 4, 2015 at the rate of $3,922.28/annum. that upon the emergency recommendation made by the Superintendent on August 27, 2015, the Board of Education of the Walton Central School District, pursuant to Rule XIV of the Civil Service Rules for Delaware County and its political subdivisions, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Melissa Furgeson to the labor class position of Part-Time School Monitor, and serving a 26-week probationary period, to commence on September 4, 2015 at the rate of $3,922.28/annum. that upon the emergency recommendation made by the Superintendent on September 9, 2015 that Matthew Chambers be appointed as Long-Term Substitute Teacher effective September 14, 2015 (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #9) at a per-diem rate of $ be approved. Substitute Teacher-Aide Hannah Dutcher and Gina Wood Substitute School Monitor Gina Wood Substitute Food Service Helper Gina Wood and JoAnne Bagley Department Chairs/Co- Curricular Advisors Maria Funaro Part-Time School Monitor Melissa Furgeson Part- Time School Monitor Matthew Chambers Long- Term Substitute Teacher

5 September 22, 2015 Page 5 that upon the emergency recommendation made by the Superintendent on September 15, 2015 that Sierra Birdsall be appointed as Long-Term Substitute Teacher effective September 17, 2015 (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #10) be approved. that Linda Widomski be appointed as Long-Term Substitute Director of Special Education effective October 13, 2015 (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #11) at a perdiem rate of $ be approved. that Linda Widomski be appointed as a Substitute Committee Chairperson during her appointment as long-term leave replacement for the following committees: - Committee on Special Education - Sub-Committee on Special Education - Committee on Preschool Special Education that the Erin Cowles receive a stipend of $1, for each speech therapist she supervises during the school year. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. It was moved by Reynolds, seconded by Ward, that Judith Breese be designated Voting Delegate, and Ronda Williams be designated as Alternate Voting Delegate for the Annual Business Meeting of the New York State School Boards Association on October 20, Yes 6 No 0 Carried. Trustee Ward summarized the important points in the proposed policies. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Ward, that this evening be the first reading of the following policies: Policy #5156 Student Privacy Policy #5156-E Student Privacy Exhibit Policy #6840 Computer Use in Instruction Acceptable Use Policy Policy #6850 Staff Use of Computerized Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy Policy #6860 Student Use of Computerized Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy Policy #6860-E Student Use of Computerized Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy Exhibit (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #4). Yes 6 No 0 Carried. It was moved by Reynolds, seconded by Hoyt, that the attached policy (See Supplemental Minute Folder, September 22, 2015, Attachment #5) be adopted: Sierra Birdsall Long-Term Substitute Teacher Linda Widomski Long- Term Substitute Director of Special Education Linda Widomski Substitute Committee Chairperson Approval(s): Supervising Stipend Erin Cowles Designate Voting Delegate and Alternate Policy First Reading Adopt Policy Second Reading

6 September 22, 2015 Page 6 Policy #1670 Elementary Homework Policy #1253 Smoking and Other Tobacco Use on School Premises Yes 6 No 0 Carried. Vice-President Hoyt, Trustee Ward and Superintendent Clough discussed with the Board the possibility that the district contract with New York State School Boards to update and renumber the Board of Education policies in order to bring the district up to date, as well as provide all required administrative regulations. This service would be completed within 18 months. Because of the frequent changes required by law and the amount of work involved, it would take district personnel several times longer to accomplish the same task. The district subscribes to the policy update service and would bring any recommended updates received from NYSSBA on a quarterly basis to the Board for consideration. The Board, by consensus, agreed to pursue using NYSSBA to update the Board of Education policies. Superintendent s Remarks: The YMCA After School Program began last week. We had 28 students participating; there is a waiting list because there is a need to hire more staff. Administrators and the guidance department met with the Delaware County Attorney and staff, Department of Social Services staff, and Probation Department staff regarding Person in Need of Supervision (PINS) petitions and also discussed preventive services. We will meet again for an inhouse training on preventive services and PINS petition preparation. We surveyed staff regarding the three superintendent days at the beginning of the school year; an overwhelming majority (74%) appreciated the three days and professional development offered. As you know, the district submitted a UPK grant. Unfortunately we did not get it. I will be getting feedback from NYS Education Department about why. We will try again next year. I will be asking Dr. Reed to provide you with an update each month at the Board meetings. A lot has been happening. Curriculum Coordinator s Remarks: We have been working on the LINKS plan, and forming a literacy team. Superintendent s Remarks Curriculum Coordinator s Remarks

7 September 22, 2015 Page 7 The district will be offering professional development opportunities four times per month. I have started getting into classrooms, and will continue doing that each week. I will share my Curriculum Coordinator s Corner with you each month. Dr. Reed distributed the first two issues to each Board member. School Business Administrator s Remarks: The consumer price index indicated we have been averaging about 0% inflation over the last year. I am telling you this because the tax cap is at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This could be important for the budget process. The audit is almost done; they (and we) have been struggling with new reports from the General Accounting Standards Board; same in all districts. I anticipate presenting the audit report to you at the October meeting. An update on the K Solar initiative from last month: in essence asking for permission to look at our power invoices. What we are paying is too low and it is cheaper to get it for what we are currently paying. Mr. Jackson had asked about this a couple years ago and they assured him it would be worked out. Guess not, so we are no longer pursuing for now. Maybe in the future if things change. There is an infestation of grubs in the field hockey field. The season is almost over so we will not be applying pesticides at this time. The field can be treated with non-pesticide remedies after the season is over. As you are aware, Kraft and SFCU are seeking to have their assessments lowered. We are working through the proceedings to set up a tax certiorari account. I will discuss pending litigation with you in executive session; we have received an offer from Kraft. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Reynolds, that the Board Meet, in Executive Session, at 7:11 PM, to discuss pending litigation. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. General Session re-convened at 7:50 PM. It was moved by Neale, seconded by Ward, that the meeting be adjourned. Yes 6 No 0 Carried. School Business Administrator s Remarks Executive Session General Session Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.

8 September 22, 2015 Page 8 S. Corey Phraner Roger B. Clough II District Clerk Assistant Clerk