A. Convene Meeting Ms. Fitzgerald convened the meeting at 7:02pm with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Present: Valerie Fitzgerald, President Guy Cohen, Vice President Joseph Ferraro, Trustee Jeanine Rufo, Trustee David Spittal, Trustee Administrators Present: Ronnie Stowell, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Finance Doug Judson, Supervisor of Buildings & Transportation Others Present: Ryan Lopez, Student Representative to the Board Maureen Bellino, District Clerk Dan Mahoney, Meeting Videographer 3 staff members. Ms. Fitzgerald began the meeting by thanking the community for the passage of the budget at the vote on May 23, 2013. She also congratulated Ms. Rufo and Mr. Smith for their election to trustee seats. B. Reports Superintendent s Report Dr. Nuzzi was not able to attend this evening's meeting. Student Representatives' Report Mr. Lopez noted that Ms. Sperling was attending the Destination Imagination global finals in Tennessee. Mr. Ryan wished Sarah and all the team members the best of luck in the competition. Mr. Lopez noted some upcoming events at each of the buildings, including the Elementary School Read Aloud, the High School blood drive, the spring concerts and High School senior awards. Mr. Lopez noted that the awards ceremony begins at 7pm and that those being acknowledged would receive invitations. He also noted that the Putnam Valley Education Foundation would be holding a dinner/dance on June 7 and that June 10 was the last day of classes at the High School, which would be followed by final exams. In sporting news, Mr. Lopez noted that the varsity golf team was 11 and 5, and their coach, Bruce Johnson, was named a coach of the year. He also noted the girls lacrosse finals games would be held on May 24 in Mamaroneck. He asked that everyone try to come and support the team in their final match. Page 1 of 4
PTA/PTSA Representatives' Reports There were no reports from the PTA or PTSA. C. Public Comment on Agenda Items There were no comments from the public and the Board moved into the New Business. D. New Business/Action Items Accept Final Vote Tally for the Budget Vote & Board Election Held on May 21, 2013 Motion #301/13 Ms. Rufo noted that this was a very well thought out budget by many constituency groups. She thanked Ms. Stowell for leading the Board in this direction along with Dr. Nuzzi and the CAC. Resolved, by the to accept the final vote tally for the Budget Vote and Board Election held on May 21, 2013 as follows: Budget: Yes-798, No-449 : Jeanine Rufo-768, Joseph Ferraro-622, Ralph Smith-634 Accept Donations Motion #302/13 Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to accept the following donations: Two (2) First Act trumpets, valued at approximately $100 each and one (1) guitar valued at approximately $50 from Mrs. Debbie Bronzo, a donation of one (1) snare drum, one (1) stand and an assortment of mallets and sticks valued at approximately $150 by Ms. Donna Sillery, to be used in the Putnam Valley Elementary School music program and a donation of $200 from Mr. & Mrs. Derek Ferst for the John C. Kleinegris Scholarship Fund. Motion by Joseph Ferraro, second by David Spittal. Page 2 of 4
CSE/CPSE Placements Motion #303/13 Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to make CSE/CPSE placements as per Document #161/13 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting on file in the District Office. Motion by David Spittal, second by Guy Cohen. Approve the 2013-14 WPSBA Annual Budget & Slate of Officers/Board of Directors Motion #304/13 Mr. Cohen noted that the WPSBA is an association made up of all the area school districts and acts as a lobbying organization for the schools and provides information to the school board about laws and other school related information. Resolved, to ratify the 2013-14 Westchester Putnam School Boards Association (WPSBA) annual budget, in the amount of $246,227, and approve the 2013-14 WPSBA slate of officers and members of the Board of Directors and authorize the Board President to sign the WPSBA annual meeting ballot as per Doc. #162/13 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. Motion by Guy Cohen, second by Jeanine Rufo. Agreement for Cooperative Transportation Services Motion #305/13 Mr. Cohen noted that this agreement is a way for the local districts to work together to help share costs of transportation. Ms. Stowell noted that we are fortunate to have this arrangement as we had a need this year and Lakeland provided transportation for several of our students. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that this is a way the districts are trying to share and save money for mandated costs. Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to enter into an agreement with area districts, as per Doc. #163/13, that cooperative transportation be arranged whenever a more economical and efficient service can be provided for one or more of District students as determined by the Transportation Supervisor of the District. Page 3 of 5
Appointment-HS Leave Replacement Music Teacher Motion #306/13 Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to appoint Johna Rae Kesten to a 1-year leave replacement position as a music teacher at the High School, effective September 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 (or sooner at the discretion of the ), on Step 1-MA of the PVFT salary schedule. Ms. Kesten holds an initial Music Certification. Motion by Joseph Ferraro, second by David Spittal. Ms. Fitzgerald welcomed Ms. Kesten to the District. Appointment-School Nurse Motion #307/13 Dr. Nuzzi noted that Ms. George is replacing a retiree, Ms. Pam Adamovich. Ms. George has subbed in many areas in the District. Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to appoint Sabine George, RN, to a six-month probationary appointment, effective June 3, 2013 through February 13, 2014, as a school nurse at the High School on Step-1 of the CSEA salary schedule. Motion by David Spittal, second by Guy Cohen. Personnel Actions Motion #308/13 Mr. Cohen noted the list of items on the personnel actions. Resolved, on recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, to approve personnel actions as per Document #164/13 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting on file in the District Office. Motion by Guy Cohen, second by Jeanine Rufo. Approve Proposal with KG&D Architects Motion #309/13 Prior to taking a vote on this matter, Mr. Judson explained that this proposal is part of the District's 5-year plan and needed to be addressed. He noted that the geothermal header needed attention this summer with an immediate repair. The Highfields' pump system is a lift station for the sewage from the High School and Middle School. The pump system provides the gravity feed for the sewage to enter the town's sewers. There have been numerous breakdowns of the system and it was determined that improvement was needed. Ms. Fitzgerald noted that this motion was only for the assessment of the issues. Page 4 of 5
Mr. Spittal asked if there were monies put aside in the budget for these projects. Ms. Stowell noted that the community has previously approved a 5-year capital project fund and these items were in that approved proposition. Mr. Spittal asked Mr. Judson for an update on the turf and concession stand since the budget has passed. Ms. Stowell noted that bids have been placed in the newspapers to run on May 28 and 29 with a bid return date of June 14. Mr. Judson noted that it would appear that the District is on track for completion prior to the fall. Mr. Spittal asked about the use of the fields over the summer. Mr. Judson noted that all interested parties have been notified about the construction and have been very cooperative. Resolved, to approve a proposal with KG&D Architects to provide an assessment of the Middle School Geothermal System Header and Highfields' Sewage Ejector System, as per Doc. #165/13 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting, and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to enter into the agreement. E. Public Comment Ms. Fitzgerald asked for public comment. Mr. Cohen noted that he attended the annual Lower Hudson Council of School Superintendent s dinner honoring the area valedictorians and salutatorians with Ken Burns as the speaker. He stated that it was a wonderful evening being with students of that magnitude. Mr. Cohen also reported that the PVFT/CSEA annual recognition dinner was an amazing evening honoring the retirees and those staff members reaching milestones in the district. Ms. Rufo noted that May and June is a busy season of events, including the Elementary School s Read Aloud, sharing reading with the students at the Elementary School. The concerts were also amazing especially the 4th grade s concert theme of jazz. Ms. Fitzgerald thanked the community again for the passage of the budget and noted that Putnam Valley is a wonderful community to live in. She also noted that the Board is interviewing interim candidates for the superintendent's position and the new Elementary School principal should be announced soon. There were no further comments. Page 5 of 6
F. Adjourn Meeting Motion #310/13 There being no further business, Ms. Fitzgerald asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Resolved, to adjourn the meeting. Submitted by: Maureen Bellino District Clerk Page 6 of 6