Board of Education s17

BOARD OF EDUCATION WHITNEY POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PO BOX 249 Whitney Point, NY 13862

Date: February 24, 2009

District Mission: To provide an excellent education ensuring that all children maximize their potential, become contributing citizens, and pursue lifelong learning.

District Beliefs:  All children possess unique qualities and come to school eager to learn and be successful.  We respect all people within our community and treat them with dignity at all times.  Learning is a partnership that includes school staff, parents, family and the community.  Knowledge allows for critical thinking and effective decision-making.  Purposeful and intentional change is a constant that leads to educational improvement and positive results.  Compliance with state and federal regulations is critical to school district success.

Meeting called to order at 7:04 PM

Present Absent

James DiMascio President X

Sara Benscoter Vice-President X

Stephanie Champney Member X

Kathleen Driscoll Member X

Mary Ellerson Member X

Thomas Tasber Member X

Mary Hibbard Superintendent of Schools X

Laura Lindsley District Clerk X

Patricia Kuenecke Director of Curriculum and Instruction X

Others in attendance: Jerry Mackey, Elizabeth Short, LaVawn Short, Jo-Ann Sexton, Gail Lawrence, Cindy Lawrence, Jo-Anne Knapp, Joy Rupert, Dan Sweeney, Murphee Hayes, Sue Stevens

1 Please note: 6:50 p.m. Board of Education yearbook pictures

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Minutes from the Board meeting held on February 3, 2009.

Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Mary Ellerson

Mr. Tasber mentioned that the minutes indicated that he requested a change to the January 20, 2009 minutes on page 3, but the minutes didn’t specify what the change referenced. He asked that his request for clarification regarding a statement within the Academic Eligibility policy be included in the February 3rd minutes.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED

Commendations

Mrs. Hibbard commended:

• The TRA Drama Club, under the direction of Mrs. Favaloro, and the many people who assisted in their recent production of “Pigs in Court.”

• District faculty for their willingness to support the next generation of educators through hosting Field Experience and Student Teachers.

• Ms. Kuenecke and Mrs. Ford for their participation in a regional EETT grant initiative through BOCES. The District participated in regional math curriculum writing and recently received six SMART Boards as a result of our involvement. (This completes the technology in the renovated math/science wing with a SMART Board or Sympodium and an Elmo in every room.)

• Golden Eagles Boys’ Basketball Booster Club for organizing and sponsoring a Basketball Alumni Day on February 7th. Over 64 Alumni registered to play and the gym was packed with fans.

• PTA for their recent Mother/Son Bingo night. Turnout for the evening exceeded expectations and it was deemed a success by all.

Correspondence

Policies

Comments from the Public

1. Old Business

Mrs. Lindsley presented Cost Control and Summary Reports for the Phase One Renovation, Sanitation and Hazardous Material Removal Projects.

2 Mrs. Lindsley stated the reports are final with all construction costs accounted for, exception being soft costs for the completion and review of Final Cost Reports to the State Education Department.

Mr. DiMascio commended administration, maintenance and custodial department, and the Riordan Group’s effort in completing the projects within budget and on time.

2. New Business a. Tioughnioga Riverside Academy 2008-2009 Academic Improvement Plan

Mr. Dan Sweeney presented the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy 2008-2009 Academic Improvement Plan.

Mr. Sweeney reviewed the performance index data, which for the first time was reported as a grade 4-8 building. The initiatives providing targeted professional development to support the Academic Improvement Plan were reviewed by Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Sexton. The implementation process of Literacy Collaborative was summarized. Mr. Sweeney stated professional development will not be limited to literacy, other professional development will also continue.

The presentation included an overview of the eight committees working within various areas of the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy. Mr. Sweeney discussed the success of the accelerated courses offered at the TRA. The future challenges of implementing the literacy and language framework, deciding on the permanent TRA structures, and continuing to increase the performance index and maximizing learning were reviewed.

The Board complimented Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Sexton on the smooth consolidation of the building.

Mr. Tasber stated that the afternoon meeting times of the committees makes it difficult for working parents to participate. b. Appointments

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the appointment of Suzanne Kemak, School Bus Monitor, effective February 1, 2009.

Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll

Mrs. Hibbard clarified that Mrs. Kemak recently retired but with the recent loss of her husband she decided to return part time.

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the appointment of Sheryl Wright, Claims Auditor, effective March 1, 2009.

Mrs. Lindsley clarified the position is to review all requests for payments, invoices, prior to the processing of checks. The Fiscal Oversight regulations called for the establishment of the position.

3 c. Committee on Special Education

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached recommendations of the Committee on Special Education. Please see attached.

Moved by Mary Ellerson Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll

The Board stated its appreciation of the comments on the recommendations. Ms. Rupert commended the team effort of the special education staff.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED d. Cafeteria – Grocery Bid

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Grocery Bid for March 1 – April 30, 2009 as recommended by BOCES Food Services. A copy of the bid is available upon request from the District Office.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED e. Warrant

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the January 2009 Warrant. Please see attached copy.

Mrs. Lindsley clarified the snow removal payment resulted from the need for heavier machinery and the BOCES payment is the district’s monthly breakdown of its contractual obligation.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED f. Student Activity Fund Report

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Student Activity Fund Report for the months of July 2008 – January 2009. Please see attached copy.

Moved by Mary Ellerson Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll

Mrs. Ellerson question the zero balance of the Jr. class? Mrs. Lindsley stated the funds were combined upon request of the advisor with the Sr. class.

Mrs. Ellerson recommended that the advisor possibly present at a future Board meeting.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED g. Treasurer’s Report

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the November and December 2008 Treasurer’s Reports. Please see attached copies.

4 6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED

h. Financial Reports

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the General Fund Financial Reports for the months of November and December 2008. Please see attached copies.

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Special Aid Financial Report for the months of November and December 2008. Please see attached copies.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED i. Change Orders

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the following change orders:

GC-119 Additional touch up painting in the math/science/business wing $ 791.00

SC-06 Provide all labor, equipment and material to remove and replace sidewalk on the south end of middle school $ 7,607.00

SC-07 Provide all labor, equipment and material to restore and hydroseed lawn areas at the high school construction area $ 4,259.00

SC-08 Provide all labor, equipment and material to pave the entrance at the high school track eliminating dirt entrance $ 3,189.00

MC-32 Provide all labor, equipment and material to replace the motor on the circulating pump to the 1990 wing at the high school $ 776.00

MC-33 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install 4 UL listed fire damper actuators at the high school $ 2,154.00

PC-46 Provide all labor, equipment and material to replace and repair fuel pumps at the boiler room in the Adams elementary building $ 2,155.00

EC-63 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install 2 additional security cameras at the Adams elementary building $ 2,488.00

EC-64 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install 4 additional security cameras at the middle school building $ 4,975.00

EC-65 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install 5 additional security cameras at the high school $ 6,219.00

5 EC-66 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install 2 additional data drops in room #15 at the high school $ 863.00

EC-67 Provide all labor, equipment and material to install a fuel level indicator at the boiler room at the Adams elementary building $ 1,696.00

EC-68 Provide all labor, equipment and material to change out motor overloads from electronic to thermal due to utility voltage imbalance $ 1,811.00

EC-69 Provide all labor, equipment and material to transfer temporary transformer, underground conduit, wire and panel feeding the project manager’s job trailer at the high school $ 1,600.00

EC-70 Credit for deletion of providing and installing the telephone system at the Adams elementary building ($ 6,495.00)

EC-71 Credit for deletion of fire alarm reconstruction work in the auditorium and hallway due to system capability issues ($ 2,060.00)

EC-72 Provide all labor, equipment and material to rewire fume hood in science room #141 at the high school to allow louver to open only when hood is operational $ 337.00

Mrs. Lindsley clarified change order SC-07 was a result of additional work, abatement, which required additional lawn reconstruction. The credit change order EC-71 was for additional fire alarm points that the current system did not have the capability to handle, the building is still within fire code. The decision was not to install the additional points in Phase I and include fire alarm reconstruction in Phase II.

6 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED j. Budget

Mrs. Lindsley presented the initial expenditure estimates for the 2009 - 2010 budget. The initial expense projection indicates a budget increase of 5.49%. The district has received estimates of additional grant funds, Title IA and IDEA (special education funding), which could allow a reallocation of expenditures to the special aid fund thus reducing the general fund budget expenditures. The estimated reallocation of expenses results in a general fund budget increase of 4.15%. Mrs. Lindsley stated benefits, utilities, and transportation are factors in the projected budget increase.

Addenda Budget Amendments

Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached Budget Amendments.

Committee on Special Education

6 Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached recommendations of the Committee on Special Education. Please see attached.

Comments from the Public

Sue Stevens commented on her disappointment in the district’s involvement with Planned Parenthood. Mrs. Hibbard stated the organization provided access to grant funding for programming to the district. The structure of the programs stresses healthy relationships. Ms. Hayes commented that programming is provided by our own faculty. The data of reduced teen pregnancies is an indication of the program’s success. The program is designed to respect the opinion and values of families.

Meeting Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:29 PM

Executive Session:

For matters of personnel and contractual issues.

Broome-Tioga School Boards Association – By-Laws Odyssey of the Mind Competition – March 7, 2009

Laura Lindsley District Clerk