Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 1
BOARD OF EDUCATION Pleasantville Union Free School District
I. CALL TO ORDER: President Sol Skolnick called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Board Members present were Sol Skolnick, David McCullagh, Thomas Exton, Bill Ultan, Lois Winkler. Also present were Superintendent of Schools Donald Antonecchia, Assistant Superintendent for Business David Quattrocchi and School Attorney Margo May.
A. Approval of Board Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009. It was duly moved by Thomas Exton and seconded by David McCullagh that the Board of Education approves the Board Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009.
II. SPECIAL REPORTS:
A. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Antonecchia reported that the High School Winter Concert was wonderful. He thanked SEPTA for sponsoring the annual grade 4 “Walk in My Shoes” and the BRS PTA Cultural Arts for sponsoring the Chinese New Year Dancers. He also thanked all the High School students who participated in an internship at Bedford Road School. The teachers, students and administration truly enjoyed having them. Dr. Antonecchia mentioned that school will be closed on Monday, January 18 and reminded parents that they should make their own decision regarding sending their children to school or picking their children up early from school during inclement weather.
B. Construction Update Mike Saraceno and Mike Perini of Andron Construction updated the Board on progress made on the High School construction project. They also reported that the construction budget is in good shape. Russ Davidson of KG&D reported they are working on details such as flooring, choosing materials and tweaking the design.
Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 2
C. Technology Update Report Director of Instructional Services and Technology Mary Fox-Alter, along with technology teacher Drew Marino and computer teacher Sam Aidala, presented an update on the District’s technology covering an Information Technology (IT) Overview, Administrative Systems, Instructional Systems, High School Courses, Network Demands, Recent Upgrades, Assistive Technology, New Initiatives, Demands and Challenges.
III. There were neither questions nor comments from the audience.
IV. SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS:
A. RESIGNATIONS: It was duly moved by Lois Winkler and seconded by David McCullagh that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education accepts the following resignations:
1. Samantha Brown Teacher Aide Effective Date: 1/29/2010
2. Lynn Newman Teaching Assistant Effective Date: 1/31/2010
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
B. APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS: It was duly moved by Lois Winkler and seconded by David McCullagh that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the following Appointments/Reappointments:
1. Substitute Teachers/Chaperones – 2009-2010 School Year: NYS Certified a) James Chiarlitti 40 days b) Gregory DeAngelis 40 days c) Alexandra Dundie 40 days d) Megan Flynn 40 days Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 3
e) Melissa Golio 40 days f) Brian Kluepfel 40 days g) Raquel Robibero 40 days h) Marissa Shaw 40 days i) Kelly Strang 40 days j) Lindsay Vetere 40 days k) Theresa Anderson Yes l) Christina Scala 40 days m) Suzanne Lampert 40 days n) Kaitlyn Connell (Chaperone only) o) Wendy Crowell 40 days
2. Substitute Teacher Aides – 2009-2010 School Year:
a) James Chiarlitti Step 1 (uncertified) b) Gregory DeAngelis Step 1 (uncertified) c) Alexandra Dundie Step 1 (uncertified) d) Megan Flynn Step 2 (uncertified) e) Melissa Golio Step 2 (uncertified) f) Brian Kluepfel Step 1 (uncertified) g) Raquel Robibero Step 1 (uncertified) h) Marissa Shaw Step 1 (uncertified) i) Kelly Strang Step 2 (uncertified) j) Lindsay Vetere Step 1 (uncertified) k) Dylan Gessner Step 1 (uncertified) l) Stefanie Zuccaro Step 1 (uncertified) m) Theresa Anderson Step 1 (certified) n) Christina Scala Step 1 (uncertified) o) Christine Dammann Step 1 (uncertified) p) Kaitlyn Connell Step 1 (uncertified) q) Wendy Crowell Step 1 (uncertified)
3. Clerical Correction to Board Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2009: IV.D. Termination: Employee #2287
4. For your information:
a) MaryKate McKenna, a student from Pace University, will serve as a Student Teacher in the Bedford Road School from January 19, 2010 – March 12, 2010 under the supervision of Maura Hunter and from March 15, 2010 – May 7, 2010 under the supervision of Ila Vinchkoski. Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 4
b) Carla Marsten, a student from the State University of New York, Oneonta, will serve as a Student Teacher in the Bedford Road School from January 25, 2010 – March 19, 2010 under the supervision of Victoria Moore and from March 22, 2010 – May 19, 2010 under the supervision of Eileen Eustace.
c) Caitlin Clark, a student from the State University of New York, Oneonta, will serve as a Student Teacher in the Bedford Road School from January 25, 2010 – March 19, 2010 under the supervision of Leah Wisotsky and from March 22, 2010 – May 19, 2010 under the supervision of Mary O’Malley.
d) Silvana Deluca, a student from Pace University, will serve as a Student Teacher in the Bedford Road School from January 19, 2010 – March 12, 2010 under the supervision of Nicole Broussard and from March 15, 2010 – May 7, 2010 under the supervision of Lauren Davidson.
e) Shannon Bishop will serve as an unpaid Intern in the Guidance Department for the 2009-2010 school year under the supervision of Elizabeth Hamel.
f) Sobonneth Ung will serve as an unpaid Psychological Intern for the 2009-2010 school year under the supervision of Dr. Carolyn McGuffog.
g) Mark Sernatinger, a student from Pace University, will serve as a Student Teacher in the Middle School and High School from January 19, 2010 – May 7, 2010 under the supervision of America Blanco.
h) Donna Bradley, a student from Mercy College, will serve as an unpaid Speech and Language intern for the 2009-2010 school year under the supervision of Dr. Carolyn McGuffog.
Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 5
5. Amendments to Board Meeting Minutes of December 15, 2009: IV.B.4.b. Toni Rosen Position: Senior Office Assistant (Automated Systems) Type of Appointment: Contingent/Permanent Effective Date of Employment: December 7, 2009 Termination Date of Probation: December 6, 2010 (permanent status to be granted on December 7, 2010 contingent upon current incumbent not returning or unless otherwise denied) Salary: Step 1– CSEA Contract – Sr. Office Assistant Schedule (prorated)
IV.B.7 Joshua Isenberg Termination Day of Assignment: 4/9/2010
6. Additional Assignment – 2009-2010 School Year:
a) Natasha Narain – After school - 1 hour per week at $40 per hour - January through June
7. Jean Gilroy Position: English Teacher Type of Appointment: Regular Substitute Effective Day of Employment: January 11, 2010 Termination Day of Employment: 6/30/10 or at the will of the Board Salary: Level C, Step 3 (prorated) Certification: English 7-12 Tenure: N/A
8. Teacher Aides – 2009-2010 School Year:
Special Education
a) Sahar Miandoabi Step 1 (uncertified) b) Lisa Makris Step 1 (uncertified)
9. Amendment to Board Meeting Minutes of December 1, 2009: IV.B.1.a. Jodianne Materasso NYS Certified Yes (Pending)
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 6
C. EMERGENCY CONDITIONAL APPOINTMENTS/EXTENSIONS: It was duly moved by Lois Winkler and seconded by David McCullagh that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the following employee(s) has(have) been fingerprinted, the fingerprints have been submitted to the New York State Education Department (SED) for processing and the District has not received clearance for such employee(s) as of the date of this meeting:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board hereby appoints/extends the following instructional/non-instructional employee(s) on an emergency conditional basis:
Appoints:
Extends: Diane Ciano Susan Mattioli-Higgins Gina DiFabio Meta Grogan Bridget Munier Diana Sweeney Mirlinda Nezaj Alyssa Sparano Melvin Weinraub Anthony Rubeo Dewitt Sullivan Adele Rosen Dana Reder Samantha Tynan Jay McCarthy Stephanie Zuccaro
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such emergency conditional appointments shall become conditional appointments upon receipt of State clearance from SED.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
V. BUSINESS OF THE BOARD:
A. RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON PRE-SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and the Committee on Pre-School Special Education, the Board of Education reviews the following classifications, and arranges for the following placements, and/or services for cases numbered: 2309, 0909.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 7
B. RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and the Committee on Special Education, the Board of Education reviews the following classifications, and arranges for the following placements, and/or services for cases numbered: 280809, 759596, 310304, 110910, 260910, 480607, 420304, 080607, 120910.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
C. ADOPTION OF 2010-2011 SCHOOL CALENDAR: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2010- 2011 school calendar as attached.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
D. APPROVAL OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR SPRING MUSICAL: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Matthew Rodriguez for professional services providing lighting services for the High School spring musical for the 2009-2010 school year at a maximum of $400.00.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
E. APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Pace University for additional professional services providing academic courses in the amount of $914.00, bringing the 2009-2010 school year maximum to $12,336.00.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 8
F. APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the appointment of Four Winds Hospital for additional professional services providing tutorial services in the amount of $3,060.00, bringing the 2009-2010 school year maximum to $6,246.00.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
G. APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Michele DiFini as a member of the Committee on Special Education and Subcommittee on Special Education for the 2009-2010 school year.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
H. APPOINTMENTS AS ALTERNATE CHAIR PEOPLE TO THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SUBCOMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints the following individuals as alternate chair people to the Committee on Special Education and Subcommittee on Special Education for the 2009-2010 school year:
Michelle DiFini – Psychologist Joanie DeConne – Special Education Teacher Maura Hunter – Special Education Teacher Babette Zacks – Special Education Teacher Renee Battaglia – Special Education Teacher Katelyn Bowe – Special Education Teacher Dana Lestz – Special Education Teacher Kristy MacSweeney – Special Education Teacher Ruth Rust – Special Education Teacher Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 9
Lindsey Swerdloff – Special Education Teacher Staci Tedrow – Special Education Teacher Jennifer Ottati – Special Education Teacher Susanne Wilson – Special Education Teacher Deirdre Vedovino – Special Education Teacher Kathleen Canfield – Special Education Teacher Kimberly Schulman – Special Education Teacher Ila Vinchkoski-Russo – Special Education Teacher Rebecca DelPriore – Special Education Teacher JulieAnn Power – Special Education Teacher Kyoko Kamakawa – Special Education Teacher Melissa Maier – Special Education Teacher Marjie Brown – Special Education Teacher Margaret Leibowitz – Special Education Teacher Nancy Pregiato – Special Education Teacher Jeanette Robinson – Special Education Teacher Barbara Vacarro – Special Education Teacher Maureen Spinozza – Special Education Teacher Daniel Iorio – Special Education Teacher Eileen Yee – Special Education Teacher Merryl Berliner – Special Education Teacher Allison Steinberg – Special Education Teacher Kristen Marchesani – Special Education Teacher Jessica Davies – Special Education Teacher Lindsay Esterow – Speech Therapist Brittania York – Speech Therapist Tania Maggiolo – Speech Therapist Michelle McCann – Speech Therapist Christina Gibson – Speech Therapist Alida Pisano – Occupational Therapist Jane Mwanza – Occupational Therapist Tracey Carreira – Occupational Therapist Mark Brizzi – Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Special Education Teacher Mike Voron – Special Education Teacher George LaMar – Special Education Teacher
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 10
I. APPOINTMENTS AS ALTERNATE CHAIRPERSON TO THE COMMITTEE ON PRE-SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Ruth Rust as alternate chairperson to the Committee on Pre-School Special Education for the 2009-2010 school year.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
J. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION: It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts a donation of $250.00 from Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage through the efforts of Donna Edlund, to be used as a breakfast program reserve for students.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
K. 1ST READING – POLICY #7618 – Use of Time Out Rooms and Physical Restraints
VI. BUSINESS AFFAIRS:
A. AMENDMENT TO SCHOOL LUNCH PRICES: It was duly moved by Lois Winkler and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that, upon the recommendation of the Assistant Superintendent for Business, the Board of Education amends the School Lunch Prices for the 2009-2010 school year to reflect an increase in the price of a 16 oz. bottle of water to $1.25.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
It was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the Board of Education REMOVES THE TABLE on Item VI. B.
Motion TO REMOVE THE TABLE carried 5 yes – 0 no Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 11
B. APPROVAL OF SETTLEMENT: It was duly moved by Lois Winkler and seconded by Bill Ultan that the Board of Education adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has been presented with a proposed settlement for property located at 140 Bedford Road (A/K/A 138-142 Bedford Road), tax map #99.19-2-69, in the tax certiorari matter of 140 Bedford Road, LLC v. Town of Mount Pleasant; and
WHEREAS, the settlement would require a refund from the school district for the tax assessment year 2003 through 2008 in the sum of $25,103.55 and a reduction in assessment for the tax assessment year 2009 of 4,600;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accepts the proposed settlement in this matter subject to approval of the settlement by the Town Board of the Town of Mount Pleasant.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
VII. There were neither questions nor comments from the audience.
VIII. OLD BUSINESS:
There were no items of Old Business.
IX. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Mr. Skolnick announced the following: 1. Transportation – Written requests for transportation to private and parochial schools during the 2010-2011 school year must be received by the District Office by Thursday, April 1, 2010. Applications may be obtained from the District Office. 2. School Board Vacancy – There will be one vacancy for the Office of Member of the Board of Education for one three-year term commencing July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2013. Petitions are available at the District Office. At least forty (40) signatures of eligible voters are required. Petitions must be returned to the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M., Monday, April 19, 2010. Public Meeting Minutes High School Information Center January 12, 2010 page 12
B. Bill Ultan mentioned that his term of office expires on June 30, 2010 and that he will not be running for another term as Board Member. C. Lois Winkler reported that the New York State School Boards Association has launched a new information and advocacy campaign called “Be the Change for Kids.” NYSSBA will engage school leaders, state and local lawmakers and the general public to develop innovative ways to overcome the potential funding gap to education when federal stimulus funding expires in two years.
At 9:45 P.M., it was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Bill Ultan that the Board of Education convenes to executive session to discuss matters pertaining to contracts and/or matters pertaining to the employment history of particular individuals. The Board will not be returning to take any action.
Motion carried 5 yes – 0 no
At 11:00 P.M., the Board of Education reconvened to public session.
X. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Board of Education, it was duly moved by David McCullagh and seconded by Thomas Exton that the meeting be adjourned at 11:01 P.M.
Motion TO ADJOURN carried 5 yes – 0 no