REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
March 29, 2007
Location: RJK Middle School library
7 p.m.

ROLL CALL
A. Present: Alyce Van Etten, Eugene Nesin, Robert Stewart, Richard Feller, Liza Glick (arrived 6:05), Tara Buckstad, Vivian Liff (arrived at 6:44)

Also Present: Patrick Michel, Superintendent of Schools
Kathleen Pagano-Fuller, Assistant Superintendent
Gladys P. Baxter, School Business Official, Jesse Campanaro, Mary Ryan Buchholz, District Clerk

Absent: Jacob Billig, Robert Rosengard

President, Alyce Van Etten, called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
5:0
Upon Motion to go into Executive Session by Eugene Nesin, seconded by Tara Buckstad at 6:03 p.m. to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, or removal of a particular person or corporation. John Donoghue, legal counsel, was in attendance. He left Executive Session at 6:18 p.m.
7:0
Motion to come out of Executive Session at 7:01 p.m. by Robert Stewart, seconded by Richard Feller.

President, Alyce Van Etten, after a five minute recess, called the meeting back to order at 7:07 p.m. (Pledge to Flag)

BOARD AWARD
B. Board of Education Award – Certificate of Appreciation presented to Alan Kesten.

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
C. Thomas Ference – Presented a letter to the Board, concerning a staff member.

Laura Patterson – Wanted to discuss a particular staff member with the Board. Was advised to contact administration with concerns.

Rosalie Wallis – Wanted to discuss the policy relating to public comments. The Board recommended that she contact the District Clerk to obtain a copy of the Board’s Public Policy.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER PRESENTATION
D.

E.1. Jesse Campanaro gave a report on student activities at the High School.
Middle School Presentation – Deborah Wood, Principal of the RJK Middle School, along with Teachers, Jessia Rittacco and Sharon Strysko presented to the Board of Education, an update on the English Language Arts (ELA) for the Middle School. Presented was the NYS test results in ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies for 2000 through 2006, ELA Benchmark comparison, student data comparison and a plan of action update.

2. School News Notifier – Renata Gittler, MCSD Communications Specialist, announced the launch of Monticello Central School District’s, “School News Notifier”; an opt-in email alert system where parents and residents can sign up to receive e-mail alerts from different schools or the Superintendent.

3. Budget Presentation – Dr. Patrick Michel, Superintendent of Schools presented to the Board of Education a detailed breakdown of the 2007-2008 proposed Budget. Items discussed were the proposed Budget model, driver’s education impact, the proposed tax levy, historical tax data, and revenue and expense history.

7:0 Upon motion, by Robert Stewart, seconded by Eugene Nesin, to consider Action item, G.2.h., before the Consent Agenda.

CONSENT AGENDA
F 7:0
Upon motion by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Liza Glick, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approved the following Consent Agenda.
F.1.a.
Minutes of March 15, 2007, as amended.
F.1.b.
Minutes of March 22, 2007, as amended.
F.2.
F.2.a PERSONNEL
F.2.a TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT
Resolved, that the Board of Education of the Monticello Central School District, pursuant to Section 3012 of the Education Law and in compliance with Part 30.3 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Thomas Druse to the temporary position of Tenure Area, Chemistry Teacher, at a salary of $83,305, pro-rated, per year, effective February 27, 2007 to June 22, 2007, replacing Harold Tighe.

F.2.b. CSE SERVICES

F.2.c. CPSE SERVICES – None

ACTION ITEMS
G.1.
G.1. Old Business – None to be voted on.
G.2.
G.2. New Business
7:0
G.2.a EXCESSED ITEMS
Upon motion by Richard Feller, seconded by Vivian Liff, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approved the Excessed Items.

7:0 G.2.b. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT FROM ALAN KESTEN
Upon motion by Richard Feller, seconded by Tara Buckstad, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approved the Acceptance of Gift from Alan Kesten.
7:0 G.2.c. APPROVAL OF NEW TEXTBOOK
Upon motion by Vivian Liff, seconded by Liza Glick, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved the New Textbook.
7:0
G.2.d. APPROVAL OF SCHOOL CALENDAR, 2007-2008
Upon motion by Vivian Liff, seconded by Tara Buckstad, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approved the School Calendar, 2007-2008.
7:0
G.2.e. APPROVAL OF DR. PATRICK MICHEL TO JOIN THE NAACP
Upon motion by Richard Feller, seconded by Robert Stewart, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved Dr. Patrick Michel to join the NAACP
7:0
G.2.f. ADOPTION OF 2007-2008 BUDGET
Upon motion by Richard Feller, seconded by Vivian Liff, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved the 2007-2008 Budget in the amount of $69,295,000.
7:0
Upon motion by Richard Feller, seconded by Vivian Liff, the Board moved to have a separate proposition for 3 replacement buses at a cost of $303,000.
7:0
G.2.g. APPROVAL OF PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD
Upon motion by Robert Stewart, seconded by Liza Glick, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved the Property Tax Report Card.
7:0
G.2.h. MEMORIAL FOR JOHN SPEAR
Upon motion by Robert Stewart, seconded by Vivian Liff, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approved, in one reading, as prescribed in policy, the Memorial to John Spear.
7:0
G.2.i. APPEAL FOR 3214 SUPERINTENDENT’S HEARING
Upon motion by Robert Stewart, seconded by Tara Buckstad, the Board of Education, moved to uphold the Finding and recommendation of the Hearing Officer and Superintendent in the 3214 Superintendent’s Hearing for student 032907 who was identified to the Board in Executive Session.

CORRESPONDENCE
Given to Central Office.

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Ia. Compliance with Section 1708 of New York State Education Law Annual Visit to Schools – After the Spring break, visits to the schools will again be scheduled before each Board of Education meeting.

Ib. Policy Committee – Copies of the revised policy manual are ready to be distributed to the Board of Education. Revisions will be placed on member’s usb drives when dropped off at Central Office. NYSSBA will review the policy over the Spring break. Will be an action item at the April 19, 2007 Board of Education meeting.

Ic. Audit Committee – Next meeting will take place on May 15, 2007.

Id. Public Relations Committee – Met March 22, 2007. Discussed getting information out to the general public, with regard to the Budget vote. Superintendent will visit with local groups (e.g. Rotary, etc.) at their regularly scheduled meetings, before May 15th.

Ie. Facilities Committees & EXCEL Aid – Unfinished projects will be worked on and completed during Spring recess.

If. CABC Debrief– Very positive feedback from the Board. Will review meeting scheduling process for 2008. May keep the group involved after the vote and let them help with other committees.

Ig. Focus Review for Special Education – Status quo.

Ih. Duggan Elementary School – On 3/22/07, a representative from Quest, Inc., met with Dr. Patrick Michel and the staff at Duggan Elementary School. The conclusion of all of the tests conducted was that it is not a “sick school”. There is a humidity factor that will be looked at. Thorough cleaning of all rooms of dust, old paperwork, etc. is being planned.

Hi. Homework – The Board of Education was given information to read over the Spring recess for future Board discussions.

Hj. Board Meeting Date Change – The June 21st Board of Education meeting has been changed to June 19, 2007, at the Middle School Library at 7:00 p.m.

An added Board meeting for April 17, 2007 has been scheduled for election of Board Members to Board of Cooperative Educational Services Board and voting on their 2007-2008 Budget. This meeting will take place in the RJK Middle School Library, 7:00 p.m.

Hk. Board Report Out –
Alyce Van Etten gave a report on the Federal Relations Network.

Pat Michel, in the absence of Jacob Billig reported on the Smaller Learning Communities.

Liza Glick gave a report on the State Legislative Network. – Learned that MCSD shares some of the same concerns with other Districts.

Robert Stewart gave a report on the YMCA – Met with members of the Administration. Concerns about shared facilities were addressed. Will review programs.

Robert Stewart gave a report on Little League – Discussed shared issues and concerns.

Hl.
Sullivan BOCES Annual Dinner Meeting - Will take place on
April 11, 2007

7:0 Upon Motion to go into Executive Session by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Eugene Nesin at 10:25 p.m. to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, or removal of a particular person or corporation.

Motion to come out of Executive Session at 10:45 p.m. by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Vivian Liff.

ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. by Vivian Liff seconded by Liza Glick.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ryan-Buchholz, District Clerk

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