Also Present: Patrick Michel, Superintendent of Schools Kathleen Pagano-Fuller, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning Gladys Baxter, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Staff Services (left at 10:05 p.m.) Mary Ryan Buchholz, District Clerk (Arrived at 6:50 p.m., Left at 8:00 p.m.)

CALL TO ORDER
A. President, Robert Stewart, called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
1. Pledge to Flag
2. Upon motion by Yvonne Housman, seconded by Alyce Van Etten, the Board of Education, voted to adopt the amended Agenda, of which F.2.k. was added and the proposed order of the meeting was changed. Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Liff, Glick

PRESENTATIONS
B.1. International Baccalaureate at Chase School – Presentation given by Susan Gottlieb, Principal of Emma Chase Elementary School and Linda Holmes, IB Coordinator

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
C. None

BOARD REPORT OUT
D. Taylor Fasce gave a report on student activities at the High School.
Kathleen Pagano-Fuller gave a report on the County Wide Professional Development Day that was hosted in part by the Monticello Central School District for the elementary level. Day went very well and made good progress for this year as well as being beneficial for next year’s growth.
Eugene Nesin gave a report on the RJK Middle School SCIL’s Team which took first place at a tournament held at the Museum of Natural History.

CONSENT AGENDA
E. Upon motion by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Alyce Van Etten, the Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent, voted to approve the Consent Agenda.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

E.1.a. Minutes of November 1, 2007 – Regular Meeting
 
E.2 PERSONNEL
E.2.a. RESIGNATION Quaniqua Armstrong, RJK Middle School Lunch Monitor wishes to resign from this position to accept the position of Teacher Aide.

E.2.b. RESIGNATION Corrine Brooks, High School Teacher Aide, wishes to resign effective November 23, 2007.

E.2.c. RESIGNATION Kellie Stadler-Ross, RJK Middle School ELA/Guided Reading Teacher wishes to resign effective December 8, 2007.

E.2.d. 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 Quaniqua Armstrong to the position of Teacher Aide at a salary of $7.75 per hour, for 6.5 hours per day and 185 days per year, pro-rated, for a probationary period of 60 work days, with benefits as per the Teacher Aide contract, replacing Barbara Putzer, to be effective November 13, 2007.

E.2.e. 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 Carol Forte to the position of Teacher Aide at a salary of $7.75 per hour, for a maximum of 6.5 hours per day and 185 days per year, pro-rated, for a probationary period of 60 work days, with benefits as per Teacher Aide contract, replacing Joanne Jasper, to be effective November 19, 2007.

E.2.f. 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 Evelyn Garcia to the position of Part Time Teacher Aide at a salary of $7.75 per hour, for a maximum of 3.5 hours per day and 185 days per year, pro-rated, for a probationary period of N/A, with benefits as per N/A contract, replacing Quaniqua Armstrong, to be effective November 13, 2007.

E.2.g 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 Joanne Jasper to the probationary position of Teaching Assistant, at a salary of $18,000 pro-rated, per year, effective November 1, 2007. New Position.

E.2.h. 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 Joel Reyes to the position of Maintenance Helper at a salary of $30,000 per year, for a maximum of 8 hours per day and 260 days per year, pro-rated, for a probationary period of N/A, with benefits as per the custodial contract, replacing vacancy, to be effective October 1, 2007.

E.2.i. 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 Rufino P. Rodriquez to the position of Maintenance Mechanic at a salary of $40,000 per year, for a maximum of 8 hours per day and 260 days per year, pro-rated, for a probationary period of 60 work days, with benefits as per the custodial contract, replacing Anibel Cruz, to be effective November 19, 2007

E.2.j. RECOMMENDATION TO TERMINATE Benjamin Duque, Rutherford Elementary School Cleaner, effective immediately.

E.3. CSE SERVICES

E.4. CPSE SERVICES

E.5. EXCESSED ITEMS

ACTION ITEMS
F.1. Old Business - None

F.2. New Business

F.2.a. COOPERATIVE BID RESOLUTION Upon motion by Alyce Van Etten, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Cooperative Bid Resolution.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.b. RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING TEACHING ASSISTANTS AND INTERPRETERS Upon motion by Yvonne Housman, seconded by Eugene Nesin, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Resolution Recognizing Teaching Assistants and Interpreters in the Month of December.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.c. SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION BID Upon motion by Alyce Van Etten, seconded by Tara Buckstad, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Special Transportation Bid.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.d. CORRECTION OF TAXES Upon motion by Alyce Van Etten, seconded by Eugene Nesin, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Correction of Taxes.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.e. APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDERS Upon motion by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Change Orders: Heating Work Contract.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.f. BUDGET TRANSFERS Upon motion by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Budget Transfers.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.i. TAX COLLECTOR’S FINAL REPORT Upon motion by Alyce Van Etten, seconded by Tara Buckstad, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Tax Collector’s Final Report.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

F.2.j. ADJUSTMENT OF TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Upon motion by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to approve the Adjustment of the Technology Department.Yes: 5 Buckstad, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, Glick, Liff

Action Items are continued after the Executive Session.

CORRESPONDENCE
G. Was read aloud by Robert Stewart and distributed to other Board members and Central Office.

INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
H.a Compliance with Section 1708 of New York State Education Law Annual Visit to Schools – A walkthrough of Chase Elementary School was conducted this evening. The next walkthrough will be conducted at the High School before the Board meeting on December 6, 2007.

H.b. Audit Committee – Next meeting will take place at the RJK Middle School Library on December 11, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

H.c. Facilities Committee Construction Update – Had a meeting on November 13, 2007. Meeting was very productive. The architect was present. Issues being addressed are: RJK Middle School roof, drainage and windows.

H.d. Cafeteria – In mid December data will be sent to BOCES regarding staffing, sales, etc. Meetings have been scheduled for January 9th and 10th to review the information. Looking to form a focus group including students, parents and community members to work together. Focus group meeting times have not been scheduled yet.

H.e. Board Goals – Board members were asked to forward suggestions or comments to Robert Stewart.

H.f. Chapter 57 of the Education Law of 2007 – Chapter 57 of the Educa-tion Law is another layer of accountability for Contract for Excellence. A regional meeting will take place in Harriman, NY on December 5, 2007, and will be facilitated by Dr. Martin Handler, Superintendent of Sullivan County BOCES.

H.g. C4E Follow-up – Pat Michel, Gladys Baxter, and several members of the Board will be attending the Educational Conference Board in Albany, NY, on December 12, 2007. Issues that will be covered include funding, testing and accountability associated with Contract for Excellence.

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
I. None

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon Motion to go into Executive Session Tara Buckstad, seconded by Liza Glick at 8:10 p.m. to discuss the employment history of a particular person; and discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation. School Attorney Richard Baum was present from 8:00 p.m. until 8:25 p.m.Yes: 6 Buckstad, Housman, Glick, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0 Absent: Billig, Feller, LiffPresident, Robert Stewart, appointed Gladys Baxter as Clerk Pro Tem for the remainder of the meeting due to District Clerk, Mary Buchholz arriving at 6:50 p.m., and leaving at 8:00 p.m.

Motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:45 p.m. by Jacob Billig, seconded by Yvonne Housman Yes: 6 Billig, Buckstad, Glick, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0Absent: Feller, Housman, Liff

ACTION ITEMS RESUME
F.2. New Business - Continued

F.2.g. CREATION OF COORDINATOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL) PROGRAM, K-12 POSTION BASED UPON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND TITLE I GRANTS Upon motion by Jacob Billig, seconded by Eugene Nesin, the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, voted the Creation of Coordinator of English Language Lerner (ELL) Program, K-12 Position, based upon School Improvement and Title I Grants.Yes: 7 Billig, Buckstad, Housman, Glick, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0Absent: Feller, Liff

F.2.h. RESOLUTION APPROVING SETTLEMENT OF TAX CERTIORARI PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY ICHUD FOUNDATION, INC. Upon motion by Jacob Billig, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board of Education voted to approve the Resolution Approving Settlement of Tax Certiorari Proceeding brought by ICHUD Foundation, Inc. The School Board voted as follows: Jacob Billig YesRichard Feller AbsentTara Buckstad NoLiza Glick YesYvonne Housman YesVivian Liff AbsentEugene Nesin YesRobert Stewart YesAlyce Van Etten Yes

F.2.k. APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM COORDINATOR OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL) PROGRAM, K-12Resolved, 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 Rafael Marquez to the Interim position of Coordinator or English Language Learner (ELL) Program, K-12, at a salary of $92,400 per year, effective November 13, 2007. Yes: 7 Billig, Buckstad, Housman, Glick, Nesin, Stewart, Van EttenNo: 0Absent: Feller, Liff

ADJOURNMENT
J. Motion to adjourn at 9:48 p.m. by Tara Buckstad, seconded by Liza Glick.Yes: 6 Billig, Buckstad, Glick, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten No: 0Absent: Feller, Housman, Liff

Clerk Pro Tem
Gladys P. Baxter

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ryan-Buchholz, District Clerk

Return to Board of Education page