REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
March 6, 2008
Location: St. John Street Gymnasium
7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL A. Present: Robert Stewart, Jacob Billig (arrived at 7:26 p.m.)
Eugene Nesin, Richard Feller, Yvonne Housman, Alyce Van Etten,
Taylor Fasce’, Student School Board Member (arrived at 7:15 p.m.)
Absent: Liza Glick, Tara Buckstad, Vivian Liff
Also Present: Patrick Michel, Superintendent of Schools
Kathleen Pagano-Fuller, Assistant Superintendent for Student
Learning
Gladys P. Baxter, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Staff
Services
Mary Ryan Buchholz, District Clerk
President, Robert Stewart, called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
1. Pledge to the Flag
2. Upon motion by Yvonne Housman, seconded by Alyce Van Etten, the
Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent, voted
to adopt the Agenda, as amended to table F.2.b.
Yes: 5 Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Billig, Buckstad, Glick, Liff
PRESENTATION
B. 1. Cafeteria Report – Vince Mochetti and Dave Kabel, Greater
Southern Tier BOCES
2. Boys and Girls Club – Bill Fioravanti, Executive Director
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
C. Mathew Goldsmith – High School Student, commented on the YMCA
equipment, and wanted to know who oversees the maintenance and
repairs. Was informed that the Director of Physical Education will
oversee the repair process.
BOARD REPORT OUT
D. Student Board member, Taylor Fasce’, gave a report out on recent
activities in the High School.
Alyce Van Etten - Attended the NYSSBA State Legislative Network
Issues Conference with Richard Feller and Liza Glick, which took
place in Albany, NY on March 2 – 4, 2008. On Tuesday, after hearing
from the state’s top officials, met with state representatives from
both houses to convey our District’s concerns. In attendance were
As-semblywoman Aileen Gunther and State Senator John Bonacic. Budget
expectations were cross examined. Gladys Baxter and Pat Michel were
also in attendance.
Richard Feller – Very positive conference. A formula should be
created for the Foundation Aid of the promised funds to the District
last year. The funding needs to be continued. Once received,
literature from the conference will be shared with the Board Members
and Central Office.
Patrick Michel - $30,000 has been willed to the Monticello Central
School District by the estate of Ruth Silberman. Pat has been
invited to attend the March 18, 2008 court hearing in which the
distribution of funds will be allocated. Pat Michel suggested to the
Board of Education that the funds be used to set up a scholarship
program for the College in the Classroom program, for students who
cannot afford to pay tuition, yet do not qualify to have Title I
cover the costs.
Patrick Michel – Met with the Rock Hill Town Center developers. A
proposed 1,500 homes will be built in Rock Hill on Glen Wild Drive.
The homes will be built around the concept of Workforce Housing,
with prices ranging from $179,000 to $289,000 each. The impact will
result in 150 to 170 new students to the Monticello Central School
District. Ground breaking is set to begin shortly, as the town of
Thompson has granted permission for this project.
Robert Stewart – Attended the RJK Middle School Restructuring
meeting. Preliminary test results are showing improvement in the
right direction.
Robert Stewart – While vacationing in Arizona, met with Robert J.
Kaiser, who sends his best wishes to the Monticello Central School
District and Board of Education.
CONSENT AGENDA
E. Upon motion by Eugene Nesin, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the
Board of Education upon recommendation of the Superintendent, voted
to approve the Consent Agenda.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
E.1.a. Minutes of February 21, 2008 – Regular Meeting
E.2 PERSONNEL
E.2.a. LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Kenneth Wojtak, requests a leave of absence from his School Safety
Position in order to accept the position of Earth Science Teacher.
E.2.b. 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 Elsa DePaula to the position of Teacher Aide at a
salary of $7.75 per hour for 6 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 Marguerite Puglisi, to
be effective February 11, 2008.
E.2.c. PROBATIONARY 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 Shannon Deitrich to the probationary position of
Tenure Area, Physical Education, Step 1, at a salary of $ 38,687 per
year, pro-rated, effective March 10, 2008 to March 10, 2011.
Replacing Jason Catanzariti.
E.2.d. PROBATIONARY 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 Erin Mentnech to the probationary position of Tenure
Area, Elementary Education, Step 4, at a salary of $ 43,344 per
year, pro-rated, effective March 17, 2008 to March 17, 2010. New
Position.
E.2.e. RESIGNATION
Enid Hersh, District Registrar, wishes to resign for the purpose of
retirement, effective February 28, 2009.
ACTION ITEMS
F.1. Old Business
F.1.a. PROJECT LEAD THE WAY CONTRACT
Upon motion by Jacob Billig seconded by Richard Feller, the Board of
Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, voted to
approve the Project Lead the Way Contract.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
F.2. New Business
F.2.a. NOMINATION OF ED FURCHAK TO THE SULLIVAN COUNTY BOCES BOARD
OF EDUCATION
Upon motion by Eugene Nesin, seconded by Richard Feller, the Board
of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to
approve the Nomination of Ed Furchak to the Sullivan County BOCES
Board of Education.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
F.2.b. APPROVAL OF BOARD RESOLUTION FOR EMPLOYEE 121307
Tabled.
F.2.c. TREASURER’S REPORT
Upon motion by Jacob Billig, seconded by Yvonne Housman, the Board
of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent voted to
approve the Treasurer’s Report for the Month of December 2007.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
CORRESPONDENCE
G. Robert Stewart, president of the Board of Education, read aloud
correspondence and passed it on to Central Office.
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
H.a Compliance with Section 1708 of New York State Education Law
Annual Visit to Schools – The St. John Street building, including
the Boys and Girls Club rooms were complete before this evening’s
Board meeting. Everything was in great shape. Duggan Elementary
School, Somerville Field, and the Bus Garage visits will be
determined during the next several Board meetings.
H.b. Facilities Committee Construction Update – Meeting took place
on March 5, 2008 at Central Office. The Chase Elementary School’s
tanks are now being installed. There have been no problems, as of to
date, with the DEC. Everything has been going according to schedule.
The Excel Project is anticipated to be returned from the State
around mid April 2008. Once approved, Central Office will give the
Board of Education a report, and then proceed with the bid process.
The next meeting will take place on April 1, 2008 at the Central
Office Conference room at 10:00 a.m.
H.c. Recycling – Pat Michel met with the Village of Monticello. The
meeting was very positive. The District is looking to start the full
recycling process September 2008.
Pat Michel also met with Denise Frangipane of Sullivan County
Renaissance Committee on March 6, 2008. Denise is writing the DEC
Grant, which will provide funding to the District’s recycling
conversion.
H.d. Budget Discussion – The March 4, 2008 CABC meeting was well
attended. The next meeting will take place on March 11, 2008 at 7:00
p.m. at the RJK Middle School Library.
H.e. Somerville Field Utilization – Doug Murphy, Director of
Physical Education, Health and Athletics, will accompany Board
Members as they visit Somerville Field later this Spring. Suggested
at tonight’s Board meeting was to form a sub-committee, which may
include staff and community members. This item will remain on the
Information and Discussion segment of the Agenda for further
discussions.
H.f. CEP Plan – High School – The High School CEP Plan was included
in each Board Member Agenda Packet. They will review the plan and
forward to Central Office any questions prior to March 11, 2008.
Rutherford Elementary School, RJK Middle School, and the High
School’s CEP Plans will be added as a Consent Agenda item for the
March 20, 2008 Board of Education meeting.
H.g. School Calendar 2008 – 2009 – A proposed school calendar was
shared with the District’s Teacher and Administrator Associations.
Also, the proposed school calendar was included in each Board
Member’s Agenda packet. Questions or comments can be sent to the
Superintendent’s office. Calendar may be added to the next Board
meeting’s agenda as an action item.
H.h. Freshman Portfolio - A meeting with parents took place on March
6, 2008. Freshman will be trained to explain their progress (or lack
of) at school to their parents during Parent/Teacher conferences.
This process will give students ownership of their school work.
H.i. The “Other” Advanced Program – An article on the International
Baccalaureate was enclosed in each Board Member’s Agenda packet to
read and review.
H.j. Negotiations Committee – The next meeting will take place at
Central Office on March 12, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
H.k. Conference for Northwest Educational Regional Laboratory – It
was a huge honor for our High School’s Smaller Learning Community to
be selected to participate in the Conference for Northeast
Educational Regional Laboratory. The conference will be held June
23rd, 24th, and 25th at the University of Nevada. Board members in
attendance at this evening’s meeting all agreed that our District
should participate at this prestigious tribute of our dedicated
staff. Participants are Arleene Siegel, High School Principal, Chris
Russo, SLC Project Director, and Ann Hazelnis, Freshman Academy
Coordinator. Funding for this trip will be covered by a grant.
H.l. Superintendent’s Evaluation - Enclosed in each Board member’s
Agenda Packet were articles that addressed the process of a
Superintendent’s Evaluation. Future discussions will follow.
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
I. Judy Buffa – Questioned the public awareness process for proposed
grants and programs.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
3. Upon Motion to go into Executive Session by Richard Feller,
seconded by Yvonne Housman at 10:00 p.m. to discuss the evaluation
of a particular person(s), and the employment history of a
particular person, leading to the discipline of a particular person.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
Motion to come out of Executive Session at 11:37 p.m. by Eugene
Nesin, seconded by Richard Feller.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
MOTION TO REMOVE FROM TABLE ITEM
F.2.b. Upon motion by Alyce Van Etten seconded by Jacob Billig, the
Board of Education, voted to remove from table for the Approval of
Board Resolution for Employee 121307.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
F.2.b. APPROVAL OF BOARD RESOLUTION FOR EMPLOYEE 121307
Upon motion by Yvonne Housman, seconded by Alyce Van Etten, the
Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent
voted to approve the Board Resolution for Employee 121307.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
ADJOURNMENT
J. Motion to adjourn at 11:40 p.m. by Robert Stewart, seconded by
Jacob Billig.
Yes: 6 Billig, Feller, Housman, Nesin, Stewart, Van Etten
No: 0
Absent: Buckstad, Glick, Liff
