A Special Meeting of the Board of Education of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District was held in the Cafeteria of the Middle School in said district on October 25, 2004.
President of the Board of Education Margaret Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Smith, Bradley, Ahnert, Carbone, Carpenter, Conlon, Crisafullii, Superintendent
Marcelle, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kavanaugh, Acting District Clerk Ellis
Absent: Business Administrator Nolie
In recognition of School Board Appreciation Week, Mr. Marcelle presented each board member with a small gift.
Mr. Kavanaugh explained that state testing in grades 4 and 8 in Mathematics and English Language Arts began in 1999. This is the sixth year that districts have tracked results using the State Accountability Performance Index (SAPI) as well as the percentages of students who score at levels 1 (low) Ð 4 (high) on these tests. There are a number of accountability systems that are used to calculate a district's standing in relation to the state's requirement. Mr. Kavanaugh reported that all of the district's schools are in good standing, as measured by using all criteria from both the state and federal governments.
Math grade 4 results show that 91% scored at or above level 3; ELA grade 4 results show that 74% scored at or above level 3. There are fluctuations between individual elementary schools. Math scores were extremely high at three of our four schools. ELA scores have risen slightly in the past year.
Grade 4 science and grade 5 social studies are now also reported in level 1 Ð 4 format. Our performance on both sets of exams was very high. 95% of students scored at level 3 or 4 in each discipline.
Grade 8 students had their highest math score since the inception of these tests. The ELA index rose 8 points from the previous year. Both areas are above the State standard. Social studies scores at level 3 or above were achieved by 65% of students; 91% of students achieved at or above level 3 on the science test.
Mr. Kavanaugh pointed out that students at the elementary level are taught by teachers who are "generalists", while at the middle school and high school levels, teachers must be "specialists" in their areas.
Comparisons of grade 4 and grade 8 scores for the same students are affected by a number of factors. Studies show that there is not a significant increase in the number of students who become more proficient between grade 4 to grade 8, despite efforts at academic assistance. This occurs in districts statewide, not just locally. Data does not take into account the difficulty level of the tests at grade 8 compared to grade 4, or the part that the motivational level of a 13 year old may play. In addition, more than 25% of our students who were tested at grade 4 are no longer in the district at grade 8.
At the high school level, our district met or exceeded standards and is in good standing as measured by results on Regents exams and cohort accountability.
Mr. Kavanaugh recommended that curriculum committees continue to emphasize and provide feedback on writing across the curriculum for all content areas, that teachers continue to be trained in the Wilson Language Program, that a student tutoring program be set up with high school students helping middle school students with homework, that teachers take advantage of in-service courses offered, that the mentoring program to provide additional support to new teachers continue, and that teachers provide after school sessions targeting students who may not be able to achieve proficiency on the ELA 8 exam.
Mr. Kavanaugh answered questions from Board members. He emphasized that our testing results are positive, but they are not the only measure to indicate success in the classroom. A visit to a classroom will show that learning is taking place in a positive environment, and we are producing life-long and well-rounded learners who have gained a love of learning. (Further information is contained as Appendix A to these minutes.)
MOVED by Carbone that the Board of Education approve the request for the overnight trip of the GIVE Program students and chaperones to Philadelphia, PA, to participate in the Atlantic Region Service Learning Conference from October 28 - 29, 2004. (The request is contained as Appendix B to these minutes.)
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Carbone that the Board of Education approve the request for the overnight trip of the National Honor Society students and chaperones to Orlando, FL, to participate in the "Grad Nite" at
Disney World from April 28 Ð May 1, 2005. (The request is contained as Appendix C to these minutes.)
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Carbone that the Board of Education approve the request for the overnight trip of the Middle School Science Club students and chaperones to Boston and Cape Cod, MA, to participate in a variety of science experiences in April 2005. (The request is contained as Appendix D to these minutes.)
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Ahnert that the Board of Education adopt the resolution to accept the J. William Sawyer Memorial Chemistry Scholarship, as submitted. (The Resolution is contained as Appendix E to these minutes.)
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Ahnert that the Board of Education adopt the resolution to accept the Gladys Gaetz Sawyer Memorial Social Studies Scholarship, as submitted. (The Resolution is contained as Appendix F to these minutes.)
ROLL CALL
AYES: 7
NOES: 0
MOTION CARRIED
MOVED by Bradley that the Board of Education approve the following items under Communications and Staffing:
a. The letter of resignation Jamie White, School Nurse (Glendaal School), effective c.o.b. November 19, 2004. (The letter is contained as Appendix G to these minutes.)
b. The letter of resignation of Irving Mercado, Cleaner (Senior High School), effective c.o.b. October 29, 2004. (The letter is contained as Appendix H to these minutes.)
c. The letter of resignation of Kathy Dwyer, Teacher Aide (Glendaal School), effective c.o.b. November 4, 2004. (The letter is contained as Appendix I to these minutes.)
1) The full-time appointment of Kim
Mastroianni as Registered Professional Nurse-School (Lincoln Elementary
School), subject to Civil Service regulations, effective November 2, 2004, with
2004-2005 salary to be at the annual rate of $26,000. This appointment is conditioned on the school district's
receipt of clearance for the employee from the State Education Department
following a criminal history records check in accordance with the provision of
Education Law ¤3035.
2) The revised salaries for the following supplemental appointments for 2004-2005:
a) Publication
Advisors
High School Yearbook Kimberly Durant $2,529.00
High School Yearbook (financial) Tammy Boyd $ 793.00
Middle School Yearbook Marianne Burke $1,380.00
b) Class Advisors
Senior Class Janet Rathjens $ 910.00
Eric DeCarlo $ 910.00
Junior Class Patricia Johnson $ 615.50
Patricia Tammar $ 615.50
Sophomore Class Leslie O'Keefe $ 608.00
Freshman Class Jaime Massaro $ 217.00
Stephanie Dimopoulos-DiCocco $ 217.00
c) Student Council Advisors
Senior High Anthony Peconie $ 538.00
Trisha Burr $ 538.00
Middle School Pamela Smith Lyle $ 538.00
Cynthia Markham $ 538.00
d) High School Drama ClubAdvisor Deborah May $ 670.00
e) Middle School AV Coordinator Karen Pelletier $1,076.00
f) Other
1) Marching Band Allison Atchley $1,213.00
2) National Honor Society Kate Gonnelly $ 460.00
Senior High School Patti Johnson $ 460.00
3) National Honor Society Jeannine Dowdle $ 246.00
Middle School Corinna DuCharme $ 246.00
4) DECA Barbara Brandone $1,213.00
5) Key Club John Connolly $1,213.00
6) FBLA Barbara Brandone $1,213.00
7) FCCLA Cheryl Miller $ 606.50
Cheryl Ferraro $ 606.50
8) Choralaires Jessica Dashnaw $1,213.00
9) Mock Trial (Senior High) Christine Sipperly $1,213.00
10) German Club Connie Cunningham $ 799.00
11) French Club Lisa Bourassa $ 799.00
12) Spanish Club Lorri Sammons $ 799.00
13) SADD Ð Senior High Marilyn Johnson $ 920.00
SADD Ð Middle School Taryn LoCascio - 0 Ð
SADD Ð Middle School David Sammons - 0 -
14) Ski Club Ð Senior High Patricia Bertino $ 799.00
15) Art Club Stephanie Dimopoulos-DiCocco $ 799.00
16) Amnesty International Vacant $ 799.00
17) Bookstore Advisor Marianne Ille $1,133.00
3) The revised salaries for the following fall coaching appointments for 2004-2005:
Cross
Country
Varsity James Krogh Step 5 $2,790
Assistant Ron Cameron Step 5 $2,232
Field Hockey
Varsity Susan Davenport Step 4 $3,148
JV Carron Maston Step 3 $2,265
Modified Lisa Snyder Step 3 $1,982
Football
Varsity Anthony DiCocco Step 10 $5,198
Varsity Assistant Ronald Ashcraft Step 10 $4,158
Varsity Assistant Michael Turgeon Step 5 $3,767
JV John Striffler Step 10 $4,158
JV Assistant Andrew Swayne Step 3 $2,902
Modified Rick Warren Step 10 $3,898
Modified Assistant James Nevins Step 10 $3,706
Modified Assistant Frank Leffler Step 5 $3,357
Modified Assistant Matthew Hughes Step 2 $2,441
Boys'
Soccer
Varsity Allan Alexander Step 10 $4,476
JV Robert Gula Step 4 $2,928
Modified Joseph Carosella Step 1 $1,976
Assistant All Levels Albert Auricchio -- - 0 Ð
Girls' Soccer
Varsity Lise Williams Step 10 $4,476
JV Mark Gatta Step 10 $3,581
Modified Kerry Cermak Step 3 $2,470
Assistant All Levels Michael Palombo -- - 0 -
Swimming
Varsity Dirk Francois Step 10 $3,273
Girls' Tennis
Varsity Geoffrey Olson Step 5 $2,267
Modified Alison
(Cardinell)Tribley Step 2 $1,154
Boys'
Volleyball
Varsity Christopher Crounse Step 4 $2,755
JV Lou Inzinna Step 4 $2,204
Girls' Volleyball
Varsity Carol Atkins Step 10 $3,369
JV Corinna DuCharme Step 3 $1,982
Modified Marcy Pahl Step 2 $1,554
Modified Jenna Cowan Step 1 $1,387
4) The following winter coaching appointments for 2004-2005:
Boys'
Basketball
Varsity James Giammattei Step 10 $5,005
Varsity Assistant Glenn Stopera -0-
Junior Varsity Jamie Haver Step 5 $3,627
Freshman David Versocki Step 10 $3,754
Modified 8th Yacouba Sangare Step 2 $2,308
Modified 7th Timothy O'Connell Step 3 $2,576
Girls
Basketball
*Varsity Kara Sheehan Step 1 $1,472
Jolene Johnston Step 1 $1,472
Junior Varsity Mark Gatta Step 10 $4,004
Modified 8th Geoffrey Olson Step 5 $3,174
Modified 7th Chester Zink Step 3 $2,576
Bowling
Varsity Michael Palombo Step 3 $1,415
Cheerleading
Varsity Stephanie St. Pierre Step 5 (60%) $1,674
Junior Varsity Laurie Cieslak Step 5 (40%) $1,116
Indoor Track
Varsity James Krogh Step 5 $4,098
Assistant Ronald Cameron Step 5 $3,278
Assistant vacant
Nordic
Skiing
Varsity Dirk Francois Step 10 $3,946
Wrestling
Varsity Ronald Ashcraft Step 10 $4,428
Junior Varsity Leonard Snyder Step 10 $3,542
Modified John Striffler Step 5 $3,008
5) The probationary appointment of Margaret D'Allessandro as District Clerk (Management/
Confidential) (Business Office), effective November 1, 2004, in accordance with Civil
Service Regulations, and approve the 2004-2005 contract, as
submitted. This appoint-
ment is conditioned on the school districtÕs receipt of clearance for
the employee from
the State Education Department following a criminal history records
check in
accordance with the provision of Education Law ¤3035.
6) The change in assignments for the following School Bus Drivers (Transportation),
effective October 19, 2004 through June 30, 2005, with no change in current rate of pay.
Richard Badalucco from