Regular Meeting Minutes

 

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Scotia-Glenville Central School District was held in the Cafeteria at the Middle School in said district on December 13, 2004.

 

President of the Board of Education Margaret Smith called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.

 

Present:      Ahnert, Bradley, Carbone, Carpenter, Conlon, Crisafulli, Smith, Superintendent Marcelle, Business Administrator Nolie, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Kavanaugh, District Clerk DÕAlessandro

 

Absent:        None

 

Pledge of Allegiance

 

Hearing/Privilege of the Floor

 

None.

 

Recognition of Retiring Instructional Personnel:  Geraldine Hallgren,

Teaching Assistant

 

Margaret Smith, President of the Board of Education, recognized the retirement of Geraldine

Hallgren.  Congratulations were extended and the following comments were made:

 

Gerry Hallgren has been a Teaching Assistant in the High School Library since 1991.  Prior to that, she served as a substitute in the district for two years. In her thirteen years in the library, Gerry has seen many changes and technological advancements.  She was always eager to adapt to these changes and to learn new ways to better serve the students in our high school.  She enjoyed working with students and assisted them whenever possible to ensure that they made the best use of the library's resources.  Her pleasant ways and helpful mannerisms will be missed by all. 

 

Gerry is also very creative and artistic, and the students and staff were always anxious to see the attractive displays she often prepared for the library window and various bulletin boards.  She plans to continue to pursue her interest in art and hopes to spend many leisurely hours with her watercolor painting.  Gerry also loves "antiquing" and is looking forward to pursuing this hobby.  She is also making plans to travel and spend time with her sons in Connecticut and Michigan and to visit her dad in Boston.  She has a very active retirement planned!

 

We wish Gerry the best in her retirement years!  Congratulations, Gerry!

 

Presentation:  Questar III Tech Valley Tech Camp

 

Mr. Marcelle introduced Dr. Barbara Nagler of the Capital Region BOCES who spoke briefly about the

1st annual summer Tech Valley Tech Camp which runs in partnership between Capital Region

BOCES and Questar III.  Mr. Cliff Hebert of Questar III then spoke of the purpose of the Tech Camp

which is intended to excite students with the ÒsciencesÓ and prepare them for a career in that field.

Andrew Peterson and Courtney Schaeffer, SG Middle School students, participated in the Tech

Camp this past summer and gave a powerpoint presentation which highlighted their experience.

Ms. Hillary Riley of the Capital Region BOCES Science Department spoke about the plan to develop

 

a Regional Technical High School. Next year the goal for Tech Camp is to increase the Camp from

five (5) days to 2 weeks and add more students. (A Letter from Cliff Hebert is contained as Appendix

A to these minutes.)

 

Curriculum Report:  Middle School At-Risk Program/Senior High GOAL/GED Update Ð Shari Keller, Lynda Castronovo, and Thomas Eagan

 

Mr. Eagan, Assistant Principal of the High School, reviewed the history of the GOAL Program.  He

presented an overview of the program which included the selection process, program goals, a review

of student progress and student placement.  He presented a summary of the program for the years

2001-2004.  He pointed out where we have been, where we are now and where we want to be with

the program.  Ms. Castronovo, Principal of the High School, spoke of the changing demographics, how children are identified and noted that the goal of the program is for children to leave high school with a diploma.  She explained that the GOAL program has the components needed for children to get the support they need and to give them real world projects. She stressed the importance of needing a teacher assistant, which was cut back in the 2002-2003 school year, and the need to restore this position.  Ms. Keller, Principal of the Middle School, gave statistics on how at risk children have increased since 2002.  She feels there is a need to be pro-active in targeting children at the middle school level who are at risk.  After looking at the three groups of children at risk (special education students, able bodied with behavioral problems and those at risk of failing), she is proposing hiring one (1) 7-hour teacher assistant who would work with 12 7th and 12 8th graders.  (A Curriculum Report is contained as Appendix B to these minutes.)

 

Approval of Professional Development Plan for 2004-2005

 

MOVED by Bradley that the Board of Education approve the Professional Development Plan for the

2004-2005 school year, as submitted.   Mr. Kavanaugh commented on different parts of the plan,

pointing out specifically the evaluation model and the need to discuss the mentor plan in more depth.

It was agreed this topic would be put on a future board meeting agenda. (The Plan is

contained as Appendix C to these minutes.)

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED

 

Request for Overnight Field Trip Ð Varsity Cheerleaders to Orlando,

Florida

 

MOVED by Carpenter that the Board of Education approve the request for the overnight trip of the

varsity cheerleaders and chaperones to the Contest of Champions National Cheerleading

Competition in Orlando, Florida, from February 23, 2005 Ð February 28, 2005, at no expense to the

district.  Mr. Conlon questioned the $250 cost per student.  Mr. Marcelle indicated no child has ever

been excluded from a field trip due to this cost since fundraising covers it.  (The Request is

contained as Appendix D to these minutes.)

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED


 

Resolution:  Withdraw and Amend School Tax Rolls

 

MOVED BY Ahnert that the Board of Education adopt the Resolution, dated December 13, 2004, to withdraw and amend the 2004-2005 School Tax Rolls, as submitted.  (The Resolution is contained as Appendix E to these minutes.)

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED

 

Adopt Reading Textbook and Materials for Middle School AIS

 

MOVED by Carbone that the Board of Education adopt the following Reading Textbook and Materials for the Middle School AIS program:

 

Literature and the Language Arts:  Exploring Literature (Anthology)

Literature and the Language Arts:  Exploring Literature Ð The EMC Write-In Reader

Literature and the Language Arts:  Exploring Literature Ð New York ELA Practice

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED

 

CAPSBA/Legislative Liaison/PTA Reports

 

á      Ms. Carbone spoke regarding the position papers for CAPSBA and requested that Board Members indicate what their priorities are and to also let her know if anyone wants to work on the legislative papers.  She also encouraged members to attend the Legislative Breakfast.  She also noted that there have been no applications for the Grace McIver Award the last two years from the school district.

á      Mr. Conlon spoke regarding the CFE lawsuit. 

á      Ms. Carbone reminded members that the PTAÕs FounderÕs Day event is 2/1 at Glen Sanders.  They are looking at Ron Cook as the guest speaker.

 

MOVED by Conlon that the Board of Education approve the following items under Communications and Staffing:

 

Communications

 

1)   The letter of resignation for retirement purposes of Theresa E. Moran, School Media Specialist (Library)  (Senior High School) and Head Librarian (Districtwide), effective July 1, 2005.  (The Letter is contained as Appendix F to these minutes.)

 

 

Staffing

 

  1)   The attached revisions to the 2004-2005 Teachers' Salary List originally submitted on the October 18, 2004, Agenda, as submitted. (The Revisions are attached as Appendix G to these minutes.)

 

 2)    The following additional supplemental appointment for 2004-2005:  (The Request is contained as Appendix H to these minutes.)

 

         Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)

         Advisor         Leslie Kenny-Terry                -0-

 

             3)    The following additional winter coaching appointments for 2004-2005:

 

                     Skiing

                     Varsity Cross Country            Colleen Stevens             - 0 Ð

 

                     Wrestling

                     Varsity Assistant                     Christopher Bailey          - 0 Ð

 

       These appointments are conditioned on the school districtÕs receipt of clearance for the employees from the State Education Department following a criminal history records check in accordance with the provision of Education Law ¤3035.

 

              4)   The stipend for Donald Petersen, Senior Maintenance Mechanic (Districtwide), as per the attached.  (The agreement is attached is Appendix I to these minutes.)

 

5)    The probationary appointment of Vern Layaou as Cleaner (Senior High School), effective December 14, 2004, in accordance with Civil Service regulations, with 2004-2005 salary to be at the annual rate of $20,363.20 (Step 1). 

 

6)    The change in assignment of Roberto Oquendo from Cleaner (Sacandaga Elementary School) to Lead Cleaner (Sacandaga Elementary School), effective December 14, 2004, and further approve the Lead Cleaner annual stipend of $1250, effective December 14, 2004.

 

              7)   The following additional substitutes for 2004-2005:

      

                     Substitute School Monitor

                     Francis Walter

 

                     Substitute Cleaner/Laborer

                     Wendy Howard

 

       These appointments are conditioned on the school districtÕs receipt of clearance for the employees from the State Education Department following a criminal history records check in accordance with the provision of Education Law ¤3035.

 

              8)   The probationary appointment of Cynthia Steadwell as Teaching Assistant (Senior High School), effective January 3, 2005 through January 2, 2008, with 2004-2005 salary to be at the annual rate of $16,721.25 (Step 2, 7 hours/day).  Mrs. Steadwell's Teaching Assistant certification is in progress.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:           7

Noes:          0

MOTION CARRIED

 

Routine Business

 

a.  Placement of Children with Disabilities      

 

MOVED by Bradley that the Board of Education accept the recommendations of the Placement of Students with Disabilities as recommended by the Committee on Special Education at their meetings on 11/10/04, 11/12/04, 11/16/04, 11/17/04, 11/18/04, 11/19/04, 11/23/04, 11/29/04, 12/01/04, 12/02/04, 12/06/04, 12/07/04 and 12/08/04 and the Committee on Preschool Education at their meeting on 11/19/04. 

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED

 

   b. Treasurer's Report

 

President Smith acknowledged receipt of October 2004 TreasurerÕs Report. (This Report is contained as Appendix J to these minutes.)

 

c.  Minutes:             November 8, 2004         Regular Meeting

November 22, 2004              Special Meeting      

 

MOVED by Conlon that the Board of Education approve the above minutes with the following corrections:

Page 76 Ð Change Mr. Conlon recommended to Mr. Conlon discussed

Page 76 Ð NLSBA change to NYSSBA

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     7

Noes:   0

MOTION CARRIED

 

d.    Warrants 

      

President Smith acknowledged receipt of the following Warrants.  (The Warrants are contained as Appendix K to these minutes.)

 

                             #24       $1,077,321.94

                                           #26       $   380,423.12

 

        e.   Extra Classroom Activities Accounts  

 

President Smith acknowledged receipt of October 2004 Extra Classroom Activities Account.  (The Extra Classroom Activity Accounts are contained as Appendix L to these minutes.)

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

 

 

MOVED by Conlon to adjourn into the Executive Session in order to discuss matters relating to

personnel and/or negotiations.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:      7

Noes:    0

MOTION CARRIED

 

The Board of Education adjourned to the Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. and returned to Open

Session at 10:00 p.m.

 

MOVED by Carbone that the meeting be adjourned.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:      7

Noes:    0

MOTION CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                          ____________________________

                                                                                                             Maggie DÕAlessandro, District Clerk