Special Meeting Minutes

 

 

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 March 28, 2005.

 

President of the Board of Education called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

 

Present:      Ahnert, Bradley, Carbone, Carpenter, Conlon, Crisafulli, Smith,

              Superintendent Marcelle, Business Administrator Nolie, Director of Curriculum and

              Instruction Kavanaugh, District Clerk DŐAlessandro

 

Absent:        None

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

HEARING/PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

 

Barbara Jones, Albermarle Road, represented Lincoln Elementary School staff and families, and expressed concern about the possibility of consolidating next yearŐs third graders into one.

 

Mary Cremo, Second Street, expressed concerns about joining two classes together at Lincoln Elementary School and also feels it is not in a childŐs best interest to consider shifting them to other schools.

 

Linda Kalazinski, Rockland Road, complimented Fran Muscatiello and Deborah Croghan for the improvements made with her sonŐs speech.  She supports the additional .02 speech therapist as proposed in the budget.

 

Jim Scognamiglio, Vley Road, new to the district and whose children attend Lincoln Elementary School, complimented the staff at Lincoln and spoke of the advantages of smaller class sizes.

 

Jerry Moore, Jay Street, spoke regarding class sizes and technology.

 

Recognition of Retiring Staff Member:  Paul Schettine, Night Custodian

 

Margaret Smith, President of the Board of Education, recognized the retirement of Paul Schettine.  Congratulations were extended to Mr. Schettine, who was unable to attend the Board Meeting, and the following comments were made:

 

      Paul Schettine first joined our school district in 1974 as a custodian.  In 1991

      he shifted his duties to our grounds crew and he has faithfully fulfilled all of the duties and

      responsibilities of this position until his retirement this year.  That equates to 31 years of

      dedicated service to our school district.

 

      During this time period Paul has earned the respect of his co-workers and the reputation

      of being a master at lining our fields for athletic events.  Through all kinds of weather, and

      sometimes on a very short notice, he has managed to prepare the playing surface of one

      of our athletic fields so that our students can enjoy competing with other students.  By

      accomplishing all of this, Paul has earned the respect and gratitude of our entire athletic

      department.

 

      Our Superintendent of Schools recently received a telephone call from a community

      resident who heard Paul was retiring.  The caller made sure that Mr. Marcelle truly

      understood the contributions that Paul had made all those many years.  Mr. Marcelle

      thanked the caller for his comments and for reminding him of the valuable service that

      Paul has provided.

 

      Paul, as you begin to enjoy your retirement the Board of Education would like to express

      their gratitude for all of your efforts.  On behalf of everyone, especially the thousands of

      students who have benefited from your hard work, we say thank you.

 

K-5 Instructional Organization Advisory Committee Report

 

Committee members presented their Advisory Report which was in response to the Board of

EducationŐs request in June of 2004 to look at the current structure for instruction in grades K-5

throughout the district. Parents, teachers and members of the community met and researched

different options such as full day kindergarten, grade level centers, closing an elementary school,

redistricting of K-5 students and continuing with the current grade level programs.  The committee

researched these options and recommended maintaining the current model of transitional

kindergarten, maintaining the current configuration of neighborhood schools, keeping the current

elementary schools open and investigating the swing zone option of redistricting new incoming

families.

 

Budget Discussion

 

Mr. Marcelle asked the Board to consider an additional $20,000 for Young Scholars, $100,000 in Technology Equipment and $40,000 for Maintenance projects, a total of $160,000 in the projected budget instead of a proposition.  He stated that the additional monies proposed in the equipment proposition for musical instruments and athletic equipment would be taken from other areas in the budget.  He stated that he and Ms. Nolie reviewed the tax assessment roles and projected a tax rate of 7.6%.  If the $160,000 is included, the projected tax rate would be 8.37%.  In addition, if the legislatures allowed districts to amortize the TRS payments, the rate could be reduced to 6.23%.  Board members discussed this option and decided to drop the proposition.  Board members also asked for more information regarding TRS in order to decide whether to amoritize those payments and reduce the tax rate.   It was agreed that Mr. Marcelle would present a new budget proposal at the next board meeting.  Also considered was an additional teacher at Glendaal Elementary School.

 

      MOVED by Conlon that the Board of Education approve the Legal Notice Resolution, Cooperative Bid

      Resolution, and all items under Communications and Staffing.

 

Resolution:  Legal Notice of Annual District Election and Budget Vote

 

Approve the Legal Notice of Annual District Election and Budget Vote, as submitted.

 

      Resolution:  Participation in Cooperative Bid with the Niskayuna Central

      School District for Miscellaneous Automotive and Bus Parts

 

Adopt the Resolution with Niskayuna Central School District to participate in the cooperative bid for

the 2005-2006 miscellaneous automotive and bus parts.

 

      Communications

 

a.    Accept the letter of resignation of Maggie DŐAlessandro, District Clerk, effective c.o.b. April 6, 2005, with appreciation for her service to the district.

 

      Routine Business

 

            a. Staffing

 

1)     Approve the 2005-20026 contracts with the following management/confidential employees: Jeanne Ellis, Diane Hartman, John  Hoefer, Gloria Kudzin, Dana Legere, Celeste OŐNeill and David VanSchaick, as submitted.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:  7

Noes: 0

MOTION CARRIED

 

b.    Placement of Children with Disabilities. 

 

MOVED by Conlon that the Board of Education accept the recommendations of the Committee on

Special Education at its meetings on 3/8, 3/16, 3/17, 3/21 and 3/22/05.

 

ROLL CALL

Ayes:     6

Noes:   1 (Carpenter)

MOTION CARRIED

 

 

Bid:  Household Appliances 

 

MOVED BY Carpenter that the Board of Education approve the Bid for Household Appliances.

 

ROLL CALL

aYES:   7

Noes:  0

MOTION CARRIED

     

      Other Business

 

á      Mr. Ahnert stated that he will not be able to attend the Board Meeting on April 11 due to a business trip.

á      Mr. Carpenter stated that he will not be able to attend the Board Meeting on April 11.

á      The next meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Monday, April 4 at 7:00 in the Cafeteria at the Middle School.

 

MOVED by Carbone 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 10:04 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 10:55 p.m.

 

MOVED by Conlon that the meeting be adjourned.

 

ROLL CALL

AYES:   7

NOES:  0

MOTION CARRIED

 

The meeting adjourned at 10:56 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                   ____________________________

                                                                                                                   Maggie DŐAlessandro, District Clerk