MARION CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Meeting
August 17, 2009 - 7:00 PM
Jr.-Sr. High School Library
BOARD SUMMARY
A meeting of the Board of Education was called to order in the Library at the Marion Jr.-Sr. High School at 7:00 P.M.
Board members present were: Mr. Adriaansen, Mrs. Keys, Mr. Matteson, Mrs. Tennity, and Mrs. Varalli
Administrators present were: Mr. Casper, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Murdock, Mr. Perry, Mr. Reimer and Mrs. Wegman
Mrs. Varalli called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Prior to the community forum Mrs. Varalli read a statement on the Rules of Order for public comment. The
rules of order were approved by the Board.
Mrs. Varalli read a prepared statement addressing comments made at the July 13, 2009 Board of Education
meeting. The comments, in their entirety, can be found on the website at www.marioncs.org .
Two community members spoke during the community forum.
Mrs. Varalli reported on the Superintendent’s evaluation process. The Board and Superintendent identified the following goals for this school year: Communication ~ a Black Knight Express will be prepared approximately once a month and should be placed in various places around the community; Mrs. Wegman will start a blog, both internally and externally. Instructional Management ~ facilitates instructional reports at the Board meetings from Learning Standards groups, as well as from Administrators; Board Self-Evaluation ~ set up a process for Board Self-Evaluation. Student Board Representatives ~ set up a process for selecting student Board representatives as well as a process for more effective participation by the students.
Mrs. Wegman reported that new staff orientation would take place on Wednesday and shared the agenda with the Board. She also gave the Board an updated Enrollment report. Enrollment is currently 943 students. Mrs. Wegman shared a time-line for the Regional High School Grant. She will be involved in the interviews to select the consultant who will be performing the feasibility study. Mrs. Wegman also gave the Board one example of a Board Self-Evaluation form that they might consider.
Mr. Warren Bushart, Director of Food Service, gave a report to the Board on the status of the food service department. The Marion food service department is an independent department and operates without funding from the General Fund Budget. Mr. Bushart stated that the department is operating in the black, however will need to plan for large equipment purchases over the next few years. The Free and Reduced Applications were up and approximately 150 more applications were processed during this school year. Mr. Bushart recommended a raise in lunch prices sometime during this school year. The Board asked Mr. Bushart to keep them informed of how many Free and Reduced applications came in and to develop a list of equipment and approximate replacement costs.
Mrs. Wegman asked the building administrators to report on the summer school programs. Mrs. Murdock reported that this year a Prek class was added during the regular summer school, which proved to be quite successful. In the past the Prek students attended an abbreviated session later in the summer. The elementary program was data driven. Teachers took data and developed intervention plans for each student with areas of strength and areas of concern, a more formal process than past years. Specific measures were identified for each grade level and most students made progress during the program.
Mr. Casper shared a the skill sets established for the middle level students during summer school. He stated that most student made progress and felt the program was successful.
Mr. Perry stated that high school summer school was run by Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES and was a free program. Thirty students from Marion attended and approximately 90% of the students passed the courses they took.
Mrs. Murdock also reported on the summer band program. An abbreviated program was held. Each student attended four times.
Mr. Reimer reviewed the financial report, Line Item Budget, Appropriation Status, Medical & Dental Insurance,
and BOCES Budget. He stated that the Budget process must be a multi-year projection as aids will be flat or
decreasing due to decreasing enrollment. Mr. Reimer also stated that the TRS bill is projected and won’t be
final until October.
Mr. Reimer led a discussion on the proposed 2009/2010 School Tax Levy of $5,493,585. The district will
retain a $716,404 fund balance and has applied $730,000 to reduce the tax levy. The tax rate will go down
3.26% and the levy will decrease 2.17%. He also stated that the local portion of the excel project debt had
been greatly reduced from hat was originally projected.
Mr. Perry stated that 48% of the students had attained Merit or Honor Roll status for the final marking period. Of the Seniors, 72% were name to the Merit or Honor Roll. Mr. Casper reported on the Senior Food Booth at the Wayne County Fair.
The Board approved the following:
Minutes of Board of Education Meetings – 7/13/09 and 8/6/09
Warrants and Treasurer’s Reports
Declare Filing Cabinet as Surplus
Amend Minutes of July 14, 2008
Change Date of June Board meeting to Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Appointment of Summer Bus Drivers & Bus Monitors
Approve Food Service Agreement with Gananda
Amend Salaries of Fall Athletic Supervisors
Amend Salary of Shelene Lochner and add Stipend for Training of Bus Drivers
Resignation of Tara Sallee, Social Studies Teacher at Marion Jr.-Sr. High School
Clarified that the LTS Appointment of Dave Tasber does not fulfill the 3rd year of his probationary appointment
Appointment of Jennifer Topping as .5 ELA Teacher at Marion Jr.-Sr. High School
Appointment of Mercy Dawson as LTS K-12 Instrumental Music Teacher
Appointment of Carlie Lochner and Amy Bennett as Teacher Assistants
Appointment of Student Specific Aides – Elaine DeLyser, Denise LaClair, Nicole DeLyser, Taryn Lau, Christine Rooney, and Sarah Whiteley
Appointment of Bus Drivers Jim Abel & Tonimarie Gordon
Appointment of LTS Bus Driver Jeremy Perkins
Appointment of Michele Whitcomb as a Transportation Substitute
Appointment of Peggy Osenbach to Full-time ESL Teacher
Appointment of Zachary Lind as a Social Studies Teacher
The meeting was adjourned to executive session at 8:15 PM. The executive session was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Official Board of Education Minutes are Available for Inspection in the District Office