Public Work Session Tuesday, September 13, 20168:00 PM
Call to Order
Attendee Name / Title / Status / ArrivedCatherine Flanagan / President / Present
Raymond Paris / Vice President / Present
Debra Grieci / Trustee / Present / 7:20 PM
Dennis Gustafson / Trustee / Absent
MaryAnn Karageorges / Trustee / Present
Eric Szillus / Trustee / Present
Sisi Townson / Trustee / Present
Edward A. Salina / Superintendent / Present
Guy J. Le Vaillant / Assistant Superintendent for HR & IT / Present
Peter Porrazzo / Assistant Superintendent for Business / Present
Antony Sinanis / Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction / Present
Lisa DePaola / Assistant to the Superintendent for Instruction & Administration / Present
Motion to:Open Public Work Session - 7:02 PM
RESULT:APPROVED [5 TO 0]
MOVER:Sisi Townson, Trustee
SECONDER:MaryAnn Karageorges, Board Member
AYES:Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
AWAY:Debra Grieci
Motion to:Open Executive Session - 7:02 PM
RESULT:APPROVED [5 TO 0]
MOVER:Eric Szillus, Trustee
SECONDER:MaryAnn Karageorges, Board Member
AYES:Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
AWAY:Debra Grieci
Motion to:Adjourn Executive Session - 7:30 PM
RESULT:APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:Raymond Paris, Vice President
SECONDER:Eric Szillus, Trustee
AYES:Grieci, Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
Motion to:Reconvene Public Work Session - 8:00 PM
RESULT:APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:MaryAnn Karageorges, Board Member
SECONDER:Sisi Townson, Trustee
AYES:Grieci, Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
I.Pledge of Allegiance
Mrs. Flanagan led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
1.Motion to:Reconvene Public Work Session - 8:00 PM
RESULT:APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:MaryAnn Karageorges, Board Member
SECONDER:Sisi Townson, Trustee
AYES:Grieci, Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
II.Superintendent's Remarks
a.Opening of Schools 2016
Dr. Salina greeted all assembled. He stated that we had an incredible school opening. It was wonderful to see students' smiling faces once again. Faculty and staff worked hard getting everything ready for the opening of school. Dr. Salina complimented everybody's efforts.
The construction around the high school has begun, and should be completed by Thanksgiving. The company performing the roof repairs local. The owner of the company is married to a Plainedge graduate. Joseph Jaronczyk, our Director of Facilities is working closely with him. We are hoping that New York State approves our other projects.
b.Water Quality in Plainedge Public Schools
Dr. Salina wrote to the community and the Board regarding the water quality in our schools. The reports, which are self-explanatory, are available for perusal. Four water fountains tested positive for lead, two were at elevated levels, two were not in excess. Four were removed, three will be replaced and one was taken out of service. We are 100% at this time point in time. If you have any questions, please contact the Superintendent's Office. The device is usually the problem, not the piping.
Our building administrators are joining us this evening.
III.Reports/Discussions/Presentations
a.Elementary School Principals' Report - Opening of School
Dr. Sinanis introduced Mrs. O'Brien, Principal of Eastplain Elementary School, Mrs. Muscarella, Principal of John H. West Elementary School and Mrs.Thearle, Principal of Schwarting Elementary School.
Mrs. O'Brien said that there was so much excitement for the start of school. Faculty and staff in all the buildings were excited to meet the families. The highlight of the first day are the pictures in front of the school signs. Everything went smoothly, but it was a hot week. Students are already in their routines, but none adjusted as nicely as the Kindergarten students.
Mrs. Muscarella said that the students were hot and exhausted by Friday. Kindergarten students made a beautiful transition, which she attributed to Sail into Kindergarten, which has been done for the last four years. Parents were asked to complete a survey telling how both they and their student felt about the experience. Most parents felt it was a well-thought out day, and many of the children were most excited about the fire drill. Mrs. O'Brien, Mrs. Muscarella and Mrs. Thearle had the honor of presenting the program in Washington, D.C. over the summer.
Mrs. Thearle thanked the administrators and literacy coaches for their support of reading and writing workshops.
Dr. Sinanis was very impressed with his visits to the schools. The response to the reading workshop is wonderful and the Principals' presentation in Washington, D.C. was great.
b.Middle School Principal's Report - Opening of School
The 6th graders are walking around as though they have been in the building for three years. The Middle School has their own transition process. It begins with a parent meeting in March, the incoming students tour the building in May. Mr. DeRiso has breakfast at each elementary school in June. The 6th Grade Orientation is held in August. The students are most excited for locker assignment. It was an incredibly smooth transition. Instruction began on day one.
Mr. DeRiso met with the Middle School PTA on Monday, September 12th. The PTA brings in many wonderful programs promoting good character education messaging. They had a wonderful assembly presented by Motivational Speaker, Gian Paul Gonzalez, a former New York Jet, who is famous for the 2011 NY Giants "All In" rally cry. He delivered motivational speeches to the teachers as well. His message is be invested in whatever you do. He has been rehired by the NY Giants. Mr. DeRiso thanked everyone for their support.
Mrs. Townson said that even though Mr. Gonzalez’s message was very simple, it resonated on many levels. She felt Mr. Gonzalez was very relatable and made the students realize that teaching is a very admirable profession. She felt that commitment was his most powerful message.
c.High School Principal's Report - Opening of School
Mr. Amster said that Freshman Orientation was held on August 31st, which included distributing schedules, locker assignments and a character education program. Opening day was good, but hot. It seems as though everyone was happy to be there. Mr. Amster thanked Mrs. Flanagan and Mr. Szillus for the Senior Breakfast held on September 9th. Senior College Guidance Meeting was held on September 12th and was a rousing success. Each varsity sport has had at least one game, and every club will have met at least once by the end of next week.
d.Director of Special Education Report - Opening of School
Mr. Maisano's opening was similar to the building administrators. He said that Special Education is off to a smooth start. He thanked all administrators. Special Education has some new programs which increase skills with students, increased co-teaching programs. Many students returned to their home schools. Mr. Maisano presented a workshop at New Teacher Institute on NWEA and Evaluation. It was very nice to see the teachers' smiling faces as they begin their career. He thanked everyone for their support.
e.Director of Health, Physical Education & Athletics Report - Opening of School
Mrs. Flanagan said that unfortunately Mr. LaBelle was not able to attend tonight's meeting, but he will give his report at a later date.
f.High School Food Service Program Update - Plainedge High School Cafe Opening
Mr. Porrazzo said there have been improvements made to the High School Food Service Program thanks to his collaboration with Nancy Cara and Ed Ross. The cafe now features Boars Head cold cuts. There’s aspecialty sandwich featured each week. The students have a choice of bread and portion sizes (standard or plus). There are "Grab and Go" cases for pre-made sandwiches, two have cold food and one is hot food. There is a commercial toaster and panini press. The outdoor seating area has been improved. We will be adding four foot white vinyl fences around the seating area, which will probably be placed on the inside of the area. The district rebid the vending machines, which are now capable to taking cash, credit cards and Apple Pay.
Ms. Cara said that sales are improving each day, and would like to improve the hot food side. Mr. Porrazzo said that this is a work in project.
Mr. Ross said that the competition in the area is strong, but we would like the students to stay on school grounds for safety reasons. According to the Healthy Hunger-Free Child Act, the problem is portion size. We offer a la carte. Future initiatives would include My School Bucks for staff and students, the development of an app to pre-order your lunch.
Mrs. Flanagan asked how the students know about the "plus" size sandwiches? Mr. Ross advised that there are signs on refrigerator doors. The students can also make their own sandwiches at the deli bar.
Dr. Salina said that due to the sudden passing of the owner of the Boars Head route, there has been a delay in the signage, but this is also a work in progress. Any suggestions can be sent to the attention of Ms. Cara or Mr. Ross.
Mr. Porrazzo added that the price of the standard sandwich is the same as a hot meal.
Mr. Paris thanked everyone for running with the initiative, and Mrs. Flanagan thanked everyone for their creativity.
g.Board of Education Discussion - NYSSBA Annual Business Meeting Delegate
If anyone attending the New York State School Boards Association Convention in Buffalo in October would like to attend the Business Meeting as a voting representative, please let Mrs. Flanagan know. In years past, the Board decided not to send anyone as it is an all-day event. Both Mr. Paris and Mr. Szillus said that they would like to see the resolutions before making a decision.
IV.Public Work Session
a.Fiscal Reports
1.Warrant Reports #10-12
There were no questions.
V.New Business
There was no new business.
VI.Review of Business Agenda
Dr. Salina explained that the SEQRA resolution scheduled on the September 15, 2016 Regular Business Meeting agenda is a required process by New York State and will go through the architect. The district needs to get feedback from the architect as to any impact capital projects may have on the environment. This occurs every year. The architect sends a letter and touches bases with our attorney. If the project is not a Type II, a study needs to be conducted. As an example, formal testing had to be done for the driveway at the Middle School. The State needs to accept the work to be completed at John H. West Elementary School as a Type II. The certified resolution must be sent to the State. When utilizing money received from the community, a SEQRA resolution is required.
There were no questions from the Board.
VII.Future Agenda Items
1.The FAI sheet will be sent to the Board within the next couple of days.
2. There will be a discussion regarding Regents at the October 20th, 2016 Meeting.
3.There will be a discussion regarding use of the Brian Moore Athletic Center in November.
VIII.Question and Answer Period (Agenda Items only)
There were no questions on the agenda.
IX.Opportunity for Public to be Heard - Question & Answer Period
Mrs. Karageorges said that a Plainedge student is conducting an Intel study on the water quality in Plainedge homes. She gave three samples to the student and is hoping for a good report.
Dr. Salina met with the student, read her thesis and commended her on the amount of work she is putting into this project.
X.Adjournment of Public Work Meeting
The meeting was closed at 8:42 PM
Motion to:adjourn Public Work Session
RESULT:APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER:Debra Grieci, Trustee
SECONDER:Sisi Townson, Trustee
AYES:Grieci, Flanagan, Paris, Townson, Szillus, Karageorges
ABSENT:Dennis Gustafson
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