Regular Meeting of the Board of Education s1

ELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELMIRA, NEW YORK

EFA Community Room July 20, 2005

933 Hoffman Street Wednesday

Elmira, NY 14905 7:00 pm

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER / Board President Michael Crimmins called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education to order at 7:10 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
ATTENDANCE / Present: David Clovsky, Michael Crimmins, Barton Graham, Daniel Hurley, Robin Long, Betsy Mattoon, Ethel Stroman Mary Beth Turner,
Excused: Robert Woods, due to a death in the family
Others: Dr. Raymond Bryant, Robert Gosden, Elizabeth Spiro, Robert Van Keuren, Rachel Mattison; EFA Student Representative
Absent: Christine Mecke, Kristi Pierce, Patrick Seymour; Alternative High School Representative; Justin Woods; SHS Student Representative
APPROVAL OF AGENDA / Mrs. Long moved, seconded by Ms. Stroman, that the Board approve the agenda with the following changes:
·  Move Personnel and the Personnel Addendum to after Executive Session
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
RECOGNITIONS
NYSSBA / Board Members; Daniel Hurley, Robin Long, Betsy Mattoon, Ethel Stroman, and Robert Woods were recognized for the completion of training courses offered by the New York State School Board Association. President Crimmins presented them with a pin and a certificate to recognize their achievement.
Faith Hallock / Elmira Free Academy Principal, Robert Bailey, recognized community member, Faith Hallock, for being instrumental in securing the historical marker for EFA graduate and Space Shuttle Commander, Eileen Collins, that is placed near the main entrance. Mr. Hurley donated flowers to be planted around the marker and Ms. Hallock has been caring for them on a daily basis.
GOLD CARD MEMBERS
Discussion / Gold Card Members; Dan Agan, Bill Cieri, Sid Graubard , and Fran Weeks along with Carol Lincoln, from RSVP, and Sam David from the Chemung County Office for the Aging were present to discuss the Gold Card Program. Some items of discussion were the Gold Card Newsletter, the Elmira City School District financial contribution to the program; other School Districts contributions to the program; shared mailing services and other possible funding sources. The Board of Education will establish a list of questions to be addressed at a future meeting with Gold Card Members.
BOARD OF EDUCATION REPORT
Board Members / Mrs. Mattoon reported that she had visited Riverside Elementary School and is looking forward to the beginning of the new school year.
Mr. Hurley stated that he had nothing to report at this time.
Mr. Graham reported that he has been reviewing CDEP (Comprehensive District Education Plan). He also stated that the Health Committee will be hiring a consultant to review possible cost saving measures for our future health care plan.
Mr. Clovsky reported that he attended graduation ceremonies, has met individually with Dr. Bryant, Mr. Gosden and Mr. Van Keuren and has been reading a lot of Board of Education update materials.
Ms. Stroman stated that she had nothing to report at this time.
Mrs. Turner reported that she attended a Health and Safety Committee meeting, she also visited a local business that recycles tires to see how they are cleaned and shredded for possible future use on the playground areas at the schools.
Mrs. Long reported that she attended graduation ceremonies including the Pre-K graduation at Broadway Elementary School. She also attended the Bus Garage Recognition Luncheon as well as the Juneteenth Celebration.
Mr. Crimmins reported that he attended the ETA end-of-the year picnic and that he has been working on transitional issues with Dr. Bryant. He also attended graduation ceremonies and stated that being invited to present his own daughter her high school diploma was a unique opportunity.
Association Representatives / CMCW President, Michael Thomas, reported that retro checks have been received. Members were very happy and things are going smoothly.
ETA President, Douglas Martin, reported that the ETA membership had their annual picnic. He also commented that two former ETA members, Tiffany Nichols and Kathy Clark, had recently been involved in serious automobile accidents and are currently on the road to recovery.
ESSAC Representative, Sandra Mattison, reported that administrators are very busy this summer with professional development, attending conferences and assisting with the summer school programs.
Student Representative / ETA Student Representative, Rachel Mattison, commented on student council goals, informal practices for the fall sports teams and that the school climate has improved this past year at EFA.
VISITORS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD / There were no visitors wishing to address the Board at this time.
BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy/Community Relations / Mrs. Long reported that the donated flowers have been planted in the assigned area of downtown Elmira. The Board received a letter from the Downtown Cleanup Committee thanking them for their contributions. All the paperwork has been completed and submitted for the Adopt-A-Highway Program and notification should be arriving soon with their assigned area. Mrs. Long has been invited and will attend the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Business Roundtable in the fall.
Audit Committee / Mrs. Mattoon reported that plans are underway to hire an Internal Auditor with a potential hire date of October 1st. The Audit Committee is working on the development of a job description for this position.
Policy Committee / Mr. Graham reported that in August the Policy Committee plans to meet with Dr. Bryant to review job descriptions for district employees.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT / Dr. Bryant informed the Board of Education that the EFA Varsity Football team will play East Rochester at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY on September 11, 2005. The time of the game is being negotiated. EFA graduate/Syracuse University graduate, Ernie Davis’, football jersey will be retired at this game.
Dr. Bryant reported that Superintendent Hearings have been scheduled for two students involved in a “fire bombing” incident at Booth School. A playground slide was damaged with an estimated replacement value of $1,300.
Dr. Bryant noted that he is working with School Counselors, Hillary Austin and Terry Nicklaus, as well as EFA Graduate, Guy Vickers, to establish an African American in Education Alumni Association to help recruit a more diverse professional staff in the Elmira City School District.
Astronomy Textbook Presentation / Dr. Bryant presented information to the Board of Education regarding the textbook entitled Astronomy Today being recommended for the new Astronomy course offered at both high schools in the fall.
Discussion Items
Fiscal Accountability / Assistant Superintendent for Management Services, Robert Gosden, commented on the Internal Auditor position. He also stated that the Policy Committee needs to work on establishing policies for usage of cell phones, district credit cards, meals and refreshments at district meetings, employee use of vehicles and financial accountability for allegation of fraud. He also mentioned that a policy will need to be established for school bus idling in regards to fumes and pollution control.
Change Orders / Mr. Gosden reported that the electrical line that was damaged at Riverside Elementary needs to be replaced with copper at a cost of approximately $12,000. Temporary service has been established pending Board approval of the change order.
Mr. Gosden also reported that the change order for additional library shelving is no longer needed.
CONSENT ITEMS / Mrs. Long moved, seconded by Mrs. Turner, that the Board of Education approve the following consent items:
Minutes / That the Board of Education Approve Minutes of the June 14, 2005 Work Session, the June 15, 2005 Regular Meeting, the June 20, July 6, 2005 Special Meetings and the July 6, 2005 Reorganization Meeting of the Board of Education.
Financial Reports / Treasurer’s Reports for May 2005 as presented.
Central Treasurer’s Report for May 2005 as presented.
Contracts
Health & Welfare Services
(Contractor)
SCT BOCES/Career Development Council / That the Board of Education approve the contract with the Corning-Painted Post Area School District for non-resident student health services provided by it for seventeen children for the 2004-05 school year in the amount of $3,499.28. (Copy available in Clerk’s supplemental file for this meeting.)
That the Board of Education approve the sub-contract with SCT BOCES/Career Development Council in an amount not to exceed $17,500 and, furthermore, authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement. (Copy available in Clerk’s supplemental file for this meeting.)
Donation / That the Board of Education accept the gift of a DELL computer monitor donated by Dr. Bryant.
Committee on Special Education (CSE)
Recommendations / That the Board of Education approve the placement of students classified by the District Committee on Special Education (CSE) Teams.
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
NEW BUSINESS
Approval of
Astronomy Today
Science Textbook / Mrs. Mattoon moved, seconded by Mrs. Long, that the Board of Education approve the following textbook for High School Students - Astronomy Today, copyright 2005 by Pearson Prentice Hall. (Copy available in Clerk’s Supplemental file for this meeting.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Approval of
Business Communications
Business Textbook / Mrs. Long moved, seconded by Mrs. Mattoon, that the Board of Education approve the following textbook for High School Students - Business Communications, copyright 2004 by Southwestern Publishing. (Copy available in Clerk’s Supplemental file for this meeting.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Approval of Increase in the 2005-06 General Fund Budget / Mrs. Mattoon moved, seconded by Ms. Stroman, that the Board of Education approve increasing the General Fund Budget by $5,000 at Expenditure Code A2850.150 (Co-Curricular Activities – Salaries), by $5,000 at Expenditure Code A2850.200 (Co-Curricular Activities – Equipment), and by $40,000 at Expenditure Code A2850.500 (Co-Curricular Activities – Materials/Supplies) with the additional $50,000 in revenue to fund this increase to be accounted for at Revenue Code 3289 (State Aid – Other).
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Approval of SA/SCT BOCES Agreement to Lease Networked Printers / Mr. Hurley moved, seconded by Mrs. Long, that the Board of Education approve the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Elmira City School District desires to enter into a contract with the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES in order for the SCT BOCES to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to Education Law 1950(4)(jj), those services being: Xerox printing services requiring extensive equipment, software, and maintenance costs, and
WHEREAS, such acquisition is impractical in a single fiscal year, the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES is hereby authorized to expend annually on behalf of the Elmira City School District, funds to acquire the Xerox services listed below at the costs identified. This technology will be used to expand the district’s networked printing system, and
That the Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to sign the commitment agreement. (Copy available in the Clerk’s Supplemental file for this meeting.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Approval of Participation in Cooperative Bid by Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES / Mrs. Long moved, seconded by Mrs. Turner, that the Board of Education approve the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, it is the plan of a number of PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, other BOCES organizations, and the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES (the “BOCES”) during the 2005-06 school year to bid jointly for the purchase of various types of computers and technology commodities (the “Commodities”); and
WHEREAS, the Elmira City School District (“the School District”) is desirous of participating in the joint bidding of the Commodities, as authorized by General Municipal Law, Article 5-G; and
WHEREAS, this Board of Education has received and reviewed the Cooperative Bid Procedures (“the Procedures”) governing its rights and responsibilities should it elect to participate in the joint bidding of the Commodities; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the Superintendent or designee to represent it in all matters related above; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Cooperative Bid Procedures the Board of Education agrees to award bid item purchases according to the recommendations of the BOCES if such award is in the best interest of the school district.
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
VISITORS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD / There were no visitors wishing to address the Board at this time.
CALL FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION / Mr. Hurley moved, seconded by Mr. Clovsky, that the Board move into Executive Session for the purpose of collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law and the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation. Mr. Gosden, Mr. Van Keuren and Southside Principal, Mr. Christopher Krantz, were also invited to attend. (9:20 p.m.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Joy Doane
Board Clerk
CLERK PRO TEM / President Crimmins appointed Mrs. Long as Clerk Pro Tem in the absence of the Clerk.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION / Mrs. Mattoon moved, seconded by Mr. Woods, that the Board return to open session. (10:53 p.m.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
PERSONNEL
Retirements
Amendment to March 16, 2005, A-2
Resignations
Leave of Absence
Establishment of
Position
Amendment to July 6, 2005, C-4
Abolishment of Positions
Appointments
Salary Adjustment for
Head Lifeguard Position
Additions/Deletions to the Substitute List
Stipends
Summer School Program
TANF Program 2005 / Ms. Stroman moved, seconded by Mr. Clovsky, that the Board approve the following personnel recommendations (including the personnel addendum):
Non-Instructional
Marilyn J. Henley, 25-Hour Teacher Aide/Southside High School, effective June 23, 2005
James T. Osborn, Head Custodian/George Washington Elementary School, effective August 31, 2005
Instructional
Jodi L. Collins, Special Education/George Washington Elementary School, effective August 31, 2005
Liane R. Pullen, mathematics/Broadway Middle School, effective August 1, 2005
Non-Instructional
Erin K. Carpenter, Computer Operations Specialist/ Administration, effective July 22, 2005
Peter J. Wilcox, Bus Driver/Bus Garage, effective June 30, 2005
Instructional
Sandra S. Ryan, Special Education/Pine City Elementary School, Parental Leave, effective September 1, 2005 through June 24, 2005
Non-Instructional
0.5 Licensed Practical Nurse, Hendy Avenue Elementary School, effective July 1, 2005
Non-Instructional
30-Hour 12:1:1 Teacher Aide, Ernie Davis Middle School, effective June 30, 2005
Instructional
Probationary
Lisa L. Swayze, Mathematics/Broadway Middle School, effective September 1, 2005, Tenure date September 1, 2008, certification Mathematics 7-12, salary $35,944 Step 3 (B+25)
Non-Instructional
Rebecca A. Donahue, Alternate Internal Auditor/ Administration
Recommended Hourly Base Rate: $10.15 (previously $9.00)
Non-Instructional
Addition
Bus Attendant: Myrtle E. Nornhold
Deletion
Elaine M. Dobranski
Athletic
Senior High Coaching Resignations
Southside High School: Michael K. Kessler, Varsity Football Assistant Coach, Fall 2005; Robert D. Lorden, Junior Varsity Assistant Football Coach
Elmira Free Academy: Sky L. Moss, Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Winter 2005-2006
Senior High Fall Volunteer Appointments
Elmira Free Academy: Ivan C. Purifoy, Varsity Football, Fall 2005; Eric D. Tillotson, Junior Varsity Football Coach, Fall 2005
Senior High Coaching Appointments
Elmira Free Academy: Robert S. Moore, Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Winter 2005-2006, Class 1, $4,251, Step 1
Southside High School: Michael K. Kessler, Junior Varsity Football Coach, Fall 2005, Class 2 $2,289, Step 1
District: Christen A. Kane, Girls Varsity Swimming Coach, Fall 2005, class 1, $4,251, Step 1
Instructional
Secondary: Robert M. Beirne; Michelle C. Jenkins
Non-Instructional
Arlene Parker, Teacher Aide; Victoria D. Smith, Teacher Aide; Stefka O. Trifoso, Teacher Aide
Coordinator: Candace Fagan
Students: Nicholas Brooks; Nishelle Brooks; Jennifer Cox; Michael Dumas Jones; Nikita Holmes; Imran Hussain; Nifilor Hussain; Elaine Jenkins; Sade March; Christina Roberts; Patrick Rosario; Jarell Shazer; Courtney Wallace; Akia Williams
ADJOURNMENT / Mr. Clovsky moved, seconded by Ms. Stroman, that the meeting be adjourned. (10:55 p.m.)
Motion Carried
Yes: Clovsky, Crimmins, Graham, Hurley, Long, Mattoon,
Stroman, Turner
No: None
Absent: Woods
Robin Long
Clerk Pro Tem

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