WHEELERVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES

Kind of Meeting:Regular meeting – July 6, 2015

Where Held:Wheelerville Union Free School Library

Presiding Officer:Michael Bruce

Members Present: Michael Frasier, Shannon Wager, Burton Wilson and Suzanne Hamalak

Others Present:Richard Ruberti, Superintendent; Kristin Barnhill, Treasurer; Paul Pavlus, Transportation

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  1. Call to Order

The July 6, 2015 Wheelerville Union Free School Board of Education monthly meeting was called to order by President Bruce at 6:47 P.M.

  1. Public Comments – N/A
  1. Approval of June 15, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes – Mr. Frasiermade a motion and it was seconded by Mrs. Wager to approve theJune 15, 2015 regular meeting minutes. The motion passed 5 – 0.
  1. Treasurer’s Report – Kristin Barnhill

Ms. Barnhill mentioned that the Auditors are set to arrive August 17 & 18 this year, which is later than usual.Mrs. Tiffany Morris will be in a few times to help finish year end and review journal entries.

The expenses for Warrant #1 (15/16 school year) are as follows:

  1. Lunch Fund$ 2,770.01

The expenses for Warrant #36(14/15 school year) and #1 (15/16 school year) are as follows:

b.General Fund$ 94,964.47

The expenses for Warrant #12(14/15 school year) are as follows:

  1. Trust and Agency Fund$305,850.01

Gross payroll for the month of Junewas $291,613.33

  1. Superintendent – Mr. Richard Ruberti
  1. Bullet Grant ($6,500)/Pre-K Curriculum

Mr. Ruberti informed the Board of the Grant given to us by Senator Farley and that it will be used for some Pre-K curriculum and technology. Pre-K will now have a new curriculum from Teaching Strategies that was recommended by Gloversville. If things go well with it this year, then we may look at extending the Pre-K day a little longer.

  1. Late Bus Policy

Mr. Pavlus discussed with the Board some changes he would like made to the Late Bus Policy. He would like to change it back to where it would run it for only 3 kids or more and not just 1 or 2. He also wanted to not have a late bus run on Fridays. Mr. Wilson asked how many drivers we currently have and if they could rotate. Mr. Pavlus said that only 2 out of the 6 are here from the Johnstown run to then take the Late Bus Run and that they currently rotate. He did mention that there are students that have not followed the policy by not showing up after they have signed up for it or canceling after 1:00PM. The BOE said they would think about it and discuss it but that it would be hard for some parents to get kids on Fridays if they work and that it could affect maybe them missing a practice, which would then affect their playing time. They also said that if we run for 1 kid or 3 kids – the cost is still the same. They did agree that we need to make sure that we are consistent with those who abuse the policy and don’t show up for the late bus when they were on the list. It was also mentioned that sometimes sports practices are changed last minute and that is not the students fault. Mrs. Wager wondered if setting up a text number for them to text when there are changes since most of the kids do have cell phones.

  1. Attendance Policy

Mr. Ruberti wanted to discuss possible changes to the attendance policy especially when we have out of district students. He will have our attorneys review the policy and ask them for more input on how to handle out of district students. He did mention that other schools in our BOCES are looking at it also and also hoping to get the District Attorney more involved.

  1. Chaperone Policy

Mr. Ruberti wanted input from the Board on what we can do differently with those Chaperones who want to take their child after the field trip. The board thinks it would be best for a note to come in 48 hours in advance and then a form could be made up for them to sign at the field trip signing them out. They also would like it to be only parents that sign the children out from the trips.

  1. Building Project – Extension

We received our letter from Carl Thurneau extending the project to June 30, 2016. This will give us time to now get the proper paperwork filled out and filed now that we have decided to return the balance from the project back to the General Account to pay on the remaining debt.

A motion was made at 7:28PM by Mrs. Wager and seconded by Mr. Wilson to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing specific personnel and contractual concerns. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made at 7:45 PM by Mr. Bruce and seconded by Mr. Wilson to re-enter into open meeting. The motion passed 5-0.

  1. Action Items

A. FINANCIAL

A motion was made by Mrs. Wager and seconded by Mr. Frasier that the Board of Education approves the Warrants #36, #1for General Fund & #1 for Lunch Fund and #12 for Trust and Agency Fund. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Frasier and seconded by Mr. Bruce that the Board of Education approve the contract with Girvin & Ferlazzo PC Attorneys with a $5,000.00 retainer fee and at a rate of $160.00 per hour for non-litigation and $180.00 per hour for litigation for the 2015-2016 school year. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Bruce and seconded by Mr. Wilson that the Board of Education to authorize the Treasurer to accept, on behalf of the District, cooperative bids for the following items when such bids are received; custodial supplies, school lunch supplies, meat, milk, bread and paper. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mrs. Hamalak that the Board of Education accept non-resident students at no tuition fees for the 2015-2016 school year. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mrs. Hamalak and seconded by Mrs. Wager that the Board of Education accept the Budget Transfers on the recommendation of the Treasurer for the 2014-15 School Year. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mrs. Wager and seconded by Mr. Frasier that the Board of Education accept the Extra Classroom report for the 2014-15 School Year. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Frasier and seconded by Mr. Bruce that the Board of Education accept the Health and Maintenance Report for the 2014-15 School Year. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Bruce and seconded by Mrs. Hamalak that the Board of Education approve the Contract between the Wheelerville Union Free School Teachers Association and the Wheelerville Union Free School District retroactive to July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2018. The motion passed 4-0 and Mr. Wilson Abstained due to the fact he just began and had not been involved in the negotiations and did not see the contract.

B. PERSONNEL

A motion was made by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Mrs. Hamalak that the Board of Education approve the following coaching assignments for the 2015-2016 school year.

Jodi Rorick – Volleyball

No one has been chosen– Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Spring Softball

The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mrs. Hamalak and seconded by Mrs. Wager that the Board of Education approve the resignation of Ryan Gander as Boys and Girls Basketball Coach and Softball Coach. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mrs. Wager and seconded by Mr. Frasier that the Board of Education approve the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Wheelerville Union Free School District hereby designate Richard Ruberti, Superintendent, as the representative of the District to make all determination regarding the eligibility of students to enroll, on a tuition free basis, in the school of the District. This designation affords Richard Ruberti all rights and responsibilities pursuant to Part 100.2(y) of the regulations of the Commissioner of Education. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Frasier and seconded by Mr. Bruce that the Board of Education appoint Jodi Rorick to the 10 month position of Teacher Aide effective 9/1/15 at $14.96 an hour for 35 hours per week. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Bruce and seconded by Mr. Wilson that the Board of Education appoint Danielle Bartlett to the 10 month position of Food Service Helper effective 9/1/15 at $10.11 an hour for 35 hours per week. The motion passed 5-0.

C. CSE/CPSE

A motion was made by Mr.Wilson and seconded by Mrs. Hamalak that the Board of Education accept the report submitted by the Committee on Special Education and the Pre-School Committee on Special Education. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mrs. Hamalak and seconded by Mrs. Wager that the Board of Education approve unused library books to be donated to the Caroga Lake Library. The motion passed 5-0.

A motion was made by Mr. Bruce to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 PM.

The next regularBoard of Education Meetingwill be on Monday, August 17, 2015at 6:30PM in the School Library.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Ruberti

District Clerk

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