Date December17, 2009 Kind of Meeting Regular
Where Held TechnologyCenter Tannersville Presiding Officer Gerry Loucks,
President
Brian Byrne, Marc Czermerys, Gerry Loucks,Members Present
Eric Thorpe and Rachel Tripsas
Dr. Patrick Darfler-Sweeney, Simon Williams,Administration Present
Melinda McCool and Brooke VanFleet
Marianne RomitoAdministrative Support
At 6:00 the meeting was called to orderCall to Order
by Mr. Loucks. The audit committeeAudit Committee ES
immediatelyadjourned to executive
session, on a motionfrom Mr. Thorpe,
seconded by Mrs. Tripsas toreview the
district’s Annual Independent Auditors’
Report withRay Preusser, CPA.
CARRIED 3 YES 0 NO
At 7:35 the board returned to regularRegular Session
session on a motion from Mrs. Tripsas,
seconded by Mr. Thorpe
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Mr. Preusser in the presence of the fullMr. Preusser
board reported on the results of the annualIndependent Auditor
audit of the district financial statements for
the year ending 6/30/2009. Complimented
the district for establishing reserve accounts
for capital, tax, retirement contribution,
property loss and liability, and employee
benefits. Mentioned the current fundbalance
is in excess of the 4% allotted by theNew
YorkState Tax Law and althoughthe
Capital Fund has a deficit, it will befunded
when the District closes out the current
construction project. Noted someinternal
controls and other operationalmatters
have been discussedwith management
and will be reviewed again at the next
district audit. Mr. Preussernoted, in closing,
the district is in soundfinancial health.
Minutes
December 17, 2009
Nick Savin, the new ONC/BOCES
Superintendent was in attendance to
meet with his new constituents at HTC
and to collect information for a 5-year plan
he would like to develop for the shared
services BOCES offers to its 19 component
districts. Plans areto increase opportunities
for students and develop and recommend
services thatare useful and timely for districts.
Mr. Savin wants to identify the concerns
thatare linked to individual districts.
At a special meeting on December 1,
he met witha sampling of board members
from allthe component districts to exchange
ideas. An executive committee may be
organized to represent the various districts
for on going input. Mr. Savin mentioned
he plans to start a newsletter tokeep districts
informed after completing his round of visits
to the various district in February. Board
members welcomed thenew Superintendent
and expressed appreciationto Mr. Savin for
coming this evening and look forwardto
working with him.
Motion made by Mrs. Tripsas, seconded
by Mr. Byrne to accept the minutes for
12/3/09.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Motion made by Mr. Czermerys, Payment of Bills
seconded by Mr. Thorpe toapprove
the Warrant reportsas presented.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
#39 (Gen)012979-013064-$193,729.78
#40 (Caf) 002145-002150 - $ 5,266.61
Motion made by Mr. Byrne, Internal Claims Report
seconded by Mrs.Tripsas to approve
the internal claims auditor’s report
as presented.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Minutes
December 17, 2009
Motion made by Mr. Byrne, secondedTreasurer’s Reports
by Mr. Czermerys toaccept the Treasurer’s
Monthly reports for October 2009
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Motion made by Mrs. Tripsas, secondedBudget Status Reports
by Mr. Byrne to accept the budget status
reports as presented.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Joachim Koka, representing the Student
Council, reported the annual Senior Citizens’
Dinner was sponsored by the National Honor
Society and the Student Council and was a
great evening. The attendance was down
a little this year due to a conflict with another
Senior Citizens’ event. The council sponsored
the annual food drive for the Tannersville
pantry and received about 150 donations of
items. The council’sfunds are pretty well
depleted and Joachim requested approval
from the board fora fundraiser, selling
recyclable grocery bags.
Meeting opened for public comment at Public Be Heard
this time.
Mr. Williams reported a nice turn out forAdministrative Reports
the first quarter Parent-Teacher ConferencesMr. Williams
thanks to the efforts of Kate Goodrich and
Gina Shanley. Nancy Watson, District
Librarian, presented a staff workshop on the
Promethean boards and the district Safety Team
attended six days of BCS Training. Ashley Cameron
organized Aimsweb training for members of the
Special Educationstaff. Students experienced
seasonal music and tree lighting in downtown
Tannersville with members ofthe Platte Clove
Community. A Brick Dinner (Sports’ support)
and a Senior Citizens’ Holiday Dinnerwere
held earlier this month and, as usual, Mr. Mecca
and students (chorus and band) did an outstanding
jobon the well-attended Holiday Concert. The
Minutes
December 17, 2009
Platte Clove Community provided refreshments
for the event. Dan Davis from Clarkson gave
a very good Substance Abuse presentation
for 8-12 students. Acknowledged the district
Safety Team, Lou Ferrero (Buildings & Grounds)
and Dawn Brown (Podcasting with students).
Mrs. McCool mentioned the secondMrs. McCool
interim period ends this week and reports
for 3-6 will be sent out on 12/23.
Megan Lafferty and Shannon Hoyt put
together a great Character Ed Assembly
on 12/4 and there was a beautiful and
well-attended Holiday concert 12/15.
PK-6th grades decorated and participated
in the “Hall of Storybook Tress”
display at the Hunter Bookstore. 1st
and 2nd grades visited the Platte Clove
School for a “Coca Social” and the 3rd
grade held their annual international
luncheon in the Hunter Cafeteria.
Mr. Flether’s class again sponsored
a Critters Christmas with a visit from
one of the Columbia Greene SPCA’s
clients. 6th Graders have been teaching
other students about their project
“Trout in the Classroom.” Mrs. McCool
noted she had a volunteer orientation
on 12/4 and referred to the newest edition
of the Hunter School Newsletter which was
in board packets.. Acknowledged
Shannon Hoyt for the well-prepared Holiday
Concert and stated the help from faculty and
support staff was greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Van Fleet acknowledged Ashley CameronMrs. VanFleet
for facilitating the Aimsweb training for Special
Education teachers and related staff. The
web-basedprogram is part of the RIT assessment
process which teachers can use starting with oral
reading. Mentioned holding Middle School
transition meetings, pertainingto 7th grade students,
to determine if needs are being met during this
Minutes
December 17, 2009
intermediary year. Noted she is in the process
of looking for parent advocates. Mrs. VanFleet
demonstrated a new set up for iPods for special
needs students, purchased with a specialeducation
grant received earlier this year. It is a mobile
cart with 30linkediPods. Books, articles, etc.
can be downloaded for individual use from a
restricted computer, which is part of the system.
Students may sign out iPods for individual or
class use.
Mr. Sweeney congratulatedstudents Mr. Sweeney
and teachers in both buildings on the
Holiday Concerts. Noted the great
turn-outs and wonderful performances.
Work should be completed on the 2003
addition in the elementary kitchen over
the winter break. Noted the winter sports’
season is beginning with the ski and
basketball student-athletes getting in
shape. Referred to the Governor’s
reduction in State Aid which may be getting
worse with the 3 major sources of income
drying up. Need to keepthis in mind for future
budget talks. Thanked Denise Abrahamsen
for her work on theWinter edition of the
“Wildcat Quarterly”. Mentioned a phone
conference withNick Savin, Brooke and Simon
to discuss our special education placements.
Pursuant to Education Law 3020-a, charges2030a Resolution
having been filed against an employee of the
Hunter-TannersvilleCentralSchool district,
and the parties having had discussions
resolving the matter; the Superintendent
thereby recommends entering into an
Agreement upon a motion by Mr. Byrne,
seconded by Mr. Czermerys authorizing
the Board President to approve such an
Agreement on behalf of the Board of
Education of Hunter-Tannersville to settle
this matter.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Minutes
December 17, 2009
Motion made by Mr. Byrne, secondedHTCESP - MOA
by Mrs. Tripsas to accept the terms of theApproval
Memorandum of Agreement by and
between Hunter-Tannersville Central
School District and Hunter-Tannersville
Educational Support Personnel -
NYSUT/AFT dated 11/20/09 and
effective 7/1/09.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Motion made by Mr. Czermerys,Approval:
seconded by Mr. Byrne to approve Ext. Retirement Eligibility
Barbara J. Slutzky’s request forB. Slutzky
an extension of eligibility for an
early retirement incentive for
2010-2011.The incentive for 2005-06
(the yearoriginally eligible) is $32,943.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Motion made by Mr. Thorpe, secondedApproval:
by Mr. Byrne to approve a request fromLOA Extension
Angela L. Multari for an extension of herA. Multari
leave of absence until June 24,2010.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
At 8:56 on a motion by Mr. Byrne,Adjourn to ES
seconded by Mrs. Tripsas the meeting
adjourned to executive session to
discuss contract negotiations,
special education placements and
the employment history of a
particularperson.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Respectfully submitted
Norita Johannessen
Clerk
Minutes
December 17,2009
At 9:35 on a motion from Mr. Byrne,Regular Session
seconded by Mr. Czermerysthe meeting
was returned to regularsession. No
executiveaction taken.
CARRIED 5 YES 0 NO
Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Patrick Darfler-Sweeney
Clerk Pro Tem