BOARD OF EDUCATION
WHITNEY POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 249
Whitney Point, NY 13862
Date: April 13, 2010
District Mission:
To provide an excellent education ensuring that all children maximize their potential, become contributing citizens, and pursue lifelong learning.
District Beliefs:
· All children possess unique qualities and come to school eager to learn and be successful.
· We respect all people within our community and treat them with dignity at all times.
· Learning is a partnership that includes school staff, parents, family and the community.
· Knowledge allows for critical thinking and effective decision-making.
· Purposeful and intentional change is a constant that leads to educational improvement and positive results.
· Compliance with state and federal regulations is critical to school district success.
Meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m.
Present Absent
James DiMascio President X
Sara Benscoter Vice-President X
Anthony Burchell Member X
Stephanie Champney Member X
Kathleen Driscoll Member X
Mary Ellerson Member X
Thomas Tasber Member X
Mary Hibbard Superintendent of Schools X
Laura Lindsley District Clerk X
Patricia Follette Director of Curriculum and Instruction X
Others in attendance: James Petrie, Maureen Somerwil, Charles Gilmore, Sean Kane, Dave Kirkland, John Faron, Nancy Freeh, Kim Becker
Minutes
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Minutes from the Board Meeting held on March 23, 2010.
Moved by Anthony Burchell Seconded by Stephanie Champney
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Commendations
Mrs. Hibbard commended:
· Mrs. Ferguson, Ms. Decker, Ms. Hubbard, Ms. Pearson, Mr. Rounds, Mrs. Tiderencel, Mrs. Sofka, Mrs. Bensley, Mrs. Ruggerio, Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Pfeiffer and the many others who helped organize and host the Caryl E. Adams’ annual Family Fun Carnival held on Saturday, March 20, 2010.
· Mrs. Gilbert, Mr. Jones, the High School Band and High School Chorus for their accomplished performances at the Whitney Point High School Spring Concert held on Wednesday, March 31st in the High School Auditorium. (Please see attached.)
· Mrs. Burghardt for introducing aerobic drumming exercises to the sixth grade students at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy. (Please see attached.)
· Mrs. Stanley and Mrs. Allen for organizing the annual Poetry Recitation held at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy held on Wednesday, March 31st with more participants than ever. It was an amazing afternoon filled with poetry from students, faculty and staff. A good way to usher in National Poetry month. (Please see attached.)
· Mrs. Richards for organizing The Celebration of Young Children (a literacy event) held on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
· The following three Odyssey of the Mind teams that moved to the state level and performed their long term performance at Binghamton University on Saturday, March 27th (see attached):
Mrs. Schubert’s Sixth Grade Team placed fourteenth.
Mrs. Favaloro and Ms. Pudish's seventh grade team placed second in their problem and
division which means they are going onto the World Finals at Michigan State at the
end of May.
Ms. Spinella’s Eleventh Grade Team placed seventh.
· Mr. Peck for his recent interview with the Press & Sun-Bulletin about his micro fluidics labs. (Please see attached.)
· Ms. Wright, bus driver, for passing her 19-A test on March 20, 2010.
· Mr. Tytler, High School Principal, for organizing a visit by Congressman Michael Arcuri to the High School on March 30th to speak to the 11th -12th grade student body. (Please see attached)
· Jessica Buckley, Whitney Point High School Student, for being selected as the delegate to represent Broome County in the National Special Olympic competition. (Please see attached.)
Addenda
Commendations
Mrs. Hibbard commended:
• The following students for their recent achievements at the Artistic Discover Congressional High School Art Competition:
Chelsey Hillman - Line and color award
Jeremy Olenski - Use of media award
Kelsey Roberts - Level of difficulty award.
Whitney Point High School took three of the six category awards. These three pieces will now move onto the state level competition in May. The works will be displayed through May 7th at the Broome County Art Council Offices at 81 State Street, Suite 301, Binghamton, NY.
Correspondence
None.
Policies
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached Fixed Asset Inventory/Capitalization Policy for first reading.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
Mrs. Hibbard explained the policy is part of the response to concerns raised by the auditors.
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Policies: For Second Reading
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached, updated Discipline of Students with Disabilities Policy.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Mary Ellerson
Mrs. Hibbard provided clarification to the policy.
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached Declassification of Students with Disabilities Policy.
Moved by Mary Ellerson Seconded by Sara Benscoter
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached Response to Intervention Policy.
Moved by Thomas Tasber Seconded by Mary Ellerson
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached, updated Principles of Purchasing / Procurement Policy.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the attached Medicaid Compliance Policy.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Comments from the Public
None.
Old Business
a. Budget Update
Mrs. Hibbard shared budget information beginning with a context of the current economic situation, which is impacting the current budget development. Budget considerations used in the budget development were reviewed. Mrs. Hibbard reviewed the 2010-2011 working budget which is a $20,205 (0.07%) increase over the current budget. The reductions, additions, and revenues were reviewed that result in a tax levy increase of $251,095 (3.77%). The three parts of the budget; program, administrative, and capital were explained. The program component expenditures were reviewed, which indicated an overall decrease of $310,342 (-1.44%). Mrs. Hibbard reviewed items in the program component that will continue to be supported. The administrative component expenditures were discussed, which indicate a $30,937 (1.24%) increase. The inclusion of the CSE chair as an administrator and the other administrative positions within the budget were explained. Support factors of the administrative component were discussed. The capital component expenditures totaling a $299,609 (6.82%) increase were reviewed. Mrs. Hibbard explained a factor of the increase is debt service that is offset by the increase in building aid revenue. Other factors affected by the capital component were discussed. The positions impacted by the budget were detailed by building. The contingent budget calculation of the working budget was shown and the budget development suppositions were reviewed.
Mr. DiMascio stated the Board will adopt a budget on April 20th and hold the public hearing on May 4th.
James Petrie questioned the need of classifying the CSE position as administrative?
Mrs. Hibbard explained the responsibilities of an administrator verses a non-administrator and that certain duties, such as classroom observations, can only be conducted by an administrator.
A discussion ensued.
Kim Becker stated support to the CSE administrative position but expressed concern over stretching staff too far in attempting to meet financial constraints.
Nancy Freeh expressed concern over changes to programs, which potentially include utilizing distance learning, de-personalizing the learning experience.
Maureen Somerwil presented information regarding the High School science program and the potential impact to the program of any staffing reduction.
New Business
a. BOCES Resolutions
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative educational Services administrative budget in the amount of $2,977,380.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
6 Aye 1 Nay (Thomas Tasber) 0 Abstained APPROVED
b. Board Member Vote: BOCES Board of Trustees
There are three (3) Board seats, three-year positions with the term ending June 30, 2013, that will be filled by a vote of the component districts. The following candidates have been nominated for the Office of Trustee on the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services:
Nominee: Ursula Hambalek
Nominee: Marcia Modlo
Nominee: Sandra Ruffo
Nominee: Joseph Zurine
(See the attached list of results of the nominations from the component districts.)
Mrs. Hibbard recommended a motion be made to identify the three BOCES Board Candidate’s names to appear on the ballot representing our vote:
Thomas Tasber moved that the following name be included on the ballot:
1. Sandra Ruffo
Seconded by Sara Benscoter
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Kathleen Driscoll moved that the following name be included on the ballot:
2. Ursula
Seconded by Stephanie Champney
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Stephanie Champney moved that the following name be included on the ballot:
3. Modlo
Seconded by Anthony Burchell
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
IT IS RESOLVED:
The Whitney Point Central School District Board of Education caste a vote for the Broome Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services Board candidates as identified above.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
c. Appointment
Mrs. Hibbard recommended that Cahill/Wink LLP be appointed School District Legal Counsel of the Whitney Point Central School District for the 2009-2010 School Year.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
Mrs. Hibbard stated adding the legal counsel will increase the district’s cost effectiveness.
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
d. Field Trip Request
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the seventh grade Odyssey of the Mind team trip, to be conducted Tuesday, May 25, 2010 – Sunday, May 30, 2010. Please see attached request.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
e. Resignation
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the resignation of Sherry Smeeton, Bus Driver, effective March 12, 2010. Please see attached.
Moved by Sara Benscoter Seconded by Stephanie Champney
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Addenda
a. Resignation
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the resignation of Denise Yalch, Food Service Worker, effective April 23, 2010. Please see attached letter.
Moved by Kathleen Driscoll Seconded by Mary Ellerson
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
b. Retirement Resignation
Mrs. Hibbard recommended Board approval of the resignation received by Erwin Beardsley, Cleaner, effective June 25, 2010. Please see attached letter.
Moved by Stephanie Champney, with regrets Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
The Board wishes Erwin the best and thanks him for his service to the district.
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Comments from the Public
James Petrie questioned where in the budget the above legal expense fall?
Mrs. Lindsley responded the legal firm is bond counsel relating to capital projects and will be paid from the capital fund. Normal legal expenses are within program and administrative components of the budget.
Meeting Adjournment
James DiMascio motioned to adjourn the meeting to Executive Session at 8:23 p.m.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Executive Session
For matters of personnel and contractual issues.
FYI
March Monthly Enrollment Comparison
Fox 40 School Aid Delayed Report
Press Connects Budget Article
Recent Article from the Cortland Standard featuring Bruce Tytler, Whitney Point High School Principal
Thank you note from Mrs. Sporer and the Maine Endwell Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Bands
April 15 – Spring Chorus and Band Concert, Grades 4 & 5
April 22 – Kindergarten Parent Fair, 7-8 p.m.
April 23 - NYSSMA Solo & Ensemble at Johnson City HS
April 26 – Kindergarten Registration Week
April 28 - TRA Family Literacy Night, 7 p.m.
April 29 – Honor Society Inductions, 7 p.m., HS Auditorium
April 30 – PTA Father-Daughter Dance
May 3 – TRA Band Concert, 7 p.m.
Laura J. Lindsley
District Clerk
BOARD OF EDUCATION
WHITNEY POINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
PO BOX 249
Whitney Point, NY 13862
Date: April 13, 2010
District Mission:
To provide an excellent education ensuring that all children maximize their potential, become contributing citizens, and pursue lifelong learning.
District Beliefs:
· All children possess unique qualities and come to school eager to learn and be successful.
· We respect all people within our community and treat them with dignity at all times.
· Learning is a partnership that includes school staff, parents, family and the community.
· Knowledge allows for critical thinking and effective decision-making.
· Purposeful and intentional change is a constant that leads to educational improvement and positive results.
· Compliance with state and federal regulations is critical to school district success.
Executive Session called to order at 8:30 p.m.
Present Absent
James DiMascio President X
Sara Benscoter Vice-President X
Anthony Burchell Member X
Stephanie Champney Member X
Kathleen Driscoll Member X
Mary Ellerson Member X
Thomas Tasber Member X
Mary Hibbard Superintendent of Schools X
Laura Lindsley District Clerk X
Patricia Follette Director of Curriculum and Instruction X
Executive Session
For matters of personnel and contractual issues.
Meeting Adjournment
James DiMascio motioned to adjourn the Executive Session at 9:40 p.m.
Moved by Stephanie Champney Seconded by Kathleen Driscoll
7 Aye 0 Nay 0 Abstained APPROVED
Laura J. Lindsley
District Clerk