WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Minutes
February 8, 2007
Regular Windham School Teri Martin, President
Members Present: Teri Martin,William Haltermann, A. J. Savasta, Drew Shuster,
Members Absent: Jacqueline Maier
Others Present:
Margaret Scarey, Bridget Pelham, Bob Pelham, Jean Stremlo
John Wiktorko, Superintendent
Marge Curran, Treasurer
Felicia Senigo, Clerk
Board President, Teri Martin, called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
Ms. Martin led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Minutes of the January 11, 2007 minutes were read. Mr. Haltermann observed that under the Superintendent’s report, Transportation Superintendent should be changed to Transportation Supervisor. This change was noted by the District Clerk and the minutes were approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Drew Shuster with amended copies of the minutes to be distributed at the March meeting.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Treasurer’s Report for December 2006 was read and approved on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Bill Schedule for February 2007 was read and approved on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by A. J. Savasta.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
Ms. Martin reading the rules, called for public comments. There were no public comments.
Dr. Jennifer Bolton-Carls, Assistant Superintendent, Management Services of ONC BOCES introduced Darleen Callahan, Health Benefits and Claims Coordinator, who gave the Board an update on the changes that have taken place at CASEBP.
Dr. Jennifer Bolton-Carls then presented the ONC BOCES 2007-2008 Administrative Budget.
The Board took a brief break before resuming regular business.
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves adding Danielle Evans to the substitute Teacher’s Assistant list on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves adding Nina Berger to the substitute Teacher’s/Tutors list on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by William Haltermann.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves the following extracurricular activities’ appointments on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by William Haltermann:
Wee Warriors Coordinators – Janice Hitchcock and Nate Hoyt
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves the recommendation from the Committee on Special Education for student #’s: 254, 641, 876, 1032, 1149, 1151 and 1157 on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board adopts the 2007-2008 school calendar as presented on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by William Haltermann.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board re-authorizes Policy 7510 "District Wellness Policy" (June 22, 2006) with changes as presented under separate cover to be effective March 8, 2007, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this constitutes the "first" reading of this policy on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by A. J. Savasta.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board adopts the School Safety Plan, as presented under separate cover, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this constitutes the “second reading” of this plan on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Audit Finance Committee, the Board adopts Policy 5530.1, Credit Cards Regulation, Policy 5530.2 and 5530.2R, Cellular Telephone Policy, Policy 5530.3 and 5530.3R Meal and Refreshments, all presented under separate cover, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this constitutes the “second reading” of these District Policies on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and following regulations as stipulated in NYS Real Property Tax Law, the Board approves a Disability Exemption for the year 2007 of $18,000 on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by A.J. Savasta.
Mr. Haltermann asked that Ms. Curran look into an exemption for Armed Services Personnel that are on active duty.
Yes Haltermann, Martin, Savasta and Shuster. Absent Maier
No 0 Motion Carried
Important dates were read.
The Superintendent gave the following report:
2007-08 budget discussions have begun at the Audit Finance Committee’s monthly meetings
The Board needs to decide if we will use the Capital Reserve funds to reduce the overall borrowing for the upcoming project or should we hold onto these funds until construction is completed. If the Capital Reserve funds are used, we could extend the borrowing to 30 years to lower our debt services.
Estimates are that the CPI will be below 5% including the project. It will reduce steps 2 and 3.
The Board discussed the above options. Discussions regarding voter propositions will be ongoing but must conclude before the March 31 deadline for posting the legal notices in the newspapers.
The Assistant Superintendent gave the following report:
Recent Academic Improvement Initiatives:
An Analysis of the English Language Arts exams in grades 3-5 was completed:; including a comprehensive item analysis for each student. Teacher training on item analysis was provided prior to implementation.
The 7-12 Course Selection Guide is completed. Major changes included inclusion of Columbia-Greene Community Courses.
Columbia-Greene Community College Courses have been approved by the Academic Dean at CGCC effective with the 2007-2008 academic year. The courses and credits were discussed.
Upcoming state exam schedules were discussed and developing SAT plans for preparatory course development (on-line and in-house)
Attendance Comparison was discussed: January 2006 to January 2007
Additionally
Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School is a “School in Good Standing” according to the New York State Education Department. That status is due to the District’s achievement scores in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.
Homework guidelines for grades K-6 and 7-12 have been finalized and distributed to staff.
RESOLVED, that the Board go into Executive Session at 9:50 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the employment history of 1 employee leading to the possible appointment of employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of this person.
The items discussed during the Executive Session will be made public as appropriate at future meetings of the Board of Education on motion by A. J. Savasta, seconded by William Haltermann and carried by those present.
The Board reconvened into regular session at 10:48 p.m. on motion by Drew Shuster, seconded by A. J. Savasta and carried by those present.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:49 p.m. on motion by William Haltermann, seconded by Drew Shuster and carried by those present.
Felicia Senigo, Clerk of the Board
John Wiktorko, Clerk Pro Tem