WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Minutes
February 14, 2008Members Present:
A. J. Savasta
William Haltermann
Drew Shuster
Jacqueline Maier
John Wiktorko, Superintendent
Marge Curran, Treasurer
Members Absent:
Teri Martin
Others Present:
John Gratto
Michael Ryan
Anne Rode
Bridget Pelham
Dr. Marie Wiles
Dr. Bolton-Carls
William McGregor
Board President, A. J. Savasta, called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Mr. Savasta led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Before Regular Business began, the Board elected to have Dr. Marie Wiles and Dr. Jennifer Bolton Carls give the ONC BOCES administrative budget presentation. The 2008-09 ONC BOCES budget breakdown is as follows:
Total Administrative Budget is $2,183,727
Tentative Capital Budget is $587,062
Tentative Program Budget is $21,230,123
Total Budget is $24,000,912
Total percentage increase for the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD will be 3.28%
A short recess was taken at 7:40 p.m. and the Board resumed their regular business at 7:55 p.m.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Minutes of the January 10, 2008 meeting were read and approved on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Treasurer’s Report for December 2007 was read and approved on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Board approves the Bill Schedule for February 2008 as presented, on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster:
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Superintendent’s Transfers were approved on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster. Mr. Shuster questioned the transfer and Mr. Wiktorko explained that this item was for new text books for the new Literacy Reading Series in grades K-6.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Board approves the Extra Curricular Activities Account for the month of December 2007 on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by William Haltermann.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
There was no correspondence.
During public comments, Mr. William McGregor thanked the staff at WAJ for their attendance at the Friends of Windham Fundraiser. The money collected goes toward helping those in need in the school community. He also asked about the school's "fire wall", as it relates to unwanted electronic correspondence.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board appoints the following individuals to the extra curricular positions for the 2007-08 school year as presented:
Girls Modified Softball Coach – Joseph Pudlewski
On motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves adding James Arturi to the substitute bus driver list for the 2007-2008 school year on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
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 2008 of $18,500 on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves increasing the Senior Citizen Tax Exemption for the year 2008 to $18,500on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepts a donation from the PTSA in the amount of $101.00 toward materials/playground equipment on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approves the recommendation from the Committee on Special Education, Committee on Pre-School Special Education and the Americans with Disability Act, Section 504 for student #’s:. 254, 284, 276, 468, 560, 1157 and 1257 on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Important dates were read.
Dr. Gratto reported on the following:
Requirements imposed on a "School in Need of Improvement"
Development of a Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP)
School Leadership Team (LeRoy, Morrison, McAneny, B. Pelham, D. Pelham, Pudlewski, James, Kammerer, Stokes) will be working on "Causal Analysis" for our test scores that did not result in "Adequate Yearly Progress" being made.
Item analysis of grades 3-8 math tests and 6-8 ELA exams for 2007 are currently in progress
The District received a $2500 Mini-Grant from the Rural Education Advisory Committee to strengthen and fund our Advisory Program.
The AP US History was approved by the College Board Audit Committee
Parent/Teacher conferences for 7-12 parents will be on February 28th and April 24th for K-6 parents.
Discussed upcoming student events
Ms. Rode was not in attendance at this meeting to give her report because she was supervising our students at the JV Championship game in Stamford.
Mr. Wiktorko gave his monthly report as follows:
Reminded the Board that they will be voting on the ONC BOCES budget in April
Discussed the 2008-09 budget packet draft outlining spending below CPI at this time
Voter propositions for school bus purchase and potential closure of Capital Reserves (re-establishing after approximately 5 years) were discussed
Asst. Superintendent search is underway
District Wellness Committee met with Cornell Co-operative Extension to review several programs "Eat Well, Play Hard", "Farm to School" and "Small Steps"
Met with our liaisons representing Chartwell's who wanted a mid-year increase in breakfast and lunch prices. Mr. Wiktorko recommended not to increase prices mid-year and to consider appropriate increases for next year.
After BOE review an RFP for legal services is ready to go out. Mr. Wiktorko would like a firm that is closer to us in distance.
Friends of Windham had a successful fundraising event raising funds for needy students
New library will be available for use on February 25th, 3 months ahead of schedule
The 2005 Capital Project is ahead of schedule and on budget
Building Aid will begin to flow in next year
Universal Pre-K is being considered for implementation within the next two years
There were no additions to the agenda.
The Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District permits public comment to the Board of Education at its regular monthly meeting. Individuals will state their names and addresses before speaking. Comment will be given in a civil manner, will be of reasonable duration, and will respect the privacy of all individuals. The Board will respond to questions, if appropriate, in the days following the meeting.
RESOLVED, that the Board go into Executive Session at 9:01 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 these persons.
The items discussed during the Executive Session will be made public as appropriate at future meetings of the Board of Education.
The Board reconvened into regular session at 9:35 p.m. on motion by William Haltermann, seconded by Drew Shuster and carried by those present.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepts the Memorandum of Agreement dated 2/14/08 between the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD and Mrs. Marjorie Curran as presented under separate cover on motion by Drew Shuster, seconded by William Haltermann and carried by those present.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepts the resignation for purpose of retirement from Mrs. Marjorie Curran, effective August 29, 2008, which will be her last day of employment with the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD as presented under separate cover.
The Board of Education and the Superintendent discussed 5-6 grade departmentalization, differentiated instruction and gifted/talented programming along with plans to advertise for a new Business Manager/District Treasurer.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM 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