WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Minutes
November 10, 2005
Teri Martin
Jacqueline Maier
William Haltermann
A. J. Savasta
Drew Shuster
Marge Curran, Treasure
John Wiktorko, Superintendent
Felicia Senigo, Clerk
Board President, Teri Martin, called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.
Ms. Martin led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 19, 2005 were read and approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
The Treasurer’s Report for September 2005 was read and approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
The Superintendent Transfers were read and approved on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by A. J. Savasta.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
The Bill Schedule for November 2005 was read and approved on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by A. J. Savasta.
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Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Ms. Martin read a Thank You note to the Board from Mag Scarey.
Ms. Martin on behalf of the Board read the following statement:
On November 3, 2005, the New York State Comptroller’s Office issued the final performance audit report to the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District and Board of Education. The Audit document makes several recommendations to the District regarding school fiscal practice and outlines areas of strength as well. The District has formulated and implemented an action plan that addresses the audit recommendations.
The District appreciates the work done by the auditors during the past fourteen months, including over four months of on-site review of District records in 2004. The District intends to use the information and suggestions provided within the report to continue improving fiscal policies and protocols. It is also important to point out, the District has taken significant action, many of these actions prior to receiving the report findings, to improve financial policies, procedures and accountability. As a District that has embraced this audit process, we wish the Comptroller’s Office continued success in helping public schools identify best practices and in providing practical guidance to public schools.
The WAJ Board of Education acknowledges and takes responsibility for the procedural and policy issues raised in the audit report. The Board of Education has ultimate fiduciary responsibility of District affairs and is focused on ensuring that the fiscal reforms developed by the Board and our new superintendent continue. In the past the Board may have taken a less active role in the financial governance of the District, relying more on professional advice of consultants and former administrators. This is not the case now. The Board of Education, with assistance from the Audit Finance Committee and current District Superintendent, have worked together to continue improving our procedures and protocols, as was pointed out in the audit report as well. Those focused efforts will continue with engagement from this Board. We will use the audit report as a tool to promote best practices in financial operations of the school. The Board will continue to study issues closely to increase efficiency and performance so that we can maintain public trust in the governance of the District. As Board President, I take responsibility for the direction of the Board, past and present. I am encouraged and energized by the obvious positive direction the Board and the District is currently on. Our superintendent and staff have worked hard to make positive change within our school and in the community. As with any issue related to our school, the Board welcomes community input and hopes to continue on the path of higher performance that we are currently on. We encourage the community to continue to give us input as we go forward to ensure the excellence we all strive for. Thank you.
Ms. Martin reading the rules, called for public comments.
JoAnn Piazzi handed out a “Response to the Comptrollers Audit”. She asked that the Windham Action Group be given credit for initiating the fiscal reforms within the District. She also gave a timeline of the Group’s activities leading up to the audit. She asked that the Board issue a written response to the “Response to the Comptrollers Audit”.
Other members of the community also commented on this issue.
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School, approves the appointment of Michelle Beaumont as Cheerleading Co-Advisor and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ms. Beaumont will be paid according to the Extra-Curricular Salary Schedule for 2005-06 school year listed in the current WAJ Teachers Association Contract on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
William Haltermann asked if this had been discussed with Beth Verhoeven, cheerleading advisor. Mr. Wiktorko responded that it had.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board appoints Sheri Baron, Joyce Valenti, Wendy Larsen and Nathan Hoyt to the Peer Buddy Team and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that they will be paid according to the Extra-Curricular Salary Schedule for 2005-06 school year listed in the current WAJ Teacher Association Contract on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, that the Board approves the recommendation from the Committee on Special Education for student #’s: 445, 546P, 560, 563 on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by A. J. Savasta.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee, the Board accepts receipt of the NYS Comptroller’s Financial Accounting Operations Report of Examination of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District as presented and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board adopts the actions embodied in the District response to the report as policy/procedure, as it relates to appropriate District protocol on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by William Haltermann.
William Haltermann commented that the Board is already taking corrective actions embodied in the report.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education, accepts the donation of $110.00 from the attendees of a Mountain Top Ecumenical Service meeting held on November 1, 2005 and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these funds are to be used for the Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central School District’s Toys for Tots program administered by the School Nurse on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Important dates were read.
Mr. Wiktorko reported on the following:
Curriculum Workshop, held prior to this meeting, is aimed at improving practice and performance of the school
Asked the Board and the public for input on establishing two formal meeting dates to present the project in its entirety to the community. The tentative dates set are: December 3 at 4:30 p.m. and December 13 at 7:00 p.m., pending coordination with architects/fiscal advisors
In the meantime, he is presenting the project to various groups: the Chamber, PTSA, Rotary, Towns of Windham, Ashland, Jewett.
The Audit Finance Committee met and discussed a policy review on Investments and Credit Cards, Project Accounting and possible restructuring of the Business Office to accommodate building project accounting
Utica National’s lawyers reached a settlement in the Valentine and Weston vs. WAJ cases. The school was not consulted on the proposed final settlement. The Board would like a statement from Utica National on this decision.
Regarding the Comptroller’s Audit, he stated he is looking forward to working with the community in all areas to improve procedures.
Mr. Lybolt gave his report:
Things are going well
Reported on the new AIS policy and how it is working
Grades will be in on Tuesday of next week
The sports season is off to a good start
Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving
There were no additions to the agenda
Ms. Martin called for public comment.
William MacGregor volunteered to help with the school inventory.
Mr. Dirck Leys recommended that all of the Board members take fiscal training.
RESOLVED, that the Board go into Executive Session at 8:01 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the employment history of 14 employees and leading to the possible appointment of employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of these persons on motion by A.J. Savasta, seconded by Jacqueline Maier and carried by those present.
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 9:24 p.m. on motion by William Halterman, seconded by A. J. Savasta, and carried by those present.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on motion by Jacqueline Maier, seconded by A.J. Savasta, and carried by those present.
Felicia Senigo, Clerk of the Board
John Wiktorko, Clerk Pro Tem