WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL

Board of Education Minutes

December 14 2006

Regular Meeting

Teri Martin, President

Members Present
Teri Martin
Jacqueline Maier
William Haltermann
A. J. Savasta
Drew Shuster

Others Present:
Margaret Scarey
Bruce Pallas

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 November 9, 2006 minutes were read and approved on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by A. J. Savasta.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

The Treasurer’s Report for October 2006 was read and approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.

William Haltermann noted that from this meeting forward, the section of the monthly meeting pertaining to the regular financial business will have a different format to reflect that the Audit Finance Committee has reviewed these documents before hand. He informed the Board that all the financial reports, including transfers, Bill Schedule and Treasurers Report were reviewed and recommended by the Audit Finance Committee for approval.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

The Superintendent Transfers were read and approved on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

The Bill Schedule for December 2006 was read and approved on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by A. J. Savasta.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

The Extra-Curricular Activity Fund for October 2006 was read and approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Drew Shuster.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

The Extra-Curricular Activity Fund for November 2006 was read and approved on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Drew Shuster.

Mr. Wiktorko mentioned that he has been educating the teachers who head the extracurricular clubs to begin documenting attendance and the number and kinds of activities that are taking place in order to assess the need for all or some of these clubs.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

Ms. Martin reading the rules, called for public comments. There were no public comments.

RESOLVED, in compliance with the provisions of Section 3012(2) of the Education Law and part 30.3 of the Rules of the Board of Regents and upon recommendation of the Superintendent, that Andrea Seymour be appointed on tenure to the position of teacher in the Music tenure area, who holds a valid New York State Certificate permitting her to teach subjects in the aforesaid tenure area, the Board of Education of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett-Central School District does hereby make this appointment effective January 1, 2007 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, the Board approves adding Jim Starr to the current Mentor Teacher list, who will be paid according to the Extra-Curricular Salary Schedule for 2006-07 school year listed in the current WAJ Teachers 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, the Board reclassifies Margaret Tompkins from Teacher’s Assistant Step 19 of the current WAJ Support Staff Collective Bargaining Agreement (as originally hired), to Secretary Step 4 of the WAJ Support Staff Collective Bargaining Agreement, effective December 15, 2006, pending successful transfer of title or passage of examination under Greene County Civil Service on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by William Haltermann.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board regretfully accepts the resignation of Elaine Mattice for purposes of retirement effective June 22, 2007 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 Superintendent, the Board approves Joel Middleton to the extracurricular position of Coach of the Wee Warriors Basketball Team for the 2006-07 school year and will be paid according to the Extra-Curricular Salary Schedule as listed in the current WAJ Teachers Association Contract 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 Superintendent, the Board approves adding Edward Doherty to the substitute teachers/tutors list for the remainder of the 2006-07 school year 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, the Board approves Brian Christman as a volunteer to assist the WAJ ski team during practices for the 2006-07 ski season 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, the Board approves the recommendation from the Committee on Special Education for student #’s: 168, 254, 276, 305, 342, 373, 455, 461, 579P, 715, 1151 on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Audit Finance Committee, the Board appoints Sickler, Torchia, Allen & Churchill of Hudson, New York as Internal Auditor as presented under separate cover, following provisions of the ONC BOCES Request for Proposal for Internal Auditor services, which the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD participated in on motion by Drew Shuster and seconded by A. J. Savasta.

Mr. Wiktorko noted that the Audit Finance Committee had interviewed 3 firms for this position.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martinand Savasta
No 0
Abstained Shuster Motion Carried

RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board authorizes books from the Library to be declared obsolete following District Policy 5250 as presented under separate cover on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Savasta.
No 0

RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board authorizes items stored at the bus garage and main building to be bid and/or to dispose of listed items not sold on bid and/or declare the listed items obsolete following District Policy 5250 as presented under separate cover on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster.

William Haltermann wanted to know if this now brings the inventory up to date and Mr. Wiktorko replied that it did. He went on to describe the new process for keeping track of the school's inventory.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent and the Audit Finance Committee, the Board approves the district action plans for the following audits as presented under separate cover:

Comptroller’s Audit of Independent Audit Services for period ending June 30, 2003 and
Independent Audit Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2006

on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Jacqueline Maier

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
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 “first reading” of this plan 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, the Board approves the transportation agreement between the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD and the Hunter-Tannersville CSD, as presented under separate cover on motion by A. J. Savasta and seconded by Drew Shuster.

Mr. Wiktorko noted that this agreement was a pooling of resources by the two schools in order to save the two districts money.

Yes Haltermann, Maier, Martin, Savasta and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried

Important dates were read.

The Superintendent gave his monthly report on the following:

• Preliminary work on the budget has begun and a few important items impacting the budget may include (very preliminary figures with more detail in January, February, March):
• Health Insurance may increase by 9.5% even with all of the maneuvering by CASEBP to lower costs. (Will arrange to have CASEBP come in to speak to the Board about the program and the 2007-08 anticipated rising costs)
• TRS/ERS may be increasing 8.5% - 9.5% (TRS) 9-11% (ERS)
• Anticipated removal of modulars should save some money; although currently being studied.
• Fuel and utilities will be increasing at least CPI
• Debt service for the project will have an impact with second step at $350-400K new dollars, which will impact the budget spending and levy (including +5%)
• Hoping for same level of funding from SED (revenues) in aid
• State building aid for the new project will not become available until the following year
• Expect to use some of the reserve funds; including purchase of a new bus from reserves
• Fund balance - The majority of the fund balance will be used to offset the 07-08 levy, replenish unemployment reserve and offset borrowing for the project
• Project is on budget and on time; SED expected approval in February; Bidding in March-April
• Academic Committee will be meeting next week
• Wellness Committee is finalizing recommendations; last meeting next week to settle language
• Dr. Gratto will give his report at the end of the high school concert.
  

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.

Mag Scarey wanted to thank the Board for allowing teachers to participate in teacher training. She attended a conference last Tuesday regarding verbalizing and writing which she has found to be very useful.

RESOLVED, that the Board go into Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the employment history of 2 employees leading to the possible appointment of employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of these persons and collective bargaining.

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 8:38 p.m. on motion by William Haltermann, seconded by Drew Shuster and carried by those present.

Dr. Gratto Dr. Gratto reported on Recent Academic Improvement Initiatives:

• Curriculum mapping (K-6) in English Language Arts began with training sessions in a computer program called “School tools” for Kindergarten-6th grade teachers on Wednesday, December 13th. The K-6 faculty plan to complete curriculum mapping in time to implement the curriculum maps by September of 2007.
• Anger management counseling (6 sessions) is underway for every Thursday afternoon for four students. Another group will start in February.
• The Alternate Education program is now underway. Seven students in grades 8-10 are learning English, math, and employability skills. Starting early in the New Year, we expect to place them in work sites every afternoon.
  
• The grade 4 English Language Arts exam will be administered January 9th. To help selected students score higher on that, after school tutoring is occurring for 18 students for three days a week, starting December 12th and ending January 4th, 2007.
• Regents review sessions (held during activity period) to better prepare students for Regents exams to be administered in January will be held as follows:
• Earth Science—Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning December 12th
• U.S. History—Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning December 14th
• Global Studies—Thursdays beginning December 21
• English—Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning December 12th
• A number of activities to recognize and encourage academic achievement are being implemented and planned. On December 13th, a breakfast was held in the cafeteria to recognize students in grades 7-12 who earned Honor Roll or High Honor roll. Upcoming activities include:
• Creation of a “Principal’s List” to recognize students who will attain an average of 94 or greater.
• An Ice Cream Social for students who have earned Honor Roll or higher for the first three marking periods. Please mark May 1 at 2:30 on your calendar if you would like to take part in it.
• We are making plans for students to receive academic letters similar to athletic letters.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 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

Print This Page