WINDHAM-ASHLAND-JEWETT CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Minutes
December 18, 2007
Regular Meeting
A. J. Savasta, President
Members Present:
A. J. Savasta
William Haltermann
Jacqueline Maier
Teri Martin
Drew Shuster
Others Present:
John Gratto
Michael Ryan
Spiroula Sterling
William MacGregor
John Wiktorko, Superintendent
Marge Curran, Treasurer
Board President, A. J. Savasta, called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
Mr. Savasta led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Minutes of the November 8, 2007 meeting were read
and approved with an amendment on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Audit Finance Committee and the Superintendent, the Treasurer’s Report for
October 2007 was read and approved on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier Martin 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 January 2008 as presented, on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Teri Martin:
General Fund –Checks # 35475-35622 in the amount of $333,410.37
Cafeteria Fund – Check #160 in the amount of $25,685.92
Special Aid Fund – Checks # 2114-2116 in the amount of $2,720.95
Capital Fund – Checks # 1064-1081 in the amount of $1,695,399.72
Note: Marge Curran will be transferring $110,000 to the Capital Fund to cover the payments.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin 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 William Haltermann 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 Extra Curricular Activities Account for the month of October 2007 on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
A note was read from Russell Pelham thanking the Board of Education for the breakfast he had because he was on the Principal’s List.
A thank you note was read from the Hensonville Hose Company for WAJ’s continued participation in their fire protection demonstrations.
Mr. William MacGregor, Hensonville, commented on whether the question of sexual orientation of great writers and
other famous personalities was appropriate on school work.
Spiroula Sterling, Ashland, wanted to thank the Board of Education and all parties who helped resolve a situation that had arisen in the school.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepts a grant from the ExxonMobil Educational
Alliance Program in the amount of $500 to be used for the field trips and enrichment programs as presented under separate cover on
motion by Teri Martin and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Windham-Ashland-Jewett CSD, elects Gerry Loukes as a BOCES
Board Member on motion by Teri Martin and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board designates the following uses for $500,000
of the previously accepted donation from the Windham Chapter of the Catskill Mountain Foundation dated December 14, 2006 as follows:
$250,000 for technology and other equipment/material/supply purchase, installation and associated expenses related to
instruction, communication, security, or management of school programs.
$100,000 for campus beautification, landscaping improvements and associated upgrades
$150,000 for material/supply and equipment purchases related to academic, recreational, artistic, or athletic programming.
on motion by Jacqueline Maier and seconded by Drew Shuster.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Mr. Wiktorko added that this was in line with the original expectations of the grantors.
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: 445, 638, 641, 1057 and 1253 on motion by Teri Martin and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
Dates were read.
Mr. Wiktorko gave his report as follows:
The 2005 Capital Project remains on time and on budget. Construction on the new library is progressing well ahead of schedule and is on budget
Internal Audit Risk Assessment Review is underway with the Audit Finance Committee and is scheduled for BOE consideration in January
Discussed elements of the upcoming Bond Issuance
Updated the Board on budget development and news from Albany
The re-cycling program will be fully operational in the cafe by the end of January 2008
Bruce Pallas will make his department’s budget presentation for next fiscal year at the January Board meeting
Wendy Oftedal will make her department’s budget presentation at next month’s AFC meeting
During the holiday break, punch list work, along with work in the additions will continue
Outdoor site work has been suspended for the winter
Anticipate bid packages for telephone technology and the theatrical package to be evaluated by District Architect and Construction Manager in January
Mr. Haltermann asked if the District should postpone the Bond offering until interest rates were more favorable.
A brief discussion ensued revolving around the borrowing plan and Mr. Bastion’s report to the Board in November. The scheduled bond sale is January 10, 2008.
There were no additions to the agenda.
Mr. MacGregor, Hensonville, wanted to know if we had considered energy saving options such as solar panels, etc.
RESOLVED, that the Board go into Executive Session at 7:32 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the employment history of 3 employees
leading to the possible appointment of employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of these persons and
potential litigation on motion by William Haltermann and seconded by Jacqueline Maier.
Yes Savasta, Haltermann, Maier, Martin and Shuster.
No 0 Motion Carried
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 9:10 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 regretfully accepts the resignation of Bruce Pallas for purposes
of retirement effective August 30, 2008 on motion by Drew Shuster seconded by Jacqueline Maier and carried by those present.
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board accepts the resignation of John Gratto June 30, 2008
on motion by Teri Martin seconded by Drew Shuster and carried by those present
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. on motion by William Haltermann, seconded by Teri Martin, and carried by those present.
Felicia Senigo, Clerk of the Board
John Wiktorko, Clerk Pro Tem