NEW LEBANON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEW LEBANON, NY 12125

 

Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

June 4, 2008

 

The regular meeting was held at the Walter B. Howard Elementary School.  The meeting was called to order by Board President Mattoon at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

PRESENT:  Board Members, Mattoon, Magin, Luhrmann, Sowalski, Gavrity, Superintendent McGraw, Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Leslie Whitcomb and Interim Business Official, Dr. Donald Gottlieb.

 

ABSENT:  Board Members, Southard and Wood, WBH Principal, Scott Paterson, Supervisor of Transportation, Ed Davis and CSE/CPSE Chairperson, Patricia Mullen.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Members of the Public

 

Public Comment:

Bonnie Lichak asked the board the energy cost to run both schools and if an energy audit had ever been done.  She spoke to the Board about obtaining grants from the State with regard to energy conservation.

 

Board Member Mattoon thanked Phyllis Hulbert for running for a Board seat.

 

Acknowledgments/Administrative Comments

Superintendent McGraw gave the Facilities and Grounds update.  A pre-construction meeting will be held on June 17 to coordinate the renovation and reconstruction of the Walter B. Howard building. 

 

Superintendent McGraw notified the Board that 4th and 5th grade students are attending Nature’s Classroom this week.

 

Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Leslie Whitcomb gave the Jr./Sr. High update.  The Sheriff’s department brought their drug-sniffing dogs to campus last week and nothing was found.  Social Studies 8 testing was completed today.  Seniors leave for their trip to the Jersey Shore on Friday, June 6, 2008.  The athletic awards held on June 2 were very nice.  The plays held recently at the Theater Barn were wonderful. 

 

Approval of Minutes

Action Item

Board Member Sowalski made a motion to approve the May 21, 2008 minutes.  Seconded by Board Member Mattoon.  4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention

 

Superintendent

Non-Action Item

Superintendent McGraw discussed setting July 9, 2008 for the organizational meeting. 

 

 

Superintendent McGraw reviewed progress that has been made with District goals.  She highlighted several areas including, community outreach, establishing a continuing education program, communication with legislators, fiscal accountability, safety and student achievement.

 

Action Items

Board Member Gavrity made a motion to approve the use of school district buses at no extra charge except for the cost of fuel and a driver by the New Lebanon Summer Youth Program to the following destinations:  7/16/08, Howe Caverns, 7/25/08, Zoom Flume, 8/8/08, Great Escape, 8/13/08, Skate Factory, 7/31/08, Copake Camp.  Seconded by Board Member Mattoon.  5 ayes, 0 nays

 

Curriculum and Instruction

Non-Action Item

Jr./Sr. High School Principal, Leslie Whitcomb reviewed AP and college level courses and how colleges and universities treat the potential credit. 

 

The board reviewed the following revised policies, (first reading):

7330

Searches and Interrogations

7350

Corporal Punishment/Emergency Interventions

7420

Sports and the Athletic Program

7450

Fund Raising by Students

7511

Immunization of Students

7513

Administration of Medication

7521

Students with Life Threatening Allergies

7610

Special Education:  District Plan

7613

The Role of the Board in Implementing a Student’s Individualized Education Program

7641

Transition Services

7642

Extended School Year (July/August) Services and/or Programs

7643

Transfer Students with Disabilities

7660

Parent Involvement for Children with Disabilities

8211

Prevention Instruction

8241

Patriotism, Citizenship and Human Rights Education

8340

Textbooks/Workbooks/Calculators

8350

Use of Copyrighted Materials

8360

Religious Expression in the Instructional Program

The following policies were reviewed and no revisions are recommended:

7340

Bus Rules and Regulations

7430

Contest for Students, Student Awards and Scholarships

7512

Student Physicals

7560

Notification of Sex Offenders

7650

Identification and Register of Children with Disabilities (Child Find)

7690

Special Education Mediation

The following policies were reviewed and are recommended to be deleted:

7515

Licensed School – Based Health, Dental or Mental Health Clinics

8310

Purposes of Instructional Materials

 

The Board discussed possibly merging policies 7513 and 7521.

 

Action Item

Board Member Magin made a motion to approve CSE/CPSE recommendations of programs and placements for the following special education students: 

 

33   43  91  411  483  509   510  673  761  866  2060  2075  2208  2298  2349  2373  2411  2417  2418  2421  2452  4049  4077 4145  4033  12296  4079

Seconded by Board Member Mattoon.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

Board Member Luhrmann made a motion to approve the following chaperones for the 2008 Senior Class Trip to the New Jersey Shore, June 6-8, 2008:  Michelle Lagonia, Dawn Brutsch, Scott Luhrmann, and Michelle Bienes.  Seconded by Board Member Mattoon.  4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention

 

Financial

Action Items

Board Member Mattoon made a motion upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw, to approve the business function manual written by Claudia Roberts.  Seconded by Board Member Magin.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

Board Member Sowalski made a motion to authorize the Interim School Business Official to sign a Letter of Engagement with Hiscock and Barclay for Bond Counsel for the Excel Capital Project.  Seconded by Board Member Magin.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

Board Member Mattoon made a motion to authorize the Interim School Business Official to open a money market account for $900,000 for the renovation project.  Seconded by Board Member Magin.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

Personnel
Action Item

Board Member Gavrity made a motion to approve items A – D and and F – H.  Seconded by Board Member Mattoon.  4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention.

      a.   Upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw, to appoint Teresa Darcy, substitute cleaner at a rate of $9.66 per hour as per CSEA contract, effective June 5, 2008. 

b.      To approve child rearing leave for Kathryn Strange, School Psychologist, from September 22, 2008 – January 5, 2008. 

c.       Upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw, to appoint Sharon Putnam, substitute clerical worker for times when school is not in session, effective July 1, 2008, at a rate of $13.44 as per CSEA contract.

d.      Upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw to appoint Carole Greene, summer bus cleaner effective July 7, 2008 – July 31, 2008 at a rate of $9.90 per hour as per CSEA contract.

f.   Upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw, to appoint Rachel Kohrs, substitute Teaching Assistant at a rate of $12.77 per hour as per CSEA contract and as an uncertified substitute teacher at a rate of $80.00 per day effective June 5, 2008.

g.       Upon the recommendation of Superintendent McGraw, to appoint Clint Garrigan to the position of summer cleaner effective July 2, 2008 – August 29, 2008 at a rate of $9.90 an hour as per CSEA contract. 

h.       To accept the resignation of Lisa Ferrannini, K-12 Physical Education Teacher, effective August 1, 2008. 

 

Board Member Magin made a motion to table item e.  Seconded by Board Member Gavrity.  5 ayes, 0 nays. 

 

Board Open Discussion

The Board would like to hear a presentation on AIS and look at alternate power for the soccer field lights.

 

Public Comment

Phyllis Hulbert commented on policies regarding Epi pens and regular medication.  She asked the Board when the last census was conducted.  She thanked Board Members Mattoon and Southard for dedicating many years to the District.

 

Motion To Go To Executive Session

Board Member Mattoon made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and matters related to collective bargaining negotiations at 8:23 p.m.  Seconded by Board Member Sowalski.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

Adjournment

Board Member Magin made a motion to adjourn at 9:17 p.m. seconded by Board Member Sowalski.  5 ayes, 0 nays.

 

 

 

_________________________   Respectfully submitted,

                                                     Krista Giangrossi, District Clerk

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Public Comment

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgements/

Administrative Comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

Organizational Meeting, July 9, 2008

 

 

Reviewed District Goals

 

 

 

 

Approved NL Summer Youth Program to use buses

 

 

 

 

Reviewed Comprehensive High School Programs

 

Reviewed Policies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved CSE/CPSE Recommendations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved chaperones for Senior Trip

 

 

 

 

 

Approved Business Function Manual

 

 

Authorized Letter of Engagement with Hiscock & Barclay

 

Authorized Money Market Account for $900,000

 

 

 

Teresa Darcy, Substitute Cleaner

 

Kathryn Strange, Approved Child Rearing Leave

 

Sharon Putnam, Substitute Clerical Worker

 

Carole Greene, Summer Bus Cleaner

 

Rachel Kohrs, Substitute Teaching Assistant

 

Clint Garrigan, Summer Cleaner

 

Lisa Ferrannini, Resignation

 

 

 

Board Open Discussion

 

 

Public Comment

 

 

 

 

Executive Session

 

 

 

Adjournment