Dover Union Free School District

Minutes October 23, 2007

DOVER UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dover Plains, New York 12522

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

TUESDAY – OCTOBER 23, 2007

High School Cafeteria

MINUTES

I. OPENING PROCEDURES:

President Shufelt called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Dover Union Free School District at 7:06 p.m.

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

President Shufelt led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. ANNOUNCEMENT RE: CAPACITY, EXITS AND EVACUATION:

Present Shufelt announced that the capacity of the High School Cafeteria is 416 persons and advised where the exits are located.

C. ATTENDANCE:

Board Members Present:

Sam Shufelt (President), Kathleen Schibanoff (Vice-President), Brigid Casson,

Penny Dye, Gail Rohr.

Board Members Absent:

Patricia Hoag, Russell Infantino, Marie Spencer.

Also Present: Craig T. Onofry, Superintendent

Christopher Prill, Asst. Supt. for Business Affairs

Gail Gasparro, District Clerk

7 community members

BOARD OF ED RECOGINITION:

In honor of School Board Recognition Week, principals Alvarez, Harmelink and Basting thanked the Board for their dedication and support. The Board received various tokens of appreciation from the three buildings and from Student Council.

D. LEGISLATIVE REPORT:

·  The Board of Regents issued their thoughts about the budget. They are looking for a substantial increase for education.

·  President Bush has said he will veto the new health insurance bill which is being promoted in the House.

·  The Senate debate continues regarding 2008 appropriations for education.

E. STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION:

None.

F. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY:

None.

II. PRESENTATIONS:

1. Before & After School Program – Program Director Astrid Lee spoke about the Before & After School Program which takes place at Wingdale Elementary School. The program currently serves 73 children from 57 families, and includes 12 staff members. The Before School Program serves breakfast to the children. The After School Program includes mandatory quiet time for homework or reading, plus free time, arts & crafts, movies, etc. Children are well supervised at all times.

2. Safety and Security

·  Due to the recent MRSA alert, hand sanitizer has been ordered for all classrooms. Letters have gone home to parents providing basic information and advising them about preventative measures.

·  There is a line item in the budget for a variety of safety and security items, such as additional cameras on buses.

·  The topic of safety and security has been discussed at both the building and district levels. The district Safety Committee has also discussed the possibility of a camera and buzzer system at the Middle/High School plus additional cameras in areas such as the H.S. cafeteria or other locations that are difficult to monitor.

·  VERDAD Investigations is a company that offers a variety of security services. The Board was in favor of hearing a presentation by VERDAD.

ITEMS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) WERE APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA.

III. ROUTINE MATTERS:

*A. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to accept the Minutes of the Regular Board meeting held on October 9, 2007.

*B. ACCEPTANCE OF CASH DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULES:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to accept the following Cash Disbursement Schedules: SN-35 through SN-44.

IV. NEW BUSINESS:

A. INSTRUCTIONAL:

*1. APPOINTMENT OF LISA KELLMAN, LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to approve the appointment of Lisa Kellman as a long-term substitute teacher at the Dover Middle School, effective September 5, 2007.

(continued on page 3)

APPOINTMENT OF LISA KELLMAN – continued:

Certification: New York State

Certification Area: Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) Type of Certification: Initial

Eff. Date of Certificate: September 1, 2005

Tenure Area: Not applicable

Salary for the 2007/2008 school year will be at Level B, Step 1: $41,404.00, pro-rated. Benefits will be in accordance with the DWTA Contract. The probationary period is not applicable.

*2. CHILD-REARING LEAVE FOR KIMBERLY KAAN, MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to approve a request from Kimberly Kaan for a child-rearing leave of absence from the position of Middle School Teacher, from approximately March 25, 2008 through June 30, 2008.

*3. CHILD-REARING LEAVE FOR ELISABETH HAND, ESL TEACHER:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to approve a request from Elisabeth Hand for a child-rearing leave of absence from the position of ESL Teacher at the Wingdale Elementary School, beginning approximately December 21, 2007 and continuing for six to eight weeks.

B. NON-INSTRUCTIONAL:

*1. RESIGNATION OF ALAN ANDREWS, CUSTODIAL WORKER:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

accept the resignation of Alan Andrews from the position of Custodial Worker at the Wingdale Elementary School, effective September 21, 2007.

*2. RESIGNATION OF HEIDI SVRCEK, TEACHER AIDE:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to accept the resignation of Heidi Svrcek from the position of Teacher Aide at the Wingdale Elementary School, effective October 15, 2007.

*3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR MICHELE BOUTON, FOOD SERVICE HELPER:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

approve a leave of absence for Michele Bouton from the position of Food Service Helper at the Dover Elementary School, effective October 24, 2007.

*4. CHANGE IN TITLE FOR MICHELE BOUTON:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

approve a change in title for Michele Bouton from Food Service Helper to Cook at the Dover Elementary School, effective October 24, 2007. Salary for the 2007/2008 school year will be $17,558.00, pro-rated. Benefits will be in accordance with the CSEA Non-Instructional Contract. A probationary period of twelve (12) weeks will apply.

C. OTHER BUSINESS:

*1. APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

approve the following:

Upon the determination after review by the Dover District committee on Special Education, and with parental notification and consent, the named students shall be placed in Special Education programs, as outlined in attachment No. 07/1865.

Names of students are on file in Office of Special Education; however, in accordance with Provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1976, as amended, the Dover Union Free School District shall maintain the confidentiality of pupil records.

*2. ACCEPTANCE OF DONATION:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

accept a donation of books from Ms. Patricia Spagnoli to the Middle/High School Library, per Attachment No. 07/1866.

*3. ACCEPTANCE OF LOW WRITTEN QUOTE:

Motion by Penny Dye, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to

accept the low written quote in the amount of $12,857.00 from Mid-Hudson Pump Company for installation of a pump and water tank system at the Dover Middle/High School, per Attachment No. 07/1867.

V. DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Revised Budget Transfer Policy – A first reading of this revised policy took place. Budget transfer reports will be placed on the agenda quarterly rather than monthly.

2. New Policy – Professional Certification – A first reading of this policy also took place. Teachers are required to complete 175 hours of professional development every five years to maintain valid certification.

3. Equestrian Program Proposal – Dr. Onfory spoke to the Board about a proposal he received for an Equestrian Club. The proposal was submitted by an individual who

currently operates a stable and offers riding lessons.

4. Tax Collection – Chris Prill said the district is considering having a bank collect our taxes next year rather than have the Tax Collector collect once a week in the Business Office. For the convenience of taxpayers, we are considering Salisbury Bank in Dover, rather than Key Bank in Pawling, although Mr. Prill noted that we are very satisfied with the service Key Bank has been providing.

VI. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS:

A. COMMUNICATION: WRITTEN AND VERBAL:

1. Members of the Board.

·  Inquiry regarding the Agendas and Minutes being posted on our website.

·  Inquiry regarding the invitations for the Harvest Moon Dinner to be held on Thursday, November 8th.

·  The Middle/High School Improvement Team will meet on the third Thursday of the month.

·  Inquiry regarding the outcome of the damaged lockers in the boys’ H.S. locker room.

·  Music concerts will take place on Thursday, October 25th, in the Auditorium.

·  Reminder that there will be a Superintendent’s Conference Day held on Tuesday, November 6th (Election Day).

·  The Board thanked the administrators, Student Council, etc. for their thoughtful show of appreciation for BOE Recognition.

·  The Town of Dover is holding their Bicentennial Gala at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel on Friday, November 9th. Interested Board members should RSVP as soon as possible.

·  This week is National School Bus Safety Week. The Board expressed appreciation for the great job done by our bus drivers.

2. Persons to address the Board of Education.

·  None.

B. SCHOOL CALENDAR:

1. Next Regular Board of Education Meeting – Tues. November 13th, 7:00 p.m.

2. Veteran’s Day observed – Mon. November 12th – Schools and offices closed.

VI. ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Brigid Casson, seconded by Kathleen Schibanoff, and carried 5 yes – 0 no, to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gail Gasparro

District Clerk

/gg

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