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/ THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234TO: /
The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM: / David JohnsonSUBJECT: / Summary of the May 2007 Meeting
DATE: / June 7, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL: / Goal #4
AUTHORIZATION(S):
Executive Summary
Issue for Decision
Review of the Summary of the May 2007 Meeting of the Board of Regents.
Proposed Handling
Approval of the Summary of the May 2007 meeting.
Procedural History
This document summarizes the actions of the Board of Regents during the monthly meeting and is brought before the Board the following month for approval.
Recommendation
Approval of the Summary of the May 2007 meeting.
Timetable for Implementation
Effective June 26, 2007.
VOTED, that the Summary of the May 2007 Meeting of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York be approved.
SUMMARY OF THE MAY MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF REGENTS
OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Held at the State Education Building
Albany, New York
May 21 and 22, 2007
David Johnson, Secretary
Board of Regents
THE BOARD OF REGENTS
The Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York held public sessions on Monday, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday, May 22, at 11:15 a.m. pursuant to a call duly sent to each Regent.
MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD, Monday, May 21, 10:00 a.m.
Board Members in Attendance:
Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor
Merryl H. Tisch, Vice Chancellor
Saul B. Cohen
James C. Dawson
Anthony S. Bottar
Geraldine D. Chapey
Arnold B. Gardner
Harry Phillips, 3rd
Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.
James R. Tallon, Jr.
Milton L. Cofield
Roger B. Tilles
Karen Brooks Hopkins
Natalie M. Gomez-Velez
Charles R. Bendit
Also present were the President of The University and Commissioner of Education, Richard P. Mills, Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Kathy A. Ahearn, and the Secretary, Board of Regents, David Johnson.
Chancellor Robert M. Bennett called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
ACTION ITEMS
Executive Session Motion
MOVED, that the Board of Regents convene in Executive Session on Tuesday, May 22 at 7:30 a.m. for the purpose of discussing pending litigation and personnel matters.
Motion by: Vice Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch
Seconded by: Regent James C. Dawson
Action: Motion carried unanimously
Charter Schools: Renewal Charter
BR (A) 4
In accordance with the standards set forth in subdivision two of New York State Education Law Section 2852, the Board of Regents reviews applications for the renewal of existing charter schools and may either (a) approve and issue the charter or renewal charter as proposed by the charter entity, or (b) return the proposed charter or renewal charter to the charter entity for reconsideration with the written comments and recommendations of the Board of Regents.
The Trustees of the State University of New York have proposed a second renewal charter for the International Charter School of Schenectady (Rotterdam-Mohanasen). The School’s charter expired on April 4, 2007 and any action taken by the Board of Regents will become effective immediately.
MOVED, that the Board of Regents return the proposed second renewal charter of the International Charter School of Schenectady to the Trustees of the State University of New York for reconsideration, and with the following comments and recommendations: The International Charter School of Schenectady as it currently exists is significantly different in a number of material respects than the school that is described in the documents and materials submitted to the Board of Regents for review. It is, therefore, recommended that either (a) the proposed second renewal charter be amended to change the school’s renewal term to the end of the 2006-2007 school year at most, or that (b) the proposed second renewal charter be resubmitted to the Board of Regents with sufficient documentation of the ability of the school to operate in an educationally and fiscally sound manner for the term of the renewal, including but not limited to information on the School’s plan to independently manage and operate the School without a management company; the School’s academic program, textbooks and instructional materials, student discipline policies and a plan for recruiting a new school leader as well as teachers and students.
Motion by: Regent James C. Dawson
Seconded by: Regent Milton L. Cofield
Action Motion carried unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Commissioner’s Report to the Board
The Commissioner’s written monthly report focused on nine subject areas: Roosevelt; Grade 3 through 8 test results – English Language Arts; Article VII issues; Contracts for Excellence; Emergency Regulations; Teacher Preparation and Student Outcomes; Implementation of the Statewide Plan for Higher Education: Strengthening Retention; Regents Priority Legislation; and, Parent and Family Partnerships.
Status Report on Roosevelt Union Free School District
BR (I) 2
Senior Deputy Commissioner Johanna Duncan Poitier led a discussion on the status of the Roosevelt Union Free School District and next steps to be taken. Her comments focused on actions scheduled in the areas of education, leadership, fiscal stability, and school buildings.
In discussion, Board members expressed the need for program coordination in the collaborative efforts of external partners, the critical need for classroom supplies to be in place at the start of school in the Fall, and the establishment of monthly progress benchmarks.
MISCELLANEOUS
2006 Yavner Awards for Teaching About the Holocaust
The late Regent Emeritus Louis E. Yavner established and funded the Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award and the Yavner Teaching Award. These annual awards recognize teachers and private citizens who have made outstanding contributions to teaching about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights.
Ms. Beth Quinn, a special education teacher at Gorton High School in the Yonkers Public Schools, was presented the 2006 Yavner Teaching Award. Ms. Quinn received a formal citation and a check in the amount of $250.
Mr. Ira Bilus, a Holocaust educator and community leader from Brooklyn, was presented the 2006 Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award. Mr. Bilus received a formal citation and a check in the amount of $250.
MEETING OF THE FULL BOARD, Tuesday, May 22, 11:15 a.m.
Board Members in Attendance:
Robert M. Bennett, Chancellor
Merryl H. Tisch, Vice Chancellor
Saul B. Cohen
James C. Dawson
Anthony S. Bottar
Geraldine D. Chapey
Arnold B. Gardner
Harry Phillips, 3rd
Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.
James R. Tallon, Jr.
Milton L. Cofield
Roger B. Tilles
Karen Brooks Hopkins
Natalie M. Gomez-Velez
Charles R. Bendit
Also present were the President of The University and Commissioner of Education, Richard P. Mills, Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, Kathy A. Ahearn, and the Secretary, Board of Regents, David Johnson.
Chancellor Robert M. Bennett called the meeting to order at 11:15 a.m.
Charter Applications for May 2007
BR (A) 1
MOVED, that the Regents approve each application in accordance with the recommendations contained in the respective summaries, with the exception of the application submitted by Coney Island, U.S.A., Brooklyn, which was withdrawn from consideration.
Motion by: Regent Roger B. Tilles
Seconded by: Regent Harry Phillips, 3rd
Action: Motion carried unanimously
Summary of the April 2007 Meeting
BR (A) 2
MOVED, that the Summary of the April 2007 Meeting of the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York be approved.
Motion by: Regent James C. Dawson
Seconded by: Regent Karen Brooks Hopkins
Action: Motion carried unanimously
State Education Department April 2007 Fiscal Report
BR (A) 3
The Board received for review and acceptance the April 2007 Fiscal Report, including a USNY grant received since the last Fiscal Report.
General fund and federal accounts are in structural balance.
Revenue accounts are in structural balance, allowing for normal reimbursement delays in the planned use of prior year balances. After expending prior year funds, the Archives Partnership Trust (APT) will use sufficient revenue from the APT endowment, pursuant to Chapter 399 of the Laws of 1998, to maintain structural balance.
MOVED, that the Board of Regents accept the April 2007 State Education Department Fiscal Report as presented.
Motion by: Regent Geraldine D. Chapey
Seconded by: Regent Harry Phillips, 3rd
Action: Motion carried unanimously
Extension of the Appointment of James L. Knowles as Interim Superintendent
at the State School for the Blind
BR (A) 5
MOVED, that the Board of Regents extend the appointment of James L. Knowles as Interim Superintendent of the New York State School for the Blind, for the period June 23, 2007 – August 29, 2008.
Motion by: Regent James C. Dawson
Seconded by: Regent Karen Brooks Hopkins
Action: Motion carried unanimously
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Update on SED Leadership Academy IV
BR (D) 1
Certificates were presented to the graduates of the Department’s Leadership Academy IV.
Academy participants are required to complete a Department-wide project as part of a team. Representatives of each of the teams presented a brief summary of the project topics: Improving Linkages Between the State Boards for the Professions and Schools; The Next Generation of School Improvement; and, VESID/EMSC Data Assessment.
2008 Regents Priority Legislation
BR (D) 2
The Board reviewed the process for identifying 2008 State and federal legislative priorities. In June, the Standing Committees of the Board will identify proposed priorities as the next step in preparation for final Board approval in September.
MISCELLANEOUS
2008 NASBE Board of Directors Elections
This item was withdrawn from the agenda for consideration in June.
Resolution in Recognition of Distinguished Service for David J. DeSantis
MOVED, that the Board of Regents approve a resolution recognizing David J. DeSantis for 42 years of service and commitment to public education.
Motion by: Regent James C. Dawson
Seconded by: Regent Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.
Action: Motion carried unanimously
The resolution is attached as Appendix III
Resolution in Recognition of Distinguished Service for Thomas Monahan
MOVED, that the Board of Regents approve a resolution expressing their gratitude to Thomas Monahan for his dedicated service and leadership on behalf of the professions and in pursuit of public protection.
Motion by: Regent Milton L. Cofield
Seconded by: Regent Joseph E. Bowman, Jr.
Action: Motion carried unanimously
The resolution is attached as Appendix IV.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
MOVED, that the reports from the Regents Standing Committees be approved as submitted.
Motion by: Regent Saul B. Cohen
Seconded by: Regent Milton L. Cofield
Action: Motion carried unanimously
REGENTS SUBCOMMITTEE ON AUDITS
The Regents Subcommittee on Audits met on May 21. The Subcommittee members were informed that staff from the Office of Counsel, the Office of P-16, and the Office of Audit Services have begun to meet on a regular basis to provide greater scrutiny of the findings contained in audit reports. The group is examining all current audit reports as well as considering any past reports on a district’s operation. The focus of the meetings has been two fold; one is to use the findings as a basis for developing training programs. The training programs would be more than likely developed with the cooperation of one of the Department’s partner organizations. The second approach is to use the school districts’ 90-day response to the audit report to reexamine the need for an additional type of intervention. The 90-day response is important because it requires the Board’s approval of corrective actions. Staff will keep the members informed on activities related to the process for reviewing audit findings.
The meeting was devoted to two major topics: the analysis of school district financial statements and the presentation of audit reports.
Staff from the Office of Audit Services described the process that is used to identify districts in fiscal stress as well as those moving toward stress. The office reviews the annual financial statements for all school districts and applies a certain criteria to those financials. Staff described the criteria and explained the factors that are considered.
Based on the 2005-06 financial statements, 16 schools have been identified as being in “stress” and 25 as in “concern.” The Subcommittee had a discussion on the importance of more broadly distributing this information. It was the feeling of the members of the Subcommittee that this is information that should be made publicly available so that residents of school districts are informed on the financial condition of the District. The Office of Audit Services, Office of Counsel, Office of P-16 and Office of Innovation will develop a plan for releasing school financial information to the press and Legislators.
The following audits were presented for review.
Office of Audit Services
VESID Albany District Office
VESID Mid-Hudson District Office
U.S. Department of Education - Office of the Inspector General
Hempstead Union Free School District
Office of the State Comptroller
Mineola Union Free School District
Buffalo City School District
Greater Southern Tier BOCES
Monroe I BOCES
Silver Creek Central School District
Webster Central School District
Lyons Central School District
Somers Central School District
Scarsdale Union Free School District
Patchogue-Medford Union Free School District
Salem Central School District
Heuvelton Central School District
Newfane Central School District
East Aurora Union Free School District
Gouverneur Central School District
Andover Central School District
Uniondale Union Free School District
Brunswick Central School District
Franklinville Central School District
Clarkstown Central School District
Marion Central School District
Niskayuna Central School District
Lake Placid Central School District
Cambridge Central School District
Westport Central School District
Lake George Central School District
Whitehall Central School District
North Greenbush Common School District
Fort Plain Central School District
Brewster Central School District
Pavilion Central School District
Byram Hills Central School District
Fabius-Pompey Central School District
Hudson City School District
Bedford Central School District
Washingtonville Central School District
East Moriches Union Free School District