Minutes April 6, 2010
DOVER UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dover Plains, NY 12522
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
TUESDAY – APRIL 6, 2010
High School Library
MINUTES
I. OPENING PROCEDURES:
President Schibanoff called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Dover Union Free School District at 7:00 p.m. in the Dover High School Library.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
President Schibanoff led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
B. ANNOUNCEMENT RE: CAPACITY, EXITS AND EVACUATION:
President Schibanoff announced that the capacity of the Dover High School Library is 70 persons and also advised where the exits are located.
C. ATTENDANCE:
Board Members: Also Present:
Kathleen Schibanoff, President Christopher Prill, Asst. Supt.
Russell Infantino, Vice-President for Business Affairs
Brigid Casson Gail Gasparro, District Clerk
Penny Dye 3 community members
Patricia Hoag
Gail Rohr
Lisa Seifts
Marie Spencer
Board Members Absent:
None
D. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Motion by Brigid Casson, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to recess into Executive Session at 7:01 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person.
Motion by Patricia Hoag, second by Gail Rohr, and carried unanimously, to return to Regular Session at 7:55 p.m.
E. LEGISLATIVE REPORT:
Kathleen Schibanoff reported:
· The Senate’s budget is in line with the Governor’s proposal, however the Assembly is trying to restore some of the cuts. The April 1st deadline has passed and no formal budget has been adopted.
· The State Comptroller is saying that financial reports are skewed, so it is difficult to determine the exact amount of the state’s deficit.
Brigid Casson reported:
· New York State is not eligible for “Race to the Top” monies at this time, but will try for the second round. Some of the issues pertained to teacher accountability and charter schools.
F. STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION:
None.
G. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON AGENDA ITEMS:
· Inquiry regarding the new groundsperson/maintenance mechanic position.
II. PRESENTATION:
1. 2010/2011 Proposed Budget
· Chris Prill said that decisions needed to be made tonight so that the final budget could be adopted at the next Board meeting to be held on April 20th. The current budget draft reflects a budget-to-budget increase of less than 1%, but this still results in a tax levy increase of 5.51%.
· The proposed budget for 2010/2011 does not cut any programs or staff, other than those that are enrollment driven.
· Mr. Prill explained that the budget is comprised of both expenditures and revenues. In order to reduce the tax levy, the district must either reduce expenditures or project larger revenues. He presented the Board with several different options.
· After much discussion, the Board decided to increase the revenue side rather than make any cuts to programs or staffing.
ITEMS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) WERE APPROVED BY CONSENT AGENDA.
III. ROUTINE MATTERS:
*A. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to accept the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of March 23, 2010.
*B. ACCEPTANCE OF CASH DISBURSEMENT SCHEDULES:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to accept the following Cash Disbursement Schedules: SN-128 through SN-134.
IV. NEW BUSINESS:
A. INSTRUCTIONAL:
None.
B. NON-INSTRUCTIONAL:
*1. CREATION OF NEW DISTRICT-WIDE GROUNDSPERSON/MAINTENANCE MECHANIC POSITION:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to approve the creation of a new position for Groundsperson/Maintenance Mechanic for the Buildings and Grounds Department, effective April 7, 2010.
Salary for the 2009/2010 school year will be $34,741.00, pro-rated. Benefits will be in accordance with the CSEA Non-Instructional Contract.
C. OTHER BUSINESS:
*1. ACCEPTANCE OF 2009/2010 INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT AND RESPONSE TO THE REPORT:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to accept the 2009/2010 Internal Auditor’s Report and the District’s response to the report, as presented.
*2. APPROVAL OF PARTICIPATION IN COOPERATIVE BIDDING FOR THE 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to approve the following Resolution:
WHEREAS, it would be in the joint interest of the Dover Union Free School District and other school districts to participate in cooperative bids for the purchase of various supplies, materials and equipment, as advertised by the Clarkstown Central School District acting as the lead agency, as provided by General Municipal Law Section 119-0; and
WHEREAS, each Board retains the legal authority to contract with the successful vendor(s) and shall not be bound by purchase contracts or other agreements made by the other Boards,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Dover Union Free School District hereby agrees to participate in such cooperative bids for the 2010/2011 school year.
*3. EXTRA-CURRICULAR APPOINTMENTS FOR 2009/2010:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to approve the following extra-curricular appointments for the 2009/2010 school year:
· DES Creative Arts – Alicia Civiok & Jeryl Fontana – Stipend $1,778.00 ($889.00 each)
*4. APPROVAL OF RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, 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. 10/2022.
Names of students are on file in Office of Special Education; however, in accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1976, as amended, the Dover UFSD maintains the confidentiality of pupil records.
*5. APPROVAL OF FIELD TRIP REQUESTS:
Motion by Russell Infantino, second by Marie Spencer, and carried unanimously, to approve the following field trip requests:
April 28, 2010 – H.S. English 12 Classes to New York City to attend a Broadway theater. This trip will include approximately 40 students and will cost about $69.00 per student. Transportation will be via the Metro-North Railroad.
May 14, 2010 – DES Grade 3 students to the American Museum of Natural History. This trip will include approximately 104 students and will cost about $45.00 per student. Transportation will be via charter bus. Expenses will be shared between students and the Third Grade account.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. Project Updates – Chris Prill advised the Board of the following:
· EXCEL Project: The athletic storage building at the MS/HS track has been completed and was under budget. SED is reviewing our plans for the MS/HS roof and masonry work. Work on the DES roof has resumed.
· WES Water Tank Replacement – There are still some issues completing the punch list for this project.
· WES Fuel Tank Replacement – This project has been completed and was under budget.
2. Standard & Poor’s Report – As a result of the District’s good financial position, our credit rating has gone up two notches, from A to AA-.
3. Retirement of Martha Lee – Martha Lee recently announced her retirement as Contract Manager of First Student Transportation. Chris Prill praised Ms. Lee for her excellent management skills and easygoing, calming demeanor which have helped to buffer the district from complaints and diffuse potential conflicts. She has been working with Dover transportation for over 40 years and will be greatly missed.
VI. INFORMATION AND PROPOSALS:
A. COMMUNICATION: WRITTEN AND VERBAL:
1. Members of the Board.
· Gail Rohr reported that an Audit Committee meeting took place prior to the Board meeting and the district is in good financial shape.
· Inquiry on whether students are opting not to participate in field trips for financial reasons.
· Kudos to Chris Prill for all his hard work and expertise in keeping the district financially sound.
· A comment was made regarding the number of teacher observations and evaluations that take place prior to approving tenure.
2. Persons to address the Board of Education.
· A comment was made that teacher observations should be unannounced.
B. SCHOOL CALENDAR:
1. Regular Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, April 20th, 7:00 p.m., High School Library.
VII. ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Brigid Casson, second by Patricia Hoag, and carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Gasparro, District Clerk
/gg
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