BOARD CLIPS 11-20-07

(NOTE: The following summary of a Pioneer Board of Education meeting is not the official minutes, but has been approved by the administration.)

PROGRAMS/PRESENTATIONS

Delevan Elementary principal Jeannene Wagner outlined several of the ongoing initiatives at her school, which originated with summer work by teachers and staff. One project resulted in an informational parent packet that is sent home with students at the start of the year. With regard to professional development, staff work in teams and utilize technology to keep on task and identify obstacles and solutions with regard to the needs of students. Mrs. Wagner said guidelines driven by "What Works in Schools" have helped teachers stress the development of early reading and vocabulary skills. From the standpoint of addressing students' emotional needs, Mrs. Wagner identified her counseling team (home-school liaison Mary Becker, psychologists Pat Cooney and John Grech, and BOCES specialist Candace Wesche) as "the support team I have dreamed about for two years." She said the school's attendance policy is working, and discipline problems are down with the implementation of programs such as Capturing Kids Hearts.

DISCUSSION/WORK SESSION

Superintendent Jeffrey Bowen mentioned an award the district had received for outstanding support of the United Way.

Dr. Bowen also reported on a recent meeting with social worker Kay Kilburn, high school administrators, and high school counselor Tim Breen regarding the possible implementation of a family support center in the district. A pilot project this year will focus on crisis and family counseling provided in grades 5-12 by social worker Kilburn, with parent information and support provided by Hellen Johnson, and with referrals of students and parents to come through our counseling department. The results of this project will be used to assess the need and potential parameters of a support center.

Some positive trends are noted in the district's latest VADIR (violent and disruptive incident reporting) report to the state. From 2005-06 to 2006-07, the district experienced significant reductions (70 fewer incidents annually) in a number of categories that include disruptive incidents, bullying, and sale or possession of alcohol or drugs.

Business administrator Nicholas Silvaroli presented architectural design proposals for several areas of the high school with regard to the capital improvement project. To be supported by previously approved funding, these include the front parking and commons area, the special education classroom/ITS/business office, and the cafeteria. The parking area would be reconfigured slightly, and several enhancements would be added to the commons. The special education rooms would be made more handicapped accessible, because they remain virtually the same as when they were used for home economics some 30 years ago. The major addition to the cafeteria would be bathrooms and handwashing basins. Floor plans must still be approved by NYSED, and funding for changes that include the commons, ITS and classrooms will be provided by an available, substantial allocation built into the project for incidental costs.

NEW BUSINESS

Approved were:

•adoption of the 2008-2009 budget calendar (note: this will be posted on our web site, and published in an upcoming newsletter).

•a wage increase based on completion of a six month probationary period and a satisfactory evaluation for Lynada Roberts, School Secretary

In addition, on recommendation of the superintendent, the board approved establishing a 1.0 FTE position for supervisor of buildings and grounds.

This position will be posted and advertised with Civil Service applications and resumes to be submitted to the district office by 12/7.

PERSONNEL

The following resignations were approved:

EMPLOYEE / POSITION / DATE SUBMITTED / DATE EFFECTIVE
Charles Schwab / Custodian / 11/06/2007 / 11/06/2007
Debra Connelly / Modified Girls Basketball Coach / 11/09/2007 / 11/09/2007

These leaves of absence were approved:

EMPLOYEE / POSITION / DATE SUBMITTED / DATE EFFECTIVE
Robert Schooley / Teacher / 11/01/2007 / 10/29/2007-11/4/2007
William Smith / Custodian / 11/02/2007 / 10/31/2007-11/12/2007
Darlene Hediger / Teacher Aide / 11/01/2007 / 10/30/2007-11/11/2007
Heide Eddy / Teacher Aide / 11/07/2007 / 11/27/2007-12/15/2007
Tracy May / Teaching Assistant / 11/14/2007 / 01/28/2008-04/21/2008

The following instructional appointment was approved:

EMPLOYEE / ASSIGNMENT / CERT. AREA / TENURE AREA / EFFECTIVE DATE
Tracy Meyers / Teacher Mentor / School Counselor (permanent) / School Counseling & Guidance / For the 2007-2008 school year

These non-instructional appointments were approved:

NAME / POSITION / EFFECTIVE DATE / NOTES
Patricia Ford / Part-time school monitor / November 21, 2007 / Will work on as needed basis in after school detention replacing Cynthia Hartman

The following non-instructional recall appointment was approved:

NAME / POSITION / EFFECTIVE DATE / NOTES
Heide Eddy / School Monitor / December 17, 2007 / Due to Cynthia Hartman resignation

These athletic appointments were approved:

NAME / ACTIVITY
Kyle Reisdorf / Lifeguard
Patricia Moore / Lifeguard

A substitute appointment was approved:

NAME / DEGREE / CERTIFICATION / GRADE LEVEL / SUBJECTS
Katie Ellis / N/A / N/A / All / All

These non-instructional substitute appoinments were approved:

NAME / POSITION / NOTES
Colleen Speaker / Food Service Helper / This is a provisional appointment based on pending final compliance with statutory and regulatory provisions for fingerprinting clearance for employment.
Tracy Crane / Food Service Helper and Cleaner

The following student teachers/interns were okayed:

NAME / BUILDING / COLLEGE
Chad Stauring / High School / HoughtonCollege
Geoffrey Anikienko / Middle School / HoughtonCollege
Amy Geedy / Arcade Elementary / SUNY Geneseo
Adam Poirer / Arcade Elementary / SUNY Geneseo
Jessica Aeppli / Arcade Elementary / HoughtonCollege
Margaret Mykrantz / Arcade Elementary / HoughtonCollege

The following volunteers were approved:

BUILDING/ACTIVITY / NAME
Middle School
Wendy Ott
Lisa McElheny
Gina Wright
Laurie Struck
Lynn Casillo
Bruce Saltsman
Jamie Gasper
Theresa Kendall
Jennifer Nourse
Kathleen O’Connell
Middle School & Arcade Elementary / Tricia Thurber
Kathy Heppner
Rebecca Sayvone
Middle School & Delevan Elementary / Spring Sanders
Ann Wittmeyer
Middle School & High School / Susan Andrews
Arcade Elementary / Nicole Kimpel
Delevan Elementary / Jane King

CSE/CPSE RECOMMENDATIONS

All were approved.