EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE
East Rockaway,
Regular Meeting of the
Board of Education
7:30 P.M., December 15,
2009 – East Rockaway Jr./
Preceded by a Presentation
on Music and
the Andrew J. Stern
Memorial Essay Contest Winner and a Public Forum
Present: Members of the Board of Education:
Absent:
Marie Girace
1. The meeting was called
to order by
2. Upon motion by Vicki
Alspector, seconded by Neil Schloth the minutes of the November 17, 2009
meeting were unanimously approved.
3. Acknowledge Receipt of
Financial Reports – None
4. Correspondence – Three
5. Action Agenda
A. Personnel
Upon motion by Neil Schloth, seconded by Michaelene Abbott-Cooper the following
items #1-6 were unanimously approved:
1. Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent, accept the resignation of Gina Cestero from the position
of substitute teacher, effective October 30, 2009.
2. Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent, approve the appointment of Theresa Owen to the position of
teacher aide, effective November 30, 2009 at the Step A hourly salary set forth
in the East Rockaway Teacher Aides contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
3. Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent, approve the appointment of Allison Siegfried to the
part-time (.5FTE) position of English as a Second Language teacher, effective
January 4, 2010 through June 30, 2010, at the prorated MA, Step 1 annual salary
set forth in the East Rockaway Teachers Association contract for the 2009-2010
school year.
4. Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent, approve the following appointments for the winter driver
education program, effective December 7, 2009 through March 5, 2010, at the
hourly salary established by the East Rockaway Teachers Association for the 2009
– 2010 school year:
Dominick Vulpis ................................. Driver and Traffic Safety
Instructor
5.
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve
the following temporary assignments at the hourly salary approved by the East
Rockaway Board of Education:
a. Christine Circo, substitute
monitor, effective December 16, 2009
b. Lynn Gondek, substitute
food service worker, effective December 16, 2009
c. Michael Strain,
substitute cleaner, effective December 16, 2009
d. Jacqueline Agresta,
substitute social worker, ALPSS, effective December 16, 2009
e. Vanessa Rivero,
substitute teacher, ALPSS, effective December 10, 2009
6.
Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approve
the continuation of the “emergency, conditional” personnel appointments for the
following individuals pending receipt of notification of their fingerprint
clearance from the State of
a. Lynn Gondek, substitute food service worker
b. Michael Strain, substitute cleaner
c.
Jacqueline Agresta, substitute social worker, ALPSS
B. Other Items
Upon motion by Vicki Alspector, seconded by
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, the following items #1-15 were unanimously approved:
1.
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Linda Schmidt, Vice President of the Board of Education and presiding
officer of this meeting, be authorized to execute any and all documents
in the absence of the Board President, Marie Girace, upon which the Board has
taken action.
2.
Approve the probationary appointment of Marcy
Tannenbaum to the position of Director of Finance and Operations and to serve
as Purchasing Agent, Records Access Officer, Records Management Officer, FOIL Officer
and Deputy District Clerk, effective January 19, 2010, and authorize the
Superintendent to execute the contract on behalf of the Board of Education.
3.
Authorize Marcy Tannenbaum, in her capacity as Director
of Finance and Operations, to sign checks.
4.
Authorize Marcy Tannenbaum, in her capacity as Director
of Finance and Operations, to sign contracts with the lowest responsible
bidders for transportation services and other commodities and services as
appropriate.
5.
Effective, January 22, 2010, terminate the services of
a. Deputy District Clerk
b. Records Access Officer
c.
Records Management Officer
6.
Effective January 22, 2010, terminate the authority of Fred Smith, in his capacity as the Part-time Assistant Business Manager,
to:
a. Serve as the school district purchasing agent
b. Sign contracts with the lowest responsible bidders for transportation services and other commodities and services as appropriate
c.
Sign checks
7. Approve the following resolution:
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the East Rockaway Union
Free School District approve the terms of a Stipulation of Settlement dated December
15, 2009 between the Board of Education and the East Rockaway Teachers’
Association regarding a contract grievance filed on behalf of the individual
named on Confidential Attachment “A” and
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Superintendent of Schools be authorized to execute
said Stipulation of Settlement on behalf of the Board.
8.
Approve and re-adopt the 403(b) Retirement Plan as
amended and restated January 1, 2009 and as further amended and restated
effective December 15, 2009 and authorize the President of the Board of
Education to execute the Amendment document on behalf of the Board of Education.
9.
Approve the contract with Malverne UFSD for
special education services for Student I.D. 180006534 for the 2009 -2010 school
year and authorize the President of the Board of Education to execute the
agreement between the Board of Education of Malverne UFSD and the Board of
Education of East Rockaway.
10.
Approve the following contracts for the services and date
ranges indicated and authorize the President of the Board of Education to
execute the individual contracts.
|
Name of Provider |
Type of Service |
Duration of Purposed Contract |
|
Cheryl Gorlitz, S.W. |
Transition Consultant (staff development -
PPS) |
November 16, 2009 to
June 30, 2010 |
|
CAMFEL Productions |
(wellness week - PPS) |
February 12, 2010 |
|
Crossroads |
Consultant (staff development - PPS) |
November 2, 2009 to
June 30, 2010 |
11.
Accept a donation in the sum
of Five Thousand ($5,000) Dollars from the Seth Sprague Educational and
Charitable Foundation (Bank of America/Merrill Lynch) for the purchase
of robotic equipment and supplies for technology and electronics education and
approve an increase in budget code, A2110-450-01-0026 (technology department)
by the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars.
12. Approve the contract with
Coughlin, Foundotas, Cullen & Danowski, LLP for the professional accounting
services and authorize the President of the Board of Education to execute the
contract.
13.
Approve
the Construction Change Directive No. One, Contract No. 7, HVAC Reconstruction
in the total reduced sum of $14,400 and authorize the President of the Board of
Education to execute the Change Directive on behalf of the Board of Education.
14.
Approve
the Construction Change Directive No. Two, Contract No. 7, HVAC Reconstruction
in the total reduced sum of $3,000 and authorize the President of the Board of
Education to execute the Change Directive on behalf of the Board of Education.
15. Declare the floor
burnisher, Serial No. 2380032700177, ERSD Tag No. 101027, broken for purposes
of disposal.
C.
Budget Transfers
Upon motion by Michaelene Abbott- Cooper, seconded by Neil Schloth, the
following item #1 was unanimously approved:
1. Upon the recommendation
of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approves the following budget
transfers:
a. Transaction No. 10-0016
b. Transaction No. 10-0017
c. Transaction No. 10-0018
Upon motion by Michaelene Abbott-Cooper,
seconded by Neil Schloth, the following items D&E were unanimously
approved:
D. Approval of CSE
Recommendations
E. Approval of CPSE
Recommendations
6. Policy Matters. None
7. Superintendent’s Report
Great things are happening in our
schools. We have recently posted three Did You Know? cards
on
our website sharing information on our music, technology, and SEL
programs. Coming soon
will
be information supporting our Business education department.
If you have visited our website recently you
will notice that every time you log on a
different
picture of our students appears. Thanks
to Nick Cimorelli for making that
happen.
Here’s some news on what our students are learning
this month. 7th and 8th
grade Social
Studies students are learning about how
different perspectives shape our understanding of
historical events. Global 9 students are busy analyzing how
geographical features influenced
the development of ancient
civilizations. Global 10 students are
studying the causes, effects
and different perspectives on
imperialism. US History students are
further considering our
nation’s development, with particular
attention to thematic and DBQ essay writing.
Students
in Participation In Government have been
evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of
different healthcare systems around the
world. English 9 students are studying
the classic A
Raisin in the Sun. English 10 students are studying our nation’s
jury system via an analysis of
12 Angry Men. English 11 Honors students are honing writing
skills, with particular attention
to argument development, and evaluating
Holden Caulfield via their study of The Catcher in
the
through reading The Great Gatsby. English 12 students are beginning a
critical analysis of
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The second middle-school math benchmark
exam will be
administered next week. The results will
be analyzed and used to improve student
performance. The second 7th & 8th Grade
Holiday Festival will be held on December 23rd
from 8:30-10:30 – A variety of activities
have been planned for the students.
At Rhame Avenue The HAT, Healthy Action Team, is
preparing for the JAM Blast
2010. (Just a Minute) The program is a
partnership between school and home to promote
physical fitness. Rhame also has a
RAT, Reading Action Team, and they are planning a NY
Islander Assembly & Parents as
Reading Partners. Also at Rhame, from
Monday, December
14th to Friday, December 18th
The purpose of the week is to create
awareness as it relates to making smart and
healthy decisions related to drugs,
alcohol, and smoking. A special thanks
goes to Elks Club
New York Lodge #1 for donating the red
ribbons. Also, to Mrs. Coyle and the
students of
her Art Club for decorating the hallways
so nicely with our Anti Drug messages, and for Mr.
Hickey for helping coordinate the
event! Grade 6 concluded a unit on
classic literature
with a field trip to Franklin Square
Movie Theatre to see A Christmas Carol.
At the
elementary schools children are reading Skinny
Bones, Frindle Shiloh, Magic Tree House –
The Knight at Dawn and Junie B. Jones First Grader: Toothless Wonder. Read alouds
include Ready Freddy, Don't Sit on My Lunch, How To Eat Fried Worms and Ramona,
the
We have been taking a
close look at our elementary physical education program and
looking
into a program called "Activity
Works". It involves ten minute physical activity
each day with the classroom teacher.
News from
Thanksgiving Feast grades 4-6.
Grade 3 Nutcracker field trip to Hofstra.
Grade 6, at both
schools participated in the
Grade 6 is reading the novel Snow Treasure. Grade 2 is
studying Pioneer life,
traditions and customs.
In athletics we congratulate the girls Varsity
Volleyball team for finishing as a final four
team in
take along with her as she leaves in
January for
athletic scholarship. Winter Sports began with the Girls Varsity
Basketball team traveling to
action.
The Boys Varsity Basketball team will travel to
break.
The following teams received New York State Scholar Athlete Team Award:
Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country,
Girls Varsity Soccer, Girls Varsity Volleyball.
Football missed by .4points!! The Boys Varsity Cross Country team won the
Coaches Sportsmanship Award.
From the fine arts department, the elementary
schools had their Holiday Concert last
week and our student performers did an
excellent job. The Junior-Senior High concert is this
Thursday.
Our SEL words of the month are:
Grade 6 – Anxiety, apprehensive, envious,
unique
Grade 7 - Compassion, Patience,
Stress
Grade 8 - Despair, Elation
Some of the facilities work that is taking place
around the district includes adding an
additional
sump pump under the stage to back up the existing sump pump and reduce
flooding,
installing two smart boards at the secondary schools in classrooms 5 and 8,
repairing the
roof repaired in the 1967 wing with 15 new slates, slice seeding, core aerating
and top
dressing the football field, installing a new
Ribbon
logo. At
clock was
installed to replace the broken time clock for the exterior security lighting,
parking
restrictions
will be lifted 12-15-09 to create some additional parking on the street. There
will
also be a new
drop off area allowed on
very helpful
with our need for additional parking.
Welcome to our new Director of Finance and
Operations—Ms. Marcy Tannenbaum. We
are underway preparing next year’s
budget. We should have a first draft by
early January.
Today’s Newsday article shows a reduction
of $1984 for East Rockaway. This may be
only
the beginning of money withheld or
removed. East Rockaway does not have the
large
unrestricted reserves that the Governor
continues to talk about. In fact, if you
look at the
Newsday article you will see the
difference in budgets and reserves. We
have been using our
reserves to offset the tax levy.
Speaking of reserves, in May 2007 we established
a reserve for technology and facilities.
Last year we were overfunded in a reserve
that we could not transfer to the general fund but
could transfer to another reserve. So we moved $200,000 to each of the two
reserves. In
order to spend this money we need for the
community to take a vote. At the budget
vote this
year there will be three
propositions. The 1st is the
budget expenditure. The 2nd
and 3rd
propositions will be to spend from the
reserves. Please understand that the
reserve fund is
not asking for new money. It is money that already exists in an account
and we need for the
community to allow it to be spent. Mr. Piccarella and Mr. Quercia will be
preparing plans
for the money and will share them with
the Board of Education. They will also
be shared at
the
BAC meetings. I will continue to talk
about this because it is very important that people
understand what they are voting on. We need to unlock this money with the
community’s
vote.
If the community votes no we can’t do anything else with that
money. It will just sit
there.
Other news includes: H1N1 Vaccinations—Schedule of free
vaccinations available to
all.
The restrictions on priority groups have been removed. A handout is on back table. High
School Members from the Junior Honor
Society will visit the Atria at Tanglewood extended
care facility this Wednesday, December 16th,
to sing holiday carols to the residents.
Last year we administered a risk
prevention survey to our students at the secondary school.
The results will be shared on January 20,
2010 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.
Please mark your calendars. It’s the day
after the public meeting and it’s very important for
parents to attend and learn what they can
do with respect to the results. Flyers
will be sent
home.
Over 200 entries were received for our PTA
Reflections Contest. Several children’s work
moved on to the County level. "Make
a Soldier Smile" on Monday December 7th was
broadcast on Channel 5 news Monday
afternoon and evening. We began our winter Driver’s
Education
program with our new car. You may see the white car with East Rockaway
lettering on
the side being driven around town.
Follow-up from Prior Meeting
Last month, Mrs. Ochtera brought to our
attention that there was a hive in a tree at Rhame
Avenue.
It is my understanding that that has been removed.
This concludes my report.
8. Privilege of the Floor
One community member questioned if out of
district students paid more than in district for taking drivers education in
our schools. It was stated that we had
no out of district students in the program yet.
Another community member asked if the money that
is in the technology reserve and the facilities reserve could be used in
portions or must be used as a total amount.
Another community member asked if the second
grade at
Another community member asked what model is
used for inclusion classes.
Another community member inquired as to the
qualifications for being accepted into the Enterprise Program.
Another community member asked if we were in
fact having a trip to
Another community member asked if it was
possible to ask union teachers for concessions for the coming year.
9. Board Member Comments
Vicki
Alspector
– I would like to thank the Stern family for their bravery. I can’t think of
anything more brave than reading all these essays and thinking of Andrew. I wish
everyone a happy holiday.
Michaelene
Abbott-Cooper
– Thank you Mrs. Tullo and the talented orchestra. The Stern family is one of
the bravest I know. I wish you the best and happiest holiday. Remember how
lucky you are. We hear all issues and do our best as a board to come up with
what will work.
Neil
Schloth
– We have heard lot of issues tonight. We will look closely at all of
them. Have a happy holiday.
10. Upon motion by Michaelene Abbott-Cooper,
seconded by Neil Schloth and unanimously passed,
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 pm,
Respectfully
submitted,
Denise
Lobascio
District
Clerk