EAST ROCKAWAY UNION FREE
East Rockaway,
Regular Meeting of the
Board of Education
7:30 P.M., September 22,
2009 – East Rockaway Jr./
Preceded by New Staff
Introductions
Present: Members of the Board of Education: Marie
Girace,
Absent: Director of Finance and Operations, Concetta
Robinson
1. The meeting was called
to order by Marie Girace at 7:45 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper.
2. Upon motion by
3. Upon motion by Vicki
Alspector, seconded by Michaelene Abbott-Cooper the minutes of the August 6,
2009 meeting were unanimously approved.
4. Acknowledge Receipt of
Financial Reports - None
5. Correspondence – One
6. Action Agenda
A. Personnel
Upon motion by
1. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve
the appointment of Tina Smith to the position of school psychologist for summer
CSE/CPSE meetings, effective August 13, 2009 at the hourly salary set forth in
the East Rockaway Teacher Associations contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
2. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve
the appointment of Melinda Best to the position of summer ESL teacher, effective
August 13, 2009 at the hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teacher
Associations contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
3. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, accept the resignation of Kevin McTigue from the
position of substitute cleaner, effective September 22, 2009, and approve the
appointment of Kevin McTigue to the position of cleaner, effective September
23, 2009, at the Step A annual salary set forth in the East Rockaway Custodial
Unit contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
4. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, accept the resignation of Diane Cullen from the position
of leave replacement speech/language teacher, effective August 26, 2009.
5. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the following part-time appointments for the
ALPSS program, effective September 8, 2009 through June 30, 2010, at the hourly
salary set forth by the East Rockaway Board of Education for the 2009 – 2010
school year.
Emanuela Alessandro........................... Science
Teacher
Anna Aviani......................................... Special
Education Teacher
Catherine Corapi................................. Home
& Careers Teacher
Joseph DeMarco................................. English
Teacher
Alan Freeman...................................... Social
Studies Teacher
Elizabeth O’Brien................................ Mathematics
Teacher
Marcello Baez..................................... Physical
Education Teacher
Dana Levenberg.................................. Physical
Education Teacher and
............................................... Health
Education Teacher
Theana Cheliotes-Plaza........................ School Social
Worker
Maureen Schutta................................. School
Social Worker
Richard Wolfsdorf............................... Special
Education Teacher
Roberta Ballin...................................... Substitute
Teacher
Augustine Tornatore............................ Substitute
Administrator-in-Charge
Frank Cuttitta...................................... Substitute
Administrator-in-Charge
Nicholas Cimorelli............................... Substitute
Administrator-in-Charge
Vanessa Rivero................................... Teacher
Aide
Jeanne Abrami..................................... Teacher
Aide
Christine Sausa.................................... Teacher
Aide/Substitute Teacher
Michael Lawson.................................. Monitor
6. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the appointment of Colleen Bushman to the
position of part-time teacher aide, effective August 28, 2009 through June 30,
2010, at the Step 1 hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teacher Aides
Association contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
7. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the part-time appointment (.8 FTE) of Robert
Kennedy to the position of teaching assistant, effective September 3, 2009
through January 29, 2010, at the prorated Step 1 annual salary set forth in the
East Rockaway Teachers Association contract for teaching assistants for the
2009-2010 school year and approve the part-time appointment (.2 FTE) of Robert
Kennedy to the position of English teacher, effective September 3, 2009 through
January 29, 2010 at the prorated MA, Step 1 entry annual salary set forth in
the East Rockaway Teachers Association contract for the 2009-2010 school
year. Further, upon the recommendation
of the superintendant, approve a three-year probationary appointment of Robert
Kennedy to the position of full-time teaching assistant (1.0 FTE) (tenure area:
teaching assistant), effective February 1, 2010 through January 31, 2013, at
the Step 1 annual salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teachers Association
contract for teaching assistants for the 2009-2010 school year.
8. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the three-year probationary appointment of
ToniAnn Donald to the position of teaching assistant (tenure area: teaching assistant), effective September 1,
2009 through August 31, 2012, at the Step 1 annual salary set forth in the East
Rockaway Teachers Association contract for teaching assistants for the
2009-2010 school year.
9. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the three-year probationary appointment of
10. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, accept the resignation of Katherine Tollin from the
position of monitor effective September 7, 2009, and approve the appointment of
Katherine Tollin to the position of Lead Monitor, effective September 8, 2009,
at the salary set forth in the East Rockaway Food Service and Monitors Unit
contract for high school lead monitor for the 2009-2010 school year.
11. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, accept the resignation of Patricia Russell from the
position of substitute monitor effective September 7, 2009 and approve the
appointment of Patricia Russell to the position of monitor, effective September
8, 2009 at the Step 1 hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Food Service
and Monitors Unit contract for monitors for the 2009-2010 school year.
12. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendant, approve the appointment of JoMarie Ivolella to the
position of teacher aide, effective September 3, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at
the Step 1 hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teacher Aides
Association contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
13. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendant, approve the appointment of Jessica Vilardi to the position
of teacher aide, effective September 3, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at the Step
1 hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teacher Aides Association
contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
14. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendant, approve the appointment of Kristina Cicio to the
position of teacher aide, effective September 3, 2009 through June 30, 2010 at
the Step 2 hourly salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teacher Aides
Association contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
15. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the provisional appointment of Ann Marie
Galluccio to the position of principal account clerk, 12 months, effective
September 29, 2009, at the Step 3 annual salary set forth in the East Rockaway
Secretaries Association contract for the 2009-2010 school year.
16. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the appointment of Adriana Felbinger to the
position of monitor, effective September 10, 2009 at the Step 1 hourly salary
set forth in the East Rockaway Food Service and Monitors Unit contract for
monitors for the 2009-2010 school year.
17. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, terminate the services of Maria Rizik from the position
of food service worker, effective September 1, 2009.
18. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, approve the appointment of Allison M. Corvi to the
position of leave replacement speech/language teacher (FTE .8), effective
September 23, 2009 through January 29, 2010 at the prorated MA, Step 1 annual
salary set forth in the East Rockaway Teachers Association Contract for the 2009
– 2010 school year.
19. Upon
the recommendation of the superintendent, approve the following temporary
assignments at the hourly salary approved by the East Rockaway Board of
Education:
a. Andrea Faranda,
substitute teacher aide, effective August 12, 2009
b. Stephanie Kaltsas,
substitute teacher, effective September 3, 2009
c. Debra McGeary,
substitute teacher aide, effective September 23, 2009
d. Vanessa Haltigan,
substitute teacher aide, effective September 23, 2009
e. Jennifer Gentile,
substitute teacher aide, effective September 23, 2009
f.
Allen
Pryer, substitute cleaner, effective September 23, 2009
g. Susan A. Breidenbach,
substitute teacher aide, effective September 23, 2009
h. Christina
Spadicini-Tiernan, substitute food service worker, effective September 23, 2009
20. 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. Richard Wolfsdorf, ALPSS
Special Education Teacher
b. Debra McGeary,
substitute teacher aide
c. Christina
Spadicini-Tiernan, substitute food service worker
B.
Other Items
Upon motion by Neil Schloth, seconded by Vicki
Alspector the following items #1 -17 were unanimously approved:
1. Approve the club advisor
assignments for the 2009-– 2010 school year as more fully set forth on the
attached schedule of Club/Advisor assignments and authorize the president of
the Board of Education to execute the charters.
2. Approve the employment agreement with
3. Approve the employment agreement with Robert
Guzowski as the Administrator in Charge for the ALPSS program, effective July
1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 and authorize the superintendent of schools to
execute the agreement on behalf of the East Rockaway Board of Education.
4. Approve the employment agreement with Debra
LoVerde as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, effective July 1, 2009
through June 30, 2010, and authorize the superintendent of schools to execute
the agreement on behalf of the East Rockaway Board of Education.
5. Approve
the employment agreement with John Piccarella as the Director of Curriculum and
Technology, effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010, and authorize the superintendent
of schools to execute the agreement on behalf of the East Rockaway Board of
Education.
6.
Approve the award of the contract for storm drain
cleaning and maintenance to R&R Plumbing Services, Corp. of Farmingdale,
7. Approve
the contract with Protective Management Systems, Inc. for installation of the
district-wide security camera system and authorize the president of the Board
of Education to execute the contract.
8. Approve
the application to State Environment Quality Review for the 2009-2010 Capital
Improvement Program, Steam Trap Replacement at East Rockaway High School No.
28-02-19-03-0-001-029 and at Centre Avenue Elementary School No.
28-02-19-03-0-003-014, authorize the president of the Board of Education and
superintendent of schools to execute the application, and further authorize the
District Clerk to execute and submit the Notice of Determination of
Non-Significance - Type II Actions Only as required by SEQRA regulations.
9.
Accept the
Internal Audit Report pertaining to Business Office Key Controls dated August
18, 2009.
10. Approve
for purpose of disposal as obsolete the textbooks specifically listed on the
attached Textbook Removal Forms.
11. Accept
a donation from The CAMBR Charitable Foundation in the sum of Six Thousand
Eight Hundred Eighty-Seven and 65/100 ($6,887.65) Dollars 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 Six Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Seven and
65/100 ($6,887.65) Dollars.
12. Approve
the request for proposals of services with the following services providers for
the 2009-2010 school year and authorize the president of the Board of Education
to execute the resulting service contracts on behalf of the Board of Education.
|
Provider |
Service |
|
Access
7 |
Therapeutic
& Educational Services |
|
Alternative
Tutoring |
Home
Tutoring |
|
Carina
Atteritano |
Autism
Consultant |
|
Creative
Tutoring |
Home
Tutoring |
|
|
Therapeutic
and Educational Services |
|
Helping
Hands Children's Services |
Therapeutic
Services |
|
Institute
for Children With Autism |
Autism
Consultation |
|
Kids
First |
Therapeutic
Services |
|
Metro
Therapy |
Therapeutic
Services |
|
New
Age Therapy |
Physical
& Occupational Therapy |
|
St.
James Tutoring |
Home
Tutoring |
|
STAR
(Gloria Wilson) |
Consultation
Services |
|
Syosset
Home Tutoring |
Home
Tutoring |
|
Team
Therapy |
Therapeutic
Services |
|
Thera
Care |
Therapeutic
Services |
|
Trisha
Mallia |
Physical
Therapy |
|
|
Therapeutic
Services |
13. Approve
the purchase of the following textbooks:
Miller & Levine; New York Living Environment Biology, Pearson, (
14. Approve
the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of East Rockaway UFSD approves the
terms of the Memorandum of Agreement dated September 22, 2009, between the
District and the East Rockaway Nurses Association and the nurse named in the
confidential attachment “A” regarding a change in work schedule for said nurse;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of School of the Board of
Education is authorized to execute the Memorandum of Agreement on behalf of the
East Rockaway Board of Education.
15. Approve
the employment agreement with Nancy Foders as the temporary clerk/secretary,
effective September 23, 2009 through June 30, 2010, and authorize the superintendent
of schools to execute the agreement on behalf of the East Rockaway Board of
Education.
16. Approve
the employment agreement with
17. Approve the award of the
contract for transportation services of one student to Yeshiva of South Shore
in
C. Budget Transfers
a. Upon the recommendation
of the superintendent, the Board of Education approves the following budget
transfers: NONE
Upon motion by
D. Approval of CSE
Recommendations
E. Approval of CPSE
Recommendations
7. Policy Matters: None
8. Superintendent’s Report
I want to thank the staff, students and parents
for a smooth opening to a new school year.
When the calendar went to print we did not have
exact dates for the 3-8 assessments.
That information is now posted on the curriculum page of our district
website. There are also some handouts on
the back table.
Here’s what’s happening at
This is year two of our elementary reading
program, Fundations. We are off to a
great start. Teachers are reporting that
the students, who participated in the program last year, are very comfortable
picking up where they left off. Our
writing program, Write Traits, will address the trait of organization this
month. Grade 2 has begun their study of
animals in preparation for the October field trip to the Queens Zoo. In social studies the students learn about
celebrating holidays. This month they celebrated
Patriots’ Day with a moment of silence at 9:00.
All students and staff were encouraged to wear red, white, and
blue. Also on Patriots’ Day our annual
September 11th essay contest was distributed to all students in
grades 4-12. This is in memory of Andrew
Stern. Another
As you may know
News from the high school begins with two
students being named AP Award winners. Stephanie Tinelli earned the designation
of AP Scholar and Jared Cohen earned the designation of AP Scholar with
Distinction by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional
achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program Exams. We are excited to start the inclusion program
in 8th grade. Last year's 7th grade
program was very successful. We are
continuing the implementation of the new math courses and have just begun
teaching the 3rd and final course in the new three year sequence, Algebra 2 and
Trigonometry. Special thanks to the Alumni Association for donating a display case
to the science department. The display
case is hanging across from room 212 and is currently displaying specimens from
the Animal Kingdom. The Living Lab will
once again house the Trout in the Classroom program. The trout that were raised last year were
released this summer at Tanglewood Preserve.
For the third year, students in the Environmental Science class will
facilitate our recycling program.
Special thanks to Ms. Alessandro for organizing this. The 12th grade English classes are
diligently working on SAT preparation and college essay writing. 11th grade English classes are
focusing on the Puritan Era, via studying The Crucible (Regents) and The
Scarlet Letter (Honors.) This links to the focus on the Puritan Era in US
History R and AP. 10th grade
English classes are studying memoir through Elie Wiesel’s Night, which
compliments the Global History 10 curriculum. 9th grade English
classes are completing a short story unit, while in Social Studies the focus is
on the foundations of civilizations. In
7th and 8th grade English classes, important writing
skills such as word choice are being taught through the study and creation of
shorter works. In 8th grade Social
Studies, students completed wonderful postage stamps to commemorate 9/11 and
explore the concept of that which is “iconic.”
In 7th grade SS, students are learning about early American
history. On October 2, 2009 the 7th
grade students will have an opportunity for experiential learning by visiting
From our athletic department,
Club Rock donated a flagpole that was placed
along fence by the entrance to the fields.
During this month in our art program at
Our SEDL program is continuing this year. The first word introduced for the 6th
grade program was "motivation." Teachers and students discussed
what motivates them and students drew pictures and they were placed on the
outside bulletin board so that parents could view them on Back to School Night.
At the high school in grades 7 and 8, parent
letters will be sent home next week explaining the Emotional Literacy program.
Grade 7 vocabulary words for the month of October will be identified at the
next team meeting. Grade 8 - On
September 18th there will be an SEL “kick-off” assembly program for
Grade 8 students in the auditorium. They will be watching the video, Pay It
Forward. At that time, students will be introduced to the vocabulary word,
‘altruism’.
For the past few years we have offered a Senior
Citizen Flu Immunization program. You
will see it listed in the calendar for the end of October. Thank you to Denise for working on this
through the years. Unfortunately,
During the summer the facilities department was
busy in all three buildings. At
Other news at the high school the annual
yearbook magazine drive begins on Thursday – Please support “The Rock”.
We are participating in weekly telephone meetings
with Dr. Maria Carney, Commissioner from the Nassau County Department of
Health. The best defense for prevention
of flu is hand washing. Please do not
send your child to school with alcohol based sanitizers. Although most information from the Center for
Disease Control says alcohol based sanitizers are the second line of defense,
Dr. Carney tells us that non-alcohol gels and sanitizers are also useful. The district is using a product from Clean
Well. They are Natural Hand Sanitizing
Wipes.
On the back table you will find copies of our
curriculum presentation brochure as well as a brochure on school district Board
of Education meetings.
That concludes my report.
.
9. Privilege of the Floor
Community members expressed their concerns
regarding the children with peanut allergies at
10. Board
Members Comments
summer.
Congratulations to
everyone
back and welcome the new staff and Michaelene.
Thank you for bringing up the
peanut issue. We appreciate your concern
for the safety and health of our children. Thank you
Ms.
Calabrese for your input.
Vicki Alspector – Ditto (laryngitis)
Neil Schloth – Welcome to the new
teachers and teachers aides. Thank you
to CAMBR for the
donation
and Mr. Howard. Welcome to Michaelene and congratulations on completing your
training
over the summer. Thank you for coming out and for the discussion on the allergy
issue.
everyone
is out to solve the problem and assure the safety of the students.
Congratulations Centre
Ave.
This is a benefit to the district.
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper – Thank you to everyone
for the welcome. I look forward to growing
with
the Board. It is nice to be on the other side of the page – being able to know
that we are
working on the issues with our heart, soul and mind. Thank you for
coming.
Marie Girace – I would like to echo
everyone’s comments. Welcome to the new staff. I would
like
to thank you for coming and sharing your concerns. I am very impressed that we
are not
attacking one another as that is not how things get done. We will find a solution and it will come
to
a head. Congratulations to
a
public declaration. I am happy to see the traditional math coming back. Returning to normalcy is
good.
11. Upon motion by Neil Schloth, seconded by
Michaelene Abbott-Cooper and unanimously approved,
the
meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Respectfully
submitted,
District
Clerk