North Shore Schools
Board of Education
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by President Beyer at
Executive Session
At
At
Pledge of
Allegiance
President Beyer led the audience in the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Town Meeting
Debra
Dumas, Sea Cliff, thanked the Board on behalf of the Arts Angels for approving
the donation of shelving for the Vocal Media Lab at the Middle School.
Liz
Kilderry, Glen Head, requested a ramp be installed at the high school athletic
field to make the bleachers handicapped accessible, she also requested
additional handicapped parking down by the football field.
Trustee
Murphy suggested the district construct a special area for wheelchairs next to
the bleachers, to provide easier access. Dr. Melnick suggested that John Hall
do a study of the cost, to investigate options and to bring the issue to the District
Wide Health & Safety Committee for their suggestions.
Arlene
Lopez, Glen Head, asked if there were plans to include fields on the property
where the transportation facility will be built.
Dr.
Melnick responded that there is not enough room on the property but he
understands that the North Shore Soccer Club is looking into leasing property
on
Ms.
Lopez asked if it would be a lighted field, and Trustee Pombar responded lights
are not planned.
Dan
D'Amico, Sea Cliff, asked the Board to consider a full day kindergarten
program. He spoke from his experience as an educator about the full day program
in the district where he works.
Dr.
Melnick responded that the District did look into the possibility of a full day
kindergarten and decided the extended day program would continue. He added that the District now has an after
school child care program to give working families an option for care beyond
the school day.
Brian
Zorn, Sea Cliff, explained that he is an educator in
Dr.
Melnick explained that it was about 3 years ago that the District last looked
at a full day kindergarten and the study was done with Bank Street School of
Education. Dr. Melnick then outlined the current curriculum in the extended day
program.
Dan
D'Amico added that he feels there is a good reason to take a second look at the
possibility of a full day kindergarten.
He appreciates that there is an option for working parents with the
after school program, but that is not his motivation for seeking a need to
transition to a full day program.
Trustee
Glassman spoke in favor of the extended day program, from her experience the small groups on the
stay day get more individual attention.
Debra
Dumas, Sea Cliff, spoke of her experience from the parent's perspective. She felt the extended program was better than
the full day program her previous district offered.
Stacey
Meredith, Sea Cliff, teaches kindergarten in a neighboring district and agrees
with Mr. D'Amico that a full day program would be beneficial. She sighted the additional initiatives that
teachers need to implement and the lack of time to do so in the shortened day.
Chris
Shatz, Sea Cliff, commented that the stay day has turned into an arts and
crafts time, not additional academic time.
Kelly
Lennon, Glen Head, agrees that the stay day does not fit the goal of the
extended day program.
Trustee
Beyer responded that the District will take into consideration all that has been
raised in reference to a full day kindergarten and if there is agreement among
the Trustees, it will be put on a future agenda for discussion.
Liz
Kilderry, Glen Head, asked what the process is for researching the possibility
of a handicapped area on the athletic field.
Dr.
Melnick explained that the District Wide Health and Safety Committee would
report back to the Board after they have finished their investigation.
Brian
Zorn, Sea Cliff, asked that the Board consider adding evening parent-teacher conferences
on the elementary level.
Dr.
Melnick responded that the District did have evening conferences, but there was
not sufficient interest. He added that
faculty are flexible in making a mutually convenient time for conferences for
working parents and he asked that Mr. Zorn let the principal or himself know if
this is not his experience. He also
explained that evening conferences are part of the teacher's contract and it
can be brought up at the next round of negotiations.
REGULAR BUSINESS
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Trustee Pombar and seconded by Trustee Genovesi
and all in favor, the minutes of
Approval of
Treasurer's Report
On motion by Trustee Genovesi and seconded by Trustee
Glassman and all in favor, the treasurer's reports of June 1, 2006 through June
30, 2006 and July 1, 2006 through July
31, 2006 were approved.
Report of the SGO
Representative
Alex Romano, SGO Representative,
reported on events and activities in the high school including, Club Carnival,
PTSA Meeting, and the upcoming
Energy Management Contract
Chris
Halpin of Celtic Energy gave an overview of the process of reviewing the energy
management proposals and the recommendation of Honeywell as the company to
provide the energy management services for the District. He explained that it was a well planned, well
organized and very objective process and that the company with the highest
score was being recommended. He
explained that Honeywell was the only company who responded to every item in
the RFP and was very detailed in their proposal.
Update on Elementary Literacy
Program
Linda
Klion, Lead Literacy Teacher and Bridget Hicks, Elementary Assistant Principal,
gave a presentation on the Early Literacy Program. They reviewed the components of each key
point; Assessments, Instruction, Programs and Professional Development. The Board had a lengthy discussion and asked
questions about how long and how often assessments take place, when the teacher
meetings occur and whether this overburdens the teacher. Ms. Klion and Ms. Hicks explained that
assessments given to "at risk" students are only a couple of minutes long and
occur as often as needed. The general
population is given assessments 3 times a year.
As for the teacher meetings, they meet once in a 6 day cycle for 30-40
minutes and substitutes are brought in for this time.
Committee and Conference Reports
Mr.
Chlebicki reported on the first meeting of the Alternative Physical Education
Plans Committee.
Trustee
Genovesi reported on the Construction Steering Committee meeting. The major part of the meeting was spent on
the Energy Management presentations. The
Glen Head Field is an on-going project, the Middle School Space Needs has a new
time line.
Dr.
Melnick reported on the District Wide Health & Safety Committee
meeting. They discussed State mandated
district wide training; the Parent Organization's concerns in regard to traffic
and parking issues at all of the schools - Ms. Buatsi is getting price
estimates on a district wide traffic study and will try and come up with a
recommendation; dogs on school property was discussed - the principals are putting a notice in their
newsletters and additional signs will be added; building level safety plans are
in place. Liz Kilderry had also requested a ramp at the Glenwood Landing fields
for handicapped purposes. The cost would
be $100,000 and this will be discussed at budget time. There is no requirement that athletic fields
are handicapped accessible. Wally Zeins,
a retired NYC Police Department - Hostage Negotiation Unit will join the next
meeting to discuss additional security training for the district.
Trustee
Murphy reported on the most recent meeting of the
Trustees
Glassman and Genovesi reported on the NYSSBA Convention. Trustee Glassman reported on workshops she
attended in regard to tenure and the audit committee. Trustee Genovesi attended the legal seminar
where the issue of a property tax resolution was discussed. It was noted that Alan Hevesi did not attend.
The
Board decided to simultaneously vote on action items D-S, with the exception of
action item H - Approval to Expand the Security Camera Pilot and O - Approval
of Budget Transfers.
On
motion of Trustee Webb and seconded by Trustee Genovesi and all in favor it
was:
Personnel Changes
Tenure
Prior to granting tenure to Maureen Lamberti, Dr.
Melnick noted that due to the change in the Board meeting date from October 26
to November 2, Ms. Lamberti received tenure by estoppel.
Resolved: To
grant tenure to Maureen Lamberti, Elementary, effective
Leave for
Absence for Child Rearing Purposes - Certified
Resolved: To
approve a leave of absence for child rearing purposes for Kimberly Cunneen,
Elementary, effective
Resolved: To
approve a leave of absence for child rearing purposes for Sandra Maciel,
Elementary, effective
Resolved: To
approve a leave of absence for child rearing purposes for Maureen Priolo,
Elementary, effective
Appointments
- Certified
Resolved: To approve a regular substitute
(leave replacement) appointment for Jennifer
Cottone, Elementary, on Step 1 of
the MA salary schedule effective
Resolved: To approve a regular substitute (leave replacement) appointment for
Dorine Hetzel,
Special Education, on Step 1 of the
MA salary schedule effective
Resolved: To approve a regular substitute (leave replacement) appointment for
Therese
L'Abbate, Elementary, on Step 1 of
the MA salary Schedule effective
Resolved: To
approve a regular substitute (leave replacement) appointment of Jaime Mica,
Elementary, on Step 1 of the BA+15 salary schedule effective
Resolved: To
approve a regular substitute (leave replacement) appointment for Leslie
Mocerino, Elementary, on Step 1 of the BA+15 salary schedule effective
Resolved: To
approve a regular substitute (leave replacement) appointment for Michelle
Patane, Elementary, on Step 2 of the BA salary schedule, effective
Change of
Status - Certified
Resolved: To
approve a change of status for Jennifer Davis, Elementary, from a conditional
appointment to a probationary appointment, fingerprint clearance and
certification received
Increments
for Advanced Study
Resolved: To approve an increment for advanced study for Jill Machado,
Elementary, from Step
2 of the BA+15 salary schedule to
Step 2 of the MA salary schedule, effective September 1,
2006
Resolved: To approve an increment for advanced study for Christine
Purpura, Elementary, from Step 8 of the MA salary schedule, to Step 8 of the MA+15 salary schedule, effective
Teacher Overage
Resolved: To approve a 1/30 overage for Ryan O'Hara, English, effective
Resignation for Retirement Purposes - Non Certified
Resolved: To accept the resignation for retirement purposes for, Ralph Perone,
Custodian, Sea
Appointment - Non Certified
Resolved: To approve the appointment of Robert Kemp, Head Custodian at
Part-time Appointment - Non Certified
Resolved: To approve a part-time appointment for Joanne Blasucci, Bus Driver,
effective
Approval of Additions to the Per Diem Substitute List
Diane
Dods Elementary
Gina
Puma Speech
Joyce
Rodrigues Elementary
Danielle
Stern Elementary
Naz
Swati Elementary
Approval of Extra Curricular Activities Club
& Sponsors
Resolved: To approve the addition of a Drama Club as a Level 3 Club in the Middle School
Resolved: To approve the following extra-curricular activity sponsors:
High
School
Director-Light
& Sound Ryan O'Hara
Yearbook Andrea Campbell
Brian
Rodahan
Senior
Play Michael
Kleba
Middle
School
8th
Grade Class Advisor Keith Freund*
Athletic
Director Michelle Cochran**
*Keith
was previously appointed as co-advisor with Ellen Renaldo -
Keith
will now be the sole advisor
**Michelle
was previously appointed at last year's rate
INTRAMURALS
Middle School
Kelly
Ater Step 1
Jessica
Berner Step 1
Norma
LaCayo Step 1
Diane
Molesky Step 1
Karl
Tretter Step 1
Acceptance of Donation from The Lynch Family of an
Underground Sprinkler System to the
Resolved: To
accept the donation from the Lynch Family of an Underground Sprinkler System
for the Ray Lesch Memorial Garden Area at the
value of $500
Acceptance of Donations from the Glenwood Landing SCA
to the
Resolved: To
accept the following donations from the Glenwood Landing SCA to the Glenwood
Landing School totaling $6,828.40:
Cork
Bulletin Board - value $938.40
Carnegie
Hall LinkUp Education Program - approx. value $2,890
(which includes an interactive concert at
Carnegie Hall
and a
Design
Jet Color printer and supplies - approx. cost $2,500
Two
Lapel Microphones - approx. cost $500
Acceptance of Donation of funds for Keyboard Shelving
from the Arts Angels to the Middle School Vocal Music Media Lab
Resolved: To
accept the donation of $800 from the Arts Angels to be used toward materials
and labor to mount new keyboard shelving in the Vocal Music Media Lab at the
North Shore Middle School
Approval of Change Order GC#2 from ACL Construction
Corp. for Science Lab Reconstruction at the Middle School
Resolved: To
approve change order GC#2 from ACL Construction Corp. for Science Lab
Reconstruction at the Middle School in the amount of $836 (additional)
Approval of Change Order GC#3 from ACL Construction
Corp. for Science Lab Reconstruction at the Middle School
Resolved: To approve change order GC#3 from ACL
Construction Corp. for Science Lab Reconstruction at the Middle School in the amount
of $530 (additional)
Approval to Dispose of Obsolete Equipment
Resolved: To
declare as obsolete and approve of the disposal of the following inventory
items:
IMAC
G3 Computer (MS)
Filmstrip Projector (GH)
5 File Cabinets (MS)
Teacher Desk (GH)
Award of Cooperative Bids for Transportation Automotive
Parts
Resolved: To
award the bid for automotive parts to the companies indicated on the itemized list for the 2006-07 school year
Award of Transportation Contracts for Summer and
School Year 2006-07
Resolved: To
award transportation contracts for summer and school year 2006-07 to the bus
companies indicated on the tabulation of bids
Approval of Resolution Granting a Real Property Tax
Exemption for Members of Volunteer Fire
Companies and Volunteer Ambulance Service
Resolved: To
approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS
Chapter 450 of the Laws of 2002, and Chapter 9 of the Laws of 2004
authorize
Property Tax Law creating real property tax exemption
for members of volunteer fire
companies or volunteer ambulance services; and,
WHEREAS,
such resolution may provide the real property owned by an enrolled
member of an incorporated volunteer fire company,
fire department or incorporated
volunteer ambulance service or such enrolled member
and spouse residing in a county
with a population of more than one million four
hundred thousand and less than one million
five hundred thousand, according to the latest
federal decennial census, shall be exempt
from taxation to the extent of ten percent of the
assessed value of such property for city,
village, town, part town, special district, county or
school district purposes, exclusive of
special assessments; and,
WHEREAS,
THE Board of Education elects to approve and adopt by resolution, the
aforesaid tax exemption,
NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT,
RESOLVED,
that the Board of Education hereby approves of and adopts the
provisions of Section 466-c of the Real Property Tax
Law, granting a real property tax
exemption for members of volunteer fire companies or
volunteer ambulance services, as it
applies to the School tax levy, and it is
FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is authorized and directed to notify the
town Assessor
of this action, and provide said Assessor with a certified copy of this
resolution.
Authorization of Petty Cash Supervisor
Resolved: To approve
Diane Schmidt as petty cash supervisor for the
Appointment of
Resolved: To
appoint the following members to the District Wide School Health & Safety
Committee for 2006-07:
John
Hall Co-Chair
Gil
Torossian Co-Chair
Ed
Melnick Central
Office
Olivia
Buatsi Central Office
Carolyn
Genovesi Board Rep
Noreen
Strassenreiter District Health
Coordinator
Elizabeth
Guercin M.S. Administrator Rep
Bridget
Hicks Elementary
Administrator Rep
Bill
Dworsak Custodial Rep
Barbara
Burke M.S. Parent Rep
Anne
Knehr G.W.L. Parent
Rep
Susan
Moshell H.S. Parent Rep
Alex
Romano Student Rep
Approval of Special Education Consultants/Service
Providers
Resolved: To
approve an agreement with Bilinguals, Inc. for Evaluations, Therapeutic/
Educational and Speech Services effective July 1,
2006 through
Resolved: To
approve an agreement with Children First Therapy Placement Services, LLC for
Occupational
& Physical Therapy Services effective
Resolved: To
approve an agreement with North Shore Speech-Language Associates for Speech
Services effective
Approval of Special Education Services
Resolved: To
approve special education services, per attached tab
On motion of Trustee Murphy and seconded by Trustee
Glassman with 6 members voting yes and Trustee Webb voting no, it was:
Prior to approval, there were some questions raised
by Board members in regard to the number
of cameras to be added, the location of these cameras, and whether or
not the additional
cameras were needed at this point.
Approval to Expand the Security Camera Pilot
Resolved: To
expand the security camera pilot program to a minimal coverage program at a
cost
of $56,882
On motion of Trustee Pombar and seconded
by Trustee Genovesi, an all in favor, it was
Approval
of Budget Transfers
Resolved: To
approve budget transfers in the amount of $192,306.82 effective
Comments from the
Public
Jill Vomacha, out of district, is
observing Board of Education meetings for her course of studies. She commented how impressed she was with the
Board's respect for each other. She sees
them as a good working team who ask good questions.
Old Business
Dr. Melnick reported that the 9-11
commemorative rocks will be replaced at all schools with rocks found on our
property and will have brass plaques commemorating the correct date. He reported that there has been no word from
the County on the LIPA PILOT approval.
He explained that Marianne VanDuyne and Jonathan Heidelberger are
drafting a proposal on the legal options and reserve options for the $4.8
million owed retroactively to the district.
We are awaiting further word from Walter Hoefler of LIPA as to what can
be done with the additional $700,000.
The money is not able to be used to expand the energy management
contract and it has been requested that the money be used to purchase one of
the boilers that need replacing. Mr.
Hoefler is to get back to the district with word from LIPA. Marianne VanDuyne is working on a proposal
for LIPA to make an outright grant to the District of the $700,000 to be used
as the Board decides.
Trustee Pombar requested a list of
outstanding liability of workers' compensation.
He also asked for an update on civic groups needing insurance to use our
buildings. Dr. Melnick explained that
NYSIR has said it is up to the Board to decide if the civic associations can
use our facilities without an insurance certificate, but the district would be
open to liability. The Booster Clubs are
covered under our liability insurance. President
Beyer polled the Board for interest in discussing the use of facilities by civic groups without
insurance certification. Trustees
Pombar, Genovesi, Vollmer and Murphy requested such a discussion and it will
appear on a future agenda.
Adjournment
At
Elizabeth
Ciampi
District
Clerk
