NORTH SHORE SCHOOLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

June 1, 2006

 

The meeting was called to order by President Murphy at 7:00 pm in the High School Alumni Room.  Present were Trustees Beyer, Brennan, Genovesi, Pombar, Vollmer and Webb.  Also present were Dr. Melnick, Mr. Chlebicki and Ms. Buatsi.

 

Executive Session

At 7:00 pm, on motion of Trustee Genovesi seconded by Trustee Vollmer and all in favor, the Board went into Executive Session in the faculty lounge to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person.

 

At 8:00 pm, on motion of Trustee Brennan, seconded by Trustee Beyer, and all in favor, the Board moved to come out of Executive Session and resumed the meeting at 8:00 pm in the alumni room.  There were approximately 40 people in the audience.

 

Pledge of Allegiance

President Murphy led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance

 

Student Recognition

                  Dr. Melnick and President Murphy along with Regina Newman, Curriculum Associate for mathematics and David Keenan and John Pace, Math Research Teachers, recognized 17 middle school students for their success at the Long Island Math Fair.  Also recognized was Ken Mandel who was the top scorer at the New York State Problem Solving Challenge Exam. 

 

Approval Of Minutes

                  On motion of Trustee Beyer and seconded by Trustee Pombar and all in favor the minutes of May 18, 2006 were approved.

 

Approval of Treasurer’s Report

            There were some questions on the treasurer’s report, specifically on the budget lines that show little or no activity.  Assistant Superintendent for Business, Olivia Buatsi, explained that expenses must be made from certain budget codes and by the end of the year it will reflect correctly what has been expensed from those lines.  There was then a brief discussion about the possibility of changing the audit committee from the “Board as a whole” to a sub committee.  This will be reviewed for next year. 

On motion of Trustee Vollmer and seconded by Trustee Beyer and all in favor the treasurer’s reports of February 1, 2006 through February 28, 2006 and March 1, 2006 through March 31, 2006 were approved.

 

            The Board decided to vote simultaneously on action items D-N

 

            On motion of Trustee Pombar and seconded by Trustee Beyer and all in favor, it was

Personnel

Resignation for Retirement Purposes - Certified

Resolved:           To accept the resignation for retirement purposes of Mary Jane Cheshire, Physical Education, Glen Head, effective June 30, 2006

 

 

Resolved:           To accept the resignation for retirement purposes of Margaret DiMarcantonio, Elementary, Sea Cliff, effective June 30, 2006

                         

Resolved:           To accept the resignation for retirement purposes of Katherine Jollon, Social Studies, High School, effective June 30, 2006

 

Leave of Absence – Certified

Resolved:           To approve a partial leave of absence (1/5) for Susan Liberstein,  Special Education, District Wide, effective May 15, 2006 through June 30, 2006

 

Increment for Advanced Study

Resolved:           To approve an increment for advanced study for Kevin Haas, Music, Elementary, from Step 4 of the BA salary schedule, to Step 4 of the BA+15 salary schedule, effective January 27, 2006

               

Change of Status - Certified

Resolved:          To approve a change of status for Colette Weinberg, Computers, Middle School, from leave replacement to probationary, effective September 1, 2005 through September 1, 2006, replacing Maureen Kelly (resigned)

                               

Approval of Stipend – Non Certified

Resolved:          To approve a stipend for Anita Demetri, for arranging and coordinating our Home Instruction Program, District Wide, effective September 1, 2005

 

Approval of Additions to the Per Diem Substitute List

Resolved:          To approve the following names to the per diem substitute list:

 

                                    Theresa Marie L’Abbate          Elementary

                                    Lisa Banionis                          Elementary

                                    Marlen Demetri                       Teacher Aide

                                    Virginia DiNonno                     Home Tutor (Sciences)

                                    Katherine Schlicht                   Elementary

 

Conditional Approval of Additions to the Per Diem Substitute List

Resolved:          To conditionally approve the addition of the following names to the per diem substitute list, pending fingerprint clearance

 

Bryan Gabriel              Physical Education

Daniel Kant                 Physical Education

 

Approval of Extra Curricular Club Advisor

Resolved:        To approve the following high school advisor, effective May 12, 2006 through

June 30, 2006

 

                        Jennifer Imperiale                    Dance Club                            

 

Adoption of The Bond Proposition Authorizing The Issuance Of Bonds To Finance The Projects  Approved By Voters on May 16, 2006

Resolved:        To adopt the resolution for the Bond Proposition Authorizing the issuance of bonds to finance the projects approved by voters on May 16, 2006 as per attached tab

 

Approval of Budget Transfers

Resolved:        To approve budget transfers in the amount of $480,700 effective June 1, 2006

 

Resolution Authorizing Issuance Of Tax Anticipation Notes

Resolved:        To approve the attached resolution authorizing issuance of Tax Anticipation Notes

(TANS) in the amount not to exceed $7,000,000 in anticipation of the receipt of taxes to be

levied for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007

 

Approval of License Operating Agreement with the North Shore Boys and Girls Cub to provide a Summer Program for the residents of the North Shore School  District

Resolved:        To approve the license operating agreement with the North Shore Boys and Girls Club to provide a Summer Program for the residents of the North Shore School District

 

Approval to Participate in a Cooperative Bid Coordinated by Nassau BOCES for Various Commodities and/or Services

Resolved:        To approve the participation in a Cooperative Bid Coordinated by Nassau BOCES for Various Commodities and/or Services

             

Award of District Wide Paint Bid

Resolved:        To award a bid for district wide painting to the low bidder, Scaturro Brothers, Inc. t/a Alpine Painting & Sandblasting Contractors in the amount of $69,372

 

Approval of Resolutions for Settlement Agreements

Resolved:        To approve the following resolutions:

 

                        BE IT RESOLVED that the President of the Board of Education is authorized to

                        enter into an Agreement resolving a request for an impartial hearing filed on behalf

                        of student #140003753, and

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the President of the Board of Education is authorized to enter into an Agreement resolving a request for an Impartial hearing filed on behalf of student #3114

 

Approval of Tuition Contract with Ascent

Resolved:        To approve a tuition contract with Ascent School for the purpose of providing specialized educational services to children residing in the North Shore School District, effective

July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Approval of Special Education Consultant/Service Provider - TAB

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with Abilities, Inc. for Transition Services, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with All About Kids for Evaluation & Therapy Services effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with Melissa Ash-Bernstein, Speech Pathologist, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with Patricia Delio, Speech Pathologist, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with Metro Therapy for miscellaneous therapy and

evaluations effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with Miriam Oelbaum, Special Ed Teacher, effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007

 

Resolved:        To approve an agreement with MMR Enterprises, for Spanish Interpreting Services, effective May 8, 2006 through June 30, 2006

 

Approval of Special Education Services

Resolved:        To approve special education services, IEPs as per attached tab

 

Report of the SGO Representative/Comments from the Public

            Alex Romano, SGO Representative reported on the events and activities at the high school including moving up day, battle of the bands and a fundraising event, “Relay for Life”  for the cancer society to be held June 9 from 7:00 pm through 7:00 am.  He also reported that Alyson Gordon, a senior, would be on News12 Long Island as Scholar Athlete of the Month.

            Phil Essex, Sea Cliff, will be holding a benefit for Colin Dunne, a first grader at Sea Cliff who was diagnosed with leukemia.  His group, Theatre II of Glen Cove, will be giving an encore production of a Musical and all of the proceeds will go to benefit Colin and his family.

            Terry Glassman, Old Brookville, asked when the high school testing schedule would be available on line.  Dr. Melnick responded it would be available tomorrow.

           

Report of the Superintendent

            Dr. Melnick read from an article written by high school senior Maeve McGilloway in the recent issue of the Viking View entitled “Are You Budget Conscience”.  In her article she encouraged all high school students who turn 18 to make sure they register to vote and vote on the budget.

 

Summary of District Goals

            Dr. Melnick gave a Powerpoint presentation outlining the key aspects of the written report on goals sent to the Board prior to the meeting.  All of the goals the Board set out for the year were to enhance student performance and he gave examples of how that is happening through Curriculum Mapper, the seventh and eighth grade research course and the DIBELS program.  The Board had a lengthy discussion about if there is evidence that any of the new initiatives have truly increased student performance.  Dr. Melnick said although it is hard to measure, he believes there has been remarkable progress by what he sees happening in the classroom and in meetings with faculty.

 

Update – Construction Steering Committee

            Trustee Brennan gave an update of the last steering committee meeting.  The committee should be receiving a set of drawings for the proposed bus depot and the district should be able to take possession of the property in October.  A sign will be put on the property indicating that it is the future home of the North Shore Schools Bus Depot; in discussing the classroom additions in the middle school, it was found that it may be cost effective for the middle school to go from 2 separate boiler systems to 1 boiler for the entire building; the energy performance contract was discussed and it was decided that BBS who already has a relationship with Honeywell, will not participate in the bids but will be available for general questions; the field at the Glen Head School has a drainage issue that needs to be addressed and there is a viable option being looked at.

 

            Trustee Pombar requested an update on the 9 million dollar bond and suggested inviting some of the Glenwood Landing residents, who have been lobbying for a new bus depot for several years, to attend a ground breaking ceremony.

            Trustee Vollmer added that there was also a discussion on the ventilation of the buildings.  There is no maximum temperature limit set by the State.  He also reported that the high school roof work will take place over the summer and said the committee wants to be sure that we are good neighbors to those surrounding the high school.  Dr. Melnick said he would send a letter to the residents who surround the high school letting them know when work will be done.  He also mentioned that the previous bond had money set aside for security and would like this to be a discussion item on a future agenda.

 

Comments from the Public

            There were no comments from the public.

 

Board Policies

            The Board discussed the new policies drafted by NYSSBA.  The policy committee has reviewed and implemented the changes suggested by the Board.  These policies will need to be adopted at the next Board meeting.  Any policies the Board has questions on will be pulled from the group and another discussion will take place on those.  In these cases, the current policy previously adopted by the Board will remain in place until such time as the new policies are reviewed and updated to reflect the Board’s changes.  The new Wellness Policy needs to be in place by July 1 and the Board reviewed it and made some minor changes that Trustee Brennan will implement before it is adopted on June 15.  The current Arts Policy was updated and followed the same language as the Physical Education Policy – suggested changes were made and Trustee Brennan will implement those as well.  The Extra Curricular Arts Policy was also reviewed and updated.  There was a discussion about policy #5440 Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, but it was decided not to pull it.  It was noted that new exhibits are needed for #0310E- Board Self Evaluation, and 0320E the Superintendent Evaluation. The following policies were pulled for future discussion, #4730 – Homework Policy; #4810 – Teaching Controversial Issues, #6690 – Audit Committee, #5300 – Code of Conduct

 

Old Business/New Business

            Trustee Vollmer commented on the vandalism to the trees at the high school and said he feels there is a need for security cameras.  He also reported on his day at the high school and said he was extremely impressed with the level of discussions in the classes and encourages Board members to see first hand what is going on in the classroom.

            The Board then had a discussion on the status of the LIPA PILOT agreement.  There was consensus that the community should be brought up to date on what has occurred thus far.  Dr. Melnick offered to draft a letter to the community and will email the Board with the draft.

            Trustee Genovesi asked if the outgoing PTA Presidents could be recognized at the June 15 Board meeting.  Tenure appointments are scheduled to take place that evening, therefore, it was suggested to wait until next year and recognize them at a meeting other than the one designated for tenure recognition.                 

Adjournment

            At 11:30 pm, on motion of Trustee Beyer and seconded by Trustee Brennan and all in favor, the meeting was adjourned.