Pine Bush Board of Education –Monday, October 7, 2019  

REGULAR MEETING – PBHS

Members Present

• Gretchen Meier, President
• Cara Robertson, Vice President
• Kristin Graessle
• Kristi Kheiralla                                                                                 
• Ross Tompkins
• Matthew Watkins

 

Members Absent:

• Dori Johnson    

 

Others Present

• Tim Mains, Superintendent of Schools 
• Donna Geidel, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction                                                              
• Michael Pacella, Assistant Superintendent for Business              
• Deborah June, District Clerk
• Approximately 30 residents/students/staff members

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President Gretchen Meier with the following motion offered:

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education open the regular meeting at approximately 6:17 PM

YES – 6           NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Consideration of Executive Session

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education adjourn to executive session at approximately 6:17 PM regarding a particular personnel matter.

YES – 6           NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Adjourn Executive Session

MOVED by Trustee Graessle, second by Trustee Watkins, that the Board of Education adjourn from executive session and return to regular session at approximately 7:02 PM.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Return to Regular Session

MOVED by Trustee Kheiralla, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education return to regular session at approximately 7:03 PM.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Public Session Resumes / Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance

President Gretchen Meier welcomed those in attendance, resuming public session of the regular meeting. She asked those in attendance to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, noting the time at approx. 7:07 PM.

 

Approval of Minutes

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education approve the minutes from the September 24, 2019 meeting as submitted by the District Clerk.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Reports, Recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools

Consent Agenda

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education approve the following revised Consent Agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools:

Tonight’s consent agenda includes the appointment of the following new personnel:

• Amanda Lopez –Literacy/Reading Teacher
• Gina Vanderkooy – Teaching Assistant
• Jade-Marie Yarwood – Permanent Substitute Teacher
• Tami  Kretschmer – School Monitor
•  Megan Kellett – Teaching Assistant

 

Creation

Extra-curricular

Board authorization to create the following position: One (1) S.T.A.R. Club Advisor (Students Taking Active Roles) starting at at Level V, Step 1, appendix D (as per contract), effective October 8, 2019.

 

Resignations

Instructional 

• Amanda Lopez, the resignation from her position as a 1.0 FTE Sub-Teacher on Salary, effective at the close of business on September 26, 2019. 
• Gina Vanderkooy resignation from her position as a  6.5 hours/day School Monitor, effective at the close of business October 7, 2019. 
• Employee #2010719, resignation, for the purpose of retirement, effective at the close of business on November 7, 2019. 

 

Leave of Absence (amended)

• Dorota Dziadosz, amended request of her unpaid leave of absence from her position as a 4 hours/day School Monitor to reflect a date change as follows: effective 09/03/2019 through 10/11/2019.

 

Appointments

Instructional

• Amanda Lopez, who holds a Professional certificate in Literacy (Birth-6), be appointed to the probationary position as a 1.00 FTE Teacher-Reading in the tenure area of Remedial Reading, for a three year probationary period commencing September 27, 2019 and ending September 26, 2022.  Salary at MA, Step 7 (pro-rated). Be it further resolved that, to the extent applicable under Education Law Section 3012-d and the accompanying Commissioner’s Regulations, in order to be considered for tenure, Amanda Lopez must have received an APPR rating of effective or highly effective in two of the three probationary years and must not receive an ineffective in the third year/Receiving Jarema Credit for prior service.
• Gina Vanderkooy, who holds a Teaching Assistant Level I certificate, be appointed on probation as a part-time, non-tenure bearing, 4.0 Hour/Day Teaching Assistant, effective  October 08, 2019  salary as per contract, (pro-rated).
• Jade-Marie Yarwood, who holds an Initial certificate in Childhood Education 1-6, be appointed to the position of 1.0 FTE Permanent Substitute Teacher in the Elementary tenure area, for the period of November 18, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020.  Salary Level MA, Step 1 of the salary schedule.
• Megan Kellett, who holds a Teaching Assistant Level I certificate, be appointed on probation as a part time, non-tenure bearing, 6.75 Hour/Day Teaching Assistant,  effective October 21, 2019  as per contract (pro-rated).

 

Non-Instructional

• Tami Kretschmer, probationary appointment of to a 6.0 Hours/Day position of School Monitor, effective October 8, 2019, salary as per contract (pro-rated), *Such appointment is conditioned upon the District’s receipt of clearance for employment from the N.Y. State Education Department relating to the fingerprinting and criminal history record check of the prospective school employees. The emergency conditional segments of the appointments shall commence as of October 8, 2019 and shall not exceed twenty (20) business days.

 

Co-Curricular

Sixth-Period Assignment

Board approval for the appointment of the following instructional staff member teaching a sixth period/additional teaching assignment for the 2019-2020 school year at an annual contractual stipend as per contract:

• Christine Guarino,  Science (HS STARS)
• Samantha Petrosi, Art (CVMS)

 

Supervision for MS After-school Detention Program/ISS

Board approval of the following staff members to cover supervision for Middle School After-school Detention Program for the 2019-2020 school year at the rate of $20/hour: (Monday through Thursday: 2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.)

Circleville Middle School

• Holly Shader, (two days/per week)
• Phyllis Radi, (one day/per week)
• Lisa Heckman, (one day/per week)

 

Per Diem Substitutes

Board approval for the appointment of the following individuals as per diem substitutes effective October 8, 2019 at board approved per diem substitutes rates:

• Kelly Collins
• Roseanna Sanders
• Loretta Williams

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

CSE and CPSE Placement Recommendations                                     

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education of Education approve all IEPs of the Committee on Special Education and  the Committee on Preschool Special Education as submitted by the CSE and CPSE Chairperson and reviewed by Trustee Watkins.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Acknowledge Receipt and Acceptance of External Auditors’ Report

Jennifer Capicchioni was in attendance Tuesday evening to present to the Board of Education the Audit Report for Year Ending June 30, 2019, Including Reports on Federal Awards and Extra classroom Activity Fund as submitted, and the District’s responses to the Management Letter, as well as address any questions. Ms. Capicchioni provided a brief overall review of the audit noting all three reports received unqualified opinions (clean opinions). In conclusion, she thanked the board and all for their time and effort in assisting through this process.

Board of Education Receipt and Acceptance of Audit Report for Year Ending June 30, 2019 and District Responses.

MOVED by Trustee Kheiralla, second by Trustee Watkins, that the Board of Education (upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee on 9/23/2019) officially acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the Audit Report for Year Ending June 30, 2019, Including Reports on Federal Awards and Extra classroom Activity Fund as submitted by Nugent and Haeussler, and the District’s response to the Management Letter, as submitted.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote:

K. Graessle         Yes         R. Tompkins       Yes

K. Kheiralla          Yes         C. Robertson      Yes

M. Watkins         Yes         G. Meier              Yes

Note: Jennifer Capicchioni of Nugent & Haeussler attended the Audit Committee’s meeting on Monday, September 23, 2019 to present the draft Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019, Including Reports on Federal Awards and Extraclassroom Activity Funds.  The Audit Committee unanimously agreed on September 23, 2019 to recommend that the Board of Education acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the final Audit report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019 as well as the District’s response.

 

Transportation Update

Superintendent Tim Mains, stated that we continue to review our transportation and sort through and smooth out the rerouting changes from the summer. He introduced Michael Pacella, Assistant Superintendent of Schools to provide a verbal update pertaining to busing/transportation of our district students, to date. Some of the highlights of Mr. Pacella’s update included the following: A review of each run has been conducted with the bus company, safety team, and drivers, noting a few there are still some  outstanding parental concerns.

Some adjustments stops and runs have been made, however, many runs have remained the same. The district will begin the appeals review shortly. Bus loads and timing issues are and have been addressed to ensure that all students arrive on time. We are making progress and nearing the end, pending the completion of the appeals process.

 

Public Participation

President Meier opened the first public participation at approx. 7:17 PM requesting no personal references.  The following comments/questions/concerns were raised.

Several residents offered comments pertaining to transportation/busing, some of which included the following:

• A resident submitted an unsigned petition entitled Kids Not Cargo Law, pertaining to student safety most specific to street crossing;
• Resident/employee expressed thanks for striving to meet concerns, also spoke of heavy traffic. Also requested bus routes posting online and review of transportation policy.
• Resident(s) spoke of concerned bus stop and revisits specific stops;
• Resident spoke of concern re: activity bus route (clarification provided by Ass’t Superintendent).
• Resident spoke in support of bus drivers.

 

Approval of Separation Agreement/Release Agreement

MOVED by Trustee Watkins, second by Trustee Tompkins, that Board of Education approve the following resolution:

         BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education (“Board”) of the Pine Bush Central School District does hereby approve the Separation Agreement and Release Agreement (“Agreement”) with employee, Number 2010719, a copy of which is available at the District Clerk’s Office; and

 

                BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to execute all documents to effectuate said Agreement.

Date: October 7, 2019

YES – 6          NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote:

M. Watkins          Yes         G. Meier               Yes

R. Tompkins         Yes         K. Kheiralla           Yes

C. Robertson       Yes          K. Graessle           Yes

 

Upcoming Board Meetings, Events / Old, New Business / Updates

Our upcoming board meetings and events were announced Tuesday evening.

The start time for the regular sessions of our board meetings –   7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.    

            Regular Board Meetings:

• Tuesday, October 22, 2019, 7:00 PM at Circleville Middle School and Public Hearing (re:Mini Cell Tower) 
  (Announced at conclusion of public hearing, Board will make a decision regarding moving forward).
• Tuesday, November 12, 2019, 7:00 PM at Pine Bush High School

 

Other District Meetings/Events:

• Wednesday, October 9, 2019 Yom Kippur – No School
• Monday, October 14, 2019 Columbus Day – No School

 

Dictionary Presentations by Wallkill East Rotary at Elementary Schools   

•                 E. J. Russell Elementary School: October 15, 2019 at 9:20 AM
•                 Pine Bush Elementary School: October 15, 2019 at 10:15 AM
•                 Pakanasink Elementary School: October 17, 2019 at 9:20 AM
•                 Circleville Elementary School: October 17, 2019 at 10:15 AM

 

October 29, 2019, MHSSC Staff Development Workshop, 4:30 PM dinner/5:00 PM program to be held at Mt. St. Mary College presented by the law firm of Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow & Mayle, LLP entitled Tinker at 50: How Have Technology & Political Discourse Affected the Analysis? 

(Please advise Debbie June or Jayna McAteer if interested in attending).

 

100th NYSSBA Annual Convention in Rochester, NY October 24, 2019-October 26, 2019

(Unfortunately, this year we do not have any board members in attendance)

 

              Old/New Business

Board Discussion: Strategic Goals

The Board of Education had a discussion pertaining Domain 1 and 2 of the Strategic Plan.

After their discussion amongst members and administrators, the board unanimously agreed on the following for 2019-2020:

• Domain 1: Keep Board Goal 2 (Develop curriculum maps for all content areas P-12; provide multiple pathways for students) – it is strong and a reasonable board goal, particularly with changes in the state, and additionally important to bridge to administrative goal (Data teams will meet regularly to analyze student data to assess individual student progress).
• Domain 2: Keep Board Goal 1 (Identify and implement a social/emotional learning curriculum). This goal aligns with the administrative goal (Schools may explore the use of mindfulness, meditation, peer mediation, and/or other practices helpful to improve student success). It is important to stay focused and show the bridge between the board goal and administrative goal.

Next meeting the discussion will continue at the next meeting specific to Domain 3 and 4, and Values and Beliefs.

 

Business & Finance

Claim Auditor’s Reports

MOVED by Trustee Watkins, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the following Claims Auditor’s Reports as submitted:

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0017 dated 9/13/2019 authorizing payments in the amount of $596,774.57

• Cafeteria Fund (6 checks 004960-004965)      $  1,171.60                             
• HS Activity Fund (2 checks 003899-003900)   $  677.84
• Trust & Agency Acct.(0 Checks)     $  145,701.60                         
• Federal Fund (5 checks 002467-002471)      $  20,284.71         
• Capital Fund (2 checks 001785 -001786)    $  33,152.64
• General Fund (85 checks 060041 -060125)    $    395,786.18

           Total    $    596,774.57

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0018 voids and reissues 7/10-9/15/2019 authorizing payments in the amount of $1,562.00

• HS Activity Fund (1 check 003889) $    75.00
• CVMS Activity Fund (1 check 001650)   $   122.00
• General Fund (4 checks 059176 -060040)  $  1,365.00

  Total             $   1,562.00

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0019 dated 9/20/2019 check run authorizing payments in the amount of $1,158,416.69

• Cafeteria Fund (7 checks 004966-004972)       $  36,409.77                             
• HS Activity Fund (2 checks 003901-003902)   $   620.84         
• Federal Fund (3 checks 002472-002474)   $  73,373.63
• Capital Fund (1 checks 001787) $   301,363.77
• General Fund (88 checks 060132 -060219)   $   746,514.68
• District Activity Account (1 check 004664)    $   134.00

                    Total       $      1,158,416.69

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0020 dated 9/25/2019 payroll authorizing payments in the amount of $1,136,381.77

• Trust & Agency Acct. (14 checks 003981-003994)   $  1,136,381.77                          

                    Total      $     1,136,381.77

YES – 6          NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Approval of Property Tax Refund / Correction of Error

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Watkins, that the Board of Education authorized the Following correction of error as submitted for approval on October 7, 2019:

Correction of Error/Omission
Town of Shawangunk
• SBL:   98.18-2-10
Owner:  Jennifer Maybloom
               67 Amber St.
              Staten Island, NY 10306            
According to documentation received on September 25, 2019 from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance,  this parcel owner is approved for a good cause extension of the Enhanced STAR application. With your approval, we will change the total taxable value on their bill to reflect the correction. The corrected taxable value is now $14,430.00.

In addition, based on documentation received October 1, 2019 from the Ulster County Real Property Tax Service, the Aged Exemption was removed in error and has been reinstated to reflect a reduction of 50%.

YES – 6          NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Public Participation

President Meier opened the second public participation at approx. 8:08 PM requesting no personal references.  The following comments/questions/concerns were raised:

• Resident(s) offered concern pertaining to drop off and distance to home;
• Resident request for bus driver training;
• Resident request district to revisit transportation policy.

 

Consideration of Executive Session

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education adjourn public session to executive session re board communication, noting the time at approx. 8:12 PM.

YES – 6      NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

 

Adjourn Executive Session and Return to Regular session

MOVED by Trustee Kheiralla, second by Trustee Watkins, that the Board of Education adjourn executive session and return to regular session, noting the time at approx. 8:40 PM.

YES – 6    NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED       

 

Adjournment

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education adjourn the regular meeting, noting the time at approx. 8:41 PM.

YES – 6     NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED

Note: BOARD MEETINGS are video recorded and can be viewed at www.pinebushschools.org             

Deborah A. June, District Clerk

Pine Bush CSD