MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

GENEVA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

101 CARTER ROAD

GENEVA, NEW YORK

 

April 7, 2008

         

 

          Members of the Board present:

 

                    Mitchell Wilber, President

                    Stanton Tepfer, Vice President

                    Norbert Amberg

D. Thomas Scherer

Erminia Colizzi-Wooster

 

S. Ford Weiskittel (arrived at 6:45 p.m.)

                    Josephine Guard (arrived at 7:10 p.m.)

 

                    Others present:

 

                    Robert C. Young, Jr., Superintendent of Schools

                    Paul Darnall, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum/Instruction

                    Lauren Poehlman, Asst. Superintendent for Business Services

                    Various staff and community members

 

         

The meeting was called to order by President, Mr. Wilber, at 6:40 p.m.

 

          Superintendent Robert Young led all present in the salute to the flag.

 

Moved by Mr. Amberg, seconded by Dr. Tepfer that the Board move into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations at 6:41 p.m. 

Yes:          5

Absent:     2 (Mrs. Guard, Mr. Weiskittel)

 

Motion was carried.

 

          President Wilber declared the Board out of executive session at 7:48 p.m.

 

          President Wilber asked if anyone from the audience wished to address the Board at this time.  No one came forward and the public participation was closed at 7:49 p.m.

 

          Due to athletic obligations of our student liaisons, Mr. Rotenberg updated the Board on student activities at the high school such as spring sports, drama club completed Fiddler on the Roof Musical, a district-wide art show at the Prouty Chew Museum and the completion of the 2008 yearbook.

 

          Charles Porter ( Indoor Track), Michael Rapalee and Joseph Smaldone, (Varsity Wrestling) were recognized and awarded proclamations from the Board of Education for qualifying and participating in the 2008 New York State Tournaments for their outstanding athletic achievements.

 

          Geneva High School Reality Check Group presented an anti-tobacco resolution to the Board of Education to cease tobacco promotions, such as “advertisement free magazines” in our school libraries.  Maeve Keeton and Allison Castle shared many facts including the health effects of tobacco and tobacco use statistics.

 

          Nina McCarthy, North Street School Principal, spearheaded the Extended Studies Presentation this year with assistance from Brenda Senack (Middle School) Jill Reigelsperger (West Street School) and Carin Cunningham (North Street School).  Selected students shared with the Board of Education, through a variety of activities, how school days have changed and learning has improved since the Extended Studies Program evolved.

 

          Geneva City School District’s Dropout Prevention Plan was presented by Karen Simon, GHS Assistant Principal and Susan McGowan, School Social Worker.  National statistics and research, district’s goal, truancy abatement program, team-based case management model, school social worker’s role and benefits were outlined in this presentation.

          Moved by Mr. Amberg, seconded by Dr. Tepfer that the following extracurricular trips be approved:

            1.  GMS ESL students to Hobart and William Smith Colleges,             Geneva, March 27, 2008, from 9:05a.m. – 12:45pm with teachers R. Reyes and S. Reyes

            2.  GMS 7th  Graders (Green and Blue Teams) to Nazareth College, Rochester, NY, April 2, 2008, from 8:30a.m. – 12:30p.m., with teachers J. Combs, C. Mauchly, D. McCall, M. DiCola, A. Arist, J. Fritz, E. Powell,  J. Linguidi, M. Hanlon, L. Quigley, M. Fay, L. Lamb, D. Baxter, R. Campagna and W. Hadsell

            3.  GMS/GHS students to Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY, April 7, 2008, from 8:30a.m. – 1:30p.m. with teachers V. Lehman, D. Collins (GHS), R. Scherra, L. Lazenby and B. Senack (GMS)

            4.  GMS 7th  Grade Debate Club to Boston Museum of Science, Boston, MA, May 5 – 7, 2008, with teachers J. Combs, A. Arist, J. Fritz, D. McCall, M. Fay

            5.  GMS students to Cedar Point, Cleveland, OH, June 8 – 10, 2008, with teachers P. Holm, W. Hadsell, K. Phillips, J. Linguidi, K. Mastrangelo, A. Backhaus, M. Wagner, R. Scherra  and 2 TBD

 

Moved by Mr. Scherer, seconded by Mrs. Guard that the minutes of the regular meeting held on March 10, 2008, be approved.

           Yes:            7

           Absent:       0

           Motion was carried.

 

Moved by Mr. Amberg, seconded by Mr. Scherer that the following reports be accepted:

1.   Superintendent

2.   Assistant Supt. for Curriculum/Instruction

3.   Assistant Supt. for Business Services

4.   Director of Pupil Personnel Services

5.   Director of Technology

6.   Director of Athletics/Activities

7.   Director of Head Start

8.   Director of School Facilities and Operations

9.   Principals

    

     Following Board review of the Administrator Reports,    administrative staff is excused, with the exception of those who have a relationship to subsequent agenda items

10. Internal Claims Auditor

11. Treasurer’s Report for February 2008:

         .1  Cafeteria & Breakfast Program

         .2  Capital Fund

         .3  Federal Fund

         .4  General Fund

12. Fund Balance Projection (January –June)

13. Cash Flow Analysis

14. Acknowledgment of the arrangement and placement of

students as recommended by CSE and CPSE for meetings on

                 February 25, 26, 27, March 4, 5, 7, 12, 20, 2008

                 Yes:            7

     Absent:       0

     Motion was carried.

 

There was no correspondence received.

           

Moved by Mr. Weiskittel, seconded by Mr. Scherer that the following resolution be adopted:

 

                Tobacco Advertisement Free Magazine:

                WHEREAS, Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States; and

                WHEREAS, Each day more than 4,000 youth try smoking for the first time, and another 2,000 youth become regular daily smokers; and

                WHEREAS, The Surgeon General has concluded that tobacco advertising contributes to youth smoking rates; and

                WHEREAS, an estimated 1/3 of adolescent experimentation with smoking can be directly attributed to tobacco advertising and promotional activities; and

                WHEREAS, in 2003 tobacco companies spent $15.1 billion to market cigarettes in the United States; and

                WHEREAS, These marketing expenditures tend to overwhelm and counteract efforts by school systems, government, and the medical community to decrease

                    smoking rates, particularly when advertisements are displayed in educational and health care settings; and

                WHEREAS, In the fall of 2003, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and four tobacco companies (Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds (Reynolds America), US Smokeless Tobacco Company and Santa Fe Tobacco Company) reached an agreement to eliminate tobacco advertising in the classroom program versions of Time, Newsweek and US News and World Report; and

                 WHEREAS, Reality Check surveyed 233 school libraries across New York and found that magazines carried in school libraries contained tobacco ads thus encouraging youth to begin smoking; and

                 WHEREAS, School is a place where children and teenagers can learn and grow in a safe and secure environment; and

                 WHEREAS, Schools and school libraries should not be an outlet for the tobacco industry to target youth and find replacement smokers; and

                 WHEREAS, in June of 2005, NAAG, tobacco companies and magazine publishers reached an arrangement that eliminates all tobacco advertisement in Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, People and Time going to schools including school libraries

                 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GENEVA HIGH

                    SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION hereby expresses its opposition to tobacco advertisements in magazines in the school setting including school libraries and enthusiastically supports the tobacco advertisement free arrangement reached between NAAG, the tobacco companies and the publishers of Newsweek, Time, Sports Illustrated and People to eliminate tobacco advertising from editions of these four magazines that are sent to school settings, including school libraries

                BE OF FURTHER RESOLVED because there are still many   magazines in school libraries that contain tobacco advertisements, the GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION supports future efforts of Reality Check and the Attorney General to limit tobacco company access to youth by eliminating tobacco advertising in all editions of all magazines in schools

                    BE OF FURTHER RESOLVED because Glamour, Outdoor Life, Field and Stream, Popular Science, Ebony, Essence and Jet are carried in so many school libraries across New York State, these magazines should be included in the tobacco advertisement free arrangement immediately

           Yes:             7

           Absent:        0

           Motion was carried.

 

Moved by Dr. Tepfer, Mr. Weiskittel that the contract agreement between the Geneva City School District and Martha Uticone for speech/language consultant services for UPK Head Start effective March 28, 2008, at a rate of $25/per hour, not to exceed $50, be approved.

 

That the contract agreement between the Geneva City School District and Oupekha Keomuongchanh for translation services at GMS effective March 11- 13, 2008, at a rate of $50/per hour, not to exceed $500, grant funded, be approved.

 

That the contract agreement between the Geneva City School District and Weina Sampson for translation services for the NYS math examination effective March 17, 2008, at a rate of $25/per hour, not to exceed $200, grant funded, be approved.

 

That the approval of Budget transfers in excess of $10,000, be approved.

 

Moved by Mrs. Guard, seconded by Mr. Amberg that the adoption of the Head Start Budget, be approved.

 

That approval of an amendment to COSER 611.101 Edutech Admin-Xerox Document and COSER 611.102 Edutech Admin-Xerox non-aided, to include a four year installment payment agreement, from November 1, 2006 through October 31, 2010 for two additional machines for Head Start and Central Services, be approved.

 

Moved by Mr. Amberg, seconded by Mrs. Wooster that the following administrative resignation, be approved:

1.  Amy Miller, Recreation Director, 21st Century Program,   West              Street School, effective April 21, 2008, due to accepting a                           position elsewhere, be approved

 

          That the following After School Tutoring, Geneva Middle School, compensation $25/hour, grant funded, be approved:

1.  Barbara Conrad, GMS

2.  Alison Seeley, GMS

3.  Erin Trumble, NSS

4.  Sarah Gregory, NSS

5.  Sarah Marquart, GHS

 

That the following Assistant Coaching volunteers for the 2008 Spring Sports season, be approved:

1.  Girl’s Varsity Lacrosse – Bob Taney, Greg Hogan,

     Aaron Caster, Meredith Achilles

2.  Girl’s Modified Lacrosse – Jessica Williams, Bob Jolly,

     Pat McCann

3.  JV Baseball – Carmen Serrett, Brett McDermott

4.  Modified Baseball – Ryan Wagner, Jonathan Arroyo

5.  Varsity Baseball – Dan Ortiz

          6.  Track – Alfonso Whitfield, Mike DiCampli

 

That the following Co-curricular appointment, compensation per GTA Agreement, be approved:

1.  Christine Sauter-Milligan, Musical Director, Spring Musical,  

     GHS

 

That the creation of a program for behaviorally challenged students, at a stipend rate of $15.00/hour, not to exceed $300, funded by the Focus Project Grant, be approved.

 

That the following support staff as Teaching Assistant subs for 2007-08 school year, be approved:

1.  Jessica Ciancaglini

2.  Helen Fountain

3.  Beverly Fabrizio

4.  Jayne Fabrizio

5.  Jodi Taylor

6.  Jeanne Brophy

7.  Jennifer VanBuren

 

 That the Board of Education accepts, with genuine regret, the retirement request of:

1.  Linda Beckley, Registered Professional Nurse, High   School, 7.00 hours per day, 10 months, effective June 30, 2008 after 19 years and 10 months of service

The Board and administrators extend to Linda Beckley

                  their deep appreciation for the years of faithful service rendered to this District and their best wishes for good health

                  and happiness throughout the retirement years.  The Board offers the following resolution:

                      WHEREAS, Linda Beckley has served the children of the Geneva City Schools with distinction for many years, and discharged her duties in an outstanding and highly professional manner, giving unselfishly of her time and efforts.

                       NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Geneva City School District, accepts with deep regret the retirement request of Linda Beckley and records in the minutes of this meeting this expression of the Board’s deep appreciation of her devoted service, as well as its sensitivity to the loss from the staff of this trusted and valued employee,

                      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the clerk of the board be and hereby instructed to transmit to Linda Beckley a copy of this expression of the Board’s gratitude.

  

That the following support staff resignation be approved:

1.  Stacy Mott, Recreation Assistant, 21st Century Program, 3.50 hours per day, 10 months, effective March 28, 2008 due to accepting a job elsewhere

 

That the following support staff increase in hours be approved:

1.  Michael Boyd, School Bus Driver, District Central Services Facility from 6.00 hours per day, 10 months to 8.00 hours per day, 10 months, effective March 25, 2008 due to the STAR program

 

2.  Brian Finnerty, School Bus Driver, District Central Services Facility from 1.60 hours per day, 10 months to 3.00 hours per

     day, 10 months, effective March 25, 2008 due to the STAR program

3.  Joseph Hairfield, School Bus Driver, District Central Services Facility from 5.00 hours per day, 10 months to 5.25 hours per day, 10 months, effective March 25, 2008 due to extra students on run

4.  Adrianne Reyes, School Bus Driver, District Central Services  Facility from 4.50 hours per day, 10 months to 6.00 hours per day, 10 months effective March 25, 2008 due to the STAR program

5.  Carmen Colon, School Bus Monitor, District Central Services Facility from 5.60 hours per day, 10 months to 7.00 hours per day, 10 months effective March 25, 2008 due to student needs

 

That the following support staff probationary appointments be approved:

1.  Donna Weise, Office Specialist II, Geneva High School, 7.50 hours per day, 12 months, with a probationary period effective March 24, 2008 through March 23, 2009, at salary Line U, Step * of the CSEA contract

2.  Sherry Fairbrother, Office Specialist II, Middle School, 7.50 hours per day, 12 months, with a probationary period effective April 7, 2008 through April 6, 2009, at salary Line U, Step * of the CSEA contract

 

That the following support staff stipends be approved:

1.  LeeAnn Weigand, Senior Account Clerk Typist, effective February 4, 2008 through March 15, 2008, stipend to be calculated at 10 percent of hourly rate differential for out-of-title work in the position of School Lunch Manager

2.  Andrew Principio, Head Automotive Mechanic, effective November 30, 2007 through February 22, 2008, (14 days total) stipend to be calculated at 10 percent of hourly rate differential for out-of-title work in the position of Transportation Supervisor

 

That the following support staff voluntary transfer be approved:

1.  Suzanne Kolbeck, from Teacher Aide, 6.00 hours per day, 10 months North Street School, to 6.00 hours per day, 10 months,

West Street School, effective March 31, 2008 due to student needs

 

That the approval of memorandum of understanding between the Superintendent and the CSEA Association that the Geneva City School District will cover the fingerprinting cost for current School Bus Drivers to be fingerprinted as School Bus Monitor substitutes, be approved.

 

That the following support staff substitutes for 2007-08; these are conditional appointments pending approval by the NYS Education Department based on the fingerprinting process and conditional upon the contingent hiring process or emergency contingent process, be approved:

Laborer

Jose Montes

Ernst Bruno

Typist

Karen Coonce

Deborah Russell

Recreation Assistant

Melissa Minisci

Food Service Helper I

Jeffrey Lamb

Teacher Aide

Maureen Rice

Deborah Russell

Ian Hulling

School Bus Driver

Robert Rebstein

School Monitor

Ian Hulling

 

That the following instructional substitutes for 2007 - 2008; pending approval of NYS Education Department based on fingerprinting process & conditional upon contingent hiring process or emergency contingent process, be approved:

          Megan Wadhams

          Daniel Wallwork

        

Negotiations – Nothing to report at this time.

 

          Legislation – Nothing to report at this time.

 

          There was no report on Head Start (Federal).

         

          Four County School Board Association – There will be a Value- Added Analysis Workshop on April 24, 2008; Mr. Scherer represented Geneva City School District at a Property Tax Cap Commission Hearing on March 20, 2008.

 

           There was no report on IDA at this time.

 

           Moved by Mr. Scherer, seconded by Mrs. Guard that the following resolution relating to the Geneva Public Library vote and

           election to be held on June 10, 2008, at the Geneva Free Library, 244 Main Street, Geneva, New York: 

RESOLVED:  That the following proposition shall be presented and

            published four times within the seven weeks next preceding such   vote and election, the first publication to be at least 45 days before said vote and election in the Finger Lakes Times:

 

                    (1)  Shall the sum of 435,000 Dollars ($) be raised by annual levy of a tax upon the taxable real property within the Geneva City School District for the purpose of funding the Geneva Public Library?”

 

                    (2)  A second proposition to fill the expiring term of one member of the Library Board of Trustees for a 5 year term beginning July 1, 2008.

 

           RESOLVED:  That June 2, 2008 be designated as registration

           day, with the registration to be held from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the offices of the Board of Education, 649 South Exchange Street, Geneva, N.Y. (This meets a requirement of Section 2606 of the Education Law.  It applies only to the school election.  Any qualified person can vote in all elections, including school elections, by registering by mail or in person with the appropriate county election board.  In order to vote on June 10, 2008, a person can register on any day, including June 10, 2008, with the county election board.)

           RESOLVED:  That the vote shall be conducted by use of two voting

           machines on the 10th day of June 2008, from 11:00 A.M. to

           

          8:00 P.M., prevailing time, at the Geneva Public Library, 244 Main           Street, Geneva, New York.

          RESOLVED:  That the following persons be appointed as                      inspectors and assistant clerks of election:

           Sybil Amico, 137 Slosson Lane

           Marie Schmidt, 20 Columbia Street

           Gloria Ciancaglini, 62 Sprucewood Drive

           Vera Cervo, 2991 N. Genesee Street

           Josephine Prater, 28 Center Street

           Salvano Ciancaglini, 62 Sprucewood Drive

 FURTHER RESOLVED:  That the school district clerk be                     authorized to appoint substitute inspectors and assistant clerks for          any appointee unable to serve.

AND FURTHER RESOLVED:  That nominating petitions for                Library Board Trustee with at least 25 signatures are due in the     Geneva Public Library, 244 Main Street, Geneva, New York, by       4:30 p.m. on May 21, 2008, the last day to file petitions, be              approved.

 

       That the Board of Education hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2008, at the Administration Center in Conference Room A at 12:00 Noon to recommend the tentative 2008-09 budget for adoption, be approved.

 

       That the Board of Education hold a Special Board Meeting on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at the Administration Center in Conference Room A at 11:30 a.m. to vote on the BOCES Administrative Budget and election of Board members, be approved.

 

           Moved by Mrs. Guard, seconded by Mrs. Wooster that the Board move into executive session for the purpose of discussing real estate negotiations at 9:42p.m.

           Yes:             7

           Absent:        0

           Motion was carried.

 

          Moved by Mrs. Guard, seconded by Mrs. Wooster that the meeting be adjourned to the call of the chair at 10:44p.m.

          Yes:              7

          Absent:         0

 

Motion was carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Glenda Doris Myers, Clerk

                               Board of Education