MINUTES OF THE REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

GENEVA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

GENEVA HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

101 CARTER ROAD

GENEVA, NEW YORK

 

July 9, 2007

         

 

          Members of the Board present:

 

                    S. Ford Weiskittel

                    Mitchell Wilber

Norbert Amberg

Josephine Guard

D. Thomas Scherer

Stanton Tepfer

Erminia Colizzi Wooster

 

          Members of the Board absent:

 

                    None

 

          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 members

                   

 

The meeting was called to order by Superintendent Robert C. Young at 6:10p.m.

 

Superintendent Young led everyone present in the salute to the flag.

                                                                                                                                                                                             

          The oath of office for Superintendent was administered by District Clerk and signed by Superintendent Robert C. Young, Jr.

 

          The oath of office for Board Member was administered by District Clerk and signed by elected Board Member Erminia Coluzzi Wooster.

 

          The oath of office for Board Member was administered by District Clerk and signed by elected Board Member Stanton Tepfer.

 

          The 2007-2008 Board of Education Roll Call is as follows:

          Norbert Amberg

          Erminia Colizzi Wooster

          Josephine Guard

          D. Thomas Scherer

          Stanton Tepfer

          S. Ford Weiskittel

          Mitchell Wilber

         

          A nominations committee was formed earlier and Board Members were Norbert Amberg, Josephine Guard and Stanton Tepfer.  The committee recommended Mitchell Wilber for President and Stanton Tepfer for Vice President.

 

          Moved by Mr. Weiskittel, seconded by Mr. Scherer that Mitchell Wilber was unanimously elected President of the Board of Education.

 

          That Stanton Tepfer was unanimously elected Vice President of the Board of Education.

 

          The oath of office for President and Vice President of the Board of Education was administered by the District Clerk and signed by President Wilber and Vice President Tepfer.

 

          The Conflict of Interest and Disclosure Policy Form was signed by each member of the Board of Education.

 

          Moved by Mr. Weiskittel, seconded by Mr. Scherer that Bonita Hughes be appointed as School District Clerk, for a term of one year, stipend in the amount of $3,750.

 

That Amy Rogers be appointed as School District Treasurer for a term of one year.

 

          That Lisa Pulver be appointed as Deputy School District Treasurer for a term of one year, stipend in the amount of $750.

 

          That Sandra Ridley be appointed as Internal Claims Auditor for a term of one year, stipend in the amount of $3,000.

 

          That Kathleen Nolin be appointed as Deputy Internal Claims Auditor for at term of one year.

 

          The oath of office for School District Clerk, School District Treasurer, Deputy School District Treasurer, Internal Claims Auditor, Deputy Internal Claims Auditor was read and signed by Ms. Hughes, Ms. Rogers, Ms. Pulver, Ms. Ridley and Ms. Nolin on July 10, 2007.

          Yes:   7

          No:    0

          Motion was carried

 

          Moved by Mr. Amberg, seconded Mr. Weiskittel that Erin Fairben and Michael Simon be appointed as Civil Rights Compliance Officers  for a term of one year.

 

          That Michael Simon be appointed as Safety Officer for a term of one year.

 

          That Christopher Chimera be appointed as Chemical Hygiene Officer for a term of one year, stiped in the amount of $1,500.

 

          That  Tod Mervis be appointed as School Pesticide Representative for the tem of one year.

 

          That Erin Fairben be appointed as Attendance Officer for the term of one year.

 

          That Erin Fairben be appointed as Committee on Special Education Chairperson, Committee on PreSchool Special Education Chairperson, Liaison for Homeless children and Youth, and Section 504 Officer for the term of one year.

 

           That JoEllen Martino be appointed as Reviewing Official and Verification Official and Lauren Poehlman as Hearing Official for participation in the Federal Child Nutrition Program.

 

           That Robert C. Young be appointed as Educational Official designated to receive court notification regarding a student’s sentence/adjudication in certain criminal cases and juvenile delinquency proceedings.

 

           That Connie Bezanski be appointed as Census Enumerator for a term of one year.

 

           That Lori Felber and Carol Luzzi be appointed as Central Treasurers –Extra-classroom Activity Fund for Geneva High School and Geneva Middle School, respectively.

 

          That Lauren Poehlman be appointed as Local Education Agency (LEA) designee under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act,           Records Access Officer, Records Management Officer and Purchasing Agent for a term of one year.

 

That Bonita Hughes be appointed to the Board of Registration for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

          That Kathy Vedora and Harry Touhey of Touhey Insurance be appointed as Insurance Advisor for a term of one year.

 

That Eldredge, Fox & Porretti, LLP be appointed as Internal Auditor, at a maximum cost of $10,000, for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

That Green & Seifter, Certified Public Accountants, PLLC be appointed as External (Independent) Auditor at a maximum cost not to exceed $25,000 (regular audit, Single Audit, and extra-classroom audit) for the 2006-2007 school year audit.

 

          That Ferrara, Fiorenza, Larrison, Barrett & Reitz, Attorneys at Law and William F. McGowan, Attorney & Counselor at Law, to serve as general legal counsel to the School District for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, on an as-needed basis.

 

That Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc. be appointed for bond services and fiscal consulting services in accordance with the proposal letter dated May 23, 2007, for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

That Dr. W. James Robbins of Finger Lakes Medical Associates, LLP, be appointed as school physician for the 2007-2008 school year.

Yes:   7

No:    0

Motion was carried

 

Moved by Mr. Scherer, seconded by Mrs. Guard that the First Niagara, M&T Bank, Five Star Bank, Lyons National Bank, Bank of America, Chase Bank and Community Bank as official depositories for all District accounts.

        

          That The Finger Lakes Times as the official newspaper of the School District.

         

That the second Monday of each month at 6:30 P.M. as the regular meeting time for the Board of Education, with the following exceptions:

·       October:  The regular October meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2007

·       November:  The regular November meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

·       April:  The regular April meeting will be held on Monday,

April 7, 2008

       

Board of Education special meetings shall be called by the President upon the request of three members of the Board; that the Board shall transact no business at such special meeting except that for which it was called; that the Clerk shall notify each member of the Board by written notice left at his/her home or place of residence no less than 24 hours prior to the time of special meeting; and that the time of notice stipulated may be waived by unanimous consent of the members of the Board.

          Yes:   7

          No:    0

          Motion was carried.

 

     Moved by  Dr. Tepfer, seconded by Mr. Scherer that the following Revenue Anticipation Notes resolution be adopted:

 

REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTE RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GENEVA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, NEW YORK, ADOPTED  AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE COLLECTION OF REVENUES TO BE RECEIVED BY SEPTEMBER 2009.

 

To better provide for the accomplishment of the purposes and goals of this Board, be it resolved by the Board of Education of the Geneva City School District, New York, as follows:

           Section 1.    The power to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of revenue anticipation notes of the Geneva City School District, New York, including renewals thereof, in anticipation of the collection of revenues to be received by the School District as state aid from the State of New York during the  fiscal year, is hereby delegated to the President of  the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer.  Such notes shall be of such terms, and of such form and content as may be determined by said President of the Board of Education, in accordance with the Local Finance Law of the State of New York.

           Section 2.    It is hereby determined and declared that any notes which may be issued by the School District pursuant to this resolution in            anticipation of the collection of such revenues to be received by the School District for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 shall be issued during such fiscal year [or during the two weeks prior to the commencement of such fiscal year] and otherwise in accordance with Section 25.00 of the Local Finance Law of the State of New York.

           Section 3.    The Vice President of the Board of Education or the District Clerk may execute such notes in place of the Board President            if the Board President shall so designate.

           Section 4.    This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

Authorization to adopt the following Indemnification and Legal Defense resolutions:

           WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Geneva City School District wishes to protect the District, the members of the Board of Education and any school district officers in actions brought against them or in any action or proceeding touching any district property or involving its rights or interest; and

            WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Geneva City School District wishes to protect its superintendent, principals, members of the teaching or supervisory staff, member of a committee on special education or subcommittee thereof, surrogate parent, as defined in the regulations of the commissioner of education, any member of the board of education or non-instructional employee in any action or proceeding, other than a criminal prosecution or an action or proceeding brought against him/her by the District, including proceedings before the commissioner of education,           arising out of the exercise of his/her powers or the performance of his/her           duties; and

           WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Geneva City School District wishes to protect its members, employees, officers, authorized volunteers or any other person holding a position by election, appointment or employment in the service of the school district, whether or not            compensated, in any civil action or proceeding, state or federal, arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred or allegedly occurred while            the employee was acting within the scope of his/her employment or duties with the District,

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the benefits and protection afforded provided pursuant to §3811 the Education Law, shall be available, subject to the procedural requirements set forth therein and,

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the benefits and protections provided pursuant to §18 of the New York State Public Officers Law shall             supplement and be available in addition to any defense or indemnification protection conferred by other statutes, rules or regulation, including but not            limited to, the protections provided pursuant to Education Law §3811, §3023 and §3028, subject to the procedural requirements set forth therein.

 

That the authorization to purchase the Public School System Employees Blanket Bonds for faithful performance of the School District Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Internal Auditor and Deputy Internal Auditor in the amount of $1 million; the Tax Collector in the amount of $5 million;

and District Clerk, Central Treasurers and all other employees in the amount of $25,000.

 

Authorization for the Geneva City School District Treasurer to make electronic transfers and keep a log of the dates, amounts and accounts involved.  The Deputy Treasurer will reconcile the log with the bank  statements on a monthly basis.

 

  Authorization for the Superintendent of Schools to make appropriation transfers up to $10,000 and as provided in law, regulation and policy, with all transfers reported to the Board of  Education at its next regular meeting and transfers in excess of  $10,000 must receive Board authorization.

 

            Authorization that the withdrawal of funds from District accounts may be upon check, draft, note or written order signed by the Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer or Superintendent of Schools.

 

Authorization to establish the following Petty Cash Funds, each to operate under the rules and regulations of the Board of Education pursuant to Regulation 170.3 of the Commissioner of Education:

    1.  From General Fund

·       West Street School, $100.00, Joseph DeMeis, Custodian

·       North Street School, $100.00, Nina McCarthy, Custodian

·       Middle School, $100.00, Carmine Calabria, Custodian

·       High School, $100.00, High School Principal, Custodian

·       Board Office, $50.00, Kathleen Nolin, Custodian

·       Athletic Department, $125.00, David Whitcomb, Custodian

·       Transportation, $400.00, Director of Transportation, Custodian

             2.  From Cafeteria Fund

·       Cafeterias, $345.00, JoEllen Martino, Custodian

·       Cafeteria Vending, $30.00, JoEllen Martino, Custodian

             3.  From Federal Fund

·       Head Start, $333.00, Jane Gerling, Custodian

 

Authorization for the investing of moneys and pledging of securities  for same to be done according to the District’s Investment Policy.    

 

Authorization for the Superintendent or his delegate to act as representative of the School District and to sign all applications in conjunction with projects to be undertaken under any title of any public law of the United States or any chapter or section of any law of New York State after consultation with the Board of Education.

 

Authorization for the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services to correct errors on tax rolls.  The authority is limited to corrections that do not exceed $2,500 and that a report be given to the Board at its next regular meeting. 

 

Authorization for the Superintendent to require that employees be  examined by a physician as designated, in accordance with Section 913 of the New York State Education Law.

 

          Authorization for the Superintendent to certify payrolls, and to apply for all Aid Grants.

 

Authorization for the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction to authorize attendance at conferences, conventions and workshops.

 

Authorization for Board of Education members to attend conferences, conventions, workshops, with expenses paid by the School District.

 

Authorization for the Superintendent to employ staff members pending Board approval at its next regular meeting.

 

 Authorization for the District to participate in all BOCES Cooperative Bids for the 2007-2008 school year.

 

Moved by Mr. Scherer, seconded by Mr. Amberg to establish the following Board of Education committees:

l.  Finance/Audit

          2. Policy

          3. Visitation

 

Establishment, pursuant to Section 2119 of the Education Law, of the mileage reimbursement rate for employees at an amount equal to the            Internal Revenue Service rate.

 

          Adoption by the Board of Education of all District policies, Code of            Ethics and Safety Plan, as previously established, for the 2007-2008 school year.

      

Adoption by the Board of Education the following District policies            for the 2007-2008 school year:

            1.  #5220 - District Investments

            2.  #5410 - Purchasing

            3.  #5421 - Procurement of Goods and Services

 

Establishment of the following substitute rates for the 2007-2008 school year:                           

           2006-2007       2007-2008

150-Day Teacher                             $75.00 per day     $85.00 per day

Teacher (certified)                           $65.00 per day     $75.00 per day

Teacher (noncertified)                      $60.00 per day     $70.00 per day

Teaching Assistant (certified)           N/A                      $10.00 per hour

Teaching Assistant (noncertified)  $  8.51 per hour        $8.79 per hour

Teacher Aide                                   $  8.51 per hour    $  8.79 per hour

Library Aide                                    $  8.51 per hour    $  8.79 per hour

School Monitor                                $  8.51 per hour    $  8.79 per hour

School Bus Monitor                         $  8.51 per hour    $  8.79 per hour

School Bus Driver                            $11.67 per hour    $12.05 per hour

School Bus Driver Trainee               $  6.75 per hour    $  7.15 per hour

Cook                                               $  8.36 per hour    $  8.36 per hour

Food Service Helper I                      $  7.46 per hour    $  7.70 per hour

Food Service Helper II                     $  8.02 per hour    $  8.28 per hour

Cleaner                                           $  8.36 per hour    $  8.63 per hour

Laborer                                           $  8.36 per hour    $  8.63 per hour

Registered School Nurse                  $17.07 per hour    $18.33 per hour

Typist                                              $  8.81 per hour    $  9.10 per hour

Lifeguard                                         $  9.64 per hour    $  9.83 per hour

 

          Establishment of 2007-2008 rates for non-school use of school buses at $16.50 per hour for driver and $1.50 per mile for equipment.

 

Establishment of the following Board of Education liaison positions:

          1. North Street School

          2. West Street School

          3. Geneva Middle School

          4. Geneva High School

          5. Head Start

6. IDA

 

          Establishment of the following Board of Education Representative positions:

          1. BOCES

          2. Four County School Boards Association

1.  Board of Directors

                            Representative

                            Alternative

                     2.  Legislative Committee

       Representative

       Alternate

                     3.  Program Planning Committee

       Representative

                            Alternate

         

          Yes: 7

          No:  0

          Motion carried.

 

          The annual organizational meeting was closed and the regular meeting was closed and the regular meeting was called to order at 6:50 p.m.