Stillwater Central School District

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

December 12, 2017 – Stillwater, New York

Present: T. Hems, V. Masterson, W. Callanan, D. Giso, K. Greene, S. Valigorsky

Absent: B. McNeil, J. Mueller, M. Toleman

Also Present: Superintendent P. Morris, Clerk M. Sgambati, Business Manager M. Methe, Elementary Principal P. Morcone, Middle School Principal T. Hulihan, T. Gifford of the Express, Community Member, WSWHE BOCES Assistant Superintendent T. Muller

The Board of Education held a public hearing on the Alternative Veterans Exemption prior to the Board meeting. There were no questions.

President Hems called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:02 p.m.

Board members led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

There was no public input on non-agenda items.

1. WSWHE BOCES Assistant Superintendent Tony Muller reviewed BOCES services, fees and aid with the Board of Education. (see supplemental minutes)
2. Consent Agenda
   1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to approve the following items from the Consent Agenda:
      1. The minutes of the 11/28/2017 regular meeting of the Board of Education (see supplemental minutes)
      2. General Warrant #14 in the amount of $66,483.74 (see supplemental minutes)
      3. CSE/CPSE recommendations dated 12/6/2017 (see supplemental minutes)
      4. Approve Abigail Kelley’s request for a maternity leave beginning on or about 1/17/2018, and continuing until approximately 4/9/2018, according to the terms of the  current Stillwater Teachers Association contract and the Family Medical Leave Act (see supplemental minutes)
      5. Approve Katherine Carlin’s request for a maternity leave beginning on or about 2/16/2018, and continuing until approximately 4/23/2018, according to the terms of the current Stillwater Teachers Association contract and the Family Medical Leave Act (see supplemental minutes)
      6. Rescind the Schedule B appointment of Stephanie MacArthur as Modified Track Coach per her request (see supplemental minutes)
         1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
         2. Nays: 0
3. Superintendent’s Report – Capital Project Update
   1. Board of Education members reviewed drawings with different options of the auditorium entrance which will be modified during the upcoming capital project. Mrs. Morris will present their preferences to the architect who will incorporate them into revised plans and present them at a future Board meeting. (see supplemental minutes)
   2. Mrs. Morris also shared an acoustical contract from Dalbec for auditorium work with the Board. This work will be completed as part of the capital project. (see supplemental minutes)
4. Stipend – National Candidate Support Providers
   1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to establish payment of $625 each, for up to two Stillwater Central School District teachers as National Candidate Support Providers, with the remaining $1250 in approved funds to be  paid to Annette Romano, beginning the second semester of 2017-18, as part of the National Board Certification process.
      1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
      2. Nays: 0
5. Treasurer’s Report – September 2017
   1. Board members received the September 2017 Treasurer’s Reports. (see supplemental minutes)
   2. V. Masterson requested that financial reports be provided to Board members prior to the day of the Board meeting, and also requested appropriations and revenue status reports.
6. Sale – Obsolete and Surplus Computers
   1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to approve the sale of obsolete and surplus computers to Sigma 6 Technologies as presented in the amount of $5.922.00. (see supplemental minutes)
      1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
      2. Nays: 0
7. Alternative Veterans Exemption
   1. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by K. Greene, to approve the following resolution:
      1. WHEREAS, pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 458-a, the Board of Education of the Stillwater Central School District desires to offer a school tax exemption on the primary residence of eligible veterans residing within the school district; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this matter on December 12, 2017, and
      2. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to  Real Property Tax law Section 458-a, the Board of Education hereby adopts the Alternative Veterans Exemption, permitting exemptions for Wartime, Combat and Disability as determined by the Veterans Administration of Department of Defense, for wartime veterans, combat veterans and veterans who sustained a service-related disability, respectively, pursuant to the following maximum exemption amounts:
         1. Wartime: $6,000
         2. Combat: $4,000
         3. Disability: $20,000
      3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this local law shall be effective immediately, available to eligible veterans for the upcoming school tax year, and shall continue until rescinded or amended by resolution of the Board of Education.
         1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
         2. Nays: 0
8. Appointment – B. Ann Rousseau, Junior Accountant and Deputy Treasurer
   1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to approve the provisional appointment of B. Ann Rousseau as Junior  Accountant  effective  1/3/2017,  at  an  annual  salary  of $46,000.00 (prorated), in accordance with Civil Service Regulations, and further approved her appointment as Deputy Treasurer effective 1/3/2017, at an annual stipend of $7,361.00 (prorated). (see supplemental minutes)
      1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
      2. Nays: 0
9. Policies – First Reading
   1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to accept the following amended policies for their first reading as presented (see supplemental minutes):
      1. 1330 – Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
      2. 1332 – Duties of the School District Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer
      3. 1333 – Duties of the Tax Collector
      4. 1334 – Duties of the External (Independent) Auditor
      5. 1336 – Duties of the Extracurricular Activity Funds Central Treasurer
      6. 1339 – Duties of the Internal Auditor
      7. 1510 – Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
      8. 3000 – District Standards and Guidelines for Web Page Publishing
      9. 3150 – School Volunteers
      10. 3210 – Visitors to the School
      11. 3420 – Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the District
      12. 4240 – Evaluation of the Superintendent and Other Administrative Staff
      13. 5230 – Acceptance of Gifts, Grants and Bequests to the School District
          1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
          2. Nays: 0
10. Authorization – Increase in Credit Card Limit
    1. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to increase the District’s credit card limit to $5,000.00.
    2. Board members noted that the District’s credit card is currently through School Systems, but may change to a different financial institution in the future.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
11. APPR Approval
    1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by D. Giso, to approve the amended Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) and appendices as presented.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
12. Langan School Contract
    1. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to approve the Langan School contract pertaining to a special needs student as presented. (see supplemental minutes)
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
13. Substitute Pay Increase
    1. On a motion by W. Callanan, seconded by D. Giso, to increase the substitute pay for all applicable positions to $10.40/hour, effective 12/31/2017, in accordance with minimum wage law. (see supplemental minutes)
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
14. There were no Board communications.
15. Board Items of Interest
    1. D. Giso requested information on the transportation department’s ongoing review of bus routes.
    2. T. Hems wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
16. Public Input
    1. During public input, Express reporter Terry Gifford requested information on the identity of the District’s architects.
    2. A community member also expressed support for the capital project, and inquired as to the funding.
17. Executive Session
    1. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to adjourn to executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel concern at 7:38 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
18. Reconvene
    1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to reconvene the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
19. Adjournment
    1. On a motion by D. Giso, seconded by V. Masterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0

Minutes by Mary Sgambati, District Clerk