Stillwater Central School District

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

January 9, 2018 – Stillwater, New York

Present: T. Hems, W. Callanan, D. Giso, K. Greene, M. Toleman, S. Valigorsky (arrived at 6:24 p.m.)

Absent: B. McNeil, V. Masterson, J. Mueller

Also Present: Superintendent P. Morris, Clerk M. Sgambati,  9-12  Principal  M.  Johnson,  Elementary Principal P. Morcone, Director of Pupil Personnel Services R. Collins, Assistant Principal C. Froschauer, C. Nelson, M. Kinisky, T. Gifford of the Express, employee, S. Dardanelli of Griffith Dardanelli, Architects, PC

President Hems called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:01 p.m.

Board members led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

There was no public input.

1. Special Guest – Architect S. Dardanelli
   1. Architect Sandy Dardanelli reviewed revised drawings of the auditorium entrance, including canopies and courtyard options,  in response to feedback provided at a prior Board meeting. Board members indicated a preference for a curved wall in the courtyard, a smaller canopy, and the entrance with a wall to the side of the doors. (see supplemental minutes)
2. Consent Agenda
   1. On a motion by K. Greene, seconded by M. Toleman, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
      1. The minutes of the 12/12/2017 regular meeting of the Board of Education, as well as the minutes of the 1/2/2018 special meeting of the Board of Education (see supplemental minutes)
      2. Capital Warrant #4 in the amount of $163,939.20 (see supplemental minutes)
      3. Cafeteria Warrant #5 in the amount of $15,686.02 (see supplemental minutes)
      4. General Warrant #15 in the amount of $258,437.05 (see supplemental minutes)
      5. General Warrant #16 in the amount of $234,132.33 (see supplemental minutes)
      6. Cafeteria Warrant #6 in the amount of $6,057.96 (see supplemental minutes)
      7. Approve the appointment of Megan Farrell as a long term substitute teacher beginning on or about 2/26/2018, and continuing  until  approximately  4/20/2018,  at  the rate of $125.00/day. (see supplemental minutes)
      8. Accept Renee’ Beauvais’ resignation from her position as teaching assistant effective 1/5/2018 (see supplemental minutes)
      9. Approve Kelly Talbot’s request for a maternity leave beginning on or about 5/31/2018, and continuing through the end of this school year (June 30, 2018), according to the terms of the current STA contract and the Family Medical Leave Act (see supplemental minutes)
      10. Approve Nichole Weber’s request for a maternity leave beginning on or about 6/6/2018, and continuing through the end of this school year (June 30, 2018), according to the terms of the current STA contract and the Family Medical Leave Act (see supplemental minutes)
          1. Ayes: 5 – Motion Carried
          2. Nays: 0
3. Superintendent’s Report
   1. Mrs. Morris updated the Board on the Vision Setting process.
4. Treasurer’s Reports were tabled until the next Board meeting.
5. Legislative Priorities
   1. On a motion by M. Toleman, seconded by W. Callanan, to approve the following resolution regarding the Board of Education’s 2018 Advocacy Priorities:

      RESOLUTION DATED JANUARY 9, 2018

      STILLWATER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

      REGARDING ADVOCACY PRIORITIES FOR THE 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

      WHEREAS, the Stillwater Central School District strives to provide an outstanding education and post-secondary pathway for each and every student; and

      WHEREAS, the District works diligently to meet the needs of all students while still fulfilling the ever increasing list of state mandates and contractual obligations; and

      WHEREAS, the district continues to work diligently to create a balanced budget that respects the needs of area taxpayers; and WHEREAS, property tax levy legislation at the state level has provided an increased need for State Aid to maintain quality programs; and

      WHEREAS, public schools are being asked to do more for students than ever before, so they are prepared for college, military or a career; and

      WHEREAS, each child in Stillwater only has one opportunity to go through the full elementary and secondary educational experience;

      THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Stillwater Central School District Board of Education calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo to act upon the following priorities:

      1. Fund and Adjust the Foundation Formula
         1. Review  and  Update  the  Foundation  Amount – currently $6,340.00 per pupil.
         2. Reduce the Income Wealth Index.
         3. Adjust the weighting factor for Free and Reduced Lunch to reflect the accurate measure of student need.
         4. Maintain the “SAVE Harmless” provision.
         5. Provide a minimum increase in foundation aid to all school districts.
      2. Increase the $30,000 Threshold on BOCES Aid for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs by providing  100% aid for the salaries of CTE teachers.
      3. Small Group Health Insurance
         1. Create a “carve out” provision in statute to allow all school districts with 51-100 or more employees to continue to participate in an Experienced Rated Health Insurance Consortium or Trust.
      4. Building Aid for Small Capital Projects:
         1. Increase the threshold for base year capital outlay expenses from the current amount, established in 2002 from $100,000 to $250,000 to assist districts in making critical capital improvements.
            1. Ayes: 5 – Motion Carried
            2. Nays: 0
6. Policies – Second Reading and Adoption
   1. On a motion by M. Toleman, seconded by W. Callanan, to accept the following policies for their second reading and approve their adoption: (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: 5 – Motion Carried
          2. Nays: 0
7. (S. Valigorsky arrived at 6:24 p.m.)
8. On a motion by D. Giso, seconded by W. Callanan, to establish the substitute rate of $11.00/hour, including clerical, cleaners, teacher aides and teaching assistants, effective 1/9/2018. (see supplemental minutes)
   1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
   2. Nays: 0
9. Banking Authorization – A. Rousseau
   1. On a motion by D. Giso, seconded by K. Greene, to authorize Ann Rousseau to sign checks and make bank transfers (including wire transfers) in her capacity as junior accountant.
      1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
      2. Nays: 0
10. Superintendent Summit
    1. On a motion by M. Toleman, seconded by W. Callanan, to authorize Mrs. Morris to attend the three day Superintendent’s Summit in Orlando from 4/4/2018-4/6/2018.
    2. Board members noted that expenses (airfare [up to $400] and accommodations) will be reimbursed for the duration of the summer by the District Administration Leadership Institute.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
11. External Audit – Corrective Action Plan
    1. On a motion by M. Toleman, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to approve the Corrective Action Plan pertaining to the June 30, 2017 external audit as presented. (see supplemental minutes)
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
12. S. Callanan – Teacher Aide
    1. On a motion by B. Callanan, seconded by M. Toleman, to appoint Sheila Callanan as a teacher aide (6.5 hours/day, at her current rate of pay of $12.57/hour), effective 1/10/2018, in accordance with the terms of the current CSEA contract. (see supplemental minutes)
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
13. School District Credit Card Account Administrators
    1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by K. Greene, to designate Patricia Morris and/or Lyn Derway as account administrators for the district’s credit card through School Systems.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
14. There were no Board items of interest.
15. There was no public input.
16. Executive Session
    1. On a motion by D. Giso, seconded by M. Toleman, to adjourn to executive session for a confidential discussion pertaining to negotiations at 6:27 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
17. Reconvene
    1. On a motion by K. Greene, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to reconvene the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
18. BOE Mtg. 1/16/18
    1. The Board of Education announced that there will be a special meeting on Tuesday, 1/16/2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the middle school conference room.
19. Tuition Student
    1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by W. Callanan, to approve tuition for a non-resident student through June 2018.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0
20. Adjournment
    1. On a motion by m. M. Toleman, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to adjourn the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
       1. Ayes: 6 – Motion Carried
       2. Nays: 0

Minutes by Mary Sgambati, District Clerk