Board of Education Meeting – March 27, 2018

Stillwater Central School District

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

March 27, 2018 – Stillwater, New York

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

Absent: J. Mueller

Also Present: Superintendent P. Morris, Clerk M. Sgambati, Interim Business Administrator L. Derway, 6-8 Principal T. Hulihan, Elementary Principal P. Morcone, Director of Pupil Personnel Services R. Collins, employees

President Hems called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6:00 p.m.

Board members led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

There was no public input on non-agenda items.

Consent Agenda
1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by M. Toleman, to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
  1. The minutes of the 3/13/2018 regular meeting of the Board of Education (see supplemental minutes)
  2. General Warrant #24 in the amount of $243,630.72 (see supplemental minutes)
  3. Cafeteria Warrant #10 in the amount of $6,383.03 (see supplemental minutes)
  4. Federal Warrant #5 in the amount of $2,000.00 (see supplemental minutes)
  5. Capital Warrant #9 in the amount of $373,820.59 (see supplemental minutes)
    1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
    2. Nays: 0
Superintendent’s Report
1. Mrs. Morris commented on the school safety panel held on Superintendent’s Conference Day, and notified the Board that the cost of a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO) through the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department would be $90,000. She stated that the cost may be reduced by state aid. The cost of an SRO will be incorporated into next year’s budget.
2018-19 Budget Proposal
1. Ms. Derway reviewed the proposed 2018-19 budget, and noted that it is pending the confirmation of the amount of expected state aid funds. (see supplemental minutes)
Financial Reports
1. Board members received the February 2018 Treasurer’s Reports. (see supplemental minutes)
On a motion by B. McNeil, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to adopt the following:
1. NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, VOTE AND ELECTION STILLWATER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
  1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Stillwater Central School District, Stillwater, County of Saratoga, State of New York, will be held in the Library/Media Center in said District on May 8, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. for the presentation of the budget document.
  2. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that said vote and election will be held on May 15, 2018, between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m., in the Middle School Gym in the Stillwater Middle/High School, at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting machine upon the following items:
    1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2018-2019, and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.
    2. To vote on the following propositions:
      1. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Stillwater Central School District be authorized to (1) create a 2018 Stillwater Central School Capital Reserve Fund for the purpose of financing the general improvements, reconstruction, renovations or additions to the Stillwater Central School District building, including site work and the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such building is to be used; the ultimate amount of such fund shall be $100,000, (2) annually deposit into the 2018 Stillwater Central School Capital Reserve Fund such portion of the unallocated fund balance as determined by the Board of Education. The probable duration of the Capital Reserve Fund is five (5) years.
      2. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Stillwater Central School District be authorized to (1) reconstruct and renovate portions of the Stillwater Central School buildings, including site work thereat, and to acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such reconstructed building are to be used, at a maximum cost of $100,000, (2) expend an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the 2017 Stillwater Central School Capital Reserve Fund for such purpose.
      3. RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Stillwater Central School District be authorized and directed to establish a capital reserve fund pursuant to Education Law Section 3651 to be known as the “Capital Reserve Fund,” for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, additions, alterations, renovations or other improvements to District’s buildings and facilities, including the acquisition and installation of machinery, equipment, apparatus or furnishings required for the purposes of such buildings and facilities, and playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation areas, parking areas, roadways, sidewalks and other site improvements connected to such buildings and facilities, with the ultimate amount of such reserve fund not exceeding $750,000 plus any accrued earnings on amounts deposited in such reserve fund, the probable existence of said reserve fund being five (5) years, but said reserve fund to continue in existence for its stated purpose until liquidated in accordance with Education Law, and the sources from which funds shall be obtained for said reserve fund shall be from current and future unappropriated fund balances from the General Fund of the School District, as may be directed by the Board of Education from time to time, any other appropriations as may be authorized by the voters from time to time, and fund balances transferred from other reserve funds of the School District, as may be authorized by the Board of Education or the voters from time to time.
      4. SHALL the Stillwater Public Library be authorized to raise $269,479, separate and apart from the annual School District budget, to support and maintain such library, said appropriation shall be raised annually by a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and shall be an annual appropriation thereafter until changed by further vote of the majority of electors of the Stillwater Central School District, and shall be levied and collected yearly as are other general taxes?
    3. To elect three (3) members of the Board of Education for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2018 and expiring on June 30, 2021, to succeed Timothy Hems, Jon Mueller and Michael Toleman whose terms expire on June 30, 2018.
    4. To elect four (4) members of the Board of Trustees of the Stillwater Public Library to succeed Thomas Mellon, Tina Pamper, Heather Frank, and Emily Nadler. Three (3) vacancies will be elected at-large for terms commencing July 1, 2018 and expiring June 30, 2021, and one (1) vacancy will be elected at- large for a one (1) year term ending in 2019.
    5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.
  3. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the election and budget vote shall be by machine or absentee ballot. The hours during which the polls shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 noon to 9:00 p.m. prevailing time or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 9:00 p.m. to cast their ballots.
  4. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes exclusive of public monies may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Meeting, except Saturday, Sunday or Holiday at each school building between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
  5. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education shall be filed with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the Stillwater High School, by any resident of the District, no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 16, 2018. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated; must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District and must state the name and residence of the candidate.
  6. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Trustees of the Stillwater Public Library shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at her office at the Stillwater High School, Stillwater, New York no later than April 16, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. Candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Library Board for which the candidate is nominated; must be directed to the Clerk of the District; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District; must state the name and residence of each signer; and must state the name and residence of the candidate.
  7. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that applications for absentee ballots will be obtainable during school business hours from the District Clerk; completed applications must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on May 15, 2018.
  8. A list of persons to whom absentee ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the office of the District Clerk on and after May 10, 2018, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays prior to the day set for the annual election and on May 15, 2018, the day set for election. Any qualified voter present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds for making his/her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.
  9. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that personal registration of voters is provided pursuant to Section 2014 of the Educational Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he/she is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he/she is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
  10. The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law at the Stillwater High School in the District Clerk’s office, May 8, 2018, between the hours of 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the Register is prepared. The Register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 10, 2018, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the date set for the election, except Sunday, and at the polling place on the day of the vote.
  11. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law of the State of New York, the Board of Registration will meet on May 15, 2018 between the hours of 12:00 noon and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, at the Middle School Gymnasium to prepare the Register of the School District to be used at the election to be held in 2018 and any special District meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Registers, placed on such Register provided that at such meeting of said Board of Registration, he/she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election for which said Register is prepared, or any special District meeting held after May 15, 2018.
  12. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with Sections 2035 and 2008 of the Education law, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said vote and election, must be filed with the Board of Education on or before April 16, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., prevailing time; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) of the qualified voters of the District; and must state the name and residence of each signer. However, the School Board will not entertain or place before the voters any proposition if its purpose is beyond the power of the voters or is illegal, or any proposition requiring the expenditure of moneys which fails to include specific appropriations for all such expenditures required by the proposition.
    1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
    2. Nays: 0
First Readings – 6000’s and 7000’s Policies
1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by B. McNeil, to accept the following policies for their first readings:
  1. #6110 – Code of Ethics for Board Members and All District Personnel
  2. #6111 – Testing Misconduct and Mandatory Reporting Requirements
  3. #6112 – Governance Team Code of Conduct
  4. #6120 – Equal Employment Opportunity
  5. #6121 – Sexual Harassment of District Personnel
  6. #6122 – Employee Grievances
  7. #6130 – Evaluation of Personnel
  8. #6140 – Employee Medical Examinations
  9. #6150 – Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances
  10. #6151 – Drug-Free Workplace
  11. #6060 – Professional Growth/Staff Development
  12. #6161 – Conference/Travel Expense Reimbursement
  13. #6170 – Fingerprinting Clearance of New Hires
  14. #6171 – Safe Mentoring Act
  15. #6180 – Staff-Student Relations (Fraternization)
  16. #6211 – Employment of Relatives of Board Members
  17. #6212 – Certification and Qualifications
  18. #6213 – Professional Certification: 175 Hours of Professional Development Requirement
  19. #6214 – Incidental Teaching
  20. #6215 – Probation and Tenure
  21. #6216 – Disciplining of a Tenured Teacher or Certified Personnel
  22. #6217 – Professional Staff: Separation
  23. #6220 – Temporary Personnel
  24. #6310 – Appointment – Support Staff
  25. #6320 – Supplementary School Personnel
  26. #6410 – Staff Acceptable Use Policy
  27. #6411 – Use of Email in the District
  28. #6420 – Employee Personnel Records and Release of Information
  29. #6430 – Employee Political Activities
  30. #6450 – Theft of Services or Property
  31. #6530 – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  32. #6540 – Defense and Indemnification of Board Members and Employees
  33. #6550 – Leaves of Absence
  34. #6551 – Family and Medical Leave Act
  35. #6552 – Military Leaves of Absence
  36. #6560 – Determination of Employment Status: Employee or Independent Contractor
  37. #6562 – Employment of Retired Persons
  38. #7110 – Comprehensive Student Attendance
  39. #7120 – Age of Entrance
  40. #7121 – Diagnostic Screening of Students
  41. #7130 – Entitlement to Attend — Age and Residency
  42. #7131 – Education of Homeless Children and Youth
  43. #7132 – Non-Resident Students
  44. #7140 – School Census
  45. #7210 – Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
  46. #7211 – Provision of Interpreter Services to Parents Who Are Hearing Impaired
  47. #7212 – Response to Intervention (RtI) Process
  48. #7220 – Graduation Options/Early Graduation/Accelerated Programs
  49. #7222 – Diploma and/or Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
  50. #7240 – Student Records: Access and Challenge
  51. #7241 – Student Directory Information
  52. #7242 – Military Recruiters’ Access to Students
  53. #7243 – Student Data Breaches
  54. #7250 – Student Privacy, Parental Access to Information, and Administration of Certain Physical Examinations to Minors
  55. #7260 – Designation of Person in Parental Relation
  56. #7311 – Loss or Destruction of District Property or Resources
  57. #7313 – Suspension of Students
  58. #7314 – Students Presumed to Have a Disability for Discipline Purposes
  59. #7315 – Student Acceptable Use Policy
  60. #7316 – Student Use of Personal Technology
  61. #7320 – Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances
  62. #7330 – Searches and Interrogations of Students
  63. #7340 – Bus Rules
  64. #7350 – Corporal Punishment/Emergency Interventions
  65. #7360 – Weapons in School and the Gun-Free Schools Act
  66. #7410 – Extracurricular Activities
  67. #7420 – Sports and the Athletic Program
  68. #7430 – Contests for Students, Student Awards and Scholarships
  69. #7450 – Fund Raising by Students
  70. #7460 – Constitutionally Protected Prayer in the Public Schools
  71. #7510 – School Health Services
  72. #7511 – Immunization of Students
  73. #7512 – Student Physicals
  74. #7513 – Administration of Medication
  75. #7514 – Student Health Records
  76. #7520 – Accidents and Medical Emergencies
  77. #7521 – Students with Life Threatening Health Conditions
  78. #7522 – Concussion Management
  79. #7530 – Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  80. #7540 – Suicide
  81. #7550 – Dignity for All Students
  82. #7551 – Sexual Harassment of Students
  83. #7552 – Student Gender Identity
  84. #7553 – Hazing of Students
  85. #7560 – Notification of Sex Offenders
  86. #7570 – Supervision of Students
  87. #7580 – Safe Public School Choice Option
  88. #7610 – Special Education: District Plan
  89. #7611 – Children with Disabilities
  90. #7612 – Grouping by Similarity of Needs
  91. #7613 – The Role of the Board in Implementing a Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
  92. #7614 – Preschool Special Education Program
  93. #7615 – Least Restrictive Environment
  94. #7616 – Prereferral Intervention Strategies in General Education
  95. #7617 – Declassification of Students with Disabilities
  96. #7620 – Students with Disabilities Participating in District Programs
  97. #7621 – Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  98. #7631 – Appointment and Training of Committee on Special Education (CSE)/Subcommittee on Special Education Members
  99. #7632 – Appointment and Training of Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Members
  100. #7640 – Student Individualized Education Program (IEP): Development and Provision
  101. #7641 – Transition Services
  102. #7642 – Extended School Year Services and/or Programs
  103. #7643 – Transfer Students with Disabilities
  104. #7650 – Identification and Register of Children with Disabilities (Child Find)
  105. #7660 – Parent Involvement for Children with Disabilities
  106. #7670 – Due Process Complaints: Selection and Board Appointment of Impartial Hearing Officers
  107. #7680 – Independent Educational Evaluations
  108. #7690 – Special Education Mediation
    1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
    2. Nays: 0
Appointment – Brian Morin – Substitute Bus Driver
1. On a motion by B. McNeil, seconded by W. Callanan, to appoint Brian Morin as a substitute bus driver. (see supplemental minutes)
  1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
  2. Nays: 0
Board Items of Interest
1. S. Valigorsky complimented students and staff on an outstanding play (“Little Women”) by the Drama Club.
2. V. Masterson asked that the debris on the back fields and woods be cleaned up.
There was no public input.
Executive Session
1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by W. Callanan, to adjourn to executive session at 6:37 p.m.
  1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
  2. Nays: 0
Reconvene
1. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by B. McNeil, to reconvene the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
  1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
  2. Nays: 0
Adjournment
1. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:21 p.m.
  1. Ayes: 8 – Motion Carried
  2. Nays: 0

Minutes by Mary Sgambati, District Clerk

Our Schools

Stillwater Central School District

Regular Meeting of the Board of Education