December 17, 2004
Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad. --John Greenleaf Whittier
Here are a few items of interest. This is the last letter you will receive from me until after the New Year, unless something necessary comes up. Otherwise, I will let you enjoy your holidays and your families in peace.
Newsletter:
1.
Sales Tax Vote - After what looked to be a backdoor vote occurring on December 14 by our county supervisors, we received a week’s stay to rally our forces to save the sales tax for schools. The vote will now occur on December 21 in the morning. It is vitally important that our schools and constituents work very hard to save that funding. It will create a definite hardship, if we are forced to make the proposed adjustments to our bottom line. The loss of positions and programs is a real possibility. I will keep you posted as I learn the details.
2.
Sexual Harassment - Three Freewill 4th grade students complained about sexual harassment from a boy in their classroom. An investigation was conducted and it was determined that was the case. While it was clear that the boy’s understanding of the sexual language he was using was limited, it was clear he chose it to make people uncomfortable. He was suspended out of school and then in-school. We have asked for a complete assessment and he will be going back to the Committee on Special Education to see what things need to be done. In the meantime an aide has been placed in the classroom to make sure the behavior does not continue.
3.
Waasdorp Communications - After much thought your Board President decided to send the attached letter to Mrs. Waasdorp instead of meeting with her. I believe that was a good decision. After she clearly states her concern and desire in writing we will be able to address her issues.
4.
Manor House – As you know the Town decided the Manor Farmhouse didn’t meet code. We have been working on some temporary solutions to get us through Christmas. We haven’t been successful in finding a long term site. It really needs to be off site in order to be successful. I have heard rumors that Constellation is considering offering the farm house to the school for a dollar. I know they do want to talk to me about something.
5.
Scholar Athletes – This past week, Wayne Senior, Luke Baum was honored by the Channel 10 Scholar Athelete of the Week. Congratulations to him and the recognition he has received.
6.
Disney Christmas Parade - One of our recent graduates, Isaac Butts, has been a character at Disney for a couple of years (often as Pluto or Goofy I believe). Isaac was in a number of our plays and sang in our chorus. He will be in the Christmas Day Parade at 1:00 on ABC. He will be the “Baking Elf” with the Gingerbread Man. Tune in if you are guarding the sofa at that time of the afternoon.
7.
Events -
12/19 – HS Band & Chorus Concert – PAC – 2:30 p.m.
12/24-31 – Schools Closed – Holiday Recess
1/9 – Downstairs Cabaret Theatre supporting “Dollars for Scholars” @ PAC – 3:00 p.m.
Athletics - (Home Games)
12/17 – Boys’ Freshman Basketball vs. Geneva – 4:15 p.m.
12/17 – Girls’ JV & V Basketball vs. Geneva – 6:00 & 7:30
12/21 – Boys’ JV & V Basketball vs. Pal-Mac – 6:00 & 7:30
12/22 – Girls’ Freshman Basketball vs. Aquinas – 4:15 p.m.
12/29-30 – Girls’ JV & V Basketball – Eagles Holiday Tournament
1/3 – Girls’ Freshman Basketball vs. Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
1/.4 – Boys’ Freshman Basketball vs. Penn Yan – 4:15
1/5 – Co-Ed JV & V Bowling vs Canandaigua – 4:15 p.m.
1/5 – Girls’ Jv & V Basketball vs. Penn Yan – 6:00 & 7:30
1/6 – Co-Ed JV & V Bowling vs. Mynderse – 4:15 p.m.
1/6 – Boys’ JV & V Wrestling vs. Geneva & Newark – 5:30 & 6:30
1/7 – Boys’ V & JV Basketball vs. Marcus Whitman – 6:00 & 7:30
8.
Attachments –
a.
Waasdorp Letter
b.
Sales Tax Update
c.
Policy Committee Meeting Minutes
d.
Hopeworks Newsletter – December
e.
Holiday Message to Staff
f.
Wayne’s World – December
Att. A
December 14, 2004
Mrs. Linda Waasdorp
2128 Evergreen Circle
Ontario, New York 14519
Dear Mrs. Waasdorp,
After considering the role of the Board of Education in a school district, I have decided that the appropriate response to your recent request is for you to put your concerns in written form and submit them to the Board of Education rather than have a school board member attend a meeting with you and school personnel.
By state law, school board members only have authority when the Board of Education is officially convened for a business meeting. Outside of that setting, individual school board members are regular citizens with no authority to act on behalf of the Board of Education.
By putting your specific concerns and the resolution you are seeking in written form, the Board of Education can best consider your concerns. I will make sure the each member of the Board of Education receives your written request and has time to consider it.
Please direct your written materials to me at John Triou, POB 155 Ontario Center NY 14520 or home address 4251 West Walworth Road, Macedon NY 14502.
Thank you for your continued interest in the Wayne Central School District.
Sincerely,
John Triou, President
Board of Education
Cc: Board of Education members
Superintendent of Schools
Att. B
RED CREEK CENTRAL SCHOOL
PO BOX 190, CHURCH STREET
RED CREEK, NEW YORK 13143
December 14, 2004
To: Wayne County Administrators
From: David G. Sholes, Superintendent of Schools
Subject: December 13th Board of Supervisors Follow-up
Yesterday was very interesting. When I arrived at the Finance Committee Meeting at 8:00 a.m., Mr. Colvin asked me to speak on how schools would have to drop sports if sales tax monies went away. I responded appropriately and then Mr. Colvin asked for a second to move the sales tax issue out of committee and onto the floor for the meeting scheduled for December 21. Mr. Guelli from Walworth indicated he would second the motion. I am not sure why a person we have as our ally would agree to second the motion.
During the full Board meeting, the Board passed a resolution to take $600,000 from fund balance to help support the nursing home through the end of December. It was also noted that the nursing home is $2,275,000 under funded for 2005, and they adjusted the 2005 budget to account for this deficit. Four departments (pre-trial, cooperative extension, soil & water, and legal aid) had their 10% cuts put back into the budget. Also, additional fees through weights and measures were deleted. About 15 minutes of interesting debate on the weights and measures proposal occurred. This is a $45,000, or .01 per 1000 issue. NO debate occurred on the $2,275,000 nursing home resolution, and this was at least .20 per 1000 on property tax issue. They finally held a vote on the budget, which did not pass; however everything stands in the budget because all resolutions were voted in. The tax rate will be going up 13.87%.
Mr. Decker indicated to me that he didn’t believe Mr. Colvin has the votes. However, I believe we must remain vigilant on fighting this issue. If you have any questions, pleas contact me.Mr. Decker indicated to me that he didn’t believe Mr. Colvin has the votes. However, I believe we must remain vigilant on fighting this issue. If you have any questions, pleas contact me.
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Att. C
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POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE Monday, December 13, 2004 TIME: 4:00 p.m. PLACE: District Office
PRESENT:
Trustees Johnson & Diller; Mr. Havens, Mr. Atseff, Mr. Switzer
GUEST:
John Hill, Jr., Chief, Ontario Volunteer Fire Department
PRIOR MEETING MINUTES:
Minutes of the meeting of November 29, 2004 were filed as presented.
OLD BUSINESS:
(1)
Policy 8220 - Fire Drills, Bomb Threats & Student Safety: Mr. Johnson shared information he obtained on procedures followed by the Walworth Volunteer Fire Department and the West Walworth Volunteer Fire Department. They prefer to have the 911-center place them on stand-by through notification to the fire chief. Mr. Hill, Ontario Fire Chief, stated that they also prefer to have the 911-center place them on stand-by through notification to the fire chief. He noted that a line officer would respond to make contact with school officials and law enforcement personnel. The committee decided to add notification of the “….911 center to alert…..” local fire and emergency personnel to the wording in the proposed policy. Mr. Switzer will prepare it for the Board of Education meeting on January 13, 2005.
(2)
Annual Review – Existing Policy Handbook: Continuing Effort
(3)
Required Annual Review of Existing Policies: Continuing Effort
NEW BUSINESS:
Proposed New Policy 7500 – Student Safety & Security: Committee members reviewed input from the administrative council. Additional revisions and additions were noted. Mr. Havens shared a suggested regulation for this policy, which was approved by the committee. Mr. Switzer will prepare them for first reading at the Board of Education meeting on January 13, 2005.
New Policies & Procedures – Internal Financial Controls: Mr. Atseff reviewed sample policy and procedure statements from the NYS Comptroller’s office that will expand existing policies and regulations on internal financial controls. Committee members agreed to adapt the policy statement to existing policy and create regulations from the sample procedures. Mr. Switzer will prepare them within existing formats for review by the committee at its January meeting.
Parent/Guardian Rights - Reporting Student Progress: Committee members continued review of this topic as it relates to reports of student progress and achievement and participation in parent-teacher conferences by non-related adults. Suggested revisions were discussed. Mr. Havens will check with the school attorney for legal issues. Mr. Switzer will incorporate items into a new draft for discussion at the January policy committee meeting.
Policy Updates – Homeless Children: Committee members reviewed a sample policy from the Policy Service/NYS School Boards Association Mr. Havens noted that Mr. Spring is collecting samples from area districts. Committee members agreed to review collective information on the topic at the next committee meeting.
NEXT MEETINGS:
Wednesday, January 5th and Wednesday, January 19th @ District Office @ 4:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT:
5:00 p.m.
NEXT & FUTURE MEETING AGENDA ITEMS:
Follow-Up On: First & Second Reading - Policy 8220 – Fire Drills, Bomb Threats and Student Safety
Follow-Up On: First Reading - New Policy 7500 & Regulation TBN – Student Safety & Security
• Discussion Of: Revised Draft – Policy on Reporting Student Progress to Parent/Guardians
• Discussion Of: New Policy & Regulation Statements - Internal Financial Controls (State Comptroller)
• Discussion On: Sample Policies – Homeless Children
● Follow-Up On: Required Annual Review of Existing Policies
● Follow-Up On: Annual Review of 50% of Policy Handbook
● Follow-Up On: Transfer & Creation of Regulations & Exhibits
● Follow-Up On: Table of Annual Review, Notification and Publication of Policies & Regulations
Recorded by Jim Switzer
Recorded by Jim Switzer
JES/jes:wp
Att. D
Christmas is a time we look toward the future and reflect on the past. Each of us has significant memories from our childhood days. Perhaps it was that special gift we received. Perhaps it was Aunt Lena’s visit or a particularly beautiful Christmas tree. Christmas has a way of cementing those memories in our mind. They float back to the surface each holiday season.
I remember the Christmas of 1964 when my brother John was in the Navy. We were a large family of seven children and this was the first year that all of us wouldn’t be together for the holidays. It was fun making our traditional German sugar cookies but decorating them without Johnny didn’t seem right. Mom and Dad didn’t seem the same either. I was little then and didn’t understand why. On Christmas Eve day we were putting up our tree, as was the tradition in our family, when Johnny walked through the door. He had flown in on military stand-by with a three-day pass. I don’t remember a single gift I received that year. I don’t even remember much about Christmas day. I do remember how great it felt to see my big brother walking through the door, and later have him standing side by side with me as we decorated our tree.
Christmas is like that for all of us. Each year we create wonderful memories for ourselves and our loved ones that help to carry us through difficult times the rest of the year. I hope you are able to create some wonderful memories for yourself and your loved ones this Christmas.
We are truly blessed to live in a place that can celebrate holiday seasons whether we are Jewish, Christian, or Islamic. America is a wonderful place to be born and live. It is certainly an easier time and place than Bethlehem was 2,000 years ago.
As you reflect on this holiday season and the year past, I hope you find that each day was a gift. I hope this season brings you happiness and good health, family and friends, peace and hope.
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Season’s Greetings,
Michael Havens
Superintendent of Schools
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