Mr. Triou stated that public comment is some of the most valuable time spent by trustees who appreciate input from speakers. While immediate responses are not always possible, follow-up will occur if needed. He asked speakers to confine their remarks to five (5) minutes. Persons wishing to speak should first be recognized by the school board president, then identify themselves, any organization they may be representing at the meeting, and the agenda topic.

 

A.

Francene Pucci, 6103 Hollybush Lane, Ontario, spoke as a teacher member of the Hopeworks Advisory Council and asked that the school board and administrators incorporate character education in grades K to 12 as part of school district goals for the 2005-2006 school year. She noted that release of the results of the recent assets survey in four (4) to six (6) weeks will provide valuable data about the importance of character assets to student and family success.

      

IV. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

 

A.

Mrs. Brunner reported on attendance at the recent seminar sponsored by Four County School Boards Association featuring discussion by NYS Education Commissioner Miles and federal education officials on increasing graduation requirements. She stated that the program was valuable and aligned well with our plans for increasing diploma requirements.

 

B.

Mrs. Brunner noted that she and Mrs. Lyke attended a meeting with local Regent Milton Cofield sponsored by Four County School Boards Association on statewide discussions on change of the passing grade from 55% to 65%; she added that Regent Cofield continuously seeks input from school boards within the judicial district he represents on the Board of Regents.

 

C.

Mrs. Brunner relayed a comment from a PTSA meeting she attended at the high school about the inability of persons with disabilities to board the shuttle bus from the parking area to the shell area for commencement exercises at the performing arts center at Finger Lakes Community College. She noted that the off-site location and shell is used to allow an unlimited number of relatives and guests to attend the event and suggested that school officials explore options to provide such accommodations. Mr. Havens noted that conversations are underway with parties involved.

 

D.	Mr. Robusto noted that one of our wrestlers, Josh Pattterson, achieved the distinction of national champion in his weight class in a recent meet in Ohio and extended compliments to him for this achievement.

 

V.

BOARD PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS

 

	A. Mr. Triou extended condolences to the family of retiree Kenneth Ebert, a former school bus mechanic.

 

VI.

REPORT ON ACTION ITEMS BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

 

A.	Mr. Havens noted plans for a regional workshop presentation by Ed Barlow, a futurist, on June 1st on the topic of the model schools and the complexion of high schools in the future. He hopes to have local staff who are involved in the model school’s program attend the event.

  (Mrs. Lyke entered the meeting @ 7:42 p.m.)     

VII.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA & MINUTES (March 24 & April 4, 2005)

Mr. Johnson offered a MOTION to approve the agenda for this evening’s meetingand the minutes of the meetings of March 24 & April 4, 2005, each as presented. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays, 4 Absent (Mrs. Diller, Mr. Griswold, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Wyse), Carried.

VIII.

REPORTS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

 

A.	UPDATE ON GOALS • 2005-2006 • MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

Mr. Havens noted that reports at prior meetings have covered the progress on district goals for grades K to 4 and 9 to 12. He introduced Mr. Robert Armocida, middle school principal, to present a report on their progress for goals in grades 6 to 8.

 

Mr. Armocida introduced staff members Kathy Walker reading, Tim Mattle, health, and Brad La Barge, math, who assisted him with a PowerPoint presentation of results of goals for the middle school during the current school year. A copy of the report was shared at the conclusion of the presentation (copy filed in clerk’s agenda file, this meeting)

 

Mr. Armocida noted that scores on state exams in language arts have shifted over the past seven (7) years from 46% to 90% based on renewed emphasis of writing and reading in all subject areas. He displayed graphs which showed the shift from third from the bottom to second from the top among school districts in Monroe County.

   

In their presentation, the staff noted the following highlights:

(1)	Re-allocation of resources to provide more intense emphasis on writing by providing a reading teacher and a language arts teacher in the classroom in grade 6 from September to January and in grade 7 from January to June
(2)	Numerous positive outcomes were realized as more students received support in reading and writing
(3)	Benchmarks were set for written assignments in all subject areas at each grade level and each teacher assigns at least one writing assignment each month
(4)	Teachers in every subject area were trained in strategies to incorporate reading and writing in their classroom instruction
(5)	Revisions are planned for the daily student schedule to provide twenty (20) minutes for reading and writing each day

 

Mr. Armocida noted that the improvement in student achievement noted earlier is the direct result of the diligent efforts by each staff member at the middle school.

   

Discussion among trustees and school personnel is generally summarized as follows:

Mr. Johnson commended the middle school staff for its achievements and the success of the reading and writing program. He believes such efforts should encompass the entire student population; he shared a recent comment from a neighbor on the importance of the “3R’s.”

 

Mrs. Lyke noted that as a student, she would appreciate the structure which the middle school has developed for the program. She noted the value of teaching children the importance of proofreading written work and asked if this is included in the program; the response was yes. She also noted the positive effect of incorporating writing into her math classes during her years as a math teacher at the high school. Mr. La Barge, math teacher and chairperson at the middle school, shared examples of that approach in the middle school.

           

Mr. Robusto stated that he works with several adults each day and their greatest fears are writing and speaking. He feels that the approach outlined this evening is an exciting concept which will have great benefits for students and complimented the entire middle school staff for their efforts.

Mrs. Lyke noted the additional value presented by the team approach used.

Lindsay Galen, 2113 Evergreen Lane, Ontario, a senior present in the audience, noted that she is encouraged to see the emphasis on reading and writing in the middle school grades after observing her classmates struggle with college applications and other written work.

Gerald Aragon, 5891 Walworth Road, Ontario, a senior present in the audience, asked if there are any plans to extend this program into the high school and stressed the importance of continuity of instruction for all students. Mr. Havens that the annual goals and objectives for elementary, middle and high schools are established each summer and can include these items.

Mr. Spring, assistant superintendent for instruction and interim high school principal, noted that the language arts staff at the middle school and the high school have met several times to increase communications and share successful programs and efforts to replicate them.

Mrs. Brunner noted that the program obviously requires commitment and hard work by all staff members. She added that incorporating reading and writing into every subject no doubt required teaching a new language to many and asked how that was accomplished.

Middle school staff members present noted that scheduled faculty meetings were used to provide training and share methods for including reading and writing in every subject. These meetings also resulted in a common message and level of expectations for staff to emphasize with their students. Mr. Havens stated that faculty meetings no longer stress procedures and reports from the principal; they serve as a regular opportunity for staff members to improve their teaching skills.

Mr. Spring noted that the largest hurdle at the middle school was getting staff members to subvert individual goals for the larger building-level goals for their classrooms and complimented the middle school principal for his efforts to overcome that obstacle as part of improvement of student achievement. Mr. Armocida noted that the staff members who work directly with the children deserve the credit.

Mr. Havens shared copies of charts which displayed the dramatic improvement in language arts scores of the past five years (copy filed in clerk’s agenda file, this meeting ). He noted that they illustrate that the goals set by the Board of Education each year do make a difference and result in student achievement and success.

A.	DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT • CSEA UNIT

            

Mr. Havens noted that the collective bargaining process with the CSEA Unit #859 has concluded and a proposed agreement is included in the consensus agenda for this evening. He stated that he is proud of the efforts by the representatives of the school district and the CSEA Unit and their willingness to employ the “win-win” bargaining process.

He noted that the CSEA Unit #859 membership vote on the proposed agreement occurred today and the result was 139 Ayes and 18 Nays. He stated that this is the largest margin of approval for an agreement with the support staff in the history of collective bargaining with them and it is the first time in several years that ratification of a new agreement occurred prior to the expiration of the prior agreement.

He asked Mr. Callahan, director of human resources, to review the highlights of the proposed agreement. Mr. Callahan noted that the proposal is for a five (5) year term, beginning July 1, 2005. He reviewed the terms of the proposed agreement. He added that he, too, was pleased with the ratification by unit members today and enjoyed working with the bargaining team. He was pleased to have had eighteen (18) months to work with staff members prior to bargaining discussions.

Mrs. Brunner asked who administers the health care plan. Mr. Callahan and Mr. Atseff provided details.

Mr. Havens commended Mr. Callahan for his fine efforts in the collective bargaining process.

Mr. Robusto stated that when he considered seeking election to the Board of Education five (5) years ago, a major consideration was the negative nature of collective bargaining issues in the school district at that time. He is pleased with the positive spirit of bargaining that is now in place and extended compliments to school personnel and union officials for their excellent efforts.

Mr. Callahan stated that the proposed agreement is fair and reasonable in the present economic climate.

Mrs. Lyke noted that the superintendent of schools and school officials meet with union officers and representatives on a regular basis and she feels that effort works well to maintain dialogue and resolve specific issues. Mr. Havens stated that those meetings, with teaching and non-teaching bargaining groups, have resulted in a strong level of trust among the parties.

Mr. Triou noted his role as a trustee liaison in a prior bargaining effort and is pleased with the success of the “win-win” bargaining process used with this proposed agreement. He concurred with Mrs. Lyke on the value and benefits of the labor-management meetings to address issues as they arise and extended compliments to each of the persons who participated in this recent bargaining process.

Mr. Havens stated that he is pleased to recommend ratification of the proposed collective bargaining agreement by the Board of Education (see action item, consensus agenda, follows)

B.	REMINDER ON SUMMER WORKSHOP • 2005-2006 GOALS & OBJECTIVES

   

Mr. Havens noted that the special meeting for a workshop session on goals and objectives for the 2005-2006 school year is set for July 7, 2005 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The location of the event is not yet confirmed.

C.	STUDENT QUESTIONS

 

(1)

Gerald Aragon, 5891 Walworth Road, Ontario, asked if there are any plans for theatre arts’ programs to continue the performance standards set by the recent musical production of “The Beauty and the Beast.” Mr. Havens stated that courses and opportunities in the theatre arts are planned as part of the model school’s program over the next two (2) years and they will technical theatre, TV production, and dance as well as major sequences in the fine arts.

 

Mrs. Lyke stated that the recent high school musical performance illustrated the incentives and opportunities for students in the fine arts.

 

(2)	Gerald Aragon, supra, asked what musical production is planned for 2005-2006 Mr. Havens stated that planning for the next musical will soon begin.

 

(3)	Gerald Aragon, supra, asked if a final financial report is available on the 2005 musical; Mr. Havens stated that the report is in process.

 

IX.	RECESS:    8:40 p.m.

 

X. RECONVENE:

8:50 p.m.

 

XI.

ITEMS FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION ACTION

 

A. PERSONNEL CHANGES

 

Mr. Havens presented the following personnel changes for review and consideration by the Board of Education:

 

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