NORTH ROSE-WOLCOTT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

MARCH 20, 2007

7:00PM CAFETERIA OF THE HIGH SCHOOL

PRESENT

Sandra Boerman, Robert Cahoon, Melinda DeBadts, Nickoline Henner,

Mark Humbert, Edward Magin, Clifford Parton, David Smith, Terri

Smith

Sam DeMuzio, Elena LaPlaca, Lucinda Miner and approximately 40

guests.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Robert Cahoon called the meeting to order at 7:05pm and led the

pledge of allegiance.

1a. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Clifford Parton moved and Edward Magin seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the agenda of March 20, 2007.

2. PUBLIC ACCESS

Current and former school Bus Drivers, Doris Burger, Ellie VanWaes,

Shannon Cahoon, Bill Breeze, Dolores Correll, Don Rose, Bob Wilson,

Corinne Fisher, and Dic Lasher all spoke of their support of Cindy

Miner as the next Superintendent of schools. They like the fact that she

brought the Connect Ed communication system into the district.

Additionally, they feel that she is accessible to them and helps them

with difficulties in their job. She is always in her office and always

visible at school events, making it easy for them to have discussions

with her.

Ora Rothfuss, a parent and community member spoke of his

admiration for the new communication system instituted by Mrs.

Miner. He supports Mrs. Miners bid to be the next Superintendent.

Paul Statskey spoke of recent events sponsored by the PTSA. The

number of volunteers functioning at various district events is

increasing. They recently provided child care at an Internet Safety

Program presentation. Additionally, they will also provide child care at

Parent-Teacher Conferences at the Middle School.

Kathy DeAngelis acknowledged the hard work that the Board has done

and the decisions that they have made and still face in selecting another

Superintendent. She stated that she will support any decision the board

makes. She also voiced her support for the Rachel’s Challenge Program

which will b discussed by the PTSA.

Susan Nurse, a district employee voiced her support for Cindy Miner as

the next Superintendent.

3. PRESENTATIONS

Kari Durham, President of the PTSA, spoke to the board about Rachel’s

Challenge. This program was developed by the family of the first child

killed in the Columbine school shooting in April 1999. Her acts of

kindness coupled with the contents of her diaries have become the

foundation of an extraordinary school program. Mrs. Durham stated

that this is exactly the type of program that the PTSA wants to support

in our community as it sends a powerful message to both students and

parents.

PTSA is planning to sponsor the program, targeting students in grades

6 – 12. The program is designed to motivate positive changes in the

way that students treat others. It will be held at the High School and the

Student Council will help support the cost of the program.

Mrs. Miner mentioned that the district may be able to help with costs

through BOCES. She will discuss this with PTSA at a later date.

4a. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS No one had questions about the reports.

4b. OTHER GOOD NEWS

The High School play, Into the Woods, was exceptional. It was evident

that many hours of planning, practice and work were done to make the

performance so good!

Bill Rotenberg announced that High School Senior, Glenn Packard is

finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Student responses

to questions on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship

Qualifying Test determine eligibility. Over a period of time, the field is

pared down from 1.4 million entrants to 15,000 finalists. Awards will

be made soon to approximately 8,000 winners.

5a. ADMINISTRATIVE

Nickoline Henner moved and Clifford Parton seconded the following

REPORTS

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

APPROVAL OF BALLOT

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

LANGUAGE FOR MAY 15

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

VOTE

approves the following resolutions as they will be presented to voters on

May 15, 2007:

PROPOSITION NO. 2 - SCHOOL BUS PURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

Be it resolved that the Board of Education of the North Rose-Wolcott

Central School District be authorized to expend a maximum estimated

sum, being the total of the maximum estimated costs of $501,000, or so

much as may be necessary for the purchase of six (6) school buses from

the School Bus Capital Reserve Fund in the 2007-08 school year or, in

the alternative, to finance all or part of such estimated aggregate

amount through the issuance of bonds or notes of the School District in

accordance with the local finance law and to levy a tax in installments to

repay the principal and interest of such bonds or notes.

PROPOSITION NO. 3 – WOLCOTT CIVIC FREE LIBRARY BUDGET

Shall the annual tax levied by the North Rose - Wolcott Central School

District for the operating budget of the Wolcott Civic Free Library be

increased by five thousand dollars ($5,000) to the total sum of thirty-

five thousand dollars ($35,000) annually?

5b. POLICY FIRST READING

The board was to review a new policy, #7622-Use of Aversive

Intervention, for approval at the next meeting.

5c. SUPERINTENDENT’S

Mrs. Miner informed the board of a stage 4 Grievance filed by the North

BUSINESS ADMIN.

Rose Wolcott Service Employees' Association. The grievance

UPDATE

commenced some time ago as a remedy for a driver who is driving a

daily bus ruin as a substitute. The district admitted that this was not

the practice required by the agreement between the Association and the

District, and agreed to stop the practice at the end of this school year.

There are no other bus drivers to take over this run at this time.

The grievance then expanded into one that lamented the practice of

sharing certain bus runs with other districts. This has been done for a

number of years in order to share the burden of cost when a small

number of students from different districts go to the same facility in

another district, i.e., BOCES programs or other schools that offer

specialized needs. Mrs. Miner recommends that the Board deny the

grievance. Sharing transportation service is financially important and

our district should continue to use when feasible.

Board members were going to look over the information distributed to

them before they vote.

PRESENTATION OF 2007-08

Mrs. Miner and Sam DeMuzio provided a PowerPoint Presentation of

an overview of the budget that included a comparison to last year in

categories including General Support, Instruction, Transportation,

Community Service and Undistributed, which includes retirement,

social security, insurance, workers’ compensation and, debt service

financial obligations that the district is required to pay.

Mr. DeMuzio explained that revenue comes from two sources, state aid

and property tax. The amount of property taxes that the district

determines will be needed for the 2007-08 school year is called the Tax

Levy. The district does not determine property tax rates. Those rates

are determined by the Town Assessors.

6a MEETING MINUTES

Clifford Parton moved and Edward Magin seconded the following

MARCH 5, 2007

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the Meeting Minutes of March 5, 2007.

6b. MEETING MINUTES

David Smith moved and Nickoline Henner seconded the following

MARCH 6, 2007

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2007.

7. CONSENT AGENDA

Sandra Boerman moved and Terri Smith seconded the following

motions. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M.

DeBadts, N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T.

Smith voted yes.

7a. WARRANTS

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the following Warrants:

Warrant #48

$193623.87 Warrant #49

$37295.92

7b. RECOMMENDATIONS OF Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the recommendations from the Committee on Special

Education dated January 2 February 6, 8, 27, March 1, March 8, 2007

and the Committee on PreSchool Special Education dated March 6,

2007 and instruct the Superintendent to implement the

recommendations on behalf of the following individuals identified by

student number:

7550

10872 11771

10762

10600 10869 11304 9826

10445

11713

11464

11465

10202 9417

10220 11772

11152

7864

9746

11336

11436

7c. SUBSTITUTES

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the individuals named on the substitute lists, which are on file

with the District Clerk.

7d. TREASURER’S REPORT

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the Treasurer’s Report, Budget Status Report, and

Extraclassroom Activity Report for October 2006.

7e. SINGLE AUDIT REPORT

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the Single Audit Report for the year ending June 30, 2006.

7f1. LTR. OF RESIGNATION

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

SAM DeMUZIO

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law, accepts

the resignation of Sam A. DeMuzio as a School Business Administrator,

effective with the close of business on April 13, 2007.

7f2. LTR. OF RESIGNATION

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

KELLY KNAPP

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law, accepts

the resignation of Kelly Knapp as a Clerk/Typist, effective with the close

of business son March 23, 2007.

7f3. APPT. BUS DRIVER

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

JANICE JOHNSON

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the 26 week probationary appointment of Janice Johnson as a

Bus driver, conditional upon a criminal history record check according

to Commissioners Regulation §80-1.11 and Part 87 for 55 hrs/day,

10.88/hr. for a total annual salary of up to $10,173, prorated up to

$3,318, effective March 21, 2007.

7f4. LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

BETHANY CHASE

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the unpaid child rearing leave from September 1, 2007 – June

30, 2008.

7f5. COACHING APPTS.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the following individual to fill a coaching position for the

2006-07 school year.

Name

Position

Salary

Step/Years

Paul Maring

Boys JV Baseball

$1727

7f7. CO-CURRICULAR APPTS. Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the following individuals to co-curricular positions for the

2006-07 school year:

Name

Position

Salary

Step/Years

Beverly Santillo

Musical Costume Designer

$132

Pam Arend

Musical Costumer

$312

Barb Packard

Musical Drama Advisor

$2109`

Steve Bentley

Musical Set Construction

$312

Bill Klino

Musical Set Designer

$312

Steve Bentley

Musical Stage Manager .5

$98.50

Bill Klino

Musical Stage Manager .5

$98.50

8. INFORMATION ITEMS

The following items were shared with the Board: March 2007

Enrollment, Use of Facilities, Invitation to Middle School Skills

Competition, Florentine Hendrick Elementary School March

Newsletter

9. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Kari Durham commended the positive changes in communications

between the district and the community this year. She said that she was

honored to serve on the Focus Group interview committee for the

selection of the superintendent. She did have questions about the

course of action the focus group should take while interviewing and

those questions went unanswered. She felt that the she wanted more

guidance as to the duties and responsibilities of the focus group. She

now feels that the process was flawed. She is still bound by the request

to the members of that committee to keep the names of the candidates

confidential. Listening to the support for Mrs. Miner by many people at

this meeting tonight, it is evident that most people know the name of at

least one candidate. The process has been muddied. She asked that the

Board continue to be forthcoming with information, and, if Mrs. Miner

is the best candidate, please tell the public of the board’s intentions.

Nicki Henner responded that she did not know that members of the

Focus Group needed help or input. She would have responded with help

and support. She stated her concerns that the whole process stinks. It

should end immediately and the board should start the whole search

again. Nothing about it was fair in her estimation.

Frank D’Aurizio stated that the Board should make sure that the

process is fair and assure the public that the best candidate is going to

be hired. The community will get behind the candidate and give them

full support.

Mark Humbert read a prepared statement about his personal thoughts

on the hiring process. He stated that nothing about the process is secret

other than answers to interview questions. He stated that when Lucinda

Miner decided to apply for the job that it changed the dynamics of the

search. The board lost focus, and in his opinion, the Search Consultant

was unprofessional and tried to skew the interview process.

He stated that the other finalist in this process was allowed to select the

individuals in her district to participate in the home school visitation by

this board. Mrs. Miner was not given the same opportunity when this

board interviewed at Kehsequa. Much misinformation is out in the

public. He shamed the board for not correcting the rumors. He stated

that the entire board should resign, and he would be the first to offer his

resignation, if the public could not count on the board to hire the right

candidate. In his opinion, when Mrs. Miner was hired as the Interim,

she was the right person to lead the district, and he feels more strongly

about her abilities now.

Mr. Cahoon ended the discussion and asked for a vote on the grievance

that was presented by Mrs. Miner earlier in the meeting.

ADDITION TO AGENDA

Edward Magin moved and Nickoline Henner seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the addition to the agenda of March 20, 2007.

ANSWER TO GRIEVANCE

Edward Magin moved and Nickoline Henner seconded the following

BY NRWSEA

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law, denies

the Stage 4 Grievance of the North Rose Wolcott Service Employees'

Association dated March 19, 2007.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Edward Magin moved and Clifford Parton seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves Executive Session at 8:15pm for the purpose of discussing a

specific employee and to discuss the superintendent candidates.

Amendment to the minutes: Melinda DeBadts, Nickoline Henner and

Mark Humbert left Executive Session at 10:00pm.

REGULAR SESSION

The meeting returned to regular session at 10:20pm

ADJOURNMENT

Sandra Boerman moved and Clifford Parton seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. S. Boerman, R. Cahoon, M. DeBadts,

N. Henner, M. Humbert, E. Magin, C. Parton, D. Smith, T. Smith voted

yes.

Be it resolved that the Board of Education, upon recommendation of

the Superintendent of Schools and pursuant to Education Law,

approves the adjournment of the meeting at 10:20pm.

____________________________

Clerk, Board of Education

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