NORTH ROSE-WOLCOTT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

May 10, 2012

107

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES

MAY 10, 2012

6:00 PM

Room 210 OF THE HIGH SCHOOL

PRESENT:

Judi Buckalew, John Boogaard, Robert Cahoon, Kathy DeAngelis, Kari

Durham (6:15 PM), Kelly Ferrente, Gary Sproul, Philip Wagner

Elena LaPlaca, John Walker and 7 guests.

ABSENT

Brigette Henry

Kathy DeAngelis left the meeting at 6:45 PM and returned at 7:25 PM.

CALL TO ORDER

Philip Wagner called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.

1a. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Kelly Ferrente moved and Robert Cahoon seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. J. Buckalew, J. Boogaard, R. Cahoon, K.

DeAngelis, P. Wagner 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 May 10, 2012.

1b. DISCUSSION OF MIDDLE

John Walker stated that he would be addressing questions asked during

SCHOOL PROPOSALS

forums, from emails and any received by the board and forwarded to

him. Mr. Walker distributed the questions and answers from the forums.

The document is attached to the minutes.

- The focus of the proposal has been on students and then fiscal

responsibility. He reminded board members that there are only two

issues to this discussion. First, our students: educating them in the

future. Second, fiscal responsibility: spend money for optimum

education space.

In referring to the Building Condition Survey (BCS), priority ones

should be done within the next 3 years. The costs for renovations or

new construction are large. The State Education Department

dictates what we are allowed to build/renovate and the aid

available. It is referred to as maximum cost allowance - the amount

of funding we will get aid on regardless of how much money is

spent.

The costs to renovate the interior of the Leavenworth building are

the same as expanding and renovating the Florentine building: $10

million.

If the board made the decision to renovate the Florentine building,

the priority one items from the BCS that pertain to the Leavenworth

building would have to be completed within the next 3-4 years.

The board must also consider repairs to the bus garage and bus

storage building. These facilities are not aidable and the costs

associated with renovation and repair are the sole responsibility of

the district..

The cost increase of delaying a decision by the board on

Leavenworth/Florentine buildings is estimated at 4-5% per year.

SED has rules that districts must follow for doing repairs to

unoccupied buildings. We must request aid, but it would be at a

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108

lower ratio. If the building is occupied with various programs: after

school programs, summer school, etc. then aid ratio would be much

higher.

The district was planning to use the Florentine School building for

summer programs as North Rose - Wolcott Elementary and

Leavenworth were scheduled for renovations this summer. The SED

has such a backlog that plans did not get approved.

The Leavenworth building will still be used by the district, especially

the auditorium. Renovations and additions to the Florentine

Hendrick building do not include an auditorium.

Speculates that the district would save money on heat and

electricity. There were some questions about whether or not this is

true. Data will be provided to the board on the historical costs of

heating and electricity for Leavenworth and Florentine.

What are the enrollment projections for next 10 years? That

information will be provided.

Do we have the deed to Leavenworth? John Walker has contacted

the Wayne County Clerk who is researching his request. It is his

understanding that there are up to 6 parcels of property involved.

If area districts consolidated, the Leavenworth building could not

accommodate more students. North Rose - Wolcott Elementary and

High School buildings can absorb students. The Florentine Hendrick

building could hold 40-60 students after renovations.

Will SED allow a district to share a principal between two buildings?

Yes, as long as there is an administrator present when principal is

not there.

If the district reconfigured grade groupings, would we be able to

provide a better educational setting for students?

Is there an optimum grade configuration per building? John

Boogaard was asked to comment as he has the most experience at

that level. Mr. Boogaard said that a middle school or midlevel 7-8 is

ideal. Adding either grade 6 or grade 9 to that group is acceptable.

The middle school grades can be can be separated into different

areas as is done in North Rose - Wolcott Elementary.

Support was voiced for the proposal, based on facts. Looking at the

best use of district financial resources, is convinced that the

Florentine building is the best site for middle school students and

provides the best opportunity to our students for a sound

educational future.

Are there long range plans to ensure the North Rose - Wolcott

Elementary building is as structurally sound as the High School?

There has not been a long range plan for maintaining buildings.

Think that when we only look at fiscal, renovating the Florentine

building is the best way to spend our money.

Have attachment to the building and hope that good plans will come

from the board and community to utilize the Leavenworth building.

Want it to continue to be of value to the community.

Looking at the financials, the decision is quite easy. The community

will decide when they vote for the bond issue. Don’t see anything

number wise that would make me vote no.

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109

Fiscally it makes sense although it has been hard to extrapolate

emotions from the issue. Adding science wing is still a struggle as I

don’t know if that is

what is needed.

Was not a graduate of Leavenworth. The building is very adaptable

as is if administration wants to work with what is there. In the past

we segregated students and programs and made it work. The idea

of community center has been downplayed. The building is the

Village of Wolcott and to have it unused and derelict sends a

message to those moving into the area. Bad image. The Florentine

building is much more adaptable for use by the community.

We are so concerned about what someone may think of an empty

school building when the houses on New Hartford Street are

derelict. That sways people now when they consider moving into

the Village. The building will still be

will maintained and won’t be a

deterrent to families moving into the Village.

The school district can be the draw. A good education system must

be the backbone of the community, not the buildings. How do we

make the community and graduating students want to come back

her? Do we provide the educational environment that makes the

area attractive?

Look at what education is today and what type of program fosters it.

It is changing every day. There have been three different schools on

that property. Someone has a vision and it changed and a second

building was erected. The first building was destroyed. Visions

changed again and current building was erected and it was the best

that was - state of the art in 1934. Vision was what would serve

students best. Looking at just the negative stifles vision of what can

serve the community in the future. Work to make the plan well-

thought-out and a vision for the future.

As a board member want to try to provide best learning

environment and education for our students. The Florentine

building is the way to go. You have to prove that space constraints

at Leavenworth building would be a better choice at a better

financial scenario. The Board of Education is about educating

students. We will want help from community to utilize the building

when the time comes.

At this time the meeting was open to public comment

Questions pertaining to what notices are given to the public to

advertise a meeting.

Who establishes and determines the BCS items? (The architect)

Some level 1 items for the Leavenworth building will have to be

addressed.

No reason to sell building until state aid is at a break-even level

where selling building is equals or better than the amount of state

aid that the district would have to pay back.

The Florentine building was put up for sale. Never listed with a

commercial realtor.

Board of Education decided in open session to sell that building and

had discussions about using the Leavenworth building

–all

on the

agenda and in open session.

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110

The success rate of selling a vacant school building in the area is

zero.

In terms of usage of Leavenworth after moving students to the

Florentine building: there were some initial inquiries from

businesses if space becomes available.

Haven’t actively

pursued

tenants at this time as it is 3-5 years from fruition. No projections

for use, just thoughts.

Projected bond vote no later than November-December.

Can two different propositions be put out to voters?

The closing of the Leavenworth building will be detrimental to the

viability of the Village.

Leaving that building empty will not be the cause of the community

dying

–

it will be apathy.

Thank to Kari for her letter in newsletter. It is the crux of the

problem.

It is a societal problem, not just North Rose - Wolcott.

Other realities

–

costs to consolidate the district to one campus is

$40-50 million.

Additional info that the board will need to continue the discussion at the

May 22

meeting are: enrollment projections, information from the

County Clerk on the deed, operating expense comparisons for both

buildings.

ADJOURNMENT

John Boogaard moved and Kelly Ferrente seconded the following

motion. The vote was unanimous. J. Buckalew, J. Boogaard, R. Cahoon, K.

DeAngelis, K. Durham, K. Ferrente, G. Sproul, P. Wagner 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 7:55 PM.

__________________________________________________

Clerk of the Board of Education