BOARD OF EDUCATION
04/27/09
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Margaretville Central School District was held on Monday, April 27, 2009 in the Board Room.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Austin, Barbara Funck, Randy Moore and Al Tanzer. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS ABSENT: Robbie Martin
OTHERS PRESENT: Tony Albanese (Superintendent), Karen Dietrich (Treasurer) and Teresa Goodchild (Clerk).
At 7:00PM, President Austin called the Regular Meeting to order. CALL TO ORDER
From the Superintendent, Mr. Albanese updated the Board on the following: Student athletes and coaches have had a positive beginning to the spring athletic season; congratulated Mrs. McMurray and faculty and staff for assembly on Peace; have a talented pool of candidates for elementary, math, music, CSE/Psychologist and Speech Pathologist; have received a SED grant through Binghamton University in the amount of $16,000 for professional development in math; Scitamard Production is being held 5/8 and 5/9; Open Eye and faculty and students provided two wonderful productions this month; Mia Steiner talent exceeded our expectations; have had two vendors present student management systems for review to replace current system; senior class enjoyed their cruise to the Bahamas; Report Card has been released by NYSED and a presentation will be made in June. COMMENTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
From the Public, Cassie Palen questioned the NHS guidelines indicating "applications" are sent out. She commented that the guidelines are very specific and state that students are not to "apply" but that surveys can be sent out to keep it simple and fair. She also questioned the use of volunteer coaches and commented that they are not recognized by NYS. Mr. Albanese stated that the district encourages volunteerism and that volunteer coaches must start certification process within 2 years. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mrs. Funck to accept the Minutes of 3/18/09 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Moore to approve the Treasurer's Report and the Activity Fund Report for March 2009 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT
The Board audited the Warrants and the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for Warrant #29, 30 and 31. WARRANTS
In communications, the Board received a copy of the letter to Caitlyn Roberts congratulating her on receiving the Presidential Scholarship Award from SUNY Delhi. COMMUNICATIONS
Charlie Sacco commented on the Bus Garage Bids, with the opening scheduled for Thursday, 5/7. This is the second time the project is being bid; they made some changes to the heater units in hopes for better (lower) bids. PRESENTATIONS BUS GARAGE BID Charlie Sacco
Charlie also made a presentation on a Solar Project. The Board asked him to obtain information, as there is still EXCEL money left. They reviewed the electric bills and the roof for placement of solar panels. The solar systems last approximately 25 years, the payback would be 9.38 years, and the approximate cost to the district would be $47,000. If the Board is interested, he can apply to SED for a number and also recommended that they speak with Bernie Donegan's office for better dollar figures, as there is possibly stimulus money available as well. The Board was in favor of pursuing the project. SOLAR PROJECT Charlie Sacco
Mr. Albanese presented the 2009-10 school budget in the amount of $10,588,958, which represents a decrease of 0.79% over the 2008-09 budget, and a proposed tax levy of 1.49%. If the budget didn't pass, a contingency budget would be $10,465,474 ($123,484 less). Some of the recommendations included in the new budget: a co-teaching model in middle and high school programs, additional reading programs, updating student management system, whiteboard technology in classroom, bus purchase, "capturing kids hearts" program, continue UPK with Delaware Opportunities with the district possibly offering transportation, combine CSE/Psychologist position, and combine 2 part time speech positions into one as an MCS employee. Mr. Austin thanked Tony and Karen for the wonderful presentations and hard work on the budget, making it much easier to understand. 2009-10 BUDGET Tony Albanese
Mike Boice made a presentation on some uses for leftover EXCEL Money of approximately $42,000, that must be spent by June 30. He recommended new front entrance doors for approximately $15,000 and a security system with badges and up to 24 cameras throughout the building. EXCEL PROJECT Mike Boice
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mrs. Funck to approve Sally Dwyer as the Bus Driver for the Summer CROP Program. Motion carried unanimously. SUMMER CROP BUS DRIVER - Dwyer
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Moore to approve Joseph Landriscina as a Substitute Teacher for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried unanimously. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER Landriscina
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to adopt the 2009-10 Budget in the amount of $10,588,958, which represents a decrease of $84,080 (or 0.79%) and a projected tax levy increase of 1.49%. Motion carried unanimously. 2009-10 BUDGET
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to accept the high bid of $1,750.33 from Hanah Mountain Resort for Bus #80 (Chevy Suburban) and the high bid of $6,950 from Cheryl & Sons Bus Sales for Bus #82 (24-passenger handicapped bus). Motion carried unanimously. SALE OF BUS #80 & BUS #82
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Austin to approve the ONC BOCES Administrative Budget as presented for the 2009-10 school year. Motion carried unanimously. BOCES ADMIN BUDGET
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Moore to elect the following candidates to the ONC BOCES Board: Dean Utter, James Lewis and Susan Eichler. Motion carried unanimously. BOCES BOARD MEMBER ELECTION
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Moore: BOCES CTE RESERVE
“RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the District Superintendent, that the ONC BOCES establish a career and technical education (CTE) equipment reserve fund, in accordance with the requirements of Education Law, Section 1950(4)(ee), as added by Chapter 530 of the Laws of 1985, and the requirement of Section 170.3(k) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. “ Motion carried unanimously. FUND
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to approve the transportation request from Mr. Seidman's Costa Rica Group for a bus to transport them to and from Albany Airport, and to be billed at the district's per mile rate. Motion carried unanimously. TRANSPORTATION REQUEST Albany Airport
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Moore to approve the use of the unused snow day on Friday, May 22, 2009. Motion carried unanimously. UNUSED SNOW DAY May 22, 2009
The Board discussed having Wendy DeWind attend the June Board Meeting, which is a part of the attorney's contractual agreement. All were in favor of Mr. Albanese inviting her for some questions and answers. ATTORNEYS AT BOE MEETING
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to repeal the Board's support of the Inter-municipal Agreement with BOCES that was approved at the December 17, 2008 meeting until updated information is received and reviewed. Motion carried unanimously. REPEAL DECISION ON INTER MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to approve the Field Trip Request from Jen Wentland to MOSA in Massachusetts. Motion carried unanimously. FIELD TRIP REQUEST Massachusetts
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mrs. Funck to move into Executive Session at 8:25PM to discuss personnel matters. Motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting resumed at 9:58PM.
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mrs. Funck to approve the attached Addendum to the Superintendent's Contract and to approve a 5% salary increase for the 2009-10 school year. Motion carried unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT'S CONTRACT ADDENDUM & SALARY INCREASE
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Moore to adjourn the meeting at 10:00PM. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT
Approved:____________________ Clerk:____________________________________