BOARD OF EDUCATION
11/19/08
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Margaretville Central School District was held on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 in the Board Room.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Lee Austin, Robbie Martin, Randy Moore, and Al Tanzer. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS ABSENT: Barbara Funck
OTHERS PRESENT: Tony Albanese (Superintendent), Karen Dietrich (Treasurer) and Teresa Goodchild (Clerk).
At 6:30PM, President Austin called the Regular Meeting to order. CALL TO ORDER
Scott Preusser presented the Auditor's Report for the 2007-08 school year. He commented that the District is in good financial condition; however, the District has more than the 4% allowed by the State in fund balance. He also commented that the District has their money invested wisely. The expenditures are currently 92% of the budget, and should be more like 95-98%. He recommended that the District start the budget process earlier this next year and to look at a more long range financial status (possibly a 3-year multi-year plan). PRESENTATION AUDITOR'S REPORT Scott Preusser
From the Board, Mr. Austin commented that he attended the Veteran's Day Celebration and that it gets better and better each year. He congratulated and thanked everyone involved. Mrs. Martin complimented Linda and Carol on their wonderful spread of coffee and goodies and Fridays and what a great morale booster it was. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
From the Superintendent, Mr. Albanese updated the Board on the following:For American Education Week, MESPA, MTA, and the PTA put together some special events each day; Congratulated Coach marks, Coach Smith, Coach Owdienko and Coach Reither for their soccer seasons; Hallowee event was well attended and went smoothly; the Veteran's Day Celebration was a huge success; Congratulations to Marge Miller and Scitamard students for their production of "The Women"; Superintendent Conference Day held on 10/24 was successful and he thanked the Curriculum Coordinators for their work; Explained EBALR (Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserves) in that MCS was named as a District in excess of the amount required (Karen gave the Board a spread sheet justifying the amount ); Presented the Board with a copy of the ONC BOCES report sent to NYSED - the hearing is scheduled for 12/16 in Oneonta; Commented on the Governor's proposal to make mid-year cuts in State Aid - MCS is considered a wealthy district and 6.26% or $170,000 was the Governor's proposal. Senator Bonacic sent a letter of opposition. COMMENTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mrs. Martin to accept the Minutes of 10/15/08 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to approve the Treasurer's Report and the Activity Fund Report for October 2008 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT
The Board audited the Warrants and the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for Warrant #11, 12, 13 and 14. WARRANTS
In communications, a flyer was received from NYSSBA on a Fiscal Management in Hard Financial Times Conference. It was mentioned that Mr. Moore and Mr. Albanese both need to attend a fiscal oversight conference. COMMUNICATIONS
In presentations, Linda Taylor gave an update on curriculum and student assessment information. The enrollment has gone from 544 in 2004-05, with an avg. class size of 19 to 495 in 2006-07, with an avg. class size of 15. Student suspensions have dropped from 8% to 3%. She also reviewed the 3-8 test results and where MCS stood with the State averages. PRESENTATIONS CURRICULUM & STUDENT ASSESSMENT
Pattie Kelder reviewed what Reading Recovery is - a targeted reading program for 1st graders that runs 12-20 weeks for 1/2 hour per day for the students. She also gave the Board a written report on the program. READING RECOVERY Pattie Kelder
Karen Underwood gave a presentation on her Summer Staff Development Project of Integrating Technology into 5th Grade, using Google Earth for social studies, ELA, and math. SSD PROJECT Karen Underwood
Jeremey Marks gave the Board a report to consider possibly allocating funds for certain interscholastic activities: Ski team - passes and racing suits, Golf team - greens fees, practice range, and golf shirts. He also gave them the information on what the surrounding schools are doing. Jeremey, Mr. Tanzer, and Mr. Albanese are going to set up a meeting with Belleayre to see if they will negotiate an amount for the ski team. Jeremey is also going to approach Hanah Golf Course to see if they will negotiate anything for the golfing for next year. GOLF & SKI SEASONS Jeremey Marks
Mike Boice updated the Board on the EXCEL Project - Comalli Electric is done, waiting on Country Home Security to finish installing cameras; there is a problem with water collecting on the front steps as they slope in - the company is going to try installing a material on them. If the District is not satisfied, they may possibly need to replace them in the spring. The bus garage electric is being upgraded. EXCEL PROJECT Mike Boice
IT WAS moved by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mrs. Martin to approve the following substitute teachers for the 2008-09 school year: Mary Ballard and Deborah Sanchez. Motion carried unanimously. SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Martin, seconded by Mr. Austin to appoint Lindsay Oles as the Cheerleading Coach for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried unanimously. CHEERLEADING COACH Lindsay Oles
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mrs. Martin, "RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the 2007-08 Audit Report as presented by the firm of Raymond G. Preusser, CPA, PC." Motion carried unanimously. AUDITOR'S REPORT 2007-08
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to accept the Tax Collector's Report for the 2008-09 school year, with approximately 86% of taxes collected. Motion carried unanimously. TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT 2008-09
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mrs. Martin to approve the Contract with Fairview Public Library in the amount of $5,000 for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried unanimously. FAIRVIEW LIBRARY CONTRACT
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mrs. Martin to approve the Contract with Skene Memorial Library in the amount of $5,000 for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried unanimously. SKENE LIBRARY CONTRACT
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Moore to accept the donation of skis from Glenn and Erica Ancona, valued at $250. Motion carried unanimously. DONATION OF SKIS
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Tanzer, seconded by Mr. Moore to approve the field trip request for the 9th grade social studies class to New York City to take place during the 2008-09 school year once a driver has been secured. Motion carried unanimously. FIELD TRIP REQUEST TO NEW YORK CITY
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Martin, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to approve the CSE Recommendations as presented. Motion carried unanimously. CSE RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Albanese discussed the Tuition Policy (the Seneca Falls Formula) with the Board of Education. He asked the Board to consider lowering the amount of tuition, which would in turn lower the amount that an employee would also pay (currently 1/3 of the tuition amount). Mr. Albanese feels it could be a recruiting tool for new staff, and could be a means to increase the census with the District's dropping enrollment. TUITION POLICY DISCUSSION
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to move into Executive Session at 8:05PM to discuss personnel matters. Motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting resumed at 8:40PM.
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Martin, seconded by Mr. Moore to adjourn the meeting at 8:40PM. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT
Approved:____________________ Clerk:____________________________________