BOARD OF EDUCATION
 
05/21/08
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of the Margaretville Central School District was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 in the Board Room.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Al Tanzer, Fred Miller, Lee Austin, Barbara Funck, and Robbie Martin ROLL CALL
OTHERS PRESENT: John Riedl (Superintendent), Karen Dietrich (Treasurer), Mike Surowka (Attorney) and Teresa Goodchild (Clerk)
At 7:05PM, President Tanzer called the Regular Meeting to order. CALL TO ORDER
From the Board, Mr. Tanzer welcomed all. Mr. Austin thanked John, Karen, and Teresa for their work on the budget. Mrs. Martin commented that the health fair was a success and that Diane Oles did a great job. COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
From the Superintendent, Mr. Riedl thanked the community for their support of the budget. He also commented that on Monday they had had a faculty and staff meeting to look at the turmoil in the school as a result of the 2nd grade incident. He has invited Duke Fisher to facilitate a meeting with the parents for Thursday night, and Duke also chose to attend the Board Meeting to hear any input on the incident. COMMENTS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Mr. and Mrs. Pizzillo asked to discuss the school's handling of a student matter in open session. Mr. Surowka, the school's attorney, informed them that for the most part, under FERPA that any public school must keep student records and matters confidential and cannot discuss it in public, and the matter must be discussed in Executive Session. Mr. Pizzillo left the meeting very frustrated and angry that the matter could not be discussed in public session. He did not want to discuss it behind closed doors. All parents present were afforded the opportunity to meet privately with the Board in Executive Session; however, Mr. Steve Tanzer was the only parent who agreed to regarding this issue. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC                     SECOND GRADE INCIDENT
A parent then questioned whether counseling was going to take place for the second grade students. Mr. Riedl explained that the District has begun a process, with the fist step to be a meeting with all parents involved which was scheduled for the following evening. Mr. Riedl introduced Duke Fisher, a facilitator hired by the District. Mr. Fisher explained that he was at the meeting to encourage parents to attend the special meeting so that they would have a chance to speak and be heard. He explained that they wants to hear what they think should happen and the impact the incident has had on their family and how to go forward from here.
Steve Tanzer expressed that he wanted all of the parents in on his Executive Session and that as a parent he would waive his confidentiality rights. The attorney explained that none of the parents can waive the children's rights. Mr. Tanzer also questioned his right to tape the Executive Session, and was informed that the Commissioner of Education had ruled against any taping in Executive Session.
Lorraine Sanford expressed that she felt the situation had been handled poorly, children had been frightened, the police had been called and should not have been, because they were second grade students.
Claudia McMurray, an MCS teacher, questioned what advice/professional guidance had been sought in this incident. Mr. Riedl explained that the District had no experience in this and sought guidance, legal and otherwise. They were advised to call the authorities for the police to handle their own investigation. Mrs. McMurray also questioned who are we to determine when something is real or an act, as several of the parents expressed that it was taken far too seriously with the calling of the police.
President Tanzer expressed that he hoped all the parents would attend the meeting scheduled for the next evening.
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Miller to accept the Minutes of 4/28/08 and 5/20/08 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the Treasurer's Report and the Activity Fund Report for April 2008 as presented. Motion carried unanimously. TREASURER'S REPORT
The Board audited the Warrants and the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for Warrants #24 and #25. WARRANTS
In communications, a card was received from Kathy Curley thanking the Board and Administration for the faculty/staff luncheon and gift in honor of appreciation week. COMMUNICATIONS
Justin Kolb, a local renowned concert pianist, was present to ask the Board to consider purchasing new pianos for the school. He has received a price of $4,250 plus $50 delivery for 2 Yamaha Spinet pianos. Karen and John asked him to get two additional quotes, and the District will seriously consider it. PIANO PROPOSAL                Justin Kolb
Mike Boice updated the Board on the EXCEL Building Project. He is getting a price on the replacement of the ramp railings and the front walk, as there is project money left. On June 30, they will be demolishing the bleachers. EXCEL BLDG PROJECT
Mr. Riedl updated the Board on the Pre-K Program for next year. There are currently 16 students interested and he will be meeting with Delaware Opportunities next week. Roxbury has enough students for their own program as well. PRE-K PROGRAM
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mrs. Martin to approve Barbara Quintero as a Substitute Teacher. Motion carried unanimously. SUBSTITUTE TEACHER   Quintero
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Miller, seconded by Mrs. Martin to approve Laura Underwood as a Substitute Teacher Aide. Motion carried unanimously. SUBST TEACHER AIDE   Underwood
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the Services with Broome Tioga BOCES for the 2008-09 school year. Motion carried unanimously. BROOME-TIOGA BOCES SERVICES
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Austin to approve the Summer Enrichment Program. SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Ayes: Austin, Funck, Martin, Tanzer
Noes: None
Abstentions: Miller
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mrs. Funck to approve the Field Trip Request from the Art Club to the Cloisters in New York City. Motion carried unanimously. FIELD TRIP REQUEST   CLOISTERS
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Austin to approve the Summer Driver Education Program with Tom Brigham as the instructor. Motion carried unanimously. SUMMER DRIVER EDUCATION
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Martin, seconded by Mr. Austin to approve the Senior Appreciation Day to Six Flags New England. Motion carried unanimously. SENIOR APPRECIATION DAY
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Tanzer to approve the Rental Contract with BOCES for the Distance Learning Lab. Motion carried unanimously. BOCES RENTAL CONTRACT
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mrs. Martin to move into Executive Session at 8:20PM to discuss student matters. Motion carried unanimously. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Regular Meeting resumed at 10:30PM.  
IT WAS MOVED by Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn the meeting at 10:30PM. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT
Approved:____________________      Clerk:____________________________________
BOARD OF EDUCATION
5//28/08
The Special Meeting of the Board of Education of the Margaretville Central School District was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 in the Superintendent's Office.
Members Present:  Al Tanzer, Barbara Funck, Robbie Martin, and Fred Miller. ROLL CALL
Members Absent: Lee Austin
Others Present:  John Riedl (Superintendent) and Teresa Goodchild (Clerk)
At 7:45AM, President Tanzer called the meeting to order. CALL TO ORDER
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Funck, seconded by Mr. Miller APPOINTMENT
"BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Margaretville Central School District hereby appoints Anthony R. Albanese, as Superintendent of Schools for a term commencing July 1, 2008; and SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS              Anthony Albanese
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopt and authorize as part of the term of appointment all those conditions set forth in the employment agreement between the Margaretville Central School District Board of Education and Anthony R. Albanese dated May 28, 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized and directed to execute said employment agreement."
IT WAS MOVED by Mrs. Martin, seconded by Mr. Miller to adjourn the meeting at 8:05AM. Motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT
Approved:____________________     Clerk:___________________________________