JEFFERSON CENTRAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF EDUCATION

MAY 19, 2009

MEETING MINUTES

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Andy VanGlad, George Hotaling, Greg Starheim, Michael Jonker, Terry Hait  

 

 

OTHERS PRESENT:

Carl Mummenthey, Superintendent; Jon Hillis, Director of Instructional Support; Dulcie Fowler, District Clerk; Kathy Bulka, Sandi Ganci (left 7:35), Laura Thonnesen, Kenzie Manning (left 7:04), Chelsea Martin (left 7:04), Katie Clayton (left 7:04), Greg Klokiw (left 7:45), Scott Wolff (left 7:45), Dan Singletary, Ruth Fyfe (arrived 7:35)

 

 

At 7:00 p.m. Board of Education President Andy VanGlad called the meeting to order.  Mr. VanGlad noted the fire exits and asked everyone to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

Meeting Called to Order

 

 

Greg Starheim made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to approve the consent agenda items marked “C” as follows:

          C  Agenda for  May 19, 2009

          C  Minutes for April 21, 2009 and Budget Hearing Minutes for

                May 11, 2009

          C  Approval of Warrants (#80, #81, #82, #83, #86, #87, #88)

               and ICA Reports (April 22, 2009 and May 5, 2009)  

          C Approval of Extracurricular Activity Reports (April 2009)

          C  Approval of Monthly Budget Status Reports

          C  Review and Approval of Treasurer’s Report (March 2009)

 

Mike Jonker asked why the claim for Mr. Roche was not approved for payment.  Mr. Mummenthey stated that the claim was received under his contract and Ms. Hungerford (Internal Claims Auditor) wanted to make sure the claim is approved by the Board.

                                                                         Motion Carried 5-0

Consent Agenda Items

 

 

Positive Highlights and Calendar of Events

Mr. Mummenthey asked if we could move ahead to item 3C.  He introduced the Student Senate:  Sandi Ganci (advisor), Chelsea Martin, Kenzie Manning, and Katy Clayton.  The Student Senate thanked the Board of Education for everything they do for the students and presented gifts to them, Mr. Mummenthey, Mr. Hillis, and Ms. Fowler.  Everyone thanked the Student Senate for the gifts. 

 

Mr. Mummenthey stated that the Spring Concert was held on Thursday night and everything went well.  NYSSMA solos were also held and we had a record number of students involved. 

It was a huge weekend for our music department.

 

 

 

Informational Items

 

Mr. Mummenthey thanked Mrs. Clayton and Ms. Perry with their help in the Share the Words poetry meet.  Katy Clayton, Bess Slicer

and Amanda Irwin all competed and placed.

 

 

Mr. Mummenthey congratulated Megan Mack who has been accepted to attend a summer artist residency in California.

 

Mr. Mummenthey reviewed the Calendar of Events with the Board.  Mrs. Dibble has coordinated Community Service Day which will be held on Friday, May 22nd.  We have students who are scheduled to clean the Maple Museum as students will be performing highlights of songs from this school year, as well as throughout the community.

 

Flag Day is on Sunday this year.  The parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Stamford.  Our senior band students will not be participating in this year’s parade as it conflicts with the Senior trip to Boston. 

 

Capital Project Update

Mr. Mummenthey introduced Greg Klokiw and Scott Wolf from CSArch. 

 

Mr. Klokiw said they have received and opened the bids for the remainder of the project.  Seven contracts were bid.  The bid turnout was good but only received two bids for general contract.  Mr. Mummenthey handed out a list of the bid results.  Greg reported that the kitchen equipment and site work bids were under budget.  The rest were over budget with the general contracting bid being the highest.

 

Since the bid opening, CSArch has been interviewing the contractors trying to figure out why bids were so high.  He stated that we will look at scope modifications to bring the bids back within budget.

 

CSArch has worked with all contractors and they have been receptive negotiating bid credits.  Plumbing contractors have been good.  Justin Electric is having an issue with the bond requirements.  If he has to withdraw his bid, we can retain the bid bond.

 

At this point, we have two options:  1)  we can negotiate bid credits through value engineering and slope reductions, or 2) we can rebid the project.  He explained that the low bidder usually drops out due to everyone knowing what his bid was. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Klokiw and Mr. Wolf said they could probably find savings in the following areas:

1.       heating controls

2.       furniture

3.       computers/technology

4.       masonry

5.       skylight

6.       front entryway/ramps

7.       roofing materials

8.       mezzanine

 

CSArch will continue to evaluate the bids and report back to the Board on or before June 4th. 

 

The Board discussed a date and time for CSArch to come back and discuss options with the Board.  A workshop was set for Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

 

The Board thanked Greg and Scott for coming to the meeting and discussing the bid results.

 

At 7:50 p.m., Mr. Van Glad asked for a brief recess to get results of the Budget Vote and Board election.

 

Board returned in session at 8:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura Thonnesen said she had two items to discuss.  First she stated she read an article in the paper about a driver safety program.  Thought it was a good article.

 

Second, she stated she sent everyone on the Board a letter regarding an incident (students consuming alcohol) on the Spanish trip.  The Board did receive her letter.  She said she didn’t think the punishment was enough for the students involved and doesn’t think it is fair to the other students that there may not be any further trips due to this incident.

 

Mr. Mummenthey stated that the Board will be looking at the Field Trip Policy and they will be reviewing the Athletic Code.

 

Mrs. Thonnesen also mentioned the dress code not being enforced.  Mr. Mummenthey mentioned that they make every attempt to enforce the dress code, and he cited the number of students seen in the office in recent weeks for dress code violations.

 

Greg Starheim stated that they had discussed the Spain trip incident at a prior meeting and all agreed that Mr. Mummenthey assigned an appropriate punishment. 

 

 

Terry Hait also stated that in addition to the inschool suspension they received, those on sports teams are ineligible for any individual post-season honors.


Michael Jonker told Laura he appreciated her feedback and they will look at the policy.

 

The Board thanked Laura for bringing her concerns to the Board.

 

Architect fees were discussed. 

Public Comment

 

 

Terry Hait made a motion seconded by Michael Jonker to approve 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 5-0 

ONC BOCES CTE Equipment Reserve

 

 

Michael Jonker made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to approve the CSE Recommendations as presented.  (Student ID #’s:  190416, 190926, 190927, 181397, 190051, 190989, 190528, 190475, 190467, 190716, 190717, 190164, 190303, 190570, 190950, 190535, 190329, 190631, 190248, 190172, 190952, 190618, 190564, 190384, 190486, 190211, 190210)                                        Motion Carried 5-0

CSE Recommendations

 

 

George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Greg Starheim to authorize the issuance of a revenue anticipation note (RAN) for an amount not to exceed $500,000 for general expenses of said district as per the terms of the enclosed resolution and further authorizes the Superintendent to contract with Karen S. Martell of Lemery Greisler, LLC to serve as bond counsel for the aforementioned RAN and Fiscal Advisors Marketing, Inc., for presentation and marketing of the bond notes.                                                   Motion Carried 5-0

Revenue Anticipation Note

 

 

George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Greg Starheim authorizes the funding of the District’s approved reserves through the use of unappropriated fund balance in excess of the 4% statutory limit; the funding of approved reserves will occur on or after June 30, 2009, after the designated amount for tax reduction has been established, and prior to establishing the tax levy for the 2009-2010 school year.                                                        Motion Carried 5-0

Intent to Fund Reserves

 

 

 

Terry Hait made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to authorize the establishment of a checking account for the purpose of awards and scholarships (Prize Fund).                           Motion Carried 5-0

Authorization to Open Checking Account

 

 

 

George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Michael Jonker authorizes the use of Jefferson Central School facilities as an emergency shelter site for the Stamford Central School in the event Stamford Central School is required to evacuate or redirect students during school hours.                                         Motion Carried 5-0

Shelter Site for Stamford Central School

 

 

Greg Starheim made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to authorize the utilization of “shared drivers” from neighboring districts in emergency situations to ensure the safe transport of students to/from off-site shelters with the understanding that all drivers shall be properly licensed, certified, and approved for service by the home district.                                         Motion Carried 5-0

Shared Drivers

 

 

Greg Starheim made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to approve the final Request for Service request with Broome-Tioga BOCES for administrative and initial technology services for the 2009-2010 school year, as presented.  Project Cost:  $69,339.83

                                                                   Motion Carried 5-0

Final Requests for Service with

Broome-Tioga BOCES

 

 

No Student Business.

Student Business

 

 

 

Terry Hait made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Christy Gaddis to extend her probationary appointment from June 30, 2009 through February 1, 2010.                                                                 Motion Carried 5-0

Extension of Probationary Appointment

(Gaddis)

 

 

Michael Jonker made a motion seconded by Greg Starheim to  approve tenure appointment of Janet Wenner.  Tenure Area:  Library Media Specialist; Certification:  Permanent – School Media Specialist (Library); Effective Date:  9/1/2009            

                                                                          Motion Carried 5-0

Tenure Appointment

Wenner

 

 


Greg Starheim made a motion seconded by George Hotaling to approves a 4% increase to the following non-unit salaries for the 2009-2010 school year:

          Director of Instructional Support

          Guidance Secretary

          Office Assistant

          Superintendent’s Secretary

          District Treasurer

          District Clerk

          Tax Collector

                                                                          Motion Carried 5-0

Salaries for Office Staff

 

 

 

George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Michael Jonker to table the following policies until the June meeting:

 

Purchasing Policy (#6700)

Purchasing Regulations (#6700-R)

Purchasing Exhibits (#6700-E.1 & #6700-E.2)

                                                                          Motion Carried 5-0

Policies

 

 

No Capital Project Business.

Capital Project Business

 

 

Mrs. Thonnesen mentioned the interest of a port-a-potty for the upper field during games for spectators and players. 

Public Comment

 

 

Board Self-Evaluation

Mr. Mummenthey handed out an evaluation tool for the Board to review.  Will discuss at June meeting.

 

Field Trip Protocols and Policy

Mr. Mummenthey handed out the Field Trip Policy for the Board to review. 

 

CROP Planning Grants/Stipends

Mr. Mummenthey said he is seeking input from the Board.  The grant application we’ve submitted to the state, if funded, would extend our CROP program for 5 more years.  The grant reduces staff’s hours and wages.  There will be a significant decrease in pay due to the grant not covering planning hours. Three activity leaders would be affected.  Mr. Mummenthey asked the Board if they would consider a stipend to cover planning.  This would require a memorandum of agreement with both unions.  The discussion was tabled until June.

 

Joint Purchase of Photo Identification System

The Safety Officer at Stamford Central School contacted both South Kortright and Jefferson Central to see if we would be interested in purchasing a photo identification system together.  We would then have all staff appropriately identified.  It would cost between $1,300 and $1,500 per district.  The Board recommended we try to run the cost through BOCES to generate aid, if possible.

 

Mr. Hillis stated that he had contacted BOCES to see if they would be interested in doing this for us and they are not.  We will look into possibly renting a unit or having BOCES offer the service through a new co-ser.

Board Discussion

 

 

 

 

At 9:45 p.m., George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Michael Jonker to go into Executive Session to discuss Superintendent salary negotiations, terms of employment for District Treasurer, and invoice for Mr. Roche.                                       Motion Carried 5-0

Executive Session

 

 

At 10:31 p.m., George Hotaling made a motion seconded by Greg Starheim to come out of Executive Session and into regular session.                            

                                                                         Motion Carried 5-0

Out of Executive

 

 

Michael Jonker made a motion seconded by Andy Van Glad to approve the payment of Mr. Roche’s invoice for optical care, as presented in the warrant.                                 Motion Carried 5-0

Roche Optical Payment

 

 

At 10:34 p.m., Terry Hait made a motion seconded by Greg Starheim to adjourn the meeting.                    Motion Carried 5-0

Adjourn

 

 

 

 

 

Dulcie Fowler, District Clerk

 

Date Approved

 

These minutes are considered a draft until approved by the Board of Education.