Minutes Regular Board of Education  Meeting– November 10, 2020

Location: Pine Bush High School

Call to Order        6:15  p.m.

  Consideration of Executive Session               6:15  p.m.

Discussion: Acquisition, sale or lease of real property/Pending Impartial Hearing

Reconvene to Regular Session      7:00 p.m.

Meeting televised Live streamed remotely with attendance via Google Meet Hangouts as well as in Person attendance. Video and Minutes Posted to Website with Closed Caption.

 

Members Present

• Gretchen Meier, President
• Cara Roberson, Vice President (via Google Meet)
• Dori Johnson (via Google Meet)
• Ross Tompkins
• Kristin Graessle (via Google Meet) for Executive Session Only
• Kristi Kheiralla (via Google Meet) for Executive Session Only

 

Members Absent

• Kristin Graessle for Regular Session
• Kristi Kheiralla for Regular Session
• Matthew Watkins

 

Others Present

• Donna Geidel, Acting Superintendent of Schools
• Amy Brockner, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
• Michael Pacella, Assistant Superintendent for Business
• Angela Wise, Executive Director of Human Resources, Data and Counseling (via Google Meet)
• Michael Gillespie, Director of PE, Athletics and Health
• John Hicks, Director of Educational Technology
• Lyn Prestia, Director of Food Service
• Linda Smith, District Communications Representative (via Google Meet)
• Jayna McAteer, Deputy District Clerk
• Approximately 15 residents/ students/ staff members in person and virtual

 

Call to Order             

The meeting was called to order by President Gretchen Meier with the following motion offered:

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education open the regular meeting at approximately  6:15 PM

YES – 6          NO – 0          MOTION CARRIED

 

Consideration of Executive Session

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education adjourn public session to executive session for discussion pertaining to the following:  Acquisition, sale or lease of real property and pending Impartial Hearing at approx. 6:16 PM

YES – 6          NO – 0          MOTION CARRIED

 

BOE Returns to Public Session

MOVED by Trustee Meier, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education adjourn executive session and resume the regular meeting at approximately 6:59 PM.

YES –6            NO – 0    MOTION CARRIED  

 

 

 

Board of Education Resumed Public Session

Call to Order

President Meier called the meeting back to order with the following motion:

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Johnson, that the board resume the regular meeting at approximately 7:05 PM. 

YES – 4          NO – 0          MOTION CARRIED

 

Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance

President Meier welcomed those in attendance and requested all stand for the Pledge of allegiance.

 

Recognition: Mid-Hudson School Study Council Award Winners

The Board of Education recognized the following individuals for achieving the award of excellence through the Mid-Hudson School Student Council. (Due to the present circumstances, the usual celebration through the council was not held). The award winners for the 2020-2021 school year are as follows:

• Administration – Michael Gillespie
• Pupil Personnel Services – Marilyn Prestia
• Support Staff – Delfina Carvalho
• School Board Service – Gretchen Meier

 

Approval of Minutes

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education approve the minutes from the October 27, 2020 regular board meeting as submitted by the District Clerk.

YES – 4          NO – 0          MOTION CARRIED

 

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education amend and reapprove the minutes from the October 13, 2020 regular board meeting as submitted by the District Clerk to reflect the corrected motion pertaining to the Sale of the Permanent Easement.

YES – 4          NO – 0          MOTION CARRIED

 

Reports, Recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools

Consent Agenda

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education approve the following Consent Agenda as submitted by the Acting Superintendent of Schools:

Tonight’s consent agenda includes the appointment of the following new personnel for introductions:

• Shelby Jakaitis – Substitute teacher

 

Creation and Reinstatement

Instructional

• (1) One  Part-time 7.0 hours/day Teaching Assistant, effective November 9, 2020
• (2) Two Part-time 6.5 hours/day Teaching Assistant, effective November 30, 2020
• (2) Two Part-Time 6.0 hours/day Teaching Assistant, effective November 30, 2020

 

Non-Instructional

• (1) Part-time 3.0 hours/day School Security Aide positions, effective on December 1, 2020, (current need at HS).
• (3) Three 1.0 hours/day School Security Aide positions, effective on December 1, 2020, (to be   combined with an existing 7.0 hours/day positions, current need at HS).
• (2) Two Part-time 0.5 hours/day School Security Aide positions, effective on December 1, 2020, (to be combined with an existing 7.5 hours/day position, current need at HS & CVMS).

The creation of the above School Security Aide positions will reinstate or increase the hours of the following staff, based on their seniority, through the following appointments effective on December 1, 2020 or as noted:

 

Part Time School Security Aide increase in hours                              

• Linda Shannon – increase in hours from 7.0 hours/day to 8.0 hours/day
• Raymond Ramos – increase in hours from 7.0 hours/day to 8.0 hours/day
• Walter Lapinski – increase in hours from 7.5 hours/day to 8.0 hours/day
• Anthony Presto – increase in hours from 7.0 hours/day to 8.0 hours/day
• Melissa Ranta – increase in hours from 7.0 hours/day to 7.5 hours/day

 

* Part Time School Security Aide reinstatement

• Stephen Kirk – reinstated to 3.0 hours/day – effective December 1, 2020

 

Resignations

Instructional

• Lauren Conklin, resignation, for the purpose of retirement, from her position as a 1.0 FTE School Library Media Specialist, effective at the close of business on November 30, 2020. 

 

Leave of Absence

Instructional

• BethAnne Fox, request for an unpaid leave of absence from her position as a 1.00 FTE  Teacher-Special Education effective February 2, 2021 through June 30, 2021.  

 

Appointment

Instructional

Board approval of the following staff to be reinstated to the Teaching Assistant positions, based on their seniority, through the following appointments, effective on November 30, 2020, or as noted*.

• Mireille Weissberg – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day, effective November 9, 2020*
• Denise Kulak – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day
• Angelina Vita – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day
• Valerie Turcotte – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day
• Nicole Horne – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day
• Debra Finn – reinstated to 6.5 hours/day
• Isabel Mejia – reinstated to 6.0 hours/day
• Bernadette Tymczyszyn – reinstated 6.5 hours/day
• Linda Westerfield – reinstated 6.0 hours/day

 

Non-Instructional

Board approval of the following staff to be increased in hours or reinstated to the School Monitor positions, based on their seniority, through the following appointments, effective on November 30, 2020, or as noted.*

• Dorota Dziadosz – increase from 3.5 hours/day to 6.5 hours/day
• Kim McNamara – increase from 3.5 hours/day to 6.5 hours/day *effective October 27, 2020
• Mary Meyle – increase from 3.5 hours/day to 6.5 hours/day
• Sonia Wagner-Babcock – increase in hours from 3.5 to 6.5 hours/day
• Russhell Gillespie – increase in hours from 3.5 to 6.5 hours/day
• Gary Manheim – increase in hours from 3.5 to 6.5 hours/day
• Jamie Hadden – reinstated to 3.5 hours/day
• Cindy Rivera – reinstated to 3.5 hours/day
• Ann Gaynor – reinstated to 3.5 hours/day
• Madai Ramjeet – reinstated to 3.5 hours/day

 

Non-Instructional

Board approval for the change in title for the following individuals to the probationary positions of Teacher Aide, through the following appointments, effective on November 10, 2020, salary to be determined.

• Margaret Deserto – 7.0 hours/day
• Anne  Weiler – 6.5 hours/day
• Lisa Schiaffo – 6.5 hours/day
• Alexandra Offenheiser – 6.5 hours/day
• Marisol Burgos – 6.5 hours/day

 

Co-Curricular

Pine Bush High School

Board approval for the appointment of the following instructional staff member teaching of a sixth period/additional assignment for the 2020-2021 school year at an annual contractual stipend as per contract effective November 10, 2020 (pro-rated):

• Mandi Beaver – YESS class
• Kimberly Canaperi – Forensics

 

Extracurricular

Pine Bush High School

Board approval to AMEND the following extracurricular appointments for the 2020-2021 school year at the appropriate extracurricular stipends:

• Michelle Robinson, Honor Society Advisor @ Level IV, Step 1 (2), effective- 9/1/2020-12/31/20
• Rebecca Torre, Honor Society Advisor @ Level IV, Step 3 (3), effective 1/04/2021

 

Circleville Middle School

Board approval to AMEND the following extracurricular appointments for the 2020-2021 school year at the appropriate extracurricular stipends:

• Samantha Petrosi, Odyssey of the Mind Co-Coach @ Level III, Step 3 (3) 
• Garrett Randall, Odyssey of the Mind Co-Coach @ Level III, Step 3 (3) 

 

Per Diem Substitutes

Board approval for the appointment of the following individuals as per diem substitutes effective November 11, 2020 (or as indicated) at board approved per diem substitute rates:

• Joyce Dooner
• Jessica Jones
• Paul McMahill
• Danielle Morton
• Shelby Jakaitis
• Denise Crisafulli – November 9, 2020

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

CSE and CPSE Placement Recommendation                                       

Moved by Trustee Johnson, Second Tompkins that the Board of Education approved all IEPs of the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education as submitted by the CSE and CPSE Chairperson and reviewed by Trustee Johnson.

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Presentation by Rotary Club–Dictionary Project & Acceptance of Donation

Dr. William Bassett, of the Wallkill East Rotary for Region #7210, attended the board meeting (virtually) Tuesday evening to make the club’s annual presentation of dictionaries  for the third graders in our district. The Rotary Club has donated approximately 500 dictionaries.

The following motion was offered:

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that Board of Education officially acknowledge receipt and acceptance of dictionaries donated by the Wallkill East Rotary Club for the third grade students in the Pine Bush Central School District. [The Rotary provides additional copies to each of the elementary schools for new entrants during the year.]

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Presentation: Pine Bush CSD – School Nutrition:

Lyn Prestia, Director of Food Service was in attendance to provide an update to the Board of Education on School Food and Nutrition. A PowerPoint was provided that evening. Some of the highlights included the following:    

• The School Nutrition Department is in a constant state of reinvention.
• Pivoted to “Summer Food Service Program” No cost meals for all children, Curbside pick up.
• A visual of photos displayed the preparation process for distribution;
• The distribution focus included that of the distribution teams inclusive of staff and volunteers.
• A review of community support provided as well as program/community donations.
• Current School Nutrition Program Operations:

No cost – curbside pick-up of weekly meal packs 2 sites averaging 16,000 meals / week & providing no cost student meals in all 7 schools Total meal counts (July – October) SY 2020 124,000 vs. SY 2019 99,000 (2 days/week) versus (5 days/week).

Summer Food Service Program Meal Distribution:

• Who is eligible for meals for free meals? All children 18 years of age and under, regardless of income and location.
• Where and when is meal Distribution? Circleville MS: Tuesday 11:00am-1:00pm and Wednesday 3:30 – 4:30pm Pine Bush HS : Tuesday 11:00am-1:00pm and Thursday from 2:30 – 4:30pm
• How do families get meals? Sign up and reserve weekly meals at Family ID.com Drive through – contact less service.
• What is distributed? Weekly packs contain milk cartons, vegetables, fruits, grains and proteins in fresh, frozen and ready to eat foods. There is also a “Family Lunch Box” for families that are not registered or who request this option. Breakfasts are the same for all. No one is ever turned away.

Summer Food Service Program “In Person” School Meals

• Who is eligible for meals for free meals? All students when “in person“ at school.
• What Meals are available? Breakfast and lunch meals.
• How do children get their meals? Breakfast “Grab & Go “as they enter the building. Lunch is served at their scheduled time.
• What is included in the breakfast and lunch meals? Breakfast includes milk, grains, and fruit. Lunch includes milk, grains, protein, vegetables and fruit. All meals meet the USDA guidelines for well-balanced, healthy meals that meet the nutritional and energy needs of children. (USDA)

Program Challenges

• Weather
• Supply chain disruption
• Keeping up with demand of curbside pick up
• Food allergies & dietary restrictions
• Handling the traffic for meal distribution 
• Simultaneously managing both programs

SUPER thank you to all…

Families who pick up meals • Volunteers (over 100) • Pine Bush District Staff • Donations • Pine Bush Administration • Pine Bush Board of Education • School Nutrition Staff

The School Nutrition Department staff is an amazing group of dedicated professionals who have adapted and transformed what they do best (feeding children) under the most difficult of circumstances.

In closing, Ms. Prestia was thanked for all she and her department have done, miraculous!!

 

Public Participation

The first public participation segment was open at approx.7:28 p.m. requesting no personal references.  The following questions/comments/concerns were raised.

• Parent expressed appreciate to board during challenging times, however, also expressed disappointment of the delay of hybrid learning and cancellation of the SAT testing. Also, spoke of concern regarding social gathering.
• A parent with two children, one in kindergarten and one in grade 5 expressed the need for social interaction for kindergarten students.  Is there a plan? Acting Supt. Geidel addressed these concerns noting the Return to Learn Plan is evolving, with additional comments regarding numbers per NYS guidelines from Ass’t Supt. Brockner.
• Unable to read a message submitted from a staff member due to it being a personnel matter and specific to an individual(s).
• A parent offered thanks for the safety of the students but questioned as to why the middle school hybrid start date moved to Dec. 1, 2020. Addressed by Acting Supt.Geidel addressing numbers of positive cases noting we are obtaining guidance from the Orange County Dept. of Heath in the decision making process.
• Resident expressed opinion/concern regarding a 50+ social gathering. Board President Meier offered statement on behalf of the school board.        

 

 Upcoming Board Meetings, Events / Old, New Business / Updates announced

Tuesday evening:

  The start time for the regular sessions of our board meetings – 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

 

Regular Board Meetings:

• Tuesday, November 24, 2020, 7:00 PM at Circleville Middle         
• Tuesday, December 8, 2020, 7:00 PM at Pine Bush High School

 

District Meetings/Events:

Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences

• Thursday, November 12, 2020, 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Grades 6 – 12
• Thursday, November 19, 2020, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Grades Pre K – 5
• Friday, November 20, 2020, Grades Pre K – 5 (Elementary Early Dismissal 11:30 AM P/T Conferences)
• Monday, November 23, 2020, Grades Pre K – 5 (Elementary Early Dismissal 11:30 AM P/T Conferences)
• Wednesday, November 25, 2020, (1/2day of school for students and staff)

 

Other

• Wed, November 25, 2020, ½ day students and staff, Secondary dismissal 10:30 AM, Elem. 11:30 AM
• Thanksgiving Day / Recess – School Closed
• Thursday, November 26, 2020 and Friday, November 27, 2020   

 

Business & Finance

Claim Auditor’s Reports

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the following Claims Auditor’s Reports as submitted:

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0026 dated 9/23/2020 payroll authorizing payments in the amount of $ 1,095,805.10

• Trust & Agency Acct. (13 checks 004226-004238)   $        1,095,805.10      

                Total      $            1,095,805.10

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0027 dated 10/23/2020 check run authorizing payments in the amount of $ 2,143,008.18

• Cafeteria Fund (14 checks 005423-005436)    $    51,333.76
• Federal Fund (1 check 002554)    $      2,430.00          
• General Fund (47 checks 065451-065497)     $         2,089,244.42

             Total       $    2,143,008.18                          

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Health & Welfare Services Contract – Tabled

After a brief discussion the Board of Education tabled the following resolution pending further clarity. No vote was taken on this resolution, tabled to next meeting.

Approval of the Health & Welfare Services Contract for the 2019-2020 school year with the Valley Central School District at a per student cost of $ 1,287.19. The contract covers 30 students who are Pine Bush residents attending a non-public school within the Kingston City School District for a total contract cost of $38,615.70 (30 students have been verified.)

 

Approval of SCAR Assessment Reduction Decisions

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins and second by Trustee Johnson, that the Board of Education approve the following property tax refund based upon Small Claim Assessment Review (SCAR) decision authorizing reduction of the assessment:

Town of Crawford

Name    School Year    S-B-L     Old Assessment    New Assessment     Refund Amt

Jose Nieves        2020-2021           19-1-8.4       $151,000.00    $144,000.00                     $430.84

189 Dickerson Ave. Montgomery, NY 12549

 

Heather Caputi   2020-2021    18-1-41.3      $187,100.00   $149,300.00          $2,326.51

115 Dunthorne Dr., Bloomingburg, NY 12721

 

Mario Hilario     2020-2021           25-1-67.2       $192,900.00      $179,200.00   $ 843.21

Ana Hilario

1423 St. Rte. 302, Circleville, NY   10919

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Approval of Correction of Errors

Moved by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Robertson, that the Board of Education approve the following property tax refund based upon Director of Real Property Tax Service Agency’s decision authorizing the payment for the Enhanced STAR Exemption omission.  

Town of Walllkill

Name   School Year    S-B-L     BasicSTAR Exemption   Enhanced Exemption   Refund Amt

Richard Carlson    2020-2021     24-1-15.13          $819.00        $1,858.00                        $1,039.00

Diana Carlson, 1380 Goshen Tpke., Middletown, NY 10941                

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Tax Collector’s Report – 2020

On Tuesday evening, the Board of Education was asked to adopt a resolution relieving the tax collector of the responsibility for the uncollected portion of the tax lists now that the tax warrant period has ended, and authorize her to turn the lists of delinquent tax items with three percent penalty over to the offices of the County Treasurers.

The Tax Collector’s Summary Report: Board members are required to sign all unpaid tax reports in  acknowledgment.

 

2020 Tax Collector’s Summary Report – Resolution

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Johnson, that the Board of Education acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the 2020 Tax Collector’s Summary Report and approve the following resolution for adoption:

                RESOLVED, whereas the Education Law provides that the tax collector shall be relieved of responsibility for the uncollected portion of the tax list when a complete list of delinquent tax items have been certified to the Board of Education, and, since the collector has affixed her affidavit to such         statement and has filed a statement accounting for the handling of the warrant; and,

                WHEREAS, the clerk acknowledges receipt of the signed report of the tax collector to be submitted to the board;

                THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accept the Report of the Tax Collector and having determined that the collector has accounted for the full amount of the tax warrant, directs that the lists of delinquent tax items with the three percent penalty, be certified to the         offices of the County Treasurers and/or other tax enforcement officers.

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote

• R. Tompkins       Yes                                        
• D. Johnson          Yes  (via google meet)                                                                  
• C. Robertson      Yes  (via google meet)                                  
• G. Meier              Yes        

(Note: Arrangements made for those voting via google meet to sign document(s) following day).                           

 

District Treasurer’s Report

MOVED by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the following District Treasurer’s   Reports for the period of October 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020

General Fund Reports:

• Monthly Treasurer’s Reports / Transfers
• Budget Status

Monthly Treasurer’s Reports / Budget Status for:

• School Lunch Fund
• Capital Fund
• Federal Fund

Monthly Treasurer’s Reports for:

• Trust & Agency Fund
• District-wide Activity Fund
• Student Activity Funds for: Pine Bush High School,
• Circleville Middle School and Crispell Middle School
• Expendable Trust fund (Scholarships)
• Academy of Finance
• Human Services Academy
• Debt Service

YES – 4          NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Public Participation 

The second public participation segment was open at approx. 7:46 p.m. requesting no personal references.  There were no questions/comments/concerns raised.

 

Consideration of Executive Session

Hearing no matters for executive session, President Meier asked for a motion to adjourn.

 

Adjournment

Moved by Trustee Robertson, second by Trustee Tompkins, that the Board of Education adjourn the regular meeting noting the time at approximately 7:47 p.m.

YES – 4                  NO – 0                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Note: BOARD MEETINGS are live streamed and video recorded  with closed captioning available and can be viewed at  www.pinebushschools.org 

Deborah A June (electronically  signed)                   

Deborah A. June, District Clerk Pine Bush CSD

 

Jayna McAteer

Deputy District Clerk

 

 (Disclosure: Minutes with be printed on numbered minute paper and placed in the district minute books).