Minutes Regular Board Meeting – March 23, 2021

Location: Circleville Middle School

Consideration of Executive Session –Personnel Matter 6:00 PM

Regular Session 6:45 PM

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

Members Present

• Cara Robertson, Vice President (via Google meet)
• Kristin Graessle (via Google meet)
• Kristi Kheiralla (via Google meet)
• Dori Johnson (via Google meet)
• Ross Tompkins
• Matthew Watkins

 

Members Absent

• Gretchen Meier

 

Others Present

• Tim Mains, 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
• Linda Smith, District Communications Representative (via Google meet)
• John Hicks, Director of Educational Technology
• Maria Wise, District Clerk
• Approximately 38 residents/students/staff members (in person and virtual)

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Cara Robertson with the following motion offered:

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Watkins, that the Board of Education open the regular meeting at approximately 6:03 PM

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Adjourn to Executive Session

MOVED by Trustee Tompkins, second by Trustee Watkins , that the Board of Education adjourn regular session to executive session for a discussion regarding contract negotiations at approximately 6:05 PM.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Adjourn Executive Session and Return to Regular Session

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education adjourn executive session to regular session at approximately 6:45 PM.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

BOE Resumes Regular/Public Session

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education resume the regular meeting/public session at approximately 6:52 PM.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Vice President Robertson welcomed all to the regular meeting, and requested all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence, noting the time at approx. 6:53PM.

Vice President Robertson read a statement regarding the district working to provide the best audio quality possible for the livestream of the Board of Education meetings under the current circumstances where some participants are participating online via Google Meet. In addition to livestream the district also records meetings and the recordings will be available on the district website the following morning.

 

Student Recognition

The Board of Education recognized our winter student athletes for their outstanding accomplishment of maintaining a grade point average of 90 and above during winter athletic season. Superintendent Tim Mains introduced Michael Gillespie, Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics to recognize the winter sport athletes being recognized:

Varsity Boys Swimming and Diving: Scholar Athlete Team Award

Coach: John Barth Asst. Coaches: Kathy Gallagher, Mike Reineke

• Jack Bisaillon
• Alexander Docu
• Jack Gandolfini
• Lorenzo Hernandez
• Tomek Oakes
• Bryce Sloley
• Connor Watkins
• Kaeden Fisher
• Joshua Gallagher

 

Varsity Boys Basketball: Scholar Athlete Team

Coach: Dan Conley

• Colin Best
• Bryce Boddie
• Joseph Darrell
• Edward Garmendiz
• Derek Hickman
• Braeden Jainarain
• Evan Jaloszynski
• Mason Miranowicz
• Jacob Santiago

 

Varsity Girls Basketball: Scholar Athlete Team Award

Coach: Michelle Bouffard Asst. Coaches: Lisa Bouffard/Liz Valdez

• Nate’ Burley
• Rhianna Garmendiz
• Serina Garmendiz
• Te’a Griffith
• Nevaeh Ramirez
• Amaya Segarra
• London Williams

 

Varsity Boys Wrestling: Scholar Athlete

Coach: John Petrofsky Asst. Coach: Patrick Sause

• Rey Ortiz

 

Approval of Minutes

MOVED by Trustee Graessle, second by Trustee Johnson, that the Board of Education approve the minutes from the March 9, 2021 regular board meeting as submitted by the District Clerk.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Reports, Recommendations of the Superintendent of Schools

Consent Agenda

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education approve the following Consent Agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools:

Creation

Instructional

Board authorization for the following creation:

• (1) One Part-time 6.5 hours/day Teaching Assistant, effective March 24, 2021, salary as per contract.

 

Creation

Non-Instructional

Board authorization for the following creation:

• (2) Two 6.5 hours/day Teacher Aide positions effective March 24, 2021, salary as per contract.
  (current need at EJ Russell Elementary and Pine Bush Elementary)

 

Resignations

Administrative

• Emily Mesnick, resignation from her position as an Assistant Principal-12 Month effective at the close of business April 17, 2021. Emily has been employed by the district since 07/2019 with her most recent assignment at EJ Russell Elementary School.

 

Resignations

Instructional

• Linda Schumaci, resignation for the purpose of retirement, from her position as a 1.00 FTE Teacher-Secondary, effective at the close of business on April 11, 2021. Linda has been employed by the district since 10/2001 with her most recent assignment at Crispell Middle School.

 

Leave of Absence

Non-Instructional

• Jaime Hadden, an unpaid leave of absence from her position as a 3.5 hours/day School Monitor, effective March 23, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

 

Appointments

Extra-Curricular

Board approved to amend the following extra-curricular appointment for the 2020-2021 school year at the appropriate extra-curricular stipends:

• Matthew Schomber, Odyssey of the Mind Coach @ Level III, Step 5 (5)
  Per Diem Substitutes

Board approved the appointment of the following individuals as per diem substitutes effective March 24, 2021 at board approved per diem substitute rates:

• Caroline Deligny
• Dorothy McGuigan – 3/8/2021
• Jeffrey Parsells
• Rose Roggeman
• Sarah Ferry
• Kimberly Hatfield

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Board approved the following positions for instructors, assistants, counselors or lifeguards for continuing education courses for the 2019/2020 school year. All classes and salaries are contingent upon enrollment.

NAME CLASS/POSITION PAY

• Kiersten Garcia – Boys Running Club – $30-$60/student
• Brittany Starr – Boys Running Club – $30-$60/student

 

Supervision

Board approved the following school personnel for supervision duties in connection with Fall 2 and Spring sporting events during the 2020-2021 school year at the rate of $20/hour:

• Elizabeth Sutton
• Michael Caro
• Jamie Almeida
• Kerry Reeves
• Kathleen Bisaillon

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

CSE and CPSE Placement Recommendation

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education approve 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 Tompkins.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Disposition of Surplus Technology Equipment by Recycling

MOVED by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education approve to designate the surplus technology equipment as unusable per regulation 5250R, number 2A. Equipment has been taken out of
service, is not working at all, has been cannibalized for parts or it’s no longer usable. BOCES will be handling the recycling of this equipment and there will be no cost to the district. (List to be attached to the minutes)

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Orange-Ulster BOCES 2021-2022 Budget Presentation

Chief Operating Officer, William Hecht and Deborah Heppes, Assistant Superintendent for Finance from Orange-Ulster BOCES joined us to present their Administrative Budget and answer any questions. The board will be asked to approve or disapprove the BOCES Administrative Budget on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Every year, BOCES designates a specific date when all of the component school districts must hold a board meeting to approve or
disapprove the BOCES Administrative Budget and vote for candidates for the BOCES board. Thursday, April 22th is the date that BOCES has designated for the current school year. Chief Operating Officer, William Hecht introduced
the BOCES Board and then Deborah Heppes presented the budget.

Chief Operating Officer William Hecht and Deborah Heppes, Assistant Superintendent for Finance were thanked for the presentation.

 

Budget Work Session Segment for 2021-2022

Superintendent Tim Mains and Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Pacella provided a presentation on the proposed budget for 2021-2022.

2021-2022 Proposed Budget and Property Tax Report Card

Some of the highlights of the presentation included the following:

Proposed Budget:

• Will address additional professional development and instructional programs needed to assist students as we “Return to Learn” in the Fall
• Addresses Phase 2 expansion of Middle School Spanish
• Maintains current class sizes
• Will be balanced using fund balance
• ZERO percent (0%) tax levy increase is being recommended

 

Proposed 2021-2022 Budget Includes:

• Reduction of 1.0 Physical Therapist Asst.– DISTRICT
• Addition of .4 Physical Therapist Asst.- DISTRICT
• Addition of 1.0 Assistive Technology Spec.– DISTRICT
• Addition of 2.0 Foreign Lang. Teacher – MIDDLE SCHOOLS
• Technology & supplies for new science rooms – PBHS
• Pandemic related educational opportunities
• Savings from teacher retirements

 

Change from Prior Year Budget:

• 2020-2021 Approved Budget $121,587,157
• 2021-2022 Proposed Budget $125,209,325
• Dollar Change $ 3,622,168
• Percentage Change 2.98 %

 

Breakdown of the Proposed Budget into Program, Capital and Administrative.

State Aid and Taxes as % of Budget showing school years from 2011-2012 through 2021-2022 projected.

Budget to Budget Comparison from 2020-2021 to 2021-2022, Additional Funding to Support Programs and Property Tax Report Card

VOTE and locations of polling sites

May 18, 2021 – 6:00AM to 9:00PM

 

BOE Approval of the 2021-2022 School District Calendar for Adoption

MOVED by Trustee Graessle, second by Trustee Kheiralla, that the Board of Education approve the 2021-2022 calendar adoption as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Public Participation

The first public participation segment was opened at approx. 7:50AM by Vice President Robertson. The following questions/comments/concerns raised: For complete conversation of this public participation refer to the online video
at www.pinebushschools.org (watch board meetings).

• Question about online students being allowed to participate in moving up ceremony (if there is one), spring sports?
• Question about masks being required for activities outdoors?
• Comment/concerns about surveys being proposed and need for information to go along with it.
• Concern/question about the 3 feet guideline and transmission risk
• Comment about survey and providing safety measures and protocols that will be implemented
• Question about how the 3feet distance will be measured
• Question about how many students are anticipated to be in elementary classroom
• Question about how lunch and snack will be handled
• Question about mask breaks
• Question about music class being held in classrooms and how 6 feet of distance will be maintained
• Question/comment/concern on mask requirement
• Concern over time needed for handwashing in kindergarten with number of students increasing
• Comment/concern on empty classrooms with virtual teachers and overcrowded in person classroom

 

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

Upcoming board meetings and events will be 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, April 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM Pine Bush High School
• Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 7:00 PM Circleville Middle School
• Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 7:00 PM Pine Bush High School
  (Regular Board Meeting and School Budget Hearing on 2021-2022 Budget)

 

Other Important Dates

OCSBA Announcement: Mandated Training for New School Board Members in School District Governance

• Part 1 –Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 5: 30 PM,
• Part 2 –Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM

Scheduled In person with attendees being socially distanced and masks are required.
Informational form is on the back table. Maria Wise will register any new board members who plan to attend; there will also be options through NYSSBA. (No information on a virtual option at this time, will keep you informed)

Petition packets are available at the District Office for anyone seeking School Board candidacy.

Petition return date to the District Clerk is (no later than) Monday, April 19, 2021 at 5:00 PM.

Orange-Ulster BOCES Virtual Budget Presentation
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 – 7:00 PM
RSVP to Maria Wise or Jayna McAteer no later than March 29th, if you would like to attend

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, Annual Budget Vote and Election – Polls Open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 1: Walker Valley Fire House
(Residents of the Towns of Gardiner and Shawangunk)
(Address: 3679 NY—52, Walker Valley, NY 12588)

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 2: Pine Bush Fire House (Station 1)
(Residents of the Towns of Crawford and Montgomery)
(Address: 2405 NY—52, Pine Bush, NY 12566)

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 3: Circleville Evangelical Presbyterian Church
(Residents of the Towns of Mt. Hope and Wallkill)
(Address: 890 Goshen Turnpike, Circleville, NY 10919)

ELECTION DISTRICT NO. 4: Town of Mamakating Park in Bloomingburg
(Residents of the Town of Mamakating)
(Address: 27-29 Mamakating Rd. Bloomingburg, NY 12721)

 

Old/New Business/Updates

Voter Registration:

Qualified voters can personally register at the District Office during regular office hours until May 6, 2021. In addition, personal registration will be conducted on May 6, 2021 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the
District Office. Further, any qualified voter can register with their respective County Board of Elections at any time prior to voting in a school election.

Superintendent Mains had three items for discussion, he spoke on programming updates, Amy Brockner, Assistant
Superintendent for Instruction spoke on testing and Angela Wise, Executive Director of Human Resources, Data and School Counseling spoke on Covid 19 travel.

Superintendent Mains gave an update on the Return to More Learning including the current plan for the start to be the week of April 12th.

Assistant Superintendent Amy Brockner spoke about the NYS Regents exams and NYS assessments, indicating what exams are going to occur.

Executive Director of Human Resources, Data and School Counseling Angela Wise gave an update on Covid 19 travel guidelines and gave information on AP testing.

Vice President Robertson inquired about Prom/Senior Ball/8th Grade Dinner Dance. A brief discussion ensued.

 

Business and Finance

Claim Auditor’s Reports

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

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant # 0055 dated 3/5/2021 coaching payroll authorizing payments In the amount of $ 14,960.61

• Trust & Agency Acct. (0 checks) $ 14,960.61

Total $ 14,960.61

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant #0056 dated 03/5/2021 check run authorizing payments in the amount of $ 562,183.88

• Cafeteria Fund (3 checks 005532-005534) $ 7,099.52
• HS Activity Fund (2 checks 004333-004334) 221.11
• Trust & Agency Acct. (0 checks) 15,153.54
• General Fund (57 checks 066734-066790) $ 539,709.71

Total $ 562,183.88

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant #0057 dated 03/10/2021 payroll authorizing payments in the amount of $ 828,746.41

• Trust & Agency Acct. (6 checks 004320-004325) $ 828,746.41

Total $ 828,746.41

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant #0058 dated 03/15/2021 Medicare reimbursement authorizing payments in the amount of $ 199,028.00

• General Fund (379 checks 066793-067171) $ 199,028.00

Total $ 199,028.00

 

Claims Auditor’s Report covering Warrant #0059 dated 03/12/2021 check run authorizing payments in the amount of $1,699,885.97

• Cafeteria Fund (13 checks 005535-005547) $ 43,889.61
• HS Activity Fund (1 check 004335) 150.00
• General Fund (33 checks 067172-067204) 1,655,349.36
• District Activity Fund (1 check 005695) $ 497.00

Total $ 1,699,885.97

 

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

 

Health & Welfare Services Contract

MOVED by Trustee Graessle, second by Trustee Johnson, that the Board of Education approve the Health & Welfare Services Contract for the 2020-2021 school year with Valley Central School District at a per student cost of
$1,398.24. The contract covers thirty six (36) students who are Pine Bush Central School District residents attending a non-public school (and verified) within the Valley Central School District for a total contract cost of $50,336.64.
During the 2019-2020 school year the contract was for thirty students at a per student cost of $1,284.19.

YES –6 NO – 0 MOTION CARRIED

Public Participation
The second public participation segment was opened at approx. 8:40 PM by Vice President Robertson. There were no questions/comments/concerns  raised and for complete conversation of this public participation refer to the
online video at www.pinebushschools.org (watch board meetings).

 

Consideration of Executive Session

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

 

Adjournment

Moved by Trustee Johnson, second by Trustee Graessle, that the Board of Education adjourn the regular meeting noting the time at approximately 8:42 PM.

YES – 6 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.

 

Maria Wise (electronically signed/mw)
 Maria Wise, District Clerk Pine Bush CSD

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