The Newburgh School District Board of Education meeting on Tuesday December 15 at 7pm began with recognition of several student achievements: a fire safety poster contest winner, students who participated in a 6th grade math meet, 14 students who participated in special music ensembles at the county and state level, and the NFA soccer team. The auditorium was quite crowded for this part of the meeting, but shrunk to less than 10 when the usual agenda items commenced.
The Board approved a vertical axis wind turbine project at Heritage (to be financed by grant funds). Also approved was a resolution to suport the National Educational Broadcasting Service Association. [I'm guessing that the Newburgh School District is a National EBS Assocation member. It seems the FCC has reserved some part of the spectrum for educational use.]
A Board member asked if the students formerly at McQuade were all going to get placed. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Forgit said yes, working with the state education department and McQuade, services will be provided for the eight students at McQuade until another appropriate educational setting is found.
An Advanced Culinary Arts course was approved. A decision on the introduction of German language studey at Heritage was defferred until the budget picture becomes clearer. Board member Popitti suggested that the scheduling did not have to occur until February, and preliminary budget numbers would be available some time in January. The February scheduling deadline surfaced in response to a question to Diane Lennon [unclear when or where this was] about why Infinite Campus training had to occur in February. In response to a question from Board Member DeMarco, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Bolton said the German course would have a cost of approximately $4k. AP Environmental Science and "Space and Sky" courses were approved.
During the H.R. items there were some questions about the "Newburgh Rising" afterschool program at NFA--whether there could be staff assigned to both the Newburgh Rising and the Twilight programs. The Superintendent answered that the programs are in different areas of the building and that the same person wouldn't be working for both programs.
There was a termination of a Civil Service employee, Corey Allen. [Minutes from an October 2006 Board meeting indicate a Civil Service Change in Location for Teacher Aide Corey Allen from Temple Hill to North Junior High on 10/16/06.]
Board Member Popitti reported on Finance Committee see notes from November 17, and Save Committee (they are looking at training; at next meeting will be looking at number of students taken out of classroooms).
Board Member Woodhull reported on Buildings and Grounds (looking at request for lights at the NFA North campus softball field; architect working on gated fence for Balmville near the creeek), and Health and Safety (swine flu appears to be not too bad).
Board Member McAfee reported on Teachers Center Policy Committee (lengthy discussion about inservice protocol, affect of absences on course credit), Curricculum Committee (foreign language proposal for German in grade 7 presented by Patricia Reilly; new science courses presented by Science Director Al Romano; training in manipulatives at the elemntary level; seven new courses are under development for NFA North next year), Library Committee (the library continues to issue over 400 library carsd per month; there is increased library usage throughout the RCLS system; reading program to "read away fines" was acknowledged in the Times Herald-Record).
Board member Bowles reported on Personnel Committee (reposting of library job; looking to get information about Schedule J meeting times, attendence, and goals; compiling staffing list for the district; reviewing salary model), Diversity Committee (training to be held in month of February; looking at grade 3/4 data), and Policy Committee (Pamela Peterson provided copies of parent volunteer manual and a powerpoint; Board is not required to vote on the manual; Dr. Saturnelli will have Mrs. Peterson make presentation to all buildings; schools are medicaid service providers and must follow standards to be reimbursed [medicaid policy was voted on earlier in the meeting]; insurance person discussed issues around private vehicles being used for student transport; Dr. Bolton is looking at policy about moving up from grade 8 to grade 9; bullying policy will be up next; also looking at issue of mandatory fund raising by sports team members).
Assistant Superintendent Pizzo reported on Wellness Committee (looking at smoking cessation, aware of new high-nicotine non-cigarette products).
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Forgit spoke about arranging a meeting with the state and a Dr. Shanahan about an AMAO [?] plan focusing on professional development and classroom suport for k-8. Regional School Support Center is working with schools on state lists, focus is on Special Ed. Working on discipline and dropout issues; looking at previous studies in these areas; focusing on transitions: HS to post sec, pre-k to kindergarten, 6 to 7, 8 to 9. Looking at external placements and dealing with changes for McQuade students. Looking at staff development for upcoming three half days. Looking at 2010-2011 programs. Looking at assessment schedule for April through June [which is apparently quite intense]. Met with school psychologists to consider their roles, will be meeting with social workers this week.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Leimer said HR was reviewing the union contracts that are up for renewal. They have identified areas in need of presentation to the board for review. They have looked at trends in recently renewed contracts and have begun informal discussions with NTA and CSEA.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Bolton reported on participation of district students at a Kenny Rogers concert, and several areas of scholar athlete recognition. Achieve 3000 training is to occur at Heritage, South, and NFA. Clicker traiing for NFA. Mark Wallace is conducting a character education assembly [presumably at High School].
Assistant Superintendent of Student Intervention and Support Services Noriega mentioned Compact Central committee meeting at South Junior. He said the district's temporary housing program services 62 students. The System of Care Grant Coordinator will be meeting with school nurses, social workers, etc. The "Census bus" will be at North Junior January 8. It's important that community be aware that accurate counting is critical--it insure the district gets all the aid it is entitled to.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Pacella reported that they are reviewing the items proposed as possible budget cuts last year. Two large union contracts are at the early stages of renewal. Governor is holding up around 10% of the expected state aid payments. In February there is typically a large payment (of $87 million). It may be necessary to borrow if that payment is reduced by 10%. Governor is withholding Star aid; that may become a reduction. Spending has been suspended, overtime reduced, and not hiring when attrition occurs unless critical positions. Special meetings and discussions about McQuade. The Dormitory Authority of NY has an $8.4 million note on the complex, which could make public approval a prerequisite to taking over the facility. BOCES may be a more likely organization to take over. Unlikely that the Newburgh School District could take it on unless there were a plan which resulted in budget savings. BOCES is formulating a plan which could involve a cost of $66k per child to districts placing students at the facility. There is a crisis/standoff with the City of Newburgh over CROs (Community Resource officers) at the middle and high schools. The City wants the School District to pay the Officers' salaries. If unresolved the CROs may be pulled in January.
Executive Director, Operations and Maintenance Velez is preparing for state inspections.
Executive Director, Human Resources McLymore is reviewing evaluation tool.
Executive Director, Instructional Technology Jensen reported that ERate funds would help increase wireless coverage and upgrade switches. Infinite Campus training and data cleanup is under way.
There was no Public Comment on non-agenda items.
The Board adjourned to executive session to review the employment history of particular individuals.