There was standing room only at the beginning of the May regular meeting of the Newburgh School District Board of Education. The crowd backed up out the door into the hallway outside the auditorium. Superintendent of Schools Saturnelli and Board Member Giudice were not present at the meeting. Assistant Superintendent Pizzo substituted for the Superintendent.

The meeting began with acknowledgement of the achievement of National Merit Scholar semifinalists and finalists in the district. This was followed by acknowledgment of the reading achievement of junior high school students in the Achieve3000 program; and commendations for the students participating in all county music ensembles this year.

Next was a report from Roger Ramjug on the energy conservation program. The cost of utilities for the district is about 2.8 or 2.9 million a year. The program tries to create and account for energy savings, while taking into account such factors as building changes (there is a 4500 square foot addition to North High for next year) and seasonal changes in energy demand. During this report the audience dwindled by half, and there were enough seats for all. A large contingent of teachers from South Junior High were present and most administrators at the Junior High level were also present.

There was no public comment on agenda items.

When it came time to approve capital construction projects there were some last minute changes. Terry Damon of Armlin, Damon & McMordie passed handouts to the Board. The proposals included athletic field work at Meadow Hill, Gidney Avenue parking lot reconstruction, and some work at North High. Board Member Resch asked that things be explained again in executive session. Newburgh School District attorney David Shaw asked if there were any disqualifications or non-responsive bidders that afffected the awards. Damon answered that the low bidders were found to be acceptable. After clarification that the items were already on the agenda, and that a motion to vote on the proposal was occurring, all eight Board Members present voted yes.

As part of the Curriculum and Instruction agenda a proposal for the use of electronics for dibbels assessments was approved.

C&I Resoution to approve conference requests. All yes.

Executive Director, Human Resources McLymore presented the H.R. agenda.

Item I of the H.R. agenda was a resolution "to abolish certain pedagogical positions in the district".

[It is quite shameful that the Board memorializes and passes resolutions with descriptions this imprecise. At the Board Workshop meeting on May 19, 2010, Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Leimer said that this resolution was about pedagical positions eliminated as a result of budget decisions. She said there will be layoffs with the teaching assistants. "Probably not nine" because some TA positions were created as a part of the budget as well. She said: at the elementary level looks as if there will be no layoffs; will be laying off two social studies teachers; will be laying off a Business teacher. In addition she mentioned a reduction of a kindergarten section at GAMS in order to move toward a K-8 configuration there.]

Item J of the H.R. agenda was a resolution "to abolish certain non-pedagogical positions in the district".

[During the May 19 Board Workshop Ms Leimer provided this information about resolution J: there may be one or two situations that result in layoffs; some other people will get layed off but will get offered vacant cleaner positions.]

Item M was a resolution "to approve tabled resolution #032310J to appoint a Vice Principal at the NFA North Campus". [I think this is Matteo Doddo.]

Item N was a resolution "to appoint a Meadow Hill Global Explorations Magnet School Principal". [I believe this is someone who is new to the district.]

McLymore requested to add three resolutions to the H.R. agenda: Q, R, and S:

Item Q was a resolution "to designate individuals for the 2010 extended school year program".

Item R was a resolution to authorize Board President "to execute a settlement agreement to resolve a disciplinary matter, state education file #14102 and #14436".

Item S was a resolution "to accept the letter of resignation of a teacher effect close of business June 30, 2010".

Reports were foregone in order to allow time for public comment on non-agenda items. Board President Fucheck had a list of names of people who wished to speak.

1) Alfreda Robinson said that she was attending with a contingent from South Junior High because they were given information that their principal (Mr. Mucci) and assistant principal (Mr. Ragusa) would be removed. She said South Junior had been through a lot, but now had continuity, innovative ideas, and positive changes. Said the principal knows the community and the students and continuity means a lot. Asked the Board to be wise and just; and allow the principal and assistant principal to continue to "fight the good fight". Credited Mr. Mucci as a "wise leader", and Mr. Ragusa's "youth and vigor". [much applause]

2) Regina Brown, a Security Monitor for New Windsor School, explained that the security monitors had been told that wearing a uniform that included shorts was unacceptable, and this presented a problem because hallways were uncomfortably hot. Asked that the policy be reconsidered.

3) Nancy McNair, worked alongside Mr. Mucci for 11 years. Complimented his interaction with students, staff, and parents and his focus on the needs of the school children. Said the faculty and staff of South Junior had signed a petition asking the Board to consider their concerns.

4) Marrisol Vasquez read a letter on behalf of Educational Technologist Phillips at South Junior. The letter said that with the arrival of Mucci and Ragusa at South, there was an increase in academic scores and a decrease in referrals for behavior problems. Moving them would cause South to suffer a loss in progress. Please keep them at south.

5) Deborah Smith, a teacher at South High since 2001, also a parent, said that under the leadership of Mucci, Ragusa, and Assistant Principal Valentine (who was reassigned to NFA this year) South High has made academic improvement. Disrupting leadership would result in backward movement for the school.

6) Nancy Goldman, 30 year teacher who spent 10 years at South High. Said it would be a big mistake to reassign the Principal and Assistant Principal elsewhere in the district. Pointed to improvements in South's academic results. Students need consistency and continuity. To change the administrators now would be far from productive. Said that the administrators had improved parent involvement, afterschool programs, and many programs for students. Asked that the Board remember "don't fix what isn't broken".

7) Cheri Franco read a statement on behalf of Nancy Tangredi. Credited strong administration for improved acacemic achievement over the past three years. Asked the Board to leave current administrative team in place.

8) Fran Catania, praised the teamwork that developed when Ragusa joined South Junior three years ago. Said that it's time that we stick with the same leadership team.

9) Caroline Andes a parent of two students at South, and member of the Facilities Steering Committee said that the current administration at South were true leaders who have the support of staff; continuity is important; the administration has already been decreased by a third, to remove the two others would be a mistake; also concerned about possible removal of the SRO officer. Given the academic progress at south, this change does not make sense.

10) Mark Levinstein, a parent in the district (and BOE Candidate in last month's election) said South High had been treated unfairly for a long time. He said it seemed very unusual to be considering placing a hearing officer and typist in an administrative position, as had been proposed in some budget discussions. He said these were excellent administrators, who should stay at South.

11) Tricia Decker, a parent of a current, former, and soon-to-be South High students said that she has spent the past six months making positive statements about South High to honors students at Fostertown school. She said parents will not like this change, and that the principals and teachers at South High have established a successful community, which should be preserved.

At around 9:03 P.M. the Board went to executive session to discuss "the employment history of an individual" and "collective bargaining under the Taylor Law".

At around 11:30 P.M. the Board reconvened and adjourned the meeting with no additional actions taken.