Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > Meeting Minutes September 8, 2021

Meeting Minutes September 8, 2021

President Davis opened the meeting at 5:29 PM following the Audit Committee Meeting and led the Board/Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Kerry Davis, Jessica Hess, James Marino, Uzma Mehr, Meghann Khork, Christopher Clark, Joseph LIberto

ABSENT: None

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that the agenda be approved as presented:

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS:

High School Principal, Scott Carroll presented the following students to the Board of Education for Summer Graduation:

  • Savannah Knowlton.
  • Christian Weinman
  • It noted that Jayson Wilson also completed the necessary work to graduate; however, he was unable to attend the ceremony.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, at 5:31 PM the meeting adjourn briefly for a reception in honor of the graduates.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, at 5:45 PM the meeting reconvene.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

High School Principal, Scott Carroll presented the Board with updated information regarding proposed changes to the criteria for 2022 Honor Grads. (Note: This presentation actually took place during the “Reports” section of the agenda, but was included in the applicable section of the minutes).

REPORTS:

Construction Report: Andy Billiotte (Welliver) provided the Board with a construction update.

Celebrating Success:

Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal reported he wanted to give shout outs to:

  • The custodial staff, John, and Josh and the contracting crew for having the building ready for open house. The building project had dust everywhere and they did a phenomenal job!
  • The teachers, who provided so much help getting everything up and ready. Many hous sitting with me answering questions and coming up with solutions and to the Interventionists for doing screening with students.
  • The paraprofessionals for always being willing to step up and help a teacher, student an myself
  • To our parents for their patience as we work through drop off and pick up.
  • To Patti Clancy for her endless help and clarifying the processes and procedures
  • To Tracie McCarthy for getting things rolling for the cafeteria staff
  • To Shannon and his crew for helping at the last minute for the open house

Julie Smith, Intermediate School Acting Principal reported:

  • It has been a great start at Intermediate School! There certainly is an adjustment to having a lot more students in the building, but arrival and dismissal have been manageable and today was much smoother than yesterday.
  • A big shout-out to Linda Walter and the rest of our Building Leadership Team for putting on our Red Raider Strong Assemblies yesterday. We had to do five of them, one for each grade level so we could spread students out. The stage props were amazing. We have an ocean theme this year and students are earning “sand dollars” to spend in the school store.
  • We had our Open House last week and we had about 60% of families come in. It was such a positive energy to be able to welcome families back into the building when they haven’t been allowed for so long! They were so happy!
  • We want to thank our nurses and our service coordinators for organizing beginning of the year meetings for our high-risk students, such as severe allergies. Safety is a big priority for us, so it was good to have all of that communication.
  • Eileen has been a huge help to me also, so a very big thank you to her!

Scott Carroll, High School Principal reported:

  • It’s been a joy to have the students and staff back in the classrooms and to see everyone…it’s fantastic!
  • There were no issues with the opening, which is a testament to the work that everyone put in preparing!
  • Our kick-off was great, however we can use some work on our “sling-shot” skills!
  • A big shout out to the entire building, the custodial staff, cafeteria staff, transportation, faculty, staff, admins and students!

Amy Feeley, Director of Pupil Personnel reported:

  • The Pupil Personnel office has been very busy welcoming new families. A big “thank you” to Liz Norton and the Nursing staff for their hard work and availability.
  • We are off to a great start

Erica Siebert, Director of Elementary Education (on behalf of the Curriculum Office reported:

  • We had 117 teachers participate in summer curriculum and professional development days.
  • Also, 26 teachers and administrators attended the Literacy Institute and 16 attended the Technology Summit, both events were hosted by HCSD.
  • Our opening conference days went great, everyone enjoyed the food trucks!
  • Everything is up and rolling!

Shannon Davis, Director of Buildings and Grounds reported:

  • We have official put Bryant School to sleep, it was a giant move!
  • We have completed dozens of projects over the summer…built walls, cubbies, etc. A 30 year veteran of the department made the comment that there had never been a summer as busy as this.
  • School started great, a big thank you to the maintenance and grounds crews! Superintendent Palotti commented that that the crews did a great job getting everything done in time for school to start.

Patrick Flaitz, School Business Official reported:

  • We had a normal summer in the Business Office, with an audit, payrolls, new staff, card access, etc., all the necessary little pieces.
  • Thank you to the office staff for pitching in and learning new tasks, coverage and cross –training, so that one person out in our office doesn’t cause a stalemate. We will continue working on this moving forward.
  • The summer moved by very fast

Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Palotti reported:

  • The first day of school went super smoothly.
  • The first few days we are always busy observing the bus schedule and reflecting and fine tuning…but for the first day it wend really well.
  • A shout out to the admin team on a job well done planning for the return of students and staff.
  • As far as COVID related issues, we are currently addressing:
    • Monitoring universal masking while inside
    • A plan for testing of non-vaccinated employees – working on a plan to begin in two weeks, with an outside contract through our nurse’s office. Currently working on the logistics and meeting with our nurses so everyone up to speed and good to go.

ROUTINE ITEMS

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti to approves/accepts the following Consent Agenda items:

  • Approves of the minutes for the meetings of August 16, 2021.
  • Acceptance of Claims Auditor/Warrant Reports for the period ending June 30, 2021.
  • Has no objections to the recommendations of the Committee on Special Education and approves the authorization of funds to implement the special education programs and services consistent with such recommendations for the CSE meetings of August 11, 23 and September 1, 2021. The CPSE meetings of August 16 and September 1, 2021 and the 504 meetings of August 23 and September 1, 2021.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

POLICY/PROCEDURE

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board accepts the Independent Audit Report for 2020/21 as presented.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following surplus athletic equipment:

  • Two (2) Muscle Dynamics Maxicam weight benches CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the use of the following new textbook to be used in the ACE First Year Experience Class:

  • OnCourse – Strategies for Creating Success In College and Life
    ISBN: 9780357818572 – 25 Copies

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the 2021-22 Honor Grad criteria as presented.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the findings of the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute (PTSI) Child Safety Zone Study of May 25, 2021. CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the resolution to participate in the Opioid & JUUL Litigation.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

FINANCE

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that agenda items VI. D. 2. a.-e. and 3. a. – m. be grouped together for one action.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

 

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board:

  • approves the following change to the 2021-22 Rate Schedule: Substitute Nurse Rate from $17.00 per hour to $25.00 per hour
  • approves the Agreement with Monroe 1 BOCES to provide tutoring services on an as needed basis for the 2021-22 school year. September 5, 2021 – June 25, 2022.
  • approves the fee proposal from HUNT for additional services for the 2021-22 North Hornell Capital Outlay Project.
  • approves the agreement with the Hornell Area Wind Ensemble for the use of District facilities for the 2021/22 school year.

PERSONNEL

  • approves the probationary appointment of Shelley Dubois as Food Service Helper, 7 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Lauren Moore as Food Service Helper, 3.75 hours per day, 10 months and as School Bus Attendant, 4 hours per day, 10 months at the rates stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Tara Regan as Food Service Helper, 3.75 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Diana Perry as Food Service Helper, 3.75 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Terah Wilson as Food Service Helper, 3.75 hours per day, 10 months at the rates stated in the HESSA contract, effective \ September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Becky Smith as Food Service Helper, 2.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 7, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Teha Stephens as Food Service Helper, 2.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Ashley Lorow as School Bus Attendant, 4.0 hours per day, 10 months at the rates stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • accepts the resignation of Mark Kelly as Teacher Aide and furthermore approves his probationary appointment as Buildings and Groundsmen, 8 hours per day, 12 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Kaleigh Burritt as Teacher Aide, 6.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HPA contract, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approve the following additional advisor appointments for the 2021-22 school year under the condition that the club is able to operate – applicable stipend if any may be prorated accordingly:
    • Class of 2025 – Jill Brown
    • Class of 2026 – 50/50 Co-Advisors – Toni Nasca and Tracy Graham
    • Class of 2027 – Erica Potter
    • Art Club – Ashlen Arias-Baird Chess Club – Carl Kossow
    • National Honor Society – Michael DeGaetano
  • approves the appointment of the 2021-22 Mentors on the list provided.
  • accepts / approves the following changes to the Department Chairs effective September 1, 2021:
  • Resignation of Diane Talbot as Mathematics Department Chair Appointment of Mary Franklin as Mathematics Department Chair through June 30, 2023.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Katrina Hurd as Regular Assigned Substitute at the rate of $175 per day, 10 months, effective September 1, 2021.
  • approve the probationary appointment of Roben Brown as Regular Assigned Substitute at the rate of $175 per day, 10 months, effective September 1, 2021.
  • accepts the resignation of Kelsey Gray as Registered Nurse, effective August 25, 2021.
  • accepts the resignation of Lisa Postilli as Special Education Teacher, effective at the end of the day on October 6, 2021.
  • approves the temporary appointment of Shelly Clancy and Kimberly Quinlan as Registered Nurses at the rate of $200 per day on an as needed basis until a replacement Registered Nurse is hired.
  • approves the appointments of the additional coaches for the Fall 2021 season – appointments are conditional upon there being a season (effective August 16, 2021):
  • Swimming Head Coach – Mark Kelly
  • Swimming Asst. Coach – Kristen Hazard
  • Mod. Girls Soccer Co-Coaches – Sean Gaffney and Haley Mistretta

(50/50)

  • Fall Faculty Manager – Jill Brown

  • approves the three-year probationary appointment of Emily Schwytzer as Elementary Teacher, effective TBD (approx. September 28, 2021) at a starting salary as defined in the HEA Contract. Emily is also approved to work with her team on an hourly time sheet basis over the summer when requested by her building principal. Eligibility for tenure at the end of the probationary period is dependent on the employee receiving APPR ratings of H or E in 3 of the 4 preceding years (and no I rating in the final year). (BS in Childhood and Special Education form SUNY Cortland, MS in Education Reading and Literacy (B-6) from SUNY Geneseo – NYS Professional Certification in Early Childhood (B-2), Childhood Education (1-6), Early Childhood Special Education ( B-2), Special Education (1-6) and Literacy (B-6).

    The Board congratulated Emily and welcomed her to the district.

  • approves the following changes to the substitute roster and other assignments, pending successful fingerprint clearance through the New York State Education Department and approval through DMV and or Civil Service if applicable:

Substitute Additions:

  • Alexander Lockwood – Laborer
  • Natalie Marino – Uncertified Teacher

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

INFORMATIONAL:

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library located at 134 Seneca Street.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, at 5:54 PM the Board adjourn to Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/HESS that, at 6:26 PM the Board return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk