Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > Meeting Minutes December 7, 2022

Meeting Minutes December 7, 2022

President Hess opened the meeting at 5:50 PM (immediately following the Capital Project “Town Hall” Meeting) and led the Board/Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Jessica Hess, Christopher Clark, Meghann Khork, James Marino, Joseph Liberto, Kerry Davis

ABSENT: Uzma Mehr (excused)

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/CLARK that, the agenda be approved as presented.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

NONE

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PRESENTATIONS:

Professional Development – Ted Illi and Erica Siebert, Directors of Curriculum, presented the Board with a review of the district’s Professional Development Plan (handout).

2022 Needs Assessment Update – Superintendent Palotti, noted that the last phase of the assessment will be held on Monday, December 12th. An update will be forthcoming at a future meeting.

REPORTS:

Construction Report: Superintendent Palotti updated the Board on the current projects.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS:

  • Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal reported:
    • We raised $268 for the Hornell Humane Society through the Pennies for Paws.
    • Helping a student in the building who was in the hospital for a lengthy time
    • We have 59 families that are being supported by community resources, United Presyterian Church, Shop with a cop, Santa Hat
    • Parent teacher conferences are happening this week
    • We are doing a canned food goods collection right now for the holidays.
  • Julie Smith, Intermediate School Principal reported:
    • A big shout-out to our classroom teachers! They’ve been assessing all students in reading and report card standards, as our trimester just ended on Friday.
    • This week, all teachers are meeting mostly in the evenings with parents to go over those report cards and student progress.
    • We have our 5th and 6th grade band and chorus concert tomorrow night. Thank you to members of the music department for stepping up to help make sure students were ready for the concert, despite Mrs. Schierer having to be out.
    • We had four teachers volunteer to attend the virtual Teachers College Institute last month, entitled “Teaching Towards Social Justice, Civic Engagement and Project-Based Learning.” That included Randi Fridmann, Kate Bowie, Kristen Gostomski, and Jenn Bowie and they came away really motivated and inspired!
    • I want to recognize the time and effort that Mrs. Marino puts into reaching our students who are struggling emotionally and behaviorally. She really does take the time with students and families to look for solutions that will actually bring about growth and change in behaviors. A Dean of Students or Assistant Principal is often a thankless job, but she really is going above and beyond!
    • I also want to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that our paraprofessionals bring to our school! There has been a bit of sub shortage, and we often have to fill teaching positions first and aide positions have to go unfilled. I wish these aides could hear how much the teachers count on their help in the classrooms. It’s one of those things where you really value someone when they aren’t there. I want to thank them for all they do to help students be more ready to learn and help
  • Kate Wall, High School Assistant Principal reported:
    • We recently finished our first marking period, and 447 high school students earned first or second honor roll status. Approximately 73% of our students.
    • BOCES Honor Roll: 30 students, High Honor Roll: 35 students
    • On November 17th, our National Junior Honor Society inducted 38 students into our local chapter. We congratulate them, their families, and the staff who have contributed to their success. We also thank Mr. Tim Crowe for his efforts in organizing this event.
    • Thank you to the Guidance Department for assisting in the Life Powered by You field Trip. Mrs. Wall took a small group of 8th-grade students, on November 17th, to the Corning Radisson, where the students participated in (3) sessions to build individual confidence, conflict resolution strategies, and provided reminders for our students to be proud of who they are as individuals.
    • The High School choir and Mr. VanLeeuwen for their community tours, performing at the Main Place for our City employees and the American Association of United Women, and they toured Hornell Gardens. Students have been preparing for the holiday concerts coming up next week. Thank you to Mr. VanLeeuwen, Mr. Bialecki, and Mr. Wilmore for the time put in for these performances.
    • Congratulations to all eight Varsity sports teams; earning the honor of Scholar Athletic teams through New York State. Each team’s combined report card averages are all over 90%. John recently included this criteria in an email he sent to Jeremy and us: To receive Scholar-Athlete team recognition with a certificate, the team’s average GPA for 75% of the roster must be greater than or equal to 90.00. This means you take 75% of your roster and then average their GPAs. Any GPA can be included, but if it is below a 90, they will not receive a pin.
  • SUPERINTENDENT ’S REPORT: Superintendent Palotti reported:
    • Prior to the Town Hall Meeting, Superintendent Palotti and North Hornell Principal, Sean Gaffney took a moment to recognize Shelly DuBois, who is a Food Service Worker in the North Hornell School:
    • We would like to publicly recognize Shelly DuBois a food service helper from North Hornell for her actions on November 9th when she performed the Heimlich maneuver on a student during breakfast. Her quick response allowed her to dislodge the object. She then escorted the student to the Nurse to be checked out. The student was able to return to class.

ROUTINE ITEMS

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

  • Approval of the minutes from the meeting of November 16, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Student Activities Report of October 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Appropriations Report of October 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the General Fund Budget Transfer Reports of October 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Reports of October 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Revenue Report of October 31, 2022.
  • The Board 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 November 16, 2022 and December 1 and 6, 2022, the CPSE meeting of November 16, 2022 and December 1, 2022 and the 504 meeting of November 16, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/DAVIS that, agenda items VI. E. 1. a. through VI E. 3. o. be grouped together for one action..

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/CLARK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti the Board:

POLICY/PROCEDURE

  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following items: Non-functioning cooktop – Asset tag 000012
    • Broken burnisher – Asset tag 000006
  • approves the application of Dr. Ismail Mehr as a volunteer in weight room for strength and conditioning.
  • approves the appointment of Brenda Buell as CSE/CPSE Parent Representative for the remainder of the 2022/23 school year.

FINANCE

  • approves the training of our election inspectors through NTS Data on the use of “esign” devices for our upcoming Capital Project Vote. Furthermore, the Board approves compensation of $25 to be paid to each inspector who attends such training.
  • approves the MOU w/ ProAction for Family Resources Center and Family Engagement services for the 2022/23 school year.

PERSONNEL

  • accepts the resignation of Kristi Sheldon as Food Service Helper effective at the end of the day on December 2, 2022.
  • accepts the resignation of David Giles as Head Mechanic effective at the end of the day on December 6, 2022.
  • accepts the resignation of Matt McKee as Teacher Aide effective at the end of the day on December 23, 2022.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Megan Tomeno as Teacher Aide, effective December 8, 2022 with a starting rate as designated in the HPA Contract – 10 months, 7.00 hours per day.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Kristen Williams as Teacher Aide, effective November 21, 2022 with a starting rate as designated in the HPA Contract – 10 months, 7.00 hours per day.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Janice Raish as Food Service Helper, effective December 8, 2022, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract, – 10 months, 2.50 hours per day.
  • approves the probationary appointment of September Carpenter as Food Service, Helper effective December 8, 2022, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract, 10 months, 3.75 hours per day.
  • approves the probationary appointment of Habakka Feenaughty as Food Service Helper, effective December 8, 2022, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract, 10 months, 3.75 hours per day.
  • accepts the resignation of Judeana (Dee) Haynes from the position of Teacher Aide effective at the end of the day on November 15, 2022 for the purpose of accepting the provisional appointment to the position of Senior Typist. Furthermore, the Board approves the provisional appointment of Judeana (Dee) Haynes as Senior Typist together with her individual contract effective November 28, 2022 through June 20, 2024. This appointment is conditional upon Dee taking the next Senior Typist Civil Service Test offered by the Steuben County Department of Labor, and passing said test with a score that allows her to be reachable on the list of candidates.
  • accepts the resignation of Sydney Schierer as Co-Director of the Intermediate School Musical, effective November 29, 2022.
  • approves the appointment of Dawn Hopper as Co-Director of the Intermediate School Musical effective November 29, 2022 (prorated).
  • approve the appointment of John Cardamone as Homeless Liaison effective January 1, 2023.
  • approves the following appointments for the Intermediate School After School Program:
    • Kristin Kashmer – Substitute Michelle Marion – Substitute
  • approves the updated contract of Patrick Flaitz, School Business Official.
  • approve 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:
    • Mary Ashworth – Typist, Teacher Aide, Bus Attendant Dakota Craft – Teacher Aide, Typist
    • Ian Lewis – Typist, Teacher Aide Rebecca Rose – Food Service Helper
    • Colleen Whittall – Uncertified Teacher (Effective 11/21/22) 

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Discussion:

Informational:

There will be a public vote on the proposed Capital Project on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from Noon – 9:00 PM in the HS Lobby.

There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 9:30 PM in the HS Cafeteria.

The next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library.

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/DAVIS that, at 6:10 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss a particular personnel matter.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/DAVIS that, at 6:34 PM the Board return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk