Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > February 1, 2023 – Unofficial

February 1, 2023 – Unofficial

President Hess opened the meeting at 5:15 PM and led the Board/Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Jessica Hess, Christopher Clark, Meghann Khork, James Marino, Uzma Mehr, Joseph Liberto, Kerry DavisABSENT: None

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/MEHR that, at 5:15 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss a particular personnel matter.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, at 5:27 PM the Board return to Regular Session.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/CLARK that, the agenda be amended to add the following agenda as item VI E 3 p: Administrative Leave /Education Law 913 Resolution

Resolved that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, Employee # 141’s current administrative leave be and hereby is extended indefinitely, pending the conclusion of a further investigation; and Employee # 141 be and hereby is directed to submit to an examination by a healthcare provider designated by the District’s Director of School Health Services pursuant to Section 913 of the Education Law.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/CLARK that, the agenda be approved as amended above.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

Tracy Graham – Re: Communication

As Ms. Graham began her comment period it became evident that the topic may cross over to a personnel matter that prohibited from discussion in “public comment”, President Hess made Ms. Graham aware of this and offered her the option to make her comment privately to the Board in Executive Session. Ms. Graham accepted.

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, at 5:30 PM the Board move to Executive Session to hear the comments of Tracy Graham.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, at 5:37 PM the Board return to Regular Session.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS:

Special Education Review: Superintendent Palotti indicated that an extensive review of Special Education program would be taking place. Through discussion with Amy Feeley, Director of Pupil Personnel as well as through a new relationship with the University of Rochester who will be making an Independent “deep dive” review. As always, the administration, faculty and staff will work together to do the best we can to do right by students at all levels.

First Draft of 2023/24 Budget: Superintendent Palotti, together with School Business Official Patrick Flaitz gave an overview of the 2023/24 budget preparation process;
Received the Governor’s budget between 1:00 and 2:00 PM today, this is super late under normal circumstances, but a new Governor is afforded a longer period of time to put the budget together in their first year.

The State’s perspective is good, Hornell’s is good but not great in comparison to others

$600,000 in Foundation Aid will be helpful, schools will get varying percentages (5%, 8%, 12%) based on previous funding, some were underfunded in the past;

Pat discussed some of the bigger moving parts/cost drivers:

Payroll – we are a service organization therefore, this is one of our biggest expenses. This line item will increase by 1.2 million if we maintain all staff excluding retirees.

Health and Dental Insurance – this line item is slated to increase by 16% this coming year. Some year we were not hit as hard…this one is a big one. Hornell makes up 1/3 of the total of our consortium. The increase will be around $650,000. The reason behind this is that during the pandemic health costs were down due to a decrease in non- emergency surgeries, etc., since the pandemic is ramping down these things are now on the rise.

BOCES CTE – this is based on our enrollment from two years ago and will be an increase of between $250,000 and $300,000.

Electricity – this has been rising by the hundreds of thousands and will be an increase of more than $300,000 in the coming year.

REPORTS:

Construction Report: Andy Billotte (Welliver) updated the Board on the current projects.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS:

Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal reported:

  • The AU Women’s basketball team visited our classes to read to our students. The kids had a great time listening to the players read and talking to them. It was great to see Hornell Alumni Leah Harkenrider.
  • Forest School has been going well, the kids have been sledding and making snowmen, talking about the colder weather and where snow comes from.
  • Last week was “Drop Everything and Read” (D.E.A.R.), it was fun to go into the classrooms and see the kids reading.
  • On the 27th we had our “Hibernation Day” celebration, the kids loved wearing their pajamas to school.
  • We also held our mid-year celebration for our “Red Raider Strong” tickets, we have reached 5,000 for the year so far! We talked about how they earn their tickets, sang some RRS songs, heard from Senior athletes and ended with a dance party. Great job to all of our kiddos!

Superintendent Palotti on behalf of Julie Smith, Intermediate School Principal reported:

  • Kids have been working hard in spelling club. We are excited for the Intermediate School Spelling Bee in a couple of weeks!
  • Teachers LOVED the conference day on Monday and walked away with several strategies they are implementing in their classes!
  • Everyone is pumped for Frozen, Jr next week! So many students have worked hard preparing!

Morgan Allison, High School Principal reported:

  • Be A Jedi – Tanya Ross, Gillian Brubaker, and Meg Bonacquisti secondary mathematics and science teachers to become teacher leaders who impact change in STEM learning for colleagues and students.
  • Regents week – Thank you to all who made it run smoothly
  • Conference day a lot of great collaboration and curriculum work
  • January 2023 Wildwood Student of the Month: Sybella Kuenzli (Criminal Justice)
  • Honor Pass Recipients:
    • 60 7th graders,
    • 52 8th graders,
    • 40 freshman,
    • 50 sophomores,
    • 50 juniors, and
    • 68 seniors
    • 320 total students – approximately half of the student body!

SUPERINTENDENT ’S REPORT: Superintendent Palotti reported: See presentations

ROUTINE ITEMS

BY: DAVIS/CLARK

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

  • Approval of the minutes from the meeting of January 4, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Student Activities Report of December 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Appropriations Report of December 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the General Fund Budget Transfer Report of December 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report of December 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Revenue Report of December 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Federal Funds Budget Transfer Report of December 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 January 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26, 2023, the CPSE meetings of January 13, 19 and 26, 2023 and the 504 meetings of January 11, 18 and 25, 2023.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, agenda items VI E 1 a – 3 e be grouped together for one action.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

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

  • POLICY/PROCEDURE
    • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following:
      • Non-functioning Metal Lathe – Asset tag # 000279 Dukane Panel – Asset tag # 20020580
      • Old HS Safe – Asset tag # A00496899
    • approves the request of the Hornell Public Library Board of Trustees to include the following proposition on the ballot for the annual Budget Vote to be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023:
    • Shall the annual sum of money to be raised by the taxation from the residents of the Hornell City School District for the Hornell Public Library be increased from $334,700 to $361,476 in accordance with New York State Education Law, EDN § 259, to provide public library services?
  • FINANCE
    • approves the cost allocation methodology for GST BOCES for the 2023-24 school year;
    • approves the MOU with Alfred State for Spring 2023 Math 1054 – Pre Calculus classes;
    • approves the contract with Dr. Richard Ciccone, MD. for services pursuant to Section 913 of the NYS Education Law;
    • approves the rate proposal of Terracon dated January 11, 2023 for materials testing and inspection services;
  • PERSONNEL
    • approves the probationary appointment of Taylor Clark as Food Service Helper, effective January 9, 2023 with a starting rate as designated in the HESSA Contract – 10 months, 3.75 hours per day;
    • approves the probationary appointment of Jennifer Martin as Food Service Helper, effective January 31, 2023 with a starting rate as designated in the HESSA Contract – 10 months, 3.75 hours per day;
    • approves the termination of Christina Ritenour as Food Service Helper effective June 16, 2022;
    • approves the permanent appointment of Tonya Cornish as Senior Typist effective January 30, 2023;
    • approves the following appointment for the Intermediate School After School Program:
      • Randi Fridmann – Teacher (effective January 23, 2023)
      • Keelia Hamden – Substitute (effective January 10, 2023)

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, in that it has been found that the actions and deportment of Brian Dyring as an athletic coach are inconsistent with the Dignity for All Students Act:
All appointments of Mr. Dyring as an athletic coach in this District be and hereby are terminated, effective immediately; and

The Superintendent take any necessary action to implement this Resolution CARRIED – 6 AYES – 1 ABSTENTION (CLARK)

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following additions to the 2022/23 Winter Coaching assignments:
Appointment – Modified Swimming Coach – Nicole Miller

Appointment – Girls Varsity Basketball /Coach (prorated) – James Dagon Appointment – Girls JV Basketball Coach (prorated) – Kiana Sleight

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/DAVIS that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following addition/changes to the 2022/23 Advisor assignments:

  • Resignation – Int Select Choir Advisor – Sydney Schierer
  • Appointment – Int School Select Choir Advisor – Chris vanLeeuwen (prorated) Appointment – Special Olympics Co-Advisors – Amber Kossow, Angie
  • Conway and Brandon Burritt Appointment – Business Club Advisor – Pamela Mendel (prorated)

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: MEHR/DAVIS that, agenda items VI E 3 j – 3 o be grouped together for one action.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

  • RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/MEHR that upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti the Board:
    approves the following addition/changes to the 2022/23 Mentor assignments: Resignation – Mentor – Sydney Schierer
  • Appointment – Mentor – Chris vanLeeuwen (prorated) Appointment – Mentor – Michele Kendall (prorated):
  • approves Rachael McGregor as a Practicum Student from Alfred University to work with Stacey Illi beginning February 1, 2023:
  • accepts the resignation of Mark Lombardo as ESOL / French Teacher effective on July 28, 2023:
  • accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Sandra Hillman as Elementary Teacher effective at the end of the day on February 28, 2023 (6 years in district, 16 years in education);
  • accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Elizabeth Cardamone as Elementary Teacher effective at the end of the day on June 30, 2023 (21 years in district, 25 in education);
  • accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Diane Talbot as Math Teacher effective at the end of the day on June 30, 2023 (33 years in 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:
      • Colette Cornish – Uncertified Teacher
      • William Headley – Bus Attendant, Bus Driver (Effective 1/1/23) Matthew Rauber – Food Service Helper, Laborer
      • McKenzie Wilson – Certified Teacher (Guidance Counselor) (Effective 1/18/23)
    • Removed:
      • Barbara Nilson (Effective 12/26/22)

Employee # 141’s current administrative leave be and hereby is extended indefinitely, pending the conclusion of a further investigation; and Employee # 141 be and hereby is directed to submit to an examination by a healthcare provider designated by the District’s Director of School Health Services pursuant to Section 913 of the Education Law.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

Discussion:

Informational:

There will be a Board Retreat held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 5:30 PM to review the Needs Assessment results with Nicole Alioto of Alla Breve Consulting.

The next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library.

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/DAVIS that, at 6:04 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss a matter pertaining to particular personnel.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, at 6:26 PM the Board move return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Eaton, District Clerk