Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

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

ROLL CALL:

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

ABSENT: Jessica Hess (excused), Uzma Mehr (arrived at 5:17 PM)

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, the agenda be approved as amended above.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

Member Mehr arrived at 5:17 PM

PUBLIC COMMENT

Patricia Moore – Re: Donation of Musical Instruments

Ms. Moore commented that she has a number of musical instruments and a box full of brand new reeds that she would like to donate to the district. She asked how she should go about it and who she should speak to. Superintendent Palotti and the Board thanked her for her generosity and indicated that she should communicate with the band directors who will in turn evaluate the instruments to determine the best use for them.

Steven Maio – Re: Enrollment of Giulietta Maio (daughter)

Mr. Maio addressed the Board with his concern about his daughter’s non-resident status due to her and her mother unknowingly moving out of the  district. He indicated that they were not made aware of this until January and knows that our policy states that she cannot attend at her grade level as a non-resident, but is asking that the Board consider a change to the policy that would allow younger students who move out of the district during a school year to be allowed to stay through the end of a semester or a year to not disrupt the child’s learning. This would not only benefit his daughter but also
others that may be in the same situation. He stated that he feels this would be in the best interest of the child.

Cortney Kelly – Re: Giulietta Maio (daughter)

Ms. Kelly indicated that she did not have anything to add to the above comments made by Mr. Maio and would like the Board to consider this request.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS:

Second Draft of 2023/24 Budget: Superintendent Palotti, together with School Business Official Patrick Flaitz shared a slide presentation with the Board which gave an overview of the preliminary 2023/24 budget preparation outlook and highlighted some great things going on in each of the school buildings.

Enrollment Report: Superintendent Palotti indicated that we be will providing enrollment data to the Board monthly.

REPORTS:

Construction Report: School Business official Flaitz presented updates on the current projects provided by Andy Billott’s (Welliver) to the Board.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS & SUPERINTENDENT ’S REPORT:

Both reports were incorporated into the budget presentation given earlier in the meeting. The “celebrations” that were shared that were not in the slide presentation are as follows:

  • Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal shared:
    • BAS Testing for 1st grade is complete – we have seen some progress in our scores
    • Kudos to the Intermediate students and Mrs. Hopper and her team who pulled off an amazing show for our kiddos, the students were mesmerized during the entire show while being awesome audience members.
    • Valentine’s Day was a great celebration and a chance to spread some kindness.
    • Thank you to our staff for being flexible when it comes to covering classes when it is needed.
  • Dr. Julie Smith, Intermediate School Principal shared:
    • During the month of February, the Intermediate School made valentines for the Hornell Community Outreach Committee and Hornell Partners for Growth. Valentines were shared with the elderly and our veterans.
    • We celebrated National School Counseling Week by honoring our three school counselors, Mrs. Tyler, Mrs. McAneney, and Mrs. Bailey. They do such an amazing job supporting all students in our building!
    • Our Intermediate School Musical, Frozen, Jr., was a huge success and received a lot of positive feedback from the community. The students, staff, and parent volunteers did a terrific job!
    • On February 16th, we held our Scripps School Spelling Bee. Spelling Club was led by Mrs. Keelia Newman. We had two finalists, both fifth graders, Carson Bebout and Abbas Kazmi. They will go on to the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee next Saturday, March 11th at Corning Painted-Post Middle School. In the event they cannot attend, our two alternates are Bess Allison and Molly Billings, who came in 3rd and 4th place.
    • This week, we are celebrating Read Across America Week with our Dr. Seuss theme. Tomorrow, we will participate in the national Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) time.
  • Morgan Allison, High School Principal shared:
    • The students made Valentines for Elderwood, we held a heart hunt and team trivia
    • Our Faculty vs Seniors basketball game was a great success, the Faculty won with the help of Board Member Clark!
    • We welcomed guest speaker Sandra Uwiringyimana author of How Dare the Sun Rise. She shared her experiences from her early life growing up in the Congo and moving to Rochester as a refugee. Thank you to Paula Fox for arranging her visit.
    • We wish our boys and girls basketball teams luck as they continue their journey towards a Sectional title. The boys play tonight and the girls play on Friday at Rush-Henrietta against Dansville.
    • The spring musical “Godspell” is next weekend, it will be great to have musical theater back on our stage again.

ROUTINE ITEMS

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

  • Approval of the minutes from the meeting of February 1, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Student Activities Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Appropriations Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the General Fund Budget Transfer Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Revenue Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Federal Funds Budget Transfer Report of January 31, 2023.
  • Acceptance of the Cafeteria Budget Transfer Report of January 31, 2023
  • Acceptance of the Warrant Reports of January 31, 2023

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 31, 2023, February 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2023 the CPSE meetings of February 6, 8 and 16, 2023 and the 504 meetings of February 2, 8, 9 and 15, 2023.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

NEW BUSINESS

POLICY/PROCEDURE

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Jessica Hess as Board of Education Member / President.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Clerk Eaton opened the floor for nominations for Board of Education President.

Member Mehr nominated Christopher Clark for President, member Davis seconded his nomination, member Clark accepted the nomination.

Clerk Eaton asked for any other nominations, being that there were none, she declared the nominations closed.

A vote was taken to elect Christopher Clark as President.

6 AYES – ALL

Newly elected President Clark opened the floor for nominations for Board of Education Vice-President.

After a brief discussion, President Clark nominated Joseph Liberto for Vice- President, member Marino seconded his nomination, member Liberto accepted the nomination.

President Clark asked for any other nominations, being that there were none, he declared the nominations closed.

A vote was taken to elect Joseph Liberto as Vice-President.

6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the
2023/24 academic and payroll calendars.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that agenda items VI E 1 e through VI E 2 f be grouped together for one action.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

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

  • WHEREAS, personal registration of voters in city school districts of cities with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants is required pursuant to Section 2606 of the New York State Education Law; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education (the “Board”) of the City School District of the City of Hornell, Steuben County, New York (the
    “District”) as follows: Section 1. The Board hereby appoints Carol Eaton, Susan Brown, Susan Martin, Colby Moore, Kimberly Bacon and Tara Foster as members (the “Members”) of the Board of Registration for the District and hereby specifically authorizes and directs the Members to provide a means and opportunity for qualified District residents to register to vote in connection with the District’s Annual Meeting and Vote to be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, pursuant to applicable law. Section 2. The Board of Registration for the District shall attend at the District Clerk’s office, located at 120 Raider Road, Hornell, New York 14843, to prepare the voter register for the District, pursuant to applicable law. Section 3. The Members shall serve as the District’s  Board of Registration until February 15, 2024 or such time as the Board acts to change the membership of the Board of Registration, and shall continue to act as the Board of Registration for future District votes, until such time as the Board directs otherwise.
    Section 4. This resolution is effective February 15, 2023.
  • approves the MOA with HEA to establish a Business Club;
  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following items:
    • 90 – Pairs of basketball shorts
    • 50 – Basketball warmup tops
    • 15 – Random basketball jackets
    • 24 – Basketball warmups
    • 1 – Broken kitchen mixer, asset tag # 002525
  • approves the donation of the following items to the Hornell Sports Boosters:
    • 25 – Out of date football helmets (unusable)
    • 90 – Basketball uniforms from the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s
  • approves the overnight trip request of the Wrestling Team to travel to Wayne, NY to compete in Sectionals on February 4 , 2023;
  • approves the overnight trip request of the Wrestling Team to travel to Brockport, NY to compete in the State Qualifiers on February 11, 2023;

FINANCE

  • approve the following Student Transportation Vehicle Purchase Resolution to be placed on the official ballot to be voted on by the qualified voters of the City School District of the City of Hornell, New York at the Annual Budget Vote/Board Member Election on May 16, 2023:
  • Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:
    RESOLVED that, the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Hornell, New York is hereby authorized to expend $75,000 from the existing 2017-2027 Transportation Reserve Fund for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles, expenditure to be made no later than June 30, 2025?
  • approves the following Lease of School Buses Resolution to be placed on the official ballot to be voted on by the qualified voters of the City School District of the City of Hornell, New York at the Annual Budget Vote/Board Member Election on May 16, 2023:
    Shall the following resolution be adopted to wit:
    RESOLVED that, pursuant to Chapter 472 of the Session Laws of 1998, the Board of Education of the Hornell City School District is hereby authorized to lease and expend therefore, including costs incidental thereto and the financing thereof, an amount not to exceed the estimated maximum cost of four hundred sixty thousand dollars ($460,000.00), and for a term not to exceed five (5) years, the following motors vehicles:

    • Two (2) sixty-six (66) passenger school buses
    • One (1) forty-eight (48) passenger school bus
    • AND, that such sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall
      be raised by the levy of a tax collected in annual installments; and
      that in anticipation of such tax, obligations of the District shall be
      issued?
  • the annual school board member election/budget vote be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 (Noon – 9:00 PM) in accordance with Education Law, and further:
    1. Recommended that the Board approve the Notice of Annual School
      Election/Budget Vote. (Exhibit A)
    2. Recommended that the Board approve the Notice of Filing of School Election District Registers. (Exhibit B)
    3. Recommended that the Board approve the Notice of Registration for Annual School Election/Budget Vote. (Exhibit C)
    4. Recommended that the Board approve the list of school election inspectors and alternates and authorize payment at the rate of $150 per day.
    5. Recommended that the Board authorize the Clerk of the Board of Education to appoint new election inspectors in the event that those who are appointed are unable to work.
    6. Recommended that the Board approve the process for absentee ballots in
      accordance with §2018-a of Education Law.
  • approves the Independent Contractor Agreement with Kimberly Cassidy to provide staff development and in service training to the St. Ann’s teaching staff, effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023;
  • approves the resolution to participate in the Cooperative Food Service Bids with the GST BOCES for the 2023/24 school year;
  • approves the resolution to participate in the Cooperative Food Service Bids with the GST BOCES for the 2023/24 school year.

PERSONNEL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the provisional appointment of Katherine Santelli as Senior Typist, 12 months, 7.5 hours per day (7 when school is not in session). This appointment is conditional upon her passing
and being reachable on the Senior Typist list from the Steuben County Department of Civil Service effective February 6, 2023, furthermore the Board approve her individual contract through June 30, 2024.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the
probationary appointment of Stephen Smith II as Head Mechanic, 12 months, 8 hours per day effective February 21, 2023. Furthermore, the Board approve his individual contract through June 30, 2024.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Rhonda Smith as LPN, ten months, 7.75 hours per day effective March 6, 2023.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – 1 ABSTENTION (MEHR)

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement Gary Kneale as School Bus Driver effective at the end of the day on February 27, 2023.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following Spring Coaching Assignments for the 2023 season, (pending proper certifications and clearances) with stipends as defined in the HEA Contract – appointments are effective March 1, 2023:

  • Baseball:
    • Joe Flint Varsity Head Coach
    • Chris vanLeeuven JV Head Coach
    • TBD Modified Head Coach
  • Softballl:
    • Jennifer Bowie/Amber Kosow Varsity Head Coach
    • Haley Mistretta – JV Head Coach
    • TBD– Modified Head Coach
  • Golf:
    • Amy Feeley – Varsity Head Coach
    • Todd Bialecki – JV Head Coach
    • Elizabeth Norton – Volunteer
  • Track:
    • Michael DeGeatano – Boys Varsity Head Coach
    • Angela DeLany – Girls Varsity Head Coach
    • Katie Kenney – Mod Head Coach
    • James Welch – Varsity Assistant
    • Andrew Newman – Varsity Assistant
  • Tennis:
    • James Dagon – Varsity Head Coach
    • Michael Harrick – Modified Head Coach
  • Spring Faculty Manager:
    • TBD

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following appointment for the Intermediate School After School Program: Stacy Moravec – Teacher (effective February 2, 2023)
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the request for an unpaid leave of absence of Kacey Johnson for the term of January 23, 2023 through February 13, 2023.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board 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: Malia Velez – Teacher Aide, Laborer
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Discussion:

Informational:

The next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library.

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

RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, at 6:45 PM the Board move return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk