District Clerk, Carol Eaton opened the reorganizational meeting for the 2023-24 school year at 4:30 PM and led the Board/Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT via ZOOM: Christopher Clark, Joseph Liberto, Meghann Khork, Kerry Davis
ABSENT: James Marino (excused), Uzma Mehr (arrived 4:36 PM), Brian May (excused)
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
District Clerk Eaton administered the “Oath of Office” to new (re-elected) Board of Education Member Christopher Clark.
The Board acted on the following items for the 2023-24 school year:
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
District Clerk Eaton requested nominations for President of the Board of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
Motion made by DAVIS, seconded by KHORK that Christopher Clark be nominated as President of the Board Education. Clark accepted the nomination. There being no further nominations for President, the nominations were closed.
RESOLVED: that, Christopher Clark be appointed as President of the Board of Education.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
District Clerk Eaton administered the “Oath of Office” to President Christopher Clark and turned the meeting over to the President.
President Clark requested nominations for Vice-President of the Board of Education for the 2023-24 school year.
Motion made by DAVIS, seconded by KHORK that Joseph Liberto be nominated as Vice-President of the Board of Education. Liberto accepted the nomination. There being no further nominations for Vice- President, the nominations were closed.
RESOLVED: that, Joseph Liberto be appointed as Vice-President of the Board of Education.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
Board President Davis administered the “Oath of Office” to Vice-President Christopher Clark.
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, Carol Eaton be appointed Clerk of the Board.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
Board President Clark administered the “Oath of Office” to District Clerk Eaton.
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, Susan Brown be appointed Treasurer of the Board.
CARRIED –4 AYES – ALL
Treasurer Brown was unable to attend the meeting, the District Clerk will administered the “Oath of Office” to District Treasurer Brown at a later date.
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS /KHORK that, Carol Eaton be appointed as Deputy Treasurer of the Board.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
Board President Clark administered the “Oath of Office” to Deputy Treasurer Eaton
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, agenda items III. A. 3. d. through Ill A. 7. l. be grouped together for one action.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHOHK that, the Board takes the following action:
- approves the appointment of Mary Wolf as Claims Auditor, with an annual stipend of $4,150.
- approves the appointment of Melissa Evans as Deputy Claims Auditor at a rate of $22 per hour on an as needed basis.
- approves the appointment of Hornell City Chamberlain, Michele Smith as Tax Collector.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS:
- approves the appointment of Hodgson Russ LLP as the school attorney at the rates established, furthermore they approve John Dagon, Esq. to provide legal services on an as needed basis.
- approves Timothy R. McGill, Esq. as bond counsel.
- approves the resolution to cross-contract with Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES in accordance with Section 170.12 of the Commissioner’s Regulations.
- establishes an Audit Committee, consisting of Kerry Davis, James Marino, Uzma Mehr, Meghann Khork, Christopher Clark, Joseph Liberto and Brian May.
- approves Stony Brook Pediatrics as the school physician for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at a fee of $1.
- approves the following appointments ( “C” denotes compensated )
- Attendance Officer – Patrick Flaitz
- Architect – Hunt Engineers, Architects and LaBella Associates-C
- Broker of Record – Lawley Insurance – C
- Chemical Safety Officer – Shannon Davis
- Chief Information Officer – Colby Moore – C
- Chief Faculty Counselor – Morgan Allison
- Construction Manager – Welliver McGuire, Inc. – C
- District Copyright Officer – Patrick Flaitz
- Emergency Disaster Coordinator – Patrick Flaitz
- Financial Advisor – Bernard Donegan – C
- Head Building Maintenance Mechanics – Shannon Davis and Mitchell Weaver- C
- Health & Safety Committee – Safety Committee, others to be determined
- Homeless Liaison – John Cardamone
- LEA Designee (Asbestos) — Shannon Davis
- Official District representative to the GST BOCES Worker’s Compensation consortium – Patrick Flaitz. In his absence, Jeremy Palotti will serve as the official District representative for any plan business requiring a vote.
- Official District representative to the Steuben Area Schools Health Insurance Plan – Jeremy Palotti. In his absence, Patrick Flaitz will serve as the official District representative for any plan business requiring a vote.
- Records Access Officer – Carol Eaton
- Records Retention Officer – Patrick Flaitz
- Records Management Advisory Committee –Patrick Flaitz, Carol Eaton, Amy Feeley, and others to be determined
- Representative for Public Law 874 – Patrick Flaitz
- Representative for Title IX – Juliana Smith
- Representative for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – Amy Feeley
- Safety Committee – Patrick Flaitz, Shannon Davis, BOE, Building Administrators, Parent & Union representatives to be determined
- Student Activity Accounts Central Treasurer – Vicki Flaitz
- Student Activity Accounts Assistant Treasurer – Kathryn Santelli
- DASA Coordinator – Nancy Shedlock
- Administrative Staff as Lead Evaluators / APPR Plan:
- Morgan Allison
- John Cardamone
- Amy Feeley
- Ted Illi
- Charles Infurna
- Eli Marcus
- Jeremy Palotti
- Lisa Sanford
- Erica Siebert
- Juliana Smith
- Wendy Wachtel
- Kate Wall
DESIGNATIONS:
- approves Community Bank, Five Star Bank and Chase as the official bank depositories.
- approves the following dates for Board of Education meetings for the 2022-23 school year. (all meetings will begin at 5:15 PM and will be held in the High School Library,134 Seneca Street, unless otherwise noted)
- Wed., July 12, 2023 (4:30 PM)
- Wed., August 23, 2023
- Wed., September 6, 2023
- Wed., October 4, 2023
- Wed., November 1, 2023
- Wed., December 6, 2023
- Wed., January 3, 2024
- Wed., February 7, 2024
- Wed., March 6, 2024
- Wed., March 27, 2024 (Budget Workshop if needed)
- Wed., April 3, 2024
- Wed., April 17, 2024 (Meeting (GST Budget)
- Tues., May 7, 2024 (public hearing on budget at 6:00 PM / regular meeting immediately following)
- Tues., May 21, 2024 (HS Cafeteria @ 9:30 PM – Budget Vote/Election)
- Wed., June 12, 2024
- approves The Evening Tribune as the official newspaper.
- approves the following school holidays (unless otherwise negotiated):
- July 4, 2023 (4th of July)
- September 4, 2023 (Labor Day)
- October 9, 2023 (Columbus Day)
- November 10, 2023 (Veteran’s Day Observed)
- November 23 & 24, 2023 (Thanksgiving & day after)
- December 22, 2023 (Christmas Eve– due to falling on weekend)
- December 25, 2023 (Christmas)
- December 29, 2023 (New Year’s Eve – due to falling on weekend)
- January 1, 2024 (New Year’s Day)
- January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Day)
- February 19, 2024 (Presidents’ Day)
- March 29, 2024 (Good Friday)
- May 27, 2024 (Memorial Day)
- June 19, 2024 (Juneteeth)
AUTHORIZATIONS:
- authorizes the School Business Official to certify payrolls.
- authorizes the School Business Official to act as purchasing agent and the Superintendent will act as Deputy Purchasing Agent.
- authorizes the Purchasing Agent to open all bids.
- authorizes the Superintendent or designee to approve all in state conference attendance and expenses. Board is to be notified in advance of attendance at any conference, convention and workshop this is out of state and that is of more than three days in duration.
- approves appointments of certified staff and classified staff until Board Action is taken at the next meeting.
- authorizes the Superintendent or designee to apply for grants.
- authorizes the Superintendent, Board President, Purchasing Agent and/or Clerk to sign legal documents which have been previously approved by the Board of Education.
- establishes Petty Cash Funds in the amounts and with custodians so designated:
- District Office: $100 (Susan Brown)
- High School Office: $100 (Morgan Allison)
- Curriculum Office: $100 (Theodore Illi)
- Athletic Dept Admission Cash Box 1: $100 (John Cardamone)
- Intermediate School: $100 (Julie Smith)
- North Hornell School: $50 (Charles Infurna)
- Food Service: $100 (Tracie McCarthy)
- Home Economics: $100 (Lynn (Wendy) Pollinger)
- Maintenance Dept.: $100 (Shannon Davis)
- Pupil Personnel: $100 (Amy Feeley)
- approves the signature (including facsimile) of Susan Brown (Treasurer) and Carol Eaton (Deputy Treasurer) on checks
- authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to approve budget transfers in accordance with Board of Education policy #5330 for the 2023-24 school year.
- authorize s the Superintendent to amend or approve cooperative service changes provided for in the 2023-24 GST BOCES contract.
- approves the list of credit cards and cell phones for district use.
- authorizes the Superintendent to execute contracts on their behalf.
OTHER ITEMS:
- approves bonding of school district personnel as follows:
- Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer: $1,075,000
- Tax Collector: $500,000
- Central Treasurer: $150,000
- All other personnel: $100,000
- sets the mileage reimbursement rate for the 2023-24 school year be the same as the IRS mileage rate, unless otherwise negotiated.
- approves the rate schedule for miscellaneous duties for the 2023-24 school year.
- approves the District’s membership in the following organizations:
- Greater Southern Tier School Boards Association
- New York State Association of Small City School Districts
- New York State School Boards Association
- hereby approves legal indemnification of Board Members, Officers, the District Superintendent and School Administrators against all uninsured financial or property loss arising out of any proceeding, claim, demand, suit, tort, arbitration or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or other conduct resulting in bodily or other injury to any person or damage to the property of any person committed while Board Member, Officer, District Superintendent, School Administrator is acting within the scope of his/her employment or at the discretion of the Board of Education for fiscal year 2023-24; and further, to hold her/him harmless therefrom.
- approve the following members of the Committee on Special Education for the 2023-24 school year:
- Chairperson: Amy Feeley, Katherine Clark, Nancy Shedlock and Tricia Bressler
- Alternate Chairperson(s): Special Education Teacher or related services provider (Speech, Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist) present at the meeting
- Psychologist(s): Nancy Shedlock, Katherine Clark and Tricia Bressler
- Alternating Parent(s): Wendy Chase and Brenda Buell
- Physician: Stony Brook Pediatrics, School Physician
- Classroom Teachers, Guidance Counselors and Related Services Providers
- Further resolved, that the CSE Chair make the decision when there is no consensus at a CSE meeting.
- approves the following members of the Committee on Preschool Special Education for the 2023-24 school year:
- Chairperson : Amy Feeley, Katherine Clark, Nancy Shedlock and Tricia Bressler
- Alternate Chairperson(s): Special Education Teacher or related services provider (Speech, Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist) present at the meeting
- Psychologist(s): Nancy Shedlock, Katherine Clark and Tricia Bressler
- Alternating Parent(s):Wendy Chase and Brenda Buell
- Physician: Stony Brook Pediatrics, School Physician Classroom Teachers, Guidance Counselors and Related Services Providers
- Further resolved, that the CPSE Chair make the decision when there is no consensus at a CPSE meeting.
- approves subcommittees for the CSE and CPSE consisting of the following:
- Parent of student
- General education teacher of student whenever student is or may be participating in the general education environment
- Student’s special education teacher
- Representative of the School District who is qualified to provide special education and is knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and the resources of the School District (can be the special education teacher)
- School psychologist whenever a new psychological evaluation is reviewed or a change to a program option with a more intensive student/teacher ratio is considered
- An individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results (can be one of the people listed above)
- Other people having knowledge or special expertise regarding the student
- Parent representative for all CPSE meetings and when requested by a parent for a CPSE meeting
- approves Mrs. Wendy Chace, 415 Fairview Avenue, to serve as the surrogate parent for the Committee on Special Education/Committee on Preschool Special Education for the 2023-24 school year.
- approves the list of impartial hearing officers designated for Steuben County for the 2023-24 school year, as provided by the State Education Department. WHEREAS, the Board of Education seeks to authorize certain individuals to appoint an Impartial Hearing Officer if the Board does not have a regular meeting scheduled on a day when an appointment needs to be made. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Board President or Vice-President to appoint an Impartial Hearing Officer when the Board does not have a regular meeting scheduled on a day when an appointment of an impartial hearing officer needs to be made.
- readopts all policies in the official policy book kept by the District Clerk, including the code of ethics and code of conduct.
CARRIED – 4 AYES – ALL
Member Mehr arrived (4:35 PM)
REGULAR MEETING
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that the agenda be approved as presented.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
PRESENTATIONS:
None
REPORTS:
None
ROUTINE ITEMS
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, agenda items III. C. 1 through Ill D. 3. s. be grouped together for one action.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti to approves/accepts the following:
CONSENT AGENDA/ROUTINE ITEMS:
- Approves of the minutes for the meetings of June 14, 2023.
- Accepts the Appropriations Report of May 31, 2023.
- Accepts the Student Activities Report of May 31, 2023.
- Accepts the Fed Budget Transfer Report of May 31, 2023
- Acceptance of the General Fund Budget Transfer Report of May 31, 2023.
- Accepts the Cafeteria Budget Transfer Report of May 31, 2023
- Accepts the Revenue Report of May 31, 2023
- Accepts of the Treasurer’s Report of May 31, 2023
- 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 meeting of June 14, 2023, the CPSE meetings of June 14 and 20, 2023 and 504 meeting of June 14, 2023.
NEW BUSINESS:
POLICY/PROCEDURE
- authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the North Hornell Library Books on the list dated June 12, 2023
- authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following maintenance equipment:
- Old truck bed salt spreader – Ser # 0816-51826 (no asset tag)
- authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following technology equipment listed as:
- Laptop Disposal Summer 2023
- GST Chromebooks Deprovisioned Starting April 24, 2023
- Hornell Chromebooks Deprovisioned Starting April 1, 2023
FINANCE
- approves the Contract with Great Expectations to provide SLP services for the summer ESY program, effective July 5, 2023 – August 18, 2023
- accepts the generous donation in the amount of $950 from the HHS Class of 2023 to purchase a new mascot costume
- rejects all bids submitted for the Transportation Bid opened on June 29, 2023
- awards the Transportation Bid to the lowest responsible bidder:
- C & F Transportation, Inc – $425 Daily Rate
- Furthermore, the Board award the bus lease contract to the lowest responsible bidder:
- Santander Bank, NA – $272,300 (5.25%)
- approves the Agreement Hillside for the 2023/24 school year
- approves the agreements with Steuben County to provide Pre-School special education services and transportation services for the 2023/24 school year.
PERSONNEL:
- approves the following additional appointments to the SLA and ESY summer programs (pending fingerprint clearance and completed new hire paperwork if applicable):
- Brittney Martin – SLA Teacher
- Christa Owlett – SLA Substitute Teacher
- Sophia Ormsby – SLA Substitute Paraprofessional
- Sophia Carretto – ESY Substitute Paraprofessional
- approves the resignation of Jennifer Hill as Bus Monitor effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Diane Bakerink as Clerk Typist effective August 4, 2023
- approves the probationary appointment of Ernie Greenthal, Jr. as Grounds and Maintenance Worker effective July 10, 2023, 12 months, 8 hours per day at the starting salary specified in the HESSA Contract
- approves the permanent appointment of Taylor Clark as Cleaner effective January 9, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Nicole Miller as Elementary Teacher effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Katie Cross-Gray as Speech Language Pathologist effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Allison Will as Special Education Teacher effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Joan Clancy as Special Education Teacher effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Andrew Gibbs as Elementary Teacher effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Jeffrey Wilmore as Music Teacher effective June 30, 2023
- accepts the resignation of Dawn V Cox Walsh as Science Teacher effective August 31, 2023
- approves the three-year probationary appointment of Emily Palmer as Spanish Teacher, effective September 1, 2023 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). (BA in Secondary Education and Foreign Language from SUNY Brockport, MA in Literacy from Grand Canyon University – NYS Professional Certification in Spanish 7-12)
- approves the three-year probationary appointment of Laura Infurna as Speech Language Pathologist, effective September 1, 2023 at a starting salary as defined in the HEA Contract. Laura 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 Speech and Language Disabilities from SUNY Fredonia, MS in Speech Language Pathology from SUNY Fredonia, NYS Professional Certification – Speech and Language Disabilities (all grades), NYS Speech-Language Pathologist License)
- approves the request of Eileen Marino for a one year leave of absence from her teaching position, effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 (most recently as TOSA Dean of Students) to accept an administrative appointment
- approves the four year probationary appointment of Eileen Marino as Dean of Students in the tenure area of Elementary Administration effective July 1, 2023. 11 months, at the negotiated salary under the HPDG Contract
- approves the following Fall Coaching Assignments for the 2023 season, (pending proper certifications and clearances) with salaries as defined in the HEA Contract:
- Football:
- Joe Scialpa – Modified Head Coach
- Kyle Flaitz – Assistant Coach
- William Greenthal – Assistant Coach
- Boys Soccer:
- Jim Tobin – Varsity Head Coach
- TBD – JV Head Coach
- TBD – Modified Head Coach
- Girls Soccer:
- Mike Wilkinson – Varsity Head Coach
- James Dagon – JV Head Coach
- Jamie Haynes – Modified Head Coach
- Volleyball:
- Kristi Gemmel – Varsity Head Coach
- Ashlen Arias-Baird – JV Head Coach
- Isabella Slocum – Modified Head Coach
- Cross Country:
- Michael DeGaetano – Varsity Head Coach
- Kate Kenney – Assistant Coach
- Girls Swimming:
- Kristen Hazard – Assistant Coach
- Cheerleading:
- Heather Curran – Varsity Co-Head Coach (50/50)
- Bailey Smith – Varsity Co-Head Coach (50/50)
- Danielle vanLeeuvan – Modified Head Coach
- Faculty Manager:
- Jill Brown
- Football:
- 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:
- Katherine Wood – Food Service, Laborer
- Sean Gaffney – Administration, Certified Teacher
- Substitute Additions:
- approves the MOA with HESSA for the 2023 Summer Work Schedule, effective July 10, 2023 – September 3, 2023.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL
Discussion:
Informational:
The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library located at 134 Seneca Street, Hornell, NY.
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, at 4:38 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss matters pertaining to particular personnel.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL
RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/KHORK that, at 5:14 PM the Board return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk