Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > Meeting Minutes May 3, 2022

Meeting Minutes May 3, 2022

President Davis opened the meeting at 5:21 PM and led the Board/Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

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

ABSENT: Uzma Mehr

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

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/CLARK that, at 5:22 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/CLARK that, at 6:04 PM the Board return to Regular Session.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/CLARK that, at 6:04 PM the meeting be paused for the Public Budget Hearing.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/CLARK that, at 6:28 PM the meeting resume.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS: None

REPORTS:

Construction Report: Supt. Palotti, on behalf of Andy Billiotte (Welliver) provided the Board with a construction update.

Celebrating Success: Administrators provided their recommendations on behalf of the faculty members who would be receiving tenure later in the meeting:

Intermediate School Principal, Julie Smith recommended:

Tristin Christie, Kristen Gostomski, Keelia Hamdan, Jordan Hahn, Stacey Illi, Michelle Lovell and Chelsea Miller (all were in attendance)

Supt. Palotti, (on behalf of various administrators that were unable to attend) recommended:

Rebekah VanNorman, Amanda Owens, Tammi Mullen, Kasi Washburn (present), Carli Cavanaugh (present), Todd Bialecki, Ashleigh Striker and Jeremy Donlon (present).

ROUTINE ITEMS

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

  • Approves of the minutes for the meetings of April 6 and 20, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Revenue Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the GF Budget Transfer Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Fed Budget Transfer Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Appropriations Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Student Activities Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report of March 31, 2022.
  • Acceptance of the Warrant Reports of March 31, 2022.
  • 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 April 6, 7, 20, 21 and 27, 2022. The CPSE meetings of April 7, 20 and 28, 2022 and 504 meetings of

April 6, 27 and 28, 2022. CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

POLICY/PROCEDURE

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

Outdated Audiometer – Ser # 12134113 Asset Tag # A00497684 CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

FINANCE

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the MOA with Rochester School of the Deaf for the 2022/23 school year.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the Independent Contractor Service Agreement with Great Expectations Physical, Occupational and Speech, PLLC for the 2022/23 school year.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the resolution to participate in the Cooperative Food Service Bids with the GST BOCES for the 2022/23 school year.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the Professional Service Agreement with RMSC Cummings Nature Center for Forest School development for the 2022/23 school year.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK WHEREAS, the City School District of the City of Hornell, Steuben County, New York (the “District”), after consultation by District officials with the District’s retained architectural firm, LaBella Associates, D.P.C. (“LaBella”), has resolved that the District should propose to undertake, during the District’s pending (2022-2023) fiscal year, a capital outlay project involving certain upgrades and improvements at the District’s High School, such work being anticipated to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the replacement of the current Exterior Insulation Finishing System with an insulated metal panel system and also replacement of the interior elevator, remodeling of the main office, which will include reconfiguration of the existing main office space (and will not result in a change to the building footprint), along with any related work required in connection therewith (collectively, the “Project”); and

WHEREAS, the Board wishes to rescind its previous resolution adopted and dated March 16, 2022 relating to the Project (the “Prior Resolution”) and replace it with this resolution (in light of the estimated maximum cost of the Project having increased); and

WHEREAS, the revised estimated maximum cost of the Project (inclusive of all preliminary and incidental costs) has been determined by LaBella to be $1,300,000; and

WHEREAS, the District is proposing that the Project be financed by the application of $1,300,000 of funds to be earmarked for such purpose as a “Transfer to Capital Fund” in the District’s pending (i.e., 2022-2023) budget, with the work on the Project being anticipated to occur (and be completed) during the 2022-2023 fiscal year of the District; and

WHEREAS, the District wishes to reserve the right to expand, contract or modify the scope of the Project in light of the level of future bids received, with the understanding that the estimated maximum cost of the Project will not exceed $1,300,000; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with State Education Department guidance and policy, the District/Board of Education is the appropriate agency to be the lead agency to undertake Project review under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”); and WHEREAS, Section 617.5 of the SEQRA Regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617) provides that certain activities are Type II actions that are not subject to review under SEQRA and that such activities include “routine activities of educational institutions,” “maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes in an existing structure or facility;” “replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site…unless such action meets or exceeds any [Type I] thresholds in section 617.4”; and

WHEREAS, the proposed Project constitutes such routine activities of educational institutions; maintenance or repair activities; and/or in-kind, same-site replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction activities; and

WHEREAS, under the terms of the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (a/k/a the “Letter of Resolution” or the “MOU”) between the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (“OPRHP”) (a/k/a the “State Historic Preservation Office” or “SHPO”) and SED, and the terms of the MOU’s exemption form, a project is exempt from SHPO review if, among other possible reasons, a building is 50 years old or older but has previously been evaluated by SHPO and found not to meet the criteria for inclusion in the State and National Registers (the “Registers”); and

WHEREAS, as indicated in the Cultural Resource Information System (“CRIS”), SHPO has determined (in 2016) that the High School building is “not eligible” for listing on the Registers because it does not meet the criteria for inclusion in the Registers; and

WHEREAS, although the High School building is “not eligible” for listing on the Registers, and LaBella has determined that the proposed work is exempt from review by SHPO (given that it has no anticipated impacts on historic and archeological resources under the terms of the MOU), LaBella may nonetheless choose to submit information on the proposed work to SHPO for confirmation;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that it is the final determination of the District’s Board of Education that the proposed Project is a Type II action, which is not subject to review under SEQRA, and that the proposed Project will not result in a significant adverse impact on the environment; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Prior Resolution is hereby rescinded and shall be replaced by this resolution; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the proposed Project shall be included as a “Transfer to Capital Fund” line item (not exceeding $1,300,000 in amount) in the District’s proposed budget for the 2022- 2023 fiscal year (with appropriate additional notification to District voters regarding the anticipated details of the work to be given in connection with the District’s regular budget approval process), so that such Project may be initiated and completed (assuming voter approval of the District’s proposed budget) during the District’s 2022-2023 fiscal year; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately. CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the agreements with Management Advisory Group of NY, Inc. for the 2022/23 school year for STAC Services and Medicaid Services and Tuition Billing.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

PERSONNEL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHOR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following additional appointments for the 2022 ESY program:

  • Sophia Carretto – Para
  • Nina Sargent – Para Substitute

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Danielle Glover as Food Service Helper effective at the end of the day on April 15, 2022. CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of James Beer as Cleaner effective at the end of the day on April 29, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Hollie Lorow as Teacher Aide effective at the end of the day on April 29, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Jessica Murray as Teacher Aide effective on June 30, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Alan Allen as Head Custodian effective May 4, 2022. CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Leonard Rose as School Bus Driver, effective May 2, 2022, 10 months, 4 hours per day.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Richard Smith as School Bus Driver, effective May 2, 2022, 10 months, 4 hours per day.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board authorizes him to enter into salary adjustment MOUs with the following individually contracted employee:

Victoria Plank CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Barbara Leaman as Teacher Aide effective at the end of the day on June 24, 2022 (16 + years of service).

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Barbara and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Sherry Kramer as Teacher Aide effective on June 29, 2022 (17 23 years of service).

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Sherry and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Janice Raish as Food Service Helper effective at the end of the day on June 30, 2022 (26 years of service).

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Janice and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Patricia Clancy as Senior Typist effective on July 1, 2022 (17 years of service).

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Patti and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Jonathan Neff as Music Teacher effective June 30, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Stephanie Neff as Elementary Teacher effective June 30, 2022.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/MARINO that, agenda items VI. D. 3 p-dd be grouped together for one action.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

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

  • grants tenure to Todd Bialecki in the area of Music effective June 30 July 1, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Carli Cavanaugh in the area of School Counselor effective September 2 3, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Tristin Christie in the area of Elementary Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Jeremy Donlon in the area of Social Studies effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Kristen Gostomski in the area of Elementary Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Jordan Hahn in the area of Library Media Specialist effective September 1, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Keelia Hamdan in the area of ESOL effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Stacey Illi in the area of Special Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Michelle Lovell in the area of Reading effective September 2 1, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Chelsea Miller in the area of Elementary Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Tammie Mullen in the area of Elementary Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Amanda Owens in the area of Elementary Education effective September 3 4, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Ashleigh Striker in the area of School Counselor effective June 30 27, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Rebekah VanNorman in the area of Special Education effective September 2 3, 2022;
  • grants tenure to Kasi Washburn in the area of School Counselor effective June 30 11, 2022

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

NOTE: There was a clerical error in the agenda, dates were corrected for the approval of the minutes.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the three-year probationary appointment of Grace Yannie as Speech Language Pathologist, effective September 1, 2022 at a starting salary as defined in the HEA Contract. Grace 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 Communicative Sciences and Disorders from SUNY Geneseo and MS in Education Speech-Language Pathology from Buffalo State College – NYS Permanent Certification in Speech and Language Disabilities, NYS Professional License in Speech Language Pathology.)

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the four-year probationary appointment of Andrea Sharp as Special Education Teacher, effective September 1, 2022 at a starting salary as defined in the HEA Contract. Andrea 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 Special Education from Western Governors University – pending NYS Initial Certification in Elementary / Childhood Education 1-5 and Special Education K-12).

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/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:

  • Vincent Capluzzi – Typist, Teacher Aide, Laborer, Bus Attendant
  • Emma Flaitz – Typist, Teacher Aide, Bus Attendant, Nurse Aide
  • Joan Flaitz – Typist, Teacher Aide, Laborer, Bus Driver, Bus Attendant, Food Service Helper

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Discussion:

Informational:

The Annual Budget Vote and Board Member Election will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from Noon – 9:00 PM in the High School Lobby with a meeting of the Board of Education to follow at 9:30 PM in the HS Cafeteria to accept the results of the vote.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/KHORK that, at 7:01 PM made motion to move to Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/DAVIS that, at 7:17 PM motion to return to Regular Session and adjourn meeting.

CARRIED – 6 AYES – ALL

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk