Meeting Minutes October 5, 2022

The meeting was held immediately following an Audit Committee Meeting. President Hess opened the meeting at 5:33 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 Davis

ABSENT: None

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

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

NONE

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PRESENTATIONS:

Kasi Washburn, Carli Cavanaugh, Cassie Tyler, Ashleigh Striker, Nicole Carey and Lindsay Marcus on behalf of the PK-12 Guidance Department presented the Board with an overview of the District’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program that begins in PK and continues throughout all grade levels. (Slide show/handout).

Superintendent Palotti presented the Board with a review of the Capital Project Master Plan in preparation for the Board’s vote regarding moving forward with Phase 1 at a Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.

Patrick Flaitz, School Business Official presented the Board with the updated Reserve Plan.

REPORTS:

Construction Report: Andy Billiotte (Welliver) provided the Board with a construction update.

CELEBRATING SUCCESS:

  • Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal reported:
    • Thank you to our teachers and paras for their help and support for our kiddos in the first few days
    • Thank you to Mr. Cardamone and Mrs. Hopper for bringing some of the senior athletes and color guard for our PBIS assembly. It was great our kids could see the High School students
    • Kudos to our Counselors for their help getting kids acclimated and starting there Tier 1 lessons and Tier 2 and 3 groups it makes a huge impact on our students.
    • A big thank you to our Grade level/ department chairs for their help, support and ideas
    • First round of the Pre K playground is up and running
    • Forest school is going great. Kids and staff are enjoying their time in the woods
  • Julie Smith, Intermediate School Principal reported:
    • We have implemented our new phonics and math curricula. We were a little concerned at first that the phonics would be too challenging for our students and we would have to start them at a younger grade level. However, most of our teachers are jumping right in and finding that students are successful with it! With the new Envisions math program, teachers have had a month to work with it and are looking forward to a full day of learning on Friday to get a better understanding of each piece.
    • A very happy welcome to Nancy Shedlock, school psychologist assigned to our building this year, and Officer Mike Hoyt, new SRO for Intermediate School this year. Both of them have been welcome additions to help our students feel welcomed, safe and taken care of!
    • Shout-out to our new teachers, Amy Winslow (3rd grade), Nick Navarro (PE) and Julia Butts (band). They are demonstrating the qualities we want to see in teachers; they are here for kids and were terrific additions for our district! Also, I am very proud of the direction our district is going in with hiring. We are only looking at hiring highly-qualified, quality teachers.
  • Morgan Allison, High School Principal reported:
    • We are starting to fall into a nice routine at the High School;
    • Students are utilizing the advisement period and homework help;
    • Last week was very busy with Open House, Financial Aide/College Night (we had 50+ colleges in attendance) Kudos to our Counselors for planning a great event!
    • Homecoming was a great success, the parade had wonderful floats! Thank you to the Student Government, Gary Kelleher and Jeremy Donlon for planning the bonfire and fun events on the turf for the students. A Pep Assembly was held on Friday, many students participated in the fun. Thank you to the Hornell City Police and Fire Departments for their help. We also held a “Homecoming” dance for the first time in a few years, we had a great turnout and no major issues. Congrats to the Homecoming Court!
    • The Sophomore Class attended Career Day at Alfred State College. Kudos to Counselor Stephanie Hurley for presenting to over 700 attendees.
    • Our new speaker and clock system is up and running thanks to the Tech Department! Also, would like to thank everyone at the High School for their patience while all of the testing was taking place.
    • Congrats to our Wildwood Students of the Month:
      • Taylor VanOxx – CISCO Networking
      • Alexis Smith – Cosmetology
  • Shannon Davis, Facilities Director reported:
    • We are currently replacing 30 year old roofs on baseball stadium dugouts;
    • Big shout out to High school cleaners, for covering down manpower on two sections for almost 3 weeks. Working into the early morning hours to keep building ready for students;
    • Charles Class returned to work (from a heart attack) after only two weeks; this speaks to his genuine concern for his job and our students;
    • Substantial groundwork done for Maintenance Department move to the Columbian school; everyone is very excited about this move, thank you for the opportunity;
    • Thank you to the staff who did significant grounds work to prepare North Hornell for the Cummings Nature Center outdoor learning space.
  • SUPERINTENDENT ’S REPORT: Superintendent Palotti reported:
    • We will be having a half day (PM) Conference Day tomorrow (10/6), we will be holding an “active shooter” safety drill with many members of various law enforcement groups participating. There will be a large number of police vehicles on scene at the High School – we are sending out a message to notify parents that there is a drill taking place. A great deal of planning has gone into this event to help prepare us for the unthinkable. We will share results with you at a later date. We will also be holding a full day of Conference on Friday (10/7).
    • Something new we will be including in your folders each month is the current enrollment of the district PK3-12. Today’s enrollment is 1,429.
    • We have an opportunity to partnership with the University of Rochester through a grant for teachers of Math and Science. This will give teachers the chance to obtain additional Master’s Degrees tuition free and to also receive a stipend to be part of a professional network.

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 meetings of August 24, 2022 and September 7, 2024.
  • Acceptance of the Warrant Reports of August 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 meeting of September 5, 9, 15, 20, 21 and 28, 2022, the CPSE meeting of September 20, 21 and 26, 2022 and the 504 meetings of September 12 and 21, 2022.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

NEW BUSINESS

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

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL


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

POLICY/PROCEDURE

  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the tech equipment on the list dated October 5, 2022;
  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of music department items on the list dated August 30, 2022;
  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following Library books: Intermediate School Library disposal list dated 7/19/2022 High School Library disposal list dated 7/1/2022;
  • authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the following: Old drinking fountains for scrap Broken Milk Cooler – Asset tag A00497449;
  • approves the Reserve Plan;
  • upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board accepts the findings of the 2021 22 Independent Audit reviewed at the Audit Committee Meeting held earlier on this date and approves the Corrective Action Plan as presented for same;

FINANCE

  • approves the updated Professional Service Agreement with LaBella Assoc. DPC for the 2022/23 Capital Outlay Project dated September 19. 2022;
  • approves the Service Agreement with Welliver for the 2022/23 Capital Outlay Project;
  • here-in awards the Bus Lease to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all required specifications, as follows:
    • Ontario Investments, Inc. – $342,296.10

PERSONNEL

  • accepts the resignation of Leonard Rose as School Bus Driver effective August 31, 2022;
  • accepts the resignation of Ellen Shrack as Food Service Helper effective September 27, 2022;
  • accepts the resignation of Kaeden Weakland as Teacher Aide, to accept the position of Regular Assigned Sub effective September 25, 2022;
  • accepts the resignation of Diane VanScoter as Bus Attendant effective September 23, 2022;
  • accepts the resignation of Bianca Romero as Teacher Aide effective September 30, 2022;
  • accepts the resignation of Julie McHenry as Teacher Aide effective September 28, 2022;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Leonard Rose as Bus Attendant effective September 26, 2022, 10 months, 4 hours per day, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Habakka Feenaughty as Food Service Helper effective September 12, 2022, 10 months, 3.75 hours per day, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Victoria Miles as Cleaner effective October 5, 2022, 12 months, 8 hours per day, with a starting rate as specified in the HESSA Contract;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Kenzie Richards, as Teacher Aide effective September 26, 2022, 10 months, 7 hours per day, with a starting rate as specified in the HPA Contract;
  • approves the termination of Kenzie Richards, as Teacher Aide effective at the close of business on September 26, 2022;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Kristin Kashmer as Teacher Aide effective September 14, 2022, 10 months, 7 hours per day, with a starting rate as specified in the HPA Contract;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Kaeden Weakland as Regular Assigned Sub effective September 27, 2022, at a per diem rate of $175;
  • approves the probationary appointment of Victoria Vega as Regular Assigned Sub effective September 27, 2022, at a per diem rate of $175;
  • approves the following Student Teachers: Jordan Slobodow from SUNY Geneseo to work with Michelle Kendall Julia Guarasci from SUNY Brockport to work with Keelia Hamdan;
  • approves the following advisor appointments for the 2022/23 school year with stipends (if any) as specified in the HEA Contract : Marching Band Advisor – Jeffrey Wilmore (9/1/2022) Class of 2025- Ashlen Arias-Baird ( 9/1/2022) LGBTQ and Allies (Gay Straight Alliance) – Nancy Shedlock (9/1/2022) World Cultures Club (formerly French Club) – Mark Lombardo (9/1/2022) History Club – Paul Vetter (9/1/2022);
  • approves the following appointments for the 2022/23 Intermediate School After “S’cool” program effective September 12, 2022:
    • Teachers: Deborah Kenney, Andrew Gibbs, Leigh Emerson, Tristin Christie, Sara Mullikin, Katrina Hurd, Tracy Stark, Penny Smith, Jennifer Class, Kelcy Beckstrom, Jennifer Bowie, Nicholas Navarro, Linda Walter, Eileen Marino, Amy Winslow
    • Paras: Judy Dunn, Roxanne Sanford, Samantha Sirianni, Kimberly Smith, Vicki Flaitz, Michelle Lehman, Liz Willsey, Emily Haynes
    • Substitutes: Felicia Plank, Dawn Hopper, Heather Stewart, Kelly Kuhn, Tonya Cornish, Bailey Smith, Kaeden Weakland
    • Coordinator: Kathryn Bowie
  • approves the following change to the Fall Coaching appointments:
    • Modified Football: Co-Coach from Trevor Styles to Jason Scialpa effective at the beginning of the season.
    • Volunteers: Danny Schwartz – Football
    • Bill Headly – Soccer (9/7/2022)
  • approves the following winter coaching assignments with stipends as per current HEA Contract (pending all required certificates, fingerprints, etc), these appointments are made conditionally upon there being a winter season, stipends may be prorated as needed
    • Sport/Name Position
      • Basketball (Boys):
        • Kirk Scholes Varsity Head Coach
        • Sean Curran JV Head
        • Coach Chris vanLeeuwen Modified Coach 
      • Basketball (Girls):
        • Brian Dyring Varsity Head Coach
        • James Dagon JV Coach
        • Kiana Sleight Modified Coach
      • Skiing:
        • Mary Franklin Varsity Head Coach
      • Wrestling:
        • TBD
      • Indoor Track:
        • Mike DeGaetano Varsity Head Coach
        • Angela DeLany Assistant Coach 
      • Swimming (Boys):
        • Mark Kelly Varsity Head Coach
        • Kristen Hazard Assistant Varsity Coach
      • Cheerleading:
        • Nicole Harwood Co-Varsity Head Coach (50%)
        • Heather Curran Co-Varsity Head Coach (50%) 
      • Faculty Manager:
        • Jill Brown
      • Winter Sports Volunteers:
        • Megan Bonacquisti Girls V Basketball
        • Mike Wilkinson Boys Basketball
        • Chris Clark Girls Basketball
        • Joe Flint Boys Basketball
        • Matt Wing Girls Basketball
        • Samantha Salmon Girls Basketball

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL


RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board grants tenure to Kasey Johnson in the area of Speech Language Pathology effective January 17 28, 2023. CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Kasey on receiving tenure.


RESOLVED: BY: DAVIS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Brittany Thoma as Technology Director effective at the end of the day on November 5, 2022.

CARRIED – 7 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:
    • Jesseca Acor – Teacher Aide
    • Taylor Davis – Teacher Aide
    • Brittany New – Teacher Aide
    • Lisa Pelton – Teacher Aide
    • Colleen Whittall – Teacher Aide 

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

Discussion:

Since there will be a “Special” meeting held on Wednesday, October 26th, the Board discussed changing the date of November’s Regular Meeting from Wednesday, November 2, 2022 to Wednesday, November 16, 2022. The Board was in agreement with this change.

Informational:

There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library (Proposed Capital Project)

The next Regular Board of Education Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library.


RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/MEHR that, at 6:33 PM the Board move to Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL


RESOLVED: BY: CLARK/KHORK that, at 7:01 PM the Board return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.

CARRIED – 7 AYES – ALL

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk