Hornell City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Minutes and Agenda > Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021

Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021

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

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Kerry Davis, Jessica Hess, Uzma Mehr, Meghann Khork, Christopher Clark

ABSENT: James Marino (excused), Joseph Liberto (excused)

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

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

PRESENTATIONS:

None

REPORTS:

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

Celebrating Success:

Sean Gaffney, North Hornell Principal reported

  • It has been a very busy start of the year at North Hornell, having three and four year olds is new for me. Thank you to all of the staff for helping to get them around at the end of the day. We also appreciate Pat and Jeremy for their support and help in working out a few kinks.
  • We had our first fire drill today – it went well for the first one.
  • We are working on BAS testing for our first graders.
  • Thank you to our staff for helping out wherever they are needed and to our parents for their patience while we work things out, everyone is amazing!

Julie Smith, Intermediate School Acting Principal reported:

  • First, a big shout out to the Intermediate School staff. It has been an adjustment to having a lot more students in the building. Teachers have been very flexible and understanding as we’ve tweaked little procedures throughout the day to make things run as efficiently as possible. We have come a long way from the first week of school and I anticipate things smoothing out more as time goes by. Thank you to Steve and the bus drivers for their flexibility. With some tweaking to the bus schedule that first week of school, our dismissal is a lot faster!
  • BAS testing for reading levels is complete for grades 2-4. A big thank you to the reading interventionists and classroom teachers for getting this done.
  • Students are now placed in reading and intervention groups, which started last week. Grades 5 & 6 started their reading groups the week prior, as they were based off June’s data.
  • Math intervention has returned to Intermediate School and all math intervention groups have started. Thank you to our math interventionists and classroom teachers for working together on the groupings and scheduling for this.
  • We are in the process of garnering interest for an After School Program, which we are hoping to get up and running by the end of October or early November.
  • Thank you to our entire nursing staff and Shelly Clancy and KC Quinlan for helping out Intermediate School while we are awaiting the start of our new RN!

Morgan Allison, High School Assistant Principal reported:

  • A big thank you to our great nursing staff for doing a wonderful job helping us stay open and helping things feel as normal as possible.
  • Thank you to our Student Government, including advisors, Gary Kelleher and Jeremy Donlon, together with President Nick Oyer and VP Jane Spitulnik for their hard work with the Homecoming Bon-fire and Pep Assembly. They did an amazing job making this event special for the students.
  • Congratulations to Gillian Brubaker for receiving the NextGen Leader Award from First Heritage Federal Credit Union. She will be receiving her award via a virtual ceremony on October 14, 2021.

Amy Feeley, Director of Pupil Personnel reported:

  • We are currently working with families of our 10th and 11th grade students.
  • G & R consultants from NYC have been working with our Co-teach and Consultant teachers
  • TCI training has begun for our new staff.
  • Good things are happening in the district, would also like to thank our nursing staff for all they are doing.
  • Registration is slowing down.
  • Mr. Cardamone is doing a great job working with our new students to make them feel comfortable and welcome.

Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Palotti reported:

  • Wanted to echo everyone’s thank you to faculty and staff, everyone has gone above and beyond to help with making the start of the year a smooth one.
  • We are happy to have so many great things happening again, athletics, performance, etc… We are navigating our way through with our focus on our students over all experience while keeping them as safe as possible. We are thrilled to see them participating again!
  • Our nurses continue to work hard to keep us open, they wear different hats and different building and are doing a wonderful job!
  • I would like to thank our admin team, when giving shout outs they do not take any credit, they have worked tirelessly to get our student back in the building and to keep our doors open, from communicating with the community, contact tracing etc, it is not an easy task – we really appreciate all that you do!
  • Last week we were awarded an additional Literacy Grant. The last one ended in September. The new one is for an additional five years and is for three million dollars with a focus on the Intermediate School. This helps bridge the focus of the last grant on expanding literacy, libraries, coaching and books to the next grade levels. We are thrilled that we can continue with this. There will be a press release soon.
  • We are proud and honored to be awarding diplomas today to two local individuals through “Operation Recognition” which allows districts to award diplomas to former students who left school before graduating and served in the military on active duty. On this date, diplomas are hereby awarded to:
    • Todd M. VanDuser
    • Ethan D. Button

  • Congratulations to Dr. Juliana Smith, who recently earned her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. The Board congratulated Julie for her prestigious achievement.

ROUTINE ITEMS

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

  • Approves of the minutes for the meetings of September 8, 2021.
  • Acceptance of Claims Auditor/Warrant Reports for the period ending August 31, 2021.
  • Acceptance of the Student Activities Report of August 31, 2021.
  • 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 September 7, 16, 20, 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2021. The CPSE meetings of September 7, 13, 15 and 22, 2021 and the 504 meetings of September 2 and 22, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

POLICY/PROCEDURE

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the technology items on the lists dated 10/6/2021 (1) and 10/6/2021 (2). CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board authorizes Patrick Flaitz to dispose of the outdated teaching materials on the list dated 10/6/2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the MOA with Hornell Gardens to provide an emergency “stop over” point in case of evacuation, effective September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2024.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

FINANCE

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the Training Agreement with The American Red Cross, effective October 7, 2021 – October 6, 2024.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

PERSONNEL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Cynthia Harding as Cleaner effective September 29, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Lisa McNeill as Teacher Aide effective September 27, 2021. (17 years of service)

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Lisa on her retirement and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Mary Cavalletti as Food Service Helper effective at the end of the day on February 28, 2022. (14 years of service)

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

The Board congratulated Mary on her retirement and thanked her for her many years of service.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the request for a one year unpaid leave of absence of Thara Tyler as School Bus Driver.effective September 27, 2021 – September 26, 2022.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Debra Hardy as Cleaner, 8 hours per day, 12 months at the starting rate stated in the HESSA contract, effective September 30, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Amber DuBois as Food Service Helper, 3.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HPA contract, effective September 1, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Amber Smith as Teacher Aide, 6.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HPA contract, effective October 12, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the probationary appointment of Amanda Stewart as Teacher Aide, 6.5 hours per day, 10 months at the starting rate stated in the HPA contract, effective October 7, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board accepts the resignation of Melinda Rittenhouse as Registered Nurse / School Nurse effective at the end of the day on October 8, 2021.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the 26 week probationary appointment of Sarah Fuller as Registered Nurse / School Nurse effective October 8, 2021 at a starting salary as specified in the HEA Contract, (10 months, HEA Contract).

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the 26 week probationary appointment of Karen Dgien as Registered Nurse / School Nurse effective October 20, 2021 at a starting salary as specified in the HEA Contract, (10 months, HEA Contract).

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the following additional advisor appointments for the 2021-22 school year under the condition that the club is able to operate – applicable stipend if any may be prorated accordingly (effective 10/6/2021):

  • Class of 2024 – Morgan Allison
  • Special Olympics – Amber Kossow

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board approves the increase in the daily rate of the following Regularly Assigned Substitutes from $175 per day to $200 per day:

Glenn Gebhard Susan Greenthal

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that upon the recommendation of Superintendent Palotti, the Board 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
  • Samantha Salmon Modified Coach Skiing
  • Mary Franklin Varsity Head Coach Wrestling
  • William Drake Co-Varsity Head Coach (75%)
  • Dave Drew Co-Varsity Head Coach (25%)
  • Mark Woodworth Mod Coach Indoor Track
  • Mike DeGaetano Varsity Head Coach
  • Angela DeLany Assistant Coach Swimming (Boys)
  • Mark Kelly Varsity Head Coach
  • Kristen Hazard Assistant Varsity Coach
  • Kristen Hazard Modified Head Coach (starts 2/14/2022) Cheerleading
  • Nicole Harwood Varsity Head Coach
  • Lauren Mahoney Modified Head Coach Faculty Manager
  • TBD

Winter Sports Volunteers

  • Megan Bonacquisti Girls V Basketball
  • Mike Wilkinson Boys Basketball
  • Chris Clark Girls Basketball
  • Mary Wolf Indoor Track
  • Damian DeMarco Indoor Track
  • Justin Hendrickson Boys Basketball
  • Matt Wing Girls Basketball

The following may also be added as Volunteers (pending receipt of completed applications:

  • Julian Reinhart Boys Basketball
  • Andy Flint Boys Basketball
  • Justin Hendrickson Boys Basketball
  • Matt Wing Girls Basketball
  • Heather Curran Cheerleading
  • Mark Woodworth Wrestling 

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

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

  • Cynthia Harding – Cleaner (Effective 9/30/21)
  • Christopher Hollowell – Typist, Teacher Aide, Laborer, Food Service Helper
  • Becky (Sawdey) Smith – Bus Attendant
  • Wendy Stiker – Certified Teacher

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

INFORMATIONAL:

The next regular meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 5:15 PM in the High School Library located at 134 Seneca Street.

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, at 5:42 PM the Board adjourn to Executive Session to discuss contractual matters.

CARRIED – 5 AYES – ALL

RESOLVED: BY: HESS/MEHR that, at 6:16 PM the Board return to Regular Session and the meeting be adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Eaton, District Clerk