board of education minutes september 7, 2017 page 1 of 8 · • she will be attending the nyssba...

Board of Education Minutes September 7, 2017

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The Meeting of the Board of Education, Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District, Town of Highlands, Orange County, New York was held in the James I. O’Neill High School library on Thursday, September 7, 2017.

I. Tour of Fort Montgomery Elementary School, 6:00 pm

II. Call to Order & Declaration of a Quorum The meeting was called to order at 6:36 pm. Board Members Present F. Aprilante P. Kelly N. Kopald G. Koutsourades A. Lawless G. O’Connell R. Sullivan, arrived at 6:49 pm Others Present COL Yankovich, West Point Liaison, arrived at 7:10 pm Dr. Sheboy, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Andrea Tejedor, Assistant Superintendent Mr. Thomas Fargo, Director of Facilities Mrs. Beth Hordines, Director of Pupil Personnel Services Mr. Michael McElduff, Principal Mr. Chris Fiorentino, Principal Mrs. Debbie Brand, Principal Mrs. Robin Haberman, Assistant Principal Mrs. Debra Crowe Mrs. Mary Jane Pitt Mr. Larry Berger

III. Executive Session BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education recesses into executive session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular individuals, as well as to discuss matters related to potential litigation. The Board will return to open session to take action. Time: 6:36 pm Motion: F. Aprilante Second: G. O’Connell Absent: R. Sullivan Approved, all in favor Adjourn Executive Session and return to Open Meeting Time: 7:38 pm Motion: A. Lawless Second: P. Kelly Approved, all in favor

IV. Open Session

1) Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

V. Liaison/Committee Reports Student Report (Selected Students) No update. Policy Committee (Frank Sheboy, Faith Aprilante, Gabe O’Connell, Patrick Kelly) Dr. Sheboy: The board will act on a fraternization policy at this meeting for dissemination to all staff next week.


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Wellness, Health & Safety Committee (Faith Aprilante, Ned Kopald) No update. Facilities Committee (Ned Kopald, Patrick Kelly, Gabe O’Connell, Anne Lawless – observer, Richard Sullivan - observer) No update. Audit Committee (Anne Lawless, Gus Koutsourades, Gabe O’Connell) No update. Delegate to OCSBA & NYSSBA (Faith Aprilante, Richard Sullivan - alternate) F. Aprilante: Information from a recent OCSBA meeting:

• Board members have received the NYSSBA annual meeting resolution booklet. Board feedback is requested at the next business meeting.

• She will be attending the NYSSBA convention in Lake Placid as the voting delegate. • OCSBA calendar of meetings has been shared, and are open to all board members. • March (date tbd) – child abuse mandated reporter training will take place. This is required for board

members • Robbie Green, with the Mid-Hudson School Study Council spoke about research conducted regarding

teacher training and collaboration • A survey from the Mid-Hudson School Study Council will be sent this fall • John Redman, running for Area 9 Director for NYSSBA, spoke at the meeting

Special Education Liaison (Patrick Kelly, Gus Koutsourades - alternate) Patrick Kelly: Currently, 181 students are classified under CSE, including 7 new transfer students. 48 of those students are placed in out of district services. To date, out of district placements have decreased by 9, as compared to last year. There is a new grade K-2 class with 5 students, and a grade 3-4 class with 10 students. Beth Hordines: The high school is offering special classes (to classified students) in: English 9-10, English 11-12, global I, algebra and biology. Dr. Sheboy: This is the first time the district has had a k-12 system to meet most of the learning needs of our children. Dr. Tejedor: The district converted to a co-teaching model in 2010. Beth Hordines: she, Dr. Tejedor, and the principals have been working to improve the Response to Intervention (RtI) plan, which provides assistance to general education students. Transportation Liaison (Gus Koutsourades) T. Fargo: School opened on Tuesday, with only minor transportation setbacks due to late registrations, moves, and bus passes not having been sent. Bus stops/routes are evaluated as needed to ensure road access. Software is used to manage student assignments to buses and routes. A. Lawless: thanked West Point Tours. Athletics Liaison (Anne Lawless, Gabe O’Connell) D. Crowe: A new program for impact concussion testing has begun this year. Baseline screenings are conducted every 2 years. The updated academic eligibility policy was presented at the recent parent-coach-athlete meeting. The high school gym floor is finished and beautiful. Fall sports teams participated in events throughout the summer. Upcoming events:

• September 20th at Monroe-Woodbury High School, 7-time gold medal Olympian in gymnastics, Shannon Miller, will speak about surviving ovarian cancer.

• Mid-October – fall clean up in town The equestrian team now practices at Black Bear Ranch, rather than at West Point’s Morgan Farm. Coach Lindsey Worker trains the team 3 days per week. She continues to inform the public regarding the proposed capital project. Dr. Sheboy: The upcoming Capital Project Presentation to the Town of Highlands has been moved to 6:00 pm.


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MJ Pitt: The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for October 9th at 5:00 pm on Main Street (lineup at 4:30 pm). Federal Government Funding Liaison (Richard Sullivan) R. Sullivan: Congressman Maloney was at HFIS today for a press release in support of the school district and federal impact aid. $11.5 million dollars has been committed by the Senate for the impact aid program. He will be attending the upcoming NAFIS conference, and will visit Capital Hill. Our school representatives have been asked to meet with Vermont representatives on also. Local Government Liaison (Richard Sullivan, Gabe O’Connell - alternate) R. Sullivan: The change in the Town’s Board meeting will interfere with the 9/11 ceremony taking place at the Patriot Gardens at 6:30 pm. Vision is weeding the location on Saturday, and volunteers are needed. A. Lawless: The district will present a brief overview of the proposed capital project before the Town on Monday. West Point Community Council Liaison (Anne Lawless, Ned Kopald) No update. Community Engagement Report (Frank Sheboy) Dr. Sheboy: thanked the United Methodist Church for their distribution of school supplies, and Councilman King for the distribution of backpacks. The Center’s 3rd anniversary is scheduled for September 23rd.

1) Comments:

Board of Education N. Kopald: asked about the wellness survey distributed to students last year. Douglas Logan has been contacted regarding a quote for a stone for the tree commemorating Jim Cannon. P. Kelly: The Garrison School Board will celebrate James Cannon on September 14th. A. Lawless: took a moment to thank the following people:

• Dr. Sheboy for putting on the 3rd annual summer BBQ • COL Yankovich for helping to inform West Point residents of the events at JIO and the capital

project • The capital project team who reviews and provides feedback on all the material available to the

public • The grounds crew – the buildings look great • New Teacher Orientation went very well and had a fresh energy. • Opening Day – teachers were energized and ready to get started. • New Student Orientation and the team-building activities • Dr. Sheboy and his wife’s participation in the school supplies packing

Dr. Sheboy, Faith Aprilante and Anne Lawless will attend the NYSSBA School Boards Association conference in Lake Placid in October. Filming will take place tomorrow for the capital project. Dr. Sheboy: provided the board with an enrollment report comparing current enrollment with that of years previous. The district is healthy. Overall enrollment has increased. Superintendent Dr. Sheboy: At the conference day, milestones were celebrated: Debra Crowe celebrated 40 years with the school district; Peter Nobile, 30 years; Marcia Parry, 25 years; and Phil Yosso, 20 years. Assistant Superintendent for Business (absent, no report)


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Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction & Technology

• Academic Plan (ppt attached)

Principals Mr. McElduff: September 12 is FMES Open House. iReady is kicking off via collaboration with the HFIS. An assembly on September 19th for grades K-5. Mr. Fiorentino: September 14 is HFIS Open House. A pre-k through grade 8 program continues to grow, uniting staff and students to common goals. 2nd Cup of Coffee is scheduled for September 8th. It has been a smooth start to the school year. Four candidates remain for the assistant principal position. Michael Fowlin will present to the school this month also. Mrs. Brand: Faculty were very receptive to new information provided at conference day. A new initiative is The Student Testing and Recovery (STAR) room for students’ accommodations. Opening day was very smooth. The student council has created a large calendar outside the main office. Students will participate in the September 11th memorial ceremony. Athletic Director (absent, no updates) Visitor(s)

VI. Consent Agenda

Use of the Consent Agenda permits the Board of Education to make more effective use of its time by adopting a single motion to cover those relatively routine matters, which are included. Any member of the Board who wishes to discuss individually a particular piece of business on the Consent Agenda may so indicate and that item will be considered and voted on separately, thus preserving the right of all Board members to be heard on any issue. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Consent agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools. Items 1-15:

1) Appropriation Status Report Dated 07/01/2017 – 06/30/2018 (Attachment #1)

2) Budget Transfer Report A-2 (Attachment #2)

3) Check Warrant Report A-2, A-7, F-1, F-2, F-3, H-2, H-3 (Attachment #3)

4) Revenue Status Report Dated 07/01/2017 – 06/30/2018 (Attachment #4)

5) Accept Donation and Increase Budget BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby accepts a donation in the amount of $450 from the Highland Falls High School Class of 1967 50th Reunion to be used for the purchase of robotic equipment in the high school and intermediate school; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board authorizes an increase of $450 to the 2017-2018 District budget (Attachment #5): A2705-Estimated Revenues-Gifts & Donations A2610.450-04-5010-Appropriations-Library-HS-Materials/Supplies


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D. Brand: The equipment will allow students to build robots. Dr. Tejedor: A framed certificate will be placed in each school library noting the contribution of the Class of 1967.

6) 1st Reading and Adoption of Policy Revision BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby waives a second reading of Policy No. 6180, Staff-Student Relations (Fraternization); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy No. 6180 after its first reading. A copy of said policy, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting (Attachment #6).

7) Adopt Adult Meal Prices BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby approves the adult meal prices for the 2017-2018 school year, as set forth by the New York State Education Department: Breakfast for Adults $2.05 (increased from $2.00 in 2016-2017) Lunch for Adults $4.05 (unchanged from 2016-2017)

8) Approve Employment and Authorize Waiver BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education of the Highland Falls Fort-Montgomery Central School District hereby approves the employment of Nancy Noonan, effective August 29, 2017 through December 15, 2017, or until such time as an Assistant Principal is seated, whichever comes sooner, as the Interim Assistant Principal at the Highland Falls Intermediate School at a total compensation package of $575.00 per day, subject to receipt of a waiver under Section 211 of the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law (“RSSL”); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to execute and submit the Section 211 RSSL waiver request to the New York State Education Department for the period commencing August 29, 2017 through December 15, 2017, or until such time as an Assistant Principal is seated.

9) Appoint Teacher Aide BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby appoints Joan Ruiz-Werkema as a full time (1.0 FTE) Teacher Aide, a non-competitive class civil service position. Ms. Ruiz-Werkema’s appointment is for the maximum probationary term of fifty-two weeks, compensated in accordance with the Collectively Negotiated Agreement between the District and the Town of Highlands Teachers’ Association, Teacher Aide & Monitor Unit at Step 3 ($22,119.72) of the Salary Schedule for the 2017-2018 school year (Attachment #7). Joan Ruiz-Werkema is filling the new teacher aide position that was created at the Board of Education meeting on August 24, 2017 and is assigned to the elementary school.

10) Adopt Non-Unit Employee Agreements BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby adopts non-unit employee terms and conditions agreements for the employees set forth below for the 2017-2018 school year. A copy of said terms and conditions agreements, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting:

Employee Title Attachment # Cedeira, Denise Assistant Superintendent for Business 8


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Fargo, Thomas Director of Facilities 9 Klein, Stefan Computer Technician 10 Oberst, Cora Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools 11 Tejedor, Andrea Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction

and Technology 12

11) Appoint Workers for Special District Meeting

BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby designates the following officials to act at the Special District Meeting of the Board of Education for the Capital Project Vote to be held on October 17, 2017: Name Position Stipend Curtin, Brian Lead Election Inspector (table) $275.00 Kimbrough, Karen Election Inspector (table) $275.00 Oberst, Cora Permanent Chairperson $0 McCormick, Katherine Election Inspector (machine) $275.00 Servedio, Johanne Election Inspector (machine) $275.00 Thorne, Carolyn Election Inspector (table) $200.00 Torraca, Raymond Field Technician $200.00 Quaglia, Nancy Election Inspector (table) $200.00

12) Appoint Lead Evaluator for the 2017-2018 School Year

WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individual named below has completed all of the necessary training to be certified and/or recertified as lead evaluators of classroom teachers: Nancy Noonan. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby certifies the following individual as a lead evaluator of classroom teachers: Nancy Noonan.

13) Appoint School Secretary BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby appoints Kathryn Ward as a full time (1.0 FTE) Typist, effective September 8, 2017. This appointment is a competitive Civil Service position, probationary for the maximum term of fifty-two weeks, and is compensated in accordance with the Clerical Support Staff Association Agreement at Step 2 ($35,025.93) pro-rated, of the salary schedule for the 2017-2018 school year.

14) Revise Appointment BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby revises the appointment of Frances Hagerty as a full time (1.0) FTE Accountant (Municipal) from a salary of $52,000.00 pro-rated to a salary of $52,500.00 pro-rated for the 2017-2018 school year.

15) Revise Stipend BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby revises the stipend amount for the Board’s District Clerk from $5,000 to $6,000 for the 2017-2018 school year.

Dr. Sheboy: described the implementation of the fraternization. Once the policy is approved, all staff and faculty will be informed via email, and this will be incorporated in our new hire package. VII. Discussion Items

1) HFES


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A. Lawless: The work with the Incubator continues. They toured HFES on September 6th to gather inform their concepts and proposal to the school.

2) HFIS Trees A. Lawless: This was discussed in executive session.

3) Mid-Hudson School Study Council Awards for Excellence RSVP (honoring Ned Kopald) A. Lawless: RSVP’s were collected for the event.

4) Capital Project A. Lawless: Some questions have been raised regarding the materials used in artificial turf. N. Kopald: Contacted the district’s architects on his own to ask questions about artificial turf and safety. A. Lawless: asked for these type of individual requests to be made as a united board so that the superintendent and staff can handle the requests of the board. BCA Architects answered board questions via conference call. Scott Duell, with BCA Architects spoke of the Mt. Sinai study which is often quoted in regard to turf fields. This study and others identify the need for more research. There are various infill materials like crumb rubber or organic materials such as coconut husks, etc. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been conducting a study to definitively determine if health risks exist with artificial turf fields. The release of results have been delayed. A field in Mahopac uses coconut husks as infill material; this may be something the district should look at. There is time before the design specifications are determined and sent to New York State Education Department (NYSED). If the EPA study concludes definitive results, the expectation is that NYSED will follow those guidelines and adjust bid lists accordingly. A. Lawless: When the board gets to the design phase (in approximately one year), there are options. If the board decides not to consider crumb rubber, other material can be selected. It’s too early at this time to discuss the design details of the fields.

Scott Duell: The in-fill material is what helps to keep the fields safe in terms of concussion, knee, ankle, and ligament damage, etc. Some of the natural in-fill materials require additional padding because they have a different reaction time. COL Yankovich: noted that there are risks in every activity we participate in and every material we use. The board must consider the risk-reward/cost-benefit of artificial turf. This is not to mitigate any potential hazards, but science has not shown a direct link. The district’s low quality fields should also be considered in a risk-reward scenario. R. Sullivan: reminded the board that the vote to have two artificial turf fields resulted with 6 to 1 majority; he alone voted against it. He stated that since the motion passed, he would not oppose the project. The model that was approved by the board provides for two turf fields. This is what the public will vote for or against. The model can not be changed.

Scott Duell: have priced out the most expensive option for infill and an additional pad for the cost of the

artificial turf.

VIII. Correspondence 5) Letter from John Monteleone, dated August 23, 2017 (Attachment #13) 6) Section IX Athletics Passes for the 2017-2018 school year (Distributed at the table) 7) MHSSC Newsletter (Attachment #14) 8) MHSSC Awards for Excellence (Attachment #15)


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9) MHSSC Workshop Brochure (Attachment #16) IX. Adjourn Open Meeting

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adjourns the Open Meeting. Time: 10:09 pm Motion: F. Aprilante Second: G. O’Connell Approved, all in favor

Challenge. Engage. Empower. Presentation to the Board of Education

September 7, 207

STUDENT

CONTENTTEACHER

STUDENT

CONTENTTEACHER

INSTRUCTIONAL CORE

STUDENT• REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS

• STUDENT CHOICE

• SCHOOL-BASED OPPORTUNITIES

CONTENT• RELEVANT

• RIGOROUS

• CONSISTENT

TEACHER• KNOWLEDGE

• SKILLS

• EXPECTATIONS

PART I

Learning Activities & Instructional Focus

• Lesson Design

• Classroom Organization

• Common Planning Time

PART II

Professional Development & Instructional Support

• Topic Specific Faculty Meetings

• Instructional Rounds

• Common Planning Time

PART III

Assessment Practices

• Screening

• Diagnostic Measures

• Recursive Benchmarking

• Progress Monitoring

• Mid-term & Final Exams (6th – 8th grades)

• Data System - eDoctrina

Unit/ Topic Course Activities Assessments/Assignments Month/ Timeframe

Real Numbers/Algebraic Expressions Large Group Review Quiz/Test, Homework Sept./1st MP

Solving Equations/InequalitiesSmall Group Review Quiz/Test, Homework Oct./1st MP

Graphing Graph Work Quiz/Test, Homework, Graph Project Oct-Nov1st MP

Polynomials: Operations Example Problems Quiz/Test, Notes, HomeworkNov-Dec/2nd MP

Polynomials: Factoring Small Group Quiz/Test, Notes, Homework Nov-Dec/ 2nd MP

Radical Expressions and Equations Large Group Quiz/Test, Notes, Homework Dec/2nd MP

Quadratic Equations Large Group Quiz/Test, Notes, HomeworkDec. /2nd MP

Systems of Equations Small Group Quiz/Test, Notes, HomeworkJan./2nd MP

Common Core Learning Standards (2009)

Next Generation Science Standards (2013)

Framework for Social Studies State Standards (2013)

Standards for the English Language Arts (2012)

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000)

STUDENT

CONTENTTEACHER

INSTRUCTIONAL CORE

Low-Inference

Observations

Identify Trends

Predict Learning Outcomes

Determine Next Steps

Problem of Practice

Focus on the Instructional Core

Observation Calibration

High Expectations

Program Fidelity

Best Practices

System-wide Application

Challenge. Engage. Empower. Presentation to the Board of Education

September 7, 207

board of education minutes september 7, 2017 page 1 of 8 · • she will be attending the nyssba...

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