1. education
2. school

SMITHTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
March 24, 2015
Held in Joseph M. Barton Bldg.
Meeting called to order at 7:00p.m. by Joanne McEnroy, vice president. On motion by Mrs. Waldron,
seconded by Mrs. Knox, the Board voted unanimously to convene in Executive Session to discuss
negotiations conducted pursuant to the Taylor Law involving the SSAA union, pending 3020a charges
against a tenured employee and to seek legal advice from the Board’s Attorney.
At 7:57p.m. Ms. Plourde motioned, Mrs. Waldron seconded, and the Board voted unanimously to exit
Executive Session and return to the public meeting.
Members present:
Joanne McEnroy
Gladys M. Waldron
Theresa Knox
Louis Liguori
Grace Plourde
Matthew Morton
Members absent:
Christopher Alcure
Also present:
James J. Grossane, Superintendent
Karen Ricigliano, Asst. Supt.
Jennifer Bradshaw, Asst. Supt.
Andrew Tobin, Asst. Supt.
William J. Bushman, Ph.D., Asst. Supt.
Sharon Berlin, Board Counsel
Visitors
Maureen O’Connor, District Clerk
I. OPENING CEREMONY - conducted by Ms. McEnroy.
II. COMMUNICATIONS
A. Correspondence – The following correspondence was presented for the Board’s review.
March 24, 2015
Page 2
1. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Mr. Christopher Alcure
Mr. Michael Chlystun
Senior Awards Night
2. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Board of Education
Ms. Christy Youllar
Governor Cuomo
3. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Mr. Christopher Alcure
Mr. Tyler Riesenburger
Eagle Scout Project
4. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Board of Education
Ms. Tara M. Siri
Feeder Pattern Issue
5. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Board of Education
Ms. Anne O’Reilly
Veteran’s Tax Exemption
6. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Board of Education
Mr. Salvatore Marinello, Trustee WS BOCES
Support for Re-election
7. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Mr. Christopher Alcure
Mr. Sydney Finkelstein, Trustee WS BOCES
Support of Re-election
8. Letter To:
From:
Re:
Component Board Members
Mr. Michael Flynn, Chief Operating Officer WS BOCES
Notice of Annual Meeting
MOTION
by Mrs. Waldron seconded by Mr. Morton that the correspondence in Section A, as listed
above, be received and that the recommendations of the administration (where indicated)
be accepted.
Vote on Motion- All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
B. General Communications – There were no general communications presented for the Board's
review.
III.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS- None.
March 24, 2015
Page 3
IV.
COMMITTEE REPORTS –
Board Liaison to District Committees- Health and Safety Committee
Ms. Plourde reported that she attended a meeting yesterday. Items discussed included pot hole
repairs, roof leaks, security, active shooter drill, progress of Accompsett elementary playground and
the administration of glucagon shots.
V.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
A.
Updates and Awards: The Superintendent presented recognized the following students for
receiving the Award of Excellence from Suffolk Region PTA for their Reflections program.
These students will have their work forwarded to the state competition:
Leah Kelly
Savannah Keenan
Josie Muratore
Mackenzie Cooper
Skyler Gherardi



Ilysa Sirota
Abby Fain
Monica Philbin
Tiffany Holtje
The next Budget Workshop is scheduled for March 31 at 7:00p.m. in the Auditorium of
NYA
Reminder about transportation- all transportation request for the 2015-2016 school year for
private and parochial school students must be made by April1, 2015 regardless of whether
the request is for a first time applicant or is a renewal. If you are a first time applicant, you
need to register your child with Smithtown School District in order to be considered for
transportation, receive textbook and/or other educational services. Registration must occur
in person and will take place at 26 New York Avenue until the April 1st deadline.
Parent University is tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00p.m.
B.
Tentative Calendar for April 2015- The calendars were reviewed by the board. No additional
meetings were scheduled.
C.
Litigation (Executive Session)
D.
Governor’s New York State Education Reforms
March 24, 2015
Page 4
WHEREAS, Article XI Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of New York provides that the legislature shall
provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools, wherein all the children of the State
may be educated;
WHEREAS, Article XI, Section 1 of the Constitution of the State of New York provides the legal authority given to
the Board of Regents and to the Legislature to provide for the maintenance and support of public schools;
WHEREAS, the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department exercise the powers and
functions delegated to them through the Education Law;
WHEREAS, the Board of Regents and the State Education Department establish policy by adopting rules and
regulations within the limitations of State law;
WHEREAS, said regulations have the authority of law unless they are overruled by decisions of the State’s courts;
WHEREAS, Article IV Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of New York outlines the powers and duties of the
Governor;
WHEREAS, Article IV Section 3 of the Constitution of the State of New York does not grant the Governor of the
State of New York control over the funding, nor the establishment of Educational Policy;
WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of New York, in his “State of the State” speech this year, outlined a variety
of reforms to New York State Educational policy which, if the legislature succumbs to the reforms, the Governor will
elect to fund a 4.8% increase in the educational budget, up from a 1.7% increase if the legislature does not elect the
reforms;
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Smithtown Central School District believes that the Governor is
overstepping his constitutionally derived powers and duties by demanding a change in educational policy for which
the Board of Regents and the State Ed Department hold Constitutional authority;
WHEREAS, in denying the funding that is needed to maintain the integrity of education for the children of New
York State, the Board of Education of the Smithtown Central School District believes that the Governor is
depriving the children of New York State with their Constitutional right of a system of free common schools;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Smithtown Central School District
demands that the Governor relinquish to the Board of Regents and the State Education Department their
constitutional right to establish educational policy.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Smithtown Central School District
demands that the Governor adequately fund New York State public schools.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education of the Smithtown Central District demands that
the Governor of the State of New York decouple the adequate funding of public schools for New York State children
from the request for educational policy reform for which he has no constitutionally derived power.
MOTION
by Mrs. Waldron seconded by Mrs. Knox, approving Superintendent Item D Governor’s
New York State Education Reform.
March 24, 2015
Page 5
Discussion- Dr. Grossane stated that he feels this resolution adequately states the belief of the
Board of Education the administration that the governor is overstepping his boundaries and it is
unfair the District has to present a budget to its community without knowing what the funding is.
VOTE ON MOTION- All aye. Motion carries. (6-0).
VI. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORT
A. Selection Classification Recommendation
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, be it
Resolved, that permission is granted at the request of the Athletic Director to the following Middle
School athletes to play on High School teams. They have been deemed “exceptional” and have
passed the Selection/Classification process.
Kristin Horoszewski
Gabrianna Lorifice
Victoria Alcure
8th Grade
8th Grade
7th Grade
VG Softball
VG Softball
JV G Golf
Smithtown HS West
Smithtown HS West
Combined
B. Overnight Field Trip Request – Smithtown HS East & West DECA Club
Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, be it
Resolved, that permission is granted for an Overnight Field Trip Request for 26 students from
Smithtown HS East and West DECA Club to compete at the next level of the International DECA
Career Conference in Orlando, Florida on April 25-29, 2015. They will be accompanied by 4 adult
chaperones.
MOTION
by Mrs. Waldron seconded by Mrs. Knox approving Instructional Report Items A -B.
March 24, 2015
Page 6
Vote on Motion- All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
C. Presentation: CACIH Housing Report to the Board of Education- Members of the Citizens
Advisory Committee on Instruction and Housing presented their report to the Board.
VII.
PUPIL PERSONNEL SERVICES
A.
Committee on Special Education
1.
Committee on Special Education
“RESOLVED, that the recommendations of the Committee on Special
Education for Initial Placement Program/Services, for cases listed
approved.”
Committee on Special Education/Preschool Special Education:
As per attached CSE meetings held between 02/23/2015 and 03/19/2015.
2.
Sub-Committee on Special Education
As per attached SCSE meetings held between 02/23/2015 and 03/19/2015.
“RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Sub-Committee on Special
Education for cases listed be approved.”
The recommendations of the Committee on Special Education and Sub-Committee on Special Education
were reviewed and approved.
B.
Committee on Preschool Special Education
1. Initial placement for Preschool Special Education Program/Services
be
March 24, 2015
Page 7
“RESOLVED, that the recommendations of the Committee on Preschool Special
Education for Initial Placement Program/Services, for cases listed
approved.”
See Attached –CPSE meetings from 3/2/15 – 3/16/15
be
2. Special Education Preschool Annual IEP Review/Amended IEP
““RESOLVED, that the recommendations of the Committee
on Preschool Special Education for Annual IEP Review/
Amended IEP for cases listed be approved.”
See Attached –CPSE meetings from 3/2/15 – 3/16/15
The recommendations of the Committee on Preschool Special Education were reviewed and approved.
MOTION
by Mrs. Waldron, seconded by Mrs. Knox approving Pupil Personnel Services Items A-B
Committee on Special Education and Committee on Preschool Special Education.
VOTE ON MOTION- All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
IX. AUDIENCE – Ms. McEnroy welcomed the following members of the audience to the podium to
speak.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Lisa Townsend expressed her concerns regarding the Common Core curriculum.
Scott Bugalla spoke regarding “opting out” procedures and going further in advocating opting out.
Mary J Herrle expressed her concerned regarding the use of the Engage NY modules.
Joseph Neto expressed concern with the middle school feeder patterns.
Denise Davis spoke regarding the Dogwood buffer zone attendance area.
Karen Wontrobski-Riccardi spoke on behalf of Mills Pond regarding the charge to the CACIH
committee and the elementary and middle school feeder patterns.
Michele Beutel expressed her concerns regarding high stakes testing and teacher evaluations.
Christy Youllar expressed her concerns regarding the state assessments and the governors education
reform proposals and their effect on the education of our students.
Tiffany Reeder expressed concerns regarding standardized testing and the common core
curriculum.
Claire Mahoney spoke regarding the amount of resources dedicated to preparing and administrating
standardized tests.
March 24, 2015
Page 8
X. BUSINESS AFFAIRS
A. Finance
1 – Bid Recommendations
"Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
RESOLVED, that the following bid recommendations be approved as submitted herein:
11-16
11-43R
12/13-30
12/13-35
13/14-25
13/14-26
Ext.
Ext.
Ext.
Ext.
Ext.
Ext.
Shelving
District Vehicle Repair
Poison Ivy Removal
HVAC Parts
Integrated Management
Asphalt Concrete”
2 – Budgetary Transfers
"Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
RESOLVED, that the following budgetary transfers of funds be approved for the 2014-15 school
year:
FROM:
2110-433-81-6600
Rent N-Instr Equip
TO:
2021-501-81-0501
2021-501-81-0000
Gen Instr Supplies
Gen Instr Supplies
3 – Annual Election and Legal Notice
"Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
$5,429.00
$3,369.00
$2,060.00”
March 24, 2015
Page 9
th
RESOLVED, that the Annual Election of the District be held on the 19 day of May 2015, that due
notice thereof be duly published, and be it further
RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of Smithtown Central School District, Suffolk County,
New York, as follows:
Section 1. That the annual election of the qualified voters of the said School
District shall be held on the 19th day of May 2015, and that the polls will be kept
open between the hours of 6:00 o'clock a.m. and 9:00 o'clock p.m., time then in
effect, for vote by voting machines.
Section 2. That the notice of said annual election, including the proposition(s) to
be voted upon, shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto.”
4 – Joint Municipal Cooperative Bidding Program – BOCES, 2015-16 School Year
WHEREAS, various educational and municipal corporations located within the State of New York desire
to bid jointly for generally needed services and standardized supply and equipment items; and
WHEREAS, the Smithtown Central School District, an educational/municipal corporation (hereinafter the
“Participant”) is desirous of selectively participating with other educational and/or municipal corporations
in the State of New York in joint bidding in the areas mentioned above pursuant to General Municipal Law
§ 119-o and Education Law Section 1950; and
WHEREAS, the Participant is a municipality within the meaning of General Municipal Law § 119-n and is
eligible to participate in the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, First Supervisory District of
Suffolk County (hereinafter Eastern Suffolk BOCES) Joint Municipal Cooperative Bidding Program
(hereinafter the “Program”) in the areas mentioned above; and
WHEREAS, the Participant acknowledges receipt of the Program description inclusive of Eastern Suffolk
BOCES’ standard bid packet and the general conditions relating to said Program; and
WHEREAS, with respect to all activities conducted by the Program, the Participant wishes to delegate to
Eastern Suffolk BOCES the responsibility for drafting of bid specifications, advertising for bids, accepting
and opening bids, tabulating bids, awarding the bids, and reporting the results to the Participant.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Participant hereby appoints Eastern Suffolk BOCES to represent it and to act
as the lead agent in all matters related to the Program as described above; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Participant hereby authorizes Eastern Suffolk BOCES to place all
legal advertisements for any required cooperative bidding in Newsday, which is designated as the official
newspaper for the Program; and
March 24, 2015
Page 10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a Participant Meeting shall be held annually consisting of a
representative from each Program Participant. Notice of the meeting shall be given to each representative
at least five (5) days prior to such meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an Advisory Committee will be formed consisting of five to ten
representatives of Program Participants for a term of three (3) years as authorized by General Municipal
Law §119-o.2.j.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Agreement with the Participant shall be for a term of one (1) year
as authorized by General Municipal Law §119-o.2.j.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Participant agrees to pay Eastern Suffolk BOCES an annual fee as
determined annually by Eastern Suffolk BOCES to act as the lead agent for the Program.
Dated:
March 24, 2015
________________________________________
SMITHTOWN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHRISTOPHER ALCURE
President, Board of Education
Contact Person:
Title:
E-Mail Address:
MOTION
BETH WOODS
School Purchasing Agent
bwoods@smithtown.k12.ny.us
by Mrs. Waldron, seconded by Mrs. Knox approving Finance Items 1-4.
VOTE ON MOTION- All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
B. Operations
1 – Declaration of Obsolete Items
"Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
March 24, 2015
Page 11
RESOLVED, that the following items, due to poor condition and/or obsolescence, are no longer
useful to the District, and are hereby declared to be obsolete, and are to be disposed of in a manner that
is in the best interest of the Smithtown Central School District:
Kyocera Mifa Copier, serial # ZH47023747, model KM-1810 at High
School East Health Office
Audiometer, SCSD tag# 000862, serial #8147, Maico, model
MA-12B at Accompsett Elementary Health Office
EDL Combo – 8 (Film Strip Reader), SCSD tag #12835, serial #115658 at
Acompsett Elementary Health Office”
2 - Acceptance of Gifts
"Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education authorizes the acceptance of the following gifts:
Donated By
Pearl Drum Set and Zoldjian Cymbals
for the Mills Pond Elementary
School Music Department
Lori DiBlasi
29 Smithtown Crescent
Smithtown, NY 11787
$2,000.00 donation to the St.
Catherine’s Scholarship Fund
St. Catherine’s of Siena Medical Center
50 Route 25A
Smithtown, NY 11787”
3 – Additions to Lists of Organizations Approved to Use School Facilities,
2014-2015 and 2015-2016 School Years
"Upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools,
be it
March 24, 2015
Page 12
RESOLVED, that the following organizations, having made formal application, are hereby
approved to use school facilities at the Smithtown Central School District during the 2014-2015 and
2015-2016 school years, subject to all School District policies, rules and regulations, Standard Uniform
Practices, and contract provisions:
2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR
Living Word Church
2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR
Living Word Church
Suffolk Officials of Girls Soccer”
MOTION
by Mrs. Knox, seconded by Mrs. Waldron approving Operations Item 1-3.
Vote on Motion- All aye. Motion carried. (6-0).
XI. PERSONNEL
A. Certified – The following Certified Personnel Items were presented for the Board’s approval:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Appointment of Adult Continuing Education Teacher
Appointment of Coordinator of the Middle School Summer Program 2015-2016
Appointment of Assistant Coordinator of the Middle School Summer Program 2015-2016
Appointment of District AP Proctor
Appointment of Co-Curricular Activities Sponsor
Coaching Assignments
Notice of Retirement
Request for FMLA and/or Leave of Absence
Approval of Volunteer
Appointment of Probationary Teacher
Appointment of Substitute Teacher 2014-2015
Restoration of Former Tenure Status
MOTION
by Mrs. Knox , seconded by Mrs. Waldron approving the Certified Personnel
Items 1- 12
March 24, 2015
Page 13
VOTE ON MOTION- All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
B. Classified- The following Classified Personnel Items were presented for the Board’s approval:
Appointments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Change of Status
Leave of Absence
Retirements
Resignation
Correction from prior Board Meeting – Leave of Absence
Election Workers
Temp/Peak Appointments
MOTION
by
Mrs. Waldron , seconded by Mrs. Knox approving the Certified Personnel
Items 1-8 ,as detailed in the attached resolutions.
VOTE ON MOTION-
C.
All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
Nurses
1. Change of Status
MOTION
by Mrs. Knox , seconded by Mrs. Waldron approving the Nurses Item 1. , as
detailed in the attached resolutions.
VOTE ON MOTION-
All aye. Motion carried (6-0).
XII. NEW BUSINESS –None at this time.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
by Mrs. Knox, seconded by Mrs. Waldron that the meeting be adjourned at 9:37p.m.
VOTE ON MOTION-
All aye. Motion carried (6-0 ).
Respectfully submitted,
March 24, 2015
Page 14
Maureen O’Connor
District Clerk