Video index
Roll Call: 10 members present, 1 members absent, 0 members excused.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. - PMS CONFERENCE ROOM
President Eicher called the meeting to order at 7:07 a.m. in the Pelham Middle School Conference Room at 28 Franklin Place, Pelham, New York 10803.
2. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE
MOTION was made by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O’Leary and unanimously carried to go into executive session to discuss the financial, credit or employment history of a particulalr person and/or corporation and the record of a particular student.
3. MOTION TO RECESS
MOTION was made by Mr. Hearle, seconded by Dr. Arden and unanimously carried to recess at 8:00 p.m., at which time the Board would reconvene in a public meeting in the Pelham Middle School Library.
4. MOTION TO RECONVENE IN PUBLIC MEETING IN THE PMS LIBRARY
Motion to Approve to reconvene in public meeting in the PMS Library. Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve to reconvene in public meeting in the PMS Library. (Approved)
5. CALL TO ORDER - PELHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY - 8:00 P.M.
Mr. Eicher called the meeting to order at approximately 8:11 p.m. and welcomed everyone. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Arden reiterated the previously noted executive session motions. Approximately seven staff and community members were in attendance.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6.1 Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 24, 2011
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
7. ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1 Introduction of Visiting Teacher from China
Mr. Eicher welcomed Ms. Yang (Margaret) Rui, a visiting English high school teacher from Shanghai, China. Mr. Longobardi explained that Ms. Rui is working in the Middle School sixth grade social studies classes for six weeks, team teaching with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Bloom. He went on to say that it is working out very well and we are very happy to have her with us. The Board presented a small token of appreciation to Ms. Rui and she also presented the Board with a gift. A Pelham Middle School teacher, Ms. Ginny Leddy is the host teacher.
7.2 Board Committee Reports
Dr. Arden reported on the February 3 Student Life Committee meeting. She said that some new language has been added to the cocurricular agreement that was just approved last spring.
Dr. Arden also reported on the work of the Policy Committee, noting that the 7000 policy series has been sent to BOCES for adjusting.
Mr. Hearle reported from the Community Engagement Committee. He reminded everyone of the forum planned for Saturday, February 12th 9-12. He asked if the Board would please be there at 8:30 a.m. for a pre meeting planning session. Mr. Hearle said that there will be graduate students as neutral recorders of the information and that there will also be a team of resource people (administrators, union leaders, financial people) available to answer questions to help move along the discussion. He added that he hopes this dialogue will provide valuable information to the Board.
Mr. Howard reported to the Board on behalf of the Finance Committee. He said that the district is rolling over some unspent fund balance for this year and hopes to do the same for next year. He also said that reports indicate that State aid will probably be less than expected by about $250,000. Mr. Eicher said that the Board and the community are going to have to make some very difficult decisions. He said that the committee should meet again to see what the aid reductions will mean to us.
7.3 Superintendent Report
Dr. Lauro will receive the preliminary budget next week and begin to review it before sending it to the Board on the 18th. Regarding the Master Schedule, there has been a slight change - everything will be moved 7 minutes forward. For the good of the larger group, traveling athletes might miss about 13 minutes of a class in order to get to an away event.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Ann Rial thanked Dr. Lauro and the Board for accommodating students and parents with a new master schedule.
9. FINANCIAL REPORTS AND MOTIONS
9.1 Motion to Approve Acceptance of the 2010-2011 Federal Grants
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Dr. Arden.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
9.2 Motion to Approve the 2010-2011 District Budget Calendar
Motion to Approve the following as amended: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following as amended: (Approved)
A reminder by Mr. Cavanagh prompted the Board to consent to add another budget workshop meeting date - Monday, March 21, 2011. The calendar will be amended to reflect the addition.
9.3 Motion to Accept Donations
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Mr. Howard.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MOTIONS
10.1 Motion to Approve Schedule A - Certificated Staff
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
Dr. Lauro noted that Mrs. McGrath has served the district in many capacities in the district over the years. As Director of Instructional Technology K-12, she has overseen the tremendous growth of that department. She will be greatly missed by everyone. We wish her and her family many years of happiness. Mr. Eicher said that this moment is bittersweet. Mr. Cavanagh teased that the Board would sure like to vote no on this motion!
10.2 Motion to Approve Schedule B - Extra-Duty Appointments
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10.3 Motion to Approve Schedule D - Committee on Special Education
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10.4 Motion to Approve 2011-2012 School Calendar
Motion to Approve the following, as amended: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Mr. Howard.
Vote to Approve the following, as amended: (Approved)
Dr. Arden suggested that the March 16th Superintendent's Conference Date might conflict with the SAT test date and, if that is the case, reschedule the conference date for March 9th. Dr. Lauro said the dates will be checked and changed if he found a conflict.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Eicher, Dr. Arden as well as Dr. Lauro reported that they recently enjoyed being interviewed by the Pel Mell, the PMHS newspaper. Mr. Eicher also recognized the newly expanded media crew, headed by Mr. Steve Rovida and supported by two high school students.
12. ADJOURN
Motion to Approve to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m. Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Dr. Arden.
Vote to Approve to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m. (Approved)
Feb 07, 2011 Regular Board of Education Meeting
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Roll Call: 10 members present, 1 members absent, 0 members excused.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. - PMS CONFERENCE ROOM
President Eicher called the meeting to order at 7:07 a.m. in the Pelham Middle School Conference Room at 28 Franklin Place, Pelham, New York 10803.
2. MOTION TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE
MOTION was made by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O’Leary and unanimously carried to go into executive session to discuss the financial, credit or employment history of a particulalr person and/or corporation and the record of a particular student.
3. MOTION TO RECESS
MOTION was made by Mr. Hearle, seconded by Dr. Arden and unanimously carried to recess at 8:00 p.m., at which time the Board would reconvene in a public meeting in the Pelham Middle School Library.
4. MOTION TO RECONVENE IN PUBLIC MEETING IN THE PMS LIBRARY
Motion to Approve to reconvene in public meeting in the PMS Library. Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve to reconvene in public meeting in the PMS Library. (Approved)
5. CALL TO ORDER - PELHAM MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY - 8:00 P.M.
Mr. Eicher called the meeting to order at approximately 8:11 p.m. and welcomed everyone. All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr. Arden reiterated the previously noted executive session motions. Approximately seven staff and community members were in attendance.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6.1 Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 24, 2011
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
7. ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1 Introduction of Visiting Teacher from China
Mr. Eicher welcomed Ms. Yang (Margaret) Rui, a visiting English high school teacher from Shanghai, China. Mr. Longobardi explained that Ms. Rui is working in the Middle School sixth grade social studies classes for six weeks, team teaching with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Bloom. He went on to say that it is working out very well and we are very happy to have her with us. The Board presented a small token of appreciation to Ms. Rui and she also presented the Board with a gift. A Pelham Middle School teacher, Ms. Ginny Leddy is the host teacher.
7.2 Board Committee Reports
Dr. Arden reported on the February 3 Student Life Committee meeting. She said that some new language has been added to the cocurricular agreement that was just approved last spring.
Dr. Arden also reported on the work of the Policy Committee, noting that the 7000 policy series has been sent to BOCES for adjusting.
Mr. Hearle reported from the Community Engagement Committee. He reminded everyone of the forum planned for Saturday, February 12th 9-12. He asked if the Board would please be there at 8:30 a.m. for a pre meeting planning session. Mr. Hearle said that there will be graduate students as neutral recorders of the information and that there will also be a team of resource people (administrators, union leaders, financial people) available to answer questions to help move along the discussion. He added that he hopes this dialogue will provide valuable information to the Board.
Mr. Howard reported to the Board on behalf of the Finance Committee. He said that the district is rolling over some unspent fund balance for this year and hopes to do the same for next year. He also said that reports indicate that State aid will probably be less than expected by about $250,000. Mr. Eicher said that the Board and the community are going to have to make some very difficult decisions. He said that the committee should meet again to see what the aid reductions will mean to us.
7.3 Superintendent Report
Dr. Lauro will receive the preliminary budget next week and begin to review it before sending it to the Board on the 18th. Regarding the Master Schedule, there has been a slight change - everything will be moved 7 minutes forward. For the good of the larger group, traveling athletes might miss about 13 minutes of a class in order to get to an away event.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Ann Rial thanked Dr. Lauro and the Board for accommodating students and parents with a new master schedule.
9. FINANCIAL REPORTS AND MOTIONS
9.1 Motion to Approve Acceptance of the 2010-2011 Federal Grants
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Dr. Arden.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
9.2 Motion to Approve the 2010-2011 District Budget Calendar
Motion to Approve the following as amended: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following as amended: (Approved)
A reminder by Mr. Cavanagh prompted the Board to consent to add another budget workshop meeting date - Monday, March 21, 2011. The calendar will be amended to reflect the addition.
9.3 Motion to Accept Donations
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Mr. Howard.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10. ADMINISTRATIVE MOTIONS
10.1 Motion to Approve Schedule A - Certificated Staff
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
Dr. Lauro noted that Mrs. McGrath has served the district in many capacities in the district over the years. As Director of Instructional Technology K-12, she has overseen the tremendous growth of that department. She will be greatly missed by everyone. We wish her and her family many years of happiness. Mr. Eicher said that this moment is bittersweet. Mr. Cavanagh teased that the Board would sure like to vote no on this motion!
10.2 Motion to Approve Schedule B - Extra-Duty Appointments
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Mr. Howard, seconded by Ms. O'Leary.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10.3 Motion to Approve Schedule D - Committee on Special Education
Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Kiernan.
Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)
10.4 Motion to Approve 2011-2012 School Calendar
Motion to Approve the following, as amended: Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Mr. Howard.
Vote to Approve the following, as amended: (Approved)
Dr. Arden suggested that the March 16th Superintendent's Conference Date might conflict with the SAT test date and, if that is the case, reschedule the conference date for March 9th. Dr. Lauro said the dates will be checked and changed if he found a conflict.
11. NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Eicher, Dr. Arden as well as Dr. Lauro reported that they recently enjoyed being interviewed by the Pel Mell, the PMHS newspaper. Mr. Eicher also recognized the newly expanded media crew, headed by Mr. Steve Rovida and supported by two high school students.
12. ADJOURN
Motion to Approve to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m. Moved by Mrs. Kiernan, seconded by Dr. Arden.
Vote to Approve to adjourn the meeting at approximately 9:10 p.m. (Approved)
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