MOTION was made by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Gilland and unanimously carried, to go into executive session to discuss collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law (CSEA Building Services Unit), the employment history of a particular person and/or corporation and the record of a particular student.

8. FINANCIAL REPORTS AND MOTIONS

8.1 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for Period Ending December 31, 2012

Motion to Approve 8.1 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for Period Ending December 31, 2012 Moved by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Smith.

Vote to Approve 8.1 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for Period Ending December 31, 2012 (Approved)

8.2 Motion to Approve the 2012-2013 Flow Through of Funds (IDEA Grants 611 and 619) Agreements for Pelham Union Free School District Special Education Pre-School and School Aged Students

Motion to Approve the following: Moved by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Gilland.

Vote to Approve the following: (Approved)

7. ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

7.1 Social Studies Task Force Tri-States Report

Socal Studies Supervisor 6-12 for the Pelham Schools, Maria Thompson, came before the Board to present the findings of the Tri-State Consortium. She noted the objectives of the presentation described the preparation processfor the report, gave an overview of the Tri-State Consortium visit, presented the work and suggestions of the social studies task force and then commented on where the district goes from here. Mr. Giarrizzo thanked the task force members for their hard work, noting that he is delighted with the work and the report. Mrs. Kiernan called for Board questions and some discussion ensued. As a follow up, Mr. Cavanagh would like a report on compliance from the staff on the use of the eChalk pages. Mrs. Kiernan opened the floor for ppblic comment on this topic. Hearing none, she expressed the gratitude of the Board to the task foce.

7.2 Other Administrative and Committee Reports

Mrs. Gilland reported on the Program Committee's work on grading and how to streamline that process. She said that they have also been discussing the high school program and further noted that they would like to survey students as a start to this conversation.

Mr. Recca reported from the Student Life Committee and its work on a new code of conduct in response to the Dignity for All Students Act. He also shared good news from the Guidance office that college admission responses are starting to come back and that congratulations are in order for some students who have been accepted to Harvard and Chapel Hill.

Dr. Arden reported for the Policy Committee that they are doing a final edit and that the book will go back to Erie BOCES for any corrections to be made.

From the Community Engagement Committee, Mrs. Smith reminded everyone of the upcoming community coffee on February 13th at 7:30 p.m. at Rockwells.

Ms. O'Leary said that there is also a SEPTA meeting on February 13th scheduled in the Middle School Library.

Dr. Wilson reported that lockdown drills were held in the district last week. He felt they were very well organized. Afterwards, time as spent debriefing to go over some areas where we can improve. Dr. Wilson noted that the math report would be given at the February 25th Board meeting.

Mr. Giarrizzo congratulated Mr. Beltecas and his students for their accomplishments in the science research junior science and humanities competition - they did very well.

Mrs. Matthews shared that the teacher evaluation system is working well in Pupil Personnel Services.

7.3 Resolution on High-Stakes Testing

Motion to Amend and approve the resolution to read as follows: Moved by Ms. O'Leary, seconded by Mrs. Smith.

Vote to Amend and approve the resolution to read as follows: (Approved)

WHEREAS, our nation's and New York State's future well-being relies on a high-quality public education system that prepares all students for college, careers, citizenship and lifelong learning, and strengthens the nation's social and economic well-being; and
WHEREAS, our nation's school systems have been spending growing amounts of time, money and energy on high-stakes standardized testing, in which student performance on standardized tests is used to make major decisions affecting individual students, educators and schools;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pelham Union Free School District calls on Governor Cuomo, Commissioner King, the State legislature, and the Board of Regents to reexamine public school accountability systems in this state, including the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) and to develop a system based on multiple forms of assessment which does not require extensive standardized testing, more accurately reflects the broad range of student learning, and is used to support students and improve schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that that the Pelham Union Free School District calls on the U.S. Congress and Administration to overhaul the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (currently known as the "No Child Left Behind Act"), reduce the testing mandates, promote multiple forms of evidence of student learning and school quality in accountability, and not mandate any fixed role for the use of student test scores in evaluating educators.