HHH BOA Minutes - Half Hollow Hills

BOARD OF EDUCATION
HALF HOLLOW HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEETING OF JANUARY 12, 2004
APPROVED AS WRITTEN – JANUARY 26, 2004 – OFFICIAL COPY
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER:
Alissa Sue Taff, President
Steve Noskin, Vice President (arrived at 8:45 p.m.)
Carole Catapano
Fran Greenspan
Bradley Kessler, M.D.
Anne Marie Sorkin (arrived at 8:35 p.m.)
Jay Marcucci
Sheldon Karnilow, Superintendent
Kelly Fallon, Assistant Superintendent for District-wide Administration
Gloria Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education
Renée Wagenberg, Assistant Superintendent for Research,
Assessment and Special Services
Jack Feldman, Esq., Board Counsel
District Clerk and Guests
The meeting, held at Vanderbilt Elementary School, was called to
order by Mrs. Taff at 7:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
OPEN SESSION:
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Dr.
Kessler, and carried unanimously (4-0) to convene into
Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. in order to discuss personnel
and contractual issues.
The meeting convened into Open Session at 8:10 p.m.
Mrs. Taff commenced the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Taff welcomed, and wished everyone a happy new year. The
Board will take the agenda in reverse order this evening, due to the
fact that Mr. Noskin and Mrs. Sorkin, who have outside
obligations with their children, will be arriving shortly. The Board
will consider the business portion of the meeting first.
Mrs. Taff sadly noted that a tragic car accident claimed the life of
Maria Ryan, a new vibrant first-grade teacher at Vanderbilt.

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
Mrs. Taff also sadly announced the passing of Legislator Maxine
Postal who represented different parts of Half Hollow Hills over
the years. Mrs. Taff recalled that last year Ms. Postal was a
tremendous help to Half Hollow Hills in setting up a press
conference to help in our letter writing campaign to protest
proposed cuts in education aid from Albany.
Mrs. Taff asked for a moment of silence in memory of two
wonderful people.
Dr. Karnilow recalled interviewing Maria Ryan, over the summer,
and being tremendously impressed with her love for teaching.
During her brief time with us, she gained the respect of her
colleagues and the love of the children and parents she interacted
with. She will be sorely missed. Dr. Karnilow thanked Dr.
McDonald, the Vanderbilt PTA, the spectacular group of firstgrade
teachers, Cheryl Durant, Administrative Assistant, and Lisa
Gische, Building Psychologist, for their energy on behalf of our
students. The Half Hollow Hills community truly came together
during this time of need to lessen the impact on the lives of our
children.
The Board of Education and Administration introduced themselves
to the audience.
Mrs. Taff stated that Mr. Marcucci is attending an education
conference in Albany and will not be here this evening. Mr.
Noskin and Mrs. Sorkin will be arriving shortly.
SUPERINTENDENT
RECOGNITION:
Mrs. Taff mentioned that Dr. Sheldon Karnilow has been honored
as a Tech Savvy Superintendent by eschoolnews. This prestigious
award recognizes ten of the nation’s top K-12 executives for their
outstanding leadership and vision in the area of education
technology.
PROMISING PRACTITIONERS
AWARD WINNER: Mrs. Mary Brush, Language Arts Supervisor, presented Teacher
Kristen Lesiewicz with the Promising Practitioners Award from
the New England League of Middle Schools. Ms. Lesiewicz
clearly enjoys teaching middle school and makes a positive impact
on her students.
2

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
2003 LEE BRYANT OUTSTANDING NEW YORK STATE TECHNOLOGIST
AWARD:
Dr. Karnilow proudly announced that Ellen Robertson, Assistant
Director of Instructional Computing, has been awarded the 2003
Lee Bryant Outstanding New York State Technologist Award.
Ms. Robertson works with our administration and teachers, and has
worked extremely hard on helping to create our wonderful new
web site.
Mrs. Taff thanked the Vanderbilt PTA for their wonderful
refreshments and for hosing the meeting this evening.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE: Dr. Tom McDonald, Principal of Vanderbilt Elementary School,
welcomed the School Board and Central Office Administration.
He introduced the team that makes up Vanderbilt’s teaching and
support staff who are present this evening. He thanked PTA Co-
Presidents Donna Koeningsberger and Judy Spiesman for
contributing their ideas and countless hours to Vanderbilt. Dr.
McDonald said that tonight we would also like to honor Maria
Ryan. The Vanderbilt family share all experiences together. We
celebrate our colleague for her spirit, enthusiasm, and love of
children. The best and brightest come to Half Hollow Hills and
Maria was all of that and more. We are all better for having
known her. A Literacy Fair is being developed and will be named
the Maria Ryan Literacy Fair.
MINUTES:
ACTION ITEMS:
A Motion was made by Dr. Kessler, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to accept the Minutes of December
15, 2003 as written.
PERSONNEL
Tenure Alert
The following staff member is eligible for appointment to tenure
on the date indicated. The Superintendent of Schools shall be
recommending his appointment at an upcoming Board of
Education meeting:
Staff Member Position Beg. Date Tenure Date
Richard Jacobowski Music/OT/SH 2/26/01 2/25/04
A Motion was made by Mrs. Sorkin, seconded by Dr. Kessler, and
carried unanimously (5-0) to accept the Personnel Report in its
entirety.
3

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
A Motion was made by Mrs. Sorkin, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to approve the Personnel Report as
follows:
CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Resignations
1. Thomas Lynch Science/HSW 9/9/04
Appointments/Leave of Absence Replacements
1. Barbara Germani 1D Elem/VA 1/12/04
113/04-6/30/04 NYS Prov. Elem. Ed.
2. Keith Goldman 1D Science/HSW 1/12/04
1/13/04-6/30/04 NYS Prov. Earth Science
3. Maura Leitch 1D Lang. Arts/HSW 1/12/04
1/20/04-6/30/04 NYS Prov. Lang. Arts
Substitutes
1. Nicole Baggio
2. Dawn Bauland
3. Jennifer Berotti
4. Kathleen Cardinale
5. Lynn Conti
6. Robert Golden
7. Kristin Salomone
8. Daisha Spatafora
NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Resignations
1. Erica Braverman Paraprofessional/OTS 11/24/03
2. Kristen Garry Paraprofessional/FP 10/13/03
3. Mei Kwai Food Service Worker/WH 1/5/04
4. Ellen Sheehan Lunchroom Monitor/FP 1/5/04
Terminations
1. Lucien Ceran Bus Driver/Transportation 1/7/04
Appointments/Probationary
1. Christine Kammerer Clerk Typist/WH $26,236 1/13/04
Substitutes
1. Keith Banks Substitute Food Service Worker 1/13/04
2. Melissa Grodin Substitute Paraprofessional 1/13/04
3. Adamantia Thomaidis Substitute Monitor 1/13/04
4

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
Appointments/Permanent
1. James Hoey Bus Driver/Transportation 1/13/04
Appointments – Monitors/Paraprofessionals/Etc.
1. Sabrina Gehm Paraprofessional/OTS $11.88 1/13/04
2. Veronica Meyer Paraprofessional/OTS $10.57 1/13/04
3. Loretta Siciliano Paraprofessional/CH $11.88 1/13/04
4. Carol Wendel Lunchroom Monitor/FP $8.97 1/13/04
RESOLUTION:
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the
Half Hollow Hills Central School District approves the terms of a
collective bargaining agreement between the Board and the Half
Hollow Hills Association of Office Personnel for the period of July
1, 2004 to June 30, 2008, and authorizes the Board President to
sign the agreement on the Board’s behalf.
A Motion was made by Mrs. Catapano, seconded by Mrs. Sorkin,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to approve the above Resolution.
RESOLUTION:
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the
Half Hollow Hills Central School District approves the terms of
the Memorandum of Agreement between the Board of Education
and the Half Hollow Hills Substitute Teachers’ Association for the
period of September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2008.
A Motion was made by Mrs. Sorkin, seconded by Mrs. Greenspan,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to approve the above Resolution.
Mrs. Taff commended Mrs. Kelly Fallon, and our attorneys Ms.
Florence Frazer and Mr. Jack Feldman, for the phenomenal job
they did on moving the contracts along. She also thanked Mrs.
Greenspan, who worked along with her, representing the Board of
Education in the negotiation process.
APPROVAL OF BILLS:
BUDGET TRANSFERS:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Dr. Kessler,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to accept the Approval of Bills for
$3,152,788.38.
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Mrs.
Catapano, and carried unanimously (5-0) to approve the Budget
Transfers.
5

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
BID AWARDS:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Sorkin, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (5-0) to approve the following Bid
Awards:
1. Bid #04-21: Interscholastic Athletic Supplies – Spring
2. Bid Co-Op: Milk
3. Bid Co-Op: Bread
HEALTH SERVICES:
A Motion was made by Mr. Noskin, seconded by Mrs. Greenspan,
and carried unanimously (6-0) to approve the following Health
Services:
No. of Students Name of District Contract Price
3 Brentwood UFSD $1,220.40
2 East Islip School Dist. $1,029.46
2 Lindenhurst Public Schools $898.00
SCHEDULE OF
INVESTMENTS:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Mr. Noskin,
and carried unanimously (6-0) to approve the Schedule of
Investments for the period ending November 30, 2003.
A copy of the Treasurer’s Report has been forwarded to the Board.
CSE PARENT
REPRESENTATIVE:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Mrs.
Catapano, and carried unanimously (6-0) to approve Mrs. Lori
Cohen and Mrs. Caryn Rosenberg as Parent Representatives for the
Committee on Special Education for the 2003-2004 school year.
Mrs. Greenspan brought the Policy Hazing, Initiation Activities,
Harassment & Bullying to the Board for a “First Reading.”
There were copies available for the community. Mrs. Greenspan
thanked everyone for their assistance in working on this policy,
especially our attorney, Jack Feldman, Renée Wagenberg, and
Board Members. The Board of Education discussed the policy.
COMMENTS FROM
VISITORS:
Carlos Moralez asked about the dissemination of the Hazing,
Initiation Activities, Harassment & Bullying Policy.
Sabrina Frazer raised her concern regarding Mad Cow Disease.
Ellen Rosengard thanked the Board for the Candlewood
renovations. She stated that the children and parents are proud and
6

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
excited about their new school. She also asked for an open
discussion on a 9 period day at the high school.
PRESENTATION:
UPDATE ON TECHNOLOGY
Dr. Karnilow thanked Mrs. Taff for acknowledging the award he
received for educational technology. It is, however, a recognition
of our District-wide program, and Dr. Karnilow thanked the Board
for their ongoing commitment to technology.
Dr. Karnilow introduced Mr. Michael DeStio, Assistant
Superintendent for Secondary Education to begin the presentation.
Mr. DeStio introduced Luci Bradley, Signal Hill; Laura Parker,
Candlewood; and Chuck Bartolotta, High School West, who will
each give an overview of how they incorporate technology into
their classrooms.
Mrs. Corinne Carriero, Director of Instructional Computing, shared
what is new in technology and going on in the District now.
Today’s students are digital natives, “native speakers” of the
digital language of computers, video games and the Internet. They
think and process information fundamentally differently from their
predecessors. Half Hollow Hills is providing technology for the
21 st century, increasing motivation and creativity, and allowing for
differentiation of instruction. She explained pilot programs with
laptops and their success, wireless connectivity, and professional
development. Technology is truly about teaching and learning.
Luci Bradley, Teacher at Signal Hill Elementary School, said the
children love having the computers in their room and use them
extensively. She showed different projects children have worked
on and how laptops are being used in the 5 th Grade.
Laura Parker, Social Studies Teacher at Candlewood Middle
School, explained a pilot laptop program used for a social studies
project on ancient civilizations. The laptops were instrumental in
the students’ understanding of the topic.
Chuck Bartolotta, Physics Teacher at High School West, showed
how students are making movies with technology for labs. The
same format of a lab is used, but instead it’s put in movie form.
Mrs. Ellen Robertson, Assistant Director of Instructional
Computing, explained the “Language of Screens.” At Berkley,
students must present a research paper visually. She demonstrated
7

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
a motion probe on a laptop. This allows us to analyze more data
much more quickly.
Mrs. Carriero thanked the teachers for sharing their expertise.
There are many other teachers in the District doing similar things
in their classrooms.
Dr. Karnilow also thanked the teachers who presented their
projects this evening, as well as Mr. DeStio, Mrs. Carriero, and
Mrs. Robertson.
LAUNCHING OUR NEW
DISTRICT WEBSITE:
Dr. Karnilow explained that the new District website was built to
provide communication to and from the community. The process
began 1 _ years ago to redesign our website. With the help of Paul
Doxsee, Designer, Anne Marie Sorkin, Board Trustee, and Mike
DeStio, Assistant Superintendent, the work began. You will find
the website to be extremely user friendly. The website will be
available tomorrow morning. Mr. DeStio and committee members
worked countless hours from early conception, to the design and
meetings with management teams.
Mrs. Sorkin said there is a wealth of services in Half Hollow Hills
and these resources will be made available to everyone in the
community. This website asks for feedback, in return, from the
community. It is meant to streamline the communication process.
Mrs. Robertson demonstrated some features of the new website.
District handbooks are mounted on the website. Parents can
program personalized calendar settings for specific schools.
Dr. Karnilow and Mrs. Taff thanked all of those involved for their
hard work in bringing this project to fruition.
COMMENTS FROM
VISITORS:
James Ptucha commended the District on doing a great job with
the website. He asked if there is a particular reason why Mac is
being pushed instead of IBM.
Mrs. Carriero simply stated that Mac is used for the ease of multi
media use, and it is easy to support.
NASSAU-SUFFOLK SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION
CONFERENCE:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Catapano, seconded by Mrs.
Greenspan, and carried unanimously (6-0) to approve up to four
(4) Board Members to go to the N-SSBA Conference “Protecting
8

BOARD OF EDUCATION – WORK SESSION MEETING – JANUARY 12, 2004
Long Island’s Investment In Its Public Schools” “Impact Of CFE
Decision & NYS Budget Woes” to be held on Tuesday, January
27, 2004 in Plainview.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
OPEN SESSION:
ADJOURNMENT:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Greenspan, seconded by Dr. Kessler,
and carried unanimously (6-0) to convene into Executive Session
at 10:50 p.m. in order to discuss a contractual issue.
The meeting returned to Open Session at 11:00 p.m.
A Motion was made by Mr. Noskin, seconded by Mrs. Sorkin, and
carried unanimously (6-0) to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosanne Marini, District Clerk
9