board of education half hollow hills central school district

BOARD OF EDUCATION
HALF HOLLOW HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
MEETING OF MARCH 23, 2009
APPROVED AS WRITTEN – APRIL 20, 2009 – OFFICIAL COPY
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT:
CALL TO ORDER:
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
OPEN SESSION:
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE:
Fran Greenspan, President
Jay Marcucci, Vice President
Jeanine Bottenus
Carole Catapano
Jill Kaufman
James Ptucha
Anne Marie Sorkin
None
Sheldon Karnilow, Superintendent
Michael DeStio, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education
Kelly Fallon, Assistant Superintendent for District-wide Administration
Patrick Harrigan, Assistant Superintendent for Research, Assessment
and Special Services
Victor Manuel, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Facilities
Mary Rettaliata, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education
Jack Feldman, Esq., Board Counsel
Rosanne Marini, District Clerk and Guests
The meeting, held at Vanderbilt Elementary School, was called to
order by Mrs. Greenspan at 7:00 p.m.
A Motion was made by Mrs. Bottenus, seconded by Mr. Ptucha,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to convene into Executive Session
at 7:00 p.m. in order to discuss contractual and personnel issues.
The meeting convened into Open Session at 8:05 p.m.
Mrs. Greenspan commenced the meeting with the Pledge of
Allegiance.
The Board of Education and Administration introduced themselves
to the audience.
Dr. Karnilow said it was a pleasure to be at Vanderbilt Elementary
School and introduced Principal Martin Boettcher.

BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE: Mr. Martin Boettcher, Principal of Vanderbilt Elementary School,
welcomed everyone to Vanderbilt. He said he was thrilled to host
tonight’s meeting where we again recognize so many of our
students and teachers across the District for their outstanding
achievements. We are proud of our exemplary District where our
students prepare for, and flourish in, our ever-changing world.
Social and emotional awareness is critical to understanding and
navigating through our complex world. At Vanderbilt, this notion
is embedded in our culture. Our students take active roles in
volunteering to: help others outside of the school, recycle to
conserve the planet, and help others within our school community.
Mr. Boettcher introduced the staff of Vanderbilt and thanked them
for helping to create and maintain our forward-thinking culture.
He thanked Dr. Karnilow, our Central Office leadership and the
Board of Education for providing the vision and the resources
required to carry out our very important work. Mr. Boettcher
introduced Vanderbilt Second Graders as they shared their
interpretation of the six pillars of character.
Dr. Karnilow thanked Mr. Boettcher, the Vanderbilt Second Grade
Teachers and Students for their insightful presentation this
evening.
THE HILLS FOUNDATION
MINI-GRANT RECIPIENTS: Mr. Bob Gordon, President of The Hills Foundation, along with
Renée Wagenberg, Judy Faber and Arlene Sukoff presented Mini-
Grants to the following Teachers:
Alison Paroly
Ilana Sussman
Kimberly Myers & Karen Gershowitz
Kate Schmitt & Heather Taylor
Josh Cohen
Christine Zafonte
James Foy
Heather Anderson
Stefani Nemiroff
Jennifer Walker
Candlewood
Vanderbilt
Forest Park
Signal Hill
Chestnut Hill
Signal Hill
Paumanok
Paumanok
Paumanok
Vanderbilt
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BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
STUDENT RECOGNITION: Dr. Karnilow introduced the following individuals in recognition
of their outstanding achievements:
Lauren Feldman
Kavya Desai
2008-2009 Coca Cola Scholars Program
Finalist
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Certificate of Excellence and the President’s
Volunteer Service Award Recipient
Mr. Joe Pennacchio, Athletic Director, introduced the following
individuals/teams in recognition of their outstanding achievements:
HHH Boy’s Swim Team
All State Qualifiers:
High School West
Boy’s Winter Track Team
All State Qualifiers
in 4x800m Relay:
All State Qualifier
in 600m:
2009 Suffolk County Champions
Matthew DeBlasio, Jonathan Hinds,
Jacob Golan, Jesse Lohrer, John Pangal,
Ryan Savit
2009 Suffolk County Champions
Jared Squires, Sirharold Jamison,
Nick Sferrazza, Domenick DeMatteo
Sirharold Jamison
High School East
Girl’s Winter Track Individual
All State Qualifiers: Farath Raphael, Brittany Parrott,
Carly Emmer, Jessika Kagan,
Morgan Donovan
High School West
Girl’s Winter Track Individual
All State Qualifier: Alyssa Buccella
News 12 Scholar/Athletes:
Chelsea Savit, Corey Javer
2009-2010 BUDGET
PRESENTATION:
Mr. Victor Manuel, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and
Facilities, presented a Power Point Presentation of the proposed
2009-2010 Budget with reductions from the last budget
presentation. Hand-outs were provided for the audience. Mr.
Manuel recognized the Board Budget Committee, chaired by
Anne Marie Sorkin, and the entire Board of Education, as well as
Central Office Staff, for all of their work in preparing this budget.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
COMMENTS FROM VISITORS RELTATED TO THE PRESENTATION:
Kesha Woodard asked about classroom size and the consolidation
of teams and clubs at the high school. She thanked the Board for
having REACH at every elementary school.
Marilyn Norman asked about our Reserve Funds.
MINUTES:
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the Minutes of March 9,
2009 as written.
RESOLUTION TO PUBLISH
LEGAL NOTICE FOR ANNUAL
DISTRICT ELECTION AND
BUDGET VOTE: A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the Resolution and Legal
Notice for the Annual District Election and Budget Vote of May
19, 2009. (see attached)
BOARD COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
PENDING/UNFINISHED
BUSINESS:
ACTION ITEMS:
None
None
PERSONNEL REPORT
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried (6-0-1) to take the Personnel Report in its entirety.
Mrs. Kaufman abstained.
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried (6-0-1) to approve the Personnel Report as follows.
Mrs. Kaufman abstained.
CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Family Medical Leaves
1. Matthew DiRusso CH/Elementary 4/20/09-5/15/09
2. Gonzalo Gonzalez HSE/Foreign Lang. 3/30/09-6/26/09
3. Kim Hayden OTS/Elementary 3/16/09-6/12/09
4. Tracey Kueck OTS/Elementary 4/20/09-6/19/09
5. Heather Neary CW/Special Ed. 4/20/09-6/12/09
6. Mary Picarello SH/Elementary 4/20/09-9/18/09
7. Kelly Sassone PAU/Elementary 3/30/09-6/12/09
8. Laura Skonberg CW/Special Ed. 3/4/09-4/3/09
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BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
Substitutes
1. Laura Kispert
2. Rachel Krichmar
3. Sharon Stummer
Substitutes for FMLA/Long Term
1. Isabella Buttler $237.59 (1/200 of Step 1A)
2. Andrea Delp $237.59 (1/200 of Step 1A)
3. Heather Karbowiak $237.59 (1/200 of Step 1A)
4. Gwedolyn Page $237.59 (1/200 of Step 1A)
5. James Tomasello $237.59 (1/200 of Step 1A)
NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL
Leaves of Absence
1. Kristen Palumbo Special Ed. Para/HSW FMLA 3/3/09-6/5/09
2. Kristen Palumbo Special Ed. Para/HSW Child Care 6/8/09-6/26/09
Appointments/Probationary
1. Vincent Casucci Step 12/$62,974 Groundskeeper/ 3/24/09
Facilities & Operations
Changes
1. Annmarie DeGruchy 6.5 hour Lunchroom Monitor/HSW 3/13/09
2. Charlyn Rutella Special Education Para/WH 3/16/09
Substitutes
1. Patricia Abrams Substitute Clerical, Para, Monitor 3/24/09
2. Omei Lee-Armetta Substitute Food Service Worker 3/24/09
3. Roseanne Durante Substitute Paraprofessional 3/24/09
4. Laura Harbeck Substitute Paraprofessional, Monitor 3/24/09
5. Lisa Marks Substitute Clerical, Para, Monitor 3/24/09
6. Elizabeth Smith Substitute Lunchroom Monitor/CH 3/24/09
7. Trevor Stevenson Substitute Monitor/HSW 3/24/09
8. Michael Votta Substitute Clerical, Para, Monitor 3/24/09
9. Susan Zeman Substitute Clerical/CH 3/24/09
Appointments – Monitors/Paraprofessionals/Etc.
1. Dan Kanchanarin Step 4/$13.01 Special Education Para/HSW 3/24/09
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION
A) Athletic Coaches/Spring (a1 – a4)
B) Elementary Foreign Language/Session III
C) NYS Selection/Classification
D) PDP
E) Pupil Personnel (e1 – e6)
F) Scorers/Timers
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BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
RESOLUTION:
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the
Half Hollow Hills Central School District approves extended
leaves of absence for Diane Cherney and Lucille Brinson-Harper
for the 2009-2010 school year pursuant to Article 17 Section B of
the collective bargaining agreement between the Half Hollow Hills
Teachers’ Association and the Board of Education.
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Sorkin,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the above Resolution.
HEALTH SERVICES:
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (7-0) top approve the following Health
Services:
No. of Students Name of District Contract Price
7 Brentwood UFSD $4,036.20
5 Hauppauge Public Schools $3,319.40
5 Hicksville Public Schools $2,560.60
8 Uniondale UFSD $4,883.92
9 West Islip Public Schools $5,200.47
DONATIONS:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education moves to accept
the generous donation of $50.00 from Clair Malchiodi, to purchase
books for the Sunquam Library in memory of Margaret Healey,
who was a librarian at Sunquam School for many years.
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the above Resolution.
WARRANTS: Bills pending Claims Auditor approval totaling $5,324,461.25.
The Claims Audit Report of these bills will be provided at the next
board meeting.
FIRST READING OF
NEW POLICIES:
Mr. Manuel offered the “First Reading” of the following new
policies:
Financial Software Policy with change
Computer Control Policy
CSE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Catapano,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the March 23, 2009 CSE
Recommendations.
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BOARD OF EDUCATION – REGULAR MEETING – MARCH 23, 2009
CPSE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
CONSULTANT
CONTRACTS:
A Motion was made by Mrs. Bottenus, seconded by Mrs.
Catapano, and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the March 23,
2009 CPSE Recommendations.
A Motion was made by Mr. Marcucci, seconded by Mrs. Sorkin,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to approve the following Consultant
Contracts:
Garden City UFSD
Glen Cove City School District
COMMENTS FROM
VISITORS:
ADJOURNMENT:
Allen Kovesdy commended Mr. Manuel for an excellent budget
presentation. He had several questions pertaining to the budget
such as combining athletic programs and borrowing from
Reserves.
A Motion was made by Mrs. Bottenus, seconded by Mrs. Sorkin,
and carried unanimously (7-0) to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosanne Marini, District Clerk
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