ROSLYN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Meeting of the Board of Education
Thursday, March 15, 2012
8:30 p.m.
The Annex - Cafeteria
MINUTES
Meryl W. Ben-Levy, President
Clifford Saffron, Vice President
Adam Haber
Dani E. Kline
David Seinfeld
Stanley D. Stern
Bruce G. Valauri
Dr. Dan Brenner
Allison Brown
Joseph C. Dragone
Carlos Perez
Nancy Carney Jones
Daniel Pollack
ALSO PRESENT
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Assistant Superintendent for Business
Assistant to the Superintendent for Administration
District Clerk
Student Delegate
ABSENT
7:30 p.m. - Executive Session
Pursuant to Public Officers Law, Section 105, it was duly moved, seconded and carried
by a vote of 7-0 that the Board of Education adjourns to Executive Session at 7:30 p.m.
The Executive Session adjourned at 8:40 p.m. and the Board reconvened in Public
Session in The Annex Cafeteria at 8:45 p.m.
8:30 p.m. - Board of Education Meeting
Preliminary Announcements
Emergency Procedures
Cell Phones
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Pledge of Allegiance
Recommendation to accept the minutes from the following meeting(s):
February 2, 2012 [Tabled on 3/1/12] (Advisory M1)
Mr. Saffron moved, seconded by Dr. Valauri. Carried by a vote of 5-0-2 (with Mr. Saffron
and Mr. Stern abstained due to absence), to accept the February 2, 2012 minutes.
February 16, 2012 (Advisory M2)
Mr. Saffron moved, seconded by Dr. Valauri. Carried by a vote of 5-0-2 (with Ms. Kline
and Mr. Stern abstained due to absence), to accept the February 16, 2012 minutes.
Board President’s Comments
Ms. Ben-Levy commented that after 244 years the Encyclopedia Britannica has
stopped publishing. She mentioned this to “highlight and acknowledge the
leadership of the Administration and Teaching Faculty about what progress appears
to me in education going forward”. The online version of the Encyclopedia is thriving.
She asked everyone to please go see Dirty Rotten Scoundrel being performed by
the Royal Crown Players at the High School.
Superintendent’s Comments
Dr. Brenner had no comments this evening.
Dr. Brenner introduced Mr. Barry Edelson, Director of Community Relations.
Mr. Edelson, presented a PowerPoint Presentation: Adult Education Update
This presentation outlined the current status of the Adult Education Program. The
program is currently in its 63rd year. This is the second year that the Adult Education
program has worked in partnership with the Herricks Adult Education. Enrollment
has increased by 64% and the revenue has increased by 40%. Adult Education
currently has partnerships with Herricks Adult Education, Nassau BOCES, Family
Service League, Roslyn Landmark Society, Princeton Review, AARP Defensive
Driving and the Town of North Hempstead Project Independence. Future
partnerships may include the East Williston School District, Confucius Institute at
Stony Brook University and Nassau County Office for the Aging. Additional courses
are also in development.
Ms. Ben-Levy commented on “The goal of the Board of Education was to make
Adult Education self-sufficient and the goal has been achieved.”
Student Delegate’s Comments
Mr. Pollack updated the Board on the “Clash of the Classes”. He mentioned the
students dressed up each day with a different theme such as pajama day and sports
day. They also had a variety of events before and after school. The fundraising for
the Leukemia and Lymphoma foundation for Ms. Brown’s triathlon has been going
very well. Mr. Pollack is hopeful the seniors come out on top of the “Clash of the
Classes.”
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Discussion Item(s): (Advisory D.I.1-4)
1. READ / ParkGate Fundraising
Mr. Jason Garmise and Mr. Jared Feldman, Two community members
representing R.E.A.D. – the Foundation for Roslyn’s Education
Advancement and Development presented information on R.E.A.D and
ParkGate Fundraising.
R.E.A.D. has been established to look for creative ways to financially support the
schools through various types of fundraising. Their goal is for capital improvements
within the district. The group meets quarterly.
R.E.A.D. has been working with the Board and Administration in building the foundation.
Their first significant fundraiser will be a golf and tennis outing to be held this July.
Another fundraiser under investigation is a Roslyn MasterCard. The credit card will have
the Bulldog logo on it and there would be a1% cash back to R.E.A.D.
R.E.A.D. is currently considering ParkGate, a fundraising consulting firm that has been
used by other north shore school districts to aid in their fundraising efforts. ParkGate’s
proposal starts with a three to four month feasibility survey of the community to
determine our major fundraising capability and what we would interested in fundraising
for. The fee for this service is $27,000. After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Brenner
recommended that the Board ask ParkGate to come to the next Board of Education
meeting to make a presentation on their proposal.
The Board’s consensus was for ParkGate to be invited the next available time on the
Board’s agenda to present their proposal to the Board and community before any
decision could be made about moving forward with this fundraising activity.
2. Senator Martins – Mandate Relief Council
Dr. Brenner had been approached by a Board Member to reach out to Senator Martins
in reference to his Mandate Relief Council. Dr. Brenner recommended the Board
establish a subcommittee to meet with Senator Martins to discuss important topics and
then to educate the rest of the Board and community.
The Board decided to establish a subcommittee with Dr. Brenner, Mr. Seinfeld, Mr.
Haber, Ms. Kline and Ms. Ben-Levy. Dr. Brenner will contact Senator Martins to
schedule the meeting.
3. 2012-2013 School Calendar (Attachment D.I.3)
Two versions of the School Calendar were presented to the Board for discussion and
approval. Dr. Brenner explained to the Board that due to New York State being
delinquent in supplying the school districts with their calendar we were delayed in
presenting a calendar to the board.
Dr. Brenner presented the pros and cons of both calendars. After a lengthy discussion
the Board decided on calendar number 1. The first day of school will be August 30,
2012 for Professional Development Day and August 31, 2012 for the First Day of
School for Students. The only change to this calendar was to move the day off from
Tuesday, May 28th to Friday, May 24th.
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
4. Budget Presentation
a. Staffing
Mr. Carlos Perez, Assistant to the Superintendent for Administration,
2012/2013 Staffing & Student Projections
Mr. Perez presented a breakdown of each school with their current enrollment and
projected enrollment. For next year Heights enrollment is projected to decrease by 55
students, East Hills to increase by 15 students, Harbor Hill to decrease by 28 students,
the Middle School to increase by 9 students and the High School to decrease by 62
students.
Based on these projections there is a decrease in 7.3 FTE’s.
b. Salary & Benefits
Mr. Joseph Dragone, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Salaries and Benefits 2012-13 Budget
Mr. Dragone presented the Salaries and Benefits for the 2012-2013 Budget. He pointed
out that current 12th grade class is 299 students being replaced by 160 students in the
kindergarten class. The difference of 140 students equals 7 teachers. Mr. Dragone is
presenting his budget with a 7.30 decrease in FTE Staff. Currently salaries and benefits
represent 82.54% of the budget. He presented his budget with an Overview of Salaries,
Salaries by Object, Salaries by Function and Benefits.
PUBLIC COMMENT #1 Limited to Agenda Items ONLY
(Will be limited to ½ hour, no more than 2 minutes per speaker).
Though not required by law, the Roslyn Board of Education invites public comment during its meetings. Citizens will be recognized
by the presiding officer. Please state your name and address before speaking and direct all comments to the Board. This is not a
time for citizen to citizen exchanges. We ask that comments not include the names of students or staff members, and comments
are not permitted with respect to confidential matters. Please also be reminded that Board meetings are designed by law to
facilitate the school district’s business and provide for public Board deliberations. Thank you
Ms. Jackie Golub, Middle School PFA Co-President – Asked the Board to review the
policy of the PFA making copies of flyers at the District expense. She stated that “the
cost of copying is minimal as opposed to what we give back”.
Ms. Amy Katz, High School PFA Co-President raised several issues:
1) The High School usually has two major fundraisers a year. The high school is
requesting the ability to do 2 mailings from the district.
2) I requesting the Wednesday off before Thanksgiving in the calendar.
3) No one approached the PFA about participating with the R.E.A.D. organization?
4) There is confusion with the name of the organization being R.E.A.D.
5) Concern with different groups fighting for the same money.
Ms. Nancy Goldman, Parent - High School Representative on the R.E.A.D. committee.
She stated that she is happy that the Board has decided to pause for a moment and not
go full throttle with ParkGate. She asked that the Board “test the waters” with the credit
card, and that the Board ask ParkGate how much of a cut of the money do they take, is
it based on what they bring in.
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Mr. Jason Garmise and Mr. Jared Feldman, R.E.A.D. representatives, responded that
ParkGate does not take a cut of the money.
Dr. Brenner replied that based on the money they have raised at the North Shore
School District; ParkGate would be looking for large donors that have not been tapped
in this community.
Ms. Eleanor Russell, RTA President – asked about moving the location of the Budget
and Election vote to the Annex Building, instead of the current location in the High
School.
There was a discussion that on Tuesday’s there are religious instructions held at the
Annex.
ACTION ITEMS
Action may be taken for each individual resolution or by the titled subgroups. Bracketed information following resolutions is not part
of the Board’s official action and does not become part of the official record.
Mr. Perez requested from the floor to add Addendum P.1
PERSONNEL:
ALL PERSONNEL APPOINTMENTS LISTED ARE FUNDED IN THE CURRENT
BUDGET UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
P.1.
It is the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the following
resolution be adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Roslyn Board of Education approves the appointments,
resignations, terminations, elimination of positions, transfers, and leaves of
absence as detailed in the Personnel Action Reports attached as (Attachment
P.1 Professional)
P.2.
It is the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the following
resolution be adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Roslyn Board of Education approves the appointments,
resignations, terminations, elimination of positions, transfers, and leaves of
absence as detailed in the Personnel Action Reports attached as (Attachment
P.2 Classified)
P.3.
Recommendation to approve the Adult Education Instructor Salaries for the
Spring 2012 session attached as (Attachment P.3).
P.4.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Roslyn Union Free School District hereby
establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed
officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and
Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the time keeping system records
or the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk
of this body:
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Title
Name
Claims Auditor
Dianne
Sheffield
District Clerk
District
Treasuerer
Nancy
Carney Jones
Linda Gillespie
Social Security# Registration # Standard
Term
Participates Days/Month Tier 1 (Check only
Not Submitted
(Last 4 Digits)
Work Day Begins/Ends in Employer's (based on
if member is in
(Check box if no
(Hrs/Day)
Time Keeping Record of
Tier 1)
record of activities or
Systems
activities)
timekeeping system
(Y/N)
9187
6434
9540
41910878
50467695
43466101
7
7/1/2011
thru
6/30/2012
No
7
8/4/2011
thru
6/30/2012
yes
7
9/19/2011
thru
6/30/2012
No
5.86
5.71
Mr. Stern moved, seconded by Mr. Haber carried by a vote of 7-0 to approve
Agenda Items numbered P.1, P.2, P.3, P.4 and Addendum P.1.
BUSINESS/FINANCE:
ALL ITEMS ON THE BUSINESS/FINANCE PORTION OF THE AGENDA ARE
WITHIN THE BUDGET UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
B.1.
(i)
(ii)
Recommendation to approve the following contracts and to authorize the Board
of Education President to execute. (Those contracts marked with an asterisk
have been prepared pursuant to a previous award of an RFP or bid.)
Contractor: Hicksville Public Schools
Services:
Health & Welfare Services for 2 Roslyn residents attending
private school in the Hicksville District for the 2011-2012
school year
Fees:
$573.27 per student
Total estimated to be $1,146.54
Contractor:
Services:
Fees:
Henry Viscardi School (“4201” School)
Instructional and related services for 2 students for the
period of September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012
$319.68 per day per student over the 10-month program period
Total estimated to be $115,084.80
(iii)
Contractor:
Services:
Fees:
(iv)
Contractee: North Shore Central School District
Services:
Inter-municipal Agreement (IMA) – Roslyn to transport 3 North
Shore students to and from Long Island School for the Gifted in
March 15, 2012
Jericho Terrace
Catering and Facilities for 2012 Senior Prom
The entire cost of this affair will be paid by students and
student fundraising activities of the Class of 2012; no district
funds will be used.
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Fees:
B.2.
Huntington Station, NY
$497.31 per month, per student from September 1, 2011 to
June 30, 2012
Total estimated to be $14,919.30 (Roslyn to receive)
Bid for High School Athletic Uniforms #10 - 11/12
Bid advertised:
February 9, 2012
Bid Mailed:
February 9, 2012
Bid Opened:
March 1, 2012 by District Clerk
Number of invitations to bid mailed:
3
Number of bids received:
3
Recommendation that award based on low cost satisfactorily meeting specifications
be made to the following companies:
ESTIMATED
COMPANY
#ITEMS
TOTAL COST
Baxter Sport Shop
Valley Stream, NY 11580
9
$6,541.80
Total cost is within the 2011-2012 budget.
B.3.
Recommendation to approve a budget appropriation transfer request in the
amount of $15,000.00 from A1621-443-03-9000-310 (Maint Prof/Tech Services –
prior balance $49,185.93) to A1620-423-07-9000-310 (Fuel Oil HH – available
balance $0). [To pay open invoicing.]
B.4.
Recommendation to approve a budget appropriation transfer request in the
amount of $45,000.00 from A2250-490-03-9000-307 (Special Ed BOCES - prior
balance $100,000.00) to A2250-472-03-9000-307 (Private School Tuition available balance $5,852.79). [The unanticipated expense of paying tuition for
‘4201’ schools, that were formerly State-funded, has impacted funds available
for private tuition costs; therefore, the transfer is necessary.]
B.5.
Recommendation to declare obsolete and discard 131 books from the High
School Library which are out of date, replaced, not needed or in poor condition.
[Attachment B. 5.]
Mr. Stern moved, seconded by Mr. Haber carried by a vote of 7-0 to approve
Agenda Items numbered B.1, B.2, B.3, B.4, and B.5
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION:
C&I.1 Recommendation to accept the confidential stipulations of the CSE for the
dates listed below as well as the implementation plans for the corresponding
special education programs, services and parent notification as previously
approved by the Committee on February 7, 2012. (Advisory C&I.1)
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
C&I.2
Recommendation to approve Melissa Vanco to attend visits to the following
colleges in Connecticut and Rhode Island: University of Rhode Island,
Providence College, Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design and
Connecticut College from May 21 through 22, 2012, at an estimated cost to the
district of $336.17.
C&I.3
Recommendation to approve Art Mandel, Cherie Totillo and Gail Kennedy to
attend a one day visit to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut on
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at an estimated cost to the district of $112.05.
C&I.4
Recommendation to approve Tanya Baptiste to attend Florida college visits
(University of Florida, University of Tampa, Full Sail University, Eckerd College
and Rollins College) from March 21 through 24, 2012 at an estimated cost to
the district of $1,441.37.
C&I.5
Recommendation to approve Cherie Totillo to attend Ohio State Counselor FlyIn Invite in Columbus, Ohio from May 20 through 21, 2012 at an estimated cost
to the district of $110.00.
C&I.6
Recommendation to approve Cherie Totillo to attend visits to Atlanta, Georgia
colleges (Emory, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oxford Campus
(Emory), Spelman College and Morehouse College) from April 17 through 19,
2012 at an estimated cost to the district of $1,220.10.
C&I.7
Recommendation to approve Elizabeth Brown to attend visits to Atlanta,
Georgia colleges (Emory, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Oxford Campus
(Emory), Spelman College and Morehouse College) from April 17 through 19,
2012 at an estimated cost to the district of $768.10.
C&I.8
Recommendation to approve Guy Barnett to attend the National Conference of
Teachers of Mathematics in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from April 26 through
27 at an estimated cost to the district of $1,784.01.
Mr. Stern moved, seconded by Mr. Haber, carried by a vote of 7-0 to approve
Agenda Items numbered C&I.1, C&I.2, C&I.3, C&I.4, C&I.5, C&I.6, C&I.7, and C&I.8
BOARD OF EDUCATION:
BOE.1 Recommendation that the Board of Education of the Roslyn Union Free
School District hereby adopts Revised Policy #9170 and its accompanying
Regulation #9170R – Meals and Refreshments. (Attachment BOE.1) [Tabled
on 2/16/12]
BOE.2. Recommendation that the Board approve the attendance of Nancy Carney
Jones at the NYSSBA seminar entitled “Tools to Help District Clerks Stay
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools
Ahead of the Curve” to be held on March 20, 2012 in Islandia, NY at an
estimated cost to be $265.00, for registration and travel expense.
Mr. Stern moved, seconded by Mr. Haber carried by a vote of 7-0 to approve
Agenda Items numbered BOE.1 and BOE.2.
Public Comments #2
No public comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Ms. Kline moved, seconded by Mr. Haber, carried by a vote of 5-2 to adjourn to
Executive Session at 11:22 PM.
Mr. Saffron moved, seconded by Mr. Seinfeld, carried by a vote of 7-0 to reconvene
to the Business Meeting of the Board Of Education at 11:54 p.m.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Board of Education, Mr.
Saffron moved, seconded by Mr. Seinfeld, carried by a vote of 7-0 to adjourn at
11:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Carney Jones
Nancy Carney Jones
District Clerk
March 15, 2012
Board of Education Meeting Minutes
Roslyn Public Schools