Board of Education Tel: 845.446.9575 --- Fax:845.446.3321
David DeLeo, President
Roxanne Donnery, Vice President
Christine Crill
Kevin D'Onofrio
Ned Kopald
Anne Lawless
Jerome Michaels
Thomas Kastner, West Point Liaison

James Cannon, Garrison Liaison
Joanne DiBlasi, District Clerk

DESIGNATION OF TIME AND PLACE FOR BOARD MEETINGS

That the Board of Education hold a Regular Meeting on the following dates during the 2008-2009 School Year, at 7:00 P. M., unless otherwise specified by motion of the Board. The place for such meetings will be the James I. O’Neill High School, unless otherwise specified by motion of the Board.

MEETING DATES 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR

Wednesday, July 16, 2008                    Thursday, January 8, 2009
Thursday, August 14, 2008                   Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, August 28, 2008                   Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thursday, September 11, 2008             Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, September 25, 2008             Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 8, 2008               Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, October 23, 2008                 Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Thursday, November 13, 2008              Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, December 3, 2008             Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008           Thursday, May 28, 2009
                                                              Thursday, June 11, 2009
                                                              Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Budget Vote is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, 2009

(Note: Additional meetings and/or workshops scheduled when the board sees a need).

                                                       

                      HIGHLAND FALLS-FORT MONTGOMERY
CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT


A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District, Town of Highlands, Orange County, New York, was held on Wednesday
July 16, 2008 at 7:00 P. M., in the Library of James I. O’Neill High School, Highland Falls,
New York.

There were present: Mr. David DeLeo – President
Mrs. Roxanne Donnery – Vice President
Mrs. Christine Crill
Mr. Kevin D’Onofrio
Mr. Ned Kopald Mrs. Anne Lawless
Mrs. Joanne DiBlasi - District Clerk

Absent: Mr. Jerome Michaels
COL Thomas Kastner – West Point Liaison Mr. James Cannon – Garrison Liaison

Also present: Dr. Debra Jackson, Mr. Patrick Cahill, Mr. Ronald Broas, Mrs. Ellen Connors, Mrs. Bethany Negersmith, Mr. Gary Ciesla, Mr. Kenneth Hall, Mr. Robert Gillick, Mrs. Jill Gathers, Ms. Nichole Allen, Mrs. Trisha VanZetta, Ms. Jevina Lackhan and Mrs. Mary Jane Pitt.

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 P. M., the Pledge to the Flag was recited. It was noted that a quorum was present.

President David DeLeo welcomed everyone.


SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS

Dr. Jackson commented that her first two weeks have been going well. She has been meeting with community leaders and members.

BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Kevin D’Onofrio thanked Mr. Broas and everyone who was involved with the High School Graduation for a great job. The ceremony was a success.

Mr. DeLeo thanked Mr. D’Onofrio for all his efforts with graduation.


PRESENTATIONS

Mr. Robert Gillick and Mrs. Jill Gathers, on behalf of the Booster Club, presented the district with a check in the amount of $19,657.17.

Mr. DeLeo thanked them for all of the hard work the Booster Club did in the past year to help the district through the Contingency Budget.


Page 2, July 16, 2008

PART II – CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Mrs. Donnery to approve the Minutes from the July 25, 2008 and Regular Meeting, and the July 2, 2008 reorganization Meeting and Warrants #127 and #128 and acknowledge receipt of the Revenue Status Report, the Trial Balance, the Budget Status Report and the Budget Transfer Report. It was seconded by Mr. D’Onofrio and all members present voting in favor thereof.


PART III – ITEMS FOR BOARD ACTION

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve Student #8313 to attend the SPARC Program effective September 8, 2008.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the bids listed below:
Pepsi Cola of Hudson Valley for beverages and snack vending.
Sinon Farms for ice cream vending

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mr. D’Onofrio Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the bids listed below:

Orange/Ulster BOCES, Special Education Building (wheelchair bus):
West Point Tours: $332.00 per day (includes monitor)

Orange/Ulster BOCES Special Education Building/C-Tech Building:
West Point Tours: $332.00 per day (includes monitor)

Jesse Kaplan
West Point Tours: $327.00 per day (includes monitor)

Hilltop School
West Point Tours: $327.00 per day (includes monitor)
* $125.00 per day if combo’d

Copper Beach Middle School, Yorktown
West Point Tours: $319.00 per day (includes monitor)

Center For Discovery
West Point Tours: $435.00 per day (includes monitor)

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved



Page 3, July 16, 2008

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the OMNI GROUP as the third party administrator for the Tax Sheltered Annuities.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Crill Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the services of Sign Language Resources, Inc. for services for June 2009 Graduation.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mr. D’Onofrio Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve the contracts for Nugent & Haeussler, P.C. for the 2006, 2007 School Year Audit at a cost of $37,155.00 and for the 2007-2008 School Year Audit at a cost of $41,900.00.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

That upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education accept the bid from Fulton Chevrolet Cadillac of Middletown, New York for the purchase of a 7 Passenger Van in the amount of $16,800.00.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

ITEM: APPROVAL OF PAYMENT was tabled.

Motion: Mrs. Lawless Seconded: Mrs. Donnery Approved

PART IV – PERSONNEL

That upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoint
Megan Guerra, as an Elementary Teacher, MA, Step 4 at a salary of $53,403.68, effective September 2, 2008.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mr. D’Onofrio Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoint Catherine Clark, as Substitute Service Coordinator for the 2008-2009 School Year, at a stipend of $2,500.00.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Crill Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve a Leave of Absence for child care for Alena Reyes for the 2008-2009 school year.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Crill Approved Mr. Kopald voting Nay

Page 4, July 16, 2008

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve Bethany Negersmith, as Middle School Assistant Principal at a salary of $75,000.00, effective July 28, 2008.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mr. D’Onofrio Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education approve an additional 10 days of summer work for a total of 20 days for Charles Giardina at an additional salary of $4,734.49.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoint the following for the Summer Academy from August 4, 2008 to August 22, 2008:
Kay Kolditz Administrator $2,000.00
Roxanne Hall Secretary $300.00
Peggy Hartog Teacher $1,400.00
Christine Kirk Teacher $1,400.00
Gary Ciesla Teacher $1,400.00
Jody Downey Teacher $1,400.00
Megan Guerra Teacher $1,400.00
Carina Schmidt Aide $600.00
Lisa Hannawalt Aide $600.00

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education accept the Resignation of Jennifer Rainbeau, Elementary Teacher, effective June 30, 2008.
Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Crill Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education accept the Resignation of Rebecca Bowen-Manning, Custodian, effective July 25, 2008.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoint the following as Coaches for the 2008-2009 School Year:

Girls Varsity Tennis Pamela Deans $2,663.13
Boys Varsity Tennis Pamela Deans $2,663.13
Varsity Cross Country Robert Conklin $2663.13
Ass’t Cross Country Vacant
Varsity Cheerleading
Fall and Winter Kelly Hall $3,239.18 each season
Varsity Cheerleading Jevina Lackhan Volunteer
Varsity Football Tim Hendershot $4,943.49
Ass’t Varsity Football Brian Arduino $3,035.87
Ass’t Varsity Football William Coffey $3,035.87

Page 5, July 16, 2008

Ass’t Varsity Football Pat Tuffey Volunteer
JV Football Bristin Marks $4,198.01
Ass’t JV Football Chester Grant $2,188.74
Girls Varsity Soccer Kristin Stroppel $3,044.65
Girls JV Soccer Angela Trzepkowski $2,476.14
Boys Varsity Soccer Kenneth Hall $4,198.01
Ass’t. Boys V Soccer David Love Volunteer
Boys JV Soccer Linda Wetzel $3,358.41
Varsity Volleyball Patricia Belsito $3.807.70
JV Volleyball Rhonda Phillips $3,044.65
Modified Volleyball Tara Leahy $2,661.88
Girls Varsity Basketball Kevin Schoepfer $4,943.49
Girls JV Basketball Kevin Murphy $2,759.77
Girls Modified Basketball Brian Arduino $1,817.25
Boys Varsity Basketball Debra Crowe $5,453.02
Boys JV Basketball Bristin Marks $1,522.33
Edward Crowe $1,379.89
Boys Modified Basketball John Talman $1,817.25
Basketball Program Ass’t Robert Conklin Volunteer.
Indoor Track Eddie Ryan $3,423.67
Skiing Vacant
Hockey Ryan Armstrong $2,476.14
Crew Benedita Gennodie $3,220.61
Varsity Baseball Bristin Marks $3,807.70
Ass’t Coach Kenneth Hall Volunteer
JV Baseball Brian Arduino $2,188.74
Modified Baseball John Talman $1,817.25
Varsity Softball Rhonda Philiips $3,807.70
Asst. Softball James Phillips Volunteer
JV Softball Lindsay Berry $2,271.33
Modified Softball Nick Stathes $1,817.25
Spring Track Eddie Ryan $3,807.70
Asst. Spring Track Robert Conklin $1,481.87
Girls Varsity Lacrosse Joanne Cox $4,198.01
Girls Ass’t Lacrosse Vacant
Boys Varsity Lacrosse Lucas Patsch $3,239,18
Boys Ass’t Lacrosse Ryan Armstrong $1,976.64
Boys Golf James Giordonello $3,775.07
Girls Golf Jorma Tompuri $2,663.13
Equistrian Vacant

Motion: Mrs. Crill Seconded: Mrs. Lawless Approved

A motion was made that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoint Kelly Callahan as a Long Term Substitute for Barbara Twomey, Spanish Teacher, effective September 3, 2008, at a salary of $200.00 per day.

Motion: Mrs. Donnery Seconded: Mrs. Crill Approved


Page 6, July 16, 2008


At 7:27 PM a motion was made by Mrs. Donnery to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing current litigation of a former superintendent.. It was seconded by Mrs. Lawless and carried with all members present voting in favor thereof.

At 9:50PM a motion was made by Mrs. Donnery to re-enter into Public Session. It was seconded by Mr. Kopald and carried with all members present voting in favor thereof.


There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 PM upon the motion made by Mrs. Donnery, seconded by Mr. Kopald and carried with all members present voting in favor thereof.


Respectfully submitted,



Joanne DiBlasi, District Clerk

The next Board of Education Meeting and Budget Workshop will be
Thursday August 14, 2008 @ 7:00 PM
James I. O’Neill Library