AFTON CENTRAL SCHOOL
Board of Education Meeting
Date: March 19, 2015
Where Held: Board Room
Kind of Meeting:
Presiding Officer:
Special
President – Vanessa Warren
Board Members Present: Vanessa Warren, President; Duane Phillips, Ted King, Keith Ives, Sr.
Absent: Henry Bostelman, Vice-President
Administration and
Others Present
Elizabeth Briggs, Superintendent; Dave Glover, Secondary Principal; Kimberly Hromada,
Elementary Principal; Marcella Rhodes, Director of Special Education; Ken Howard,
Business Manager; Connie Beames, Secretary
Visitors: Tim Bivens, Brian Phetteplace, Diana Torta, Cindy Covey, Donna Glover, Marlene Utter, Debbie Losee,
Kelzie Collins
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Warren.
RECOGINITION OF VISITORS
Diana Torta, a retired RTI teacher addressed the board regarding an authentic writing unit that Cindy Covey, ACS 6 th
grade teacher has done for the past eight years. The Place in Norwich cannot provide us with a grant this year like they
have done in past years. Due to this, Ms. Torta, who is a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Sidney, wrote a
grant. Mrs. Covey’s service project is for sending letters and care packages to servicemen overseas. Each of her 50
students adopt a serviceman as a pen pal and are able to better understand the duties they perform and their life
overseas. This service project is also an authentic writing activity for the students to learn how to write a friendly
letter, a business letter, and a thank you note. The teacher also wants the servicemen to know they are appreciated and
respected for everything they do for us, and are not forgotten by our young people and community.
The VFW Auxiliary Post No. 7914 received the grant and wrote Ms. Torta a check in the amount of $706.00 to present
to the Board of Education to be used for postage for the Care Packages to Soldiers project.
MINUTES
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to approve minutes of the meeting of
March 5, 2015 as presented.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
PRESENTATION
Building Conditions Survey, Capital Facilities Plan and Capital Outlay Project – Tim Bivens
Mr. Bivens reviewed, again, the proposal information that was provided to the Board to complete the 2015 Building
Conditions Survey and the Capital Facilities Plan. In addition, he reviewed the information regarding a Capital Outlay
Project that was introduced to the Board at the January 8, 2015 BOE meeting. Mr. Bivens explained that the Building
Conditions Survey is a survey that is sent to SED with regard to the condition of the building(s). The Capital Facilities
Plan has not been updated since 2003/2004. This is something that should be done every five years. The past projects
have all been developed based on the Capital Facilities Plan manual. The cost of both the BCS and the CFP are
reimbursed by the State at .27 cents per square foot. Both are required by the State.
The Capital Outlay Project is for $100,000. This is something that we can do every year. The district needs to figure
out if it is included under our tax cap before we can go any further. If so, the money would need to be earmarked in
the budget and approved by the public at the May budget vote. Documents would then be sent to SED. All work
would have to be done by June 2016. It was noted that we would have to check with the advisors with regard to the
tax levy cap impact.
The boiler system was discussed. Currently we have two boilers down which are scheduled to be repaired tomorrow.
Trojan will document what is happening with the boilers (tubes, leaks, burner issues) and track the history to find out
the culprit. We need to get the controls working to have the boilers run for the next couple of months so the issues can
be tracked. At this point we are uncertain as to what is going on.
FINANCIAL
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to accept the donation of $706 (check #
1108) from Diana Torta and the VFW Auxiliary Post No. 7914 to be used for postage for the letters and packages for
soldiers for the project that the sixth grade class does, with thanks to Diana Torta, the VFW and Cindy Covey.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Ted King, it was RESOLVED to authorize the Board President to sign the
five year Installment Purchasing Agreement (IPA) for the 2015/2016 school year with Broome-Tioga BOCES
committing to the purchase of instructional technology equipment in the amount of $92,289.95
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to authorize the Board President to sign
the Installment Purchasing Agreement (IPA) with Broome-Tioga BOCES for a five year lease of three copiers/printers
for the receptionist room, the district office and the elementary/middle/high school work room in the amount of
$28,008.90
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Ted King, it was RESOLVED to rescind the January 22, 2015 Resolution
approving the 2015 Building Conditions Survey contract with Bivens + Associates in the amount of $15,000.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to approve the 2015 Building Conditions
Survey Contract with Bivens + Associates in the amount of $14,224.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to approve the 2015 Five-Year Capital
Facilities Plan Contract with Bivens + Associates in the amount of $49,782.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
Mr. Howard updated the board regarding the conversations that he has had with NBT about rates and options available
to us for the investment of the money left to the school for the Francis C. and Margery M. Secrest Scholarship. There
is a fixed deferred annuity at 1.45% interest that would allow us to make a $1,000 cash award per year based on that
investment. Mr. Howard cautioned the Board that he has not heard back from legal council regarding legal feasibility
of participating in a fixed deferred annuity. The board directed Mr. Howard, that if allowed by legal council, to go that
route. The establishment of award parameters will be discussed at the next board meeting.
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to Authorize the Board President to
sign the Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc. Financial Advisory Services Agreement.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
DISCUSSION
2015/2016 Budget
Ms. Briggs stated that she hasn’t been able to get all the appropriation/expense figures to Mr. Howard.
Ms. Briggs did indicate that she has given Mr. Howard the revenue figures for High Cost Aid and Medicaid. Medicaid
has been unstable in the past and not budgeted for. At this time, Ms. Briggs feels comfortable w including this
additional revenue source in the budgeting process.
NYS has not adopted a budget to-date, and as a result, no state aid projections are available at this time.
First Reading of Policies
# 9180
# 5695
# 8635
# 8635-R
# 8630
# 8630-R
Staff Use of Personal Electronic Devises for Work-Related Duties (new)
Students and Personal Electronic Devices (revised)
Information Security Breach and Notification (revised)
Information Security Breach and Notification Regulation (revised)
Computer Resources and Data Management (revised)
Computer Resources and Data Management Regulation (revised)
Community Dances
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to remove from the TABLE the
discussion regarding community dances.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Ted King, it was RESOLVED to TABLE the discussion regarding
community dances until the April 9, 2015 Board meeting.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
PERSONNEL
On the recommendation of the Superintendent:
Instructional
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to add to the list of Afton Adult &
Continuing Education Teachers for the 2014/2015 school year at the rate of $19.00/hour - Janice Clerke
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
Non-Instructional
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to add to the list of substitute cleaners for
the 2014/2015 school year (pending background check and clearance) – Matt Kane, Eric Davis
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to add to the list of Student Lifeguards
for the 2014/2015 school year at a rate of $8.75/hour – Emalee Fico
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to add to the list of Afton Adult Community
Education Program Student Lifeguards for the 2014/2015 school year at a rate of $8.75/hour – Emalee Fico
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Duane Phillips, seconded by Keith Ives, Sr., it was RESOLVED to add to the list of substitute aides for
the 2014/2015 school year – Amy Johnson
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mrs. Warren acknowledged a letter from Gloria Harvey to the Board informing them of what an outstanding job Kim
Knapp-Moravcik is doing (new cleaner), with thanks to Mrs. Harvey for pointing out the good things.
DATES TO REMEMBER
All County Spring Music Festival – Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in the big gym.
Annual Band Night Concert – Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium
Teel and Chamberlin Scholarship Interviews – Thursday, March 26, 2015
Utica National’s 2015 School Risk Management Seminars – Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00
noon at the DoubleTree in Binghamton
E. Chenango County School Board Association Spring Dinner – Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at the Silo Restaurant
A.
B.
C.
D.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to enter Executive Session at 7:59 p.m.
to hear the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and the 504 Transdisciplinary Team Committee Reports.
Yes –4, No – 0, Carried.
REGULAR SESSION
On motion by Ted King, seconded by Duane Phillips, it was RESOLVED to re-enter Regular Session at 8:47 p.m.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
On motion by Keith Ives, Sr., seconded by Ted King, it was RESOLVED to arrange for the placement of students #
710600806, 710600533, 710600253, 710600642, 710600257, 710073335, 710600198, 710600105, and 710600106 as
developed by the CSE in its meetings of February 5, 2015, February 10, 2015, February 12, 2015, and February 24,
2015; RESOLVED to arrange for the placement of students # 710021744, 0710073177, 710073232, 710600918,
710600736, 710073230, 710600277, 710600216, 710600354, 710600512, 710601000, 710600634, 710600264,
710600874, 710600902, 710600877, and 710600356 as developed by the 504 Transdisciplinary Team in its meetings
of February 10, 2015, February 12, 2015, and February 24, 2015.
Yes – 4, No – 0, Carried.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:48 p.m.