Board Meeting & Community Budget Presentation – Remote Broadcast, 6:15 p.m., Zoom ID #742951905
Meeting -video recording: https://youtu.be/-Ems2sjJtOA
Mission
We will provide students of every ability the support, dedication, quality instruction and experiences they need as they strive to fulfill their dreams and aspirations for the future.
Board Goals
1. To provide opportunities to improve overall student success by developing and recognizing student achievement in all areas.
2. Ensure and secure the district’s fiscal stability while delivering exceptional educational results at a cost appropriate to the community’s economic condition.
3. Continue to nurture, support and improve the school district culture of a safe, welcoming and inclusive climate with a strong emphasis on effective strategies that support all students.
4. Continually evaluate, maintain and improve facilities that address the current and future needs of our district and provide students, employees and community members with an inviting, safe, efficient and modern infrastructure.
5. Continually explore methods to provide concise, clear and consistent two-way communication among all school and community members.
6. Identify and partner with resources that will assist us in the fulfillment of our mission.
ROLL CALL: Pres. Camille Siano Enders VP Deb Grier Jennifer Sexton Shayne Mitchell Teresa Wood-Irvin Dianne Grant Henry “Dirk” Felton
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 6:31 p.m. by President Siano Enders.
Also Present: Interim Superintendent Ziegler, Business Official Rivenburg, Principal Conover, Principal Marvin, Athletic Director Hardenstine
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
AGENDA CHANGES – additions and/or deletions – YMCA contract removed from agenda
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR – none
SUPERINTENDENT’S STATUS REPORT/UPDATE
Information has been sent out regarding COVID-19 status & it has been busy the last few days.
All the folks have been incredible & stepped up. In a matter of 3 days, the right plan has gone even further out with the question of how are we going to make learning more productive? There will be a complete plan change. New plan is “exploratory learning opportunities” which is on our webpage for K-6 & 7-12; other districts are taking/stealing our info.
On a conference call 6x/wk 2x/day with BOCES and others. The business officials & principals are on the calls 5 days/wk. School district will look at priority standards for K-8 & regents 9-12.
Looking at regional planning instead of everyone doing their own thing. Everyone will participate.
Hoping (WHMT is on board) end of May or June, they will broadcast Regents prep work with 23 or 24 other schools. It’s difficult to do all the planning & support people need. Board members may get a phone call from NYSBBA asking what can they do to support you (board members).
Grading – is on hold. When kids are back in school, will be back to grading. Need to get the message to kids that the work is required & feedback will be provided.
AP courses being done up to March 31st. There will be a 45 minute test only on things learned up to 3/31/2020. AP & UHS instructors have a good handle on classes.
Technology – 250+ Chromebooks have been delivered; requests are still coming in. 37 more hot spots rec’d and sent out. We need more, however, may be a month before getting them. Some kids have not done a tech request & have not been on line. These students will be contacted. Joe & Jeff are handling deliveries in company vehicle w/ID.
Food – Mary & crew/Karen/Russ have been delivering food. 52 children being fed and the numbers are increasing due to the length of time of school building closed. Two suburbans are being used for deliveries.
Childcare – we needed a childcare plan even though we are not a childcare facility, are not trained; we are working with the YMCA. They are open for that purpose. Plans have been submitted, however, many schools advised they did not meet what was requested. We HAVE NOT received a rejection on our submitted plan as of this date.
We are waiting on regulation issues for IDA. The goal will be to continue with annual reviews via phone. SPED teachers are working with regular teachers to get info out & have their office hours too.
Grades 3-8 testing is canceled. Regents are a property right – no one can take away that right. Students must still pass them. Waiting for a decision on how they will be done.
Board elections – schools are petitioning to look at budget vote & perhaps going with a paper ballot being mailed in, like absentee ballots. Budget- perhaps if below cap, can ask board to pass; may go to a September vote; construction & bus propositions will be voted on later. No ruling yet as to how to proceed.
The board vote/budget, may be in the bus garage from now on – no more 1/2 days if held there, no folks in the schools, drive in, through, out – working on the details at this time.
NYS budget woes – no guarantee at this time of what may happen. Best case scenario – legislature will not put more money in, it will pass and will keep the tax rate of 1.9% for us . . we’ll be kept in the loop. Jeff R. has done a good job on the budget.
Messages on the electronic signs at each school are changing weekly; our webpage is being updated regularly.
Proud of all of us & KUDOS!
PRESENTATION/APPROVAL OF BOE MINUTES FOR ACTION:
Recommendation that the Board of Education approve the minutes of the March 10, 2020 meeting as submitted.
Motion by Board Member Sexton, seconded by Board Member Mitchell.
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
NEW BUSINESS: BOE STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT – (2019-20 MEMBERS) – NO Reports
Audit Committee – Dianne Grant (chair), Teresa Wood-Irvin
Buildings & Grounds Committee –Shayne Mitchell (chair), Jennifer Sexton
Education Committee – Jennifer Sexton (chair), Teresa Wood-Irvin, Deb Grier
Employee Relations Committee – Camille Siano Enders (chair), Deb Grier, Dianne Grant
Policy Committee – Teresa Wood-Irvin (chair), Shayne Mitchell
Public Relations Committee – Deb Grier (chair), Jennifer Sexton
BUDGET ITEM:
Budget presentation
FINANCIAL ITEMS:
1. Approve Accounting/Treasurer Services Agreement.
Recommendation that the Board of Education approve the agreement between Management Advisory Group Business Operations, Inc. (MAGBO) and Duanesburg CSD for accounting/treasurer services for the 2020-2021 school year as recommended by the business official.
Motion by Board Member Wood-Irvin, seconded by VP Grier.
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
2. Accept Claims Auditor’s Comments on March 3, 2020 report.
General Warrant # 16 $386,346.04
Motion by Board Member Felton, seconded by Board Member Mitchell.
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
3. Accept Financial Reports.
Recommendation that the Board of Education accept the Appropriation Status, Revenue Status, ECA (ending 2/29/2020) and Treasurer’s reports as provided by the treasurer and recommended by the business official.
Motion by Board Member Grant, seconded by Board Member Sexton
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
4. Approve Swim Team Agreement with Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD.
Recommendation that the Board of Education approve the agreement to continue the combined Varsity Swim Team between Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD and Duanesburg CSD. This agreement is for the 2020-21 school year. The agreement shall not be binding on the parties until authorized and signed by each party’s respective representatives.
Motion by Board Member Grant, seconded by Board Member Felton.
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
OTHER ITEMS:
1. Accept CSE minutes.
Recommendation that the Board of Education accept the recommendation of the CSE meetings and their minutes from February 13, 25, 27, March 3, 4, 10 & 11, 2020 as submitted.
Motion by Board Member Sexton, seconded by Board Member Wood-Irvin.
In favor: 6
Opposed: 0
Abstain: 1 (Grier)
Motion Carried
2. Approve Merger of Duanesburg/Berne-Knox-Westerlo Boys’ Modified, JV and Varsity Soccer Teams.
WHEREAS, The Duanesburg Central School District currently offers a boys’ modified and varsity soccer program for its high school students; and
WHEREAS, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District also currently offers a boys’ modified, junior varsity and varsity soccer program for its high school students; and
WHEREAS, the districts have discussed combining their programs into one boys’ soccer program for the students of both districts;
It is hereby resolved;
Subject or receipt of any necessary approvals and an agreement with Berne-Knox-Westerlo, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the creation of a “shared” boys’ modified, junior varsity and varsity soccer program.
Motion by Board Member Grant, seconded by VP Grier.
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Motion by VP Grier, seconded by Board Member Wood-Irvin
In favor: 7
Opposed: 0
Motion Carried
Respectfully submitted,
Celeste E Junge
District Clerk
Dates to remember:
TBD NYS 3-8 ELA Testing
TBD NYS 3-8 ELA Test Make-ups
April 7 BOE Meeting & Community budget presentation, 6:30 p.m., Remote broadcast
JZ/JR/KL/AC/JM/PH/KW/RU/CD/SG/LG/WB/cej: 3/25/2020