November 2003
School Board meetings are generally held the second Tuesday
of each month at 7:15 p.m.
in the High School cafeteria. The Board President presides at each meeting and
the district clerk records official actions of the Board. Also in attendance,
are the Superintendent of Schools, the Business Administrator, and building
principals.
Meeting Outline
Executive
Sessions - may be scheduled to discuss personnel matters, labor negotiations
and other matters which are confidential as defined by the Open Meeting Law
of the State of New York. Executive Sessions are called for by the Board President
and are closed to the public. However, the Board is not permitted to vote on
the passage of any resolution while it sits in Executive Session.
Copies of the agenda are made available to the public. Agendas and supporting documents are distributed to Board members in advance to allow the Board to study and review all the information. During regular meetings, it sometimes appears as if items are being acted upon with little or not discussion, but usually this material has appeared on previous agendas or Board members received documentation that allows them to make appropriate decisions.
Public
Comments
The Board President conducts the meeting and may change
the order of the agenda if needed. The President may call upon the Superintendent
or other staff members for reports and information or recognize others in the
audience who wish to comment. There is a time toward the beginning of the Board
meeting for audience participation. Those wishing to address the Board must
sign up on the sheet provided at the beginning of the meeting. Individuals may
address the Board on agenda items as well as non-agenda items. Speakers will
be recognized by the Board President at the time they are to speak.
Each speaker has a maximum of 3 minutes and may not transfer their time to another speaker. No more than 30 minutes is allowed for a single subject except with the unanimous consent of the Board. The Board President may interrupt or terminate an individual’s statement when it is too lengthy, personally directed, irrelevant, or abusive. The Board as a whole has the final decision on such matters.
Complaints concerning District employees or other individuals may not be addressed orally at the meeting. Such complaints must be signed and presented to the Board in writing. Executive sessions may then be granted for a hearing. Questions or concerns about instructional practices or materials should be directed to the Superintendent for appropriate referral.
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
4 NOVEMBER 2003
(MINNOVSPC.04)
DATE: 4 NOVEMBER 2003
TIME: 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
TYPE OF MEETING: SPECIAL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Patricia Gibbs, President
Brian Farr, Vice President
Vickie Plumley
Hallie Bond
MEMBERS ABSENT: Michelle Hamdan
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Slentz, Superintendent
Mr. Bateman, Business Manager/Clerk of the Board
CALL TO ORDER: There being a quorum, the president called the meeting to order
at 7:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At the request of the superintendent, and on MOTION by Brian
Farr, seconded by Vickie Plumley, with all in favor, the board entered executive
session at 7:31 p.m. Agenda: A personnel contract matter.
Session ended at 7:43 p.m. on MOTION by Vickie Plumley, seconded by Brian Farr,
with all in favor.
BOARD ACTIONS: Compensation - On the matter of setting Mrs. Tina Pine’s
hourly compensation rate at $14.38 in consonance with her Teaching Assistant
position responsibilities, on MOTION by Vickie Plumley, seconded by Hallie Bond,
board members voted as follows:
Patricia Gibbs.....AYE
Vickie Plumley.....AYE
Hallie Bond........AYE
Brian Farr.........NO
There being a majority in favor, the MOTION carried. Effective date: 1 November
2003.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the board, on MOTION
by Vickie Plumley, seconded by Patricia Gibbs, with all in favor, the board
adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
CLERK OF THE BOARD
J.H. BATEMAN
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
12 NOVEMBER 2003
(MINNOVJT.03)
DATE: 12 NOVEMBER 2003
TIME: 6:30 P.M.
PLACE: ADIRONDACK HOTEL, LONG LAKE, NEW YORK
TYPE OF MEETING: JOINT MEETING - SCHOOL BOARDS FROM MINERVA, NEWCOMB AND LONG
LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
MEMBERS PRESENT: MINERVA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Dr. Ann Jaeger, Superintendent
Jeffrey Eager, President
Michael Corey, Vice President
Lester Sternin
NEWCOMB CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
John Mulholland, Superintendent
Robert Lilly, Vice President
Rose Bush
Jackie LaCourse
Melissa Yandon, Clerk of the Board
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Patricia Gibbs, President
Brian Farr, Vice President
Vickie Plumley
Michelle Hamdan
Hallie Bond
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Slentz, Long Lake CSD Superintendent
Mr. Bateman, Long Lake CSD Business Manager
& Clerk of the Board
David Olbert, Athletic Director, Long Lake CSD
Robert Sherwood, Athletic Director, Minerva CSD
Michelle Billings and Rick Beardsley, Long Lake
CALL TO ORDER: Mrs. Gibbs called the joint board meeting to order at 6:43 p.m.
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. She welcomed the superintendents and members
of the boards from the two visiting school districts. The president then turned
the meeting over to the Long Lake Superintendent.
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
12 NOVEMBER 2003
PAGE TWO
LONG LAKE CSD: Mr. Slentz also welcomed everyone to the first joint board meeting.
At his request, self introductions followed around the room. Referring to the
published agenda, the meeting’s purpose was stated as being to consider
the state’s budget process impact on rural schools, student demographic
projections and potential extracurricular options for interaction. Mr. Slentz
noted that the meeting format was informal, with no actions by the boards contemplated.
He then turned the floor over to Dr. Jaeger.
MINERVA CSD: Dr. Jaeger spoke briefly, focusing on the potential impact of possible
budgeting factors rumored to be under discussion by the state which could base
state aid on student enrollment. She offered the opinion that intense lobbying
of area state legislators was crucial in bringing rural school concerns to the
forefront in the budget process. Mr. Slentz, concurring in Dr. Jaeger’s
assessment, added that Senator Little and Assemblywoman Sayward had recently
visited the Long Lake area in conjunction with a Town of Long Lake and school
district initiative.
NEWCOMB CSD: Mr. Lilly spoke next, voicing his opinion that this gathering was
a "good thing," with joint solutions offering potential positive returns
for rural school districts. He added that he was somewhat unsure as to the meeting’s
overall purpose.
OPEN DISCUSSION: Mr. Olbert was recognized. The Long Lake AD presented his views
and concerns regarding interscholastic sports within and without the district.
He touched on the benefits and disadvantages of instituting sports mergers between
districts, noting Long Lake’s current relationship with the Tupper Lake
CSD. It was his position that there should exist interscholastic options in
the event enrollment realities preclude fielding a particular sports team.
A general interchange ensued. Various board members expressed viewpoints and
anecdotal background on experiences associated with sports programs in particular,
and inter-district initiatives in general. While the need to plan for projected
enrollment decreases was seen as prudent, consensus on the how and when was
not reached. Mr. Rick Beardsley, Long
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
12 NOVEMBER 2003
PAGE THREE
DISCUSSION(CONT’D): Lake CSD Technology teacher, interjected that technology,
specifically high speed Internet access, offered the potential of bringing new
people into the area. With them would come families, need for services, more
jobs, need for housing and logically, increased school enrollment. Other joint
services opportunities were highlighted, one of which was Odyssey of the Mind.
Mrs. Plumley stated that she was supportive of joint ventures, not confined
to sports, but in all areas. She indicated that the boards needed to retain
their flexibility in the years ahead. Mrs. Billings voiced her concerns as a
parent that students needed competition, with access to larger athletic and
academic audiences. Small student populations, in her view, do not challenge
students to attain their potential. Concluding, she stated her support of sports
mergers. Mr. Sherwood, addressing the sports merger issue, questioned the advisability
of three districts initiating such a merger. He indicated that Newcomb and Minerva
had been working with their sports merger for some ten years. In his view, expanding
to bring in Long Lake would be unwise. Mr. Lilly, in something of a closing
remark, stated that he had found the meeting worthwhile, expressing the thought
that regular meetings in the future would be constructive. Mr. Slentz brought
the discussion to a close, suggesting that for future meetings, the respective
boards direct their superintendents to develop and coordinate specific agenda
items along with anticipated outcome options.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the assembled boards,
on MOTION by Brian Farr, seconded by
Jeffery Eager, with all in favor, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m., sine die.
CLERK OF THE BOARD
J.H. BATEMAN
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
13 NOVEMBER 2003
(MINNOV.04)
DATE: 13 NOVEMBER 2003
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: CAFETERIA
TYPE OF MEETING: REGULAR
MEMBERS PRESENT: Patricia Gibbs, President
Brian Farr, Vice President
Vickie Plumley
Michelle Hamdan
Hallie Bond
OTHERS PRESENT: Mr. Slentz, Superintendent
Mr. Bateman, Business Manager/Clerk of the Board
CALL TO ORDER: The president called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: On MOTION by Michelle Hamdan, seconded by Hallie Bond, with all in
favor, the following board meeting minutes were approved as presented: 22 October
regular, 4 November special and 12 November joint.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: Thursday, 11 December 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
BUSINESS MANAGER: Treasurer’s Reports, Warrants & Budget Transfers
- On MOTION by Brian Farr, seconded by Vickie Plumley, with all in favor, Treasurer’s
Reports were accepted; the General Fund Warrant in the amount of $112,706.09,
and the Lunch Fund Warrant in the amount of $6,211.09 were approved; and, requested
Budget Transfers were approved.
School Year 2004 - 2005 Budget Planning - Referring to district’s plan
of action and milestones, the business manager presented known and projected
budgetary planning assumptions for the SY 2004 - 2005 General Fund budget. Areas
addressed included personnel, BOCES services, facilities, transportation and
interfund transfers. Specific note was made of
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
13 NOVEMBER 2003
PAGE TWO
BUSINESS(CONT’D): existing contractual obligations, increased pension
system employer contribution rates, health plan revisions, distance learning
and Internet service provider options, school bus purchase and pickup truck
replacement. Mr. Bateman concluded by noting that the first General Fund draft
budget would be presented at the regular December meeting.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Benefit - Based on positive employee survey
results, along with supportive fiscal data, Mr. Bateman recommended that the
district offer a FSA plan option to all employees, commencing 1 January 2004.
On MOTION by Vickie Plumley, seconded by Patricia Gibbs, with all in favor,
a Flexible Spending Account benefit plan will be made available to all district
employees, effective 1 January 2004.
SUPERINTENDENT’S Student Achievement & Activities - An update of
REMARKS: honor roll achievers and A-team students was furnished. 71% of students
made the honor roll compared to 59% last year. The community ice rink project
and after school program effort continues to make progress. Weather permitting,
the rink warming building is expected to be framed and sheathed by the Thanksgiving
holiday. Regarding the T1 line extension to provide town support, Mr. Slentz
reported that while a great deal of planning activity was in the works, tangible
fiscal results remain on the horizon.
Regents Action Update - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Hallie Bond,
with all in favor, the board approved the Regents grade 55 low pass option for
the Long Lake Central School District.
Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Plan Update - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs,
seconded by Vickie Plumley, with all in favor, the biennial update of the district’s
AIS plan was approved.
District Grievance Policy - Per the superintendent’s recommendation, no
changes were deemed necessary to the district’s existing Grievance Policy.
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
13 NOVEMBER 2003
PAGE THREE
REMARKS(CONT’D): Adult Education Program - Action was taken on the following
adult education program offerings:
Computer Labs - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Brian Farr, with all
in favor, five midwinter computer lab sessions were approved under the auspices
of Mr. David Snide.
Online Genealogy - On MOTION by Hallie Bond, seconded by Patricia Gibbs, with
all in favor, approval was granted for Mrs. Sharon Waagner to offer eight sessions
of an online genealogy workshop.
Pilates - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Vickie Plumley, with all
in favor, Miss Bernice Burnham was granted permission to offer another six sessions
of her popular Pilates course.
Coaching - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Hallie Bond, with all in
favor, Mr. "Chip" Farr and Mr. Noel Jennings were appointed unpaid
basketball coach’s assistants.
Superintendent’s Conference Day - A brief, but highly favorable report
was made on the 24 October conference. Newcomb Central School District faculty
members joined their Long Lake counterparts for the first time in recent memory.
Mr. Slentz observed that providing the opportunity for both faculties to interact
generated positive attitudes all around.
Conference Request - On MOTION by Hallie Bond, seconded by Vickie Plumley, with
all in favor, permission was extended for the superintendent to attend the midwinter
New York State Council of School Superintendents conference in Albany.
Conference Feedback - Board members Mrs. Bond and Mrs. Plumley reported to the
board on their impressions from attending the annual New York State School Boards
Association convention in Rochester, New York. Highlights included networking
with contemporaries from around the state, listening to inspirational speakers
and attending educational workshops. Both members agreed that it was a highly
worthwhile event.
LONG LAKE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
13 NOVEMBER 2003
PAGE FOUR
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
EXECUTIVE SESSION: At the superintendent’s request, and on MOTION by Patricia
Gibbs, seconded by Brian Farr, with all in favor, the board entered executive
session at 8:18 p.m. Agenda: CSE recommendations.
Session ended at 8:34 p.m. on MOTION by Brian Farr, seconded by Patricia Gibbs,
with all in favor.
BOARD ACTIONS: CSE - On MOTION by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Vickie Plumley,
with all in favor, the recommendations submitted by the Committee on Special
Education were approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to come before the board, on MOTION
by Patricia Gibbs, seconded by Brian Farr, with all in favor, the board adjourned
at 8:35 p.m.
BUDGET TRANSFERS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT CLERK
AMOUNT TO CODE FROM CODE
---------------------------------------------------
GENERAL FUND
$2,365.83 A1621.40 A1620.46
MAINT CONTR CENSER/PHONES
445.86 A1910.40 A1620.42
INSURANCE CENSER/INSURANCE
345.17 A2110.4526 A2110.45
TECH/M&S TCHNG/M&S
CLERK OF THE BOARD
J.H. BATEMAN