School Board meeting summary: May 6

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board meeting of May 6, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

The meeting began with the Public Hearing for the 2008-09 proposed budget of $22,920,786.
Highlights of the 2008-09 budget include:
• Primary causes of budget increase include:
o Employee benefits/health insurance
o Transportation
o Special Education
o Operations & Maintenance (utilities, fuel)
o BOCES contract for services
• Restructuring of positions to bring back student programs previously with BOCES.
• Total tax levy increase of 1.27%
Questions were answered regarding the budget after the summary presentation.

Communication:
Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
• Invited board members to attend the Professional Development Day on the afternoon of May 12. Each building will be presenting an update on their continuing curriculum alignment/program development. The District will be celebrating the accomplishments of staff in relationship to curriculum and professional development.
• Distributed the results of a staff survey completed in relationship to professional and staff development.
• Reported to the board the changes in tenure law that includes the elimination of the use of student achievement data as the sole grounds for granting or denying tenure for the next two years for new hires as of July 1, 2008.

1. Approved, acknowledged or accepted the following consensus items:
• Approved the minutes of the 4/7/08, 4/21/08 and 4/23/08 meetings
• Approved Substitute List Additions
• Approved the reappointment of Emergency Conditional Appointments
• Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
• Acknowledged Budget Transfers and Budget Status Report
• Accepted CSE/CPSE recommendations
• Acknowledged Warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor

2. Acknowledged the first reading of the following policies as revised:
• Student Organizations
• School-Sponsored Student Expression
• Student Personal Expression
• Student Health Services

3. Acknowledged the first reading of the Policy Manual Section 3000 and revisions to the Administrative Organization policy.

4. Approved the ACE Lifeguard Course for high school students beginning with the 2008-09 school year.

5. Accepted the resignation of Kathy O’Hearn as Food Service Helper.

6. Approved the following appointments:
• Stacey Shrout as part-time Cleaner
• Cynthia Kain as Teacher Aide

7. Awarded the Electrical, Janitorial and Plumbing Bids for the 2008-09 school year.

8. Approved participation in the GST BOCES Cooperative Bid for all cafeteria supplies for the 2008-09 School Year.

9. Awarded the RFP for External Audit Services for the 2008-9 to 2010-11 school years to Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little, Mickelson & Co, LLP.

10. Approved a Health & Welfare Contract for Services with Horseheads Central School District for two district students attending parochial schools in the Horseheads school district.

Photos in text:

Top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, left, and School Board vice president Brian O'Donnell, who ran the meeting in the absence of Board president Tom Richardson.

Middle: School Board members (from left) Robert Dill, Joe Fazzary and Gloria Brubaker.

Bottom: Part of a presentation by District Treasurer Gayle Sedlack outlining the proposed 2008-09 school district budget.

Watkins Glen School Board members Robert Dill (left), Joe Fazzary and Gloria Brubaker.

School Board workshop summary: April 21

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board workshop of April 21, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

The following Administrators’ Reports were received:

Elementary School – Rod Weeden
• The Read for Speed Pit Stop was held April 7th & 8th. We had a number of student race cars available for show (from 3rd grade student Kendall Crout; 4th grade student Levi Brewer and 9th grade student Marcus Dinkins). WGI provided the game modules for the students, and Max Traxx, the WGI reading mascot, was available. The students always enjoy this annual activity. Our Library circulation of reading books have tripled during this activity, keeping our Librarian very busy.
• The Morning Writing Program just ended on April 8. The Morning Math Program will continue for another month. According to teachers, both of these activities have effectively improved student academic achievement.
• Our PBIS program is going very well at the Elementary School. Dave Karam, OCM BOCES PBIS Program Evaluator, met with Elementary School staff to evaluate our program. He will be sending the results to the District soon. Last month a PBIS Assembly brought in a group from the Hanger Theatre to perform a play titled “The Truth About Dinosaurs.” This play was not only fun for the students, but gave a strong message to support our PBIS goals, Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe. This month’s activity involved a magician that performed for the students on the topic of bullying.
• During the week of April 21, our school will be participating in a Turn Off Technology Week encouraged by the NYS Health Department. The intent of this program is for students to spend time away from the TV, playing video games and other technologies. A letter has been sent home to parents requesting their participation.
• Our First Grade through Fourth Grade swimming program will end on Friday, May 2nd with the culminating activity – the Fourth Grade Swim Meet. The Kindergarten swim program will begin on Monday, May 5th.
• Judy Mercer, Cafeteria Supervisor, is providing booklets for our students to promote healthy living through healthy eating, exercise and hygiene.
• Grade Level Coordinators have met and reviewed two health programs that may be considered to help teachers meet student health and wellness standards.
• There is a new link on our District Website to Human Services that provides families with information on how to obtain assistance in areas of need (food, shelter, medical, substance abuse, etc.)
• With the upcoming UPK and Kindergarten registration, a press release was sent out to local media informing parents who to contact to enroll their child(ren) in the District for next year. At this point, Odessa-Montour is considering implementing its own UPK program.
• See the next Messenger that will be mailed at the end of April with articles of interest involving Elementary students/programs.
• Mr. Weeden met with Middle School staff on April 2nd to inform them of Elementary School activities and encouraged them to write the ING Grant that could purchase items for an MS TV studio.
• Report cards will be issued April 24th during parent/teacher conferences. Parent will be asked to complete a survey regarding the ES School atmosphere.
• The ES Book Fair, sponsored by the PTA, will be held in the ES Library the week of April 21.
• One of our Artists in Residence, Kenneth “Tiny” Glover, who has frequented the ES with his storytelling, passed away very unexpectedly last week.
• Teachers will be asking parents if they have home internet access when they meet for Parent/Teacher Conference at the end of the month. This will enable us to get a feel for the number of families that utilize home computers.
• All building administrators met with Andy Gillette, from BOCES, to refine a method of gathering information on what student technology skills are gained at what grade levels.

Middle School – Kristine Somerville:
• The New York State Math Tests for grades 5 & 6 were administered March 4-7.
• The New York State Math Tests for grades 7 & 8 were administered March 10-12.
• Progress reports were sent on March 31. The third marking period ended April 9, 2008.
• The scheduling committee is reviewing options for accelerated academic offerings for next year. The information will be coordinated with the high school committee.
• Our 5th grade Steel Drums concert was held April 10 at 1:00 & 6:00 p.m.
• French & Spanish proficiency tests have been given.
• The 8th grade field trip to Cornell was a huge success. The 8th grade students went to Cornell University to explore different career choices.
• The health and physical education department met on March 14th to continue writing curriculum.
• Students with perfect attendance for the 1st semester earned a pizza party from Jerlando’s.
• The 7th graders visited our County Government offices to learn about our local government during the Schuyler County Government Week.
• The Middle School has opened a new school store.
• The Middle School has one day a month designated for webpage updates.
• Calendars are sent home each month.
• The Middle School technology committee and four core teachers met to create a technology plan for the Middle School.
• The Middle School staff will continue training for Promethean Boards.
• The PTA sponsored “Growing Up Online” workshop for parents was held on April 8, 2008.

High School – Dave Warren:
• The HS recently participated in County Government Week in a number of ways, including a building-wide assembly with eight representatives from various agencies in the county. The presentation was given followed by a questions/answers period. Many compliments from the presenters on our students, the questions, and the overall preparedness exhibited during the assembly. We also attended a session drug court, participated in a mock legislature meeting and seniors were given mini-tours of the building.
• International Night was sponsored the evening on March 12th with a number of foreign exchange students from our school and Odessa-Montour school making presentations. A meal was also offered.
• With the help of Tess Pollack, the entire freshman academy attended numerous site visits to businesses throughout Schuyler and Chemung County. Many great responses from the students on how much they enjoyed the trips. They were allowed to choose according to their interests.
• We recently held an evening session hosted by Louise Paul concerning ACE course offerings and the program in general. Guidance counselor and principal were in attendance to help answer any parent questions.
• Course offerings for students and the master schedule for next year are well underway for completion in a timely manner this spring.
• The principal participated in a phone conference call with Sharing Success regarding the implementation and assessment of our Freshman Academy to gain any insight as to evaluation and direction of the academy. It was a free consultation offered to all BOCES component districts.
• The building and district health and safety teams continue to plan for the annual spring Emergency Drill scheduled for the week of April 28th. Communication has been shared with district residents and an automated phone call will take place before next week.
• The Annual Spud Run took place March 14th with over 125 students and staff participating. This annual run takes place with food and fun for all participants. Awards are handed out for many fun categories.
• Growing Up Online, sponsored by the PTA, was presented to the community. The principal was present to answer questions from parents and to share the current trends regarding discipline issues related to cyber-bullying in our district. There was a low turnout, which was sad because of the importance of the message the program shared. A representative from the NYS Police and SRO Waite were there to give their perspectives.
• The 8th Grade Orientation night was held on March 19th for all incoming freshmen and their parents. Around 75% of the families were present to hear from each department in the high school and meet the staff. There were mostly outstanding reviews for the evening shared by the parents, who appreciated the night and what they were able to learn about the high school.

• A community session sponsored by the SCCUD committee was attended by some students and the principal at the Community Center on the evening of March 12th. Various community members were part of a forum regarding the issue of under-age drinking in Schuyler County. A couple of our students were part of the formal presentation and the principal was there to offer his two cents and answer questions on behalf of the district.
• The principal attends a monthly meeting in the District Attorney’s office in support of a county-wide grant initiative that highlights the county’s approach to crime in the county and the collaboration that has developed with the county agencies and the school district.
• Staff and administration continue to work with the Maintenance Department with plans for the Excel Project. Coordination of early work and input regarding furniture are shared as needed.
• Training and planning for the use of the Promethean Boards continues. Many of the staff and the principal have had the initial training.
• Training on Promethean Boards, Tool Box Pro and School Island all occurred on the conference days in February and March, with more to follow throughout the spring.

Special Services Department – Nan Woodworth-Shaw:
• There has been on-going monitoring of progress of students with adjustments being made by providing support study halls. As we move forward in planning for next year’s schedule, we continue to address the best way to support students with academic, social/emotional, and physical needs in the general education setting to the greatest extent possible. Principals, guidance counselors and special education coordinators have been meeting with me to address this planning process.
• As we have held annual review meetings, students have been involved to the extent appropriate to participate in discussions that not only involve academics, but also social/emotional and physical development, as well as long-range planning and how all of the pieces fit together. Even when students aren’t present at the meetings, these areas are discussed for each student. On-going review and adjustments are made for each student in all of these areas, with the case managers coordinating services and monitoring progress.
• The special education staff is given the opportunity to participate at various grade-level and department meetings to stay abreast of the curricular and assessment development occurring with these groups and to bring to them ideas regarding differentiated instruction to reach all students.
• The mentoring grant has provided numerous opportunities for the special education mentors and mentees to collaborate and develop and refine effective practices.
• During our Professional Development Day on March 25, 2008, I facilitated staff developments with our K-12 support staff (teaching assistants and aides), addressing a variety of topics, but more importantly, providing an opportunity for groups of people to discuss various issues they’re encountering in supporting our students.
• On April 8, 2008, a meeting was held with AIS staff and guidance counselors to discuss our current AIS policy, our current services and how both might be adjusted to better address student needs to achieve academic success. We also discussed the changes in regulations regarding intervention services and collaborated regarding students transitioning from one building to the next.
• Teacher input through department coordinators was an integral part of building the Special Education budget and will be used as we approach our federal grant-writing process.
• During Professional Development days in February and March, staff participated in training in Promethean Board, Tool Box Pro and School Island. All special education and AIS staff continues to be trained in using Clear Track and AIS Edge to efficiently prepare for annual review CSE meetings and provide progress reports. Additionally, all staff has been involved in post-secondary transition reporting that was completed on a web-based reporting system.
• Through consultation with Mr. Phillips and the Board of Education, most special education policies have been updated. We are currently reviewing the policies pertaining to AIS (Academic Intervention Services) and RTI (Response to Intervention).

Technology Department – Andy Patros:
• 27 Promethean Boards have been ordered and have arrived in the District. As indicated before, our goal is to have 22 of the 27 PB’s installed before the end of June 2008. (5 rooms are earmarked for construction, thereby preventing install of the PB’s until August). As soon as the installation bid comes back, we will begin to work with the winning bid install vendor to schedule for PB installations.
• The following Distance Learning experiences are being considered and scheduled for the last part of the school year. Jared Webster MS – Earthquakes and Volcanoes with a provider from Alaska, Greg Grodem MS – Intro to Robotics with NASA’s Goddard Space Center, All First Grade classes with either the Indianapolis or San Diego Zoo, Shelly Kleist ES – Reader’s Theatre with another classroom/school in Pittsburgh, Marie Fitzsimmons HS – Dialogue/visit with students in Kenya via the Global Nomads Group.
• Working with BOCES to enable additional student information highlights in Parent Connect, such as NYS Regents scores and other NYS test assessments. This is a continuation of providing more information for parents and an adherence to our goal of consistently improving communication with them.
• Working with BOCES to evaluate a regional solution for permanent email archiving and storage. Based upon continued legal obligations, all districts are facing the consideration of a permanent email archiving and storage solution. Within the next month, all technology directors in the region will be provided a demonstration of 2 products recommended by BOCES. One is a software solution that Elmira City has implemented and the other is a hardware solution. They are both on par cost-wise ($1950 per year) and capacity-wise. We have unexpended BOCES CoSer 605 funds from recent computer purchasing to utilize for this purpose. As an aside, the recent educational pricing of computers has dropped significantly, which has allowed us to earmark funds for the email archiving. Also, whatever is left comes back to the district.
• The recently (4/9) held “Growing Up Online” session sponsored by the WG PTA went very well, although attendance by parents was low. The video shown and information provided by the NYS Trooper did provide good fodder for discussion that evening. We all agree that we need to continue offering information to parents, and will work to set up more sessions of this type in the future.

Business Office – Gayle Sedlack:
• NYSIR Insurance: We have just one open claim through NYSIR. Our recent excellent experience will help us avoid costly insurance increases in the future.
• Transportation Aid: Our transportation aid is up for 2008-09 with an increase of $145,894. This is due to our bus replacement cycle being constant with the purchase of two buses annually.
• CD Matured: While the market was still stable, the District invested in a CD for $4M. At the time, we locked in at a 4.4% interest rate. This month, the CD matured and the interest earned was over $29,000. This will help to close the gap in revenues created by the dramatic drop in interest rates.
• 2002-2003 Excess Cost Aid: With the auditing of high-cost student claims for 2002-03, SED has discovered that the District is due an additional $258,824 for that time period.

Operations and Maintenance & Transportation Departments – Mike DeNardo:
• Work orders: currently we have 24 open work orders
• Shared records facility: construction continues. Remaining work includes air handling systems, exterior masonry, interior finishes and restroom. Anticipate work completion by the end of April. Begin moving records (beginning with Schuyler County records) and setting up systems in May with most records rearranged and in full operation by Mid-June.
• Catherine Valley Trail: attending meetings on a regular basis, work scheduled to begin late July or August with fall completion date. Work on district property to include resurfacing the district’s portion of the trail with stone dust. This work will be completed in kind and the only district expense will be the material itself. Trail grant funding will provide trail gates and bollards along the trail entrance off the northeast High School parking lot. This will also be designated a trail entrance point.
• Recent conference attendances: School emergency management planning with SED (Rochester), science laboratory safety management seminar (Elmira), Leadership conference (Corning), DCMO BOCES purchasing seminar (Watkins Glen).

• District Health and Safety Committee: Final plans are in place for our annual district emergency drill to be held the week of April 28th. This drill will offer our team some practical experience and also test our plan in the process, response and reactions to this scenario. Local and state police, fire and EMS, as well as FMI representatives, will be part of this drill.
• Facility use: Working with ARC on special Olympic training which includes students and staff. Relay for Life final arrangements for this late May event, meeting with Bon-Ton Roulet event organizers for this July event, working with organizers for Green Grand Prix events, as well as other bike-a-thons and fund-raising groups.
• CSEA: Currently working with the Superintendent on the negotiations of the CSEA contract for support staff.

The board reviewed the following policies:
• Student Organizations
• School-Sponsored Student Expression
• Student Personal Expression
• Student Health Services
A first reading of these policies will be done at the next board meeting.

The board has begun review of Section 3000 of the policy manual. A revision will be made to the Administrative Organization policy.

The board opened into a meeting at 6:57 p.m. to address the following items:

1. Awarded the bid for installation of Promethean Boards to Technical System Integrators (TSI) in the amount of $27,810.

2. Approved the 2007-08 Property Tax Report Card that will be submitted to SED.

3. Approved Substitute List Additions.

Photos in text:

From top: High School principal Dave Warren (left) and Elementary School Principal Rod Weeden; Superintendent Tom Phillips (left) and School Board Vice President Brian O'Donnell; School Board President Tom Richardson; School Board member Kevin Field.

School Board meeting summary: April 7

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board meeting of April 7, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

Communication:
Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
• Mr. Phillips and the Board recognized the following students:
o Somer Pettet (pictured at right) for participating in the New York State Track Meet.
o Matt Fitch (pictured at left) for receiving an award for his video, “What If, Chep?” at the New York State Youth Media Arts Show held at Ithaca College on March 12.
o Shane Absalom for being recognized for his experimental video, “Dual Conscience,” at the New York State Youth Media Arts Show.
• Carol Franzese and Ken Wilson, Public Library Board of Trustees, presented a summary of the 2008-09 Public Library Budget. It represents a 3.89% ($4,198) increase over 2007-08. The budget vote will be held on May 7 from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the library.
• Distributed a PaySchools brochure that provides information on advance payments for student school lunches.
• Discussed a “Watch Offender” program that would be a cooperative effort with Bradford School, Odessa-Montour School, Watkins Glen School and Schuyler County. This is a system to notify all parties of Level 2 and 3 sex offenders that move into the area.

Board of Education: None
Visitors’ Comments: None

1. Approved,acknowledged or accepted the following consensus items:
o Approved minutes of the 3/11/08 & 3/24/08
o Approved Substitute List Additions
o Approved reappointment of emergency conditional appointments
o Approved the following appointments to stipend positions:
• New Teacher Mentor: Ginger Brown for Amy Planty
• Chaperones: Liz Waite & Jeanette Lasko
o Accepted CPSE/CSE Recommendations
o Acknowledged Budget Transfers and acknowledged Budget Status Report
o Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
o Acknowledged warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor

2. Adopted the Child Abuse in a Domestic Setting policy.

3. Changed the scheduled May 5, 2008 Board of Education meeting to Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The Budget Hearing will be held as part of this meeting.

4. Adopted the following Math Textbooks:
• Integrated Algebra – AMSCO Integrated Algebra I Textbook
• Geometry – Prentice Hall New York Geometry Textbook

5. Approved the following High School History Course Selections provided there is a minimum of 14 students enrolled in each class:
• ACE African Studies
• Model U.N.

6. Cyndy Wood presented an overview of a proposed ACE Waterfront Lifeguarding Course through Corning Community College she would like to teach beginning next year. She provided a syllabus of the requirements of the course. The board will consider approving this at the May 6th board meeting.

7. Accepted the following resignations:
• Megan Aycock as Teacher Aide
• Keith Barned as Special Education Teacher effective 4/16/08

8. Approved the appointment of Jennifer Hoose as School Nurse.

9. Approved tenure for the following:
• Brittany Beck-Wickham – Elementary
• Cheryl Hazlitt – Elementary
• Andrea McFarland - Mathematics
• Karyn Meyer – Teaching Assistant
• Christopher Schiavone – Music
• Randall Stone – Elementary
• Nils Watson – Social Studies

10. Approved a salary contract for non-represented school personnel, Gayle Sedlack, for the 2008-09 school year.

11. Approved the 2008-09 Budget in the amount of $22,920,786. The budget reflects an increase of 5.24% over the 2007-08 budget and a tax levy increase of 1.27%.

12. Approved a one-year contract with OMNI for oversight of tax shelter 403b plans administered through the District.

13. Gayle Sedlack, Business Manager, reported on the information used by Standard and Poor’s to establish the District bond rating which was identified as A+/Stable.

Photos in text:

Top left and right: Matt Fitch and Somer Pettet.

Second: Carol Franzese of the Public Library Board of Trustees.

Third: Superintendent Tom Phillips.

Bottom: School Board Vice President Brian O'Donnell.

Glen budget: Small hike now, although next year gives pause

WATKINS GLEN, March 18 -- The Watkins Glen Central School District is looking at a very small increase in the tax levy in the 2008-09 school budget, but economic conditions make the following year's spending plan potentially problematical.

The district School Board, meeting in a workshop session Monday night, was told by Superintendent Tom Phillips that the tax-levy increase in the upcoming budget is anticipated to be 1.27%, assuming that state-aid figures used in developing it do not drastically change.

The $22,920,786 spending plan goes to the voters in May, following approval of it by the School Board next month. If the state meets its own budget deadline of April 1, the board will have an accurate gauge of school aid by the time of its April 7 meeting. The state aid figures used in devising the school document came from former Governor Eliot Spitzer's executive budget proposal.

Phillips told the board Monday that in his opinion, the state is unlikely to change those figures significantly. In the wake of Spitzer's sudden departure as governor, state leaders "want to get things done" as the state moves away from its gubernatorial scandal. "I don't see anything suggesting" that what the state does "will impact us," said Phillips.

Phillips said the Watkins Glen budget proposal is just $11,000 above what a contingency budget would be ($22,909,461). District treasurer Gayle Sedlack said that to be that close to contingency shows the proposed budget "is very reasonable."

And the small tax-levy hike, Phillips noted, comes despite large increases in energy costs (up $50,000), BOCES services (up $234,000, in large part due to an increase in Watkins students in career and technical education classes), and Health Care (up $369,000, with increases of 13.5% in Employee Health Insurance Premiums, 27% in Employee Retirement System costs, and 31.5% in Worker's Compensation).

Those increases would be covered with the increased state aid in the governor's proposal, and with the 1.27% tax-levy increase, Phillips noted.

But some nervousness was clear in the outlook for the following year, the 2009-10 budget -- a matter raised by board members Robert Dill and Joseph Fazzary, who cited the weakening economy and rising fuel prices.

Phillips agreed that the board could face cutbacks in the 2009-10 budget. "It's gonna be a hold-on-to-your-hat year," he said. A serious, continued downturn economically -- with a possible reduction in state aid next year -- would create a situation where "we'd be looking at a serious reduction in the force," meaning jobs. But that scenario could be mitigated, he added, by retirements.

"If the budget goes south" next year, he said, "we'd have a reduction" in the workforce. "But if we get retirements, it wouldn't be as bad as we thought."

Board member Gloria Brubaker returned the talk to the current budget by asking: "What if things go really bad with the state budget now? Then what?"

Responded Phillips: "Then we'd have a lot of late nights" to discuss and alter the proposed 2008-09 spending plan. But he said again that he did not anticipate any serious problems, this being an election year in which legislators will want to get the budget done quickly.

"They want to be out and about with their constituents," he said, noting of an election year: "It's a huge driving force."

Photos in text:

From top: Superintendent Tom Phillips and board members Robert Dill and Gloria Brubaker at Monday's budget workshop.

Support staff to O-M Board: We need more in paychecks

ODESSA, March 13 -- More than a dozen non-instructional support workers attended Thursday night's Odessa-Montour School Board session to air their displeasure with their pay.

The workers -- such as cafeteria and maintenance workers and clerks -- are at impasse with the district over negotiations for a new contract. Spokespersons for their Civil Service Employees Association bargaining unit said the last contract expired in July 2007. Impasse, they said, was declared last month.

They are operating, they said, under the provisions of the expired contract.

The public portion of Thursday's meeting featured opening remarks by the group's leader, Patrick Carlisle, who said that as a district resident and O-M employee, he is "concerned about the future of the district." He said he and his wife have raised four children successfully in the district, and that while the children have gone on to productive adult lives, the district needs "to remain competitive in all aspects."

The district is not competitive with other districts in the area of non-instructional workers, he said, noting that it is behind other areas "in pay and benefits." While thanking Superintendent James Frame for his effort in negotiations, he said the percentage increase offered is "too small" when taking into account increases in the employees' share of health costs.

Board President Alice Learn answered Carlisle by saying: "You understand this is an executive-session item and we can't comment."

Other workers commented, though, including a clerk who said she has been employed by the district for four years and loves her job. But, she added, she had seen her projected 2010 salary and realized it was "what a senior typist makes on the first day in a nearby district." Administrators and teachers are paid well at O-M, she said, concluding: "Be fair with us."

Another woman who has worked in the O-M cafeteria said she makes about $7.50 an hour there -- and gets paid more working at the Watkins Glen Community Center on skating nights. "I get $8 for skating," she said. In the cafeteria, which she said is much more serious work, "I get barely above minimum wage." That wage is $7.15 in New York state.

A third woman, in her 10th year of employment in the district, has handled various jobs and is now a clerk. But she said that despite her length of service, her pay "is not even up to what people start at in other districts. I think someone with 10 years deserves a little recognition."

Also on hand was Scott Westervelt, a longtime district teacher, now retired, who pointed out to the board that the district "couldn't operate without these people." He said the non-instructional workers generally are making $10 or less per hour, adding: "I think you should go back and revisit the contract and find some money for them."

Also at Thursday's session:

-- Schuyler County Legislator Del Bleiler asked for any input the board or administration might want to provide as the Legislature nears approval of a Local Law dealing with limits on the residency of sex offenders. The limits include proposed minimum distances of those residences from schools, playgrounds and parks. Bleiler said the matter, still in committee, would likely be acted upon within two months.

-- Bleiler also suggested the district might join with the county in obtaining a computerized program service that would provide the identification of all sex offenders residing in the area, along with background information. "I think the schools would benefit greatly from this service," he said. "I think it's a step in the right direction for the security of our children." Superintendent Frame said he is already scheduled to meet with County Administrator Tim O'Hearn to discuss the matter.

Photos in text: The School Board at Thursday's session (top), and board members Loueda Bleiler, left, and Damita Chamberlain.

Independent football schedule draws attention, explanation at Board session

WATKINS GLEN, March 11 -- A decision by Watkins Glen High School officials to pursue an independent football schedule next fall drew questions and criticism at a regular meeting Tuesday night of the Watkins Glen School Board.

The move, which takes the Senecas out of Section IV divisional standings, was first suggested by faculty manager Craig Cheplick, supported by athletic director and high school principal Dave Warren, and backed by Superintendent Tom Phillips in the wake of an unsettling football season in which Watkins Glen had a 2-7 record with several losses by lopsided scores.

The independent schedule -- not finalized yet -- has six games on it, with two to be announced. Teams to be played include Newark Valley, Newfield, Edison, Spencer-Van Etten, Harpursville and Odessa-Montour. A second Newark Valley game was placed on the schedule against the wishes of Watkins, and will likely be replaced with a different opponent.

Had Watkins Glen remained in the Section IV divisional setup, the first opponent, on the road, would have been Unatego, which rang up an 81-18 blowout victory over the Senecas last Sept. 21 on the Watkins football field. Other losses in the past season were by scores of 44-0 (to Lansing), 42-0 (to Trumansburg), 44-0 (to Greene) and 47-14 (to Sidney). Greene and Sidney would have been on the schedule in the early part of next season had Watkins opted for the divisional setup again.

Phillips said that Cheplick and Warren deemed the move to independency -- for this year and possibly another as the football program "gets its feet under it" -- necessary to saving football at Watkins Glen. The district, he said, looked at the possibility of a move to Section V, but that would take a year. "Time was not on our side," he said. So independency was the only option available outside of a Section IV schedule.

Options down the road could include that Section V move, Phillips added, or possibly a return -- involving other nearby districts -- to something resembling the old Finger Lakes league. That would have the advantage of cutting down the lengthy road trips required under the Section IV scheduling. In an era of rising gas prices, cost is a factor, he said.

Cheplick opened the discussion with an overview of the situation. "This isn't the same world of high school athletics I remember when I coached here," he said. Back then, league football was the norm, before Section IV took over the scheduling and pitted Watkins against "schools the other side of Route 81, some we'd never heard of "

The proposed fall Section IV division schedule, he said, "wasn't healthy" for the Watkins Glen program. "Go to Unatego, go to Sidney, home against Greene. That would be a bad start, not good for our kids."

On hand to debate the matter was former Watkins Glen football coach Bob Lee, who said that a big drawback for an independent is the absence of an opportunity to go to a playoff and win a championship. This turn to independency takes from next year's seniors their last chance for such a title, he said, adding: "Even if we go 8-0, we go nowhere."

He agreed that in Section IV, "everything is geared toward Binghamton," and he conceded the transportation-cost savings that closer competition would create. But at the same time, he said, "I'm not afraid of those teams" that decisively defeated Watkins Glen last season. "We have a lot of talent here, and a lot of talent coming up."

He said he was against the move to independent status "because of the kids. Your goal (as a coach) should be to get to a championship game. If that's not your goal, you don't deserve to be coaching." The ultimate goal, he added: a state championship.

But Phillips said the matter was already settled -- that independency was the course being followed in the coming season.

"We had to get out of this meat grinder of a schedule and turn this thing around," he said.

Photos in text:

From top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, faculty manager Craig Cheplick, and former Watkins Glen football coach Bob Lee at Tuesday night's Board meeting.

School Board meeting summary: March 11

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board meeting of March 11, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

Communication:
Visitors’ Comments:
• The Board entertained comments and questions regarding the decision to implement a change to the Independent football schedule beginning this fall. Speakers included Bob Lee, Pam Arcangeli and Denise Stansfield. Craig Cheplick and Dave Warren provided background information regarding the decision.

Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
• Reported the draft of the 2008-09 Budget will be presented to the board at the March 17th workshop. This will be the final review of the budget prior to adopting it at the April 7, 2008 board meeting.
• Presented the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control 2008 Training Catalog that has a picture of Alan Gregory, ES Teacher. Alan was a trainer for the annual NYS Women Firefighters Weekend when the picture was taken. It is impressive to see our staff participating in activities above and beyond their teaching duties.
• Mr. Phillips/Mike DeNardo reported that the Field House was opened on Saturday morning as an American Red Cross Shelter to offer shelter to area residents without power that needed a place to go. The Red Cross was very complimentary to the accommodations and assistance they received from Mike DeNardo and his crew while setting up the shelter. Kudos to Mike DeNardo and his crew.

Board of Education:
• Mr. Fazzary and Mr. Richardson reported some of the “hot” topics that were discussed at the Legislative Breakfast they attended last Saturday with guest speaker, Jim Bacalles, that included:
o Children with special needs and the effect on the budget
o Unfunded mandates
o 3020-a hearing and shortening of the process
o Property tax cap
o BOCES Budget

District Clerk:
• Announced that Board of Education candidate petition packets are now available in the District Office. The last day to file petitions is Monday, April 21st.

Mary DeBolt, HS Math Teacher, presented an outline of the criteria/justification of the HS Math Department’s selections for new textbooks. After careful review and consideration the department recommends the following textbook purchase:
o AMSCO Integrated Algebra 1 Textbook
o Prentice Hall New York Geometry Textbook

Marie Fitzsimmons, HS History Teacher (at right), presented a request for the following elective courses to be offered at the High School beginning next year:
o Model UN
o Equality and Gender
o Modern Africa (ACE Course)

1. Approved/acknowledged/accepted the following consensus items:
o Approved minutes of the 2/4/08, 3/3/08 and 3/5/08 meetings
o Approved Substitute List additions
o Approved reappointment of Emergency Conditional Appointments
o Approved the following stipend position appointments:
-- Chaperones: Barb Coon, Colin Pritchard, Magen Kingsley, Melissa Kissell and Bonnie Specchio
-- New Teacher Mentor: Lucy Luckey for Abby Murphy
o Accepted CPSE/CSE Recommendations.
o Accepted a donation of $3,780 from Corning Incorporated Foundation in support of Science, Math & Technology program services provided by the Science and Discovery Center
o Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
o Acknowledged Budget Transfers
o Acknowledged Warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor.

2. Acknowledged the first reading of the following policy:
o Child Abuse in a Domestic Setting

3. Approved the 2008-09 School Calendar.

4. Accepted the resignation into retirement of Barbara Fazzary as Teaching Assistant, effective July 1, 2008.

5. Approved the appointment of Election Officials for the annual budget vote that will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

6. Approved a salary contract for non-represented school personnel, Sharon Clark, Superintendent’s Secretary/District Clerk, for the period July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2012.

Photos in text:

From top: School Board President Tom Richardson, teacher Marie Fitzsimmons, high school principal Dave Warren.

School Board meeting summary: Feb. 4

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board meeting of Feb. 4, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

Communication:
Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
• Distributed a mid-year report of the Watkins Glen Sports Booster Club that included financial updates as well as donations and funding requests awarded through January 31st.
• Reported on a letter that Mayor Judy Phillips sent to the Governor and to area legislators supporting the School Resource Officer program. Governor Spitzer has proposed a redeployment of SRO to high crime areas in NYS. The Superintendent and the Board also sent letters of support to Governor Spitzer and our local legislators.
• Reported on the Superintendent’s Conference Day activities and the positive feedback received from staff.
• Reminded board members that a budget workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 6th. Building administrators/supervisors will be presenting their proposed 2008-09 budgets to the board.

Board of Education: None
Visitors’ Comments: None

1. Approved/acknowledged/accepted the following consensus items:
o Approved minutes of the 1/7/08 & 1/22/08 meetings
o Approved Substitute List Additions
o Approved fundraising request
o Approve reappointment of emergency conditional appointments
o Accepted the following donations:
• $404.25 from PTA for use in the MS Library
• $1,205.73 from PTA for use in the ES Library
• $100 donation from John Cook for District Music program
• 55” projection television from Don & Brenda Stocum for use in the Field House conference room
o Accepted CPSE/CSE Recommendations
o Acknowledge Budget Transfers as presented
o Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
o Acknowledged warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor.

2. Adopted reviewed/revised policies from the Board of Education Policy Manual sections 0000, 1000 and 2000 (excluding policy #2510 – New Board Member Orientation that will be revised at a later date).

3. Approved the Seneca Youth Basketball request for the use of three school buses to transport program participants to a basketball game at Keuka College. The Royce-Haight Fund will pay for transportation costs associated with this trip.

4. Rescheduled the next regularly scheduled board meeting to Tuesday, March 11, 2008 (previously scheduled for Monday, March 3, 2008).

5. Accepted the following resignations:
-- Merle Bedient as Cleaner
-- Jennifer Butler as Special Education teacher
-- Lisa Walrath as Keyboard Specialist

6. Approved the following appointments:
-- Amy Planty as Special Education teacher (MS)
-- Abigail Murphy as Special Education teacher (HS)
-- Katherine Deal as Keyboard Specialist (ES)

7. Approved an unpaid leave of absence request for Llanya O’Kane for the 2008-09 school year.

8. Approved a recommendation for tenure for Matthew Craig, ES Music Teacher.

9. Approved a contract for Health and Welfare Services with Corning CSD for resident students attending non-public schools in the Corning School District.

10. Rescinded a bid awarded for the sale of a school vehicle and awarded it to another prospective bidder.

Photos in text:

From top: Superintendent Tom Phillips, board members Brian O'Donnell (left) and Robert Dill, and board member Mike Myers.

School Board workshop summary: Jan. 22

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board workshop of Jan. 22, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

A discussion was held regarding a proposed Model United Nations elective course offering for high school students for next semester. Marie Fitzsimmons (pictured at right) presented that as an outcome of a workshop on the Model U.N., she wrote a Teaching American History Grant proposal focused on the Model U.N. Marie explained that the History department has very few electives at this point and that a ½ credit course entitled Intro to Model United Nations/Global Issues would meet two days in the cycle and Wednesdays from 2:20 – 3:10 while an Advanced MUNC/Global Issues course bearing ¼ credit would meet Wednesdays from 2:20 – 3:10.

The following Administrators’ Reports were received:

Elementary School – Rod Weeden:
• This spring various grade levels will be meeting with their artists in residence to help support their curriculum in areas of need. They will be using the information from last year’s Terra Nova results to determine other areas of need that will support the ELA program. It is hoped that by identifying needs in the early years the ES will continue to show successful results on the State ELA tests.
• Andrea Ramsdell has concluded her presentations on dental hygiene and will now be setting up shop to provide dental cleanings for many of the children in our district.
• At least 7 ES teachers have signed up for the Think Breakfast Program which provides healthy choice information to students and the importance of eating breakfast.
• Cindy McInerney from the Rape Crisis Center of the Southern Tier will start working with our students January 24th on a program called The Amazing Me, Marvelous Me self-esteem program.
• The HS Interact Club sponsored a Kids Night Out on January 5th. This program provided many athletic activities promoting good health for our students. It was reported that over 150 participants came to the Saturday evening event.
• Our cafeteria manager requested a survey of our students to help improve our lunch menu. The results of the survey were distributed to board members.
• The School Connect Program was utilized to remind parents of the Kids Night Out and to inform them of a mistake on the District Calendar.
• Mr. Weeden wrote an article for The Messenger to help parents with information concerning the winter and spring testing that will be occurring and also to inform them about the Read for Speed kickoff that will happen at the end of February.
• The ES website has been updated with many pictures of events that have occurred over the last month. Student videos that were published as they read a synopsis of their book reports are also on our website.
• Grade level coordinators are putting together their budgets for next year.
• With the assistance of Billie Bauman and the grants office, the ES will be applying for additional funds from Lowe’s to help with the construction of an outdoor classroom as part of a project. The grant they are applying for is for approximately $5,000.
• The spring Model Schools staff development offerings have been sent to teachers with some being held on-site. One of the offerings is the Promethean Board training.
• The Mobile Science Lab continues to make visits to the Elementary School and will be back on Wednesday, January 23rd.

Middle School – Kristine Somerville:
• The New York State ELA Tests for grades 6, 7 & 8 were administered last week.
• The New York State ELA Tests for grade 5 was administered January 8-10.
• Progress reports were sent on Friday, January 18th. The semester ends January 25, 2008.
• Teacher observations for the middle school are complete with the exception of two teachers. These will be done the first week of the new semester.
• The National Junior Honor Society will be inducting new members in the month of February. Information about the society is posted in the January newsletter. The ceremony will be held after school. This provides the opportunity for more parents and family members to attend the ceremony.
• The scheduling committee is reviewing options for accelerated academic offerings for next year. The information will be shared with the high school committee.
• The 7th grade health teacher will be working with the high school health teacher and Tom Phillips on January 28th. They will begin writing curriculum for K-12.
• The MS has completed one semester of daily physical education for 5th and 6th graders. The students and teachers believe it is definitely beneficial and it has drastically reduced horse play.
• The MS lunch program is improving.
• The MS will be starting the Big Brother/Big Sister program at the end of the month. Funding had been lost, but the agency was able to find some late funds to continue the program throughout the year.
• On January 28, 2008, the departments will be meeting K-12.
• The MS has one day a month designated for webpage updates.
• The building newsletter will be printed and mailed on January 25th.
• The MS Math and Science departments and the Librarian will be trained to use the Promethean Boards on January 28th. This is the first of three trainings.

High School – Dave Warren:
• Student-of-the-Month board is on display to acknowledge the Freshman Academy students-of-the-month.
• Students are required to stay after school for individual help if they are failing a subject. Individual plans are set with teachers for students to stay after Monday through Thursday. Teachers are spending a lot of time after school to help students achieve higher grades. The minutes from the January 20th Freshman Academy team meeting were also provided to the Board of Education to show the involvement on the part of many teachers and the level of analysis which is being done to have students succeed.
• Departments are preparing various plans to address the number of students that are failing courses. A couple of sample plans were distributed to board members.
• A great deal of time and effort has been spent by many staff members staying after hours to work with students preparing them for Regents exams and midterms. Exams are this week (January 22 through January 25).
• The cafeteria gave all high school students a survey to complete addressing many issues concerning the food service. This was an attempt to ask for student input regarding what they liked or disliked with the food offerings. It is a good way to address future improvements to enhance student wellness.
• With the help of the curriculum coordinator and department chair we are looking into the possibility of using an outside facilitator to work with science department members. The focus would be around developing a curriculum and also will include a positive model to be used for all general interactions. The initial meeting will be tentatively set up for the conference day on January 28th.
• A lot of effective time has been spent by all departments interacting on a regular basis. The time that was taken away from a second faculty meeting has been devoted to department time. The principal meets with all department chairs and offers things to follow up on. This system of meetings seems most productive.
• There is a great deal of technology training that has been set up for the January 28th conference day. Trainings for Promethean Board Level I and Tool Box Pro are two that many departments are planning on attending on that day. There is also a bomb threat training conducted by the FBI for building safety committees planned.

Special Services – Nan Woodworth-Shaw:
• Elementary grade levels met with Nan to review intervention/referral process for students requiring support or alternate instructional strategies.
• Guidance counselors in all buildings have been busy coordinating testing accommodations with special education and AIS staff so that all students are provided settings to access state tests. It is not an easy task to provide multiple settings for each test, and all staff team together to provide the greatest support possible while maintaining test integrity.
• In an effort to better equip our staff who work with our students with autism to provide an educational setting in which they can achieve academic excellence, approximately fifteen staff members and several parents have attended afternoon and evening workshops held in Waterloo and Corning.
• Students with disabilities are increasingly involved in meaningful transition planning for their post-secondary goals. High School students are encouraged to attend all CSE meetings so that planning is relevant to individual students.
• Several students are being provided school-to-work opportunities through the Arc as well as in various locations at school, building their soft skills and fostering independent responsibility.
• In addition to formally scheduled meetings, teachers are increasingly creative in finding times to collaborate to support all students in the class.
• Resource binders are being compiled including Special Education procedures and policies. Over the course of the year, similar binders will be compiled for Academic Intervention Services and 504 procedures.
• Key personnel who contribute to transporting our students to school ready for instruction are bus drivers. Nan was well-received at a training session with them addressing various areas of disabilities and improving communication with students with special needs.
• Much of our office time is spent updating data reporting and management system on Clear Track, as state data reporting is transitioning to a unified system. The transition is a cumbersome process, and we’re fortunate to have Gail Butler and Rosanne Doane crosschecking each other so diligently and accurately as the state generates changes and additions almost daily, which our BOCES support staff keeps us abreast of.
• Contact with the county is being established to work together in the servicing of pre-school special needs children. This contact and cooperative effort will enable the district to better service the children once they are of school age.
• The related services such as OT, PT and Speech as provided by BOCES are going well with continuity of services being reliable and consistent.

Operation & Maintenance and Transportation – Mike DeNardo:
• Work Orders: There are currently 21 open work orders. Projects include ceiling tile replacement, painting MS 3rd floor hall, bulletin board construction, display case construction, heat actuator replacements.
• Recently Completed Projects: Completed several roof leak repairs district-wide, repaired and replaced equipment (with Time-Warner) for public access channel 5, rebuilt pool back wash valves with pumps, contracted cabinets for MS library.
• Shared Records Facility: Started work on January 7th, completed asbestos abatement, conducted pre-construction meeting with all contractors, prime contractors started mobilizing on January 14th, work progressing as of this date.
• Excel Project: We have received all SED permits; final changes and corrections to drawings and specs completed; project documents now available to bidders; bid opening February 25th; bid awards March 3rd.
• ES Playground: Waiting for project bid award, playground equipment to be ordered March 2008; construction to take place late June 2008. No fund-raising for playground enhancements will take place until project work is completed. Currently applying for as many grants as possible for all aspects of the playground.
• Budget: Currently have completed the 2008-09 proposed transportation budget. Scheduled to finish Operations and Maintenance proposed budget by the end of the week.
• District Health and Safety Team: Scheduled bomb search team training to be conducted by the FBI for Monday, January 28th with 21 team members scheduled to be trained.
• Facility Use: Completed Watson and Pee Wee Wrestling Tournaments and IAC Wrestling, with Cheerleading event coming this weekend. Our crew has been working 19-hour-plus days to keep up with this busy facility use time of year.
• Annual Evaluations: Beginning the process of annual evaluations for all Operations & Maintenance and Transportation Department staff.
• Transportation: Completing annual bus rides and observations of all home-to-school bus routes. As of this date, 11 routes have been completed with 3 remaining.
• State Inspections: We recently had our annual NYS DOT inspection for all section 19A regulations which covers all driver files, physicals, licensing, drug testing, etc., requirements. We passed our inspection, which was conducted on January 14, 2008.

Technology – Andy Patros:
• Adding an area within Parent Connect that will allow parents to see their child’s lunch/meal balance. The district is also considering the implementation of PaySchools that will allow for the payment on lunch/meal accounts.
• The HS will facilitate FAFSA signup/completing through one of the computer labs in February or early March. This will help those families that don’t have access to a computer.
• Coordinating a visit to OMCSD to view their Safari Montage implementation as WG is considering usage of the same application for the 2008-2009 school year. Safari Montage is a video distribution system that:
o Allows for video creation by students and staff and made available across the network
o Has SED aligned videos from all subject areas that can be used within the curriculum. Purchase of this service would be through GST BOCES CoSer 512.
• Meeting with Annese Associates, as facilitated by GST BOCES, to do an educational technology analysis has been postponed. This analysis will serve as part of the technology TCO process the district wants to complete. Aiming to get the meeting with Annese rescheduled for February.
• Recently completed computer inventory numbers as well as a comparison of computer total of other districts in the region. This was distributed to board members. The district’s decision to increase our LAN Technician time (Doug Packard) from part to full-time will be very helpful in our ongoing technology efforts.
• GST BOCES can provide centralized control and monitoring of a school district’s wireless environment. This will be a useful component and tool for WGCSD when we determine the time is appropriate for implementation of a district-wide wireless solution.
• At present, the percentage of families having access to computers with online capability is unknown; however, a survey can be done to determine this. Seven years ago, more than ½ of families had internet capability at home.
• BOCES has been in communication with Apple to have improved services for maintenance of machines.
• We have many faculty members being trained on the Promethean Boards at present and the plan is for installation of the boards this summer.

Superintendent’s Report:

• A plan is in place for the reporting prior to the February break regarding what is currently working in the educational process and what the data is telling us. Departments will identify what is not working and what solution will be implemented to address the concern. There will be teacher by teacher accountability and the plan will be tailored to helping students. The plan will provide for all involved to be willing to change the structure to address the need as it arises.

Athletic Report:

Dave Warren presented an interim athletic report to the board. He reviewed the detail of the 2007-08 athletic budget as well as reported the following:
• Code of Conduct for Athletes/Parents Implemented
o Meetings held with parents – most in August
o Information shared with athletes
o Resulted in follow through with banning of two parents
o Resulted in follow through with conversations with other parents
• Code of Conduct for Coaches Implemented
o Meetings with coaches at beginning of each season
o Superintendent/Faculty Manager/Athletic Director informed coaches of expectations
• Sportsmanship results, Scholar Athletes
o Reported regularly on how well our teams have done
• Student Participation
o Fall sports had a 45% participation rate, excluding the Modified numbers
o Winter sports has a 41% participation rate
o Student attendance at activities is much higher than that
• Communication has improved
o Parental as well as coaches
o The system in place has provided a clear chain of command and process to use
• Uniform Rotation is in place – Copy provided
• Improved controls in place for equipment/uniforms
o Storage space created in Field House
o Coaches have been more responsible for keeping track of their equipment/uniforms

The Board of Education opened the business meeting portion of the meeting with the following action items:
1. Approved the Intro to Model United Nations/Global Issues ½ credit bearing course to be held 2 days during the school day cycle.
2. Approved the following fund raisers:
o Football Club Breakfast
o Music Concert by Music Club

Gayle Sedlack reviewed the December 2007 budget status reports and then reviewed the governor’s proposal for the district’s state aid for the 2008-09 year as well as fund balance projections and data from prior years. The board also reviewed a rough draft of a five year budget which subtotals by building expense as well as employee benefits.

The board was reminded of a Budget Workshop to be held on January 28, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. for a presentation of the Operation/Maintenance & Transportation proposed budget.

Photos in text:

From top: Marie Fitzsimmons, Rod Weeden, Kristine Somerville, Dave Warren, Nan Woodworth-Shaw, Mike DeNardo and Andy Patros at Tuesday night's board meeting.

School Board meeting summary: Jan. 7

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board meeting of Jan. 7, 2008, was provided by the School District office.)

Communication:
Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
o Distributed a draft of the agenda for the January 28th Superintendent’s Conference Day.
o Has received positive feedback with the implementation of new facilities use procedures.

Board of Education: None
Visitors’ Comments: None

1. Approved and/or acknowledged/accepted the following consensus items:
o Approved minutes of the 12/3/07 and 12/17/07 meetings
o Approved Substitute List Additions
o Approved reappointment of Emergency Conditional Appointments
o Accepted CSE/CPSE Recommendations
o Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
o Acknowledged warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor.

2. Adopted the following new/revised special education board policies as a result of changes in regulation:
o Student Learning Objectives and Instructional Goals
o Programs for Students with Disabilities Under IDEA and New York’s Education Law, Article 89
o Provision of Special Education Services in the Least Restrictive Environment
o School-wide Pre-referral Approaches and Interventions
o Allocation of Space for Special Education Programs
o Confidentiality and Access to Individualized Education Programs, Individualized Education Services programs and Service Plan.
o Availability of Alternative Format Instructional Materials for Students with Disabilities
o Impartial Hearing Officer Appointment and Compensation
o Declassification of Students with Disabilities
o Programs and Services for Parentally-Placed Nonpublic School Students with Disabilities
o Public report on Revisions to District Policies, Practices and Procedures Upon a Finding of Significant Disproportionality
o Use of Time Out Rooms, Physical Restraints and Adversives
o Discipline of Students with Disabilities Under the IDEA and Article 89

3. Acknowledged the first reading of Board of Education Policy Manual sections 0000, 1000 and 2000 (excluding policy #2510 – New Board Member Orientation that will be reviewed/revised at a later date).

4. Approved the Middle School National Junior Honor Society trip to Gettysburg, PA for May 29-31 and fundraising requests to raise money for this trip.

5. Approved sanctioning of the Annual Senior All-Night Party that will be held in June and to provide buses for transportation for this event.

6. Accepted the 2008-2010 Professional Development Plan that was developed by the Professional Development Planning Committee that included Billie Bauman, Kate Bartholomew, Wendy Dean, Brian O’Donnell, Nancy Ruda, Jack Telech and Nan Woodworth-Shaw. The plan will now be submitted to the State Education Department. The document will be shared with all faculty in the near future.

7. Accepted the resignation of Cole Lee as Special Education teacher.

Photos in text:

From top to bottom: Superintendent Tom Phillips, Watkins Glen School Board vice president Brian O'Donnell, School Board members Joe Fazzary and Gloria Brubaker, and School Board president Tom Richardson conferring with Board Clerk Sharon Clark.

From left: Watkins Glen School Board president Tom Richardson, superintendent Tom Phillips and School Board vice president Brian O'Donnell at Monday's meeting.

School Board workshop summary: Dec. 17

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board workshop of Dec. 17, 2007, was provided by the School District office.)

The following Administrators’ Reports were received:

Elementary School – Rod Weeden (at right):
• The number of students requiring AIS in September was 167 in grades 1-4. 110 students received services for ELA and 57 for Math.
• The number of students requiring AIS in November was 163 in grades 1-4. 108 students received services for ELA and 55 for Math. Also, we now have 36 Kindergarten students receiving AIS support.
• There are 14 3rd/4th grade students participating in the early morning writing program.
• There are 32 students in Grades 2-4 participating in the early morning Math program. They meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays. There are two groups that meet; one identified as needing help in Math and the other identified as excelling in Math.
• Working with our school lunch providers to make sure positive menu changes occur. A survey will be completed by all students so they can give some feedback on the school lunches.
• Andrea Ramsdale from Rushville Health Services will be presenting next month on dental care. She will schedule on-site dental care for students during this spring. This was a program started last year that was very successful.
• Departments met to compare curriculum vs. standards. Timelines were developed for department work on future half-days and superintendent conference days.
• Website management plan includes transitioning to Tool Box Pro this spring. Teacher training has been requested.
• The Playground Committee has been meeting regularly and many funding sources have been identified.
• The librarian has been using the Promethean board daily and feels it is a very resourceful tool.
• 3rd & 4th grade students have been given access codes to an online everyday math reference book. We hope this will be helpful to parents needing a resource if a student forgets to bring their hard copy home.
• An Everyday Math Night was held the first week in December. Only four parents attended with their children.
• On December 7th the 3rd/4th grade choir performed at the Village Christmas.
• Breakfast with Santa was held Saturday, December 15 at the ES. This is a nice PTA event that is very well attended each year.
• The PTA Cookie Dough is scheduled for delivery on Tuesday, December 18 at the ES. Pick up is from 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Middle School – Kristine Somerville (right):
• The MS Holiday Concert and Art Show were held on December 12th.
• The 6th grade team, with the help of Mary Iandoli, Karen Hansen and Kim Suddaby, created an Ancient Egyptian Artifact Museum in the back cafeteria to be on display December 14th through January 10th.
• MS Principal met with each team to discuss student achievement during the first marking period. The teams, along with administration and the guidance counselor, have created a plan of action to help struggling students succeed.
• The New York State Social Studies Test for 5th graders was given November 14 & 15th.
• Both the MS band and chorus participated in Village Christmas and the students did a wonderful job.
• The MS shared decision making team will start a clothing drive. The school will work with other organizations in the community.
• In ELA the students will be designing a Letter of Invitation to be sent home Friday, January 4th to invite all 6th grade parents to attend the museum and visit the Cartouche Café which will be serving authentic Egyptian snacks and drink and some not so authentic “hot dog mummies.” The Grand Opening and closing will take place Wednesday, January 9 from 4:00–5:30 p.m. Egyptian games made as an ELA/SS collaborative project will be set up as a review for a Social Studies test. This is a collaborative project including classes from Mr. Webster, Mrs. Weeden, Mrs. Iandoli, Mrs. Bianco and Mr. Murray’s classes. This project will be funded by the PTA at an approximate cost of $250. All MS students will be invited to the Museum the week before winter recess.

High School – Dave Warren:
• Freshman Academy teachers are requiring students that are failing to stay after school in the library program and are providing extra help to keep freshmen on track for passing their classes.
• Data referring to teacher grades was shared with departments for the purpose of looking at trends and what areas might need attention. Included were students and their number of classes failed as well as the grades submitted by individual teachers.
• Departments are in the process of increasing the number of offerings in the ACE classes. Certification requirements must be met first for Corning Community College in order to proceed. The final list of courses will be presented to the Board of Education.
• Through the increased offerings for ACE, this goal should be addressed. It should be noted that there has to be the understanding that increasing the number of offerings must reach more students as opposed to increasing the number of classes that are in current students’ loads. Some students’ schedules are becoming too maxed out.
• A survey from the cafeteria has been provided for high school students to complete for student input about improvements that might be possible.
• The Health Education curriculum is currently being worked on by the district health teachers with the help from the Physical Education department chair. A great deal has been already been accomplished.
• The HS newsletter is currently in its thirteenth year of publication through a class offered in the Business Education department.
• There are currently three staff members that have indicated their interest in becoming a trainer for the Promethean boards.

Special Education – Nan Woodworth-Shaw (pictured at right):
• Several special education teachers attended a workshop on autism to assure that they are using techniques to assist students in participating in the general education setting to the greatest extent possible.
• After reviewing grades from the first marking period, she has met with various special education teachers to discuss modifying materials and presentation to assure academic progress in their classes.
• Meetings have been held with AIS teachers to more firmly establish on-going assessment of students to assure progress. Response to Intervention (RTI) techniques are being explored and teams from each school are scheduled to attend a workshop where they will further develop each of the intervention teams. The goal of RTI is to provide scientifically based instruction and interventions prior to failure and reducing the number of students formally requiring academic intervention and special education services.
• As a result of initial meetings with Department Coordinators, special education teachers are each attending different core curriculum department monthly and professional development day meetings to stay abreast of curricular development and assessment techniques while also providing input on strategizing ways to reach all students.
• The mentoring grant meetings are held with non-tenured teachers working with their mentors to enhance their professional practice which should ultimately improve student performance.
• A component of Individual Educational Plans for students with disabilities is the social/emotional area. We are currently implementing positive behavioral intervention plans as appropriate to address any social issues that impede academic progress for these students.
• Individual meetings were held between teams of high school general education and special education teachers following the first marking period to:
o Identify what had been working with their collaborative efforts
o Point out some best practices that may improve their efforts
o Provide time to plan and strategize to support all students in their classes.
• On-going meetings are being held to be sure that post-secondary transition plans are being followed for students with IEP’s and 504 Plans.
• A meeting was held with the BOCES Medicaid consultant to ascertain that we are accurately billing for all appropriate services.
• Nan Woodworth-Shaw and Gail Butler met with our high cost aide consultant and Gail is doing a nice job in taking this process over from him.
• Our IEP template on Clear Track is being modified to more clearly reflect state guidelines.

Maintenance/Transportation – Mike DeNardo (pictured at right)
• Work Orders: There are currently 23 open work orders. Current projects include interior finish repairs, painting, bulletin board and shelving unit construction.
• Recently completed projects include boiler tube repairs to HS boiler #3; painting of two MS classrooms and the MS 2nd floor hall and repairs to the east pool (water leakage).
• Shared records facility: bids were opened on December 3rd. Award bids December 17th. Pre-construction meeting set for the first week of January. We hope to mobilize work forces by mid-January.
• Excel Project: Final SED review completed. Bid notifications out January 7th. Documents ready for distribution January 14th. Bids open February 25th. Bids awarded March 3rd.
• ES Playground Committee continuing regular meetings. Plans now include construction of all excel project, land sale and any grant funding work to be completed during the summer of 2008. Local fund raising efforts to take place during the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009 with play area enhancements taking place the summer of 2009.
• Building Use Committee recently met with the BOE facility committee to review building use practices and procedures. Results are that our current procedures (which took effective on September 1, 2007) will stay in place.
• AHERA Inspections: Completed our semi-annual asbestos inspections on December 12th and 13th. This is done with the assistance of GST BOCES health and safety staff.
• Transportation: Currently completing his annual rides and observations of all home-to-school bus routes. As of this date, seven routes have been completed.

Technology Department – Andy Patros:
• Upcoming distance learning sessions include:
o January – Jared Webster (MS) -- Baseball Hall of Fame
o Early March – ES Grade 3 Iditarod
o Mid-March – Read Around the Planet ES 2nd Grade
• The district provided a letter of support to ID Solutions in their quest for National Science Foundation funding to build and support a distance learning program called “Oomphology: It’s the Oomph in You,” which centers on increasing the knowledge and understanding of physical and biological education of nutrition and fitness.
• The district physical education department met with Dan Tice from GST BOCES to begin the process of defining elements of a networked application to assess and track PE skills. Along with this application development, Andy has dialogued with Cyndy Wood about the possibility of purchasing handheld computers that would allow PE staff to do the skills assessment and attendance entry on the track, gym floor or poolside. Also, he discussed with Cyndy the possibility of approaching Cargill, Inc. regarding a corporate community funding offering since they have a facility in Watkins Glen. Should that not become fruitful, we can introduce it into the tech budget planning for 2008-2009.
• Reminder – the ISTE webinar I attended on 12/6, “Nailing Digital Jelly to a Virtual Tree – Tracing Emerging Technologies for Learning,” is available for viewing online. Also, there is another webinar in January called“Learner 2.0 – the MySpace Generation.”
• Preliminary technology planning information for 2008-2009 has been shared with members of administrative council. Items for consideration include Promethean Board peripherals, RAM upgrades for teacher machines and Rapid Connects – improved speed-calling module for home phone-call messages.
• Steven Smith from GST BOCES provided training on ToolBox Pro to 7 staff members on 12/10. This effort is based upon one of the district’s technology goals to move staff from Teacher’s Digital Toolbox to Toolbox Pro, which can be classified as more of a learning content and management system whereby teacher website functionality is only one piece of a more comprehensive system.

Business Office – Gayle Sedlack (right):
• The Business Manager and Superintendent visited each school to explain the process for the upcoming budget. Tom reported on the very iffy climate at the state level, explaining that there would be a minimum 3% increase in foundation aid. However, with the current reported state deficit, we will have to see what develops. Gayle explained that the budget process will be done via electronic format with the various department chairs. All forms will be sent to budget makers electronically with the ability to calculate amounts.
• The e-rate application that provides for a rebate of telecommunications expenditures on an annual basis has been completed. Together with this filing, Gayle assisted our financial advisors with supplying many pages of updated data for the new Continuing Disclosure. There have been numerous salary surveys as well that have been completed recently. Now that some of these deadlines have been met, it is time to devote attention to the 2008-09 budget.
• Gayle Sedlack and Mike DeNardo attended a presentation held by the local business association chapter. They had the opportunity to hear from a very seasoned and experience engineer who has many years of school and government experience as relating to implementing energy efficiency. He explained that many approaches to saving pennies are basic common sense; small details which we tend to sometimes lose sight of when we’re involved in the large scheme of things. One basic means of saving energy costs is simply encouraging all staff to turn it off when not using it.

Mr. O’Donnell, Chairperson of the BOE Facilities Committee, reported on the committee meeting held December 6, 2007:
• Facilities Use – Field House/Community Use – Mike DeNardo was present and outlined current procedures for facilities use. It was decided the District would continue with current facility use procedures. School activities will continue to take precedent over community use. There will be no Sunday activities for outside groups. Sunday use of facilities for District use will need approval of the Superintendent and Athletic Director (does not apply to community use of the fitness center).
• ES Playground Update – If there are additional enhancements to be added to the new ES playground, the PTA will assist with fundraising once the District completes the project.

Mr. Phillips reported on the following:
• Recently met with the NYS Middle School Association Conference planning team at a two-day workshop held in the ES Conference Room. Preparation has begun for the October 2009 Middle School Association Conference that will be held in Watkins Glen. This is a great accomplishment for Watkins Glen to be hosting this conference as it is usually held in the bigger cities of New York State.
• Reported on the success of the PTA-sponsored Breakfast with Santa, held this past Saturday. There was a great turnout for this well-planned event.
• Complimented the MS 5th grade team (from a parent’s perspective) for creating a structure that allows reorganization to assist our students in achieving success.
• Reported on the Board of Education Goals functioning as a means to make a difference and providing guidance to staff in relation to accountability for student achievement.
• Complimented and thanked Mike DeNardo and his crew for their continuing efforts to clear snow and ice from school parking lots and walkways these past couple of weeks. Often their day begins at 3:00 a.m., working to make sure things are ready to go for the opening of school.

The board is beginning a review of the Board of Education Policy Manual. Policies from sections 0000, 1000 and 2000 were reviewed in preparation for a first reading.

At 7:04 p.m. the Mr. Richardson opened the meeting to award bids for the Shared Document Storage Facility Alterations as presented. This is the shared storage facility that will be housed in a portion of the old bus garage. Funds for alterations will come from grant monies the county has received.

The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Athletes who attended State Tournaments this fall were honored by the Watkins Glen School Board at its Dec. 3 meeting. From left in front are Somer Pettet, Ellie Fausold, Jaclyn Conklin, Molly Murphy and Haleigh Wixson. Their parents are seated behind them.

School Board meeting summary: Dec. 3

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board workshop and meeting of Dec. 3, 2007, was provided by the School District office.)

Communication:
Superintendent – Mr. Phillips:
o Recognized and congratulated the following students/athletes:
• Somer Pettet for qualifying and participating in the New York State Cross-Country Meet. Somer posted her personal best time at the state meet.
• The relay team of Haleigh Wixson, Jaclyn Conklin, Ellie Fausold and Molly Murphy for qualifying and participating in the New York State Swimming and Diving Championship meet. Haleigh Wixson also qualified for the 100 Free and 100 Back. Jaclyn Conklin also qualified for the 50 Free and 100 Free. Taylor Chaffee attended the meet as an alternate.
o Recognized and congratulated Kaz Estelow, Diane Wood and Eileen Malaney as the Business & Marketing Department of the Year for 2006-07 as awarded by the New York State Education Department. (Pictured above are Eileen Malaney, left, and Kaz Estelow.)

Board of Education: None
Board Clerk – Mrs. Clark:
• Congratulated Brian O’Donnell (pictured at right) and Joe Fazzary for completing the New York State Fiscal Oversight Training mandated for newly elected board members.
Visitors’ Comments: None

1. Approved/acknowledged/accepted the following consensus items:
o Approved minutes of the 11/5/07, 11/15/07 and 11/20/07 meetings.
o Approved Substitute List Additions
o Approved reappointment of Emergency Conditional Appointments
o Approved the following New Teacher Mentors: Patti Smith, Lucy Luckey and Karen Armstrong
o Accepted CPSE/CSE Recommendations
o Accepted Treasurer’s Reports
o Acknowledged warrants as approved by Marian M. Boyce, Claims Auditor.

2. Adopted the following policies:
o Cellular Telephones
o Budget Transfers
o Meals and Refreshments
o Purchasing

3. Acknowledged the first reading of the following policies:
o Student Learning Objectives and Instructional Goals
o Programs for Students with Disabilities Under the IDEA and New York’s Education Law, Articles 89
o Provision of Special Education Services in the Least Restrictive Environment
o School-wide Pre-referral Approaches and Interventions
o Allocation of Space for Special Education Programs
o Confidentiality and Access to Individualized Educatio

o Programs, Individualized Education Services Programs and Service Plans
o Availability of Alternative Format Instructional Materials for Students with Disabilities
o Impartial Hearing Officer Appointment and Compensation
o Declassification of Students with Disabilities
o Programs and Services for Parentally-Placed Nonpublic School Students with Disabilities
o Public Report on Revisions to District Policies, Practices and Procedures Upon a Finding of Significant Disproportionality
o Use of Time Out Rooms, Physical Restraints and Aversives
o Discipline of Students with Disabilities Under the IDEA and Article 89

4. Approved the 2007-08 Board of Education Goals

5. Mr. Phillips distributed a Freshman Academy Research Model that was developed by Billie Bauman to be used by freshman class teachers to monitor student progress. The freshman academy teachers made the request for the development of the research model so that they could evaluate the effectiveness of various components of the Freshman Academy and to use it as a self-reflection. It will monitor established goals, what they are doing to achieve these goals and if is it working. Teachers have enthusiastically embraced the Freshman Academy initiative and are pleased with the progress made to-date.

6. Approved the creation of a 1:1 Teacher Aide position for an ES special needs student.

7. Approved the following appointment:
o Barbara Strang as Teacher Aide

8. Accepted the Treasurer’s Report from Tax Collector, Marie Keefer, for the 2007 tax collection.

9. Awarded bids to the highest bidders for the two school vehicles and the deep fryer.

Photos in text: From top, Business Department teachers Eileen Malaney, left, and Kaz Estelow; board vice president Brian O'Donnell; School Board members approach the meeting room (Robert Dill, left, and Kevin Field are in front); School Board president Tom Richardson.

School Board meeting summary: Nov. 20

(The following summary of the Watkins Glen School Board workshop and meeting of Nov. 20, 2007, was provided by the School District office.)

1. Sophie Peters, Ashley Savard and Bruce Wells, three of the four students that attended the U.N. Model Conference in South Africa, were present (along with chaperones Marie Fitzsimmons and Kate LaMoreaux) to thank the board for providing them the opportunity of a lifetime and the most fulfilling academic experience of their high school careers. They presented each board member with a South African magnet as a token of appreciation.

2. The following Administrators’ Reports were received:

Elementary School – Rod Weeden:
• Currently working to update the Terra Nova tests given to 1st and 2nd graders to the Terra Nova 3rd Edition.
• ES has been using the Star Reading and Star Math assessment program. The assessment gives parents specific information as to what their child’s needs are and how they can help them.
• Currently have over 200 students with perfect attendance (40% of all students). The list of students with perfect attendance is posted outside the Main Office.
• The ES website has the winners of the Fall Walk, Jog or Run recently held.
• ES will be hosting an Every Day Math Night on December 6th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in cafeteria 1.
• Rachelle Simmons & Krysti Westervelt are starting the early morning writing program for 3rd and 4th grade students identified as needing help with writing skills.
• Elaine Benton and Lindsey Starr will be offering an early morning math program for students in grades 2-4. This will serve a group of students in need of additional help and a group of exceptional students.
• Susan Comstock took advantage of the offer to go over to the MS and visited Fred Troy’s art class.
• On November 6 a PBIS assembly was held on bullying. A banner was created for students to sign to demonstrate their commitment to anti-bullying activities. Each student that signed was given an inspirational wristband.
• Members of the MS Junior National Honor Society have been volunteering at the ES for various tasks, such as helping teachers in the classroom and assisting in the Main Office.
• ES parent/teacher conferences were held on November 8 & 9.
• The ES choir will participate in this year’s Village Christmas.
• The School Connects program has been utilized many times during the month of November to call parents to remind them of parent teacher conferences, when school is not in session and changes in choir practice.
• On December 15th the PTA will host its annual Breakfast with Santa from 8-11:00 a.m. During this event there will be pictures with Santa, choir and band performances and Christmas crafts available for purchase.
• Adam Lawton, from the Schuyler County Youth Bureau, presented an overview to the ES staff of Youth Court, including what they do, and how to refer students.
• Mr. Weeden distributed a pie chart depicting mini-grants awarded to local school districts. Watkins Glen teachers were awarded a total of $12,822.49 in mini-grants by the SCT/Corning Teacher Center.

Middle School – Kristine Somerville:
• The MS hosted the community/public Mexican Dinner on November 15th. 275 dinners were served in two hours. It was a huge success. The faculty and 8th grade students worked very hard. The price of the dinner was $4.50 per person or $20 for a family. The dinner was a culmination of Mexican Infusion Week in which students studied Mexican life, family, culture, history and geography.
• Mrs. Somerville will be meeting with each grade team to discuss student achievement during the first marking period. The teams, along with administration and the guidance counselor, will create a plan of action to help struggling students succeed.
• Report cards were distributed on November 13th.
• The NYS Social Studies tests for 5th graders were given November 14 and 15.
• Parent Teacher Conferences were held November 15 and 16 with the following number of parents attending:
Self-contained classroom – 1 out of 6 parents
Grade 5 – 23 out of 35 parents
Grade 6 – 9 out of 23 parents
Grade 7 - 5 out of 30 parents
Grade 8 – 14 out of 22 parents
It is felt that many parents were satisfied with the three-week progress reports. Therefore, they do not feel there is a need for the conference. The grade teams will be evaluating this issue.
• The MS Holiday Concert and Art Show will be held on December 12th.

High School – Dave Warren:
• Ten-week marking period grades will provide data for departments and the Freshman Academy to compare with last year’s reports.
• The annual Senior Trip was held November 12-16 with 83 seniors