Clinton Central School District

CLINTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING 

November 16, 2021
Secondary Media Center
5:30pm 

Agenda Annotation by Dr. Steve Grimm - in maroon text

 Please note that our agendas are available only online - there will no longer be paper copies available at the meeting. 

Board of Education Principles of Governance

General Expectations of the Board of Education 

What does the School Board Do?

New York State School Boards Association Fact Sheet to find out why our strategic school board members are an essential part of our community 

 Note that we are now in person for our meetings. Masks are required.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

3. READING OF THE MISSION STATEMENT

Clinton Central School proudly educates and empowers all students to realize their potential in becoming thoughtful, empathetic and contributing members of a global society.   

4. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Regular meeting expected to resume at 7:30pm

The Executive Session is not public and will be held in private as indicated below. 

The normal/regular board meeting is expected to actually start around 7:30pm

Board Members will provided a meal during the Executive Session (District Clerk will provide menu in advance)

The matters indicated in bold and underline are the reasons the Board will need to go into Executive Session.

Information Regarding Executive Sessions

The Board of Education may hold executive sessions at which only the members of the Board or persons invited by the Board shall be present. However, the executive session is only available for the purpose of discussion, and except as the law allows, formal action must be taken in an open session.

Executive sessions can be requested by any member of the Board or the Superintendent of Schools.

A Board member must make a motion during an open meeting to convene in executive session.  Upon a majority vote of its members, the Board may convene in executive session at a place which the Board President or said members may designate within the District to discuss the subjects enumerated below. 

Matters which may be considered in executive session are:

1. matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed;
2. any matter which may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer;
3. information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense which would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed;
4. discussions regarding proposed, pending or current litigation;
5. collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law(the Taylor Law);
6. the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
7. the preparation, grading or administration of examinations; and
8. the proposed acquisition, sale, or lease of real property or the proposed acquisition of securities, or sale or exchange of securities, but only when publicity would substantially affect the value thereof.

Regular meeting expected to resume at 7:30pm

5. PUBLIC HEARING- (7:30pm)

A. District-wide Safety Plan

By law the district safety plan must include a hearing to allow the public to provide input on the plan before it is adopted.  In addition, the District Safety Team met last week and reviewed the newly revised policy 8130 regarding safety plans (set for the final read and adoption tonight) and also review the existing plan.  There are some minor changes to the plan that can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlink to the live draft plan.

B. SPO Agreement  

This agreement is with the County and provides us with a Special Patrol Officer from the County.  This officer is stationed primarily in the elementary school and we now fund the position at 100% (Once shared funding with the County).  These contracts also require a public hearing for the opportunity of the public to provide input.

6. PUBLIC TO BE HEARD (7:35pm)

The Board encourages public participation on school related matters at Board meetings.  To allow for this, a period of not more than 30 minutes shall be set aside at each Board meeting.  Speakers shall limit their comments to no more than 5 minutes.  The Board will not permit, in public session, discussion involving District personnel or students.  All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner.  Questions and comments from the public concerning matters which are not on the agenda will be taken under consideration and referred to the Superintendent for appropriate action.  If the Board considers a topic extraordinary and requires a discussion taking longer than 30 minutes, the Board will consider designating a separate forum dedicated to that topic.

The Board Meeting is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting.  While this is an opportunity to speak directly to the Board of Education, please do not expect reciprocal dialogue with the board members or superintendent at the meeting.  If you would like such dialogue, please contact the superintendent. 

7. INFORMATION-REPORTS-PROPOSAL/SUPERINTENDENT & STAFF (7:40pm)

A. Bright Spots – Dr. Stephen Grimm

- Administrators Reports

This is our opportunity to find out from our principals the many wonderful things that are happening within their buildings.

- Other

B. Superintendent’s Report 

- Building Level Strategic Plans (7:55pm)

As a result of the board workshops this summer, we produced district level strategic goals (approved in September) that our principals have used to develop building level strategic plans.  The board will hear about those plans, which include the goals and strategies to make progress toward our district level goals.

- COVID Update (8:25pm)

I will provide and update on our current situation, which has changed drastically since even last week, where we added 19 positive COVID cases among our children.  While the origins of these have yet to be traced back to the school, they are causing quite a disruption to the educational process for our children, teachers, nurses, and administrators. Our community needs to pull together and figure out how to help mitigate the spread of this disruptive and deadly disease...and be nice to one another while we help each other get through this (i.e. angry parents on the phone to our administrators and nurses when their children are exhibiting symptoms).

-  Other

8.  STANDING RESOLUTIONS (CONSENT AGENDA) (8:30pm)

Approval of the following items:

A.  Agenda and Any Additions to the Agenda for November 16, 2021           

B.  Minutes from the Regular Meeting held on October 26, 2021   Draft Minutes for 10/26/21

C.  Summary Treasurer’s Report for October 2021 (Exhibit #2 Pending)

D.  Treasurer’s Report for October 2021  (Exhibit #3 Pending)

E.  Executive Summary for October 2021   Executive Summary

F.  Revenues/expenditures by Month   Revenues/expenditures by Month

G. Extra-classroom Treasurer’s Report for October 2021  Extra-classroom Treasurer's Report

H. Committee on Preschool Special Education and Committee on Special Education (CSE) Report:  (Exhibit #7)

I.  Updated List of Substitute and Supervisory Personnel  (Exhibit #8)

In order for someone to be employed by the district, they need to be approved by the Board of Education.  Most have contracts either collectively or individually; however, there are other cases.  This master list allows the Board to see the many different people that are approved, mostly as substitutes, chaperones, and EMTs etc., and it gets updated from time to time.

9. COMMITTEE/LIAISON REPORTS (8:35pm)

A. Committees

1. Policy Committee – Dr. Luke Perry

2. Facilities Committee – Ms. Erica Shaw

B. Liaisons

1. CCSD Foundation – Ms. Mary Lou Lauchert

10. NEW BUSINESS (8:40pm)

The Policy Committee meets separately from the board and performs the work necessarily to analyze, review, and update the policies that govern the operations of the school district.  All of the district policies can be found here:  District Policies and the policy regarding policy development can be found here:  2140 Policy Development, Adoption, Implementation, and Review

A. Policy

First Reading

1. BE IT RESOLVED that draft policy #1230, Public Comment at Board Meetings, be adopted.  Draft Policy #1230

NOTE: This is a first reading, No action necessary.

2.   BE IT RESOLVED that draft policy #5020.3, Rights of Students with Disabilities under Section 504, be adopted.  Draft Policy #5020.3

NOTE: This is a first reading, No action necessary.

Second Reading:

3. BE IT RESOLVED that draft policy #8130, School Safety Plans and Teams, be adopted.  Draft Policy #8130

 NOTE: This is the second reading and adoption.

 4. BE IT RESOLVED that draft policy #0100, Non-discrimination and Equal Opportunity, be adopted.  Draft Policy #0100

NOTE: This is the second reading and adoption.

5. BE IT RESOLVED that draft policy #5460, Child Abuse, Maltreatment or Neglect in a Domestic Setting, be adopted.  Draft Policy #5460

NOTE: This is the second reading and adoption.

B.RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE FILING OF RETURN TAX CLAIMS

 WHEREAS the Education Law provides that the tax collector shall be relieved of responsibility for the uncollected portion of the tax list when a complete list of the delinquent tax items have been certified to the Board of Education and since the collector has affixed his affidavit to such statement and has filed a statement accounting for the handling of the tax warrant and list as follows:   Uncollected Taxes  

These are the taxes that were not paid to us by our residents in each of the towns.  Thankfully, the County has the task of collecting the taxes that have not been paid.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

C. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the revised agreement between the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Clinton Central School District to provide the equivalent of one full time Special Patrol Officer for the 2021-2022 school year, be approved.   SPO Agreement            

This is our SPO agreement that enables us to have an SPO in our elementary school.                                                         

D.  BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the contract between the Clinton Central School District and the Clinton Arena to use the facility for interscholastic hockey games and hockey practice beginning November 2021 through March 2022, at a cost of $22,492.99 be approved.   Arena Agreement

I thought we had it on the last meeting, but here it is now.  

E. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accepts a $1000 donation from Pinny and George Kuckel to support the 2021-2022 Clinton Warrior’s Girls’ Ice Hockey team.  Girls Ice Hockey Donation

$1,000             CM688 HOCKEY

We are once again so thankful to our most gracious and generous supporters, Pinny and George Kuckel.  We could not have a team without your support - thank you!

F. BE IT ESOLVED that the Board of Education accepts a $2900 donation form the Edwin J. Wadas Foundation to support the 2021-2022 Clinton Warriors girls, ice hockey team.  Wadas Foundation Donation

$2,900             CM688 Hockey

More support for girls hockey!  Thank you so much!

G. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accepts a donation from the Clinton Central School District Foundation to purchase a to purchase supplies for the Elementary school trout program and authorizes an increase in the budget adopted on May 18, 2021.  CCSD Foundation Donation                                            
$871.75           A.2705 (Gifts and Donations)

Budgetary Distribution

$871.75           A.2110.450.01.0000 (Elementary School Supplies)

Thank you again CCSD Foundation!

H. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, in accordance with Board Policy #6150, the attached 2021-2022 line item budget transfer item be approved.   Budget Transfer Item

The Board has to approve budget transfers greater than $5,000 as per the policy.

I. BE IT RESOLVED that, in response to the examination prepared by the D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP, covering the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, the corresponding corrective action plan submitted to NYSED by the Clinton Central School District, be accepted and made part of this school district’s records.  Corrective Action Plan

Corrective action plans as a resulty of the audit must be approved by the board.  See the plan in the exhibit.

11. OTHER (8:50pm)      

A. BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the proposed 2022-2023 budget development calendar be approved.   Proposed Calendar

This was discussed at the last meeting and is now presented for approval without changes from the presentation.

B. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the District Safety Committee, the District-wide Safety Plan, in accordance with Section 1553.17 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, be adopted.   District-wide Safety Plan                          

This is the approval of the district wide safety plan.                   

12. PUBLIC TO BE HEARD (8:51pm)

The Board Meeting is a meeting held in public, not a public meeting.  While this is an opportunity to speak directly to the Board of Education, please do not expect reciprocal dialogue with the board members or superintendent at the meeting.  If you would like such dialogue, please contact the superintendent. 

13. PERSONNEL (8:52pm)        

A. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following coaching appointments for the 2021-2022 school year, to be compensated in accordance with Article 14 of the CTA contract or other agreements/understandings between the District and CTA, pending team formation and fingerprint clearance, be approved.   (Exhibit #24)

B. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the resignation of Barbara Mosher from the full time civil service position of custodian effective November 16, 2021, be accepted withregret.  (Exhibit #25)

We will miss her greatly, but wish her luck in her new endeavors!

C. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the appointment of Laura Harvey to the full time civil service position of aide, to be compensated at Aide 1, Step 1, in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, beginning November 17, 2021 through June 24, 2022, pending fingerprint clearance, with a probationary period of 8 to 26 weeks, be approved.  (Exhibit #26)

I believe this is related to addition services needed in special education.

D. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the resignation of Kayla Russum from the full time civil service position of aide, effective November 16, 2021, be accepted with regret.  (Exhibit #27)

I believe this fills a vacancy.

E. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following co-curricular appointment for the 2021-2022 school year, to be compensated in accordance with Article 15 of the CTA contract, be approved:                    

Janelle Conklin              Middle School Musical Costumer    

Forget to get this on the agenda before the musical, which was great by the way!

F. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the resignation with intent to retire of Bonnie Bentley, aide, after 25.5 years of service at CCS, in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, effective December 31, 2021, be accepted with regret.  (Exhibit #28)

Words cannot express our thanks for the positive impact she has had on our school students and community - thank you!

G. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the unpaid leave days for Michele Dunn, high school Math teacher, for March 28, 2022 and March 29, 2022, in accordance with the current CTA agreement, be approved.   (Exhibit #29)

H. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation the Superintendent of Schools, the appointment of Nelson Pohoreskey to the civil service position of Bus Driver, effective November 29, 2021, to be compensated at $18.00 per hour in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, with a probationary period of 8 to 26 weeks, was approved.  (Exhibit #30)

This experienced driver fills and open position.

I.  

Whereas, Norman Deep was appointed as coach of the District Indoor Track Team for the 2021-2022 season; and

Whereas, the District has evaluated certain relevant circumstances known to date, and believes that it is in the District’s and student athletes’ best interests to authorize another individual to coach the Indoor Track Team until further notice; and

Now, therefore, it is resolved, that upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, and, as discussed in Executive Session, 

Norman Deep is placed on paid administrative leave from the duties of coach of the Indoor Track Team for the 2021-2022 season, until further notice.  While on paid administrative leave Mr. Deep is neither required nor permitted to assume or perform any duties or activities  related to the position of Indoor Track Team coach, including as a volunteer or in an unofficial capacity, and he is not to have any contacts or communications with current and/or former District student athletes concerning District athletic programs.  

Further, while on paid administrative leave Norman Deep is not permitted to attend any Indoor Track program activities or events, including practices, although he may attend track meets in which the District participates, as a spectator, with the prior written permission of the Superintendent.  Mr. Deep shall fully cooperate with any inquiries made of him by the District relative to the Indoor Track Team and related matters.

14. QUESTIONS BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION(8:58pm)

This is an opportunity for discussion by the board to each other and the superintendent.

15. ADJOURNMENT (9:00pm)

We will try to get everything completed by 9:00pm - I hope no one has early meetings scheduled for Wednesday!