CLINTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

February 15, 2022

Secondary Media Center

5:30 p.m.

Exeutive Session, 4:30pm

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. EXECUTIVE SESSION

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

4. 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.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

The Board encourages public comment 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. 

6. INFORMATION-REPORTS-PROPOSAL/SUPERINTENDENT & STAFF

A    Bright Spots – Dr. Stephen Grimm 

-  Administrators Reports

These will feature our principals sharing bright spots that are shining in our schools and classrooms.

- Other

B.  Superintendent’s Report

- COVID Update

I will give an update on the latest information regarding the pandemic, including at-home COVID test distribution and masks.  I am going to be seeking input from parents and staff regarding whether or not we will lift the mask requirement if the Governor delegates that authority to school districts in early March.

- Budget Presentation

The next sequence of the budget presentation schedule includes Administration, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, Athletics, and Co-Curricular.  Each meeting includes a review of each segment of the total budget.  By the end of the schedule, the Board and public will have reviewed all aspects of the total budget.  The full budget development calendar can be found here: Budget Calendar

7. STANDING RESOLUTIONS (CONSENT AGENDA)

The items in this section consist mostly of financial items and special education matters that are received on a regular basis, and can be acted upon in a single motion.

A. Agenda and Any Additions to the Agenda for February 15, 2022

B. Minutes from the Regular Meeting held on January 25, 2022    Minutes for 1/25/22

C. Extra-classroom Treasurer’s Report for January 2022     Extra-classroom Treasurer's Report 

D. Committee on Preschool Special Education and Committee on Special Education (CSE) Report:   CSE and CPSE Report

E. Updated List of Substitute and Supervisory Personnel    Updated List                                              

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.

8. COMMITTEE/LIAISON REPORTS

Board members serve on committees, or are liaisons to groups, in addition to regular board service.  This is an opportunity for board members to share information related to the committees on which they serve or the group to which they are assigned.

A. Liaisons

1. School Board Institute – Ms. Megan Burdick

9. NEW BUSINESS

A. Curriculum

1. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the proposed High School Course Selection Guide for the 2022-2023 school year be approved.  2022-2023 High School Course Selection Guide

This guide was presented at the last meeting and is on the agenda for board approval tonight.

B. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accepts a donation for the Elementary School’s Playground Project:   Hannaford Donation                                                                
Hannaford  Helps Schools               $411    

Thank you Hannaford!   

C. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the disposal of the attached list of obsolete property.   Items for Disposal                                                           

10. PUBLIC COMMENT

The Board encourages public comment 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. 

11. PERSONNEL                                                                               

11A. 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:                  

Bonnie HIbbard    High School Musical Rehearsal/ Pit Pianist

Self explanatory.

11B. TITLE VI AND IX COMPLIANCE OFFICER(S)

BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, Ms. Erin Eagan be appointed as Interim Title VI and Title IX Compliance Officer for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year.

Such appointments are made during the reorganization meeting and because of the retirement of Kathy Fonda, we noticed that we need to reassign this duty to Ms. Eagan in her stead.

11C. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints Glenn Kulinski to provide temporary services effective February 16, 2022 through December 31, 2022 as the Clerk of Works to oversee the Reconstruction - Phase 2 Project on an “as needed” basis. The annual stipend for such appointment shall be $10,000 (prorated based upon the normal payroll calendar for twelve-month employees).

The Clerk of the Works oversees construction projects in concert with the construction companies and the architects to make sure they are being implemented properly.  Such duties are usually handled by construction management firms, such as Beebe Construction; however, when there are smaller projects (i.e. less than $1M), a Clerk of the Works can handle them.  There is a considerable cost savings hiring a Clerk vs. a construction management firm.  Here is a sample of the list of possible duties:   Clerk Sample Duties

11D. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the resignation of Jennifer Ryan from the full time civil service position of cleaner, in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, effective  February 4, 2022, be accepted.  (Exhibit #8)

11E. APPROVING REALLOCATION OF BUS DRIVER SALARIES AND MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE CLINTON CSD CSEA UNIT 

We are excited to announce our recognition of the challenging and competitive bus driver market and our action to address maintaining the dedicated and highly effective Clinton driving workforce, in addition to attracting new drivers.  We are hopeful that our drivers will understand that we value them and have taken action to communicate that value with a $2 increase in wages for all drivers.

WHEREAS, the Board of Education is cognizant of the difficulties experienced by the District in recruiting and retaining employees in the position of school bus driver; and

WHEREAS, in order to improve the District’s efforts to recruit and retain bus drivers, the Board of Education approves the recommended reallocation of the pay grade of bus drivers to a higher rate for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, effective retroactively to January 1, 2022.; and

WHEREAS, the Clinton Central School District (“District”) and the CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Clinton CSD Unit 7758 of Oneida County Local 869 (“CSEA”) have reached a separate Memorandum of Agreement (“Agreement”) to modify the parties’ 2019-23 collective bargaining agreement to reflect the reallocated salary schedules for bus drivers for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, effective retroactively to January 1, 2022; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby ratifies and approves the aforesaid reallocation of bus driver salary schedules to a higher pay grade and Agreement with the CSEA and authorizes the Superintendent of Schools to execute said Agreement on behalf of the District; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,  that this Board hereby approves the appropriation of any additional funds necessary to implement the terms of said Agreement.  (Exhibit #9)

11F. 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 #10)

11G. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the appointment of Zackary Hubalek to the full time civil service position of cleaner, to be compensated at step 5 in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, with a probationary period of 8 to 26 weeks, beginning on February 16, 2022, be approved.  (Exhibit #11)

To fill a vacancy.

11H. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the resignation of Thomas Meeker from the full time civil service position of cleaner, in accordance with the current CSEA agreement, effective February 18, 2022, be accepted with regret.  (Exhibit #12)

Thank you for the time you shared with us, Thomas; we wish you well in your new career.                                                                               

11I. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following placement be approved: (Exhibit #13)

   1. Laura Broccoli, administrative internship under the supervision of elementary principal Ellen Leuthsuser.

She is working on an advanced degree and certification and we are happy to have her serve her internship with us.

11J. BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the appointment of Gloria Piazza to the position of long-term substitute teacher in the special education tenure area, to be compensated at step 2MA in accordance with the current CTA agreement, beginning March 1, 2022 through June 24, 2022, be approved.   (Exhibit #14)

We are fortunate to have Ms. Piazza back to fill a vacancy for us again.

11K. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the appointment of Kathleen Fonda, who holds valid certification as a school administrator, to provide the District with temporary consulting services relating to the District’s Pupil Personnel Services Office as requested by the District. This appointment shall be effective as of February 7, 2022, and end no later than June 30, 2022. The annual per diem rate for consulting services rendered by Ms. Fonda shall be Four Hundred and Sixty Six Dollars ($466.00) per day, prorated based upon the number of hours worked. This consulting appointment is not a probationary or tenure bearing position.

Kathy is available to come back as needed to handle current issues and provide coaching and mentorship to Ms. Eagan.  The rate is the daily rate of her salary when she retired.

12. QUESTIONS BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

This is an opportunity for board members to have dialogue with one another and/or ask for and provide information.

13. EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ADJOURNMENT

There will be an executive session for the reasons bolded and underlined below.

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.