December 11, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order in the Administration Building at 6:30 p.m. by President Joseph Bond.
PRESENT: Mr. Bond, Ms. McKnight, Mrs. Messing, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia, Mrs. Revoir, Mrs. Samuelson and Mrs. Terralavoro
ABSENT: None
Also Present: Ms. Avila, Mrs. Mojica, Mr. Miller, Mr. Conklin, Student Representatives
Ms. Ellison, Mr. Nasser, and Ms. Zefi, and approximately fifty faculty,
staff, students and community members in the audience
Also Absent: Media (WVT/THR)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Bond called for a motion to convene in Executive Session to confer with District counsel and to discuss the employment history of a particular person, a student matter, and pending litigation.
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board convene in Executive Session at 5:30 p.m. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Attorneys Daniel Petigrow and Adam Kleinberg (via Zoom) joined the Board in
Executive Session.
Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board come out of Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
PLEDGE TO FLAG
Following the Pledge, Mr. Bond made the regular announcements regarding emergency egress, no smoking, public comment, and video streaming/recording of the meeting. He made available a copy of the opening statement/guidelines for public comment for those wishing to speak.
STUDENT PRESENTATION
Valley Central Middle School
Middle School Principal Ms. Ginda-Baxter introduced Middle School Teacher Ms. Kristinna Crowe and her students, who offered a presentation of a new course elective titled Board Games, which uses board games to engage students in team building skills and activities while applying math skills associated with probability and statistics. The students invited the
Board members and administrators to join them in a game demonstrating what they have learned. Following the presentation, a round of applause was offered.
CORRESPONDENCE/COMMENDATIONS
Ms. Avila and Mr. Bond reviewed the attached correspondence and commendations.
PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and called for a motion. Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the following Consent Agenda be
approved, as listed and/or attached:
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
A. Regular Board Meeting Minutes dated 11/13/23
B. Special Board Meeting Minutes dated 11/27/23
FINANCIAL REPORT
A. Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report for October
B. Acceptance of Expenditure Budget Status Report for October
C. Acceptance of Revenue Budget Status Report for October
D. Acceptance of Record of Claims for October
E. Acceptance of Extraclassroom Report for October
F. Acceptance of Cafeteria Report for October
G. Acceptance of Investment Report for October
H. Acceptance of Internal Claims Auditor Report for October
I. Approval of General Fund October Budget Transfer
RECOMMENDATIONS OF CSE/CPSE
FOR APPROVAL
A. Approval of Contract Extension:
Evette Avila, Superintendent of Schools
B. Acceptance of Donation:
Valley Central High School
Hannaford Supermarket – Monetary Donation
C. Approval of CSEA Request for Additional Paid Holiday
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Approval of Appointment Rescission:
Noninstructional
Name Position/Building Effective Date
1. Kaitlyn Babcock Paraprofessional (LPN)/High School November 17, 2023
B. Acceptance of Resignations:
Instructional
Name Position/Building Effective Date
1. Joy Spring (Retirement)
Remedial Reading Teacher/Middle School June 30, 2024
2. Toni Holbrook (Retirement)
Special Education Teacher/Middle School June 30, 2024
3. Mara Costagliola Special Education Teacher/ALC December 11, 2023
4. Mara Costagliola Team Leader/ALC and Mentor December 11, 2023
Noninstructional
Name Position/Building Effective Date
1. Patricia Behr Media Specialist/District June 30, 2024
2. Tara O’Connor Food Service Helper/Middle School December 22, 2023
3. Calli Quinlan Paraprofessional/Middle School January 2, 2024
C. Approval of Leaves of Absence:
Instructional
Name Position/Building Effective Date
1. Stephanie Harrigan (Extension of Childcare Leave)
Speech Pathologist/ Berea/ February 14, 2024 to March 21, 2024
Noninstructional
Name Position/Building Assignment Effective Date
1. William Sherry (Medical Leave) School Monitor/High School/December 18, 2023 – Date To Be Determined
2. Yahaira Diaz (Extension of Childcare Leave)/Paraprofessional/Middle School
December 8, 2023 –February 23, 2024
D. Approval of Appointments:
Administrative
Name/ Position/Building Certification/ Salary Schedule/ Step/ Probationary Term/ Effective Date
1. Mara Costagliola (Resignation Replacement)/Director of Pupil Services and Special Programs /School District Leader and School Building Leader Director, /Step 1 + Longevity/December 12, 2023 – December 12, 2027/December 12, 2023
Instructional Appointments-Probationary *
Name/ Position/ Building/ Certification/ Salary/ Schedule/Step/
Probationary Term/ Effective Date
1. Jennifer Arroyo (Transfer Rep.)School Psychologist/ Walden School Psychologist/MA30, Step 15 + 18 credits + Psych. Stipend/January 10, 2024 – January 10, 2027/January 10, 2024
*To the extent applicable under Education Law Section 3012-d and the accompanying Commissioner’s Regulation, in order to be considered for tenure, teachers and principals appointed to a four-year probationary period must have received an APPR rating of effective or highly effective in three of the four probationary years and must not receive an ineffective in the fourth year.
Administrative Annual Appointments
Name Position/Building Effective Date
1. Mara Costagliola /Lead Evaluator /2023-2024 School Year
Instructional Annual Appointments
Name Position/Building Stipend/Category/Step Effective Date
1. Angela Adjei //Home Tutor/District $48.00 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
2. Catherine Canfield/ Non-Certified Substitute Teacher/ District/$110.00 per day 2023-2024 School Year
3. Jenna Delavan/ Non-Certified Substitute Teacher/ District/$110.00 per day 2023-2024 School Year
4. Zackary Enoksen Certified Substitute Teacher/District/$115.00 per day 2023-2024 School Year
Noninstructional
Name Position/Building Schedule/Step Effective Dates
1. Jennifer Watson (Resignation Rep.)/Paraprofessional/ALC SRP-Para, Step 2/December 12, 2023
2. Alison Boyce (Resignation Rep.)/Registered School Nurse/Berea BE92, Step 5 December 12, 2023
3. Savannah Garey (New Position)/Paraprofessional/Berea SRP-Para, Step 2 December 18, 2023
4. Lori Hadden (Transfer Rep.)/Paraprofessional (1:1)/ Berea SRP-Para, Step 4 December 12, 2023
5. Janett Lefkon (IEP Mandate)/Paraprofessional (1:2), Berea SRP-Para, Step 2 December 12, 2023
6. Meagan Jefferson (Resignation Rep.)/Paraprofessional/ East Coldenham SRP-Para, Step 5 December 12, 2023
Noninstructional – Annual Appointments
Name Position/Building Schedule/Step Effective Dates
1. Safaa Burton/ Substitute Food Service Helper/District/$15.30 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
2. Ana Thomas/ Substitute Food Service Helper/District/$15.30 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
3. Allison Berrios/ Substitute Paraprofessional/ District/$15.00 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
4. Sarah Davenport/ Substitute Paraprofessional/ District/$15.00 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
5. AnnMarie Solimando/ Substitute Paraprofessional/ District/$15.00 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
Extracurricular Appointments
Name Position/Building Schedule/Step Effective Dates
1. Tiffani Garrison Homework Club Advisor/East Coldenham Category D, Step 1/ 2023-2024 School Year
Cocurricular Appointments
Name Position/Building Salary Effective Date
1. Julia Biagini/Student Lifeguards/Pool $14.20 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
2. Ian Rodriguez/Student Lifeguards/Pool $14.20 per hour 2023-2024 School Year
3. Jeanne Marie Flanagan/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
4. Greg Jackson/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
5. Joseph Kinsley/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
6. James Lewis/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
7. Isaiah Wilson/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
8. Gerri Rosiecki/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
9. Meghan O’Leary-Henry/Events Personnel/ District $60.00 Home Events / $70.00 Away Events/2023-2024 School Year
10. Suzanne Schiaffo/Non-Paid Gymnastics Coach/District N/A/December 12, 2023- February 29, 2024
11. Brian Benson/Non-Paid Wrestling Coach/District N/A/December 12, 2023- February 29, 2024
12. Lou Ruggirello/Non-Paid Wrestling Coach/District N/A/December 12, 2023- February 29, 2024
Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
REPORTS
A. Student Representatives
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and invited the Student Representatives to present their report. Ms. Ellison, Mr. Nasser and Ms. Zefi shared a PowerPoint presentation with information on recent activities at the High School, as well as the results of a survey with student suggestions and feedback.
B. Superintendent of Schools
Following introduction of this Agenda item, Ms. Avila shared information on the
Bruderhof Community breakfast on November 14th, a meeting with community faith leaders on November 20th, the Parent-Teacher Conferences held on November 20th and 21st, the Thanksgiving Celebration at ALC and the Walden Elementary School Committee meeting on November 30th.
Ms. Avila also introduced Ms. Mara Costagliola, who is the new Director of Pupil Services and Special Programs and runs the program at The Alternative Learning Center at Maybrook.
B. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item. Mrs. Mojica offered comments on the
professional development workshops held on December 6th, the Thanksgiving Celebration at ALC, and the VC21 meeting at East Coldenham Elementary School held last week.
C. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Following introduction of this Agenda item, Mr. Miller reported on the Recruitment Committee and their work.
D. School Business Official
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item. Mr. Conklin provided an update on the status of the Capital Project. He also shared information on the recent grant audit and budget planning for the 2023-2024 school year.
E. OCSBA Delegates’ Meeting – December 6, 2023
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and turned the floor over to Mrs. Messing, the Board’s OCSBA delegate, who provided a summary of the meeting. She noted that the guest speaker was Dr. Cameron Fadjo, who spoke about the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in the educational setting.
F. Community Participation
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item. Board members commented on events that they had participated in or attended recently, including the Scholarship Committee’s Craft Fair, the Corinne Feller Basketball Tournament, the Volleyball Awards Banquet, the Thanksgiving Celebration at ALC, the VC21 meeting, athletic contests, and the Walden Elementary School
Committee meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no requests for public comment this evening.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Approval of Club Charters:
1. Ski & Snowboard Club – Valley Central High School
2. Everything Adventure Outdoor Club – Valley Central Middle School
3. Fishing Club – Valley Central Middle School
4. Cultural Diversity Club– Valley Central Middle School
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the charter applications provided to the Board, and called for a motion. Mrs. Revoir moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Ski & Snowboard Club Charter at the High School, the Everything Adventure Outdoor Club Charter, the Fishing Club Charter, and the Cultural Diversity Club Charter at the Middle School be approved, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
NEW BUSINESS
B. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement between Valley Central School
District and CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO. Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the Memorandum of Agreement provided to the Board, and called for a motion.Ms. McKnight moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Memorandum of Agreement between Valley Central School District and CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO be approved, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
C. Adoption of Resolution:
Lightstar Solar PILOT-Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the resolution authorizing the District to enter into a PILOT agreement with Lightstar Solar, and called for a motion.
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Terralavoro seconded that Board adopt the resolution approving the PILOT agreement with Lightstar Solar, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
D. Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers Partial Tax Exemption
Discussion
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and shared information on new legislation that permits school districts the option to provide a tax exemption to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers of up to 10% of the assessed value of their primary residence.
E. Establishment of Public Hearing – Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance
Workers Partial Tax Exemption:
January 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m., Valley Central Administration Building
Mr. Bond noted that a Public Hearing must be held prior to the Board’s adoption of a
resolution for the tax exemption. He called for a motion.
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that Board establish a Public Hearing
to be held on January 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Administration Building. Voting YES:
Unanimous [7:0]
F. Approval of Agreement between Valley Central School District and Focus Media
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the agreement provided to the Board, and called for a motion.
Mrs. Terralavoro moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the agreement between Valley Central School District and Focus Media be approved, as presented and attached. Voting YES:
Unanimous [7:0]
G. Adoption of Resolution:
Reduction of Tax Assessment and Payment of Refund Due to
Court Order and Judgment
1. Westminister Development II (Dollar General) Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and called for a motion. Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board approve the reduction of tax assessment and the payment of refund due to court order and judgment, as listed and
attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
H. Recommendation of Bid Award:
Art and Woodshop Alterations Project – Empire Core Group, LLC
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the bid recommendation provided to the Board, and called for a motion. Mrs. Revoir moved, Mrs. Messing seconded that the Board award the bid for the art and
woodshop alterations project to Empire Core Group, LLC, as listed and attached. Voting YES:
Unanimous [7:0]
I. First Reading of:
1. Policy 4321.12 – Use of Time Out Room and Physical Restraints (New)
2. Exhibit 4321.12-E – Use of Time Out Room and Physical Restraints
3. Policy 5314 – Corporal Punishment Complaints (Revised)
4. Regulation 5314-R – Corporal Punishment Complaints (Removed)
5. Policy 5605 – Voter Registration for Students (Revised)
6. Policy 6700 – Purchasing (Revised)
7. Policy 6710 – Purchasing Authority (Revised)
8. Policy 7360 – Construction Contracts, Bidding and Awards (Revised)
9. Policy 8210.1 – Use of Cameras on School Property (Revised)
10. Policy 9126 – Workplace Violence (New)
11. Policy 9520.6 – The Rights of Employees to Express Breast Milk in the
Workplace (New)
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and provided a summary of the proposed policy revisions. He noted that these revised documents are available for the public’s review on the District’s website along with the supporting documents for this meeting.
These policy revisions will be placed on the January 8, 2024 Board Agenda for a second reading and adoption.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bond called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Revoir seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mr. Bond adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m.