WEBSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Webster, New York BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES May 2, 2023 Members Present: Absent: Administrators Present: Others Present:
J. Richardson, L. Dioguardi, M. Alt, C. Barnabas-arrived 4:32 p.m., J. Birdsong-Ng, S. LaDelfa, C. Roods B. Neenan, B. Freeman, E. Land, F. Leggett, A. Maillet, D. Swinson, N. Flood, K. Hesla, P. Benz Sidney C., Lauryn W., J. Bardanis, W. Sardella, K. Kozlowski, D. Mee, C. Johnville, C. Wojtas, K. Grose, S. Johnville, J. Johnville, D.J. Johnville, D. Johnville, D. Johnville, I. Mee, G. Mee, L. Sauer, D. Ruiz
The May 2, 2023 Regular Business meeting of the Webster Board of Education was called to order by President J. Richardson in the 2nd Floor Professional Development Center, District Office, 119 South Avenue, Webster. The meeting opened at 4:30 p.m. There was a quorum. M. Alt motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to call the meeting to order. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; Absent: 1; C. Barnabas. J. Birdsong-Ng motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining negotiations. Board members moved into Executive Session at 4:32 p.m. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; Absent: 1; C. Barnabas. Executive Session was held in Superintendent Neenan’s office. Attendees: Board Members, Superintendent Neenan, Assistant Superintendents Freeman, Land and Swinson. The May 2, 2023 Regular Business meeting of the Webster Board of Education was called to order by President J. Richardson at 5:00 p.m. There was a quorum. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. S. LaDelfa motioned, C. Roods seconded, to move out of Executive Session and into public session. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. The agenda was examined and remained as stated. L. Dioguardi motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to accept the agenda. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Liaison Reports Webster Schroeder student liaison Sidney C. reported on Webster Schroeder activities including a flag football clinic with the Buffalo Bills, two student athletes participated in senior signing day, students are preparing for the seal of bi-literacy, the women in stem club has brought enrichment to Schroeder, the senior ball will be held on May 20, The Around the World in 80 Days production debuts May 4-6, a celebration for annual decision day, etc. Webster Thomas student liaison Lauryn W. reported on Webster Thomas activities including AP exams have begun, congratulations were extended to the world language honor society class, our jazz department worked with guitarist Bob Schneider from the Eastman School of Music including a concert with students, the junior prom is this weekend, sophomores and juniors are eligible to participate in the link leaders program. WTA liaison Joan Bardanis shared the importance of safety on field trips including trips to the Memorial Art Gallery, Susan B. Anthony House, North Ponds Park on Earth Day, Science Olympiad competed at the state level in Syracuse, WTA advisors reported that French classes traveled to Quebec and Technology engineering classes traveled to Japan, students took the lead in directing Peter Pan, the National Art Honor Society advisor has them hosting teachers and staff to make glazed and handmade ceramic bowls for the Empty Bowl event. Thanks were extended to PTSA chair Linda Law for Community Arts Day being a huge success. WTA Cares extends their congratulations to Oak Tree recipients Craig and Diana, etc. OAK TREE AWARD Wendy Sardella shared the history for the Oak Tree award. The elementary recipient is Diana Mee and the secondary recipient is Craig Johnville. Thus far they have celebrated 46 different educators. Diana Mee has taught in Webster for 24 years, is a lead teacher, co-chair for the PTSA holiday helping hands event, etc. She has a true passion for music, she inspires and engages students of all ages, instills a love of music, and connects with students on a personal level. Kim Kozlowski extended congratulations to all staff who were nominated for the Oak Tree award. Craig Johnville was nominated by a parent whose son looks forward to going to school every day, he has been teaching for over 20 years, he is the PTSA secretary, on the WTA executive board for CARE, the building DEI committee, CARE club advisor, and a mentor teacher. He is compassionate and committed, an exceptional administrator, loves Webster and is dedicated to making it a better place for everyone.
Superintendent Neenan thanked the committee and nominators. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORTS Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Neenan congratulated Oak Tree award recipients Diana Mee and Craig Johnville. Our One Webster community is fortunate to have educators of their caliber in our school communities. Our students, families, and staff will celebrate Staff Appreciation Week. Our incredible PTSAs have once again come up with creative ways to acknowledge our extraordinary staff members at each of our 11 schools. Kate Hesla, principal at Schlegel Road elementary school introduced honorary mascot Gigi who has a presence at all elementary buildings. Gigi is part of the ST Math program, a computer based program to practice problem solving. Games give kids opportunities to encounter problems, work through them, get feedback and eventually be successful. Students work on their own and with the entire class. Tools include set expectations, establish routines to monitor data and celebrate wildly. Monthly challenges have been put together by the instructional TOSAs for monitoring data. Paul Benz, principal at Webster Schroeder High School, spoke about culture, climate and belonging, and gratefulness for the prior capital project. Their library renovation project has brought revitalization back to Schroeder and is a favorite space of the seniors. The two UPK classes at Schroeder have had a positive impact with students and staff. Spry held a spring fling dance, thanks to the PTSA for our fantastic partnership and locker love, Willink held pastries with principals, celebrated CARE recipients, gratitude for the unity between Schroeder and Thomas and the Lockheed Martin code quest competition, etc. Superintendent’s Report (Cont’d) Mr. Neenan shared a reminder to exercise your right to vote on the proposed 2023-24 budget and to elect two board of education members on Tuesday, May 16. Polls are open from 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. at the Schroeder High School gym. Budget newsletters will be mailed to all district homes later this week and posted on our website. President Richardson described the process for opening and closing both the Safety Plan and Public Budget Hearings. Safety Plan Hearing S. LaDelfa motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to open the Safety Plan Hearing. The hearing opened at 5:30 p.m. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Neil Flood, Supervisor of Safety, Security and Emergency Planning, shared that the only change made is the state required language re: data privacy. Tonight’s hearing opens up the 30 day comment period. Assistant Superintendent Freeman explained that community members can comment, they can email Neil, submit comments through our website, etc. In June the finalized plan will come to the board for adoption with any comments collected. Mr. Flood thanked our School Resource Officers, Officers Herrle and Ambrosetti. M. Alt motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to close the Safety Plan Hearing. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. The Safety Plan Hearing closed at 5:48 p.m. Public Budget Hearing 2023-2024 C. Barnabas motioned, J. Birdsong-Ng seconded to open the Public Budget Hearing. The hearing opened at 5:49 p.m. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the 2023-24 budget process, timeline, guidelines, accomplishments, the wrapping up of Federal Stimulus funding, the three parts of the budget, administrative, program and capital, and the respective breakdown. The total proposed budget is $204,438,730, a 4.4% increase over the 2022-23 budget and an $8,625,273 increase over 2022-23. Revenues, state aid updates, propositions, and board candidates were reviewed. Proposition #1 is for a bus purchase totaling $1,600,000. There is also a capital outlay project planned for $100,000. Budget material and presentations are linked on our district website. Questions were entertained. C. Roods motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to close the public budget hearing. The hearing closed at 6:15 p.m. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. BOARD BUSINESS Capital Outlay Bid Acceptance Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the bid results for the capital outlay project work at Schroeder. C. Barnabas motioned, M. Alt seconded to approve the bid for the capital outlay project by R.B. Mac Construction Co., total base bid: $94,500, total contract: $94,500. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No.
First Berkshire Tax Certiorari Approval Resolution Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the First Berkshire tax certiorari resolution. M. Alt motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to approve the resolution to settle the tax certiorari proceedings commenced by First Berkshire in accordance with the terms set forth as approved by Ferrara Fiorenza PC. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. GOAL Investments Tax Certiorari Approval Resolution Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the GOAL Investments tax certiorari resolution. C. Barnabas motioned, J. Birdsong-Ng seconded to settle the tax certiorari proceedings commenced by GOAL Investments in accordance with the terms set forth as approved by Ferrara Fiorenza PC. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. SEQRA Resolution – 2023-2024 Capital Outlay Assistant Superintendent Freeman presented the SEQRA resolution for the capital outlay project. M. Alt motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the SEQRA Type 2 Action resolution for the $100,000 capital outlay project pending voter approval. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Winter 2023 Capital Project Update Assistant Superintendent Freeman shared that punch list work has progressed over the breaks. 2nd Reading 2023-2024 Board of Education Calendar S. LaDelfa motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the second reading of the 2023-2024 Board of Education calendar. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Charlie Roods attended the jazz concert, it was great to see both schools working together and it was a phenomenal performance. Carol Barnabas attended the Info Exchange meeting where they presented the ways boards can improve on board operations. We are spot on with our operations. Mike Alt reported that two elementary PTSAs are looking for ways to spend their money. School spirit is evident as we walk around and it is refreshing to see their excitement. Jennifer Birdsong-Ng reported that MCSBA will hold a social hour on Wednesday and Annual meeting on the 24th. Shanna LaDelfa reported that Info Exchange’s topic was about the importance of refresher training on board and superintendent roles, Freaky Friday was amazing, the senior luminary walk is coming up, and staff appreciation is this and next week. CONSENT AGENDA J. Birdsong-Ng motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the consent agenda as recommended by the Superintendent including: Minutes from April 11, 2023 Budget Workshop, April 18, 2022 Regular Business Meeting, Personnel Actions: Certified Probationary, Certified Regular Substitute, Classified Appointments, Additional Assignments, Resignations, Resignation-Appointed to New Position, Retirements, Recommendations of the Committee on Special Education Meetings: 2022-2023 Meetings: Annual Review Meetings, Annual Re-eval Meetings, Initial Eligibility Determination Meetings, Program Reviews, Amendment-Agreement No Meeting, Requested Review Transfer Student; 2023-2024 Meetings: Annual Review Meetings, Annual/Re-eval. Meetings, Recommendations of the Committee on Pre-School Special Education Meetings: December 1, 15, 2022, February 15, 2023, March 22, 29, 30, 2023, April 11, 12, 19, 26, 2023, Cooperative Bid Music Supplies and Equipment, Group Benefit Request. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. VISITOR’S SPEAKING TIME David Ruiz expressed concerns regarding the district budget and thanked the team that put it together. He shared thoughts about parental involvement in our schools and the relationship between the home and the school. ADJOURNMENT C. Barnabas motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:31 p.m. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Cushman Cynthia Cushman, District Clerk All documents that are duly made a part of these minutes are kept in a supplemental file that corresponds to the date of this meeting.