WEBSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Webster, New York BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES April 18, 2023 Members Present: Absent: Administrators Present: Others Present:
J. Richardson, L. Dioguardi, C. Barnabas, S. LaDelfa-arrived 5:46 p.m., C. Roods M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng B. Neenan, B. Freeman, D. Swinson, E. Land, R. Chalwell, F. Leggett, J. Montemaro, A. Maillet, B. Powers, L. Benson Sidney C., Hannah R., J. Fagan, E. Burns, D. Crowley, D. Ruiz
The April 18, 2023 Regular Business meeting of the Webster Board of Education was called to order by President J. Richardson at 5:44 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Professional Development Center at District Offices, 119 South Avenue, Webster, NY. C. Roods motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to call the Regular Business meeting to order. There was a quorum. Vote: 4: Yes; 0: No; 3 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng, S. LaDelfa.) L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of a particular person or corporation. Board members moved into Executive Session at 5:46 p.m. Vote: 4: Yes; 0: No; 3 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng, S. LaDelfa.) Executive Session Attendees: Board Members, Superintendent Neenan, D. Swinson The April 18, 2023 Regular Business meeting of the Webster Board of Education was called to order by President J. Richardson at 6:05 p.m. There was a quorum. C. Roods motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to move out of Executive Session and into public session. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda remained as stated. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the agenda. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Liaison Reports Hannah R., Webster Thomas student liaison, reported on the first earth spirit week and associated activities, the Freaky Friday performance debuts this weekend, Titan Service Scholars partnered with Earth Club and GeoTech to build a food shelf, the Roc2change event, spring sports updates, 13WHAM flag football interview, and congratulations were extended to Webster Thomas’ Outstanding 2022-2023 senior, etc. Sidney C., Webster Schroeder student liaison, reported that seventy-eight new members were inducted into the NHS chapter last week, volunteer hours went back to the school, National Art Honor Society also inducted members into their chapter, many spring athletes were recognized by the Democrat & Chronicle as players to watch, sports updates, college fair, book fair, and a bracelet project with high school and fifth grade students. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORTS Superintendent’s Report and Campus News Superintendent Neenan gave a huge thank you to the Webster Central PTSA. PTSA hosted the 46th Community Arts Day at Webster Schroeder, spotlighting and celebrating the cultural arts in our community. Our students’ talent and artwork were front and center and it was a joy to experience student performances and artwork throughout the day. An army of PTSA volunteers, students, and our incredible fine arts staff members worked together to make this another memorable event. Campus News Lisa Benson gave an elementary activities update including how Schlegel and OWL use Crew to establish a sense of belonging, Family Friday breakfast, faculty Crew, the importance of our families feeling a sense of belonging and having families in our buildings once again, a VIP dance, Valentine’s Day breakfast brunch attended by most families where wonderful family connections were made, next month OWL will have a play day picnic with families, Plank North families participated in the fill the bucket campaign, PTSA hosted a glow party, colonial days, etc. Brian Powers gave a secondary activities update including Spry’s charity basketball game fundraiser, family night, recognition of Willink Science Olympiad students who attended the state qualifier in Syracuse, students ran a student-led Peter Pan play put together in six weeks, OWL 8th grade students are engaging in three credit-bearing high school courses, such as building lamps and a Mitosis lab, Schroeder held their One Warrior week including a healthy activities day, GOAL held a family week of events, including team building activities, etc.
Francine Leggett, Joe Montemaro, Jamie Fagan, Eva Burns Presenters shared their excitement over this new well received program. Computer Science and Digital Fluency standards were finalized in 2020, which gave the team time to dream how to implement the standards in 2021-22. Many were involved in planning for an engaging program including, experiential learning pieces, growth of problem solving skills, while highlighting curiosity, creative thinking, and use of investigative skills, etc. Content specialists were hired and staff were excited to assist in building a new program. A vision was created, every student will know how to live productively and safely in a technology dominated world. Principles include equity and access for all students in K-5, interdisciplinary connections, coherence, relevance and engagement while meeting the needs of the whole child in a positive learning environment. The five key concepts include: Impact of computing, computational thinking, networks and system design, cybersecurity and digital literacy. Kudos were extended to the Encore teachers. They shared what a positive exciting experience it has been, excellent collaboration, and the leap of faith to continue dreaming. Students were videotaped and shared their learnings and excitement. C. Barnabas motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to accept the Encore instruction report. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No. 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) BOARD BUSINESS February 2023 Treasurer's Report Assistant Superintendent reviewed the February Treasurer’s Report. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the February 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Resolution for 2023-2024 Budget Adoption Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the resolution for the 2023-2024 budget. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Webster Board of Education adopts the 2023-24 proposed budget in the amount of $204,438,730; and FURTHERMORE, as previously approved by the Board of Education of the Webster Central School District places Proposition #1, Transportation be authorized to purchase and finance student transport vehicles, including necessary furnishings, fixtures and equipment and all other costs incidental thereto, and expend a total sum not to exceed $1,600,000, which is estimated to be the total maximum cost thereof, and said amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law; and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said School District, in the principal amount not to exceed $1,600,000, shall be issued? C. Roods motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to adopt the resolution for the 2023-2024 budget adoption. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Property Tax Report Card and Budget Notice Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the property tax report card and budget notice. S. LaDelfa motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the property tax report card and budget notice. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) BOCES Budget Resolution RESOLVED that the board of education of the Webster Central School District votes to approve the proposed BOCES administrative budget, in the amount of $5,701,066 for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the BOCES administrative budget for 2023-2024. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) BOCES Election Seat #1 - RESOLVED: to cast one vote for the election of Amy West, resident of the Honeoye Falls-Lima School District School District, as a member of the Monroe #1 BOCES board for a term of office which will begin on July 1, 2023 and end June 30, 2026. L. Dioguardi motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to approve Amy West’s appointment. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Seat #2 - RESOLVED: to cast one vote for the election of Lisa Latten, resident of the Penfield Central School District, as a member of the Monroe #1 BOCES board for a term of office which will begin on July 1, 2023 and end on June 30, 2026. C. Barnabas motioned, J. Richardson seconded to approve Lisa Latten’s appointment. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Seat #3 - RESOLVED: to cast one vote for the election of Rebecca Hicks, resident of the East Rochester Union Free School District, as a member of the Monroe #1 BOCES board for a term of office which will begin on April 26, 2023 and end on June 30, 2025. L. Dioguardi motioned, J. Richardson seconded to approve Rebecca Hicks’ appointment. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.)
BOCES Lease Approval Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the technology lease. Resolved to approve an additional 2023-24 technology lease. This will be for the specific project of upgrading the district’s cabling, data closets, and network hubs in all 11 buildings. A detailed listing of specific items and the contract between the district and Monroe 1 BOCES is included. C. Roods motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to approve the BOCES Lease. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Insurance Reserve Creation Resolution Assistant Superintendent described the purpose for creating the insurance reserve fund. S. LaDelfa motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approved the resolution for the creation of an insurance reserve fund. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Internal Audit Report and Risk Assessment Approval Mr. Freeman reviewed the results of the internal audit prepared by Bonadio & Co., LLP and the associated risk assessment. The area of focus for the audit was our individualized education program. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Roods seconded to approve the internal audit report and risk assessment. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) Transportation Advisory Services Report Mr. Freeman gave a summary of the transportation advisory services report as requested by WCSD. New Extracurricular Club Account Assistant Superintendent Freeman shared that the Webster Thomas National Art honor society is the only extracurricular club account that needs to be approved. The Schroeder extracurricular account document was inadvertently added to BoardDocs and was approved previously by the board. C. Barnabas motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the National Art honor society extracurricular account for Webster Thomas High School. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) First Reading of the 2023-2024 Board of Education Calendar President Richardson shared the reasoning for the July 10 Org/Reorg meeting date. S. LaDelfa motioned, C. Roods seconded to approve the first reading of the board’s 2023-2024 calendar and move it forward for a second reading. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Shanna – Audit Committee needs public volunteers, Klem North needs volunteers for their STEM night, and Strategic Planning visits to learn how prepared our graduates are. Linda – Thanks to the policy committee there are a few sections left to review, two sections will be reviewed at the next workshop. Congratulations to the seventy-eight students inducted into the NHS. Carole – Community Arts Day was wonderful from both a grandparent and board member’s perspective. Charlie – The Webster jazz concert involves both schools and takes place on 4/26. Janice shared reminders that the May 2 meeting will start at 5:00 p.m. and include Oak Tree recipients, a policy workshop on May 9, and May16 is the budget vote at Schroeder from 6:00 am-9:00 pm. CONSENT AGENDA S. LaDelfa motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the consent agenda as recommended by the Superintendent including: Minutes from March 13, 2023 Regular Business Meeting and Budget Workshop #1, March 28, 2023, Budget Workshop #2, Personnel Actions including Agreement, Certified Probationary, Certified Regular Substitute, Classified Appointments, Adjustments, Additional Assignments, Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Resignations-Appointed to New Position, Recommendations of the Committee on Special Education Meetings, Recommendations of the Committee on Pre-School Special Education meetings, Cooperative Bid: Fine Paper Supply, International Travel Approval World Language Classes Trip to Paris and Madrid, International Travel Approval Middle School French Students to Quebec, Resolution approving additional vote workers for the annual election and budget vote. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.) VISITOR’S SPEAKING TIME - None ADJOURNMENT L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Vote: 5: Yes; 0: No; 2 absent: (M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng.)
Respectfully submitted,
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.