WEBSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Webster, NY Board of Education Regular Business and Workshop Meeting Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Members present:
J. Richardson, L. Dioguardi, M. Alt, C. Barnabas, J. Birdsong-Ng, S. LaDelfa arrived at 5:03 p.m., C. Roods Administrators present: B. Neenan, B. Freeman, D. Swinson, E. Land, R. Chalwell, F. Leggett, M. Schichtel, C. Callahan Others present: C. Heinrich-Executive Session only virtually, Audrey C., Hannah R. J. Bardanis, B. Whipple, B. Wilcox, L. Hameister CALL TO ORDER: President Richardson called the Tuesday, March 14, 2023 Regular Business and Budget Workshop #1 meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. in the 2nd floor Professional Development Center at District Office, 119 South Avenue, Webster, NY. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Roods seconded to call the meeting to order. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; Absent: S. LaDelfa J. Birdsong-Ng motioned, M. Alt seconded to move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a student disciplinary matter. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; Absent: S. LaDelfa Executive Session Attendees: Board Members, B. Neenan, C. Heinrich-participated virtually. Location: Mr. Neenan’s office. President Richardson called the Regular Business meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. There was a quorum. J. Birdsong Ng motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to move out of Executive Session and into open session. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was amended to add a student disciplinary appeal. L. Dioguardi motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to accept the amended agenda. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Student Disciplinary Appeal Decision C. Roods motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to uphold the superintendent's decision on the student disciplinary matter as discussed during Executive Session. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING Audrey C., Webster Schroeder student liaison, gave an update on Schroeder’s activities including: Tri-M coffee house, world language honor society induction, spring fling dance, celebrating mental health support, One Warrior week events, Teddi Dance for Love dance-a-thon participation, supporting Camp Good Days, and congratulations on several teams’ sectional success. Hannah R., Webster Thomas student liaison, gave an update on Titan Service Scholars’ carnation sale with kindness notes for Valentine’s day, raising funds for their trip, they attended Night to Shine and assisted with hair, nails, makeup, karaoke, dance and paparazzi, the global citizenship conference at Nazareth High School, flag football is a new sport being offered and students are excited to participate. Over $1,000 was raised for Dreams from Drake at the staff basketball game. J. Bardanis, WTA liaison, gave an update on WTA’s activities including the cross town charity basketball event. Many played, kids hosted games at half time and raised funds for the charity Dreams from Drake. Plans are being made for the graduate parade. March mammal madness is taking place including student research along with brackets, as organized by WTA. Middle schools are researching several areas including social media, cloning, exposure to diseases, etc. Elementary schools are participating in a bookto-book bracket for the book of the school. Student teachers are welcomed and getting great exposure. Detergent bottles are needed for an Earth day project. SparX members are eligible to go to RIT and an overnight in Cleveland to compete at the global and national level.
Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Neenan reported on two opportunities for community members. Our Family Engagement Conversation tomorrow from 6:30-8:00 p.m., in the second floor PDC at Spry. Also, an opportunity to chat with Executive Director of Family and Student Engagement and Inclusivity, Dr. Robert Chalwell. It will be live streamed on the district website. This event is an opportunity to prepare for the inaugural Convening on Equity in Education event on March 25, from 8:30-11:00 a.m., at Spry. This convening is a collaborative effort of the district and Webster’s Families Igniting Racial Equity (F.I.R.E.) group. It will feature presenters and student leaders involved in diversity and equity efforts in the Webster community. Mr. Neenan introduced Mark Schichtel, principal of DeWitt Road representing elementary schools, and Chris Callahan, director of our One Webster Learning Middle School, representing secondary schools. Mark Schichtel highlighted the ways they create a sense of belonging in schools, feeling cared for, respected, valued, and being socially supported in schools. Students are reading a book More Than Peach. The author created a set of crayons showing a diversity of colors representing more than one skin color. Students participated in an activity where they drew a picture of their arm, cut it out and colored it to match their skin color. A wall showcases our students’ hands from this activity. Kids are overjoyed reading with their reading buddies, giving them an opportunity to learn from each other. 100th day pictures were shown. Chris Callahan reported that Spry held spirit week including a charity basketball game, the drama club participated in a Footloose production, Willink hosted their annual chili cook off, a student’s wrestling accomplishment, middle and high school OWL students are working to reduce disproportionality, the flapjacks and lumberjacks competition. GOAL students are planning for upcoming family week. March is Music in Our Schools Month. A district wide group went to Cornell for a programming competition. Schroeder hosted an annual winter Olympics event, sectional championships, etc. Mr. Neenan welcomed our district’s Aquatics Directors Brian Wilcox and Ben Whipple for an update on the Webster Aquatic Center. Brian Wilcox and Ben Whipple gave an overview of their staff and described their two facilities, the Webster Aquatics Center and the Webster Thomas pool. WAC and Thomas’ pool improvements are impressive, and we are one of the top facilities in the state. Sessions include physical education classes, coaching, CPR, first aid certifications, etc. A variety of different community programs are held, including children and adults. Enrollment numbers have increased post COVID for learn to swim, watercize fitness, and lap swim drop ins. Our facility is rented by other organizations including BlueFins, Special Olympics, WonderCare and the Monroe County Sheriff’s department. Mr. Neenan shared a reminder about parent-teacher conferences on March 16, 17, 23 and 24. Business Report – Budget Workshop #1 BUDGET WORKSHOP #1 Mr. Freeman gave a deep dive on State Aid including Foundation, BOCES, Transportation, Building and Excess Cost Aids. He gave a simplified explanation of the formula for foundation aid. He described instruction material “aid-flat” categories, including software, hardware, library, textbooks and expense-based aid categories including Transportation, Building, Excess Cost and BOCES. Buildings and Grounds Preliminary Budget Discussion followed on equipment, energy costs, BOCES, cost increases, cost savers and a capital outlay project. There is a preliminary 2.50% increase to the 2023-2024 budget. Transportation Discussion followed on salaries, contractuals and fuel costs. There is a preliminary 0.65% increase to the 2023-2024 budget.
Debt Service Mr. Freeman reviewed our borrowing, interest, project completions being replaced by financing for the 2018 project, and transfers. Central Services Mr. Freeman reviewed the components of the budget, BOCES, Business/HR, Public Information, Superintendent, Board of Education, and Liability Insurance. There is a preliminary increase of 2.54% to the 2023-2024 budget. Employee Benefits Discussion took place including worker’s compensation, TRS, ERS, Healthcare, Dental, Ancillary Plans, etc. There is a preliminary increase of 3.77% to the 2023-2024 budget. The total operational budgets presented this evening: $92,905,285. Instructional areas, student services, athletics, community education, extracurriculars and instructional technology, will be covered in Budget Workshop #2. Neil Flood, Blaine Cunningham, Renee Reagan and Joe Pustulka were thanked for their work on the budget. Board Business January 2023 Treasurer’s Report Mr. Freeman described key items on the January 2023 Treasurer’s Report including interest, grants, STAR reimbursement, and an increase in federal expenditures. M. Alt motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the January 2023 Treasurer’s Report as presented. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Resolution to establish hours at annual district meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 Mr. Freeman reviewed the hours at the annual district meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Webster Schroeder Gymnasium from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. S. LaDelfa motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the hours at the annual district meeting.. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Legal Notice for Annual Election and Budget Vote Mr. Freeman reviewed the legal notice that will be published in the Webster Herald four times before the May 16 vote. J. Birdsong-Ng motioned, C. Barnabas seconded to approve the Legal Notice for the Annual Election and Budget Vote. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. 2nd Reading of 2023-2024 Draft School Calendar There have been no changes to the 2023-2024 calendar made since the last meeting. C. Roods motioned, M. Alt seconded to accept the second reading of the 2023-2024 school calendar. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. JUUL Resolution Mr. Neenan explained that the board must approve the resolution in order to accept the money from the lawsuit. There is a process in place for this and we may not receive payment until the end of the year. S. LaDelfa motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve the JUUL resolution as recommended by our attorneys. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No.
1st Reading Board of Education and Clerk Policies President Richardson shared that the policies were openly discussed at last week’s workshop. As a reminder, Erie 1 BOCES has taken our policy manual, revamped it and we are reviewing it and “Websterizing” it. Vice President Dioguardi shared that we are hopeful that by October we can send the entire manual to Erie 1, to read through it, edit and send back to us. The process will be repeated for the second reading. J. Birdsong-Ng motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to approve the first reading of the Board of Education and District Clerk policies before sending to Erie 1 BOCES. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No. Board Member Highlights Shanna enjoyed the staff basketball charity event and volunteers are needed for Community Arts Day. Jennifer reported that Klem South PTSA met yesterday and Irish dancers have been invited to perform. Linda attended Spry’s family evening with over 500 attendees. Labor Relations meets next week and the topic is RASHP II update. Laura Crain will present “marijuana and beyond” to the community on March 20. Mike reported that DeWitt PTSA met last night and a child author attended their book fair. Carole reported that the visits to Willink OWL and State Road were wonderful. She attended the parent meeting with Dr. Chalwell. Charlie gave kudos for the OWL program walk through, hospitality, and he enjoyed all going on in the library. Janice thanked everyone for the invitation to participate in the building tour on chili cook off day. Consent Agenda M. Alt motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to approve all consent agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent including: Minutes February 14, 2023 Regular Business meeting, March 7, 2023 Workshop, Personnel Actions: Certified Regular Substitute, Classified Appointments, Adjustments, Additional Assignments, Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Resignations-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, Amendments-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: International Trip Approval, Resolution to approve vote workers for May 16, 2023 Annual Election and Budget Vote. Vote: 7: Yes; 0: No Visitor Speaking Time: There were no speakers. President Richardson shared reminders about the March 28 Budget Workshop #2, April 11 Budget Workshop #3 and the next Regular Business meeting on April 18. ADJOURNMENT C. Barnabas motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:51 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.