WEBSTER CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Webster, New York BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Members Present: Absent: Administrators Present: Others Present:
J. Richardson, L. Dioguardi, M. Alt, J. Birdsong-Ng, S. LaDelfa, C. Roods C. Barnabas B. Neenan, B. Freeman, E. Land, D. Swinson, C. Kayes, G. Widor, B. Cunningham, R. Chalwell, F. Leggett Sidney C., Hannah R., Lauryn W., J. Bardanis, S. Conley
The January 17, 2023 Regular Business meeting of the Webster Board of Education was called to order by President J. Richardson at 6:01 p.m. at District Office in the 2nd Floor Professional Development Center, 119 South Avenue, Webster, NY. There was a quorum. M. Alt motioned, L. Dioguardi seconded to call the meeting to order. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent: C. Barnabas. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda was examined and remained unchanged. C. Roods motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to approve the agenda. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent: C. Barnabas. Liaison Reports Sidney C. gave an update on Schroeder’s activities including the “Warriorsgiving” donation drive, spirit week success, PTSA served hot cocoa, gingerbread decorating was hosted by link crew, Mr. Eckler DJ’d holiday carols during lunch, fall athlete success and their teams’ held the highest GPAs in Schroeder’s history, etc. Lauryn W. gave an update on Thomas’ activities including spirit week success, Thomas PTSA rescheduled cocoa and kindness to last week, 8th graders were welcomed, the spring musical is Freaky Friday, winter sports updates, etc. Hannah R. gave an update on Thomas’ activities including the Titan Scholars’ jingle and mingle fundraiser, service scholar leaders prepared breakfast and made cards for the homeless at the open door mission, and volunteering and training for the February 19 Night to Shine, a prom for individuals with special needs. Joan Bardanis reported on WTA activities including all of the efforts to keep everyone safe. Plank South and North are building upon the science of reading and learning. Willink started a pantry project where kids can take things home when the need arises. Students are getting ready to select courses for next year, there is a lot of planning around the event and the passion of our educators is evident. Field trips are taking place, including an accounting firm visit and bowling. Thanks were extended to our retirees for substituting. EDI shares resources, lessons, etc., and Family Engagement night is on Thursday with Dr. Chalwell. The Polar Plunge event for the Special Olympics is coming up. INSTRUCTIONAL REPORTS Superintendent’s Report/Campus News: Superintendent Neenan extended an invitation to complete an online ThoughtExchange about budget planning for the 2023-24 school year. ThoughtExchange is a platform that the district uses to gain insights and feedback from the community as we make decisions that impact everyone, including a proposed budget for next year. Christine Kayes, Principal of State Road elementary school gave an update on elementary activities. Themes of Balance, Together and Champions of Education are evident in all of the work that we do. Students have set, learned how to write and attain goals for the new year. Klem South held a letter writing campaign with a gratitude theme. Many 5th grade students have attended a challenger mission. Students are using technology to advance their learning. First grade students have been programming “bee bots”.
Staff and administrators have been attending professional learning to deepen their knowledge in literacy, and many attended LETRS training, language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling. Positive feedback has been received by staff and the learning was immediately implemented. Glenn Widor, Principal of Webster Thomas high school gave a secondary update including Titan and Warrior nights were held with students and parents, the first in person sessions since January 2020, with a packed house. After an overview in the auditorium, students and parents visited with teachers and curriculum directors regarding core subjects and electives. Both high schools hosted 8th grade students during the day at Titan and Warrior day. Willink’s media center is complete and they are in the process of moving back in. Media centers are the hub of the school and used constantly by staff and students. Spry students are busy with concerts and square dancing in PE. GOAL 10th grade students helped UPK students make gingerbread houses, PTSA is hosting flapjacks and lumberjacks on Friday. Blaine Cunningham, Buildings and Grounds Manager gave an update on the facilities department. He extended kudos to our custodial staff who are working diligently to keep our buildings clean and safe due to cold, flu and COVID. There have been no supply chain issues with respect to sanitizer, disinfectant or microfiber compared to last year. The preventative maintenance program and HVAC departments are working very hard focusing on air filtration and air exchanges with a talented group of employees. A new work order system has been implemented, Master Library. It tracks and communicates work orders and ties into the building use schedules with assistance from our Technology department. Cleaning and chemical efficiencies were shared. Superintendent Report (Cont’d) An invitation was extended to the Family Engagement Roundtable on January 19 at 6:30 p.m., second floor professional development center at Spry Middle School. BOARD BUSINESS Resolution Rejecting bids for faculty bathroom renovation Assistant Superintendent Freeman described the rationale for rejecting the bids for faculty bathroom renovation at Webster Thomas High School as part of the 2018 $69.5 million Capital Project. Bids are for: General Construction, Mechanical (HVAC), Plumbing, and Electrical contracts. L. Dioguardi motioned, C. Roods seconded to reject the bids for faculty bathroom renovation at Thomas High School as part of the 2018 $69.5 million Capital Project. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent: C. Barnabas. BOCES Instructional Technology Lease Agreement Resolution 2022-2023 Assistant Superintendent Freeman highlighted the BOCES Instructional Technology lease agreement details. S. LaDelfa motioned, M. Alt seconded to approve the BOCES Instructional Technology Lease Agreement Resolution. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent: C. Barnabas. Federal Single Audit and Corrective Actions Assistant Superintendent Brian Freeman gave an audit overview and reviewed the financial statements and respective documents for the 2022 year end Federal Single Audit completed by Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co., LLP. There were no corrective actions. Jennifer Birdsong-Ng motioned, Linda Dioguardi seconded to approve the financial statements and Federal Single audit. Vote: Yes: 6; No: 0; Absent: 1: C. Barnabas. Extra classroom Activity Funds Audit and Corrective Actions Assistant Superintendent Freeman reviewed the results of the Extra classroom activity funds audit and respective corrective actions completed by Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co., LLP. Shanna LaDelfa motioned, Charlie Roods seconded to approve the Extra classroom activity funds audit and respective corrective actions. Vote: Yes: 6; No: 0; Absent: 1: C. Barnabas. BOARD REPORTS: School Liaison Reports: Vice President Dioguardi reported that nominations for Oak Tree are due 1/31. J. Birdsong-Ng reported that Klem South will hold a dance fundraiser and State Road meets tomorrow.
President Richardson commented on the board’s mid-year retreat and extended gratitude to Amy Thomas, MCSBA’s Executive Director. Work is moving forward in a positive direction. Legislative Committee: J. Birdsong-Ng reported that discussion took place about the February 4 Legislative breakfast and she will now be able to attend. Labor Relations: L. Dioguardi reported that dates for the Albany advocacy trip have been changed. Information Exchange: Mr. Neenan reported that the topic was to prepare for the February 4 breakfast. Executive Committee: President Richardson reported that they meet on February 15. Audit Committee: No report. Policy Committee: A meeting is in the process of being scheduled to review the next section of policies. Budget Advisory Committee: ThoughtExchange will be used for collecting budget information this year. Strategic Planning Committee: The focus of the December meeting was on how well prepared our students are upon graduation. There are plans to benchmark with recent graduates. WHEN: Will partner with the District on Thursday evening. CONSENT AGENDA S. LaDelfa motioned, M. Alt seconded to approve all Consent Agenda items as recommended by the Superintendent including: Minutes December 6, 2022 Regular Business Meeting, Minutes December 13, 2022 Capital Project Vote, Minutes January 3, 2023 Workshop Meeting, Personnel Actions: Certified Probationary, Certified Regular Substitute, Classified Appointments, Adjustments, Additional Assignments, Leaves of Absence, Resignations, Retirements, Recommendations of the Committee on Special Education 2022-2023 Meetings: Annual Review Meetings, Annual/Re-eval. Meetings, Initial Eligibility Determination Meetings, Program Reviews, Amendment Agreement No Meeting, Requested Review Transfer Student, Recommendations of the Committee on Pre-School Special Education Meetings: May 5, 2022, June 2, 17, 21, 23, 24, 2022, July 22, 2022, August 31, 2022, September 14, 2022, October 19, 26, 2022, November 2, 16, 21, 30, 2022, December 1, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 2022, January 3, 4, 5, 2023, Coop Bid: Health and Safety Supplies, Cooperative Bid: Medical Trainer Supplies. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent: C. Barnabas. VISITOR’S SPEAKING TIME Parent Stephanie Conley shared her concerns about the lack of nutritional information available to parents and children affecting children’s health. President Richardson shared the next workshop meeting date is on February 7 and the next Regular Business meeting is on February 14. ADJOURNMENT C. Roods motioned, S. LaDelfa seconded to Adjourn the Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Vote: 6: Yes; 0: No; 1 Absent (C. Barnabas).
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.