Approved March 14, 2005

 

BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, February 7, 2005

6:30 p.m. – Swasey Central School

  

Members Present:    Anne Marie Chesno (7:05 p.m.), Chair; John Hayes, Vice-Chair;

Tim Hannan (7:05 p.m.); Mike Johnson; and, Marc Wilson.

 

Administration Present:      Jerry Frew, Assistant Superintendent; Joan Ostrowski, Principal

 

Others Present:        Derek and Katie Roberts; Elyse, Craig, and Heather Seeley; Amanda, Richard, and Hannah Woodfield; Lea Aquilina; Wilhelmina Bradley;    

CeCe Hart; Mary Wills; and, Kim Woods

 

1.                The signing of Manifests began at 6:30 p.m.

 

2.                Vice-Chair J. Hayes called the meeting to order at 6:43 p.m.

Everyone joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

3.                Approval of Minutes

 

MOTION – M. Wilson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the January 10, 2005 meeting as written; seconded, M. Johnson.  Vote – unanimous.

 

MOTION – M. Johnson moved that the Brentwood School board accept the minutes of the January 10 non-public session as written; seconded, M. Wilson.

Vote – unanimous

 

MOTION - M. Wilson moved that the Brentwood School Board accept the minutes of the January 10, 2005 meeting as presented; seconded, M. Johnson. Vote – unanimous.

 

4.                Visitor Discussion

 

Swasey 5th grader Heather Seeley, along with classmates Hannah Woodfield and Katie Roberts, presented a research report providing information about Styrofoam’s impact on the environment.  They requested that the School return to the use of reusable plastic trays in the cafeteria.  Petitions were supported in support of this request.  The Board asked a few questions and complimented the students on the quality of the report.  The request was taken under advisement and will be discussed further at the March 14th School Board meeting.

 

Mrs. Seeley commented that Heather’s project is a tribute to the excellent teaching that takes place every day at Swasey as well as the effort put into learning by the students.  She wanted the Board to know that the students get a fine education at Swasey.

 

5.                Report from the Chair

 

Chair Chesno checked to be sure that all members had received the Joint Chairs’ Meeting minutes.

 

The minutes must be posted in two places within 144 hours of each Board meeting.  One copy is posted at the school and one at the SAU offices.  Alternative sites were discussed and it was decided to continue with the current procedure.

 

The Budget Committee approved the revised budget as presented on Saturday, January 29th.  The Budget Hearing took place on Monday, January 31st. 

 

6.                Report from the Principal

 

Principal J. Ostrowski reported on enrollment at Swasey noting that, although the total number has remained fairly consistent, there have been five or six children enrolling and the same number withdrawing most months.  This can impact instructional practices as well as assessment results.

 

Principal Ostrowski shared a concern regarding the NECAP writing assessment pilot that was completed the last week of January. The data collected will be used to create the norms on which the October assessment results will be based.  A great deal of instruction takes place in the 3½ months of instruction between October and January.  Assistant Superintendent J. Frew concurred that this was of concern to many administrators and teachers.

 

Swasey School professional staff members will be facilitating a program for instructional assistants that will result in their receiving the designation of ‘highly qualified’ from the state.  This program consists of three modules that will be undertaken over the next year.

 

6.         Report From the Central Office Administration

 

Assistant Superintendent J. Frew gave the Board copies of a memo from Kim Casey regarding membership in the Coalition for Adequate Education Funding.  No action was taken by the Board at this meeting. Discussion will be reopened at the March meeting.

 

Assistant Superintendent J. Frew reviewed the Financial Report with the Board Members.

 

Assistant Superintendent Frew and Board Member Johnson asked the Board to review a list of current Board policies and determine if they should be considered for inclusion in the SAU Policy Manual.

 

MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the Committee need not consider these policies for the new SAU Policy Manual and that Swasey School keep one copy of the current policy manual for historical reference; seconded M. Wilson.  Vote – unanimous.

 

Assistant Superintendent J. Frew noted that Doug Cowie may perform the duties of the School District Moderator without being in conflict with his role as Brentwood Budget Committee Chairperson.  Phyllis Thompson has volunteered to fulfill the duties of the School Board Clerk for the District Meeting.

 

MOTION – T. Hannan moved that the School Board appoint Doug Cowie as School District Moderator and Phyllis Thompson to fulfill the duties of the School Board Clerk for the March 5, 2005 School District Meeting; J. Hayes seconded. Vote – unanimous.

 

Assistant Superintendent J. Frew noted that the auditor’s has been received and identifies no material weaknesses in the audited financial statement and internal controls.  The report mentioned the continued concern that the SAU does not comply with the GASB accounting standards.   

 

                  The Brentwood School Board Meeting Adjourned at 8:55 p.m.