LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING Thursday, March 15, 2007 P.M. Middle School The Special meeting of the Lawrence Union Free School District Board of Education was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Asher Mansdorf, President. Upon motion by Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, the Board immediately entered executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. At 8:40 p.m. upon motion by Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, the Board left executive session and immediately reconvened public session. Pledge Of Allegiance was led by Asher Mansdorf. The following Board members were present: Asher Mansdorf, President, David Sussman, Vice President, Murray Forman, Pamela Greenbaum(arrived at 8:45 p.m.), Michael Hatten, Uri Kaufman and Stanley Kopilow (arrived at 8:20 p.m.) Also present were: Dr. John T. Fitzsimons, Superintendent (left at 9:15 p.m.), Mrs. Elsie Friedman, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Dr. Vicki Karant, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Albert D’Agostino, School Counsel, Mrs. Alice Laino, District Clerk.

Dr. Fitzsimons and Mrs. Friedman presented a powerpoint presentation of the proposed budget. A question and answer period followed. Questions included why is additional staff being added? Is the presentation based on budget to budget or actual to budget? Pre-Kindergarten bussing was discussed. What is the cost and where is the funding? There were many issues raised by the public. The list of questions was taken down and the questions will be researched for Tuesday evening. Uri Kaufman stated that the phone system that presently exists made a proposal a few years ago, and they were still interested in meeting to present their proposal. The board said they should come on Tuesday evening to make a presentation. The system is an analog system as opposed to a VOIP system. It was suggested that John Piccarella have the companies he has been talking with come to the meeting to make a presentation also.

Reports and Presentations

Community asked the board numerous questions about the funding of the private school Pre-Kindergarten bussing. The board said they would get the answers and have them for next meeting; whether the board was going to support the budget, the results of the safety zones study that were being investigated.

Public Comment

The establishment of a capital reserve fund was discussed. Uri Kaufman said there is a need to find out the cost of the work to be done before the fund can be created. Uri Kaufman said an architect will be looking at the buildings. Stanley Kopilow stated that without new or additional information, the figures presented in the Five Year Facilities Plan that we paid to have done as required by the commissioner’s regulations should be used to prepare the capital reserve fund proposition. Uri Kauman presented a motion to add the Architect to the agenda. The motion was seconded by David Sussman and accepted by the majority of the Board. Yes- 5 No – 2 ( S. Kopilow, P. Greenbaum) Stanley moved to table the motion because he does not know of a new architect being interviewed or selected. If the process was followed that information should be shared with the rest of the board before an appointment. No contract has been presented or report given. Pamela seconded it. The motion was defeated. 2 - Yes, 5 - No ( M. Forman, M. Hatten, U. Kaufman, A. Mansdorf, D. Sussman). Uri Kaufman stated that the Committee interview three firms that replied to the RFP that was put out. Of the three firms one was not acceptable, one was expensive and this firm was reasonable and acceptable. Uri Kaufman presented a motion to appoint the architect firm, Wiedersum Associates Architects, subject to the contract being acceptable to school counsel. The motion was seconded by David Sussman. The motion was accepted by the majority of the Board. Yes -5 No – 2 ( S. Kopilow, P. Greenbaum) Stanley Kopilow stated the building committee was appointed in July and we have not received any report from the building committee on the architects or the building needs. Stanley Kopilow presented a motion to establishing a capital reserve fund proposition to be placed on the ballot using the proceeds of the Number One School to fix the remaining buildings of the district. Further directing the attorney to prepare the resolution as necessary. Pamela Greenbaum seconded the motion. Before the vote, Asher Mandorf stated that he was in support of a capital repair or reserve fund to be certain the children of the public schools get the education they are entitled to. To that end, we are putting together the numbers for Pre-Kindergarten bussing and we should come up with figures that can be presented and ensure the passing of the propositions. He asked if it would be possible to withdraw the vote on this until the figures are presented. Stanley withdrew his resolution to give the committee more time to come up with figures they could agree on.

Board Discussion: Capital Reserve, Architect Resolution to Appoint Architect Resolution to table Appointment Defeated Resolution to Appoint Wiedersum Associates Architects Resolution to Establish Capital Reserve Fund Presented and withdrew

Resolved, the Board of Education of Lawrence Union Free School District nominates the following three candidates Gale Ross-Srulevich, George Farber, Arlene Strumeyer for trustee positions on the Nassau BOCES Board. Each position carries a three-year term commencing July 1, 2007 and expiring June 30, 2010. The District Clerk will forward the nominations as required. Yes – 5 No – 2 (A. Mansdorf, D. Sussman)

Nomination for BOCES Board

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the board convened to executive session to discuss a personnel issue regarding a tenured teacher.

Executive Session

At 12:05 a.m. upon motion by Murray Forman and seconded by David Sussman the board left executive session and entered public session to adjourn the meeting.

Adjourn

Respectfully Submitted,

Alice Laino

District Clerk