LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, March 20, 2007- 7:00 P.M. Middle School The Regular meeting of the Lawrence Union Free School District Board of Education was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Asher Mansdorf, President. Upon motion by David Sussman and seconded by Michael Hatten, the Board entered public session. Upon motion by David Sussman and seconded by Michael Hatten, the board immediately entered executive session for the purpose of discussing issues of attorney Client privilege. At 8:05 p.m. upon motion by Stanley Kopilow and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, 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, Pamela Greenbaum, Michael Hatten, Uri Kaufman and Stanley Kopilow. Murray Forman was absent. Also present were: Dr. John T. Fitzsimons, Superintendent, 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 introduced Middle School advisor, Ms. Karen Weiner, and her students who call themselves the “Kenya Crew.” These students have held fundraisers to help a school in Kenya after they saw a documentary on the subject in their class. The students stood to be recognized and PBS was there to film them as well. The Five Towns Community Chest presented a donation of $300 to the Board for the Lawrence Middle School Music Department in appreciation of the wonderful talent that is shared with the community at various community functions such as the latest held at the Sands in Atlantic Beach.

Superintendent Report and Presentations

Asher Mansdorf, President, said that the Board would take care of regular business before going on to discuss the phones and the budget. The Superintendent asked the Board to accept the tenure recommendations out of order. Upon proper motions and seconds, the vote is to be considered unanimous, unless noted otherwise.

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the recommendations for the tenure of three principals per enclosure V.E. Dr. Fitzsimons called Melissa Krieger, Principal of the Number Five School, Ann Pedersen, Principal of Number Four School, and Geoffrey Touretz, Principal of the High School, to the front of the auditorium one by one to be acknowledged and congratulated.

Tenure

Two phone companies made brief presentations to the Board and answered questions regarding the current phone system and the best type of system best suited for the district needs. They were DCI, Broadview Networks and a third company AVAYA that expressed interest in sharing his input with the technology people. There was much discussion as to what is the best system. All vendors seem to agree that the VOIP and analog systems combined is the best system for the school district. All vendors were told to contact Mr. Piccarella, the Technology Director for the particulars on the specs and the district needs. The companies must be on the approved state contract list; this way we do not have to waste time with an RFP.

Discussion: Tele-Communications Systems

There is a proposal to put Pre-Kindergarten bussing on the ballot in May. Board members voiced their opinions. According to some members of the board the cost would not be excessive. Other board members insisted they want clear costs. They also want very clear parameters set. Ms. Greenbaum said that to give bussing for Pre-Kindergarten private schools while the district only offers a Pre-Kindergarten program that is primarily funded from a state grant and has a limited amount of students with the majority having to meet a strict economic/social criteria. Also part of that grant requires transportation that could be included in the grant expenses submitted to the state. Independent Coach used the buses available in the district to make it possible for the district to incur no additional cost for the bussing. Ms. Greenbaum asked for a guarantee that all Lawrence Public School children will be able to attend a Pre-Kindergarten program in the Lawrence Public Schools with bussing. Many questions were asked at the last meeting and no answers were given. The questions were read out loud and answers given if available. Dr. Sussman stated that there were children attending the public school program that did not meet the criteria set by the state regarding income. Mrs. Pederson stated that there were other criteria that could be considered as well. Mr. Kaufman said that all children are entitled to pre-kindergarten bussing whether it is private or public school.

Discussion on Pre-Kindergarten Bussing

Dr. Fitzsimons and Mrs. Freidman gave an overall preview of the budget. The presentation included a million dollars for capital improvements. We can eliminate that if we put the capital reserve fund on the ballot.

Budget Presentation

Upon proper motions and seconds, the vote is to be considered unanimous, unless noted otherwise.

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the Treasurer’s Report for January 2007 as presented on enclosure IV.A.

Treasurer’s Report

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the budget transfers as presented on enclosure IV.B. Business Dept. - transfers totaling $180,000 to provide BOCES non-public health and Library/AV services for balance of 2006/07 school year Transportation Dept. – Transfer funds within the department - $75,000

Budget Transfers(Over $25,000)

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the enclosed contract as presented per enclosure IV.C.1. Business Related Contracts: Zycron Industries, Medicaid Loss Prevention & Billing Services

Contracts

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted per enclosure IV.D. Vendor Purpose Amount Inst. for Children w/Autism Encumbrance 2006-07 sch. yr $61,000. Various School Districts Health/welfare non-public sch. 06-07 $415,598. Various spec. ed. providers Flow through Funds/611 Grant $146,981. Increase P.O. 48614(BOCES) by $645,000 to provide special education, non-public health, personnel, computer assisted instruction and library/AV services for balance of 2006-07 school year.

Purchase Orders over $50,000

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the civil service resignations as presented on enclosure V.B.2.

Resignations: Civil Service Staff

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted recommendation for termination of tenured employee per the enclosure V.C.

Terminations

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education approved the Leave of Absence as presented per enclosure V.D.

Leaves of Absence

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the substitute list as presented on enclosure V.F.1.c.

Substitute Teachers List

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted civil service appointments as presented on enclosure F.2.

Appointments: Civil Service

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education accepted the civil service emergency conditional appointments as presented on enclosure V.F.2.b.

Civil Service Emergency Appointments

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum. the Board of Education accepted extra compensation lists for certified and civil service staff as presented on enclosures V.G.1 & G.2.

Extra Compensation

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District accepts the Recommendations of the Committees on Pre-School & Special Education regarding the provision of special education services as presented on enclosure VI.A.

Special Education Recommendations

Upon motion by Stanley Kopilow and seconded by Uri Kaufman, the following resolution was accepted unanimously. Be it Resolved that the Board of Education of the Lawrence Union Free School District hereby approves the terms and conditions of the stipulation of settlement and release resolving a certain matter between the District and the parent of a youngster classified by the District’s CSE and identified by student number 350262123; and Be it further resolved that the Board of Education authorizes the President of the Board to execute the stipulation of settlement as approved on the Board’s behalf.

Stipulation of Settlement

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the minutes for February 27, 2007 as presented.

Minutes

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education adopted the following policies pursuant our policy #2410, as presented. 1241-Security in School Buildings 1900- Parental Involvement 5450.1-Notification of Release of Sex Offenders by the Division of Parole.

Adoption of Policies

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education approved the following resolution. Resolved the Board of Education authorizes the President, on behalf of the Board, to sign the enclosed letter addressed to members of the NY Senate and NY Assembly supporting the Legislature to require fingerprinting of employees of nonpublic schools.

Letter to Legislature Supporting Fingerprinting of Employees in Non-Public Schools

The Board of Education acknowledged receipt of the following information. A.-Budget Summary by Function – January 2007 B.-Revenue Status Report – January 2007 C.-Extra Classroom Activity Funds C.1. Middle School Extra Classroom Activity Funds C.2. High School Extra Classroom Activity Funds

Informational: Warrants Budget Summary by Function Revenue Status Report Conference and Travel Extra Classroom Activity Funds

Upon motion by Asher Mansdorf and seconded by Uri Kaufman, a special meeting of the Board of Education will be held on March 26, 2007 to discuss the budget, Capital Reserves and Pre-Kindergarten Bussing.

Resolution: Authorizing a Special meeting

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the meeting adjourned 11:00 p.m.

Adjourn

Respectfully Submitted,

Alice Laino

District Clerk