LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR MEETING

Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 8:00 p.m.

Number 4 School

The Regular meeting of the Lawrence Union Free School District Board of Education was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Asher Mansdorf, President. Upon motion by Stanley Kopilow and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the Board immediately entered executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel.

At 8:10 p.m., upon motion by Stanley Kopiow 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, Murray Forman, Pamela Greenbaum, Michael Hatten, Uri Kaufman and Stanley Kopilow.

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.

The Building #4 School Building Walk Through was led by the Principal, Mrs. Ann Pedersen. A video of #4 School children was presented and copy given to each of the board members. Mrs. Pedersen thanked the board for giving her an opportunity to show them the building. Dr. Fitzsimons shared the recommendations for new district goals for 2006-2009. He shared the method he used in creating the district new goals. The goals were viewed and revised using the input of the administrators, Board of Education, and Key Communicators. Mr. Hatten would like to see 2006-2007 goals, as he had presented to the Superintendent. Dr. Sussman suggested that both short term and long term goals are needed. There will be more discussion on the goals and the District Mission Statement before the final presentation for adoption. Dr. Karant, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, stated that the State mathematics results for grades 3-8 were in and are definitely not acceptable. The administration and the principals are already reviewing the tests and identifying where the problems seem to be. Where the apparent lapse is evident the principals have already began to meet with the teacher to see how they will address the matters. The state has raised the standard making the test much more difficult. The principals will share the analysis of the questions. In addition, the athletic programs will be monitored and players will not be permitted to play if they are not meeting the standard set. Additional funds are needed for tutoring after school for the children identified as needing help. We are launching a new program AISM whicht will follow students to see how they are progressing. We also need to update our technology.

Superintendent Report and Presentations

Mrs. Friedman, Assistant Superintendent for Business, gave a presentation on the various methods the state uses to calculate the per pupil expenditure.

Pamela Greenbaum asked for and received permission from Dr. Mansdorf to address the Board regarding the Building Committee. She informed the Board she is resigning from the Building Committee because she has tried continuously to come up with meeting dates and has not gotten any response. She was told by another Board member that a feasibility committee exists. The Board went back and forth about where this rumor originated and whether or not it was fact or not. Dr. Mansdorf stated no committee exists to his knowledge and asked Pamela to reconsider. She refused. At that time, Uri Kaufman requested that he be placed on the committee. It was agreed that Uri Kaufman would be on the building committee with Murray Forman. Pamela Greenbaum was guaranteed a place on the committee any time she would like reconsider. Stanley Kopliow stated that he believes discussions have taken place with Board members to consider consolidation of a building or possibly more. If this is the case, he wants to see multiple plans for any recommendation of consolidation. Again Dr. Mansdorf reassured him that no such committee exists.

Board Comment

Parents, Residents, PTA Co-Presidents, LTA President, ALA President spoke about the mathematic state test scores, the building committee, and the need for public school parents to be involved in the building committee and if there is a consolidation plan to be considered the parents are requesting that they be involved in that process.

Community Comments on Agenda Items

Upon motions and seconds, unless noted, the vote was unanimously accepted.

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the August 2006 Treasurer’s Report as presented on encl. IV.A.

Treasurer’s Report

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the Budget Transfers over $10,000 as presented on enclosure IV.B. 1. From PPS, $200,000, for contractual non-public school providers. 2. From Technology, $80,000, purchase of non-public textbooks through Tel/Logic.

Budget Transfers

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Uri Kaufman, the Board of Education accepted the contract as presented on enclosure IV.C. 1.Triad Group, LLC 2006-07 Workers’ Compensation Claims Management, $1,829.17

Contracts

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the following Purchase order over $5,000 was accepted as presented on enclosure IV.D. Vendor Purpose Amount Tel/Logic Non-public textbooks 2006-07 $419,584.00

Purchase Orders over $5,000

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the Donation of 50 Soccer balls from Mr. Jeff Zegans of Ganin Tire.

Donation from Mr. Zegans

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the resignation of Civil Service Staff as presented on enclosure V.B.

Resignations: Civil Service Staff

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the recommendation to accept the request for Leaves of Absences per enclosure V.D.

Leaves of Absences

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the Substitute Teachers List as presented on enclosure V.F.1.

Appointments: Substitute Teachers List

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepted the Extra Compensation recommendations as presented on enclosure V.G.

Extra Compensation

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education 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 Recommendation

Upon motion by Pamela Greenbaum and seconded by Stanley Kopilow, the Board of Education accepts the minutes as presented for meetings on September 19, 2006 and October 3, 2006.

Minutes

The information enclosed per the following list was presented to the board for their information, no vote was necessary. A. Warrant Report : 1. Warrant # 5 2. Warrant #3MR B. Budget Summary by Function – August 2006 C. Revenue Status Report – August 2006 D. Extra Classroom Activity Funds Middle School

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

Upon motion by Uri Kaufman and seconded by Pamela Greenbaum, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.

Adjourn

Respectfully Submitted,

Alice Laino

District Clerk