BOARD OF EDUCATION

LAWRENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LAWRENCE, NY

 

WORK SESSION                                                                   Tuesday, November 13, 2007

                                                                                                7:30 PM, Number Five School

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   OPENING WORK SESSION MEETING

 

The Lawrence Union Free School District Board of Education Work Session was called to order by Murray Forman at 7:30 p.m.

 

Upon motion by Murray Forman and seconded by David Sussman, the Board moved to enter executive session at 7:32 p.m. to discuss personnel matters.

 

At 8:36 p.m. upon motion by David Sussman and seconded by Michael Hatten, the Board of Education left executive session and immediately reconvened public session. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Murray Forman.

 

Board members present:

 

Mr. Murray Forman, President

Dr. David Sussman, Vice President

Dr. Solomon Blisko

Mr. Michael Hatten

Mr. Uri Kaufman

Mr. Stanley Kopilow

Rabbi Nahum Marcus

 

Also present were:

Dr. John T. Fitzsimons, Superintendent

Dr. Vicki Karant, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mrs. Elsie Friedman, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Mr. Dominick Minerva, School Counsel

Ms. JoAnn Jordan, Clerk Pro Tem

 

 

Mrs. Melissa Krieger, Number Five School Principal, thanked the custodians for their work towards ensuring a good school opening. She also thanked Nachum Marcus for attending the 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Number Five School on September 30th. The Board of Education Building Walk Through of the Number Five School was led by Mrs. Melissa Krieger.  Mrs. Krieger pointed out the need to repair carpets that have become tripping hazards; necessary exterior repairs to prevent water infiltration on the Cedarhurst Avenue and Fifth Avenue sides of the building; needed exterior masonry repairs to repair cracks and prevent water infiltration; and necessary upgrade of electrical service to handle expanded use in the building.  For safety reasons, the playground needs to be blacktopped and re-graded.  In order to become ADA compliant, bathrooms should be upgraded.  Mrs. Krieger thanked the Board for taking the time to tour the Number Five School.

Board of Education Walk Through

Dr. Fitzsimons has been receiving reports of “good news” throughout the District as a result of his memo sent to Key Communicators, PTA and staff to contact him about the wonderful things that happen in our District every day.  Presently, our Lawrence Tornadoes are undefeated and will be playing Garden City this Friday at 7:00 PM at Hofstra University.  Tonight the Board will be voting on an RFP to seek a public relations firm.

Reports and Presentations

 

Spreading the “Good News”

 

Since the District is no longer operating on a contingency budget, Dr. Fitzsimons suggested that the Board consider waving fees for all certificated youth groups who use our buildings and grounds.  Also, depending on the cost to the District, he suggested reducing rates for adult groups.  Using the current fee structure, the District realizes a net revenue of $30,000. Questions were raised about putting the fee schedule back in if the District returns to contingency or if it is at the Board’s discretion whether or not to charge youth groups.  Counsel will research legalities and report back to the Board who will then make a decision on Policy #1500’s fee schedule.

Discussion on Policy #1500

Mr. Peter Rodriguez, an auditor from Coughlin, Foundatos, Cullen & Danowski, was present to report on the District’s audit ending June 30, 2007.  Mr. Rodriguez met with the Board Audit Committee to discuss his findings.  A report has been filed with SED and the Comptroller’s Office.  The audit was very favorable and supported the fact that all district reports are fairly presented.  Recommendations were made through the management letter regarding the bidding process and the payroll certification process.  Additional recommendations may be made. Dr. Fitzsimons thanked Mrs. Friedman and her staff for promptly addressing the recommendations made in last year’s management letter.

2006-2007 Audit Report

Dr. Karant, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Jay Silverstein, Director of Guidance, Dr. Leticia Brereton, Director of World Languages, and Mrs. Ann Pedersen, Number Four School Principal, showed a PowerPoint presentation on District Goal #4 – “To expand and enhance outreach programs to students of different racial/ethnic groups, students with limited English proficiency, and low-income students.” Mrs. Pedersen spoke about the importance of early intervention and thanked the Board for expanding the Pre-K Program.  Outreach at the elementary level will include before and after school ESL programs, “family learning days,” increased opportunities for mentoring, translation volunteers and “Talk System” equipment, and early college awareness programs.  At the secondary level, Dr. Silverstein reported on the Steps to Success Program at the Middle School.  There will also be a weekend Regents academy and counselors will be available to speak with students during a lunchtime “drop in” program.   and a teacher/student mentoring program.  There will be an effort to increase the number of professional staff fluent in Spanish.  Outreach to families will include bilingual translation of building correspondence.  In summary, Goal #4 allows for increased academic performance by developing a sense of belonging and engagement among a community of learners that are committed to success.

District Goal #4

Upon motion by Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, the Board moved to enter into regular session at 9:49 p.m.

 

Motion to Enter Regular Session

 

Upon motion of Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, be it RESOLVED that the President of the Board of Education or the Superintendent of Schools is authorized to execute and deliver the Grant Distribution Agreement to the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (“DASNY”) in connection with the EXCEL funding in relation to the following projects as per Exhibit A.

VOTE:  YES (7)

 

Grant Distribution Agreement to the Dormitory Authority Resolution

Upon motion of Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, the Board of Education, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools and subject to the annexed letter of offer, hereby appoints John Dziedzic as Temporary Director of Facilities and Operations II of the Lawrence Union Free School District in accordance with the terms and provisions of the proposed agreement and subject to approval by the Nassau County Civil Service Commission and receipt of NYS Education Department fingerprint clearance.

VOTE:  YES (7)

Resolution to Appoint the Interim Director of Facilities

Name                        Title                                                      Date

John Dziedzic   Director of Facilities & Operations II   Pending Civil Service Approval

 

Emergency Conditional Reinstatement Appointment

Upon motion of Stanley Kopilow and seconded by Michael Hatten, the Board of Education authorizes the issuance of a Request for Proposal for a Public Relations Firm.

VOTE:  YES (7)

Authorization Resolution

Upon a motion by Michael Hatten and seconded by David Sussman, the meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.

Adjournment

                                                                                                            JoAnn Jordan                                                                                                                         Clerk Pro Tem