December 17, 2007

Transcribed 12/18/2007

 

Regular meeting of the Pittsford Area Schools Board of Education was held with Robert Clarke, Mike Fowler, Pete Wines, Denese Belson, David Billington, Cindy Fenton, and Brian Hoard being present.

 

Mr. Shaw, Superintendent and Elementary Principal and Mr. Pelham, High School Principal was present from the administrative staff.

 

President Robert Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

Mr. Clarke asked the Board of Education and audience to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Cindy Fenton to waive the reading of the minutes and approve the November 19, 2007, regular meeting minutes.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

Mr. Shaw spoke to the Board about a new Early Elementary Program that is focused on children from birth to five years old.  The Lions Club of Pittsford has agreed to contribute $4,000 for this year and the next two years.   The program will begin in February and conclude in May.  It will meet on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 11:00.  There will also be meetings on the first and third Wednesday nights of each month from 6:00 to 8:00.  It is the hope that the program will enhance the education of the district’s birth to five-year-old students.

 

No visitors addressed the Board.

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Denese Belson to pay the bills.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

Mr. Shaw extended congratulations to the football, volleyball, and cross-country runners who received  SCAA All-League Honors.

 

Pittsford Area Schools has met AYP.

 

The district has received a letter from the Pittsford Education Association (PEA) stating that they are ready to begin bargaining the 2008/2009 contract.

 

The December Contact will be mailed out before Christmas vacation.

 

A 1-mill, 5-year sinking fund levy will be placed on the ballot at the January 15th primary election, which will be held at the local township halls.

 

There will be a Christmas Breakfast for the entire staff on Friday, December 21st from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m.  School will start at 9:30 on this day.

 

There was discussion on what procedure to follow for practice and sporting events when school is cancelled due to inclement weather.  The Board has asked Mr. Shaw to develop criteria for this process.

There have been two Letters of Agreement signed with the PEA. 

 

Mr. Shaw displayed the numerous Christmas cards the district has received this holiday season.

 

A motion was made by Denese Belson and seconded by Dave Billington to hire Betty Spahr as the Spanish Club advisor for the second semester of the 2007/08 school year.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Dave Billington and seconded by Brian Hoard to appoint T. G. Cook as the interim secondary principal for the remainder of the 2007/08 school year after the district receives a letter of resignation from Mr. Pelham.

 

Fowler – Yes                           Hoard - Yes

Billington – Yes                        Wines - Yes

Fenton – Abstained                  Clarke - No

Belson – No

The motion carried 4 – 3.

 

A motion was made by Brian Hoard and seconded by Denese Belson to appoint Tracy O’Haver as the transportation/maintenance supervisor for the remainder of the 2007/08 school year.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Denese Belson and seconded by Dave Billington to allow Mrs. Spahr to continue planning and investigating a Spanish Club trip for the summer of 2009.

 

Mr. Shaw reported that the students in the elementary participated in the Mega Event on Friday.  The elementary music program will be on December 20th at 1:00 p.m.  Elementary teachers worked on intervention strategies for reading with Mrs. DuVall.  Jessica Burkhart will be taking Michelle Staggs position beginning January 21st.

 

Mr. Pelham reported exams will take place in two weeks.  Students are required to pass 60% of their course work with at least a 60% average.  The high school is implementing a plan (Nova Net) to assist students in redeeming some credit they have lost in the past.   A new computer has been purchased to help with this program.  Camden-Frontier has contacted the district about the possibility of sharing a math or science teacher next year.  Several students shared their complements to the teachers for helping them prepare for the ACT test.

 

There was no student representative this month.

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Dave Billington to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m.  The motion carried (unanimously).

 

 

 

__________________________________

Denese Belson, Secretary

Board of Education