BOARD BRIEFS

BOARD BRIEFS

Volume XXXVIII, No. 3 August 22, 2008

TO: All Staff Members

FROM: Dr. James A. Feltman

RE: Summary Report of Board Meeting

At the meeting last night of the Board of Education:

Approved minutes of July 3, 2008 and July 31, 2008 meetings.
Approved Resignations and Leaves of Absence for members of the teaching staff.
Approved Appointments for members of the teaching staff.
Approved Resignations, Leaves of Absence and Appointments for members of the non-teaching staff.
Acknowledged correspondence re: fee for high school band members.
Announced that the “4^th Annual Classic Car Show” sponsored by the Commack Educational Foundation, Inc. will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Burr Intermediate School, Burr Road, East Northport.
Acknowledged receipt of the following invoices submitted in connection with the capital fund project:

Burton, Behrendt, Smith, PC

#71 (CHS)

#71 (CMS)

#10 (CHS)

#4 (Cedar Road)

#5 (Hubbs)

#3 (MSIS)

#7 (WP)

#10 (IH)

#3 (CHS)

#8 (Burr)

#5 (Smiths Lane)

#4 (Sagtikos)

#5 (Old Farms)

#4 (Long Acres)

#8 (Rolling Hills)

#7 (North Ridge)

Park East Construction Corp.

#16

Utility Detection, Inc.

#08121

8. Approved the following agreements and authorized the President of the board to sign same:

a) Pending receipt of signed rider, agreement with Anderson Center for Autism to provide the District with educational services for three students who live in the District for the 2009-09 school year.

b) Pending receipt of signed rider, agreement with UCP of Greater Suffolk, Inc. to provide the District with educational services for three students who live in the district for the 2008-09 school year.

c) Agreement plus rider with Little Flower UFSD to provide the District with instructional services for the 2008-09 school year.

d) Agreement plus rider with Long Island Developmental Consulting to provide the District with educational services for the 2008-09 school year.

e) Service Agreement renewal for Connect-Ed service for the period September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2011.

f) Agreement with Our Lady of Peace Academy at Montfort Therapeutic Residence to provide the District with educational services for the 2008-09 school year pending review and receipt of rider.

g) Agreement with Acoustic Achievements to provide the District with academic tutoring services for the 2008-09 school year.

h) Agreement with Evelyn Mattal to provide the District with on-site staff development technology integration and computer education for the 2008-09 school year.

i) Agreement with St. James Tutoring, Inc. to provide the District with academic tutoring services for the 2008-09 school year, pending review and rider.

9. Approved the following District of Location contract for students who attend private or parochial schools in Commack who require special education services as follows:

Middle Country School District 2007-08 school year

10. Approved Application for the following grants and authorized the Superintendent of Schools to approve the various applications:

Grant Description Maximum Entitlement for 2008-09

Title I Improving Academic Achievement $ 232,454

for the Disadvantaged

Title IIA Teacher and Principal Training $ 160,769

Title ID Enhancing Education $ 2,478

Through Technology

Title III Language Instruction $ 5,070

for LEP Students

Title III Supplementary Grant $ 57,050

Title IV Safe and Drug Free School $ 22,850

and Communities

Section 611 IDEA $1,405,927

Section 619 IDEA $ 66,134

11. Adopted the following District Goals for the 2008-09 school year:

1. Continue to offer a comprehensive, coherent, and challenging curriculum and educational programs that encourage students to become active, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, reflective, inquiring, thoughtful, lifelong learners.

2. Incorporate our Wellness Program into a physical education plan that addresses the needs of all students, meets state requirements and fosters physical and mental wellness to all students in the District.

3. Propose an EXCEL project that addresses student safety through roof replacements as needed, digital card readers on selected doorways, and IP addressable cameras in all operating schools; energy efficiency through installation of solar power generators on several school buildings; and technology through installation of interactive white boards in classrooms throughout the District. Seek voter authorization as a means of addressing these important measures at the lowest possible cost to the public.

4. Continue to foster the use of learner-centered instructional strategies (including differentiated instruction) and the integration of technology where appropriate to promote the various forms of literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, numeracy and communication skills that are all necessary to foster lifelong learners and to be successful citizens in the 21^st century.

5. Improve skills in using assessment data to inform instructional decisions and to modify teacher and student learning strategies that enable both students and teachers to realize their potential as a learning community and to support the attainment of mastery on summative assessments of learning.

                              6. Advocate for Commack’s financial interests by continuing to explore existing and alternative revenue streams,
                                   including state aid and the Commack Educational Foundation, and by seeking to collaborate with other local
                                   entities and state and local legislatures and officials in order to encourage further efficiencies and reduce
                                   expenditures with an emphasis on moderating or reducing the local tax burden.

12. Approved the proposal submitted by Hawkins Delafield & Wood, LLP to provide the District with Bond Counsel services and the fees associated with such services in connection with a new EXCEL Capital project.

13. Adopted the SEQRA resolutions for the below-listed projects:

1. SEQRA Review of Wood Park Primary School – Exterior Door Security System and Interior Interactive White Boards

2. SEQRA Review of Commack High School – Exterior Door Security System, Roof Solar Panels, and Interior Interactive White Boards

3. SEQRA Review of North Ridge Primary School – Exterior Door Security System and Interior Interactive White Boards

4. SEQRA Review of Mandracchia-Sawmill Intermediate School – Exterior Door Security System, Roof Reconstruction, Roof Solar Panels and Interior Interactive White Boards

5. SEQRA Review of Rolling Hills Primary School – Exterior Door Security System and Interactive Interior White Boards

6. SEQRA Review of Burr Intermediate School – Exterior Door Security System, Roof Solar Panels, and Interior Interactive White Boards

7. SEQRA Review of Commack Middle School – Exterior Door Security System, Roof Solar Panels, and Interior Interactive White Boards

8. SEQRA Review of Indian Hollow Primary School – Exterior Door Security System and Interior Interactive White Boards

14. Approved the extension agreement with the Superintendent of Schools commencing July 1, 2008 and ending on June 30, 2013 and authorized the President of the Board to sign same.

15. Approved the appointment of members to serve on the Committee on Preschool Special Education for the 2008-09 school year.

16. Approved the appointment of members to serve on the Committee on Special Education and/or Committee on Preschool Special Education for the 2008-09 school year.

17. Approved Allowance Authorization #1 and authorized the President of the Board to sign same.

18. Approved the revised AIS Plan.

19. Acknowledged receipt of the statement for professional services rendered on non-retainer matters for the period ending July 2008 submitted by Lamb & Barnosky, LLP.

20. Approved the lease modification with the Jewish Academy of Suffolk County for eight (8) classrooms at Cedar Road School Building for the period September 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 and authorized the President of the Board to sign same.

21. Adopted a resolution to hold a bond proposition vote on Thursday, October 16, 2008 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Registration will be held on Thursday, October 9 at Commack High School from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

22. Tabled Food Service bid recommendation.

23. Approved the following bid recommendations:

· Purchase of Used Sedans

· Glass Replacement

· Environmental Testing

· Automotive Repairs

· Athletic Reconditioning

· Plow Parts

· Sale of Obsolete Kilns

24. Approved the following County contracts:

· Lamps, Bulbs & Ballast (Mid-Island Electric)

· Lamps, Bulbs & Ballast (City Energy Service)

· Lamps, Bulbs & Ballast (Schwing Electric)

· Lamps, Bulbs & Ballast (Graybar)

· Lamps, Bulbs & Ballast (Sunshine Lighting)

25. Approved the following RFP:

· Webmaster/PR Coordinator Award Recommendation: StarBoard

26. Designated Mrs. Mary Jo Masciello as a voting delegate and Mrs. Deborah Guber as an alternate voting delegate for the 2008 NYSSBA Annual Meeting to be held October 18, 2008 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

27. Acknowledged receipt of the CSE/CPSE recommendations approved on the following dates: February 29; April 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18, 28, 29, 30: May 2, 5, 7, 9, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29; and June 3, 5, 12, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25 and 26, 2008.

28. Acknowledged receipt of the Internal Claims Auditor’s Monthly Update.

29. Acknowledged receipt of the Treasurer’s Report, Revenue, Budget, Cash Flow, and Investment Reports.

30. Adopted a resolution to hold Special Meetings for the purpose of adjourning into Executive Session on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, Tuesday, September 2, 2008, and Thursday, September 18, 2008.

Heard comments from the audience re:

Ø Date of October bond issue vote

Ø Traffic light and status of plaque for Marion Carll Farm

Board of Education: Mary Jo Masciello, President; Joseph Pennacchio, Vice President; Deborah Guber, Trustee; Allen Leon, Trustee; Thomas L. Torneé, Trustee