June 12, 2024
The special meeting of the Board of Education was called to order in the Administration Building at 5:33 p.m. by President Joseph Bond.
PRESENT: Mr. Bond, Ms. McKnight, Mrs. Messing, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia, Mrs. Revoir, Mrs. Samuelson and Mrs. Terralavoro
ABSENT: None
Also Present: Ms. Avila
Also Absent: Mrs. Mojica, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Miller and Media (WVT/THR)
PLEDGE TO FLAG
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Bond called for a motion to move into Executive Session at 5:33 p.m.
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board convene to Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular person, a student matter, and the Superintendent’s evaluation. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
The Board was joined in Executive Session by Ms. Avila at 5:34 p.m.
Ms. Avila exited Executive Session at 6:08 p.m.
Ms. McKnight moved, Mrs. Samuelson seconded that the Board come out of Executive Session at 7:53 p.m. and adjourn the meeting. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bond adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
June 10, 2024
Due to the number of people in the audience, the meeting was relocated from the Administration Building to the Berea Elementary School Cafeteria.
The regular meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at Berea Elementary School at 7:00 p.m. by President Joseph Bond.
PRESENT: Mr. Bond, Ms. McKnight, Mrs. Messing, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia, Mrs. Revoir, Mrs. Samuelson and Mrs. Terralavoro
ABSENT: None
Also Present: Ms. Avila, Ms. Mojica, Mr. Miller, Mr. Conklin, Ms. McGoldrick, Student Representatives Ms. Ellison, Ms. Zefi and Mr. Nasser, and approximately eight-five faculty, staff, students and community members in the audience
Also Absent: Media (THR/WVT)
PLEDGE TO FLAG
Mr. Bond made the regular announcements regarding emergency egress, no smoking, public comment, and audio/video recording of the meeting. He made available a copy of the opening statement/guidelines for public comment for those wishing to speak this evening.
CLASS OF 2024 TOP TEN
Following introduction of this Agenda Item, Dr. Russell Burns introduced the top ten graduating seniors from the Class of 2024 and shared each of their post-graduate plans. The top ten students this year are:
Autumn Strobach
Adam Elkashef
Lilly Ellison
John Kelly
Grace DelPilar
Kaitlyn Sepulveda
Peyton Messing
Mary Barry
Maya Uszenski
Sophia Stahl
CORRESPONDENCE/COMMENDATIONS
Mr. Bond and Ms. Avila reviewed the attached listing of correspondence, commendations, and honorable mentions.
PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, noted the Addendum Agenda, and called for a motion.
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Consent Agenda be approved, as amended, listed and attached:
CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
A. Regular Board Meeting Minutes dated 5/22/24
RECOMMENDATIONS OF CSE/CPSE
FOR APPROVAL
A. Approval of Side Agreement:
Assistant to Superintendent/District Clerk
B. Acceptance of Donation:
Valley Central High School – Decorative Plants
Twin Ponds Greenhouse
C. Declaration of Obsolete Equipment – High School
SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Approval of Tenure Recommendations:
Name/Position/Building Assignment/Tenure Area/Effective Date
1. Brad Conklin/School Business Official/Central Office/School Business/July 1, 2024
2. Patricia Bishop/School Counselor/MS School Counselor & Guidance/ August 25, 2024
3. Kathryn Vecchio/Social Studies Teacher/MS/Social Studies
September 1, 2024
4. Paul Sontag/Physical Education Teacher/MS/Physical Education/September 1, 2024
5. Michael Kelly/Physical Education Teacher/EC & WES/Physical Education
September 1, 2024
6. Tracey Vianden/Elementary School Teacher/MES/Elementary Education/September 1, 2024
7. Alexa Karinchak/Elementary School Teacher/MES/Elementary Education/September 8, 2024
Acceptance of Resignations:
Noninstructional
Name/Position/Building/ Assignment/Effective Date
1. Michael Curley/ (Retirement)/Maintenance Worker/Buildings & Grounds/June 28, 2024
2. Nancy Brucato/Food Service Helper/HS/May 22, 2024
3. Ana Cruz/Paraprofessional (School Monitor)/HS/June 30, 2024
4. Juan Arevalo Santamaria/Food Service Helper/HS/June 17, 2024
5. Yahaira Diaz/Paraprofessional/MS/June 26, 2024
6. Andrea Ircha/Paraprofessional/BES/June 26, 2024
7. Ana Thomas/Food Service Helper/EC/June 26, 2024
8. Marie Mills/Food Services Helper/MS/June 26, 2024
9. Janine Maridou/Clerk/Central Office/June 10, 2024
Approval of Appointments:
Instructional – Probationary
Name/Position/Building Assignment/Schedule/Step/Probationary Period/Effective Date
1. Jennifer Robinholt /Family &Consumer Science Teacher/MS/BA30/Step 3
September 1, 2024 – September 1, 2028 */September 1, 2024
*To the extent applicable under Education Law Section 3012-d and the accompanying Commissioner’s Regulation, in order to be considered for tenure, teachers and principals appointed to a four-year probationary period must have received an APPR rating of effective or highly effective in three of the four probationary years and must not receive an ineffective in the fourth year.
Instructional – Annual Appointments
Name
Position/Building Assignment/Schedule/Step/Effective Date
Home Tutors/District/$48.00 per hour/2023 – 2024 School Year
1. Michele Daly
2. Sarah Davenport
Special Education Teacher/ESY/$60.00 per hour/Summer 2024
3. Michelle DeZemo
Evaluators/ESY & Itinerant Staff/$60.00 per hour/Summer 2024
4. Caitlin Bennett
5. Nicole Speranzo
6. Stephanie Walsh
Proctors for June Regents/HS/$50.00 per hour/June 2024
7. Bria Austin
8. Maureen Basher
9. Lacey Benjamin
10. Paul Berkowitz
11. Rachael Brown
12. Deanna Enea
13. Darci Fletcher
14. Nicole Fuoco
15. Mary Giorgianni
16. Amanda Gliedman
17. Stephanie Hernandez
18. Patrick Kemp
19. Zelig Kurland
20. Diana LaBarbera
21. Andrew LaVallie
22. Denyse LaVallie
23. Angelo Leo
24. Janelle Manson-Henry
25. Jane Meisel
26. Peter Meisel
27. Antoinette Oakes
28. Rhonda Paul
29. Peter Pekny
30. Lori Rodriguez
31. Michelle Rose
32. Suzanne Schiaffo
33. Jennie Sexton
34. Keith Sexton
35. Holly Siegel
36. Michele Sinn
37. Adam Sontag
38. Nicole Speranzo
39. Brendan Sutta
40. Dawn Verini
41. Andrew Zunich
Graders for June Regents/HS/$48.00 per hour/June 2024
42. Rachael Brown
43. Diana LaBarbera
44. Sophie Steger (Leave Replacement)/Mathematics Teacher/HS/BA, Step 1/2024 – 2025 School Year
Noninstructional Appointments
Name/Position/Building/ Assignment/Schedule/Step/Effective Dates
1. Jennifer Gately (New Position)/Registered Professional Nurse/District /RN/Elementary/BA, Step 2/September 3, 2024
2. Juan Arevalo Santamaria (Resignation Replacement)/Custodial Worker/MES/ CSEA (Custodial Worker)/Step 1/June 18, 2024
3. Janine Maridou (Title Change)/Central Registrar/Central Office/No Change in Salary/June 11, 2024
Noninstructional – Annual
Name/Position/Building Assignment/Schedule/Step/Effective Date
1. Tyshawn Green/Summer Custodial Worker/MES/$15.00 per hour/Summer 2024
2. James O’Brien/Summer Custodial Worker/HS/$15.00 per hour/Summer 2024
3. Evan Johnson/Summer Custodial Worker/MS/$15.00 per hour/Summer 2024
4. Katayshia Rogers/Summer Custodial Worker/HS/$15.00 per hour/Summer 2024
Substitute Food Service Helper/District/$15.30 per hour/2023 – 2024 School Year
5. Nancy Brucato
6. Dinora Mota
Substitute Paraprofessional/District/$15.00 per hour/2023 – 2024 School Year
7. Deanne Alfano
Substitute Custodial Workers/District/$15.00 per hour/2024 – 2025 School Year
8. David Bennett
9. Gregory Brundage
10. Aidan Garrison
Substitute Paraprofessional/District/$15.00 per hour/2024 – 2025 School Year
11. Karan Vanderley
12. Constance Griffin/RN for Summer Physicals/Athletic Dept./$50.00 per hour/Summer 2024
13. Angela Adjei/Substitute RN for Summer Physicals/Athletic Dept./$50.00 per hour/Summer 2024
14. Kaitlyn Moran/Paraprofessional/ESY/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
15. Stacy Vendy/Occupational Therapist/ESY/$60.00 per hour/Summer 2024
16. Jacquelyn Morgano/Paraprofessional/ESY and Itinerant Staff/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
Proctors for June Regents/HS/2023 – 2024 hourly rate/June 2024
17. Elaine Aponte
18. Christine Brighton
19. Michelle Daly
20. Phyllis Hedges
21. Ashlee Grunwald
22. Debra Royster
23. Michelle Manning
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/HS/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
24. Thomas Amodio
25. Diane Bowling
26. AnnMarie Brodzinski
27. Kelly Capozzoli
28. Joseph Cumming
29. Michele Daly
30. Jessica Dougherty
31. Lenore Felix
32. Ashlee Grunwald
33. Colleen Maier
34. Odelia Pacheco-Abreu
35. Joyce Sawyer
36. Lynn Sawyer
37. William Sherry
38. Patricia Stolz
39. Clem Warren
Registered Nurses Working Summer Hours/HS/$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
40. Angela Adjei
41. Constance Griffin
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/MS/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
42. Ashley Cuomo
43. Sheri Duschaneck
44. Sophia Licata-Cook
45. Laurie Marin
46. Maura O’Dell
47. Kristy Parton
48. Yeidaliz Polanco
49. Margarita Ramirez
50. Susan Stewart
51. Jeannine Wagner
Registered Nurses Working Summer Hours/MS
$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
52. Michelle Dymond
53. Jacqueline Kenny
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/ALC/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
54. Diane Savage
55. Maureen Hedden
56. Irene Finocchiaro-Brisee
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/BES/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
57. Wanda Calderon
58. Tina Canavan
59. Kitty Cody
60. Beverly Decker
61. Sarah DiMaggio
62. Heather Forrestal
63. Isabel Grattan
64. Laura Horton
65. Elizabeth Killilea
66. Lizette Luciano
67. Rachel Manuel-Welt
68. Laura McCausland
69. Lauren Pine
70. Amy Pittner-Rico
71. Amanda Ramirez
72. Samantha Sladeski
73. Lorraine Troy
74. Allison Boyce/Registered Nurse Working Summer Hours/BES/$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
Paraprofessionals /Working Summer Hours/EC/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/ Summer 2024
75. Kerry Kras
76. Teresa Gatto
77. Barbara Zupa
78. Danielle Webb/Registered Nurse Working Summer Hours/EC/$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/MES/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
79. Joan Garry
80. Denyse Heine
81. Christine Byrne
82. Diane Sawyer
83. Carol Granata
84. Evelyn Gaina
85. Dawn Smith
86. Natalie Ryan
87. Donna Signorella
88. Melissa Way
89. Heidi Gridley
90. Frances Beckhusen
91. Christine Belknap/Registered Nurse Working Summer Hours/MES/$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
Paraprofessionals Working Summer Hours/WES/2024 – 2025 hourly rate/Summer 2024
92. Patricia Buchalski
93. Kathleen Caltavuturo
94. Damaris Torres
95. Laura Guevara
96. Laurie Laudati
97. Kathleen Lennon
98. Janean Patterson
99. Lori Weikel
100. Maureen Wasserman/Registered Nurse Working Summer Hours/WES/$48.00 per hour/Summer 2024
101. Madelyn Jachimiak/Summer Custodial Worker/MES/$15.00 per hour/Summer 2024
Approval of 2024 – 2025 Stand Alone Employee Salaries
Name/Position/Building Assignment/Salary
1. Sharon Delmonico/Athletic Trainer/District/$92,113.00
2. Eleanore Mills/School Food Services Director II/District/$109,356.00
3. Jackie Calarco/School District Treasurer/Central Office/$145,600.00
4. Ivelisse Mojica/Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction/Central Office/$187,200.00
5. Brad Conklin/School Business Official/Central Office/$191,849.00
6. Ellen McGoldrick/Assistant to Superintendent and District Clerk/Central Office/$122,641.00
7. Stephen Ragni/Director of Security/District/$149,500.00
8. Daniel Martin/Internal Claims Auditor/Central Office/$41.60 per hour
9. Elizabeth DiBenedetto/Sr. Account Clerk (p/t)/Central Office/$30.01 per hour
10. Faye Goldstein/Clerk (p/t)/Central Office/$27.92 per hour
11. Judith Lozier/Clerk (p/t)/Central Office/$27.92 per hour
REPORTS
A. Student Representatives
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and invited the Student Representatives to offer their report. Ms. Ellison, Ms. Zefi and Mr. Nasser provided information on various activities at the High School including the Festival of the Arts, the yearbook dedication, the Senior Dinner, and Moving Up Day, as well as plans for the Senior Awards Night and graduation.
B. Superintendent of Schools
Following introduction of this Agenda item by Mr. Bond, Ms. Avila provided information on recent District activities, including the Senior Ball, the Scholar Athlete Breakfast, the Senior Dinner, the All District 5th Grade Concert, the Night of Specials at the Middle School, the PTA Council’s End of Year Social, the Spring Concerts at the High School and Berea Elementary School, and the Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers brunch and award ceremony.
C. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item. Mrs. Mojica shared information on the work in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and the end of the school year activities in the District.
D. Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Mr. Miller did not have a report this evening.
E. School Business Official
Following introduction of this Agenda item, Mr. Conklin provided a status update on the Capital Project.
F. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee – May 28, 2024
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and invited Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia, the Board liaison to the DEI Committee, to provide her report. Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia spoke about the Committee’s work in advancing inclusivity and equity throughout the District. She noted that here are a few committee members whose terms are expiring this year and the Committee has been accepting applications for new members.
G. OCSBA Delegates’ Meeting – June 5, 2024
Following introduction of this Agenda item by Mr. Bond, Mrs. Revoir provided a brief overview of the annual meeting. The guest presenter was Patrick Longo from NYSSBA, who spoke on living with disabilities.
H. Community Participation
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and invited the Board members to share what events they had attended or participated in within the District and community. Board members commented on the Orange County School Boards Association Annual Meeting, a DEI Committee meeting, a HOBY Youth Leadership Ceremony in Albany, the Festival of the Arts, Honor Society Inductions, athletic events, the PTA Council Social, spring concerts, and Moving Up at the High School.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following individuals requested time to speak this evening:
Erin Sherry
Colin Kinsley/Cooper Sherry
Barney Zipkin
Pamela Nasser
Alison Henry
Jen Santangelo
Rebecca Sibley
Madison Roszkowski
Mia Ponto
NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Inter-Municipal Agreements:
1. Valley Central School District with Town of Montgomery – SRO Services for 2024 Summer School Program
2. Valley Central School District with Town of Montgomery – SRO Services for 2024-2025 School Year
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the agreements for SRO services f and called for motions.
Mrs. Terralavoro moved, Mrs. Messing seconded that the Board approve the agreement with the Town of Montgomery for SRO services for the 2024 summer school program, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Board approve the agreement with the Town of Montgomery for SRO services for the 2024-2025 school year, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
B. Adoption of Resolution:
1. Rockland BOCES Cooperative Energy Bid
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the resolution provided to the Board members, and called for motion.
Mrs. Revoir moved, Mrs. Messing seconded that the Board adopt the resolution approving the District’s participation in the Rockland BOCES Energy Purchasing Consortium for the 2024-2025 school year, as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
C. Approval of Bid Renewal Recommendations:
1. Electrical Service – Harry Rotolo & Sons, Inc.
2. Cleaning of Septic Tanks, Grease Traps and Lines – Fred A. Cook, Jr., Inc.
3. HVAC – Joe Lombardo Plumbing & Heating of Rockland
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the bid recommendations provided to the Board, and called for motions to approve.
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Board approve the Electrical Service Bid to Harry Rotolo & Sons, Inc., as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Mrs. Revoir seconded that the Board approve the Cleaning of Septic Tanks, Grease Traps and Lines Bid to Fred A. Cook. Jr., as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board approve the HVAC Bid to Joe Lombardo Plumbing & Heating of Rockland, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
D. Approval of Boards of Registration and Election 2025-2026
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and called for a motion.
Mrs. Terralavoro moved, Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia seconded that the Board approve the Board of Registration and Election for the 2025-2026 budget vote and election, as attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
For the record, it is expected that this listing will substantially change. In the spring, the Board will be asked to approve an updated list before the budget vote in May.
E. Approval of Agreement between Valley Central School District and Pediatric OT Solutions, PC
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the above listed agreements, and called for a motion.
Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board approve the agreement with Pediatric OT Solutions, PC for occupational therapy evaluation/treatment for a student with disabilities, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
F. Approval of Agreement between Valley Central School District and The Center for Discovery, Inc.
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the above listed agreements, and called for a motion.
Mrs. Terralavoro moved, Mrs. Revoir seconded that the Board approve the agreement with The Center for Discovery, Inc. for educational services for a student with disabilities, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
G. Approval of Agreement between Valley Central School District and the Viking Aquatic Club
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the agreement provided to the Board, and called for a motion.
Ms. McKnight moved, Mrs. Samuelson seconded that the Board approve the agreement with the Viking Aquatic Club, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
H. Approval of High School Courses:
1. Foundations of Music – SUNY Orange
2. Introduction to Sports Management – Mount St. Mary College
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item, referenced the memorandum from Dr. Burns, and called for motions.
Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board approve the Foundations of Music course, in partnership with SUNY Orange, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mrs. Messing moved, Mrs. Revoir seconded that the Board approve the Introduction to Sports Management course, in partnership with Mount St. Mary College, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
I. Adoption of Resolution:
Reduction of Tax Assessment and Payment of Refund Due to
Court Order and Judgment
1. The Valley Group
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and called for a motion.
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the Board approve the reduction of tax assessment and the payment of refund due to court order and judgment, as listed and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
J. Adoption of Resolutions:
1. Establishment of Tax Certiorari Reserve Fund 2023-2024
2. Dissolution of Tax Certiorari Reserve Fund 2018-2019
3. Funding of Reserve Funds
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and called for a motions to adopt.
Mrs. Fox-Pizzonia moved, Mrs. Terralavoro seconded that the Board adopt the resolution establishing the tax certiorari reserve fund for 2023-2024, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mrs. Terralavoro moved, Mrs. Samuelson seconded that the Board adopt the resolution dissolving the tax certiorari reserve fund for 2018-2019, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Ms. McKnight moved, Mrs. Samuelson seconded that the Board adopt the resolution authorizing the funding the reserve fund accounts, as presented and attached. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
K. First Reading of:
1. Regulation 1120-R – School Records (Revised)
2. Policy 4772 – Graduation Ceremonies (Revised)
3. Policy 4773 – Diploma and Credential Options (Revised)
4. Policy 5500 – Student Records (Revised)
5. Regulation 5500-R – Student Records (Revised)
6. Policy 5550 – Student Privacy (Revised)
7. Regulation 8635-R – Information and Data Privacy, Security, Breach and Notification (Revised)
8. Policy 8636 – Artificial Intelligence (New)
9. Policy 8650 – School District Compliance with Copyright Law (Revised)
10. Regulation 8650-R – School District Compliance with Copyright Law (Removed)
Mr. Bond introduced this Agenda item and read a summary of the revisions to the above listed Board policies and regulations. These revised policies and regulations will be presented for a second reading and adoption at the July 1, 2024 Board meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Bond called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Mrs. Messing moved, Ms. McKnight seconded that the meeting be adjourned. Voting YES: Unanimous [7:0]
Mr. Bond adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.