Watkins Glen school board 9/4/12

Watkins Glen school board 9/4/12

    Meeting:  The Watkins Glen school board met Tuesday, Sept. 4.

    Attendance:  All board members were present.
    Action:  The school board approved working with Schuyler County, the village of Watkins Glen, Dix, and Reading to hire outside council as Inergy and Wal-Mart request property tax assessment reductions.  If approved, the reassessments would mean a loss of tax dollars for the two towns, county, village, and school district.  The companies’ request for a drop in property taxes was heard by the New York State Supreme Court in August.
    • The board of education goals for 2012-13 were approved.  Superintendent Tom Phillips said there are three main focuses.  First is the new teacher/principal accountability rules and the change in curriculum to the state-mandated common core standards.  Second is the transition to a single campus.  Phillips explained the last focus is communication both within the district and to the community about these changes.
    • An agreement with the village of Watkins Glen Police Department for the school resource officer was approved for the current school year.
    • The following regular agreements were approved to provide services to students: Arc of Yates County, Schuyler Head Start, and Franziska Racker Centers.
Discussion without action:  Phillips reported the district received a $10,000 check from Cargill for the “Alternative Energy-Bringing it From Our Rooftop into our Classroom” grant to be utilized at the middle school.  It will give the students the opportunity to learn about alternative forms of energy within the science and technology classrooms.
    • Board President Brian O’Donnell read a thank you note from Marcie Ergott for the framed print presented to her by the board in recognition for her retirement.  She had over 33 years of service with the district.
    Appointments/resignations:  Melissa Woodward was approved as assistant varsity cross country coach.
    • William Oleniczak was appointed as a bus driver.  Lisa Donakowski’s resignation as bus driver was also approved.
    • The following staff members were approved as coordinators: Rick Comfort (pre-kindergarten), Jennifer Titus (first and second grade), Claudia LaFace and Daphne Holland (third and fourth grade), Alice Conklin and Angela Weeden (fifth grade), Becky Sue Bianco (sixth grade), Ben Connelly and Jan Bubb (seventh and eighth grade), Karen Armstrong (math, science, and technology), Cyndy Wood (physical education, health, and home and careers), Mary Mack (kindergarten to grade 12 special education), Marie Fitzsimmons (English language arts, social studies, and foreign language), and Matt Craig and Elaine Wojtus (art, music, and cultural arts).
    Upcoming meetings:  The next meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 17, at 5:45 p.m. beginning with the annual facilities tour (starting at the middle school).  The regular meeting will follow.