BOARD OF EDUCATION

Shenendehowa Central School District

Clifton Park, New York

Special Budget Study Session

March 3, 2009

The Special Budget Study Session of the Board of Education was called to order at 6 p.m.

MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo, seconded by Mrs. Wiggins, to convene to Executive Session at 6:03 p.m. 

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding the status of several outstanding personnel and contractual matters.  No action taken.

MOTION BY Mr. Casey, seconded by Mrs. Blaauboer , to return to the Study Session at 6:57 p.m. 

Mrs. Grey called the Special Budget Study Session to order at 7:04 p.m.

Mrs. Grey led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mrs. Grey pointed out the exits from the meeting room. 

A moment of silence was held to recognize the passing of Mrs. Margaret Simmons who was on the first faculty of Shenendehowa and remained until she retired after 28 years.

1.   ADOPT AN AGENDA

MOTION BY Mr. DiLallo, seconded by Mrs. Bowles, to adopt the agenda as presented.

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

2.   BOARD COMMENTS/REPORTS

Several Board members acknowledged and recognized the tremendous efforts of the PTA in organizing the Almost March Madness event. 

A sentiment was also expressed about the uncertainty of the State budget and the ultimate impact of Federal stimulus funds.

STUDY SESSION TOPICS

QUEST (formerly Young Scholars) Proposals (T. Snyder)

Dr. Snyder provided a presentation on an innovative program, QUEST, to replace the existing elementary Young Scholars program.  The plan is preliminary at this point.  The Board of Education expressed a lot of support for the initiative; hence, Dr. Snyder will continue the process, seeking further input from administrators and other key constituents.

Budget Development (Expenses – Stage I Items)

Dr. Robinson and Ms. Wetmore completed a PowerPoint presentation that outlined numerous areas of the proposed budget reductions.  According to Dr. Robinson, the budget takes a multi-year perspective, knowing that the out years are extremely bleak.  A copy of the presentation can be viewed on the District’s website.

3.   ACTION ITEMS

a.   Emergency Resolution and Bus Lease

MOTION BY Mrs. Blaauboer, seconded by Mr. DiLallo, to approve the following recommended resolution:

WHEREAS, on February 11, 2009 three (3) District-owned school buses used to transport resident children to and from school were destroyed by fire; and

WHEREAS, loss of these buses by fire creates emergency conditions, as that term is used in Education Law §1709 subd.(25)(e) and 8 NYCRR §156.6, under which the School District may lease buses from a source other than a school district, BOCES or County vocational education and extension board.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the lease of three (3) 2009 IC Corporation CE 3005, 72 passenger capacity buses from Scholastic Capital, LLC for a term commencing March 15 and ending June 30, 2009, for a sum not to exceed Twenty-Nine Thousand Six Hundred Fifty-Five Dollars ($29,655).

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

4.   ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY Mrs. Blaauboer, seconded by Mr. DiLallo, to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m.

Unanimously approved, motion carried.

                                                                  Respectfully submitted,

                                                                  Dr. L. Oliver Robinson

                                                                  Superintendent of Schools

                                                                  Approved by: _____________________

                                                                  Kathleen A. Wetmore

                                                                  Clerk of the Board