Members Present:

• Bryan Burrell, President
• Don Hammond, Vice President
• Pierre Davis, Secretary
• Claudette Clarke, Trustee
• Vic Czajkowski, Trustee
• Michael Mark, Trustee (joined the meeting at 8:25 PM)
• Joe Patalano, Student Representative

Members Absent:

• Fletcher Johnson, M.D., Trustee

Others Present:

• Roberta Zampolin, Superintendent of Schools
• Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist, Ass't Superintendent
• Gail Fleur, District Clerk
• Community Members

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by President Burrell and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Recognition

The Board recognized and commended:

• National History Day Competition, Second Place Winner:
• Thaddeus Bell, 7th Grade, Nyack Middle School
• Robert Wisner, Advisor, Social Studies Teacher
• Journal News Player of the Year for Boys Basketball:
• Nigel Morris
• Coach Gary Gray
• Journal News Coach of the Year for Boys Basketball:
• Gary Gray
• Journal News Scholar/Athlete for Girls Softball:
• Sarah Himmelfarb
• Coach Anthony Boffa
• NYS Scholar/Athlete Team Award - Girls Indoor Track:
• Stephanie Abdel-Sater, Pooja Bendala, Mallory Dash,
• Nora Kurtz, Christine Looser, Emma Martin, Caitlin Martin,
• Christine Micucci, Barbara Palazzo, Hann Robinson,
• Diana Schepens, Keenah Stewart
• Coach Shulton Whitley
• NYS Scholar/Athlete Team Award - Girls Basketball:
• Amanda Bower, Monica Calungcagin, Jenna DeLeonardis,
• Beth Jackson, Jenna Konecni, Heather Soukas,
• Aerin Sassano-Higgins
• Coach: Darren Shepard
• NYS Scholar/Athlete Team Award - Fencing:
• Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Andrew Glikin, Cory Hunt, Jeremy Bursky,
• Mike Colucci, Gabriella Stien-Della Croce, Kelsey Coughlin
• Coach Ron Mason
• Girls Scouts of Rockland County Gold Awardee:
• Christina Bean

President's Report

President Burrell reported that:

• The State budget was almost completed.
• Federal funding of the IDEA is almost a reality. This would mean $250,000 more each year for Nyack.

Student Representative's Report

Joe Patalano reported that:

• Prom planning was in the final stages.
• May 29 was the Memorial Garden dedication at noon.
• AP exams were that week.
• Students met with Mrs. Zampolin and Mr. Burrell last week to discuss the Code of Conduct dress code. The board has received the students' recommendations. Students felt that they had adequately pleaded their concerns at that meeting and it was not necessary to come before the Board that evening.
• Teacher appreciation was that Friday.
• There were 34 days left of school.

Superintendent's Report

Mrs. Zampolin reported that:

• There were noise distractions during the Advanced Placement exams that were given in the gym area of the Hilltop Building rented by Nyack College. The testing offices were called and a form was filed for exam readers that will make allowances for the distractions. Parents were notified by letter. Today the students were moved to another area.
• Two days off for students have been added to the Memorial Weekend to make up for the snow days not used. On Friday, May 24 there will be a Superintendent's Conference Day and on Tuesday.
• The waiver requested from the State on monies owed regarding capital improvements and the refinancing of our bonds a few years ago has been approved. Without the waiver it would have cost the district an additional $300,000.
• Kinder-prep for incoming kindergarten parents will begin that week. Transportation is provided and the letter was sent out in three languages.
• The COPS program at Valley Cottage will culminate with a recognition ceremony and activities by the police departments this Friday. It will also include a thank you to the police and firefighters from 9/11.ta=

Board of Education Reports

• There were none.

Citizens Questions/Comments

• Marcy Denker was concerned about the District's recent decision regarding not allowing volunteers in the classroom.
• Mrs. Zampolin explained that volunteers still had many opportunities to be involved in the schools. The recent ruling was in reference to volunteers not being permitted to take children out of the classroom for instruction, which several volunteers in the District were doing. The issue was raised about two years ago by Teaching Assistants when they stated concern about their duties being performed by volunteers. It could have led to a grievance against the District which legal counsel said would not withstand District challenge. The new contract language pertains to the teaching of students and not other volunteer activities, nor to Foster Grandparents or RSVP volunteers in the classroom.
• Points made by Ms. Denker and several other community members present were:
  • never be a enough Teaching Assistants t o provide the amount of help needed
  • Teaching Assistants are not teachers either
  • three volunteers were purposely singled out
  • one on one work could be done in the classroom if cannot take children out of the room
  • should have let the matter go to a grievance
  • volunteers involved were not notified properly, but allegedly escorted out of the building
  • situation is divisive - parents against Teaching Assistants
  • hope there is an option for another resolution for the matter
  • questioned whether there is screening of volunteers
• President Burrell said a letter was going home to all parents explaining the District's position and reassuring parents that they were still welcomed into the schools as volunteers, but precluded from teaching. He said the charges just made against the District were not true and the law that was the basis for the Teaching Assistants concerns was already in place and the District did not create it.

Workshop

• Public Hearing on the Budget: .The budget had been adopted at the previous Board meeting and this public informational hearing was required by law. There were no questions.
• Examination of Student Government Recommendations on Changes in Dress Code for 2003-2004 Policy #5300.20: The Code of Conduct, approved in January stated that the dress code would be reviewed in the spring with input solicited from parents, staff and the high school student government. Student Representative, Joseph Patalano, presented the Student Council's suggestions, which had been relayed to Mrs. Zampolin and President Burrell at a meeting earlier (see attached). Major points made were that instead of limiting the clothing that a student can wear, the exposure of specific body parts should be deemed inappropriate. In addition, bandanas and non-religious head coverings should be allowed, since hats are allowed. Mr. Patalano said the Student Council was not present that evening since members felt their position was clear at the meeting.
• President Burrell said he and Mrs. Zampolin were impressed by the students' demeanor and recommendations. They had the option of saying there should be no code, but chose a compromise route. Mrs. Zampolin said the students were well spoken and realized they did not represent 100% of the student body and wanted the discussion to go on.

Comments:

• Trustee Davis: The original stricter Code was adopted because the Board did not want it to be subjective.
• Trustee Clarke wanted to keep the original language since there will always be a student who wants to "push the envelope" and teachers shouldn't have to be put in the position of making judgements or wasting classtime in discussion. . (Mr. Patalano clarified that only administrators would judge if dress was appropriate). She said all knew this would be a difficult decision and students aren't qualified to self-judge how they look.
• Trustee Hammond remarked that the Board had approved the dress code knowing that that students would be judging whether it was working well. Thus, the Board should listen to them now and he would vote for the changes they recommended. It would help in enforcing the code if students bought into it.
• Trustee Mark agreed that it was important to listen to the students. They were frustrated by the code as it was now and he felt it was not enforceable.
• Trustee Czajkowski was concerned about the wearing of bandanas, since county police seem to believe that the wearing of a bandana was identifying dress for a gang member. He felt a student may be mistaken for a gang member if a bandana is worn. (Mrs. Zampolin said gang activity was primarily outside of schools and police have said there are no other signs of gangs in the schools.) Mr. Patalano said if bandanas are banned, so should all headgear. Trustee Czajkowski asked to hear the opinions of the administrators present.
• Principal Phyllis Aliberto said it wasn't a majority of the students who were upset over the dress code and no student was punished or sent home for being in violation of it. Any dress code is always a struggle, and she believes that administration at the High School is able to enforce any dress code the Board approves.
• Assistant Principal Marie Montanez said students did not feel they had adequate input into the dress code. She believes that new wording about exposure of body parts will help the current situation where too much time is being spent on discussing clothing.
• Marion Schlachter suggested that the language in the dress code be framed positively.
• President Burrell said that tonight the goal was for the Board to decide whether to direct the discussion to proceed. The Board agreed to move forward and have the matter put on a future agenda for consideration for action.
• Instructional Program Update: Second language: Presented by Marie Montanez.). The short and long term goals, instructional initiatives, program effectiveness, program evaluation, and staff development components of the program were presented. She was thanked for the presentation.

Citizens Comment on Action Items:

• None

Action Items

• Tax Anticipation Notes
• Trustee Czajkowski and Trustee Hammond seconded to approve the attached resolution prepared by Delafield and Wood for the Tax Anticipation Notes.
• Motion Approved (6-0)

Disposal of Obsolete School Van

• Trustee Czajkowski and Trustee Mark seconded to approve the following resolution:
• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Nyack Union Free School District hereby declares School Van#30, 1990 GMC Bus, obsolete and authorizes the disposal of the vehicle in the safest, least expensive manner possible.
• Motion Approved (6-0)

Rental Agreement with Nyack College

• Trustee Hammond moved and Trustee Czajkowski seconded to table the item.
• Mrs. Zampolin recommended tabling the item until more information was received. it was expected soon.
• Motion Approved (5-0-1

Trustee Burrell abstained since he is on the Nyack College Board

Installment Purchase of Computers

• Trustee Czajkowski moved and Trustee Hammond seconded to approve the attached which enters the District into a four year Installment Purchase Agreement (IPA) with Southern Westchester BOCES to upgrade three of the District's computer labs in an amount not to exceed $180,000 plus interest in the amount of $18,973.
• Motion Approved (6-0)

Revised Calendar

• Trustee Czajkowski moved and Trustee Hammond seconded to approve the attached corrected calendar for the 2002-2003 school year.
• Motion Approved (6-0)

Personnel

Trustee Czajkowski moved and Trustee Mark seconded to approve the following resolution:

• RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Nyack Union Free School District accept the resignation of ELDA AMPARO, Clerk, for the purpose of retirement, effective 6/28/02.
• Motion Approved (6-0)
• RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that TANYA ENGLAND be appointed to the position of Teaching Assistant on a probationary basis effective April 11, 2002 through April 11, 2002 - $13,351 pro-rated 5/6/01-$2351.
• Motion Approved (6-0)

Trustee Hammond moved and Trustee Czajkowski seconded to adjourn to Executive Session for discussion of personnel matters at 9:40 PM.

Motion Approved (6-0)

Trustee Mark moved and Trustee Czajkowski seconded to reconvene to Public Session and adjourn at 11:20 PM.

Motion Approved (6-0)

Respectfully Submitted,

Gail Fleur, District Clerk