Members Present:

• Bryan Burrell, President
• Don Hammond, Vice President
• Pierre Davis, Secretary (joined the meeting at 7:50 PM)
• Claudette Clarke, Trustee
• Vic Czajkowski, Trustee
• Michael Mark, Trustee
• 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
• Staff Members

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

Resolution in honor of Stephen Fromholtz

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

RESOLVED, that the Nyack Board of Education acknowledges with deep regret the passing of former Nyack staff member, STEPHEN FROMHOLTZ.

Mr. Fromholtz was a maintenance mechanic with the District from 1970 to 1993. In his 23 years as a staff member he did consistently outstanding work with a positive, dedicated, caring attitude. He was well respected and admired for his quality workmanship, innovative problem solving skills, and friendly outgoing manner. He is a fine example of how support staff, as well as faculty, make important contributions to our schools.

The Board sends its heartfelt sympathy to his family.

Motion Approved (5-0)

Recognition:

Advanced Placement Scholars: Twenty-Seven '2001 Nyack seniors were named Scholars by the College Board based on their exceptional achievement on the AP exams last year.

National Achievement Scholarship Program, Semi-Finalist : Tiffany Clarke

National Merit Scholarship Semi Finalists and Commended Students: Semi Finalists - Tiffany Clarke and Paul Webster. Commended students: Ian Bell, JuAhn Lee, Caitlin McMahon, Amy Rappaport and Elijah Reichlin Melnick.

Barbara Anderson, Nyack Middle School Music Teacher, recipient of Ross M. Burkhardt Middle Level Educator Award:

Journal News Scholar Athlete: Julianne Marley (Volleyball) Cecelia Hickey Volleyball Coach

Halloween Window Painting Coordination: High School Art Staff - Deborah Alter, Mary Hohenberger, Donna Straw, Sean Sweeney, Ed Walsh Middle School Staff: Doris Fabian, P at Gayzur.

President's Report

President Burrell reminded Board members about the Rockland BOCES Services Guide Dinner and the Rockland County School Boards Legislative Breakfast coming up. In regard to State aid, he said since we didn't plan to get any additional money we didn't have to cut midyear because of the State budget constraints. Unfortunately, we will probably receive less funding this year again - the third year in a row. He reported that he, Trustee Czajkowski, Trustee Johnson and District Clerk Gail Fleur had gone to the New York S

State School Board Association convention in October.

Student Representative's Report

Joe Patalano reported that:

The Journal News had ranked the area's high school football fans and had chosen Nyack as #1.

The junior class Halloween party was very successful.

The Liberty School Harvest Jamboree was a success.

He reported on several other events coming up. The Junior Varsity Dinner at the Middle School, the High School Fall Play, the senior Thanksgiving Dinner.

A High School PTSA evening of remembrance" would be held on Nov. 28th to remember the Nyack alumni who died in the tragedy of Sept. 11t

Regarding the other schools - he mentioned that Mrs. Grier had lunch with 44 students and Mrs. Aliberto had lunch with students as well.

Superintendent's Report

Mrs. Zampolin reported:

Mrs. Zampolin, Mrs. Blueglass and a Liberty teacher had attended the Blue Ribbon Awards dinner in Washington D.C. It was very exciting and at the Liberty Board meeting in January there will be a fuller report.

A team from SACI (School Alliance for Continuous Improvement) is visiting the District that day through Friday, reviewing the English Language Arts program grades K-5.

There was a community input session that evening for the upper Nyack Principal position led by Focus Consultants. Dr. Beni, from Focus Consultants will report back to the Board that evening, as well as receive input from the Board.

Board Reports

Trustee Mark reported that the Family Resource Center had received a grant from the Rockland Collaborative for Children and Youth. He further congratulated Barbara Anderson on her honor.

Trustee Clarke commented that although the Football Team did not "go all the Way," she had attended most of the games and she commended them for their performance, spirit and sportsmanship. She also thanked the Board for her daughter's recognition that evening and thanked the school system for the fine education she had received.

Trustee Hammond echoed Trustee Clarke's comments about the team and said he was also impressed with the spirit of the audience that attended the games.

Trustee Davis remarked on the stronger bonds he has noticed since September 11 - from coaches to players, teachers to students, administrators to staff.

Trustee Czajkowski asked the public to send letters to the State legislators expressing dissatisfaction with the State budget having never passed this year, yet having voted themselves a 38% raise. He reported that as the District's NYSSBA voting delegate, , 22 of the 35 proposed resolutions passed at the convention. He was also the local PTA voting delegate at the PTA convention where 25 resolutions were passed..

Citizens' Comments

Rich Guay presented a letter from concerned parents about the process for selection of the Upper Nyack principal. There had been a meeting the week before, sponsored by the NAACP, PIE, Head Start and the PTA to discuss the characteristics that should be sought in a principal. One of the main dissatisfactions shared was that of the selection process not being inclusive enough and that there was parent representation on a "interview committee" not a "hiring committee.". He gave the Board a letter (see attached). He stressed that it was 26 years since the last Upper Nyack principal was hired 3. President Burrell said the process being used was very successful in hiring a new High School principal. Any changes would have to be made by motion by the Board.

Amy Applebaum questioned the Code of Conduct revision process: What was the role of the original committee? What new input was the committee supposed to receive? What's happening with the input received now and who will write new wording? She was told that the original committee met a number of times and discussed, compiled and wrote the original report. The committee received input from the Board meetings held after the report was written and from written opinions from the public (not much received). It then gave recommendations based on the input. President Burrell said he attended one of these committee sessions where the input was discussed.

Mr. Guay asked when the new revision would be available and was told the week before the December 4 meeting when it would be discussed.

Workshop

Instructional Program Update: English /Language Arts Gr. K-5: Director of Elementary Education, Dr. Ann Roberts, presented the program's goals, guiding principles, components, integration of components, short term goals, instructional initiatives, the measurement of the effectiveness of the program, instructional implications of the results and staff development efforts. Board members asked questions about several components of the programs. Dr. Roberts was thanked for the well organized and informative overview.

Action Plan 2001-2002: Dr. Mary Anne Evangelist said the written plan tried to strike a balance between providing direction and providing the specifics for implementation. Administrators will flesh out the plan with detailed actions. Board members asked that districtwide achievement results be added as part of the Plan. The formal adoption will be put on the next agenda.

Action

Trustee Mark moved and Trustee Czajkowski seconded to take action items as one motion.

Motion Approved (6-0)

Trustee Davis moved and Trustee Hammond seconded to approve the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, that the Academic Intervention Service Plan be accepted for the current school year.

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Education of the Nyack Union Free School District award the natural gas bid to the lowest responsible bidder as follows (see attached) for the contract period September 1, 2002 through August 31, 2003.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the board of Education of the Nyack Union Free School District approve the following Hearing Officers for the 2001-2002 school year. (see attached)

RESOLVED, that the resignation of MARTIN FIEDLER, Principal of Nyack Middle School, be accepted for the purpose of retirement effective January 1, 2002.

RESOLVED, that the resignation of JUDY WILSON, Teaching Assistant at Nyack High School, be accepted effective October 26, 2001.

RESOLVED, that the resignation of RITA SCARCELLA, Teaching Assistant at Nyack High School, be accepted effective October 26, 2001.

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that CAROLYN MONAHAN be appointed to the position of Elementary Teacher on a Leave Replacement basis effective October 22, 2001 through June 30, 2002 at Scale 6, Step 7, $50,644 pro-rated 10/22/01-$42,457.

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that TERIANN DICARLO be appointed to the position of Teaching Assistant on a Part time basis effective November 13, 2001 through June 30, 2002 at Step 1, $10,789, pro rated 11/13/01 $8222.

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that EDWARD CECCOLINI be appointed to the position of Teaching Assistant on a Probationary basis effective November 13, 2001 through June 30, 2002 at Step 1, $10,789, pro rated 11/13/01 $8222.

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that MARINA ZVEREFF be appointed to the position of Teaching Assistant on a Part time basis effective October 30, 2001 through June 30, 2002 at Step 1, $10,789, pro rated 11/13/01 $6804.

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the individuals named above (co-curricular advisorship- High School) be appointed to the terms set forth (see attached)

RESOLVED, on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools that the individuals named above (Winter Season Coaching) be appointed to the terms set forth (see attached)

Motions Approved (6-0)

Trustee Mark moved and Trustee Davis seconded to adjourn to Executive Session for discussion of personnel matters at 10:10 PM.

Motion Approved (6-0)

Trustee Mark moved and Trustee Czajkowski seconded to reconvene to Public Session and adjourn at 11:15 PM.

Motion Approved (6-0)

Respectfully Submitted,

Gail Fleur, District Clerk