Williamson School Board – January 9, 2013

The January 9, 2013 meeting of the Williamson Central School District Board of Education opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence.
Alex Steurrys reported that mid-terms will be taking place at the high school soon marking the half-way point of the school year. He reported that the wrestling and varsity basketball teams are doing well. On January 25 several students will be going to the Vocal All County Music Festival and the snowball dance is February 2.
John Fulmer reported on the Fast ForWord reading program at the Middle School and the tremendous success they have seen with the students. He indicated that some students have improved more than one reading level since the start of school and all have reported progress on a weekly basis. He highlighted Heidi Montondo and the work she has done with the students in this program. Amy Busby reported that the Elementary School is in the process of reviewing data and reassessing their resources for students. They are preparing for MAP testing in a few weeks for Kindergarten through Grade 2. Doug Lauf reported that the high school is preparing for mid-terms and the second semester. He also reported that there are new regulations in place for the administration of the Regents exams to ensure their integrity. The new regulations take effect with the January exams. Wanda Miller reported that the results from the parent survey have been received and they received a 95% approval rating. The state target is 90%. She highlighted Nancy Weber and Barbara Bush for accommodating schedules for students that need tutoring or changes to their placements. Superintendent Ehresman announced the district has received a virtual AP grant. The focus of the grant is access for students who may not normally take an AP course. The funding provides them a computer to take the course at their convenience and covers the cost of the exam. The program should begin with the 2013-2014 school year. She highlighted the work that Amy Busby has done managing the Elementary School in Ellen Saxby’s absence.
Board Committee Reports included updates on the holiday concerts, PTSA and Safety Committee meetings. Sue Collins and Rich Rozzi presented an update on the Middle School guided reading program. The emphasis is on providing more time for the students to read with the teacher as a facilitator. The readings include cross curricular topics along with a variety of genres. They have discovered that the students are rising to the challenges of the new ELA modules. This presentation was followed by the approval of several CSE Cases and reviews of the Treasurer’s Report and Fall Sports Report.
Under the Consent Agenda several substitutes and a volunteer were approved along with the following appointments:
• Kim Plyter as a probationary part-time bus monitor
• Robin Mason as a Teacher Mentor for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year
illiamson Central
• Nina Caraveo, Sue Collins, Karen Hoody and Amy Vandergrift as Strengthening Teacher and Leader Effectiveness (STLE) grant funded coaches for the remainder of the 2012-2013 school year
• Erik Jacobs, as a long-term substitute for Erica Hernandez, Music Teacher, Middle School, pending approval of Music K-12 certification, effective January 31, 2013 for a period of six weeks
• Sarah Pietropaolo, as a long-term substitute for Julie Hillegeer, Special Education Teacher, Middle School, effective February 14, 2013 for a period of six weeks
• Change of appointments were approved for Staci Harrison from classified substitute to a long-term part-time 1:1 student aide substitute and Doreen Picotte, student aide, from full-time to part-time.
The board approved the second readings of Policy 1330 – Appointments by the Board of Education, Policy 8506 – Districtwide and Statewide Assessments in School District Programs (NEW), Policy 8520 – Committee on Special Education/Committee on Preschool Special Education, Policy 8560 – Impartial Hearing under Old Business.
Under New Business the board voted on an Area 2 Director for the New York State School Boards Association, accepted a donation from the PTSA for the purchase of iPads at the Elementary School, and approved the following items:
• Resolution to abolish a 1:1 aide position effective December 14, 2012
• Formation of a Williamson Varsity Bowling team and the appointment of Bob Burlee as a coach/supervisor for the team
• Extra Classroom Activity Funds Audit for the year ended June 30, 2012 as prepared by Raymond F. Wager, CPA, PC
The board also accepted the retirement/resignation of Superintendent Maria Ehresman effective June 30, 2013. President Michael Collins commented that her accomplishments to the students of the district are great and will have a positive impact for many years to come. The Superintendent commented that it has been an honor and privilege to have spent her career in Williamson as a teacher, administrator and superintendent. The board reviewed the calendar as prepared by the search consultant for selection of a new superintendent

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