Minutes of the 11-13-07
Board of Education Meeting

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:

• The assistant professor of pediatrics at Golisano Children's Hospital, Dr. Stephen Cook, described an upcoming three-year study on cardiovascular risk factors in pre-adolescents in which he'd like ER students to participate.
• PK-6 principal Harold Leve and 7-12 acting principal Jill Slavny gave their monthly presentations about recent and upcoming activities.

Mr. Leve
* showed several photos from
-- PK and kindergarten Halloween celebrations,
-- two Red Ribbon events organized by Dan O'Leary (the 'Push Pawns, Not Drugs' chess tournament and the 'R.A.I.D. parade,' co-sponsored by Rochester Against Intoxicated Driving),
-- the PTA's Book Fair (for which he thanked the many volunteers) and evening performance by motivational magician Jim Bush, and
-- an assembly on the history and importance of Veterans Day, at which honored guests included members of the ER American Legion and staff members Sue Gonzalez and John Reitz.

Mrs. Slavny
* showed several photos from
-- seventh-grader Elysse C. and eighth-graders Emily C. and Tyler D. participating in a workshop on drawing live animals,
-- the Regents chemistry students and teacher Ann Marie VanGelder observing Mole Day, which celebrates a basic chemistry measuring unit related to the molecule,
-- the third-annual 'Domino Decisions' (a Red Ribbon activity in which the seventh- and eighth-graders, under the guidance of Henry Podosek, came up with 1,235 positive choices one could make instead of using an illegal substance), and
-- seventh-grader Brittney D., senior Phil P., and the concert choir (led by John Polvino) participating in the village's Veterans Day ceremony; and
* congratulated
-- 7-12 band director Mark Gowman, who received an Award of Honor from the NY School Public Relations Assocation for his Website (www.erschools.org/teachers/gowman/index.htm), and
-- junior Matt P. and seniors Aaron K., Karenina Q., and Hannah R., who were chosen for the RPO's Holiday Pops concerts.

District superintendent Dr. Howard Maffucci discussed three topics being addressed by the Monroe County School Boards Association's legislative committee:

* Monroe County's tax-intercept plan (also known as "the F.A.I.R. Plan") and the resulting lawsuit filed by the MCSBA;
* the ongoing reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind act (noting that although it probably won't be reauthorized during this Senate session, districts are still bound to its regulations and sanctions); and
* the upcoming New York budget-approval process.

BOARD MEMBERS' REPORTS and COMMENTS:

Student representative Courtney B.
* congratulated the varsity field hockey team on their fourth straight Section V championship;
* noted the Model U.N. and Masterminds teams have started their competitions;
* invited everyone to the Nov. 16 Electric Coffeehouse concert; and
* said Celtic Music Society plans to record its second CD this winter, and will be sponsoring a fund-raising concert by Irish band Grada on Friday, Dec. 7.

Lafayette Eaton commended
* the PTA on the Book Fair (at which he volunteered) and evening performance, and
* Mrs. VanGelder for organizing the Mole Day activities.

Tim Henry
* also commended the PTA on the Book Fair;
* congratulated and thanked everyone who helped with the Alumni Foundation's recent fund-raising dinner; and
* thanked Dr. Maffucci for his leadership in the county's tax-intercept issue, and for having his opinions published.

Terry Brown-Steiner noted there was an apparent shortage of parking during a recent Sectional soccer game (resulting in numerous tickets being issued), and asked if something can be done to prevent the problem from happening again; district business administrator David Green replied spectators must simply make the effort to park legally, adding he'll look into the approval process for high-profile events.

NEW BUSINESS:
The board
* adopted the development calendar for the 2008-09 budget;
* authorized Dr. Maffucci to sign an employment agreement for Mr. Green; and
* approved the return of uncollected real property taxes to the county treasurer for reimbursement.

UPCOMING MEETINGS: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18 and Jan. 15

Meeting length: 45 minutes