January 10, 2012 Page 1 

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

TOWNS OF SMITHTOWN AND ISLIP, SUFFOLK COUNTY NEW YORK, HELD JANUARY 10, 2012

REVISED

Members Present Mrs. Geri Richter, President; Mrs. Eileen Mass, Vice President; Mrs. Susan Hodosky, Mrs. Pat Lesser, Mrs. Ann Macaluso, Mr. Robert Schnebel, Mrs. Ginger Todaro

Members Absent None Others Present Mrs. Patricia Sullivan-Kriss, Superintendent of Schools; Mr. James

Stucchio, Assistant Superintendent for Business & Operations; Mrs. Michele Rothfeld, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel and Administration; Dr. Kyrie Siegel, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology; Mr. Warren Richmond, Attorney; Mrs. Linda Ryczak, District Clerk

Meeting called to order at 7:05 by President Richter Executive Session Motion to go into executive session at 7:06 p.m. to discuss the

employment history of five individual staff members, a negotiated contract and collective bargain negotiations made by Mrs. Lesser and seconded by Mrs. Hodosky carried by vote of 6-0-1. (Mrs. Todaro arrived at 7:10 p.m.) The Regular Meeting reconvened at 8:08 p.m.

Following the pledge Mrs. Richter welcomed those in attendance and said “it’s nice to see so many people here tonight.”

Recognitions and Awards

A. Hauppauge High School Class of 2012 Top Ten Students: Julie Phuong-Anh Nguyen, Valedictorian; Jonah Belser, Salutatorian; Lee Chang, 3rd; Michael Karavolias, 4th; Humayra Kabir, 5th; Klara Choi, 6th; Melissa Colwell, 7th; Amanda Whitman, 8th; Vivienne Litzke, 9th; Daniel Cao, 10th - Mrs. O’Connor spoke about these students saying “to achieve to this level is a remarkable accomplishment. These students are well rounded students who have many activities.”

B. National Merit Commended Students: Jonah Belser, Humayra Kabir – Mrs. O’Connor said that these two students earned this distinction by scoring well in the PSAT. As you can see, they are both top-ten students and this is one of many achievements.

Mrs. Kriss said thank you to the parents, teachers and administrators

 

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who supported these highly motivated students. Presentation A. New York State Tax Cap – Structure and Impact, Mr. Gary

Bixhorn, Eastern Suffolk BOCES

Mrs. Kriss thanked the members of the community who have joined us for this presentation. Mr. Bixhorn is the chief executive officer from BOCES. Mr. Bixhorn’s presentation dealt with the following topics: The reality of Long Island: high performing students, almost

40% come from districts that fall below the state wealth average, 20% qualify for free/reduced price lunch, per pupil wealth has dropped dramatically since 1999/00, regional costs have increased, NYS funds just $1 for every $5 spent on LI education, class size increases in low wealth districts, reduction in programs in low wealth districts, elimination of interscholastic athletic teams

Reality of Long Island and Downstate Suburbs: SCSSA, LHCSS and NCCSS represent 199 downstate suburban districts, these groups adopted a common mandate relief agenda to work together, downstate suburbs are an economic engine for the state generating 27.4% of state receipts yet receive just 17.7% of state expenditures are directed to the region, Long Island schools enroll 17% of state students yet receive 12% of aid to schools

State School Aid: Schools have two primary sources of funding, state aid and property taxes, aid has been frozen for the last three years, 2012 budget priority is to restore funding reductions and overhaul existing formulas

Mandate Relief: Common agenda for LHCSS, NCCSS, and SCSSA in four categories 1) Mandate Legislation – mitigation & prevention 2) Pupil Transportation 3) Fiscal Reform 4) Special Education

Promoting Sustainability Through Structural Change: through changes in classroom structure, regional collective bargaining, changes to staffing requirements and use of technology to provide instructional services, possible addition of Tier 6, separate funding mechanism for charter schools, meaningful incentives to promote school district consolidation

Tax Levy Basics: levy is the amount of funding districts need to raise through taxes, how levy is calculated, on LI taxes comprise nearly 70% of funding

Tax Cap 2012 and Beyond: tax cap applies to levy not rate, levy cap is calculated by complex formula, levy must be approved by the voters, if rejected twice cap is 0.0%

What Can You Do?: advocate for region, support an overhaul of the foundation aid formula, support educational reforms that

 

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“level up” all schools to match Long Island’s best schools B. Mrs. Kriss and Mr. Stucchio spoke about the impact of the Tax

Cap Legislation on Hauppauge. Mrs. Kriss spoke about those increases that are beyond our control like contractual step and salary increases, health insurance costs, retirement system, debt service, utilities and transportation. She also spoke about unfunded state mandates that increase the cost of educating our students and conducting the business of the district.

C. Mr. Stucchio did a run-through of numbers in a tax cap calculation. He said that our assessment growth factor is 1.0052, which accounts for any new additions to the tax rolls. We are fortunate to have the second largest industrial park in the country here in Hauppauge. The calculation uses the best information that we have at this time. These are soft numbers and will likely change. In this complicated formula, PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) is added back in and then subtracted later in the calculation. Prior year exemptions are subtracted and current year exemptions are added. As of today, we are estimating the district’s tax levy cap to result in an increase of 2.65%. The tax cap legislation as written does not reward planning ahead for savings purposes but rather relies upon “one shot” savings. Beyond 2012/13, the district may need to reduce another $2 million in 2013/14.

Questions from the Board:

Thank you to Mr. Bixhorn for coming to help us better understand this whole process. In your presentation you said that if a budget fails twice, the number goes to 0.0%. In past years there were exemptions and two failures would bring you to contingency. Right though some of this is still open to change. There will be no exemptions. Even those that were written in to law will not likely apply. The impact to a district going to 0.0% would be devastating for the educational program.

When you talk about a roll over budget, is the Governor planning any help by repealing the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law? Mrs. Kriss said that is the law that requires us to maintain all the benefits in a collective bargaining agreement, including steps raises, while a new agreement is being negotiated. The best information that we have on this indicates that Mr. Cuomo does not have that on his list.

The governor and the legislature have been promising that state aid would increase across the state by about $800 million for next year. A few weeks ago we heard about financial difficulties and rumors that this might affect that promised state aid increase. Have you heard anything about that? The legislature took a measure that we believe will protect that state aid

 

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increase.

Community members asked questions or made comments regarding the following topics:

Comments on district costs associated with students attending private schools. The information is to clarify that even though some students are not enrolled in our district, there are costs associated with non-enrolled students who attend private schools.

If and how does the district investigate non-residents attending or attempting to register children in this district? We aggressively address this issue. We use a private investigator for residency issues. When we have evidence of a non-resident attending our schools, we always take action. There have been cases where an investigation was initiated after we received information from Hauppauge residents.

How the community was notified about this board meeting presentation? We posted this information on our website, via email blast to anyone who has subscribed via our website and included this in our last district-wide Horizons mailing and sent back-pack notices home with students.

Can you explain the debt service increase? This is a result of the 2008 bond which was borrowed in two stages. Some of the costs were offset by the refinancing of older bond debt.

Budget meeting schedule for 2012/13 budget. The budget will be presented on February 28th. Budget meetings will take place every Tuesday in March starting on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. They will be announced on the website and on the electronic sign.

Can I suggest that budget meetings be budget only so people don’t have to wait this late for budget presentations? We have two budget only meetings. We must also conduct the business of the district at some of the March meetings.

Is there a real possibility that we will receive more aid next year? Yes.

Why is it beneficial to align ourselves with wealthy districts to advocate for legislative assistance? There are many areas of commonality for mandate relief. The group is working with just a few goals that would benefit all districts.

What, if anything are we doing here to advocate? Our Board has developed an advocacy committee and plan to contact our local representatives for assistance. They will put together a list of mandate relief suggestions. NYSSBA has put together a task force that is joining with other municipalities to tell the state that laws are costing needless resources. It is not just school

 

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districts that are looking for relief. How can people in the community help? At some point, we will

need our community to participate in advocacy. Are you considering closing any buildings in Hauppauge? No.

Motion to move Item 9.2A-1 – Appointment to tenure ahead of the consent agenda was made by Mrs. Lesser and seconded by Mrs. Hodosky and carried by vote of 7-0.

Superintendent’s Update

Mrs. Kriss mentioned the following in her update:

The Governor’s State-of-the-State address began with the biggest lesson he learned: that everyone has an advocate but our students. He said he will be the student’s advocate. The truth is that school boards and superintendents advocate for students too.

Tonight we are proud to award tenure to four teaching assistants and we will be appointing a groundskeeper II who will take over the leadership role in that department.

We are appointing some administrators as interim administrators while Mrs. Ferrara, Assistant Principal at the high school and Mr. Matt Murphy, Director of Mathematics, recuperate from surgery. They are not being appointed as subs but rather to address long term absences. We are glad to have these two highly qualified retired administrators with us.

Congratulations to Geri Richter and Stephanie Scaduto for being named as “people to know” on Hauppauge Patch.

We are pleased to announce that we have been able to put together a French exchange program. This was hard to put together.

Congratulations to the Girls Varsity swim team on their sportsmanship award. This honor is achieved by recommendations of the officials.

Please note that the temporary administrative appointments (Item 9.2A-2) are modified to add “not to exceed 15 days”.

Question and Answers on Agenda Items

Community members asked questions relating to the following agenda items:

With regards to the grievance settlements, what is the cost of each? The cost for 9.1A is $10,000.

The word grievance means that there is a violation of a bargaining agreement, right? Item B is not related to a collective bargaining agreement and there is no associated cost.

Why are we appointing Fanning Investigations? We use them to do residence investigations

 

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I’m glad we are doing the French exchange program.

Adoption of Minutes Motion made by Mrs. Hodosky, seconded by Mr. Schnebel that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 6, 2011 and the special meeting of December 12, 2011 be accepted as printed carried by vote of 7-0.

Motion made by Mrs. Lesser, seconded by Mrs. Macaluso as follows:

Personnel Matters BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following personnel actions report be accepted as per attached.

A. Personnel Action Report - Certified Staff

1) Appointment to Tenure (Change in Employment Status)

Mrs. Kriss spoke about the vital role teaching assistants have in our schools. She said that each of these individuals has earned their recommendation. The building principals spoke about each of them. They were described as caring, dedicated to children, compassionate and versatile. We are proud to award tenure to these individuals.

Motion carried by vote of 7-0.

CONSENT AGENDA Sever Items: 9.1C, 9.3F and 9.3G

Motion made by Mrs. Todaro, seconded by Mrs. Mass, as follows: Administrative Matters

A. IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the President of the Board of Education is authorized to execute a Stipulation of Settlement resolving a grievance arbitration with Hauppauge Teachers’ Association and a member of the certified staff, which Stipulation of Settlement was reviewed by the Board in executive session.

B. IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the President of the Board of

Education is authorized to execute a Stipulation of Settlement with a member of the certified staff and the Hauppauge Teachers’ Association which stipulation was reviewed by the Board in executive Session.

C. Severed

D. IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, pursuant to Education Law Section

913 that Employee #556 is directed to report for an examination in

 

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order to determine the physical or mental capacity of such person to perform his/her duties, the said medical examination to be before Dr. Czekala at his office located at 119 Radio Avenue, Miller Place, NY 11764 on January 19, 2012 and January 26, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. o’clock.

Personnel Matters BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following personnel actions report be accepted as per attached.

A. Personnel Action Report - Certified Staff

2) Temporary Employment 3) Resignation/Termination/Leave of Absence 4) Appointment of Substitutes

B. Personnel Action Report - Civil Service Staff

1) Appointment 2) Change in Employment Status

C. Curriculum and Instructional Appointments

1) Additional 2011/12 Curriculum Writers 2) Additional 2011/12 Co-curricular Staff 3) 2011/12 Home Bound Teacher Staff

Business Matters BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the

Superintendent of Schools, the following be approved:

A. Special Education Contracts 1) South Country CSD – District of Location (Hauppauge

providing services) 2) Three Village CSD – District of Location (Hauppauge

providing services) 3) South Huntington UFSD – District of Residence

B. Health Service Contracts – East Islip Union Free School District

C. Other Contracts

1) Applied Data Services (bus routing software), contract renewal through June 30, 2015, as per attached.

2) Cost Management Services (Medicaid TPA), as per attached.

3) Hampton Jitney, Inc. 4) Fanning Investigative Services, Inc. (July 1, 2011-June

30, 2011)

 

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D. Donations – The Board of Education accepts, with gratitude, the donation of planting/landscaping around the Hauppauge Middle School Music Room, from John A. Grillo Architect, PC, valued at $5,000, as per attached.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following be received:

E. Financial Reports

1) Treasurer's Report - November 2011 2) Appropriations Status Reports- November 2011 3) Revenue Status Reports - November 2011 4) Budget Transfers - November 2011 5) Extra Classroom Activity Fund (ECAF) – October 2011 6) Trial Balance – November 2011 7) Collateralization Rec – November 2011 8) Claims Audit Report – November 2011 9) Management Response – November 2011 10) Warrants – December 2011

Curriculum and Instruction Matters

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the following be approved: A. Field Trips

1) Overnight field trip to Wulmstorf, Germany, March 9-25, 2012, as per attached.

2) Overnight field trip to Baltimore, MD, April 21-24, 2012 for St. Paul’s School for Girls Elite Girls Lacrosse Tournament, as per attached.

3) Overnight field trip to Binghamton, NY for girls softball tournament, April 14-15, 2012, as per attached.

4) Overnight field trip to Orlando, FL for UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship, February 9-13, 2012, as per attached.

5) Overnight field trip (French Exchange Trip 2012-13) to Angers, France from March 8-24, 2013, as per attached.

B. Committee on Special Education Recommendations 1) CSE 2) CPSE 3) 504

Consent agenda motion carried by vote of 7-0. Severed Item: 9.1C

Motion made by Mrs. Lesser, seconded by Mr. Schnebel as follows: Administrative BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the

 

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Matters Superintendent of Schools, the following personnel actions report be accepted as per attached.

C. Terms and conditions for James Stucchio as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations for the period of July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015, as per attached.

Discussion: Mrs. Hodosky said, “I have great respect for Mr. Stucchio and

his work. I will be voting no only because of the compensation.”

Mr. Schnebel said, “I also have respect for Mr. Stucchio and the wonderful job that he is doing for the district. I will be voting no because of the compensation, only.”

Mrs. Mass said that she also had trouble with the compensation but we have added to Mr. Stucchio’s job over the years and he has not been compensated for those changes. He has taken over three administrative positions that we eliminated. We need to compensate him for doing so much more.

Mrs. Richter said that the board worked diligently getting information and comparing salaries of similar positions in other districts. “This is a fair contract for an extraordinary employee.”

Motion carried by vote of 5-2. (Mrs. Hodosky and Mr. Schnebel voted no.)

Motion made by Mrs. Lesser, seconded by Mrs. Macaluso as follows: Business Matters F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the

Hauppauge Audit Committee, the Corrective Action Plan for External Audit (Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011) is approved, as per attached.

G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT, upon recommendation of the

Hauppauge Audit Committee, the Single Audit Report for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2011 be approved, as per attached.

Mrs. Hodosky, Chairperson of the Hauppauge Audit Committee, said that the committee met on January 5, 2012 and reviewed these two reports in great detail and they recommend that the board accept each report as written. Mrs. Richter congratulated the Business Office as this is the shortest Corrective Action Plan ever. That is a credit to the work done in that office. Motion carried by vote of 7-0.

 

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Questions and Comments

Community members asked questions or made comments on the following topics:

What is the compensation agreement in the contract agreement approved tonight? Mrs. Kriss said that this is a 3-year extension at 3.19% each of those years resulting in a salary of $154,011 (2012/13), $158,927 (2013/14), and $164,000(2014/15). In addition, he will receive a stipend of $10,000 to complete the financials for the district. That is a responsibility that we paid an outside company to complete in the past.

Are we bound by mediation? No, it is non-binding. The actual role of the mediator is to find common ground.

What is the district policy on referring children to CPS? The district, every teacher and every administrator are by law, required reporters.

Is absence with a doctor’s note a legal absence? What is the district’s policy on attendance? If a parent believes that the policy is not being followed they need to bring that to the building administration and begin to work through the channels.

When Dr. Gavin was leading the business office I was very impressed with him. Mr. Stucchio is just as impressive. He is very deserving of this contract.

When will the community get the figures on the proposed budget on the website? We keep hearing that it is a draft but it would be helpful to see the document that you are reviewing at the budget workshops. We will try to post the information the day of the meeting.

I really like the “back-pack express” instituted at Bretton Woods by Mrs. Ruthkowski.

Executive Session Motion to go into executive session at 9:50 p.m. to discuss collective

bargaining negotiations made by Mrs. Todaro, seconded by Mrs. Macaluso carried by vote of 7-0. The Regular Meeting reconvened at 10.59 p.m. Motion to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. made by Mrs. Hodosky, seconded by Mr. Schnebel, carried by vote of 7-0.

Respectfully submitted,

/s/ Linda Ryczak

Clerk

PERSOJ' I '.EL ACTION REPORT Item 9.2

Schedules A - C

January 10, 2012

9.2.A CERTIFIED STAFF

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 3013 OF THE EDUCATION LAW, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Change in Employment Status

1.1 Appointment to Tenure

End of Probationary Name Tenure Area Date of Appointment Appointment

Christopher Bogen Teaching Assistant 9/24/08 9/23/11 Theresa Diaz Teaching Assistant 9/24/08 9/23/11

Linda Feld Teaching Assistant 9/24/08 9/23/11 Marina Macaluso Teaching Assistant 9/24/08 9/23/11

2. Temporary Employment

Name Position Salary Effective dates Matthew Giordano Interim Director of Mathematics $625 per diem* 1/11/12 -6/30/12 as needed William Nicklaus Interim HS Assistant Principal $525 per diem* 1/11112 - 6/30/12 as needed

*not to exceed 15 days

Name Position Salary Hours Michele Karszen Professional Development - Promethean for Beginners and More $47. 36/Hr. * 12

Annie Huang Professional Development - Prep time for Superintendent's Conference Day 11/8/11 $47.36/Hr.* 1 Katherine Bauernfeind Professional Development - Prep time for Superintendent's Conference Day 11/8/11 $47.36/Hr.* 1

*Based on 2010/11 salaries; 2011/12 salaries to be determined

3. ResignationlTermination/Leave of Absence/Retirement/Excessed

Name Years of Service Teaching Area Effective Date Reason Catherine Parker 15 Library Media Specialist 6/30/12 Retirement

Name Teaching Area Effective Dates Reason Thomas Caramanno Teaching Assistant 1/6/12 Resignation

Heidy Vallejo-Gonzalez LOTE 1/9/12 - 3/16/12 FMLA

Board Meeting Date: January 10, 2012 9.2A 1

4. Appointment of Substitutes

4.1 The following are appointed, conditioned upon fingerprint clearance, as Substitute Teachers and Substitute Nurses for the 2011-2012 school year at the rate approved by the Board of Education at its Organizational Meeting:

Ankudavich, Alicia Courtney, Thomas Dilorenzo, Ashleigh Mangano, Angela

McGrath, Kelly Modica, Jenna Russo, Jaclyn Spataro, Dina-Marie

Towers, Melanie Vita, Soley

4.2 The following are appointed, conditioned upon fingerprint clearance, as Substitute Teacher Assistants for the 2011-2012 school year at the rate approved by the Board of Education at its Organizational Meeting:

Krasner, Phyllis

4.3 Approval of Extended Substitutes:

Please Note: Section 4.3 has been added to the Personnel Action Report for approval of regular substitutes as per the Ancillary Rates Schedule.

• Steven Wade is approved as a regular substitute teacher (.4) effective 12/8/11 through 3/5/12 for Felicia Cono. • Karen Grenier is approved as a regular substitute teacher effective 12/22/11 through 3/12/12 for Michele Giachetti

Date Submitted to Board of Education: January 10, 2012

9.2A 2

9.2.8 CIVIL SERVICE STAFF

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, THE SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDS ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Appointment

Name Status of Appointment Position School Salary Effective Date

Brett Jackson Replaces D. Cimato, who Custodial Worker I MS $43,789* 1/11/12

transferred to Forest Brook

2. Change in Employment Status

Name Status of A ointment School Effective Date Michael Ruffini Vacant Position OW 1/11/12

* 2010-2011 Salary; 2011-2012 under negotiation

Date Submitted to Board of Education: January 10, 2012

BOARD OF EDUCATION, HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS RECOMMENDS APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING CURRICULUM WRITERS FOR THE 2011/2012 SCHOOL YEAR:

PROJECT HOURS APPLICANT RATE PER HOUR K-5 Writing Units Curriculum WritinK Proiect Total Project K - Denise Dolce $47.36 *

Hours-72 K - Barbara Sancho K - Phoebe Czachor 1 - Deborah Fiorini 1 - Dawn Woolsey 1 - Michele Musto 2 - Tamara West 2 - Jennifer Kelly 2 - Louise Audus 3 - Laura Hassett 3 - Suzanne Cipri 3 - Pamela Trapanotto 4 - Rachel Woodworth 4 - Dorothy Arnold 4 - Tara Brennan 5 - Debra Steirunan 5 - Marie Dacey 5 - Diane Phelan

Date Submitted to Board of Education: January 10,2012 .D *Rate based on 2010/2011 contract

Board of Education, Hauppauge Union Free School District The Superintendent of Schools Rescinds Appointment of the following Middle School Co-Curricular Staff

2011-2012

Name Position Activitv Hours HourlvRate Marc Sledjeski Teacher Archery Club I 10 >I- $38.54 Lauren Dermont Teacher Archery Club II 10 >I- $38.54

Based on 2010-2011 rate .. Due to wrong Activity assignment

Date submitted to the Board of Education:

Board of Education, Hauppauge Union Free School District The Superintendent of Schools Recommends Appointment of the following Middle School Co-Curricular

Staff 2011-2012

Name Position Activity Hours HourlvRate Marc Sledjeski Teacher Archery Club II 10 >I- $38.54 Lauren Dermont Teacher Archery Club I 10 >I- $38.54

Based on 2010-2011 rate II- Additional hours due to wrong Activity assignment and hours

Date submitted to the Board of Education:

BOARD OF EDUCATION, HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS RECOMMENDS APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING

HOME BOUND TEACHERS FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR

NAME SCHOOL ACTIVITY HOURS HOURLY RATE

Fabian, Christa Middle Home Bound Teacher As needed $44.64

Sciacca, Karen BW Home Bound Teacher As needed $44.64

*2011-12 Rate

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TO BE SUBMITTED TO BOARD OF EDUCATION: