Fried resigns, new playground underway for Elm Drive School

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Central School District (MCSD) Board of Education (BOE) met at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

October BOE meeting

William Murphy Excavators offered to donate his services to dig a 40-square foot buy 40-square foot foundation for a new playground at Elm Drive Elementary School. The BOE accepted.

The BOE hired Comforting Hands, out of Poughkeepsie, to provide substitute nurses as needed. Neuropsychologists Andreas Smoller and Nelson Dorta were hired to serve students in MCSD.

At the recommendation of Assistant Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, Tracey Ferreri, LPN, will be hired for a probationary period ending April 20, 2021.

Kim Moffitt was hired as a teacher’s aide; and Lee Jack was hired as a maintenance helper.

Samantha  Bopp’s appointment as data coordinator was rescinded; Kelly Eaton was then hired as data coordinator at Elm Drive Elementary School and Jessica Quint as Data Coordinator at Alden Place Elementary School.

Co-curricula appointments were made for Colette Alonge-Watz and Michelle Cring as student council advisors.

Resignations were accepted from maintenance worker Richard Jankowski and website coordinator Kelly Weller.

A donation of $420 was accepted from the Millbrook Educational Foundation to fund the Cannon Ball Run for the Junior Class.

The Oct. 5 meeting adjourned following an executive session held pertaining to employment issues.

September BOE meeting

Highlights from the Sept. 7 meeting include agreements with the Spackenkill Free Union School District, Red Hook School District and Arlington School District to provide non-resident special education services for individuals students.

A special detail agreement was authorized for the BOE to execute for the 2021-22 school year with the Millbrook Police Department.

The board hired Evelyn Aveledo as senior typist; Alexander Meisner was hired for a probationary period of four years as music teacher; Judith Fox was appointed athletic trainer for 16-hours per week at $41 per hour; Kristen Stuart was hired as a full-year mentor for a student for 2021-22. Extra class appointments were made for seven teachers.

A resignation was accepted from Andrew Strawinski, boys modified soccer coach; Brian Laffin was named head coach for the boys varsity basketball team; Tom Bell was named volunteer assistant coach for the boys varsity basketball team; Brian Kelly was named girls modified soccer head coach; and Nicholas Porta was named boys modified soccer head coach.

Resignations were accepted from teacher’s aide Ann Burkart; part-time school nurse Marianne Bridges; and food helper Katelyn Shaw.

Capital project update

A time line for the capital project was presented; the work should begin with the BOE seeking Requests for Proposals (RFP) for an architectural and engineering firm to partner with the district to provide a foundational assessment of all district facilities. This should include a review of all buildings, grounds and related systems.

The review will be similar to that of the state-required Building Condition Survey model last performed in 2015 and not due again until 2024. The time line begins this fall  and should end in May or June of 2023.

Miscellaneous matters

A second reading was done of the Disclosure of Wrongful Conduct (the Whistle-blower Policy).

The BOE approved its Building-Level Safety Plan; a first reading was done of the Code of Conduct Policy. A donation was accepted from the Millbrook Rotary Club of $500 to support the middle school garden.

Fried submits resignation

After an executive session, the meeting resumed. The board accepted the resignation of longtime Assistant Superintendent of Business, Finance and Operations Brian Fried, effective Oct. 31, 2021.

Technology Director Elliott Garcia was appointed through 2022 as Title II ADA Compliance Officer, with no increase in pay. Hernandez-Pidala is Alternate Purchasing Agent for 2021-22.

The Tuesday, Sept. 21, meeting included a report from Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) District Superintendent Jason Schetelick; he said it’s now on target, adding he’s enthusiastic about what it will mean to BOCES students and their education.

First Student bus managers responded to delays and their reported mishandling of scheduling at the start of the school year. Students were forced to spend inordinate amounts of time on buses, and schedules were not kept. The problem is reportedly being corrected, but there’s a lack of drivers making it tough to keep schedules.

A public hearing was held on the Code of Conduct. There was no comment, and the code was adopted. Two donations of $1,000 were accepted; one for the high school from IBM and one for Alden Place to replace carpeting.