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Post by Chris_Wendt on Jul 5, 2011 11:29:55 GMT -5
Kicking-off the official start of the 2011-12 School Year the Board of Education will hold its Annual Reorganization Meeting tonight, presumably followed by the the July Business Meeting.
I say presumably, because the District Website only shows the Reorg Meeting, NOT the July Business Meeting, and the time for the Reorg Meeting is shown as an "All Day Event". Presumably that means 8:00 PM, probably in the Auditorium, but perhaps not.
No agendas are posted on the website for either meeting, less than 8 hours ahead of the presumed meeting start time.
Hey, what is new in Wantagh?
Same-old...
Chris Wendt
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Post by jdelisa on Jul 5, 2011 23:39:12 GMT -5
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Jul 6, 2011 6:20:54 GMT -5
Both the 2011-12 Re-Org Meeting and the July Business Meeting went off well last night.
There are many changes for this year, I believe all of them positive, but most notably...
New board officers:
Bill Russack was elected President
Bob Leuchtmann was elected Vice President
New Board of Education Trustee:
Michael Soethout
New leadership team at the Middle School:
Principal Dawn Matrochano (previously installed) will be joined by...
Anthony Ciuffo as Assistant Principal
New Varsity Football Coach:
Thomas Casey
New General & Labor Counsel:
Guercio & Guercio (Law Firm)
(It was me who applauded when this was announced, I was so pleased!) (These people also actually KNOW, and follow, Roberts Rules of Order!)
New Internal Auditing Firm:
Pappas and Company (former external auditors for the district, returning)
Not seen in the minutes of either meeting, and taken as a very positive sign (unless I missed something)...there was no authorization granted for the administration to make any budget transfers without prior approval of the Board of Education.
Not changing, Joann Green remains Internal Claims Auditor, the person who looks at every single bill that is paid to anyone (also regarded as positive, although not new).
Not changing, with disappointment on my part: the Board of Education, themselves, is apparently remaining in place as the District's Audit Committee, instead of appointing qualified community members to serve in that capacity. This is especially disappointing in light of a prior situation where the district was cited by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York for issues involving a former Trustee (and officer) of the Board of Education concerning divided interests and other matters.
But the real basis for my disappointment is that of a missed, golden opportunity: we have a sufficient number of very well-qualified people in Wantagh who could do a far superior job on an Audit Committee than any of the members of the Board of Education, at least by training, education, and vocation in that field. This is not a knock against the board members. But we should wonder, and question (which is what I am doing, here) what is reason for the Board holding on so tightly to this vital responsibility?
Maybe the new Trustee can raise this question among his comrades at an Executive Session over the summer: "Why are WE serving as our own Audit Committee? Are YOU guys...auditors or something?"
I want to apologize sincerely for not getting up to speak last evening. Seriously, and I realized this while shopping in King Kullen after the meeting...
What were we all thinking? Immediate Past President Jean Quinn really deserved to be recognized and given a round of applause for her outstanding service last year!
Thanks, Jean, for a job well done!
Chris Wendt
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ducky
Junior Member
Posts: 34
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Post by ducky on Jul 6, 2011 13:06:06 GMT -5
I believe that if adequate notice (5 days) and an agenda is not issued the BOE meetings should be illegal. Not giving adequate notice is the same as no notice. This must be corrected and MUCH more transparency about ALL BOE activities. I don't trust people who don't tell me what they are doing on my behalf and with my money!!
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Post by lilly on Jul 6, 2011 15:11:45 GMT -5
All around, promising news with Mr. Ciufo to the MS, new law firm, Jean steps down decreasing the chances of her burning out, all good with Bill Russack and Bob Leuchtmann at the helm. Jury out on the law firm as there seems to be not many options for LI districts. There are basically two (prior Ingerman Smith) and this new one, Guerico & Guerico that have a lock on LI. Should be interesting to watch however, how long standing Wantagh-isms stand up to G&G operating scrutiny and how G&G operates in general. If anything, I'm hopeful that we will get more direct, thoughtful answers on some stuff. It can't be any worse than what we've had. It will also be interesting to see how G&G counsels the district through the whole 'there is right, wrong, then there is the law' thing (see Caylee Anthony case where not guilty is not necessarily innocent). And it looks like with this law firm Wantagh may get a specialized special ed attorney assigned, unlike Ingerman Smith where Chris Venator handled all. I think this is one of the G&G people I saw at last night's BOE meeting. www.guerciolaw.com/Attorney.php?AID=8 |
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