The following article, written by Klaus Gaebel, is reprinted from The Saugerties Post Star, 10-18-07 OcTOBER BOARD of ED MEETING [Student Rep. Warns of Overcrowded Athletic Buses]   By: Klaus Gaebel, Saugerties Post Star , October 18, 2007   The Board of Education's Student Representative, Nicole Schoen, brought a safety issue to the attention of the board and administration at their monthly meeting. Sitting at the head table along with the superintendent, board members, and administrative staff, Schoen warned of after-school overcrowded cross-country buses for away games used by students. "There are kids sitting in the aisles, 3 to 4 kids to a seat…hopefully that will be a concern for the board to take care of," said Schoen. Schoen also reported that she was optimistic a number of fund raising events would be successful, but was disappointed the magazine drive is not going well. She was also hopeful that attempts to get more students involved in the student council would be realized. With board President Don Tucker absent and Vice-President George Heidcamp running the meeting, community minded Wes Maxwell inquired of the superintendent and board "why are some of the wonderful things we used to do not being done anymore." Maxwell specifically mentioned the lack of a jazz orchestra, limited or no string instruments in the band, a debating team, and the drama club, as missing. Superintendent Richard Rhau responded to Maxwell later in the meeting, pointing to past budget cuts or space issues before he became superintendent, as probable reasons for their elimination. Rhau added "you need space to run all these programs. Because in order to run all the programs you have to hire staff. It certainly would seem to me at least in the music area, because that's what he [Wes Maxwell] mentioned the most, that we could use another staff member there, another teacher and especially now that we'll have the space." The superintendent continued "but that's not just unique to the music area, we find that in a quite a few places, that there's a need for additional courses for kids, electives for them, whether it's social studies, or whether it's in English such as drama, or plays or theater. So we hope that in the future we might be able to bring those in but over the years for some reason Saugerties has fallen behind on that, and that's very sad to see." Reporting on the building project, Rhau announced the project is 40% complete and they are 55% into the project, with the weather allowing rapid progress. Although a slowdown will take place in the fall and winter months, they'll be a big push again in the spring and summer. Rhau affirmed that the district can depend on 95% of the project being completed by the next school year, beginning in September 2008. The new cell phone policy, approved by a majority of the board at an earlier meeting, will soon be distributed. Trustee Michael Brennan, who voted against the policy, asked that the school attorney review the policy before it's distributed. The board agreed by an 8-0 vote to enter into an agreement with the town to pay a rental fee of $1500 per year for a term of 10 years, for utilization of the Kiwanis Ice Arena for the annual graduation ceremonies. The town will use the money to bring certain requirements into compliance in order to hold future ceremonies at the arena. Rhau and business manger Joseph Dziadik indicated that this move will allow the district to save money, since they will no longer have to allocate funds for items such as a sound system and tents that are utilized when graduation ceremonies are held on the high school grounds. Former administrative secretary and district clerk Linda Sindt was appointed District Clerk pro Tem at an annual rate of $9,000, until a permanent clerk is hired. Trustee Mark Thompson questioned the amount of pay since the previous clerk was paid $6,000. Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Nuciforo responded that her analysis indicated most districts pay $8 - $10 thousand, so they took the middle amount. Heidcamp reminded the superintendent that the board had approved a motion at their September meeting, which reiterated state school law that any executive session needed to specify the reason for the session in the agenda. The board through their motion also required the superintendent to give them pertinent information (names) in advance of the meeting of any persons to be discussed in the executive session. During the public comment period, Kevin Carpenter noted his displeasure on the agenda item to hire a Staff Liaison/Safety Coordinator for the construction project (the position was later tabled by the board - likely to be taken up at a later time). Carpenter claimed this was a position similar to one that was previously removed by the school board with the defeat of a budget by voters. Former trustee Michael MacIsaac asked the board to consider changing the status of members of their negotiating committee of the outstanding SESA contract, after giving them notice, if they fail to negotiate a contract in another 30-45 days. MacIsaac felt there was too much game playing with the negotiations on both sides of the table, and his solution was being offered to counter "this entire sub-industry of lawyers, arbitrators, conciliators and mediators because it really is somewhat of an industry that has been created….to get a contract." Questioned by new board member James Steinhilber, MacIsaac added that while he served on the board, "the board members on the negotiating subcommittee weren't allowed to talk or were asked not to talk so they were taking a back seat to the lawyers and the industry which says this is how you reach a contract. So if this is how you reach a contract and that system is broken, then take the bull by the horn … and make new rules." Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Nuciforo reported on anti-bullying measures the school system is undertaking. The bullying topic has come up in a variety of formats. Elementary school principals and teachers have discussed the subject in individual classrooms, it was covered during an assembly for 7th graders, teacher Mr. Rubenstein holds mediation sessions in the Jr. High, and there are cyber-bullying focuses in the high school. In partnership with the Kingston and Oneonta schools, Nuciforo announced Saugerties may be participating in an anti-bullying grant, and some teachers interested in student's social and emotional skills have attended conferences. They may bring their new knowledge into the district as an inservice for staff. Omni Financial Group will be providing operational and legal advice to the district on the new 403(b) IRS regulations. Business Manager Joseph Dziadik informed the board that the regulations are effective January 2008 and January 2009. After reporting on the initial meeting of the newly formed Labor Relations Committee, Heidcamp pressed the board to pass a resolution asking the school attorney to meet with the STA (Saugerties Teachers Association), and attempt to resolve the 11 outstanding grievances filed against the district. After hearing Heidcamp call for renewed contract talks with the SESA (Saugerties Educational Support Association ), trustee James Steinhilber offered a resolution to have the school attorney attempt to make a date with the SESA to resume contract negotiations. The board may have felt a sense of urgency at a contract settlement, after hearing teaching assistant and SESA spokesperson Jocelyn Cariello speak. "We are 173 strong, with or without a contract [we] continue to do our jobs. We take great pride in what we do." Cariello finished her prepared statement by saying "as we continue to give of our hearts and efforts to the children of this district, we urge the Board of Education and superintendent to settle our negotiations to give us the contract we deserve." SESA, representing kitchen staff, teacher aides, teaching assistants, and clerical staff, have worked without a new contract for over 3 years.