The following article by
Klaus Gaebel is reprinted from The Saugerties Post
Star, 05-08-08 By: Klaus Gaebel Saugerties Post Star , May
8, 2008 Department chairpersons were appointed for the
2008-09 and 2009-10 school years for the junior and senior
high schools. There was disagreement among board members whether the
list of 13 names on the agenda could be voted on
individually, or needed to be voted on as a block. A motion was made to vote on the superintendent's
recommendations individually. Trustee Michael Brennan said
"personally I don't think you're allowed to break up a
superintendent's recommendation like this," and asked for a
delay in the vote to another meeting while waiting for a
legal opinion. Board member Terry Parisian said "the superintendent is
the one that makes the recommendations to the board; the
superintendent is the one that put it together as a block.
I don't think we as board members can pull that away from
the superintendent on a special resolution or amendment."
Board Vice President George Heidcamp said "the board has
the right to vote yes or no on any recommendation the
superintendent brings before this board" and added "if the
majority of the board wants to vote on the individuals, we
have that right." The board eventually voted 5-4 to vote on the list by
individual with Brennan, McCaig, Parisian, and Thompson
voting "no". Department chairpersons approved were: Art - Patricia
Mooney; English - Colleen Greco; Guidance - Dawn
Scannapieco; Family and Consumer Science - Donna Donaldson;
Technology - John Lombardo; Math - Kimberly Knisell; Music
- Marisa Trees; Physical Education - Melissa Natele;
Science/Health - Mary Bishop; Social Studies - Steve Eggink;
Special Education - Kimberlee Cahill. Not all votes were
unanimous. Trustee Brennan left during board discussions before the
votes. Scott Wickham was rejected by the board for chairperson
of the Business department by a 5-3 vote, with Fisco,
Heidcamp, Petramale, Steinhilber, and Tucker voting
against. Bernadette Dvorak was denied the Foreign Language
chairpersonship with Thompson joining Fisco, Heidcamp,
Petramale, Steinhilber, and Tucker in voting against.