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TOWN OF TUXEDO

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Tuxedo Union Free School District
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Tuxedo’s George F. Baker High School named again to Newsweek’s best high schools nationwide

Garden Works Club gives Tuxedo students opportunities to grow

Hickey voted off Tuxedo School Board

Tuxedo voters approve $16.6 million school budget

School Budget/Board Results

Budget: $16.6 million
Yes 261
No 173

School board (four seats, three for three years, one for two years)
*Ray Barone 334
*Laurance J. Hickey 228
*David Kaufer 284
*John G. Moon 351
Robert R. Werner 267

Choices In Tuxedo

School Board Election Forum WILL NOT Take Place

Please take note, contrary to a report in the May 14 Photo News there WILL NOT be a School Board Election forum on Monday May 17.

Five Candidates Vie for Four Spots on the Tuxedo School Board

On May 18, 2010 School Board elections will take place in the Town of Tuxedo. This year, five candidates are vying for 4 spots.
Running for re-election are Tuxedo residents Ray Barone, James J. Hickey, (current board president) David Kaufer and John G. Moon. Robert J. Werner, also a Tuxedo resident, is running for a first time seat.
The make-up of the school board is extremely important as it has a direct and immediate impact on the future of the School District as well as every ones taxes. Therefore, understanding these candidates, their areas of expertise and their levels of experience is crucial in making an informed decision.
TPFYI has asked each candidate for biographical information and will post this in the order that it is received.

* TPFYI will provide links to local newspaper coverage as it becomes available for those seeking further info.

DAVID KAUFER

Tuxedo resident for 13 years
Born and raised in Suffern, New York
Post graduate degree Doctor of Chiropractic 1989
Joined family practice established in 1957 by father Dr. Marshall Kaufer
Married 22 years, 3 children educated in the Tuxedo school system
Community Oriented
Coached Hal Block Ramapo Soccer League 5 years
Coached Tuxedo baseball T-shirt League 2 years
Elected School Board of Education Tuxedo, New York for 2 terms 2004–present

I chose to run for the Board of Education six years ago enabling me to be involved in the educational process of our children. I wanted to secure the best possible educational experience and allow for enriched academic opportunities for our community.

As a Board of Education member, many difficult choices have been made, and there continues to be ongoing challenges. I have confidence that this Board of Education will continue to make positive changes for our students. It is important that continued educational excellence remain my top priority.

I am extremely proud that our school district has been recognized academically for high achievements by the state and other published journals. This success has occurred due to the involvement of the administrators, teachers, and the hardworking students.

The current economic status in our state has played a critical role in the upcoming budget. The Board of Education has worked tirelessly over the last several months to maintain the academic integrity that the Tuxedo School District is known for.

In closing I am running for the Tuxedo Board of Education for a third term to offer continued stability and unity within the school district. It is my intention to maintain quality education and give the students tools for academic excellence and achieve a successful future.

ROBERT J. WERNER
As many of you know on April 19th I officially became a candidate for the Tuxedo School District Board of Education. I would like to thank those of you who signed the petition and request your support in the upcoming election on May 18th.

I believe the school board will need to make difficult decisions in the near future, decisions that will affect the quality of education in Tuxedo. I know most of the costs associated with the district are the result of contractual obligations which leaves few areas to trim. Nonetheless, I am confident the school district needs to and can work smarter.

I hope to be part of the decision making process that will determine what is best for the students and people of Tuxedo. I do not believe that state aid will be restored this year and I expect it will be reduced further next year.

The salary and fringe benefits for the Tuxedo School Districtís Superintendent and Business Administrator exceed $425,000 or 2.5% of the entire 2010/2011 budget or 50% of the projected state aid. There may be an explanation for these escalating costs, maybe these two individuals have reduced costs in other areas and saved the district thousands of dollars, it is possible our graduating students receive a very significant portion of academic scholarships to the best universities. I do not know the answers to these questions, but I intend to find out.

I will bring to the school district the same traits I have exhibited as a member of the Woodlands Board of Directors, honesty, transparency and fair play.

I would also like to share a short bio. I retired from the New York City Police Department after 21 years, the last 11 of which were at the New York County District Attorneys Office. I was asked to join a management team to establish the office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District, leaving as the Deputy Chief Investigator. In 1996 I was recruited to rebuild the New York State Office of the Inspector General. I am currently the Chief Investigator and in that role supervise all criminal investigations and systemic reviews of over 200 state agencies, authorities, boards and commissions.

Finally, if you believe students and taxpayers need to receive the full value of every dollar spent by the school district and new ideas and fresh perspectives are needed, vote for me. I promise to do my best for the Tuxedo School District and all concerned.

DR. RAY BARONE

Biographical information. I attended grades K-12 in Tuxedo, graduating in 1974. In 1978, I received an undergraduate degree in Business from Siena College and was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Army. After completing Airborne and Ranger training, “Uncle Sam” stationed me in Vicenza, Italy with the 1st of the 509th Battalion Combat Team, Airborne. For the next 20+ years, I served in the US Army, retiring honorably as a Lieutenant Colonel. In July 1999, the United States Military Academy, West Point competitively selected me to teach physical training as well as some cognitive courses. Additionally, I instruct ‘Professional Military Ethics Education’ to cadets; a curriculum that focuses on the moral and ethical challenges of being an Officer. My education includes: a Masters from Indiana University, a Masters of Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff Officer’s College, Fort Leavenworth, and both a Masters and Doctorate in Teaching and Curriculum from Columbia’s Teachers’ College. I have been blessed with 3 children: Kyra, 21, who is a second semester junior attending West Point; Kyle, 20, who will start West Point this summer as a member of the Class of 2014; and Clayton, 18, who will graduate from high school this year and subsequently attend a civilian preparatory school on his way to the class of 2015 at West Point.
What makes a sound school district, and what is required to ensure its proper functioning? I believe that parental involvement, student effort, and the proper mix of good teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members are the foundation of high-quality education system. The School Board working with the administrators first and foremost has to ‘protect’ the core courses to ensure that students meet the requirements to graduate and are prepared for their future endeavors. To achieve this, especially during these tough economic times, the Board must balance the needs of the students to receive a well-rounded education with the constituent’s needs regarding taxes and the tax levy.
Candidate’s statement. I have been privileged to serve on the Board of Education within the very school that I attended, as a result of the people of the community providing me with their ‘vote of confidence’. I am running for my 3rd term on the Board and will continue to do my utmost to represent and balance both the needs of the students with those of the voting constituents.

JOHN G. MOON
Several reasons motivate me to run for the Board of Education, but there are three I would like to emphasize. Primarily, I hold a strong belief in advancement through education. I hold a Bachelorís degree in Philosophy and Political Science, and graduate degrees in Law. Education has taken me from growing up in a distant part of Pennsylvania to in-house counsel at a global financial institution in Manhattan.

Furthermore, as a practicing lawyer, I have complemented the Boardís skill set with the retirement of Judge Brown. I am dedicated to financial accountability, having been a Federal Prosecutor of financial crimes and an Enforcement Branch Chief at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. My present board experience includes a seat on the Board of Managers of the Harvard Club of New York City. I hold a Fiscal Oversight Certification issued by the New York State School Boards Association.

I have enjoyed serving the entire community while on the Board; that is to say, by working to deliver education directly to the children, caring for our studentsí special needs, and honoring the fiscal constraints of our taxpayers. It has been hard work. The school budget before you involved detailed assessment and cuts of certain administrative and non-essential expenses, and a reduction of personnel. However, the budget does not cut a single core educational program and even enhanced the Mandarin Chinese curriculum. Significantly, the proposed tax levy will increase less than 1 percent at a time when state aid is diminishing.

I ask for your vote on May 18, 2010.

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting April 22, 2010

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognition of Valedictorian & Salutatorian
GGM Guidance Presentation – Rose Laure Beauvais
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 3/18/10, 3/25/10, 4/8/10, 4/13/10
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Adoption of 2010/2011 Proposed Budget
  4. Adoption of School Tax Property Report Card
  5. Orange-Ulster BOCES Administrative Budget Vote
  6. Orange-Ulster BOCES Board Member Election
  7. Donation: Plexiglas Purchase for Frames from Tuxedo PTO
  8. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo continues to grapple with school budget challenges

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting April 20, 2010
Budget Work Session #7

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation
Budget Workshop
Other
Public Participation
Adjournment

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting March 18, 2010

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Information Technology Update by Ms. Carol Lomascolo
Budget Work Session #2 & #3 on Working Draft of 2010/2011 Proposed Budget
      • Presentation of the Instructional/Community
        Service and Undistributed Portions of Proposed
       2010/2011 Budget
      • Introduction of Supplemental Needs Budget
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Surplus of Textbooks
  4. Lease of Quarry Field
  5. Proposed 2010/11 School Calendar
  6. Orange-Ulster BOCES Board Nominations
  7. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting March 4, 2010

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Presentation – Kelly Fosstveit, Intervention Specialist
• Pupil Personnel Services Support Function
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 1/21/10, 1/28/10
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Audit Committee Report
  4. District-Wide Superintendent’s Conference Day – March 26 th
  5. Proposed 2010/11 School Calendar
  6. Surplus Equipment - VCR
  7. Resolution for Board of Education President to
       Execute Project Adventure Iroquois Springs Contract
  8. Proposed Resolution by Orange County Executive in
       Opposition to Holding 9-11 Terrorists Trial in Orange County
  9. Proposed 2010-2011 Attendance Policy
10. Overnight Boston Band Trip Proposal – May 14-15, 2010
11. Donation of 25 Reading Books to GGM
12. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Board of Education to Hold Work Session on Working Draft of 1010/2011 Proposed Budget March 4, 2010

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Board Work Session #1 on Working Draft of
      2010/2011 Proposed Budget
      • Review of Budget Philosophy and
       Chronology of Budgeting Process
      • Presentation of General Support Portions of
       Proposed Budget
      • Other
Adjournment

Tuxedo school board picks Moon to fill vacancy

Agenda for Special Board of Education Meeting January 7, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comments on Agenda Items
Items for Action and/or Discussion
1. Board of Education Candidate Interviews
Adjournment

Agenda for Board of Education Meeting December 17, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 11/19/09
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Amendment to 403 (b) Retirement Plan
  4. Response to Intervention Update (RTI)
  5. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board of Education Meeting November 19, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 10/15/09, 10/22/09
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Donations: Tabletop SunLite Garden
                  Rulers & Pencils
                  Art Supplies
  4. Proposed 2009/2010 District Goals
  5. BOCES Cooperative Bid Resolution
  6. State Environmental Quality Review Resolution for High School Front Steps
  7. Approval of Corrective Action Plan 2008/2009 Audit
  8. Tuxedo Reserve Update
  9. Anticipated Vacancy for Board of Education
10. Zero Based Budgeting
11. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Dine Out To End Hunger

Characters Bar & Restaurant

Tuesday, November 17th
Lunch, Dinner, Take-Out
11:30am – 10:00pm
No reservation required.

Tell your server you support the Tuxedo pto and
15% of your dining bill automatically gets donated
back to tuxedo pto to help stomp out hunger!

Characters Bar & Grill
94 Orange Turnpike
Sloatsburg, NY 10974
845-753-5200

Proceeds to Benefit The Tuxedo PTO BackPack Program
The BackPack Program provides children at risk of hunger with a weekly backpack full of nutritious, kid-friendly, shelf-stable food to get them through the weekend, when school meals are not available. Backpacks are discreetly distributed to children on the last day before the weekend or holiday vacation. All money raised from this event will be reserved for the BackPack Program.

SPONSORED BY TUXEDO PTO

Special thanks to…
J & J Jump Rentals, inc shoprite
John Meore Photography A &P Mariano’s Pizza at Take-a-break

Agenda for Board of Education Reorganization Meeting July 9, 2009

ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call and Quorum Check

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Organizational Meeting

     1.0 Read Oath of Office into Minutes
     1.1 Nominations & Appointment of President of Board of Education
     1.2 Nominations & Appointment of Vice President of Board of Education
     1.3 Nominations & Approval of Officers and Personnel for the
            School District
     1.4 Approval by Board for Services
     1.5 Approval by Board for Authorizations
     1.6 Approval by Board to Re-Adopt Existing Policies & Past Practices
     1.7 Approval for Business Official/Superintendent to Invest
            Monies at Best Prevailing Rate
     1.8 Approval for Bonding of Business Official, District Treasurer,
            Tax Collector and Treasurer of Extra-Classroom Fund

V. Public Participation

VI. Adjournment

REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 6/18/09
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Surplus of Textbooks/Equipment
  4. Energy Performance Contract Financing
  5. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Agenda for Special Tuxedo Union Free School Board of Education Meeting July 2, 2009

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call and Quorum Check

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV. Oath of Office

V. Proposed Executive Session

VI. Adjournment

Baker High School Makes Newsweek's List of Top 1,500 High Schools

School District Budget Notice

Download the PDF here.

About Your Schools...Budget and Board of Education Information

Download the PDF here.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting April 23, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Recognition of Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Wrestlers, Skiers,
Girls JV & Varsity Basketball Teams
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 3/12/09, 3/19/09, 3/26/09
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Adoption of 2009/2010 Proposed Budget
  4. Adoption of School Tax Property Report Card
  5. Orange-Ulster BOCES Administrative Budget Vote
  6. Orange-Ulster BOCES Board Member Election
  7. Return of Unused Emergency Closing Day in Accordance
       with the Collective Bargaining Agreement of the
       Tuxedo Teachers Association
  8. Adoption of 2009/2010 Code of Conduct
  9. Greenwood Lake Elks Lodge 2067 Donation
  10. Wheelchair Accessible Bus Lease Agreement
  11. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Reschedules Open Forum Meeting

Public Invited to a
Board of Education Open Forum
(Rescheduled from February 18th)

Thursday, March 12, 2009

(Immediately following Budget Work Session #2
scheduled at 7 PM)

George Grant Mason Multi-Purpose Room

Come share your constructive ideas or
ask questions regarding:

- 2009/10 School Budget
- School Activities
- Other Concerns

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School Board of Education Meeting
February 19, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 1/15/09
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. District-Wide Superintendent's Conference Day – March 23rd
  4. Lease of Quarry Field
  5. Dedication of First Floor HS Corridor to Carmine Antonelli
  6. Overnight Trip – Mudville Softball Tournament May 8-9 – Herkimer, New York
  7. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Community Briefing

Download the briefing here.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board of Education Meeting January 15, 2009

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 12/18/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Energy Performance Contract Financing
  4. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Executive Session
1. Collective Negotiations
2. Litigation
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 11/20/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Donation of Puzzles and Fun Pack
  4.  Adoption of 2009/10 School Calendar
  5. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting November 20, 2008

The Board meeting convened at 6:34 PM with all members present except Barone, who arrived late. The normal administrative matters were covered, and items of unusual interest are as follows.

First, a teacher and a senior student made a very compelling presentation about the five year old Safe Schools Ambassadors Program, which now starts in the sixth grade and goes through twelfth grade. The program’s goal is to make the school a safe environment for students to work in, and recognizes that without ongoing student assistance, the faculty and staff alone cannot realistically achieve this goal. Students account for 90% of the school population; 95% of its targets for either cruel or violent behavior; and 99% of the aggressors. However, students are really the ones who determine what acceptable norms of behavior are and are not, and students often see and know things that staff does not and can take timely action in ways staff cannot. The program is built around regular training for all students and additional training for selected students. This program encourages students to work with other students in preventing abusive or violent behavior before it happens using a variety of methods.

The School’s website has been revised and updated with particular focus on the high school, in an effort to improve communication with both parents of students and the community. Please go to www.tuxedoschooldistrict.com to review the information at the website. This is part of an overall effort by the school Administration and Board to explore ways to reduce paper communication in favor of electronic communication.

Other items covered during this meeting included the Tuxedo Library, which is now hosting an exhibit of various student works of art and the addition of a daily 5:30 PM bus to Greenwood Lake to accommodate the GWL high school students who have late afternoon commitments.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting November 20, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 10/16/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. CPSE/CSE
  3. Overnight Trips: Girls Varsity Basketball Competition in Lake Placid
       Wrestling Tournament in Oneonta
  4.  403 (b) Third Administrator and Requisite Plan Adoption Agreement
  5.  Approval of Corrective Action Plan - External Audit
  6.  Donation of Children's Scissors to GGM
  7. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting October 16, 2008

The Tuxedo Union Free School District School Board met on October 16, 2008.
Board member Ray Barone was absent. During the first portion of the meeting, normal administrative matters were covered, including the introduction of new teachers who joined the District this fall.

There were two items of substance covered during the remainder of the meeting. The first was a report from the independent auditor’s, Nugent & Haeussler. The audit covered the previous fiscal year. Chris Melley of the accounting firm highlighted the firm’s findings. The auditor commented positively on the strong internal audit and accounting controls that were in place. District Management was complemented for budgeting revenues within one percent of actual revenues received, and expenses within 5% of monies actually spent. Overall, it was a very positive audit report.

The second item of interest was the Board’s vote on a new contract with the Greenwood Lake School District. They approved a five-year Memorandum of Agreement, running through June 20, 2013. Earlier this week, Greenwood Lake’s Board approved a one year Agreement with the Tuxedo District covering the current school year, with the intent of putting a request to approve the longer five year Agreement on the Ballot before the end of December, as is required by New York State.

There are several very important points covered by the Memorandum of Agreement. The three most important points of agreement are:

The two Districts agreed on a base year tuition amount for General Education of $12,800 plus multipliers for Special Ed, CTEC and Vocational Special Ed students
Both parties agreed to a formula for calculating additional years’ tuition levels. The formula relates to each District’s General Fund expenditures as reported annually to the State on the ST-3
Both parties agreed to billing procedures to include late payment penalties.

The two districts issued joint press release regarding this Agreement.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Board Meeting October 16, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Independent Auditor’s Presentation Chris Melley of Nugent & Haeussler
  2. Introduction of New Teachers
  3. Approval of Minutes – 9/18/08
  4. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Memorandum of Agreement with Greenwood Lake
  2. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  3. CPSE/CSE
  4. NYSSBA Conference Approval
  5.  Adoption of 2009/2010 Budget Calendar
  6.  Approval of Corrective Action Plan– Internal Audit
  7.  Acceptance of 2007/2008 Financial Audit Report
  8.  School Board Recognition Week October 2024th
  9. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Meeting September 18, 2008

The meeting started promptly at 6:30 PM, with Diana Petrosky chairing the meeting in the absence of Jim Hickey. All other members were present, although Ray Barone arrived 30 minutes late.

The Superintendent advised that the Audit Report for the past financial year had been received and there were several accounting matters needing to be addressed. He expected some of the issues would be resolved by the end of 2008, and the balance will be dealt with before the end of the 08-09 school year.

The various Administrators’ reports were then presented primarily dealing with routine matters of a routine nature. With regard to Greenwood Lake and its on-going use of the TUFSD for High School purposes, the Superintendent advised that negotiation discussions were continuing and both Districts still had legal issues to resolve. Once this had been accomplished, an appropriate press release would be made.

Shortly before 7 PM, the Board adjourned to Executive session, indicating they expected to return within 15 minutes. However, they did not returned until 7:40 PM, once again leaving the public waiting for a long period as they had done at the prior month’s meeting.

When the meeting recommenced, the Superintendent addressed the subject of a report in the Greenwood Lake/New Milford News alleging that his salary and benefits had been under reported in State Board filings. He did confirm the relative numbers reported to the State were incorrect, in that the school business office had reported such costs for the year, as opposed to budgeted numbers. Reporting errors also covered two other employees. At the conclusion of this discussion, the Board then approved granting tenure to two employees, approved the employment of two other staff and approved the remuneration levels of an assorted number of part-time staff primarily responsible for extra-curricular activities. A total dollar number was not available, but it looked to be somewhere in excess of $150,000.

In the public comment period questions were asked regarding dress code for the children, the manner in which tenure was judged and approved, the frequency of outside trips to places of historical, cultural or otherwise academic benefit to the children and finally the content and appropriateness of the school lunch menu.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Meeting Thursday, September 18, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 8/28/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. Greenwood Lake Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Greenwood Lake Update
  2. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  3. CPSE/CSE
  4. Approval of Corrective Action Plan to State Comptroller's Audit
  5. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Tuxedo Union Free School District Board of Education Meeting
August 28, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 6:41PM. Members absent were Diana Petrosky and Shawn Brown.

A fairly lengthy discussion took place regarding the approval of the prior meeting’s Minutes, with particular focus by Ray Barone on the draft of the Minutes stating that the vote to increase Superintendent Zanetti’s salary had been “unanimously” approved, when both David Kaufer and Barone believed they did not vote in favor of the increase. At 7 PM, Chairman Hickey requested the public meeting be adjourned to Executive Session to discuss personnel matters – specifically, the Contract between the School District and the Superintendent. Public session was not resumed until 8:15 PM, by which time I had left, so what follows is information gathered from third parties.

GOOD NEWS: Upon reconvening the public meeting, the Board approved a 3.39% increase in the 2008-09 Tuxedo School District tax levy, which is exactly what the estimated increase was back in May during the most recent School Board elections, at which Joanne Vernon won her seat on the BoE.

During the Public Session, several speakers focused on various issues, the most substantive being administrative salaries and the leasing of Konica copiers. Regarding administrative salaries, the Board President was questioned as to whether he had seen a specific newspaper article pertaining to Orange County School District administrative salaries – he had not. Also, the leasing of certain Konica copiers by our District was also discussed.

Although the topic of going into Executive Session twenty minutes into a regularly scheduled public meeting was not raised, it would be extremely helpful for purposes of both public participation and transparency if this could be avoided in the future. Ideally, if Executive Session could be held either before the public meeting [a practice that Greenwood Lake’s Board uses] or after the public meeting, this would be very helpful in maintaining the public’s ongoing participation. If a pressing contractual issue arises during the public session requiring an immediate adjournment to Executive Session, that meeting should be held to no more than ten minutes, with the focus of the Board being to agree to reconvene after the Public Session to further discuss whatever issue or issues need Executive Session resolution.

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School Direct Board Meeting August 28, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 7/10/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. GWL Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. GWL Update
  3. CPSE/CSE
  4. School Breakfast & Lunch Prices
  5. Tax Levy & Tax Rates
  6. Designation of Legislative Liaison to NYSSBA
  7. Designation of Legislative Liaison to OCSBA
  8. Donation: Educational Games, Children’s Books & Videos
  9. Varsity Soccer Trip to National Soccer Hall of Fame – Oneonta, NY
  10. Purchase Option Plan for Konica Minolta
  11. Approval of Academic Intervention Services Plan
  12. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

State Board of Education gives Greenwood Lake Specific Direction

On June 20, 2008 Charles Szuberia of the New York State Education Dept. sent the following letter to both John Guarracino, Superintendent of the Greenwood Lake Union Free School District and Joseph Zanetti, Tuxedo Union Free School District Superintendent, with regard to the ongoing issues between the two districts:

greenwood

In reviewing the letter, please focus on the following of Szuberia‘s points, in order to gain a better understanding of our District’s current situation with Greenwood Lake.
In paragraph two, second to last sentence, Szuberia clearly lays out the only two viable tuition choices Greenwood Lake has regarding tuition costs that must be paid to Tuxedo. “Tuxedo, however, must charge Greenwood Lake tuition based either on the non-resident tuition rate (Seneca Falls formula) or the actual costs of educating students.” For the upcoming fall school year [2008-09], Tuxedo has demonstrated that the actual cost for high school tuition students was well over a thousand dollars per student higher than the Seneca Falls Formula. Thus, for the upcoming school year, it is a safe bet that Greenwood Lake’s Board will opt for the Seneca Falls formula to determine its tuition per student cost.

The first part of paragraph three is extremely important. Szuberia clearly states that the Governor’s Commission on Local Government and Efficiency “…recommends greater consolidation of school districts and services.” In other words, the State Department of Education is not in favor of creating additional small schools at any level unless there are very compelling reasons to do so, which flies in the face of Greenwood Lake’s desire to build its own small high school.

In the second part of his letter Szuberia lays out four steps Greenwood Lake must take if its request for a separate high school is to be considered. The first is that Greenwood Lake must enter into a new five-year agreement with the Tuxedo District. Assuming this cannot be done over the summer, we are looking at the school years 2009 -2014. Given that a five-year agreement with Tuxedo is a precondition Greenwood Lake must meet in order to achieve their own goal, the Tuxedo Board has no reason to make any tuition concessions to Greenwood Lake as it has done in prior five year agreements. Ergo, there is no reason for the Tuxedo taxpayer to subsidize the Greenwood Lake students.
Only after Greenwood Lake has reached a five-year agreement with Tuxedo, may it proceed with steps two though four. Step two is a road Greenwood Lake has gone done repeatedly with zero success, but this does not mean that they will stop looking for a new high school district home for its students.

Steps three and four, as laid out by Szuberia, represent very high hurdles for Greenwood Lake to overcome. Why? Given today’s construction costs, it will be extremely difficult for their Board of Education to come up with all inclusive cost numbers for a new high school, properly staffed, that has a cost per student that is less than the cost of tuitioning them into Tuxedo. Even the Greenwood Lake tax payer will be able to figure this out. Thus, Greenwood Lake’s only viable option is to find a District other than Tuxedo, where it can send its students.

As an aside, I would tell you that in this editor’s opinion, this entire ongoing debate has always had at its heart the Greenwood Lake Board of Education’s desire to control the education of its own students, and although cost has been an important issue, it has never been the main issue. Thus, sending its students to another district, will not solve the issue of “control.”

-David du Pont

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School Board of Education Meeting
June 19, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Presentation of Road Merit Safety Plaque
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 5/6/08, 5/22/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. GWL Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. GWL Update
  3. CPSE/CSE
  4. Review of Board Policies
      #3115-1 - Personnel: Sexual Harassment of Employees
      #3115-2 – Personnel: Sexual Harassment of Employees Regulation
      #3115-3 - Personnel: Sexual Harassment of Students
  5. Independent Auditor for 2008/2009
  6. Code of Conduct
  7. Course Approval for High School
      - Advanced Placement Chemistry
      - History in Hollywood
  8. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Playground Equipment
  9. Senior Class Trip – 2009
  10. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

School Election Results

School Budget
281 – Yes
191 – No

School Board
Joanne Vernon – 232
Carol Stachelek – 219

Agenda for Tuxedo Union Free School District Meeting May 22, 2008

Call to Order
Roll Call and Quorum Check
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Routine Business
  1. Approval of Minutes – 4/10/08, 4/17/08
  2. Administrators’ Reports
      • Business Administrator
      • Director of PPS/Curriculum
      • Elementary/Middle School Principal
      • High School Principal
      • Asst. High School Principal
  3. GWL Liaison’s Report
  4. Superintendent’s Report
Items for Action and/or Discussion
  1. Warrants, Transfers & Bids
  2. GWL Update
  3. CPSE/CSE
  4. Second Reading & Adoption of Board Policies
      #3112 - Personnel: Equal Opportunity Employer
      #3113 - Personnel: Absence for Religious Purposes
      #3114 - Personnel: Tobacco Use and Smoking Policy
      #5204-2 – Instruction: Local Certificate to Handicapped Students
      #4106 – Attendance: Non Resident Students
  5. 2008/2009 Board of Education Meetings
  6. Code of Conduct
  7. Adoption of New Elementary ELA Textbooks
  8. Senior Citizens Tax Exemption
  9. Real Property Tax Exemption for Volunteer Workers
  10. State Aid Review Consultant
  11. Donations: Playground Equipment from Tuxedo PTO
        $250 for High School Chorus from Spanish Evangelist Church
        Photography Equipment from Dr. Patricia Tripken
  12. Personnel
Public Participation on Agenda Items
Correspondence
Miscellaneous
Adjournment

Newsweek Ranks George F. Baker High School in the Top 5%

Meet the School Board Candidates

On May 20, 2008 voters will take to the polls and decide who will fill the soon to be vacated seat on the School Board. Two candidates, Carol Stachelek and Joanne Vernon, are running for the position. In an effort to provide the community with a better picture of who these ladies are TPFYI has collected the following Bio information.

CAROL STACHELEK

Vote for
Carol Stachelek
for School Board

Personal Background:

Resident of Tuxedo for 11 years
Married 20 years, 2 children - ages 6 and 9
My 2 young boys attend the George Grant Mason School and are in the 1st and 4th grades.

Professional Background:

Bachelor of Science Degree - Business Administration - State University of New York at Buffalo.
Currently employed as bookkeeper at the Tuxedo Park Library. Work closely with library board putting together yearly budgets.
Tuxedo PTA - Vice President, 2 years - Corresponding Secretary, 2 years.
Member of the Save Our Schools Committee. Working with the superintendent and school board, this committee was instrumental in providing information that helped keep Greenwood Lake at our High School.

Why do I want to be on the School Board?
I am all about the kids! With my own 2 children attending the elementary school, I have a vested interest in our educational program. An excellent school district not only serves our children by bringing about the best in all of them, but it also is a reflection on the community, thereby drawing people into our district and enhancing real estate values. I am a strong proponent of small class sizes. Studies show that the smaller the class, especially in the elementary level, the higher the grades, the better the morale of the teachers and the happier the kids.

Our High School offers an excellent program and it is important that we get back to talking about the education of the students. To that end, negotiating with Greenwood Lake for a long term solution is imperative to having our focus back on the educational program. This needs to be accomplished without the expense burden put on the Tuxedo community.

Being a school board member will allow me the opportunity to be a part of a team that will work toward the best educational setting for our children.

JOANNE VERNON

Dear Neighbor,

My name is Joanne Vernon and I am running for the Tuxedo Board of Education on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. I would like to share some information regarding my background and why I would like to serve our community.

My educational experience is extensive. I have a B.A. in Education and an M.A. in Administration and Supervision. I hold the following N.J. certifications: Elementary Teacher K-8, Teacher of Reading K-12, Reading Specialist, Supervisor, and Principal.

I have been involved in the ever-changing world of education for 27 years. Currently I am the Principal of the Robert D. Reynolds School in Upper Saddle River. I am completing my ninth year in this wonderful school of over 460 students. My prior work experiences include: serving as a classroom teacher for 15 years in the public schools of West Orange, Vice-Principal and Director of Special Services in Oradell, and Principal of Ridgewood Avenue Upper Elementary School in Glen Ridge.

Recently, I have served on the Tuxedo Options Committee charged with exploring alternatives due to Greenwood Lake’s desire to withdraw from G.F. Baker High School. Additionally I served on the Tuxedo Strategic Planning Committee to determine the needs and goals for the Tuxedo School District K-12. I served in a leadership position in the Tuxedo PTA for four years and also served as President of the USR Administrator’s Association. In my teaching days, I served as Treasurer of the West Orange Education Association. I am a current member of the Tuxedo PTO, SPOT, the Upper Saddle River PTO, and the Upper Saddle River Educational Foundation. I am also a member of the NJ Supervisor’s Association, National Reading Association and many other curriculum based organizations.

My desire to serve as a Board of Education member is to add a new dimension and to bring some creative thoughts to the major issues we are all facing. I am most especially concerned about the rising costs of education (taxes), fiscal accountability regarding various contracts and most importantly the curriculum development and student needs facing us in this time of major technological advances in education. It is time to bring new ideas and solutions to the table.

My husband Russ and I have lived in Tuxedo for 12 years. We have the pleasure of raising two wonderful girls, Alex, 17 and Annie, 11. I know the community of Tuxedo and the Village of Tuxedo Park very well. I look forward to serving as a BOE member if given the opportunity. I am confident that with your vote, I will make a difference for our community.

Please feel free to email me jvjds1@optonline.net or call me 753-1910 with any questions you may have.

Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.

Sincerely,
Joanne M. Vernon

Again, voting will take place on Tuesday, May 20 from 2pm-9pm at George Grant Mason Elementary School. Please take the time to cast your vote in this very important election.

School Board Candidates Comment on The Issues

On May 20, 2008, voters will take to the polls for two very important reasons; the school budget and the School Board. Two candidates, Carol Stachelek and Joanne Vernon, will compete for one seat on the School Board, currently held by Michael Catenaro. In an effort to educate the community as to where they stand on several key issues, TPFYI presented both candidates with the following questions:

Please tell us why you have decided to run for the School Board at this time.

C.S. - Since I have 2 children that attend the Tuxedo elementary school, I have a vested interest in the educational program. I wish to be a part of a team that will work toward the best educational setting of our children.

J.V. - I have been interested in serving on the Tuxedo BOE for the past few years, however due to family commitments did not feel the timing was right. Now with one daughter off to college in the fall and my younger daughter entering 6th grade I believe I will have the time needed to devote to this important position. Additionally I have become increasingly concerned with the current issues related to GWL, negotiations, school budget development, and the quality of education needed in our world today. I believe my expertise will be very helpful to the BOE and the community and therefore decided to run.
In your opinion, what has been the School Board's most important accomplishment within 2007/2008 school year?

C.S. - As a member of the Save Our Schools Committee, I feel that the best accomplishment was disseminating information to the Greenwood Lake and Warwick communities that was instrumental in keeping Greenwood Lake at our High School

J.V- In my opinion, the School Board’s most important accomplishment within this school year has been to form committees which included community members along with school staff and Board members to study the critical issue of the GWL District’s desire to leave Tuxedo. (Options Committee and SOS Committee) The community involvement in the researching, planning, and development of ideas was very valuable.
In your opinion, what has been the School Board's most significant failure within the 2007/2008 school year?

C.S. - I feel that there have been no significant failures this past year.

J.V. - In my opinion, the School Board’s most significant failure within this school year is that they refused to utilize the expertise of negotiators for the GWL contract. It is now May and there are no scheduled meetings or plans for a settlement. The long term goals of GWL and Tuxedo must be clearly understood before a deal can
be made.
If elected, what will be your priorities and/or goals as a School Board member?

C.S. – My priorities are the kids! I wish to keep classes as small as possible thus accentuating the “uniqueness” of our small school district. This uniqueness makes for what I think is something that people look for when buying a home in Tuxedo, this enhancing our real estate values. I wish to try and show the need for enrichment programs in the elementary school for our more advanced students as well as more clubs for extra-curricular activities

J.V. - If elected, one goal as a Board Member is to ensure that I fully understand and have reviewed all details related to any and all items up for vote. I will be sure to do my homework. Additionally I would like to see improved communication between the School District/Board and the community. The District web page must be kept up to date and serve as a daily means of informing the community of all aspects of the school district. I intend to review policy and contracts and explore creative ways to provide for the many needs of the schools. Increased costs are a challenge for all and we must look to alternate funding sources, beyond school taxes to support the educational goals of the District.
What specific steps, if any, should the School Board take to develop a long-term relationship with Greenwood Lake?

C.S. - Unfortunately, the answer here lies with the New York State Department of Education, who, thus far, have not been much help. Coming to a 5-year contract is important so that we can focus our energies again on the educational program, not money. This is not an easy thing to do since the 2 boards are so far apart on what an acceptable tuition should be. The only real way to solve this is for Greenwood Lake to get their state aid based on the income of their town, not ours. So, the ball is in their court. They need to lobby for more money, since they have no other district to go to. We have an unprecedented situation in NY state in that the sending district (Greenwood Lake )makes up the majority of the receiving districts (Tuxedo) school population. The State Education Department needs to address this.

I do not feel that a having a mediator is in Tuxedo’s best interest. All a mediator will want for us to do is meet in the middle, which would bring the tuition way below what we feel is fair, and cost the Tuxedo tax payer even more.

J.V. - Developing a long-range relationship with Greenwood Lake requires the willingness of both sides to agree to long term goals of at least five to eight years. Both Districts must work together to accomplish a long range plan instead of working and meeting separately with the State Education Department and law makers. A commitment to implement funding changes and/or allowing GWL to build its own High School must be made by the State Education Department so each District can plan and move forward.
If it continues along its current path, the School Board’s Budget will double every nine to ten years. In your opinion is this a problem? If so, what steps should the School Board need to take to reduce budget growth?

C.S. – There were a few years where we experienced tremendous growth in our school. A new development (Hamilton Estates) went in with 50 houses and many small children. Other areas experienced a big “turnover” where older families moved out and younger ones moved in. This made an elementary school that for years has had only 1 class per grade, now have 2. This, of course, comes at an expense. More teachers, materials, extra buses and all that goes into educating those children increased our taxes for about 4-5 years. This was necessary to the proper education of our Tuxedo’s children. I have lived here for 11 years and I know that for the first 4 or 5 my taxes were stable. It was only in the last 4-5 where the growth was seen. I know this well, since my children are in the elementary school where the growth was felt.

For now, the Tuxedo school population is at a downward trend. For the last 2 years, the incoming Kindergarten class has only been around 18 kids. So, now those classes are back to being only 1 class. Our budget this year is at a mere 3.36%.

If you check other districts, our school taxes are still way below other districts, even with the bigger increases in our growth years. In fact, we have the 3rd lowest real school tax base in Orange County.

We will see what the future holds. If the Tuxedo Reserve goes in, we will again see growth in a few years. It is always a struggle for school districts to try and keep a budget palatable to the voters. I have attended many board and budget meetings over the years and I know that it is not easy.

I currently work as bookkeeper of the Tuxedo Park Library and am closely involved in putting together the library’s budget each year. And, even though their budget is only about 3% of the school’s budget, it is also an arduous task getting together a good budget for the town, so I know how difficult this can be.
With the current costs of just about everything rising, we are up against even more challenges. Only the future will tell how we can reduce our budget growth without it affecting the educational program.

J.V. - Increasing costs are always a problem, especially when the only source of funding is local taxes. Prices all around us are increasing, school budgets are no exception. We must keep in mind that school budgets are made up of some fixed costs, many of which are non-negotiable; hence there is limited room for reductions. The steps the School Board must take to reduce excessive budget growth is to explore cost saving measures and alternate funding sources. We have a community of many talented individuals that can serve as a resource to the Board to plan and develop options other than increased taxes. The BOE must tap into the expertise of the residents and develop alternative ways to provide the funding needed to support excellence in our schools.

Voting will take place at the George Grant Mason School from 2pm-9pm on May 20th.

Superintendent's Office Tel. # (845) 351-4799
Business Office Tel. # (845) 351-2296
Email address: BOE@tuxedoschooldistrict.com
Website address: www.tuxedoschooldistrict.com