Summary of May 8, 2018 Board of Education Meeting

For those who missed the meeting, there was some drama and excitement.  It was a packed house, standing room only.  Suzanne Winkel, the president of the North Merrick Faculty Association and teacher at Fayette was present along with a lot of the teachers from our district.  It was nice to see the teachers outside of school hours.   The Meeting Agenda can be viewed by clicking on the link below:

https://www.nmerrickschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4445&dataid=12864&FileName=Agenda May.pdf

  • The $32 million budget was approved and will be voted on May 15, 2018;
  • There was more discussion surrounding Policy #1120 Public Participation at Board Meetings.  At the April 13, 2018 BOE meeting Trustees Corona, Miller and Hyland along with the North Merrick Faculty Association objected to the proposed policy, specifically the part about only residents of North Merrick being permitted to speak. Corona, Miller and Hyland along with NMFA questioned whether the president of the NMFA would be permitted to speak.  The North Merrick Faculty Association (NMFA) is comprised of approximately 960 members.  33 of the members are teachers who reside in North Merrick.  Its President, Suzanne Winkel does not reside in North Merrick.  The Board Members had a public discussion about this policy and reason for its proposed enactment.  The Board was leaning towards amending the current proposal to include a provision permitting the President of the North Merrick Faculty Association to address the Board of Education during monthly meetings.  However, the board needed to go back to drawing board and discuss  with legal counsel on how to best word the policy so that  the interests of non residents do not trump the interests of residents.  We will get more information at the next meeting; 
  • The treasurer of the North Merrick Faculty association (a non resident and teacher at Old Mill Road) then got up to address the board regarding the North Merrick Faculty Association's (NMFA) ability to endorse candidates running for a seat on the BOE.   He wanted to let the Board know that NMFA has always endorsed candidates and he considers it a part of the NMFA's constitutional right to continue to endorse candidates.  In the past two elections, the NMFA spent approximately $650 purchasing signs in support of the candidates NMFA endorsed that year.  This year they are slated to spend the same amount.  This monies come from donations from the individual members of the North Merrick Faculty association, not from the District.  NMFA did not elaborate on how the $650 will be spent this year i.e. on signs or as direct donations to Michelle Gordon's and Vincent Lentini's campaigns.  In case you all did not know,  Gordon and Lentini are both running on the same ticked and the NMFA officially endorsed them on May 3, 2018. 
  • Susanne Winkel then got up to address the board and began reading from a pre printed speech.  Ms. Winkel was cut off before completing her speech at the request of the Board's counsel because counsel felt that Ms. Winkel was attacking the Board and its individual trustees. Something that is not permitted by the rules.  Ms. Winkel did say that she had an open door policy and if anyone had questions or concerns, to email her directly. 
  • A lot of concerned residents asked questions of the Board regarding the Board's function and responsibility.  Here were some of the questions and Board's response:

    1.       During the meet the candidate night, there was some statements made relating to the actual role and functions of the BOE and powers of the Trustees which caused some confusing and for which the residents need clarification;  for instance, classroom size;  can a current board member or someone who is running to be elected,  actually change the classroom size? Does the BOE have a say in classroom size?        Can the trustees and BOE move teachers between schools?  

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    The Board has no say, play a role or have any involvement in determining classroom size or the mount of classes for that particular grade.  That is the function of the superintendent.  The superintendent makes that determination based on a variety of factors but mostly, its dictated by the budget.  The same answer is for teachers moving between each schools.  The teachers are hired by the district, not the school.  They are moved as a result of budget and need.  Board plays no role in that decision.  Once the decision is made, the Board is informed of this decision for informational purposes only.  Neither a sitting trustee nor a newly elected trustee can do anything about class room size or affect an existing decision to have one kindergarten class vs. more.

     

    2.       Does the BOE play a role in hiring teachers, principals, psychologists? 

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    No.  the Superintendent hires the teachers, principals and psychologist.

     

    3.       Does the BOE play a role in negotiating teacher salaries, contracts?  

    •           Yes.  Board's counsel and counsel for the teacher's union negotiate the terms and raise amounts, Board votes to approve on the amount requested.  

      4.       There seems to be confusion regarding the Board and its relationship with the teachers.  Does the BOE work with the teachers?  How?

    • The board does not have a direct relationship with the teachers.  The Board is not permitted to communicate directly with the teachers and vice versa. If there is an issue with policy, student, ect.., the teachers need to go through the proper channels. First the principal, then the superintendent.   The board regularly take into consideration the interests of the teachers  as teachers are a necessary component of the success of the district and board of education. 

    • 5.       Why was the BOE created?  Why do we need the BOE? What is its most important role and function to the residents of this town?

    • The Board of Ed was created to represent the North Merrick Taxpayer at the Board of Education.  To be our mouth piece.  We have over 12,000 residents in the town.  Since you cannot have all 12,000 residents speak to the district on issues relating to education, the Board of Ed was created to be a watchdog for the taxpayers and our families and to make sure that our taxes were being spent appropriately and for the benefit of our kids and education.  It serves as a checks and balance to the district and superintendent.

    • To view the meeting minutes on the district website please click on link below:

    • https://www.nmerrickschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4446&dataid=12971&FileName=Minutes May 2018.pdf

    • Budget vote and Elections are May 15, 2018.  VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

    • Next BOE meeting is June 12, 2018 at 8pm