A big thank you to all residents who came to the meeting. For those not able to make it, the last 20 minutes of the video can be viewed on link here. (We had a video camera issue that was not discovered until 30 minute into the meeting. These things happen when neighborhood volunteers are in charge of technology!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmY5DxRd3Dg
Agenda for the meeting can be viewed by clicking below.
https://www.nmerrickschools.org/…/handle…/filedownload.ashx…
**The BOE is negotiating extending Superintendent's contract in Executive Session.
CRONM was at the "Special Meeting" scheduled for 6:15 pm. on March 12, 2019. We found out that this meeting was held for the BOE to discuss extending the Superintendent's contract. Dr. Seniak's contract is not set to expire until June 2022. During the meeting, CRONM inquired as to whether it was fiscally responsible for the Board to choose now, three years before the contract is set to expire, to discuss extending and increasing Dr. Seniak's financial package. We wanted to know what exigency existed for this to happen.
BOE President Hyland believed that it was fiscally responsible for the BOE to discuss extending the contracT. "Just because they were discussing extending the contract did not mean that the BOE would agree to change the 'financial' terms of the contract before it expired."
Counsel for the BOE was permitted to explain to the public that discussions about extending a Superintendent’s contract before it is set to expire are not unusual. More importantly, the decision or reasons why the contract should or should not be extended, are not appropriate for executive session and should be done in public session.
The BOE has never publicly discussed why it was in discussions with the Superintendent to extend or change terms of her contract. All discussions have been in Executive Session.
There was also no agenda posted for the March 12, 2019 special meeting nor were minutes posted.
While CRONM understands that a BOE discussing extending a Superintendent's contract is not unusual, (the BOE previously extended her contract in 2016) we find it unusual for the current Board to increase Dr. Seniuk’s financial package before the expiration of her contract. Especially with how tight our budget is and how much our Administrative costs have skyrocketed under the watchful eye of this BOE the last two years.
**The BOE decided what to do with the vacant Board Seat:
The BOE has decided to leave the Wendy Garguilo's seat vacant since there is less than 2 months left until the May 21, 2019 Board election. For the upcoming election, there are three seats up for re-election; Jenn Hyland's seat, Megan Ryan's seat and the seat vacated by Wendy Garguilo. Pursuant to the legal notice which will be posted in the Merrick Herald and Newsday on 4/1, 4/19, 5/3, and 5/17: The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes during the May 21, 2019 election (assuming that Megan Ryan is not one of those individuals) will complete the remaining terms of the two BOE seats expiring June 30, 2019. When those terms expire on June 30, 2019, these two trustees will continue to sit on Board until expiration of their term or June 30, 2022. The third trustee (assuming Jenn Hyland is not one of the the candidates to receive the the third highest votes) will commence their term on July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022. It remains unclear why Megan Ryan, who was appointed by the Board to fill Steve Enella's seat, cannot just finish out her term for one month, assuming she does not win re-election.
**DISTRICT PUTS TWO BOND PROPOSALS ON UPCOMING BALLOT
There will be two propositions on the ballot asking the voters to approve and give the District permission to establish a new capital reserve fund to remain open for 5 years in the amount of $3,000,000. The money will be used for capital improvement facilities in the three elementary schools for such items as renovation of auditoriums, mechanical and electrical systems, sidewalks, ventilation, ect.... The second proposition is to permit the District to use $225,000 from the capital reserve fund previously established by voters on May 19, 2015 to fund renovations and improvement projects at Camp Avenue, Old Mill Road and Fayette schools. This action will not result in any additional increase to the taxpayers.
Mary Keane read a statement to the Board expressing her disappointment that BOE President Hyland permitted Susanne Winkel, a non resident, to publicly shame Mary for questioning the BOE as to why extra help was not included in the newly negotiated teacher contract. To read Mary's letter please click on link below.
**Dr. Seniak wins recognition from National School Public Relations Association:
The National School Public Relations Associations, a private organization created to offer assistance in professional development opportunities and public relations to schools in the US, recognized Dr. Seniak as a "Superintendent to Watch" for 2018/2019. NSPRA gives this award to 14 district leaders who were selected from nominations received in the mail, for their use of communication technology in innovative and effective ways. They engage and inform their school communities with new communication technology tools combined with tried-and-true techniques.Congratulations to Dr. Seniak for her public relations skills!
https://www.nspra.org/superintendents-watch-2019
**March 20, 2019 Special Meeting-
The BOE held yet another "Special Meeting" at 7:30 pm. Agenda for the meeting can be viewed below.
https://www.nmerrickschools.org/…/handle…/filedownload.ashx…
Thank you to residents who attended meeting. There was no public session of meeting and Board went immediately into Executive Session to discuss "approving letters of resignation for purposes of retirement (such letters to be submitted no later than 3:30 pm on April 1, 2019) by a minimum of at least two (2) full-time members of the teaching staff, upon the prior ratification and execution of an agreement with the North Merrick Faculty Association, the Board of Education authorizes the President of the Board of Education or the Superintendent of Schools to enter into, execute and deliver the agreement between the District and the North Merrick Faculty Association with respect to a retirement incentive." The Board spent 15 minutes on the above topics and voted to approve the letters. Megan Ryan and Jenn Hyland were not in attendance. Meeting was attended by Lentini, Gordon, Miller and Corona.
Next Board meeting is April 9.