The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present
Sharon Bryden, Colleen Cawley, Janice Fiore, Betty McAndrew, Mike Sabo, Gail Szeliga, Sherri Abdullah, Starr LaTronica. Susan Korteweg, Ann Laczak, Bob Carpenter, Carmen Ciullo, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Tammy Daniels, Tina Conklin, Sharon Wells
Absent: Alice McNeely, Corrine Barnes, Troy Rounds
WELCOME NEW POLICY BOARD MEMBERS!
Carmen Cuillo (CV - Superintendent), Susan Korteweg (Deposit - teacher), Sherri Abdullah ( Windsor- teacher).
WELCOME BACK
Cheryl Naslund (Parent Representative) from a year in Chile!
Minutes for June 2002 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report.
NEW BUSINESS:
Updates:
Teacher Center Summer Institute was held in July in ( Corning, NY) - Sharon Wells and Kate Griffith attended.
Tina Conklin attended Practical Uses of Data training at the Otsego Hotel.
Mike Sabo reported on the evaluation of director, Gail Szeliga.
Each policy board member received a copy of the evaluation summary.
Motion made to give Gail the discretion to use $2000 of program funds, as she deems necessary without the need for Board approval.
Cheryl Naslund brought up a question - What role could the Teacher Center play regarding a program for educators on the cultural and economic consequences of war with Iraq? Board members felt that more information is needed regarding the professor's views and what information is being disseminated. Cheryl will go back to the group and ask them to submit a proposal and at a later time the proposal can be brought to the Board for approval.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Gail reviewed the five grant programs being offered this year.
Equitable distribution of funds to requesting districts regarding program and grants was also discussed. BEDS data will be used as a benchmark.
Statistics on the summer programs were distributed along with information on what is happening this fall.
Palm M130's were purchased with STELCOM grant funds for all policy board members.
Training session was scheduled following the meeting.
Mini-trainings will be done at each policy board meeting in the future.
Meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen Cawley
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present |
Absent |
Sharon Bryden |
Mike Sabo
|
Minutes for September were approved and accepted.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Financial report was given by Gail Szeliga
Explanation of indirect cost was given.
Request for monies to buy a new projector was approved.
NEW BUSINESS:
Election of Officers
Jan nominated Sharon Bryden and Kate Griffiths for this year's co-chairs. Unanimous approval.
Conference Policy for Policy Board Members
The following Conference Policy for Policy Board Members was adopted and will be added to our policy board handbook:
Part I:
All Policy Board members who attend the following state Teacher Center endorsed conferences will have all their expenses paid including mileage and substitute reimbursement cost:
State Teacher Center Summer Institute
State Teacher Center Sagamore Spring Retreat
State Teacher Center Annual Meeting
NYSUT Inservice Meeting
Part II:
If a Policy Board member is a teacher in a consortium school he/she may apply for a matching conference grant if they are interested in attending a K-12 educational conference. He/she should follow the published guidelines for submitting an application followed by all teachers in the consortium.
**Added bonus: Matching funds for mileage (up to 500 miles within NY State) and full sub. cost reimbursement to the district for teachers who are pb members if they wish to attend a K-12 education conference as long as the pb member is in compliance with the "attendance and committee membership" requirements of being a board member.
A short oral report to the Policy Board regarding the sponsored conference will be required.
Part III:
Policy board members who are not teachers in one of our consortium schools (public library, parent, higher ed., industry, non-consortium pre-school) may request permission from the pb to apply for a special conference grant if the conference that they wish to attend relates to k - 12 education. If permission is granted he/she will be eligible for the same benefits as outlined in part II.
Approved unanimously.
Membership Request
Discussion regarding HCA being included in our consortium. Motion tabled until the non-public representative could be involved in the discussion. Gail will notify Corinne regarding this subject.
Workshop Approval
Workshop on Safe Schools for Kids Who May Be Gay" was approved.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
pb members were invited to set up School Based team meetings - Policy Board member and union leader would set up a room, invite the ambassadors and new teachers in each individual district. Refreshments will be provided by TC. Gail and Kathy Harasta would attend to inform and answer questions, plus take suggestions.
A very successful sub. training day was held in October. 43 people attended. It was held at the Vestal Library.
Theme Site grant is due in November, flyers will be sent as a reminder.
Palm Training was cosponsored with Adirondack Teacher Center on Sept. 30.
We received very good response to our offer to sponsor Study Groups, we received applications for all but one of our districts.
It was suggested that SETRC be contacted to see of there is interest in sponsoring Brain Gym training in the spring.
OLD BUSINESS
Teachers for Peace - is requesting monies for books and Gail informed her that we don't purchase "stuff". Gail informed her to fax over a description of a workshop proposal for the policy board meeting. Workshop proposal must be submitted before a decision can be made.
November meeting is canceled because Gail will be in Albany.
December's meeting is changed to December 3 from the 18th. The meeting will be held at Nirchi's on the Avenue.
Meeting adjourned at 5:35.
Respectfully submitted,
Colleen Cawley
The TEACHER CENTER of Broome County
Policy Board Meeting
Minutes: November 16, 2002
MEETING CANCELLED
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Teacher Center of Broome County
Policy Board Minutes
Dec. 3, 2002
Present
Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Betty McAndrew, Mike Sabo, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Carmen Ciullo, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells
Absent: Alice McNeely, Corrine Barnes, Troy Rounds, Susan Korteweg, Sherri Abdullah, Colleen Cawley, Tina Conklin, Bob Carpenter, Starr LaTronica, Tammy Daniels
Minutes for October 15, 2002 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
An additional allocation of $13,500 was allotted to our Teacher Center. The attached FS10a was approved by the members of the Policy Board that were present plus by a positive e-mail vote by the following pb members: Susan Korteweg, Tina Conklin, Colleen Cawley and Tammy Daniels.
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report for both local and state funds. Districts have been notified that requests for support of district initiatives must be received by February 28, 2003.
NEW BUSINESS:
Grant Update:
Theme site grant applications will be reviewed on Dec. 10 by the committee consisting of Ann Laczak, Bob Carpenter, and Starr LaTronica. Over 90% of the allotment of conference grant money has been committed. Eight study group grants were funded for the fall/winter time period. Those study group grant applications that were not funded were sent back to be revised and resubmitted for the next grant review at the end of January. No requests for peer visitation grant have been received. Districts have been notified that requests for support of district initiatives must be received by February 28, 2003. This would be through our program grant offering.
Handicapped Children’s Association was approved as members of our consortium. They would fall under the non-public designation.
Kate Griffith reported that the Vestal School Team meeting was a huge success. Connie Eno, Vestal’s union leader is considering planning two “Vestal Nights” at the Teacher Center.
Report on NYSUT conference: Jan, Tina and Colleen attended the NYSUT in-service conference. Jonathon Kozol was a featured speaker. Jan reported on several of the workshops she attended. It was mentioned that speakers from the conference could be a source of professional development speakers/presenters.
Contents Insurance: Gail will check on a price for fire, water damage, natural disaster, and theft insurance with a (large) deductible.
DIRECTOR REPORT
Our new website address is: teachercenter.info
Report on NYSCATE conference.
Policy Board members who would like to attend the Sagamore spring retreat need to notify Gail at the January meeting.
Mike moved to adjourn; Kate seconded at 6:05 p.m.
Submitted by Betty McAndrew
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present
Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Betty McAndrew, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Carmen Ciullo, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells, Alice McNeely, Corrine Barnes, Susan Korteweg, Sherri Abdullah, Tina Conklin, Bob Carpenter, Starr LaTronica
Absent: Troy Rounds, Colleen Cawley, Tammy Daniels and Mike Sabo
Minutes for December 3, 2002 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report for both local and state funds.
Old Business:
Grant Updates by committee
Supporting District Initiatives – Gail Szeliga
Districts have been notified that requests for support of district initiatives must be received by February 28, 2003. So far the following districts have made requests.
Conference Grants – Sharon Bryden
The conference grant policy was amended to read:
" Due to the high demand for conference grants consortium teachers are eligible for only ONE conference grant biennially - every other school year, retroactively effective July 1, 2002."
Study Group
New applications due by January 31. Committee will meet on February 4 to review all applications.
Peer Visitation – Sharon Wells
Five awarded – SV, Windsor, and Harpursville
Theme Site – Ann Laszak
Committee met and read grant applications. Award is on hold till March 1 since we received unexpected bills from BOCES. We will know by March 1, 2003 if funds are available.
Program Grant
NYSATA - $600 awarded towards mini-conference with 9 workshops targeted at art teachers. Nice thank you note received.
Contents Insurance – nothing to report
NEW BUSINESS:
Self Study Committee was formed consisting of Corinne Barnes, Chairperson, Jan Fiore, Kate Griffith, Tina Conklin and Susan Korteweg. The committee will meet on January 27 to plan the pb 2003-2003 self study which will focus on evaluation of TC's programs and services..
Addendum was added to Conference Policy for Policy Board Members under State Teacher Center Sagamore Spring Retreat:
State Teacher Center Sagamore Spring Retreat – maximum of six policy board members may attend per year (budget permitting). Top priority will be given first to those pb members who never attended the Spring Retreat and did not attend any other state Teacher Center endorsed meeting during the current school year. Maximum of $50 mileage will be paid to each attendee. Seniority on the pb will count if two pb members meet both of the requirements listed above and a decision has to be made.
Teacher Center Possible Re-Location: Committee Appt.
A committee was formed to look into the possibility of relocation since our lease with the Columbus school expires this year. Members of the committee include: Cheryl Naslund, Chair, Starr Latronica, Kate Griffith and Mike Sabo. After committee has formulated a list of necessary criteria , an RFP will be submitted to possible locations.
NYSUT's 2003 Committee of 100 Lobbying Days will be held March 10-11, 2003 - each TC is invited to send two representatives. Jan Fiore and Gail Szeliga will try to attend. This year's lobbying effort will be the most important one in over a decade.
DIRECTOR REPORT
Four Substitute Teacher Information sessions are being held in January - community members interested in substituting in consortium schools are invited to attend and general information is given, Attendance has been good.
Palm Handheld study group teachers are field testing the class set of Palm M130's in the Binghamton, ME and Vestal schools this semester. Grades 2, 5, 8, and high school students will be involved. pb member Betty McAndrew will be the first to do the field test with grade two students.
Submitted by Jan Fiore
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present
Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Betty McAndrew, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells, Corrine Barnes, Susan Korteweg, Sherri Abdullah, Colleen Cawley.
Absent: Alice McNeely, Troy Rounds, Tina Conklin, Bob Carpenter, Starr LaTronica, Tammy Daniels, Mike Sabo, Carmen Ciullo
Minutes for January 21, 2003 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report for both local and state funds.
All districts have submitted requests for "Supporting District Initiative" grants. We gave districts a total of $20,000 under this grant program.
The policy board approved a retroactive wage increase for our part time program assistant from $10 to $10.36/hour.
After reviewing the report the policy board agreed that a budget amendment was necessary. Gail will prepare the amendment and present it to the policy board at the April meeting.
Policy Board was alerted that the governor has budgeted NYS Teacher Centers for 1/3 of last year's allotment. If this number stands many budget adjustments will have to made for the 2003-2004 school year.
DIRECTOR REPORT
Isabel Pickett, our liaison with SED is retiring at the end of March. Teacher Centers will now be put under a different SED dept.
Signature sheets are due by April policy board meeting - so far only three non-publics have indicated that they want to participate next year - BCHCA, Broome Catholic Schools and Wyoming Conference.
Substitute Teacher Training - all day seminar was held at the Vestal Public Library on March 13 - 39 people attended. Well received as usual.
OLD BUSINESS
Grant Update:
It was decided that the Theme Site grant would be awarded to the C. E. Adams school in Whitney Point in order to support training teachers in the Four Blocks literacy program.
NEW BUSINESS
The policy board agreed to approve program grant applications from Whitney Point, Chenango Forks and the Broome County Social Studies Council as long as the programs occur prior to the budget deadline.
The policy board agreed to pay registration fees and sub. reimbursement costs for any policy board member who wished to attend the Character Education conference in Binghamton on April 8, 2003. We are co-sponsoring this conference with the 10 other Teacher Centers in the Southern Tier.
We are also sponsoring two registrations for each district for the Character Ed. Conference.
There will be a March 20 rally in Binghamton and a May 3 rally in Albany to show support for increasing the NYS budget for education. Local teacher associations are sponsoring buses.
Cheryl Naslund gave report of the re-location committee meeting. Committee agreed that careful consideration is being given to a move and that it was decided that no move will take place unless their advantages that significantly outweigh what we already have at the Columbus school. Committee is planning a --- visit to Roberson.
SELF STUDY
Corinne Barnes directed the self study. She began by summarizing a report which was given to all policy board members outlining the present evaluation methods that are being used for all TC services and programs. The board then broke up in small groups and reviewed four sample workshop evaluation forms. Each group reported on their impressions of the pros and cons of each form. Our goal was to take the best parts of each and develop the "ideal form". One that would give us the best data.
Next meeting is scheduled for April 15, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Submitted by Colleen Cawley
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present: Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Betty McAndrew, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells, Susan Korteweg, Colleen Cawley, Bob Carpenter, Starr LaTronica, Tammy Daniels, Mike Sabo, Carmen Ciullo, Alice McNeely.
Absent: Troy Rounds, Corinne Barnes, Tina Conklin, Sherri Abdullah
Minutes from March 18, 2003 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report for both local and state funds.
Budget amendment (FS10A) was approved as presented. Copy is attached.
NEW BUSINESS
Policy Board discussed preparing two budgets for the State Ed. Dept. One would reflect funding at 33% of the current funding and the other would reflect funding at 100% of the current level. Major cuts will have to be made if only 1/3 funding is received from the state. Budget for full funding will be based on present 2003 - 2003 budget.
Policy Board reviewed the online needs assessment for 2003-2004. A full summary of responses will be prepared for the May meeting. Barnes and Noble gift certificates will be offered as incentives.
OLD BUSINESS
Relocation Committee – Dr. Lee, director of the Roberson Museum has been contacted and a site visit is planned on April 23. Other possible sites are being considered that meet our criteria of better access and increased visibility.
Sagamore Spring Retreat – attendees reported on their experiences at the annual Spring Retreat.
May 3 Rally in support of Education Funding in Albany – several buses have been chartered and are going to the rally – contact Jan Fiore for further information or Colleen Cawley.
Teacher Center Grants – All grant monies have been allocated – a full printed report will be given to each policy board member at the June meeting.
DIRECTOR REPORT
The Character Education conference held on April 7 at the Binghamton Regency was a huge success. This conference was jointly sponsored with the other 10 Southern Tier Teacher Centers. The Teacher Center of Broome County has the largest percentage of attendees – almost 50%..
Next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Submitted by Tammy Daniels
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Present
Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells, Corrine Barnes, Sherri Abdullah, Bob Carpenter, Starr LaTronica, Tammy Daniels, Carmen Ciullo
Absent: Alice McNeely, Troy Rounds, Tina Conklin, Mike Sabo, Susan Korteweg, Betty McAndrew
Minutes for April 15, 2003 were accepted as written.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga gave the financial report for both local and state funds.
The Policy Board approved the budget 2003 -2004 based on the same amount allocated this year which was $268,000. Budget spreadsheet attached.
Code 15 $102,720
Code 16 $ 37,000
Code 40 $ 60,328
Code 45 $ 17,000
Code 46 $ 17,800
Code 80 $ 22,740
Code 90 $ 5,412
Code 20 $ 5,000
Board agreed to summer stipends for Technology Leadership Training and Summer Study Groups. Money was also included for a new grant called "Lesson Study" based on a article published and reviewed in Phi Delta Kappan - "A promising strategy that may truly alter how teachers teach and children learn is called "lesson study," an idea that has recently migrated to the U.S. from Japan.
OLD BUSINESS
Re-Location Committee Report:
Cheryl Naslund reported on the relocation committee's visit to Roberson and WSKG to view available space. Further investigations are pending. The committee plans to visit the WSKG site again on May 27 at 4:30 pm if it can be arranged with the property manager. Also the present lease will be reviewed and Internet service will be investigated.
Concerns were raised regarding extra classroom space at other sites - Gail mentioned that scheduling of more on site district workshops is planned for 2003 - 2004 since many teachers mentioned in the needs assessment that they have trouble getting to Binghamton by 4 pm. For example: The Teacher Center is hoping to offer and introductory Brain Gym workshop in four locations throughout the county in the Fall so that it is more convenient for teachers. Any teacher can attend at any location. Registration will be required and a minimum enrollment will be set. Larger space is available for free at the local libraries for events such as Substitute Teacher Training. Speakers can be arranged after school and in the evening at the local high school auditoriums.
NEW BUSINESS
Teacher Center Summer Institute will be held in July 29 - August 1, 2003 in Buffalo, NY. Registration forms will be sent to all Policy Board members to be returned at the June meeting if they wish to attend.
The policy board reviewed the Online Needs Assessment compilation. This document will be used to plan the Teacher Center program for 2003 - 2004. 253 responses were tallied. Surveys were received from all of our consortium school districts plus others. All policy board members received a copy.
The policy board reviewed and commented on questions that have to be included in the 2003-2004 TEACHER RESOURCE AND COMPUTER TRAINING CENTERS CONTINUATION PROGRAM PLAN.
Our Needs Assessment will be used as a reference document when preparing this report which is due at State Ed. by May 31.
Next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Submitted by Gail Szeliga
The Teacher Center of Broome County |
Farewell to Sharon Bryden and Corrine Barnes.
Present
Sharon Bryden, Janice Fiore, Gail Szeliga, Ann Laczak, Cheryl Naslund, Kate Griffith, Sharon Wells, Sherri Abdullah, Bob Carpenter, Mike Sabo, Susan Korteweg, Betty McAndrew, Colleen Cawley
Absent: Alice McNeely, Troy Rounds, Tina Conklin, Corrine Barnes, Starr LaTronica, Tammy Daniels, Carmen Ciullo
Minutes for May 20 2003 were amended to reflect that Colleen Cawley was absent.
FINAL REPORT
Gail Szeliga presented the final report for 2002 - 2003 which included local and state funds report, workshops/programs report and the grant report. It has been an extremely successful year. 104 workshops/programs were presented with 60 being unique (non-repeats), 22 study groups were sponsored, 9 peer visitations and 45 conference grants were awarded. Three teachers received program grants and every district received a supporting district professional development grant. Whitney Point's CE Adams school received our Theme Site grant.
NEW BUSINESS
Betty McAndrew reported that 15 summer study groups were awarded involving 48 people. 53 applications were received from every district except Deposit and the non-publics. Total dollars committed was $14, 408 out of the $25,000 budgeted for 2003 - 2004.
Discussion was held regarding sponsoring a "Teacher Leadership" workshop for administrators in August. The purpose would be to advocate for administrators to allow more teacher leadership opportunities in their districts. The consensus was that we should offer it and see how many administrators are interested in attending. Bob Blenn would facilitate and it would be held at BCC in the Libous room. Gail will run the idea by Carmen and see what he thinks about date, length of workshop etc.
The policy board agreed that consortium paraprofessionals and part time teachers should be granted the same incentives as teachers if they sign up and are accepted into a summer workshop.
The policy board agreed that a study group may replace a group member who drops out before the first study group meeting, but they cannot have the hours that were originally granted increased.
The policy board agreed that all class participants should be required to pay the $5 registration fee no matter the site where the class is held. This fee pays mileage and administrative costs for the workshop.
OLD BUSINESS
Summer Institute - July 29 - August 1, 2003
Any policy board member interested in attending the Teacher Center Summer Institute in July must turn in their paperwork by June 25, 2003. Kate and Sharon Wells indicated interest.
Re-Location Committee Report:
Cheryl Naslund reported on the proposal received from the property manager of WSKG regarding relocation. Many questions remain to be answered. The committee will meet with the property manager this summer to discuss some concerns. The space will be analyzed to see if it meets our needs and the cost of Internet access has to be investigated. Our present lease expires in December.
Next meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2003
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Submitted by Sharon Wells