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 Board of Education Minutes Archive

The communities of the South Orangetown Central School District are served by a five member, elected Board of Education. The Board is the official legislative body charged by law to carry out the mandates of the New York State Education Department. The members serve three-year terms without pay. 

The Board holds its regular business meeting and special topic workshops on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings according to the Board of Education Meeting Schedule. The Board of Education meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.  The Board of Education meets in room 165 at the South Orangetown Middle School, 160 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt unless indicated otherwise. Please park in the Erie Street parking lot. Residents are welcome and encouraged to participate in these meetings.

To email the board, please contact the District Clerk

Policies:

South Orangetown Central School District Policy Manual     - This manual is in the process of being updated. 

Please see new and revised policies updated as of 3-17-08 - click here 

The following policies had a first reading  - click here
 

Adobe Reader will be necessary to open the District  Policy Manuals.  Adobe Reader is a "free" download.  Click on Get Adobe Reader to install the program if needed.
 

Board Of Education Members of South Orangetown CSD   2008 - 2009

• Rosemary Pitruzzella, President

Board Responsibilities
 

As a legal arm of the government of the State of New York, our Board of Education is responsible for:

• Affirming a shared vision for the school district.

• Establishing district goals and setting priorities.

• Overseeing the general operation of the district (including educational programs, public relations, facilities and contracts).

• Setting educational policy.

• Adopting and maintaining current policies in written format.

• Approving and adopting the annual budget.

• Hiring and evaluating the superintendent.

• Approving the appointment of all personnel and related.  Collective bargaining agreements/contracts.

• Deciding on the best utilization of resources.

• Setting high standards of governance.

• Meeting all requirements of New York State law.

Types of Board Meetings

Regular Board Meeting: 

A regular meeting of the board is considered a business meeting, where a specific agenda is developed by the Board and Superintendent prior to the meeting.  This agenda includes resolutions that must be voted on and personnel actions that must be taken in order for the district's general operation to continue smoothly.  Regular Meetings may also include presentations on various topics and updates on important ongoing initiatives.

 In South Orangetown, Regular meetings always include a Public Commentary time, where anyone from the community may speak.  The protocol surrounding Public Commentary is as follows:

• All voices are heard.

• Everyone must be an active listener.

• Each of us is responsible for managing our own behaviors.

• Respect diverse perspectives.

• Be conscious of your speaking time and tone.

• The Board reserves the right to close commentary on an issue if participants become unruly, disrespectful or if the topic is something that the Board is, by law, not allowed to discuss in public.

• If there are many people wishing to bring up items in public commentary, the Board reserves the right to place a two-minute time limit on each speaker until everyone is heard.

Workshop or Roundtable:

A Board Workshop is a commentary on a particular topic chosen by the Board.  These meetings are considered a Board work session, or roundtable, for the purpose of sharing ideas or for a particular presentation of information.  Although the public is welcome to attend these meetings, there is not a "Public Commentary" portion in these meetings.  There may be times when the Board may not entertain commentary from the public, unless it specifically relates to the topic at hand.

Who's Who On the South Orangetown Board

Each Board Member is elected by a public vote and serves a three-year term.  There are no limits on the number of times a board member can be re-elected.

Rosemary Pitruzzella, President

Contact Info:  359-9269  


Rosemary has resided in South Orangetown for forty three years and is a graduate of Tappan Zee High School and the University of Buffalo. She and her husband of 25 years, Sam, have a son, Marco, a graduate of Tappan Zee High School who is now in his junior year of college.  Rosemary has over ten year’s experience as a manager in both the private and public sectors.

A member of SOCSD PTAs on all levels during the past 14 years, Rosemary has held PTA leadership positions as: SOMS PTA President; SOMS PTA Co-President; SOCSD PTA Council President,; editor of Central Hudson Region PTA Newsletter; and member of the Central Hudson Region PTA Board where she currently serves as Treasurer.   In addition, Rosemary has served on the following SOCSD committees: Curriculum Council; Generation Exchange Committee; and the TZHS PTSA Legislation Committee. She is the board liaison for the Curriculum Council, Wellness Committee, and the SAVE Committee.

As a board trustee, Rosemary believes that it is her responsibility to keep abreast of all legislative and educational issues which may affect the students and residents of her district. With this in mind she has made it a priority to attend conferences and workshops regionally and at State level so that she can return to her district informed and ready to share. She currently serves on the Rockland County School Board Association.

Rosemary is the recipient of the NYS PTA Honorary Life Membership Award 2000, the Jane Skrzypek Volunteer of the Year Award 2001, the NYS PTA Distinguished Service Award 2002 and the National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award 2006. 

Annmarie Uhl, Vice President
Contact Info:  365-6901 

Annmarie Uhl is a resident of Sparkill where she resides with her husband of 17 years and three children all who attend the South Orangetown School District.  For 15 years, she taught English for the North Rockland School District.  She has a BA in English and secondary teacher certification from SUNY Albany and a MS from Iona College in English education.  She also has administrative certification through the College of New Rochelle.  Presently, she is an adjunct professor for CCNY and Adelphi University through the Rockland Teacher Center and an Educational Consultant through Rockland BOCES.  In the community, Annmarie is an executive member of the Rockland Reading Council and a board member for the Children Shakespeare Theatre.  In the district, she has held various PTA positions including Co-President of SOMS and Director of After School Enrichment for SOCES.  She has been active on the district level as a special education parent member and committee member on curriculum council, athletic fields committee, and teacher interview committees.

Leon “Lonnie” Jacobs, P.E. 
Contact Info:  398-0443 


Married with three children, two currently attend various schools in SOCSD and the third will follow when old enough. His wife Lisa is a SOCSD graduate and TZHS math teacher.  He has been a lifetime Rockland resident and 11 year resident of Orangetown.  Leon earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston in 1985, a Masters of Science in Construction Management from Brooklyn Polytechnic University in 1988 and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.  He works for Frontier-Kemper Constructor's, Inc. managing the construction of large public works projects  in the New York metropolitan area heavy construction industry.   Leon is active in the industry and a member of the Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon, The Moles and The American Society of Civil Engineers.  He is also active with the Cub Scouts and was a past SOLL T-ball manager. 

Steve Spiro         
Contact Info:   359-1674  


Steve Spiro is a resident of South Orangetown since 1975. He and his wife Kathleen have two adult children, who both attended and graduated from the South Orangetown Central School District. Steve is retired from the New York City Police Department and also retired from Pace University, where he was Assistant Director of Telecommunications. He attended both New York Institute of Technology and Pace University, Majoring in Criminal Justice and Behavioral Science. Steve has been involved in many school and community activities some of which include, the South Orangetown Little League, & the Knights of Columbus. He Co-founded Project Graduation and the SOS Sports Booster Club. He was a member of numerous South Orangetown school district committees, including Space Utilization, Athletic Fields, Master Plan and Superintendent Search. He also was the board liaison for the district wide building Project.  He has been a School Board Member since 2004.
 

Guy DeVincenzo
Contact Info: 359-9588

Be Informed!  Get Involved!  We welcome you to attend our Board meetings.

Board of Education Meeting Schedule  2008-2009
All meetings are on Wednesdays, unless otherwise specified

The Board of Education meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm.  The Board of Education meets in room 165 at the South Orangetown Middle School, 160 Van Wyck Road, Blauvelt unless indicated otherwise.  Please park in the Erie Street parking lot.
Check the website for up to the minute updates.

Print Schedule

Adopted 6/14/08
 

Board of Education Minutes  Download Adobe Reader if needed
To view archived minutes click here

Public Complaints

2006

3230

Community Relations
 

Subject:  Public Complaints

The Board of Education recognizes the right of community members to register individual or group concerns regarding instruction, district programs, materials, operations and/or staff members.  The Board also recognizes that District employees have privacy rights which must be safeguarded.

The Board believes that complaints are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible.  Therefore, District staff should be given every opportunity to consider issues and attempt to resolve problems prior to Board involvement, if possible.

The Superintendent shall establish procedures for handling complaints against school personnel, Board of Education policies, administrative regulations, school matters, as well as appeals of decisions made by school personnel.  Such procedures shall be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement and laws.

Complaints about Policies

Complaints about policies should be routed through the Superintendent or Board President for consideration by the Board Policy Committee or by the Board as a whole.  Complaints shall be in writing, stating the specific objections to the specific policy(ies).

After the policy has been reviewed by the Board, the complainant shall be notified of the action taken.

Complaints about School Personnel

            Complaints regarding District personnel shall be channeled as follows, in the order indicated:

            1.         Teacher or staff member

            2.         Principal

            3.         Superintendent of Schools

            4.         Board of Education.

Individual Board members who receive complaints will refer the complainants to the Superintendent.  Board members will refrain from expressing any judgment until such complaint is submitted to the entire Board.  The Superintendent shall refer complaints to other staff members when appropriate.

Adopted: April 5, 2006

 

3230R

Community Relations

The Board believes that complaints and grievances are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible, and that the staff should be given every opportunity to consider the issues in an attempt to resolve problems prior to Board involvement.  Therefore, the proper channeling of complaints will be as follows:

Level

A. Teacher or other staff member

B. School Building Administrator or other supervisor
C. Superintendent of Schools or Designee

D. Board of Education

Individual Board members who receive complaints will refer the complainants to the Superintendent.  Board members will refrain from expressing any judgment until such complaint is submitted to the entire Board.  The Superintendent shall refer complaints to other staff members when appropriate.

A.  Teacher or Other Staff Member  Form - Level A Complaint
If a complaint is made by a parent, teacher, or other staff member, it is expected that the staff member will do everything possible to meet and discuss with the parent the concern within a reasonable time, or at a time mutually agreed to depending on the situation.  If however, after the attempt to resolve the matter between both parties, a resolution is not reached, at Level A, the complainant should complete the form attached describing the complaint and staff person for whom the complaint is being made and what remedy was sought by the complainant and then the reason for the dissatisfaction with the informal steps at Level A.  This form should be dated and signed, and submitted to the principal or immediate supervisor.

B.  Principal or Immediate Supervisor
Upon receipt of the form, the principal or immediate supervisor will make initial inquiries and investigations and will complete the appropriate form outlining the decision and action taken and any other comments necessary regarding the concern.  This will be signed by the principal or immediate supervisor, with a copy to the employee as well as the Superintendent and will be mailed to the complainant within a period of fourteen (14) days, or whatever is mutually agreed to as reasonable depending on the situation.  Following the receipt of the response from the principal or immediate supervisor, if the complainant is not satisfied, the complainant will send a formal letter to the Superintendent of Schools, attaching a copy of the complaint form given to the principal or immediate supervisor.  The letter will provide reason why the complainant is not satisfied.

C.  Superintendent of Schools or Designee
Upon receipt of the letter and attached form from the complainant, Superintendent of Schools or designee will make initial inquiries and investigations and will do everything possible to resolve the matter satisfactorily within fourteen (14) days.  Within that time frame, the Superintendent will send the complainant a form that also outlines the decision from the Superintendent and action taken, and any other comments.  A copy of this will be sent to the employee, the principal, and the Board of Education.

D.  The Board of Education
Upon receipt of the Superintendent’s response, if the complainant is not satisfied, the complainant will send a letter to the President of the Board of Education, along with copies of the forms outlining action taken at each of the levels and describing the reason why the complainant is still not satisfied.  Upon receipt of the letter and attached forms, the Board of Education will make initial inquiries and investigation through its legal counsel and will provide within fourteen (14) days, the complainant with a final determination in writing. 

Complaints against personnel will be discussed by supervisors only with superiors or with those persons directly involved in the matter. 

Note:  Applicable provisions of all contracts with negotiating units, in addition to Federal and State laws and Board of Education policies pertaining to rights of privacy, will be strictly observed in the processing of complaints and inquiries about South Orangetown Central School District employees.

Adopted: April 5, 2006

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