THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. July 1, 2008 UPDATED 3:15 P.M. EDT: An announcement of a possible new contract with the White Plains Teachers union which expired at midnight last night, will not be announced tonight at the Reorganization an the first meeting of the 2008-2009 Board of Education. Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors and White Plains Teachers Association President Kerry Broderick have not returned calls as of noon today from WPCNR asking whether a new tentative contract has been reached.

A member of the Board of Education has informed the CitizeNetReporter moments ago that an agreement has not been reached yet, noting that “There is no settlement yet and discussions are progressing. There is no impasse. It just hasnt happened yet.”

New member of the School Board Randy Stein, left, and re-elected member Rosemarie Eller right will be sworn in this evening and a new Board of Education President appointed.

The School District will hold its Reorganization Meeting for the coming school year this evening, followed by a regular school board meeting of the newly constituted Board The new Board is expected to approve a series of consultant spending contracts totaling $822,404.

The Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors will discuss test scores and the capital improvement project, and the Board expects to approve the purchase of Infinite Campus a new “student information system” that is expected to provide at last, longitudinal Kindergarten through high school individual and collective student performance by grade and class,on in-district academics and state achievement tests, vastly improving the district ability to gauge the effectiveness of their curriculum and teacher performances.

In spending approvals, the Board is expected to approve contracts for a Hearing Officer for $60,000; Donna Klein & Associates for Occupational Therapy Evaluations and Services for $300,000; Blythedale Children’s Hospital for Occupational and Physical Therapy Evaluations and Services for $150,000; MBF Investigative Services for residency investigations/surveillance and special assignments to verify legal residency of students for $60,000; and to the Children’s Literacy Initiative for 2008-2009 for $252,374.

The agenda:

PUBLIC HEARING ON CONTRACT FOR EXCELLENCE PROPOSAL AGENDA

I. Opening of Meeting:

Pledge of Allegiance Moment of silence in memory of June Fleary, George Knies, Sylvia Kotch and Mark McKenzie, former and current staff members Oral Announcements by the Board President and Board Members II. Communications:

III. Public Participation: (The Board will entertain comments from the public on any issue, with a time limit of three minutes per person, and a maximum total of 25 minutes.)

IV. Superintendent’s Report: Graduations and School Closing Test Scores Capital Project

V. Summary Action Items:

1. Recommended approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 9, and the Special Meetings of June 2, and 23, 2008.

2. Recommended approval of the district calendar for 2008-09 as amended.

3. Recommended approval to add Nokia Corporation and Encounter Church to the list of organizations permitted use of facilities.

4. Recommended acceptance of the following donations:

$5,000 from the Shinnyo-en Foundation to establish the Mayor Joseph Delfino Community Service Scholarships $1,000 from the Bronzo Group of Wachovia Securities for their Scholarship Award

$1,000 from 15 donors to establish the Charlie Jenkins Scholarship Award $1,000 from over 30 donors to establish the Pasquale Evangelista Scholarship Fund

5. Recommended approval of the appointment of Physicians, Physician Assistants and Nurses for the 2008 Summer School.

6. Recommended approval of consultant agreements with:

a. George Hagans Consulting, to serve as a Hearing Officer and provide other services, for the amount of $60,030

b. Donna Klein & Associates, for Occupational Therapy Evaluations and Services, for an amount not to exceed $300,000

c. Blythedale Children’s Hospital, for Occupational and Physical Therapy Evaluations and Services, for an amount not to exceed $150,000

d. MBF Investigative Services, for residency investigations/surveillance and other special assignments, for an amount not to exceed $60,000

e. Children’s Literacy Initiative for 2008-09, for the amount of $252,374

7. Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Special Education: 157 cases, as per attachment.

8. Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Preschool Special Education: 52 cases, as per attachment.

9. Recommended approval to appoint Chairpersons and Parent Representatives for Special Education Committees and Subcommittees for the period of 7/1/08-6/26/09, as per attachment.

10. Recommended approval that all employees previously granted a conditional appointment and who have not received conditional clearance from the State Education Department be granted another conditional appointment for 20 days. Civil Service Staffing:

11. Recommended acceptance of the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Geraldine Bellantoni, Media Aide, Education House, effective 7/1/08.

12. Recommended acceptance of the resignation of Dreama Donohue, Administrative Assistant, Education House, effective 6/28/08.

13. Recommended approval of a request to extend the unpaid leave of absence for Yasmine Murana, Office Assistant II-Spanish Speaking, Adult Education, from 6/30/08 to 9/15/08.

14. Recommended approval of a request for an unpaid leave of absence for Lisa Zareski, Treasurer, Education House, effective 7/16/08-9/1/08.

15. Recommended approval of the 26-week probationary appointments of the following:

Patricia Cacsire, Office Assistant I-Spanish Speaking, Adult Education, effective 7/7/08 (from list OC #2007-3) Andrew Vena, Senior Custodian, Church Street, effective 6/6/08 (has been serving provisionally, from list OC #66-380)

Christian Reyes, Senior Custodian, Post Road, effective 6/6/08 (has been serving provisionally, from list OC #66-380)

16. Recommended approval of the provisional appointment of Joseph Paulo, Senior Custodian, George Washington School, effective 7/3/08 (replacing D. Robertin).

17. Recommended approval of the second provisional appointment of Antonio Moronta, Head Custodian, High School, effective 6/6/08.

18. Recommended approval of a resolution to abolish the positions of Media Aide, Education House and High School, effective 9/1/08.

19. Recommended approval of the temporary salary adjustment, as per attachment.

20. Recommended approval of the substitute and summer appointments as per Board approved “Substitute, Summer School and Supplemental Rates,” as per attachment.

21. Recommended approval of the revised “Substitute, Summer School and Supplemental Rates” as per attachment, effective 7/1/08. Teacher Staffing

22. Recommended acceptance of the resignation of the following Teaching Assistants:

Rosanna F. Maiuolo, Church Street School, effective 6/28/08

Elizabeth Marouk-Coe, Newcomer Center, effective 7/2/08

Rachel Martin, Mamaroneck Avenue School, effective 7/1/08 23.

Recommended acceptance of the resignations of: Monica Bermiss, Instructional Specialist, ELA K-5, Districtwide , effective 7/2/08

Maria Zenon-Park, ESOL Teacher, George Washington School, effective 8/31/08 24.

Recommended acceptance of the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Kayreitha Smalls, Adult & Continuing Education Teacher, Rochambeau, effective 8/8/08.

25. Recommended approval of requests for childcare leaves for: Melissa Staar, Science Teacher, Middle School-Highlands, effective 9/1/08-9/30/08 Maribeth Milkowski, ESOL teacher, Middle School-Highlands & High School, effective 9/11/08-11/10/08

26. Recommended approval of an extension of the childcare leave for Amy Frishman-Amir, Elementary Education Teacher, Ridgeway School, effective 7/1/08-6/30/09.

27. Recommended approval of the appointment of 2008 Summer School staff for the New York Presbyterian Hospital Program, at the agreed rate of pay, as per attachments.

28. Recommended approval to rescind and appoint 2008 Summer School Staff, as per attachment.

29. Recommended approval of the appointment* of district-wide per diem substitute teachers, as per attachment.

30. Recommended approval of compensation for the following, as per attachments:

a. 2008 Summer School Curriculum Writing

b. 2008 Summer School CPSE and CSE meeting preparation

c. 2008-09 Professional Development Stipends d. 2008-09 Resource Specialists as Chairpersons

e. 2007-08 WISE Mentors

f. 2007-08 stipends for trips abroad

g. 2008-09 Technology Trainers, Computer Lead Teachers, Subsite Directors

h. 2008 Summer School Technology positions

i. 2008-09 Family Literacy K-PASS positions

31. Recommended approval of the Part-time appointment of:

Lauren Stipo* (Replacing J. Palkaunieks) BA – Adelphi University (Political Science) MBA – Pace University (Management) Certificate: Pace University (Secondary Education) Certification: Initial, Business & Marketing & Social Studies 7-12 Assignment: Business Education Teacher, High School, 80% of full time Dates of Service: 8/31/08-6/30/09

32. Recommended approval of the Regular Substitute appointments of: Valerie Browne* (Replacing S. Pak, reassigned) BA – Manhattanville College (English and Education) Certification: ELA 5-12 Assignment: Grade 6 ELA Teacher, Middle School-Eastview Dates of Service: 8/31/08-6/30/09

Sara Natlo (Replacing A. Pedulla) BS – SUNY/Oswego (Elementary Education) M. Ed. – University of Maryland/College Park (Curriculum & Instruction/TESOL) Certification: Initial, Childhood Education 1-6 and ESOL Assignment: Elementary Education Teacher, Ridgeway School Dates of Service: 8/31/08-6/30/09

Eileen Murphy (Re-appointment) BS – Long Island University (Public Accounting) MA – College of New Rochelle (Early Childhood Education) Certification: Permanent, Elementary Education N-6 with Gifted/Talented extension Assignment: Elementary Education Teacher, PreKindergarten Program Dates of Service: 8/31/08-6/30/09

Ann Baker (Replacing L. Green) BA – Goucher College (Economics) MAT – Manhattanville College (Elementary Education) Certification: Permanent, Elementary Education N-6 Tenure Area: Elementary Education Assignment: Elementary Education Teacher, Church Street School Dates of Service: 8/31/08-2/1/09 33.

Recommended approval of the Probationary appointments of: Karen Jordan* (Replacing K. Kushnir) BS – Long Island University/CW Post College (Special Education) MS – CCNY/CUNY (Special Education) Certificate – SUNY/New Paltz (School Leadership) Certification: Permanent, Special Education, Professional, SDL & SBL Tenure Area: Special Education Assignment: Chairperson Special Education, Districtwide Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/10

Carolyn Chapman (Replacing L. McKenzie) BS – Marymount College (Special Education) MSE – College of New Rochelle (Reading Education) Certification: Permanent, Reading, Elementary Education N-6 and Special Education K-12 Tenure Area: Reading Assignment: Reading Teacher, Middle School-Highlands Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/10

Elizabeth Galvin* (Replacing C. Gruder) BA – Manhattan College (Elementary Education) MA – Lehman College (English) Certification: Permanent, Elementary Education N-6 & Professional, ELA 7-12 Tenure Area: Elementary Education Assignment: ELA Grade 6 Teacher, Middle School-Highlands Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/10

Tara Simmons-Crawford (Replacing A. Williams, reassigned) BA – Mt. St. Mary College (Mathematics) Certification: Initial, Mathematics 7-12 Tenure Area: Mathematics Assignment: Mathematics Teacher, Middle School-Highlands Probationary Period: 8/31/08-1/30/11

Maria Csikortos* (Replacing L. Lyman) BA – John Jay College (Forensic Psychology) MS Ed – St. John’s University (School Counselor w/ Bilingual Extension) Certification: Permanent, School Counselor Tenure Area: School Counselor Assignment: School Counselor, High School Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/11

Ryan Fischer* (Replacing E. Farrell) BS – St. Thomas Aquinas College (Recreation and Sports Management) MA – Manhattanville College (Physical Education and Sports Pedagogy) Certification: Initial, Physical Education Tenure Area: Physical Education Assignment: Physical Education Teacher, Districtwide Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/11

Catherine Sheldon-Dagher (Replacing M. Steinberg) BA – Santa Monica College/UCLA (Political Science) MBA – Thunderbird School of Global Management (International Business) MPS – Manhattanville College (Education) Certification: Initial, Students with Disabilities, 5-12 & Social Studies 5-12 Tenure Area: Special Education Assignment: Special Education Teacher, New York Presbyterian Hospital Program Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/11

Libna Diaz* (New position) BA – SUNY/Purchase (Biology) MA – Long Island University (Bilingual Education PK-12) Certification: Provisional, Biology 7-12 Tenure Area: Science Assignment: Science Teacher, High School Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/11

Sissi Johnson* (Replacing R. Vincent) BA – Hampton University (Psychology) M.Ed. – Claremont Graduate University (Teaching) Certification: Initial, Biology 7-12 Tenure Area: Science Assignment: Science Teacher, Middle School-Highlands Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/11

Thomas Hauser (Replacing G. Kressin) BA – SUNY/Purchase (Graphic & Package Design) Certification: Initial (pending), Technology Tenure Area: Technology Assignment: Technology Teacher, Middle School-Highlands Probationary Period: 8/31/08-8/30/1

*All of these appointments are conditional appointments, subject to and contingent upon, the satisfactory completion of the finger printing process and investigatory background check required by the New York State Education Law. The Board of Education reserves the right to rescind these appointments without notice, upon receipt of any unsatisfactory report resulting from the aforementioned background check.

VI. Other Action:

1. Recommended approval of the extension of the probationary period for Jodi Nestle, Elementary Assistant Principal, Post Road School, effective 7/31/08-7/31/09.

2. Recommended approval to abolish the position of Director, Newcomer Center and Coordinator of ESOL K-5, effective 6/30/08.

3. Recommended approval to create the position of Director of ELL Programming K-12, District-wide, effective 7/1/08.

4. Recommended acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report for the month of May, 2008.

5. Bids and contracts: Athletic Training Supplies, Athletic Uniform Reconditioning, Project Management for Computer Projector/Whiteboards, Asbestos Abatement at Post Road School, Elevator Maintenance and Testing

6. Recommended approval to authorize Michael Lynch to sign Westchester County and City of White Plains permit applications for backflow prevention systems for district properties.

7. Recommended approval of the purchase of Infinite Campus, a new student information system.

VII. Board Discussion: 1. Board Committee Reports

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. June 30, 2008: White Plains resident and New Rochelle native Anthony Pilla was introduced by County Republican Chair Douglas Colety in downtown White Plains this morning as the challenger for Amy Paulin’s Assembly Seat in the 88^th New York Assembly District. Pilla wasted no time in announcing his main theme that Ms. Paulin in eight years had done nothing to stop the rise in property taxes affecting the middle class. A property tax cap, Pilla said, was his number one issue. He said he scheduled his announcement for 10:30 this morning to symbolize that he would be out working for constituents early every day instead of taking vacation when the state was in serious financial trouble, referring to the Albany legislature announcement they would not meet again until January.

Anthony Pilla (left) was introduced as a man who roots in not only White Plains, but in New Rochelle, where he grew up, and in Pelham, where he has family. Colety, (right) the party chair called him a fresh face who would bring a new perspective in Albany. Colety charged Paulin with a record of voting for 8 years for more taxes on Westchester families and that Pilla is someone new who can “clean up the mess of Amy Paulin and Sheldon Silver.”

A real estate associate, Pilla (shown with his three children), said he had strong financial support from New Rochelle, and would be campaigning hard in all areas of the 88th. The 88^th Assembly District encompasses the northwest corner of White Plains (Battle Hill), Eastchester, Scarsdale, New Rochelle and Pelham. Pilla poked fun at Paulin’s record of sponsoring bills that dealt with personal issues – such as a hotline to report dog fights — and her record of not attacking problems that face the majority of voters today. He promised to fight the soaring taxes he said that Paulin had gone along with the last eight years, and promised full-time representation: “I will not be sleeping in, or deciding to take a vacation when people need me in Albany.”

Anthony Pilla, Republican Candidate for the 88th District and Rob Biagi, Republican Candidate for the 91st Assembly District in Harrison — both are firmly committed to seeking a property tax cap to slow the rate of property tax impact on middle class. Mr. Pilla said the Republicans may still nominate an opponent to run against Adam Bradley in the 89th Assembly District.

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