Community Education Council 24

P.S. 91 Room 119/68-10 Central Avenue/ Glendale, New York 11385/Phone: 718.418.8160/Fax: 718.418.8168/ Cec24@nycboe.net
New York City Department of Education
Visit our website at www.myschoolonline.com/ny/cec24
Nick Comaianni Dmytro Fedkowskyj Nancy Carbone Ernest Cury Bill Kregler
President 1St Vice President 2nd Vice President Treasurer Secretary

Council Members: Reyes Irizarry

Dominic Coticchio Regional Superintendent
Marge Kolb Charles Amundsen
Joe Pahl Deputy Superintendent
Marcellino Rodriquez Catherine M. Powis
Joanne Scichilone Community Superintendent

FINAL BOARD APPROVED MINUTES

Minutes of Calendar Meeting
January 25, 2005
At P.S. 229, Emmanuel Kaplan School

1) Call to order and Roll Call -- The meeting convened at PS 229, Emmanuel Kaplan
School at 7:00 PM

• Roll Call – Present

• Nancy Carbone
• Dominic Coticchio
• Dmytro Fedkowskyj
• William Kregler
• Joseph Pahl
• Marcellino Rodriguez
• Joanne Scichilone
• Katelyn Ranzie, CEC High School Member

• Roll Call – Absent

• Nick Comaianni
• Ernest Cury

• Roll Call – Late due to attendance at UFT/SCA Forum on Overcrowding

• Marge Kolb

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Also in attendance

Catherine M. Powis, Community Superintendent, Iris Cabral, UFT Teacher Center, Field
Liaison, together with Karen Katz and Barbara Mylite of the UFT and Jessica Garcia of
the Campaign for Fiscal Equity Inc.

2) Approval of Minutes

On motion duly made and seconded the minutes were unanimously approved, 7:0

3) Report of the President, Given by Dmytro Fedkowskyj

• On January 31st, the Panel for Education Policy (PEP) will be holding
their monthly meeting, 6pm at Forest Hills High School, which is located
at 67-01 110th Street. Items on their agenda will be a fitness / physical education
presentation along with a SURR / SINI presentation. The Proposed 2005
Amendment to the Five Year Capital Plan will be addressed during their February
Meeting.
• Speaking of proposed 2005 Amendment to the Five Year Capital Plan, the
CEC filed its required report with School Construction. Members
obtained school needs and requests by directly contacting each of their
liaison schools. Our District is in need of more than what was originally
proposed in the Five Year Capital Plan and we request that the
suggested changes be implemented.
• On February 1st, Queens Borough President’s Parent Advisory Board will hold a
"Town Hall Meeting" regarding the disposition of CFE Funds. Discussion will be
held on what each district needs to provide our students with a sound basic
education...first being seats...it is expected that all the local city council
leaders will be there with Helen Marshall. The Borough President will incorporate
the testimony of the members into her budget requests. The meeting will be held,
6pm at Borough Hall.
• Our next CEC meeting will be held at P.S. 87 on February 15, 2005.

4) Report of the Community Superintendent

• Ms. Powis distributed information on which grants are currently in our schools.
• The New York City Public Schools have been invited to enter the National
Spelling Bee sponsored by the New York Daily News. Spelling Bees will be held
first in the individual school, then the Region, on to City and then National
• The second session of the 5th Grade Preparatory Academy will begin on Saturday,
February 5, 2005. As part of the initiative, parent workshops are being given to
offer support and information to parents of those students attending the academy.

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 Ms. Powis listed the workshops being offered. Ms. Powis closed her report by
stating that parents wishing further information should contact the parent
coordinator of their school or the parent support office.

5) Report of the High School CEC member Katelyn Ranzie

• Ms. Ranzie reported on good news from Grover Cleveland and Newtown High
Schools. Ms. Ranzie cited the names of recipients of scholarship awards.
• The Newtown High School Field has been completed with renovations made
through a grant from “Take the Field.”
• Newtown High School is part of a robotics program which is being sponsored by
Verizon.
• Newtown High received a grant from the City Council to renovate the light and
sound equipment in the auditorium.
• Newtown’s Saturday Academy continues to be enhanced with the introduction of
a credited Art and Music Program, in addition to GED and ESL programs for
parents.
• Newtown students were involved in the NYC’s 2012 Olympic Bid presentation at
City Hall.
• Newtown received a $5,000 MVP award for the Girls Division B City Softball
Championships. Newtown’s girls are the 2004 softball champions.
• Mitel Corporation is building a technology lab for Newtown students.
• Ms. Ranzie closed her report by stating that it is an honor to serve on District 24’s
Community Education Council as the high school student representative.

6) Resolutions -- #5

On motion duly made and seconded, the following resolution was unanimously
approved:

Resolution on the Amendments to the Five Year Capital Plan

Be it resolved that the Community Education Council District 24 approves the

CEC-D24 submitted amendments to the Capital Plan and strongly recommends that
the DOE should react and approve our submitted report on the 2005 Amendments
to the Capital Plan. The CEC-D24 also urges that all haste be used in this effort,
with the assurance that our requests can be implemented and ready for use by
September 2007.

7) Mr. Fedkowskyj introduced Guest Speaker Jessica Garcia, from the Campaign for
Fiscal Equity.
• Ms. Garcia stated a brief history of the CFE and purpose of the lawsuit. She
further stated that in 2003 the highest state court ruled that every child is entitled
to a meaningful high school education which she claimed is critical in that prior
the Governor argued that all children were entitled to an 8th grade education.

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 • The court stipulated that NYC schools were deficient in the following three key
areas: class size; lack of resources for professional development and lack of
adequate facilities.
• The court appointed a panel of referees which put forth a proposal to the court
that NYC receive $5.6 billon more per year to be phased in over the next four
years. The money will be used to correct the three key deficiencies mentioned
prior.
• A recommendation was made to the panel and the panel agreed that the City also
needs $9.2 billion in addition to the above stated amount for capital improvement.
The CFE expects a ruling on the capital aid in the near future.
• The CFE has asked the courts to issue a deadline to comply within 90 days, and to
hold the state in contempt and fine them $4 million a day for every day over 90
days that they fail to comply.
• Ms. Garcia asked the audience to take part in this fight, to be vocal and to remind
the state that it is expected that they take care of business this year.
• Ms. Garcia took questions from the audience and the Council.

8) Iris Cabral, and Karen Katz, Field Liaison from the UFT Teacher Center in Region
3, coordinator of the balanced literacy efforts, spoke on the balanced literacy
curriculum.
• Ms. Cabral stated there are several programs the city is implementing that run
from K-12.
• Ms. Cabral stated that the UFT’s Teacher Center is the premier program where all
staff developers are highly trained.
• Teacher Center’s staff are embedded and on site.
• They use research based strategies, about which she distributed packets of
information specific to the balanced literacy program.
• Ms. Katz gave information on the workshop model which involves a mini lesson,
group and individual work, and a “share” or wrap up.
• Ms. Cabral stated that the balanced literacy workshop model is based on the
assessed needs of the group.
• Ms. Cabral and Ms. Katz both stated that there are pros and cons to the program.
Ms. Cabral further cited one con as being that teachers can get derailed with this
approach which is dependent on quality, ongoing professional development.
• Barbara Mylite of the UFT stated her concern about how the program is being
implemented, she further stated that the program in Region 4 is too rigid and lacks
individuality, especially in that only ten minutes can be allocated to mini lessons.
• Ms. Kolb expressed concern that spelling tests are no longer given, entire classes
do not read and discuss the same work of literature together (e.g. "Lord of the
Flies," "Animal Farm" etc.), regular grammar and vocabulary lessons do not seem
to be held, and the intensive and every-day scheduling of Reader's Workshop,
Writer's Workshop, Math Workshop and Read Aloud do not leave time in the day
for Art, Music, Physical Ed. or Health Ed.
• Ms. Powis thanked the Teacher Center representatives and stated that over the
years the Department of Education had adopted professional development
partners. Ms. Powis identified them as being America’s Choice, Teachers

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 College and Mondo Professional Development (which she pointed out is no
longer in use). Ms. Powis further stated that the DOE has developed professional
relationships with them that have taken many of our schools to national
recognition.
• Ms. Powis added that a letter of Censure was sent by the UFT to Superintendent
Irizarry detailing issues and concerns of the teachers about the rigidity of these
programs. She further stated that Superintendent Irizarry asked her to share an
invitation with the CEC to discuss the letter and how the conversations are
advancing between the UFT and himself.
• Ms. Powis stated that we shouldn’t give up on the balanced literacy approach.
She further stated that the whole premise of the approach is to teach children at
the independent level to reach their full potential.
• Joanne Scichilone stated her concerns with the special education population and
this workshop model. She further stated that in the past we’ve been able to meet
those needs, but she sees a big difference this year. Ms. Powis stated that at the
next Presidents Panel meeting Eva Cheifitz, the Regional Instructional Specialist
has been invited to talk about all interventions.
• Marge Kolb stated that American’s Choice is used widely in district 24 and
further inquired as to a suggested class size in regards to implementing a
successful program to which Ms. Mylite stated that all programs have a targeted
numbers which are unrealistic for us in NYC.

9) Report of the Committees

• Joe Pahl, Chair of the Website Committee reiterated the CEC’s website address
as being www.myschoolonline.com/ny/cec24. CEC minutes and agendas have
been added to the website.
• Joanne Scichilone, Chair of the Special Education Committee stated her report
which included information on the committee’s January 20, 2005 meeting which
took place at IS 5. Ms. Scichilone also stated that the committee has made
available the Guide to Creating a Quality IEP, DOE Guide for Continuum
Services and the new DOE List of Related Service Providers. Ms. Scichilone
closed her report by stating that the above mentioned reports will be made
available to all parents that request them.
• Marge Kolb, Chair of the Legislative Committee stated that earlier that evening
she had attended a meeting that was co-sponsored by the UFT and the CSA, and
moderated by Marcia Kramer regarding school overcrowding. Representatives of
many high schools testified of overcrowding ranging from 150-200%. Many felt
that discipline problems are a direct result of overcrowding. Ms. Kolb stated that
the general frustration of the meeting was the fact that Chancellor Klein and
Deputy Chancellor Farina were not in attendance.
• Dmytro Fedkowskyj, Chair of the Building, Zoning and Maintenance
Committee stated that the due date was extended for the return of completed
“Need Assessment Questionnaires” by PTA Presidents. The questionnaire
covered issues of Safety, Building Maintenance, Curriculum, Special Education
and General Concerns. As of today, only 9 were returned. The committee does

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 appreciate the time that each PA/PTA president took to complete the school
questionnaire and wants to express a deep thank you. The completed
questionnaires will be reviewed and the CEC will provide input on any matter of
concern that may be found within the questionnaire and address the needs. At this
time, it is not possible to prepare a district wide report, since only a limited
amount of them were returned.

• It was recommended by this committee that all 32 school PA / PTA presidents

discuss the questionnaire with School Leadership and Parents and to complete the
questionnaire with parental input by the extended due date, which was today, so
the CEC could better understand the needs of each school in the district. As we all
know, the needs vary from school to school in our district. The cooperation of
each PA/PTA along with other parental input is necessary for the CEC to function
and provide input on matters of concern to the Region and the PEP. A lack of
response could be considered as a sign of apathy. As an advisory board, a goal of
the CEC is to promote academic achievement and to make sure the situations in
each school can provide the best education possible for our children.

• Mr. Fedkowskyj stated that the CEC would also like to hear from schools when
things are going well. He further stated that schools should call or email our office
and tell us all about it, so the CEC can make mention of it at our next meeting.

• Mr. Fedkowskyj stated that our zoning powers were defined on 1/14/05 with
Chancellor’s Regulation A-185, which can be found on the DOE web site. The CEC
does not have the power to prepare zoning for any school, but can question current
zoning or suggest zoning changes (based on parental input) to the community
superintendent who will than consult with the regional and local superintendents,
who will than secure approval to proceed from the Office of Student Enrollment
Planning and Operations. Mr. Fedkowskyj further stated that upon approval, the
community superintendent will consult with affected school communities before a
proposed plan is presented to the CEC. The CEC is than required to vote on the
proposal within 45 days of submission by the community superintendent and to
hold a public meeting (prior to voting) to discuss the proposal and solicit
community feedback. If CEC members approve the proposed plan by majority
vote, a resolution is passed and the DOE implements the proposed zoning change.
If CEC members do not approve the proposed plan by majority vote, a resolution
is passed and forwarded to the Office of Student Enrollment Planning and
Operations. All zoning changes have to be approved by March 31st in order for
them to be implemented for the following school year.
• Mr. Fedkowskyj stated that the problem is that a plan comes proposed to the
Council after it’s already been consulted but not without feedback. CEC will not be
involved in initial discussions. The regulation does not mandate or suggest that the
Community Superintendent seek input from the CEC. This is something that the
CEC is in disagreement over because we want to be involved from the beginning.
We have a very good relationship with Ms. Powis and we hope she’ll involve us,
but we cannot be certain. Mr. Fedkowskyj further stated that the CEC will look into

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 this further and discuss it with the region. Mr. Fedkowskyj closed his report by
stating that our situation is not so much the zoning of current schools but the zoning
of new schools.

10) Old Business – None

11) New Business – Dominic Coticchio as well as most members complained of the
lack of security at our schools. It was agreed that the CEC would look into this
matter further.

12) Public Speaking Session

• Pat Grayson asked Ms. Powis if any schools in D24 had been invited to attend the
Tweed Academy to which Ms. Powis replied that IS 77 had been invited this year
and PS 153 had been invited last year.
• Pat Grayson inquired about name plaques for IS 125, PS 128 and IS 73 to which
Mr. Fedkowskyj replied that he would look into it.
• Pat Grayson inquired about procedures for election of CEC members for 2004-
2006. She was advised that the DOE would be starting an information campaign
shortly.

13) Adjournment
Dmytro Fedkowskyj motioned to adjourn, Bill Kregler seconded, meeting
adjourned at 9:45 p.m.