Meeting of the Board of Regents | October 2009
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THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234 |
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TO: |
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FROM: |
Erin M. O’Grady-Parent |
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SUBJECT: |
Charter Applications for October 2009 |
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DATE: |
October 1, 2009 |
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STRATEGIC GOAL: |
Goal 2 |
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AUTHORIZATION(S): |
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Summary
Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)
Approval of charter applications.
Reason(s) for Consideration
Required by State statute (Education Law §216).
Proposed Handling
Discussion and approval in accordance with the respective recommendations contained in the attached summaries of charter applications.
Procedural History
N/A
Background Information
Summary recommendations have been prepared for a total of 20 charter actions.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Regents approve each application in accordance with the recommendations contained in the respective summaries.
Timetable for Implementation
N/A
Regents Meeting
October 19-20, 2009
CHARTERS
CULTURAL EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER
1. Peconic Public Broadcasting, Southampton
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
2. Byron-Bergen Public Library, Bergen
3. Riverhead Free Library, Riverhead
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
- Cumsewogue Historical Society, Port Jefferson Station
- Thomas Cole Historic House, Catskill
EXTENSION OF CHARTERS
- The Children’s Maritime Museum at Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson
- Crestwood Historical Society, Crestwood
- Leon Historical Society, Leon
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTERS
- Crooked Lake Historical Society, Hammondsport
- Foto Plus Synthesis, New York
- Newark Public Library, Newark
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
12. Wildlife in Tribeca, New York
APPLICATION FOR REGENTS CONSENT TO FILE A CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME
13. Discovery Center of Science & Technology, Syracuse
Regents Meeting
October 19-20, 2009
l. CULTURAL EDUCATION
ABSOLUTE CHARTER
No. 1
PECONIC PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Southampton, Suffolk County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to construct, own, operate, and maintain a non-profit and non-commercial public radio station on eastern Long Island for providing educational radio programs. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that an absolute charter in the first instance be granted.
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
No. 2
BYRON-BERGEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Bergen, Genesee County
An absolute charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on May 24, 1985 to operate a library. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to add the language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3) and to designate the Commissioner of Education as the agent of the corporation for the purpose of service of process. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
No. 3
RIVERHEAD FREE LIBRARY
Riverhead, Suffolk County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on October 15, 1896 to operate a library. Such provisional was made absolute by Regents action on May 2, 1912. Such absolute charter was amended by Regents action on December 2, 1915. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the absolute charter to designate the service area of the library to be the Riverhead Central School District, to designate the Commissioner of Education as agent of the corporation upon whom process in any action or proceeding against it may be served, and to add the language necessary to maintain tax-exempt status under Internal Revenue Code §501(c)(3). The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter be amended accordingly.
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
No. 4
CUMSEWOGUE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Port Jefferson Station, Suffolk County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to encourage, promote and disseminate a greater knowledge among the public of the history of the State of New York and particularly the hamlets of Terryville and Port Jefferson Station, located in the Town of Brookhaven, County of Suffolk, and immediately surrounding area; to collect, own, hold, maintain, preserve, and make available to the public a collection of appropriate historical materials, objects and artifacts; to arrange, create, maintain and promote appropriate historical exhibits and displays; to establish and maintain an historical research collection and archives; to bring together those people interested in history, promote and support historical research and scholarship, sponsor and organize historical and cultural activities, programs and events for the public, and issue publications in any format; to encourage the suitable marking of places of historic interest; to acquire by purchase, gift, devise, or otherwise the title to or the custody and control of historic sites and structures, and preserve and maintain such sites and structures; to cooperate with the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson in projects and activities of mutual interest; and to cooperate with county and state officials and historical organizations to collect and preserve materials of countywide and statewide significance. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.
No. 5
THOMAS COLE HISTORIC HOUSE
Catskill, Greene County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to acquire, own, operate and maintain “Thomas Cole Historic House,” known as “Cedar Grove,” the home and property of the artist Thomas Cole, a national historic site, in the Village of Catskill, County of Greene, as a historic house museum and site open to the public; to collect, own, hold, maintain, preserve and make available appropriate historical objects and artifacts of Thomas Cole, the Hudson River School of Art, and related fields of art, culture and history; to advocate for and support the conservation, preservation, restoration, interpretation and improvement of “Thomas Cole Historic House,” for the benefit of the public for this and future generations; to operate and maintain a visitor center at “Thomas Cole Historic House,” dedicated to the life and work of Thomas Cole, the Hudson River School of Art, and related fields of art, culture and history; to offer educational programs to visitors and other individuals, and to encourage and sponsor appropriate scholarly research and publications; to participate in regional activities that enhance the economic well-being of the region and that are in keeping with the corporate purposes of “Thomas Cole Historic House;” and to cooperate with the Greene County Historical Society in projects and activities of mutual interest. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of five years.
EXTENSION OF CHARTERS
No. 6
THE CHILDREN’S MARITIME MUSEUM AT PORT JEFFERSON
Crestwood, Westchester County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on May 18, 2004 to operate a museum. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 7
CRESTWOOD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Crestwood, Westchester County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on March 23, 2004 to operate an historical society. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 8
LEON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Leon, Cattaraugus County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on February 8, 2000 to operate an historical society. The board of trustees has applied for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of five years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTERS
No. 9
CROOKED LAKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Hammondsport, Steuben County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on March 20, 1987 to operate an historical society. Such provisional charter was extended by Regents action on February 19, 1993. The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents for the dissolution of the charter as the corporation has not acted as an independent organization since its members did not renew their membership. The corporation has no remaining assets and all taxes payable by the corporation have been paid. The trustees request Regents approval of the transfer of the corporate records to the Steuben County Historical Society. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter of the Crooked Lake Historical Society be dissolved and that the corporate records to be transferred to Steuben County Historical Society.
No. 10
FOTO PLUS SYNTHESIS
New York, New York County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on January 9, 2007 to operate a museum of photography. The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents for the dissolution of the charter as the corporation was redundant with its German affiliate, Foto+Synthesis e.V., (the “German Affiliate”), and unable to raise funds. The corporation has no remaining assets available for distribution. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the provisional charter of the Foto Plus Synthesis be dissolved.
No. 11
NEWARK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Newark, Wayne County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents under the corporate name of “Newark Free Public Library” on March 18, 1897 to operate a library. That such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on May 8, 1902, and amended on March 25, 1955 to change the corporate name to “Newark Public Library.” The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents for the dissolution of the charter as the corporation has ceased operation and all taxes payable by the corporation have been paid. The trustees request Regents approval of the transfer of the library assets of the Newark Public Library (association town Library) to the Newark Public Library (school district public library), which was incorporated by action of the Board of Regents under an absolute charter in the first instance on October 23, 2006. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the absolute charter of the New Public Library (association town library) be dissolved and that approval be given to the transfer of its library assets to the New Public Library (school district public library).
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
No. 12
WILDLIFE IN TRIBECA
New York, New York County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to educate the public about urban wildlife, wild and feral animals in urban environments and ecosystems; to promote conservation and care of urban wildlife; to engage in and provide educational, scientific, and cultural projects and programs to increase awareness and understanding of the existence, roles, and needs of urban wildlife; to conduct independent and collaborative research, write and publish writings about issues relating to urban wildlife; to develop and provide educational materials and policy recommendations for protecting and conserving urban wildlife to individuals, businesses, educational institutions, governmental agencies, associations, and other organizations; to protect and promote the rights and interests of urban wildlife through advocacy; and the corporation is not authorized to operate or maintain a library, archives, museum or a historical society, or to own or hold collections in connection therewith. The Office of Cultural Education recommends that a certificate of incorporation be issued.
APPLICATION FOR REGENTS CONSENT TO FILE A CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME
No. 13
DISCOVERY CENTER OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Syracuse, Onondaga County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on October 19, 1979 to operate a science and technology center. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on February 25, 1983. The board of trustees has requested that the Board of Regents consent to the filing of certificates of assumed names pursuant to General Business Law §130 to authorize the corporation to use the assumed names “Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology” and “Museum of Science & Technology (MOST).” The Office of Cultural Education recommends that the consent of the Board of Regents to the filing of such certificates of assumed names be granted.
Regents Meeting
October 19-20, 2009
CHARTERS
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
AMENDMENT OF CHARTER
- AnNur Islamic School, Schenectady
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
- The Lang School, Brooklyn
- Oak Tree Preschool, Geneseo
EXTENSION OF CHARTERS
- All Saints Elementary of Tipperary Hill, Syracuse
- Children at Play Early Intervention Center, Staten Island
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTERS
Giant Step Nursery School, Freeport
7. Glory to God Christian High School, Monticello
ll. ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, SECONDARY AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
AMENDMENT OF CHARTERS
No. 1
ANNUR ISLAMIC SCHOOL
Schenectady, Schenectady County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on June 26, 1992 to operate a kindergarten, and a grade one through six elementary school. Such provisional charter was amended and, as so amended, extended by Regents action on July 23, 1993 and extended on April 27, 1999. Such provisional charter was amended and extended by Regents action on July 21, 2004 and May 23, 2006. The board of trustees has applied for an amendment to the provisional charter to specify that this will be a membership corporation, and that the sole member will be The Islamic Center of the Capital District, and as so amended, be extended. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter be amended accordingly and, as so amended, be extended for a period of three years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
PROVISIONAL CHARTERS
No. 2
THE LANG SCHOOL
Brooklyn, Kings County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to operate an elementary and middle school for children between the ages of five and thirteen who are gifted and have high potential, but who require specially designed instruction because of learning disabilities, other educational disabilities or atypical learning styles. The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) has been provided with an opportunity to review this action and the trustees have been advised that the granting of a provisional charter does not constitute approval for state funding for programs and services under the jurisdiction of VESID. The Office of Nonpublic School Services and the Office of Professions recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of three years.
No. 3
OAK TREE PRESCHOOL
Geneseo, Livingston County
The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents to form a corporation to operate a nursery school for preschool children from three to five years of age. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that a provisional charter be granted for a period of three years.
EXTENSION OF CHARTERS
No. 4
ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY OF TIPPERARY HILL
Syracuse, Onondaga County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on July 26, 2006 to operate a pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, a grade one through six elementary school, and a day care center. The board of trustees has petitioned for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of three years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
No. 5
CHILDREN AT PLAY EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER
Staten Island, Richmond County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on January 12, 2004 to operate and maintain special education and ancillary educational programs and services to pre-school and school-age children with disabilities. Such provisional charter was extended by Regents action on January 9, 2007. The board of trustees has petitioned for an extension of the provisional charter. The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) has been provided with an opportunity to review this action and the trustees have been advised that the granting of any extension thereof does not constitute approval for State funding for programs and services under the jurisdiction of VESID. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter be extended for a period of three years to allow the corporation additional time to develop its programs and otherwise demonstrate that it can meet the requirements for an absolute charter.
DISSOLUTION OF CHARTERS
No. 6
GIANT STEP NURSERY SCHOOL
Freeport, Nassau County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on June 29, 1973 to operate a nursery school. Such provisional charter was made absolute by Regents action on January 26, 1977. The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents for the dissolution of the charter due to the lack of enrollment. All taxes payable by the corporation have been paid. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter of the Giant Step Nursery School be dissolved.
No. 7
GLORY TO GOD CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Freeport, Nassau County
A provisional charter was granted to this corporation by action of the Board of Regents on February 11, 2003 to operate a grade nine through twelve secondary school. Such provisional charter was amended, and as so amended, extended by Regents action on July 21, 2004 and July 26, 2006. The board of trustees has petitioned the Board of Regents for the dissolution of the charter because the corporation is no longer in operation; for approval to transfer students records to Liberty High School, Liberty, New York; and for approval to distribute the remaining assets, after the payment of any liabilities, to Lighthouse Ministries. The Office of Nonpublic School Services recommends that the provisional charter of the Glory to God Christian High School be dissolved, and that approval be given to the transfer of student records and to the distribution of the remaining assets as requested.