The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated October 17, 2019 was called to order by Mrs. Ricci at 7:02pm.
PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Tammi Dehler, David Lee, Jamie Maloney, Jack Catanzarita, Carolyn Bell, Denise Carutasu
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Joseph Siracuse, Christopher Scanlan, Jennifer Bull, Pam Bailey, Ken Williams, Darcy Pogue, Mari Cecil and BCA colleagues, Lyn Derway
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Siracuse reported on Fire Prevention Week. Members of the Waterford Fire Department were here at school to raise awareness about fire safety and help ensure our homes and families are prepared in the event of an emergency.
Field trips were rescheduled due to rain. Plans for the annual Halloween parade are being finalized. Faculty members of the PBIS team selected student volunteers through an essay writing process. Student Council campaigns for elected officers are in progress.
Mrs. Bull and Mr. Pomerville continue to coordinate Superintendent’s Conference Day events set for November 1st focusing on Next Gen Standards and data driven curriculum. The next K-12 curriculum cabinet meeting will be held on October 30th.
Mr. Scanlan is working with local companies and the Saratoga Builder’s Association to promote the building trades for our students. Students attended a presentation on many job opportunities within the construction trades and toured the Curtis Lumber facility in Ballston Spa.
The Sports Booster Association will meet on Monday, October 21, 2019; the high school Halloween Concert will be held Monday, October 21, 2019 at 7:00pm. The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony was held last week.
Mr. Pomerville introduced Lyn Derway, Interim Business Manager. Mrs. Derway is working part time, through the month of October until our new Business Manager arrives on November 4th.
Mr. Pomerville announced that he met with Mari Cecil and her colleagues from Bernier, Carr and Associates (BCA) to discuss the upcoming capital construction project. The district, BCA and the WSWHE BOCES Communications Department are working on informational public presentations, both printed and digital. Mr. Pomerville shared a list of pubic meetings he will be attending to promote the project and coordinated Board member schedules.
In honor of NYS School Board Recognition Week, Mr. Pomerville presented tote bags to the Board members as a small gesture of appreciation for their gift of time to the students and school community. He appreciates everything that the Board members do in support of this district.
Capital Project Presentation, Mr. Pomerville
Capital Project Presentation-BOE 101719.pdf
A discussion followed about including Alternate Items to the project, if finances allow.
Momentive Tax Certiorari Update, Mr. Pomerville
Town and District officials met on October 8th. Progress is being made on the appraisals; parameters were discussed.
First Reading Policy #7440 Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
First Reading Policy #5140 Administration of the Budget
First Reading Policy #7511 Immunization of Students
First Reading Policy #6150 Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Staff)
First Reading Policy #7320 Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Students)
First Reading Policy #5660 Meal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming
ACTION
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the October 3, 2019 Board of Education Meeting
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following warrant: General Fund #24 for $15,003.72
The Boar reviewed CSE minutes dated 9/27/2019, 10/3/2019, 10/8/2019.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the request from Kaitlyn Nardino for a 12 week leave of absence beginning on or about March 9, 2020.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Emily Schumaker as high school substitute teacher for the 2019 - 2020 school year; effective October 18, 2019; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved appointment of Colleen Rishel as High School Drama Club Advisor for the 2019 - 2020 school year; salary per the WTA contract.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Brenda Willits as Chief Information Officer/Senior Typist effective October 22, 2019 upon successful completion of her probationary period.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Rose Austin as high school substitute teacher for the 2019 - 2020 school year; pending fingerprint approval; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of the following election workers for the December 10, 2019 capital construction vote; $100 stipend each: Gwen Terry, Mary Comitale, Ida May Neary, Irene Sylvester.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Mark Bell as voting machine inspector for the December 10, 2019 capital construction vote; $300 stipend.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following SEQRA resolution with attachment:
RESOLUTION DATED OCTOBER 17, 2019 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT DETERMINING A CERTAIN CAPITAL PROJECT WILL NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT PURSUANT TO THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT
WHEREAS, the Waterford Union Free School District (the “School District”) has before it a proposed capital project (the “Project”) consisting of: (1)(a) renovations to its existing K-12 school building, window and door replacement, masonry repair/repointing, interior renovations (including floor, wall, ceiling finishes upgrades/replacements and, room reconfiguration), upgrades to existing mechanical (including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, control systems ductwork and chiller plant), plumbing (including plumbing fixture replacement and related piping) and electrical systems (including electrical distribution, lighting, communication systems and fire alarms systems), parking lot reconstruction, parking lot lighting upgrades and related asbestos abatement; and (b) renovations and reconstruction of the existing athletic fields, including existing asphaltic track and inner athletic field located at its existing K-12 school building campus, including regrading of the surrounding grade, reconstruction of the 6 lane track to accommodate a 70 yard wide soccer field of synthetic turf including underdrainage, retaining wall, fencing, storm water management, related equipment and utilities for future lighting and communications, at a maximum estimated cost of $15,185,000; (2) the expenditure of such sum for such purpose; (3) levying the necessary tax therefore, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid; and (5) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, the issuance of bonds and notes of the School District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $15,185,000, and levying a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York, as amended, and the regulations of the Department of Environmental Conservation of the State of New York promulgated thereunder (collectively referred to hereinafter as “SEQRA”), the School District is required to make a determination whether the “action” (as said quoted term is defined in SEQRA) to be taken by the School District may have a “significant impact on the environment” (as said quoted term is utilized in SEQRA) and the preliminary agreement of the School District to undertake the Project constitutes such an action; and
WHEREAS, to aid the School District in determining whether undertaking the Project may have a significant impact upon the environment, a Short-Form Environmental Assessment Form (the “EAF”) has been prepared for the Project, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, with a copy of the EAF on file at the office of the School District; and
WHEREAS, the School District has examined the EAF in order to classify the Project as an Unlisted action; and
WHEREAS, the School District has undertaken a coordinated SEQRA review of the Project; and
WHEREAS, As a result of its careful review and examination of the Project and associated documentation, the School District finds that, on balance and after careful consideration of all relevant documentation, it has adequate information to evaluate all of the relevant benefits and potential impacts; and
WHEREAS, the Project has not been approved;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the members of the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District as follows:
(1)
Based upon an examination of the EAF and the criteria contained in 6 NYCRR §617.7©, and based further upon the School District’s knowledge of the Project and Project area, and such further investigation of the Project and its environmental impacts as the School District has deemed appropriate, the School District makes the following findings and determinations with respect to the Project pursuant to SEQRA:
(A)
The Project consists of the components described above in the first WHEREAS clause of this resolution; and
(B)
The Project constitutes an “Unlisted Action” (as said quoted term is defined in SEQRA), as previously determined by the School District; and
C)
The School District designated itself “Lead Agency” (as said term is defined in SEQRA) with respect to a coordinated review of the Project pursuant to SEQRA; and
(D)
The School District has engaged in a thorough environmental review of the Project; and
(E)
The Project will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, and the School District has prepared a Negative Declaration with respect to the Project, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, which shall be filed in the office of the District in a file that is readily accessible to the public; and
(2)
This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following resolution authorizing propositions to be presented to the voters at a special district meeting:
RESOLUTION DATED OCTOBER 17, 2019 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING PROPOSITIONS TO BE PRESENTED TO THE VOTERS AT A SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT that a special meeting of the qualified voters of the School District be and the same is hereby called to be held in the Auditorium Lobby of the Waterford-Halfmoon School, 125 Middletown Road, Waterford, New York on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting on the following propositions:
PROPOSITION #1
SHALL the Board of Education be authorized to (1) renovate and reconstruct the K-12 school building, including site work thereat, acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which building, is to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $9,890,000, (2) expend such sum for such purpose, (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received, and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $9,890,000 and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
PROPOSITION #2
If Proposition #1 is approved by the voters, shall the Board of Education be authorized to (1) renovate and reconstruct the existing athletic fields and facilities, acquire original equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which athletic fields and facilities are to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $5,295,000, (2) expend such sum for such purpose, (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received, and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $5,295,000 and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
The vote upon such propositions shall be by ballot registered upon voting machines. The hours during which the polls shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. prevailing time or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 8:00 p.m. to cast their ballots.
Personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he/she is eligible to vote at this vote; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he/she is also eligible to vote at this vote. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law at the office of the District Clerk at the Waterford-Halfmoon School, on Monday, December 2, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. prevailing time to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid vote, at which time any person will be entitled to have their name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, including Saturday, December 7, 2019 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., prevailing time, and the day set for the vote. The Register will not be available for review on Sunday, December 8, 2019.
Absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the School District Clerk. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on or prior to December 9, 2019 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on December 10, 2019. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the School District Clerk from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on each business day prior to the day of the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making the challenge and reasons therefor known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a notice of such meeting in two newspapers of general circulation within the District, four (4) times within the seven (7) weeks next preceding such District meeting, the first publication to be at least forty-five (45) days prior to the date of the meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution takes effect immediately.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following legal notice:
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the qualified voters of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District (the “School District”) be and the same is hereby called to be held in the Auditorium Lobby of the Waterford-Halfmoon School, 125 Middletown Road, Waterford, New York on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting on the following propositions:
PROPOSITION #1
SHALL the Board of Education be authorized to (1) renovate and reconstruct the K-12 school building, including site work thereat, acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which building, is to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $9,890,000, (2) expend such sum for such purpose, (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received, and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $9,890,000 and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
PROPOSITION #2
If Proposition #1 is approved by the voters, shall the Board of Education be authorized to (1) renovate and reconstruct the existing athletic fields and facilities, acquire original equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which athletic fields and facilities are to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $5,295,000, (2) expend such sum for such purpose, (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received, and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $5,295,000 and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
The vote upon such propositions shall be by ballot registered upon voting machines. The hours during which the polls shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. prevailing time or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 8:00 p.m. to cast their ballots.
Personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law or pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law and has voted at an annual or special district meeting within the last four (4) calendar years, he/she is eligible to vote at this vote; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote under Article 5 of the Election Law, he/she is also eligible to vote at this vote. All other persons who wish to vote must register.
The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law at the at the office of the District Clerk at the Waterford-Halfmoon School, on Monday, December 2, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. prevailing time to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid vote, at which time any person will be entitled to have their name placed on such Register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the register is prepared. The register so prepared pursuant to §2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the election, including Saturday, December 7, 2019 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., prevailing time, and the day set for the vote. The Register will not be available for review on Sunday, December 8, 2019.
Absentee ballots may be applied for at the office of the School District Clerk. Applications for absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk at least seven days prior to the vote if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or on or prior to December 9, 2019 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on December 10, 2019. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the School District Clerk from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. prevailing time on each business day prior to the day of the election. Any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making the challenge and reasons therefor known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. By order of the School District Clerk
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending September 30, 2019.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the following warrants:
School Lunch #5 for $8,203.70
General Fund #25 for $358,525.12
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the appointment of Maryann Martel as substitute food service worker for the 2019 - 2020 school year; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Wayne Bowmanchester as Teaching Assistant effective October 28, 2019; salary per the CSEA contract; pending fingerprint approval.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Briana Maisenbacher as Teaching Assistant effective November 4, 2019; salary per the CSEA contract; pending fingerprint approval.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board approved the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION AS FOLLOWS:
1.
The firm of BCA Architects & Engineers is hereby designated as provider of architectural services for the proposed Phase 2 Capital Project.
2.
Said firm shall be compensated for its services to be rendered in connection with developing the scope of the project and pre-referendum services in accordance with its proposed letter dated May 14, 2019.
3.
The President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized to execute and deliver said proposal letter.
4.
This resolution shall take effect immediately.
On motion by Mrs. Dehler, seconded by Mr. Lee and by a vote of 7 - 0, the Board went into executive session at 7:42pm to discuss a personnel matter. They returned to regular session at 9:00pm and adjourned.
Julie Caulkins
District Clerk