The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Regular Meeting dated June 9, 2020 was called to order at 7:19pm by Mr. Lee
PRESENT: (In person) David Lee, Tammi Dehler, Jamie Maloney, Jack Catanzarita, Denise Carutasu, Carolyn Bell
ALSO PRESENT: (In person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, Joel Richardson, Christopher Scanlan, Michael Robbins, Jennifer Bull
ALSO PRESENT: (via Webex) Joseph Siracuse, Donna Cramer, Christina Falasco, Amy Catanzarita, Kory Galuski, one unidentified call-in user
ABSENT: Marcia Ricci
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Scanlan reviewed plans for WHHS graduation on July 12, 2020 at Mechanicville School District outdoor field. In order to observe NYS mandated COVID 19 protocol, the ceremony has been divided into two ceremonies. Mr. Scanlan thanked Mr. Pomerville and Ms. Schwendinger for help with summer school. There are 15 students participating with online learning.
Mrs. Bull reported summer school started this week and has gone well. Students and staff are happy to be back in the building. Interviews will be held next week to fill the special education teacher position in the elementary school
Mr. Richardson and Mr. Scanlan have planned a modified 2019 - 2020 High School Awards ceremony with public announcements and mailed certificates.
Mr. Siracuse announced that Kindergarten screening letters went home to parents. Screening dates are August 17, 18 and 19. Parents were notified to observe quarantine protocol if they have been out of state in the last two weeks and to reschedule their child’s screening. Parent input letters were sent home to address specific students needs for 2020 - 2021. Summer school started with 16 students. Bringing some children back into the building during the summer will give the administration an idea what school might look like in the fall. Faculty are wearing masks. Mr. Elliott made plexi-glass shields and some students are working remotely from home. During this first week of summer school, adjustments have been made to improve virtual learning.
Mr. Pomerville is following recent guidance from the Governor’s Office regarding plans to re-open school in the fall. More information will follow on July 13, 2020 from the New York State Education Department On July 31st plans must be submitted to NYS Education Department. A decision from the Governor’s Office will be issued by August 7, 2020. Mr. Pomerville will be meeting with the administrators through this process. Mr. Pomerville will form a committee of faculty, CSEA members, nurses and others including any interested Board members. They will meet on July 21st at 11:30. Mrs. Maloney said she will be available to meet.
Several options for the re-opening of school have been discussed: remote learning, in-person learning with physical distancing guidelines, and full return with safety protocols. The guidance received on July 13th will give the district more information. Together with the committee, Mr. Pomerville will have a plan to submit to NYS Education Department.
Mr. Pomerville said that talks with Momentive continue to be productive on the tax certiorari issue. The trial date has been moved to November if an agreement cannot be reached.
Mr. Pomerville proposed dates for the Board retreat to develop 2020 - 2021 goals. The Board agreed on August 20th beginning at 2:30pm, prior to the regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting.
Presentation: Review of Athletic Strategic Plan, Mr. Robbins
See attached Mrs. Carutasu asked about athlete participation and the difference between team sports and individual sports. Mrs. Carutasu also asked about coaching retention and how it was determined for the presentation. Mr. Robbins explained that coaches who were promoted within the same sport were not counted as a new hire. Coaches who move to a different sport or who are hired in an additional coaching area different from their current coaching area are considered a new hire.
ACTION
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the June 18, 2020 Board of Education Meeting.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
Capital Fund #24 for $34,470.40
Capital Fund #23 for $7,982.40
General Fund #79 for $113,556.85
School Lunch #21 for $15.93
Special Aid #28 for $2,000
School Lunch #20 for $664.35
General Fund #77 for $133,329.18
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit ending June 2020.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of the following substitute teachers and or teacher aides for the 2020 summer school session; salary per the WTA or CSEA contract.
Todd Hayes
Lisa Hackel
Hollie Russo
Darcy Pogue
Jessica Sorensen
Heidi Donaldson
Allie Hornung
Wayne Bowmanchester
Nicole Spulnick
Melissa Millington
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Joel Richardson as Data Privacy Officer for the 2020 - 2021 school year with a stipend of $4,000.
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 4/23/2020, 5/19/2020, 5/27/2020, 5/28/2020, 5/29/2020, 6/2/2020, 6/3/2020, 6/11/2020.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the School District Legal Counsel Agreement between the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and Girvin and Ferlazzo, PC for 2020-2021 legal services dated July 9, 2020
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board declared as surplus 80 cases of 2-ply bathroom tissue to be sold. Mrs. Carutasu asked why the district has such a large amount. It was determined to be a mistake with the original order.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools is preferring disciplinary charges pursuant to Civil Service Law Section 75 against Employee ID 783, an employee of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District desires to exercise its authority to appoint a hearing officer to hear this matter and return a report and recommendation to it concerning the proceeding.
IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that Brian Devane is appointed as Hearing Officer in a certain matter involving disciplinary charges involving Employee ID 783, an employee of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District. Hearing Officer Devane is directed to conduct the hearing and return his report and recommendations in accordance with Civil Service Law Section 75.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved a health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the East Greenbush CSD for one student in the amount of $777.11.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the WSWHE BOCES Final Service Contract for the 2020-2021 school year.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Christina Falasco, Special Education Teacher, effective September 1, 2020 through September 1, 2024; salary per the WTA contract on Step 5MS39; NYS Initial Certification Student with Disabilities, Grades 7-12, Generalist. Mr. Pomerville and the Board offered their congratulations to Ms. Falasco.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the final request by Mrs. MacDougall for a field trip to Boston in May 2021. On February 12, 2020 the Board approved her final request for a student trip to Boston originally scheduled for May 2020. Mrs. MacDougall would now like to move that date to May 2021 pending consideration of world health concerns.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of Donna Cramer as Senior Typist in the HS Guidance Office effective July 9, 2020.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Donna Cramer as District Clerk/Confidential Secretary to the Superintendent effective July 10, 2020 through July 10, 2021; prorated salary of $52,000; sixteen sick days, three personal days and ten vacation days to be prorated; other benefits per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and the CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Local 864 dated June 30, 2020.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved Budget Transfers in excess of $1,000.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointments of the following 2020 summer high school teachers; salary per the WTA contract:
Ann Dobert, Math
Paul Gervasio, Social Studies
Jodie Gurka, ELA
Allie Hornung, Science
Melissa Millington, Special Education
Meghan Reynolds, Physical Education
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Brandy Gagliardi as 2020 summer program on-call school nurse, effective July 9, 2020. Salary per CSEA contract.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Agreement for Consultant Services between Cynthia Holmes, Workplace Safety Consulting, LLC, and the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District for the 2020-2021 school year, and approves compensation thereunder as set forth in the stipulations of the 2020-2021 contract.
COMMENTS from the Board of Education, residents and staff
Mrs. Amy Catanzarita and Mr. Kory Galuski initiated a conversation about the creation of a parent forum to discuss re-opening plans as they pertain to the COVID 19 pandemic. Mr. Pomerville said he is following the framework from WSWHE BOCES to use a guideline with his re-opening plans which will include communication with the public. Topics will include transportation, cafeteria, and academics.
Plans for athletics will also be discussed but it is not known if athletics will be included in the official plan to be submitted to the state. Mr. Robbins, Athletic Director, has been in contact with other districts and many options have been discussed. The athletic association is also waiting on guidelines and direction from New York State and will be bound by the Governor’s decision.
Mr. Pomerville had previously submitted plans for meal delivery, daycare and continuity of education for the remainder of the 2019 - 2020 school year. Those plans were specific to our district. Mr. Pomerville will be working with neighboring school districts of similar size and sharing information and ideas on re-opening plans for 2020 - 2021.
Mrs. Catanzarita asked about air filtration in the building. Mr. Pomerville has had conversations on that subject. The filters in all of the districts unit ventilators are replaced twice a year. It is unknown if the filters meet the specifications for the current situation. Mr. Galuski mentioned HEPA filters. Mr. Pomerville said if HEPA filters are going to be required then the district will work with the professionals on specifications and installation. If it is not required the district will have to balance recommendations and costs.
Mr. Galuski thanked Mr. Pomerville and the Board for their work during this pandemic and recognized their efforts. Mr. Pomerville thanked Mr. Galuski noting that good questions were raised and said there is a lot of work ahead.
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 8:00pm to discuss negotiations. They returned to regular session at 9:10pm and adjourned.
Julie Caulkins
Acting District Clerk