The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education met for a Board Informational Workshop at 6:00pm. The Board went into Executive Session at 6:09pm and ended at 6:56pm.
The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Regular Meeting dated September 17, 2020 was called to order at 7:01 by Mrs. Ricci.
Present: (in person) Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Jack Catanzarita, Denise Carutasu, Carolyn Bell, Jamie Maloney
Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, and Joel Richardson
Also Present: (via Webex) Ken Williams, Karen Coffrin, Elizabeth, June Pakatar, unknown name#1, unknown name #2, Quency Rene, Kris Palmer, Amy, Crystal Rich
Absent: Tammi Dehler
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Richardson wished to express his appreciation to one of our subs, Scott O’Reilly, for stepping up and filling in at the last minute for the month of September to cover an unexpected absence in our faculty. Despite all of the hurdles, Mr. O’Reilly did a commendable job and Mr. Richardson wished to acknowledge the District’s appreciation. Mr. Richardson mentioned a long term sub would be recommended for approval at the meeting that evening to cover the remaining absence, and was looking forward to a successful transition for our students. Lastly, Mr. Richardson enthusiastically acknowledged that we had officially survived the month of September, and that while in-person teaching was always preferred, the live streaming aspect of our current plan is coming together and improving as time passes.
Mr. Pomerville made the following remarks:
1. On the regular agenda for this evening I would like to request that you table the motion to appoint Karen Coffrin as a TA in the high school for the long term substitute position. With the recent retirement announcement of Joe Jasiewicz, she is interested in applying for that permanent position.
2. On tonight’s addendum agenda, please add the appointment of Kenneth Getsch as a long term substitute 7-12 technology teacher to fill the position held by David Mosher who is out on medical leave.
3. Health Screening Application progress: sent out information yesterday, posted on the website, Jason Davis monitoring and supporting families signing up for the app. We hope to begin monitoring data on Monday, assisting families that haven’t signed up yet and goal to be having consistent daily monitoring by the end of next week. 144 apps submitted as of 2:30 today.
4. I’m looking into finding a resource through NYSSBA for some Board of Education professional development either in November or December. Could be a workshop session format. More to come.
5. Due to unforeseen circumstances with our current interim Director, we are seeking an interim Dir. Of Facilities to start as soon as possible.
6. In my cover letter for the Board packet for this meeting I gave you information regarding the status of the legal costs that we are sharing with the Town of Waterford for legal representation in defending the tax certiorari with Momentive. At previous sessions, the Board has approved splitting the cost equally with the Town of Waterford up to the amount of $250,000. This means as a District we are only authorized to pay out up to that $250,000. Our most recent and I believe last bill from the Town is requesting an additional $45,992.03 above our $250,000 threshold. I contacted Supervisor Lawler and gave him this information. He noted that they would be sending us correspondence requesting the additional amount. To date, I haven’t received anything but should have something for the Board to make a motion on at the October 15th meeting.
7. The NYSDOH held a webinar today for all NYS medical providers which included our school nurses. They were provided with updated information regarding COVID-19 guidelines on protocols for working with employees and families of students. The updated guidelines note that if an employee or a student who is at home and has one or more of the COVID-19 related symptoms they should not go to school and should see their Health Care Provider for either a COVID-19 test or a HCP diagnosis of a known chronic condition with unchanged symptoms or a confirmed acute illness AND COVOD-19 is not suspected. For the employee or the student to return to school the district will require a note from the HCP explaining the alternate diagnosis which will be required to return to school, or a negative COVID-19 test. I will be meeting with our nurses tomorrow to finalize our protocols to make sure we are consistent with our protocols. Each of you as BOE members have been given the NYDOH guidelines.
8. We will now have some financial updates from Rachel Schwendinger
Ms. Schwendinger wished to explain the Budget Transfer over $10,000 that had been added to the Addendum to the Agenda for the Board Meeting. She explained that the purpose of the transfer was to make the agreed refund to Momentive in our tax certiorari case we settled with them. Fortunately, the District had sufficient funds in the tax certiorari reserve to prevent further impact to the taxpayers. The district was also able to defer the final $300,000 until next year to fully settle the refund amount, and more information would follow in a letter later in the fiscal year to explain the status of this to the taxpayers.
First Reading: Policy #3520 Extraordinary Circumstances
Policy #6570 Remote Working
Policy #7150 Remote Learning
ACTION
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the minutes of the September 17, 2020 Board Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the following Warrants and Corresponding Claims Audits
- General Fund 15 for $127,559.25
- Capital Fund 4 for $10,436.25
- Special Aid 4 for $7,494.40
- School Lunch 3 for $1,436.35
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Reports ending for July 2020 and August 2020
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the Extra Classroom Reports ending July 2020 and August 2020
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 9/11/2020, 9/15/2020, 9/16/2020
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the following elementary substitute teachers for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay: Aimee Becker, Stephanie Bernard, Nicholas Genau, Thomas Hunter, Taylor Jarosz, Michael LaCouture, Nicole Lanni, Arti Maurya, Amanda Morris, Erica Palmer, Samuel Salvagni, Carline Smith
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Stacy Sabatino as Food Service Worker effective September 10, 2020
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board tabled the temporary appointment of Karen Coffrin as a Teacher Aide in the High School for a long term substitute position; no later than January 29, 2020
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the Budget Transfer in excess of $10,000
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the probationary and provisional appointment of Susan Sodano, as Senior Typist, Office of Student Support Services, effective October 19, 2020 pending successful completion of Saratoga County Civil Service Requirements and fingerprinting; salary per the CSEA Contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Kyrstin Messier as Teaching Assistant effective October 5, 2020 until October 5, 2024; 6 hours per day; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Joseph A. Jasiewicz, Teaching Assistant, for the purpose of retirement effective October 1, 2020 after 18 years of service to the District.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Cathy Baker, Food Service Worker effective September 29, 2020.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the appointment of Kenneth Getsch as a long term substitute 7-12 technology teacher to fill the position held by David Mosher who is out on a medical leave. Mr. Getsch’s appointment will be effective Friday, October 2, 2020 and is intended to continue until Mr. Mosher’s return. No term of employment is conferred by this resolution of appointment and Mr. Getsch’s employment may be terminated at any time. Salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
COMMENTS
Mr. Kenneth Williams wanted to acknowledge the retirement of Mr. Jasiewicz by stating what a pleasure it was to work alongside such a wonderful man that cared deeply about his students and coworkers all of these years, and his presence will be greatly missed by the District.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board moved to adjourn at 7:22pm.
Donna Cramer
District Clerk