The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting and Budget Hearing dated May 20, 2021 was called to order at 7:01pm by Mrs. Ricci who then led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Denise Carutasu, Jamie Maloney, Carolyn Bell
Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Ingalsbe, Joel Richardson, Joseph Siracuse, Jennifer Bull
Also Present: (via WebEx) Jack Catanzarita
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Richardson reported the following:
- Mr. Richardson thanked the Board for their hard work putting together the school budget and their support of the students, faculty and staff of the District. He also congratulated the re-elected members, Marcia Ricci and Carolyn Bell as well as our new member Stephanie Gilbert. Lastly, Mr. Richardson thanked the community for their support in passing the school budget.
- NYS Math 3-8 assessments were completed last week. The ELA assessments are also complete and the Science assessments for grades four and eight will be administered in June as well as the NYS Regents exams.
- On June 10th the Cohoes-Waterford Elks invited the eight students in fifth and eighth grades to read their winning essays at the Elks annual Flag Day ceremony. Everyone is happy to have this tradition brought back this year.
Mr. Siracuse reported the following:
- Mr. Siracuse stated his appreciation to the Board for their work on the Budget, the community for approving it, and congratulated the candidates that were newly elected to the Board.
- Our second grade student Deegan, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this school year, is doing much better and is at home. The final amount raised for Ronald McDonald House in his honor reached $6209, and far exceeded the goal set. To celebrate this milestone, several students will be creating a sundae on Mr. Siracuse’s head to the delight of the entire elementary school, followed by opportunities for students to dunk Mr. Siracuse as well as other faculty and staff in a Dunk Tank. Everyone is hoping Deegan will be able to attend the festivities.
- The Sixth grade Moving Up Dinner at Lanthier’s Grove has been rescheduled to Tuesday, June 22, 2021 due to a scheduling conflict.
- A tree will be planted in remembrance of Connor White, second grader, whom we lost earlier this year in a tragic house fire. Plans are being made to dedicate a bench to all of the students we have lost over the years. On June 17, 2021, a celebration of Connor’s life will be hosted by Mrs. Buffaline’s class and attended by Connor’s mother and brother.
Ms. Bull reported the following:
- Ms. Bull wanted to add that Mrs. Buffaline, Ms. Messier, Ms. Strubel and Ms. Perotte have done an amazing job supporting their students during these difficult circumstances with Connor and Deegan.
- Mrs. Gervasio has done a wonderful job working with the CDOS students in finding them jobs to do here at school so they can work on their skills since they were unable to participate in outside job training. Ms. Bull thanked all of the faculty and staff that participated in this program and worked with the students.
Mr. Pomerville reported the following:
- The District is pleased that the 2021-2022 School Budget passed and congratulations to our returning Board members, Marcia Ricci and Carolyn Bell, as well as our new member Stephanie Gilbert. This budget’s passing percentage was not as high as in previous years, and this may be attributed to the impact of the Momentive Tax Certiorari settlement. The District is grateful the budget passed and will be able to move forward to provide the support needed for our students.
- The District is waiting on guidance from NYS for the 2021-2022 school year. Hopefully social distancing will be relaxed from six feet to three feet and we will be able to have all of our students back in person. It has not been decided at this time if virtual instruction will be an option for the upcoming school year. Mr. Pomerville will be convening a reopening committee again this summer to revise the reopening plan based on any updated guidance received from the state. The committee will again consist of administration, faculty, staff, board members and parents.
- COVID-19 update: There is one elementary student who tested positive this week with additional classmates being placed on precautionary quarantine. One high school student has tested positive, but was already on precautionary quarantine, so there was no impact on the high school. One staff member is currently on precautionary quarantine.
- Universal Pre-K update: The District is making progress towards implementing a Universal Pre-K for 2021-2022. Mr. Siracuse, Mrs. Ingalsbe and Mr. Pomerville will present a plan at the June 3, 2021 Board meeting. The goal is to open our doors on the new program this September.
- The addendum contains an approval for the job description for Elementary and Secondary Substitute Coordinators, as well as the MOA with the CSEA that supports these positions.
- Plans are moving ahead for the Top Ten Awards dinner on June 8, 2021.
- Mr. Pomerville shared a thank you note from Mr. Joe Jasiewicz, retired High School Teaching Assistant for his retirement blanket and comments regarding his experiences here at Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD.
Mrs. Ingalsbe reported on the following:
- The District is pursuing a Summer Food Program to provide free meals for students over the summer. The plan is to serve five days of meals once a week. Meals will go home with students participating in summer school as well as setting up school busses throughout the community for pick up.
- Mrs. Ingalsbe provided the Board with information on setting up a Fund Balance and Reserve Plan for Workers Compensation, Unemployment, and Health Insurance. She will be asking the Board to approve these plans at an upcoming meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the minutes from the May 6, 2021 Regular Board Meeting and Budget Hearing.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Warrants and Corresponding Audits
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending April 2021
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Appropriations Report ending April 2021
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Revenue Report ending April 2021
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Extra Classroom Report ending April 2021
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the East Greenbush Central School District for one student in the amount of $871.95.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the the health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the Lansingburgh Central School District for fourteen students in the amount of $9,057.02
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the the appointment of Kyrstin Messier as Modified Softball Coach, and rescind the appointment as JV Softball Coach for the 2020-2021 Spring Athletic season; salary per the WTA contract paid on a prorated basis as determined by the actual percentage of the season coached.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the surplus of the following car seats to be disposed of; Fisher Price 1993, Safety First 2010, (2) Cosco 2010, and Cosco 2012.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Marilyn Carson, Bus Driver, upon successful completion of her probationary period effective; May 16, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Daniel Carson, Bus Driver, upon successful completion of his probationary period; effective June 1, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the Budget Transfers 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 following 2020-2021 year end activity and club reports:
- Elementary Student Government
- Arts in Education
- Class of 2021
- National Honor Society
- Yearbook Club, Financial
- MasterMinds
- Class of 2022
- Class of 2023
- National Junior Honor Society
- Elementary Yearbook Club
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the following club and activity advisors for the 2021-2022 school year:
o Jaimi Finley, Class of 2022 and Class of 2023
- Hollie Russo, Arts in Education
- Jodi Ancin and Nicole Spulnick, National Honor Society
- Jodi Ancin, Financial Advisor, High School Yearbook Club
- Paul Ferrara, MasterMinds
- Susan Buffaline, Erin McBride, and Patrice King, Elementary Student Government
- Nancy Houle and Susan Brophy, National Junior Honor Society
- Annemarie Strife, Elementary Yearbook Club
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the following club and activity advisors for the 2021-2022 school year:
- Kim Klimes, Co-Advisor for Class of 2025
- Kristina Oliver, Co-Advisor for Class of 2025
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the appointment of John Murphy as Substitute Custodian for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the CSEA contract; pending fingerprint approval.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board accept the results of the May 18, 2021 District Budget Vote and Board of Education Election:
- Total number of votes cast: 254
- 2021-2022 District Budget in the amount of $20,791,576
- Approved 144 yes; 105 no
- Five Ballots submitted with no vote cast
- Carolyn Bell; 184 votes; elected to a three year term beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024
- Stephanie Gilbert; 178 votes; elected to a three year term beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024
- Marcia Ricci; 151 votes; elected to a one year term; beginning July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the following Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District (“District”) hereby creates the stipend positions of Elementary Substitute Coordinator and High School Substitute Coordinator, effective July 1, 2021.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the District and the CSEA, authorizing the terms and conditions associated with such stipend positions,m directs the Superintendent to execute the Agreement, and authorizes the payment of monies therein.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Kimberly Thomas as Hall Monitor upon successful completion of her probationary period effective June 1, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board approved the 2020-2021 year end club report for Drama Club.
COMMENTS
- Mrs. Carutasu asked for an update on the end of the year activities. Mr. Pomerville responded that there would be one graduation ceremony in the Auditorium on June 24, 2021 at 5pm with two guests per graduate. No testing or vaccination would be required to attend. Prom will take place on June 5, 2021. Any students that are not completely vaccinated will need to complete a rapid COVID-19 test provided by Adirondack Health and Wellness the morning of prom. The Promenade will take place at the High School, but will be for students only, and therefore will be live streamed for family and friends to watch online. Awards Night presentations will be made virtual via pre-recorded video presentations from each department as well as school awards being presented by Mr. Scanlan and Mr. Richardson, similar to last year.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0 the Board went into executive session at 7:31 to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to regular session at 8:00pm and adjourned.
Donna Cramer
District Clerk