The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Budget Hearing held Thursday, May 9, 2019 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.
PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Carolyn Bell, David Lee
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Natalie Kosar, Michael Kosar
ABSENT: Jamie Maloney, Tammi Dehler, Jack Catanzarita (8:00pm), Kory Galuski (8:00pm)
Mr. Pomerville reviewed the 2019 - 2020 school district budget, Board of Education candidates, and voting details. The budget and two BOE candidates, Mrs. Denise Carutasu and Mrs. Tammi Dehler, will be presented to the community for vote on May 21, 2019 in the school auditorium lobby from 12:00pm - 8:00pm. (See website for entire presentation.)
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The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education regular meeting held Thursday, May 9, 2019 was called to order at 8:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.
PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Carolyn Bell, David Lee, Kory Galuski, Jack Cantanzarita
ABSENT: Jamie Maloney, Tammi Dehler
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Joseph Siracuse, Natalie Kosar, Michael Kosar, Noreen Gervasio, Paul Gervasio, Mr. and Mrs. Holl
There were no comments from residents and staff regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Siracuse reported on Mrs. Ricci’s elementary music program and the special appearance today of the SPAC Spring Quartet who performed classical, classic rock and pop music for our students. Spectacular performances!
The YMCA is running their summer youth program again this year with 25 spots set aside for WHES students. The program has expanded this year to include the purchase of backpacks, supplies and clothing for up to 15 of our students. Members of our WHHS girls soccer team will be working with the students in this endeavor.
DARE graduation will be held next week. Testing is finishing up in the elementary.
Mr. Pomerville reported on the tax certiorari issue with Momentive. The current scheduling order required preliminary appraisal reports to be exchanged by April 30, 2019. On April 12, 2019 counsel for all parties met and agreed to move the date for the exchange of preliminary appraisals from April 30, 2019 to June 15, 2019.
Dennis Brobston, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, contacted the district in regard to a request for Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). SMP Group, Inc.-The Shaker Group proposes the purchase, renovation and expansion of an existing industrial facility on Hudson River Road, Waterford, NY for a total cost of $4,977,200. The company will move 63 jobs to the location and will add 12 jobs over the next three years. The IDA is requested to provide a 10 year (5 & 5) Commercial Service/Warehouse PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage tax exemptions. These benefits total $417,931 over the ten year period. In general a PILOT is a cooperative agreement between companies and municipalities, including school districts, to spur growth, with minimal tax impact, for a specific period of time.
Mr. Pomerville shared with the Board a copy of the straw poll that will be conducted on the day of the budget vote. This voluntary and anonymous survey is intended to gauge community support for future capital projects. The Board will use this information to plan for a potential new Phase 2 Capital Project.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 18, 2019 Board of Education meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 30, 2019 Board of Education meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants; the CASDA bill was for the cost of a professional development day presenter.
School Lunch #23 for $1,341.95
General Fund #116 for $253.64
Special Aid #35 for $2,564.85
General Fund #115 for $331,218.23
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accepted the following donations and increased appropriations for a total amount of $7,554.00:
$100 REAAL, Inc. (McDonald’s) donation for Point Break
$250 Mohawk Paper donation for Point Break
$800 WH PTO donation for Point Break
$100 Bernier, Carr & Associates donation for Point Break
$100 Extra Classroom/SGA donation for Point Break
$204 Hannaford donation
$1,000 Cohoes-Waterford Elks donation
$5,000 NYS Grant
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following resolution; (This resolution will be approved prior to SED approval for the construction of the dugout pads);
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District (Board) is considering to undertake the construction of Softball and Baseball Dugouts project at the existing Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School Campus (“the project”); and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to fully comply with its obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and the regulations thereunder with respect to the proposed action; and
WHEREAS, the Board has carefully considered the nature and scope of the proposed action; and
WHEREAS, upon review of the foregoing, the Board makes the following determinations:
1. The proposed action involves the construction of two (2) softball dugouts (SED Project N. 51-21-01-03-7-014-001) at approximately 360 sf each and two (2) baseball dugouts (SED Project N. 51-21-01-03-7-15-001) at approximately 480 sf on the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Campus.
2. The proposed project represents the construction of four small structures which is a ground disturbance of less than 10 acres on a parcel of land previously disturbed by the construction of the existing school facilities and school athletic facilities. These four (4) structures are minor structures and represent no substantial change of the activities on the school campus; and these four (4) dugouts are accessory to the existing facility and expand the existing built facilities on the campus by less than 4,000 square feet as described in 6NYCRR 617.5(©) (9); and/or alternatively a routine activity of an educational institution, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5(©) (8)
3. The proposed action will in no case have a significant adverse impact based on the environment based on the criteria contained in 6 NYCRR 617.7(©), and is not otherwise a Type I action as defined by 6 NYCRR 617.4
4. The proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and is therefore not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.
5. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board finds and concludes that the proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and therefore is not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.
6. The District is hereby authorized to undertake the necessary work as described above and to accept the funding from the Athletic Booster Club and Parent-Teacher Organization for the construction of the four (4) dugouts. The Project will be financed by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD Athletic Booster Club and Parent-Teacher Organization as approved by the Board of Education on May 9, 2019.
7. The Superintendent of Schools and all officers and authorized employees of the District are hereby authorized and directed to take all steps reasonably necessary or appropriate to complete the Project and to carry out the intent of his Resolution.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board finds and concludes that the proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and therefore is not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following construction change order:
• #1-007 in the amount of $243,503.21; Contract No. 1 - General Construction; Bast Hatfield Construction, LLC; for labor, material and equipment to provide auditorium entrance canopy.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the tenure appointment of Natalie Kosar, Spanish 7-12 Teacher; upon successful completion of her probationary appointment effective September 1, 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the tenure appointment of Noreen Gervasio, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, upon successful completion of her probationary period effective September 1, 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointments of the following elementary substitute teachers: Jonathan Desso, Neil Epstein, Zachary Ferrara, Joseph O’Connor, Joaquin Bernal, Danielle Clements, Margaret Hall; salary per the Policy on Substitute Teacher Pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Carol Crucetti as a substitute nurse for the 2018 - 2019 school year; salary per the CSEA contract.
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/19/2019, 4/11/2019, 4/15/2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following health service contracts for students attending St. Mary’s school from other districts, in the total amount of $117,659.33; (This is money our district will collect from other districts for the cost of student services at St. Mary’s School)
• Ballston Spa School District $ 846.47
• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 1,692.94
∙ Cohoes School District 9,311.17
• Green Island School District 3,385.88
• Hoosic Valley School District 2,539.41
• Lansingburgh School District 32,165.86
• Mechanicville School District 9,311.17
• North Colonie School District 846.47
• Shenendehowa School District 49,941.73
• Troy School District 4,232.35
• Watervliet School District 3,385.88
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following curriculum development proposals for the Spring of 2019; salary per the WTA contract:
• Hollie Russo; Social Studies 6; Science 5; 3.5 hours
• Jessica Johnson, Todd Hayes, Jennifer Dorgan; Literacy; ELA Models/Next Gen Standards; 3.5 hours each
• Kate Beidl; Literacy, K-6 Social Studies & Science; 3.5 hours
• Theresa Tremblay; Literacy, Grade 4 Social Studies & Science; 3.5 hours
• Jill Taschetti; Literacy, Social Studies & Science; 3.5 hours
• Patrice King; Numeracy; Next Gen Math Standards; 3.5 hours
• Darcy Pogue, Jessica Sorensen; Literacy, Science & Social Studies; 3.5 hours each
• Alison Radliff, Susanne Pantea; Social Studies; 3.5 hours each
• Annemarie Strife; Science; Grade 6-8 Next Gen Science Standards; 4.5 hours
• Patrick Parker & Danielle Cassin; Numeracy; Math 8 Next Gen Standards; 4.5 hours each
• Ann Dobert; Literacy; Numeracy; Statistics and College Algebra; 4.5 hours
• Jeff Stein, Paul Ferrara, Paul Gervasio, Andrew Wein; Literacy; Aligning Curriculum; 4.5 hours each
• Lee Milikofsky, Laura Clothier; Science; 6-8 Next Gen Science Standards; 4.5 hours each
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board amended the current Policy on Substitute Teacher Pay to increase the daily rate for certified teachers from $95 to $100 per day; effective May 10, 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
• Special Aid #36 for $257.27
• School Lunch #24 for $5,139.55
• General Fund #118 for $133,330.14
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following 2018 - 2019 calendar changes:
• Monday, June 24, 2019: Half-day for students in grades K - 6
• Tuesday, June 25, 2019: Half-day for students in grades K - 6 (last day for students and 10 month employees); HAZCOM training at 1:30pm.
• Wednesday, June 26, 2019: No students; faculty will report for their last day; end-of year assembly at 9:00am; graduation rehearsal 10:30am
• Thursday, June 27, 2019: Graduation at 5:00pm.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accepted the following 2018 - 2019 year-end club and activity reports:
• Fordian Yearbook, Financial; Jodi Ancin
• National Honor Society; Jodi Acin and Nicole Spulnick
• HS Art Club; Meghan Mercier
• Sidekicks; Barbara Smith and Helene Clinton
• Class of 2022; Jaimi Finley
• Class of 2020; Jaimi Finley and Susan Brophy
• Class of 2019; Jaimi Finley
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following club and activity advisors for the 2019 - 2020 school year; salary per the WTA contract:
• Mentor Coordinator, Nicole Spulnick
• Class of 2022, Jaimi Finley
• Class of 2020, Jaimi Finley and Susan Brophy
• Yearbook Financial, Jodi Ancin
• M. Marion Ranney Chapter of the National Honor Society, Jodi Ancin
and Nicole Spulnick
• HS Art Club, Meghan Mercier
• Sidekicks, Helene Clinton and Barbara Smith
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board declared as surplus the following furniture; some rooms are shared by more than one teacher, therefore, more than one teacher desk in a room.
• Twelve old teacher desks replaced with new teacher desks at the following locations: rooms: 215 (3), 219 (3), 217, 230, 409 (4).
∙ Fifty old student desks replaced with new student desks at the following locations: rooms: 215 (5), 405 (5), 407 (27), 409 (8), 412 (5).
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the a five day medical leave of absence request from Tina LaBelle, Bus Driver, from May 20 through May 24, 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following health service contract for students attending a non-public school in the Enlarged City School District of Troy; 2 students @ $619.24 for a total of $1,238.48. (This is money that our district will pay to another district for cost of students services at private schools)
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following health service contract for students attending non-pubic schools in the North Colonie School District: 1 student @ $682.29. (This is money that our district will pay to another district for cost of students services at private schools)
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following health service contract for students attending non-public schools in the Rensselaer City School District: 3 students @ $583.48 for a total of $1,750.44. (This is money that our district will pay to another district for cost of students services at private schools)
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 8:25pm to discuss negotiations. They returned to regular session at 8:55pm and adjourned.
Julie Caulkins
District Clerk