The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Finance Committee Meeting dated February 12, 2020 was called to order at 6:10pm by Mrs. Ricci.
PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Carolyn Bell
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, Jennifer Bull
ABSENT: Jamie Maloney, Tammi Dehler, Jack Catanzarita, David Lee, Denise Carutasu
Ms. Schwendinger presented the first draft of the preliminary 2020 - 2021 district budget. (See attached)
Finance meetings scheduled for March and April will contain more detail. Mr. Pomerville gave credit to Ms. Schwendinger for meeting with all district stakeholders to determine budget needs in all areas of the district. There was a lot of positive feedback.
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The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated February 12, 2020 was called to order at 6:10pm by Mrs. Ricci.
PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Carolyn Bell, Denise Carutasu, David Lee
ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, Jennifer Bull, Joel Richardson, Christopher Scanlan, Joseph Siracuse.
ABSENT: Jamie Maloney, Tammi Dehler, Jack Catanzarita
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Scanlan attended a WASAREN Principal’s meeting on the topic of escalating issues with spectators. The WASAREN Principals will be making a recommendation on how to address these issues to the Superintendent’s of the league this spring. The Principals agreed on the need to communicate and to all be on the same page.
Mr. Scanlan thanked Christina Bell, Student Government Association, for taking a leadership role representing students with their proposed changes to the Moving Up Day schedule. Mr. Scanlan shared their concerns and agreed on the need for some modifications and is awaiting SGA proposals.
Mrs. Bull announced the next K - 12 Curriculum Cabinet meeting will be held Thursday, February 27th at 3:00pm.
Mrs. Bull is working on the March 18, 2020 Superintendent’s Conference Day schedule with Mr. Pomerville. The day will include academic, technology, wellness and safety offerings.
Mr. Richardson thanked the PTO for their sponsorship of The Brain Show, held on Friday, February 7, 2020. Students had a great time and Mr. Richardson hopes the event will continue.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2020 the High School Band and Chorus will host the annual Pops Concert at 7:00pm. The Talent Showcase is scheduled for March 11, 2020 and the HS Musical production of Bye, Bye, Birdie will be held on April 3rd & 4th.
Mr. Siracuse reported that elementary teachers are working on: ELA and Math assessments; intervention services; Young Scholars; and F & P reading level assessments. The elementary faculty and staff along with the entire school community are keeping Mrs. Kelts and her family in their thoughts and prayers as they make their way through a medical emergency. Mrs. Kelts is an integral part of the school district and her colleagues are working to support the family in any way they can.
Kindergarten Registration for the 2020 - 2021 school year will be held tomorrow, February 13, 2020.
Mr. Pomerville reported on the following items:
• Update on Tax Certiorari with Momentive: The appraisal exchange has been pushed back to March 2, 2020. Most recently there has been some initial conversation between both parties.
• Kindergarten Registration will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020
• A new lighting board was installed in the auditorium. The Drama Club’s presentation of Bye, Bye, Birdie will be held April 3 and 4, 2020.
• Representatives from the district’s architects, Bernier, Carr and Associates (BCA) spent the day with faculty and staff on January 27, 2020. Mari Cecil and her team met with administrators, and WHHS technology, physical education and art departments. More details were added to the technology/art wing design as well as the locker rooms and track and field area.
• Over the February break, new auditorium doors, an additional gym door, and cafeteria door vision kits will be installed. These projects are funded through a combination of the $100,000 project and the final piece of the 2012 Capital Project.
ACTION
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the January 23, 2020 Board of Education meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit ending January 2020
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending December 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Revenue Status Report ending December 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Appropriation Status Summary ending December 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Student Funds ending December 2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants: Mrs. Ricci wanted clarification on the following items: Payment to the Town of Waterford was for fuel for the district’s maintenance vehicles; payment to Transfinder is the annual fee for routing software.
Special Aid #21 for $7,225.40
School Lunch #13 for $5,750.18
General Fund #47 for $69,666.07
Special Aid #22 for $104.93
General Fund #48 for $280,800.62
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 11/25/2019.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointments of the following SAT prep teachers for the 2019 - 2020 school year: Nicole Spulnick and Deb Ford; salary per the WTA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the final request from Mrs. MacDougall, HS Special Education Teacher, to take five US History students (gr. 11) to Boston on May 6, 2020; 6am - 10pm; including the New England Aquarium, Duck Boat Tour (including information to bolster Regents preparation for US History) and Quincy Market, with two Chaperones.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the final request from Mr. Robbins to take high school students to Cooperstown on May 15, 2020; 8:15am - 5:30pm; including Town tour and WHHS Varsity Baseball game vs. Cambridge.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the 2020 - 2021 school district calendar.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of Marilyn Carson, High School Monitor, effective February 5, 2020.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary period for Marilyn Carson as Bus Driver; effective February 6, 2020; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of James Potoczak as substitute math teacher effective February 7, 2020.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Wayne Bowmanchester as a long term substitute HS Math Teacher to fill the position held by Mrs. Dobert who has been granted a leave of absence. Mr. Bowmanchester’s appointment will be effective February 10, 2020 and is intended to continue for the term of Mrs. Dobert’s leave, but no later than June 25, 2020. No term of employment is conferred by this resolution of appointment and Mr. Bowmanchester’s employment may be terminated at any time. Salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following resolution:
Whereas, Ms. Lisa Strubel was originally appointed to a four year probationary period beginning November 2, 2015 and ending November 2, 2019 in the teaching assistant tenure area; and
Whereas, Ms. Strubel’s original probationary period was extended to May 2, 2020 to allow for additional time to complete all certification requirements; and
Whereas, Ms. Strubel has successfully obtained certification prior to May 2020, and the District now wishes to confer tenure upon her;
Therefore, be it resolved that, upon recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Strubel shall be conferred tenure effective February 12, 2020 in the teaching assistant tenure area.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following resolution:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the consulting agreement by and between Ms. Cynthia Holmes, Workplace Safety Consulting, LLC, and the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, for the 2019 - 2020 school year, and approves compensation thereunder.
There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents or staff.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Bell and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:26pm to discuss a personnel matter. They returned to regular session at 8:03pm and adjourned.
Julie Caulkins
District Clerk