The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Regular Meeting dated July 14, 2021 commenced at the conclusion of the Reorganizational meeting and was called to order by Mrs. Ricci.
PRESENT: (In person) Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Jamie Maloney, Denise Carutasu, Carolyn Bell, Stephanie Gilbert, Jack Catanzarita
ALSO PRESENT: (In person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, Joel Richardson, Michael Robbins, Jennifer Bull, Heather Sowle, Holly Russo
ALSO PRESENT: (via Webex) Jessica Difabio
There were no comments from residents and staff regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.
Comments from Administration:
Mr. Richards reported the following:
- Graduation took place three weeks ago and as per guidance from the state, the District was able to increase the number of allowed guests per student from two to eight. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to share this achievement with extended family and friends. Mr. Richardson thanked Mrs. Willits in particular for all of her hard work behind the scenes especially with all of the last minute changes. Mr. Richardson also thanked Mrs. Ricci and Mrs. Bell for attending and distributing the diplomas to our graduates.
- Summer school began last week and has gotten off to a good start. There are currently 34 junior and senior high school students taking part in 58 courses.
- John Lord from the Cohoes-Waterford Elks contacted Mr. Richardson to make him aware that Katie Stallmer’s essay placed third at the state level competition. Congratulations to Katie on her achievement.
Ms. Bull reported the following:
- Interviews have taken place for a new Special Education teacher at the Elementary level.
- Interviews will be taking place for a Teaching Assistant at the Jr/Sr level in the upcoming weeks.
- The new secretary in the CSE office, Ellen Cobb, has started working and is doing a fine job catching on to the responsibilities of the position.
Mr. Robbins reported the following:
- There are 50 students taking part in the Elementary Summer School program that began last week. Mr. Robbins was duly impressed with all the faculty and staff and thanked them for such a smooth start.
Mr. Pomerville reported the following:
- There has been an adjustment to the agenda. The appointment for Ellen Cobb should be stricken from the agenda, as it has been added to the addendum with the correct start date for employment.
- Mr. Pomerville congratulated Mrs. Cramer on becoming a licensed New York State Notary Public and appreciated the value it adds to the District to have a Notary on staff.
- Mr. Pomerville shared a copy of Board Goals from the last four years for the Board’s review so the members can prepare for the upcoming August 19, 2021 Board Goal Setting Meeting.
- COVID-19 Update: Summer school guidelines have been aligned with the CDC and Summer Camp regulations. There is still no guidance from the NYDOH of NYSED regarding reopening in the fall. Local superintendents have been in contact with their legislators, written letters and are planning advocacy Zoom meetings with them for next week. Mr. Pomerville shared these letters with the Board.
- UPK Update: The UPK lottery was held on Monday, July 12th. A total of 29 applications were received. The first 20 applicants chosen will be enrolled in the program here pending the completion of registration and residency verification. The District is working at this time with outside childcare facilities to possibly offer the remaining five slots to the applicants that were not chosen to attend. Mrs. Carutasu asked if the families had been notified. Mr. Pomerville responded that the lottery was held live via WebEx with several attendees, phone calls were made, and letters were sent out that day.
- All Board members have indicated they will be attending the NYSSBA Convention in October and Mr. Pomerville and Mrs. Cramer will be making arrangements for their attendance once registration has opened in August.
- Mr. Pomerville asked for the Board’s input on continuing to offer a virtual option to attend Board of Education meetings in the future now that meetings must be held in person again. Members of the Board appreciated the option of being able to maintain participation and a quorum when board members are unable to attend a meeting in person, while some members also appreciated the opportunity for the public to join in as well, particularly as we are still suffering from a worldwide pandemic and the service is a nominal cost. Mrs. Carutasu, Mrs. Gilbert, and Mrs. Bell were agreeable to keep the virtual option for all meetings, while Mrs. Ricci, Mr. Lee, Mr. Catanzarita, and Mrs. Maloney preferred to provide it on an as needed basis. Mr. Pomerville responded he would bring these thoughts to our legal counsel and seek their advice on the Board’s options.
- BoardDocs training is tentatively set for the August 5th meeting at 6pm prior to the Regular Meeting.
Mrs. Ingalsbe reported the following:
- There are revised Corrective Action Plans on the agenda, and the only revisions made were an addition of anticipated completion dates.
- A Transportation Frequently Asked Questions document has been added to member’s folders. The Transportation page on the District website will be refreshed to clarify some questions for the community and provide transparency on the Transportation Department’s practices.
PRESENTATION
- Class of 2021 Profile - Jessica Difabio
- Mrs. Carutasu noted that a Distribution of Marks had been provided in past reports but was not in this year’s report. Mrs. Difabio replied that she did not provide it in this year’s report, because the marks earned during the sixteen months of the COVID pandemic were not an accurate reflection of these student’s abilities. She added this information can be reported in future profiles if the Board would prefer.
- Athletic Strategic Plan Update (2021-2022) - Michael Robbins
- Mrs. Carutasu asked if any of the all virtual students participated in athletics this year. Mr. Robbins responded that there were, but participation was lower than normal all around. He attributes it to less day to day contact that coaches were able to have with students throughout the school day, students had found other interests during the lockdown, and not all team levels had the same opportunities to compete against other teams. Mr. Robbins added that being able to run a sports program at all during the 2020-2021 school year is a great success, and that he anticipates more participation for 2021-2022 as more restrictions are lifted.
- Mrs. Gilbert asked if participation numbers for Fall Athletics are already showing an increase. Mr. Robbins responded that yes, but it is to be expected as participation in Fall Athletics is usually very high due to popular sports such as soccer and volleyball.
- SAVE Plan and Emergency Response Plan - Patrick Pomerville
SECOND READING
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the minutes from the June 17, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the Warrants and Corresponding Audits
- Mrs. Ricci asked what is “Achievements”. Mrs. Ingalsbe and Ms. Bull responded that is the company that provides the Special Education Consultant Teacher at St. Mary’ School.
- Mrs. Ingalsbe also added that due to new procedures with the GASB-84, the Trust and Agency Fund had been dissolved and payroll would now be coming out of the General Fund Account, so the Board will notice an increase in the amount coming from that fund.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending June 2021
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the following policies:
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the following coaches for the 2021-2022 school year; salary per the WTA contract; paid on on a prorated basis as determined by the actual percentage of the season coached:
- Varsity Boys Soccer Ryan Hardy
- JV Boys Soccer Jeff Stein
- Modified Boys Soccer Andrew Butryn
- Varsity Girls Soccer Meghan Reynolds
- Modified Girls Soccer Michelle Savoie
- Varsity Girls Volleyball James Formosa
- JV Girls Volleyball Heather Sowle
- Modified Girls Volleyball Christina Falasco & Brooke Shinski (Co-Coaches)
- Golf Patrick Parker
- Girls Tennis Jodi Ancin
- Varsity Boys Basketball Brian Eastman
- JV Boys Basketball Todd Hayes
- Modified Boys Basketball Robert Valigorsky III
- Varsity Girls Basketball Kale Rodrigues
- Cheerleading Emily Clark & Stacie Marszalak (Co-Coaches)
- Bowling Kyle Williams
- Indoor Track & Field Allie Hornung
- Varsity Baseball Mike Robbins
- JV Baseball Kale Rodrigues
- Modified Baseball Bill Kelts
- Varsity Softball Karen Gentile & Emily Aubin (Co-Coaches)
- JV Softball Kyrstin Messier
- Varsity Girls Track & Field Allie Hornung
- Varsity Boys Track & Field Andrew Wein
- Modified Track & Field Jodi Ancin
- Boys Tennis Meghan Reynolds
- Mrs. Carutasu asked if a sport was not listed did that mean a coach had not been chosen yet. Mr. Robbins responded that was correct. If a sport is not listed here, it is because we do not have a coach for it yet.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the four year probationary period of Heather Sowle, Elementary Music Teacher; tenure area Music; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the WTA contract on Step 2 MM 42; NYS Initial Certification in Music.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Joan Gardner as Summer Food Service Helper; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of MacKenzie Fletcher as Elementary Summer School Aide; 3 hours per day; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of MacKenzie Fletcher as Summer Bus Monitor; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Anna King as Elementary Summer School Aide; 3 hours per day; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Nora Conlen as Elementary Summer School Aide; 3 hours per day; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6-0-1 (Mr. Catanzarita abstained) the Board approved the appointment of Neal Benassi as Summer Bus Monitor; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA Contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6-0-1 (Mr. Catanzarita abstained) the Board approved the appointment of Neal Benassi as Substitute Bus Driver; effective June 27, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Bonnie DeCelle as Summer Food Service Cook; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Heidi Donaldson as Summer Food Service Helper; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of William Palmer as Bus Monitor; effective July 6, 2021 through July 6, 2022; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of William Palmer as Summer Bus Monitor; effective July 6, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board appointed Brianna Patrick as Transportation Clerk for the 2021-2022 school year with a stipend of $3,000; effective July 1, 2021; prorated for the portion of the year worked.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Brooke Shinski as Substitute Coordinator, Secondary for the 2021-2022 school year with a stipend of $6,000; effective July 1, 2021; prorated for the portion of the year worked.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Carol Burniche as Substitute Coordinator, Elementary for the 2021-2022 school year with a stipend of $6,000; effective July 1, 2021; prorated for the portion of the year worked.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the City School District of Albany for three students in the amount of $2,335.92.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the contract between Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and Sun Medical Group for the 2021-2022 school year.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the contract between Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and Cynthia Holmes for the 2021-2022 school year.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the agreement by and between the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District and Saratoga Center for the Family, Inc. to provide mental health services for the 2021 - 2022 and 2022 - 2023 school years.
- Mrs. Carutasu asked if the Saratoga Center for the Family is charging the student’s health insurance as well as being paid by the District at the same time. Mr. Pomerville responded he would look into the specifics on that. Mrs. Ingalsbe added that the amount the District pays per the contract is quite low for the level of services provided to the District.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the agreement by and between the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District and Girvin & Ferlazzo PC to provide legal counsel for the 2021-2022 school year.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the termination of Employee number 999 effective June 25, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the following the Corrective Action Plans for the Financial Statements for the District and ExtraClassroom Activity Funds for the year ending June 30, 2020; updated to reflect the anticipated completion dates.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the updated Facility Use Fee Schedule effective July 14, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the following resolution,
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Business Manager to apply for and open a credit card on behalf of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, District purchases, with the use and administration of such credit card consistent with Policy 5321 and a credit limit of $7,500.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the appointment of Kyle Elliott as JV Girls Soccer Coach for the 2021-2022 school year; salary per the WTA contract; paid on on a prorated basis as determined by the actual percentage of the season coached.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the request of Ms. Hollie Russo to investigate a trip to Europe in April of 2023.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Ellen Cobb as full time, 12 month Senior Typist; CSE Office; effective July 1, 2021 through July 1, 2022; salary per the CSEA contract.
COMMENTS
There were no comments from the public.
On motion by Mr. Lee and seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 7-0 the Board went into executive session at 8:19pm to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to regular session at 8:40pm and adjourned.
Donna Cramer District Clerk