The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting and Budget Hearing dated May 6, 2021 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci who then led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance
Present: Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Jack Catanzarita, Denise Carutasu, Jamie Maloney, Carolyn Bell,
Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Ingalsbe
Also Present: (via WebEx) John Prock, Quency Rene, Patrice King, Chelsie Watkins, Susan Buffaline, Kaylin Fordley, Christina Bell, Stephanie Gilbert, Crystal Rich
Presentations:
- Elementary Student Council End of the Year Report - Miss Chelsie Watkins and Miss Kaylin Fordley reported that the Student Council was able to carry on this year with sixth graders only. Meetings took place via Google Meets and the Council was able to contribute despite the COVID Pandemic. The Council raised $2150 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Ms. Campbell’s class won a hot chocolate party for raising the most amount of funds. The Council ran an apparel store at the beginning of the year, raising $228. The elementary school will now be able to have its own water bottle filling station paid for with these funds as well as donations. The Council sponsored a reading challenge for Ronald McDonald House and far exceeded their goal of $500 by raising $6290 in total. Students will be turning Mr. Siracuse into a giant ice cream sundae, followed by an opportunity to drop Mr. Siracuse into the Dunk Tank as a reward. The Student Council had a very successful year overall.
- Budget Hearing Presentation - Ms. Rachel Ingalsbe (see attached)
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s agenda or budget hearing.
Comments from Administration
Mr. Pomerville reported the following:
- COVID-19 Update - One elementary student tested positive and is ending quarantine on May 6th. One high school student is on precautionary quarantine and no staff members are currently positive or on quarantine
- The District is making progress towards implementing a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program for the 2021-2022 school year. Mr. Pomerville attended a webinar held by NYSED on UPK funding as well as holding several meetings with Ms. Ingalsbe and Mr. Siracuse regarding planning for a fall implementation. A full presentation will be given to the Board of Education regarding the roll out plan for a full day UPK program once more details are filled in.
- Momentive Performance Materials settled with the Department of Environment Conservation as was reported recently in the news. As part of the settlement MPM waved the remaining $300,000 that the District owed as part of the previous tax certiorari. The District expects MPM to appeal their assessment in the future, and will be placing funds into the tax certiorari account to prepare for another possible settlement.
- Mrs. Cramer has provided the Board with an informational flyer for Board Docs and is scheduling a presentation with them for the Board at an upcoming meeting. Purchasing this program will make the process of putting together Agendas and Board Minutes in a more streamlined and shareable manner. If we sign the contract by the end of May, the company will waive the $1000 set-up fee. Board Docs is also a BOCES aidable program.
- Due to many sports conflicts for students, the Top Ten Awards Dinner has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2021.
Ms. Ingalsbe reported the following:
- Ms. Ingalsbe provided the Board several items from the Business Office.
- Information from the NYSED regarding Reserve Funds. It is prudent to establish these reserves particularly for workman's compensation, unemployment and other insurance reserves.
- The resolutions regarding Extra Classroom Funds are related to an audit finding from 2019-2020.
- A 2021-2022 Budget Report has been enclosed and this report is the same as our monthly Appropriations Status Report.
Second Reading
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the minutes from the April 20, 2021 Board Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the minutes from the April 22, 2021 Board Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the Warrants and Corresponding Audits;
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the following policies:
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the following as elementary substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year, Andrew Durand, Marie Heffernan, Kenneth Mayfield, Alexis McCarthy, and Kyle Meoli; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the Corrective Action Plan for the Financial Statements for the District and ExtraClassroom Activity Funds for the year ending June 30, 2020.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved a transfer of the $38.78 balance in the inactive Global Travel Club to the Senior High School Student Council in accordance with Board Policy Number 5520.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board exempted the following clubs from being named inactive for 2020-2021 in accordance with Policy Number 5520 due to a period of inactivity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Art Club
- Spanish Club
- Chorus
- Outdoor Adventure Club
- Sidekicks
- Junior High School Student Government
- Band Booster
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the appointment of Heather Sowle as a long term sub for the Jr/Sr High Chorus teaching position for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year; effective February 1, 2021; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the appointment of Heather Sowle as class advisor for the Jr/Sr High School Drama Club for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the WTA contract; paid on a prorated basis as determined by the actual percentage of the year worked.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the appointment of Andrew Durand as High School Substitute Teacher for the 2020-2021 school year; effective May 7, 2021; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board approved the following people to work the polls for the May 18, 2021 Budget Vote and Board of Education Election for a stipend of $100 each: Sam Carson and Amy Atwood.
There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents or staff.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0 the Board went into executive session at 7:46pm to discuss a personnel matter and negotiations. The Board returned to Regular Session at 10:20pm and adjourned.
Donna Cramer
District Clerk