| April 15, 2010 |
The regular meeting of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District board of Education held Thursday, April 15, 2010 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mr. Richard Charron. PRESENT: Richard Charron, Marcia Ricci, Sandra Clow, Denise Keyoskey, Carol Cooper ALSO PRESENT: Timothy Lange, Carol Lyon, Debra Cardnuto, Dena Sanders, Joseph Siracuse, Christopher Scanlan, Paul Sylvester, Ginnie Austin, Jeanne Caputo, Justin Miazga, Carol Kruse, Jessica DiFabio, Cynthia Viola ABSENT: Thomas Lansing, Robert VanBramer Public comments regarding items on the action agenda: Mrs. Kruse asked if one of the action items referred to the teachers retirement incentive. Mr. Charron said yes and suggested to Mrs. Kruse to wait until that item is reached for further instruction. Comments from the Administration Mr. Siracuse: Lego Robotics kits have arrived for the sixth grade program sponsored by Momentive Performance Materials company. Engineers from the company will be working with the children in the coming months. The community garden is under construction; building forms and dirt have been brought in. Elementary children have started growing seeds in containers. Band and chorus students are preparing for the spring concert. Standardized testing has begun in the elementary. Mr. Scanlan: Mrs. Catricala, Family and Consumer Science teacher, took 8th grade students on a job shadowing field trip. Half of the group went to the NYS Police barracks in Malta and saw the search robot, police chopper and heard about the police academy training. The other group went to the State Employees Federal Credit Union in Clifton Park for a tour of the facility and an overview of banking procedures. Both groups enjoyed the exposure to real life job experiences. SEFCU and the NYS Police provided meals; the PTO provided the buses and JA students helped organize the event. The district will again participate in the Best Buddies Leadership Conference by nominating and sending one student on a four day trip to the mid-west along with other students from local districts and the regional program manager; fund raising continues. Ms. Cardnuto: The Varsity Masterminds team finished 3rd in competition; the JV team was top in the league. The Hyde Museum hosted a juried art show of 100 entries out of a total of 1,072 submissions. Alisha Wilcox had two of her photos chosen for display. Band and chorus members performed an informal and fun Pops Concert this week. Special Education teacher Ken Williams and his students will again be participating in canal cleanup efforts in recognition of Earth Day. Business Education student Christopher Hunt was named to the 40 Under Forty Future Business Leaders. 2010 National Financial Capability Challenge recognizes students in the top 20%. Those named from WHHS are: Brandon Coonradt, Paul Dubrey, Jordan Hines, Brianna Lopez, Stevie Rist Marcy, Jessica Pelcher and Nicole Guzek. Lindsey Wright was named Outstanding Business Education Student by the Business Management Education Association Several WHHS students competed in a BOCES Skills USA event in Syracuse: Myriah Abert, Culinary Arts; Raven Andreine, Horticulture; JT Breen, Auto Tech; Jim Derocher, Construction; Zack Henry, Auto Tech; Leslie Lemiesz, Health Occupations; Alicia Sovie, Criminal Justice; John Vogel, Auto Tech. The Global Travel Club recently returned from a trip to England and France. Mr. Miazga and students will report on their trip at the May 6th Board meeting. Ms. Sanders: Committee on Special Education annual reviews continue. On Wednesday, April 21st, Waterford will partner with Mechanicville and Stillwater for a workshop on pre-school transition to Kindergarten sponsored by early childhood education. Mr. Lange: Friday, April 16th is the district’s first annual College and University Pride Day to promote awareness of post secondary education. Pennants and banners have been obtained and are on display throughout the building representing colleges and universities attended by faculty and staff. On Friday, April 30th the entire district will participate in Purple Day events and activities supporting cancer research and awareness. Action is proposed on this evening’s agenda due to last weeks costly emergency water main repair. The district is applying to NYSED for emergency construction aid. Water main repairs are completed, ruptured tanks have been removed; the fuel spill has been addressed; all issues have been resolved; paving will be completed by June 30th. Presentation: Curriculum Cabinet Update, Mr. Scanlan The curriculum cabinet was set up to represent the whole staff. There is a representative from each elementary grade level and each high school department, all special areas are represented. Mrs. Clow also serves on the committee. Mr. Patrick Parker and Mr. Scanlan are co-chairs. The second year is running smoothly and the committee is currently working on summer curriculum projects. There is $8,000 in the budget for next year which will be divided equally. The Board has approved one new course for next year after research, discussion and a recommendation from the committee. Mrs. Heather MacDougall has spent a lot of time on textbook inventory and that information will be shared with the administrators to determine future needs. Mrs. Clow explained the criteria used to determine needs and how the process works. Presentation: NYS Education Department School Report Card (2008 - 2009) Mr. Lange Grades 3 - 6 Accountability in NYS NCLB mandates Adequate Yearly Progress in ELA, Math and third indicator (NYS = science) Participation criterion = 95% of enrolled students in grades 3-8 must complete assessments Students must meet Effective Annual Measurable Objective Grades 3 - 6 Did WHES students reach AYP? ELS All Students - Yes; All Subgroups - Yes Math All Students - Yes; All Subgroups - Yes Science All Students - Yes; All Subgroups - Yes Grades 3 - 6 Assessment Tested AMO PI ELA 100% 137 188 Math 99% 112 190 Science 100% 100 194 AMO - Average Measurable Objective; PI - Performance Index Grades 3 - 6
3 88%
4 90%
5 86%
6 89%
Grades 3 - 6
Math Grade % At/Above Level 3
3 98%
4 92%
5 88%
6 85%
Grades 3 - 6
Science Grade %At/Above Level 3
4 94%
Grades 3 - 6
Highlights
Overall, percentage of students reaching at least Level 3 increased from 2007 - 2008 rates
Subgroup, Students with Disabilities; % at Level 3 varies from 38% - 88%.
Jr./Sr. High School
Accountability in NYS
NCLB mandates Adequate Yearly Progress in ELA, Math and a third indicator (Graduation Rate)
Participation criterion = 95% of enrolled seniors must complete assessments that meet graduation requirements
Students must meet Effective Annual Measurable Objective
Jr./Sr. High School
ELA, Math and Graduation Rate all met Annual Yearly Progress
Jr./Sr. High School
Grades 7 - 8
Assessment Tested AMO PI
ELA 100% 135 175
Math 100% 110 186
Science 100% 100 171
Jr./Sr. High School
Grades 9 - 12
Assessment Tested AMO PI
ELA 100% 160 193
Math 100% 155 193
Graduation Rate 100% 55 85
Jr./Sr. High School
% At/Above Level 3
ELA 7th grade 83%
ELA 8th grade 68%
Math 7th grade 92%
Math 8th grade 83%
Science 8th grade 76%
Jr./Sr. High School
Grades 9 - 12
Assessment % Level 3 or Higher
ELA 83%
Math 84%
ACTION
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 1, 2010 Board Meeting.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the request from Jessica Johnson, elementary teacher, for a one year leave of absence for the 2010 - 2011 school year.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the request from Julie Desso, elementary teacher, for a leave of absence from September 1, 2010 - December 13, 2010.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board designated April 20, 2010 as the date for a special meeting of the Board of Education in the Office of the Superintendent for the purpose of voting on the WSWHE BOCES budget and BOE election at 6:30am.
On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mrs. Keyoskey and by a vote of 4 - 0 - 1 (Mrs. Ricci abstained) the Board approved the appointment of Mel and Diana Byron as co-advisors to the HS Marching band for the 2009 - 2010 school year.
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/4/10
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
School Lunch #16 for $4,381.40
Special Aid #19 for $7,769.11
General Fund #68 for $36,799,96
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accepted the donation of the following items for the high school technology class: 1 reflective shield; 1 600 watt ballast, 1 400 watt ballast; 2 400 watt metal halide (bulbs); 3 400 watt high press sodium (bulbs); 1 600 watt metal halide (bulbs); various lengths of rubber hoses; 50lbs. of hydroton growing medium; 8 plant support hangers; 2 metal chains. The total value of these items is approximately $1,000. Over the course of time and during the construction projects, some items from technology classes were misplaced or missing.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the request from Paul Brown, Computer Network Technical Assistant, for a two day leave of absence.
The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/5/10, 3/2/10, 3/31/10
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Meghan Numrich as substitute high school art teacher to cover Mrs. Donnelly’s four week leave of absence.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and the Waterford Teachers’ Association dated 4/10/10. Mrs. Kruse asked if eligible teachers will be notified of the retirement incentive and Mr. Lange responded positively and said notification if forthcoming.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved a resolution authorizing an ordinary contingent expense for a ruptured water line and removal of underground fuel-oil tanks not to exceed $100,000 (on file)
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the board approved a resolution appointing the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District as lead agency for this project (on file).
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the proposed reconstruction of ruptured water line and removal of underground fuel-oil tanks (on file).
There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents and staff.
On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mrs. Clow and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board adjourned at 7:55pm
Julie Caulkins
District Clerk