| May 18, 2010 |
The regular meeting of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education held Tuesday, May 18, 2010 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mr. Richard Charron. PRESENT: Richard Charron, Thomas Lansing, Robert VanBramer, Carol Cooper ALSO PRESENT: Timothy Lange, Carol Lyon, Joseph Siracuse, Debra Cardnuto, Christopher Scanlan, parents and students ABSENT: Mrs. Ricci, Mrs. Clow, Mrs. Keyoskey There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda. Comments from the Administration Mr. Siracuse reported elementary students are completing two weeks of standardized testing in the areas of Language Arts and Math, mandatory universal testing and NYS English as a Second Language. Science and social studies testing is coming up. Selected students in grades 4 - 8 will be participating in the first annual spelling bee on Wednesday, May 19th. Winners will advance to finals in WSWHE BOCES competition. Beans and squash were planted in the school community garden and a shed will soon be built. Mr. Scanlan announced Dom Tironi, a student volunteer organizer, will be traveling to the mid-west to a leadership conference as a representative for the Best Buddies organization. Dom has an important role that will benefit all students working to create opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. PBIS raised $300 selling chicken BBQ dinners provided by Ahearn’s Hideaway. The organizers are hoping to expand the event next year. Seventh and eighth graders will be traveling to the Bronx Zoo next month and are very excited. The group will be asking the PTO for their support Ms. Cardnuto announced the HS Band and Chorus concert on Tuesday, May 25th. The high school is gearing up for triple periods beginning June 8th and Regents exams beginning June 15th. Ms. Sanders and the special education team is nearing completion of annual reviews and is working on staffing. Ms. Sanders and other committee members have been accompanying parents on outside placement visits. On the May 14th professional development day, faculty and staff attended a grant funded conference on autism. Ms. Sanders will submit applications for special education funding grants for the 2010 - 2011 school year. Mr. Lange had the opportunity to attend the elementary concert and offered is congratulations to Mrs. Dawson and Mrs. Ricci for the outstanding performance of the students. Mr. Lange attended the Jr./Sr. Prom and was please to report that everyone looked beautiful and behaved beautifully. Mr. Lange commented on the proposed calender change at the end of June noting the language in the WTA contract. Student Recognition: Lindsey Wright, Outstanding Business Education Student 2010 Mr. Lange and Mr. Charron presented a certificate to Lindsey in recognition of her selection by the WHHS Business Department as "Outstanding Business Education Student 2010". Lindsey, her family, Mrs. Ancin and Mrs. Hurd attended a dinner sponsored by Business and Marketing Educators’ Association of the Capital District. Lindsey believes she will use her business education skills the rest of her life and looks forward to working in the cosmetology industry with an eye on someday owning her own business. Student Recognition: Brandon Coonradt, Paul Dubrey, Jordan Hines, Briana Lopez, Stevie Marcy, Jessica Pelcher, Nicolle Pulcher-Guzek, National Financial Capability Challenge Mr. Lange and Mr. Charron presented a certificate to Nicolle Pulcher-Guzek, who attended tonight’s meeting, and six other students who were unable to attend, for scoring in the top 20th percentile nationwide in The Treasury Department’s National Financial Capability Challenge. Nicolle said the test was administered on-line during a business education class and students received their results immediately following the exam. The Treasury Department contacted the students asking their permission to be recognized publicly. Their level of achievement was due to hard work by the students and good teaching. The Treasury Department hopes to inspire educators to discuss personal finance topics in the classroom. After doubling up on her classes during her high school career, Nicolle will be graduating in June as a junior and will be attending Morrisville College. Mr. Lange thanked Nicolle, Lindsey and their families for attending the Board meeting and wished them continued success. Discussion: Tuition Rate for the 2010 - 2011 school year The K - 12 tuition rate for out-of-district students (not residing in the Towns of Waterford and/or Halfmoon) is currently $2,250 per year. Most districts follow the NYS formula when determining tuition rates. The formula is finalized at the end of each year for the following year. The Waterford-Halfmoon district could charge up to $7,576 for elementary students and $10,608 for HS students. There were three families paying tuition in the 2009 - 2010 school year for four students. One family moved into the district during the year and the amount was pro-rated. Some options for the Board to consider are: keep the current rate; increase the rate to an arbitrary amount; increase the rate up to the maximum amount permitted; allow those already paying to remain at the lower rate. There is no federal aid available to families paying tuition to a public school; children have the right to a free public education in their own districts. It has been a number of years since the rate was adjusted. Neighboring districts, of the same size, charge the maximum allowed rate. Mr. Charron was in favor of raising the rate. Mr. Lansing suggested establishing a percentage of the maximum allowed rate according to NYS formula eliminating the need for yearly adjustments. Mr. Lange will provide options to the Board for consideration at the next Board meeting. Report: Memorandum of Understanding for Race To The Top Application, Mr. Lange Last week, prior to developing this agenda, SED proposed re-application for Race To The Top funds. Since that time, the NYS Education Department Commissioner has halted any proposed action. This issue has been addressed in the media recently. The proposed funds would provide money to districts in support of teacher preparation and teacher evaluations only. This federal grant would not provide funding for any other expenses. NYS United Teachers agrees with state government officials on teacher evaluation issues. ACTION On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved minutes of the April 15, 2010 Board of Education meeting. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report for April 2010 On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Budget Status Report. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Appropriation Status Report. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Student Funds Report. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following warrant: General Fund #76 for $281,381.98 On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the year-end report for Global Travel Club as submitted by Mr. Miazga, Mr. Ferrara and Mrs. Russo. The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/31/10, 4/12/10, 4/14/10, 4/16/10, and 4/19/10. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants: Special Aid #21 for $53,014.40 School Lunch #18 for $7,237.09 General Fund #77 for $16,274.09 On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following calendar change: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 - Half-day of class for K - 6 students Wednesday, June 23, 2010 - Half-day of class for K - 6 students Thursday, June 24, 2010 - No school for K - 6 students Teachers will work full days on 6/22/10, 6/23/10, & 6/24/10 On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Peace Club year-end report as submitted by Ken Williams, advisor. The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/8/10. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of Carolyn Shudt, food service worker, effective May 17, 2010. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Health Service contract in the amount of $636.09 for one student who resides in the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and attends a non-public school in the Troy City School District. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved Health Service contracts in the amount of $2,018.22 for three students in who reside in the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD and attend non-public schools in the City of Albany. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board awarded the waste removal contract to County Waste & Recycling Service in the amount of $895 per month, $80 extra pick-up, $140 per 30 yard roll-off plus $75 per ton disposal. There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents or staff. On motion by Mr. VanBramer, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board adjourned at 7:30pm. Julie Caulkins District Clerk