| May 6, 2010 |
The regular meeting and Budget Hearing of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education held Thursday, May 6, 2010 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mr,. Richard Charron. PRESENT: Richard Charron, Sandra Clow, Robert VanBramer, Carol Cooper, Denise Keyoskey ALSO PRESENT: Timothy Lange, Carol Lyon, Deb Cardnuto, Hollie Russo, Justin Miazga, Paul Ferrara, Paul Gervasio, Patty Merola, Meghan Reynolds, parents, students, community members ABSENT: Marcia Ricci, Thomas Lansing Comments from the Administration Mr. Lange reported the results of the April 20th WSWHE BOCES budget vote and board election. The five BOCES BOE candidates were re-elected and the BOCES budget passed unanimously. However, some districts did not participate in the vote because their Board did not have a quorum. NYS testing is underway this week; organized by Mr. Siracuse and the administrators. Ms. Cardnuto reported on the many wonderful Purple Day events, organized by Mrs. Kathleen Shaker, to bring the entire school community together to promote cancer awareness. Alex Vozzy and Taylor Wilding wrote and performed an original song and were asked to perform at the regional Relay for Life event in June. The HS Band performed under the direction of Mr. Byron. Jessica Houbre, Mitchel Clow, Heather Ippolito, Brianna Rutland and Sarah Lefebvre performed an ensemble piece specially chosen for this event. Students, survivors and supporters walked the track in honor of those stricken with the disease. Sarah Dudley, a former student, was honored this year and is the inspiration for our team name, The Dudley Do-Righters. Mrs. Shaker, Mr. Lange and a local representative from the Relay for Life organization spoke to the crowd. Everyone sported purple t-shirts and other apparel and Mr. Siracuse’s head was painted with the words Life and Hope. Ms. Cardnuto attended a luncheon with members of the Mock Trial team in honor of their success in recent competition. Mr. Bianchini is the advisor and his wife, an attorney, is the volunteer advocate for the team. Congratulations to team members Michaela Ippolito, Colleen Ferrar, Derek Heater, John LaCombe, Nate Hines, Dom Tironi and Joe Hilton. Brittany Dawson was featured in the 2010 Times Union Scholar Recognition article. Brittany chose Mr. Byron as a teacher who has made a difference in her high school years. Mr. Lange has presented Dr. Oliver Robinson, Superintendent of the Shenendehowa School District with a challenge: that our student body can raise more money than the students at Shen for the Relay for Life event in June. To account for the significant size difference between the districts, the Superintendents have agreed to calculate the funds raised on a "per pupil" basis. The money will go directly to the American Cancer Society to fund research, treatment and screening. Go Fordians! The Junior-Senior Prom will be held next Friday, May 14th. The Grand March will take place promptly at 6:00pm in the school auditorium. Presentation: Global Travel club spring break trip to London and France, Mr. Miazga, Mr. Ferrara, Alicia Wilcox and Meg Murray Mr. Miazga said the students who went on the trip were outstanding and represented our district well. He thanked the Board for their support of the global travel club. The students showed pictures of their trip using PowerPoint. Mr. Ferrara highlighted the pictures with a brief narrative. The club toured the following places: Eiffel Tower, Abbey Road, Notre Dame, Jack the Ripper walking tour, the L’Arc de Triumphe, Hall of Mirrors, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and tours along the Seine and Thames Rivers. Mr. Ferrara was amazed by the beauty of Paris. They drove through the chunnel. Next year, the club plans to tour Spain, tour coastal sea towns and visit Morocco. Student Recognition: Myriah Abert, Raven Andreine, JT Breen, Zack Henry, John Vogel, Jim Derocher, Leslie Lemiesz, Alicia Sovie; Skills USA. Christopher Hunt, Business Education student. Mr. Lange and Mr. Charron presented the students with certificates in recognition of their achievements. The students did a great job in describing their experiences. Chris Hunt, a Business Education student, was named by the Business Review as one of 40 Under Forty future leaders in recognition of his determination, ambition and outstanding effort both in his academic work and in the community. Leslie Lemiesz, Alicia Sovie and Zack Henry were in attendance this evening and recognized, along with the others, for their success in the highly regarded Skills USA Competition in Syracuse. Judged by business and industry leaders, the students prepared for months, often staying after school to be coached by their teachers for specialized careers in Culinary Arts, Horticulture, Auto Technology, Construction, Health Occupations and Criminal Justice. Mrs. Wilcox, noted that her daughter, Alicia, had two art pieces chosen in a juried high school art exhibition at The Hyde Museum in Glens Falls. Congratulations to Alicia who attended an awards ceremony this weekend. Presentation: 2010 - 2011 Budget Hearing, Mr. Lange Budget Development October 2009 - Requisition booklets and worksheets distributed to staff December 2009 - Building team meeting to discuss major budget items December 2009 - Staff budgets to principals; principals submit budgets to Superintendent January 2010 - Superintendent meetings with principals to consider adjustments; submit approved budgets to business manager February - March 2010 - New programs considered by Board of Education March 2009 - Finance Committee meetings (3) to review proposals Budget Summary - Program Budget $14,023,471 (+$124,901) Instruction; Pupil Transportation; Legal Services; Census; Federal Summer Transfer; Employee Benefits Budget Summary - Program Budget $1,751,722 (-$155,221) Board of Education; Central Administration; Finance; Legal Services; Personnel; Public Information; Central Services; Insurance; BOCES Administration; Curriculum Development and Supervision; School Supervision; CSE Services; Transportation; Employee Benefits Capital Budget $3,221,504 (-$9,680) Operations and Maintenance; Bus Debt; Transportation; New Construction Debt; Employee Benefits Total budget = $18,996,747 ($0 increase) Revenues: State aid; State Aid, Capital Projects; Medicaid Aid; Miscellaneous Revenue; Fund Balance; Payment in Lieu of Taxes; Projected Tax Revenue Projected Tax Impact Town Increase/$1,000 Projected Rate % Waterford $ 0.87 $61.07 1% Halfmoon $ 0.50 $34.99 1% Estimated Tax On Property Town Full Value Taxable Value Est. Tax Bill Star Sr. Star Waterford $100,000 $33,800 $2,104 $1473 $840 $ 80,000 $27,120 $1,688 $1052 $419 Halfmoon $100,000 $59,000 $2,104 $1473 $840 $ 80,000 $47,200 $1,688 $1052 $419 Mr. Lange announced procedural information for the vote: Tuesday, May 18, 2010 is voting day from noon to 9:00pm in the auditorium lobby; residents will vote on the budget and one proposition for the lease of a school bus. There are two open seats on the Board of Education currently held by Mrs. Sandra Clow and Mrs. Denise Keyoskey. They are both running for re-election. Residents can register to vote here at school between the hours of 8am and 4pm in the Office of the District Clerk until May 3, 2010. Or, you may register directly with Saratoga County Board of Elections. If you are registered to vote in the general election, you are registered to vote in the school election. Voters must be 18 years of age; a citizen of the United States; a resident withing the district for a period of thirty days before the election; registered by either the school district or Saratoga County. The people hired to work the polls on May 18th are: Jeanne Lobravico, Mary Jane Rooney, Effie Piacente, John Piacente, Rita Boudreau and Mary Comitale. Mark Bell is the voting machine inspector. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 15, 2010 Board meeting. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 20, 2010 Board meeting, On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report for March 2010. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Appropriation Status Report. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Revenue Status Report. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Student Fund Account. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants: General Fund #69 for $111.00 General Fund #71 for $111,829.17 General Fund #72 for $340.97 Mrs. Clow asked about the following warrant items: The registration fees two Board members and the Superintendent to attend the NYS Law Conference and the retro-active payments to coaches for fees and travel expenses. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accept the 2009 - 2010 winter sports report as submitted by Mrs. Reynolds. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the final request from the Global Travel club for a trip to Spain in the spring of 2011. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Tina McCulloch as cafeteria monitor effective May 7, 2010; 2.5 hours per day; 2 days per week; salary per the CSEA contract. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Ann Messier as cafeteria monitor effective May 7, 2010; 2.5 hours per day; 5 days per week; salary per the CSEA contract. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved one year probationary appointment of Tina McCulloch as assistant bus driver effective April 19, 2010; salary per the CSEA contract. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved change order #EC-02 for Northern Instrumentation in the amount of $1,922 for work on fire alarm system. The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/17/10, 3/18/10, 3/23/10 (2 separate meetings), 3/24/10, 3/25/10, 3/26/10, 4/23/10. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the 2010 - 2011 school lunch budget. Mrs. Clow asked about the projected federal and state aid for next year. There is a lag in SED payments and we are estimating the federal payments. Contractual salaries are based on prior year expenditures. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Joseph Michon-Huneau as a substitute teacher for the 2009 - 2010 school year. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the year-end yearbook production report as submitted by Elizabeth Wyld, Advisor. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Bernard P. Donegan, Inc. as fiscal advisor for the 2010 emergency water line and fuel removal project. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants: General Fund #74 for $56.43 Construction Fund #15 for $5,767.00 School Lunch #17 for $8,294.73 Special Aid #20 for $231.69 General Fund #75 for $284,247.61 On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board moved the May 20, 2010 Board of Education meeting to Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 7pm in the Library. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Sarah Dowden as a substitute teacher for the 2009 - 2010 school year. The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated March 29, 2010. There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents or staff. On motion by Mrs. Clow, seconded by Mr. VanBramer and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:55pm to discuss a personnel issue. They returned to regular session at 8:20 and adjourned. Julie Caulkins District Clerk