| January 21, 2010 |
The regular meeting of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education held Thursday, January 21, 2010 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mr. Richard Charron. PRESENT: Richard Charron, Marcia Ricci, Thomas Lansing, Carol Cooper ALSO PRESENT: Timothy Lange, Carol Lyon, Joseph Siracuse, Dena Sanders, Debra Cardnuto, Paul Ferrara, Bonny Gabriel ABSENT: Rob VanBramer, Sandra Clow, Denise Keyoskey There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda. Comments from Administration Mr. Siracuse has been visiting classrooms and completing teacher observations. He is impressed with the many activities taking place including the use of Smartboards and the success of reading centers. The PTO has donated $1,000 for start up costs for the new School Community Garden; work will begin in the spring. Mr. Siracuse and the PTO are pursuing grants from local businesses in support of this project. Academic Intervention Services at the 3 - 6 sixth grade levels has begun. Ms. Sanders has completed a comprehensive project and submitted annual special education data to NYS Education Department. She attended a conference on interpreting special education data and use of that information to lower the drop out rate, enhance the classroom environment and improve programming. Annual reviews are being scheduled. Ms. Sanders has observed students in their classrooms both here in district and in programs provided by BOCES and other outside sources. Special Education teachers will soon begin testing to determine next year’s placements. Ms. Sanders reported that our district psychologists will attend Therapeutic Crisis Training and will pass that knowledge along to the faculty here at school. Ms. Sanders is coordinating the transition of pre-school special education students transitioning into Kindergarten. Ms. Cardnuto announced Regents exam week beginning January 26th through January 29th. Approximately 37 students will be taking Regents exams and other students will be taking final and mid-term exams. Our high school sports teams are doing very well. Mr. Lange reported that our Girls Varsity Basketball team is currently tied for first place in our league with Germantown. Mr. Lange and Mrs. Lyon provided additional information on the NYS budget deliberations in Albany. New York schools received notice of the potential impact of the 5% reduction, if it should take place. A number of local Superintendents expressed their concern about what the proposed cuts would mean to their districts. Some schools would lose over $1 million. A 5% reduction translates to approximately $890,000 for the Waterford-Halfmoon district. Mr. Lange and Mrs. Lyon will continue to monitor the situation. The aid the district received in the transition to full-day Kindergarten is for year one only, so we were expecting that change for 2010-2011. However, the proposed deficit from the Governor’s proposal stands at $580,000 and remains as a potential cut back. ARRA funds from the federal stimulus package have all ready been accounted for and will not be able to offset these cuts. Mr. Lange continues to set the course in the development of the district’s budget and to build accordingly. These are unmatched times, economically, in New York State. Mr. Lange has maintained a dialog with association leadership and no program or personnel decisions have been made. Mrs. Lyon stated that there are ways to close the gap by making purchases this year to offset figures for the next cycle and planning as if we were developing a zero based budget. Mrs. Lyon is also monitoring a tax situation on industrial property located within the town limits. Mr. Lange reported that the district, in conjunction with the Saratoga County Health Department, held a H1N1 vaccination clinic here at school on January 20th. There were a steady stream of parents, students and community members who took advantage of the free clinic including some of the senior citizens attending the Health and Wellness sponsored senior citizen pot-luck dinner. Second Reading: Draft Policy #5696 - Respirators for School Nurses Mr. Lange reported the necessity to stay current with state regulations regarding use of masks when dealing with children or adults presenting with flu-like symptoms. Our nurses will be fully trained. The policy is comprehensive and was supplied by the offices of Girvin and Ferlazzo, P.C., attorney’s for the district. Report: 2009 - 2010 Board of Education Goals Update, Mr. Lange 2009 - 2010 Goals as they were developed this summer: Facilities Planning Policy and Programs Public Relations and Communications Progress up to now: Website: Mr. Lange announced that the new district website is up and running. The site is easy to manage and provides pertinent news items and upcoming events. Facilities Panning: The district has contracted with Dr. Paul Serverskey to conduct a long range study for future needs; to be conducted over the next couple of months. Health and Wellness: Administrators are working with Mrs. Prock, Cafeteria Manager, on adding healthy breakfast and lunch items into the menu. The new community garden will begin in the spring. Mrs. Shaker, Health and Wellness coordinator, continues to work with students and their committee has made suggestions to address candy sold as fund raisers and the snacks sold in the vending machines. Plans are underway for a staff health awareness day in the spring. A community wide run during Fordian Fever Weekend has been suggested. Guidance and Counseling Services: Although we have not reached our maximum goal, administrators have been in regular communication with the guidance department. Numerous one-on-one meetings with students regarding college choices have occurred. The guidance department has expanded the promotion of scholarships. The district sponsored a financial aid night in the fall. Ms. DiFabio works with families to complete the college FAFSA forms. A college fair was held here at school for students. Mrs. Daigneault has added a lot of related information to the website. ACTION On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the January 7, 2010 BOE meeting. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report for December 2009. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Budget Status Report. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Appropriations Report. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Student Fund Report. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following warrant: General Fund #49 for $199,639.16 On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Olivia Lanoue as substitute teacher for the 2009 - 2010 school year. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the a five day unpaid leave of absence for Bernadette Koniszewski, elementary teacher aide. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the five day unpaid leave of absence for Courtney Horan, elementary teacher. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved District Policy #5696 - Respirators for School Nurses. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board accepted proceeds in the amount of $7,561.43 to re-establish The David M. Potter Memorial Scholarship Fund. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Michael Robbins as the varsity boys baseball coach for the 2009 - 2010 school year; salary per the WTA contract. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Dan Boyd as varsity boys tennis coach for the 2009 - 2010 school year; salary per the WTA contract. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved a six week maternity leave of absence for Hollie Russo, elementary teacher beginning on or about April 5, 2010. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board accepted the following food bids: Ginsberg Foods $16,200 (27%) Quandt’s Foods $15,600 (26%) Sysco $19,000 (32%) US Foods $ 9,000 (15%) On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants: School Lunch #10 for $7,170.28 Special Aid #13 for $272.93 Construction Fund #12 for $153,883.00 General Fund #51 for $9,263.00 On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Kathy Prock as cook-manager after successful completion of her one year probationary period effective January 9, 2010. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Bonnie DeCelle as cook after successful completion of her one year probationary period effective January 9, 2010. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the permanent appointment of Carol Burniche as non-classroom teacher aide (elementary office) pending successful completion of her one year probationary period effective February 5, 2010. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of M. Patricia Dearstyne as temporary teacher aide for 6 hours per day; effective January 25, 2010; salary per the CSEA contract. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved a five day leave of absence for Susan Borden, teacher assistant. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the following construction change order: #HC-03 T. McElligott Mechanical for a credit in the amount of $1,662 for unused contract allowance. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board tabled a decision on marching band club advisors for the 2009 - 2010 school year pending further information. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Kelly Cooper, RN as school nurse at St. Mary’s School; effective January 25, 2010; salary per the CSEA contract. On motion by Mrs. Ricci, seconded by Mr. Lansing and by a vote of 4 - 0 the Board approved the Board went into executive session at 7:41 to discuss a personnel matter. They returned to regular session at 8:33 and adjourned. Julie Caulkins District Clerk