December 6, 2018

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting held December 6, 2018 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.

PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Tammi Dehler, David Lee, Jamie Maloney, Jack Catanzarita, Kory Galuski, Carolyn Bell

Also Present: Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Jennifer Bull, Allie Hornung, Natalie Kosar, Joseph Siracuse, Ken Williams, Noah Hathaway, Elizabeth Wyld

There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s action agenda.

Comments from Administration
Mrs. Bull announced upcoming Curriculum Cabinet meeting dates on Wednesday, December 12th at 2:30pm for grades 7 - 12 and Thursday, December 13th at 3:00pm for grades K-6.  Discussions will focus on Science, Social Studies, and brainstorming topics for upcoming Superintendent’s conference days.  Amanda Bergen will be here to review with faculty 3-8 ELA and Math test results and develop strategies for improvement.

Mr. Siracuse announced that the elementary concert will be held on Thursday, December 13th at 9:30am for students and 7:00pm for parents.  Parent/Teacher conferences are completed.  The PTO sponsored Santa’s Secret Shop will be held next week for elementary students.  For their holiday celebration, a special guest will visit the Kindergarten classrooms on December 19th.

Mr. Pomerville said there was a nice turnout for the Town of Waterford Christmas parade.  Our elementary student government representatives rode on the float, high school student government representatives walked with the Be Kind group.  Our high school select band members performed.  Our mini bus was decorated and was filled with more of the Be Kind group. The WHHS Cheerleaders also marched spreading school spirit.  The school technology committee met today to discuss grades 3-8 STEM initiatives and to brain storm implementation of robotics, coding, rocketry, etc.  The committee will report to the Board at a later date.  The annual senior citizens concert and dinner had to be postponed one week due to weather but turned out to be a successful event.

Mr. Pomerville has held several meetings with faculty and staff in anticipation of the tax certiorari issue involving Momentive Performance Materials.  A newsletter was mailed to all district residents.  Unfortunately, rumors were sparked and some incorrect information was discussed in the community.  The newsletter will let everyone know the accurate details. Mr. Pomerville encourages anyone who has questions to contact him directly.

Mr. Pomerville reported on the results of today’s bid opening for the $100,000 school safety construction project to reinforce/replace some doors and windows.   The bids came in high and our architect suggested making changes to the specifications and rebidding the project.  Mr. Pomerville anticipates reconvening the BOE facilities committee in the near future.

First Reading: Policy #7132 Non-Resident Students
Following the first reading of Policy #7132 Non-Resident Students, Mr. Pomerville would like to discuss, at a later date, a policy pertaining to the storage and administration of Narcan.  This is in response to the NYS Department of Health request to consider a policy that supports the battle against the opioid crisis.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the November 15, 2018 Board of Education meeting.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
General Fund #37 for $79,509.83
School Lunch #8 for $3,927.91
Special Aid #14 for $974.08
General Fund #38 for $237,212.86

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the provisional appointment of Noah Hathaway as Assistant Network Manager effective December 11, 2018 pending successful completion of Saratoga County Civil Service requirements and pending fingerprint clearance; annual salary of $39,500; 16 sick days, 10 vacation days and 3 personal days per year; and all other benefits per the CSEA contract.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved a six week leave of absence for Erin Bridgers, HS Art Teacher, beginning mid-March 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved a leave of absence for Elizabeth Farrington, P/T Reading Teacher at St. Mary’s, from the end of March 2019 through June 2020.  Mrs. Bull is working with St. Mary’s and Catapult Learning to cover the leave of absence.

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 11/19/18, 11/20/18.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board declared as surplus the enclosed lists of electronic equipment, furniture and miscellaneous items.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved a transportation contract with WSWHE BOCES to provide shuttle service for students attending school in Saratoga Springs in the amount of $481.62 for the 2018 - 2019 school year. 

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following elementary substitute teachers for the 2018 - 2019 school year; salary per the WTA contract: Patrick Biel, Ashley Ferraro, Danilyn Foreman, Elise Gabriel, Thomas Hare, Anne Ryan

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
Special Aid #15 for $180.00
Capital Fund #10 for $143,355.87
General Fund #40 for $102,998.28

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved a request from Susan Brophy, Honor Society Advisor, to research a trip to Mystic Aquarium in the spring.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved  the following substitute teachers for the 2018 - 2019 school year; salary per the WTA contract: Austin Kadle, Madeleine Lenox, Lucinda Neal, Deborah Poleto, Olivia Mules, Wendy Serapilio

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the following construction change orders:
#4-002, Kasselman Electric Co., Inc. in the amount of $8,350.88 for a credit allowance and miscellaneous electrical work.
#2-001, RMB Mechanical, Inc. for a credit in the amount of $517.30

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 11/26/2018.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Connor Houle as substitute teacher for the 2018 - 2019 school year; salary per the WTA contract.

There were no comments from the Board of Education, residents or staff.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 7 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:15pm to discuss a personnel issue.

They returned to regular session at 7:50 and adjourned.


Julie Caulkins
District Clerk