April 18, 2019

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Meeting held Thursday, April 18, 2019 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.

PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Tammi Dehler, Jamie Maloney, Carolyn Bell, Jack Catanzarita

ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Christopher Scanlan, Joseph Siracuse, Jennifer Bull, Joel Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. Panetta

ABSENT: David Lee, Kory Galuski

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

Comments from the Administration
Mr. Scanlan reported on Mrs. DiFabio’s trip to the Stillwater School District College Fair with our students.  On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, the high school participated in assemblies and workshops designed to inform students on the dangers of driving while distracted and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  A former  Saratoga County District Attorney, members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, Waterford Police Officers and the Saratoga County Auto Museum led the activities focusing on driving safety and everyday decision making skills.  The auto museum provided a device simulating the effects of driving under the influence.  Mr. Scanlan thanked everyone involved saying it was a positive message.

Mr. Richardson thanked Mrs. Gervasio for organizing a very successful Junior High Semi-Formal Dance.  It was nicely decorated, and well attended by 82 students.  After spring break, grades 3 - 8 math assessments will be administered using paper and pencil, as opposed to electronic submission to NYSED, avoiding technical difficulties.  

Thursday, April 18th was Kindness Day in the high school.  It was a student generated idea in memory of Anthony Blaauboer.  Mrs. Finley’s class brain-stormed and implemented ideas including selling kindness bracelets, wearing light blue, and posting phrases of kindness and encouragement as reminders on desks and lockers.  It was a great message to spread and actually resulted in a calm and quiet day, with fewer than normal administrative referrals, before spring break.  Mrs. Dehler and Mrs. Maloney noted the benefits of the message, expressed an interest in BOE participation and inquired about the bracelets.

Mrs. Bull announced Mr. Bianchini’s retirement as special education teacher effective June 2019 and has begun searching for his replacement.  Mrs. Bull is also working to fill summer school positions.  

Mr. Siracuse said that testing is completed and elementary faculty, staff and students are looking forward to spring break.  Mr. Siracuse is working to fill an elementary art position upon Mrs. Coleman’s resignation.  Saratoga Sod will deliver garden soil and Mr. Siracuse will soon be planting vegetables.  Faculty and staff participated in screening approximately 45 incoming Kindergarten students, which is  an average number for this time of year.  

Mr. Pomerville announced there will be some changes to the 2018 - 2019 school calendar for the Board to review and approve at the next board meeting in May: June 24 and June 25 will be half days for the elementary, June 25 will be the last day for elementary students; June 26 will be the last day for faculty and staff.  

Presentation: 2019 - 2020 District Budget, Mr. Pomerville
Budget Presentation for Board Adoption 2019-2020; April 18th BOE Meeting.pdf

ACTION
On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the April 4, 2019 Board of Education meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending March 31, 2019.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Student Funds Report ending March 31, 2019.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
School Lunch #21 for $1,505.39
Special Aid #33 for $1,225.00
General Fund #110 for $154,028.83

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit ending March 2019.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Budget for the 2019 - 2020 school year in the amount of $21,196,493.

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 3/27/19, 3/28/19.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accepted, with deep regret, the resignation of Anthony Bianchini, Special Education Teacher, for the purpose of retirement; after 29 years of dedicated service to the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD; effective June 30, 2019.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the 2018 - 2019 year-end report from Paul Ferrara, Master Minds Club Advisor.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Paul Ferrara as Master Minds Advisor for the 2019 - 2020 school year; salary per the WTA contract.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Marcia Ricci as Chairperson of the May 21, 2019 Board of Education meeting (district budget vote/BOE election).

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
School Lunch #22 for $6,499.83
Special Aid #34 for $225.00
Capital Fund #16 for $1,907.79
General Fund #111 for $49,249.47
General Fund #112 for $1,421.00

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit Report for April 2019

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board accepted the 2018-2019 year-end Mock Trial report from Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Ford.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Ford as  2019 - 2020 Mock Trial co-advisors; salary per the WTA contract.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved the final request from Noreen Gervasio to take the 7th and 8th grade students to the Bronx Zoo on June 14, 2019.

The Board review CSE minutes dated 4/10/2019.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board approved a request from Carol Burniche for a five day unpaid leave of absence April 22-26, 2019.

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

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:36pm to discuss a personnel matter.  The Board returned to regular session at 9:00pm and adjourned.

Julie Caulkins
District Clerk