January 7, 2021

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Facilities Committee Meeting dated January 7, 2021 was called to order at 5:30pm by David Lee.

Present: Jack Cantanzarita, Denise Carutasu, David Lee, Jaimi Maloney

Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Ingalsbee

Also Present: (via Webex) Mary Cecil (BCA), Taylor Woolf (BCA), Jason Schwartz (BPD), Nicholas Barcellona (BPD), Jeff Mckenna (BCA)

 

  • The Facilities Committee reviewed discussions at the last meeting regarding a two phase capital project versus a one phase project. It was decided that a two phase project would be financially best by allowing the district to receive as much state aid on the project as possible.
  • At this meeting BCA and BPD presented the new financial projections with the track and field work to be included in the first phase (Phase 2A) and pushing the parking lot renovations to the second phase (Phase 2B).
  • The lighting of the track/field was moved out of the alternates and into the regular project.
  • BPD noted that this project with two phases will be approximately one million dollars over MCA for the base project and over two million dollars if all alternates were included.  These dollar amounts above the MCA were anticipated and are within the ranges that were explained to the voters prior to the vote, and the voters approved last December for the project vote.
  • Late February to early March is the target date for submission to New York State for eventual project approval.  BCA anticipates an eight to ten week time period for approval.
  • Discussion was held on the possibility of a concession stand press box and grandstand. Mari Cecil responded that she would need specs for that project. These items will be alternates only.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board went into executive session at 6:36pm to discuss a personnel matter. The Board exited the executive session at 6:50pm.

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The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated January 7, 2021 was called to order at 7:02 by Mr. Lee, who then led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: David Lee, Denise Carutasu, Jack Catanzarita, Jamie Maloney

Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Ingalsbe, Jennifer Bull

Also Present: (via Webex) Christina Falasco, Paul Gervasio, J. Dorgan, Dee

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

Comments from Administration

Mrs. Bull reported on the following:

  • Karen Budrakey will have interns from Skidmore College starting next week. Ken Williams will have a student teacher from St. Rose. All will complete the daily Health Screenings and have their temperatures taken on the days they are in the building follow the same safety protocols that staff do.
  • Mr. Pomerville and Ms. Bull are working with BOCES to provide professional development opportunities for teachers and teaching assistants. Some of the courses will focus on effective instruction, social-emotional learning, curriculum prioritization, student engagement, student assessment and educational technology. A survey will be sent to staff to rank their choices and a schedule will be set up before or after school, likely in March, for the teachers and teaching assistants to attend the sessions most chosen.

Mr. Pomerville reported on the following:

  • Update on the current COVID-19 status for district. Several students and two staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, however these individuals did not have contact with any other students or staff because they were diagnosed during the holiday break. There are currently several students and staff placed in a precautionary quarantine. The District is continuing its preparations if the state declares our area to be a Yellow, Orange or Red zone including circumspectly scheduling testing for January 21, 2021 in case of a zone designation in order to comply with the two week window ordered by the state. Mrs. Carutasu asked how hybrid students in grades 7-12 that are virtual learners the day of testing would be able to be tested. Mr. Pomerville responded that parents would be able to schedule a time to come in on that day for their hybrid students or for those K-6 parents that wish to come in to be with their student during the testing process. Mr. Pomerville added that testing would take place in the auditorium lobby during the hours of 8am and 5/6pm. 
  • Donna Cramer has been gathering information on BoardDocs, a software program that is a paperless meeting management program for Board of Education meetings. It can be used to manage and organize agendas, attachments, minutes and district policies on one platform. Different levels of access can be given to board members, administrators and the public without the expense of putting together paper packets and postage. However that option is still available if necessary. The cost is $3000 per year and is BOCES aidable. BoardDocs provides training to navigate the program as well as transferring all of the district policies to their platform. Other vendors the District works with, such as ERIE 1 BOCES and outside auditors, would also be able to interact with the platform. Mrs. Maloney commented that she was familiar with it from a nearby school district, and added it was easy to navigate. 
  • Lead testing results have come in for both the elementary and high school buildings. The elementary girl’s locker room drinking fountain, the ice machine in the cafeteria, and the drinking fountain in the high school tech room all reported as higher than acceptable for lead. Access has been shut off to all of these locations and will be remediated. The water fountains have been shut down due to COVID and the ice machine has not been used for food prep.  The results will be reported to the New York State Department of Health and posted on the district website.

Mrs. Ingalsbe reported on the following:

  • Budget Transfers 
    • COVID spending has been primarily funded by 25% budget reductions for supplies and materials in all departments throughout the district.
  • 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Update
    • Appropriation savings in:
      • Salaries due to the retirement incentives
      • Contractual changes in the transportation contracts as well as reduced transportation use due to virtual learning
      • Contractual negotiations for employee benefits
    • Revenues are primarily on track somewhat in part due to increased earnings from surplus auctions and pilot revenues. Although our 2021 state aid has not been reduced the potential still exists for reductions.

First Reading:

  • PRESENTATION

2021-2022 Budget Timeline - Rachel Ingalsbe (see attached Budget Action Timeline)

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the minutes of the December 10, 2020 Board of Education Meeting.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the following Warrants and Corresponding Claims Audits

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved 2020-2021 Budget Transfers Requiring Board of Education Approval.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the extension of a maternity leave of absence for Petra Frank, ENL Teacher for the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, to June 30, 2021, pursuant to the WTA contract.  

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the extension of a maternity leave of absence for Ann Dobert, High School Math Teacher for the Waterford Union Free School District, to the June 30, 2021, pursuant to the WTA contract.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the unpaid leave of absence for Donna VanBramer, Teaching Assistant for the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, from January 14 - 22, 2021.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the appointment of Morgan Kinney as Sub Food Service Worker for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the CSEA contract; pending fingerprint approval.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the attached list of items as surplus to be auctioned.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the appointment of Amaya Thomas as Sub Custodian for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the CSEA contract; effective 1/11/21; pending fingerprint approval.

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board approved the request from Patrick Parker for a childbirth leave of absence for the full amount of leave available per the WTA MOA dated 5/4/2019 beginning on or about March 9, 2021.

COMMENTS

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

On motion by Mrs. Maloney, seconded by Mr. Cantanzarita and by a vote of 4-0 the Board adjourned at 7:27pm.

                                                                    Donna Cramer

                                                                    District Clerk