The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated August 5, 2021 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci who then led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Denise Carutasu, Jamie Maloney, Stephanie Gilbert, Carolyn Bell
Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Jennifer Bull, Christine Cochrane, Tricia Fronk, Dan Fronk, Maeve Fletcher, Hollie Russo, Andrew Meyers, Kaitlyn Koch
Absent: Jack Catanzarita
There were no comments from the public regarding items on this evening’s agenda.
Comments from Administration
Ms. Bull reported the following:
- Erin Reedy and Deb Campbell have done a wonderful job with the Extended School Year program this summer. The theme for this year’s program was The Olympics and many of the lessons pertained to the topic such as reading about Japan and previous Olympic Games. On Fridays Mr. Robbins assisted with the movement theme activities, making it a fun time for all involved. Teachers will be evaluating student reading levels with F&P assessments in the upcoming week.
Mr. Pomerville reported the following:
- Mr. Pomerville was happy to welcome all of the newly hired teachers present at the evening’s meeting.
- Mr. Pomerville asked all of the Board Members to complete the Goals Survey for the retreat scheduled on August 19th at 4pm.
- COVID-19 Update: The Governor’s office has rescinded the COVID-19 state of emergency and also announced that neither their office nor the NYSDOH will be issuing guidance to govern the opening of schools in September. Decisions regarding masks, physical distancing, COVID testing, employee vaccination requirements, etc. will be left up to school districts and county health officials. County school districts will meet with the Saratoga County DOH to go over protocols and guidelines. Once decisions are finalized, Mr. Pomerville will redraft the opening plan and begin the process of gaining feedback, input and sharing with the school community.
- UPK Update: All 20 participants have been vetted and registered. Room location is established, teacher has been appointed, materials ordered and curriculum planning has begun. UPK will follow the K-6 schedule.
- Mr. Pomerville made the Board aware that final decisions on NYSSBA Convention planning needed to be decided as registration will begin shortly.
- Mr. Pomerville met with BCA regarding the 2a Capital Project, $100K Valve Replacement Project and the Smart Schools Bond Act projects. Bid proposals and acceptance are expected this fall for the Capital Project. The District Facilities Committee will need to meet once the bids have been opened. The state has approved the replacement of the Smart Boards in the building. The replacement flat panels are due to arrive in late October with installation planned for the December Holiday break. The Valve Replacement Project is due to take place this fall, but no date has been set yet. Work will take place outside of school hours.
PRESENTATION: Special Education End of Year Annual Report - Jennifer Bull
- Mrs. Carutasu asked if the Classification Rate included both IEP’s and 504 plans. Ms. Bull responded that the rate only included IEP’s.
- Mr. Pomerville noted that Ms. Bull has done an excellent job meeting the accommodations necessary to bring students back from outside placements and into the building. This takes a lot of effort to coordinate all of the necessary services and Mr. Pomerville appreciates the work done by Ms. Bull and her office.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the minutes from the July 14, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the minutes from the July 14, 2021 Reorganizational Meeting.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the following Warrants and Corresponding Audits (7/14/21) (7/28/21)
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the Extra Classroom Report ending June 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Heather Sowle as High School Teaching Assistant effective August 31, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Ellen Cobb as Senior Typist, CSE office, effective August 6, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the appointment of Katelyn Osborne as Summer Bus Monitor effective July 28, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Maeve Fletcher, Elementary Special Education Teacher; tenure area Special Education- General; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the WTA contract on Step 1 MM48; NYS Initial Certification in Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the unpaid leave of absence for Erin McBride, Elementary Teacher, for September 15-17, 2021.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the attached list of IT electronic items for surplus for auction.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the attached list of IT electronic items for surplus for salvage.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board amend the Title IX and Sex Discrimination Policy from Policy #3421 to #3422.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the 2021 Tax Warrant.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 5-0-1 with Mrs. Carutasu abstaining, the Board approved the appointment of Jordan Carutasu as Substitute Summer Teacher’s Aide effective August 3, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the appointment of Zoe Russell as Substitute Summer Teacher’s Aide effective August 3, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the final request from Hollie Russo for a student trip to London and Paris in April of 2023 pending world conditions.
- Mr. Lee asked if world conditions become unfavorable, would the approval be rescinded. Mr. Pomerville replied that it would.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the appointment of Andrew Meyers, 0.6 FTE High School Health Teacher; effective September 1, 2021; salary per the WTA contract on Step 1 MS39; NYS Initial Certification in Health Education.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the three year probationary appointment of Kaitlyn Koch, High School Music Teacher; tenure area Music; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2024; salary per the WTA contract on Step 5 MM42; NYS Professional Certificate in Music.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Christine Cochrane, High School Math AIS Teacher; tenure area Mathematics; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the WTA contract on Step 1 MA33; NYS Initial Certificate in Mathematics 7-12.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Tricia Fronk, High School ELA AIS Teacher; tenure area English; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the WTA contract on Step 1 MEd; NYS Initial Certificate in English Language Arts, 7-12.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the appointment of Autumn Davidson as a long term substitute Elementary Teacher to fill the position held by Jennifer Dorgan, third grade teacher, who will be out on a leave of absence; effective September 1, 2021 and is intended to continue until Ms. Dorgan’s return. No term of employment is conferred by this resolution of appointment and Ms. Davidson’s employment may be terminated at any time. Salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Sabrina Hartley as Teaching Assistant effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the CSEA contract.
COMMENTS
There were no comments from residents and staff.
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney, and by a vote of 6-0, the Board went into executive session at 7:35 to discuss negotiations. The Board returned to regular session at 8:45pm and adjourned.
Donna Cramer
District Clerk