November 1, 2018

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting held Thursday, November 1, 2018 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.

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

ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Joel Richardson, Mike Robbins, Ken Williams

ABSENT: Tammi Dehler

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

Comments from the Administration
Mr. Richardson and Mr. Pomerville both recapped the Nov. 1st Superintendent’s Conference Day highlights.  Faculty and staff participated in workshops on the following topics as listed in the day’s schedule:

Next Generation Standards
Mike DeCaprio discussed common threads/themes/concepts across the curriculum.  ELA and Social Studies focusing on building an argument; Science focusing on the act of learning; and Math focusing on “doing to learn”.  Mr. DeCaprio shared his knowledge of the standards, assisted in delving into the resources available to thoroughly work with an understanding of the new standards so teachers feel confident teaching students.

Writing Initiative
Sue Stoya discussed the expectations for the first universal writing assignment for students focusing on organization, mechanics and punctuation.  Also, an editing checklist was introduced.  Ms. Stoya broke down student expectations into manageable parts to facilitate efficient and effective instruction.

I-Ready
Amanda Bergin and Diane Quick reviewed the results of the first benchmarking using the new I-Ready system.  They discussed how to view the reports and how to utilize them to support and inform instruction.

Mental Health Guide
Faculty reviewed the NYS Mental Health Education Literacy in Schools document.  This document supports mental health education at both the elementary and secondary levels.  Time was given to review our current mental health instructional model and align this with the NYS framework.  A plan was developed to address any areas of weakness in our K-6 instructional model.

Paraprofessional Training
Topics covered were roles in the classroom, working as a team, behavior management, providing help without hindering student’s independence and confidentiality.

Related service professionals participated in art, OT, and speech webinars; digital piano training, athletic strategic planning, and auditorium lighting and sound training.

Staff Luncheon
The district teamed up with chefs from Coregroup Food Services Company.  This company is a food broker company that worked with our kitchen staff last year to create new menu items to bring variety to the monthly menus. Coregroup provided chefs who worked with our kitchen staff all morning to provide a delicious lunch for everyone.  Some of the planned menu items were a Ramen Station with beef, chicken, or veggie selections, a second option of assorted chicken sliders such as chicken Parmesan or a breakfast chicken slider, and a third selection of an Asian Stir-Fry.

Winter sports season starts next week.  

Mr. Pomerville is working with Town Supervisor, Jack Lawler on improving the condition of the Town of Waterford tennis courts.  Mr. Pomerville researched replacement costs that run about $700,000.  The cost of refurbishing the courts saves money and is being considered.

The Saratoga County School Boards will hold their quarterly meeting on Monday at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga.  The subject will be Cyber-Security.  Mr. Pomerville, Mrs. Ricci and Mr. Spretty will be attending.  All Board members are welcome to attend.  

Ms. Cecil, Bernier, Carr and Associates, will attend the November 15, 2018 meeting to discuss the end of the construction project and address any open “punch-list” items.

Presentation: Fall Sports Report, Mr. Robbins, Athletic Director
See attached report

Second Reading: Policy #6121 Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

First Reading: Policy #5140 Administration of the Budget
First Reading: Policy #6213 Registration and Professional Development
First Reading: Policy #7222 Diploma or Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
First Reading: Policy #7260 Designation of Person in Parental Relation
First Reading: Policy #7512 Student Physicals
First Reading: Policy #7522 Concussion Management

ACTION
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the October 18, 2018 Board of Education meeting.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
Capital Fund #5 for $10,003.62
Special Aid #10 for $580.00
General Fund #27 for $30,971.02


On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the one year probationary appointment of Rhonda Mabee as cafeteria monitor; effective November 2, 2018; 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 following substitute teacher appointments for the 2018 - 2019 school year; salary per the WTA contract: Pamela Bond, Sean McHugh, Laura Himmelwirght, Connie Gicewicz, Kristina Abramo.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board accepted the 2018 fall sports report as presented by Mr. Robbins, Athletic Director.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved Policy #6121 Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following construction change order: #3-002 from Mazone Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $2,247.57 to provide insulation in 5th and 6th grade wing due to abatement and replace deteriorated domestic water lines.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
Capital Fund #6 for $9,094.20
Capital Fund #7 for $18,829.59
Special Aid #11 for $4,215.88
School Lunch #6 for $6,067.86
General Fund #28 for $5,609.40
General Fund #30 for $12,601.46

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Ian Spear 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. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:22 to discuss negotiations.  They returned to regular session at 8:12 and adjourned.

Julie Caulkins
District Clerk

Fall Sports Report (2018).pdf