March 7, 2019

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Finance Meeting held Thursday, March 7, 2019 was called to order at 6:20pm.

PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, Tammi Dehler, David Lee, Jamie Maloney, Carolyn Bell, Kory Galuski (6:55pm)

ALSO PRESENT:  Patrick Pomerville, Carol Lyon, Christopher Scanlan, Jennifer Dorgan, David Mosher

ABSENT:  Jack Catanzarita

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Delher and by a vote of 5 - 0 the Board met in executive session to discuss a personnel issue prior to the start of the Finance Meeting at 6:03pm. The Board returned to regular session at 6:20pm.

Proposed 2019 - 2020 District Budget, Patrick Pomerville 
Budget Finance Workshop Presentation, March 7, 2019.pdf

Based on current budget information, Mr. Pomerville suggested tax levy options and asked the Board for their input on how to close the budget gap.  Mrs. Maloney and Mr. Galuski would like more information on the impact of specific cuts to the budget.  Mrs. Lyon said the participation in the New York Cooperative Liquid Assets Securities System (NYCLASS) has generated an increased amount of interest and could positively affect the budget. Mr. Pomerville and Mrs. Lyon agreed to create a list of priorities and their impact on the budget.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 -0 the Board adjourned the Finance Meeting at 7:11pm.  The Board of Education Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:12pm by Mrs. Ricci.

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

Comments from Administration

Mr. Scanlan reported on the high school drama production of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  Mrs. Wilson along with her chorus and drama students worked very hard on the production.  There were a lot of behind the scenes activities.  Many thanks to Mr. Mosher and his students for constructing the dog house and to Mrs. Mercier and her art students for their work on the scenery and sets.  A great job by everyone!  

Mr. Scanlan reported that Mrs. Willits is doing a great job balancing the recently combined Chief Information Office position and HS Secretary position.  SAT Prep will be starting soon.

WSWHE BOCES Skills USA competition was held recently.  Our students Sam Davenport and  Jaelyn Jackson participated in the health occupations department and Dawson Newhouse participated in the construction department.  

The dodgeball tournament successfully raised $800 for the girls soccer team.  There were 17 teams made up of current and former students, parents, community members, faculty and staff.  

Mr. Pomerville reported on the $100,000 bid opening today (door safety, etc).  It was the second bid opening for this project.  Specifications were re-worked following the last bid.  While the bids are lower this time, they still came in at $133,000.  Mrs. Lyon will be investigating State Education Department options through the Safe Schools Act, moving money from the general fund, and working with the district’s financial planner, Bernard Donegan, Inc. to find ways to cover the entire cost.  Mr. Galuski discussed taking alternate parts of the project out of the bid for separate financing. 

Mr. Pomerville shared architectural drawings of the auditorium entrance canopy.  This project will be financed with money left over from Phase 1C project and does not need voter approval.  Mrs. Maloney wanted to know if the materials will tie into existing designs on the outside of the building noting there are a lot of different styles from previous projects.  Mr. Pomerville said yes, but the canopy will not have a rounded top like the main entrance canopy.  Mr. Galuski was assured that there is enough money to cover contingency items, e.g. soil testing and remediation.  Soil is not an issue for this project because the footings were already put into place in anticipation of a canopy and no soil issues were found.   Mrs. Lyon said is it estimated to cost $240,000 and will be paid for from the remaining $350,000.  Mrs. Lyon would like to spend all of that money.  The project should begin after graduation and finish by July 2019.  The time frame allows for building reports to be submitted and the district would qualify for a half-year of building aid.  Mrs. Maloney was concerned that the canopy is not designed to cover the ramp and asked how much additional money it would cost.  There was discussion on the feasability of a canopy over the ramp as it is so close to the rescue windows in the high school music room.

Mr. Pomerville asked the Board if they had reservations about implementing the auditorium canopy project and the Board agreed to move forward with the project.

Presentation: Future Capital Projects, Mr. Pomerville
 
Phase 2 Capital Project.pdf

Since voter approval in 2012, the district has financed a series of capital construction projects addressing new construction and renovations to the existing building referred to as Phase 1A, 1B and 1C.  In the near future, some of that debt will come off of the books reducing the debt service line item in the budget.  Mr. Pomerville would like to dovetail future capital construction projects so that financing  continues at an even level.

He asked the Board if they were comfortable with continuing to move forward with another potential construction project.  He is not asking for the Board to make any commitments at this point.  The Board responded that they were interested in continuing to pursue the idea.

Mr. Pomerville explained that district residents and tax payers would be asked for their opinions on proposed projects through a straw poll held on the day of the district budget vote in May 2019.  

ACTION
 
On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the February 14, 2019 Board of Education meeting.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit Report dated January 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following warrant.  (Payment to Saratoga County was for a Notary license; payment to the post office was for a bulk mailing permit; two payments to Cintas covered uniform cleaning and cleaning supplies) 
General Fund #98 for $84,244.10

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Kimberly Tvelia as substitute high school Art teacher to cover a six week leave of absence; salary per the policy on substitute teachers; effective March 1, 2019.  (Covering the maternity leave of the part-time high school art teacher)

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved an initial request from Hollie Russo to investigate a trip for 5th and 6th grade students to a Mets vs. Giants baseball game on June 6, 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved a request from Tammi Kivitz, Teaching Assistant, for a 10 day medical leave of absence beginning March 13, 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board declared as surplus the following items from the CSE Office: 1 - Tech Scan 32 Plus; 1 - Alpha Smart; 1 - Clearnote Camera Device; 1 - Enhance Vision Flipper Panel; 1 - PowerLink 2; 3 - Intellitools Keyboards; 1 - Maico Hearing Instrument 

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following warrants:
Special Aid #29 for $282.33
School Lunch #16 for $4,249.70
General Fund #99 for $15,669.82

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Auditors Report ending February 2019.

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 2/8/2019, 2/13/2019, 2/15/2019, 2/25/2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved an extended family medical leave of absence for Julie Bishop from December 5, 2018 through March 2019. (Family Medical Leave Act covers a 12 week period; the district has extended that time;  employees can use their sick time during their doctor’s prescribed period of disability for themselves or a family member.) 

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Gary Dufresne as substitute custodian effective March 7, 2019; salary per the CSEA contract.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of Stacey Scunziano as substitute teacher aide effective March 7, 2019; salary per the CSEA contract.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved an initial request from Mike Robbins to investigate a trip to Cooperstown on May 17, 2019 for students in grades 7 - 12.

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

Mr. Pomerville extended an invitation to Board members for the April 3rd WSWHE BOCES Annual Meeting and the March 18th Saratoga County School Boards Meeting.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Dehler and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board went into executive session at 7:50pm to discuss negotiations.  They returned to regular session and adjourned at 8:40pm.


Julie Caulkins
District Clerk