January 9, 2020

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated January 9, 2020 was called to order by Mrs. Marcia Ricci at 7:00pm.

PRESENT: Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Jamie Maloney, Jack Catanzarita, Carolyn Bell, Denise Carutasu

ALSO PRESENT: Patrick Pomerville, Joseph Siracuse, Rachel Schwendinger

ABSENT: Tammi Dehler

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

Comments from the Administration
Mr. Siracuse wished everyone a very Happy New Year as he welcomed faculty, staff and students back to school after the holiday break.   

Performers associated with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Dance Residency have been here teaching and rehearsing with the elementary students and teachers for an upcoming performance on January 21, 2020.  Many thanks to the PTO and Arts-in-Education programs for their funding and support.  More information can be found on the SPAC website: https://spac.org/education/in-schools/artists-in-residence/ 

It is the end of the first trimester in the elementary with nice results reported for the most recent F & P testing.  Faculty will continue to push guided reading strategies.  

Basketball hoops were installed outside on the blacktop area.  Many thanks to the PTO for financial support and to the custodial staff for installation.  The PTO and youth basketball groups have plans for refurbishing the outside blacktop area.

Mr. Pomerville noted the following items on the addendum:
Approval of the Bond Resolution is standard procedure after a construction vote.  The Board is asked to approve the issuance of bonds to repay, in good faith, all principal and interest borrowed for renovations and construction.  
The legal notice is required to be published in newspapers and states the scope of the work and the money needed to complete the project.
The Board will be asked to approve the appointment of teachers to staff a pilot program referred to as the Academic Support Club.  The administration met to finalize the details of the program which will be funded through Title IV federal grant money rolled over from last year.

Mr. Siracuse explained that the Academic Support Club came together after parent - teacher conferences identified struggling students.  It is designed to focus on specific academic areas with targeted goals for each student.  The program will be limited to 20 students in grades 4 - 6, attending Monday through Thursdays.  Once enrolled, the program will be mandatory with specific rules.  The program is in line with Board of Education goals to support student academic achievement.  

Mr. Pomerville updated the Board on the tax certiorari issue with Momentive.  There have not been formal discussions.  The appraisal exchange is scheduled for February 15, 2020.  A court conference - the judge working with attorney’s - is scheduled for March 2, 2020 to determine if the issue can be settled out of court.  A trial date has been set for May 4, 2020.  

Mr. Pomerville scheduled capital project planning meetings for January 27th and 28th from 11am - 3:30pm. Representatives from Bernier and Carr will meet with faculty and staff assigned to classrooms in targeted areas (PE, Art, Tech, etc.)  On Tuesday, January 14th at 3PM there will be a meeting for anyone interested in brainstorming ideas for the new track.

First Reading: Policy #6121 Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Presentation: 2020-2021 Budget Timeline, Rachel Schwendinger

2020 - 2021 Budget Goals
Develop a budget that:
Is aligned with the District’s goals
Maintains programs and services
Is funded with a tax levy that is within the tax cap
Maximizes efficiencies and provides for improved processes or services wherever possible
Clearly and transparently communicates with the community regarding the budget.

2020 - 2021 Budget Timeline
December 2019
Begin preparing preliminary estimates

January 2020
Conduct meetings to discuss budgetary needs and continue gathering relevant information
NYS Executive Budget State aid runs released 
Tax cap allowable growth factors released

February 2020
Perform strategic review of 2020 - 2021 budget.
Finance Committee Meeting: February 12, 2020

March 2020
Present tentative budget to the Finance Committee, modify as necessary
Tax levy limit calculation due March 1, 2020
Finance Committee Meetings: March 5, 2020 and March 19, 2020

April 2020
Board of Education approval of 2020 - 2021 budget and property tax report card.
NYS Legislative Budget State aid runs released: April 1, 2020
Finance Committee Meeting: April 2, 2020
Board of Education Meeting (approve budget): April 23, 2020
Property tax report card due to SED the day after approval

May 2020
Conduct the budget hearing and budget vote
Budget Hearing: May 7, 2020
Budget Vote: May 19, 2020

August 2020
Adopt the tax levy and warrant

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the minutes of the December 12, 2019 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:
General Fund #40 for $217,395.35
General Fund #41 for $341,519.88
Special Aid #18 for $5,482.93
Capital Fund #9 for $54,439.58
School Lunch #10 for $6,324.07

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of Timothy Michaels, Custodian, effective December 16, 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board accepted the resignation of Donna Curtis, Cafeteria Monitor, effective December 12, 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board accepted, with regret, the resignation for the purpose of retirement, from M. Patricia Dearstyne, Bus Monitor, effective January 26, 2020; after 10 years of service to the students, faculty and staff of the district.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the appointment of the following elementary substitute teachers; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay: Darlene Azzaretti, Christopher Campbell, Artavius Fisher, Hayden Galarneau, Michelle Kats, Elizabeth Kaufman, Aaron Nardolillo, Thomas Nicholson, Lana Torrens, Christopher Weis.

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated November 22, 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the Claims Audit ending December 2019.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved a change in Erin Kisling’s teaching assistant schedule from 5.75 to 5.5 hours per day effective January 6, 2020.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following bond resolution:

BOND RESOLUTION DATED JANUARY 9, 2020 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING NOT TO EXCEED $15,185,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SERIAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO FINANCE THE RENOVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE K-12 SCHOOL BUILDING AND EXISTING ATHLETIC FIELDS AND FACILITIES, INCLUDING SITE WORK, AND THE ACQUISITION OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY OR APPARATUS, AT AN ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $15,185,000, THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE, LEVY OF TAX IN ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS IN PAYMENT THEREOF, AND DETERMINING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

WHEREAS, the qualified voters of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District (the “District”), at a special meeting of such voters duly held on the 10th day of December, 2019, duly approved propositions authorizing the issuance of serial general obligation bonds in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $15,185,000, to finance the renovation and reconstruction of the K-12 school building and existing athletic fields and facilities, including site work thereat, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such building, athletic fields and facilities are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto, and the levy of the necessary tax therefor, to be levied upon the taxable property of the District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law;
NOW THEREFOR, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.  The District shall renovate and reconstruct the K-12 school building and existing athletic fields and facilities, including site work thereat, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such building, athletic fields and facilities are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $15,185,000, as more particularly described in Section 3 hereof, and as generally outlined to and considered by the voters of the District at the special District meeting held on December 10, 2019.
Section 2.  The District is hereby authorized to issue its serial general obligation bonds (the “Bonds”) in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $15,185,000 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, in order to finance the class of objects or purposes described herein.
Section 3.  The class of objects or purposes to be financed pursuant to this Resolution (the “Purpose”) is the renovation and reconstruction of the K-12 school building and existing athletic fields and facilities, including site work thereat, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such building, athletic fields and facilities are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto.
Section 4.  It is hereby determined and declared that (a) the maximum cost of the Purpose, as estimated by the Board of Education, is $15,185,000, (b) no money has heretofore been authorized to be applied to the payment of the cost of the Purpose, and ( c ) the District plans to finance the cost of the Purpose from funds received from the State of New York as building aid and funds raised by the issuance of the Bonds and bond anticipation notes hereinafter referred to.
Section 5.  It is hereby determined that the Purpose is one of the class of objects or purposes described in Subdivision 97 of Paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law, and that the period of probable usefulness of the Purpose is thirty (30) years.
Section 6.  Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the sale of the Bonds, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer.
Section 7.  The power to further authorize the issuance of the Bonds and bond anticipation notes and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of the Bonds and bond anticipation notes, including the consolidation with other issues and the use of substantially level or declining debt service, subject to the provisions of this Resolution and the Local Finance Law, and to sell and deliver the Bonds and bond anticipation notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education.  The President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized to sign and the District Clerk is hereby authorized to attest any Bonds and bond anticipation notes issued pursuant to this Resolution, and the District Clerk is hereby authorized to affix to such Bonds and bond anticipation notes the corporate seal of the District.
Section 8.  The faith and credit of the District are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such Bonds and bond anticipation notes as the same respectively become due and payable.  An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations becoming due and payable in such year.  After taking into account New York State building aid received by the District, there shall be levied annually on all taxable real property of the District, a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations as the same become due and payable.
Section 9.  This Resolution shall constitute the declaration of the District’s “official intent” to reimburse expenditures authorized by Section 1 with proceeds of the Bonds and notes, as required by United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2.
Section 10. This Resolution, or a summary thereof, shall be published by the District Clerk together with a notice in substantially the form prescribed by Section 81.00 of said Local Finance Law, and such publication shall be in each official newspaper of the District.  The validity of the Bonds or of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the sale of the Bonds may be contested only if such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the School District is not authorized to expend money, or the provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this Resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication; or if said obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 11.  This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the following legal notice:

The resolution published herewith has been adopted on the 9th day of January, 2020, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Waterford-Halfmoon  Union Free School District is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.
A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the District Clerk of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, 125 Middletown Road, Waterford, New York, 12188 for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.    District Clerk

BOND RESOLUTION DATED JANUARY 9, 2020 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE WATERFORD-HALFMOON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING NOT TO EXCEED $15,185,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SERIAL GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO FINANCE THE RENOVATION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE K-12 SCHOOL BUILDING AND EXISTING ATHLETIC FIELDS AND FACILITIES, INCLUDING SITE WORK, AND THE ACQUISITION OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY OR APPARATUS, AT AN ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST OF $15,185,000, THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE, LEVY OF TAX IN ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS IN PAYMENT THEREOF, AND DETERMINING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Class of objects or purposes: renovation and reconstruction of the K-12 school building and existing athletic fields and facilities, including site work thereat, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such building, athletic fields and facilities are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto
Maximum Estimated Cost: $15,185,000
Period of probable usefulness:  Thirty (30) years
Amount of obligations to be issued:  $15,185,000

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved the  following substitute elementary teachers; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay: Deborah Angrisano, Mary Cotrona, Elaine Raftogiani

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mrs. Maloney and by a vote of 6 - 0 the Board approved following teachers as members of the Academic Support Club; salary of $42 per hour; per the WTA contract: Annemarie Strife, Teri Tremblay, Darcy Pogue, Hollie Russo, Kate Beidl, Erin McBride, Patrice King, Jessica Sorensen.

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 7:20pm to discuss a legal matter.  They returned to regular session at 7:45 and adjourned.

Julie Caulkins District Clerk