August 6, 2020

The Waterford –Halfmoon Union Free School District Regular Meeting dated August 6, 2020 was called to order at 7:00pm by Mrs. Ricci.

PRESENT: (In person) Marcia Ricci, David Lee, Jack Catanzarita, Denise Carutasu, Carolyn Bell

ALSO PRESENT: (In person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Schwendinger, Jennifer Bull

ALSO PRESENT: (via Webex) Ken Williams, Jessica Difabio

ABSENT: Tammi Dehler, Jamie Maloney

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

Comments from Administration

Mrs. Bull stated that the district is five weeks into summer school and all is going well. She thanked all of the summer school faculty and staff and appreciates all of their hard work. She reported that Kindergarten screening will be taking place on August 17, 18, & 19.

Ms. Schwendinger informed the Board that the Claims Audit Report had a change in format. She believes it is more valuable to have it align with the warrants for the current meeting. She also informed the Board that the Treasurer’s Reports will also be undergoing a change in format in the near future. Bids are going out for Transportation to Special Schools. The bids have been set up into five zones, allowing vendors to bid on each region and to be reimbursed by mile, hopefully, allowing the district to save money and time.

Mr. Pomerville requested that the Board table the last item on the agenda as it had been added to the addendum with some revisions.

Mr. Pomerville announced that a settlement had been reached with Momentive on the tax certiorari case after the agenda had been posted. An announcement would be posted on the website that evening, and a newsletter would be mailed out to the residents of the community early next week, as well as shared with faculty and staff.

Mr. Pomerville mentioned we are awaiting an announcement from the Governor regarding the reopening of schools and have been cautiously making plans in the meantime. Approximately 500 online surveys have been completed and 275 more still need to be done. On Monday we will be calling those families that have not yet responded so we can start finalizing the reopening plans. Administrators will hold virtual parent meetings from 6:00  to 7:30pm on Monday, August 17, 2020 with parents of 7-12 graders, and Tuesday, August 18, 2020 for grades K-6. Parents will be able to submit questions beforehand as well as use the chat feature during the meetings.

PRESENTATION: Class of 2020 Profile, Mrs. Difabio

See attached.  Mr. Pomerville thanked Mrs. Difabio and Mrs. Austin for all of their challenging work to make this year’s schedules for students while also making sure siblings are attending school on the same days. 

ACTION                    

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the minutes of the July 9, 2020 Reorganization and Regular Board of Education Meetings.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the following warrants: 

General Fund #2 for $221,586.10

Special Aid #28 (Revised) $6730.35

General Fund #4 for $185,414,.92

Special Aid #1 for $17,150.75

Ms Schwendinger answered Mrs. Ricci’s questions about specific items in the warrants: Payments to BC and CDPHP include retirees; Clifton Property Services cleaned rugs in the kindergarten classrooms; Sun Medical Care is our legally required health care provider; and Ms. Schwendinger will report back to Mrs. Ricci on the payment to Ninette F. Kondratowicz.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Claims Audit for General Fund 7/15/2020, General Fund 7/29/2020, Special Aid 7/29/2020

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the terms and conditions of employment for Confidential Employees of the District dated August 6, 2020 and ratifies and approves the payment of money contained therein for the period July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement between Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District and Waterford Teachers’ Association regarding summer work for the Athletic Director dated August 6, 2020

The Board reviewed CSE minutes dated 4/27/2020, 6/18/2020, 6/24/2020, 6/29/2020, 7/07/2020, 7/24/2020, 7/24/2020

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the two week unpaid leave of absence for Carol Burniche, Elementary Secretary

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the appointment of Kale Rodrigues as a substitute teacher for the 2020-2021 school year; salary per the policy on substitute teacher pay

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the appointment of Christopher Scanlan as the 2020 Summer School High School Principal; salary per the WAA contract prorated as determined by the actual percentage of the summer worked

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the permanent appointment of Kyle Elliot, Head Groundskeeper upon successful completion of his probationary period effective 9/23/20

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Minutes of the August 3, 2020 Board of Education Meeting

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Report ending June 30, 2020

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Extra Classroom Activity Fund ending June 30, 2020

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the following Resolution:

    WHEREAS, there are presently pending before the New York Supreme     Court, Saratoga County, certain tax certiorari proceedings commenced     under the caption of MPM Silicones, LLC v. Assessor of the Town of     Waterford, et. al. and bearing Index Nos. 2016-1885; 2017-2152; 2018-     2193; 2019-2388; and

 

    WHEREAS, these proceedings contest the 2016 through 2019 real
    property tax assessments of certain real property within the Town of     Waterford and the Town of Halfmoon, as more particularly identified in the     Petitions on file with the Court (“at issue parcels”); and WHEREAS,     proposed terms of settlement have been formulated providing for the     disposition of these proceedings.  

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education     authorizes the settlement of these proceedings in accordance with the     following terms: (1) the aggregate assessments of the at issue parcels for     assessment years 2016 through 2019 shall be reduced to reflect a     taxable assessment, net of all exemptions, based on an aggregate fair     market value of $95,000,000; (2) the aggregate assessments of the at     issue parcels for assessment year 2020 shall be reduced to reflect a     taxable assessment, net of all exemptions, based on an aggregate fair     market value of $95,000,000, which taxable assessment shall remain in     effect for the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 assessment years; (3) the total     school and library tax refunds to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon     Union Free School District shall not exceed $3,570,825, with $3,270,825     of said amount to be paid within ninety (90) days of service of the entered     Consent Judgment and the remaining balance of $300,000 to be paid,     without interest, within one year of service of the entered Consent     Judgment; and it is further  

    RESOLVED, that counsel for the District, together with District personnel,     are hereby authorized to undertake such action as are necessary to     effectuate this settlement, including the execution of any Stipulation of     Settlement consistent with the terms above stated and the payment of a     ny and all refunds required under the above authorized terms of     settlement.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the twelve week extension of the probationary periods for the following employees:

    • Driver - Carson, Daniel H.;  6/1/21 
    • Driver - Carson, Marilyn A.; 5/16/21 
    • Food Service Worker - Mabee, Rhonda M.; 11/24/20 
    • Food Service Worker - Sabatino, Stacy; 4/17/21 
    • Monitor -  Thomas, Kimberly A.; 6/1/21 

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the four year probationary period of Eileen Payst, High School Spanish teacher, effective September 1, 2020 through September 1, 2024; salary per the WTA contract on Step 4MS30; NYS Professional Certification Spanish 7-12.

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the three year probationary period of Mara Staffield, Special Education Teacher, effective September 1, 2020 through September 1, 2023; salary per the WTA contract on Step 3MS42; NYS Professional Certification Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2) and Students with Disabilities (1-6).

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

On motion by Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. Catanzarita and by a vote of 5-0, the Board went into executive session at 7:23 to discuss a personnel matter. They returned to regular session at 8:05 and adjourned.

                                                                    Donna Cramer

                                                                    District Clerk                     

Profile of the Class of 2020 8_6_2020 (1).pdf