June 3, 2021

The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education Regular Meeting dated June 3, 2021 was called to order at 7:01pm by Mrs. Ricci who then led all in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Present: Marcia Ricci, Jack Catanzarita, Denise Carutasu, Carolyn Bell 

Also Present: (in person) Patrick Pomerville, Rachel Ingalsbe, Joseph Siracuse

Also Present: (via WebEx) David Lee, Allie Hornung, Jeff Stein, Kate Barone, Megan Mercier, Dave Knitter, Christopher Scanlan, Jessica Sorensen, Mary Stalker, Crystal Rich, Natalie Kosar, Stephanie Gleason, Laurie Oates

Absent: Jamie Maloney

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

Comments from Administration

Mr. Siracuse reported the following:

  • Kindness Day was a great success. The students took part in the dedication of a bench to all students whom we have lost here at Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD, wore t-shirts, placed chalk art on the sidewalks, and decorated their classroom doors in recognition of the day.
  • On June 16, 2021 a tree will be planted during a ceremony celebrating the life of Connor White, a second grader here at Waterford-Halfmoon who passed away earlier this year. His family will be attending the dedication.
  • Since the elementary students were not able to attend any field trips this year due to the pandemic, “field trips” were brought into the students. The Albany Police Department spoke to students as well as put on a demonstration with their police dogs. A petting zoo was brought to the school as well for students to get up close with several different types of animals.
  • Plans for a summer school curriculum are coming together, and Mr. Siracuse thanked Mr. Pomerville and Mrs. Ingalsbe for their assistance in planning.
  • Interviews for new Music teachers will be taking place in mid-June.

Mr. Pomerville reported the following:

  • Mr. Pomerville shared with all in attendance, a collection of poetry and works of art produced by area students. Jenna Harley, a senior, was featured in the collection.
  • Administration is working with our District Physician on adjusting the mask policy so our athletes will be able to compete mask free during athletic events.
  • A calendar has been enclosed for 2021-2022 Board Meetings. Mr. Pomerville asked if any Board members had any conflicts with any of the dates, and then informed the Board the calendar would be up for approval at the next Board Meeting.
  • Mr. Pomerville reported he had met with the newly elected Board Member, Stephanie Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert has scheduled her required governance training and will be joining us at our next board meeting. Mr. Pomerville would like to have an internal orientation meeting for Mrs. Gilbert, before the board meeting and would appreciate it if any of the Board Members would be able to join them.
  • Mr. Pomerville would like to schedule a Board Summer Retreat and Goal Setting meeting for this year. The Board agreed to hold the meeting on the afternoon of August 19, 2021, time to be determined.
  • COVID-19 update: At this time no students or staff are on any type of quarantine.
  • Mr. Pomerville, pointed out that there are five faculty members being granted tenure at tonight’s meeting.
  • The Top Ten Dinner plans are on track and will be held on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 6pm at The Century House in Latham.

Mrs. Ingalsbe reported the following:

  • Several resolutions are on the agenda to establish and fund reserves for Workers Compensation, Unemployment Insurance, Tax Certiorari, and Retirement Contribution.
  • The Board is being asked to approve the establishment of two Summer Food Service positions, as this is the first time we are offering a Summer Meal Program.

PRESENTATION - Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (link) - Joseph Siracuse, Patrick Pomerville, and Rachel Ingalsbe

  • Mrs. Ricci asked if we would be hiring a new teacher for this program. Mr. Pomerville responded that our projected Kindergarten numbers for next year are lower than anticipated, and one of our current staff members would be moving into that position.
  • Mary Stalker, a member of the public, asked if local, already established childcare programs would be invited to participate. Mr. Pomerville responded that letters are going out to all qualified local programs to gage their interest in participating. Mrs. Ingalsbe added that the federal allocation allows the District to provide twenty-five openings, however, the District is only able to provide twenty spots. The remaining five could be offered for outside placement to a locally interested program. Ms. Stalker encouraged the District to consider the strain that will be placed on local childcare programs. Ms. Stalker agreed to speak with Mr. Pomerville at a future date to further discuss and understand all of her concerns.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the minutes from the May 20, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the Warrants and Corresponding Audits

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the Enlarged City School District of Troy for one student in the amount of $759.75.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the end of year club report for the Fordian Yearbook.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following 2021 summer school personnel; salary per the WTA contract:, 

  • Wayne Bowmanchester, Secondary Math 
  • Helene Clinton, Secondary English 
  • Paul Ferrara, Secondary Social Studies 
  • Allie Hornung, Secondary Science

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the tenure appointment of Jeff Stein, Social Studies Teacher, certification area Social Studies 7-12; effective September 1, 2021 upon successful completion of his probationary period.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the tenure appointment of Meghan Mercier, Art  Teacher, certification area Visual Arts Professional; effective September 1, 2021 upon successful completion of her probationary period.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the tenure appointment of Kate Barone, Elementary Teacher, certification area Childhood Education Grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities Grades 1-6; effective September 1, 2021 upon successful completion of her probationary period. 

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the tenure appointment of Jessica Sorensen, Elementary Teacher, certification area Early Childhood Education, Birth- 2 yrs and Grades 1-6, and Students with Disabilities, Birth -  2yrs and Grades 1-6; effective September 1, 2021 upon successful completion of her probationary period.

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

            Resolution to Establish an Insurance Reserve Fund

WHEREAS, section 6-n of the General Municipal Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Insurance Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of paying liability, casualty and other types of losses, except those incurred for which life, accident, health, annuities, fidelity and surety, credit, title residual value and mortgage guarantee insurances may be purchased; and

WHEREAS, the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education wishes to establish and fund an Insurance Reserve to pay for such liability, casualty and losses.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District hereby establishes a fund to be known as the Insurance Reserve Fund, effective June 3, 2021, to be funded in the amount of $100,000 from the 2020-21 unrestricted fund balance, for the payment of any loss, claim, action or judgment for which the District is authorized or required to purchase or maintain insurance, except for those risks for which insurance may be purchased as set forth above, and may make future budgetary appropriations not to exceed $33,000 or 5% of the budget in any one year or transfers from other reserve funds as permitted by law, to be used in accordance with applicable laws for the purpose of paying insurance claims or judgments.

Resolution to Establish a
Worker’s Compensation Reserve Fund

WHEREAS, section 6-j of the General Municipal Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Workers Compensation Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of paying for compensation benefits and other expenditures authorized by Article 2 of the Workers’ Compensation Law, and for payments of expenditures of administering this self-insurance program; and

WHEREAS, the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education desires to establish a Worker’s Compensation Reserve Fund for such purposes; and

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District

Board of Education hereby establishes a fund to be known as the Workers Compensation Reserve Fund effective June 3, 2021, to be initially funded in the amount of $156,485 from the unrestricted fund balance from the 2020-21 school year and further contributions from future budgetary appropriations or raised by taxes; or from such revenues as are not required by law to be paid into any other fund or account; or transfers from other reserve funds as permitted by law, to be used in accordance with applicable laws for the purpose of paying any compensation benefits, related medical expenses or other expenditures authorized by the Workers Compensation Law, and for costs associated with the administration of this self-insurance program.

Resolution to Establish a
Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund

WHEREAS, section 6-m of the General Municipal Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of payments made to claimants where the employer has elected to use the benefit reimbursement method; and

WHEREAS, the benefit reimbursement method provides that the District may fulfill their funding obligations by reimbursing the Department of Labor for all unemployment benefits paid to their employees; and 

WHEREAS, the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education desires to establish an Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund for such purposes; and 

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District Board of Education hereby establishes a fund to be known as the Unemployment Insurance Reserve Fund effective June 3, 2021, to be initially funded in the amount of $89,979 from the available fund balance from the 2020-21 school year and further contributions from future budgetary appropriations or raised by taxes; or from such revenues as are not required by law to be paid into any other fund or account; or transfers from other reserve funds as permitted by law, to be used in accordance with applicable laws for the purpose of making payments to claimants under the unemployment insurance law.

Resolution to Fund the
Tax Certiorari Reserve Fund

WHEREAS, pursuant to a resolution of the Board under section 3651(1-a) of the Education Law, the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District established a reserve fund known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve Fund to be used for the purpose of paying judgments and claims from a tax certiorari proceeding, in accordance with Article 7 of the Real Property Tax Law; and

WHEREAS, the establishment resolution provided for the future funding of this Reserve Fund for the purpose of paying anticipated liabilities from pending Article 7 cases; IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District School District Board hereby funds the Tax Certiorari Reserve Fund the amount of $416,110.30 dollars, from the 2020-21 unrestricted fund balance, for the payment of pending tax certiorari claims and judgments resulting from challenges to the tax rolls.

Proposed Resolution to Fund
Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund

WHEREAS, by previous resolution of the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District (“WUFSD”), a Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund was established for the purpose of funding retirement contributions payable to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System; and 

WHEREAS, the WUFSD Board of Education desires to fund such reserve, as follows:

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District hereby authorizes the funding of the Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund (“RCR Fund”) from unrestricted fund balance from the 2020-21 school year in the amount of $9,054.29 to be used in accordance with applicable laws for the purpose of paying retirement contributions to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System.

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

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District hereby approves the addendum to the employment agreement of Patrick Pomerville, Superintendent of Schools, dated  June 3, 2021, setting forth the revised terms and conditions of his employment and approves the payment of money provided therein.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the District’s Fund Balance and Reserve Plan, dated June 3, 2021.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board accepted with regret the resignation of Ann M. Devine, School Nurse at St. Mary’s School, Waterford, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 22, 2021.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the tenure appointment of Allie Hornung, High School Science Teacher, certification areas of General Science, 7-12 and Biology 7-12; effective September 28, 2021 upon successful completion of her probationary period.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the health service contract to be paid by the Waterford-Halfmoon UFSD to the North Greenbush Common School District for four students in the amount of $897.84.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the four year probationary appointment of Morgan Bariteau as Teaching Assistant; effective September 1, 2021 through September 1, 2025; salary per the CSEA contract; pending fingerprint approval.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Joseph F. Hogan, Custodian; effective June 11, 2021.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the appointment of Rahshallah Johnson as Substitute Custodian for the 2020-2021 school year; effective June 3, 2021; salary per the CSEA contract.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the permanent appointment of Donna Cramer, as District Clerk/Confidential Secretary to the Superintendent effective July 10, 2021 upon successful completion of her probationary period.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the creation of the stipend position of Transportation Clerk.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the creation of the position of Summer Food Service Cook.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board approved the creation of the position of Summer Food Service Helper.

COMMENTS

  • Mrs. Carutasu asked for clarification regarding the separate elementary bus runs for Pre-K thru 1st Grade and 2nd-6th Grades. Mrs. Ingalsbe responded that two of the eleven bus runs would be dedicated to the younger grades and nine of the runs would be for the older grades, as students that are under four years old require extra help with their car seats. Mrs. Carutasu was concerned about families that would have elementary students on two different bus runs with separate pickup and drop off times. Mrs. Ingalsbe and Mr. Pomerville responded that this plan was COVID dependent and that arrangements could be made to alleviate any concerns for families should they have any.
  • Mrs. Carutasu asked if the Jr./Sr. High School would still be using block scheduling again for next year. Mr. Scanlan responded that it is too early to make that call as the District is still awaiting guidance from the State regarding social distancing and if virtual learning will still be an option. However, if the District is able to return to a more normal school year, Mr. Scanlan anticipates going back to a forty minute period schedule.
  • Mrs. Carutasu commented that there was some difficulty accessing the Music Department Awards video and asked when the Jr./Sr. High School Awards video would be released. Mr. Scanlan replied he would look into the issue with the Music Awards video, and that he and Mr. Richardson had recorded their video that afternoon, had emailed it to the families of the award recipients, and would be releasing it on the website shortly.

On motion by Mr. Catanzarita, seconded by Mrs. Bell, and by a vote of 5-0, the Board went into executive session at 7:59pm to discuss a personnel matter. The Board returned to regular session at 8:26pm and adjourned.

                                                                             Donna Cramer

                                                                             District Clerk