August 10, 2020 Minutes

Menands Union Free School District

Board of Education

August 10, 2020

Regular Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

Live Stream/Video Conferencing

Please note:  During the Public Comment Sessions, members of the community may address the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.  The Board President may limit remarks of individual speakers to a reasonable time.  Speakers must identify themselves and the topic on which they would like to make remarks.  

 

1. Meeting Called to Order                                                      Time: 6:34

2. Motion to enter public session

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula      Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer     Nays: 0 

3. Roll Call

  • Mr. Masline  Present via webex
  • Mr. Nevins    Present via webex
  • Mrs. Wilson Present via webex
  • Mrs. Jaskula Present via webex
  • Mr. Diefenderfer Present via webex

4. Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of silence

5. Comments from the public on agenda items

Just a reminder for those members of the public in attendance.  This is one of two opportunities afforded members of the public to comment on or inquire about agenda items. Members of the public also have an opportunity at the end of the evening’s agenda to ask questions or voice concerns or comments on matters not formally noted on the agenda.  We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.

No Comments

6. Approval of minutes       

 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept  the minutes of both the July 13, 2020 Reorganizational Board Meeting and Regular Board Meeting as amended.

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

7. Communication to the Board

Letter from Jeff Masline

 

8. Business Matters

 

Discussion Items

School Reopening- Dr. Long said that the first public forum went well. It is a great opportunity to ask questions and get information about the reopening of school. Dates and questions and answers will be on the website. The board thanked everyone that participated.

Business Office for Information

Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of the warrants for July 2020. 2,3 and 4  Fund A , 1,2 Fund EC and 1 and 2 Fund H.

Business Office for Approval

Budget Transfers June and July 2020

 

Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the authorization of the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the enclosed budget transfers for June and July 2020. 

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

Treasurer’s Reports

Enclosed are the Treasurer’s Report for the months of June and July 2020. 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Treasurer’s Report for the months of June and July 2020.

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Nevins           Nays: 0

 

Change Orders

Resolution be it Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, hereby approve the following change orders. 

 

 

C/O#
Contractor
Original Amount
Approved Changes
Adjusted Contracts
C002-054
Bunkoff General Contractors, Inc
4,780,000.00
979.80
Increase

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

Tax Rate for 2020-2021

 

Enclosed is a memo from Mrs. Cietek dated August 4, 2020 outlining the 2020-2021 tax rate.

Resolution WHEREAS the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District has been  authorized by the voters at the Annual School District Meeting to raise for the budget of the 2020-2021 school year a sum not to exceed  $9,824,370.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education fix the equalized tax rates by towns and confirm the extension of the taxes as they appear on the following tax roll:

_____________________________________________________________________

Name of Town Assessed Valuation Tax Rate Total 

Colonie $249,948,814 $28.914418           7,236,094

_____________________________________________________________________

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

 

2020-2021 Safety Plan

School Districts must update, and Boards of Education must annually approve District Safety Plans. Mrs. Schroeder and Mrs. Cannavo have updated the plan to reflect current information and it is Dr. Long’s recommendation that the Board approves the plan.  

 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approves the 2020-2021 District Safety Plan as recommended by the Superintendent.

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

Approval of Reopening Plan    

Resolution Be It Resolved, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of  Schools, the Board of Education approves the Re-Opening Plan developed for the Menands Union Free School District for the 2020-2021school year and hereby authorizes the Superintendent of schools to amend, modify and/or update the Re-Opening Plan as needed subject to further Board  approval in the event of substantial revisions to the plan.

   The Board had some discussion about the reopening plan           

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Nevins           Nays: 0

Contracts for Approval 

Free and Reduced Lunch Program

Enclosed for the information of the Board is the Policy Statement for Free and Reduced Price Meals Program. 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve district participation in the free and reduced lunch program and adopts the family eligibility criteria to assist in determining eligibility for the 2020-2021 school year.

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

 

Advanced Therapy- Special Education Services Contract  

Enclosed for the board is a copy of the Advanced Therapy contract for physical therapy and occupational therapy services for the 2020-2021 school year.

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the contract between Menands School and Advanced Therapy for the 2020-2021 school year as per the attached agreement.

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

Wildwood School – Agreement for Services 2020-2021 

Enclosed for the Board is a copy of the Wildwood School Agreement for Services contract for the 2020-2021 school year..  

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Agreement for Services between Menands School and the  Wildwood School for the 2020-2021 school year as per the attached agreement.

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

 

Crossroads Center for Children – Special Education Services Contract 

Enclosed for the board if a copy of the Crossroads Center for Children contract for Special Education services for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the contract between Menands School and Crossroads Center for Children for the 2020-2021 school year as per the attached agreement.

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Nevins           Nays: 0

 

 Behavioral Transformations Licensed Applied Behavior Analysis Services, PLLC

        Enclosed for the Board is a copy of the Behavioral Transformations Licensed Applied Behavior  Analysis Services, PLLC to provide support services for behavioral challenges for the 2020-2021 school year.

  Resolution  Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the contract between Menands School and Behavioral Transformations Licensed Applied Behavior Analysis for the 2020-2021 school year as per attached contract.

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

 

9. Policy

Policy # 5300- Annual approval of Code of Conduct

  There were no changes from prior year.

Resolution  Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby accepts the recommendation of the Superintendent to approve the 2020-2021 Code of Conduct.

Mr. Diefenderfer asked if this was is still on a list to be revised.

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

10. Personnel Matters

Resignations

Teacher Aide – Katelyn Schwartz

 Enclosed for the Board is a letter from Katelyn Schwartz, dated August 5, 2020 resigning from her position as a Teacher Aide from the Menands Union Free School District effective immediately.

 Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the letter of resignation from Katelyn Schwartz, dated August 5, 2020,  resigning from her position as a Teacher Aide  from the Menands Union Free School District effective immediately.

Dr. Long and the Board thanked Katie for her service at Menands.

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

Appointments

 1 FTE Probationary Special Education Teacher – Caroline Hampton

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Caroline Hampton  to a 4-year probationary appointment in the Special Education tenure area on MS Step 1 of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule. Ms.Hampton holds a NYS teaching certificate in Special Education, Elementary Education and Literacy. Ms. Hampton’s probationary period will begin on September 1, 2020 and will end on or about August 31, 2024. A copy of Ms. Hampton’s resume has been included for the Board.

Mr. Masline said welcome to Menands.

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Nevins           Nays: 0

 

1 FTE  Probationary Elementary Appointment – Domenica Hallett

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Domenica Hallett to a 4-year probationary appointment in the Elementary Education tenure area on Step 5 of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule. Ms. Hallett holds a NYS teaching certificate in Elementary and Special Education. Ms. Hallett’s probationary period will begin on September 1, 2020 and will end  on or about August 31, 2024.  A copy of Ms. Hallett’s resume has been included for the Board.

Mr. Masline said welcome to Menands

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

 1 FTE Probationary Social Worker-  Ashley Mondini

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Ashley Mondini to a 4-year probationary appointment in the School Social Worker tenure area on Step 1 of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule.  Ms. Mondini is a Licensed Social Worker and holds a Provisional School Social Worker Certificate.. Ms. Mondini’s probationary period will begin on September 1, 2020 and will end  on or about August 31, 2024.  A copy of Ms.Mondini’s resume is attached.

Mr. Masline said welcome to Menands.

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

 

Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services- Meghan Amatrano

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Meghan Amatrano to a 4-year probationary appointment in the tenure area of  Administration, effective August 11, 2020.  Salary will be in accordance with the Terms of Employment Agreement.  Ms. Amatrano’s probationary period will begin on August 11, 2020 and will end on August 10, 2024.  

Mr. Masline thanked Ms. Armatrano for her continued good work.

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

11. Board of Education Matters

 

CSE/CPSE Recommendations 

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the CSE/CPSE recommendations as submitted.

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Nevins           Nays: 0

 

Substitute Teachers – Fully Cleared

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the following substitute teachers for the 2020-2021 school year as listed. 

 

  • Thomas Hunter  
  • Elizabeth Jones 
  • Amanda Morris
  •  Erica Palmer 
  • Samuel Salvagni  
  •  Tatiana Schynoll         
  •   Carline Smith
  •   Shakeyas York

Motion: Mr. Nevins                 Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

 

School Calendar 2020-2021 

Enclosed please find the revised 2020-2021 school calendar.

Calendar was not included in the packet

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the revised 2020-2021 calendar. The start of the year was changed to September 14, 2020. Four extra professional development Days were added. 

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4

Second: Mr. Diefenderfer           Nays: 0

 

School District Calendar 2020-2021

Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approves the authorization of the Superintendent of schools to modify the Menands Union Free School District 2020-2021 calendar, as approved by the Board of Education, as needed. 

 

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Wilson           Nays: 0

Annual Fire Inspection

The annual fire inspection of the Menands Union Free District was conducted on January 27, 2020. The report is filed in the office of the Business Manager.  

12. Superintendent’s Comments

Village Conversation- Dr. Long said that they had a very positive meeting at the Village meeting. Good turn out and hopefully they will continue.
Building Project- Dr. Long said that she is happy with the progress that has been made. There are some final things to wrap up and hopes that the September board meeting can be in the new space in person.

13. Informational Material

Next Board of Education Meeting – August 24, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

14.  Miscellaneous

 Mrs. Jaskula said that the Census Grant that was applied for is on hold due to COVID. They informed Albany county that they are still interested in the grant.

 15. Public Comment

Please Note:  During the Public Comment Sessions, members of the community may address the Board on agenda and non-agenda items.  The Board President may limit remarks of individual speakers to a reasonable time.  Speakers must identify themselves and the topic on which they would like to make remarks.

No public comment

Mr. Masline had information in regards to remote learning.

      *The Board of Education may enter into Executive Session .

  16. Motion to Adjourn

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4

Second: Mrs. Jaskula           Nays: 0

 

*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.

Respectfully submitted by

Jeanne Mentiply

District Clerk