MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
19 Wards Lane
Menands, NY 12204
BOARD OF EDUCATION
April 27, 2022
6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting
Livestream / 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: 5
Second: Mrs. Delancy Nays: 0
3. ROLL CALL
- Mr. Nevins Present
- Mrs. Delancy Present
- Mrs. Jaskula Present
- Mr. Diefenderfer Present
- Mr. Raman Present
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 comment on matters not formally noted on the agenda. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation. Comments can be made at BOEcomments@menands.org
No Comments
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes of March 14, 2022, April 5, 2022 and April 11, 2022.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
7. BUSINESS MATTERS
I. Business Office- Non-Action Items
A. Warrants
Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of the following warrants and the claims auditor report for the month of March 2022.
Mr. Nevins informed the board that a warrant had been listed incorrectly on the original report due to a clerical error. Ms. Cietek provided a revised report.
Fund A Amount
Warrant #43 $106,198.51
Warrant #45 $156,021.80
Warrant #47 $872,499.60
II. Business Office- Action Items
A. Budget Transfers – March 2022
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the attached budget transfers for March 2022.
Mr. Diefenderfer asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items A-D
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Raman Nays: 0
B. Treasurer’s Report
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2022.
C. Donations
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accepts the following donations as listed.
- Menands PBA $100- Sunshine and Sparkle Club
- Menands Fire Co. Auxiliary $100 -Sunshine and Sparkle Club
- Menands PTA $1,000 -Drama Club
- Stewart’s $500 for the Food Pantry
- NSH USA Corp(Simmons) 23 Easter Baskets
D. Payroll Calendar 2022-2023
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, hereby approve the 2022-2023 Payroll Calendar.
8. POLICY
A. First Reading of Policies
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Policy Committee, approve the first reading of the following policies.
- 3160 Evaluation of the Superintendent
- 4200 Curriculum Management
- 4315.1 Aids Instruction
- 4321.3 Allocation of Space for Special Education Programs
Motion: Mr. Raman Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Delancy Nays: 0
B. Final Reading of Policies
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Policy Committee, approve the final reading of the following policies.
Motion: Mrs. Delancy Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0
Mr. Nevins asked the difference between required and local policies. Dr. Long said that some policies are required by law and others are local pertaining to the needs of the district.
a. 2250 Board of Education Committees
b. 2510 New Board Member Orientation
c. 2520 Board Member Training
d. 2521 School Board Conferences,Conventions, Workshops
e. 2531 School Board Memberships
f. 3000 Goals and Objectives for Administration
g. 3100 Superintendent of Schools
h. 3120 Duties of the Superintendent
C. Abolish Policies
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Policy Committee, approve that the following policies be abolished.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
- 3110 Qualifications of the Superintendent of Schools
- 3121 Prohibition of Firearms Under Gun-Free SchoolsAct of 1994
- 3130 Superintendent’s Contract
- 3140 Termination of Superintendent’s Employment
- 3212 Administrative Intern Program
- 3262 Adult Education Program Administration
- 3350 Staff and Student Handbooks
- 3400 Administrative Reports
9. ANNUAL BOCES BOARD ELECTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET VOTE 2022-2023
A. Administrative Budget Vote
Resolved that the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady- Saratoga Counties be authorized to expend the sums set forth in the Administrative Budget document in the total amount of $12,279,275.00. during the school year 2022-23 and to raise such sum by assessments to component school districts, non-component school districts, other BOCES and other sources as required by law.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Raman Nays: 0
Dr. Long informed the board that they received information in the packet in regards to the vote.
Mr. Nevins asked if anyone that attended the Annual meeting would like to add any information.
Mrs. Jaskula said that the meeting was had a lot of good information in regards to the Services that BOCES provides to the district.
B. BOCES Board Members (Vote for four of the below-listed candidates)
The persons listed below have been nominated to serve on the BOCES Board of Education.
Each component school district Board of Education may cast one vote each for up to four (4) individual candidates, but there is no statutory requirement that they cast (1) vote per vacancy. Only one vote may be cast for any one candidate.
Four (4) positions for the term of 3 years
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that one vote be cast for the following BOCES Board candidates:
Motion: Mr. Raman Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Delancy Nays: 0
The board was polled by the District Clerk and one vote was cast for each candidate by every board member.
Mr. Kevin Kutzscher x
Ms. Heather Soroka x
Mr. Matthew Tedeschi x
Mr. Bruce Tryon x
* Each Board member cast one vote for each of the above candidates.
10. PERSONNEL
A. Appointments
Mrs. Delancy asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items A. I. -III.
Motion: Mrs. Delancy Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0
I. Substitute Custodian- Jeff Palmer
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Jeff Palmer as a Substitute Custodian for the 2021-2022 School year. Salary will be in accordance with the enclosed Annual Acknowledgement.
II. Substitute Clerical Worker- Melinda Waldron
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve Melina Waldron for the 2021-2022 school year. Salary will be in accordance with the enclosed Annual Acknowledgement.
III. Consultant for Transition purposes- Sue McCormick
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District authorize Sue McCormick to act in a consultant capacity, as may be requested by the Superintendent on an as needed basis, for the purposes of transitioning to a new employee. Such consultation shall be payable at $39.86 per hour.
B. Unpaid Leave
I. Unpaid Leave of Absence – Jacoba Vandenberg- Teaching Assistant
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve the unpaid leave request from Jacoba Vandenberg from May 16, 2022 through June 21, 2022 for educational purposes.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
11. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
Mr. Diefenderfer asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items A.- C.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Raman Nays: 0
A. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the CSE/CPSE recommendations as submitted.
B. Menands UFSD/Public Library Vote & Elections – May 17, 2022 – Election Officials
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint the following as Board of Registration and Election Officials for the May 17, 2022 budget vote and elections.
- Elizabeth Mentiply
- Jeanne Mentiply
- Janet Ramsay
C. Substitute Teachers – Fully Cleared
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the following substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Tiffany Harris
- Meghan Pannone
- Rachel Cody
- Kristen Dietz
- Samuel Huttig
- Theresa Martone
12. STUDENT MATTERS
Class Size Update as of 4/19/2022:
Kdg. – 34(split) Gr. 5 -28 (split) Pre K- 18
Gr. 1 – 31(split) Gr. 6 – 23
Gr. 2 – 44(split) Gr. 7 – 36 (split)
Gr. 3 – 39 (split) Gr. 8 – 30 (split)
Gr. 4 – 27 Total – 292 (310 with pre K)
13. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Committee Information and Updates
- Policy-
DEI
Strategic Planning
Dr. Long thanked everyone that participated in the focus groups, students, parents and teachers. Dr. Long updated the board in regards to the progress that has been made by all of the Committees this year and thanked everyone involved for all of their hard work and commitment .
14. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS
- Drama production- Mrs. Cannavo said that it was great to see all of the kids so excited
about the play. It was great to see the families there enjoying the show. She thanked everyone that worked hard to make this possible especially Mrs. Hayes and Ms. Stack. The kids did a wonderful job. - State testing- Mrs. Cannavo said that they just finished the second day of testing and things went well. Participation was good.
- Kindergarten screening- Staff met with children this week. Everything went well. The pre kindergarten kids that attended the pre K program this year are in great shape to start Kindergarten in the Fall.
- Pre K info night- A virtual Pre Kindergarten information night will be held on May 5, 2022.
15. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL
Budget Hearing- Monday, May 9th- 5:30
Next Board of Education Meeting – Monday, May 9th – 6:30pm
16. MISCELLANEOUS
Dr. Long said that she is in close contact with other Superintendents and if any protocols change due to the increase in COVID cases she will inform the board.
Dr. Long informed the board about a decision that was made by NYHS Athletic Association in regards to athletes removing beads from their hair before participating in a sport. This decision seems to be contrary to the work the district is doing with the DEI committee. A letter opposing the decision has been submitted and the Board of Regents is looking into having the decision be reversed.
Dr. Long thanked Ms. Cannavo and Ms. Widrick for facilitating the meeting tonight in her absence.
Dr. Long said that the district has looked into possibly getting reimbursed by the state through The Building Aid Forgiveness Program for monies that were taken during a past building project.
Mrs. Jaskula said that the PTA is looking for new officers. Contact the PTA if you are Interested. Family Fun Night is Friday May 6th.
Mr. Nevins said that he would like to look into the district possibly going green in the future. Mr. Nevins said he would like to have a building tour with the board members. Dr. Long said they will look at a date in June for the tour.
17. 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.
18. MOTION TO ADJOURN Time: 7:10
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Delancy Nays: 0
Respectfully submitted by Jeanne Mentiply District Clerk