MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
August 9, 2021
Public Hearing -Safety Plan- 6:30
Regular Meeting – Immediately following
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
2. MOTION TO ENTER PUBLIC SESSION
3. ROLL CALL
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 ask questions or voice concerns or comments on matters not formally noted on the agenda. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes of both the July 12, 2021 Reorganizational Board Meeting and Regular Board Meeting.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
- Opening Planning
- Pre Kindergarten Information and Update
8. BUSINESS MATTERS
I. Business Office- Non- Action Items
A. Warrant’s
Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of the following warrants and the claims auditor report for the month of July 2021:
Fund A Amount
Warrant #2 $104,462.78
Warrant #3 $182,124.07
Warrant #4 $27,330.89
Warrant #6 $550.00
B. Annual Fire Inspection
The annual fire inspection of the Menands Union Free District was conducted on December 18, 2020. The report is filed in the office of the Business Manager.
II. Business Office- Action Items
A. Budget Transfers June and July 2021
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 2021.
B. Treasurer’s Reports
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 2021.
C. Tax Rate for 2021-2022
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 2021-2022 school year a sum not to exceed $10,275,635.
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 $251,183,477 $28.890097 7,258,591
_____________________________________________________________________
D. 2020-2021 Safety Plan
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approves and or ratifies the 2021-2022 District Safety Plan as recommended by the Superintendent.
E. Free and Reduced Lunch Program
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 2021-2022 school year.
F. Contracts for Approval
1. Advanced Therapy- Special Education Services Contract
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 2021-2022 school year as per the attached agreement.
2. Star & Strand Transportation Contract Extension
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the attached contract between Menands School and Star & Strand Transportation at CPI for the 2021-2022 school year.
9. POLICY
I. Policy # 5300- Annual approval of Code of Conduct
There were no changes from prior year.
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.
II. 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.
- Technology Use Policy 4526
- Instructional Technology General Use- Students and Staff Members 4526.1
- Technology use Policy for Staff 4526.2
- Student Access to District Computer System Resources 4526.3
- Technology use Policy for Students 4526.4
- Internet Safety 4526.5
- School District Office and Employee Code of Ethics 2160
III. Abolish Policy
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Policy Committee, abolish the following policy.
- Internet Safety Policy 4527
10. PERSONNEL MATTERS
I. Resignations
A. Elementary Teacher – Domenica Hallett
Enclosed for the Board is a letter from Domenica Hallett, dated July 14, 2021 resigning from her position as an Elementary Teacher from the Menands Union Free School District effective August 31, 2021.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the letter of resignation from Domenica Hallett, dated July 14, 2021, resigning from her position as an Elementary Teacher from the Menands Union Free School District effective August 31, 2021.
B. Social Worker- Ashley Mondini
Enclosed for the Board is a letter from Ashley Mondini, dated July 14, 2021 resigning from her position as a Social Worker from the Menands Union Free School District effective August 31, 2021.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the letter of resignation from Ashley Mondini, dated July 14, 2021, resigning from her position as a Social Worker from the Menands Union Free School District effective August 31, 2021.
II. Appointments
A. 1 FTE Probationary Special Education Teacher – Jacqueline Merchant
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Jacqueline Merchant 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. Merchant holds appropriate teaching certification. Ms. Merchant’s probationary period will begin on September 1, 2021 and will end on or about August 31, 2025. A copy of Ms. Merchant’s resume has been included for the Board.
B. 1 FTE Social Worker- Meghan Cahill
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Meghan Cahill to a 1 year temporary appointment commencing on September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 on Step 3 of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule. A copy of Ms. Cahill’s resume is attached.
C. Elementary Teachers-
1. 1 FTE Probationary Elementary Appointment – Kelly Mullen
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Kelly Mullen to a 4-year probationary appointment in the Elementary Education tenure area on Step 1, masters, of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule. Ms. Mullen holds the appropriate teaching certification. Ms. Mullen’s probationary period will begin on September 1, 2021 and will end on or about August 31, 2025. A copy of Ms. Mullen’s resume has been included for the Board.
2. Rachel Haas
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District does hereby appoint Rachel Haas to a one year temporary appointment as an Elementary Teacher for the 2021-2022 school year on Step 1 of the current Menands Association of Teachers Salary Schedule.
3. Long Term Substitute- Samantha Hall
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint Samantha Hall to a long-term substitute teaching position as an Elementary Teacher commencing on September 1, 2021 through on or about June 30, 2022 at in accordance with the MAT contract.
4. Building Substitute- Shauna Stack
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Shauna Stack as a Building Substitute Teacher effective 9/1/21 through 6/30/22 as per the negotiated Benefits Agreement.
D. Teacher Aide – Sarah Ammerman
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Sarah Ammerman as a Teacher Aide effective 9/9/21 through 6/30/22. Remuneration as per the approved salary schedule.
E. Staffing
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of schools the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby grant Superintendent, Dr. Maureen Long the authority to appoint employees on a temporary basis with the understanding that the Board of Education will make the final determination at the next subsequent Board of Education meeting.
F. Other Appointments
BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby approves the following Individuals to carry out the appointments (f-g) as outlined below for the 2021-2022 school year: (Revised from the July Agenda)
f. Title IX Coordinator: Jennifer Cannavo
g. Title IX Investigators: Rachel Rissetto and Jennifer Cannavo
11. SUPERINTENDENT RECOMMENDATIONS PROGRAMS
I. 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.
12. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
- Diversity and Inclusivity
- Strategic Planning
13. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS
- Summer Programming
14. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL
- Next Board of Education Meeting – September 13, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
- Opening guidance may require a second August meeting.
15. MISCELLANEOUS
16. 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.
*The Board of Education may enter into Executive Session .
17. MOTION TO ADJOURN
*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.