Menands Union Free School District
Board Of Education
December 14, 2020
6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting
In person and via live stream
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
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
2. Roll Call
- Mr. Masline Present
- Mr. Nevins Present
- Mrs. Wilson Present
- Mrs. Jaskula Present
- Mr. Diefenderfer Present
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence
4. Comments From The Public On Agenda Items
*comments can be made at boecomments@menands.org.
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 at this time
5. Approval Of Minutes
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes from the November 9, 2020 meeting.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
6. Business Matters
Discussion Items
Board member term length – Mr. Masline discussed the possibility of changing from a five year term to a three year term for the newly elected board of education members. The board agreed that they would like to gather more information and have further discussion in the future.
Business Office for Information
Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of warrants:
General Fund A # 21 and 24. Capital Fund H #10,11 and 12.
Business Office for Approval
Budget Transfer – November 2020
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the attached budget transfers for November 2020.
Motion: Mr. Defenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
Treasurer’s Report
Enclosed for the Board’s approval is a copy of the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending November 30, 2020.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending November 30, 2020.
Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nevins Nays: 0
District Management Response Letter
Enclosed for the Board’s approval is the district’s response to the Management Letter for the external audit completed by West & Co., CPS’s for the year ended 6/30/2020.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the district’s response to the Management Letter items noted in our audited financial statements as of June, 30, 2020.
Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0
2021-2022 Budget Calendar
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, hereby approves the attached 2021-2022 Budget Calendar for the purpose of developing the school budget.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
Tax Collector’s Report
Enclosed for the information of the Board is the Town of Colonie 2020-2021 School Tax Collection Report and affidavit of Collector C. Michele Zilgme, Town of Colonie, of the warrant in the amount $7,141,436.10. $7,026,647.37 was collected and transferred and $114,788.73 was uncollected. The Tax Collection Report is available for review upon request.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the Tax Collection Report as submitted; the affidavit to be signed by each Board member.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
Tax Refund – Small Claims Assessment Review Settlement
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 tax refund in the amount of $1,835.17 as a result of the assessment review of filing # AR54-20.
Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nevins Nays: 0
Tax Refund-Stipulation and Order Settlement
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 tax refund in the amount of $1,620.86 as a result of the assessment review of filing index # 905486-20.
Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 3
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 1
2020-2021 Memorandum of Understanding Between The County of Albany and The Menands Union Free School District for the Provision of COVID-19 Testing at Local Schools
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Superintendent, hereby approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Menands Union Free School District and Albany County for the provision of COVID-19 testing for the 2020-2021 school year.
Dr. Long thanked Albany County for all of their assistance through this time.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
Revised 2020-2021 Intermunicipal Agreement (Technology Services)- South Colonie Central School District.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the revised intermunicipal agreement for technology services between Menands UFSD and the South Colonie Central School District for the 2020-2021 school year.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
Donation
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accepts the following donations as listed.
- CAPCOM- 13 Thanksgiving meals
- Neary Group LLC- $500 Holiday giving.
- Simmons Tool Company- $470 and 16 $50 Price Chopper gift cards Holiday giving
Dr. Long and the board thanked everyone for their generous donations.
Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nevins Nays: 0
Disposal of Items
Superintendent’s Recommendation: That the Board of Education in accordance with district policy 6900 authorize the disposition of the following item(s):
- 1-T16828- Dell Laptop Latitude 620
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the disposal of item(s),as liseted which cease to be of use or of value to the district.
Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0
7. Personnel Matters
Authorization
Dr. Maureen Long – Employment Agreement
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the employment agreement between the School District and Superintendent Dr. Maureen Long, for the period July 1, 2020 and through July 27, 2023. The President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized to execute such employment agreement on behalf of the School District.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 3
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 1
Appointments
Tenure Recommendation – Katherine Nersesian-Elementary Education Teacher
It is the Superintendent’s recommendation that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District grant tenure to Katherine Nersesian in the Elementary Education tenure area effective January 1, 2021.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District grant tenure to Katherine Nersesian in the Elementary Education tenure area effective January 1,2021.
Dr. Long and the board congratulated Mrs. Nersesian.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
Substitute Food Service Helper- Christian Calderon
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Christian Calderon as a Substitute Food Service Helper for the 2020-2021School year.
Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nevins Nays: 0
Substitute Clerical Worker- Ashley Jewett
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Ashley Jewett as a Substitute clerical worker for the 2020-2021School year.
Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Jaskula 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.
- Crystal Alesio
- Bryana Eves
- John Henkes
- Jessica Mosher
- John Bessette
- Nathan Farrell
- Kerri LeMay
- Joseph Palladino
- Diana Buffa
- Daniel Gorman
- Willaim Lindau
- Ghazala Shahid
- Faith Caster
- Katherine Harmon
- Shawn Miller
- Sarah Webber
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
Increase Existing Compensation Time
Increase the compensation time from the existing 40 hours per year to “Not to exceed” 80 hours per year for the Head Cook.
Resolution Be It Resolved that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the increased amount of compensation from 40 hours per year to “Not to exceed” 80 hours per year for the Head Cook.
Dr. Long and the board thanked Mr. Tehan for all of his hard work.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
8. Board Of Education Matters
CSE/CPSE Recommendations
Resolution per 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
9. Student Matters
Class Size Update as of 12/8/2020:
In person: Virtual: In person: Virtual:
- Kdg. – 19 19 Gr. 5 – 9 10
- Gr. 1 – 27 18 Gr. 6 – 20 16
- Gr. 2 – 17 21 Gr. 7 – 19 12
- Gr. 3 – 18 14 Gr. 8 – 22 9
- Gr. 4 – 17 18 Total-168 Total – 137
Total Students: 305
10. Superintendent’s Comments
- January Curriculum presentation to the Board of Education- Mrs. Cannavo, Mrs. Ball and Mr. Schweizer will give a presentation in regards to the Social Studies program that is taught in the Middle School.
- Required COVID testing in schools- Dr. Long gave an overview of what the process will be if the school needs to provide testing.
- Board Retreat / Goal Setting- Dr. Long thanked everyone for attending the retreat. She said that she was pleased with the event and looks forward to continuing the process.
- Happy Holidays- Dr. Long wished everyone a happy holiday.
11. Principal’s Comments
- Remote Learning Day- Mrs. Cannavo said that the remote learning day went well and it was good to have a chance to see how things went in case the school needs to move to remote learning.
- Picture Day- Mrs. Cannavo said that they offered pictures to be taken for in school and remote students. She said that it was nice to see the students that are remote come in.
- End of Trimester 1 and Quarter 1- Mrs. Cannavo said that it has been a long quarter and thanked everyone for all of their hard work. She is looking forward to having some students back in school for the next quarter.
- Parent-Teacher Conferences- Wednesday will be a half day for the students and the teachers will hold remote conferences.
Dr. Long said that it was great to see how excited the students that returned were.
12. Miscellaneous
Mr. Nevins said that he has changed his thoughts on having the children in school instead of remote learning. He said there seem to be less positive cases in school. He thanked the staff for doing a good job.
Mrs. Jaskula thanked everyone that participated in the Ronald McDonald Readathon this year to raise money for a good cause.
Mrs. Wilson thanked everyone that worked hard to implement the necessary changes to bring students back to school this quarter.
Mr. Diefenderfer thanked everyone for doing a great job this year.
Mr. Masline wished everyone a happy holiday and thanked everyone for all of their hard work this year. It is appreciated.
13. Informational Material
- Parent Teacher Conference Early Release- Wednesday December 16, 11:20-11:35 K-5, 12:00 all Middle School.
- Holiday Recess- December 24- January 1, No School
- Next Board of Education Meeting- Monday January 11 at 6:30
14. 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.
Vanessa Mercado asked how the COVID testing would work if it became necessary.
Dr. Long said that it would be random for staff and students.
Vanessa Mercado asked when the Middle School Survey would be available.
Dr. Long said no set date yet it will be soon after the break.
Mr. Masline thanked everyone for participating in the retreat. He was glad to see the process begin to plan for the future of the district.
He asked Mrs.Cietek about the Transportation Aid and ERS Billing. She responded that it has been processed.
15. Motion to Adjourn Time: 7:32
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.