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
2. ROLL CALL
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.
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.
6. BUSINESS MATTERS
Discussion Items
- Board member term length
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- John Bessette
- Diana Buffa
- Faith Caster
- Bryana Eves
- Nathan Farrell
- Daniel Gorman
- Katherine Harmon
- John Henkes
- Kerri LeMay
- Willaim Lindau
- Shawn Miller
- Jessica Mosher
- Joseph Palladino
- Ghazala Shahid
- Sarah Webber
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.
8. 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.
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
- Required COVID testing in schools
- Board Retreat / Goal Setting
- Happy Holidays
11. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS
- Remote Learning Day
- Picture Day
- End of Trimester 1 and Quarter 1
- Parent-Teacher Conferences
12. MISCELLANEOUS
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.
15. MOTION TO ADJOURN
*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.