January 13, 2020 Minutes

MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 13, 2020
6:00 Executive Session
6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting
Budget Workshop Immediately Following Regular Meeting
Executive Session if Necessary Following the Budget Meeting

 The regular Board of Education meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. for the Public Session and followed by a Budget Workshop. There will be no action or discussion other than a motion to go into Executive Session immediately following the Budget Workshop if necessary.  

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
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Time: 6:00 
2. MOTION TO ENTER PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Time: 6:01 
3. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Time: 6:02 

The Board of Education may enter into Executive Session for the reason(s) indicated below as specified: Matters which will imperil the public safety if disclosed. Any matter that may disclose the identity of a law enforcement agent or informer. Information relating to current or future investigation or prosecution of a criminal offense that would imperil effective law enforcement if disclosed. Discussion involving proposed, pending, or current litigation.Collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law.

☑ The medical, financial, credit, or employment history of a particular person

or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, 

promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a 

particular person or corporation. 

The preparation, grading, or administration of exams.

The proposed acquisition, sale or lease of real property or the proposed

acquisition, sale or exchange of securities, but only when publicity would

substantially affect the value of these things.

4. MOTION TO ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Time: 6:30
5. MOTION TO RE-ENTER PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mr. Nevins
Second: Mrs. Wilson                Time: 6:32

 

6. ROLL CALL  
  • Mr. Masline Present
  • Mr. Nevins Present
  • Mrs. Wilson Present
  • Mrs. Jaskula Present
  • Mr. Diefenderfer Present
7. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
8. 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 Comment

 

9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes of the December 9, 2019 meeting.

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0
10. COMMUNICATION TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Communication from the Law Office of Guercia & Guercia, LLP The Board of Education received a letter introducing a new partner at the law firm.

11. BUSINESS MATTERS
Discussion Item

Transportation Bid- Dr. Long informed the BOE members that the district will need to go out to bid for the upcoming school year.

Business Office for Information

Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of Warrant #29, #30 and #33  Fund A and #13 and #14 Fund H for the month of December 2019.

Business Office for Approval
Budget Transfer – December 2019

Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the attached budget transfers for December 2019.

Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer 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 December 31, 2019.

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 December 31, 2019.

Motion: Mrs. Wilson Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nevins Nays: 0
2020-2021 Amended 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 amended 2020-2021 Budget Calendar for the purpose of developing the school budget.

Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0
Establishment of non-resident tuition rates for McKinney Vento reimbursement Purposes

In circumstances where students protected under the McKinney Vento legislation move to permanent housing outside of the Menands Union Free School District, but choose to remain at Menands School, we are able to directly bill the new District of residence.  To do so we must utilize Board approved tuition rates.  

Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District establish the following tuition rates for the 2019-2020 school year. 

K-6 Regular Ed. – $12,890.00

Gr. 7-8 Regular Ed. – $14,608.00

Gr. K-8 Special Ed. – $42,796.00

Gr. 7-8 Special Ed. – $44,514.00

Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer Nays: 0
12. PERSONNEL MATTERS
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 2019-2020 school year as listed. 

  • Deborah Angrisano
  • Matthew Bitzer  
  • Mary Cotrona  
  •   Ashley Hogan  
  •   Michelle Kats  
  • Elizabeth Kaufman
  • Asma Khan
  • Aaron Nordolillo
  •   Lana Torrens  
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Wilson Nays: 0

 

 13.   STUDENT MATTERS 

Class Size Update as of 1/2/20:

Kdg. – 42 (split) Gr. 5 – 38 (split)

Gr. 1 – 41 (split) Gr. 6 – 27  

Gr. 2 – 31 (split) Gr. 7 – 36 (split)

Gr. 3 – 40 (split) Gr. 8 – 18 

Gr. 4 – 25   Total – 298

14. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS

 

2020-2021 Calendar Development- Dr. Long intends to have the calendar ready for the next meeting in February.
Upcoming Advocacy January 22nd- Dr. Long informed the BOE that she was planning to attend the upcoming event and said that it is a good opportunity to share the district’s needs. She encouraged the BOE members to attend if possible.
Capital Conference February 9th-10th- Dr. Long encouraged the BOE members to attend the event if possible. 
High School Fair-Dr. Long thanked everyone that was involved with putting this event together. It was very successful. 
Diversity Work- Dr. Long is working on getting the committee together to continue work on this goal.  

15. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS

Spelling Bee at Proctors- Mrs. Schroeder congratulated the winners of the spelling bee and wished them luck in the finals on February 4, 2020.
PTA Update- Mrs. Schroeder thanked Mrs. Mercado and everyone else that helped out with the Middle School Family Fun Night. They had a great turn out. 
The next event is a Dine Out at Ilfaro on 1/16/2020.

16. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL

 

  • 1/20/20- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL
  • 1/22/20 (Wednesday) – Lobbying with Senator Breslin and Assemblyman Steck
  • 1/23/20 (Thursday)- Winter Concert – at 6:30pm
  • 2/10-11/2020 NYSSBA Capital Conference
  • Next Board of Education Meeting:  Monday, February 3, 2020 at 6:30pm
17.   MISCELLANEOUS

Mrs. Jaskula said that the next PTA meeting will be on 2/5/2020

Mr. Masline wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Mr. Nevins thanked everyone that made the family fun night possible. He said it was a great night and very well attended.

18. 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.

Mrs. Mercado asked what is the status of the Wellness and Policy committee. 

Mrs. Mercado asked who will replace the middle school math teacher.  

19. MOTION TO ADJOURN PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mr. Nevins Ayes: 4         Time: 7:02
Second: Mrs. Jaskula Nays: 0

 

BUDGET WORKSHOP

*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