MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
February 14, 2022
6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting in person & Livestream
Budget Workshop Immediately Following Regular Meeting
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: 6:31
2. MOTION TO ENTER PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Aye: 4 Nay: 0
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
3. ROLL CALL
- Mr. Nevins Present
- Mrs. Delancy Present
- Mrs. Jaskula Present
- Mr. Diefenderfer Present
- Mr. Raman Present
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE
Administration of Oath of Office
To the Board President
The Clerk will administered the Oath of Office to the President
Of the Board of Education, William Nevins.
5. APPOINTMENT OF NEW BOARD MEMBER
Elangovan Raman
WHEREAS, effective January 28, 2022, Jeff Masline resigned his seat on the Board of Education, resulting in a vacant seat on the Board of Education;
WHEREAS, Education Law Section 1709(17) and Board Policy 2150 authorize the Board of Education to fill such vacancy by appointment;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby appoints Elangovan Raman to the aforesaid vacant seat and authorizes the oath of office to be administered to said individual, effectively immediately, and said Board member shall serve until the next succeeding annual meeting on May 17, 2022.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Aye: 4 Nay: 0
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Oath of New Board Member
The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Elangovan Raman.
6. 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.
No comments
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes of the January 10, 2022 meeting.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Abstain: 1
Second: Mrs. Jaskul
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Abstain
8. DISCUSSION ITEMS
Bernard P. Donegan, Inc.-” Long Range Financial Planning”- Jason from Bernard P. Donegan gave the board an update in regards to where the district stands at this point in time with their long range financial planning.
9. BUSINESS MATTERS
I.Business Office – Non-Action Items
Warrants
Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of the following warrants and the claims auditor report for the month of January 2022:
Fund A Amount
Warrant #35 $79,746.27
Warrant #37 $182,956.88
II. Business Office- Action Items
The board president asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items II. A.-D.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Second: Mrs. Delancy
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
A. Budget Transfer – January 2022
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District approve the attached budget transfers for January 2022.
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 ending January 31, 2022.
C. 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): As per the attached list.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the disposal of items that cease to be of use or of value to the district as listed.
1 HP Printer 00268
D. Easter Seals NY Camp Colonie – Special Education Services Agreement
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the agreement between Menands School and Easter Seals NY for the 2021-2022 school year as per the attached agreement.
10. POLICY
The board president asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items I. a.-w.
Motion: Mrs. Delancy Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Second: Mr. Raman
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
I. 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.
- 1511 Advertising in Schools
- 1230 Public Participation at Board Meetings
- 2000 Board Operational Goals
- 2100 School Board Legal Status
- 2120 School Board Elections
- 2120.2 Voting Procedures
- 2121 Board Member Qualifications
- 2150 Filling Board Vacancies
- 2160 School Board Officer & Employee Ethics
- 2210 Board Reorganizational Meeting
- 2220 Board Officers
- 2230 Appointed Board Officials
- 2270 School Attorney
- 2310 Regular Meetings
- 2320 Special Meetings
- 2330 Executive Sessions
- 2340 Notice of Meetings
- 2342 Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
- 2351 Quorum
- 2352 Rules of Order
- 2360 Minutes
- 2382 Broadcasting and Taping of Board Meetings
- 2410 Policy Development, Adoption, Implementation and Review
II. Abolish Policies
The board president asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items II. a.-g.
Motion: Mr. Raman Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Second: Mr. Diefenderfer
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby abolishes the following policies as listed:
- 2010 Evaluation of Board Operational Procedures
- 2110 School Board Powers and Duties
- 2111 Board Member Authority
- 2115 BOCES Board Elections
- 2122 Oaths of Office
- 2140 Board Member Removal from Office
- 2220 Officers of the Board of Education
11. PERSONNEL MATTERS
The board president asked for a motion to approve consent agenda items I., II.,and III.
Motion: Mr. Diefenderfer Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Second: Mrs. Jaskula
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
I. Resignations
A. Secretary to the Superintendent- Sue McCormick
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accepts the letter of resignation for the intent of retirement from Sue McCormick, dated February 7, 2022 resigning from her position as Secretary to the Superintendent from the Menands Union Free School District effective April 29, 2022.
B. Teacher Aide – Katherine Alomar
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District Accept the enclosed letter from Katherine Alomar, resigning from her position as a Teacher Aide from the Menands Union Free School District effective January 14, 2022.
II. Appointments
A. Substitute Cafeteria/Lunch Monitors and Clerical
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve Shaina Verma for the 2021-2022 school year. Remuneration as per the Approved salary schedule.
B. 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.
- Matthew Esposito
- Noah Fatata
- Emily Goldup
- Andrew Marro
- Amminadab Munyaneza
- Elana Pijanowski
- Kaya Rifenberg-Stempel
III. Unpaid Leave
A. Unpaid Leave of Absence -Katherine Nersesian -Elementary Teacher
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve the unpaid leave request from Katherine Nersesian from March 4, 2022 through May 13, 2022.
B. Unpaid Leave of Absence -Erin Lange Library Media Specialist
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve the unpaid leave request from Erin starting March 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022.
12. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
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.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5 Nays: 0
Second: Mrs. Delancy
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
13. STUDENT MATTERS
Class Size Update as of 2/5/2022:
Kdg. – 35(split) Gr. 5 -28 (split) Pre K- 18
Gr. 1 – 32(split) Gr. 6 – 25
Gr. 2 – 46(split) Gr. 7 – 36 (split)
Gr. 3 – 39 (split) Gr. 8 – 31 (split)
Gr. 4 – 26 Total – 298 (316 with pre K)
14. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
- COVID Updates- Dr. Long updated the board with the current information that has been released and plans to further explore how the district will move forward.
- Policy Work- Dr. Long said that the committee has been hard at work and thanked everyone for their dedication.
- Recent Updates to Webpage- Dr. Long said that the website has been updated to reflect the work that has been done with Policy and both the Strategic Planning and Diversity and Inclusivity committees.
15. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS
- Local Assessments and coaching-Mrs. Canavo said that the teachers along with the instructional coach have been working hard to develop plans that best fit the needs of the children.
- Parent Teacher Conferences- Mrs. Canavo said the conferences were held virtually and many parents participated.
- PTA Updates- Mrs. Canavo thanked the PTA for having the basket raffle. The kids really enjoyed it.
- Concert News- Mrs. Canavo said that the concert will be performed for the families and hope that everyone will enjoy the concert.
16. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL
- Winter Recess – February 21st – February 25th
- Next Board of Education Meeting & Budget Workshop: Monday, March 14, 2022 at 6:30p.m.
17. MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Nevins informed the board how he would like to use Miscellaneous going forward.
Mr. Nevins said that he would like to add use of BOE comments and the website to discussion items for the next meeting. The board was in agreement.
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.
Janani Williams asked the board if he could look into researching the possibility of having Nike sponsor Menands School and provide uniforms and various sports equipment. The board thanked Jalani and said they would get back to him.
19. MOTION TO ADJOURN
*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.
Motion: Mrs. Jaskula Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Time: 7:35
Second: Mrs. Delancy
Mr. Nevins: Aye
Mrs. Delancy: Aye
Mrs. Jaskula: Aye
Mr. Diefenderfer: Aye
Mr. Raman: Aye
Budget Workshop
*Immediately Following