MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
January 14, 2008
6:30 p.m.
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. MOTION TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0 Time: 6:30 p.m.
III. ROLL CALL
Mr. Dunsker X
Mr. Dignum X
Mrs. Ognan absent
Mr. Testo X
Mr. Nicoll X
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
V. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the minutes of the
December 10, 2007 meeting.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
VII. BUSINESS MATTERS
Business Office Information
Enclosed for the information of the Board is a copy of the warrants, budget transfers, the
appropriation status report and the revenue status report.
Business Office for Approval
Enclosed is the Treasurer's Report for the month of November 2007.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the Treasurer's Report for the month of November 2007.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
Transportation Contract - Shaker H.S./Culinary Arts Program
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the transportation contract for Star & Strand to transport one student from
Shaker High School to the Culinary Arts Program in Troy, New York commencing
January 7, 2008 through June 6, 2008 at a cost of $68.00 per day.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Health Services - Private School Students
Enclosed are copies of proposed contracts and an invoice for health services for five students attending LaSalle Institute in the North Greenbush Common School District.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the health services contract with the North Greenbush Common School District in the amount of $989.90 for five students attending LaSalle Institute and authorize same to be signed by the President and Clerk of the Board.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
2008-2009 Budget
Enclosed for the information of the Board is the 2008-2009 budget calendar.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve the
proposed calendar for creating the budget for the 2008-2009 school year.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
VIII. PERSONNEL MATTERS
Appointment - Teaching Assistant - Rose Nolan
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD appoint
Rose Nolan to a probationary Teaching Assistant position from September 1,
2007 to June 30, 2008. This appointment is retroactive to September 1, 2007.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Resignation - Denise Yannetti
Enclosed is a letter from Denise Yannetti resigning her N-6 teaching position
effective February 2, 2008.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free
School District accept the letter of resignation of Denise Yannetti effective
February 2, 2008.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
Leave of Absence - Rose Nolan
Enclosed is a letter from Rose Nolan requesting a leave of absence from her position
as a Teaching Assistant for the period February 4, 2008 through June 30, 2008.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the leave of absence request of Rose Nolan from her position as Teaching
Assistant for the period February 4, 2008 through June 30, 2008.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
Appointment - Long-Term Substitute - Rose Nolan
Enclosed is a letter from Superintendent Kathy Meany recommending Rose Nolan
for the long-term substitute position created by Mrs. Yannetti's resignation for the period
February 4, 2008 through June 30, 2008. Ms. Nolan's resumé is also enclosed.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education, upon the recommendation of
Kathy Meany, Superintendent, approve the appointment of Rose Nolan to a
long-term substitute position for the period February 4, 2008 through June 30, 2008 at
a rate of $180 per day.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Appointments - Substitute Teachers - Fully Cleared
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint the following as substitute teachers for the 2007-2008 school year.
Joel Dashnaw Jacquelyn Dignum Kaitlyn Dollard
Sean Dollard Sarah Wolfsont Kevin Dowd
Peter Gray Kenneth Sommer Catherine Mattice
Lisa Neuman Crystal Sanfilippo David Finley
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
Substitute Teachers - Emergency Conditional
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD appoint the following as substitute teachers for the 2007-2008 school year:
Kathleen Andrzejczak Benjamin Bruce William Casto Carla Fisk
Alissa DiCocco Aaron Goutermout Theresa Galgano
Kevin Hetzel Jennifer Miles Erin Murphy
Lisa Prinzo Chris Reach Daniel Birch
Cassandra Carter Brian Csorny Laurie DeNovio
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these appointments are made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to a statement from them regarding criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. Their continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District's receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that they are fully cleared for employment .
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
IX. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
Budget Transfers Policy 6150 - Revision - Third Reading
The proposed Budget Transfers Policy 6150 revision is submitted for adoption.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD adopt
the revised Budget Transfers Policy 6150.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Graduation/Promotion Policy 4770 - New - Third Reading
The proposed Menands School Eighth Grade Graduation Policy 4770 is submitted
for adoption.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD adopt
Graduation/Promotion Policy 4770.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
Submitted for the Board's policy handbook binder is revised Index Page 7 as well as the two newly-adopted policies.
English Language Arts Assessments:
This is the second year for the New York State English Language Arts testing for
Grades 3 - 8.
Grade 3 Jan. 9-10
Grade 4 Jan. 8-10
Grade 5 Jan. 9-10
Grade 6 Jan. 15-17
Grade 7 Jan. 15-16
Grade 8 Jan. 15-16
Enclosed is a cover memo from Ms. Meany requesting Board approval for Ms. Rita Bartlett to work on Wednesday morning, 1/16/08, to administer the ELA assessments to ESL students at a cost of $52.70.
Resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
$52.70 as payment to Rita Bartlett for administration of ELA assessments to
ESL students on 1/16/08.
Tech Valley High School Program - Information Only
The Board has received the materials describing the Tech Valley High School Program.
The recruitment and application process for Tech Valley's 2008-2009 freshman class is currently in progress, with applications due on February 1, 2008. Should a Menands student
and his or her family be interested in applying, the Board will need to vote at the February
2008 Board of Education meeting to approve the potential placement and tuition expense of $18,000 plus transportation.
X. CONFERENCES
The Superintendent requests approval to attend a two-day conference with 10 Menands
School teachers on curriculum mapping and K-8 science instruction. The conference will
be held on January 28 and 29, 2008
Board of Education: Enclosed is information regarding a conference entitled "An Update on the Upcoming 2008 State Legislative Session" sponsored by CAPSBA, 1/24/08, 7:30 p.m., Century House, Latham. Please let Mrs. Miller know if you are interested in attending.
XII. INFORMATIONAL
1. Events and Happenings, January-February
2. Letter from Board of Elections, Albany, County, confirming Menands School
as Presidential Primary voting place on 2/5/08 from noon until 9:00 p.m.
3. Thank You card from the Senior Citizens Club for December holiday luncheon.
4. Thank You card from Sue Arkinson for December holiday luncheon.
XIII. NEXT BOARD MEETING
February 11, 2008
XIV. MISCELLANEOUS
XV. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA, NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Curriculum Mapping: Mr. Masline stated that the curriculum mapping conference
will be a great aid to teachers in building consistency over the K-8 science curriculum.
In response to Mrs. Ramsay's question, Ms. Meany stated the upcoming curriculum
mapping seminar will aid teachers in bringing to the classroom a more complete and sophisticated level of science instruction than in the past with collaborative efforts among the teaching staff on "what and how" is taught.
Thank you from Mrs. Price: Mrs. Price stated her fourth grade son, recently diagnosed
with diabetes, has participated in a Yale University Diabetes Study and has started a
course of treatment. Through it all, Mrs. Price stated Ms. Barno and Mrs. Weidman
have been "absolutely wonderful" and she wanted to express a very sincere thank you for their support and caring.
XVI. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Personnel
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0 Time: 7:24 p.m.
XVII. MOTION TO ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0 Time: 8:20 p.m.
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XVIII. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0 Time: 8:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Miller
District Clerk