MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
June 11, 2007 6:30 p.m.
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. MOTION TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0 Time: 6:30 p.m.
III. ROLL CALL
Mr. Dunsker X
Mr. Dignum X
Mrs. Ognan X
Mr. LaFleur X
Mr. Testo X
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the minutes of the
May 8, 2007 meeting.
Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
IX. BUSINESS MATTERS
The Treasurer's Report for the month of April 2007, General Fund warrant in the amount of $124,405.48 and the Cafeteria Fund in the amount of $6,274.76.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
Transportation Extension - Folmsbee's Transportation, Inc.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free
School District approve the contract extension with Folmsbee's Transportation,
Inc. for the 2007-2008 school year with a cost increase equal to the allowable
CPI rate as determined by the State Education Department.
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Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
2007-2008 Budget Votes & Elections
Enclosed for information purposes is the 5/15/07 Budget Votes and Elections tally sheet.
X. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
On behalf of the Board of Education, the staff, students and parents of the Menands
School, Mr. Dunsker thanked Mr. LaFleur for his past year of service on the Board.
Memorandum of Agreement - Menands Association of Teachers
Resolution IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Memorandum of Agreement dated May 24, 2007
between the Menands School District and Menands Association of Teachers is hereby approved.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
CSE Recommendations
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD accept
the CSE recommendations as submitted.
Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
Donations
Enclosed please find for the Board's acceptance a letter from Cyndi Miller donating a
trumpet to the Menands School Music Program.
Enclosed please find for the Board's acceptance a letter from Robert Collen donating
a ping pong table with paddles and net for the school's use.
The Board of Education accepted and expressed thanks to Mrs. Miller and Mr. Collen
for their generous donations.
D.A.R.E. Graduation:
Grade 5 will hold its D.A.R.E. Graduation on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 12:30 p.m. The
Board of Education is cordially invited to attend.
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Graduation 2007
Graduation Night 2007 is Friday, June 22, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Instruction Contracts - North Colonie Central School District and Watervliet
City School District
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free
School District approve the 2007-2008 instruction contracts between the
Menands UFSD and North Colonie Central School/Watervliet City School
Districts and authorize the Board President to execute same.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
XI. PERSONNEL MATTERS
Maternity Leave - Kate Wasserman, K-4 Special Education Teacher
Enclosed is a letter from Kate Wasserman requesting an eight-week maternity leave effective some time in September 2007. An official effective date will be submitted
at a later time.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the requested maternity leave of Kate Wasserman.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Appointments
Tenure Recommendations - Mary Barno
Donna Graham
It is my recommendation that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint tenure to Mary Barno in the N-6 tenure area and Donna Graham in the
Special Education tenure area both effective September 1, 2007.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon the recommendation of Andrea Kostik, Interim Superintendent of Schools, does hereby appoint Mary Barno to tenure in the Elementary Education
(N-6) tenure area effective September 1, 2007.
Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
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Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District, upon the recommendation of Andrea Kostik, Interim Superintendent of
Schools, does hereby appoint Donna Graham to tenure in the Special Education
tenure area effective September 1, 2007.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
Reappointment
Reappointment Recommendation - District Treasurer -Kimberly Scheuer
It is my recommendation that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District reappoint Kimberly M. Scheuer as the District Treasurer, effective July 1, 2007,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement dated June 11, 2007.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District, upon the recommendation of Andrea Kostik, Interim Superintendent of
Schools, hereby reappoints Kimberly M. Scheuer as the District Treasurer,
effective July 1, 2007, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement
dated June 11, 2007 authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement,
and authorizes payment thereunder.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
Probationary Appointment Extension - Charles Blanchet
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District, upon the recommendation of Andrea Kostik, Interim Superintendent of
Schools, hereby approves the agreement dated May 15, 2007, extending the
probationary appointment of teacher Charles Blanchet for a period of one year,
to August 31, 2008, in accordance with the terms of said agreement.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
Fully Cleared Appointments - Substitute Teachers
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint the following as substitute teachers for the 2006-2007 school year:
Brooke Clover Celia Ganey Jennifer Jewett
Kristen Karbowski Gina Pereira Robert Piel
Patricia Audi Chelsea Wade Kelly Torres
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Kerilee Powers Sara Lestage Candice Bartman
Jessica Humes Kathryn Ash Michael Diago
Bryan Gaudio Puja Gupta Michael Rzepka
Christopher Starace Sarah Tibbets
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
Emergency Conditional Appointment - Kitchen/Cafeteria Substitute
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District appoint Karie Ravida as a substitute Kitchen/Cafeteria Aide at a rate of
$8.24 per hour.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to a statement from her regarding criminal convictions or pending criminal charges. Her continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District's receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.
Motion: Mr. LaFleur Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Emergency Conditional Appointments - Substitute Teachers
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint the following as substitute teachers for the 2006-2007 school year:
Danielle Del Pozzo Laura Edick Marc Geer
Casey Golden Puja Gupta Michelle Longo
Christopher Kowalski Kristyn Mariano Joel Peterson
Elizabeth Romero Daniel Scher Erin Swasey
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: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. LaFleur Nays: 0
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XII. STUDENT MATTERS
ELA Results - January 2007
Miss Kostik stated that our students did a wonderful job on the ELA Tests. The
individual reports will be send home to parents when received. Miss Kostik stated
the MATH scores are still embargoed but anticipates successful results. Mr. Dunsker
on behalf of the Board of Education thanked the teachers for all of their hard work and
congratulations to the students.
XIII. UPDATES/REPORTS
May Activities
We have had a very busy month of May and beginning of June. Congratulations and many
thanks to all who have participated in and made successful the ALPHA Night Presentation, the K-8 Art Exhibit, the second Chess Club Tournament, the Drama Club's presentation of The Music Man, Jr., the school-wide Basket Bonanza, the Grade 7 BBQ fundraiser, Caribbean Day with Alex Torres entertaining, and Field Day 2007. Congratulations also to all of our Citizens/Scholars, to our track and field team who broke all kinds of records, to Dan Carroll who was named Chess Coach of the Year and to Vivien Zhang, Connor Boyd and Manny Cassiano, winners of the NYS Dental Association art poster contest.
Mr. Herrmann expressed thanks to Mrs. Volo and the seventh grade class for a very
successful barbecue fundraiser.
Mr. Dunsker thanked the faculty, parents/volunteers and students for a successful month
of May. "Well done."
Projected Class Sizes
K 19 5 19
1 37 6 31
2 26 7 20
3 30 8 25
4 35 Total 242
Kindergarten Screening Program
A Kindergarten Screening will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007 for the incoming Kindergarten class.
Summer School Program
We will again hold a summer school program here for students in grades K-5 to
continue and enhance their learning practices. This will be held from July 23 through
August 17 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Students in grades 6-8 who failed two or more
subjects will attend the summer school program at Green Island Elementary School.
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XV. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL 1. Events and Happenings, June 2007
2. Letter from NYSSBA dated 5/18/07
3. Letter & certificate from Commissioner Mills dated 5/15/07 for
High Performing/Gap Closing School/District for 2005-06 school year
4. NYSIR Annual Report 2006
XVI. MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. LaFleur thanked everyone for their cooperation during his term on the Board
of Education.
XVII. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Mattice handed to the Board with a copy for counsel a prepared statement that he
asked be reviewed in Executive Session.
Johns Hopkins CTY Program: Miss Kostik stated that the CTY program commenced
in February has been 50% completed by the students. She is awaiting advice from
the CTY representative as to the feasibility of continuing this program throughout the
summer. This program will also be offered for the 2007-2008 school year.
Park Lane Speed Bumps: Mrs. McKoy advised that for safety purposes speed bumps have been installed in the Park Lane Apartments.
XVIII. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Legal Issue
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. LaFleur Nays: 0 Time: 6:55 p.m.
XIX. MOTION TO ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0 Time: 7:05 p.m.
XX. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0 Time: 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Miller
District Clerk