MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
March 10, 2008
6:30 p.m.
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. MOTION TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0 Time: 6:30 p.m.
III. ROLL CALL
Mr. Dunsker X
Mr. Dignum absent
Mrs. Ognan X
Mr. Testo X
Mr. Nicoll X
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
V. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
Grade 8 Class Trip: Some eighth grade students attended the meeting to request that the location of the class trip which was voted on on 3/6/08 be changed from Mystic, Connecticut to New York City. Ms. Meany stated the class advisors and administration will discuss this issue and the decision about the class trip will be brought before the Board at the April meeting.
Missoula Theater: The issue of the Missoula Theater Program was discussed.
Mr. Testo stated he would like the monies budgeted for the Missoula Theater Program
to be used towards purchase of equipment and our own drama program. Ms. Meany
recommended that we go forward for next year with the Missoula program and have
communication with stakeholders in the drama program next fall. Mr. Testo replied he
would like to start the change now and bring it before the community to decide. The existing
contract with Missoula will be looked into and further discussion will be held in the near
future.
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education accept the minutes of the
February 12, 2008 and March 4, 2008 meetings.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan 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 January 2008.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the Treasurer's Report for the month of January 2008.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
Tax Reduction - Allied Waste Services of N.A.
Enclosed is a letter from Cronin, Cronin & Harris, P.C. dated January 3, 2008
containing a certified copy of the Court Order reducing the assessed valuation for Allied
Waste Services of N.A. and ordering a tax refund in the amount of $1,357.03.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD authorizes
a tax refund in the amount of $1,357.03 to Allied Waste Services of N.A. for
reduction of assessed valuation for property located at 22 Simmons Lane.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
RFP - Auditing Firms for 2007-2008
Enclosed is a memo from Mr. Knaust and a list of auditing firms responding to the RFP issued in February 2008 for external auditing of the district's financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. This was presented and discussed with the Audit
Advisory Committee. It is recommended that the proposal for Professional Auditing Services be awarded to the lowest bidder, Dorfman-Robbie, CPAs, P.C. in the amount of $12,000.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD appoint
Dorfman-Robbie, CPAs to conduct auditing services for the year ending June 30, 2008 of the Menands UFSD at a cost of $12,000.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
Corrective Action Plan
Enclosed is the Corrective Action Plan in response to the Comptroller's Audit to be adopted by the Board of Education.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD adopt the
Corrective Action Plan as submitted.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
2008-2009 Budget
Mr. Knaust presented a draft of the proposed 2008-2009 proposed budget which
included line items for instruction, curriculum development, supervision, teaching
programs for students with disabilities, library, computer-assisted instruction,
guidance, health, and co-curricular and interscholastic athletics. These budget
items reflect a 4.34% increase from 2007-08.
VIII. PERSONNEL MATTERS
Salary and Benefit Schedule - Non-Instructional Staff
Attached for the Board's approval is the 2007-2008 salary and benefit schedule for the
twelve non-instructional employees.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the salary and benefit schedule for the 2007-2008 school year as submitted
for Patricia Miller, Selvi Jayakumar, Aileen Nicoll, Scott Losee, Don Mannion, Brian Franklin, Cheryl Coons, Patricia Ravida, Janet Ramsay, Barbara Lane, Karen Ruiz and Catherine Mattice.
Mrs. Ognan made a motion to approve the above salary and benefit schedule,
Mr. Testo seconded the motion, Mr. Nicoll abstained and a vote was taken:
Mr. Dunsker Aye
Mrs. Ognan Aye
Mr. Testo Aye
Mr. Nicoll Abstain Motion carried.
Salary and Benefit Schedule - Andrea Kostik
Attached for the Board's approval is the 2007-2008 salary and benefit schedule for
Andrea Kostik.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the salary and benefit schedule for the 2007-2008 school year as submitted
for Andrea Kostik.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
Appointment - Substitute Food Service Worker/Lunch Monitor - Andre Legrone
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free
School District appoint Andre Legrone as a substitute food service worker or
lunch monitor for the Menands UFSD at a rate of $8.24 per hour. Mr. Legrone is fully cleared for employment.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll 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.
Danielle Beach Thomas Brahler Kevin Hetzel
Chanel Lomax Janina Mango Ki Santiago-Townsend
Jessica Waltzer Christine Burke Schlane Canaday
Steven Curcio Meredith Freebern Ryan Getwright
Evelyn Kreiley Sean Lyons Brenda Motley
Joseph Quirk Nicole Rohrs Ashley Wanke
Amy Hunziker Evan Liberty Meredith McCarthy
Erica Nichols John Schepisi Brynn Treloar
Alexis Zoder Jonathan Coleman Sara Delgoshaei
Jessica Forni Bryant Gilchrist Jana Goertz
Mallory Baughman Alison Farrell Robert Farrelly
Lauren Hackbarth Jennifer Miller Zachary Tarnowski
Paula Thubault Lauren Woodruff
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Ognan 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:
Alissa Barnett Gregory Conklin Brianna DiBiase
Elizabeth Ferenczy Max Kaplan Eadwine Webb
Sarita Gould Theresa Helf Timothy Cheng
Davis Connelly Arturo de la Cruz HanXiang Li
Jaclyn Naudeau Douglas Rivenburg
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: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
IX. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
New York State Math Assessments
Enclosed is a cover memo from Ms. Meany requesting Board approval for Ms. Rita Bartlett to work on Wednesday morning, March 12, 2008, to administer the NYS math assessments to an ESL student 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 the NYS math assessments to one ESL student on 3/12/08.
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0
Annual Fire Inspections
Enclosed is a memo from Scott Losee listing the results of the 10/12/07 and 1/25/08 fire
inspections.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD accept the
10/12/07 and 1/25/08 fire inspections.
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
ANNUAL MEETING
Board of Registration/Board of Elections
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District appoint the following individuals to the Board of Registration and Board of Elections for the May 20, 2008 Annual Budget Votes and Elections:
Lorna McCartan, Chairperson Susan Updike Porter
Vince Spataro Ruth Zabinski Patricia M. Miller
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
Acting District Clerk
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School
District appoint William Smith as Acting District Clerk in the absence of
Mrs. Miller from April 11-21, 2008.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
For the information of the Board, enclosed is an Annual Meeting 2008 Timeline for
legal notices, petitions, etc.
BOCES Annual Meeting
A special Board meeting will be set up at the next meeting to cast ballots on the
2008-2009 BOCES Budget and Board vote.
X. STUDENT MATTERS
Grade 8 Class Trip - Tabled
XI. UPDATES/REPORTS
March 20, 2008 Workshop Day
Ms. Meany reviewed with the Board the agenda for the March 20, 2008 Workshop Day.
XII. INFORMATIONAL
1. Update on the Tech Valley High School conference sponsored by CAPSBA
to be held on 3/13/08 at the Century House.
2. Events and Happenings, March issue
XIII. NEXT BOARD MEETING : April 7, 2008
XIV. MISCELLANEOUS
Kudos to Dan Han, Shaker H.S.
Dan Han, a 9th grade student from Menands School, scored 800 on the Math SAT's at Shaker High School. Mrs. Ognan stated this a reflection of the hard work on the part of the Menands School teachers.
Shaker H.S. Bus Passes
Bus passes have been issued to each student in the district attending Shaker H.S.
Folmsbee Transportation drivers also have lists of the students being transported on
each bus. This system was developed to ensure that only Menands students are riding our buses and avoid possible overcrowding by having the students ride only their assigned
buses. The protocol for issuing bus complaints was questioned. All complaints should
be directed to the school first to be handled.
XV. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA, NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Special Education Students
In response to a question by Mr. Price, Ms. Meany stated there are 7-8 special education
students attending Shaker H.S. and none at Watervliet. Mr. Price suggested that if Watervliet H.S. offers comparable special education services that Watervliet should be considered as
an option for these students. Concerns were expressed about making sure that students with disabilities have school choices that are comparable to those choices of non-special education students. Mrs. Meany stated that the Menands CSE Chairperson will gather more information about special education programs at Watervliet.
Missoula Theater Program
Mr. Rozmierski stated that the $3500 budgeted for the Missoula Theater Program
should instead be targeted for purchase of chairs, new stage curtains, lighting and
in-house drama productions. Ms. Meany stated that we have budgeted for some
new chairs and that the Rotary Club of Menands is also making a donation of new
chairs for the school. Ms. Meany also stated that the Missoula program provides
K-8 schoolwide enrichment while they are here. Mr. Dunsker recommended continuing
the K-8 enrichment part of the program even if the Missoula program is not approved.
Non-Instructional Staff Salary Schedule
The salary schedule for non-instructional staff previously approved is for the 2007-2008
school year. As per the Comptroller's audit recently completed, this will be done
annually.
XVI. MOTION TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Personnel
2. Mid year assessment of district goals
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0 Time: 8:15 p.m.
XVII. MOTION TO ADJOURN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 4
Second: Mr. Nicoll Nays: 0 Time: 9:30 p.m.
XVIII. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion: Mr. Nicoll Ayes: 4
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0 Time: 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Miller
District Clerk