MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. BOARD WORKSHOP (Superintendent and Board members)
6:30 p.m. OPEN MEETING
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
II. MOTION TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC SESSION
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0 Time: 6:31 p.m.
III. ROLL CALL
Mr. Dunsker X
Mr. Dignum X
Mrs. Ognan X
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 August 13, August 16, August 20 and September 6, 2007 meetings.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
VII. PERSONNEL MATTERS
Leave of Absence, Rose Nolan, Teaching Assistant
Enclosed is a letter from Rose Nolan requesting a leave of absence from the
position of Teaching Assistant to fill a long-term substitute position as a Special Education teacher during Cathy Wasserman's maternity leave from September 17, 2007 through November 19, 2007.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the leave request of Rose Nolan commencing 9/17/07.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Also enclosed is a letter from Kate Wasserman outlining the dates of her maternity leave.
Leave of Absence - Denise Yannetti
Mrs. Yannetti is requesting a six-to-eight-week medical leave commencing on
October 3, 2007.
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.
Angela Breda-Oliver Jamie Glokler Stewart Kriss Sharon Rafalko
Becky Ryder Jennifer Billera Samantha Bodenstab
Melissa Clifford Christine Devine Christian Farley Renee Gagnon
Ivan Ho Kelly O'Brien Mary Pattison Yolanda Robert
Sharon Zachgo Laura Zuk Danielle Del Pozzo Christina Latter
Vincent Padula Kristen Pattamana Joel Peterson Jennifer Zindle
Michelle Longo Kristyn Mariano Christopher Kowalski
Chanel Lomax Kyle McCormick Laura Slagen Michelle Steinbeiser
Motion: Mr. Testo Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
Appointments - Substitute Teachers - Emergency Conditional
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:
Amy Haskins Brian Kaplan Victoria Schilling Marvin Veeder
Mary Ellen Walsh
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. Nicoll Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
OTHER PERSONNEL MATTERS
Superintendent Meany is requesting Board of Education approval to attend the fall conference of the New York State Council of School Superintendents which will be held in Saratoga on Sunday, September 30, 2007 and one session on Monday, October 1, 2007 which ends at 9:30 a.m. Ms. Meany also requested approval to attend
a full-day meeting of the Capital District Superintendents' Group on Friday,September 21, 2007. The Board approved attendance at these conferences.
Separation - Kimberly Scheuer, District Treasurer
Attached is a letter from Kimberly Scheuer dated 9/7/07 resigning her position as
District Treasurer of the Menands School effective 9/7/07.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free
School District accept the letter of resignation from Kimberly Scheuer effective
September 7, 2007.
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0
VIII. BUSINESS MATTERS
Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer's Report for the month of August 2007 is in the process of being prepared and will be submitted at an upcoming Board of Education meeting. The General Fund and Federal warrants are submitted for approval.
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approve the the General Fund warrant in the amount of $17,332.40 and the Federal warrant in the amount of $779.12.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Testo Nays: 0
IX. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
CSE/CPSE Recommendations
Resolution BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands UFSD approve
the CSE/CPSE recommendations as submitted.
Motion: Mrs. Ognan Ayes: 5
Second: Mr. Dignum Nays: 0
Fingerprinting for substitute lunch monitors and cafeteria workers: The processing fee for fingerprinting substitute lunch monitors and cafeteria workers is $100 and is done on an as-needed bases.
X. UPDATES/REPORTS
First Week of School
Ms. Meany reported that the first week of school went well. The teachers' preparation for student arrival was very evident. The back-to-school breakfast planned by the MAT for all students and staff was very lovely. It set a very positive tone for the beginning of the school year. Staff and Grade 8 students were introduced. Ms. Meany stated the students appeared "ready to go". Ms. Meany thanked Miss Kostik and Mrs. Miller for their help and support in preparation for the students' and staff arrival. Ms. Meany has met with many staff members and is appreciative of the orientation from them.
Ms. Meany stated that additional lockers are being purchased, that dismissal procedures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the students and transportation issues are being addressed as they come up.
Mr. Dunsker, on behalf of the Board of Education, thanked Ms. Meany, Miss Kostik,
Mrs. Miller and all of the staff for their preparation and hard work in making a smooth
transition into the new school year.
Science Curriculum (Grades 5 and 8) Summer Curriculum work
Mr. Herrmann and Mrs. Yannetti have done an excellent job in aligning the Science
instructional units and resources to New York State standards. The binders are
available in the main office for review.
Screening of applicants for a long-term substitute to fill Mrs. Yannetti's 6-8 week
leave will take place next week. The strongest candidates will be identified,
interviewed and hired by the third week of September.
Occupational Therapy Field Placement Students from Russell Sage College
Russell Sage requested placement of 4-6 students in their Occupational Therapy
Program in K-2 classroom two days a week for a 6-week duration in October and
November. Ms. Meany stated it is a very valuable program and we are more than
willing to participate.
Enrollment (as of 9/7/07)
K 22
1 34* 6 33*
2 25 7 19
3 28* 8 27
4 32* 240 Total Enrollment
5 20 * Indicates split classes
-5-
XI. MISCELLANEOUS
Schuyler Inn: There are currently 8 students from the Schuyler Inn attending
the Menands School. Several of these students will be here for only two days
and then be transferring to another school district.
Class Size Determination: Several factors determine how classes are split:
The make-up of the class and the special needs of the students in that grade
are major factors.
XII. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA/NON-AGENDA ITEMS
CTY: The CTY Program is scheduled to commence this week.
Bus Complaints: Complaints regarding transportation (bus 3 overcrowding on
the first day, high school bus overcrowding and a Kindergartner seated with
fourth graders) will all be addressed with Folmsbee Transportation. Bus runs
will be re-assessed if overcrowding is deemed an issue.
Playground Graffiti: It was reported that the graffiti on the field kick wall is still evident Ms. Meany stated this will be looked into and taken care of.
Long Term Substitute: Ms. Meany stated that during the time Mrs. Nolan will be
filling the long-term substitute Special Education position, her teaching assistant
position will remain unfilled. Ms. Meany stated there is enough staff during this
time to fill the needs of the students.
XIII. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL
1. Value Added Assessment conference sponsored by CAPSBA, 9/20/07 at
the Century House.
2. Thirteenth Annual School Law Conference binder issued by NYSSBA.
XIV. NEXT BOARD MEETING
October 9, 2007 - 6:30 p.m.
XV. MOTION TO ADJOURN
Motion: Mr. Dignum Ayes: 5
Second: Mrs. Ognan Nays: 0 Time: 7:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia M. Miller
District Clerk