Regular Meeting of the Board of Education

Present: T. Hems, P. Lilac, K. Greene, D. Giso, W. Callanan, S. Valigorsky, B. McNeil, V. Masterson

Absent: J. Mueller

Also Present: Superintendent P. Morris, Clerk R. Price, Business Administrator S. Messineo and staff

President T. Hems called the meeting of the Board of Education to order at 6 p.m.

Board members led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

I. There was no public input on non-agenda items.

II. Ryan Collins, Director of Pupil Personnel Services reviewed the Special Education District Plan and Special Education staffing report for 2018-2019. The following is a reflection of the current staffing in comparison of the last two years. He specified that the state has added options for students with disabilities so that they can exit school with a certificate equivalent to that of a high school diploma. Our overall goals are to create opportunities for our students to be able to exit our school with the best diploma that meets their needs and to expose them to the regular education curriculum with their peers as much as possible.

• Special Class Teachers – 2 Elementary & 1 High School (4 total in 2016-17 and 2017-18)
• Consultant Teacher and/or Integrated Co-Teacher – 6 Elementary / 4 Middle School / 4 High School (15 total in 2016-17 and 2017-18)
• Related Service Providers – Speech and Language – 2 providers (ES/MS/HS) (3 in 2016-17 and 2 in 2017-18)
• Occupational Therapy – 1 provider (ES/MS/HS)
• Physical Therapy /Assistive Technology – .3 FTE contract with Access Therapy
• Psychologists – 2, K-12
• Social Workers / School Counselors – 2 (1 ES and 1 MS/HS)
• Paraprofessionals – 16 (ES/MS/HS)
• Teaching Assistants – 5 (ES/MS)

III. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes from 10/16/18, CSE/CPSE recommendations, and  warrants. (see supplemental minutes)

• Minutes of the 10/16/18 BOE Meeting
• CSE/CPSE Recommendations
• Warrants
  • Cafeteria Warrant #3 $ 9,256.92
  • Capital Warrant #4 $ 16,593.69
  • General Warrant #9 $ 365,325.78
  • General Warrant #8 $ 277,168.04
  • Cafeteria Warrant #4 $ 7,571.86

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

IV. Superintendent Patricia Morris updated the Board on the announcer compensation and  recommended to consider compensating Mr. Gazzelli the Section II rate of $25 per contest worked. This would apply to fall home games for soccer and football and winter  home games for basketball.

V. On an added motion by B. McNeil, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to approve the  compensation pay of $25 per contest worked to Stefano Gazzelli for announcing at district games.

Ayes: 7 Motion Carried
Nays: 1

VI. P. Morris noted that the Girls Varsity Soccer team advances to States and the district will have the added expense of bussing and lodging for the finals.

VII. P. Morris gave an update on the Fitness Center from a recent service to the equipment which is serviced three times per year. The equipment had a positive review and M. Kinney, S. Messineo and Mrs. Morris will be working to present the Finance Committee with a replacement plan.

VIII. Board Member V. Masterson updated the Board on the Policy Committee meeting held on October 23, 2018. She noted that our policy manual is up to date and just needs to include a section on training personnel on our updated sexual harassment policy. Superintendent P. Morris added that we are following State regulations and have a training system which includes an online webinar for new employees. There will be a meeting on the Athletic Code of Conduct on November 19, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.; the committee will review and bring back information to the community to follow.

IX. Board Member S. Valigorsky updated the Board on the Facilities Committee meeting held on October 30, 2018. There will be an upcoming meeting on November 14, 2018 at 4 p.m. The meeting will begin with a campus tour. The tour will include a look at sidewalks, potential concession stand location and layout of the back sports field for the possibility of utilizing one field for more than one sport. P. Morris stated a recommendation made by Sandra Dardanelli, Architect of Griffith Dardanelli to visit Mohonasen School to look at the layout of their concession Stand. S. Messineo noted that he is looking into solar options to light up the flag poles as there is no electric going to two of the flag poles. It was recommended by Micki Jones, Safety Coordinator of Capital Region BOCES, that the asbestos removal in the Middle School to be done at a time when school is not in session. The new signboard for the campus was ordered and will be getting installed within a week.

X. V. Masterson noted per policy, we are required to have an Equipment List (a Fixed Asset Inventory) and would like this updated. She also suggested after attending the convention in NYC through NYSSBA, that there is a certification on building  maintenance that our Facilities Director should look into obtaining should the need for troubleshooting arise.

XI. Board Member K. Greene updated the Board on the Superintendent Goals Committee meeting held on October 30, 2018. The goals for the superintendent included establishing a five-year curriculum cycle and securing building leadership roles. These goals coincide with overall district goals. An additional goal for Mrs. Morris is researching a Residency Program for teachers. In this program, the teachers would be compensated in addition to their contractual salary.

XII. Board Member K. Greene updated the Board on the Goals Committee meeting held on November 6, 2018. Our board goals are set in place for four years, and it was  recommended that the board reviews/ revises these goals on a yearly basis.

XIII. Board Member D. Giso updated the Board on the Program to Vision Committee meeting held on November 5, 2018. The items of discussion were social studies and art, as they relate to the standards, as well as math, ELA, and music. Also, the committee asked what Board Members would like to see at future board meetings. V. Masterson suggested that she would like to see teaching staff present and share what they are currently doing in their classrooms. These presentations could include student presenters.

XIV. Business Administrator S. Messineo reported on the Food Service Establishment Inspection Summary report. V. Masterson thanked him for the update.

XV. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by D.Giso, to accept a donation from the Middle School Friends of Rachel Club of $275 to the Stillwater Food Pantry, Mechanicville Food Pantry and Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund. (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XVI. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by P. Lilac, to appoint Felicia Golinski as  Elementary School Nurse per the CSEA Agreement effective 11/13/18 at a salary of $29,321 inclusive of the $1k stipend per the CSEA MOA. (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XVII. On a motion by B. McNeil, seconded by V. Masterson, to appoint Amanda Bornt as  Elementary Lunch/Recess Monitor effective 11/7/18 at a salary of $7,183.86 per the CSEA contract.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XVIII. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by B. McNeil, to appoint Aaron Loya as a  Substitute Cleaner effective 11/7/18 at $11/hr per the CSEA contract.  (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XIX. On a motion by P. Lilac, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to appoint Judy Russell as Claims Auditor effective 11/7/18 at $13.35/hr per the CSEA contract. (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XX. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by V. Masterson, to appoint Teresa Cutler as a  Schedule B Ski Club Co-Advisor effective for the 2018-19 school year at a stipend of $250 (half of the $500 stipend).

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXI. On a motion by V. Masterson, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to appoint Peri Crowley as a  Schedule B ski Club Co-Advisor effective for the 2018-19 school year at a stipend of $250 (half of the $500 stipend).

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXII. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by W. Callanan, to appoint Jeff Lilac as 7th  Grade Boys Basketball Coach Level I effective for the 2018-19 school year winter sports season at a stipend of $1,576. (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXIII. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by K. Greene, to appoint Elizabeth Schlegel as a volunteer Cheer Coach effective for the 2018 winter sports season.  (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXIV. On a motion by P. Lilac, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to appoint Tyanne Sheehan as a  Permanent Probationary Elementary Administrative School Aide effective 10/30/18 per the certification of eligibles exam. Tyanne will become permanent and lose  probationary status per the CSEA Agreement at the conclusion of a three-month probationary window which will expire on January 30, 2019.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXV. On a motion by B. McNeil, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to appoint Micaela Cimino as a Schedule B Second Section of Academic Study Hall Advisor effective for the 2018-19 school year at a prorated stipend of $2,181. (see supplemental minutes)

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXVI. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by W. Callanan, to approve the increase for adult lunch prices from $3.96 (inclusive of tax) to $4.10 (inclusive of tax) effective 11/7/18 to align with the State minimum amount.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXVII. On a motion by P. Lilac, seconded by S. Valigorsky, to adopt the Special Education District Plan for the 2018-19 school year; this plan has been updated to reflect programmatic needs.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXVIII. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by W. Callanan, to appoint Jon Mueller as a volunteer Girls Varsity Basketball Coach for the 2018-19 winter season.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXIX. Schedule B past schedules with stipends and current schedules with stipends were given to Board members as a means of communication. This was requested at the October 16, 2018 board meeting.

XXX. Board items of interest included a concern that coaches need to stay on campus and supervise until all students are picked up from practices. A schedule of practice times is designed to follow and adhere to throughout the course of a sport. Superintendent P. Morris assured the Board this will be addressed with the Athletic Director.

XXXI. Board items of interest also included a question asked if our kitchen staff is trained on CPR. Business Administrator S. Messineo indicated that he will look into and report back to the Board on this matter.

XXXII. Mrs. Gifford of the Express Newspaper asked during public input on agenda items if the Board will be voting on the goals at the next meeting. P. Morris responded that the goals will be voted on at the next Board meeting held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

XXXIII. Superintendent P. Morris updated the Board on the high traffic areas of the drop-off location at the Middle and High School and commended Dr. Johnson for his assistance in the flow of traffic.

XXXIV. On a motion by S. Valigorsky, seconded by B. McNeil, to adjourn the meeting to executive session at 7:46 p.m. regarding a personnel matter.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXXV. On a motion by W. Callanan, seconded by B. McNeil, to reconvene the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0

XXXVI. On a motion by T. Hems, seconded by V. Masterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.

Ayes: 8 Motion Carried
Nays: 0