MENANDS UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
March 14, 2022
6:30 p.m. – Regular Meeting and Livestream
Livestream / Video Conferencing
Budget Workshop
PLEASE NOTE: During the Public Comment Sessions, members of the community may address the Board on agenda and non-agenda items. The Board President may limit remarks of individual speakers to a reasonable time. Speakers must identify themselves and the topic on which they would like to make remarks. BOEcomments@menands.org
1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
2. MOTION TO ENTER PUBLIC SESSION
3. ROLL CALL
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS
Just a reminder for those members of the public in attendance. This is one of two opportunities afforded members of the public to comment on or inquire about agenda items. Members of the public also have an opportunity at the end of the evening’s agenda to comment on matters not formally noted on the agenda. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the minutes of the February 14, 2022 meeting.
7. DISCUSSION ITEMS
- Layered Mitigation Protocol
8. BUSINESS MATTERS
I. Business Office- Non-Action Items
A. Warrants
Enclosed for the information of the Board are copies of the following warrants and the claims auditor report for the month of February 2022.
Fund A Amount
- Warrant #39 $123,390.26
- Warrant #41 $240,998.97
II. Business Office- Action Items
A. Budget Transfer – February 2022
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the attached budget transfers for February 2022.
B. Treasurer’s Report
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending February 28, 2022.
C. Opening Plan
BE IT RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education approves the revised Opening Plan developed for the Menands Union Free School District for the 2021-2022 school year and hereby authorizes the Superintendent of schools to amend, modify and/or update the Opening Plan as needed and notify the Board in the event of further revisions to the plan.
D. TAS: Professional Transportation Consulting Services
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the Consultant Services Contract with TAS for Transportation Advisory Services.
E. Disposal of Items
Superintendent’s Recommendation: That the Board of Education in accordance with district policy 6900 authorize the disposition of the following item(s): As per the attached list.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the disposal of items that cease to be of use or of value to the district as listed.
Library Books
F. Crossroads Center for Children, Inc. – Professional Development Training Services Contract
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the contract between Menands School and Crossroads Center for Children, Inc for the 2021-2022 school year as per the attached agreement.
G. 2022 Capital Reserve Fund
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby authorizes the following proposition to be placed on the ballot at the Annual Budget Vote and Election on May 17, 2022, and for said proposition to be included in the Annual Notice of said Vote and Election:
Shall the Board of Education be authorized to establish a Capital Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 3651 of the New York State Education Law to be known as the Menands School District Capital Reserve fund in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, with a probable term of ten years, for the purpose of financing, in whole or in part, the construction of additions to, and reconstruction of, School District buildings, site work, and acquisition of land, original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus, required for the purposes for which such buildings are to be used, with such Capital Reserve Fund being from (i) year-end budget surplus funds known as unassigned fund balance, as available, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter for the term of the reserve fund, (ii) transfers of excess monies from Board of Education designated reserves, (iii) amounts from budgetary appropriations from time to time, and (iv) New York State Aid received and made available by the Board of Education from time to time, all as permitted by law.?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to include notice of such proposition in the notice of the annual School District meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution takes effect immediately.
9. POLICY
I. First Reading of Policies
a. 2250 Board of Education Committees
b. 2510 New Board Member Orientation
c. 2520 Board Member Training
d. 2521 School Board Conferences, Conventions, Workshops
e. 2531 School Board Memberships
f. 3000 Goals and Objectives for Administration
g. 3100 Superintendent of Schools
h. 3120 Duties of the Superintendent
II. Final Reading of Policies
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District, upon recommendation of the Policy Committee, approve the final reading of the following policies.
a.1511 Advertising in Schools
b. 1230 Public Participation at Board Meetings
c. 2000 Board Operational Goals
d. 2100 School Board Legal Status
e. 2120 School Board Elections
f. 2120.2 Voting Procedures
g. 2121 Board Member Qualifications
h. 2150 Filling Board Vacancies
i. 2160 School Board Officer & Employee Ethics
j. 2210 Board Reorganizational Meeting
k. 2220 Board Officers
l. 2230 Appointed Board Officials
m. 2270 School Attorney
n. 2310 Regular Meetings
o. 2320 Special Meetings
p. 2330 Executive Sessions
q. 2340 Notice of Meetings
r. 2342 Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
s. 2351 Quorum
t. 2352 Rules of Order
u. 2360 Minutes
v. 2382 Broadcasting and Taping of Board Meetings
w. 2410 Policy Development, Adoption, Implementation and Review
III. Abolish Policies
a. 2240 Board Superintendent Relationship
b. 2245 Superintendent Board Member Communication
c. 2265 Shared Decision Making
d. 2341 Agenda Format for Board Meetings
e. 2352 Rules of Order
f. 2370 Public Participation at Board Meetings
g. 2381 News Media Services at Board Meetings
h. 2390 Board Hearings
i. 2420 Board Adopted and Administrative Regulations
k. 2430 Suspension of Policies
l. 2440 Administrative Policy Absence
m.2450 Board Policy Dissemination
n. 2460 Policy Review and Evaluation
o. 2525 Orientation of New Members of the Board of Education
p. 2540 Board of education Facilities and Services
q. 2550 Board Member Compensation and Expenses
r. 2560 Board Member Insurance
10. PERSONNEL MATTERS
I. Termination
A. Employee # 1060
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the termination of Employee #1060, from the Menands Union Free School District effective March 8, 2022.
II. Resignation
A. Resignation – Sarah Ammerman
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District Accept the enclosed letter from Sarah Ammerman, resigning from her position as a Teacher Aide from the Menands Union Free School District effective February 17, 2022.
B. Retirement- Carol Green
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approves the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Carol Green effective June 30, 2022.
C. Retirement- Patricia Testo
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District upon the recommendation of the Superintendent approves the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Patricia Testo effective June 30, 2022.
D. Resignation- Elizabeth Mentiply
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District accept the enclosed email from Elizabeth Mentiply, resigning from her position as Keyboard Specialist from the Menands Union Free School District effective March 31, 2022.
III. Appointments
A. Secretary to the Superintendent- Elizabeth Mentiply
BE IT RESOLVED that upon the recommendation of the Superintendent the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District hereby appoints Elizabeth Mentiply to the position of Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools and Deputy Board Clerk, effective April 1, 2022 . Salary, terms and conditions are in accordance with the attached Benefits Policy.
B. Substitute Custodian- Pierre Ponzo
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Pierre Ponzo as a Substitute Custodian for the 2021-2022 School year. Salary will be in accordance with the enclosed Annual Acknowledgement.
C. Substitute Teachers – Fully Cleared
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the following substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Dara Blanchette
- James Knapik
- Samantha Stern
- Murielle Smith
- Mitchell Stern
- Nikola Tomic
- Michael Zitolo
D. Substitute Teacher Aide- Chloe Shutter
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve Chloe Shutter a substitute Teacher Aide. Salary will be in accordance with the enclosed Annual Acknowledgement. Pending fingerprint clearance.
E. Clubs/Sports/Other Stipends
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the following staff members compensation for the 2021-2022 school year for work performed outside of the regular school day as per the attached spreadsheet.
F. Homework Club Tutors
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the following Homework Club Tutors for the 2021-2022 school year.
- Meghan Cahill
- Megan Humiston
III. Unpaid Leave
A. Unpaid Leave of Absence -Shirah Bettinger Physical Education Teacher
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School approve the unpaid leave request from Shirah Bettinger from March 28, 2022 through May 13, 2022.
11. BOARD OF EDUCATION MATTERS
I. CSE/CPSE Recommendations
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District approve the CSE/CPSE recommendations as submitted.
II. School Calendar 2022-2023
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Menands Union Free School District adopt the 2022-2023 school calendar as submitted.
12. STUDENT MATTERS
Class Size Update as of 3/5/2022:
Kdg. – 33(split) Gr. 5 -28 (split) Pre K- 18
Gr. 1 – 31(split) Gr. 6 – 23
Gr. 2 – 45(split) Gr. 7 – 36 (split)
Gr. 3 – 39 (split) Gr. 8 – 30 (split)
Gr. 4 – 27 Total – 292 (310 with pre K)
13. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
- NYSCOSS Winter Conference (Strategic Planning)
- Superintendent’s Conference Day
- Upcoming Presentation BOCES communication service. April 5th meeting?
- CASDA Friends of Education Nominee
14. PRINCIPAL’S COMMENTS
- Kindergarten Information Night
- ABCs of Stem
- Superintendent’s Conference Day
15. INFORMATIONAL MATERIAL
- Spring Break No School- April 15-22, 2022
- Budget Workshop April 5, 2022 at 6:30p.m. (Propose Special Board Meeting)
- Next Board of Education Meeting: Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 6:30p.m.
- Additional Budget Workshops may be scheduled.
16. MISCELLANEOUS
17. PUBLIC COMMENT
PLEASE NOTE: During the Public Comment Sessions, members of the community may address the Board on agenda and non-agenda items. The Board President may limit remarks of individual speakers to a reasonable time. Speakers must identify themselves and the topic on which they would like to make remarks.
18. MOTION TO ADJOURN
*All minutes of Board of Education meetings are recorded and become public record upon approval by the Board.
Budget Workshop
*Immediately Following