Queensbury Union Free School District > Archive > August 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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August 9, 2021 Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the Queensbury School Board of Education was held on August 9, 2021 in the High School Queensbury Room.

Mr. Mannix called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

The Pledge to the Flag was led by Mr. Mannix.

Members Present: Daniel Mannix, Esq., President, Timothy Weaver, Vice President, Patricia Belden, Dawn Bleyenburg, Francis Cabana, Jamey Hardesty, Michael Shea, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools Kyle L. Gannon, Clerk of the Board Scott Whittemore

Members Absent: Stacy Flaherty and Amy Molloy

Others Present: Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Denise Troelstra, QHS Assistant Principal Dan Hamm, QHS Assistant Principal Andrew Snide, QMS Principal Michael Brannigan, QMS Assistant Principal Tiffany Montgomery, WHBI Assistant Principal Amanda Denno, QES Principal Jessica Rossetti, QES Assistant Principal Kristin Bergin, CSE Chairperson Robyn Scotland, Director of Student Support Services Kristine Bennett-Barnes, Jonathan Favata, Ben Dickerson, Stacey Clay, Jean Fayette, Sidney Relyea, Justin Lansley, Sarah Wright, Christopher Estremara, Julie Lasarso, Raychel Marcil, Chris Baird, Yuliana Cummings, Jim Ward, Kristina Tucker and other employees and community members.

Presentations

  • Extended School Year – Kris Bennett-Barnes and Robyn Scotland

Open Forum

Open Forum is limited to in-person attendees only

  • Ben Dickerson: Commented on masks
  • Chris Baird: Commented on COVID 19
  • Jim Ward: Comment on Masks
  • Christina Tucker: Advocated for student safety and social and emotional learning

Business Items – Assistant Superintendent for Business

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Queensbury Union Free School District hereby approves the settlement of the 2015-2020 Real Property Tax Law Article 7 proceedings entitled Erie Boulevard Hydro Power, L.P. v. Town of Queensbury Assessor, Town of Queensbury Board of Assessment Review and the Town of Queensbury, Warren County, New York as follows:

  1. The assessed value for 2021 through 2031 will be set at $40,807,000.
  2. The School District shall pay refunds in an amount not to exceed $72,253.00.

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes Counsel for the School District, Karla Williams Buettner, Esq., to sign the appropriate Stipulation and Order of Settlement resolving this matter.

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)
Motion by Mrs. Belden, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to approve the fee proposal for Architectural and Engineering Services for the furniture, security and systems improvement work at the middle school building with CSArch in the total amount of sixty thousand and 00/100 dollars ($60,000.00). Related to the May 2021 General Fund transfer to Capital.

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to award the June 16, 2021 Request for Proposal for Architectural Engineering Services for the District-wide Improvement Project to CSArch subject to negotiations by the school attorney.

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Dr. Shea to authorize the district to engage CSArch in preferendum work related to the December 2021 District-wide Improvement Project and of preferendum fees in the amount of $367,954.

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mr. Hardesty, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the assessment roll as prepared by the Town Assessor in the amount of $2,342,367,556 (Town of Queensbury = $2,340,089,178 City of Glens Falls = $2,278,378) for the purposes of levying taxes for the 2021-22 school year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sum of $36,988,033 be levied on the taxable property of the District at a tax rate of $15.785757 per thousand of assessed valuation in the Town of Queensbury and $21.047676 per thousand of assessed value in the City of Glens Falls. The warrant shall state that the collection of taxes shall begin on September 1, 2021 and continue without interest or penalty through September 30, 2021 after which a penalty of 2% shall be added. Taxes collected after November 1, 2021 shall have a 3% penalty added with all tax collections to cease November 5, 2021. (Note: Town of Queensbury equalization rate = 100.00%, City of Glens Falls equalization rate – 75.00%)

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Consent Business Items

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Cabana to approve the following consent business items:

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion to approve the minutes of the July 12, 2021 Board of Education Organizational Meeting and the July 12, 2021 Board of Education meeting.

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and the Internal Claims Audit Report for the month of June 2021.

Motion to approve the General Fund Warrant for the month of June 2021.

Motion to approve the Internal Claims Audit Report, the General Fund Revenue Report, the Federal Fund Revenue Report and the School Lunch Fund Report for the month of July 2021.

Motion to approve the following Warrants for the month of July 2021:

  • General Fund
    • July Warrant
    • $ 13,161,413.16
  • Federal Fund
    • July Warrant
    • $ 7,079.38
  • School Lunch Fund
    • July Warrant
    • $ 1,281.20

Motion to approve the school breakfast/lunch prices for the 2021-2022 school year as follows. All breakfast and lunch transactions at the point of sale will be at no cost to students:

  • Breakfast
    • Regular price K-12 $1.45
  • Lunch
    • Regular price K-5 $2.55
    • Regular price 6-12 $2.70

Motion to approve the agreement between Queensbury Union Free School District and West & Company for the completion of the financial audit for the 2020-2021 school year.

Motion to approve an agreement between the Queensbury Union Free School District and a parent that allows the parent to provide transportation for their student to Parsons Child and Family Center at a cost not to exceed $3,600, effective 7/1/21 -8/31/21.

Motion to approve a revised agreement between Queensbury Union Free School District and St. Catherine’s Center for Children to provide educational services effective 9/1/21 – 6/30/22.

Motion to enter the shared savings agreement with P3 Cost Analysts related to a utility and expense audit.

Motion the Board of Education hereby appoints James Walsh, Esq. as the hearing officer for the committee on special education impartial hearing on the agreed upon terms.

Motion to authorize the surplus and disposal through auction or recycling of an HP Laserjet 1200 Series, Serial #CNC4072100, Asset Tag # 000130.

Motion to approve the surplus and disposal through auction or recycling of the following:

  • 1 – Power Lift Power Rack – CPUIR – Serial numbers #11015, #11014, #11016, #11017, Asset tag # 004453
  • 3 – Precor EFX – Battery Powered Elliptical, Asset tags #004409, #004407, #004408
  • 2 – Precor Adaptive Motion Trainers, serial # PHTCAA303060EN-103 and #L13718302902-01, no asset tags
  • 3 – Octane Fitness Running Striders, Asset tags# 004422, 004423, 004424

Motion to approve the agreement between Queensbury Union Free School District and Stephanie Affinito to provide grade level literacy professional development training for K-3 staff effective for the amended dates of July 22, 2021 – June 30, 2021 2022.

Motion to accept the following support staff resignations:

  • Michele Ball, Cleaner, effective 7/14/21
  • Kelly LaPlant, Teaching Assistant, effective 8/8/21
  • Francine Boecher, QES Teacher Aide, effective 8/31/21

Motion to approve the following provisional support staff appointments:

  • Cary Frechette, Custodian, Step 20 (prorated), effective 7/19/21
  • Robert Morgan, Custodian, Step 7 (prorated), effective 7/19/21
  • Joseph Theriot, Custodian, Step 5 (prorated), effective 7/19/21
  • Kelly LaPlant, Typist, Step 18 (prorated), effective 8/9/21

Motion to approve the following probationary support staff appointments:

  • Matt Lindsey, Custodian, Step 16 (prorated), effective 7/19/21
  • Scott Cleveland, Custodian, Step 8 (prorated), effective 8/30/21
  • Samantha Porcell, Teacher Aide (district, assigned to QES), Step 3, effective 9/8/21

Motion to approve the following part-time support staff appointments:

  • Jennie Eichler, Driver Aide, $16.09 per hour effective 7/6/21 – 8/31/21
  • Elizabeth Edwards, Driver Aide, $16.09 per hour, effective 7/12/21 – 8/31/21
  • Robert Maynard, Driver Aide, $16.09 per hour, effective 7/16/21 – 8/31/21
  • Walter Rice, Driver Aide, $16.09 per hour, effective 7/22/21 – 8/31/21
  • Walter Rice, Bus Driver, $21.31 per hour, effective 7/28/21 – 8/31/21
  • Debbie Stiles, Driver Aide, $16.09 per hour, effective 8/3/21 – 8/6/21

    Motion to approve the substitute support staff appointment of Eric Marcano, Substitute Cleaner, $15.70 per hour, effective 8/16/21.

Motion to place School Bus Dispatchers Tanya Brake and Stacy French on step 15 effective 7/1/2021.

Motion to approve the following unpaid support staff leave of absence:

  • Shenna Clothier, Cleaner, effective 6/21/21-6/23/21

End Business Consent

Educational Items

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Raychel Marcil
    • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
    • Assignment: Director of SEL and School Development
    • Effective 8/28/21- 8/18/25
    • Rate: $92,000 Annually (prorated)
    • Tenure Area: Director of SEL and School Development
    • Certification: School Social Worker, Permanent
    • School District Leader, Pending

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mrs. Belden, seconded by Mr. Weaver to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Christopher Estremera
  • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
  • Assignment: QHS Social Studies Teacher
  • Effective: 9/1/21 – 8/31/25
  • Rate: L1 BA + 6 graduate credits
  • Tenure Area: Social Studies
  • Certification: Social Studies 7-12, Initial
  • Social Studies 5-6, Initial

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Cabana to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Justin Lansley
  • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
  • Assignment: QHS English Teacher/Bridges
  • Effective: 9/1/21 – 8/31/25
  • Rate: L6 BA + MA + 36 graduate credits
  • Tenure Area: English Language Arts
  • Certification: ELA 5-9, Initial
  • Social Studies 5-9, Emergency COVID-19
  • School Building Leader, Emergency COVID-19

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mrs. Belden, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Julie LaSarso
  • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
  • Assignment: QES/WHBI Special Education Teacher
  • Effective: 9/1/21 – 8/31/25
  • Rate: L4 BA + MS + 39 graduate credits
  • Tenure Area: Special Education
  • Certifications: Childhood Education 1-6, Initial
  • Students with Disabilities 1-6, Initial

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Sidney Relyea
    • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
    • Assignment: QHS English Teacher
    • Effective: 9/1/21 – 8/31/25
    • Rate: L1 BA + MA + 44 graduate credits
    • Tenure Area: English Language Arts
    • Certifications: ELA 7-12, Initial

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Motion by Mrs. Bleyenburg, seconded by Mr. Cabana to approve the following probationary appointment:

  • Sarah Wright
  • Appointment: Four Year Probationary
  • Assignment: WHBI Music Teacher
  • Effective: 9/1/21 – 8/31/25
  • Rate: L1 BS
  • Tenure Area: Music
  • Certification: Music, pending

7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

Educational Consent Items

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve Business Consent Items:

Motion to accept the following resignations:

  • Mary Lillge, QHS English Teacher, effective 8/31/21
  • Antonia Piccirillo, QHS Special Education Teacher, effective 8/31/21
  • Marianne Seelye, QMS English Teacher, effective 8/31/21
  • John Lantz, WHBI Special Education Teacher, effective 8/31/21
  • Justin Lansley, QMS Teaching Assistant, effective 8/31/21

Motion to rescind the appointment of Michael Werblin, Summer School Teacher Aide.

Motion to approve the Colleen Sprague, QHS Counselor, to work up to an additional 10 days per diem during the summer of 2021.

Motion to approve Patrick DiCaprio, QMS Technology Teacher, to work up to an additional 5 days per diem for a total of 15 days for the summer of 2021.

Motion to approve the following TCIS trainers at a rate of $3,075 annually effective for the 2021-2022 school year.

  • Melissa Gates, QES Sandra Pollaro, QMS
  • Antoinette Donahue, WHBI Colleen Sprague, QHS

Motion to approve the following revised appointments for the clubs/activities for the 2021-2022 school year.

  • High School
    • Mountain Bike Club 7-12
      • Katelyn Bus
      • Jerry Hicks
        • C – $1,400 (split)
        • $700
        • $700
  • Middle School
    • PLUSS Club
      • Colleen Sprague
      • Rebecca Carnevalla
        • C – $1,400
    • Student Ambassadors
      • Rebecca Carnevalla
      • Amy VanVranken
      • C – $1,400
      • C – $1,400

Motion to approve the following mentors for the 2020-2021 school year:

  • Mentor
    • Joel Brown
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22
  • Mentor
    • Stacy Clay
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Chad Seelye
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Alexandra Townes
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Cassaundra Britt
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Stacey Foote
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Alicia Fazio
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Nicole Diemer
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Melissa Cruz
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 6/30/22 (.5 FTE)
  • Mentor
    • Tracey Kitz
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 1/31/22
  • Mentor
    • Jacqueline Bolton
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/1/21 – 1/31/22
  • Mentor
    • Laura Cunningham
  • Mentoring period
    • 9/24/21 – 1/30/22 (.5 FTE)

Motion to approve the following additional summer school appointments:

  • Melissa Gates
    • Summer School Social Worker

Motion to approve the appointment of the following substitute teachers for the 2021-2022 school year:

  • Hayley Miller
  • Kelly Montanye
  • Christopher Estremera
  • Justin Lansley
  • Sarah Wright
  • Julie LaSarso
  • Sidney Relyea

Motion to approve the unpaid leave of absence of Sarah Madigan, QMS Special Education Teacher, effective 9/24/21 – 1/30/22.

Motion to approve minutes of the 2021-2022 (7/1, 7/9, 7/14, 7/23, 7/28, 8/2, 8/3) Committee on Special Education meetings and the 2021-2022 (3/5, 7/6, 7/9, 7/13, 7/14, 7/16, 7/30) Committee on Preschool Special Education meetings for the month of July 2021.

Board Committee Reports

  • Safety Committee/Mr. Cabana: Draft COVID posters, playground inspection, building map per classroom, other safety upgrades
  • Re-Opening Committee: Meeting tomorrow regarding discussion points about rising COVID data and protocols

Board Member Comments

  • Mr. Gannon – asked if the Board of Education had any questions relating to upcoming December 14th meeting

Open Forum

  • Jim Ward: Discussed masks
  • Ben Dickerson: Discussed masks

Informational Items

  • Monday, August 23 – Board of Education Workshop – 5:30 p.m.
    • Location: Queensbury Room at High School
  • Wednesday, August 25 – August Graduation – 6:00 p.m.
    • Location: Queensbury Room at High School
  • Tuesday, September 7 – Wed., September 8 – Superintendent Conference Days
  • Thursday, September 9 – First day of school – Classes begin
  • Monday, September 13 – Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
    • Location: Queensbury Room at High School

Executive Session

None

Adjournment

  • Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
    • 7 voting in favor, 2 absent (Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Molloy)

View the August 9 meeting notes here.