Queensbury Union Free School District > Archive > December 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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December 13, 2021 Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the Queensbury School Board of Education was held on December 13, 2021 in the Elementary School Cafeteria.  

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, (virtual), Timothy Weaver, Vice President, Patricia Belden (virtual), Dawn Bleyenburg,  Francis Cabana,  Stacy Flaherty, Jamey Hardesty, Amy Molloy, Michael Shea, Ph.D., (virtual), Superintendent of Schools Kyle L. Gannon, Clerk of the Board Scott Whittemore

Members Absent:   None

Others Present:  Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Denise Troelstra, QHS Principal Damian Switzer, QHS Assistant Principal Dan Hamm, QHS Assistant Principal Andrew Snide, QMS Principal Michael Brannigan, QMS Assistant Principal Tiffany Montgomery, WHBI Principal Gwynne Cosh, WHBI Assistant Principal Amanda Denno, QES Principal Jessica Rossetti, QES Assistant Principal Kristin Bergin, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Rich Keys, CSE Chairperson Robyn Scotland, Director of Student Support Services Kristine Bennett-Barnes, Director of Instructional Technology John Luthringer, Director of SEL and School Development Raychel Marcil, and other employees and community members.

Presentations:  

    • Utica National Safety Award & Secure App – Scott Whittemore and Jon Dawes
    • Northern Rivers Update – Robyn Scotland

Open Forum:  Open Forum is limited to in-person attendees only

    • Chris Baird – spoke about mandates
    • Jim Coccia – congratulated district on the music program

Business Items – Assistant Superintendent for Business:

Motion by Mrs. Molloy, seconded by Mr. Mannix to approve the resolution regarding the Board of Education’s 2022 Advocacy Priorities:

RESOLUTION DATED DECEMBER 13, 2021

QUEENSBURY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING ADVOCACY PRIORITIES FOR THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

WHEREAS, the Queensbury Union Free School District strives to provide an outstanding education and post-secondary pathway for each and every student; and

WHEREAS; the district recognizes the deep commitment shown by the legislature and the Executive to fully fund the foundation formula; and

WHEREAS, the District works diligently to meet the needs of all students while still fulfilling its core mission, even while in our third year of a pandemic, and

WHEREAS, the District is facing significant increased costs due to inflationary factors for  labor, fuel and goods; and

WHEREAS, property tax levy legislation at the state level has provided an increased need for State Aid to maintain quality programs; and

WHEREAS, public schools are being asked to do more for students than ever before, so they are prepared for college, military or a career; and

WHEREAS, each child in Queensbury Union Free School District only has one opportunity to go through the full elementary and secondary educational experience; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Queensbury Union Free School District Board of Education calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor Kathy Hochul to act upon the following priorities:

    1. Fund and Adjust the Foundation Formula
      1. Include a minimum increase for all districts, regardless of Foundation Aid phase-in level
      2. Maintain the “SAVE Harmless” provision.
      3. Fully fund expense based aids.
    2. Increase the $30,000 threshold on BOCES Aid for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs by providing 100% aidability for the salaries of CTE teachers.
    3. Building Aid for Small Capital Projects 
      1. Increase the threshold for base year capital outlay expenses from the current amount, established in 2002 from $100,000 to $250,000 to assist districts in making critical capital improvements. 

9 voting in favor

Motion by Mrs. Belden, seconded by Mrs. Flaherty to approve the enclosed Tax Collector’s Report as follows:

WHEREAS, the Education Law provides that the tax collector shall be relieved of responsibilities for the uncollected portion of the tax list when (1) a complete list of the delinquent taxes has been certified to the Board of Education, (2) the Collector has affixed her affidavit to Statement, and (3) has filed a statement account for the handling of the tax warrant and (4) the Clerk has examined and verified the accuracy of the signed report of the Collector.

BE IT RESOLVED that subject to the above criteria being accomplished, the Board of Education accepts the report of the Tax Collector and directs that the list of delinquent taxes be returned to the County.

9 voting in favor

Consent Business Items:

Motion by Mrs. Bleyenburg, seconded by Mrs. Flaherty to approve the following Business Consent Items

9 voting in favor

Motion to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2021 Board of Education meeting.  

Motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October 2021.

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

Motion to approve the following Warrants for the month of November 2021.

    • General Fund November Warrant $3,352,373.77
    • Federal Fund November Warrant $60,880.76
    • School Lunch Fund November Warrant $100,705.24
    • MS Security Project November Warrant $73,372.63
    • MS Roof Project November Warrant $15,805.44
    • 2021 Capital Project November Warrant $215,051.10
    • Medicare B Retiree Fund November Warrant $1,782.00

Motion to accept the budget transfers for the month of November 2021.

Motion to accept a donation of $1,000 from CDPHP for the snack pack program, with sincere appreciation.

Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Glens Falls and the Queensbury Union Free School District for rental of the City’s Ice Hockey facility for $15,000, effective 11/1/21 – 10/31/22.

Motion to approve the proposal between Queensbury Union Free School District and Turner Construction Company for Pre-Referendum Services and Extended Pre-Referendum Services for the 2021 Capital Project.

Motion to approve the memorandum of Agreement between the Queensbury Union Free School District and the Southern Adirondack Substitute Teachers’ Alliance dated 11/17/21.

Motion to approve the transportation contract between Queensbury Union Free School District and a parent to provide transportation of a student to Mountain Lake Academy in Lake Placid. 

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

    • 2001 Ford F-350 dump truck, VIN/serial # 1FTSF31L61EA52898
    • 2008 Chevy Suburban L5, VIN/Serial # 3GNGK26K686146348
    • 2008 Chevy Suburban L5, VIN/Serial # 3GNGK26KX86146594
    • Rinnai Hot Water Heater, Model # RU98, Serial # DF.BA-025567, Natural Gas
    • (12) Storage cabinets – 6 ft tall, 2 ft deep, 3 ft wide
    • (3)  Storage cabinets –  3 ft tall, 24.5 in. deep, 35.5 in. wide

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

    • Douglas Fraser, Bus Driver Trainee, $16 per hour, effective 11/8/21
    • Anthony Venuti, Bus Driver Trainee, $16 per hour, effective 11/18/21
    • Alexander Warrington, Bus Driver Trainee, $16 per hour, effective 11/18/21

Motion to approve the following probationary support staff appointments:

    • Mara Farmer, Teacher Aide (district, assigned to QMS) Step 4, effective 11/15/21
    • Maegan Gillis, Teacher Aide (district, assigned to QES) Step 3, effective 11/29/21
    • Cody Brown, Custodian, Step 2 (prorated), effective 11/29/21
    • Kenneth Holmes, Custodian, Step 11 (prorated), effective 11/29/21
    • Elaine DiPace, Custodian, (previously provisional), Step 3, effective 11/29/21
    • Robert Morgan, Custodian (previously provisional), Step 7, effective 11/29/21
    • Shenna Clothier, Custodian, Step 4 (prorated), effective 12/13/21

Motion to approve the following substitute support staff appointments: 

    • Julie Darmetko, Substitute Cleaner, $15.70 per hour, effective 12/15/21
    • Karen Fletcher, Substitute Cleaner, $15.70 per hour, effective 1/3/21

Motion to approve the appointment of Lois Melleon as Chief Election Inspector for the Capital Project Vote to be held on December 14, 2021.

Motion to approve the appointment of Kathryn Devlin to open and close the voting machines for the Capital Project Vote on December 14, 2021.

Motion to approve the appointment of Eric Anderson, Laurie Anderson, Suzanne Appleyard, Angela Bryant, Wendy Chocko, Elizabeth Eisenhardt, Katherine Frasier, Diana Kupillas, Jessica LaSarso, Michele Legault, Tammisue Sheehan, Susan Vogel and Gerardine Welcher as election inspectors for the Capital Project vote to be held on December 14, 2021 at the rate of pay of $12.68 per hour.

Motion to approve the following provisional support staff appointments: 

    • Nicole Bonavita, QHS Secretary, Step 3, effective 11/22/21
    • Tanya Brake, School Bus Dispatcher, Step 15, effective 12/3/21
    • Joseph Theriot, Custodian, Step 5, effective 12/13/21

Motion to accept the following support staff resignations:

    • Mara Farmer, Driver Aide, effective 11/14/21
    • Nicole Bonavita, QHS Secretary, effective 12/3/21
    • Barbara Morency, Bus Driver, effective 12/10/21

Motion to approve the following support staff terminations: 

    • Anthony Venuti, Bus Driver Trainee, effective 11/29/21

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

    • Kathryn Pidgeon, QES Secretary, effective 11/22/21 – 12/5/21
    • Nicole Bonavita, QHS Secretary, effective 11/23/21 (.5)
    • David Hammell, Bus Driver, effective 12/2/21 (.896) – 2/28/22
    • Kylie Webb, QHS Teacher Aide, effective 12/2/21 – 3/1/22
    • Pamela Boller, QHS Monitor, effective 12/10/21 (.5)
    • Lisa Knizek, Custodian, effective 12/7/21 – 12/20/21
    • Michelle Roberts, QMS Nurse, Effective 1/10/22

End Business Consent

Educational Items:

Motion by Mrs. Flaherty, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the following probationary Appointment:

    • Kelly DeCaprio
      • Appointment: Three Year Probationary
      • Assignment: QMS/QHS School Social Worker
      • Rate: L8 BA + MA + 39 graduate credits (prorated)
      • Effective: 1/3/22 – 1/2/25
      • Tenure Area: Social Worker
      • Certification: School Social Worker, Permanent

9 voting in favor

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

    • Emily Derway
      • Appointment:  Four Year Probationary
      • Assignment: QES Grade 3 Teacher
      • Rate: L4 BS + MS + 30 graduate credits
      • Effective: 1/3/22 – 1/2/26
      • Tenure Area: Elementary Education
      • Certification: Childhood Education 1-6, Professional
      • Early Childhood Education B- 2, Professional

9 voting in favor

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

    • Caitlin Reeves
      • Appointment: Three Year Probationary
      • Assignment: WHBI Art Teacher
      • Rate: L6 BA + MAT + 42 graduate credits
      • Effective: 2/1/22 – 1/31/25
      • Tenure Area: Art
      • Certification: Visual Arts, Professional

9 voting in favor

Motion by Mrs. Flaherty, seconded by Mrs. Molloy to approve the following long-term substitute appointment:

    • Jeffery Fisher
      • Assignment: QMS PE/Health Teacher, Long-term substitute
      • Rate: L1 BS + MA + 47 graduate credits (prorated)
      • Effective: 11/4/21 – 2/18/22
      • Certifications: Physical Education, Professional

9 voting in favor

Educational Consent Items:

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

9 voting in favor

Motion to approve the memorandum of agreement between Queensbury Union Free School District and the Queensbury Faculty Association dated 12/7/21.

Motion to approve the amended long-term substitute appointment of Tina Bureau, Elementary Teacher, effective 10/4/21- 12/3/21 – 3/24/22.

Motion to accept the resignation of Kimberly Killingsworth, QES Teaching Assistant, effective 12/2/21.

Motion to approve the following as tutors for the 2021-2022 school year:

    • Debra Bishop
    • Talia Dyer
    • Justin Frankel
    • Douglas Taylor
    • Beth Gelber

Motion to approve the following additional club/activity appointments:

Middle School:

    • Big Brothers/Big Sisters Liaison
      • Colleen Sprague
        • D-$700
    • MS Drama Club
      • Hayley Miller
        • A-$3,075 (prorated)
        • 12/8/21-12/23/21

Motion to approve the following additional Winter coaching appointments:

    • Tim LaSarso
      • Freshman Boys Basketball
      • Group: III
      • Level: I
    • Tyler Wilcox
      • Varsity Boys Basketball Volunteer Assistant
    • Todd Jorgensen
      • JV Basketball Volunteer Assistant

Motion to approve the following unpaid leaves of absence:

    • Laura Lee Deland, QMS Music Teacher, effective 11/22/21 – 11/23/21
    • Jason Gutheil, QMS Math Teacher, effective 12/2/21 – 12/3/21
    • Joseph Traina, QES Teacher, effective 12/2/21 – 3/1/22
    • Nichole Moeller, WHBI Teacher, effective 2/18/22

Motion to acknowledge the unauthorized leave of absence of Jason Gutheil, QMS Math Teacher, effective 12/9/21 and 12/10/21.

Motion to approve the minutes of the 2021-2022 (10/17, 10/26, 11/02, 11/03, 11/08, 11/09, 11/10, 11/12, 11/15, 11/17, 11/18, 11/30, 12/02, 12/06, 12/07,12/18) Committee on Special Education and the 2021-2022 (11/05, 11/19, 12/02, 12/07) Committee on Preschool Special Education for the month of November 2021.

Board Committee Reports:

    • Safety Committee:  Echoed comments by Jon Dawes 
    • Wellness Committee also met

Board Member Comments:

    • Mr. Gannon spoke on the 2021 Capital Project Vote

Open Forum:  None

Informational Items:

    • Tuesday, December 14 – Capital Project Vote – 10:00 am – 8:30 pm
      • Location:  Queensbury Elementary Auditorium
    •  Tuesday, December 14 – Chorus 7, Chorus 8, QMS 7/8 Select Show Choir Concert – 7:00 p.m.  – High School Auditorium
    • Monday, December 20 – QHS Band, Chorus, Orchestra Combined Concert – 7:00 p.m. – High School Blue Gym
    • Friday, December 24 – Sunday, January 2 – Winter Recess – No School
    • Monday, January 10 – Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 p.m. 
    • Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King Day – No School 
    • Monday, January 24 – Board of Education Workshop – 7:00 p.m.

Executive Session:   

Motion by Mr. Cabana, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to enter into executive session at 7:41 p.m. pursuant to subdivision 1(d) of the Open Meetings Law to discuss proposed, pending, or current litigation, pursuant to 1(f) of the Open Meetings Law to discuss the employment history of a particular person, and to discuss collective bargaining.  Also pursuant to subdivision 1(f) of Section 105 of the Open Meetings Law to discuss the employment history of a particular person and maters leading to the appointment, employment, discipline or removal of a particular person, subdivision 1(e) of the Open Meetings Law to discuss collective negotiations pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law, subdivision 1 (d) of the Open Meetings Law to discuss pending litigation and pursuant to subdivision 3 Section 108 of the Open Meetings Law to discuss matters made confidential by Federal or State Law involving student matters pursuant to FERPA and involving attorney-client privileged matters pursuant to Section 4503 of the NYS Civil Practive Law and Rules.

9 voting in favor

Motion by Mr. Cabana, seconded by Mrs. Molloy to exit executive session at 8:32 p.m. 

9 voting in favor

Adjournment:

Motion by Mrs. Molloy, seconded by Dr. Shea, to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m.

9 voting in favor