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October 12, 2021 Meeting Minutes

The regular meeting of the Queensbury School Board of Education was held on October 12, 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, Timothy Weaver, Vice President (virtual), Patricia Belden (virtual), Dawn Bleyenburg, Francis Cabana, Stacy Flaherty, Jamey Hardesty, Amy Molloy, Michael Shea, Ph.D., 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 Andrew Snide, QMS Principal Michael Brannigan, QMS Assistant Principal Tiffany Montgomery, WHBI Principal Gwynne Cash, 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:

    • Capital Project – Scott Whittemore, Kyle Gannon
    • WHBI Good News – Gwynne Cosh
    • SEL & School Development Updates – Damian Switzer, Raychel Marcil, Colleen Sprague

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

    • Elizabeth Kenny- COVID 19 impact
    • Paul Grant – COVID 19 impact
    • Kevin Coakley – discrimination
    • Chris Baird – COVID 19 impact
    • Sophia Chant – COVID 19 impact

Business Items – Assistant Superintendent for Business:

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mrs. Molloy to approve the following resolution: Review of Environmental Assessment Form for 2021 Infrastructure Capital Project

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION DATED OCTOBER 12, 2021

QUEENSBURY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S SEQRA RESOLUTION REGARDING 2021 INFRASTRUCTURE CAPITAL PROJECT LOCATED AT 429-431 AVIATION ROAD, QUEENSBURY, NEW YORK

WHEREAS the Board of Education has had an opportunity to review the Queensbury Union Free School District’s 2021 Infrastructure Capital Project located at 429-431 Aviation Road, Queensbury, New York; and

WHEREAS, the Board is a local agency pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”), as described in ECL Section 8-0101, et. seq., and 6 NYCRR Part 617, has declared itself to be the Lead Agency, and has received consents from interested agencies; and

WHEREAS, SEQRA requires that no agency may undertake, fund or approve an action until it has complied with the requirements of SEQRA; and

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed the Project’s scope and the Short Environmental Assessment Form, with regard to their classification under SEQRA and whether they will have any significant adverse environmental impacts;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, due to the Project’s size, pursuant to 6 NYCRR Part 617.5(c)(2) and (8), the Board hereby declares that the Project be classified as an Unlisted Action under SEQRA because although it includes a replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, the expansion of the existing facility is by more than 10,000 square feet of its gross floor area, and as a result, the Project is not deemed exempt from SEQRA;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that because the Project does not meet the threshold requirements set forth in 6 NYCRR Part 617.4(b)(3), (6) and (10), and it is not required to be classified as a Type I Action; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that because it is an Unlisted Action, only a Short Environmental Assessment Form is required, and as a result, the Board has completed Part 2 of the Short Environmental Assessment Form; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that with the Board’s review of the Project, the EAF, and the Criteria for Determining Significance as described in 6 NYCRR Part 617.7, the Board hereby finds that the Project will not have a significant impact on the environment and therefore does not require the preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Determination of Significance shall be considered a Negative Declaration made pursuant to Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board is hereby authorized and directed to file any and all appropriate notices of this determination so that the intent of the Resolution is carried out.

Roll Call:

    • Patricia Belden
      • Yes
    •  Dawn Bleyenburg
      • Yes
    • Francis Cabana 
      • Yes
    •  Stacy Flaherty
      • Yes
    •  Jamey Hardesty
      • Yes
    •  Daniel Mannix
      • Yes
    •  Amy Molloy
      • Yes
    •  Michael Shea
      • Yes
    •  Timothy Weaver
      • Yes

 9 voting in favor

Motion by Mrs. Bleyenburg, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to approve the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Queensbury Union Free School District, Warren County, New York, as follows:

Section 1.  A special district meeting of the qualified voters of said School District shall be held in the Elementary School gymnasium, 431 Aviation Road, in said School District on the 14th day of December, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting by paper ballot or voting machine upon the proposition hereinafter set forth. Polls for the purpose of voting will be kept open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., prevailing time, or as long thereafter as necessary to enable voters present at 8:30 p.m. prevailing time, to cast their ballots.

Section 2. The notice of said special district meeting including the proposition to be voted upon, shall be in substantially the form annexed hereto.

Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately and the annexed Notice of Special District meeting shall be published in full in The Post Star which is hereby designated as the official newspaper of said School District for such purpose four times within the seven weeks preceding the special district meeting, the first publication to be at least forty-five days before said meeting.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING

Queensbury Union Free School District Warren County, New York

The Board of Education of the Queensbury Union Free School District, Warren County, New York, does hereby give notice that a special district meeting of the qualified voters of the School District will be held in the Elementary School gymnasium, 431 Aviation Road, in said School District in the Town of Queensbury, New York, on the 14th day of December, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting by paper ballot or voting machine as hereinafter set forth. Polls for the purpose of voting will be kept open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 8:30p.m. prevailing time, or as long thereafter as necessary to enable voters present at 8:30 p.m. prevailing time, to cast their ballots:

PROPOSITION

Shall the following resolution be adopted, to wit:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Queensbury Union Free School District, Warren County, New York, is hereby authorized to engage in construction, reconstruction, and alterations to the School District’s Elementary School Building, William H. Barton Intermediate School Building, including an extension for storage, Queensbury Middle School Building, Queensbury High School Building, Queensbury Transportation Building, including an extension for storage, and Queensbury Administration Building, athletic field, including a turf field, lighting, and storage building, and to engage in related site work on School District property, and to acquire original furnishings, equipment, or apparatus required for the purpose for which the School District buildings are intended to be used in said School District, and to purchase and install additional cameras and building access control systems (the “2021 Infrastructure Capital Project”), at a total cost not to exceed $19,750,000 and that the sum of $19,750,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the taxable property of said School District and collected in annual installments as provided by Section 416 of the Education Law, and, in anticipation of such tax, obligations of said School District shall be issued.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the application for absentee ballots for voting on the proposition may be applied for at the office of the Clerk of the District, and that a list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the said office of the Clerk on each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the Special District meeting, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, and that such list will also be posted at the polling place at the Special District meeting.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that the District Board of Registration shall meet to prepare the register of the District in the High School lobby on Friday, December 3, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. prevailing time, and that any person shall be entitled to have his/her name placed upon such register, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration, he/she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote on the proposition and that the register prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the office of the Clerk of the District and that such register will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District during the five (5) days immediately preceding the School District meeting, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, and on the day of the Special District meeting, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. prevailing time.

AND NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Queensbury Union Free School District by requesting to be registered by the District Clerk at 429 Aviation Road Queensbury New York. Registered, qualified voters of the Queensbury Union Free School District may apply for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk by calling (518} 824-5604 or by emailing swhittemore@queensburyschool.org. For a military voter to be issued a military ballot, the District Clerk must have received a valid ballot application no later than 5:00 PM on November 19, 2021. In a request for a military ballot application or ballot, the military voter may indicate his/her preference for receiving the application or ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail. A list of all persons to whom military ballots are issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the School District in the office of the District Clerk during regular business hours during the five (5) days prior to the election, except for Saturday and Sunday, and on December 14, 2021, the day set for the election, upon prior appointment only, subject to any applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to social distancing requirements.

Roll Call:

    • Patricia Belden
      • Yes
    •  Dawn Bleyenburg
      • Yes
    • Francis Cabana 
      • Yes
    •  Stacy Flaherty
      • Yes
    •  Jamey Hardesty
      • Yes
    •  Daniel Mannix
      • Yes
    •  Amy Molloy
      • Yes
    •  Michael Shea
      • Yes
    •  Timothy Weaver
      • Yes

9 voting in favor

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mrs. Flaherty to approve the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with the County of Warren to contract with the Warren County Sheriff for the services at the School District of a School Resources Officer/School Security Officer for the 2021-22 school year and hereby authorizes the School District’s Superintendent to enter into a written agreement for such services, with the approval of the School District’s attorney

9 voting in favor

Consent Business Items:

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to approve the following consent business items: 9 voting in favor

Motion to approve the minutes of the September 13, 2021 Board of Education meeting.

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

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

    • General Fund #1 September Warrant $2,287,752.06
    • General Fund #2 September Warrant $ 181,322.30
    • Medicare B Retiree Health September Warrant $ 31,288.20
    • Federal Fund September Warrant $319,182.44
    • School Lunch Fund September Warrant $55,016.71
    • MS Security Project September Warrant $347,567.93
    • ES Hot Water Heater September Warrant $33,190.00
    • 2021 Capital Project September Warrant $53,444.82
    • MS Roof Project September Warrant $22,777.82

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

Motion that Amy Molloy be appointed as voting delegate for the New York State School Boards Association Virtual Conference being held on October 25, 2021.

Motion to approve the transfer of $3,178.55 to the School Store (2870-450) from the Career Pathway Club. The Career Pathway Club has been discontinued.

Motion to approve an agreement with LearnWell Education to provide tutoring services for students who are at Ellis Hospital, at the rate of $62 per hour, effective 2021 – 2022 school year.

Motion to approve the agreement with Aramark Food Services to extend the service agreement for the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve an agreement with Monroe #1 BOCES to provide educational services for students who live in the Queensbury School District and are admitted to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation Center at Unity or The LIFE House at the Villa of Hope during the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve an agreement with Prestige Services, Inc. and the Queensbury High School Student Senate, to provide vending services for the high school, effective for two years beginning on 9/14/21.

Motion to approve an agreement with Behavioral Transformations Licensed Applied Behavioral Analysis Services, PLLC for the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve the rental of a loader for snow removal to the low bidder, Abele Tractor & Equipment, in the amount of $11,400 effective 12/1/21- 3/31/22.

Motion to approve the award of a mini-bid to Nye Automotive Group for a Ford F-450XL with a dump body at a cost of $58,831.

Motion to award the special education transportation contracts related to parent transportation for the student traveling to the Neil Hellman School (Parsons) at a cost not to exceed $21,082.88 for the period 9/8/2021-6/30/2022.

Motion to accept the following support staff resignations:

    • Marianne Smith, WHBI School Monitor, effective 9/14/21
    • Tamara Dingman, Substitute Cleaner, effective 9/18/21
    • Nicole Ferrell, QES Teacher Aide, effective 9/24/21
    • Lynn Tarno, Driver Aide, effective 9/28/21
    • Stephanie Savaria, District Accounting Technician, effective 10/1/21

Motion to approve the following probationary support staff appointments:

    • Marianne Smith, WHBI Teacher Aide, Step 7 (prorated), effective 9/15/21
    • Donald Burnham, Driver Aide, Step 1, effective 9/22/21
    • Lynn Tarno, Driver Aide, Step 1, effective 9/24/21
    • Keith McCarty, Maintenance Worker, Step 13 (prorated), effective 10/4/21

Motion to approve the provisional support staff appointment of Christina Daniels, QES Secretary, Step 4 (prorated), effective 10/18/21.

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

    • Peter Wieland, Bus Driver Trainee, $16 per hour, effective 9/15/21
    • Michael Vance, Bus Driver Trainee, $16 per hour, effective 10/4/21
    • Robert Maynard, Substitute Bus Driver, $26 per hour, effective 9/27/21

Motion to approve the termination of Eric Marcano, substitute cleaner, effective 9/21/21.

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

    • Kylie Webb, QHS Teacher Aide, effective 9/16/21 – 12/1/21
    • Shevy Bartone, WHBI Teacher Aide, effective 11/17/21 – 11/19/21
    • Michelle Roberts, QMS Nurse, effective 11/23/21

End Business Consent Educational Items:

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Weaver to accept the resignation for retirement purposes of Christopher Cornell, OMS Grade 6 Science Teacher, with sincere appreciation and regret, effective 7/1/24.

9 voting in favor

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

    • Emily Gugliotta
      • Appointment: Assignment: Effective: Rate:
      • Tenure Area: Certifications:
      • Four Year Probationary QES Grade 3 Teacher 11/1/21 – 10/31/25
      • L4 BS + MST + 50 graduate credits (prorated) Elementary Education
      • Childhood Education 1-6, Initial

9 voting in favor

Motion by Mrs. Belden, seconded by Mr. Weaver to approve the following Long-Term Substitute Teaching appointment:

    • Tina Bureau
      • Appointment: Assignment: Effective: Rate: Certifications:
      • Long-Term Substitute QES Grade 3 Teacher 10/4/21 – 11/23/21
      • L1 BA + MA + 34 graduate credits (prorated) Nursery, Kindergarten & Grades 1-6, Permanent Reading, Permanent

9 voting in favor

Motion by Mrs. Flaherty, seconded by Mr. Cabana to approve the following Long-Term Substitute Teaching appointment:

    • Paula Weeks
      • Appointment: Assignment: Effective: Rate: Certifications:
      • Long-Term Substitute QES AIS Teacher 10/25/21 – 12/6/21
      • L1 BA+ MA+ 30 graduate credits (prorated)
      • Nursery, Kindergarten & Grades 1-6, Permanent Special Education, Permanent

9 voting in favor

Educational Consent Items: 

Motion by Mrs. Bleyenburg, seconded by Mr. Cabana to approve Business Consent Items: 9 voting in favor

Motion to approve the revised probationary appointment of Tyler Beecher, QMS Special Education Teacher, effective 10/1/2021 – 9/30/2024.

Motion to approve the foIIowing revised cIubs/activity appointments for the 2021-2022 school year:

Intermediate School:
    • Odyssey of the Mind
        • Wendy Single
          • C-$1,400 
Middle School:
    • Chamber Winds (formerly Chamber Ensemble)
      • Patti Cirillo
        • C-$1,400
    • Marching Band
      • Patti Cirillo
        • C-$1,400 
        • 9/1/21-10/6/21 (prorated)

Motion to approve the foIIowing cIubs/activity appointments for the 2021-2022 school year: 

High School:
    • Live Stream Video Production Club
      • Sally Vartuli
        • A-$3,075

Motion to approve the appointment of Nancy Owens, as QMS Homework Help Teacher, effective for the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve the appointment of Hayley Miller as QMS Cares Teacher, effective for the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve the appointment of Katelyn Bus as QMS Cares Teacher/ Coordinator, effective for the 2021-2022 school year.

Motion to approve the foIIowing mentor appointments for the 2021-2022 schooI year:

    • Kevin Sullivan
      • 9/1/21-6/30/22
    • Amy Pratt
      • 10/1/21-6/30/22
    • Kathy Edwards
      • 9/9/21-6/30/22

Motion to accept the resignation of Kara Seaton, QMS Special Education Teacher, effective 9/30/21.

Motion to rescind the Winter Coaching appointment of Bob Hummel as Freshman Boys Basketball Coach for the 2021-2022 season.

Motion to approve the following Coaching appointments for the 2021-2022 school year:

    • Alex Garrett
      • Modified Football
      • Group: IV
      • Level: 1
    • Tressa Cintora
      • Modified Volleyball
      • Group: IV
      • Level: 6
    • Kathy Edwards
      • 9/9/21-6/30/22

Motion to approve the following unpaid leaves of absence:

    • Nicholas Giumarra, QHS Technology Teacher, effective 9/7/21 & 9/8/21
    • Joseph Traina, QES Teacher, effective 9/16/21 – 12/1/21
    • Christopher Hammond, QMS Counselor, effective 10/8/21

Motion to approve the following revised policies:

    • 0100 – Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
    • 0100-R – Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Regulation
    • 0115.1 – Students Harassments and Bullying Prevention and Intervention
    • 0115.1-R – Student Harassment and Bullying Prevention and Intervention
    • Regulation 1530 – Smoking and Other Tobacco Use on School Premises
    • 5420-R – Student Health Services Regulation
    • 5460 – Child Abuse, Maltreatment or Neglect in Domestic Setting
    • 5460-R – Child Abuse, Maltreatment or Neglect in Domestic Setting Regulation 8110 – School Building Safety
    • 8112 – Health and Safety Committee
    • 8220 – Buildings and Ground Maintenance and Inspection 8635-E – Parents’ Bill of Rights for Student Data Privacy

Motion to accept the initial review of the proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct policy listed below and to provide the opportunity for public comment prior to these revisions being adopted at the

November 8, 2021 Board Meeting (Note: Public comments on these revisions shall be directed to Mrs. Amy Georgeadis prior to November 8, 2021):

    • 5300.05 – Code of Conduct Definitions
    • 5300.10 – Code of Conduct Student Rights & Responsibilities 5300.15 – Code of Conduct Essential Partners
    • 5300.20 – Code of Conduct Student Dress Code
    • 5300.25 – Code of Conduct Prohibited Student Conduct
    • 5300.35 – Code of Conduct Disciplinary Penalties, Procedures and Referrals 5300.55 – Code of Conduct Student Searches and Interrogations
    • 5300.65 – Public Conduct on School Property Motion to approve the adoption of the following policy:
    • 0105 – Equity, lnclusivity, and Diversity in Education

Motion to approve the minutes of the 2021-2022 (9/8, 9/9, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15, 9/17, 9/20m 9/22, 9/23, 9/27, 9/28, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1, 10/5, 10/21) CSE Meeting Minutes and the 2021-2022 (9/3, 9/10, 9/13, 9/16, 9/17, 9/29) CPSE meeting minutes for the month of September 2021.

Board Committee Reports:

  • Amy Georgeadis – spoke about the Policy Committee

Board Member Comments: 

  • Shea: Question on mask mandate
  • Paltrowitz: Warren County Department of Health is authority on mask mandate and student quarantine

Open Forum:

  • Kristina Tucker: COVID 19 impact
  • Jim Ward – COVID 19 impact
  • Elizabeth Kenny – CCVID 19 impact
  • Chris Baird – COVID 19 impact

Informational Items:

    • Oct. 13- PSAT/NMSQT for Juniors and Sophomores
    • Oct. 13- SAT Retakes for Seniors
    • Oct. 13 – Freshmen College and Career Exploration Day
    • Oct. 18 – Fri. Oct. 22 – School Board Recognition Week
    • Oct. 18 – Fri. Oct. 22 – National School Bus Safety Week
    • Oct. 20-Transportation Recognition Day
    • Oct. 25 – Fri. Oct. 29 – OHS Spirit Week
    • Nov. 1 – Tues. Nov. 30 – National Honor Society Food Drive
    • Nov. 2 – Election Day
    • Nov. 8 – Board of Education Meeting – 7:00 pm Location: Queensbury Room
    • Nov. 10- Emergency Release Day
    • Nov. 11 – Veterans Day – No School
    • Nov. 12 – End of First Marking Period

Executive Session:

Motion by Mr. Weaver, seconded by Mrs. Belden to enter into executive session at 8:40 p.m. to discuss collective negotiations pursuant to Article Fourteen of the Civil Service Law

9 voting in favor

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Hardesty to exit executive session at 9:40 p.m. and enter back into Open Session.

9 voting in favor

Open Forum:

    • Amy Molloy: Follow-up question on diversity forum and COVID 19 protocols

Adjournment:

Motion by Dr. Shea, seconded by Mr. Hardesty, to adjourn the meeting at 9:51 p.m.

9 voting in favor