Queensbury Union Free School District Board of Education Special Meeting/Workshop Monday, November 23, :00 p.m. Administration Conference Room

Transcription

1 Queensbury Union Free School District Board of Education Special Meeting/Workshop Monday, November 23, :00 p.m. Administration Conference Room Agenda I. Pledge to Flag II. Open Forum Public participation is encouraged. We ask that all speakers both sign in and identify themselves verbally and, if applicable, the organization they are representing so that they may be recognized by the Board President. For clarity, we ask that all speakers identify the school related matter/topic to be discussed. In order to conduct District Business in a smooth, orderly and timely manner. Open Forum is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes with 3 minutes allocated to each speaker. The Board of Education appreciates public attendance and participation at our meetings. III. Business Items Assistant Superintendent for Business A. Motion to approve the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) resolution (detailed resolution is attached). The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Patricia Belden Jill Borgos Stacy Flaherty Kathleen Holser Daniel Mannix Joseph Scriver Michael Shea Timothy Weaver Raymond Gordon Motion: Ayes: Seconded: Nays:

2 B. 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 12 day of January, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time for the purpose of voting by paper ballot th 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 12 day of January, 2016 at 10:00 th 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 8:30 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: 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 additions, construction, reconstruction and alterations to the School District s Elementary School building, Middle School building, High School building, and athletic field, and to engage in 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 (the Project ) at a cost

3 not to exceed $39,735,000, and that $39,735,000 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, January 4, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 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. Publication Dates November 25, 2015 December 16, 2015 December 30, 2015 January 5, 2016 John DeSanto Clerk of the Board of Education The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows: Patricia Belden Jill Borgos Stacy Flaherty Kathleen Holser Daniel Mannix Joseph Scriver Michael Shea

4 Timothy Weaver Raymond Gordon Motion: Ayes: Seconded: Nays: C. Motion to approve the following Proclamation from the Districts of the Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton & Essex Counties: Whereas: Ten School Districts within the Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton & Essex BOCES area were faced with New Federal Rules affecting how certain employers would be impacted by the Affordable Care Act and New York State Law, and: Whereas: That said changes would adversely affect those school districts to the estimated amount of $2,297, in Additional Health Premiums and; Whereas: Those ten school districts would be forced to leave the WSWHE Health Insurance Trust, an experienced rated plan, in order to join a community rated plan and; Whereas: The absence of those ten school districts would have adversely affected the remaining districts in the trust, and; Whereas: the School Districts of the WSWHE approached members of the New York State Legislature in June 2015 to address this item, and; Whereas: Members of the New York State Legislature from Both Parties worked diligently to draft and pass Bills to postpone the impact of the current law, and; Whereas: Members of the New York State Legislature passed Assembly Bills A.8134 A & A.8300 and Senate Bills S.5928 A & S.6004 to provide a two year solution to this most important and costly issue; NOW, THEREFORE, On behalf of the forty thousand area school children and Taxpayers, the Superintendents, Board members and the Communities they serve in the Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton Essex BOCES region formally thank and recognizes the Honorable Daniel Stec for his outstanding leadership in securing the passage of Assembly Bill A.8134 A & A.8300 and the Honorable Elizabeth Little for her outstanding leadership in securing the passage of Senate Bill S.5928 A & S Motion: Ayes: Seconded: Nays:

5 D. MOTION to approve the following resolution regarding the Board of Education s advocacy priorities: RESOLUTION DATED NOVEMBER 23, 2015 QUEENSBURY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING ADVOCACY PRIORITIES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR WHEREAS, the Queensbury Union Free School District Board of education has significantly reduced critical components of the annual school budget in response to rising costs that have outpaced revenue; and WHEREAS, the Queensbury Union Free School District has reduced more than 85 positions (14.7% of staff) since the school year, leading to larger class sizes, reductions in programs and services for students, and WHEREAS, the Queensbury Union Free School District has also reduced its reserves and fund balance; and WHEREAS, these reductions were made in response to the need to fulfill state mandates and contractual obligations while creating a balanced budget, despite the imbalance in expenses and revenue; and WHEREAS, the Queensbury Union Free School District has lost $17,153,853 in promised state aid to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) over the last six years, and WHEREAS, property tax levy legislation at the state level hinders school districts ability to compensate for state aid losses and funding inequity by raising local revenue; and WHEREAS, public schools are being asked to do more for students than ever before, so they can succeed in college and 21st century careers; and WHEREAS, each child in Queensbury Union Free School District only has one chance 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 Andrew Cuomo to act upon the following priorities:

6 1. Eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). The Queensbury Union Free School District is still due $1,327,388 in GEA Restoration. 2. Permanently adjust the Building Aid Formula to eliminate the impact of the change in the Assumed Amortization Rate. 3. Adequately Fund and Adjust the Foundation Formula a. Lower the Income Wealth Index. b. Provide a greater weighting the Free and Reduced Lunch Factor (FRPL). 4. Adjust the District Superintendent Salary Cap a. Eliminate the link to the school year from the statute. b. Allow for a gradual increase to the new cap (98% of the Commissioner s current salary). Motion: _ Ayes: Seconded: Nays: Consent Business Items (E N) Motion to approve the Business Consent Items (E N) Motion: _ Ayes: Seconded: Nays: E. MOTION to approve the sale of miscellaneous equipment through Auctions International in the amount of $8,300. F. MOTION to award the Meat Slicer Bid to the low bidder, Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales, in the amount of $6,945. G. Motion to award the Dishwasher Bid to the low bidder, Saratoga Restaurant Equipment Sales, in the amount of $44,875. H. MOTION to accept a donation of a Vito Clarinet from Judith Jacobs, with sincere thanks, with a value of $500.

7 I. MOTION to enter into a contract with Saratoga City S chool District to provide health and welfare services for students who reside in the Queensbury Union Free School District and attend Saratoga Central Catholic School, St. Clement's, and the Waldorf School for the school year (currently 13 students at $ per student). J. MOTION to approve the probationary Support Staff appointment (replacing provisional appointment) of Joseph Babcock, Information Technology Support Technician, Step 20, effective 11/5/15. K. MOTION to approve the probationary Support Staff appointment (replacing provisional appointment) of Daniel Kenney, Information Technology Support Technician, Step 16, effective 11/5/15. L. MOTION to approve the temporary Support Staff appointment of Rekha Patel, QHS Detention Advisor, at the rate of $17 per hour, effective 11/12/15 6/30/16. M. MOTION to accept the resignation of Janice Vaughn, Substitute Cleaner, effective 11/18/15. N. MOTION to approve the unpaid leave of absence for Cynthia Lussier, Teacher Aide, effective 12/1/15 1/1/16. End of Business Consent IV. Educational Items A. MOTION to approve the following probationary appointment and an agreement between Queensbury Union Free School District and Scott Whittemore: Scott Whittemore Appointment: Four Year Probationary Assignment: Assistant Superintendent for Business Rate: $120,000 (prorated) Effective: 1/4/16 1/3/20 Tenure Area: Assistant Superintendent for Business Certification: School District Business Leader, Professional Motion: _ Seconded: Ayes: _ Nays: _ Educational Consent Items (B D)

8 Motion to approve the following Educational Consent items (B D): Motion: Ayes: Seconded: Nays: B. MOTION to approve the additional Winter Coaching position for the school year: Boys Swimming Group Level Longevity Missy Gifford Higley Asst Coach (dive) II 1 0 C. MOTION to approve the additional QHS Clubs/Activities for the school year: Club Activity Classification Avery Babson QHS Musical Costume Director D D. MOTION to acknowledge the unauthorized unpaid leave without pay for Kelli Gordon, QES Teaching Assistant, effective 11/18 11/20/15. V. Board Member Comments VI. VII. Presentations Elementary School Safety Presentation Grading Policy Revision Informational Items Wednesday, November 25 Friday, November 27 Thanksgiving Recess No School Monday, November 30 QMS Student Council Holiday Food Drive begins Tuesday, December 1 Grade 5 Grandparents Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Location: Intermediate School Wednesday, December 2 Grade 4 Grandparents Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Location: Intermediate School Wednesday, December 2 QHS Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Madrigals 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3 Parent University, Dealing with Childhood Anxiety Coffee with Dr. Cale 9:00 a.m. Thursday, December 3 Grade 6 Chorus & Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m.

9 Friday, December 4 Grade 3 Grandparents Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 7 Grade 2 Grandparents Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 8 Grade 1 Grandparents Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 8 Grades 6 8 Band, QMS Jazz Ensemble Concert 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 9 Kindergarten Grandparents Breakfast 8:00 a.m. Thursday, December 10 Parent Univeristy, Stress Management Workshop 6:30 p.m. Location: High School Media Center Thursday, December 10 Grades 7 8 Chorus, QMS Select Choir, 7 8 Orchestra, QMS Chamber Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 12 SAT Exam 8:00 a.m. Monday, December 14 WHBI Shared Decision Making Team Meeting 3:00 p.m. Location: Intermediate School Library/Media Center Monday, December 14 Board of Education Meeting 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 15 Grade 4 Chorus, Grade 5 Orchestra Concert 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 Grade 5 Chorus, Band Concert 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17 District Concert Snow Date Wednesday, December 23 Friday, January 1 Winter Recess No School VIII. IX. Executive Session Adjournment Respectfully Submitted, Douglas W. Huntley, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools DWH/JSD:ee Board of Education Special Meeting/Workshop