Saugerties Central School District approves winter coaching appointments, creates varsity indoor track stipend

The Saugerties Central School District Board approved personnel actions including a volunteer adviser resignation and multiple appointments, accepted winter coaching recommendations, and approved a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to establish a varsity indoor track and field stipend.

The board voted on two grouped personnel items (E1 and E2) after the superintendent announced a resignation of a volunteer adviser and appointments including substitute building administrator Thomas April and coaching recommendations for indoor track, bowling, girls varsity, wrestling (varsity, JV and modified) and winter cheer. The motion to approve E1 and E2 was moved by Robert Toman and seconded by Dr. Haas; the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The board also considered Board Action items F1 through F3, which included the STA MOA to create a stipend for a new varsity indoor track program (a program the district said it had not offered previously), and the appointment of Chelsea Defino as planned pilot coordinator for districtwide duties. The superintendent explained that language teachers currently teaching more than 120 students would receive a higher stipend rate; the board discussed that the higher rate is tied to the district's compensation language for overloads. A motion to approve items F1'F3 was made by Ms. Formulia and seconded by Carol Kelder and carried by voice vote.

Board members asked procedural questions about the coach and volunteer-adviser roles, including whether coaching certification is required for volunteer advisers; the administration confirmed that the same certification requirements apply where relevant. The board noted the resignation of the wrestling club adviser and the immediate reappointment of a volunteer wrestling club adviser (Joe DiCola) as part of the personnel slate.

The board recessed into executive session to discuss legal issues and contracts after completing the listed personnel and MOA actions, then later reconvened to close the meeting.

Actions recorded in the meeting materials and approved by the board include the personnel appointments and the MOA establishing the varsity indoor track stipend. The superintendent and clerk will implement the personnel and compensation changes according to district practice.