Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 23, 2020
6:00 P.M.
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
President Sheri Senecal
II. Board Members
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Steven Hoffman
Amanda Cavanaugh
Superintendent Dr. Lori S. Caplan
III. Public Comment
In accordance with Board Policy Number 2310, the privilege of speaking from the floor will be extended to any person in attendance. Persons desiring to speak shall be required to give their name and address and will be limited to three (3) minutes for their presentation. The time allowed each speaker may be adjusted by the chair. The speaker’s privilege may also be terminated by the chair if found to be out of order.
IV. Old Business
V. Administrative Reports/Presentations
VI. Student Council Report
VII. Board Discussion
VIII. General
1. Resolved that the Board hereby suspends the provisions of Board Policies 1510 “Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedures)” and 1520 “Special Meetings of the Board of Education,” regarding public attendance at meetings, videoconferencing and public participation at meetings for tonight’s Board Meeting and for all future Board and other meetings held until the state of emergency no longer exists in New York State due to COVID-19.
2. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held March 12, 2020, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held March 18, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 3, March 5, March 10, March 12, March 18, March 27, March 30, April 1, April 2, April 3, April 6, and April 7, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of the following Election Inspectors to work the June 2020 School District Election and Budget vote, (exact date TBD), at the rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Watervliet Elementary School: Judith Ethier, Maria Razzano, Tracy Maloney
- Elks Club: Deborah Edwards, Elizabeth Sedgwick
6. Resolved that the Board appoint Mark Gilchrist as District Election Machines Supervisor for the June 2020 School District Budget Vote and Election (exact date TBD), at a pay rate of $300.00 per assignment, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of February 2020, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
8. Resolved that the Board establish a Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund authorized by Section 6-r of the General Municipal Law to cover a portion of the amount of the District’s potential future liability for employer contributions to the New York State Local Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) for 2020-21 and beyond, and hereby authorizes the Business Manager to transfer the amount of $100,000 into the reserve.
9. Resolved that the Board establish a Retirement Contribution Reserve Sub-Fund within the Retirement Contribution Reserve Fund authorized by Section 6-r of the General Municipal Law to cover a portion of the amount of the District’s potential future liability for employer contributions to the New York State Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) for 2020-21 and beyond, and hereby authorizes the Business Manager to transfer the amount of $400,000.00 into the reserve.
10. Resolved that the Board establish a Debt Service Reserve Fund as allowed by the School District Accounting and Reporting Manual published by the Office of the State Comptroller to cover future debt service payments on outstanding obligations payable in 2020-21 and beyond, and authorizes the Business Manager to transfer the amount of $500,000.00 into the reserve.
11. Resolved that the Board approve the Fee and Services Agreement – Hazardous Materials Consulting Services between the Watervliet City School District and Barton & Loguidice, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
12. Resolved that the Board approve the Roof Scan Proposal and Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Roof Scan, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. Resolved that the Board approve the Use of Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Videoconferencing Services Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Zoom Video Communications, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve and accept the Survey & Mapping Proposal, submitted by Weston & Sampson, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
15. Resolved that the board adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District (hereinafter referred to as the “District”) desires to enter into a 3-year service agreement with the Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (hereinafter referred to as “CR BOCES”) in order for the CR BOCES to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to New York State Education Law §1950(4)(jj), those services being administrative services in Co-Ser 604.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District agrees to enter into a contract with the CR BOCES for the provision of said services to the District and not to exceed in total over the life of this agreement the total amount of $49,198.00 and associated CR BOCES charges with such amount to include annual CR BOCES support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges, and with such support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges included at the current rate and subject to change as established in the CR BOCES budget or mandated by any federal, state or local authority.
This amount may be amended with the approval of both parties. The District will be liable to CR BOCES for early cancellation or withdrawal from this agreement to the same extent that CR BOCES is liable to any vendor(s) of these services, including liability for applicable penalties or liquidated damages, and the District will also be liable for costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by CR BOCES as consequence of any such early cancellation or withdrawal. The District further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold BOCES, its elected officials, its employees, and agents, harmless from any and all liability, claims including bodily injury or property damage, causes of action, damages and expenses, including attorney fees, which may arise out of the negligent actions of the District, its elected officials, employees, agents, invitees, and volunteers while using this service.
Payment will be made as part of a regular annual CR BOCES contract for services. Further, this agreement is subject to the approval of the Board of Education of CR BOCES. This contract will be for a maximum period of 3 years commencing on or about May 18, 2020 and continuing through June 30, 2023.
16. Resolved that the Board approve the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area as the community based organization (CBO) partner for the Watervliet City School District’s UPK Program for the 2020-21 school year, pending contract approval, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, does hereby create and appoint Darryl Whited to the position of Permanent Cook Manager (non-competitive), effective August 23, 2005. This appointment is intended to correct and supersede the previous appointment of Mr. Whited, made on August 23, 2005
18. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Kelly Webster, in the area of Administration, effective September 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Stephanie Maes, in the area of Special Education K-6, effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Diane Jacob, in the area of Childhood Education 1-6, effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Samantha Walsh, in the area of Childhood Education 1-6, effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Christa Farruggio, in the area of Secondary English, effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Kelsey Logan, in the area of Physical Education, effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Lyndsay Moore, in the area of Secondary Special Education effective September, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board recognize and thank the following employees for their contributions to the Essential Education website:
- Ashleigh Fraley
- Christa Farruggio
- Michelle Brown
- Samantha Walsh
- Kristin LoFink
- Jeanne Lance
- Jennifer Hoefer
26. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling request of Alexis Epps for her child, Charlize M’Kayla-Raye Epps, Grade 3, for the remainder of the 2019 -2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
27. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the award of a $1,000.00 Education Assistance Product Voucher from Bill and Melinda Gates, to the Watervliet City School District, to be used to purchase books, learning materials, and other essential items to keep students learning at home, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the award of $500.00 from Stewarts Shops Holiday Match Program, to the Watervliet City School District, to be used for outreach efforts, as recommended by the Superintendent.
29. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the award of $750.00 from Stewarts Shops Holiday Match Program, to the Watervliet City School District, to the athletic program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
30. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, the donation of $500.00 from Dan Woodside and CSArch, to be used to assist students with access to Wi-Fi, as recommended by the Superintendent.
31. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of obsolete/damaged TV, VCR and DVD equipment, as outlined in the attached documents, submitted by Donald Stevens, as recommended by the Superintendent.