Board of Education Regular Meeting April 9, 2024

Watervliet City School District

Watervliet, New York 12189

Board of Education

Regular Meeting

April 9, 2024

6 p.m.

Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School

President Sheri Senecal

President Sheri Senecal

Vice President Mary Beth Whited

Heather Soroka

Brian White

Victoria Donnelly

Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.

In accordance with Board Policy Number 1510, 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.

1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Elizabeth Bolt, from the position of Clerk Typist at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 10, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Sergio Najera Sanchez, from the position of Full-Time Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective April 12, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

3. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Dawn Pembrook to the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective April 8, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

4. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Mia Rockwell to the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective May 9, 2024 – November 1, 2024, at a rate of $200.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

 

5. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coach for the 2023–2024 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, unless outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Coaching Spring:

Girls’ Varsity Softball Volunteer Assistant: Peytan Smeltzer

6. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Volunteer Advisors at the for the Just Run Club at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 9, 2024 – June 6, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent:

7. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #13).

8. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of March 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

9. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2024, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

10. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

11. Resolved that the Board adopt the tentative 2024-25 School District Budget in the amount of $41,394,000.00, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

 

12. Resolved that the Board approve the 2024 Property Tax Report Card, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

13. Resolved, that the Board approve a Proposition to be placed on the ballot of the May 21, 2024 Annual Budget Vote, authorizing the Establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, for the purpose of paying the cost of future building projects, in a maximum amount not to exceed $10,000,000, for a term of 10 years.

14. Resolved that the Board approve 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 three 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 $98,728.10 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 four years commencing on or about May 20, 2024 and continuing through June 30, 2027.

15. Resolved that the Board approve the Educational Services Agreement with Vanderheyden, for services provided to a student enrolled in the Vanderheyden program, effective March 4, 2024–June 26, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

16. Resolved that the Board approve the Memorandum of Agreement with The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, for the New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, effective July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

17. Resolved that the Board approve the Education Law 2-d Opt-In Agreement with Erie 1 BOCES, effective March 22, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

18. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Bernadette Boardman, Danielle Jones and Roni O’Brien as Election Registrars for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.  

19. Resolved that the Board designate Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School as the Registration location on April 17 and April 29, 2024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., as recommended by the Superintendent.  

20. Resolved that the Board appoint Judy Ethier as District Election Supervisor on May 21, 2024 at a pay rate of $300.00 per assignment, as recommended by the Superintendent.

21. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of the following Election Inspectors to work May 21, 2024, for the School District Election and Budget vote, at the rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent:

22. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held March 12, 2024, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

 

23. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held February 26, February 28, March 4, March 6, March 11, March 12, March 13, March 14, March 18, March 19, March 20, March 21, March 22, March 26, and March 27, 2024, submitted by Veronica Wilson, Rebecca Phillips and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

 

24. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 6 and March 18, 2024, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

25. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent: