Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 13, 2020
6 P.M.
Livestream
AGENDA
I. Call to Order: President Amanda Cavanaugh
II. Attendance
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent Dr. Lori S. Caplan
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Public Comment
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.
V. Reports/Comments
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
VI. Board of Education Discussion
VII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Doris Razzano, from the position of Cafeteria Worker, for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Misty Meacham, from the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Donald Hogan, from the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 31, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Jim Palmer as the Surrogate Parent for the 2020 – 2021 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board appoint Scott O’Brien as the Surrogate Parent for the 2020 – 2021 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that the Board approve the following appointments for the 2020 Summer Lunch Program:
- WHS – Sharon Woodsinger
- WES – Kathleen Smith
7. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Department Chairs for the 2020–2021 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Business Dept. Chair: Megan Matuszek
- English Dept. Chair: Tami Karbowski
- Fine Arts Dept. Chair: Terry Bradway
- Foreign Language: Meghan Fronczek
- Guidance Dept. Chair: David Olszewski
- Mathematics Dept. Chair: Camelia Sofrone
- Physical Education Dept. Chair: Peter Strand
- Science/Technology Dept. Chair: Walter Bowden
- Social Studies Dept. Chair: Scott Emerson
- Special Education Dept. Chair: Veronica Bedard
8. Resolved that the Board designate Anil Mulchandani, Pioneer Savings Bank – Watervliet Branch, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #1).
VIII. Business Items
10. Resolved that the Board approve the attached “Cooperative Bidding Cafeteria Commodities for Use in the Regional Food Service Management Program” resolution for the 2020-21 school year, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
11. Resolved that the Board approve the Final 2019-2020 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
12. Resolved that the Board approve the Preliminary 2020-2021 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Pioneer Savings Bank for the collection of 2020-21 school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the Instruction Contract, 2020–2021 School Year between the Watervliet City School District and the Menands Union Free School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
15. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Vacation Buy-Back Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and John Szkopiec, David McFarland and David Capitula, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
IX. Other Items
16. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held July 1, 2020, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held July 2, 2020 and July 15, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
18. Resolved that the Board recognize and thank, Peter and Liz Sutherland for donating two book bags full of supplies, to be provided to WES students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $44,238.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board recognize and thank, Amanda Cavanaugh for procuring a donation of 500 face masks from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, to the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, the donation of a Game Buzzer System to the MasterMinds Team from former Teacher and MasterMinds Coach, Victoria Eddy-Helenek, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board recognize and thank, Meghan Dwyer and Kelsey Logan for their contributions to the regional Summer Adventure website, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board approve the Revised 2020 – 2021 School District Calendar, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board take the matter from the table the District-Level Safety Plan 2020 – 2021 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board adopt the District-Level Safety Plan 2020 – 2021 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Resolved that the Board adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the New York State Governor declared, under Executive Order 202.4, all schools within New York State to be closed to students no later than March 18, 2020 for a period of two weeks, ending on April 1, 2020; and WHEREAS, various subsequent executive orders were issued by the New York State Governor resulting in the closure of schools to students for the remainder of the 2019 – 2020 school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and WHEREAS, on or about July 13, 2020, the New York State Department of Health issued interim guidance for in-person instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 schools during the COVID-19 public health emergency for the 2020-2021 school year; and WHEREAS, on or about July 16, 2020, the New York State Education Department released reopening guidance for schools for the 2020-2021 school year. NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Education resolves as follows:
- In an effort to comply with reopening requirements, the Board hereby temporarily suspends any Board policy or administrative regulation/procedure that conflicts with any current or future federal, state or county law, regulation, executive order, or guidance released for the purpose of reopening of schools during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to follow the federal, state, or county laws, regulations, executive orders or guidance and to take such action as reasonable necessary and proper or the purpose of reopening schools.
27. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of old/broken LED projectors, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Kirsten DeMento, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher/Preceptor requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Grace Folmsbee
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher: Jennifer Williams
Dates: 2020 Fall Semester - Name: Autumn Davidson
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher: Jeanne Lance
Dates: 2020 Fall Semester - Name: Emily Kaarstad
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher: Ena Minnick
Dates: 2020 Fall Semester - Name: Kathleen Collins
Role: Preceptor
Cooperating Teacher: Sue Vogel
Dates: 2020 Fall Semester
X. Board Discussion
XI. Adjournment
NOTE: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.