Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: December 10, 2020
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:11 PM
Where: Livestream
Board Members Present:
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle (joined at 6:32 p.m.)
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student Council Rep: Elle Garci
The meeting was opened at 6:11 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Caplan asked Mr. Stevens to provide a report.
Mr. Stevens shared the following:
- Due to the rise in COVID cases, we have been given some guidance from the NYS Health Department and the NYS Education Department regarding testing. Once the region gets into a yellow zone, the expectation will be that schools will have to test 20% of in-person students and staff. Rapid tests have been secured and a parental consent email has been sent out to parents. All staff have the option of being tested. Once we reach yellow zone status, we have two weeks to complete the testing. If a district’s positivity rate is less than its region, you do not have to continue testing. If it is higher, you have to continue testing every two weeks.
- We have the opportunity to work with Capital Region BOCES to conduct pool testing in lieu of rapid testing. Pool testing is a little less invasive. If it all works out and we are able to do it this way, it will be a little quicker as well.
- Dr. Fauci and Governor Cuomo have stated that schools are doing what they need to do and the spread in schools is less significant. We are keeping students socially distant, enforcing the use of masks, and encouraging hand washing/sanitizing all the time.
- More information will be sent out in the coming days, once we have more information on how the process will work. We will be creating a video showing how the testing works as well.
Dr. Caplan added the following:
- The nasal swab is the size of a Q-tip. It is not the long stick that was used in the beginning. The older students can probably self-administer, and the younger students can be tested by the school nurse.
- If we can do pool testing, that is what we will do. When a positive appears in the pool test, we will then get consent to take a nasal swab of everyone in that particular pool.
- I am not concerned about positive cases. We’ve only had 10 so far, out of 1,000 people.
- The Governor has stated that the cases that are showing up are from people getting it from other people they know. We are pleading with everyone to please be smart outside of school. The spread of the virus is not happening inside schools.
- We will continue to provide updates about the testing. We are hoping we don’t enter the yellow zone, but if we do, homeland security dropped off our tests yesterday, so we will be ready.
Mary Beth Whited asked if the testing will include people who work inside the building every day, but are not necessarily employees of the district.
Dr. Caplan stated that only employees of the district will be tested.
Amanda Cavanaugh asked if the school will be involved in administering the vaccine when it becomes available.
Dr. Caplan responded that she has not received any information on that; however, if it is offered, we will accept that offer and administer the vaccine at school.
Dr. Caplan asked Elle Garci if any of her classmates have talked about getting tested.
Elle responded that she has not heard anything in school about testing.
Dr. Caplan asked her if she would get tested.
Elle said she has been tested previously.
Dr. Caplan asked if the test hurt.
Elle responded that the test is uncomfortable and it is not something you would want to do every day.
Dr. Caplan said the tests they received are just Q-tip swabs that you circle around three times in each nostril and the results are read within 15 minutes.
Dr. Caplan added the following:
- Thank you to Joe Corr of the North Colonie School District, along with his administrative and transportation staff, for continuing to provide transportation to our CTE students, even when they were short-staffed due to their rate of positive COVID cases.
- Thank you to the WCSD administrators for working around the clock, including weekends. She stated that she knows the Board is thankful, but she wanted to put it out there publically, as well.
- Thanks also to Ryan Ratigan and Mary Beth Miller at the Department of Health, for working closely with us and always responding to our calls. They have been instrumental in helping us make decisions.
- Thank you to Whitney Young Health. The partnership with them is the best thing we’ve ever done. They treat children, test them, work with us, and get people appointments for testing. The partnership has been so beneficial and I appreciate them as well.
- Thank you to Joe Dragone for procuring a donation of approximately 200 refurbished laptops from Ron Sampson, Senior VP and General Manager at US Fab Operations and Tom Caulfield, Chief Executive Officer at Global Foundries. They will be used for kindergarten classes at WES.
- Today, I sent the BOE an overview of the grants that we received over the last ten years. In the ten years we’ve been with BOCES grant-writing services, they have secured $5.3 million in grants, at a cost of $125,000 before BOCES aide. Some of the grants include P-Tech, EPK, UPK, McKinney Vento, extended day, etc. It also includes grants for equipment as well. Big shoutout to the BOCES grant writers, including Judy Frost. In the climate that we are in, it has been one of the most beneficial services that we have contracted with BOCES for.
- Congratulations to Mrs. Yanni on her upcoming retirement. We will have a real goodbye in January. Unfortunately, we cannot have the kind of send-off she deserves, but she will be missed on many, many levels.
- Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwaanza and Merry Christmas to everyone.
- We will be on break from Christmas Eve until after the New Year.
B. Student Council Report
Elle Garci shared the following:
- An update on the 957 Project. She noted that nothing is set yet, but we have been in conversation and are working on the details.
- Student pictures were taken last week and Lifetouch did a great job keeping everyone safe.
- It has been hard to give back to the community, due to COVID, but we have still been trying to do things. Earlier this year, we sent greeting cards to the senior citizens, and we are trying to do that again.
C. Committee Reports
i. Audit Committee
There was no Audit Committee report.
ii. Policy Committee
Heather Soroka noted that the committee reviewed several policies this evening and would send out an e-mail outlining the details.
iii. SAVE Committee
There was no SAVE Committee report.
Board of Education Discussion
Amanda Cavanaugh shared the following:
- I cannot thank Dr. Caplan and the Administrative team enough for all of their work through all of this. Dr. Caplan has been great at communicating with the Board, while at the same time communicating with everyone else. I am thankful for the communication and relationship that we have been able to build to keep everyone on the same page.
- I wish there was something I could do to help. I take the call and I am aware of what is happening, but there is nothing I can do. So thank you. This team has proven themselves time and time again.
- I want to wish everyone well this holiday season. It’s a difficult balance trying to make it special and be safe. We will be doing a lot of zooming in my family.
Mary Beth Whited congratulated Janelle Yanni on her upcoming retirement, noting that she’s known Mrs. Yanni for a long time, she does a great job, she’s an inspiration, and told her to enjoy her time off.
Mrs. Yanni thanked Mrs. Whited.
Sheri Senecal echoed others sentiments to Mrs. Yanni, thanking her for her time and dedication to the district. She also wished everyone a happy holiday season and hopes that they all stay happy and healthy.
Timothy Delisle wished everyone Happy Holidays, and told them to stay safe and healthy
Heather Soroka added a ditto to what everyone else has said.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Janelle Yanni, from the position of Director of Programs and Pupil Services, for the Watervliet City School District, effective February 28, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Mrs. Cavanaugh thanked Mrs. Yanni for all that she has done for our students and families, noting that she is leaving some big shoes to fill. She said all that she has done is so appreciated. We won’t say goodbye yet, because she still has two more months with us.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Hilary Justino, from the position of Guidance Counselor, ExTRA program grant, effective January 3, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Crystal Kvinlaug to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning November 30, 2020 and ending November 30, 2021, at an hourly rate of $12.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Dan Bentley to the position of Long-Term Substitute Physical Education Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 23, 2020, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA program appointments for the 2020 – 2021 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the superintendent:
- Hillary Brochu, Homework Help Teacher
- Ashley Dorn, Drama Club Advisor
- Annemarie Gleason, Art Club Advisor
- Yuriy Berin, MasterMinds Advisor
- Michele Deguire, Homework Help Teacher
- Christina Coogan, Art Club Advisor
- Samantha Walsh, Book Club Advisor
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #4).
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of October 2020, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of November 2020, submitted by Roni O’Brien, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Cyber and Vendor Risk Management Service Participation Agreement with Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties BOCES, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Notable Student Data Privacy Agreement1 with Notable, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Confidentiality and Data Security and Privacy Standards Agreement with EDpuzzle, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Albany and the Watervliet City School District, regarding the Provision of COVID-19 Testing at Local Schools, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held November 12, 2020, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Privacy and Security for Student Data and Teacher and Principal Data
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board deleted the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student Participation
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held November 20, November 23 and November 24, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held November 18, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked Tylessea Edge and Somath Korzatkowski, on behalf of Staples, for donating $1,400 worth of school supplies and hand sanitizers to be given to students in the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked Dan Noble, on behalf of the Albany Area Census Office, for donating Two Cases of Face Masks, Eight Cases of Hand Sanitizer and Five Cases of Classroom Supplies to be given to students in the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board Discussion
There was no additional board discussion.
Adjournment
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board