Board of Education Meeting Minutes January 9, 2020

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Regular Meeting

Date: January 9, 2020
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 5:29 P.M.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School

Board Members Present:
President, Sheri Senecal
Vice President Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Steven Hoffman
Amanda Cavanaugh

Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan

Student Council: Miranda Luck

The meeting was opened at 5:29 P.M., with President Senecal officiating.

Executive Session

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into executive session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss:

  • matters related to the Superintendent’s contract; and
  • matters made exempt under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Reconvene

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board reconvened at 6:25 p.m.

Public Comment

Shawn Smeltzer – 2322 12th Avenue, Watervliet, NY – Mr. Smeltzer noted his concern over the STI testing process. He stated that he opted all three of his children out of the testing, however they were “forced” to participate. Mr. Smeltzer asked how many other kids were made to participate that opted out. Mr. Smeltzer also expressed his concern over confidentiality issues when his daughter visits the nurse’s office. For example, while in the nurse’s office, Whitney Young “badgered” her three times to sign up for their program and let them complete her physical.

Old Business

There was no old business to be discussed.

Administrative Reports/Presentations

  • WCSD’s Accountability Status Donald Stevens, Anita Murphy
    • Mr. Hoffman asked why chronic absenteeism is a factor and what schools can do about it.
    • Anita Murphy districts can: engage students; engage families; work with cities to clear sidewalks; serve breakfasts and lunches; and knock on doors.
    • Mrs. Cavanaugh asked how absenteeism is different between WES and WJSHS.
    • Anita Murphy responded that Pre-K, K and Grade 1 have the highest rates. High school kids are coming in to see friends, but they skip classes they don’t want to go to or they are working at an outside job.
    • Shawn Smeltzer asked who develops the curriculum.
    • Anita Murphy suggested that he make an appointment with Mr. Stevens.
  • Updates on Ed Law 2-D, Technology and Cafeteria Presentation Kirsten DeMento
  • Cafeteria End of the Year Report 2018-19 Presentation Darryl Whited
  • Second Reading of Revised Policy:
    • Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
  • First Reading of Revised Policies:
    • Parent and Family Engagement
    • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Student Council Report

Miranda Luck shared the following:

  • The annual Watervliet has Heart drive to gather paper, toiletry and non-perishable products for our troops in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and other countries overseas, will be held from February 3 – 14, 2020.
  • A second “game afternoon” will be held shortly after mid-term exams. Students can come in and play board games prior to February break. November’s was very successful and students had a great time.
  • As in the past, if there is a need for students to protest for increased funding for the District, please let us know. We would be happy to meet with Legislators or do whatever else is needed.

Board Discussion

Mrs. Senecal noted the following:

  • The next Board of Education meeting has been moved to February 4, to coincide with the Capital Project Vote.
  • Thank you to Mr. Whited and the district staff who worked to provide meals to students over the holiday break.
  • Today is National Law Enforcement Day. Thank you to the WPD for all that they do.
  • Mrs. Fronczek’s projects, on behalf of We Care Vliet, are awesome. Stop down and look at the board in the junior high wing, if you get a chance.

Amanda Cavanaugh noted that she recently visited a school where every bathroom stall had procedures to follow, should a student be in the bathroom during a lockdown. Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that she thought it was a great idea.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board waived a second reading and adopt the following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Parent and Family Engagement
  • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held December 10, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held December 18, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held December 12, December 13, December 17, and December 19, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #9 and #10).

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of October and November, 2019, 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Corrective Action Plan prepared in response to the Watervliet City School District Independent Audit Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2019, by Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Thomas Rizzo to the position of Long-Term Substitute Earth Science Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Alaina Lange from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective December 20, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the accept the resignation of Peter Sutherland from the position of Full-Time Cleaner, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective January 24, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Donna Marziani to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning January 6, 2020 and ending January 6, 2021, at an hourly rate of $12.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2019– 2020 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School

Assistant Outdoor Track Coach: Matt Plew
Modified Wrestling Coach: Pete Porcelli
Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach: John Jones

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name(s): Megan Croizer
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Jennifer Williams
Dates: March 1 – May 31, 2020

Name(s): Debra Boone
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Ena Minnick
Dates: January 6 – March 31, 2020

Name(s): Mikaela McManus
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Joelle Bird
Dates: Spring 2020 Semester

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name(s): Alessandra Petrucci
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Tami Karbowski
Dates: January 6 – February 28, 2020

Name(s): Stone Murray
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Peter Strand
Dates: December 16, 2019 – January 10, 2020

New Business

There was no new business to be discussed.

Administrator’ Comments

Mrs. Webster shared the following:

  • Best wishes to Mr. Sutherland on his retirement. She offered thanks to him for all that he has done for the district.
  • Game night is January 16 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Mr. Wareing noted the following:

  • Congratulations to Kareem Duncan and Nick McNulty for being named Second Team Allstate Honors, Class C.
  • The Diversity Discussion will be January 29. All are welcome.

Mrs. Yanni provided an update on the creation of a coffee bar. They are shooting for a January 17 start date. It will be open on Friday mornings for all staff.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

  • Thank you to Darryl Whited and the cafeteria staff, for serving meals over the break.
  • I recently met with Shelly Mayor regarding the proposal the Capital Region Legislative Committee helped develop over the break, to create regionalized high schools.
  • I will be presenting the building project at the PTA meeting and other events. The vote is February 4.
  • The Legislative Breakfast is January 31.

Adjournment

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board