Board of Education Organizational Meeting July 1, 2021

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Organizational Meeting
July 1, 2021
6 P.M.
Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School Conference Room

A G E N D A

I. Call to Order: Dr. Lori S. Caplan, Superintendent

II. Board Members

Amanda Cavanaugh
Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle

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. Election of Board Officers

1. Resolved that the Board appoint a President and Vice President as selected by the Board of Education.

VI. Reports/Comments

A. Superintendent’s Report

B. Student Council Report

C. Committee Reports

  • Audit Committee
  • Policy Committee

VII. Board of Education Discussion

The District-wide Safety Plan has been uploaded to the web site and is available for public viewing/comment for 30 days. If the public has any comments, they can send them to the boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org.

VIII. Personnel Items

1. Resolved that the Board approve the following ExTRA Summer Academy 2021 appointment at a salary as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent: Christine Baumeister Art

2. Resolved that the Board approve the following Extended Year School (ESY) 2021 substitute appointments at a salary as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Kim Barkamian
  • Racheal Thomas

3. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches for the 2021– 2022 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

  • Coaching Fall:
    Varsity Football: Ryan Job
    Varsity Assistant Football: Fred Job
    Modified Football: Dan Gibson
    Modified Assistant Football: Dennis Lane
    Modified Assistant Football: Melique Garcia
    Modified Soccer: Paul Travers
    Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Mike O’Brien
    Modified Girls’ Soccer: Kelsey Logan
    Varsity Volleyball: Dan Short
    Modified Volleyball: Michele Deguire
    Varsity Cheerleading: Danielle Mele
    Varsity Volunteer Cheerleading: Chelsie Clickner
    Varsity Volunteer Cheerleading: Hannah O’Neill
  • Coaching Winter:
    Varsity Boys Basketball: Orlando DiBacco
    JV Boys Basketball: Ryan Donlon
    Modified Boys Basketball: Matt Plew
    Varsity Girls Basketball: Kelsey Logan
    JV Girls Basketball: J’Neal Sharpe
    Varsity Wrestling: Dennis Lane
    Varsity Assistant Wrestling: Dan Gibson
    Varsity Volunteer: Dan Pomerer
    Boys Indoor Track: Melique Garcia
    Girls Indoor Track: Brianna Del Bene
    Cheerleading: Daniele Mele
    Cheerleading Volunteer: Chelsie Clickner
    Cheerleading Volunteer: Hannah O’Neill
  • Coaching Spring:
    Varsity Baseball: Pete Soroka
    Volunteer Baseball: Mark Cady
    Volunteer Baseball: James Griffin Sr
    Varsity Softball: Mike Bendon
    Volunteer Softball: Josh Bagnardi
    Modified Softball: Beth Jones
    Volunteer Softball: John Jones
    Boys Outdoor Track: Melique Garcia
    Girls Outdoor Track: Brianna Del Bene

4. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Department Chairs and Club/Class Advisors for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Department Chairs:

  • Business Dept. Chair: Megan Matuszek
    English Dept. Chair: Tami Karbowski
    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
  • Clubs/Class Advisors:
    Class of 2022: Tami Karbowski and Lisa Suders
    Junior High Student Council: Ashleigh Fraley and Lisa Suders
    Student Council: Scott Emerson and Dan Mueller
    Marching Band: Hilary Boyer
    Masterminds: Yuriy Berin
    National Junior Honor Society: Ashleigh Fraley and Lisa Suders
    National Honor Society: Scott Emerson and Lyndsay Moore
    Yearbook Advisor: Christa Farruggio
    Yearbook Business Manager: Rebecca Smith

5. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the Watervliet Elementary School Clubs for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Yearbook/Communications: Kelly Gilchrist
  • Student Council/Ambassadors: Tina Spenard and Brenda Zawistowski

6. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the positions outlined below for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Chemical Hygiene Officer: Ashleigh Fraley
  • Computer Coordinator WES: Allison Novotarski
  • Computer Coordinator WHS: Ashleigh Fraley
  • Health Coordinator: Dennis Lane

7. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of John Szkopiec to the position of Night Cleaning Supervisor for the Watervliet City School District for a period beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, at a salary of $12,906 as recommended by the Superintendent.

IX. Business Items

8. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of May 2021, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
  • Revenue Status Report
  • Cash & Investments
  • Appropriation Status Report

9. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $224.46 for one (1) student who resides within the Watervliet City School District and attends a private or parochial school within the North Greenbush Common School District during the 2020-2021 school year for a total cost of $224.46, as recommended by the Superintendent.

10. Resolved that the Board designate Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. as the Student Accident insurance carrier for the Watervliet City School District for the 2021 –2022 school year submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

11. Resolved that the Board designate the following banks as Official Depository of Funds, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Bank of America
  • JP Morgan Chase Bank
  • Pioneer Savings Bank

12. Resolved that Board approve the establishment of mileage reimbursement for district employees authorized to travel in performing official school district business based upon the “IRS Standard Mileage Rates,” as recommended by the Superintendent.

13. Resolved that the Board approve the designation of The Troy Record as the official newspaper, as recommended by the Superintendent.

14. Resolved that the Board establish the following Petty Cash Funds, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Business Office – $100
  • Cafeteria WHS – $100
  • Cafeteria WES – $100
  • WHS Main Office – $40
  • WES Main Office – $40

15. Resolved that the Board approve the following appointments, effective July 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent:

District Treasurer, Part-Time – John Heid
Assistant District Treasurer – Keith Heid
Assistant Clerk of the Board – Keith Heid
Financial Consultant – Capital Market Advisors, LLC
Bond Counsel – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP
Independent Auditor, CPA – Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte
Internal Claims Auditor – Michaeleen Backus
Attorneys – Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC and Ferrara, Fiorenza, Barrett & Reitz
Purchasing Agent – Dani Jones
Pesticide Representative – David McFarland
Asbestos LEA Designee – David McFarland
FOIL Officer – Bernadette Boardman
Residency Determination Officer – Donald Stevens

16. Resolved that the Board approve the following appointments, effective July 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name: Bernadette L. Boardman
Position: Clerk of the Board
Stipend: $2,000.00

Name: Keith Heid
Position: Tax Collector
Stipend: $1,500.00

Name: Roni O’Brien
Position: Transportation Coordinator
Stipend: $1,500.00

Name: Danielle Jones
Position: Activity Treasurer WCSD
Stipend: $1,500.00

17. Resolved that the Board approve the bonding of District employees, as recommended by the Superintendent:

District Treasurer – $1,100,000.00
Tax Collector – $1,100,000.00
Internal Claims Auditor – $1,100,000.00
Assistant District Treasurer – $100,000.00
Central Treasurer – $100,000.00
Other Staff – $100,000.00

18. Resolved that the Board authorize the signature on checks issued against all accounts of the school district to be that of the District Treasurer or, in his/her absence, the Assistant District Treasurer, as recommended by the Superintendent.

19. Resolved that the Board authorize the District Treasurer or his/her designee to invest and/or deposit funds according to the District’s investment policy, as recommended by the Superintendent.

20. Resolved that the Board authorize the Superintendent of Schools to:

  • Sign all applications for Federal Grants and Programs;
  • Transfer funds within the budget, up to $5,000, upon the recommendation of the Business Manager;
  • Certify Payrolls;
  • Sign all contracts pertaining to disabled students; and
  • Approve attendance at educational meetings, conferences, graduate courses for administrative, instructional and support staff.

21. Resolved that the Board approve the Corrective Action Plan prepared in response to the NYS Comptroller’s Audit on the Safeguarding of the District’s Information Technology for the period July 1, 2019 through November 17, 2020, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

X. Other Items

22. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held June 10, 2021, 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 June 2, June 3, June 7, and June 11, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

24. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held June, 16, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

25. Resolved that Board approve the following Committee on Pre-School and Special Education (CPSE) appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent: Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE)

Sarah HoraczekChairperson
Albany County Rep. Designated by the County
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Parents of Student
Related-Services Personnel (If applicable)

Committee on Special Education (CSE)

Veronica BedardCSE Chairperson/School Psychologist (Grades 6-12)
Daniele Tetrault CSE Chairperson /School Psychologist (Grades K-5)
Kelly Bariteau School Counselor – (Grades K-5)
Chelsea Clickner School Counselor – (Grades 6-8)
Dave OlszewskiSchool Counselor – (Grades 9-12/A-K)
Katelyn McAvoy School Counselor – (Grades 9-12/M-Z)
Beth Lipson, Louisa VaughanSocial Workers (Grades 6-12)
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Parents of Student
School Physician (If requested)
Related-Service Personnel (If applicable)
Student (If applicable)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Veronica BedardChairperson (Grades 6-12)
Daniele TetraultChairperson (Grades K-5)
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
School Counselor
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Parents of student
Student (If applicable)

Sub-Committee on Special Education*

Daniele TetraultChairperson (Grades K-5)
Kelly Bariteau School Counselor (Grades K-5)
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Parents of student
Student (If applicable)

Sub-Committee on Special Education*

Veronica BedardChairperson (Grades 6-12)
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Student (If applicable)

*Sub-Committee may perform the functions of the Committee on Special Education except when a student is a:

New referral
Transfer
Special Class
BOCES Placement
Private School Placement

Impartial Hearing Officers: To be selected from a rotational selection list. Pursuant to section 200.1(x) of the Regulations of the Commissioner, these individuals are certified by New York State. This list, provided by the New York State education Department, is in alphabetical order and the officers are listed by county. An IHO must be selected from the school district’s list of IHO’s beginning with the first name appearing on the list. After an IHO has been selected by the district, the district continues down the list in alphabetical order upon request of any further impartial hearings.

26. Resolved that the Board approve the following District-wide School Safety Team as recommended by the Superintendent:

Dr. Lori S. Caplan, Superintendent
Don Stevens, Administrator
Kirsten DeMento, Administrator
Kelly Webster, WES Administrator
Ryan Groat, WHS Administrator
Rebecca Smith, Administrative Assistant, WHS
Chrissy Daniels, Administrative Assistant/Parent, WES
Ashleigh Fraley, Chemical Hygiene Officer/Teacher
Joseph Centanni, Watervliet Police Chief
Tim Murphy, BOCES, Health, Safety, and Risk Management ConsultantDennis Lane, Teacher/Health Coordinator
Thomas Garrett, Fire Chief
Allison Santiago, Social Worker
Beth Lipson, Social Worker
Sue Vogel, School Nurse
Racheal Thomas, School Nurse
Sheri Senecal, School Board Member

27. Resolved that the Board approve the sport merger between the Watervliet City School District and Cohoes City School District for Wrestling, beginning with the Winter 2021 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.

28. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Professional Development Plan 2021 – 2024 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

29. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached 2021 – 2024 Watervliet City School District Board of Education Goals, as recommended by the Superintendent.

30. Resolved that the Board set the following dates as Regular Board of Education Meetings for 2021–2022:

July 1 (Organizational Meeting)
August 12
September 9
October 14
November 18
December 9
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 21 (Budget Adoption)
April 27 (BOCES Budget Vote – 7:30 a.m.)
May 10 (Regular Board of Education Meeting/Budget Hearing)
May 17 School District Budget Vote & Election (Board meets to receive and accept results – 8:30 p.m.)
June 9

31. Resolve that the Board approve the excision of old textbooks/materials, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Donald Stevens, as recommended by the Superintendent.

32. Resolve that the Board approve the Substitute Registry Packet #10, submitted by BOCES, as approved by the Superintendent.

XI. Board Discussion

XII. Adjournment

NOTE: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.