Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
February 13, 2024
**6:00 P.M.
Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
President Sheri Senecal
II. Attendance
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Executive Session
1. Recommend an executive session to discuss matters related to the employment history of a particular person.
V. Reconvene
**It is anticipated that the Board will convene for a brief executive session at 6 p.m.
VI. 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.
VII. Presentations/Reports/Comments
State Budget Overview Assembly Member John McDonald
Yondr Video Communications Team
Family Opportunity Center Grant Update Danielle McKee
2023–2024 ESSA Accountability Status Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. and Kelly Webster
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
Second Reading of Revised Policy:
Use of Service Animals
First Reading of New Policy:
Workplace Violence Prevention Statement
First Reading of Revised Policies:
Entitlement to Attend – Age and Residency
Transition Services
Identification and Register of Children with Disabilities (Child Find)
Children with Disabilities
Timeout and Physical Restraint
VIII. Board of Education Discussion
IX. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board approve the attached agreement between the Watervliet City School District and the Watervliet Administrators’ Association and authorize the Superintendent to take all necessary action to carry out the terms of the settlement.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of David Wareing from the position of Assistant Principal, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Jeremy Boyd from the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective January 22, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Kevin Reiss from the position of Building Substitute, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective January 19, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of York Bush to the position of Chemistry Teacher, in the tenure area of Chemistry, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, beginning January 22, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on January 22, 2028, contingent upon achievement of effective or highly effective APPR ratings necessary to receive tenure throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
6. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Rosemary Rodriguez-Sharpe to the position of Home School Coordinator (aka Outreach Coordinator), for the Watervliet City School District, beginning January 29, 2024, at a pro-rated salary of $36,000.00 (ExTRA Grant), as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Sean McGovern to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning January 29, 2024, at a Step 2 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on January 29, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d. Sean McGovern holds a Students with Disabilities certification (certificate #1778114241).
8. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Aaron Treacy to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a one-year probationary period beginning February 26, 2024, at a Step 5 Teacher Aide salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Ann Hegney to the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 8, 2024, at a Step 1 pro-rated rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
10. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Alexa Giardino to the position of Homeless Youth Counselor for the Watervliet City School District, effective February 14, 2024, for two hours per week, at a rate of $36.42 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent
11. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School Advisors for the 2023–2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
ExTRA Drama Club Substitute: Allison Fried
Extra Cooking Club: Heather Swinney and Rosie Sharpe (split stipend at a pro-rated rate of $1080, effective January 31, 2024)
Afterschool AIS: Lauryn Lloyd and Daniel Ciaramella
Class of 2027 Advisor: Andrea Morris
12. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches 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:
WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Coaching Winter:
Varsity Assistant Wrestling: Dennis Lane
Coaching Spring:
E-Sports: Matthew Kellish
13. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Kristin Conley, in the area of English Language Arts, effective February 26, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #9).
X. Business Items
15. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of January 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
16. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of December 2023, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
17. 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
- CSArch (A/E)
Invoice #6449
$1,411.03 - DLC Electric
Payment App. #10
$93,603.50
18. Resolved that the Board approve the request to close out the following defunct extracurricular accounts at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School and transfer funds, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Ski Club
- Class of 2023
19. Resolved that the Board approve the Data Privacy Agreement with Common Sense, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement with the Capital Region Planning Commission, for a three-year school enrollment projection study, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
XI. Other Items
21. Resolved that the Board waive a second reading and adopt the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Workplace Violence Prevention Statement
22. Resolved that the Board adopt the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Service Animals
23. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held January 9, 2024, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held January 4, January 5, January 8, January 10, January 18, January 19, January 25, January 26, and January 31, 2024, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held November 15, 2023 and January 17, 2024 submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher/Observer/Intern requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Kevin Walsh
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Hannah Brown
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Ena Minnick
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Alexia Cusack
Role: Student Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Allison Santiago
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Rianna Ferrara
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Sharon Foglia
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Alyssa Makar
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Tina Shufelt
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Joshua White
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Courtney Ricci
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Grace Wayland-Smith
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Rachel Manning & Joelle Bird
Dates: Spring 2024
Name(s): Whitney Thomas
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Spring 2024
27. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling request of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student ID 900014824 – grade 7
- Student ID 900011882 – grade 7
28. Resolved that the Board approve the attached 2024 – 2025 School District Calendar, as recommended by the Superintendent.