Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
June 9, 2022
6 p.m.
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
Vice President Sheri Senecal
II. Attendance
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
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
June 2022 Year in Review Presentation Kelly Webster
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Use of Social Media
- Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
VI. 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.
VII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Ashleigh Fraley, from the position of Science Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 22, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Anna Makovik, from the position of Math Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Ricardo Domena to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective May 16, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of John DeGeorge to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective May 31, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Michael LaCouture to the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher, Grade 6, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective May 31, 2022, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Michael Zitolo to the position of Science Teacher, in the tenure area of Science, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 8 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2026, 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. Michael Zitolo holds a Chemistry 7-12 certification, (certificate #666375121) and Physics 7-12 certification (certificate #666374121).
7. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Mikayla Rossier to the position of Special Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Students with Disabilities B-2/1-6, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2026, 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.
8. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Michaeleen Backus to the position of Long-Term Substitute Reading Intervention Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Alexa Whyte to the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 6, 2022, at Step 1 salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
10. Resolved that the Board approve the following ExTRA Summer Program 2022 appointment at a salary as per contract:
Dave Olszewski, Counselor
Sue Vogel, Nurse
Michaeleen Backus, Grade K Teacher
Leah Karn, Grade 1 Teacher
Adrienne Todd, Grade 2 Teacher
Beth Jones, Grade 3 Teacher
Jeanne Lance, Grade 4 Teacher
Sarah Huslander, Grade 5 Teacher
Daniel Ciaramella, Grade 6 Teacher
Dylan Lukowski, Grade 7/8 Teacher
Gina Smith, Grade K-6 Co-Teach SPED Teacher
Madeline Rehm, Grade K-6 ENL Teacher
Brian Hoefer/Kelsey Logan, Grade K-6 PE Teacher (Splitting position)
A.J. Ferris, Grade K-6 Music Teacher
Kim Barkamian, Grade 7-12 Co-Teach SPED Teacher
Kristin Hand, Grade 9-12 ELA Teacher
Becky Jones, Grade 9-12 Social Studies Teacher
Karen Quinn, Grade 9-12 Living Environment Teacher
Angela Aubrey, Grade 9-12 Math Teacher
Dennis Lane, Grade 9-12 Health/PE
Peg Angie, Grade 5/6 Teaching Assistant
Melanie DiSalvo, Grade 2/3 Teaching Assistant
Karen Maher, Grade 4 Teaching Assistant
Haley Menze, Grade 7/8 Teaching Assistant
Elise Peterson, Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Kate Diaco, Substitute
Kaleigh Hill, Substitute
Robina Hussain, Substitute
Lyndsay Moore, Substitute
Tina Shufelt, Substitute
Jessica Willson, Substitute
11. Resolved that the Board approve the following Extended School Year (ESY) 2022 appointments at a salary as per contract:
Mikayla Rossier, Grade K-2 Teacher
Alexa Whyte, Grade 2-4 Teacher
Laura Zasada, Teaching Assistant
Nicholas Rivera, Teaching Assistant
Lyndsay Moore, Substitute Teacher
Tina LaVallee, Substitute Teacher
Michele DeGuire, Substitute Teacher
Annemarie Gleason, Substitute Teaching Assistant
Megan Wallas, Substitute Teaching Assistant
Juliana Chromik, Substitute Teaching Assistant
Kaleigh Hill, Substitute Teacher / Substitute Speech Therapist
12. Resolved that the Board approve the following Summer Lunch Program 2022 appointments, at a salary as per contract:
Mary Schoonmaker; Amber Craver; Patricia King; Heather Swinney; Paige Jensen; Maria Whited; Carol Waters; Rosa Morales; Adrian Orozco; Rebecca Sutherland; Theresa Lewis; Substitute: Margaret Bell
13. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #11, and #12).
VIII. Business Items
14. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of April 2022, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
15. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- CSArch – A/E (4/22)
Invoice # 4197
$2,706.30 - CSArch – CM (4/22)
Invoice # 4198
$5,068.38 - DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App #013
$47,643.46 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App #011
$2,346.27
16. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $995.00 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Bethlehem Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,990.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $758.18 for eight (8) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Lansingburgh Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $6,065.44, as recommended by the Superintendent.
18. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $843.44 for twenty-one (21) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the North Colonie Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $17,712.24, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $274.77 for six (6) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the North Greenbush Common School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,648.62, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $756.40 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Rensselaer City School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,512.80, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $820.29 for five (5) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the South Colonie Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $4,101.45, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $834.60 for fourteen (14) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Troy City School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $11,684.40, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board approve the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $689.05 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Wynantskill Union Free School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,378.10, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve an employer non-elective contribution of $7,659.00 to the 403B account of William Gallagher for Unused Sick Leave upon his retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective June 30, 2022, per the terms of the Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools of the Enlarged City School District of Watervliet and the Watervliet Teachers’ Association, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board approve an employer non-elective contribution of $3,902.00 to the 403B account of Cecilia Nicolaescu for Unused Sick Leave upon her retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective June 30, 2022, per the terms of the Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools of the Enlarged City School District of Watervliet and the Watervliet Teachers’ Association, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Whereas, on April 23, 2020 the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District by resolution established the Debt Service Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 6-l of the General Municipal Law; and, Whereas, the Watervliet City School District anticipates that future debt service liabilities will exceed the expected Building Aid received from the State to fund such liabilities, and, Whereas, the Watervliet City School District wishes to cover a portion of the amount of the District’s future liability for debt service and therefore, reducing the local cost of said liabilities for 2022-23 and beyond. Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that:
- The Watervliet City School District Board of Education directs the Business Manager to transfer the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the District’s Unappropriated Fund Balance into the Debt Service Reserve Fund to cover a portion of the District’s future liability for debt service for 2022-23 and beyond.
- This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
27. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of May 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board approve the Education Law 2-d Opt-In Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Clever Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
29. Resolved that the Board approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the Center for Disability Services, effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
30. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised employee benefits document for Cafeteria Workers and Lunchroom Monitors of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
31. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised employee benefits document for the Cook Manager of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2025, as recommended by the Superintendent.
32. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised employee benefits document for Non-Aligned Employees of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2026, as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised agreement between The Watervliet Support Staff Association and the Superintendent of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised employee benefits document for Managerial / Confidential Employees of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
35. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised agreement between The Watervliet Administrators’ Association and the Superintendent of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2019– June 30, 2026, as recommended by the Superintendent.
36. Resolved that the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District hereby amends the employment agreement between the District and Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. dated August 12, 2021, and authorizes the Board Vice President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment(s) in accordance therewith.
37. Resolved that the Board approve the request for Sarah Horaczek to take EEPL 611 – Philosophy of Education and EEPL 687: Institute in Education courses at the University at Albany beginning May 23, 2022, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
IX. Other Items
38. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held May 17, 2022 and May 10, 2022, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
39. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held May 2, May 3, May 4, May 9, May 12, May 13, May 16, May 18, May 19, May 20, May 23, May 24, May 25, and May 26, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
40. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held May 4, May 10, May 16, and May 18, 2022, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
41. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the following revised policies for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Use of Social Media
- Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
42. Resolved that the Board approve the attached revised Wellness Policy for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
43. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling and special education services request of Jessica Havnen for her child, Ethan Havnen, Grade K, for the 2022–2023 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
44. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of 15 broken/irreparable calculators from the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
45. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Rachel Doody
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michaeleen Backus & Rachel Alric
Dates: Spring 2022 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.