Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Date: December 10, 2019
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:00 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
The meeting was opened at 6:00 P.M., with President Senecal officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Old Business
Dan Woodside, from CSArch, provided a recap of the proposed capital project.
Administrative Reports/Presentations
- Restorative Practices Presentation Kelly Webster, Maria DeNovio, Ryan Groat
- First Reading of Revised Policies:
- Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
Board Discussion
Mrs. Senecal noted the following:
- The next Board of Education meeting is January 9. The February meeting has been moved to February 4, to coincide with the capital project vote.
- Thank you to maintenance staff for all of the work they put into snow removal during and after the storm.
- Congratulations to the winners of the spelling bee.
- Reminder to all that free breakfasts and lunches will be served over the break.
- Happy Holidays to all.
Mary Beth Whited noted that the PTA did a great job on the “Breakfast with Santa” event.
Amanda Cavanaugh echoed Mrs. Whited’s sentiments. She also noted the following:
- I am grateful that the district allows such involvement of parents.
- Have a great holiday break.
Steven Hoffman asked when the last time was that the district had a special vote.
Dr. Caplan responded that the last building project was the last time a special vote was held.
Heather Soroka shared her school safety “takeaways” from the forum she attended on Monday, October 28. Max Schachter, whose son, Alex, was the first child murdered during the Parkland School Massacre, was the speaker.
Mrs. Senecal asked if Ms. DeMento would be in charge of researching the safety options that Mrs. Soroka mentioned.
Dr. Caplan responded that the district does have a lot of safety protocols currently in place, which Ms. DeMento oversees.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held November 7, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held November 13, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 28, November 19, November 21, November 22, and December 3, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Education Law 2-d Opt-In, allowing the Watervliet City School District to become a party to the agreement between and Erie 1 BOCES and Google, LLC, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #3 through #6 and #8).
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District (“Board”) is considering to undertake a project consisting of various replacements, repairs, renovations, and/or reconstruction to the District’s existing High School and Elementary school buildings, including interior, exterior, building envelope, and site improvement work (“the Project”); and
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to fully comply with its obligations under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and the regulations thereunder with respect to the proposed action; and
WHEREAS, the Board has carefully considered the nature and scope of the proposed action; and
WHEREAS, upon review of the foregoing, the Board makes the following determinations:
1) The proposed action involves various replacements, repairs, renovations, and/or reconstruction to the District’s existing High School and Elementary school buildings, including interior, exterior, building envelope, and site improvement work.
2) The proposed project represents maintenance or repair involving no substantial changes in an existing structure or facility within the meaning of 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(1); and/or the replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure of facility, in kind, within the meaning of 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(2); and/or a routine activity of an educational institution, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area, within the meaning of 6 NYCRR § 617.5(c)(10).
3) The proposed action will in no case have a significant adverse impact based on the environment based on the criteria contained in 6 NYCRR § 617.7(c), and is not otherwise a Type I action as defined by 6 NYCRR § 617.4.
4) The proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and is therefore not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board finds and concludes that the proposed action is a Type II action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.5 and therefore is not subject to review under SEQRA and the regulations thereunder.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION SPECIFYING THE NECESSITY FOR A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN AND FOR THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF WATERVLIET, ALBANY COUNTY, NEW YORK.
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, that the needs of said School District require the reconstruction and construction of improvements to school buildings, including equipment, furnishings, machinery and apparatus, as well as site improvements and incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum estimated cost of $10,000,000; and
WHEREAS, subdivision 3 of Section 2512 of the Education Law requires that whenever in the judgment of such Board of Education a building, facility or site should be constructed or reconstructed, such Board shall prepare a resolution specifying in detail the necessity therefor and estimating the amount of funds necessary for such purpose;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. It is hereby determined that the improvements referred to in the preambles hereof and further specified herein is necessary to enhance educational opportunities and to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff.
Section 2. It is hereby estimated that the amount of funds necessary for the aforesaid purposes is $10,000,000.
Section 3.This resolution shall take effect immediately.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $10,000,000 SERIAL BONDS OF THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF WATERVLIET, ALBANY COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY THE COST OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN AND FOR SAID SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WHEREAS, this bond resolution is adopted subject to approval at a Special School District Meeting and bond referendum to be held on February 4, 2020; and
WHEREAS, all other conditions precedent to the financing of the capital project hereinafter described, have been performed; and
WHEREAS, it is therefore now desired to authorize the financing thereof;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. The class of objects or purposes to be financed pursuant to this bond resolution include the reconstruction and construction of improvements to school buildings, including equipment, furnishings, machinery and apparatus, as well as site improvements and incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum estimated cost of $10,000,000, which is hereby authorized.
Section 2. The plan for the financing of such maximum estimated cost is by the issuance of $10,000,000 bonds of said School District hereby authorized to be issued therefor pursuant to the provisions of the Local Finance Law; and the faith and credit of said City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, are hereby pledged for the payment of said bonds and the interest thereon.
Section 3. It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the aforesaid class of objects or purposes is thirty years, pursuant to subdivision 97 of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law.
Section 4. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the issuance and sale of the serial bonds herein authorized, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer. Such notes shall be of such terms, form and contents, and shall be sold in such manner, as may be prescribed by said President of the Board of Education, consistent with the provisions of the Local Finance Law.
Section 5. Such bonds shall be in fully registered form and shall be signed in the name of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, by the manual or facsimile signature of its President of the Board of Education, and a facsimile of its corporate seal shall be imprinted or impressed thereon and may be attested by the manual or facsimile signature of its School District Clerk.
Section 6. The powers and duties of advertising such bonds for sale, conducting the sale and awarding the bonds, are hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, who shall advertise such bonds for sale, conduct the sale, and award the bonds in such manner as he or she shall deem best for the interests of said School District, provided, however, that in the exercise of these delegated powers, he or she shall comply fully with the provisions of the Local Finance Law and any order or rule of the State Comptroller applicable to the sale of municipal bonds.
Section 7. All other matters, except as provided herein relating to such bonds, including determining whether to issue such serial bonds having substantially level or declining annual debt service and all matters related thereto, prescribing whether manual or facsimile signatures shall appear on said bonds, prescribing the method for the recording of ownership of said bonds, appointing the fiscal agent or agents for said bonds, providing for the printing and delivery of said bonds (and if said bonds are to be executed in the name of the School District by the facsimile signature of the President of the Board of Education, providing for the manual countersignature of a fiscal agent or of a designated official of the School District), the date, denominations, maturities and interest payment dates, place or places of payment, and also including the consolidation with other issues, shall be determined by the President of the Board of Education. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of validity clause provided for in section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals in addition to those required by section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the President of the Board of Education shall determine.
Section 8. This resolution shall constitute a statement of official intent for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.150 2. Other than as specified in this resolution, no monies are, or are reasonably expected to be, reserved, allocated on a long term basis, or otherwise set aside with respect to the permanent funding of the object or purpose described herein.
Section 9. The validity of such bonds and bond anticipation notes may be contested only if:
- Such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which said School District is not authorized to expend money, or
- The provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of such publication, or
- Such obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 10. Upon this resolution taking effect upon the approval of the qualified voters of the School District, the same shall be published in summary in the official newspaper(s) of said School District, together with a notice of the School District Clerk in substantially the form provided in Section 81.00 of the Local Finance Law.
Section 11. This resolution is adopted subject to approval at the Special District Meeting and bond referendum of said School District to be held on February 4, 2020, and a proposition for such approval shall be submitted at such Special District Meeting and bond referendum as shall be determined by a further resolution to be adopted by this Board of Education.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE HOLDING OF A SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING AND BOND REFERENDUM IN AND FOR THE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF WATERVLIET, ALBANY COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND PROVIDING FOR REGISTRATION AND OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, has heretofore at this meeting duly adopted a bond resolution which will take effect only after its approval at a Special School District Meeting and bond referendum; and
WHEREAS, it is now desired to provide for the calling of such Special School District Meeting and bond referendum, the submission of a proposition for the approval of said bond resolution, and for other matters in connection with said Special School District Meeting and bond referendum;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. A Special School District Meeting and bond referendum in and for the City School District of the City of Watervliet, Albany County, New York, shall be held on February 4, 2020, at the polling places attached as Exhibit A, and the polls shall be kept open for voting between the hours of 11:00 o’clock A.M. and 8:00 o’clock P.M., Prevailing Time, on said date. The proposition hereinafter set forth in the notice of said Special School District Meeting and bond referendum shall be submitted thereat.
Section 2. The date for personal registration of voters for such Special School District Meeting and bond referendum shall be January 8, 2020 and January 21, 2020. The place where such Board of Registration shall meet shall be at Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, in Watervliet, New York, and the hours of registration shall be between 8:30 o’clock A.M. and 12:30 o’clock P.M., Prevailing Time, on said date.
Section 3. Voting at said Special School District Meeting and bond referendum shall be conducted by the use of voting machines.
Section 4. The District Clerk of said School District is hereby authorized and directed to cause a notice of said Special District Meeting and bond referendum, to be published in The Troy Record, a newspaper having a general circulation in said School District, such publications to be made so that such notice shall appear in said newspaper at least four times during the seven weeks preceding such Special School District Meeting and bond referendum, the first publication to be at least forty-five days before said Special School District Meeting and bond referendum and to give such other notice as may be deemed desirable. The Notice of Special School District Meeting and bond referendum shall be in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Alex Rivera from the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 13, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Alyssa Palladino from the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 15, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Theresa Pelton from the position of ExTRA Program Homework Help Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 18, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board postponed indefinitely the emergency probationary appointment of Daniela Santiago to the position of Cafeteria Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning December 2, 2019 and ending December 2, 2020, at an hourly rate of $11.10, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Thomas Rizzo to the position of Long-Term Substitute Earth Science Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning January 6, 2020, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Shelley Palkovic to the position of ExTRA Program Homework Help Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 5, 2019 and continuing through the 2019 – 2020 school year, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Christopher Curtis to the position of ExTRA Program Study Tables/Homework Help Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 10, 2019 and continuing through the 2019 – 2020 school year, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Catherine Choi, in the area of Guidance, effective January, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and accepted 4-0 (Sheri Senecal abstained), the Board approved the facilitation of small group sessions and collection of data for a research study entitled Brothers as Allies: Testing the Efficacy of a Strengths-based Curriculum to Reduce Risk for Future Sexual Violence Perpetration among Middle School Boys, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for the following individuals to serve as Student Interns/Facilitators for the Brothers as Allies study at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Cavanaugh Quick
Role: Facilitator - Name: Jerry Ford, Jr.
Role: Facilitator - Name: Sharisse Carter
Role: Data Collection - Name: Elizabeth Rialdi
Role: Data Collection - Name: Uwaoma Okwu-uwa
Role: Data Collection - Victoria Baum
Role: Data Collection
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board postponed indefinitely the home schooling request of LaGena Burks for her child, Za’Kyi Burks, Grade 1, for the 2019 – 2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of 20 hand-knitted hats from Madilyn Ficalora, to be given to students in need at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of various school supplies from Heather Jonker, to be given to students in need at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of 30 Thanksgiving baskets from CAPCom, to be given to families in need at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the months of October and November 2019, submitted by Roni O’Brien, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business to be discussed.
Administrators’ Comments
Ms. DeMento noted that the protocol New York State required for safety is pretty progressive.
Mr. Groat added that students are very compliant and parents are cooperative and supportive.
Mrs. Yanni shared the following:
- I received a call from a parent who wanted to donate personal hygiene products. I will be giving them to our homeless students in need.
- Star and Strand will be adopting four of our families for the holidays.
- I reached out to Ms. Moore at WJSHS. Her class had a great idea to coordinate a service learning opportunity. They will establish a once a week coffee service for staff. Students will learn how to create a budget, create marketing materials, work with money, and use green products in an effort to reduce negative environmental impacts.
Mr. Groat shared the following:
- Thank you to the Board for allowing administrators to take on non-traditional initiatives. If anyone in the community has any questions, please direct them to him.
- The WJSHS winter concert is tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m.
- The Boys’ JV Basketball team lost with .2 seconds left.
We had three scholar athlete teams this fall: -
- Boys’ Football
- Girls’ Volleball
- Boys’ Soccer
Mrs. Cavanaugh added that Peyton White was News Channel 13 Athlete of the Week.
Mr. Foust noted the following:
- The WES concert is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. It will be held at WJSHS.
The PTA Breakfast with Santa was awesome, as are all events run by the PTA.
I attended my first spelling bee. The final two girls went 26 rounds.
Happy Holidays to everyone.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Poster boards with information on the proposed capital project will be on display at both schools.
- January 7th is the PTA Meeting and January 16 is the PTA Game Night. Dr. Caplan and Mr. Heid will attend both to present information about the project scope and cost.
- Miss Frost will work on mini-flyers to distribute at the upcoming events.
- Congratulations to Mrs. Choi on earning tenure.
- I spoke to the people who have funded the Pivot Grant. They have agreed to split the cost 50/50 with the District for the next five years.
- John and Dave worked throughout the night of the storm. Dave Capitula, Peter and Donald all helped them as well.
- Thanks to the City for clearing parking spots at WJSHS.
- I volunteered with a team of WCSD staff at Equinox on Thanksgiving. I worked with the Chief to sign up 128 Watervliet families.
- Geraldine Ferris and Donald Stevens distributed 30 Thanksgiving baskets to students’ families.
- The choir is going to senior housing on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to bring some holiday cheer.
Adjournment
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board