Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: June 11, 2019
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:05 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President, Sheri Senecal
Vice President, Heather Soroka
Amanda Cavanaugh
Mary Beth Whited
Board Members Absent: Steven Hoffman
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student Council Rep: Miranda Luck
The meeting was opened at 6:05 P.M., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Public Comment
There were no comments from the floor.
Old Business
The Board of Education Retreat has been moved to June 13, 2019 at the Capital Region BOCES Headquarters.
Board, Staff and Student Reports
- June 2019 Administrative Report Presentation by Ryan Groat, Kelly Webster, Kirsten DeMento, Janelle Yanni and Donald Stevens
- P-Tech Program Adonis Cyrus, WJSHS Student
Kurt Redman, P-TECH Principal, noted that this summer’s Bridge program will run the week of July 29. There are 11 students enrolled so far.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held May 14, 2019 and May 21, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held May 8 and May 15, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held May 6, May 7, May 8, May 9, May 14, May 15, May 16, May 17, May 20, May 22 and May 23, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #28 and #29).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of the following Election Inspectors to work May 21, 2019, for the School District Election and Budget vote, at the rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Watervliet Elementary School: Beth Jones
- Watervliet Elks: Ali Jones and Marlene Johnston (pro-rated)
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of April 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 Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following 403B Employer Contributions for sick leave accrued as of June 1, 2019, per the terms of the Watervliet Teachers’ Association (WTA) Contract, for employees retiring as of June 30, 2019, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Michaeleen Backus $30,375.00
- W. Scott Burke $18,135.00
- Joseph Facin $16,020.00
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $863.47 for 54 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Albany City School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $46,627.38, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $543.22 for 19 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Lansingburgh Central School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $10,321.18, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $769.82 for 2 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the South Colonie Central School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $1,539.64, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $619.24 for 16 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Troy City School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $9,907.84, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $846.47 for 4 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $3,385.88, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $387.27 for 3 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Wynantskill Union Free School District beginning September 2018 through June 2019 for a total cost of $1,161.81, as recommended by the Superintendent
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Shared Services Agreement between North Colonie Central School District and The Watervliet City School District to operate a summer school program for Grades 7-12, from July 8, 2019 to August 16, 2019, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Chris Sawyer to the position of Varsity/Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the termination of Meghan Mitchell from the position of Long-Term Substitute Spanish Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective May 10, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Colleen Commisso from the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective May 13, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Chase Frament from the position of Full-Time Cleaner at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective May 15, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Paige Jensen from the position of Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 14, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Kelly Sayward from the positions of Reading Teacher and PIVOT Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Edmund Rohrmeier from the position of Health Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Mary Ann Veshia from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Donald Stevens to the position of Assistant Superintendent for the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2019, per the terms outlined in the attached contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, approved the probationary appointment of Kristin Lofink to the position of English Teacher, in the tenure area of English Language Arts, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2023, 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. Kristin Lofink holds a certification as English Language Arts, 7-12 Professional (certificate #895299141).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the hourly rate increase to $17.00 for Peter Sutherland, Full-Time Cleaner at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 1, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Donald Ploof to the position of Full-Time Cleaner at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Summer Academy 2019 appointment at a salary as per contract:
- Timothy McMurray, Art Teacher
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the amended benefit document for Keith Heid, Business Manager, effective July 1, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Agreement Between the Superintendent of the Watervliet City School District and the Watervliet Administrators’ Association, effective July 1, 2019, for the period of July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following paid holidays for Full-Time, 12-Month Administrators (WAA) and Full-Time, 12-Month Central Office Clerical Staff of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Independence Day (7/4)
- Labor Day (9/2)
- Columbus Day (10/14)
- Veterans Day (11/11)
- Wednesday before Thanksgiving (11/27)
- Thanksgiving (11/28)
- Friday after Thanksgiving (11/29)
- December (12/24, 12/25, 12/31)
- January (1/1)
- Martin Luther King Day (1/20)
- President’s Day (2/17)
- February (2/21)
- Good Friday (4/10)
- April (4/13, 4/17)
- Memorial Day (5/22, 5/25)
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of old/outdated/damaged marching band uniforms, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanuagh, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Kelly Keels her child, Aryana Keels, Grade 7, 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 following people for their donations to the WIN (What I Need) Program, in memory of former WJSHS teacher Nancy Frate, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Theresa Minbiole
- Friends of Camp Little Notch, Inc.
- Patricia A. Smith
- Frank J. Boden and Kathleen A. Kelly
- David and Anne Tomidy
- Marcia A. Jaeger
- Janet Curtis
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of May 2019, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business discussed.
Comments from the Floor
Miranda Luck, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- Sixty-nine 18-year old students were registered to vote, thanks to the League of Women Voters. Each person registering received a pocket size copy of the U.S. Constitution.
- Thank you to Mrs. Chartrand at City Hall for a successful Youth Day.
- School pics for the upcoming school year are scheduled for September 19. Board members are invited to have their picture taken.
- Thank you for allowing me to serve as the Student Council Representative. I look forward to serving next year.
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- As the outgoing President of the New York State Association of Small City Schools (NYSASCSD), she shared with the Board a document showing how the NYSASCSD advocacy group’s efforts benefitted small city schools.
- CSArch will be at the July Organizational meeting. A Community Outreach Committee was recently established that includes several stakeholders. The committee will be working on developing lists of items to be included in the project.
- The Commander of the Arsenal has expressed an interest in collaborating with the District. He was here recently to show students the variety of job opportunities there are at the Arsenal.
- Congratulations to the Administrators on their 5-year contract.
- Congratulations to Mr. Stevens on his well-earned appointment to the Assistant Superintendent position.
- Congratulations to Mr. Groat on being accepted into the Future Superintendent’s Academy.
- Mr. Stevens is going into the Doctoral Program at Sage.
- Overall, it was a really great school year.
- Thank you to the Board of Education for their continuous support.
Mr. Groat, on behalf of the Administrators, thanked the Board for their support.
Mr. Stevens thanked the Board, noting that he is looking forward to the future in his new role.
Miss Gilchrist, on behalf of the Relay for Life Committee, shared the following:
- This year’s Relay for Life event raised over $52,000.00.
The life-size games were a success.
This year they held a luminaria exchange, which was a big success.
Mrs. Whited noted that Miss Gilchrist did a great job on the Relay event.
Mr. Groat shared the following:
- There is an exciting summer reading project this year, which will hopefully increase participation and engagement. Students entering grades 8 – 12 will be reading “The Hate U Give.” Beginning July 14 there will be a weekly book club meeting from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. There will be incentives for involvement and participation.
- Graduation is Wednesday, June 26.
Mrs. Senecal noted that the moving up ceremony at WES is Tuesday at 9:30 a.m.
Mrs. Soroka noted the following:
- The Policy Committee discussed the Wellness Plan and the Dress Code.
- Thank you to the Administrators for their report tonight.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board