Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: November 14, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 5:06 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
Student Council Rep: Jada Green
The meeting opened at 5:06 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.
Executive Session
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into Executive Session at 5:07 p.m. to discuss matters related to the investigation and employment history of a particular person.
Adjournment and Reconvene
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned executive session and reconvened the meeting at 5:59 p.m.
Public Comment
Angela Wareing – 1247 7th Avenue, Watervliet, NY – read a statement regarding the reasons her daughter will be transferring to LaSalle.
Presentations/Reports/Comments
EVOLVE The Beginning Presentation Kirsten DeMento
Dr. Stevens thanked Ms. DeMento for all of her support and dedication in building the program and getting it every resource that it needs. He added that we are continuing to push for different opportunities for students to learn.
Mrs. Soroka thanked the staff for all they do in support of this program.
Mrs. Whited asked if the students enrolled have the opportunity to participate in Career and Tech Ed. Ms. DeMento noted that they could leave the EVOLVE program to enroll in CTE if they wanted to. We did an interest inventory to get guest speakers to come in.
Mrs. Webster noted that EVOLVE students are invited to attend informational sessions on trades as well as when there are college visits scheduled.
Mrs. Richards added that they can attend a CTE visit as well. She added that the students have created a “family unit” at EVOLVE.
Mr. Emerson noted that he teaches some of the EVOLVE students virtually, and although he has students in his classroom at the same time, the online students participate in the same manner as those in person. He stated that it is almost seamless and thanked everyone for putting the program together.
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- Echoed Ms. DeMento’s sentiments regarding the EVOLVE Program and thanked her for her presentation tonight. He also thanked Mrs. Webster.
- We will have our second mentoring session at the Jr. – Sr. high school for students in grades 6-11, tomorrow during 3rd period.
- Both EVOLVE and the Mentoring Program are part of the district’s goals that were approved over the summer and we are moving forward with them and making great progress with both.
- The Blue Ribbon Commission for the State Education Department shared their recommendations yesterday with the Board of Regents regarding potential changes to graduation requirements and what diplomas could or should look like in the future. These are all recommendations at this point. As they become guidance from SED, I will share more.
- Bus Patrol will soon be installing stop arm cameras for buses used within city limits. Signage will be put up around town to alert drivers of the use of these cameras.
- We had terrific attendance at last week’s Parent-Teacher conferences at WES. Thank you to Mr. Groat and the teachers.
- This Thursday, we have Report Card night at WJSHS for students in grades 5-7. We encourage parents to come in and meet with teachers.
- On the same night, we will have our Meet the Coaches night for winter sports. If you have any students interested or participating, they are welcome to join us at 6:00. We held one in the fall, but we are hoping for better attendance at this one. Both Watervliet and Green Island students and their families are welcome to attend.
- Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I cannot stress enough how thankful I am for all of the teachers and support staff and I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.
B. Student Council Report
Jada Green, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
• Homecoming week was a major success. We enjoyed the pep rally and homecoming dance, with about 162 participants.
• Junior High students held a successful Halloween Dance the following weekend.
• Mrs. Fronczek and the Cannoneer Club are hosting a kickball game fundraiser.
• Picture re-takes were held on Friday, November 3. All ID’s and photos were distributed.
• The student lounge is open in the small gym. Thank you to all the administrators for giving us access to this room for recognition of our hard work.
• Happy Holidays on behalf of the students of the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School.
C. Committee Reports
Audit Committee
Mrs. Whited noted that the Audit Committee will be meeting on December 7 at 6:00 p.m. Representatives from Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte will be there.
Policy Committee
Mrs. Soroka noted that the Policy Committee met on October 23 and discussed Service Animal Regulation. The policies were sent back to the lawyer.
Board of Education Discussion
Mr. White thanked Dr. Stevens and Brian Ford, the Athletic Director, for assisting the Youth Football League with daylight field use. We went to the Superbowl, but we came up short. Thank you to everyone for your support. It was a great season.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Beth Jones to the position of Volunteer Volleyball Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023–2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of J’Neal Sharpe to the position of Junior Varsity Basketball Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023–2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the termination of Daniel Carroll, from the position of Food Service Worker – Heatley Location, effective September 19, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Brenda Zawistowski from the position of Art Club Advisor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective October 31, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Sandra Agars, from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 20, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Madison Bell, from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective October 24, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Alison Callagan to the position of Teaching Assistant (.6) / Social Studies Teacher – EVOLVE (.4), in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the EVOLVE Program, beginning October 23, 2023, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification. The probationary period shall expire on January 6, 2027, 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.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Alysia Belle to the position of English as New Language Teacher (.6), in the tenure area of ENL, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning November 16, 2023, at a Step 5 (.6 FTE) salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on November 16, 2027, 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. Alysia Bell holds a TESOL (K-12) certification, (certificate #1005032161).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Carl Nigro to the position of Social Studies Teacher, in the tenure area of Social Studies (7-12), at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning November 30, 2023, at a Step 6 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on November 30, 2027, 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. Carl Nigro holds a Social Studies (7-12) certification, (certificate #1255020181).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Timothy Massie to the position of Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 20, 2023, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Donald Ploof to the position of Assistant Night Cleaning Supervisor for the Watervliet City School District for a period beginning November 13, 2023 and ending June 30, 2024, at a pro-rated salary of $10,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Toni Lewinski to the position of Food Service Worker – Heatley Location, for a one-year probationary period effective October 19, 2023, at an hourly rate of $17.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of 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 Club Substitute: Steven Keena
Art Club Advisor: Sara Mikula (effective November 1, 2023)
Environmental Club Advisor: Geraldine Ferris
Class of 2027 Advisor: Andrea Morris
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Sheri Senecal and accepted 4-0 (Brian White abstained), the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2023–2024 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 Winter:
Substitute/Assistant Varsity Volleyball: Beth Jones ($1,000 stipend)
Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball: Beth Jones
Modified Wrestling Coach: Peyton White
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following teaching overages for the 2023–2024 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 7, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Dennis Lane (+.1 FTE) (effective November 13, 2023)
- Kim Barkamian (+.1 FTE)
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request to increase the hourly pay rate for Lisa Leone by $2.00, as she acts in the capacity of Substitute Kitchen Manager, effective September 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #4).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of October 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of September 2023, 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 Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted External Auditors’ Annual Audit Report for the period July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023, submitted by Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte CPAs, P.C., as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #007
$20,548.50 - Duncan & Cahill, Inc.
Payment App. #006
$95,806.28 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App. #002
$46,013.96
WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #025
$15,853.01 - Gallo Construction
Payment App. #020
$212,099.73 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App. #016
$11,368.27
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Increased Daily Rates for Substitutes, effective October 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Teaching Assistants – $100.00
- Teachers – $125.00
- Long-Term Substitute Teachers – $200.00
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Tools for Schools, Inc., as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Agreement with Advanced Therapy, for therapy services provided to designated students, effective November 3, 2023 –June 26, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held October 17, 2023, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 6, October 10, October 11, October 19, October 26, October 27, and October 31, 2023, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held September 25, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Angela Quinonez
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Madeline Rehm
Dates: Fall 2023
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the creation of the following course to be offered to special education students in Grades 11-12, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School beginning on October 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- ELA Skills
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White4 and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of 10 Snare Drum Practice Pads and 12 Pairs of Drumsticks from Eric Devlin to the Watervliet Elementary School Band Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of 36 Broken/Irreparable Calculators from the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of 20 torn/damaged “Bud, Not Buddy,” by Christopher Paul Curtis, paperback books from the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of Broken/Irreparable/Outdated Technology Equipment from the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
- Congratulations to the YFL for making it to the Superbowl.
- Thank you to the PTA for hosting their recent events, including Trunk or Treat and the Halloween Dance. Books for Bingo is coming up on Friday. The next PTA meeting is December 6 and Breakfast with Santa is December 9.
- Wished our students a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoyable break, on behalf of the Board of Education.
- Noted that the next Board meeting is December 12.
Adjournment
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board