Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 14, 2023
**5:00 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 investigation and employment history of a particular person.
V. Reconvene
**It is anticipated that the Board will convene for an executive session at 5:00 p.m. The regular meeting will immediately follow.
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. Presentation/Reports/Comments
EVOLVE: The Beginning Presentation, Kirsten DeMento
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
VIII. Board of Education Discussion
IX. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board rescind 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.
2. Resolved that the Board rescind 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.
3. Resolved that the Board approve the termination of Daniel Carroll, from the position of Food Service Worker – Heatly location, effective September 19, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept 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.
5. Resolved that the Board accept 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.
6. Resolved that the Board accept 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.
7. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve 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.
8. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve 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).
9. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve 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).
10. Resolved that the Board approve 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.
11. Resolved that the Board approve 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.
12. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Toni Lewinski to the position of Food Service Worker – Heatly Location, for a one-year probationary period effective October 19, 2023, at an hourly rate of $17.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. 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 Club Substitute: Steven Keena
Art Club Advisor: Sara Mikula (effective November 1, 2023)
Environmental Club Advisor: Geraldine Ferris
Class of 2027 Advisor: Andrea Morris
14. 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:
Substitute/Assistant Varsity Volleyball: Beth Jones ($1,000 stipend)
Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball: Beth Jones
Modified Wrestling Coach: Peyton White
15. Resolved that the Board approve the following teaching overages for the 2023–2024 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 7, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Dennis Lane (+.1 FTE)
- Kim Barkamian (+.1 FTE)
16. Resolved that the Board approve the request to increase the hourly pay rate for Lisa Leone by $2.00, as she acts in the capacity of Substitute Kitchen Manager, as outlined in the attached, effective September 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #4).
X. Business Items
18. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of October 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve 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
20. Resolved that the Board accept the 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.
21. 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
- 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
22. Resolved that the Board approve the following Increased Daily Rates for Substitutes, as outlined in the attached, effective October 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Teaching Assistants – $100.00
- Teachers – $125.00
- Long-Term Substitute Teachers – $200.00
23. Resolved that the Board approve the Data Privacy Agreement with Tools for Schools, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Agreement with Advanced Therapy, for therapy services provided to designated students, effective November 3, 2023 – June 26, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
XI. Other Items
25. Resolved that the Board approve 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.
26. Resolved that the Board approve 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.
27. Resolved that the Board approve 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.
28. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Angela Quinonez
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Madeline Rehm
Dates: Fall 2023
29. Resolved that the Board approve 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 outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- ELA Skills
30. Resolved that the Board accept, 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.
31. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of 36 Broken/Irreparable Calculators from the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
32. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of 20 torn/damaged “Bud, Not Buddy,” by Christopher Paul Curtis, paperback books from the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of Broken/Irreparable/Outdated Technology Equipment from the Watervliet City School District, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.