Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
October 17, 2023
5 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
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. Reports/Comments
- 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 accept the resignation of David McFarland, from the position of Full-Time Maintenance Worker for the Watervliet City School District, effective October 7, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Cory Viscosi, from the position of Hall Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 15, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Mackenzie O’Neill, from the position of Social Studies Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective October 29, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Cyrus Clarke, from the position of Science Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Geraldine Ferris to the position of Garden Club Advisor at the Watervliet Elementary School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Laura Deming to the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period effective October 12, 2023, at an hourly rate of $17.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Katherine Negron to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a one-year probationary period beginning October 23, 2023, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
8. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Jania Dockery to the position of After-School Detention Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 15, 2023 through the remainder of the 2023 – 2024 school year, at an hourly rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as Watervliet Elementary School Advisors for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student Ambassador Co-Advisor: Deborah Grimmick
- Yearbook Advisor: Kelly Gilchrist
- Environmental Club Advisor: Geraldine Ferris
10. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Deborah Grimmick as a Substitute for the ExTRA Club at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent.
11. 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, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Coaching Fall:
Varsity E-Sports: Matthew Kellish
Volunteer Assistant Football: Joshiah Quinn
Coaching Winter:
Boys’ Varsity Assistant Basketball: Peter Juste
Boys’ Junior-Varsity Basketball: Kevin Reiss
Boys’ Modified Basketball: Shaquille Mayo
Boys’ Volunteer Varsity Assistant: Darnell Sutton
Girls Modified Basketball: Emily Burke
12. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #1, #2 and #3).
X. Business Items
13. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of September 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June, July and August 2023, 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 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #006
$48,046.25 - Duncan & Cahill, Inc.
Payment App. #005
$274,439.68
16. Resolved that the Board approve one (1) 2023 Summer School Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $134,840.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve thirty (30) 2023-2024 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a total cost of $1,301,806.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
18. Resolved that the Board approve one (1) 2023-2024 Regular School Year Transportation Contract Extension between Durham Transportation and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $292,286.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement for Services with the Center for Disability Services, for services provided to students placed in the Langan School Program and/or the Langan Extended School Year Program effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement for Services with Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc., for services provided to a student placed in their Day School Program effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement for Services between the Watervliet City School District and Chelsea Place Psychological Services, for support services for individuals with disabilities and/or social/emotional, cognitive and/or behavioral challenges, effective September 2023 – June 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the Memorandum of Agreement with Siena College, for Student Teaching and/or Fieldwork Experience, effective September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
XI. Other Items
23. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held September 12, 2023, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held September 11, September 12, September 13, September 18, September 20, September 21, September 22, September 25, September 27, September 28, October 2, October 3, October 4, and October 5, 2023, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 25 and September 20, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling requests of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student ID 900013912 – grade 1
- Student ID 900011702 – grade 9
- Student ID 900013122 – grade 8
- Student ID 900014099 – grade K
27. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Revised COVID-19 Layered Mitigation Protocols: 2023 – 2024 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent. 28. Resolved that the Board approve the creation of a Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
29. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Jessica Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Meghan Castle
Dates: Fall 2023/Spring 2024
Name(s): Christina Pfister
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Allison Proctor
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Mackenzie Mahoney
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Gabrielle Lupe
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Thomas Whitney
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Tyler Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Amanda Ciampi
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Aaliyah Lennon
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Kara Cunningham
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Rianna Ferrara
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Sara Hulslander
Dates: Fall 2023
30. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher requests at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Tyler Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): James Murphy
Dates: Fall 2023
Name(s): Ava DeShaw
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michaela Bissonette
Dates: Fall 2023
31. Resolved that the Board approve the request for Gina DeCianni to take American Sign – Language and Culture, Introductory Spanish: Language and Culture, and French 1 courses at SUNY Empire, and EDU 5254 Structure and Application of American English, course at Malloy University beginning July 5, 2022, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
32. Resolved that the Board approve the New Book Request for the book entitled “The Pearl,” by John Steinbeck, to be added to the Grade 7 English curriculum at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School beginning in the 2023 – 2024 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent
33. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, the donation of school supplies from the Residents of Shaker Pointe Senior Living Community to the Watervliet Elementary School, to given to students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, the donation of Two Cases of Fancy Farm Premium Popping Corn from Morgan Lautenshlager and Bill Cornell on behalf of the East Greenbush Bowling Center, as recommended by the Superintendent.
35. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $51,968.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
XII. Board Discussion
XIII. Adjournment
NOTE: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.