Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
September 12, 2023
6 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. 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.
V. Reports/Comments
Summer Academy & ESY Presentation Catherine Casey
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
VI. Board of Education Discussion
VII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Nicholas Yatrakis, from the position of Mathematics Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Allan Gadsden, Jr., from the position of Family Outreach Coordinator at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent
3. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Seven Chandler, from the position of Volunteer Assistant Football Coach for the spring 2023 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Christopher Brooks, from the position of Volunteer Assistant Football Coach for the spring 2023 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency voluntary transfer of Eric Brady from the position of Part-Time Bus Driver to the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, at his current hourly rate, effective September 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Allison Fried to the position of Elementary Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 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. Allison Fried holds a Childhood Education certification, (certificate #1710821231).
7. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Jania Dockery to the position of Special Education Teacher (7-12), in the tenure area of Special Education, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 3 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 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. Jania Dockery holds a Students with Disabilities 7-12 certification, (certificate #1700663231).
8. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Alicia Chan to the position of Math Teacher (7-12), in the tenure area of Math, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 4 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 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. Alicia Chan holds a Mathematics 7-12 certification, (certificate #1674576221).
9. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Jordanne Stanley to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 7, 2023, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. 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. Jordanne Stanley holds a Teaching Assistant, Level I, certification (certificate #1745195231).
10. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Sara Mikula to the position of Long-Term Substitute Art Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 5, 2023, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
11. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency voluntary transfer of the following Part-Time Cafeteria Workers to the position of Full-Time Cafeteria Workers for the Watervliet City School District, at their current hourly rates, effective September 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School:
Sergio Najera Sanchez
Rebecca Sutherland
Watervliet Elementary School:
Theresa Lewis
Adrian Orozco
Carol Waters
12. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Shaquille Mayo to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 5, 2023 and ending September 5, 2024, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Jazmin Givens to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective September 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. 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:
- Madeline Rehm (+.2 FTE)
- Meg Matuszek (+.2 FTE)
- Dan Lindemann (+.2 FTE)
- Rebecca Sweeney (+.2 FTE)
- Claudia Bunting Marshall (+.1 FTE)
- Dan Mueller (+.1 FTE)
- Ralph Carotenuto (+.1 FTE)
15. Resolved that the Board approve 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:
Varsity Boys Basketball: Marc Fruscio
Varsity Girls Basketball: Kelsey Logan
Varsity Girls Basketball Assistant: Brian Hoefer
JV Girls Basketball: J’Neal Sharpe
Varsity Wrestling: Jeremy Boyd
Boys Indoor Track: Melique Garcia
Indoor Track Assistant: Olivia Skylstad
Girls Indoor Track: Jodi Fowler
Varsity Bowling: Paul Travers
Cheerleading: Paige Martin
16. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Brenda Zawistowski to the position of Student Ambassador Advisor at the Watervliet Elementary School for the 2023–2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board appoint the following ExTRA Club Advisors at the for the 2023–2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Watervliet Elementary School
Art Club: Brenda Zawistowski
Substitute: Kelly Gilchrist
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Substitute: Jaclynne Bishop
Substitute: Margaret Angie
ENL Study Tables: Madeline Rehm
Art Club: Brittany Ableman
18. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Araela VanWagner to the position of Records Management Officer for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
VIII. Business Items
19. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the months of July and August 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. 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. #005
$45,875.80 - Duncan & Cahill, Inc.
Payment App. #004
$201,972.28 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App. #001
$44,113.49
WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #024
$22,164.35 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App. #015
$52,167.34
21. Resolved that the Board approve the establishment of a new Just Run Club for students at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 7, 2023, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the establishment of an After-School Junior High School Band for students in grades 6-8 at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective September 7, 2023, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Contract between the Watervliet City School District and Crossroads Center for Children to provide Special Education Services for a Student, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Instruction Contract, 2023– 2024 School Year between the Watervliet City School District and the Menands Union Free School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board approve the Cooperative Bidding Cafeteria Commodities for Use in the Regional Food Service Management Program resolution for the 2023-2024 school year, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Resolved that the Board approve the 2023-24 School Tax Warrant for the total amount of $7,588,057.02, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
27. Resolved that the Board approve the following Tax Rates for the collection of 2023-24 School Taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- City of Watervliet: 16.6430
- Town of Colonie (Mannsville): 22.6790
28. RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District that Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), issued pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, and containing legal minimum retention periods for local government records, is hereby adopted for use by all officers in legally disposing of valueless records listed therein.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Article 57-A:
(a) only those records will be disposed of that are described in Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), after they have met the minimum retention periods described therein;
(b) only those records will be disposed of that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal, legal, or historical value to merit retention beyond established legal minimum periods.
IX. Other Items
29. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting August 8, 2023, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
30. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 8 and August 10, 2023, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
31. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held July 26 and August 22, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
32. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling request of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student ID 900014631 – grade 1
- Student ID 900014420 – grade 1
33. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher/Observer request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Grace Wayland-Smith
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Sharon Foglia
Dates: Fall 2023 Semester
Name(s): Shyda Gay
Role: Social Worker Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Alison Santiago
Dates: Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Semesters
34. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Athletic Handbook 2023-2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.