Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
September 9, 2021
6 P.M.
Virtual Meeting
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
President Amanda Cavanaugh
II. Attendance
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent Dr. Lori S. Caplan
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
Watervliet 2021 Extended School Year Presentation Sarah Horaczek
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
- Second Reading of New Policies:
- Password Policy
- Wireless Device Policy
- Second Reading of New Policies:
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- Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Confidentiality of Computerized Information
- Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy
- Use of Email in the School District
- Staff Use of Computerized Information Resources
- Smoking, Tobacco and Cannibis (Marijuana) Use
- Second Reading of Revised Policies:
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VI. Board of Education Discussion
VIII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Janice Fiacco, from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 27, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Jordan Peluso to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 3, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Leah Karn to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 5, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Donna Marziani, from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 19, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Ricardo Domena, from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 23, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent. 6.
6. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Robin Nichols from the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board approve the leave request for Kristin Lofink, effective September 1, 2021 through the 2021–2022 school year, to return to work at the start of the 2022–2023 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
8. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Carmen Diaz to the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction, in the tenure area of Administration, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning October 18, 2021, at a Step 1 Principal salary, per contract. The probationary period shall expire on October 18, 2025, contingent upon satisfactory compliance with Education Law Sections 3012 and/or 3012-d. Carmen Diaz holds a certification as School District Leader (certificate #1517326211).
9. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Gina DeCianni to the position of Elementary ENL Teacher, in the tenure area of ENL, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 1, 2021, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 1, 2025, 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. Gina DeCianni holds an English to Speakers of Other Languages, supplementary certification, (certificate #1440245201).
10. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Nicholas Rivera to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 1, 2021, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 1, 2025, pending receipt of NYS certification, and 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.
11. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Robin Fryer to the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $18.50 per hour, effective August 27, 2021, pending fingerprint clearance, as recommended by the Superintendent.
12. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Sasha Morales-Carrington to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 7, 2021 and ending September 7, 2022, pending fingerprint clearance, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Michele Mossey-Valenti to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 7, 2021 and ending September 7, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Deboarah Lutz to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 7, 2021 and ending September 7, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
15. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Misty Meacham to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 1, 2021 and ending September 1, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
16. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Jordan Peluso to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 3, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Leah Karn to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 5, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
18. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Victoria Mangold to the position of Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2021, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Donna Cusack to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 3, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 21, 2021, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Jacob Hardy to the position of Long-Term Substitute Physical Education Teacher at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective August 30, 2021, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent
21. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Dylan Lukowski to the position of Long-Term Substitute ELA Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 30, 2021, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Sarah Horaczek as Title IX Compliance Officer for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board approve the following teaching overage for the 2021–2022 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 7, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Ralph Carotenuto (+.2)
24. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2021–2022 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 Volleyball: Dan Short
Varsity Assistant Football: Gabriel Smith
Varsity Assistant Football: Marcus Hepp
Varsity Assistant Football: Zackery Deering
Volunteer Varsity Football: Justin Morris
Volunteer Varsity Football: Rodney Dukes
Volunteer Varsity Football: Corey Viscosi
Volunteer Varsity Football: William Ronan
Volunteer Varsity Football: Nathaniel Conlen
Volunteer Varsity Football: Wayne Hansbury, Jr.
Modified Assistant Football: Melique Garcia
Volunteer Cheerleading: Meaghan Hogan
25. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #1).
X. Business Items
26. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of August 2021, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
27. Resolved that the Board approve the attached 2021 – 2022 Tax Warrant, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- Barton & Loguidice
Invoice 2327.001.002
$2,632.04 - CSArch (A/E)
Invoice # 3430
$9,232.58 - CSArch (CM)
Invoice #3431
$20,273.54 - DLC Electric
LLC Payment App #004
$113,026.25 - Gallo Construction
Payment App #004
$277,577.75 - General Roofing Contractors
Payment App #003
$232,526.25 - R.F. Gorgon Mechanical
LLC Payment App #003
$437,726.83
29. Resolved that the Board approve the Day Service Tuition Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and LaSalle School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
30. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement for Services between the Watervliet City School District and Wildwood Programs, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
31. Resolved that the Board approve the revised Memorandum of Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
XI. Other Items
32. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 12, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 4, August 5, August 10, August 11, August 20 and August 25, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 9 and August 20, 2021, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
35. Resolved that the Board adopt the following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Password Policy
- Wireless Device Policy
- Confidentiality of Computerized Information
- Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy
- Use of Email in the School District
- Staff Use of Computerized Information Resources
- Smoking, Tobacco and Cannibis (Marijuana) Use
36. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached revised COVID-19 Layered Mitigation Protocols: 2021-2022 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
37. Resolved that the Board approve the following home schooling requests for the 2021–2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Student: Za’kyi Burks
Grade: 3
Parent/Guardian: Le’Gena Burks
Student: Danielle Netto
Grade: 10 Stephanie Epperson
Student: Gabrielle Epperson Hasan
Grade 2:
Parent/Guardian: Stephanie Epperson
38. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Vanessa Fulmore
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: 2021 Fall Semester - Name(s): Dionna Taccetta
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Kara Cunningham
Dates: 2021 Fall Semester
39. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Athletic Handbook 2021–2022 for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
40. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $46,674.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
41. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the donation of various school supplies, from Meaghan Rooney, to be given to Watervliet Elementary students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
42. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the monetary donation from Kathy McGlone, to the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
43. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the donation of masks and hand sanitizers, from Capital District Physicians Health Plan, to the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
44. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the donation of school supplies, from Patricia Waterbury, to be given to Watervliet Elementary students in need, 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.