Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: September 14, 2017
Type of meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting opened: 6:01 P.M.
Where: Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School
Board members present: President, Sheri Senecal; Vice President, Heather Soroka; Jeffrey Shellenberger; Mary Beth Whited
Board members absent: Steven Hoffman
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
The meeting was opened at 6:01 p.m., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Comments From the Floor
There were no comments from the floor.
Old Business
There was no old business to be discussed.
Board, Staff and Student Reports
- WCSD Summer Programs 2017 Presentation by Donald Stevens & Janelle Yanni
- Special Education Presentation by Janelle Yanni
- WCSD Cafeteria End of the Year Report Presentation by Darryl Whited
- Second Reading of Revised Policies: Non-Resident Students (Admission of)
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following Policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Non-Resident Students (Admission of)
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 10, 2017, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held August 16, 2017, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June 2017, 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 Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Pioneer Savings Bank, for the collection of school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the designation of Stephanie Villa, Manager of the Watervliet branch of Pioneer Savings Bank, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the designation of Jennifer Rosario, Watervliet branch of Pioneer Savings Bank, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2017/18 Tax Warrant, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following as cafeteria suppliers for the 2017 – 2018 school year, submitted by Darryl Whited, Food Service Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Ginsberg’s Food Distributor
- Sycaway Creamery
- Bimbo Bakeries
- Hill & Markes
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Gregg Schnapp from the position of Maintenance Laborer at the Watervliet Jr. /Sr. High School, effective August 18, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Suzanne Bradley from the position of Nurse at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective August 31, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Rachel Abate-Comini from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Angela Wareing from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective September 1, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Michelle Albertine from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective September 1, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Ashleigh McCoy to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher (Grade 3), at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised maternity leave request for Loida Lewinter, effective July 31, 2017 through October 9, 2017, to return to work on October 10, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the maternity leave request for Ashleigh Fraley, effective December 22, 2017, to return to work at the start of the 2018 – 2019 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the voluntary transfer of Chase Frament from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner to the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 21, 2017, and continuing his current probationary term, at an hourly rate of $10.35, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Donald Ploof to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 21, 2017 at an hourly rate of $10.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Gretchen Roesch to the position of AIS Reading Teacher, in the tenure area of Reading, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2017, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 2021, unless extended in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Margaret Hyland to the position of School Nurse, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2017, at a salary of $32,000, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on March 5, 2018.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Victoria Frisbee to the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2017, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 2021.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Laura Morton to the position of Long-Term Substitute Reading Specialist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a period beginning September 29, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following teaching overages for the 2017 – 2018 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 5, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Natalie Spence – +.2
- Rebecca Young – +.2
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Peter Strand to the position of Modified Girls’ Volleyball Coach for the 2017 – 2018 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2017– 2018 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:
- Junior Varsity Girls’ Volleyball: Peter Strand
Coaching Winter:
- Volunteer Girls’ Basketball: Nick Tambolleo
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School Department Chairs and Club/Class Advisors for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Clubs/Class Advisors:
- Co-Advisor National Junior Honor Society: Lisa Suders
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Theresa Pelton to the position of Apex Program English Teacher for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at an hourly rate per contract, for two hours per week, for up to 40 weeks, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Camelia Sofrone to the position of Apex Program Math Teacher for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at an hourly rate per contract, for two hours per week, for up to 40 weeks, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following ExTRA Grant Positions for the 2017 – 2018 school year, for three hours per week, at an hourly rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Watervliet Elementary School
- Homework Help – Joelle Bird and Kaleigh McGrouty
- Robotics/Stem Club – Kaleigh McGrouty and Lauryn Lloyd
- Drama Club Director – Ashley Becker
- Art Club – Brenda Zawistowski
- Substitutes – Michele DeGuire, AnnaMarie Magyar, Adrienne Todd
Watervliet Junior/Senior High School
- Homework Help – Jackie Bishop and Ashley Becker
- Robotics/Stem Club – Matt Saucier and Joe Facin
- Drama Club Director – Ashley Becker
- Drama Club Assistant – Hillary Brochu
- Art Club – Annemarie Gleason
- Substitutes – Vicky Helenek and Donna Belokopitsky
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Christa Farruggio to the position of Pivot Program Teacher, Grade 9, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2017 through June 30, 2018, at an hourly rate per the Pivot Program Grant.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Victoria Frisbee to the position of Pivot Program Teacher, Grade 9, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2017 through June 30, 2018, at an hourly rate per the Pivot Program Grant.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Special Education Plan 2017 – 2018 for the Watervliet City School District, submitted by Janelle Yanni, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Dominic and Jennifer Sunukjian for their children, Mary Sunukjian, Grade 8; Sophia Sunukjian, Grade 7; Samuel Sunukjian, Grade 4; and Rebekah Sunukjian, Grade 3, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Toni Ayala for her children, Alesia Ayala, Grade 1 and Lucas Rieara, Grade K, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of the following broken/irreparable/outdated equipment, software and textbooks, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Five projector carts;
- Ten overhead projectors;
- Approximately 200 Math 7 and 8 textbooks (Holt); and
- Pre-Common Core math software/manuals for algebra, geometry and trigonometry).
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the purchase of a new textbook entitled Electricity and Electronics (ISBN-987-1-59070-883-5), for the Electricity and Electronics Engineering Course, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the purchase of a new textbook entitled Introduction to Hospitality Industry (8th Ed.) (ISBN-9780470399743), for the Business Department’s new Introduction to the Hospitality Industry Course, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $62,616.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of a Tote Full of School Supplies from Michelle Fernandez, on behalf of The Watervliet Public Library to be used by Watervliet City School District students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of August 2017, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business to be discussed.
Comments from the floor
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Thank you to everyone for a seamless start to the school year.
- A recently-passed bill now requires five year old residents of the district to attend Kindergarten.
- As part of the Smart Schools Bond Act, cameras at WJSHS have all been upgraded and cameras have been installed at WES.
- The Kids Count! Dinner is Saturday night, honoring Meg Fronzcek, Jack Weaver and Andy Ethier.
- Congratulations to Molly McGrath on her new position in Schenectady. She will be missed.
Kelly Gilchrist noted the following: - She is happy to be back on the PTA Board this year. They are close to reaching the state set membership goals.
- Welcome Back Night is tomorrow 6 – 8 p.m. on the Softball Field.
Mr. Foust shared the following: - Fall sports are up and running.
- Thank you to the Board of Education for bringing teams back. It is great to see so many students in uniform.
- The Homecoming game is September 22.
- There will be a pep rally in school on the 22nd
- Next week is spirit week.
Mr. Stevens noted that there are two Meet the Teacher nights next week: - Grades Pre-K – 2, Tuesday
- Grades 3-6, Wednesday
Mr. Groat shared the following: - It was great to see such a seamless start to school year and to see the sports programs up and running.
- Giving students a voice in some of the procedures in place has been very positive.
- Enrollment is up.
- The Special Education review has been positive. Students are getting the right fit, as a result.
- Lunch lines are long, which is a great sign.
Mrs. Webster noted that the transition for 6th graders entering 7th grade has been seamless. It will be a great school year.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board
Note: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.