Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
December 10, 2024
6 p.m.
Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
President Mary Beth Whited
II. Attendance
Mary Beth Whited, President
Brian White, Vice President
Heather Soroka
Victoria Donnelly
Kyle Daniels
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
III. Student Council Rep.
LaJay York
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
V. 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.
VI. Reports/Comments
2023-2024 NYS Testing Data Presentation (Regents Data) Kelly Webster
Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School Presentation Jessie Williams
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
Second Reading of New Policies:
- Educational Services for Married/Pregnant Students
- Implementing Title IX
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Equal Education Opportunities
VII. Board of Education Discussion
VIII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Janice Hamilton from the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 11, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Bridan Sharpe from the position of Full-Time Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective November 28, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board approve the revised appointment of John Bolt from the position of Junior Varsity Assistant Football Coach to the position of Modified Football Coach, for the Fall 2024 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Alex Acosta to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $17.00/hour, effective December 2, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Bianca Smart to the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, at a rate of $17.00/hour, effective December 2, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent
6. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Tina Shufelt to the position of Long-Term Substitute Kindergarten Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective December 30, 2024, at a rate of $200.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Jessica Grogan to the position of ExTRA Club Homework Help Club Substitute Advisor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 18, 2024, at the current contractual rate, as recommended by the Superintendent.
8. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches for the 2024– 2025 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:
Girls’ Indoor Track Co-Coach: Olivia Skylstad (50% stipend)
Girls’ Indoor Track Co-Coach: Lena Bond (50% stipend)
Volunteer Varsity Assistant Basketball: Joshua Kiefer
9. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #7).
IX. Business Items
10. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of November 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
11. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of October 2024, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
12. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- Colonie Mechanical Contractors
Invoice #Q18451
$3,650.00
13. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Corrective Action Plan, prepared and submitted by Keith Heid, School Business Manager, in response to the Watervliet City School District’s Independent Audit Report for the period ended June 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Instruction Contract, 2024 – 2025 School Year between the Watervliet City School District and the Menands Union Free School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
X. Other Items
15. Resolved that the Board adopt the following new/revised policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Educational Services for Married/Pregnant Students
- Implementing Title IX
- Equal Education Opportunities
16. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held November 12, 2024, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 30, October 31, November 1, November 6, November 13, November 14, November 15, November 18, November 19, November 21, November 22, and November 25, 2024, submitted by Molly McGrath, Veronica Wilson, Rebecca Haws, and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
18. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 31 and November 13, 2024, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve the home-schooling requests of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student ID 900015133 – grade 4
20. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Observer/Volunteer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Zoie Wass
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Professional: Samantha Walsh
Dates: Spring Semester 2025 - Name(s): Arisha Khawaja
Role: Student Volunteer
Cooperating Professional: Suzanne Vogel
Dates: December 2024 – February 2025 - Name(s): Madalyn Moran
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Professional: Kara Cunningham
Dates: December 11, 13, 18 & 20, 2024