Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: November 9, 2017
Type of meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting opened: 6:02 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School
Board members present: President, Sheri Senecal; Vice President, Heather Soroka; Jeffrey Shellenberger; Mary Beth Whited; Steven Hoffman
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student council rep.: Patrick Ethier
The meeting was opened at 6:02 p.m., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Comments From the Floor
Shawn Smeltzer – 2322 12th Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 – thanked the district, Ms. DeMento, Mr. Whited, kitchen staff and students for their assistance with the Fidelis-sponsored cooking program. Mr. Smeltzer also thanked Mrs. Ferris and the staff and volunteers for their support with the Backpack Heroes program, noting that Fidelis said it was the most organized and had more volunteers than any other event.
Old Business
There was no old business to be discussed.
Board, Staff and Student Reports
Student Support Team Presentation Ryan Groat, Kelly Webster & Michael Foust
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held October 12, 2017, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 6, October 12, October 20, October 24 and October 27, 2017, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held October 18, 2017, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #6, #7, #8, and #9).
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 August 2017 and September 2017, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
Discussion: Mr. Hoffman asked about a $20,000.00 check to Civil Service and the amount paid to charter schools. Mr. Heid addressed Mr. Hoffman’s questions, noting that the check to Civil Service was for employees participating in the Empire Plan, and confirming that number of residents attending charter schools and associated costs are correct.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the External Auditor’s Annual Report for the period July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017, submitted by Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte CPAs, P.C., as recommended by the Superintendent.
Discussion: Mr. Hoffman asked the findings related to the Extra Classroom Fund. Mr. Heid noted that simple accounting is utilized for this account.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following individuals to the Audit Committee for the 2017 – 2018 Fiscal Year, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Andy Ethier
- Michael Hartkern
- Christine Sutherland
- Mary Beth Whited
- Jeffrey Shellenberger
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request to change to the tenure area of Theresa Pelton to the area of English effective immediately, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Alissa Melucci to the position of School Nurse, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning November 27, 2017, at a prorated salary of $ $24,375.00, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on May 27, 2018.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Emily Constable to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning November 13, 2017 and ending November 13, 2018, at an hourly of $9.70, as recommended by the
Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 4-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent (abstained: Steven Hoffman):
Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School
- Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Track: William McNeff
- Volunteer Assistant Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Track: Nick Yatrakis
- Volunteer Girls’ Basketball: Victoria Shufelt
- Volunteer Boys’ Basketball: Ryan Donlon
- Volunteer Boys’ Basketball: James Chestnut, Jr.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman 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 Jr./Sr. High School
Substitutes – Stephanie Bundas, Megan Matuszek, Mary Vogt, and Chelsie Clickner
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Jeffrey Shellenberger and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of two tablets, two exercise balls and a box of 12 fidget spinners from David Capitula, to be used in special education classrooms 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 accepted, with thanks the donation of $183.00 from David Capitula, to the Food is Fuel program, to fund one school-years’ worth of bagged food, on a weekly basis, for one student at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of October 2017, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business to be discussed.
Comments From the Floor
Patrick Ethier, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- Picture makeup day was held, so all class and staff pictures should have been taken.
- A “Selfie Contest” is underway. For a $5.00 donation, you can enter the contest. For a $1.00 donation, you can vote on your favorite photo. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
- A food drive is being held December 4 – December 20, 2017.
- National Honor Society and Student Council Members are working with Bill Sheehy to assist with the Backpack Program.
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Thank you to the administrative team and Ms. DeMento for their efforts with the professional development on November 7.
- Several staff members accompanied me to the Urban Educator’s Conference on November 7. Copies of the book “For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too: Reality Pedagogy and Urban Education” are available for staff to borrow.
- Traveled to Ballston Spa last week to look at the district’s Parsons-run mental health clinic.
- We hope to house a health clinic on the WJSHS campus next year. The clinic would be open to students in grades pre-K through 12.
- We are currently working on a P-Tech grant – a program that would allow 9th graders earn an Associate’s degree upon graduation.
- Students were interviewed and selected for my Superintendent’s Cabinet. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, November 14.
- Thank you to Mr. Emerson, Mr. Dievendorf and Mr. Heid for their efforts thus far in contract negotiations.
Mr. Wareing noted that the Books for Bingo event will be held next Friday, November 17, 2017.
Kelly Gilchrist expressed appreciation to the district for once again allowing the Relay for Life event to be held at WJSHS. The event will be held June 9, 2018 and it will be a Disney-inspired theme.
Ms. DeMento noted that the spring 2018 musical will be held on the weekend of March 10 and 11. This year’s production will be The Little Mermaid.
Mr. Stevens noted that the Read-A-Thon to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities is going on throughout the month of November at WES.
Brenda Zawistowski – WES PTA – thanked Dr. Caplan, Mrs. Soroka, and Mrs. Whited for joining the PTA.
Mrs. Senecal thanked the PTA for the Halloween dance, which was very well-attended.
Mrs. Webster thanked Dr. Caplan, Mrs. Soroka, Mrs. Senecal and Mrs. Whited for attending the Mix-it-Up lunch.
Mr. Foust shared the following:
- We are currently transitioning into the winter sports season, including basketball, wrestling and indoor track.
- Section II sectional nights were successfully hosted at WJSHS.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7 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.