Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: December 14, 2017
Type of meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting opened: 6:03 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 6:03 p.m., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Comments From the Floor
Patrick Ethier, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- The “Selfie Contest” raised over $300.00 for the American Cancer Society
- Happy Holidays to everyone.
Old Business
There was no old business to be discussed.
Board, Staff and Student Reports
Leadership through Modeling Positive Behaviors Presentation by David Wareing, Jennifer McNeff and Student Ambassadors
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board deleted the following policies from the Policy Manual because they are either obsolete, unnecessary, or included within other existing policies, as recommended by the Erie 1 BOCES Policy Service:
- #2310 Membership in Associations
- #3250 Parent-Teacher Associations
- #3430 Uniform Violent and Disruptive Incident Reporting System
- #5340 Borrowing of Funds
- #8120 Request for Part 1 — Variance
- #8310 Purposes of Instructional Materials
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 November 9, 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 31, November 14, November 15, November 20 and November 21, 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 November 15, 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 #10 and #11).
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of October 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 Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Victoria Shufelt to the position of Volunteer Girls’ Basketball Coach for the 2017 – 2018 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following resolution, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WHEREAS, Kimberly Munhall, a Clerk Typist employed by the Watervliet City School District, has been continuously absent from and unable to perform the duties of her position for more than a year due to a disability; and WHEREAS, under these circumstances, Section 73 of the N.Y. State Civil Service Law authorizes a public employer to terminate the employment of an employee; and
WHEREAS, the District has notified said employee of its intention to separate her from employment with the District under Section 73 of the Civil Service Law, and has offered her the opportunity for an informal hearing to contest this proposed action; and
WHEREAS, said employee has chosen not to appear at the scheduled meeting to contest the proposed action, and has not otherwise notified the District of any objection to it; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of Schools has recommended that the employment of said employee be terminated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District as follows:
- Section 1. The Board of Education determines that Kimberly Munhall has been continuously absent from and unable to perform the duties of her position for more than a year due to a disability.
- Section 2. The employment of Kimberly Munhall with the District is terminated, effective immediately, in accordance with Section 73 of the Civil Service Law.
- Section 3. This action is subject to any rights that this employee may have under Section 73 of the Civil Service Law.
- Section 4. The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to notify this employee of this resolution, and to take such other actions as may be necessary and proper to implement this resolution.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Dennis Lane to the position of Health Coordinator for the 2017 – 2018 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Rosemary Rodriguez-Sharpe from the position of Cafeteria Aide at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 12, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Joell Morman from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective January 5, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the revised retirement request of Kelly Creaser from the position of Guidance Counselor at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective January 31, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the maternity leave request for Stephanie Maes, effective March 29, 2018 through the remainder of the 2017 – 2018 school year, 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 Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Rosemary Rodriguez-Sharpe to the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning November 13, 2017, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The
probationary period shall expire on November 13, 2021.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Michelle Sentmier to the position of Cafeteria Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning December 18, 2017 and ending December 11, 2018, at an hourly rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Ashley Phillips to the position of Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher (Grade 7), at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, for a period beginning December 18, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appoint 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
- Substitute – Lisa Suders
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Jeff Muller to serve as Student Teacher/Intern in Peter Strand’s Physical Education classes at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School from January 16, 2018 through March 9, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the purchase of a new book entitled Refugee by Alan Gratz for use in Mrs. Scotland’s self-contained English Class at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of damaged/obsolete computers, monitors, printers, etc. from the Watervliet City School District, as listed in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of one outdated Hatch Computer (Serial Number 50211-569-00072) and Accompanying Desk from the Watervliet City School District UPK Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of one obsolete Electrolux Cooler (Tag Number 501106) and one Food Grinder from the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School Cafeteria, as recommended by the
Superintendent.On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of dictionaries for all 3rd grade students at the Watervliet Elementary School by the Watervliet Elks, 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 30 Thanksgiving Day Baskets from CAPCOM, to the feed families of students in the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, a donation from the Fidelis Cares BP Program, in partnership with CBS6, in the amount of $8,000.00, to fund the Food is Fuel Program 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 November 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: - Mr. Shellenberger and I attended the CAPSBA meeting last week. WCSD will be hosting CAPSBA’s next event on February 1, 2018.
- Emergency drills were held in both buildings this week.
- An audit of student immunization records was conducted this week. Ms. Melucci, Mrs. Yanni and Mr. Groat were instrumental in assisting with the audit, as well as development of the corrective action plan.
- Happy Holidays to everyone!
Michael Hartkern – 5 Manor Place, Watervliet, NY 12189 – asked if the Food is Fuel backpacks would be provided over the break. Mrs. Lewinter responded, noting that backpacks will not go home during the break, but they will be distributed the Thursday prior to the break.
Mrs. Lewinter shared the following:
- The pajama drive was a huge success. One hundred thirty-seven students will be provided with pajamas and a book. They are wrapped, labeled and ready to go. An additional 65 pairs were collected and will be donated.
- The positive behavior reward program is off to a great start. Sixty-one referrals have gone out
- I am very excited to be back to work full time.
Mr. Groat noted that the emergency drill went well today. Lots of great feedback and suggestions for the next drill were received.
Mrs. Yanni gave a “shout-out” to Star and Strand for adopting families from our community every year.
Mr. Foust shared the following:
- Five out of six of the fall teams were scholar athlete teams.
- The boys wrestling team won the Matt Mania tournament in Glens Falls. They are wrestling tonight, at home, against Ichabod Crane.
- The indoor track team had their first meet last week.
- The boys basketball team is undefeated.
- The girls basketball team is off to a great start.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:38 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.