Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: April 22, 2021 Board Meeting
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 PM
Where: Livestream
Board Members Present:
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student Council Rep: Elle Garci
The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
2021-22 Proposed Budget Presentation Keith Heid
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Caplan asked Mr. Stevens to provide a report.
Mr. Stevens shared the following:
• We worked with Whitney Young to hold a vaccination clinic for students ages 16+. We vaccinated over 70 students. They will come back on May 5 for their second dose.
• Whitney Young will also provide COVID testing for students attending prom, as a negative test is required to attend.
• We owe Whitney Young a lot of gratitude for their help this past year.
• We received guidance from the Department of Health regarding graduations and proms.
• We are planning and throwing out ideas for the re-opening plan for September.
• Sixth grade will be moved to WJSHS permanently in September. There have been a lot of positives to having them here. P-Tech will be moving to HVCC next year, so additional rooms will be available to accommodate them.
• Sixth graders will be able to take a foreign language, which is a big positive.
• Today we posted summer school enrichment positions.
Mr. Wareing shared the following:
• There are ten days left to the Fall II season. There will be an overlap, as Spring sports start on Monday.
• We are looking to increase participation numbers.
• A modified sport team will be offered for spring.
• We are starting to plan for summer camps.
Dr. Caplan asked if 6th grade students can play modified sports.
Mr. Wareing noted that they cannot play modified sports, but there will be workout opportunities.
Mr. Groat provided the following updates:
- Prom is scheduled for May 14, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. So far, 44 students plan on attending. Due to CDC guidelines, we will not do our traditional walk-through. Instead, students will arrive on a red carpet event. The Black Bear will be catering the event, buffet-style. Coccadotts will be providing dessert. There will be a comedian or an illusionist, to entertain students during dinner. There will be prom king/queen/court, as well as trivia with prizes geared toward college gear. The advisors have put in a lot of effort.
Mrs. Whited asked if students will have to show a negative COVID test?
Mr. Groat responded that they will be working with the Department of Health to make sure that all students are tested so they are able to participate.
Mr. Stevens clarified that by the time students have received their second vaccine, there won’t be enough time before prom for them to be fully vaccinated. So, whether or not they are vaccinated, they will need a negative test.
- COVID caused big changes on how graduation took place. Last year went well and everyone enjoyed it, but it was a very long event. We were hopeful that the guidelines would change. As of now, we are leaning toward the event we had last year.
Mrs. Soroka asked if we held graduation like we did last year, which was indoors, would COVID testing be required.
Mr. Groat responded testing would not be required because the guidance requires it when you have over 200 people. Last year we were indoors, but we staged everyone and only had 10 cars at a time, moving them in and out. This allowed for social distancing and we never exceeded the numbers.
Mr. Stevens added that anything over 200 requires a vaccination. When you consider 100 graduates and then the number of staff, there is little room for anyone else.
Mrs. Cavanaugh asked how students feel about the graduation plan.
Mr. Groat responded that the students were hoping to have something outside, but since we have that guidance, and not being able to include as many people as we would along with the fact that students can’t get together as they’d like to, it works out best.
Mrs. Cavanaugh stated that she’s thinking about ways to make it more special, such as an ice cream truck.
Mr. Groat added that the kids have lost out on a lot and they are going to do whatever it takes to make the day special for them.
Mr. Stevens added that we are in-person, so there will be opportunities to gather a good majority of the in-person seniors together. So, while it might not on graduation, we will have a plan in place for that last week of school, to give them lots of opportunities.
Dr. Caplan congratulated Mrs. Soroka for achieving Level III Board Mastery through NYSSBA. She also thanked Whitney Young for being an invaluable partner throughout the pandemic and asked for five minutes at the end of the meeting, prior to adjournment.
B. Student Council Report
Elle Garci shared the following:
- Happy Earth Day to everyone.
- Some of our students will be attending the Youth Congress on Climate Justice, which is part of the Sustainable Futures Conference. It will be taking place April 27-28 from 2:30-4:30 or 7:00-9:00. The conference will give us real-world ways to do our part.
- On Wednesday, April 28, Student Council Representatives will be meeting with Mr. Whited and Mr. Bush to discuss food services in Watervliet.
C. Committee Reports
i. Audit Committee
There was no Audit Committee report.
ii. Policy Committee
Mrs. Soroka stated that the Committee met in March, and she shared policies they reviewed with the Board via e-mail. The next meeting will be held in the next week or two.
First Reading of New/Revised Policies:
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Remote Working
Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy
Immunization of Students
Child Abuse and Maltreatment
Suicide
Dignity for all Students
Independent Educational Evaluations
Safety Conditions and Prevention Instruction
Patriotism, Citizenship and Human Rights Education
Sexual Harassment of Students
Gender Neutral Single-Occupancy Bathrooms
Charter Schools
Code of Conduct
Probation and Tenure
Entitlement to Attend – Age and Residency
First Reading of New / Revised Policies (cont’d):
Participation in Graduation Ceremonies and Activities
Student Records: Access and Challenge
Designation of Person in Parental Relation
Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Students)
Extracurricular Activities
Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
iii. SAVE Committee
There was no SAVE Committee report.
Board of Education Discussion
There was no Board of Education Discussion.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Stephanie Sutton, in the area of Social Studies, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Gina Smith, in the area of Special Education, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Adrienne Todd, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Courtney Ricci, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Carissa Zuniga, in the area of English as a New Language, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Sarah Hulslander, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Mrs. Cavanaugh, on behalf of the entire Board of Education, expressed appreciation and congratulations to all teachers receiving tenure.
Dr. Caplan echoed Mrs. Cavanaugh’s sentiments and congratulated those employees.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Shawn Lawson, from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective February 21, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the leave request for Kelly McCall, 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.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the transfer of Christine DeMento from the position of Cafeteria Supervisor to the position of Cafeteria Worker, effective March 8, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the transfer of Heather Swinney from the position of Cafeteria Worker to the position of Cafeteria Supervisor, effective March 8, 2021, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Paula Weaver to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective April 13, 2021, at a rate of $12.50 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Sheri Senecal and accepted 4-0 (Heather Soroka abstained), the Board approved the appointment the following Coaches for the 2020– 2021 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a pro-rated rate for a shortened season, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Varsity Softball: Michael Bendon
Modified Softball: Beth Jones
Volunteer Softball: John Jones
Varsity Baseball: Pete Soroka
Modified Baseball: Dennis Lane
Volunteer Baseball: James Griffin, Mark Cady, Sr., Dan Ciaramella
Varsity Boys’ Outdoor Track and Field: Melique Garcia
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved an additional seventeen (17) work days per person during the summer for David Olszewski, Kate McAvoy and Chelsie Clickner, Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Guidance Counselors, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved an additional six (6) work days during the summer for Kelly Bariteau, Watervliet Elementary School Guidance Counselor, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #7).
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of February 2021, 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 Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of February 2021, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2021 Property Tax Report Card, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Bid Results, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
$10,000,000 TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES – 2021
- Interest Rate
BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC 0.2717% - Other Bids
Piper Sandler & Co. 0.3320%
Oppenheimer & Co. 0.3377%
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Bernadette Boardman, Danielle Jones and Roni O’Brien as Election Registrars for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board designated Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School as the Registration location on April 14 and May 3, 2021 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Judy Ethier as District Election Supervisor on April 22, 2021 at a pay rate of $300.00 per assignment, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Memorandum of Agreement between the Watervliet Teachers Association and the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board Approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Transfinder Corporation, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement with Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES On-line Application System for Educators (OLAS), as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held March 11 and April 6, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 2, March 3, March 4, March 8, March 9, March 10, March 16, March 18, March 23, March 24, March 25, March 30 and March 31, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held March 17, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Nicholas Rivera
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Jeanne Lance
Dates: Spring 2021 Semester
For the next agenda item, the following discussion took place:
Mr. Delisle asked if the budget can be adjusted after the vote if they decide to move funds.
Mr. Heid responded that funds can be moved between appropriation codes, but the budget amount cannot be changed.
Mrs. Whited asked about the BOCES shared Food Services program, noting that it was a one-year trial.
Dr. Caplan responded that the shared service works. She stated that administration feels that they would like the service one day per week in each building. They feel communication has improved, the food has improved, the presence of the food service staff has improved, and the students have been very satisfied, and there needs to be oversight of the food service manager.
Mrs. Whited noted that in other districts, the Food Service Manager reports to a district administrator. She added that the additional cost of the service is nearly the Food Service Manager’s salary, while there have been little changes to the food/recipes/menu.
Dr. Caplan noted that they are voting on a $30 million budget and it might be best to have an offline meeting with BOCES Food Services staff to discuss the matter further.
Mrs. Whited agreed to have a meeting offline.
Mr. Delisle noted that was one of the reasons he asked his question.
Dr. Caplan stated that she would set up a meeting with Jeff Bradt so he can answer any questions the Board has.
Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that they would move forward with the vote and follow up with the conversation.
Mrs. Senecal noted that she had questions that she had sent in regarding BOCES services and what the benefits are to it.
Dr. Caplan noted how the aid is given to the districts from the state and that it is one number.
Heather Soroka thanked everyone who worked so hard on the budget, noting that she was happy that we were able to maintain people and programs.
Mr. Heid responded that it was nice to add programs and services to the budget.
Mrs. Senecal noted that she looks forward to some of the great changes that will take place as a result of the budget.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the tentative 2021 – 2022 School District Budget in the amount of $30,463,000.00, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Amanda Cavanaugh thanked everyone who worked on the budget, noting her appreciation for Assembly Member McDonald for providing us the state aid that we need.
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the retirement request of Dr. Lori Caplan, from the position of Superintendent of Schools, effective October 31, 2021.
Dr. Caplan congratulated teachers earning tenure this evening.
Mrs. Webster congratulated Dr. Caplan on her retirement. She congratulated all of the teachers earning tenure this evening, noting that they worked very hard and she looks forward to a continued partnership.
Mr. Groat echoed Mrs. Webster’s sentiments, congratulating Mrs. Sutton on earning tenure and on the birth of her first child.
Dr. Caplan thanked Mark Scully for giving her a chance at leading the district and Mrs. Cavanaugh for her leadership during this difficult year. She thanked the entire Board for their support. Dr. Caplan then read her retirement letter into the record.
Board Discussion
Amanda Cavanaugh congratulated Dr. Caplan, noting that she will be leaving the place better than she found it.
Mrs. Senecal thanked Dr. Caplan for her time and for all of the elements she brought to the job, the people she has brought on and the time she has given to students and staff.
Mr. Delisle added that, while he is new here, Dr. Caplan has done a tremendous job and thanked her.
Mary Beth Whited thanked her as a parent of one of her former students, noting that she has made a lasting impression on students.
Adjournment
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Sheri Senecal, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board