Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: January 13, 2022
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:19 p.m.
Where: Virtual Via Zoom

Board Members Present:

President, Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President, Sheri Senecal
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle

Board Members Absent: Heather Soroka

Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr.

The meeting was opened at 6:19 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.

Public Comment

Bernadette Boardman, Clerk of the Board, thanked everyone who helped her with the Watervliet Housing Authority’s adopt-a-family effort. She noted that forty-one children were adopted this year. In addition, there was a fire in the city, which impacted two families with five of our students. She thanked staff, members of the National Junior Honor Society, members of the board, Mayor Patricelli, Geraldine Ferris, and a generous community member for their support.

Reports/Comments

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Presentation
Ryan Groat, Daniel Mueller, Dan Ciaramella, Madelyn Rehm, Chelsie Clickner, Stephanie Sutton, Scott Emerson and Carmen Diaz

Mrs. Cavanaugh shared her appreciation for all the committee is doing – especially during the pandemic – and thanked them for their presentation this evening.

Mrs. Senecal echoed Mrs. Cavanaugh’s thoughts and thanked the committee for their hard work.

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

• Apologies for the delay in the start of the meeting.
• Thank you to everyone on the Equity Committee for their work on this important effort in our district. Inclusion, equity and diversity are a priority and a part of our vision.
• COVID cases are surging in the community. We need to be very careful. We are committed to providing in-person learning to our students, in a safe environment. We are in a good spot with staffing. We have test kits available for students to take home. COVID isolation/quarantine times have shortened, per Albany County DOH. He also outlined to test-to-stay option, for those who are symptomatic but do not have COVID.
• Thank you to all of our teachers, support staff, nurses, principals, for covering classes, contact-tracing, calling parents, and everything and anything they have had to do to during the past week-and-a-half to make sure we were open and safe.
• This week, we had our American Rescue Plan Act funds approved. We met with architects to discuss what could be added to the project, via use of these funds. Items discussed include additional outdoor storage for equipment, a Suburban to help with truancy, replacement air handlers, electronic signs for each building, and generators. As always, new ideas are always being accepted.
• This week, we started our employee assistance program to provide assistance and support to employees.

Sarah Horaczek stated that the Special Education office had its first parent training last night. About eight families joined to learn about social development and managing stress and anxiety in teens and school-aged children. The next training will be in February and it will focus on helping parents understand the annual review process and IEPs.

Mrs. Cavanaugh asked if it was recorded so she go back and watch it, since she missed it.

Ms. Horaczek stated that slides will be added and the link will be sent out shortly.

B. Student Council Report

There was no Student Council report.

C. Committee Reports

Policy Committee

• First Reading of New / Revised Policies:
  • Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
  • Professional Growth/Staff Development

Board of Education Discussion

There was no Board discussion.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Louisa Vaughan, in the area of Social Work, effective January 22, 2022, 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 Chelsie Clickner, in the area of Guidance, effective February 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Dr. Stevens and Amanda Cavanaugh each congratulated Mrs. Vaughan and Miss Clickner.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Theresa Pelton, from the position of English Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective February 3, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Brenda Zawistowski, from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective January 2, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Brandon Dallas from the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective December 22, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Joshua Veshia to the position of Volunteer Wrestling Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment transfer of Chance Fosmire from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner to the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective January 5, 2022, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Rosie Sharpe to the position of Board and Games Club Advisor for the ExTRA Program for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a stipend of $920.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Leah Pike to the position of Speech Language Pathologist, in the tenure area of Speech, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning January 18, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on January 18, 2026, contingent upon achievement of effective or highly effective APPR ratings necessary to receive tenure throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d. Leah Pike holds a Speech and Language Disabilities certification, (certificate #1427998201).

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Margaret Shaw Angie to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning January 6, 2022, at a Step 6 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on January 6, 2026, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d. Margaret Shaw Angie holds a Teaching Assistant, Level III, certification (certificate #1451109201).

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency provisional appointment of Brenda Zawistowski to the position of Clerk Typist, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, pending civil service examination results, for a one-year probationary period beginning January 3, 2022, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $25,500.00, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Kelly Leach to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning January 10, 2022 and ending January 10, 2023, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coach for the 2021– 2022 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Coaching Winter:

Indoor Track: Ben Valentine

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Alexa Whyte to the position of Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective January 10, 2022, at a pro-rated Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #4).

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the months of November 2021 and December 2021, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of November 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 Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

• Atlantic Testing Lab. Invoice #235968 $511.50
• CSArch – A/E (11/21)
  Invoice #3781
  $23,362.33
• CSArch – A/E (12/21)
  Invoice #3849
  $12,994.21
• CSArch – CM (11/21)
  Invoice #3782
  $45,615.46
• CSArch – CM (12/21)
  Invoice #3850
  $25,341.92
• DLC Electric, LLC
  Payment App #008
  $22,841.53
• Gallo Construction
  Payment App #008
  $4,927.43
• General Roofing Contractors
  Payment App #007
  $171,247.00
• R.F. Gordon Mechanical LLC
  Payment App #007
  $61,315.52

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Corrective Action Plan, prepared and submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, in response to the Watervliet City School District’s Independent Audit Report for the period ended June 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0 (Sheri Senecal abstained), the Board approved the Contract between the Watervliet City School District and Center for Spectrum Services to provide Educational Services, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Healthy Alliance IPA, LLC, submitted by Kirsten DeMento, Data Protection Officer, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Affiliate Agreement with Healthy Alliance IPA, LLC, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board amended the Employment Agreement between Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr. and the Watervliet City School District dated August 12, 2021, and authorizes the Board President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment(s) in accordance therewith.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised request for Sarah Horaczek to take EPl 700 – Organizational Management and Leadership in Education (3) and EPl 661 – Mindfulness in Organizations and Leadership courses at SUNY Albany beginning January 19, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Payment for Unused Sick Leave in the amount of $9,602.88 to Erin Manning upon her retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective November 30, 2021, per Article X of the Watervliet Support Staff Association (WSSA) Agreement, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Payment for Unused Sick Leave in the amount of $4,143.25 to Eileen Reinfurt upon her retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective November 30, 2021, per Article X of the Watervliet Support Staff Association (WSSA) Agreement, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held December 9, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held November 29, December 7, December 8, December 9, December 13, December 14, December 15, December 20 and December 21, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held December 15 and December 17, 2021, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 504 Committee’s recommendations for the meetings held December 15 and December 21, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, 504 Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Simone Hytmiah for her child, Kylie McPherson, Grade K, for the 2021 – 2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of [parents] for their [children] for the 2021–2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of Outdated Technology Equipment, submitted Sarah Horaczek, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher requests at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Name: Hannah Greulich
  Role: Student Teacher/Intern
  Cooperating Teacher(s): TBD
  Dates: 1/19/22 – 5/4/22
• Name: Alyssa Carl
  Role: Student Teacher/Intern
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Nick Yatrakis
  Dates: 1/19/22 – 5/11/22

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following:

Resolved, that pursuant to §1950 of Education Law, the Watervliet City School District is nominating Matt Tedeschi (Westerlo, NY) as a candidate to serve a three year term as a Capital Region BOCES Board Member for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 representing Albany County.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following:

Resolved, that pursuant to §1950 of Education Law, the Watervliet City School District is nominating Heather Soroka (Watervliet, NY) as a candidate to serve a three year term as a Capital Region BOCES Board Member for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 representing Albany County.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal 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: Jesse Yetto
  Role: Student Teacher/Intern
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Brian Hoefer
  Dates: 1/18/22 – 3/11/22

Adjournment to Executive Session

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned to Executive Session at 7:02 p.m. to discuss the employment history of a particular person.

Adjournment

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board