Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: November 8, 2022
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School

Board Members Present:

President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Timothy Delisle
Brian White

Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.

The meeting was opened at 6:00 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.

Executive Session

On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into executive session at 6:01 p.m. to discuss matters leading to the discipline of a particular person and the employment history of a particular person.

Reconvene

On a motion by Brian White seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned executive session and reconvened at 6:24 p.m.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Reports/Comments

PBIS and Restorative Practices Presentation Catherine Casey

Cannoneer Culture Presentation Michael Foust

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

• Thank you to both Mrs. Casey and Mr. Foust for presenting tonight about the culture they are creating. It shows a great transition of things that are happening at the elementary school up to the junior high level.
• There were a lot of great presentations at today’s Superintendent’s Conference Day. Thanks to Ms. McGrath and Mrs. Vaughan for facilitating the safety care training. Thanks to Ms. DeMento and Mrs. Richards, with the help of Mrs. Webster, for their sessions. Thank you to all of the administrators who participated on our conference day.
• Thank you to all the parents that participated in Parent-Teacher Conference Day at the elementary school.
• At WJSHS, Report Card Night is next Thursday, 5 –7 p.m. Parents are invited to meet with any teacher their student may have.

Mrs. Richards noted that pizza, salad and fruit will be served.

• BOCES will be hosting two equity presentations for boards of education. On December 7 there is a presentation on Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice, from 5:30–8 p.m. at Capital Region BOCES. That is the same night as the WJSHS winter concert. There is also a session on January 6 at the same time. I will share more information.
• The Harlem Wizards vs. Faculty game will be December 8. They will start a “Wiz Fit Challenge” at WES two weeks prior to the game. They will have presentations for students at WJSHS on the day of the game. Tickets for the game are on sale now.
• The winter sports season starts on Monday.

Mr. Wareing stated that the volleyball team made sectionals for the first time in ten years. The football program is in the rebuild process. Our two soccer mergers went well. We look to keep growing the mergers.

Dr. Stevens added:

• Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We have a lot to be thankful for.
• The social studies department has created a google drive to provide live updates, trivia and un-biased news on the election. I will share the link with the Board.

B. Committee Reports

Audit Committee

Mrs. Whited noted that the Committee met last Tuesday with a representative from Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte. The results of the audit for the period ending June 30, 2022 were discussed. There were no significant issues found, however there were a few suggestions that the auditors made to increase operating efficiency. Mr. Heid will be working on a corrective action plan, which will be presented to the Audit Committee.

Policy Committee

Mrs. Soroka noted that the Policy Committee met on October 17 and discussed policy revisions that are on tonight’s agenda.

First Reading of Revised Policies:

• Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
• Absentee Ballots
• Budget Adoption
• Acceptance of Gifts, Grants, and Bequests to the District
• Financial Accountability
• Records Management
• Privacy and Security for Student Data and Teacher and Principal Data
• School Safety Plans
• Fire and Emergency Drills, Bomb Threats and Bus Emergency Drills
• School Bus Safety
• Idling School Buses on School Grounds
• Qualifications of Bus Drivers
• Textbooks, Library Materials, and Other Instructional Materials
• Objection to Instructional Materials and Controversial Issues

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Senecal wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Ricardo Domena, from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 19, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Brian Brancato, from the position of Band Teacher at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective November 18, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Marie Schlosser from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective January 3, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Kimberleigh Barkamian from the position of Book Club Co-Advisor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective October 14, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Jackie Bishop from the position of Junior High Student Council Advisor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective October 17, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following emergency teaching overage for the 2022 – 2023 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• C. Bunting Marshall (+.1) Science

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Denise Senick-Pirri to the position of Long-Term Substitute Speech Therapist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a period beginning November 9, 2022 and ending December 23, 2022, at a per diem rate of $250.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Jim Lindsay to the position of Tutor, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, beginning November 9, 2022, at an AIS rate of pay, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Jeffrey Tooker to the position of Tutor, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning November 9, 2022, at an AIS rate of pay, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Tony Albanese to the position of Transition Coordinator, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning November 9, 2022, per the terms outlined in the his contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Rahila Adalat to the position of Teacher Aide, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning November 28, 2022, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on November 28, 2023.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff as Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School Club Advisors for the 2022 – 2023 school year, effective October 17, 2022, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Jackie Bishop Junior High Student Council Co-Advisor
Claudia Bunting Marshall Junior High Student Council Co-Advisor,
Kimberleigh Barkamian Detention Monitor (M, W, F)
Meg Fronczek Detention Monitor (T, Th)

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Carrie Huntley to the position of After-School APEX Program General Chemistry Teacher, for the 2022–2023 school year, at a prorated rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised appointment of the following Coach for the 2022–2023 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 Fall:

Cheerleading: Hannah O’Neill (80% stipend)

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2022–2023 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 Fall:

Cheerleading: Chelsie Clickner (20% stipend)

Coaching Winter:

Modified Boys’ Basketball: Ravion Burt

Modified Girls’ Basketball: Kaylee Maldonado

Indoor Track Assistant: Thomas Hayes, Briden Sharpe

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka 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 Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of October 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Report for the month of September 2022, 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 Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the External Auditors’ Annual Audit Report for the period July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022, submitted by Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte CPAs, P.C., as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka 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 Laboratories
  Invoice # 240962
  $1,768.13
• Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.
  Invoice # 127523
  $720.00
• CSArch – A/E (9/22)
  Invoice # 4711
  $3,888.87
• CSArch – CM (9/22)
  Invoice # 4712
  $7,602.57
• DLC Electric, LLC
  Payment App # 18
  $6,482.91
• Facilities Equipment & Service, Inc.
  Invoice # 14140-5
  $24,868.75
• General Roofing Contractors
  Payment App # 9
  $38,875.24
• Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
  Statement No. 24
  $43.00

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Participation Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and the Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the Second Supervisory District of Erie, Chautauqua, and Cattaraugus Counties for the use of licensed products, as outlined in the agreement, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Savvas Learning Company, LLC, as outlined in the agreement, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Catherine Casey to take Admin 712 (beginning August 31, 2022) and CAGS 806 (beginning June 2023) courses at MCLA, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held October 11, 2022, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 5, October 7, October 11, October 12, October 13, October 17, October 19, and October 20, 2022, submitted by Molly McGrath, Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 19, 2022, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling requests of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Student ID 900014290 – grade 4
• Student ID 900013494 – grade 2
• Student ID 90001087 – grade 9
• Student ID 900014420 – grade K

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and accepted 4-0 (Sheri Senecal abstained), the Board approved the following Student Teacher requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Name(s): Aaliyah Lennon
  Role: Student Observer
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Fourth Grade Team
  Dates: Fall 2022 Semester
• Name(s): Hannah Miller
  Role: Student Observer
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Kimberly Tallmadge
  Dates: Fall 2022 Semester
• Name(s): Jessica Senecal
  Role: Student Observer
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Amanda Ciampi
  Dates: Fall 2022 Semester
• Name(s): Jane Place
  Role: Student Observer
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Joelle Bird
  Dates: Fall 2022 Semester

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka 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(s): Ian Brown
  Role: Student Teacher/Intern
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Stephanie Sutton & James Murphy
  Dates: 10/24–11/22/22
• Name(s): Nikolette Nesci
  Role: Student Teacher
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
  Dates: Fall 2022 Semester

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the anonymous donation of 30 winter coats in various adult sizes/colors to the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, to be given to students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of 44 student desks from the Menands UFSD, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of old/outdated toner, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision and sale of two portable basketball hoops for $1,000.00 to Catholic Central School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Senecal shared the following:

• Thank you to those who donated items to the District.
• Our next Board of Education meeting is December 13. There are a lot of events coming up between now and then. She requested that Dr. Stevens to notify the BOE of any band concerts are planned.

Mrs. Whited stated that she was at the Apple Run and the WES parade, which were great. The kids had a ball.

Adjournment

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 7:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board