Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: January 10, 2019
Meeting Opened: 6:05 P.M.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board members present:
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Steven Hoffman
Amanda Cavanaugh
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student Council Rep: Miranda Luck
The meeting was opened at 6:05 P.M., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Comments from the Floor
There were no comments from the floor.
Old Business
There was no old business to be discussed.
Board , Staff and Student Reports
- Proposed Building Project Overview Presentation CSArch
- WCSD Cafeteria End of the Year Report 2017–18 Presentation: Kirsten DeMento & Darryl Whited
- Watervliet City Schools UPK Presentation: Kirsten DeMento, Stephanie Siciliano, Emily Quell, Kristin Langworthy and Jennifer Keefer
First Reading of Revised Policies:
- Diploma or Credential Options for Students with Disabilities
- Student Records: Access and Challenge
- Military Recruiters and Institutions of Higher Education
- Suspension of Students
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs and Other Substances (Students)
- Education of Students in Foster Care
- Student Physicals
- Medication and Personal Care Items
- Accidents and Medical Emergencies
- Dignity for all Students Act
- Instruction in Certain Subjects
- Independent Educational Evaluations
First Reading of New Policy:
Participation in Graduation Ceremonies and Activities
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Appointment and Duties of the Claims Auditor
Duties of the Extra-classroom Activity Fund Central Treasurer and Faculty Auditor - Duties of the School Physician/Nurse Practitioner
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
- Administrative Organization and Operation
- Extra-classroom Activity Fund
- Allocation of Title I, Part A Funds in the District
- Audit Committee
- Smoking/Tobacco UseMeal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming
- Records ManagementStudent Grading Information Systems
- Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers and Other Safety-Sensitive Employees
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances (School Personnel)
- Certification and Qualifications
- Temporary Personnel
- Leaves of Absence
- Education of Students in Temporary Housing
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Appointment and Duties of the Claims Auditor
- Duties of the Extraclassroom Activity Fund Central Treasurer and Faculty Auditor
- Duties of the School Physician/Nurse Practitioner
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
- Administrative Organization and Operation
- Extraclassroom Activity Fund
- Allocation of Title I, Part A Funds in the District
- Audit Committee
- Smoking/Tobacco Use
- Meal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming
- Records Management
- Student Grading Information Systems
- Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers and Other Safety-Sensitive Employees
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Alcohol, Drugs and Other Substances (School Personnel)
- Certification and Qualifications
- Temporary Personnel
- Leaves of Absence
- Education of Students in Temporary Housing
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held December 13 and December 20, 2018, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held December 14, December 18, and December 20, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held December 19, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #16 and #17).
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of November 2018, 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 Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Corrective Action Plan prepared in response to the Watervliet City School District Independent Audit Report for the period ended June 30, 2018, by Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the liquidation and discontinuance of the District’s Capital Reserve Fund, with the funds of $6,254.09 to be used for required maintenance on the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Elevator, submitted by Keith Heid, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board nominated Heather Soroka to serve on the Board of Cooperative Educational Service of the Sole Supervisory District of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties for a three (3) year term beginning July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accept the resignation of William Tyler Ronan from the position of Substitute Teaching Assistant, PIVOT Program, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 21, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Regine Joyce Ibanez to the position of Cafeteria Worker for the Watervliet City School District, effective January 14, 2019, at an hourly rate of $11.10, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Emma Eames to the position of Co-Advisor, Class of 2021, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for the 2018 – 2019 school year, effective January 1, 2019, at a pro-rated stipend as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Michael Bendon to the position of Varsity Softball Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for the 2018 – 2019 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Section 2507(1) of the Education Law of the State of New York authorizes the Board of Education to appoint a superintendent of schools for a term not to exceed five years and authorizes an employment contract with the superintendent of schools setting forth the terms and provisions of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education for the Watervliet City School District (the “Board”) and Dr. Lori S. Caplan, as Superintendent of Schools (the “Superintendent”), are parties to an Employment Agreement dated January 12, 2017 providing for the employment of the Superintendent through January 11, 2022 upon such terms and conditions as stated therein (the “Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Board and the Superintendent have agreed that the term of the Superintendent’s employment shall be extended by one year and a half (1 ½), to terminate on June 30, 2023, and that all other terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain the same.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education
- Extends the term of the Superintendent’s employment to June 30, 2023;
- Accepts and hereby approves the First Amendment to the Agreement, dated January 10, 2019; and
- Authorizes the President of the Board, or Vice-President in the President’s absence, to execute said First Amendment to the Agreement on behalf of the Board and District and to file same with the District Clerk.
Mr. Hoffman noted that Dr. Caplan has three years left on her contract and the newly-adopted resolution would give her 4 ½ years. Mr. Hoffman then offered a motion to waive provision 3 (b) in the contract that states “Prior to June 30, 2018, the Superintendent shall notify the Board, in writing, of her desire to remain in the position of Superintendent for an additional term beyond the term of this agreement.” Amanda Cavanaugh seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Alexis Epps for her child, Charlize Epps, Grade 1, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the following donations to the Watervliet Elementary School Pajama Fundraiser:
- $250.00 from Goldstein Subaru
- $40.00 from Kyle Miglucci of Kyle’s Kidz Korner
- $20.00 from 3 Brother’s Pizza LLC
- $25.00 from Café Deli-icious
- $10.00 from Tina Proctor-Liebach
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked the students and staff at the Watervliet Elementary school for monetary donations and 30 pairs of pajamas to the Watervliet Elementary School Pajama Fundraiser, 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 30 books from Scholastic, to be paired with the pajamas from the Watervliet Elementary School Pajama Fundraiser, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked Bill Sheehy for his continued efforts to procure donations to the Watervliet City School District Backpack Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the accept, with thanks the donation of $5,500.00 from the Regional Food Bank to the Watervliet Elementary School Food is Fuel campaign, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of food from Hannaford Supermarkets, to be used to feed approximately 30 families at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked, Breanna Nichols Artistry and Alex from Gentleman’s Corner for donating their time and services to cut student’s hair for free for the holidays, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of December 2018, 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:
- Mrs. Webster is doing great in her new position, with the help of Mr. Wareing. WJSHS is running well, in spite of being down one Administrator.
Miranda Luck, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- The Watervliet has Heart Project will be February 1 – February 15, 2019. Items collected will go to troops.
- The Student Council will be hosting guest speakers to discuss key state/national topics.
Ms. DeMento noted the following:
- The PIVOT grant has been extended for two more years. A proposal needs to be submitted, however they will work with us and have given us a verbal commitment.
- Registration has begun for the Early Pre-K program. The program begins on January 30. The program can accommodate 14 students, with high-needs children being served first.
Mr. Stevens shared the following:
- A press release is going out for a new app. The “Passport for Good” app will allow for tracking of students’ service and work-based hours. Training will take place the week of January 21.
Mrs. Webster shared the following:
- WES is hosting a movie night tomorrow night. Hotel Transylvania 3 is playing. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
- Thank you to everyone for your support in my new role.
Mr. Wareing noted the following:
- The WES is holding a spelling bee tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Adjournment
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board