Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Date: April 18, 2019
Type of Meeting: Regular
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 5:16 P.M., with Vice President Heather Soroka officiating.
Executive Session
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into executive session to discuss matters leading to the discipline of a particular person.
Reconvene
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board reconvened at 6:12 p.m.
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
Student Support Team Presentation: Michael Foust and Student Support Team
Budget Update Presentation: Keith Heid
First Reading of Revised Policy:
- Drug and Alcohol Testing for School Bus Drivers
Second Reading of Revised Policy:
- Comprehensive Student Attendance
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policy, as recommended by the superintendent:
•Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held March 14, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 7, March 8, March 12, March 19, March 20, March 26, March 27, March 28 and April 1, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held March 20, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #24 and #25).
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the designation of Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School as the Registration location on April 17, 2019 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Election Inspectors to work May 21, 2019, for the School District Election and Budget vote, at the rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Watervliet Elementary School: Judith Ethier, Maria Razzano
- Elks Club: Sandra Iannone, Mary Grace Loparco
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appoint Mark Gilchrist as District Election Machines Supervisor on May 15, 2018 at a pay rate of $300.00 per assignment, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of February 2019, 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the tentative 2019 – 2020 school district budget in the amount of $28,187,000, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Refunding Bond Resolution Dated April 18, 2019, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2019 Property Tax Report Card, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Logan Dallas from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 2, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the leave request for Kate Diaco, effective September 1, 2019 through October 14, 2019, to return to work October 15, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Brandon Dallas to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner at the Watervliet Elementary School, at a rate of $11.10 per hour, effective March 11, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Joseph Rowe to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner at the Watervliet Elementary School, at a rate of $11.10 per hour, effective April 3, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Mary Vogt to the position of Long-Term Substitute Spanish Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 8, 2019, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Colleen Commisso to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher (Grade 6), at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 8, 2019, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Kathy Smith to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning April 29, 2019 and ending April 29, 2020, at an hourly rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2018– 2019 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Coaching Spring:
- Volunteer Track & Field Assistant Coach: Melique Garcia
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2019– 2020 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:
- Varsity/Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach: Ryan Job
- Varsity/Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach: Fred Job
- Varsity/Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach: Christopher Sawyer
- Varsity/Junior Varsity Football Assistant Coach: Carmine Casale
- Modified Football Head Coach: Tyler Ronan
- Modified Football Assistant Coach: Brian White
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Allissa Melucci and Sue Vogel as staff designated to provide information on substance use to students, parents and staff, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Anna Marie Magyar, in the area of Childhood Education, 1-6, effective September, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Nikki LaBoissiere, in the area of Childhood Education, 1-6, effective September, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Jennifer Williams, in the area of Childhood Education, 1-6, effective September, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Hillary Brochu, in the area of Science, effective September, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Cecilia Nicolaescu, in the area of Science, effective August, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Janine Grevious and Sherworth Hytmiah for their child, Samara Hytmiah, Grade K, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of $50.00 from Steven Hoffman, to be used to purchase tickets to the drama club production for students who cannot afford to attend, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of an American Flag from the Albany County Legislator, Robert Beston, to the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of computers and audio visual equipment, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Kirsten DeMento, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of March 2019, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the agreement reached in SED Case No. 34017, and authorized the Superintendent to take all necessary action to carry out the terms of the settlement.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Joseph Cea from the position of Living Environment Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 19, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business discussed.
Comments from the Floor
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Congratulations to all earning tenure this evening.
- Thank you to John McDonald for his continued support in acquiring funding for our district.
- Thank you to the A-Team and Mr. Heid for their work on the budget.
- The district will be closed the Friday before Memorial Day and the Tuesday after.
- Happy Easter, Happy Passover and enjoy the break.
Miranda Luck, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- Craig Apple visited earlier this month. He presented on law enforcement, the opioid crisis and the importance of voting. Thank you to Mrs. Webster for facilitating his visit.
- The League of Women voters will be visiting next.
- We are creating care packages for troops overseas. Boxes will be placed in various places in the community and within the district.
- Youth Day is being planned with the City and will be held on May 30.
- National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be May 9 at 7:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Mrs. Senecal congratulated Mrs. Cavanaugh on the birth of her baby boy.
Mr. Foust, speaking on behalf of Mr. Groat and himself, offered congratulations to all who earned tenure this evening.
Mrs. Webster congratulated all who earned tenure. She spoke to the families of those earning tenure and thanked them for their support.
Mrs. Yanni shared the following:
- She and Dr. Caplan visited Mrs. Kussler’s classroom today to see the math concepts games the student’s created. Dr. Caplan won a trophy.
- Ms. Lipson and Mr. Carotenuto recently attended the “Recipe for Success” conference.
Dr. Caplan asked members of the Board for dates that would work for a summer retreat. All agreed on July 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Adjournment
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board