Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: April 9, 2024
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
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly
Board Members Absent: Heather Soroka
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
Student Council Rep: Owen Zawistowski
The meeting opened at 6 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Presentations/Reports/Comments
2024–2025 Budget Presentation Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. & Keith Heid
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- At each Board member’s place setting is information on the BOCES budget vote, which is on April 23 at 7:30 a.m.
- Thank you to Assembly Member John McDonald, who has been keeping us in the loop on a day-to-day basis regarding the state budget. There was an extender passed through Thursday. I will keep the Board up to date.
- Congratulations to Kharyn Acosta, Abdullah Hodge and Rayan Ahmed who will be participating in the poetry slam at Doane Stuart on Thursday night. We wish them luck.
- On April 18, we will be joining the City Council in recognizing two of our student athletes, including athletic scholar Jessenia George and 1,000 high school career point scorer, Daheem Wilson. If you are available, feel free to join us.
- New York State testing begins on Thursday. This year will be computer based testing for all grade levels and we wish all of our students good luck.
- On Tuesday, I will be presenting with NYSCOSS via a webinar regarding our phone-free environment, similar to what we have done here at the Jr. – Sr. High School and recognizing the benefit of student engagement.
- The spring sports and concert season is upon us. Be sure to check out the calendar and keep an eye out for special events.
- Mark your calendar for the alumni game on April 26 in our gymnasium. There are a lot of alumni returning, including coaches and players.
Ms. Richards added that there is a Lip Sync Battle on Friday. It is a fundraiser for the music department.
B. Student Council Report
Owen Zawistowski, Student Council Representative, shared the following:
- Thank you to Dr. Stevens and the entire Board for this opportunity to serve as the Student Council Representative.
- Student Council members met with Mr. Whited, Mr. Tuskey and Ms. DeMento regarding the breakfast and lunch program. We thank them for providing meeting times to meet and discuss what we think. We will probably have one more meeting this school year.
- Thank you for the support you provided for the Drama Club’s presentation of Mean Girls, Jr. It was terrific to have so many people attend the performance.
- Thank you to Mrs. Chartrand and City officials for reaching out about Youth Day. It is a great tradition where members of the senior class get the opportunity to visit, shadow and learn about the inner workings of city government. A final date for this event is to be determined.
C. Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
There was nothing to report. - Policy Committee
There was nothing to report.
Board of Education Discussion
There was nothing to discuss.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Elizabeth Bolt, from the position of Clerk Typist at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 10, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Sergio Najera Sanchez, from the position of Full-Time Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 12, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Dawn Pembrook to the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective April 8, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Mia Rockwell to the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective May 9, 2024 – November 1, 2024, at a rate of $200.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coach for the 2023– 2024 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, unless outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Coaching Spring:
- Girls’ Varsity Softball Volunteer Assistant: Peytan Smeltzer
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Volunteer Advisors at the for the Just Run Club at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 9, 2024 – June 6, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Kathleen Zito
- Luca Rentz
- Allison Fried
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #13).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of March 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Report for the month of February 2024, 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 Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric
Payment Application # 12
$21,189.75 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical
Payment Application # 03
$25,312.75
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the tentative 2024-25 School District Budget in the amount of $41,394,000.00, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2024 Property Tax Report Card, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved a Proposition to be placed on the ballot of the May 21, 2024 Annual Budget Vote, authorizing the Establishment of a Capital Reserve Fund, for the purpose of paying the cost of future building projects, in a maximum amount not to exceed $10,000,000, for a term of 10 years.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District (hereinafter referred to as the “District”) desires to enter into a three year service agreement with the Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (hereinafter referred to as “CR BOCES”) in order for the CR BOCES to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to New York State Education Law §1950(4)(jj), those services being administrative services in Co-Ser 604.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is
RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District agrees to enter into a contract with the CR BOCES for the provision of said services to the District and not to exceed in total over the life of this agreement the total amount of $98,728.10 and associated CR BOCES charges with such amount to include annual CR BOCES support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges, and with such support costs and applicable taxes and surcharges included at the current rate and subject to change as established in the CR BOCES budget or mandated by any federal, state or local authority.
This amount may be amended with the approval of both parties. The District will be liable to CR BOCES for early cancellation or withdrawal from this agreement to the same extent that CR BOCES is liable to any vendor(s) of these services, including liability for applicable penalties or liquidated damages, and the District will also be liable for costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, incurred by CR BOCES as consequence of any such early cancellation or withdrawal. The District further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold BOCES, its elected officials, its employees, and agents, harmless from any and all liability, claims including bodily injury or property damage, causes of action, damages and expenses, including attorney fees, which may arise out of the negligent actions of the District, its elected officials, employees, agents, invitees, and volunteers while using this service.
Payment will be made as part of a regular annual CR BOCES contract for services. Further, this agreement is subject to the approval of the Board of Education of CR BOCES. This contract will be for a maximum period of three years commencing on or about May 20, 2024 and continuing through June 30, 2027.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
- Thank you to the volunteers appointed tonight.
- Please support the Cannoneer Club at the alumni basketball game on April 26. Mrs. Fronczek put in a lot of time and effort into this event.
- There is a spring concert on May 2 at WJSHS, as well as Teacher Appreciation Week, Nurse Appreciation Week, and the junior-senior prom. There are a lot of fun events coming up.
- The school budget vote and board of education election is May 21, which also happens to be when WES is having their Special Persons Night. The Board will meet back here at 8:30 p.m. on that night to receive the results of the vote.
- If anyone is interested in attending any of these events, just check the web site.
- The next Board of Education meeting is April 24 at 7:30 a.m. Familiarize yourself with the information provided and if you have any questions, ask Heather, as she is on the BOCES board.
- Our May meeting is on May 7.
- We have two seats up for election. If you are interested in running for the board of education, see Mrs. Boardman for a nominating petition, or you can download one from the district web site. My seat and Heather’s seat are the two open seats.
Darryl Whited, Food Service Manager, added that Friday is opening day for baseball. He encouraged everyone to wear their baseball jerseys. He also noted that May 3 is National School Lunch Hero Day. We purchased a few things to hand out to everyone to recognize the cafeteria staff that work hard every day.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board