Watervliet City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes > Board of Education Meeting: December 12, 2023

Board of Education Meeting: December 12, 2023

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: December 12, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:01 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Sheri Senecal 
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
The meeting opened at 6:01 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.

Public Comment

Jeffrey Shellenberger, parent and former board member, thanked the school Board and Administration for all of the activities and opportunities WCSD offers its students.  He added that he has two children in the district who are active in programs and to see the programs grow is a testament to the board and administration’s dedication and passion for what they do.  

Presentations/Reports/Comments

  • Band & Chorus Performance Ms. Freedon & Mrs. Dorn
  • Embracing the Positive Presentation Kelly Webster

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

  • Thank you to Mrs. Webster for sharing all of the positive things happening in both buildings.
  • Thank you to the high school music teachers and students for performing tonight.
  • Stop by the gym tonight after the meeting.  Our varsity team is playing Maple Hill at 6:30 p.m.
  • The WES concert is tomorrow night in the WJSHS auditorium.
  • Be sure to check out the decorated school bus as we parade around the city next Wednesday night. If any Board members would like to join us, let me know.
  • Wishes for a happy holidays and a healthy new year to all students, staff and administrators.

Student Council Report

There was no Student Council Report.

Committee Report

    Audit Committee

    Mrs. Senecal noted that the Audit Committee met last week to go over the audit.  There were no issues found.  Mr. Heid will be working on the Corrective Action Plan for the January board meeting. A copy of the audit is on file in the business office.

    Policy Committee

    Mrs. Soroka noted that there were no updates. 

    Board of Education Discussion

    There was no discussion.

    Items Requiring Board Action

    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Jackie Bishop to the position of Jr. High School Student Council Advisor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Shaquille Mayo to the position of Modified Basketball Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, 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 Shaquille Mayo from the position of Hall Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 4, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Edwin Miranda to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning November 13, 2023, at rate of $17.00 per hour, 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 Janelle Yanni to the position of Interim Administrator for the Watervliet City School District, effective November 27, 2023, at a per diem rate of $500.00, for the purposes of conducting staff observations, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following:
    WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirement of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individuals named below have completed all the necessary training to be recertified as lead evaluators of classroom teachers;
    NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby recertifies the following individual as lead evaluator of classroom teachers:
    Janelle Yanni
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Jeremy Boyd to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning December 19, 2023 and ending December 19, 2024, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, 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 Jania Dockery to the position of Job Coach for the Watervliet City School District, effective December 13, 2023, at a grant-funded stipend in the amount of $2,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of the following staff as Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Advisors for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Marching Band: Kayla Freedon (effective September 1, 2023)
    • Jazz Band: Kayla Freedon (effective September 1, 2023)
    • Grades 6-8 Band: Kayla Freedon (effective September 1, 2023)
    • Jr. High School Student Council: Jackie Bishop & Claudia Bunting-Marshall (Co-Advisors effective September 1, 2023)
    • APEX English: Dylan Kane
    • After-School Detention Substitute: Valerie Ellison
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of the following Coaches 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:
    WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
    Coaching Winter:
    • Indoor Track Assistant: Sean Meade, Jr.
    • Modified Basketball Coach: Brian Ford
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following emergency teaching overages for the 2023 – 2024 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective November 1, 2023, unless otherwise stated below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Nicholas Grolley  (+.2 FTE) 
    • Steve Keena (+.2 FTE)
    • Angela Aubrey (+.2 FTE) (Effective November 22, 2023)
    • Michael Dempsey (+.2 FTE)
    • Jessica Willson (+.2 FTE)
    • Scott Emerson (Daily Class Coverage Rate)
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Joseph Navojosky to the position of Cafeteria Supervisor at the kitchen operated at Green Island UFSD, effective December 1, 2023, with the applicable stipend, per the Employee Benefits Document, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    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 #5).
    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 November 2023, 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 Reports for the month of October 2023, 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 approved the payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
    • CSArch – AE
      Invoice #6111
      $10,129.55
    • CSArch – CM
      Invoice #6112
      $10,500.00
    WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
    • DLC Electric, LLC
      Payment App. #026
      $24,280.96
      Payment App. #027
      $32,611.11
    • Gallo Construction
      Payment App. #01
      $44,126.79
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York State School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Electricity, commencing May 1, 2024, for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.
     
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York State School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Natural Gas, commencing May 1, 2024, for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Educational Services Agreement with Vanderheyden, for services provided to a student enrolled in the Vanderheyden program, effective November 27, 2023 – June 26, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Cooperative Agreement with Hudson Valley Community College, to provide college in the high school courses for the 2023 – 2024 school year, as outlined in the attached, 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 Canva US, Inc., as outlined in the attached, 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 November 14, 2023, 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 November 9, November 15, November 17, November 20, November 21, November 29, and December 1, 2023, submitted by 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 November 15, 2023, 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 900014793 – grade 8
    • Student ID 900011662 – grade 8
    • Student ID 900010493 – grade 11 
    On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Sheri Senecal and accepted 4-0 (Brian White abstained), the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Name: Joshua White
      Role: Student Teacher
      Cooperating Teacher(s): Jeanne Lance
      Dates: Spring 2024
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Name: Nicholas Farreta
      Role: Student Teacher/Observer
      Cooperating Teacher(s): Tami Karbowski
      Dates: Fall 2023
    On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of Several Men’s and Ladies Winter Coats from Michelle and Kevin Ninstant to the Watervliet Jr. –Sr. High School, 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 an Original Oversized Class of 1938 Photograph from Tom and Judy Clements on behalf of Clement Frame Shop & Art Gallery to the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

    Board of Education Discussion

    Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
    • The WJSHS band concert was great, in particular the samba drums and solo groups.  The Art Club did a great job decorating and the event was well-attended.
    • Breakfast with Santa went well and was well-attended.
    • PTA is hosting a holiday food drive through December 15.  Donations can be dropped off at WES or WJSHS.
    • PTA’s next meeting is January 3 at WJSHS. 
    • The WES Holiday Concert is tomorrow night in the WJSHS auditorium.
    • If any Board members can join us, we will be in the holiday parade around the city.
    • Cannoneer home games are going to be livestreamed on the Hudl channel.
    • Best of luck to our winter athletes for a great season.
    • Congratulations to the Masterminds team on their first win.
    • On behalf of the Board, wished students and staff a happy holiday season.
    • There is no school December 26 – January 1.
    • Our next Board meeting is January 9.

    Executive Session

    On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into Executive Session at 6:25 p.m. to discuss matters related to the employment history of a particular person.

    Adjournment

    On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m.
    Respectfully submitted,
    Bernadette L. Boardman
    Clerk of the Board