Watervliet City School District Board of Education
Watervliet, New York
Regular Meeting
Date: August 8, 2019
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:02 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
The meeting was opened at 6:02 P.M., with Dr. Lori S. Caplan officiating.
Public Comment
Joshua Veshia – 626 5th Avenue, Watervliet, NY – Mr. Veshia noted thanked the Board for the wording included in the Code of Conduct that states “…uphold the principles of due process and individual dignity and protecting the civil and human rights of all members of the school community.”
Old Business – Election of Board Officers
A motion was made by Mary Beth Whited and seconded by Sheri Senecal that Sheri Senecal be nominated as President.
A second motion was made by Steven Hoffman and seconded by Heather Soroka that Heather Soroka be nominated as President.
Mrs. Boardman asked for each nominee to state why they wish to be President and what their vision is. Both Sheri Senecal and Heather Soroka stated their interest.
There being no further nominations for President, voting took place on the first motion nominating Sheri Senecal as President. In favor of this motion were Mary Beth, Sheri Senecal and Amanda Cavanaugh. This motion carried with three out of five members in favor of Sheri Senecal as President.
A motion was made by Steven Hoffman and seconded by Sheri Senecal that Heather Soroka be nominated as Vice President. This motion passed unanimously.
Building Project Presentation
Dan Woodside and Scott Wolfe, from CSArch, presented an overview of the proposed building project.
Public Hearing
Donald Stevens presented the changes to the Code of Conduct. Questions and concerns were discussed among community, board and staff members.
A motion was made by Mary Beth Whited and seconded by Heather Soroka to waive a second reading of the WCSD Code of Conduct, Education of Homeless Children and Youth and Parent and Family Engagement policies. The motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Steven Hoffman and seconded by Heather Soroka to adopt the WCSD Code of Conduct, Education of Homeless Children and Youth and Parent and Family Engagement policies. The motion passed unanimously.
Amanda Cavanaugh wanted her concern over use of hats and head gear at WES to be noted for the record.
Administrative Reports/Presentations
There were no administrative reports or presentations.
Board Discussion
There was no board discussion.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held July 2, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held July 17, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Final 2018-2019 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Preliminary 2019-2020 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Caleb Gleason from the position of Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 31, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Caleb Gleason to the position of Elementary Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, Grades 3-4, for the 2019 Summer School program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Angelica Bianchi from the position of Self-Contained Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 28, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Summer School 2019 appointments at a salary as per contract:
- Allison Lund Teacher, Grades 3-4
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Maria DeNovio to the position of Assistant Principal, in the tenure area of Administration, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning August 1, 2019, at a Step 1 salary, per contract. The probationary period shall expire on August 1, 2023, contingent upon satisfactory compliance with Education Law Sections 3012 and/or 3012-d. Maria DeNovio holds a certification as School Business Leader (certificate #1337122191).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Kelly McCall to the position of Elementary Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Education, Early Childhood (B-2), at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2023, contingent upon achievement of effective or highly effective APPR ratings necessary to receive tenure throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d. Kelly McCall holds an Early Childhood Education certification (certificate #13335274191).
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and accepted 4-0 (Heather Soroka abstained), 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
Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Kelsey Logan
Modified Girls’ Soccer: Mike O’Brien
Varsity Boys’ Soccer: Paul Travers
Modified Boys’ Soccer: Patrick McLaughlin
Varsity Girls’ Volleyball: Daniel Short
Junior Varsity Girls’ Volleyball: Peter Strand
Modified Girls’ Volleyball: Michele DeGuire
Fall Cheerleading: Danielle Mele and Chelsie Clickner
Varsity Boys’ Basketball: Orlando DiBacco
Volunteer Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball: Ryan Donlan
Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball: Peter Strand
Modified Boys’ Basketball: Matthew Plew
Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball: Kelsey Logan
Assistant Varsity Wrestling: Dan Gibson
Volunteer Assistant Wrestling: Dan Pommerer
Winter Cheerleading: Danielle Mele and Chelsie Clickner
Varsity Boys’ Baseball: Pete Soroka
Volunteer Assistant Varsity Baseball: Mark Cady Sr.
Volunteer Assistant Varsity Baseball: James Griffen
Modified Baseball: Dennis Lane
Girls’ Varsity Softball: Michael Bendon
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Peter and Jessica Havnen for their child, Julia Holly Havnen, Grade 3, for the 2019 – 2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Heidi Kelly for her child, Vladimir Kelly, Grade 11, for the 2019 – 2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the confidential Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2019 – 2020 for the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the confidential Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2019 – 2020 for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of broken/irreparable calculators, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of July 2019, submitted by Roni O’Brien, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
Steven Hoffman asked if candidates who are interviewed receive feedback on why they didn’t get the job they were seeking.
Mr. Stevens and Mr. Groat indicated that most times they do give feedback, but sometimes just a letter is written and sent to the candidate.
Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Welcome to Maria DeNovio.
- Photos and an overview of her trip to Switzerland.
- NYSCOSS evaluation tool, which the Board will use to evaluate the Superintendent going forward.
- The P-Tech cohort kicked off last week.
- WCSD is hosting an Administrative Retreat next week in conjunction with Cohoes City School District Administrative Team. Kevin McGowan is facilitating it and Mr. Whited will be catering it.
- Mr. Stevens started the Sage Doctoral Program, Mr. Groat attended the Future Superintendents Academy, and Mrs. Webster is working on her SDL certification. I am proud of them for furthering their certifications.
- NYSED is contemplating getting rid of Regents. More information will be shared as it becomes available.
- Recent changes in vaccination laws have been implemented. Religious exemptions are no longer allowed.
- Cyber-attacks of school systems is on the rise and we are working to stay ahead of them.
- New Teacher Orientation will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. All are welcome.
Dr. Caplan administered the oath of office to President Senecal and Vice-President Soroka.
Amanda Cavanaugh shared the following:
- The City of Watervliet is voting tonight to install flashing lights indicating a school zone.
- September 6 is Welcome Back Night at WES, which is the first Friday of school. The event is sponsored by the PTA.
Adjournment
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board