Watervliet City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes > Board of Education Meeting Minutes: November 12, 2020

Board of Education Meeting Minutes: November 12, 2020

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting

Date: November 12, 2020
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 p.m.
Where: Livestream

Board Members Present:
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle

Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan

Student Council Reps: Morgan DelSignore, Elle Garci

The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Reports/Comments

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Caplan deferred to CSArch for the following presentation:

  • Watervliet City School District Capital Project Presentation  by Scott Wolfe, Paul Nickerson and Dan Woodside
    • Mrs. Cavanaugh asked if there is excess money left over, can it be used for another project, or are there particular rules related to how it is spent.
    • Mr. Woodside responded that you have to stay within the general language of the resolution that was voted upon. If there are items related to the original scope of work, you can do them.
    • Mr. Heid noted that leftover funds have to be rolled into future debt service payments.
    • Mr. Wolfe added that it is a really good time to go out to bid.
    • Dr. Caplan asked if the cost of construction has increased, as it has for residential building.
    • Mr. Wolfe responded that the cost of materials for residential construction has increased, but on the commercial side, it hasn’t been as bad and it is important to get projects out to bid as early as early on in the year as possible.

Dr. Caplan asked the administrators to provide reports.

  • Mrs. Yanni noted the following:
    • Star & Strand, one of our transportation providers, has once again reached out to the PPS office to adopt one elementary and one high school student for the holidays. They have done this for many years and I want to thank them.
    • We continue to hold our CSE and CPSE meetings through Google Meets. They are running very smoothly and participation has been great.
    • More special education students will be returning to in-person learning on Monday, November 16. All the information for special education transportation has been submitted to Star & Strand.
    • Congratulation to Beth Lipson, LCSW, at WJSHS, on being awarded tenure this evening. She supports our students, she’s done a great job, and I just wanted to give a shout out to her.
  • Mr. Groat shared the following:
    • We just concluded our second waiver. We have about 18 middle-schoolers returning to in-person learning. We are excited to have them return.
    • Mr. Bowden has been working with the science department and with Mr. Stevens, and I, to offer some science lab opportunities. We are excited to have three classrooms that are going to be designated for labs. All CDC guidelines will be met.
    • We are also offering 12 co-taught students an additional day of support. They will be with us five days a week instead of four.
    • We have identified a new approach to report card night. We have been working hard since November 3 to identify students that are struggling with learning right now. We created personalized action plans around each of those students. Staff members have been matched up with individual students to mentor them. Parent/Teacher/Guardian conferences are being planned.
    • We are going to be recognizing students that are doing well via a virtual assembly that will be streamed on November 19.
  • Miss DeNovio shared the following:
    • Today we received our “No Place for Hate” banner for the 2019 – 2020 school year. We were awarded that for completing five different activities. We are two activities into this school year already.
  • Mr. Wareing shared the following:
    • Last week, the Governor announced that low- and moderate-risk sports are a “go,” while high-risk sports are on hold. We already decided we would not be participating in high-risk sports because of the spike in numbers throughout the state. Low- and moderate-risk sports include cross country, downhill skiing and indoor track. There are no facilities currently renting out to high schools for indoor track. It will be a quiet winter season for us.
    • Congratulations to Coach Strand and Coach Lane for being awarded a lifetime passes by Section II for their commitment to student athletes and the programs they’ve been a part of over the last 25 years. We are proud to get those passes for them. They are well-deserved. Congratulations to both.
    • We’ve been having ongoing internal conversations regarding the future of programs. These conversations have led us to concerns about the league we are currently playing in. We are charter members of the Colonial Council. The Colonial Council is growing. All schools, with the exception of one, are larger than we are. They run with larger budgets and larger enrollment. It is not so much about losing, as it is the lopsided losing, as well as student safety and where our programs are headed. We have decided to seek enrollment into other leagues, such as Patroon and Wasaren, which are fielding schools that are more similar to what we have budget- and enrollment-wise. We are hoping the Board supports this decision.

Amanda Cavanaugh stated that it seems like a positive move, but wondered if we would be accepted and if there any negatives to the change.

Mr. Wareing responded that the only possible negative is if we did not get approval to join one of the other leagues. If they do not approve, we would have a year-long process of playing independently, which is a tough route to go because you are picking up games along the way. We hope it doesn’t go to that point, but if it does, after that year, Section II steps in and assigns us a league.

Sheri Senecal noted that a lot of schools in those leagues are a lot further away than the ones in the league we are currently in. How would that impact student schedules to accommodate for travel time? Will there be added costs because of the further driving distance? Would students still be offered the same sports they are used to participating in? What do coaches think about this potential change?

Mr. Wareing responded that the distance is that much further than some of the places we travel to in the Colonial Council. We have seen a flexibility in start times, because of transportation issues. A lot of schools have been moving start times back. I would not be okay with pulling students out of school for competitions. Coaches are mixed in emotions. Change is hard and they are used to the Colonial Council, but most are excited about the change.

Mrs. Senecal noted that Mr. Wareing mentioned the budget and asked if the school had more money in the budget for this change, or if the change would somehow be a positive change for the athletic budget.

Mr. Wareing clarified that what he meant was a lot of the schools in the Colonial Council have bigger budgets, which allows for more spending per pupil. That doesn’t equate to winning, but it’s just another resource that they have that helps in getting them to where they want to be. The schools that we are looking at are much more aligned with where we are.

Dr. Caplan noted that we will do what is best for students in relation to this proposed change. She noted that Mrs. Cavanaugh had to leave the meeting early, so she turned it back to her.

Items Requiring Board Action

A. Personnel Items

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board awarded the status of tenure to Beth Lipson, in the area of School Social Worker, effective December 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Michael Motkowitz, from the position of School Bus Driver, for the Watervliet City School District, effective December 2, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Katerina Derocher from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 6, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Brielle Majewski to the position of Long-Term Substitute Encore Wellness Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective December 14, 2020, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #3).

B. Business Items

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of September, 2020, 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 Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the attached External Auditors’ Annual Report for the period July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020, submitted by Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte CPAs, P.C., as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Electricity, commencing May 1, 2021 for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Natural Gas, commencing May 1, 2021 for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Student Data Privacy Agreement1 with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board authorized the Assistant Superintendent to sign off on all official documents in the Superintendent’s absence, as recommended by the Superintendent.

C. Other Items

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held October 15, 2020, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policy, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Extraordinary Circumstances

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held October 15, October 27, October 28 and October 30, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held October 21, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked Marilyn Ficalora for donating Knit Hats and Gloves to be given to students in need at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked Arsenal City Kids for donating Halloween Goodie Bags to be given to students at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Mrs. Cavanaugh left the meeting at 6:42 p.m.

Reports/Comments (continued)

A. Superintendent’s Report

Mr. Stevens shared the following:

  • Last Thursday, the district partnered with the City, Regional Food Bank and Catholic Charities to conduct a massive food drop. There were 12 pallets of food from the Regional Food Bank, 50 volunteers packing and handing out bags, and hundreds of cars that drove through. There will be another on December 30. Keep an ear out.
  • We had our first equity training for staff this afternoon, with Natalie McGee. Several Board members attended. This is the first of four trainings she will be conducting.
  • A notice has gone out, but we will be having a practice virtual day. We will instruct and keep everybody home. It will be very different from last spring. Lunch will be served at the three sites.
  • Everything with COVID changes on the regular. Dr. Caplan and I have a meeting with Dr. Whalen tomorrow. If anyone has symptoms, they must take the negative COVID test. The rapid test cannot be used.
  • Whitney Young will start COVID testing outside the WJSHS on Monday for any students enrolled in Whitney Young Health. If they are not enrolled, they can enroll quickly.

Dr. Caplan added that COVID testing will take place with parental consent. It is not for staff.

Mrs. Webster noted that WES will be welcoming back 39 remote learners. We are safely able to welcome them without having any room changes. Come Monday, there will be 512 in-person learners and 157 remote learners.

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

  • I was recognized today as an educational partner for Junior Achievement. It was at the hanger by the airport and livestreamed. It was nice to be recognized. We use Junior Achievement a lot grades K-12.
  • Congratulations to Beth Lipson on her much-deserved tenure. She is a great addition and our students connect well with her.
  • Congratulations to Mike Motkowitz on his retirement next month.
  • Congratulations to Dennis Lane and Peter Strand on their recognition.
  • Thank you to the Board members who joined us on our equity institution last week. It was a nice kickoff. Today was day 2 and we will continue on working with Natalie McGhee.
  • Thank you to Administration for knocking down doors, with support staff, to check on students who are disengaged or are in need of something. I appreciate them taking the time to check on the kids.
  • I want to clear up a rumor. We are NOT closed between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have not said a word about that. As of this moment, we are not closed. We are planning on being in session in the weeks after Thanksgiving.

Mrs. Soroka gave a shout out to Mr. Emerson and the Social Studies Department. He did a phenomenal job on election night with the Google Classroom. That was the only source that I was following for updates on the election. It was really informational, so I wanted to thank him and his Department.

Mrs. Senecal echoed Mrs. Soroka’s comments, stating that she enjoyed waking up to see what else they added to it the next morning, as it was a really late night.

B. Student Council Report

Morgan DelSignore shared the following:

  • A teacher from Virginia reached out to her class about the 957 Project. They want to partner with our school. The project brings veterans from Iran and Afghanistan wars to the class, virtually, to discuss the impact September 11 had on them. The heroic actions of the people of Flight 93 will also be discussed. That is the plane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania and did not make it to Washington D.C.
  • The Class of 2021 is trying to come up with ideas to make it a special year.

Elle Garci stated that we don’t have a lot of activities planned, but we are getting a little normalcy back through class pictures. WES already had their pictures taken and on November 30 and December 3, WJSHS pictures will be taken. Senior pictures will be taken in January. We are super excited to get back into some old routines.

C. Committee Reports

i. Audit Committee

There was no Audit Committee report.

ii. Policy Committee

Heather Soroka noted that the committee is in the process of reviewing the policy audit and she would e-mail notes from tonight’s meeting to everyone.

iii. SAVE Committee

There was no SAVE Committee report.

Adjournment

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:56 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board