Board of Education Meeting Minutes September 10, 2020

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting

Date: September 10, 2020
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 PM
Where: Livestream

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

Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan

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 asked the administrators to discuss opening day.

Mr. Groat shared the following:

• We had an exceptional start to the school year, given the circumstances.
• We’ve had very few issues thus far.
• The students have been patient and appreciative.
• Shared a story about an interaction with an 11th grade student who was excited to be back to school and equally excited about using what he learned about technology and his Chromebook. We put a lot of time and effort into the last few months and I am happy that we kicked off the school year on time and I am appreciative of all the hard work that has gone into it. This interaction with the student made my week.

Ms. DeMento noted the following:

• UPK is up and running.
• We have 14 kids, which is a full class, starting on Tuesday at Kids Express. They went virtually this week, to get the hang of how things will work. They are a hybrid class, coming in to school in the morning and learning virtually at home in the afternoon.
• The first three UPK rooms at WES are full and a wait list has been started for the 4th room. As soon as we have 18 students signed up for that room, it can begin as well.
• We would have had a waiting list for 36 students, if it was not for COVID, but due to health concerns, families pulled their children out.
• Kudos to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. This was a new program for them, they have new staff members, and we had to move all of the stuff from the classrooms down to the gyms. We were able to get it up and running, and the students that have been coming the last two days have really enjoyed themselves.

Mrs. Yanni shared the following:

• All special education transportation is up and running for both buildings in district and for all of the students placed in out-of-district programs.
• Buses are following CDC and DOH protocols to keep all of our students safe.
• We will begin having our Transfer CSE meetings this month for students who are transferring into district with IEP’s and 504 plans.
• We have 18 students who are doing homeschooling this year. Connie Miller, from BOCES, is overseeing these students. I am in constant contact with her regarding any updates there may be.
• Shared a story about a student in a Questar program, whose mother e-mailed back-to-school photos of her daughter to her. Mom wanted to show me how excited her daughter was to be back in school after 6 months of being off. Her daughter was smiling ear-to-ear in the pictures.

Mr. Heid noted the following:

• An auditor from the Comptroller’s is visiting us. Most of it has been done remotely. Right now he is looking at everything the district does from payroll to Board policies, to disposition of assets, and what they are doing is trying to find an area where they want to do more of an in-depth audit. We don’t know when that timeline will be.
• We also have our external auditor starting on Monday to conduct their annual audit.

Mr. Wareing shared the following:

• While everyone is sharing their excitement about what is up and running, we are going the other way on athletics, for now. The state has postponed all high-risk sports until spring (football and volleyball) until spring. Lower-risk sports can begin in the fall, but we are noticing districts are starting to hold off on those sports as well.
• Sports are not the priority right now, nor should it be.
• We are hoping to start up some moderate or low-risk sports by the winter season (November 30).
• We will start putting together some of our guidelines and hope we can get some of our athletes back involved by then.

Dr. Caplan noted that Mr. Wareing deserves credit for recognizing that it is not in the best for our children right now.

Mrs. Cavanaugh asked what winter sports are considered low-risk, since sports are inside.

Mr. Wareing responded that indoor track is low risk, exclusive of any events that involve pits (long jump, pole vault, triple jump). Those are considered moderate risk.

Mrs. Webster shared the following:

• We had a wonderful start to school. Arrival was a bit slow, but a new plan was developed and it worked well. Dismissal went even smoother.
• Mr. Foust and I have visited every classroom over the last two days and students and teachers alike are adjusting very well.
• It is such a great feeling to have children and staff back in the building.
• I look forward to this year. It’s going to be great!

Miss DeNovio shared the following:

• More staff members have been added to the middle school team, since we have so many middle school classrooms to spread our students out.
• We have brought in a lot of high school teachers, who have been working over the summer and during the first few weeks of professional development to develop routines and expectations for the middle-schoolers.
• Grade 6 has also been added, so they created a plan for the first five days of school, to teach the children all about expectations and procedures in their new building, use of their chrome books, technology, organizing their work online, etc.
• I’m really proud of the middle school team and the new people who were added to it. They are all working wonderfully together.

  Mr. Foust echoed what Mrs. Webster said, noting that it was an unbelievable start to the school year, all things considered. Teachers have been so selfless in adapting on-the-fly and being flexible and understanding. It has been awesome. He thanked everyone for their understanding.

Dr. Caplan agreed with Mr. Foust, noting that this has been six months of really hard work and a lot of collaboration, starting with the administrators. And because of their leadership, the teachers feel confident that the Administrators are running the ship and moving it in the right direction. It has been a pleasure to sit back and watch the administrators run their programs. Everything is working smoothly and the fruit of our labor is paying off.

Mr. Stevens shared the following:

• I echo Dr. Caplan’s sentiments.
• Buildings are running seamlessly on day two.
• Thank you to the Board members who popped into PD sessions this week and last week.
• Thank you to the teachers who stepped up and became teacher leaders.
• Thanks also to Natalie McGee, who discussed inequity and how we can bridge the gap, focusing on the culture that we foster here in Watervliet.
• We were awarded a grant for $500.00 and used it to purchase books to help us to be a welcoming, supportive environment. Books titles include: “Not So Different,” “Jacob’s New Dress,” “We’re Different, We’re the Same,” “Can I Touch Your Hair?,” “All are Welcome,” “Chocolate Me!,” and more.
• Natalie McGee will be back for several other sessions. I’m hoping to plan one for the Board of Education so that she can help us so she can talk to us about what kind of culture we envision for Watervliet and where we want to see the district go.

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

• I encourage everyone to take a look at the books Mr. Stevens shared. I borrowed them from his office today, when he wasn’t there. They are really good books.
• Thank you to Tim Delisle for providing food to the staff during professional development.
• Thank you to North Colonie Central School District for agreeing to provide transportation for our Albany Campus CTE students. We tried several different ways to transport our students, but we could not work out anything that was feasible. I called Joe Corr and he came through for our students. They will transport our students for the early morning run and pick them up in the afternoon. We will do the mid-day run.
• Like everyone has said, and I’m hoping you’ve all seen pictures, it has been really invigorating. I’ve never appreciated being in-person and seeing the children so much as this year.
• I participated in a press conference with Paul Tonko and another press conference with Assemblyman McDonald, Pat Fahey, Phil Steck and Neil Breslin, along with a parent from Albany, and Cosimo Tangorra, to discuss funding for public education. Things look grim on the aide side from the state. We will keep the doors open as long as we can, but we are no different than any other school district – it’s just other schools are shutting the doors before us.
• SED released guidance regarding doing a pilot for snow days, where districts would call a “virtual day” instead of a “snow day.” If the weather looks bad, we would tell everyone to bring their chrome books home for a virtual day. This could be a game-changer. Mr. Stevens and I have a meeting set up with the co-presidents of both unions to talk about how we want this to look because, contractually, they usually get one unused snow day back, which I usually tack on to Memorial Day weekend. This is good for everyone because they get to stay safe and work from home.
• Thank you to the Board of Education members and Amanda Cavanaugh for her kind words on opening day, for unwavering support and for being part of professional development.

B. Student Council Report

There was no Student Council Report.

C. Committee Reports

1. Audit Committee
   1. There was no Audit Committee Report.
2.  Policy Committee

Heather Soroka noted that the committee reviewed a policy regarding extraordinary circumstances. The policy, sent by Erie 1 BOCES, is not required by law or by regulation. The Board recently adopted a district-level safety plan, which has similar language in it. The policy committee did approve the policy and defers to Dr. Caplan.

Dr. Caplan stated that the policy is okay to approve.

Board of Education Discussion

Amanda Cavanaugh shared the following:

I was able to join in for a handful of professional development sessions. I wish I could have been in more. Thank you to Dr. Caplan and Mr. Stevens for making sure we had all the information to join. The sessions were very valuable and very inspiring.

Sheri Senecal noted that she was able to attend a couple of the sessions and was impressed by the BOCES presenter. She was a great speaker and if I was a teacher, I would be inspired by her. I think she is a great resource for the staff and it was very well-led and everyone seemed engaged and I am thankful for all the hard work everybody has put in.

Mary Beth Whited offered the following:

Kudos to the administrators and staff at WES. I was there yesterday and today, with the before- and after-school program, and I got to see arrival and dismissal. It seemed a little bit frantic yesterday, at first, but then it seemed to go seamlessly. It was great to have people back in the building. Everybody did a great job. The kids were thrilled to be there.
I thought I would be spending my time there reminding students to put their masks on and keep their masks up, but I didn’t have to do it once. I have four year-olds, and they were fantastic. They keep their masks on, they maintain social distance. Everybody is doing a great job.
From what I hear, everything is going just as well at the high school. Good job, everyone!

Dr. Caplan added that the police department was a huge help on opening day. The police chief has children at the Elementary School, but there were visible officers and that helped a lot as well.

Amanda Cavanaugh asked when SAVE Committee meetings will be starting.

Ms. DeMento noted that she sent out the first meeting date to the committee, but did not have the information handy at the moment.

Mrs. Cavanaugh asked that Mrs. Senecal be copied in on future committee correspondence, as she is now the Board representative for that committee.

Mrs. Cavanaugh thanked the administrators, on behalf of the Board. I hear stories and watch the news on other districts, and I’m just so proud and comfortable with what our district has done, how it is going, and all that you all are doing for students. I am thankful for you. There is no one that can tell me that our district isn’t the best. You guys have been here since March, working your tails off, so it’s time to let the teachers teach and you all should take a break and a breather.

Items Requiring Board Action

A. Personnel Items

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Meaghan Castle to the position of Computer Coordinator (0.5), at the Watervliet Elementary School, for the 2020 – 2021 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Allissa Melucci, from the position of School Nurse, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 31, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Shelley Palkovic from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 1, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the leave request for Theresa Pelton, effective September 1, 2020 through the 2020–2021 School Year, to return to work at the start of the 2021–2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Gina DeCianni to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, Grade 1, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 2, 2020, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Michaeleen Backus to the position of Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 2, 2020, at a rate per WSSA contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Lori Sand to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 2, 2020, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 2, 2024, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d. Lori Sand holds a certification in Reading, Permanent Certificate, (certificate #231344881).

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Betty Lyon to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 1, 2020 and ending September 1, 2021, at an hourly rate of $12.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Margaret Bell to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 1, 2020 and ending September 1, 2021, at an hourly rate of $12.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Chelsie Clickner to the position of Long-Term Substitute Pivot Program Coordinator, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for the 2020 – 2021 school year, at a teaching overage of 0.2, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised appointment of Ashleigh Fraley from Part-Time Computer Coordinator to Full-Time Computer Coordinator for the Watervliet City School District, for the 2020 – 2021 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

B. Business Items

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2020-21 Tax Warrant, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, for the New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with Achievements PLLC, for the New York State Universal Early Kindergarten Program, effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Education Law 2-d Opt In Agreement with Erie 1 BOCES, effective August 25, 2020 – June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Reading Horizons Student Data Privacy Addendum 1 with Reading Horizons, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Screencastify Student Data Privacy Addendum Agreement with Screencastify, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Use of Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Videoconferencing Services Agreement with Zoom Video Communications, Inc., as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Legends of Learning Student Data Privacy Addendum1 Agreement with Legends of Learning, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Photography Agreement Addendum – New York Student Data Privacy and Security with Lifetouch, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the following resolution:

RESOLVED, By the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District that Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), issued pursuant to Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, and containing legal minimum retention periods for local government records, is hereby adopted for use by all officers in legally disposing of valueless records listed therein.

FURTHER RESOLVED, that in accordance with Article 57-A:

a) Only those records will be disposed of that are described in Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Government Records (LGS-1), after they have met the minimum retention periods described therein;
b) Only those records will be disposed of that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal, legal, or historical value to merit retention beyond established legal minimum periods.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the NSL Equipment Grant and the resulting $26,000.00 in kitchen equipment consisting of four milk coolers, a dishwasher, and a 30 gallon tilt skillet, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Grant and the resulting $50,040.00 funding to be used to provide additional fruits and vegetables to students in grades Pre-K through 6, submitted by Darryl Whited, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request to Temporarily Relocate 6th Grade from the Watervliet Elementary School to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 2, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Donald Stevens to take EDL 742 – Foundations of Inquiry II; EDL 747 – Research Methods II; EDL 752 – Diversity & System Leadership; and EDL 772 – Dissertation Writing II courses at Sage College beginning September 11, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

C. Other Items

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 13, 2020, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held August 11, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held August 19, 2020, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the 2020-21 District Comprehensive Improvement Plan for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Watervliet Elementary School Code of Conduct 2020-2021, submitted by Kelly Webster, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Student Handbook (Code of Conduct) 2020-2021, submitted by Ryan Groat, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Watervliet City Schools Special Education Plan 2020-2021, submitted by Janelle Yanni, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Athletic Handbook 2020-2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following home schooling requests for the 2020 – 2021 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Student: Charlize Epps, Grade 4
Parent/Guardian: Alexis Epps

Student: Emily Havnen, Grade 1
Student: Julia Havnen, Grade 4 
Parent/Guardian: Peter and Jessica Havnen

Student: Aryana Keels, Grade 8
Parent/Guardian: Kelly Keels

Student: Vladimir Kelly, Grade 12
Parent/Guardian: Heidi Kelly

Student: Mary Sunukjian, Grade 11
Student: Rebekah Sunukjian, Grade 6
Student: Samuel Sunukjian, Grade 7
Student: Sophia Sunukjian, Grade 10
Parent/Guardian: Dominic and Jennifer Sunukjian

Student: Thomas Tygett, Grade 2
Student: Lucy Tygett, Grade K
Parent/Guardian: Diana Tygett

Student: Dalena Watkins, Grade 1
Student: Travon Watkins, Grade 4
Parent/Guardian: Danielle Kelly

Student: Mason Fisher,  Grade 7
Student: Andrew Fisher, Grade 10
Parent/Guardian: Nancy Tisko

Student: Preston Hogan, Grade 1
Parent/Guardian: Jessica Hogan

Student: Sofia-Dee Mbye, Grade 5
Parent/Guardian: Shari Rohan

Student: Kaekwan Roberts, Grade 10
Parent/Guardian: Sha’Mel Miller

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Name(s): Mariah Cochran-Caggiano
  Role: Student Teacher
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Dennis Lane
  Dates: 2020 Fall Semester
• Name(s): Daniel Bentley
  Role: Student Teacher
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Peter Strand
  Dates: 2020 Fall Semester

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked, Amanda Cavanaugh and Meg Fronczek for organizing an Art Supply Drive, to provide personal art supplies to students in need in the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked, Ms. Waterbury for donating Two Bookbags and Several Bags of School Supplies to be given to students in need in the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Sheri Senecal seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board recognized and thanked, Darryl Whited for procuring a $2,000.00 grant from GENYOUth, to be used to purchase cafeteria equipment to supply meals to students in need during the pandemic, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of old/broken televisions, VCR’s and overhead projectors, submitted by Donald Stevens, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Board Discussion

There was no additional board discussion.

Adjournment

On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board