Watervliet City School District Board of Education
Watervliet, New York

Regular Meeting

Date: September 12, 2019
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, Heather Soroka, Mary Beth Whited, Amanda Cavanaugh

Board Members Absent: Steven Hoffman

Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan

Student Council: Miranda Luck

The meeting was opened at 6:01 P.M., with President Senecal officiating.

Public Comment

Joshua Veshia – 626 5th Avenue, Watervliet, NY – congratulated Mrs. Lance on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year. Shared his disappointment in a decision made by administration two months ago.

Dr. Caplan introduced Owino Ndede, a doctoral candidate at Sage College of Albany, who was there to observe the Board Meeting for part of his course project “A Comparative Study of school District Governance.”

Mrs. Senecal welcomed Watervliet Police Chief Anthony Geraci.

Chief Anthony Geraci – Watervliet Police Department – introduced himself to the Board and members of the community. Chief Geraci noted that he had a great relationship with the Albany City School District and he is looking forward to working with the Watervliet City School District to establish a similar collaborative relationship. He noted that he attended a great event here on 9/11. He also noted that he encourages the use of restorative circles.

Mr. Wareing explained that the event on 9/11 was held in response to the reasons a student gave for taking a knee during the national anthem. Students used the forum to open up about struggles they’ve experienced and how those struggles have affected them.

Old Business

There was no old business to be discussed.

Administrative Reports/Presentations

• Debt Service/Building Project Financial Update Keith Heid
• Mr. Heid and Dr. Caplan will meet with CSArch to come up with two building project options. One would be for $10 million dollars and one would be for $15 million dollars. These options will be presented at the October Board meeting.
• Special Education Presentation Janelle Yanni, Veronica Bedard

Board Discussion

There was no Board discussion.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the August 8, 2019 adoption of the Education of Homeless Children and Youth policy, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 8, 2019, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, 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 21, 2019, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #1).

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2019 – 2020 Tax Warrant, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and the Watervliet Branch of the Pioneer Savings Bank for the collection of school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request to designate Anil Mulchandani, Watervliet Branch of Pioneer Savings Bank, as the Deputy Tax Collector, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following as cafeteria suppliers for the 2019 – 2020 school year, submitted by Darryl Whited, Food Service Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Ginsberg’s Food Distributor
• Sycaway Creamery
• Bimbo Bakeries
• Hill & Markes
• Lusco Paper Co.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request to designate Kirsten DeMento as the Data Protection Officer for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Donald Stevens to take EDL 715 – Educational Leadership: An Endeavor of Human Interaction and EDL 735: School District Leadership Internship I courses at Sage College beginning September 6, 2019, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached Special Education Plan 2019 – 2020 for the Watervliet City School District, submitted by Janelle Yanni, Director of Programs and Pupil Services, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached 2019– 2020 Athletic Handbook, for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Meghan Van Epps from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Chelsea Shufelt from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 28, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Stacey Clermont from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 27, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Christina Ortloff from the position of Speech-Language Pathologist at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Geraldine Ferris from the position of Student Council/Ambassador Co-Advisor for the 2019 – 2020 School Year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Rebecca Sweeney to the position of Foreign Language Department Chair, for the 2019 – 2020 School Year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Daniel Ciaramella to the position of Elementary Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Education, 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. Daniel Ciaramella holds a Childhood Education certification (certificate #1166548171).

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Meghan Dwyer to the position of Physical Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Physical Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 6 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. Meghan Dwyer holds a Physical Education certification (certificate #1341746191).

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Kaitlin Shannon to the position of Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Special Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 2 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. Kaitlin Shannon holds a Students with Disabilities (1-6) certification (certificate #1182525171).

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency contingent probationary appointment of Cameka Williams to the position of Mathematics Teacher, in the tenure area of Mathematics, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 2 salary, as per contract. This appointment is contingent upon receipt of NYS Math 7 – 12 certification. 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.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Angela Wareing to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2023, 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. Angela Wareing holds a Teaching Assistant, Level III certification (certificate #1334418191).

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Sharon Woodsinger to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 3, 2019 and ending September 3, 2020, at an hourly rate of $11.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Denise Cusack to the position of Home Tutor, for the Watervliet City School District, effective October 15, 2019, at an hourly rate of $25.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Gina DiCianni to the position of Long-Term Substitute ENL Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2019, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Meghan Fronczek to the position of Foreign Language Department Chair, for the 2019 – 2020 School Year, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Dennis Lane to the position of Health Coordinator, for the 2019 – 2020 School Year, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, 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

• Volunteer Assistant Cheerleading: Stephanie Middleton
• Boys’ Indoor Track: Melique Garcia
• Boys’ Varsity Outdoor Track: Melique Garcia

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Dominic and Jennifer Sunukjian for their children, Sophia G. Sunukjian, Grade 9; Mary Sunukjian, Grade 10; Samuel Sunukjian, Grade 6; and Rebekah Sunukjian, Grade 5, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Nancy Tisko for her child, Andrew Fisher, Grade 9, for the 2019 – 2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Angel Amsler for her child, Samuel Woods, Grade 6, for the 2019 – 2020 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Name: Katherine Zyniecki
  Role: Observer
  Cooperating Teacher(s): TBD, Grades 1-3
  Dates: September 3 – December 6, 2019

On a motion by Amanda Cavanaugh, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with the Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP) – Head Start Program, for the New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, effective July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of $1,400.00 from Dave Havnen and the Hudson Shores Rotary Club, to the Watervliet Wrestling Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.

New Business

Mrs. Senecal, on behalf of the Board, noted that the school year was off to a great start. She congratulated Mrs. Lance on being a finalist for Teacher of the Year, and she noted that Welcome Back Night at WES was a huge success and had a great turnout.

Mrs. Whited congratulated Mr. Lane on the feature News Channel 13 did about him. Mrs. Whited echoed Mrs. Senecal’s sentiments about Welcome Back Night at WES.

Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that the PTA, school staff and Ms. DeMento worked together on WES’ Welcome Back Night. CDPHP donated money, games were procured to be used that night and at future events. Thank you to Ms. DeMento for all of her hard work.

Student Council Report

Miranda Luck shared the following:

• September 19 is picture day at WJSHS. Board members are welcome to come and get their photos taken.
• Next Friday, September 20, is the College Caravan.
• Last year, Student Council held a game night, which was very successful. It will be held on a quarterly basis this year.
• We will be holding two blood drives this year. The first one will be on September 24. Please donate. Every pint helps.

Mrs. Soroka asked if Board members can attend game night. Miss Luck said all Board members and staff are welcome to attend.

Administrators’ Comment

Ms. DeMento noted the following:

• The fruit and veggie grant is up and running.
• Mr. Whited has arranged for the staff rooms to have healthy drinks.
• Free fruits and vegetables will be available through Christmas from 1:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., thanks to the Food Bank and CDPHP.
• Welcome Back Night was a big success. Thank you to Mr. Whited for all of his hard work that day.

Mrs. Webster shared the following:

• Congratulations to Mrs. Lance, who was a finalist for Teacher of the Year. I would not be the educator I am today without Mrs. Lance.
• Thank you to Ms. DeMento and the PTA for the amazing Welcome Back Night, which had a huge turnout.
• Thank you to Mr. Foust for an amazing start to the school year. I am very excited for the years to come.

Mr. Foust noted the following:

• Tomorrow, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. is picture day at WES. Board members are welcome to come and have their picture taken.
• Tuesday is Constitution Day and Bring Your Dad to School Day. Any father, male caregiver, or special male family member can participate.

Mrs. Webster noted that she reached out to the police and fire departments and invited them to attend, as positive role models.

• Tuesday night is Meet the Teacher Night for UPK – Grade 2. Wednesday night is for Grades 3-6.

Mr. Groat shared the following:

• The Book Club, along with other events, has culminated into a movie night, showing “The Hate U Give,” on the football field this evening.
• Welcome back to WJSHS Mr. Wareing.
• Welcome to Miss DeNovio.

Amanda Cavanaugh asked how the hat change to policy has worked out. Mr. Groat noted that there isn’t much that has changed.

Mr. Wareing noted the following:

• The first home football game will be September 27, which will be homecoming. It is also Youth Football Night.
• October 11 is the next home game, honoring the 1979 Championship Team.
• October 18 is Senior Night and Military Appreciation Night.
• The Youth Soccer program has been moved to WJSHS.
• The Class of 2021 is planning to hold a dodgeball tournament.
• Senior Nights: Girls’ Soccer – October 15; Boys’ Soccer – October 17; Girls’ Volleyball – October 22.
• There is an app called Activity Scheduler. You can see the district’s activities and use of facilities.

Janelle Yanni noted that there will be a flu clinic at WJSHS on September 16 for any interested staff members. There will be another one at WES the following week.

Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

• Thank you to all teachers, support and clerical staff for a great start to the year.
• The PTA Welcome Back Night was amazing.
• Thank you to Amanda Cavanaugh for procuring school supplies donated by Target.
• New teachers are doing amazing! Keep up the great work.
• Ms. DeMento nominated Mrs. Lance for teacher of the year. Mrs. Lance was a finalist for the award, which is such an honor.

Adjournment

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Amanda Cavanaugh, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board