Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
April 12, 2022
6 p.m.
Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
President Amanda Cavanaugh
II. Attendance
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr.
Student Council Rep Gianna Rincon
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Public Comment
In accordance with Board Policy Number 1510, the privilege of speaking from the floor will be extended to any person in attendance. Persons desiring to speak shall be required to give their name and address and will be limited to three (3) minutes for their presentation. The time allowed each speaker may be adjusted by the chair. The speaker’s privilege may also be terminated by the chair if found to be out of order.
V. Reports/Comments
2022-23 Budget Presentation Keith Heid
- Superintendent’s Report
- Student Council Report
- Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
- First Reading of New Policy: Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in Education
VI. Board of Education Discussion
VII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Meghan Dwyer, in the area of Physical Education, effective September 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
2. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Amanda Gabrione, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Stacey Mastan, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Allison Proctor, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Dana Kowalchyk, in the area of English as a Second Language, effective September 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that the Board award the status of tenure to Brittany Garhartt, in the area of Childhood Education, effective September 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of Matthew Saucier to the position of ESports Gaming Coach for the 2021–2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
8. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of ZaQuawn Gordon, from the position of Hall Monitor at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective March 29, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Maria DeNovio, from the position of Assistant Principal at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective May 13, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent
10. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Jessica Desmond, from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
11. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Cameka Williams, from the position of Math Teacher at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
12. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Ann Hegney to the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective April 11, 2022, at a Step 1 rate, per WTA contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
13. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Joseph Facin to the position of Long-Term Substitute Technology Teacher at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective April 4, 2022, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
14. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Eva Ortiz-Lind to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning April 4, 2022 and ending April 3, 2023, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
15. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Louisa Vaughan to the position of ESports Gaming Coach for the 2021 – 2022 school year, effective March 30, 2022, at a prorated stipend of $2,521.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
16. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency appointment of Lyndsay Moore to the position of Home Tutor for the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, effective March 28, 2022, at an hourly rate of $25.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
17. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches for the 2021– 2022 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a pro-rated rate for a shortened season, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Varsity Softball: Michael Bendon
Modified Softball: Beth Jones
Volunteer Softball: John Jones, Josh Bagnardi, Robert Senecal, Jessica Senecal
Varsity Baseball: Pete Soroka
Modified Baseball: Ryan Donlon
Volunteer Baseball: Mark Cady, Sr., James Griffin
Varsity Boys’ Outdoor Track: Melique Garcia
Varsity Girls’ Outdoor Track: Ben Valentine
Assistant Varsity Outdoor Track: Kaleigh Hill
18. Resolved that the Board approve an additional seventeen (17) work days per person during the summer for David Olszewski, Kate McAvoy and Chelsie Clickner, Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Guidance Counselors, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve an additional six (6) work days during the summer for Kelly Bariteau, Watervliet Elementary School Guidance Counselor, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve an additional six (6) work days during the summer for Veronica Wilson, Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School Psychologist, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board approve an additional six (6) work days during the summer for Danielle Tetrault, Watervliet Elementary School Psychologist, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of the following Election Inspectors to work May 17, 2022, for the School District Election and Budget vote, at the rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Watervliet Elementary School: Maria Razzano, Deborah Edwards
Elks Club: Barbara Crowley, Phyllis Carroll, Randolph Bell
23. Resolved that the Board appoint Judy Ethier as District Election Machines Supervisor on May 17, 2022 at a pay rate of $300.00 per assignment, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #8, #9, and #10).
VIII. Business Items
25. Resolved that the Board approve the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of February 2022, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Schedule of Warrants & Payrolls
- Revenue Status Report
- Cash & Investments
- Appropriation Status Report
26. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of March 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
27. Resolved that the Board adopt the tentative 2022 – 2023 School District Budget in the amount of $33,736,000.00, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board approve the 2022 Property Tax Report Card, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
29. Resolved that the Board approve placing the 5-year Bus Lease Proposition on the Ballot of the May 17, 2022 Annual Budget Vote, allowing for the purchase of three busses at the total purchase price of $359,384.31 or the annual lease price pending bid results for each of five years, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
30. Resolved that the Board approve the following Payment Requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- CSArch
Invoice #4065
$14,315.66 - DLC Electric
LLC Payment App # 011
$13,152.49 - Gallo Construction
Payment App # 011
$8,965.14 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical LLC
Payment App # 009
$23,896.48
31. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Bernadette Boardman, Danielle Jones and Roni O’Brien as Election Registrars for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
32. Resolved that the Board designate Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School as the Registration location on April 12, 2022 and May 3, 2022 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the creation of an extracurricular account for the Music Department at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. Resolved that the Board approve the request to collapse the defunct Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 extracurricular accounts and transfer remaining funds to the Students in Need Fund at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
35. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Special Education Handbook 2021 – 2022 for the Watervliet City School District, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, Director of Special Education and Student Support Services as recommended by the Superintendent.
36. Resolved that the Board approve the merger between the Watervliet City School District and Green Island Union Free School District for Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Cross-Country (Co-Ed) and Football, effective August 15, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
37. Resolved that the Board approve the attached Data Privacy Agreement with Raptor Technologies, LLC, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
38. Resolved that the Board approve the request for Carmen Diaz to take EDL 744 – Foundations of Inquiry IV, EDL 756 – Doctoral Research II and EDL 774: courses at Russell Sage College beginning May 16, 2022, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
IX. Other Items
39. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held March 10 and March 24, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
40. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 2, March 3, March 9, March 10, March 14, March 16, March 17, March 22, March 24, March 25, and March 29, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
41. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held March 16 and March 25, 2022, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
42. Resolved that the Board approve the 504 Committee’s recommendations for the meeting held March 24, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, 504 Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
43. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Laura Borrelli
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester
44. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher/Intern requests at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Gabrielle Rowell
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher: Veronica Wilson
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester - Name: Megan Grosmark
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher: Veronica Wilson
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester
45. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, a check from the Stewarts Shops Holiday Match Program in the amount of $750.00, to fund the Student Ambassadors Club at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
46. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks, a check from the Stewarts Shops Holiday Match Program in the amount of $750.00, to fund the Athletic Department at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
47. Resolved that the Board approve the following paid holidays for Full-Time, 12-Month Administrators (WAA) and Full-Time, 12-Month Management Confidential Staff of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Independence Day (7/4)
- Labor Day (9/5)
- Columbus Day (10/10)
- Veterans Day (11/11)
- Wednesday before Thanksgiving (11/23)
- Thanksgiving (11/24)
- Friday after Thanksgiving (11/25)
- Christmas Day Observed (12/26)
- December Break (12/27, 12/30)
- New Year’s Day Observed (1/2)
- Martin Luther King Day (1/16)
- President’s Day (2/20)
- February Break (2/24)
- April Break (4/7, 4/10, 4/14)
- Memorial Day (5/29)
- Juneteenth (6/19)
X. Board Discussion
XI. Executive Session
48. Recommend an executive session to discuss matters related to the employment history of a particular person.