Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: August 8, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School

Board Members Present:

President, Sheri Senecal
Vice President, Mary Beth Whited
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly

Board Members Absent: Heather Soroka

Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.

The meeting opened at 6:03 p.m., with Dr. Stevens officiating.

Appointment of District Clerk Pro Tem

On a motion by Sheri Senecal, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. as District Clerk Pro-Tem for the purpose of taking the minutes of the meeting.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Election of Board Officers

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board removed from the table the resolution to appoint a Board of Education President and Vice President.

On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Sheri Senecal as President of the Board of Education and appointed Mary Beth Whited as Vice President of the Board of Education.

Mrs. Senecal took over officiating the meeting.

On a motion by Sheri Senecal, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Victoria Donnelly as NYSSBA Advocacy Liaison.

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

• Summer school is coming to an end on August 15. August Regents exams are at the high school next Wednesday and Thursday.
• Lots of activities happened this summer. Check out Facebook and the website. There are exciting posts about things like the travel program that we brought back after COVID, ESY field trips, and more.
• Over the last several weeks, Mrs. Webster and I have continued to meet with Administrators to prepare for the coming school year.
• The Code of Conduct is on the agenda tonight, which we hope to adopt so that we can use that language along with language from some of our policies to build the staff and student handbooks for both WES and WJSHS.
• The Board and District Goals are also on the agenda. A draft was shared with the Board a few weeks ago. I am happy to answer any questions.
• New Staff Orientation will be held on August 30. If any Board members would like, they can join us at 11:30 a.m. in the conference room. There are 19 new staff members. They and their mentors will be here. Lunch will be provided by the WTA.
• On the evening of August 30 we will have our EVOLVE orientation at the Civic Center. This event will be by invitation only to the parents and students who will be part of the program. They will meet staff, see the space and learn about the procedures for that location. They are in the process of installing a video doorbell security system – similar to what we have in each of our buildings.
• We have an ENL night in the works for the same night from 4:30 – 5:30. Parents will be invited in to learn about what our school district can provide to our ELL students and their families. It is a good opportunity to mingle and get to know the teachers.
• September 5-6 will be Superintendent’s Conference Days. We have a lot planned for both staff and students. The first day will be our traditional welcome at 8:00 a.m. All board members are invited to attend. That afternoon, kindergarten students will come in for an orientation and 5th grade students will come in to go over expectations. On the afternoon of the 6th, students in grade 6 will come in for a re-orientation, while at the same time elementary students in grades 1-4 can come in and drop off their supplies. It is our hope that all of these events, coupled with the roll-up day previously held, will reduce anxiety. We are excited for the school year ahead.
• Lots of construction is still happening in classrooms, the garage, the new sign at WES should be going in, the loading dock is getting a fresh look, the generator, and the small gym, which I am hoping to have our next meeting in to show it off.

Mrs. Senecal asked about student and parent sign-offs for the handbook.

Mrs. Webster noted that at WES, a hard copy of the handbook is sent home and parents sign off on it, but at the high school, parents indicate that they read it when the log into the parent portal.

Dr. Stevens noted that at WJSHS, the handbook is electronic and during our welcome-back assemblies, the handbook and policies are reviewed.

Mrs. Donnelly asked if the code of conduct is part of the student handbook.

Dr. Stevens responded that the verbiage from the code of conduct, which is a district-wide policy, is used to develop the student handbook for each building.

Mrs. Donnelly asked if we have an actual way of knowing if a student has actually read the handbook, which would allow them to take ownership and acknowledge that they are aware of the expectations.

Ms. Richards noted that the social studies department could add review and sign-off of the handbook to their curriculum. Dr. Stevens said they could explore adding the same parameters to the student portal as well as the parent portal.

B. Committee Reports

Audit Committee

There was no report.

Policy Committee

Second Reading of Revised/Merged Policies:

Education of Students in Temporary Housing
Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Students)
Sports and the Athletic Program
Suicide
Dignity for all Students
Hazing of Students
Student Gender Identity
Curriculum Development, Resources, and Evaluation
Equal Educational Opportunities
Safety Conditions and Prevention Instruction
Career and Technical (Occupational) Education
Instruction in Certain Subjects
Instruction for English Language Learners
Instructional Materials and Nonpublic School Students

Public Hearing

A. Code of Conduct

Dr. Stevens reviewed the changes to the Code of Conduct, which has been available for public review on the district web site for over 30 days. During that time, the public has been welcome to submit any comments to boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org. The district did not receive any comments. Dr. Stevens also showed the Board the Yondr cellphone pouches, which were rolled out for summer school.

B. District-Level Safety Plan

The District-Level Safety Plan has been available for public review on the district web site for over 30 days. During that time, the public has been welcome to submit any comments to boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org. The district did not receive any comments on the plan.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the termination of Katrina Vacarelli from the position of Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective July 11, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Mary Ann Morris from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the probationary appointment of Julia Ryan to the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Nick Yatrakis to serve as a Substitute for all summer classes/programs, as needed, effective July 21, 2023, at the contractual rate, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Cyrus Clark to the position of Science Teacher (9-12), in the tenure area of Science, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 2 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 2027, 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. Cyrus Clark holds a Chemistry certification, (certificate #1549134211).

On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board postponed indefinitely the probationary appointment of Ashley Dolan to the position of Art Teacher, in the tenure area of Art, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 2 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 2027, 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. Ashley Dolan holds a Visual Arts certification, (certificate #1721047231).

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Dakota Hewitt to the position of School Nurse, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning August 9, 2023, at a salary of $45,000.00, plus RN stipend, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on August 9, 2024.

On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency provisional appointment of Araela VanWagner to the position of Administrative Aide, for the Watervliet City School District, for a one-year probationary period beginning July 25, 2023, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $38,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Emma Buck to the position of Teacher Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Melissa Smith to the position of Library Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period beginning September 5, 2023, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the transfer of Jack Ferris from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner, to the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 1, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Daniel Carroll to the position of Food Service Worker – Heatley Location, for a one year probationary period effective September 1, 2023, at an hourly rate of $17.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Joseph Facin to the position of Long-Term Substitute Technology Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 5, 2023, at a Step 9 (0.6 FTE) rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Kevin Reiss to the position of Building Substitute at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 5, 2023, at a rate of $110.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff as Club Advisors at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Carrie Huntley – APEX Science
Kelsey Logan – APEX Health
Joanna Beams – APEX Social Studies and Music
Kerry Degnan – APEX Math
Joanna Beams – ExTRA Club WHS Study Tables
Kerry Degnan – ExTRA Club Homework Help (Gr. 6-7)

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Department Chairs and Club/Class Advisors for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Department Chairs:

English: Tami Karbowski
Business, Art & Music: Megan Matuszek
Social Studies: Scott Emerson
Science/Technology: Walter Bowden
Mathematics: Jess Willson
Special Education: Daniel Mueller
School Counseling: David Olszewski
Foreign Language & ELL: Meghan Fronczek
Physical Education and Health: Dennis Lane

Clubs/Class Advisors:

Class of 2024: Dawn Sylvester
Class of 2025: Brenda Zawistowski & Donna Belokopitsky (Co-Advisors)
Class of 2026: Nikki Labossiere
Junior High Student Council: Jackie Bishop
Student Council: Chris Curtis & Scott Emerson (Co-Advisors)
National Junior Honor Society: Brenda Zawistowski
National Honor Society: Scott Emerson & James Murphy (Co-Advisors)
Yearbook Manager: Nikki Labossiere
Yearbook Editor: Caitlyn Santiago
Newspaper/Morning Announcements: Rebecca Sweeney

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Coaches for the 2023– 2024 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

Coaching Fall:

Varsity Football: Ryan Job
Varsity Assistant Football: Anthony Murray
Varsity Assistant Football: Marcus Hepp
Varsity Assistant Football: Zach Deering
Varsity Assistant Football: Kyle Nurse
Varsity Assistant Football: Jake Toomey

Modified Football: Jeremy Boyd
Modified Assistant Football: Cory Viscosi
Modified Assistant Football: Isaiah Moore

Volunteer Assistant Football: Ravion Burt
Volunteer Assistant Football: Tahle Teabout
Volunteer Assistant Football: Nate Conlen
Volunteer Assistant Football: Christopher Brooks
Volunteer Assistant Football: Tyrell Walker
Volunteer Assistant Football: Seven Chandler

Varsity Boys’ Soccer: Brian Ford
Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Nick Grolley
Boys’ Modified Soccer: Pete Mason
Modified Girls’ Soccer: Nicole Ford

Varsity Volleyball: Michele DeGuire
JV Volleyball: Thomas Hayes
Modified Volleyball: Erica Legault
Volunteer Volleyball: Beth Jones

Varsity Cross Country: Melique Garcia & Bridan Sharpe (Co-Coaches)

Varsity Cheerleading: Paige Martin

Varsity E-Sports : Madelyn Degler

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Andrea Morris to the position of Long-Term Substitute ELA Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 5, 2023, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Eric Brady to the position of Part-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 9, 2023, at a rate of $24.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Sheri Senecal and accepted 3-0 (Mary Beth Whited abstained), the Board approved the following School District Bus Drivers for the 2023-24 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Chris Kowalewski
• Robin Donovan
• Starr Harris
• Eric Brady
• Darryl Whited (Substitute Driver)

  On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:

WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirement of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individuals named below have completed all the necessary training to be recertified as lead evaluators of classroom teachers;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby recertifies the following individuals as lead evaluators of classroom teachers:

Catherine Casey
Kirsten DeMento
Michael Foust
Ryan Groat
Molly McGrath
Jessie Richards
David Wareing
Kelly Webster

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:

WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individual named below has completed all the necessary training to be recertified as lead evaluator of building principals;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby recertifies the following individuals as lead evaluator of building principals:

Donald Stevens Jr.
Kelly Webster

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of June 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of May 2023, 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 Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #004
$24,125.25
Duncan & Cahill, Inc.
Payment App. #003
$104,340.57

WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
Statement No. 30
$21.50

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Final 2022-23 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 Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Preliminary 2023-24 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 Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Pioneer Savings Bank for the collection of 2023-24 school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board designated Anil Mulchandani, Pioneer Savings Bank – Watervliet Branch, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommend by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $959.71 for seventy-seven (77) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Albany City School District during the 2022-23 school year for a total cost of $73,897.67, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Payment for Unused Vacation Leave in the amount of $2,550.00 for Rebecca Smith, upon her resignation from the Watervliet City School District, effective June 20, 2023, per Article VIII of the Employee Benefits Document for Managerial/Confidential Employees, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following revised policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Education of Students in Temporary Housing
• Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Students)
• Sports and the Athletic Program
• Suicide
• Dignity for all Students
• Hazing of Students
• Student Gender Identity
• Curriculum Development, Resources, and Evaluation
• Equal Educational Opportunities
• Safety Conditions and Prevention Instruction
• Career and Technical (Occupational) Education
• Instruction in Certain Subjects
• Instruction for English Language Learners
• Instructional Materials and Nonpublic School Students

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held July 6, 2023, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held July 18, 2023, submitted by Veronica Wilson, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the District-Wide Code of Conduct, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the District-Level Safety Plan 2023–2024 School Year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the creation of the following course to be offered to students in Grades 9-12, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School beginning in the 2023–2024 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Applied English & Communications

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling requests of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Student ID 900013488 – grade 3

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached 2023 – 2024 Watervliet City School District Board of Education Goals, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Name: Madison Soroka
  Role: Student Teacher/Intern
  Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh, Jennifer Hoefer & Sarah Hulslander 
  Dates: 2023-24 School Year

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Watervliet City School District (“School District”) intends to participate in the City of Watervliet School Bus Stop Arm Enforcement Program (hereinafter the “Stop Arm Program”), and all current and future authorized Stop Arm Programs within Albany County or surrounding counties in which the School District buses or School District contracted buses are operated;

WHEREAS, the Stop Arm Program is authorized under New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law §1174-a;
WHEREAS, pursuant to NYS VTL §1174-a, in order to participate in the Program, the School District must enter into an agreement with the Municipality;
WHEREAS, the School District intends to execute the School Bus Stop Arm Enforcement Program Opt-In Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit 1, and enter into the Stop Arm Program; and
THEREFORE, be it resolved, on August 8, 2023, the School District Board of Education hereby acknowledges and approves the School Bus Stop Arm Enforcement Program Opt-in Agreement made between the Municipality, the School District, and BusPatrol America LLC, and agrees to be bound by its terms.

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $100,000.00, to continue funding the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Dr. Stevens offered condolences to the family of Doug Payne, who was a member of the BelleJar Foundation and oversaw our program. The donation is in his honor.

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Senecal, on behalf of the Board, also offered condolences to Mr. Payne’s family She also thanked Victoria for stepping up to be the NYSSBA liaison. She thanked Mr. White for nominating her to serve as President, noting that she looks forward to serving once again. She congratulated Mary Beth Whited on her re-appointment to Vice President and wished everyone a fun remainder to their summer.

Mrs. Whited thanked everyone for her appointment to Vice President.

Adjournment

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board