Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: October 14, 2021
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:05 p.m.
Where: Livestream
Board Members Present:
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle (joined the meeting at 6:31 p.m.)
Board Members Absent:
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student Council Rep: Gwendolyn Pair
The meeting was opened at 6:05 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
Building Project Update Scott Wolfe, Paul Nickerson, Joe Wasko
Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that she appreciates all that they are doing to keep the project on track and moving forward.
Dr. Caplan added that discussions have taken place regarding turning the back of the scoreboard at the WJSHS into a message board and installing an electronic sign at WES at, using Federal money. She asked Mr. Wolfe to talk about that a little bit.
Mr. Wolfe noted that replacing and upgrading the water coolers at WJSHS, including bottle fillers was also discussed.
A. Superintendent’s Report
Mr. Stevens shared the following:
- Thanks to the public, Board of Education and community members for their patience and understanding when it comes to students who have been quarantined by the Department of Health. It all happens at the direction of the DOH.
- We are working closely with WYH for more vaccination clinics. At any time, students and staff can schedule appointments at our school-based health clinics. That includes all of our winter athletes.
- Surveillance testing via a mouth swab will be starting soon. We have one more training to complete. You can sign up for surveillance testing via a link on our web site. Surveillance testing is important so we can keep a pulse on the spread of the virus.
- I would like to quickly recognize the school board. Next week is School Board Recognition Week. Please reach out to your school board members and let them know how much you appreciate them.
- Thank you to Dr. Caplan. I would not be prepared for the coming months and years if it had not been for the last two years with Dr. Caplan, sitting in her office on a routine basis. We will have a seamless transition.
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Thank you to the BOE for the very thoughtful gift and the kind words. These past two years have been like no other. This administrative team is second to none. We are like a family and we all work for the good of the whole. I’ve never had two bad days. I love this community, the students, the team, teachers, the support staff, parents and guardians. I leave with a lot of great memories and knowing that my 16 years of work was not in vain.
Amanda Cavanaugh stated that she was glad that Dr. Caplan was able to get the gifts. She read a statement she wrote praising Dr. Caplan for the work done during her time with the district.
Dr. Caplan thanked Amanda for her kind words.
Mary Beth Whited wished Dr. Caplan good luck and told her to enjoy her well-deserved retirement.
Dr. Caplan thanked Mary Beth for the kind words.
Mr. Groat, on behalf of the Administrative unit, thanked Dr. Caplan and wished her the best of luck in her retirement.
Timothy Delisle thanked Dr. Caplan for her service.
B. Student Council Report
Gwendolyn Pair, Student Council representative, shared the following:
- We are a little over a month into the school year, and it is so good to be back to almost normal.
- Student Council is working on some fun things for the school year.
- As we have done in the past, we will be meeting with Mr. Whited throughout the year, to talk about lunch options.
- We will be meeting with Mr. Groat to talk about things to make our school better, such as themed Fridays, where we all dress in certain ways (like wearing school colors).
- We will be hosting monthly after-school game afternoons, to give students a COVID-safe activity to look forward to.
- We will continue our work on discussing social issues, getting students ready to vote, and looking at the updates that might be needed to the code of conduct to provide for more diversity and inclusivity.
- On behalf of the students, thank you to Dr. Caplan for being the high school principal for seven years and the Superintendent for nine years. Congratulations on your retirement.
Dr. Caplan thanked Gwendolyn for the kind words.
President Cavanaugh thanked Gwendolyn and offered the Board’s support to the Student Council’s efforts.
C. Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
There was no Audit Committee report.
- Policy Committee
There was no Policy Committee report.
- SAVE Committee
There was no SAVE Committee report.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that the PTA is wrapping up its current fundraiser, so check it out if you have yet to do so. We are working on a Halloween event at the school, on Halloween, from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Masks are required. I have over 15 different community members and businesses participating and it will allow the children a safe way for our students to trick-or-treat safely. Everyone is invited to the Elementary School on Friday, October 29, at 1:40 p.m. for the parade. Masks are required.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Tina DeFrain-Hebert, from the position of Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 22, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Emma Eames, from the position of Clerk Typist at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 28, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board accepted the resignation of Kristina Gladney, from the position of Attendance Officer at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the retirement request of Erin Manning, from the position of Clerk Typist at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective November 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the retirement request of Eileen Reinfurt, from the position of Attendance Clerk at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board modified the appointment of Victoria Mangold to the position of Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, with a new effective date of September 27, 2021, at a Step 1 rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency transfer of Margaret Bell from the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker to the position of Full-Time Cafeteria Worker, effective October 1, 2021, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Kimberly Schreck to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 22, 2021 and ending September 22, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Arianna Dockstader to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 27, 2021 and ending September 27, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Mary Ann Morris to the position of Lunch Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 27, 2021 and ending September 27, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Sofia Babar to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 29, 2021 and ending September 29, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Sergio Najera Sanchez to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning October 4, 2021 and ending October 4, 2022, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Chance Fosmire to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective September 20, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Sara Krempecki to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective September 20, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the position of After-School APEX Program Teacher, for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a prorated rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Ashleigh Fraley
Joanna Beams
Christa Farruggio
Kerry Degnan
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following ExTRA Program appointments for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a prorated rate as per contract, as recommended by the superintendent:
WJSHS:
Lauryn Lloyd – Homework Help
Dan Ciaramella – Homework Help
Cameka Williams – Homework Help & Book Club Advisor
Joanna Beams – Homework Help
Wendy Ryan – Homework Help
Annemarie Gleason – Art Club
Ashley Dorn – Drama Club Advisor & Chorus Club Advisor
Madeline Rehm – Drama Club Assistant Advisor
Yuriy Berin – MasterMinds Advisor
WES:
Kate Choi – Book Buddies (Homework Help)
Rosie Sharpe – Book Buddies (Homework Help) & Arts & Crafts Club Advisor
Janice Sogoian – Homework Help & Book Club Advisor
Michele Deguire – Homework Help
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, 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:
Kirsten DeMento
Maria DeNovio
Michael Foust
Ryan Groat
Kelly Webster
David Wareing
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, 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 certified 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:
Carmen Diaz
Sarah Horaczek
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, 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 certified as lead evaluator of building principals;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby certifies the following individual as lead evaluator of building principals:
Donald Stevens, Jr.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of September 2021, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June, July and August 2021, 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 Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved one (1) 2021 Summer School Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $37,430.00 as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved thirty (30) 2021-2022 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $1,183,244.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the one (1) 2021-2022 Regular School Year Transportation Contract Extension between Durham Transportation and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $265,665.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
Atlantic Testing Lab.
Invoice #234352
$3,356.00
Invoice #234502
$2,697.50
Invoice #235039
$1,122.50
Barton & Loguidice
Invoice #119679
$1,426.16
Invoice #120239
$232.50
CSArch
Invoice #3517
$12,972.76
Invoice #3518
$38,012.88
Invoice #3596
$6,481.45
Invoice #3597
$17,739.34
DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App #005
$41,439.00
Gallo Construction
Payment App #005
$51,306.42
General Roofing Contractors
Payment App #004
$317,252.50
R.F. Gorgon Mechanical LLC
Payment App #004
$275,141.60
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Watervliet Support Staff and The Watervliet City School District, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement between the Watervliet Teachers’ Association and The Watervliet City School District, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the request to increase the hourly rate for Non-Aligned Maintenance Staff and Bus Drivers to $15.00 per hour, effective October 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Waklet Limited, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Upstate Images, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Teaching Strategies, LLC, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with The Children’s Health Market, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the County of Albany, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Contract Proposal between the Watervliet City School District and Thomas McKee, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Cross Contract Request between the Watervliet City School District and Questar III, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held September 9, 2021 and September 15, 2021, 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 accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 16, August 26, September 2, September 3, September 9, September 10, September 13, September 14, September 24, September 28, and October 1, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held September 14 and September 22, 2021, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the 504 Committee’s recommendations for the meeting held September 28, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, 504 Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the following home schooling requests for the 2021 – 2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Student: Jayda Rodgers, Grade 6
Student: Javian Rodgers, Grade 4
Student: Jeremiah Tufall, Grade K
Parent/Guardian: Samantha Johnson
Student: Alexis Mae Zakrzewski, Grade 3
Parent/Guardian: Meagan Dayter
Student: Theresa Sawyer, Grade 9
Student: Beige Sawyer, Grade 3
Parent/Guardian: Kelly Garrison
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Brooke Saffle
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Louisa Boehlert Vaughan
Dates: 2021-2022 School Year (2 days/week)
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the following Grandparent Program Volunteers at the Watervliet Elementary School, for the 20201 – 2022 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Mary Ann Thayer
Laura Allen
Frank Dolan
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the excision of one Obsolete Smartboard, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and other COVID-19 related cleaners/sanitizers from Michael Sawyer & Jesse Ostrowski from the Glenville Lowe’s, to the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Adjournment
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0, the Board adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board