Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: July 1, 2021
Type of Meeting: Organizational Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:01 PM
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Amanda Cavanaugh
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Reports/Comments
The meeting was opened at 6:01 p.m., with President Cavanaugh officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Election of Board Officers
On a motion by Sheri Senecal, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Amanda Cavanaugh as President of the Board of Education.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Sheri Senecal as Vice President of the Board of Education.
Reports/Comments
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Thank you to the Board of Education for their unwavering support over the past 16 months.
- Thank you for the kind words to the administrative team.
- We had some incredible year-end celebrations and graduations were seamless.
- Our hearts and minds are with the victims of the fire. We are collecting donations for four of our students who were affected. We have received a lot of donations so far.
- We are awaiting guidance for face masks for summer school.
- If staff is vaccinated, we do not have to wear masks, unless students are here.
- The building project is underway. We have run into issues with the roofing. The cost of materials has gone up. Abatement at WES has begun. There is no air conditioning in the kindergarten wing. They are looking into it.
- We are looking into the bus schedule due to the fire and the need to reroute.
B. Student Council Report
There was no student council report.
C. Committee Reports
i. Audit Committee
There was no Audit Committee report.
ii. Policy Committee
There was no Policy Committee report.
iii. SAVE Committee
There was no SAVE Committee report.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that the District-wide Safety Plan has been uploaded to the web site and is available for public viewing/comment for 30 days. If the public has any comments, they can send them to the boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Summer Academy 2021 appointment at a salary as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Christine Baumeister, Art
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Extended Year School (ESY) 2021 substitute appointments at a salary as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Kim Barkamian
Racheal Thomas
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle accepted 4-0 (Heather Soroka abstained), the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2021– 2022 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: Fred Job
Modified Football: Dan Gibson
Modified Assistant Football: Dennis Lane
Modified Assistant Football: Melique Garcia
Modified Soccer: Paul Travers
Varsity Girls’ Soccer: Mike O’Brien
Modified Girls’ Soccer: Kelsey Logan
Varsity Volleyball: Dan Short
Modified Volleyball: Michele Deguire
Varsity Cheerleading: Danielle Mele
Varsity Volunteer Cheerleading: Chelsie Clickner
Varsity Volunteer Cheerleading: Hannah O’Neill
Coaching Winter:
Varsity Boys Basketball: Orlando DiBacco
JV Boys Basketball: Ryan Donlon
Modified Boys Basketball: Matt Plew
Varsity Girls Basketball: Kelsey Logan
JV Girls Basketball: J’Neal Sharpe
Varsity Wrestling: Dennis Lane
Varsity Assistant Wrestling: Dan Gibson
Varsity Volunteer: Dan Pomerer
Boys Indoor Track: Melique Garcia
Girls Indoor Track: Brianna Del Bene
Cheerleading: Daniele Mele
Cheerleading Volunteer: Chelsie Clickner
Cheerleading Volunteer: Hannah O’Neill
Coaching Spring:
Varsity Baseball: Pete Soroka
Volunteer Baseball: Mark Cady
Volunteer Baseball: James Griffin Sr.
Varsity Softball: Mike Bendon
Volunteer Softball: Josh Bagnardi
Modified Softball: Beth Jones
Volunteer Softball: John Jones
Boys Outdoor Track: Melique Garcia
Girls Outdoor Track: Brianna Del Bene
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle 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 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Department Chairs:
Business Dept. Chair: Megan Matuszek
English Dept. Chair: Tami Karbowski
Foreign Language: Meghan Fronczek
Guidance Dept. Chair: David Olszewski
Mathematics Dept. Chair: Camelia Sofrone
Physical Education Dept. Chair: Peter Strand
Science/Technology Dept. Chair: Walter Bowden
Social Studies Dept. Chair: Scott Emerson
Special Education Dept. Chair: Veronica Bedard
Clubs/Class Advisors:
Class of 2022: Tami Karbowski and Lisa Suders
Junior High Student Council: Ashleigh Fraley and Lisa Suders
Student Council: Scott Emerson and Dan Mueller
Marching Band: Hilary Boyer
Masterminds: Yuriy Berin
National Junior Honor Society: Ashleigh Fraley and Lisa Suders
National Honor Society: Scott Emerson and Lyndsay Moore
Yearbook Advisor: Christa Farruggio
Yearbook Business Manager: Rebecca Smith
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the Watervliet Elementary School Clubs for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Yearbook/Communications: Kelly Gilchrist
Student Council/Ambassadors: Tina Spenard and Brenda Zawistowski
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following staff to the positions outlined below for the 2021 – 2022 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Chemical Hygiene Officer: Ashleigh Fraley
Computer Coordinator WES: Allison Novotarski
Computer Coordinator WHS: Ashleigh Fraley
Health Coordinator: Dennis Lane
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of John Szkopiec to the position of Night Cleaning Supervisor for the Watervliet City School District for a period beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022, at a salary of $12,906 as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of May 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 Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $224.46 for one (1) student who resides within the Watervliet City School District and attends a private or parochial school within the North Greenbush Common School District during the 2020-2021 school year for a total cost of $224.46, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the designation of Pupil Benefits Plan, Inc. as the Student Accident insurance carrier for the Watervliet City School District for the 2021 –2022 school year submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the designation of the following banks as Official Depository of Funds, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Bank of America
- JP Morgan Chase Bank
- Pioneer Savings Bank
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the establishment of mileage reimbursement for district employees authorized to travel in performing official school district business based upon the “IRS Standard Mileage Rates,” as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the designation of The Troy Record as the official newspaper, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the establishment of the following Petty Cash Funds, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Business Office – $100
Cafeteria WHS – $100
Cafeteria WES – $100
WHS Main Office – $40
WES Main Office – $40
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following appointments, effective July 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent:
District Treasurer, Part-Time – John Heid
Assistant District Treasurer – Keith Heid
Assistant Clerk of the Board – Keith Heid
Financial Consultant – Capital Market Advisors, LLC
Bond Counsel – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP
Independent Auditor, CPA – Teal, Becker and Chiaramonte
Internal Claims Auditor – Michaeleen Backus
Attorneys – Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC and Ferrara, Fiorenza, Barrett & Reitz
Purchasing Agent – Dani Jones
Pesticide Representative – David McFarland
Asbestos LEA Designee – David McFarland
FOIL Officer – Bernadette Boardman
Residency Determination Officer – Donald Stevens
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following appointments, effective July 1, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name: Bernadette L. Boardman
Position: Clerk of the Board
Stipend: $2,000.00
Name: Keith Heid
Position: Tax Collector
Stipend: $1,500.00
Name: Roni O’Brien
Position: Transportation Coordinator
Stipend: $1,500.00
Name: Danielle Jones
Position: Activity Treasurer WCSD
Stipend: $1,500.00
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the bonding of District employees, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- District Treasurer – $1,100,000.00
- Tax Collector – $1,100,000.00
- Internal Claims Auditor – $1,100,000.00
- Assistant District Treasurer – $100,000.00
- Central Treasurer – $100,000.00
- Other Staff – $100,000.00
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board authorized the signature on checks issued against all accounts of the school district to be that of the District Treasurer or, in his/her absence, the Assistant District Treasurer, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board authorized the District Treasurer or his/her designee to invest and/or deposit funds according to the District’s investment policy, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board authorized the Superintendent of Schools to:
- Sign all applications for Federal Grants and Programs;
- Transfer funds within the budget, up to $5,000, upon the recommendation of the Business Manager;
- Certify Payrolls;
- Sign all contracts pertaining to disabled students; and
- Approve attendance at educational meetings, conferences, graduate courses for administrative, instructional and support staff.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Corrective Action Plan prepared in response to the NYS Comptroller’s Audit on the Safeguarding of the District’s Information Technology for the period July 1, 2019 through November 17, 2020, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held June 10, 2021, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held June 2, June 3, June 7, and June 11, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held June, 16, 2021, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Committee on Pre-School and Special Education (CPSE) appointments, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE)
Sarah Horaczek Chairperson
Albany County Rep. Designated by the County
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Parents of Student
Related-Services Personnel (If applicable)
Committee on Special Education (CSE)
Veronica Bedard CSE Chairperson/School Psychologist (Grades 6-12)
Daniele Tetrault CSE Chairperson /School Psychologist (Grades K-5)
Kelly Bariteau School Counselor – (Grades K-5)
Chelsea Clickner School Counselor – (Grades 6-8)
Dave Olszewski School Counselor – (Grades 9-12/A-K)
Katelyn McAvoy School Counselor – (Grades 9-12/M-Z)
Beth Lipson, Louisa Vaughan Social Workers (Grades 6-12)
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Parents of Student
School Physician (If requested)
Related-Service Personnel (If applicable)
Student (If applicable)
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Veronica Bedard Chairperson (Grades 6-12)
Daniele Tetrault Chairperson (Grades K-5)
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
School Counselor
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Parents of student
Student (If applicable)
Sub-Committee on Special Education*
Daniele Tetrault Chairperson (Grades K-5)
Kelly Bariteau School Counselor (Grades K-5)
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Parents of student
Student (If applicable)
Sub-Committee on Special Education*
Veronica Bedard Chairperson (Grades 6-12)
Student’s Special Ed. Teacher
Student’s Regular Ed. Teacher
Other persons having knowledge or special expertise regarding student (ex: related services personnel)
Student (If applicable)
*Sub-Committee may perform the functions of the Committee on Special Education except when a student is a:
• New referral
• Transfer
• Special Class
• BOCES Placement
• Private School Placement
Impartial Hearing Officers:
To be selected from a rotational selection list. Pursuant to section 200.1(x) of the Regulations of the Commissioner, these individuals are certified by New York State. This list, provided by the New York State education Department, is in alphabetical order and the officers are listed by county. An IHO must be selected from the school district’s list of IHO’s beginning with the first name appearing on the list. After an IHO has been selected by the district, the district continues down the list in alphabetical order upon request of any further impartial hearings.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following District-wide School Safety Team as recommended by the Superintendent:
Dr. Lori S. Caplan, Superintendent
Don Stevens, Administrator
Kirsten DeMento, Administrator
Kelly Webster, WES Administrator
Ryan Groat, WHS Administrator
Rebecca Smith, Administrative Assistant, WHS
Chrissy Daniels, Administrative Assistant/Parent, WES
Ashleigh Fraley, Chemical Hygiene Officer/Teacher
Joseph Centanni, Watervliet Police Chief
Tim Murphy, BOCES, Health, Safety, and Risk Management Consultant
Dennis Lane, Teacher/Health Coordinator
Thomas Garrett, Fire Chief
Allison Santiago, Social Worker
Beth Lipson, Social Worker
Sue Vogel, School Nurse
Racheal Thomas, School Nurse
Sheri Senecal, School Board Member
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the sport merger between the Watervliet City School District and Cohoes City School District for Wrestling, beginning with the Winter 2021 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached Professional Development Plan 2021 – 2024 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached 2021 – 2024 Watervliet City School District Board of Education Goals, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board set the following dates as Regular Board of Education Meetings for 2021 – 2022:
- July 1 (Organizational Meeting)
- August 12
- September 9
- October 14
- November 18
- December 9
- January 13
- February 10
- March 10
- April 21 (Budget Adoption)
- April 27 (BOCES Budget Vote – 7:30 a.m.)
- May 10 (Regular Board of Education Meeting/Budget Hearing)
- May 17 School District Budget Vote & Election (Board meets to receive and accept results – 8:30 p.m.)
- June 9
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of old textbooks/materials, submitted by Donald Stevens, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry Packet #10, submitted by BOCES, as approved by the Superintendent.
Board Discussion
Mrs. Cavanaugh thanked the board for voting for her to serve as President again. She asked the Board if they wanted to do a retreat and what format they would like to use.
Mrs. Senecal stated that she thought a retreat would be a good idea.
Mrs. Cavanaugh noted that a draft of the new superintendent’s contract is in their e-mail. She asked board members to look it over and provide feedback.
Adjournment
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board