Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: March 16, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:31 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Timothy Delisle
Brian White
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
The meeting was opened at 6:31 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
State Budget Overview Assembly Member John McDonald
2023-24 Budget Workshop #3 Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. & Keith Heid
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- Thank you to Assembly Member McDonald for providing an overview of the state budget.
- Thank you to the Board for rescheduling tonight’s meeting due to the snow.
- Earlier tonight, Mrs. Senecal and I attended and recognized some of our students at an art show in the concourse. Congratulations to all of the students who had their artwork on display. Photos taken will be posted on social media.
- International Night will be on Tuesday, March 21. Hopefully, you all plan to be here.
- I am excited about tomorrow’s Superintendent’s Conference Day. Students will not be in session. We have a full day planned. Thank you, in advance, to our cafeteria staff, for providing a St. Patrick’s Day lunch. We have some really good sessions planned. Staff from Green Island and Menands School District’s will be participating.
B. Committee Reports
Audit Committee
There was no report.
Policy Committee
There was no report.
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Staff)
- Registration and Professional Learning
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal noted that a few of our students are participating in the Patroon Conference games tonight. Congratulations to them. She also noted that a district staff member suffered a terrible fire, which damaged her family’s home and displaced them. She asked Dr. Stevens to share information on fundraisers being planned to help the family out.
Dr. Stevens noted that we held a pajama day fundraiser today, which was organized by students. The Student Ambassadors Club and the Cannoneer Club both wanted to do something to help the staff member and her family. They raised a great amount of money. As a district, we collected donations as well. Future events are being looked at, based on the family’s needs. The “City of Watervliet Fire Victims” account is set up at Pioneer Savings Bank, where donations are being accepted for both families affected.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board removed from the table and postponed indefinitely the emergency probationary appointment of William Moore to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective February 21, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Thomas Hayes, from the position of Girls’ Track Coach for the spring 2023 season, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Beth Lipson, from the position of School Social Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 2, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Louisa Boehlert Vaughan, from the position of School Social Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 2, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Camelia Sofrone from the position of Math Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Natalie Spence from the position of Art Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Peter Gaddy from the position of Business Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Tina Shufelt from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the retirement request of Michelle Brown from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the leave request for Christa Farruggio, for the 2023-2024 school year, to return at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the leave request for Stephanie Sutton, for the 2023-2024 school year, to return at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Dennis Need to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at a rate of $15.00, effective March 13, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Sara Krempecki to the position of Substitute Part-Time Night Cleaner, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning March 8, 2023, at rate of $15.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Chelsie Clickner to the grant-funded position of Homeless Youth Counselor, effective March 14, 2023, for two hours per week, at a rate of $35.71 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed the following Coaches for the 2022– 2023 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 Spring:
Boys’ Track Assistant: Olivia Skylstad
Girls’ Outdoor Track: Christopher Adams
Modified Baseball: Thomas Hayes
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #10 and #11).
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of February 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Report for the month of January 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 Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Payment for Unused Sick Leave in the amount of $5,350.21 to Marie Schlosser upon her retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective January 3, 2023, per Article X of the Watervliet Support Staff Association (WSSA) Agreement, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- CSArch – A/E (01/23)
Invoice # 5179
$1,296.29 - CSArch – CM (01/23)
Invoice # 5180
$2,534.20 - CSArch – A/E (02/23)
Invoice # 5262
$1,296.29 - CSArch – CM (02/23)
Invoice # 5265
$2,534.19 - DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App # 022
$6,963.13 - Gallo Construction
Payment App # 019
$15,881.66 - Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
Statement # 27
$451.50
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with Arduino S.r.l., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Data Privacy Agreement with IXL Learning, Inc., as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Cooperative Agreement with Hudson Valley Community College, to provide college in the high school courses, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Alcohol, Tobacco, Drugs, and Other Substances (Staff)
- Registration and Professional Learning
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held February 7, March 1 and March 8, 2023, 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 unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held January 30, February 1, February 2, February 3, February 14, February 15, February 16, February 28, March 1, and March 2, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held February 16, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited 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(s): Samantha Allen
Role: Student Teacher/Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Scott Emerson
Dates: March 13–16, 2023
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Name(s): Taylor Calacone
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha McCabe
Dates: Spring 2023 Semester
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited 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 091680004 – grade 10
- Student ID 900012394 – grade 8
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of 11 bookshelves from the Alison Belloise, on behalf of Stone Management, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal offered best wishes to staff retiring this year. She wished them lots of happiness in the future. She also added that our next Board meeting is April 4, when we plan to adopt the budget.
Dr. Stevens congratulated all of the retirees on behalf of the district. He noted that we are losing some very dedicated individuals that have been here much longer than him. He wished them well in retirement.
Adjournment
On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board