Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: June 9, 2022
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members present:
Vice President Sheri Senecal
Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Timothy Delisle
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr.
The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m., with Vice President Senecal officiating.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
June 2022 Year in Review Presentation WCSD Administrators
Ms. DeMento invited the Board of Education to UPK graduation on Tuesday, June 21.
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- Thank you to the Administrators for putting together tonight’s presentation. I appreciate their dedication and hard work this year. The same goes to staff for a fantastic year of supporting students, building relationships and getting back to normal.
- End of the year activities are taking shape. We had the prom, senior parade and field day at WES. Graduation is June 24 and UPK graduation is June 21.
- At each Board member’s place is a draft of meeting dates for next year. We will adopt them at the July meeting. Please take a look at it and let Bernadette know of any concerns.
- Summer programs will happen at WES this year, including credit recovery, the summer academy, and ESY.
- The building project will continue this summer in both buildings. Elevators will be going in to both buildings, parking lot work, new lights being installed, etc.
- Mr. Whited has provided refreshments at tonight’s meeting.
- We had a great Senior Awards night, thanks to Mr. Wareing.
- There are a lot of groups we would like to thank for negotiations. We are in a unique spot with the workforce and hiring and maintaining employees, as every other corporation is throughout the country. We worked closely with support staff, non-aligned staff, etc. to make adjustments to bring staff up to speed with other places of employment.
B. Committee Reports
Policy Committee
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Use of Social Media
- Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
Board of Education Discussion
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.
The Board presented Amanda Cavanaugh with a token of appreciation for her service as a Board of Education Member.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Ashleigh Fraley, from the position of Science Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 22, 2022, 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 Anna Makovik, from the position of Math Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2022, 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 Ricardo Domena to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective May 16, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 3-0 (Timothy Delisle abstained), the Board approved the emergency appointment of John DeGeorge to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $15.00 per hour, effective May 31, 2022, 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 Michael LaCouture to the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher, Grade 6, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective May 31, 2022, at a rate of $150.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Michael Zitolo to the position of Science Teacher, in the tenure area of Science, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 8 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2026, 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. Michael Zitolo holds a Chemistry 7-12 certification, (certificate #666375121) and Physics 7-12 certification (certificate #666374121).
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Mikayla Rossier to the position of Special Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Students with Disabilities B-2/1-6, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2026, 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.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Michaeleen Backus to the position of Long-Term Substitute Reading Intervention Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, per contract, 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 Alexa Whyte to the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 6, 2022, at Step 1 salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Summer Program 2022 appointment at a salary as per contract:
Dave Olszewski Counselor
Sue Vogel Nurse
Michaeleen Backus Grade K Teacher
Leah Karn Grade 1 Teacher
Adrienne Todd Grade 2 Teacher
Beth Jones Grade 3 Teacher
Jeanne Lance Grade 4 Teacher
Sarah Huslander Grade 5 Teacher
Daniel Ciaramella Grade 6 Teacher
Dylan Lukowski Grade 7/8 Teacher
Gina Smith Grade K-6 Co-Teach SPED Teacher
Madeline Rehm Grade K-6 ENL Teacher
Brian Hoefer/Kelsey Logan Grade K-6 PE Teacher (Splitting position)
A.J. Ferris Grade K-6 Music Teacher
Kim Barkamian Grade 7-12 Co-Teach SPED Teacher
Kristin Hand Grade 9-12 ELA Teacher
Becky Jones Grade 9-12 Social Studies Teacher
Karen Quinn Grade 9-12 Living Environment Teacher
Angela Aubrey Grade 9-12 Math Teacher
Dennis Lane Grade 9-12 Health/PE
Peg Angie Grade 5/6 Teaching Assistant
Melanie DiSalvo Grade 2/3 Teaching Assistant
Karen Maher Grade 4 Teaching Assistant
Haley Menze Grade 7/8 Teaching Assistant
Elise Peterson Grade 1 Teaching Assistant
Kate Diaco Substitute
Kaleigh Hill Substitute
Robina Hussain Substitute
Lyndsay Moore Substitute
Tina Shufelt Substitute
Jessica Willson Substitute
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Extended School Year (ESY) 2022 appointments at a salary as per contract:
Mikayla Rossier Grade K-2 Teacher
Alexa Whyte Grade 2-4 Teacher
Laura Zasada Teaching Assistant
Nicholas Rivera Teaching Assistant
Lyndsay Moore Substitute Teacher
Tina LaVallee Substitute Teacher
Michele DeGuire Substitute Teacher
Annemarie Gleason Substitute Teaching Assistant
Megan Wallas Substitute Teaching Assistant
Juliana Chromik Substitute Teaching Assistant
Kaleigh Hill Substitute Teacher / Substitute Speech Therapist
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Summer Lunch Program 2022 appointments, at a salary as per contract:
Mary Schoonmaker Amber Craver
Patricia King Heather Swinney
Paige Jensen Maria Whited
Carol Waters Rosa Morales
Adrian Orozco Rebecca Sutherland
Theresa Lewis Substitute: Margaret Bell
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 #11, and #12).
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of April 2022, 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 following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
CSArch – A/E (4/22)
Invoice # 4197
$2,706.30
CSArch – CM (4/22)
Invoice # 4198
$5,068.38
DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App #013
$47,643.46
R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App #011
$2,346.27
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $995.00 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Bethlehem Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,990.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $758.18 for eight (8) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Lansingburgh Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $6,065.44, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $843.44 for twenty-one (21) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the North Colonie Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $17,712.24, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $274.77 for six (6) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the North Greenbush Common School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,648.62, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $756.40 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Rensselaer City School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,512.80, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $820.29 for five (5) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the South Colonie Central School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $4,101.45, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $834.60 for fourteen (14) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Troy City School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $11,684.40, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $689.05 for two (2) students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend a private or parochial school within the Wynantskill Union Free School District during the 2021-22 school year for a total cost of $1,378.10, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved an employer non-elective contribution of $7,659.00 to the 403B account of William Gallagher for Unused Sick Leave upon his retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective June 30, 2022, per the terms of the Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools of the Enlarged City School District of Watervliet and the Watervliet Teachers’ Association, 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 an employer non-elective contribution of $3,902.00 to the 403B account of Cecilia Nicolaescu for Unused Sick Leave upon her retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective June 30, 2022, per the terms of the Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools of the Enlarged City School District of Watervliet and the Watervliet Teachers’ Association, 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 resolution:
Whereas, on April 23, 2020 the Board of Education of the Watervliet City School District by resolution established the Debt Service Reserve Fund pursuant to Section 6-l of the General Municipal Law; and,
Whereas, the Watervliet City School District anticipates that future debt service liabilities will exceed the expected Building Aid received from the State to fund such liabilities, and,
Whereas, the Watervliet City School District wishes to cover a portion of the amount of the District’s future liability for debt service and therefore, reducing the local cost of said liabilities for 2022-23 and beyond.
Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved that:
1. The Watervliet City School District Board of Education directs the Business Manager to transfer the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the District’s Unappropriated Fund Balance into the Debt Service Reserve Fund to cover a portion of the District’s future liability for debt service for 2022-23 and beyond.
2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
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 May 2022, 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 Education Law 2-d Opt-In Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Clever Inc, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with the Center for Disability Services, effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and accepted 4-0 (Mary Beth Whited abstained), the Board approved the revised employee benefits document for Cafeteria Workers and Lunchroom Monitors of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised employee benefits document for the Cook Manager of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2025, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised employee benefits document for Non-Aligned Employees of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2026, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised agreement between The Watervliet Support Staff Association and the Superintendent of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised employee benefits document for Managerial / Confidential Employees of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2027, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised agreement between The Watervliet Administrators’ Association and the Superintendent of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2019– June 30, 2026, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board amended the employment agreement between the District and Dr. Donald Stevens Jr. dated August 12, 2021, and authorizes the Board Vice President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment(s) in accordance therewith.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Sarah Horaczek to take EEPL 611 – Philosophy of Education and EEPL 687: Institute in Education courses at the University at Albany beginning May 23, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
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 May 10, 2022 and May 17, 2022, 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 May 2, May 3, May 4, May 9, May 12, May 13, May 16, May 18, May 19, May 20, May 23, May 24, May 25, and May 26, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, 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 meetings held May 4, May 10, May 16, and May 18, 2022, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the following revised policies for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Use of Social Media
- Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
- Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised Wellness Policy for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling and special education services request of Jessica Havnen for her child, Ethan Havnen, Grade K, for the 2022 – 2023 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 excision of 15 broken/irreparable calculators from the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, 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 Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Rachel Doody
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michaeleen Backus & Rachel Alric
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
- All of us were able to attend today’s events for the seniors, which was very nice.
- Heather and I were also able to go to the Sports Awards night, which was also very nice.
- On the same night, some of our students graduated from the BOCES program. Congratulations to all of them.
- Thank you to everyone for their dedication to the school district.
Mr. Delisle thanked Mrs. Cavanaugh for all of her time spent on the Board.
Mrs. Senecal thanked Mrs. Cavanaugh for her time, especially during COVID, and for all of the creative solutions she was able to come up with. It was something the community needed.
Adjournment
On a motion by Timothy Delisle seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board