Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: May 10, 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 (joined virtually at 6:08 p.m.)

Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens, Jr.

Student Council Rep: Gianna Rincon

The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m., with Vice President Senecal officiating.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

Reports/Comments

A. Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Stevens shared the following:

• Thank you to Darryl, Ross and members of the Culinary Club, via the ExTRA Program for providing us with charcuterie boards, coffee and cookies tonight.
• Tonight will be the second reading of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy. I am proud of this policy. It is just a framework – what we do with it is what matters.
• A school climate survey was sent out to students, parents, teachers, administrators and all staff. They are anonymous.
• This Thursday is the National Honor Society Induction ceremony. The ceremony will be both in-person and live-streamed. Two guests per inductee are allowed to attend.
• Next Monday is Special Persons Night at WES. Two guests per student are allowed to attend.
• One week from tonight will be the school budget vote and election. We will also be holding a chicken barbeque fundraiser at WES. All are welcome to order. We will have a Board of Education meeting at 7:00 p.m. for an executive session and then receipt of the votes.
• This is an extremely exciting budget. We will restore programs, restore personnel, and support students, as we emerge from the pandemic.

B. Student Council Report

Gianna Rincon, Student Council Representative, shared the following:

• Student Council members will be meeting with Mr. Whited to continue food service discussions. We have really enjoyed our meetings with Mr. Whited throughout this year and look forward to continuing these meetings in the 2022-23 school year.
• The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony will be held this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the WHS auditorium. It will also be livestreamed. This year, 17 students will be inducted.

C. Committee Reports

Policy Committee

First Reading of New Policies:
Use of Social Media
Student Evaluation, Promotion and Placement
Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)

Second Reading of New Policy:
Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in Education

Meet the Candidates

Brian White and Sheri Senecal each introduced themselves and provided background information on why they are running for the school board.

2022–2023 Budget Hearing

Mr. Heid provided an overview of the proposed 2022-23 budget, noting that it is a $33.7 million budget, which is a 10% increase. He added that the district was given a large increase in foundation aid. He noted that there is a separate proposition on the ballot for the leasing of school buses, which has no impact on school taxes, as it is already included in the budget. NYS law requires us to list it as a separate proposition.

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Senecal congratulated Heather Soroka, who was recently re-elected to serve on the BOCES board.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Employee Separation Agreement dated April 20, 2022, and authorized the Superintendent to take all necessary action to carry out the terms of the settlement.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Matthew Saucier, from the position of Technology Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Sharon Woodsinger, from the position of Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective March 31, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Hilary Boyer, from the position of Band Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Carmen Diaz, from the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Watervliet City School District, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accept the resignation of Kaitlin Shannon, from the position of Self-Contained Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board accept the resignation of Cory Viscosi, from the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective April 29, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Cory Viscosi to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. –Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning May 2, 2022 and ending May 1, 2023, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Janelle Yanni to the position of Interim Assistant Principal, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning May 4, 2022 at a daily rate of $500.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Summer Program 2022 appointment at a salary as per contract:

Donna Belokopitsky Teaching Assistant

On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Extended School Year (ESY) 2022 appointments at a salary as per contract:

Louisa Vaughan/Beth Lipson Social Worker (split position)
Leah Pike Speech and Language Pathologist
Daniel Mueller Teacher
Denise Cusack Teacher
Janice Sogoian Teaching Assistant
Kelly Gilchrist Bus Aide & Teaching Assistant
Elise Peterson Teaching Assistant
Jessica Willson Substitute Teacher

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of March 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 Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Bid Results, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

$10,000,000 Bond Anticipation Notes – 2022 (Renewal)
Interest Rate
Jefferies LLC 2.2370%

Other Bids

Oppenheimer & Co. 2.3085%
Bank of Greene Co. (Partial Bid) 2.4900%

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle 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

Capital Markets Advisors (CMA)
Invoice #661
$10,750.00
DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App # 012
$38,205.11
Invoice #21015-015
$3,296.16
Facilities, Equipment & Service (FES)
Invoice #14035-1-5
$39,031.66
Invoice #14035-2-5
$5,251.50
Gallo Construction
Payment App # 012
$26,910.00
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe
Invoice Dated 4/28/22
$6,150.00
R.F. Gordon Mechanical LLC
Payment App # 010
$37,737.77
Invoice #03-004-2210$18,490.00

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of April 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital Area, for the New York State Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program, effective July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Education Law 2-d Opt-In Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Erie 1 BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Timothy Delisle, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Temporary Easement and Right of Way Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Michael and Jennifer McNeff, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held April 12 and April 27, 2022, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held March 28, April 4, April 5, April 6, April 7, April 11, April 12, April 13, April 14, April 25, April 27, and April 28, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held April 6, April 13, and April 27, 2022, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 504 Committee’s recommendations for the meeting held April 6 and April 14, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard and Danielle Tetrault, 504 Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached new Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity in Education Policy for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the addition of the a new online course, Principles of Microeconomics, for PTech Students to take over the summer of 2022 through Hudson Valley Community College, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Carmen Diaz, Director of Curriculum, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Timothy Delisle and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name(s): Mariah Watkins
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Rachel Alric
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester

Name: Kilie Sweet
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michaeleen Backus
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester

Name: Davina Gladney
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Jeanne Lance & Jennifer Williams
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester

Name: Rylee Desso
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Kim Tallmadge
Dates: Spring 2022 Semester

Board of Education Discussion

Mrs. Senecal shared the following:

•  Thank you to everyone for attending tonight’s meeting.
• Thank you to the cooking club for the refreshments.
• A reminder to everyone to come out and vote week and to pick up a dinner. She reminded everyone that the Board will meet on May 17 at 7:00 p.m. for an executive session and then at 8:30 p.m. to receive the results of the vote.
•  An invitation to Mr. White to attend the meeting when the results of the budget vote/election are received.
• The Board of Education invited Amanda Cavanaugh to attend the June board meeting on June 9 at 6:00 p.m., so they can present her with a special gift.
• There are a lot of upcoming events, so be on the lookout.

Adjournment

On a motion by Heather Soroka seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board