Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: October 17, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 5:06 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka (via zoom until 6:30 p.m.)
Brian White
Victoria Donnelly
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
Student Council Rep: Jada Green
The meeting opened at 5:06 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.
Executive Session
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board entered into Executive Session to discuss matters related to the investigation and employment history of a particular person.
Adjournment and Reconvene
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Victoria Donnelly, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned executive session and reconvened the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Mrs. Soroka left the meeting at 6:30.
Public Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
A. Administrators’ Reports
Ms. Richards shared the following:
- The Yondr pouches are working well. Referrals are down, we are getting great feedback from teachers and students, interim progress reports appear to have improved, and attendance has stayed flat, which is good because use of the pouches has not increased absenteeism. I am looking forward to seeing what the data shows as the first quarter comes to a close.
Mrs. Senecal asked if there have been any problems with the pouches breaking.
Ms. Richards responded that some of the pins have bent, and students need help with them, so we assist them. Some students have lost or broken their pouches, but they either bring the money in to replace them or they check them in when they arrive. They are then locked up for the day and handed back at dismissal.
Mr. Groat shared the following:
- Extracurricular clubs are up and running. A lot more kids are staying after to participate. The new “Just Run” club is a neat new club that is getting our students out and exercising.
In looking at the agenda, I see that we have a lot of student observers and student teachers, which is something we need, and many of them are former students returning to the district. Being the former High School Principal, it is nice to see them coming back. Hopefully some of them will come back and teach in the future.
Ms. DeMento shared the following:
- Evolve is “evolving!” Personal attendance for each student has increased. Five students are passing all subjects – two of which have never passed. The program has had some growing pains, but there have been no discipline referrals. The location has been beneficial.
Mrs. Webster shared the following:
- The Cooking Club at WJSHS has started. Almost all of the clubs have been broken up into two sessions because of demand.
B. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- We have had a terrific first six weeks of school.
- Welcome to Jada Green, Student Council Representative.
- You may have noticed some of our building projects being completed. The front steps at WJSHS are completely done; signs are installed and working; the loading dock at WES is completed; ADA-compliant playground equipment has been installed at WES; the garage is 95% done and the Suburban is parked inside of it, we are just waiting on some back-ordered fans for the exhaust; they are currently working on the HVAC in room 203 at WJSHS; the generators are still expected to arrive in March and our goal is to have both buildings ready to plug and play; and our small gym is close to completion – we are waiting for sound panels and a new whiteboard to be installed. Our hope is that the Capital project will wrap up December 31 and the ARPA project will wrap up as soon as the generators are installed.
- It is homecoming week. Hopefully everyone is participating in the themes for dress-down days. The game is this Friday at 6:30 p.m. against Cobleskill Richmondville. We will also be recognizing our senior football players and cheerleaders. We will be having a pep rally on Friday.
- Our new basketball coach is in the audience tonight, welcome to Marc Fruscio.
C. Student Council Report
Jada Green, Student Council Representative, introduced herself and shared the following:
- Thank you to Dr. Stevens and the Board of Education for having me this evening.
- Picture day was held on Thursday, September 14. Pictures have been delivered and distributed. Retake day will be November 3.
- It is School Spirit Week. Monday was Pajama Day, Tuesday was Jersey Day, Wednesday is Wear Pink for breast cancer, Thursday is Country vs. Country Club, and Friday is Spirit Day. The game is Friday night and the dance is Saturday night. Thank you to the administrators, Mrs. Fronczek and the Cannoneer Club.
D. Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
There was no report. - Policy Committee
There was no report.
Board of Education Discussion
Mary Beth Whited wanted the Administrators, Mrs. Webster and Dr. Stevens to know that the EVOLVE students carried out cases of food and loaded them into her car at the Civic Center. She expressed her thanks to them.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of David McFarland, from the position of Full-Time Maintenance Worker for the Watervliet City School District, effective October 7, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Cory Viscosi, from the position of Hall Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective December 15, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Mackenzie O’Neill, from the position of Social Studies Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective October 29, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Cyrus Clarke, from the position of Science Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective November 5, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Geraldine Ferris to the position of Garden Club Advisor at the Watervliet Elementary School for the 2023 – 2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Laura Deming to the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period effective October 12, 2023, at an hourly rate of $17.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Katherine Negron to the position of Hall Monitor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a one-year probationary period beginning October 23, 2023, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Jania Dockery to the position of After-School Detention Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 15, 2023 through the remainder of the 2023 – 2024 school year, at an hourly rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff as Watervliet Elementary School Advisors for the 2023 – 2024 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Student Ambassador Co-Advisor: Deborah Grimmick
Yearbook Advisor: Kelly Gilchrist
Environmental Club Advisor: Geraldine Ferris
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Deborah Grimmick as a Substitute for the ExTRA Club at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2023–2024 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White and accepted 3-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2023–2024 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 E-Sports: Matthew Kellish
Volunteer Assistant Football: Joshiah Quinn
Coaching Winter:
Boys’ Varsity Assistant Basketball: Peter Juste
Boys’ Junior-Varsity Basketball: Kevin Reiss
Boys’ Modified Basketball: Shaquille Mayo
Girls Modified Basketball: Emily Burke
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board postponed indefinitely the appointment of the following Coach for the 2023–2024 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Boys’ Volunteer Varsity Assistant: Darnell Sutton
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #1, #2 and #3).
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of September 2023, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June, July and August 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 Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #006
$48,046.25 - Duncan & Cahill, Inc.
Payment App. #005
$274,439.68
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the one (1) 2023 Summer School Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $134,840.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved thirty (30) 2023-2024 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a total cost of $1,301,806.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the one (1) 2023-2024 Regular School Year Transportation Contract Extension between Durham Transportation and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $292,286.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Agreement for Services with the Center for Disability Services, for services provided to students placed in the Langan School Program and/or the Langan Extended School Year Program effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Agreement for Services with Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc., for services provided to a student placed in their Day School Program effective July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Agreement for Services between the Watervliet City School District and Chelsea Place Psychological Services, for support services for individuals with disabilities and/or social/emotional, cognitive and/or behavioral challenges, effective September 2023 – June 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Memorandum of Agreement with Siena College, for Student Teaching and/or Fieldwork Experience, effective September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held September 12, 2023, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held September 11, September 12, September 13, September 18, September 20, September 21, September 22, September 25, September 27, September 28, October 2, October 3, October 4, and October 5, 2023, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held August 25 and September 20, 2023, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White 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 900013912 – grade 1
- Student ID 900011702 – grade 9
- Student ID 900013122 – grade 8
- Student ID 900014099 – grade K
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopt the attached Revised COVID-19 Layered Mitigation Protocols: 2023-2024 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the creation of a Gender & Sexuality Alliance Club, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Brian White and accepted 3-0 (Sheri Senecal abstained), the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Jessica Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Meghan Castle
Dates: Fall 2023/Spring 2024 - Name(s): Christina Pfister
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Allison Proctor
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Mackenzie Mahoney
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Gabrielle Lupe
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Thomas Whitney
Role: Student Teacher
Cooperating Teacher(s): Samantha Walsh
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Tyler Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Amanda Ciampi
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Aaliyah Lennon
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Kara Cunningham
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Rianna Ferrara
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Sara Hulslander
Dates: Fall 2023
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and accepted 3-0 (Sheri Senecal abstained), the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Tyler Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): James Murphy
Dates: Fall 2023 - Name(s): Ava DeShaw
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Michaela Bissonette
Dates: Fall 2023
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Gina DeCianni to take American Sign – Language and Culture, Introductory Spanish: Language and Culture, and French 1 courses at SUNY Empire, and EDU 5254 Structure and Application of American English, course at Malloy University beginning July 5, 2022, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the New Book Request for the book titled “The Pearl,” by John Steinbeck, to be added to the Grade 7 English curriculum at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School beginning in the 2023 – 2024 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of school supplies from the Residents of Shaker Pointe Senior Living Community to the Watervliet Elementary School, to given to students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Victoria Donnelly and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the accepted, with thanks, the donation of Two Cases of Fancy Farm Premium Popping Corn from Morgan Lautenshlager and Bill Cornell on behalf of the East Greenbush Bowling Center, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Sheri Senecal and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $51,968.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Victoria Donnelly, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board continued the Period of Paid Administrative Leave for Employee #2147 during the pendency of the District’s ongoing review, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
- I have personally been enjoying the Workplace Wednesday posts on social media.
- Hopefully everybody has joined PTA and if you haven’t, I hope you will.
- Congratulations to all the 7th grade students who were recognized for achievements in the first quarter.
- It is school bus safety week. I’m not sure who we thank for that, but we hope everyone stays safe.
- I’m looking forward to seeing all the pictures from Spirit Week. That is my favorite part.
- We have a lot of fun events coming up at WES including the Apple Run, Halloween Dance, and Trunk or Treat.
- There is no school November 7 and 10, which everybody likes.
- The next board meeting is November 14.
Adjournment
On a motion by Sheri Senecal, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board