Board of Education Regular Meeting September 10, 2024

A G E N D A

I. Call to Order

II. Attendance

III. Pledge of Allegiance

IV.  Public Comment

V. Reports/Comments

• Summer Academy Recap Presentation Kelly Webster & Molly McGrath 

1. Superintendent’s Report
2. Committee Reports
   1. Audit Committee
   2. Policy Committee

VI. Public Hearing

1. Code of Conduct

VII. Board of Education Discussion

VIII. Personnel Items

1. Resolved that the Board rescind the probationary appointment of Jennifer Stella to the position of Music Teacher, in the tenure area of Music K-12, at the Watervliet Elementary School.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the revised resignation date for Eric Brady from the position of School Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 9, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board accept the revised resignation date for Angela Wareing from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 1, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Dawn Pembrook from the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 13, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Kristin Conley from the position of English Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Amber Craver from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
7. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Ian Brown from the position of Building Substitute at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 21, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
8. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Alysia Belle from the position of .6 ENL Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 29, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
9. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Shawna Santuccione to the position of Occupational Therapist, in the tenure area of Occupational Therapy, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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. Shawna Santuccione is a Licensed Occupational Therapist, (license #020459).
10. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Colleen Organ to the position of Social Studies Teacher, in the tenure area of Social Studies, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 12 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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. Colleen Organ holds a Social Studies 7-12 certification, (certificate #643915121).
11. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Amanda Daley-Liggett to the position of Elementary Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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. Amanda Daley-Liggett holds a Childhood Education certification, (certificate #1428542201).
12. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Dana Conn to the position of ELA Teacher, in the tenure area of English Language Arts, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 10 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 3, 2028, 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.
13. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Kristine Moore to the position of ELA Teacher, in the tenure area of English Language Arts, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 4 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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. Kristine Moore holds an ELA 7-12 certification, (certificate #1827832241).
14. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Andrew Gorman to the position of Band Teacher, in the tenure area of Music, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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. Andrew Gorman holds a Music certification, (certificate #1817616241).
15. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of LaReina Torain to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification.  The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
16. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Aaliyah Lennon to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification.  The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
17. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Jordan Reis to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification.  The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
18. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Jack Ferris to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification.  The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
19. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Tabor Holmes to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification.  The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, contingent upon positive evaluations from his/her direct supervisor throughout his/her probationary period, consistent with the requirements of Education Law Sections 2509, 3012-c, and/or 3012-d.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency provisional appointment of Joan Rooney to the position of Keyboard Specialist, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a one-year probationary period beginning September 3, 2024, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $36,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Bailey Durham to the position of Library Aide, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a one-year probationary period beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Auretha Perrin-Dugger to the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 27, 2024, at a rate of $27.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
23. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Allan Chabot to the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective September 4, 2024, at a rate of $27.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
24. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Robert Smart, Jr. to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning September 4, 2024, at a rate of $17.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
25. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Edward Upton to the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner, for the Watervliet City School District, beginning September 4, 2024, at rate of $17.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent.
26. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Martha Lopez to the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
27. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Veronica Lewis to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
28. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as ExTRA Club Advisors at the Watervliet Elementary School for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • K-2 Book Buddies: Luca Rentz
    • Substitutes: Debby Grimmick, Kimberly Tallmadge
29. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as ExTRA Club Advisors at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Chess Club: James Murphy
    • Samba Club: Colin Eletto
30. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Department Chairs and Club/Class Advisors for the 2024–2025 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Department Chairs: English: Joe Dievendorf
    • Clubs/Class Advisors: Class of 2027: Andrea Morris
31. Resolved that the Board approve the following teaching overages for the 2024–2025 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent:
    • Bryan VanVliet  (+.2 FTE)
    • Meghan Thouin (+.2 FTE)
    • Dan Lindemann (+.2 FTE)
    • York Bush (+.1 FTE)
    • Kelsey Logan (+.2 FTE)
32. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Debby Grimmick to the position of Student Ambassador Club Advisor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, at a stipend per contract, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Brenda Zawistowski to the position of Part-Time Security Aide at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at a Step 10 Aide Salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirement of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individuals named below have completed all the necessary training to be recertified as lead evaluators of classroom teachers; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby recertifies the following individuals as lead evaluators of classroom teachers:
    • Jessie Richards
    • Michael Lopez
    • Meg Maset
    • Molly McGrath
    • Ryan Groat   
    • Michael Foust
    • Kelly Webster
    • Kirsten DeMento
35. WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of Education Law Section 3012-c and Part 30-2.9 of the Rules of the Board of Regents, the individual named below has completed all the necessary training to be recertified as lead evaluator of building principals; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby recertifies the following individuals as lead evaluator of building principals:
    • Donald Stevens Jr.
    • Kelly Webster
36. Resolved that the Board approve the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packet #1).

IX. Business Items

37. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for the month of August 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

38. Resolved that the Board approve the 2024-25 School Tax Warrant for the total amount of $7,732,053, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

39. Resolved that the Board approve the following Tax Rates for the collection of 2024-25 School Taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• • City of Watervliet:  16.9084
  • Town of Colonie (Mannsville): 22.9978

40. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

Colonie Mechanical (CMC)
Invoice # 24051-1 $39,200.00
Invoice # 24092-1 $14,100.00
Invoice # I19430 $4,340.00
Invoice # I19717 $3,096.90

CSArch (A/E)
Invoice # 7064 $2,000.00

R.F. Gordon Mechanical
Invoice # 6371 $3,800.00

WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

DLC Electric, LLC
Payment Application # 016, $17,223.50
Payment Application # 017, $45,825.00

R.F. Gordon Mechanical
Payment Application # 005,  $6,225.80

41. Resolved that the Board approve the Revised Agreement between the City of Watervliet and The Watervliet City School District, for a School Resource Officer Program, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

42. Resolved that the Board approve the Shared Services Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and the Menands Union Free School District, Green Island Union Free School District, and the Cohoes City School District effective September 1, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

43. Resolved that the Board approve the Educational Services Agreement with Vanderheyden, for services provided to a student enrolled in the Vanderheyden program, effective September 4, 2024 – June 26, 2025, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

44. Resolved that the Board approve the Related Service Agreement with Access Therapy Group, for services outlined in the attached, effective September 4, 2024 – June 26, 2025, as recommended by the Superintendent.

45. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement with Advanced Therapy, P.T., O.T., S.L.P., Psychologist, Registered Professional Nurse (RN), P.L.L.C., for therapy services outlined in the attached, effective September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, as recommended by the Superintendent.

46. Resolved that the Board approve the Education Law 2-d Opt-In Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Erie 1 BOCES for the use of licensed products, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

X. Other Items

• Melissa Billetts
• Chris and Jim Chartrand 
• Susan Reinfurt Kuziara 
• Joe and Meg Fronczek 
• Cindy Beasley Phillips
• Joslyn and Jim Strock 
• Vince Fronczek 
• Kaylyn Billetts
• John Daniele
• Kara Leyhane
• Chris Curtis 
• Marybeth Whited 
• Anne, Kristine, and Katherine Maxwell 
• Kathleen Morrissey Sanner
• Carol Aussicker

XI. Executive Session

1. Recommend an executive session to discuss matters related to pending litigation.

XII. Adjournment