Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
September 13, 2022
6 P.M.
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
A G E N D A
I. Call to Order
President Sheri Senecal
II. Attendance
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Timothy Delisle
Brian White
Superintendent Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Public Comment
In accordance with Board Policy Number 1510, the privilege of speaking from the floor will be extended to any person in attendance. Persons desiring to speak shall be required to give their name and address and will be limited to three (3) minutes for their presentation. The time allowed each speaker may be adjusted by the chair. The speaker’s privilege may also be terminated by the chair if found to be out of order.
V. Reports/Comments
A. Superintendent’s Report
B. Student Council Report
C. Committee Reports
- Audit Committee
- Policy Committee
- First Reading of Revised Policies:
Regular Board Meetings and Rules (Quorum and Parliamentary Procedure)
- First Reading of Revised Policies:
VI. Board of Education Discussion
VII. Personnel Items
1. Resolved that the Board rescind the probationary appointment of Jennifer Vigo to the position of School Counselor, in the tenure area of School Counselor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.
2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Arianna Dockstader, from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 21, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
3. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Shaquise Herring, from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 12, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
4. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Paige Jensen, from the position of Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 19, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Rose Morales, from the position of Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 5, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent.
6. Resolved that the Board approve the following:
Due to her untimely death, discontinue the employment of Melanie disalvo, Grade 2/3 Teaching Assistant, for the extra Summer Program 2022, effective at the close of business on July 14, 2022. Ms. Disalvo began working with the district on October 7, 2021, as an employee of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, in the District’s Universal Pre-K program. The district extends its deepest condolences to her family.
7. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Stacy Meppen to the position of ELA Teacher, in the tenure area of ELA 7-12, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 4 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. Stacy Meppen holds an ELA 7-12 certification, (certificate #151496211).
8. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Alexis Vesey to the position of Math AIS Teacher, in the tenure area of Childhood Education 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. 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. Alexis Vesey holds a Childhood Education 1-6 certification, (certificate #16222107221).
9. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Angela Aubrey to the position of Math Teacher, in the tenure area of Mathematics 7-12, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 17 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. Angela Aubrey holds a Math 7-12 certification, (certificate #339938031).
10. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Madelyn Degler to the position of School Counselor, in the tenure area of School Counselor, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 2 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. Madelyn Degler holds a School Counselor certification, (certificate #1229778181).
11. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Andrew Marro to the position of Social Studies Teacher, in the tenure area of Social Studies, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 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. Andrew Marro holds a Social Studies 7-12 certification, (certificate #156953221).
12. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Thomas Hayes to the position of Physical Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Physical Education, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 9 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2025, 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. Thomas Hayes holds a Physical Education certification, (certificate #158309071).
13. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Claudia Bunting Marshall to the position of General Science Teacher, in the tenure area of Science, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning October 11, 2022, at a Step 9 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on October 11, 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. Claudia Bunting Marshall holds a Generalist in Middle Childhood Education certification, (certificate #16292792211).
14. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Yvonne Coiteux to the position of School Nurse, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a salary of $47,000.00, plus RN stipend, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2022.
15. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Arianna Dockstader to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 6, 2022, 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 6, 2026, 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 Samantha Coles to the position of Library Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 6, 2023.
17. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the emergency probationary appointment of Taylor Daniels to the position of Keyboard Specialist, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 2, 2022, at a salary of $26,000.00, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 2, 2023.
18. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Frank Parisi to the position of Long-Term Substitute General Science Teacher, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 6, 2022, at a Step 1 salary, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
19. Resolved that the Board approve the transfer of Jasmine Mattock from the position of Lunch Monitor to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, for a probationary period beginning September 6, 2022 and ending September 6, 2023, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
20. Resolved that the Board approve the probationary appointment of Chloe Swinney to the position of Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 6, 2022 and ending September 6, 2023, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
21. Resolved that the Board approve the probationary appointment of Emily Shufelt to the grant-funded position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 20, 2022 and ending September 23, 2023, at an hourly rate of $15.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
22. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of the following staff as Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Club Advisors for the 2022-2023 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Joanna Beams, Homework Help (Middle School)
Stephanie Sutton, Study Table/Homework Help (High School)
Ashley Dorn, Drama Club
Madeline Rehm, Drama Club Assistant
Yuriy Berin, Game Club
Kim Barkamian, Book Club Co-Advisor
Joe Dievendorf, Book Club Co-Advisor
Yuriy Berin, Masterminds
Rebecca Sweeney, Newspaper
Valerie Ellison, Book Club (Middle School)
23. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as Watervliet Elementary School Club Advisors for the 2022–2023 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Rosie Sharpe, Book Buddies Co-Advisor
Michele Deguire, Book Buddies Co-Advisor
Janice Sogoian, Academic Enrich./Homework Help Co-Advisor
Khalan McNeff, Academic Enrich./Homework Help Co-Advisor
Rachel Manning, Game Club
Andrew Cowie, Drama Club
Heidi Waldron, Substitute Advisor
Janice Sogoian, Book Club
Caitlyn Santiago, Art Club
24. Resolved that the Board approve the following teaching overages for the 2022–2023 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 7, 2022, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Joe Facin (+.2)
Meg Matuszek (+.2)
Dan Lindemann (+.2)
Meg Fronczek (+.2)
Rebecca Sweeney (+.2)
Kim Barkamian (+.1)
Dan Mueller (+.2)
Chris Curtis (+.2)
Todd Birmingham (+.2)
Lyndsay Mattice (Moore) (+.2)
25. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches for the 2022– 2023 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract (unless outlined below), as recommended by the Superintendent:
Watervliet Junior-Senior High School
Coaching Fall:
Varsity Football Volunteer: Rodney Dukes, Matthew McGrath
Girls’ Varsity Volleyball: Mikayla Rossier
Girls’ Junior Varsity Volleyball: Michele Deguire
Girls’ Modified Volleyball: Thomas Hayes
26. 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 certified and/or 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:
Catherine Casey
Kirsten DeMento
Michael Foust
Ryan Groat
Molly McGrath
Jessie Richards
Kelly Webster
David Wareing
27. 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 individual as lead evaluator of building principals:
Donald Stevens Jr.
VIII. Business Items
28. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of August 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
29. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
WATERVLIET 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- Gallo Construction
Payment App #015
$189,833.78 - DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App #016
$9,357.50 - R.F. Gordon Mechanical, LLC
Payment App #012
$49,984.62
30. WHEREAS, the Watervliet City School District Board of Education (BOE) seeks to undertake a capital project consisting of building renovation, storage building expansion, loading dock reconstruction, retaining wall reconstruction, pavement upgrades, digital school sign installations and electrical/stand by generator installations at the following sites:
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Watervliet Elementary School
WHEREAS, the Watervliet City School District will utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant and budgetary appropriations from the 2022 – 23 General Fund Balance for the cost of the capital project.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the following to cover the 2022 ARPA Project capital project expenses:
$1,890,000.00 to be expended from the ARPA grant.
$234,960.00 to be expended from the 2022 – 23 General Fund Balance
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the construction documents and permit applications shall be submitted to New York State Education Department Office of Facilities Planning for examination and approval of final plans and specifications and for issuance of the building permit for the 2022 ARPA project.
31. Resolved that the Board approve 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 August, 2022 – June 2023, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
IX. Other Items
32. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 9, 2022, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
33. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held June 28, August 9, August 10, August 11, August 12, August 22, August 23 and August 24, 2022, submitted by Veronica Bedard, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
34. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held June 27, August 10, and August 17, 2022, submitted by Sarah Horaczek, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
35. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the Athletic Handbook 2022–2023 for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
36. Resolved that the Board approve the home schooling request of the parent/guardian of A.V., a student in grade 2, for the 2022 – 2023 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
37. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name: Benjamin Candib
Role: Student Teacher/Intern
Cooperating Teacher(s): Louisa Boehlert Vaughan
Dates: Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 Semesters
38. Resolved that the Board accept, with thanks the $2,500.00 donation from Richard and Susan Denue, to the Watervliet Elementary School, to be used to purchase needed classroom supplies for students in UPK, Kindergarten and 1st grades, as recommended by the Superintendent.