Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: February 8, 2018
Type of meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting opened: 6:02 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School
Board members present: President, Sheri Senecal; Vice President, Heather Soroka; Jeffrey Shellenberger; Mary Beth Whited; Steven Hoffman
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan
Student council rep.: Patrick Ethier
The meeting was opened at 6:02 p.m., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.
Comments From the Floor
There were no comments from the floor.
Old Business
There was no old business to be discussed.
Board, Staff and Student Reports
- Addressing the Mind, Body and Soul at WES, Part Two Presentation by Loida Lewinter
- Governor’s Proposed Budget Update by Assemblymember John McDonald
Committee on Class Rank Presentation by Ryan Groat
Discussion: Members of the Board had questions/concerns about how the structure would work.
Mrs. Senecal requested that a public forum be held at a future date to inform the community of the changes.
First Reading of Revised Policies:
- Service Animals
- Transportation of Students
- Code of Ethics for Board Members and all District Personnel
- Temporary Personnel
- School Census
- Student Directory Information
- Military Recruiters’ Access to Students
- Designation of Person in Parental Relation
- Rights of Non-Custodial Parents
- Certification and Qualifications
Second Reading of Revised Policies:
- Board of Education Members: Nomination and Election
- Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
- Business of the Annual District Election
Items Requiring Action
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Board of Education Members: Nomination and Election
- Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
- Business of the Annual District Election
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held January 11, 2018, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held January 11, January 12, and January 22, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, has recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held January 12 and January 24, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #12 through #18).
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of December 2017, 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Megan Matuszek from the position of Varsity Girls’ Softball Coach for the 2017 – 2018 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescind the appointment of Rebecca Young from the position of Volunteer Varsity Softball Assistant Coach for the 2017 – 2018 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Jeffrey Shellenberger and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Jennifer Swyer from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Lori Sand from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2018, as
recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Elizabeth Morgan to the position of ENL Teacher (.6), at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning January 22, 2018, at a Step 5 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract, as recommended by the
Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Stacy Hotaling to the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning February 5, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary
period shall expire on February 5, 2022.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Louisa Boehlert Vaughan to the position of School Social Worker, in the tenure area of School Social Work, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning January 22, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on January 22, 2022, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Chelsie Clickner to the position of Guidance Counselor, in the tenure area of School Counselor, at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, beginning February 1, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and
credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on February 1, 2022, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Mary Vogt to the position of Spanish Teacher (.1), at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, for a period beginning January 29, 2018 and ending June 15, 2018, at a rate of $50.00 per class, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Sue Vogel to the position of Health Coordinator for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at prorated stipend of $1,659.00, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and accepted 4-0, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2017– 2018 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent (abstained: Mrs. Soroka):
Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School
Coaching Spring:
- Varsity Softball: Rebecca Young
- Junior Varsity Baseball: Dennis Lane
- Modified Baseball: Pete Soroka
- Volunteer Assistant Baseball: Mark Cady, Sr.
- Volunteer Assistant Baseball: James Griffin, Sr.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Robyn Scotland to serve as an Administrative Intern with Mr. Groat at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School from December 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher/Observer requests at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Role – Student Teacher/ Observer: Caitlyn Burke; Ariannah Logan; Kaytlynn Kean; Paige Kearns; Cassidy Roth; Chelsea Stevens and Chancey Young
Cooperating Teacher: Kristyn Brozowski, Jeanne Lance and Khalan Heid
Dates: January 22, and 29; February 5 and 12; March 12 and 26; and April 9, 16, and 23
Role – Student Teacher: Lisa Mason
Cooperating Teacher: Jennifer Williams
Dates: March 12, 2018 –May 11, 2018.
Role – Student Teacher: Kayla Edwards
Cooperating Teacher: Jennifer Hoefer
Dates: March 12, 2018 – May 11, 2018
Role – Observer: Trevor Kozak
Cooperating Teacher: Sharon Foglia and Kim Suedkamp
Dates: February 1, 2018 – May 18, 2018
Role- Observer: Melissa Haupt
Cooperating Teacher: Lisa Barber, Kristen Langworthy (UPK) and Tina
Shufelt
Dates: February 1 – May 18, 2018
Role – Observer: Hope Conners
Cooperating Teacher: Marypat Murtagh
Dates: February 1 – May 13, 2018
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the addition of the following new course at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, submitted by Kirsten DeMento, Director of Curriculum, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Principles of Marketing (HVCC)
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Response to Crisis in the School Community Procedures for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the accept the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of January 2018, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Dhruti Majmudar from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective February 12, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accept the resignation of Gretchen Roesch from the position of AIS Reading Teacher at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective March 2, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Anthony DiLella to serve as a Volunteer Mentor, under the supervision of Mr. Michael Foust, subject to fingerprint clearance, beginning February 9, 2018, recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
Dr. Caplan shared the following information on upcoming meetings/budget workshops:
- Thursday, March 8: BOE Meeting/Budget Presentation (Workshop #1) – WHS Conference Room, 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 10: PTA Meeting (Workshop #2) – WES Cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 14: Budget Breakfast (Workshop #3) – WHS Conference Room, 9:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, April 25: Special Meeting/BOCES Budget Vote – WHS Conference Room, 7:15 a.m.
- Thursday, April 19: BOE Meeting/Budget Adoption – WHS Conference Room, 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 8: BOE Meeting/Budget Hearing – WHS Conference Room, 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 15: School District Budget Vote/Election (BOE Meets to Accept Results) WHS Conference Room, 9:00 p.m.
Comments From the Floor
Patrick Ethier noted that Mary Miller, from the New York News Publishers Association, will be a guest speaker in Mr. Emerson’s class on Monday. The topic will be Real vs. Fake News.
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Congratulations to Chelsie Clickner. She has done a great job and is a welcome addition to the staff.
- Congratulations to Robyn Scotland on her Administrative Internship with Mr. Groat.
- Thank you to Jennifer Swyer and Lori Sand for their service to the District. Best wishes on their retirement.
- Craig Apple will be here on February 27 to host a “Heroin Awareness Town Hall
Meeting.” All are welcome to attend. - Mr. Groat and I will be attending an off-site P-Tech Grant meeting tomorrow.
- I will be leaving for Nashville, TN on Wednesday for a conference. I am presenting “Women in Administration” on Saturday with Jacinda Conboy.
- March 3, 2018 is Lobby Day at the Capitol.
- Today’s Times Union includes an article on graduation rates in the capital region.
Mrs. Lewinter noted that, with the new teachers’ contract, the school day will be extended by 10 minutes (5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the afternoon). This will add 50 minutes to
the week.Ms. DeMento noted that the Smart Schools Bond updates are almost complete, including phones and wireless internet.
Mrs. Webster noted that 56% of students will be recognized tomorrow for achieving honor roll or high honor roll status.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the BoardNote: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.