Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Date: January 10, 2023
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:03 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President Sheri Senecal
Vice President Mary Beth Whited
Heather Soroka
Timothy Delisle
Brian White
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
Student Council Rep: Anthony Bisner
The meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m., with President Senecal officiating.
Appointment of District Clerk Pro Tem
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board appointed Keith Heid as District Clerk Pro-Tem for the purpose of taking the minutes of the meeting.
Pubic Comment
There were no public comments.
Reports/Comments
Cafeteria Updates Presentation Kirsten DeMento & Darryl Whited
UPK and EPK Updates Presentation Kirsten DeMento
A. Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
- Thank you to Ms. DeMento and Mr. Whited for sharing information on some great programs that they have in tonight’s presentations. In my time here, I have learned that transportation, food service and maintenance are the backbone of our organization and throughout the pandemic they were instrumental in making sure we could provide for our students.
- The district is ensuring 2-factor authentication for our email system. All Board members’ cell phone numbers will be needed to set their emails up.
- Thank you to all of the Board members who joined us for the Christmas parade. Thank you also to the Administrators who joined us.
- WES has a spelling bee on January 20. Thank you to Mrs. Senecal for volunteering to assist with judging.
- Some budget dates to put on everyone’s radar:
January and February are in-house planning meetings- March 1 – Workshop #1
- March 8 – Workshop #2 at the WES PTA Meeting
- March 14 – Workshop #3 and Board meeting with Assembly Member McDonald
- April 4 – Final presentation and budget adoption
- We are working closely with Capital Region BOCES and Green Island to establish some partnerships. These will be reflected in our budget. They are cost-effective, programmatic decisions, such as athletics mergers, shared transportation, March professional development day sharing, and regionalizing special education classes.
- Tomorrow, January 11, is the Watervliet City School District’s 126th birthday. I did a deep dive into the history of the district and found out I am the 13th Superintendent of the district.
B. Student Council Report
Anthony Bisner shared the following:
- We had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Whited and Ms. DeMento to talk about the breakfast and lunch programs in both buildings. We are looking forward to scheduling our next meeting with them.
- On February 9, we will be having a senior group photo taken for the yearbook. All club and class pictures will be taken as well.
- The junior high students will be having a Snow Ball Dance on Saturday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m.
- High school students are currently discussing whether they would like to do a winter ball in late February or March.
C. Committee Reports
Audit Committee
There was no report.
Policy Committee
Mrs. Soroka noted that they are planning to meet in January.
Board of Education Discussion
There was no discussion.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Program appointment for the remainder of the 2022–2023 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the superintendent:
Substitute Advisor: Debbie Grimmick
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #6 and #7).
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of December 2022, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Report for the month of November 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 Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Bid Result, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Transportation Services: McKinney-Vento Trips
Star & Strand Transportation
Pricing Per Round Trip Mileage Rate Including Aide
0-25 Miles $449.00/day
26-50 Miles $469.00/day
51-75 Miles $489.00/day
76-100 Miles $499.00/day
Over 100 Miles $599.00/day
On a motion by Heather Soroka, 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 2021 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS
- CSArch – A/E (11/22)
Invoice # 4952
$3,888.87 - CSArch – CM (11/22)
Invoice # 4953
$7,602.58 - CSArch – CM (12/22)
Invoice # 5014
$2,592.58 - CSArch – CM (12/22)
Invoice # 5015
$5,068.58 - Girvin & Ferlazzo, PC
Statement #25
$236.50 - DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App # 020
$91,819.90
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board adopted the following policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Appointments and Designations by the Board of Education
- Absentee Ballots
- Budget Adoption
- Acceptance of Gifts, Grants, and Bequests to the District
- Financial Accountability
- Records Management
- Privacy and Security for Student Data and Teacher and Principal Data
- School Safety Plans
- Fire and Emergency Drills, Bomb Threats and Bus Emergency Drills
- School Bus Safety
- Idling School Buses on School Grounds
- Qualifications of Bus Drivers
- Textbooks, Library Materials, and Other Instructional Materials
- Objection to Instructional Materials and Controversial Issues
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held December 13, 2022, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held December 5, December 6, December 12, December 15, December 16, December 19 and December 22, 2022, submitted by Veronica Wilson and Danielle Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held December 22, 2022, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of the parent/guardian of the following student, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Student ID 900014461 – grade 5
On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Name(s): Matthew Cavuoto
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Brian Hoefer
Dates: Spring 2023 Semester
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of eight winter coats from Whitney Young Health Center, to the Watervliet City School District, to be given to students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Board of Education Discussion
Mrs. Senecal shared the following:
- Thank you to Mrs. Fronczek for bringing back the Crocs and Socks program. If anyone would like to make a donation, I’m sure she would be willing to accept them.
- Coach Logan and her family will be on Family Feud on January 23. Put that on your calendars.
Adjournment
On a motion by Mary Beth Whited seconded by Brian White and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned at 6:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board