Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York

Board of Education

Date: June 14, 2018

Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting

Meeting Opened: 5:05 P.M.

Location: 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

The meeting was opened at 5:05 P.M., with Vice President Heather Soroka officiating.

Executive Session

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board the Board entered into executive session to discuss matters leading to the discipline of a particular person.

Reconvene

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted,
Executive Session was terminated; and the Board of Education returned to open session at 6:10 p.m.

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

• Class Rank Committee Update Presentation Ryan Groat and Robyn Scotland
  Discussion: Dr. Caplan asked the Board for their feedback on the change. All were in support.
• First Reading of Revised Policy: Family and Medical Leave Act

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meetings held May 8, May 15, May 22, and June 4, 2018, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held April 20, April 24, April 25, April 27, May 3, May 4, May 7, May 9, May 11, May 14, May 15, May 16, May 17, May 21, May 22, May 23, May 24 and May 30, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held May 2, May 9 and May 16, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #29 through #31).On a motion by Heather Soroka, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of April 2018, 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 Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Sick Leave Buy-Back payments for sick leave accrued through May 21, 2018, per the terms of the Watervliet Teachers’ Association (WTA) Contract, for employees retiring as of June 30, 2018, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Kelly Creaser $23,700.00
• Dennis Robinson $ 3,540.00
• Lori Sand $23,850.00
• Jennifer Swyer $ 7,525.00

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $771.53 for 36.5 students who reside in the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Albany City School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $28,160.85, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $524.77 for 11 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Lansingburgh Central School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $5,772.47, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $648.00 for 19 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the North Colonie Central School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $12,312.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $719.78 for 3 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the South Colonie Central School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $2,159.34, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $680.93 for 13 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Troy City School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $8,852.09, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $784.32 for 3 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $2,352.96, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the contract for Health & Welfare Services at the rate of $380.00 for 3 students who reside within the Watervliet City School District and attend private and parochial schools in the Wynantskill Union Free School District beginning September 2017 through June 2018 for a total cost of $1,140.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the probationary appointment of Maddiha Rehan to the position of Cafeteria Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Alice Bulmer from the position of Clerk Typist at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Stephanie Spiak from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Louise Coulombe from the position of Library Aide at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 28, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted,the Board accept the resignation of Elizabeth Morgan from the position of ENL Teacher (.6), at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective June 30, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved an additional six (6) work days during the summer for Kelly Bariteau, Watervliet Elementary School Guidance Counselor, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the provisional appointment of Donna Palmer to the position of Administrative Aide, in the Programs and Pupil Services Office at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, pending civil service examination results, for a one-year probationary period beginning June 22, 2018, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $31,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Amanda Gabrione to the position of Elementary Teacher, Grade 5, in the tenure area of Childhood Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 3 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 4, 2022, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law. Page Five June 14, 2018

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Allison Proctor to the position of Elementary Teacher, Grade 5, in the tenure area of Childhood Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 4, 2022, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Edmund Rohrmeier to the position of Health Teacher, Grades 7-12, in the tenure area of Health Education, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 4 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 4, 2022, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following ExTRA Summer Academy 2018 and ESY Summer Program appointments at a salary as per contract: Substitute Teachers:

• Denise Cusack
• Sherry Foglia
• Tina Shufelt

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following appointments for the 2018 Summer Lunch Program:

• Bridget Amancio
• Jennifer DelSignore
• Christine DeMento
• Donna Gillespie
• James Johnston
• Patricia King
• Mary Schoonmaker
• Rebecca Sutherland
• Florence Sgambelluri

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the Watervliet Elementary School Clubs for the 2018 – 2019 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Art Club: Crystal Preston
• Elementary Band: Jeff Roberts
• Chorus: Mary Collett
• Environmental Club: Rebecca Cioffi
• Student Council/Ambassadors: Rachel Manning and Brenda Zawistowski
• Yearbook/Communications: Nikki LaBoissiere

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Dawn Sylvester to take the Teaching English Language Learners course (3 credits) at Malloy College beginning June 25, 2018, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Kimberleigh Barkamian to take Post-Masters Certificate Courses (15 credits) with a focus on Literacy (K-12) at the University of New England beginning July, 2018, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of $250.00 from Arsenal City Tavern, to Outreach Services, for families in need in the city of Watervliet, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of one yard of dirt from Saratoga Sod Farm, to the Watervliet Elementary School Community Garden, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the accepted, with thanks, the donation of six yards of soil and landscaping material from J.R. Inglis of S.M. Gallivan Company/Finger Lakes Mulch Soil, to the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following paid holidays for Full-Time, 12-Month Administrators and Full-Time, 12-Month Management Confidential Employees of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Independence Day (7/4)
• Labor Day (9/3)
• Columbus Day (10/8)
• Veterans Day (11/12)
• Wednesday before Thanksgiving (11/21)
• Thanksgiving (11/22)
• Friday after Thanksgiving (11/23)
• December (12/24, 12/25, 12/31)
• New Year’s Day (1/1)
• Martin Luther King Day (1/21)
• President’s Day (2/18)
• February (2/22)
• Good Friday (4/19)
• April (4/22, 4/26)
• Memorial Day (5/24, 5/27)

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following paid holidays for Full-Time 12-Month Non-Aligned Maintenance and Bus Drivers of the Watervliet City School District, effective July 1, 8 as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Veterans’ Day
• Day Before Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve.
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve.
• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President’s Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board set the following dates as Regular Board of Education Meetings for 2018 – 2019 (all meetings will be held in the Administrative Conference Room at the Watervliet JuniorSenior High School at 6:00 p.m.):

• July 2 (Organizational Meeting)
• August 2 (Closed Meeting – Board of Education Retreat)
• August 9
• September 13
• October 11
• November 8
• December 13
• January 10
• February 7
• March 14
• April 17 (BOCES Budget Vote – 7:30 a.m.)
• April 18 (Budget Adoption)
• May 14 (Regular Board of Education Meeting/Budget Hearing)
• May 21 School District Budget Vote & Election (Board meets to receive and accept results – 8:30 p.m.)
• June 13

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of May 2018, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

New Business

The next Meeting is the Organizational Meeting – July 2 at 6:00 p.m. Board of Education Retreat – August 2, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., WJSHS Conference Room

Comments from the Floor

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

• Thank you to Mr. Shellenberger for his service.
• Thank you to Mr. Groat for all the work he has put into the P-Tech program.
• This school year was very productive thanks to all faculty and staff.

Ms. DeMento provided an update on the Whitney Young Health Center.

Mr. Shellenberger thanked Dr. Caplan and the members of the Board of Education for working together, noting that he always felt like he was the member of a team.

Mr. Foust thanked members of the Board of Education for attending the various sporting events throughout the year.

Mrs. Webster offered well wishes to Ms. Bulmer on her retirement and thanked her for her assistance during her transition to Assistant Principal.

Adjournment

On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board

NOTE: All district appointments are subject to fingerprint clearance by the NYS Education Department and verification of Permanent or Pending Certification by NYS.