Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education
Date: October 12, 2017
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting opened: 6:01 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 6:01 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
2016 Data Presentation Donald Stevens
Mr. Hoffman asked about the District’s bidding process.
Mr. Heid responded to Mr. Hoffman’s question.
Items Requiring Board Action
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held September 14, 2017, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held September 15 and September 18, 2017, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held September 20, 2017, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5).
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the month of July 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 Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved one (1) 2017 Summer School Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $34,480.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved thirty (30) 2017-2018 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $1,090,017.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved one (1) 2017-2018 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Durham’s Transportation and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $244,737.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Electricity, commencing May 1, 2018, for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the New York School and Municipal Energy Consortium (NYSMEC) Cooperative Energy Purchasing Service for Natural Gas, commencing May 1, 2018, for a period of one to three years, pending bid results, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the resolution authorizing participation in the Capital Region BOCES Cooperative Bidding (Purchasing) Service for the Disposal of Universal Waste, for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the vacation buy-back payment in the amount of $980.00 for Gregory Schnapp, upon his retirement from the Watervliet City School District, effective August 18, 2017, per the terms of the “Employee Benefits Document for Non-Aligned Employees,” as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Molly McGrath from the position of Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 29, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Yvonne Dungan from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 29, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised probationary appointment of Sarah Hulslander to the position of Elementary Teacher, Grade 4, in the tenure area of Childhood Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 5, 2017, at a Step 2 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 5, 2021, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised appointment of Laura Morton to the position of Long-Term Substitute Reading Specialist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a period beginning September 28, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Sarah Lee to the position of Clerk Typist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period beginning October 5, 2017, at a yearly salary of $23,500.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Gina Smith to the position of Special Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Elementary Special Education, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning October 30, 2017, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on October 30, 2021, unless extended in accordance with the provisions of Section 2509(2)(b) of the Education Law.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Allison Proctor to the position of Long-Term Substitute Teacher (Grade 3), at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a period beginning September 18, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Donna Cusack to the position of Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher (Grades 1 and 3), at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a period beginning October 2, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised appointment of Carissa Zuniga from the position of ESL Teacher (0.5) to the position of ESL Teacher (0.6), at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 29, 2017, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per
contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Mary Grace Judge to serve as Student Observer in a Jessica Willson’s Mathematics classroom at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School from September 5, 2017 through December 22, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Mary Grace Judge to serve as Student Teacher in Jessica Willson’s Mathematics classroom at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School from March 5, 2018 through April 27, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Brigid Wynne to serve as Student Teacher in Nick Yatrakis’ Mathematics classroom at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School from December 18, 2017 through February 28, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Kylie Benoit to serve as Student Teacher in Denise Cusack’s classroom at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 30, 2017 through December 15, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Shannon Woolsey to serve as Student Teacher in Marypat Murtagh’s classroom at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 30, 2017 through December 15, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Brianna Moran to serve as Student Observer for 25 hours in a variety of classrooms at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 13, 2017 through December 1, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Melissa Haupt to serve as Student Observer for 30 hours in Kristen Langworthy’s UPK classroom at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 13, 2017 through December 18, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Sophia Filuta to serve as Student Observer for 15 hours in Samantha Spano’s Grade 3 classroom at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 13, 2017 through December 15, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the request for Julia Ciaccio to serve as Student Observer for 15 hours in Samantha Spano’s Grade 3 classroom at the Watervliet Elementary School from October 13, 2017 through December 15, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Dennis Lane to the position of Health Coordinator for the 2017 – 2018 school year, at stipend of $1,659.00, per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following ExTRA Grant Positions for the 2017 – 2018 school year, for three hours per week, at an hourly rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Watervliet Elementary School
- Drama Club Assistant – Hillary Brochu
- Substitutes –Juliana Chromik and Samantha Spano
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Alicia Panetta and Ralph Red Cloud-Owen for their child, Richard Red Cloud-Owen, Grade 9, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Linda Miller for her child, Cayden Miller, Grade 7, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Erika Soto for her child, Hannah Soto, Grade 9, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of a broken/irreparable Fellowes Shredder, Model #480C, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the gift card donations to the WJSHS Character Education Gold Card Drawing from the following, as recommended by the Superintendent:
- Bob’s Diner
- The Ethier Family
- The Grimmick Family
- Ms. Dana Melvin
- Ms. Courtney Normile
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of Ice Cream, Sundae Toppings, Bowls and Utensils from Stewart’s Shop, to be used for the 7th Grade Orientation, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of School Supplies from Sylvania Brown, on behalf of Vee’s Cleaning, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of Backpacks full of School Supplies from CapCom, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks the donation of Mulch and Wood Chips from JR Inglis, on behalf of Gallivan Corporation, to be used for the elementary school gardens and playgrounds, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of September 2017, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Meg Hyland from the position of School Nurse at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, effective October 25, 2017, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Sara Buchter to the position of Long-Term Substitute ELA Teacher (Grades 7-12), at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, for a period beginning October 10, 2017, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, 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 a Piano from Veronica Bedard, to be used for choral instruction at the Watervliet Jr./Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.
New Business
There was no new business to be discussed.
Comments From the Floor
Dr. Caplan shared the following:
- Thank you to Mr. Stevens and Mr. Wareing for “holding down the fort” at WES while Mrs. Lewinter was out on leave. Mrs. Lewinter is back on a temporarily reduced work week.
- The phone bank raised about $10,000.00 for the backpack program. Thank you to Mr. Stevens for organizing the event. Thank you to the Board members who assisted with the event.
- Attended the YWCA luncheon yesterday to see Jacinda Conboy receive an award for her efforts on the Women’s Initiative.
- Mrs. Boardman will be working with Mr. Gaddy’s new hospitality class to give them experience working with a client and setting up meetings. In the near future, they will be providing drinks and a light snack for the meetings.
- Discussion about eliminating class rank was recently started. Many students do not take advance classes because they don’t want their grades/class rank to suffer. The focus should be on the more challenging curriculum.
- School Board recognition week is October 23 -27, 2017. Dr. Caplan read a
proclamation and thanked the Board members for their efforts and contributions. - A panel comprised of student representatives will be formed. This panel will meet with the Superintendent to discuss their thoughts/issues/ideas.
Mr. Groat noted that SUNY Albany will be in the district conducting interviews with staff on Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17. The district will be compensated for participating. Teachers will be thanked with a catered lunch.
Patrick Ethier shared the following:
- School pictures were taken and the process went well.
- The 4th Annual Movember fundraiser will be held to benefit the American Cancer Society.
- A Hat Day fundraiser was held this past Friday to benefit hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.
- Character Ed is collecting items for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.
- Mrs. Yanni provided an update on the Special Education Review.
Mrs. Webster shared the following:
- Character Education will be collecting personal care items for hurricane victims until next Friday, October 20.
- No Place for Hate Week will be held October 23 – 27, 2017.
- Gold Card drawings are being held the last Friday of every month. Lots of generous prizes have been donated.
Mr. Wareing noted the following:
- A Halloween dance will be held at The Dome on Friday, October 27. All ages are welcome.
- The Halloween parade for grades K-4 will be held on October 31 at 1:40 p.m.
Character Ed did a fundraiser for the victims of the hurricane. They raised $600.00.
Mr. Stevens noted that a reading fundraiser will be held with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald house.
Mr. Foust shared the following:
- Student athletes will be reading to WES students each month.
- The fall sports season is coming to a close. Tonight was senior night for the Boys’ Soccer team.
- The football team has earned a playoff game, which will be held next Friday, October 20, 2017.
Adjournment
On a motion by Jeffrey Shellenberger, seconded by Steven Hoffman, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:54 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.