Watervliet City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes > Regular Meeting August 6, 2024

Regular Meeting August 6, 2024

Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York 12189

Board of Education
Regular Meeting
August 6, 2024
6 p.m.
Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School

A G E N D A

I. Call to Order

President Mary Beth Whited

I. Board Members

Mary Beth Whited, President
Brian White, Vice President
Heather Soroka
Victoria Donnelly
Kyle Daniels

II. 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

  1. Superintendent’s Report
  2. Committee Reports
    1. Audit Committee
    2. Policy Committee

First Reading of Revised Policies:

  • Code of Conduct

Second Reading of Revised Policies:

  • Wellness Policy
  • Minutes
  • Absentee, Military and Early Mail Ballots
  • Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the District
  • Administration of the Budget
  • Inspection, Operation and Maintenance
  • School Safety Plans
  • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
  • Evaluation of Personnel
  • Probation and Tenure
  • Determination of Employment Status: Employee or Independent Contractor
  • Leaves of Absence
  • Remote Instruction
  • Sports and the Athletic Program
  • Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
  • Student Physicals
  • Concussion Management
  • Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  • Due Process Complaints: Selection and Board Appointment of Impartial
  • Hearing Officers
  • Instruction in Certain Subjects
  • Home Tutoring (Homebound Instruction)

VI. Public Hearing

  1. District-Level Safety Plan

The District-Level Safety Plan has been available for public review on the district web site for over 30 days. During that time, the public has been welcome to submit any comments to boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org.

VII. Board of Education Discussion

  1. Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct has been uploaded to the district web site and will be available for public review on the web site, or in-person, for 30 days. A public hearing will be held at the September Board of Education Meeting. If the public has any comments, they can also email them to the boepubliccomment@vlietschools.org.

VIII. Personnel Items

4. Resolved that the Board rescind the appointment of John Bolt to the position of Modified Football Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

5. Resolved that the Board approve the termination of Lucas Dunn from the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective June 19, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

6. Resolved that the Board approve the termination of John DeGeorge from the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective June 26, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

7. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Margarita Rodriguez from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

8. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Emma Buck from the position of Teacher’s Aide at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 7, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

9. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Melissa Smith from the position of Library Aide at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 7, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

10. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Allison Proctor from the position of Elementary Teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 31, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

11. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Michaela Bissonette from the position of Social Studies Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 24, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

12. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Jordanne Stanley from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective July 26, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

13. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Jack Ferris from the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 9, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

14. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Tami Karbowski from the position of English Language Arts Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 22, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

15. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Eric Brady from the position of School Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 23, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

16. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Sean McGovern from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective September 2, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

17. Resolved that the Board approve the retirement request of Jill O’Connell from the position of Clerk Typist for the Watervliet City School District, effective August 31, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

18. Resolved that the Board approve the following Emergency Summer Lunch Program 2024 appointment, as outlined in the attached, at a salary as per the working agreement:

  • Watervliet Elementary School
    Laura Deming (Housing)

19. Resolved that the Board approve the following Emergency Summer Academy Program 2024 appointments at a salary as per contract:

  • Summer Attendance Aide: Jennifer Delsignore
  • Substitute Teacher(s): Kerry Degnan, Scott Emerson

20. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency transfer of Edwin Miranda from the position of Part-Time Night Cleaner, to the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, effective July 8, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

21. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Margaret Maset to the position of Assistant Principal, in the tenure area of Administration, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning August 14, 2024, at a salary of $87,500, per WAA contract, contingent upon receipt of required NYS certification. The probationary period shall expire on August 14, 2028, contingent upon satisfactory compliance with Education Law Sections 3012 and/or 3012-d.

22. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Andrew Hoffman to the position of Social Studies Teacher, in the tenure area of Social Studies, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire September 3, 2028, 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 Hoffman holds a Social Studies 7-12 Transitional B certification, (certificate #18131654241).

23. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Andrea Morris to the position of English Language Arts Teacher, in the tenure area of ELA, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 2 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. Ms. Morris will continue her current probationary period, which shall expire September 3, 2027, 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. Andrea Morris holds an English Language Arts certification, (certificate #178665241).

24. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Nicole Zumpano to the position of Art Teacher, in the tenure area of Art, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, 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. Nicole Zumpano holds a Visual Arts certification, (certificate #1692185231).

25. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Sean McGovern to the position of Special Education Teacher, in the tenure area of Special Education, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, 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. Sean McGovern holds a Students with Disabilities certification, (certificate #1778114241).

26. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Susan Rollin to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School – EVOLVE Program, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 6 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, 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. Susan Rollin holds a Teaching Assistant, Level III, certification (certificate #1028304161).

27. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Zainab Farook to the position of Teaching Assistant, in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 3, 2028, 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. Zainab Farook holds a Teaching Assistant, Level I certification (certificate 17559528231).

28. Resolved that the Board approve the emergency provisional appointment of Afia Khawaja to the position of Keyboard Specialist, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period beginning August 15, 2024, at a pro-rated yearly salary of $36,000.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

29. Resolved that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board approve the probationary appointment of Margarita Rodrigez to the position of Library Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a one-year probationary period beginning September 3, 2024, at a Step 1 Teacher Aide salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract.

30. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Janice Hamilton to the position of Part-Time Cafeteria Worker at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

31. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as ExTRA Club Advisors at the Watervliet Elementary School for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name: Cassandra Berman
Position: Game Club
Stipend: $986

Name: Geraldine Ferris
Position: Environmental Club
Stipend: $1,107

Name: Andrew Cowie
Position: WES Band
Stipend: $2,702

Name: Andrew Cowie
Position: WES Drama Club
Stipend: $1,717

32. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as ExTRA Club Advisors at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name: Joanna Beams
Position: Study Tables
Stipend: $25.20/hour
Name: Madeline Rehm
Position: Study Tables (ENL)
Stipend: $25.20/hour
Name: Nikki Laboissiere
Position: Grade 6 Homework Help
Stipend: $25.20/hour
Name: Ashley Dorn
Position: Drama Club Director
Stipend: $1,717
Name: Madelyn Degler
Position: Assistant Director, Drama Club
Stipend: $858

33. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff as APEX Advisors at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at the current rate, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name: Rebecca Sweeney
Position: Spanish
Stipend: $37.33/hour

Name: Joanna Beams
Position: Social Studies
Stipend: $37.33/hour

Name: Christa Follett
Position: English
Stipend: $37.33/hour

34. Resolved that the Board appoint the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Department Chairs and Club/Class Advisors for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Department Chairs:

Mathematics: Jess Willson
World Language: Meghan Fronczek
Special Education: Daniel Mueller
Business, Art & Music: Megan Matuszek
School Counseling: David Olszewski

Clubs/Class Advisors:

Class of 2025: Donna Belokopitsky (Co-Advisor)
Student Council: Chris Curtis (Co-Advisor)
National Honor Society: James Murphy (Co-Advisor)
GSA: Michael Zitolo and Alexa Giardino (Co-Advisors)
Cannoneer Club: Meghan Fronczek
Yearbook Manager: Nikki Labossiere
Class of 2026: Nikki Laboissiere
Class of 2028: Rosie Sharpe & Kerry Degnan (Co-Advisors)

35. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Chrissy Daniels to the position of Extracurricular Activity Account Treasurer, for the Watervliet City School District, at a stipend of $1,500, effective August 7, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

36. Resolved that the Board approve the appointment of Donald Ploof to the position of Assistant Night Cleaning Supervisor at the Watervliet High School for a period beginning July 1, 2024 and ending June 30, 2025, at a salary of $10,350.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.

37. Resolved that the Board approve the following teaching overages for the 2024 – 2025 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Caitlyn Santiago (+.1 FTE)
  • Claudia Bunting Marshall (+.1 FTE)
  • Dennis Lane (+.1 FTE)
  • Rebecca Sweeney (+.2 FTE)

38. Resolved that the Board approve the following School District Bus Drivers for the 2024-25 school year, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Chris Kowalewski
  • Robin Donovan
  • Starr Harris
  • Darryl Whited (Substitute Driver)

39. Resolved that the Board appoint the following Coaches for the 2024– 2025 school year, pending fingerprint clearance and fulfillment of NYSED coaching requirements, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Coaching Fall:

Junior Varsity Assistant Football: John Bolt
Volunteer Assistant Football: Joseph Schmidt
Modified Football: Peter Burdick
Modified Assistant Football: Vincent Uzzo
Modified Volunteer Assistant Football: Connor Leddick
Junior Varsity Volleyball: Jordan Reis
Varsity Assistant Girls’ Soccer: Morgyn Legault
Varsity Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Soccer: Tyler Nolet

IX. Business Items

40. Resolved that the Board accept the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for the months of June 2024 and July 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

41. Resolved that the Board approve the following payment requests, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent:

WATERVLIET 2020 CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

CSArch
Invoice No. 6959
$2,000.00

Colonie Mechanical
Invoice No. Q19160
$2,267.21

Colonie Mechanical
Invoice No. Q19715
$2,639.00

WATERVLIET 2022 ARPA CAPITAL PROJECT – ADDITIONS & ALTERATIONS

DLC Electric, LLC
Payment App. #15
$14,235.75

42. Resolved that the Board approve the Final 2023-24 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

43. Resolved that the Board approve the Preliminary 2024-25 AS-7 Contract with Capital Region BOCES, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

44. Resolved that the Board approve the Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Pioneer Savings Bank for the collection of 2024-25 school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

45. Resolved that the Board designate Anil Mulchandani, Pioneer Savings Bank – Watervliet Branch, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommend by the Superintendent.

46. Resolved that the Board approve the Special Education Services Contract with St. Catherine’s Center, for services provided to students placed in the R & E May School, effective September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

47. Resolved that the Board approve the Agreement for Services with Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc., for services provided to a student placed in the Hillcrest Day Program effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

48. Resolved that the Board approve the School District Tuition Agreement with Northern Rivers, for services provided to students placed in the Neil Hellman School Program operated by Parsons Child and Family Center, effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

49. Resolved that the Board approve the Tutorial Contract with Four Winds Saratoga, for tutorial services provided to district students in their inpatient treatment program during the 2024 – 2025 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

50. Resolved that the Board approve the Event Agreement with CDPHP for sponsorship and services provided for the Welcome Back Celebration on September 7, 2024, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

X. Other Items

51. Resolved that the Board adopt the following revised policies, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Wellness Policy
  • Minutes
  • Absentee, Military and Early Mail Ballots
  • Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment in the District
  • Administration of the Budget
  • Inspection, Operation and Maintenance
  • School Safety Plans
  • Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
  • Evaluation of Personnel
  • Probation and Tenure
  • Determination of Employment Status: Employee or Independent Contractor
  • Leaves of Absence
  • Remote Instruction
  • Sports and the Athletic Program
  • Student Voter Registration and Pre-Registration
  • Student Physicals
  • Concussion Management
  • Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  • Due Process Complaints: Selection and Board Appointment of Impartial Hearing Officers
  • Instruction in Certain Subjects
  • Home Tutoring (Homebound Instruction)

52. Resolved that the Board approve the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held July 2, 2024, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

53. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meetings held April 24, May 15, July 10, July 13, July 16, July 23, and July 24, 2024, submitted by Molly McGrath, Veronica Wilson and Daniele Tetrault, CSE Chairs, as recommended by the Superintendent.

54. Resolved that the Board approve the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held July 10, 2024, submitted by Molly McGrath, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

55. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the District-Level Safety Plan 2024 – 2025 School Year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

56. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the confidential Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2024 – 2025 for the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

57. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the confidential Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2024– 2025 for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

58. Resolved that the Board approve the New Book Request for the book entitled “Who Moved My Cheese,” by Spencer Johnson, M.D., to be added to the Grade 12 curriculum at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School beginning in the 2024 – 2025 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.

59. Resolved that the Board approve the creation of the following courses to be offered to students in the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School EVOLVE Program beginning in the 2024 – 2025 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent:

  • Practical Law
  • History Through Film
  • Human Relations

60. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached 2024 – 2025 Watervliet City School District Board of Education Goals, as recommended by the Superintendent.

61. Resolved that the Board approve and adopt the attached Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Athletic Handbook 2024 – 2025, as recommended by the Superintendent.

62. Resolved that the Board approve the following Student Teacher request at the Watervliet Elementary School, as outlined below, as recommended by the Superintendent:

Name(s): Hannah Brown
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Ena Minnick
Dates: Fall Semester 2024

Name(s): Jessica Senecal
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Rachel Manning
Dates: Fall Semester 2024

Name(s): Tyler Prince
Role: Student Observer
Cooperating Teacher(s): Rachel Manning
Dates: Fall Semester 2024

63. Resolved that the Board approve the excision of 58 Broken Calculators, as outlined in the attached, recommended by the Superintendent.

XI. Adjournment

Addendum

  1. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Mia Rockwell from the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 14, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
  2. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Angela Wareing from the position of Teaching Assistant at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 26, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
  3. Resolved that the Board accept the resignation of Kayla Freeden from the position of Music Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.