Watervliet City School District > Board of Education > Meeting Schedule, Agendas and Minutes > Regular Meeting Minutes: October 8, 2024

Regular Meeting Minutes: October 8, 2024

Regular Meeting
Date: October 8, 2024
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 5:59 p.m.
Where: Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School
Board Members Present:
President, Mary Beth Whited
Vice President, Brian White
Heather Soroka 
Kyle Daniels
Board Members Absent: Victoria Donnelly
Superintendent: Dr. Donald Stevens Jr.
Student Council Rep: Sophie Schwartz
The meeting opened at 5:59 p.m., with President Whited officiating.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.
Presentations/Reports/Comments
PBIS and Character Education Presentation Ryan Groat and Meg Maset  
A. Superintendent’s Report 
Dr. Stevens shared the following:
  • I neglected to include the presentation on tonight’s agenda. Thank you to Mr. Groat and Ms. Maset for presenting all that is happening at the elementary school.
  • Congratulations to the 1974-75 girls’ basketball and 1990 and 1991 varsity football teams, who were inducted into the Hall of Fame this past weekend.  We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.  The 1974-75 team was the first female basketball team that we had.
  • Homecoming weekend was a huge success.  The boys’ football team won their game.  We had a fantastic pep rally and spirit week leading up to the game.
  • Victoria Donnelly, Mary Beth Whited, Heather Soroka and I will be attending the NYSSBA conference.
  • The PTA will be hosting a Trunk or Treat in the WJSHS parking lot on October 26 at 12:00 p.m.
  • The WES Halloween Parade will be held on the afternoon of October 31. Time is TBD.
  • The Superintendent’s Conference Day will be held on November 5.  The agenda will be finalized soon.
Student Council Report
Student Council Rep Sophie Schwartz shared the following:
 
  • Thank you to Dr. Stevens and the Board of Education for the opportunity to serve as one of the Student Council Representatives.  Owen Zawistowski and LaJay York will also serve as representatives.
  • Picture day was held on Thursday September 12 in the auditorium.  Photos and IDs have already been delivered to staff and students. Picture retake day is Friday, November 1.
  • Spirit Week was last week.  A lot of people participated. Themes included Jersey Day, Barbeque Dad/Soccer Mom, Dress Like Your Former Self and School Spirit.  On Friday, we had a terrific pep rally.  Special thanks to Mrs. Fronczek and the Cannoneer Club for putting it together and thank you to the band for performing.  Friday night, the football team had a great win and it ended with a successful homecoming dance on Friday.
  • Student Council will be starting a debate club/team. Debates will take place after school and will begin with students debating each other. We will investigate the possibility of debating with other schools in the future.
  • Mr. Curtis will be setting up a meeting for the Student Council to meet with Ms. DeMento and Mr. Whited to discuss the food service program.  These meetings take place each year.  We are looking forward to it.  Thank you to both Ms. DeMento and Mr. Whited for participating.
  • On election night, the social studies department, working with the student council, will be hosting a voting results blog.  This was done in 2020 and 2022.  By doing this, the students get unbiased results.  The invitation to the google classroom will be given to Dr. Stevens, Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Williams as election day gets closer.  Because it looks like the election is going be very close and there is a real possibility that results may not be finalized that night, the blog will be shut down at 11:00 p.m. so students can get some sleep.
B. Committee Reports
Audit Committee
Mrs. Whited noted that they have an upcoming meeting in November.
Policy Committee
There was no report.

Board Discussion

There was no discussion.

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Ehren Lewis from the position of Alternate Education Teacher at the EVOLVE Program, effective September 13, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Ariana Dockstader and Kaylee Maldonado from the position of ExTRA Club Art Co-Advisors, to take on a different advisor role, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved Six Additional Work Days during the past summer for Chelsie Gleason, at a rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency transfer of Chloe Swinney from the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker, to the position of Full-Time Food Service Worker, for the Watervliet City School District at the Heatly location, effective September 3, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Jeremy Brand to the position of Building Substitute at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 6, 2024, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Joshua Bagnardi to the position of Full-Time Bus Driver for the Watervliet City School District, effective September 11, 2024, at a rate of $27.00 per hour, as recommended by the Superintendent. 
Mrs. Soroka asked if Mr. Bagnardi is a softball coach and if he will be driving his team to games how his stipend would work.
Dr. Stevens responded to Mrs. Soroka, noting that he will look into it and get back to her.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Elizabeth Edwards to the position of Music Teacher, in the tenure area of Music, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 23, 2024, at a Step 1 salary, plus master’s degree and credit hours, as per contract.  The probationary period shall expire September 23, 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. Elizabeth Edwards holds a Music certification, (certificate #1800153241).
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Maria Spencer to the position of Long-Term Substitute School Counselor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 18, 2024, at a rate of $200.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Robin Dombroski to the position of Part-Time Food Service Worker at the Watervliet Elementary School, at an hourly rate of $17.00, effective September 16, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Livis Robinson to the position of Full-Time Night Cleaner for the Watervliet City School District, at a rate of $17.00/hour, effective September 23, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the probationary appointment of Laura Deming to the position of Part-Time Substitute Security Aide at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, at a Step 1 Aide rate, per contract, effective October 9, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency appointment of Margaret Angie to the position of After-School Detention Monitor at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective September 24, 2024 through the remainder of the 2024 – 2025 school year, at an hourly rate per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of 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:
  • Yearbook Club: Ariana Dockstader & Kaylee Maldonado (Co-Advisors) 
  • Art Club: Abby Lammon
  • Drama Club Substitute: Allison Fried 
  • Chorus Club: Beth Edwards 
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of 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:
  • Art Club: Nicole Zumpano 
  • Cooking Club: Jeremy Brand 
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School Club Advisors for the 2024 – 2025 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:
Club Advisors: 
  • Jazz Band: Andrew Gorman
  • Marching Band: Andrew Gorman
  • Middle School Band: Andrew Gorman
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved 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:
  • Assistant Modified Football: William Ronan (prorated, effective October 1, 2024) 
  • Volunteer Assistant Football: Tahle Teabout
  • Volunteer Assistant Volleyball: Jessenia George
  • Volunteer Cheerleading: Jessica Kelly
Coaching Winter:
  • Indoor Track: William Ronan
  • Boys’ Junior-Varsity Basketball: Darnell Sutton
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #2 and #3).
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the Internal Claims Auditor Reports for the month of September 2024, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June, July and August 2024, 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 Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved one (1) 2024 Summer School Special Education Transportation Contract Extension between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $140,099.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved thirty (30) 2024-25 Regular School Year Special Education Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $1,359,387.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved one (1) 2024-25 Regular School Year Transportation Contract Extension between Durham Transportation and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $303,685.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the twelve (12) 2024-25 Regular School Year McKinney-Vento Transportation Contract Extensions between Star & Strand and the Watervliet City School District at a cost of $1,079,975.00, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Healthy Vending Machine Agreement between the Fresh First Vending LLC and The Watervliet City School District, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Cooperative Agreement between Hudson Valley Community College and the Watervliet City School District, to provide college in the high school courses during the 2024 – 2025 school year, as outlined in the attached, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held September 10, 2024, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home-schooling requests of the parents/guardians of the following students, as recommended by the Superintendent:
  • Student ID 900013122 – grade 9
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, a check from the BelleJar Foundation in the amount of $54,837.00, to fund the Pivot Program, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of school supplies from the Joseph Wiley, on behalf of NextStep Federal Credit Union, to be given to district students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
On a motion by Brian White, seconded by Heather Soroka and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the donation of school supplies from the Mayor Charles Patricelli, to be given to district students in need, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Mrs. Whited thanked the Belle Jar Foundation, Joseph Wiley and Mayor Patricelli for their donations.

Adjournment

On a motion by Brian White seconded by Kyle Daniels and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned executive session and adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette L. Boardman
Clerk of the Board