Watervliet City School District
Watervliet, New York
Board of Education

Date: September 13, 2018
Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting
Meeting Opened: 6:04 P.M.
Where: Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School

Board members present:
President, Sheri Senecal
Vice President, Heather Soroka
Mary Beth Whited
Steven Hoffman
Amanda Cavanaugh
Superintendent: Dr. Lori S. Caplan

The meeting was opened at 6:04 P.M., with President Sheri Senecal officiating.

Comments from the floor

Mr. Emerson noted that Student Council Elections will be held next week and a student council representative will be present beginning next month.

Old Business

There was no old business to be discussed.

Board, Staff and Student Reports

The Exciting World of Special Education at WCSD Presentation J. Yanni, V. Bedard, L. Moore, A. Bianchi

Items Requiring Board Action

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Board of Education Minutes for the meeting held August 9, 2018, submitted by Bernadette L. Boardman, Clerk of the Board, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held August 13, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Committee on Pre-School Special Education’s recommendations for the meeting held August 15, 2018, submitted by Janelle Yanni, CPSE Chair, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Substitute Registry submitted by BOCES, as recommended by the Superintendent (packets #1 through #3).

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June and July 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the 2018/19 Tax Warrant, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Tax Collection Agreement between the Watervliet City School District and Pioneer Savings Bank, for the collection of school taxes, submitted by Keith Heid, Business Manager, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board designated Anil Mulchandani, Watervliet branch of Pioneer Savings Bank, as the Deputy Tax Collector, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the agreement with an employee of the District as discussed in Executive Session on September 13, 2018, and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to execute the agreement on behalf of the District and to notify the State Education Department of the withdrawal of Matter No. 33284.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the agreement with an employee of the District as discussed in Executive Session on September 13, 2018, and authorize the Superintendent of Schools to execute the agreement on behalf of the District and to notify the State Education Department of the withdrawal of Matter No. 33285.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted, with thanks, the retirement request of Scott Burke from the position of Social Studies Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective June 30, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Shelley Palkovic to the position of Pivot Program Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board rescinded the appointment of Bryan Capitula to the position of Girls’ Modified Basketball Coach at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board accepted the resignation of Bridget Amancio from the position of Lunch Monitor at the Watervliet Elementary School, effective August 21, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the accept the resignation of Robyn Scotland from the position of Special Education Teacher at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, effective August 31, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the revised appointment of Meghan Mitchell to the position of Long-Term Substitute Spanish Teacher, Grades 7-9, at the Watervliet Jr.–Sr. High School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 1 salary plus master’s degree and credit hours, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following Coaches for the 2018– 2019 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:
  Modified Girls’ Soccer Coach: Michael O’Brien
• Coaching Winter:
  Modified Wrestling Coach: Dan Pommerer

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of the following staff to the positions outlined below for the 2018–2019 school year, at a rate as per contract, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Pivot Program Teacher: Briana DelBene
• Pivot Program Teacher: Kelly Sayward
• Health Coordinator: Edmund Rohrmeier
• Extra Program WHS Homework Help: Kerry Degnan

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the following teaching overage for the 2018 – 2019 academic school year at the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as outlined in the attached, effective September 5, 2018, as recommended by the Superintendent:

• Yuriy Berin (+.1) WIN

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Stacey Irwin to the position of Elementary Teacher, Grade 1, in the tenure area of Elementary 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 Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Donald Hogan to the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 4, 2022.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Chelsea Shufelt to the position of Teaching Assistant, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a Step 1 salary, plus Associate or Bachelor degree stipends, as per contract. The probationary period shall expire on September 4, 2022.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Daniel Nittinger to the position of Lunchroom Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 4, 2018 and ending September 4, 2019, at an hourly rate as per working document, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Kaylee Moldonado to the position of Lunchroom Aide, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 4, 2018 and ending September 4, 2019, at an hourly rate as per working document, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Mary Scully to the position of Cafeteria Monitor, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 4, 2018 and ending September 4, 2019, at an hourly rate as per working document, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Paige Jensen to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 4, 2018 and ending September 4, 2019, at an hourly rate as per working document, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the emergency probationary appointment of Rosa Morales to the position of Food Service Worker, at the Watervliet Elementary School, for a probationary period beginning September 10, 2018 and ending September 4, 2019, at an hourly rate as per working document, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the appointment of Gina DiCianna to the position of Long-Term Substitute Self-Contained Special Education Teacher, at the Watervliet Elementary School, beginning September 4, 2018, at a rate of $125.00 per diem, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Special Education Plan 2018 – 2019 for the Watervliet City School District, submitted by Janelle Yanni, Director of Programs and Pupil Services, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2018–2019 for the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the Building Level Emergency Response Plan 2018–2019 for the Watervliet Jr. – Sr. High School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved and adopted the attached District-Level Safety Plan 2018 – 2019 for the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Heidi M. Kelly for her child, Vladimir L. Kelly, Grade 10, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Jamal and Chasity Stewart for their children, Jonathan Lindsay, Grade 7; and Micah Stewart, Grade 2, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Peter and Jessica Havnen for their child, Julia Holly Havnen, Grade 2, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Linda Miller for her child, Cayden Miller, Grade 8, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the home schooling request of Michele Merwitz for her child, Gage Gibson, Grade 8, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of one broken/irreparable television (barcode: 000002) and one broken/irreparable VCR (barcode: 000143) from the Watervliet Elementary School, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the excision of 108 outdated Life Science textbooks and 34 outdated Physical Science textbooks, from the Watervliet City School District, as recommended by the Superintendent.

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited and unanimously accepted, the Board approved the Internal Claims Auditor Report for the month of August 2018, submitted by Michaeleen Backus, as recommended by the Superintendent.

New Business

There was no new business to be discussed.

Comments from the Floor

Dr. Caplan shared the following:

• It was a seamless start to the school year – from students to adults, all went well.
• Congratulations to Heather Soroka on her appointment to the BOCES Board.
• Thank you to Amanda Cavanaugh for donating a large amount of notebooks and folders to the district.
• We had all hands on deck for the incident yesterday. Operations went on as usual inside the buildings. Thank you to everyone for staying calm and collected. Thank you to staff and WPD.
• Thank you to the Belle Jar Grant for the 4th and final payment. We will be asking for funding to continue the program. The class of 2019 is the first graduating class to go through the program.
• On September 20, Ms. DeMento and I will be attending the Whitney Young Health Center dinner.

Michael Staccio – 2323 3rd Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 – expressed his concern for the kids that have to cross second avenue to get to the bus stop at Joslin Apartments for bus #1, noting that second avenue is very dangerous and there are a lot of kids at that bus stop. Mr. Staccio asked if anything could be done to rectify the situation.

Edward VonFricken – 1308 3rd Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 – echoed Mr. Staccio’s sentiments about the bus stop.

Mr. Groat spoke on behalf of Mrs. Webster, stating that PIVOT has been a tremendous experience. Students were not excited, but it has been a success. Thank you to Mrs. Choi and Ms. DeMento.

Mrs. Cavanaugh asked if a video could be made featuring students discussing their positive experiences with the PIVOT program that could be presented to Belle Jar.

Mr. Groat responded that he would speak to Miss Frost to see if it would be possible.

Mr. Foust shared the following:

• The fall season is off to a great start.
• The Homecoming Game is Friday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. The Black Bear is catering a chicken dinner fundraiser. There will be a pep rally during periods seven and eight.
• The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be held on October 6, 2018.

Mrs. Lewinter noted the following:

• The school year is off to a great start.
• Enrollment is up. The 800th student will be registering tomorrow. This year’s kindergarten class is the largest in several years.
• Tomorrow night is welcome back night at WES.
• Next week is Meet the Teacher night. Tuesday night is Pre-K – Grade 2. Wednesday night is Grades 3–6.

Kelly Gilchrist – 1306 6th Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 – noted that the PTA membership drive is going on now. She also noted that over $57,000.00 was raised during this year’s Relay for Life.

Mr. Stevens noted that P-Tech is up and running on the 3rd floor. They have two field trips planned, including one to Mohonasen and one to RPI.

Mrs. Yanni shared the following:

• I met with P-Tech teachers and the special education students are off to a great start in the program.
• Thank you to the WPD for ensuring that students and staff were safe during yesterday’s incident.

Adjournment

On a motion by Steven Hoffman, seconded by Mary Beth Whited, and unanimously accepted, the Board adjourned the meeting at 6:55 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.