COHOES CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York April 5, 2023
Library, Cohoes Middle School 6:00 PM
(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)
MINUTES
The Meeting was called to Order by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:03p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron – excused
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent’s Update – Mr. Martinelli updated the board on UPK and Kindergarten enrollment numbers to date. Ms. O’Shea shared that Ms. Mackey revised the job description for District Treasurer to bring it in alignment with the current responsibilities. This has been sent to Cohoes Civil Service for their approval. She also provided information on the progress of the COPs grant.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey shared with the board a review of the Food Services bid. Language in the bid has been updated to include a variety of menu choices for the next school year. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 19 and the bid opening is planned for April 28. She also shared information regarding the upcoming milling and paving work scheduled to be done over spring break at Harmony Hill School and the Middle School, as well as core drilling (taking samples) at the High School.
Budget Presentations – Ms. O’Shea and Ms. Mackey reviewed the proposed budget, revenue summary, proposed tax levy and the proposed expense summary. They also shared highlights of the needs assessments and proposed budget for each of the schools, the athletic department, facilities, information and technology and central office. Ms. Mackey shared the next steps in the budget process.
A. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Nadeau asked when the district would be sharing the budget newsletter with the public. Ms. Mackey replied that the budget packet would be available at school buildings on April 26. Mrs. Giller asked how we are planning to share budget information and emphasized the importance of clearly communicating that many of these positions are bringing us back to “whole”, prior to the pandemic. Mrs. Carey added that we are restoring what is absolutely necessary. Mrs. Giller asked the Board if they felt she should abstain from voting on agenda item VII (G) as the person being appointment is married to her cousin. The Board decided they were fine with her voting.
B. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
C. OLD BUSINESS – None
D. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of March 15, 2023.
A. THAT the Board of Education amend item VI (D) of the January 18, 2023
Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with Natalia M. Martinez,
SLP, PLLC at Pheasant Run, Ballston Spa, NY for Speech-Languages services from February 9, 2023 through June 30, 2023 at a rate of $500 per evaluation
performed and $59 per individual 20 or 30-minute speech session in accordance with terms and conditions herein.
B. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby approves the cross contract between the Cohoes City School
District and the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES for the provision of
Regional Recruitment/On-line Application System dated March 2023 for the
2023-2024 school year and authorized the payment of $3,946.25 herein.
C. THAT the Board of Education approve the contract between the Cohoes City School District and Chelsea Place Psychological Services for services at a rate of $230 per hour for up to ten (10) hours from January 2023 through June 2023 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Azoula, Nina
- Bonaro, Jarrod
- Crawford, Bianca
- Valente, Erin
Effective: April 6, 2023
B. THAT the Board of Education rescind its action on item VII (M) of the August 3, 2022 agenda, INTRAMURALS 3 (AL) ONLY:
Clubs and Activities Name FTE
Intramurals3 (AL) Valerie Lang 1.0
C. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual to the coaching position listed below for the 2022-2023 school year, as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY NAME FTE
Softball – Modified Kristy Jarosz 1.0
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL
D. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (K) of the September 21, 2023
Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Peter Mahoney to the position of Network Administrator (School), subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a provisional appointment.
Peter Mahoney
- Position: 1.0 FTE Network Administrator (School) (PROVISIONAL)
- Effective Date: October 11, 2022
- Salary: $77,000
E. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (G) of the March 15, 2023 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Amanda Vacha to the position of full-time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Amanda Vacha
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CHS)
- Effective Date: March 16, 2023
- Probation Period:
December 1, 2023November 24, 2023 - Salary- Entry level per current CSEA contract
F. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of John Ricci from his
position as Part Time School Safety Officer.
Effective: March 20, 2023
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Matthew Labombard to the position of Part-Time School Safety Officer, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a provisional appointment.
Matthew Labombard
- Position: Part-Time School Safety Officer (Provisional)
- Effective Date: April 6, 2023 through June 30, 2023
- Salary: $21 per hour
ADDENDA
H. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as advisor to the club and activity listed for the 2022-2023 school year, contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Clubs and Activities Name FTE
INTRAMURALS 3 (AL) Aaron Boudreau 1.0
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the April 5, 2023 Agenda:
VI (A-D), VII (A-H) and X (A-F)
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mr. Nadeau
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron – excused
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller
VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE
IX. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)
A. I recommend that the following reports be accepted by the Board of Education:
- Warrants – N/A
- Budget Transfers – N/A
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Revenue Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
THAT the Board of Education accepts the following donations;
A. A donation of the disbursement of Mastodon Challenge funds from the Cohoes Multi Services Senior Center in the amount of $1,092.28 to be used for materials and supplies in the UPK program.
B. Stewarts grant in the amount of $800 to be used for Gold Card student lounge at Cohoes High School
C. Stewarts grant in the amount of $800 to be used for Mosa Mack at Cohoes Middle School.
D. Stewarts grant in the amount of $800 to be used for a calming corner at Abram Lansing School.
E. Stewarts grant in the amount of $800 to be used for leveled readers at Harmony Hill School.
F. Stewarts grant in the amount of $750 to be used for headphones at Van Schaick Grade School.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller, on behalf of the board, thanked the Mastodon Challenge/Cohoes Multi Services Center for the donations, as well as Stewart’s for their grants to our school buildings.
Mrs. Paradis discussed how important the arts and theater are to our district and what an amazing job our students did during the recent performances of “The Prom;” however, she expressed concern about the use of curse words during the performances. She further commented that the language was not permitted by our Code of Conduct, and the same rules should apply to school sponsored events, including the play. Mrs. Giller added that she had similar concerns and shared them with the Superintendent previously. Ms. O’Shea made the board aware that she has had a conversation with the High School principal, Mrs. Tarlo, who then discussed this with a Drama Club director. It will be reviewed further and a process will be put in place prior to future drama productions.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW -None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
April 19, 2023, Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
May 3, 2023, Public Budget Hearing & Meeting, Cohoes Middle School, Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:10 p.m.
To discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion,
demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person
or corporation.
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Paradis
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron – excused
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:29 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0