Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York August 14, 2024
LGI Room, CHS 6:00 PM
(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)
AGENDA
I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
A. Pledge of Allegiance
B. Evacuation Procedure for Emergency
C. Roll Call
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent’s Update – Ms. O’Shea
Business Update – Ms. Mackey
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
V. OLD BUSINESS
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of July 24, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves change order GC-
CO-07 on NYS Education Department Project # 01-05-00-01-0-005-018 for
General Construction at Van Schaick Grade School.
Contractor: Bunkoff General Contractors, Inc., 790 Watervliet Shaker Road
Latham, New York 12110
Original Contract: $3,099,000.00
Net Change by previous authorized Change Orders: $44,386.78
Contract Sum prior to this Change Order: $3,143,386.73
PCO-056 VS – Replace Existing Skylights: $13,518.75
Contract Sum increased by this change order: $13,518.75
New Contract Sum: $3,156,905.53
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract dated June 19, 2024 with Easter Seals of New York at 633 Third Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10017, for special education services from July 8, 2024 through August 16, 2024 at a rate of $3254 per student.
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the Agreement dated July 2, 2024 by and between the Cohoes City School District and Building Blocks Learning Center, LLC located at 19 Robinson Road, Clinton, New York 13323 to assist families in accessing community support and resources.
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement dated July 25, 2024 between the Cohoes City School District and Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc., located at 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 for educational services in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the extension of the following transportation contracts with a contractual increase equal to the May 2024 CPI of 3.9%
Star and Strand Transportation, Inc.
Contract E251274 – Annual Contract $466,918
Contract E251278 – Annual Contract $399,671
Contract E261172 – Trip: $172.71 – Aide: $97.99
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education awards the Custodial Supply
Bid for the 2024-2025 school year as shown in Appendix A.
I. BE IT RESOLVEDTHAT the Board of Education adopts the following policies:
8130.2 – Workplace Violence Prevention
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional:
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Emily Goldup from her position as Special Education Teacher (HH).
Effective: August 31, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with the State University of New York at Oswego for a full-time psychologist intern,
Hannah Rathbun, who will fulfill her internship requirement under the supervision of Sara Schwendinger, district-wide, for the period of September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Interns will be paid a stipend rate at $5,000 each (grant-funded).
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends Item VII (G) of the
July 10, 2024 Business Meeting as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals as 2024 Extended School Year Substitutes per the CTA contract:
Teachers
Katrina Keith*
Bob Keith*
Morgan Blizinski*
John Dundon*
Emily Goldup*
Samantha Rosen*
Samantha Heritage*
Kristen Carter*
Richetta Hansen
Colleen Duff*
* indicated CTA and must be called first.
Teacher Assistants
Katrina Keith*
Bob Keith*
Morgan Blizinski*
Kathy Mossey*
John Dundon*
Kristen Carter*
Nurses
Sandra Kipp*
Shelby Farley
Lisa LeBlanc*
Patricia Scott*
Jill Hagan*
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends Item VII Q of the July 10, 2024 Business Meeting as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Building Leadership Teams listed below for the 2024-2025
school year:
Abram Lansing Elementary School
Sue Keough
Bridget Quinlan
Holly Scensny
Ellen McGeorge
Jordan Peluso
Carole Blide (CSEA)
Cliff Bird
Harmony Hill School
Mary Beth Cepiel
Crystal Roberts
Catherine Lamica
Christine Guarnieri
Sarah Adkins
Jenna Howe
Stacy Bold (CSEA)
Mark Perry
Van Schaick Grade School
Bonnie Bellville
Carrie Bennett
Katrina Keith
Amber DellaRocco
Amanda Dorr
Pam Krupski (CSEA)
Jacqueline DeChiaro
Cohoes Middle School
Elaine Flatow
Andee Bartholomew
Lindsay Fontaine
Melissa Benoit
John Dundon
Stacey Nolan (CSEA)
Deanna Kelly
Kyle McFarland
Cohoes High School
Terrin Griffin
Kerry Bottenfield
Marilyn (Jennie) Barton
Virginia Jackson
Caryn Dollard
Sarah Austin (CSEA)
Laura Tarlo
Heather Bradt
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends item VII (P) of the
July 24, 2024 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher
Helene Ferner to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of School Social Worker, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on August 31, 2028.
Ms. Ferner holds Provisional Certification in the area of School Social
Worker.
Helene Ferner
Position: Long-Term Substitute 1.0 FTE School Social Worker (CMS)
Certification: School Social Worker
Tenure Area: School Social Worker
Effective Date: September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Tenure Date: August 31, 2028
Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education authorizes Cory Prairie for
hours not to exceed seven (7) for a summer evaluation at his per diem rate for the 2024-2025 school year:
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Colleen Duff to a three – year probationary term in the tenure
area of Special Education, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on August 31, 2027. Ms. Duff holds Permanent Certification in the areas of Special Education, Pre-K, K and Grades 1-6, and Reading.
Colleen Duff
Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education (CMS)
Certification: Special Education, Pre-K, K and Grades 1-6, and Reading
Tenure Area: Special Education
Effective Date: September 1, 2024
Tenure Date: August 31, 2027
Salary: Step 22 of the current CTA contract
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Hayden Galarneau to a four – year probationary term in the
tenure area of Special Education, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on
August 31, 2028. Ms. Galarneau holds Initial Certification in the areas of
Students With Disabilities (B-Gr. 2), Students With Disabilities (Gr. 1-6), Early
Childhood Education (B-Gr. 2), and Childhood Education (Gr. 1- 6).
Hayden Galarneau
Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education (HH)
Certification: Students With Disabilities (B-Gr. 2), Students With Disabilities (Gr. 1-6), Early Childhood Education (B-Gr. 2), and Childhood Education (Gr. 1- 6)
Tenure Area Special Education
Effective Date: September 1, 2024
Tenure Date: August 31, 2028
Salary: Step 4 of the current CTA contract
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Jonathan Bessette to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on August 31, 2028. Mr. Bessette holds a BA/BS and has a Level I Teaching Assistant Certification.
Jonathan Bessette
Position: 1.0 FTE Teaching Assistant (CMS)
Certification: Teaching Assistant
Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
Effective Date: September 1, 2024
Tenure Date: August 31, 2028
Salary: As per the current CTA contract, BA/BS Teacher Assistant Salary Schedule
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2024-2025 school year, as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program
enrollment:
| Co-Curricular Activity | Name | FTE |
| Esports – Varsity (Fall) | Michael Wilt | 1.0 |
| Football – Varsity Assistant | Matthew LaBombard | 1.0 |
| Football – Modified | Nick Foglia | 1.0 |
| Football – Modified Assistant | Andrew Hines | 1.0 |
| Soccer – Boys, Varsity | Nick Izzo | 1.0 |
| Soccer – Boys, JV | Dave Wasserman | 1.0 |
| Soccer – Girls, Varsity | Keith Fischer | 1.0 |
| Soccer – Girls, JV | Larry Brown | 1.0 |
| Soccer – Girls, Modified | Dana DelGenio | 1.0 |
| Swimming and Diving (UNPAID) | Dennis Hogan | 0.0 |
| Volleyball – JV | John Ketchoyian | 1.0 |
| Volleyball – Modified | Teresa Gendron | 1.0 |
| Varsity – Girls and Boys Cross Country | Karin Sencer | 1.0 |
| Basketball – Boys Varsity | Jeff Huneau | 1.0 |
| Basketball – Boys JV | Nick Izzo | 1.0 |
| Basketball – Boys Modified | Nick Foglia | 1.0 |
| Basketball – Girls Varsity | Morgan Blizinski | 1.0 |
| Basketball – Girls JV | York Bush | 1.0 |
| Bowling – Varsity | Pamela Bertrand | 1.0 |
| Indoor Track – Boys | Kerry Winters | 1.0 |
| Indoor Track – Girls | Alexius Smith | 1.0 |
| Unified Bowling | Teresa Gendron | 1.0 |
| Track – Indoor, Boys | Kerry Winters | 1.0 |
| Baseball – Varsity | Robert Keith | 1.0 |
| Baseball – Junior Varsity | Chris Fournier | 1.0 |
| Lacrosse – Varsity | Jack McHerron | 1.0 |
| Softball – Varsity | John Ketchoyian | 1.0 |
| Softball – Junior Varsity | Dana DelGenio | 1.0 |
| Track – Boys Varsity | Kerry Winters | 1.0 |
| Track – Girls Varsity | Alexius Smith | 1.0 |
| Track – Girls Varsity Assistant | Jennifer VanHorne | 1.0 |
| Unified Basketball | Morgan Blizinski | 1.0 |
| Esports – Varsity (Spring) | Michael Wilt | 1.0 |
Non-Instructional
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education rescind its action on item VII
(M) of the July 24, 2024 Meeting agenda:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Allison Haertel to the position of School Nurse, RN,
subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends item VII (U) of the June 12, 2024 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education authorizes the
following individuals at their per diem rate (per CSEA contract) to provide
summer secretarial support:
- Carole Blide, Abram Lansing Elementary School – ten (10) days
- Pamela Krupski, Van Schaick Grade School – thirteen (13) days
- Sherri Dan, Harmony Hill School –
three (3) daysfive (5) days - Stacy Bold, Harmony Hill School –
five (5) daysseven (7) days - Carol Gaudette, Harmony Hill School –
five (5) daysseven (7) days
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends item VII (NN) of the
July 10, 2024 Business Meeting Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individual as Campus Safety Monitors for the 2024 Summer programs:
- Tyrone Purdue
- Robert Rondeau
- John Demio
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Kelly Connell from the position of Senior Typist (CHS).
Effective: August 16, 2024
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Ronette Miorin from the position of Senior Typist (ALS).
Effective: August 16, 2024
P. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Jahvonte Bass to the position of full time Campus Safety Monitor, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Jahvonte Bass
Position: 1.0 FTE Campus Safety Monitor (AL)
Effective Date: September 1, 2024
Probation period: March 1, 2025
Salary: As per current CSEA contract
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 – June 2024
- Budget Transfers – N/A
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Reserve Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
- Internal Claims Audit Report – June and July 2024
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the following fully
depreciated piano to be removed from the fixed asset inventory at Cohoes Middle School.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation of a piano valued at $300.00 to be used for musical performances at Cohoes Middle School.
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education grants permission to the
Cohoes Middle School to dispose of the following textbooks:
| Textbook | ISBN number | Number of textbooks |
| Asi se dice! Spanish textbook (2011) | 978-0-07-660425027 | 44 |
| Avancamos! Textbook (2006) | 0-618-68726-2 | 46 |
| Discovering French (2007) | 10-0-618-656529 | 15 |
| Discovering French (2013) | 057787197X | 17 |
| Discovering French (1997) 12 | 0-395-86667-7 | 12 |
| Discovering French Rouge (2013) | 978-0-547-87247-6 | 17 |
| Chez Nous (2008) | 10-10-13-503367-5 | 1 |
| Chez Nous (Media Enhanced) | 10-0-02592661-4 | 2 |
| French Recontres | 0-07-028132-7 | 1 |
| Teacher Edition (1992) | 0821914235 | 1 |
| Teacher Edition (2006) | 0821932586 | 1 |
| Tresors du Terrys | 0-02676651-5 | 5 |
| Bon Voyage | 0-07-824265-7 | 1 |
| Bon Voyage (2002) | 0-07-821258-8 | 1 |
| Bien Dit (2008) | 0-03-039888-6 | 1 |
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
XI. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
XII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
Policy8130.2 – Workplace Violence Prevention
XIII. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- August 28, 2024 – Cohoes High School LGI Room at 6 PM
- September 11, 2024