September 9, 2020 Board of Education Minutes

Board of Education Business Meeting

Cohoes, New York
September 9, 2020, 6:00 PM
Live Streamed

(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)

Minutes

I. The Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Board Vice President, Mrs. Giller.

ROLL CALL

Present:

• Mrs. Giller
• Mr. Pascale
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Dion
• Mrs. Carey
• Mr. Annely

Excused:

• Mr. Nolin

Also Present:

• Dr. Jennifer Spring, Superintendent
• Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
• Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

MOTION: THAT the Board of Education enters into Executive Session at 5:30 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. Giller
Seconded by: Mr. Annely
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 6-0

EXECUTIVE SESSION: TIME 5:31 PM

Present:

• Mrs. Giller
• Mr. Pascale
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Dion
• Mrs. Carey
• Mr. Annely

Excused:

• Mr. Nolin

Also Present:

• Dr. Jennifer Spring, Superintendent
• Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
• Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

DISCUSSION

MOTION: To adjourn Executive Session and re-enter Open Session at 6:12 p.m.

Moved by: Mrs. Giller
Seconded by: Mr. Annely
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 6-0

OPEN SESSION: TIME: 6:15 PM

ROLL CALL

Present:

• Mrs. Giller
• Mr. Pascale
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Dion
• Mrs. Carey
• Mr. Annely

Excused:

• Mr. Nolin

Also Present:

• Dr. Jennifer Spring, Superintendent
• Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
• Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

II. DISTRICT REPORTS

Reopening Update

III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

Item VII (H) amended to read Step 1, not Step 5.

IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

V. OLD BUSINESS

VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

1. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of August 26, 2020.
2. THAT the Board of Education amends Item VI (C) of the July 29, 2020 Minutes to read as follows:
   • September 9, 2020 – First Day of School Superintendent Conference Day
   • September 10, 2020 – Superintendent Conference Day
   • September 11, 2020 – First Day of School
   • November 3, 2020 – Superintendent Conference Day At Home Learning Day
3. THAT the Board of Education rescinds its action on Item VI (G) of the August 26, 2020 Minutes.
4. THAT the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (CBO) located at 21 Delaware Avenue, Albany, New York dated September 2020 for Pre-Kindergarten Program Services for the period September 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 in accordance to the terms and conditions outlined therein.
5. THAT the Board of Education approves the extension of the following transportation contracts with an increase equal to the May CPI. Contracts will be for a one-year period from September 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 as follows:
   • Star & Strand Transportation, Inc.
     • Contract – E251274
       • In-District – $171,053
       • Out-of-District – $158,614
       • BOCES – $66,129
       • Aide – $110.45
     • Contract – E251278
       • Out-of-District – $338,792
       • Additional Aide – $110.45
     • Contract – E261172
       • Trip – $146.41
         Aide/per day – $83.06
6. THAT the Board of Education approves a Behavioral Health Center Satellite Agreement with Parsons Child and Family Center, an affiliate of Northern Rivers Family Services, with its principal business at 60 Academy Road, Albany, New York for the period of July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021 in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined therein.
7. THAT the Board of Education approves an Agreement between SUNY Schenectady County Community College and the Cohoes City School District to set out the terms and conditions upon which courses will be offered and operated under the college and implemented in the high school’s concurrent enrollment program during the period September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021.
8. THAT the Board of Education approves the following resolution:

   WHEREAS, the Cohoes City School District (the “School District”) was informed, days before the commencement of the 2020-2021 school year, and without prior notice, that its food service vendor would not be renewing its food service agreement with the School District for the 2020-2021 school year; and
   WHEREAS, the School District’s food service program feeds approximately 2,000 children per day, including some of the District’s most vulnerable and at-risk children, and the absence of a food service program threatens the health and safety of the students in the School District; and
   WHEREAS, the immediate securement of a food service agreement with a reputable food service vendor is required to assure the health and safety of students in the School District.
   THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION AS FOLLOWS:
   Section 1. The Board of Education hereby determines that the prompt and immediate securement of a food service agreement for the benefit of the students of the School District is a non-recurring, ordinary contingent expense that is necessary to assure the health and safety of students. The Board of Education further determines that the lack of a food service program in the School District could affect the health and safety of students and that the remediation of the same requires immediate, emergency action to safeguard health.
   Section 2. The School District is hereby authorized to undertake all necessary steps to secure a food service agreement for the 2020-2021 school year.
   Section 3. Due to the emergency situation, a contract for food service in the District must be awarded immediately. Therefore, no competitive bidding will be utilized.
   Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

9. THAT the Board of Education approves an emergency contract by and between Cohoes City School District and Aramark Educational Services LLC (food service company) for the period beginning on September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 in the amount of $809,705.75

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL

INSTRUCTIONAL

1. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Kelly Soriano from her position of Music Teacher (Elementary).
   Effective: August 21, 2020
2. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Karen Goodband (Barr) from her position of Teacher Aide.
   Effective: September 2, 2020
3. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Brittany Dawson from her position as Teacher Assistant (HH).
   Effective: September 3, 2020
4. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby reinstates Delia Ernst from the seniority/recall list, pursuant to Education Law §3013, to a position in the Teacher Assistant tenure area.
   Effective: September 8, 2020
5. THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association for the purpose of “Teacher on Special Assignment” dated August 20, 2020.
6. Sarah Kubitz
   Position …………………………………………………………………………………. 0.25 FTE Music
   Certification …………………………………………………………………………………………..Music
   Tenure Area …………………………………………………………………………………………..Music
   Effective Date …………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2020
   Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………………………….. N/A
   Salary ………………………………………………………….. Step 6 of the current CTA contract
   Reason …………………………………………………………………… Reappoint to same position
7. THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2020-2021 school year:
   • Alicia Tommasino – 0.1 FTE as per CTA contract – Chemistry (1.1 FTE total) CHS
   • Judith Kubik – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Science (1.2 FTE total) CMS
   • Courtney Valente – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Special Ed (1.2 FTE total) CMS
     Effective: September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
8. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Christian Gunn to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Music effective September 3, 2020 and expiring on September 2, 2024 on an emergency conditional basis. Mr. Gunn has holds Initial Certification in the area of Music.

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Mr. Gunn regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Mr. Gunn’s continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that he is fully cleared for employment.

   Christian Gunn
   Position ………………………………………………………………………..1.0 FTE Music Teacher
   Certification …………………………………………………………………………………. Music K-12
   Tenure Area …………………………………………………………………………………………..Music
   Effective Date …………………………………………………………………….. September 3, 2020
   Tenure Date ……………………………………………………………………….. September 2, 2024
   Salary …………………………………………….. Step 5 Step 1 of the current CTA Contract
   Reason ………………………………………………………………………… Replaces Kelly Soriano

9. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual to the Long-Term Substitute Teacher list on an emergency conditional basis.

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from the individual regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. The individual’s continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice, from the Commissioner of Education, that she is fully cleared for employment.

   Rachel Abbatiello
   Position …………………………………………………………….. Long-Term Substitute Teacher
   Tenure Area ………………………………………………………………………….Special Education
   Effective Date …………………………………September 3, 2020 through January 31, 2021
   Salary ………………………………………………………….. Step 1 of the current CTA contract
   Reason… …………………………………………………………………….. Replaces Amber Gavitt

10. THAT the Board of Education approves the following Social Work intern placement from the following school (unpaid):
    • SIENNA COLLEGE
      September 7, 2020-November 19, 2020
      Isabelle DeChiaro with Kristie Calderon at Van Schaick Grade School

      NON-INSTRUCTIONAL

11. THAT the Board of Education creates the following position:
    1.0 FTE LPN (VS)
12. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby provisionally appoints Karen Ward to the position of full-time LPN subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a probationary appointment.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Ward regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Her continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.

    Karen Ward
    Position ………………………………………………………………………………………….. LPN (VS)
    Effective Date …………………………………………………………………… September 11, 2020
    Probation Period ……………………………………………………………………… March 10, 2021
    Salary …………………………………………………….. Entry level per current CSEA contract
    Reason ……………………………………………………………………………….. BOE newly create

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE

IX. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)

BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION: THAT the Board of Education amends Item VII H to read “Step 1” and adopts the following resolutions of the September 9, 2020 Agenda:
VI (A-I) and VII (A-G, H as amended, L)

Moved by: Mr. Pascale
Seconded by: Mrs. Dion
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 6-0

X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION

XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE

XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW

XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

September 23, 2020, Live Streamed at 6:00 p.m.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: To adjourn at 7:09 p.m.

Moved by: Mr. Annely
Seconded by: Mrs. Dion
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 6-0