Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
February 16, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(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 by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:03pm.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale (excused)
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion (excused)
- Mr. Annely
- Mrs. Snyder – arrived at 6:41 pm
- Mrs. Giller
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Capital Project Planning presented by CS Arch
Budget Presentations – Elementary Principals’ (Mr. Bird, Mrs. DeChiaro and Mr. Perry)
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS – None
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meetings of February 2, 2022 and February 9, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following dates:
12/8/21, 12/20/21, 12/21/21, 12/22/21, 1/4/22, 1/6/22, 1/10/22, 1/11/22, 1/13/22, 1/14/22, 1/18/22, 1/20/22, 1/23/22, 1/24/22, 1/25/22, 1/27/22, 1/28/22, 2/3/22, 2/9/22
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Easter Seals of New York at 633 Third Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10017, for special education services from July 6, 2021 through August 13, 2021 at a rate of $2,518 per student. This rate is subject to change based on NYSED finalized rates.
D. THAT the Board of Education adopts the 2022/2023 School Calendar.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Thomas Kostrzebski from his position of Assistant Principal (CHS). Effective: December 2, 2022
B. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby creates a full-time (1.0 FTE) Career Education Coordinator for the Cohoes High School, effective February 28, 2022 and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Rebecca LaForest shall be assigned, as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”), to the full-time (1.0 FTE) Career Education Coordinator position for the 2021-2022 school year and approves the agreement relating to the same. While in this assignment as a TOSA, Rebecca LaForest shall remain in the Mathematics tenure area and all time spent as a full time employee in the position of Career Education Coordinator shall be credited as time in the Mathematics tenure area.
C. 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 purposes of amending the collective bargaining agreement between the two parties dated February 16, 2022.
D. THAT the Board of Education grant tenure to the following individual in the subject area listed:
Mr. Michael Wilt (Cohoes High School) – Special Education
Effective: March 25, 2022
E. THAT the Board of Education create the following position:
1.0 FTE Elementary (grant-funded)
1.0 FTE Social Worker (grant-funded)
Effective: February 28, 2022
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Kristine Kodadar to a four – year conditional term in the tenure area of Elementary effective February 28, 2022 and expiring on February 27, 2026 on a conditional basis. Ms. Kodadar holds an Emergency COVID-19 Certification in the area of Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
Kristine Kodadar
- Position: 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (AL)
- Certification: Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Elementary
- Effective Date: February 28, 2022
- Tenure Date: February 27, 2026
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA Contract
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Geneva McPherson to a four – year term in the tenure area of School Social Worker effective February 28, 2022 and expiring on February 27, 2026 on a conditional basis. Ms. McPherson holds Provisional Certification in the area of School Social Worker.
Geneva McPherson
- Position: 1.0 FTE School Social Worker (CHS)
- Certification: School Social Worker
- Tenure Area: School Social Worker
- Effective Date: February 28, 2022
- Tenure Date: February 27, 2026
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA Contract (grant-funded)
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Kylen Smith
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Speech Teacher
- Tenure Area: Speech
- Effective Date.: March 7, 2022 through April 30, 2022
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL
I. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby approves the addendum to the employment agreement between the Board of Education and Daniel Martinelli dated February 16, 2022.
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Jerome Frost to the probationary position of Cleaner subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Jerome Frost
- Position: 1.0 FTE Cleaner (AL)
- Effective Date: February 21, 2022
- Probationary Period: August 20, 2022
- Salary: per CSEA contract
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints the following individual to the Maintenance Mechanic Substitute list, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointments are a temporary appointment.
Michael Maksymik
Effective: February 17, 2022
L. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby accepts the recommendation of the Superintendent to appoint Brian Smith to a three (3) year probationary appointment as a teacher of Technology in the Industrial Arts – General tenure area, commencing on March 21, 2022 and ending March 20, 2025, contingent upon compliance with the requirements of the Education Law and receipt of his initial certificate as a Technology teacher.
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Ashley Hogan to a four – year conditional term in the tenure area of Social Studies effective March 21, 2022 and expiring on March 20, 2026. Ms. Hogan holds an Initial Certification in the area of Social Studies 7-12.
Ashley Hogan
- Position: 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher (CHS)
- Certification: Social Studies 7-12
- Tenure Area: Social Studies
- Effective Date: March 21, 2022
- Tenure Date: March 20, 2026
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Carol Gaudette to the position of full-time Teacher Aide position, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Carol Gaudette
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (HH)
- Effective Date: February 28, 2022
- Probation period: October 27, 2022
- Salary: entry level per current CSEA contract
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Meriam VanSleet to the position of full time Teacher Aide position, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Meriam VanSleet
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CMS)
- Effective Date: February 28, 2022
- Probation period: October 27, 2022
- Salary: entry level per current CSEA contract
P. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Kailey McCarthy to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Kailey McCarthy
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH)
- Effective Date: February 28, 2022 through June 30, 2022
- Salary: $13.25 per hour
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the February 16, 2022 Business Agenda:
VI (A-D) AND VII (A-P)
- Moved by: Mr. Annely
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 5-0
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 – January 2022
- Budget Transfers – January 2022
- Budget Status Report – January 2022
- Bank Reconciliation Report – January 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report – December 2021
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation in the amount of $1,000 dollars from Van Schaick Grade School PTA to be used for a podium.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Ms. O’Shea extended her congratulations to Rebecca LaForest on her appointment to the Career Education Coordinator and Michael Wilt on his tenure being granted.
Mrs. Giller also congratulated Rebecca LaForest on her appointment. On behalf of the Board of Education, Mrs. Giller congratulated Tom Kostrzebski on his upcoming retirement. Mr. Kostrzebski has touched many lives during his time with the district and will be missed.
Mrs. Giller on behalf of the Board of Education thanked the Van Schaick PTA for the donation of $1,000 dollars to be used for a podium.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
First Reading
1741 Homeschool Students – Mrs. Giller acknowledged first reading of Policy 1741.
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
March 2, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
March 16. 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:59 pm to discuss the evaluation of Superintendent O’Shea and to discuss collective bargaining with CSEA.
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 5-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:20pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 5-0