Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
April 24, 2024
Cohoes Middle School Library, 6 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. Carey at 6:03 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz ~ excused
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent report – School Business Official Stacy Mackey reviewed the proposed budget of $53,439,681 as well as revenue summary and commented that this item had been updated since the New York State budget recently was passed. She shared the proposed tax levy of $18,106,451 which is within the tax cap, requiring a simple majority vote (50% + 1) from the taxpayers. Ms. Mackey stated the impact to an average homeowner ($150,000 assessed value) is $30 annually or less than $3 per month prior to STAR exemptions.
She also reviewed the proposed expense summary and the three-part budget, which consists of program, capital and administrative costs.
Ms. O’Shea thanked Mrs. Carey and Mr. Jackson for their time and dedication in serving on the Budget committee. She reviewed the items included in the proposed budget for the elementary, middle and high schools as well as the Athletic, Facilities and Information Technology departments. She then explained other areas that are being explored to be funded through potential efficiencies and/or potential grants.
Ms. Mackey discussed that if the budget is defeated the district would operate under a contingency budget. Only legal expenses, expenditures authorized by statute and other items necessary to maintain the education program, preserve property and assure the health and safety of students and staff would be covered. Reductions under a contingency budget would
be $265,000 thousand dollars and would include district wide arts and enrichment programs, district wide field trips, material and supplies, building repairs and equipment, and conferences. In addition, community use of district facilities would not be permitted.
Ms. Mackey shared that the next steps in the budget process include the mailing of the budget newsletter, the Annual Budget Hearing on May 8 and the budget vote on May 21, 2024. She mentioned that the polling locations are Abram Lansing School, Harmony Hill School, Van Schaick Grade School and the polls are open from Noon to 9 pm.
Business Update: Ms. Mackey shared with the board that the audit committee met on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 with Michael Wolff. The Audit report and Corrective Action plan are on this meeting’s agenda for the 2022-2023 school year. She stated that the Claims Auditor and Deputy Claims Auditor were also at the meeting and they are working on a renewal of processes, checklist and special projects.
Ms. Mackey took this opportunity to express her gratitude to the maintenance and grounds crew, who recently filled potholes in the district and removed trees at district offices and Harmony Hill School. She also thanked the head custodian, Russ Grestini who has been coordinating with construction crews to be sure they have adequate access to the buildings.
Ms. Mackey is grateful to the second shift cleaners at the high school and Harmony Hill school for modifying their shifts to accommodate the construction schedule. She expressed her appreciation for Colleen McDonald, secretary to buildings and grounds for her administrative support and coordinating team projects during the construction.
Ms. O’Shea reviewed upcoming events with the board. She asked Cohoes High School Principal, Mrs. Tarlo to share some good news on students’ recent performance at Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Tarlo shared that there were several comments regarding how well our students represented our district both musically and with their respectful, responsible behavior. She is extremely proud of the ten students who were invited to perform and thanked the booster club and all involved for their support.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION 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. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accepts the Minutes of the Board of
Education meeting of April 10, 2024.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accepts the Minutes for the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Pre-School Special Education for the following dates: 2/15/24, 2/26/24, 3/1/24, 3/5/24, 3/11/24, 3/13/24, 3/14/24, 3/15/24, 3/18/24, 3/19/24, 3/20/24, 3/21/24, 3/22/24, 3/26/24, 3/27/24, 4/12/24
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the FY 2024-2025
Budget in the amount of $53,439,681
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the FY 2024-2025
Property Tax Report Card.
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the 2022-2023 Risk Assessment Report as prepared by the firm Michael T. Wolff, CIA, Auditing Services and the Corrective Action Plan thereto as prepared by the School Business Official.
F. BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of
AlbanySchoharieSchenectadySaratoga Counties be authorized to expend the sums set forth in the Administrative Budget document in the total amount of
$14,618,385 during the school year 2024-25 and to raise such sum by assessments to component school districts, noncomponent school districts, other BOCES and other sources as required by law.
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby casts its vote for the following candidate(s) to fill two (2) vacant
seats for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 on the Board of
Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties:
A. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the
election of Lynne Lenhardt (Home District: Bethlehem Central School
District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of
Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
B. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the
election of Kimberly Tully (Home District: Niskayuna Central School
District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of
Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
H. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby approves the cross contracts between the Cohoes City School
District and the Questar III BOCES for Fire Systems Maintenance for the 2024- 2025 SY at a cost of $15,870.25I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between the Cohoes City School District and the Averill Park Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within Averill Park Central School District during the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $591.05 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between
the Cohoes City School District and the East Greenbush Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within East Greenbush Central School District during the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $ 1,030.49 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between the Cohoes City School District and the North Colonie Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within North Colonie Central School District during the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $ 925.89 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education rejects the BID results for the 2023 Capital Outlay – CHS stage dated April 9, 2024.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
Hufland, Tyler
Lewis, Marissa
Vongphouthone, Matalyn
Nash, Alexandra
Effective: April 24, 2024
B. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (X) of the August 30, 2023
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.
Carissa Zuk
Position: Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher (HH)
Effective Date: September 5, 2023 through June 30, 2024 April 15, 2024
Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoint Carissa Zuk to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Elementary, effective April 16, 2024 and expiring on April 15, 2028. Ms. Zuk holds Professional Certification in the area Childhood Education (Gr. 1-6).
Carissa Zuk
- Position: 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (HHS)
- Certification: Childhood Education (Gr. 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Elementary
- Effective Date: April 16, 2024
- Tenure Date: April 15 2028
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoint Joshua Wyan to a four- year probationary term in the tenure area of Mathematics, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on August 31, 2028. Mr. Wyan holds Professional Certification in the areas of Mathematics 7-12, English 7-12 and Social Studies 7-12.
Joshua Wyan
Position: 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher (CHS)
Certification: Mathematics 7-12
Tenure Area: Mathematics
Effective Date: September 1, 2024
Tenure Date: August 31, 2028
Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Valerie Lavash
Position: World Languages (French) (CMS)
Effective Date: September 3, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoint Colleen Duff as
Summer Learning Academy Coordinator (grant funded) for the 2024 Summer
Learning Academy effective July 8 – August 8, 2024.
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoint Melissa Lowden as
Elementary Summer Success Coordinator (grant funded) for the 2024 Elementary Summer Success program effective July 8 – August 8, 2024.
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoint Michael Kloczko as
Secondary Summer School Coordinator (grant-funded) for the 2024 Secondary Summer School program effective July 8 – August 23, 2024.
Non-Instructional
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of
Katherine Samuel from her position as a Part0Time Teacher Aide (HH).
Effective: April 19, 2024
J. Jason Cribbs
- Position: 1.0 FTE Custodian/Groundskeeper (PERMANENT appt.)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2024
- Probation Period: N/A
- Salary: Per CSEA contract
K. Raymond DeCenzo
- Position: 1.0 FTE Custodian (PERMANENT appt.)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2024
- Probation Period: N/A
- Salary: Per CSEA contract
L. Lisa Trombley
- Position: 1.0 FTE Receptionist (PERMANENT appt.)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2024
- Probation Period: N/A
- Salary: Per CSEA contract
ADDENDA
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve the facility use
agreement for Athletic facilities between the Cohoes City School District and The Trustees of Union College in the Town of Schenectady, New York a/k/a Union College dated April 19, 2024 in accordance with terms and conditions herein.
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the April 24, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-M), VII (A-L) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
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 – March 2024
- Budget Transfers- March 2024
- Budget Status Report – March 2024
- Revenue Status Report – March 2024
- Bank Reconciliation Report – March 2024
- Internal Claims Audit Report – March 2024
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS – None
Mrs. Snyder wanted to give out “shout out” to Ms. Mackey for all of her hard work and dedication during this time of transition.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- May 8, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
- May 21, 2024 – Annual Budget Vote and Elections – polls open Noon to 9 PM
- May 22, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter into Executive Session at 6:31 pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation and to discuss negotiations with Cohoes Principals’ Association.
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:45 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0