August 11, 2021 Board of Education Minutes - Cohoes City School District

Board of Education Business Meeting

Cohoes, New York
August 11, 2021, 6:00 PM
LGI Room, CHS

(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 6:03 p.m. by Board Vice President, Mrs. Carey.

ROLL CALL

Present:

Mrs. Carey
Mr. Pascale
Mr. Jackson
Mrs. Dion
Mrs. Snyder

Excused:

Mr. Annely
Mrs. Giller

Also Present:

Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

II. DISTRICT REPORTS

Mayor Keeler and Theresa Bourgeois, Director of Operations, City of Cohoes presented the Floating Solar Project and the NYS Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation Grant for the Erie Canal Pathway and Heritage Trail.

III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

The Board congratulated Mr. Dan Martinelli for his appointment on tonight’s agenda as the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services.

IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

V. OLD BUSINESS

The Board discussed Item VI (B) 2 tabled on the July 7, 2021 Reorganization Meeting.

This item will appear on the August 25, 2021 meeting for a vote.

VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of July 21, 2021.
THAT the Board of Education amends Item VI(C)7 of the July 7, 2021 Reorganization Minutes to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education authorizes the following Committees for the 2021-22 school year:
- Audit – Mrs. Dion, Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder
- Budget – Mrs. Carey and Mr. Jackson
- District Safety – Mr. Annely, Mrs. Giller and Mr. Pascale
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Mr. Annely, Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder
- Policy – Mrs. Giller and Mr. Jackson
- Technology – Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder
- Wellness – Mr. Annely, Mrs. Dion and Mr. Pascale
THAT the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the Enlarged City School District of Troy to provide health services to students residing in Cohoes and attending non-public schools in the Enlarged City School District of Troy to begin September 2020 and to end June 2021 at a rate of $759.75 per child for approximately 23 children.
THAT the Board of Education approves the District Code of Conduct for the 2021-22 school year.
THAT the Board of Education approves the Districtwide Safety Plan for the 2021-22 school year.
THAT the Board of Education extends the Agreement for the provision of food services between Cohoes City School District and Aramark Education Services LLC for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 in accordance to the terms and conditions outlined therein.

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL

INSTRUCTIONAL

THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Lisa Ethier
- Kimberly Fitzpatrick
- Laura Schwarz
- Richetta Hansen
  Effective: September 1, 2021
THAT the Board of Education amends Item VI (U) of the July 7, 2021 Minutes to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following Substitutes:

2021 SECONDARY SUMMER SCHOOL/EIGHTH TO NINTH GRADE ACADEMY
- Lydia Cappadonia
- Rob Santarcangelo
- Kerry Bottenfield
- Rebecca Laforest
- Elaine Flatow (Social Worker)
- Dawn Maddalena
- Terrin Griffin
  2021 MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER ACADEMY SUBSTITUTES
- Kerry Bottenfield*
- John Dundon*
- Nick Pafundi
- Carrie Briggs*
  * Indicates CTA member must be called first.
THAT the Board of Education creates the following positions:
1.0 FTE Teacher Assistant (grant funded)
1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher
1.0 FTE School Psychologist (grant funded)

Effective: September 1, 2021
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby reinstates Nicholas Foglia from the seniority/recall list, pursuant to Education Law §3013, to a position in the Teacher Assistant tenure area, effective September 1, 2021.
THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2021-2022 school year:
- Denise Assalian – 0.1 FTE as per CTA contract – Special Education (1.1 FTE total) CHS (grant funded)
- John Flanigan – 0.1 FTE as per CTA contract – Special Education (1.1 FTE total) CHS (grant funded)
  Effective: September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Sabrina Noti to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Special Education effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 on a conditional basis. Ms. Noti holds Initial Certifications in the areas of Literacy (Birth-Grade 6), Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6) and Students with Disabilities (Birth-2).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on a conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Noti regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Noti’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.

Sabrina Noti
Position …………………………………………………….1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher
Certification ……………………………………………… Students with Disabilities (Birth-2)
Tenure Area ……………………………………………………………………….Special Education
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 1 of the current CTA Contract
Reason …………………………………………………………………………… BOE Newly created
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Rachel Karam to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Foreign Language effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 on a conditional basis. Ms. Karam holds Initial Certification in the area of Spanish (Grades 5-9).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on a conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Karam regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Karam’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 Karam
Position …………………………….. 1.0 FTE Foreign Language Teacher (CMS & CHS)
Certification …………………………………………………………………..Spanish (Grades 5-9)
Tenure Area ……………………………………………………………………… Foreign Language
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 7 of the current CTA Contract
Reason ……………………………………………………………………. Replaces Sandra Sheeley
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Gina Martini to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Elementary effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 on a conditional basis. Ms. Martini holds Initial Certification in the area of Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
Gina Martini
Position …………………………………………………….. 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (HH)
Certification ………………………………………………. Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Tenure Area ……………………………………………………………………………….. Elementary
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
Reason ……………………………………………………… BOE Newly created (grant funded)
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Corrine Penor to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of School Psychologist effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 on a conditional basis. Ms. Penor holds Provisional Certifications in the area of School Psychologist.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on a conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Penor regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Penor’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.

Corrine Penor
Position …………………………………………………….. 1.0 FTE School Psychologist (VS)
Certification …………………………………………………………………… School Psychologist
Tenure Area …………………………………………………………………… School Psychologist
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
Reason ……………………………………………………… BOE Newly created (grant funded)
THAT the Board of Education appoints Lauren Dunn as Future-Ready Pathways Extended Learning Coordinator for the 2021-2022 school year (grant-funded).
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual to the 2021 Future-Ready Summer Program per CTA contract class listed (grant-funded):
Sara Student – HVCC INDS 105 Intro to Academic and Personal Effectiveness
(3 credits)
THAT the Board of Education approves the following Guidance Counselors for summer work at their daily rate, not to exceed six (6) days total for the 2021-2022 school year (grant funded):
- Laurie Monast (two days)
- Blain Goverski (four days)
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals as Advisors to the clubs and activities listed for the 2021-2022 school year, contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
- Clubs and Activities: ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTER (CHS)
  - Name: Lydia Cappadonia, Karin Lackmann
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: ACTIVITIES CLUB (CHS)
  - Name: Sean Dollard
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: CHARACTER ED. CLUB(CHS)
  - Name: Andrea DeStefano
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: DEAN – CLASS OF 2022 (CHS)
  - Name: Lydia Cappadonia, Kerry Bottenfield
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: DEAN – CLASS OF 2023 (CHS)
  - Name: Michael Wilt, Angela Tommasini
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: DEAN – CLASS OF 2024 (CHS)
  - Name: Alicia Ozols, Erin Abbott
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: DEAN – CLASS OF 2025 (CHS)
  - Name: Caryn Dollard, Gabrielle White
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB(CHS)
  - Name: Angela Tommasini
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLUB (CHS)
  - Name: Michelle Cipriano
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: GSA (CHS)
  - Name: Laura Murawski
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: INTRAMURALS 1, 2, & 3(CHS)
  - Name: Andrea DeStefano
  - FTE: 1.0/ea
- Clubs and Activities: JOURNALISM CLUB (CHS)
  - Name: Patricia Caputo
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: MOCK TRIAL (CHS)
  - Name: Tom Mullins
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY(CHS)
  - Name: John Ketchoyian
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: PLAY – ART DIRECTOR (CHS)
  - Name: Rachel Marer
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: PLAY – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHS)
  - Name: Tara Judd
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: PLAY DIRECTOR (CHS)
  - Name: Christian Gunn
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: SKI CLUB (CHS)
  - Name: Karin Lackmann, Gabrielle White
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: STUDENT COUNCIL (CHS)
  - Name: Lea Miller, Amanda Gebur
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: UNIFIED SPORTS (ADVISOR) (CHS)
  - Name: TBD
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: UNIFIED SPORTS (COACH) (CHS)
  - Name: Nick Foglia
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: VARSITY CLUB (CHS)
  - Name: Jeff Huneau
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: YEARBOOK (CHS)
  - Name: Scott Ciarlone, Caryn Dollard
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: STUDENT COUNCIL (AL)
  - Name: Adrian Blackman, Susan-Marie Keough, Tina Kellar
  - FTE: 0.33, 0.33, 0.33
- Clubs and Activities: INTRAMURALS 1, 2, & 3 (AL)
  - Name: Valerie Peretin
  - FTE: 1.0/ea
- Clubs and Activities: STUDENT COUNCIL (VS)
  - Name: Amanda Dorr
  - FTE: 1.0
- Clubs and Activities: INTRAMURALS 1, 2, & 3 (VS)
  - Name: Nick Izzo
  - FTE: 1.0/ea
- Clubs and Activities: STUDENT LEADERSHIP (HH)
  - Name: Sharon Laughlin, Kiera Hovey
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
- Clubs and Activities: INTRAMURALS 1, 2, & 3 (HH)
  - Name: Dan Van Dyke
  - FTE: 1.0/ea
- Clubs and Activities: MUSICAL (ELEM) – CO-ASST. DIRECTOR
  - Name: Rachel Marer, Christian Gunn
  - FTE: 0.5, 0.5
    NON-INSTRUCTIONAL
THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed seven (7) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Stacy Bold to provide summer secretarial support at Harmony Hill Elementary School.
Effective: July 1, 2021
THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed six (6) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Sherri Dan to provide summer secretarial support at Harmony Hill Elementary School.
Effective: July 1, 2021

ADDENDA
THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Raychel Marcil from her position as Social Worker.
Effective: August 27, 2021
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints and employs Daniel Martinelli as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services for the period of August 11, 2021 to June 30, 2024 and further approves the Employment Agreement dated August 11, 2021 setting forth the terms and conditions of such appointment and employment and authorizes the President of the Board to execute said agreement on behalf of the School District.
THAT the Board of Education approves the following Guidance Counselors for summer work at their daily rate, not to exceed ten (10) days per counselor for the 2021-2022 school year:
- Christopher Fournier
- Eleftheria Miller
- Amanda Gebur
THAT the Board of Education creates the following position:
1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher
Effective: September 1, 2021
Samantha Rosen
Position …………………………………………………….. 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (AL)
Certification ………………………………………… Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Tenure Area ……………………………………………………………………….Special Education
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
Reason …………………………………………………………………………… BOE Newly created
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Allison Koslowski to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Speech effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 on a conditional basis. Ms. Koslowski holds Professional Certification in the area of Speech and Language Disabilities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on a conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Koslowski regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Koslowski’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.

Allison Koslowski
Position …………………………………………………………. 1.0 FTE Speech Teacher (ALS)
Certification ……………………………………………….. Speech and Language Disabilities
Tenure Area ……………………………………………………………………………………… Speech
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2025
Salary ………………………………………………………. Step 4 of the current CTA Contract
Reason ………………………………………………………………….. Replaces Amanda Kerbein
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals as 2021 Extended School Year Substitutes per the CTA contract:
- TEACHER/TA
  - Pat Ragule
  - Carrie Bennett
  - Kelly Ireland
Sherry Stanley
Position …………………………………………….1.0 FTE Receptionist (PROVISIONAL)
Effective Date ………………………………………………………………….. September 1, 2021
Salary ……………………………………………………………………………… per CSEA contract
Reason ……………………………………………………………………….. Replaces Kelly Tessier

BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the August 11, 2021 Agenda:

VI (A-F) and VII (A-W)

Moved by: Mrs. Dion
Seconded by: Mr. Pascale
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 5-0

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE

IX. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)

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

August 25, 2021, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6 PM

XV. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: To adjourn at 6:59 p.m.

Moved by: Mrs. Dion
Seconded by: Mrs. Snyder
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 5-0