July 29, 2020 Board of Education Minutes

Board of Education Business Meeting

Cohoes, New York
July 29, 2020
Live Streamed (per Governor Executive Order 202.48) 6:00 PM

(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 5:15 p.m. by Board President, Mr. Nolin.

ROLL CALL
Present:

• Mrs. Giller
• Mr. Pascale
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Dion
• Mrs. Carey
• Mr. Annely
• 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 5:16 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: Mr. Nolin
Seconded by: Mrs. Giller
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 7-0

EXECUTIVE SESSION: TIME: 5:17 PM

Present:

• Mrs. Giller
• Mr. Pascale
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Dion
• Mrs. Carey
• Mr. Annely
• 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 6:02 p.m.

Moved by: Mr. Nolin
Seconded by: Mrs. Giller
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 7-0

OPEN SESSION: TIME: 6:03 PM

ROLL CALL

Present:

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

1. District Reopening Plan by Dr. Spring and Mrs. O’Shea
2. Financial Overview – Mrs. Mackey

III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

The Board expessed their gratitude for the donation on tonight’s agenda.

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 Reorganization & Business Meetings on July 1, 2020.
2. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 2/10/20, 3/2/20, 4/2/20, 4/6/20, 4/9/20, 4/23/20, 4/27/20, 5/4/20, 5/13/20, 5/14/20, 5/15/20, 5/18/20, 5/20/20, 5/21/20, 5/27/20, 5/28/20, 5/29/20, 6/1/20, 6/2/20, 6/3/20, 6/4/20, 6/5/20, 6/8/20, 6/10/20, 6/11/206/26/20 and 6/30/20.
3. THAT the Board of Education amends Item VI (B) of the February 12, 2020 Minutes to read as follows:
   • September 3, 2020 – Staff Development Day Superintendent Conference Day
   • September 8, 2020 – Staff Development Day Superintendent Conference Day
   • November 3, 2020 – Election Day (Staff Development Day) (Superintendent Conference Day)
4. THAT the Board of Education awards the 2020/21 Custodial Supply Bid dated June 12, 2020 as shown in Exhibit A.
5. THAT the Board of Education accepts the 2020/21 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Plan.
6. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Advanced Therapy at 10B Madison Avenue Ext, Albany, New York for the provision of related services to students as needed at contracted rates during July 2020 – June 2021.
7. THAT the Board of Education approves the final contract for 2019-20 with the Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) in the amount of $3,945,994.33.
8. THAT the Board of Education approves the preliminary contract for 2020-21 with the Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) in the amount of $3,390,581.73.
9. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with CDB Connections at 673 Columbia Turnpike, PO Box 630, East Greenbush, New York for provision of related services (including speech, occupational, physical and music therapies as well as social work, teacher of the deaf, teacher of the visually impaired and assistive services) as needed to students at contracted rates outlined herein for the summer 2020 and the 2020-21 school year.
10. THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with the Center for Disability Services d/b/a Langan School, 314 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, New York for as needed special education services during the 2020 Extended School Year (summer) at the rate of $8,095 per student for tuition and the 2020-21 School Year at the rate of $48,839 per student for tuition pending final NYSED rate setting.
11. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with the Center for Discovery, PO Box 840, Benmoshe Road, Harris, New York for as needed special education services at the tuition rate of $14,482 per student for the 2020 Extended School Year and $86,890 tuition per student for the 2020-21 School Year pending final NYSED rate setting.
12. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with East Greenbush Central School District to provide health and welfare services for students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within that district from September 5, 2019 to June 16, 2020 at a rate of $777.11 per student.
13. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Erin C. Lancraft, MT-BC/Expressive Journeys LLC 2001 Tina Court, Schenectady, New York for as needed music therapy services in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined therein for the 2020 ESY and 2020/21 SY.
14. THAT the Board approves a contract with Oak Hill School at 39 Charlton Road, Scotia, New York for special education services at a rate of $5,464 per student/per month and $114.87 per student/per day for 1:1 teaching assistant if required during the period July 1, 2020 through August 11, 2020 pending final NYSED rate setting.
15. THAT the Board approves a contract with Oak Hill School at 39 Charlton Road, Scotia, New York for special education services at a rate of $32,782 per student and $114.87 per student/per day for 1:1 teaching assistant if required during the period September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 pending final NYSED rate setting.
16. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with the St. Colman’s Home Inc., 11 Haswell Road, Watervliet, New York for as needed special education services at the summer tuition rate of $5,780 per student and SY tuition rate of $34,682 per student for July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 pending final NYSED rate setting.
17. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the Enlarged City School District of Troy to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the Enlarged City School District of Troy to begin September 2019 and to end June 2020 at a rate of $682.85 per student.
18. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with the Wildwood Programs Inc., 2995 Curry Road Ext., Schenectady, New York for as needed special education services at the summer tuition rate of $9,348 per student from July 7-August 17, 2020 and SY tuition rate of $56,088 per student from September 9, 2020-June 25, 2021 pending final NYSED rate setting.

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL

INSTRUCTIONAL

1. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby reinstates Marisa Villasenor from the seniority/recall list, pursuant to Education Law §3013, to a position in the Special Education tenure area, effective September 1, 2020.
2. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Melissa Santarcangelo from her position of Reading Teacher (CMS).
   Effective: August 1, 2020
3. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Jacqueline Curtis from her position of Special Education Teacher (VSGS).
   Effective: August 31, 2020
4. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual to the 2020 Extended School Year Summer Program, July 6, 2020 through August 14, 2020:
   SPEECH – Korrine McGough – 1 day/week at CHS
5. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual as 2020 Extended School Year Substitute per the CTA contract:
   TO SUB FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHER ASSISTANTS – Morgan Blizinski
6. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2020 Secondary Summer School Program effective July 6 – July 31, 2020 contingent upon enrollment:
   APEX – Bill Sheldon
   Math – Nicole Lassone
   Social Studies – Rob Santarcangelo & Brian Smith (splitting one position)
   Special Education – John Flanigan
7. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following teachers as Teacher Leaders to the subject area listed for the 2020-2021 school year:
   • COHOES MIDDLE SCHOOL
     • Colleen Duff – Math
     • Jill Havens – Science
     • Christopher Michael – Social Studies
     • Molly Flanagan – English
   • COHOES HIGH SCHOOL
     • Heather Bradt – Math
     • Michael Kloczko – Science
     • Robert Santarcangelo – Social Studies
     • Heather Ball – English
8. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Building Leadership Teams listed below for the 2020-21 school year:
   • VAN SCHAICK GRADE SCHOOL
     • Carrie Bennett
     • Bonnie-Jo Bellville
     • Katrina Keith
     • Anna Muscatello
     • Pam Krupski
     • Jacqueline DeChiaro
   • COHOES HIGH SCHOOL
     • Erin Abbott
     • Alicia Tomasino
     • Brian Smith
     • Dominic Bondi
     • Heather Ball
     • Sherry Thornton
     • Jeff Huneau
     • Laura Tarlo
     • Tom Kostrzebski
   • COHOES MIDDLE SCHOOL
     • Carrie Briggs
     • Fallon Jennings
     • Elaine Flatow
     • Lindsay Fontaine
     • MaryAnn Bailey
     • Kelly Tessier
     • Dan Martinelli
     • Deanna Kelly
   • HARMONY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
     • Kim Rooney
     • Stacy Smith
     • Christine Guarnieri
     • Sharon Laughlin
     • Raychel Marcil
     • Kate Lamica
     • Mark Perry
   • ABRAM LANSING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
     • Jennifer Crucetti
     • Christina Kellar
     • Melissa Lowden
     • Jackie Skidmore
     • Erin Terrizzi
     • Carole Blide
     • Cliff Bird
       

       NON-INSTRUCTIONAL

9. THAT the Board of Education amends Item VI(10)C of the Minutes of the July 1, 2020 Reorganization meeting as follows:
   Part-Time Safety Officers
   Years of service = 1 through 3 ……………………………….. per hour $16.25 $17
   Years of service = 4 through 6 ……………………………………………..$17.25 $18
   Years of service = 7 through 11 ……………………………………………$18.25 $19
   Years of service = 12 plus ……………………………………………………$19.25 $20
10. THAT the Board of Education appoints Brian Nolan as Director of Food Services at a rate of $299 per day from 7/1/2020 through 8/31/2020 to administer the summer meals program.
11. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Districtwide Safety Team for the 2020-21 school year:
    • Jennifer Spring, Superintendent
    • Peggy O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent
    • Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
    • Erin Hill, Director of Special Programs
    • James Stapleton, Director of Facilities
    • Laura Tarlo, Principal – Cohoes High School
    • Tom Kostrzebski, Assistant Principal – Cohoes High School
    • Jeff Huneau, Athletic Director/Dean of Students – Cohoes High School
    • Dan Martinelli, Principal – Cohoes Middle School
    • Deanna Kelly, Assistant Principal – Cohoes Middle School
    • Kelly Tessier, Receptionist – Cohoes Middle School
    • Mark Perry, Principal – Harmony Hill School
    • Brianna Houle, Teacher – Harmony Hill School
    • Cliff Bird, Principal – Abram Lansing School
    • Christina Kellar, Teacher – Abram Lansing School
    • Jacqueline DeChiaro, Principal – Van Schaick Grade School
    • Amanda Dorr, Teacher – Van Schaick Grade School
    • Lisa LeBlanc, School Nurse – Harmony Hill School
    • Samantha McCullough – School Nurse – Cohoes High School
    • Laura Gerhard, School Psychologist – Harmony Hill School
    • Shawn Higgins, School Safety Officer
    • John DiMeo, School Safety Officer
    • Kaylin Dawson, Parent
    • Peter Annely, Board of Education Member
    • Margaret Giller, Board of Education Member
    • Mark Pascale, Board of Education Member
    • Bill Keeler, Mayor, City of Cohoes
    • Tom Ross, Acting Police Chief, Cohoes Police Department
    • Jim Ward, Commissioner of Public Safety, City of Cohoes
    • Joseph Fahd, Chief, Cohoes Fire Department
    • Lynette Holman, Safety Consultant
    • Aaron Cagwin, Communications Specialist

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE

IX. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)

1. I recommend that the following reports be accepted by the Board of Education:
   • Warrants – June 2020
   • Budget Transfer – N/A
   • Budget Status Reports – N/A
   • Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
   • Extracurricular Activity Report – May and June 2020
   • Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A

BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions from the July 29, 2020 Agenda:
VI (A-R); VII (A-K) and IX (A)

Moved by: Mrs. Dion
Seconded by: Mrs. Carey
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 7-0

X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION

1. THAT the Board of Education is aware of a donation in the amount of $500 from Huddle Tickets LLC to be used for Athletics.

XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE

XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW

• First Reading
  • 4526 Computer Use Instruction
  • 4526.1 Internet Safety
  • 6150 Budget Transfers

XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

• August 12, 2020, in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order
• August 26, 2020, in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order

XV. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: To adjourn at 7:32 p.m.

Moved by: Mrs. Carey
Seconded by: Mrs. Giller
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 7-0