Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
February 28, 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 6:01 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Elementary Budget presentations – Our three elementary school principals, Mr. Perry (Harmony Hill), Mr. Bird (Abram Lansing) and Mrs. DeChiaro (Van Schaick) shared budget requests for the 24-25 school year which were determined through building needs assessments.
Ms. Paradis asked in the future if a slide could be prepared that showed common needs across all three schools more clearly. Mrs. Carey mentioned that during recent budget committee meetings, administrators were consistent with districtwide needs. Mrs. Snyder asked if any of the elementary needs could be obtained through the SMART schools grant to which Ms. O’Shea replied that the plan is to dedicate a public address system upgrade with these funds.
Synergy – Ms. O’Shea stated that as heard and acknowledged there have been concerns shared by students and staff regarding the Learning Management System (LMS) side of Synergy, as well as the Student Information System (SIS) side of Synergy. After listening to the concerns and researching potential solutions within the current system she believes that it would be in the best interest of students, staff, and administrators to return to SchoolTool
as our district SIS. Prior to making a decision about the LMS side a representative committee would be formed to review the new grade book in School Tool, review Google Classroom, review Schoology and determine the best course of action collaboratively. Internal communication and communication with parents would be considered as a part of this.
Ms. O’Shea also discussed the process involved in returning to School Tool.
Mrs. Gendron thanked Ms. O’Shea for the time and effort she put forth into researching and listening to teachers and students. She shared that it’s important to recognize that not everything has a singular answer. We realized there were some issues between what we were using so maybe it’s just a matter of just finding that perfect relationship.
Mrs. Giller said that perhaps it is something that we may change in the future, but it takes courage to step back and say we need to do what’s best for our district. She appreciated the collaboration and willingness to have the teachers and students be able to speak their voices as to what they need out of the system as they’re the ones that are using it.
American Rescue Plan funds – Ms. O’Shea shared that all remaining funds need to be allocated by September 30, 2024. She provided a plan to amend the State Reserves 5% grant to use part of these funds to support Summer Success at the elementary schools and Summer Learning Academy at the middle school level. These were written into the grant for the last three summers, but not the upcoming summer. The grant would also be amended to
purchase Into Reading materials so that teachers would receive them over the summer for planning and professional development. These amendments were discussed with a representative from NYSED who said they would be allowable.
Business Update – Tax Cap – Ms. Mackey, School Business Official shared an updated Tax Cap Calculation which is due to the Office of the State Comptroller on March 1 and provided the board with three (3) scenarios, a 0%, 1% and 2% tax levy. Her recommendation would be to not exceed the tax cap and go with the 1% scenario. After review of the information the board agreed to proceed with the recommendation of 1%.
Mrs. Paradis asked what the potential impact on the taxpayers would be. Ms. Mackey replied approximately $5.00 per month (for an annual assessment of $150,000).
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 of Education amend item VI (J) of the
February 14, 2024 to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following as
Election Inspectors and/or Substitutes for the May 21, 2024 School Board
Election and Budget Vote to be compensated in the amount of $100.00 each.
- Bailey-Carter, Karen
- Benamati, David
- Brown, Pamela
- Castracane, Sue
- Dickson, Shaketa
- Farrigan, Sheila
- Frainier, Michelle
- Graca, Linda
- Hawk, Michele
- Hunter, Jane
- Hunter, Peter
- Kelly, Patricia
- Love, Kathleen
- Nahumyk, Constance
- O’Rourke, John
Parker, Anthony- Ryan, Virginia
- Sibilia, PatriciaB. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of February 14, 2024.
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the minutes for the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Pre-School Special Education for the following dates: 9/11/23, 10/19/23, 12/19/23, 1/4/24, 1/12/24, 1/16/24, 1/18/24, 1/19/24, 1/22/24, 1/23/24, 1/24/24, 1/30/24,2/5/24, 2/8/24
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the 2024-2025 School Calendar.
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the following policies:
Policy 9240 – Recruiting and Hiring
Policy 9420.1 – Building Principal and Classroom Teacher Evaluation
Policy 9520.2 – Family and Medical Leave
Policy 9620 – Child Abuse in an Education Setting
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:
- Blakely, Alyssa
- Clarkson, David
- Cox, Ruth
- Jones, Griffin
- Mielenz, Benjamin
- St. James, Ainsley
Effective: February 29, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Natalie Ricci
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Teaching Assistant (HH)
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Effective Date: March 20, 2024 through May 22, 2024
- Salary: As per the current CTA contract, Teacher Assistant with
BA/BS Salary Schedule
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals as advisors to the clubs and activities listed for the 2023-2024 school year, contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Clubs and Activities Name FTE
Unified Sports (Advisor) Ashley Hoffmann 1.0
D. BE IT THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2023-2024 school year, as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Co-Curricular Activity Name FTE
Indoor Track – Girls Varsity Alexius Smith 1.0
Non-Instructional
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Jenee Farmer to the position of full time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Jenee Farmer
Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (AL)
Effective Date: February 29, 2024
Probation Period: November 7, 2024
Salary: Entry level per current CSEA contract
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Carmen Serrano to the position of full time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Carmen Serrano
Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (HH)
Effective Date: February 29, 2024
Probation Period: November 7, 2024
Salary: Entry level per current CSEA contract
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Katelynn Howes to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Katelynn Howes
Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH)
Effective Date: February 29, 2024 through June 30, 2024
Salary: $15.00 per hour
ADDENDA
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. BE IT RESOLVEDTHAT the Board of Education approves the contract by and between the Cohoes City School District and Point Break located at P.O. Box 443, Halfmoon, New York 12065 for workshops to be presented to high school
students during the 2023-2024 school year in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
H. BE IT THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2023-2024 school year, as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Co-Curricular Activity Name FTE
Girls Asst. Track – Varsity Jennifer Van Horne 1.0
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the February 28, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-F), VII (A-H) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
- Second by: Mr. Jarosz
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0
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 2024
- Budget Transfers- January 2024
- Budget Status Report – January 2024
- Revenue Status Report – January 2024
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
- Internal Claims Audit Report –December 2023 and January 2024
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller made mention that petitions to run for the School Board are available and could be picked up at the District Clerks office. All petitions are due to the Clerk on April 25, 2024 by 5 PM.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
Mr. Ciarlone, president of the Cohoes Teachers Association, expressed gratitude to the Board for diving deeper into Synergy. He also thanked Ms. O’Shea for her efforts and doing what it best for all involved. Mrs. Kelly, president of the Cohoes Principals Association, also expressed gratitude for all involved in giving their best effort into Synergy.
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
Second Reading
Policy 9240 – Recruiting and Hiring
Policy 9420.1 – Building Principal and Classroom Teacher Evaluation
Policy 9520.2 – Family and Medical Leave
Policy 9620 – Child Abuse in an Education Setting
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
March 13, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
March 27, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter to Executive Session at 7:17pm to discuss negotiations with Cohoes Principals Association, negotiations with CSEA, a legal matter and the evaluation of Superintendent O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye
- Motion carried: 7-9
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:18 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
- Second by: Mr. Jarosz
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0