Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
January 31, 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
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 5:35 pm to discuss proposed, pending or current litigation.
Moved by: Mrs. Giller
Second by: Mr. Jarosz
ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
MOTION: To adjourn Executive Session and Enter in Open Session at 5:56 pm.
Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
Second by: Mrs. Snyder
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
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent Reports –
Assemblyman John T. McDonald presented a State of the State update. He discussed that the state may be short of the full funding model and many schools are not seeing an increase. He also discussed the state’s current fiscal environment and challenges. Assemblyman McDonald discussed the state’s current revenue gap (4.3 billion dollars) and the hope to have a
balanced budget.
Mrs. Carey mentioned the district’s increase in enrollment, our high needs including our growing ELL numbers and the fact that the district was just fully funded. Mrs. Giller stated that affordable housing needs are increasing, our schools are at capacity and the needs are high. Mrs. Carey, on behalf of the Board, thanked Assemblyman McDonald.
Superintendent Reports
Mid-year Data Review – Ms. O’Shea reviewed enrollment and other demographic data indicating that enrollment has increased especially in the sixth and ninth grade. She also shared 4, 5, and 6- year graduation rates. Mr. Martinelli reviewed 3-8 ELA and Math New York State Assessments
results from previous years and showed i-Ready to NYS comparisons.
Ms. O’Shea spoke about the Workplace Violence Prevention policy on tonight’s agenda as a first reading. She shared the components and timeline and said that representatives from the CTA, CSEA and CPA would be included in the risk analysis and development of the program. Mrs. Giller asked if we would be looking at positions that had higher risk. Ms. O’Shea said that would be on the risk assessment form.
Ms. O’Shea discussed the written bomb threats by middle school students that have occurred over the past two (2) weeks. She indicated they are very concerning not only to the district, but put a strain on community resources as well, as police must respond each time. She shared that Principal McFarland and Dean Havens met with all 6th and 7th grade students to discuss the
severity of these incidents and consequences that would occur and would be following up with eighth graders the next day. She also shared additional precautions being implemented by the middle school, as well as proactive measures being explored by Mr. McFarland and Mrs. Marcil.
Mrs. Snyder shared her concern that students may become desensitized which may impact their reaction if there were ever to be a real situation.
Mr. Jackson stated that feedback appeared to be too general for the students to understand the full seriousness of the situation. Ms. O’Shea reviewed the points that administration is discussing in each classroom which were
very specific and outlined serious consequences. Mrs. Giller stated her concern that two weeks had passed before middle school administration had a
conversation with students and asked for a proactive plan going forward.
Ms. O’Shea shared that discussions have been happening as part of the Second Step and No Place for Hate and these and others should be a part of the planning process going forward.
Mrs. Carey mentioned the Code of Conduct and specific consequences.
Synergy Update – Ms. O’Shea shared that the transition to Synergy has been very difficult for staff and students and thanked them for all of their time and effort. She then outlined some major areas of concerns as shared by staff including not being able to view certain assignments that students submitted, the inability for teachers to customize communication streams outside of their classrooms, functionality and that assessments did not transfer from Schoology. Due to the difficulties more staff were using Google Classroom and paper use at the high school is up significantly.
She shared that Mr. Martinelli and Jen Sangiacomo held focus groups with middle school and high school students who reiterated many of the same concerns regarding assignments and communication and shared that they had to frequently logout and back in. They were also concerned that weighted averages could not be seen for each individual class- only their
overall weighted average appeared.
Ms. O’Shea acknowledged that Mr. Martinelli, Katrina Hunt and Jen Sangiacomo had put a tremendous amount of work into the project. Three recent meetings were held with Synergy representatives, including the Vice President of SMS and the problem around missing assignments appears to be corrected.
Mrs. Carey asked if the district was still assessing to which Ms. O’Shea replied yes. Updates would be given at future meetings with an in-depth discussion at the March Board meeting.
Mr. Jackson expressed concern that this is impacting student learning and we are in triage mode with more resources needing to be provided and asked what is the plan? Mr. Martinelli stated this has been a huge conversion, from one student information system and learning management system to another and that he and his team are taking issue by issue and changing things based on feedback.
Mrs. Snyder asked if there could be a contractual break? Ms. O’Shea replied that we contract through NERIC who contracts with Synergy, but we could look into it.
Mrs. Gendron asked if the district has reached out to other districts and compared their implementation to ours? Mr. Martinelli responded that occurred and the district did learn some lessons from other districts.
Mrs. Giller stated that she is confident that the team is doing everything that they can and asked how do we move forward to meet the needs of the students and the staff. Are we at the point that we need to make a decision?
Mr. Martinelli stated that this conversion takes time, training and he and his team are aware of the issues and they are picking up momentum. He and his team have a list of priorities to make the system customized to Cohoes.
Mrs. Carey asked if we could get a dedicated resource on site from BOCES? Ms. O’Shea said that Synergy is new to them as well, but she would reach out.
Ms. Paradis mentioned there were also issues with some students getting transcripts.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey shared that the Budget Committee meetings are underway. She also made the board aware that the BID environment for the Capital Project was favorable, the pre-BID meetings were well attended and it’s a very competitive environment. Contracts (including all alternates) would be on the next board meeting agenda.
Mrs. Marcil provided information regarding “Point Break”. It is anticipated that the contract will be recommended for approval on the next board meeting agenda.
Mr. Martinelli shared that the collaboration with the Cohoes Police department in identifying students who may need additional support is going well.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
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 January 10, 2024
B. 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: 10/9/23, 10/20/23, 11/1/23, 11/8/23, 11/14/23, 11/15/23, 11/16/23, 11/20/23, 11/30/23, 12/1/23, 12/4/23, 12/9/23, 12/11/23, 12/12/23, 12/13/23, 12/14/23, 12/18/23, 12/19/23, 12/21/23, 1/3/24, 1/4/24, 1/17/24/, 1/19/24, 1/22/24
C. WHEREAS, the Cohoes City School District offers an annual “Ski Club” each
year to eligible students; and WHEREAS, the District has determined that, for the 2023-2024 school year, Brown Coach (“Brown”) represents the best value to the District for the transportation of District Ski Club members to and from the ski location; and
WHEREAS, Brown has provided to the District Purchase Orders/Charter Coach Confirmations setting forth the pertinent terms and agreements between the parties relating to the transportation of Ski Club Participants for the 2023-2024 school year; and
WHEREAS, more specifically, Brown has provided Purchase Orders/Charter Coach Confirmations for the following dates: January 1, 2024 through March 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District desires to approve the Purchase Orders/Charter Coach Confirmations for the aforementioned dates.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the
Cohoes City School District hereby approves the Purchase Orders/Charter Coach Confirmations issued by Brown Transportation to the District relating to the transportation of the District’s Ski Club on those dates set forth above and
authorizes the payments associated therewith.
MOTION: Walk in item for the notification of an appeal to become item VI (D).
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby denies the appeal of the discipline imposed on a particular district student.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board approve the nurse intern placement from the following school:
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
January 22, 2024 through May 10, 2024
Sarah Buczkowski with Patricia Scott at Cohoes Middle School
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
The College of St. Rose
January 16, 2024 – March 8, 2024
Patrick Hickey with Erica Rapp at Cohoes High School
The College of St. Rose
January 22, 2024 – March 8, 2024
Jonathan Schoenfeld with David Wasserman at Cohoes Middle School
The College of St. Rose
March 11, 2024 – May 8, 2024
Nicholas Faretta with Carolyn Santoro at Cohoes High School
Cohoes City School District January 31, 2024
Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 9
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
DeCicco, TaiLynn
Brown, Hannah
Effective: February 1, 2024
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (I) of the
January 10, 2024 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Michelle Donnelly to a four three – year probationary term in
the tenure area of School Social Worker, effective February 12, 2024 and expiring on February 11, 2028 February 11, 2027. Ms. Donnelly holds Permanent Certification in the area of School Social Worker.
Michelle Donnelly
- Position: 1.0 FTE School Social Worker (AL)
- Certification: School Social Worker
- Tenure Area: School Social Worker
- Effective Date: February 12, 2024
- Tenure Date:
February 11, 2028February 11, 2027 - Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Suzanne Pelletier from the position of Social Emotional Learning Coach (CMS).
Effective: February 17, 2024
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for
retirement purposes of Susanne Dunn from her position of Foreign Language
Teacher (CMS)
Effective: June 30, 2024
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for
retirement purposes of Cheryl Barber from her School Nurse, R.N. position (VS).
Effective: June 30, 2024
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional assignments for the following individual for the 2023-2024 school year:
Daniel Shepard – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Mathematics- (1.2 FTE total)
(CHS)
Effective: January 29, 2024 through June 30, 2024
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Sylvia Giroux
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Teaching Assistant (HH)
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Effective Date: March 11, 2024 through May 9, 2024
- Salary: As per the current CTA contract, Teacher Assistant with
BA/BS Salary Schedule
Non-Instructional
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints the following individual to the Cleaner Substitute list,
subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointments are temporary appointments.
QuinAsia Johnson
Effective: January 22, 2024
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Maria Baez to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide
subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Maria Baez
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: January 22, 2024 through June 30, 2024
- Salary: $15.00 per hour
ADDENDA
L. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (Q) of the August 9, 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.
Erin Nagy to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of
Elementary, effective September 1, 2023 and expiring on August 31, 2027.
Ms. Nagy holds Initial Certification in the areas of Childhood Education
(Grades 1-6) and Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2).
Erin Nagy
Position: Long-Term Substitute 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (HHS)
Certification: Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2
Tenure Area: Elementary
Effective Date: September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
Tenure Date: August 31, 2027
Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Meghan LeBuis to the position of full-time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Meghan LeBuis
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: February 5, 2024
- Probation Period: October 6, 2024
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Susan Martini to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Susan Martini
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: February 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024
- Salary: $15.00 per hour
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the January 31, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-D), VII (A-N) and IX (A) and X (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- 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-December 2023
- Budget Transfers- December 2023
- Budget Status Report – December 2023
- Revenue Status Report – December 2023
- Bank Reconciliation Report – December 2023
- Internal Claims Audit Report –N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation in the
amount of $1,309 from Abram Lansing Parents to be used for Abram Lansing
field trip bussing.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Carey on behalf on the board expressed their gratitude to the Abram Lansing Parents. Ms. O’Shea congratulated the retirees on the agenda and thanked them for the dedication to the Cohoes City School District.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
First Reading:
8130.2 – Workplace Violence Prevention
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
February 14, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
February 28, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter to Executive Session at 8:08 pm to discuss the evaluation of Superintendent O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:40 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0