Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
July 24, 2024 Cohoes High School
6 PM LGI Room
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 6:02 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder ~ arrived at 6:11 pm
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis ~ excused
- Mr. Jarosz ~ excused
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Ms. O’Shea presented the draft 2024-2025 Code of Conduct. She explained the draft code will be posted on the district webpage for a thirty (30) day public comment period. It will be on the August 28, 2024 Board of Education agenda for recommendation of adoption. Ms. O’Shea stated the final version will be shared with all staff and given to new employees upon hire.
A plain language summary of the code will be provided to parents/guardians and an age appropriate plain language summary will be shared with students at the start of the new school year. Ms. O’Shea shared that the Code will be reviewed at opening staff meetings and reviewed with students at assemblies and in classes at the beginning of the school year. She added the district has implemented a number of initiatives in the area of Safety including Campus Safety Monitors in addition to School Safety Officers, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training and other proactive practices. There are also lessons in Edgenuity, which will assist in this area.
Ms. O’Shea updated the Board on the additional requirements to the District Wide Safety plan which were recently approved by New York State Education Department. There were some revisions since she shared the information at the July 10, 2024 Board meeting. These items have already been included in our 2024-2025 Safety Plan.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Mrs. Giller inquired if the Edgenuity courses that the high school will be using for restorative justice could be started at the middle school and possibly the elementary buildings. Ms. O’Shea will look into this as to the appropriateness and the licensing.
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS – None
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Reorganization and Business meetings of July 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: 3/12/24, 3/14/24, 4/25/24, 4/26/24, 4/30/24, 5/1/24, 5/2/24, 5/13/24, 5/15/24, 5/16/24, 5/17/24, 5/20/24, 5/21/24, 5/22/24, 5/29/24, 6/6/24, 6/7/24, 6/21/24, 7/10/24
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education designates the following dates for the regular monthly meetings for the 2024-2025 school year at 6 p.m. at the Cohoes Middle School Library.
- July 10 & 24, 2024
- August 14 & 28, 2024
- September 11 & 25, 2024
- October 9 & 23, 2024
- November 6, 2024
- December 11, 2024
- January 8 & 22, 2025
- February 12, 2025
- March 5 & 19, 2025
- April 9 & 23, 2025
- May 7 & 21, 2025
- June 11, 2025
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education authorizes the following
Committees for the 2024-25 school year:
1. Audit: Mrs. Giller, Mrs. Paradis and Mrs. Snyder (Formerly: Mrs. Giller, Mrs. Paradis and Mrs. Snyder)
2. Budget: Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Carey (Formerly: Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Carey)
3. District Safety: Mrs. Giller, Mrs. Gendron and Mrs.
Paradis (Formerly: Mrs. Gendron, Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Paradis)
4. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Mrs. Giller and Mrs.
Snyder (Formerly: Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Giller)
5. Facilities: Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Gendron and Mrs. Paradis (Formerly: Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Gendron and Mrs. Paradis)
6. Policy: Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Giller (Formerly: Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Giller)
7. Technology: Mrs. Snyder and Mr. Jarosz (Formerly: Mrs. Snyder and Mr. Jarosz)
8. Wellness: Mrs. Gendron and Mr. Jarosz (Formerly: Mrs. Gendron and Mr. Jarosz)
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the following policies:
Policy 6830 Expense Reimbursement
Policy 7100 Facilities Planning
Policy 8115 Pesticides and Pest Management
Policy 8220 Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Inspection
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the final contract for the 2023-2024 school year with Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) in the amount of $4,982407.98
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the preliminary
contract for the 2024-2025 school year with Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) in the amount of $4,210,390.46
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the Addendum to
Employment Agreement by and between the Cohoes City School District and
Peggy O’Shea dated July 24, 2024.
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement dated July 12, 2024 by and between the Cohoes City School District and AgileBits, Inc., (d/b/a/ 1Password) for a software purchases in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the contract dated
July 1, 2024 between the Cohoes City School District and St. Catherine’s Center for Children, R & E May School, located at 30 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY for special education services from September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at a rate of $ 4,537 per student, per month in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract dated July 1, 2024 with Northeast Parent and Child Society (School at Northeast) located at 1821 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, New York 12304 for special education services during the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 at the estimated rates: (rates are subject to finalization by NYSED)
Summer = $7,885
School year = $47,315
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement by
and between the Cohoes City School District and St. Colman’s Home, Inc., 11
Haswell Road, Watervliet, NY 12189 to provide educational services for special education students for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 school year at rates subject to final approval by NYSED.
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Four Winds Saratoga located at 30 Crescent Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 for the 2024-2025school year at a rate of $44.00 per hour for tutorial services provided to eligible students according to the following schedule:
Ten (10) hours per week for students in the middle and high school
Ten (10) hours per week for student in the elementary school
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Rebecca LaForest from her position as Career Education Coordinator.
Effective: August 14, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the following
student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
Russell Sage College
October 21 through December 6, 2024
- Dominick Zumbo with Susan Marie Keough at Abram Lansing Elementary
School - Emma DeMatteo with Teresa Gendron at Cohoes Middle School
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the 2024-2025 Future-Ready Pathways Extended Learning Program (grant -unded):
Teachers
- Math- Daniel Shepard
- ELA- Heather Ball and Terrin Griffin
- Social Studies- Keith Fischer and Ashley Hoffmann
- Science-Elizabeth Hodgson and Dawn Maddalena
- World Language- Amy Frost
- Substitute (as needed)- William Sheldon, Emily Dundon, and Lindsey Fontaine
Non-Instructional
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve the unpaid leave of
absence request of Felicity Dessingue from her position as Teacher Aide. (VS)
Effective: September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Gloriana Hiwiller from the position of Senior Typist (CMS).
Effective: August 16, 2024
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Andrea Marra from the position of Teacher Aide (VS).
Effective: August 31, 2024
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Meaghan Garceau from the position of Teacher Aide (VS).
Effective: August 2, 2024
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amends item VII (U) of the
June 12, 2024 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education authorizes the
following individuals at their per diem rate (per CSEA contract) to provide
summer secretarial support:
- Carole Blide, Abram Lansing Elementary School – ten (10) days
- Pamela Krupski, Van Schaick Grade School – thirteen (13) days
- Sherri Dan, Harmony Hill School – t
hree (3) daysfive (5) days - Stacy Bold, Harmony Hill School –
two (2) daysfive (5) days - Carol Gaudette, Harmony Hill School – five (5) days
Effective: July 1, 2024
I. BE IT RESOLOVED THAT the Board of Education authorizes hours not
to exceed sixty (60) at the per diem rate for Bernadette Glynn to provide
summer library support at Abram Lansing School.
Effective: July 1, 2024
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individual as a Teacher Aide as per CSEA contract for the 2024 Secondary
Summer School Regents Review Classes and Regents Exams effective August 12– August 20, 2024:
Sarah Austin
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Jason Cribbs to the position of Senior Custodian, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis; such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Jason Cribbs
- Position: 1.0 FTE Senior Custodian (PERMANENT appt.)
- Effective Date: July 25, 2024
- Probation Period: January 26, 2025
- Salary: Per CSEA contract
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Ronette Miorin to the position of Senior Typist, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis; such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Ronette Miorin
- Position: 1.0 FTE Senior Typist (PERMANENT appt.) (12 Month CO schedule)
- Effective Date: July 25, 2024
August 26, 2024 - Probation Period: January 23, 2025
February 23, 2025 - Salary: Per CSEA contract
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Allison Haertel to the position of School Nurse, RN,
subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Allison Haertel
- Position: 1.0 FTE School Nurse, RN (CHS)
- Effective Date: September 1, 2024
- Probation Period: March 1, 2025
- Salary: Step 4 of the current CTA contract
ADDENDA
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Region (CBO) located at 21 Delaware Avenue, Albany, New York dated August 30, 2024 for Pre-Kindergarten Program services for the period of September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Danielle Stella from her position as Special Education Teacher (CMS).
Effective: August 31, 2024
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2024 Secondary School Regents Review Classes effective August 12 – August 15, 2024:
- Algebra I (one hour sessions) – Joshua Wyan
- Living Environment (one hour sessions) – Elizabeth Hodgson
- Special Education Support (two hour sessions) – John Ketchoyian
- Edgenuity Lab (two hour sessions) – Ashley Hoffmann
P. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Helene Ferner
- Position: Long-Term Substitute School Social Worker (CMS)
- Tenure Area: School Social Worker
- Effective Date: September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract
Q. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Julia Loguercio to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Special Education, effective September 1, 2024 and expiring on August 31, 2028. Ms. Loguercio holds Initial Certification in the areas of Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
Julia Loguercio
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education (HH)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6) and Childhood Education
(Grades 1-6) - Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: September 1, 2024
- Tenure Date: August 31, 2028
- Salary: Step 3 of the current CTA contract
BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA:
MOTION: THAT the Board of Education adds item VII (R) to the consent agenda.
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- Seconded by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0
R. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve the unpaid leave of
absence request of Ronette Miorin from her position as Senior Typist. (AL)
Effective: July 25, 2024 through August 25, 2024
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the July 24, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-N), VII (A-R) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0
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- N/A
- Budget Transfers- May & June 2024
- Budget Status Report – May & June 2024
- Revenue Status Report – May & June 2024
- Bank Reconciliation Report – May 2024
- Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
Second Reading”
- Policy 6830 – Expense Reimbursement
- Policy 7100 – Facilities Planning
- Policy 8115 – Pesticides and Pest Management
- Policy 8220 – Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Inspection
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- August 14, 2024 – Cohoes High School LGI Room at 6 PM
- August 28, 2024 – Cohoes High School LGI Room at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter into Executive Session at 6:24 pm to discuss the evaluation of Superintendent O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:02 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
- Second by: Mrs. Giller
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0