Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
June 15, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(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 by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:03p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Giller
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Recognizing 2021-2022 Tenure Recipients – Building principals’ introduced tenure recipients from their building and said a few words about each. Mrs. Giller, on behalf on the Board of Education, thanked the teachers for all they do for their students and mentioned how much they appreciated all of the positive feedback from each principal.
Educational Services Update –Mr. Martinelli presented a residency update. He gave a breakdown of students who have entered and exited our district for the past two (2) school years. Mr. Martinelli presented future recommendations, for example: dual residency tracking, an electronic registration platform, sending charter school families a letter in December and June each year.
Financial Update – Mrs. Mackey provided an overview of the reserve recommendations for retirement contributions and tax certiorari funds. She advised that the tax cap calculation will need to re recalculated as there is a material change in the 2022-2023 pilots receivable. Mrs. Mackey will present the revised tax cap calculation at the July 6, 2022 meeting and advised that the results will be a neutral impact to tax payers with the actual rate being at or below the estimate provided for budget purposes.
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. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of June 1, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following dates: 3/16/22, 3/17/22, 3/23/22, 3/25/22, 3/28/22, 4/1/22, 4/4/22, 4/5/22, 4/6/22, 4/11/22, 4/12/22, 4/14/22, 4/25/22, 4/29/22, 5/2/22, 5/11/22, 5/12/22, 5/13/22, 5/16/22, 5/17/22, 5/18/22, 5/19/22, 5/20/22, 5/23/22, 5/26/22, 6/2/22, 6/3/22, 6/6/22, 6/8/22, 6/15/22
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Johnson Controls located at 1399 Crescent Vischer Ferry Road, Halfmoon, New York in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined herein for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025.
D. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and Northeast Parent and Child Society, 1821 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, New York for Special Education services during the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $46,626 per student and during the ESY period of July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022 at a rate of $7,104. These rates are subject to change based on NYSED finalized rates.
E. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and Parsons Child and Family Center (Neil Hellman School Program), 60 Academy Road, Albany, New York for Special Education services during the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $41,954 per student and during the ESY period of July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022 at a rate of $6,992. These rates are subject to change based on NYSED finalized rates.
F. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and Wildwood Programs, Inc., 2995 Curry Road Extension, Schenectady, New York for Special Education services during the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $58,351 per student and during the ESY period of July 6, 2022 through August 16, 2022 at a rate of $9,361. These rates are subject to change based on NYSED finalized rates.
G. 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 during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 834.60 per student.
H. THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes funding the Retirement Contribution Reserve (ERS fund) in the amount of $200,000 from the unallocated fund balance, for the purpose of financing retirement contributions made to the NY State and Local Employees’ Retirement System.
I. THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes funding the Retirement Contribution Reserve (TRS sub fund) in the amount of $300,000 from the unallocated fund balance, for the purpose of financing teacher retirement contributions.
J. THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes funding the Tax Certiorari Reserve in the amount of $100,000 from the unallocated fund balance, for the purpose of financing anticipated judgements and claims arising out of tax certiorari proceedings.
K. THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes a FY 21/22 budget amendment in the amount of $971,414 for the purpose of increasing the interfund transfer to the capital fund and authorizes the appropriation of $971,414 from the capital reserve fund.
L. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby Approves the cross contract between the Cohoes City School District and the Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES for the provision of The Positivity Project dated June 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year and authorizes the payment of $4,211.93 dollars herein.
M. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the City School District of Albany to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the City School District of Albany during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 927.93 per student.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Cortney Conley
- Kelly Quinn
Effective: June 16, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education grant tenure to the following individual in the subject area listed:
- Ms. Amanda Zareski (Abram Lansing Elementary School) – Elementary
Effective: June 30, 2022
- Ms. Terrin Griffin (Cohoes High School) – English
- Ms. Rebecca LaForest (Cohoes Middle School) – Industrial Arts
- Ms. Andee Bartholomew (Cohoes Middle School) – Home Economics
- Ms. Alexandra Nelson (Harmony Hill School) – Elementary
- Ms. Brittany Willsey (Van Schaick Grade School) – Elementary
- Ms. Amanda Barrett (Van Schaick Grade School) – Special Education
Effective: August 31, 2022
- Ms. Korrine McGough (Harmony Hill School) – Speech
Effective: September 30, 2022
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Board of Education hereby approves the appointment of Elaine Flatow as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”), to the full-time (1.0 FTE) Dean of Students for the Cohoes Middle School for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. While in this assignment as a TOSA, Elaine Flatow shall remain in the School Social Work tenure area and all time spent as a full time employee in the position of Dean of Students for the Cohoes Middle School shall be credited as time in the School Social Work tenure area.
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Board of Education hereby approves the appointment of Rebecca LaForest to a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”) position for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, specifically referenced as the Career Education Coordinator position. While in this assignment as a TOSA, Rebecca LaForest shall be in the Industrial Arts tenure area and all time spent as a full time employee in the position of Career Education Coordinator shall be credited as time in the Industrial Arts tenure area.
E. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals as per CTA contract to the 2022 Future-Ready Summer Program, July 5-July 22, 2022, class listed (grant-funded):
- Amanda Gebur – HVCC 101 Career Development: Self-Assessment (1 credit)
- Sara Schwendinger – HVCC INDS 105 Intro to Academic and Personal Effectiveness (3 credits)
- Heather Ball – HVCC ENGL 125 Public Speaking (3 credits) (2 sessions)
F. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2022 Secondary Summer School program effective, July 5 – August 15, 2022 contingent upon enrollment:
APEX English 9&10 (one section) – Terrin Griffin
English 11 (one section)- Terrin Griffin
Living Environment (one section, half section for Lab)- Dawn Maddalena
Earth Science (one section, half section for Lab)- Kerry Winters
Algebra (one section)– Michael Wilt
APEX Math (one section) – Nicole Lassone
APEX Social Studies Global 9 (one section) – William Sheldon
Global 10 (one section) – Ashley Hogan
US History (one section) – John Ketchoyian
Special Education (two sections) – Rich Morris
Library (one section) – Karin Lackmann
G. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals as per the CTA contract to the 2022 9th Grade Summer Academy effective July 5 – August 11, 2022 contingent upon enrollment:
- Drake Galarneau, Teacher
- Angela Tommasini, Social Worker
H. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2022 CMS Summer Learning Academy effective July 11 – August 11, 2022 contingent upon enrollment (grant-funded):
- Colleen Duff
- Brian Smith
- Mickey Smith
- Lindsey Fontaine
- Jennifer Heeney
- Jackie Penney
I. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2022 Elementary Summer Success program effective July 11 – August 11, 2022 contingent upon enrollment: (grant funded)
- Courtney Adey
- Kim Angus
- Megan Cherubino
- Kimberly Cottet
- Jennifer Crucetti
- Katie Dobbins
- Tina Doherty
- Sharon Laughlin
- Ellen McGeorge
- Tracy Nash
- Nick Pafundi
- Jackie Skidmore
- Brittany Whitford
J. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the 2022 Extended School Year Summer Program, July 5, 2022 –August 12, 2022:
Special Education Teachers
- Chris Fess
- Morgan Blizinski
- Marisa Villasenor
- Emily Gioia
- Andrew Quinn
- Jacqueline Adams
Teacher Assistants
- Casey Hatziemanuel
- Lynn Hunter
- Kathy Mossey
OT
- Moira Coons
Speech
- Karin Sencer
Nurses
- Samantha McCullough (5 days)
- Sandra Kipp (14 days)
- Cheryl Barber (3 days)
K. THAT the Board of Education approve Jennifer Sangiacomo for summer work as Instructional Technology Integration Specialist at her daily rate, not to exceed twenty-five (25) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant-funded).
L. THAT the Board of Education approve Christina Kellar for summer work as Abram Lansing Intervention Specialist at her daily rate, not to exceed five (5) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
M. THAT the Board of Education approve Rebecca LaForest for summer work as the Career Education Coordinator at her daily rate, not to exceed fifteen (15) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
N. THAT the Board of Education approve Elaine Flatow for summer work as the Dean Students at her daily rate, not to exceed eight (8) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
O. THAT the Board of Education approve Chris Fournier for summer work as the Future Ready Pathways Coordinator at his hourly rate, not to exceed twenty-four (24) hours for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
P. THAT the Board of Education appoint Patricia Scott to perform work not to exceed 25 hours for athletics during the summer of 2022.
Q. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Robert Santarcangelo from his position as Social Studies Teacher (CHS) effective July 31, 2022.
Non-Instructional
R. THAT the Board of Education approve the Agreement By And Between The Cohoes City School District And The CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Cohoes School District Unit and Laura Manzer, dated June 9, 2022.
S. THAT the Board of Education approve the Agreement by and between Cohoes City School District and CSEA, Inc., Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Cohoes City School District Unit dated June 1, 2022.
T. THAT the Board of Education appoint Jessica Strock as receptionist for the SUNY Tutoring Program and Elementary Summer Success Program at Abram Lansing Elementary School, July 6, 2022 through August 11, 2022.
U. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following employees to work the 2022 Summer Meal Programs per CSEA contract effective June 27, 2022 through August 26, 2022:
- Karen DeCenzo
- Leilani Huddy
- Leslie O’Brien
- Ben Johnson
V. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as a Teacher Aide as per CSEA contract to the 2022 Secondary Summer School program effective July 5 – August 15, 2022 contingent upon enrollment:
- Meriam VanSleet
W. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as a Part-Time Teacher Aide for the 2022-23 school year, effective July 1, 2022 (grant-funded):
Page Avenue School
- Andrea Cavallaro
X. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of James Casey from his position as Cleaner (HH).
Effective: May 27, 2022
Y. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Tracy Darwak from her position of Cleaner.
Effective: June 25, 2022
Z. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints the following individual to the Teacher Aide Substitute list, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointments are a temporary appointment.
- Alex Perry
Effective: June 9, 2022
AA. THAT the Board of Education appoint Lauren Dunn as Future-Ready Pathways Extended Learning Coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
BB. THAT the Board of Education appoint Tricia Kinns as Social Worker to the 2022 Elementary Summer Success and Summer Learning Academy programs as per the CTA contract, effective July 11 – August 11, 2022 contingent upon enrollment (grant-funded):
CC. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the 2022 Extended School Year Summer Program, July 5, 2022 – August 12, 2022:
Teacher Aide
- Felicity Dessingue
- Amya Sousis
- Meaghan Garceau
- Roni Miorin
- Karen Beattie
- Samantha Charbonneau
- Sarah Austin
- Akyiaa Terry
- Candi O’Brien
- Sherry Thornton
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the June 15, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-M), VII (A-CC) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mr. Pascale
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
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 – May 2022
- Budget Transfers – May 2022
- Budget Status Report – May 2022
- Revenue Status Report – May 2022
- Bank Reconciliation Report – May 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Ms. O’Shea and Mrs. Giller congratulated Tracy Darwak on her retirement.
Mrs. Carey requested a Policy Committee meeting over the summer to address the need for a Social Media policy.
Mrs. Giller, on behalf on the Board, thanked Mrs. Dion and Mr. Pascale for their service on the board and presented them with a plaque which read “in appreciation of your leadership, outstanding vision, dedication & generous commitment of time and support to our students and community during your service as a Board of Education member.” Mrs. Giller remarked that Mrs. Dion has served the community as a teacher and as a Board member and expressed how grateful the district was for her service. She also remarked that Mr. Pascale has spent a “lifetime” on the Board and thanked him for his tireless commitment.
Ms. O’Shea and Mrs. Giller discussed potential summer meeting dates for the Board of Education. July 6, July 20, August 3 and August 24, 2022 were agreed on by all members of the Board.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- July 6, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
- July 20, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:03 p.m.
To discuss the evaluation of Ms. O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mr. Pascale
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:28pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mr. Pascale
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0