Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
March 13, 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 ~ excused
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz ~ excused
- 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’s report – Cohoes High School Drama Club students gave a preview of their upcoming performances of “Legally Blonde, the Musical.” Mr. Gunn, music teacher and drama club director, invited everyone in the community to attend the shows on March 21, 22, and 23 at 7 pm and Sunday the 24 at 2 pm.
Budget presentations – Secondary principals, Mr. McFarland (Cohoes Middle School) and Mrs. Tarlo (Cohoes High School) shared budget requests for the 2024-2025 school year, which were determined through building needs assessments.
Mr. Martinelli shared an update regarding Summer School planning with remaining American Rescue Plan funding. He mentioned that we are planning for programs at the elementary and middle school levels. Mr. Martinelli made the board aware that postings for the coordinators positions would be going out in the near future.
Business Update- Ms. Mackey shared the results of the external auditing services RFP. Two (2) vendors responded and the final analysis and awarding of the bid will be an agenda item on the March 27, 2024 meeting. She also updated the board on four (4) additional RFPs for
Capital Project construction. She hopes to have the awarding of these bids on the March 27, 2024 board meeting agenda. Ms. Mackey plans on scheduling an Audit Committee meeting in the near future and will send proposed dates to board members on that committee.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. O’Shea shared that she learned of a parent concern regarding the timing of the curriculum guide at Cohoes High School, which was distributed after some of the students and parents had already met with the counselors. The counselors made sure to share the courses including any new ones in their meetings. Ms. O’Shea spoke with Mrs. Tarlo and they will revise the timing of new course proposals requests so the guide can be completed earlier next year. Mrs. Carey thanked the high school team and Ms. O’Shea for the responsiveness to this request.
Ms. O’Shea mentioned that the annual Middle School Exhibition would happen on Thursday. She then shared career week which took place last week at the elementary buildings and thanked the elementary principals and their teams for the hard work that goes into this event.
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 accepts the Minutes of the Board of
Education meeting of February 28, 2024.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes
Principals’ Association dated March 13, 2024.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (BB) of the
August 30, 2023 Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional
teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Courtney Valente – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Special Education (1.2 FTE
total) - Brooke Hurlbut – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Special Education (1.2 FTE
total)
Effective: September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
- Melissa Benoit – 0.1 FTE as per CTA contract –Art (1.1 FTE total)
Effective: September 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 January 26, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Beasley, Cali
- Davis, Michael
- DeStefano, Zoe
- McGrath, Kaitlyn
- Wolslayer, Richard
Effective: March 14, 2024
C. 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:
Melissa Benoit – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Mathematics AIS – (1.2 FTE
total) (CMS)
Effective: March 14, 2024 through June 30, 2024
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints and employs Victoria Dingley to a term position as a
School Social Worker (Social Emotional Learning Coach, grant-funded) for the
maximum period of April 8, 2024 to June 30, 2024, subject to earlier termination by the Board of Education. This is a term appointment and is not a probationary appointment. It is specifically acknowledged that Ms. Dingley has agreed to waive any rights she may have to a probationary appointment and consideration for tenure and such agreement is evidenced by a writing signed by both parties.
Victoria Dingley
Position School Social Worker (Social Emotional Learning Coach) (CMS)
Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)
Non-Instructional
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the termination of
employment of Kimberly Schreck from her position as Part-Time Teacher Aide
(VS).
Effective: February 15, 2024
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the March 13, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-B), VII (A-E) and X (A-B)
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- 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- N/A
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Revenue Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
- Internal Claims Audit Report –N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts a non-cash donation from Tri-City ValleyCats of 150 Education day tickets which includes a food voucher (estimated value of $1,800).
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation in the
amount of $1,500 from the Cohoes Waterford Elks to be used for PBIS
celebrations for all five (5) buildings.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Ms. O’Shea and Mrs. Carey congratulated Victoria Dingley on her appointment as Social Emotional Learning Coach at CMS.
Mrs. Carey on behalf on the board thanked the Tri-City ValleyCats and the Cohoes Waterford Elks for their generous donations.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
Mrs. DeChiaro commented as a parent on the dodge ball tournament at the Cohoes High. She noted that the staff and culture at the high school should be commended. Mrs. DeChiaro thank the high school administration and the PTO for all of their hard work.
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
March 27, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
April 10, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:13 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Gendron
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0