Board of Education Special Meeting
Cohoes, New York
March 23 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 6:01pm.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion
- Mr. Annely (arrived at 6:15 pm via WebEx)
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Giller
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
- Cohoes Drama Club performed selections from Mama Mia
- Capital Project Review – CS Arch, Ms. O’Shea and Ms. Mackey
- Budget Deliberations – Ms. O’Shea and Ms. Mackey
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 March 2, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes the transfer in the amount of $2,000,000 dollars from the unallocated fund balance to the capital reserve fund as authorized by the voters at the May 15, 2018 annual vote.
C. SEQRA RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District (“Board”) is proposing to undertake a project involving reconstruction, alterations and site work at the School District’s Van Schaick Grade School, Harmony Hill Elementary School, Abram Lansing Elementary School, Cohoes Middle School and Cohoes High School related to health and safety improvements; building systems and component replacements and improvements; mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems improvements and replacements; renovations; site and athletic field reconstruction and improvements; playground equipment replacement; parking area and roadway reconstruction; running track reconstruction; drainage improvements; the construction of a synthetic turf field and athletic lighting; and associated work (“the Project”); and
WHEREAS, the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) and the regulations thereunder require the Board to undertake a review of the potential environmental impacts, if any, associated with the project before approving same; and
WHEREAS, this project is an Unlisted action within the meaning of SEQRA; and
WHEREAS, Part 1 of a Short Environmental Assessment Form was transmitted to all involved agencies, together with notification of the Board’s desire to act as lead agency with respect to the environmental review of the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, all involved agencies have consented to Board acting as lead agency with respect to the environmental review of the proposed Project; and
WHEREAS, 6 NYCRR Section 617.7 requires a lead agency to issue a written determination of significance with respect to any proposed Unlisted action; and
WHEREAS, the Board has carefully considered the nature and scope of the proposed Project, as set forth in the Short Environmental Assessment Form prepared with respect to such action, and makes the following determinations:
1. The proposed Project involves various interior and exterior improvements to the School District’s existing building facilities and grounds, as described and set forth in the Short Environmental Assessment Form
2. The proposed Project is classified under SEQRA as an Unlisted action.
3. Upon consideration of the action, review of the Short Environmental Assessment Form, the criteria contained in 6 NYCRR § 617.7(c), and all other supporting information, the Board identifies the following relevant areas of environmental concern, as set forth hereafter, and analyzes whether the proposed Project may have a significant adverse impact on the environment.
4. The proposed Project does not involve, and therefore will not result in, any substantial adverse change in existing air quality, ground or surface water quality or quantity, traffic or noise levels, or a substantial increase in solid waste production, or a substantial increase in potential for erosion, flooding, leaching, or drainage problems. Most of the project work involves the replacement, repair, and/or upgrade of existing site features, and as such will not result in any environmental impacts. The remaining proposed exterior site work is modest in scope and will not result in any significant adverse impacts to existing air quality, ground or surface water, traffic or noise levels, solid waste production, or increase the potential for erosion, flooding, leaching, or drainage problems.
5. The Project does not involve, and therefore will not result in, the removal or destruction of large quantities of vegetation or fauna, a substantial interference with the movement of any resident or migratory fish or wildlife species, impacts on any significant habitat area, substantial adverse impacts on a threatened or endangered species of animal or plant, or the habitat thereof, or other significant adverse impacts to nature resources.
6. The Project is not located within a designated Critical Environmental Area.
7. The Project will not create a material conflict with the community’s current plans or goals as officially approved or adopted.
8. The Project will not result in the impairment of the character or quality of any important historical, archeological, or aesthetic resources, or of existing community or neighborhood character. The project area has long been developed and used as a public school campus, and the proposed Project is consistent with that continued use.
9. The Project will not result in any major, adverse, change in the use of either the quantity or type of energy.
10. The Project will not result in the creation of a hazard to human health.
11. The Project does not involve, and therefore will not result in, a substantial change in the use, or intensity of use, of land including agricultural, open space, or recreational resources, or in its capacity to support such uses.
12. The Project will not result in the encouragement or attraction of a large number of people to the site as compared to the number of people that would come absent the action.
13. The Project will not result in a material demand for other actions, will not result in changes to two or more elements of the environment which together would result in a substantial adverse impact, and will not cumulatively result in a substantial adverse impact when considered with any related actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board finds and concludes that the proposed Project is an Unlisted action within the meaning of 6 NYCRR 617.2(al); and it is further
RESOLVED that the Board hereby declares itself lead agency with respect to the environmental review of the proposed Project; and it is further
RESOLVED, that upon consideration of the foregoing, the Board finds and concludes that the proposed Project will not result in any significant adverse impacts to the environment; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Board hereby issues a Negative Declaration with respect to the proposed Project.
D. A RESOLUTION SPECIFYING THE NECESSITY FOR THE RENOVATION, RECONSTRUCTION, AND IMPROVEMENTS OF VARIOUS SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, SITES, ATHLETIC FIELDS AND TRACKS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF COHOES, NEW YORK, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such buildings and facilities ARE to be used AND PAYMENT OF COSTS INCIDENTAL THERETO.
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District, Albany County, New York (the “School District”), that the needs of the School District require the renovation, reconstruction, and improvement of various School District buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks, the acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purposes for which such buildings, facilities sites, athletic fields and tracks will be used and payment of costs incidental thereto (collectively, the “Project”), which buildings are located within the City of Cohoes, in order for the School District to continue to efficiently utilize said School District buildings as schools and related facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the District has been presented with proposals for the aforesaid Project at a maximum estimated cost of not to exceed $19,875,700; and
WHEREAS, Section 2512 of the Education Law requires that whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Education, a building or property, or both, are to be reconstructed, constructed or otherwise improved, such Board of Education shall prepare a resolution specifying, in detail, the necessity therefor and the estimated cost of the funds necessary for such purposes;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District, Albany County, New York, as follows:
Section 1. It is determined that the Project, as more fully described in the preamble hereof, is
A. To enhance the educational opportunities of the District’s students.
B. To enhance and improve the health, safety and welfare of the students and staff of the District.
C. To address capital maintenance items required in order to maintain the integrity and expected life of the District’s buildings and sites.
D. To enhance the energy efficiency of the District’s buildings and sites.
Section 2. It is hereby estimated that the amount of funds necessary for the aforesaid Project, as set forth in the preamble hereof, shall not exceed the sum of $19,875,700.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
E. BOND RESOLUTION DATED MARCH 23, 2022 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE COHOES CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING NOT TO EXCEED $17,875,700 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION SERIAL BONDS, THE EXPENDITURE OF SUCH SUM FOR SUCH PURPOSE, INCLUDING THE EXPENDITURE OF $2,000,000 FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND TO FINANCE THE RENOVATION, RECONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF VARIOUS DISTRICT BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, SITES, ATHLETIC FIELDS AND TRACKS ACQUISITION OF ORIGINAL FURNISHINGS, EQUIPMENT, MACHINERY OR APPARATUS REQUIRED FOR THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SUCH BUILDINGS, FACILITIES, SITES, ATHLETICS FIELDS AND TRACKS ARE TO BE USED AND PAYMENT OF INCIDENTAL COSTS RELATED THERETO, AT AN ESTIMATED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE COST OF $19,875,700, LEVY OF TAX IN ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS IN PAYMENT THEREOF, AND DETERMINING OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION:
Section 1. The Cohoes City School District (the “District”) shall renovate, reconstruct, and improve various District buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks, acquire original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks are to be used and pay incidental costs related thereto, at a maximum cost of $19,875,700.
Section 2. The District is hereby authorized to (a) expend $2,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund, and (b) issue its serial general obligation bonds (the “Bonds”) in the aggregate principal amount of not to exceed $17,985,700 pursuant to the Local Finance Law of New York, in order to finance the class of objects or purposes described herein.
Section 3. The class of objects or purposes to be financed pursuant to this Resolution (the “Purpose”) is the renovation, reconstruction, and improvements of various District buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks, acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto.
Section 4. It is hereby determined and declared that (a) the maximum cost of the Purpose, as estimated by the Board of Education, is $19,875,700, (b) no money has heretofore been authorized to be applied to the payment of the cost of the Purpose, and (c) the District plans to finance the cost of the Purpose from funds received from the State of New York as building aid for the Purpose, the expenditure of $2,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Funds, and funds raised by the issuance of the Bonds and bond anticipation notes hereinafter referred to.
Section 5. It is hereby determined that the Purpose is one of the class of objects or purposes described in Subdivision 97 of Paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law and that the period of probable usefulness of the Purpose is thirty (30) years.
Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Local Finance Law, the power to authorize the issuance of and to sell bond anticipation notes in anticipation of the sale of the Bonds, including renewals of such notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer.
Section 7. The power to further authorize the issuance of the Bonds and bond anticipation notes and to prescribe the terms, form and contents of the Bonds (including the use of substantially level or declining annual debt service as provided by Section 21 of the Local Finance Law) and bond anticipation notes, including the consolidation with other issues, subject to the provisions of this Resolution and the Local Finance Law, and to sell and deliver the Bonds and bond anticipation notes, is hereby delegated to the President of the Board of Education. The President of the Board of Education is hereby authorized to sign and the District Clerk is hereby authorized to attest any Bonds and bond anticipation notes issued pursuant to this Resolution, and the District Clerk is hereby authorized to affix to such Bonds and bond anticipation notes the corporate seal of the District.
Section 8. The faith and credit of the District are hereby irrevocably pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on the Bonds and bond anticipation notes as the same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations becoming due and payable in such year. After taking into account all New York State building aid received by the District for the Purpose and the amount expended from unassigned fund balance, there shall be levied annually on all taxable real property of the District, a tax sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such obligations as the same become due and payable.
Section 9. This Resolution shall constitute the declaration of the District’s “official intent” to reimburse expenditures authorized by Section 1 with proceeds of the Bonds and notes, as required by United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.150-2.
Section 10. This Resolution, or a summary thereof, when effective, shall be published in full by the District Clerk together with a notice in substantially the form prescribed by Section 81.00 of said Local Finance Law, and such publication shall be in each official newspaper of the District. The validity of the Bonds or of any bond anticipation notes issued in anticipation of the sale of the Bonds may be contested only if such obligations are authorized for an object or purpose for which the District is not authorized to expend money, or the provisions of law which should be complied with at the date of publication of this Resolution are not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty (20) days after the date of such publication; or if said obligations are authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 11. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval thereof by the voters of the District.
F. RESOLUTION DATED MARCH 23 2022 OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE COHOES CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT AUTHORIZING PROPOSITION TO BE PRESENTED TO THE VOTERS AT THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE Cohoes City School District that the following proposition be presented to the voters at the annual meeting of such voters to be to be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022:
PROPOSITION
SHALL the bond resolution adopted by the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District on March 23, 2022 authorizing the: (1) renovation, reconstruction and improvement of various District buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks, acquisition of original furnishings, equipment, machinery or apparatus required for the purpose for which such buildings, facilities, sites, athletic fields and tracks are to be used and payment of incidental costs related thereto at a maximum cost of $19,875,700; (2) expenditure of such sum for such purpose, including the expenditure of $2,000,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund; (3) levy of the necessary tax therefore, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid received and the expenditure from the Capital Reserve Fund; and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issuance of bonds and notes of the District in the principal amount of not to exceed $17,985,700?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the District Clerk is hereby directed to include notice of such proposition in the notice of the annual meeting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution takes effect immediately upon its adoption.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (D) of the March 16, 2022 minutes to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby accepts the recommendation of the Superintendent to appoint Katherine Flynn to a four (4) year probationary appointment as a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages in the English to Speakers of Other Languages tenure area, commencing on April 4, 2022 March 28, 2022 and ending April 3, 2026 March 27, 2026, contingent upon compliance with the requirements of the Education Law and receipt of her initial certificate as a English to Speakers of Other Languages teacher.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Samantha Charbonneau to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Teacher Assistant, effective March 28, 2022 and expiring on March 27, 2026. Ms. Charbonneau holds Initial Certifications in the areas of Students With Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2) and Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2).
Samantha Charbonneau
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Assistant (HH)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2) and Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2)
- Tenure Area: Teacher Assistant
- Effective Date: March 28, 2022
- Tenure Date: March 27, 2026
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2021-2022 school year:
Karin Sencer – 0.125 FTE as per CTA contract –Speech (1.125 FTE total) Effective: March 22, 2022-April 30, 2022
Non-instructional
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Randy Jefferson to the position of full-time Teacher Aide position, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Randy Jefferson
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (HH)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2022
- Probation period: November 27, 2022
- Salary: entry-level per current CSEA contract
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the March 23, 2022 Special Agenda:
VI (A-F) AND VII (A-D)
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- 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
- Budget Transfers
- Budget Status Report
- Revenue Status Report
- Bank Reconciliation Report
- Internal Claims Audit Report
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
On behalf of the Board, Mrs. Giller expressed her gratitude to the entire team for their time and effort in addressing the annual budget and the capital project which addresses the health and safety concerns, utilizing two-million dollars from the capital reserve with the project balance being a tax neutral impact on our taxpayers.
Mrs. Carey on behalf of the Board thanked the administrators, directors and budget committee members for their hard work and dedication throughout the budget process.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
April 13, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
April 27, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:23pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0