Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Annual Budget Hearing and Business Meeting
May 8, 2024
Cohoes Middle School Library, 6pm
(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 6:10 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
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent Reports – Ms. O’Shea provided the board with a staffing update and shared recruitment and retention efforts. She also shared that she and Mrs. Carey attended the Collaborative School of the Arts Musical Theater Awards at Proctors and was very proud to announce that the drama club won the award for best set design. She expressed her appreciation to Darlene Greco for her design of the set of Legally Blonde, the Musical and for the amazing job she did decorating for the Promenade.
Ms. O’Shea also visited Cohoes High School for the second annual Spring Career Fair, where over 30 groups were represented. She thanked Rebecca LaForest for her efforts.
Ms. O’Shea shared that the city of Cohoes will again be applying for the Federal School Resource Officer Grant in collaboration with the District.
Ms. Mackey, School Business Official reviewed the 2024-2025 proposed budget of $53,439,681. She mentioned that information on the budget could be found on the district website, under the Taxes and budget tab.
Ms. Mackey reviewed the revenue summary, the proposed tax levy, the proposed expense summary and the three (3) part budget. The three (3) part budget is made up of Program costs, Capital costs and Administrative costs. Ms. O’Shea reviewed the budget highlights from elementary schools, the middle school, high school, athletics, facilities and iformation and technology.
She discussed that through thoughtful planning, positions previously funded through American Rescue Fund grants were included in the budget last year with some additional key positions included in this year’s budget.
Ms. Mackey reviewed “What happens if the budget is defeated”? She explained that under a contingency budget only contingent expenditures were allowed. These include legal expenditures, expenditures specifically required by statute and other items necessary to maintain the educational program, preserve property and to assure the health and safety of students and staff.
Ms. Mackey continued to state that a $265,000 in reductions would be required eliminating district wide arts and education programs, field trips, conferences and there would be limitations on community use of facilities.
She reviewed the next steps in the budget process; budget newsletter were ready to be mailed on May 9, 2024 and the public voting would take place on May 21, 2024 from Noon to 9 PM at our three elementary schools. The voters will elect two (2) candidates for a three (3) year term. Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Snyder are the candidates running for re-election.
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. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accepts the Minutes of the Board of
Education meeting of April 24, 2024.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between the Cohoes City School District and the South Colonie Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within South Colonie Central School District during the 2023-2024 school year at a rate of $901.38 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement dated March 13, 2024 between the Cohoes City School District and Hillcrest
Educational Centers, Inc., located at 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 for
educational services in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the following item to be removed from the fixed asset inventory for surplus:
Facilities;
- 2001 Dodge Dump Truck (VIN 1B7HF16Y3TJ1431838, Odometer
22,042) – Estimated Value $2,500 - 2008 Ford F250 (VIN1FTN21588EDO4220) Asset is fully depreciated.
2016 Master Tow Trailer (Tag #20140741) (VIN4DFET1821GN121649)
– Estimated Value $1,400
Athletics;
- 2007 Alumni Field Scoreboard (Serial # 90091908, Asset Tag # 9009109)
– Asset is fully depreciated.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Abbenda, Mary
- Glackin, Ann
- Poleon, Renata
- Porter, Hannah
- Prouty, Jordan
- St. Louis, Sierra
- Weatherwax, Adeline
Effective: May 9, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
SUNY Plattsburgh
September 6, 2024 – October 28, 2024
Jenna Rivers with Amanda Dorr at Van Schaick Grade School
SUNY Plattsburgh
October 31, 2024 – December 15, 2024
Lindsay Tedesco with Danielle Halpin at Harmony Hill School
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Joseph Sullivan from the position as English Teacher (CMS).
Effective: August 31, 2024
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Hannah Mazzeo
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher (CHS)
- Tenure: Area Science
- Effective Date: September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Joshua Clark
Position: Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher (CMS)
Tenure Area: Science
Effective Date: September 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education be notified of the following CTA unit members whose work assignment requires in-district travel between buildings to be compensated in the amount of $250.00 per the CTA contract for the 2023-2024 school year unless otherwise noted.
Abbott, Erin
Boudreau, Aaron
Bourgeous, Renee
Izzo, Nick
Lewandowski, Joshua* (pro-rated $137.50)
Rondeau, Sondra
Sencer, Karin
Snyder, Sandra
Tommasino, Phil
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education be notified of the following CTA unit members whose work assignment requires in-district travel between buildings to be compensated in the amount of $300.00 per the CTA contract for the 2023-2024 school year unless otherwise noted.
Calderon, Kristie
Donnelley, Michelle* (pro-rated $135.00)
Del Genio, Dana
Flatow, Elaine
Regis, Amanda
Tommasini, Angela
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approve that the following employees whose work assignment requires in-district travel between buildings to be compensated the indicated below for the 2023-2024 school year.
Atkinson, Kelly $800
Coons, Moira $800
Honsinger, Daniel $800
LaForest, Rebecca $250
Mahoney, Peter $800
Nadeau, Joseph* $133.33 (pro-rated)
Sangiacomo, Jennifer $250
Non-Instructional
I. 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.
Blake Cribbs
Effective: May 14, 2024
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2023-2024 school year,as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Co-Curricular Activity Name FTE
Modified Baseball Mark Strock 1.0
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement dated April 29, 2024 between the Cohoes City School District and Joseph M. Nadeau in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
ADDENDA
VII. RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for
retirement purposes of Judith Pingelski from her position of Art Teacher (CMS)
Effective: June 30, 2024
M. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Randi Tifft to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Randy Tifft
Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH)
Effective Date: May 9, 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 May 8, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-D) and VII (A-M)
Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
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 – 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 – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Ms. O’Shea thanked Jude Pingelski who will be retiring at the end of the year for her dedication to the district and students throughout the year. Mrs. Carey on behalf of the Board thanked Mr. Sullivan and Mrs. Pingelski for their years of service, they will be missed. Mrs. Snyder gave a “shout-out” to everyone involved in making the spring sports season go as smoothly as possible during construction. Mrs. Giller asked if there was a plan in place to continue the paving in various locations throughout the district. Ms. Mackey replied
that, yes, the quotes needed to be reviewed and the paving would be scheduled for this month weather permitting.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
May 21, 2024 – Annual Budget Vote and Elections – polls open noon to 9 PM
May 22, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
June 12, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 6:33 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0