Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
October 23, 2024
CMS 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 6:03pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron ~ excused
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Ms. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Board Appreciation Week – Cohoes Middle School Student Council – The students presented the Board of Education members with the “Woo Hoo” wagon and a tote bag filled with gifts. Mr. McFarland, middle school principal, thanked the board for all they do for the schools, the district and the community. Ms. O’Shea commented on behalf of herself and the CCSD team “Thank you for all you do!”
Middle school students presented a proposal for a new club – a “Mixed Media Club”. This club was a student driven idea with at least 20 students having expressed interest. This will be led by a volunteer advisor for the 2024-2025 school year. The club would be a collaborative space where students share ideas with the goal of writing and creating a short film by the end of the school year and possibly host a premier event. Mrs. Giller remarked that this was a “great idea”.
Mr. McFarland along with the Middle School Building Leadership Team presented their plan and goals to the board. Their first goal is to utilize i-ready data and increase the proficiency of the students by 10% in ELA and Math. The second goal is to reduce chronic absenteeism by 2%. The third goal is to achieve a 10% increase in the number of students maintaining academic eligibility. The fourth and final goal is by the end of the 2024-2025 school year the building will implement new Instructional Support Team (IST) procedures to increase efficient resource allocation and equitable support for struggling students. Mrs. Giller remarked that she loved the engagement pieces of their plan and the PBIS celebrations. Mrs. Carey also commented on the Social Emotional Learning piece and the focus the team has on that component. Mrs. Snyder thought that the staff recognition was a great idea to boost morale among the faculty and staff.
Mrs. Tarlo along with the High School Building Leadership Team presented their plan and their goals to the Board. Their first goal is to develop consistency building-wide that supports students as they work toward their future goals. Their second goal is to encourage students and parents to be involved in the school community.
The high school team’s third goal is to support faculty and staff in the implementation of best practices that promote growth in our school community. Mrs. Tarlo commented that, “the high school team is doing the best they can to meet our students where they are and help them grow from there.”
Business Update – Ms. Mackey made the Board aware of the Audit Committee meeting scheduled for November 6, 2024. Ms. Mackey will share the Draft report with the committee as soon as she receives it.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – Mr. Jackson asked for clarification on funding for agenda item VII (K).
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS – None
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of October 9, 2024.
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: 3/13/24, 6/14/24, 9/13/24, 9/19/24, 9/23/24, 9/27/24, 10/2/24, 10/3/24, 10/7/24, 10/8/24, 10/10/24
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education rescind item VI (T) of the June 12, 2024 Board of Education agenda as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby authorizes funding the Debt Service Reserve Fund in the amount of $3,135,000 from the unallocated fund balance for the purpose of financing future debt service payments.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves change order FB-CO-01 on NYS Education Department Project # 01-05-00-01-0-006-024 for Sitework Construction at Cohoes High School
Contractor: E&D Specialty Stands, Inc., P.O. Box 700, North Collins, New York 14111
Original Contract: $306,250.00
Net Change by previous authorized Change Orders: $0.
Contract Sum prior to this Change Order: $306,250.00
PCO-145 HS Grind bleachers edges underneath: $2,800.00
Contract Sum increased by this change order: $2,800.00
New Contract Sum: $309,050.00
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between the Cohoes City School District and the ARC of Rensselaer County located at 79 102 Street, Troy, NY for transition services for Cohoes High School for the period of September 2024 through June 30, 2025 school year at a rate of $69,116 and in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a service agreement dated August 28, 2024 by and between the Cohoes City School District and B-Lann Equipment, 2288 5th Avenue, Troy, NY to perform inspection, testing and/or maintenance of fire suppression systems at Cohoes High School and Harmony Hill School. The service period is from 01/01/2025 to 12/31/2025 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves an agreement by and between the Cohoes City School District and Teach Like a Champion, 25 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, New York for Plug and Play licenses at a cost of $2,725 and in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Drautz, Jennifer
- Mansour, Nada
- Pasquerella, Amber
Effective: October 24, 2024
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of
Virginia Jackson from the position of Special Education Teacher (CHS).
Effective: January 24, 2025
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional assignments for the following individual for the 2024-2025 school year:
Daniel Honsinger – 0.025 FTE as per CTA contract – Occupational Therapy (1.025 FTE total) (DW)
Effective: October 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Erin Valente
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher (AL)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: October 31, 2024 through June 30, 2025
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
Non-Instructional
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amend item VI (C-10) of the July 10, 2024 Reorganization Meeting agenda as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education establishes the following rates of pay for the following positions for the 2024-2025 school year:
Part Time Safety Officers
- Years of Service = 1 through 5: per hour
$21.00$ 25.00 - Years of Service = 6 plus: per hour
$24.00$ 28.00
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board approve the nurse intern placement from the following school:
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
October 28, 2024 through December 2, 2024
Nancy Ho with Patricia Scott at Cohoes Middle School
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the termination of Receia Hawk from the position of Assistant Cook.
Effective: October 9, 2024
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Meghan LeBuis from the position of Teacher Aide (AL)
Effective October 31, 2024
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Mary Rumsey from the positions of Secretary to Superintendent and District Clerk (CO).
Effective: December 31, 2024
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Douglas Brown to the position of full-time Campus Safety Monitor, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Douglas Brown
- Position: 1.0 FTE Campus Safety Monitor (CMS)
- Effective Date: October 15, 2024
- Probation Period: April 14, 2025
- Salary: As per current CSEA contract
ADDENDA
VII. RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Judith Iannuzzo to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of English, effective November 25, 2024 and expiring on November 24, 2028. Ms. Iannuzzo holds Professional Certification in the area of English Language Arts 7-12.
Judith Iannuzzo
- Position: 1.0 FTE English Teacher (CHS)
- Certification: English Language Arts 7-12
- Tenure Area: English
- Effective Date: November 25, 2024
- Tenure Date: November 24, 2028
- Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Christine Galuski to the position of Senior Account Clerk Typist, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission.
Christine Galuski
- Position: 1.0 FTE Senior Account Clerk Typist (CO)
- Effective Date: October 28, 2024
- Probation Period: April 27, 2025
- Salary: As per current CSEA contract
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Shanna Perry to the position of full-time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Shanna Perry
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CHS)
- Effective Date: October 24, 2024
- Probation Period: April 23, 2025
- Salary: As per current CSEA contract
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Brianna Hogan to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Brianna Hogan
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: October 24, 2024 through June 30, 2025
- Salary: $15.50 per hour
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the October 23, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-G), (VII A-N) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Giller
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE
FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)
I recommend that the following reports be accepted by the Board of Education:
- Warrants- September 2024
- Budget Transfers- August 2024
- Budget Status Report – August 2024
- Revenue Status Report – August 2024
- Bank Reconciliation Report – August 2024
- Internal Claims Audit Report – September 2024
INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS – Mrs. Giller received an email from a veteran who expressed their gratitude to the district for replacing the flag at the Middle School. Mrs. Giller remarked that she was happy to see the flag being replaced before Veterans Day.
QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
BOARD POLICY REVIEW
DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- November 6, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School at 6 PM
- December 11, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter into Executive Session at 7:37 pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation.
Moved by:
- Mrs. Giller
- Second by: Mr. Jarosz
- All voted “Aye”
- Motioned carried: 6-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:33 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0