Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
October 9, 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 6:00pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson ~ excused
- 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
Superintendent Update – Ms. O’Shea shared how much she enjoyed visiting middle school classrooms last week with the “Woohoo wagon”, a PBIS initiative in which two students are selected from each classroom for displaying positive behavior.
Mrs. O’Shea provided an update on the recent District Wide Safety Team meeting. She shared that among other items Mayor Keeler and Chief Waldin discussed police collaboration regarding students in need, police presence at safety drills, and a threat response update. Ms. O’Shea discussed professional development for the 2024-25 school year including “Stop the Bleed”
presented by the fire department and police presentations at staff meetings.
Building principals provided reports consisting of: pickup/drop off, drills, safety team meetings. and building and extracurricular program needs. Mrs. Giller shared that she was grateful for Cohoes Police presence at recent homecoming activities, where two (2) officers were assigned, and several present to respond to an incident. She concurred with points raised by secondary administrators at the safety meeting and shared that these were important to discuss now as some initiatives would have a budgetary impact.
Community presence should not be discouraged from these events; however, safety must continue to be a top priority.
Ms. O’Shea shared that there was an additional police presence in place for games last year as well and scheduled throughout this year. She noted that safety is a topic at athletic league meetings and Athletic Director Jeff Huneau is meeting with other league members to discuss consistent practices for streamlined expectations for schools at contests and events. Ms. O’Shea will be meeting with Laura and Jeff to discuss these and other items, including revisiting the use of an e- ticket system.
Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support – Raychel Marcil – Mrs. Marcil gave updates on programming scheduled for the fall. Point Break interactive activities have been scheduled for the freshman class in October and Stephen Hill will be presenting to students in grades 7 through 9 in November as all high school students had the opportunity to listen to him speak last year.
She also shared that Student Voices was starting and with the assistance of Administrative Intern Emily Dundon they were exploring ways to have a local component as well. Additional assistance for parents is being offered through a Building Blocks representative, who is in each school one day a week. The updated resource guide has been published and shared. Students are receiving additional services through Northern Rivers and there is a waiting list.
Mrs. Marcil also updated the board on Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools training – to date forty (40) staff members are fully trained, Northern Rivers – forty-four (44) students served with a waiting list of 10-15 students.
Mrs. Carey thanked Mrs. Marcil for her dedication to our students. Mrs. Giller added that the approach is very proactive and is a wonderful resource for our students through grants. She asked about the waiting list for Northern Rivers. Mrs. Marcil mentioned she is on a committee that meets with the county on mental health needs with the hope that they may expand resources. Ms. O’Shea mentioned that we had additional services in the past with Northern
Rivers, but because of decreased enrollment Northern Rivers was no longer able to provide them and added that we would explore “add on” models for wait-listed students to see if they can be provided at this time. Mrs. Giller wanted to clarify that these are K-12 resources despite being housed in certain buildings.
Ms. O’Shea provided the board with committee updates. The Wellness Committee will now be chaired by Raychel Marcil. Ms. O’Shea will reach out to existing parent committee members for feedback and proposed that parent membership be 2-3 years. She then asked the board for input on committee meetings. Mrs. Snyder agreed that it should be a multi-year commitment and
asked that the agenda be shared in advance. Mrs. Giller stated that the purpose/charge of the committee needs to be clear for effective reflection on work. Mrs. Carey recommended a policy to guide the work of board-level committees. Longevity is important to obtain goals and effectiveness.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey shared with the board that a recommendation for the Director of Facilities is on tonight’s agenda with an October 28, 2024 start date. She mentioned that the Senior Account Clerk typist recommendation would be on the next meeting agenda and the audit is pending. The committee is scheduled to meet on November 6, 2024.
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 of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of September 25, 2024.
B. 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 Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES for Texthelp for the 2024- 2025 school year.
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association dated October 3, 2024 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District approves the Agreement with the Eddy Senior Living of Cohoes to use property, grounds, and equipment at Harmony Hill School, for the sheltering of
their elders and staff in the event of any internal or external emergency of their facility according to the terms and conditions herein.
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District approves the Agreements by and between the Cohoes City School District and the Eddy Senior Living of Cohoes and Harmony Hill School according to the terms and conditions herein.
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education waives the second reading and adopts the following policy:
0100 – Non- Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
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:
- Rigdon, Mena
- Schwartz, Marna
- Gauvin, Richard
- Kyeremeh, Matthew
- Delmar, Kaitlyn
- Gallo, Jeffery
Effective: October 10, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Helen Perry from the position of Special Education Teacher (AL).
Effective: October 30, 2024
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Jonathan Stander from the position as Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher (CHS).
Effective: October 25, 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.
Marielle Voloshen
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher (AL)
- Tenure Area: Elementary
- Effective Date: October 7, 2024 through January 8, 2025
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals as advisors to the clubs and activities listed for the 2024-2025 school year, contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
| Clubs and Activities | Name | FTE |
| Academic Resource Center (CHS) | Marilyn Barton
Daniel Shepard |
0.5
0.5 |
| Class Advisor – Class of 2026 (CHS) | Caitlyn Hennessy
Hannah Mazzeo |
0.5
0.5 |
| High School Play – Assistant Director | Tara Judd | 1.0 |
| Middle School Musical – Choreographer | Tara Judd | 1.0 |
Non-Instructional
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints the following individual to the Cook Substitute list at $16/hour, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such
appointments are temporary appointments.
Karen DeCenzo
Effective: September 30, 2024
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amend item VI (10) of the July 10, 2024 Reorganization Meeting agenda as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints Shelley Dame Karyn Gumprecht as Purchasing Agent for the 2024-2025 school year. effective October 15, 2024.
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Christa Vasto to the position of Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a provisional appointment.
Christa Vasto
Position: 1.0 FTE Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services (PROVISIONAL)
Effective Date: October 1, 2024
Salary: $45,000
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Jessica Aldana to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Jessica Aldana
Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH)
Effective Date: October 10, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Salary: $15.50 per hour
ADDENDA
VII. RECOMMENDATION FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Erin Emery to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Elementary, effective October 21, 2024 and expiring on October 20, 2028. Ms. Emery holds Initial Certification in the area of Childhood Education (Gr. 1-6).
Erin Emery
Position: 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (CMS)
Certification: Childhood Education (Gr. 1-6)
Tenure Area: Elementary
Effective Date: October 21, 2024
Tenure Date: October 20, 2028
Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints William Darcy to the position of Director of Facilities III, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
William Darcy
Position: 1.0 FTE Director of Facilities III (permanent)
Effective Date: October 28, 2024
Probation Period: April 27, 2024
Salary: $80,000
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Maya Sklarsky to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Maya Sklarsky
Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (VS)
Effective Date: October 10, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Salary: $15.50 per hour
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the September 25, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-F) and VII A-L)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mr. Jarosz
- 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
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Carey congratulated the newly appointed Director of Facilities! Mrs. Snyder stated what a great weekend of homecoming events! Mrs. Carey stated the facilities are what the students have long deserved.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
Second Reading
0100 – Non Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- October 23, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School at 6 PM
- November 6, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 6:56 pm
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Paradis
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0