2023-24 Board Members
- Nadia Carey, President – ncarey@cohoes.org
-
Margaret Giller, Vice President – mgiller@cohoes.org
- Richard Jackson – rjackson@cohoes.org
- Renee Snyder – rsnyder@cohoes.org
- Marianne Gendron – mgendron@cohoes.org
- Sue Paradis – sparadis@cohoes.org
- David Jarosz – djarosz@cohoes.org
- District Clerk Mary Rumsey – mrumsey@cohoes.org
About the Board
A seven-member Board of Education, elected by residents of the Cohoes City School District for three-year terms, is responsible for policies and regulations governing public education in the district. Each member serves without pay. The superintendent of schools is the chief executive officer of the board.
Board meetings are open to the public and are typically scheduled for 6 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Special meetings are called when necessary.
Our Mission & Vision
The mission of the district, a partnership of schools, parents and the community, is to prepare its students for success in tomorrow’s world.
The vision of the Cohoes City School District is A Purpose and Plan for All!
2023-24 Board meeting dates, agendas, and minutes
July 5 – Reorganization Meeting Minutes I Business Meeting and Code of Public Hearing Minutes and Appendix A I Meeting Video
August 9, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Disposal of IT items I Meeting Video
August 30, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
September 13, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
September 27, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
October 11, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
October 23, 2023 – Annual Audit Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Offices, 21 Page Avenue, Cohoes
October 25, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
November 9, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
November 29, 2023 – Workshop, closed meeting
December 13, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
January 10, 2024 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
January 31, 2024 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
February 14, 2024 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
February 28, 2024 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
March 13, 2024 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
March 27, 2024 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
April 10, 2024 – Draft Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
April 16, 2024 – Annual Audit Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, District Offices, 21 Page Avenue, Cohoes
April 24, 2024 – Business Meeting Agenda I Addenda
May 8, 2024 – 6pm, Cohoes Middle School Library
May 22, 2024 – 6pm, Cohoes Middle School Library
June 12, 2024 – 6pm, Cohoes Middle School Library
2022-23 Board meeting dates, agendas, and minutes
July 6, 2022 Reorganization Meeting Minutes I Business Meeting Minutes I Business Meeting Video
July 20, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes and Appendix A I July 20 Meeting Video
August 3, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I August 3 Meeting Video
August 24, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I August 24 Meeting Video
September 7, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I September 7 Meeting Video
September 21, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
October 5, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
October 11, 2022 – Annual Audit Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Offices, 21 Page Avenue, Cohoes
October 19, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
November 2, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
November 16, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
December 14, 2022 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
January 4, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
January 18, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
February 1, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
February 15, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
March 1, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
March 15, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
April 5, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
April 19, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
May 3, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
May 17, 2023 Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
June 7, 2023 – Business Meeting Minutes I Meeting Video
June 21, 2023 – Board of Education Business Meeting & District Wide School Safety Plan Public Hearing Agenda Minutes I Meeting Video
Members’ Roles and Responsibilities
Cohoes City School District Board of Education members are volunteers elected to serve a three-year term of office at no pay.
Under state law, school board members must be qualified voters, at least 18 years old, and have lived in the school district for at least one year. They cannot be a school employee, cannot reside in the same household as another school board member and must be able to read and write English.
Collectively the Board of Education has legal responsibility for the operation of the entire district. The Board establishes the policies under which the school district is operated, and the Superintendent of Schools is responsible for administering the school program within the context of these policies.
The Board’s powers and duties are derived from the State Constitution, the laws of New York State, and rulings of the State Commissioner of Education. The Board’s four main areas of responsibility are to:
- Establish all school district policies.
- Develop an annual budget for public approval.
- Approve or disapprove the Superintendent’s recommendations regarding personnel matters and the many contracts the district must enter into.
- Act as a two-way communications link between residents and the Superintendent.
The Board encourages parents and residents who have a concern about school matters to try first to resolve the problem at the level most directly involved, which is usually the classroom teacher or the principal. If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached at this level, contact Superintendent of Schools Peggy O’Shea.
If the matter can only be resolved by a change in district policy or some other action of the Board of Education, residents are welcome to communicate their concerns to the Board by letter, phone call, or a statement under “Questions and Statements from Audience” at one of the Board’s meetings.
New board members must complete mandatory training pursuant to New York State law within the first year of service. The training is divided into four three-hour sessions, and certificates are issued upon completion.