January 18 Business Meeting Minutes

Cohoes City School District

Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
January 18, 2023
Library, Cohoes Middle School,  6:00 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. Giller at 6:01p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present:

• Mrs. Carey – excused
• Mr. Jackson
• Mrs. Snyder
• Mrs. Gendron
• Mrs. Paradis
• Mr. Nadeau
• Mrs. Giller

Also Present:

• Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
• Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
• Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

DISTRICT REPORTS

CS Arch Capital Project Update – Greg Klokiw, Managing Principal from CS Arch, presented an update of the Capital Project.  The presentation included the timelines and scope of Phase I and II, plans for Harmony Hill and Van Schaick playgrounds, the Abram Lansing roof replacement and preliminary plans for projects in Phase II.

Superintendent Update – Elementary principals Mr. Perry, Mr. Bird and Mrs. DeChiaro, along with their Building Leadership Teams, presented their 2022-2023 building plans.

A. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

Mrs. Giller, on behalf of the Board, thanked each of the Elementary Building Leadership Teams for their commitment, efforts and dedication to their buildings.  She also complimented the Elementary/Middle School Drama Club on their recent performances, saying that each year the performances get better and better.

B. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None

C. OLD BUSINESS – None

D. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

A.  HAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of January 4, 2023.

B. 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: 8/25/22, 11/15/22, 11/18/22, 11/21/22. 11/22/22, 11/29/22, 11/30/22, 12/6/22, 12/7/22, 12/14/22, 12/16/22, 12/19/22, 12/20/22, 12/21/22, 1/4/23, 1/9/23

C. THAT the Board of Education approved a contract with Advanced Therapy at 10B Madison Avenue, Ext., Albany, NY for the provision of related services to students as needed at contracted rates from September 7, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

D. THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with Natalia M. Martinez, SLP, PLLC at 9 Pheasant Run, Ballston Spa, NY for Speech-Languages services from January 9, 2023 through June 30, 2023 not to exceed $2,000 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

E.  THAT the Board of Education designates April 3 – April 6, 2023  and  April 17 – April 21, 2023 as Voter Registration Days at the following locations during the hours of 10 am – 2pm; Abram Lansing Elementary School, Harmony Hill School and Van Schaick Grade School.

F.  THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the 2023 Board of Voter Registration at no additional compensation.  Jacqueline DeChiaro, Carla Rogers, Cliff Bird, Mark Perry and Michelle Perry.

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL

Instructional

A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:

• Campbell, Jordan
• Cooper, Julianna
• Loomis, Kayla
• Nutting, Elizabeth
• Schwartz, HartEffective, January 19, 2023

B.  THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):

Russell Sage College
January 17 through March 10, 2023
Nicolette Como with Alexandra Nelson at Harmony Hill Elementary School

C.  THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (F) of the October 5, 2022 minutes to read as follows:

THAT the Board of Education approve a salary increase due to additional teaching assignments for the following individual for the 2022-2023 school year:

Katherine Flynn – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – English to Speakers of Other Languages (1.2 FTE total) CMS

Effective: August 31, 2022 through January 3, 2023

D.  THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (G) of the November 16, 2022 Agenda to read as follows:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.

Keenan Jones

• Position: Long-Term Substitute School Social Worker
• Tenure Area: School Social Worker
• Effective Date. December 12, 2022 through June 30, 2023 December 20, 2022
• Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)

E.  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Keenan Jones to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of School Social Worker, effective December 21, 2022 and expiring on December 20, 2026.  Ms. Jones holds Provisional Certification in the area of School Social Worker.

Keenan Jones

• Position: 1.0 FTE School Social Worker (CHS)
• Certification: School Social worker
• Tenure Area: School Social Worker
• Effective Date: December 21, 2022
• Tenure Date: December 20, 2026
• Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)

F. THAT the Board of Education grant tenure to the following individual in the subject area listed:

Ms. Amanda Gebur (Cohoes High School) – School Guidance Counseling            Effective:  February 18, 2023

Non-Instructional

G. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Sean D. VanSleet from his position as Custodian (CHS).

Effective:  February 24, 2023

H. 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 a temporary appointment.

Michael Santiago
Effective:  January 19, 2023

Sean D. VanSleet
Effective: February 27, 2023

DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the January 18, 2023 Agenda:

VI (A-F), VII (A-H) and IX (A)

• Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
• Second by: Mrs. Gendron
• All voted “Aye”
• Motion carried 6-0

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-December 2022
• Budget Transfers- December 2022
• Budget Status Report- December 2022
• Revenue Status Report- December 2022
• Bank Reconciliation Report- December 2022
• Internal Claims Audit Report- December 2022

X.  INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None

XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

Mrs. Giller inquired as to the building walkthroughs/walkabouts were going.  Ms. O’Shea replied that the first round was conducted in November and a document will be shared with the board as to findings.

Mrs. Giller requested an update regarding drop off and pick up traffic concerns.  She specifically mentioned the Middle school and asked if reminders could be sent out of traffic flow expectations and procedure to mitigate issues.

XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None

XIII.  BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None

XIV.  DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

February 1, 2023, Library, CMS at 6PM
February 15, 2023, Library, CMS at 6 PM

MOTION:  To enter into Executive session at 7:58 pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;

• Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
• Second by: Mrs. Gendron
• All voted “Aye”
• Motion carried 6-0

XV.  ADJOURNMENT

MOTION:  To adjourn at 8:54 pm

• Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
• Second by: Mr. Jackson
• All voted “Aye”
• Motion carried 6-0