August 26, 2020 Board of Education Minutes - Cohoes City School District

Board of Education Business Meeting

Cohoes, New York
August 26, 2020, 6:00 PM
Live Streamed (per Governor Executive Order 202.48)

(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)

Minutes

I. The Meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Board President, Mr. Nolin.

ROLL CALL

Present:

Mrs. Giller
Mr. Pascale
Mr. Jackson
Mrs. Dion
Mrs. Carey
Mr. Annely
Mr. Nolin

Also Present:

Dr. Jennifer Spring, Superintendent
Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Assistant Superintendent for Education Services
Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official

II. DISTRICT REPORTS

Reopening Updates

III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS

V. OLD BUSINESS

VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of August 12, 2020.
THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 2/27/20, 3/30/20, 4/27/20, 5/29/20,6/2/20, 6/4/20, 6/5/20, 6/8/20, 6/11/20, 6/30/20, 7/13/20, 7/16/20 and 8/13/20.
THAT the Board of Education adopts the Building Level Emergency Response Planfor the 2020-21 school year for the following schools:
- Abram Lansing Elementary School
- Harmony Hill Elementary School
- Van Schaick Grade School
- Cohoes High School
- Cohoes Middle School
THAT the Board of Education approves the Districtwide Safety Plan for the 2020-21 school year.
THAT the Board of Education approves the District Code of Conduct for the 2020-21 school year.
THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Achievements PLLC at 623 New Loudon Road, Latham, New York for the provision of as needed related services to students at contracted rates outlined herein for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with ARC of Rensselaer County located at 79 102nd Street, Troy, New York for the provision of high school student transition services by a Transition Specialist (1.0 FTE) and Transition Coordinator (0.5 FTE) at a total cost of $94,870 for the 2020-21 school year.
THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Northeast Parent and Child Society located at 1821 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, New York for special education services during the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 at rates subject to final approval by NYSED.
THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Parsons Child and Family Center located at 60 Academy Road, Albany, New York for special education services during the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 at rates subject to final approval by NYSED.
THAT the Board of Education establishes the following prices for meals for the 2020-21 school year:
- Breakfast Prices, Full Breakfast
  - Student Full Price: $1.50
  - Reduced Price: $0.00
  - Adult Price (Sales Tax to be Added): $2.50
- Lunch Prices, Full Lunch
  - Student Full Price: $3.09
  - Reduced Price: $0.00
  - Adult Price (Sales Tax to be Added): $4.03
THAT the Board of Education approves the following Conflict of Policies resolution:
WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the New York State Governor declared, under Executive Order 202.4, all schools within New York State to be closed to students no later than March 18, 2020 for a period of two weeks, ending on April 1, 2020; and
WHEREAS, various subsequent executive orders were issued by the New York State Governor resulting in the closure of schools to students for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, on or about July 13, 2020, the New York State Department of Health issued interim guidance for in-person instruction at Pre-K to Grade 12 schools during the COVID-19 public health emergency for the 2020-2021 school year; and
WHEREAS, on or about July 16, 2020, the New York State Education Department released reopening guidance for schools for the 2020-2021 school year.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Cohoes City School District Board of Education resolves as follows:
1. In an effort to comply with reopening requirements, the Board of Education hereby temporarily suspends any Board policy or administrative regulation/procedure that conflicts with any current or future federal, state or county law, regulation, executive order or guidance released for the purpose of reopening of schools during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. The Superintendent of Schools is authorized to follow the federal, state or county laws, regulations, executive orders or guidance and to take such action as reasonably necessary and proper for the purpose of reopening of schools.

VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL

INSTRUCTIONAL

THAT the Board of Education amends Item VII (C) of the August 12, 2020 Minutes to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
- THE COLLEGE OF ST. ROSE
  September 8, 2020-October 23, 2020
  Kati Abel with Amanda Dorr at Van Schaick Grade School
  Sydney Wolfe with Jackie Skidmore at Abram Lansing Elementary School
  Amelia Jones with Danielle Ziobrowski at Harmony Hill Elementary School
  Mary Evers with Alison Craver at Abram Lansing Elementary School
  Molly Biittig with Richetta Hansen at Abram Lansing Elementary School
  ~~Lauren Wolfe with Kira Merrills at Van Schaick Grade School (UPK)~~
  October 26, 2020-December 11, 2020
  Dimple Permaul with Sharon Laughlin at Harmony Hill Elementary School
  Mary Evers with Brianna Houle at Harmony Hill
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Dickson, Wanda
- Morris, Amanda
- Hedderman, Dylan
- Palmer, Erica
- Heiserman, Amber
- Salvagni, Samuel
- Jones, Elizabeth
- Smith, Caroline
- Loveland, Alecia
- York, Shakeyas
- Martin, Crystal
  Effective: August 27, 2020
THAT the Board of Education approves the following Guidance Counselors for summer work at their daily rate, not to exceed twelve (12) days total during August 2020:
- Christopher Fournier
- Eleftheria Miller
- Amanda Gebur
  
  NON-INSTRUCTIONAL
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby provisionally appoints James Purcell to the position of Maintenance Mechanic subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Mr. Purcell regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Mr. Purcell’s continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that he is fully cleared for employment.

James Purcell
Position ……………………………………….. 1.0 FTE Maintenance Mechanic (Provisional)
Effective Date …………………………………………………………………….. September 8, 2020
Probation Period ……………………………………………………………………….. March 7, 2021
Salary ………………………………………………………………………………… per CSEA contract
Reason ………………………………………………………………………. Replaces Michael Nolan
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual as Part-Time Safety Officer for the 2020-21 school year:
COHOES HIGH SCHOOL
Drew Rentz
John DeMio
Position ………………………………………..Part-Time School Safety Officer (Provisional)
Effective Date …………………………………….. September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
Salary …………………………………………………………………………………………. $17 per hour
Reason ……………………………………………………………………………………. Reappointment
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby provisionally appoints Terrance Burns, Jr. to the position of Part-Time School Safety Officer subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Mr. Burns regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. His continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that he is fully cleared for employment.

Terrance Burns, Jr.
Position ………………………………………..Part-Time School Safety Officer (Provisional)
Effective Date …………………………………….. September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
Salary …………………………………………………………………………………………. $17 per hour
Reason ……………………………………………………………………………… BOE newly created
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby provisionally appoints William Bowles to the position of Substitute School Safety Officer subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Mr. Bowles regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. His continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that he is fully cleared for employment.

William Bowles
Position ……………………………………….. Substitute School Safety Officer (Provisional)
Effective Date …………………………………….. September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
Salary …………………………………………………………………………………………. $17 per hour
Reason ……………………………………………………………………………… BOE newly created
THAT the Board of Education appoints Daniel Hytko as Attendance Officer for the 2020-21 school year at an hourly rate of $18.50 per hour.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Lisa Hoefer to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Hoefer regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Her continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.

Lisa Hoefer
Position ………………………………………………………………………. Part-Time Teacher Aide
Effective Date …………………………………….. September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021
Salary …………………………………………………………………………………….. $12.50 per hour
Reason ……………………………………………………………………………… BOE newly created
THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals as Part-Time Teacher Aides for the 2020-21 school year.
- VAN SCHAICK GRADE SCHOOL
  - Stacy Clement
  - Caitlin Bellenoit
  - Maureen Finnen
  - Evelyn Wagner
  - Isabelle DeChiaro (substitute)
- ABRAM LANSING ELEMENTARY
  - Kathy Baez
  - Meri Baez
  - Lisa Buck
  - Kayla Donovan
  - Sheila Farrigan
  - Bernadette Glynn
  - Crystal Kelly
  - Rebecca Perry
  - Pat Spain
  - Kaeli Waldron
- HARMONY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  - Gail Friedman
  - Erica Brown
  - Riane Flanigan-Clairmont
  - MaryBeth Galarneau
  - Lori LaMere
  - Carol Gaudette
  - Cathy Rogowski
  - Kathy Valente
  - Meriam VanSleet
  - Brigid Waddell
  - Brian Wallingford
    
    ADDENDUM
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Kira Merrills to a four-year conditional term in the tenure area of Elementary effective September 1, 2020 and expiring on August 31, 2024 on an emergency conditional basis. Ms. Merrills holds Permanent Certification in the area Pre-K, K and Grades 1-6.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to both a statement from Ms. Merrills regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Merrills’ continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.

Kira Merrills
Position ………………………………………………………………………….. 1.0 FTE Elementary
Certification ……………………………………………………………… Pre K, K and Grades 1-6
Tenure Area ………………………………………………………………………………… Elementary
Effective Date …………………………………………………………………… September 1, 2020
Tenure Date …………………………………………………………………………. August 31, 2024
Salary ……………………………………………………….. Step 1 of the current CTA Contract
Reason …………………………………………………………………. Replaces Megan Helmrath

VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE

IX. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)

I recommend that the following reports be accepted by the Board of Education:
- Warrants – July 2020
- Budget Transfers – August 2020
- Budget Status Reports – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
- Extracurricular Activity Report – May and June 2020
- Internal Claims Audit Report – January – June 2020

BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the August 26, 2020 Agenda:
VI (A-K); VII (A-L) and IX (A)

Moved by: Mr. Annely
Seconded by: Mrs. Dion
All voted “Aye”
Motion carried 7-0

X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION

XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE

XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW

XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

September 9, 2020, Live Streamed at 6:00 p.m.
September 23, 2020, Live Streamed at 6:00 p.m.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

MOTION: To adjourn at 7:44 p.m.