Board of Education Annual Budget Hearing & Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
May 4, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(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 by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:01pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion
- Mr. Annely – excused
- Mrs. Snyder
- 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
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Budget Presentation – Ms. O’Shea, Ms. Mackey & Mr. Martinelli
Ms. O’Shea shared that National Grid awarded the City of Cohoes a $750,000 grant to go towards the Floating Solar Array Project. This includes $50,000 for an educational component to enable this site to be a “living laboratory” for students. Mr. Pascale noted how this project would tie into our Career Education Committee and STEM curriculum. The district is very excited about this project.
Ms. O’Shea shared that she and Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Carey recently attended a BOCES Brain Bias workshop as part of the Superintendent Equity series. She shared for the Board’s consideration an Equity statement developed by the 24 Capital Region BOCES Superintendents. Mrs. Giller remarked that the session was very interesting and there is a great opportunity to have discussions and explore programs and this topic that many area school boards have adopted.
Mrs. Carey thanked Ms. O’Shea for the opportunity to attend and stressed the importance of the topic.
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. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of April 27 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the Averill Park Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the Averill Park Central School District during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 607.91 per student.
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the East Greenbush Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the East Greenbush Central School District during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 880.75 per student.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education amend Item VII (H) of the August 11, 2021 Minutes to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Gina Martini to a four-year three-year conditional term in the tenure area of Elementary effective September 1, 2021 and expiring on August 31, 2025 August 31, 2024 on a conditional basis. Ms. Martini holds Initial Certification in the area of Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on a conditional basis and subject to of both a statement from Ms. Martini regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Martini’s continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.
Gina Martini
- Position: 1.0 FTE Elementary Teacher (HH)
- Certification: Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Elementary
- Effective Date: September 1, 2021
- Tenure Date: August 31, 2025 August 31, 2024
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
- Reason: BOE Newly created (grant-funded)
B. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (L) of the April 13, 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 Teaching Assistant.
Ashley Dolan
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Teaching Assistant (HH)
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Effective Date: April 25, 2022 May 2, 2022 – June 30, 2022
- Salary: As per the current CTA contract, BA/BS Teacher Assistant Salary Schedule (grant-funded)
Non – Instructional
C. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Christine Bastian from her position of Teacher Aide.
Effective: June 25, 2022.
D. 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 on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointments are a temporary appointment.
Justice Hood
Effective: May 5, 2022
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby provisionally appoints Barry Warren to the position of Part-Time School Safety Officer subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Barry Warren
Position: Part-Time School Safety Officer (Provisional)
Effective Date: May 5, 2022 through June 30, 2022 Salary: $20 per hour
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the May 4, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-C) and VII (A-E)
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- 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
- Budget Transfers
- Budget Status Report
- Revenue Status Report
- Bank Reconciliation Report
- Internal Claims Audit Report
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
On behalf of the Board of Education, Mrs. Giller congratulated Christine Bastian on her upcoming retirement and thanked her for her service and dedication to the Cohoes City School District.
Mrs. Dion commented on the recruitment video and what a fantastic job everyone did!
Mrs. Snyder thanked all of the PTA’s and PTO’s for the amazing job they did recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week.
Mrs. Giller encouraged everyone to Get Out and Vote!
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
May 18, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
June 1, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 6:27pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0