Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
July 20, 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 6:01p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder (via WebEx)
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- 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
The Oath of Faithful Performance in Office was administered to Vice President Mrs. Carey by the District Clerk.
Appointment of Joseph Nadeau as a member of Board of Education. Mr. Nadeau fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. Annely effective May 30, 2022. Mr. Nadeau will serve until the next Board of Education election on May 16, 2023.
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Universal Pre-Kindergarten – Mr. Martinelli and Mrs. DeChiaro presented an overview of the program and current enrollment. There are eight (8) classrooms with 144 students throughout the district. There is 3-year-old Pre-K classroom at each of the elementary schools, two (2) 4 year-old classrooms at Abram Lansing and Harmony Hill school and one (1) at Van Schaick Grade School. At this time all classrooms are at their capacity and there are eight children on the waitlist for the 3-year-old program and 13 children on the list for the 4-year-old program. Mrs. DeChiaro explained the registration and lottery process and provided an overview of the screening tools and curriculum utilized by the program.
Technology Plan – Mr. Martinelli provided and overview of the 2022-2025 Technology Plan which was approved by NYSED. The plan was created with input from the district Technology Committee as well as several teachers. He discussed various components of the plan. A resolution to adopt the 2022-2025 plan will be on the August 3, 2022 agenda for the board to act upon.
Ms. O’Shea discussed the Campus Safety Monitor position, which was recently approved by Civil Service. At this point in time it has not been determined if this position will be competitive or non-competitive. There is a process which Civil Service must follow which includes a hearing and a jurisdictional classification which may take a while. We will be posting in the meantime. Ms. O’Shea also discussed pursuing upcoming grants for additional safety personnel.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS
THAT the Board of Education authorizes the following Committees for the 2022-23 school year:
(1) Audit: Mrs. Giller, Mrs. Paradis and Mrs. Snyder
(Formerly Mrs. Giller, Mrs. Dion and Mrs. Snyder)
Note: 3 members are Required on Audit Committee
(2) Budget: Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Carey
(Formerly Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Carey)
(3) District Safety: Mrs. Gendron, Mr. Nadeau and Mrs. Giller
(Formerly Mr. Pascale, Mrs. Giller and Mr. Annely)
(4) Policy: Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Giller
(Formerly Mrs. Giller and Mr. Jackson)
(5) Technology: Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder
(Formerly Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder)
(6) Wellness: Mrs. Gendron and Mrs. Paradis
(Formerly Mr. Pascale, Mrs. Dion and Mr. Annely)
(7) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Giller
(Formerly Mr. Annely, Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder)
(8) Facilities: Mr. Nadeau, Mrs. Paradis and Mr. Jackson
(Formerly Mr. Jackson)
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Reorganization and Business meeting of July 6, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 1/14/22, 4/7/22, 4/11/22, 4/26/22, 4/27/22, 4/29/22, 5/3/22, 5/5/22, 5/11/22, 6/8/22, 6/15/22, 6/17/22, 6/21/22, 6/22/22.
C. THAT the Board of Education approves the final contract for the 2021-2022 school year with Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) in the amount of $4,396,023.03.
D. THAT the Board of Education approves the preliminary contract with the Capital Region Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) for the 2022-2023 school year in the amount of $3,751,189.26.
E. THAT the Board of Education awards the Custodial Supply Bid for the 2022-2023 school year as shown in Appendix A.
F. THAT the Board of Education approves the contract for dental health insurance between the Cohoes City School District and Delta Dental of New York, Inc., located at One Delta Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA for the period of July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024 at the following rates:
Individual – $46.85/per month
Family – $120.93/per month
G. THAT the Board of Education approves the 2022-2023 Tax Warrant in the amount of $17,749,770.
H. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Achievements, PLLC at 623 New Loudon Road, Latham, New York for the provisions of as-needed, related services to students at contracted rates outlined herein for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
I. THAT the Board of Education approves an agreement with Green Chimneys Children’s Services located at 400 Doansburg Road, Brewster, New York for the instruction of children with disabilities in accordance to the terms and conditions herein at a tuition rate set by the NYSED for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
J. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with LaSalle School at 391 Western Avenue, Albany, New York for special education services during the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 at a rate of $7,386 (July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022) and $44,316 (September 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023) per student per final rate approval by NYSED.
K. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Oak Hill School at 39 Charlton Road, Scotia, New York for special education services at a rate of $5,387 and $119.47 per student /per day for 1:1 teaching assistant for ESY (July 4, 2022 through August 12, 2022) and a rate of $32,323 per student/and $119.47 per student/per day for 1:1 teaching assistant for a period of September 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 per final rate approval by NYSED.
L. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with St. Catherine’s Center for Children R & E May School, 30 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York for special education services for the period of July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022 at the current tuition rate of $3,438 per student, per 2-month period (Extended School Year). This rate is subject to changed based on NYSED finalized rates.
M. THAT the Board of Education approves an agreement with the St. Colman’s Home, Inc., 11 Haswell Road, Watervliet, New York for as needed special education services at the summer rate of $5,780 per student and 2022-2023 SY tuition rate of $34,682 per student for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 pending final NYSED rate setting.
N. THAT the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Region (CBO) located at 21 Delaware Avenue, Albany, New York dated July 14, 2022 for Pre-Kindergarten Program Services for the period of August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in accordance to the terms and conditions outlined therein.
O. THAT the Board of Education accepts the 2022-2023 Universal Pre-Kindergarten Plan.
P. THAT the Board of Education grants permission to the Cohoes High School to dispose of the obsolete textbooks listed below:
Title: Communication for the Workplace
Publisher: South-Western Educational Publishing
ISBN#: 538-72322-X
Copywrite: 2001
Quantity: 27
Title: Understanding Business & Personal Law
Publisher: Glencoe McGraw-Hill
ISBN#: 002-814636-0
Copywrite: 1998
Quantity: 8
Title: Microcomputer Keyboarding and Document Processing
Publisher: Glencoe McGraw- Hill
ISBN#: 002-814096-6
Copywrite: 1996
Quantity: 41
Title: Microcomputer Keyboarding and Document Processing (Teacher Edition)
Publisher: Glencoe McGraw-Hill
ISBN#: 002-814097-4
Copywrite: 1996
Quantity: 3
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (C) of the July 6, 2022 Business Meeting Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the Building Leadership Teams listed below for the 2022-2023 school year:
Cohoes High School
- Patricia Caputo
- Caryn Dollard
- Laura Murawski
- Alicia Ozols
Alicia Tommasini- Angela Tommasini
- Carolyn Tetrault (CSEA)
- Robert Santarcangelo
- Laura Tarlo
Cohoes Middle School
- John Dundon
- Lindsey Fontaine
- Fallon Jennings
- Tricia Kinns
- Jaclyn Penney
- Stacey Nolan (CSEA)
- Deanna Kelly
- Jennifer DeMarco
Harmony Hill Elementary School
- Pamela Bertrand
- Catherine Lamica
- Christine Guarnieri
- Brianna Houle
- Tracy Nash
- Stacy Smith-Bold (CSEA)
- Mark Perry
Abram Lansing Elementary School
- Carole Blide (CSEA)
- Jennifer Crucetti
- Christina Kellar
- Melissa Lowden
- Bridget Quinlan
- Jackie Skidmore
- Cliff Bird
Van Schaick Grade School
- Amanda Barrett
- Bonnie-Jo Bellville
- Carrie Bennett
- Amber DellaRocco
- Katrina Keith
- Pam Krupski (CSEA)
- Jacqueline DeChiaro
B. THAT the Board approve the following educators for participation in meetings of the Committee on Special Education during summer 2022:
- Carrie Bennett, Teacher VSGS – 1 hour (meeting)
- Emily Gioia and Colleen Duff, Teachers CMS – 1 hour each (meeting)
- Sara Student, School Psychologist CMS – up to 10 hours (evaluation/report and meeting)
- Moira Coons, Occupational Therapist district-wide – up to 3 hours (evaluation/report)
- Laura Gerhard, School Psychologist HH – up to 8 hours (evaluation/report)
- Korrine McGough, Speech Therapist HH – up to 4 hours (evaluation/report)
C. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following teachers as per the CTA contract to the 2022 Secondary School Regents Review Classes effective August 2 – August 15, 2022 contingent upon enrollment:
- Algebra I – Michael Wilt
- Algebra II – Nicole Lassone
- Geometry – Nicole Lassone
- English – Drake Galarneau
- Living Environment – Dawn Maddalena
- Global Studies – Ashley Hogan
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Renee Bourgeois to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Speech, effective August 31, 2022 and expiring on August 30, 2026. Ms. Bourgeois holds Initial Certification in the area of Speech and Language Disabilities.
Renee Bourgeois
- Position: 1.0 FTE Speech Teacher (DW)
- Certification: Speech and Language Disabilities
- Tenure Area: Speech
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022
- Tenure Date: August 30, 2026
- Salary: Step 3 of the current CTA contract
E. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual to the substitute teacher list at a rate of $85.00 per diem:
John DeMio
Effective July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022.
Non-instructional
F. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as a 2022 Summer Substitute per the CSEA contract:
Teacher Aides
Sherry Thornton
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints the following individual to the Teacher Aide 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.
Tracy Darwak
Effective: July 18, 2022
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 on an emergency conditional basis, in accordance with the Civil Service Rules, such appointments are a temporary appointment.
Angelo Giunta
Effective: July 18, 2022
I. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Katherine Samuel from her position as Full Time Teacher Aide (CHS).
Effective: July 14, 2022
J. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Ileane O’Connell from her position as LPN (AL).
Effective: July 16, 2022
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the July 20, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-P), VII (A-J) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Paradis
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
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 – June 2022
- Budget Transfers – June 2022
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Revenue Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – June 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report – May 2022
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
District Mission, Vision, Beliefs and Commitments – Mrs. Giller reviewed the mission, vision, beliefs and commitments and asked the Board if they wanted to make any changes for the 2022-2023 school year. Mr. Jackson suggested adding “cooperation” under the Commitment statement for the Positive School Climate and Culture. The potential change will be brought to a policy committee.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller requested communication and feedback regarding the UPK registration process and timelines. She discussed the possibility of putting this on the district calendar, sending reminders and the expectations of the process.
Mrs. Giller presented the new Board members with a handout of the fundamentals of Board of Education policies and shared an overview. She also distributed to all Board members a NYSSBA guide to executive session.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- August 3, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
- August 24, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive session at 7:27pm
To discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation; and to discuss collective bargaining with CSEA and to discuss the evaluation of Ms. O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:50pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0