Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York , April 19, 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 Vice President, Mrs. Carey at 6:03p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson – excused
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller – excused
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
Budget Presentation
Ms. Mackey shared the proposed 2023-24 proposed budget, revenue summary, tax levy decrease, expense summary as well as the three-part budget which breaks down the cost into programs, capital and administrative.
Superintendent’s Update
Ms. O’Shea reviewed budget highlights by level of the buildings, athletics, facilities, information technology and central office. Mrs. Mackey shared what would happen if the budget is defeated along with the polling locations for the budget vote of Abram Lansing, Harmony Hill and Van Schaick schools from Noon to 9 pm.
Mr. Martinelli shared updates of the recent Technology Committee meeting, which includes including Smart Schools, Synergy, HP Server Migration, and the planning phase of a student help desk. He thanked Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Snyder for serving on the committee.
Mr. Martinelli shared that the high school will incorporate digital citizenship as one of the No Place for Hate activities on Tuesday. The middle school will have lessons the week after New York State testing. Digital Citizenship has been discussed with elementary principals and they are working on a plan for the future.
Mr. Martinelli discussed the U.S. History and Government regents scheduled on June 1, 2023 and the high school plan for the day.
Mr. Stapleton gave an update on the recent milling and paving projects at Harmony Hill School and Cohoes Middle School. He stated it was a very positive experience. Mr. Nadeau commented that the project turned out well and we were fortunate to have favorable weather.
Ms. O’Shea reviewed upcoming committee meeting dates.
Policy Committee Update
Ms. O’Shea reviewed the policies on the agenda as first reading and discussed the abolishment of policies 8100 and 8112 as the information is incorporated in other policies. She also shared that two (2) policies were tabled for further review. Ms. O’Shea thanked Mrs. Giller and Mrs. Carey for serving on the committee.
A. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. O’Shea congratulated Mrs. Tarlo on her tenure and stated that it’s an honor and privilege to have her as our high school principal. She also congratulated Sherry Thornton and Cindy Muzio on their upcoming retirements and thanked them for their years of dedication to the district.
Mrs. Carey, on behalf of the board also congratulated Mrs. Tarlo and the retirees and thanked everyone for their dedication to our district.
B. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
C. OLD BUSINESS – None
D. 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 5, 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: 2/6/23, 2/9/23, 2/28/23, 3/1/23, 3/2/23, 3/3/23, 3/6/23, 3/7/23, 3/8/23, 3/9/23, 3/10/23, 3/17/23, 3/20/23, 3/23/23, 3/27/23, 3/28/23, 3/30/23, 4/3/23, 4/5/23.
C. THAT the Board of Education adopts the FY 2023/2024 Budget in the amount of $52,340, 637
D. THAT the Board of Education adopts the FY 2023-2024 Property Tax Report Card.
E. 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 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $ 579.72 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
F. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the North Greenbush Common School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the North Greenbush Common School District during the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $ 354.48 per student in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
G. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the South Colonie Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the South Colonie Central School District during the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $ 839.31 per student in accordance with terms and conditions herein.
H. THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with Capital Region BOCES and Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES for energy services at a cost of $6,084 for the 2023-2024 school year.
I. THAT the Board of Education approves the contract with Capital Region BOCES and Madison-Oneida BOCES IT Operations at a cost of $5,316.11 for the 2023-2024 school year.
J. THAT the Board of Education approves the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, THAT the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany‑Schoharie‑Schenectady‑Saratoga Counties be authorized to expend the sums set forth in the Administrative Budget document in the total amount of $13,492,132 during the school year 2023-24 and to raise such sum by assessments to component school districts, non‑component school districts, other BOCES and other sources as required by law.
K. THAT the Board of Education approves the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby casts its vote for the following candidate(s) to fill four (4) vacant seats for the term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026 on the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties:
RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the election of Nancy Del Prado (Home District: Mohonasen Central School District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the election of Naomi Hoffman (Home District: Shenendehowa Central School District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the election of Catherine Lewis (Home District: Schenectady City School District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
RESOLVED that the Board of Education cast its vote for the election of John Phelan (Home District: Guilderland Central School District) as a member of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga Counties.
L. THAT the Board of Education abolishes policy 8100 and 8112
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education grant tenure to the following individual in the subject area listed:
Ms. Laura Tarlo (Cohoes High School) – Secondary Principal
Effective: June 30, 2023
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Emily Goldup to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Special Education, effective September 1, 2023 and expiring on August 31, 2027. Ms. Goldup holds Initial Certification in the areas of Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 2) and Students with Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2).
Emily Goldup
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (HH)
- Certification: Students with Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: September 1, 2023
- Tenure Date: August 31, 2027
- Salary: .Step 1 of the current CTA contract
C. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individual to the coaching position listed below for the 2022-2023 school year, as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY NAME FTE
Softball – Junior Varsity Dana Eugenio 1.0
Track- Girls Varsity Assistant Michele Culletto 1.0
Non-Instructional
D. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Sherry Thornton from her position of Teacher Aide.
Effective: June 23, 2023
E. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Cynthia Muzio from her position of Senior Account Clerk Typist.
Effective: July 29, 2023
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Kebrina Ekwe to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Kebrina Ekwe
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: April 20, 2023 through June 30, 2023
- Salary: $14.20 per hour
G. 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.
James Strope
Effective: April 20, 2023
H. 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.
Sherry Thornton
Effective: July 1, 2023
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the April 19, 2023 Agenda:
VI (A-L), VII (A-H) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0
ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson – excused
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller – excused
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 – March 2023
- Budget Transfers – March 2023
- Budget Status Report – March 2023
- Revenue Status Report – March 2023
- Bank Reconciliation Report – March 2023
- Internal Claims Audit Report – March 2023
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
- 7365, Construction Safety – First Reading
- 8110, School Building Safety – First Reading
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- May 3, 2023, Public Budget Hearing & Meeting, Cohoes Middle School, Library at 6 PM
- May 17, 2023, Library, Cohoes Middle School at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 6:43 p.m.
To discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation and to discuss C.T.A. negotiations.
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0
ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson – excused
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller – excused
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:12 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 5-0