Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
October 19, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)
MINUTES
A. The Meeting was called to Order by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:03pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Nadeau
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
B. DISTRICT REPORTS
Board Appreciation presented by Abram Lansing School – Principal Cliff Bird, along with parents who were former students and a current student, shared their favorite memories from their time spent at Abram Lansing and thanked the current Board of Education and all former Boards for all that they do for our community.
Facilities Committee Meeting – Ms. O’Shea shared with the Board a summary of the recent committee meeting held on October 12, 2022, as well as Capital Project phases and timelines. She also shared the information regarding the Capital Outlay project for Abram Lansing School. Ms. O’Shea thanked Board members, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Nadeau and Mrs. Paradis, for their participation on the committee.
Ms. O’Shea provided additional information regarding the two (2) recent incidents at Cohoes High School. It was determined that Monday’s incident was caused by a defective spark box that failed to ignite the oven; thereby cycling through and emitting gas. A minor emission was found in the sediment trap of the gas line of the boiler. She commended the CHS team for their efforts which kept everyone safe, making sure the evacuation and dismissal run as smooth as possible. Ms. O’Shea also thanked the families and students for their flexibility. The kitchen designers will be meeting with administration next week as part of the Capital Project work for Abram Lansing School and Cohoes Middle School. We will be asking them to perform an evaluation of the Cohoes High School kitchen.
Mrs. Giller remarked that there was ongoing communication surrounding the incident at the high school. Ms. O’Shea confirmed that four messages were sent out on Monday and one message the following day. Mrs. Giller asked Director of Facilities Jim Stapleton if there was a natural gas detector. He replied that he would research it and report back to the board.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey shared with the Board the results from the external audit performed by Marvin & Company where the district received an Unmodified Opinion (the best results available). The corrective action plan is on tonight’s agenda for Board approval. She also shared the results from the annual risk assessment performed by Michael Wolff where the district had no significant deficiencies or material weakness of internal controls. The assessment and corrective action plan is also on tonight’s agenda.
Ms. Mackey also shared the Draft Reserve Plan with the Board and public in attendance. She also gave a recap of each reserve fund and a description of its usage.
C. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Mrs. Snyder thanked Ms. Mackey for all of her hard work which produced “clean audit reports”. Mrs. Giller expressed her gratitude to the Modified Cross Country coach appointed on tonight’s agenda. She also made note of the extension of the IT support days which extends the time frame but remains within the number of day initially approved. Mr. Nadeau asked a question pertaining to part-time campus safety monitors’ schedules/hours. The campus safety monitors work 3.75 hours per day and do not exceed 37.50 hours in a two (2) week period.
D. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
E. OLD BUSINESS – None
F. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of October 5, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 5/17/22, 8/4/22, 8/10/22, 8/17/22, 8/22/22, 8/29/22, 8/30/22, 8/31/22, 9/1/22, 9/2/22, 9/8/22, 9/21/22, 9/23/22, 9/29/22
C. THAT the Board of Education adopts the following policy:
2510, New Board Member Orientation
D. THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association dated October 19, 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year following the terms within.
E. THAT the Board of Education approves the Independent Auditor’s Report dated June 30, 2022 as prepared by the firm of Marvin & Company, Certified Public Accountants, and the Corrective Action Plan thereto as prepared by the School Business Official.
F. THAT the Board of Education approves the FY2022 Financial Risk Assessment performed by Michael Wolff Advisory Services to assist the Cohoes City School District in complying with the regulations imposed by the 2005 School Financial Oversight and Accountability Legislation, and the Corrective Action Plan thereto as prepared by the School Business Official.
G. THAT the Board of Education approves Jacobs Land Surveying proposal dated August 20, 2022, to perform a computer typographic survey for the Cohoes High School and the Harmony Hill School as outlined in the conditions and terms therein.
H. THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement between Parsons Child and Family Center and an affiliate of Northern Rivers Family Services and the Cohoes City School District for services during the 2022-2023 school year in accordance with conditions and terms outlined herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Burgess-Bradt, Mary
- Ellis, Josh
- Goldstein, Michael
- Gulotty, Eric
- Habel, Jessica
- Jensen, Kels
- Makowski, Andrew
- Rockenstire, Lauren
- Ryan, Patrick
- Smith, Holly
Effective: October 20, 2022
B. 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
Cross Country – Modified: Kiera Hovey, 1.0
C. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (X) of the July 6, 2022 Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves Sylvi Joseph to provide IT support at a rate of $45.00 per hour from July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022 October 7, 2022 October 28, 2022 (not to exceed thirty (30) days).
D. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Amy Mosher from her position as Senior Account Clerk Typist (CO).
Effective: October 31, 2022
E. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Larissa Knight from her position as Teacher Aide (VS).
Effective: October 5, 2022
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Jennifer Crouse to the position of full-time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Jennifer Crouse
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CHS)
- Effective Date: October 18, 2022
- Probation Period: April 18, 2023
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints John DeMio to the position of Part-Time Campus Safety Monitor subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a provisional appointment.
John DeMio
- Position: Part-Time Campus Safety Monitor (CHS)
- Effective Date: October 24, 2022 through June 30, 2023
- Salary: $18.85 per hour
H. THAT the Board of Education approve the holiday pay for the following part-time employees for the 2022-2023 school year:
- Maria Baez, $257.81
- Lori LaMere, $262.50
- Charity Deter-Rasmussen, $257.81
- Kailey McCarthy, $257.81
- Bernadette Glynn, $281.25
- Aprille Overocker, $257.81
- Crystal Kelly, $257.81
- Amya Sousis, $103.13
- Shantricieia Kemp, $180.47
- Brigid Waddell, $257.81
- Michelle Lake, $77.34
- Kaysha Baez, $128.91
- Kim Schreck, $25.78
- Stacy Clement, $262.50
- Sierra Diotte, $103.13
- Maureen Finnen, $262.50
- Gail Friedman, $267.19
- Isabella Ronda, $51.56
- Lisa Hoefer, $257.81
- Brenna Wood, $180.47
- Patricia Kelly, $257.81\
- Paula Ahearn, 206.25
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Kimberly Anigian to the position of full-time Cleaner, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Kimberly Anigian
- Position: 1.0 FTE Cleaner (HH)
- Effective Date: October 24, 2022
- Probation Period: April 23, 2023
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Gloriana Hiwiller to the position of full-time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Gloriana Hiwiller
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CMS)
- Effective Date: October 24, 2022
- Probation Period: April 23, 2023
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
K. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Stacey Clement from her position as part-time Teacher Aide (VS).
Effective: October 14, 2022
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the October 19,2022 Agenda:
VI (A-C), VII (A-K), and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- 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-September 2022
- Budget Transfers-September 2022
- Budget Status Report- September 2022
- Revenue Status Report-September 2022
- Bank Reconciliation Report-September 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report-August & September 2022
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller, on behalf on the Board, requested an update on Chromebooks and air purifiers. Mr. Martinelli will share information at the next meeting.
Mrs. Snyder expressed her gratitude to the CHS team for new appearance of the common areas. Students and Staff are enjoying the new space.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
Mr. McFarland, CMS Principal, thanked Jill Havens for applying for the grant which the 6th grade team to take a field trip to Thatcher Park. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful day in the great outdoors.
Ms. Mackey remarked that the Board just accepted the resignation of Amy Mosher, Payroll Clerk. She wanted to thank Amy for her years of services and best wishes for her new opportunities and every success in the near future.
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
- Policy 2510 – 2nd Reading
- Policy 1900 – Parent and Family Engagement
- Policy 5151 – Homeless Children
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- November 2, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
- November 16, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive session at 7:33pm to discuss negotiations with C.T.A. and the evaluation of Ms. O’Shea.
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:20pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Paradis
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0