Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
December 14, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(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 President, Mrs. Giller at 6pm.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- 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
DISTRICT REPORTS
Mr. McFarland, Cohoes Middle School principal presented mugs to the board of education made by Mr. Quinn’s class. Mrs. Giller, on behalf of the Board, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the class.
Superintendent’s Report –
Mr. Martinelli shared a recap of the recent Wellness Committee meeting, he discussed Second Step at the elementary and middle school level and Positivity Project at the high school level, Physical Education activities for both students and faculty and Food Service offerings. Additional items discussed were food allergies and Cohoes Tiger Branding.
Mr. Martinelli reviewed the recent Technology Committee meeting. Topics discussed included the Digital Equity Survey, Smart Schools funding, technology curriculum mapping, cybersecurity and online professional development modules offered by Jennifer Sangiacomo.
Mrs. Giller asked if the district had data to see if teachers are utilizing the online professional development. Mrs. Carey noted that Ms. Sangiacomo’s calendar was full for this week and very few opening for next week. Mrs. Giller suggested additional ways for responses to be gathered for the Digital Equity Survey. Mr. Martinelli will provide further professional development details in the future.
In preparation for budget season, Ms. O’Shea review a five (5) year history of enrollment data, free and reduced lunch data and English Language Learners data. Future share outs will include Special Education and class size data.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey presented the timeline of the budget process as well as the Draft Five year Long Range Financial projections. She shared the budget presentation schedule which has a proposed additional tentative meeting date of Monday, April 17th, 2023 for budget deliberations if needed.
A. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Ms. O’Shea mentioned Mrs. Marcil is on tonight’s agenda for approval as the Director of Multi-Tiered Support Systems.
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 November 16, 2022
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 9/30/22, 10/14/22, 10/19/22, 10/21/22, 10/27/22, 11/3/22, 11/7/22, 11/10/22, 11/14/22, 11/15/22, 11/17/22, 11/18/22, 11/21/22. 11/28/22, 11/29/22, 12/2/22
C. THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Understanding between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association dated December 7, 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year following the terms and conditions within.
D. THAT the Board of Education approve the Agreement By And Between The Cohoes City School District And The CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Cohoes School District Unit and Amber Oliver regarding the need for additional duties to be performed during the 2022-2023 school year relating to the District’s Payroll Department dated December 5, 2022
E. THAT the Board of Education authorizes the sale of the following surplus equipment:
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with plow for $4,150
2003 Toro Grounds Master 345 for $525
as awarded to William Moll through sealed bids dated November 29, 2022.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
Dotterer, Lori
Effective: November 28, 2022
Bylyku, Jorida
Garry, Joseph
Gogis, Krista
Guzzo, Sierra
Menze, Haley
Morris-Smith, Akilah
Rivera, Jenessa
Scensny, Jessica
Schmidt, John
Schwarz, Laura
White, Alex
Zampier, Laurie
Effective: December 15, 2022
B. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (P) of the August 25, 2021 minutes to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Amanda Regis to a four- year conditional term in the tenure area of School Social Worker effective September 20, 2021 and expiring on September 19, 2025 November 11, 2025 on an emergency conditional basis. Ms. Regis holds a provisional certification as School Social Worker.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this appointment is made on an emergency conditional basis and subject to of both a statement from Ms. Regis regarding criminal conviction(s) or pending criminal charges and the receipt of criminal background clearance from the Commissioner of Education. Ms. Regis’ continued employment is specifically contingent upon the District’s receipt of notice from the Commissioner of Education that she is fully cleared for employment.
Amanda Regis
- Position: 1.0 School Social Worker
- Certification: School Social Worker
- Tenure Area: School Social Worker
- Effective Date: September 20, 2021
- Tenure Date: September 19, 2025 November 11, 2025
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA Contract
- Reason: Replaces Raychel Marcil
C. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (G) of the November 16, 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 Teacher.
Keenan Jones
- Position: Long-Term Substitute School Social Worker
- Tenure Area: School Social Worker
- Effective Date:
December 5, 2022December 12, 2022 through June 30, 2023 - Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)
D. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (D) of the November 16, 2022 Agenda to read as follows
THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
The College of St. Rose
January 17 through March 10, 2023
Sarah Haws with Brittany Willsey at Van Schaick Grade School
Erin Nagy with Megan Galarneau at Harmony Hill Elementary School
March 13 through May 10, 2023
Sarah Haws with Amanda Dorr at Van Schaick Grade School
Erin Nagy with Megan Galarneau at Harmony Hill Elementary School
E. THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
The College of St. Rose
March 13 through May 10, 2023
Jade Barringer with Lindsay Fontaine and Briana Houle at Cohoes Middle School
Russell Sage College
January 17 through March 10, 2023
Taylor Engster with Teresa Gendron at Cohoes Middle School
F. 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
- Football – Varsity Assistant, Matt Labombard – 1.0
- Soccer, Boys Modified- Ed Krajewski – 1.0
- Basketball, Boys Modified – Ed Krajewski – 1.0Non-Instructional
G. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Mackenzie Gregory from her position as 0.5 FTE Parent Liaison.
Effective: January 6, 2023
H. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Amya Sousis from her position as Part Time Teacher Aide (HH).
Effective: December 1, 2022
I. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Naomi Hallock from her position as Teacher Aide (VS).
Effective: December 22, 2022
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Rochelle Pringle to the position of full time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Rochelle Pringle
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (VS)
- Effective Date: December 5, 2022
- Probation Period: June 5, 2023
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
K. THAT the Board of Education appoints Karyn Gumprecht as Facilities Use Coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year per CSEA contract.
L. THAT the Board of Education appoints Cindy Muzio as Medicaid Billing Clerk for the 2022-2023 school year per CSEA contract.
M. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints and employs Raychel Marcil as Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for the period of February 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 and further approves the Terms and Conditions of Employment dated December 14, 2022 and authorizes the President of the Board to execute said agreement on behalf of the School District.
N. THAT the Board of Education approve the unpaid Leave of Absence for Samuel Huttig from his position as Teaching Assistant from December 19, 2022 through June 30, 2023. (HH).
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Samuel Huttig
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: December 19, 2022 through June 30, 2023
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
P. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Christine Zeigler
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Science Teacher
- Tenure Area: Science
- Effective Date: January 3, 2023 through June 30, 2023
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
Q. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Maria Baez from her position as Part Time Teacher Aide (AL).
Effective: December 22, 2022
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the December 14 ,2022 Agenda:
VI (A-E), VII (A-Q), and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- 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 – November 2022
- Budget Transfers- November 2022
- Budget Status Report- November 2022
- Revenue Status Report- November 2022
- Bank Reconciliation Report- November 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report- November 2022
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Snyder thanked everyone from team Cohoes who recently participated in the Polar Plunge which benefits New York State Special Olympics. Cohoes was the “cool school” for raising the most money from schools in the Capital Region. The team will be presented with a trophy in the near future.
Mrs. Carey discussed the possibility of switching from livestreaming to recording the board meetings and posting to our webpage, due to the low number of viewers of the livestreamed. There was only one viewer at the last two board meetings. All board members were in favor of the switch. A location will be determined and posted to the webpage and advertised in the local newspaper.
Mrs. Giller congratulated Mrs. Marcil on her appointment and welcomed her back to Cohoes. Mrs. Giller also wished everyone Happy Holidays, and to enjoy their time off and be safe.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- January 4, 2023, location to be determined
- January 18, 2023, location to be determined
MOTION: To enter into Executive session at 7:08 pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation;
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:17pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mr. Nadeau
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0