Board of Education Business Meeting & District Wide School Safety Plan and Code of Conduct Public Hearing
Cohoes, New York
July 6, 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 6:25p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey (via WebEx))
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- 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
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
District Wide School Safety Plan Public Hearing– Ms. O’Shea shared that they were some minor changes to the plan which was reviewed by the District Safety team. The plan will be posted to our webpage on July 7, 2022 which will begin the thirty (30) day comment period. Comments can be sent to boecomments@cohoes.org where they will be reviewed. There will be a resolution for Board adoption at the August 24, 2022 meeting.
Code of Conduct – Ms. O’Shea advised that the Code of Conduct was reviewed and then vetted through the school district attorney. There were no changes; therefore, a public hearing is not required. A plain language summary will be sent home to all parents/guardians/students at the beginning of the school year.
Summer Programming – Mr. Martinelli presented an overview of the Summer Programs offered throughout the district. He discussed Elementary Summer Success, Middle School Summer Learning Academy and High School Summer School, as well as our Extended School Year programs. He discussed TSL, a third-party company that provides child care at a reduced rate to Cohoes families, which will be housed at Harmony Hill. SUNY Tutoring, where graduate students work 1 to 1 with our students is also housed at Harmony Hill.
Financial Update – Mrs. Mackey provided an overview of the OSC tax cap formula and the amended calculation for FY 2022-2023. She also reviewed the original submission and discussed the material change in the PILOT receivable. She explained that the revenue will shift from a PILOT to property tax with a net change of zero to the revenue. She will work with the Office of the State Comptroller to reopen the calculation and submit the changes. The Board will take action to the tax warrant at the July 20, 2022 meeting. The tax rate estimate is below the budget estimate, which is good news for the tax payers!
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS
Mrs. Giller discussed the need to fill a vacant seat on the Board. She has canvassed former Board members and received interest from Joe Nadeau who is interested in filling the one (1) year term. She read a letter from Mr. Nadeau outlining his past experiences serving on the Board and various city and community committees. The Board agreed that Mr. Nadeau would be a wonderful asset to the Board, especially as the district enters into a large Capital Project. The Board intends to take action on this matter at the July 20, 2022 meeting.
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 June 15, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education approves the following non-resident tuition rates for the 2022-23 school year:
Full-Day Kindergarten – Grade 6, $3,226
Grades 7 – 12, $5,841
Special Education Full-Day Kindergarten – Grade 6, $24,517
Special Education Grades 7 – 12 , $27,132
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and Erin C. Lancraft, MT-BC/Expressive Journeys, LLC for Music Therapy services for the ESY from July 2, 2022 through August 31, 2022 and the 2022-2023 school year in accordance with terms and conditions outlined herein.
D. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the Arc of Rensselaer County located at 79 102 Street, Troy, New York for transition services for Cohoes High School for the 2022-2023 school year at a rate of $64,522.
E. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District, 125 Middletown Road, Waterford, New York 12188 to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the Waterford-Halfmoon Union Free School District during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 784.97 per student.
F. THAT the Board of Education extends the Agreement for the provision of food services between Cohoes City School District and Aramark Education Services LLC for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in accordance to the terms and conditions outlined therein.
G. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following meeting dates: 3/18/22, 3/25/22, 3/31/22, 4/1/22, 4/4/22, 4/7/22, 4/11/22, 4/25/22, 4/26/22, 4/27/22, 4/28/22, 4/29/22, 5/2/22, 5/11/22, 5/12/22, 5/13/22, 5/17/22, 5/18/22, 5/19/22, 5/20/22, 5/24/22, 5/26/22, 6/1/22, 6/2/22, 6/6/22, 6/7/22, 6/9/22, 6/16/22, 6/21/22
H. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the District and the CSEA, Inc., Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, City of Cohoes SD Unit #6008-00, Albany County Local #801, dated June 21, 2022, authorizes the Superintendent to execute the agreement, and authorizes the payment of monies thereunder.
I. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby Approves the cross contract between the Cohoes City School District and the WSWHE BOCES for the provision of Bus driver training dated June 2022 for the 2021-2022 school year and authorizes the payment of $2,497.04 dollars herein.
J. THAT the Board of Education awards the bid for Health Services dated June 30, 2022 to Harmony Mills Pediatrics for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement by and between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association for the purposes of addressing Article XV dated June 16, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following administrators as Lead Evaluators for the 2022-23 school year.
Administrator Certification
Peggy O’Shea
Lead Evaluator of Teachers & Administrators
Dan Martinelli
Lead Evaluator of Teachers & Administrators
Erin Hill
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Karen Ronesi
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Laura Tarlo
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Jennifer DeMarco
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Deanna Kelly
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Tom Kostrzebski
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Robert Santarcangelo
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Cliff Bird
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Mark Perry
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
Jacqueline DeChiaro
Lead Evaluator of Teachers
C.THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the Building Leadership Teams listed below for the 2022-2023 school year:
Abram Lansing School
- Carole Blide (CSEA)
- Jennifer Crucetti
- Christina Kellar
- Melissa Lowden
- Bridget Quinlan
- Jackie Skidmore
- Cliff Bird
Harmony Hill School
- Pamela Bertrand
- Catherine Lamica
- Christine Guarnieri
- Brianna Houle
- Tracy Nash
- Stacy Smith-Bold (CSEA)
- Mark Perry
Van Schaick Grade School
- Amanda Barrett
- Bonnie-Jo Bellville
- Carrie Bennett
- Amber DellaRocco
- Katrina Keith
- Pam Krupski (CSEA)
- Jacqueline DeChiaro
Cohoes Middle School
- John Dundon
- Lindsey Fontaine
- Fallon Jennings
- Tricia Kinns
- Jaclyn Penney
- Stacey Nolan (CSEA)
- Deanna Kelly
- Jennifer DeMarco
Cohoes High School
- Patricia Caputo
- Caryn Dollard
- Laura Murawski
- Alicia Ozols
- Alicia Tommasini
- Carolyn Tetrault (CSEA)
D. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the District Wide Safety Team for the 2022-2023 school year:
- Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent
- Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent
- Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
- Erin Hill, Director of Special Programs
- James Stapleton, Director of Facilities
- Laura Tarlo, Principal – Cohoes High School
- Tom Kostrzebski, Assistant Principal – Cohoes High School (July 1, 2022 – December 1, 2022)
- Robert Santarcangelo, Assistant Principal – Cohoes High School
- Jeff Huneau – Cohoes High School Athletic Director/Dean
- Michael Kloczko – Cohoes High School Science Teacher
- Samantha McCullough, School Nurse – Cohoes High School
- Drew Rentz, School Safety Officer – Cohoes High School
- Sherry Thornton, Full Time Teacher Aide – Cohoes High School
- Jennifer DeMarco, Principal – Cohoes Middle School
- Deanna Kelly, Assistant Principal – Cohoes Middle School
- Courtney Valente, Teacher – Cohoes Middle School
- Mark Perry, Principal – Harmony Hill School
- Brianna Houle, Teacher – Harmony Hill School
- Laura Gerhard, School Psychologist – Harmony Hill School
- Lisa LeBlanc, School Nurse – Harmony Hill School
- Cliff Bird, Principal – Abram Lansing School
- Christina Kellar, Teacher – Abram Lansing School
- Sandra Kipp, School Nurse – Abram Lansing School
- Jacqueline DeChiaro, Principal – Van Schaick Grade School
- Amanda Dorr, Teacher – Van Schaick Grade School
- Russ Grestini – Buildings/Grounds/Maintenance
- Kaylin Dawson – Parent Representative
- Cohoes Board of Education Members
- BOCES Communication
- BOCES Safety Consultant
E. BE IT RESOLVED that Jeffrey Huneau shall be assigned as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”) to the part-time (.4 FTE) Dean of Students for the 2022-2023 school year and shall additionally be assigned as a part-time (.6 FTE) Athletic Director for the Cohoes City School District for the 2022-2023 school year. While in this assignment as TOSA, Mr. Huneau shall remain in the Elementary tenure area and all time spent as a full-time employee in the positions of Dean of Students and Athletic Director shall be credited as time in the Elementary tenure area.
F. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby creates a full-time (1.0 FTE) Dean of Students for the Cohoes High School, effective August 31, 2022 (grant-funded) and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Gabrielle White shall be assigned, as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”), to the full-time (1.0 FTE) Dean of Students for the Cohoes High School position for the 2022-2023 school year and approves the agreement relating to the same. While in this assignment as a TOSA, Gabrielle White shall remain in the Mathematics tenure area and all time spent as a full time employee in the position of Dean of Students for the Cohoes High School shall be credited as time in the Mathematics tenure area.
G. THAT the Board of Education approve Jeff Huneau for summer work as the Dean Students at his daily rate, not to exceed five (5) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded).
H. THAT the Board of Education approve Robert Santarcangelo for summer work as the Dean Students at his daily rate, not to exceed five (5) days for the 2022-2023 school year (grant funded) through July 31, 2022.
Non-Instructional
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Ryan Nolan to the probationary position of Cleaner 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.
Ryan Nolan
- Position: 1.0 FTE Cleaner (CHS)
- Effective Date: July 7, 2022
- Probationary Period: January 4, 2023
- Salary: per CSEA contract
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Leilani Huddy to the probationary position of Cook 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.
Leilani Huddy
- Position: 1.0 FTE Cook
- Effective Date: September 1, 2022
- Probation period: March 1, 2023
- Salary: Per current CSEA contract
K. THAT the Board of Education approves the following as substitutes for summer school during the 2022-2023 school year:
Secondary Summer School and Summer Learning Academy
- Bill Sheldon
- Jackie Calabrese
- Dawn Maddalena
- Lydia Cappadonia
- Katie Flynn
- Dave Wasserman
- Carrie Briggs
Elementary Summer Success
- Bonnie-Jo Bellville
- Carrie Bennett
- Kim Whalen
- Carrie Briggs
- Kiera Hovey
- Kerry Bottenfield
- Megan Galarneau
- Irlene Mayo
- Danielle (Halpin) Ziobrowki
- Samantha Rosen
- Katie Flynn
- Alison Craver
L. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as a 2022 Extended School Year Substitute per the CTA contract:
Teachers/TAs
- Katrina Keith
- Bob Keith
- John Dundon
- Katie Flynn
Nurses
- Lisa LeBlanc
- Patricia Scott
- Samantha McCullough
- Sandra Kipp
- Cheryl Barber
M. THAT the Board of Education approve the following Guidance Counselors for summer work at their daily per diem rate for the 2022-2023 school year:
CHS – Christopher Fournier – Twenty (20) additional summer days (total 30 days) *
CHS – Amanda Gebur – Twenty (20) additional summer days (total 30 days) *
CMS – Blaine Goverski – Five (5) additional summer days (total 15 days) *
CMS – Laurie Monast – Five (5) additional (total 15) days*
*grant funded
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Samantha Charbonneau to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Special Education, effective August 31, 2022 and expiring on August 30, 2026. Ms. Charbonneau holds Initial Certification in the areas of Early Childhood Education (Birth – Grade 2) and Students With Disabilities (Birth – Grade 2), and Emergency COVID-19 certification in the areas of Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Samantha Charbonneau
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (HH)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022
- Tenure Date: August 30, 2026
- Salary: Step 2 of the current CTA contract
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Elizabeth Hodgson to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Science, effective August 31, 2022 and expiring on August 30, 2026. Ms. Hodgson holds Initial Certification in the area of Biology 7-12.
Elizabeth Hodgson
- Position: 1.0 FTE Science Teacher (CHS)
- Certification: Biology 7-12
- Tenure Area: Science
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022
- Tenure Date: August 30, 2026
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
P. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (T) of the June 15, 2022 Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education appoint Jessica Strock as receptionist for the SUNY Tutoring Program and Elementary Summer Success Program at Abram Lansing Elementary School Harmony Hill School, July 6, 2022 through August 11, 2022.
Q. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the 2022 Extended School Year Summer Program, July 5, 2022 – August 12, 2022:
LPN
- Emma LaVoie
R. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual as a 2022 Extended School Year Substitute per the CTA contract:
Teacher Aides
- Kristie MacGregor
- Carol Gaudette
- Lisa Buck
- Naomi Hallock
LPN
- Shelby Farley
S. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individual to the 2022 Elementary Summer Success Program, July 11, 2022 – August 11, 2022:
Teacher Aide
- William Smith
T. THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed ten (10) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Carole Blide to provide summer secretarial support at Abram Lansing School
Effective: July 1, 2022
U. THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed seven (7) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Stacy Bold to provide summer secretarial support at Harmony Hill Elementary School.
Effective: July 1, 2022
V. THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed four (4) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Sherri Dan to provide summer secretarial support at Harmony Hill Elementary School.
Effective: July 1, 2022
W. THAT the Board of Education authorizes days not to exceed ten (10) at the per diem rate (per CSEA contract) for Pam Krupski to provide summer secretarial support at Van Schaick Grade School.
Effective: July 1, 2022
X. 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 (not to exceed thirty (30) days).
Y. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Francisco Lebron-Rodriguez from his position of Custodian.
Effective: July 15, 2022
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the June 15, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-J) and VII (A-Y)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- 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
Mrs. Giller remarked that at the July 20, 2022 meeting the Board will review the District’s goals to determine any potential revisions. She also read a letter from Theresa Bourgeois from the City of Cohoes in which she thanked the school board for its’ support for the Safe Pathways program. The city was recently awarded a 4.6-million-dollar Safe Pathways grant.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
July 20, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:01pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mr. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0