Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
June 1, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6p.m.
(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 6:03p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion
- Mrs. Snyder
- 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
Recognition of the top three (3) students from Cohoes High School Class of 2022. Mrs. Tarlo introduced Sara Thaqi, valedictorian, Olivia McDonald, salutatorian and Madison Huneau, honorable mention for the Class of 2022. Mr. Pascale congratulated the students on their achievements at Cohoes High School and as Future Ready Pathways students at Hudson Valley Community College. Mrs. Giller, on behalf on the board, congratulated the students on their dedication and commitment.
Honoring 2021-2022 Retiree Recognition – Building principals introduced retiring staff members and each principal said a few words about each retiree.
Financial Update – Mrs. Mackey gave an update on the various audits and each of their progress to date. Mrs. Mackey discussed reserve priorities and advised reserve recommendations will be included on the June 15, 2022 meeting agenda.
Ms. O’Shea announced that the last two (2) days of school (June 24 and June 25) would be half-days for elementary and middle school students. Mr. Martinelli is planning on i-Ready professional development for elementary; sixth grade math teachers and middle school teachers will receive staff development on June 24.
District Wide Safety Team Committee Meeting – Ms. O’Shea gave an overview of the recent committee meeting. Mayor Keeler, Police Chief Waldin and Cohoes Fire Chief Fahd were present, as well as Mrs. Giller, building administrators and building Safety Team representatives. Building safety protocols were reviewed with discussions centered around areas to enhance. The 2022-2023 Safety Plan will be presented on the first board meeting of July with a thirty (30) day comment period.
Mrs. Giller remarked how grateful she is for having all of the leaders come together for this very important meeting. “It’s a great opportunity for the district, being able to collaborate and see results from these discussions.”
Mrs. Giller, on behalf on the board, requested an update on residency. Ms. O’Shea stated the information will be provided at the next meeting.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Mrs. Giller discussed item VI (B) of the agenda. The resignation of Peter Annely, trustee to the Cohoes City School District Board of Education. Mrs. Giller discussed the options regarding filling this vacancy; leaving the seat empty, holding a special election or seeking an eligible person to fill the remainder of Mr. Annely’s term. The Board decided to search for an eligible person to fill the vacancy.
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS – None
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 May 18, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Peter Annely from his position as trustee with the Cohoes City School District Board of Education.
Effective May 30, 2022.
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and the North Colonie Central School District to provide health and welfare services to students residing in Cohoes and attending a school within the North Colonie School District during the 2021-2022 school year at a rate of $ 843.44 per student.
D. THAT the Board of Education approves an agreement with Ambient Environmental, Inc., 828 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York for services in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth therein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoint Chris Fournier as Future-Ready Pathways Coordinator for the 2022-2023 school year (grant-funded).
B. THAT the Board of Education appoint Lauren Dunn (1.0) and Lindsey Fontaine (1.0) as Future-Ready Pathways Career Coordinators for the 2022-2023 school year (grant-funded).
C. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals as Future-Ready Pathways Mentoring Facilitator for the 2022-2023 school year (grant-funded):
- Keith Fischer – Cohort 3 (Class 2023)
- Emily Gioia – Cohort 4 (Class of 2024)
- Denise Assalian – Cohort 5 (Class of 2025)
- Patricia Caputo – Cohort 6 (Class of 2026)
D. THAT the Board of Education appoint the following teachers as Teacher Leaders (grant-funded) to the subject area listed for the 2022-2023 school year:
Cohoes High School
- Carolyn Santoro – Math
- Michael Kloczko – Science
- Andrea DeStefano – Social Studies
- Heather Ball – English
- Matthew Flannery – Special Education
Cohoes Middle School
- Colleen Duff – Math
- Jill Havens – Science
- Christopher Michael – Social Studies
- Molly Flanagan – English
- Brooke Hurlbut – Special Education
Kindergarten – Grade 12
- Teresa Gendron – Physical Education
Non-Instructional
E. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (I) of the March 2, 2022 Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education appoint the following individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2021-2022 school year, contingent upon acceptable program enrollment:
Co-curricular activities
Baseball – Varsity, Robert Keith, 1.0
Baseball – Varsity unpaid assistant, Bill Lajeunesse, 0.0
Baseball – Junior Varsity, Chris Fournier, 1.0
Baseball – Modified, Mark Strock, 1.0
Lacrosse – Varsity, Jack McHerron, 1.0
Softball – Varsity, John Ketchoyian, 1.0
Softball – Varsity unpaid assistant, Kerry Bottenfield, 0.0
Softball – Junior Varsity, Bill Smith, 1.0
Softball – Modified, Dana DelGenio, 1.0
Track – Boys Varsity, Kerry Winters, 1.0
Track – Boys Assistant Varsity, TBD, 1.0
Track – Girls Varsity, TBD, 1.0
Track – Girls Assistant Varsity, TBD Kiera Hovey, 1.0
F. THAT the Board of Education approve the Agreement by and between Cohoes City School District and CSEA, Inc., Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO Cohoes City School District Unit dated May 6, 2022.
G. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Sherry Stanley from her position as Senior Typist (10 month) (CMS).
Effective: June 10, 2022.
H. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Deborah Beaulac from her position of Teacher Aide.
Effective: June 27, 2022.
I. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Linda Harbacz from her position of Teacher Aide.
Effective: June 24, 2022.
J. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Sylvi Joseph from his position as Director of Technology Operations.
Effective: June 30, 2022.
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints William J. Smith to the position of full-time Teacher Aide position, 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 probationary appointment.
William J. Smith
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide
- Effective Date: June 2, 2022
- Probation period: February 3, 2023
- Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
L. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Kimberly Schreck to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide 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.
Kimberly Schreck
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: June 2, 2022 through June 30, 2022
- Salary: $13.25 per hour
M. 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.
Aaron Allendorph
Effective: June 2, 2022
N. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Robert Santarcangelo to a four-year probationary term in the tenure area of Assistant Principal effective August 1, 2022 and expiring on July 31, 2026.
Robert Santarcangelo
- Position: Assistant Principal (CHS)
- Certification: School Building Leader (pending)
- Tenure Area: Assistant Principal
- Effective Date: August 1, 2022
- Tenure Date: July 31, 2026
- Salary: $92,000
O. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Lena McKee to a four-year probationary term in the tenure area of Mathematics, effective August 31, 2022 and expiring on August 30, 2026. Ms. McKee holds Initial Certification in the area of Mathematics 7-12.
Lena McKee
- Position: 1.0 FTE Mathematics Teacher (CHS)
- Certification: Mathematics 7-12
- Tenure Area: Mathematics
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022
- Tenure Date: August 30, 2026
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the June 1, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-D), VII (A-O) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- 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:
- Statement of Taxes for FY 2021-2022
- Warrants – N/A
- Budget Transfers – N/A
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Revenue Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – N/A
- Internal Claims Audit Report – March 2022 & April 2022
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller proposed July 6, 2022 as a potential date for the annual re-organizational meeting. At the June 15, 2022 meeting Ms. O’Shea and Mrs. Giller will share the remainder of the proposed dates.
Mrs. Dion congratulated Rob Santarcangelo on his appointment to Assistant Principal and remarked that he was a student of hers, that she worked beside him at Cohoes High School and that she was proud of his dedication. Mrs. Giller also congratulated Rob and thanked him for his dedication to the students and the community of Cohoes.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
Mr. Bird acknowledged Sylvi Joseph and thanked him for his vision and all the work he has done. Mrs. Giller, Mr. Martinelli and Ms. Mackey recognized Mr. Joseph as well, and thanked him for his hard work and dedication.
Ms. Hill notified the Board that the Cohoes Unified basketball team had just won the championship game. She thanked Mrs. Tarlo, Mr. Huneau and the coaches for their dedication to our students. Mrs. Snyder also thanked Mr. Huneau and the coaches. She was honored to be able to present the students with their awards and remarked, “Great job, Cohoes”.
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
June 15, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6p.m.
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:08p.m.
To discuss collective bargaining with CSEA
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:24p.m.
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mrs. Carey
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0