COHOES CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
March 15, 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 President, Mrs. Giller at 6:04p.m.
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
The Board of Education congratulated the Boys’ Bowling team on their 2 nd place finish in the state championship. Mrs. Giller presented each of the team members with a certificate.
Members of the secondary drama club performed selections from the upcoming performance of “The Prom,” which will take place at the Cohoes High School auditorium March 30 – April 2.
Budget Presentations
Buildings and Grounds: Jim Stapleton, Director of Facilities shared positive highlights and needs for the 2023-2024 school year. He complimented his staff on their efforts to provide a safe and clean environment in all buildings.
Ms. Mackey thanked Mr. Stapleton and his crew for all of their hard work
especially for the snow removal over the past 24-hours. Mrs. Giller inquired if the department will have enough storage with the new equipment. Mr. Stapleton replied the department is purging and will continue to do so over time.
Information and Technology:
P.J. Mahoney, Network Administrator shared positive highlights and hardware and software needs for the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Martinelli thanked P.J. for his work and highlighted professional development and technology resources which Jenn Sangiacomo, Instructional Technology Integration Specialist, has integrated over this school year.
Central Office:
Ms. O’Shea, Mr. Martinelli and Ms. Mackey shared positive highlights of Central Office, including grants obtained, successful audits and Human Resources initiatives.
Mr. Martinelli discussed electronic standard based report cards and iReady math curriculum.
Ms. Mackey shared the Central Office anticipated needs, which included the hiring of new staff due to retirements in the Business Office and a realignment of roles and responsibilities. She suggested a Deputy Claims Auditor who would assist in the transition by conducting pre-audits of accounts payable each month.
Mrs. Giller inquired if the new positions would be vetted through Civil Service and Ms. Mackey replied they would. She mentioned that district treasurer position is exempt and we are researching the purchasing agent position.
Special Programs Budget Presentation:
Director of Special Programs Erin Hill and Assistant Director of Special Programs Karen Ronesi shared highlights from their recent needs assessment, anticipated enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year and needs for next school year.
Digital Citizenship
Mr. Martinelli presented a brief overview of digital citizenship and the schools have done in the past and present and will do in the future which the district will utilize to instruct our students on their digital citizenship. Mrs. Giller thanked the teachers for volunteering their time.
A. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Nadeau inquired about the cafeteria tables on the agenda. Ms. Mackey replied that the excess food service plan including draft architect drawings that are subject to change after finalizing the designs.
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 March 1, 2023.
A. THAT the Board of Education accept the Minutes for the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Pre-School Special Education for the following dates: 10/7/22, 10/27/22, 1/6/23, 1//17/23, 1/18/23, 1/19/23, 1/24/23, 1/26/23, 1/30/23, 2/3/23, 2/8/23, 2/9/23, 2/10/23, 2/13/23, 2/14/23, 2/15/23, 2/17/23, 3/1/23, 3/2/23, 3/6/23, 3/8/23, 3/9/23
B. THAT the Board of Education approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Cohoes City School District and CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO dated March 15, 2023 in accordance with terms and conditions herein.
B. THAT the Board of Education approves the Child Nutrition Excess Fund Balance Plan in the amount of $160,276 to be expended on new cafeteria tables for the Cohoes Middle School and Abram Lansing Elementary School (anticipated for summer of 2024).
C. THAT the Board of Education awards the Paving Bid, dated March 9, 2023, as follows: HMA Contracting Corporation in the amount of $79,070. (grant-funded).
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Kyla Manny
- Ashley Allen
- Keni Anthony
- Erika Baker
- Hailie Bennett
- Brianna Bhola
- Caitlin Denney
- Raechel Frasca
- Stephen McErleane
- Corrine Pepper
- Colin ZieskeEffective: March 16, 2023
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Ashley Allen
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Elementary Teacher (VSGS)
- Tenure Area: Elementary
- Effective Date: March 29, 2023 through May 23, 2023
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
Non-Instructional
C. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (T) of the September 7, 2022
Agenda to read as follows;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Linnel Birth to the position of full-time Cleaner, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Linnel Birth
- Position: 1.0 FTE Cleaner (CMS)
- Effective: Date September 7, 2022
- Probation Period:
March 7, 2023September 5, 2023 - Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
D. THAT the Board of Education accepts the termination of the provisional
employment of Michael Santiago from his position as Custodian (CHS).
Effective: March 3, 2023
E. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Odain Stanton from his position as Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH).
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints William Shatraw to the position of Custodian/Groundskeeper, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service
Commission on a conditional basis; such appointment is a provisional
appointment.
William Shatraw
- Position: Custodian/Groundskeeper (Provisional)
- Effective Date: March 16, 2023
- Salary: Per current CSEA contract
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Amanda Vacha to the position of full time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Amanda Vacha
Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CHS)
Effective Date: March 16, 2023
Probation Period: December 1, 2023
Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
H. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby extends the employment of Erin Hill to June 30, 2026, amends the employment agreement dated February 7, 2018 and authorizes the Board
President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment in accordance
therewith.
I. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby extends the employment of Stacy Mackey to June 30, 2026,
amends the employment agreement dated February 7, 2018 and authorizes the Board President to execute said addendum and authorizes payment in accordance therewith.
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the March 15, 2023 Agenda:
VI (A-E), VII (A-I), IX (A) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- 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- February 2023
- Budget Transfers- February 2023
- Budget Status Report – February 2023
- Revenue Status Report – February 2023
- Bank Reconciliation Report- February 2023
- Internal Claims Audit Report- February 2023
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Paradis said she thought there needed to be more emphasis at the elementary level for digital citizenship as students have access to cell phones and social media at a younger age. This would lay the foundation. Mr. Martinelli replied, we started at the secondary levels and will have discussions with elementary principals’ and staff to frame at the elementary level.
Mrs. Gendron asked how would we assess the outcome of new implications. Mr. Martinelli said we could look at a decrease in referrals and Ms. O’Shea added we could also look for an increase in positive responses on our School Climate Survey. Other measures to access impact.
Mrs. Giller on behalf of the board reminded everyone the UPK registration has begun and goes through March 31 and she also mentioned that petitions to run for the school board are available at Central Office or by reaching out to Mrs. Rumsey and are due on April 26th at 5 p.m.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW -None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
April 5, 2023, Cohoes Middle School Library
April 19, 2023, Cohoes Middle School Library
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:59 p.m. to discuss CTA negotiations.
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mr. Nadeau
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
ROLL CALL
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Nadeau
- Mrs. Giller
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:12 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mr. Nadeau
- All voted “Aye” Motion carried 7-0