Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
March 27, 2024
Cohoes Middle School Library, 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. Carey at 6:04pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis ~ excused
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Superintendent’s report
Budget presentations – Jeff Huneau-Athletic Director, Jim Stapleton-Director of Facilities, PJ Mahoney-Network Administrator, Erin Hill – Director of Special Programs and Karen Ronesi – Assistant Director of Special Programs presented program highlights and anticipated needs for the 2024-2025 school year.
Ms. O’Shea reviewed the Capital Outlay Project on tonight’s agenda. The project will encompass the stage floor and stage curtains in the high school auditorium.
Business update –Ms. Mackey updated the board on the four (4) Request For Proposals for construction services. She is completing the analysis and recommendations will be on the April 10, 2024 board meeting agenda. Ms. Mackey mentioned the Request for Proposal for the Independent Auditing services is on tonight’s agenda and has been awarded to MMB. She made the board aware of the upcoming Audit Committee meeting scheduled for April 16, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. at Page Avenue School. Ms. Mackey shared that the line item budget and return on investment summary would be sent to the board later in the week.
Mr. Martinelli gave an update on Universal Pre-Kindergarten enrollment. To date 47 students have been registered for the three (3) year-old program out of the 54 available slots and 75 students have been registered for the four (4) year-old program out of the 90 slots. He also reminded the board that a lottery (if necessary) has been scheduled for May 2, 2024.
III. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
IV. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
V. OLD BUSINESS – None
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accepts the Minutes of the Board of
Education meeting of March 13, 2024.
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education accepts the minutes for the Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Pre-School Education for the following dates: 1/4/24, 1/8/24, 1/23/24, 1/24/24, 1/31/24, 2/2/24, 2/12/24, 2/13/24, 2/14/24, 2/15/24, 2/16/24, 2/22/24, 2/27/24, 2/28/24, 3/7/24
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District is proposing to undertake a Capital Outlay project involving reconstruction and alterations at the Cohoes High School related to building
systems, component replacements and improvements. This project is a Type II action within the meaning of SEQRA.
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education hereby approves a cross contract between the Cohoes City School District and the Madison-Oneida BOCES for SysCLOUD backup for the 2024-2025 school year at a cost of $5,487.87.
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education hereby approves a cross contract between the Cohoes City School District and the Onondaga-Cortland- Madison BOCES for Gas/Electric accounts and Gas/Electric meter for the 2024- 20025 school year at a cost of $6,211.00
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education hereby approves a Memorandum of Agreement between the Cohoes City School District and the Capital District YMCA for the 2023-2024 school year in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
G. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby approves the cross contracts between the Cohoes City School District and the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES for the following:
- Wilson Fundations (Virtual) Level 2 Workshop for the 2023-24 SY at a
cost of $320. - Regional Recruitment/On-Line Application System for the 2024-25 SY at
a cost of $4,042.06
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education approves the agreements between the Cohoes City School District and Albany County Board of Elections located at 112 State Street, Albany for the use of Abram Lansing Elementary School, Harmony Hill School, Van Schaick Grade School and Cohoes Middle School for elections to be held on April 2, 2024, (primary) June 25, 2024 (primary) and November 5, 2024 (general election).
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education adopts the revised 2024-2025 school calendar.
J. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education awards the Independent Auditing Services RFP dated March 6, 2024 to Marvin & Company, 11 British American Blvd., Latham, New York as follows:
Year 1 (6/30/2024) $23,000
Year 2 (6/30/2025) $24,200
Year 3 (6/30/2026) $25,500
Year 4 (6/30/2027) $26,800
Year 5 (6/30/2028) $28,200
TOTAL $127,700
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education appoints the following
individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
Maguire, Lindsey
Rumfelt, Catherine
Smith, Alexius
Usyk, Madison
Effective: March 28, 2024
B. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints and employs Ashley Hartman to a term position as an Elementary (AIS) Teacher for the maximum period of April 8, 2024 to June 30,
2024, subject to earlier termination by the Board of Education. This is a term appointment and is not a probationary appointment. It is specifically acknowledged that Ms. Hartman has agreed to waive any rights she may have to a probationary appointment and consideration for tenure and such agreement is evidenced by a writing signed by both parties.
Ashley Hartman
- Position: Elementary Teacher (AIS) (AL)
- Salary: Step 3 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)
Non-Instructional
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (F) of the February 28, 2024 Agenda to read as follows:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Carmen Serrano to the position of full time Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Carmen Serrano
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (HH)
- Effective Date:
February 29, 2024March 20, 2024 - Probation Period:
November 7, 2024November 26, 2024 - Salary: Entry level per current CSEA contract
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Shannan Fraim to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Shannan Fraim
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (HH)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2024 through June 30, 2024
- Salary: $15.00 per hour
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Karen Tice to the position of Part-Time Teacher Aide subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a temporary appointment.
Karen Tice
- Position: Part-Time Teacher Aide (AL)
- Effective Date: March 28, 2024 through June 30, 2024
- Salary: $15.00 per hour
F. 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, such appointments are temporary appointments.
Janiye Templeton
Effective: March 28, 2024
ADDENDA
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Suzette Santana
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Spanish Teacher (CHS)
- Tenure Area: Foreign Language
- Effective Date: April 8, 2024 through June 30, 2024
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Cole Malerba to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, effective April 8, 2024 and expiring on April 7, 2028. Mr. Malerba holds a BA/BS and has Level I Teaching Assistant Certification.
Cole Malerba
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teaching Assistant (CMS)
- Certification: Teaching Assistant
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Effective Date: April 8, 2024
- Tenure Date: April 7, 2028
- Salary: As per the current CTA contract, BA/BS Teacher Assistant Salary Schedule
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the March 27, 2024 agenda;
VI (A-J), VII (A-H) and IX (A)
- 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 – February 2024
- Budget Transfers- February 2024
- Budget Status Report – February 2024
- Revenue Status Report – February 2024
- Bank Reconciliation Report – January 2024 and February 2024
- Internal Claims Audit Report –February 2024
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Ms. O’Shea congratulated Cole Malerba who was appointed at tonight’s meeting to a Teaching Assistant position at Cohoes Middle School. Mrs. Giller commented on the recent performances of the CHS Drama Club and the talent of our students. She also thanked everyone involved for a job well done. Mr. Jarosz commented that he had seen the recent news story on Rozie, therapy dog at Harmony Hill. It was a very nice story!
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
9260 – Conditional Appointment and Emergency Conditional Appointment – Student Safety Policy
9320 – Drug-Free Workplace
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
April 10, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
April 16, 2024 – Audit Committee Meeting – Page Avenue at 5:30 PM
April 27, 2024 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 7:00pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation and to discuss negotiations with Cohoes Principals Association.
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:16pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder
- Second by: Mrs. Giller
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0