Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
May 18, 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 6:03pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Pascale
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Dion
- Mr. Annely – excused
- Mrs. Snyder – arrived at 6:31 pm
- 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
Cohoes High School Science Symposium – Mr. Kloczko and six out of the seven students participating the Science Research class attended the board meeting to share their research topics and to invite members of the board to the June 2, 2022 Symposium at 6 pm at Cohoes High School.
2022-2023 Budget Vote & Election results – Ms. O’Shea announced the budget passed by 82% and the Capital Project passed by 84%. She congratulated Mrs. Carey, who will serve her second term on the board and welcomed Mrs. Paradis and Mrs. Gendron, whose terms will begin on July 1, 2022. Ms. O’Shea thanked the Board for their time throughout the process, Mrs. Carey and Mr. Jackson for serving on the budget committee and attending numerous meetings, and Mr. Jackson for also serving on the Facilities Committee. She also expressed her gratitude to Ms. Mackey for her knowledge and thoroughness during the budget process and Mrs. Rumsey for doing a wonderful job as District Clerk during her first budget vote and election.
American Rescue Plan amendments – Ms. O’Shea and Ms. Mackey discussed the amendments to ARP for the 2022-20023 school year.
Summer Programming – Mr. Martinelli gave an overview of the summer programming scheduled as well as SUNY Tutoring and TSL care.
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. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of May 4, 2022.
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Committee on Special Education for the following dates:
3/7/22, 3/11/22, 3/14/22, 3/16/22, 3/17/22, 3/18/22, 3/21/22, 3/22/22, 3/23/22, 3/24/22, 3/25/22, 3/28/22, 3/29/22, 3/31/22, 4/1/22, 4/7/22, 4/8/22, 4/11/22, 4/12/22, 4/14/224/25/22, 4/27/22, 5/2/22
C. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract between Cohoes City School District and Vanderheyden in Wynantskill, New York for Special Education services during the 2021-2022 school year for the period of April 26, 2022 through June 24, 2022 at a rate of $46,429 per student and during the ESY period of July 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022 at a rate of $7,738. These rates are subject to change based on NYSED finalized rates.
D. THAT the Board of Education accepts the following results of the May 17, 2022 Budget and Board of Education Election Vote.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list.
Madison Schermerhorn
Effective: May 16, 2022
- Jeremy Brand
- Emmett Gallinger
- Connor McCagg
- Morgan Philips
- Seja Stubblfield
- Caitlin Zegger
- Patrick Campion
- Jean Flynn
- Jim Swab
- Kieran McDonald
Effective: May 19, 2022
B. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (D) of the November 17, 2021 Minutes to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2021-2022 school year:
Kerry Bottenfield – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract –ESL (1.2 FTE total)
Effective: October 18, 2021 through April 8, 2022
C. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby creates a full-time (1.0 FTE) Intervention Specialist for the Abram Lansing Elementary School position effective August 31, 2022 and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Christina Kellar shall be assigned, as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”), to the full-time (1.0 FTE) Intervention Specialist position for the 2022-2023 school year and approves the agreement relating to the same. While in this assignment as a TOSA, Christina Kellar shall remain in the Elementary tenure area and all time spent as a full time employee in the position of Intervention Specialist shall be credited as time in the Elementary tenure area.
D. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Evan J. Morier from his position as Science Teacher (CMS).
Effective: June 30, 2022
Non-Instructional
E. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Laura Urban from her position of Teacher Aide.
Effective: June 25, 2022
F. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation for retirement purposes of Karen DeCenzo from her position of Cook.
Effective: June 24, 2022
G. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Heather Daigneault from her position as Special Education Teacher (VS).
Effective: June 30, 2022
H. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Zhane Smith from her position as Part-time Teacher Aide (HH).
Effective: May 30, 2022
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the May 18, 2022 Agenda:
VI (A-D), VII (A-H) and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mr. Pascale
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- 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 – April 2022
- Budget Transfers – April 2022
- Budget Status Report – April 2022
- Revenue Status Report – April 2022
- Bank Reconciliation Report – April 2022
- Internal Claims Audit Report
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mr. Pascale noted that our community came out and supported our budget, remarking that “Cohoes cares about kids.” Mrs. Giller thanked all of the voters for their support and echoed Mr. Pascale’s remarks.
Mrs. Giller, on behalf of the Board, expressed her gratitude to Mrs. Urban and Mrs. DeCenzo and congratulated them on their upcoming retirement. “They will be missed.”
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
Mrs. Giller noted that the Board had received one question regarding the turf field and has forwarded that question to Athletic Director Mr. Huneau.
VIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
June 1, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
June 15, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive Session at 6:43p.m.
To discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation; or
To discuss collective bargaining with CSEA
- Moved by: Mrs. Pascale
- Second by: Mrs. Dion
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:26pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Dion
- Second by: Mr. Jackson
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0