Board of Education Business Meeting
Cohoes, New York
November 2, 2022
LGI Room, CHS, 6pm
(The Board of Education may entertain a motion to enter into an executive session subject to Board approval.)
MINUTES
A. The Meeting was called to Order by the President, Mrs. Giller at 6:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Carey
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder – excused
- 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
- Mr. Jeff Huneau, Athletic Director
B. DISTRICT REPORTS
Fall Sports Update – Athletic Director Mr. Huneau gave an overview of the athletic department goals and programming as well as Fall 2022 sports numbers and highlights. He also reviewed the “Tiger Way”, a set of qualities which helps students to be their best. He also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Stapleton and his team for preparing and maintaining our fields for the Fall Sports season.
Superintendent Update – At the last Board meeting Erin Hill, Director of Special Programs, mentioned that the cost of our partnership with Northern Rivers would be $49,000, which is eligible for BOCES aid. Erin has since spoken with representatives from BOCES and Northern Rivers and they determined that these services can be provided at no cost to the District. The clinician sees clients at the New Karner Road Clinic two days per week, and is co-located at CMS for three days per week (0.6 FTE). With this arrangement, enough total income is generated so that Northern Rivers is able to pay her a consistent salary without the district augmenting her reimbursement.
Ms. O’Shea shared with the board that the Campus Safety monitor position was recently deemed non-competitive by the New York State Civil Service commission. The hiring process is underway.
She also discussed the recent meeting of the Career Education committee which is led by Becky LaForest. Ms. O’Shea mentioned that there will be mini career fairs representing various career pathways scheduled in the near future at Cohoes High School. The schedule will be shared with the Board.
She also mentioned that she will share the draft job description of the Strength and Conditioning coach with the Board in the near future. Due to certification requirement it may necessitate a title change.
Ms. O’Shea commented on the community-wide Halloween celebrations which include the Trunk or Treat parade on Remsen Street, the CHS haunted house, costumes and parades at all three (3) Elementary schools. It was a great week!
Mr. Martinelli gave an update on the distribution of air purifiers which the board had requested at the last meeting.
C. BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
D. COMMUNITY DISCUSSION OF AGENDA ITEMS – None
E. OLD BUSINESS – None
F. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education Meeting of October 19, 2022
B. THAT the Board of Education adopts the following policy:
1900 Parent/Engagement
5151 Homeless Children
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
INSTRUCTIONAL
A. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Alcinay, Shelley
- Grafflin, Drew
- Maley, Christophe
- Milazzo, Francesca
- Raga-Powell, Jasmine
- Sendzicki, Susan
- Gehres, Brandon
Effective: November 3, 2022
B. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (F) of the September 7, 2022 Agenda to read as follows:
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Reilley Blue
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Mathematics Teacher (CHS)
- Tenure Area: Mathematics
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022 through December 31, 2022 June 30, 2023
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
C. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints the following individual as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher.
Ruth Ward
- Position: Long-Term Substitute Special Education Teacher (HH)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: August 31, 2022 through December 2, 2022
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
D. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District appoints Michelle Michaud to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Special Education, effective December 5, 2022 and expiring on December 4, 2026. Michaud holds Professional Certification in the areas of Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6).
Michelle Michaud
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (HH)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: December 5, 2022
- Tenure Date: December 4, 2026
- Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)
E. THAT the Board of Education approve the following student teacher placements from the following school (unpaid):
The College of St. Rose
January 2 through February 21, 2023
Ashley Burns with Sheri Frueh at Harmony Hill Elementary School
NON-INSTRUCTIONAL
F. Sean VanSleet
- Position: 1.0 FTE Custodian (PERMANENT appt.)
- Effective Date: October 21, 2022
- Probation Period: April 20, 2023
- Salary: Per CSEA contract
G. THAT the Board of Education authorizes hours not to exceed forty (40) at the per diem rate of $30/hour for Dianna Mendoza as substitute Senior Account Clerk Typist.
Effective: October 31, 2022 through November 30, 2022
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School District hereby appoints Amber Oliver to the position of Senior Account Clerk Typist, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission on a conditional basis; such appointment is a provisional appointment.
Amber Oliver
- Position: Senior Account Clerk Typist (Provisional) CO
- Effective Date: November 8, 2022
- Salary: Per current CSEA contract
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the November 2 ,2022 Agenda:
VI (A-B), VII (A-H), and IX (A)
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
VIII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – BUSINESS/FINANCE
A. FINANCIAL REPORTS (Recommended by the Superintendent)
I recommend that the following reports be accepted by the Board of Education:
-
- Warrants-September – 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- N/A
- Reserve and Fund Balance Report
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION – None
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller, on behalf of the Board, thanked Mr. Huneau for his presentation and expressed appreciation of his efforts for the athletic programs, his focus is on student achievement, and encouraging all students to follow the “Tiger Way”. She also thanked Mr. Stapleton and his team for their hard work.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW
Second Reading:
Policy 1900 – Parent and Family Engagement
Policy 5151 – Homeless Children
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
- November 16, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
- December 14, 2022, LGI Room, CHS & Livestreamed at 6pm
MOTION: To enter into Executive session at 6:36 pm to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation; and negotiations with the Cohoes Teachers’ Association.
- Moved by: Mr. Nadeau
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: To adjourn at 6:55 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Carey
- Second by: Mr. Nadeau
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 6-0