Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
October 11, 2023 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 6:00 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller – excused
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mr. Dan Martinelli, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Capital Project Update – Greg Klokiw, Managing Principal at CS Arch Architectural Firm, reviewed the project status for Phase 1. He shared that the Harmony Hill playground and Abram Lansing roof are complete and the elevator work will take place this summer. He shared that plans for Phase 2 are currently under review with the New York State Education Department.
Mr. Klokiw shared that the budget for Phase 2 of the project is higher than at pre-referendum and there have been a number of meetings with district administration and the Facilities Committee to revise project scope to align with the budget. He shared the project scope by building which included a breakdown of items included and potential items for deletion or revision with
potential bid alternatives.
Mr. Jackson asked for a budget analysis of the cost differential between a six (6) and eight (8) lane track. Mrs. Paradis asked if information could be provided as to the cost of solely expanding cafeteria seating. Ms. O’Shea indicated that the district is looking at new cafeteria tables as changing the seating arrangements would go a long way in providing easier supervision. Ms. O’Shea will follow up with CS Arch.
Superintendent Report – Ms. O’Shea shared that she was pleased with the number of responses to the survey asking parents and community members to join district committees and is happy that a number of staff will be joining as well. We will be able to accommodate all of those interested.
She also shared a proposal entitled “Strengthening Community Connections” prepared by Capital Region BOCES (Engagement & Development Services and Education Support Services) which would be of no additional cost to the district. Key objectives include increasing involvement with and advocacy for the district, increasing family attendance and participation in school events/activities and creating a greater connection between students and their school as well as the wider community.
Ms. O’Shea also discussed the upcoming Communication Survey which will be going out to parents and community members in the near future. She mentioned that the first Superintendent newsletter went out that day and thanked Mary Beth Galarneau, BOCES communication specialist, for all of her creativity and hard work on this project.
Mr. Martinelli provided information pertaining to the Residency Checks/Verification service which we utilize through Capital Region BOCES. At this time, the district has requested 24 residency verifications to be completed through this service.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey shared with the board an article written by Assembly member John T. McDonald, III regarding a proposal to modify the constitutional language limiting debt for small city school districts that will appear on the November ballot. If passed, this would allow small city school districts to operate under the same debt limits as the suburban & rural
school districts. She also advised that the ST-3 reports are late, but progressing and that the Audit Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2023 at 5 pm in the Superintendent’s office. Draft financial statements will be forwarded upon receipt.
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 accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of
September 27, 2023.
B. THAT the Board of Education awards the Internal Auditing Services RFP dated September 26, 2023 to Michael T. Wolff, CIA and awards the contract dated October 11, 2023 in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
C. THAT the Board of Education approves the following fully depreciated textbooks to be removed from the fixed asset inventory:
“American History” 6 th edition by Henretta, Brody and Dumenil – ISBN#
031244350-1 (17 books).
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. THAT the Board of Education approve the following Social Work intern
placements from the following school:
State University of New York at Albany
October 2, 2023 through June 25, 2024
Arielle Aronoff and Caragh Lenox with Amanda Regis at Harmony Hill
Elementary School
B. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Brittany Whitford from the position of Special Education teacher (ALS).
Effective: November 6, 2023.
C. THAT the Board of Education appoints the following individuals to the Substitute Teacher and Tutor list:
- Ricci, Natalie
Effective: September 7, 2023
- Becker, Jamie
- Daley, Connor
- Fawcett, Shauna
- Jakusik, Brian
- Roberts, Susan
- Schertzer, Howard
- Thomas, Kristen
- Torricella, Angela
Effective: October 11, 2023
D. THAT the Board of Education amend item VII (C) of the September 13, 2023,
2023 Agenda to read as follows:
THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional
teaching assignments for the following individuals for the 2023-2024 school year:
Andrew Quinn – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Spanish (1.2 FTE total)
Fallon Jennings – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract – Spanish (1.2 FTE total)
Jennifer Heeney – 0.2 FTE as per CTA contract –Spanish (1.2 FTE total)
Effective: September 1, 2023 through November 9, 2023 October 3, 2023
Cohoes City School District October 11, 2023
Board of Education Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6
E. THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional
assignments for the following individual for the 2023-2024 school year:
Kelly Atkinson – .125 FTE as per CTA contract – Physical Therapist (1.125 FTE
total)
Effective: September 6, 2023 through June 26, 2024
F. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby approves the revised agreement dated October 5, 2023 relating to Jill Havens as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”) for the 1.0 (FTE) position as Dean of Students at Cohoes Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year.
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby approves the revised agreement dated October 5, 2023 relating to Gabrielle White as a Teacher on Special Assignment (“TOSA”) for the 1.0 (FTE) position as Dean of Students at Cohoes High School for the 2023-2024 school year.
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Isabella Anderson to a four – year probationary term in the
tenure area of Special Education, effective October 10, 2023 and expiring on
October 9, 2027. Ms. Anderson holds Initial Certifications in the areas of
Students With Disabilities (Birth –Grade 2), Students With Disabilities (Grades 1- 6), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), and Early Childhood Education (Birth –
Grade 2).
Isabella Anderson
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (AL)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Birth –Grade 2), Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: October 10, 2023
- Tenure Date: October 9, 2027
- Salary: Step 1 of the current CTA contract
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District Erika Weinbacher to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Teaching Assistant, effective October 2, 2023 and expiring on October 1, 2027. Ms. Weinbacher holds Level I Teaching Assistant Certification.
Erika Weinbacher
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teaching Assistant (CMS)
- Certification: Teaching Assistant
- Tenure Area: Teaching Assistant
- Effective Date: October 2, 2023
- Tenure Date: October 1, 2027
- Salary: As per the current CTA contract, BA/BS Teacher Assistant Salary Schedule
Non-Instructional
J. THAT the Board of Education approve the Agreement By and Between the
Cohoes City School District and the CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
Cohoes School District Unit and Katrina Hunt regarding additional duties to be
performed to the role of Chief Information Officer/District Data Coordinator
dated October 5, 2023.
K. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Nataliya Hayvanovych to the position of full time
Teacher Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Nataliya Hayvanovych
- Position: 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (CHS)
- Effective Date: October 2, 2023
- Probation Period: April 1, 2024
- Salary: Entry level per current CSEA contract
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the October 11, 2023 agenda
VI (A-C), VII (A-K) and X (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- N/A
- Budget Transfers – N/A
- Budget Status Report – N/A
- Revenue Status Report – N/A
- Bank Reconciliation Report – NA\
- Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation of five (5) monthly bus passes from Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) valued at $325 to be used for career exploration.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Carey on behalf of the board, thanked CDTA for their generous donation to provide transportation for career exploration opportunities. She also discussed performing arts as a path to develop students’ passions and inquired if during budget season the exploration of enrichment at the elementary level could be discussed.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
October 25, 2023 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
November 8, 2023 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter to Executive Session at 7:16 pm. To discuss negotiations with Cohoes Teachers’ Association.
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 7:26 pm
- Moved by: Mrs. Paradis
- Second by: Mr. Jackson
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0