Cohoes City School District
Board of Education Business Meeting
October 25, 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 6:01 pm
ROLL CALL
Present:
- Mrs. Giller
- Mr. Jackson
- Mrs. Snyder
- Mrs. Gendron
- Mrs. Paradis
- Mr. Jarosz
- Mrs. Carey
Also Present:
- Ms. Peggy O’Shea, Superintendent of Schools
- Mrs. Stacy Mackey, School Business Official
II. DISTRICT REPORTS
Board of Education Appreciation Week – Principal Tarlo and high school teachers and students from each department thanked the Board of Education for the gift of learning.
Cohoes Middle and High School
Building Plan presentations
The middle school and high school principals, along with their building leadership team members, shared their 2023-2024 building plans. The building goals are aligned with the district commitments and beliefs. The middle school plan outlined steps to help students complete Naviance Career Interest surveys in each grade, to decrease behavioral incidents and improve
student academic achievement.
The high school plan outlined steps to develop consistency building-wide to support students in reaching future goals, increase student and parent involvement, and support faculty and staff in the implementation of best practices.
Both teams expressed their gratitude to Career Education Coordinator Becky LaForest for the various opportunities provided to the secondary students.
Business Update – Ms. Mackey gave an update on the recent Audit committee meeting. The committee met with MMB (formerly Marvin & Company) and reviewed the draft financial statements and the corrective action plan. She shared highlights from the financial statements, the federal grant programs were “clean” which is very impressive, we received an unmodified opinion- which is the best rating to have. Ms. Mackey discussed excess fund balances and debt services.
She also discussed the need for the Audit Committee to meet again this year along with the claims auditor and deputy claims auditor to develop a RFP for an external auditor. She will share more information as the date approaches.
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 amended Minutes of the June 7, 2023 Board of Education meeting.
B. THAT the Board accepts the Minutes of the Board of Education meeting of
October 11, 2023.
C. THAT the Board of Education accepts the minutes for the Committee on
Special Education and the Committee on Pre-School Special Education for the
following dates: 6/13/23, 7/13/23, 8/7/23, 8/10/23, 8/15/23, 8/17/23, 8/23/23, 8/28/23, 8/29/23, 8/30/23, 9/6/23, 9/8/23, 9/11/23, 9/12/23, 9/14/23, 9/22/23, 9/25/23, 9/28/23, 10/2/23, 10/5/23, 10/6/23, 10/12/23, 10/16/23
D. THAT the Board of Education approves a contract with Northeast Parent and Child Society (School at Northeast) located at 1821 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, New York 12304 for special education services during the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at rates subject to final approval by NYSED.
E. THAT the Board of Education approves the Memorandum of Agreement between the Cohoes City School District and the Cohoes Teachers’ Association dated October 25, 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year following the terms within.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
Instructional
A. BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints and employs Kelly Burtnick to a term position as an
Elementary Teacher (AIS) (grant funded) for the maximum period of October 26, 2023 to June 30, 2024, subject to earlier termination by the Board of Education.
This a term appointment and is not a probationary appointment. It is specifically acknowledged that Mrs. Burtnick 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.
Kelly Burtnick
Position: Elementary Teacher (AIS) (HHS)
Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract (grant-funded)
B. THAT the Board of Education approves a salary increase due to additional
assignments for the following individual for the 2023-2024 school year:
Karin Sencer – .125 FTE as per CTA contract – Speech – (1.125 FTE total)
Effective: October 26, 2023 through June 30, 2024
Non-Instructional
C. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Kerry Bottenfield from her position as Girls JV Basketball Coach.
Effective: Immediately
D. THAT the Board of Education accept the resignation of Kristy Jarosz from her position as Girls Modified Basketball Coach.
Effective: Immediately
E. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Katelynn Howes to the position of full time Teacher
Aide, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission, such
appointment is a probationary appointment.
Katelynn Howes
Position 1.0 FTE Teacher Aide (HHS)
Effective Date October 26, 2023
Probation Period: April 25, 2024
Salary: Entry-level per current CSEA contract
ADDENDA
VI. REPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. THAT the Board of Education approves the agreement between the Cohoes City School District and Securly, Inc., located at 5600 77 Center Drive, Suite 350, Charlotte, NC for cloud-based software products and services for the 2023-2024 school year in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.
VII. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SUPERINTENDENT – PERSONNEL
F. THAT the Board of Education accepts the resignation of Gregory Clemenzi from the position of 0.6 FTE Spanish/0.4 FTE ESL teacher (CMS).
Effective: November 17, 2023.
G. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Stacey Hanley to a four – year probationary term in the tenure
area of Special Education, effective November 27, 2023 and expiring on
November 26, 2027. Ms. Hanley holds Professional Certifications in the areas of Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6) and Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).
Stacey Hanley
- Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (AL)
- Certification: Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
- Tenure Area: Special Education
- Effective Date: November 27, 2023
- Tenure Date: November 26, 2027
- Salary: Step 10 of the current CTA contract
H. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District appoints Helen Perry to a four – year probationary term in the tenure area of Special Education, effective November 13, 2023 and expiring on November 12, 2027. Ms. Perry holds Initial Certification in the area of Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6).
Helen Perry
Position: 1.0 FTE Special Education Teacher (AL)
Certification: Students With Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Tenure Area: Special Education
Effective Date: November 13, 2023
Tenure Date: November 12, 2027
Salary: Step 4 of the current CTA contract
I. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Education of the Cohoes City School
District hereby appoints Brian Wallingford to the position of full time Campus
Safety Monitor, subject to the rules of the Cohoes Civil Service Commission,
such appointment is a probationary appointment.
Brian Wallingford
Position: 1.0 FTE Campus Safety Monitor (CHS)
Effective Date: November 13, 2023
Probation Period: May 19, 2024
Salary: As per current CSEA contract
BOARD ACTION ON CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION: THAT the Board of Education removes Item VII (D) from the consent agenda for a separate vote.
- Moved by: Mrs. Giller
- Seconded by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried 7-0
MOTION: THAT the Board of Education adopt the following resolution of the October 25, 2023 Agenda:
VII (D)
- Moved by: Mrs. Snyder Seconded by: Mrs. Gendron
- Voted “Aye” Motion carried: 6-0
Mrs. Giller
Mr. Jackson
Mrs. Snyder
Mrs. Gendron
Mrs. Paradis
Mrs. Carey
Abstained: Mr. Jarosz
DESIGNATION OF CONSENT AGENDA: THAT the Board of Education adopts the following resolutions of the October 25, 2023 agenda
VI (A-F), VII (A-C and E-I), IX (A) AND X (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- September 2023
- Budget Transfers – September 2023
- Budget Status Report – September 2023
- Revenue Status Report – September 2023
- Bank Reconciliation Report –September 2023
- Internal Claims Audit Report – N/A
X. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATION
A. THAT the Board of Education accepts a donation from Abram Lansing Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) in the amount of $2,036.32 to be used for end of the year field trip transportation.
XI. COMMENTS FROM BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
Mrs. Giller brought up the November 8, 2023 Board of Education meeting which now conflicts with the Soccer banquet. She respectfully asked if the meeting could be held at an earlier time or a different date to accommodate the parents on the board of education who would like to attend the banquet. The board agreed to move the meeting to Thursday, November 9, 2023.
Ms. O’Shea will check with the elementary principals to see if their building leadership teams would be available to meet on that date/time. She will make
arrangement to have the meeting moved to Thursday, November 9, 2023.
Ms. O’Shea thanked Mrs. Paradis for bringing the “Hidden Dangers” program to the district’s attention.
XII. QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS FROM AUDIENCE – None
XIII. BOARD POLICY REVIEW – None
XIV. DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
November 9, 2023 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
November 29, 2023 – Cohoes Middle School Library at 6 PM
XV. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to enter to Executive Session at 7:56 pm. 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 and to discuss a legal matter.
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Gendron
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 7-0
MOTION: To adjourn at 8:39 pm
- Moved by: Mr. Jarosz
- Second by: Mrs. Snyder
- All voted “Aye”
- Motion carried: 6-0