001Good evening and welcome to the Cohoes City School District Board of Education meeting tonight, April 29th. I'd like to call the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. Could you please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In case of emergency, there are two exits here on the side and the one in the center that you came in. We would meet out front. Could we please have a roll call? Mr. Jackson. Here. Mrs. Snyder. Excused. Mrs. Gendron. Excused. Mrs. Paradise. Here. Mr. Drose. Excused. >> Mrs. Burwell. Here. And Mrs. Geller. I'm here. Thank you all for attending tonight. I'll turn it over to you, Superintendent O'Shea,
002for our district reports. Thank you. So, to start off the evening, I'm going to call up the middle school principal, Heather Brock, to talk introduce and talk about exciting presentations of our middle schoolers. Hi, everybody. I'm I'm going to welcome up Lindsay Fontaine, special education teacher with me, along with Stephanie the career coordinator. They spearheaded a volunteer group of students in 7th and 8th grade who were paired with um company Crane and Crane Stationery, and the students went and visited Crane Stationery, and they made a video, and it was just a really great program for the students. It was all volunteer. Let Miss Fontaine give you some more specifics about it. So, the organization is called What's So Cool About Manufacturing, and the idea is to They first start to get the kids involved saying
003that in the Capital Region there's 900 plus manufacturing places to go to that we didn't really know about. So, it exposes kids to jobs in manufacturing and each school got paired up with a specific place. So, we got Great Manufacturing and they kind of like roped us in with some cool things like they've done the invitations for certain things at the White House. They've done Taylor Swift's Christmas We're not allowed to say that, but yeah. And just other cool things and we got that first over our a little field trip and we walked around and got to see all the cool things and the kids got to pick a couple of people who work there to interview and then they got to come back and we interviewed this individuals that were working there and asked
004them specific questions why they like manufacturing and the kids had to put together a video kind of showing why manufacturing is cool and why it would be good to get a job there in the future. And it was kind of cool. You'll see Mr. Wilson's on there and it's actually one of our home Claire Darrow's dad and we didn't know that when we went there. So, we found somebody and it ended up linking right back to Cohoes, which we had no idea. It always does. >> [laughter] >> All roads, right? Exactly. That daily right here. So, we had a group of students that, you know, we they we offered it to anyone in seventh and eighth grade and a few reached out and said that they would donate some time and it was super fun
005for them. They learned a ton. On the next slide, I think we have a couple of pictures and then you can see the video that we submitted. We didn't win anything, but we should have. >> [laughter] [snorts] >> Oh, no. Oh, no. Can you get it? Yes. >> [clears throat] >> So, they started the program last year and last year I think they said they had six schools that were participating last year and this year there were 15 schools and so they're trying to continue to double their numbers every year. So, it was a it was a really good experience for our kids. I proved you. >> [laughter] >> You would be good now cuz you're >> [clears throat] [music] >> I'll just explain to you how we do it. We are pursuing our goals
006creatively by allowing people to truly express themselves, not in just the term of personal greeting, but in the sense of action. When you're purchasing something from Great Stationery, you know, it is something that is handcrafted by us to be used by you. Creativity takes on a lot of different approaches on the typical level. graphic designers graphic designers have a clear vision of putting something down on paper. And then we try to help them along the way by offering them uh the ability to produce the new design aspect of technology and all the work that I create, right? Human creativity in some ways it hasn't changed that much. Okay. Uh in fact, some of these cases have some really cool stuff that we've done. And the way they used to And then I mean really in
00720 years ago it's not that different from how we do it today. Uh in other ways we do use more modern technology, uh laser machines to cut the plate. [laughter] We get to do a lot of interesting jobs. Some of the jobs we do are sometimes pretty big. For example, I have a customer that orders, you know, pallets worth And so we have to do a big project to get all those out the door. Uh some are fun because of the brand that we know or celebrity name. Uh so it's pretty interesting. Uh but anything that is uh requires creativity, something new for us to try, then we'll work on We're very creative and comfortable in manufacturing shoes for our generation. Well, in my case, I actually came out of retirement to get back to
008the job. So, it's truly a good feeling when you produce something. It feels good. Somebody will be happy when they will see it. It's a good feeling. It's a good feeling every day. What do you love most about your job? Just great to be, you know, working with the aspect of creating something for the future. It's really interesting. >> [laughter] >> Any questions? I just think it's a wonderful opportunity. I just want to thank you guys for putting all the work and effort into participating in something like this. I think it's a good chance for our kiddos to get out there and see what real business is and, you know, we're talking about production, we're talking about creative design, we're talking about, you know, the basics of business, you know, all things that they could
009possibly see themselves in. So, anytime we get the opportunity to bring our kids into those situations and be able to see themselves there, you know, we always strive and push for career opportunities and and uh to give our kids exposure and and doing something like this, it's well, it's fun, it's still doing that. So, thank you for thinking outside the box and letting our kids participate in something uh that hopefully will be able to participate in years to come. So, thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU. >> [applause] >> SO, JEN HEANEY COULD NOT ATTEND this evening, our career education coordinator, but she will be presenting at our meeting on the 20th meeting, providing updates as to the many career awareness and readiness activities that have happened this year opportunities for students. So, next up I'm
010going to call Principal Lara Tyra from Pep Post High School first starting to talk about where we stand in terms of the issues student board member process for this year and then within the alternative education program also. Sure, so just a quick update on the ex officio that I had referenced our next student council meeting is Monday. We use the student council as sort of a vetting process to demonstrate is there any interest or there any questions? Um, how many people would be interested and go from that? Um, so we might have a minute students who's also an advisor for student council has been to bring it to that group on Monday talk about it explain it see what sort of interest we have and then share that information with me so I can work
011and communicate um, with the superintendent on that information. So, next week at some point we should have an update on that. Okay. We don't typically have participation in the summer, um, you know, from our student board members but it is nice if they were able to would be able to kind of swear in without like what we're doing that. Um, yep. The other thing that I was kind of thinking of was that we had talked a little bit about um, incorporating a K-12 focus where maybe um, you know, I've seen some student boards actually reporting out for like the elementary student councils too and then things that they're interested in. So, just a thought of maybe uh, expanding the template of whatever you guys are working on to incorporate each of our buildings just to
012bring in um, you know, what kids are working on at all levels just a thought and it may help kind of spur that conversation about you know, the connectivity between our buildings and what we do as a district. Yeah, while you're talking I was thinking about some um, half days or or school field trips of student governance, you know, K-12 student governance meetings that we could host even at the high school and invite uh the other schools to come in quarterly or uh you know, even semester based and just share what they're working on so that they can report out on that level. Yeah, and It would be really nice. Yeah, and probably a really good experience for the younger schools. That's true. Um to kind of see what that governance looks like at you
013get older, so. Thank you. Yeah. Any questions? No, I'm good. Okay. Um and then the next thing I put together some numbers and shared them with the superintendent to pass along with you before uh the alternative learning program. Um what I did was I used end of quarter three data as the point to kind of look and see who's on track for credit accrual for the year for each course and then I broke that down for you in a pass rate. Um so I can certainly answer certainly answer any questions you might have on that. Um I think what's what's hard is in the day-to-day you get bogged down with the minutia and the details of what is not going ideal and what you want it to be perfect and it's not, but then when
014I put something like this together I kind of exhale a little bit and go, "Okay, really three out of four students on average are going to leave with a bunch of credits this year that if we did nothing different last year, they would probably be leaving with no credits and be repeating entire grade levels." So, there is celebration in that journey and in knowing that maybe we don't have it perfect, but we we've moved these kids a lot further along. Um several of the current sophomores have made their schedules for Capital Region BOCES next year in a variety of CTE programs that they otherwise wouldn't have qualified for because of credit deficiency. So, I think that those are are celebratory pieces. Um certainly, you know, any new program is not without challenges. You know, we've
015been very transparent in discussion about the location was not where we had hoped it would be. Um we had turnover in coordinators this year. Uh we had teacher transfers back and forth to buildings. We had students that we couldn't get to come despite our best efforts, so we transferred some new students in. So, you know, but that is essentially also the essence of an alternative program is just incredible flexibility and, you know, expect the unexpected, right, Mr. Charlton? That's a quote that we've been using this week. And and really I just think for year one there's certainly a lot of takeaways, but when I look at this it gives me hope that if we can refine this even further and eight out of 10 or nine out of 10 kids are leaving our program because
016really if you did a data dive on this, you'd find that the kids that aren't on track, they're not coming. You know, so if you show up, you make an effort, you come to school, you at least try, the teachers are really pulling you across that finish line to get you to to do what you need to do. So, it's really an attendance-based issue. Again, I could go on and on and on about the the lack of accountability that we get support with on a county level and on a state level with getting families to school and stories of as an assistant principal being down in Albany weekly to deal with attendance-related matters that those interventions are no longer in place, those diversion services are no longer in place. So, it's really about building intrinsic
017motivation for students and we've incorporated bringing Jenny down and doing some career stuff, we're doing some financial literacy stuff with the kids. At the end of this year, we've talked about goal setting and career planning, understanding the value and the long-term financial impact of high school diploma versus not completing. So, I didn't know, you know, I kind of put this together. Next year we're really, really hopeful that we will be at the community center and that's our goal is to really have it off off campus center and make sure that we are providing an alternate space for the students to be successful. There's so much there to engage students, right, in a central location in the city. So, we hope that that would be a successful spot and Superintendent O'Shea's been in talks with with
018everybody involved in that quite frequently and we're hoping that we can hear back soon and get those those things into motion, but So, our our contacts after we took the tour, our consultants took the tour to determine, you know, what we would be needing to submit in paperwork to state that there are some areas, a couple doors that need glass you know, windows to be able to see in. Bathrooms that need to be compliant with those standards and that was part of the community center's plan work around in terms of ventilation in one of the classrooms which could be air conditioning. Um so, we were in talks as recently as as last week about that and you know, getting closer. I know that the public [laughter] that the community center was shut down this week
019so I have a follow up to to you know, determine how that potentially impact us. I hope not because as I said, I had a meeting just the week prior but we'll keep everybody posted and I want to thank both the principal and Turlock this year and all the teachers of the alternative program you know, we've been through many reiterations. This is our closest yet I believe to um Yeah, I did a a brief history lesson with the with the teachers. We had a team meeting today about the history of alternative learning um in the district as as far back to people saying, oh yeah, I remember you but I went to board you know, and what did that mean if you went to the board versus you went to A&E versus you went to
020care versus you went to AG versus you know, so um alternative programs are tough and you know, if you go that you can go with an open heart and mind and just really trying to serve those kids and get them to the right focus. I think that's the big thing which is why we really wanted at the community center so that we can really get those high levels of engagement because like I mentioned, we're we're up against just pure intrinsic motivation for kids to attend school at this point. Yeah. I I think that um you know our goal from all of the conversations it is you know to be able to get into a partnership with them and be able to have it housed there. Obviously, we're all very concerned about announcements that were made
021about looking at their you know financial position without having any more details about that we're kind of in limbo. Should we assume that plan B is continuing through what we're using if we don't have plan A available or I'm just Yeah. seeing some sort of of success, right? We don't want to have to go back to nothing. You know, I just No, and I think that probably what you'll see is the 76 will be even higher cuz there's kids that you know will start to realize over the next few weeks they got to come and hand things in. So, we're hoping that eight out of 10 kids are going to move forward with straight credit accruals. Maybe they were deficient in one or two courses. You know, like things like biology or math cuz if
022you don't know the lab then it's you can't sit through the test things like that. I think we need to really talk that through. You know, if that program can't be there and you know, is this something that we think we can continue to implement with fidelity with the staffing that we have you know, just the setting. I also think we could sell to the county even if they're short on a revenue stream that we can create some sort of revenue stream through a partnership and lease and have that business conversation. You know, but I don't I don't know the level of their of their fiscal woes. I know that the core when we went there and toured it they had done a ton of capital improvements, flooring, paint, roofs, systems, doors, windows, security. I
023mean, so they they've invested a ton of money so I can't imagine it's permanent but I know you know Peg was going to look into that and try to find out more information. But I but I think if the answer was you know, we can't make this happen down here and we can't be offsite we need to come back to during board our having a conversation about just I think the reality and longevity of a thriving program where we can't get it offsite somewhere. And we'll hope those answers come sooner than later. Yes. Yes, absolutely. Do you have any questions on the information shared or anything about the program? I think that our 76% passing rate for your students who are going to pass is amazing. So, thank you. Thanks. I mean, giving the extra
024effort to those kids that don't get it at their own level, I think, is just is phenomenal and you know, it shows for the ones who are engaged that they are engaged. Yeah, there's hope for them. Yeah. Absolutely. All right. Well, thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um and now I'm going to ask Rachel Mersky, our director of MCSS, to come up. There were some questions about some student programming and uh Rachel's going to share that information with us. Yep. I just wanted to let everybody know about the work we've been doing um to cover us as far as Erin's Law, which was put into place in 2019 um in New York State that requires public schools to teach um children about child sexual abuse and exploitation prevention. Um so, we have been using
025St. Peter's Health Partners that comes in and does our lessons. Um they use the Child Safety Matters curriculum through the Monique Burr Foundation. They do a fantastic job. They have excellent trainers. They come in, they break it down K-2, 3-5, 6-8. So, it's very appropriate by grade level, the language they're using, how they teach it. Um you know, they talk at the youngest levels about trusted adults and strangers and they make sure their definitions of abuse are appropriate for, you know, that level and then as you build up, they get more and more obviously in-depth the lessons that are taught. Um currently, obviously Erin's Law only it ends at 8:00 p.m. and the expectation is only that it is taught K through 8. I have reached out to our partners at St. Peters who come
026in. They do not use the program that the Monique Burr Foundation does have for high schoolers which is a teen safety program but they do potentially have other programs that they have created in house that they do work with in high schools. They have a program that they call MVP that they do tailor. [cough] Tailor different topics for instance bullying, boundaries, harassment, sexual assault prevention. They also do a healthy relationship workshop using the One Love curriculum that's engaging with a red flag green flag activity. They have programs that they put together every summer as well, new programs that come out and they're always willing to partner and work with districts on topics and ideas. So they have created different information on AI and fake images and all that stuff. They do different grooming presentations. So
027they do have a lot of opportunity to continue to explore that partnership and currently they are a partner that is free to the school district. This is you know what I was going to just ask you if it was free. It is a free partnership that I have found it's not even that we have to pay for them through a grant it's just their their prevention unit is is you know tasked with this and going out into school districts and teaching the curriculum. I know all of the East Brunswick has I think through their crisis prevention unit also has similar they'll come out and teach the lessons as well. We have partnered with St. Peters for years and they've done a great job but again it is a free resource and I do believe these
028programs would also be free. Like I said the Monique Burr Foundation who is who they use for their programming does have a teen safety matters program that is geared for 9th through 12th. Talks about bullying, cyberbullying, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, all of those topics. Unfortunately, St. Peters does not currently use that. So, if we wanted to look at programming such as that, that would be something we would probably have to allow our staff to get training on to be able to teach that curriculum. So, currently we are teaching that in health classes at the high school. Yes, there is a unit in health classes that they cover basically the Erin's Law topics, but health class is typically just something juniors take. So, it is not something you would get
029every year in grades 9 through 12. But, yes, Sauk Rapids-St. Cloud does do a unit on that in the high school in the health classes. I think that where I can jump in, I think it just depends on where in their schedule it fits. I know it might not be 11th, it might be 10th for some for some class students. Yeah, I think it's a Yeah, um although we have been having discussions because we do have a freshman seminar and we're going to continue with that opportunity so that every every student This is going to have that same Yeah, I think it's important for us to continue having these conversations with our kids. I think, you know, they even as you're growing, you know, from year to year, 9 to 10, 10 to 11, you're
030experiencing different things and if you're not hearing it over and over, it might be something that's a little bit lost to you. So, I think that it's important that we continue to encourage them that our health classes do it. It's a half a credit that they can get at one point during 9th through 12. I don't think it's enough. And I think that we need to um do better and and and give some just exposure to our children. I don't know that know in a in a way that can protect them and and keep them safe and you know, continue to have these conversations. We've talked about transient of that we you know, we constantly have transfers in and out. We don't know when those students are getting the information. A lot happens between 8th
031grade and 9th grade in I think a child's mind. And you can figure out, you know, as they're growing into adulthood, they they still need to continue to hear these things. So, I appreciate the efforts that you've put in. I can't wait to see it get put to use and and translate it into actual programming >> um that we can see >> Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I'll continue to talk to my contact at St. Peters, see what they would have as far as availability for next year. I'm currently working before I vacated this position to set up our errands well dates for next year. Um which she told me their dates start opening in February. They're already booked straight through February next year, but that's about we did February March this year. So, um that will
032be when that programming takes place for our elementary well being um next year. So, I'm setting up those dates with her and we're in communication. So, I will find out more specifics about these programs, let her know that we are open to partnering as well for our high school students and then get some more specificity around which program we would like to um implement in the high school. Um and I just want to highlight we also at the elementary we start really young with Apple a Day, you know, through the ACCA. Um you know, that program is more of a risk prevention around drugs and alcohol, but clearly that's not what they're talking about with little ones. It really is more about open communication, positive peer influence, goal setting skills, all of those kinds of
033things that I think are also important and relevant. Um and then obviously we have, you know, Second Step K5 um in our schools and the Positivity Project 6 through 12. So, I think also making sure we're utilizing all of those resources as much as we can um as well. With that strong character education foundation is also pivotal. Any questions? Oh, yes. So, on May 19th, um you guys had approved a long time ago if we could just come in Brandon Teague, was sports reporter who reported on ESPN and such. So, he will be here on the 19th to do a parent presentation. It will now be here at the high school. We've had a change of venue due to our track being chosen to host the Colonial Council Championships, which is a good problem. We
034should be able to do those things now that we have a beautiful facility, and I also have child on the track team, so I'm looking forward to it. However, it cost us to have to vacate the auditorium because there wouldn't really be any parking when you have 11 schools at least coming in for the Colonial Council Championship. So, luckily his team was wonderful. They are not requiring a new contract. They just said give us the different address. So, it will be here either in here or in the gym. I'm walking through with Jason Gibbs tomorrow to decide where we really want with the acoustics set up, projector, all of that kind of stuff. >> And by in here, you mean the library. >> Oh, >> [laughter] >> yes. Um the evening will be very similar.
035I am envisioning it to um exhibition night. We have over 20 agencies who will be coming to table and support and have resources in the mental health and wellness arena. Um we have some presentations that will be taking place for students um and or adults like Building Blocks will be sharing what they do um to support our families. Um but I have somebody coming from one of the state agencies to do some digital safety and you know, putting your name and your information out there online for youth. Um fifth graders from uh Abram Lansing um will actually fourth [laughter] and fifth grade SLT members have been working with Cornell Cooperative Extension on a wellness project um that Cornell had reached out because we have done their programming at Lansing's for 3 years in the evening.
036They had a grant from Hannaford. They asked our SLT to work with them on a wellness project. So, those students are also going to present that evening. Um everything will start at 5:00 p.m. Um with a light dinner, and then we will have table wine, we will have some of these breakout sessions, and then culminate at 7:00 p.m. with the speaker. The save the date will be going out on Friday. I've been working with Meredith on that. And then next week we'll be sending out a Google form for RSVP, so we can have, you know, keep it present, and but also have kind of an idea of how many folks to expect. Great. Any questions? No, thank you. Okay. Thank you very much. >> Yeah, you're welcome. So, just a brief staffing update, and then
037a conversation around recruitment and retention. So, I had final round interviews for school psychologist for Lansing and special education teacher for the high school, and I'm working through the process and I've been in communication with the with the offer, and so I will have that information to you very soon. And hopefully that if they say yes, they'll be on the May 6th board meeting. I have a final round interview for the middle school special education teacher and school psychologist at Van Dyke early next week. So, there have been some questions around potential opportunities to assist in the recruitment and retention of the teachers. So, just a couple of things we we continue to do in job fairs. We went to reach out when to Siena. And their winter is going to wait, I can't recall
038the date. But I've been talking about are there are there other incentives or opportunities I can reach out to our grant writer through Capital Region BOCES. She said that the New York State of Teachers of Tomorrow grant is a possible venue. It It expires The current round expires this year. It was 2022-2026. So, they're going to keep their eyes out for potential for the for the future. That provides a variety of incentives that encourage prospective teachers to teach at a school if you're experiencing teacher shortage. There's There's two two grants. One is a tuition reimbursement program. And then the other The other grant um does different recruitment incentives including um both for teachers who are um being hired and for teachers in district to to get their initial or their professional certification. Also um master
039teacher program. We have had a couple teachers in the past in our master teacher program. So um so that's called Teachers of Tomorrow. We'll continue to uh explore and um uh Beth Killoran from BOCES is looking at other opportunities as as well. And any questions on that? No, I think um one of the other things that was mentioned it was just brought to uh someone's attention about another district who might qualify. And they're they're not really grants, they're state and federal programs for teachers who work in low income school districts. And And I guess the question is how how do you become a low income school district cuz I feel like we we probably are. Um but our name isn't on the list and you know, those offer um you know, uh reimburse that for
040your master's um if you are certified in in math and science, you know, but if you do have to be a part of um this database. So that was one of the things that um somebody had asked about was just how do we become or get on that list so that our teachers then qualify. But also aren't we presenting these opportunities to our new teachers to say there are situations, you know, that you can qualify under to assist with, you know, furthering your education or completing your education if we then do qualify. So talking about, you know, growing your own you know, teachers and having, you know, this Teachers of Tomorrow, you know, option. You know, I think just the more that we can kind of both align with what's available, it might be a
041little bit more um you know, helpful for our our folks in districts, so. Um also ties in so do you mind did we talk about SchoolFront and e-signing? Yeah. Um a while ago. A while ago. fits into this too cuz that will also help us. Yeah, so with the with the next school year, those are due May 1st. Um so we've started working with the SchoolFront team. Um and it's going to be a multi-phased approach. So we're starting with our onboarding process and it will be a web-based platform. Most other schools are using this platform. Um you can also and then applicants can say that they would like to work at Y and Z school districts. So it opens up our our pool considerably. Um we're only in testing now. We already have 100 over
042100 people that said that they'd like to work at the high school. So that was great. We have 2 minutes. Um so we're we're working on that now. We're going to get set up. We have weekly meetings. Um it's myself on the team, HR, and payroll. Um we are looking at to start with HR as a focus, moving to an electronic onboarding system, and then um moving all of our paper personnel files into an electronic format would be the next phase. Um so I think that's going to be probably a year and a half. We're ultimately looking to have attendance move on to the platform and then timekeeping. So for the manual um getting rid of the manual timesheets. So it's going to be it's going to be huge for our staff and it'll be
043a great resource for them. We're all very excited. We've had weekly meetings but we're only two in thus far. And and once the transition happens then it's more effective and efficient for both the our hiring and onboarding. That will also assist us because then HR can spend additional time on making sure everyone is aware of all the incentives we've been looking at. You know, we really want when we should not only attract teachers but when they do start with us, what are those ways especially beyond the year one, you have mentors for year two, new professionals for year two. But but recruitment is a big retention is just as important as recruitment. So we'll share more information with you in the future. So I also um And and when Jenny comes we can talk about
044some of the some of the additional I wanted to let you know a few other other things. So at our May 2nd of our questions we talked a lot about the track last time. So at our May 6th meeting we will revisit the track discussion and then transportation will be discussed at our June 3rd meeting. So May 6th track, June 3rd parade May 20th and then transportation at our June 3rd. And I think that's it. Unless you have anything. I just have a few very quick updates. So we do have a meeting scheduled with the city tomorrow. So we'll be reviewing the estimate for the tax rate for next year and then I'll be able to >> [clears throat] >> ask some questions to make sure that we have a complete understanding of what those
045assessments will be and any assumptions that were made in that. And then at our hearing we'll talk about the tax rate and then we'll go over the different definitions of what it might look like on a property. And 150,000 is usually what I use. So that's tomorrow. I have been working with our financial advisors and Dr. Tenenbaum so our short term borrowing for the existing capital project that's coming to conclusion that is up at the end of June so we're looking for long term borrowing. That's I've been working with the Dormitory Authority the State of New York passing. So that's usually the best most affordable borrowing option for school districts so I've been working with them. We had a council event so that's progressing. And we are also in the final phases of tax collection
046so reconciliation will be on the later May board agenda worst case early June that's our time frame. And then the final goes over to the city and then the city clerk works for a period before it goes over to the county ultimately. And that's it for me. Do you have any questions on any of those items? So some of our upcoming events tomorrow and sorry Friday Saturday DWI and math day at the high school. If you haven't gone before the the promenade is amazing at the high school for for the junior senior prom. Our budget here our ceremony induction ceremony for National Junior Honor Society. We have the spring cancer on the calendar and we will be communicating and then we'll be service day which is always fun. I enjoy but I know it's our
047seniors. Is it our eighth graders too or just our seniors? Seniors and eighth graders and then our wellness committee. So some of the coming events. Great news. Thank you Superintendent. Nope. Okay. We'll move on to the agenda portion of our evening. Does board have any items on tonight's agenda they would like to discuss? Um so in the audience with us in the audience tonight is Christie Gordon. We're very excited that in a few minutes the board will have a vote on the recommendation as our next high school principal. Christie is currently a high school principal in her fifth year at Ringgold. Was assistant principal in Monessen for four years. Five years. And special education teacher and a career CDA support leader as well. So we're very excited to have you join the society. Yes. Time
048will tell. >> [laughter] >> Any community discussion of agenda items? Okay. So can I get a designation that the get a motion that the board of education adopt the following resolutions of the April 29th agenda and addenda 7A through K, 8A through K, 9A and 10A. I'll make a motion. I'll second. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Duxbury. >> Yes. I know. Mrs. Sader? [laughter] Yes. Mrs. Caridis? Yes. Mrs. Burwell? Yes. And Mrs. Geller? Yes. Congratulations to the NEW BOARD MEMBERS. INFORMATION AND CONSIDERATIONS. [clears throat] TONIGHT WE JUST WANTED to thank you for Stewart's Holiday Match Program for their donations. We had $750 go to Abram Lansing, $800 to Harriet Gibbons, $750 to the Edmund Joyce Elementary, $650 to Cohoes Middle School, and $750 to Cohoes High School. They're always such a huge supporter for us
049and we really do appreciate their community involvement. So, thank you again to Stewart's. Um, are there any comments from the Board of Education on anything that's not related to the agenda? I do, actually. Certainly. >> Um, so I know I've brought this up before and I'm going to bring it up again that there's over $100 million now available to make clean energy upgrades in public schools. And Cohoes School District is specifically on the list as being a disadvantaged school. Um, Albany High School, well, not Albany High School, Albany School District just got more than $10 million to do upgrades at their schools. Um, along with the $10 million and then their their bond projects and all that stuff, there were no increases to the taxpayers of the City of Albany and they are installing heat
050pumps to provide clean heating, cooling to three buildings, including upgraded ventilation and filtration systems for improved indoor air quality. Project also includes the installation of building envelope and lighting improvements across 15 buildings. And supports the district in incorporating clean energy educational activities for our students and to the curriculum. Um and I actually is reducing their energy uses in all of the buildings by 20%. I've brought this up before. I've sent emails about it. I know a lot about it. I actually might even work for a company that does a lot of work with this. Um I'm going to say it once again that $10 million is is a lot of money and it's on the table. And it's there to be taken. Um Horseheads Central School District got a million, Newburgh Central School District got
051$10 million, North Syracuse Central School District got $10 million, uh Tarrytown, Westchester County got $10 million. So it's a $100 million in new funding that just went into effect again. Um this is the second round of it and I am asking for a follow-up on the process. >> Yeah. So we can bring that up during our next Board of Architecture meeting. I think that's a great opportunity. We have the audit. Um so Which it would have paid for the audit. So um we'll talk about it and maybe get a visit over to Albany um to some I'll bring that up to the next Board of Ed meeting. Do you know do you know when that is? Um we have them weekly. So at least once next week? Yes. Wednesday next I'll send you the emails
052again. Perfect. >> Thank you. Thank you. Yeah and we just wanted to um thank you Ms. Curtis for bringing that [laughter] up. >> Yeah. Sounds like a great opportunity. We always like when people give us money for things that we have to spend money on anyway. Um but uh we'd also just ask for a additional update when those were due this afternoon. >> Yeah, by 5:00 today. Um so we received two petitions back. Um, we have two open seats. Um, so Michael Dorsey and Dave DeRose um, will be our two candidates on the upcoming election running for the two open seats. Um, ballot order will be drawn first thing tomorrow morning. Steve and I will do that together. Um, and that will determine what [clears throat] order they go on the ballot. Um, and there'll
053also be two write-in options as well. Okay. Very good. >> [clears throat] >> Um, just a reminder, I know that um, Ashley has sent out a lot of our end of year events. That is how our administrators are going to know if you're going to be in attendance or not. We did ask for some details there as far as what locations, who to check in with. Um, so please just make sure that you look at your calendars and respond accordingly. Um, I also wanted to give uh, Mr. Nade a a a chance to speak if you wanted to. Did you have any updates from the student body that you'd like to? I actually do. Okay. Well, we'll be happy to hear that. >> [clears throat] >> Awesome. So, um, our annual cultural fair was a
054great success this year. We had more than six more We had six more countries represented than last year and it really did show that a lot more students are interested in participating and being a part of sharing their heritage. It did also um, seem to bring a strong sense of community and inclusion within the school. And last month we had our spring pep rally. One of the highlights of it was the pie a teacher contest and it went very well and it brought up a lot of excitement and a lot of teachers got whipped cream in their faces. And lastly, regarding the new metal detectors, most students have adjusted well to them and it does take a few extra minutes in the morning, especially during arrival or when you're leaving for cr- lunch. I'm sorry.
055For lunch or quiet study. But the process has become a lot faster as students get used to it. I see them walking in with their water bottles, their notebooks, and Chromebooks already in hand. And a lot of students have also come to me saying how much they appreciate the extra safety that our um administrations has taken like the next step to ensure our safety. But, a lot of these experiences have increased the student environment and focused and they like that you guys are maintaining a safe environment as well. Thank you. So, now to put you on the spot because we're going to ask That means she's putting me on the spot. I guess. We're going to ask for a presentation at a future board meeting but but you were at an event today, correct? Were
056you there or not? I was. Can you just real quick but then we'll have a presentation in in the coming months or so but everybody You're talking about the panel. Yeah. Okay. So, um we had our Elevating Student Voice Youth Summit. I was one of the four students on the panel speaking to an incredible group of um students and uh faculty and administrators from other schools. Um I had a chance to share our cultural fair and how many things have been rooted from that. Of course, it went really well. Um that is actually how the culinary culture club started at the middle school that's also connected to the high school. Um that was one of the things that are started our modeling club that's been going really great. That is a lot of That is
057one of the things that also rooted off of that. Um and I can just if I could just say like how much I appreciate a lot of the help from our administrators in making that happen because although I was one of the only students doing it last year, I I saw an increased amount of help this year and I can just say like it's I appreciate it a lot and it's gone really well and I wasn't that scared up there, you know, I was fine. Good for you. You were a great on the spot. Thank you for that. We appreciate your time and your effort and I know that you've been running around busy today. So thank you for your effort. We appreciate it. Um any questions from the audience on anything? Comments? Board policy
058review, we just had our second reading adopted and abolished. Here's your list of things. Again, we just consolidated items just to make it a little bit more efficient. Any questions on those? Okay, so dates for future meetings May 6th and May 20th right here at the host middle school library at 6:00 p.m. Can I get a motion to enter into executive session at 6:55 p.m. to discuss matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person or corporation and to discuss a legal matter. I'll make a motion. I'll second. Mr. Jackson? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Snyder? >> Yes. Mrs. Paredes? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Burwell? >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Keller? >> Yes. Thank you very much for coming tonight. We appreciate your attendance. We do not expect
059to return. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Jackson, I'll make a motion. No, we're not.