District outlines use of Juul settlement funds, Holiday Hope and a proposed MOU with Capital Roots

District leaders told the Cohoes City School District board that the district will receive an estimated $30,000 from a regional allocation of vaping‑company settlement funds over three years, with $11,719 available this year, and said the funds must be used for drug and alcohol education.

Staff said the district is exploring bringing in Chris Herrick, a former NBA player whose talks and documentary address substance abuse and recovery, as a possible January program if travel and scheduling can be coordinated with neighboring districts to share costs.

The board also heard an update on Holiday Hope, a social‑work run program that had 87 families registered (over 200 children) for this holiday season; social workers and volunteers run a donated‑goods "shop" where families pick new items, with partner donations from local organizations and an Amazon wish list to coordinate needs.

On the agenda was a memorandum of understanding with Capital Roots to take over some wellness and food‑access services previously subcontracted through other providers. Board members said they were supportive of Capital Roots’ mission but asked for more specifics because the partner has not yet been awarded the grant the MOU would support. Members requested clarity on how funds would be prioritized among districts, whether selection would be need‑based, and what services would be delivered if the grant is approved.

No final action was taken on the MOU at the Dec. 10 meeting; staff said Capital Roots staff or CEO Amy Klein could attend the district wellness committee meeting in May if the grant is awarded, and the board asked for follow‑up information about the partners and metrics before approving a partnership.