Rensselaer City School District

Chain of Communication

The Rensselaer City School District’s Communication protocol helps to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions so that problems and concerns can be worked out quickly and efficiently. The district encourages any and all questions from parents and residents regarding school matters. Phone numbers can be found below.

Step 1: Coach; if not resolved…
Step 2: Athletic Director: Coach Spath: 518-436-8561 x7001; if not resolved…
Step 3: Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Business Administrator,Meghan Lekkas: 518-465-6871; if not resolved…
Step 2: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
(Classroom procedures, behavior, ENL, special education, grades, schedule, etc.)
FOR GRADES K-12
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: Assistant Principal / Dean
Step 3: VRESDean of Students,Dave Martyn or RJSHS Assistant Principal Bob Martinelli; if not resolved…
Step 4: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 5: Superintendent of Schools,Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
(subject matter being taught, teaching strategies, textbooks, materials used, ENL, special education, etc.)
FOR GRADES K-5 (VRES)
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools,Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
FOR GRADES 6-12 (RJSHS)
Step 1: Classroom Teacher; if not resolved…
Step 2: Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Cenci (A-K) or Ms. Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 3: Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Activity Advisor; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Cenci (A-K) or Ms. Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: School Nurse (VRES: Rich Maniscalco. Cross or RJSHS:Tammy Slingerland); if not resolved…
Step 2: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: District Registrar, Mrs. Foust, 518-396-3518 , Extension: 3401; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Contact Transportation Dispatcher (518-283-0671), if not resolved…
Step 2: Director of Transportation, Brad Chmielewski: 518-283-0671; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Contact Transportation Dispatcher 518-283-0671, if not resolved…
Step 2: Director of Transportation Brad Chmielewski: 518-283-0671; if not resolved…
Step 3: VRES Dean Dave Martyn or RJSHS Assistant Principal Bob Martinelli; if not resolved…
Step 4: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 5: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Director of Food Service, Leah Harris; if not resolved…
Step 2: Business Administrator, Meghan Lekkas: 518-465-6871; if not resolved…
Step 3: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Guidance Counselor, Brandy Cenci (A-K) or Stephanie Gardenier (L-Z): 518-396-3518; if not resolved…
Step 2: Social Worker / Psychology; if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: Case Manager; if not resolved…
Step 2: Psychologist (Preschool Special Education, Van Rensselaer Elementary, Jr. Sr. High School); if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509
Step 1: VRES Principal Jeff Palmer: 518-436-8561 or RJSHS Principal Dom Pitaniello: 518-436-4618; if not resolved…
Step 2: Psychologist (Preschool Special Education, Van Rensselaer Elementary, Jr. Sr. High School); if not resolved…
Step 3: Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Danielle Remillard: 518-465-6440; if not resolved…
Step 4: Superintendent of Schools, Joe Kardash: 518-465-7509

If your issue has not been resolved after following all the appropriate steps in the communication protocol, you may contact the Board of Education by sending a letter, attending a scheduled board meeting or email here:

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