Minutes February 15, 2011

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

February 15, 2011

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley Auditorium

 

Present:

Board of Education
Janet Benton, President
Gregg Bresner, Vice President
Alyson Kiesel
Jeffrey Mester
Randall Katchis

 

Staff Members
Present:

Mr. John Chambers, Interim Superintendent

Dr. Lyn McKay, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Theresa Markley, District Clerk/Adm. Asst. to Superintendent

 

Visitors Present:

Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens.

 

President Janet Benton convened the public session at 7:00p.m. and moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss a personnel issue and negotiations. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

At 8:20 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene the public session. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Benton welcomed everyone. She turned the meeting over to Interim Superintendent John Chambers and Deputy Superintendent Lyn McKay to introduce the latest release of Classroom Clips.

Presentations:

  1. Classroom clips - Literacy, Grade 2

    Dr. McKay provided a look into the classroom of Annie Piekarski, second grade teacher at Roaring Brook and Doreen Calendria, special education teacher, as they co-taught a second grade class in reading. In the clip, students are reading at the same level and sharing conversations about the same text. The students learn to form opinions and ideas, which encourages them to become independent thinkers and speakers.

  2. Budget Discussion - Superintendent's Proposed Budget for 2011-2012: School Programs and Staffing

    Interim Superintendent John Chambers presented an overview of the proposed budget for 2011-12. He prefaced his remarks with a reminder that this is the third year of working in the context of a troubled economy and the district faces more difficult decisions in the future. With that in mind, he described the budget process as a collaborative effort between central office and building administrators that began in the fall. Mr. Chambers reviewed the district's strategic questions, the four pillars of a school budget (class size/staffing, program, infrastructure, and contractual obligations), and the modifications to the operating standards upon which the 2011-12 budget is based.

    The proposed budget for 2011-12 is $111,338,488, an increase of $1,947,140 or 1.78%.

    In November a rollover budget was presented to the community to carry forward all the district's current programs and staffing with a 6.61% increase or $7,233,407. This was a clearly unacceptable starting point for the board and community. Mr. Chambers noted the unprecedented opening of the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers' Contract in January with a $1 million dollar giveback by the union was a step forward, but still more staff reductions would be required to lower the budget. To achieve the 1.78% increase, the proposed budget contains $4.2 million in instructional and non-instructional personnel reductions and $1.1 million in non-personnel reductions. Districts are bound by New York rules across all employee groups to determine staff reduction priority.

    Horace Greeley Principal Andrew Selesnick outlined the impact of teaching staff reductions the high school. The number of sections offered in English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Foreign language, Physical Education and Business will be reduced, resulting in larger average class sizes. Class sizes will still be within district contract guidelines, with core academic class sizes projected to average between 21 and 24 students. The reduction in the number of course sections offered may make scheduling for some individual students more difficult. Mr. Selesnick explained that students have not selected their courses for next year so specific course demand is not yet known.

    Seven Bridges Principal Martha Zornow reviewed the projected grade level enrollment for next year and explained the proposed change to reduce the number of teams in seventh and eighth grades. There will be one full team and one half team at each grade level. Average team section size will be 23.2 in 7th grade and 25 in 8th grade. The half teams will share core subject area teachers, with each teacher teaching two sections of seventh grade and two sections of eighth grade. Ms. Zornow commented that she is familiar with the blended team model from her work in other Westchester districts. It was also noted that half teams have been used in past years at Bell when warranted by enrollment numbers.

    Deputy Superintendent Lyn McKay pointed out that there will be a reduction in a .8 FTE administrative position in special education. There will be no change in entitlement or loss of special education services to students. It will mean an increased workload for assistant principals who will be part of the CSE teams. They have experience in this area but will receive additional training as well.

    Mr. Chambers noted that other recommendations, such as former Superintendent David Fleishman's recommendation to consider restructuring the middle schools into 5-6, 7-8 configuration or changes in transportation guidelines some time in the future might be necessary. He cautioned that both these would require long term study and are not being considered for implementation in the 2011-12 school year.

Questions and Comments on topic. There were a number of comments and questions about the presentation.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Superintendent Search

President Benton reported that the Board continues to interview candidates and noted that some interviews had to be rescheduled due to weather and other calendar issues. The Board remains on its timetable to select a final candidate in March.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Proposed calendar revisions

Interim Superintendent John Chambers made the following recommendations to handle the district's seven weather closings: February 8, March 9 and March 25 are needed as regular school days for all staff and students to regain instructional time. (The Board approved February 8 as a full school day on February 1.) The district is seeking permission to use June 27 for staff only as a full day of staff development work to replace those dates lost. May 27 is the regular school day needed for makeup to the New York State minimum of 180 student school days.

For any further closings through February 18, make-up days will be taken from the February vacation as already shown in the adopted calendar. Mr. Chambers recommends if there are further closings after February 18, make-up days are to be taken from the April vacation first April 18, then April 19, 20, 21, 22, 2011.

Jeffrey Mester moved to accept the interim superintendent's recommendations. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2.

Organization

2.1

Policy draft proposal

The board had a preliminary discussion about listing Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests on the district website. Information is routinely sought and answers provided without the necessity of a formal request. Only requests that require a great deal of time for research, guidance, or copying rise to the necessity of a FOIL request.

2.2

Member information on web page

Board members reached consensus to provide individual board member emails on the website. They also discussed whether to include individual members' telephone numbers. Some members wished to include their phone numbers and others did not. Some members felt uncomfortable providing some phone numbers but not others. Consensus was reached not to include individual telephone information.

Question and Comments on Report Items

3.

Approvals

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve meeting minutes as amended, for:

3.1

Minutes of January 11, 2011

3.2

Minutes of January 25, 2011

3.3

Minutes of February 1, 2011


Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Interim Superintendent John Chambers made the following recommendations and requested that Lisa Lowy be omitted from the resolution to appoint AP proctors.

 

4.1

Instructional

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as AP proctors to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2010/2011 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Omit - Lisa Lowy from resolution (pending fingerprint clearance), and

Kimberley Perham (pending fingerprint clearance).

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Ms. Anita Faria, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, Robert E. Bell Middle School and Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2011.

Ms. Helen Lynn, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2011.

Ms. Cheryl Melnyk, Teacher of Science, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2011.

Ms. Sel Shimmerlik, Teacher of Elementary Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, Roaring Brook Elementary School and Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30, 2011.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Francesca Zimmer, Regular Substitute Teacher of Science, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2011 through June 30, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, B(BA+30) with Masters, $67,586, prorated.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant

Ms. Stacey Kurtis, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective February 9, 2011, $20,356, prorated.

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept the recommendation, as amended by Mr. Chambers. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Mr. Chambers made the following recommendation.

Leave of Absence:

Lorraine Campbell - Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, has requested a leave of absence, without pay, from February 8, 2011 through June 30, 2011.

Randall Katchis moved to accept Mr. Chambers' recommendation. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

Alyson Kiesel moved that items 5.1 through 5.7 be approved and resolved as indicated below. Gregg Bresner seconded. President Benton asked if there was any further discussion on these items. As there was none, the motion passed unanimously.

5.1

Approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on February 11, 2011.

5.2

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute an a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student # 602006. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting."

5.3

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute an a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student # 411008. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting."

5.4

Accept resignation of Larry Kret from Financial Advisory Group.

5.5

Proposal from KG&D, architects, for Architectural and Engineering Services for Bell Middle School Courtyard Window replacement.

5.6

SEQRA Resolution for Type II Project - Robert E. Bell Middle School Courtyard Window Replacement

Whereas, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is planning a project involving courtyard window replacement (expand as necessary) at the Robert E. Bell Middle School; and

Whereas, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the components, phases and aspects of the Proposed Project; and

Whereas, the Board of Education has reviewed the Proposed Project with respect to the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Project is a Type II Action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is hereby designated lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the proposed project; and

Be it further resolved, that the Board of Education hereby determines that the Proposed Project is a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that no further review of the Proposed Project is required.

 

5.7

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby ratifies the provision to extend the retirement incentive date executed by the negotiating teams for the District and the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers of the existing Collectively Negotiated Agreement covering the term commencing July 1, 2008 and terminating on June 30, 2012, in the Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement, effective February 10, 2011. A copy of this agreement will be incorporated into the minutes of this meeting.

6.

Facilities

Jeffrey Mester and Randall Katchis, co-chairs of the Facilities Committee, reported that Bell, Douglas Grafflin, Westorchard, and Seven Bridges were clean and well maintained. Bell School needs courtyard window replacement, which is planned for next year but there are no major changes to the district buildings.

6.1

Tabled from January 11, 2011 and tabled to February 15, 2011 - Report on Board Facilities Tour of Bell Middle School, December 15, 2010, 7:15 a.m. and Douglas Grafflin Elementary School at 8:00 a.m.

6.2

Report on Board Facilities Tour of Seven Bridges Middle School, January 26, 2011, 7:15 a.m. and Westorchard Elementary School at 8:00 a.m.

7.

Financials

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept items 7.1 through 7.3, the financial reports and approve items 7.4 through 7.6, the bid and budget transfers. Randall Katchis seconded. After a brief discussion on item 7.4, the motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Claims Auditor Report - January 2011

7.2

Revenues Report - January 31, 2011

7.3

Expenditures Report - January 31, 2011

7.4

Bid# 850 - Environmental Maintenance & Service - Conklin - $1450 per/bldg or $7250 total for five schools.

7.5

Budget Transfer - teacher position from WO elem. to WO kgt - $74,114.

7.6

Budget Transfer - transfer funds from tuition private to contractual service expenses - $175,000.

Questions and Comments

8.

Notice of Future Meetings -

President Benton gave notice of future meetings:

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Horace Greeley High School - 8:15 p.m.

Presentation:

Board Meeting / Work Session

Curriculum / Technology

9.

Adjournment

At 12:15 a.m. President Benton asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn the meeting. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa M. Markley, District Clerk/Admin. Asst. To Superintendent

Janet Benton, Board President

tm/jb