Minutes May 24, 2011

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

May 24, 2011

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School Commons

 

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 7:00 p.m. and moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of negotiations (employee contracts) personnel, and legal issue.

At 7:45 p.m., the meeting recessed to join the public for light refreshments to celebrate our soon to be newly tenured teachers.

At 8:22 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 the community. She recognized the passing of Joan Upson, a 26-year veteran teaching assistant at Westorchard who has been on medical leave for the past year courageously battling Lou Gehrig disease.

President Benton asked Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay to introduce the latest installment of Classroom Clips, a video series launched in the fall to bring the community into the classrooms to experience teaching and learning processes.

Presentation: Classroom Clips - Virtual Learning in Eighth Grade Science

Dr. McKay introduced the clip that began with Chris Dede, Professor of Learning Technology from Harvard University. Professor Dede, who has a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to build and study curricula based around digital ecosystems, is working with 8th grade science teachers to use his virtual simulation software EcoMuve in their classrooms. Students are able to explore complex scientific concepts through this virtual learning environment.

Special Report and Recommended Action: Personnel - Tenure Appointments

President Janet Benton introduced the personnel action recognizing the staff members recommended to receive tenure under New York State law. She expressed appreciation for their hard work and strong performance during their probationary period.

Interim Superintendent then recommended the approval of the tenure appointments listed on the agenda. Alyson Kiesel moved to grant tenure to the tenure candidates. Randall Katchis seconded.

Mr. Chambers noted that in recommending tenure, he was supporting the recommendations of the building principals. He explained the rigorous process of evaluations and observations used and noted that not all probationary employees receive tenure recommendations. He introduced each of the building principals to introduce their candidates.

After the introduction of all candidates, the board voted to approve the tenure appointment motion unanimously.

Appointment: Tenure

Ms. Diana Alberga, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Mr. Skye Albert-Hall, Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Kathryn Camia, Teaching Assistant, Westorchard Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Rosalie Campisi, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Colleen Cauley, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Annemarie DeLucia-Piekarski, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Christine Eidem, Library Media Specialist, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Cynthia Gasperi, Teaching Assistant, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Jenny Gieras, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Gabriella Guzzio, Teacher of Science, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective October 29, 2011.

Ms. Francesca Houghtaling, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Anne Keating, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective October 7, 2011.

Ms. Robin Kevitz-Connolly, Teacher of Elementary Education, Westorchard Elementary School, effective September 15, 2011.

Ms. Diane Martelli, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Lindsay Morton, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Dawn Raymond, Teacher of Foreign Language, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Margaret Reilly, Teaching Assistant, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 29, 2011.

Ms. Jessica Sansevera, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Lindsay Schrader, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 1, 2011.

Ms. Sherry Schur, Psychologist, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 5, 2011.

Ms. Jacqueline Simone, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 1, 2011.

Mr. Gregory Stiefel, Assistant Principal, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective July 1, 2011.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Results of May 17 Budget Vote and Board Election

President Benton announced the passage of the 2011-12 budget. She congratulated new board members Vicky Tipp and Karen Visser who will be sworn in officially at the July 6 board reorganization meeting. She thanked the community for their support, recognized the library board also passed.

1.1.2

Westchester Putnam School Boards Budget 2011-12

Randall Katchis moved to approve the PNWBOCES budget in the amount of $214,508 shared by component school districts and cast the board's one ballot to approve the budget. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

1.1.3

Westchester Putnam School Board Meeting with Regent Phillips

President Benton reported that about 15 school districts attended this session May 9 to discuss the new APPR (annual performance review) for evaluating teachers. The cost of these new assessments, publication of ratings, and grievance process were discussed. Regent Phillips stated that he is not in support of the law and understood the concerns. However, on May 16 the Regents met and voted to approve the APPR regulations.

1.1.4

Draft of Board Calendar for 2011-2012

Before the dates were discussed, Jeffrey Mester suggested moving board meeting dates to Wednesday rather than Tuesdays. A discussion followed. Administrators and PTA will be asked to weigh in on what impact this would have on the school calendar already in progress for 2011-12. Board members also discussed the schedule of meeting dates for next year.

1.1.5

Educational Policy Fellowship Report

Janet Benton reported on her participation in this fellowship program developed by the Institute for Educational Leadership and offered by PNWBOCES and Columbia Teachers College. The course covers federal, state, and local issues in education with a focus on educational policy making.

1.1.6

Follow up on Finance Advisory Committee recommendations

There was a lengthy discussion on the work done by the Finance Advisory Committee focusing on the School Mandate Primer document and the nine recommendations prepared by Working Group #2. The board determined to edit and fact check the Primer document. The board asked the administration to prepare a written response to the nine recommendations for review at the next meeting.

1.1.7

Breaking news: Tax Cap of 2%

Discussion ensued on Assemblyman Sheldon Silver's support for a tax cap that takes pension reform off the table.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Leadership Transition Update

John Chambers asked Dr. McKay to provide an update on the leadership transition.

She reported that 100 applications were received for the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction position and based on interviews by the search group, the field has been reduced from six candidates to three. Final candidates will tour classrooms with Lyn McKay and Principal Mike Kirsch. Dr. McKay will make her recommendation on June 7.

Question and Comments on Report Items

2.

Organization

2.1

There was a first reading of a proposed Animal Dissection Policy that the Board was advised must be adopted by July 1. One minor change was suggested.

3.

Approvals

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept the minutes, as amended.

3.1

Minutes of April 12, 2011

3.2

Minutes of April 26, 2011

Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.3

Certification of Report of May 17, 2011 Election

Jeffrey Mester moved to certify the Report of the May 17, 2011 Election. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

4.1

Instructional

Interim Superintendent John Chambers recommended the following:

Alyson Kiesel offered the following resolutions. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an "as needed" basis":

Lisa Goldstein.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreements for Services for the individuals and agencies listed below effective for the 2010/2011 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Bonnie Billings.

Interim Superintendent John Chambers recommended the probationary appointment:

Appointment: Probationary

Ms. Karen McNally, Teacher of Elementary Education, District wide (Staff Development) Elementary Schools and Middle Schools, effective September 1, 2011.

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the recommendation. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Interim Superintendent John Chambers recommended the following:

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed below as a per diem custodial substitutes to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective May 25, 2011: Ryan LoGiudice

Olga Rojas

Jeffrey Mester moved to accept the recommendation. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on May 20, 2011. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve Student Assistance Service Corp. Agreement for 2011-12 at current level of services and cost of $64,890. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Gregg Bresner moved to approve Initial Contract of Services with Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES for 2011-12 school year. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Alyson Kiesel moved to ratify the Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement between the Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education and CSEA. It was noted that two items had been omitted from the original document, dental/vision provisions and supervisor position. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.5

Alyson Kiesel moved to appoint student, Liv Amundsen to Health and Safety Committee effective May 25, 2011. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.6

Sole Source Provider for Birmingham Athletic Company.

Jeffrey Mester offered the following,

WHEREAS, Birmingham Athletic Co. is the only manufacturer of a replacement net for a 72' BATCO Batting Cage.

WHEREAS, Birmingham Athletic Co. is the only authorized exclusive sales representative providing this replacement product and that it has no intention to utilize other agents, or authorize resellers to provide a 72' BATCO batting cage net to Chappaqua School District.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares Birmingham Athletic Co. to be the sole source for 72' BATCO batting cage net used for our batting cage and therefore, determines that the purchase of the Birmingham Athletic Co. product is not subject to competitive bidding under Section 103 of the General Municipal Law.

Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

Jeffrey Mester and Randall Katchis reported that the next meeting of the Facilities Committee is scheduled for June 1, 7:00 p.m. Topics to be discussed will include private fundraising for artificial turf.

7.

Financials

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept the reports and approve resolutions and bids, for items 7.1-7.9 as noted below. Gregg Bresner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Claims Audit Reports - March 2011 and April 2011

7.2

Report of Revenue - April 30, 2011

7.3

Report of Expenditures - April 30, 2011

7.4

Treasurer's Report - April 2011

7.5

Resolution to refund School Tax STAR exemption because of West. County clerical error to owners of Parcel ID: 89/99.5-1-31 in the amount of $3,008.44.

7.6

Bid #854 - Grass Cutting Services - Suburban Maintenance and Landscaping, Inc. $38,359.34

7.7

Bid #855 - Telecom Maintenance - Top Line Communications - $23,750

7.8

Bid #857 - Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Unit - Elizabeth Contracting, Corp. $31,856

ADDENDUM

7.9

Bid #858 - Window Replacement (at Bell School) - Ross Window Corporation in the amount of $158,000.

Questions and Comments

8.

Notice of Future Meetings -

Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - at Horace Greeley High School Commons,

Presentation:

Honor Retirees

9.

Adjournment

At 11:05 p.m. Randall Katchis moved to adjourn. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Janet Benton, Board President

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