Minutes May 1, 2012
Minutes
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York
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Date: |
May 1, 2012 |
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Time: |
8:15 p.m. |
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Place: |
Horace Greeley High School |
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Present: |
Board of Education |
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Staff Members |
Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Adm. Asst. to Superintendent |
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Visitors Present: |
Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens. |
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President Alyson Kiesel convened the public session at 6:30p.m. Karen Visser moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of the discussion of the employment history of a particular person or persons. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 8:27 p.m. Karen Visser moved to adjourn the Executive Session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 8:37 p.m. Karen Visser moved to reconvene the public session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President Kiesel welcomed the community and asked Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay to report on the Search Process for Roaring Brook School Principal. Dr. McKay outlined the thorough search process that began with 100 applicants last fall, the search was reopened again in the spring, and another set of 100 applicants applied. After meetings with parents, teachers, support staff, and administrators, the field was narrowed to three. Dr. McKay announced her final recommendation is Amy Fishkin, current Assistant Principal at Roaring Brook. Ms. Fishkin exemplifies an administrator who is thoughtful, has instructional knowledge, experience as a CSE chair, an excellent writer and communicator and cares deeply about the children of the district. Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the probationary appointment of Amy Fishkin (see item 4.1). Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Amy thanked the administrators, teachers, and board for their support. Presentation: Public Hearing on School and Library Budgets for 2012-13 Board President Alyson Kiesel welcomed Pamela Thornton, Director of the Chappaqua Library to discuss the library's proposed budget for 2012-13. Ms. Thornton reported that the proposed library budget is $2,775,839, a 2.82% increase which is under the 2% tax cap. She gave a detailed explanation of revenue and expenses and noted that three retirees have not been replaced this year in an effort to reduce expenses. However, there is more demand for programs. John Chow provided an overview of the proposed budget in the amount of $112,202,888 forb 2012-13, adopted by the Board on April 10 which the community will vote on May 15. The budget book and presentations are on the website. The budget to budget increase is .68%, tax cap levy is 2.11% and estimated tax rate is 1.63%. He explained the budget notice deals with the contingency budget and it is very different from prior years because of the new tax cap law. Science Research Principal Andrew Selesnick thanked the Board for the opportunity to present the scientific research projects. He introduced science teachers Trudy Gessler and Jennifer McCarthy who are the teaching team leaders, but noted many of our teachers are involved in the project. Students are invited into this program and it is a three year commitment. The goal is to inspire and nurture inquisitive students to follow a path in scientific research and work under a science mentor. The program is student driven from beginning to end. Greeley seniors, Jack Desmarais, Rebecca Passman, Julia Keegan, and Neel Patel presented their projects: optimer technology; curing color blindness using gene therapy, a breast cancer mouse model, and a cure for amytrophic lateral sclerosis. Dr Gessler explained the students initiate a formal research plan and eventually go into the field, and write a quality research paper. All of the students have received a number of honors for their work. Questions and Comments We welcome public inquiries, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your inquiry to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone. A number of parents and football players attended and offered comments. President Kiesel noted that the board makes decisions very carefully. and we take community concerns very seriously. We believe very strongly in the football program. Please remember that we also have responsibility to protect the individual rights to privacy. We are keeping a file of all emails. Please be sure to copy our district clerk. Andrew Selesnick and Steve Young have been planning with groups to insure the implementation of workouts, activities for the purpose of conditioning, and practice in June, the strongman competition and the advanced skills football camp that is the responsibility of the Town. We take the responsibility for educating and physical education and the football experience. However, we must also protect the individual rights to privacy and cannot comment on specific individuals at this time. |
1. |
Information Business Affairs
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2. |
Organization
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3. |
Approvals
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4. |
Recommended Action: Personnel
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5. |
Recommended Action: Other
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6. |
Facilities Randall Katchis and Alyson Kiesel met with Town Administrator Penny Paderewski to discuss parcels and how to utilize land use for various purposes and possibly more tax revenue for the district and the town. |
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7. |
Financials
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8. |
President Alyson Kiesel gave Notice of Future Meetings - Thursday, May 10, 2012, Board Meeting at Education Center, 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, Budget Vote and Election, Horace Greeley High School, 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, 2012, Board Meeting at Horace Greeley High School, 8:15 p.m. Presentation: Teacher Tenure Recognition |
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9. |
Adjournment At 11:40 p.m. Randall Katchis moved to adjourn the meeting. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. |
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa M. Markley, District Clerk / Admin. Asst. to Superintendent
Alyson Kiesel, Board President
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