Minutes October 25, 2011

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

October 25, 2011

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School Commons

 

Present:

Board of Education
Alyson Kiesel, President
Jeffrey Mester, Vice President
Randall Katchis
Vicky Tipp
Karen Visser

 

Staff Members
Present:

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

 

Visitors Present:

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

 

President Alyson Kiesel convened the public session at 7:00p.m. Randall Katchis moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of a pending legal issue with attorney, David Shaw and Lisa Rusk. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 8:15 p.m. Randall Katchis moved to adjourn the Executive Session. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

At 8:20 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to reconvene the public session. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Kiesel welcomed the community and recognized Mindy Berkower, PTA President.

Mindy Berkower spoke warmly of the correlation between Halloween and board members wearing many hats. She noted that the PTA admires their dedication to the district and thanked them for the many hours spent on behalf of the district.

Presentation:

How are middle and high schools addressing the BOE teaching and learning question?

Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Eric Byrnes introduced the three principals, Seven Bridges Principal Martha Zornow, Bell Principal Martin Fitzgerald, and Greeley Principal Andrew Selesnick. They each used slide presentations to support their findings.

Principal Fitzgerald stated that the chairs were asked to connect their work with the board goal, to tap into their motivation and what keeps them connected to teaching their students. In addition, he noted work on the assessment component.

Principal Zornow stated that we must collaborate across disciplines in a question that they all share and models for teachers where they should be going and allowing students choices.

High School Principal Selesnick reported on a survey of Greeley graduates conducted last year to develop a broad survey of student preparedness, balancing short answer and narrative responses sent to 1800 email addresses from six previous graduating classes. There were 242 surveys competed. The answers were confirming of what the we try to teach them.

 

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more than 90% said that we provided meaningful learning experiences.

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more than 75% college preparation was good or outstanding.

The graduates suggested areas where more could be added and measured their levels of stress at Greeley.

In addition, Mr. Selesnick reported on the redesigned Greeley Faculty meetings, now called discussions. They are composed of 18 groups, 4-8 members each. Topics are designed by faculty in response to perceived needs. He noted some of the questions they developed and provided a sampling of the ongoing departmental goals.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Survey

President Kiesel reported that the survey has been completed. By November 15 a representative should be here from Penn, Schoen, Berland to discuss the results.

1.1.2

Board Perspective

President Kiesel reported the Knowledge Café was a very positive experience and the Board liked the communication style and format for gathering data.

Learning Symposium - President Kiesel reported this was a great opportunity to "peek under the curtain," and gave a wonderful picture of the process of ongoing study of teaching, assessments, and topics. Listening to teachers, who are researchers explaining data, sharing ideas, and igniting conversation throughout the building is very exciting.

Homecoming - President Kiesel thanked the sports boosters for this exciting evening. Problems with ticketing for the dance occurred, but the administration will work with the community to resolve it for next year. The first priority is the safety of the students.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Chappaqua Education for the Future - October 17

Superintendent Lyn McKay reported that the Chappaqua Education for the Future is much like a superintendent's cabinet. The committee was expanded to include 22 people, including two students. It is a very insightful group of parents and empty nesters who have children from all different levels. They are setting priorities and the next meeting is in December.

1.2.2

Knowledge Café - October 24, 25, 2011

Dr. McKay reported that about 100 people attended last night's meeting and another 100 attended this morning at Bell Middle School. There was a lively discussion on what is good for middle school students and where we want to go. The feedback will be used to help Dr. McKay make her recommendation to the Board on November 15. Michael Rettig, international scheduler, professor, teacher, and former principal, presented four models of middle school scheduling configurations. His presentation was recorded and will be on the website. Dr. McKay thanked administrators, teachers, and the community for having these conversations. The topic of the next Café is budget and it is scheduled for December 7.

1.2.3

Report on Professional Development Day - October 21

Dr. McKay asked Eric Byrne to report and reminded the community that the planning for this day began in July.

Mr. Byrne thanked the board and parents and teachers for their positive comments. Staff worked on developing tools to help students work more independently and studied very deliberate classroom design that supports learning. More work was completed on differentiation, technology and online learning. A board member commented that it was a great experience and impressive to see that our teachers are really a culture of continual learners and they are creating a 21st century learning environment.

Question and Comments

2.

Organization

2.1

President Kiesel gave a second reading of the Draft Personal Property. Jeffrey Mester moved to adopt the policy. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

2.2

President Kiesel gave a second reading of the Draft Community Use of School District Facilities revision. Randall Katchis moved to adopt the policy. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.

Approvals

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the:

3.1

Minutes of September 20, 2011

3.2

Minutes of September 27, 2011

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

 

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Superintendent Lyn McKay make the following recommendations

4.1

Instructional

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 2011/2012 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Devereux Foundation's Millwood Learning Center.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints Stacey Kurtis from the Preferred Eligible List to the position of Teaching Assistant, effective October 17, 2011."

Request for Child Care Leave of Absence:

Ms. Shana Weldon, Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2012.

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:

Ms. Heather Butler, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2012.

Resignation:

Ms. Stacey Kurtis, (.5) Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective October 14, 2011.

Ms. Melissa Lenahan, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective October 14, 2011.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Heather Butler, Regular Substitute Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education). Step 1, A(BA), $61,605, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Ms. Cynthia Gasperi, (.04) Teacher of Elementary Education to provide Academic Intervention Services as per the Teachers' Contract, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective October 24, 2011 through May 7, 2012 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education). Step 1, A(BA), $51.34/hour.

Vicky Tipp moved to accept the recommendations. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

An error was noted that Heather Butler was granted a Child Care Leave, instead of a Discretionary Leave.

Vicky Tipp amended the motion to accept the recommendations with the Discretionary Leave as noted correctly in the minutes above. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Superintendent Lyn McKay made the following recommendations:

Leave of Absence:

Lorraine Campbell - Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, has requested a leave of absence, effective October 17, 2011 for 4-6 months, pending further notification

Appointments:

Antonio Faustino - Maintenance Worker (Buildings), Pole Barn, effective October 26, 2011. His salary will be $49,188.

Clare Weber - Regular Substitute Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, 30 hours per week, effective October 17, 2011. Her salary will be $15.32 per hour.

Vicky Tipp moved to approve the recommendations. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the CSE summaries reported to the Board on October 21, 2011. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Randall Katchis moved to approve a contract with Tobin and Co., internal auditors, for Year Two of RFP dated August 2010 - 0% increase, for contract year ending June 30, 2012. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Vicky Tipp offered the following resolution,

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute an a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student #64312. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting.

Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Jeffrey Mester moved to appoint Preston Elder as a Parent Member on the Committee on Special Education (CSE) and the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) for 2011-12. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.5

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve Agreements for Services with Eastchester Union Free School District for students, Student ID's: 00487, 601628, 602320 for 2011-12 school year. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

6.1

Facilities Committee Report

6.2

Report Homecoming Activities - Randall Katchis reported on the successful homecoming activities. He congratulated Jim Nottingham on his organization. He also congratulated Joe Gramando for his fine job on hiring, searching for individuals who have special skills that the district can utilize without hiring outside contractors. .

7.

Financials

Randall Katchis moved to approve items 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, budget transfers. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Budget transfers in the amount of $249,375.64 to reflect transfers and position vacancies from June 30, 2011, after the budget was adopted.

7.2

Budget transfers in the amount of $267,320.11 to redistribute middle school salaries after retirements.

7.3

Budget transfers in the amount of $158,799.81 to redistribute high school salaries for position at Bell reallocated to HGHS.

7.4

Jeffrey Mester moved to accept the Claim Auditor's Report - September 2011. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.5

Randall Katchis moved to accept the Treasurer's Report - September 30, 2011. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

8.

President Kiesel gave Notice of Future Meetings -

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

Presentations:

Potential Middle School Structure

Survey Results

9.

Adjournment

At 10:10 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn. Vicky 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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