Minutes April 15, 2015

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

April 15, 2015

 

Time:

7:30 p.m.

 

Place:

Ed. Center

 

Present:

Board of Education
Karen Visser, President
Alyson Gardner, Vice President
Victoria Tipp
Warren Messner

 

Absent:

Jeffrey Mester

 

Staff Members
Present:

Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent

Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Mr. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership Dev. & HR

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 Visser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Warren Messner moved to enter into Executive Session to discuss negotiations. Alyson Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 7:40 p.m. Warren Messner moved to adjourn Executive Session and reconvene public meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance - led by Vice President Alyson Gardner

President Visser asked Assistant Superintendent for Business John Chow to begin the presentation.

Presentation:

Adopt Proposed Budget for 2015-16

John reviewed the numbers in the superintendent's proposed budget $117,901,688, which represents an increase of .89%. The final numbers for the tax cap have gone up to 1.2%. The tax rate for New Castle increased 1.17% and Mt. Pleasant has decreased 1.4%. He reviewed the contingency budget and noted the budget would be reduced by $1,118,891 and personnel would be reduced.

Dr. McKay reviewed the budget highlights. She noted that we not only renovated buildings, but we have expanded summer camps and aligned personnel based on district needs. We used our Mission Statement, Strategic Questions and Administrative Operating Standards. John continued the report and explained the proposition. He noted the voter information for registration and how to obtain absentee ballots from Theresa Markley, and PTA sponsored budget meetings.

President Visser thanked the administration for a wonderful job and the quality of the work maintained in our programs. This has allowed us to move forward and given us value for our money. Board members commented on the value of the five year plan to maintain property in small increments rather than a large bond. It has also allowed us to model problem-solving skills for our children.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

President Visser had nothing to report.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Chappaqua Events

Dr. McKay reported on the wonderful day on Saturday and highly successful turnout for "It's a Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood". She attended the wrestling dinner and noted we now have twice as many wrestlers participating as in the past. The senior musical, Hair is scheduled for tomorrow night. She also attended the Superintendent's Coffee with Jamie Edelman, and the Knowledge Café is scheduled for April 27 - science is the topic. April 24 is the Chappaqua School Foundation gala. Stemfest is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.

2.

Organization

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.

Judy McGrath is a trustee of the New Castle Historical Society and explained her interest in a Horace Greeley exhibit so that students would like to learn more about the namesake of the school. She worked with a junior class of about 20 American history students. They were very excited about the project and she expressed her enthusiasm for working with them. The exhibit will open in May tentatively placed next to the school entrance, but will become a permanent exhibit. She will email us with the opening date.

 

3.

Approvals

3.1

Warren Messner moved to remove the Minutes of February 25, 2015 from the table that were tabled on April 8, 2015. Alyson Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

4.1

Instructional

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

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":

Beth Aviv,

Heather Baker-Sullivan,

Sharon Bruskewicz,

Elise Chadwick,

Manisha Dhiman,

Christine DiDomenico,

Miriam Fernandez,

BeiBei Liu,

Janet Madalon,

Vita Materasso,

Rita Santelia,

Jessica Towle, and

Ann Winters.

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 2014/2015 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Ruth Parnes.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints Kim Meade from the Preferred Eligible List to the position of Teacher of Music, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective August 31, 2015, Step 12, B(BA+45) with Masters, $106,013, pending contract negotiations."

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Ms. Lisbeth Rath, Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2015.

Request for Parental Leave of Absence:

Ms. Diana Goldberg, Teacher of Mathematics, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective April 7, 2015 through May 22, 2015.

Ms. Rosalie Kissmann, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective April 22, 2015 through May 29, 2015.

Mr. Brian Hiller, Teacher of Music, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective 1/2 day April 8, 2015 through June 30, 2015.

Appointment: Probationary

Ms. Rachel Warshowsky, Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 31, 2015, Step 4, B(BA+30) with Masters, $76,807, pending contract negotiations.

Appointment: Coaching

Mr. Nathan Loeb, 7-8th Grade Boys' Lacrosse, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective March 30, 2015 through June 5, 2015 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,609.

Mr. Jason Lummel, 7-8th Grade Boys' Lacrosse Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective March 30, 2015 through June 5, 2015 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $4,911.

Mr. Brian Quigley, 7-8th Grade Boys' Lacrosse, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective March 30, 2015 through June 5, 2015 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, $4,539.

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching

Mr. Daniel Leventhal, Varsity Boys' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 17, 2015 through June 5, 2015 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

Mr. John DiGuglielmo, Varsity Baseball, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 26, 2015 through June 5, 2015 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

Alyson Gardner moved to accept the recommendations. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-instructional

Dr. McKay made the following recommendation:

Resignation for the Purpose of Retirement:

Winifred Burckhard - Computer Aide at Roaring Brook and Douglas Grafflin Elementary Schools, retiring effective April 16, 2015.

Karen Visser moved to accept the recommendation. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Warren Messner moved to approve CSE summaries on April 15, 2015. Alyson Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Alyson Gardner offered a Resolution to adopt the Proposed Budget and ratify the Property Tax Report Card for the 2015-16 school year. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Victoria Tipp moved to approve a gift of 11 grants, per attachment, from the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) to Bell, Horace Greeley, Westorchard, Seven Bridges, and Roaring Brook for a total of $211,759. Alyson Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board members expressed their gratitude for the generosity of CSF.

5.4

Warren Messner moved to approve a gift of $1,000 from Intel Science Award to Horace Greeley High School to cover the cost of printer supplies for printer purchased with last years Intel Science Award. Alyson Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.5

Alyson Gardner moved to approve Kayer, Garment & Davidson, architects, proposal for services for Bell Middle School Security and ADA Lift renovation project at a cost of $22,500. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Addendum:

5.6

Alyson Gardner moved to appoint Johnson Controls, Inc. as the contractor for the energy performance project to allow them to proceed with an investment grade Comprehensive Energy Audit (CEA). (No obligation or cost to District until after the CEA has been developed, reviewed, and contract signed.) Ref. 12-10-14 Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.7

Warren Messner moved to approve a gift from the HGHS Student Council in the amount of $3500 to school district on behalf of SCRATCH, the HGHS DJ Club, for the purpose of DJ equipment (controller, case, lights, and cables) Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.8

Victoria Tipp moved to approve two checks from TIAA-CREF in the amount of $500 each for Bell Middle School that will be used for signage for Learning Lab, furniture. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.9

Alyson Gardner moved to appoint Election Personnel for the May 19, 2015 School and Library Budget and Candidate Election. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

Alyson Gardner moved to accept all the financial reports, items 7.1-7.5. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Revenues Report - March 31, 2015

7.2

Expenditures Report - March 31, 2015

7.3

Treasurer's Report - March 2015

7.4

Central Treasurer's Report Team Accounts - March 31, 2015

7.5

Central Treasuer's Report Extraclassroom Activity - March 31, 2015

8.

Communications

9.

President Visser gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Education Center, 7:00 a.m. to vote for Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES budget and candidates.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at Horace Greeley High School, 7:30 p.m.

 

Presentation:

Budget Hearing

10.

Adjournment

At 8:29 p.m. Alyson Gardner moved to adjourn the meeting. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

Karen Visser, Board President

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