Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes March 20, 2019
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Present: Board of Education
Warren Messner, President
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, Vice President
Holly McCall
Jeffrey Mester
Victoria Tipp
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Jason Semo, Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics
Joseph Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Warren Messner called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 8:33 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to convene the public meeting at 8:33 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Messner welcomed everyone to the meeting, explaining that the Board and Superintendent had gone to the Interfaith Vigil earlier in the evening. He said that he had received a request from a Greeley junior regarding moving the date for the 2020 graduation ceremony which the Board would discuss. Finally he recognized a Greeley senior who was named NYS Champion in the 170 lb Wrestling Class. Jason Semo spoke about the student’s dedication and accomplishments. The Board congratulated the student and also commended Greeley wrestling coaches.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report: Dr. Ackerman began by recommending Item 4.1 as stated below.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated below. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Greeley Principal, Andrew Corsilia spoke of Tiffany DePeralta’s dedication and contribution to the District and recommended her for tenure. Dr. Ackerman and the Board congratulated Ms. DePeralta.
Dr. Ackerman pointed out Greeley students’ success at the recent Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. She also complimented The Bell International Day and gave special thanks to the PTA. Finally, she pointed out to the Board and Community that the Senior Musical would be perfomed at Greeley on March 21-23, and also that the A Capella group would be performing at Carnegie Hall over the weekend.
Presentations:
Athletics/Operations & Maintenance Budget Presentations – Jason Semo (Physical Education) and Joe Gramando (Facilities), gave detailed presentations of their 2019-20 budgets, also highlighting the District’s efforts and successes in the current year and where they plan to progress in the 2019-20 school year. Mr. Gramando also spoke about the potential Geothermal Project at Seven Bridges Middle School. Both Mr. Semo and Mr. Gramando also updated the Board on the action plan to repair the tear in the Greeley Competition Field. Mr. Gramando updated the Board on the progress of the various bond projects.
Special Education: John Chow provided the Board with some additional information regarding the 2019-20 Special Education budget that was requested by the Board.
Following the budget presentations Dr. Ackerman invited Dr. Pease to share some information with the community regarding average elementary class sizes in comparable districts. She then stated that a fourth section would be added back to the Roaring Brook first grade for 2019-20 and that the District, as is standard practice, would be monitoring class sizes for 2019-20 throughout the coming months.
2. Committee Reports
Facilities: Jeffrey Mester reported that the District now has preliminary approval from the Town Zoning Board and recognized the hard work by all involved with a special thank you to Randy Katchis.
Communications: Jane Kimmel Shepardson said that the Committee is working on better and additional ways in which to get information that is both needed and wanted to our various constituent groups.
Policy: The Policy Committee will have some policies at the next Board meeting.
Audit: The next meeting of the Audit Committee will be May 29.
Public Comment Period:
We welcome public comments, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your comments to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone. After the public comment period has been completed, Board members may have a discussion among themselves regarding comments presented.
3. Approvals & Ratifications
3.1 Accept Minutes of March 11, 2019 Board Meeting
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Item 3.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
3.2 Policy #6030: District Use of Credit Card – 3rd Reading and Adoption
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #6030: District Use of Credit Card
Motioned by Jeffrey Mester to table Item 3.2 to a future meeting. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below earlier in the meeting.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a per diem substitute teacher to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
Karen Rozencwaig
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a Building Specific substitute teacher for the 2018/2019 school year:
Karen Rozencwaig – Westorchard Elementary School (effective March 21, 2019)
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Kuihwa Kim, Teacher of Mathematics, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2019.
Resignation:
Mr. Joshua Culwell-Block, Director of Technology & Innovation, District-wide, effective March 21, 2019.
Ms. Erin Jaynes, Assistant Principal, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective June 30, 2019.
Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Sara Cury, Teacher of Art, Westorchard Elementary School, effective March 18, 2019 through May 31, 2019.
Ms. Megan Fina, Regular Substitute Guidance Counselor, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective March 14, 2019 through May 31, 2019.
Resolution:
Mr. Joshua Culwell-Block, Director of Technology & Innovation, is hereby appointed and assigned to the position of Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics, District-Wide, a position within his current tenure area of employment (the Director of Technology & Innovation tenure area), effective March 21, 2019, as recommended by the Superintendent, $200,000, prorated.
Appointment: Tenure
Ms. Tiffany DePeralta, Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 26, 2019.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Stephanie Petrini, Teaching Assistant, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective March 18, 2019, $22,857, prorated.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 21, 2019 through May 31, 2019
| Name | Position | Sport | Step | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Quigley | Junior Varsity Assistant | Boys Lacrosse | 3 | $7,228.00, prorated |
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 25, 2019 through May 31, 2019
| Name | Position | Sport | Step | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Lops | Modified – SB | Softball | 3 | $5,785.00, prorated |
4.2 Non-Instructional
Item 4.2 as stated above was motioned, seconded and carried earlier in the meeting.
5. Recommended Action: Other
5.1 CSE Summaries (2018-19 School Year) reported to the Board on March 20, 2019.
5.2 CSE Summaries (2019-20 School Year) reported to the Board on March 20, 2019.
Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Items 5.1 and 5.2 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves a budget transfer in the amount of $271,000.00 for furniture payment to HGHS L Building Technology Supplier, and authorizes the Board President to sign the transfer.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.3 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift for Spin Instructor Certification to allow spin classes to be offered in the new Fitness Center and Mind and Body Studio in the amount of $484.45. Spin will be incorporated into physical education offerings from 9th through 12th grade, phased in over the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. Students will engage in a variety of “rides” that will increase muscle strength and lung capacity while introducing them to the concept of exercise as stress relief. Submitted by Horace Greeley High School teacher Donna Versace.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 5.4 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Educational Data Services Cooperative Bid Program Skilled Trade fee of $2,145.00, effective April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.5 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges Change Orders approved by the Superintendent per Board Resolution adopted at June 14, 2017 Board of Education meeting
6.1 Change order #Select Telecom #1 - HGHS approved by the Superintendent:
Project: Horace Greeley High School PA Project
Contractor: Select Telecom
Description: Labor, equipment and materials related to installation of cables, speakers and amplifiers for the Horace Greeley High School PA System
Amount: $14,960.00
Motioned by Warren Messner to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Financials
7.1 Treasurer’s Report – February 2019
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Item 7.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, March 27, 2019 7:30 pm
Non-Instructional/Revenue/Tax Rates/Contingency Budget Presentations
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Wednesday, April 10, 2019 7:30 pm
Budget Adoption/Seven Bridges Student Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
8. Adjournment
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 pm. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke