Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes February 12, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, February 12, 2020, 5:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Presiding Officer: Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall
Present: Board of Education
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
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
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 5:31 pm.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to convene the public meeting at 5:31 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 4-0. Board Member Warren Messner was absent.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to appoint Holly McCall clerk pro tem. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss litigation, real estate contracts, the employment history of particular persons and to receive advice from counsel at 5:31 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
Board Member Warren Messner joined the meeting at 5:32 pm.
President Shepardson called for a motion to re-convene the public meeting at 7:33 pm.
Motioned by Warren Messner to re-convene the public meeting at 7:33 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson began by pointed out the recent article about female superintendents in the Journal News. She noted that Spring Sports registration ends on 2/22 and also congratulated the winter teams for their success and hard work. She went on to thank the CSF for the grants on the agenda and for their continued partnership and support. She finished by indicating that BOE members would be attending a WPSBA workshop on earlier school start times and would report back at the next meeting. She then asked Ms. Tipp to speak about a recent conference.
Victoria Tipp, Holly McCall and Hilary Grasso had attended NYSSBA’s Capital Conference and Ms. Tipp quickly recapped the event for the community. She indicated that community members interested in a more in-depth conversation about the conference were free to contact either one of them.
Presentations:
Roaring Brook Elementary School Student Presentation – Roaring Brook 1st Graders gave a demonstration of their use of the Phonics First Program. Roaring Brook 4th Graders led the meeting in a mindful breathing exercise and discussed how they use social emotional learning in their classrooms.
Dr. McGuffog – Special Education Testing Analysis & Best Practices Recommendations – Dr.
McGuffog recapped her process, findings and recommendations regarding the Special
Education Testing program. Dr. Ackerman and Dr. Pease described the District’s proposed
pathway for changing the structure of Special Education/Pupil Personnel Services. Dr.
Sinanis updated the Board on the search process for the Assistant Superintendent of Pupil
Personnel Services.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman pointed out there there will be 3 interim CSE chairs to help out with the coming evaluations. She then reminded the community that Dr. Jean Twenge, author of iGen will be in District on March 11 and 12. She then gave a little information about several of the items on the agenda. Dr. Pease spoke briefly about adjustments to the District’s APPR plan. Dr. Sinanis then updated the community about the search process for the new Bell principal. Dr. Pease spoke about the CSF grants on the agenda and the Board thanked the CSF for their continued support.
2. Committee Reports
Communications: Jane Kimmel Shepardson indicated that the committee is continuing to discuss methods of improved communications with the community including the concept of Board Office Hours.
Facilities: Warren Messner and Holly McCall visited the Library to see the leaking roof and meet with Pam Thornton. The Committee will discuss and come back with recommendations.
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 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the January 22, 2020 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the January 29, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
3.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the February 7, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Items 3.1 through 3.3 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
3.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education adopts the 2020-21 School Year Calendar.
Motioned by Holly McCall to adopt Item 3.4 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby creates the 1.0 FTE position of Director of Special Education & 504, District-Wide, a position in the CSE/CPSE Chairperson Tenure Area, effective March 2, 2020.
Ms. Kristie Evers, CSE/CPSE Chairperson, is hereby appointed and assigned to the position of Director of Special Education & 504, District-Wide, a position within her current tenure area of employment (CSE/CPSE Chairperson tenure area), effective March 2, 2020, as recommended by the Superintendent, $182,000, prorated.
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:
Tyler Leitman
Stefanie Davidoff
Nicole Gerringer
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as a Building Specific substitute teachers for the 2019/2020 school year:
Sarah Greer – Horace Greeley High School (effective February 13, 2020)
Ewelina Puchalski – Roaring Brook Elementary School (effective January 28, 2020)
Resignation:
Ms. Elizabeth Wright, CSE/CPSE Chairperson, District wide, effective March 1, 2020
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Marian Lee, Teacher of Music, Westorchard Elementary School, effective March 1, 2020
Mr. Gerard Sulli, Library Media Specialist, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30, 2020.
Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Carol Scappaticci, Teacher of Elementary, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 27, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Mr. Brian Lind, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective February 24, 2020, $23,107, prorated.
Appointment: Part time
Ms. Caitlin Lena, (.5) Special Education Teacher, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective February 3, 2020 through June 30, 2020 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, B(BA+45) with Masters, $40,649, prorated.
Appointment:
Ms. Brook Pechenko, Per Diem CSE/CPSE Chairperson, District wide, effective February 13, 2020 through June 30, 2020 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $630.00 per diem.
Mr. Kevin Crowley, Per Diem CSE/CPSE Chairperson, District wide, effective February 13, 2020 through June 30, 2020 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $1,100 per diem.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 9, 2020 through May 31, 2020
| Name | Position | Sport | Step | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Gray* | Varsity | Baseball | 3 | $9,491.00 |
| Philip Schnorr* | Assistant Varsity | Baseball | 3 | $6,574.00 |
| Dey Dey Tuach | Assistant Varsity | Track & Field | 3 | $7,300.00 |
| Dennis Hurlie* | Varsity | Girls Lacrosse | 3 | $10,224.00 |
| Rich Marasco | JV | Girls Lacrosse | 3 | $7,300.00 |
| John Alkalay | JVB | Boys Tennis | 3 | $5,843.00 |
| *pending background check clearance | ||||
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 23, 2020 through May 31, 2020
| Name | Position | Sport | Step | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annamarie Marasco | Modified – 7B | Girls Lacrosse | 3 | $5,843.00 |
| Angela Russo | Modified - Bell | Girls Lacrosse | 3 | $5,843.00 |
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Appointment:
BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to Article 12 of the CSEA collective bargaining agreement, after the completion of a cleaner’s 5th year within the District and with satisfactory performance evaluations as determined by the Facilities Director, the Cleaner listed below shall be promoted to the title of Custodial Worker and be placed on the step indicated, effective February 13, 2020:
| Title | Name | Date of Hire | New Title | Current Step/ Cleaner | New Step/ Custodial Worker | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLEANER | RUSSELL SHAW | 9/02/2003 | CUSTODIAL WORKER | Step 15 | Step 13 | $59,077 + night stipend $2,074 |
Resignation for the purpose of Retirement:
Patricia Pollock, Registered Nurse at Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective February 22, 2020.
Rocco Meliambro, Custodial Worker at Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2020.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education, hereby appoints the individual listed below as per diem nurse substitute to be employed on an “as needed” basis, effective February 23, 2020, at a salary of $130 per day:
Patricia Pollock
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Recommended Action: Other
Use of the Consent Agenda permits the Board of Education to make more effective use of its time by adopting a single motion to cover those relatively routine matters, which are included. Any member of the Board who wishes to discuss individually a particular piece of business on the Consent Agenda may so indicate and that item will be considered and voted on separately, thus preserving the right of all Board members to be heard on any issue. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Consent agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools.
5.1 CSE Summaries (2019-20 School Year) reported to the Board on February 12, 2020.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Services with Facing History and Ourselves, for two professional development workshops on Navigating Difficult Conversations: Strategies & Tools from Facing History on March 13, 2020, in the amount of $3,000.00 and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement between the Chappaqua Central School District and The County of Westchester for the use of electronic voting machines, including the technicians, and privacy booths for the May 19, 2020 Annual Budget Vote & Election, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement between the Chappaqua Central School District and Liffey’s Moving & Storage for the delivery and retrieval of the voting machines and privacy booths for the May 19, 2020 Annual Budget Vote and Election, in the amount of $1,600.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the use of Phoenix Graphics for the printing and binding of the ballots for the May 19, 2020 Annual Election and Vote, at the cost of $.50 each, including delivery.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Health & Welfare
Services with Ossining Union Free School District for 4 students at a rate of $912.07 per student, effective September 3, 2019 to June 26, 2020 and authorizes the Superintendent to execute this Agreement.
5.7 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Health & Welfare
Services with Dobbs Ferry Union School District for 7 students at a rate of $1,283.13 per student, effective September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and authorizes the Superintendent, Board President and District Clerk to execute this Agreement.
5.8 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Health & Welfare
Services with Harrison Central School District for 3 students at a rate of $1,092.30 per student, effective September 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 and authorizes the Superintendent and Board President to execute this Agreement.
5.9 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the submission of a revised APPR plan to the New York State Education Department agreed to by the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers, the Chappaqua Administrators’ Association and the Superintendent of Schools and authorizes the Board President to execute the plan. A copy of the revised plan is attached by reference to the minutes of this meeting.
5.10 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an amended Contract for Services with Core BTS for Security Assessment Services – Computer Threat Hunting, in the amount of $7,500.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.11 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the following individuals as Sub-Committee Chairpersons of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. These individuals may assume the role as the Sub-Committee Chairperson for one or more CSE Annual Review meetings.
| Dr. John Alkalay Debra Alspach Rosa Amendola Dr. Nancy Chapar Ross Cooper Kevin Crowley Dr. Betsy DeLessio-Neubauer Tim Doyle |
Jamie Edelman Kristie Evers Ron Gamma Dr. Annemarie Giannettino Dr. Stephanie Lia Nicole Mangiere Dr. Patrick McAuliffe Dr. Heidi McCarthy |
Jennifer Mezzancello Dr. Adam Pease Brook Pechenko Dr. Adam Schoenbart Dr. Sherry Schur Dr. Tony Sinanis Lauralyn Stewart Alissa Stoever |
5.12 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the estimate regarding 3rd party administrative services for the employer sponsored 403(b) plan for the 2020-21 renewal year from Omni in the amount of $12,802.00.
5.13 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Bid Renewal Award Recommendation #B2017-13: Construction Labor and Materials: General Construction – recommended award to J.A.C. Building & Development Group, Inc., at various rates.
5.14 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves donation from the Chappaqua School Foundation in the amount of $50,000 to be used for funding a portion of the design work for the Horace Greeley High School Plant Science and Bioclimatic Center previously approved by the BOE.
5.15 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift for Latin Percussion in Orchestra and Band, in the amount of $2,498.95, submitted by Bell Middle School Orchestra and Band Teachers Laura Abbatantuono and Madison Martineu.
5.16 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift for All Night In A Day, in the amount of $1,980.00 submitted by Horace Greeley High School 10th Grade Teachers Susan Lunnie and Regina McKie.
5.17 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift for Go Be Kind, in the amount of $2,194.00 submitted by Robert E. Bell Middle School 6th Grade Teachers Dana House and Patricia Adams.
5.18 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift for Math Stackers, in the amount of $1,405.00 submitted by Westorchard Elementary School 2nd Grade Teachers Mary Goff and Sarah Moskowitz.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Items 5.1 through 5.18 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. 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: 07 (Bell Field 01-09-20)
Project: Athletic Field Improvements – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Contractor: Bradhurst Site Construction Corp.
Description: Furnish and install Watts LF223s pressure reducing valve @irrigation hot box setup
Amount: $1,848.00
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Treasurer’s Report for December 2019.
7.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Quarterly Central Treasurer’s Report for Extraclassroom Activity Accounts as of December 31, 2019
7.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Quarterly Central Treasurer’s Report for Team Accounts as of December 31, 2019.
7.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Revenue Status Report for January 2020.
7.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Appropriation Status Report for January 2020.
7.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Treasurer’s Report for January 2020.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Items 7.1 through 7.6 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 7:30 pm
Robert E. Bell Middle School Student Presentations
Superintendent Budget Proposal
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Wednesday, March 18, 2020 7:30 pm
Curriculum, Technology, Special Education & Athletics Budget Presentations
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke