Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes January 22, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 6:30 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 6:30 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to convene the public meeting at 6:30 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0. Board Member Warren Messner was absent.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to appoint Holly McCall clerk pro tem. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 4-0.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss litigation and to receive advice from counsel at 6:31 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0.
Board Member Warren Messner joined the meeting at 6:32 pm.
President Shepardson called for a motion to re-convene the public meeting at 7:45 pm.
Motioned by Holly McCall to re-convene the public meeting at 7:45 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson opened the meeting by congratulating two HGHS students on being named Regeneron Science Talent Search Semi-finalists (one of the two students had been additionally named a Finalist) and inviting Andrew Corsilia to speak about and introduce the students. She then highlighted upcoming focus groups being held as part of the search process for the Robert E. Bell Principal position and the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services position. She also encouraged the community to attend the 1/25 production of Annie at Seven Bridges and the 1/26 Harlem Wizards game to benefit the CSF.
Presentations:
Westorchard Elementary School Student Presentations – Westorchard 4th graders gave a presentation about their recent “Passion Project.” Kindergarteners then talked about the Creature Creation Collaboration with HGHS Art students. One of the Greeley collaborators also participated.
Horace Greeley High School Grading Conversion Presentation – HGHS Principal, Andrew Corsilia described the Grade Scale Change proposed by Interim Superintendent Daniel McCann in 2017 and the potential impact that it would have on students. He highlighted the numerous drawbacks and concluded by indicating that this conversion is not recommended for the foreseeable future.
Horace Greeley High School Single Point of Entry Recommendation – Dr. Ackerman described the process that the District has undergone to study and discuss the security issues presented by the campus design of HGHS. After outlining the steps taken and different solutions presented, she indicated that it is the recommendation of the Safety Task Force to create a single point of entry for Horace Greeley High School and requested approval from the Board to move forward with the RFP process and the Board concurred. She also reminded the community that Phyllis Fagell, author of “Middle School Matters” would be speaking in the District on 2/4 and that Dr. Carolyn McGuffog would be presenting her findings at the 2/12 Board meeting
1.2 Superintendent’s Report
1.2.1 2020-21 District Calendar – Draft – Dr. Ackerman presented this draft, explaining her reasoning behind beginning the school year before the Labor Day weekend and extending the Holiday Break to two weeks. She then highlighted upcoming events, including the Harlem Wizards game on 1/26 and the author visit by Phyllis Fagell on 2/4.
2. Committee Reports
Communications Committee: Jane Kimmel Shepardson said that the Communications Committee would be meeting on 1/28 and that a Board work session regarding communications issues would likely happen during the week of 1/27-31.
Facilities Committee: Warren Messner said that the Facilities Committee had met during the prior week to discuss numerous projects including summer projects in the gym and L Building along with the Auditorium Lobby and bathroom, the Bioclimatic Center, the solar project and Greeley Single Point of Entry among other items. John Chow said that an RFP for the solar project would be going out on February 7.
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 8, 2020 Board Meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Item 3.1 as amended. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
3.2 Policy #5052: Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention - Second Reading & Adoption.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #5052: Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention.
Tabled at January 8, 2020 Board Meeting
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to remove Item 3.2 from the table. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to adopt Policy #5052: Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention and Intervention. 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 appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
Leah Byck
Sarah Greer
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a Building Specific substitute teacher for the 2019/2020 school year:
Valerie Aubry – Horace Greeley High School (effective January 16, 2020)
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as AP proctor/coordinator to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2019/2020 school year:
Barbara Scheine
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as student teachers, interns and/or classroom observers for the 2019/2020 school year:
Nicole Broomfield
Antonia Maglic
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and Board President to execute an Agreement, dated January 16, 2020, on behalf of the School District, with Ms. Taylor Kreamer, as presented to the Board at this meeting, whereby Ms. Kreamer shall perform contract services as an Elementary teacher for the School District for the period commencing January 21, 2020 and terminating June 30, 2020. A copy of this Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Amended Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Patricia Greco, Teacher of Special Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective August 15, 2020.
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Jo-Ann Orzechowski, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective July 1, 2020.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Patsy Myers, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 23, 2020, $23,107 per year, prorated.
Appointment: Volunteer Coaching - Effective January 23, 2020 through March 15, 2020
| Name | Position | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Ludl | Assistant Coach | Skiing |
Motioned by Victoria Tipp 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:
Rena Gavigan, Computer Aide at Westorchard Elementary School (session), effective January 23, 2020, at an annual salary of $28,251 pro-rated, Step 3.
Resignation for the Purpose of Retirement:
Manuel Martins, Custodial Worker at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, retiring effective June 30, 2020.
Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves administrative leaves of absence, without pay, for Colleen Kelly, Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems at the Education Center, effective March 27 through April 3, 2020 and May 13-20, 2020.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson 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 January 22, 2020.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with School Scheduling Associates, LLC for six (6) days of scheduling consultation for Horace Greeley High School during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years, at a rate of $3,500.00 per day, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Items 5.1 and 5.2 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. 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: BE-GC-04
Project: District-Wide Security – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Contractor: Casabella Contracting of NY, Inc.
Description: Labor, equipment and materials related to providing additional electrical outlets in the Nurse’s Office
Amount: $5,144.22
6.2 Change Order: BE-GC-05
Project: District-Wide Security – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Contractor: Casabella Contracting of NY, Inc.
Description: Labor, equipment and materials related to removing a 6000 gallon underground fuel storage tank.
Amount: $16,151.72
6.3 Change Order: Library GC-009
Project: Chappaqua Library & Horace Greeley High School Capital Improvements
Contractor: MVM Construction LLC
Description: Cost to furnish and install, in the Library, transfer grilles in locations indicated on drawing M-206 dated 4/27/18, per the attached PCO #45 dated 4/15/19 and attached Bulletin GC-8
Amount: $2,288.88
6.4 Change Order: HGHS GC-016
Project: Chappaqua Library & Horace Greeley High School Capital Improvements
Contractor: MVM Construction LLC
Description: Cost to furnish and install revised ceiling soffit around light fixtures in Girl’s H100A and Boy’s H100B bathrooms, per the attached PCO #37 dated 4/15/19
Amount: $2,457.18
Motioned by Holly McCall to acknowledge Items 6.1 through 6.4 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Treasurer’s Report for November 2019.
7.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Revenue Status Report – December 2019
7.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Appropriation Status Report – December 2019
7.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Claims Auditor Report for December 2019.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Items 7.1 through 7.4 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, February 12, 2020 7:30 pm
Roaring Brook Elementary School Student Presentation
Dr. McGuffog – SPED Testing Analysis & Best Practices Recommendations
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 7:30 pm
Robert E. Bell Middle School Student Presentations
Superintendent Budget Proposal
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn the meeting at 9:43 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke