Minutes August 5, 2020

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, August 5, 2020, 5:45 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium

Per Governor Cuomo’s executive order, in-person attendance at this meeting may not exceed 50 people.

Presiding Officer: Victoria Bayard Tipp
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall

Present:  Board of Education
    Victoria Bayard Tipp, President
    Holly McCall, Vice President
    Hilary Grasso
    Warren Messner
    Jane Kimmel Shepardson

Staff Members:
    Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
    John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
    Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
    Liisa Elsner, District Clerk

Call the Meeting to Order at 5:45 pm

Motioned by Warren Messner to open the meeting at 5:46 pm.  Seconded by Holly McCall.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn into executive session at 5:46 pm to discuss litigation, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Reconvene public session at 7:30 p.m. at Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

Victoria Bayard Tipp called for a motion to reconvene the public meeting at 7:33 pm.

Motioned by Holly McCall to reconvene 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 Tipp gave her report noting the following:

  • Thanking Dr. Ackerman and administrators and members of the reentry task force for their work on the reopening plan
  • The Board is in the process of creating advisory committees for the community to participate more fully.  She then called for a motion to approve Item 1.1.1 as stated below:

1.1.1    Board of Education Advisory Committee Descriptions and Application Structure

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 1.1.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

  • Describing the different advisory committees that will be formed and populated by Board and interested community members
  • Asking the Board to approve sending out the document with advisory committee information and an application on August 10.  The Board approved the motion 5-0.
  • Anonymous Instagram posts detailing incidences of racism, bullying and harassment have been brought to the BOE’s attention.  The District has avenues for reporting directly to the District.  President Tipp listed the various policies which address these issues and detail the processes in place for reporting.  The Board will be reviewing these different methods of reporting
  • The creation of a Director of Equity, Inclusion and Wellness to further support our students.  She then outlined the nature and responsibilities of the position.

1.2    Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her report noting the following

  • Wishing the community well in the wake of the storm and thanking David Hayes and Josh Block for their efforts to get videos out to families and helping ensure that the Board meeting could take place in light of power/internet outages.

Presentation:
2020-21 Budget, Tax Levy & Tax Rates – John Chow presented the budget, tax levy and rates information to the Board so that they can approve the Tax Warrant (see below Items 5.3 and 5.4).  This occurs on a yearly basis in August.

September Opening Plans – Dr. Ackerman and members of the reentry team outlined the District’s comprehensive plan for reopening schools in September.

1.2.1    Revised 2020-21 Calendar

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Item 1.2.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 5-0.

2.    Committee Reports  

Communications Committee – President Tipp said the communications committee had recently met to discuss reopening plan communication and the formation of the various advisory committees.

Policy Committee – Mr. Messner said the policy committee had met to review the District’s Code of Conduct which would be presented at the 9/1 meeting.  Ms. Grasso included that members of the community were also included in the review of the code of conduct.

Audit Committee – Mr. Messner said that the District’s external auditors had completed their review and that the internal audit would begin the following week.

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 July 8, 2020 Board Meeting.

3.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the July 15, 2020 Special Board Meeting.

3.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the July 21, 2020 Special Board Meeting.

3.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the July 28, 2020 Special Board Meeting.

Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to accept Items 3.1 through 3.4 as stated above.  Seconded by Holly McCall.  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 authorizes the attached Agreements for Services for the individuals and agencies listed below effective for the 2020/2021 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Dr. Jeffrey Gershel    
Dr. Steve Levine    
Dr. Scott Levin    
Monique Scollan    

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby creates the 1.0 (FTE) position of Director of Equity, Inclusion and Wellness, a position in the Director of Equity, Inclusion and Wellness Tenure Area.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as High School Department Facilitators for the 2020/2021 school year:

Department Co-Facilitator
Science Jennifer McCarthy

Resignation:
Ms. Nicole Neto, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective August 25, 2020.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Mr. Christopher Kaser, Teacher of Art Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective July 27, 2020.

Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Vanessa Petruzzelli, Teacher of Special Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

Ms. Ellen Paradiso, Teacher of Library Media, Douglas Grafflin Middle School, effective September 1, 2020 through January 29, 2021.

Appointment: 
Ms. Brook Pechenko, Per Diem CSE/CPSE Chairperson, District wide, effective August 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $630.00 per diem.

Appointment: Leave Replacement:
Ms. Nicole Gerringer, Leave Replacement Library Media Specialist, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective September 1, 2020 through January 29, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

Appointment: Probationary
Ms. Elissa Turshen, Teacher of Elementary, Roaring Brook Elementary School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Elementary Teacher effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time.

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.

4.2    Non-Instructional 

Resignation for the purpose of Retirement:
Clare Weber, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective July 30, 2020.

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 steps indicated, by name, effective August 6, 2020.

Title  Last Name First Name Date of Hire Current Step – Cleaner New Step - Custodian
CLEANER CASTANEDA HENRY 10/4/1999 20 17

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes an administrative leave of absence, without pay, for Paola Conklin, beginning September 1, 2020 and ending September 30, 2020.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as a per diem clerical/aide substitute to be employed on an “as needed” basis, at a salary of $15 per hour:

Michele Deagan

Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Item 4.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  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.

Motioned by Warren Messner to remove Items 5.3 and 5.4 from the Consent Agenda.  Seconded by Holly McCall.  Motion carried 5-0.

5.1    CSE Summaries (2019-20 School Year) reported to the Board on August 5, 2020.

5.2    CSE Summaries (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on August 5, 2020.

5.3      WHEREAS, the Board of Education has been authorized by the voters of the School District at the Annual Meeting to raise for the budget for the 2020-21 school year a sum not to exceed $128,237,168 for School District purposes and a sum not to exceed $3,314,162 for Library purposes;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby fix the equalized tax rates by towns and confirm the extension of the taxes as they appear on the following described tax roll. (Attached document must have Date and Hour of Adoption recorded.)

5.4      Resolution issuing a tax warrant. (Attached document must indicate vote and signature of each board member.)

5.5    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the consent judgement to Ashok Kalyanswamy and Jyotsna Kalyanswamy for assessment year 2018 in the amount of $3,702.48.

5.6    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the terms of the Release and Settlement Agreement involving Student Number 080520, a copy of which shall be incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools be and hereby is authorized to execute such Release and Settlement Agreement on behalf of the District.

5.7    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an agreement with the City School District of New Rochelle for health and welfare services from September 4, 2019 through June 26, 2020,  for three students, in the amount of $1,421.00 per student, and authorizes the Superintendent and Board President to execute the agreement.

5.8    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Contract with the Green Chimneys School for special education services during the 2019-20 school year at the rate set forth by the New York State Education Department, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.

5.9    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Contract with the Green Chimneys School for special education services during the 2020-21 school year at the rate set forth by the New York State Education Department, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.

5.10    BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the Summer Transportation Contract with Chappaqua Transportation, effective July 1, 2020 to August 30, 2020 in the amount of $50,522.86, and authorizes the Board President and Superintendent to execute this agreement.

5.11    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Extension of Transportation Contract with Chappaqua Transportation, September 1, 2020 to June 25, 2021 in the amount of $5,870,077.71, and authorizes the Board President and Superintendent to execute this agreement.

5.12    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign an agreement with Chappaqua Transportation, Inc., regarding contractual obligations for the period commencing on July 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2021.  A copy of said agreement, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

5.13    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.
 
5.14    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the À La Carte Price List for the 
2020-21 school year.

5.15    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers (CCT) bargaining unit regarding the education of the children of non-resident untenured unit members during the 2020-21 school year, as presented to the Board at this meeting.  A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Items 5.1, 5.2 and 5.5 through 5.15 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.3 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Item 5.4 as stated above.  Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp.  Motion carried 5-0.

6.      Facilities 

7.      Financials

7.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor’s Report for June 2020.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge receipt of Item 7.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Holly McCall.  Motion carried 5-0.

8.      Notice of Future Meetings

Tuesday, September 1, 2020 10:30 am
Opening Day
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons

9.      Adjournment 

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 pm.  Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke