Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes August 11, 2021
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, August 11, 2021, 5:00 PM
Education Center
and
1 Kotemy Circle, Edgartown, MA
Present: Board of Education
Hilary Grasso, President
Warren Messner, Vice President
Cailee Hwang
Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Victoria Bayard Tipp
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
Ellen Doherty, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
David Hayes, Public Relations Assistant
Board President Hilary Grasso called for a motion to open the meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to open the meeting at 5:04 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk pro tempore. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to adjourn into Executive Session at 5:05 pm to discuss litigation and matters of health & safety. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to reconvene the public meeting at 7:32 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – Ms Grasso began by welcoming Andrew Lennon, the District’s new Assistant Superintendent for Business. She went on to say that the District has been hard at work planning and preparing for the coming school year. She asked anyone with concerns or questions to reach out to the Board directly for discussion and answers. She finished by wishing all an enjoyable remainder of the summer and a happy, healthy and successful school year.
1.1.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the amended Board of Education calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 1.1.1 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report
1.2.1 Superintendent Hearing – Code of Conduct - Dr. Ackerman highlighted and explained the change that is being implemented in the Code of Conduct.
1.2.2 2021-22 Budget, Tax Levy & Tax Rates – Mr. Lennon went over the Tax Levy and Tax Rate information for the 2021-22 school year.
Presentation: Preliminary Opening Plans for September – Dr. Ackerman outlined the current opening plan for the District, adding that, as always, the plan may shift in the coming few weeks as we receive additional and/or different guidance from state and local officials.
2. Committee Reports
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 7, 2021 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the Minutes of the July 20, 2021 Special Board Meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. 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 2021/2022 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:
BANY Partners
Holistic Learning Center (addendum only)
Listening Partners, Inc.
Westchester Institute for Human Development
Westchester Therapy Solutions
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a paid intern at the daily rate of $85.00 for the 2021/2022 school year through the PNW BOCES Internship Program:
Victoria Carroll
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as student teachers, interns and/or classroom observers for the 2021/2022 school year:
Rachel Acampora
Alexa Tassone
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the probationary term of Reading Teacher, Muriel Samedy, shall be amended to terminate on August 29, 2024, based upon receipt of proof of tenure in a New York State public school district.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as Department Chairpersons for the 2021/2022 school year:
Robert E. Bell Middle School
| Department | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Science | Jessica Sansevera |
| World Language | Samantha Darling |
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its President, to sign a contract in lieu of probation with Jamie Edelman to serve as Interim Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, effective November 2, 2021 through June 30, 2022, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Ellen Doherty, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, District-wide, effective November 1, 2021.
Resignation:
Ms. Carolina Stillone-Quagliarello, Teacher of Foreign Language, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective August 24, 2021.
Ms. Christina Grasso, Teacher of Social Studies, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective August 30, 2021.
Mr. Steven McLees, Athletic Coordinator, District-Wide, effective July 19, 2021.
Mr. Michael DeBellis, Modified Assistant Football Coach, effective July 9, 2021.
Ms. Lindsay Morton, Modified Assistant Volleyball Coach, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective July 30, 2021.
Ms. Kristin McGurl, Junior Varsity Field Hockey Coach, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 5, 2021.
Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:
Ms. Jamie Edelman, Director of K-12 Literacy, District-wide, effective November 2, 2021 through June 30, 2022.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective August 23, 2021 through November 1, 2021
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls Swimming | Varsity | Margaret Kaplan | 3 |
| Girls Swimming | Asst. Varsity | Jeanne Kellachan | 3 |
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp 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
Resignations:
Maria Coppola, Teacher Aide at Westorchard Elementary School, effective July 30, 2021.
Steven McLees, Athletic, Strength/Conditioning Trainer and Athletic Coordinator, effective July 19, 2021.
Susan Fitzgerald, Computer Lab Aide at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective August 13, 2021.
Appointments:
Joseph Jednesty, Office Assistant-Automated Systems (12 month), Seven Bridges Middle School, at a prorated annual salary of $45,371, Step 5 of the COSA Contract, effective July 12, 2021.
Melanie Leff, Clerk-School Monitor (Session), Seven Bridges Middle School, at an annual salary of $28,926, Step 6 of the COSA Contract, effective July 19, 2021.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes an administrative leave of absence, without pay, for Joseph Jednesty, effective July 12, 2021 through August 13, 2021 in accordance with Westchester County Civil Service Regulations.
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes an administrative leave of absence, without pay, for Melanie Leff, effective July 19, 2021 through August 31, 2021 in accordance with Westchester County Civil Service Regulations.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Board President to execute an Agreement regarding Employee #2368, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp 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 5.2 and 5.25 from the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 CSE summaries (2021-22 School Year) reported to the Board on August 11, 2021.
5.2 WHEREAS, the Board of Education does hereby approve the execution of the tax warrant to collect the tax levy for the 2021-22 school year in the amount of $113,934,076 for School District purposes and $3,331,139 for Chappaqua Public Library purposes.
5.3 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 contractual rate increases to Article 15(B), Article 23 (B)&(D), Article 24 (E)(1)(c), (E)(2)(b)&(c), (E)(3), (E) (3), (E)(4)(a), (E)(5), (E)(7), (E)(8)(a)&(b), (E)(9), (E)(10) & (E)(11), and Article 31 EAP Coordinator Stipend, effective July 1, 2021, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with the City School District of New Rochelle for health and welfare services for 4 students, in the amount of $1,382.00 per student for the 2020-21 school year, and authorizes the Board President and Superintendent to execute the agreement.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Contract with the Green Chimneys School for special education services during the 2021-22 school year at the rate set forth by the New York State Education Department, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.
5.6 WHEREAS, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Manual of Planning Standards S106 Doors, requires classroom doors, and stair and corridor doors to have vision panels (MPS S106(a)) which may not be covered; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Fire Prevention and Building Code and NYSED Manual of Planning Standards establish standards for egress from school facilities; and
WHEREAS, the March 5, 2019, Memorandum from NYSED, entitled School Security and Door Hardening, advises that the Office of Facilities Planning has permitted temporary covering of vision panels of classroom doors in an emergency and has also permitted faculty and staff to temporarily block doors to slow the access of an intruder in an emergency;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes District employees to cover door vision panels when necessary to ensure an adequate safe zone within school buildings in the event of an emergency and to temporarily block doors to slow the access of an intruder in an emergency so long as the means used to block the doors do not require any special information or ability to allow egress so that occupants can leave the building quickly in such circumstances.
5.7 WHEREAS, in a letter, dated July 13, 2021, Johnson Controls, Inc. has provided justification for being the sole source for their METASYS propriety software which software is used by the Chappaqua Central School District to control the heat and air conditioning in the District’s buildings;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares Johnson Controls, Inc. to be the sole source manufacturer and vendor of such the METASYS proprietary software necessary to control heat and air conditioning in the District’s buildings, as well as to maintain, repair and trouble-shoot problems with these systems, and is not subject to competitive bidding under Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.8 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a budget transfer dated June 30, 2021, in the amount of $1,630,000.00 from Budget Code A2110-200-36B to A1621-400-34 CAPITAL to cover architect and construction management costs.
5.9 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Aramark Contract Extension required by The Stated Education Department for the 2021-22 school year and authorizes the Board President to execute the extension of agreement.
5.10 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Naviance for the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years in the amount of $5,200.00 per year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.
5.11 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a small project agreement with Fielding International for planning and design of renovations to the administrative center at Horace Greeley High School and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.12 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an award of $194.35 to Horace Greeley High School from the Stop & Shop Rewards program.
5.13 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a purchase order increase in the amount of $10,800.00, to cover increased costs related to Change Order HGHS MC-011 (Southeast Mechanical) which was approved at the May 5, 2021 Board of Education meeting.
5.14 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a purchase order increase in the amount of $19,882.51, to cover increase costs related to Change Order HGHS GC-005 which was approved at the July 7, 2021 Board of Education meeting.
5.15 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Empire Core Group LLC, for the Boiler Room Alterations at Horace Greeley High School, in the amount of $723,251.00 as a result of Bid Award Recommendation B2021-16 which was approved at the June 24, 2021 Board of Education meeting.
5.16 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes Director of Facilities Joseph Gramando to perform the services of Construction Manager for the Horace Greeley High School Sustainability Research Center construction project. Such services shall be performed during his regular hours of work and such other pre-approved hours as may be authorized by the Superintendent of Schools for hours worked beyond his workday, paid at his regular hourly rate of pay.
5.17 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with WSP USA Inc., for additional project support related to the Zauderer Subdivision project, in the amount of $6,000.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.18 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an amended retainer agreement, executed by the Superintendent, with Sive, Paget & Riesel P.C. in connection with the Town of New Castle’s proposed Form Based Code rezoning, in an amount not to exceed $9,500.00.
5.19 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with the Pleasantville Union Free School District for summer ESY education services during the 2021-22 school year, at a rate set by the New York State Education Department, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.20 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a budget transfer in the amount of $794,700.00 to Budget Line A9901.950.35 (transfer to the Special Aid Fund) to fund the portions of the summer special education programs from summer 2015 to summer 2020 which are not aidable by New York State.
5.21 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a purchase order increase in the amount of $8,660.00, to cover increase costs related to second focus area chosen for intensive review by Tobin & Co. during the 2020-21 school year.
5.22 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with Hawthorne Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Hawthorne Country Day School, effective July 1, 2021 through August 13, 2021 for provision of a special education program based on the New York State Education Department and the Office of Children and Family Services rates as outlined in Schedule B of the Agreement, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.23 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with Hawthorne Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Hawthorne Country Day School, effective September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for provision of a special education program based on the New York State Education Department and the Office of Children and Family Services rates as outlined in Schedule B of the Agreement, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.24 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the Teacher’s Curriculum Institute: Social Studies Alive curriculum for grades K-8, as recommended by the Superintendent.
5.25 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the purchase of Teacher’s Curriculum Institute’s curriculum materials in the amount of $142,275.35 and authorizes the BOE president to execute the agreement.
5.26 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an amended Change Order from Bradhurst Site Construction Corp. (CO #6) previously approved by the Superintendent and acknowledged at the July 23, 2019 Board of Education Meeting.
5.27 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Independent Evaluation Agreement with Dr. Alyssa van der Merwe, for an independent neuropsychological evaluation, effective July 23, 2021 through August 31, 2021, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.28 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign a real property contract of sale, dated August 11, 2021, for District property known as the Button Hook Property, located in Chappaqua, New York (Section 081, Block 0001, Lot 008) to C.G. Homes Six, L.L.C., for the purchase price of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). A copy of said contract of sale, as presented to the Board at this meeting shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Item 5.1, Items 5.3 through 5.24 and Items 5.26 through 5.28 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 5.2 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. A roll call vote of the Board was taken, with Board members Hilary Grasso, Warren Messner, Cailee Hwang, Jane Kimmel Shepardson and Victoria Bayard Tipp all voting “aye.” Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 5.25 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
6. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges the following contracts approved by the Superintendent, per Board Policy 6085 – Purchasing and Bidding:
6.1 An agreement for services with Paul Anderson (Bozemanscience.com, Inc.) for Next Generation Science Standards Professional Development and Workshops during the 2021-22 school year.
6.2 An agreement for services with Dr. Martin Brooks, as a Board Retreat facilitator for the 2021-22 school year.
6.3 An agreement for services with Dr.Yong Zhao for Professional Development on August 30, 2021.
Motioned by Cailee Hwang to acknowledge Items 6.1 through 6.3 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Facilities
8. Financials
8.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor report for June 2021.
8.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status report for July 2021.
8.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status report for July 2021.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to acknowledge receipt of Items 8.1 through 8.3 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Notice of Future Meetings
Monday, August 30, 2021, 10:30 am
Opening Day
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
Tuesday, September 14, 2021, 7:30 pm
District Performance Report
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
10. Adjournment
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke