Minutes June 7, 2023

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, June 7, 2023, 7:30PM
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons

Present:  Board of Education
    Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
    Warren Messner, Vice President
    Hilary Grasso
    Cailee Hwang
    Ryan Kelsey

Staff Members:
    Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
    Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business
    Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
    Jamie Edelman, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
    Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources 
    Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Innovation, Technology & Mathematics    
    Adam Schoenbart, Associate Director of Technology & Communications
    David Hayes, Public Relations Assistant
    Liisa Elsner, District Clerk

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to open the public meeting at 5:30 pm.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 4-0.  Board Vice President Warren Messner was absent.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 4-0.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to adjourn into Executive Session at 5:30 pm to discuss the employment history of particular persons, potential litigation, and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 4-0.

Board Vice President Warren Messner joined the meeting at 5:39 pm.

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to reconvene the public meeting at 5:59 pm.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

6:00 pm    Retiree Recognition – Academic Commons

1.       Information Business Affairs

1.1    President’s Report – President Shepardson gave her report as follows:

  • Noting the air conditions and hoping everyone is staying safe.
  • Congratulating all of our retirees and wishing them well.
  • Commenting on the Strategic Planning process.
  • Noting the success of the Senior Musical Mamma Mia.
  • Noting upcoming events and important dates.

1.1.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2023-24 Board of Education Meeting Schedule.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to adopt the 2023-24 Board of Education Meeting Schedule as stated above.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

1.2    Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update as follows:

  • District Strategic Plan – Jonathan Costa – Mr. Costa reviewed the process of strategic planning and presented the newest Strategic Plan.
  • Dr. Ackerman thanked all who participated in the process.
  • Acknowledging and congratulating the 7 Bridges Science Olympiad team.
  • Noting the District Equity Policy that is on the agenda.
  • Dr. Pease spoke about Jillian McRae, an incoming Professional Developer focusing on DEI work.  He went on to speak about Andrew Taylor, the District’s new Director of Technology and Innovation.
  • Thanking Andrew Lennon for his work in the District and wishing him well. 

1.2.1    Safety & Security Update – Dr. Sepe, Joe Gramando and Josh Culwell-Block gave a presentation on the work of the HGHS Safety Task Force.

  • Dr. Ackerman then went on to speak about the recent District Safety & Security survey results and actions that the District will be taking as a result of the input received from the community.
  • An update on elementary enrollment regarding section sizes and reminding the community that the District will be monitoring enrollment throughout the summer.
  • An update on District-wide counseling support.
  • Noting upcoming events in the District.

2.      Committee Reports

Health & Safety – Ms. Grasso noted that the Committee had also reviewed District safety and security issues along with traffic amelioration ideas for HGHS.

Green – Ms. Grasso said that the Committee had discussed working on ways to reduce the use of plastics in the cafeteria, increasing composting and making certain water re-fillers are cold. Finally there was discussion about electric school buses and the new legislation and engaging students in the process..

Policy – Mr. Kelsey noted that the Committee had worked to craft the DEI policy on the agenda.

Wellness – Mr. Kelsey said the Committee discussed the success of tasting events and ways to improve the experience in some of the schools.  Next year’s topics will include snack options and vending machines throughout the District.

Communications – Ms. Shepardson thanked the Advisory Committee members and shared that the Committee continues to discuss was to improve District communications with the community.

Sports Boosters – Ms. Hwang noted that Cam Shropshire had been selected to receive the 2023 Excellence in Coaching award and that all the coaches will be recognized at the Senior Athlete’s Award Ceremony in the coming 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 hereby accepts the minutes of the May 18, 2023 Board of Education meeting.

3.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the minutes of the May 30, 2023 Special Board of Education meeting.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

3.3    Policy 0130:  District Equity Policy – 1st Reading.

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 2022/2023 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Talk of the Town

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 2023/2024 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Accucare Nursing and Home Care
BANY Partners
Kole’s Occupational Therapy Services P.C.
Sheri Lauro, Intervention Associates, LLC
Carolyn M. Machonis, OT, PLLC DBA Milestones for Munchkins
Randall Ross, MD

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual(s) listed as per diem substitute teacher(s) to be employed on an “as needed” basis:

Everett Banks
Elizabeth Bosco
Ellie Handwerger
Miriam Steinberg
Nasheema Whyte

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board President, on behalf of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent are authorized to sign an agreement extending the probationary term of employee #6097 for an additional one year period through September 10, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Theresa Civitano, Teacher of Mathematics, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2023.

Resignation:
Ms. Cassandra Green, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30, 2023.

Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Paulina Riefenhauser, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective June 9, 2023 through June 30, 2023.

Appointment: Probationary
Mr. Donald Brenner, Teacher of Foreign Language, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Foreign Language, effective August 31, 2023 through August 30, 2027, 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 they shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 10, B(BA+45) with Masters, $104,620.

Ms. Kayla Sherry, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Elementary Education, effective August 31, 2023 through August 30, 2027, 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 they shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 1, B(BA+30) with Masters, $74,477.

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.

4.2    Non-instructional   

Appointment:
Paul Barilla, Maintenance Mechanic – Buildings, District-wide (Pole Barn), effective June 8, 2023.  His salary will be Step 15 (Maintenance/Mechanic) on the CSEA Contract, $70,173.

Resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby extends the appointment of Marian Waltzer as a Clerical Substitute at the Seven Bridges Middle School through June 23, 2023.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a discretionary leave of absence, without pay, to Joseph Jednesty, Office Assistant – Automated Systems at Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 5, 2023 through August 19, 2023.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual below as a substitute custodial worker to be employed on an “as needed” basis, effective June 8, 2023, at a salary of $15.00 per hour:

Nicolas M. Castro

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  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 (2022-23 School Year) reported to the Board on June 7, 2023.

5.2    CSE summaries (2023-24 School Year) reported to the Board on June 7, 2023.

5.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints Josh Culwell-Block as the following for the 2022-23 school year, effective June 10, 2023:  School District Deputy Treasurer, and be authorized to take appropriate action in the investment of school district funds, Payroll Certification Officer, Records Management and Access Officer, and Co-Chief Emergency Officer.

5.4    WHEREAS the Chappaqua Central School District is participating, with other Rockland, Orange and Westchester County School Districts, in cooperative bids for the purchase of natural gas, sponsored by the Rockland County BOCES; and

WHEREAS the bidding procedures comply in every respect with the requirements 
established by the General Municipal Law; and

WHEREAS, the natural gas markets are highly volatile and prompt action is required to 
secure the benefit of the lowest possible rates; and

WHEREAS, the delay in waiting for formal action by this Board may result in the loss 
of the bid prices; and

WHEREAS, the Board believes that it can establish reasonable limits on the power 
of the Superintendent to act in the Board’s name and authority, subject to later 
ratification by this Board;

RESOLVED that this Board hereby delegates to the Superintendent of Schools the 
authority to accept bids for natural gas submitted pursuant to the cooperative 
bid on the following conditions:

  1. The annual ceiling price bid for natural gas Basis is $6.00/mmBtu or less;1 
  2. The annual ceiling price for natural gas commodity at the NYMEX Henry Hub is $7.00/mmBtu or less;

  1This is the cost for the transmission of gas.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Superintendent is to report to this Board, in 
writing, within 24 hours any action she has taken pursuant to this resolution; and it 
is further

RESOLVED that this delegation of authority may be revoked at any time by action of 
this Board.

5.5    WHEREAS, Weather STEM is and will continue to be, the sole source of weather station, camera, mounting hardware and associated services custom tailored to the Chappaqua Central School District’s needs. These items are proprietary products that are only available through Weather STEM located at 3019 N. Shannon Lakes Drive, Suite 203, Tallahassee, FL 32309.

WHEREAS, Weather STEM will have a direct sales and purchasing relationship and no intentions to utilize agents, or authorize resellers to provide Weather STEM products and services to Chappaqua School Central School District.
    
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares Weather STEM to be the sole source for all Weather STEM branded products and services purchased in the ordinary course of product acquisition and therefore, determines that the purchase of Weather STEM products is not subject to competitive bidding under Section 103 of the General Municipal Law. 

5.6    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with the Ossining Union Free School District for health & welfare services for 1 student, in the amount of $1,095.37, effective September 2, 2022 through June 23, 2023, and authorizes the Superintendent to execute the agreement.

5.7    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a PNW BOCES 2023-24 Contract Addendum for LocalLive TV and Event Production renewal, and authorizes the Superintendent to execute the addendum agreement. 

5.8    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a letter of agreement with Nawrocki Smith LLP, dated May 25, 2023, regarding Internal Audit Services for the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

5.9    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an independent contractor services agreement with Vera Allen, dated May 25, 2023, for Driver Education Lecture services during the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

5.10    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2021-03:  Construction Labor and Materials – General Construction for the 2023-24 school year to Empire Core Group, LLC, at various rates.

5.11    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2022-08:  Clothing for Work Uniforms for the 2023-24 school year to S&H Uniform Corp., at various amounts.

5.12    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, in accordance with Board Policy 9040, 
hereby authorizes the 2023-24 school year salaries of the nonaligned administrators of the School District who are not represented in collective bargaining units, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools in a memorandum to the Board of Education dated June 1, 2023.

5.13    WHEREAS, the District owns the attached list of items which are no longer useful or necessary for school district purposes and of no value to the School District; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby declares such items to be surplus property and of no value to the School District and authorizes the disposal of such equipment in a prudent manner in accordance with law.

5.14    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement for consultant services with Jillian McRae effective July 1, 2023 through August 30, 2023, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

5.15    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the 2023-24 school year salaries of the confidential employees based on the recommendations from the Superintendent in a memorandum to the Board of Education dated June 7, 2023.   Said memorandum is incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Items 5.1 through 5.15 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 with Lifetouch for yearbook photo services during the 2023-24 school year.

6.2    An agreement for consultant services with Andrew Taylor, effective June 5 through June 30, 2023.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to acknowledge Items 6.1 and 6.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

7.      Facilities

8.      Financials

8.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for April 2023.

8.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for April 2023.

8.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for April 2023/

8.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor’s Report for May, 2023.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge receipt of Items 8.1 through 8.4 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

9.    Notice of Future Meetings

Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

Thursday, July 6, 7:00 pm
Reorganization Meeting
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium

10.    Adjournment 

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 pm.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke