Minutes October 11, 2023

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 7:00 PM
Westorchard Elementary School

Present:  Board of Education
    Hilary Grasso, President
    Cailee Hwang, Vice President
    Matt Auerbach
    Alissa Dorfman
    Ryan Kelsey

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

Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to open the public meeting at 5:45 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 4-0.  Board member Matt Auerbach was not present.

Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk pro tempore.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 4-0.

Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to adjourn into Executive Session at 5:45 pm to discuss litigation, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety, and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 4-0.

Matt Auerbach joined the meeting at 5:47 pm

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to reconvene the public meeting at 7:05 pm.  Seconded by Matt Auerbach.  Motion carried 5-0.

Presentation:  Westorchard Elementary School

1.       Information Business Affairs

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

  • Addressing the recent events in Israel and condemning the attacks, noting increasing incidents of anti-semitism around the world.  She also addressed the two recent incidents of anti-semitism in the District and re-affirmed that the District will not tolerate hate speech of any kind.
  • Noting that the DSA club at Horace Greeley High School is no longer active.
  • Noting the process that the Board and administration go through in order to send out statements to the community regarding important and/or alarming events within the immediate community or larger community.
  • Dr. Ackerman noted that administration had sent communications and resources to staff in order to help prepare them to work with students upon their return to school in the wake of recent events and acknowledged that, in hindsight, a message to the community should have been relayed sooner.
  • The remaining board members spoke additionally about recent events.
  • Ms. Grasso noted that the Board had held its first “Office Hours” and that there will be a sign-up available shortly before the next date in November.
  • Noting a work session on 10/12 regarding the proposed ChapLine.

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

  • Acknowledging that the Audit Report is on the agenda for approval.
  • Noting the two policies on the agenda for adoption.
  • Updating the SRO timeline – two officers are on the agenda for approval.
  • Josh Culwell-Block spoke about the two officers and their qualifications.
  • Dr. Pease gave a K-6 Literacy RFP Update.
  • Noting that Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities will be retiring on November 10.
  • Noting upcoming events and important dates.
  • Highlighting that October 16-20 is Board Appreciation Week and thanking the Board for their partnership and tireless efforts on behalf of the District.

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 hereby accepts the minutes of theSeptember 27, 2023 Board of Education Meeting.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Item 3.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  Motion carried 5-0.

3.2     Policy #3010:  Code of Ethics – Second Reading & Adoption.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #3010:  Code of Ethics.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt Policy #3010:  Code of Ethics.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0. 

3.3     Policy #5015:  Comprehensive Student Attendance – Second Reading & Adoption.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #5015:  Comprehensive Student Attendance. 

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to adopt Policy #5015:  Comprehensive Student Attendance.  Seconded by Matt Auerbach.  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 2023/2024 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Nutritionally Yours (Addendum)

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:

Pamela Lungen
Connor Murphy
Lisa Takahashi

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as chaperone to be employed on an “as needed” basis:

Richard Clinchy

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed for Co-Curricular Activities for the 2023/2024 school year at the rate of $16.85 per point:

Robert E. Bell Middle School

Activity
Advisor
Points
Morning Announcements & Bell TV Studio
Patricia Adams (.5)
Gina Serafin (.5)
500
Share, JR
Annemarie Giannettino (.5)
Kendall McKenna (.5)
100

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a PSAT and/or SAT and/or ACT proctor to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2023/2024 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Sarah Schur 

Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Elissa Turshen, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective November 6, 2023 through June 26, 2024.

Appointment: Regular Substitute
Ms. Jenna Baig, Regular Substitute Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective August 31, 2023 through June 30, 2024 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, B(BA+30) with Masters, $77,694.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to approve Item 4.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.

4.2     Non-Instructional   

Resignations:
Michael Winters, Computer Aide at Westorchard Elementary School, effective end of day September 29, 2023.

Leonora Shabani, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective end of day October 6, 2023.

Abraham Bejarano, Office Assistant – Automated Systems at the Education Center, effective end of day October 11, 2023.

Resignation for the purpose of retirement:
Joseph Gramando, Director of Operations, Facilities & Maintenance District-wide, effective end of day November 10, 2023.

Appointment:
Abraham Bejarano, Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems (Spanish Speaking) at the Education Center, effective October 12, 2023.  His salary will be $52,600, pro-rated.

Resolutions:
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 on the attached document shall be promoted to the title of custodial worker and be placed on the step indicated, effective October 12, 2023.

Last Name
First Name
Date of Hire
Current Step - Cleaner
New Step - Custodian
Joseph
Alison
3/14/2018
6
4

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the hours of Mary Marra, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School from 31.25 hours/week to 32.5 hours/week, effective October 6, 2023.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Item 4.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  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 (2023-24 School Year) reported to the Board on October 11, 2023.

5.2     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the external audit report and management response for year ending June 30, 2023.

5.3     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with The Karafin School, for educational services for one student (ID #xxxxxx7) during the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.

5.4     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education names and acknowledges Edison Gramajo and Joseph Carbone as School Resource Officers (SRO), effective November 1, 2023, in accordance with the agreement between the Chappaqua Central School District and the Town of New Castle which was approved at the September 13, 2023 meeting of the Board of Education and the September 19, 2023 meeting of the New Castle Town Board.

5.5     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Contract for Services with Joseph Gramando, effective November 11, 2023 through June 30, 2024, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

5.6     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with Greenburgh North Castle UFSD, for ESY services for one student (ID #xxxxxx9) during the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.

5.7     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to PO #231389 of $17,000.00 to cover ESY costs to Greenburgh North Castle UFSD, for one student during the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.8     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with Troop 2 Chappaqua Boy Scouts of America for refurbishment of trail to Project Adventure course and creating maps and signage for pathway and trail during the 2023-24 school year, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Items 5.1 through 5.8 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  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 Judith Wilson for the 2023-24 school year.

6.2     An Agreement for Services with Jane Kimmel Shepardson for the 2023-24 school year.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to acknowledge Items 6.1 and 6.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  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’s report for September 2023.

Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to acknowledge receipt of Item 8.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0. 

9.      Notice of Future Meetings

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 pm
Roaring Brook Elementary School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 7:00 pm
Douglas Grafflin Elementary School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium

10.     Adjournment                                                                            

Motioned by Matt Auerbach to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 pm.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke