Minutes October 24, 2023

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 PM
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium

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 Cailee Hwang to open the public meeting at 6:00 pm.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk pro tempore.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:00 pm to discuss litigation, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety, and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to reconvene the public meeting at 7:13 pm.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Presentation:  Roaring Brook Elementary School

1.       Information Business Affairs

Presentation:    ChapLine – Leigh Jones, Barton & Loguidice

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

  • An update on the SRO situation and process, noting that she and Dr. Ackerman had sent a letter to Governor Hochul and all New York State Legislators on 10/23 and encouraging the community to also write to the legislature.
  • An update on the District’s DEI work and the District’s commitment to education around anti-semitism.
  • Highlights of the various resolutions brought forward at the recent NYSSBA meeting.
  • Wishing families who will be celebrating, a wonderful Diwali.

1.1.1    Letter to New York State Legislators

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges the correspondence to New York State Legislators by the Board President and Superintendent advocating for the inclusion of a security personnel and services exemption in the provisions of Education Law Section 2023-a.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Item 1.1.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

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

  • Supports for students and communications with the community regarding the recent terrorist attacks on Israel and the continuing situation in the Middle East.  Dr. Pease elaborated on curricular efforts.
  • An update on the Middle and Elementary School Shared SRO timeline.
  • Dr. Pease gave Part II of the Annual Assessment Report.

Presentation:  ChapLine Trail Way Presentation

2.      Committee Reports

Health & Safety – Ms. Hwang reported that the committee had discussed the progress of the various health and safety related projects related to the recent bond (K-6 Electronic Locks and the license plate reader, walkie-talkie and camera system upgrades). A concern was raised at the meeting about high temperatures in classrooms at the beginning and end of the school year.

Innovation – Mr. Kelsey reported that the committee was discussing ideas for the design of the proposed WELL space at the high school and what would be the next focus for the committee.

Wellness – Ms. Dorfman reported that the butternut squash tasting was a big success.

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 October 11, 2023 Board of Education Meeting.

3.2       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the minutes of the October 12, 2023 Board of Education Work Session.

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  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 Agreement for Services for the individual and agency listed below effective for the 2023/2024 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Jewish Child Care Association of New York (JCCA)

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

Henry Indictor
Cailey Marcin

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the probationary term of Mathematics Teacher, Andrew Zenker, shall be amended to terminate on August 30, 2026, based upon receipt of proof of tenure in a New York State public school district.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the probationary term of Science Teacher, Lauren Loprinzo, shall be amended to terminate on August 30, 2026, 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 for Co-Curricular Activities for the 2023/2024 school year at the rate of $16.85 per point:

Douglas Grafflin Elementary School

Activity
Advisor
Points
Grafflin Historical Society
Sarah Alley (.33)
Megan Emerson (.33)
Debbie Lenaghan (.33)
150

Seven Bridges Middle School

Activity
Advisor
Points
Cricket Club
Hoda Violante
100
ENOUGH Jr.
Laurie Lichtenstein (.5)
Jamie Egan (.5)
100
Lego Masters
Skye Albert-Hall (.5)
Annette Bilinski (.5)
100
Student Government
Sabrina Jakobsen (.5)
Rebecca Graham (.5)
200

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as AP proctors to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2023/2024 school year:

Barbara Beaumont
Ron Bugara
Elise Levine Cooper
Nicole Daly
Linda DiChiara
Karen Ferris
Matthew Hager
Carol Hughes
Lisa Izbicki
Dimple Kirtikar
Jeanne Mahon
Suzanne Michel
Maureen Miller
Noah Mitchell
Melissa Moran
Kieran Moran
Tina Moundroukas
Sara O’Neill
Danielle O’Reilly
Kimberley Perham
Paula Petito
Beth Quinn
Thomas Quinn
Dori-Ann Rodrick
Joan Salamone
Barbara Scheine
Gretta Seidel
Robert Tiberi
Jill Jason-Wainer
 
 
 

Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Mariammal Chelliah, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective October 16, 2023.

Appointment: Coaching - Effective November 13, 2023

Sport 
Level 
Coach
Step
Girls Basketball
Varsity
Sarah Schum
3
 Girls Basketball
Assistant Varsity
Nicholaus Rodwell
3
Girls Basketball 
Junior Varsity
David Fernandes
3
Boys Basketball
Varsity
Matthew Simone
3
 Boys Basketball
Assistant Varsity
Richard Clinchy
1
 Boys Basketball
Junior Varsity
Edwin Santos
2
Ice Hockey
Varsity
Daniel Perito
3
 Ice Hockey
Assistant Varsity
Seth Corwin
3
Bowling
Varsity
Charles McKenna
3
Bowling
Junior Varsity
Ryan Doyle
2
Wrestling
Varsity
Anthony Tortora
3
Wrestling 
Assistant Varsity
Michael DeBellis
3
 Wrestling
Junior Varsity
Anthony Marino
3
Boys Swimming
Varsity
Margaret Kaplan
3
Boys Swimming
Assistant Varsity
Jeanne Kellachan
3
Indoor Track
Varsity
Steven McKenney
3
Indoor Track
Varsity
William Rose
3
Indoor Track 
Assistant Varsity
Olivia Bonadies
1
Skiing
Varsity
James May
3
Skiing
Assistant Varsity
Jake Holmquist
3
Cheerleading
Varsity
Tatiana Vaz
1

Appointment: Coaching - Effective November 27, 2023

Sport 
Level
Coach
Step
Wrestling
Modified
Anthony Stewart
3

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey 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:
Fotine Moundroukas, Clerk-School Monitor at Seven Bridges Middle School, effective end of business day on November 27, 2023.

Appointment:
Connor Murphy, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, 25 hours per week, effective October 23, 2023. 

Motioned by Hilary Grasso 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 (2023-24 School Year) reported to the Board on October 24, 2023.

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

5.3       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a retainer agreement with Lisa S. Rusk for special education law litigation services during the 2023-24 school year and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

5.4       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2022-19:  Kitchen Annual Inspection Services for the 2023-24 school year to Fire Control Inspection Service Co., Inc., at an estimated amount of $5,100.00.

5.5       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2022-18:  Automobile Repair Services for the 2023-24 school year, to Doerr’s Garage, Inc, at an estimated amount of $23,350.00.

5.6       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2021-24:  Roofing Maintenance and Service for the 2023-24 school year, to General Maintenance Group, at various amounts.

5.7       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation CCSD #B2022-20:  Paint and Field Supplies for the 2023-24 school year to Wallauer’s Paint and Design, at various amounts.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Items 5.1 through 5.7 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:

7.      Facilities

8.      Financials

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

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

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

8.4       BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Extra-Classroom Activity Fund Report for September 2023.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to acknowledge receipt of Items 8.1 through 8.4 as stated above.  Seconded by Alissa Dorfman.  Motion carried 5-0.

9.       Notice of Future Meetings

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

Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 7:00 pm
Seven Bridges Middle School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium

10.       Adjournment

Motioned by Cailee Hwang to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 pm.  Seconded by Matt Auerbach.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke