Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes September 13, 2023
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, September 13, 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 Ryan Kelsey to open the public meeting at 6:12 pm. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk pro tempore. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:13 pm to discuss litigation, the employment history of particular persons, and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to reconvene the public meeting at 7:20 pm. Seconded by Alissa Dorfman. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Grasso gave her report as follows:
- The SRO contract with the Town is on the agenda for BOE approval.
- Congratulating Elliott Saiontz on receiving the 2023 Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award.
- Speaking about the situation regarding the Columbia Teacher’s College literacy program and encouraging elementary school parents to participate in the 9/14 open houses and noting that Dr. Pease and Alissa Stoever will also be hosting a webinar regarding the District’s Literacy program on 9/20. Ms. Hwang also spoke about the District’s current literacy program.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update as follows:
- Noting that her recent webinar information is on the District’s home page and also that she will host another webinar on 12/4.
- Reminding the community that the elementary open houses are being held, in person, on 9/14.
- Detailing information about the 9/18-23 Homecoming weekend.
- Dr. Pease spoke at length about the District’s Literacy program.
Presentation: District Performance Report
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 the August 31, 2023 Board of Education Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the minutes of the September 5, 2023 Special Board of Education Meeting.
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 appoints the individual listed as per diem substitute teacher to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
William Leuck
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitutes at the Building Specific substitute teacher rate:
Michael Mammola – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a paid intern at the daily rate of $105.00 for the 2023/2024 school year through the PNW BOCES Internship Program:
Katherine Constan
Rebecca Graham
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby amends the appointment date of Judith Prascher, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, from September 22, 2023 to September 7, 2023, that was previously approved at the August 31, 2023 Board of Education meeting.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Samantha Crecco, Teaching Assistant, Westorchard Elementary School, effective September 14, 2023, $24,065, prorated.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective September 9, 2023 through December 3, 2023
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football | Junior Varsity | William Leuck | 1 |
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:
Marcie McMahon – Office Assistant-Automated Systems at Horace Greeley High School, effective end of business September 14, 2023.
Lisa Liberatore – Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective end of business September 7, 2023.
Resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adds a 0.5 FTE Purchasing Agent position. This action results in the creation of a 1.0 FTE Purchasing Agent position at the Education Center effective September 14, 2023.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby creates a 1.0 FTE Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems (Spanish Speaking) position. This action results in the creation of a 1.0 FTE Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems (Spanish Speaking) position at the Education Center effective September 14, 2023.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the hours of Mary Marra, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School from 27.5 hours/week to 31.25 hours/week, effective September 8, 2023.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the hours of Jennifer Greco, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School from 31.25/week to 32.5/week, effective September 8, 2023.
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 September 14, 2023.
| Last Name | First Name | Date of Hire | Current Step - Cleaner | New Step - Custodian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suqui | Fredy | 9/4/2018 | 6 | 4 |
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 September 13, 2023.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a budget transfer in the amount of $52,025.00 to cover an increase in NYSIR Insurance during the 2023-24 school year and authorizes the Board president to execute the transfer document.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, the Board hereby approves the Final AS-7 Contracts for 2022-2023 services provided by Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an Agreement for Consultant Services with Acture Solutions, Inc., for hardware and software technology support, network administration and database management, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, in the amount of $105,430.87 per month, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a two-year municipal cooperative agreement with the Town of New Castle for a School Resource Officer program of one School Resource Officer to be shared by the Seven Bridges Middle School and the Robert E. Bell Middle School, and one School Resource Officer to be shared by Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, Roaring Brook Elementary School and Westorchard Elementary School, for school years 2023-24 and 2024-25, as presented to the Board at this meeting, and authorizes the Board President to execute such agreement with the Town of New Castle. A copy of the agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Cailee Hwang to approve Items 5.1 through 5.5 as stated above. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. 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 Christine Parrottino for August 2023.
6.2 An Agreement for Services with Kendall McKenna for July and August 2023.
6.3 Agreements with Fall 2023 Chappaqua Continuing Education instructors.
6.4 An Agreement for Services with Francine Colandreo, for the 2023-24 school year.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Items 6.1 through 6.4. Seconded by Ryan Kelsey. 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 August 2023.
Motioned by Matt Auerbach to acknowledge receipt of Item 8.1 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Notice of Future Meetings
September 27, 2023, 7:00 pm
Audit Approval
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium
October 11, 2023, 7:00 pm
Westorchard Elementary School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium
10. Adjournment
Motioned by Matt Auerbach to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke