Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes August 22, 2023
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Tuesday, August 22, 2023, 9:00 PM
Education Center - Boardroom
and
117 Breakwater Road, Brewster, MA
and
Atlantis Paradise Island, One Casino Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Present: Board of Education
Hilary Grasso, President - via Zoom
Cailee Hwang, Vice President - via Zoom
Matt Auerbach
Ryan Kelsey
Alissa Dorfman
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
1. Call the meeting to order.
Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to open the meeting at 9:06 am. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
2. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 2.1 as stated below.
2.1 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:
Kidz Educational Services SLP, OT, PT, LMSW, Psychology, Audiology PLLC
Laura Ravotti
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:
Kayla Greenberg
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:
Jamie Coleman (continuing) – Westorchard Elementary School
Amanda Eisner (continuing) – Westorchard Elementary School
Anna Falcone (continuing) – Westorchard Elementary School
Rachel Stark (continuing) – Horace Greeley High School
Jenna Peragallo – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed below to work in the Chappaqua Summer Extended School Year Program from July 3, 2023 through August 11, 2023, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education.
Joan Planchart-Becher – Speech/Language Teacher
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the probationary term of Elementary Teacher, Ericka Miranda, as set forth in a Board resolution dated August 9, 2022, is hereby amended to set the end date of her probationary term to be August 30, 2025, based upon recognition of Jarema Act credit.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the probationary term of Music Teacher, Neil Walker, 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 authorizes its President, to sign a contract in lieu of probation with Ms. Lauren Olmo to serve as Interim Assistant Principal at Horace Greeley High School, effective August 28, 2023 through June 30, 2024, or earlier at the discretion of the Board, 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:
Ms. Kerry Fitzgibbon, Teacher of Art, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective August 11, 2023.
Mr. Andrew Starr, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 8, 2023.
Ms. Lauren Mazza, Cheerleading Coach, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 9, 2023.
Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:
Ms. Lauren Olmo, Student Life Coordinator, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 28, 2023 through June 30, 2024, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education.
Appointment: Probationary
Ms. Bianna Cardinale, Teacher of Elementary Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary 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.
Mr. Brian Gold, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Special 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 (pending background check).
Ms. Danielle Hiller, Teacher of Art, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Art, 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.
Ms. Kateland Laffey, Teacher of Mathematics, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Mathematics, 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.
Ms. Judith Prascher, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary 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 (pending reference and background checks).
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Rita Madonna-Santelia, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective August 31, 2023.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective August 21, 2023 through December 3, 2023
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Country | Varsity Girls | Olivia Bonadies | 1 |
| Cheerleading | Varsity | Tatiana Vaz | 1 |
Appointment: Volunteer Coaching - Effective August 19, 2023 through December 3, 2023
| Sport | Level | Volunteer Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Football | All Levels | Evan Pasquale |
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to approve Item 2.1 as stated above. Seconded by Alissa Dorman. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 2.2 as stated below.
2.2 Non-Instructional
Resignation:
Joseph Jednesty – Office Assistant – Automated Systems at Seven Bridges Middle School, effective August 10, 2023.
Rena Gavigan – Computer Aide at Westorchard Elementary School, effective August 30, 2023.
Appointment:
Edith McCaffrey – Registered Nurse at Horace Greeley High School, effective September 11, 2023.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to approve Item 2.2 as stated above. Seconded by Alissa Dorfman. Motion carried 5-0.
3. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Board President and Superintendent of Schools to execute the 2022-23 APPR Implementation Certification Form for its Annual Professional Performance Review for classroom teachers and building principals covered, pursuant to Education Law Section 3012-d and Subpart 30-3 of the Rules of the Board of Regents.
Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to approve Item 3 as stated above. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
4. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges the following contracts approved by the Superintendent, per Board Policy 6085 – Purchasing and Bidding:
4.1 A proposal for Main Office Reconfiguration and Expansion Study at Horace Greeley High School from KG&D Architects dated August 7, 2023.
4.2 An Agreement for Consultant Services with June Wai for August 2023.
4.3 An Agreement for Consultant Services with Dreyfuss Tarshis Media Inc. for the 2023-24 school year.
4.4 An Agreement with Yale University for RULER program access and support during the 2023-24 school year.
4.5 An Agreement for Consultant Services with Jerry Zupan for the 2023-24 school year.
4.6 A Proposal from Coffee Pond for photography services in the 2023-24 school year.
Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to acknowledge Items 4.1 through 4.6 as stated above. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Proposed Executive Session to discuss the employment history of particular persons, and litigation, subject to Board approval.
Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to adjourn into Executive Session at 9:10 am to discuss the employment history of particular persons and litigation. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to reconvene the public meeting at 9:31 am. Seconded by Alissa Dorfman. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Notice of Future Meetings
Thursday, August 31, 2023, 10:00 am
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
September 13, 2023, 7:00 pm
District Performance Report
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium
7. Adjournment
Motioned by Alissa Dorfman to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 am. Seconded by Matt Auerbach. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke