Minutes January 27, 2021
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 5:30 PM
Presiding Officer: Victoria Bayard Tipp
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall
Present: Board of Education
Victoria Bayard Tipp, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Ellen Doherty, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Tipp asked for a motion to open the meeting.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to open the meeting at 6:45 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to appoint Holly McCall as District Clerk Pro Tempore. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, potential litigation, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health & safety, and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to reconvene the public meeting at 8:03 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1.1 President’s Report – President Tipp began her report by reflecting on themes taken from the Presidential Inauguration stressing the importance of inclusivity and responsiveness.
1.1.2 Town of New Castle Proposed Form Based Code – President Tipp then gave the community
an update on the District’s process regarding the Town of New Castle’s proposed Form Based Code, indicating that the District will submit comments to the Town after we have received our final report from our consultants.
Presentations:
Teaching Transformed: Voices from the Field
Chappaqua Central School District Anti-Racism and Social Justice Education- Update
1.2 Superintendent’s Report
1.2.1 2020-21 District Calendar – Revised 1/27/21
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the revised 2020-21 District Calendar.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 1.2.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
1.2.2 District Calendar 2021-22: Draft
Dr. Ackerman completed the Superintendent Report as follows:
- Schedule update
- In person v. fully remote attendance update
- Dr. Sinanis gave a staffing update
- Quarantine update
- Covid Tests have been delivered to the District
- Winter Sports update
2. Committee Reports
Facilities: Holly McCall said that the Committee was making the following recommendations to the Board:
- Roofs: Add $260,000 to the 2021-22 budget as a partial repair for the WO roofs (this will increase the interfund transfer from $100,000 to $360,000). Use a five-year plan to repair WO, HG, RB, DG, in that order.
- HG Gym HVAC Project/Steam Pipe Cap (to resolve steam pipe leak): Keep the boiler in the building rather than build a new structure to save $300,000. This will be housed in the visiting team’s locker room. This HVAC project will cost between $600,000 to $650,000. Our recommendation is to have a voter referendum to use the funds from the Capital Projects Reserve. This will have no impact on the budget/tax levy/tax rates.
- HG L Building A/C (estimated between $300,000 and $400,000): Our recommendation is to keep this project on hold.
Green: Warren Messner reported that the Committee reviewed past focus areas and that 3 students had also joined the Committee.
Communications: Jane Kimmel Shepardson reported that the recent meeting of the Advisory Committee had been very productive and that the community members have been very generous with their expertise and time. The Committee will be addressing recent mailing issues.
CSF Liaison: Ms. Shepardson also reported that the recent CSF “At Home” event (making dumplings) was a great success and thanked the CSF for their continued support.
CARES: Ms Tipp reported that the Committee had met on 1/19, reviewed the survey results and had decided on their areas of focus.
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 accepts the minutes of the January 13, 2021 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the January 21, 2021 Special Board Meeting
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. 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 agencies listed below effective for the 2020/2021 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:
Andrea Rauso Eckerle
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:
Cassandra Green
Jane Kaufman
Christina Keenaghan
Morgan McKenna
Romina Sierra
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a per diem substitute at the Building Specific substitute teacher rate:
Kathleen Regan – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a student teacher, intern and/or classroom observer for the 2020/2021 school year:
Madelyn Fortuna
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and Board President to execute an Agreement, dated January 20, 2021, on behalf of the School District, with Mr. Nicholas Mello, as presented to the Board at this meeting, whereby Mr. Mello shall perform contract services as a Science teacher for the School District for the period commencing January 21, 2021 and terminating June 30, 2021. A copy of this Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Resignation:
Mr. Kieran McInerney, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective February 15, 2021.
Appointment: Leave Replacement
Mr. Christopher Dashnaw, (.75) Leave Replacement Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective February 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 15, B(BA+30) with Masters, $86,009, prorated.
Ms. Bianca Darminio, Leave Replacement Teacher of Reading, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective October 26, 2020 through June 30, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+30) with Masters, $71,292, prorated.
Ms. Ericka Miranda, Leave Replacement Teacher of Elementary Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective September 22, 2020 through April 2, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $71,292, prorated.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective February 1, 2021 through March 15, 2021
| Name | Position | Sport | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Benischek | Varsity | Girls Basketball | 3 |
| Nicholaus Rodwell | Varsity Assistant | Girls Basketball | 2 |
| Dave Fernandes | JV | Girls Basketball | 3 |
| Matthew Simone | Varsity | Boys Basketball | 3 |
| John Alkalay | Varsity Assistant | Boys Basketball | 3 |
| Ryan Spillane | JV | Boys Basketball | 3 |
| Elizabeth Lops | Freshman | Boys Basketball | 3 |
| Dan Perito | Varsity | Ice Hockey | 3 |
| Seth Corwin | Varsity Assistant | Ice Hockey | 3 |
| Michael DeBellis | Co-Varsity | Wrestling | 3 |
| Anthony Tortora | Co-Varsity | Wrestling | 3 |
| Anthony Tortora | Co-JV | Wrestling | 3 |
| Michael DeBellis | Co-JV | Wrestling | 3 |
| Khaled Dassan | Varsity Assistant | Wrestling | 3 |
| Alex Delacruz | Modified - Bell | Wrestling | 3 |
| Anthony Sasso | Modified – Seven Bridges | Wrestling | 2 |
| Kristen Pyrch | Varsity | Cheerleading | 2 |
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Appointment:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as a per diem clerical/aide substitute to be employed on an “as needed” basis, at a salary of $15 per hour:
Carolyn V. Kelly
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. 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.
Motioned by Warren Messner to remove Item 5.3 as stated below from the Consent Agenda. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
5.1 CSE Summaries (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on January 27, 2021.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Yorktown Central School District for Health & Welfare Services for 1 student, effective September 8, 2020 through June 25, 2021, in the amount of $1,350.26, and authorizes the Board President, Superintendent and District Clerk to execute the contract.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Contract Amendment with Public Consulting Group, dated December 31, 2020, and authorizes the Board President to execute this amendment.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an equipment change amendment to Product Schedule #1700739 of Master State & Local Government Lease Agreement No. 460977, and authorizes the Board President to execute the amended agreement.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education Approves an Agreement with Anderson Center for Autism, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for provision of a special education program based on the New York State Education Department and the Office of Children and Family Services rates as outlined in Appendix A of the Agreement, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with Hawthorne Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Hawthorne Country Day School, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for provision of a special education program based on the New York State Education Department and the Office of Children and Family Services rates as outlined in Appendix A of the Agreement, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.7 BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby approves the Employment Related Agreement with employee number 3875, dated January 25, 2021, as presented to the Board at this meeting. Said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Items 5.1, 5.2 and 5.4 through 5.7 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 5.3 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0. Holly McCall abstained from voting on Item 5.3.
6. Facilities
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges Change Orders approved by the Superintendent per Board Resolution adopted at June 14, 2017 Board of Education meeting.
6.1 Change Order: S&L #25
Project: Horace Greeley High School & Chappaqua Library
Contractor: S&L Plumbing and Heating Corp.
Description: Fiberglass basin extension in the STEAM Center at HGHS
Amount: $619.56
Motioned by Warren Messner to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor Report for December 2020.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge receipt of Item 7.1 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 – 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 – 7:30 pm
Superintendent’s Budget Proposal
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 10:22 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent