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Minutes April 6, 2022

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 7:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium

Present:  Board of Education

Hilary Grasso, President

Warren Messner, Vice President

Alyson Gardner

Jane Kimmel Shepardson

Absent:

Cailee Hwang

 

Staff Members:

Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools

Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction

Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development

Jamie Edelman, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services

Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business (via Zoom)

Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics

David Leis, Associate Director of Technology & Communications

David Hayes, Public Relations Assistant

Liisa Elsner, District Clerk

President Grasso called for a motion to open the meeting.

Motioned by Warren Messner to open the meeting at 5:45 pm.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.  Board Member Cailee Hwang was absent.

Motioned by Warren Messner to appoint Dr. Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.

Work session with Horace Greeley High School Students  - Horace Greeley High School iLab

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss litigation, contract negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety and to receive advice from counsel at 6:30 pm.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.

Motioned by Alyson Gardner to reconvene the public meeting at 7:48 pm.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 4-0.

1.       Information Business Affairs

1.1    President’s Report – President Grass gave her report noting the following:

  • Acknowledging the recent incident of hate speech at Horace Greeley High School and reemphasizing the District’s commitment to continuing its equity work.
  • Reminding the community that there will be a presentation on the 8th grade math program at the May 4th Board meeting.
  • The District is aware of class-size concerns and assured the community that we will be monitoring enrollment numbers and will adjust class sections as warranted.

1.2    Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her Community Update noting the following:

  • District Vaccination Information
  • Positive Covid cases in the District
  • Jamie Edelman gave an update on Response to Intervention in connection with the Special Education review.
  • Tony Sinanis gave an update on long-term District Equity work.
  • The third quarter incident report regarding hate speech, bias and discrimination.
  • Josh Culwell Blok spoke about the CSF grant regarding mathematics classrooms.  The Board thanked CSF once again for their support and partnership.
  • Dr. Ackerman finished by reminding the Community of upcoming events.

Presentations:
    SCOIR Presentation
    Recommend Budget for Board of Education Consideration

2.       Committee Reports

Policy:    Warren Messner mentioned that the Committee met on April 6 and are revising two purchasing policies which will be on the May 4th agenda for a first reading.

Health & Safety/Facilities:  Mr. Messner said that the combined committees had recently done walk-throughs of Grafflin, Roaring Brook, Westorchard and Seven Bridges facilities to see what is happening in those buildings.

HGSF:  Jane Kimmel Shepardson spoke about the success of the recent HGSF Virtual Benefit and mentioned that HGSF raised over $200K.  She thanked the group for their partnership.

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 adopts the Proposed Budget and ratifies the Property Tax Report Card for the 2022-23 school year.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt Item 3.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.

3.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Minutes of the March 23, 2022 Board Meeting.

Motioned by Alyson Gardner to accept Item 3.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Warren Messner.  Motion carried 4-0.

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 individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an “as needed” basis:

Jodi Cifone
Gianna Pesci

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as student teachers, interns and/or classroom observers for the 2021/2022 school year:

George Weiss

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 2021/2022 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Talk of the Town
Dr. Scott Levin

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board President, on behalf of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent are authorized to sign an agreement extending the probationary term of employee #5839 for an additional one year period through June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board President, on behalf of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent are authorized to sign an agreement extending the probationary term of employee #5937 for an additional one year period through June 30, 2023, as recommended by the Superintendent.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its President, to sign a contract in lieu of probation with Ryan Spillane to serve as Interim Assistant Principal at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

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 2021/2022 school year:

Miriam Fernandez
Fiona Youngs        

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:
Mr. Ryan Spillane, Teacher of Physical Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Catherine Smythe, Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2022.

Ms. Kathleen Wit, Teacher of Elementary Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30, 2022.

Resignation:
Ms. Amanda Turkel, Teacher of Elementary Education, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 24, 2022.

Ms. Romina Sierra, (.04) Teacher of Mathematics for AIS, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective April 8, 2022.

Appointment: Tenure
Ms. Elona Coku, Teaching Assistant, Westorchard Elementary School, effective April 21, 2022.

Appointment: Probationary
Ms. Christina Proia, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Special Education, effective August 31, 2022 through August 30, 2026, 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, Step 2, B(BA+45) with Masters, $79,120, pending contract negotiations.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Mary Ellen O’Mara, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective April 1, 2022, $23,591, prorated.

Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education herby terminates the appointment of Brian Zusi as the Varsity Boy’s Lacrosse coach effective close of business April 6, 2022; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that that the Board of Education herby appoints Joseph Kearns as the Varsity Boy’s lacrosse coach effective April 7, 2022.

Motioned by Alyson Gardner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 4-0.


Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.

4.2    Non-Instructional   

Resignation:
James Molinari, Cleaner at Westorchard Elementary School, effective close of business on March 25, 2022. 

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 4.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.

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 (2021-22 School Year) reported to the Board on April 6, 2022.

5.2    CSE Summaries (2022-23 School Year) reported to the Board on April 6, 2022.

5.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to Purchase Order #202057, to provide for additional funds to pay for reimbursable charges on the HGHS Sustainability Research Center, in the amount of $14,000.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with the Somers Central School District for health & welfare services for 1 student, in the amount of $1,218.29, effective September 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and authorizes the Board President, Superintendent and District Clerk to execute the agreement.

5.5    WHEREAS, the District owns the attached list of items which are no longer useful or necessary for school district purposes and of no value to the School District; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby declares such items to be surplus property and of no value to the School District and authorizes the disposal of such equipment in a prudent manner in accordance with law.

5.6    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Administrators’ Association (CAA) bargaining unit regarding the titles “interim principal” and “interim assistant principal.”  A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

5.7    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, Chappaqua Unit #9226 (CSEA) bargaining unit regarding District Equity Team Fellowship for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.  A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

5.8    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Office Staff Association (COSA) bargaining unit regarding District Equity Team Fellowship for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.  A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

5.9    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Chappaqua School Foundation traditional grant, in the amount of $125,555.86, to fund the redesign of two HGHS, one Bell and one Seven Bridges mathematics classrooms that foster student engagement and collaboration along with a defronting of the classroom.  Requested by Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation and Mathematics and Kaitlyn Plate, James Howard, Chris Palermo and Jesse Wren, Mathematics teachers at Horace Greeley High School.

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Items 5.1 through 5.9 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 4-0.

6.      Facilities 

7.      Financials

8.      Notice of Future Meetings

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, 9:00 am
BOCES Budget/Election
Education Center – Board Room

Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 7:30 pm
Budget Hearing/Chappaqua Public Library Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

9.        Adjournment 

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 pm.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent