Minutes January 12, 2022
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 7:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
Present: Board of Education
Hilary Grasso, President
Warren Messner, Vice President
Alyson Gardner
Cailee Hwang
Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Jamie Edelman, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
David Hayes, Public Relations Assistant
President Grasso called for a motion to open the meeting.
Motioned by Warren Messner to open the meeting at 6:06 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of Education Law §1709(17) the Board hereby fills the vacancy on the Board due to the resignation of Victoria Bayard Tipp with Alyson Gardner, who shall hold office until the next regular school district election.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to appoint Alyson Gardner to the Board seat vacated by Victoria Tipp effective through May 17, 2022. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 4-0.
Ms. Gardner was duly sworn in by the District Clerk, Liisa Elsner.
Proposed Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety and to receive advice from counsel subject to Board approval.
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn into executive session at 6:08 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Reconvene the business meeting at 7:30 pm Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to reconvene the public meeting at 7:42 pm. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Grasso gave her report highlighting the following:
- Wishing everyone a happy new year.
- Welcoming Alyson Gardner to the Board and speaking about her qualifications to fill Ms. Tipp’s seat on an interim basis. The rest of the Board also welcomed Ms. Gardner and thanked her for her willingness to serve.
- Acknowledging the desires of the community for a return to normalcy and thanking the District administrative team and building principals for their continued vigilance and tireless efforts.
- Noting that the District is now budget planning for the 2022-23 school year and some of the uncertainties around the budget process due to the ongoing pandemic.
- Thanking the PTA for their flexibility as they continue to support the District.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update by highlighting the following:
- Thanking Ms. Gardner for joining the Board.
- District vaccination information
- Positive Covid case numbers
- Covid testing numbers
- Test to Stay numbers
- New Covid information and protocols
- PCG will present the results of their Special Education Audit at the January 26th Board Meeting
- Dr. Sinanis noted that the CARES committee will be meeting with Insight at their next meeting on January 27th.
Presentation: 2022-23 Budget Preview – Dr. Ackerman and Mr. Lennon gave a preview of the 2022-23 budget process.
2. Committee Reports
Policy: The Committee has three policies on the agenda.
Facilities: The Committee has a walk through, along with the Facilities Advisory Committee on January 18th.
Sports Boosters: Ms. Shepardson reported that there had been a recent meeting and that the Boosters are discussing the possibility of a Spring event in support of our athletes and what that would look like given the continued situation.
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 December 15, 2021 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Minutes of the January 3, 2022 Special Board Meeting
Motioned by Warren Messner to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
3.3 Policy #5028: Charging School Meals – 2nd Reading & Adoption
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #5028: Charging School Meals.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt Policy #5028: Charging School Meals. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
3.4 Policy #9027: Health Insurance Policy – 2nd Reading & Adoption
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #9027: Health Insurance Policy.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt Policy #9027: Health Insurance Policy. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
3.5 Policy #3020: Health and Safety Committee – 1st Reading
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:
Jacob Anglace
Areina Brimon
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:
Sean Halloran – Robert E. Bell Middle School
Robin Banks-Hnatkowycz – Horace Greeley High School (pending background check)
Rachel Stark – Horace Greeley High School (pending background check)
Luisa Romano – Roaring Brook Elementary School
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a paid intern at the daily rate of $85.00 for the 2021/2022 school year through the PNW BOCES Internship Program:
Simon Sheib (pending background check)
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 2021/2022 school year:
Annie Lin
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby created a 1.0 FTE Teacher of English As A New Language at Roaring Brook and Westorchard Elementary Schools, effective January, 3, 2022.
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Pamela Minutoli, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2022.
Resignation:
Ms. Ashley Lourenco, Teaching Assistant, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective January 18, 2022.
Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Rebecca Ebstein, Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective January 21, 2022 through March 31, 2022.
Request For Discretionary Leave of Absence:
Ms. Theresa Civitano, Teacher of Mathematics, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective January 13, 2022 through April 7, 2022.
Appointment: Probationary
Ms. Taryn Delaney, Teacher of Family and Consumer Sciences, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Home Economics effective February 14, 2022 through February 13, 2025, 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 she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 16(5), (BA+90) with Masters, $139,145, prorated.
Appointment: Leave Replacement
Mr. Peter Ullian, Leave Replacement Teacher of Reading, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2021 through February 18, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 4, B(BA+30) with Masters, $81,604, prorated.
Appointment: Part Time
Mr. Sean Halloran, (.04) Teacher of Mathematics to provide Academic Intervention Services, Seven Bridges and Robert E. Bell Middle Schools, effective December 13, 2021 through June 17, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, A(BA), $56.16/hour.
Motioned by Warren Messner 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
Resignations:
Jonathan Burtt, Cleaner, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective December 20, 2021.
Steven Cottrell, Senior Custodian, Bell Middle School, effective December 31, 2021.
Sabrina Fuchs, Computer Aide, at Horace Greeley High School, effective December 31, 2021.
Heidi Seymour, Cleaner, Westorchard Elementary School, effective January 12, 2022.
Appointments:
Ellen Dawson-Bruckenthal, Clerk-School Monitor at Seven Bridges Middle School, 35 hours/week, at an annual salary of $28,926 (prorated), Step 6 of the COSA contract, effective December 16, 2021.
Catherine Collins, Teacher Aide (Session) at Roaring Brook Elementary School, 32.5 hours/week, at $17 per hour, effective January 20, 2022.
Evelyn Muniz-Flores, Senior Office Assistant-Automated Systems, Special Education Department, 35 hours/week, at an annual salary of $58,665 (prorated), Step 13 of the COSA contract, effective January 24, 2022.
Resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the appointment of Laurie Pecora, Teacher Aide from 20 hours/week at Westorchard Elementary School to 27.5 hours/week at Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 13, 2022.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual below as a substitute clerical/teacher aide to be employed on an “as needed” basis, effective January 13, 2022, at a salary of $15 per hour:
Meghan Noble
Request for Extension of Childcare Leave of Absence:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends its grant of a childcare leave of absence, without pay, to Jenna Dallacco, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, from March 28, 2022 to June 24, 2022.
Motioned by Warren Messner 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.
5.1 CSE Summaries (2021-22 School Year) reported to the Board on January 12, 2022.
5.2 WHEREAS, the Board of Education, at its March 3, 2021 meeting, approved an “intent to participate” agreement with Student Assistance Services for the 2021-2022 school year,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contracted services agreement with Student Assistance Services for the 2021-22 school year, for a five-day per week Student Assistance/Project SUCCESS Program at Horace Greeley High School, in the amount of $76,843.00 and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board hereby authorizes its President to sign a Settlement Agreement with S&L Plumbing, dated January 6, 2022, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to purchase order #173432 as required to pay such settlement and authorizes the Board President to sign the purchase order increase.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Administrator’s Association (CAA) bargaining unit regarding two Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources stipends, and a Covid 19 related compensation structure for the 2021-22 school year. A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motion by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Items 5.1 through 5.4 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. 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 with Heinemann for an author event with Cornelius Minor.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
7. 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.
8. Financials
9. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7:30 pm
Winter Admin Retreat, 4:00 pm
Robert E. Bell Middle School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
10. Adjournment
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent