January 11 - Minutes
Minutes January 11, 2023
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 7:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
Present: Board of Education
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
Warren Messner, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Cailee Hwang
Ryan Kelsey
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Jamie Edelman, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics
Adam Schoenbart, Associate Director of Technology & Communications
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
Motioned by Warren Messner to open the meeting at 6:01 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:02 pm to discuss negotiations, matters of employment history of particular persons, Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to reconvene the public meeting at 7:38 pm. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Jane Kimmel Shepardson gave her report as follows:
- Welcoming everyone back from the holiday break.
- This will be the first of the 2023-24 Budget presentations.
- Each Board member reflected on topics discussed at recent meetings including the 2023-24 District calendar, the District’s commitment and approach to our DEI work, the agreement with the Town of New Castle regarding the electronic sign on the Bell school property. Ms. Shepardson made a request to all attending District Board meetings, commenting on social media or writing to the District, to engage in public comment and written comments with civility. She acknowledged that some in the community may not understand the logistics of participation at Board meetings and clarified the purpose and process of District meetings.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her Community Update as follows:
1.2.1 Draft 2023-24 District Calendar
- Describing the process involved in developing the District Calendar each year.
- Update on the Strategic Planning process and the recent ThoughtExchange.
- Noting that HGHS has 4 students who have been named as Regeneron Scholars and congratulating them on their achievement.
- Dr. Pease gave an overview on the Living Environment and Science 8 options.
- Reminding the community that the District is soliciting proposals regarding Before and After School Child Care until January 15.
- Dr. Ackerman, Dr. Pease and Jamie Edelman gave an update on the District’s DEI work.
- Dr. Pease described the products in the CSF grant for Cold Frames & Rainwater Harvesting at Bell.
- Mr. Lennon spoke about the two architect proposals on the agenda which are put forward in order to accelerate work and two aspects of the bond project (Infrastructure/Communication Upgrades and K-8 Electronic Door Locks).
- Upcoming dates and events.
Presentation: Budget Preview
2. Committee Reports
Facilities – Warren Messner related that the recent Committee meeting centered around a tour of Bell Middle School and an update on bond project timelines.
Wellness – Ryan Kelsey noted that the Committee has two different areas of focus which are Nutrition and Menu plans and the other involves the possibility of the Wellness Policy addressing issues around mental health.
Green – Hilary Grasso said the Committee was looking into using renewable energy as both back-up power, and possibly in the future, the main power source for the Sustainability Research Center.
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 14, 2022 Board of Education Meeting.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Item 3.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
3.2 Policy #4055: School Sponsored Field Trips – 2nd Reading & Adoption.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #4055: School Sponsored Field Trips.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to adopt Policy #4055: School Sponsored Field Trips as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. 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 individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
Siobhan MacDonald
Karin Pelletier
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:
Jenna Baig – Roaring Brook Elementary School (effective 2/1/23)
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as student teachers, interns and/or classroom observers for the 2022/2023 school year:
Liam Kaseta
Jalay Knowles
Theresia Tambe Ebot
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed for Co-Curricular Activities for the 2022/2023 school year at the rate of $16.68 per point:
Seven Bridges Middle School
| Activity | Advisor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Lego Masters Club | Shannon Pezzullo | 50 |
| Journalism Club | (.5) Belinda Reilly (.5) Alessondra Anzano |
46.5 |
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as mentors for students, effective January 12, 2023 at the rate of $500, per semester, pro-rated:
Dr. Ronald Gamma
Angelique Titre-Barnor
Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Mr. Nathan Loeb, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective January 17, 2023.
Appointment: Regular Substitute
Ms. Elizabeth Ferrara, Teacher of Health, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 31, 2022 through June 30, 2023, Step 8, C(BA+60) with Masters, $100,886.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Mr. Edwin Santos, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective January 3, 2023, $23,827, prorated.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 13, 2023 through June 10, 2023
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf | Varsity Boys | Brady Kittredge | 3 |
| Boys Tennis | Junior Varsity | Jerry Sulli | 3 |
| Boys Tennis | Junior Varsity B | Alfredo Possante | 3 |
| Track and Field | Varsity Boys | Steven McKenney | 3 |
| Track and Field | Varsity Girls | James Howard | 3 |
| Track and Field | Varsity Assistant | William Rose | 2 |
| Baseball | Varsity Head Coach | Daniel Gray | 3 |
| Baseball | Varsity Assistant | Phillip Schnorr | 3 |
| Baseball | Junior Varsity | Anthony Garbarino | 3 |
| Baseball | Freshman | Timothy Panetta | 3 |
| Softball | Varsity | Michelle Mazzochi | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Varsity | Margaret Sharp | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Varsity Assistant | Courtney McGrath | 2 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Junior Varsity | Rebecca Argueta | 2 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Varsity Head | Benjamin Potash | 2 |
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 20, 2023 through June 10, 2023
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track and Field | Modified (Seven Bridges) | Charles McKenna | 3 |
| Track and Field | Modified (Bell) | Sean Halloran | 1 |
Appointment: Volunteer Coaching - Effective March 13, 2023 through June 10, 2023
| Sport | Level | Coach |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Varsity | Robert Gellert |
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that 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 January 1, 2023.
| Last Name | First Name | Date of Hire | Current Step - Cleaner | New Step - Custodian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castro | Nicolas | 1/1/2018 | 6 | 4 |
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual below as a per diem custodial substitute to be employed on an “as needed” basis, effective January 12, 2023, at a salary of $15.00 per hour:
Nickel Brown
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to remove Item 5.9 as stated below, from the Consent Agenda. 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 (2022-23 School Year) reported to the Board on January 11, 2023.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant (IG22-23-04): Cold Frames and Rainwater Harvesting Barrells for the Bell Garden, in the amount of $2,494.14, by Robert E. Bell Middle School teacher Dana Stein-Dince and Environmental Club Students.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts a two-volume set of The American Conflict, written by Horace Greeley and donated by Deborah Spencer. This item’s value is estimated at $300.00.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a proposal for professional services with KG&D Architects, PC, dated December 14, 2022, to assist with communications upgrades at each school building in the District in the amount of $106,500.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a proposal for professional services with KG&D Architects, PC, dated December 14, 2022, to assist with electronic locks on interior doors at 3 elementary and 2 middle schools in the District, in the amount of $39,000.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers (CCT) bargaining unit, dated January 4, 2023, regarding a grievance filed by the CCT, regarding the class load in 5th grade at the Robert E. Bel Middle School. 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 Chappaqua Congress of Teachers (CCT) bargaining unit, dated January 4, 2023, regarding certain coaching activities pursuant to Article 24 (E.4.a) and (E.4.d) of the current CCT collective bargaining agreement. 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, dated January 5, 2023, regarding a stipend position District FOIL and FERPA Records Coordinator. A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
5.9 WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District desires to purchase Epilog Laser Engravers;
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has determined that for reasons of economy and efficiency Epilog Laser Engravers should be provided on a uniform basis; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares that there exists a need to standardize its purchase of Epilog Laser Engravers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby shall list Epilog Laser Engravers on all future bids for such products.
5.10 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, dated January 6, 2023, regarding contract provisions related to the tenure stipend pursuant to Article V (11). A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Items 5.1 through 5.8 and Item 5.10 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.9 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 for Services with Patty McGee during the 2022-23 school year.
6.2 An Agreement for Services with Michael Rettig of School Scheduling Associates during the 2022-23 school year.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Items 6.1 and 6.2 as stated above. Seconded by Warren Messner. 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’s Report for November 2022.
8.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for December 2022.
8.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for December 2022.
8.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for December 2022.
8.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Extra-classroom Activity Quarterly Report for December 2022.
Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to acknowledge receipt of Items 8.1 through 8.5 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Board/Admin Retreat
Robert E. Bell Middle School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Horace Greeley High School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
10. Adjournment
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn the meeting at 9:23 pm. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent