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March 22 - Minutes

Minutes March 22, 2023

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, March 22, 2023, 7:30PM
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons

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
    Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
    Adam Schoenbart, Associate Director of Technology & Communications
    Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance
    Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics
    David Hayes, Public Information Assistant
    Liisa Elsner, District Clerk

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to open the work session at 5:00 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to appoint Dr. Christine Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adjourn the work session and convene the Audit Committee Meeting at 6:00 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adjourn into Executive Session at 7:05 pm to discuss the employment history of particular persons, potential litigation, and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to reconvene the public meeting at 7:43 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

1.    Information Business Affairs

1.1    President’s Report

1.1.2     Horace Greeley High School Boys Swim Team Recognition

Following the swim team recognition, President Shepardson noted the following:

  • The Board is continuing the budget process and the PTA is hosting a zoom budget forum on 3/28 and the Board will adopt the budget at the 3/29 Board of Education meeting.
  • Reminding the community that the budget vote will be on May 16th and that anyone interested in picking up a nominating petition should contact the District Clerk.
  • Also reminding the community that they may check their voter registration status with the District Clerk.
  • Wishing those who celebrate a joyous Ramadan.

1.2    Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update noting the following:

  • There are two contracts on the agenda for before and after school child care with Healthy Kids Programs and Chappaqua Children’s Workshop. 
  • There will be a hearing at the beginning of the 3/29 Board meeting regarding a partial tax exemption for residents who are first responders followed by a resolution on the agenda.
  • Because the District has only used two snow days during the 2022-23 school year the District will be closed for students, teachers, session and 10-month staff on Friday, 5/26.
  • Upcoming important dates and events.

Presentation:    Operations & Maintenance/Non-Instructional/Revenue/Tax Rates/Contingency Budget Presentations

2.    Committee Reports
Facilities – Ms. Hwang reported that topics covered at the recent meeting were covered in Mr. Gramando’s budget presentation.

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 March 15, 2023 Board of Education Meeting.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to accept Item 3.1 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:

Sophia Bisantz
Isabella Santelia

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Mr. Stephen Walker, Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2023.

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   

Resignation for the Purpose of Retirement:
Karen Bucko, Teacher Aide – Westorchard Elementary School, effective close of business on June 23, 2023.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby amends the resignation for retirement purposes of Linda Waller, Clerk-School Monitor, Seven Bridges Middle School, from close of business day on June 30, 2023 to close of business day on June 23, 2023.

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  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 March 22, 2023.

5.2    CSE summaries (2023-24 School Year) reported to the Board on March 22, 2023.

5.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County, New York, hereby authorizes and directs the District Clerk to give notice to the qualified voters of the School District of the 2023 Annual Public Hearing on the Budget and Annual Meeting, School District Election, Library Election and Vote, as follows:

NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET, ANNUAL MEETING, SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION, LIBRARY ELECTION AND VOTE

5.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Healthy Kids Programs for before and after school child care during the 2023-24 school year and authorizes the Superintendent to execute the contract.  A copy of said contract shall be incorporated within the minutes of this meeting.

5.5    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a contract with Chappaqua Children’s Workshop for before and after school child care during the 2023-24 school year and authorizes the Superintendent to execute the contract.  A copy of said contract shall be incorporated within the minutes of this meeting.

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 March 15, 2023, regarding Article 11 and Article 2(b) of the current CCT collective bargaining agreement covering employees with the titles of “Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Athletic Trainer, Licensed Practical Nurse and Physical Therapist.”  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 March 15, 2023, regarding bargaining unit number 5565.  A copy of the SMOA shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Items 5.1 through 5.7 as stated above.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  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    A contract with Corwin Press for John Hattie’s Visible Learning professional development on July 6, 2023.

Motioned by Ryan Kelsey to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

7.      Facilities

8.      Financials

8.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for February 2023.

8.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for February 2023.

8.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for February 2023.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge receipt of Items 8.1 through 8.3 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

9.      Notice of Future Meetings

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 7:30 pm
Budget Adoption
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 9:00 am
BOCES Budget Vote & Election – Component Districts
Education Center – Board Room

10.     Adjournment 

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 pm.  Seconded by Ryan Kelsey.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent