Minutes December 5, 2016

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Monday, December 5, 2016
Horace Greeley High School

(click here for a printable copy of the official signed minutes)

 

Present:

Board of Education
Alyson Gardner, President
Victoria Tipp, Vice President
Warren Messner
Jeffrey Mester
Karen Visser

 

Present:

Staff Members

Dr. Eric Byrne, Acting Interim Superintendent / Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Dr. Kusum Sinha, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development

Terry Dell'olio, District Clerk / Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

 

President Gardner convened the public meeting at 5:36 p.m.

Moved by Victoria Tipp to convene the public meeting at 5:36 p.m. Seconded by Karen Visser. Motion carried 5-0.

Moved by Karen Visser to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular employee and seek legal advice. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.

President Gardner called the public hearing to order at 7:12 p.m.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester to convene the public hearing on Proposed Adoption of Revisions to the District-wide Safety Plan. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business and Mr. Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities as Chief Safety Officers for the Chappaqua Central School District, reviewed revisions made to the District-wide Safety Plan. Board member, Jeffrey Mester, volunteered to be a member of the District-Wide Safety Team.

(Click here to view the full discussion of the Proposed Adoption of Revisions to the District-wide Safety Plan presentation, and move your cursor to 00m:53s)

Moved by Warren Messner to adjourn the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. Seconded by Karen Visser. Motion carried 5-0.

President Gardner reconvened the public meeting at 7:37 p.m.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester to reconvene the public meeting at 7:37 p.m. Seconded by Karen Visser. Motion carried 5-0.

Presentation:

Middle School Math & Technology

Dr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction introduced Josh Block, Director of Mathematics, Martin Fitzgerald, Principal, Robert E. Bell Middle School, Andrew Corsilia, Principal, Seven Bridges Middle School, Theresa Civitano and Megan Barnes, Teachers, Robert E. Bell Middle School. They reviewed the Five Core Beliefs for High Quality Mathematics Instruction, which are Equity, Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Assessment.

Dr. Eric Byrne went on to introduce Darleen Nicolosi, Director of Technology, Carolyn Elwood, Middle School Art Teacher, and Chris Stasi, Middle School Technology Teacher, who discussed Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age. They discussed vision, connecting technology to classroom practice, real world and authentic learning, and future learning.

(Click here to view the full discussion of the Middle School Math & Technology presentation, and move your cursor to 00m:55s)

Recess was called at 10:13 p.m.

Return from recess at 10:23 p.m.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

President Gardner commented on the appointment of Interim Superintendent, Dr. Daniel McCann and welcomed Dr. McCann to the podium to make a statement. President Gardner thanked Mr. Chow, and Dr. Sinha for their assistance during the transition period and Dr. Byrne, for his extra efforts in keeping the District moving forward.

(Click here to view the full discussion of President Gardner's comments on the appointment of Interim Superintendent Dr. Daniel McCann, and move your cursor to 54m:10s)

Board member Victoria Tipp, as a member of the RFP Board Advisory Committee, gave an update on the RFP committee sharing a tentative timeline. Ms. Tipp stated that the Board will need to approve the RFP and will convene a special board meeting to approve.

(Click here to view the full discussion of the RFP Board Advisory Committee update, and move your cursor to 1h:00m:03s)

 

1.2

Acting Interim Superintendent's Report

Dr. Byrne reminded everyone that this is National Inclusive Schools Week. Dr. Byrne went on to share activities throughout the District.

(Click here to view the full discussion of item 1.2, and move your cursor to 1h:08m:46s)

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals & Ratification

3.1

Minutes of November 15, 2016

Moved by Victoria Tipp, seconded by Karen Visser to approve Items 3.1, as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

4.1

Instructional

Dr. Eric Byrne made the following recommendations:

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:

Thomas Camp, and
Jeffrey Barone.

Request for Child Care Leave of Absence:

Ms. Shana Weldon, Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Danielle Cohen, Regular Substitute Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+45) with Masters, $73,010, prorated.

Ms. Vaishali Bhattacharyya, Regular Substitute Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 6, 2016 through June 30, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $22,115, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Mr. Charles Buchanan, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, Horace Greeley High School, effective December 1, 2016 through March 3, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,211.

Ms. Annmarie Tetelman, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, Horace Greeley High School, effective December 1, 2016 through March 3, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,211.

Ms. Inge Jamison-Zamperlin, (.04) Teacher of Elementary Education to provide Academic Intervention Services, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective November 28, 2016 through June 30, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, A(BA), $53.86/hour.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant

Ms. Michelle Sarubbi, Teaching Assistant, Westorchard Elementary School, effective December 6, 2016, $22,115, prorated.

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching

Mr. Khaled Dassan, Varsity Wrestling, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 29, 2016 through March 3, 2017 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

ADDENDUM

 

4.1

Instructional

Resignation:

Ms. Alison Kan, Teacher of Elementary Education, Westorchard Elementary School, effective January 2, 2017.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Victoria Tipp to approve all items in 4.1 Recommended for Action, Personnel, Instructional, including Addendum, in one omnibus motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

4.2

Non-Instructional

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

CSE Summaries reported to the Board on December 5, 2016.

Moved by Karen Visser, seconded by Warren Messner that the Board of Education hereby approves CSE Summaries reported to the Board on December 5, 2016. Motion carried 5-0.

 

5.2

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant gift for Hispanic Heritage Book Clubs at Robert E. Bell Middle School. The grant will fund $2,500 in books to be used to conduct book clubs to help Spanish language students learn about Hispanic culture. Requested by Amy Durante and Caitlyn Murphy, 5th grade teachers, Robert E. Bell Middle School.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Karen Visser that the Board of Education hereby approves Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant gift for Hispanic Heritage Book Clubs at Robert E. Bell Middle School. The grant will fund $2,500 in books to be used to conduct book clubs to help Spanish language students learn about Hispanic culture. Requested by Amy Durante and Caitlyn Murphy, 5th grade teachers, Robert E. Bell Middle School. Motion carried 5-0. The Board of Education thanked the Chappaqua School Foundation for their continued support to the District.

 

5.3

BE IT RESOLVED, after a public hearing on the proposed changes to the District-wide Safety Plan for the 2016-17 school year, the Board of Education hereby adopts the District-wide Safety Plan, as amended.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Victoria Tipp that the Board of Education hereby approves the proposed changes to the District-wide Safety Plan for the 2016-17 school year, the Board of Education hereby adopts the District-wide Safety Plan, as amended. Motion carried 5-0.

 

5.4

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby amends the RFP Advisory Committee Resolution, which was approved at the November 15, 2016 Board of Education meeting.

Moved by Warren Messner, seconded by Alyson Gardner that the Board of Education hereby amends the RFP Advisory Committee Resolution, which was approved at the November 15, 2016 Board of Education meeting, as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

 

5.5

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign an Employment Agreement with Interim Superintendent of Schools Daniel McCann, dated December 5, 2016 as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting.

Moved by Warren Messner, seconded by Karen Visser that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign an Employment Agreement with Interim Superintendent of Schools Daniel McCann, dated December 5, 2016 as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting. Motion carried 5-0.

6.

Facilities Committee

Board member, Jeffrey Mester, as a Facilities Committee member shared there is a Facilities Committee meeting, Thursday, December 8, 5:15 p.m. at the Education Center. Mr. Mester gave an update to the timeline as reported by our engineers, Woodard & Curran, regarding the turf field installation. The District expects final DEP approval by mid-December and will be issuing bid documents mid-January with a four (4) week bid period, including onsite pre-bid meetings. The District expects to open the bids mid-February with a construction start, depending upon the weather, by mid/late March. The goal is to end construction mid-August, which would be in time for pre-season fall sports.

(Click here to view the full discussion of item 6, and move your cursor to 2h:38m:42s)

7.

Policy Committee

     

President Gardner discussed Board of Education Communication Policy 2001. A second reading of Policy 2001 will be January 11, 2017.

Moved by Victoria Tipp to allow the Board President to send out a holiday greeting on behalf of the Board of Education to the community. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.

 

7.1

Policy 3012, Conflicts of Interest - Revised 06/15/16; 2nd Reading; Tabled at the 11/15/16 Board of Education meeting

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Victoria Tipp to remove Item 7.1 from the table. Motion carried 5-0.

 

     

President Gardner reviewed the suggested revisions to this policy.

Moved by Victoria Tipp, seconded by Alyson Gardner to approve Policy 3012, Conflicts of Interest, as amended. Motion carried 5-0.

(Click here to view the full discussion of item 7.1, and move your cursor to 2h:41m:14s)

8.

Financials

9.

Communications

Board member, Karen Visser, as a member of the Communications Committee, commented that the committee is in the process of scheduling a meeting.

10.

Notice of Future Meetings

Wednesday, January 11, 2017
7:30 p.m. - Horace Greeley High School Academic Commons
Budget Preview

11.

Adjournment

Being no further business to be acted upon, the meeting was adjourned at 10:37 p.m. with a motion by Warren Messner, seconded by Jeffrey Mester. Motion carried 5-0.


Respectfully submitted,

Therese Dell'olio
District Clerk / Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Alyson Gardner
Board President

/tkd