Minutes January 15, 2014

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

January 15, 2014

 

Time:

7:30 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School

 

Present:

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

 

Staff Members
Present:

Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent

Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum

Mr. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership, and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Adm. Asst. to Superintendent

 

Visitors Present:

Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens.

 

President Mester called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m. Karen Visser moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of the employment history of a particular person and corporation, legal issues, contractual negotiations. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Karen Visser moved to adjourn the executive session at 7:25p.m.. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Karen Visser moved to reconvene the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President Mester welcomed the community and introduced our special guests from Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES who are here to celebrate Student of Distinction, Samatha Klein. He asked Assistant Superintendent at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES John McCarthy to please provide an update on the status of their capital projects.

Mr. McCarthy gave a brief overview of phase I, begun this past summer. One challenge was the special adaptations made to the pool to accommodate special needs students did not comply with Westchester County guidelines. Most has been worked out and will be completed in phase II, summer of 2014, along with buildings on the Fox Meadow Campus and roofs on two tech buildings. . Project completion is expected by the end of summer of 2015.

Celebrate Student of Distinction - Samantha Klein

John McCarthy and Lynn Allan, Asst. Superintendents at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES principal; and Blaine Cameron, Walkabout teacher at Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES, Rob Angiello, Director Walkabout.

Mr. Angiello congratulated Samantha on her Student of Distinction award and noted that Samantha is known for always going beyond the scope of her work. Through Walkabout, she has shed much of her shyness and improved her communication skills. For one of her projects, she worked with pre-school children and learned sign language to help communicate better with one of the children. She has gained confidence in herself and is currently working on two projects, one in English and one in psychology.

President Mester joined with the staff from BOCES and our board in congratulating Samantha on her accomplishments and earning this special award.

Presentation:

Budget Preview

Dr. McKay noted that it's a one-year budget preparation with a five year projection so as we prepare for this year, we can also see the affect as we go forward. She explained that is not the proposed budget, but a rollover from the current year to next year. She asked John Chow Assistant Superintendent for Business to explain the process.

John Chow explained the different components and requested input from community. He stepped through the budget process that the administration began in August.

Dr. McKay commented on the strategic question that we are all familiar with, "How can the District ensure continuing excellence in academic and extracurricular programs while developing a budget that is fiscally responsible?"

Dr. McKay explained the four pillars that we use each year that remain the same: 1. Class size, 2. Program, 3. Infrastructure and 4. Contractual obligations. She explained the modified operating standards system for 2014-15. We have added support the innovative use of time, space, and technology. We also added, "maintain breadth and depth of core course offerings and extra-curricular activities to the greatest extent possible in light of tax cap realities."

John continued with the .review of items that we do know will impact next year s budget such as the CPI we believe will be between 1.5 and 1.6, but the others are unknown: Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Contracts for Administrators, Teachers, Support Staff and Custodians, Transportation Costs, Special Education Placements, State Aid, Assessed Tax Value, Tax Certiorari Settlements, and Tax Cap Number. Enrollment will be flat with the exception of kindergarten which is always difficult to predict. He presented the six most recent budgets with a cumulative increase of 6.97%. He also provided 5 year projections of expenditures. This is an initial rollover budget with the current increase of 2.5% (or $287,356,0). He showed how the approved 2013-14 stacks up against the 2014-5 rollover. Dr. McKay will present a budget that is within the tax cap.

Next steps are to resolve unknowns, finalize personnel numbers, seek further savings, and propose recommended budget at February 26 board meeting. He asked board members what questions they have as we move forward.

We have been creative by reducing costs by changing schedules, school day, etc but we have done this. The questions becomes, now what?

The PTA will sponsor a Community Forum on the Proposed Budget at Bell Auditorium on Monday, March 3, 9:30 a.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. They will sponsor a second forum on questions about the budget after the budget is adopted on Thursday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Seven Bridges Lower Commons.

 

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Live streaming

President Mester brought up the subject of live streaming. Since it was last discussed, it is thought that the cost and ability to provide the service might be more within the district's reach. He asked Dr. McKay to have technology look into the possibility.

1.1.2

Joint town/school boards meeting

President Mester reported a tentative date of February 5 when both boards have no meetings scheduled. Neither the location nor the agenda has been set.

1.1.3

Alternative Veterans Exemption Resolution

He also reported that a public hearing will be scheduled to discuss the resolution.

1.1.4

New York Consortium for Public Education

Victoria Tipp updated her report on this group that is composed of superintendents, board members, PTA, and parents from most of the school districts in Westchester. She held a follow up meeting with PTA President Sue Fisher and Chris Madden who also attended. The group discussed implications and impact of standardized testing, privacy issues, waivers for testing, and a moratorium on the Common Core. After some discussion by the board and administrative input, the board agreed to support Victoria's request for a joint letter-writing campaign with the PTA that will be posted on our website. It is hoped that if more people are aware of the issues, they will join in writing to legislators to get more attention

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

iLab status

Dr. McKay reported the iLab is in great shape. Furniture should arrive next week and second semester students will be working in the space. Tech training is available for teachers who re turnkey and will be training other teachers. Teachers are very excited because it provides a tremendous opportunity for professional development. She also announced that the next Knowledge Café on March 26 will be held in the iLab.

1.2.2

Community Organizations Group (COG)

Dr. McKay reported that COG met Tuesday, January 14. This is a wonderful group of community organizations that cares very deeply about what our students need in our community. Three purposes. Share information so we know what each is doing. Help our students with respect, perseverance, and narrow what all of these groups talk about, and for crisis response when is needed. Former Seven Bridges Principal Martha Zornow chaired and Martin Fitzgerald and I will be leading it for now.

1.2.3

Seven Bridges search.

Andrew Selesnick reported ads were in New York Times this past week, Education Week, as well as various networks that reach out in every way we can to reach as many candidates as possible. We have been meeting with Seven Bridges faculty and hope to bring in more candidates soon.

1.2.4

Dr. McKay reported that Assemblyman David Buchwald has reached out to us to tour our schools.

1.2.5

Science Research Project and other items

Dr. McKay announced that senior Anubhav Guha was selected as a finalist in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search, and a semifinalist in the 2013 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and technology. Anubhav's research was titled, "Discovery of Rare Earth Oxide Nanoparticles as Agents for Prolonging Fluorescence Imaging in Biological and Other Systems: Fluorescence Studies from Single Molecules and Dispersions."

The PTA brought in authors to elementary grades to show them that authors are really not dead. Many are alive and thriving!

Two events were rescheduled: The Superintendent Coffee was rescheduled for February 12 at Bell. John and i will be talking about status of budgets. The Knowledge Cafe was moved to March 26 at the iLab.

Questions and Comments

We welcome public inquiries, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your inquiry to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone.

 

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

Karen Visser moved to approve the minutes, as amended. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.1

Minutes of November 6, 2013

3.2

Minutes of November 20, 2013

3.3

Minutes of December 12, 2013 Executive Session

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Superintendent Lyn McKay made the following recommendations to include the addendum:

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":

Jeffrey Charney and

Linita Shih.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual(s) listed as High School Department Facilitator(s) effective for the 2013/2014 school year":

John Alkalay.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Mr. Christopher Parke, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2014.

Request for Parental Leave of Absence:

Ms. Kathleen Campanaro, Teacher of Reading, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective February 3, 2014 through June 30, 2014.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Michele Marciano, Regular Substitute Teacher of Reading, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective February 3, 2014 through June 30, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, B(BA+45) with Masters, $77,499, prorated.

Ms. Suzanne Novak, Regular Substitute Teacher of Foreign Language, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 9, 2013 through June 30, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education). This appointment is authorized subject to the approval of the Commissioner of the New York State Education Department. Consistent with New York State laws and regulations, as a retired teacher, Ms. Novak is entitled to retain her pension which places no additional financial burden on the Chappaqua Central School District, Step 7, C(BA+60) with Masters, $94,359, prorated.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant

Mr. Michael Whiting, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 13, 2014, $21,256, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Mr. Anthony Castaneda, (.04) Teacher of Elementary Education to provide Academic Intervention Services as per the Teachers' Contract, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective December 3, 2013 through May 8, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+30) with Masters, $56.34/hour.

Ms. Inge Jamison-Zamperlin, (.04) Teacher of Elementary Education to provide Academic Intervention Services as per the Teachers' Contract, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 14, 2014 through May 8, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, A(BA), $52.36/hour.

 

Addendum:

 

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Mr. Robert Gill, Regular Substitute Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective January 15, 2014 through June 30, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

Karen Visser moved to approve the recommendations including the addendum. Alyson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay made the following recommendations:

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby grants a leave of absence, without pay, to Jennifer Greco - Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School, from December 28, 2013 through February 21, 2014.

Resignation:

Mary Leddy - Teacher Aide at Westorchard Elementary School, resigning effective December 20, 2013.

Karen Visser moved to approve the recommendations. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Karen Visser moved to approve CSE summaries reported to Board on January 10, 2013. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously

5.2

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve Health and Welfare Services Contract with Dobbs Ferry Union Free School District for seven students at a cost of $1,063.59 each, effective September 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously

5.3

Alyson Kiesel offered a resolution,

"WHEREAS, J & C. R. have filed an Application for Refund of Real Property Taxes for the Year 2013 regarding property located in the Chappaqua Central School District, described as #92.7-2-33 on the basis that the basic STAR exemption was applied for and approved, but was omitted from the school tax bill; and

WHEREAS, the Westchester County Tax Commission has determined that the applicants were approved for the basic STAR exemption, but it was not reflected on the school tax bill and the Application for Refund of Real Property Taxes for the Year 2013 should be approved; and

WHEREAS, we have examined such application and the recommendation and determine that a clerical error has been made pursuant to Section 550(2)(c) of the Real Property Tax Law;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that: the Application for Refund of Real Property Taxes for the Year 2013 be approved, notice of approval of such application be mailed to Applicants, and the Business Official be authorized and directed to correct the assessment on the tax roll for 2013 to reflect the STAR exemption, thereby refunding school taxes in the amount of $1,662.00."

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Victoria Tipp moved to approve gift of $500.00 grant from Exxon Mobil courtesy of Larry Milton of New Castle Auto Center to Westorchard Elem. School to be used to purchase nonfiction books for first grade curriculum. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Board members expressed gratitude to Exxon Mobil and Larry Milton for the continued support of our schools

Addendum:

5.5

Warren Messner offered the following resolution,

"Be it resolved that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student #701616. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting."

Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

6.1

President Mester reported that the Board tours have been rescheduled for Westorchard on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at 7:00 a.m.; and at Seven Bridges 7:45 a.m.

7.

Financials

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept the financial reports, items 7.1 and 7.2. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Expenditures Report - December 31, 2013

7.2

Revenue Report - December 31, 2013

7.3

Warren Messner moved to approve a Budget Transfer, in the amount of $50,000 each from A2110 130 225 and 226, to A1621 447 34 5YP for security cameras (total $100,000). Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

8.

President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Wednesday, January 22, 2013, Board Facility Tour, at Westorchard, 7:00 a.m.; and at Seven Bridges 7:45 a.m.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Horace Greeley High School, 7:30 p.m. (Retreat prior to meeting - 6:00p.m.)

Presentation:

Innovation Fellows and New Use of Space at Greeley

9.

Adjournment

Victoria Tipp moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:03 p.m. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Admin. Asst. to Superintendent

Jeffrey Mester, Board President

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