Minutes March 19, 2014

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

March 19, 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 6:30 p.m. Alyson Kiesel moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of security, the employment history of particular persons, and settlement. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Alyson Kiesel moved to adjourn the executive session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Karen Visser moved to reconvene the public meeting at 7:50 p.m. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Mester welcomed everyone and asked Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay to begin the presentations.

Presentation:

Operations Maintenance / Non-instructional

Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities stated that the mission of Facilities is to create a healthy and safe environment for students and staff and to provide the best level of care possible for buildings and grounds. He reported that the district made huge leaps with the energy performance contract, but there are some things that did not fit into the plan. He will make a list of those items that are not under his control knowing that the more he can control, the more that can be optimized and made more efficient. Staff can be trained on how to use system to the maximum and provide a good learning environment. Another energy performance contract is a possibility because there is a lot of savings that can be had.

Operating standards as they pertain to district facilities. We refer to our mission statement when we are making decisions. A 5-year plan was presented in October.

There are three sections: Operations and maintenance, 5-year Facilities Plan and Buildings and Grounds. The budget is increased by $525,000 which in includes $180,000 for security guards that was not in last year's budget; $220,000 for fuel oil and electric; $50,000 is capital projects. Operations and maintenance is 15% less than last year and Building and Grounds portion is about 5% more.

President Mester spoke on behalf of the Board and congratulated Joe and all his staff for all that they do. Dr. McKay noted that Joe's staff is highly skilled and how much they save the district for projects such as the iLab. She added that its nice they provide such intelligent planning and a safe environment. The custodial staff is also very active in security by watching to see who is coming and going. They care about the kids.

John Chow reported on the Non-instructional and Fund Balance portion of the budget - General Support, Transportation, Community Services, and Undistributed which represents about 45% of the total budget. The good news is that certain numbers have gone down slightly. The VOIP telephone system was purchased last year for safety and efficiency. He noted that the district is in a very good place with Debt Service. John explained Interfund transfers as he mentioned the different projects.

Fund balance.

John recommends $2,500,000 appropriation to reduce the budget using $500,000 from the Retirement contribution fund and $2,000,000 from Unassigned for sustainability and within the tax cap. Discussion of the pros and cons of using different amounts and funds ensued.

President Mester asked for comments or questions from the public and noted that there were a number of students and allowed them to speak first.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

President Mester had nothing to report.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent McKay reported on the Learning Walk at Grafflin in the kindergarten and second grade. Everyone in the kindergarten class is reading books.

Questions and Comments

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

4.1

Instructional

Superintendent Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

Request for Parental Leave of Absence:

Ms. Lauren Reisner, Teacher of Foreign Language, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 12, 2014 through May 23, 2014.

Karen Visser moved to approve the recommendation. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Superintendent Dr. McKay made the following recommendation:

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as per diem clerical substitute to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective March 17, 2014. Salary is $14.00 per hour.

Virginia Mancini

Victoria Tipp moved to approve the recommendation. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Karen Visser moved to approve CSE Summaries reported to Board on March 14, 2014. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Alyson Kiesel offered the following Resolution to Reject and Rebid Bid #913 Asbestos Abatement and Removal -

"WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, by public notice duly published according to law, has invited sealed proposals for the abatement and removal of asbestos at any of the following locations: Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, Roaring Brook elementary School, Westorchard Elementary School, Robert E. Bell Middle School, Seven Bridges Middle School, Horace Greeley High School, Education Center, and Pole Barn.

WHEREAS, all such proposals received were considered publicly by the District's duly designated representative at the time and place specified in said public notice and in the duly issued addenda thereto, and

WHEREAS, said Board of Education, having duly considered the facts pertinent to the matter, has determined that there is a rational basis to conclude that the District should have included one more category in the bid request, "Mobilization" process..

THEREFORE, NOW BE IT RESOLVED, that all bid proposals for Bid Package #913 - Asbestos Abatement and Removal are hereby rejected, and the District's Purchasing Agent is hereby designated to receive new bids with the additional language for this bid package.

Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Warren Messner moved to approve Bid #890 - Renewal Recommendation - Solid Waste Services for Buildings Owned by CCSD and Town of New Castle - Sani-Pro Disposal/D.B.A. Suburban Carting - $69,540.00 with a savings of $8,940 over original bid in 2010. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Jeffrey Mester moved to remove the following item from the table. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Tabled from March 12, 2014 -

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve REVISED contract with Eastchester Union Free School District for Educational Services for one student at a rate of $58,227 annual tuition, plus additional services anticipated to be approx. $71,694.30, per contract, (for a total of $129,921.31), effective September 9, 2013 to June 27, 2014. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

8.

President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Wednesday, April 2, 2014 - Work session at Horace Greeley High School

7:30 p.m.

Revenue / Tax Rates / Contingency

9.

Adjournment

Warren Messner moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Jeffrey Mester, Board President