Minutes April 2, 2014

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

April 2, 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

 

Absent:

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 board work session to order at 6:30 p.m. Warren Messner moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the employment history of particular persons, and settlement. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Warren Messner moved to adjourn the executive session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Warren Messner moved to reconvene the public meeting at 7:40 p.m. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Jeffrey Mester moved to appoint Karen Visser District Clerk Pro Tem. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Mester welcomed everyone to the Budget Work Session where the focus is on the budget presentations and asked Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay to begin the Revenue/Tax Rates/ and discuss the Contingency portion of the budget. Some new numbers have come in since Sunday night and we want to discuss those with you. She also stated that there have been some questions about class size and there are already two contingency positions in the budget. We watch class size very closely especially through the summer.

Presentation:

Revenue/Tax Rates/Contingency

Assistant Superintendent for Business John Chow reported on the revenues and tax analysis and then another presentation on the budget already presented with discussion on the additional state aid plus a re-calibration of our interest rates. The budget is 1.77% increase or $116,856,988. He reported the tax levy is $104,999,225 which will be divided into the two towns, New Castle and Mt. Pleasant. The final breakdown will be given after the total assessments in mid-July. This represents approximately 90% of the district budget. State aid based on the governor's budget, the district will receive approximately $7,000,000 additional funds. He gave the status of the other sources such as sales tax, tuition, summer camp, etc. When we calculate tax analysis we need tax levy, taxable evaluations and equalization rates. Those numbers presented are only estimates until August when we have the final numbers.

John and the Board discussed the reserve amounts and will continue through the budget process.

President Mester asked for comments or questions from the public.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

There was nothing to report.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

Eric Byrne gave an update on the Robotic Camp led by Josh Block and open to students in fifth through twelfth grade. It's a nine day program starting August 12. There are also two separate writer camps.

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

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Victoria Tipp moved to approve grants submitted by Chappaqua School Foundation for 2014 in the amount of $148,069. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

CSF President Allison Wintner provided details on some of the 12 grants for each of the district schools across all curricula. She thanked the teachers and administrators for putting the grants together. She noted that their twentieth fundraiser gala at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff on Friday, April 25.

Board members and Dr. McKay thanked them for the generous gifts they have given to the district.

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

8.

President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 - Board meeting at Horace Greeley to vote on PNW/BOCES budget, 7:40 a.m. followed by Learning Walk with administrators at 7:45 a.m.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014 - Board meeting at Horace Greeley High School, 7:30 p.m.

Presentation:

Adopt Budget

In addition,

A meeting is tentatively scheduled for:

Monday, April 7, 2014 - at 8:00 a.m. which we anticipate will go into Executive Session to discuss employment history of particular person.

9.

Adjournment

Warren Messner moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Visser, District Clerk, Pro Tem

Jeffrey Mester, Board President

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