Minutes April 23, 2014

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

April 23, 2014

 

Time:

8:00 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:

Members of the community, PTA and administration and staff

 

President Mester called the board meeting 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 person and legal settlements. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Warren Messner moved to adjourn the executive session and reconvene the public session at 7:50 p.m. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Mester welcomed everyone and gave a special welcome back to Tom Auchterlonie, reporter for Daily Voice, formerly of Patch. President Mester also thanked the students, staff, and Greeley PTA for their effort into supporting and coordinating the art work for the art gala that occurred yesterday and the pieces that are outside the Commons that we can view and enjoy today.

Presentation:

Proposed Budget for 2014-15 for Adoption

Dr Lyn McKay and John Chow presented the final budget for discussion,

Dr, McKay reviewed the budget calendar and operating standards. She noted the 2013-14 approved budget is $114,828,088. The proposed 2014-15 budget is $116,856,988 which represents a budge increase of $2,028,900 or 1.77%. She stated that we have an increase of $300,000 in state aid and the three different ways that it could be used.

John Chow provided further details for the board and mentioned that state aid can change. Dr. McKay suggested using the $300,000 by increasing fund balance by $150,000 and reducing property taxes by $150,000. Lyn felt this was the better way of using the funds. She supports keeping the budget the same because it is such a well put together budget.

John Chow presented an estimated tax analysis, and explained how to calculate a contingency budget. He also presented the Property Tax Report Card and the Budget Notice that goes out to the community which includes the components of the contingency budget.

Board members also discussed possible future expenditures and finally reached consensus to split the $300,000 between property taxes and reserves.

1.

Information

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

President Mester thanked board members Victoria Tipp and Karen Visser for deciding to run for the board again.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Seven Bridges status

Dr. McKay reported that the district has two, possibly three, candidates to bring forward.

1.2.2

She announced our kids are back from China. They had a terrific time. they will be here to speak to the board on May 28. They made friends across the world and across town - from Armonk and other local districts.

1.2.3

Dr. McKay remarked that the board joined her and the administrators on a Learning Walk at the high school and found it to be very informative and exciting to see the students interacting.

1.2.4

She also expressed thanks to Vicky and Karen for stepping up to run for the board again.

Questions and Comments

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

Victoria Tipp moved to approve the following minutes. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.1

Minutes of Public Hearing on February 26, 2014

3.2

Minutes of February 26, 2014

3.3

Minutes of March 5, 2014

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

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":

Elona Coku,

Barbara Driscoll,

Virginia Mancini

Timothy McHale, and

Lindsay Stevens.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreements for Services for the individuals and agencies listed below effective for the 2013/2014 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Heidi Curtis

Janet Hartman

Marjorie Milstein

Katerina Dillullio

Olga Kowal

Rosalind Mittler

Anita Faria

Sandra Kowalski

Ellen Pincus

Andrea Frusciante

Helen Lynn

Elizabeth Scroope

Jan Gordon

Gail Matthew

Gail Treffinger

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as AP proctors to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2013/2014 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Anita Faria.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Ms. Beth Leventhal, Teacher of Elementary Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective June 30, 2014.

Resignation:

Ms. Carol Bartlik, Assistant Principal, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective June 30, 2014.

Ms. Rachel Ruggeri, Teacher of Mathematics, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2014.

Appointment: Probationary

Ms. Janet Fletcher, Teacher of Special Education, from the Preferred Eligible List, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 28, 2014, Step 5, C(BA+75) with Masters, $91,812

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Jaime Coleman, Regular Substitute Teacher of Elementary Education, Westorchard Elementary School, effective January 21, 2014 through June 30, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education) Step 2, B(BA+45) with Masters, $74,337, prorated.

Ms. Jennifer del Rosario, Regular Substitute Guidance Counselor, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 2, 2014 through June 20, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, C(BA+60) with Masters, $81,269, prorated.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant

Ms. Elizabeth Fries, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 2, 2014,$21,256, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Dr. John Alkalay, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, District wide, effective March 31, 2014 through June 6, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,148.

Mr. Charles Buchanan, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, District wide, effective March 31, 2014 through June 6, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,148

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching

Mr. Michael Filice, Junior Varsity Baseball, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 19, 2014 through June 6, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

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

4.2

Non-Instructional

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

Resolutions:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as per diem clerical/teacher aide substitute to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective March 21, 2014.

Lisa Liberatore

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as per diem clerical/teacher aide substitute to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective March 25, 2014.

Susan Fitzgerald

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the recommendations. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Warren Mesner offered a Resolution to adopt the Proposed Budget and ratify the Property Tax Report Card for the 2014-15 school year, and the Tax Report Card to be amended to reflect the $300,000 extra state aid to be split between property taxes and reserves. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept a gift from TIAA-CREF Employee Giving Campaign on behalf of Doria Bachenheimer, $400 matching grant, total $800, to Bell Middle School for purpose of furniture for their new Lab learning space. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Karen Visser moved to accept a gift from Intel Science in the amount of $1,000 to Horace Greeley Science Department for the purpose of supplies and fees for symposium and science fair. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve a Health and Welfare Services Contract with Yorktown Central School District for $1,181.91 per each of the three students attending non-public schools in Yorktown, effective September 3, 2013 to June 25, 2014. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.5

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve a Health and Welfare Services Contract with White Plains City School District for $822.68 per each of the seven students attending non-public schools in White Plains, effective September 9, 2013 to June 30, 2014. Rate shall be re-computed as of October 1, 2013 to reflect refund or additional charge. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.6

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve the PNWBOCES 2014-15 Initial Contract of Services in the amount of $1,086,194.00. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Board members discussed requesting a change in the allocation rate for BOCES districts from RWADA.

5.7

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve Educational Data Service's Skilled Trade Bids, from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015 in the amount of $1,990. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

ADDENDUM items

5.8

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve the CSE summaries reported on April 23, 2014. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.9

Alyson Kiesel offered the following resolution,

"Resolved, that the Board of Education authorizes its attorneys, Shaw Perelson, May and Lambert, LLP to execute a Consent Judgment in a tax certiorari proceeding captioned Oporto Development Corp. V. Town of New Castle and the Chappaqua Central School District.

And, it is further resolved that the Board authorizes the refund of taxes as required by the terms of the Consent Judgment.

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.10

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve contract with Educational Vistas, Inc, a web accessed APPR Management Program at a cost of $7,200 annually. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.11

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve a contract with Custom Computer Specialists, Inc., for Campus Backpack, at a rate of $7,250, effective May 1, 2014. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.12

Warren Messner moved to appoint Dr. Catherine Bento as Homeless Liaison to replace Lynn Lubow as of April 14, 2014. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.13

Alyson Kiesel offered the following resolution,

"Be it resolved, that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute an a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student #700168. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting."

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.14

Warren Messner

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education authorizes the Board President to execute an a Release and Settlement Agreement regarding student #601164. A copy of said Agreement shall be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting."

Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.15

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve a gift of $5,000 or as needed for startup, per year for a total of two years or $10,000 from the Krase family for a cheerleading program at Horace Greeley. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.16

Jeffrey Mester offered the following resolution,

"Be it resolved, that Employee No. 3878 shall be suspended with pay during the pendency of Section 3020-a Education Law proceedings."

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept financial reports 7.1-7.4 for March 2014. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Expense Report - March 31, 2014

7.2

Revenue Report - March 31, 2014

7.3

Claims Audit Report - March 31, 2014

7.4

Treasurer's Report - March 2014

8.

President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings -

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

Presentation:

Public Hearing for School and Library Budgets for 2014-2015

9.

Adjournment

Alyson Kiesel moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:15 p.m. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Markley, District Clerk<

Jeffrey Mester, Board President