Minutes April 17, 2013

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

April 17, 2013

 

Time:

8:30 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School

 

Present:

Board of Education
Victoria Tipp, President
Alyson Gardner Kiesel, Vice President
Karen Visser
Randall Katchis
Jeffrey Mester

 

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 Tipp called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Karen Visser moved to enter into Executive Session with administrators for a Board / Administrative Retreat to discuss a book, World Class Learners, with author Yong Zhao. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn the executive session. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Karen Visser moved to reconvene the public session at 8:25 p.m. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Tipp welcomed the community, students, parents and special guests. Dr. Yong Zhao, internationally known scholar and author, and Assemblyman David Buchwald, legislator for our district. She turned the introduction of presentations and a special announcement to Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay.

Dr. McKay shared some exciting news. She recommended item 4.1 Instructional Personnel that included the appointment of Grafflin's new principal as well as Greeley's new assistant principal. Jeffrey Mester moved to accept the recommendation and Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Dr. McKay continued with her announcement. After a wide search and more than 150 applicants, and many interviews with stakeholder groups, walkthroughs at Grafflin, Jamie Edelman emerged as the foremost choice as the Principal of Douglas Grafflin. She served as Principal of Putnam Valley School for 13 years. She impressed us with her warmth, intelligence, knowledge of instruction, and confident leadership as well as her thoughtfulness with children.

She also noted with great pleasure that former English teacher and current Interim Assistant Principal Andrew Corsilia is recommended as Assistant Principal of Horace Greeley and Peter Kuczma has agreed to continue as Director of Athletics and Physical Education. Board members echoed her positive comments and enthusiasm for the appointments.

Dr. McKay introduced Dr.Yong Zhao, Presidential Chair and Associate dear for Global Education and Online Learning at the University of Oregon, where he also serves as the Director of Center for Advanced Technology in Education, and Professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership.

Presentations:

Developing World Class Learners: A Conversation with Yong Zhao
(Re-imagining the future of education-audience participation welcome)

Dr. Zhao, who teaches schools to personalize education and to engage students on a daily basis in collaborative learning with global partners and create authentic works with others around the world, gave a most engaging, informative, and thoroughly entertaining presentation. He stressed the importance of nurturing creativity and entrepreneurial skills instead of test-taking skills. He was impressed with the district's support of student independent thinking and creativity.

Proposed 2013-14 Budget for Adoption

John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business gave a brief overview of the budget's revenues, expenditures, personnel reductions, and contingency budget as well as the operating standards that help guide the process. He presented tbe tax levy limit calculations and tax analysis. He showed the comparison of budgets for past 6 years. Mr. Chow asked the board to adopt the budget and the property tax report card. He showed the property tax report card that will be sent to the community on May 9, the day after the budget hearing. The proposed 2013-14 budget is $114,828,088, an increase of $ 2,625,200 or 2.34%. He also announced the good news of additional $344,765 in state aide.

Pam Thornton, Library Director, will also present the Chappaqua Library budget on May 8. The PTA sponsored budget meetings are scheduled for Thursday, May 9, 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. to answer questions on the budget.

There were no questions for Mr. Chow, but positive comments on the process this year. Item 5.1 was brought forward to adopt the budget and property tax report card.

1.

Information

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Legislative Action Report

Assemblyman David Buchwald was in attendance to give legislative update on his representation for us in our district. He answered a number of questions from board members and the community.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

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

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve the minutes of February 27, 2013, as amended and the minutes of March 13, 2013. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.1

Minutes of February 27, 2013

3.2

Minutes of March 13, 2013

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":

Laura Broker,

Alyssa Hirschberg, and

Danielle Oliveri.

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 2012/2013 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Pamela Cartelli.

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 2012/2013 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Luanne Citrin

Lainee Katzenberg

Gary Lanza

Mark Taylor

Ann Marie Tetelman

Laurie Wesley

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:

Mr. Stefan Birek, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective February 1, 2013 through May 8, 2013.

Request for Parental Leave of Absence:

Ms. Lauren Andrews, Teacher of Special Education, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective April 16, 2013 through November 30, 2013.

Ms. Kathleen Campanaro, Teacher of Reading, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective September 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Ms. Sherilyn Huffman, Teacher of Special Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2013.

Resignation:

Ms. Linsy Kochupaul, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 9, 2013.

Mr. Andrew Corsilia, Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2013.

Appointment: Probationary

Ms. Jamie Edelman, Principal, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2013, in the tenure area of Elementary School Principal, probationary period ends June 30, 2016, $173,000.

Mr. Andrew Corsilia, Assistant Principal, Horace Greeley High School, effective July 1, 2013, in the tenure area of High School Assistant Principal, probationary period ends June 30, 2016, $148,000.

Appointment: Other

Mr. Peter Kuczma, Director of Physical Education and Athletics, District wide, effective July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $147,465.

Appointment: Teaching Assistant

Ms. Samantha Boldt, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 1, 2013, $21,256, prorated.

Ms. Danielle Fugazzi, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 1, 2013, $21,256, prorated.

Ms. Danielle Oliveri, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective April 10, 2013, $21,256, prorated.

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve the remaining recommendations. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations:

Resignation for purpose of Retirement:

Susan Cappetta - Senior Office Assistant - Automated Systems at the Horace Greeley High School, retiring effective June 28, 2013.

Keith Keasby - Custodial Worker at the Horace Greeley High School, retiring effective August 31, 2013.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as a per diem clerical substitute to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective April 1, 2013:

Corie Buonanno and

Marie Ward

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

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Alyson Kiesel offered a Resolution to adopt the Proposed Budget and ratify the Property Tax Report Card for the 2013-14 school year. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Alyson Kiesel offered the following resolution,

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby agrees to accept the Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers (CCT) in regard to the Teacher Action Research Project a copy of which is included by reference in the minutes of this meeting (and references 2012-13)."

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Randall Katchis moved to approve a Joint Contract with Town and Sani Pro Disposal Corp, d/b/a/ Suburban Carting Co., to provide solid waste services for buildings owned by Town and Chappaqua Central School District, effective July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014, with two, one-year extension options. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve items 5.4 and 5.5, agreements with EdData Services.

5.4

Approve agreement with Educational Data Services to utilize their services in obtaining skilled trade bids effective April 1, 2013 - March 31, 2014 in the amount of $1,990.00

5.5

Approve agreement with Educational Data Services for licensing and maintenance fees for use of copyrighted bid specifications and software, in the amount of $9,400.00 for the 2013-14 school year. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.6

Randall Katchis moved to approve agreement with Chappaqua Transportation for transportation routing, scheduling, etc., effective April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, at the rate of $30,000 annually. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.7

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve Health and Welfare Services contract with White Plains City School District, for seven students, effective September 5, 2012 through June 30, 2013 in the amount of $817.69 per student for a total of $5,723.83. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.8

Victoria Tipp moved to approve agreement for assistive technology services / evaluations with Westchester Institute for Human Development, Cedar Hall, Valhalla, NY, effective 2012-13 school year per hourly rates stipulated within the contract. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.9

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve Intel Science Award 2012-13 to Horace Greeley, a check in the amount of $2,000 to be used to cover costs of printer and symposium supplies and fees for science fairs. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.10

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve Greeley Lacrosse Association gift to school in the amount of $4,200 to cover field rental for boys and girls lacrosse at Purchase College. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.11

Jeffrey Mester moved to approve a gift in the amount of $1,000 from Johnson Controls to Bell Middle School in appreciation of their "green" work, to be used towards their Green Program. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.12

Victoria Tipp moved to approve a gift in the amount of $1,000 from Jean George family to support the development of a video broadcast at Bell Middle School. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.13

Karen Visser moved to approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on April 12, 2013. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.14

Randall Katchis moved to appoint Election Personnel for May 21, 2013 School Budget Vote/Election. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.15

Randall Katchis offered the following Resolution,

WHEREAS, the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Putnam/Northern Westchester County (thereinafter "BOCES") has proposed and presented its tentative administrative budget for the 2013-2014 school year (July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014), now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the BOCES tentative administrative budget for the 2013-2014 school year in the amount of $8,611,600 be, and hereby is, approved by this Board.

Be it further resolved that no vote was cast for election of two board members, Joan Austin and Tina Mackay. Karen Visser seconded. Not enough information was available on the candidates, the board did not cast the one vote for the two candidates.

The motion passed unanimously.

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve items 5.16 and 5.17 two proposals from K G and D.

5.16

Proposal from Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson, architects, pc for roof consulting services for Westorchard Elementary School in the amount of $7,000.

5.17

Proposal from Kaeyer, Garment & Davidson, architects, pc for roof consulting services for Grafflin Elementary School in the amount of $7,000.

Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

7.1

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve a Budget transfer in the amount of $125,000 from A9789-700-36 to A1620-421-34 to increase fuel appropriation. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Karen Visser moved to accept the financial reports, items 7.2-7.5. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.2

Treasurer's Report - March 2013

7.3

Revenue Report - March 2013

7.4

Expense Report - March 2013

7.5

Claim Auditor's Report - February 2013

8.

President Tipp gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at Horace Greeley High School

8:15 p.m. - Board meeting

Presentations:

Budget Hearing

Opinion and Argument writing K-12

9.

Adjournment

Adjournment - Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 11:16 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Victoria Tipp, Board President

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