Minutes October 11, 2011

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

October 11, 2011

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School Commons

 

Present:

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

 

Staff Members
Present:

Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent

Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum 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 Alyson Kiesel convened the public session at 7:00 p.m. Randall Katchis moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of a pending legal issue with attorney, David Shaw and Lisa Rusk. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 8:15 p.m. Randall Katchis moved to adjourn the Executive Session. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

At 8:20 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to reconvene the public session. Vicky Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Kiesel welcomed the community.

Presentations:

Audit Approval, Alan Kassay, O'Connor Davies Munns and Dobbins, LLP

Mr. Kassay presented the Summary of Communications and noted no irregularities, immaterial frauds or illegal acts identified and policies applied as appropriate. There were no disagreements with management. He commented on the Management Letter covering the School Lunch Fund, Special Purpose Fund and Agency Fund and noted the minor adjustments to encumbrances, cash receipts, and claims cycle.

He presented the Statement of Net Assets and the General Fund account. He noted that between the revenues and expenditures, exclusive of encumbrances, there was a overall positive variance of $3.6 million. The General Fund Balance ended with $20,084,185. He noted the listed Reserve Funds and the Undesignated Fund Balance is in accordance with State Law. Mr. Kassay also noted that refinancing some of the bonds this past year will save the district a net of $6M over 20 years..

If a budget is provided to the voters over the 2% tax cap, a 60% majority of the actual voters, not the total registered voters, is necessary to override a 2% tax cap.

Report on Harvard-Chappaqua Virtual Learning and Assessment

Project: Dr. Chris Dede a Professor of Learning Technology at Harvard University, reported on his work with our district last year in seventh and eighth grade science research project and the continuation of his work this year with the middle school. This year he has worked to bring new technologies into our classrooms and provide design-based research using one-to-one technology. Darleen Nicolosi noted the importance of integrating emerging technologies into our curriculum and thanked Chris for the opportunity to work with the Harvard research team. Students are immersed in a digital lifestyle that allows for collaboration and creativity. Dr. Dede studies how to prepare students for the 21st century world utilizing immersive interfaces similar to a videogame. Students and teachers get the benefit of the design-based research using authentic scientific processes. The goal is to develop the technologies which encourage an engaged learning for the virtual environments and assessment components, using handheld devices to explore and solve problems.

Online Learning in Chappaqua

Darleen Nicolosi, Director of Technology reported briefly on the development of an exciting online course by two of our high school teachers. There will be more information and a presentation at a future meeting.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Survey update

President Kiesel provided an update on the survey. She reported over 100 respondents so far and the goal is to have 250. We expect to be completed by end of this week or next week. The company will have a report analyzing the data and present it at a future meeting.

1.1.2

District working committee

President Kiesel explained the different types of committees that the district has operating, some are administrative and not open to the public, and some are special advisory committees formed by the Board with a specific charge.

1.1.3

Seven Bridges paving update

Weather permitting, Seven Bridges paving will be completed Oct. 31.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

EdLeader21 Conference

Superintendent Dr. McKay reported that she and Eric Byrne had the opportunity to work with approximately 19 districts who are grappling with many of the same issues as Chappaqua such as new school-based exams and critical thinking and learning.

Assistant Superintendent Eric Byrne reported on the district they visited with similar demographics. Four years ago they re-purposed an elementary building and made it a 21st century high school and he described the high tech collaborative classrooms and their teaching style of promoting student development of projects. There is significant research that supports project based learning.

1.2.2

Knowledge Café - October 24, 25, 2011

Dr McKay described the large community engagement meeting that will present several models for scheduling the middle schools led by Michael Rettig. She noted if enough people are interested, we will have a third session. She emphasized that due to the enrollment numbers losing less than 100 students over the next four or five years, the district needs all six schools to support the population. John Chow's capacity study supports this projection as well.

Question and Comments

2.

Organization

2.1

President Kiesel gave a First Reading: Draft Personal Property and it will be on the next agenda for a second reading.

2.2

President Kiesel gave a First Reading: Draft Gift Acceptance Policy revision. After some discussion, Karen Visser noted that she had some additional language that she will share with the Policy committee.

2.3

President Kiesel gave a First Reading: Draft Community Use of School District Facilities revision and it wil be on the next agenda for a second reading.

3.

Approvals

Jeffrey Mester moved to accept the minutes of:

3.1

Minutes of June 14, 2011

3.2

Minutes of September 8, 2011

Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

 

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Superintendent Dr. Lyn 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":

Linda Adair.

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as PSAT and/or SAT and/or ACT proctors to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2011/2012 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

 

Shannon Bailey

Jessie Borsinger

Kathy Brehm

Lynne Brennan

Charles Buchanan

Susan Cappetta

Karen Carey

Jayne Carlson

Miette Cvijanovich

MaryEllen DeLillo

MaryBeth Disch

John Dunphy

Felice Ehrlich

Mary Farrell

Miriam Fernandez

Jerry Furey

Jeanie Gayeski

Michele Glenn

Karen Greco

Meredith Green

Kerin Heim

Mark Jagels

Erin Johansen

MaryRose Joseph

Kuihwa Kim

Gary Lanza

Elisa Leitao

Mirjam Lord

Jason Lummel

Jan Madalon

Kay Makanju

Francine Malara

Anne Materasso

Vita Materasso

Dana McBride

Donna McBride

Maria Pardalis

Jane Perito

Lisa Ribushofski

Jill Rossing

Karen Rouchou

James Sarris

Lindsay Schrader

Dana Stein-Dince

Paul Swiatocha

Annmarie Tetelman

Kelly Todd

Cary Vigilante

Denise Weiss

Britt Winston

Request for Child Care Leave of Absence:

Ms. Sara Kenney, Teacher of Special Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective October 3, 2011 through October 14, 2011.

Resignation:

Mr. Robert Herodes, Varsity Boys' Soccer, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 21, 2011.

Mr. Adam Borman, Varsity Boys' Soccer Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 21, 2011.

Ms. Susan Kehoe, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective October 5, 2011.

Termination:

Mr. Dave Fernandes, 9th Grade Football Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 5, 2011, due to lack of enrollment.

Ms. Colleen Cauley, 7-8th Grade Field Hockey Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 5, 2011.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Mr. Dillon Clark, Regular Substitute Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 21, 2011 through May 1, 2012 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $21,256, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Mr. Dario Boffi, (.4) Teacher of Music, Robert E. Bell Middle School and Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 26, 2011 through June 30, 2012 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, B(BA+30) with Masters, $28,910, prorated.

Appointment: Coaching

Mr. Adam Borman, Varsity Boys' Soccer, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 22, 2011 through November 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $8,713.

Mr. Robert Herodes, Varsity Boys' Soccer Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 23, 2011 through November 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,035, prorated.

Mr. Brendan Kitson, 7-8th Grade Football Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 23, 2011 through November 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, $4,877, prorated.

 

ADDENDUM
October 11, 2011

4.1

Personnel: Instructional

Resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as PSAT and/or SAT and/or ACT proctor to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2011/2012 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education":

Sara Hukkanen

Request for Child Care Leave of Absence:

Ms. Annalise Curtin, Guidance Counselor, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective October 11, 2011 through May 29, 2012.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Annmarie Winslow, Regular Substitute Guidance Counselor, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2011 through May 29, 2012 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education) Step 2, C(BA+60) with Masters, $76,456, prorated.

 

4.2

Non-Instructional

Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay made the following recommendations:

Resolutions:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed below as a per diem custodial substitute to be employed on an "as needed" basis, effective October 12, 2011:

Diego Barilla,

Sergio Leonardo,

Vernon Spinner, Jr.

Vicky Tipp moved to accept the recommendations. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Randall Katchis moved to approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on October 7, 2011. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Randall Katchis moved to approve a 2011-12 renewal agreement New England Systems and Software, Inc. (NESS) for all on-site technology support and services at a cost of $56,447.90 per month, an increase of 0% increase. (This had previously been tabled from September 20, 2011.) Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Vicky Tipp moved to approve a gift in the amount of $4,549.99 from Friends of Greeley Theatre for lumber to build set, APC back UPS power back up system, and Bodypack transmitters, wireless microphones. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The Board thanked the Friends of Greeley for their generous donation.

5.4

Karen Visser moved to approve a gift in the amount of $1,188.88 from Target, Take Charge of Education to Westorchard Elementary School. Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

6.1

Facilities Committee Report

Jeffrey Mester reported that the paving will be completed at Seven Bridges by Halloween.

6.2

Homecoming Activities

Jim Nottingham from Sportsboosters gave a detailed report on the planned activities for Homecoming weekend, October 21, 22, 2011 and requested permission to have a fireworks presentation. Fire Chief Russell Davies from Chappaqua Fire Department was present to explain the safety rules and regulations. Principal Andrew Selesnick noted some of the safety concerns and how they might be resolved.

Randall Katchis offered the following resolution,

Resolved, that the Greeley Sports Boosters be granted permission to obtain a permit allowing fireworks on the Horace Greeley Field, as determined by Director of Facilities and following all school policies, legal and safety rules under New York State Law.

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.

Financials

7.1

Randall Katchis offered the following resolution,

"Be it resolved, that the Audit Report for the year ended June 30, 2011 submitted by the firm of O'Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins LLP, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, be accepted."

Jeffrey Mester seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Vicky Tipp moved to accept for filing the following reports:

7.2

Expense Report - September 30, 2011

7.3

Revenue Report - September 30, 2011

7.4

Claim Auditor's Reports - August 2011

Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

8.

President Kiesel gave Notice of Future Meetings:

Tuesday, October 25, 2011at Horace Greeley High School - 8:15 p.m.

Presentation:

How are middle and high schools addressing the BOE teaching and learning question?

9.

Adjournment

At 11:25 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn to Executive Session to finish prior business. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 12:15 a.m. Vicky Tipp moved to adjourn Executive Session, and reconvene the public session for adjournment. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa M. Markley, District Clerk / Admin. Asst. To Superintendent

Alyson Kiesel, Board President

tm/