Minutes March 15, 2011

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

March 15, 2011

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School Auditorium

 

Present:

Board of Education
Janet Benton, President
Gregg Bresner, Vice President
Alyson Kiesel
Jeffrey Mester
Randall Katchis

 

Staff Members
Present:

Mr. John Chambers, Interim Superintendent

Dr. Lyn McKay, Deputy 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 Janet Benton convened the public session at 6:30p.m. and moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of negotiations (employee contracts) and personnel (superintendent search, staff reduction impact).

At 8:20 p.m. Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene the public session. Gregg seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Janet Benton welcomed everyone and gave a brief review of the budget topics on the agenda. She noted that the board has received many emails regarding the budget reflecting varying points of view among community members.

Interim Superintendent John Chambers also thanked the community for the budget emails. Questions and comments raised in these communications have been added as additional topics for budget meeting discussion. He then introduced Dr. Heidi McCarthy and the presentation of the Special Education and Related Services budget.

Presentations:

  • Budget Discussion -
    • Special Education and Related Services
      Dr.  Heidi McCarthy, Director

      Dr. Heidi McCarthy provided an overview of the state and federal regulations governing special education. She described the district's responsibilities to identify and provide services to students with disabilities. The district currently has 445 school-age children and 61 pre-school children classified, a rate of 10.76%. This falls below the New York State average classification rate of 13.3%.

      Dr McCarthy reviewed the proposed special education budget for 2011-12. The budget includes the reductions of a 0.8 FTE CSE chairperson, a 1.1 FTE special education teacher, and 3.0 FTE teaching assistants. The CSE chair responsibilities will be assumed by the three elementary assistant principals.

      The proposed budget totals $11,694,184, an increase of 6.79%. This increase is impacted by the loss of stimulus funds which the district used this year to support instructional salaries in special education.

    • Operations and Maintenance
      Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance

      Joseph Gramando, Director of Buildings and Grounds, introduced his budget by emphasizing the importance of preventative maintenance, the need to increase efficiency, and the efforts toward going green. The proposed Buildings and Grounds budget totals $5,986,750, a decrease of (4.35%). It is anticipated that the project contained in the Energy Performance Contract will be completed and thereby result in lower utility expenses next year. The proposed Operations and Maintenance budget totals $1,645,220, an increase of 0.67%. The five-year maintenance plan projects are funded with $380,000. The total budget includes a reduction of 1.5 FTEs.

  • Response to Questions and Comments

    Interim Superintendent John Chambers introduced Greeley Principal Andrew Selesnick to review possible staff reductions. The Board asked that Andrew establish his top level priorities and possible "put back" in terms of staffing and fulfilling student course requests and then report on those initial findings tonight and again on March 29 when more information on actual course requests will be available.

    • HGHS Class Sizes - Instructional Staff Reduction

      Mr. Selesnick reviewed the high school instructional staff reductions initially proposed in the February 15 budget. Responding to concerns that the reductions may too negatively impact course availability for students, he recommended adding back a total of 2.4 FTEs in English, math, social studies, science and foreign language. Mr. Selesnick believes that these put-backs should allow the school to meet student course requests at a level comparable to the current year. He noted that course selection was underway and more information would be available by the March 29 meeting.

    • Contingency Budget - Estimates

      Mr. Chambers emphasized that these are estimates presented by John Chow.

      Mr. Chow explained that when voters reject the proposed budget the Board is empowered to levy tax sufficient to pay for cost of items that are: 1) authorized by statute, and 2) "ordinary contingent expenses". When a contingency budget is calculated the items must be within the cap which is the lesser of: 120% of CPI (1.6%) or 4%. The contingency budget information must be included in the budget notice the day after the budget hearing. This information is included in the budget newsletter.

      He then explained that if the budget is not adopted on May 17, the Board may decide to adopt the contingency budget or another budget either the same, lower, or higher than the original on the mandated date of June 21, 2011. The contingency budget cap is $111,316,248, based on the 2010-11 budget.

Questions and Comments on topic. There were a number of comments and questions about the presentation.

After a brief recess, District Clerk Theresa Markley was excused. Jeffrey Mester moved to appoint Gregg Bresner Clerk Pro Tem, seconded by Alyson Kiesel. The motion was unanimous.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Superintendent Search

President Benton reported that the board is in the final stages of the search and that there will not be an additional community participation step as part of the search. The board expects to have an announcement ready by the March 29 meeting.

1.1.2

Westchester Putnam School Board's legislative meeting

Randall Katchis reported on the legislative meeting held in the New Post Road School, a "green" school designed by KG&D architects. The meeting was attended by over 200 superintendents, principals, and board members. A resolution was proposed by Westchester Putnam School Boards Association and supported by those present, that unfunded mandate relief must be included in any New York State capital proposal. Five areas were discussed as a bridge to sustainability of our schools: Mandate relief, Triborough amendment to the Taylor Law, pension reform, tenure reform, and special act rate setting. Assemblyman and senators attended as well and shared some of the good and bad news from Albany, including their thinking that the Triborough amendment may be suspended for a time, but it would not be repealed. Pension law cannot be changed because it is law, but new tiers could be established.

Janet Benton also shared similar news from the New York State School Boards Association regarding mandates and state aid.

1.1.3

Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund

Jeffrey Mester congratulated the HGSF for the outstanding fundraising that they have done on behalf of the students in our district.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Tri-States visit

Lyn Mckay reminded everyone that a 22 member Tri-States group will be visiting March 23, 24, and 25. They will be having in-depth conversations with students, teachers, administrators and board members to provide feedback on the successful integration of our board strategic question into the learning process.

2.

Organization

Question and Comments on Report Items

3.

Approvals

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Interim Superintendent John Chambers 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":

Heather Butler,

Quincy Egginton, and

Karen Schnell.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:

Ms. Phyllis Bellofatto, Teacher of Elementary Education, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2011.

Ms. Patricia Papi, Teacher of Elementary Education, Westorchard Elementary School, effective June 30, 2011.

Ms. Phyllis Yuen, Teacher of Music, Robert E. Bell Middle School and Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2011.

Appointment: Part Time

Mr. Anthony Castagna, Athletic Coordinator, District wide, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $4,068.

Appointment: Coaching

Mr. Robert Herodes, Junior Varsity Tennis, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,233.

Mr. Vincent DeGregorio, Varsity Boys' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $9,157.

Mr. Brady Kittredge, Varsity Boys' Golf, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,233.

Mr. Anthony Marino, Varsity Baseball, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $8,500.

Mr. Ed Bajor, Varsity Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, $5,888.

Mr. Stan Sotherden, Varsity Boys' Lacrosse Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,539.

Ms. Gina Gomes, Varsity Softball, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $8,500.

Mr. David Boniello, Varsity Baseball Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,888.

Ms. Colleen Cauley, Junior Varsity Softball, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,888.

Mr. Dave Fernandes, Varsity Girls' Softball Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,888.

Mr. Bennett Romney, Varsity Boys' Tennis, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,539.

Mr. William Woolard, Junior Varsity Boys' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,539.

Mr. Steve Houser, Varsity Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,539.

Ms. Heather Ausiello, Junior Varsity Girls' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, $5,286.

Ms. Grace McKenna, Varsity Girls' Lacrosse Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, $5,286.

Mr. Robert Clark, Junior Varsity Boys' Tennis, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $5,233.

Ms. Annamarie Marasco, Varsity Girls' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $9,157.

Mr. Charles Sehulster, Varsity Track, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $8,500.

Mr. Adam Borman, 9th Grade Girls' Lacrosse, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, $4,707.

Mr. Matthew Ketterer, Varsity Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $6,539.

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching

Mr. Frank Branca, Varsity Boys' Lacrosse Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 14, 2011 through June 10, 2011 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education).

Appointment: Tenure

Ms. Dana Stein-Dince, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective April 28, 2011.

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

4.2

Non-Instructional

Mr. Chambers made the following recommendation.

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby increases the hours of Valerie Vesce, Teacher Aide at Roaring Brook Elementary School from 24 hours/week to 30 hours/week, effective March 7, 2011.

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept Mr. Chambers' recommendation. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Alyson Kiesel Bresner moved to approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on March 11, 2011. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Randall Katchis offered the following resolution and it was seconded by Gregg Bresner. The motion carried unanimously.

     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County, New York, hereby authorizes and directs the District Clerk to give notice to the qualified voters of the School District of the Annual Public Hearing on the Budget and Annual Meeting, School District Election, Library Election and Vote, as follows:

NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET, ANNUAL MEETING, SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION, LIBRARY ELECTION AND VOTE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County, New York will hold a Public Hearing on the Budget at the Commons at the Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 8:15 p.m., for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2011-2012 school year.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for School District purposes during the 2011-2012 school year (the Budget), including the tax exemption reporting form, exclusive of public moneys, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours, effective April 27, 2011, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each of the District's school houses and the Administrative Offices.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Annual District Meeting, Election of Members of the Board of Education and Library Trustees and Vote on the School District and Library budgets, will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at the Gymnasium of the Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, when the polls will be open for the purpose of voting by voting machine:

  1. To elect 2 (two) members to the Board of Education, 3-year term, commencing July 1, 2011 and expiring on June 30, 2014.
  2. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures for School District purposes for the 2011-2012 School year (the Budget).
  3. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds for the 2011-2012 fiscal year of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library (the Library Budget).
  4. To elect 1 (one) member to the Board of Trustees of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library, five-year term, commencing July 1, 2011 and expiring June 30, 2016.
  5. To vote on any other proposition legally proposed.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions for nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education and office of Library Trustee must be filed with the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 2011. Vacancies on the Board of Education and Library Board are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five qualified voters of the district, shall state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence of the candidate. Petition forms may be obtained from the District Clerk on weekdays when school is in session, during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at her office at the district's Education Center, 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, New York.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that registration of voters is required pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law. If a voter has registered to vote with the School District and has voted at an annual or special school district meeting within the last four calendar years, (after January  1, 2007) s/he is eligible to vote at this Election and Vote. If a voter is currently registered to vote with the Westchester County Board of Elections, s/he is also eligible to vote in this Election and Vote. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Registration may be done on any business day at the Office of the District Clerk, during business hours, at the Education Center at 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, up to May 12, 2011, five (5) days prior to the election and vote. Any person possessing all of the following qualifications may register to vote:

  1. Is a citizen of the United States; and
  2. Is eighteen years of age or older; and
  3. Has resided in the School District for a period of thirty days immediately preceding the day of the Election and Vote.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the register of voters so prepared shall be filed in the Office of the School District Clerk and shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., prevailing time, beginning May 12, 2011, except Sunday. Said register will be open for inspection at the polling place on the date of the election and vote.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, applications for absentee ballots for the Annual Meeting, School District Election and Vote may be obtained at the Office of the School District Clerk, at least seven (7) days prior to the election if the ballot is to be mailed or the day before the election, if the ballot will be picked up personally by the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on May 17, 2011.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration shall meet at Horace Greeley High School on Tuesday, May 17, 2011, during the hours of voting as aforesaid for the purpose of preparing a register of qualified voters for meetings to be held subsequent to such election and vote.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection from qualified voters of the district in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., prevailing time, until the day of the Annual Meeting, Election and Vote. Any qualified voter may file a written challenge of the qualifications of a voter whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School District Clerk is hereby authorized to amend the Notice of the Public Hearing on the Budget and Annual Meeting, Election and Vote, from time to time, as in her discretion, such amendment may be required.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School District Clerk shall cause Notice set forth above to be published once each week for four (4) weeks within the seven (7) weeks preceding the Annual Meeting, Election and Vote, the first such notice to be published at least 45 days prior to the Election and Vote, in accordance with Section 2004 of the Education Law.

BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK

by: Theresa M. Markley
District Clerk

Dated: March 15, 2011
To be published: April 1, April 8, May 6, May 13, 2011

 

5.3

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve a gift of $221.90 from General Mills Box Tops for Education Program to Seven Bridges Middle School for deposit to their account. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept the financial report and approve the budget transfer and bids listed below. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

7.1

Treasurer's Report - January  and February 2011

7.2

Budget transfer in the amount of $183,000 requires board approval (over $50,000) to increase appropriations due to anticipated increased need for fuel for heating and system maintenance.

7.3

Bid #851 - Construction Labor and Materials: General to Joe & Vuclano at an average rate of $64.28.

7.4

Bid #852 - Construction Labor & Materials: Plumbing to Steele's Plumbing, Inc. at an average rate of $75.83.

7.5

Bid #805 - HVAC Services-Preventive Maintenance & Material for Repairs to Atlantic Westchester for lump sum maintenance program $38,250 plus hourly rates.

7.6

Bid #808 - Boilers, Burners and Related Equipment Maintenance and Repair to Unity Mechanical Corporation for lump sum seasonal start up $15,400 plus hourly rates.

Questions and Comments

8.

President Benton gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Monday, March 21, 2011 at Education Center, 7:00 a.m which anticipate will go into Executive Session to discuss superintendent search.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at Horace Greeley High School - 8:15 p.m.

Presentation:

Board Meeting / Work Session

Athletics / Non-Instructional / Fund Balance

Response to Questions and Comments

HGHS Class Sizes - Instructional Staff Reduction

5-Year Planning

5-Year Projections

9.

Adjournment

At 11:46 p.m. President Benton asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Jeffrey Mester so moved. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Janet Benton, Board President

Gregg Bresner, Clerk Pro Tem / Vice President

tm/jb