Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes September 26, 2018
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Present: Board of Education
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, Vice President
Holly McCall
Victoria Tipp
Jeffrey Mester
Absent: Warren Messner, President
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
Vice President Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 7:46 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to convene the public meeting at 7:46 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.2 President’s Report – Vice President Shepardson indicated that the Audit Committee had met on 9/24 and that internal and external audit results were very good and would be presented at the October 11 Board meeting. She then said that the Board had received a letter and petition from a group concerned about excessive heat in District buildings during the school year and that the Board would review the information and report back to the group. She also mentioned the success of the recent open houses in which parents were able to see the new “faces and spaces” around the District. She added that the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (and Bake Sale) would be taking place at Bell Middle School on Saturday, 10-4 and is a wonderful event. She also mentioned the Horace Greeley Scholarship Fund Sparkle for a Cause event coming up at the Kittle House on October 2.
1.3 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman pointed out that there is a delay in the release of the NYSED Assessment Scores. She mentioned that there are a few changes to the BOE meeting calendar which the BOE will review and approve at the next meeting. She pointed out that the PTA is hosting an event at Seven Bridges on 10/1 with the author of Unselfie. Dr. Ackerman also mentioned that she hopes to have a 7B Assistant Principal candidate to bring before the Board at the October 11 meeting.
2. Committee Reports
Facilities Committee: Jeff Mester gave an update on District projects as follows:
- Capital Projects: Currently our bond projects are under budget but some are behind schedule. We are working to get back on schedule.
- Internal (non-bond) projects: This summer the maintenance and custodial staff performed and completed many projects at each school. These projects included painting, installing new furniture, changing locks to the new electronic system, refinishing gym floors, repairing and replacing screens and blinds, repairing walls. All these tasks have been completed and the District thanks the Maintenance and Custodial crews for their continued hard work and dedication.
Communications Committee: Jane Kimmel Shepardson reported that the committee is continuing to work on the new District logo and is hoping to have something to show the BOE at the 10/11 meeting.
Public Comment Period:
We welcome public comments, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your comments to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone.
3. Approvals & Ratifications
3.1 Accept Minutes of August 30, 2018 Board Meeting
Motioned by Holly McCall to accept Item 3.1 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 3-0. Board member Jeffrey Mester abstained. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
3.2 Accept Minutes of September 12, 2018 Board Meeting
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Item 3.2 as amended. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 3-0. Board member Jeffrey Mester abstained. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
4.1 Instructional
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as student teacher, intern and/or classroom observer for the 2018/2019 school year:
Anna Suto
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as Active Learning Leadership Fellows effective for the 2018/2019 school year:
Jenny Gieras
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the probationary term of Mathematics Teacher, Eszter Weisz, shall be amended to terminate on August 31, 2019, based upon receipt of proof of tenure in a New York State public school district.
Resignation:
Ms. Lia Milton, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective September 27, 2018.
Mr. Anthony Germani, Modified Volleyball Assistant Coach, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective September 4, 2018.
Ms. Molly Siegrist, Intern, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 6, 2018.
Request for Childcare Leave of Absence:
Ms. Ann DeFazio, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective October 8, 2018 through November 21, 2018.
Appointment: Tenure
Ms. Meghan Keeler, Teacher of Elementary Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective September 28, 2018.
Ms. Pamela Schembri, Library Media Specialist, Horace Greeley High School, effective October 5, 2018.
Appointment: Leave Replacement
Ms. Caitlin Wilson, Leave Replacement Teacher of Special Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective February 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 4, B(BA+30) with Masters, $80,565, prorated.
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Leslie Englander, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 17, 2018, $22,857, prorated.
Mr. Charles Riggs, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 18, 2018, $22,857, prorated.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
Appointment:
Susan McCarthy, Database Assistant, at Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective October 12, 2018. Her starting salary will be Step 12, $53,829.
Resignation:
Marissa Greenfeld, Continuing Education Assistant, resigned effective September 18, 2018.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the Contract for Independent Contractor Services with Laura Campagna, as Performing Arts Assistant for the school year 2018-19, at $25 per hour, not to exceed $15,000 annually, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.
Motioned by Jeffrey Mester to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
5. Recommended Action: Other
5.1 CSE Summaries (2018-19 School Year) reported to the Board on September 26, 2018.
Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Item 5.1 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the contract with Greg Duncan of InterPrep for World Language consultative assistance during the 2018-19 school year, in the amount of $3,100 per day and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 5.2 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the agreement with Educational & Management Services Inc. for Special Education Services during the 2018-19 school year, in the amount of $21,000, and authorizes the Superintendent to execute this Agreement.
Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Item 5.3 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education appoints Joseph Gramando as the District’s Asbestos Management Plan Designee, duly certified in compliance with the Federal Requirements for Asbestos Management in Schools.
Motioned by Jeffrey Mester to approve Item 5.4 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
6. Facilities
Acknowledgement of Change Orders approved by the Superintendent per Board Resolution adopted at June 14, 2017 Board of Education meeting
6.1 Change order #HGHS GC-002 approved by the Superintendent:
Project: Horace Greeley High School & Chappaqua Library Capital Improvements
Contractor: MVM Construction LLC
Description: Labor, Equipment and materials related to abatement & disposal of asbestos materials at HGHS K Building
Amount: $20,981.40
Motioned by Jeffrey Mester to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
7. Financials
7.1 Treasurer’s Report – August 2018
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Item 7.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Thursday, October 11, 2018 7:30 pm
Audit Approval/ Assessment Review for the 2017-18 Academic Year
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Tuesday, October 30, 2018 7:30 pm
Gr. 3-6 1:1 Technology & PBL Spaces Gr. K-4
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Moved by Holly McCall to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried
4-0. Board President Warren Messner was absent.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke