Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes March 25, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 6:45 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Presiding Officer: Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall
Present: Board of Education
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
Victoria Tipp
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business (via Zoom)
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum (via Zoom)
Joseph Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance (via Zoom)
Jason Semo, Director of Athletics and Physical Education (via Zoom)
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at
6:45 pm.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to convene the public meeting at 6:45 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:46 pm to discuss the employment history of a particular person, real estate contracts, health & safety measures and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to reconvene the public meeting at 8:14 pm.
Motioned by Holly McCall to reconvene the public meeting at 8:14 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson began by wishing everyone well and expressing her hope that everyone is doing well and practicing social distancing. She went on to thank the Superintendent and District administrators and staff for all of their hard work and effort to bring iLearning to our students. She also thanked staff who are taking care of the children of our first responders and those managing the grab and go food offerings for students receiving free and reduced lunch. She encouraged all community members to participate in the United States Census. Ms. Shepardson stated that, as of now, District fields and tracks would remain closed to the public as visitors were not practicing social distancing or sanitary behavior. She let the community know that no decisions had yet been reached by NYS and NYSEDS regarding the May 19th Budget Vote and Elections but that the District would certainly keep the community apprised of any updates and that the Board and Administration is also mindful that students and families are anxious to hear how we will be handling graduation and senior experience for our Greeley students. Ms. Shepardson finished by letting the community know that the Board is mindful of potential issues with the 2020-21 Budget given the current situation and announced that there will be at Board meeting on April 1 to revisit the budget.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman opened by mentioning the success of iLearning so far and that there are many zoom video conferences on different professional development support happening all over the District. She also said that our Social Emotional Learning work is continuing apace as well. Adam Pease gave an update on parent feedback about iLearning so far.
Budget Presentations:
- Athletics
- Operations & Maintenance
- Non-Instructional
- Revenue
- Tax Rates
- Contingency Budget
2. Committee Reports
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. After the public comment period has been completed, Board members may have a discussion among themselves regarding comments presented.
3. Approvals & Ratifications
3.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the March 13, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the March 17, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
3.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the March 18, 2020 Board Meeting.
Motioned by Holly McCall to accept Items 3.1 through 3.3 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
Mr. Christopher Palermo, Teacher of Mathematics, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Mathematics effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 7 - BA 30+Masters Stipend, $89,888.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby rescinds the administrative leave of absences which had been requested by Colleen Kelly, Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems at the Education Center for March 27 through April 3, 2020 and May 13 – 20, 2020.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
5. Recommended Action: Other
Use of the Consent Agenda permits the Board of Education to make more effective use of its time by adopting a single motion to cover those relatively routine matters, which are included. Any member of the Board who wishes to discuss individually a particular piece of business on the Consent Agenda may so indicate and that item will be considered and voted on separately, thus preserving the right of all Board members to be heard on any issue. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Consent agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools.
5.1 CSE Summaries (2019-20 School Year) reported to the Board on March 25, 2020.
5.2 CSE Summaries (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on March 25, 2020.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Health & Welfare
Services with the Greenburgh Central School District for 2 students at a rate of $1,191.39 per student, effective September 2, 2019 to June 26, 2020, and authorizes the Superintendent, Board President and District Clerk to execute this agreement.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Bid Renewal Award Recommendation #B2019-3: Purchase of Musical Instruments Including Parts & Materials, Purchasing, Servicing & Operating of Sound, Video & Stage Equipment – recommended award to The Muzic Store, Inc., in the amount of $14,437.89.
5.5 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 Academic Commons at the Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, on Wednesday, May 6, 2019 at 7:30 pm for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2020-21 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 2020-21 school year (the Budget), exclusive of public moneys, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours, effective April 20, 2020, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each of the District’s school houses, the Administrative Offices, at any public or free association library located in the School District, and on the District website. A Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.
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 19, 2020, 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:
A. To elect 2 (two) members to the Board of Education, 3-year terms, commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring on June 30, 2023.
B. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures for School District purposes for the 2020-2021 School year (the Budget).
C. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds for the 2020-2021 fiscal year of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library (the Library Budget).
D. To elect 1 (one) member to the Board of Trustees of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library, five-year term, commencing July 1, 2020 and expiring June 30, 2025.
E. 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 Clerk of the District by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020. 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-six qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence address 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 or on the District’s website at https://www.ccsd.ws/district/departments/business-office/budget-information/budget-information-2020-2021.
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, 2016) 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, New York, up to May 14, 2020, 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 Clerk of the District 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 14, 2020, except Saturday and 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 the Board of Registration shall meet at Horace Greeley High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, 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, applications for absentee ballots for the Annual Meeting, School District Election and Vote may be obtained at the Office of the School District Clerk. The completed application must be received by the District Clerk no more than thirty (30) days and at least seven (7) days prior to the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter or the day before the election, if the ballot will be picked up personally by the voter or the voter’s designated agent in the application. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on May 19, 2020.
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.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Military Voters who are not currently registered to vote may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District by contacting the District Clerk at 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514, Telephone (914) 238-7200, Ext. 1002 or email: LiElsner@ccsd.ws, to receive an application to register as a qualified voter of the District for the Annual Meeting on May 19, 2020. The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the registration application by mail, facsimile or electronic mail (email). The application to register must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 23, 2020. The register of voters prepared and filed in the District Clerk’s office shall include the names of all military voters who submit a valid military voter registration. A military voter means a qualified voter of New York State who is in actual military service and will, therefore, be absent from the District in which he or she is qualified to vote on the day of registration or election or is discharged from military service within 30 days of an election or a spouse, parent, child or dependent of the military voter if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the same school district as the military voter or military personnel residing on a military base within a school district in New York State for a period of 30 days immediately preceding the election.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Military Voters who are qualified voters of the District may obtain an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk at 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514, Telephone (914) 238-7200, Ext. 1002 or email: LiElsner@ccsd.ws by no later than 5:00 P.M. on April 23, 2020. The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application for a military ballot by mail, by facsimile or email. Military ballots will be mailed or otherwise distributed no later than 25 days before the election. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the U.S postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the U.S. government or (2) by 5:00 P.M. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereof, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election. A list of all persons to whom military ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to 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 School District Election and Vote.
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 the Notice set forth above to be published four (4) times 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: Liisa K. Elsner
District Clerk
Dated: March 25, 2020
To be published: April 3, April 20, May 1, May 15, 2020
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.5 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor Report for February 2020.
7.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for February 2020.
7.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for February 2020.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to acknowledge receipt of Items 7.1 through 7.3 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
2020-21 Budget Review
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Budget Adoption
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – 8:00 am
PNW/BOCES Budget Election – All component school districts meet
Education Center
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Budget Hearing/Chappaqua Public Library Budget Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn the meeting at 10:07 pm. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke