Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes May 27, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 6:15 PM
Education Center - Board Conference Room
Present: Board of Education (all via Zoom Videoconference)
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
Victoria Tipp
Staff Members: (via Zoom Videoconference)
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 6:16 pm.
Motioned by Warren Messner to convene the public meeting at 6:16 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn into Executive Session t 6:17 pm to discuss litigation, contracts, matters public health and safety and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to reconvene the public meeting at 7:04 pm. Seconded by holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson gave her report noting the following:
- Thanking all for joining the meeting and hoping everyone was able to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.
- Noting the particular reasons and timing of the Budget Hearing.
- Reminding the community that absentee ballots would be mailed on May 28th and must be received by the District Clerk by 5:00 pm on June 9th.
- Letting the community know that there is a secure lockbox outside the Education Center for those who wish to drop off their ballots in person.
- Reminding the community that there will be a LWV Candidate Night on May 28th.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report
Presentations: Budget Hearing – Dr. Ackerman again presented the 2020-21 budget to the community with Dr. Sinanis, Dr. Pease and Mr. Chow highlighting details of the budget.
Brightcore Solar Presentation – Rob Krugel of Brightcore Energy gave an overview of the proposed solar energy project with the District, highlighting the environmental and cost benefits.
2. Committee Reports
Audit Committee: Mr. Messner stated that the Audit committee had met on May 26th.
Policy Committee: Mr. Messner stated that the Policy Committee would be meeting on May 29th.
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
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resignation:
Ms. Doreen O’Leary, Principal, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective August 30, 2020.
Amended Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Patricia Greco, Teacher of Special Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2020.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
4.2 Non-Instructional
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 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign a letter of agreement with Sive, Paget, Riesel, dated May 22, 2020, for counsel and representation regarding the State Environmental Quality Review Act (“SEQRA”) aspects of a potential multi-phased Community Solar Project, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said letter agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its attorneys, Shaw, Perelson, May and Lambert, LLP to execute a settlement agreement to resolve litigation in the case of Pacher et. al. v. Chappaqua Central School District, pending the Appellate Division Second Dept., Case No. 2019-08293, as presented to the Board at this meeting.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign a Solar Development Exclusivity Agreement with Brightcore Energy, LLC, dated May 27, 2020, along with a New York State Standard Site Control Certification Form to be presented to Consolidated Edison, Inc., Appendix J, denoting a signed option agreement, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement and Appendix J shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Items 5.1 through 5.3 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 7:30 pm
Ave Atque Vale – Honor Retirees
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 5:00 pm
Annual Budget Vote and Election
Horace Greeley High School Gymnasium – Absentee Ballot Voting Only
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn the meeting at 8:08 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke