Minutes February 10, 2021

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 6:15 PM

Presiding Officer: Victoria Bayard Tipp
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall

Present:  Board of Education
    Victoria Bayard Tipp, President
    Holly McCall, Vice President
    Hilary Grasso
    Warren Messner
    Jane Kimmel Shepardson

Staff Members:
    Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
    John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
    Ellen Doherty, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
    Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
    Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
    Liisa Elsner, District Clerk

President Tipp asked for a motion to open the meeting.

Motioned by Holly McCall to open the meeting at 6:15 pm.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 4-0.  Board Member Warren Messner was absent.

Motioned by Holly McCall to appoint Christine Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore.  Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp.  Motion carried 4-0.

Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health & safety, and to receive advice from counsel.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 4-0.

Board Member Warren Messner joined the Executive Session at 6:18 pm.

Motioned by Holly McCall to reconvene the public meeting at 7:41 pm.  Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp.  Motion carried 5-0.

1.       Information Business Affairs

1.1    President’s Report – President Tipp gave her report noting the following:

  • February is Black History Month – it’s a time to educate ourselves on the many achievements of black people in this country and around the world and focus on racism and bias and commit to overcoming systemic oppression.  
  • Thanking staff and faculty, and the PTA on the work being done within the District.
  • Recognizing the Town’s Committee on Racial Equity and the work that they are doing.

Presentation:   Elementary School Learning Model


1.2    Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Ackerman gave her Community Update  by highlighting the following:

  • Schedule update
  • Faculty/Staffing Update
  • Quarantine numbers
  • Higher risk Winter Sports testing update
  • Equity RFP – Dr. Sinanis reported that the first RFP did not garner any promising responses so it is being revised and resubmitted
  • Dr. Sinanis reported on HGHS Unity Day
  • Quarterly Update on Hate Speech, Bias & Discrimination Incidents
  • Dr. Pease spoke about the CSF Instagrants (Sam Mihara at Heart Mountain Japanese Internment Camp and Sphero BOLT Power Packs for the middle schools.
  • Zauderer Property Update

1.2.1    Superintendent Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the District-Wide Safety Plan for 2020-21

Motioned by Warren Messner to open the Superintendent Hearing as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to close the Superintendent Hearing as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 5-0.

1.2.2    District Calendar 2021-22
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts the 2021-22 District Calendar.

Motioned by Warren Messner to adopt the 2021-22 District Calendar.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

2.       Committee Reports  

Green:  Warren Messner reported that the Green Committee would be meeting on 2/11.
Facilities Advisory:  Warren Messner reported that the Facilities Advisory Committee would be meeting on 2/12.
CARES:  Victoria Tipp reported that the CARES Committee had met on 2/8 and had presentations by both the PTA and CRE
CSF:  Jane Shepardson reported that the CSF had a meeting on 2/1 and she thanked them again for the grants on the agenda.
Health & Safety Committee:   Jane Shepardson reported on the 2/4 meeting where the Committee discussed the pandemic revisions to the safety plan and also mental health issues that students and community are facing as a result of the additional stressors of the pandemic.  The committee is interested in engaging some speakers to address these issues and pushing out mental health information to families.
Sports Boosters:  Jane Shepardson also reported on the 2/9 meeting and thanked the admin team for their tremendous efforts in creating the testing plan for the higher-risk winter sports athletes.  She reported that we now have 300 athletes participating during the winter season.
HGSF:  Hilary Grasso reminded everyone that the Virtual Gala will take place on 3/19 and more information will be forthcoming.

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 January 27, 2021 Board Meeting.

3.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the February 3, 2021 Special Board Meeting.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Holly McCall.  Motion carried 5-0.

4.    Recommended Action:   Personnel

Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.

4.1    Instructional

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreements for Services for the individuals and agencies listed below effective for the 2020/2021 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

Kuhn Behavioral Services
Listening Partners Inc.

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:

Tracy Franks
Paige Sauther
William Sciales
Gada Shaia
Meryl Skoog

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitutes at the Building Specific substitute teacher rate:

Jenna Baig – Roaring Brook Elementary School

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as ChappEquity PRIDE Fellows effective for the 2020/2021 school year:

Kayla Castaneda Priya Ma Mallory Chinn
Jamie Parish Elizabeth Mazzini-Chin  Marissa De Franca
Margaret Salmore Kathryn Ottomanelli Melissa Iamonico
Jennifer Kean-Thompson Linda Ryan Dehejia Max Tortorello-Allen
Sheila Jacob Jessica Wrenn Nadia Buffa
Tinuke Colpa Amy Kaiser Sarah Moskowitz
Michael Day Maria Mavrogenis Andrea Schaber
Kathleen Feldman Madison Martineau Mallory Chinn
Isabel Irizarry Caitlyn Murphy Marissa De Franca

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as Department Chairpersons for the 2020/2021 school year:

Horace Greeley High School

Department Chairperson
Physical Education Kristin McGurl (effective January 25, 2021)

Appointment: Leave Replacement
Ms. Laura Williams, (.25) Leave Replacement Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective January 28, 2021 through June 30, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, A(BA), $16,597, prorated.

Appointment: Part-Time
Ms. Luisa Romano, (.5) Teacher of Special Education, Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective January 28, 2021 through June 30, 2021 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+30) with Masters, $35,646, prorated.

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching - Effective February 10, 2021 through March 14, 202

Name Position Sport
Isabel Garcia Assistant Coach Wrestling

Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above.  Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.

4.2    Non-Instructional 

Resignation for the Purpose of Retirement:
Paulette McCarron, Senior Clerk at Roaring Brook Elementary School, effective February 28, 2021.

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 (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on February 10, 2021.

5.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a gift of $500.00 from Exxon Mobil, courtesy of New Castle Auto Center, to Douglas Grafflin Elementary  School to be used toward Earth Day supplies and activities.

5.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a gift of $500.00 from Exxon Mobil, courtesy of Millwood Auto Center, to Westorchard Elementary School to be used by the science and math programs. 

5.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift (IG20-21-08) for The Story of Sam Mihara at Heart Mountain Japanese Internment Camp at Bell & Seven Bridges Middle Schools, in the amount of $2,500.00, submitted by Middle School Teachers Laurie Lichtenstein and Jason Lummel.

5.5    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift (IG20-21-09) for Sphero BOLT Power Pack at Seven Bridges Middle School, in the amount of $2,711.71, submitted by Jenny Gieras, Seven Bridges Middle School STEAM Center.

5.6    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement between the Chappaqua Central School District and The County of Westchester for the use of electronic voting machines, including the technicians, and privacy booths for the May 18, 2021 Annual Vote, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.

5.7    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement between the Chappaqua Central School District and Liffey’s Moving & Storage dated for the delivery and retrieval of the voting machines and privacy booths for the May 18, 2021 Annual Budget Vote and Election.

5.8    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with Tobin & Company for Internal Audit Services during the 2020-21 school year in the amount of $8,520.00 for risk assessment update and $13,320.00 per area for intensive review, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.

5.9    WHEREAS, the Board of Education, in accordance with Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, invited RFP submissions for Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism & Social Justice Professional Learning at Chappaqua Central School District; and

WHEREAS, the submissions were announced publicly on January 19th, 2021 and two submissions were received; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education believes it to be in the best interests of the School District to reject all submissions and re-advertise another RFP;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, in the best interests of the School District, hereby rejects all submissions, and directs that the RFP be re-advertised.

5.10    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby ratifies the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement executed by the negotiating teams for the District and the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers (CCT), dated December 14, 2020 and agree to incorporate the provisions of their 2018-2021  Collectively Negotiated Agreement into a one-year successor agreement, effective July 1, 2021 and terminating on June 30, 2022, and authorizes the expenditure of those moneys necessary to implement the provisions of the 2021-22 CCT Collectively Negotiated Agreement.

5.11    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Contract for Educational Services with the Eastchester Union Free School District for one student during the 2020-21 school year in the amount of $69,434.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.

5.12    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an agreement with Brewster Ice Arena for the use of facilities during the 2020-21 school year in the amount of $450/hour for indoor rink and $550/hour for outdoor rink, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.

5.13    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Stipulation of Settlement Agreement with employee number 4744, dated February 4, 2021, as presented to the Board at this meeting.  Said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

5.14    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a proposal from WSP USA, dated February 5, 2021, for storm water engineering services related to a subdivision project in response to comments received from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, in an amount not to exceed $7,800.00, as presented to the Board at this meeting, and authorizes the Board President to execute the letter of proposal on behalf of the District. A copy of said letter of proposal shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Items 5.1 through 5.14 as stated above.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

6.      Facilities

7.      Financials

7.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for January 2021.

7.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for January 2021.

7.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for January 2021.

Motioned by Holly McCall to acknowledge receipt of Items 7.1 through 7.3 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 5-0.

8.    Notice of Future Meetings 

Wednesday, March 3, 2021 – 7:30 pm
Superintendent’s Budget Proposal
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

March 17, 2021 – 7:30 pm
Curriculum & Technology/Special Education/Athletics Budget Presentations
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium

9.      Adjournment 

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 pm.  Seconded by Hilary Grasso.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke