Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes March 24, 2021
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 6:15 PM
Horace Greeley High School Auditorium
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
Joe Gramando, Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Tipp asked for a motion to open the meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to open the meeting at 6:32 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0. Board Member Warren Messner was absent.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to appoint Christine Ackerman as District Clerk pro tempore. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss contracts, negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, and potential litigation. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
Board Member Warren Messner joined the Executive Session at 6:34 pm.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to reconvene the public meeting at 7:37 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Tipp began her report by stating the District’s support for, and solidarity with, our Asian and American Pacific Islander community members and emphasized our commitment to equity and anti-racism. She then thanked the League of Women Voters for hosting the candidate information night and encouraged those interested to run for School or Library Board.
1.1.1 Support of Asian and American Pacific Islander Community
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave the community update by noting the following:
- • Wishing everyone an enjoyable break
- • Updating remote student #s, staffing numbers and quarantine information
- • Dr. Pease highlighted the generous CSF grants on the agenda
- • Horace Greeley On-Site Survey – approx. 75% of families responded and of those 75% are interested in returning full time – additional information will be forthcoming in early April.
- • Reminding everyone to follow the DOH travel advisories and guidelines.
Presentations: Operations & Maintenance / Non-Instructional / Revenue/Tax Rates/Contingency Budget Presentations
2. Committee Reports
Communications – Jane Shepardson reported that the Advisory Committee met on 3/23 and that the community participants offer an extremely helpful outside perspective on the District’s communication practices.
CSF – Ms. Shepardson also thanked the CSF for the generous grants and their continued partnership.
Green – Warren Messner reported that the Committee met on 3/23 during which there were updates from the Sustainability Committee and about the Grafflin Greenhouse, the K-12 Sustainability Learning Team and an upcoming Sustainability Survey. The next meeting will be 5/25.
HGSF – Hilary Grasso remarked on the success of the recent virtual gala and expressed the hope that this would be the only “virtual” gala.
Wellness – Ms. Grasso also reported that the Wellness Committee will meet on 4/6.
Policy – Mr. Messner reported that the Policy Committee has met recently and is still working on some policies to put before the Board shortly.
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 hereby accepts the minutes of the March 17, 2021 Board Meeting.
Motioned by Holly McCall to accept Item 3.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the attached Agreement for Services for the individual and agency listed below effective for the 2020-21 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:
Dr. Neil Roth
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a per diem substitute at the Building Specific substitute teacher rate:
Romina Sierra – Douglas Grafflin Elementary School
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a student teacher, intern and/or classroom observer for the 2020-21 school year:
Simon Sheib
Resignation:
Ms. Maeva Rich Kennedy, School Psychologist, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2021.
Ms. Alyssa Maccarrone, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2021.
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Appointments:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints Florentina Casterella, Payroll Clerk (Confidential), effective May 3, 2021 and
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the terms and conditions for this position.
Francisco Montoya, night Cleaner at Horace Greeley High School (12 months), effective April 5, 2021, at an annual salary of Step 1, $41,808 plus night stipend (prorated).
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an amendment to the appointment of Heidi Seymour, night Cleaner at Westorchard Elementary School (12 months), to an effective start date of April 1, 2021., at an annual salary of Step 1, $41,808 plus night stipend (prorated).
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. 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 March 24, 2021.
5.2 CSE Summaries (2021-22 School Year) reported to the Board on March 24, 2021.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Bid Award Renewal Recommendation B2019-3: Purchase of Musical Instruments Including Parts & Materials, Purchasing, Servicing & Operating of Sound, Video & State Equipment, to The Muzic Store, Inc., in the amount of $14,437.89, effective March 26, 2021 to March 25, 2022.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant Gift (IG20-21-10) for a SNAG (Starting New At Golf) equipment page to be used as part of the physical education curriculum at Seven Bridges Middle School, in the amount of $2,275.97, submitted by Middle School Teachers Brady Kittredge, Chrissy Catapano, Matt Simone & Travis Edwards.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation traditional grant of $36,500.00, for the purchase of equipment for a fully functional, professional-grade television studio with a control room at Seven Bridges Middle School. Requested by Joe Mazza-Principal, Josh Culwell-Block-Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics, Stan Serafin-Music Dept., Kristan Pozzuto-Art Dept., Max Tortorello-Allen-5th Grade Teacher & Michael Palmieri-7th Grade Teacher.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation traditional grant of $15,000.00, for update and expansion of the greenhouse at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School. Requested by Debbie Alspach-Assistant Principal, Joseph Gramando-Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance and Justin Olive-Director of K-12 Science.
5.7 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Chappaqua School Foundation traditional grant of $6.447.00, for the purchase of an embroidery machine, stand and starter supplies to be located at the HGHS STEAM Center. Requested by Corene Suhr-Allen, Kathryn Ottomanelli and Louise Brady – Art Department at Horace Greeley High School.
5.8 WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District is planning involving Tent I and Tent II projects at Horace Greeley High School; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education wishes to comply with the requirements of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has reviewed the components, phases and aspects of the Proposed Projects; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education has reviewed the Proposed Projects with respect to the Type II criteria set forth in the SEQRA Regulations at 6 NYCRR Part 617.5 and has determined that the Proposed Projects are Type II Action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations;
THEREFORE, be it resolved, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua School District is hereby designated lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) for the proposed project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby determines that the Proposed Projects are Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c) (1), (2) & (8) of the SEQRA Regulations and will not have a significant adverse impact on the environment and that no further review of the Proposed Projects are required.
SEQRA Regulations:
617.5 ( c ) (1) states:
"maintenance or repair involving no substantial change in an existing structure or facility;"
617.5 ( c ) (2) states:
“replacement, rehabilitation or reconstruction of a structure or facility, in kind, on the same site, including upgrading buildings to meet building or fire codes, unless such action meets or exceeds any of the thresholds in section 617.4 of this Part;”
617.5 ( c ) (8) states
"routine activities of educational institutions, including expansion of existing facilities by less than 10,000 square feet of gross floor area and school closings, but not changes in use related to such closings;"
5.9 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with the Carmel Central School District for Educational Services for one student during the 2019-20 school year, in the amount of $98,966.56, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.
5.10 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with the Carmel Central School District for ESY 2020 Educational Services for one student, in the amount of $1,874.92, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.
5.11 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a contract with the Carmel Central School District for Educational Services for one student during the 2020-21 school year, in the amount of $92,547.58, and authorizes the Board President to execute the contract.
5.12 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a service agreement with Windstream Enterprise to replace a T1 circuit with 3Mb Ethernet, effective March 1, 2021 with service commencing July 1, 2021, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.13 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the State University of New York at Purchase College for the use of facilities on June 18, 2021 in the estimated amount of $8,040.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute this Agreement.
5.14 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves Bid Award Recommendation CCSD RFP #2020-13: Comprehensive Review of Special Education, to Public Consulting Group, at a total firm fixed price of $65,000.00 and authorizes the Board president to execute this agreement.
5.15 WHEREAS, the Board of Education, in accordance with Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, invited sealed bids for Graduation Tent and Chair Rental; and
WHEREAS, the bid submissions were opened and announced publicly on March 23rd, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education believes it to be in the best interests of the School District to reject all bids and then rebid the project;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, in the best interests of the School District, hereby rejects all bid submissions for the Graduation Tent and Chair Rental, and directs the project to be rebid.
5.16 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby confirms the issuance of the letter, dated March 16, 2021, to the Supervisor and Town Board of the Town of New Castle.
5.17 WHEREAS, the Board of Education, in accordance with Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, invited sealed bids for Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley High School; and
WHEREAS, the bid submissions were opened and announced publicly on March 19th, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Education believes it to be in the best interests of the School District to reject all bids and then rebid the project;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education, in the best interests of the School District, hereby rejects all bid submissions for the Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley High School, and directs the project to be rebid.
5.18 RESOLVED that the Board of Education does hereby deny the appeal of the Superintendent’s March 15, 2021 decision denying a parental request that their child be permitted to transfer to a different elementary school in the District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the District Clerk advise the parents of this determination.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Items 5.1 through 5.18 as stated above. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
8. Notice of Future Meetings
April 14, 2021 – 7:30 pm
Budget Adoption
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
April 20, 2021 – 9:00 am
BOCES Budget & Election
Via Zoom Videoconference
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke