Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes January 26, 2022
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 7:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
Present: Board of Education
Hilary Grasso, President
Warren Messner, Vice President
Alyson Gardner
Cailee Hwang
Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Jamie Edelman, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Andrew Lennon, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Phillip Marcus, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Wellness
David Leis, Associate Director of Technology & Communications
David Hayes, Public Relations Assistant
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Grasso called for a motion to open the meeting.
Motioned by Alyson Gardner to open the meeting at 6:26 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Alyson Gardner to appoint Dr. Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Alyson Gardner to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss contract negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to reconvene the public meeting at 7:42 pm. Seconded by Alyson Gardner. Motion carried 5-0.
Robert E. Bell Middle School Presentation
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Grasso gave her report noting the following:
- Current Masking requirements: The District will continue to follow the legal guidelines currently in place and will make appropriate adjustments when there is new guidance. She urged the community to be mindful that, while people hold differing views, communication regarding those views should considerate and respectful as the entire community is still going through a difficult and unprecedented situation.
- Board/Administrative Retreat – the BOE and Admin team had a mini-retreat where they zoomed with Sandra Uwiringiyimana, author of How Dare the Sun Rise, and engaged in professional development on gender identity.
- She will be participating in a Westchester County forum about electric school buses on January 27.
- Wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year on February 1.
Public Consulting Group – Special Education Review
Motioned by Warren Messner to pause the meeting at 9:26 pm for a brief break. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Warren Messner to reconvene the meeting at 9:34 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her Community Update by highlighting the
Following:
- There are revisions to the 2021-22 District Calendar that she would like the Board to approve which will become clear later in the update.
- There is a draft of the 2022-23 District Calendar now posted to the District website.
- District vaccination rates
- District positive Covid-19 cases
- District testing numbers
- District distribution of Covid-19 home tests
- New Covid procedures
- Transportation adjustments
- Current Masking policy is still in place until the District receives other guidance, at which point, when she has reviewed all pertinent guidance and information she will communicate any changes in District protocols.
- Phillip Marcus, Director of Equity, Inclusion & Wellness gave an update on steps that the District has taken following the review by Insight and goals and the next steps the District will be taking.
1.2.1 2021-22 District Calendar – Revised
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt the revised 2021-22 District Calendar. Seconded by Alyson Gardner. Motion carried 5-0.
1.2.2 2022-23 District Calendar - Draft
2. Committee Reports
Health & Safety/Facilities – Mr. Messner reported that there was a joint committee walk through of Horace Greeley High School and Bell Middle School to view the new spaces and also to see the repairs that had been made at Greeley.
Wellness – Ms. Edelman reported that there was a meeting on 1/17. The Committee discussed the success of a “wellness” day at both middle schools that occurred at the two middle schools on the day before the holiday break. At their next meeting they will talk about how to implement such a day District-wide and how the Committee might get involved to help facilitate such an event.
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 January 12, 2022 Board Meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to accept Item 3.1 as stated above. Seconded by Cailee Hwang. Motion carried 5-0.
3.2 Policy #3020: Health and Safety Committee – 2nd Reading & Adoption
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby adopts Policy #3020: Health and Safety Committee.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to adopt Policy #3020: Health and Safety Committee. Seconded by Warren Messner. 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 appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitute teachers to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
Kaylie Eiden
Marian Lee
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:
DoraAnne Aman-Radulovic – Horace Greeley High School
Maire Spellman – Horace Greeley High School (pending background check)
Resignation:
Ms. Ingrid Melhus, Social Studies Department Chairperson, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective November 15, 2021.
Appointment: Leave Replacement
Mr. Geoffrey Fischer, Leave Replacement Teacher of English, Horace Greeley High School, effective January 24, 2022 through June 30, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, B(BA+30) with Masters, $75,409, prorated.
Ms. Christina Proia, Leave Replacement Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 31, 2021 through February 28, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+30), $70,994, prorated.
Appointment: Long-term Substitute
Ms. Elizabeth DeLessio-Neubauer, School Psychologist, Horace Greeley High School, Robert E. Bell and Seven Bridges Middle Schools, effective January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $630 per diem.
Ms. Brook Pechenko, Per Diem CSE/CPSE Chairperson, District wide, effective January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $630.00 per diem.
Appointment: Part Time
Ms. Vaishali Bhattacharyya, (.04) Teacher of Mathematics to provide Academic Intervention Services, Seven Bridges and Robert E. Bell Middle Schools, effective January 27, 2022 through June 17, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+30) with Masters, $60.25/hour.
Ms. DoraAnne Aman-Radulovic, (.04) Teaching Assistant to provide Academic Intervention Services, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective January 27, 2022 through June 17, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $19.66/hour.
Ms. Maire Spellman, (.04) Teaching Assistant to provide Academic Intervention Services, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective January 27, 2022 through June 17, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $19.66/hour.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 12, 2022
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softball | Varsity | Michelle Mazzocchi | 3 |
| Softball | Assistant Varsity | Dave Fernandes | 3 |
| Softball | Junior Varsity | Robert Alspach | 3 |
| Track and Field | Varsity Boys | Steve McKenney | 3 |
| Track and Field | Varsity Girls | James Howard | 3 |
| Track and Field | Assistant Varsity Girls | Kim Lindner | 2 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Varsity | Brian Zusi | 3 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Varsity Assistant | William Woolard | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Varsity | Dennis Hurlie | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Varsity Assistant | Margaret Sharp | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Junior Varsity | Nicholas Clair | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Junior Varsity | Courtney McGrath | 1 |
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 14, 2022
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf | Varsity Boys | Brady Kittredge | 3 |
| Golf | Varsity Girls | Matthew Simone | 3 |
| Boy Tennis | Junior Varsity - A | John Alkalay | 3 |
| Boy Tennis | Junior Varsity - B | Jerry Sulli | 3 |
| Baseball | Varsity | Daniel Gray | 3 |
| Baseball | Assistant Varsity | Philip Schnorr | 3 |
| Baseball | Junior Varsity | Anthony Garbarino | 2 |
| Baseball | Freshmen | Timothy Panetta | 2 |
Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 28, 2022
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Modified Bell | Raymond LaLuna | 2 |
| Softball | Modified Bell | Jason Sclafani | 3 |
| Softball | Modified Seven Bridges | Jacquelyn Hoffman | 2 |
| Track & Field | Modified Seven Bridges | Charles Mckenna | 3 |
| Track & Field | Modified Bell | Robert Raguette | 3 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Modified Bell | Nate Loeb | 3 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Modified Asst. Bell | Jason Lummel | 3 |
| Boys Lacrosse | Modified Seven Bridges | Chris Strahley | 3 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Modified 7B/Bell | Angelique Titre-Barnor | 2 |
| Girls Lacrosse | Modified 7B/Bell | Angela Russo | 3 |
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Alyson Gardner. Motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-instructional
Resignations:
Gustavo Holguin, Teacher Aide at Horace Greeley High School, effective January 10, 2022.
Elizabeth Castaneda, Cleaner at Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective June 30, 2022.
Henry Castaneda, Cleaner at Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2022.
Appointment:
Mary Miele, Senior Office Assistant-Automated Systems, at Horace Greeley High School, 35 hours/week, at an annual salary of $50,144 (prorated), Step 7 of the COSA Contract, effective January 28, 2022.
Resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby amends the appointment of Laurie Pecora, Teacher Aide at Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School from 27.50 hours/week to 32.5 hours/week, effective January 13, 2022.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes an administrative leave of absence, without pay, for Mary Miele, effective January 28, 2022 through January 31, 2022, in accordance with Westchester County Civil Service regulation.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual below as a substitute clerical/teacher aide to be employed on an “as needed” basis, effective January 27, 2022, at a salary of $15.00 per hour:
Elizabeth Brody
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. 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 (2021-22 School Year) reported to the Board on January 26, 2022.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Item 5.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
6. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges the following contracts approved by the Superintendent, per Board Policy 6085 – Purchasing and Bidding:
6.1 An Agreement with Robert Dillon of Sustainable Solutions for Professional Learning during the 2021-22 school year.
Motioned by Alyson Gardner to acknowledge Item 6.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Facilities
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges Change Orders approved by the Superintendent per Board Resolution adopted at June 14, 2017 Board of Education meeting.
7.1 Change order GC-011 approved by the Superintendent:
Project: Horace Greeley High School
Contractor: Empire Core Group LLC
Description: To provide “Not to Exceed” funds for all costs related to providing steel supports for new Nanowall per the attached PCO #16 dated 12/23/21.
Amount: $3,859.23
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Item 7.1 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Financials
8.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for December 2021.
8.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Quarterly Extraclassroom Activity Report for December 2021.
8.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor’s Report for December 2021.
Motioned by Alyson Gardner to accept Items 8.1 through 8.3 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
9. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 7:30 pm
Superintendent’s Budget Proposal
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
10. Adjournment
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 10:28 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke