Minutes March 15, 2022

OFFICIAL MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Tuesday, March 15, 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
Josh Culwell-Block, Director of Technology, Innovation & Mathematics
Geoff Curtis, Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics

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 Warren Messner to open the meeting at 6:45 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to appoint Dr. Ackerman as District Clerk Pro Tempore.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss litigation, contract negotiations, the employment history of particular persons, matters of health and safety and to receive advice from counsel at 6:45 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Warren Messner to reconvene the public meeting at 7:51 pm.  Seconded by Cailee Hwang.  Motion carried 5-0.

1.      Information Business Affairs

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

  • Dr. Ackerman will be speaking about some changes in District Covid protocols that will begin on 3/21.
  • The first meeting of the Special Education Planning Committee was held to begin working on the recommendations of PCG.  
  • Carol Bartlik’s appointment as Interim Director of Literacy and Debra Alspach’s appointment as Interim Principal at Grafflin.  She thanked both for their willingness to take on these new roles in the 2022-23 school year.
  • The District will have a new round of community, student and faculty forums around Equity, Curriculum and Special Education initiatives – more information will be forthcoming.

1.2    Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update noting the following:

  • Vaccination Information.
  • Positive cases in the District.
  • Adjustments to Covid procedures, and what procedures will remain in place.
  • Dr. Pease detailed the CSF grants that are on the current agenda, thanking the CSF for their continued and thoughtful support of the District.

Presentation:    Curriculum & Technology/Special Education/Athletics Budget Presentations

2.         Committee Reports:
Policy:  President Grasso reported that the Committee is working on revision of the District’s purchasing policies to refine procedures.
HGSF:  Ms. Shepardson reminded the community that the HGSF benefit on 3/31 will be held virtually and the entire community is welcome to participate.
Health & Safety:  Mr. Messner reported that the Committee had met the prior week.

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 1, 2022 Special Board Meeting.

3.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby accepts the Minutes of the March 2, 2022 Board Meeting.

Motioned by Alyson Gardner to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  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 individual listed as a per diem substitute teacher to be employed on an “as needed” basis:

Fiona Youngs

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:

Anna Falcone – Westorchard Elementary School

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a paid intern at the daily rate of $85.00 for the 2021/2022 school year through the PNW BOCES Internship Program:

Kaylie Amoriello

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its President, to sign a contract in lieu of probation with Carol Bartlik to serve as Interim Director of Literacy, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its President, to sign a contract in lieu of probation with Debra Alspach to serve as Interim Principal at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and Board President to execute an Agreement, dated March 14, 2022, on behalf of the School District, with Ms. Christina Proia, as presented to the Board at this meeting, whereby Ms. Proia shall perform contract services as a Special Education teacher for the School District for the period commencing March 16, 2022 and terminating June 30, 2022.  A copy of this Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:
Ms. Carol Bartlik, Elementary Principal, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Ms. Debra Alspach, Elementary Assistant Principal, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective
July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Resignation for Purposes of Retirement:
Ms. Annamarie Marasco, Teacher of Special Education, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 10, 2022.

Resignation:
Mr. Dennis Hurlie, Girls Varsity Lacrosse Coach, Horace Greeley High School, effective February 28, 2022.

Ms. Jacquelyn Hoffman, Modified Softball Coach, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective March 2, 2022.

Mr. Daniel Herbst, Varsity Boys Tennis Coach, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 4, 2022.

Appointment: Leave Replacement
Mr. Isaiah Pinilla, Leave Replacement Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective January 3, 2022 through June 30, 2022 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, A(BA), $67,389, prorated.

Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 12, 2022 through May 31, 2022

Sport Level Coach Step
Girls Lacrosse Varsity Margaret Sharp 3
Girls Lacrosse Varsity Assistant Courtney McGrath 1

Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 14, 2022 through May 31, 2022

Sport Level Coach Step
Boys Tennis Varsity John Alkalay 3
Boys Tennis Junior Varsity - A Jerry Sulli 3
Boys Tennis Junior Varsity - B Alfredo Possante 3
Girls Lacrosse Junior Varsity Rebecca Argueta 1

Appointment: Coaching - Effective March 28, 2022 through May 31, 2022

Sport Level Coach Step
Softball Modified - SB Skye Albert-Hall 3
Boys Lacrosse Modified Assistant - SB Christopher Strahley 3

Appointment: Volunteer Coaching - Effective March 14, 2022 through May 31, 2022

Sport Level Coach
Baseball Varsity Robert Gellert

Motioned by Hilary Grasso 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

Appointments:
Jennifer Leonard, Clerk-School Monitor at Robert E. Bell Middle School, 35 hours/week (Session), at an annual salary of $28,926 (prorated), Step 6 of the COSA contract, effective March 4, 2022.

Karen Ireton, Senior Office Assistant – Automated Systems at the Education Center, 35 hours/week (12 month), at an annual salary of $54,405 (prorated), Step 10 of the COSA Contract, effective March 28, 2022.

Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby authorizes an administrative leave of absence, without pay, for Jennifer Leonard, effective March 4, 2022 through March 27, 2022, in accordance with Westchester County Civil Service regulations.

Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson 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 March 15, 2022.

5.2    CSE Summaries (2022-23 School Year) reported to the Board on March 15, 2022.

5.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a donation from New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal, to help fund breakfast for students in need, in the amount of $1,000.00.

5.4    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant (IG21-22-05) Fiber Art Installation program at Robert Bell Middle School, in the amount of $2,396.00, submitted by Bell Teacher Amanda McDonough.

5.5    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant (IG21-22-06) multicultural toys, supplies and books at Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, in the amount of $2,507.85, submitted by Douglas Grafflin Teacher Margaret Salmore & the Kindergarten Team.

5.6    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant (IG21-22-07) Garden Project & Pollinator Pathway at Seven Bridges Middle School, in the amount of $2,500.00, submitted by Seven Bridges Teacher Danielle Denmead.

5.7    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves a gift from the Society for Science & The Public, in the amount of $2,000.00, in honor of 1 Horace Greeley High School student who is a Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 scholar.  This gift will be used by the science, math and/or engineering department.

5.8    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves the Contract for Summer ESY Educational Services with Pleasantville Union Free School District, for 1 student, during the 2021-22 school year at the rate set by the New York State Education Department, and authorizes the Board President to execute this contract. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to Purchase Order #211036, to cover the additional student to the Pleasantville Union Free School District Summer 2021 ESY Program, in the amount of $12,000, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.9    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with the Ossining Union Free School District, for health & welfares services effective September 3, 2021 through June 25, 2022, for three students, in the amount of $1,059.91 per student, and authorizes the Superintendent to execute the agreement.

5.10    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to Purchase Order #202057, to provide for additional funds due to reimbursable costs for OLA Consulting Engineers, in the amount of $5,950.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.11    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education herebv approves an increase to Purchase Order #202057, to provide for additional funds due to reimbursable costs for OLA Consulting Engineers, PC, Napco Copy Graphics, UPS, and UPS Supply Chain Solutions, in the amount of $6,466.02, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.12    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an agreement with WSP USA Inc., for additional project support related to the Zauderer Subdivision project in relation to comments made by the New York  City Department of Environmental Protection and a request from the Town Engineer of New Castle, in an amount not to exceed $20,900.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to Purchase Order #202136, to cover the cost of this agreement, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.13    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education herebv approves an increase to Purchase Order #212013, to cover costs related to the Agreement for Services with Ellen Doherty, approved on the November 17, 2021 Board Meeting, in the amount of 2,600.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.14     BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education herby authorizes its President to sign a Settlement Agreement resolving the litigation, All Bright Electric. v. Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County Supreme Court Index No. 58921/2020, as presented to the Board at this meeting.  A copy of said Settlement Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves Change Order #EC-008R-RB, to provide funds for all costs related to project delays, in the amount of $70,000.00, as presented to the Board at this meeting, and authorizes the Board President to execute the change order; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby approves an increase to Purchase Order #172193, to cover the cost of the change order, and authorizes the Board President to execute the increase document.

5.15    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its attorneys, Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP to execute a Consent Order and Judgment in a tax certiorari proceeding captioned Alt Properties LLC v. Town of New Castle and Chappaqua CSD;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes the refund of taxes as required by the terms of the Consent Order and Judgment.

Tabled at March 2, 2022 Board Meeting

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to remove Item 5.12 from the Consent Agenda.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned By Hilary Grasso to table Item 5.12.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Alyson Gardner to remove Item 5.15 from the table.  Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson.  Motion carried 4-1.  Board Vice President Warren Messner voted “nay.”

Motioned by Warren Messner to Approve Items 5.1 through 5.11 and Items 5.13 through 5.14 as stated above.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 5-0.

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to approve Item 5.15.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 4-1.  Board Vice President Warren Messner voted “nay.”

6.      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.

6.1    Change Order:  HGHS GC-012
Project:   Horace Greeley High School – Lower L
Contractor:  Empire Core Group LLC
Description:  Credit to the owner for doors and RFP doors that have been removed from the contractor’s scope of work per the attached PCO #17 dated 3/2/2022.
Amount:  $(47,500.00)

Motioned by Hilary Grasso to acknowledge Item 6.1.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 5-0.

7.      Financials

7.1    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for February 2022.

7.2    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for February 2022.

7.3    BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for February 2022.

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

8.      Notice of Future Meetings

Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 7:30 pm
Operations & Maintenance/Non-instructional/Revenue/Tax Rates/
Contingency Budget Presentation
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium

Wednesday, April 6, 2022, 7:30 pm
Budget Adoption
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium

9.       Adjournment 

Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 pm.  Seconded by Alyson Gardner.  Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

/lke