Minutes September 27, 2017

MINUTES

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION

Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons

Present:

Board of Education

  • Ms. Victoria Tipp, President
  • Mr. Jeffrey Mester, Vice President
  • Ms. Alyson Gardner
  • Mr. Warren Messner
  • Ms. Jane Kimmel Shepardson

Present:

Staff Members

  • Dr. Christine Ackerman, Superintendent
  • Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
  • Dr. Kusum Sinha, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Leadership Development
  • Ms. Mary Ford, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
  • Ms. Liisa Elsner, District Clerk / Secretary to Superintendent

President Tipp convened the public meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Moved by Alyson Gardner to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of particular individuals and litigation. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester to reconvene the public board meeting at 7:45 p.m. Seconded by Warren Messner. Motion carried 5-0.

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

Victoria Tipp spoke about the recent Board of Education Retreat, which has not been held in a number of years. The Board had an opportunity to participate in team-building exercises and to work together with a new member and a new superintendent. Each Board member indicated that it was a useful and worthwhile endeavor.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

Dr. Ackerman congratulated Westorchard on the re-opening of the Girl Scout Nature Trail. She thanked administrators, faculty and staff for successful open houses that have been held so far. She also thanked Josh Block for his efforts toward the creation of a new District website which will go live in the near future, and indicated that we are working to become ADA compliant in terms of the videography of our Board meetings. She then invited Administrators to comment as follows:

John Chow said that, after review, the recently installed speed bumps at Greeley have now all been shaved by one inch.

Kusum Sinha said that Interactive Inc. will be holding follow-up Community forums on October 10 at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm. The Student Survey will go out next week and the Parent Survey will go out shortly after the Community forums.

Mary Ford indicated that Alan November will be the keynote speaker at the October 27 Superintendent Conference Day and that focus will be on learning spaces and technology.

Presentation:

Strategic Cohesiveness Planning Overview - Dr. Christine Ackerman

2.

Committee Reports

Policy Committee: Victoria Tipp reported that the Policy Committee is in the process of reviewing the District's policy on Public Comment. The Committee is weighing the ideas of limiting comment, as has been indicated on each agenda, to three minutes per person, and whether or not there should be two public comment periods during a Board meeting. Board members expressed their interest in hearing from community members and their wish to treat each commenter equally and fairly. Review of the policy is ongoing at this time. It was also emphasized that Board members are always available to the community via telephone and e-mail.

3.

Approvals & Ratifications

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Dr. Christine Ackerman made the following recommendations:

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:

  • Michael Filice
  • Anne Harris
  • Sarah Hough
  • Lisa Kor
  • Karlieann Siciliano

Resolution:

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 2017/2018 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:

  • Accucare Nursing and Home Care
  • Creative Tutoring
  • Education, Inc.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education ratifies the Stipulation of Settlement and General Release, dated September 8, 2017, regarding Employee Number 3034. The Stipulation will be incorporated by reference into the minutes of this meeting.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby creates a 1.0 FTE Leave Replacement Social Studies position. This action results in the creation of a 1.0 FTE Leave Replacement Social Studies position at Horace Greeley High School effective 8/31/17.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the probationary term of English Teacher, Susan Twomey, shall be amended to terminate on August 31, 2019, based upon receipt of proof of tenure in a New York State public school district.

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoint the individuals listed to receive the $2,000 Personal Care Duties Stipend effective for the 2017/2018 school year:

  • Elona Coku
  • Victoria DeMagistris (.5)
  • Inge Jamison-Zamperlin
  • Lia Milton (.5)

Resignation:

  • Ms. Michele Fishman, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 22, 2017.
  • Mr. Michael Diamente, (.6) Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 30, 2017.

Appointment: Probationary

  • Ms. Shannon Hubertus, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Science effective October 10, 2017 through October 9, 2021, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time.

    Candidate withdrew application.

Appointment: Leave Replacement

  • Mr. Michael Diamente, Leave Replacement Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective August 31, 2017 through June 30, 2018 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, B(BA+30) with Masters, $76,478.

Appointment: Part Time

  • Mr. Steven Houser, (.6) Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 5, 2017 through June 30, 2018 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 11, D(BA+90) with Masters, $71,452, prorated.

Appointment: Coaching - Horace Greeley High School, effective September 28, 2017 through November 3, 2017

Name

Position

Sport

Salary

William Sadik-Khan

Interim Assistant Coach

Varsity Football

Step 1, $6,365 prorated

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Warren Messner to approve all items in 4.1 Personnel: Instructional as amended. Motion carried 5-0.

4.2

Non-Instructional

Dr. Christine Ackerman made the following recommendations:

Resignation:

  • Christopher Rinaldi - Cleaner at Horace Greeley High School, effective September 6, 2017.
  • Bethany Ordonez - Senior Office Assistant-Automated Systems at the Education Center, effective October 4, 2017.

Appointments:

  • Catherine Bevilacqua - Senior Office Assistant - Automated Systems (12 months) 35 hours/week in the Special Education office in the Education Center effective September 25, 2017. Her annual salary will be $48,068, Step 7.
  • Susan O'Reilly - Senior Office Assistant - Automated Systems (12 months) 35 hours/week in the Curriculum and Instruction Office at the Education Center effective September 25, 2017. Her annual salary will be $48,068, Step 7.
  • Lisa Ciraldo - Teacher Aide (Session) 24 hours/week, at $16.50 per hour, at Roaring Brook Elementary School effective September 18, 2017.

Salary Change:

  • Ronald Melito - Head Custodian at Roaring Brook Elementary School salary change from Step 12 to Step 13 effective July 1, 2017.

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:

Resolution to authorize Susan O'Reilly to be on administrative leave of absence, without pay, beginning on September 25, 2017 and ending on October 2, 2017.

Moved by Warren Messner, seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve all items in 4.2 Personnel: Non-Instructional. Motion carried 5-0.

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

CSE Summaries reported to the Board on September 27, 2017.

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 5.1. Motion carried 5-0.

5.2

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves a renewal agreement with New England Systems and Software, Inc. for all on-site technology support and services. The monthly cost is $77,892.51, which reflects a 3.35% increase for the 2017-18 school year.

Moved by Warren Messner, seconded by Jeffrey Mester to approve Item 5.2. Motion carried 5-0.

5.3

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves the Court Order Judgement refund to Steven Depp and Kazumi Nakayama for assessment years 2008 through 2014 in the amount of $18,638.84.

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 5.3. Motion carried 5-0.

5.4

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves Chappaqua School Foundation InstaGrant request of $2,309.97 for three sets of mobile crescent and cog collaborative tables, requested by Danielle Cohen and Tricia Greco, Seven Bridges Middle School.

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 5.4. Motion carried 5-0.

5.5

WHEREAS, the Ossining Union Free School District has requested that the Chappaqua Central School District approve the participation of three of their students as a ski team of three to train and participate along with the Chappaqua Central School District; and

WHEREAS, the arrangement has been approved in accordance with Section 1 and NYSPHSSA regulations, and the District has received a Certificate of Liability Insurance from the Ossining School District naming the Chappaqua Central School District as an additional insured;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby approves the participation of three students from Ossining Union Free School District to train and attend meets with the Chappaqua Central School District ski team during the 2017-18 school year upon the following terms and conditions:

  • Ossining Union Free School District shall be responsible for providing medical clearance for the students' participation.
  • Ossining Union Free School District will be responsible for the transportation of their students to and from all practices and meets at their expense.
  • No Chappaqua Central School District student shall be denied participation as a result of the participation of the Ossining students; and
  • There shall be absolutely no cost whatsoever to the Chappaqua Central School District.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the District Clerk is directed to provide the Ossining Union Free School District with a copy of this resolution.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.5. Motion carried 5-0.

5.6

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby ratifies the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers, regarding Article 11(P) of the Teachers' Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated September 20, 2017, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Alyson Gardnerto approve Item 5.6. Motion carried 5-0.

5.7

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby ratifies the terms of a Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement with the Chappaqua Congress of Teachers, regarding Article 4(G) of the Teaching Assistants' Unit Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated September 20, 2017, as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said Supplemental Memorandum of Agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 5.7. Motion carried 5-0.

5.8

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement for Services with Alan November, for a speaking engagement, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Warren Messner to approve Item 5.8. Motion carried 5-0.

5.9

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement for Services with Greg Duncan/Interprep, for World Language consultative assistance, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.

Moved by Warren Messner, seconded by Alyson Gardner to approve Item 5.9. Motion carried 5-0.

6.

Facilities

6.1

Change order #DGES-002 approved by the Superintendent:

Project: Back-Flow Preventer - Douglas Grafflin Elementary School

Contractor: Sun-Dance Energy Contractors, Inc.

Description: Abatement and re-insulation of 40-50 elbows in lower boiler room

Amount: $10,080.00

6.2

Change order #HGHS-002 approved by the Superintendent:

Project: Back-Flow Preventer - Horace Greeley High School

Contractor: Sun-Dance Energy Contractors, Inc.

Description: Replace 30' of collapsed storm drain

Amount: $7,200.00

6.3

Change order #RBMS-002 approved by the Superintendent:

Project: Back-Flow Preventer - Bell Middle School

Contractor: Sun-Dance Energy Contractors, Inc.

Description: Installation of new 4' cast iron Burnham radiator

Amount: $3,452.00

6.4

Change order #RBMS-003 approved by the Superintendent:

Project: Back-Flow Preventer - Bell Middle School

Contractor: Sun-Dance Energy Contractors, Inc.

Description: Abatement and re-insulation of 8-10 elbows in kitchen utility pit

Amount: $16,092.00

Moved by Jeffrey Mester, seconded by Warren Messner to accept Items 6.1 through 6.4. Motion carried 5-0.

7.

Financials

7.1

Treasurer's Report - August 2017

Moved by Alyson Gardner, seconded by Jeffrey Mester to accept Item 7.1. Motion carried 5-0.

8.

Notice of Future Meetings

Wednesday, October 4, 2017, 5:00 pm
Education Center
Special Board Meeting

Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Audit Approval

9.

Adjournment

Being no further business to be acted upon, the meeting was adjourned at 9:07 with a motion by Warren Messner, seconded by Alyson Gardner. Motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent

Victoria Tipp
Board President

/lke