Minutes March 30, 2016

1.1

President's Report

President Messner shared that the PTA will be holding an information session for library and school board candidates on Sunday, April 3, from 4:00 to 5:30 at Scattered Books. He went on to share the Fios video interview with New York State Commissioner of Education, Mary Ellen Elia, during her visit to Horace Greeley on March 14.

(Click here to view the full discussion of item 1.1, and move cursor to 1h24m35s)

1.2

Superintendent's Report

3.1

Minutes of March 9, 2016

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:

Alexandra Walsh

Request for Parental Leave of Absence:

Ms. Shana Weldon, Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 1, 2016 through January 31, 2017.

Ms. Naomi Cook, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective September 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:

Mr. Daniel Perito, Teaching Assistant, Robert E. Bell Middle School and Seven Bridges Middle School, effective January 11, 2016 through April 1, 2016.

Resignation:

Ms. Kelly Todd, Teacher of Health, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 30, 2016.

Appointment: Part Time

Mr. Charles Buchanan, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 21, 2016 through June 3, 2016 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,195.

Ms. Annmarie Tetelman, (.5) Athletic Coordinator, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 21, 2016 through June 3, 2016 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $2,195.

Appointment: Coaching

Ms. Susan Miller, Varsity Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective March 7, 2016 through June 3, 2016 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $7,057.

Appointment: Tenure

Ms. Ann Marie Masciana, Teaching Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective May 13, 2016.

4.2

Non-Instructional

5.1

CSE Summaries reported to the Board on March 30, 2016.

5.2

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves an Agreement for Health and Welfare Services with City School District of Rye for 2 students at a rate of $786.94 per student, effective September 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, and authorizes the Board President, Superintendent, and District Clerk to execute this Agreement.

5.3

            WHEREAS, the Board of Education is considering undertaking certain improvements to Horace Greeley High School, the District Office, Bell Middle School, Seven Bridges Middle School, Grafflin Elementary School, Roaring Brook Elementary, Westorchard Elementary, and the School District Library (collectively, the "Project"), comprising maintenance upgrades and other improvements, including: resurfacing of existing parking surfaces and playgrounds, athletic field enhancements (e.g., resurfacing of fields with turf, field lighting, running track, bleachers), façade improvements, roof improvements/repairs, installation of irrigation, internal building improvements, and new structural expansions in existing courtyards (i.e., a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math building and two library building additions).

            WHEREAS, pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act statute (Article 8 of the Environmental Conservation Law) and implementing regulations ("SEQRA"), the Board of Education has determined that each of the individual projects and the full set of projects constitute Type II actions as defined in Section 617.5 of Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, and therefore are not subject to environmental impact review under SEQRA; and

            WHEREAS, to assist it in its decision-making and planning, the Board of Education authorized AKRF, Inc. to prepare an Environmental Assessment Form ("EAF") to evaluate the Project's potential for environmental impacts, which document is attached hereto as Exhibit "A"; and

            WHEREAS, the EAF, including the documentation appended thereto, concludes that, inter alia, due to the presence of existing light sources on the high school campus, the additional field lighting would not have any significant adverse environmental impacts on listed bat species or on the neighboring community; that the absence of critical habitat for Indiana bats or Northern Long-eared bats identified on or near the high school campus suggests there would be no significant adverse environmental impacts on these listed bat species or their habitats; that the exterior building modifications, building additions, and athletic field improvements would not cause any significant adverse environmental impacts, including visual or historic character impacts to the State / National Register-listed Church of St. Mary the Virgin & Greely Grove, due to their respective locations, existing visual relationship, and the overall context of the urban setting; and that the other elements of the Project, including resurfacing of existing paved areas and playgrounds, internal building construction/improvements, building façade and roof improvements/repairs, outside lighting improvements, and irrigation system installation, do not require tree removal or extensive excavation, and therefore would not result in any significant adverse environmental impacts; and

            THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board finds, after review of the EAF, that the Project is not subject to review under SEQRA and that it would not have any significant adverse environmental impacts; and

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board will proceed to determine whether it will undertake the Project.

5.4

BE IT RESOLVED the Board removes the following news publication(s) for the purpose of legal notices:

The Northern Westchester Express

5.5

BE IT RESOLVED the Board approves the following news publication(s) for the purpose of legal notices:

The Examiner

7.1

Conflicts of Interest - 5^th Reading

[Tabled until the next regular Board of Education meeting, April 6, 2016 meeting]