Minutes March 11, 2015

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

March 11, 2015

 

Time:

6:30 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School - Commons

 

Present:

Board of Education
Karen Visser, President
Alyson Gardner, Vice President
Victoria Tipp
Warren Messner
Jeffrey Mester

 

Staff Members
Present:

Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent

Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business

Mr. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership Dev. & HR

Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Adm. Asst. to Superintendent

 

Visitors Present:

Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens.

 

President Visser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Warren Mesner moved to enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of a legal issue and negotiations.. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. At 7:45 p.m. Warren Messner moved to adjourn the Executive Session and reconvene public session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Pledge of Allegiance - Vice President Alyson Gardner

President Visser thanked everyone for coming and asked Eric Byrne to present his presentation.

Presentations:

Curriculum - Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

Mr. Byrne began this budget presentation over a year ago when we spoke about the mathematics pilot we began and that will be the main driver of any changes in the budget. He referenced the Strategic Question and guides all the work we do in the professional development department: (How can the District ensure that all students think deeply, support their thinking, apply problem-solving skills, and actively participate in their learning as they acquire content knowledge?)

Eric explained that we also follow the Teaching and Learning Vision and Goals as well as the Elements of Education - high quality curriculum and instruction; strong, effective leadership; and ongoing comprehensive professional development. There are a number of notable projects including K-8 math project, focus on Language Arts, work with Peter Johnston who will be working with us prior to Tri-States study. We will also be continuing with our writing and robotics camps this summer. They were very successful last year. Eric then detailed plans for next year in math, science, ELA, and advanced technology integration especially in computing, engineering and design at Greeley as well as professional development and leadership training. He reviewed the increases and reasons for them. The budget is $1,966,934 for an increase of 27%

Technology - Darleen Nicolosi, Director of Instructional Technology

Ms. Nicolosi began by reiterating that everything we do is related to our Teaching and Learning Vision and Goals. We provide an active student learning environment with strong student collaboration supported by technology. We developed a digital age learning environment that prepares students for a globally networked society. We have a strong support system. The technology budget is composed of three components: teaching and learning, infrastructure, and managing data and gave examples.

Ms. Nicolosi noted some of the projects developed this past year such as the Bell Learning Lab, enhanced curriculum, expansions of engineering curriculum, APPR repository solution, and the brand new "Chapp App" to get information to the community in a timely manner. Ms. Nicolosi also noted professional learning for teachers and administrators in reconfiguring space and technology to allow more student creativity, innovation and collaboration. She presented pictures of some of the opportunities and activities provided over last summer and plans for the coming summer. She reviewed infrastructure and hardware upgrades such as K-12 mobile deployment of 440 laptops, tripling bandwidth upgrade at a considerable savings, and printer upgrades. She reviewed hardware and computer hardware leases. Technology also houses, sorts, and reports date to schools, parents, and New York State as mandated. Technology total budget is $1,816,184 for a 11.97% increase. This includes the 440 laptops and will be moving away from desktops.

 

1.

Information Business Affairs

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Second Board strategic question (teaching and learning) - revision process.

"How can the District ensure that all students think deeply, support their thinking, apply problem-solving skills, and actively participate in their learning as they acquire content knowledge?"

After some discussion about the possible need for another Strategic Question or the revision of the second question, Dr. McKay suggested waiting until the summer retreat when the board and administrators can work on this together. There was consensus to wait until the summer.

1.1.2

WPSBA Legislative Forum - February 26

Victoria Tipp reported that she attended the forum at Purchase Elementary School. There were a number of legislators in attendance along with about 60 people for a round table discussion. Focus was on how to get rid of GEA, educational mandates, APPR and this time the legislators really seemed to understand what we were talking about. They responded to get people to write legislators - the more influence on legislators, the easier to get things changed. She also corrected a number for GEA - Chappaqua is owed $5.6 million for the past five years and $9 billion statewide. This was a temporary measure to close the gap in previous years budgets and the state now has a surplus so the funds should be returned to us.

1.1.3

NYSSBA Capital Conference - Albany, March 15-16.

Victoria Tipp will be attending this conference on Sunday and Monday and hopes to find out more information.

Karen also thanked Vicky for taking so much time to attend these meetings and bring the information back to us.

Addendum:

 

1.1.4

Discussion of letters to be sent on behalf of the board.

The first letter to the Town of New Castle, concerning Summit Greenfield reducing the amount of funds allocated for the proposed revisions to the Greeley entrance which would require the district to come up with the remaining funds. The second letter to legislators addresses additional needed safety at the Roaring Brook railroad crossing. After much discussion on each of the letters, the following resolutions were presented for adoption.

Jeffrey Mester offered the following,

"Be it resolved that the Board of Education authorizes a letter, as amended, at this meeting, to be sent to the Town Supervisor and Town of New Castle Board regarding proposed revisions to the entrance of Horace Greeley High School."

Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alyson Gardner offered the following,

"Be it resolved that the Board of Education authorizes a letter, as amended to include comments regarding the process at this meeting, to be sent to Senators Gillibrand, Schumer, and Lowey regarding the railroad crossing at Roaring Brook Road."

Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Tri-States will be updated next time. Student Accomplishments Instead.

Dr. McKay offered once again, her congratulations to students and teachers in Greeley's science research program. At the last meeting, she reported that seven students took home medals in the 2015 Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Twenty-five students competed on March 7 at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, earning an additional 15 medals and special awards.

In addition, Friday, March 6 was International Day at Seven Bridges Middle School. Eric and Dr. McKay attended a fun-filled event of classroom programs, cultural arts and crafts, films, and plenty of food representing the diverse ethnicities and backgrounds of the staff, students, and their families. Bell Middle School will have a similar experience on March 26.

Dr. McKay acknowledged the Grafflin students who volunteered to stay after school on March 6 to participate in the Sandwich Brigade. Organized by the Giving from Grafflin Committee, this was a service opportunity for students as they prepared brown bag lunches for the folks at Neighbor's Link, a local organization that helps immigrants integrate into the community.

She concluded her report with congratulations to Matthew Townsend who graduated from Greeley in 2011 and is a senior at Yale University studying molecular, cellular and developmental biology. In November, he was one of only 32 individuals to be named a 2015 Rhodes Scholar, and he is now one of only five individuals - and the first Ivy Leaguer - to be named a 2014-15 Capital One Academic All-American of the Year for Division I Men's Basketball. Matt's outstanding work on the court and in the classroom has earned him this very prestigious honor. Read more about Matt and his latest accomplishments on the District website.

2.

Organization

3.

Approvals

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Warren Messner moved to approve CSE Summaries for Board approval on March 11, 2015. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Alyson Gardner moved to approve a contract with Canvas, a new web-based learning management system to replace Blackboard at a cost of $11,250 with one-time setup $4,500. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Alyson Gardner offered the following Resolution directing the District Clerk to give Notice of the Annual Public Hearing on the Budget, Annual Meeting, School District Election, Library Election and Vote. Warren Messner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County, New York, hereby authorizes and directs the District Clerk to give notice to the qualified voters of the School District of the Annual Public Hearing on the Budget and Annual Meeting, School District Election, Library Election and Vote, as follows:

NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET, ANNUAL MEETING, SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION, LIBRARY ELECTION AND VOTE

        NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the Chappaqua Central School District, Westchester County, New York will hold a Public Hearing on the Budget at the Commons at the Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2015-2016 school year.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for School District purposes during the 2015-2016 school year (the Budget), including the tax exemption reporting form, exclusive of public moneys, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours, effective April 16, 2015, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays, at each of the District's school houses and the Administrative Offices.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Annual District Meeting, Election of Members of the Board of Education and Library Trustees and Vote on the School District and Library budgets, will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Gymnasium of the Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time, when the polls will be open for the purpose of voting by voting machine:

  1. To elect 1 (one) member to the Board of Education, 3-year term, commencing July 1, 2015 and expiring on June 30, 2018.
  2. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds to meet the estimated expenditures for School District purposes for the 2015-2016 School year (the Budget).
  3. To vote upon the appropriation of the necessary funds for the 2015-2016 fiscal year of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library (the Library Budget).
  4. To elect 1 (one) member to the Board of Trustees of the Chappaqua Central School District Public Library, five-year term, commencing July 1, 2015 and expiring June 30, 2020.
  5. To vote on any other proposition legally proposed.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions for nominating candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education and office of Library Trustee must be filed with the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2015. Vacancies on the Board of Education and Library Board are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five qualified voters of the district, shall state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence of the candidate. Petition forms may be obtained from the District Clerk on weekdays when school is in session, during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at her office at the district's Education Center, 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, New York.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that registration of voters is required pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law. If a voter has registered to vote with the School District and has voted at an annual or special school district meeting within the last four calendar years, (after January 1, 2011) s/he is eligible to vote at this Election and Vote. If a voter is currently registered to vote with the Westchester County Board of Elections, s/he is also eligible to vote in this Election and Vote. All other persons who wish to vote must register. Registration may be done on any business day at the Office of the District Clerk, during business hours, at the Education Center at 66 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua, up to May 14, 2015, five (5) days prior to the election and vote. Any person possessing all of the following qualifications may register to vote:

  1. Is a citizen of the United States; and
  2. Is eighteen years of age or older; and
  3. Has resided in the School District for a period of thirty days immediately preceding the day of the Election and Vote.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the register of voters so prepared shall be filed in the Office of the School District Clerk and shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., prevailing time, beginning May 14, 2015, except Sunday. Said register will be open for inspection at the polling place on the date of the election and vote.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, applications for absentee ballots for the Annual Meeting, School District Election and Vote may be obtained at the Office of the School District Clerk, at least seven (7) days prior to the election if the ballot is to be mailed or the day before the election, if the ballot will be picked up personally by the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on May 19, 2015.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration shall meet at Horace Greeley High School on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, during the hours of voting as aforesaid for the purpose of preparing a register of qualified voters for meetings to be held subsequent to such election and vote.

        NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection from qualified voters of the district in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., prevailing time, until the day of the Annual Meeting, Election and Vote. Any qualified voter may file a written challenge of the qualifications of a voter whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge.

        AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School District Clerk is hereby authorized to amend the Notice of the Public Hearing on the Budget and Annual Meeting, Election and Vote, from time to time, as in her discretion, such amendment may be required.

        AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the School District Clerk shall cause Notice set forth above to be published once each week for four (4) weeks within the seven (7) weeks preceding the Annual Meeting, Election and Vote, the first such notice to be published at least 45 days prior to the Election and Vote, in accordance with Section 2004 of the Education Law.

BOARD OF EDUCATION
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK

by: Theresa M. Markley
District Clerk

Dated: March 11, 2015
To be published: April 3, April 24, May 1, May 15, 2015

 

6.

Facilities

7.

Financials

8.

Communications

9.

President Visser gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the Education Center, 7:00 a.m., which we anticipate will go into Executive Session to discuss employment history of individuals.

Thursday, March 12, 2015, at the Education Center, 9:00 a.m., Facilities Committee

Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at Horace Greeley High School, 7:30 p.m.

Presentations:

Special Education / Athletics

10.

Adjournment

Jeffrey Mester moved to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa M. Markley, District Clerk / Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent

Karen Visser, Board President

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