Minutes February 26, 2014
Minutes
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York
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Date: |
February 26, 2014 |
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Time: |
7:30 p.m. |
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Place: |
Horace Greeley High School |
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Present: |
Board of Education |
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Staff Members |
Dr. Lyn McKay, Superintendent Mr. Eric Byrne, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Mr. Andrew Selesnick, Assistant Superintendent for Leadership, and Instruction Mr. John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Adm. Asst. to Superintendent |
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Visitors Present: |
Representatives of the Chappaqua PTA, school PTAs, building administrators, faculty, and other interested citizens. |
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President Mester called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Alyson Kiesel moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of security, the employment history of particular persons, and settlement. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Alyson moved to adjourn the executive session. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Alyson Kiesel moved to reconvene the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Victoria Tipp seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President Mester welcomed everyone and asked Superintendent Dr. Lyn McKay to begin the Budget Proposal for 2014-2015. Presentation: Superintendent's Budget Proposal 2014-2015 Dr. McKay expressed excitement over the budget this year. A rollover budget was provided to the board and community and tonight we will be presenting a budget to the board and making recommendations. She repeated the guidelines for the budget. They are the two Strategic Questions, the four pillars of the budget; the operating standards, and considered pieces of the community survey when we put together our budget for this year. Each of the March meetings will be devoted to sections of the budget for the board and community to review. We are under the 2% tax cap. We are making personnel cuts that are linked to enrollment. Our programs and infrastructure are in a good place. There will be a psychologist in each of our elementary schools and a social worker. At the high school, we are adding a student life coordinator for all students to help make connections in their life outside of the classroom, with self-regulation, to support social and emotional well being . We will be adding some modified sports in the middle schools. We will maximize efficiency wherever possible. John Chow reviewed what we know about specific items such as enrollments, contracts, CPI for tax cap calculations, health insurance premiums, employee retirement system and their impacts. He then reviewed some of the items that we didn't know back in January such as the transportation costs, special education placements, and tax certiorari. The proposed budget of $116,856,988 reflects a budget increase of $2,028,900 or 1.77%. The tax levy increase is $1,888,232 or 1.83%. He reviewed recent budgets and noted that Chappaqua's per pupil cost is 13th in Westchester and Putnam out of 46 districts. He explained how we got to these numbers through personnel and non-personnel reductions for a total of $84,000. He reviewed the dates and topics to be discussed on the budget calendar and PTA-supported community forums on March 3 at Bell Middle School at 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The question of selling Bell Middle School arises each year, but it doesn't make sense. In 2020 the enrollment numbers will increase and the school will be needed again. If we sell Bell, they will turn it into condos and the district will have more students. Dr. McKay noted that In the meantime, it would be difficult to squeeze all the students and programs into one middle school without affecting program quality. Board members commented and asked questions. President Mester asked for comments or questions from the public and noted that there were a number of students and allowed them to speak first. |
1. |
Information Business Affairs
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2. |
Organization |
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3. |
Approvals
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Recommended Action: Personnel Superintendent McKay made the following recommendations:
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5. |
Recommended Action: Other
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Facilities |
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7. |
Financials
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8. |
President Mester gave Notice of Future Meetings - Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at Horace Greeley High School, 7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session (minimum business, emphasis on budget) Presentation: Curriculum/Technology He also noted there is a possibility of a rescheduled Joint Town / School Boards meeting for next Wednesday. |
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9. |
Adjournment Alyson Kiesel moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:47 p.m. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously. |
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Markley, District Clerk / Admin. Asst. to Superintendent
Jeffrey Mester, Board President