Minutes November 14, 2012

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

November 14, 2012

 

Time:

8:15 p.m.

 

Place:

Horace Greeley High School

 

Present:

Board of Education
Victoria Tipp, President
Alyson Gardner Kiesel, Vice President
Karen Visser
Randall Katchis

 

Absent:

Jeffrey Mester

 

Staff Members
Present:

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

 

Visitors Present:

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

 

President Tipp called the meeting to order at 7: p.m. Karen Visser moved to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion of labor negotiations and a legal issue. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Karen Visser moved to adjourn the executive session. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Tipp welcomed the community. She extended condolences to those people who have lost homes and loved ones all over the state. She observed that overall the district was pretty lucky. Karen Visser moved to reconvene the public session at 8:25 p.m. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Presentation:

New Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)
(teacher and principal evaluations)

Dr. McKay commented on putting together this whole new process of teacher and principal evaluations. She then asked Assistant Superintendent Eric Byrne and Assistant Superintendent Andrew Selesnick to continue with their presentation..

Mr. Byrne explained that we will have more information in the spring when we complete one full year and will discuss at the Knowledge Cafe in April 2013. The initial law was passed in January 2011 and the district formed a committee shortly after that. They began with the good portions of our current process and added to it as required by the law that became part of the governor's directive. During the course of the year we designed a pilot of the new APPR and 30 teachers participated. Refinements were made to our proposed plan and were approved in Sept 2012, one of the early districts to have their plans approved.

Mr. Selesnick added that APPR is not a new term. Districts have been required to have a process in place for the past ten years. Changes give districts less leeway and the state more interest in dictating what all districts should have designed for an effective program. He explained the difference between the old APPR and the new evolving APPR. Instead of a four-year cycle, each year combines administrative observation/ inquiry based on TARP model, peer observation, and student assessment data for every teacher and principal not just tenured teachers.

Mr. Byrne added that the APPR is composed of 60% observation; 20% local assessment; 20% growth. The state gave districts the option of developing a local assessment or purchasing one of the developed assessments. There must be an alignment across all disciplines for all common core standards. He explained the process for coming up with the growth scale, that is used in compiling the score for each teacher of highly effective, effective and not effective. The indicators for administrators use the Multidimensional Principal Performance Rubric (Learner Centered Initiatives (LCI)/The interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards (discussed at the October 24, 2012 board meeting).

They noted that it is always good to be pushed to look at how we do things, but we have a very good, dedicated staff who are constantly trying to improve their skills. Dr. McKay commented that changes are coming from the state at an almost undoable pace. However, the district is in a very good place especially in terms of some of the districts who have not even turned their plans into the state yet.

1.

Information

1.1

President's Report

1.1.1

Joint School/Town Boards meeting

President Tipp reminded everyone that there will be a joint Town/School meeting on December 4. Three agenda items, coordination of emergency response plan, use of facilities, and commercial development.

1.2

Superintendent's Report

1.2.1

Report on Hurricane Sandy

Dr McKay began with her now famous tagline for AlertNow, "This is Lyn McKay" - and added Eric Byrne, Andrew Selesnick, Joe Gramando, and Seth and Joan Corwin and Vicky Tipp - all part of a real tam effort that is part of the caring and collaborative community who helped us through the hurricane. We debriefed with administrators today. President Tipp expressed appreciation to Lyn, Chappaqua Transportation, Joe, Jorge Barrios, and Diego Reinos, for staying in the buildings to make them safe. She thanked everyone, including parents and students who traveled on the terrible roads and with a gas crisis. Jeffrey Mester was not present, she read his statement of appreciation. All board members offered their thanks for a tremendous job.

Questions and Comments

We welcome public inquiries, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your inquiry to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone.

2.

Organization

2.1

Second reading: Transportation for District Sponsored Activities or Athletic Events.

President Tipp gave a reading and briefly explained the purpose. It is expected that students should be transported by district, but if there is a problem, a student is not allowed to drive themselves. Three forms have been developed that are not part of the policy. Karen Visser moved to adopt the policy, Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.

Approvals

Victoria Tipp moved to approve the minutes of October 24, 2012, as amended. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

3.1

Minutes of October 24, 2012

4.

Recommended Action: Personnel

Dr. McKay made the following recommendations, including the addendum:

4.1

Instructional

Request for Discretionary Leave of Absence:

Ms. Heather Butler, Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013.

Request for Extension of Child Care Leave of Absence:

Ms. Shana Weldon, Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013.

Resignation:

Mr. Jeffrey Cole, Teacher of Special Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective November 21, 2012.

Appointment: Regular Substitute

Ms. Heather Butler, Regular Substitute Teacher of Elementary Education, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective February 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 2, A(BA), $65,792, prorated..

Mr. Craig Colavito, Regular Substitute Teaching Assistant, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective September 5, 2012 through June 30, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $21,256, prorated.

Appointment: Part Time

Ms. Eileen Cass, (.04) Teacher of Elementary Education to provide Academic Intervention Services as per the Teachers' Contract, Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective November 5, 2012 through May 8, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 1, B(BA+45) with Masters, $59.30/hour.

Appointment: Coaching

Mr. Charles Sehulster, (.33) Varsity Winter Track, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,735.

Mr. William Woolard, (.33) Varsity Winter Track, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,735.

Mr. Matthew Ketterer, (.33) Varsity Winter Track, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,735.

Mr. Charles Sehulster, (.33) Varsity Winter Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,052.

Mr. William Woolard, (.33) Varsity Winter Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,052.

Mr. Matthew Ketterer, (.33) Varsity Winter Track Assistant, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 12, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $2,052.

Addendum:

4.1

Personnel - Instructional

Resignation:

 

Mr. Adam Borman, Junior Varsity Girls' Basketball, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 13, 2012.

Appointment:

 

Mr. Bennett Romney, Junior Varsity Girls' Basketball, Horace Greeley High School, effective November 14, 2012 through March 1, 2013 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), Step 3, $7,523, prorated.

Randall Katchis moved to approve the recommendations. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

4.2

Non-Instructional

5.

Recommended Action: Other

5.1

Karen Visser moved to approve CSE summaries reported to the Board on November 9, 2012. Alyson Kiesel seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.2

Vote on the Resolution of Chappaqua Central school District, New York, on November 14, 2012, authorizing said school district to enter into a Joint Agreement with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of the sole supervisory District of Putnam/Northern Westchester Counties (THE "BOCES") and the seventeen other component school districts of the BOCES for the reconstruction of, and construction of improvements to, various BOCES facilities pursuant to Section 1950 of the Education Law.

Alyson Kiesel offered the following resolution,

"BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (by a vote of not less than a majority of all the members of said Board of Education) AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. The Chappaqua Central School District (the "District") is hereby authorized to enter into a Joint Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and made a part hereof with the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of the Sole Supervisory District of Putnam/Northern Westchester Counties (the "BOCES") and the seventeen other component school districts of the BOCES (the District and said component school districts referred to collectively hereinafter as the "Component School Districts") for the reconstruction of, and construction of improvements to, various BOCES facilities. Said Joint Agreement, in addition to providing for all other matters deemed necessary and proper, (i) sets forth the cost of such reconstruction of, and construction of improvements to, such BOCES facilities and costs incidental thereto and (ii) provides for an allocation and apportionment of said costs among the Component School Districts on such equitable basis as the parties thereto shall determine and agree, and further sets forth the proportion of the total cost to be provided by each such Component School District in accordance with such allocation and apportionment.

The Component School Districts are as follows:

Bedford Central School District

Brewster Central School District

Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District

Carmel Central School District

Chappaqua Central School District

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District

Garrison Union Free School District

Haldane Central School District

Hendrick Hudson Central School District

Katonah-Lewisboro Union Free School District

Lakeland Central School District

Mahopac Central School District

North Salem Central School District

Ossining Union Free School District

Peekskill City School District

Putnam Valley Central School District

Somers Central School District

Yorktown Central School District

Section 2. The President of the Board of Education, the chief fiscal officer of the District, and in her absence, the Vice President of the Board of Education, is hereby authorized and directed to execute said Joint Agreement for and on behalf of the District.

Section 3. The District hereby agrees to take any and all actions necessary as required by said Joint Agreement to accomplish the purposes and intent of the Joint Agreement.

Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately."

Randall Katchis seconded. After a brief discussion, a roll call vote was taken. Tipp, Kiesel, Katchis, and Visser voted in favor. No one voted against the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.

5.3

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve an agreement for special education services with Harrison Central School District, effective July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013, payment consistent with Education Law and regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.4

Alyson Kisel moved to approve an agreement for educational services with Eastchester Union Free School District for student (#602320) for 2012-13 school year in the sum of $57,085 annual tuition, plus additional services as outlined in contract. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Alyson Kiesel moved to approve the two agreements with Eastchester, items 5.5 and 5.6. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

5.5

Agreement for educational services with Eastchester Union Free School District for student (#601628) for 2012-13 school year in the sum of $57,085 annual tuition, plus additional services as outlined in contract.

5.6

Agreement for educational services with Eastchester Union Free School District for student (#00487) for 2012-13 school year in the sum of $57,085 annual tuition, plus additional services as outlined in contract.

5.7

This item was tabled by President Tipp.

Resolution for board to allow fundraising for purpose of air conditioning cafetorium at DG.

"BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education agrees to accept donations for the purpose of purchasing and installing air conditioning in the cafetorium of Douglas Grafflin Elementary School."

5.8

Alyson Kiesel moved to accept a gift to Grafflin School from Target in the amount of $644.35 to be used for a purpose to be determined. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

6.

Facilities

6.1

Facilities report

6.1.1

President Tipp reported that Board tours are scheduled at 7:00 and 7:45 a.m. for December 5 at Grafflin and Bell; December 7 at Greeley and Roaring Brook; December 19 at Seven Bridges and Westorchard.

6.1.2

Randall Katchis reported that a meeting with Campbell Engineering had been postponed and a report should be available for the next meeting.

7.

Financials

8.

President Tipp gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Horace Greeley High School, 8:15 p.m.

Presentations:

Review of middle school 55-minute periods

New grade six research course

9.

Adjournment

At 10:05 p.m., Randall Katchis moved to adjourn. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Victoria Tipp, Board President

tm