Minutes December 4, 2012

Minutes

CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Chappaqua, New York

 

Date:

December 4, 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
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

 

 

 

Joint Meeting:

New Castle Town / Chappaqua School Boards

 

Town Board members:

Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter,

Deputy Town Supervisor Elise Mottel,

John Buckley,

Robin Stout,

Jason Chapin and

Town Administrator Penny Paderewski.

 

Visitors Present:

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

 

President Tipp called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Karen Visser moved to enter Executive Session to discuss emergency preparedness and legal issues. Randall Katchis seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Randall Katchis moved to adjourn the Executive Session at 7:54 p.m. and Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

President Tipp welcomed the Town Board and introduced the members of both boards. She reconvened the meeting with Town Board at 7:56 p.m. President Tipp noted that the two boards have collaborated on previous issues and hope that more opportunities will allow continued collaboration on issues that effect both town and school boards.

A detailed discussion of the following topics ensued.

1.

Emergency Response Plan

1.1

Utilities: Outreach Plan For Service

1.2

Infrastructure Plan

1.2.1

Shelters

1.2.2

Tree Maintenance

1.2.3

Power Line Placement

1.3

Communications Coordination

Supervisor Carpenter initiated a discussion of the Emergency Response Plan beginning with the Town outreach plan that Elise Mottel and Penny Paderewski have been working on to improve the town's response to emergencies such as the recent super storm Sandy that devastated much of the east coast. Ms. Mottel reported on a meeting with Con Ed representatives and town officials to discuss improving communications and assignment of workers to areas of need. Many of the local municipalities share the same complaints. Repair teams were deployed, but because out of town crews were not familiar with the area, workers had to wait for directions to the area in need. Some repair of electrical lines can be done remotely but de-energizing downed lines must be done physically before trees can be removed. The town is also working on better communication systems with residents. Both boards acknowledged the positive coordination of services between town and school during the storm President Tipp thanked the town for allowing the district to be part of the center for emergency services.

2.

Town Commercial Base

President Tipp noted that a lack of commercial development has caused a lot of difficulty for both boards. The district and town have mandated costs that are rising much faster than tax caps can keep up with. Discussion included structures at Bell School, school-owned parcels, and Chappaqua Crossings proposed changes. The town is now working on an update to the Master Plan first developed in 1989.

3.

Unfunded and Underfunded Mandates

There was not enough time to adequately address the issue. Because the mandates are controlled by NY state, school board president thought the most productive use of time would be to organize another meeting with state legislators. In addition, the town board was holding their regular meeting at the town offices and had to leave.

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.

4.

President Tipp gave Notice of Future Meetings -

Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Bell Middle School, Learning Walk

Wednesday, December 19, 2012, Board tours at

Seven Bridges, 7:00 a.m. and

Westorchard at 7:45 a.m.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Horace Greeley High School, 8:15 p.m.

Presentation:

Budget Process

5.

Adjournment

President Tipp thanked the town board for joining the school board in this discussion of collaborative issues. Both boards agreed to continue to work towards common ground on issues.

At 9:00 p.m., Alyson Kiesel moved to adjourn. Karen Visser seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,

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

Victoria Tipp, Board President

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