Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes April 15, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 7:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Academic Commons
Presiding Officer: Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall
Present: Board of Education (all via Zoom Videoconference)
Jane Kimmel Shepardson, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
Victoria Tipp
Staff Members: (all via Zoom Videoconference)
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum
Andrew Corsilia, Principal - Horace Greeley High School
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 6:37 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to convene the public meeting at 6:37 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:37 pm to discuss the employment history of a particular person, contracts and to receive advice from counsel. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to reconvene the public meeting at 7:48 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to reconvene the public meeting at 7:48 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson expressed her hope that families had the opportunity to celebrate the Easter and Passover holidays. She went on to highlight the following:
- On the NYSED’s website, Chappaqua’s online learning program is the first link.
- Thank you to Adam Pease and his team for the “Passion Project” idea which happened during what would have been the District’s Spring Break.
- News 12 Westchester had featured one of our student’s Passion Project of a daily story time for K-3rd graders.
- The Board and Administration is having ongoing discussions about possible/potential revisions to the 2020-21 Budget and will continue to share information with the community.
- There have been no updates yet regarding the 2020 Budget Vote and Election from NYSED
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her community update highlighting the following:
- Passion projects – sharing various videos created by students
- Dr. Pease shared the results of an updated survey regarding iLearning and focus areas going forward to help with student assessments
- Elementary and Middle School grading processes for Quarter 4
- High School grading process for Quarter 4
- How the high school will handle Senior Experience
- Various possible scenarios for holding graduation, whether in small groups or at another time in the upcoming year (i.e. Thanksgiving weekend)
- Possible scenarios for prom and other traditional senior/end of year events
- A preliminary plan for re-opening the District
Presentations: 2020-21 Budget Review – Dr. Ackerman and John Chow gave a revised 2020-21 Budget Presentation which featured various scenarios depending on different scenarios such as reduction in State Aid.
2. Committee Reports
Public Comment Period:
We welcome public comments, and in respect for each other's time, we ask that you limit your comments to three minutes. Board members may be contacted via email or phone. After the public comment period has been completed, Board members may have a discussion among themselves regarding comments presented.
3. Approvals & Ratifications
3.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the March 25, 2020 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the April 1, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board President, on behalf of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent are authorized to sign an agreement extending the probationary term of employee #5450 for an additional one year period through June 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board President, on behalf of the Board of Education, and the Superintendent are authorized to sign an agreement extending the probationary term of employee #5731 for an additional one year period through June 30, 2021, as recommended by the Superintendent.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a student teacher, intern and/or classroom observer for the 2019/2020 school year:
James Adelmann
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a Chairperson effective April 13, 2020 through June 30, 2020:
Robert E. Bell
| Department | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Special Areas I
Health |
Stephanie Ellner |
Resignation:
Ms. Megan Vlad, Teacher of Health, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective June 26, 2020.
Ms. Ann DeFazio, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, effective June 30, 2020.
Appointment:
Ms. Corene Suhr-Allen, Teacher of Art, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Art effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 4, B(BA+ 30) with Masters, $80,591.
Mr. James May, Teacher of Social Studies, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Social Studies effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 10, B(BA+ 30) with Masters, $99,181.
Ms. Melissa Doellman, Teacher of Science, Horace Greeley High School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Science effective September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2024, subject to receipt of composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education law Section 3012-c and/or 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) proceeding years, and if the probationer receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time, Step 7, B(BA+ 30) with Masters, $89,888.
Appointment: Long-term Substitute
Ms. Maryse Santini, Teacher of Foreign Language, Seven Bridges Middle School, effective March 24, 2020 through May 7, 2020 (or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education), $331.95, per diem.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
4.2 Non-Instructional
5. Recommended Action: Other
Use of the Consent Agenda permits the Board of Education to make more effective use of its time by adopting a single motion to cover those relatively routine matters, which are included. Any member of the Board who wishes to discuss individually a particular piece of business on the Consent Agenda may so indicate and that item will be considered and voted on separately, thus preserving the right of all Board members to be heard on any issue. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the following Consent agenda as submitted by the Superintendent of Schools.
5.1 CSE Summaries (2019-20 School Year) reported to the Board on April 15, 2020.
5.2 CSE Summaries (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on April 15, 2020.
5.3 WHEREAS, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic there is an extreme shortage of the emergency protective equipment needed by health care personnel and first responders; and
WHEREAS, the Chappaqua Ambulance Corps. is in desperate need of such protective equipment to effectively and safely perform their important work for the Chappaqua community; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Orders, the Chappaqua Central School District has been closed since March 16, 2020 and at least through April 29, 2020, with further closure anticipated;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education hereby determines that the personal equipment, consisting of 21 N95 masks, 300 dust masks, 50 safety glasses and two buckets of Clorox wipes, is surplus; and that the needs of the Chappaqua Ambulance Corps are a priority at this time: 21 N95 dust masks, 300 dust masks, 50 safety glasses and two buckets of Clorox wipes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby suspends the provisions of Policy 6035 Disposition of District Personal Property and Equipment, that require the sale of surplus property, in this circumstance for the purpose of permitting the donation of the above equipment to the Chappaqua Ambulance Corps; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby ratifies the actions of the Superintendent of Schools and Director of Facilities in providing such masks, safety glasses and Clorox wipes to the Chappaqua Ambulance Corps during the Statewide declaration of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby authorizes its President to sign an agreement with Chappaqua Transportation, Inc., regarding contractual obligations for the period commencing on April 1, 2020 and ending on June 30, 2020. A copy of said agreement, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a budget transfer to cover expenses in the Special Education Contractual/Student Services line in the amount of $80,000.00 and authorizes the Board President to sign the budget transfer.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Stipulation of Settlement and General Release between the District and Employee #1923, dated February 28, 2020 and signed by the employee and Superintendent. A copy of said agreement, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.
5.7 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a Settlement Agreement and General Release between the District and Employee #1527, dated March 2, 2020 and signed by the employee and Superintendent. A copy of said agreement, as presented to the Board at this meeting, shall be incorporated by reference in the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.1 through 5.7 as stated above. Dr. Ackerman explained the purpose of Item 5.4 (Contract with Chappaqua Transportation). Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 8:00 am
PNW/BOCES Budget Vote and Election – All component districts meet
Education Center
Special Meeting: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 or April 29, 2020
7:30 pm (Tentative)
School Budget Presentation & Adoption
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 7:30 pm
Budget Hearing/Chappaqua Public Library Budget Presentations
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to adjourn the meeting at 10:17 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke