Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes April 29, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesday, April 29, 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
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Jane Kimmel Shepardson called for a motion to convene the public meeting at 6:33 pm.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to convene the public meeting at 6:33 pm. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn into Executive Session at 6:33 pm to discuss the employment history of a particular person, litigation, contract negotiations 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 7:47 pm.
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to reconvene the public meeting at 7:47 pm. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Shepardson gave her report highlighting the following:
- Thanking the community for joining the meeting and wishing everyone well
- We are waiting for word from the Governor regarding the May 15 date regarding possible reopening of the District.
- Administration has been working on a preliminary plan to safely reopen the District
- Ms. Tipp and Ms. Shepardson continue to participate in WPSBAs “town calls” on a weekly basis to hear and share news of how districts are managing at this time.
- The Board has been continually revisiting the 2020-21 Budget which is particularly challenging at this time.
- We are also waiting for word from the Governor regarding the 2020 Budget Vote and Election which, at this time, is scheduled for “sometime after June 1.”
- Thanking the Greeley PTA for the fantastic yard signs recognizing Greeley seniors.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Ackerman gave her report highlighting the following:
- Photos of some of the food art projects from elementary schoolers
- Dr. Sinanis introduced Joseph Weiner, the incoming Principal at Bell Middle School. Mr. Weiner expressed his gratitude and excitement at the prospect of joining the District.
- Congratulations to Josh Block on being honored by this year’s TELL award.
- Discussed preliminary re-entry plans:
- Josh Block spoke about Technology needs in different scenarios
- o John Chow discussed cleaning and maintenance of facilities
- Dr. Pease explained the two Professional Development agreements for podcasting
- Dr. Sinanis explained the agreement with Country Children’s Center for childcare services for children of first responders
- Josh Block explained the new kindergarten “registration” process which will begin on May 4.
Presentations: 2020-21 Budget Adoption – Dr. Ackerman gave a recap of the revised 2020-21 Budget and recommended adoption at this time.
2. Committee Reports
Policy Committee – The Policy Committee met and will have a policy on data security and privacy in compliance with new legal requirements for review at the next Board meeting.
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 hereby adopts the Proposed Budget and ratifies the Property Tax Report Card for the 2020-21 school year.
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 3.1: Adoption of the Proposed Budget and ratification
of the Property Tax Report Card for the 2020-21 school year. Seconded by Victoria Tipp. Motion carried 5-0.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the April 15, 2020 Board Meeting.
3.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the April 21, 2020 Board Meeting.
3.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the April 22, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to accept Items 3.2 through 3.4 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 a stated below
4.1 Instructional
Appointment: Probationary
Mr. Joseph Wiener, Principal, Robert E. Bell Middle School, to a probationary appointment in the tenure area of Principal – Middle School, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2024, as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools, $195,000 (pending fingerprint and background check).
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as a per diem substitute teacher to be employed on an “as needed” basis:
Caralyn Nannariello
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as AP proctors to be employed on an "as needed" basis effective for the 2019/2020 school year, or earlier at the discretion of the Board of Education:
| Ellen Adnopoz | Grace Colello | Kathryn Daly | Linda DiChiara |
| Anita Faria | Miriam Fernandes | Margot Ferrauti | Sabrina Fuchs |
| Eileen Gallagher | Karen Ginsbern | Margo Gold | Matthew Hager |
| Carol Hughes | Audrey Larkin | Ariel Leeds | Elsie Maduras |
| Lori Mastroddi | Suzann Michel | Noah Mitchell | Melissa Moran |
| Janice Noto Helmers | Mary Ellen O’Mara | Sara O’Neill | Kimberley Perham |
| Paula Petito | Beth Quinn | Thomas Quinn | Dori-Ann Rodrick |
| Maria Ruggiero | Joan Salamone | Barbara Scheine | Gretta Seidel |
| Sylvia Siciliano | Nancy Silver | Sheila Silverman | Jeanne Sions |
| Medelicia Sobon | Aferdita Takaci | Anne Marie Tetelman | Judith Tucker |
| Joan Veteska | Jill Jason-Wainer |
Motioned by Warren Messner to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. 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 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement for Services with Evan Madin, for Professional Development during school years 2019-20 and 2020-21, at a rate of $150.00 per hour, not to exceed 30 hours, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the Agreement for Services with Michael Sammartano, for Professional Development during school years 2019-20 and 2020-21, at a rate of $150.00 per hour, not to exceed 30 hours, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves the agreement with Stratagem Security for additional security cameras at Horace Greeley High School, Robert E. Bell Middle School and Seven Bridges Middle School, along with a video server addition at Horace Greeley High School, in the amount of $259,949.84 and authorizes the Board President to execute the agreement.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a budget transfer to cover expenses relating to the Stratagem Security proposal for additional security cameras at Horace Greeley High School. Robert E. Bell and Seven Bridges Middle Schools and a video server addition at Horace Greeley High School, in the amount of $259,949.84, and authorizes the Board President to sign the budget transfer.
5.5 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a budget transfer to cover expenses related to purchase of technology supplies and special HVAC cleaning preparatory to schools reopening, in the amount of $250,000.00, and authorizes the Board President to sign the budget transfer.
5.6 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an Agreement with the Country Children’s Center, as presented to the Board at this meeting, for the provision of emergency childcare services to children of first responders and medical service providers who reside in the District, in accordance with Executive Order 202.4, effective May 4, 2020 through May 15, 2020 (which may be extended if Executive Order 202.4 is extended) at a rate of $60 per day, per student, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement. A copy of said agreement shall be referenced within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approved items 5.1 through 5.6 as stated above Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor Report for March 2020.
7.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for March 2020.
7.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Treasurer’s Report for March 2020.
Motioned by Holly McCall to acknowledge receipt of Items 7.1 through 7.3 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 5-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, May 6, 2020, 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 7:30 pm
Tenured Teacher Recognition
Horace Greeley High School – Academic Commons
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Warren Messner to adjourn the meeting at 9:33 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke