Chappaqua Central School District
Minutes September 16, 2020
OFFICIAL MINUTES
CHAPPAQUA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Wednesdayday, September 16, 2020, 6:30 PM
Horace Greeley High School - Auditorium
Per Governor Cuomo’s executive order, in-person attendance at this meeting may not exceed 50 people.
(A Livestream Video Link was also provided)
Presiding Officer: Victoria Bayard Tipp
Pledge of Allegiance: Holly McCall
Present: Board of Education
Victoria Bayard Tipp, President
Holly McCall, Vice President
Hilary Grasso
Warren Messner
Jane Kimmel Shepardson
Staff Members:
Christine Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools
John Chow, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Ellen Doherty, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services
Adam Pease, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Tony Sinanis, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources & Leadership Development
Liisa Elsner, District Clerk
President Tipp called for a motion to open the meeting at 6:30 pm.
Motioned by Holly McCall to open the meeting at 6:30 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0. Board member Warren Messner was absent.
Motioned by Holly McCall to appoint Christine Ackerman clerk pro tempore. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
Motioned by Holly McCall to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss matters of health and safety, litigation, the employment history of particular persons, and to receive advice from counsel at 6:31 pm. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
Reconvene public session at 7:30 pm at Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
President Tipp asked for a motion to reconvene the public meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to reconvene the public meeting at 8:00 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
1. Information Business Affairs
1.1 President’s Report – President Tipp began her report by noting the following:
- Thanking faculty, staff, administrators, parents and students for their hard work and efforts toward a smooth reopening (given the circumstances).
- Welcoming Ellen Doherty, our new Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services.
1.1.1 Sustainability Research Center Donation – Dr. Ackerman and Dr. Pease described the process they followed to research what a sustainability research center at Greeley would look like and encompass. Dr. Ackerman and the Board thanked Cathy James and the Robert and Ardis James Foundation for their generous donation to the District, the Chappaqua Schools Foundation for their donation and facilitation, and also the PTA for their contribution and continued support.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board hereby authorizes its President to execute an agreement for donation with the Robert and Ardis James Foundation, Inc., the Chappaqua Schools Foundation and the Chappaqua Central School District, dated September 16, 2020 as presented to the Board at this meeting. A copy of said agreement shall be incorporated by reference within the minutes of this meeting.
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to approve Item 1.1.1 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
1.1.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves a change to the name of the Community Advisory Committee on Antiracism, Diversity and Social Justice to Community Advisory Committee on Antiracism, Equity, and Social Justice, effective September 16, 2020.
Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Item 1.1.2 as stated above. Seconded by Victoria Bayard Tipp. Motion carried 4-0.
1.1.3 Committee Assignments
- New Committee memberships will be posted to the District website shortly. Ms. Tipp thanked all who expressed interest.
1.2 Superintendent’s Report
Presentation: Chappaqua Central School District Antiracism and Social Justice Education in Our School Community – September 16, 2020 Community Update – Dr. Ackerman, Adam Pease, Tony Sinanis, Jamie Edelman and Josh Culwell-Block presented a comprehensive and detailed report of the work that the District has begun regarding antiracism, equity and social justice.
2. Committee Reports
Policy: The Policy Committee met on 9/15 and will have first readings of two policies for the 9/30 meeting.
Communications: The Communications Committee will be meeting on 9/22
Audit: The Audit Committee will be meeting on 9/21
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 September 1, 2020 Board Meeting.
3.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education accepts the minutes of the September 8, 2020 Special Board Meeting.
Motioned by Hilary Grasso to accept Items 3.1 and 3.2 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
4. Recommended Action: Personnel
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.1 as stated below.
4.1 Instructional
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby increases the rate for per diem substitute teachers to a daily rate of $125, effective September 3, 2020.
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as Department Chairpersons for the 2020/2021 school year:
Horace Greeley High School
| Department | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Special Education | Cara DiNapoli (effective Sept. 1) |
Westorchard Elementary School
| Department | Chairperson |
|---|---|
| Special Area | Tom Williams (effective Sept. 1) |
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby appoints the individual listed as High School Department Facilitators for the 2020/2021 school year:
| Department | Co-Facilitator |
|---|---|
| Special Education | Jessica Leitman |
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Education hereby appoints the individuals listed as per diem substitutes at the Building Specific substitute teacher rate:
Jamie Ryan – Roaring Brook Elementary School
Deborah Filippo – Roaring Brook Elementary School
Jessica McMahon – Roaring Brook Elementary School
Mairead Hynes – Douglas Grafflin Elementary School
Alexandra Parrottino – Westorchard Elementary School
Bianca Darminio – Seven Bridges Middle School
Stephanie Santoro – Seven Bridges Middle School
Cynthia Chiera – Horace Greeley High School
Geoffrey Fischer – Horace Greeley High School
Aaron Lefkowitz – Horace Greeley High School
Michelle Toll – Horace Greeley High School
Peter Zecchin – Horace Greeley High School
Appointment: Teaching Assistant
Ms. Caroline Demuro, Teaching Assistant, Douglas Grafflin Elementary School, effective September 14, 2020.
Appointment: Part-time
Mr. Steven McLees, Athletic Coordinator, District-Wide, effective August 24, 2020 through June 26, 2021.
Appointment: Coaching - Effective September 29, 2020 through December 5, 2020
| Sport | Level | Coach | Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Hockey | Varsity | Sukhwindr Singh Sandhu | 3 |
| Field Hockey | Asst. Varsity | Brittany Paulus | 3 |
| Field Hockey | JV | Kristin McGurl | 3 |
| Boys Soccer | Varsity | Donald Shropshire | 3 |
| Boys Soccer | Asst. Varsity | Connor Lander | 3 |
| Boys Soccer | JV A | Alfredo Possante | 3 |
| Girls Soccer | Varsity | Erin Tracy | 3 |
| Girls Soccer | Asst. Varsity | Angela Russo | 3 |
| Girls Soccer | JV A | Jen Chemerov | 3 |
| Girls Soccer | JV B | Liz Lops | 3 |
| Cross Country | Varsity - Boys | Steve McKenney | 3 |
| Cross Country | Varsity - Girls | James Howard | 3 |
| Cross Country | Asst. Varsity | Dey Dey Tuach | 2 |
| Girls Tennis | Varsity | John Alkalay | 3 |
| Girls Tennis | JV A | Jerry Sulli | 3 |
| Girls Tennis | JV B | Chuck McKenna | 3 |
Motioned by Victoria Bayard Tipp to approve Item 4.1 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0.
Dr. Ackerman recommended Item 4.2 as stated below.
4.2 Non-Instructional
Appointments:
Kelly Martin, Teacher Aide (Session) at Douglas G. Grafflin Elementary School, 32.5 hours per week, effective September 14, 2020, at $17 per hour.
Jenna Dallacco, Teacher Aide (Session) at Roaring Brook Elementary School, 27.5 hours per week, effective September 17, 2020, at $17 per hour.
Maria Coppola, Teacher Aide (Session) at Westorchard Elementary School, 22.5 hours per week, effective September 17, 2020, at $17 per hour.
Resignation:
Renata Karaqi, Teacher Aide at Westorchard Elementary School, effective September 7, 2020.
Resignation for the purpose of Retirement:
Jose Tunas, Custodian at Robert E. Bell Middle School, effective December 31, 2020.
Resolutions:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby increases the hours of the following teacher aides on an as needed basis for the 2020-21 school year while the school is providing in-person instruction. This resolution will expire after the COVID-9 Pandemic is abated and in-person building classes resume in a regular manner.
| Name | School | 2020/21 Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dallacco | Roaring Brook | 32 |
| Maria Coppola | Roaring Brook | 32 |
Motioned by Victoria Tipp to approve Item 4.2 as stated above. Seconded by Holly McCall. Motion carried 4-0.
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 (2020-21 School Year) reported to the Board on September 16, 2020.
5.2 BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education approves an extension of vendor contract to provide meals and /or snacks between Westchester Community Opportunity Program (WESTCOP - Head Start) and vendor, CCSD, effective September 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021, per attached prices, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an agreement with Pear Deck, Inc., to provide web-based interactive presentation, student engagement and formative assessment solutions during the 2020-21 school year, in the amount of $11,500.00, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
5.4 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education approves an agreement for services with Timothy Doyle for Infinite Campus and Canvas master schedule revisions and other administrative functions related to hybrid and remote instruction during the 2020-21 school year at the rate of $111.44 per hour, not to exceed 25 hours, and authorizes the Board President to execute this agreement.
Motioned by Holly McCall to approve Items 5.1 through 5.4 as stated above. Seconded by Jane Kimmel Shepardson. Motion carried 4-0.
6. Facilities
7. Financials
7.1 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Claims Auditor Report for August 2020.
7.2 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Revenue Status Report for August 2020.
7.3 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education acknowledges receipt of the Appropriation Status Report for August 2020.
Motioned by Holly McCall to acknowledge receipt of Items 7.1 through 7.3 as stated above. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
8. Notice of Future Meetings
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - 7:30 pm
Audit Approval
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 – 7:30 pm
Horace Greeley High School – Auditorium
9. Adjournment
Motioned by Jane Kimmel Shepardson to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 pm. Seconded by Hilary Grasso. Motion carried 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Liisa Elsner
District Clerk / Secretary to the Superintendent
/lke