Chap BOE Highlights: Restructuring Still On Table, Search For Superintendent Search Firm

At the Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education's first 2010-11 meeting, Board President Janet Benton laid out several major items for the community, the ongoing search for a new superintendent and academic restructuring among them.

The trustees will determine whether they should retain the current search firm of School Leadership, LLC, or to use another one. The firm had a two-part contract: to engage the public and to present its report, which it did during the spring. There is another, optional part of the contract that would allow School Leadership to search for candidates. The board has not signed off on that work, according to Benton.

The degree of community participation was also discussed, an issue that was frequently raised in the spring during the initial search and the Board of Education election. For example, Board Member Alyson Kiesel suggested doing the interview of the firms in front of the public. Interim Superintendent John Chambers noted parts could also be done in executive session if necessary.

Benton said she hopes that the trustees can have a search firm chosen by August or September.

Academic restructuring is still on the table. While the trustees met then-Superintendent David Fleishman's findings, which were presented in May, with concern, board members this time expressed a desire to have the educational impact of restructuring measured, in addition to the financial impact.

While the administration would look at five options again, it could look at others if they come up. Benton indicated that November would be designated for it.

Benton told fellow members of an obscure piece of land off of Route 133 that the district owns called the Zauderer property. The site, more than 20 acres, was purchased in 1973 as a place for a potential elementary school, when the academic sequencing included sixth grade. According to Benton, it was also considered for what would become Seven Bridges Middle School but was not chosen because it was small and access was difficult.

Selling the property is a possibility, and the trustees want to notify the community and neighbors about what they are doing. In an interview, Benton said that they would also look into getting an appraisal, and that market timing would also be a factor.