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CSF-backed outdoor classroom cleared on consent as board seeks finalized design first
Summary
After questions from trustees about scope and landscaping, the board approved the Chappaqua School Foundation grant for an outdoor classroom on the consent agenda but agreed to finalize district drawings and coordinate design details with CSF before purchasing equipment.
The Chappaqua Central School District board on April 8 discussed a CSF-funded proposal to create an outdoor classroom in the high school courtyard and—after clarifying questions and public comment—approved the consent agenda that included the grant, while signaling the district will complete design work before purchases are finalized.
Presenters led by Matthew described a vision for a flexible instructional courtyard space intended to seat roughly 25 students, equipped with instructional supports such as whiteboards and flexible seating; the funding request included design/architectural fees, permits, equipment and a contingency for change orders. Staff identified KG&D as the designer/vendor to be contracted and noted a planning allocation of $10,000 intended for the design phase. The grant total shown in the materials was $178,861.
Several trustees expressed confusion about whether CSF funding would cover general landscaping or strictly the outdoor-classroom elements. Miss Steinbower, the board27s liaison to CSF, and district staff clarified that CSF funds are meant for the instructional outdoor-classroom components (furniture, permit and design costs) and that larger courtyard landscaping or broader student-union concepts would be addressed separately and would require board approval if additional district funds or changes to the itemized list were needed.
During public comment, Joanna Mjardo Kugan, identified herself as "executive vice president of the school foundation," and said CSF was enthusiastic about the project and had voted unanimously to support the outdoor classroom; she asked that the project not be postponed. Koma Bassin Mullik, the CSF grants-committee chair, said CSF could revisit the board if the district preferred to approve the design first.
The board returned to the consent agenda later in the meeting, took items 5.12E5.22 as a single motion and approved them; the CSF grant appears in item 5.22. Trustees also agreed in discussion to proceed in phases: approve or contract for design drawings first, present the finalized design to the board and then approve purchases and final equipment lists so that CSF and the district are aligned before construction and procurement.
Next steps: the administration will pursue the design contract with the vendor and bring the completed drawings, itemized equipment list and cost estimates back to the board for final approval before purchases are made.
