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minutes · portal: diligent

September 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes

Tax Rate Hearing/Board of Education Business Meeting 
School District of Clayton 
September 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes 
 
Members Present: 
 
Ms. Amy Rubin – President  
Ms. Stacy Siwak –Vice President 
Mr. Gary Pierson –Secretary 
Ms. Kim Hurst – Treasurer  
Mr. Jason Wilson – Director 
Mr. Jason Growe – Director  
Ms. Chris Win – Director 
 
 
Non-Voting Attendees: 
Dr. Nisha Patel – Superintendent  
Dr. Milena Garganigo – Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and 
Learning 
Dr. Tony Arnold – Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources 
Dr. Robyn Wiens – Assistant Superintendent of Student Services 
Dr. Cameron Poole – Chief Officer of Equity, Inclusion & 
Accountability 
John Brazeal, Chief Financial Officer 
Luke Heitert – Chief Communications Officer/Safety & Security Liaison 
Jeff Puls – Director of Technology 
Mohini Mahajan – 23/24 Student Representative to the Board 
Heike Janis – Executive Assistant to Superintendent/Board of 
Education 
 
1. Tax Rate Hearing – 7:00 p.m. 
Information: 1.01 Adequate Notice/Call to Order - Tax Rate Hearing 
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 
 
Information: 1.02 2023 Property Tax Rate Hearing 
Chief Financial Officer, John Brazeal, facilitated the tax rate hearing and provided information to board members and the community 
regarding the process of the tax rate setting. 
 
Information: 1.03 Public Comments - 2023 Tax Rate 
Public Comments for the Tax Rate Hearing:  
There were no public comments for the tax rate hearing. 
 
2. Adjournment of Tax Rate Hearing 
Action, Procedural: 2.01 Adjourn Tax Rate Hearing 
The meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m. 
 
3. Statement of Adequate Notice 
Information, Procedural: 3.01 Call to Order 
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 
 
Action: 3.02 Approval of Agenda 
To adopt the agenda as posted. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Amy Rubin. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
 


Board of Education Meeting 
September 27, 2023 
Page 2 
 
 
4. Recognizing Our Own 
Information: 4.01 Honeycomb STL 
The Board of Education recognized Sari Gross for bringing a new organization for Jewish teens to St. Louis called Honeycomb STL. 
 
Information: 4.02 High School Student Published Author 
The Board of Education recognized Grace Wolf, a current Senior at Clayton High School, who published her first children's book. 
 
5. Public Comment 
Information: 5.01 Public Participation at Board Meetings 
Michelle Abounader:  
Addressed the board with concerns regarding the need for change in the district and SSD to support the students. 
 
Paul Crowe:  
Addressed the board of education regarding the concerns about administration at Special School District and School District of 
Clayton. 
 
6. Superintendent Communications 
Information: 6.01 Superintendent Communications 
Dr. Nisha Patel, Superintendent, shared an update of the district with the board members. 
 
7. Student Representative to the Board 
Information: 7.01 Student Representative to the Board of Education - Update 
Student Representative, Mohini Mahajan, provided an update to the board regarding information she received through the School 
Board Student Advisory group (SBSA) meeting with students. 
 
8. Presentations 
Action: 8.01 SSD Partnership 
No motion was made to approve the partnership agreement. After discussion and input from parents, this agenda item will be added 
to the October 11, 2023 business meeting and the vote will be postponed until then. 
 
9. Action Items 
Action: 9.01 2023 Property Tax Rate 
Approve 2023 property tax rates as follows: 
$3.8772 per $100 assessed valuation for residential real estate. 
$4.6025 per $100 assessed valuation for commercial real estate. 
$4.4447 per $100 assessed valuation for personal property. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Amy Rubin. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
Action: 9.02 2024 Renewal of Employee Benefit Plans 
Approve the insurance providers, the plan designs/benefit summaries, premium rates and District contributions for 2024 as 
presented; and authorize District administration to execute contracts to facilitate these employee benefits. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Stacy Siwak. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 


Board of Education Meeting 
September 27, 2023 
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Action: 9.03 Approval of CRSWC Budget for 2023-2024 
That the Board of Education approve the Fiscal Year 2024 CRSWC budget as submitted. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Stacy Siwak. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
Action, First Reading: 9.04 2nd Reading - Policy Update 
That the Board of Education approve policies IGAB, IGC, IKE, IL and IND as presented. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Jason Wilson. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
10. Consent Agenda 
Action (Consent): 10.01 Motion to Approve Consent Agenda Items 
That the Board of Education approve the consent agenda items 10.02 through 10.14 
 
10.02 Adoption of the Local Compliance Plan for the Division of Special Education (ECSE) 
10.03 Agreement for Providing Music Therapy Services to Students 
10.04 Agreement with Special School District for Provision of ECSE Services for 2023-2024 
10.05 Agreement with Special School District for Homebound General Education Services 
10.06 Adoption of the Local Compliance Plan for the SSD Partner Districts (K-12) 
10.07 Agreement with Special School District of St. Louis County for Substitute Teacher Service 
10.08 Early Resignation Notification Incentive Plan 
10.09 MOU - Missouri Baptist University Field Experience and Student Teaching Agreement 
10.10 2023-2024 Substitute Nurse Pay Increase 
10.11 August 2023 Financial Reporting 
10.12 August 2023 Disbursement Report 
10.13 Personnel 
10.14 Approval of Minutes 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Amy Rubin. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
11. Board Communications 
Information: 11.01 Board Calendar, Committee, Community and Liaison Reports 
Gary Pierson - Mr. Pierson attended the Parks and Rec meeting and provided a brief update. 
Jason Growe - Mr. Growe attended the Clayton Education Foundation (CEF) meeting and shared information with the board 
members. 
Chris Win - Ms. Win attended the Social/Emotional and Wellness Committee meeting as well as the Special School District Governing 
Council meeting and provided an update to the board members. 
Stacy Siwak - Ms. Siwak attended a planning session with the STL School Boards Professional Learning Communities and shared 
information with the board members. 
 
 
 


Board of Education Meeting 
September 27, 2023 
Page 4 
 
 
12. Adjournment 
Action, Procedural: 12.01 Adjournment 
The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m. 
 
That the Board of Education adjourn. 
 
Motion by Gary Pierson, second by Jason Wilson. 
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 
Yes: Amy Rubin, Kimberly Hurst, Stacy Siwak, Gary Pierson, Jason Wilson, Chris Win, Jason Growe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 _________________________________________  
 
___________________________________________ 
                 Amy Rubin, Board President            
 
 
Gary Pierson, Board Secretary  
 
   Date: September 27, 2023