Board approves donations, personnel appointments and routine action items

The White Plains Board of Education on Feb. 9 approved a package of routine action items including donations, personnel appointments and procedural items.

Donations accepted included 100 copies of a book for fifth graders, a $10,000 donation to the Glenn Creative Writing Scholarship, a $5,832 gift to athletics (to cover bus expenses for the boys basketball team), a $2,500 award to a White Plains High School incubator EDU team, Friends of White Plains Public Schools grants supporting trips and classroom activities, and PTA grants to support student experiences. The board voted to accept the donations after a motion and second; the vote was recorded as 'Aye.'

Personnel actions approved included authorization for the board president to execute an employment agreement appointing Dr. Tammy Cosgrove as interim assistant superintendent of human resources (item a), acceptance of a separation agreement (item b), nomination of Cheryl Brady to the Westchester BOCES board for a three‑year term, acceptance of the resignation for retirement of Catherine Barpalis (effective 06/30/2026), approval of a paid leave extension under the CSEA contract for listed employees, and acceptance of Michael Eaton's resignation as middle‑school principal effective 03/23/2026.

The board appointed Joseph Spiro as acting principal at Highlands Middle School from 02/10/2026 through 03/23/2026 at a per‑diem rate with no additional benefits and designated him as chief faculty counselor for the extra classroom activities fund for 2025–2026. The board also approved an increase in pay rates for athletic event staff effective 03/01/2026, citing recruitment and safety concerns.

In legal and procedural business, the board approved a stipulation of settlement in connection with an impartial hearing (case no. 627173) and listed several policies for first reading; the first reading does not require a board vote.

All action items presented during the meeting were moved and seconded and recorded as approved by voice vote. Trustees noted community updates will be shared following personnel appointments where appropriate.