[00:00:07]
>> WELCOME. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER
[2. Public Session - 7:30 p.m.]
THE BUSINESS MEETING OF THE PELHAM BOARD OF EDUCATION OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17TH, 2024.PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE I'LL ASK MRS. DE ANGELIS FOR REITERATION OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTIONS.
>> THE BOARD MET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT HISTORY OF A PARTICULAR PERSON AND TO DISCUSS COLLECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
>> AGAIN, WELCOME TO EVERYBODY. WE'RE VERY EXCITED.
WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT RECOGNITION.
SO HAPPY FOR PRINCIPAL JOHNSON.
WE'LL ALSO BE DISCUSSING OUR BUDGET ADOPTION TONIGHT AND THANK THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND MR. RICKY AND JACKIE VIGIL OUR DISTRICT TREASURER FOR ALL THE WORK, DR.
CHAMP, THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, AND EVERYBODY WHO'S WORKED HARD ON THE BUDGET.
I KNOW WE'VE WRESTLED WITH FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN WELL, BALANCING THE BUDGET, THE COST, AND THE BENEFITS TO STUDENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET THAT SERVES OUR EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND MAINTAINS THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE DISTRICT, AND PROTECTS THE TAXPAYERS.
UM. NEXT, WE HAVE OUR APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
[3. Approval of Minutes]
I WOULD ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 3.1 AND 3.2 AS A CONSENT AGENDA.NEXT BRINGS US TO 4.1 STAFF RECOGNITION.
[4.1 Staff Recognition]
>> I'M GOING TO DO THAT OVER FROM THE PODIUM.
I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
I WISH WE HAD A BIGGER AUDIENCE, BUT THAT DOES NOT DIMINISH THE EXCITEMENT AND THE WONDERFUL HONOR THAT WE HAVE TONIGHT.
SHORTLY BEFORE SPRING RECESS, WE WERE ELATED TO LEARN THAT OUR SIWANOY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MR. FARID JOHNSON WAS HONORED AS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE.
YOU MAY HAVE EVEN SEEN HIM ON CBS NEWS ON MONDAY.
THAT'S BEEN MAKING ITS WAY AROUND THE INTER WEBS REALLY EXCITED FOR ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE COMING FROM THAT.
FARID, I'LL JUST INVITE YOU TO COME UP HERE AND JOIN ME WHILE I DO THIS.
PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AWARD IS GIVEN TO A SAANYS MEMBER, WHO IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE, SUPPORTS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO MEET THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS, AND HAS FIRM TIES TO PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY.
SAANYS IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT REPRESENTS NEARLY 22,000 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERVISORS, AND RETIRED EDUCATIONAL LEADERS.
AS A PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION, SAANYS IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING DIRECTION, SERVICE, AND SUPPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP AND THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP IN NEW YORK STATE SCHOOLS.
SAANYS IS AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS.
FARID HAS DONE INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
THIS IS HIS FOURTH YEAR WITH US IN THE DISTRICT, AND I'LL BE SAYING SOME NICE THINGS ABOUT HIM IN ABOUT A MONTH, AS WE HAVE OUR UPCOMING TENURE MEETING.
IN FARID'S TIME, HE'S BROUGHT A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO BEAR THAT HAVE REALLY LEFT HIS CLEAR FINGERPRINTS ON SIWANOY.
IN PARTICULAR, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW OF THOSE.
I WANT TO SAVE SOME FOR WHEN WE MEET NEXT MONTH.
YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT FARID WAS RECOGNIZED EARLIER IN THIS YEAR AND RECEIVED THE PTA HEROES AND EDUCATION AWARD.
HE WAS A RECIPIENT OF THAT AWARD NOMINATED BY HIS PTA,
[00:05:02]
WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT AND HONOR AS A FORMER PRINCIPAL, MYSELF, AND THOSE OF US IN THE ROOM WHO HAVE DONE THAT WORK TO BE RECOGNIZED BY YOUR PTA FOR THEM TO TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP OF RECOGNIZING YOU ON A LARGER LEVEL, REALLY IS VERY MEANINGFUL AND THAT COMES FROM THOSE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS THAT HE'S BUILT WITH THEM.IN HIS TIME AT THE SCHOOL, JUST A FEW OF THE THINGS THAT HE'S BROUGHT TO AGAIN, PUT THAT FINGERPRINT ON.
ONE, THIS YEAR, AND I KNOW OUR PTA COUNSEL HAS EVEN SAID, HEY, HOW DO WE DO THIS DISTRICT-WIDE? THAT'S THE SIWANOY UNIVERSITY, BRINGING A SERIES OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL STAFF TO EDUCATE AND PARTNER WITH PARENTS ON TOPICS THAT ARE RELEVANT AND IMPORTANT TO THEM AS THEY RAISE THEIR CHILDREN.
HE HAS EACH YEAR, NOW CREATED THE UPSTANDAR GALLERY WALK TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN TO PUT THEIR CHARACTER LESSONS INTO ACTION, CHOOSING UPSTANDERS FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND DRAWING QUOTES FROM THEM, LEARNING THOSE QUOTES, ILLUSTRATING, AND BEING ABLE TO SPEAK TO THESE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIVES.
HE HAS STARTED CULTURE FEST, THE SIWANOY'S UNIQUE TWIST ON HOW DO WE CELEBRATE, EMBRACE, AND REALLY TREASURE AND VALUE THE DIVERSITY THAT IS OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
WE'RE SO PROUD AND THANKFUL FOR THE DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE.
IT'S SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE SCHOOL, SEE EVERYONE CELEBRATING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF FOOD TO SHARE, TALENTS TO SHARE, AND IT'S JUST A JOYFUL CELEBRATION, AND THAT'S BEEN DONE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DIVERSITY COMMITTEE.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT EFFORT THAT I WAS PARTICULARLY THRILLED ABOUT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO ME, AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY VALUES, AND THAT'S COMMUNITY SERVICE.
BRINGING THE SIWANOY SERVES INITIATIVE TO SIWANOY WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SITE-BASED TEAM, WHERE THERE'S DIFFERENT COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE IDENTIFIED FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL SO THAT THERE'S REALLY A STRUCTURED PROGRAMMED TRADITION OF SERVICE THAT THE STUDENTS GROW UP WITH IN THEIR TIME COMING THROUGH SIWANOY WHICH THEN FOSTERS THAT LIFE HABIT.
AND AS WE ALL KNOW, AS A DISTRICT, WE REQUIRE OUR STUDENTS TO DO 40 HOURS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT SO TO TAP INTO THAT EARLY AND TRAIN KIDS UP IN THAT HAS REALLY BEEN A WONDERFUL THING THAT HE HAS BROUGHT TO SIWANOY.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY AS WE CLOSE OUT ON THIS, AND THERE'S SO MUCH MORE I COULD SAY.
I WOULD SAY WHEN I MET FARID FOUR YEARS AGO, ACTUALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, I THINK IS WHEN WE HAD OUR FIRST MEETING AND INTERVIEW.
JUST THE CHARISMA THAT HE BRINGS, THE PASSION THAT HE BRINGS, THE JOY THAT HE HAS FOR THE WORK THAT HE DOES, GETTING TO WORK WITH KIDS EVERY DAY IS THE COOLEST THING IN HIS LIFE AND THAT REALLY EXUDES FROM EVERYTHING HE DOES AND IT PERVADES EVERYTHING HE DOES.
TO BE ABLE TO HAVE HIM ON OUR STAFF TO BRING THAT JOY, TO BE THE SUPERHERO TO THE KIDS, AND TO BE THE CHEERLEADER FOR ALL THAT GOES ON AT SIWANOY REALLY HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.
HIS CHARISMA IS NOT JUST AT THE SURFACE LEVEL, THOUGH, HIS PASSION FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND HIS PASSION FOR MAKING HIS SCHOOL THE BEST IT CAN BE AND HELPING TO WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH HIS TEACHERS, PROVIDE THE SUPPORT, THE GUIDANCE, THE LEADERSHIP, AND THE CHALLENGE TO THEM TO HAS CONTINUED TO HELP SIWANOY REALLY BE THE AMAZING PLACE THAT IT HAS BEEN, AND NOW TO BRING SOME NEW ELEMENTS TO IT THAT REALLY ARE SOMETHING THAT HE AND WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.
SO ON BEHALF OF THE APPELLANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AGAIN, WE ARE ALSO PROUD OF YOU FARID.
SINCE TAKING THE REINS AT SIWANOY JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, YOU'VE PROVEN YOURSELF TO BE AN ENERGETIC BUILDING LEADER WHO'S FOSTERED MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES.
I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATORS HERE IN PELHAM ARE THE FINEST THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AND FARID IS YET ONE MORE ADDITION TO THAT FINE OUTSTANDING GROUP OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS.
JUST OF NOTE, PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW, MR. JOHNSON HAS BEEN ACTIVE AND ACTUALLY, I THINK THE BOARD MIGHT BE ACTING ON ONE PIECE OF THIS TONIGHT.
HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN EDUCATION FOR HIMSELF FOR MANY YEARS.
HE RECEIVED HIS BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE AND A MASTER'S FROM MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE, IS WHERE I ALSO WENT FOR MY DOCTORATE.
HE RECEIVED A SECOND MASTER'S FROM BANK STREET COLLEGE, AND MR. JOHNSON IS CURRENTLY PURSUING A DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN ST. JOHN FISHER.
LIFELONG LEARNER AND COMMITTED TO ALWAYS MAKING EVERY DAY A BETTER HIM. EVERY DAY A BETTER YOU.
ON BEHALF OF THE APPELLANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MR. JOHNSON, CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SELECTED THE SAANYS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR.
>> JUST QUICKLY, I'D LIKE TO THANK THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THIS RECOGNITION.
THANK YOU, DR. CHAMP AND EVERYONE ELSE FOR BEING HERE.
I KNOW IT'S PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR, BUT LIKE I TELL EVERYONE THAT I TALK TO, THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME.
I DO WHAT I CAN FOR KIDS AND I DO IT PASSIONATELY.
BUT THIS IS ABOUT THE TEACHERS THAT HELP GET ME HERE, THIS IS ABOUT THE PARENTS THAT HAVE CHALLENGED ME OVER THE YEARS TO MAKE ME A BETTER PERSON,
[00:10:02]
THIS IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ABOVE ME AND THIS IS ABOUT OTHER LEADERS THAT WEREN'T NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD LIKE THIS, BUT WORK JUST AS HARD AS ME TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN FOR KIDS.THANK YOU FOR THIS PERSONAL RECOGNITION, BUT IT'S NOT ABOUT ME IT'S MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY. HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.
[APPLAUSE] THANKS FOR BEING HERE.
NICE WAY TO START THE EVENING.
>> I'M GOING TO SUGGEST WE CAN MOVE UP PUBLIC COMMENT.
[5. Communications and Comments from the Public]
IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE, JUST SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.TODAY, I AM REPRESENTING PELHAM PACK 8 AS THE CUB MASTER.
PELHAM CUB SCOUTS PACK 1 AND 8, WHICH IS MADE UP OF STUDENTS FROM COLONIAL AND PROSPECT AND HUTCH IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH, HAD THEIR ANNUAL PINEWOOD DERBY THIS SUNDAY AND MORE THAN 50 SCOUTS AND THEIR SIBLINGS PARTICIPATED.
WE WERE GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO USE A COLONIAL GYM FOR THE DAY AS A VENUE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ENTAILS HOURLY COSTS TO BE PAID, TO PAY A CUSTODIAN TO BE THERE ON THE WEEKEND DAY.
THOSE COSTS ARE PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL FOR OUR GROUPS, AND WE WERE HOPING THE DISTRICT MIGHT BE WILLING TO HELP SUPPORT ITS SCHOOL CHILDREN'S PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT BY WAVING ALL OR PART OF THE COSTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>> THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ON TO SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
[4.2 Superintendent's Report]
AGAIN, A REALLY WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR ONE OF OUR NEWEST EDUCATIONAL LEADERS.
SO IT'S GREAT TO HAVE FARID HERE TONIGHT AND HAVE MS. GARCIA HERE TO SUPPORT HIM AS WELL.
WE ARE VERY BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH A GREAT TEAM.
AND FOR THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR WORK HERE IS REALLY JUST NICE.
I KNOW WE'VE GOT SOME BUDGET DISCUSSION TONIGHT.
JUST WANTED TO AGAIN, AS MICHAEL DID AS WELL, THANK JIM AND JACKIE AND THE ENTIRE BUSINESS OFFICE FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY'VE DONE OVER THE LAST LARGE CHUNK OF THE YEAR, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH TIME IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS TO PUT THE BUDGET TOGETHER AND HELP US WITH THAT WORK.
THANKS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WHO ALSO VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT PRIORITIZING AND PUTTING TOGETHER THE BUILDING AND DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS.
SO WE'LL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THAT IN A LITTLE BIT.
JUST A COUPLE ANNOUNCEMENTS TONIGHT FOR FOLKS TO KEEP IN MIND.
SOME THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED RECENTLY.
WE HAVE ON MAY 2ND, THE PELHAM COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO VIEW A SPECIAL HOLOCAUST EXHIBIT ENTITLED, COURAGE TO REMEMBER.
THAT WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE PELHAM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL, BLUE GYM.
THE EXHIBIT WILL BE ON DISPLAY FROM 5:30 TO 7:00 AND WILL BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LECTURE FROM STEPHEN GOLDBERG, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR THE HOLOCAUST AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION CENTER IN WHITE PLAINS.
HE'S INCREDIBLY ENGAGING SPEAKER.
I THINK HE'S AN EDUCATOR, RETIRED EDUCATOR WHO'S REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK.
RSVS ARE REQUESTED FOR THE LECTURE PORTION, AND THAT CAN BE COMPLETED ON PARENT SQUARE.
AND THANKS TO DR. THOMPSON FOR HER WORK TO SET THIS UP FOR THIS REALLY INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR US TO KEEP IN FRONT OF OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN.
MR. JOHNSON ALREADY LEFT, BUT ALEX WOLF AND I GOT TO GO OVER AND VISIT WITH MR. JOHNSON AND A TEAM OF VOLUNTEER PTA PARENTS LED UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ANNA SIMONSON, DOING STORMWATER PLANTINGS.
I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT STORMWATER.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT CONCRETE AND GRAY SCAPE, I THINK.
BUT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE PTA AT SIWANOY.
I'M PROBABLY GOING TO GET HER TITLE WRONG, BUT A SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE SCIENTIST.
THEY PUT TOGETHER A PROJECT WHERE THE SIWANOY FOURTH GRADERS HELPED PLANT VARIOUS SHRUBS AND TREES DESIGNED TO
[00:15:02]
HELP ABSORB EXCESS WATER ON THE NORTH END OF THE SCHOOL PROPERTY.THEY LEARNED DIFFERENT SKILLS ABOUT HOW TO PLANT, ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THE PLANTS ARE GOING TO HELP WITH STORMWATER RUN OFF, ETC.
AND WE'LL BE HAVING A FORMAL RIBBON CUTTING ON APRIL 20TH.
THANKS TO JOHN CONDON, JOHN AND JIM AND I MET OVER THERE SEVERAL TIMES TO TALK WITH THEM AND BRAINSTORM ON THE PROJECT.
THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW THE PROPERTY, IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FRONT OF SIWANOY ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT ALONG THE FENCE LINE, IT ALWAYS FLOODS.
THERE'S A BIG RUN DOWN THE HILL DITCH AND IT FLOODS ANYTIME THEY GET ANY MAJOR STORM.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE THEY DESIGNED THIS NEW AREA WITH SHRUBBERY THAT'S DESIGNED.
IT'S NATIVE PLANTINGS THAT WILL SPECIFICALLY HELP TO AERATE THE SOIL AND ABSORB SOME OF THE WATER TO FIND A NATURAL WAY.
EVEN THOSE SMALL LITTLE EFFORTS LIKE THAT CAN ACCOMPLISH A LOT BY WAY OF REDUCING FLOODING AND KEEPING POLLUTION FROM FLOWING INTO THE WATER SYSTEMS AS SHE WAS EDUCATING THE CHILDREN ON.
THAT WAS FUN. WE GOT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR THAT.
UPCOMING, WE HAVE THE US ARMY FIELD BAND AND SOLDIERS CHORUS.
WE'LL BE PERFORMING HERE OVER THE PASSOVER WEEKEND.
IT'LL BE A FREE CONCERT AT 3:00 O'CLOCK ON SUNDAY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM.
SO TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ARMY FIELD BAND WEBSITE.
ABSOLUTELY ENCOURAGE FOLKS IF YOU'RE IN TOWN, IT IS TOP NOTCH MUSIC.
PLEASE COME AND TAKE THE TIME.
I THINK EVEN ONE OF OUR PELHAM DADS IS IN THE BAND.
YEAH. SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO COME SUPPORT THEM.
AND THEN ALSO ON THAT SAME MILITARY THEME, SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, THAT THIS IS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, WE ARE CELEBRATING APRIL AS THE MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD.
AND TO RECOGNIZE THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY OF MILITARY FAMILIES, WE ARE ENCOURAGING ALL STAFF AND STUDENTS TO WEAR PURPLE ON FRIDAY APRIL, 26.
SO PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR, LOOKING FORWARD TO BE PARTICIPATING IN THAT AND JUST RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN WHO ATTEND OUR SCHOOLS AND THE STAFF WHO HAVE FAMILY IN THE MILITARY WHO MAKE MANY SACRIFICES FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF OUR NATION AND THOSE OF US EVERY DAY.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO HONORING THEM.
AND FINALLY, SOME STUDENT RECOGNITIONS.
I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE PRODUCTION THIS WEEKEND, LIKE MANY OF YOU WERE AS WELL.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SOCK AND BUSKIN ON THEIR PRODUCTION OF, INTO THE WOODS, THAT WAS STAGED FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, WAS REALLY AS USUAL, INCREDIBLY TALENTED.
THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW THE SHOW KNOW THAT SOMETIMES HIGH SCHOOLS STOP AFTER THE FIRST ACT BECAUSE IT'S CHEERY, HAPPY AND SHORT, BUT NOT SOCK AND BUSKIN.
WE DELVE INTO THE FULL PRODUCTION AND 3 HOURS LATER, REALLY OUTSTANDING WORK. THAT WAS GREAT.
AND WE ALSO THIS WEEK RECEIVED SOME RECOGNITIONS FROM THEIR PRIOR PRODUCTION, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER.
AND THEN BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY WENT TO ANDREW SCOTT AND TIA SENACHO.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY, WENT TO LIAM GINSBERG.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THESE STUDENTS.
AND THIS WAS FOR THE EASTERN STUDENT ARTIST GUILD AWARD.
SO THEY'LL BE RECOGNIZED AT MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE, COMING UP.
SO REALLY PROUD OF THEIR WORK, AND GREAT DATE NIGHT.
KEEP SAYING THAT TO ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN.
DINNER AT SERGIO'S, SHOW BY SOCK AND BUSKIN. THANK YOU.
[4.3 Board of Education Committee Reports]
BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS.>> WE'LL COVER THAT IN THE MOTION.
>> THE DISCUSSION AROUND THE BUDGET WILL COVER THE THEMES THAT WE TOUCHED ON.
>> I WOULD SAY SAME WITH POLICY.
WE GET A POLICY SECTION TO TACKLE THOSE.
>> SO THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO 4.4, AUTHENTIC LEARNING.
[4.4 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Authentic Learning]
>> LAST WEEK, WE DID HAVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE 3-8 ELA ASSESSMENTS, WHICH WAS PELHAM'S FIRST ADVENTURE WITH COMPUTER BASED TESTING.
I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THAT ADMINISTRATION.
OUR SYSTEM, THANKS TO OUR TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, WAS INCREDIBLY PREPARED FOR ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE OR WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, BUT THEY WERE SO PREPARED THAT NOTHING HAPPENED, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO REPORT TO YOU.
OUR STUDENTS ARE REPORTING HAVING HAD A MOSTLY NONPLUSED EXPERIENCE.
[00:20:07]
INTERESTINGLY, THE YOUNGER STUDENTS FEEL LIKE IT WAS LESS OF ANYTHING TO TALK ABOUT, WHEREAS OUR OLDER STUDENTS WHO ARE PERHAPS LIKE SOME OF US, LESS DIGITAL NATIVES, MAYBE MORE THAN WE ARE, PREFERRED TO HAVE THE SCRAP PAPER TO WRITE ON AND THEN TRANSFER ONTO THE COMPUTER BUT AGAIN, THERE WAS NOT A BIG ISSUE AROUND IT AT ALL.WE ARE EXPECTING AND HOPING FOR A PARALLEL EXPERIENCE FOR THE MATH ASSESSMENTS COMING UP THE WEEK OF MAY 6TH.
SINCE LAST WE MET, THE LITERACY COMMITTEE MET AGAIN TO REVIEW MORE IN DEPTH, AS A DISTRICT, OUR PROGRAMS, SURROUNDING LITERACY AND SCIENCE OF READING, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE ON THE COMMITTEE KNOWS THE UPDATE FROM THE STATE, WHICH IS THAT WE HAD FIRST BEEN TOLD THERE WERE GOING TO BE CHECKLISTS OF PROGRAMS THAT DISTRICT NEED TO ENSURE WHAT WE WERE USING FIT INTO THOSE CHECKLISTS, BUT WHAT'S COME OUT MORE RECENTLY IS THAT THE STATE DOESN'T ANTICIPATE CREATING A CHECKLIST, BUT RATHER LEAVING IT TO LOCAL CONTROL TO ENSURE THAT THE THINKING BEHIND WHAT WE DO IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE BACK TO BASICS INITIATIVE.
>> THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE A CHECKLIST.
>> BUT THE CHECKLIST IS NO CHECKLIST.
>> IT IS WHAT IT IS BUT ALSO, I THINK THE THINKING BEHIND THE BACK TO BASICS INITIATIVE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE LITERACY INSTRUCTION THAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT'S MOST RECENTLY UNDERSTOOD FROM RESEARCH AROUND THE SCIENCE OF READING.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING AN IN DEPTH ANALYSIS OF WHAT IT IS THAT WE PROVIDE FOR OUR KIDS AND AS I REPORTED AT THE BEGINNING, I WANT TO REITERATE, WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE, CHECKLIST OR NO CHECKLIST.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I KNOW ABOUT PELHAM IS THAT OUR STANDARDS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN COMPLIANCE LEVEL AT THE STATE, SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE NEEDED TO BE CONCERNED WITH ANYWAY.
THAT BEING SAID, OF COURSE, WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO IMPROVE AND PROVIDE BETTER SERVICES TO KIDS.
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE LITERACY COMMITTEE IS CONTINUING TO DO.
>> FOR THE LITERACY COMMITTEE, YOU SAID THAT EVERYBODY'S READING A BOOK OR REVIEWING A PARTICULAR BOOK ON THE SCIENCE OF READING.
>> A FEW YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A BOOK CLUB AROUND THEN, VERY CURRENT BOOK CALLED SHIFTING THE BALANCE, WHICH FOCUSED ON THE SCIENCE OF READING IN THE PRIMARY GRADES.
SINCE THEN, AN EDITION THAT IS FOCUSED ON MORE UPPER ELEMENTARY EARLY MIDDLE SCHOOL AGES HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND THAT BOOK CLUB IT HAS BEEN FORMED AND WILL CONTINUE.
WE DO HAVE A FEW TEACHERS ON THE COMMITTEE WHO ARE ALSO REVISITING THE FIRST BOOK BECAUSE PERHAPS THEY'RE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS OR UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHERS TRADITIONALLY, AND NOW THEY SEE THAT THERE'S A CONNECTION AND SO WE DO HAVE SOME RENEWED INTEREST IN THAT BOOK AS WELL.
FLEXIBLE FURNITURE, WE ARE WORKING ON OUR NEXT ORDER FOR FLEXIBLE FURNITURE SO THAT OUR FIRST AND SECOND GRADE CLASSROOMS WILL BE PREPARED FOR RECEIPT OF THAT FURNITURE AS SOON AS THE ORDERS COME IN, WHICH WILL HAPPEN AS SOON AS WE PLACE THEM.
AND OUR DISTRICT MTSS COMMITTEE MET ON MARCH 7TH AND IS MEETING AGAIN TOMORROW WHERE WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE'VE CREATED, AND NOT ONLY TYING UP WHAT WE'VE CREATED THIS YEAR, BUT ALSO USING IT AS A TEMPLATE TO MAKE PLANS FOR MOVING FORWARD.
THE SESSION TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE AROUND A STATUS ANALYSIS, BUT ALSO IDENTIFYING ON EACH LEVEL, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS? WHERE DO WE NEED TO TAKE THIS FROM HERE? BECAUSE IT IS A CONTINUOUS CYCLE OF IMPROVEMENT THAT WILL REALLY NEVER END.
THAT IS WHAT'S NEW AND EXCITING IN CURRICULUM.
>> THANK YOU. WITH THE TESTING, SO YOU GET A PIECE OF SCRATCH PAPER?
>> BUT THEN YOU WOULD DO THE MATH PROBLEMS? BECAUSE I'VE NEVER UNDERSTOOD HOW THEY DO DREAM BOX MATH PROBLEMS JUST LIKE ON THE COMPUTER.
>> IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MATH, THEN WHAT COULD HAPPEN IS YOU CAN HAVE UNLIMITED BLANK PAPER.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE TOOLS ON THE PLATFORM THAT ALLOW FOR SCRATCH WORK TO BE DONE ON THE SYSTEM.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS, I GUESS, IT'S A TRANSITION OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS BECAUSE, SOME CHILDREN DON'T WANT TO DO IT ON PAPER, SOME KIDS ARE OKAY WITH THE COMPUTER.
BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING MATH ASSESSMENTS, AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU BROUGHT IT UP.
ONE OF THE TOOLS THAT'S AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS IS USING A STYLUS
[00:25:04]
BECAUSE MATH IS DIFFERENT IN THAT YOU HAVE TO WORK OUT YOUR WORK.THE STYLUS OR STYLI, I FEEL LIKE I'VE DONE THIS A FEW TIMES, HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND ARE IN THE BUILDINGS, BUT DOCTOR CALLAHAN AND THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE ELA ASSESSMENTS HAD BEEN ADMINISTERED TO START SHOWING THE STUDENTS HOW TO USE THE STYLUS SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T GET CONFUSED ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN THEY CAN USE THE STYLUS AND THINK THAT WE USE IT FOR THE ELA ASSESSMENTS.
WHILE TO SOME OF US THAT MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL, IT REALLY WILL NOT BE A BIG DEAL, BUT IS AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION AND AN INDICATION OF THE LEVEL OF DETAIL THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THINGS.
ALSO, JUST TO REMIND YOU, WHEN YOU'RE USING YOUR CHROMEBOOKS, YOU CAN FOLD IT OVER AND YOU'LL HAVE IT AS A NOTEBOOK, WHICH IS AN OPTION, WHICH STUDENTS ARE STARTING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR PERSONAL PREFERENCES ARE.
YOU MAY HAVE SOME STUDENTS IN THE SAME CLASSROOM WHO WANT TO USE THE SCRATCH PAPER, SOME OTHERS WHO WANT TO KEEP THEIR CHROMEBOOK LIKE THIS BUT WORK ON THE SCREEN IN THIS WAY, AND STILL OTHERS WHO WANT TO TENT IT, WHICH LOOKS LIKE, WELL, I CAN'T DO IT WITH THIS ONE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, AND STILL OTHERS THAT WANT TO PULL IT COMPLETELY TO THE OTHER SIDE AND USE THE WHOLE THING AS IF IT'S A PAD.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH THEM, TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S READY BECAUSE WE WILL BE DOING CBT TESTING IN THREE DAY.
WITH ELA, IT WAS 5 THROUGH 8 WITH MATH, WE'RE DOING 3 THROUGH 8.
>> WE DID A SIMULATION IN JANUARY, THERE'S ALSO EXEMPLAR QUESTIONS ON A WEBSITE THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DOING.
BUT ALSO, YOU MENTIONED DREAM BOX AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS THAT WE USE HAVE PARALLEL TOOLS THAT THE KIDS HAVE BEEN USING JUST AS A MATTER OF COURSE IN THEIR INSTRUCTION.
AGAIN, GOING BACK TO THE IDEA THAT THE KIDS ARE NONPLUSSED BY THE WHOLE THING.
THAT'S JUST BECAUSE OF ALL OF THIS WORK THAT'S BEEN EMBEDDED INTO THE INSTRUCTION.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU. NEXT ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS UPDATE ON THE WHOLE CHILD.
[4.5 Assistant Superintendent's Update on The Whole Child]
>> SURE. I WILL TRY TO BE BRIEF.
I KNOW WE WANT TO GET TO THE BUDGET.
IN TERMS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND 504 WORLD, WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF ANNUAL REVIEW SEASON, WHICH IS THE BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR FOR US.
A LOT OF US DON'T RESURFACE UNTIL JUNE.
AGAIN, JUST WANT TO THANK THE STAFF.
MY STAFF INTERNALLY IN MY OFFICE.
IT'S A LOT OF MEETINGS TO PLAN, A LOT OF INVITATIONS TO SEND OUT.
IN TERMS OF JUST ICT COACHING, WE HAVE THE FINAL VISITS FOR THE YEAR.
THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL HAVE THEIR FINAL VISIT ON MAY 16TH, AND THEN HUTCHINSON WILL HAVE THEIR FINAL VISIT ON MAY 30TH.
IN TERMS OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING, THE WELLNESS POLICY WAS REVIEWED BY THE POLICY COMMITTEE LAST WEEK, SO IT WAS APPROVED TO MOVE TO FIRST READING.
ALL OF YOU HOPEFULLY HAVE SEEN THAT.
IN TERMS OF COUNSELING, THE PRE ACT EXAM WAS ADMINISTERED LAST MONTH AT THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SOPHOMORES.
THAT IS EVENTUALLY ALSO MOVING TO COMPUTER BASED.
I BELIEVE WE JUST RECEIVED THE SCORES RECENTLY IN THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT.
WE'LL BE RELEASING THAT TO PARENTS SHORTLY IN STUDENTS.
A SHARED IN MY PRIOR MEMO, AP EXAMS ARE COMING UP IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THE WEEK OF MAY 6TH-17TH.
PLANNING IS IN THE FINAL STAGES.
MR. FARRELL AND HIS OFFICE IS WORKING ON FINALIZING THE PROCTOR ASSIGNMENTS, THE ROSTERS, THE ROOM ASSIGNMENTS, SO THAT'S READY TO GO.
THE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE PROCESS IS MOVING ALONG, BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE IMPACTED BY THE NEW FASFA FORMS. IT'S BEEN, I THINK, NOT QUITE AN EASY TRANSITION AS WAS ANTICIPATED AND IT'S IMPACTING I THINK DECISIONS THAT FAMILIES ARE MAKING BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR FINANCIAL PACKAGES ULTIMATELY ARE.
IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A CHALLENGE, BUT OUR STUDENTS CONTINUE TO BE ACCEPTED TO TOP TIER SCHOOLS, AND BY NEXT MONTH, THEY'LL HAVE A NICE UPDATE FOR YOU AS WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE GOING.
THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT ALSO JUST COMPLETED ITS FINAL SESSION OF THEIR JUNIOR COLLEGE SEMINAR PLANNING SERIES.
THAT'S A NEW INITIATIVE THIS YEAR.
ALL 11TH GRADERS PARTICIPATED IN A FIVE PLANNING SERIES PUSH IN WHERE THE COUNSELORS REVIEWED THE TOPICS WITH THEIR JUNIORS ABOUT REQUESTING TEACHER LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION, HOW TO USE NAVIANCE TO BUILD THEIR COLLEGE LIST, THE COLLEGE ESSAY, AND HOW TO CREATE A COMMON APP ACCOUNT.
NEXT UP FOR OUR COUNSELORS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH OUR SOPHOMORES, THEY'RE GOING TO BE PUSHING INTO CLASSES TO DO CAREER INTEREST INVENTORIES.
THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS THE STUDENTS START TO
[00:30:01]
THINK ABOUT THEIR POST SECONDARY PLANS, WHAT THEY MAY WANT TO THINK ABOUT FOCUSING ON IN THEIR COLLEGE STUDIES.IT ALSO HELPS THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH CIVICS WHEN THEY PLAN THE CAREER FAIRS.
SPEAKING OF WHICH, ON FRIDAY, APRIL 12TH, THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH CIVICS HELD THEIR LATEST CAREER FAIR, WHICH FOCUSED ON THE CAREERS OF IN NEUROLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY.
THEY ALWAYS MANAGED TO GET SUPER EXCITING PANEL SPEAKERS.
WE HAD EMILY UPSHER, WHO'S A LOCAL RESIDENT WHO IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST WITH UPSHER GLENN GROUP.
SHE WAS A PANELIST DR. ALYSSA BAUTISTA, WHO'S AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROLOGY AT NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, AND DR. MARC OTTEN, WHO'S THE ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF NEUROSURGERY AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY.
THE STUDENTS HAD A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE PANELISTS AND ASK ABOUT CAREERS IN THAT AREA.
AT THE END OF MARCH, OUR SOPHOMORES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE BOC CTE CAMPUS.
THAT'S OUR CAREER TECHNICAL OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS, WHICH THEY HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN FOR THEIR JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS.
WE ARE UP TO ABOUT NOW 29 STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THOSE PROGRAMMING.
SO THAT'S UP FROM THIS YEAR, WHICH IS UP FROM THE YEAR PRIOR.
LESLIE IN REGARD TO NURSING, ALSO, AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, WE'VE BECOME AN OPTION 1 NRCAN SCHOOL.
WE APPLIED TO THE STATE TO BE AN OPTION 1 SCHOOL, WHICH JUST ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN OUR OWN STAFF IN HOUSE, AND ALSO TO ORDER OUR SUPPLIES OF NRCAN DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE.
SO BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A SEPARATE NRCAN BOARD POLICY, WHICH ALSO WENT IN FRONT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE FOR FIRST READING FOR THE BOARD.
AND THAT'S ALL FOR ME. THANK YOU.
THEN NEXT, WE HAVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS UPDATE ON HUMAN RESOURCES AND LEARNING.
[4.6 Executive Director's Update on Human Resources and Learning]
AS YOU KNOW, THE PREPARATION FOR THE 2024, '25 SCHOOL YEARS IN FULL FORCE, WE DO HAVE INTERVIEWS AND SEARCHES GOING ON FOR STAFF MEMBERS, AND WE KNOW OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM IS DOING A GREAT JOB OF VETTING THROUGH SOME EXCELLENT CANDIDATES WE HAVE FOR THOSE POSITIONS.
OF COURSE, SOME OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE BUDGET.
WITH THAT, ALSO LOOKING AT LEAVE REPLACEMENTS, WHICH DO MAKE UP A BULK OF SOME OF THE HIRING THAT WE ARE DOING RECENTLY.
YOU'LL SEE ON THE AGENDA IN SCHEDULE A, WITH THE SHIFT IN LEADERSHIP PRIMARILY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE SHORT TERM, RIGHT FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MS. SAVIO IS GOING OUT ON LEAVE SO THEN WE DO HAVE THE SHIFT WITH MR. LUAN BEING THE ACTING PRINCIPAL.
THEN ALSO MARIA THOMPSON BECOMING THE ACTING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.
THEN MR. BRIAN LAYTON, HE'S A TEACHER PE TEACHER WHO WILL BE TEACHER ON ASSIGNMENT, WHO'S GOING TO ASSIST WITH WORKING WITH STUDENTS AND WITH SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS FOR THE REST OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
SO THAT'S WHEN WE BROKE UP THE AGENDA, WE HAD TO SPACE OUT.
THEN ALSO WE HAVE OUR CHANGES FOR NEXT YEAR.
PRIMARILY, WE HAVE THE SHIFT WITH MR. LUAN WHO WILL BE TAKING LEAVE OF ABSENCE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR AS TO BECOME THE PRINCIPAL OF PALMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL.
WITH THAT SHIFT, THEN THERE IS, OF COURSE, A NEED FOR AN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.
DR. THOMPSON WILL BECOME THE THE INTERIM ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND TAKE A LEAVE FROM HER DIRECTOR OF HUMANITIES POSITION NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
THAT WILL ALSO LEAVE A DIRECTOR HUMANITIES LEAVE REPLACEMENT POSITION, WHICH WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT STAFFING AND POSTING FOR THAT RELATIVELY SOON.
YOU'LL SEE THAT IN THE AGENDA. YOU'LL ALSO SEE IN THE AGENDA, THERE'LL BE TWO MEMORANDUMS OF AGREEMENT, ONE WITH THE ADMINISTRATOR ASSOCIATION AND THE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION TO SUPPORT THAT WORK FOR MR. LAYTON ALSO WITH DR. THOMPSON.
I JUST WANTED TO OUTLINE THOSE BECAUSE IT DOES GET A LITTLE COMPLICATED.
YOU'LL ALSO SEE ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM IN THE BUSINESS PORTION WITH 6.14, WHICH SAY BUDGET TRANSFER, AND THAT IS TO FUND SCHOOL LEADERSHIP AS A SEARCH FOR THE NEXT ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE.
THAT IS TRANSFER THAT MONEY IS TRANSFERRED INTO ONE OF THE LINES, WHICH I OVERSEE.
IS THERE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT? LASTLY, JUST IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET, IT'S NOT JUST WITH THE NEW YORK STATE IDENTIFYING THE AID FOR SCHOOLS AND TAX RECEIPTS AND SO FORTH, AND SO ON.
THERE'S ALSO THEY PUT INTO SOME EDUCATIONAL PIECES INTO IT.
WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT THERE MAY BE A CHANGE TO THE ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW FOR TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS NEXT YEAR.
[00:35:01]
THAT'S THE WORD ON THE STREET.AGAIN, WE WON'T KNOW THE FINAL ITEMS, WHICH WILL BE ADDED TO IT, BUT APPARENTLY, THERE'LL BE MORE LOCAL CONTROL, WHICH IS GREAT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN TERMS OF EVALUATING TEACHERS AND ALSO PRINCIPALS.
THERE WILL BE I THINK A COMPLEX NATURE TO IT BECAUSE THERE'LL BE A LOT OF ITEMS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE UNITS, WHICH THE PAST APPR CERTAIN ITEMS THAT ARE NEGOTIATED AND CERTAIN ITEMS THAT WERE NOT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE, BUT APPARENTLY THERE WILL BE AN EIGHT YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD.
IT'S GOING TO GIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS A LOT OF TIME TO SORT THIS OUT.
I'M SURE THEY WILL BE MORE INFORMATION UPCOMING.
ONE THING THAT GAVE US A LITTLE PAUSE.
USUALLY, IF THERE'S A PROFESSIONAL WHO NEEDS SOME MORE SUPPORT, IT COULD BE A TEACHER IMPROVEMENT PLAN THAT'S ESTABLISHED OR A PRINCIPAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
BUT ONE THING THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE OR MY EYE IN PARTICULAR IS THAT THIS NEW REGULATION OR THIS NEW APPR MAY BE STATING THAT ALL EDUCATORS WOULD NEED TO HAVE THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL GROWTH PLANS.
WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. IT SOUNDS GREAT.
I'M HOPING THAT THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS LIKE MY LEARNING PLAN THAT WE HAVE, WHERE TEACHERS KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR IT, BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
WE'RE VERY CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.
AS MORE BUDGET INFORMATION COMES FROM THE STATE, WE'LL UPDATE YOU ON THAT. THANK YOU. OKAY.
>> THAT BRINGS US TO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS UPDATE ON FINANCE AND FACILITIES.
[4.7 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Finance and Facilities]
>> HI. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU.
AS WE KNOW THIS EVENING IS THE TIME FOR BUDGET ADOPTION.
I CERTAINLY WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT, THANK ALL THE BOARD, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, COLLEAGUES AND CERTAINLY FOLKS IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE'VE ALL BEEN PART OF THIS BUDGETING PROCESS. WE THINK ABOUT IT.
IT STARTED BACK IN OCTOBER, AT THE END OF OCTOBER, WHERE THE BOARD PROVIDED SOME GUIDANCE.
THE SUPERINTENDENT FIRST LAUNCHED THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET THEN IN EARLY FEBRUARY, HAD A NUMBER OF BOARD MEETINGS AND WHERE THEY'VE BEEN LINE BY LINE MEETINGS AS WELL AS INTERIM MEETINGS WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
I THINK WE COUNTED ABOUT FIVE MEETINGS IN BETWEEN THAT TIME WITH WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AS WELL AS WE WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, AND I THINK IT'S BEEN A VERY GOOD PROCESS AS WE'VE WORKED ALONG.
THE BUDGET, AS WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT, IT REFLECTS VERY MINOR CHANGES FROM THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET.
I THINK WE'VE SHARED WITH THE BOARD, AND I THINK WE'VE EVEN SHARED IN PUBLIC.
WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED SINCE THE TIME THE BUDGET WAS FIRST PROPOSED UNTIL THIS POINT IN TIME, WE'VE IDENTIFIED TWO ADDITIONAL STUDENTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO REQUIRE PLACEMENTS OUTSIDE OF DISTRICT.
AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE CAPTURE THAT AS PART OF THIS BUDGET.
THE NEXT QUESTION IS, WELL, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT, AND IT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
WE'VE LOOKED AT OUR EXPENSE LINES, WE'VE REDUCED SOME EXPENSES IN DIFFERENT LINES, LEGAL OR INTERN PROGRAM, SOME SOFTWARE, SOME CONSULTANCY AREAS.
WE'VE ALSO LOOKED AT OTHER REVENUE SOURCES LIKE INTEREST INCOME AND I KNOW WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT INTEREST INCOME OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS.
REALLY, WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE NATIONAL STAGE. WE'VE HAD INFLATION.
WE KNOW THE FED HAS INCREASED INTEREST RATES.
THE RESULT OF THAT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE DISTRICT.
BUT WE ALSO KNOW THE FED'S LONG TERM PLAN IS TO BRING THAT INTEREST RATE DOWN.
WHEN WE ORIGINALLY LOOKED AT THIS BUDGET, I THINK WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT THE REDUCTION WAS GOING TO HAPPEN A LOT SOONER, AND THEN SOME INFORMATION THAT'S BECOME AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FED AND THAT ECONOMIC NEWS HAS SHARED THAT WE THINK IT'S GOING TO DIRECTIONALLY, WE'RE STILL GOING TO SEE IT GO DOWN, BUT MAYBE NOT AS QUICKLY AS WE ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED IT.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO INCREASE OUR INTEREST INCOME BY $150,000, BUT CERTAINLY KNOWING THAT THAT MAY NOT BE THERE IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR BECAUSE AGAIN, IF THE ECONOMIC NEWS STARTS TO DELIVER WHAT THE FED IS HOPING WITH THE INTEREST RATES, WE SHOULD EXPECT THOSE INTEREST RATES TO DROP IN THE FUTURE, AND IN THE LONG TERM.
I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE NEAR ZERO RATES, WHAT WE SAW IN THE PAST, BUT I THINK THE FED WANTS TO GET TO A MORE COMFORTABLE RATE.
THEN WE LOOKED AT OUR REFUND OF PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURES NUMBERS.
WE LOOKED AT THAT AS A THREE YEAR AVERAGE, AND BASED ON THAT, WE FELT THAT WE COULD REASONABLY INCREASE THAT BY ABOUT $30,000.
THE COMBINATION OF THOSE TWO IS ABOUT $180,000 INCREASE, AND WE FIND THE REVENUE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING ABOUT $180,000 AS WELL BETWEEN THOSE TWO.
I KNOW DR. CHAMP, WE'VE GOT A POWERPOINT FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ON THE OVERALL BUDGET WHEN WE GET TO THAT BUDGET ITEM.
THEREFORE THE BOARD TAKES ACTION ON THE BUDGET THIS EVENING TOMORROW,
[00:40:03]
WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE MEETING.WE HAVE TO SUBMIT A PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD, SO THAT'S ANOTHER ITEM THAT'S ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.
WE'LL REPORT THAT THROUGH NEW YORK STATE, THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
THEN ALSO ON THE BOARD AGENDA THIS EVENING, WE HAVE THE AWARDS AND RENEWALS OF DIFFERENT BIDS THAT WE PUT OUT MAINLY FOR OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT AND AS AGAIN, AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS, LET ME JUMP BACK TO THE BUDGET.
WE DON'T HAVE A STATE BUDGET YET.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, WE HEARD TODAY.
>> NOT MY FAULT FOR NOT MENTIONING IT EARLIER. GOOD POINT.
FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR HAS STATED THAT THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE, SO HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T TAKE EIGHT YEARS TO GET THIS BUDGET, LIKE SOME OF THE ROLLOUTS OF WHAT WE'RE POTENTIALLY HEARING ABOUT.
ONCE WE HAVE THAT INFORMATION, WE'LL SHARE THAT WITH THE BOARDS.
WE HAVE HEARD THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT A RESTORATION OF THE SAVE HARMLESS DOLLARS.
WE WERE NOT REALLY IMPACTED BY THAT, SO HOW PELHAM IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED, WE'RE STILL WAITING TO SEE, AND WE REALLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY INDICATIONS EITHER WAY, BUT WE'LL SHARE THAT WITH YOU.
LASTLY, I KNOW THIS EVENING WE HAD A REPRESENTATIVE FROM SCOUTS COME AND SHARED WITH THE BOARD A REQUEST AND FACILITIES FALLS UNDER MY FUNCTIONAL AREA.
WE HAVE A FACILITIES USE POLICY.
WE HAVE FACILITIES USE SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS.
I SPOKE WITH MISS RIOS AND CERTAINLY, IF IT'S THE BOARD'S PLEASURE.
WE'VE NOT YET SENT OUT THAT BILL.
I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN HOLD ON TO THAT IN THE MEANTIME IF THE BOARD'S DESIRE IS TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF RELIEF, WE CAN PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION TO YOU TO THE BOARD IF YOU WISH TO DO THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY URGENCY IF THE BOARD DOESN'T WANT TO ACT TONIGHT IF YOU WANTED MORE INFORMATION, I'D BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT TO YOU, SHARE IT WITH FACILITIES COMMITTEE, AND THEN BRING IT FORWARD AT THE AT THE MAY 8TH MEETING.
IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE MORE COMFORT TO THE BOARD.
WE CAN DO THAT AS WELL AND THAT'S THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> THANK YOU. I DID GET AN EMAIL FROM GOVERNOR HOCHUL [LAUGHTER] 629.
>> THAT SHE SAID, WE'VE COME TO A CONCEPTUAL AGREEMENT ON THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET.
>> [LAUGHTER] I'M ON HER LIST, I GOT ONE.
>> SHE SENT ONE OUT ON MONDAY TOO, BUT THEN I THINK THE FOLKS IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE STATE HOUSE HAS SAID, NO, THAT'S REALLY NOT IT.
[OVERLAPPING] YEAH. I THINK SHE WAS A LITTLE.
>> THAT'S IN MY EMAIL. [LAUGHTER]
>> I THINK THE COMPTROLLER SHOULD INVESTIGATE THEM.
[6.1 Motion to Adopt the 2024-2025 School Year Budget]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO FINANCIAL REPORTS AND MOTIONS AND I GUESS.
>> YEAH. I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 6.1 TO ADOPT THE 24/25 SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION.
I THINK JIM DID A LOT OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO TOUCH ON SO THAT WE'LL EXPEDITE OUR PRESENTATION.
AGAIN, I THANK YOU AS WELL FOR THE THOUGHTFULNESS THROUGH THIS PROCESS.
THANKS TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR A LOT OF 8:00 A.M.
MEETINGS TO REALLY DIG DEEPER INTO A LOT OF THE ISSUES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE VETTED THROUGH A LOT OF THE BIG QUESTIONS THAT CAME IN CERTAINLY FROM ALL OF YOU, FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AS THIS PROCESS EVOLVED, AND IT ALWAYS REALLY DOES EVOLVE IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.
I CAN JUST GO OVER THERE IF IT DOESN'T, IT SHOULD WORK.
LET ME GO OVER. YEAH, I'M SORRY. PROBABLY MY LOCATION.
AS WE DISCUSSED BEFORE THE TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS PRESENTED IN THIS BUDGET ARE $93,580,000 WITH A BUDGET-TO-BUDGET INCREASE OF 2.8% AND A LEVY INCREASE PROPOSED TONIGHT OF 2.68%.
YOU MAY REMEMBER FROM OUR INITIAL PRESENTATION, THE BUDGET-TO-BUDGET WAS 2.68 MATCHED TO THE LEVY, BUT THAT INCREASE IS DUE TO AS JIM MENTIONED, SOME OF THE INS AND OUTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE INITIAL PRESENTATION,
[00:45:02]
MOST NOTABLY THE ADDITION OF TWO OUT OF DISTRICT PLACEMENTS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND YOU SEE THAT LISTED HERE, THE APPROXIMATION OF THE ADDED PLACEMENTS AT ABOUT $267,000 AND AS JIM TOUCHED ON SOME BUDGET REDUCTIONS ALONG THE WAY TO HELP MITIGATE THAT AND THEN ON THE REVENUE SIDE, AS HE SAID, THE INTEREST ON CASH DEPOSITS, WE'VE INCREASED THAT ON THE REVENUE SIDE OF THE EQUATION, AS WELL AS FOUND SOME ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED REFUNDS FROM PRIOR YEAR EXPENDITURES TO HAVE A BALANCED EXPENDITURE AS WELL AS BALANCED REVENUE AMOUNT.AS WE TALKED ABOUT WAY BACK IN OCTOBER, WE KNEW THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A YEAR WHERE WE'RE HEADING INTO STRATEGIC PLANNING, A YEAR WHERE WE DID NOT WANT TO LOOK AT ANY SIGNIFICANT PROGRAMMATIC GROWTH, BUT TO REALLY WAIT THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND TO FOCUS ON COST CONTAINMENT, BEING COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD A LOT OF REALLY PHENOMENAL PROGRAMS CERTAINLY THE LAST THREE YEARS AS WE SAW REST FULL FUNDING IN THE FOUNDATION AID BUT ALSO UNDER REALLY THE LAST TWO STRATEGIC PLANS HAVE GIVEN US OVER ALMOST 10 YEARS THE ABILITY TO BUILD SOME REALLY OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
IT REALLY WAS A STAY THE COURSE, KEEP AN EYE ON LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY, AND IN THIS BUDGET, LOOK FOR WAYS TO MAINTAIN THE RICH PROGRAMMATIC OFFERINGS FOR OUR STUDENTS.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME EARLIER IN THIS YEAR DIGGING DEEPER INTO SOME OF THOSE.
I JUST WANTED TO TOUCH ON SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF REMINDING US.
UNDER THE AUTHENTIC LEARNING BRANCH OF THIS PLAN, SOME OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE ARE TO CREATE A CONSISTENT DISTRICT-WIDE APPROACH TO OUR CURRICULAR PROGRAMS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, SO THINGS LIKE MATH IN FOCUS, TEACHERS COLLEGE READING AND WRITING, AND ALL THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT IN TO SHOW UP AND ENSURE THAT SCIENCE OF READING THAT DOCTOR BOWMAN TOUCHED ON EARLIER ARE EMBEDDED THROUGHOUT OUR LITERACY APPROACH, THE ADDITION OF FLES, THE ADDITION OF SCIENCE 21, AND THE ADDITION OF RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM.
THOSE ARE SOME REALLY KEY PIECES OF THE ELEMENTARY.
I THINK IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT OUR ELEMENTARY PROGRAM DISTRICT-WIDE, EIGHT, NINE, 10 YEARS AGO VERSUS WHAT IT IS TODAY, IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT AND OUR TEACHERS HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB OF REALLY GRAPPLING WITH AND GRABBING ONTO AND BECOMING MASTERS OF THESE PROGRAMS AS THEY'VE ROLLED OUT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND OUR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS ARE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORT, THE COACHING, AND THE SUPERVISION, LEARNING SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THEM BECAUSE WE'RE ALWAYS CONTINUING WITH THAT LIFELONG LEARNING AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO EVOLVE AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PROGRAMS ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.
BUT ALSO, AS YOU KNOW, WITHIN UNDER THESE STRATEGIC PLANS, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL BECAME APP APPLIED FOR AND BECAME A WORLD SCHOOL UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE PROGRAM AND THEN AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES AND DIFFERENCES YOU WOULD SEE NOW VERSUS 10 YEARS AGO, REALLY WERE TO BE TO LOOK AT THE RICH ARRAY OF ELECTIVE OFFERINGS, IN PARTICULAR, OUR DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES AND THE NUMBER OF AP COURSES THAT WE HAVE THE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES BEING THOSE WHERE WE HAVE COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS WHERE IT'S COLLEGE-LEVEL COURSEWORK THE STUDENTS CAN GET A COLLEGE TRANSCRIPT FOR MANY OF OUR COURSES NOW THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO THEM PRIOR TO THE LAST TWO STRATEGIC PLANS.
WHEN WE TURN TO THE SUPPORT AND MTSS SIDE OF THINGS, WHICH IS MORE THAT WHOLE CHILD, BUT ALSO SUPPORTING THE ACADEMIC LEARNING, WE NOW HAVE ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC INTERVENTION TEACHERS.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE DISTRICT, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE TARGETED INTERVENTIONS BELOW 3RD GRADE.
WE NOW HAVE INTERVENTIONS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN ALL THE WAY UP IN BOTH ELA AND MATH.
WE'VE SHIFTED FROM RTI TO MTSS.
WE KNOW WE'RE FAMOUS FOR OUR ACRONYMS SO FROM RESPONSE TO INTERVENTION TO MULTI-TIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT, WHERE WE'RE FOCUSING NOT ONLY ON THE ACADEMIC SIDE AND THREE DIFFERENT TIERS OF SUPPORT TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE HAVING THEIR NEEDS MET, BUT ALSO LOOKING THEM ON THE BEHAVIORAL SIDE.
THAT'S AN AREA WHERE WE'RE ALREADY TARGETING TO PUT SOME OF OUR EFFORTS IN THE COMING YEAR IN PARTICULAR ON THE BEHAVIORAL SIDE.
THEN AS IT PAIRED WITH THE ITEMS ABOVE NEW STRATEGIES FOR MATH AND ELA INTERVENTIONS WITH THE INTERVENTIONIST COME THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE INTERVENTIONS AND OUR NEED TO INCREASE OUR TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX.
WE'VE HAD, OF COURSE, BRANCHING MINDS AS BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST TOOLS TO HELP US AS WE'VE GROWN THAT MTSS IMPLEMENTATION.
CONTINUING WITH DIFFERENT PROGRAMMATIC HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LAST FEW PLANS ON THE BELONGINGNESS AND WELLNESS SIDE, WE'VE CERTAINLY INCREASED THE NUMBER OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE TO OUR STUDENTS AS WELL AS THE PARTICIPATION RATE IN THOSE WITH OUR GOAL OF ALL STUDENTS BEING CONNECTED TO SOME EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.
WE'VE ALSO ADDED MENTAL HEALTH AND SUPPORT STAFF OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BY WAY OF DIFFERENT CLINICIANS AS AN ELEMENTARY COUNSELOR, SOCIAL WORKERS, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE PROFESSIONALS IN PLACE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS ON THE K-12 CONTINUUM IN PARTICULAR,
[00:50:01]
FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC WHEN MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS HAVE BEEN CONTINUING TO REMAIN AT HIGH LEVELS.WE HAVE ALSO INCREASED OUR ELL SUPPORT, OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS TO MEET NEW PART 154 REGULATIONS THAT CAME ON BOARD SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT ALSO AS WE'VE SEEN INCREASING NUMBERS OF STUDENTS WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS.
ON THE OPERATION SIDE, WE'VE ALREADY TOUCHED ON SOME OF THIS TONIGHT.
WE HAVE THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE K-12 INNOVATION COMMITTEE FOR MANY YEARS AGO THAT PILOTED AND DID RESEARCH AND DEEP STUDY ON THE USE OF FLEXIBLE FURNISHINGS, FOLLOWED BY PILOT WORK AND MAJOR GRANT SUPPORTED BY THE PEF, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO EXPAND FLEXIBLE FURNISHINGS INTO OUR SCHOOLS BEYOND THE PILOT, INTO OUR KINDERGARTENS, AND AS DOCTOR BOWMAN MENTIONED, NOW, WE'RE PUTTING IN THE ORDERS FOR 1ST AND 2ND GRADE AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS AND LEARNING HOW TO USE THOSE.
WE'RE EXCITED TO BE TWEAKING THAT INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE CUSTOMIZED APPROACH.
GIVEN OUR UNIQUE FACILITIES AND THE SIZE OF OUR CLASSROOMS AND OUR CLASSES, WE WANT OUR TEACHERS TO HAVE THINGS THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE WORKABLE IN THEIR UNIQUE SPACES.
ROBUST PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AS WE'VE CONTINUED TO EVOLVE, HOW WE USE OUR PROFESSIONAL TIME, WHAT WE'RE OFFERING TO TEACHERS WITHIN THAT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THAT TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION IN WAYS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL AND WILL HELP THEM TO DELIVER ALL THESE NEW PROGRAMS AND APPROACHES THAT WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO TAKE ON IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND THE ELEMENTARY TOOL SCHEDULE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN WORK IN PROGRESSES TOO.
THE BOARD KNOWS WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MICHAEL REDD OVER SEVERAL YEARS, LOOKING AT HOW OUR ELEMENTARY SCHEDULES MAKE THEM EFFICIENT AND STRUCTURED IN A WAY TO DELIVER THE PROGRAM THAT WE WANT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
FINALLY, ITS TECHNOLOGY REALM, AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM MR. CEBALLOS IN HIS PRESENTATIONS EARLIER IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS AND OVER THE YEARS, I'VE CONTINUED TO EVOLVE OUR TECHNOLOGY, AND I THINK WE ARE REALLY ONE OF THE LEADING TECHNOLOGY DISTRICTS, GIVEN OUR APPROACH TO SO MANY THINGS AND HOW WE'VE EXPANDED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
ONE-TO-ONE CHROMEBOOKS NOW K-12 THAT WAS A GRANT-FUNDED HIGH-SCHOOL LEVEL APPROACH WHEN I ARRIVED THAT HAS NOW EXPANDED K-12 WITH A VERY SYSTEMIC AND VERY INTENTIONAL PLAN CYCLE, INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS AND DOCUMENT CAMERAS IN ALL CLASSROOMS. A DIGITAL FLUENCY CURRICULUM HAS EXPANDED ACROSS THE K-12 SPECTRUM, AND I THINK EVERY DAY WE REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THAT DIGITAL LITERACY, DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP, AND DIGITAL FLUENCY ARE FOR OUR STUDENTS, SO WE ARE CONTINUING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR EFFORTS THERE AND CERTAINLY, WE'VE EXPANDED OUR ROBUST INFRASTRUCTURE, SO THERE'S REDUNDANCIES NOT JUST ACROSS THE INITIAL SIX BUILDINGS, BUT NOW WE'VE GOT THE SANBORN FACILITY, THE 314 PELHAMDALE GLOVER FIELD IS NOW ALL CONNECTED IN THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND WE'VE GOT A LEVEL OF REDUNDANCY THAT MR. CEBALLO SPOKE ABOUT DURING HIS BUDGET PRESENTATION THAT WE'VE NEVER HAD BEFORE, SO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE CONTINUED EVOLUTION THERE.
AND HOW HAS THIS HELPED OUR STUDENTS? WE'VE LOOKED A LOT MORE IN THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHAT IS THIS RETURN? WHAT ARE OUR STUDENTS GAINING THE OUTCOMES THAT ARE COMING FROM ALL THIS INVESTMENT? THESE ARE JUST A SMALL SMATTERING, BUT I THINK THEY'RE ONE'S WORTH MENTIONING TONIGHT, SO SIGNIFICANT INCREASES OVER THE YEARS IN THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING AP COURSES, THE NUMBER OF EXAMS BEING OFFERED, AND THE CONTINUED OUTSTANDING RESULTS ON THOSE EXAMS. I KNOW MISS HOLT SEVERAL OF HER REPORTS HAD PUT THE NUMBER.
I KNOW WE'RE OVER 1,000 AP EXAMS THIS YEAR WITH VARIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS ROOMS AS WELL, SO THE NUMBER OR THE SCALE OF THAT HAS GROWN JUST EXPONENTIALLY, THANKS TO THE WORK OF OUR EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS, THAT'S OUR COUNSELORS, IT'S OUR TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS WORKING TO HELP STUDENTS ACCESS THOSE HIGHER ORDER COURSES BELIEVING THAT THAT IS THE BEST PREPARATION FOR COLLEGE AND CONTINUING TO PREPARE THEM FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, AS I ALREADY MENTIONED THE DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES.
THAT'S BEEN MENTIONED AS WELL, INCREASING STUDENTS ATTENDING TOP-TIER COLLEGES IN FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES.
THOSE NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED SYSTEMICALLY OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
WE'VE SEEN INCREASES IN SAT CRITICAL READING AND MATH SCORES AS WELL.
THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATIONAL, THE RIGOR OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM IS PAYING DIVIDENDS IN EVEN THESE NATIONAL STANDARDIZED LEVEL EXAMS, IN WAYS THAT ARE STATISTICALLY MEANINGFUL FOR OUR STUDENTS.
RECOGNITIONS CONTINUE TO POUR IN.
I MENTIONED SOME TONIGHT ABOUT SOCK AND BUSKIN, BUT REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL AWARDS AND SCIENCE RESEARCH.
THIS WAS OUR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, I THINK, OF THREE ICEF WINNER.
YES, WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM ANY SCHOOL CAN SEND.
WHEN WE HAVE MULTIPLE YEARS OF THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT, THAT TELLS ME THERE'S A RIGOR LEVEL THERE THAT WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE SENT MORE IF THEY'D ALLOWED US TO. THAT'S MY ASSUMPTION.
BUT THE PROGRAM GROWTH THERE AND THE INVESTMENT IN THAT PROGRAM HAS REALLY PAID OFF QUANTITATIVELY AND QUALITATIVELY FOR OUR STUDENTS.
[00:55:05]
WE'LL BE HONORING THOSE STUDENTS BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR IS OUT.WE CONTINUE TO OUR SECOND PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR RECOGNIZED THIS YEAR AS WELL.
FORENSIC DEBATE TEAM CONTINUES TO DELIVER.
OUR ARTS PROGRAM IS RECOGNIZED LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY.
ATHLETICS, WE CONTINUE TO EXCEL.
WE'VE EXPANDED IN PROGRAMS, EXPANDED NUMBER OF TEAMS, EXPANDED ENROLLMENT, AND THEY CONTINUE TO EXCEL AT TOP LEVELS.
OUR YEARBOOKS AND NEWSPAPER CONTINUE TO WIN AWARDS.
WE CONTINUE TO BE PRODUCING REALLY SOME EXCELLENT WORK FOR OUR STUDENTS, AND PUTTING THEM ON A STAGE WHERE THEIR WORK IS RECOGNIZED.
THIS YEAR, OF COURSE, SOME OF OUR BIGGEST RECOGNITIONS, COLONIAL SCHOOL BEING SELECTED AS A US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE, A NATIONAL RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE SO PROUD OF.
MR. JOHNSON, AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE LEVEL AS PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR.
THIS YEAR IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I RECALL GETTING THIS NOTIFICATION, ALL SIX SCHOOLS BEING RECOGNIZED BY US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT, OF COURSE, BEING IN THOSE TOP SCHOOLS.
WE'VE INVESTED A LOT OVER THE YEARS.
WHAT WAS ALREADY A GREAT DISTRICT IS CONTINUING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO EXCEL AND TO SHINE, AND TO PUT OURSELVES ON THE MAP.
IN THIS BUDGET, AS WE SAID BEFORE, THIS WAS NOT A GROWTH YEAR.
THIS WAS A YEAR TO INVEST IN MAINTAINING AND SHORING UP LONG TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY, COST CONTROL, BUT ALSO CONTINUE TO DELIVER ON THAT PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE BUILT.
THIS BUDGET THE BOARD IS BEING ASKED TO ADOPT TONIGHT, AND AGAIN, AS JIM SAYS, PRIOR TO THIS, THIS IS MY BUDGET.
TONIGHT, THIS BECOMES YOUR BUDGET.
WE'RE ASKING YOU TO ADOPT A BUDGET TONIGHT THAT WE BELIEVE SUSTAINS THE RICH PROGRAM OFFERINGS THAT HAVE LED TO THESE OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS.
WITHIN IT, SPECIFICALLY, WE'RE CONTINUING TO EXPAND OUR INTEGRATED CO-TEACHING PROGRAM AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL.
THAT WAS A BIG INVESTMENT THAT THE DISTRICT FINALLY UNDERTOOK IN THESE LAST FEW YEARS.
BEING A NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT MAKES THAT INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING, WHICH IS WHY WE WERE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT UNTIL RECENT YEARS.
IT IS AN INVESTMENT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT AGAIN, WHERE YOUR HEART IS, IS WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS.
RECOGNIZING THAT THE INCLUSION OF OUR STUDENTS INTO THE SCHOOL POPULATION AND MEETING THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO NEED SPECIALIZED EDUCATION, BUT TO THE GREATEST DEGREE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT REQUIRES AN INVESTMENT THERE.
WE'RE PLEASED TO BE CONTINUING TO EXPAND THAT, AND THAT WILL BE IN GRADES K-1 AND 5.
THAT'S WHAT'S BEING FUNDED IN THIS BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE HAD A CRITICAL MASS OF STUDENTS WHO HAD THE RIGHT PROFILE FOR AN ICT PROGRAM.
THIS ALSO MAINTAINS OUR ELEMENTARY CLASS SIZES AT OR BELOW BOARD GUIDELINES.
WHILE WE HAVEN'T FORMALLY CHANGED THOSE NUMBERS, AS I'VE SHARED WITH THE BOARD, AND I WILL SHARE AS PART OF THIS, OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO KEEP THE CLASS SIZES LOWER, IN PARTICULAR, IN KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE IN THE COMING YEAR.
IN THE PAST, WE'D USE 23 AS OUR NUMBER.
WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO NOT GET TO THAT LEVEL THIS YEAR.
WE'RE LOOKING A LITTLE BIT LOWER.
AGAIN, WITH THE GOAL OF INVESTING EARLY TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S MORE ATTENTION TO THE STUDENTS BY THE TEACHERS, SMALLER NUMBERS SO THEY CAN GET A STRONGER FOUNDATION AS THEY MOVE INTO THE UPPER GRADES.
IN THIS BUDGET, WE CONTINUE TO REFRESH THE CHROMEBOOKS AT GRADES 5 AND 8 SO STUDENTS CARRY THEM WITH THEM FOR THOSE FOUR YEARS WITH INTENTIONALITY AND SUSTAINABLE FUNDING.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO SUPPORT BRANCHING MINDS AND DATA VIZ, WHICH HAVE GIVEN US MORE TOOLS TO LOOK AT DATA AND ANALYTICS SO THAT WE CAN HELP MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF ALL STUDENTS, AND FINDING INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT PATTERNS, AND TO SEE HOW OUR INVESTMENTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, AND TO SEE WHERE WE MIGHT NEED TO CONTINUE TO REDIRECT RESOURCES AS WE GO FORWARD.
ALREADY MENTIONED THE FLEXIBLE FURNISHING.
WE'RE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THAT FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, AND I THINK THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST DRIVERS IN THIS BUDGET, IS THE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THAT.
JUST AS A QUICK SUMMARY, THIS IS REALLY THE SUMMARY OF THE CHANGES IN THIS BUDGET FROM PRIOR YEAR, BOTH ON THE REVENUE AND THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT SOME OF THE BIGGEST DRIVERS ARE ON BOTH SIDES.
AS ALWAYS, PROPERTY TAXES THAT GENERALLY REPRESENTS NOW ABOUT 75-77% OF OUR BUDGET.
PRIOR YEARS, THAT WAS CLOSER TO 80-85% BECAUSE WE WERE UNDER FUNDED WITH FOUNDATION AID.
AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT, WE'VE ADVOCATED FOR THAT.
OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE STATE HAS FULLY FUNDED THAT FORMULA FOR THE DISTRICT.
AS JIM MENTIONED, WE WERE NOT IMPACTED NEGATIVELY ON FOUNDATION AID THIS YEAR.
45% OF THE STATE WAS, WE WERE NOT.
WE DID SEE AN INCREASE THERE IN JUST OVER HALF $1 MILLION IN STATE AID.
I SHOULD MENTION THE PROPERTY TAXES.
THE REVENUE SOURCE THERE, THE BUDGET THAT IS BEING PROPOSED IS A CAP COMPLIANT BUDGET.
THE LEVY INCREASE THAT WOULD BRING WILL BRING $1.8 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES AS A REVENUE SOURCE FOR THIS BUDGET.
[01:00:03]
I'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT STATE AID.THEN THE OTHER NUMBERS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER, BUT MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS, WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN ALMOST $680,000 REVENUE COMING IN FROM THOSE APPROPRIATION OF PRIOR YEAR SURPLUS FROM FUND BALANCE.
WE ARE ADDING 670,000 ADDITIONAL ABOVE WHAT WAS INCLUDED LAST YEAR.
THEN APPROPRIATION FROM ERS, WHICH IS EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND TRS, TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AN ADDITIONAL 830,000 IN RESERVES TO OFFSET THOSE.
THEN YOU SEE FINALLY ON THAT SIDE, LAST YEAR, WE HAD APPROPRIATED 2 MILLION IN CAPITAL RESERVES TOWARDS CAPITAL PROJECTS.
WE'RE NOT DOING IN THAT, WHICH IS WHY IT'S REFLECTED HERE.
WE'RE NOT DOING IT IN THIS YEAR.
THIS IS WHY WE MAINTAIN STRONG RESERVES, BECAUSE WE KNOW AS JIM'S USED THE WORD IN THE PAST, THERE'S CYCLES THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH FINANCIALLY, AND AS THINGS GET TIGHTER, THERE'S DIFFERENT ECONOMIC EBBS AND FLOWS.
WE USE THOSE RESOURCES STRATEGICALLY, THE REVENUE STRATEGICALLY.
YOU'RE SEEING HERE WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE STRATEGIC USE OF THOSE RESERVES AS WE HEAD INTO SOME DIFFERENT CYCLES IN THE NEXT YEARS AHEAD.
ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, OUR BIGGEST EXPENDITURE IS ALWAYS IN SALARIES AND BENEFITS, SO THAT REPRESENTS THE INCREASE BOTH THAT WHICH IS KNOWN THROUGH CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, AS WELL AS ANTICIPATED COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.
IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, THAT IS THE OTHER BIGGER DRIVER THIS YEAR, AND THAT REALLY THESE FIRST THREE LINES ARE TOUCHED BY SPECIAL EDUCATION COSTS.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES THEMSELVES, TRANSPORTATION RELATED TO THOSE SERVICES, AND THEN BOCES PLACEMENTS WHEN SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION SERVICES, THAT'S OUR LOCAL BOCES, AND THEY OFTEN WILL PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES THAT WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE HERE.
THOSE THREE LINES REALLY WORK TOGETHER, 709,381, 173,000 FOR JUST OVER $1 MILLION IN COSTS RELATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION.
THEN BELOW THAT, YOU'LL SEE AGAIN, THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR'S BUDGET.
THIS BUDGET DOES NOT ANTICIPATE EXPENDING THE 2 MILLION CAPITAL THAT WE EXPENDED LAST YEAR, SO THAT'S REFLECTED THERE, AND THEN JUST SOME MINOR OTHER ADJUSTMENTS AT THE BOTTOM.
ALL IN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CHANGES IN REVENUE, CHANGES IN EXPENDITURE, YOU SEE WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET WITH A CHANGE OF $2.8 MILLION YEAR-TO-YEAR.
THEN HERE, OF COURSE, WE ALWAYS SHARE THE TAX CAP CALCULATION, WHICH WE ALL AGREE IS A LITTLE BIT CONVOLUTED, BUT THIS IS THE FORMULA THAT WE'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO OVER, I THINK THIS IS OUR 12TH OR 13TH YEAR NOW.
JIM CAN WALK US THROUGH THE CALCULATIONS SHOULD THERE BE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THERE.
BUT IT REALLY TAKES INTO EFFECT PRIOR YEAR'S TAX LEVY, OUR BASE GROWTH FACTOR, WHICH IS GIVEN TO US BY THE STATE.
SOME INS AND OUTS RELATED TO PRIOR YEAR EXCLUSIONS TO GIVE US WHERE WE BEGIN, THEN WE TAKE OUR ALLOWABLE TAX LEVY GROWTH THIS YEAR, CPI WAS HIGHER THAN 2%, SO WE ARE CAPPED AT A 2% INCREASE.
YOU TAKE THAT 2% INCREASE, MULTIPLY IT IN WITH OUR VARIOUS EXCLUSIONS, WHICH ARE NOT MANY THIS YEAR, AND THAT'S WHAT BRINGS US TO THE 2.68% ALLOWABLE LEVY, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING.
I SHOULD POINT OUT WITHIN THAT, I THINK WE'LL SEE IT ON THE NEXT SLIDE AS WELL, WE'RE APPLYING THE FULL AMOUNT IN THE DEBT SERVICE FUND, WHICH IS THE $2.175 MILLION TO THIS BUDGET TO REDUCE THE TAX LEVY DOWN FROM WHAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN OVER 5% WITHOUT THAT.
BY APPLYING THAT FULL AMOUNT THIS YEAR, THAT IS WHAT BRINGS OUR PROPOSED TAX LEVY DOWN TO 2.68%.
FINALLY, THIS IS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE OF WHEN YOU SPLIT THE OPERATING IN THE CAPITAL APART.
WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE ONSET OF THE 2018 BOND.
HOW MUCH OF THIS TAX LEVY INCREASE IS RELATED TO THE OPERATING BUDGET VERSUS HOW MUCH IS RELATED TO CAPITAL? YOU SEE THE BULK THIS YEAR IS RELATED TO THE OPERATING COST.
AS WE KNOW, VERY LITTLE IS RELATED TO THE CAPITAL IN THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, GIVEN HOW IT'S CONSTRUCTED.
FINALLY, KEY DATES TO KEEP IN MIND.
TODAY'S BUDGET ADOPTION, MAY 8 IS OUR OFFICIAL MANDATED BUDGET HEARING, WHICH IS ANOTHER BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE BOARD, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO COME AND COMMENT ON THE BUDGET AS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD.
THEN THE BUDGET VOTE AND SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER ELECTION IS MAY 21.
IT WILL BE HERE AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE GYMNASIUM FROM 7:00 A.M TO 9:00 P.M.
WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO COME OUT AND VOTE.
WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO PAUSE AND GO BACK TO THE DAIS CERTAINLY OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.
I KNOW JIM WILL HELP WITH QUESTIONS AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT AND ATTENTION, AND FIELD SOME QUESTIONS.
[01:05:02]
>> AND DR. CHAMP, JUST TO ADD TO YOUR POINT AS WELL.
THERE'S THAT OTHER BALLOT ITEM ON THE AGENDA THIS HERE, WHICH WOULD BE USING THE CAPITAL RESERVE FOR FIELDS TO REPLACE THE TURF ON THE GLOVER FIELD THAT THE ORIGINAL GLOVER TURF FIELD, WHICH IS THE FOOTBALL FIELD THAT'S INSIDE THE TRACK.
SO THAT WILL BE A SEPARATE BALLOT ITEM FOR THE 21ST.
>> AND BECAUSE THAT IS A RESERVE THAT HAS NOT BEEN CAPTURED AT ALL IN THE BUDGET.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S WHY IT'S A SEPARATE ITEM, AND THAT'S THE BOARD VOTED TO PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT. IT WAS AT THE LAST MEETING.
>> I WISH I KNOW THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS SPENT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME ON THIS.
>> LOT OF CONVERSATION, LOT OF PLANNING, A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS HAVE LED UP TO TONIGHT.
>> I DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
I GUESS I'LL JUST GIVE MY GENERAL OPINION ON THIS, WHICH IS ECHOING A LOT OF WHAT DR. CHAMP SAID.
THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, KEY WORD OF SUSTAINABILITY.
WHY ARE WE CONCERNED ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY? WELL, I SUPPOSE THAT NUMBER 1, WE FELT THAT THE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS DRIVEN BY BEING MADE GOOD ON STATE AID IS PROBABLY NOT SUSTAINABLE.
WE TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE POTENTIAL HEADWINDS AROUND OUR REVENUE SOURCES IN THE COMING YEARS.
PROVIDING EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION SEEMS TO BE BECOMING INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE.
SO WHEN YOU MIX ALL THOSE FACTORS TOGETHER, WE HAVE BEEN, I THINK, VERY CONSERVATIVE IN TERMS OF ADDING PROGRAMMING, ADDING HEADS.
THIS IS EFFECTIVELY A HOLD IN PLACE BUDGET.
MANY THINGS WERE LEFT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR.
SADLY, WE HAD TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS, BUT I THINK IT'S A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET.
I DON'T THINK IT'S EXTREME IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO APPROVE IT TONIGHT.
>> I AGREE, AND I'LL JUST REITERATE THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A CURRENT SERVICES BUDGET, WHERE WE'RE HOLDING THINGS STEADY AS DR.
CHAMP SHOWED US THAT THE PROGRAMMING IS PRESERVED FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION.
AND AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WE'LL BE IN A GOOD SPOT TO PRIORITIZE PROGRAMMING AND INVESTMENT THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLAN.
>> YOU SAID YOU'RE ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, ANYTHING ELSE?
>> NO, I AGREE WITH ALL OF THAT.
I GUESS THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD MAYBE IS THAT THE PIECE THAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL ED AND OUR DESIRE TO DO THAT, THERE'S A PIECE OF IT THAT'S THAT AND THERE'S ALSO MOST OF IT IS MANDATED, WHAT OUR STUDENTS NEED, THEY'RE ENTITLED TO.
AND SO THAT COST IS A DIFFICULT ONE TO MANAGE BECAUSE IT'S NOT OPTIONAL.
>> I THINK FOR TAXPAYERS, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD WAS VERY MINDFUL OF BEING TAX CAP COMPLIANT.
AND WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT EXTENSIVELY AND STRATEGIZING INTO THE FUTURE TO MAKE SURE THAT FUTURE BOARDS CAN BE TAX COMPLIANT.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE TAX LEVY PERCENT INCREASE COULD HAVE BEEN AS HIGH AS YOU SAID?
>> WITHOUT THE DEBT SERVICE FUND.
>> THE 2.68 NUMBER IS AFTER TAKING ACTION TO LOWER, IT COULD HAVE BEEN OVER 5%.
SO I THINK A LOT OF THOUGHT HAS GONE INTO BALANCING, PROVIDING THE EXCELLENT EDUCATION WITH OUR EXCELLENT STAFF AND FACULTY THAT'S BEEN RECOGNIZED SO HIGHLY THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND MAINTAINING SUSTAINABILITY.
I THINK ONE THING THAT WENT WELL THIS YEAR IS AND I THANK YOU TOO DR.
CHAMP TO JIM RICKEY FOR COLLABORATING ON THIS IS WHEN WE AGREED TO GIVE DIRECTIONAL GUIDANCE BACK IN OCTOBER, RATHER THAN REACTING TO SOMETHING IN FEBRUARY.
[01:10:03]
I THINK THAT WAS JUST IN TERMS OF PROCESS AND GENERAL JUST IN TERMS OF MAKING IT A PRODUCTIVE JOURNEY TO THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT WAS A REALLY GOOD IMPROVEMENT AND WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT EVERY YEAR.>> ACTUALLY, I WAS GOING TO ECHO THAT AS WELL, BECAUSE I THINK FROM WHERE JIM AND I SAT, THEY GAVE US THE WHOLE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM.
WE WERE ALL HERE. WE ALL HEARD IT.
WE CONVEYED IT BACK TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, AND IT GAVE US A CLEAR DIRECTION OF WHERE TO GO AND WE HAD TO HOLD EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOME OF THAT [LAUGHTER] AT TIMES.
I KNOW WE ADDED THAT TO THE CALENDAR.
IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME AROUND, AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO KEEP THAT UP BECAUSE THAT JUST GIVES US A CLEAR PICTURE AND CLARITY. WHAT IS IT? CLEAR IS KIND. DR. BOWMAN REMINDS ME FROM THE WORDS OF BERNE BROWN ALL THE TIME, CLEAR IS KIND, AND IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL TO US. SO THANK YOU.
>> WHOEVER'S IDEA THAT WAS NICELY DOUBT MY CURRENT MEMBER WHO SUGGESTED.
>> WELL, I WILL SAY THE POLICY COMMITTEE DID UPDATE THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT POLICY LAST YEAR WHO HAD SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT THE CALENDAR.
>> I THINK THAT'S THE MODEST WAY OF SAYING YOU'RE TAKING CREDIT. [LAUGHTER]
>> WELL, I WAS [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGHTER]
>> SO WE NEED A VOTE. ALL IN FAVOR.
THIS IS TO VOTE TO ADOPT THE 24/25 SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS?
>> WE CAN DO THE REST OF THE MOTIONS, BUSINESS TOGETHER, AND GO ON TO POLICY.
>> I WOULD ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE 6.2-6.16 AS A CONSENT AGENDA.
[6.2 Motion to Approve the 2024-2025 Property Tax Report Card]
[6.3 Motion Pertaining to the Annual School District Budget Vote and Member Election]
[6.4 Motion to Approve a Multi-Year Contract with Southern Westchester BOCES to Furnish Certain Network Printing Services]
[6.5 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2023-2024 School Year]
[6.6 Motion to Approve Tuition Reimbursement for Continuing Education in the 2023-2024 School Year]
[6.7 Motion to Extend the Operations and Maintenance Bids for the 2024-2025 School Year]
[6.8 Motion to Award Contract for Bid#1 -2024/2025 Landscaping Maintenance]
[6.9 Motion to Rescind Bid #2-2024/2025 - GLASS REPLACEMENT]
[6.10 Motion to Award Contract for Bid#3 -2024/2025 Security Alarm Monitoring]
[6.11 Motion to Award Contract for Bid#4 -2024/2025 Air Condition/Ventilation Maintenance]
[6.12 Motion to Award Contract for Bid#5 -2024/2025 Tree Service]
[6.13 Motion to Award Maintenance Bid #6-2024/2025 - Masonry Repairs and Maintenance]
[6.14 Motion to Approve 2023-2024 Budget Transfers]
[6.15 Motion to Approve Side Letter of Agreement with the Pelham Administrators' Association]
[6.16 Motion to Approve Side Letter of Agreement with the Pelham Teachers' Association]
>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?
>> WE HAVE A LOT OF RENEWAL AND AWARDS FOR BIDS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES.
AS YOU SEE, MOST FREQUENTLY WITH SOME OF OUR VENDORS, IT'S A 0% RENEWAL, ON FEW, IT'S 4.12.
THAT'S THE ALLOWABLE CPI ESTABLISHED FOR US.
BUT I THINK THAT'S ONE OR TWO INSTANCES.
MOST OF OTHER INSTANCES WE SEE ARE 0% INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR.
WE ONLY RECOMMEND THIS WITH VENDORS THAT WE'RE SATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICES AND THEIR QUALITY.
>> JIM, PLEASE REMIND ME WHAT THE PROPERTY TAX REPORT CARD IS.
IT LOOKS LIKE THAT'S THE FORMALITY, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT IS OR WHO NEEDS IT.
>> THANK YOU. IT'S A FORM WE HAVE TO FILL OUT, AND THE HOMEOWNERS WILL SEE IT.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE GOT TO NOW THAT THE BOARD HAS PASSED THE BUDGET.
WITHIN 24 HOURS, WE NEED TO SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION TO THE STATE.
IT PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT THE BUDGET IS, OF THE '23-'24 BUDGET AS WELL AS THE NOW PROPOSED '24-'25 BUDGET.
THEN IT ALSO PROVIDES A SCHEDULE OF THE RESERVE FUNDS THAT THE DISTRICT HAS, THE BALANCE AS OF 33124, THE ESTIMATED BALANCE OF 63024 THIS YEAR, AND IF THERE'S ANY INTENDED USE OF THOSE RESERVES IN THE UPCOMING YEAR.
IT'S A COMPLIANCE DOCUMENT, BUT ALSO IT'S VERY INFORMATIVE.
IT PROVIDES GREATER VISIBILITY FOR EVERYBODY ON THE BUDGET.
>> THAT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT BRINGS US TO POLICY, MONITORING AND GOVERNANCE.
[7. Policy Monitoring & Governance]
WE HAVE FOUR POLICIES THAT ARE FOR FIRST READING.>> I'M HAPPY TO DIVE INTO THESE.
>> JUST QUICKLY, THANKS TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE, WE REALLY TACKLED A PRETTY MEATY AGENDA THIS LAST TIME, AS WE ACTUALLY HAVE, I THINK IN MOST OF OUR MEETINGS.
THREE OF THESE ARE IN, I'D SAY, TRACY'S REALM IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
AS SHE MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS FIRST ONE, 7521, OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION POLICY.
ACTUALLY, I GOT A QUICK CLERICAL QUESTION ON THIS.
I'M SEEING AN R IN THAT NUMBER,
[01:15:02]
WHICH USUALLY REFERS TO REGULATION.I'M THINKING THAT MIGHT BE AN ERROR.
I THINK IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE POLICY AND NOT REGULATION, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
IT'S PROBABLY JUST A TITLING THING.
I GUESS I RAISED THAT JUST FOR US AS AN EDIT GOING FORWARD.
OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION POLICY, IT'S IT'S A POLICY THAT WE NEED TO PUT IN PLACE AS PART OF BECOMING AN OPTION 1 SCHOOL DISTRICT.
BEFORE WE WERE, I THINK AT OPTION 3.
DIFFERENCE WAS IT WAS A DIFFERENCE IN ORDERING, DIFFERENCE IN TRAINING.
BUT TRACY'S WORK WITH OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WAS TO CONVERT US TO AN OPTION 1 SCHOOL, WHICH GIVES US MORE FLEXIBILITY TO BE MORE SELF SUSTAINING ON THIS.
PART OF THAT SHIFT WAS ALSO TO HAVE A SPECIFIC OPIOID OVERDOSE PREVENTION POLICY IN PLACE.
THIS WAS A TEMPLATE PROVIDED TO US BY OUR POLICY SERVICE, AND WE'RE RECOMMENDING IT FORWARD PRETTY MUCH AS RECOMMENDED.
>> I BELIEVE ALL I HAD IN POLICY 7521, STUDENTS WITH LIFE THREATENING HEALTH CONDITIONS, ONE POINT IN THERE THAT TALKS ABOUT US BEING ABLE TO ADMINISTER NRCAN.
THAT WAS IN OUR EXISTING POLICY, BUT AGAIN, AS DR.
CHAMP INDICATED, BECOMING AN OPTION 1 SCHOOL, WE ARE REQUIRED TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THAT, MEANING THAT WE NEED SEPARATE OPIOID POLICY.
IT WAS GIVEN TO US BY NASBA, THUS WE MODELED IT AGAINST AND IT'S REALLY A LOT OF COMPLIANCE THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN RECORDS OF OUR STAFF THAT ARE TRAINED, THAT WE WILL ORDER OUR NRCAN FROM THE STATE.
IF, GOD FORBID, HAVE TO ADMINISTER IT, DR. [INAUDIBLE] HAS TO REPORT THAT TO THE STATE, SO IT'S JUST A LOT OF COMPLIANCE LANGUAGE.
>> THIS IS THE FIRST READING FOR THAT.
IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK ON THAT, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO THAT, AND WE'LL BE BRINGING IT BACK TO YOU FOR SECOND AND POTENTIALLY THIRD READING.
I WILL ADD, I KNOW JIM AND TRACY HAD BOTH MENTIONED OUR SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE DAY.
A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE TRAINED ON SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE DAY.
THE SECOND GROUP WAS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER.
>> IT WAS A CROSS SECTION OF STAFF TRAINED ON USE OF NRCAN.
PART OF THE TRAINING, THEY WERE ALSO THEN, I THINK, ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE DOSES.
>> IT WAS TEACHING ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, CLERICAL STAFF, CUSTODIAL STAFF, AND OUR SAFETY MONITORS AS WELL.
>> THE POLICY DOES INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN TRAINED IS ALLOWED TO, GOD FORBID, EMERGENCY ADMINISTER INTRANASAL NRCAN.
>> WE'RE HAPPY THAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO STEP UP INTO THIS AND HAPPY TO HAVE PEOPLE ACROSS THE DISTRICT IN ALL CAPACITIES TRAINED.
NEXT ONE IS POLICY 7619, TIME OUT AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT.
THIS, I THINK THERE WERE SOME REQUIRED UPDATES FROM OUR ATTORNEYS.
THEY HAVE REVIEWED THIS AS WELL AS THE POLICY COMMITTEE.
I DON'T KNOW IF TRACY, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HIGHLIGHT? I KNOW THE BOARD IN YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION, YOU HAVE WHAT WE CALL THE RED LINE, I THINK IT'S GREEN IN THIS CASE.
BUT RED LINE VERSION, SO YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE, AND THEN THE PUBLIC SESSION IS THE POLICY AS BEING PROPOSED.
>> I THINK THE BIG CHANGE ABOUT THIS AND WHY IT FELL IN MY REALM IS INITIALLY, THIS WAS POLICY THAT WAS JUST REFLECTIVE IN REGARDS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, BUT THE BIG CHANGE NOW IS THIS IS FOR ALL STUDENTS.
IT CROSSES OVER TO EVERYONE, NOT JUST SPECIAL EDUCATION OR PPS.
THERE'S LANGUAGE IN HERE THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE.
WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THIS POLICY BY THE STATE.
>> THANK YOU, TRACY. THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT THAT WE WANT TO DISCUSS WITH THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC.
BUT WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE A POLICY ON TIMEOUT ROOMS, BUT WE DO NOT USE TIMEOUT ROOMS, TO BE CLEAR.
>> THAT'S A LOT OF THIS AGAIN, IS REGULATORY AND WHAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE BY STATE EDUCATION.
>> I WILL TOO ALSO HIGHLIGHT THAT TRACY AND GREG LAU ARE SECONDARY SUPERVISOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE BOTH TRAINED IN CPI, WHICH I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT STANDS FOR.
>> CRISIS PREVENTION INTERVENTION.
>> THANK YOU. CRISIS PREVENTION INTERVENTION, WHICH HAS BOTH VERBAL DE-ESCALATION STRATEGIES, AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT STRATEGIES.
THEY ARE TRAINED AS TRAINERS, AND TRAIN PARTICULAR STAFF MEMBERS IN THOSE TECHNIQUES.
BUT IT'S A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE WE GENERALLY DO NOT WAN PEOPLE PUTTING THEIR HANDS ON CHILDREN.
THOSE WHO NEED TO, BY WAY OF THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITY, WHICH AGAIN, IS MOSTLY IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION REALM WITH PARTICULAR POPULATIONS, HAVE BEEN TRAINED, ARE BEING TRAINED BY TRACY AND GREG.
[01:20:01]
CERTIFIED TO DO THAT AND MAKING THAT AVAILABLE.BUT AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR, IT'S A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF STAFF.
ANYONE WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED THAT TRAINING, WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE CLEAR WHO THIS POLICY APPLIES TO, WITH THAT PERMISSION AND WHERE IT DOES NOT.
FROM A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, LET'S SAY THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL AND A CHILD NEEDS TO BE RESTRAINED, GOD FORBID, THERE'S SOME OF THESE THINGS YOU HEAR ABOUT SHOOTING, STABBINGS, WOULD ANYONE THEN BE ALLOWED BECAUSE THAT FALLS INTO A DIFFERENT REALM?
>> I THINK AN EXAMPLE OF IS IF YOU SEE A STUDENT RUNNING INTO TRAFFIC, YOU COULD PREVENT THAT IMMINENT THREAT, THAT IMMINENT DANGER, ANYWAY.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK WHAT TRACY IS TALKING ABOUT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT, BUT WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HAPPEN.
>> JUST BECAUSE WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TRAINING, BUT THE POLICY INCLUDES ALL STAFF WILL RECEIVE SOME TRAINING, NOT IN THE USE OF TIME OUT ROOMS OR RESTRAINT, BUT BASICALLY ON DISTRICT WELL, IT SAYS, THE DISTRICT'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON THE USE OF TIME OUT AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT.
IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THAT UNLESS YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED AND TRAINED, YOU ARE NOT TO USE PHYSICAL RESTRAINT.
>> WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THIS JUST AS RECENTLY AS MONDAY.
WE ALREADY HAVE, BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO UPDATE AND MAINTAIN A LIST OF WHAT ARE THE POLICIES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE PROVIDED TO ALL STAFF OR THAT'S TO BE TRAINED ON.
GIVEN THAT THERE'S UPDATES ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WE WILL BE ASKING PRINCIPALS TO TRAIN AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR STAFF ARE PRESENTED WITH US AT THEIR OPENING FACULTY MEETINGS, ANY OF THE POLICIES THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BE AWARE OF THAT THEY'RE MADE AWARE OF THEM ACCORDING TO THE POLICY.
ONE THING I WILL ADD THROUGH DOCTOR GARCIA'S OFFICE TO MANY POLICIES REFER TO REQUIRED TRAININGS, WHETHER IT'S SEXUAL HARASSMENT, TITLE 9, DASA THINGS LIKE THAT.
WE ALSO HAVE COMPLIANCE TRAINING THROUGH THE GCN, GENERAL COMPLIANCE NETWORK?
TRAINING IN ADDITION FOR THOSE REQUIRED POLICIES AS WELL.
TRAINING IN THE FACULTY MEETINGS BY THE PRINCIPALS THEMSELVES OR SUPPORT RELEVANT SUPPORT STAFF LIKE OUR NURSES WILL TRAIN ON USE OF EPI PENS, THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT ALSO THROUGH GCN.
>> PART OF THE TRAINING FOR CHILD ABUSE IN THE EDUCATIONAL SETTING WILL STAY WHAT IS APPROPRIATE.
IT DOESN'T GET SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PHYSICAL RESTRAINT, BUT IT DOES OUTLINE WHAT IS CONSTITUTED AS CHILD ABUSE.
>> WHICH WOULD ALSO INVOLVE PHYSICAL FORCE.
ANYTIME THERE'S AN UPDATE FROM THE STATE WITH ANY OF THESE TRAININGS OR ANY OF THESE REGULATIONS, GROUPS LIKE THE GLOBAL COMPLIANCE NETWORK WILL PROVIDE RESOURCES AND LITTLE MODULES AND VIDEO MODULES FOR EVERYONE TO WATCH.
I KNOW THAT'S A COMPLAINT FROM SOME OF THE STAFF, BUT THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW, BUT THERE MAY BE AN UPDATE ONCE IN A WHILE.
THIS MAY COME INTO PLACE THAT WE HAVE TO SEE IF THEY PROVIDE SOME TRAINING FOR US OR SOMETHING WE NEED TO OUTSOURCE.
>> NEXT ONE, 1640 ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
THIS IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT CAME TO US FROM THE POLICY SERVICE AND THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY AND THE NEED TO UPDATE OUR ABSENTEE BALLOT POLICY, PREDOMINANTLY BECAUSE THE STATE ADDED EARLY VOTING AS AN OPTION THIS YEAR SO THAT WAS ONE OF OUR MAIN UPDATES THERE.
WE AGAIN, WORKED WITH THE ATTORNEYS ON THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE IN COMPLIANCE AND THE MAIN.
I JUST WANT TO GET TO MY DOWNLOADS.
REALLY THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT THERE.
THERE WERE SOME ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL TO MILITARY BALLOTS.
THIS WAS REALLY DONE TO ALIGN WITH THE CURRENT STATE REGULATIONS THAT APPLY TO EDUCATION LAW.
I KNOW ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE GOT AND DISCUSSED HAD TO DO WITH FOLKS ASSISTING WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS A LIMIT THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN ONLY BRING FIVE ABSENTEE BALLOTS ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE ELSE.
WE DO NOT HAVE THAT LIMIT IN THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.
BOARD OF ELECTIONS IS GOVERNED SEPARATELY.
OUR COUNSEL HAS ADVISED THAT THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO US.
BUT I KNOW VAL IS BEING METICULOUS ABOUT EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING RELATED TO THE ELECTION.
[01:25:05]
AS PAULINE WAS BEFORE HER, OLIVE WAS BEFORE HER, STEVIE WAS BEFORE HER.WE WANTED TO HAVE THIS POLICY UPDATED JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT ALL OF OUR TS CROSSED AND AYE DOTTED HEADING INTO OUR ELECTION SEASON.
I KNOW WE'VE DONE A LOT OF BOARD MEETING DATE CHANGES, BUT ORIGINALLY OUR VERY ORIGINAL BOARD CALENDAR HAD THIS MEETING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 30TH.
WE HAD TO MOVE THAT UP BECAUSE OF CHANGES TO THE MILITARY BALLOT TIMELINES SO THAT THOSE THINGS ARE ALL WRAPPED WITHIN HERE.
THIS WAS A POLICY REQUIRED TO UPDATE EVERY THREE YEARS, I BELIEVE.
TRACY HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH THE WELLNESS COMMITTEE AND JUST BRING FORTH A FEW QUICK.
>> ACTUALLY, THE DISTRICT WELLNESS LEADERSHIP IS REALLY JIM, MYSELF, AND JOE TOMS. IT'S THE THREE OF US COMBINED.
THAT'S IN OUR POLICY, THAT'S LISTED WHO'S UNDER WELLNESS LEADERSHIP.
BUT I DO TAKE THE LEAD WITHIN THOSE MEETINGS.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS PUT ON PAUSE WITH MR. HODGE LEAVING LAST YEAR BECAUSE THE BIG PORTIONS OF THE POLICY DEAL WITH NUTRITION, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HEALTH.
WHEN HE LEFT, IT PUT US ON PAUSE.
I DID HAVE [INAUDIBLE] AND BEAN LOOK AT THIS AGAIN.
THEY CLEANED UP SOME LANGUAGE FOR US.
THERE WAS SOME REDUNDANCIES IN SOME OF THIS.
JOE TOMS, ALSO, AS THE NEW PERSON WHO OVERSEES HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, UPDATED SOME OF THE AREAS, THE RESOURCES THAT HE REFERS TO WHERE HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM COMES FROM.
THE OTHER BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THIS POLICY IS THE WELLNESS COMMITTEE.
THEY WANTED TO SEE SOME LANGUAGE REGARDING SEL.
HOW WE APPROACH SEL IN OUR DISTRICT THROUGHOUT CURRICULUM.
THERE WAS A PARAGRAPH THAT WAS ADDED IN THERE SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING TO SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND HOW WE ADDRESSED THAT.
THOSE WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF CHANGES.
>> I WILL JUST ADD ONE PIECE AND TRACY ALLUDED TO IT THAT I'M LOOKING AT THE HEALTH CURRICULUM, JOE, THAT'S SOME OF THE AREAS WHERE WE FOUND SOME REDUNDANCY AND WANTED TO CLEAN IT UP.
HE TOOK AWAY THE REDUNDANCIES AND ALSO JUST MADE SURE THAT IT WAS ANCHORED IN STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS, AND NOTHING EXTRANEOUS TO THAT.
THAT'S OUR FIRST READING OF THOSE.
ANY QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK ON THOSE, LET US KNOW, AND WE'LL BE BRINGING THOSE BACK NEXT TIME.
THANKS TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE FOR THAT.
>> WE CAN MOVE ON TO SUPERINTENDENT'S PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS.
[8. Superintendent's Personnel Recommendations]
>> EXCUSE VAL WITH YOUR QUESTION? THE SECOND READING WILL BE OUR NEXT MEETING.
THAT MOVES US TO SECOND READING.
>> I WOULD PROPOSE THAT WE DO 8.1 AND 8.2 AS A CONSENT AGENDA IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD I KNOW DR. GARCIA ALREADY DID A GREAT JOB OF EXPLAINING, SO I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THE MECHANICS.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY REALLY THANKS TO BOTH MR. LUEL AND DR. THOMPSON FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP INTO THESE NEW ROLES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WERE SEEKING OUT, BUT SOMETHING THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY VERY EXCITED ABOUT.
THEY BOTH JUST BEEN OUTSTANDING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.
THERE'S SOME OF OUR MOST SENIOR EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATORS.
THEY KNOW PELHAM, THEY KNOW OUR COMMUNITY, THEY KNOW OUR EXPECTATIONS.
I JUST WANTED TO AGAIN RECOGNIZE THEM FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP INTO TWO VERY DEMANDING ROLE.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BRING AND THE STABILITY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO PROVIDE TO OUR SECONDARY CAMPUS THROUGH THIS TRANSITION IN THE COMING YEAR.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
NEXT, I'D ACCEPT A MOTION TO APPROVE SCHEDULE D.
[9.1 Motion to Approve Schedule D - Committee on Special Education (Confidential)]
[01:30:01]
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THEN I WOULD ACCEPT A MOTION TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THANK YOU-ALL.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.