Aug 21, 2024 August 21, 2024 - Business Meeting

[00:00:08]

>> WELCOME TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING OF AUGUST 21, 2024.

[2. Public Session - 7:30 p.m.]

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> SO A NATALIE, WILL YOU PLEASE REITERATE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTION?

>> YES. WE MET FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL, THE HUTCHISON PRINCIPAL.

OKAY. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS EVENING.

I HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THEIR SUMMER.

OUR DISTRICT HAS BEEN BUSY PREPARING FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

TO ENSURE PELHAM STUDENTS ARE SET UP FOR A SCHOOL YEAR OF GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS ALSO PREPARED THIS SUMMER.

WE REORGANIZED, WE PASSED A NEW CELL PHONE POLICY THAT RESTRICTS USAGE IN CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATIONAL SPACES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE POLICY ALSO ASKS FOR A PLAN TO MAKE THE HIGH SCHOOL AN EVEN MORE CELL PHONE FREE ENVIRONMENT BY THE 2025, 2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

WE THANK THE ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF IN ADVANCE FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS POLICY STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.

WE HELD TWO RETREAT SESSIONS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY.

THE FIRST FOCUSED ON USING A DECISION MAKING CRITERIA FOR OUR BOARD WORK, AND WE USED IT TO DISCUSS THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS ABOUT RESIDENCY.

WE ALIGNED THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW THE DISTRICT IS HANDLING RESIDENCY.

WE WILL START BY HAVING OUR ATTORNEY JOIN US AT A MEETING IN SEPTEMBER TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE AND HOW IT IS CURRENTLY BEING HANDLED.

THE SECOND SESSION ESTABLISHED THREE KEY BOARD GOALS FOR THE YEAR.

ONE, ENSURING THAT THE SCHOOL BUDGET SUPPORTS THE DISTRICT'S NEW FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, AND THAT THE BUDGET IS ALSO SUSTAINABLE.

TWO, ENHANCING OUR CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY, AND THREE, PLANNING FOR ESSENTIAL UPDATES TO OUR FACILITIES TO MAINTAIN A TOP NOTCH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

WE ALSO REVIEWED OUR COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND DETERMINE OUR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS.

WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT OUT OF THE GATE AS A NEW BOARD.

LET'S START THIS MEETING KNOWING WE ARE

[3.1 Superintendent's Report]

DOCTOR CHAMP, I'LL HAND IT OFF TO YOU.

>> EXCELLENT. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AGAIN, TOO, I WELCOME EVERYONE BACK.

WE ARE DEFINITELY, EVEN THOUGH IT'S SUMMER, WE HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY AS WELL AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

AND AS I'VE BEEN SAYING LATELY TOO, THIS IS THE WEEK THAT'S THE START OF OUR GEAR BACKUP.

THIS IS THE WEEK THAT ALL OF OUR ADMINISTRATORS RETURN FROM THEIR WELL DESERVED VACATIONS OVER THE SUMMER.

NEXT WEEK, OUR TEACHERS WILL RETURN FOR DAYS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PREPARATION FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOL.

THEN THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THE STUDENTS RETURN.

EARLY, IT'S A DAY AFTER LABOR DAY THIS YEAR, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM AND STILL A LOT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THESE NEXT FEW DAYS.

WE ARE REALLY TO PARALLEL SOME OF WHAT JACKIE SHARED TONIGHT.

WE HAVE BEEN MEETING IN PREPARATION FOR THE AS A CABINET.

AGAIN, I'M VERY EXCITED AS WELL.

THIS IS OUR FIRST MEETING WITH MISS CLAIRE CUMBERFORD, OUR NEW ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING JOINING US.

WELCOME AND VERY EXCITED TO HAVE YOU HERE.

ALSO, DR. FITZGERALD, I THINK HE MAY HAVE BEEN WITH US LAST TIME.

>> IN JULY.

>> IN JULY, YES. BUT REALLY, IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL TO HAVE OUR NEWLY RECONSTITUTED, WE'RE RECONSTITUTING EVERYTHING, BOARD LEADERSHIP, NEW CABINET LEVEL AS WELL.

BUT IT'S REALLY BEEN WONDERFUL TO GET TO SPEND SOME TIME TOGETHER THIS SUMMER TO THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE OF THE DETAILS OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO WORK, TO PLAN OUT AND WORK TO DELIVER ON THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE'RE REALLY APPRECIATIVE TO THE BOARD FOR HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT, THE ENTIRE BOARD.

AS WELL AS FACULTY AND STUDENTS THAT SPENT A LOT OF TIME LAST SPRING TO PUT THAT TOGETHER.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE FINISHING DETAILS OF THE DEVELOP THE WORK PLAN, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE IN A CLEAR ROAD-MAP FOR THE YEAR AHEAD.

YOU'LL BE HEARING A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT NEXT TIME.

IN ADDITION TO OUR RESIDENCY DISCUSSION, WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE SHARING MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE ROLLING OUT OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AT OUR FIRST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.

ONE THING THAT I KNOW IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OUR PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

[00:05:03]

TODAY, OUR ELEMENTARY CLASS LIST DROPPED, AS WE SAY.

THE PORTAL FOR CLASS LISTS AND TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS OPEN TODAY FOR THE ELEMENTARY.

IF PARENTS DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW THAT, YOU PROBABLY DID, PLEASE LOG ON AND SEE THOSE.

THE HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES WILL OPEN UP FRIDAY, THIS FRIDAY AT 3:00 P.M. FOLKS CAN BE READY FOR THAT, AND THEN OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULES DO NOT OPEN UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, WE INVITE YOU TO COME, COME TO ORIENTATION, AND THEN YOU WILL GET YOUR SCHEDULE.

THAT'S AN INTENTIONAL PART OF OUR PLAN TRANSITION.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS AN EXCITING TIME OF YEAR WHEN ALL OF THAT INFORMATION FINALLY STARTS TO FLOW AND COME OUT FOR STUDENTS AND OUR PARENTS SO THEY CAN REALLY HAVE THE DETAILS OF FINISH GETTING READY FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

NEXT WEEK FOR US, AS I SAID, IS A VERY BUSY WEEK, ADMINISTRATORS ARE BACK, OR TEACHERS COME BACK.

YOU MAY HEAR SOME ELEMENTS OF THIS IN SOME OF THE REPORTS LATER ON.

BUT NEXT WEEK, WE START THE WEEK OFF RIGHT AWAY WITH OUR FINAL ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT OF THE YEAR.

WE DO A COUPLE OFF SITES IN THE SUMMER.

THIS WILL GIVE US AGAIN THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE ENTIRE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM ON MONDAY TO FINISH FLESHING OUT THE DETAILS OF DELIVERING ON THAT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE YEAR AND SETTING A CLEAR PATH.

ALSO, THAT'S MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK, DR. FITZGERALD HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN PLANNING OUR NEW TEACHER ORIENTATION.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, OUR MENTOR TEACHER, I THINK, INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY, TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT, AS WELL AS OUR UNION LEADERSHIP, AND THE CABINET MEMBERS, IN PARTICULAR, ALL INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THAT.

ONBOARDING ALL OF OUR NEW TEACHERS AND TAS FOR THE YEAR.

ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

WEDNESDAY, WE'LL HAVE OPENING CEREMONY FOR SUPERINTENDENTS CONFERENCE DAYS.

THOSE DAYS SPAN OVER TO WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WHERE WE DO A LOT, AGAIN, A LOT OF MEETINGS, TRAININGS, AND PREPARATION FOR THE YEAR TO COME.

IN PREPARATION FOR THAT IN ADVANCE, I WANT TO THANK THE PTA COUNSEL FOR THE BREAKFAST THAT THEY PROVIDE ON THE FIRST DAY ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THEN WE HAVE OUR OPENING CEREMONY AT 9:00 WHERE I WILL BE SPEAKING.

JACKIE WILL BE JOINING ME AT REPRESENTING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WE WILL ALSO HAVE KRISTEN WHALEN, WHO'S OUR NEW PRESIDENT FOR THE PTA COUNCIL.

WE'LL BE THERE TO SPEAK AND ADDRESS THE TEACHERS, AND THE STAFF, SARAH MCKEE, FROM THE PELHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION, WILL BE THERE AS WELL.

IT'S ALWAYS A NICE TIME TO KICK THINGS OFF AND PROBABLY THE FAVORITE PART OF THE EFFORT, AND I HAVE TO THANK THE ENTIRE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, IN PARTICULAR, HR DEPARTMENT AND VALERIE, MY SECRETARY, AND OUR DISTRICT CLERK WHO HAVE BEEN SPENDING MASSIVE AND JIM'S OFFICE, MEMBERS OF JIM'S OFFICE, MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REALLY TRYING HARD TO IDENTIFY OUR SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS.

WE ALWAYS RECOGNIZE OUR STAFF WHEN AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, 30 YEARS OF SERVICE, WE EVEN HAVE A 35 THIS YEAR.

IT'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE DID NOT HAVE THE SAME SYSTEMS IN PLACE 25, 30, AND 35 YEARS AGO.

THIS WORK REALLY IS MANUAL WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN MULTIPLE SYSTEMS, CROSS CHECKED, DOUBLE CHECKED, TRIPLE CHECKED ACROSS OFFICES AND MANY LISTS.

THANKS TO THEM AND ALL THE STAFF THAT HAVE HAD A HAND IN IT.

I KNOW IT'S VERY MEANINGFUL TO THE STAFF, THOUGH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

WE'VE GOT A VERY BIG LIST THIS YEAR.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN A BANNER YEAR FOR PELHAM ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, IN PARTICULAR.

IT'S A BIGGER LIST THAT WE'VE HAD IN MANY YEARS. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

ALEX WILL BE PUTTING OUT A IN OUR BACK TO SCHOOL EMAIL.

WE'LL HAVE THAT LIST, WE'LL BE GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY SHORTLY SO FOLKS CAN KNOW WHO THOSE PEOPLE WERE ARE.

ALSO ON THAT DAY, WE'LL BE LAUNCHING, THIS CERTAINLY THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO OUR FACULTY AND THE THEME FOR THE YEAR.

I'LL SHARE THAT NOW AND YOU'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT IT IN THE COMING DAYS.

BUT THIS IS ONE THAT WE HAD BEEN DOING SOME PLANNING ON AND WORKING LAST YEAR, AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO USING IT AS JUST A NICE THEME TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THAT SENSE OF BELONGING CONNECTION AMONGST THE DISTRICT.

GIVING CREDIT TO YOUR CREDIT IS DUE, THE IDEA FOR THE THEME CAME FROM CIANNI BUT WE'RE BLOWING IT UP TO THE DISTRICT LEVEL.

OUR THEME FOR THE YEAR WILL BE RIA PELHAM.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY? WORKING TO BRING CONNECTIONS AMONGST THE ADULTS, AMONGST THE STUDENTS.

THERE'S A LOT OF ENERGY AROUND SOME DIFFERENT STUDENT ACTIVITIES THAT WE'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT AND AGAIN, I'LL SAVE SOME OF THE DETAILS FOR NEXT TIME.

BUT YOU'LL BE HEARING MORE ABOUT THAT.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING THAT WITH EVERYONE.

I FEEL LIKE I MISSED A COUPLE OF PIECES.

JIM IS GOING TO TOUCH ON THOSE.

I GOT THOSE. YOU'VE ALREADY MENTIONED THE BOARD GOALS, A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NEXT TIME.

I THINK THAT BRINGS US TO OUR LAST ITEM, WHICH WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO QUITE AT THIS MOMENT,

[00:10:02]

TO BE WELCOMING A NEW MEMBER OF THE TEAM.

EARLIER ON IN THE AGENDA TONIGHT, WE'LL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO APPOINTING MISS JEN KEEN THOMPSON TO BE THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF HUTCHINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MORE TO COME ON THAT IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

AND THAT'S IT.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE ON AUTHENTIC LEARNING.

[3.2 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Authentic Learning]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND TO THE PELHAM COMMUNITY FOR BEING PATIENT WITH ME AS I FINISHED UP.

MY RESPONSIBILITIES IN MY LAST PLACEMENT AND STARTED HERE ON AUGUST 1ST.

THIS MARKS MY THIRD WEEK IN THE PELHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I'M SO THRILLED AND EXCITED TO BE HERE.

DURING THOSE COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE ENACTED THE INITIAL STEPS IN MY ENTRY PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES REVIEWING PERTINENT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION, AND REALLY TRYING TO LISTEN AND LEARN ABOUT PELHAM AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'VE BEEN HAVING INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS WITH KEY STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT AS THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS TO WORK TO FORM THE RELATIONSHIPS AND GETTING TO KNOW EVERYONE IN THE DISTRICT WHO DOES THESE AMAZING THINGS FOR KIDS.

THAT CONTINUES AS I CONTINUE MY WORK.

PART OF REVIEWING DOCUMENTS IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE ROBUST CURRICULUM WORK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON OVER THE SUMMER, WHICH IS VERY IMPRESSIVE.

ALL DISTRICT DEPARTMENTS HAVE ENGAGED IN PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND CURRICULUM WORK OVER THE SUMMER AND PREPARING FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR TO CREATE AUTHENTIC AND RIGOROUS EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS.

THEN JUST THIS WEEK ALONE, WE'VE HAD AN AI USER GROUP MEETING, WHICH INCLUDED AT LEAST 20 ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS, ETC REALLY THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, ITS PLACE IN EDUCATION, AND HOW WE AS A DISTRICT WILL COME TOGETHER TO DECIDE ON BEST PRACTICES AND THINKING ABOUT HOW TO HELP EVERYONE IN THE LEARNING COMMUNITY USE IT ETHICALLY AND RESPONSIBLY.

ALSO, THIS WEEK, WE'VE HAD THREE DAY ORTON GILLINGHAM TRAINING, A MULTI SENSORY APPROACH TO TEACHING READING FOR ALL STUDENTS, AND IS PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN HELPING STUDENTS WITH DYSLEXIA.

THAT'S ALSO BEEN GOING ON AND THAT'S JUST THIS WEEK.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT I'VE BEEN DIVING INTO.

DR. CHAMP MENTIONED THAT NEXT WEEK, WE WILL ENGAGE IN OUR ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT ON MONDAY.

REALLY LOOKING TO TRANSFORM THE STRATEGIC PLAN INTO ACTIONABLE NEXT STEPS FOR THIS COMING SCHOOL YEAR, SO YEAR ONE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

NEXT WEEK, IN ADDITION TO NEW TEACHER ORIENTATION, WE HAVE THE SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAYS, WHICH PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR FACULTY AND STAFF IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, AND ALSO MEETING THEIR NEEDS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.

STRATEGIC PLANNING WILL HAPPEN AT THE FACULTY, DEPARTMENT, TEAM, AND EVEN INDIVIDUAL CO-TEACH LEVELS.

WE ENSURE THAT THERE IS TIME FOR ALL FACULTY TO REVIEW IEPS AND 504S TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE FAR AWAY COMPLIANT WITH NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION LAW.

THEN THERE ARE OTHER TRAINING SUCH AS PARENTS SQUARE, LOOKING TO ALIGN OF COMMUNICATION PRACTICES ACROSS SCHOOLS AND INFINITE CAMPUS TRAINING FOR SOME MEMBERS OF OUR FACULTY.

ALSO NEW THIS YEAR, THE PALM EDUCATION FOUNDATION WILL COME AND RUN TWO WORK SESSIONS FOR FACULTY ON BRAINSTORMING GRANT AND ALSO THE GRANT WRITING PROCESS.

THEN FINALLY, I'LL TALK THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS RELEASED PRELIMINARY DATA FOR GRADES THREE THROUGH EIGHT ENGLISH, MATH AND SCIENCE, THE ASSESSMENTS OF LAST YEAR.

THIS DATA HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR INTERNAL REVIEW IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THAT INTERNAL REVIEW PROCESS ENDS ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, AND THAT GIVES DISTRICTS TIME TO VERIFY THE DATA AND REVIEW THE DATA.

WE ARE CURRENTLY BEGINNING THAT PROCESS OF GOING OVER THE DATA THAT THE STATE HAS RECENTLY RELEASED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

ONCE THE DATA IS VERIFIED AND THE STATE LIFTS THE EMBARGO, THEN WE WILL BE SHARING THAT OUT AND EXTENSIVELY AND IN DETAIL ON NOVEMBER 6TH WITH MY PRESENTATION ON STUDENT LEARNING DATA ON NOVEMBER 6TH.

THEN FINALLY, I JUST WILL EXPRESS, AGAIN, MY SINCERE GRATITUDE TO DR.

CHAMP AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR CHOOSING ME TO JOIN THIS TEAM AND WORK WITH THE TALENTED FACULTY STAFF, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[00:15:05]

>> THANK YOU. AND WELCOME AGAIN.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS UPDATE ON THE WHOLE CHILD.

[3.3 Assistant Superintendent's Update on The Whole Child]

CHAMP INDICATED, IT'S ALWAYS A BUSY TIME IN THE PPS OFFICE.

WE WERE BUSY WORKING ON STAFFING AND MAKING SURE WE HAD ALL OF OUR HIRES IN PLACE FOR THE START OF SCHOOL.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE HIRED EMILY TUCKMAN, WHO'S GOING TO BE ONE OF OUR FIFTH GRADE ICT TEACHERS AT HUTCHINSON THIS YEAR.

SHE'S A GRADUATE OF LAFAYETTE, AND SHE EARNED HER MSN TEACHING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD IN SPECIAL EDUCATION FROM MONA UNIVERSITY.

SO SHE HAS BEEN A PERMANENT SUB HUTCHINSON AND SHE WAS A STUDENT TEACHER AT HUTCHINSON, AND EVERYONE LOVED HER AT HUTCHINSON, SO WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE HER NOW BE A PERMANENT MEMBER OF HUTCHINSON SCHOOL.

SHE'LL BE THERE. JOINING US AS WELL AS OUR NEW SPEECH PATHOLOGIST THAT SHARED BETWEEN SIMON I AND PROSPECT.

HER NAME IS MARIETTA RESNICK.

SHE'S A SEASONED SL WHO HAS BEEN AT DOBBS FER FOR MANY YEARS.

SHE'S GOT A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPEECH AND HEARING HANDICAP, MASTERS IN COMMUNICATION DISORDERS.

SHE'S GOT A BACKGROUND IN WORKING WITH STUDENTS WITH AUTISM.

SHE KNOWS A LOT ABOUT ORTON GILLINGHAM READING, AND SHE'S ALSO A CERTIFIED BCBA.

SHE'S A UNICORN. WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE HER JOIN US AND VERY HAPPY SHE DECIDED TO MAKE PELHAM HER HOME.

WE HAVE MICHELLE FASTENBERG, WHO'S GOING TO DO A LEAD FOR US, ALSO.

WE HAVE ONE OF OUR ICT TEACHERS AND HUTCHINSON WHO WILL BE GOING OUT FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

MICHELLE WILL TAKE THE REINS THERE, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED THAT SHE WILL BE JOINING US AS WELL.

WE ALSO CONTINUE TO FILL TA AND MONITOR ROLES OVER THE SUMMER.

IT WAS JUST A BUSY TIME, TALKING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, CHECKING REFERENCES, AND WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT TEAM IN PLACE, SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR IN THE WAY THAT WE WILL BE.

IN TERMS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND PPS, ALL THE IEPS IN 504 ARE FINALIZED AND HAVE BEEN SENT HOME FOR PARENTS.

AS CLAIRE INDICATED THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF SUPERINTENDENT CONFERENCING IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL.

TEACHERS WILL BE REVIEWING IEPS AND SIGNING OFF ON 408 LOGS.

THESE ARE THE COMPLIANCE LOGS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT ALL STAFF HAS REVIEWED THE INFORMATION IN THE DOCUMENTS, AWARE OF ACCOMMODATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS, AND TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS, SO THEY ARE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE APPROPRIATE PIECES ARE IN PLACE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND HAVE THEIR PLANS FOLLOWED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.

AS I MENTIONED TO THE BOARD AT THE END OF THE YEAR LAST YEAR, AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INDICATOR 8 WAS ONE OF THE STATE INDICATORS WE WERE REQUIRED TO SUPPLY INFORMATION TO THE STATE ON.

THERE ARE SEVERAL INDICATORS.

INDICATOR 8 IS ABOUT INPUT FROM FAMILIES ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE CSC PROCESS.

WE HAD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SURVEYS THAT WE HAD TO GET RESPONSES FOR.

ALL THE INFORMATION GOES RIGHT TO THE SUNNI POTSDAM, WHO PARTNERS WITH THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHO WILL ANALYZE THE DATA AND THE RESPONSES FROM THE PARENTS.

WE FINALLY HIT THE NUMBER FOR RESPONSES WE NEEDED TO HIT THE OTHER DAY.

ALL OF OUR INFORMATION IS IN, AND DR.

CHAMP WILL RECEIVE A REPORT FROM STATE EDUCATION, HOW WE DID IN TERMS OF THAT INDICATOR.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT INDICATOR IS OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SPECIAL ED, IS THAT?

>> YES. IN THE CSE PROCESS.

IT'S A QUESTIONNAIRE THAT SUNNI POTSDAM GIVES US THAT WE MAIL OUT TO PARENTS, AND IT'S BASICALLY DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAD OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN YOUR CSE MEETING? DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU'VE HAD THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH ADMINISTRATORS IN TERMS OF YOUR CHILD SPECIAL EDUCATION PLAN? SO ALL OF THAT RELATED TO PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS? WE DON'T SEE ANY OF THEIR ANSWERS.

IT'S ALL ANONYMOUS, GOES TO THE STATE AND THEN WE GET THE REPORT ON HOW WE'RE DOING.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WAS ANOTHER THING THAT WE WERE WORKING ON IN THE DEPARTMENT AND GETTING READY TO PLAN FOR WHAT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE FOR THIS ENTIRE YEAR.

AS CLAIRE MENTIONED AS WELL, WE HAVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES DURING SUPERINTENDENT CONFERENCE DAY.

OUR DISTRICT CONTRACT BEHAVIORIST ERIC FRANTINO, WILL BE MEETING WITH OUR MONITORS AND OUR TEACHING ASSISTANTS TO TALK ABOUT STUDENTS WITH IEPS,

[00:20:05]

HE WILL BE MEETING WITH THAT STAFF AND GOING OVER SPECIFIC IEPS WITH SOME OF THE MONITORS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HAVING G&R CONSULTING GROUP WORK WITH US AGAIN.

THAT'S OUR ICT COACHES.

SOME OF THE ICT TEAMS SHIFTED IN HUTCHINSON, SO IT'S ALWAYS GOOD THAT WE HAVE OUR CONSULTANT COME IN AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING CO-TEACHING MODELS, MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE TEACHERS, SO THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND ENGAGING IN THE CO TEACHING MODELS.

WE'RE EXCITED THAT THE CONSULTANTS, WE HAVE TWO IN ELEMENTARY AND A SECONDARY AND THEY'LL BE BACK AGAIN WORKING WITH US THIS YEAR.

DBT COACHING WILL CONTINUE AS WELL.

THAT'S TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SUPPORT STAFF, AND SPECIFICALLY AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, THE STAFF THAT WORKS WITH OUR TSP PROGRAMS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M WORKING WITH THE CENTER FOR RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM.

THAT'S THE CONSULTANTS THAT SUPPORT OUR RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM FRAMEWORK IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHAT THAT COACHING IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR.

THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT ALSO IS ALWAYS A BUSY PLACE COME START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON IN ADDITION TO TWEAKING SCHEDULES AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE IS WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

AGAIN, AS DR. CHAMP MENTIONED, THE HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY FOR VIEW.

>> THREE O'CLOCK.

>> THREE O'CLOCK. WE HAVE FRESHMAN ORIENTATION FOR THE RISING NINTH GRADERS ON AUGUST 27 4:30-6:30.

AGAIN, THIS WILL BE LED BY OUR HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER LIZ AHEAD AND OUR TEACHER, MS. JANETTE CONLEY.

STUDENTS ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITH THE HELP OF A HIGH SCHOOL MENTOR, AND THE GOAL AGAIN IS TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO THE HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATIVE, FUN, AND LESS ANXIOUS FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

THEN THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF MONTHLY ACTIVITIES THAT OCCUR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR THE FRESHMAN WITH THE UPPER CLASS MENTORS.

THE JOINT PELHAM EASTCHESTER COLLEGE FAIR WILL BE HOSTED BY US THIS YEAR.

THAT WILL BE OCTOBER 21ST, AND THAT WILL BE IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM.

GRADE 12 COLLEGE NIGHT IS GOING TO BE SEPTEMBER 17, SO THAT WE'LL BE OFF AND RUNNING FOR OUR SENIORS JUST MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE ON TRACK WITH WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING AS FAR AS THEIR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS.

FINANCIAL 8 NIGHT, THAT'S ANOTHER BIG NIGHT FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS, HOPEFULLY.

DO THEY THINK ABOUT PAYING FOR COLLEGE NOW? PARENTS DO.

BUT THAT'S ON DECEMBER 3RD, AND THIS ALSO GIVES OUR FAMILIES AN OVERVIEW OF THE COLLEGE PLANNING PROCESS.

THERE WAS A DIFFERENT PROCESS LAST YEAR WITH THE FAFSA FORM.

IT WAS A NEW PROCESS.

IT WAS A LOT OF BUMPS, A LOT OF GLITCHES.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'S BEEN WORKED OUT, BUT THERE'LL BE INDIVIDUALS TO TALK TO PARENTS ABOUT THAT THIS YEAR.

GRADE 8 TRANSITION NIGHT, JANUARY 8TH, GRADE JUNIOR TRANSITION NIGHT, JANUARY 14, AND GRADE 10 COLLEGE NIGHT, FEBRUARY 5TH.

JUST EVERYBODY MARK THEIR CALENDARS, A LOT GOING ON, THE COUNSELORS WILL BE BUSY GIVING OUT INFORMATION.

IN ADDITION, THE FALL IN THE HIGH SCHOOL IS ALWAYS A BUSY PLACE.

WE PLAN FOR COLLEGE VISITS TO BEGIN.

THEY TYPICALLY BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER.

WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHO'S COMING TO VISIT.

LAST YEAR, WE HAD OVER 74 COLLEGES COME VISIT US BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND I THINK JANUARY.

WE ALWAYS LOOK AT INVITING A VARIETY OF COLLEGES TO COME TALK TO OUR STUDENTS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE DIFFERENT CAMPUSES.

LAST YEAR, WE HAD BOSTON COLLEGE, VILANOVA, LEE HIGH, BUCKNELL COLGATE.

I'M SURE SOME WILL RETURN AND WE'LL GET SOME NEW ONES TO JOIN US AS WELL.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ALSO HAS THEIR ORIENTATION.

ON AUGUST 27, THE RISING SIXTH GRADERS WILL HAVE THEIR ORIENTATION, THEIR SCAVENGER HUNT, AND THERE WILL ALSO BE WHAT WE CALL OUR KIDS AND ACTION PROGRAM, WHICH RUNS PARALLEL AND THAT'S SPECIFIC FOR STUDENTS WITH IEPS WHO ARE TRANSITIONING FROM ELEMENTARY TO MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO MEET WITH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS, LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT NAVIGATING THE BUILDING.

TECHNOLOGY, THEIR LOCKERS, WHICH ALWAYS PROVOKES A LOT OF ANXIETY FOR THE SIXTH GRADERS. THAT'S HAPPENING.

ALSO, MIDDLE SCHOOL, NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION HAPPENS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 30TH.

THAT'S ANYBODY NEW WHO WAS MOVING INTO DISTRICT JOINING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

LASTLY, IN NURSING, I'VE SPENT SEVERAL DAYS THIS SUMMER WORKING WITH OUR NURSE COORDINATOR, DANIEL JAMIE, JUST MAKING SURE ALL OF OUR FORMS ARE UPDATED.

[00:25:02]

WE'VE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JOE TOMS. WE HAVE UPDATED CONCUSSION PROTOCOLS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOLLOWING IN PLACE.

THIS YEAR, PELHAM WILL HAVE TO DO THE BMI SURVEY EVERY OTHER YEAR.

IT'S A BODY MASS INDEX SURVEY THAT WE ARE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE IN AND SHARE INFORMATION AGAIN ANONYMOUSLY WITH THE STATE ABOUT INFORMATION REGARDING STUDENTS, AND IT COMES OFF OF THEIR PREVIOUS YEAR HEALTH FORMS. WE'LL BE SENDING MORE INFORMATION OUT TO PARENTS ABOUT THAT.

AGAIN, ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE SEND TO THE STATE IS ANONYMOUS.

HOWEVER, IF PARENTS CHOOSE TO OPT OUT IN SENDING THEIR CHILD'S INFORMATION, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO DO SO AS WELL.

THAT IS IT FROM PPS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT,

[3.4 Executive Director's Update on Human Resources and Leadership]

>> IT HAS BEEN A BUSY SUMMER WITH HIRING.

AND IT'S BEEN AN EXCITING SUMMER WITH HIRING, ACTUALLY, AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE COMING TO THE CLOSE OF HIRING OUR NEW ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL AT HUTCHINSON SCHOOL.

THERE WERE 56 CANDIDATES.

FROM THERE, WE WORK THROUGH A REALLY EXTENSIVE PROCESS OF SCREENING, SITE BASED COUNCIL MEETINGS, A PERFORMANCE TASK, WHICH HAS ALL LED US TO THIS PLACE.

WE'RE REALLY THRILLED THAT TO BE RECOMMENDING THE APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER KEEN THOMPSON AS THE NEXT HUTCHINSON SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

SOME OTHER NEW APPOINTMENTS YOU WILL SEE THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING.

WE'RE HIRING A LEAVE REPLACEMENT AT PROSPECT HILL, THAT HAS BEEN FILLED.

WE HAVE HIRED A TEACHING ASSISTANT AT PROSPECT HILL.

WE'VE HIRED A LIBRARY TEACHING ASSISTANT AT COLONIAL, SEVERAL SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, AND FOUR NEW MONITORS.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO FILL IN THOSE MONITOR POSITIONS AS WE GO.

AS THE WRITING OF THIS REPORT, HOWEVER, WE STILL ARE LOOKING FOR AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST THAT WILL BE SHARED BETWEEN ALL FOUR BUILDINGS, AND ELEMENTARY MUSIC TEACHER FOR COLONIAL AND PROSPECT.

A LEAVE REPLACEMENT FOR INTERVENTION AT HUTCHINSON.

AGAIN, MORE LYNCH RECESS MONITORS, THE MORE THE MERRIER ON THAT ONE, AND SEVERAL COACHING POSITIONS.

I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE IS THAT WHEN WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A POSTING OR WE EITHER HAVE A LEAVE REPLACEMENT OR A NEW POSITION, WE POST IT, WE COLLECT THE RESUMES, THE RESUMES ARE SCREENED, THEN THEY ARE BROUGHT TO A SITE BASED COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW, AND THEN CANDIDATES ARE WHITTLED DOWN TO A PERFORMANCE TASK.

THEN FINALLY, REFERENCE CHECKS AND FINAL INTERVIEWS.

IT IS A LENGTHY PROCESS, BUT IT IS ONE THAT GIVES US A LOT OF FEEDBACK IN TERMS OF CANDIDATES AND THEIR STRENGTHS AND THEIR FIT WITH OUR DISTRICT, AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BRING TO OUR DISTRICT TO HELP US GROW.

SO I GIVE THE PRINCIPALS AND THE DIRECTORS AND THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS A LOT OF PROPS FOR GOING THROUGH THE LENGTHY PROCESS WITH ALL OF THE OPENING CANDIDATES, AND WE'VE BEEN HIRING SOME REALLY AMAZING PEOPLE.

IT'S A PROCESS THAT WORKS.

WE DO HAVE SOME PENDING LEAVE REPLACEMENTS.

SOME OF THOSE, THANKFULLY, WILL NOT START UNTIL AFTER THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, SO WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME THERE, BUT WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR ALL OF THESE POSITIONS.

WE ARE EXCITED FOR OUR NEW FACULTY ORIENTATION IN BOOT CAMP ON TUESDAY.

IT'S REALLY THE FIRST INTRODUCTION THAT A LOT OF OUR NEW PELHAM EMPLOYEES WILL GET INTO OUR DISTRICT.

IT USED TO BE A TWO DAY ADVENTURE AND NOW WE'RE DOWN TO ONE.

REALLY THE GOAL IS TO GIVE ALL NEW STAFF EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO GET STARTED SUCCESSFULLY.

AFTER THAT, THERE WILL BE MENTOR MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR TO HIT ON SEVERAL OTHER TOPICS.

THE ONES THAT WE AREN'T ABLE TO COVER IN THAT FIRST DAY WILL BE COVERED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.

BUT THE FOCUS REALLY FOR THAT PARTICULAR DAY IS HOW YOU GET UP AND RUNNING AND GET UP AND RUNNING QUICK TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON YOUR VERY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

I'M THANKFUL TO MS. DI ANGELES AND TO DR.

CHAMP FOR BEING ABLE TO BE THERE TO WELCOME OUR NEW HIRES, TO JOHN SABALS AND LICE DEL MASTRO, THEY DO AN AMAZING JOB OF GOING THROUGH ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT PELHAM HAS TO OFFER AND HOW TO USE IT AND HOW TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY, SO THEY WILL BE RUNNING A BOOT CAMP FOR THAT.

JANETTE CONLEY IS OUR MENTOR COORDINATOR AND SHE'S BEEN BUSY WORKING PAIRING UP OUR NEW STAFF WITH MENTOR TEACHERS TO BE A SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR MENTORS AND MENTEES TO MAKE CONNECTIONS ON THAT DAY.

THEN THANKS TO MR. RICKY AND HIS TEAM FOR BEING AVAILABLE TO REALLY GO OVER BENEFITS, WHICH CAN BE TRICKY FOR NEW EMPLOYEES AND REALLY HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND THAT.

[00:30:04]

>> THE OTHER PIECE THAT HAPPENS DURING SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAYS IS TALKING ABOUT MANDATORY COMPLIANCE TRAINING, AND THERE ARE QUITE A FEW.

THERE'S ABOUT 11 DIFFERENT MODULES THAT STAFF HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

THEY ARE REQUIRED BY STATE LAWS, FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS, AND SO WORKING WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING OUR STAFF WITH EXACTLY WHAT IS REQUIRED, AS WE START THE SCHOOL YEAR, SO THAT HAS BEEN SENT OUT TO ALL STAFF SO THAT THEY CAN BEGIN WORKING ON THAT.

THEY ARE ALL VIRTUAL MODULES.

WE HAVE ALSO CARVED OUT SOME TIME DURING SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAY FOR STAFF TO TACKLE SOME OF THOSE AND THE TIMELINES RELATED TO IT.

AND THEN A NEW PIECE OF COURSEWORK THAT I'M WORKING ON WITH CLAIRE IS NEW YORK STATE ACTUALLY AMENDED THEIR SOCIAL SERVICE LAW, WHICH CHANGED THE AND ADDED THIS ADDITIONAL REQUIRED TRAINING FOR CHILD ABUSE REPORTING.

AND SO THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO FIND AN ONLINE SELF PACED MODULE FOR STAFF TO WORK THROUGH.

IT'S 2.5 HOURS.

BUT IF YOU ARE CERTIFICATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO DO THIS BY APRIL 1 OF 2025.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO OUR STAFF SO THAT THEY'RE AWARE THAT THEY KNOW HOW TO LOG INTO THE TRAINING.

WE ARE GIVING THEM TIME ALSO DURING SUPERINTENDENT'S CONFERENCE DAY TO START TACKLING THIS.

IT'S REALLY A CONCERTED EFFORT BETWEEN THE TWO DIFFERENT OFFICES TO MAKE SURE THAT STAFF HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO GET THIS REQUIREMENT COMPLETED.

>> THANK YOU. JIM, YOU'RE UP WITH THE UPDATE ON FINANCE AND FACILITIES.

[3.5 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Finance and Facilities]

>> YES. THANK YOU. HAPPY TO BE HERE.

AND I'M GOING TO GO OVER JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.

I GUESS A COUPLE OF ITEMS FROM THE AGENDA, AND JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS SUMMER.

SO YESTERDAY OR TODAY, I SHOULD SAY, MARKED THE FIRST DAY WE'VE NOT HAD STUDENTS IN THE FACILITY ALL SUMMER, WHICH HAS PROVIDED QUITE A CHALLENGE FOR GETTING THE BUILDINGS READY FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

I MUST SAY OUR FACILITIES DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A TERRIFIC JOB.

I THINK AS THE BOARD WALKED THROUGH THE BUILDINGS, SOME MADE SOME VERY NICE COMMENTS THAT THE FLOORS LOOK REALLY SHINY AND THEY DO.

THEY LOOK GREAT, AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THEIR WORK OF OUR FOLKS AND WE COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT OUR STUDENT WORKERS AS WELL.

SO WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE.

IT'S A DIFFICULT TIME OF THE YEAR, OF COURSE.

I THINK AT ONE POINT LAST WEEK, ACTUALLY, WE WERE DOWN ABOUT A THIRD OF OUR FULL TIME WORK STAFF, EITHER DUE TO INJURY, SICKNESS OR JUST PLANNED FAMILY VACATIONS BECAUSE OUR FOLKS NEED VACATIONS TOO.

THE TIMELINE AND THIS BEING A VERY SHORT SUMMER REALLY PROVIDED QUITE A CHALLENGE FOR THE GROUP.

NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THAT WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE FACILITY AS A PART OF THE BOARD WALK THROUGH, AND HOPEFULLY THAT WORK WILL REALLY SHOW THROUGH.

SOME OF THAT WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE, THE HIGH POINTS THAT WE'VE SEEN.

WE'VE HAD A NEW PLAYGROUND INSTALLED AT COLONIAL, NOT THAT OUR FOLKS DID THAT, BUT IT CERTAINLY LOOKS GREAT.

IT'S GETTING USE EVERY DAY, WHICH IS WONDERFUL.

WE REPLACED THE MAIN FLOOR TILE WORK AT PROSPECT HILL, AT SOME ASBESTOS ABATEMENT EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

THE GLOVER FIELD IS BEING CLEANED AND REFRESHED, AS WE DO EVERY YEAR, THE TURF FIELDS THERE.

THE GYM FLOOR AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS COMPLETELY SANDED DOWN TO BAR WOOD AND REPAINTED AND REDONE.

AND THIS WAS THROUGH THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF FACILITIES DIRECTOR JOHN CONDON, THE VENDOR PAID FOR 100% OF THAT, SO THE DISTRICT DID NOT BEAR ANY OF THAT COST.

AND WE'RE CERTAINLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

ON TOP OF THAT, THOUGH, YOU JUST THINK ABOUT THE HALF 1 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF BUILDING, THE 3,500 SQUARE DESKS, THOUSANDS OF LOCKERS, HUNDREDS OF CLASSROOMS AND GYMNASIUMS THAT HAD BEEN REALLY ADDRESSED ALL SUMMER LONG.

WE STILL WORK ON ALL THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS WHILE, AGAIN, RECREATION WAS IN OUR SCHOOL.

THEY USE OUR BUILDINGS UP UNTIL AUGUST 9, AND THEY USE THIS BUILDING CERTAINLY UNTIL THE EARLY PART OF AUGUST AND OUR PROGRAMS AS WELL.

IT'S A REAL BALANCING ACT, AND OUR HEAD CUSTODIAN KENNY SUTTON DID A TERRIFIC JOB THERE AND THE REST OF THE FACILITIES FOLKS DID A GREAT JOB.

I WANT TO JUST TAKE A QUICK OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

AGAIN, THE BOARD'S GOING TO SEE THAT.

THIS EVENING IN THE ON THE AGENDA, THERE'S A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT I JUST LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.

LET'S START OUT WITH WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE SEDCAR CONTRACTS, AND I SHARED SOME INFORMATION EARLIER TO THE BOARD, SEDCAR AN ACRONYM.

IT STANDS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION DATA COLLECTION ANALYSIS AND REPORTING.

[00:35:04]

AND THESE ARE AGREEMENTS THAT WE HAVE EVERY YEAR.

AS WE LOOKED AT OUR END OF YEAR PROCESS, WE REALIZED THAT THE '23, '24 FUNDS HAD PASSED THROUGH, BUT WE HAD NOT YET FORWARDED ALL THE INFORMATION TO THE BOARD.

THIS IS PART OF THAT INFORMATION AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE IN FULLY COMPLIANCE WITH THE SEDCAR PROCESS.

WE'RE ALSO THIS EVENING ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE A MODIFICATION OF THE LEASE WITH PLAYFUL WONDERS.

THEY RUN AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT SINO.

THEY'VE ASKED TO EXPAND TO ANOTHER CLASSROOM, THEY PRESENTLY OCCUPY THREE, THEY'VE ASKED FOR A FOURTH.

OUR INTENTION IS TO MODIFY THEIR LEASE COMMENSURATE ON A PRETA BASIS WITH THE ADDITIONAL ROOM.

WE'VE ALSO BEEN WORKING THIS SUMMER WITH PELHAM CHILDREN CENTER WHO ARE WORKING TO DEVELOP SOME LICENSURE FOR SIMILAR PROGRAMS AT COLONIAL AND AT PROSPECT HILL.

SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH BOTH OF THEM, REALLY, BOTH OF THOSE FOLKS ALL SUMMER LONG.

WE'RE ALSO ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE OUR SCHOOL BREAKFAST AND SCHOOL LUNCHES BY $0.50.

AS WE LOOKED AT OUR YEAR END FINANCIALS, WE DID HAVE A LOSS.

WE DON'T FIND OURSELVES IN A CRITICAL PLACE, BUT WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE STATES HAVE GONE DOWN, ABOUT 44% FOR LUNCH.

SO WE CERTAINLY HAVE THAT.

WHITSON WHO RENEWED THEIR SERVICES WITH US LAST YEAR.

THEIR PREMIAL PRICE INCREASED AND SOME OF THEIR DRIVING COSTS, OF COURSE, WERE LABOR RELATED BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD TO INCREASE THEIR WAGES FOR THEIR HOURLY WORKERS AS WELL.

WE THINK WITH THIS 50% INCREASE, WE'LL FIND OURSELVES NEAR A BREAK EVEN FOR NEXT YEAR AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT IT AND READJUST AS NEEDED.

BUT WE THINK AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT'S SMART TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD AN INCREASE AS WELL.

BACK IN JUNE [OVERLAPPING].

>> HOW'S THAT COMMUNICATED TO FAMILIES?

>> THAT'S A COMMUNICATE IN THE ANNUAL LETTER THAT'S SENT OUT TO FAMILIES.

SO THEY'LL SEE THAT AS PART OF THE REGULAR PAPERWORK THAT THEY'LL RECEIVE.

>> THAT'S I'M LOOKING AT IT RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S $0.50 ON EACH OF THE [OVERLAPPING].

>> ON EACH OF THE BREAKFAST OR THE LUNCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JIM, WHAT IS WHITSON'S CONTRACT?

>> WELL, WE'RE IN THE SECOND YEAR OF A CONTRACT.

EACH YEAR IS ACTUALLY A ONE YEAR CONTRACT, AND IT'S RENEWABLE AT THE END OF EVERY YEAR.

SO THE BOARD WOULD HAVE THE OPTION IF YOU ABSOLUTELY DID NOT WANT TO TO NOT RENEW IT.

IF THAT WAS THE DIRECTION, WE JUST ASKED FOR SOME EARLY NOTICE BECAUSE IT'S A VERY SPECIFIC BID THAT HAS TO BE DEVELOPED.

WE'VE USED A CONSULTANT TO DO THIS.

AND THEN WHEN YOU DO THAT, THERE'S ONLY SO MANY PROVIDERS THAT CAN REALLY PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.

LAST TIME WE PUT OUT THE BID, WE HAD ONE RESPONDENT.

UH, THE TIME BEFORE I PROBABLY BE ONE.

THE TIME BEFORE THAT IT WAS TWO.

REALLY FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S REALLY TWO PLAYERS IN THE MARKETPLACE RIGHT NOW.

THE END OF JUNE, OUR AUDIT COMMITTEE MET.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE UPCOMING EXTERNAL AUDIT AS WELL AS TWO INTERNAL AUDITS COMPLETED THIS YEAR.

ON THIS EVENING'S AGENDA, WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL RISK ASSESSMENT DATE REPORT AND THE CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN.

THESE ARE ITEMS THAT ARE COMPLETED EVERY YEAR.

IF YOU LOOK ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE, YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF YEARS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, BY STATE LAW, WE'RE REQUIRED TO HAVE TWO INTERNAL AUDITS EVERY YEAR, NEXT YEAR'S AUDIT IS GOING TO BE ON PAYROLL AND BENEFITS AND HUMAN RESOURCES IN THAT AREA.

ALSO ON THIS EVENING'S CONTRACT, WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR THE BOARD TO APPROVE CONTRACTUAL SERVICES FOR UNIFORMED CONTRACTED SECURITY SERVICES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE DISTRICT'S SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE A REPLACEMENT OF OUR CURRENT SAFETY MONITORS THAT WE HAVE IN DISTRICT.

IT'S MEANT TO BE A SUPPLEMENTAL PROCESS.

I THINK IN MANY FUNCTIONS, AND I THINK MAYBE DOCTOR FITZGERALD WILL AGREE.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO RECRUIT FOLKS, AND WHAT WE'VE FOUND IS THAT IN SPECIFIC JOBS, AND AT DIFFERENT TIMES, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET PEOPLE TO WANT TO WORK AT SPECIFIC WORK.

SO WHEN WE'RE UNABLE TO FULFILL THOSE POSITIONS, THIS IS OUR INTENTION OF HAVING THIS ABILITY.

IT'S AN ADDITIONAL LEVER FOR THE DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO USE THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE.

THERE WERE TWO RESPONDENTS.

BOTH OF THEM ARE FAIRLY WELL KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY.

THEY WORK IN MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

REALLY APPLES TO APPLES, IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO A PRICE PER HOUR VARIANCE THAT WE SAW BETWEEN THE TWO.

I REALLY DOESN'T HOLD US TO ANY.

AGAIN, YOU WILL HAVE A BASIC PROBABLY 30 DAY OUT CLAUSE

[00:40:01]

IT JUST PROVIDES THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> SO IT'S ONLY AS NEEDED AND YOU LOOK TO THE MONITORS ON STAFF FIRST?

>> YES. I GIVE AN EXAMPLE.

ONE OF THE MORE DIFFICULT SHIFTS TO FULFILL IS AFTER HOURS AT THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL OR AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THAT'S ONE WHERE WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING INTO THE BUILDING, EITHER FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS OR FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, WHETHER THEY BE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS OR FOR ATHLETICS.

IN AN INSTANCE LIKE THAT, THIS MAY BE AN INSTANCE WHERE WE MIGHT WANT TO UTILIZE OR CONSIDER UTILIZING CONTRACTED UNIFORM SECURITY FOR A SHIFT LIKE THAT.

THOSE ARE GENERALLY SHIFTS WHERE WE HAVE TROUBLE GETTING STRAIGHT TIME WORK, AND WE END UP PAYING PREMIUM TIME FOR THAT TOO.

AGAIN, IT'S ANOTHER OPTION, ANOTHER LEVER FOR THE DISTRICT TO HAVE, BUT IT CERTAINLY AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT MEANT TO BE A REPLACEMENT STRATEGY.

WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE VERY GOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY MONITORS.

THEY'VE BUILD VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIPS AND ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR SCHOOL.

THEY REALLY ARE. THEY ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR.

THAT'S NOT THE STRATEGY HERE. I THINK I WAS CLEAR.

THIS IS NOT THE STRATEGY. IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT STRATEGY.

THIS EVENING, WE'RE ALSO ASKING THE BOARD TO APPROVE A NON RESIDENT CONTRACT.

THIS IS SOMETHING NEW, WHICH WE HAVE NOT DONE BEFORE, BUT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE LOOKED AT IS JUST PART OF OUR PROCESSES IN TIGHTENING UP HOW WE WANT TO DO THINGS.

IN THIS INSTANCE, WE'VE GOT WE ASSUMED TO BE COMMUNITY MEMBER WHO'S UNDER CONTRACT TO BUY A HOUSE.

THEY'D LIKE TO ENROLL THEIR STUDENT FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

BOARD POLICY ALLOWS FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN STEPS THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE AND THIS CONTRACT AND WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD, WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.

PART OF THAT REQUIRES THEM TO PAY A TUITION, AND THEN WE REBATE THE UNUSED AMOUNT OF THAT TUITION ONCE THEY BECOME RESIDENTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, THIS JUST FORMALIZES THAT PROCESS OFF CHANCE THAT THE SALE OF THE HOUSE DIDN'T GO THROUGH AND THE STUDENT WAS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL.

THIS ALSO CREATES THE UNDERSTANDING THAT AFTER THAT SEMESTER OR THE HALF OF THE YEAR, THAT STUDENT CAN NO LONGER BE IN THE PELHAM SCHOOLS IF THEY'RE NOT A RESIDENT OF PELHAM.

AGAIN, IT'S ALL WITHIN OUR POLICY.

IT'S JUST FORMALIZING IT AND CREATING A BETTER PROCESS THAN WHAT WE'VE USED IN THE PAST.

I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION AS WELL.

>> JIM, AND I KNOW WE'LL PROBABLY TALK MORE ABOUT THIS NEXT TIME.

IN A CIRCUMSTANCE LIKE THAT, THE CLOSING ON THE HOUSE DOES NOT END THAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY [FOREIGN] ESTABLISHED RESIDENCY.

IT'S ACTUALLY RESIDING IN THE HOUSE.

>> SO IF YOU BUY THE HOUSE AND TAKE A MONTH TO MOVE IN, YOUR RESIDENCY BEGINS WHEN YOU MOVE IN.

YOU RESIDENCE IS RESIDE.

AND YOUR CHILD THAT'S YOUR DAILY PLACE.

CERTAINLY, IF PEOPLE WHO OWN PROPERTY IN PELHAM, THEY DON'T RESIDE IN IT DOES NOT ENTITLE THEM TO USE THE PELHAM SCHOOLS.

IT'S THE SCHOOL IN WHICH YOU RESIDE AND YOUR THE PARENT RESIDES OR THE GUARDIAN.

OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.

JUST A COUPLE OF THINGS BACK TO FACILITIES.

WE MET WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS REGARDING WHAT WE WOULD CALL OUR POCKET PARK AND AT HUTCHINSON, THE CORNER OF LINCOLN AND THIRD BY THE STAIRS.

THE GRASS HAS BEEN CUT.

IT DOES LOOK A LOT BETTER.

BUT WHEN THE BUILDING WAS TAKEN DOWN AND THAT SITE WAS RECONSTRUCTED, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PLAQUES AND OTHER MEMORIALS THROUGHOUT THE SITE THAT WERE REMOVED, AND SOME OF THEM WE'RE DEVELOPING A PLAN WITH SOME FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE FOR WHOM THOSE PLAQUES WERE PUT UP, AND ALSO JUST WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO PROPERLY REMEMBER THOSE FOLKS AND RESPECTFULLY REMEMBER THEM AND THEN PLACE THESE PLAQUES IN AN AREA THAT REALLY WORKS WELL WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND THE OVERALL HUTCHINSON AND PELHAM COMMUNITY.

WE HAD A REALLY GOOD OPPORTUNITY MEETING WITH THEM.

I THINK SOME PLAQUES MAY BE THERE'S A PLAQUE DEDICATED TO A PLAYGROUND THAT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

THERE'S A PARKING LOT THERE.

PERHAPS IN THIS INSTANCE, WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT PERSON WHO WILL HELP DONATE THAT IF THEY WOULD LIKE THAT PLAQUE.

WE HAVE A PE TEACHER FOR WHOM THERE'S A DEDICATION OUTSIDE THE FORMER GYMNASIUM.

I THINK THE PROPER THING WOULD PUT THAT PLAQUE IN THAT GENERAL AREA.

AGAIN, WE WANT TO THINK THOUGHTFULLY, PUT THESE PLAQUES IN AREAS WHERE THEY'RE SEEN AND THEY CAN BE THOSE FOLKS FOR WHOM THE PLAQUES WERE PUT UP CAN BE PROPERLY REMEMBERED.

SO WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB THERE.

AND THEN AS THE SUMMER ENDED, AND IT WAS VERY HOT AND WE ALSO KNEW ABOUT IN JULY, THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING LEGISLATION FROM GOVERNOR HAKEL.

[00:45:03]

WE HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I PUT MONEY DOWN ON IT THAT WHEN SCHOOL OPENS, IT'S GOING TO GET HOT AGAIN.

BUT IN PREPARATION FOR THAT, AND IF THIS LAW ACTUALLY GOES THROUGH, WE WORKED WITH OUR ARCHITECT WHO WORKED WITH AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER TO EVALUATE SOME OF OUR BUILDINGS TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO IF WE HAD TO USE TEMPORARY AIR CONDITIONERS, BASICALLY WINDOW UNITS.

SO THAT WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.

WE HAVE TO SIT DOWN WITH THEM, GET SOME DRAWINGS.

>> OUR INTENT IS REALLY TO LOOK AT THOSE UPPER FLOORS IN THOSE AREA OF BUILDINGS THAT ARE THE HOTTEST FIRST AND PRIORITIZE TRIAGE REALLY, AND LOOK TO SEE IF WE CAN IDENTIFY THOSE HOTTEST AREAS AND PROVIDE SOME RELIEF IN THOSE AREAS.

ASSUMING THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING TO GO THROUGH, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE HEARING THAT IT IS GOING TO GO THROUGH.

WE'RE STILL WORKING ON THAT.

THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN FAST BECAUSE ONCE THE ELECTRICIAN STARTS WORKING, THEN WE CAN START DOING OUR THINGS.

WE'VE GOT PURCHASE ORDERS IN PLACE, AND WE'RE READY TO MOVE WHEN WE NEED TO.

THAT'S ALL IN PREPARATION, AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS THIS YEAR ON THAT AS WELL.

THEN LASTLY, ONE ITEM THIS EVENING IS THE DISTRICTWIDE SAFETY PLAN, AND AS WE GO THROUGH IT, I'D LIKE YOU TO THINK OF IT AS DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN 1.0 AND 2.0.

WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE BOARD TONIGHT TO DO IS TO OPEN UP DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN 2.0 AND VOTE ON DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN 1.0.

DO YOU RECALL AT THE REORGANIZATION MEETING IN JULY? WE OPENED UP DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN 1.0 IN THE MIDDLE OF JULY, THE STATE CREATED SOME ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS.

THE GUIDANCE WE'VE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE AND WORKING WITH AL TERRACE, OUR SAFETY CONSULTANT IS APPROVE 1.0 AND THEN REOPEN 2.0, AND THEN AFTER A 30 DAY OPEN PERIOD, ACT ON DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN 2.0.

AS WE GO THROUGH THIS THIS EVENING, I JUST THINK WE ALL UNDERSTAND 1.0, 2.0 AND TOM DRAKE, OUR SAFETY CONSULTANT FROM AL TERRACE IS HERE THIS EVENING.

HE CAN TALK A WE'VE ASKED HIM TO COME AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THESE CHANGES THAT WE'RE SEEING THIS YEAR, NOTIFICATIONS AND SOME OF THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST TO PARENTS ABOUT HOW THESE SAFETY PLANS IMPACT OUR STUDENTS.

JUST A SLIGHT TEASER FOR THE NEXT BOARD MEETING, THE PROSPECT HILL SCHOOL COMMUNITY HAS WORKED VERY DILIGENTLY ON AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM.

WE RECEIVED A NICE COMMUNICATION FROM ASSEMBLY WOMAN PAULIN ABOUT HER GRANT AND THEY'VE RAISED SOME MONEY FOR A DONATION.

THAT'LL COME FORWARD AT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 11.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU JIM. CAN I ASK SOMETHING? REALLY, THIS IS A JOINT QUESTION FOR DOCTOR CHAMP AND JIM, WHICH IS THE BEST FORUM OR THE BEST MECHANIC TO DISCUSS AN ITEM, WHICH I'M ABOUT TO DISCUSS OR DESCRIBE, WHICH IS UNLESS I'M MISTAKEN, I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROPERTY THAT HAS COME UP FOR SALE IN PELHAM, WHICH IS THE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY CHURCH OF PELHAM IT IS CALLED, WHICH IS ON HIGH BROOK DOWN BY THE TRAIN STATION.

I'M NOT WILLING TO EXPRESS AN OPINION ON WHAT WE SHOULD OR SHOULDN'T DO, NOR AM I ASKING FOR ONE NOW, BUT IF WE WANTED TO EVALUATE WHETHER THAT'S AN INTERESTING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRICT, WHAT WOULD BE THE RIGHT FORUM OR COMMITTEE IN WHICH TO DISCUSS THAT? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I MEAN, MY FIRST THOUGHT WOULD BE SIMPLE ENOUGH THAT WE COULD WORK WITH THE DISTRICT'S ARCHITECT.

>> YES.

>> TO COME IN AND DO WHAT HE'S DONE WITH US IS TAKE A LOOK.

ACTUALLY, I KNOW JIM AND I HAVE BEEN IN THAT BUILDING BACK IN THE DAYS BEFORE WE WERE IN SANBORN MAP.

>> IT'S NOT IN GREAT SHAPE.

>> NO IT'S NOT ACCESSIBLE, AND THE ENTIRE SECOND UPSTAIRS IS COMPLETELY UNFINISHED.

I THINK IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RENOVATIONS IN FACILITY.

AGAIN, I KNOW ADA ACCESSIBILITY IS A SIGNIFICANT ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE DEALT WITH.

BUT THAT WOULD BE A LOGICAL STEP.

I WOULD BE TO BRING THE DISTRICT'S ARCHITECT TO DO AN EVALUATION OF THE FACILITY, WHAT POTENTIALS IT MIGHT BE FOR US, AND CERTAINLY THEN A FACILITIES COMMITTEE.

>> I THINK WE WERE DISCUSSION. OUR ATTORNEY CERTAINLY GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COST, APPRAISAL.

>> GREAT LOCATION HAS PARKING. I DON'T KNOW.

MIGHT BE WORTH KEEPING THE TIRES AS AN IDEA AS IT RELATES TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

>> OF COURSE, WE WILL BE HAVING A WORK SESSION IN SEPTEMBER ON OUR FACILITIES NEEDS.

I KNOW THE BOARD IS AWARE OF THAT.

[00:50:01]

>> CERTAIN SEPTEMBER 18TH.

>> SEPTEMBER 18TH. I IMAGINE WE'LL BE HAVING A FACILITIES COMMITTEE PRIOR TO THAT IN PREPARATION FOR THAT MEETING. WE CERTAINLY COULD.

>> IT'S A BIG SITE.

THIS IS A BIG SITE. IT IS. GOOD PARKING.

>> YES, GOOD PARKING.

>> BEFORE IF I'M GOING TO MOVE ITEM 8.1.

[8.1 Motion to Approve Schedule A - Instructional]

>> SECOND.

>> I'D LIKE TO JUST PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION BEFORE WE ACTUALLY TAKE THE VOTE.

THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS UP.

I'M EXCITED TO BE RECOMMENDING TO THE BOARD, THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF HUTCHINSON SCHOOL.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE THE OUTGOING PRINCIPAL OF HUTCHINSON SCHOOL HERE AS PART OF THE CABINET NOW.

DOCTOR FITZGERALD HAS DONE EIGHT YEARS, EIGHT YEARS OF INCREDIBLE WORK OF LAYING A FOUNDATION AT HUTCHINSON SCHOOL.

TO BE ABLE TO FIND A CANDIDATE THAT SHE IS COMFORTABLE WITH AND THAT WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IN TRUSTING THAT BUILDING TO MOVE FORWARD, BUILD ON THAT FOUNDATION AND TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO RECOMMEND TONIGHT TO YOU, MISS JENNIFER KEEN THOMPSON.

JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER.

SHE IS CURRENTLY THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THE WESTERARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CHAPPAQUA.

SHE WILL BE ASSUMING HER ROLE HERE AT HUTCHINSON ON SEPTEMBER 16TH.

I WANT TO GIVE HER A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO ENJOY THE EXCITEMENT OF TONIGHT, CERTAINLY WRAP UP HER RESPONSIBILITIES IN CHAPPAQUA.

THEN REALLY BEGIN TO TRANSITION HERSELF HERE.

DURING THAT TIME, OF COURSE, MISS SUSAN KRAMER GILBERT, WHO JUST LAUNCHED LETTER OUT TO PARENTS THIS AFTERNOON, IS GOING TO BE STEERING THE SHIP, AND I THINK MOST OF US KNOW SUSAN GILBERT.

SHE'S ANOTHER AMAZING LEADER FROM PELHAM.

THIS WILL BE THE THIRD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT SHE'S COMING BACK TO RUN FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME.

AGAIN, A WONDERFUL CARETAKER WHO IS EXCITED TO BE BACK AND REALLY TO CARRY THE BATON FROM ONE PRINCIPAL TO THE NEXT AND TO SET MISS KEN THOMPSON UP FOR SUCCESS AS SHE TRANSITIONS INTO THE PELHAM SCHOOLS.

MISS KEN THOMPSON BEGAN HER TENURE IN CHAPPAQUA IN 2018, AND HAS SERVED IN SEVERAL CAPACITIES DURING THAT TIME, INCLUDING A LITERACY STAFF DEVELOPER, A DISTRICT ELA, AND LITERACY K12 DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ULTIMATELY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN HER CURRENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

PRIOR TO THAT, SHE WAS A STAFF DEVELOPER FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE, WHERE SHE DESIGNED CURRICULUM ALLINED TO NEW YORK STATE NEXT GENERATION ELA STANDARDS.

SHE LED WORKSHOPS, LEARNING WALKS FOR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND PROVIDED DIFFERENTIATED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF 18 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES, CITIES, AND COUNTRIES.

SHE COMES TO US WITH INCREDIBLE BROAD EXPERIENCE IN CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION AND IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF LITERACY.

WE HEARD FROM TALKING TO MANY OF HER REFERENCES.

THAT IS BY FAR ONE OF HER TOP STRENGTHS, THAT AND HER ABILITY TO COACH PEOPLE IN THEIR PRACTICE.

AS A LEARNING ORGANIZATION WITH A GROWTH MINDSET, THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE HER STAND OUT AS WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

I SHOULD MENTION PRIOR TO THAT.

THIS WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF FOLKS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.

TEN YEARS SPENT TEN YEARS AS A SUCCESSFUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER, WORKING IN GRADES 2, 3, AND 4.

AS I HAVE THAT INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF WORKING IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM IS REALLY MEANINGFUL AND HELPING TO BALANCE.

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR TEACHERS? HOW DO YOU PUSH THEM? HOW DO YOU CHALLENGE THEM? HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THEM RECOGNIZING THAT YOU'VE WALKED IN THEIR SHOES BEFORE? THAT AGAIN, WAS SOMETHING THAT HELPED HER TO STAND OUT.

HER DEEP UNDERSTANDING AND LITERACY AND CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES, SHE BRINGS TO THE TABLE TO BE THE LEAD PRINCIPAL TEACHER OF THE SCHOOL.

SHE, WE BELIEVE AN INCREDIBLY STRONG INSTRUCTIONAL LEADER.

SHE BRINGS HER EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE AND SKILL SET FROM THAT COACHING IN HER TIME WORKING FOR TEACHERS COLLEGE AND HELPING PEOPLE TO IMPROVE IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO ALL OF US THROUGH THE PROCESS IS HER COMMITMENT TO THE OVERALL WELL BEING, GROWTH, AND ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL STUDENTS.

WE'RE VERY PROUD TONIGHT AND VERY PLEASED TO WELCOME, I'M PLEASED TO RECOMMEND MISS JENNIFER KEEN THOMPSON TO BE THE NEXT PRINCIPAL OF HUTCHINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> LET'S VOTE.

>> YOU'RE GO TO VOTE OF COURTS OFFICIAL.

I DID ASK HER TO HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS,

[00:55:02]

>> ALL IN FAVOR.

>> AYE

>> IT'S OFFICIAL. CONGRATULATIONS, JENNIFER.

>> I'M BOTH DEEPLY HONORED AND GENUINELY EXCITED TO STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY AS THE NEWLY APPOINTED PRINCIPAL OF HUTCHINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

EMBRACING THIS ROLE FILLS ME WITH A PROFOUND SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ENTHUSIASM.

I WANT TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE BOARD, DOCTOR CHAMP, THE CABINET, AND THE STAFF, AND PARENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR TRUST IN ME.

YOUR CONFIDENCE IS HUMBLING AND INSPIRING.

I'M COMMITTED TO LIVING UP TO THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

AS WE EMBARK ON THE JOURNEY TOGETHER, I'M EAGER TO LISTEN, LEARN, AND LEAD WITH AN OPEN HEART AND MIND.

INSIGHTS, FEEDBACK, AND SUPPORT FROM ALL STAKEHOLDERS WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK AT HUTCHINSON ELEMENTARY.

I'M PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT SUPPORTING THE VALUES OUTLINED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN, COMMUNITY AND BELONGING, WELLNESS, AND BALANCE, AND LEARNING AND GROWTH.

I WAS DRAWN TO PELHAM BECAUSE OF YOUR STRATEGIC PLAN, AND IT'S CLOSE ALIGNMENT WITH MY CORE VALUES AS AN EDUCATOR.

THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.

I'M THRILLED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND LOOK FORWARD TO BECOMING AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I SAY WE'RE THANKFUL TO HAVE JENNIFER'S FAMILY WITH HER TONIGHT AND A GOOD FRIEND WHO'S ALSO A PELHAM RESIDENT, AND A COLLEAGUE OF MINE.

REALLY WELCOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR WONDERFUL MOM AND WIFE WITH US.

WE'RE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING HER BECOME PART OF THE TEAM AND KNOW THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS HERE.

THANK YOU. IF YOU ALL WANT TO GO CELEBRATE, FEEL FREE.

UNLESS YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO OUR SAFETY PLAN.

PLEASE DO ENJOY. THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. TAKE CARE.

>> GOOD NIGHT. BACK TO SECTION 4.

[4.1 Motion to Recess the Business Meeting and Convene a Public Hearing on the Draft District Safety Plan]

THIS IS VERSION 2.

>> YES.

>> YES.

>> I'M JUST GOING TO ASK I NEED A MOTION.

MOVE SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR.

>> AYE

>> THANK YOU. I'M GOING TO ASK TOM DRAKE, WHO'S HANDSOMELY DRESSED THIS EVENING.

>> I JUST NOTICED FOR THE VIEW. IT AWESOME.

>> CLAIRE COMMENTED ON IT WITH HER FILMER SWEATER ON.

WE GAVE HER A BLUE SWEATER WHEN TOM AND I MET THIS MORNING.

>> I WAS WEARING A GOLF SHIRT THEN.

>> THANK YOU, TOM. AGAIN, IF YOU COULD JUST SHARE WITH THE BOARD AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE CHANGES FROM 1.0 TO 2.0, AND THEN IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PRE NOTIFICATION PROCESS, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE IMPORTANT, I THINK, AND MUCH MORE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

>> YES. NEW YORK STATE LEFT US WITH A LAST MINUTE GIFT AT THE END OF JULY AFTER WE ALREADY OPENED UP YOUR 30 DAY PUBLIC AFTER YOU ALREADY OPENED UP YOUR 30 DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN.

ALL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, IF THERE WERE MID 30 DAY, IF THEY'VE ALREADY APPROVED THEIR PLAN, WHICH MANY HAVE IN JUNE AND JULY, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REOPEN THIS PROCESS AGAIN.

I KNOW I'M A LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL NOT FAR FROM HERE IN A MUNICIPALITY, AND I KNOW IT'S ANNOYING TO HAVE TO GO DO THIS AGAIN AND I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY GAVE US RIGHT AT THE END OF JULY.

WE KNEW SOMETHING MIGHT BE COMING.

WE TRIED TO PREPARE FOR IT AND INCLUDE A LOT OF THE LANGUAGE THAT WE WERE EXPECTING IN THIS INVERSION 1.0, BUT THEN THERE WAS MORE FOR 2.0.

DOCTOR CHAMP, PRIOR TO THAT, HAD ALREADY INVITED ME TO COME THIS EVENING ACTUALLY TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE LANGUAGE THAT'S NOW BEING ADDED IN AND CONSIDERED.

THERE'S LANGUAGE THAT WASN'T CONSIDERED WHEN IT CAME TO DRILLS, PRIOR TO THIS REVIEW BY THE STATE AND THE COMMITTEE THAT THEY HAD FORMED.

I GO BACK TO MY LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, PRACTICES.

WE NEVER WANT TO SURPRISE PEOPLE.

YOU WANT TO TEST PEOPLE, YOU WANT TO TEST THEIR SKILLS AND ABILITIES, BUT YOU ALSO DON'T WANT TO SCARE PEOPLE AND SURPRISE THEM IN A WAY WHERE YOU CREATE TRAUMA.

THAT'S THE TERM THAT'S COME OUT IS TRAUMA INFORMED DRILLS AND TRAUMA INFORMED DECISIONS RELATING TO DRILLS.

[01:00:04]

PRIOR TO BEING IN THIS DISTRICT, I WAS IN A DISTRICT WHERE WE HAD A STUDENT, THEY HAD AN ENHANCED LOCKDOWN SYSTEM, WHERE THERE WAS A BLUE POLL STATION, SIMILAR TO A RED POLL STATION FOR THE FIRE ALARM.

WE HAD A STUDENT WHO WAS VERY INTERESTED IN PULLING THAT POLL STATION.

SO I WAS ABLE TO WITNESS FIRSTHAND THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT MOVING THROUGH THE BUILDING, AND ME MOVING THROUGH THE BUILDING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WAS THE STUDENT.

WE KNEW IT WAS NOT AN ACTUAL ACTIVATION OF THEIR LOCKDOWN SYSTEM.

WE KNEW THIS STUDENT HAD AN ISSUE.

WE HAD STAFF MEMBERS CRYING IN THAT BUILDING.

BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING.

PRIOR TO WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO CONSIDER AND ADOPT IS EVEN TWO MONTHS AGO, WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT LOCKDOWNS.

I SPOKE WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS.

WE ALL AGREED THAT THAT IS THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WHEN IT CAME TO A LOCKDOWN DRILL, BUT WE ACTUALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO.

IT JUST MADE SENSE BECAUSE THERE'S NO POINT, ESPECIALLY IN THE YOUNGER AGES, KINDERGARTNERS.

IF THEY CAME FROM A DAYCARE, THEY'RE PROBABLY PRACTICING LOCKDOWN DRILLS EVEN AT A DAYCARE, UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS DAY AND AGE, MY CHILDREN DID AT THEIR DAYCARE BEFORE THEY HIT THE SCHOOL SADLY AND THEY WERE HIDING CUBBIES AND STUFF.

BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO, AND WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE TO NOTIFY, BUT WE ALWAYS MADE IT A PRACTICE TO.

DOCTOR FITZGERALD CAN TELL YOU THAT.

WE ALWAYS MADE A PRE ANNOUNCEMENT PRIOR TO THE DRILL.

ONE OF THE THINGS IS WE WANT TO REDUCE THE EFFECT OF TRAUMA IN A DRILL.

WE NEVER WANT TO INTENTIONALLY INTRODUCE THIS TO EVERYONE.

>> JACKIE ATTENDED A TRAINING AT PROSPECT WITH ME OVER ONE OF THE HOLIDAY BREAKS WHERE WE SAW OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TRAINING ON ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS IN PROSPECT HILL.

THEY DO IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

ONE OF THE RULES OR ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN 2.0 IS THAT IF THEY WANT TO INVOLVE CHILDREN IN THESE DRILLS, THE DISTRICT HAS TO HAVE PARENTS SIGN WAIVERS.

TO THIS POINT, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE NEVER ASKED OUR STUDENTS TO BE A PART OF IT.

I WOULD STRONGLY URGE US NOT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN. OTHER DISTRICTS DO.

THEY HAVE ACTORS, THEY HAVE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

I WOULD SAY, LET'S STAY OUT OF THAT, BUT THAT'S YOUR DECISION.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE THAT IN 2.0, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO HAVE PARENTS WHO WILL SIGN WAIVERS.

WE DON'T WANT ACTORS IN THESE DRILLS.

WE DON'T WANT PROPS BEING USED IN DRILLS.

IF WE'RE CONDUCTING A LOCKDOWN DRILL IN OUR BUILDING, WE DO IT THE SAME WAY WE WERE DOING IT LAST YEAR.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS IN, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT GOES THROUGH THE BUILDING, THEY'RE IN UNIFORM, OR THEY'RE DETECTIVES WITH A SHIELD PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED, AND THEN OUR SAFETY TEAM IS ASSISTING THEM MOVE THROUGH THE BUILDING, WHO ARE ALSO RECOGNIZABLE [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICTS HAVE DONE IT, BUT WE'VE ALWAYS SAID WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

AND THAT'S A VERY GOOD DECISION MADE BY DOCTOR CHAMP AND THE DISTRICT.

WELL, NOW YOU CAN'T.

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT BECAUSE IT'S PROVEN THAT IT INDUCES TRAUMA IN STAFF, ANYBODY IN THE BUILDING.

YOU MAY HAVE COLLEGE VISITS, VISITORS IN YOUR BUILDING WHEN WE'VE SCHEDULED FOR A LOCKDOWN DRILL.

THAT DID OCCUR LAST YEAR.

WE WENT TO THAT ONCE I FOUND OUT THAT SOMEBODY WAS IN GUIDANCE AND WE WERE GOING TO BE DOING A LOCKDOWN DRILL.

I CONFIDENTIALLY WENT TO THEM, YOU WANT TO GET OUT? YOU WANT TO GET OUT AHEAD OF THIS, OR DO YOU WANT TO STAY FOR THIS? ONE PERSON ACTUALLY SAID I WANT TO STAY.

BUT WE AT LEAST PRE-WARNED THEM SO THERE WASN'T ANYTHING.

THEN THE BUILDING ADMINISTRATOR MADE THE PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WE'LL BE CONDUCTING A LOCKDOWN DRILL AT THIS TIME.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS.

THERE'S A LOT OF LANGUAGE INVOLVED WITH THAT.

ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO INCLUDE WAS THE FIRE EVACUATION DRILLS, AND THEY DID.

NOW WE ALSO HAVE TO ADVISE PARENTS OR RESPONSIBLE PARTIES AT LEAST ONE WEEK AHEAD OF TIME BEFORE EITHER A LOCKDOWN DRILL OR AN EVACUATION DRILL IS CONDUCTED IN OUR BUILDINGS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO ADVISE STAFF OR STUDENTS ABOUT A FIRE OR EVACUATION DRILL.

BUT WE HAVE TO ADVISE STAFF AND STUDENTS ABOUT THE LOCKDOWN DRILL AS WELL, AT LEAST ONE WEEK.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF LITTLE GRIDS, AND WE'LL GO OVER IT.

I'VE ALREADY EMAILED ALL THE INDIVIDUAL BUILDING ADMINISTRATORS ABOUT THAT.

ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I STARTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE DRILLS THAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENTS DO. PELHAM IS VERY UNIQUE.

YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT SERVICE ALL OF YOUR BUILDINGS.

IT'S ALSO UNIQUE THAT BOTH OF THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS GET ALONG VERY WELL, AND I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE FACT THAT THEY'RE DOING DRILLS TOGETHER AND THAT THEY ARE DOING THIS EVERY YEAR.

I HEAR THAT MAYBE THEY DIDN'T DO IT 10 YEARS AGO, BUT NOW THEY ARE,

[01:05:03]

WHEN WE WERE THERE, WE SAW AS A COMBINED INSTRUCTOR GROUP.

THEY HAD BOTH POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR INSTRUCTORS RUNNING THE DRILL, IT WAS PROFESSIONALLY DONE.

>> VERY IMPRESSIVE.

>> YEAH. I DID IT FOR A LONG TIME, AND THEY WERE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB.

THEY HAVE A GREAT STAFF.

ONE OF THE OTHER AREAS THAT'S BEING ADDED ON IS A PARAGRAPH RELATING TO BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENTS OR THREAT ASSESSMENTS.

IT WAS ALREADY SOMETHING THAT WAS IN PLAY IN THE STATE.

THE DISTRICTS HAD TO ADOPT IT.

DOCTOR CHAMP, A FEW YEARS AGO, GAVE US PERMISSION TO FORM OUR THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS, AND THEN WE STARTED TRAINING ON THAT.

WE EXPANDED THE TRAINING LAST YEAR TO ALL ADMINISTRATORS, THE WHOLE ENTIRE CABINET PLUS OUR COUNSELING SERVICES THROUGH PPS, AND WE HAD JUST RIGHT HERE IN THIS ROOM, A LARGE-SCALE TRAINING WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS FROM ALTERRA, THEY'RE CERTIFIED, THEY HAVE THEIR CERTIFICATIONS, AND WE INTEND TO DO THAT EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

WE'LL BE DOING REFRESHERS AND THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS ARE ALREADY BEING UTILIZED IN OUR BUILDINGS, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE PURPOSE OF THESE TEAMS IS TO PAY ATTENTION TO, THERE COULD BE A FIGHT BETWEEN STUDENTS.

THERE COULD BE A THREAT THAT'S MADE FROM OUTSIDE THE BUILDING TO OUR BUILDING.

YOU CONVENE YOUR TEAM AND YOU RUN AN ASSESSMENT OF THAT THREAT.

YOU TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO REACT TO THAT THREAT AND WHETHER OR NOT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN COUNSEL, DISCIPLINE, AND WALK AWAY FROM AND JUST PAY ATTENTION TO IT, OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LONG-TERM TRACKING OF? WE'VE ALREADY BEEN DOING THAT PRACTICE HERE.

I'M GLAD TO SAY, THANKS TO DOCTOR CHAMP.

THAT'S NOT A SHOCK AND OFF FOR US WHERE WE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE NOW TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER.

THEN THE OTHER AREA OF THE DRILLS IS NOW WE HAVE TO MIX IT UP BY DAYS.

IT HAS TO BE DIFFERENT DAYS OF THE WEEK, DATES OF THE WEEK, AND TIMES.

WE'VE ASKED THE ADMINISTRATORS TO TRY TO SCHEDULE IT DURING A LUNCH PERIOD.

WE'VE LIGHTLY DONE IT.

I HAVE WALKED INTO LUNCH PERIODS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL AND DISCUSSED WITH THE STUDENTS, SO WE DON'T REALLY JUST SHOCK THEM BY PULLING A FIRE ALARM WHILE THEY'RE THERE AND JUST SAID, WHERE WOULD YOU GO RIGHT NOW? WE'VE STOPPED THE ROOM, CAFETERIAS ARE VERY LOUD IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, ACTUALLY EVERYWHERE.

BUT WE'VE STOPPED THE ROOM AND WE'VE HAD JUST A DISCUSSION WITH THE STUDENTS BECAUSE I FIGURED THERE'S NO POINT IN JUST DOING IT AND JUST CALLING A LOCKDOWN WHILE THEY'RE ALL IN THE MIDDLE OF LUNCH.

WE TALK ABOUT WHERE CAN YOU GO FROM HERE? HOW CAN YOU EITHER GET OUT AND LEAVE THIS BUILDING OR WHERE CAN YOU HIDE FROM HERE? STUDENTS ARE SUPER CREATIVE, WE WOULD HAVE JUST AROUND THE ROOM DISCUSSION, AND I'D TAKE POINTS FROM EACH STUDENT AND STAFF, WHOEVER'S IN THERE, THE MONITORS ARE THERE TOO, AND WE WOULD JUST TALK OUT WHAT WE WOULD DO IN THAT SCENARIO.

THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT WE'RE GOING TO STRESS AGAIN EVERY TIME IS VARY IT UP.

YOU CAN DO IT DURING ARRIVAL, WHICH I DON'T KNOW, ADMINISTRATORS, BUT YOU COULD DO IT DURING YOUR ARRIVAL PROCESS AND DO A LOCKOUT OR A LOCKDOWN DURING YOUR ARRIVAL PROCESS.

IT'LL BE A CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S HAPPENED.

WE HAVE HAD PRE-SCHOOL INCIDENCES THAT HAVE OCCURRED THAT FORCED US TO GO INTO A LOCKOUT PRIOR TO SCHOOL EVEN OPENING.

WE'VE HAD TO DISCUSS IT. MAYBE NOT.

MAYBE IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM IF WE TRAINED ON IT TOO.

THAT'S IT, I THINK FOR ME THIS EVENING.

I'M ALWAYS AVAILABLE. IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS.

I APPRECIATE BEING INVITED TONIGHT.

I KNOW THIS IS A PUBLIC COMMENT FORUM AND NOT A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER, BUT I'M ALWAYS HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM ANYBODY.

>> THANK YOU, TOM. WE DO APPRECIATE YOU COMING AND ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING TO KEEP US UPDATED.

WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DO.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE MOST OF THE CHANGES, THE REVISIONS IN THIS AMENDMENT, THE DISTRICT IS ALREADY DOING IN SOME CAPACITY.

IT'S NOT A HUGE CHANGE FOR PELHAM SCHOOLS?

>> YES. IT'S JUST NEW YORK STATE'S REQUIRING YOU TO DO A SECOND PUBLIC FORUM OR A 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD BECAUSE OF IT.

>> I HAVE TO SAY THAT THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERING WITH ALTERRA THESE PAST FEW YEARS.

THEY'RE REALLY ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF BEST PRACTICES WITH SCHOOL SAFETY.

EVERY TIME THERE'S A TRAGIC EVENT AROUND THE COUNTRY AROUND THE WORLD, EVEN WE'RE GETTING NOTIFICATIONS IN REAL-TIME FROM THEM ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON, AND THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER, FOLLOW UP LESSONS LEARNED, AND THAT TRAINING THEN GETS ROLLED DOWN TO TOM AND THEN HE CAN THEN WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM.

IT'S REALLY IMPROVED OUR FLEXIBILITY AND OUR AGILITY TO KEEP UP TO KEEP UP WITH BEST PRACTICES.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THE PRACTICES THAT TOM'S BROUGHT, WORKING WITH JIM,

[01:10:02]

I THINK THAT'S THE OTHER PIECE.

WE'RE NOT JUST JUMPING AT EVERY SINGLE THING THAT COMES ALONG.

WE DO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY WHAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE CULTURE AND CLIMATE THAT WE WANT TO HAVE IN THE PELHAM SCHOOLS FOR OUR KIDS.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK WE'VE ALWAYS WORKED TO STRIKE A BALANCE.

WE WANT THEM TO FEEL SAFE AND SECURE AND TO BE SAFE AND SECURE BUT WE ALSO WANT THEM TO FEEL COMFORTABLE.

>> COMFORTABLE AND SAFE.

>> IT'S A SCHOOL. IT SHOULDN'T FEEL LIKE-

>> IT'S A SAFE PLACE.

>> YEAH.

>> I THINK PART OF THE THREAT ASSESSMENT TRAINING OF TERRACE BEING HERE, IT'S REALLY WORKING WITH OUR STAFF, OUR ADMINISTRATORS, AND OUR STAFF TO AGAIN, BUILD THAT CAPACITY AND EVERY YEAR, DO MORE AND MORE, EVEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL DAYS.

WE'VE GOT SAFETY TRAINING THOSE DAYS.

TOM WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THOSE SAFETY PLANS WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS, WE'RE DOING CPR, FIRST AID, D TRAINING WITH CERTAIN MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF AS WELL.

AGAIN, JUST CONTINUING TO BUILD THAT CAPACITY WITHIN.

I THINK ALTERRA IS HIT, A NUMBER OF THE ITEMS THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE COMING THROUGH WITH THE STATE GUIDANCE.

IT JUST TWEAKED SOME OF THEM.

THERE WERE SOME CURVEBALLS AS FAR AS THE EARLY NOTIFICATION.

I THINK WE HAD PLANNED IT HAD TO BE EVERYBODY AND THEY BACKED OFF ON SOME OF THE EVACUATION DRILLS WHERE IT WAS THE PARENT, BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE STUDENT.

>> STUDENT IN THE BACK.

>> THE THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS, WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR YEARS.

THAT'S THROUGH THEIR ADVOCACY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS FOR US TO GET MOVING ON THAT.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD COME OUT OF VIRGINIA TECH.

>> UNIVERSITY.

>> UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.

>> IN RESPONSE TO THE VIRGINIA TECH.

>> IN RESPONSE TO THE VIRGINIA TECH SHOOTING.

AGAIN, TRYING TO FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES.

THAT'S THE VALUE HERE.

>> THIS IS MORE OF A COMMENT.

THE TRAUMA-INFORMED COMPONENT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ALIGNED TO, REMEMBER WHEN YOU JOINED ONE OF OUR BOARD COFFEES, THAT WAS SOMETHING PARENTS BROUGHT UP.

>> THAT WAS A BIG DISCUSSION TOPIC AROUND [INAUDIBLE]

>> YEAH.

>> DEBRIEF.

>> WE BROUGHT THAT BACK TO TRACY AFTER BOARD COFFEE TOO TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> SO, TOM, THANK YOU. SAY IF ANYONE HAS COMMENTS, THEY SHOULD EMAIL ME.

>> DISTRICT CLERK.

>> DISTRICT CLERK.

>> [INAUDIBLE] DISTRICT CLERK.

>> AND THEN ANY COMMENTS ON THE PLAN ITSELF.

THAT'S PART OF THIS HEARING PERIOD.

>> JUST A REMINDER, THERE IS USUALLY POLLS THAT ARE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> IT IS. IT IS.

WE'LL DO THAT AGAIN.

AND SINCE WE'VE BEEN USING 2.01.0, I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY HOW WE'RE GOING TO-

>> 2.0.

>> 2.0 WILL BE UP TOMORROW.

>> 2.0 WILL BE UP FOR VIEWING, AND 1.0 IS UP FOR APPROVAL LATER IN THIS MEETING BY THE BOARD WHICH WOULD STAY UP UNTIL 2.0 OVERWRITES IT WITH BOARD APPROVAL.

>> IT DOES KEEP US IN COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK STATE.

SO WE'RE NOT OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN THE SAME POSITION.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE.

>> ANY COMMUNICATIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS? ON 2.0?

[4.2 Communications and Comments from the Public]

[4.3 Motion to Close the Public Hearing on the Draft District Safety Plan]

>> SECOND.

>> SECOND.

>> OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> OKAY. IT DOESN'T SIT.

I DON'T HAVE TO REOPEN ANYTHING, RIGHT?

>> IT DOESN'T SIT. BALLY, DO WE HAVE TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC MEETING?

>> YES.

>> OKAY. I HAVE A MOTION TO REOPEN THE PUBLIC MEETING.

>> SOME MOVED.

>> SECOND.

[5.1 Communications and Comments from the Public (Agenda Items)]

>> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> OKAY. SO FIVE IS COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON ANY AGENDA ITEM.

>> NO.

>> NO.

>> OKAY. SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO SIX,

[6.1 Motion to Approve the 2024-2025 Organizational Chart]

[6.2 Motion to Approve and Adopt the 2024-2025 Board of Education Meeting Dates]

[6.3 Motion to Approve and Adopt the School Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year (Revised)]

[6.4 Motion to Approve and Adopt the 2024-2025 Board of Education Governance, Meeting and Communication Protocols]

[6.5 Motion to Approve and Adopt the 2024-2025 Board of Education Goals]

[6.6 Motion to Approve and Adopt the 2024-2025 Board of Education Committee Roles and Responsibilities]

[6.7 Motion to Approve and Accept the Pelham Public Schools District-Wide Safety Plan]

[6.8 A Motion to Increase School Lunch and Breakfast Prices]

[6.9 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for the Period Ended May 31, 2024]

[6.10 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for the Period Ended June 30, 2024]

[6.11 Motion to Approve 2023-2024 Budget Transfers]

[6.12 Motion to Approve the 2023-2024 Flow Through of Funds (Idea Grants 611 and 619) Agreements for Pelham Union Free School District Special Education Preschool and School Aged Students]

[6.13 Motion to Accept Independent Accountant's Risk Assessment Update Report and Related Corrective Action Plan]

[6.14 Motion to Authorize a Lease Amendment with Playful Wonders Inc.]

[6.15 Motion to Enter into an Agreement with Sarah Lawrence College for Swimming Pool Rental]

[6.16 Motion to Award a Contract to Briger Security Inc. for Supplemental Security Officers]

[6.17 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]

[6.18 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]

[6.19 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]

[6.20 Motion to Enter into an Agreement for Tuition]

[6.21 Motion for Disposal of Obsolete Equipment]

CAN I HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE 6.1 TO 6.21, WE'LL APPROVE THOSE AS A CONSENT AGENDA.

SO MOTION TO APPROVE 6.1 TO 6.21?

>> SECOND.

>> MOVE.

>> MOVED.

>> SECOND.

OKAY. CAN I JUMP IN ON A COUPLE OF THINGS-

[01:15:03]

>> OF COURSE.

>> BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE MORE DISCUSSIVE ITEMS? YEAH, JIM HAS POINTED OUT A LOT OF THE ITEMS ALREADY WITHIN THIS SECTION.

I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE, AND THEN I KNOW THE BOARD WANTS TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT A FEW ITEMS. 6.1 IS JUST THE ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL CHART THAT GETS UPDATED EVERY TIME WE BRING IN NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF IN PARTICULAR S TO UPDATE INCLUDE OUR NEW CABINET MEMBERS AND WE WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK TO UPDATE WITH A NEW PRINCIPAL WHEN SHE STARTS AS WELL.

THAT'S 6.1, 6.2 ARE THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR.

THERE MAY BE SOME ADDITIONS TO DIFFERENT PRESENTATIONS ALONG THE WAY.

WE WANT TO GET THE DATES ON THE CALENDAR AND MAKE THAT OFFICIAL.

RELATED TO CALENDAR, 6.3, REALLY IMPORTANT POINT HERE.

WE'RE BRINGING BACK THE SINGLE-PAGE CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE, AND I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPY ON THIS IS WE ARE ON THIS A DRAFT, WE'RE RECOMMENDING MOVING GRADUATION WEEK EARLIER.

SO INSTEAD OF MOVING TO HAVING GRADUATION JUNE 28TH, WE'LL BE MOVING IT TO JUNE 21.

WHEN WE ORIGINALLY SET THE MEETING OR THE GRADUATION AS THE 28TH, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE DETAIL OF REGION'S TESTING WEEK, AND WE DO NOT GRADUATE STUDENTS UNLESS THEY'VE MET ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.

WE WERE CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE EXAMS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED AND SCORED IN TIME, WHICH IS WHY WE KEPT IT AT THE 28TH, WHICH IS AFTER REGION'S RATING DAY.

BUT NOW THAT THE DETAIL IS OUT AND REVIEWING WHICH EXAMS AND HOW THEY FLOW, WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET ALL OF THEIR REQUIREMENTS BY THE 21ST.

SO HOPING THAT FAMILIES AND STUDENTS ARE HAPPY ABOUT THAT GRADUATE EARLIER.

THE OTHER RELATED PIECE, WE HAD TO MAKE SURE ON THIS TOO, THE PROM DATE WILL BE MOVING.

PROM WILL BE MOVING A WEEK SOONER.

WE DID NOT WANT TO GRADUATE STUDENTS AND HAVE THEM COME BACK FOR A SCHOOL FUNCTION LIKE A PROM.

AS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, YOU DON'T DO THAT.

THINGS HAPPEN IN A CERTAIN ORDER FOR CERTAIN REASONS.

PROM, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE VENUE A WEEK EARLIER TOO.

SO WHEN ALL THOSE PIECES FELL INTO PLACE, WE THOUGHT THIS SEEMS LIKE THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THAT'S THE CHANGE THAT'S BEING PRESENTED TO THE BOARD TONIGHT ON THAT CALENDAR.

THEN I KNOW WE'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THE OTHER ITEMS, THE COMMUNICATION, GOVERNANCE, PROTOCOLS, AND GOALS.

I WILL POINT OUT 6.6 IS THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR.

SO IT'S THE ASSIGNING OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE CABINET-LEVEL ADMINISTRATION AND BOARD MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES FOR THE YEAR.

FOLLOWING THIS WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WE WILL THEN SOLICIT FOR COMMUNITY MEMBER REPRESENTATION ON BOARD COMMITTEES.

THAT WE'LL GO OUT THROUGH PARENT SQUARE.

WE USUALLY HAVE A SIGN-UP PERIOD FOR I THINK A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THEN WE'LL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO SELECT FOLKS FOR THOSE COMMITTEES.

COMMUNITY CAN BE WATCHING FOR THAT.

ALSO ON HERE IS THE DISTRICT-WIDE SAFETY PLAN 1.0 THAT WAS JUST SPOKEN ABOUT.

THAT'S WITHIN THIS CONSENT AGENDA.

>> JIM TOUCHED ON MANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS THERE.

THE ONLY OTHER ONE I WANTED TO POINT OUT WAS YOU SEE SEVERAL MOTION TO APPROVE ADMINISTRATOR GRANTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION.

AS PART OF THE BENEFITS AS PART OF THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT, OUR ADMINISTRATORS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE TUITION REIMBURSEMENT FOR GRADUATE AND DOCTORAL LEVEL WORK.

AGAIN, AS A LEARNING ORGANIZATION, A GROWTH MINDSET ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE BEEN REALLY PLEASED TO HAVE SO MANY ADMINISTRATORS WHO WERE INVESTED AND INTERESTED IN CONTINUING THEIR OWN PERSONAL EDUCATION.

WE HAVE TWO OF OUR BUILDING PRINCIPALS AND MISS COMERFORD, ACTUALLY, OUR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING.

WHO ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THEIR DOCTORAL STUDIES.

CLAIRE, I THINK IS ACTUALLY IN THE MORE CLOSING STAGES, YOU SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED YOUR PROPOSAL, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, SO SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDED THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL, CURRENTLY WAITING ON IRB APPROVAL AND HOPING TO DO RESEARCH AND GRADUATE IN MAY.

>> THAT WOULD BE VERY EXCITING. WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT HER AS A DISTRICT IN THOSE EFFORTS AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE MR. JOHNSON AND MISS GARCIA.

ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS ARE EMBARKING ON THEIR DOCTORAL WORK.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, AND JUST SAY I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE TO BEING A DISTRICT THAT INVESTS IN ITS LEADERS IN THAT WAY.

>> YES, THAT'S EXCELLENT.

>> PASS IT BACK TO YOU, JACKIE, WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON.

>> I WANTED TO GIVE THE BOARD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BOARD GOALS THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO ADOPT FOR THE YEAR.

I MENTIONED THEM IN MY OPENING, AND I'LL MENTION THEM AGAIN.

WE HAVE THE GOAL CATEGORY OF FINANCE,

[01:20:04]

WE HAVE A GOAL CATEGORY OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND THE DESCRIPTION IS TO BUILD COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS, AND WE HAVE A FACILITIES GOAL, WHICH IS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL GOAL THAT WE'LL BE WORKING ON HEAVILY THIS SCHOOL YEAR, AND IT'S TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN OF ACTION THAT RESULTS IN A FACILITY'S BOND.

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND HAVE NATALIE AND KATHRYN AND WE'LL JUST TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW WE GOT TO THESE GOALS SO THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS.

>> I'LL START WITH THE FINANCIAL GOAL, BECAUSE I THINK FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I'VE BEEN ON THE BOARD.

WE'VE MADE THIS FRONT AND CENTER PART OF OUR BOARD GOALS TO HAVE A PIECE OF OUR GOALS TO REALLY EMPHASIZE OUR FIDUCIARY DUTIES TO THE DISTRICT, WE ARE MANAGING $90 PLUS MILLION, SO WE HAVE TO REALLY STATE THIS AS A GOAL THAT WE ARE STRIVING TO REALLY BE CAUTIOUS WITH OUR FINANCES, AND THAT DWELLS RIGHT INTO THE FACILITIES.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO TAKE SOME ACTIONS IN SOME OF OUR FACILITIES, WHETHER SHORT-TERM GOALS LIKE AC WINDOW UNITS TO THE LONG-TERM GOALS, WHICH IS REVAMPING ENTIRE SCHOOLS AT SOME POINT.

HOPEFULLY THAT'S WHERE WE'LL END UP.

THOSE TWO THINGS TO ME FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG TOGETHER AND IT'S REALLY BECOME A PRIORITY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN LAST YEAR THAT WE DID SO MUCH WHEN IT CAME TO RESEARCH ON FACILITIES.

WE VISITED A COUPLE OF SCHOOLS.

WE REALLY WENT DEEP INTO ANALYZING WHAT OUR FACILITIES AND NEEDS WERE.

I'M ACTUALLY VERY EXCITED BECAUSE OUR ARCHITECT WILL COME IN AND PRESENT TO THE BOARD ON THE 18.

EVERYBODY COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S A BOARD GOAL, AND OF COURSE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

THAT'S SOMETHING IS A HIGHLIGHT OF MINE.

WE GOT TO TALK ABOUT THE BOARD COFFEES, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT TO PUT THAT IN THE CALENDAR.

I REALLY DO LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY, KNOW ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, BUILD THOSE CONNECTIONS.

BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE PARENTS ARE AND WE LEARN SO MUCH.

WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON CALENDAR OR FACILITIES OR DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MAY BE IN PARENTS MIND WHEN ALTERRA I WENT AND SPOKE AT ONE OF THEM.

I THINK THOSE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS FOR US AS A BOARD TO REALLY KEEP FRONT AND CENTER.

BECAUSE WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE CHILDREN, WE'RE HERE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I'LL JUST ADD TO THE FACILITIES, A KEY NEXT STEP WITH THIS GOAL WILL BE TO PRIORITIZE, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS WITH OUR FACILITIES, IT'S PRETTY HIGH NEED.

WE WILL HAVE TO PRIORITIZE WHAT IS ESSENTIAL AND BEGIN TO SCOPE THAT OUT.

>> SAY TO THAT POINT.

[LAUGHTER] TO THAT POINT, I KNOW JIM AND I ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT IT AND IT'S A LOT.

BUT I THINK OUR SEPTEMBER 18 MEETING, AS NATALIE INDICATED, WE'VE ALREADY HAVE OUR ARCHITECT SCHEDULED TO COME AND THE HOPE THERE IS REALLY FOR THE FULL BOARD TO GET A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACILITIES NEEDS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE NEEDS.

WE HAVE 100-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS AND ANYONE WHO HAS 100-YEAR-OLD HOUSE KNOWS THAT COMES WITH CONSTANT ONGOING, SO WE JUST HAVE THAT AT A MUCH BIGGER SCALE.

BUT I THINK IT'LL BE GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND.

I THINK THE FACILITIES COMMITTEE ALREADY GOT A REALLY GOOD INITIAL LOOK.

BUT FOR THE FULL BOARD TO UNDERSTAND AND LEARN, AND THEN FOR US TO TALK ABOUT EXACTLY SOME [NOISE] PRIORITIZING.

WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING. WE CAN'T DO IT ALL AT ONCE.

DECISIONS OF THE PAST, HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR NOW, DECISIONS WE WILL MAKE, WILL HAVE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.

I THINK WHEN FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A BALANCING ACT IN ALL OF THIS, NONE OF THIS IS EASY, BUT I THINK TO YOUR POINT THE FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THIS BOARD DOES UNDERSTAND THAT.

I KNOW YOU DO. WE SEE THAT AND TALK SO MUCH ABOUT IT.

I THINK THAT'LL GIVE US A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO DELVE DEEPLY, AND START TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PRIORITIES, AND THEN HOW THAT WILL THEN PLAY OUT IN TIME TOWARDS THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

JIM, I THINK YOU MAY [OVERLAPPING]

>> NO, I AGREE. I THINK JUST AS WE ARE WITH OUR OWN HOMES,

[01:25:04]

I'M ALWAYS AMAZED AT HOW MUCH A NEW FURNACE COSTS.

YOU DON'T BRING YOUR VISITORS IN TO COME TAKE A LOOK AT THE NEW FURNACE.

[LAUGHTER] IT'S REALLY TERRIFIC.

AGAIN, AND JUST THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY.

WHEN THEY BUILT MANY OF OUR SCHOOLS, THIS IS A FACILITIES DIRECTOR JUST SHARING THIS WITH ME TODAY, THEY PUT IN THE NEW PIPES AND THEY SAID, THIS IS GREAT.

IT SHOULD LAST 100 YEARS.

WELL, THEY HAVE LASTED 100 YEARS AND MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT THEY'RE GOING.

SOME OF OUR DRAIN PIPES ARE COLLAPSING AND SOME OF OUR PIPES ARE LEAKING AND OUR FURNACES AND ROOFS, AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP TOO MUCH OF THE STORY, BUT THERE'S ALL OF THAT, AND THEN THERE'S THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE REALLY WANT AS PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

AS WE SHARED, IT'S A BALANCING PROCESS. MORE TO COME.

>> IT'S A KEY PART OF THE DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLAN.

>>YES.

>> JUST TO ADD ON ABOUT THE BUDGET, THIS YEAR'S BUDGET WAS A [NOISE] HOLD STEADY BUDGET IN ANTICIPATION OF THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IS REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION.

I KNOW THE IMPLEMENTATION WILL TAKE TIME, BUT STARTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN.

>> MAN YOU WANTED TO.

>> NO.

>> YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB.

[LAUGHTER]

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK HELPED WITH HAVING BEEN PART OF THE RETREAT, BECAUSE WE'RE LAUNCHING A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, SO MANY OF LIKE LAST YEAR, I KNOW WE HAD A GOAL ON ACADEMICS.

WE HAD A GOAL ON FINANCE AND FACILITIES, WHICH ARE ALL STILL CRITICALLY PART OF WHAT WE DO, BUT NOW WE'VE GOT THE NEW STRATEGIC PLAN THAT'S ALREADY OUTLINED SO MUCH OF THAT.

THAT, I THINK IS REALLY WHAT ENABLED THE BOARD TO HONE IN A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THESE THIS YEAR.

ALSO I THINK THEY'RE BIG IN AND OF THEMSELVES.

I THINK THESE GOALS PAIRED WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, I THINK ARE GOING TO GIVE US A GOOD ROADMAP.

>> YES.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ANYTHING ELSE IN THIS SECTION? I THINK THIS MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST WHEN WE'RE TAKING AT 16.1.

[LAUGHTER]

>> THE ONLY THING I WOULD POINT OUT.

I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING, IT'S PART OF BOARD GOALS.

I THINK IT'S ONE OF OUR POLICIES.

IS THE GOVERNANCE MEETING AND COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS.

I JUST THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT FOLKS KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE A PROTOCOL IN PLACE FOR HOW WE AS A BOARD WORK, HOW THE BOARD COMMUNICATES WITH MYSELF, WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS, AND ALSO WITH THE PUBLIC AND HOW BOARD MEETINGS ARE RUN.

I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE REVIEW EVERY YEAR, WE ADOPT IT, WE EDIT IT, WE EVOLVE IT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE BOARD AND WITH THE PUBLIC FLOW IN A WAY THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF BOTH.

>> THIS PROTOCOL, AS WELL AS THE GOALS, THEY'LL BE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE FOR PEOPLE TO REVIEW IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

>> JIM, REAL QUICK, 611, BUDGET TRANSFERS, ANYTHING OF NOTE IN THERE?

>> NO. THESE WERE REALLY A COMPLETION TO CLOSE OUT THE FISCAL YEAR.

YOU'LL SEE SOME OF THE DETAIL THAT WE HAVE THERE AND THIS WAS, I BELIEVE ONE WHERE WE ASKED FOR THE BOARD FOR PRE-APPROVAL AND THEN WE'D COME BACK AT YEAR END AND SHARE THIS WITH YOU.

EXTERNAL AUDITS WRAPPING UP.

BUSINESS OFFICE DID A WONDERFUL JOB IN MAKING SURE THAT THE BOOKS WERE READY FOR THE TIMELY AUDIT.

WE WERE THE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT OUT OF THE GATE.

WE HOPE TO HAVE AN AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING SHORTLY WITH THE UNOFFICIAL RESULTS WHICH ARE GENERALLY IN LINE WITH WHAT WAS LAST SHARED WITH THE COMMITTEE, SO NO REAL SURPRISES THERE.

AGAIN, IT WAS A LOT OF WORK.

BUSINESS OFFICE FOLKS DID A GREAT JOB.

WE'RE REALLY HAPPY WITH THAT WORK.

>> ANY MORE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> WE CAN MOVE ON TO 7.1.

[7.1 Motion to Adopt the Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 School Year]

[01:30:02]

>> SECOND.

>> SECOND. AN COMMENTARY?

>> NO. THERE WERE NO CHANGES FROM THE LAST TIME WHEN THIS WAS PRESENTED FOR HEARING, SO THIS IS AS IS.

I KNOW AT LEAST ONE BOARD MEMBER HAD ASKED ME ABOUT ANY ADJUSTMENTS IN THIS BECAUSE OF THE NEW CELL PHONE POLICY, DIDN'T KNOW IT WASN'T NECESSARY.

THE POLICY OVERRIDES THE CODE OF CONDUCT, BUT ACTUALLY, THERE WASN'T SPECIFIC LANGUAGE IN THE CODE OF CONDUCT THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED IN LIGHT OF THE NEW POLICY.

THE ADMINISTRATORS THOUGH AND I ACTUALLY HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN IN THE ELEMENTARY NOTICES THAT WENT OUT TO PARENTS TODAY.

THE LANGUAGE OF THE NEW DIGITAL DEVICE, NOT JUST CELL PHONES, DIGITAL DEVICE POLICY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOKS.

I KNOW IT WAS INCLUDED IN ELEMENTARY PARENT LETTERS, BUT AT OUR SECOND SECONDARY LEVEL, YOU SHOULD SEE THE RELEVANT LANGUAGE IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOKS GOING FORWARD.

>> THE CODE OF CONDUCT IN A WAY, GETS TRANSLATED INTO A STUDENT HANDBOOK.

THE STUDENTS HAVE THEY RECEIVED THOSE YET OR DO THEY GET THOSE IN SEPTEMBER?

>> I THINK SECONDARY STUDENTS, I THINK BELIEVE THEY GET THOSE WHEN THEY COME BACK TO SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER.

THEY DON'T GET THEM IN ADVANCE.

>> IN AUGUST.

>> THEY'RE NOT READING THEM IN AUGUST.

[LAUGHTER]

>> TO CHECK.

>> THE SAME MIGHT BE, NO.

[LAUGHTER]

>> ANY MORE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] AYE.

>> WE CAN MOVE STRAIGHT TO 8.2.

[8.2 Motion to Approve Schedule B- Extra Duty Appointments]

[8.3 Motion to Approve Schedule C - Instructional]

[8.4 Motion to Approve Schedule C - Non-Instructional]

DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE SUPERINTENDENT'S PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND.

>> IS THERE?

>> NOTHING REAL SPECIFIC. I WILL POINT OUT 8.3.

WE HAVE A LARGE LIST OF FOLKS THAT ARE BEING APPROVED AS SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

WE ALWAYS STRUGGLE TO HAVE FOLKS, BUT WE DO GENERALLY HAVE A LARGE LIST ON THE BOOKS.

WE'RE THANKFUL TO SEE THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

I KNOW THAT DR. FITZGERALD MENTIONED MANY OF THE ITEMS HERE.

JUST EXCITED TO GET FOLKS ON BOARD TO GET THE YEAR UP AND RUNNING.

>> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> [OVERLAPPING] AYE.

>> MOVING TO 9.1,

[9.1 Motion to Approve Schedule D - Committee on Special Education (Confidential)]

>> SO MOVED.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. [LAUGHTER]

>> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> [OVERLAPPING] AYE.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY NEW BUSINESS?

[10.1 New Business]

[11.1 Communications and Comments from the Public]

MADAM PRESIDENT, CAN YOU PLEASE GO?

>> YOU'RE MAKING MOTION.

[LAUGHTER]

>> SECOND.

>> SO MOVED.

>> A SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE.

>> AYE.

>> THANK YOU. MEETING ADJOURN.

>> GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.