[00:00:03]
>> THANK YOU. WELCOME TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING FOR MAY 7TH, 2025.
[2. Public Session - 7:30 p.m.]
LET'S RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.>> NATALIE, WOULD YOU PLEASE REITERATE OUR EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTIONS?
[2.3 Reiteration of Executive Session Motions]
>> YES. WE MET AN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS FOR DISTRICT NON-INSTRUCTIONAL EMPLOYEE UNIT.
WE DISCUSSED THE RECORD OF A PARTICULAR STUDENT AND EMPLOYMENT HISTORY OF A PARTICULAR PERSON.
>> THANKS, NATALIE. I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT WEEK SO FAR.
[2.4 Opening Remarks]
MY MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE TONIGHT IS ONE OF HEARTFELT APPRECIATION FOR OUR TEACHERS.WE'RE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH DEDICATED EDUCATORS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHING AND SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN EVERY DAY.
I HOPE YOU'RE FEELING APPRECIATED AND ENJOYING TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK.
ALSO, EARLIER THIS MONTH WAS PRINCIPAL'S DAY, AND TODAY IS NURSES DAY, SO EXPRESSING MY APPRECIATION TO THE DISTRICT'S PRINCIPALS AND OUR NURSES AS WELL.
THIS EVENING WE'LL HOLD OUR STATE-MANDATED BUDGET HEARING, WHICH IS A STANDARD PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
ALSO, A REMINDER THAT MAY 20TH IS ELECTION DAY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: THE 2025, 2026 SCHOOL BUDGET, THE PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY ON FRANKLIN PLACE, FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOND PROPOSALS, AND THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION.
IT'S A FULL AND IMPORTANT BALLOT.
IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE ITEMS, PLEASE ATTEND AN INFO SESSION, VISIT THE WEBSITE, OR REACH OUT DIRECTLY, AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON MAY 20TH.
WITH THAT, I'LL HAND IT OVER TO DR.
[3.1 Superintendent's Report]
CHAMP FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JACKIE, AGAIN, I TOO WANT TO REITERATE JUST MY INCREDIBLE APPRECIATION FOR THE AMAZING EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF THAT WORK IN OUR DISTRICT.
AS JACKIE SAID, THIS WEEK, BEING TEACHERS APPRECIATION WEEK, IT'S REALLY FUN AND REWARDING TO WATCH THE WAY THAT OUR TEACHERS GET CELEBRATED THIS WEEK.
THEY DESERVE IT EVERY DAY OF EVERY WEEK.
I GUESS THE LOVE THAT I SEE OUR PARENTS AND OUR STUDENTS POURING ONTO OUR TEACHERS DURING THIS WEEK IS VERY HEARTWARMING.
THANKS TO THEM AND INCREDIBLE THANKS TO OUR FACULTY, THEY ARE SECOND TO NONE.
THEY CONTINUE TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE JUST OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT STAFF.
WE THANK THEM AND HONOR THEM THIS WEEK.
I ALSO TOO, WANT TO RECOGNIZE, AS JACKIE DID, OUR PRINCIPALS AND ALL OF OUR ADMINISTRATORS WHO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP TO OUR SCHOOLS EVERY DAY, EQUALLY TALENTED, EQUALLY COMMITTED, AND PROFESSIONAL, AND WE'RE JUST SO APPRECIATIVE FOR THEM FOR ALL THEY DO.
OF COURSE, THEN OUR NURSES AS WELL WHO KEEP US HEALTHY AND SAFE.
I'VE NEVER NOT BEEN IN A SCHOOL SETTING SINCE THE AGE OF FIVE.
MY ENTIRE LIFE HAS RUN ON A SCHOOL SCHEDULE.
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY THIS OTHER THAN I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT THE SCHOOL NURSE IS THERE.
AT THE AGE OF WHATEVER I AM AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I KNOW I'LL GO DOWN THE HALL.
IF I NEED A BAND-AID, I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO GO TO GET IT.
THEY WILL ALWAYS BE THERE WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND COMFORT AND TAKE CARE OF YOU, WITH NO QUESTION.
I JUST SAY THAT AS A SMALL EXAMPLE OF HOW JUST AMAZING THEY CONTINUE TO BE, AND THEY'RE THERE, NOT JUST FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT FOR THE WHOLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM, AND WE HONOR THEM TODAY TOO.
A COUPLE MORE QUICK HONORS BEFORE WE MOVE ON, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE SOME FOLKS THAT HAVE COME TO JOIN US TONIGHT AS PART OF PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXTRA SPECIAL PUBLIC COMMENT TONIGHT.
BUT BEFORE THAT, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST OF URINETOWN.
WE HAD SEVERAL OF OUR STUDENTS IN THAT, LIAM GINSBURG, GRACE KIAMI, LUCET AU, WERE ALL SELECTED FROM OUR PRODUCTION OF URINETOWN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ROGER REESE AWARDS PROGRAM IN HOPES OF BECOMING ONE OF 50 NOMINEES NATIONWIDE TO BE SELECTED TO COMPETE FOR THE ROGER REESE AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS IN MUSICAL.
THIS IS REALLY ON PAR WITH THE TONYS FOR HIGH SCHOOL THEATER.
IN ADDITION, GRACE WAS ALSO NOMINATED FOR PERFORMANCE IN FORD AND PREPS' PRODUCTION OF BIG FISH.
ALSO, ON SUNDAY, MAY 4TH, THE ANNUAL EASTERN STUDENT ARTIST GUILD AWARDS, ESAG, WERE AWARDED AT IONA UNIVERSITY.
THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING NON-MUSICAL HIGH SCHOOL THEATER PRODUCTIONS, IN OTHER WORDS, PLAYS.
[00:05:01]
AGAIN, SOCK AND BUSKIN WAS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THEIR FALL PRODUCTION OF AGATHA CHRISTIE'S, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP BEST DRAMATIC HIGH SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS OF THE YEAR IN THE REGION.INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS WERE ALSO RECOGNIZED THEIR BEST ACTOR CATEGORY, BOTH [INAUDIBLE] AND LIAM GINSBURG, HONORABLE MENTION FOR BEST ACTOR, JEREMY TAM, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA, LUCET AU, AND WE CONGRATULATE ALL OF THOSE STUDENTS.
OUR SOCK AND BUSKIN JUST CONTINUES TO FIRE ON ALL CYLINDERS.
JUST ON THE COMMUNITY SERVICE SIDE OF THINGS, SOCK AND BUSKIN IS GOING TO BE DOING HIGHLIGHTS FROM URINETOWN FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB AND PELHAM WOMEN'S CLUB ON MAY 15TH AND MAY 19TH, RESPECTIVELY.
ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE COMMITTED TO SENDING A GROUP OF STUDENTS EACH YEAR TO VISIT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DO THINGS, EVERYTHING FROM PERFORMANCES OF SOCK AND BUSKIN TO PLAYING GAMES, TO BRINGING SNACKS AND TREATS, BRINGING THEM CARDS, TEACHING THEM SOME DANCING LESSONS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS JUST REALLY TO CONNECT WITH AND GIVE BACK TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I KNOW THE STUDENTS HAVE ENJOYED IT, AND THE SENIORS HAVE ENJOYED IT.
I REALLY THANK EVERYONE WHO'S INVOLVED IN THAT AS A WAY OF STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC AND TEACHING KIDS THE VALUE OF GIVING BACK TO THE SENIORS IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND LEARNING FROM THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND WISDOM.
A COUPLE MORE ITEMS. OUR YEARBOOK, PELICAN YEARBOOK, CONTINUES TO ALSO WIN AWARDS.
THIS YEAR WAS SELECTED TO BE FEATURED IN VOLUME 30 OF THE VARSITY YEARBOOK PORTFOLIO.
IT WON THREE AWARDS FOR BEST OF COVER, DESIGN, AND COVERAGE, WHICH IS GREAT.
IT'S AN INCREDIBLE AWARD TO WIN ACROSS THOSE THREE CATEGORIES.
THIS IS, I THINK, AT LEAST THE SECOND OR THIRD YEAR IN A ROW BEEN DESIGNATED AT THAT LEVEL.
JUST TWO MORE THINGS TO POINT TOO, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO GIVE THANKS TO TRACY HOLTZ AND HER DEPARTMENT FOR ALL THE EFFORT, TIME, ENERGY, PLANNING, COORDINATION THAT GOES INTO THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PTAS IN ONE CASE, THE PEF, IN ANOTHER CASE, THE BUILDING ADMINISTRATORS IN EVERY CASE.
I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS HAVE OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING THEIR WEEK WITH THE BUILDING BRIDGES PROGRAM.
SOMETHING THAT WAS INITIATED BY A PARENT THROUGH PEF GRANT MANY YEARS AGO, AND THE DISTRICT HAS CONTINUED TO SUPPORT.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES FOR OUR STUDENTS EACH YEAR AS THEY GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND LEARN FROM DIFFERENTLY ABLED FOLKS THAT COME INTO THE SCHOOLS AND SHARE THEIR OWN PERSONAL STORIES.
PELHAM WHAT'S YOUR STORY? WE GET TO HEAR THESE IMPORTANT STORIES EVERY YEAR AND REALLY EXPAND THEIR HORIZONS.
ALSO, AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM TRACY, SHE HAS WORKED WITH THE PEF AND WAS AWARDED PEF GRANT FOR COMMUNICATION BOARDS.
THOSE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED AND ARE BEING INSTALLED.
>> YES. AS MUCH AS THEY CAN GET DONE ON SATURDAY.
>> YES. VERY EXCITING, AND WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE INCLUSIVITY THAT THAT'S GOING TO ADD TO ALL OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS BY PROVIDING A TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMMUNICATION ISSUES.
IT'S A TOOL THAT CAN BE USED BY THEM, IT CAN BE USED BY SMALL CHILDREN, CAN BE USED BY ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ONE OF THOSE AT EACH CAMPUS.
TRACY, THANK YOU FOR THE VISION AND FOR SEEING THAT THROUGH.
FOR ALL THE FOLKS INVOLVED IN THAT, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON A RIBBON CUTTING IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
WE'LL CERTAINLY MAKE THE BOARD AWARE OF THAT, AND I INVITE YOU TO BE PART OF THAT.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE ADDING TO THE QUALITY OF OUR PLAYGROUNDS.
THANK YOU. THAT WILL END MY REPORT FOR TONIGHT.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO THE REST OF THE MEETING,
[4. Communications and Comments from the Public]
I'M GOING TO MOVE UP TO PUBLIC COMMENTS. PLEASE COME UP.>> GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. THANK YOU.
I'M A SOPHOMORE AT PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL.
YOU SAID MY ADDRESS OR MY EMAIL ADDRESS, SORRY.
>> HOME ADDRESS. 540 MONOYA IS MY HOME ADDRESS.
I'M THE FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF PELE'S ROBOTICS TEAM, FLUX ROBOTICS.
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, WE WERE ABLE TO DESIGN, BUILD, AND COMPETE WITH THAT ROBOT THAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU.
IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE. WE ALL LEARNED A LOT, AND WE WERE ABLE TO WIN THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE COMPETITION THAT WE WENT TO.
THANK YOU. NOW I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE LEV GUALAV.
HE'S MORE OF THE TECHNICAL LEAD ON THE TEAM, JUST TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE TEAM HAS MEANT TO HIM.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS LEV GUALAV.
I AM A JUNIOR AT PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL.
I LIVE AT 460 ESPLANADE, AND I'M THE ROBOT LEAD FOR THE NEXT FRC SEASON,
[00:10:02]
AND I TRULY WANT TO IMPRESS HOW INCREDIBLE OF AN OPPORTUNITY THIS HAS BEEN TO ME.THIS TEAM HAS ALLOWED ME TO PUT THE THEORIES WHICH I'VE LEARNED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN MY ENGINEERING CLASSES TO REAL-WORLD USES AND DESIGN THIS INCREDIBLE ROBOT.
LOOKING FORWARD, I PLAN TO MAJOR IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING IN COLLEGE, AND THIS HAS REALLY BEEN JUST AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY OVERALL.
I'M NOT EVEN SURE HOW TO PUT IT IN WORDS TO TRULY EXPAND MY SKILLS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF ACTUAL MECHANICAL ENGINEERS IN THE FIELD FROM ONE OF OUR GREAT MENTORS, SCOTT, WHO WORKS AS MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT ARGON LABS. THANK YOU.
>> CAN I ASK A QUICK QUESTION? CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR CLUB AND WHO YOUR COACH AND ADVISOR IS, AND HOW YOU CAME TO BE?
>> CONGRATULATIONS ON THE AWARD. THE ROOKIE.
>> THEY DID A NICE JOB ON THAT.
>> THANK YOU. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ENTIRELY SCHOOL-INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION. WE FOUNDED IT.
I WAS JUST ME, MY MOM, MY DAD.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING AND BUILDING OUT OF OUR BASEMENT.
SOME MORE DEVELOPED TEAMS HAVE LET US COME TO THEIR ARENAS TO PRACTICE, BUT IT'S REALLY JUST BEEN ME, MY PARENTS, AND THE OTHER STUDENTS, EXCEPT FOR, OF COURSE, OUR MENTOR, WHO GUALAV MENTIONED, HIS NAME SCOTT MOLLER.
LIKE GUALAV MENTIONED, HE'S A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AT ARGON NATIONAL LAB, AND HE'S JUST BEEN SUPER KNOWLEDGEABLE, SUPER GREAT.
HE'S BEEN ABLE TO BRING US FROM KNOWING NEXT TO NOTHING ABOUT ROBOTICS AND ENGINEERING, AND BEING ABLE TO MANUFACTURE, PROGRAM, AND WIRE ELECTRONICALLY, THAT ROBOT.
>> ARE WE GOING TO GET TO SEE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT ROBOT DOES?
>> YEAH. THAT'S COMING. BUT FIRST, WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WITH THE BOND PROPOSALS, WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE ISSUES AT HAND IS MORE FUNDING AND MORE RESOURCES FOR ENGINEERING, AND THAT COULD ENTAIL MORE SPACE FOR ENGINEERING CLASSROOMS AND PERHAPS EVEN A ROBOTICS CLASSROOM.
WE JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED SO FAR.
I KNOW DR. CALLAHAN, HE'S COME TO A FEW MEETINGS.
HE CAME TO THE COMPETITION. THAT WAS GREAT.
WE JUST LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE YES IN THOSE PROPOSALS, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO DEVELOP AND GROW OUR TEAM EVEN FURTHER AND TO, OF COURSE, IMPROVE THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE.
NOW, IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE'D LIKE TO GIVE A QUICK LITTLE DEMONSTRATION OF THE ROBOT.
>> DOES THE ROBOT HAVE A NAME? [OVERLAPPING]
>> IT'S COMING RIGHT OUT. THAT'S OKAY. [LAUGHTER] I LIKE IT.
>> IF ANYONE WANTS TO PLAY CATCH WITH THE ROBOT, THEY'RE WELCOME TO.
I WOULD SUGGEST YOU JUST FLIP YOUR LAPTOP DOWN, AND IT'LL THROW YOU THE BALL.
>> I'LL GIVE IT A TRY. [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND].
>> CAN IT MAKE A BASKET? [BACKGROUND] [APPLAUSE] IT PICKED UP THE BALL AGAIN.
>> MAYBE LOWER FOR ME. I'M NOT AN ATHLETE.
WHAT INSPIRED A DESIGN LIKE THAT? I GUESS I SHOULD PROBABLY COME UP HERE.
QUESTION. WHAT INSPIRES A DESIGN LIKE THAT?
[00:15:02]
>> WE JUST LOOKED AT THE GAME. WE LOOKED AT WHAT THE OBJECTIVES WERE.
WE KNEW WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD AS COMPETITIVE OF A ROBOT AS THE OTHER MORE DEVELOPED TEAMS, SO WE DECIDED TO FOCUS ON THE LESS POPULAR SCORING METHOD, WHICH IS IS THAT LARGE GREEN BALL YOU SEE BECAUSE WE KNEW, IF WE COULD DO THAT REALLY WELL, WE'D BE MORE VALUABLE TO AN ALLIANCE PARTNER THAN BEING ABLE TO DO THE MORE POPULAR SCORING METHOD POORLY.
LIKE I SAID, OUR MENTOR, SCOTT, HE'S BEEN DOING FRC FOR A LONG TIME, SO HE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE US WITH THE STRATEGY ASPECT.
THAT SHOOTER DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY.
THAT WAS FROM ONE OF THE SENIORS, NIKO [INAUDIBLE].
HE WAS ONE OF OUR LEAD DESIGN MEMBERS THIS YEAR.
HE MODEL 3D MODELED IT HIMSELF, AND THEN WE WERE ABLE TO PUT THAT TOGETHER.
>> HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU FROM BEGINNING TO END?
>> WE STARTED HAVING ACTUAL MEETINGS IN JANUARY AND THEN WE BASICALLY PLANNED AND BUILT AND PROGRAMMED UNTIL OUR COMPETITION IN APRIL.
THERE WERE A FEW WEEKS WHERE SOME OF THE TEAM MEMBERS WERE PUTTING IN, LIKE, 20 30 HOURS IN THE ROBOT.
IT WAS A LOT OF WORK, BUT IT WAS REALLY REWARDING AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE SUCH A SIMPLE CONCEPT, IT'S LIKE, SIT BACK AND IT THROWS IT.
BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ROBOT THAT THEY BUILT.
[LAUGHTER] >> A ROBOT THAT THEY ACTUALLY BUILT.
IT'S COMPLICATED AND INTRICATE THE WHOLE CIRCUIT BOARD ON THE UNDERSIDE AND ALL OF THE WIRES AND EVERYTHING THAT IT TAKES JUST, I HOPE I'M NOT SOUNDING LIKE AM DOWNPLAYING IT BECAUSE IT'S A COMPLICATED PROCESS TO GET THE BALL TO SUCK IT BACK IN AND THROW IT.
BUT THE AMOUNT OF PROGRAMMING IT LOOKS YOU HAD TO DO AND FIGURING OUT EVERYTHING FITS TOGETHER TO HAVE THAT ACTION, THAT REPETITIVE MOTION.
>> THANK YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED THIS YEAR IS THAT SIMPLER FOR DESIGN IS OFTEN MORE IMPRESSIVE AND BETTER THAN SOMETHING REALLY COMPLICATED.
IF YOU CAN GET SOMETHING TO ACCOMPLISH THE SAME RESULT WITH LESS WORK AND LESS TIME, THEN THAT'S ALWAYS BETTER AND MORE IMPRESSIVE.
A SMALL CLARIFICATION EARLIER, WE MENTIONED THAT OUR MENTOR WORKS AT ARGON NATIONAL LABS.
THAT WAS WRONG. IT'S FIRM LABS IN ILLINOIS.
ONE OTHER THING WE'D LIKE TO SHOW YOU [INAUDIBLE] THIS PCC RIGHT HERE, THIS ISN'T FOR SHOOTING THE BALL, THIS CLAW TYPE MECHANISM.
THIS ALLOWED US TO HOOK ONTO A CAGE OF AS PART OF THE GAME.
WITH THIS WINCH CONTRAPTION, WE COULD HOIST OURSELVES UP AND CLIMB AND THAT WAS ANOTHER WAY TO SPOT BALLS.
>> THE ROBOT CLIMBED? LIKE A WALL?
>> NOT A WALL. IT WAS LIKE A CAGE, ESSENTIALLY.
WE COULD HOOK ON WITH THAT CLAW.
THEN WITH A WINCH, WE WOULD HOIST THE ROBOT UP.
YEAH. THAT WAS ANOTHER BIG PIECE OF OUR DESIGN. THAT WAS NOT US, THOUGH.
WITH THE HELP OF ONE OF THE MORE DEVELOPED TEAMS, WE CAME UP WITH THAT.
BUT YEAH, IT WAS A REALLY GREAT EXPERIENCE, AND WE DEFINITELY LEARNED A LOT.
>> THIS ROBOT WAS PROGRAMMED USING THE JAVA PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE.
WE STARTED WITH A BIT OF A SIMPLER CODE PROVIDED BY ONE OF THE MORE ESTABLISHED TEAMS AND THEN MODIFIED IT TO OUR USES.
SOME OF THE SENIORS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASSES HAVE BEEN A HUGE HELP IN PROGRAMMING THE ROBOT TO DO WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
JUST WANT TO GIVE OUR THINGS TO THE SENIORS.
>> WHAT'S THIS POWER SOURCE? HOW'S IT POWER?
>> IT HAS A CAR BATTERY NEAR THE FRONT.
>> THAT GREAT BLOCK IS A BATTERY AND IT'S CONNECTED TO THE ROBOT COMPUTER, WHICH YOU CAN'T SEE UNDER THE GLASS, BUT YEAH, IT'S THERE.
YEAH. WE HAVE AROUND 11 BATTERIES.
THEY CAN LAST A WHILE, BUT YOU NEED TO CHANGE THEM BETWEEN EVERY MATCH TO ENSURE TOP PERFORMANCE.
>> THAT'S SAFETY LIGHT IT'S REQUIRED AS PART OF THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS. OH, YEAH.
[00:20:07]
A ROBOT HAS AROUND 11 MOTORS.WE HAVE FOUR FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN DOWN THERE, ONE FOR THE WINCH, AND THEN SIX FOR THE CLIMBER.
YEAH. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO GET IT ALL WORKING.
>> WHEN YOU'RE BUILDING THIS, I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS.
I'M FISHING FOR A BIGGER ANSWER, BUT YOU GET EVERYTHING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME?
>> CAN YOU TALK TO US ABOUT THAT THE TRIAL-ERROR AND KNOW THAT WHOLE PROCESS OF HOW YOU ARRIVED AT A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITIVE FUNCTIONING?
>> ORIGINALLY, WE WEREN'T EVEN GOING TO SHOOT THE BALL.
WE HAD A MUCH SMALLER, SIMPLER INTAKE, WHICH WOULD JUST USE ANOTHER SCORN METHOD WHERE YOU DEPOSIT THE BALL IN A HOLE ON THE FIELD.
BUT THEN AS WE STILL HAD MORE TIME LEFTOVER, WE DECIDE TO TAKE THE BIGGER RISK AND GO FOR THE SHOOTER.
I'M GLAD WE DID BECAUSE IT PAID OFF AND A ROBOT IS REALLY UNIQUE.
BUT YEAH, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF MECHANICAL FAILURES, SOME OF WHICH STILL PERTAIN TO THIS DAY.
BUT YEAH, WE GOT MOST OF THE THINGS WORKED OUT.
>> YEAH, I JUST LIKE TO SHARE A STORY ABOUT FAILURE. WITH THIS ROBOT.
THERE'S A SUBSTANCE CALLED LOCTITE, THAT YOU APPLY TO SCREWS TO MAKE SURE THEY HOLD IN THEIR POSITION THOROUGHLY.
THIS MATERIAL, [INAUDIBLE] IS VERY DURABLE.
YOU GET HIT WITH A HAMMER AND IT WON'T BREAK.
BUT IF YOU GET LOCTITE ON IT, IT'S REALLY BAD.
I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY THE CHEMICAL REACTION BEHIND IT, BUT IT CRACKS AND IT'S UNUSABLE.
[LAUGHTER] LOVE IS OUR CNC MACHINE OPERATOR, WHICH IS BASICALLY JUST LIKE AN INDUSTRIAL LASER CUTTER.
THAT'S HOW WE WERE ABLE TO CUT THESE POLYCARBONATE PIECES SO PRECISELY.
THERE WERE A LOT OF TIMES WE HAD TO SEND IT BACK TO THE CNC MACHINE BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH LOCTITE THAT WE GOT ON.
>> WHAT IS THE PROS TO MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS?
>> MY DAD COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION BETTER THAN ME. [LAUGHTER].
I LIVE AT 5:40 MONTEREY, RAVE'S FATHER.
YEAH. THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR'S TEAM WAS $45,000, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 15 OR 20 INTO THE ROBOT ITSELF, AND THEN IT ALSO WENT TO TOOLS.
IT ALSO WENT TO TO PAY THE MENTOR WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, AS RAVE SAID, WORKS AT FIRM LAB.
BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT HE PUT INTO THIS, ON AN HOURLY BASIS, IT WAS AN ENORMOUS BARGAIN AND HE HAS FIRST ROBOTICS EXPERIENCE.
THAT'S THE NAME OF THE LEAGUE IN WHICH THESE STUDENTS COMPETED, THE FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION, AND HE HAS FRC EXPERIENCE AND HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS AND HE LOVES WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
ANYWAY, THAT WAS THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR.
THE TEAM, OF COURSE, WANTS TO DO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS THIS UPCOMING SEASON.
IT'S GOING TO BE EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE THIS COMING SEASON.
WE HAVE GOTTEN FANTASTIC SUPPORT FROM THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
PARENTS OF THE TEAM MEMBERS, ALSO, NON-PARENTS OF THE TEAM MEMBERS, JUST INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO RESPONDED IN A HUGELY POSITIVE WAY TO A GO FUND ME CAMPAIGN WE DID, AND THEN LOCAL BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE MERIDIAN LOGO WAS ON THE ROBOT THERE AND OTHER BUSINESS FROM AROUND TOWN.
LAB IS IN FACT, WEARING THE T-SHIRT THAT SHOWS SOME MORE OF OUR SPONSORS ON IT AS WELL.
AS RAY MENTIONED, PART OF THE REASON WE'RE HERE TONIGHT IS THAT REALLY LONG TERM FOR ONE OF THESE TEAMS TO SUCCEED, IT'S RARE FOR THERE TO BE A TEAM THAT'S TOTALLY INDEPENDENT LIKE OURS IS RIGHT NOW THAT LASTS A LONG TIME.
FOR A TEAM TO GROW AND CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND LAST A LONG TIME, THEY'RE ALMOST ALWAYS PART OF A HIGH SCHOOL.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE EXAMPLES OF THIS OUT ON LONG ISLAND.
THERE'S A COUPLE OTHERS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
ASTINING HAS A GREAT TEAM AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL.
ONE OF THE THINGS AND WE'VE TALKED TO DOCTOR CALLAHAN, WHO'S BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE, AND WE'RE ALL LOOKING FOR WAYS THAT THE SCHOOL CAN BE EVEN MORE SUPPORTIVE AND REALLY WOULD LOVE TO GET THE DISTRICT THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS IN A SERIOUS WAY, WHICH MEANS REALLY, FRANKLY, SPACE AND A FACULTY ADVISOR WHO'S ABLE TO DEVOTE THE TIME NECESSARY.
THANKS VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERING THAT.
>> WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS COMING TONIGHT.
[00:25:06]
>> THANK YOU AGAIN. [LAUGHTER].
>> MAYBE THEY SHOULD CALL IT HAVEN.
>> THIS IS LIKE THE OPPOSITE OF THE WAY IN MY BRAIN. I COULDN'T DO THAT.
LET'S MOVE TO 3.2 BOARD OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORTS.
[3.2 Board of Education Committee Reports]
>> YEAH WE'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS.
WE HAD SAFETY? WAS THAT THIS WEEK OR LAST WEEK?
>> WE HAD A SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING IN WHICH WE DISCUSSED SOME OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS, WHICH INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO AN OVERVIEW OF THE DISTRICT WIDE DRILLS.
THOSE HAVE BEEN COMPLETED OR LOCKDOWN DRILLS FOR BUILDING.
WE TALKED ABOUT THE UNIFORMED GUARDS AND GUARDS, IS THE WRONG WORD, SECURITY PERSONNEL MONITORS PERSONNEL IN THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN A USEFUL ADDITION TO OUR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES, [INAUDIBLE] PARTICIPATION.
A DISCUSSION AROUND PARKING, SEEMS TO BE THE PERENNIAL SUBJECT THAT NEVER SEEMS TO GO AWAY, AND DISCUSSION ON THE DISTRICT WIDE SAFETY PLAN UPDATES FOR 25 26.
THOSE WERE THE PRIMARY THEMES OF THE MEETING.
>> YEAH. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT SWINOI AND THE KIDS HANGING OUT AT NIGHT, AFTER HOURS ON THE PLAYGROUND.
I THINK WHERE WE GOT TO WAS THAT WE'RE MONITOR THE SITUATION.
BUT ESSENTIALLY, WE SHOULD, TELL OUR KIDS TO BE MINDFUL OF THE TIME OF THE EVENING, THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HANG OUT AT THE SCHOOLS AND TO BE MINDFUL OF THE NOISE LEVEL.
>> YEAH. KICK BALL GAME OF MIDNIGHT IT'S NOT THE RIGHT TIME TO PLAY KICKBALL.
>> YEAH. CHIEF SANCHEZ IS ALWAYS AT THE SAFETY COMMITTE AND HE WAS THERE AS WELL.
THAT'S WHAT I MEANT BY. HE HAS A PULSE ON THE SITUATION.
>> IS HE GOING TO BE DOING MORE LIKE, DRIVE BY TO MONITOR IT FOR THE TIME BEING?
>> HE HASN'T NECESSARILY, I DO THINK HE SAID THAT AFTER MIDNIGHT, THEY WILL MAKE SURE THEY HAVE GONE BY TO SEE IF ANYONE THERE.
>> HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE SITUATION.
>> HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT SUFFICIENTLY [OVERLAPPING] RESPONSIVE TO ANY COMPLAINTS.
I THINK THE OTHER POINT IS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT WAS DOESN'T FEEL APPROPRIATE GIVEN HOW MUCH THE SPACE IS USED, THE OUTDOOR SPACE IS USED.
>> TO LOCK IT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.
>> FOR EXAMPLE, THE WEEKEND, WHEN THE COMMUNITY IS USING IT.
DURING THE DAYS ON THE WEEKENDS.
>> YEAH, THAT WOULDN'T FEEL APPROPRIATE TO THE SPACE.
>> CERTAINLY, ENCOURAGED THOSE THAT MAY HERE OR BE DISRUPTED BY THAT, THOUGH TO REACH OUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY AT THOSE LATE NIGHT HOURS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE AND THE POLICE WILL RESPOND.
WE'VE MADE THEM AWARE OF SOME COMMUNITY CONCERNS AS WELL.
WE'RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS, AND AGAIN, WE'VE LOOKED AT THE SITE.
IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE FINDING BROKEN GLASS ON THE SITE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WHICH IS REASSURING.
IT SEEMS TO BE JUST A PLACE WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CONGREGATING.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE NEIGHBORS AND WE WANT THEM TO BE CONSIDERATE OF ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS,
[00:30:02]
AND SOMETIMES IT CAN GET LOUD ON A WEEKEND NIGHT.IN INSTANCES LIKE THAT, THAT'S WHEN WE WOULD ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO REACH OUT TO LOCAL POLICE AND THEY'LL RESPOND ACCORDINGLY.
>> WE HAD A POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING, BUT I GUESS WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE POLICY'S.
>> WE DID A BOND STEERING AS WELL.
>> I DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WANTED TO DEAL WITH ALL THE JIM'S COMMITTEES AND THEN HOWEVER YOU WANT TO HAND?
>> YEAH. LET'S DO BOND STEERING COMMITTEE [INAUDIBLE]
>> YEAH. WE MET FOR A FACILITY NOW KNOWN AS BOND STEERING COMMITTEE AND WE INVITED OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE ALSO PART OF THE COMMITTEE.
RIGHT NOW, THERE WASN'T MUCH DISCUSSION.
WE ANSWERED QUESTIONS, DISCUSS SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.
BUT ONTO HOPEFULLY, EVERYTHING PASSES.
WE CAN'T REALLY HAVE MUCH DETAIL OR GO INTO MUCH DETAIL BECAUSE WE'RE ONLY ALLOWED TO GO ONTO 2% OF DESIGN.
WE DID HAVE OUR ARCHITECT THERE AND OUR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMITTEE.
I THINK WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE AND WE'RE NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO MAY 20TH.
>> WE'VE GOT A NICE COMMITTEE, A GOOD CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIVING THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE WORK IS BEING PROPOSED.
PEOPLE WITH SOME REALLY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND PERSPECTIVES THAT THEY CAN SHARE WITH THE COMMITTEE.
>> WE ALSO HAD AN ADVOCACY COMMITTEE TODAY.
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE IN THAT COMMITTEE.
WE AGAIN DISCUSSED SOME OF THE CONCERNS REGARDING OUR PROPOSALS FOR THE BOND PROPOSITIONS THAT ARE ON THE DOCKET FOR MAY 20TH.
THERE WAS A GOOD LINE THAT ONE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE, SHE WAS DISCUSSING HOW SHE THINKS ABOUT THE BOND, WHICH IS INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE.
WE GOT SOME GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THEM, AS WE ALWAYS DO.
AGAIN, NOT CONCERNS, BUT IDEAS ON HOW TO ADDRESS SOME QUESTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP AND DO SOME FAQS. IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE THEM AGAIN RIGHT AFTER THE BUDGET VOTE, AND WE WILL DISCUSS WITH THEM AGAIN AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORT.
KATHRYN AND DARRA WERE THERE THIS MORNING.
>> SEE WE'RE IN A LOT OF PLACES THIS MORNING, KATHRYN.
>> WE ALSO HAD PERSONAL GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT OR ALSO KNOWN AS CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING THIS MORNING.
THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS TOOK US THROUGH THEIR STUDY OF SHIFTING TO DEPARTMENTALIZATION FOR THE [BACKGROUND] RISING FOURTH GRADERS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
THAT MEANS THE STUDENTS WOULD STILL WOULD STILL HAVE A HOME ROOM, BUT THE TEACHERS WOULD BE FOCUSED IN MATH AND SCIENCE OR FOCUSED IN ELA SO THAT THEY CAN GO DEEPER ON THOSE SUBJECTS.
WHAT WE LEARNED WAS IT'S VERY GOOD FOR PREPARING TO GO TO MIDDLE SCHOOL IN TERMS OF LEARNING FLEXIBILITY AND IMPROVING EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING.
ALSO THE WAY THE PRINCIPALS HAD IT SCHEDULED OUT, THE TOTAL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME STAYS THE SAME, BUT THERE'S ACTUALLY MORE SCIENCE AND THE WIN PERIOD, WHICH I FORGET WHAT THAT STANDS FOR.
>> HOW COULD I FORGET THAT? [LAUGHTER] THE WIN PERIOD IS ACTUALLY CAN BE MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE UNDER DEPARTMENTALIZATION.
SOMEHOW, AND WE WENT THROUGH THIS A LOT, THEY FOUND 30 MINUTES OF TIME AT THE END OF THE DAY TO HAVE A SEMINAR PERIOD.
I KNOW YOU'RE CALLING IT SOMETHING ELSE, BUT A REFLECTION PERIOD OR A SEMINAR.
>> THE TITLE OF IT HASN'T BEEN FULLY [INAUDIBLE].
[00:35:04]
>> SOMEWHAT OF A SEMINAR PERIOD AT THE END OF THE DAY WHERE THE TEACHER AND THE KIDS CAN GO THROUGH WHAT ARE THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THEIR CLASSES DURING THE DAY AND MAYBE PREPARE FOR WHAT'S COMING THE NEXT DAY. VERY GOOD.
>> YES. THANK YOU. THE TEAM WILL BE HERE ON THE MAY 28TH BOARD MEETING TO SHARE THAT PLAN WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY AND WITH THE FULL BOARD OF EDUCATION.
>> THAT WAS EVERY COMMITTEE ALMOST.
>> I'M PREPARED TO REPORT WHAT HAPPENED, BUT DO YOU WANT ME TO GO AHEAD WITH THAT?
>> I'LL JUMP IN. YES. WELLNESS HAD THEIR FINAL MEETING.
YESTERDAY. WHAT WE TRY TO DO IN THE WELLNESS COMMITTEE IS AT THE START OF THE YEAR PICK FOCUS AREAS THAT WE WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT BASED ON DIFFERENT THINGS THAT MEMBERS IDENTIFY.
THIS YEAR, WE HAD FOUR SUBCOMMITTEES, ONE THAT WAS FURTHERING THE WORK THAT WAS DONE LAST YEAR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL WITH GETTING THE ELEMENTARY STAFF TRAINED IN GRIEF FROM NEW YORK LIFE, THAT GRANT THAT A PARENT BROUGHT FORWARD TO US.
ALL OF THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WERE TRAINED AND RECEIVED SOME GRANT MONEY TO ORDER MATERIALS ON BOOKS.
WE HAD AN SEL SUBCOMMITTEE THAT DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WORKING ON TIERS OF SUPPORT AT ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL FOR SEL, AND IT'LL BE GREAT WORK TO INFORM OUR LARGER SEL COMMITTEE THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE FORMING AS A DISTRICT THROUGH THE RECOVS GRANT.
WE HAD THE ADULT WELLNESS SUBCOMMITTEE AND RIGHT NOW THAT WAS FOCUSING ON TRYING TO GAIN SPACE FOR A FACULTY ROOM AT THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE TEACHERS.
I KNOW THEY WERE TALKING TO MR. LLEWELLYN AND DR. TITONE AND WORKING ON AREAS THAT COULD BE POTENTIAL BECAUSE WHILE THEY HAVE OFFICE CUBES, THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A BREAK ROOM OR A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO AND RELAX IN A WAY THAT PULLS THEM AWAY FROM THEIR COMPUTERS.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE COULD DO FOR ADULT WELLNESS, MOVING FORWARD FOR NEXT YEAR, WALKING CLUBS, TEACHER OLYMPICS THAT WOULD BE JUDGED BY THE KIDS.
THAT WOULD BE FUN BY LIVE WORK.
THOSE WERE JUST OTHER IDEAS FROM THIS COMMITTEE AND THEN THE LAST COMMITTEE WAS A PHYSICAL MOVEMENT COMMITTEE.
HOW WE CAN INFUSE MORE PHYSICAL MOVEMENT INTO THE DAY FOR ALL KIDS.
THEY DID DO SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO EXIST.
ALSO AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL FOR MOVEMENT BRAIN BREAKS.
BUT WE DID TALK ABOUT THE IDEA OF SENSORY HALLWAYS,
[3.3 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Personal Growth and Achievement]
WHICH MR. RICKY SHARED WITH US.PUTTING THINGS ON THE FLOOR ISN'T A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE FLOORS NEED TO BE WAXED AND MAINTAINED AND DECALS DON'T STAY WELL, BUT WE'RE GOING TO EXPLORE THE IDEA OF DOING THINGS ON THE WALL.
LIKE A SENSORY HALLWAY WHERE HERE, "STOP HERE, TOUCH YOUR TOES 10 TIMES, HOP TO THE NEXT THING." A FUN WAY FOR KIDS TO JUST ADD MOVEMENT TO THE NORMAL COURSE OF TRANSITIONING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
THAT'S WHAT WE DID IN WELLNESS THIS YEAR.
>> FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS. WELL DONE.
>> WITH ALL THE COMMITTEES MEETING.
NEXT IS 3.3, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT.
>> LAST I WAS HERE REPORTING, I SHARED THE ISSUES THAT OUR DISTRICT AND MANY HUNDREDS OF DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE EXPERIENCED WHEN WE ATTEMPTED TO ADMINISTER OUR K-3 THROUGH EIGHT ELA EXAMS. WHICH HAD TWO ATTEMPTS ON OUR SCHEDULED DATES AND BOTH WERE EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC.
AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL MINUTES ATTEMPTING TO LOG IN TO THE STATE CONTRACTED PLATFORM, WE DECIDED TO ABANDON ASSESSING ON BOTH THOSE DAYS AND WE MOVED AND RESCHEDULED THEM TO AFTER APRIL BREAK.
[00:40:03]
AS I SAID HERE TODAY, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THAT ADMINISTRATION OF THE ELA EXAMS WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH.THE STATE CONTRACTED PLATFORM USED THE TIME TO WORK OUT THE KINKS, AND WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED A NEW YORK STATE ASSESSMENTS IN GRADES 3-8, AND WE'RE MOVING TO MATH.
TOMORROW BEGINS MATH ASSESSING, AND THEN WE'LL CONTINUE THAT THROUGH THE GRADES, AND THEN FINALLY, WE'LL END WITH SCIENCE, WHICH WILL COMPLETE ALL OF OUR NEW YORK STATE ASSESSMENTS FOR THIS YEAR.
WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS THAT AND THE PLATFORM SEEMS TO BE WORKING.
ALSO, AP TESTING, WHICH THIS YEAR IS ENTIRELY COMPUTER-BASED ALSO HAS BEGUN THIS WEEK, AND WE JUST WANT TO SEND ALL OF OUR STUDENTS THE WELL WISHES ON ALL THEIR ASSESSMENTS THAT THEY'LL BE SITTING FOR IN THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AS WE MARCH TOWARDS THE END OF SCHOOL.
AS MANY OF US KNOW, THIS YEAR MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PELHAM EDUCATION FOUNDATION, CELEBRATING THREE DECADES OF ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF OUR STUDENTS' EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES BY FUNDING PROGRAMS GOING BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE ANNUAL SCHOOL BUDGET.
THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR KICKED OFF WITH A CELEBRATION THIS PAST FRIDAY EVENING IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE MANY OF THE GRANTS THAT PAP HAS AWARDED TO THE DISTRICT OVER THE YEARS.
IT WAS WONDERFUL TO SEE OUR STUDENT PERFORMANCES USING THE MANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS THAT PEF HAS AWARDED GRANTS FOR IN THE DISTRICT, THE HARP WAS THERE THAT WE APPROVED THIS YEAR.
THE SUZUKI GUITARS WERE THERE AND MANY MORE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND STUDENTS PERFORMING WITH THEM.
IN ADDITION, THE PING PONG TABLES WERE THERE, THE ADIRONDACK CHAIRS WERE THERE.
ALL OF THESE AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES THAT PEF HAS PROVIDED TO STUDENTS [NOISE] AND TEACHERS IN OUR DISTRICT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.
THEN OF COURSE, ON SATURDAY, THE EXECUTIVE BOARD STARTED EARLY BY DISTRIBUTING ALL THE BLUE RIBBONS THROUGHOUT PELHAM TO ALL THE HOUSEHOLDS WHO SUPPORTED PEF THIS YEAR.
WE ARE CONTINUALLY GRATEFUL TO PEF FOR THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THAT THEY PROVIDE TO OUR SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS SO THAT THEY CAN ENRICH AND ENHANCE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER TO OUR STUDENTS. THAT'S IT.
THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE TRACY 3.4 ASSISTANT
[3.4 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Belonging and Wellness]
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE ON BELONGING AND WELLNESS.>> THANK YOU. LAST TUESDAY, APRIL 29TH, WE HAD OUR FIRST SESSION THAT WAS HELD OF ITS TYPE, WHICH WAS TO SUPPORT PARENTS AND STUDENTS WITH IPS AND 504 PLANS AS THEY PREPARE FROM TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE EVENT WAS TO CLARIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DISABILITY SERVICES OUTLINING THE CHANGES IN LEGAL PROTECTIONS, STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE PROCESS FOR ACCESSING ACCOMMODATIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
OUR GUEST SPEAKER WAS MS. KATE SHANNON.
SHE IS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DISABILITIES DEPARTMENT AT MANHATTANVILLE UNIVERSITY.
SHE CAME TO SPEAK WITH OUR PARENTS AND A COUPLE OF STUDENTS WERE THERE.
IT WAS, I THINK A WELL ATTENDED EVENT FOR FIRST GO ROUND AND VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.
VERY WELL RECEIVED. THE PARENTS WERE VERY THANKFUL.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING THAT ANNUAL EVENT EVERY YEAR WITH OUR COUNSELING DEPARTMENT.
>> THAT WAS THE FIRST MEETING OF ITS KIND.
>> I THINK IT WAS A GOOD TURNOUT.
I THINK YOU NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO LOOK TO EXPAND OTHER UNIVERSITIES THAT HAVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FORMATS.
I TALKED ABOUT WITH MR. FARRELL ALSO INVITING SOME STUDENTS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO COME BACK AND SPEAK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE, ACCESSING SERVICES ON CAMPUSES.
IT WAS I THOUGHT A REALLY GREAT EVENT.
JUST ALSO WANTED TO MENTION OUR RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM COACHING MODEL THIS YEAR WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.
THIS YEAR WAS JUST TWO BUILDINGS THAT WE'RE GETTING COACHING, PROSPECT AND COLONIAL.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE COACHES, RESPONSIVE CLASSROOMS CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER, THEIR DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS, JUST FOR A CHECK-IN.
THEY'RE FINISHING UP, I THINK THAT A COUPLE MORE THINGS TO MEET ON.
BUT THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT ON THIS NEW COACHING MODEL FROM THE PRINCIPALS AND THE TEACHERS.
WE LOOK FORWARD NEXT YEAR TO HUTCHINSON AND SIMONI,
[00:45:03]
WHO WILL GET THE COACHING MODEL NEXT YEAR.CHAMP, MYSELF AND MS. CARUSO FROM PELHAM TOGETHER, MET WITH AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS.
THAT IS THE COMPANY THAT PRODUCES AND HELPS US GATHER THE DATA FOR OUR STUDENT RESILIENCE SURVEY, WHICH WE ADMINISTER TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 8, 10, AND 12.
THAT WAS ADMINISTERED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
WE WENT OVER THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS.
WE DON'T HAVE THE FULL REPORT YET, BUT ONCE WE DO, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SPEAK IN MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE FINDINGS AND BE ABLE TO SHARE MORE WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
LASTLY, AND I THINK, CLAIRE TOUCHDOWN, THERE'S A LOT OF TESTING GOING ON.
AP EXAMS STARTED THIS WEEK AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MAY 16TH.
OVER 900 EXAMS ARE GOING TO BE ADMINISTERED THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS THAT ARE IN THE THROES OF TAKING APS, IT'S A HUGE UNDERTAKING FOR THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT TO ORGANIZE SCHEDULE, SET UP PROCTORS, ROOM ASSIGNMENTS.
I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. FARRELL, AND ALL THE COUNSELORS FOR SUPPORTING WITH THAT.
THEN, AS EVERYONE MENTIONED, TODAY IS SCHOOL NURSE DAY.
I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE ENTIRE TEAM AS WELL.
OUR SCHOOL NURSES ARE JUST INCREDIBLE HUMANS.
THEY'RE DEDICATED, THEIR CARE, THE PROFESSIONALISM, MAKE SUCH A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ALL OF OUR KIDS, AND WHETHER IT'S A SCRAPED KNEE, A CHRONIC CONDITION, OR JUST BEING A COMFORTING PRESENCE.
IT'S THE PLACE WHERE A LOT OF KIDS LIKE TO GO TO, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE WITH JUST COMPASSION AND CALM AND THEY MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE HEALTHY, SAFE, AND READY TO LEARN.
THEY'RE THE UNSUNG HEROES, BUT THEY'RE ESSENTIAL TO MANY OF OUR STUDENTS SUCCESS.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THEM. THEY DO SUCH A GREAT JOB.
>> WELL, I HAVE A COMMENT. I'M GLAD TO KNOW THAT THE TRANSITION MEETING WENT REALLY WELL, AND I'M SO GLAD TO KNOW THAT THAT'S A RESOURCE THAT YOU'LL CONSIDER BRINGING BACK MAKING A YEARLY THING FOR OUR FAMILIES BECAUSE THAT TRANSITION IS A REALLY SCARY TIME WHEN YOU'RE MOVING FROM YOUR COMFORTABLE EXAMPLES HERE AND NOW INTO THE WIDER WORLD AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, NOW MY KID HAS TO LEARN HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO HELP THEM AND CAN THEY DO IT? THAT'S SO NICE THAT WE CAN HELP PARENTS NAVIGATE THAT OFTEN REALLY UNEASY TIME.
THANK YOU TO THE TEAM AND FOR THINKING ABOUT THAT AND BRINGING THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY HERE.
MY QUESTION IS, DID WE HAVE THERAPY DOGS IN THE BUILDING THIS WEEK FOR THE TEST.
>> I THINK THAT WAS REALLY COOL.
I LOVED IT WHEN I WALKED INTO THE BUILDING AND I SAW THE DOGS AND THEY WERE SO SOFT AND JUST HAPPY.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AGAIN? HOW IS THAT COMMUNICATED?
>> THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME.
I THINK WE HAD THEM LAST YEAR. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE FIRST.
>> WHICH SCHOOLS WERE THE THERAPY DOGS IN?
>> THE HIGH SCHOOL [OVERLAPPING]
>> THAT'S SO ORGANIZED. [OVERLAPPING] I THINK IT'S ORGANIZED THROUGH THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT.
>> WELL, THE THERAPY DOGS WERE AWESOME.
>> WAS EVER RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
THANK YOU. [LAUGHTER] PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING.
[LAUGHTER] ALL THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK HAS BEEN FILED.
>> I'M SORRY. I MOVED DOWN IN MY AGENDA.
[3.5 Executive Director's Update on Human Resources and Leadership]
>> 3.5. EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS UPDATE ON HUMAN RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU.
>> [NOISE] THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING.
AS WE'RE WINDING DOWN A SCHOOL YEAR, WE'RE ALSO THINKING ABOUT NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
WE'RE BUSY HIRING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR TEACHERS ALL IN PLACE FOR THE FALL.
A BIG SHOUT OUT AND THANK YOU TO OUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM WHO HAVE BEEN LEADING HIRING TEAM SINCE FEBRUARY, AND WE HAVE SEVERAL POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE FILLED ALREADY, INCLUDING OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE, OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH, AND OUR HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE POSITIONS.
WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF FILLING OUR SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOME SPECIAL EDUCATION POSITIONS.
WE ALSO RECENTLY HAD AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER WHO HAS TAKEN OVER THE SIXTH GRADE MATH POSITION.
[00:50:02]
WE'RE NOW LOOKING TO HIRE AN ELEMENTARY TEACHER POSITION.WE ARE HALFWAY THERE, AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL GET TO THE FINISH LINE BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, BUT OUR TEAMS ARE REALLY DOING AN AMAZING JOB, SCREENING CANDIDATES, BRINGING CANDIDATES WITH THEIR FOCUS GROUPS, WATCHING DEMO LESSONS AND BRINGING FOR SOME REALLY TALENTED POOL OF CANDIDATES.
I'M REALLY EXCITED FOR THE PEOPLE WE ALREADY HAVE HIRED AND I'M ANXIOUS TO SEE WHO THE NEW BATCH THAT WILL BE COMING WILL BE, BUT SO MORE TO COME ON THAT.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS A PROCESS THAT WE STARTED BACK IN JANUARY WHEN WE DID OUR POSTINGS.
WE POSTED THROUGH THE NEW YORK TIMES, WE POSTED THROUGH OLS.
THEN FROM THERE, WE ALSO DID SOME VIRTUAL JOB FAIRS.
WE'VE REACHED OUT TO LOCAL [NOISE] UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES WITH OUR LISTINGS OF POSTING.
WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT ON THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE AND SO FAR SO GOOD, WE'VE BEEN HIRING SOME AMAZING CANDIDATES WELCOME. THAT'S IT FOR ME.
>> THANK YOU. [OVERLAPPING] GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY TO YOU, DR. FITZGERALD, THAT YOUR REPORTS ARE ALWAYS SO DENSE WITH THE AMOUNT OF POSITIONS AND THINGS THAT YOU'RE JUGGLING IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S ALWAYS SOME POSITION BEING FILLED BUT THEN A NEW ONE COMING UP.
I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPRESSIVE THE AMOUNT OF WORK IT TAKES, BUT ALSO CREATIVITY, INNOVATION, THAT YOU HAVE AN INITIATIVE THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN IN THIS HIRING THE HIRING PROCESSES AND THE COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BRINGING THE HIGHEST CALIBER TALENT TO OUR DISTRICT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE PUTTING IN TO THIS.
>> THANK YOU. I COULDN'T SAY IT'S JUST ME.
I REALLY HAVE A WHOLE TEAM BEHIND ME DOING A LOT OF THIS WORK BECAUSE I COULDN'T MANAGE THIS BY MYSELF.
I THINK THIS YEAR IS A LEARNING CURVE, OBVIOUSLY FOR ME, SO I'M JUST TRYING TO THROW EVERYTHING AT THE WALL AND SEE WHAT STICKS.
[LAUGHTER] THAT'S HOW WE LEARN.
>> BUT I DO I AGREE THAT IT HAS EVOLVED SINCE YOU HAVE MOVED INTO THIS ROLE.
TO BE MUCH MORE ROBUST, THE THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.
[3.6 Assistant Superintendent's Update on Facilities and Sustainable Learning Environments]
WE HAVE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS DATE FACILITIES AND SUSTAINABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. JIM.>> TERRIFIC [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU, AND GOOD EVENING.
I'LL TOUCH ON A COUPLE OF THINGS BRIEFLY WITH OUR FACILITIES GROUP.
AS YOU DRIVE DOWN LINCOLN AVENUE BY HUTCHINSON, YOU MAY SEE AT THE CORNER OF HUTCH, WE HAVE A LITTLE POCKET PARK.
WE'VE ADDED SOME NEW MONUMENTS.
ON THAT SITE, WORKING WITH FAMILIES.
THESE WERE MONUMENTS THAT WERE EITHER TAKEN OFF OF THE FORMER HUTCHINSON BUILDING OR WERE IN AND AROUND THAT LOCATION.
WE HAVE THREE PLAQUES THAT HAVE BEEN REINSTALLED.
WE WORKED WITH THE FAMILIES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF AT LEAST TWO OF THE THREE OF THOSE FAMILIES TO REALLY MEMORIALIZE THOSE PLAQUES.
I HAVE TO THANK TOM WARREN, OUR HEAD CUSTODIAN AT CYANOI SCHOOL AFTER WORKING WITH THE WITH THE VENDOR.
WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO GET US WHAT WE WANTED.
TOM OFFERED TO GO AHEAD AND BUILD FABRICATE AND BUILD THE STANDS ON HIS OWN.
WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIS TALENT AND WILLINGNESS TO GO AHEAD AND DO THAT, AND OUR TEAM WENT AHEAD AND PUT THAT IN.
WE'VE HAD SOME CONTACT WITH MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY, AND THEY WERE VERY HAPPY TO SEE, AGAIN, THEIR LOVED ONE.
ONCE AGAIN, THEIR PLAQUE OUT FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME MORE WORK AND SOME LANDSCAPING THERE TOO.
AGAIN, THAT'S HAPPENED RIGHT BY HUTCHINSON IN THAT PARALLEL IN THAT POCKET PARK.
>> CAN I JUMP IN THERE TOO AND JUST SAY, THANKS TO JIM AND TO JOHN CONDON [OVERLAPPING].
>> THAT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE THAT TOOK MANY, MANY YEARS, AND I DO THANK THOSE RESIDENTS FOR THEIR PATIENCE.
>> AS WE APPROACH THE HUTCHINSON PROJECT, I KNOW DR. FITZGERALD REMEMBERS THIS BECAUSE HER HEAD CUSTODIAN, I BELIEVE, CATALOGED EVERY PLAQUE, EVERYTHING ON THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE WE KNEW HOW TO DISRUPT IT ALL.
I JUST APPRECIATE THE FAMILIES THAT TRUSTED US WITH THOSE IMPORTANT MEMENTOS BECAUSE EVERY ONE OF THOSE MEANT SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SOMEBODY IN THE COMMUNITY.
THANK THEM FOR THEIR PATIENCE.
I KNOW IT TOOK A LOT LONGER THAN ANY OF US EXPECTED, BUT WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO FINALLY BRING THAT TO CONCLUSION AND TO BRING BACK THOSE HONORS FOR THEIR FAMILY AND FOR THE HISTORY OF PELHAM.
>> OUR HBC PROJECT FOR THE SUMMER ON THE SITE.
WE HAD AN UPDATE MEETING WITH OUR VENDOR TODAY.
WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE ON TARGET FOR ROLLING OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE, AUGUST 1ST, HOPEFULLY DELIVERY AND WORK COMMENCING AUGUST 6TH WITH THE 20 EACH DAY CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL AND WE'RE STILL ON SCHEDULE THERE.
WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED OUR BUILDING PERMIT FOR THE GLOVER FIELD REPLACEMENT.
AGAIN, THIS IS THE TURF FIELD INSIDE OF THE TRACK.
[00:55:01]
IT'S JUST REALLY THE FIELD REPLACEMENT.WE'RE IN THE FINAL STAGES THERE.
WE'VE GOT OUR CONTRACT SIGNED, WE HAVE A BUILDING PERMIT, AND THAT WORK SHOULD BEGIN IN MID JUNE AFTER WE'VE WORKED WITH THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AND WITH OUR TOWN RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE THAT EFFORT.
AGAIN, THE WHOLE IDEA IS, LET'S START IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HAVE IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE READY FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOL.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
MENTION, WE'VE HAD A BUNCH OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS, SO I WON'T REPEAT THAT AGAIN WITH THE BOARD.
THIS EVENING, WE HAVE A RECOMMENDATION FOR SIX BID RECOMMENDATIONS FOR OUR FACILITIES GROUP.
THESE ARE ITEMS WHERE WE'VE GONE OUT TO PUBLIC BID.
WE'VE EVALUATED THOSE BIDS FOR PRICING AND FOR THE QUALITY OF THE VENDOR AS WELL, AND BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FACILITIES DEPARTMENT, WE'VE BROUGHT THEM FORWARD.
TONIGHT, WE HAVE A BUDGET HEARING.
IT'S IRONIC THOUGH, YOU'RE DOING A BUDGET HEARING AFTER THE BOARD HAS ADOPTED THE BUDGET AND THE FOCUS IS GOING TO BE ADDED IF NOT AT EVERYONE'S DOORSTEP ALREADY THERE SHORTLY.
[NOISE] IT'S INTERESTING HAVING IT NOW, BUT IT'S A STATE REQUIREMENT, SO WE'RE FOLLOWING THAT.
WE'RE GETTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE BUDGET.
I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT TALK ABOUT IT LIKE A RATINGS CALL BECAUSE NOTHING'S BEEN SIGNED AND NOTHING'S BEEN FINALIZED.
BUT BASED ON THE EARLY RUNS THAT WE'RE RECEIVING, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE LESS MONEY.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY, WHICH IS NICE, BUT CERTAINLY MORE IS BETTER THAN LESS.
ONCE WE HAVE THOSE FINAL NUMBERS, WE'LL PROVIDE THAT ANALYSIS TO THE BOARD AND THAT'LL BE MADE PUBLIC.
>> I JUST WANT TO ADD ANOTHER PIECE THERE TOO.
THANKS TO ASSEMBLY WOMAN PAULIN.
>> I APOLOGIZE THAT JIM AND I HAVE BEEN TEXTING A LITTLE MORE THAN USUAL TONIGHT.
WE LITERALLY WERE GETTING THE UPDATED STATE RUNS AS WE'RE SITTING HERE TONIGHT ON OUR BUDGET ADOPTION EVENING.
[LAUGHTER] WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THOSE NUMBERS CORRECT, BUT WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT SHE AND ALL OF OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO DELIVER FOR PELHAM AND ONCE AGAIN.
>> AGAIN, TO QUOTE YOGI BERRA, IT'S LIKE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN.
[LAUGHTER] IT ISN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER.
WE'RE GOING TO WHEN IT'S ALL DONE, IT'LL BE DONE.
TO TOP PUPPIES, THERE'S GOING TO BE BABY GOATS IN THE FUTURE SOMEWHERE.
[LAUGHTER] LET ME JUST DROP THAT TEASE OUT THERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, AND THEY'RE ALSO PROPERLY INSURED AND PAPERED.
BUT THAT'S TO COME, AND THAT'S NEXT.
>> THAT'S A WAY TO END A REPORT. [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU DON'T GET TO SAY THAT A LOT, DO YOU? [LAUGHTER]
>> YOU KNOW, BABY GOATS SO COME VERY OFTEN.
>> I'LL END UP WITH BABY GOATS.
>> THANK YOU. WE DO NOT HAVE ANYONE HERE FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AND WE HAD THEM EARLIER.
WE'LL MOVE TO 5.1. I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO RECESS THE BUSINESS MEETING AND CONVENE THE BUDGET HEARING.
[5. State Mandated Budget Hearing]
>> THERE'S A CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
>> YES, SO 5.2 AND 5.3 IS 5.2 IS A CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> WE ACTUALLY 5.3 IS A DUPLICATE.
I THINK THAT WAS WERE ON MY POINT.
>> BUT IF THERE'S NO ONE HERE, DO WE DO THIS OR NOT?
>> TECHNICALLY WE ALL [OVERLAPPING].
>> I WOULD JUST GOING TO ASK ONE LAST TIME.
IF THE BOARD HAD ANY QUESTIONS OR ANY FURTHER COMMENTS WHILE WE'RE IN THE HEARING PERIOD, AS YOU SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT PER SE, BUT JUST ANY FINAL THOUGHTS.
>> THE STATE BUDGET DOES NOT IMPACT WHAT THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET IS.
THE DISTRICT'S BUDGET IS SET AT THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT.
>> WE ARE BEYOND THE POINT OF BEING ABLE TO CHANGE THAT?
>> NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS ON THE BUDGET.
>> THANK YOU. WE CAN MOVE TO 5.4, A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE BUDGET HEARING AND RECONVENE THE BUSINESS MEETING.
>> NONE OPPOSE. WE'RE BACK IN THE BUSINESS MEETING.
>> PROBABLY GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH 3.16.
>> BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT [OVERLAPPING] 6.2.
WAIT. WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK? ALL THE WAY TO THE [INAUDIBLE].
ACTUALLY, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE TREASURER'S REPORT
[6.1 Motion to Accept Treasurer's Report for the Period Ended March 31, 2025]
FOR THE PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31ST, 2025?[01:00:01]
>> ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? NO. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> NONE OPPOSED, SO THAT MOTION CARRIES.
[6.2 Motion to Approve the 2025-2026 WPSBA Annual Meeting Ballot]
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2025 2026 WESTCHESTER PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING BALLOTS?>> THIS IS A BALLOT TO APPROVE THE BUDGET, AS WELL AS TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF WHICH KATHRYN COHEN. [OVERLAPPING].
>> THE ONE SAYING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE BOARD.
ON THE SLATE BEFORE THE BOARD?
>> THERE'S ONE OF OUR OWN IN THAT SLATE.
KATHRYN'S GOING TO BE REPRESENTING PELHAM, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO VOTE FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU. WHICH MEANS YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR THIS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [LAUGHTER]
>> I WOULD ADD TO THAT TOO. I KNOW KATHRYN HAS ALREADY JUST DOVI ROLLED YOUR SLEEVES UP AND GOT RIGHT IN, ESPECIALLY ON ADVOCACY EFFORTS, STATE LEVEL, LOCAL LEVEL.
I THINK THE BACKGROUND THAT YOU BRING TO THIS WORK IS ALREADY SO EVIDENT.
TO ESTABLISH YOURSELF AT THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION ALREADY WITH YOUR FIRST YEAR ON THE BOARD IS PRETTY DISTINGUISHED.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND THIS.
I KNOW YOU AND I COMMUNICATE A LOT ON ADVOCACY ISSUES, AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO REPRESENT US WELL AND YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY BRING A LOT TO WEST PUT, SO GO YOU [OVERLAPPING]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SAYING THAT.
>> IS THAT HOW IT'S ABBREVIATED WEST PUT?
>> THAT'S HOW OFTEN WE TEND TO.
WESTCHESTER PUTNAM SCHOOL BOARD, SO WEST PUT.
>> HOW OFTEN DO THEY MEET? MEET AS A BOARD.
>> HOW OFTEN DO THEY MEET AS A BOARD? THEY ME NOT I DON'T KNOW I CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MUCH THEY SAID THEY MET IT.
I THINK IT'S LIKE ONCE A MONTH OR ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH, THEY MEET AS A BOARD.
BUT THEY DO ALL AS NEW BOARD MEMBERS, [INAUDIBLE] AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, WE DID THEIR.
>> NEW BOARD MEMBER GOVERNANCE TRAINING.
THEY DO A LOT OF BOARD DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES AND PUT OUT A LOT OF THINGS THAT BOARD MEMBERS CAN ACCESS TO HELP THEM SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR WORK AS BOARD MEMBERS, WHICH IS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE AND HOW TO COMMUNICATE, THEY DO A LOT OF ED LAW LUNCHES AND HELP DIVE INTO THE DETAILS ON SOME OF THESE REALLY MORE COMPLICATED OR ISSUES THAT COME UP FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHO HELPS SET THAT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROGRAMMING IS GOING TO BE FOR THE YEAR AND WHAT WE NEED.
THEY REPRESENT, I THINK IT'S 54 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
I THINK THERE'S ONLY 22 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OR 24.
DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT. SORRY, KAREN.
I'M GETTING ANYTHING WRONG, BUT NOT NOT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD, AND WE HAVEN'T HAD SOMEBODY FROM PELHAM IN A LONG TIME.
I THINK THE LAST TIME I DON'T REMEMBER THOUGH.
I THINK IT'S BEEN MAYBE A DECADE, BUT I DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.
IT'S REALLY GREAT TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AT THIS FOR PELHAM TO MAKE SURE THAT PELHAM IS A PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT PELHAM CAN BE REPRESENTED IN THE IN THE LARGER SCALE, THE HIGHER LEVEL.
ALSO BEING ABLE TO HELP SET OR PROVIDE THE RESOURCES FOR BOARDS BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WE DO IS REALLY COMPLICATED AND VERY LAYERED, AND I THINK THE MORE SUPPORT WE CAN HAVE AND ACCESS IS ALWAYS GOOD. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS. [OVERLAPPING]
>> YES, WE HAVE TO VOTE. [OVERLAPPING] WERE ARE VOTING FOR THE BUDGET AND FOR THE BOARD. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THAT MOTION CARRIES. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS.
[6.3 Motion to award contract for Bid #1 – 2025/2026 – Fire Alarm Maintenance]
[6.4 Motion to award contract for Bid #2 – 2025/2026 – Elevator Preventive Maintenance]
[6.5 Motion To Award Contract For Bid #3 – 2025/2026 – Installation Of Data Cables]
[6.6 Motion To Award Contract For Bid #4 – 2025/2026 – Installation/Service & Repair Of Asphalt, Concrete, Drainage, Sewer, Curbing, Steps And Walls]
[6.7 Motion To Award Contract For Bid #5 – 2025/2026 – Chain Link Fence Repair]
[6.8 Motion To Award Contract For Bid #6 – 2025/2026 – Backflow Testing & Reporting]
[6.9 Motion Pertaining to the Annual School District Budget Vote and Member Election]
[6.10 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]
[6.11 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]
[6.12 Motion to Approve Administrators' Grant for Continuing Education in the 2024-2025 School Year]
HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE A CONSENT AGENDA 6.12?>> DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?
>> I WOULD JUST ADD THAT JIM TOUCHED ON MANY OF THESE ALREADY.
[01:05:01]
THERE'S A COUPLE MORE ITEMS RELATED TO THE UPCOMING VOTE AND THE ADMINISTRATORS GRANTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT LAST TIME ARE BEING BROUGHT BACK TODAY PER THE CONTRACTUAL ENTITLEMENTS, PER THEIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS.>> THAT MOTION CARRIES. WE'LL MOVE TO 6.13.
[6.13 Motion to Deny Transportation Appeal Action]
CAN I TAKE A MOTION TO DENY A TRANSPORTATION APPEAL, NUMBER 20242025 RECEIVED ON MAY 1ST, 2025?>> IT'S ALSO NUMBER ONE IN THERE.
>> I'LL SAY IT AGAIN. MOTION TO DENY A TRANSPORTATION APPEAL, 2024-2025-01 RECEIVED ON MAY 1ST, 2025?
>> ANY OF ABSTENTION? I ABSTAINED.
JUST TO TALK ABOUT THAT FOR A MINUTE.
THE FAMILY WHO MADE THE APPEAL WILL BE RECEIVING AN E-MAIL TO OUTLINING WHY THAT DECISION WAS MADE.
DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ACCEPT DONATIONS?
[6.14 Motion to Accept Donations]
>> THIS IS A DONATION FOR $1,000 FOR THE DR. ARABINDA GUHA SCHOLARSHIP FUND, AND THAT GRATITUDE BE BESTOWED UPON ITS DONOR, THE GUHA FAMILY.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE PELHAM FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THAT WAS ONE.
THERE'S SEVERAL DONATIONS IN HERE.
ONE, WE'LL THANK THE GUHA FAMILY FOR DONATING $1,000 FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
THERE'S ANOTHER DONATION FROM.
>> FROM THE FRIENDS OF PELHAM SPORTS, IT'S $759.20 TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF A FAN BUS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL GAME AT THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY CENTER.
THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS OF PELHAM SPORTS.
>> RELATED TO THE REGENERON SCIENCE TALENT SEARCH.
>> THIS IS THE $4,000 THAT COMES TO THE SCHOOL.
>> 2,000 FOR EACH STUDENT WHO WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE STS COMPETITION.
TWO STUDENTS RECOGNIZE THIS YEAR, THEREFORE, THE $4,000 TOTAL THAT GOES BACK TO THE SCHOOL.
>> AMAZING. THANK YOU TO THE GUHA FAMILY, THE FRIENDS OF PELHAM SPORTS, AND TO.
>> TO THE STUDENTS WHO WON THIS MONEY
>> THANK YOU TO THE STUDENTS WHO BROUGHT THAT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FRIENDS OF PELHAM SPORTS BECAUSE WE ACCEPT A LOT OF DONATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THEY'RE ALL WONDERFUL.
BUT IT'S SUCH A GREAT THING TO COVER FOR THE FAN BUS BECAUSE IT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO GO SEE THEIR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AND ROOT FOR THEM.
I DO WISH THEM WELL, I HOPE THEY WIN, BRING BACK A TROPHY, BUT IT'S REALLY NICE FOR THEM TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT DOES ALLOW KIDS TO PARTICIPATE AND ROOT ON AND CHEER FOR THEIR FRIENDS.
IT'S A GOOD THING TO DO FOR SPORTS.
>> WE CAN'T ALWAYS DO IT SOMETIMES IF IT'S OUTSIDE OF THE IMMEDIATE AREA THAT PRESENTS SOME ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES.
BUT IT'S SOMETHING MR. TUMS. I THINK HE WAS ABLE TO DO THIS BACK IN SEASON PRIOR AS WELL.
>> THOSE DONATION, THE MOTION CARRIED. THANK YOU, EVERYONE.
WE'LL MOVE TO 7.1. IT'S THE FIRST READING
[7.1 Policy 7110 - Comprehensive Student Attendance Policy (First Reading)]
FOR POLICY 7110 COMPREHENSIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE POLICY.>> SAID I'M HAPPY TO TAKE THIS ONE ON.
>> AT OUR LAST POLICY COMMITTEE, WE BROUGHT THIS POLICY FOR FIRST REVIEW.
AGAIN, ONE OF THE MANY THINGS FOLLOWING THE PANDEMIC IS WE'VE HAD A LOT MORE FOCUS ON ATTENDANCE, JUST LOOKING AT ATTENDANCE PATTERNS AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE AS THE POLICY ITSELF CALLS FOR THAT WE REVIEW ATTENDANCE ON
[01:10:02]
A REGULAR BASIS AND MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO PROMOTE POSITIVE STUDENT ATTENDANCE.ADDITIONALLY, WE REALIZED IN REVIEWING THAT INTERNALLY, THERE WAS SOME INCONSISTENCIES IN CODES THAT WERE BEING USED, HOW THEY WERE BEING APPLIED, AND JUST HOW SOME OF THE PROVISIONS IN IT WERE BEING APPROACHED.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS BRING THE CONSISTENCY TO IT, ALSO MAKE IT MATCH CURRENT PRACTICE.
THESE ARE REALLY, IN ESSENCE, SOME JUST ALIGNING TO CURRENT PRACTICE AND BRINGING THOSE CONSISTENCIES.
HAVING BEEN A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MYSELF IN THE PAST AND HAVING DEALT WITH ATTENDANCE POLICIES.
TO REALLY OVERHAUL AND DO A THOROUGH CHANGE ON ATTENDANCE POLICY, REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES REALLY THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR TO RESEARCH, STUDY, DEBATE, BRING LARGER STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT INTO IT TO REALLY MAKE A SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE.
THAT WASN'T THE GOAL THIS TIME AROUND.
THIS WAS TO JUST UPDATE IT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE IN OUR PRACTICE MATCHES OUR POLICY.
IT IS SOMETHING WE MAY WANT TO LOOK AT IN A DEEPER WAY GOING FORWARD.
ALSO, WHEN YOU MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES, IT THEN REQUIRES AT LEAST A COUPLE OF YEARS OF THAT BEING YOUR REALLY SOLE FOCUS IN IMPLEMENTATION.
ATTENDANCE OBVIOUSLY IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE TIME ON TASK IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.
OUR STARTING POINT FOR THIS YEAR REALLY WAS JUST MARRY THAT POLICY AND PRACTICE AND GET SOME CONSISTENCY AS OUR STARTING BASELINE.
THE CHANGES THAT YOU SEE HERE BASICALLY REALLY WERE DONE WITH THAT GOAL.
CLARIFYING LANGUAGE, CLEANING IT UP AND REFLECTING MORE OF WHAT IT IS THAT WE'RE DOING, WE CERTAINLY WENT OVER THIS WITH OUR ATTORNEY AS WELL, AS WE ALWAYS DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.
WE WANT TO PROVIDE JUST AGAIN SOME MORE CLARITY THROUGHOUT THAT WILL HELP BUILDING ADMINISTRATORS AS THEY ADMINISTER THE BUILDING TO HAVE CONSISTENCY AND TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY THE EXPECTATION TO FAMILIES.
WHILE THIS POLICY ITSELF IS EIGHT PAGES LONG, WE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PROVIDE BASICALLY A PLAIN LANGUAGE VERSION AND THAT'S WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN THE STUDENT HANDBOOKS.
WE'RE BRINGING TO YOU NOW ONCE ADOPTED, THE PRINCIPALS WILL TAKE THAT AND THEN MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED IN THEIR STUDENT HANDBOOKS SO THAT THEY'RE READY FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO POINT BY POINT.
I THINK THE BOARD HAS THE RED LINE VERSION, SO YOU CAN CERTAINLY SEE THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.
I JUST BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT ANY OF THOSE CHANGES MAY BRING TO MIND.
>> DO YOU WANT TO MAYBE HIGHLIGHT THE MOST IMPORTANT OR SIGNIFICANT OR RELEVANT CHANGES? LIKE WHAT'S THE ANYTHING IN HERE THAT?
>> I WOULD SAY SOME OF IT WAS JUST BASIC PROCEDURAL OF CLARIFYING THINGS LIKE A NOTE NEEDING TO BE PROVIDED WITHIN 48 HOURS TO THE MAIN OFFICE, CALLING IN DAILY, PROVIDING A WRITTEN NOTE WITHIN 48 HOURS, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THOSE THINGS MAY LAG, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TIGHTENING UP AROUND THERE.
THAT'S IMPORTANT, I'D SAY, ESPECIALLY AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL WHERE EXCUSED VERSUS UNEXCUSED ABSENCES HAVE DIFFERENT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WORK THAT STUDENTS DO, THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE UP THAT WORK, WHICH OF COURSE, THEN IMPACTS THEIR GRADES.
WE WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE EXPECTATION WAS.
THERE WERE NO SURPRISES FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS, AND THAT GIVES OUR ADMINISTRATORS THE ABILITY TO THEN CONSISTENTLY ENFORCE THAT.
THE OTHER THING THAT I THINK IS PROBABLY, WHEN IT WAS MORE ADJUSTING THE POLICY TO MATCH PRACTICE, WE CERTAINLY ARE CONCERNED WHEN THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF ABSENCES, AND WE DO HAVE MORE STUDENTS STRUGGLING REALLY WITH MENTAL HEALTH RELATED ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACTING ATTENDANCE.
THE WAY THE POLICY WAS DRAFTED IN THE PAST WAS THAT STUDENTS WOULD LOSE CREDIT ONCE THEY REACH A CERTAIN THRESHOLD OF ABSENCES.
OF COURSE, IF THEY'RE EXCUSED, THAT DOESN'T APPLY.
WHEN THEY'RE UNEXCUSED, THAT IT DOES APPLY.
THERE WERE SOME PIECES AROUND THAT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF SOME OF THE SITUATIONS, THERE WAS A LOT OF INCONSISTENCY.
WHAT WE DID HERE AS WELL, AND THERE WERE SOME PIECES OF IT, TO BE HONEST THAT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, FOR WHATEVER REASONS WERE NOT BEING ENFORCED.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS MAKE SURE OUR POLICY AND OUR PRACTICE MATCHED.
WE WANT TO HOLD AN EXPECTATION OF EXCELLENCE.
ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WE DO HAVE UNIQUE SITUATIONS WHERE STUDENTS NEED MORE FLEXIBILITY.
BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S NOT JUST IN ISOLATION.
THAT'S A WORKING WITH THE TEAM, THE COUNSELING TEAM, THE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM, THE TEACHER, IT MIGHT BE MTSS MIGHT BE INVOLVED IN THAT, MTSS COMMITTEE.
CERTAINLY THE COUNSELORS AND CLINICAL STAFF ARE INVOLVED IN THAT.
THERE'S PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS, DOCUMENTATION.
WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS CREATE AN EXPECTATION BUT WITH ENOUGH SPACE FOR FLEXIBILITY.
THAT IF THERE WAS ABUSE OF THE POLICY, AND THERE WAS REALLY NO REASON.
[01:15:01]
IF A STUDENT SKIPPING A CLASS 40 TIMES JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE COMING, IT HAS TO BE A NATURAL CONSEQUENCE TO THAT.BUT IF THERE ARE OTHER COMPLICATING FACTORS AND THE TEAM IS WORKING TOGETHER AND PROVIDING THE NEEDED TO SUPPORT? WE ALSO DIDN'T WANT TO PUT STUDENTS IN A POSITION OF GENUINELY TRYING AS HARD AS THEY CAN AND STILL HAVING THOSE COMPLICATING FACTORS CAUSE THEM TO THEM POTENTIALLY LOSE CREDIT.
AGAIN, WE WANT TO HOLD AN EXPECTATION, BUT ALLOW FOR THE HUMANITY AND THE FLEXIBILITY THAT'S NEEDED, ESPECIALLY IN A POST PANDEMIC WORLD.
IT'S THE MAJOR PIECES THAT I SAY.
>> WOULD ANOTHER CHANGE THAT I JUST GLANCED AT THAT MAYBE CONSISTENT WITH THAT IS WHERE IT USED TO SEEM TO READ IS LIKE ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE MEANS YOU CAN'T DO EXTRACURRICULARS, AND THAT NOW A STUDENT MUST ATTEND AT LEAST 50% OF CLASSES FOR THE DAY TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULARS.
>> THAT ONE WAS ACTUALLY WE TRIED TO FRAME IT MORE CLEARLY.
THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE IF YOU'RE NOT IN SCHOOL ON A PARTICULAR DAY, THEN YOU'RE GENERALLY NOT GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULARS.
THE WAY IT WAS PHRASED BEFORE, IT WAS ABOUT THE WHOLE DAY.
THE REAL PRACTICE THAT WE HAD BEEN IN IS THAT A STUDENT HAS TO ATTEND AT LEAST 50% OF THE SCHOOL DAY IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE.
THAT WAY IF A STUDENT DID HAVE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT IN THE MORNING, AND THEY MISSED THREE PERIODS, THE WAY IT READ IN THE OLD VERSION WAS YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.
WE WANT TO BE CLEAR, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, YOU HAVE TO BE IN ATTENDANCE AT LEAST 50% OF THE DAY.
OFTEN, I KNOW WE HAD JUNIOR PROM RECENTLY.
THOSE ARE THE DAYS THAT IT DOES COME INTO PLAY TOO BECAUSE I KNOW AGAIN, HAVING BEEN A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
THOSE DAYS ARE PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO PREPARE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO IMPORTANT FOR INSTRUCTION.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF CLARITY.
AGAIN ALL PART OF EXPECTATION SETTING.
SOME OF THIS TOO IS BREAKING SOME HABITS THAT WERE DEVELOPED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES GRAPPLING WITH DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND PROBABLY ACROSS THE WORLD ARE DEALING WITH THAT.
I WOULD ADD TO THAT, TOO, IF STUDENTS ARE SICK, WE WANT THEM STAYING HOME.
THERE IS A LOT OF FACTORS THAT CAUSE US TO COME BACK TO THIS. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THIS IS OUR FIRST READING, SO WE'VE GOT SOME TIME ON THIS.
DEFINITELY DIGEST, AND HAPPY TO COME BACK WITH MORE QUESTIONS IF NEEDED.
IT'S NOT PART OF THE POLICY, BUT AT THE BOTTOM WOULD BE A CONSISTENT DISTRICT LETTER AS WELL.
WE ALSO FOUND DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE LETTER DEPENDING ON THE BUILDING.
WE THOUGHT WE'RE GOING TO TIME TO UPDATE AND GET A FRESH DISTRICT WIDE TEMPLATE THAT'S CONSISTENT, AND THEN THE BUILDING CAN TAILOR IT TO THE UNIQUE SITUATIONS BECAUSE AS YOU READ THAT, YOU SEE BOTH TARDY AND ABSENCE.
THEY WOULD ADJUST THAT AS NEEDED TO THE SITUATION.
BUT LET'S GET IT BACK TO A COMMON CONSISTENT LETTER.
>> THANK YOU. THAT WAS A GREAT EXPLANATION.
>> DO I HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE 8.1-9.1 AS A CONSENT AGENDA?
[8.1 Motion to Approve Schedule A - Instructional]
[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]
[9.1 Motion to Approve Schedule D - Committee on Special Education (Confidential)]
>> NON OPPOSE, THOSE ALL CARRY.
10.1, DO WE HAVE ANY NEW BUSINESS?
>> WE DON'T HAVE THE PUBLIC HERE FOR ANY COMMUNICATIONS.
I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
YES, OF COURSE. YOU HAVE NEW BUSINESS.
>> TODAY WAS OUR FIRST HOME GAME FOR THE UNIFIED BASKETBALL TEAM? IT WAS AMAZING. IT WAS A GREAT GAME WITH PORT CHESTER.
WE LOST BY FOUR POINTS, BUT NEXT WEDNESDAY IS ANOTHER HOME GAME WITH THE UNIFIED BASKETBALL TEAM, SO IF ANYONE CAN COME OUT SUPPORT, PLEASE DO SO.
>> WHAT TIME IS THE GAME 4:30?
>> I THINK THEY START AT 4:00.
>> I FIND THAT FROM MR. SALAT.
>> I THINK IT WOULD BE ON SPORTS U APP ON THERE.
>> DO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENTS HAVE ONE ON?
>> YOU PROBABLY ARE NOT. THE ATHLETICS WEBSITE ALSO POSTS THE LINK TO GAMES.
>> MR. TUMS CAN ALSO TELL YOU.
>> BECAUSE PORT CHESTER HAD A GOOD FAN BASE.
>> THEN MAYBE WE SHOULD CONSIDER IS IT IN LIKE THE NEWSLETTERS? BECAUSE I'M AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT, SO WE'RE NOT IN THAT SYSTEM YET.
WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY KNOW TO CHECK THE ATHLETIC WEBSITE OR REACH OUT TO TUNES.
>> USUALLY WITHIN HIGH SCHOOL I THINK WE ONLY ANNOUNCE WITH HIGH SCHOOL.
>> BUT I CAN TALK TO SO WE CAN EXPAND THE AWARENESS.
>> THERE'S SO MANY ACTIVITIES.
>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE A COOL ACTIVITY ALSO TO BROADCAST.
[01:20:05]
>> KNOWING ABOUT THAT WOULD BE COOL.
>> NEXT WEDNESDAY FOUR O'CLOCK.
>> NEXT WEDNESDAY FOUR O'CLOCK. HOME GAME.
THEY HAVE OTHER GAMES THAT ARE AWAY GAMES, BUT THE NEXT HOME GAME IS HERE. REPRESENTS.
>> NOW, I'LL TAKE A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> WHAT'S IN MY CALENDAR NOW.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.