001is called to order. And I'll [snorts] start my roll call. Are we all set? Mr. Lanigan? All set. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Blakeley is excused. Mr. Casey is excused. Mrs. Cogan is excused. Mr. Perenzo? Here. Mr. Cleland? Here. Mr. Houlihan? Here. Mr. Keen? >> Here. Mr. Kelaher is here. Mr. Larrabee? >> Here. Mr. Mesick? Here. Here. All rise for the pledge to the flag. 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. Welcome to the guests we have here as well as the people watching online. First order of business number three is approval of minutes of the regular meeting of April 14th. Could I have a motion? Mr. Mesick? And a
002second by Mr. Keen. Is there any discussion anybody would like to have of those minutes? Anything to change, fix? Hearing none, on the motion by Mr. Mesick and the second by Mr. Keen to accept the approval of the minutes, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Carries 6 to 0. Next, turn our attention to Dr. Perry for any superintendent update. Uh yes, uh just two brief updates. I wanted to recognize um Seamus McWaters who's one of our CTE students. He achieved the bronze uh medal for uh automotive um technology in the SkillsUSA competition. So, we're proud of that. Uh he does uh body uh repair on the vehicles and things like that. So, um one of the top three in the state, really nice recognition for students over at the CTE Center. And today it was part
003of the Elevating Student Voices. It's a program that Capital Region BOCES has run for now for four years. Uh we have about 10 students that are involved with it. Uh it's designed to get students from South Colonie and uh other 23 component school districts um interacting with each other, talking about uh student issues, and uh and they've done a really nice job cultivating over the years. Uh we had about 10 students uh two advisors, uh Kristen Zeff and uh Bob Strain and from high school were there. And really just a uh a great program and a great recognition of of the hard work and and dedication that we got uh for students, giving them a voice in leadership within the school setting. Um I also want to give out a shout-out to uh the Albany
004Marching Falcons. Um their band was there, their marching band. Tremendous. Uh looked like they had middle schoolers and high schoolers uh together, but the the drum section uh really impressed me. They played four songs, very little direction from the the the uh the teacher instructor. He obviously has them uh really well done and uh was really a nice way to kick off the uh event today. So, the keynote [cough] speaker was Mike uh Sapone. Um he is the executive director of the Schenectady City Mission and talked about the importance of um getting to know people and uh you know how that has changed his life. So, I thought the message was really uh powerful and I'm proud of proud of our kids for being part of that program. Small world, huh? Thank you, good. Congratulations.
005Now, anything else? Anybody have a question? Let's go to new business then. Yes, ma'am. I was just wondering if you could provide us an [clears throat] update on the special ed programming for the high school next year. I know we're a part probably maybe 50% for annual review is a ballpark. I don't Yeah, uh currently um they're working through that. So, we've got a position in the budget right now. Um We are working through our June staffing assignments that will help to facilitate 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. Mr. Cashurin had met with uh, one of the parents and talked about, um, uh, the process. And what we're learning from that process is really communication, uh, helping families better understand that eighth and ninth grade transition. I think we do a really good job, but it's
006understanding what is beyond ninth grade and making sure they're clear of the pathway ninth and 10th, 10th and 11th, 11th and 12th. And that resources may change, but they're not going away for for students. So, the concern was that co-teachers aren't available in 10th grade. And we've kind of shared with the board that, um, the data, um, will support that those adjustments are allowing kids to gain more independence, but for individual students, if if there is a need, we'll have that there. And so, we've added some staffing in. Um, but for the most part, we're going to be able to, um, facilitate with some some minor adjustments to the programs that to meet the needs of those kids. Thank you. And families are clear at annual review that that's an option. [clears throat] Yeah, yes.
007Okay, thank you. Yeah, I think the probably the biggest, uh, thing we we need to continue to do is, uh, make sure that that full year continuum for the high school is readily available families so there's not a guessing game year to year. Yeah, we'll work on that through our messaging out of the eighth and ninth transition and the interview process. And I've been able to work with Mr. Scazzero just to make that more of a pronounced that we that we exchange [clears throat] when the transition period happens and especially when they meet their new counselor as part of the dialogue naturally. Awesome. Thank you so much. Very good. Anybody Anybody else now like to talk about, uh, new business? Sure, quickly I will. Um, first off, I just like to, uh, thank the, uh,
008PTA Council for, um, having a, uh, meet the candidates night, uh, this week. Some great challenging questions that they asked. Uh and then uh, just keep doing what you're doing for the PTAs in all the schools cuz you're doing great things. Uh another thing I attended which was a phenomenal event, the paint event at the high school having students collect paint under Mr. Ashby's tutelage. It was a home run ball for for how much paint was recycled and collected at the high school. And lastly, thank you to Wolfie and Dr. Perry for attending Cook Park opening day. Um amazing great day. We have over 500 children playing in that league both boys and girls from an amazing Challengers program to 12-year-old baseball. So congratulations to all those kids. That's it. Thank you Mr. Larrabee. I
009I'm going to mention the uh modified basketball but maybe you'd like to You can talk. You not unified. Oh no, you can. That's fine. I will add to my my my list of things. Anybody else have any? I just want to highlight Dr. Perry thank you for sharing the um I just want to make sure I get it right. Um the up the upcoming um save the date that you sent us for the leading for all students May 13th and I hope as a board we will consider attending. It was in our newsletter so it's essentially a professional development for board members. That is the board's role in culturally responsive education and it will be focused on portrait of a graduate and understanding our role in the New York Inspire stuff. I would love to
010attend as a board as we've been invited as like the superintendent and the board so I hope we will consider attending to better understand our role in that work. Thank you. Is this something that BOCES will be doing more of? Putting programming on in the evening that makes it easier for folks like us to to attend. >> They've tried. I think the sweet spot is finding when Okay. Ferry Sport members are available and and super dance. So, some of the programs they've they've offered have been lightly attended and I think this is one is this one is a mention. Um is is very relevant but also it's got a good keynote speaker and hopefully we can get a good good showing from not only our board to the area board. Feels like an important one.
011Yeah, I'm great. I'll join you. Thank you. Anybody else? >> Yeah, anybody in the if you can just let Amber know put that RSVP Now, I was cleaning up some emails this morning while I was off at May 13th it is. May 13th from Um I think for fresh late reception. 5:30. Yeah, it's not a it's not a dinner. It's a 6:00 is the thing. >> Dessert and late reception. Yeah. Um Everything's better with dessert. My guess is it's probably like hour Yeah. ish hour and a half maybe at most. >> [clears throat] >> Okay. Yeah. Um so, Monday night I got to stand in for Mrs. Cogan at PTA Council. Thanks to Jacqueline for giving that budget overview in addition to the opportunity for folks to to meet our candidates. Um the afterwards there
012was a um the folks from SEPTA have provided a blanket invite to folks that would like to attend their their meeting. Um you know, they they noted that they haven't really seen Um and you know, we had conversation cuz I know like last one was canceled and just need to ensure there's some consistency in scheduling there. Um last week um softball had teacher appreciation night. Um I stood in for lack of photographers but more so is seeing the two seniors recognize two educators that had a tremendous impact on them over these last three and three quarter years. And then that opportunity for them to to throw out the the first pitch. So always appreciate that opportunity. And hoping to have some time to get out and check out some of the other sports that we
013have going on this season. Girls won today by the way. >> I saw I had a Big uh one hitter. >> I think it was big sisters little sisters was the game. Some nice crowd. Yeah. And then MJ Kelly who Yes. Listen, he's got devices 10 times better than him. He was going to take some team pictures and again, you know, the reaction from the young ladies that play typically down at South Colonie and such is always fantastic and you know you mentioned the other night we we've got two young ladies playing at U Albany having tremendous seasons. Katie Preseay is on the verge of setting an NCAA record for average doubles per game, but even we had kids from South Colonie go over and watch Taylor and Katie play in a in a game.
014Don't sell yourself short. You do a nice picture, too. I try. I've I've seen them. >> yes. I try. >> [laughter] >> Okay, thank you very much. Anybody else have something? Yes, sir. Just a reminder because we're 2 weeks out. It's hard to believe already. Act Fest is on Saturday, May 16th from 11:00 to 4:00. The opening ceremony is from 10:00 to 11:00. All the Board of Education, District Cabinet and anybody in the South Colonie community is welcome to attend. It's a it's at Colony Auditorium. And lat- on Monday, the Kind Human of the Year Committee chose our Kind Human of the Year. It is currently top secret and >> [laughter] >> But it's one of the most deserving and um truly one of the kindest people I've ever met. And was very happy to
015be a part of that process. And on the same day that the district has its federal vote and board of education elections, the high school has its class officers and Colony district-wide elections for the board of the board of education seat, the student senate president, vice president, and each of the class officers that day. Um and like how do Dr. Perry said, the LDA student voices conference today was um I knew a few people that went on it and it was they said it was a fantastic trip. And a big thank you to Mr. Stratham and the staff for their hard work. Yes. Sorry. Um I just I did I brought it up on Monday. If there is and if you can pass this on, if there are any students that are 18 years of
016age, they can vote in the budget and the elections. So, we've had it in the past. I know Mike's daughter has I brought it up the other day. I think it's great for kids to to have their first chance to to make a choice. A decision and see how it goes. And so, they have to be scheduled with the League of Voters, right? They have to sign up to vote. But for register Yeah, or they can register with me. Okay. They have to do it before that day. Yes. Thanks. Okay, anybody else? All good information. Thank you. I'll just go through my list of things that I participated in. First of all, on the 15th, it was the BOCES annual meeting at which time we heard about the uh budget for next year that to
017we're going to be talking about and voting on tonight. Uh we met the four candidates for the board and uh whom we will be voting tonight as well. And then we had a meal provided by the culinary students. So it's always a I know last year's was phenomenal, so I can only imagine. Uh the 16th, I figured out who bought SpongeBob was. Well, I didn't I didn't exactly know before, but now I know a little bit better. But not seriously, the kids were wonderful as always. Um thousands of kids on the stage and backstage. It's it's always a great experience. Um I did go to the April 18th uh concert at Boston Spa Spa High School. That was the Suburban Council concert. I think there's around 20 schools participated. And uh huge uh uh middle
018school jazz ensemble and a middle school chorus and a high school band and a high school chorus. Uh excuse me, orchestra. And they were all wonderful. And and we had I believe 24 students there and I I hope we can honor them. Work with Mr. Ken Strattman. Yes, indeed. Okay, then then uh I I I always mention how I like to see all the different variety of uh students that we have. I I judged the uh Shark Tank presentation by Miss Mrs. Caldera. And uh It's Yeah, and this was on the winning team. The students Well, the good part is the students have to stand up in front of people and project their uh message. Not only that, they have to answer questions about their product. They were all trying to sell us some sort
019of uh uh lawn care product, which was a little Well, anyway. Is it a public speaking class? Yep. Yes, public speaking. Miss Caldera. And Chris mentioned Oh, we did the debates. Chris mentioned Monday night the benefit of public speaking classes. Yeah. Love Oh, can we go into that or not? No. It is it's a very Trust me. They were they were all very very polished presenters as well. So, it's a That's a That's It's a uh benefit that we have these teachers that do that for us. Um Annie was uh presented on uh last weekend at LysicKles and that was wonderful. That was another performance with lots of kids and lots of uh adults. And then the last was again it's the unified basketball. You you really There's got to be another home game. I
020can't I'm not sure what the schedule is exactly, but um it's it's fun to watch the kids being teammates and being unselfish and sometimes aggressive and sometimes uh very passive and it's it's it's fun to watch and they're they're uh uh I I would recommend that you might You'll see probably kids work together along with their their teachers and their coaches etc. So, that was wonderful too. So, I I saw a couple of games of that. And Mr. Lairby would agree that that's fun to watch. >> Absolutely. And they're assisted by which I think is great. Um they're assisted by uh students. The varsity uh boys and girls uh assist with the teachers to to to make it a great experience for all the kids. Hold on. Okay. Very good. Yes, indeed. Anything else anybody?
021Thank you all. Welcome on then to communications. Nothing on the line. You have nothing? Nothing for number six. Board committee report. Now, the first one is the graduation, athletics, and academic Hall of Fame committee. That's three things going on there. Three different things that you might want to ask about. Graduation's all set. Uh Uh, people have been selected for the athletic Hall of Fame induction, which will happen in October. And also the academic Hall of Fame selections have been made for a November November 12th induction ceremony. So, we're all looking forward to that. Anything else on that, folks? >> Just the one thing we talked about at the meeting, you know, again for the large audience at home is we, you know, each year we keep scraping for candidates on on both sides and we
022even talked about, you know, the lack of candidates on the athletic side. Really, you know, we cover the three major sports, but there's got to be success in other programs where people at home can identify bowlers, volleyball players, coaches and such that have that have made an impact so that it's not just the football, basketball, track Hall of Fame. So, so anybody listening, >> Yeah. we could say that the nominations are closed for this year, Yeah. but it's ongoing. It's you can start today nominating somebody for the next class for either athletics or academics. And then again to emphasize especially on the female athletic side, there's certainly a a lack of representation. All right. Anything else, anybody? Actually, we've got a bowler here. I know a few people. Yeah. Okay, we're then on to number
023eight, reports and recommendations for action. That's page three and we're going to go to page five. Anything anybody would like to ask about there? Hearing none, I appreciate a motion. By Mrs. Gigliello. And a second? I second. Mr. Larrabee. Any further questions on the motion by Mrs. Gigliello, seconded by Mr. Larrabee to approve the reports and recommendations for action? All in favor? Aye. Opposed? [clears throat] Abstain zero, so it passes six to nothing. Number nine is personnel instruction, which sends us to page 10 through 13. As Mr. Bligh would say, we're a lot of hiring going on. >> We're we're in a very exciting season of hiring. So, filling some of our positions that were um vacated through retirement. So, we're always appreciative of our retirees and the service they gave. And now we start
024a new chapter with people who are coming in. Um some in their first jobs, some in their second and third. But there is a theme if anyone, you know, kind of look through some of the names, there are colony alum in the mix uh with a number of these positions. Some that graduated from here. And then there's some others that you may not know who did do some work with us in different capacities, got some experience and came back. So, um 33% of our audience tonight in person is made up of new a new hire. >> [laughter] >> Um We met. >> Key is item number nine. ERC teacher force. Maybe formerly Kipper, now Misarian. Misarian. Misarian. I was going to try. >> [laughter] >> I passed on that. It's Armenian. Yes. Um I wasn't
025going to give that a shot, but thank you for coming tonight and welcome back to Colony now back. Follow the plan. We're excited to have all our new staff get ready for 26 27 school year. So, fun time of year. So, uh Miss Lanigan, should we do number nine first and then 9A? Um sure. Do them separately, right? >> Yes, separately. Okay. All right. So, I need a motion for nine. That's Mr. Keen. And a second by Mr. Misick. That's the motion for um as we said pages 10 through 13 only. We're not doing 9A yet. Okay, everybody understand? All right, here we go. On the motion by Mr. Keen, seconded by Mr. Misick, all in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstain? Passes six to zero. That was officially Welcome aboard. All right, thank you. >> [clears
026throat] >> Now, for 9A, I'd like a motion, please. Miss Gigliello. And a second? Mrs. Houlihan. Any discussion? We've We've discussed this before. It's not nothing new, but uh just formalize it. Any questions? Hearing none, a motion was made by Miss Gigliello and seconded by Mrs. Houlihan. Anybody All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Abstain? Passes six to zero. Number 10 is personnel support. This sends us to 14 to 15. Anything you'd like to tell us about those people? I'll continue to say that our support staff are some of our more significant cogs in the organization to keep things moving. There are times where we're losing and gaining and it's always a joy to see more appointments than than resignations or people moving on. And there's a substitute bus driver in there, which is more than 10
027people to me in the grand scheme of things. So, just some more opportunities. We'll see on both the instructional support side moving forward, some more opportunities for our staff as well. So, Now, you have a retirement on there. Is that off-cycle? Um Revision of the date Okay. We recognized previously that changed their retirement date. Yeah, they're Oh, there it is. I We learned some information about service credit Yeah. with us uh in the process of kind of on boarding and realized uh there was a critical date that this individual wanted to meet. So, we extended it just to work with that person. Yeah. Nothing Nothing new, but Got you. All right. [clears throat] A motion, please, on number 10. Mr. Keen makes the motion. Second, Mr. Misick. >> [clears throat] >> Any further questions? So,
028I don't want to go too fast on this. Anything else? All right. So, the motion was made by Mr. Keen and seconded by Mr. Misick. All in favor? >> [snorts] >> Aye. Opposed? Abstain? Passes 6 to 0. 11 is getting us ready for the election on May 19th. The election personnel, so we need a motion on that. Mr. Larrabee. Seconded by Mr. D'Elia. And I should give a chance for anybody to ask a question or make a comment. Are we at Sand Creek this year? Yes. Voting is at both middle schools. We collaborate at the Sand Creek. One count. One side. All right, that motion on number 11 resolution for the appointment of election personnel was made by Mr. Larebee and seconded by Mrs. Giglielo. All in favor? I. Opposed? Abstain? Passes six to zero.
029Now, number 12, as I understand this, we have the right to vote either yes [clears throat] or no on this budget. All right, the motion says that the Board of Education vote blank. And [clears throat] I believe we can fill in either yes or no, and I strongly recommend you say yes so that uh we support the work of the Board of Education and the uh OC Board. All right, so I don't need to do anything about yes no, I just have to have the motion. Is that correct? >> The motion would be in favor of. So, motion would be yes. We just need people to make that motion. Okay, yes, sir. No, you got it. I'll make a motion in favor of. Okay, Mr. Larebee makes the motion that the that the Board of
030Education vote yes on the proposal. >> And I'll second. Mr. Keen is the second. Everyone understand what you're doing here now? We're voting yes on the administrative budget for BOCES. Yes, ma'am? No, just Oh, all in favor? Yes. You said no? Opposed? Abstain? Passes six to zero. Number 13 >> [snorts] >> is a um resolution a uh motion to elect the board members. There are four people running for four seats. And this we're not voting for one or the other, we're voting for all four, yes or no. All right? So, a a motion by Mrs. Gigliello. And a second by Mr. Larrabee. Would you like to discuss anything about that motion at all? All right, hearing none, the the motion made by Mrs. Gigliello, seconded by Mr. Larrabee, that the Board of Education cast one
031election ballot vote for the four above-stated candidates. All in favor? Opposed? Abstain? Passes 6 to 0. So, we have four open seats, that's why all four are running. Three three incumbents and one new uh member. One gentleman had been on the board since, gosh, 30 years or so. Decided not to run. But, three incumbents. All right, number 14, a resolution we will be discussing about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, National Physical Education and Sports Week, National Teacher Appreciation Week, and the National School Nurse Day. All super important people that we wish to honor. So, Mr. Kessel, do you have anything you'd like to say [snorts] about this? >> So, everyone should have the link. It's a a compilation as I normally do of what's going on in all the buildings, showing how each of the
032four resolutions are being recognized, celebrated, um and sometimes it can involve in our curriculum. I try and highlight on each one of those for you guys to look at. Just something that is informative or interesting or humorous or all three. Um and just so you have a good idea as to what's going on in the buildings and how we're recognizing these particular resolutions. Okay, so we need a motion on this uh at this state resolution be approved. So, Mrs. Gigliello a second by Mr. Coolehan. >> [snorts] >> I got you. Okay, so this is then a the resolution be approved about the individual appreciations. So, any more questions, comments? So, if you Motion [clears throat] made by Mrs. Gigliello, second by Mr. Coolehan. All in favor? Opposed? Abstain? Passes 6 to 0. >> [snorts] >>
033All right. Next is 15, future meetings. I just like to say that how refreshing for meeting is on a Wednesday night tonight. >> [laughter] >> It's just in case that It's an inside Those are the shoes you're going to have to fill. But we have had Tuesday meetings often times, and sometimes it's every Maybe better not tell the new guy. >> [laughter] >> Although this is During the budget season, you get a lot of Tuesday meetings. >> This is the one Wednesday every year for the BOCES people. That wasn't our fault. Your a golf league is on Tuesdays. >> [laughter] >> Sorry. Play Wednesday. So, Mr. Mesick was is famous for having called our attention to it. So, therefore he uh he gets razzed about that. We appreciate it. I will not be here next
034week. I am away at a conference. That's the board meeting of May 5th. Everybody else is okay on that? All right. I have a question. Yes, ma'am. On the 19th, what time are we meeting? We usually gather around 7:30. >> No, I mean [snorts] aren't we having beforehand? >> Uh that's to be determined. They're going to talk about it on the 5th, I think. Oh, okay. I don't know if we're going to do it then or later. Mrs. Cogan wished to be part of the discussion, so we're waiting till the May 5th. We'll we'll undoubtedly have a discussion at that time whether we go ahead with that or not. If we do go ahead with it, will we just do it at the same creeks over there? Um we can. I thought we would do
035it here 5:00 to 7:00 perhaps and then go over to the same creek, but we can make accommodation for either one. Okay. All right. Anything else about the calendar? And uh we do not anticipate unless I'll I'll ask the question, should we go to executive session, anybody? I hate to do this and it's my fault that I wasn't here for the last meeting, but I did want to get caught up on That's fine. Good. Fine. Okay, so that means we are going to go to uh executive session uh to discuss fiscal and employment matters. So, we need a motion. By Mr. Keen. A second by Mrs. Giglielio. I move to enter executive session to discuss fiscal and employment matters relating to a particular person. Uh the motion was made by Mr. Keen, a second by
036Mrs. Giglielio. All in favor? Opposed? Abstain? That passes 6 to 0 at 7:02. So, 32 minutes. Folks in in the audience, that means It was up for the 7 hours last time. But uh Mine was a long one.