001called to order. Roll call. Thomas here. Ryan Casey excused. Stephanie Kogan >> here. Rose Gigiello >> here. >> Jennifer Hulahan >> here. >> Michael Bean >> here. >> David Keel >> here. >> Christopher Laravey >> here. >> And Mr. Music is excused. Please rise for the pledge to the flag. >> I pledge algiance 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. >> Coming agenda item number three, approval of the minutes. We are looking at the reorganizational meeting minutes of July 1st and the regular meeting of July 1st. Are there any questions or comments? Hearing none, I will take the motion. Mr. Blakeley second. Mr. Laravey. On the motion made by Mr. Blakeley, seconded by Mr.
002Laravey that the minutes of the reorganizational meeting of July 1st, 2025 and the regular meeting of July 1st, 2025 be approved. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. 70 7. Thank you. >> Agenda item number four, superintendent update. Dr. Perry, >> thank you for coming. >> Just a couple updates from one construction. We are continuing to work on meter high school. It's going to be coming right down to the start of the new school year. So, the classrooms will be functional. There obviously will be some uh construction ongoing. Um, our goal is to get students and staff back in safely into those classrooms. Uh, we understand there's delays in getting into your classrooms and traditionally would to set up for the year. We apologize for that, but we will make sure we work
003with our contractors to have classrooms that are ready and prepared. Um, they won't be 100% finished just to let you know. Obviously, if you kill, we're still working on the out outside facade. Uh, windows are being installed and they do good work in a short period of time, but a lot of work to be done. Uh same thing in the high school. We have English and social studies wings known as the F-wing being renovated. >> Um right now it's uh framed in rock, but we're waiting on installation of windows. Um and again that will be work in progress. Um some good things. We're making progress on the exterior buildings. You see parking area, some expansions to the Lfield parking area, some upgrades to the high school. um paving on the science wing will be going
004on this week and hopefully completed by early next week. Um Shaker Road uh making good progress on those classrooms and the windows at Shaker Road. But um if you were here in June looks a lot different than it did when you left, but we still have a long way to go. Um driver's education u bringing drivers ed back this year through a partnership with Albby County. Albby County through their stop arm uh camera um fines has uh worked with us on helping to um pay for the training for two of our staff members this year to be trained as driver ed instructors. that includes uh training at uh I think it's Sunni Swiggo um but uh about a two-eek uh course some it's online some it's uh in person it'll allow our two instructors to
005not only provide the classroom support uh but also the driving component which we haven't had for several years now. um we will start with about 16 um juniors and seniors in high school and be just at the tail end of their school day and the district will provide a vehicle for that. So we're excited for that. There is a cost and the registration is ongoing now. I think right now we're at capacity. The goal is to have a driver's ed program in the fall, another one in the spring, and then expand it in the summer. Year two, our hope is to train two more teachers to be driver's ed instructors. You have to be a teacher and you have to be a driver ed instructor. It's a little bit of combination of the two. You
006can't split into the duties very easily. So, we're working through that. We're appreciative of our staff and W County helping us to offset some of the costs for the training. So, those are some good things. >> Very good. Thank you. Does the board have any questions for Dr. >> Well, hearing none. Agenda item number five, new business. Would anybody like to speak? >> Um had the opportunity to um see the Mean Girls Junior put on by um the Friends of Theater Arts. Um fantastic job. Um again, large cast and an ensemble. Um so it's great building the the strength programs that that we have um in the district. Um and then I had the opportunity um along with yourself to attend the NISPA leadership in education. Um it was um a lot of different areas.
007It was great to hear about the exeicio and what's been successful for um other boards that have had the um student board member in in the past. Um obviously Jacqueline and Dr. Perry presented on um financial aspects of of the district. Um it was great. It you know a blend of information. It was nice to see collaboration of um folks like yourselves along with um Zingo and your panel was a board president and so really hearing those those different perspectives was was great. >> What else? just like to remind the audience and anybody listening at home that uh we have a hall of fame academic hall of fame induction ceremony in early Jan early November and uh if anybody has somebody in mind to nominate we would love to have you do so. Um the
008nominations I believe closed by August 30th or 31st. >> November 6th when the induction ceremony. So we're looking to uh honor so many other people that have contributed so much both at uh the time they were here as well as what they've done outside of the the school. So think about it. See if you can think some people that need to be nominated. Thank you. Very good. Thank you very much. Um I will add that I went to Roselville on the last day of our um English language learners and it was a great course. Great to see the kids helping each other learning new stuff. Um it was was it Sally Ward? Yeah, Sally Wes was the teacher. She was just great. So uh we got to sing an old Girl Scout tune that I
009guess I remember. So that was I'll spare you from it, but familiar and the leadership as Mr. Keane said the leadership conference was very good. The highlight was of course Dr. Perry and Mrs. Mallister presenting on school finances. We are we are very fortunate to have way to kick off the morning. >> I know right. It was a great way to kick off the morning. So that is that. Anyone else? Miss Oh, I'm sorry. Hi, Vincent. Yes. Um I Colleen I Care wanted me to reach out to the board and say that they're holding freshman freshman orientation is happening next week 18 through the 21st and uh every year the freshman do a day of service. So this year they're working with IARE and we're working with Al Housing Coalition and we are going to
010be at the Connor's house that day and uh a bunch of the freshmen I think about 60 or 70 of them are going to be there and they will help bake cookies for the residents. a little cleaning the yard among other activities and the cabinet and the board are all welcome. I don't have all the information right now but anyone who's interested I can figure >> yeah if you want to forward that to Dr. Harry and >> part of the smart program we send it out and I'll send it out again. >> I appreciate and just for those who don't know an introduction um New York State is putting together a student representative on all school boards. We were lucky enough to have Vincent Fenzo come in. He is a rising junior and involved in
011just about everything. Yes. So he'll be reporting to us. Uh Vincent does not vote. He does not attend executive sessions, but he is here to give us information because we really are interested in hearing how our students are doing because that is the most important thing to us. >> Thank you. >> I would like to second that as a uh just a a very strong recommendation to any freshman parents to make sure that they uh their son or daughter attend that uh orientation. uh as a freshman parent last year, I think it's a nice transition for especially for kids that might be a little nervous about going to the high school started to meet a good crop of kids that they come into and then you know they meet some of the teachers that are
012there and it's it's a very well-run program. So >> all right, thank you very much. >> Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Hul. I just wanted to add that there's a really exciting opportunity for all student board members um in the region uh on September 17th where they're being invited to meet with their commissioner and it's going to be amazing. >> Thank you. That is terrific. I like that very much. All right. Is that it? >> Okay. Very good. Agenda item number six. This is communications. This is the public meeting comments. I mean, I'm sorry, the meeting public comments. It is a little bit of a difference. I'm going to read what we expect of this. The board of education encourages public participation at its meetings and recognizes its responsibility of public comment. An acknowledgement of the
013public comment will be provided as appropriate. As a matter of practice, the board of education does not engage in dialogue or debate during the public comment period. Although the board of education welcomes comments about programs offered by the district and the efforts of its staff, the discussion of matters relating to specific individuals or students is prohibited. Okay, we'll start with that. I don't expect we'll have any issue, but if we do, we'll hear about it. We have three tonight. Um, the first one, Heather Certo. >> Hello, Heather. How are you? >> Uh, I don't know that I should stand up. I don't want my back to be to everybody. >> Why don't you could you introduce yourself? >> Well, yes. First of all, good evening, uh, board of ed and colleagues and district leadership and
014families. Um, I'm just very overwhelmed with everybody being here today. Um, my name is Dr. Heather Purdue and I've been a special education teacher here in the South Carolina district for 27 years. Um I also teach um special education law at um Empire University as well as special education courses at the university at Albany. Um tonight I speak as an educator and a scholar, but more importantly I'm speaking as an advocate for students whose educational rights are being violated. Um over the past three years I've watched our special education program unravel. Um, what began as restructuring programs to opposite ends of the district has led to broken services, staff attrition, and now direct violations of federal and state education law. Just last week, two families were informed by phone that their 12-year-old children with multiple
015disabilities would be moved from the middle school to the high school due to operational issues. These students have IEPs that clearly state that their programs um are to be placed in a specialized middle school program. According to Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 300.116, placement decisions must be made by the team, including parents. Under section 300.321, parents are required members of the IEP team. In these cases, no cse meetings were held and no prior written notice was provided, which is also required before a placement change violating section 300.503. Under the New York State Commissioner's Regulation 200.6, paragraph H subp paragraph 5, students under the age of 15 may not be placed in a high school special class unless explicitly documented in the IEP. This regulation exists to ensure younger students are not
016placed in environments that may be developmentally or academically inappropriate. Remember, these students are 12. Staffing shortages have been cited as justification, but internal limitations do not override federal law. IDEIDA requires services to align with each student's IEP regardless of operational challenges. Parents were notified on August 8th without warning. That phone call itself constituted unauthorized change of placement. Under section 300.518, the state provision must be invoked requiring students to remain in their current placement until proper procedures are followed and disputes are resolved. Across the district, students and specialized programs are being underserved. Some attended only a fraction of the school year without re-evaluation, compensatory services, or appropriate outreach. Others are being held back, pushed forward, or placed in programs not based on individual needs, but to fill existing slots. Instead of building appropriate programs in students
017home schools, we are fitting students into systems that don't fit them. This consists of a denial of free and appropriate public education under section 300.17. These issues along with a lack of training and support have led nearly every teacher every teacher in intensive specialized programs to resign, transfer or retire early. Not due to a lack of care but because the programs have become become unstable and unsustainable. Staff have repeatedly tried to collaborate raising concerns offering ideas and solutions and these efforts have been dismissed or ignored with no meaningful action taken. This is not just a staffing issue. It is a systemic failure with legal, ethical, and human consequences. Therefore, I'm respectfully asking the board to act in the following ways. Immediately convene emergency CSE meetings for all students whose placements were changed without proper procedure.
018Investigate staffing breakdowns and failures and specialized programs. Address longstanding concerns raised by staff, including workload support and program structure. publicly commit to a timebound corrective action plan of clear benchmarks for legal compliance and program improvement and conduct a formal review of the administration's response to staff requests for training support and collaboration including how educator input has been handled and report those findings publicly. Our students deserve more than services. They deserve their legal rights. Our families deserve honesty and access to decision-making. Our staff deserves leadership that is collaborative, supportive of stu students, and follows the law. I remain committed to building a stronger, more equitable South Colony, but that cannot happen alone and without accountability and immediate action. Thank you for your time and thank you everybody for your support. Thank you, Dr. Curo. Not only
019do we appreciate um things that you said that needs to be approved, worked on whatsoever. Also appreciate the ideas to help the program because that's what we need to do. You guys are on the front lines. I speak on behalf of the board when I say the special education program is very very >> All right. Thank you very much. Next is >> Hello. I wanted you all to see this is one of the 12year-olds that they want to high school. Evening. My name is Kim Marinucci. I am a parent to a student in St. Cru Middle School in special ed program. >> I'm here to formally object to district decision to move my middle school student from a 612 classroom at St. Creek to the high school due to staffing shortages. This change is inappropriate,
020unsafe, and required of required special ed procedures. I received a call from the director of special education of student support services on Friday evening due to staff. There was no cse meeting >> and it is required in order to change his building or his placement 27 days when I got the phone calls. >> If this was if he was a typical child going into eighth grade, he would never be sent to the high school. South Colony's lack of staff is not the concern of my student or our family. South Colony's inability to retain good teachers who truly care for our children is a problem that the district has. The board should do whatever they can to investigate why and rectify the problem, bring back the great special education program that it used to be. I've
021looked on the website. I don't show any position for teachers except for a chem science teacher at the high school. So, I want to ask why is the why is soft county not actively recruiting special ed teachers? A more appropriate discussion would be to keep the fourth grade students back in elementary rather than push for eighth graders to be moved to the high school. South County has allowed students to remain in the middle school rather than move them up to high school. Sending a 12-year-old boy to the high school who isn't emotionally or mentally immature enough than you to be in a school with kids much older and bigger is highly irresponsible and will damage my student mentally and emotionally. This past spring, we did have a CSE meeting discussed our concerns with behaviors of
022aggressions with his teachers and therapist as well as the special ed supervisor. The decision was made that an outside placement would be the best fit and we were assured that they would do all they could to reach out to schools on his path. There was also the issue with the student last year who was unfortunately bullied and had pictures taken of him in the boy's room which was distributed by another student. It took the students parents to go to social media and the news to get an appropriate response. I will not subject him to that type of bullying. I would urge the board to investigate this matter and the violation of special ed procedures. Thank you for your time and listening to what I have to say and I truly hope that you take the
023opportunity to really think about the words you will hear tonight and act in the best interest of the students. Thank you very much. I know how difficult it is to get in front and I know how difficult it is to have to advocate for your student and I really appreciate you next [Music] and everybody [Music] for the opportunity. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Um, my student is having a little meltdown outside. I thought the cute little thing would be here. I'm here today as a parent of an autistic child. The world of autism families often many of us work hard to keep in the face of life quietly and hopeless. But sometimes our quiet strength is mistaken for flexibility and decisions are made without fully considering the direct and very real impact on
024our children and on our families. My child is a minimally verbal autistic student who has been thriving in his 612 classroom at San Creek Middle School. Earlier this year during a CIC meeting it was agreed that for the upcoming school year that decision was made with specialists and myself. Yet just days ago with less than four weeks to the first day of school I was informed by the special ed department that this placement has been changed to the high school due to staffing issues. No consent was requested. Please allow me to share what this means for us. CC meetings and I help us plan a year ahead. We build our lives around the stability those plans provide. When the stability is suddenly taken away, the consequences are not just logistical. They're emotional, developmental, and deeply
025personal. My child has severe anxiety and he's on multiple medications. Then this major change will most certainly trigger a serious emotional response. He's 12 years old. The proposed setting in 22 there is no separation during frequent fire drills on the bus and most likely in restrooms too. This of subjecting a vulnerable 12year-old to bullying, harassment, violation of personal space. He cannot even say what happened to this is not developmentally appropriate and it is not safe. A move like this would require careful planning, gradual exposure, and a lot of preparation to even be successful for him. None of that has happened. The teachers at my child's current school have successfully created a space where he could feel safe enough to engage and eventually thrive. The coming in the same setting holds even greater potential for learning.
026I believe every decision should be weighed with pros and cons. In this case, however, we feel like the only pro is that it solves a staffing issue. But for my child, there are no pros. He loses his favorite school, his trusted teachers, his peer group, and the stability that took two years to build. This actually feels like a sacrifice, and it's being asked of the most vulnerable student in the class. I understand that staffing challenges are real, but they should not result in vulnerable child children being displaced. The law provides for a state with provision which ensures that a student's last agreed upon placement remains in effect during any disputes. I am formally invoking that right today. I'm not asking for special treatment. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees every child with a disability
027access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. I am asking for the law to be followed, for my child's right to be respected, and for his well-being to be protected. I respectfully request that the board reverse this placement decision and ensure my child starts the school year as planned at Sun Creek Middle School. I also asked the district to put clear safeguards in place so that no child's placement is changed without proper process and parental involvement. The real cost of decisions like this isn't easily measured. It goes deep by the children and families who live with the consequences. Thank you for your time and thank you for listening. Thank you very much, Mr. Kim. I very much appreciate you coming in and telling us we uh unless we hear about
028things and things are brought to our attention, the board can't do a lot. So, we are very appreciative of this opportunity that you all took. So that was it. Yes. Um for that part we are going to uh be talking to Dr. Perry and our admin about this and uh we will we will see special education is very near and dear to our hearts. All right on that note we are going to continue with our meeting. It is a very exciting meeting. So, if you'd like to stay, you may. But worrying that, go out, go get some ice cream, go enjoy this beautiful evening. If you'd like to go, you may now. >> Thank you. Thank you sir. Yeah, that's great. It's just flexibility. [Music] All right, everyone. Let's continue with our meeting. Agenda item
029number seven, board committee reports. First up is policy. Mr. Larab speak. Um so we have two uh first reading uh we have a first reading and a final reading for approval on two um categories uh seen below in the minutes. Does anybody have the board questions for either myself or Dr. Perry about them? Oh, don't shut it. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> So, the first reading is 5310 mobile devices in grades UPK through 12. Um, have we had any commentary? >> Uh, not not recent. had questions and we put out a uh section on our website for Q&A some updates. Uh most of them have been around uh the exemptions how the exemptions will work. There's a form policy once it's approved that will work through the grade level principal and nursing's
030office. So exemptions are medical they're related to translation needs as well as caregiver needs. caregiver really comes through a school counselor, school psychologist process of somebody who is taking care of a family member needs access to a mobile device. The exemptions don't allow a student to carry the mobile device with them at all times, but only to be used when appropriate. So, if it's a medical, you're using it for um glucose monitoring, you use it during that 15 20 minute time period, then you put it back into the secured locker area. Um so those are the the uh misnomers. We're trying to clarify that. Uh we've sent some district communication out. The principles will also be doing that. Um some of the questions are related to I have a watch that has GPS capabilities to
031track child but it does not have internet capability. Can they wear that? You know the the idea is to restrict the cell phone access the mobile internet access. We're going to work with families on those individual things. policies written that leave those devices at home, but that may be an exemption or it may be something we have to have a carve out move forward. The technology is going to change between now and the time we uh review these policies each year. So, we're trying to be as open-ended as possible, but use some common sense with it as well. Um, when in doubt, we're asking elementary kids to leave their technology home. They really don't need it. Call the main office, get a hold of your child. Middle school will work the same way it has
032worked. students have access to lockers. They'll lock them in their lockers or they'll leave them at home. And then the high school um will be, you know, reinforcing with putting them in their locker and turned off. And that's really uh revisiting that messaging. We've had that in the past where we've had uh bags hanging over the back of a classroom teacher's door or in the teacher's uh office area. Um, but we're asking them to put them in their locker or leave them in their car and then if there are violations of that, there'll be lockable mini safes in the storage cabinets in the grade level principal offices. So, we'll work through those issues. Um, you know, there are a variety of methods to look at it. Um, the carve out is that it has to
033be a storage device. Some, uh, companies are creating apps that put your phone in airplane mode to lock it out. Right now the law doesn't allow for that to work in other states. So those are some of the technology workarounds that are out there but um there are districts using the under bags. There are districts going in the direction of the lockable storage area like we are. Um and we'll have to review how how it's going. I think it's consistency and working to support our staff in the buildings to make sure that our kids know the message and that we are um consistent with the delivery. Our intent is not to become the u you know the the cell phone police. So we're instigating issues with students. We don't want to suspend them because of
034a cell phone or create bigger issues. Um I personally look at it. It's kind of like a seatelt uh law. You know, if you are um wearing your seatelt, no problem at all. If you don't follow that and you're usually called on it, then you get a ticket for it. In the cell phone world, it's the same thing. We're not looking for it, but if you're blatantly, you know, using your cell phone in the hallway or violating it, you're going to get called on as a student, we're going to have to address that with you. And that's everything from put it in your locker to contact your parent to take it away from them. And then if there are behaviors that warrant, it could lead to um further consequences. But it's not the cell phone
035alone would lead to a consequence of a suspension. it would be in subordination or follow languages. So try to minimize those deescalate when we can keep the emphasis on um academics in the classroom and good communication. Could I ask that perhaps around October 1st or sometime at that time we get a principal or I'd also like to hear Vincent's going to tell us from the student aspect I know but maybe from the monitors I'd like to know what they're facing what the principles are facing and what the teachers are facing so I would like to we can certainly get an update >> we have to provide a yearly report on student management related so we'll be tracking that that information Now certainly bring on Mr. Burl principles to talk about it. Vincent will certainly uh
036hear from his classmates and stuff like that. you know, you already hear um please don't ban the cell phones and and I understand from a parents perspective, from the teachers perspective, and from the student perspective, how important each device is to them, but we'll do our best to be um in line with the the spirit of the law and what the law is expecting of us and work with our students to make sure that they can communicate their families and that the families can communicate to them. So, Parent Square is an option for those things. Right now, a parent can't directly email their child, but those um options are are things that parent square and company is trying to work on to provide some direct messaging opportunities. Um and uh you know, right now call
037the grade level principal's office or call the main office and get a message to your child. They would certainly use phones whether they are in the offices or classrooms for calling back for the typical communication with work in progress. >> And I and I think I did bring it up before that it is a great idea to really stress at that freshman orientation the uh what the the rules are so we hit them early and hopefully it can spread throughout everybody else. Um, so the culture at the high school, you know, having had some just graduate and one entering the high school, the overwhelming majority of the children do not use their lockers, right? Like nobody uses lockers. So what's going to be different in terms of preparing the kids? Will there be to Chris's
038point during the freshman orientation, are they going to be assigned their locker, have their locker during orientation, open their locker, etc. And then what about the sophomores or the seniors who are accustomed to not using lockers? >> Great question. We were just talking about that today with Mr. Burl and Miss Bulock. So the locker accommodations will be available in Aspen for all families. What I talked to Bill about today is we're going to need to train students on how to open their lockers. Many of them have not opened a locker since middle school and they may not have re remembered. So, just like we taught fourth graders going into fifth grade how to open our locker, we had sample lockers to come in and test. That's something we're going to try to work on. So,
039we'll have a bank of lockers that will have the locker number on there and students can come in with their families to to practice on those as needed. Um, they're tied to the ninth period class to allow a student to go to their locker closer to their ninth period class and then exit to the buses. Um, but we will have to to work with them on um, you know, how to use it. So, just like the orientation on how to get to and from class and navigate the school building, we're going to have to do locker oneonone with a lot of our kids. Um, everybody will be assigned a locker and the locks are provided and things like that, but it's it's definitely a change if kids are not been using them. They've been using
040their backpacks for 95% of their storage needs. And unfortunately the law doesn't allow that as the sole way to do that. Um we don't want to overact it is if a student has an exemption they're not going to walk around with a E on their their chest and says I got an exemption. So we have to be conscious that they have it. Let's address them appropriately and politely to say >> is there a reason you need to have your cell phone out and you know what is that? And they may say I've got a medical need. Okay. Let's make sure we're communicating that to our monitor so they're prepared. they know who uh has uh some permission to use it when. But in many of those cases, it's not just park launch permission to walk
041up and down the hallway. >> Will they have something like on their person or that's available in Aspen to indicate that they have >> I think we're going to put a a tag in or flag and Aspen um to to notify staff a list. It's probably the the easiest way for staff to know that. And that flag will be seen by anybody who has access to all other teachers do. and we'll provide list for our monitors. I'm not sure if that goes in the past system if there's translates >> securely pass may be able to have some look at that that's new to us. Um >> it's going to be a cultural change is going to be a change. I think it's a change for a positive. At the same point I don't want to
042overreact. Our kids did very well last year even though they had cell phones on them. We want to make sure that this doesn't become the sole focus. Let's focus on what they're there for, their their subject area, uh content, and work with them on making sure you're compliant with the expectations and that. Are there like increased, you know, I asked earlier in the spring around um the the teachers union perspective on this? Because I'm wondering about I think the classroom areas, those norms that have been fairly well established and the spaces where it's problematic, it will probably continue to be problematic. Um because it's a you know, it's an adult centered um you know, the adult set of norms. But I'm curious about sort of, you know, cafeteria, right? Like if I'm a teacher with
043cafeteria duty, how like how am I are there more duties assigned so that you know I mean and maybe that isn't maybe that's premature because we haven't even seen yet what it's going to be like but I'm just curious about um more of the unstructured spaces than the classroom spaces. >> Well, I think uh one of the things they had last year is when we instituted the security pass system, our cafeteria supervisors needed to um initiate and manage that that process. So kids were using their cell phone as they pass. They go up to the teacher and say bathroom. Okay. They punch in the system and they have the pass. So that's probably going to be done off the Chromebook now instead of the the cell phone. So there's, you know, a challenge with that.
044But yes, they are managing different things. >> Um, you know, we're going to have to have a a better presence in our cafeterias early on to make sure that we're u reinforcing that message. um utilize our camera system as need be and those that are in violation have those conversations with them so that they understand that um you know it's not going to be foolproof. I think districts that have used the yonder bags um will talk about that there's challenges with those as well. Um you know whether it's a fake phone or breaking the bags open. There's always some level of individual wants to try to skirt the rules. So we're trying to make sure we're as consistent as possible uh so that students understand the messaging. I think by and large when they understand
045our messaging we're consistent they'll be compliant. Um if we're inconsistent they'll sniff that out in a second. and uh take advantage of those inconsistencies. So, we've got to do our our best to be consistent with that. >> How many of the lock boxes are in the house principles for the >> um I think there's one for each uh grade level principal, but they hold 40 devices or something like that. So, hopefully we're not collecting 40 or more devices. If we need we'll buy more, but we have a larger safe that would house thousand or more. Um, we're not planning to use it that way, but you certainly could put it in the principal's main safe and put every phone in the the district there, but let's hope we get to that point. >> Yeah. >>
046Traditionally, um, Jen, just to speak on what you're talking about, we usually do training with those who are doing supervising study hall and those who >> That's what I was Yeah. >> And that'll just be an added component that we have to talk about just to make sure everyone's on the same page because you can handle it a variety of different ways, but that just creates more inconsistency. So I think that'll just be part of that first couple of days to instruction and supervision and expectations for >> Yeah. I mean it's it's even the honor bags are challenge because I've been told by the kids that like on Tik Tok they can buy food things to put in. >> Right. Right. It does seem like there's no good way unfortunately just we've been talking for
047years about college and career ready another area prepare our students and how to manage life beyond high school college the bag if you're the yonder bag for four years of high school you go to college job bag put your phone how to professional you got to student just navigating those conversations going to be probably abundant at the beginning but hopefully for tail as we get there and that's our responsibility. >> Well, we'll certainly get those information come up and talk about this. We want to know how we're going to >> do you have like a date in mind in terms of like backward mapping if we need to course correct. >> I would look there certainly the fiveweek mark is going to be a good indicator at that point in time. Um and then if
048we need to you know correct our our processes or reinforce our processes we will. But hopefully by that 10 week that end of the first quarter, we're going to know if we're going to be successful in it. If we need to course correct, we will. Um I think with anything that that's new, there's always that learning curve. And um you know, I've talked to folks who have implemented the yonder bag in smaller districts and larger districts. there's benefits to to both, but they're finding that the initial reaction to having those bags has lessened over the years to it's becoming less effective. Um, so that's why they were looking at other ways through technology to block the device. Alert reminder that would put it in airplane mode would solve that issue and currently not allowed, right?
049But there are companies that are working to to provide that for parents and for for students and that may be the the the way to manage it. But currently it's got to be a lockable setup. So we'll work through that. I think our kids uh will do do work on it. Um but again there'll be some summary blocks like any new policy. But Vincent ask for your feedback too. And >> I think majority of people understand why it's happening. I feel like everyone knew it was going to happen eventually. No one thought it would be coming from the state. We thought it' be like a district-wide thing, but I think everyone understands why it's happening. But like the first few days, I think it'll be easier to get the freshman on board, the incoming freshman
050doing this for three years. And I think proper I don't think in the classroom is going to be a problem because most teachers set that rule the first day and then everyone follows it majority. And but I think the only issue will be like what um Miss Wan said would be the cafeteria passing period study halls and just having monitors and teachers just all collectively this is how everyone needs to do it because some teachers kids will say like why does 8th period lunch why do they get to have their phones when six periods so strict? It needs to be consistent for everybody. Can you incorporate into like our Friday updates any just from a numeric standpoint any like discipline that maybe started with a cell phone and then resulted in other things? >> Yeah,
051we're going to track that through Aspen. So, we will be able to provide that for you try to get a good number as to what that looks like. We don't really know how many >> cell phone infractions we had on a given day last year. I don't know if you track those curious about the demographics. >> Okay. And then the uh the final uh reading and approval is 2245 the student board member student member of our board. Any questions on that? >> Speak now. >> I'm out of here. >> Okay. On behalf of the policy committee, upon the motion made by committee chair, member Christopher Laravey, recommendations that the revisions made to the above stated policies be approved as presented. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Thank you very much.
052I appreciate the discussion too. Agenda item number eight, reports for information. This is the uh nextgen stage 1 A, 1 B, 1 C. Does it end with 1 C? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Until 2 A. >> No. Until we go to two. Yeah, >> we don't have change here for two. >> And would you like to uh to highlight anything, Mr. Mallister? >> Um I just wanted to briefly uh go over just the reason for some of these change orders. the majority of the first two on any of the lists that you see on the contractor list um it's listed by contract and then the columns of the um the building. So um the first two are our cooling uh change orders that we added after they're just officially in as change orders. We
053bid those added them as alternates um within our first meeting after awarding those contracts. So those are there. Um other things are um some discovered conditions along the way that we have had to address. Um one of the big ones being the steel that was needed at the um ethane windows. Um that is the big number one that you see there. Um that one is um getting done right now. The steel is in. They're working on it. We need to execute that fast. It's just to fasten it to the once you take it off. That's when you discover okay there's something that we need to address. um abatement, additional abatement had to occur as well. Um there were some missed items on the original scope and um some design changes that resulted in some credits
054or some acts uh to align with the district vision. So that's the gist of the change orders and um there will also be a couple of additional H2A or 1C sorry 1C at Lisha Hill for the additional abatement that had to occur on the windows. Um so those two will be coming. We will report them um as we get them. But per our uh resolution that we did last May, it allowed us to move forward with changes and then report to the board. Right. So those and as needed. >> Yes. >> I'm wondering if I get carpal tunnel. >> Oh, I do. >> I don't The carrier is going to calculate your salary. Does anybody have any questions for Mr. [Music] >> We are our goal is to have everyone in. Uh there may be
055a wall up maybe a barrier between the window and the classroom. Um We may be a couple at the high school where we have 10 classrooms for a couple weeks. But the goal we're opening, we're making sure everybody's in, teachers are in, everybody in. Um the bassfield at the high school is working um along with all the uh mechanical like uh we have the Jezer we got we have the um R&B and passen are working like there are so many people there every day um getting these classrooms ready. Um we're working hard at same thing at Shaker Road. Those classrooms are coming along really really well. All the windows are done at at Shaker Road as well. So, that's really great. They got those done while the abatement was going on at the high school,
056shifted over to the high school now. So, now the steel's ready. We're we're ready to go in. Um, but we do have the board walkthroughs next week and we'll be able to do a a really good um but the the first floor maybe I think is the we're we're working there. We're working on it. Hills auditorium. >> Hills Auditorium is closer to being done. The wood paneling has been the slow part of that. The stage area is just about set. So the chairs and things like that should be going in there. They're looking at that for um say >> yeah. >> We're hoping to completion by September. So that that should be less of an issue. The areas that are um going to be a challenge are the glacia kill um front facing classrooms. The
057exterior facade will be looking good. The windows will be in but those classrooms on on both the lower and upper level will have a I guess a temporary wall in them. So the classrooms will be about 85% of the regular size. will be a temporary wall as they continue to to work there. There'll be times where we need to move people out for um about two weeks into the library classrooms so that the contractors can get in there and do the work that they need to do both upstairs and downstairs. And we'll continue on that area. So, they'll be able to get in there. They're just not going to be final in the state. A high school uh very similar to the front side on Greater Boulevard. Those winners are going to go in first.
058Then the backside which faces the courtyard may have some temporary um either plywood or temporary windows that are in there until they're they're shifting. So there could be some classrooms that are working out of either the library or library the glass conference room there which we've done in the past but not full scale. We should be able to open on time. I know there's rumors that we're going virtual and that that's not our intent. The contractors that's not your intent. Um, but like anything, we we will not be 100% completed for the start of the school year, which we didn't expect, but we'll be functional and and safe. That's that's what we're >> concession stand is about 95% done. Uh, we've gotten everything from the the chip holders and the hot dog rollers. I mean,
059that's the kind of stuff we're working on now. Um, we have >> 100% done is that the the flooring is to our satisfaction. The rocks all work. Um there was a >> swipe in yesterday. >> George swipes are in. So nice. You know, right now uh Rose, we've got is uh the uh one of the drains was not at the level that we wanted to be at. So they have to go back and reset the drain lower. >> It's functioning, but if we had a flood in there, the drain is too high in our opinion. So they've got to come back and fix that. That's a half a day's work. They can get that done. Concession stand will still open and function. We've got a lot of the equipment that's been coming in right now.
060A lot of it's a bill rumb space. So, we got to bring it out to the concession area, make sure it's all functioning and hooked up. Um, a lot of, you know, small ticket items, but they add up to 100 completion. That's part of the challenge. Um, and then once we get to that, it's making sure that it's to our satisfaction. Just because it's completed, we want to make sure it's 100% completed to our satisfaction. So, there's functional items that they need to go back and circle back and and correct any errors or paint discrepancies and stuff like that. But, um, every area is under construction, but they've got a plan working back classroom by classroom to have a time frame, but that will not be completed until the end of November um to 100%
061satisfaction. So, that's our time frame. we need to be done by the end of this year for for state aid purposes, but at the same point in time, that's the goal. So, people will be in there, they may be pulled out of those areas and utilizing as temporary space while somebody gets in and finishes mechanicals. Um, eating season is kind of the goal. You're going to have a unventional for November time frame. You start getting season. So, that's what we're looking at. cabentry and stuff like that may not be in all places, but that's that's kind of what we're facing. >> Press box. Uh I believe u other than coordination of some of the items for the IT rat, it is there. Our plan is to do a ribbon cutting on the hall of fame
062night October 3rd. So I talked to to Tim Ryan Jr. and we'll get official word out to the community, but that's our goal. We we believe we'll be in good shape with all the the areas at that point. Press box is up and running. >> We met with AJ sign to all the signage install that. >> Okay. Absolutely. Very good. Anything else? Thank you very much. All right. Agenda item number nine. There's a lot of things here. You go from letter A to Q on page 10. Is there anything in particular that should be highlighted at this point? Any of these are ups from each year? And I would just uh highlight I guess item 15 on that list is the county and the district for our school resource officer. Um so that that is
063a yearly but we're happy to have uh the support of the town. We pay approximately 75% of one office service salary the town provides us not only in our full-time resource officers in our two middle schools and uh got a good uh partnership collaboration with that. We do anticipate um some needs moving forward similar to what we've done with uh Henry Rose High School where we would be looking at providing possibility of a position at the elementary and middle school level to combine some of the same services Henry's providing um from residency to just day-to-day security reviews. Um but uh we'll more throughout this coming school year as to what time frame we're going to be. >> Would you would you remind us again about uh number one? I'm not sure what page is on
064about the proposal building condition survey. >> Uh yes. So the building condition survey is something we need to do every five years. Uh last time we did it in 2020, we contracted with CS Arch. We now um are proposing a contract with SEI design, the current uh architectural firm. They go through um each of our buildings, put together a list of items that are safety related, that are uh efficiency related, heating systems, and uh basically a a itemized list of everything within the building and a recommendation whether it is good shape or whether it needs to be repaired or replaced and a time frame for that. Um, a lot of times it's rooms and boilers, but when we look at uh classrooms and and safety items, it may be something that uh they say we
065need to increase uh some funding for flooring and that sets the stage for future capital project works. The state uh education department, office of facilities planning needs to have that five-year facilities plan for districts to help uh determine what their next uh capital would come into play. the fact that some of our buildings are not all back to shape basically, is that going to affect that uh survey? >> Not necessarily. Uh they're going to be looking at existing spaces. So, not the renovated spaces that are already part of this project. They're going to be looking at areas that we haven't renovated. So if I were to, you know, pick an area like the high school, the science win and the and the uh current setup of those classrooms, whether or not they are meeting our
066needs from safety standpoint, from a efficiency standpoint, are the windows in there needing replacement? Are the doors banged up and and new? What's the lighting looking like? We've done uh a lot of work in a lot of different areas, but there's still areas in each building that will need upkeep and renovation. kind of >> always roofs and boilers are ones that are constantly on there. Uh just when I think we're done with roofs and Gordon come to me and say this roof is 15 to 20 years old. We need to replace it. So um you know it's just the nature of having eight larger buildings and and the life expectancy of of roofs and boilers. We've done a good job in terms of replacing them, but there's a lot of uh to cover on on
067roofing. So St. Creek roof is an area that we've done work on in several spaces. There's still more work to be done. The high school roof, there's still work to be done. So, that will be part of this upcoming building condition survey. Um, one other thing I do want to mention, I think labor this, but uh the item that is uh D memorand of agreement. This is the uh agreement with our um community based partner uh child learning center located on 28 live road. This is uh provide additional UPK seats um for our district students. So we have a waiting list right now of about 50 students. We anticipate with this agreement that child time will hire a teacher, a teaching assistant and provide opportunities for 16 more students to potentially have a program there.
068Um which obviously is, you know, within our district boundaries and close by and a good starting point. um it won't meet all of our kids needs because we still have that waiting list as I said but we're hopeful that this partnership will lead to we hadn't had a big waiting list years past >> hadn't um you know in previous years we had maybe one or two kids if if last year we had open spots this year um I think because of the expansion to all of our buildings and the uh to a fiveh hour program day uh it's become more popular. I know one of the challenges still is uh the wraparound care and so child time provides that but at a cost of families. So we pay $1,500 per child which is the amount
069state provides us for our program in house um and then beyond that for before after school care would have to pay out of pocket. So that's how they they option >> the weight list is all based on all day >> weight. based on the lottery. Uh Mike, when we did our lottery, uh everybody that registered for UPK that was deemed to be a district resident got a lottery number. >> They went through we picked the first um 72 slots which were full day and we went through the half day slots was the next group on the list. And if you were number one, you had your choice of full day or half day. Moving into next year, families will have the choice of full day, half day, or potentially our community based partnership. And this
070could be child time next year if the board approves. It could be other entities that may they may join us at some time. We're hopeful that um some other partners like our saviors may be able to have a classroom in the future to uh provide access to the other side of the district as well >> for students who um not receive an offer of a full-time spot because they were taken but were offered a halftime spot or part-time spot and then turned it down because they wanted full-time. Where do they rank in the lottery compared to those that didn't get any offer? Well, if if they've been offered a position even for a half day and turned it down, they're now off the list at this point in time, the next person on the waiting
071list has a choice. So, we understand this was not something that was on people's radar screen a month or two ago, but they had an opportunity if they selected to not join our program at this point in time, they're off that list until we've exhausted the waiting list. Um, and the waiting list will come in exactly order. If we hadund um 72 slots and you were 173, 173 will have the opportunity to be in this program if they choose. They may choose not to, but we'll try to exhaust the list in that regard. Each year do have families that uh sign up and for one reason or another drop out or choose to uh not participate after a few weeks and we try to get the next next child into the program. But this year
072it is more popular. I We don't know if that is families coming out of COVID and and now feeling more comfortable sending their youngsters to a prek program, but I I really think it's the success we've had in offering it in all of our buildings and expanding to five hours has become popular and a good thing for our kids. We have graduating classes of about 350 to 375 and right now we're offering about half of that in terms of spaces for you to pay. So whether kids are seeking it elsewhere in other community programs or whe they're just not ready for prek program the two vehicles where are they being deployed to? >> Let's see. >> The first one is the bus garage. Y >> second is um back to 9A. Um to know if
073there was an opportunity to really look at those placements that were encapsulated here. I know we already have a resolution that we discussed, but I'm curious to know if we took a finer look at those before we approved them. I don't know what this falls like what is falling under this. I know it's a slower time of year for this stuff, but >> uh we'll have to get back to you on that J. I don't know if this particular group of was scrutinized any more than it typically was. >> Can we then perhaps set aside a and vote on the rest? Can I make a motion to set aside a vote on the rest and then bring those back to the next meeting? >> Um let me just check to see what is on there.
074I don't want to delay a child getting into a program because of a delay on our our part procedures and things like that. So, >> okay, >> if I can um to have what I would suggest is why don't we go into an executive session and we table it have a conversation and then >> we need to approve it tonight. We'll bring it back to the board if that's okay. >> Absolutely. >> What is that specifically >> placements for uh 9A? >> Right. Were there any on the special list for approval? And I I don't have that on my sheet from back. >> Any other questions? >> So, we're setting that aside now though before we >> questions on anything with item nine. >> We'll come back to it after. >> Yeah, we'll come back
075to it. That's fine. >> Oh. All right. Hearing none, we are going to suggest the motion. This is going to be for agenda item number nine, reports and recommendations for action exclusive of letter A. So it'll be B through Q for this vote. I have a motion. Miss Gibliello second Mr. Keane. On the motion made by Miss Gibliello, seconded by Mr. of the above stated reports with the edit be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Item number 10, personnel instructions. Miss Robalotti, you're on. >> Yeah, a lot a lot of things happen in between board meetings and when there's a large gap, there's a lot of business. So, there's uh some higher some people at other opportunities. other districts who are supportive of them. And we also have a lot
076of new hires in there. We have fall placements for coaches. We have clubs and activities. People start to get these things off their the plates, make sure that the appointments are made, people are compensated. So, we've been fielding a lot of different actions over the last five weeks and here they are on site. >> Yes. That's great. Yes. Um I I just like to quickly say um to uh this other opportunities um there's somebody on this list that I'd just like to mention. Um not going to do the name but the best of luck to them. Uh it's impacted my son amongst uh many other children um with both in school and sports and uh please uh come back and apply when we have something open in in your uh area. So thank best of
077luck >> to her. >> I think they approaching for us still but as a fulltime position I'll other questions hearing none I'll take a motion take a motion Mr. Blakeley second Mr. Laravey stay with me folks all right on the motion made by Mr. Blakeley, seconded by Mr. Larby, that the instruction personnel changes listed on the attached sheets dated August 12th, 2025 be approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries 7 to zero. Agenda item number 11, personnel support. Again, Mr. Robalotti, pages 28 to 32. >> Uh, also similar idea that there's just things that continue to move forward. when we're not together. Couple highlights here. Some some titles that we discussed finally came through on the civil service side which we're excited about, but also uh on the opposite end of the spectrum for
078that conversation. We have two retirees on here who've done a tremendous amount of work in service in this district and we want them to enjoy their last, you know, several months here before they enjoy retirement even more. So I'd be remiss not to mention Michelle and for their service to the district. >> Thank you very much. >> Good. And I see we do have bus drivers. Mr. Gary couldn't help himself and he came back. >> Y. >> So that's wonderful. Thank you, Mr. Gary. >> Riding a big bike. >> It's like riding. All right. Anything else? Any questions? Hearing none, I'll take a motion. Miss Giggley second. Mr. Blakeley on a motion made by Rose Gigleello seconded by TJ Blakeley that the support personnel changes listed on the attack sheets dated August 12th, 2025 be
079approved. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Number agenda item number 12, resolution reserve transfer 2024 2025 school year. Any commentary on that? This authorizes the closing of the tax account and putting in the general fund. Um item 12 and 13 will be reversing that process which is required by legislation. May I hear a motion on agenda item number 12? Mr. Keane, second, Mr. Blakeley. On the motion made by Mr. Keane, seconded by Mr. Blakeley, that the foregoing resolution be adopted. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Agenda item number 13. We just spoke about that. Any unless there's any questions, I'll take a motion. Miss Giggle, seconded by Miss Hulahan. On the motion made by Miss Giggleello, seconded by Miss Hulahan, that the foregoing resolution be adopted. All
080in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries seven to zero. Agenda item number 14, resolution reserve transfer 2024 2025 school year. This is on workman's compensation. Yes, we're recommending additional monies from uh remaining funds from last year's budget be put into work with compound $75,000 off future. Any questions? Hearing none, I'll take a motion. Mr. Blakeley second. Mr. Laram. On the motion made by Mr. Blakeley, seconded by Mr. Larabe, that the foregoing resolution be adopted. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. 7 to zero. Agenda item number 15, resolution authorization for sold source procurement for textbooks and curriculum materials. Any questions? Hearing none. Take a motion. Miss Giggle second Mr. Keane. On the motion made by Miss Giggleello, seconded by Mr. that the above stated resolution authorizing the purchase of the great minds PBC arts and letter
081modules as the soul source procurement be adopted. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries 7 to zero. Agenda item number 16 meetings. Dr. very where where I forget where we're going to start on August 20th. >> I'm gonna send out the agenda tomorrow. >> We're going to start here. >> Okay. >> For initial meeting to review transportation needs and things and our plan is to go to uh Shaker Road and the high school >> on the 28th. We will then go to Lill and Beer as the prominent schools. 28 28th. I can't do the 21st because my daughter going to college, so the 28th. >> Um, but those are intended to show you the the current construction areas. Gordon and I have gone around with all the buildings and talk about the opening of the
082facilities and and buildings like Roselleville, the front area, cleaning those areas up. I know Jacqueline has also done that with him as well uh to put an emphasis on let's make sure we're putting our best foot forward with the buildings that are not under heavy construction. But uh our goal for the facilities uh walk through to really focus on where we are in the construction what we've accomplished and what we still have yet to be an active work site dress appropriately >> and bring your helmet. >> Bring your helmet. Yep. Very good. >> August 26, you will not be here. That is your next meeting. Very good. Thank you very much. Okay. It is anticipated that the board may enter executive session at this time. Um motion seconded by Mr. See uh what should we
083be putting this under? It's going to be push. >> I can take care of it. >> Okay. On the motion made by Miss Hulahan, seconded by Mr. Keane to enter executive session to discuss a personnel matter. All in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. 7 to 0 7:15 p.m. Thank you very much. Thanks for sticking around.