001p.m. Um, public comment will be heard on agenda items only at this time. The board of education encourages public participation in school related matters at board meetings. Any group or organization wishing to address the board must first identify a single spokesperson. The presentation should be as brief as possible. Speakers will not be will be permitted to speak for up to three minutes. The board will not allow public session discussions involving individual district personnel or students. All speakers that are to conduct themselves civily, obscene language, le statements, threats of violence, and statements advocating racial, religious, and other forms of threats will not be tolerated. Persons making presentations board meeting will address remarks to the president. They will uh they may direct questions or comments to board members or other district officials only on approval of president.
002We got nothing. All right. Brings us on to the superintendent report. Pierre, >> yes. Thank you. So um for my report um I would like to um show the work that I've been doing with um Julianne PCEL in terms of um branding our district and we wanted to be able to share with our district community some of the positive um the many there are many positive aspects of our school that we feel our story just isn't it isn't told. And so through video and through collaboration um and elevating the voices of our students and staff, we're able to create a branding video that we can use um to really speak the story. And it's the beginning of a three-part three to four-part video series where we highlight all the uh incredible work that is going
003on in our schools and in our district. So, with that, we're going to um turn around, okay? And then we'll be able to watch the first uh branding video for our district. Welcome to Southampton School District, a vibrant, diverse community dedicated to fostering curiosity, growth, and opportunity for every student. For generations, we've been committed to providing an environment where learners can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. At Southampton, our schools are more than places of learning. They are communities where students are inspired to dream big, lead with kindness, and prepare for the future. >> I love the community. Everyone's so welcoming. I love the people here, the environment. >> The teachers are very nice >> and they care about you a lot. They're really supportive. >> There's a sort of vibe or aura that it has
004that is just welcoming. >> It's not just like about the school. It's like the people that make it the place that it is. Visually, something that's super unique is definitely like the murals on the wall and that kids get to express their creativity throughout the school. I couldn't imagine going to another school. >> It's amazing. Our five-year set, sell sore strategic plan reflects the collective voice of our entire district, students, families, educators, and community partners. As we work together to chart a clear course for excellence, our journey begins with set establishing a strong foundation by equipping our students with essential skills in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking. supported by ongoing professional growth and targeted resources for our teachers and staff. It's about creating a learning environment where every child has the tools they need to
005succeed. Uninterrupted instruction, rich resources, and personalized support. >> You have that small town feel while also having all the programs that a bigger district might have. I think my favorite class is the Shangok language and cultural class. >> The vast amount of AP courses that are available, >> violin and music, Spanish, art, >> technology, robotics. >> We try to make sure that students are wellrounded and have many opportunities. Musical theater, >> liver machinery, >> hunger, >> more. We get to play sports. From there, we will sail into a future of innovation and discovery, integrating steam and AI into our curriculum and celebrating cultural richness through initiatives like the Shinnak Curriculum Infusion Project and our one-of-a-kind dual language program. We aim to foster creativity, curiosity, and global readiness, ensuring our students are prepared for the challenges
006and opportunities of the 21st century. >> I think anyone who comes here will feel like they belong. >> This is a district where students can see themselves in what they're studying. >> We all have different cultural backgrounds and so it's very unique to see all of those form together and come together. Southampton is a very diverse community and this allows us to embrace the different cultures and history that exists in our building. >> We get to learn about different cultures. There's so many groups of students, >> but those groups are able to come together and create a united Southampton school. >> Finally, we will soar, reaching new heights of achievement. We envision school buildings that are welcoming, affirming places where every student is empowered to excel academically and personally. Gets my mind rolling and like
007ready for the future. Teachers push us to succeed and cross that finish line. >> Not only are kids academically ready for what's going to meet them out there in the real world, but they're also going to have those skills that are going to make them good humans. Join us as we set sail towards exciting new horizons where every Southampton learner not only meets expectations but surpasses them. So beyond what they ever thought possible. >> Southampton Southampton >> Southampton sail and >> Southampton let's set sail and soar together. any comments? I love it. >> It's um >> um I think it's really great to kind of highlight what we are doing in the district so people can see there's been a lot of I've been here a long time. I see everybody leaving. Um, uh, a
008a lot of what we do is not shared with the community and there's a lot of new faces and people they just don't know what we have here. So, I think to be able to spotlight that and put on our website and people can see um, you know, I've talked to Melissa and Brian are up next for the dual language. No, I think it's a really good way to um, send a message to the district of all the things that we're doing here. doing some great things. Uh the kids really loved, you know, filming it, videotaping it. So that was great. I I was watching you guys, you know. Um it's nice to see um what we're doing in the district and the kids reflected in that. I think it's it's a it's a nice
009opportunity to do so. >> Thank you. And I just want to mention the the district strategic plan. you know, we you talk about it, you say you print it, we put out flyers, but I think when you match it with everything that we're already doing here, it's really great to uh see. >> Um I would just like to highlight Yeah, I just like to highlight that that's just a fourminute clip of what a daily life is as a student. Um I think it's really cool how district uh um went through with this and um made a really really cool video that can show the outside of what it's all about. Um, but if uh you were to do it again, it would look totally different. That's really cool about our school. Um, so I think
010that this is really good and um I'm really proud of the board for acknowledging this and promoting this and just like going through with this. So yeah. >> Yeah. I just want to say that uh it's a it's a great video. I wish we would have known about it. Um, I didn't know we uh had a branding video going on. I don't I don't even remember anybody asking the board about it or what we kind of thought might be want to be on it. Um, little disappointed. Again, great video, but I don't know why we're kept in the dark about these things. I mean, if it comes if we're talking about branding, we're probably the number one people that should be branding our school. So, again, disappointed that we weren't. Maybe maybe some other board
011members were. Again, it goes on the agenda yesterday. Not even goes on the agenda. It's just announced that it'll be on the agenda. Here we are again in the dark seeing a branding video I know nothing about. Disappointed. I would just like to say that that video, that brand new video, that beautiful culmination of what Southampton is, what it represents, who we are, the storytelling voice of UD Morell, the the students from every building, staff, administrators. I'm very appreciative and that was a beautiful presentation and thank you Miss Julianne for your assistance and also your feedback because you're absolutely right. We have the strategic plan. We have all these things right now. People don't want to read. We're we're reading a lot. So visualization that just drew me right in and it gives you feeling.
012You know what I'm saying? So, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> You who who shot all the drone pictures? Is that us? >> This is your Bose. >> Okay. >> A lot of school districts use it for, you know, you can even do it for like um your bond book and stuff like that. So, when you want, you know, to share things with the community, let them know what's going on. School districts use this boat. >> Okay. >> I didn't know if you were out there throwing the drone. I know. >> You do have a drone. We are ready to go. >> I just want to say one more thing just before we leave this topic. Are we going to like are we how often are we going to update this and is it going
013to be yearly or is it going to be like every five years? Because like I feel like if we do it yearly or like every six months, it'll give us like a fresh look at the school like I like that consideration. But Dr. I love the video. Um it's really great. uh your storytelling voice behind it is also amazing and I just think it brought everything together and I just think you show us who we are. I'm just piggybacking on what everybody else said. I'm just saying it as well. Um but yeah, I think it's really cool. >> So sweet. >> Awesome. Um >> probably probably a year um a yearly thing. We do have a couple more coming um that outline like some of our key components like our dual our dual language program
014and things like that. But um that took um pretty much what maybe six months >> three three >> spring the spring >> the spring um so I can I can see something yearly. Um, yeah. >> All right. Awesome. Great. Um, it's your report. So, I'm sorry. >> Yes. Um, that Thank you. Um, that concludes my report. Um, I just, um, I know now that, you know, we're going out for a bond. we're going to need to be able to communicate with our community about all the positive things that are happening um in in our district. So, it's not any slight um to the board. This is the work we do and um it's just in the course of a day. It's not um any exclusionary practices going on at all. So, you know, that's, you
015know, that's uh that's all for me, but um we'll keep the board updated. Thanks. All right. On to Jamie. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um last week and earlier this week I emailed the audit and finance committee because um there are a few financial items on the agenda that we didn't get a chance to meet and discuss. Um the first item is the um the fund balance reserve. So basically every year I have to submit a plan to the board um in terms of if we have any fund balance at the end of the school year on how we decree that money. Um, this is not definitive, but this is just a plan because at this point I can't determine exactly how much, if any, of um, a fund balance that I'll have remaining at
016the end of the year, but it is a recommendation by the controllers's office that the board approves a plan for any of those funds if we have them. Um, so this is basically the plan. It's very expensive. That's making an an assumption that we're going to have about $6.5 million, which probably will not be the case. Um the second item has to do with the TA. Um every year we have to go into the market and borrow some funds because between July and December we have no tax revenue. Therefore, we need money to operate. Uh last year I initially went out for 10 or $18 million. Uh as I have stated that many of the meetings before this um we have a gap in funding. Um, we had a cash flow problem in this school
017year as a result of the shed, the Native American contract not being executed by the state, which means that we have not been receiving these funds for the past two years. As it stands currently, the state owes the district approximately 11 million. Um, we have at this point of the year received all of our taxes from the town of Southampton. Um, as of this Thursday, we have to pay uh not only the initial $18 million in 10 that we received at the beginning of the school year, but we also borrowed an additional $5 million in December. So in this warrant for this week, we have to pay in excess of $25 million of the 10 and the interest. In addition to that, we have usually our big payments such as the bond payments, the bond
018interest are usually made in June. So in the month of June alone, um we have expenses of approximate approximately $30 million. So, I want to be transparent that we are again, even though we have collected all all of our taxes for the year, we are running low on cash. Um, we probably have enough cash to operate through this month. Um, we've had um several conversation with the state about the Native American contract. We've been assured that they're in the final process of releasing the funds. I'm not sure what that means. Is it a matter of weeks? uh we're going to continue to reach out to uh get more information, but um I'm hoping that we receive those funds sooner rather than later so that we can address our needs. Um now, I'm going to try
019to expedite the release of the $20 million um of the tenant that we are requesting for 2627, but that will take at least a month or two. So, just to make sure that everybody understand, we're going to use the reserve funds. We're going to use whatever cash we have on hand to keep the district operating, but uh I'll keep you updated on on the developments. >> Thank you, Jean. And um thank you for looking at the foresight of this. I know last year we had issues. We had to take a second because of these funds. So just um you know if we get rid of that something like that just looking hopefully hopefully it won't be an issue. It'll be good and and the 20 you think is good enough to cover everything. We'll be
020all right with that number. >> Well if the the state release the funds the $20 million would be more than sufficient. Normally I would request for about 17 $18 million because I don't want to, you know, pay more interest than I need to. But just to be on the safe side, we're going to request for $20 million. >> Okay, great. Anybody have any questions? Um, assistant superintendent for curriculum. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, just two quick updates. The first would be that although we're coming to the end of the year where we celebrate a lot of moving ups and graduations, we're also thinking about our students that move from one school to another and that transition. Um, with that earlier in the month, we did host uh two of our visitor day programs where
021we had our students that are moving from grade four to grade 5 did go over and visit the intermediate school, their new school there. So um also f the following week we did have our eighth graders who are rising ninth graders um go across for visitors day and visit our high school. Both of those experiences our students rising students were able to go and see their new schools. They were able to travel the buildings um and classrooms go into some of their new classrooms and meet all of the new teachers that they will be um with the following year. So again, this is part of a comprehens comprehensive transition plan that we have for our students that started way back in the winter and will continue even um through summer right before the start of
022school. So for our rising fourth graders or rising fifth graders and rising ninth graders, glad that you had an incredible time in your new schools and we look forward to bringing you back before the first day of school where you can walk your new schools with your schedules. um again. So looking forward to that. And for the second announcement, today was the last day of classes for our high school students. So starting tomorrow, we do have all exams taking place. So we have a full battery of regent exams that will be kicking off tomorrow. Although we did have some of the newer ones earlier in the month. Everything is pure testing moving forward. So I um strongly encourage parents if you have not checked um parents square and seen our testing schedules, transportation schedules, um
023review schedules, please make sure to do that because it is very clearly listed um in our parentsburg platform and our exams kick off tomorrow with algebra 1 in the morning and global in the afternoon. Thank you very much Mr. President. >> Thank you. Um on to committees on finance. We haven't met. When is our next meeting? >> The 30th. >> Okay. I thought it was 30th. Yeah. I knew we can't specific. All right. Um, cool. The next thing we have was personnel. What do you >> Good evening everyone. We reviewed action items 14.01 1 through 4 and A, which includes approval of resignations, terminations, leaves of absence, and reductions. We also um reviewed action items 14.02 02 5 through 96 B and C as presented in the agenda. Um and that includes our new appointments
024of the uh transportation supervisor and our cafeteria. Um so we're very excited for our new hires and our next meeting is June 30th at 4:30. >> Awesome. Great. I heard we got some really good new honors that we're excited about in those positions. So awesome. Um on to we had a merger committee. Chip, do you want to talk about that? Yeah, we had a merger committee meeting um last week uh basically with uh our administrators, our committee um the uh Josh from our our firm handling the uh uh the surveying and uh everything's right now going uh slowly. Um but we're working on it. Um nothing really new to report. Um they give us a lot of dates of when things are starting to go. Um pretty much we're going to meet again and kind
025of decide. We're going to have some community members uh picked for the um uh for our committee uh that goes goes back and uh kind of researches this. So the wheels are turning and uh basically that's >> Yeah, that's what I mean. So they're starting to gather all the information right now and then um in the fall they're going to start a series of community meetings. So Taco will have community members will have community members and they're also going to be open to all community members to attend these meetings. Um, so the way the the committee will work will be, you know, x amount of people from Southampton, X amount of TCO, and then they'll be there. They'll be able they'll ask question stuff, and then once they're done, it will then open up to
026the community to then ask questions, and then um the the study is written on um like chapters. So each chapter will be finite, building use, whatever. So each meeting will be designated um as the chapters come out. And then um there won't be any board members on the committee that goes because we'll eventually have to vote to whether we're going to adopt the study or not, which we think could happen sometime next spring, like a year from now. Um so we'll we we're more than willing to attend. We we might go to those meetings and sit in the back and listen. Um but I I we don't want to interfere too much with questions and then the opinions of the committee. And then once that stud is um completed, it will come to us for
027review and then we'll decide whether we're going to move forward with that vote or not. Um so I'm looking forward to it. Looks like it's a lot of data numbers that you start going through, but it's going to be a few months of money answer the question. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for that thorough >> Okay. >> All right. Thanks. That's I figured I get >> Yeah. Um on there. So Okay. Awesome. Um facilities we have not met right check no meeting and then um supposed to meet tomorrow but a lot of stuff going on. Um wellness met on 69. >> Yes. Um wellness met on 69. The committee decided to reduce the frequency of our meetings to four quarterly meetings a year. Um then we talked about the language was successfully
028added to the wellness policy and completed a first reading at our board committee. Um there was a question raised by trustee um Sherwood Dudley in her address. I just want to build that in for her. Um she asked if the wellness policy could be amended to include whole milk and Okay. So, the policy language was adjusted to reflect the USDA's rules that permit certain milk choices at lunch only following a board member request about the whole milk. All right. Another thing, um, the Stony Brook newsletter should be going out. Um, Martha Tutill should be getting on that. We spoke about that at the meeting. Rean also, she will be posting on Parent Square the food services flyers for the summer. And then lastly, the SYS the SYS's programs have been visiting the Pizzette classes here
029and they were very wellreceived and now they generated a followup outreach to parents and they're going to put that on parent square as well. And thank you Reanvisible. Thank you, Regan, for all of your work, your service, your commitment, your passion for what you have done for our district. I'm I'm just grateful to have been able to experience the work that she's done over the past two years working on wellness. And that is it. That's all. Thank you. >> Awesome. Thank you. Um policy committee. I'll I'll report. >> Uh yeah, we met. We have um like um Trustee Proctor just reported, we did talk about the wellness policy and added language about whole milk and offering at least two milk choices. I think we are only offering whole milk at lunch though. I think that
030was the but they can have fat-free low fat 1% reduced fat 2% and whole milk at lunch. So students will have two milk choices. Um and we'll we're ready for a second reading tonight. We also looked at a new NISBO law which will allow us to uh have a wider window to offer the reorganizational meeting in July. So, not this year, but maybe next year we'll look at that. At the FMLA, uh we discussed looking at um um using a crude time during that time, electing to use it. Um and then we um do um we looked at the safety the safe zone resolution um right that um Trusty Proctor brought to our uh thought we should start discussing. So um we all agree every child regardless of legal status has access to free public
031um education. So I think as a a a board we need to have a broader discussion about that in the near future and that's it. >> All right. Awesome. Um cool. Do do we get chocolate milk too or is that >> All right. Good. You know. All right. Um that brings us on to policies for reading here. Um, we got nothing for a third reading. We got one policy for uh second reading here. So, may I have a motion to review policy 5405-R Health and Wellness Regulation for a second reading as presented? >> Motion second. Second, Ruth. Will the clerk please call the RO for vote? >> Robert, >> yes. >> Ronnie C. Pearson, >> yes. >> Monique Proctor, >> yes. >> White, >> yes. >> Ruth White, >> yes. >> Okay. Um, we have
032no policies for cursories. That brings us on to consent agenda items here. Are there any consent agenda items from 12.01 through 12.29 that any member wishes or discuss or has questions about? No questions. Um, I'm going to hold out consent agenda item 12.01 for separate action. Are there any other consent agenda items from 12.02 through 12.29 29 that any member wishes out for to hold out for separate action. May I have a motion to approve consent agenda items from 12.02 through 12.29 as presented in the agenda. >> Motion second or uh will the clerk please call the role for vote. >> Robert, >> yes. >> Laura White, >> Yes. Yep. Um, may I have a motion to approve consent agenda item 12.01 to approve to approve the following resolution to be resolved. The board of
033education of Southampton Union Pree School District hereby denies the student suspension appeal concerning confidential student a discussed in executive session. It authorizes the board president to send notice to the of the decision to the family. >> Second. Sure. Um, will the clerk please call the role for vote? >> Robert Sri, please. Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Monique Proctor. >> Laura White. >> Yes. >> Ruth B. White. >> Yes. >> Um, that brings us on to action items. Financial. >> All right. Have to bear with me while I read this long. Um, financial. Um, so may I have a motion to approve financial items 13.01 01 to approve the Southampton Union Free School District reserves and fund balance plan as of June 30th, 2026 and adopt the following resolutions. Whereas by action of
034the board of education, the Southampton Union Preschool District has previously established the following reserves. compensated absence reserve, retirement contribution reserve, that's the ERS, um retirement contribution reserve, TRS, unemployment reserve, self- insurance reserve, workers compensation reserve, the 2017 through 20 27 10-year capital reserve fund, capital reserve for bus replacement, capital reserve for technology equipment fund repair reserve. Whereas the board of education of Southampton Union Free School District reaffirms an intent to maintain the following reserves. compensated absent uh absence reserve, retirement contribution reserve, retirement contribution reserve, the TRS, uh unemployment reserve, self insurance reserve, workers compensation reserve, the 2017 through 20 27 10-year capital reserve fund, capital reserve for bus fleet replacement, capital reserve for technology equipment fund repair reserve to be further resolved that upon the recommendation of the assistant Superintendent for Business. The Board of
035Education of Southampton Union Free School District authorizes a transfer of up to $4 million from the available fund balance as of June 30th, 2026 to the 2017 through 2027 10-year capital reserve fund. $500,000 from available fund balance as of June 30th, 2026 to the capital reserve for technology equipment fund. $500,000 from the from available fund balance as of June 30th, 2026 to the workers compensation reserve. $500,000 from available fund balance as of June 30th, 2026 to the employment employee retirement service reserve. 500,000 from available fund balance as of June 30th, 2026. the teachers retirement service service reserve um 1,250,000 from available fund balance as of June 30th 2026 to the repair reserve fund. Can I have a motion? >> Motion second. Check. Will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Saki.
036>> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Proctor. >> Yes. >> Laura White. >> Yes. >> And Ruthie White. >> Yes. Great. Um next one we're going to do separately. May I have a motion to approve financial items 13.02 to adopt a resolution authorizing the insurance uh the issuance of not to exceed $20 million tax anticipation notes in in anticipation of the receipt of taxes to be levied for the fiscal school year ending June 30th 2027 as presented in the agenda. Motion. >> Motion approved. Is there a second? >> Second. Chip. Will the clerk please call the RO vote? >> I'm sorry. Robert Zachary, please. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Tony Proctor. >> Yes. >> Laura White. >> Yes. >> And White. >> Yes. >> Great. Um, may I have
037a motion to approve financial item 13.03 as presented in the agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. Ship. Will the clerk please call the role for vote? >> Robert. >> Yes. Pearson, >> yes. >> Money. Laura White, >> yes. >> Um, may I have a motion to approve financial item 13.04 as presented in the agenda? >> Motion. >> Second, Laura. Um, will the clerk please call the vote for vote? >> Robert Zachley, >> yes. >> Ronnie C. Pearson, >> yes. >> Monique Proctor, >> yes. >> Laura White, >> yes. >> Ruth White, >> yes. >> Um, we're on to personnel items here. Um, are there any personal items from 14.01 1-4 or A that any member wishes to discuss or has questions about? Are there any personal items uh 14.01 1-4 A that any member wishes to
038hold up for separate action? No. May I have a motion to approve personal items 14.01 1- 4 and A as presented in the agenda? >> Second. Um, will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Yes. >> Um, are there any personal items from 14.02 5-96 B or C that any member wishes to discuss or has question about? Are there any personal items 14.025-96 B or C that any member wishes to hold out in separate action? Um, may I have a motion to approve personnel items 14.025 through 96 B and C as presented. >> Motion. Second. Laura. Will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert, >> Yes. Proctor. >> Laura White. >> Yes. >> Um, that brings us on to action items here. Uh, may I have a motion
039to approve the minutes of the 62206 regular meeting as presented in the >> motion? Motion second chip. Um, will the clerk please call the role for vote? >> Robert, >> yes. >> Um, that brings us on to the second public comment section here. public comment that we have at this time. The board of education encourages public participation in school related matters at board meetings. Any group or organization wishing to address the board must first identify a single spokesperson. The presentation should be as brief as possible. Speakers will be permitted to speak for up to three minutes. The board will not allow public session uh discussions involving individual district personnel or students. All speakers are to conduct themselves civily. Obscene language, li statements, threats of violence, statements advocating racial, religious, and other forms of prejudice will
040not be tolerated. Persons making presentations to the board meeting will address the remarks of the president to the president that may reject uh questions or comments for members of other district officials only approval of the president. Any public comment? Um all right, that brings us on to new business at this time. Um Dr. Dr. Moral, do you have some new business you want to talk about? I know we got some other people want to say some stuff. I'll start with Dr. Moral. >> Oh, yes. Thank you. I do have new business. Um the first thing um in my order of new business is to recognize um the hard work of our exeicio student board members, um Noah and Mattea, who have served so well this entire year and just done an incredible job. Um we
041the executive team and the board we are so grateful for your passion, your honesty is very important. Your kindness uh you were able to demonstrate in many ways all of the attributes that we would hope every student and adult would have in our district. And so I'm just so grateful to have been here serving alongside you as as student board members. And so we have a little token of our appreciation. Um and you also have served on the student leadership cabinet which is also very commendable and has helped us and um looking at um the new computer technology coming down the pipe. You all had your hands on that as well. And so I just I just really very thankful and grateful to have served alongside you. So without further ado, we have um the
042executive team. On behalf of the board and the executive team, we have some parting gifts for you. >> Of course. Right. >> Hi. I just want to say thank you all so much. You've been so welcoming and it's been such a great experience. I really appreciate all of you and it's really awesome that all of you have put in so much time and effort into simply volunteering your time of the day just to kind of care about all the students in our community. So I just want to say thank you and I really I learned a lot and it was awesome. Thank you so much. Have a great summer. >> Um so the board also got you a little thing. So we have some board proclamations for you guys for serving on the board. Um,
043really appreciated you guys being here. Um, you know, sorry from T. I didn't know you before this. Um, I feel like I know you very well here. Um, I'm very proud of you. You come up here. You speak your mind on stuff and um, I know you're not graduating so it's good. Um, get some new board members and I hope you helped with guidance of them and they're going to have questions and and stuff. And I I always look at um I always look at like George Washington was president, right? stays there forever and kept serving and he kind of set that precedent of um serving two terms and moving forward. So I think that's very important too is that you were here, you know, you served the year and then we're going to get
044new board members where you can guide them. We still have somebody that's still in the school to do that um and stuff. So I really appreciate that and um thank you for everything. Um so it's great. So don't be a stranger. So, I'll read these off and then yeah. Um, and then Noah, I'm I'm very proud of you and how much you've grown. I've known you many years. I've had your baseball when you were younger and stuff. And to see the the man you become here and, you know, I know you're out there hustling and cutting grasses and you're tired because you've been out there in the sun. Um, but just to see you coming up here and speaking um the way you have and I wouldn't have guessed any of this five years ago.
045Um, I don't think many people would have. Um, and I don't think you would have guessed this five years ago. So, for you to come up here and do this and stuff is really it's it's amazing and stuff. And I, you know, on a side note, you do umpire games. You're great with the kids. Um, so I know you like the school board stuff, but there's always a future with Education Kitchen. You know everybody's name. You're out there. You're encouraging them. Give high five. So, you know, that's important, too. You know, being a leader that way. So, um, don't cry. Don't worry. Um, so we got some proclamations. Before I get to anybody want to say does anybody have anything they want to say about them? I know. >> Yes. Dear no matea, you started
046out this year as our district's first ever exitio student board members. You led your own paths individually and collectively. You utilize your voices. You led fun forums with the superintendent's cabinet that I just had pleasure of being part of. You attended the League of Women Voters panels as well as you divided and conquered where you needed to. And I'm just really grateful to have been able to we walk this this unknown path together. And I'm just grateful for that. I am forever filled with pride and infinite gratitude for the opportunity to have tried my best and to continue to learn for the rest. That will come after you phenomenal, strong, emotionally intelligent young adults. Thank you for teaching me. >> So I'm going to read these. They're similar. I'm like, Bill, I want to try
047here. So, um, >> so is it okay if I just want to cut you off? You're not there. the mic wasn't working, but uh I just want to say to uh Noah Matea uh just want to say thank you so much um for first welcoming here to Southampton and uh I am a strong believer in student voice and our collaboration our discussions you know in the high school uh has really really been very helpful and you know seeing the vision for a lot of students what they want Southampton High School to be and continue to be and grow and uh it's really your leadership that has guided with us at the building at building administrator in our conversation. And like I said, Noah, I am going to miss you a lot. And um and Matea,
048I know I have you in the building. I know there's other opportunities that I know you're excited. I'm very proud of you. So that opportunity of student voice doesn't go away. I just want you to know that. So, uh thank you again. >> Thank you. Um so um proclamation Mattea and Noah have faithfully and dignitly served as an exeic student member of the Southampton Union Free School u Union Free School District Board of Education for the 2025 2026 school year. And whereas they have consistently demonstrated an outstanding commitment to civic engagement, embodying the voice and perspective of the student body with maturity, integrity, and grace. And whereas um they have dedicated countless hours to reviewing board agendas, attending public meetings, participating in district events, and bridging the gap between students, administration, and the board. And
049whereas they have actively contributed to discussions and ensure and and ensured that the needs, concerns, and aspirations of all students remained a focal point for district policy and operation. And whereas they've served as an exceptional role model, demonstrating to peers and community members alike the value of active participation in public education and local governance. And now therefore, it be resolved that the Southampton Union Free School District Board of Education hereby expresses it uh deepest gratitude and highest uh commendations to uh Matteo Noah for their exemplary service, leadership, and dedication to the students, staff, and community of Southampton. And it's to be ver further resolved that this proclamation is presented to Mattea Noah as a token of our appreciation and best wishes for a bright and successful future. by the actions of the school board. I
050set my hand to this proclamation on the 16th of um June 2026. SO, >> YEAH, we'll take a picture last meeting. Come on. Do one more. >> All right. Yeah, we've already been here three hours. Why not? >> What's another five minutes, right, Joe? >> That's right. >> Make it count. You guys can come get a picture. >> We're all in this together. Let's go. We've all been in this. Everybody's been sitting up there. Sit right here. Jump right here. Am I standing right in front? That's >> all right. >> Whose phone? All right. >> I don't think you Congratulations to the right here. All right. This year has been interesting year. There's a lot of ups and downs. Um this board experience has been incredible. Last 10 minutes. A lot of thoughts have been
051going through my mind about all the things that um the board the board and everyone has accomplished. Um you know, I take I take a lot of pride in be able to serve this whole community. Um, I'm very honored and being able to do this every, um, and I when I walk through the building, I feel some sort of recognition. I don't look for that recognition, but it just comes naturally and it's pretty cool. Um, a lot of kids in my school look up to me and uh, hope I was able to touch a couple people this year in any sort of way. Um, hopefully there's big things ahead and I don't know. I I could speak all night, but I just get really emotional. I just want to say thank you so much. Um,
052I hope I touch a couple kids lives this year. Um, 650 kids in high school in the middle school and the elementary school. Um, I went through this walkthroughs shows right now like it's crazy like a lot of kids really like they these kids are special. They have they have some sort of talent and just drive in them. They just their smiles like these kids are not just students. They're they're human beings and they need to be treated with respect or anything and they are all the time. But I just like I just feel like they're vibe and like like um like one like one student said there some sort of aura. Um and it's really special and I'm I was just honored and privileged to be a part of this year and I just
053couldn't thank everybody enough. Um hopefully you'll see me guys mayor one day. THANK YOU. >> UM, we also, um, tonight is also Germaine Smith's last board meeting. Unfortunately, he sent us a text earlier. Um, he's been going up to Nassau County for some of the police and he got stuck in traffic um because there was a bad accident tonight and it got backed up. So, he was not able to attend this meeting. Um, I I want to thank Germaine for the last four years. You know, it's it's not this is a really not good paying job, free service um here. And um you know, you come in, he served on policy, personnel, in finance, you know, spending hours in school prior to being on the board while he's on the board. And it really it's
054an everyday commitment um that he's making that he was trying to for the best of the kids in the school and admire him for that and for all the efforts that he put in on things and um you know we want to thank him for his time s I know Dr. Morel wanted to say something she had a little gift for him. I'm going to read the proclamation. I'm hoping we can celebrate in person and see him one day. Um but I know he's busy with us. So >> yeah the executive team Germaine wherever you are hope you're safe. um have a small token of our appreciation. Um I would just like to say that um Germaine Smith has been a true advocate for all children in Southampton schools. Um he definitely has a heart
055and care about people. um is kind um and was a strong support of the work and the vision of of what I was trying to do or what I am trying to do as superintendent of Southampton schools um and bringing people together and bridging gaps um that that divide us and Germaine was certainly an advocate for that is certainly an advocate for that and I I just truly am going to miss him on the and um all his work, all his hard work, but I know I'll be seeing him in the community. Um but um just truly second to none in terms of um student advocacy um and and really fairness um and just a just a just leader in our community. Going to miss him. >> Thank you. Um so I'm I'm going to
056read the proclamation even though he's not here. So, um, Mr. Germaine Smith began his service to the Southampton Union Pree School District Board of Education on July 1st, 2022 and has served as a trustee and with dedication, sorry, it's like an old English with dedication and distinction for the past four years. And whereas he has served the board of education and community with administrators, teachers, and staff while continuing the educational traditions of the Southampton Union Pree School District and always setting the standards to a high level. And whereas he has attended well over 80 board of education meetings and has served as a member of various committees including audit finance personnel policy and wellness committees spending many hours away from his family on the district's behalf and has received and read thousands of texts, emails
057and pages of reports and documents for countless hours during the past four hours uh four years. whereas he has supported all endeavors that benefited all students in an art district and provided invaluable knowledge. Now therefore on the 16th day of June in the 250th year of the independence of the United States of America by the action of the board of education on behalf of the district and community we honor Mr. Jermaine Smith by offering his praise and heartfelt thank you for four years of dedicated service by the action of the board of education. I set my hand to this in proclamation on the 16th day of June 2026. So thank you Germaine for all your service. >> So that being said, does anybody I just want to say thank you Jermaine Smith for being my
058big brother. Thank you for giving me your wisdom. Thank you for making sure that I'm emotionally regulated and being a mentor and showing me what it is to be liked and not liked but still stay focused on the task which is the children. Thank you Germaine Smith and the best of luck to you on your new journey. Thank you. >> Yeah. All right. >> Just a few more. Um, so the New York State School Boards Association's Board Excellence Recognition Program is designed to acknowledge those school board members who strive to continually expand their governance knowledge and skills. Two members of our board of education have earned a coveted board excellence recognition award um ranging from level one to level four. Level one is the NISBA's board achievement certificate of rec of recognition and both of
059our uh board members uh receive this. These achievement levels are reached when members accumulate points for participating in NISBA training, workshops, events, and activities as well as for taking on board related roles such as board president and NISBA advocacy liaison. I would like to recognize trustee Rodney Pearson for achieving NISBA's level one board achievement award for striving to expand his knowledge and governance skills. He accumulated 110 points. Yeah. 110 points for NISMBA NISSBA board achievement through his training. He receives a certificate uh for a certificate of recognition. Congratulations, Trusty Pearson. Also receiving level one board achievement under NISBA's board excellence recognition program with 85 points is board President Zachary Epley for participating in workshops and taking on board related roles. Congratulations. All right. Thank you. >> Awesome. >> All right. Um, so with that being
060said, does anybody have any other comments or we got our last meeting of the year here? Jill, last meeting of the year, last chance. >> Good. >> I I got to give a shout out Daniel Lee. Congratulations. You sat you know, you're the only retiree who stayed through this whole meeting. So, brownie points there. Um, and again, brownie points, I'm sorry. You were my Sunday school teacher back when I was in fifth grade, and I was not an easy student in that. So, I could see the patience of if you can sit through that, you could sit through this meeting. No problem. So, um, with that, um, may I have a motion to adjourn this meeting at 9:40 p.m.? >> Motion. Second. >> Second. All right. Thank you.