001to reflect and pause for a moment and uh talk about how much we appreciate the the people, the men and women that come to work every day, whether they're instructional teachers or not. The dedication, the time, the effort, the patience that's required to work with our students is so very much appreciated. And um that's it for next month. >> Thank you. Um next up is the merger committee. We're going to be talking about that under unfinished business. Um so we'll we'll bring that there. Um facilities committee we have not met. We meet next week. Wellness we had a nice report on wellness. So uh you're good. Um pol policy committee um met on 121. >> So policy this year we have a lot of work to do. Um so we've started we've been very busy.
002Uh we worked on the code of conduct reorganizing that like Dr. Morell discussed um and we had Dr. Mitchell kind of overseeing that and we'll hear back in June. Uh we also received a NISBA agreement to help us overhaul an essential policy manual and we're going to continue receiving a subscription to help us with policy. It's like a policy update service. Um we worked on the field trip policy. We consolidated um some field trip regulations and um went through some obsolete things that really weren't part of policy. And uh we got a long list of policies to remove or suggested policies to remove. So we started calling through those. I forget how many we 15. Okay. So we did all of that in an hour. It was we we have a lot to do. So,
003that's just the tip of the iceberg. And when do we meet again? Uh, Thursday. This Thursday. So, we have a good uh Zach, you're joining us. I heard this. >> Uh, yeah. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. 15 policies. Yeah. >> Bring your pencils and erasers. >> That's it. Awesome. Thank Thank you. Um, that brings us into policy here. So, we have no policies for free first reading. Uh, expedited. Oh, forget. Yeah, we get that with there's none for none for reading. Second policy. We have none for second reading. Um, but we have policies for the first reading here. Um, so may I have a motion to review the following policies for first reading as presented. Policy 2420, administrative regulations. Policy 3310, administrative regulations. Policy 4317, a model 100 tac tobaccof free school policy for Southampton
004school district. Policy 4410 grouping for instruction. Policy 4430s um student schedules and course loads. Policy 4531 field trips and excursions. Policy 4531R field trips regulations. Policy 4531E.1 field trip exhibition district field trip approval form. Policy 4531E.2 field trip exhibition parent approval form. Policy 4531E3 field trips exhibition checklist and response policy 4526.2 to webpage publishing policy 5120 school census policy 5215 student government policy 5240 student performances at community functions policy 5253 extra classroom activity fund return checks policy 5260 student um competitions and contests policy uh 5640 student enrollment so do I have a motion >> motion Second, Laura. Um, will the clerk please call the role for a vote on that? >> Yes. >> Awesome. Um, that brings us on to consent agenda items. Are there any consent agenda items from 12.01 through 1220 that any
005member wishes to discuss or has a question about? >> Yes. Uh 12.13 >> 12.13 overnight. >> Yep. >> Yeah. We have a um an overnight here. That's and we've talked about this before. There's a 60-day um approval on that which we're under again. So, I don't know why we we're under on some of them, but Go ahead. >> Yeah. the state I'm sorry the the state just gave us the date for this um not too long ago. So they hadn't actually um finalized the dates. Uh there's one in February the year and one in May, but we don't know where the dates are until they get those to us. >> Um so the May one should come in timely, but they just put those dates out. That's why you see uh that coming in a
006little late. >> Okay. I just want to try to stick to the policy and if we know it's coming, um, and I know you don't have an exact date, but if we can get close, that would be helpful and then everybody's on the same page, >> right? >> All right. Awesome. Um, anything else discuss? Um, >> Yeah. Yeah. Uh, yeah, we're on the consent. >> Yeah. 12.14. Yeah. uh $6,500 uh we're spending on the for if someone could just explain to me what what that's for and kind of where that ends up. >> Um that was what Ruth just talked about in policy. Do you want to touch base or anybody? >> Um yes. >> So um the committee has talked about and researched and met with NISMA. Um we subscribe to quarterly policy service
007already after many years with NSA. Um and then uh twice in the last like 10 years we have came for a policy audit. The last time uh was before COVID and then COVID hit and so we have the audit and we were uh set to go through the whole policy manual based on that audit to try to determine what could be removed from the policy manual, what needed to be updated, what we were missing and that type of thing. uh co hit that really went basically nowhere. So last fall we paid for another policy audit. We received that um and at this point in the policy committee it's quite overwhelming to go through the entire policy manual. Um many policies are there when you click on them. They haven't been revised or looked at since
0082008. Um, and so in an effort to try to uh get up to date with all of our policies in the most uh expedient manner, uh we reached out to NISBA to find out about this uh like extra service that they provide. Um the policy committee met with uh the representative from NISBA, ask the questions about what exactly that entails. I don't know if anybody wants to speak to that. Um, but they that $6,500 they gave us the amount that we had already paid for the policy audit towards the cost of the entire policy kind of revamping service that they do. And so that's why that amount is only $6,500. It would be more than that if we hadn't already paid for the policy audit. And from what I understand that would have been probably
009one of the first steps that they did with this entire revamping of the policy manual anyway would be to audit what we currently have. So we're one step into that process as is. And basically what they'll do if you guys approve this agreement is that NISPA will take our policy manual. Uh they will review as you can see we've already started with looking at the list that they gave us of policies that are okay to be removed at this point. So the committee looked at the list that you had before you today started with part of that. We got about halfway list that they had um so that we can kind of remove those uh or or not based on board decision um and take those uh and deal with those. Then they'll take the
010rest of the policy manual based on the policy audit and anything that they feel uh needs to be updated. They'll suggest language for it so that we don't get mired down in the actual policy committee having to do that work because as we can see even though we've done two policy audits in many years past since 2008 a lot of these policies don't get touched. So, they're just going to basically help us get through and streamline the process, get through that, make suggestions to the policy committee and then to the wider board so that hopefully uh if this is approved and we get through this service, hopefully by the end of the in about a calendar year, we can have a policy that when anybody clicks on a policy, it will say last revised 2026,
011not 2008. And then we can then continue with the policy update service. They send those to us four times a year and we can uh you know keep up with the any changes and mandates and policies that are required. Right now it's just completely overwhelming. I don't know if anybody wants to Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, even if we hadn't already done a policy on it, the amount of work that it would take, I mean, there Yeah. I I can't even imagine how many hours it's going to take them, but based on the on the contract, you can see that they're looking about a calendar year to a calendar year and a half to kind of get That's a lot of work. Um, but it will just help us get to a point. I
012mean, I'm hopeful that sometime within my career, people that I see that updated. >> Probably never will. When you start when you finish, you're going to have to start all over. >> Um, Chip, do you have anything else? Um, I I do want to talk about it. So, our school calendar for this year is on here at 12:20. Um, 12.20. Um, I was looking through it just now. Um, so we're going back to school before Labor Day. You know, I I I know it's I know it's tough and we have to get a certain amount of contractual days in and I know Labor Day is late. Um but we are scheduled to do two the teachers return on August 31st and then the first is those two days and then we go to school on
013the second and third and then we're off on for four days like >> I don't are other schools doing that I Carver East I don't talk to them >> but we're so our students are going back for two days where they were >> on Tuesday. That's for next year. >> Okay. So, um I had to be um first of all, I followed more so the Eastern selfie uh their calendar and crafting uh our calendar. But we also have to be mindful of the powout. Um it's it's Labor Day weekend. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I wasn't talking about just the I was just talking about like like the two we're going that Tuesday, Wednesday to school or Wednesday, Thursday the 2nd and third. So, we're going two days before Labor Day. And I know people go
014away for Labor Day. They're not around like um and I understand being off the Friday, having four. It's there's no way to take that September 2nd and third and some like fine two days during the year so everybody can go back to school Tuesday after. Well, if we do that, um, so the same thought that, um, you have, uh, we have to give a Labor Day, um, holiday, but the same the same thought, um, you have about the two days going there. If I the, you know, one, I got to come up with 180 days of student attendance. And because of how late Labor Day is, it was really um sketchy for me to do that. The only thing I would have to do is cut off more days um in December. And I think
015you run into the same issue you're talking about with the Labor Day. People want their winter recess um because they have plans with their families and things like that. And I'm already cutting into that more so than we have done in the last two years. Um, and so I I don't think it would be wise to have staff come into school the day before uh the the you know Christmas Eve. I mean that's >> um the other thing um that um we we had to look at is that the way that the spring recess um falls and um for those who are uh celebrating, you know, um Easter and things like that, we have to give those breaks, but then um I can cut off the spring break if you want me to do that
016instead. And then I think we run like it had to go somewhere because of the way the days fall and I just felt like I would rather so and then keeping in line with Eastern selfies and we flipped this around a few times, right Dr. Van and Jean? Um we flipped it around. We we looked at this uh we started looking at at this calendar two months ago trying to figure out how to get those 180 days in there plus the four conference days. Um plus not have it be too choppy for the students most importantly but then their families over the year. But of course I'll do whatever you want. I just wanted to discuss because >> you know I know how tough when I have little kids like going for two days before
017Labor Day and then going to break for four days and then start again on Tuesday like what's really like you're going to get them going and go and then holiday weekend it's like personally when I look at the calendar like and I look at just skimming through here like the way Easter is early and we have the April break late like do we need the Monday after the Easter it's already only a two day it's It's a three-day weekend. Like, could we cut that Monday off, give that Tuesday off and do the three days? Could we go to school on December 23rd and then just go through because we're already going Monday, Tuesday that week. You know, I I know we've had the last two week years, we've had the two weeks off for Christmas,
018which is great, but it's also very difficult for parents. >> We're not doing that. >> And I know we're not doing that, but I I just think like is there a way to find those two days somewhere? I don't I don't know >> the eth to start the kids on the 8th of September. >> I think that's late. I think I I I believe um and I mean it's not about me um by myself um but I believe we the way I think about how schools start is that um those two days are really organizational days anyway and it kind of get for teachers and students to getting to know you getting to know the rules getting to know everything about where my classes are where my locker is what books, where do I sit?
019Like those two days are really organizational days and then when you come back after the Labor Day recess um on the ETH then you're you're full ground. So I don't see them as I mean you're saying families want to go away. >> I just feel like Easter they want to go away >> but we what I'm saying is we still have the spring break. So, I don't see when Easter is only a 4-day weekend this year and then there's a whole week for spring break later. Um, you know, like I don't see how they're going to go as much for I know it's a family holiday and people want to go and that Friday's holiday and Sunday so you can't go to school on the Friday. Um, I just I I'm kind of looking for
020your guys opinion on like is >> I I would second what Zach says and and I'm just gonna speak for my you have about 80 to 90 Shin kids in the district and that whole week leading up to it. You have probably a third of those families preparing stands and food and setting up stands and organizing. And so to go in for two days or to have that weight on them just, you know, and I'm all about being in the classroom. So, um, but I I agree with Zach on that. Just if we can consider trying to find two days elsewhere if it's possible. >> Yeah. I don't know the schedule last night, the calendar. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I can take it off Easter. What about our students? What do you think? Um, I
021would have to agree um with starting after Labor Day. I mean, I wouldn't want to take away from our Easter break, but I do think it's a little >> So, but when you when you look at Easter, so Easter is early on March, >> you would have a week off in April. >> You and then you still have a week off at the late of April. So, >> there's just an X. Does that not mean that just the district office is closed? >> Yeah, the X is an actual holiday. They're closed. Um, so when you look at Easter, Easter is on a Sunday. So you have the Friday off and then you have the Monday. So it's a four day weekend and everybody's back. But then we have April spring break at the end of
022April. So like is there a way because that Monday is not a holiday. I don't think >> in April. >> I don't know. We also have like four days allocated for snow days. >> Well, you can't use those to the end anyway. make sure it doesn't >> sn is there two more points that I'm able to um share as well I think are important um that we spoke about I think the one is that we also tried to preserve the tradition of the Wednesday off um before Thanksgiving that is something that um I know it's been here at Southampton for a very long time and something that's very important but more uh importantly I think what Dr. Morel said earlier that that I don't think we spent enough time on was the Boseies calendar. Um
023this calendar aligns with all the Boseies programming. So it's important we try not to close our days where um when when we are closed and Boseies is closed. So we do have differences on here uh and we understand that but but we try to maintain a calendar so both Bosey's programming and our programming are open at the same time. We have um we have had calendar days where that's uh not the case. We do at the high school account for that. But it does mean that you have roughly 75 students that are not in program on those days. >> And both give us they give >> So when I look at the Bosey's calendar here, um they're not off on December 23rd, but we are. That's one day right there. If we stick to the
024calendar, >> right? say that. Sorry to peep over. Um >> yeah, >> but I don't What do you guys feel? I mean, as ministers, I >> I agree. I think we bring kids in on September 8th. >> Pull from Easter. The Monday good or the Monday after Easter. >> That's when >> question is, are we allowed to pull that day because you still need to have a Easter holiday workday off? I don't know. Oh, it's only Good Friday. >> Yeah, good Friday. Good Friday. >> Good Friday. >> So, um let's see. >> A lot of dates. I What? >> You said take the Easter. Okay. Good Friday is on the 26th and then um Sunday. So you you want to take the the 29th. I think >> I just think that um not having that
025extra day for Easter is kind of will be kind of hard. Uh you know, but I somewhere something's going to hurt. Yeah. >> So, um, so what I tried to do is what we tried is to stay in alignment with Eastern self-prop as much as possible, but knowing that some dates we can't, >> but it's a board decision. >> I just want us to be cautious that as we are, as Dr. Don said, as we are closing other days, we're we're going to be open when our bow season is closed and there will be a lot of mismatch. That's why they actually send this to us and tell us to craft behind them. So, >> Mr. President, is it is it possible to take this and do we have to approve it tonight? Is it
026something we can uh kind of put aside and all of us kind of collaborate on what works? Yeah, I'd be okay with tableabling and maybe reaching out to I don't know what what Zach Carver is doing. I just I just know I >> Okay. Yeah. So, I I just know I I heard from parents about and I and I understand going for Labor Day and then after it's it's big, but No, you got something? Yeah, I think it's great to go back after Labor Day because like you get that last barbecue in and everything and then like you know you get to go back to school and then you're just like flying through and uh I think it's a better way to start because then you have to go back for two days. I mean
027I get the organization part but like you just you go back full throttle no matter what. Don't go back for two days and then go back full throttle. I think it's just like go full throttle all the way in because for the last four years like since I've last time I've been in a middle school like we used to start school after Labor Day but we've started school like September 1st, September 2nd. I think it's time to go back to like September 8th. I just think it makes more sense with the calendar and stuff. >> I think consider a lot of our high school kids that are of working age are still working >> right up until Labor Day. >> Yeah, that's I mean that's why I had to work that weekend because college kids
028are away and So, so I think >> the puzzle is getting the 180 days in. >> Yeah. >> So, if you want to, you know, take a look at it, we can just table it for tonight. >> Yeah. I'd ask if you guys are okay with tableabling um the calendar and then we can go back to the drawing board about trying to figure out two other days that work for that so we don't have to go back that Wednesday, Thursday before Labor Day. >> Okay. So, I'm gonna I'm gonna we're going to pull 1220 off um when I go through. Um I know we're still on consent agenda. Does anybody else have any other ones here? Um I I am um I am going to make a Is there any consent items people want to
029hold out for separate action um between there? So, I'm I'm actually going to hold out 1212 um because I'm shepherd on it. Um so um may I have a motion to approve consent agenda items 12.01 through 1211 and 1213 through 1219 as presented in the agenda. >> motion second. Um may the clerk please call the role for a vote. >> Robert Zachary. >> Yes. >> Roerson. >> Yes. >> Sugar. >> Yes. >> Germaine Smith. >> Yes. >> Laura White. Yes. >> Yes. >> Um, so may I have a motion to approve consent agenda item 1212 as presented in the agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. Um, will the clerk please call the role? >> Robertson. >> Yes. >> Smith. >> Yes. >> And Laura White. >> Yes. Yes. >> Great. And then um 1220 we're gonna
030um sorry it um here financial items. Are there any financial items on 13.01 through 1313 that any member wishes to discuss or has questions about? Are there any financial items on 13.01 through 1313 that any member wishes to hold up for separate action? Um, may I have a motion to approve financial items 12.13 through 12.13 as presented in the agenda? >> Motion. >> Approve the second. Would the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Zachley. >> Yes. >> Rob Pearson, >> yes. Sherwood, >> yes. >> Jermaine Smith, >> yes. >> Laura White, >> yes. Yes. >> All right. Um got some personal items here. There's a You guys going to have to bear with me here. We got some some retirements to go through. Um so, um resignations, terminations, um everything here.
031Uh do we have any personal items from 12.01 011 through31 that any member wishes to discuss or has questions about. Um I am going to hold out personnel items 12.01 1 7 9 through19 and 22 through 31. Um are there any other personal items on 1401 2-6 8 20 or 21 that any member wishes to have separate? No. Um, may I have a motion to approve personnel items uh 14.01, 2 through 6, 8, 20, and 21 as presented in the agenda? >> Motion. Got >> a second. >> Second. Um, will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Zachary. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Sherwood. >> Yes. >> J Smith. >> Yes. >> White. >> Yes. >> And white. >> Yes. All right, here we go. Um, start. Okay.
032Um, got some retirements. Um, may I have a motion to approve personnel item 12 14.011, 111 the retirement of Paula effective 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for 20 years 25 years of service the district has presented in the agenda >> second will the clerk please call the role >> Robert Zach >> yes >> Pearson >> yes >> Jermaine Smith Yes. >> Laura White. Yes. And Ruth White. >> Yes. >> Um, may I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.01 7, the retirement of Nancy Kaine, effective 6:30, 2026 with sincere sincere gratitude for her 30 years of service to the district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion. >> Second. Will the clerk please call the role? >> Robert Zack. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. Dentling. Yes. Jermaine Smith. >>
033Yes. >> Lauren White. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to approve personnel item 12.019, the retirement of Michael Claw Cause Senior, effective 63026 with regret and sincere gratitude for his 23 years of service to the district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion. Um, will the clerk please call the role? >> Robert Zak. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. Her deadlin. >> Yes. >> Um, may I have a motion to approve personal item 14.0110, the retirement of Anne Chiliki, uh, effective 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her 21 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion. >> Uh, will the clerk please call the role? >> Robert S. Yes. >> Yes. >> May I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.011, the retirement
034of Victor Cordova effective 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for his 21 years of service to the district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion. >> Second. Um, may the clerk please call the role for a vote. >> Robert Zach, >> yes. >> He sure >> Yes. >> Um, may I have a motion to approve this for you chair? Um, personnel item 14.012, 112 the retirement of Kevin Croak effective at 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for his 23 years of service to the district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion second. May I have Will the clerk please call the role? >> Robert Zachary. >> Yes. >> Ronnie Pearson. >> Yes. >> Shortley. >> Yes. >> Smith. >> Yes. >> Laura Wood. >> Yes. >> Um may I have a motion to
035approve personnel item 14.0113 1013 the retirement of Laura Franklin effective at 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her 29 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion >> second. May I would the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Zachley. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Person. >> Yes. >> Student. >> Yes. >> Mr. May Smith. >> Yes. >> Laura White. >> Yes. White. >> Yes. Mrs. May, I have a motion to approve the personnel item 14.0114, the retirement of Cecilia Gravano, effective 63026 to the graten sincere gratitude for her 24 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion second. Will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Zachley. Yes. >> Robbie, yes. >> Yes. Smith, >>
036yes. >> Laura White, >> yes. him. >> Yes. >> Next is um may I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.015, the retirement of Kimberly Hanigan effective 6:30 2026 uh with regret and sincere gratitude for her 27 years of service to this district as presented in this motion. >> Second. >> So, please call the role. >> Robert Zachley. >> Yes. Please be right then. Yes. >> Next. May I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.0116 retirement of Melissa Hustler effective at 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for 25 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Um, please call the role. >> Robert, yes. >> Rodney Pearson. Yes. >> Jermaine Smith. >> Yes. White. >> Yes. says, "May I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.0117, the
037retirement of Reagan Kemba, effective 6:30 2026, with regret and sincere gratitude for her 26 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda." >> Motion, please call the role. >> Robert, >> yes. >> Pearson, >> yes. >> Smith, >> yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> All right, Teddy, you're next here. I know you've been waiting all night. Congratulations. Filming this here. So, um, may I have a a motion to approve personnel item 14018, the retirement of Theodore Latchic, effective 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for his 30 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. Second, >> will the clerk please call the role? Robert Zachley. >> Yes. >> Bradley C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Sherwood. Yes. >> Yes. >> White. Yes. White. >> All right. Congratulations, Teddy. I know
038you waited all night. And we'll And again, we're going to get to honor everybody. We're going to have the uh retirement um board meeting at the end of the year where everybody gets honored and boss can come in and say something nice about you. Get everybody in. So, it'll be awesome and stuff. Thank you for hanging out here and thank you for all you do for the community with fire department stuff. So, don't be a stranger. I'll see you around. But thank you. >> I'll see you around. >> All right. >> I'll see. >> All right, Teddy. Thank you. >> All right. Um, may I have a motion to approve personnel item 14.0119, the retirement of Danielle Leaf, effective 6:30 2026 sincere gratitude for her 24 years of service to this district as presented in
039the agenda. Motion. >> Yes. Second. >> Will the other clerk please call the role? Same. I'm saying yes before. >> Robert Pearson. >> Yes. >> Sherwood Dudley. >> Yes. >> All right. Next is May I have a motion to approve personnel item 140122, the retirement of Irene Nvice effective? >> Oh shoot. Oh >> 113 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her four years of service to this district as presented in this agenda. >> Motion second. May the clerk please call the role for a vote. >> Margaret Zach. >> Yes. >> Rodney. >> Yes. >> Sherwood defin. >> Yes. >> All right. May I have a motion for um to approve personnel 140123 term of joint proval effective 630 2026 the grant sincere gratitude for her 30 years of service this district has presented in
040this agenda >> motion would the clerk please call the role for a vote >> Robert >> yes >> Rodney C Pearson >> yes Yes. >> Next is may I have a um motion to approve personnel item 140124 the retirement of Marabel Ramos effective at 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her 24 years of services district as presented in >> motion. Second clerk please call the role for a vote. Robertley, >> yes. >> Pearson, >> yes. >> Woodley, >> yes. >> Journey Smith, >> yes. >> Says, "May I have a motion to approve personnel item 140125, the retirement of Samantha Saw effective 6:30, 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her 22 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda." >> Motion second. >> Will the clerk please call the role
041for a vote? >> Robert Tapley. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Next is May I have a motion to approve personnel item 140126 the retirement of Eene Shimpis effective 6:30 2026 with the sincere gratitude for 21 years service district as presented in the motion. >> Uh will the clerk please call the role for vote? >> Robert Saki. >> Yes. announcement. >> Yes. >> Next is um may I have a motion to approve personal item 140127 the retirement of Charles K. Smith effective 6:30 2026 regret and sincere gratitude for his 42 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion >> second. Um will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Zackley. >> Yes. >> Ronnie Pearson. >> Yes. the announcement. >> Yes. >> Next is May I
042have a motion to approve personnel item 14.0128 the retirement of Christine Snider effective 630 2026 regret and sincere gratitude for her 23 years of service to this district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion second. Um will the clerk please call the role for a vote? >> Robert Zachley. Yes. >> Roger C. Pearson. >> Yes. Shley. >> Yes. Jman. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Next is may I have a motion to approve personnel 140129 the retirement of James Tortaglia effective 6:30 2026 with regret and sincere gratitude for her for his uh 25 years of service to this district as presented on the agenda. >> Motion second. >> May I the clerk please call the role? >> Robert Zachley. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. Yes. Jimmy, >> Yes. Yes. >> Next says,
043"May I have a motion to approve personal item 140130, the retirement of Welton Taylor, effective at 6:30, 2026, regret and sincere gratitude for his 32 years of service this district has presented in this." >> Motion second. >> Will the clerk please call the role for vote? >> Robert Zachary. >> Yes. >> Rodney S. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Shley, yes. Hman, >> yes. Yes. >> Um, lastly, may I have a motion to approve personal item 140131, the retirement of Jerome Walker, effective 6:30 2026 is Brett with sincere gratitude for his 31 years of services district as presented in the agenda. >> Motion >> second Robert. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. Yes. And with my hand. >> Yes. >> All right. Thank you. I just I just want to congratulate all of our retirements.
044It's a very weird thing. Some of these a lot of these people were teachers when I was in school and they were like a young cool teacher and now they're all retiring and um it's very sad to see them go and you know I I think about everybody in here and what they've done for this community in the last 20 years. So, um, or 42 years. Um, and it's it's really amazing. So, we're going to we're going to miss a lot of them. Um, we wish them well in their retirement. Um, I see a lot of names in here from Bosco to Laura Franklin, Seal, Miss Hanigan, who I had in health and scared me to never want to date a woman ever in my life or touch anybody. I thought pregnant walking in the
045room. Um, um, you know, it's it's amazing. Um, everything here. So, congratulations and um thank you again. >> I'd like to echo um congratulations to the retirees and thank you for your many many many years of service. We truly appreciate you. Thank you. >> All right, moving on here. Uh approval appointments 10 year change. Is there any personal items on 14.02 O2 32 through 37 or 39 through 55 that any member wishes to discuss or has questions about. Are there any personnel items 14.02, 32 through 37 or 39 through 55 that any member wishes to hold out for separate action? May I have a motion to approve personnel items 14.02, 32 through 37, and 39 through 55 as presented in the agenda? >> Yes. I mean motion >> second. Um will the clerk please call
046the role for a vote? >> Robertson. >> Yes. >> Awesome. Um onto action items. Is there a motion to approve the minutes of the 2025 public hearing and the 129 2025 regular meeting in the 1217 special meeting as presented? >> Motion second. Um will the clerk please call the role for >> Robert Zack? Yes. >> Rodney. >> Yes. >> Dmith. Yes. >> Lauren. Yes. And >> yes. Yes. >> Um so that brings us to unfinished business here. Um talk about the merger with the merger study that's 16 here. Um so we did get a number back. Um and we got an estimate back for us to um start the study. I talked to Taco. Um something they're going to be looking at improving in February. Um you know there's there's two options. One is like
047a pre- merger study in that study we gave to you and one is the full. they felt um that it'd be good to go forward with full um with in talking to them um because it engages the community more to get their input on stuff. Um so, you know, again, we've been talking about this for a while. Um we've looked at it years ago. You know, it's it comes down to numbers and taxes and um where both of our schools enrollments have gone down and and some of the other things. um you know we can go around but until we get those numbers and see what can be done um there's really just talk so um I don't know if anybody questions about it um I I'd be okay with making a motion to engage
048in the merger study I know you Dr. tomorrow you were going to talk tois um but I'd be okay with making motion to engage in a merger study and approve this um pending taco also um approving to enjoy it joining the same thing so anybody have any questions I know we've gone back and forth on this and >> well do we have any more information on Bosey's involvement because at first I thought it was just the district and then I understand that we have to have Bosey's involvement in this so can you elaborate Yeah, she sent a a very extensive list of how both is to be involved, but I do meet with them on the 15th to get more clarity on their involvement and um next steps. Um in a general conversation with her
049uh with Dr. uh Barella, she um requested that I bring in Dr. Wix um the executive director into our discussion. So, we're going to meet together, but um she was asking a lot of questions about um just the the process and um you know, she talked about those those other two votes and how how would it be different? So I know um but my questions are going to be just exactly what are their what is the role that they play um and what are our next steps because I know that we can't really without their blessing we we can't do it is basically what I'm told. >> Well I remember that letter but I think part of it was part of the their involvement includes the RFP process. So, I'm wondering if we approve it
050tonight. Is there something that's going to conflict with what their efforts are? >> It could be. I'm not sure, but I think what President Epley is saying to approve pending their conversations. >> Yeah. I mean, could we we approve to engage um my merger studies pending um in proposes and um an improvement that tuck coming in on this cost? That's that's kind of um from my understanding >> they're going to want to redo the RFP. I mean I know that you sent it out twice but are they going to so if we approving something want to redo maybe nationwide I don't know >> they might I know that Meyer merger studies was at the conventions and brought in by >> New York state school boards to kind of >> they're the only ones. because they're
051the ones who do it. The guy's been successful um doing it and um has uh has done murder studies for just the most recent districts within the state. So um he did have somebody from Boseis on that call with us. So I I know it's different up there. Um but I I I don't see whether I mean we I still want their approval. >> So um this is just >> Hello. So these are some things that was communicated to us in her initial communication. She said Boseies must manage the process including issuing the RFP and managing the contract. That those are like that's bullet number one I forgot. Scheduling meetings and public information sessions public messaging merger website content maintenance data collection and coordination between consultants and districts. Primary communication between consultants and districts. Limiting
052the frequency of studies involving any single school district to one in three years. Ensuring that any single district shall only be the subject of one study at a time. Simultaneous study shall not assess the same subject district at the same time. Those so we're going to talk that's a lot. So we're going to talk about that on the 15th and then I'll be able to have more sentient conversation with the board. I just don't see the point of this. >> I mean, they've been informed of it. Um, I don't see the harm in getting the ball rolling pending uh, you know, their approval and the, uh, I don't think the RFP they're going to find anybody else. I mean like you said procedurally >> I don't know I mean if they're going to manage the
053contract are they going to also provide resources? I don't know. >> I don't know if they said issuing the RFP and managing the contract. So I'm eager to move forward too and getting to a resolution or a decision but at the same time I process that. >> Yeah. I mean I would feel okay moving forward um pending their close on this um to use meer and taco of course um approving it because we're not we're not going to sign off anything until tuck also approves it and um again tuck be splitting the cost with us on this and um come forward I'll second. >> Okay. >> Second. Um, >> all right. So, take a will the third please call the role. >> Yes. >> Rodney C. Pearson. >> Yes. >> Sherwood Dudley. >> Yes. >>
054Germaine Smith. >> Yes. >> White. >> Yes. >> And yes. >> Yeah. And and again um good thing about doing the full study was too we can engage community members to involve here and it'll kind of be out of our hands once it goes and you know we'll start to look at the numbers and we're said before I think it can be done and I think it can be done at a at the same or less what we're paying in taxes now based on where our enrollments are and stuff. So, um, you know, again, just because whatever the study comes back does not mean we comes back and says our taxes are going up, we can decide not to put it up for a vote. Um, and that, but we don't know this until we
055look at it and we're big different situation than we were. You know, back then they were projecting our enrollments to go up and all this other stuff. We're about down 40%. Cut those down about the same amount that time. So, it's actually a great time to look at it. Um, >> all right. Cool. Um, any other unfinished business this time? Um, so that brings us to the public comments section this time. Public comments will be heard 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 discussions involving
056individual district personnel or students. All speakers are to conduct themselves civily. Obscene language, letter statements, threats of violence, and statements advocating racial, religious, and other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated. Persons making presentations to the board meeting will address remarks to the president. They may direct questions or comments to the board members or other district officials only upon approval of the president. Do we have any public comment at this time? Um, that's that was a little shocking I have to say, Mr. Put that up for a vote right now. Uh, considering it was not on an action agenda item, I don't understand that like the public was not informed of that not there in any aspect. Um the study question uh that they have in in their study is written as would instructional opportunity
057be enhanced for all students at a similar or reduced cost to taxpayers by combining the two districts. Um I find the study question to be kind of shallow. It doesn't really tell you all that much. Um, but if that's the main point of the study, we've already gotten the answer 10 years ago, right? And that's the study come out from 10 years ago. We already know that it is going to cost Southampton taxpayers more money and it's going to help out taxpayers. We know this already. It's not, you know, it's it's not going to change in any aspect at all. And I'll remind you guys, the first time around when we did the first VG merger vote, um, our taxes were supposedly going to go up 8.7%. And then after that, the district said, "Oops,
058sorry, numbers are wrong. It was actually higher than that." And I've got this little propaganda piece from way back then. And on here it says, projected taxes for Southampton property due to merger. If your house is assessed at $2 million, it will be going up five like over $5,000. So, the little caveat on there is that the merger impact only uh it's for the merger only. No inflation or property assessment assumptions are factored into this. So looking at my taxes right now, my taxes are already is close to this and they had nothing to do with a merger at all. So if the town were to reassess all of our properties, we're screwed. And guess what? If you guys haven't been paying attention, they just talked about that. They want to reassess all of us
059and find out exactly where it is. as Miss Mcamera said, they haven't been able to capture the proper taxes on us. So, you guys are going to have an uphill battle on this. And then we have on top of that, we're going to have the electric bus mandates coming down and you guys should have a transportation committee on that because that's going to be an obscene amount of money. So, you're going to have combine all of these things and we're totally screwed on all of it. And then on top of that, our budget is like $20 million more than it was 10 years ago. And it keeps going up like one to$2 million every year. It's not >> going down three minutes. >> Is that Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um All right. So, we're on.
060Anybody else have any comments they would like to make? >> Okay. Um this section of the agenda um is for the board members talk here. So, um I don't have much. I I went to that Dr. Ensula thing last week and that was great about screen time learning. Um we had a great science night over at the high school. We had a great participation from them. So, and the basketball team's been winning which is awesome. So, um you guys doing great. Um ship, do you have anything you want to talk about? >> Uh nothing more for tonight here. Uh, >> welcome back. Happy new year. >> Thank you. >> Um, awesome. Um, Laura, >> we just wanted to congratulate the retirees again. >> Um, Noah, >> I got something to add from about three weeks
061ago. Um, so I mentioned that I would like to see more board presidents in the school and uh, Zach El to the plate, hit a home run and uh, he went to the school fifth period and uh, he spoke with I think 30 let's say like approximately 30 students. So like he probably met 20 more students than he knew before he went in there. So now he's going throughout his time being a president on the board now and now he's he now knows 20 more kids. He might not remember them all, but now he has more connections with them. So, I think it's very important that every board member, um, like I said last time, goes to the school and just shows just shows their face and just shows that they're there for the students.
062Um, so I'm ready for the next contestant to to just come up to the play, hit another home run. Um, come fifth period, fourth period, sixth, seventh to eighth period, doesn't matter. Um, but I think it makes a huge difference. And, uh, if Zack, Mr. wants to or coach out there wants to add on that. Um that would be great. >> Yeah, I mean it was cool. I I was actually impressed with the lunch you guys get with the salad bars and everything and um I didn't eat but I was very impressed and it was it was free forever you guys got the free meal and um it wasn't the Elio's pizza anymore. It's like real pizza and I tried to convince Noah to get a salad. Mom told me he needed one. But uh
063so that advice. So if anyone wants to go eat lunch with Noah, he's looking for people. But thank you. That was that was fun and good to meet you. Anybody? All right. Um, >> we have to we forgot one. It just takes one minute. I just I want to wish everyone a happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day um that'll happen between now and the next meeting and that just remember what Dr. King said. is not about race, ethnicity, gender identity, economic status or language differences. It's about our common humanity in the content of our character. And King also said, "The ark of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." So, wishing everyone a happy Martin Luther King Day. >> Thank you. Um, I promise this be quick. There's one thing that was
064on Dr. else listed up. So, um, may I have a motion to return to executive session at 8:27? >> Motion. Second. All right. I don't care.