001Good evening and welcome to the May 5th, 2026 meeting of the Spackenkill Union Free School District Board of Education. I'd ask that you rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Item 2.01 is comment from the public on consent agenda items only. Any public comment? Any board discussion on any consent agenda items? Okay, with that I'll ask for a motion to accept the consent agenda as written. >> So moved. >> Do I hear a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. It passes. Thank you. Thank you. >> Well, with that that quick consent vote, we have hired a few
002people and they're here today. A bunch of them, so I want to introduce one at a time. And they want to say a quick word, they're welcome to do that. Jessica, do you want to go first? >> Sure. Um we welcome Kimmy. Um Kimmy's going to be our new speech therapist at Nassau Elementary School. Um she may has met with our team at least five times, I would say. Um we were so impressed by your professionalism, your connection to our students, and your connection to our staff and our building overall. We think you're going to be a really great match for our school and our district, and everybody is just so pleased to welcome you here to Spackenkill. So congratulations and and welcome. >> Thank you very much. Thank you, it. I'm looking forward to
003working with everyone. >> Thank you, Kim. Also here today is our new visual arts teacher, Emily. Yes. Hi, Emily. Emily uh very similar to have to follow uh Dr. Mulford with uh Emily impressed us from the get-go. She comes with a lot of experience uh in her previous district as really a leader in the arts. Um definitely impressed us through every stage of the interview process. Um and she her experience is just going to hit the ground running um and you know, she's you know, following a legend a little bit, but uh you know, Emily's up for the task and I think she's even won uh the art teacher of the year award that Sharon also won, so uh that's a good beginning. Um so, definitely welcome, Emily. >> Yes. Um thank you. I'm really
004excited to work here. Um I know I've known Sharon through the art teacher association, so big shoes to fill, but I'm really excited to have the opportunity. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Next, we have a new math teacher, Mr. Darden. Yeah, yeah, you're already getting up there. I have to ask you. You're already standing up. All right, take over. >> Well, good evening, everybody. Yeah, I'm Wendy Wasserman. Uh we are very excited to have Wendy actually back. She was a leave replacement for us uh 3 years ago and she did an outstanding job and um she's dual certified. She's certified K-6 and 7-12 math. Um which is really exciting for us because uh she is going to be our uh sixth grade teacher, but as everybody knows, we are departmentalized, so it's it's basically
005a math position in sixth grade, so we and the department have some members here are uh really excited to have Wendy uh come back to us. Uh wonderful teacher, uh great person and we are really excited to have to add her to our to our staff. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Good to be back. >> Congratulations everyone. Thank you for coming. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Thank you. You're welcome. Okay, at 5:01 is public hearing on the school district budget. Do I have a motion to open the public hearing? >> So moved. >> I'll second. All in favor? Aye. All right. >> I said my name is Ryan. >> Thank you. What was the agenda? I have a full presentation, I believe. >> Send it out, I'll send it to you. >> Sure. So, I'm
006going to go through this. This is the fourth time I think we're going through this presentation, so I'm going to go through it quickly. Uh, but if someone uh wants more information or something, let me know. But I don't want to uh uh you know, say the same thing over and over again if you don't need to. Thank you everyone for coming. Oh. I don't know. Take your time. So, here's the agenda. Uh, basically we're going to go talk a little bit about how how we got to the numbers, a little bit about the district, and some of the successes, and then we're actually going to look at the numbers. Uh, we've conservatively budgeted our state revenue forecast in this budget. Our reserves are healthy and our comptroller's fiscal stress report is positive. Those are
007all good. We're doing a great job with that and I thank Val for making sure all that is is happening. We're presenting a budget that's under the tax cap. Provide a budget that reduces the possibility of significant negative fluctuations in the future. Maintaining a student-centered learning environment, communicating our successes and seeing additional revenues through out of district placement with the students. We talked about in the past, we talked about our after-school programs that help analyze our gaps and help meet our students where they are. Our Virtual Tech Academy led by Marcella Burn who was here at the last meeting to present how we are definitely trying to stay above the above the curve and all the new technology stuff and the AI. We did that last time. We've been working with AI consultant Jerry Preciado.
008We established our AI guidelines. Talked about last week. Our avid program has been taking off. It expands each year. It's It's It's in the high school now and it will go up go another grade level next year. And that's been that's been very great. Allowing the students to do a lot of different things with avid. You can see some of the pictures there. And it's definitely been something very good for our students. More so than I thought even when we I was going to talk about it at some point but even when when we thought about bringing this program to it, I think we definitely are seeing its advantages. We've talked about P2 a bunch of times. I'm very proud of being a green shield district. Which very few districts are green shield. So it's
009good to have that that status. It means that we're we're definitely doing the P2 with Fidelity. The Letchworth experience has been great. Another accolade for us, we were named a lighthouse district. I think we're the only lighthouse district in the United States. There's a couple of lighthouse schools. Um but for us to get that honor is is just great. Some other district successes, uh Niskayuna is Spackenkill as the number one school district in Dutchess County, the best place to live and teach. Uh the district ranked top four nationally. Um the high school uh and Hagan and Todd have all been named a best either high school, middle school, or elementary school. A rare and great honor is the high school uh received exemplary high performing school award, known as the Blue Ribbon Award only this
010year, uh which is amazing. We're the only high school in Dutchess County ever to have that. Um and to have that twice. And our graduation rate is uh number one in the county. Here are some other successes here. Uh we won the the Utica National Safety Award again. I think it's been 14 years in a row. Um our sports have done great. Our Odyssey of the Mind team is leaving Um when do they leave? In 2 weeks? Uh to go to Nationals, which is amazing. Uh that's rare. Um and some of our other uh extracurriculars have done very well. The real estate in Spackenkill, um it's definitely um they always reach out to a realtor. And you know, again, she just said how the you know, the Spackenkill specific, you know, houses in Spackenkill definitely
011go uh for more and go more quickly than any other area in Dutchess County. So, that's awesome to uh to know. It's a testament to everyone in this room. Our tuition uh program continues to to uh go. Uh we're we're currently in that area of 50 uh students. And that is a very good for us uh as far as ratings go. Here's the proposed budget. Uh if you look at the budget, it's an increase of close to uh 4 million from last year to this year. And the tax levy is an increase of just under 600,000 um from last year to this year. Some of the considerations in the in the budget is the salaries, BOCES services, uh transportation, special education tuition, health insurance is a big one we've talked about, debt service, and replacing
012one facilities vehicle. Continuing on with that, we did add a school uh psychologist this year, which is something that's been in the plans for a long time. We want to have one in each building to really help meet the needs of our children. Um there's been adjustments to salaries uh because of minimum wage. Uh we really had to uh change some of the salaries we had. Uh the board's aware of that. Replace older damaged uh facilities equipment, regular classroom maintenance, instructional needs, technology. Technology's been a big one. We've done a lot with cybersecurity and looking at a lot of our infrastructures. We are proposing to purchase a vehicle, 75,000 for our facilities. The key cost drivers are here, the salaries, health insurance, BOCES, uh ERS and TRS, and debt service. All that is sort of
013given to us based on either previous contracts. So, about 85% of our budget is sort of given to us uh and we work with the with the other 15 to try to come up with our our total budget. It's a three-part budget so administrative, program, and capital and you can kind of see that program is the main part of that. I think one of that's head's in the way of the little graphic there but it's a >> Sorry. >> Um bulk of it is the program which is really what's dealing with our students. Click. Um here's the tax levy. Yeah, it's a little bit I know by heart so the tax levy increases 1.75 and it's about just under 600 600,000. Uh if we need to go to contingency budget if the budget was to
014fail and we either try another vote that wasn't successful or we go straight to contingency. Uh there's certain uh rules we have to follow in order to do that. And this is what the contingency budget would look like. We have to reduce that 600,000. And the reductions would come from equipment, transfer from other funds, and supplies. You need to see it? Do I need to move his head? >> Yeah. >> Uh the budget calendar. Remember when we first started this Val? There was all kinds of dates on this. Uh now there's only one date. Uh we have the budget vote on our next board meeting date which is May 19th and our trustee election is also on that day. Um so make sure everyone gets out and vote. Online this presentation is there and you
015can click on that to get more information about what we talked about. Thank you. >> Okay, I'll ask for any comment from the public. This is a public hearing on the budget. Hearing none, I'll ask for a motion to close the public hearing on the school district budget. >> I'll move. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. It passes 4-0. And that brings us to 6.01, secondary administration. >> Uh good evening everyone again. And I have a brief presentation. Let's wait for a second here. There we go. >> Dan, turn your mic on. >> Oh, sorry about that, sir. >> Make sure to send you a copy. Two copies. >> Okay. Thanks. >> You're welcome. >> So, good evening everyone and thank you again for uh having us
016tonight. And we have um tonight I thought I'd talk about clubs and activities. Um I like to do this uh I usually do this once a year, sometimes I miss it, but um clubs and activities as we know are a just a an important kind of hidden feature of what makes school successful. Um and I talked a little bit about this when we did our academic audit that clubs There's a lot that goes into uh student achievement, student happiness, and clubs and activities are certainly one of them. And you know, we have 26 clubs. I'll just kind of go through them. You know, we have 26 clubs at the middle school, which is uh a lot. It's kind of amazing. Uh you see uh a listing of the clubs. We have a listing of students
017in various clubs. And then you also see some activities of the clubs. So, there's just so much that we do and and as anybody who's a parent here knows from you know, 2:30 to 5:00 on any day, there's just anywhere from, you know, a dozen to 100 200 students in at Todd Middle School. Uh and we know that, you know, after-school activities really support students and um you know, supports school culture. I highlight the drama club only because it's pretty unique. I mean, we have 103 students are in the club. It usually is over 100 students. And yeah, it's about a quarter of the It's more than a quarter of the school. So, it's a tremendous thing. They do so much great work. Um and I like to just kind of highlight them. Uh what's
018behind Dr. Horvath's head is um is the overall numbers. So, there's there's 390 students in the uh at Todd and there's over 500 participants. In other words, you know, some are in multiple clubs. And this is just clubs and activities. I've got two more slides that are going to talk about music and sports, which is just not even This is This is just clubs and activities. So, the amount of participation in clubs and activities is really tremendous. And I I want to you know, thank our great transportation company um and and and ours at the at the district level because, um you know, they're doing a lot of driving around. You know, we got the 3:45 bus, we've got the 5:00 bus, we've got wonderful teaching assistants who support you know, supervising the students. So,
019all those things go into it. And also parents, you know, parents are and anybody who comes to the Todd School those with busy parking lot. You know, there's parents picking up at all kinds of times and so it's it's definitely a group effort and it's something to be very proud of. You go to next slide. So now next I want to talk about our music program which is again you know, if you look at the numbers of the students involved you know, keeping in mind that how many students we have in the district in the in the building you know, you see those numbers in 7th and 8th grade 60 band members, 55 orchestra members, 117 chorus members. It's tremendous. You know, what you can't see is just kind of a listing of some of
020the songs. This spring concert starts the spring concert season for the district starts tomorrow night with the 6th grade concert and goes from there. There's I think probably a total of maybe a dozen concerts, you know, between all the schools. Then 6th grade you can see the numbers there the number of students in band, orchestra, you know, and the chorus numbers you know, 75 students in 6th grade chorus is tremendous that's a testament to the music program because you know, those the numbers you see are while some of it obviously is you know, musical interest and perhaps parent musical interest. A lot is also just they're being attracted to the programs from the teachers at the elementary schools and the teachers at the Todd and then going up to the high school. So again something
021to be very proud of and and of course as you're aware and as Dr. Fenway I think mentions it you know, they win most of the time they win the awards of the competitions they go to and they do a tremendous job at our various you know, at our Veterans Day assembly at the moving up ceremony you know, they just it's tremendous and um very proud of them. I'm very proud of the staff who who support them. Next slide is um our Todd's modified sports, which also includes some of the students that are in um junior varsity and varsity sports. This is 7th and 8th grade only. In 6th grade uh we do have intramurals. So, we do have sports in 6th grade, but it's not, you know, the sanctioned where they play other schools.
022But, 7th and 8th grade and you can see those numbers, you know, it goes through the soc- goes through the fall uh winter and spring sports and um you know, there's like for instance, you know, something I I'm proud of is, you know, they've got you know, we have 30 students um play football, you know, we had 16 play girls soccer, we had 18 play volleyball. Um we had 20 do cheer. Uh and we had, you know, right now this year we have 57 students taking track, which is um it's a tremendous amount of students. That's great. And um and it and it's just a great way for students to um you know, I like I love our coaches and the way they approach it, you know, where it is competition and we want, you
023know, students to be their best, but we also want students uh to be part of the team and to it's just they just do a a tremendous job. So, I'm very proud of coaches. And the number that is under the total number is uh 278. So, that's the number of Todd students out of uh 392 that are involved in sports. Um some of those might be double from, you know, from different um seasons, but again, the amount of um participation in after in clubs and activities, in music, and in sports, you know, it is a is a real testament of what kind of vibrant small community they have. I mean, it's really tremendous. Um and yeah, I'm very proud of of what they do and I and all those things, um you know, add to
024the school culture, including, you know, um today we had our eighth grade science test. Um you know, including things like what happened at that science test today um was influenced by these things that have been happening throughout the year. So, I thought I'd bring that to everybody's attention and um I appreciate the the Board of Ed uh F. D. Roosevelt and the district offices' support of um you know, the things I'm doing with Todd. So, thank you. >> Good evening, everyone. I I only have one slide. It's going to be uh more talking tonight, but I wanted to kind of give us a snapshot of the end of the year. It's going to come quick, so I figured uh for public knowledge, for the board's knowledge, just kind of give you an overview of what
025events are going to be happening, a little bit of um some community connections, work that we've been doing, some classroom uh events that have been happening, lessons, and uh I will finish off formally inviting everybody to our science research symposium. So, to start off, we did start our testing season Uh we are giving AP exams between yesterday and uh next Friday. About 30% of our students in Spackenkill High School are taking at least one AP exam within this this 2 weeks. And then after that, we we shift into Regents testing because that starts a little early this year, which I'll mention. Um for some ceremonies that are coming up, junior awards next Friday, May 15th at 8:00 a.m. in the library at the high school. Follow that by our junior and senior prom the Friday
026after that, May 22nd at Villa Borghese. Uh before that, we are going to host a mock accident at Spackenkill High School in the parking lot. So, we'll be conducting that for all of our juniors and seniors. We do that every other year. Um and the opposite years, we do an assembly uh in lieu of the the mock accident. So, both juniors and seniors get to experience both of those presentations before they graduate. Uh our senior trip will be uh to Hershey Park. That's become kind of a custom here. Uh so, that will be on Monday, June 1st into Tuesday, June 2nd. Our district art show will be at Hagan on Thursday, June 4th. Uh senior awards and athletic awards, Friday, June 5th. And then we start June Regents. So, you'll notice that there's two early
027testing days for Regents exams this year, um English and bio. So, the state So, the state makes exams early every year if they're changing any sort of uh the template or the uh the content that's in those exams. So, this year it's English and um and bio, I believe. Don't hold me on that. It might have been a different science. Um senior field day is going to be June 16th. Our own district in house is going to uh put on a barbecue for our seniors. That's pretty exciting this year. Uh the the staff in our building will be putting that on. We'll be helping out. It's going to be a good time. Then we have our graduation rehearsal, June 17th. That's also our back to the nest where the students will travel to every school
028in their graduation regalia. And June June 18th is our graduation at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 18th. We'll of course you know publish that and go over it, but I figured this is a good opportunity to go through all those important dates. For classrooms, AP Bio Cornell Cooperative will be leading a land dissection in our AP Bio classes coming up next week. We are going to hold our annual physics AP physics versus AP chemistry frisbee match outside. That's going to be next week. It's become a big uh a big event in the last couple years. IBM for E week IBM engineers spearheaded by Mr. Herman Lowe, former board member, will be coming to Spackenkill High School to work with our computer classes and a plethora of different science classes. So, engineers will be scattered throughout the
029building and they do some project-based experiments with our students. I think we have four different sessions and seminars and the kids will experience all of those between the science department and our computer science classes. Let's celebrate E week. For the district approved AI guidance, we have some some classes right now we're reviewing that as part of their curriculum, specifically the computer classes that we have and they're going through the guidance and they are having discussions, talking about future AI in their lives, how to future-proof themselves be- be part of security moving forward, dealing with machine learning and protecting their own personal data. So, we're really trying to shift into those conversations because you know every day you're starting to see more and more AI. It's not something that we can ignore, so we're trying to
030educate our students as best possible and arm them with uh how to navigate this and protect themselves and protect their identities and all their personal Kinder French was on Tuesday, 4/28. The high school French Club's Kinder French program returned to NASA Elementary for its sixth years. Volunteer from the high school French Club dedicated dedicated their time after school across four sections to learn an age-appropriate kindergarten French lesson on colors, which they then presented to all the kindergarten classes on Tuesday, the 28th. The lesson was entirely student-led and was designed to introduce kindergarteners to the French language in a fun and engaging manner. Um everybody had a great time. Following along with that, there's a couple different things with world language. Um French in fourth is a one-day outreach program designed to introduce fourth-grade students at
031Haden to the French language and in uh accessible ways. Uh Miss Hart visits each fourth-grade classroom on a single scheduled day. She rotates through those classes to deliver a 30-minute introductory lesson lesson, excuse me, that coordinated that's uh coordinated with the classroom teachers. Um it is modeled after Kinder French, so we kind of mimic mimic that. Uh we're trying to expose kids at a very young age to different languages. We we offer French and Spanish here. Um with world language, we're very excited this year. Thank you to Dr. Mulford for helping with this, too. New York State Seal of Biliteracy. It's going to be our first year that we will have graduates, uh class of 2026, be recognized and have that seal on their diploma. So, 12 students, uh in advanced placement French and Spanish,
032successfully completed the New York State Seal of Biliteracy presentation requirement. Um each student independently researched a debatable topic aligned to our course themes, analyzed three authentic sources, and delivered a formal presentation entirely in the target language. Uh they defended their position using evidence and responded to 10 minutes of spontaneous questioning from the panel uh of fluent speakers. Notably, these students balanced rigorous work alongside demanding ELA coursework and strong exam performance. Uh so, those students will be our first recipients of the Seal of Biliteracy this year graduation. Um and they presented those uh projects in our new conference room at Spackenkill High School. So, that's all set up now. Very proud of that. It's very professional-looking, and our positivity club is going to be creating a mural in that room as well. Um but it worked
033out great, and it was a perfect It was actually the first day that we had the conference room set up. It was the Seal of Biliteracy presentation. So, it was really exciting to um cut the ribbon on that. Um we are going to be welcoming back uh former Spackenkill student Nick Cavuoti as a guest speaker in French. He pursued higher education in France after having graduated from here having gone on our trips. Um he lived there for 5 years, earned his bachelor's degree, uh and completed an internship. He's going to share his experiences um and demonstrate real-world possibilities that language study can unlock. So, really trying to focus on biliteracy at the high school. Um And our production of Mean Girls, if you got to see it April 17th and 19th, incredible success and a
034true celebration of student talent and dedication. We had students on that stage that have never performed at all, just just decided to try it out this year and really just nailed it. It was awesome. Um Um set crew, lighting sound crew, and pit members, every element of the show reflected the hard work of our students. Audiences responded with enthusiasm, and we truly appreciate the Saugus community for its continued support of arts education. I do want to mention we've had to have a number of updates the last year with our auditorium, and we would not have been able to put on the show uh without those updates. So, thank you to the board and everybody involved with making that happen, because I know that it was not um easy, but uh and it's not not necessarily
035the easiest to see how that translates to what you see on stage, but it absolutely does, and uh we can see it those who knew the issues that we were having. So, thank you for that. Um and lastly, our science research symposium. Uh it is our 20th anniversary. I want to make sure I get the professor's name correct. Um May 28th at 6:00 p.m. at Saugus High School. 20th anniversary science research symposium. Uh our keynote speaker is Marish Professor Dr. Ramesh Lalani, and he is going to be going to be presenting on scientific curiosity and taking intellectual risk. And I think today's world, our our youth coming up need to be comfortable with taking risk in a world where, you know, you're under the microscope a lot. So, you're not going to get better and
036and grow and be stronger and do great things in life if you don't take risk. So, I think that's really appropriate for um professor to be speaking about that in front of our audience for the the symposium. So, hopefully we'll see everybody there. Again, May 28th at 6:00 p.m., and thank you. >> Thank you. It's an awful a lot to one slide. Uh any comments from the board? Yeah, I have to say one thing because I I say this every year. So, this is going to be boring to a lot of you because you've heard it from me a ton of times already. But, one thing I take a lot of pride in in is our extracurricular and sports. Um I'm just you know, the the academic rigor that these kids go through, it's a
037great release for them. And I'm so proud that we offer so such a variety of those things. And uh I think it really helps keep some of those kids engaged that might not otherwise be. So, I appreciate all the work that the uh you know, my my fellow board members that we're always approving these. Uh our administration uh for offering these things and all of our volunteers and and uh and mentors for those programs. I really just can't say enough about it. I'm I'm really just think it's one of the greatest things we do here for the school. Appreciate that. Okay, with that we are on item 7.01, which is a discussion and a petition of the Lower Hudson Education Coalition for information proceeding to examine the elective and currently running to support school bus
038fuel application. This is something we spoke about last meeting. >> Yeah, and attached in BoardDocs today I have a hard copy as well. Richard, I sent you a hard copy. >> Did you get it? >> Richard, can you hear us? >> Yes, I can hear you now. >> I sent you a copy of the revised letter, well, the draft. >> Oh, okay, good. Yeah, I didn't know if I was cut off there for a while. I'm back. I can hear now. >> That's good, Richard. >> Any comments from the board on the revisions that were made to the previously reviewed draft? Any captures that we spoke about the last meeting, I believe? Richard, do you have any comments? >> Yeah, I just pulled that gun on the screen now. Uh no, I don't have any
039comments. It looks like the It accords with my uh recollection of the changes we talked about. So, it looks fine to me. >> I think the one The one paragraph there was like the long-term goal of transitional living facility and maybe something a little different right there. That's the third paragraph. >> Actually, if I'm looking at it, I think the word state is supposed to be removed. If I remember correctly, I think it's supposed to be a fact that it still supports the long-term goal of transition without the states. >> Right. >> Yeah, that's right. >> We don't want to be linked to their number of years. It's a good catch. Yeah, I see. >> So, just we the word states? The long-term goal. Okay, with that I think what I'll do with that is
040I'll ask for a motion to accept the letter with the one minor revision to remove the word states from the third paragraph. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. It passes 4-0. Okay, that brings us to 8.01 board correspondence. We did get an email from a parent with regard to lunch program and that was responded to today. 8.02 comments from the public on non-agenda items. >> Good evening. I prepared some remarks this evening. Um so for those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Jessica Vella. I'm running for the Board of Education and thank you for adding me into the agenda this evening. Um so in addition to what was highlighted in the board candidate write-up that the district provided, I wanted
041to share a few things about myself and I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have now or offline. Um so I've been a second full resident for 10 years, residing in the Hutton Valley for about 18 years with my husband Anthony. I'm a mom of two, Leo 9, Juliana 8. Both attend um Hagen and Nassaw respectively. And a little bit about me, so I was born in Utica, New York, ironically where the New York State School Board Association was founded. And I was raised in a small town by my mother and grandparents. My grandfather was an educator for 33 years, starting as a math teacher and guidance counselor and then eventually becoming principal for over 25 years. And then even after his retirement, he was a principal at the United Reformer Madison-Oneida
042BOCES program for several years. So as one would expect, um the importance and value of public education was instilled in me at a very young age. Uh being raised by a single mom, there were numerous times in summer months I accompanied him to school, uh sitting in the main office. His secretary was my main babysitter, um and I got a glimpse of the internal operations and the ways he fostered a supportive and inclusive environment, ensuring everyone felt valued, connected, and had the best educational experience possible. He taught me that public education was one of the most important infrastructures in our communities, and he would not have achieved everything he did without it. So, he showed me not only through words, but actions, the need for public schools and emphasized how it impacts people's lives well
043after graduating. So, building blocks, as he would say, and he was right. Um the experiences I had in school, including being president of SAD, tennis, high scores, serving as class officer, many different clubs, um put me on the path to where I am today. So, as highlighted in the board uh candidate write-up, I have dedicated my professional career to working for nonprofits in multiple sectors, including environmental preservation, health care, and public health. I'm an experienced advocacy and organizing leader who's committed to public education campaigns and advancing health equity. I have years of experience working with uh local, state, uh federal elected officials, community partners, stakeholders, and have led cross-sector collaborations within the Hudson Valley. In addition, I actively volunteer within our school community. Um I currently sit on the executive board for the Sparkill Elementary
044PTA. In addition to that, I am the co-chair of the Sparkill Elementary um Next Generation Parent Committee. Uh I am adept at bridging different viewpoints, being proactive, communicative, and reliable. Of all of my roles, um being a mom to Leo and Juliana is the one that matters most to me. Uh my son Leo has autism and is non-speaking. He has given me and our whole family a new lens to life. I am an advocate for my son, my daughter, and so many more. I hold a unique perspective understanding there are far more pathways in learning and education and I'm deeply committed to fostering and cultivating inclusion and equity in our district. There is a beauty that we all bring different lived experiences to the table and that has immense value. Different perspectives, insight, and knowledge
045to make collective and thoughtful decisions. As a connector and active listener, I value and respect others' perspectives and am responsive to the needs of our community. I'm deeply invested and committed to Speckin Hills' continued growth and success of all children. I want to continue to serve as a leader for our community and to be a voice for all students and families. I really appreciate your time this evening and I hope I can connect with each and every one of you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I just mentioned um you know, this is uh the job we we volunteer a lot of our time. After we're done, all of my fellow board members um and it's it's something that I think you'll take a lot of pride in. I can tell that you're super uh
046you know, involved, let's say. And um and and uh I think we're going to have a great time. We're going to be losing a great board member here as well, but uh I think you've got some uh some pretty big shoes to fill, but I think you can do it. So. So. >> Many shoes. >> So, thank you for taking this on. >> Thank you. >> The community and really appreciates it. Any other comments from the public? Okay, with that I'll bring it to 8.03, comments from the board. Do we have comments from the board? >> I do have comments. I wanted to congratulate all the students that participated in ISMA the past several weekends and also a big thank you to all the music teachers that gave up their weekends to do this. And
047one more big shout out to Mrs. Pazinski who had her first ever family orchestra put together, played at Green Vale Park on Sunday and I think she did a phenomenal job and I cannot wait for next year. >> Did you play? >> I did. >> That's awesome. >> I did. >> What do you play? >> Violin. So my son and I got to play together. So that was a very very unique and awesome experience all the rehearsals and you know everything. So it was very nice culmination of everything. So Yeah. >> Thank you for sharing that. I know you put a lot of time >> How nice. >> Anyone else? Richard? >> No. No, I don't have any. >> Okay. Well, May 19th is the date. I hope that the community takes time to look
048at the budget brochures, all the information that's been presented, uh formulate an opinion on the budget, come on out and vote. Uh we have the budget vote and vote for one board trustee. So What is it? 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.? >> 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. >> Getting myself up early and getting up late. Okay, 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. so Hope to see you all out and engaging in our community. Okay, 8.04, comments from our superintendent. >> I have just a couple comments. Mr. Lewis talked about the seal of biliteracy and just wanted to highlight that because that is that's awesome uh to have that done, and that was quite uh what they had to do to get to do that, so that's uh a testament to all the work the teachers did
049to uh you know, convince them to do that and to and to have that done. And I know that Dr. Moller takes a lot of pride in that. She has talked about wanting uh wanting that in, so uh >> of work in progress, and everybody did a great job. >> Thank you for staying on it. I I've talked about the plays uh both uh Danny Cannon and uh both plays this year were were excellent, and I know uh Mr. Doherty always says it, I don't think he said it this time, but something amazing they do with the play is that there's two casts. So, everyone, you know, two people get to be uh Willy Wonka, you know, or um Charlie, uh and that's just that's not common. Uh so, that's a great that makes it
050a lot harder and more difficult, so that's just a cool uh byproduct of getting the kids involved. That's cool. And then the high school play was was amazing. They definitely have some talented uh um uh students with that. And then finally, uh last week I got to attend a very special ceremony uh for Mr. Ken Lewis. I'm glad that you have him here on the the board presentation here tonight. So, not that anyone wants to know Ken's age, but Ken was awarded the uh what do you call it, 40 under 40. >> Apparently, it's apparently >> Uh but it was a an exceptional night of celebration, and uh definitely deserving. Uh it was good for us to go and be part of it, and then the next day uh many high school uh faculty and
051team members came out to just uh thank and uh celebrate with Ken, so congratulations uh here at the >> Thank you. >> on the board meeting. And if you look closely, he's wearing a special pin that he got uh on that evening. So, uh congratulations, Kevin. That's all I have. >> Okay, thank you for that. Item 9.01, the board will vote to enter into executive session for discussing the superintendent's evaluation. No further business is anticipated after the executive session. Do I have a motion to enter into the executive session? >> So moved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. That passes 4-0. Thank you. See you on May 19th.