001Please note the exit of the room. Smoking is not permitted and please mute or turn off your cell phones. Our first item on the agenda is the PTA update. Okay. >> And we're waiting for your update. Perfect timing. >> All righty. So, we held our ice cream social on May 19th for school budget vote. It was a really hot day. So, most of the people who stopped by set up are appreciative and we went through almost two of the two full make Sunday kit. So, it was probably close to 75 to 80 people. Um, we were asked by Miss Conway in the fall to be willing to contribute frames to the winners of the art gallery voting that also took place during the the budget vote. Uh, we'll be purchasing those and dropping them off
002in the next week. The PTA Walk Memorial Day parade on May 22nd. Some of our PTA members and their families walked with us and helped hand out over 40 pounds of candy and we still ran out. Um, the two winning senior scholarships were handed out on June 1st at the senior award ceremony. This year's winner of the two $500 scholarships for Satie Hazen and Bradley Stack. Both the elementary and middle school yearbooks are completed and sales are almost completed. There's eight middle school yearbooks left available to pre-order and they should be here soon. I'm pretty sure they actually are. Just got to figure out. Um, elementary yearbooks had a little bit of an issue. um our purchasing link went out kind of late and a lot of people it seems like didn't see the link
003on parents work. So there's kind of like a backlog of um orders, but if we don't get them all filled in this order, we'll be sending out a second one. So we will get them in and this might be over the summer. U mission day is going to be here on Friday, June 12th. This year we're doing a patriotic theme to honor the 250th anniversary of the country. Um we'll be having typical things, the bounce houses, the obstacle course, um traditional relay races, water games, crafts, popsicles, and the tug-of-war. Um we were hoping to hold the inflatable costume race ahead of rescheduled for Halloween, but it I don't think it's going to happen because of the heat index. Um and Miss Holman's been working hard to try to figure out how we can still do
004it in case it gets too hot. So, still some tweaking to do, but hopefully we'll still be able to pull it off. Um, middle school field day will be held on Tuesday, June 23rd. Planning is still going on. I'm not sure what activities are going to be there yet. Um, PTA was also asked to help with the parent level kindergarten graduation off campus. Um, like for the past six or seven years, the adult the parents of the current kindergarters have been holding an off-campus celebration. Um, and this year they had asked originally if we could purchase uh gowns, but it was it was pretty pricey. So this year we're going to be support supplying um just the felt graduation caps and some decorating things like markers and stickers. Uh we'll be sending out the year
005of end of year packets with the elementary students this year to include the PTA end of year summary, a form to fill out a digital student directory if parents choose to order forms for a new school supply uh company. Um they're going to be able to pre pre- purchase supply kits so you don't have to go out and buy everything. and it's just delivered to the school and you're all set to go. And of course the PCA membership information for next year. And then just looking forward to the beginning of next year. We're going to try to do another paint and sip night for adults in August. More information to come later. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next on our agenda is public input on agenda items. Thanks to everyone for joining us tonight. We're
006about to start the public comment about part of our meeting. But first, a quick reminder. As a board, we believe it is essential to hear your thoughts and concerns to make sure we have time to discuss your feedback and get input from the administration. We will not be able to respond to your comments tonight. We will follow up with an answer. The uh at our next meeting via email from the appropriate staff member. Please keep in mind that this is the board's it is the board's policy that we don't discuss student personnel issues during this time. We take those concerns very seriously. We ask that you follow the proper administrative channels to resolve them. Finally, please be respectful of everyone. Let's make sure everyone has a chance to speak without interruption. When you speak, please
007state your name and address for the record and you'll have three minutes to do so. So, I'll open the floor for any kind of comments on the agenda items. Anyone? Okay, moving on. We have our consent agenda. I need a motion to approve the consent agenda items inclusive of board minutes of the 52726 board of education meetings and CSEA recommendations or CS >> questions, comments. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. Next is the superintendent section. >> Hello everyone. Um just to go quickly, uh as I've mentioned many times, um we've had many celebrations up to this point and many more to come. Uh and they've been they've been absolutely great, very well attended. Um and again, it's a great time of year. Um families as well as faculty and staff that you know,
008we see our our calendars all the time. Our principles sent out parent squares uh for the end of the school year. That always gets a little bit maybe confusing. Um but you should have all parents should have all received those to to know exactly what what buildings are doing uh throughout the remainder of the year. Um right now we just started uh regions testing uh in the high school um yesterday and today um and that will resume Wednesday the on Wednesday June 17th. Uh we also we're also doing the NWA testing at the other buildings uh at the end end of year testing. Um, tomorrow night is the patriotic concert right here. I believe it's 6:30. Uh, the elementary school kids. And as Kim mentioned, Friday is mission day. Um, hoping we can dodge whether
009it's raindrops or a little bit of heat. Uh, there's some regulations we have to work within and hopefully we can get that in. That always happens every year at this time. So, whatever you got to do, do a dance for us and hopefully it all work out. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next is our business administrator, Michael. >> Uh, thank you. The warrants are attached. Uh, for everybody's information and then one quick update. Um, we're anticipating project work to begin next week. Uh we've received information from the DEC that the permit should be uh arriving to the school next week and the contractors are ready to go to start the process and get phase one underway. >> So you did hear back from the town village. >> We're supposed to >> Okay. All
010right. Okay. Thank you, Michael. Next, we need uh the student board member report out. And the student board member is not here tonight, so I'm going to have it. Okay. On to personnel. Motion to appoint Lauria Shrefer as a three-year probationary tenure track school counselor at MAPEP 8 salary of $57,339 effective September 1st, 2026 per the SDA contract. Miss Shreper has her New York State permanent MA certification in the tenure area of school counseling and she has full fingerprint clearance. >> Some moved. >> Second. >> Questions, comments? >> All those in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries. I need a motion to >> Thank you. I need a motion to appoint the following recommendations for the assignments as attached for the extended school year program being held in the district from July 6th through August
01114th, 2026. All individuals have been cleared for fingerprints. So move second. Questions, comments? >> All those in favor? I >> I opposed motion carried. I need a motion to approve the elementary literacy specialist appointment between Vicky Shudy and Sue Ali for the 202627 school year for a total sip of $3,640 to be split between the two individuals. >> Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carried. I need a motion to appoint the attached list of coaches for the 2026 fall sports season. All coaches have their requirements up to date. >> So move. >> Second. Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. I need a motion to accept and approve the resignation of Christina Bourgeoa as a 12-month provisional school secretary effective June 30th, 2026. >> So move second. >>
012Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. At this point, we're going to start our tenure appointments. Once we make those appointments, can you please the person uh if they're here, can they please come up and so Renee can present you with flowers. Okay. The first one is a motion to appoint Carolyn Reed tenure in the area of school psychologist grade 12 effective September 1st, 2020. Any questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Opposed? >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Next one is a motion to appoint Priscilla tenure in the area of special education birth through six effective September 1st, 2026. Can you guys please hold your applause until we vote on the motion? >> That would be awkward. >> Yes, that would be awkward. Questions, comments? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion
013carries. Thank you. Okay, I need a motion to appoint Kayla Dyer tenure in the area of childhood education grades 1 through6 effective September 1st 2026 >> questions comments >> second. >> All those in favor >> opposed motion carried Okay. I need a motion to appoint Chelsea Law tenure in the area of teaching assistant effective September 1st, 2026. >> Second. Questions, comments? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Okay, I need a motion to appoint Lynn Mikllet tenure in the area of teaching assistant effective September 1st, 2026. >> So move second. Questions, comments? All those in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries. Okay, I need a motion to appoint Jennifer Budro tenure in the area of early childhood birth to two uh effective September 1st, 2026. So second >> questions, comments, all those in favor?
014I opposed. >> Motion motion carried. Sorry. I need a motion to appoint Chelsea >> Kerar tenure in the area of special education 1 through6 effective September 1st 2026. So move >> questions, comments. All those in favor? Opposed? Motion carried. I need a motion to appoint Derek Bushnell tenure in the area of English language arts 7 through2 effective September 1st 2026 >> questions comments all those in favor I >> opposed motion carries. Okay, I need a motion to appoint Lori Gazelli tenure in the area of teaching assistant effective September 1st, 2026. So questions, comments? Second >> questions, comments? Third. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. >> Okay. I need a motion to appoint Karen Katie tenure in the area of teaching assistant effective se September 1st, 2026. >> Second. Questions, comments? All those
015in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. We ask that everyone stay until later in the end the meeting because we will have some further um comments and uh recognitions for our tenure and for our retirees. Thank you. I didn't get it. >> You didn't get it yet. >> And you guys come back. >> Actually, do you want them to go on the stage? >> Uh, yeah. >> Yeah. and you're not all squeezed in >> like one step Perfect. All right, count of three. One, two, three. Awesome. Thank you. >> Congratulations to all you folks who have tenure and thank you for all you do in the district. We appreciate it. Okay, we're going to continue on with our agenda and then toward the end there's going to be more recognition. Okay, I need a motion
016to appoint the to approve the disposable absolute or I'm sorry obsolete audio and musical equipment per policy 5250 listed below mounted monitors, floor monitors and mixing stations. >> So move second. >> Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carried. I need a motion to approve I need a motion to approve the Stillwater High School football camp for June 29th approved July 1st, 2026 for students entering grades 9 through 12. >> So move second >> questions, comments. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. Uh we have no committee report Alice. Uh how about four items of interest? Anyone? I have some gohead. You go first. I'm bringing all my notes quick here. Um, is there Can we get a list of all the recipients of the awards from last week? Can
017we send those out? >> The uh scholarships? >> Yeah, >> there >> it has the scholarship in it, but >> Oh, I can try to get Yeah, I'll get them from the high school. >> Sure. Thank you. >> So, over the past week, I had uh multiple opportunities to attend several events. I just wanted to since we're doing recognitions acknowledge a couple of our students. Uh I attended uh last night the ACC early college career academy graduation. Uh three of our seniors uh graduated from business and entrepreneurship Frank Marshall and Sani Castro and from New Media Satie Hazen. And then a couple days before that we had the National Honor Society inductees uh Natalie Chat Domney, Daniel Degrasso, Sophie Haney, Zoe Hampshire, Kelsey Hazen, David Kramer, Khloe Law, Maya Price, Roco Schneller, Gina Sheen, Grant
018Stewart, and Elizabeth Tai were inducted in the National Honor Society. And this past weekend, we had the New York State track tournament in Syracuse. Uh we had a stellar result. The boys modified took third place in New York State. There was a total of 137 shooters, top shooters from our team. George Hazen shot his personal three best browns to finish eighth in New York State overall. Uh Colton Cardash, Kendra Ford, Bria Figer, and Finley Brownell were the top round out the top five shooters for that team. And JB high scorers scorers included Dylan Peculus who finished 18th out of 248 in his field competing up at the JB level. Jonah K finished 52nd and Khloe Law finished 83rd. >> Wow. I have no one else in my family to recognize. >> Anybody else? >> Wishing
019all our track athletes good luck in the States, right? That's coming up. >> And also, congrats to our teams, our athletic teams and individuals that got the scholar athlete awards. Um there was quite a list of them. So that was great. Um I also want to remind everyone that the superintendent's evaluation is up on the screening val. Please take time to get that done as soon as possible. The 17th is the deadline, but if we can get it done sooner, I would appreciate it. Then I can pull it all together and have a meeting with Joe. Also, um there's going to be a put on by MSBA Leadership and Education July 24th and 25th down to Desmond as well as the summer law um series also down to Desmond the day before on July 23rd.
020Uh you also can do the summer law conference virtual for two half days. So if anybody's interested in doing that, you know, it's it's it's good professional development for for board members. So you can let Renee know when she can register you for it. That's all I have. So we're going to Anybody else have anything else? Okay. >> All right. The next is public input on non-aggenda items. Anybody like to address the board? >> Do you have anything? >> Yeah, I do. No way. Uh, I don't know if you can ask this question or not, but on these coaching assignments for fall coaching assignments, does that include all the coaches whether they're paid or not? >> I'm not sure what was on the the list job. >> If we're approving all of them, >> no,
021I want to know. Uh, yeah, if you're approving all of them. >> There was volunteers listed. >> Yeah, there's quite a few that are volunteers. >> Okay, thank you. >> There's still possibly a couple spots that are still open. Yeah, >> we still have to get um and at times maybe not for the fall coaches, you know, fingerprint fingerprinting the coaches classes that have to be completed. We wait on those later. >> And we should recognize Pete Dea for the member of the public with the most attendance. It's board meetings. >> Wow. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Okay. Um, moving on, we have the recognition of entire retirees. Uh, we wish to recognize each individual in their retirement and wish them well and thank them for the years of dedicated service to the Stillwater Central
022School. Uh, the principles, we're going to have the principles come up and say a few words. Um, for Mrs. Tolman, it's going to be Don Toma and Kathy Ryan. Great. So, it is a complete honor for me to be able to be up here today to recognize two Stillwater Elementary employees who are embarking on the next chapter in their lives. I will Don Toma. I've always known Don as the literacy guru, whether it was as a teacher in the building and then as an administrator. Um, for the past 17 years, Don's knowledge of how children learn to read and what might be preventing their progress was always invaluable to myself and our colleagues. Don's willingness to share her ideas and work collaboratively to do what is best for students truly is a treasure. Don is
023patient, compassionate, and flexible. During COVID, she willingly stepped out of her role as an AIS provider to teach a kindergarten class well masked and socially distanced. If you've ever taught kindergarten, you know that it's not an easy feat. Don has the kindest soul. Her passion for children and animals is admirable to say the least. Don always makes it a point to ask someone how their own children or parents are doing. Share something that she read that she thinks might be beneficial. So Don, on behalf of the Stillwater Central School District, we wish you the absolute best on your retirement. Your presence will continue to be missed. All right. So, after 27 years, Cassie Ryan is retiring from her position as elementary secretary, or as I like to call her, director of first impressions. If you've
024been to the elementary school for a morning program, a ceremony, or any event, they run seamlessly because cath because Kathy is the one who's behind the scenes making sure everything is perfect. She's the mastermind behind the games, the trivia, the raffles, and everything we do throughout the school year to make it fun for our students and staff. What you may not know about Kathy behind the scenes is that everything she does is for the children. She makes sure no child goes hungry by overseeing our backpack program. She notices when someone may need new sneakers, a winter coat, or just a hug for the day. Kathy, it is an honor to have learned from you, worked alongside you, been a little afraid of you, and to truly call you my friend. Thank you for your dedication
025to our school and our community. Things will not be the same without you. Congratulations. Good evening everyone. It is my honor and privilege to recognize Mrs. Christina Decker and her 31-year teaching career, 28 of which have been here at Stillwater. When I told Christina that I was going to be speaking on her behalf tonight, I told her that I would be inviting her to stand next to me while I do it, to which she responded, "I object." And if you know Christina, then you get it. There are many reasons why Christina is an outstanding teacher, but my time is limited. So, I will focus on what distinguishes her from most. It's true teachers are very good at questioning students. What separates Christina, however, is her mastery of using the Socratic method of questioning and then
026bridging the gap from the story, the story, book, literature, or whatever they're learning. and then moving to a student's own life as well as her ability to nurture students holistic development. For those of you who are not familiar, the Socratic method is where the teacher asks a question, the student responds, then the teacher asks a follow-up question based on the students answer. And this continues oftent times as Christina would directing other questions to students in the classroom to engage them as well. And then at some point during this process, she flips the script and says to students, what would they do in that situation? Not from the characters perspective anymore. You'd be surprised at how many times those answers change when students are put in the situation. This questioning technique and the process of connecting
027the literature to a student's own life develops their critical thinking skills and aligns directly with some of our larger goals for middle school students. They are enhancing their situational reasoning skills, building personal responsibility and self-reflection skills, empathy for others, and their capacity to think more abstractly. I will miss Christina stopping by my office to speak her mind, but always with the best of intentions. I will miss walking down the hallway and hear her saying to students, "Hello, darling." Even though after all this time, I'm sure not I'm still not sure why she does it with a British accent. Finally, I will miss how Christina thinks of others and find subtle ways to say, "I appreciate you." An example of this is this picture right here. This is from my first hour as Stillwater Middle School
028principal 10 years ago. She had the foresight to know that this would be a meaningful moment in my career. She brought her class down to my office, a practice that she has continued every year since, and took the picture using a selfie stick. Christina, we will miss you. And Dean, good luck. CONGRATULATIONS. MR. BRIAN, >> Jill Del. >> What can I say about Mrs. O'Brien? Begins with one word. Kindness to everyone, even when they're on her nerves. Second word, I strong even though you don't see it. This is Jen is one of those folks that when it things get tense, you can start to see her paper shake, but only because she wants to do whatever comes next well and make sure it's in the best interest of our students. In my short three years,
029I I've had a num sat in a number of parent meetings with Mrs. rhyme with our seniors and watch that soft, kind, gentle face slightly turns to you need to come to school. You need to pass these classes. What can we do to help? And that's just it for Mrs. O'Brien. She's there to help not just students but their families day in and day out, never seeking attention or craving accolades. Mrs. O'Brien, thank you for making my first few years here in Still Water positive as we work together to support students. Congratulations. Patty Griffith, the best puzzle solver I have ever met. You can give her any complex, complicated challenge. and she'll go about solving that challenge with mathematical precision. And along the way, make sure that any of the errors you've contributed to that
030process are brought to your attention, put in a way that you don't make those mistakes again because it just complicates everyone else's lives. I owe a debt of gratitude to Patty and she helped me navigate through multiple obstacles when I got here. Again, operating from a place of kindness, always the softest of kindness, but kindness and dedication to providing the best possible experience for our adults and our students. And I Patty, I owe you a huge grat of gratitude and I am still not thrilled with your decision that brings us here today. So congratulations We have Miss Jill the ser here today. Talk about someone who is forthright, honest, and direct. Whether you were a student that needed a little more than gentle guidance or a weward adult trying to find a classroom, Jill brought
031to the table care for students, for community, and for the well-being of all of those around her. No, no question. Mile could be rough around the ed edges. And on more than one occasion, she came to see me in my office to close the door and tell me exactly what she thought, which more than likely I needed to hear it. But again, always with the steps to make us better, be able to better serve our students. She too was a person who cares. Cared about every student she worked with, even on the days she wasn't really liking them that much. We all have those. I think I'm going home to two that I'm not liking very much right now. Um, again, she all the retirees exemplify what the Stillwater community is. family, caring, support, dedicated
032to the improvement and the growth of our students. Jill, still don't see I don't have my glasses. Congratulations and best to all of our retirees as they venture off to who knows what next, but I'm sure it's going to be fun. Thank you. It's just a better All right, count of three. One, two, three. Thank you. Okay. Hello. We did have uh three people in transportation department that are retiring but were not be able to be here tonight. Sarah Metto, Ford Chambers, and Tom Murphy. Um so we congratulate them and all of you who have received tenure tonight and on your retirements. Uh best of luck on your next journey or your next chapter of your life. And congratulations to all. Okay. So we next have >> Okay. All right. So this is going to
033be the end of our meeting. I'm going to adjourn it. Uh we have some treats out here in the hallway. Please feel free to help yourself. Um I'm going to take a motion to adjourn this uh meeting for about 10 minutes for the board. Um and then we will for you committee into executive session to discuss FDA contract negotiations. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you for everyone that came out tonight. Congratulations again.