001Okay, please note the exits in the room. Smoking is not permitted and please mute or turn off your cell phones. Uh first up we have the STA update. Okay. >> Good evening. Um, thank you for giving us a chance to update you again on all the fantastic things our members are doing across the district. Uh, let's see. There we go. Okay. Uh, Katie Carl, you saw this same slide last month, except it's slightly different. Katie Carlin's kindergarten class sent you a couple of updates from last month's chick incubation project report. Um, as well as a shot of the project management team. Um, their future so bright. Um, and that s as I was putting that together today, it occurs to me that that song predates Mr. Kavanagh. So, that made me feel old again one
002more time. So, yep, some of you will know that one though, so I figured we'd all get that together. Um, the first grade art show is this Friday, so feel free to join them. They invite you. The first grade students each have worked to create over 20 projects throughout the year that will be displayed for parents and you guys want to come see them. Uh some of the projects created were inspired by artists such as Sarat's mentalism uh Kandiski's circles and Monet's bridges and Van Go's starry night. The students have also created abstract sculpt sculptures. There we go. It's been a long day. Uh using styrofoam metal hangers, stockings, and paint. They are super proud of their work and can't wait to show off their amazing projects. The first team wanted to send a special
003thanks to M Miss Eel and the PTA for all of their help to make the art show. Uh, Coach Le Moy shared with me that on Tuesday, May 2nd, I forgot second, 12th, our third and fourth grade students visited the Saratoga Southern Southern Saratoga YMCA to participate in the safety around water program. Throughout the day, our students rotated through 10 highly interactive stations designed to teach three vital life lessons. Basic survival skills, accident prevention, and emergency response. They got hands-on experience with first aid and CPR basics, boating safety and pool skills, including treading water, floating, swimming, and performing reaching and throwing assist to help others. Their day was filled with important conversations, active learning, and really great student engagement. Um, this was apparently a super meaningful and successful experience, and they are excited to make
004it a regular part of their elementary ed curriculum moving forward. Uh I passed you a much more detailed handout from Mrs. Johnston, but here are a few highlights from that um in the steam program in April. The second grade part second grade participated in a tool building toolbox building experience with Northeast Trades Coalition. This is the fourth year that they have done that. They have professionals from the construction industry joining their students assembling their own wooden toolboxes. The third graders are participating in Stillwater Elementary's first ever cabbage contest because currently this is the year of the cabbage um or cabbage is the vegetables year. Um students are making weekly observations and tracking their cabbages growth and changes and they will be crowning a royal cabbage court in the fall when students return from summer break
005and compare the results. Kindergarten is also growing things. They have been planting and comparing the growth of four different types of seeds. Sunflowers, peas, rye, and milkweed. and learning about the life cycle of plants and classifying things as living or non-living. Uh you may be wondering why there's America image on the screen. The A in steam stands for the arts. This year's spotlight image is Mary or spotlight artist is Mary Cass. Students have been learning about her life, her innovative ideas, and her unique use of materials. They've been inspired by her work as the only American Impressionist and have created their own. And finally, our second annual scene symposium was held last Friday, the 15th. two years ago, sorry. We were thrilled to host a variety of different companies and organizations who showcased their steam
006related careers and offerings to our K2 fifth grade students. Everyone was excited to create, build, investigate, explore, and question. All of you were seeing. Another cool experience for our third to fifth graders included time on the wishes STEM bus. No A in their bus. Um students were engaged with both high and low tech STEM materials and many were quoted this uh quoted this as being their best day ever. Um I asked the arts department about what was going on in May. They just gave me so much. There's so much going on in um the music department in May. Uh May 6th was the elementary spring concert which featured bands directed by Mr. Mr. Deira and chorus directed by Miss O'Neal. The concert featured the fourth grade band, fifth grade band, the fourth and fifth grade
007chorus, and the stage band. Stage band is an afterchool band club for fifth grade where the students work on much more difficult music. 40 students dedicated their time and stayed after school every Tuesday in preparation for concert. May 8th and 9th was the NISMA solo festival in Mechanicville. This is only our elementary students, but the festival featured 14 of them in both band and chorus, as well as 24 middle and high school band and chorus students. All of our performers received a rating of either excellent or outstanding, which is a wonderful thing for our department to showcase the amazing musicians we have. And additionally, at the NISMA solo festival at Queensberry on May 15th and 16th, we had one featured middle school band student who received the rating of excellence on his solo. Our music
008department is killing it. Uh National Junior Honor Society, uh our adviser, Mrs. Giri, shared that they recently held a yellow ribbon donation drive. Contribution of snacks and personal care items were collected and given to the Saratoga County Clerk's office. The NJHS members wrote letters to those serving in our military as well. The Saratoga County Clerk, Craig Heir, came himself to collect the donations. That's him. Uh the donations were then forwarded to Bloomar mothers who sorted and packed them into freedom boxes. They are being sent out this spring to troops from the capital region who are currently serving overseas. Mrs. Guwell and Mrs. Decker's sixth grade students brought history to life through their ancient China museum. After researching a dynasty and writing a research report, each student highlighted one aspect of the grapes framework and created
009a project to showcase their learning. You all know what grapes is, right? No. Okay. I didn't either. I knew some of it, but I didn't know all of it. So, I brought it to you because I thought, "Oh, you definitely know what that is." It is a pneummonic device used in social studies to categorize and analyze the key characteristics of a culture, society, or ancient civilization. Stands for geography, religion, achievements, politics, economics, and social structure. There are additional all of the sixth graders, by the way, know exactly what that means. Uh there are additional projects on display in the library should you want to take a closer look. There are a couple on the bottom there. Uh, not to be outdone by the elementary school who showed off their posters to you last month, the
010middle school teachers and some of their own children made inspirational posters for state testing in May. So, we wanted to show those off to you as well. Those were up in the hall when we did our New York State tests for ELA, math, and science in May. Let's see. Mrs. Uh, Senora Witford, Spanish four core students are currently completing their final project which combines history, culture, and a little art. They selected its countries, research their flags, and national symbols. They will present them to the class and are in the process of creating small murals for each country. Here's where we'll see Mr. Lynch's video and audio. Ready? So, Metam Hland's ninth grade French classes. >> We're demoing a new piece of equipment, >> right? We're going to try it. I'm going to tell you about
011it first, though, because I know my video is going to start as soon as I click. So, the students just finished learning cooking vocabulary in French class, and as a culminating project, they all had to teach the class and make a favorite recipe, but in French. Many of the students usually make snacks like fudge or rice krispie treats. But this year, many of the students cooked chicken or pork dinners with video to prove it. Uh, she said it was a really great fun lesson and the kids really see how far they've come with their spoken French. Um, so we're going to see. I I this was a five minute long video. I cut it down to about 30 seconds. So there's chopping and then all of a sudden there's food. But let's see how we
012do. H la Taylor onions. >> Voila. >> Wish cooking went like this at my house. Uh, I'm not a master editor. I just figured let's cut it to get to cut to the chase here. But your audio worked really well. So, there we go. Um, I don't have any pictures of the art show. I'm sure that you all came to vote for the budget, right? Let's hope uh I saw the fantastic art pieces that were displayed as you walked in. I am always amazed by our students talents. I always catch me as I'm walking out. So, um I hope that you took some time to have a look while you were voting. There were some amazing pieces there. There always are. U Mrs. Conroy and Mr. Jones's students are incredibly talented. So, uh the let's
013see May 12th was the grades 6 through 12 band concert which is directed by Mr. Foxton featured a recognition of the military services in the area was a huge success. The band performed a 7-minute piece dedicated to each branch of the military celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country. Four bands performed for the night and each group performed a patriotic piece of music. Uh then on May 21st, we had the grades 6 through 12 coral concert directed by Mrs. Pitkin and featuring special guests, the Susuana String Band. These guys are amazing musicians. They have been performing with our coral students for 15 years and their presence didn't disappoint. Uh, one special edition this year we have pictures of I got them from Natalie today. Um, two of our songs performed had sign language added in
014and I know we had a video for you a couple years ago with sign language as well. Um, this was an idea of one of our sixth graders, Joel Miller, um, in order to help her dad understand the songs. It had an enormous impact on all of the students learning and performing those pieces and gave the audience an experience that they will never forget. Um, this concert is always amazing and has a really powerful impact on our students. In fact, many of our alums uh return each year to sing with our students and the guests. And the guests, by the way, are like worldrenowned musicians who come and volunteer their time to be with our students. Um, after each concert, our students, not just this one, but every concert, our students participate in a critique.
015And here are some of the responses to the prompt for Mrs. It can describe how it feels to have Mr. Bunting, Mr. Kirk, and Mr. Dugen, that's the social band, here with us for the spring concert. What do you enjoy? Is there anything specific that makes it meaningful to you to have them participate in our concert? Having them here every year really ties everything together? They bring out the hidden energy that all of us usually hide from one another. Whenever they would teach us songs during the chamber sessions, it makes me feel bittersweet as we don't know how much time they have left in them. and time is a very precious subject to discuss. It's a gift to have them every year and it's something we will always hold close to our hearts. Another student
016said, "I really have such a deep place in my heart for the guys. I feel so happy to have them here. I have never wanted to sing more than with them. I feel so completed with them. The songs just aren't the same without the mystical music helping us, and their music ties us together as a family. I love them so much. They make me so happy. Seeing them play and feeling the sounds mixed together makes me feel so happy and makes me feel so loved. And they are really proud. And hearing more than one person say we are good makes me feel so proud of us all and affects us in such a good way. Um I wanted to say as in our first year um giving you monthly updates is nearly over. I know
017we're going to update you next month but I don't think it's my turn. Um so I wanted to say thank you for the opportunity. Um, it's really been my pleasure to update you with all the amazing things that my dis my colleagues do across the district all year. I generally have a sense of what we do here, especially in my own building, but um, it's really been enlightening for me to see the opportunities that we're providing our students and all the ways that our staff go above and beyond. I know I learned a lot over the course of the year and I hope that you have enjoyed it as well. And thanks again for your time. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Amy. And we sincerely appreciate you guys coming
018and telling us about all the activities, you know, to know that what exactly is going on in our building, especially when we're not here every day. So, thank you. Okay. Um, next is public input on agenda items. There's really no public hearing for Pete. I'm not going to read that whole paragraph if you don't mind. Is there anybody who want to say anything? No. Okay. Moving on to the consent agenda. I need a motion to approve the consent agenda items include inclusive of board amendment minutes of the 513 26 board of education meetings and CSEA recommendations. >> So move second. >> Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion carry. Okay. Next we have the superintendent section. >> Hello everyone. Um, first of all, I'd like to start off by, uh, you
019know, thanking the community for coming out and and overwhelmingly supporting our budget. Um, you know, as I said since day one here, it's it's great to really feel supported and we we all do understand how difficult it is up there right now financially and to come and support uh, you know, our school district is is obviously really important to everyone here and I think it's important for our community and everything that that being a hub of the community. So, um, you know, as always, you know, it's you have our word that we we'll always make decisions that are educ educationally sound and fiscally responsible. Always be the case there like Mike. Um, this is a great time of year. I've been saying it, you know, when all the celebrations occur. Uh just want to give
020everybody some updates, you know, as to some of the really big things, the culmination of hard work and and and where we focus all of our resources uh to getting kids across across the finish line. And that's all of them. Uh and then the the ultimately the the successful ones that you know receive awards and so on and so forth, academic versus a night coming up. Well, tonight uh semiinal lacrosse game versus Johnson. I don't know if nobody's doing anything after the meeting. um up back on our our field. Uh that's an important match. Hopefully, we can get to the finals. Um Monday evening is the senior awards ceremony. That'll be here at six o'clock. Uh next Tuesday is the top six breakfast where we honor grade six through 11 top six uh with a
021breakfast in the cafeteria and the principal, you know, people will break out their names uh and they get to enjoy a breakfast. Um, next Wednesday is the National Honor Society spring induction ceremony, which is for current sophomores. Um, that's a big night where kids come out and they, you know, light their candle and take their oats and and that's a, you know, that's that's a a really important night as well. Those kids deserve to be honored and and recognized. And next Friday night, I know Mr. really I'm looking forward to this all year, the semi for the eighth grade semi formal. Um and then next Monday is the top 10 dinner which is our top 10 seniors. Nice dinner at the staff meeting. So anybody any of the board members obviously welcome to any of
022that. I don't know if it's too late, Renee, to make any add-ons, but all those things that happen during the day. Uh, feel feel free to come everybody's RSV. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay. All right. Next, the business administrator section. >> Thank you. Um the state budget has somewhat passed. Uh they're still working on it. I think they're still printing some of the bills, but uh one of the important considerations is that a pension reform plan has gone through uh which is estimated to cost local governments $440 million statewide. We don't know Stillwater's portion of that yet. um the devil's in the details and we're waiting on the state retirement system to redo their calculations and see what the outy years forecasted contributions for us will be. Uh but on positive note, the electric
023bus mandate was delayed by five years and we got a 2% increase in foundation aid. So those are uh two positive aspects for the budget. And then my last item here is uh Stillwater received a good operator rating from the Department of Transportation for the 2526 uh state fiscal year with a pass rate of over 90%. Um I would think that good could be improved, but good is the highest the state offers. I would have gone with excellent or something, but I wasn't asked. Um DOT inspections are rigorous. Um there's a 20page guide on what constitutes Alevel failures, out of service failures, B- level failures, C- level failures. Um so having a 90% pass rate is a is quite a testament to the hard work that our drivers do every day. Uh and Matt the
024mechanic and Kathy, our transportation supervisor. So we appreciate them for keeping our buses in top condition and our students safe. >> Okay, any questions? Okay, thank you, Mike. Okay, next is the student board member report app. >> So, I thought this is the same thing last meeting, but we're just getting into the end of the year. We're stuck in nothing really going on super easy. Let's just chill time right now. >> Thank you. All right, moving on to personnel. I need a motion to approve the maternity leave for Karina Ramirez pursuant to article 19 of the Stillwater Teachers Association collective bargaining agreement as per the terms of the letter attached. >> So moved. >> Second questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. I need a motion to appoint Kelly Patnau as a
025full-time bus driver effective May 21st, 2026 at a salary of $21,57.50 prated as per the CSEA agreement. Kelly has all or has full fingerprint clearance. So >> second >> questions, comments. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carry. Okay. I need a motion to appoint Daisy >> Contender Rays as a full-time bus driver effective May 28th, 2026 at a salary of $21,57.50 prated as per the CSCA agreement. This appointment is continued upon full fingerprint clearance. >> So move second. >> Questions, comments? All those in favor? I >> opposed. Motion carries. I need a motion to appoint the unpaid internship of Avery Heert while she works with the elementary school social worker to complete a year-long internship at our school per the term set forth in the agreement attached. Miss Heert has her bachelor's degree in
026psychology and is currently studying for her masters. So second questions, comments? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. Okay. Um this is it resolved that the board of education >> yeah right be it resolved that the board of education of the Stiller Central School District hereby appoints Sydney Leonard to the position of probationary 12-month senior school secretary affected June 15th, 2026 at a salary of $44,99 for the CSEA contract agreement. Miss Leonard has full fingerprint clearance. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions, comments? >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carried. Um I also Okay, next to action items. I need a motion to accept the annual budget vote and election results for May 19th, 2026. >> Questions, comments? I need a second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Second. Nobody could automatically
027do that. >> Questions, comments? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carry. >> Okay, we have no committee report outs. Next, we have four items of interest. >> Anybody? I just want to say thank you for the parent square message with all the important dates for May school. That is like goal to this time of year. So I'm sure it would be appreciated at every level, but to get that is really great. So thank you. >> I appreciate that. Thank you very much. >> Anybody else? You're >> Yeah. Uh, somebody asked me about the status of driver's ed. I know that sometimes we have a driver's ed program, sometimes we don't with any um interest or if we're able to partner with somebody. So, I was hoping we get an update on that. >>
028I was just asked a question as well since we haven't had it. I know there's a class that parents usually pay like $500 to have to take and it's comes highly recommended but it would be nice to have it as a class offered. >> Yeah, I think it >> I think our students have gone over to um >> Music Valley in the past and did that. Um so there's opportunity to partnership with some of the other schools I think. something. Anything else? Okay. I just want to let you everyone know that I will be attending a webinar tomorrow. There is a free webinar that NISPA is giving on the uh budget. So, you can go ahead and sign up for it tonight, but it is tomorrow. um gives you the uh the impact of school
029districts, you know, because of the budget that's being passed because most of excuse me, from what I understand, most of the educational parts of the budget have been passed. So, um I'm also I also brought tonight I'm gonna pass these along. Um, I was given a um or sent a article about handwriting versus typewriting and how it leads to widespread brain connectivity. So, if you're bored in the night, you want to take it and want to read it, it talks about how when a when a child or an adult writes something, their brain connects on all levels, whereas typewriting, it doesn't connect. So uh and how important it is that we have kids do that handwriting you know so they that their brain learns to you know learn properly and things like that. So good
030reading Joe if you guys want any more copies or if you want to >> there's there's been a lot of articles about that just with my own kids I've noticed that >> when they're not getting the concept of something and I say hey how about index cards or write it down you know x amount of times and lo and behold it clicks. It's, you know, the old way, the old way of studying. I think, >> you know, it really works. It's that rope memorization that you get from, you know, seeing it, physically writing it connects all all the things. And I know there's several schools that I've read about within the United States that are going back to teaching children the old way and not using tablets and things like that. I mean, we all
031know that eventually they will have to because that's where we're going as far as technology, but you know, maybe in their their formative years, you know, we need, you know, need to go back to the old ways. Just thought >> on that same subject, I know at least Mrs. Shy uh still teaches cursive and script, you know, she does a session on that. So, I like to see that. >> Yeah. I mean I had a conversation with uh a faculty member RPI and they were signing uh things within their classes and how many of those kids could not sign or connect the letters properly. You know that's sad. So but anyway just so if you want to take a night and and get bored and read it go ahead. Uh so anyway, I also wanted
032to voice uh along with Joe's, you know, thank you to everybody that came out and helped pass our budget and welcome Carrie to the table as our new board member. >> Okay. Um >> welcome. >> Thank you. >> And I also want to say congrats to Thomas Malbury III on receiving the Aderatic Area School Boards Association Community Service Award. That dinner was back on May 14th and I think Jim went to it. So, uh, we congratulate him on that. So, and I think that's all I have. Does anybody have anything else? >> Okay. All right. I would like to have a motion to uh adjourn to executive session. >> I'm sorry. Public >> I had something to say. >> Sorry. >> I've been I go to as many functions as I can around here. Whether
033it be academic, sports, chorus, or whatever. I've been going to this for years. This was a tremendous concert. Tremendous. Our uh high school principal is there. Those three guys are good. But the uh the leader, the music teacher, and the students were tremendous this year. I like that they're all being known. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate that. >> Okay. Anybody out had any any other public input? Okay. Now I'd like a motion to convene into executive session during the meeting >> for the purposes of >> STA CSA negotiations. >> You're welcome. >> I'm I'm a little bit congested tonight so I'm like out of sorts. >> Need a motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carry. >> Thank you everyone. Good luck tonight. >> I'm going to
034need it. looks now.