001Okay. All right. Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting of the Suffren Central School District Board of Education for Tuesday, June 17th, 2025. Sorry for a slight delay, but we're ready to get started. Um, we are going to recall this meeting to order and we are going to uh begin with 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. Okay, thank you. Um, all board members are present and so is Tijah for our student report. Oh my goodness. Well, good. I haven't been here two weeks since last time I coincidentally my family um kind of celebrated me for being awarded at the um Brooklyn Board of Association meeting.
002So, that was fun. But I'm so sorry I couldn't be here. But I'm happy I'm here for the last one. Even though for me school ended yesterday, which I'll get to in a second, I still wanted to be here. Um but I'll get to that at the end. But um uh currently going on at the high school still even though last day was um the last 80-minute period for the school year. Uh underassman's are testing for their regions the rest of the week uh from June 17th today till June 24th of next week. And um there's a lot of stuff going on for seniors. Um so this so this week uh tomorrow is the cap and gown ceremony uh where students will receive their cap and gown and go over protocol that will happen at
003graduation. Also um there's senior prom senior prom is Friday at the pro river Hilton. So a lot of seniors will be going. I think there's over 200 seniors going over 200 over 200 attendees going to prom this year. So that's great. And also uh on June 23rd, this Monday is the clapout uh where students, senior students get to go to their elementary school if they did attend. And um kids will clap them out as they walk through their where they first uh grew up and learned all they know today. And so I'll be going to Connor cuz we're Cougars. Um so I'll be going there. Uh it's kind of bittersweet, but you know, so I'm really excited. Um, and then graduation is Thursday, June 26th at 7 p.m. at Clover Stadium. So, I'm really excited
004for that. Kind of sad, you know, but it's okay. And then the last day of school officially, which a lot mostly teachers go to, is June 27th. Um, and um, as far as our athletics, there's a lot going on with athletics these past two weeks. Um, the senior sports banquet was, uh, was two week, I believe, two weeks ago. Um there were a lot of student Yeah. last oh last week to a lot of students uh won awards um for not only their athletic abilities but um how they participated into their community while playing sports as well. And fortunately I did receive an award which I was not expecting but I'm very very grateful for that and I thank everybody uh who voted voted or however that works and I'm really grateful for that. Um,
005also, uh, the track team, the girls track team, uh, got first place in our state champions this year for outdoor for the girls 4x1. 4x4 4x4. Yeah, 4x4. Um, luckily, I'm best friends with two of them. So, I was really excited for them. And, um, yeah. So, that's all I have. But before I go, since this is my last one, um, I just want to thank you guys for, um, giving me this opportunity. Honestly, so many doors have opened up for me. A lot of people have I've been respected in so many spaces because of this and so many people have been giving me opportunities and doing so many so many things for me and with me because of you guys and going to that dinner and like being recognized and like you know like
006being like praised for all the things I do. It really made me realize like all the stuff that I do and like you know how important I am to the community even though I might like oversee it sometimes. So for the last time I want to say thank you guys so much for letting me do this and I'm going to miss it but you know I'll be back sometime. You'll see me. Yeah, come pop in maybe. And and yeah, that's all I wanted to say and thank you guys so much. So yeah, that's all I have today. So Tij, before you go, do you want to say anything or you go first? Talia, I think uh you just have this presence about you when you come into the boardroom here and speak to the board
007about um what's taking place at the high school. You you've represented so many organizations, teams, and individuals in such a positive way and quite frankly, you light up the room, right? You you've shared a little bit about your own personal experience with us. Um, and you just exude Mounty pride and I'm so glad that you're appreciative of this opportunity because we're appreciative of you and how you've represented not just just this board of education but the entire Suffin Central School District. You're an incredible individual. You have a bright future and we wish you all the best, Elijah. Well done. All right. All right, that's better. Okay, Tijah, we are going to miss you so much. You are just our little ray of sunshine at the meeting. Um, it's so wonderful to start with you because
008you just set the tone for being just super positive and letting us know what's going on. and we've really enjoyed all of your presentations, not only hearing about all the great things going on in the high school, but often things that are going on with you personally because you're so involved and it's just been a wonderful, wonderful relationship. Um, we know that you have a lot and you've had a lot going on at school and we're so glad that you made this part of your senior year experience um because it allowed us to get to know you and and we know that it sometimes wasn't always easy fitting us in between like basketball and homework and and all the other um activities that you're doing, but we really really appreciate it. Um, and we have
009a little gift for you. So, [Music] We know you have a really busy summer and you're going to be getting ready for college, but hopefully you'll have a little bit of time to like do a little rest and relaxation and and and enjoy maybe a day at the beach or something fun for yourself before you go to college. [Applause] And yes, absolutely come back and see us. We would love to hear about everything that's going on. Okay. Uh we're now going to move on to the minutes of the regular meeting of June 3rd, 2025. Has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes? Good. Do I have a motion to approve the minutes? Uh Mr. Frasier, second. Mr. Kern, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay, then we're going
010to move on to superintendent's comments. Thank you very much. I'm going to move the superintendent comments up to the front here because I have the distinct pleasure and honor of recognizing our Suff Central students who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest achievement in the Boy Scouts of America BSA program. It is a prestigious and nationally recognized honor that demonstrates exceptional leadership, service, and outdoor skills. And I think probably goes without saying that even if someone doesn't understand everything that goes into earning the rank of an Eagle Scout, everyone whenever you mention an Eagle Scout recognizes that it's incredibly prestigious. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work and is truly an honor to become an Eagle Scout. And so the Suffren Central School District would like to take
011just a few moments to acknowledge each of our students who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. And I'd like to call them up one by one and read a little description of their project. And I think we have a slideshow or a couple of slides uh with regards to each of their projects. So if David Tarantino would please come up and join me. David. David's project involved renovating the flag pole in the area around it for the Mawa Elks Lodge in Mawa, New Jersey. He also laid down a new cap block around the perimeter of the project and pavers at the top by the flag pole. David installed river rock by the monument and at the bottom he installed bushes, plants as well at the bottom of that flag pole. You can see there
012from the monument and the installation. It's incredible. And I know that it's not just the physical work that goes into it. It's getting the right permissions, all the preparation, getting your fellow scouts to come along and and help you with that project. It's a huge organizational task. And uh we are very impressed by the work that you've done and I love the fact that Suffren is mentioned in Mawa. Uh so well done. Right. We're planting our names uh elsewhere outside of the Suffren Central School District across state lines. Um and you have a bright future ahead of you, my friend. Congratulations. Could Kieran Guerrero please come up? [Laughter] So Kieran's project involved the creation and installation of signage with a PA planter box at Sllozburg Community Fields. The fields serve as a gathering place for
013residents, playgrounds for children as well as sports fields. The fields had no signage and Kieran's project made the fields a visually pleasant area for patrons to sit and visit. SLzburg Community Fields were dedicated and renamed after Slotzburg longtime clerk and treasurer and Suffren Central School District former board member Thomas Bolato Jr. In November of 2024, Slozburg honored the late Tom Bolato Jr. with a small ceremony in which his four grandsons unveiled the beautiful planter that our Eagle Scout led his volunteer work crews to construct. And once again, not just the physical label, but the organization and the wonderful dedication right back to your community. And hopefully for years to come, your family and yourself are going to recognize the work that you did has only improved your local community. So we are very proud of
014you, my friend. Do this. All right. Could Katon House please come up? Katon's project involved renovating the entrance way of the American Legion Post 859 in downtown Suffren, an important gathering place for veterans, their families, and our community. The project included closing off two areas to create closets, repairing and painting the walls, and improving the overall appearance of the entrance to make it more more welcoming and functional. And I know that the folks from the American Legion when I when I bumped into them during um suffering street fair raved about this work and recognized how impactful it was going to be for their members. So well done and congratulations Would William Sler please come up? Sorry, can we advance one slide? I had the wrong order. There we go. That's more like it, right? All
015right. You had that look like, should I say something? Do I not? Good job. Maybe Gunderson will figure it out eventually. And we did. William's project was a beautifification and renovation of Brookland's Park in Suffurn. He sanded, primed, and painted two tables and benches, added in a new wire bench with a barrier, and cleaned up a giant fallen tree that was a hazard. impressive work. Really making the the community more beautiful and I know the folks in Suffren will forever appreciate that work. Well done. Congratulations. Can Michael please come up? Which means we have to go back a slide, right? Michael's project involved renovating the Helping Hands of Rockland Food Pantry located at the Church of the Nazarene in Spring Valley, New York. This included cleaning the walls and floors, painting the walls and ceilings,
016spray painting the shelving, and a complete reorganization to create more space. He did this for two different pantry rooms, one for the food pantry, and the other for an other supply room closet as well. So, congratulations on your achievement. Well done on the project. And I know that there are going to be plenty of families that are going to be feeling a more welcome environment coming in to the food pantry. Congratulations. Thank you. And finally, Todd Corman, another Eagle Scout, um has also completed his project but was unable to attend this evening. and hopefully we can acknowledge him at a future meeting. But congratulations to Todd Corman as well. You thought I was done with the superintendence report? Not quite yet. Just change of venue because I'm going to let Miss Sandy Janette uh prepare
017herself to come on up. She's our board of education representative to Rockland Boseies. And I have a couple of other things to say if you want to get prepared unless you're ready. Perfect. That's great. As Talijah mentioned a few moments ago, we had quite the epic weekend. Um, and we all know that our boys and girls track team is an impressive group of athletes. Um, but wow, the news that our girls 4x400 relay team, Carrie D car, I'm sorry, Kyla Darius, Grace Delaney, um, Evana Sanon, and Karen Augustine. They won the state federal title this past Saturday, which means that they were the best of all the schools in New York State, class A, B, and C, and the private schools, and they ran the fastest time in New York State this year. Let's give
018a huge round of applause. Just just incredible. We're hoping to uh to do some recognition of them. Um and just an incredible achievement. And of course, we had uh members of the girls and boys track team do extremely well. The boys 4x400 team came in third place in class A and fourth in the entire federation. and they broke the school record again while doing it. Uh Karen Augustine broke her school record as well in the 400 intermediate hurdles and placed fourth in class A. Jack Bowman ran to a sixth place finish in class A in the 3000 meter steeple chase and broke the school record there. Jeff Joseph placed 14th in the class A boys triple jump and Todd Corman, Eagle Scout Todd, placed 18th in the class A boys pole vault. just incredible performance
019at this past weekend's uh state tournament for track and field. Wonderful, wonderful work. And and finally, that was not all that was happening this weekend on the athletic front. As Talia mentioned, our girls lacrosse team was in the state final four tournament again, fourth year in a row up there in uh Courtland, New York. Um they came up with an incredible victory on on Friday and came up a little bit short on on Saturday in the championship game. So they came in second place, if you will, in the entire state for the division. Just incredible work. So proud of their teamwork and perseverance year after year to continue to make Suff proud. So great things going on our community service and our Eagle Scouts on our athletic teams. And as Tlesia mentioned, it's Regents Week,
020all capped off by a wonderful celebration where we get to wish our seniors goodbye at graduation coming up on June 26th at 7 p.m. at Clover Stadium. And everybody hope that the rain stays away and it's a cool night. We'll see how that goes, but it's always a thrilling night for everyone. And with that, I am going to change gears and welcome Miss Sandy Janette, who comes and speaks to the board about two or three times a year on things that are going on with regards to Rockland Boseies. And uh I want to turn things over to you so you can share the news that you have. I love it. Is it on? Okay. Thank Thank you. Thank you. Um, first of all, um, good luck at Rowan and congratulations to all the Eagle Scouts.
021You you're welld deserved. It's really hard to follow five or six Eagle Scouts. Okay. As as Dr. Gunderson mentioned I represent uh the Suffin School District on the Rockland Bosey's board of education and uh we represent all of the eight school districts in the county and I want to thank the board and the administration for setting aside time for me to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Suffren High School students who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and success through their involvement in the Rockland Bosey's career and technical I'm just going to turn this a little bit because I don't I want to see them too. uh the the Rockloose's career and technical education program, better known as CEK. And for those of you who might not know, CEK offers a variety of half-day programs to students in
022all the high schools in Rockland County who have the operate, excuse me, who have the chance to uh excuse me, graduate high school and then be career ready, earning both college credits and industry certifications in a variety of vocational topics. Uh the students listed on the handout that I gave out to the board and the administration have excelled academically and they've had the opportunity to graduate high school and be career ready. Uh we're very proud of their hard work and their high standards as well as their dedication and commitment. Currently, 110 students are enrolled in the CEK program in Rockland County with over one half of them earning their well-deserved endorsements, certifications, and awards. In addition, if you notice on your handout, several have already become eligible to receive a temporary license in their respective
023fields on their way to their permanent certification. You'll also notice that there are six students who are currently 11th graders and they're well on their way to qualifying for additional honors after having completed their 12th year next year. Okay. Now, I I encapsulated what you're looking at and that way our audience can hear it as well. Um the students in this program this year have earned a total of 120 college credits already. 15 students have been named to the National Technical Honor Society, three for the second time. 17 students are on the principal's honor role and over $80,000 in scholarships have been awarded to these students just this year. So, uh we're very proud of them. Uh we're very proud of the program and the partnership we have with you. And if you have any
024questions that I can't answer, that's why I gave you my card so that you could email or call me to ask me. One of the things you might notice because I asked the the CEK principal this um there are two students who are 12th graders who have honors, but it says not applicable on their field there. And I said, well, what does that mean? Because doesn't really look good if they're like honor students. and he said that the programs that they were en enrolled in were not programs that offer a technical endorsement but they were eligible to earn the other honors that were available to them and the other awards. So I want to really thank you. We're very proud of our students from suffering high school. This is only suffer this is only suffering
025what we gave you. So we have lots of others for the other districts. So I want to thank you. Uh, congratulations again to everybody and you know I'll be back in the fall. Thank you very much. Thank you Sandy Janette. Thank you Sandy Janette. We always know we can count on you and and that you will be back. Um, tonight is a is a you know bittersweet night where we're saying goodbye to our student representatives. Uh we're going to be saying a few um I would imagine some nice words about our uh departing board members. Um and also I would just like even though we spoke about Lee Weber at the the retirement um celebration at the last board meeting just want to acknowledge my superintendent's comments that um Lee as you as you complete
026your final year here in the Suffren Central School District serving as our assistant superintendent of instruction. You leave behind a a wonderful legacy here of innovation, collaboration and a commitment to academic excellence. Um, and you have not rested at all. Right. In fact, we were just talking uh I think it was either yesterday or or last week and you were saying, you know, I'm getting pretty close to my last day here and I don't feel like I'm slowing down at all. Like it's pedal to the metal and and that's what's fantastic about you. You are truly committed not only to the students here in the Suffren Central School District, but to our community, this board of education, and I know that even though you are retiring, that you are going to continue to be in
027touch with us. And your level of uh commitment to the Suffren Central School District, I know will not waver. So, even though you're retiring from public education, I want you to know that the Suffren Central School District recognized educator and we are the better district because of your leadership and your influence which will forever be recognized and appreciated here in Suffren Central. So, thank you so much. Thus concludes my superintendent report. Thank you so much. Thank you so much to all of our Eagle Scouts for being here tonight. Um I cannot tell you how much we appreciate the projects that you do for our community. Even if they're not on school grounds, they are used by students from this district and their families. It's such an important contribution and and it's just really invaluable. And
028thank you also to parents um and families for encouraging your sons to continue with scouting and to achieve this very high honor. Um I'm sure they're all going to do great things in this world if it's any indication what we've seen tonight. And I can see just from all the badges that they're wearing that their Eagle Scout projects were just a small percentage of everything they've learned to do in scouting. And uh we're so happy that we could be here and recognize you tonight. And thank you Mrs. Janette for your wonderful report and uh these great students from Boseis and CEK who I see not only have honors but many of them also have scholarships and I know it continues to be an extremely popular program and we're very pleased to hear the updates. So
029thank you for being here as well. We are now going to start our first public participation section. This is on action items only. Action items are on our agenda tonight uh at 2.01 through 2.22. Is there anyone who is here to speak on an action item? Okay, looks like not. Uh so before asking for a consent agenda, are there any items that any board member would like to pull? No. Okay, good. Uh do I have a motion for a consent agenda? Mrs. Hodgej second. Is that you, Tom? Okay. And Mr. Donnelly, all in favor signify by saying I. I. Anyone opposed? Any abstensions? Okay. Very well. Then we're going to move on to board member comments. Are there any board members with any comments tonight? Who's gonna start? Anybody? Tell me. All right. You want
030You want me to start? Then you can all laugh at me and get the laughs over. I I I get I get to decide who starts. Okay. All right. Mr. Shapiro, it was it was a great weekend, that's for sure, for um the girls lacrosse team and for the track team. Um so that that was great, but I'm not going to focus on that. Um, I was lucky enough this past Saturday to go to the Hill Hillburn Community Scholarship Ceremony and um, it was a treat and I want to say hello to the family who was uh, there. Devin, congratulations again. No, not not Devon. What? David, I'm sorry. I I got the first letter right. Okay. Thank God for knowing the alphabet when I was little. Um, and it was it was really a
031a terrific a afternoon and uh um I was very honored to be be be there and um it was just great. But I'm going to say some comments about two people um who starting in July will not have to listen to me speak at any of the meetings unless you want to listen to it. Okay. Okay. Um, first to Chris. Um, it's been a pleasure spending the last uh, six years um, on Tuesday nights. Um, I just can't put into words what a gentleman you are. Um, I like the fact that you always ask me for the medical device so that you can pass it on during, you know, the day when you're working. Oh, I wasn't supposed to say that in public. I'm I'm sorry, Chris. Uh but it it is it has just
032been great and uh I just wish you uh Tuesday nights now you'll have free time and you won't be able to take Kathy here on a date which I don't understand why you would bring her here for a date on Tuesdays but that's what you did but you will be missed. My second comment is about uh Matt Kerna. Only a few people know that I've known Matt Kern for um 30some years. Um he was a student at Spring Valley when I first became assistant principal there. And he didn't get into trouble. I'm not saying anything bad about him. Um but um I've known Matt since 1992 and it's been great now spending um the last eight years with him on the board. Uh Matt was president for a number of years. Um he led this
033board with a lot of integrity, a lot of compassion, and was always dedicated to Suffren Central. And uh Matt, I will tell you now um I will miss you, but I know where you live. It's not a threat. Just I know where he lives. Okay. And now he says, "I'm welcome to come any any anytime." And I'm sure as I do, the door will not be answered when I knock on it. Um but it has just been a pleasure. And uh Matt, I'm I'm glad we could reconnect after all all those years. Just shows you how small the world is. And I will conclude my silly comments. Anyone else from uh from the side? Mr. Frasier just want to start by congratulating our Boy Scouts on their Eagle Award. Is that correct? Boy Scouts. Eagle
034award. I I think we were calling them Eagle Scouts. Not Eagle Scouts, are you? There is Eagle Scouts. Okay. So, Eagle Scouts on It's so confusing. It's written one way and saying another. But again, thank you for your community uh service. Everything that we saw up here was wonderful. And the young man uh Mr. house. I will be calling you for some renovations when you get your license and your own business. Now, I want to turn to thank Miss Lee Weber for your many years of service. When I uh was first elected to the board, you were the um acting superintendent. Uh you carried us through co was a fun time. I still have all the text messages and the emails from you on all the everchanging updates to the co protocol and you led
035us through that without any hiccups. Then I go right on over to Dr. Nick Pond. It's been a great uh time serving here with you on the board. You were always a gentleman, quiet, but filled with great uh information, especially during COVID. you helped us as board members, you'll be missed, but uh you're always welcome to come take a seat on the front row during any of our meetings. And I move right over to our former president, Matt Kern. Thank you for leading us as well as president. Thank you for being uh the wealth of knowledge that you are on this board and I learned a lot from you. Then I go back over to Tijah. How can I forget about you? I should have started over here. Well, thank you again for keeping us
036up to date with all the uh going on at the high school within the district. You've done a great job and you will be missed also, but you're welcome to come back at any time. Thank you. All right, anybody else? Saha. Yeah, we're gonna we're really going to miss you so much. you've been such a delight and always full of information. I don't I don't think you've really missed a whole lot. You kind of remember every bit and piece of it and and you will be missed and I do hope you come back for a visit. Um Dr. Nick Pon, um you're one of the best listeners I've ever met in my life. Um, and you always react. I've learned so much from you and you react with grace and I've appreciated it so much
037and you will be missed as well. Um, but I'll probably still bug you a little bit. Um, Mr. Kerna, you have you're very skilled with um process and you know more about what goes on on the board than kind of anybody here. So, not sure exactly what we'll do without you, but we might be bugging you a little bit too. But Marlo, we can we can count on you, Lee. Um, you're not getting rid of me. Um, I know that we'll still remain in touch and friends, but it's just not going to be the same without you. You will be missed very dearly. And, um, Miss Brian and Mr. Andert, I'm looking forward to working with you more closely and, um, getting to know you a little bit better and making some progress with the
038district. Thank you. Yes, Mr. Donnelly. Yeah. Here comes the valve. Relieve all the pressure of everybody. All right. Here we go. Here we go. All right. First of all, um I'm going to leave Chris and Matt to the end. Okay. Uh I want to congratulate John Callian and and uh the great job he he continues to do uh and his staff. Uh, I just think this program is is really top-notch. So, I thank you for all your dedication and also uh to the track coaches for everything. I I'm not going to stand here and reiterate everybody else's uh we we know you guys did great and we appreciate it and thank you for all the time and effort that you put into it. Um, we uh acknowledge that we got a new coach tonight. Uh
039V Vincent San Sanjulo. Um I'm just very happy to see that that we hired back our our own. Uh Vinnie was uh a student when I was a SRO in in uh Suff High School. Uh he was quite a character then. Uh dedicated. Uh he came a long way. He's he's developed into a fantastic coach, a great leader, and we picked up on it and we we we hired him. And Vinnie, I just want to wish you all the best. You're going to you're going to make suffering a better place, and we have you for 30 years. So, uh, you know, it's a long haul. I did it. I know it's worse than a prison sentence, but you'll do fine. All right. Um, Sandy, thank you. Okay, to Elijah, you you just don't know. You
040know, sky's is the limit. Okay. Uh, and now to Chris and Matt. Listen, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for your insight. Um, it it's been a pleasure. I've learned a lot from you and you're both real gentlemen and I thank you for your friendship. Thank you very much. All right. All the best. Thank you all. All right. Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. All right. Well, in in a break from procedure, I'm going to go next. Um, a lot of goodbyes tonight. Um, so first I just want to say uh to Chris, thank you so much for your service. And I don't even think I realized how much I benefited from having you on the board before I even joined the board because it turns out if you're in the midst of a nationwide pandemic,
041it's great to have some overlap with a pediatrician on your board of education. And we're going to miss you and also your expertise so much. Uh, which means that one of the rest of us has to come up with a medical degree in the next two weeks, which is, you know, it's it's tight. The timing is tight, honestly, but not impossible. Um, and uh, and we're going to just miss, you know, just having your quiet um, but important comments um, in all of our discussions. Um, I also just want to say that your commitment to service is really something that we should all aspire to. Um, I I can't imagine what it was like um to lose Maddie um in a private way, but also in a very public way because she was such a
042huge part of this community. And the fact that you stayed on the board and that you you continue to give us service is is incredible. and also everything that you've done with the Matty Nickpond Together Foundation has just been transformative um not only to the Suffin School District, to the community, and also to the Mustard Seed community and and the mission outside of this country is is incredible. It's it's it's what we should all try to be. So, I just want to say thank you. Um, I want to say on behalf of the board, um, we have a little card for you and also, um, something for the Maddie Nick Pond Foundation and I hope that you will come back, uh, sometime and visit us. I know when we were at Suffren High School, it's
043really close for you to just hop over the fence. So, so, so, uh, but we wish you the best of luck. Um, now you hopefully have your whole Tuesday, your day off to yourself as opposed to having to park yourself here. And um, and we wish you and your family all the best. Um, and Matt, I know that you were fine with just peace out, but um, but we're not going to do that because you've served for nine years, which is like a a lifetime in schoolboard years. Um, so I just want to say thank you so much for your service on this board. Um, for leading us as president for five years um through not easy times and easier times. Um, that is that was a huge and important commitment. And I would like
044to reiterate that Jen says that, you know, you know a lot about process and procedure. And I'm going to miss having you next to me um shifting in your seat when I forget to do a motion. my little signal. Um um and uh it's been a wonderful relationship both being your vice president and having you as my vice president. I feel very lucky um that I met you at this time. Um I know that we didn't always agree on everything. Um for example, I think um putting information in a table in Microsoft is a really good way of expressing it while you feel that an Excel spreadsheet is the way to go. And um but we've also agreed at times that when you say that an Excel spreadsheet is the way to go and I
045agree that on certain circumstances an Excel spreadsheet is the way to go. Um so uh I know uh we still have you on the hook until June 30th. Um and so uh we also have a little something for you to pass the time though when you're finished and uh and you can go on and enjoy your life. But I'll wave at you as I drive past your house because I know where you live also. So, thank you. Okay. Are there any other board members that would like to speak? Yes. Okay. Dr. Nick Pan. Wow. Uh first off, thank you all for um everything. Uh thank you for your beautiful words tonight. Um, and uh, also thank you to my wife Kathy and my family for encouraging me to do this. Uh, it wasn't something that
046I ever saw for myself and I think their encouragement and also talking to Matt and his encouragement uh, set me on this journey and and it's been uh, very rewarding. U, very difficult, a lot of ups and downs, but very rewarding. I think a lot of that is the people the people on this board um the administration, the parents, the teachers, uh students, uh this district is very special and to be a part of it um and to just have some little role in in the leadership of it was just very special to me. And um so thank you and and the support going through a very difficult time in my life and the support of everyone uh really mattered and I just wanted people to know that. And to the two new board members
047um best of luck. Um really listen uh think about things think think what's best for the district and you'll do fine. Um, thank you. Well, that's how we planned it. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Um, thank you to everybody for for the kind words. it was not necessary. Um, just, you know, being able to spend the time that we have over the years together is rewarding enough. Um, but but thank you anyway for for saying such nice things. Um, you know, I did think about actually preparing something to say, but I figured I'll remember what I want to say and now I've forgotten everything I wanted to say. So, the last, you know, the last five years as board president and now Marlo will get to do this. You you get to, you know,
048speak a little bit, you know, a minute and a half, two minutes at graduation and that's I don't know figure a thousand people there. Maybe talking right now about leaving the board is actually more difficult than getting up and talking about this, you know, the graduating class or anything like that. It's um it's very bittersweet and I really just wanted to take this opportunity to just to to say thank you. Thank you to the community for giving me the opportunity to sit here for nine years. Thank you to the administration, you know, um, everybody that we work with that sits up here and not just the seven of us as the board, but with administration, Billy and Larry and Lee and Heather and Eric. Those are things that you probably don't see or recognize is
049the amount of time we spend working with administration and developing the relationships with all these individuals and you're all wonderful just just wonderful people to work with and and I really will miss just, you know, whether it's going through budget information or just having a sidebar conversation about wings or whatever it is. I mean, that I I will miss that. And, you know, in nine years, this this board in this district has has changed a lot since I started. And I feel so confident in the direction of this district, in the direction of this board and our administration. And it I I really am excited for our two new board members to come on and and embrace what what this board does and embrace this district and everything that we do and everything that we
050offer and provide for our students. That's why we're here. That's why you'll be here. It's it's to give every student in this district the best opportunity possible with the best programs and the best educators. I mean, I think that's why the seven of us are here is to provide that. And you know, again, I I um thank you again to everybody. And and I do have to just a special call out. Just just just a special call out because I don't think she gets enough credit. Heather, the amount of work and dedication that Heather has as the district clerk, nobody that isn't sitting up here knows how how much she does to just prepare these meetings to that to work with Dr. Gunderson. And really I, you know, Heather, you're really the un the unsung
051hero of this of this board. So, thank you for, you know, always being there for conversations and, you know, that game starts soon, too, right? Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not I'm not sure Edmond. I'm not sure how it's going to go, but we got to get home and, you know, watch that game. So, thank you to everybody again. Thank you. I really really appreciate the opportunity to sit up here. Thank you. All right. Well, thank you everyone. Um, our next item is public participation. Public participation on is on any district related business. Um, if you're here to speak about district related business, please approach the lectern. Please keep your remarks to three minutes and please do not u mention anyone in the district by name, whether a staff, teacher or student. Is there anybody here
052uh to speak on any district related business tonight? No. Anybody want to talk about Chris and Matt similar? No. Okay. [Music] All right. Oh, we have one. [Music] You can put it in the public record. Okay. All right. Uh, we all are. No, we all are. Thank you. Thank you to Elijah's grandma. We're happy you're here with us tonight. We got to meet Tijah's parents at the schoolboard dinner and so all Tijah's family members are welcome. Thank you for being here tonight. All right, we're going to close public participation then and move to superintendent's closing comments. So, I am standing between you and the motion to adjourn uh and apparently the Stanley Cup hockey game. Um, so I will I will keep my uh I will keep my comments brief, but I think tonight the
053comments especially from the board members tonight uh and the general feel around the room as we acknowledge our our students, talk about our student athletes, what's taking place in the schools, um is just a testimony to how committed this community is to propelling our students forward. Um, and a school district can only move forward if its governing body is effective. And this is a governing body where not everyone agrees all the time. People come at topics and issues with different perspectives. But the respect that this board shows for each of its individual board members and the respect that this board shows to the administrative team, the teachers, adviserss, coaches, community members, and most importantly our students is the reason why Suffer Central is a great place to be. Um, and Dr. Nick Pon and Mr.
054Kerna, um, the two of you are excellent examples of what board members should be. You're constructive, you're thoughtful, you have the time to to think through topics and challenges, and you approach decisions with regards to what's best for students and the district as a whole. And I know having been here for four years, I am certainly very appreciative of the time and effort and support that you have shown not only me, our team, and our entire district, but I'm also going to miss you. Um, but I know that you're not going to be too far away and uh I look forward to continuing to be in touch with you. And I think that uh on July 2nd, I know I am looking forward to also welcoming our two new board members who I believe are
055going to be equally constructive, Mr. Andert and Miss Brian in the back. Um, this board is going to continue to be high functioning for the benefit of all of Suffering Central. So, thank you so much for your years of service and thank you to the Suffren Central School District community. Okay, thank you everyone for being here tonight. Um, our next meeting is Wednesday, July 2nd, uh, for reorganization. Um, and it's a that's a big old board meeting, but please come if you like. Um, and at this uh at this time, do I have a motion to adjurnn? Mr. Shapiro. Second, Mr. Is that Don? All right. Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. We will see everyone back here on July 2nd. Thank you.