001Good evening everyone. Today is Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. This is a regular meeting of the Tahoe Board of Education. Um can I have a motion to um we're going to go to executive session. Can I have a motion to go to executive session? Little second, Joel. All in favor? Okay. We'll be back around 7:30. Thank you. We just returned from the second session earlier. Um, first order of business is business recognition. Um Good evening everyone. So tonight I have the distinct privilege and honor of recognizing a truly exceptional group of individuals, our dedicated Tahoe Board of Education in celebration of the New York State School Board Recognition Week. Each year this time we pause to acknowledge and thank the dedicated volunteers who serve as trustees of our public schools. But the truth is their work
002deserves recognition each and every day. Being a school board member is a call to civic duty and a call to serving one's community. Serving as a public education school board member takes one of the most important citizenship responsibilities, overseeing the education of the community's youth. Boards of education guide their local school systems and ensure public schools are flexible, responsive, and meet the needs of this school community. School boards are composed of volunteers who do not receive any sort of compensation for their services. NVA, which is the New York State School Boards Association, conducted a recent study and showed that the average school board member who volunteers in excess of six plus hours a week. I can tell you firsthand, our school board here at Tahoe does many more hours than that. There are individuals within
003the community, our school board members who dedicate their time to improving public education. In New York State, we have 687 school districts that have elected board of educations, leading the way for public education. School board members statewide collectively oversee nearly 2 million 2.2 million K through2 students and oversee a budgets budgets of 86.3 billion dollars in spending each year with school children. Their primary focus as trustees and school board members is to create a shared vision for the future of education. Set the direction of the school district to achieve the highest student performance. Provide accountability to student achievement results. Develop a budget and present it to our community. Align district resources to improve achievement. Support a healthy school district culture in which to work and to learn. And much more. Our school, our board of
004education members are not only leaders, they're tiredless advocates, problem solvers, decision makers, and stewards of public trust. They volunteer countless hours attending meetings, reviewing policies, analyzing budgets, engaging with the community, and making decisions that directly impact the future of our students and the schools here at Tahoe. Their leadership is driven by shared commitment to excellence in education, equity for all students, and the belief that public education is the foundation of a strong, vibrant community, which we have here in Tahoe. What many may not see is the time and energy that goes into this role behind the scenes. Trustees are often the first to be called upon in moments of challenge, sometimes the last to be thanked when things are going well. yet they continue to serve with integrity, thoughtfulness, and compassion for the benefit of
005our students. So tonight, on behalf of our district's leadership team, our faculty and our staff, our teachers, and our students and families, and truly the entire Tuck community, I want to express our sincere gratitude to all of you. To our trustees, thank you for your unwavering leadership, your deep sense of responsibility, and your passion for public education. Your volunteerism shaped not only the success of our schools but the strength of our entire community. Thank you board president Al Nelson Howard, Vice President Scottetti, Trusty Peter C, Trusty Louis, Trustee Joel Abram. Please join me in giving them a wonderful round of applause and recognition that they so deeply deserve. And the highlight of our My comments and presentation of the school board comes from some of our student leaders. I'd like to invite uh senior class
006president Ryan Gentry and his colleagues to join me and hit the microphone. He's going to present some words to the board on this recognition. >> Hello everybody. My name is Ryan and I'm the president of the class of 26. I am joined by our other elected representatives Carney our vice president our secretary and Andrew Godard for our treasure but he wasn't able to make it on behalf of the senior class we'd like to take a moment to recognize our board of education during board of recognition as the elected senior class officers students who have been part of the district since kindergarten it's incredible to look back and see how far we've come from our first days in elementary school to now in our final year as seniors we've experienced countless opportunities that have helped us
007grow as students teammates leaders and members of this These opportunities didn't just happen by chance. They're the result of the dedication and vision of our board of education who continually work to ensure that Tucker students have access to exceptional programs, events, and learning experiences. Of course, none of this would be possible without the teachers, coaches, staff, and administration who guide, supervise, and support us every step of the way. This past week's homecoming and spirit week was a perfect example of what makes our district so special. a community that celebrates pride, unity, and tigers spirit in everything you do. So, on behalf of the class of 2026, thank you to our board of education, our administration, and all the staff who make TCO such a remarkable place to learn and grow. As a small token of
008our appreciation, we would like to present the trustees with a few items. Thank you. Thank you so much, Superintendent Roberts and gentlemen of your senior class. Um, you guys are why we do this every day. Um, watching especially seniors move on to their next step and be successful is what drives us to volunteer the countless hours that we do. I really appreciate what you guys have to say. Thank you. Thank you for the gift. Thank you for everything that you had to say. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. And just before we move on to our next step, I just want to take a moment to acknowledge our new board member of the board, our student exeic our exeicio student board member, um, Kai Rogers. Kai is Kai is a standout
009leader both on and off the field. A three sport varsity captain in tennis, basketball, and softball. She exemplifies dedication, teamwork, and excellence. Beyond athletics, Pi serves as president of the DO and sleep president and she has been inducted into both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Testaments to her academic achievement and commitment to service. Kai's impact is felt throughout the school community as an active member of the Fuller Center Club, Images Magazine, and Varsity Club. Outside of school, she shows the same responsibility and care for her work as a babysitter, demonstrating leadership and compassion in all that she does. We look forward to the energy, passion, and vision Kai will bring with her role as extra student. Welcome and thank you. Okay. Um, next up is our independent auditors report. Hi everyone. Can
010you hear me? >> My name is Michael Connelly. I'm a manager with the Bonad Group and I'm here to present a recently completed financial statement audit. I first want to start off by apologizing Kylie and the principal couldn't be here. It's the time of year we have five board meetings today. Sorry, I kind of spread out throughout the state. So, I just wanted to apologize on her behalf for her not being here today. So, I'm going to do a brief overview of the uh financial statement. We did an indepth uh um detailed overview with the audit committee. So this is going to be more of a high level, but that doesn't mean you can't ask questions. So feel free if there's any questions to ask afterwards. So there were three deliverables. There's the required communication
011letter, there's the financial statements and the extra classroom financial statements. Uh the only thing I'm going to touch on in the required communication letter is that this year I mentioned that the district implemented Gatsby 101, which is a change in how compensate absences is recorded. It's a new standard that all governments are required to implement this year. Uh it was a lot of work with BIA and the business office to get to the same spot, but we needed to go through the processes to get there. Everything else on the required communication letter is going to be consistent from prior years. So going into the financial statements, the first thing I want to note is the independent auditors report where we note that we are providing the district with an unmodified opinion. This our highest level
012of assurance. The independent auditors report also notes that um the districts or management's responsibility is for the fair presentation of the financial statements while our responsibility as a is to give an opinion on those statements as well as to obtain sufficient augments to support our opinion. Then going on to the back of the financial statements is another report from us like the government augmenting standards report. this report. We note that we are required to gain an understanding of internal controls over financial reporting to determine if there's any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses of which there were none. We are also required to note that we looked at grant contracts, laws, compliance, things like that that if they weren't uh following the rules and regulations could materally impact the financial statements. Again, we did not know
013any. So, all good news there consistent of prior years. The financial highlights that I like to touch upon um and again we went over a lot more in depth in the board meeting. So there's just quick financial highlights is that the ending fund balance for all the funds. So general fund had ending fund balance of 16.2 million. Capital project had a negative fund balance of 11.4 million. That's mainly due to the bands. Special aid had zero. That's consistent with most uh governments. You expect the special aid revenues equal expenditure. So you don't end up having anything there. lunch had 125,000. Miscellaneous special revenue which is scholarships and extra classroom had an ending balance of 223,000 and then the debt service fun had ending fund balance of 314,000. Then going on quickly to the extra classroom
014report here we note that we also are providing unmodified opinion which again is our highest level assurance and that ending fund balance in the extra classroom activities was 82,000. So I know that was quick overview but if there's any questions feel free to ask anything. Oh yeah, the the statements are are massive. What we always like to recommend is if if you don't want to read the whole set of financial statements, the MDNA, I don't remember the exact page. I think it's like four or five is where it starts. It's about 10 pages. That's uh management discussion analysis. that's going to give you a brief overview of all the financial statements. Whereas once you get into the footnotes on page around 20 something, that gives you a lot more in-depth information on each specific number.
015So the MBNA is a good spot to just read and see to get a good information of what really is going on in the district. >> Now you mentioned there was no findings, any recommendations? >> Um we always get that question. Our our for our perspective, we only can give really information on the financial statements and if they're fairly presented, we I don't want to give any specific information or not information but recommendations on how to manage because then we're going into management which is impairing our independence. >> So the um the negative um the negative fund balance in the capital fund is normal because we have not issued our long-term debt. We we're still in shortterm financing. So, while it sounds on the case, you know, that we have a huge deficit, it's only
016because we are still in short-term financing and we have not issued our long-term bonds. So, once those are issued, that will correct the deficit in that. >> Um, I have a couple of questions. So, um I was going to ask about governance, but Pete just did it. Um and so you don't have any suggestions. You feel that our governance is we're doing everything properly we're supposed to be doing. Um and how do you feel our budgeting? Is our budgeting appropriate for a district our size? Is there anything we should be doing differently there? >> So, when it comes to the audit, we're not necessarily giving an opinion on the budget, but we do look at the budget and like budget to actuals. There's I again don't know I can check on my computer really quick,
017but there's a budget to actual schedule in the back that compares budgeted revenues to actual revenues, budget expenditures to actual expenditures. Overall, I think you were pretty in line with your budget. You ended up at where you were around expected. So overall, I do think the school is doing a good job with the budget. >> And um how about our reserve accounts? Do you how do we compare to school districts? Yeah, I would say you compare pretty reasonably to all your other school districts around the same size. You don't you you expect that schools would have similar reserve sizes because you don't want to not have money set aside for if something happened like for example I went through the school name but a few years ago there was a school that um had something
018happen in the summer caused a massive capital project that required to to happen multi-million dollars. they had money set in the reserves so they were able to get that going right away and they would have to go out to long-term debt to be able to finance that. >> Can I just ask a question about reserves because topic? So on the reserves there are there is a recommended or even maybe limit how much we can have in the reserve fund each. >> Yeah, each reserve has a different requirement. >> Are we are we are we we haven't exceeded any of those? >> No, we do have not. We do test to make sure I don't remember off if we're close to them or not. I don't think so. But we has to >> we're below the
019limits on all reasons. Yep. Thank you. >> Okay. So, and no management letter comments. >> No, no, no comments. >> Especially with extra classroom, which is a good thing because most of our districts do have comments with extra classroom. >> Can I can I say one more thing? Um to touch on that I want to point out that the auditors really commended our extra classroom activities and procedures and I want to thank the business office the adviserss it we are really good and our procedures are absolutely fantastic. So I just everyone involved an extra classroom. I know it's a lot and when the auditors come it's a lot for the staff but you know we're doing a good job. They they pointed it out. So >> yeah they they probably get annoyed with us because
020we do drill into the extra classroom because we're required to but compared to other districts or extra classroom is a lot better in that you don't have management letter comments every year for the extra classrooms which is always a good thing to not have that. So you feel like we are an appropriately healthy district. >> Yes. >> Um and our fund balance that's in line with >> Yep. You are I think right at the 4% unassigned reserve which is at the end of the statements there is a table showing because uh New York State requires that unassigned fund balance can't be more than 4% of your next year's expenditure budget and you are right at the 4%. Which is consistent. A lot of schools have it at the around the 4%. Thank you very much.
021>> And I just forgot. I want to thank the audit and the business office. They do a great job and without their help and audit is a huge lift and we really appreciate their help. So I just wanted to make sure I said that. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Good job and for all of your hard work over the summer and throughout the year for making that our districts like you're doing. >> Yeah. Like you're a >> Yes. Always. >> Okay. Um next up is the superintendent goals for 25 for the 2025 2026 presentation. Do you want us to see your presentation? Are we in the way? We were in the way, right? So, good evening once Again, thank you to the board for allowing me to present my superintendent
022goals for the 2526 school year. Uh, obviously coming in this current year, July 1st, and getting to know the district, it's been a lot of my priorities. So, it was good to really take the first two months over the summer and now first month of school to really get a full understanding of of some of the the needs, some of the initiatives that I think will really help move the district forward. uh really excited to begin working on these initiatives uh collaboratively with with our administrators, with our teachers, uh other staff members and our families and community. Uh we have some great things that I believe were in store for us this year um with everyone's collaboration uh and and moving moving the district forward in a lot of different ways. So, uh, taking a
023look of some of the things that we'll be focusing on, uh, the board asked me to develop the goals and to use the smart goal approach, making sure that all of the goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. And in doing so, uh, highlighted seven areas that I want to really focus on in terms of this upcoming school year, some of them are already underway. Uh first and foremost, this was right out of day one coming into the district. This was one of the board's main priorities as well and continues to be. And that's really the successful negotiation of all collective bargaining agreements. Um we'll get on to that slide in a second. Number two, the district's long range strategic plan that had expired was supposed to be updated last year. Some different
024transitions occur. They weren't the district wasn't able to get into that process to the level they wanted to. So excited to pick that up this year. We're going to be number three. The goal is updating the district's five-year facilities plan. Uh four go number four is the K12 curriculum mapping initiative that we're starting to begin with uh all of our teachers here at Middle High School and as well as at Codle Superintendent's goal of becoming and and really maintaining visibility building relationships in all of our buildings and with all stakeholders throughout the community. That's an ongoing goal that started over this summer and then want to continue with Fidelity this entire school year. Uh number six, continue to develop the administrative team. We have strong administrative team. We're going to be looking to further develop
025uh that team's capacity. Uh looking at professional development we all want to engage in, myself included, so that we can sharpen our saw to be bestelves for our leadership team and also to support the teachers moving forward. Uh and again with the end goal of supporting student learning for the district. And last goal number seven is enhancing the district communications. moving forward with implementing a new district website platform which I'll get into in a little bit. So I talked about making all the goals specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timebound. So the first one is is again the board's top priority becoming a new superintendent. uh really highlighting that all of our pre bargaining units had got their contracts expired on June 30th last year. So it's been a priority of the board. Some work happened
026with some units last year prior to beginning in February, March, April, May leading to but as of July 1st, we still didn't have any of our units that had settled contracts. So this is going to be a main priority and continues to be for myself and the board this year beginning with our teachers unit which is currently in negotiations and then we also have our administrative unit and the CSDA local 1000 also to come up to negotiations this year. Again, we're we've been negotiating with the teachers unit for some time in the previous months and then we're currently in a spot now in mediation and we're looking to move forward as quickly as possible uh for all of our staff ensuring that we have fair, equitable, and fully responsible contracts for all district employees board
027of education the residents of the Tahoe Next one is the district long range plan. Um, one of my primary goals this year is to lead the district steering team and to update Taho's long range plan. This initiative will include stakeholder engagement, data analysis, structured planning sessions to ensure our district continues to move forward strategically and collaboratively. Our target is to deliver a comprehensive board approved updated strategic plan. I think by July August because again giving a little extra time for additional collaboration that would be the date we want to get it approved. We're able to do and accomplish that sooner that would be wonderful. Uh 2026 and that reflects our our shared commitment to the excellence in education equity and continuous improvement of our students that we want to see. Uh this is really the
028less and bulk of what we're going to be doing as a district really defining all of the outcomes we want for our students creating metrics. Uh so as we look at our courses we look at the curriculum all of those enhancing them through this strategic plan and setting those outcomes for the experience for students that we want to see for all of our all of our students here at Tahoe. This this group also again we're going to dig deep into looking at areas of need for the district. Where do we have strengths and where are some areas that we want to improve in? Uh again we responsibility is to meet the needs of all students. So when we look at a comprehensive system, we have to provide enrichment uh for for students and we also
029have to provide support for students with with remedial needs. And how do we do that and make sure that our system can adapt for both um and make sure that we're monitoring data uh and our and our strategic plan that moving target may change as we look at different outcomes that we want to see. the uh upcoming change in the for graduate will be part of this development of our strategic team this theory team and uh setting those outcomes for the future for all of our students moving forward with the district's fiveyear facility plan again also very important uh we in terms of when you have a healthy fiscal plan you want to make sure that your academic plan with your strategic plan as well as your facilities plan coincide uh we need to make
030sure that all of our school buildings, the beautiful old buildings that were here today. Uh they have a lot of needs. We got to make sure that we continue to update them with cutting edge technology, the infrastructure that will support student learning. Uh look at this library is a sample of what we wanted to make sure that exists for all of our students. Flexible furniture, technology integrated with it, make sure that we're continuing to refine all of our facilities. We'll do this through a very strategic process where we're going to do a building condition survey involving uh different stakeholders, our facilities team, making sure that we make the recommendations and then planning for the future. Uh we prioritize the different needs uh working with parks and business office committee identifying what are the major projects
031that we have to put into capital projects, what are some long-term projects that we want to see uh down the line if we want to recommend the bonds to the community depending upon the various needs that we identify. All of these different needs work through with our various stakeholders working with principles at each building safety teams. We'll have to prioritize all these needs and then be able to recommend the five-year facilities plan for the district. These are required to be updated as well as the building condition survey sub education department. And again, this helps for the the board to have long range planning when we have to prioritize needs and wants and obviously we're going to look at health and safety first, but also again what are the outcomes that we want for our students
032and the fac that we need to make sure that we can support those whether it's cutting edge science labs whether it's new athletic facilities whether it's different curriculum to invest in making sure that we have the funding and the resources to do it in the facilities and in the academic the curriculum mapping so this initiative we've we've started and begun some initial conversations with the administrative team we're starting to bring in our instructional staff into these discussions we've decided to move forward with curriculum mapping using the Atlas software. Uh this is going to be a very important initiative for the district. Uh from what we've seen and through discussions with the administrative team and teachers, we have wonderful curriculum that exists in our district. We want to be able to make sure that we can
033highlight it uh and broadcast it for everyone to see. That's one of our goals and curriculum alignment. The curriculum mapping will allow us to do that. Especially in a small district where we have multiple teachers that teach many courses from year to year based upon student enrollment and needs. Having a really well- definfined articulated curriculum aligned with state standard and making sure that we can display that to the community. As I get to one of the last slides, it's about putting having a new website. So, we're also looking at broadcasting the curriculum mapping not only as an internal resource for ourselves but also engage the community so that our families can see the curriculum at every grade level, be aware of the resources, uh be be involved in the learning. So, if you're a new
034parent to the district or you're a current parent, you can look on the website, see what my second grader is learning this year, different learning outcomes, the different types of resources, uh where's the full journey from start of the year to end of the year along with tasting guides. Not everything will be included onto a curriculum map for the outside for the public, but obviously uh it's a good guide for for families to know what the curriculum is about at each grade level. the next year's learning look like how everything connects and I think aligning this with all of our instructional staff K through 12 is an important initiative previously it did occur here at Tahoe 2019 was the last time and then the district kind of had co moved away from this so updating
035these new curriculum maps tied into the next generation learning standards and really updating our instructional pedigogy so that it's uh well really articulated so that every staff member is aware every department knows uh connectivity from each each learning activity. Uh number five is an important goal. So talk about this building relationships with all stakeholders. Uh the first few months one of my journey as new superintendent has really been to be visible trying to make it to many events supporting our students uh being being very visible in the community being out at the arrival dismissal times. Even today, welcoming paddle students when they came in with their mystery boxes was a was a was a joy. But now it's really getting into more personal relationships. Uh getting into professional meetings for myself, making sure that I'm
036able to sit into the MS the RTI meetings or the NPSS meetings to really understand how the system instructors work here within our district. becoming fully informed, not just at a surface level, but really we're at the intimate level of where the curriculum is, where our supports are, understanding schedules, and you do that by meeting with group people, meeting with teachers, meeting with grade level teams. Those will be things that will be forthcoming. I went to last week and really discussed the staff and said, you know, I'm going to be coming around with the principles on learning walks. Uh it's going to be helpful for me when we talk about adopting a new curriculum when we have uh resources that we're going to do recommending for the board about reading programs to be fully informed
037about what we use, how we use it, what's well, how does our data support those things and that's through rich conversations with our with our teachers, with our administrators. Uh and this is something that I'm very excited with as well as just being at different events where we're supporting our students in different ways. really getting the feel of the school community here at Tahoe uh and enjoying our students and getting to know all of our staff at a much more personalized level. Six is the development of administrative leadership team. We have a great team. We brought in excellent administrative staff with Mr. Fury, Mr. Deutsch the special education director in conjunction with our current staff where we have Mr. Mr. Bosano, Mr. Morass and Mr. Gowen. So really bringing our team together in conjunction with
038Miss Sparks uh myself. What is the professional development that we can use as a team? Right now we're going to be doing professor development with Atlas so that we can help lead that curriculum development guards and teachers be partners with them as we try to look at the maps look at how they can be used effectively any refinement of those maps as well as other professional development that we may look secure through leadership through observations Daniel training different ways to become instructional leaders uh and so that we're all sharing a shared vision from an instructional lens communication and other and that we're working succinctly as a So that's an ongoing process. Professional development never stops. That's something that will continue as a team this year, next year, and into the future. And education is a
039profession that if you sit down and you sit on your laurels and you don't progress, then things pass you by. So we have to remain current. And so as a team, we're going to focus on what are those cutting innovative practices that we have to become informed on and make sure that we're getting the professional development to stay informed so that we can provide training and also partner with our teachers as they're taking on different initiatives as well. And the seventh goal I'm glad to say is that we started already moving forward with some updated communication procedures and the updating of our new website. Uh we previously had a website that was hosted by Ero. We're moving to a new hosting site which is Ed Leo. Uh there was a company takeover. So we're glad
040to to update that process and hopefully our new website is a little more userfriendly. We're hoping to provide some, you know, additional ways to engage out the community really to make it make sure that it's easy for parents to find resources or find the correct links when you're looking for information. I think our our current website has some growth that we can do and hope the new platform with Ed Leo provides that. Um, as well as other features of the website, it'll be a great communication tool and housing curriculum apps that we talked about. Uh, other communication features that the new site has in terms of that may beh push notifications that may be enhanced from our current EER off system. So, we're excited to explore those and then we'll be sending additional communications out
041uh to the families and once we get it up and running, but this is probably a two to three month process to upload the new website to put our personalized touches on it and then also kind of go through and look and make sure that all of our links are live and upload important current information in terms of that process. So those are the seven goals that I have highlighted this year that I think will really help to to move us forward as a district and we invest a lot of time and leadership in and I look forward to any questions, comments. Thank you for that presentation setting up your goals for the year. Um I know it's very difficult to do without a strategic plan. Um usually superintendent tend to align their goals directly
042to the plan. Um so without one I know it's difficult and I appreciate the thought process that you put into it. Um And I just want to say that I also like the way that you aligned a lot of your goals to the board of education goals um particularly the um union negotiation settlement um as I've mentioned in several times now that is also the board's number one priority. Um the um communication to the community is also a board priority. So thank you for um making that one of your goals also and you've done a great job of it so far. at every single thing that I have attended. So thank you for that. Um and also obviously the the formation of the strategic plan which is also >> to comment on I think the
043the strategic plan is really going to set our vision and guidance. There'll be some you know thorough and good conversations about different pathways for students. Where do we really hit the mark? Where do we fall short? in involving the the different levels of administration, the teachers, the the families into that discussion and make recommendations to the board. It's not going to be just a dry process where uh we put things on a piece of paper. I think I really want to have deliberative conversation where we can really talk about the pathway moving forward uh and really shape the district in a way that's meaningful for students and where we have gaps, we're going to look to identify them. Uh we have all different types of students. So, are we meeting everyone's needs? And where do
044we fall short? And how do we find a plan to make sure we provide, you know, world-class education opportunities for all students on the spectrum, whether they're looking for a career in college readiness, they're looking into trades and other different types of careers. How do we make sure that we're preparing them to the best of our ability? One thing I do ask the strategic plan um and it was always kind of a criticism of the previous one for me personally um is that I would like it something where it's really measurable where we can really look and say have we hit this goal with like specific ways that we've hit it. Um I didn't feel like the prior one was was big which you need some sort of business because it needs to carry on
045for five years but something where it's really this is the priority of the district of our stakeholders where are we headed and how are we hitting that specific >> I appreciate that I think that's um in the in the composition of a good strategic plan is that you set goals where not only where you are to achieve them but you set aspirational goals and then part of our job administration and the team eventually is how do we achieve them? So our goal is to get to 100% proficiency in the 33 grade testing, math, ELA, science. Where are we now? How do we then incrementally get to that level? Even though it's ideally 100%, but we want to get to a 70% 80%. How do we reasonably get there? What are reasonable goals and attainable goals
046that fall in the smart goal concept? I just go very very good on in terms of you know needs and like our goals seven is ambitious seven goals is a lot we only have five right >> you three for five three to five >> to five which generally I I believe usually better but I I think I think these are all appropriate goals I think the toughest one the hardest involved. Um, but I think it's great and just watching your work at any I appreciate. Again, a lot of these are it's going to be a collaborative effort with stakeholders and but I'm confident we've got great folks that are working collaboratively, administrative team, teachers, parents to move these forward and get to the spot. We've seen the website a little bit more. Thank you for
047this great job. I think everything you've done here with all our goals. >> Okay. Up next is com. >> Um just to piggy back off the 12th grade homecoming. Um it was a huge success. I want to thank the PTA their involvement. Um that was homecoming. I've seen our teachers who came out on Saturday afternoon for Taco Day contest. Thank you very much teachers who came out Saturday to do that. Um and a special thank you to Mr. Mr. for all of his time and effort that he put into a 4day event for the best homecoming I've seen when I went here and I have to say was the way this community came together I mean parents I mean there were people that graduated just to see this community come together you know it really
048shows that even really putting all this together. Thank you to all for being at every game as well with your fun which I think is a great thing for girls that play football. So, thank you to everybody. >> Yes. And I'll piggy back off that. It was a great great week. just culminating with the the Sunday game which I unfortunately was unable to attend but yeah hats off to Mr. C he you know had a tough co there was a point where we had no rights uh you know company backed out that's amazing that you know you have a contract with a company and they don't you know one week before the event they you know say sorry so he had his hands full was really He was a oneman show. He's now, you know,
049a secretary. He had no one really, you know, working with him. And yet he pulled off. I thought like it would be great great weekend. So hats off to that everybody that attended teachers day all out there. It was a great day. Finally, no rain. So great Saturday was up there. I was doing but I was they're helping with the fun run but the kids great job they organized fun and really nice outer school. Get mad, but you know, we had a thing where he was part of the game. Not his fault, but he was over. You know, I'm going to be able to for a number of months. We'll have to get him a better GPS or better mode of transportation. But you know, glad I'm not glad to see teachers here. I worked
050all these years for I second and third that I guess um very very successful um homecoming week. Thanks again to all the teachers, staff, uh administration highlight on Mr. Kswano. Thank you, sir, for all that you do. It's incredible what you put off. Um and to the athletic council and also to receive uh for day. I thought that was a very successful event and I want to congratulate all of the scholars and athletes who participated uh throughout that week. It was it was something special. So thank you to everyone who came out all theies. Um all the the students and the staff um for dedicating their time to it. Um Mr. Effort um Mr. Fiori, Mr. Roberts, everyone just all the It was a long weekend, but a really, really fun-filled one. Um, and great
051to see even the old staff there. It was just, it was such a great weekend. Um, I want to give a shout out to our varsity cheerleaders because I thought that their routine was great and different and I really loved it. Um, so thank you for that. It was a lot of fun to watch that during the football halftime. Congratulations to all our team on having such a winning for our team for having a winning weekend. That always makes it extra special. Um, and that's it for homecoming. I do also want to thank all the community members who have volunteered to sit on our board committees. Um, it's a great way to participate in the district to get further involved and we really appreciate your support in volunteering. Um, and we have um a lot
052so far this school year. This school year is off to a great start. I'm really happy with our um new administration and all the um and and our old administration also um and all the efforts that they're putting forward. Um I do want to just point out that may have been edge for a little bit at the game. That was not 100% your fault. It was a blind book edge merger and um Superintendent Roberts certainly does not have to is not required to take a Saturday with his family to attend. Um but we do appreciate your so thank you for coming. Um and that's it for it. So thank you. And now Thank you, President. Um, I just want to start off by thanking the board for passing a policy that allows me to be
053here today. I'm overjoyed with the privilege, and I don't take this for granted whatsoever. Take great pride in being the voice for my peers. Um, for the first time speaking, I was a little nervous, so I figured I'd just start off um by telling everyone a couple things that we're excited about. Homecoming obviously was a success. It's a success every year. It's very hard to top. I don't know many schools that have a parade. all the way through the town. So, um, but we are looking forward to a lot of things. I know as a senior, we're looking forward to our future opportunities and those start here at T. So, we are very grateful for the guidance office for all the college visits that they provide us with. I mean, today I got to talk
054to Lane representative, which is one of my top schools and I don't know if that would have been possible without their hard work and dedication, but thank you to them. Um, also being able to register to vote today, which is pretty cool. Step into adulthood, I guess. Um, also something I don't have to do when I turn 18, so that saves me some headache. Um, I also know that all the students are excited about the Halloween festivities. I think mainly the haunted house. But, um, it's great that we get to pull together the whole community, including the college students, and have that. And, um, yeah, once again, thank you for your support and allowing students to have a voice in the board. And I'm very grateful to be a part of such a dedicated community.
055totally totally sucked and you did a great job. Um, one thing that was really great was we had a policy committee meeting last week and um, Kai was involved in that student perspective um, which we really appreciated and we find you know we're we're really and I think you're going to do a great job at it. Um that she will be the voice for the students and always giving the student perspective to the board um when we make decisions and certainly when it comes to policy. So she was certainly valuable during that time. Okay. Um, you are free to go if you want to or you are free to completely up to and if you choose to stay at some point you're like I just want to go home and go home. >> Thank you
056so comments from the superintendent. >> Thank you, Madam President. So, the first thing I'd ask if the board is kind enough to pass a resolution that I don't always have to speak after Kai because she's so articulate. So, I just want to welcome Kai and uh just tell you again my appreciation for you to be on the board is uh at an alltime high. I can't even tell you how proud I am of you to be up here and to speak on behalf of your classmates and students. I've been able to go and watch you at senior day for tennis and as a student leader. You you represent all that all that's good and all. keep doing what you're doing and thank you for being a student voice and advocate here and we look forward
057to getting your perspective on the board for important matter school district. So thank you for your leadership. Um so I'll echo the same sentiment as as the board has about homecoming and and my journey as well. I've been in six different school districts, starting as a teacher, assistant principal, principal twice, assistant superintendent, now superintendent, and I can tell you that Taho's homecoming bar none is is the best I've ever seen uh in terms of family engagement and community feel. Um each and every aspect of it was meticulously planned and done. And that's not an easy feat. And I think the other thing that I took away from that was just the way the students responded. Um students showed up every the event just cheering each other on regardless of the sport or the boys, girls,
058doesn't matter. They were there in full force. They took a whole ride and just supporting each other at each and every turn. And I was amazing to see uh all throughout the entire week. I was also so very impressed with with all the staff that embraced the entire week of the festivities. Uh teachers dressing up as cowboys and cowg girls and pajama days and all the interesting things. They were just making it such a festive experience for our students. Um students really enjoy that and they set the tone for what community feel is. So thank you to all of our staff who participated in those events and made it special for our students. Uh and then to all the said I jokingly said it was about a 17-day homecoming. Uh but it was wonderful and
059I think just being a part of those different activities uh from day one to the end and the closing of it all the families that turned out alumni uh the community community pride that was everywhere uh was amazing and I I think uh you know that that speaks a lot to the investment that people have in education here at Tahoe. um they turned up. They turned up and they show up for their students and for their community and there's a lot to be said about that. Uh in terms of the the leadership and I can't say enough there was countless staff members that were here 10 to 12 hours a day um supporting students, supervising, helping to coordinate, picking up areas, our custodians, teachers, security staff, everyone who's here and and with a smile, especially
060with those long hours, including those that time, which was amazing. So kudos to and for their dedication uh and to be here for our students was without them we couldn't put it on the way that it was you know and I think that's that's a testament to their dedication to the school district and in their positions and for our students as well Mr. Mr. I agree the same sentiments. I I told him this. I said it was just the level of detail that he puts into every single turn when when it came to making it special for our students. U whether it's for a homecoming and the roses or the the alignment and the announcement of students at every single event. Um the details are what matter and that's what our students will remember. And
061I think if you listen to our go and they spoke today what was important to them, it was those memories. They made lasting lifelong memories uh this past week at every grade level and the pride of Taco Ranch. So, not to blavorver the point, but it just it was phenomenal and I really give kudos to Mr. Fior was here the entire week. So many staff were here and just enjoying it. All the families that came out and from the start of the parade all the way to the last end of the powder puff game played on Sunday. They were enjoying students and celebrating them and that's what education is all about. So, kudos to our school community. Additionally, instructional front update. So, we had our first some of our first extended day professional development meetings
062with our with our teachers in the middle and high school. I know that Mr. Fiory and Mr. Mash were going in through some of their uh expectations of what they were looking for this year. Some presetting about curriculum maps. I believe Mr. Fury did some data review with with the staff and being able to start to dive into the teaching and learning in different areas. I was able to for the end of the codle presentation and spoke to the staff briefly. Just my urge, I want to start doing the learning walks and being in classrooms and seeing students uh engaging in meaningful instruction. Uh and then having those conversations and follow up with our teachers is what really gets me excited just to be honest with you. Uh so looking forward to those those opportunities
063and I know our administrators started to schedule their observations so they're getting into classrooms working with teachers and that's where real meaningful change happens. and how we start to really support all student needs. When when adults start to talk about how to help students, how to look at data, how to improve uh instructional pedagogy, whether we need additional resources, those those conversations happen from the classroom visits and from discussions with the administration, grade levels, and teachers. So, kudos to all that are barking in that professional discord. And I know I look forward to those opportunities to get in myself and to engage with teachers going forward. This morning again said briefly the title students coming in starting to learn. They had their mystery boxes. The assignment was bring a not box to school and they
064all came in and the pickup line was extra long this morning. Had to stop with that but um they were excited students to share what they had thought and created and I think that level of energy at Ky is is amazing and students coming to school happy is a beautiful thing to see as people attended. So I'll I'll pause there. I've got some comments at the end but just a great last few weeks um highlighted by the homecoming and just the positive energy that that our students bring and our teachers bring every day for doing great things for our school community. >> Thank you very much. comments from the business. I want to take a moment to express appreciation to the board of education. Your dedication, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to our students and community
065make a meaningful difference every day. Thank you for volunteering your time, balancing so many responsibilities, and always keeping the students at the heart of every decision. Um, I want to thank our auditors, even though they were left, um, for their professionalism and us throughout the audit process. We value their input, expertise, and partnership in helping us maintain strong financial practices and accountability. I'd like to also extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our business office staff for their hard work and attention to detail, not only during the audit, but throughout the entire year. Their commitment ensures that our district operations run smoothly and effectively. We have an amazing business office and a special shout out to our treasurer Grabowski who is here today. Her leadership and coordination play a critical role in facilitating the audit
066process and ensure ensuring timely and accurate state reporting. Your efforts are appreciated and this year was a particularly big for the audit with the implementation of the Gatsby 101. So it was a big big big job. So thank you Thank you. Thank you again for all of the work that your office did for the audit and for making sure that we had a clean opinion and work. Okay. So now we are up to partner conf. >> Hi everyone. Uh I'm Sue Wares. I'm the president of the Taco PCA. Um, my thing that I'll say about homecoming, and yes, it does seem to last for a really long time, but it's awesome. The morning, the Monday after, my daughter was really like, "Oh my god, this week is going to be so boring. Last week was
067so much fun every single day." So, I know we can't make that level of fun all the time, but I do want to say that the kids just in every way um could really participate and it was fantastic. Um, I always take a video every year of the parade. I always I always It's my my favorite three minute and 45 second video. It's the best. I send it to people around the country who I know and I'm like look at my sound. Like this is just the best. It's almost like it's a movie. You know what I mean? It's like it's almost fake because it's so adorable and perfect and exciting and it's like wait this is this is where we live. So um you know I grew up in White Plains, great town, had
068a great childhood, but living in Toko it is such a gem. like the fact that this is what we experience in Westchester. I just I always try to tell people how lucky we are. So if you like stumbled here by accident, like you really got lucky. Um so the other thing I want to say about homecoming um and thanking Mr. Kalisuna, what I love about him is that he does all of that and like he never seems stressed. So even um I think that is why people don't always realize how much goes into it. I also want to give a shout out to the Tahoe Athletic Council. I feel like they have a welloiled machine and it is definitely a testament to all of their partnership um with MRC to make this such a great
069event. Um and I do want to also um mention uh what I was proud with the PCA. We had our environment and sustainability there um there that committee and they did the costume swap and we got lots of costumes donated. A lot of people took costumes. So that's the second year we've done that and it's terrific because then you know you don't you don't want to spend a lot of money on costumes and so you can just get one. Um we did have a little bit of a surplus which the committee is actually going to be dropping off to ECAP this week so the gift keeps on giving which is great. Um and I do want to also say that I love having SEPTA there. I felt like what I loved about all of Taco
070Day was how it did come together. the cheer team selling their merch, you know, environment and sustainability, the sept to table with everybody doing a craft. Like, I felt like everybody was represented and that's what was really fun about it, too. The fun run by the cross county um cross country team. So, just in general, you know, of course, we've all said so much about it, but again, I really think that most other towns cannot say all the things that we have said tonight and so I'm really proud of us. Um, moving on, I want to mention I want to make sure everybody knows our parent and teacher uh night out is this Thursday at Broken Bow Brewery. Very casual um inexpensive to attend. I want to thank Mr. Fury and Mr. Mash for a
071lot of um raffle items that they agreed to donate things like the VIP seats for plays and for you know strings concert, band concerts, things like that. Um we have like a a fast pass for the Halloween for the haunted house. So a lot of kind of like really priceless um raffle um items. So, I'm hoping that that people will stop by on Thursday. Um, if you're not a member yet, there's um a non-member price that actually bundles in membership. So, you will become a member of the PCA if you stop by the parent and teachers night out on Thursday. Um, Friday night we have our CO Halloween party and I'm thanking Kai for mentioning the opportunity to to volunteer there. the um high school kids and middle school kids as well, but especially high
072school kids will be face painting and helping out in the sensory room, um the craft room, etc. So, we do still have some more slots for the high school kids. Um we also have some more slots for parents to help us out as sort of security floaters. I kind of want more people, you know, milling around. Can't be um too safe. Um so, if you are interested in either attending the Halloween party or volunteering with us, just go to a.com you'll see all the information there as well as prepared and teachers night out. Um want to mention next week on Thursday the 23rd is um a parent workshop. It's part of the JCK Foundation visit that um the kids are going to experience an SEAL workshop as well as the faculty and the parent component
073of it is an evening um workshop right here given by the JCK Foundation about how to help your your tween or teen through their mental health journey. Um it's a really important um workshop. So I'm encouraging everybody, you know, all parents of middle school and high school students, but honestly, even if you're like a fifth grade parent, it's not it's not hard to any parent and it's really good programming um by this uh organization. So I encourage people to RSVP for that. Um I want to acknowledge the board um happy board of education uh recognition week. Um the PTA did uh make a donation to thank you all for your service. I thank you back for donating it back to us through our grants program. Um our grants team is in the middle of reviewing
074the um the grant requests which of course are all so good that you're like what are we going to do here? You know, we're trying to figure out how we can say yes to everybody. Um I don't know that we can. We got a lot of great um a lot of requests. But um we'll do our best. But um anyway, I think that's everything for Just remember parents teachers night out this week, Halloween party this Friday and then the JCA foundation um parent workshop next Thursday night and again takoba.com is where you can find everything. So thank you. >> Thank you Susan. Thank you so much for the donation also um in recognition of our work um it's greatly appreciated and we are very happy to donate it back to the PTA to put towards
075the grants because um that is what our teachers um so that they can provide programs outside of district and we really appreciate everything that you do. Um have fun with the Halloween party. Such a huge undertaking. You maybe should have done parents night out after so that you could so I am looking forward to your parents night out. Thank you for doing it and for all the work the organization does. So I'm just going to saying thank you. Um, anybody from athletic council or no? Okay. Um, thank you to the Athletic Council for all of the work that you also did for um, homecoming. It was um, there was a lot that you guys, you know, the concession stand and the um, banners um, all of it. you know, you really have done um a
076lot for this community as well. And I do encourage everyone to please become a member of PTA, the new SEPTA um PTA also and the athletic council. All three um contribute an enormous amount to this community. Okay, now we are up to first recognition of the audience. Um as a reminder, this is for agenda items only. Um there is a time limit on your comments and when you stand up please state your name and your address. Anybody for recognition regarding the um agenda items. Hi everyone. Um I just wanted to um really come up and and her team for just an a the awesome job that that office does and making sure that we're fiscally sound, that we are meeting the needs of our students and faculty. I think they work so hard and um
077we really don't get it, but I get it. Having served on the board, I know firsthand the hard work that you do and what a great report is. Um, also I wanted to just say that the you know I I agree with everything with the um homecoming. It was wonderful. We kind of came home just happy and wanted to hurry up and do a quick change shower and whatever so she could get back out there after her game. So that was a lot. Um, and then finally, I just wanted to um just talk a little bit about I know that we have negotiations coming up for our teachers and our um power professionals and I just want to strongly encourage that we do whatever we can to secure great budgets and contracts for teachers. We
078have awesome teachers here and they work really hard. Um there's no teacher up there besides former teacher superintendent having been one as an educator. It is so important that we continue to support them. That is that's been huge in this district and I've definitely been advocate for our teachers and I want to make sure that their needs are met as well because when they're happy then our little sweetie babies are happy, right? The ones and the big ones. So, just do whatever we can to make them happy. I think teachers, in fact, I know it's not even I think I know the kind of work that they put into what they do. Often unrecognized in the sense that they go home after their hours, work hard after they're off the clock. Technically, not getting paid
079for that, but they put in, they buy for the classroom, they do. They just go over and beyond. And our has benefited in most recent years by their dedication and hard work. So, let's just make sure we get that contract done and that they're happy so that we can keep our teachers. I'm their number one fan. >> Thank you, Mr. Um, just so that you know, we all appreciate our teachers. Um, and as while I'm not an educator, I do work in a school and my mother was a teacher for 40 years and my sister is a teacher. Um, my love for teachers is is immense. Um, so yes, well all actually um all all teachers, they deserve our respect. Um, so please do not think that this is Okay. Um, next is approve a
080consent agenda. Um, resolve that board of education of the Tahoe Union Preschool District. Motion is to approve consent agenda items two and three. Do I have a motion? Second, Joel. All in favor? This is of the board. Accept independent auditors report. Resolve that the board of education accepts the district's independent order report for June 30th, 2025. Do I have a motion? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Um, approve an agreement. Resolved that the board of education of the Toko Unifree School District on recommendation of the superintendent hereby approves the agreement dated September 18th, 2025 extending the probationary appointment of employee number 2573 to November 7th, 2026 in accordance with the terms of said agreement. Do I have a motion? Second. Any discussion? All in favor? Approve a budget transfer. Resolve the board of education of
081Tal School District approve the budget transfer for winter concerts. Do I have a motion? Joel second transfers can be seen in the public um section of the board. Um if there's any questions, all in favor um approve. report. Approve the treasurer's report, revenue report, appropriations report, and budget transfer report. Resolve the board of education of the public school district approve the treasurer's report, revenue report, appropriation report, and budget transfer report for the period ending July 31, 2025. Do I have any discussion? All in favor? Um, approve extra classroom activity report. Resolve that the board of education of the Tucker Unifree School District approved the extra classroom activity reports for the period ending August 31, 2021. Second discussion all in favor um approve an agreement. Oh no. Approve an agreement. Resolve the board of education of
082the TC school district authorizes the district to op into the agreement between the count of east tester and bus America LLC for the installation and operation of stop cameras and school buses as well as optional internal student safety cameras if selected by the district plus patrol systems. And be it further resolved that the superintendent of schools or design is authorized to take all necessary steps to execute and implement this agreement on behalf of the district. Second discussion no there's no charge. All in favor? um approve an agreement resolved with the board of education of Tucker Free School District authorizes the district to opt into the agreement between the village of Tahoe and Bus Patrol LLC for installation operation of stop arm cameras on school buses as well as optional internal safety cameras if selected by
083the district bus patrol systems and be it further resolved that the superintendent of schools or design is authorized to take all necessary steps to execute and implement the agreement on behalf of the district. Motion discussion. All in favor? Approve the coop the cooperative purchase in contract. Resolve that in in accordance with the provisions of the general municipal law. The board of education of the Cooko Unifree School District hereby approves the purchase of a video recording server in the amount of $52,69249 as part of the district's 2023 capital project through cooperative purchasing through the Lyric with the New York State Office of General Services under contract number PT68-783 as offered by Day Automation. It further resolved that the board of board authorizes the president of the board of education andor the superintendent of schools to execute
084any and all documents necessary to complete the purchase and to take such other actions as may be necessary and appropriate to effectuate the resolution. Do I second discussion? So this is ties with the new camera system. The the additional cameras that were installed over the summer we approved to for for work. These cameras require additional server that was approved already. Yeah, it was part of that and part of the capital bond work um where we we replaced all of the cameras in a codle and upgraded them. So um it's pull it's going to pull all of our cameras onto one platform by having this >> and this number was already included and this number is already included. >> Yes, it was included in our capital project. Yeah. This is an onrem server. It's here. >>
085Yeah. >> And and these costs include the installation. Okay. All in favor? Approve a donation. Resolve that school district has been informed of a donation to be made to the district. PTA and whereas the district would like to accept the donation from the TUCO PTA to support the PTA grants committee to help support our teachers with request with request outside of district funding in the amount of $100. Do I have a motion? Joel second. All in favor? Approve personnel recommendations. Resolved that the board of education of the Toko Unifree School District approve personnel recommendations A through F. Second. Any comments? All in favor? All right. And now we are up to the second recognition of the audience. Um again just a reminder three minute time limit and please state your name and your address. Hello
086all in place. Excuse my voice. I had a long weekend. Um I do want to thank the board members that volunteered this weekend to sign up for the carnival. I know we didn't get there but we'll get you next year. And you know to piggy back on the sle homecoming board members administrators like Mr. Paluano Mr. Fury they don't just donate their time here they were donating their time they came they wanted to come many teachers some that don't even look wanted to come they signed up they wanted to see the kids they wanted to engage with them they wanted to show them that they weren't just here for school they were here as part of their community which I thought was a wonderful thing um I want to get to a hire that was
087done last. You all know what I'm talking about. I sent you an email. I did receive a response and I wasn't. That's part of the goals that superintendent. There were also other goals in place in the past couple years with regards to special education. There was a requirement for any BA teacher special education or reading teacher have a literacy verification. The teacher that was hired last month does not have the teacher that was hired last month just got her special education certification in July. She hasn't even taught special education class. Why are we hiring somebody without any experience whatsoever and putting them in an eighth grade classroom when they're going into high school? Do we really think that teacher with zero experience is going to be able to prepare those students to go into nth
088grade and high school? Anybody want to go there? This board promised a policy. That policy was not followed. And I want to know why. And when asked about it last month by Trusty Betty, he was told that the teacher was certified. But when he was told the teacher was certified, the teacher that was being referred to was a tunnel teacher who was not even on the agenda. So why it was brought up, I don't know why. And why he was told that I don't know why I want to know why we diverted from a policy to hire experienced teachers. It's not a personal matter. It's a policy issue. It's a policy issue. two years ago, less than two years ago, that was one of the requirements that this force said they were going to impose.
089Why wasn't it imposed? Why didn't this board look at her resume and say she's not qualified? Before you voted to approve her discuss again, this is not a personal matter. This is a policy matter. And this board was presented with a hire on the agenda, which we can't do in public. Private conversation. If you wanted to have a private conversation, you should respond to my email. >> It was directed to you. >> It was directed to It was directed to you. You were the first person on the email. He was copying it on the email. He chose to respond. You wanted to have a conversation. Anybody here wanted to have a conversation. My phone number was on that email. Somebody could have responded to me and nobody did except for the superintendent. Hiring practices are
090the superintendent's responsibility. Approving those hiring practices is the board's responsibility and you have the policies in front of you to make those decisions. So, you did not follow those policies when you were making the decisions. So, we're not gonna get sorry. This is a public. This is a matter that every parent that has a child in special education deserves to hear an answer to. Every parent, whether they have a child in special education or not, they deserve to know why the board is not acting right now in the best interest of their children when they're hiring teachers. We have amazing teachers and teachers that can be placed in certain grades and certain classrooms and they're not doing that. They're hiring new teachers without experience and they're throwing them into the lines and I don't understand
091it. >> And with a child who has been through the ringer of the special education program in this district. I'm not letting this go by not answering my emails or not answering my phone calls, it's not going to be the last that you hear from me. I'm not going to go away. I'm just starting. And the more you don't respond to me, the more I'm going to keep coming back. And I don't come here. I don't I attend all the events. I love the kids here. I love the students here. I come to events that my daughter is going to go to. But this is not okay. And I will keep coming back until somebody answered me and you should be answering me right now and and not hiding behind that this is a personel
092matter. This is a policy matter. You're responsible for hiring the teachers based on the recommendations of the superintendent and you failed to do that. Nobody did anybody look at her resume. Anybody? to look at in that manner. We go off the recommendation of the uh my name is Katie Fry 83 North. Um I'm here as kind of a last resort. I've gone to Mr. Kosano and Mr. Fury. My daughter is a seventh grade student and We did debate club last year. Debate club is no longer a part of the clubs in middle school. I've heard there's no teacher who is able to take the club, I guess, because of scheduling issues, but there are a lot of kids that were really excited about this club and are being let down. So, it's something that I'm
093really hoping we can figure out some sort of solution as to either before school school any other time that we can find someone to work with these kids because not only did they enjoy it, they were good at it. We went against schools that were private schools. We went against, for example, Hackley Dalton. We went to a competition in Fieldston. These kids, you know, it really brought out their confidence. My daughter is not a very outgoing girl and it really brought her out of her shell and it was something she enjoyed and she was good at and it's something that these kids need. You know, something that was said in the beginning of this meeting was equity for all students. Not all kids are athletes. So, there needs to be different things for different students.
094So, I'm just really hoping that we can figure something out. These kids are Thank you. Hi, Michelle Nitting 109 Middle in place. I'm just up here again to um everyone knows what I'm here for. I think you guys know I came here last year. Um, we did have a great homecoming and I think we had all victories from our student athletes, from our varsity athletes. They work really, really hard. Um, and they work really hard in school. We really need to give them more time to do to focus on their their um work, their homework. I've asked city to do what every other Westchester district does and let the varsity ask these take study hall instead of gym during this during the seasons that they're varsity athletes. The varsity sports take a lot of time.
095They really do. And some of these classes that these kids are taking, AP classes starting freshman year, thanks to you guys. We really appreciate it. But they need time to do to get these assignments done, to study, to get the great grades on the test. So I'm asking you again and I'm disappointed it's not on the agenda that this varsity this should have been a simple thing. Everyone I talked to last year you said it was a simple thing. Uh Mr. Fiori said it was a simple thing yet it's not still not on the agenda. So again >> I know but it's it's going very slow. I was, you know, we're already through a season now. It's hard to implement something that looking at it. You have to look at what students, what sports, what
096periods is their lunch, what grade you start at, and that's So it's not just like okay cross this port you're going to not anymore. So there's a lot of variables that go into it. >> So how long does the policy committee meet? >> So we did actually meet this week. >> Okay. >> Oh great. >> Um and we are at a point where it is not going to happen for the fall. But we are hopeful that something the actual policy won't be in place for the winter, but we are going to run a pilot program so that we can see how it affects the district and how it affects um the class sizes, who's going to take advantage of it. It's going to start with just start with the survey that goes out and then
097um go from there. But it is it is in the process of Yeah, I was gonna update when it closing remarks again, but um yes, so we the policy committee did meet. We are in favor. I think everyone on the committee, the board as well looking to do something for our varsity athletes. Um we're looking at some of the components different school districts have different models about whether it's 11th and 12th grade, some 10th, 11th, 12th grade. So it's not all students. So we're going to look at our capacity of how do we provide the opportunities for students and again in certain circumstances. The next step that's going to happen is the survey as an Allen said. So, so that is we're getting the numbers of students that would actually take advantage of that. How
098many students of RC athletes would want to stay in physical education? How many would take advantage of of additional period? I think also the scope of the policy as well as the the intent is not to create student already has a study hall in their day. We don't want them to have multiple study halls. We really want students to engage as much of the full schedule as possible. But also recognizing that students spend a lot of time outside of the school day for for varsity level sports. So, um the pilot's proposed just so that we can get an understanding of how many students would take advantage of this, what's the impact for us, any staffing because if students are going to be in school for study halls, then how many staff members spots that we
099have in our current study hall a lotments do we have so we can plan accordingly for that. So that should be coming up the survey to the families hopefully in the next week or so um with the goal of piloting it for the winter season for varsity athletes with the particular grades. Uh and again more information will come with the high school administration whether it's you know students who would need to be eligible if they already have a study hall or if it's the senior who has a free period. The goal is not to create two free periods in the course of the day. It's really to allow some access or relief for students who could use that extra time. >> How how long is each period? the sorry, >> how much how long is
100each uh class period? >> Uh 45 minutes. >> Okay. So 45 minutes is usually enough time to get all your homework done if they have one study hall. Just if they already have a study hall, they don't need another study hall because 45 minutes is enough time to get all your homework done. >> Is that correct? I don't potentially not how many courses the students taking. I think the goal of the policy is is really that was the intent as an administrative team and the policy committee we discussed is that we want to start off and really allow for some relief for students to make sure they have one study hall to kind of some of that. >> Okay, sounds good. All right, thank you. I appreciate it. >> When it comes to those study,
101there's some like as you get into older levels, you could have potentially like a study and lunch built in and then another study call on that is almost like you had a morning, right? And that's where they're talking about making sure that we don't have too many study calls at least for three out of the eight periods of the day. So just kind of look at what's best what's the best thing for students to still stay engaged in the school day certain schedules that some students may have the entire seven or eight periods blocked out and they're doing varsity sports on top of that. So that's a great you know example of what's gives relief and allow that to happen. We also think that students want to still continue to participate in physical education because
102they they enjoy. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you. I look forward to seeing survey. >> Good evening everyone. Um my name is Stephanie Turselli. I don't live here, but I've had the privilege of working here for a little more than a decade. Um I didn't intend on getting up and speaking this evening. However, following all these presentations, I did feel compelled to say a few things. Um, I don't know if the community is necessarily aware, but the teachers union has been in what I would describe as somewhat contentious negotiations since February with the board superintendent, Dr. Goodman, and now Mr. Roberts. Um, so much of what we describe as what we love about this community relies a lot on labor that's outside of what we would say are the the teachers contractual terms. Um,
103the volunteer time, the coming to events, the time after school, the clubs, um, you know, all of these things really rely so heavily on what we, I think, would call unpaid labor. Um, you know, in my time here, I have worked under I've been here for 10 years and I've worked for seven different principles in the middle school and five superintendent. Despite that administrative turnover, I've worked with many of the same colleagues who have both showed up day in and day out to be the steadfast constancy for consistency constant for our students. Um, so I would just really implore the board to please meet us at contractual terms that reflect the value that you say you have for us because as of right now, we do not feel valued in the terms that have been
104presented to us. Um, so I think the sooner we're able to come to some kind of what I would call a fair understanding, um, I hope that the district can return to more normaly and we can see a lot more of the clubs and activities that rely so heavily on our expert time um, come back into play. So I would just really appreciate the board to consider that as they continue negotiating with the bargaining units. Thank you. Alisa 4G own 37 Street. I have a couple of things, but I'll start out with I guess what I think is the most important um reason why I'm here. Well, I come anyway, but reason why I'm speaking. Um over the summer, I was looking for my son's high high school class list of things to buy from
105Staples because I time and reassured me there was no list. So I got the Chromebook and started to scroll around through it and I figured maybe the teachers messaged him and I went into messages and found some I would call them disturbing messages from the district surrounding LGBTQ celebrations. And I took pictures of them and I sent them to some of the board members through that I had and I just want to remind the district that you know you are given the access to our kids but um it has it comes with a big responsibility. So I would like to get to the bottom of actually finding out where these emails originated from and why my minor child was subjected to them because I can assure you that I didn't into the Chromebook book all
106year. What happened to that particular day? And I'm sure I'm sure a lot of parents don't check the Chromebook. You know, we trust the district and we trust that the information and the messages that are coming home are in keeping with our values. And I didn't feel that way when I after I got through looking through his Chromebook. So, I just would like you to mle that over and maybe research as to where those emails came from. Um, the other thing is is Oh, yeah. The the lights in the front of the building. I know I'm going to be a broken record here, but I feel like eventually we have to address this issue. And I know some people inherited this issue and some people had a front row seat to the issue and some
107people have already discussed the issue. But basically to recap, two of the lights are missing I believe at this point. One of them is gone. Probably thrown in the dumpster, which is a shame because this is a historic building and that light fixture is irreplaceable. So now we have the main entrance that has all the light fixtures. We have the left hand side which is really the entrance to the middle school once upon a time. I'll call it that. And the old entrance to the cafeteria which is now being used for special ed is missing light fixtures that in my opinion are going to be very diff difficult to replace because I believe those fixers are made of copper and they'veed over the year years because they're original to the building. So, I don't I
108don't know that we'll ever be able to replace them, but I would like to start the process of trying to figure that out. I know several board members went looking for extra light fixtures and and they weren't found in the basement or I'm told. >> Okay. I I' I've tried to find out more information about this infamous fire and I've not been able to get >> right. But it's a metal fixture. It should have been rewired. Nobody should have thrown it out. Nobody should have tossed that even if there was a fire. It It should have been repaired. It should have been It shouldn't have been thrown in the garbage. I I don't know what kind of fire could have happened that destroyed a metal fixture. It should have been rewired. >> Yeah. Because Yeah.
109It's it's a problem. It's a problem because it it really affects the the the front part of the building >> and then it's historical structure as well. >> Historical structure and it's our responsibility. you know, it's it was hanging up there for decades and decades and now gone. >> Um, we're also looking at how to beautify, right? >> Yeah. I mean, we need to be completely rellandscaped. We need money to rellandscape, but >> the lights first >> and they're still beautiful. They're so beautiful and they're irreplaceable. So, They're going to have to have >> none of us would accept no lights in our house, right? Why would we accept it at our school? as a board. >> Thank you. Comments from the board. >> So, yeah. you know, I did ask that question. So, I
110thank you for that. We do take the recommendation of the superintendent when it comes to the board does not get involved in resumes. When it comes to teachers, special ed administrators, yes, we're still looking for a directive cooking. We have not settled. Nor will we won't let that happen. This board will not until we find the right when it comes to the special ed and you know I have my my reading was always ran my whole campaign um I value someone being certified in reading and that's why I as I just want to acknowledge the fact doing it but I did I did ask that question but as far as the res go that's that's micromanagement when it comes to teachers we don't do it rightend when it comes to the higher levels that's just
111because I'm not saying anything that's I'm hiding anything because it was a public meeting I'm not saying with all due respect When you have the direct interaction of teachers with our students, I wouldn't call checks and balances micromanaging. The last people that need to be micromanaged are the people that are not dealing with our kids every single day directly with curriculum sitting in an office and of course we spend time with kids but not the way the teachers do. So if it's called micromanaging to check a resume of a teacher dealing with students, then micromanage away. There's absolutely no reason why anybody should put their hands on a vote and their word on a vote and approve somebody based on the recommendation of somebody else just because that person recommended them. And with all due
112respect, I don't know you. I I can't trust anything that that's coming because right now I don't trust anything. Now I'm completely at a loss after what has gone gone what has gone through with my child since kindergarten kindergarten. Why I'm even here I don't even know. I should have pulled her out a long time ago. But I pay enough money in taxes that I expect this board to micromanage the teachers. We pay them a very decent salary because we want them to be experienced. We don't just hire anybody. This school is better than that. The teachers that are sitting back there are better than that. And nobody should be hired if they're not experience. Can I say something else? Karen just want to come up here and and tell you all that I understand
113her her frustration and her pain and her agony. She's not the first parent that has been let down by the um special ed department in this school for many years. So, what I implore you to do is something that I had a conversation with Mr. Morash, I had a conversation with Mr. Kio, I had a conversation with Mr. Um, Hill Gallen, we had a meeting. What I implore you to do is to get your teachers, all these teachers from preK to third grade, and have them trained in the science of reading. And then look at your middle school teachers because Lord knows half the kids in middle school aren't reading on grade level. Almost half. It's the truth. So, the science of reading is a method that's been proven by data. It's an explicit way
114of teaching reading very quickly and it has helped Mississippi become number 50 in the state and I it's already in the middle of the pack. So I'm imploring you to grab these teachers and train them in the science of reading and then get a program. I brought the program over to the to coach to all the people that I mentioned. It's called reading road mapap. It lets you see exactly what the teachers are teaching these kids in very small tiny fragments of reading, writing, and spelling. And everybody's doing it at the same time. So, I'm just saying that I understand her pain. I have a couple. Um, So, couple of things. One is um regarding the special education department. If I would have if your email would have said Mrs. I would have responded to
115you in a heartbeat. If I didn't respond because I did not respond because I am not an educator and I believed it was the right place for the superintendent to respond to the email. special education and its failure is near and dear to my heart. I have a child who is now 27 who still struggles. There are teachers in this room who can tell you what her struggles were throughout growing up. She is a child who fell through the cracks. So believe me when I tell you that I understand your pain. I have been there. I am still there. She is in grad school and we are still dealing with this issue. I understand but and I understand why you feel that we should micromanage but we shouldn't. New York State school board will tell
116you it is not our role as school board members to micromanage and to to second guess and to look that deep into teacher hiring. It is just not the role of a board member. I would like to know the policy that you're referring to that states the specific requirements for special education teachers and we will look more into the policy is our if we didn't follow the policy that is something that we will look into I'm not aware of what they're doing I think I think maybe Was that a discussion or a stated verbal goal or or was it an actual policy? I don't think it was an actual policy. I'm not aware of any policy like that. So, I'm not sure if you're just using the wrong term. I'm not trying to be argumentative.
117I don't doubt that was discussed. >> Yeah. Again, not trying not trying to be argumentative and this is not the way. Okay, just hold on. This is not how we're supposed to be doing this. This is not fair to people at home. Also, we're not supposed to be having discussion like this, but whatever. Um, I'm not being argumentative with you. I'm not doubting that it was discussed in the meeting. Maybe stated as aim or a goal, but it was not a policy. Policies are very different though. I'm not trying to be argumentative with you, but a policy is something that we pass on paper. We do three readings, we vote on it. Um, that's not something we did in the policy. So, again, be not wrong. You may not be wrong about the fact that
118it was discussed. It was something that stated as a as a goal or a um a bar that we wanted to get to. I don't remember specifically what you're talking about, but I'm not doubting it, but it was not uh it was not a policy. I just want to be clear. I'm pretty certain you hear that. Yeah. And if I'm wrong, please bring to my attention that I do not think it was a policy in board docs in our policy library. I think that's what you're referring to. That's not the case. Well, again, Karen, I'm sorry, but this is not the for this is not how we use this. and and and we're not even supposed to be going back and forth to the podium quite frankly. Um this comment period, not not debate or
119discussion period. Um I'm happy to talk to you afterwards or you want to call happy to do that oneonone. No problem. This is this is not the forum for this how we how we're supposed to be. Okay. Sorry. >> Um my last comment is just um regarding the TPA I appreciate you coming tonight and um sharing your perspective. I appreciate your um your right to do so. I appreciate your dedication to the district. Um as I have said many times, many many many times the number one goal of this board is to settle for free contracts. There is nothing else that we want them to settle the contract. Um, we respect your right to advocate completely, but you have to understand that as a board, our duty is to secure a contract that is both
120fair for our educators and fiscally responsible to our taxpayers who fund this school. From your perspective, it's easy. just give us an increase from ours. It's hard because we want to do that. We want to give you the most we can, but we also have to make sure that we hold the district fiscally um healthy and accountable to the taxpayers. It is not that we do not care at all. It is not that we do not respect you at all. We absolutely do. And we have been consistently negotiating since for months now, but even more so since the first of school. I instructed the superintendent to please come up with other ways to try to settle the contract when we seem to have been at a stair. We attended I had a private meeting with
121your union president to try to um clear the air a little bit to have a more amicable relationship. I you know we we've been sitting at meetings. We've been actively negotiating back and forth for a few weeks now. So I don't want the community to think that we are just sitting back and not doing anything. The board is really trying. We are negotiating in good faith. We are um we we put in a lot of hours for this and we appreciate the teachers and the amount of time that they have put in the amount of time that they put into our students. We know that our children are their babies for over six hours of the day and often go into the night in their thoughts and in how they can support our kids. So,
122as a board, we have to make sure that we are making a financially sound agreement. Um each time that we've negotiated, we have it's it's upsetting to me when I have people say to me, "Do you just not want to give us a raise?" Because nothing could be further from the nothing. Each time that we have come and made an offer, there has been an increase. And just so that the community knows, even while we are in um we are without a contract and we are in fiber, the teachers who are still on the scale did still move up their step and did still see an increase from where their paycheck was. Longevity, not so much. If you were, let's say you were on step six last year, you did move up to six step
123seven and there was an increase in that number. It's just that the whole contract, the whole scale has not increase to a certain amount. So it is an end end when everything does get settled. We are expecting to give retroactive paychecks. So while they are working without um a contract, right now. When everything does get settled, they will get the money that they deserve from the beginning of the school year until whenever it gets settled. We absolutely want this to get done and want it to get done quickly. No doubt about it. We absolutely want to give you a fair contract, but we do have to do it with the consciousness of the taxpayer and our school health. Um, financially involved. The deferred contract is 80% of our budget. It's a big number to not
124really think about what we're what we're putting into place and and it's, you know, a three to four year commitment. It's a big commitment. It's not just talking about this year. It's a three to four year commitment. That's how we feel. I'm sorry that you guys think otherwise. It has nothing to do with the respect or the Absolutely. I just I think everything that I said I agree with and um absolutely respect the teachers and and I think I think that is reflected in the value of the contract that we sustained throughout the years um with our teachers. I think I've been on this board now for nine years. I feel like this teaches contract has always been very competitive, very high up in terms of it value across the board and that's reflective of
125our commitment and our in our appreciation of the teachers and acknowledging how important they are. Um I think it's just a very important point to make because I think that's the sentiment is that we don't respect the teachers or not we're not giving a fair contract. I think that's completely inaccurate. Um Yes, we all working hard to get to a to a point where we could um you know settle this contract. But a couple of points that were made that I thought were really important to double down on is for the community to know and Alison touched on I think it's really important. This stuff is very by the way this stuff is very complicated. It's very confusing. It's very hard to follow. There's a lot of different parts to it. There's obviously the salary
126which everyone knows that we talk about percentages of this but there's more to it than there's other components of of benefits to the contract that are also very much very important and cost money um and our benefits to the teachers and some of those are healthcare contributions how much we contribute to their healthcare insurance versus they contribute to healthare insurance. There's retirement health uh benefits. Um how much we reimburse for Medicaid contributions. Um there's there's longevity pay. There's um all sorts of other aspects um to the contract that matter. So, and we're talking about respect and I'm being disrespected right now. So, that's that's really really great. And and the other thing I I heard also in your comments, Mr. S, is that I wanted to address is I can appreciate what you guys are
127trying to do. What I don't appreciate though, and I think I heard if I heard you correctly, is that is an intentional explanation from clubs going on. Um, I think that's what you said. I'm not sure if I heard you correctly. If I if I said it wrong, >> that's not what I was saying. >> What I was saying is is that so much of all these actors in the district rely on teachers ing okay many many many additional hours and I appreciate that you are saying that you respect us and value us what I'm trying to convey is that >> in speaking for many bargaining members we don't feel that communicated so clearly there is a disconnect but our feelings are real and valid and grounded in experience >> um so that's the sentiment
128that we currently feel so I don't necessarily appreciate you saying that you It's not right that we feel that way. >> I did not say that. >> Okay. That's how I took it. I mean what you were saying. But what I was addressing with you is I I think you said I thought you said the first time we came up here that if we settle a contract the clubs and we'll come back. I don't know. Did I misunderstand that? >> What I was trying to say is that so much of what we do relies on extra volunteer work beyond the scope of our contract. >> Right. But you specifically said clubs. No. >> I did. >> Clubs are not volunteer clubs. Clubs are paid. But you have to volunteer for the stipen. >> No, I
129understand that. But but they're not volunteering. You're not They're not uncompensated volunteers. >> They're not completely uncompensated. No. >> That's the only >> Okay. >> Anyway, thank you. >> I'll just finish my thought. My thought is, and I'm not trying to be contentious here at all. I'm trying to say that for the years I've been on this board, I think our appreciation board collective board, previous board, previous board of that are demonstration of our appreciation is in the strength of the contract that we've given over the years. Our contract, if you look at all the different components of it, is stacks up to almost any other district. We're we're top flight and we're top five five or six% in salary. We have almost second highest. Our proposal will be the highest longevity um pay that
130any district is in the county. We have we require the lowest contributions or very low contributions to healthare insurance. our counterparts. Um, and the offer that that's on the table is is higher than what other districts around us have. So, in every way, we're demonstrating through action how we care about how. So, it's not words, it's actions. It's actions in the form of the current contract. It's actions in the form of the contract contract that's being proposed. It's a very important point to make. Um, we definitely want to get this settled without a doubt. Um, Oh, the other point I just want to double down on with Alice has said is we do have the responsibility of making sure that whatever contract we settle on is basically sustained. That's very very important. As I mentioned
131before, there are other components of the contract besides salary that involve healthare healthare benefits and retirement. These everyone knows healthare costs are skyrocketing. So our expenses related to to those parts of the contract are going up significantly. So we're on a path. I'm not saying hyperbolic here, but we're on a path that if we were to accept what the what the teachers union is is is asking for without some of the concessions that we need in order to make it sustainable, we will put this district at financial. We get to a point where we won't we'll have to raise taxes just to cover that increase. And that's not what we want. We want to We want to maintain our school to be fiscally healthy and there's a lot of benefits to that across the board.
132Um, and it's just important that we do that. So, we have to balance wanting to have a competitive and good contract for our teachers that they're happy with and motivates them. And I'm very proud of the fact that our contract is good. I I'm not complaining about that. I think the fact that we have best salary in the county is a great thing. I'm proud of it. I want to keep that. But we have to do it in a way that's financially sustainable that we have we have, you know, five years down the road, 10 years down the road, making sure that this is going to work financially for our district. And that's what we're hearing. I'm sorry if you felt offended by the comments. Um certainly that was not the intention. The intention was
133to show that we do support the teachers and and certainly not validate not not invalidating your feelings but to also show that we have a lot more to think about. It is not just going one direction. We have a lot to think about and we it just it's a negotiation. It doesn't just happen overnight. Um but we have been really really trying to make a lot of movement a lot. There was nothing nothing said that was meant to be offensive. I'm sorry if you took it that way. comments from Mr. >> Okay. Thank you, Tyler. So, uh, gonna address a couple things. I'm happy, you know, I think I I've listened to many of the community members and the concerns that exist. uh I'm very happy to have a conversation talk about hiring practices and
134how the administrative team u developed the need that we had this summer what the required certifications that we had before and then how we made our decision based upon the candidates that applied and what we felt was best for our students. I think regardless of uh we have mutual many priorities that when we look at hiring a lot of it comes down to we have to make sure we have the appropriate certifications. I think this summer in general, we had three different postings we looked for for special education hires. If I recall correctly, we were looking for quite some time for a three different ones. We had a social studies and special education needs, but that was a posting we looked for as a priority. We also had looked for a special education and mathematics
135certification need. Um, some of those didn't come to fruition, which had made us do some internal calculations with current staff this past year. And then lastly, we went for a the last posting that we hired for was a special education certified staff member that also had an ELA background. And that was based upon the recommendations of the high school administration uh special education needs that existed in the building and that's what we looked in Candace for when we posted on OLAP, looked for candidates and then went through our hiring procedures. And as the passion came through with many of our community members today, I also have a passion for literacy. That's the first question I ask any teacher whether it's a chemistry teacher whether it's an elementary teacher is how do you teach reading? Why
136is reading important into your classroom? That's just the content knowledge. So I think for many times that even at a secondary level reading is the the most pivotal piece for some students because if they can't read and comprehend the curriculum then they're going to struggle with it. you know, making sure that all of our educators are knowledgeable in teaching reading pedigogy, have a full understanding of assessments of reading, and that can um effectively teach reading strategies in their content, whether it's a high school 12th grade class or whether it's a kindergarten class. Those are those are priorities for education for me. And I believe for for all educators should have a focus on reading ability. It's a huge impetus for for students that struggle with reading to be successful in certain courses. So, having the
137right educators to know how to navigate those get students to where they need to be as a priority. So, that's one thing. But again, I glad to have a conversation with yourself, Mr. Fior to talk about what your child may need currently, any instructional needs that you feel that they're lacking or the need of. Those are conversations I think we definitely could have. But in terms of the process and and happy to also look into if the policy does exist, I don't believe there is. Again, when we're looking for different builds within a complex high school schedule, we do look for multiple certifications. we meet those needs when teachers have to coach teach you we need to have a secondary certification within. So u multiple certifications is always a priority but also as as was
138a priority and said here I just mentioned the literacy knowledge and expertise and what we teach is a priority for for the hiring piece but happy to have an individual conversation I can schedule a time with the administration myself we can talk about any concerns that you have and any needs that your child may have make sure that they're being successful this year I will definitely look into the light situation it's a learning project for me to see what that exists do with the building we do want to maintain it to the best of our ability make sure that we do it justice unique features that make it such a historical building that it is and to make sure that we're again the fiveear facility plan in addition to that stuff I brought up today
139that our parking lots and the front asetti talked about those are all priorities with the board uh making sure that our school and our and our resources and our facilities are bar none world class where they're not we need to get better and I think that's what that's a commitment this commitment superintendency of let's make sure that we're doing everything we can to give our students and teachers and staff here the best uh work and learning environment Westchester County New York State wherever it is that there's no reason to have second best you know from that aspect um the the policy again I'm glad I got to speak a little bit about that but I'm excited for students that take advantage of it um as we look forward those challenges that exist in the building
140came up in the committee of how do we make sure that it's really successful for all students. Um you know and then that's why the pilot is going to come in place so that we can hopefully get information from uh this program how many students are impacted and then from there make a great policy that we can then recommend to the board moving forward and work out the kinks of what works here because we are a little different than some of the other school districts based upon our size. Again the small nature is unique but sometimes it creates challenges with supervision in it and space and we got to make sure that we can fully maintain a policy that we would put before the board but it doesn't create operational challenges. So I look forward
141to that feedback and hopefully it is a great thing that our parts of the athletes take advantage of and hopefully down the road can eventually take additional course work which opens up other opportunities for them they want to take other courses that other electives that we could offer that they weren't able to take because they already have a full schedule. So that's a great flexible opportunity for for them. In terms of the negotiations, and I know it was mentioned uh I wish there more people to hear my comments at this point, but uh you know, I think it's I don't find this as a contentious negotiation. I've been a part of it coming in since July. I think we've had a several meetings and and conversations about how to move forward. Uh both sides have
142been professional. We're working forward on a positive resolution. Uh negotiations can be tough. been a part of 10 different contracts in my previous situations. And again, as as the trustee said, uh our obligation is to create a fair and appropriate contract for all of our units, but also to make sure that it's financially sustainable for our district. We can't do one thing today and then have to look at programs down the road and say that we can't support student needs or programs because of unsupported costs. And that's something we have to be very deliberate about, very intentional, and make sure that we're offering fair and reasonable contracts that are going to be good for our employees to feel taken care of here at TUCO. But that sustainability piece is just as important and that's the
143that's the responsibility for our community and for taxpayers and for our students so that we can be great with our program for that. So that's it for for my comments from there. But justly, I really look forward to the other great things that are happening here at Tuo. Um the as mentioned by PTA, the Halloween events, the PTA family parents night out all sound like wonderful events. Please go ahead and enjoy those and be a part of those for our community. If you're watching, try to attend or support the PTA tremendous amount for us here at Tuck. We have PSATs coming up for our high schoolers I think next weekend. make sure that's communicated out and that students already signed up for those things. Um I look forward another another great week with our students
144this upcoming week as we move into November. Last thing I would say u take advantage of the extra extra support. Our teachers do have extra support through 12 once or twice a week. So if your child's not taking advantage of that, please encourage them uh to the after school bus and get that extra time with their with their teachers. That's one of the great benefits that we do have here at Taco. Not every school district offers that. And I would definitely encourage parents to make sure that if your child needs extra help, get there, get that small group attention that really will benefit them instructional goals. >> Thank you. Motion to the meeting. Joel second. All in favor? Good night everybody. Thank you. Thank you for sticking it out.