001::cue { line-height: 5.33vh; font-size: 4.1vh; font-family: monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; background-color: black; color: white; } ::cue(c.transparent) { color: transparent; } ::cue(c.semi-transparent) { color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.opaque) { color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); } ::cue(c.blink) { text-decoration: blink; } ::cue(c.white) { color: white; } ::cue(c.red) { color: red; } ::cue(c.green) { color: lime; } ::cue(c.blue) { color: blue; } ::cue(c.cyan) { color: cyan; } ::cue(c.yellow) { color: yellow; } ::cue(c.magenta) { color: magenta; } ::cue(c.black) { color: black; } ::cue(c.bg_transparent) { background-color: transparent; } ::cue(c.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_opaque) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 1); } ::cue(c.bg_white) { background-color: white; } ::cue(c.bg_green) { background-color: lime; } ::cue(c.bg_blue) { background-color: blue; } ::cue(c.bg_cyan) { background-color: cyan; } ::cue(c.bg_red) { background-color: red; } ::cue(c.bg_yellow) { background-color: yellow; } ::cue(c.bg_magenta) { background-color: magenta; } ::cue(c.bg_black)
002{ background-color: black; } ::cue(c.bg_white.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_green.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 256, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_blue.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_cyan.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 255, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_red.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_yellow.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 255, 0, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_magenta.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(255, 0, 255, 0.5); } ::cue(c.bg_black.bg_semi-transparent) { background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); } Motion to come out of executive session, move it. How many minutes? Do I have all in favor? I post, I need another motion to go into executive session to it. I'm kidding. Okay. Um, all right. And Now, ladies and gentlemen. It's time for the superintendent's presentation. And then the superintendent's report. Perfect, thank you very much. Thank you, I promise. Thanks a lot. Thank you. I promise. Thanks a lot.
003All right, so we're going to um discuss tonight. The theme for the upcoming school year which is equity accountability and raising the school year which is equity accountability, and raising the bar for all students. and like everything we do in the district, we want to make sure that we're centering our work and our activity with the district's mission. with the district's Mission. And we're really honing in, on this idea of continuous Improvement for our system. I think now there's evidence that suggests that the system has been improving based on the quantifiable metrics that we've, uh, looked at thus far. In addition to that, we'll also grounded by our mission. Our mission statement, which is making sure that we are producing citizens that can producing citizens, that can actively engage in all aspects of our of
004our Everly increasingly uh Global Society. What's interesting to note is that at the same time, we have the New York State education department, which have the New York State education department which has recently released the portrait of the released the portrait of The Graduate. And I'm pleased to say that pleased to say that not only does our mission and vision aligned with this portrait of a graduate. It also aligns with the current activity that we have within the district as we're working to prepare our students, to make sure that they can think critically be engaged and be involved so that work is, there will continue to make sure that this is the framework that we're aligning our activity to. But much of that work has begun. this summer, we really were building Upon Our activity
005from last year and thinking about the broader questions that guide our thinking. particularly 3, what targeted straight Particularly 3. What targeted strategies can we Implement to close persistent achievement gaps? to close? Persistent achievement gaps around the student? Subgroups, how can we expand Equitable access to high-quality programs and learning opportunities for all students? And what actions can we take to significantly improve student proficiency and our core content areas Ela? Math and Science. And so this picture here is Ela Math and Science. And so this picture here is the work that our administrative team did, collectively this summer to really look at the uh, the metrics or the district and really start to The uh, the metrics, or the district and really start to conceptualize. What does that look like? And you look conceptualize. What does that
006look like and Utica context in regards to addressing those questions? Again, you've heard us talk about this. We looked at, you know, the key performance indicators for the district. We worked with the more Rick to really look at student achievement. Not only just achievement as a system but also the equity and achievement. Now why is equity important? We are held We are held accountable for our students subgroups in line with every student succeed act. How are our neediest students performing within the system. So we've paid particular attention to these key performance metrics to really use that as a springboard for continuing our discussion, which helped inform our decision-making as a body. Uh, the, at the administrative retreat, last year we developed, Last year, we developed some district-wide initiatives. To really look at instruction as we
007were collecting information. So we've issued a whole, a slew of surveys collecting data from different stakeholders. We've analyzed some of the data that we just the data that we discussed previously in regards to that came performance indicators And we really looked to say, what this what actions can we and we really looked to say, what this, what actions can we take immediately to inform Improvement some of take immediately to inform Improvement? Some of that was just decentralizing staff throughout the district. It was making sure that we had quality High training administrators and our and our buildings to help. administrators and our, and our buildings to help support that work. But really looking at the organization as a whole and how is it performing as system? And how do we then to streamline all of our
008activity, which was the impetus for having the administrative council meeting? So, these are the some of the actions that we've taken in addition to the, you know, the district walkthroughs, etc, etc. Now, this was really fun because we were able to really conceptually think about the status of the district we had CSC chairs, their directors building principals. CSC chairs. Their directors building principals administrators coming together to really think how do we construct new knowledge as a relates to our district. construct new knowledge, as a relates to our district, on the, on the local level taking in taking in account where we are and where we would like to be and thinking about our existing resources and capacity to move the needle forward. and I'm really pleased the same. Hold on, let me see. As you
009can see, everyone was engaged working diligently to really, again, construct. Our path forward really, again, construct, our path forward taking on different perspectives from different levels of the system based on the information that we had. So again, we collected a lot of data last year and we didn't do that in vain. We did that with the purpose of tying, the data that did that with the purpose of tying, the data that we collected into a larger framework with we collected into a larger framework within within the district which, which, uh, became district which which, uh, became our goals. Again. We've been conducted different initiatives to support the foundation for long-term gains. We've had our Utica reads, which we're happy to say. We've got volunteers and helping to support our literacy boxes positioned throughout the city.
010We've again utilized our surveys, we have our Utica gems. gems initiative with not only highlights uh faculty and staff. staff and good things happening at district is another mechanism that we can use to really highlight and structure moving. moving into the 25 and 26 years. We really want to highlight the positive and the real high level instructional practices that we know are is occurring throughout our district. So we'll be really excited to Showcase that. And then we have our Raiders extended day learning program, where we were able to provide uh, academic academic enrichment as well as social emotional learning. Um, um, uh, uh, uh, programming to our students, particularly our neediest students across our 10 elementary schools and our neediest students across our 10 elementary schools. And we're looking to build upon this, uh, this
011framework here. Again. Again, we have our instructional priorities, there is a um, within uh, the board. within uh the board members within your packet. There's the actual the graphic of this the actual the graphic of this. But again, the team met they looked at all of the data that we've collected and we and we created instructional priorities, that are consistent with the dtsd framework offered by the state, which really says this. The state says, this is what we believe. which really says this. The state says, this is goals, and we goals and we organize our thinking in concert with that, so Goals and we organize our thinking in concert with that. So you'll see we have goals under systems and organization. School leadership curriculum. or in our case curricula, again, the same thing with instruction
012social emotional learning, learning and family and Community engagement. So I just want to thank everyone. That was a part of this process. I want to thank everyone that's helped enacted the enact that work for the that work for the 2425 school year and so a Monumental organization lift to, to work to transform our system organization lift to to work to transform our system and really focus in on key, uh, ideas, how do we use data, how do we inform our decision making and how do we make sure that we have the adequate support for from the central office to our building level staff does to our teachers because they have the close proximity to students to do. their best work. So this will be discussing on opening day We'll we'll announce this on opening day
013with our our faculty and staff and again, would like to thank everyone who participated it. who participated, it was really great to discuss the work. It was really great to discuss, you know. Um, how do we educate the young people in the city? So that's Sim. That's how that concludes our our uh, our presentation here, any questions I Our presentation here, any questions before I get up. So I have a question. Yeah, so New York State came out with a portrait of The Graduate Statewide. What is the portrait of The Graduate Statewide, what is the district timeline or development plan for coming up with our local, portrait of The Graduate that's going to correspond to portrait of The Graduate, that's going to correspond to the state portrait of The Graduate. So again, much of our
014activity has already aligned but since it was just activity has already aligned, but since it was just released, I'll maybe 2 weeks ago, we'll be looking released I'll maybe 2 weeks ago. We'll be looking at how that fits within the Utica context, so that fits within the Utica context. So we're looking at that the state has some initiatives that was just looking at in regards to implementation and steps along the way. But we will look at that work on a more granular level. Okay. Okay. Steve am I missing anything? No, but we've, we've also been following the developments that have come out from state that we've been working with. the high school to ensure that they're up to speed by the initiatives that are part of the New York State inspires. Our CTE program is
015perfectly aligned to the work that's going on in the state right now. As we move towards going on in the state right now, as we move towards Project based learning and um different graduation measures that we're used to. Okay. so, so this, this presentation, that you made here, that's going to, Increase. Our Increase our reading scores. and, And our other performance on other tests. That's what the plan is. Yes, this plan is a, it's a support academic achievement support a culture of continuous Improvement. But again, these are our goals. Now, what we do is we take these goals and we operationalize them by looking at the mechanisms, we have to support that. So mechanisms. We have to support that. So 1 of the things that we'll be looking at is we did an audit of
016our committees. We have a PDP committee, we have a CAE committee. Oh, how? committee. Oh how do these committees help to support the larger Vision? This is providing Direction. So in short yes, this will support that, okay. And then How? How, how does this? Achieve the goal of better. Attendance. you know, is that part of The process as well. Mhm. It is, is that I mean, obviously that's a major problem throughout the country. It's not just Utica. So we're looking to for so number 1, Quality instruction. But gets better attendance. We know that we're also looking at as 1 of our goals reducing chronic. as 1 of our goals, reducing chronic absenteeism, you know, across the system. So again, these are our goals, our, our work now is we have to look at the the
017different um, work now is we have to look at the, the different, um, the different strategies that we're going to use to. operationalize each 1 of these goals. So we will be having more discussion about This right now, this is the beginning step for us to solidify goals for the organization. Okay. Any. Anyone else have any questions for Dr? Spence. um, if not, then do you want to present your superintendent report? Yes. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Um, okay. Okay, so he's making a presentation of the report. and, and you're pulling 2 Pages, you're pulling And you're pulling 2 Pages. You're pulling 2 things, right? To your point or not offering So I I is it he's not offering. I'm making is withdrawing. P27. P27 on page 16. I'm making a revision to P
01834 page 28 is getting withdrawn. And then on the bottom of free, I'm making a Amendment from the 4 year probation or the 3 year. For the position. What page is that? That's 16, okay? Just 1 more. Say that into the mic. Yep. Prior to recommending my superintendent's report to the board. I will be tabling the p27 at the top of page 16. I am. Your your your not offering? Yeah, I'm not offering. Yes, Of course. I'm not offering uh p27 at the top of page 16. I'm also making a revision to the bottom of page 16 to reflect a 3-year, probationary period. In addition to 16. 6, 16 16. 6. 16 16 page 15. 6, 1 6 , 1 6. 6 16, 1 6 , 1 5. It's not 16, it's not the bottom
019of 16, it's the bottom of 15. Bottom of 15, I'm making a revision to reflect the 3 year appointment. Probationary period, pardon correct. And then I'm also Withdrawn. p28 on the the the second to bottom of page, 34 Yes. Take. take 34 correct, 34 and you are also offering Yes. yes, the motion for B9 and I'm also offering the motion from the floor B9 for the abort, from the floor B9 for the board's consideration. And that is the 2025 to 2026 tax warrant. and that is the 2025 to 2026 tax, warrant and ready and that's going to be added to the superintendent's report. So that's going to be added to the superintendent's report. Okay. and then, And then we're also pulling. Page 5 P, 36. Page 3 S3. Page 3, S35. S. S 25. Yes,
020s25. I wrote it down wrong. Page, 1112 S40. Page. Page 19. P27 at the top. And does anyone else have any other pages to pull? Yeah. Go ahead. Just page 16 second 1, in the middle 27. Second 1 in the middle. Yeah, she just discussion. Yeah, okay yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay. For discussion page, 28. Second from the bottom. 7. You said page 28? 29. Which 1? Which 1, oh sorry. The doesn't matter. We'll do the second. Which 1 oh sorry. The doesn't matter. We'll do the second 1. What? Pe28 on page 29. Yeah, the second 1 is what you said. Thank you. Well, 1 second hold item on. Well 1 second hold item on the page. Yeah. Okay. And then page 32. P28. And that is the second from the bottom. Okay, so anyone else
021have any pages? You have more toil. You have more, I think you got the rest. So okay okay. So Based on that. Um, all in. I should we need a motion to adopt the superintendent's Report with the, uh, the withdrawals, the, in the pages, pulled, and the corrections, and the addition in the pages, pulled, and the corrections and the addition move it second, okay. Is there any discussion? Hearing none, all in favor. Hearing none. All in favor, opposed It carries. I'm going to start with, I'm going to start with page. 3. And that would be. S25. I need a motion to adopt or to propose adopt that. Second. Okay. Any discussion. Um, okay. Any discussion? I'm just going to go ahead and well, all in favor. I do have something if you want to say.
022Yeah. So this agreement reflects the cost for the next Center we would also we will also plan to bring to the board. The cost of uh, providing food and refreshments for our faculty and staff. providing food and refreshments for our faculty and staff. When we look at, when we do the math, it equates about $16.65 that We're spending on each staff member, which would cover the cost of food and light Refreshments that day. So this particular contract only relates to the use of the venue, correct? Okay, all in favor. anyone opposed, None. Um motion. Um, motion passes. Next would be page 5. S36. Okay. Um, can I have a motion second? Um, is there any discussion? The roll call vote. Mr. Jason Cooper know. Is it Joseph Obaka? Junior know? No, no. It's a Brayden
023Nana know. this is, This is Danielle padulla know. Oh no. Okay. Motion fails or that particular motion fails. Um, I think it's a page 1112, I think is the next 1? Okay. they need a motion to to, uh, to adopt page 11 and 12, that's S40. Second, any discussion. Hearing none. All in favor. I anyone opposed no. Okay, motion passes 51. uh, Uh, page 16. no, I'm No, I'm sorry. Page 15. That was just the, that was the correct answer. That was just the that was the correct answer page 16. No, there's nothing. There it is. Yes, there is iPhones. Okay, I need a motion for p27 in the middle. Move it second. Any discussion? Yeah, I just wanted. Their out really quick. Development roc's, been something that's been really instrumental in our school. I
024know the process of finding um, these instructors. um these instructors is getting harder and harder and we're starting to see schools with the we're starting to see schools with these programs shut down. Can you talk to us a little bit about how you found this person? Sure. Um, the community Sure. Um, the communication Starts off with, uh, with the Navy. Um, we had to educate ourselves on how to actually go about and work with the Navy to find an instructor. Um, this probably started maybe like early June time right around the time when we, you know, were informed that our instructors were not coming back. Um, so I've been in contact with the Navy. There was a lot of misinformation at first, you know, with different types of um, individuals from different service like branches
025of service. Um so we had to kind of get all of our our ducks in a row work with it, with the Navy. It's posted on the Navy site, it's posted on our website, on the Navy site. It's posted on our website, too. Um, and then everything from the salary calculation, it's all done in conjunction with the Navy. Um, so it's a very, it's a long process and there are like you had mentioned many surrounding districts, um, throughout the state if you look on the Navy site, it's not just, Not just New York State either. It's all over the place that where they're really struggling to find njrotc. instructors. Um, our our, you know hurdle. If you instructors. Um, our our you know hurdle if you will with this is that you know, you is
026in located. this is that, you know, you is in located next to an ocean which is where often um, instructors or people who would qualify to be instructors. Typically reside post retirement. so, but we were able to secure 1 and we're hoping for the best And then how easy is it? So say maybe write continually in the in the future gives us problems how difficult is? the in the future gives us problems. How difficult is it to switch, branches? Right to change this to switch? Branches? Right to change this to Air Force to change this to Army? Is it a difficult process? Uh, I don't know all the specifics of that cuz our our um, Branch of that is related to sea-based like water-based uh, services. so, I would, I would have to work with
027them but if the hiring process and we already knew what it was process and we already knew what it was, it was pretty, you know extenuating I would imagine that that know, extenuating I would imagine that that would be as well. I was just going to ask was, uh, the army ever approached. They were not approached by me. They have to work on that. Exciting development. It is an exciting development. Yeah, we're happy to keep the program. It's well received by the community, the students everybody. So I'm I'm hoping for the best. Thank you. Thank you for your work on it. I just had a comment. Yeah. so, the instructor actually came and visited the school district visited Proctor, High School. Um, we took them on a tour and he was extremely uh, pleased with
028the facilities and the fact that our njrat program program program actually has their own space in 1 of the schools, which is very rare for those programs. So he was very impressed with the program. Okay, all in favor. I opposed Motion carries. Page 19. Uh, at the top, need a motion. Second. All in favor. Opposed abstain. okay, motion carries I think. 28, this is 27. Okay, another quick question. This is for a teacher gym teacher, that's been teacher that's been moving from Donovan to Kennedy. Hi. Are we filling that space at Kennedy? Or sorry at Donovan. there's, Next 4. Next 4 packet for the 28th will will fill that space. Okay, mhm. Thank you. You're welcome, 26 266. I'm sorry the 26th. Yes, it's late. The 20th will probably Yes, it's late. The 20th. And
029the 20th. Did I get a motion to? Uh, yeah. Just want to make sure. to? Uh yeah. Just want to make sure. Okay, all in favor. Okay. Okay, opposed outstanding No. No, I said all. Okay. 29. um, Um, real quick, so hold on. I Um, real quick. So hold on, I need a motion to adopt. that really quick back at you just because there was a lot Lane, it's not about. Lane. It's not about anybody in particular that I pulled. All of the New York helps. Can you all of the New York helps and you just give a quick summary on what? on what New York helps is on all of these. Um, employees. employees. Yep. So it it is tricky. Uh, it's a newer program to us to to you to the Civil Service
030as well. So we've been working through this. So when these individuals were originally appointed, um, It, it's really part of a big. it it's really part of a bigger discussion too, where we took titles that were not compliant with civil service and created them to become compliant. Um, that created them to become compliant. Um that this particular title that we're talking about for I'm just going to use the parent Community liaison title uh origin. the parent Community liaison title uh, originated in The District in 98. And it's been out of compliance since then. So, we And it's been out of compliance since then. So we worked to make it compliant and when make it compliant. And when you do that, the Civil Service takes a look at what the job duties are. And the job
031specs and determine which type of classification it's going to be in. So for in. So, for these titles, they were deemed competitive um, there happens to be a New York helps program through the State Civil Service site where the State Civil Service site where you can submit for titles to be, um, considered for the New York helps program which takes a competitive title and makes it non-competitive um, and that is just an effort to Uh, you know, everyone's aware that there. It's hard to find valuable good employees. find, valuable good employees, right? So they're trying to remove some of the hurdles, um, with employment things. So, this title was accepted into the New York helps program. so, they were so they were provisionally appointed because it was originally deemed a competitive title, then they're accepted
032into Title. Then they're accepted into New York helps and they become, they still do a, like, a probationary period, but because it's non-est, because it's non-tested. It's not really a provisional appointment anymore becomes non-competitive. When the title is, uh, removed from the Civil Service, append. is, uh, removed from the Civil Service appendices. When the New York helps program ends then New York helps program ends, then the people in those titles become automatically permanent, Okay? So, titles become automatically permanent. Okay, so can I just ask you a question? So like, for example ask you a question? So, like, for example, I, I applied right now for a steam fitting position, now, for a steam fitting position. I I mean, I don't even know what a steam fitter does, but does that mean that I can just
033go in that position and and then can just go in that position? And and then I can be become a permanent employ. permanent employee in that position because that's not how I know, how I know my understanding is. That's not how it works. You do have to meet some minimum standards that just May not be. Yep. Um, May not be yep. Um, you know where people are required to pass. pass tests and things like that. Correct, correct. So all of our active experience and you have to have the right of our active experience, and you have to have the right qualifications, um, Civil Service pre-approved the applications for each individual prior to applications for each individual, prior to us, bringing them to, you know, the board packet. So, to, you know, the board packet. So,
034all their applications are pre-approved. There's minimum requirements that they have to make for all competitive positions or minimum requirements. The reason why I asked that question is I didn't want you know, people thinking that Just because you were in. That position, doesn't mean that you were qualified. You know. you know, you received the New York helped, um, You know, you received the New York helped. Um, designation, it doesn't mean you it doesn't mean you weren't qualified or weren't capable in your position. That's all know. That does not mean that at all. It's a name. all, it's a name. So of course, like in the size. So just I just wanted to make sure that that was nobody. Thinks that the help is is something that's not, okay. Thinks that the help is is something that's
035not okay, okay. Okay, what's next? oh, all in favor post Carried. Uh, This. this 34 need to be pulled but you have 32 333. Okay, my last 1, keep it quick 32, uh, p28 and we need to make a motion. There's there's 3, there's 3 New York. There are 3 uh p28. Uh, p28s middle middle middle. Okay, need a motion move, it second Okay. Sarah. Sarah another question back to you. Um, with this individual. on leave, um, at Proctor, do we have on leave. Um at Proctor do we have plans? There have been a long-term sub placed in their long-term sub placed in there. Yep, it's already been arranged. There's a certified long-term sub who has been secured to cover the leaf. Oh, nice. All right. Perfect. nice. All right, perfect. Thank you. You're welcome.
036Need a motion. Move it second all in favor. Excellent. I don't think there were any other ones. Great. Okay. It looks like we got through the superintendent's report. Um, Um, I need a motion to approve. The minutes of June 18th, July 15, July, 1522 meetings, and, um, and executive sessions. second, any Second. Any deletions corrections or additions? Yes, correction on page 36 page. 7. Um, July 22nd. Yeah, for July 22nd. Sorry. Um, July 22nd yeah, for July 22nd. Sorry. Okay we need to amend that whether something missing that should have been there. It was told but I believe. there. It was told, but I believe that it was pulled on are so it looks like the this individual was in the board, um, report twice and so the board removed 1 report twice. And so
037the board removed 1 Section that the individual was in but it was meant to appoint this person but instead right. Exactly. So that just needs to be correct. So, that just needs to be corrected that it wasn't supposed to. Well, yeah. I'm I'm there's a resignation from 1 and we we already discussed it in the email, but it's still in the in the email but it's still in the minutes. We need to make sure. So we need to have that amended the 1 that was The 1 that was added to the superintendent's report lacked. The the appropriate season. The seasons did not line up for the appointment. So it's we're supposed to Encompass both. They did not. so, it's an amendment to make sure that it did include in corporate bulk because that was the
038understanding it sounds so mysterious is there, does anyone have a copy of the minutes that you're referencing a computer? I don't have it in front of me. But I got stacks of paper. In that small. Do you have a minute? I met. No, I don't have the minutes. You got to break. No, I don't have the minutes, I'm calling it up. Those 3436 36. 36 on. 36 on the 37th. You want to read the section that you want to correct or amend? you know, do you have the You know do you have the I don't you go ahead I don't have the correct language. You have the oh. the correct language. You have the. Oh let's see. Uh Bar City, cheerleading effective date, from Winter 2025, to 2026 to fall. to fall 2025, and winter
0392025 to 2020. to fall 2025, and winter 2025 to 2026. So you're just correcting the duration? Yes. Actually you're just correcting, it just correcting. just correcting it just correcting your request. Show that it was pulled. She? She wasn't pulled correct. She was passed. She wasn't pulled correct, she was passed. Yes. Well, that's why we're amending it We're amending the minutes through amending, the minutes. We're amending the minutes through amending. The minutes would happen. That's correct. Okay, correct. Okay. Okay, so all in favor of the minutes with that addition in correction you need a motion on the amendment to the minutes first move. It second to the minutes first. Move it second. That's what I asked all the f. Post now. Go ahead Joe. post now, go ahead Joe now, can we have a, uh, now
040I need post now, go ahead Joe now, can we have a uh, now I need a motion to Adopt the minutes. Move them. Second Any discussion. No. All in favor. Any discussion. No, all in favor. I sorry, I run out of gas around 6. around 6 hours. Um, what's uh, around 6 hours. Um what's uh I have oh okay. Continuing business. Do we have any continuing business today? I am I do too. Okay, who wants to go first? I do. Continuing business. Um, I see the calendar came out and we've discussed this in the past while it's a beautiful item. If you go through it, there's a several overlapping dates. dates if parents have children in middle school and dates. If parents have children in middle school and high school. And I'm just going to
041ask if You can take. 1 more. Look at this to see you mean? You can go through 1 more. Look at this to see. You mean, you can go through especially towards the end of the year with events. There's several. Um, I know we ran into it with moving up ceremonies and events so if it could just be double checked It. I don't there's I'm not going to go through it but if you don't mind because the best final version, right? So we did take that in consideration, some of the dates do did take that in consideration some of the dates do it was impossible to make them work. was impossible to make them work uh, between 1 building and the next That's the final version though. I think this is something because years prior
042it was always a priority that, you know, because years prior it was always a priority that, you know, the houses were the same time so that it helped parents with children. And there's also events to last week of school that don't have opportunity for rain dates like several other schools. I just don't think it's can. I mean, we can have a larger discussion on it through equity and inclusion in the marketing committee because this see this is still coming up, so nothing is up. So nothing is affected the first couple months I could. I could I just ask a question about the calendar of the district in general. Mhm. Who's in charge of that. No, no, I'm not talking about. No, no I'm not talking about like the production of it. I'm asking. I'm asking
043who's in charge of like, running the calendar. So it's, it's so I can speak for the creation of the calendar administrator. calendar. Administrator said in a room with principals 3 or 4 times. To. Plan, the activ. Plan the activities. Try to their best of their abilities to not have overlapping events. For example, Elementary principals were asked not to schedule any graduation or moving up ceremonies on the Thursday that the junior high schools. I'm sorry the middle schools have their moving up ceremonies and that the high school has graduation a rehearsal. So all a lot of those things were considered, um, there were several sessions when they sat together to plot this out and try to eliminate overlaps. We've been more than happy to look at them though. If there's, I mean, I Circle quite a
044bit that I have no problem sharing but my I Circle quite a bit that I have no problem sharing, but my other, why is the Proctor graduation rehearsal? Now at 10 10:30 in the morning isn't that always in the afternoon? that was moved this past school year, so that That was moved this past school year so that parents didn't have to choose between a moving up sarum. have to choose between a moving up ceremony or their kid being a graduation rehearsal. kid being a graduation rehearsal. So it used to be at the same time, the JFK's moving up ceremony took place. There was a conflict with parents who had students, who were graduating and had siblings at JFK and then you can A child moves up. And if some people choose to celebrate, a child
045moves up and if some people choose to celebrate or do something after 1 of their children, can't cuz they're a senior and they have to tend to rehearsal. So I just think it's, it's probably a double-edged sword. You're not going to please everybody. I understand, but there's somewhere, you know. you know events. I I don't I think it just could be you know, events. I I don't I think it just could be looked at right? I'm sure a lot of Apple run to it, maybe. at right. I'm sure a lot of Apple run to it. Maybe maybe some things can be um, shifted even by a half hour or something and it might ease it up. something. And it might ease it up. The other thing when it comes to the calendars, can we just
046ensure that these events? events are online on the school district's page? Um, when I know when buildings reopen and everybody's back in the building. Um, so that the building, um, so that would be, but it's a beautiful calendar and I love seeing all the events. And then my other thing is that I've, um, brought thing is that I've um, brought up before and I'm just I just would like an answer on it or if we can look into it. Um, before the reopening of school, I know the cell phone policy is in place with that. Um, I see other school districts are Banning Water bottles that are maybe of metal or not clear for security purposes through. Um, security purposes through, um, when having metal detectors and, you know, other things and I just don't
047want to say right now. But can we look into that with those um, issues because several other school districts have recently done this and I Recently done this. And I I think there's some evidence to back it up so I just be curious if we back it up, so I just be curious if we need to look at that. Yeah, we can look into that. Can I just I'll just ask there that code of conduct did do a deep dive into the water? bottles last year. Um, after discussing it throughout the whole committee, it was ultimately the the whole committee, it was ultimately, the recommendation not to ban the metal water bottles. We not to ban the metal water bottles, we felt that the cons outweighed, the benefits of banning them but that's something that
048has been on code of conducts radar and well, I'm sure we'll well, I'm sure we'll continue to be because I know the superintendent's hearing officer has been collecting data on that and has been sharing it with the committee, so I'm sure he will continue to do so. And as that develops, sure he will continue to do so and as that develops, we can look at it, you know, last year was the Stanley Cups. That was the topic. So, That was the topic. So, yeah, okay. Now let's get in and was the topic. So, yeah, okay, now let's get in Obama and koala. D. All right. Any other new business? Yes, this is still continuing. So continuing, sorry, swim. So continuing sorry swim I've heard from um, several parents. So so we've discussed this before where
049students? swimming this year, I know we discussed H, Triple C, offered us full access to their facilities. They have the diving board and swim which means the team would not be broken apart. My name is At this point in time the we're looking at facilities, use agreements with New Hartford uh senior high school and um mvcc for practices. So they'll be broken up. So, what is the thought process? Taking. Taking it so then they can't practice. 2 coaches, right? So 1's going to be focusing on diving. because I nbcc does not have diving. They don't even have Lanes but that are structured. So that Lanes but that are structured so that'll be swimming focused and then New Hartford will be the diving. focused. And then New Hartford will be the diving focus. Is that how
050that's working? So I will have to check with Eric and see specifically what was planned. Okay. Okay, what happened? I know H Triple C. Offered us. Okay, what happened? I know H Triple C offered us and and gave us use where they could both practice. At the same time. I hear New Hartford, it's a little bit conflicting they have a modified swim. They have all these swim programs in the rumor is from the parents. the rumor is from the parents that now we have to work around their schedule so now our schedule gets tweaked so, so the discussion I guess on that, was that HCC was farther for the teams to have to travel than New Hartford and mvcc, which was right across the street from Proctor. I think those were the items that went
051into that decision making. That's a 30 minute bus ride every day each way. Each way I That's a 30 minute bus ride every day each way. Each way, I understand. But if the teams can be together and they're practicing with both coaches and working on diving and can work right after school instead of having to wait later. work right after school, instead of having to wait later to get and to get alternative. Thank you. get and to get alternative time. H. HC offered us right after school so they had the ability to go there straight from school. I, I would assume that I I would assume that someone did a deep dive into the, uh, evaluation process. Get it. and, Probably came up with some determination that. Uh, the selected locations. Are um, better Suited.
052For our students. I wouldn't be 100% sure about that since nothing's been communicated, but I would just make that assumption we'll, We'll provide an update on the 26th meeting. Yeah, because it I mean, we are saving all of this money. Yeah, because it I mean we are saving all of this money right with not having to open the pool. Not right with not having to open the pool not having to chlorine. I would assume we could put that money towards busing to bus our students to HC. So they could be busing to bus our students to HC so they could be together to make a stronger team custom coach. I don't know what that means, but sure. Fancy bus girls are full. Is it, is it a they're 2 different? Yeah. There's they write started.
053I'm assuming, I don't know. So okay, okay. okay, that's that 1. So, yes, if you can provide, um, information with that. The second continuing, information with that the second continuing, um, business, we just discussed and I emailed you regarding the girls softball. softball trip. so, girls softball put in for so girls softball put in for their trip this year with destination, um, destination. Um do we have an anticipated time on when we're going to see that in the board packet. Okay. That should be in the next board packet that was approved by. by um New York state public high school, athletic assoc, Association and actually the boys submitted the same. So they will both be in the next board packet. Okay. Okay. Wait, I'll do the coaches know our coaches aware so that they they've
054secured their spots. I know the spots are booking up very fast, and this is why it was an urgent issue. They should be. I know, Eric was working directly with the, uh, Softball coach on that. Okay? So softball and baseball will be in for the next meeting. Do we know when The application for the softball. Uh, trip was submitted to know. We don't have those details. We can provide I'll provide any confidential bulletin, update regard. bulletin update regarding that process, but we'll look forward for 26 meeting. We'll look forward to the resolution. To send both teams there. Well, I I guess the question is well I I guess the question is, you know, if people have to make Financial commit to make Financial commitments based on the approval, and, There's a limited number of spots.
055um, you know, I guess the question would be Can someone rely, you know, first of all, could someone rely on? rely on a on a verbal Representation. And second of all, um, What happens if the spots close up? and, Our kids can't make the trip. so, that's why I'm asking I just was curious when this process started and, when we might, You know. Find out. To, you know, something to allow the parents. And, and the interested parties in committing. So they and, and the interested parties in committing so they can actually go on this trip because they have to fund raise and do all these other things. so, I spoke to the softball coach prior to this being submitted for the August 26th packet. I will make sure that she's aware she has spoken to
056us. They were reserving their spots. They had to the end of this month. their spots. They had to the end of this month to make the commitment, so we will make sure she knows. I will make sure personally thank you. personally. Thank you. Bye. Okay, thank you. Any other? Continuing business or is that new business? I have something for new business. Okay, fire away. Okay so something for new business. Okay, fire away. Okay, so new business just really quick, um, cell phones, both seats. so, we So we've discussed. So the policy currently, right? So, we've discussed. So the policy currently right now is that when students go to school and they leave for both seats, their phones will stay within house. I think that's continuing business, to be honest with you. All right. continuing business.
057To be honest with you. All right, so since we did it before we, we need since we did it before we, we we didn't talk about both. No, no, we passed the policy, correct. Correct. No, no, we passed the policy. Correct. Correct. But in the policy there was not, there's nothing stated in their policy there was not, there's nothing stated in there about bosies. So when we started an email or Braden and I were both on the policy committee for this policy with both cases is not was not discussed on both cases is not was not discussed, I sent you now. Yeah, and I sent an email as well. Um, let's Yeah, and I sent an email as well. Um let's talk to speak to that. So right now as it states, the students are
058to that. So right now as it states, the students are the devices are to be left at the Home School location. Our goal was to limit the amount of transitions, in which the students are giving their devices. And students are giving their devices and picking the devices up. However, in this discussion, up, however, in this discussion, with some of my colleagues in the region. And So speaking to the in the region. And So, speaking to the Bosey superintendent, we are considering looking at allowing students to take their um, their students to take their um their devices with them. We just need to look at what that exam and what that looks like from a logistical perspective, we can provide an update at the 26th meeting. Thank you, going into that. So same subject, so we're
059talking subject. So we're talking about, um, an email as well about adding extra security to the cluster. Um, so when we're Gathering phones in the morning who's taking the phones, we haven't hired anybody to man the cell phone stations. Know we have not hired ex uh new Personnel for that specific. Purpose, we're looking at utilizing. purpose we're looking at utilizing existing Personnel within our system, but we'll also, you know, um, we're we're examining that, you know, just in my experience working in a Big 5. When we enacted this in Rochester prior to the governor's, man. enacted this in Rochester, prior to the governor's, man, we did not utilize any new Personnel, it was the existing Personnel that helped to operationalize that, but we're we're going to look at that a little bit more fully in,
060in light of the email. Yeah, I I think that this is something that we definitely should take a look at, because we're still not fully staffed. We have everybody, right? That's already run thin. So to put more pressure on a teacher or a security guard or a tenants people or Secret. people, or secretaries. Just seems like a lot of work especially when we're talking about thousands of cell phones in our hands. It seems as if we should have a designated person at each school that's in charge of these stations in charge of who's, Who's Manning them who's making sure that they're taken to the secure room in between and not put back on our staff. So just, you know, uh, just also last year we added additional staff to Proctor last year. We additional staff
061to Proctor last year, we added additional monitors that we're talking about the high school, specifically in excess, we have been adding staff there you know we'll also going to look at that. And and and the conjunction with our budget we want to make sure that this is a fiscally uh um uh sustainable uh position long term. The state really didn't give us money to enact this initiative. I think we might have got somewhere between like 40 something thousand dollars to support. We have to pay. pay for the maintenance of the um, the the pay for the maintenance of the, um, the the, uh, the um, the system. The the system, the the boxes, those pouches and things like that. There's a replacement cycle for those types of items. So, we'll look at So, we'll, look
062at the, again, the existing Personnel. We also look at the existing budget to see if we can sustain adding x amount of positions, to the budget with the, uh, with the understanding that, you know, our state aid is We're starting to run within 2% contractual obligation. So we're just a little nervous about the adding of positions, but it's something that we'll consider in light of the email. Can we also consider, um, or looking at email. Can we also consider um, or looking at additional phone lines and tools of communication? So that way when parents are contacting the office, I believe a lot, I believe Proctor is still only has 1 line like, if multiple people are calling you either get a busy signal or to leave a voicemail, I'm telling you, you're you're saying that
063Proctor has 1 number for the main office and that's it. There's no roll overs. There's no, there's no There's no there's no train. You know, phone transfers, nothing of the sort. so, the main the number that's listed on the correspondence that 1 out is the main number to Proctor that rolls over to multiple phones in the either the main office or to the counselor or to the uh I mean the Academy I I think we've all gotten plenty of. I don't want to say busy signals because it's not that but it just goes right to voice even if the elementary level right to voicemail. voicemail. Yeah, you know what? We might want to get Joe? No, no, no. We We might want to get the uh the switchboard again. might want to get the uh
064the switchboard again. So but the question we're going to need someone to answer calls, Seriously. Yeah. But the communication tool, the internal communication. I think teams has like the chat feature for the secretary to reach the um teach if there's like a change or or Room phones. I I'm just I just want to make sure we're covering all bases. So if there is a change in child schedule whether it's schedule, whether it's staying after taking the bus a different person picking up that that communication is given. Um, and so with that, what I was going to ask is can given. Um, and so with that what I was going to ask is, can we consider so Hilton, right? And can we consider so Hilton, right? And Proctor the Hilton hallway, has a phone that students
065can use have. We considered, as well, putting considered as well, putting maybe adding an extra phone in another account Academy. I don't want to initiate where everybody's making calls to come home. well, they're not they're Well, they're not, they're not, they're free, they're not people, but the same concept. Yeah, there's 1 in Hilton back in 19. We are, it's going to be fun. so, every phone and every classroom can dial out To. to the outside, okay? With with the teacher, has a code for that phone. So I guess if a child has to use a phone and any part of the building, that's all they have to do is get the, the the teacher or whoever is in that class, they teach you the phone number. the kid can dial a lot of the so
066you're not going to give the kid a code that I'm saying that teacher could punch a code in and hand the phone to the kid to dial out on. Oh, okay. So that, that, that feature true. But if we just added an extra phone feature, then it would make it easier that that's just the student's destination of like if you need to make a phone call. So the problem with that is that I'm going to be honest with you, is who's calling 911, who who's that, you know, and who's doing the prank calls. And we've had that in the past, in the hallway, in the past in the hallways. So if they need to use a phone, they either they need, they got to be a company by an adult, so they go to the
067main office. an adult. So they go to the main office, Proctor has a thousand offices in their thousand offices in there in every classroom has an outside line that they could dial out on so, We know that the governor dumped this on us and it is a new policy. policy. Can I request that we keep anecdotal data about? policy. Can I request that? We keep anecdotal data about, wait times for the cell phone lines at the beginning and at the end of the day and things along that line. So that as that gets reported to the board, we can try to with the administration in committee redevelop, some of the administration in committee redevelop some of the uh issues that may arise hope. issues that may arise. Hopefully, no issues do arise. But if they
068do, we can work that out because we'll have that continuous flow of the whole data. So what we'll be doing is progress monitoring like with any initiative, what we're doing? We're going to be their first day of school. assessing the system. There's 2 things that need to to occur number 1. We're building a system that's not person dependent. So that X person's absent, the system itself. Can very well still works. That's number. 1 2. We're also going to look immediately to see what we learned from this. Because part of it is, we need to train students, how to engage in the new process. And then the other part of it is, we need to look for areas where the process may be deficient. So to your point, we'll do that progress. deficient. So, to your
069point, we'll do that progress monitoring and we'll provide a, um, an update on the status of that and how it's working. I think, at Proctor that's will be what will really be looking at that the most, I think it'll be um a lot more simpler at the elementary and secondary levels but Proctor secondary levels. But Proctor, we know that we'll have a lot of tensions there and we'll progress monitor a lot of tensions there and we'll progress monitoring. I just have a question quickly on what you just said. So you say we're going to monitor it, right? So that if someone's not there, it's a system that not there it's a system that still works like a conveyor belt but they have to check in. Right? So they they get the They have to check
070in, right? So they they get the bag. They have to check and it has to be scanned. And then their ID has to be scanned before it go. So it really isn't a system that can handle without someone being there. It isn't a self re isn't a self-reliant. No, no, no. That's not what he said, believe. That's not what he, where he was going with. That. He was saying that, you know, so and so is the phone person. That's the only person that can handle the phone because they're trying to make it so that it's interchangeable parts. I I I I I think that um, this is going to be a little more than something simple, a lot more. And I don't something simple, a lot more and I don't know what it's going to
071look like the first few days or months of school. when it, when we're, everybody's got to come in and Drop. Drop their phones off. but, All the dishes have gone to this. It's not not. I'm not saying, well, we, you know, we have a, we have a school that has, like, whatever 3,000 kids in it, and it's that has, like, whatever 3,000 kids in it and it's a different situation. So, if if different situation. So, if, if you're somebody that drives to school, for example, you may want to leave your phone in your car, your car. Yes. Um, you know, and or not bring it to school at all depend. you know, and or not bring it to school at all, depending, you know, kind of go 80s on it, you know what I mean?
072Going to school without your phone. Um, what are the 80s? That's right. I think they're going to be passing notes. Again, I'm looking for the comeback. I'm looking forward to it. Okay, 1 more 1 more 1 more week. Yeah, 1 more quick question. question. In addition to that something like and I can't remember what the feature was. That we had previously that all the teachers had access to. So right at work, we have a Microsoft teams that you can easily just chat back and forth and know that we had 1 that was functioning with forth and know that we had 1. That was functioning with, is that something now that we can kind of bring back this way if there is something, we also don't want to promote right. We're trying to make our teachers
073the same thing. We don't want our teachers on the cell phone, so it's Microsoft teams is a quick way to communicate with messenger. There's a chance Chat feature that it can be enabled in the system that we're currently using in 365. Yeah. I mean, currently using in 365. Yeah, I mean, it's just, it's a, it's a huge asset at at our work. So we rely on it greatly, so, I just think, greatly. So I just think, especially with communication. If this is something in a quick, something in a quick shout that teachers could get back. And, you know, let someone know if there's an back. And, you know, let someone know if there's an emergency, the teachers are already there. It's just got to be turned on. Yeah, I know that we had it years
074ago, so if we could now look at. Yeah. So possibly. Yeah, I'm turning it back on now that we're in that area. Thank you. Oh, any other uh any other new business, got a resolution at 3 here. Oh yes sir. uh, and this resolution reads the Board of Education. Hereby resolves to delegate to the board, President, and Vice President in his absence. The authority to gather information for the board to fulfill board. Oversight obligations. fulfill board, oversight obligations and to communicate on behalf of the full board and connection with the same. Dated August 12th 2025. I need a motion to adopt that. In a second. Okay. Any discussion. All in favor, opposed motion carries. Have a resolution. I have a motion to adopt a resolution which reads. whereas the board reviewed and approved of a
075memorandum relating to Personnel matters, dated July 18th 2025, And where is the board and reviewed a response to that? memorandum, dated July 29th, 2025, and whereas, the board wishes to and whereas the board wishes to affirm its agreement, with the substance of the July 18th, 2025 in memorandum. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Board of Education of the Utica City School District as follows 1, the the Utica. City School District as follows 1, the board hereby affirms its agreement with the substance of the July 18th, 2025 memorandum. 18th. 2025, memorandum declines, the request to resend the same and directs the employee. Who was the subject of the July 18th 2025? July 18th, 2025 memorandum to sign the July 18th, 20 July 18th? 2025 memorandum to sign the July, 18th, 2025 memorandum, and return a
076signed cop. memorandum, and return, a signed copy of the same to the board by no later than August 15th 2025. board by no later than August 15th. 2025 to, this resolution shall take effect immediately shall take effect immediately. Dated August 12th 20. 12th, 2025 need a second. Move it all in favor, opposed motion carries. I have a motion for resolution, um, from the board, whereas the board reviewed and approved of the terms of proposed Consulting agreement with an effective date of July 16th 2025 year and after referred to as the Consulting agreement during its July 20th, 2025 board meeting and whereas the employee who made the allegations herein referred to as a complaint that resulted in the Consulting agreement was asked to participate in an interview by the consultant here and referred to in referred
077to as the consultant conducting the investigation provided for, by the consultant agreement. And whereas whereas the complaint has declined to be interviewed by the consultant unless the complaint is accompanied by the completeness personal attorney do during any such interview and whereas the consultant has been seeking to interview the complaint the complete and without the completeness, personal attorney at present and whereas the board wishes for the investigation provided for for the investigation provided for, by the consultant to be completed in as exped a manner as possible. Now, therefore be it resolved by the Board of Education of the Utica City School District as follows 1, the board hereby directs, the complete and to meet with the consultant without being accompanied by their personal attorney regarding the allegations that resulted in the Consulting agreement and do so
078no later than a reasonable deadline for doing. So, as determined, by the consult, deadline for doing. So as determined, by the consultant to this resolution resolution shall take place shall take effect. effect immediately need a motion. You need a motion. Ocean move it second all in favor. Ocean move it. Second all in favor, O's motion carries. Ocean move it. Second all in favor O's motion carries. Is there any other new business? Any. Any communication? And we need a motion to adjourn, move it. And we need a motion to adjourn. Move it all in favor. We are add are adjourned.