12/16/2025 WCSD BOE Meeting @ Sherman Elementary

001like to call this board of education meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. I alian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> [clears throat] >> WELCOME EVERYBODY. UH, obviously a very very packed house. It's great to see so many parents, so many children. Sherman always throws out a a beautiful welcome map for the board of education when we get to visit here and we're very appreciative of it. [laughter] Uh, Michelle, do we have any agenda changes for this evening? >> I do have a couple agenda changes. We did add to the executive session uh the verbiage for [clears throat] legal advice with the attorney, attorney client privilege. Um under items

002for board action, we added s the approval of a donation. Um we are also doing uh board and staff reports a the NISBA recognition this evening and b the welcome and student voice uh prior to the uh first public comment section. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Um, our first item for board and staff reports. I am very proud to say we have a very inspirational young man here with us tonight who has done his school very, very proud. Uh, and he's being honored tonight by the New York State School Boards Association. So, I'd like to welcome up Connor Brown and Sandra Young Clinton. So, my name is Sandy Young and I'm a member of the Jefferson School Board. I'm honored to be here tonight as the NISPA ambassador on behalf of the

003New York State School Boards Association President Samo and Director Bob. Over the past 100 years, NISA has been dedicated to excellent schoolboard service. More recently, we added recognition for district focus and community programming initiatives that bring children positive district culture. This will highlight that innovative positive program that brings change to the students, communities, and districts of New York through the champions of change recognition. As we believe in public education's mission to grow future leaders, we also decide to recognize extraordinary student leadership and we created tomorrow's leaders today award. These awards are unsolicited. This watch is for news articles highlighting programs in a committee selects those that are unique and deserving of recognition. This [snorts] one in particular is especially unique as it is not often that two awards are given to the same initiative. And

004it is wonderful that not only were student and district involved but there were many partners that stepped up as well. As many of you may be aware these awards are for the hygiene vending mission a project that Connor Brown implemented in this year. At the time I remember reading the article in the paper and thinking what a fabulous idea that was. As Dr. Schnele said in the article, we realize in schools we can't educate kids unless their needs are met and hygiene poverty is one of the areas that we can address to make sure that when our kids are in school and they're ready to learn. [snorts] So Connor, this is a description of how they determine the awards. Tomorrow's leaders today award is presented through student life acts of extraordinary leadership and initiative. These

005must be uncommon acts that benefit those in the district or larger community. [clears throat] These acts show leadership inspires other students to do more and in general by example. So honor, I'm happy to present this class. New York State School Board Association tomorrow's leaders today. This recognition is presented to Connor Brown to honor and commemorate the extraordinary leadership shown for your initiative to advocate for and spearhead the implementation of a hygiene vending machine. We recognize her efforts and hope that they serve to inspire other students to bring additional positive change to New York State school districts and communities. So, I think Connor deserves that round of applause as well as the administration and board for creating an environment and culture where students can flourish. But Connor, do you want to say a few words about

006your project? >> Sure. So, um I just want to say thank you to Sandy and Board of Education. Um this project [snorts] could not have been done by myself. There were so many uh community partners, uh leaders and such uh that got this party rolling. Uh I mean we started this my junior year or late junior spring and uh I one day met with Dr. and uh stated my idea and just a neat um and just kind of pinned that on uh now I'm say we have three vending machines across our district that both high school and which are all running successfully. I appreciate everyone. Thank you. >> Would also like to recognize the board and the Watertown City School District for embracing this project. As I said earlier, it is unusual for two awards

007to be given, but this was inquesting how the board's administration supported Conor's efforts. And [snorts] I also want to congratulate the community partners for stepping up to help. Planned Parenthood, the National Honor Society gave me drugs. [snorts] So, thank you to the board and the administration of the Watertown City School District for your extraordinary leadership supporting this need for the students and removing barriers that could affect. On behalf of NISPA, I'm happy to present this banner recognizing you are champions of change. Thank you for your extraordinary initiative and the board. Thank you for your service. Thank you for supporting public education in New York for your membership in this fun and thank you for allowing me to be here to be my honor. Everybody's been so supportive of Conor and this started. I was around

008Thank you. Just to give you some idea of the character of that young man, uh we were at the Christmas parade uh last week and he came up and he was in his turnout gear. Uh he was driving one of the fire trucks in the parade for the town of Watertown Fire Department while he just got home from uh college for break. So just an outstanding young man who has uh done his community and his school very very proud. So one more round of applause for K. [applause] >> And now our welcome and student voice from Mrs. Gretchen Mana and our Sherman Elementary. >> Thank you everybody for coming. Grab this because my kids are going to need it. Okay, we have a great turnout. Thank you everybody for coming. Mike, is it is it

009good? Are we good? [cough and clears throat] We have a lot of things going on at Sherman. Some of them may seem similar to what are happening in the other buildings, but our PTA is amazing, as you can tell. They're here tonight serving you guys up some dinner and some snacks. Um they did our fall fest. They did a book fair. Uh a holiday workshop that they're helping um our art teacher, Mrs. Davidson, with right now. Uh holiday treats for the staff. They're doing 12 days of giveaways for us. Um they do a drawing every day for gift certificates for places to eat. And uh we also have uh student winners as well. Um they volunteer to help us with events like tonight. Um, and I don't know if I'm supposed to say this yet

010or not. Did they get their Okay, every student at Sherman got a tubing gift certificate for dry hill tubing from our PTA. So, that's a pretty amazing thing for them to do. PBIS has also been busy. Uh, we coordinate the fall fest with PTA. Uh, we did the boosters on fundraiser. Uh, it was a color or a a glow-in-the-dark run this year and that money goes to PTA and they purchase things like rugs for the classrooms that need them and um gifts for the kids and gifts for the teachers and when we need certain supplies, they help us out. And our PBIS assemblies, we're doing three of those this year, three major ones. And we're instead of emphasizing just like one character trait, we're emphasizing quality character and our fantastic a work awards so we

011can honor more students per class. Sponsoring lunchons for staff. We've had a couple of those this year. And we're doing some fun activities to help keep morale up. We did um a staff bingo not that long ago. And we've also done uh for World Kindness Week, we started a a wall that we we could say nice things about every single staff member in the building and then we all got to take those home. So, it was kind of nice to read those. Academic wise, we have a lot going on. Um we have 19 students participating in tutoring. We are also going to be adding some third and fourth graders to that mix after the holidays. We have a STEM club, we have a Lego club, we have scrub club. Um, our PBIS and MTSS committees

012are working very hard. You'll hear more about that later. Uh, we have SAC here every morning and afternoon. We have our get ready room which we'll be talking about tonight. And we will be piloting a tier 2 intervention with Pivot starting very soon. Uh, our instructional coach is here tonight as well. She is amazing. She's the best one in the district. I'm going to put the plug in for that. Um, she provides support [clears throat] in the classrooms. She does PDS during the day to help teachers out. Um during common planning time, she and I meet with our our staff. Uh weekly meetings with me to talk about things that are happening, things we need to do. New this year is Step Lab. That's something that's being implemented by the coaches across the district to

013just hone in on those teaching skills. And she does a weekly coaches corner with a lot of um fun little things where teachers can win prizes as well. But the reason that you guys are here is to hear from some of our kids at Sherman. So the first person I have that's going to speak tonight is one of our first graders, Miss Emma Higgins. I am so thankful for this school because it has great teachers and good friends. I like when Miss Earth teaches us you because she makes it fun. I like that we are learning about the nutcracker in music class. Keep up the great work everyone and I love you. And we have a fourth grader, Declan Sullivan. Come on up, Dean. Hello, my name is Declan Sullivan and I am in fourth

014grade. I really love Sherman Elementary and feel so lucky that I get to go to school here. The teachers are awesome, the kids are great friends, and the families make our school feel like home. This [snorts] is my last year, and I know I'm going to miss it. I'm grateful Sherman always made me feel safe, happy, and encouraged me to do my best. Thank you for letting letting me share tonight, and merry Christmas. And then new for us this year is our get ready room. And I'm going to pass the mic off to the four ladies I have, Janessa Lev, Lyn Bates, Michelle Davidson, and Nicole Amica to talk about it. Thank you. Oh, I forgot it. >> So, uh, here at Sherman, is that is that working for All right. Gotcha. Okay. Um, at

015Sherman, we have something called the Get Ready Room, and it's actually a program that we are piloting. It's being piloted here and at Ohio. Um, and it's a program that we are piloting um, under the leadership of Dr. Amy and, um, our fearless leader, uh, Mrs. Manet. Um, and really it was uh Janessa Lev's idea. Um, this is something that was started precoid. Um, there was a room called the get ready room where kids could come in and um, take care of themselves in the morning, take care of any needs that maybe didn't get taken care of before they left uh, for school for the day. So, we have a nice little slideshow that we'd like to share with you. Um, and here are just some pictures of the kids in the morning. Um, we

016have a crew of staff members that have graciously offered to take their time in the morning to uh to work with kids and help them get ready. Um, typically [clears throat] we have uh Allison Spooner, uh, Michelle Davidson, uh, Nicole Lamaka. They're kind of our head people. Am I missing anybody? >> Father, yes. Our counselor. Um, and they, you know, work with the kids. the kids. We started it with the third and fourth graders and we are going to be continuing it um K4 throughout the rest of the year. Um so there's some happy kids in the morning. Um the kids love seeing their friends in the morning coming in getting ready. And here are just some candids of well maybe not candids but kids getting ready in the morning. Uh and here's just a

017list of the people that we couldn't have done it without. Um when we first started talking about this program um last year Dr. Amy came to us and asked the staff you know what our needs were and um as we were building our uh MTSS and so this is really part of our MTSS and um we think it's a fantastic addition. So thank you Dr. Amy for that. She's been really wonderful. She's really supported us through all of this. So, we have some >> video. >> We have a nice little video of the kids. We asked the kids what they liked about the get ready room. >> And here are their responses. Get ready. Do you know what you want to say? >> Okay. It makes it so I don't forget how to brush my

018teeth. I get to brush my hair for the morning >> and I don't have to do it at home because >> So tell me buddy, what do you like about the get ready room? >> Yeah. Anything else? >> Okay, that works. [music] So, essentially, it's just it's kind of a soft landing spot in the morning. Um, I know I've left the house some days where I have two mismatched socks or maybe I've forgotten to brush my teeth and I have coffee breath and the kids will be the first one to tell me. So, it's just a spot where the kids can come in, they make those connections with their parents and also with teachers. Um, they get kind of that nurturing that maybe they feel like they need. Um, and they just start their their

019their day on on the right foot. >> So, these are some quotes we have. Um, the top is from a little girl named Lyanna. said, "There are a lot of things I love about the get ready room. It makes it so I don't forget to brush my teeth or do my hair." Um, Isabella says, "I like brushing my teeth and doing my hair. It makes me feel happy." Um, and then Harrison says, "I get to brush my hair, put on deodorant, brush my teeth, and also see my friends. It's a good way to start my day." So, recently we've received um quite a bit of donations. So, this is um a day that we had a group of us got together, Lyn, myself, and Nicole. We were sorting donations. Um and our room, our get

020ready room is set up kind of like a boutique. We have everything organized by size and it's kind of just to go and take what you need. The teachers are aware. If they have a student that needs a coat, if they have a student needs a pair of pants, a shirt, anything, um they can grab and help themselves. And that's our stop and shop area. Um, we've got our hygiene materials, our clothes, uh, a nice assortment of winter gear so far. Um, and then some. Um, and a special thanks to Mrs. Davidson for letting us use her space. Uh, makes for easier and faster transitioning. We've got a cover now. All the kids have their hygiene bags. They're assigned a number and they go in in the morning, they grab their bag, they go do

021their hygiene, and then they move on with their day. Uh special thanks to the following for the for their generous donations. New Life Church. Uh a lot of anonymous Sherman families and staff have brought clothing in. Uh Matt Paul is the manager at Hilton Garden in he set us up with soap uh shampoo and conditioner if we we get to that point. Uh pivot John Phelps is recycling coordinator for Jeff Lewis and St. Lawrence counties and he's helping us get clothing as well. So thanks for letting us share this exciting new intervention with you. At this time, I'd like to invite [clears throat] Heidi Williams from share with us. Good evening everyone. Um, I'm going to try to get through this without being emotional. So, if my voice cracks, like just forgive me. But, um,

022so thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Heidi Williams. As I already said, I'm a wife. I'm a bonus mom, a prevention and emotional intelligence advocate. Um, I'm a fierce supporter of youth empowerment, and I'm also uh a member of the Jefferson County Hygiene Collective. So, this was something that got started in 2023. Um and uh my project director at Pivot wrote a grant to get us some hygiene items to distribute throughout the county. Um so I'm here to speak in support of the get ready rooms and to share why programs like this are not just helpful but they are really uh necessary. So growing up I experienced uh hygiene pro poverty. At the time I didn't really have words for it. I just knew that we were really

023poor and we went without things quite often. Um, my basic needs were not met most of the time, especially during my elementary years. As I got older, I started working like 14 years old and then I was buying my own stuff, so it didn't matter. Um, but I didn't always have clean clothes, washed hair, um, or other hygiene items that kids often take for granted. U, there were things that I had no control over at home. I lived with a single dad um who was disabled so he's on a fixed income and it was either electricity, basic hygiene, water and sometimes we had none of the above um for months at a time. [snorts] So not having those basic needs uh met affected every part of my childhood experience. It affected my attendance um at

024school. There were days I didn't want to go to school and I didn't. I played hookie a lot. I remember getting placed in gifted programs growing up um you know due to my academics and then being kicked out because I missed too many days of school. It affected my well-being, my dignity, but it also affected my friendships. Um because I often had to lie to my friends on why they couldn't come over to our house. Um [laughter] excuse me, sorry. Um, I told lies to explain why I had dirty clothes or unwashed hair. And I learned very early how to hide what was going on at home rather than being open and sharing that. And I also miss out on oftentimes learning how to be a kid. [clears throat] If something like the get ready

025rooms had existed um during that time, um, you know, having a safe, private place where I could take care of myself in the morning, it would have changed so much for me. it would have told me that I mattered and that I wasn't doing this alone. Um, so basic hygiene is not a lux a luxury. [snorts] It is essential and for young children especially, it is important to remember that they have no control over what happens at home. When a child comes to school disheveled or unckempt, it's not a reflection of who they are and it's certainly not a reflection of whether they care about themselves or not. And I know these situations can cause disruptions. You know, kids are going to be kids and they're going to make comments. Um, but as educators and

026caregivers, a little empathy and understanding go a very long way. Projects like the get ready room uh don't just address hygiene, they protect dignity, they improve attendance, and they help children feel safe and ready to learn. It has the power to quietly, but profoundly change a child's uh school experience. um just like it probably would have changed mine. So, thank you Sherman Elementary for getting this project together. I feel honored that you invited me to meetings over the summer and I really look forward to moving this further along in the school district. So, >> [clears throat] >> And >> the show of the night is going to be presented by our third and fourth graders are going to do a coral presentation for all of you under the direction of Mrs. Haynes. So enjoy the

027the show. We're going to turn the lights off. Don't anybody get scared. I don't think the Why not? >> [clears throat and cough] >> have been told not to shine them in anyone's eyes. So, I apologize. Wait for the [singing] midnight hour. are swirling by red and blue and green hanging. I just We must Christmas. [singing] I can't see [singing] glorious. The earth colors against Silver. [singing] Thank you so much. And I think everybody would agree that was the show for the evening. They worked very hard on that. Very proud of them. And thank you, Mrs. Haynes, for doing this tonight. Um, that is all I have for my presentation. Um, happy holidays to everybody here and I'm passing the mic. >> Before all our students leave, >> before all of our students leave, we

028do like to thank everybody that comes and presents to the board with a little token of our appreciation. Uh, so if I call your name, please come up. Hannah Higgins, thank you so much for sharing your time tonight, young lady. We appreciate that. Dean Sullivan, Thank you for sharing your time tonight. We appreciate that. Catherine Stadler [clears throat] so much for your time tonight. Randy Tucker, Olivia Romeo, Emily Gra. >> I'm sure [clears throat] you know. Thank you. This week Blair [cough] [clears throat] Nolan Tarzia [laughter] Aubrey Scarina Emma Ellsworth Lillian Robson Hey, Ryan Romeo. [clears throat] Z Cronin is >> Audrey Schwitzer. Argo Schwarz. Marissa Astron Eleanor Fister Mener I get that right Emerson Brown [clears throat] Cecilia Riner >> [clears throat] >> Tiana King. [snorts] Uh, Keani Kiana Weiss Diabasia. Quand Jonathan Dennis

029Lauren Brown back to the beginning. If we missed anybody, please let your principal know. We'll make sure that you get one. >> That was beautiful. >> Beautiful job. Thank you so much. >> And now children and parents, if you want to go while the getting is good, now's your time. Beautiful. something. [cough] All [snorts] right, we are at our first public comment section of our meeting tonight. Quick reminder, the public comment portion of the board of education meeting is designed to give members of the public the opportunity to address the board related to school district operations. The board will not permit in public session discussion involving individual district personnel or students. Persons wishing to discuss matters involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and/or concerns to the superintendent of schools during regular

030business hours. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Obscene language lielist statements and threats of violence will not be tolerated. It is not the practice of the board to respond during the meeting to questions posed or comments made by speakers. Therefore, while the board will certainly take any questions or comments you might have under advisement, we will not be responding to any questions. And I always like to remind people, you can always share any written comments you want via email or letter with any of the board members or the superintendent. Millie Smith, you were the only one that stated that you wanted to be on the agenda to speak to agenda related items, right? >> Yes. [clears throat] >> Um, so I have four things that are agenda related. So before these

031are for board action. So I just want to premise and just ask the board if you before you vote if you can have a discussion to provide more information for the public and for me since I'm curious. So um under items for board action letter C approval of the memorandum of understanding between the district and North Country Prenatal Perinatal Council. So I went through that and I my question is great but what is this agency providing that we're not already getting provided by other agencies. We have partnered with a ton of agencies um which provide great services but just for the benefit of the community because a lot of a lot of people in this community really don't know all the resources and it's important to delineate like what the purpose of this is. So

032this is not you know to knock it down. It's actually to promote education. What is this agency providing that other agencies are not providing? So if we can discuss that during before you vote for it. Um also on under item F, approval of the single audit, I will have more to say about this and the the second public comments, [clears throat] but I just want to caution the board when you go back and you guys approve all this stuff. I am not sure that everyone is diligently looking and reading at everything that you're approving and there is definitely things in that single audit report that need to be addressed have been previously highlighted by the audit company and have not been corrected. And then one of your responsibilities as board members is a fiduciary responsibility

033to the taxpayer. And when we are not making progress and we are getting repeated um dings on things that should have been corrected over a year's time, it really is a little bit bit concerning. Now I know that at the last meeting Dr. Schmeaggel stated that you know some of this stuff can be it's difficult because they're doing a report from 24 to 25 and we're moving now into the 25 26 but we really need to be diligent and that responsibility lies on all of you. Um, specifically there is a line item of the Massie Learning Center. I believe one of the first meetings that we had here, Dr. Smeaggel announced to the public that [snorts] he had contracted or he had asked King and Kin to take a look at that Massie Learning Center

034to and got an estimate of $1.5 million for renovations, but didn't elaborate for what. I mean, he's not going to be able to do that without public um approval, but what is that for? There was never any elaborate information on what he's doing that for. And [clears throat] um the reserve plans, I I I'm going to pause on that and I'll talk about that at the second public comments because I really have a lot to say about that. Um, I would ask you also for under item G, approval of personnel report, if you can please elaborate on what the extracurricular wellness coaches for. Why do we need that person? How did that come to arise? And I know a little bit about it, but I think this is very important for the community to know.

035It's a positive thing that the board is approving. It really is something that we should do. we probably should have done a long time ago. So, I really want the community that's streaming and watching this to understand why we're why we're doing that. The person is getting a $10,000 stipen, so they should be receiving credit for that. Um, then I think the last thing, if you could please elaborate. No, I'm not going to ask you elaborate. I'm just going to make a comment. So, the approval of policy 2306, there was conversation about that. I've made some comments about it and I see that it was revised to include a 3minut time limit for people to talk. Um, which is completely understandable. The city council does that. You know, they hold the clock on and you

036know, if someone just keeps talking and repeating themselves and it's just getting like ridiculous, they clock them out. I would just caution the board. It takes a lot of guts to come up here. if someone's speaking like an elderly person or someone that has a lot of substance that you're a little bit lenient with that 3 minutes cuz sometimes it's difficult to get your thoughts out in 3 minutes and there's a lot of information. I don't particularly oppose to that. I think it's a good parameter to put in there. So, I just wanted to make a public comment on that since before voting that you should have, you know, comment from the community and that's it for this. >> Yep. No problem. Is there anybody else that would like to speak to agenda related items

037this evening? [snorts] >> Okay. Item C, policy committee meeting report, Miss Tina Funo. [snorts] >> All right. Um, well, we reviewed regulation 131300.1 >> [clears throat] >> um, which procedures for sex offenders access. We review that and Regulation 76003 academic and eligibility for that's another regulation that um that we looked over needed to be revised I guess so we just check that out and then policy 5402 support operation um that's still a work in progress um they get a little bit um done on that. Thanks for coming to meeting tonight to help us out. Um but [clears throat] that's just something that we're still in the process of trying to fixing and trying to see how that goes. It's pretty pretty. So that was that was what we did. >> Any questions for Tina? >>

038Thank you, Tina. Thank you. Um Dr. Schmegel regrets he could be here in person tonight, but he is in uh here virtually with us. Uh and we are at that point. The superintendent of schools, Dr. Larry Smeaggel, his report. >> Good evening, everyone. Can you hear me? Okay. >> Okay. Um just a huge shout out to Sherman Elementary School for the wonderful performance of their students. Um, congratulations to them and a huge shout out to the staff and the community partners that are sponsoring the uh, get ready rooms at Sherman and our other schools. Secondly, I'd like to give a huge shout out to all of our schools and our musicians over the last couple of weeks. We've had a lot of concerts going on in our district uh, to get people in the holiday

039spirit. So, if you have not, we have one more remaining on Thursday night, weather pending. Um, so if you have not got a chance to go out and see, we do have WY Le's concert coming up on Thursday. The other thing that I really want to thank our student athletes. Um, you know, this is that time of year in the winter season when sometimes schools have to be delayed, sometimes after school activities have to be cancelled. Um, I want our student athletes to know that those decisions are not made lightly. Um, they're made with safety in mind. And so I appreciate your flexibility. I know how hard student athletes work to get on the field or on the court or in the pool. And uh just a huge thank you for that. Um congratulations to

040Connor Brown um and his recognition tonight uh for tomorrow's leader today. What a wonderful uh model of a leader and alumni of Watertown City School District. Impact aid forms uh have went out. Um, our district has used a blended model for impact 8. We've asked parents to either complete them via a QR code or a paper document. At this time, we are at 50%. Um, these documents are extremely important um for our students and different resources that are available for our military connected families. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, uh, if you could please help us out there, we would greatly appreciate it. Today we held a combined meeting with the city of Watertown with Tom Compo's department. Uh we shared with them our hazard mitigation efforts um regarding the FEMA

041project. Uh there will be multiple underground chamber systems that we are looking at to manage the storm water uh systems before [clears throat] they get to the actual storm water uh city uh drainage. There'll be a pumpout uh system that will assist with that. Um, one of the things that I've said before in these meetings is that the um, FEMA requires um, us to do everything possible to try to plan for a 500year storm. >> Sure. >> Um, that is becoming increasingly increasingly to meet that threshold. Uh, but we are working with Pella Osborne to try to get as high as we can. Um, with that being said, we are going to need to look at some infrastructure upgrades uh to make sure that uh we're securing the main campus as much as we possibly

042can. Um, right now we're we're looking at just around $7 million in mitigation efforts um to include the hazard m mitigation. We did get uh positive news last week um from New York State, so we're excited about that. They have committed to reimbursing the district 12.5% of the overall cost of the project and that's both the infrastructure and the mitigation. So that gets us up to 87.5%. So we're excited about that capital outlay project. We spoke about that today. We're looking forward to begin that project. That project voter approved um will be the indoor accessibility at North Elementary School to include a ramp um in one of their wings. And our hope is that that project project will be April 8th. The bids for that for those contractors wanting to bid that will open up

043probably the the beginning of January. So more information to come on that. Um we are moving forward with a uh energy performance contract and so the board should be expecting to see that. Uh there will be an advertisement for an RFP. Um, we're hoping to get that by the end of today and then in the coming weeks we will push that out uh through the Watertown Daily Times as we've done in the past. The capital project of the $110 million capital project um that is beginning a year early and actually just over a year early. Um we are hoping to break ground or at least mobilize the project this April and the project will commence at Ohio Elementary School and Starbucks Elementary School. As the board may recall in in prior meetings, I said that

044we're breaking the capital project into two parts um 1A and 1B and then we'll go with what the board is familiar with with project uh the phase two and phase three. Um we have invited our architects to participate in the January 6 board of education meeting to give an overview to the board of education. What I will say regarding the comment that was made in public comment today regarding the Massie Learning Center, um that was shared with the board when we had our BCS report, our building condition survey. In that survey, it highlighted all of the high priority and low priority items that were needing to be repaired. The high priority items in that building, which were clearly articulated, equaled 1.5 million. We have identified more things in that um on that property that needs

045to be repaired. Mainly the garages have some roof structure issues uh that will need to be considered. Um what we did mention with that particular building is that building does not gain aid um because there are not students in it. And so that was that was articulated and we'll continue having that conversation uh to see how the board would like to proceed with that. the um North Country Prenatal Perinatal um this is something that we're continuing in our district. Um this person works directly uh or this organization works really with Beth Mau and our preK program but not limited to preK. Um they are dedicated to strengthening maternal and family health by identifying service needs and improving access to care through community collaboration, education and referral for well-being of every woman, every child and every

046family. they have been a tremendous asset um to our new families that are joining the district in the pre-K program. So, we're excited to continue that partnership and uh that is on the board docket uh for tonight. Our wellness coach uh as you may recall from previous board meetings, that was something that uh we discussed in prior board meetings, that was actually an idea from our student advisory council. Um they were looking for a way for student athletes or extracurricular. We started off, if you recall, talking about athletes, but we have some students that are participating with extracurricular activities that are maybe not an athlete. They're um this is an opportunity if they're struggling or they need some assistance or counseling uh that they can receive that level of support. And so, it's really a

047a mediation between the coach, but they can also provide professional development um to our coaches, to our extracurricular activity sponsors. So, it's just an excellent resource. Um we know that with extracurricular activities um that they may be the reason that our students come to school every single day and happy to come to school. And so we want um our student advisory kids. Last year really thought that having this um would support our students would support our extracurricular activity sponsors or adviserss or coaches um so that we can increase the number of students that maybe are participating. Maybe they participated in a modified sport and then the kids kind of phase out. Uh this person can act as that connection to see what we can do to keep them engaged in extracurricular activities. So we're excited

048about that opportunity. The um student advisory council today had a wonderful field trip. uh we put them on a bus and took them to school today and they had the opportunity to join uh students that earned their PBIS awards at that school for positive behavior. Um and then after that they had the opportunity to read to all of the classes. Um one of the ideas of of one of our student advisory students was to collect hats and mittens for those people that may need them during the the holiday or cold season. So they on the board, one of the agenda changes for this evening is a donation of uh roughly $400 in hats and mittens that we're asking the board to approve tonight and those will be donated to North Elementary School and WY Intermediate

049School. Lastly, I would like to say on behalf of the Watertown City School District that we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for your dedication to our students and our community. And I hope all of you enjoy the time with loved ones in the weeks ahead. Thank you, Dr. Smeaggel. >> You're welcome. >> Um, we are on to agenda item number three. Items for consent agenda. >> Resolve the consent agenda items A through D are hereby approved. >> Take a motion, please. >> Melanie and a second, [snorts] >> Tina. Discussion. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Items [clears throat] for board action. Item A, approval to turn over uncollected taxes to the city and county treasurers. The school district tax collector has reported under oath that as of December 5th,

0502025 within the city of Watertown uh collected 11,154,49846 in taxes plus $6,223.93 in interest uncollected uh $984,677.81 81 within the towns of Laray, Pamilia, Rutland, and Watertown. Collected 4,580,16242 in taxes plus $868.35 in interest. Uncollected is $249,45183. Total uncollected taxes and interest of 1,234,21964. The board has reviewed this report against the original tax rules and found it to be accurate less than assessment reduction for national grid parcel 55-12-001.0000. Therefore, be it resolved, the portion of the report dealing with the unpaid taxes on properties inside the city of Watertown will be sent along with this resolution to the city controller. The portion dealing with unpaid taxes on properties outside the city of Watertown in the listed towns will be sent along with this resolution to the treasurer of Jefferson County. The city controller and the uh

051county treasurer are each authorized and directed under section 1322 of the real property tax law to collect these unpaid taxes, including all penalties and interest required by law for the properties within their jurisdictions. Each treasurer must send the money they collected minus the permitted 5% penalty they keep to the treasurer of the Watertown City School District at least once per month. Couldn't find a way to shorten that one. >> No, it's all right. >> I'll take a motion, please. [snorts] >> Colleen and Tina discussion. >> Do we [clears throat] know how that compares to past years? >> Yeah, I was going to ask right here. In 2024, the percent of the levy collected was 88.37%. In 2025, it was 87.8%. So, just about a half a percent shy from last year. >> Very. Yeah, pretty

052pretty comparable. Typically, how much do we end up collecting after that? >> Um, I know with the city they have we have um uncollected taxes back about three years, but that amount is very minimal. We collect most of it in one to two years from the city, the county, they make us hold in the spring. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Any other discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Item B, approval to turn over uncollected flower memorial library taxes to the city and county treasurers. The school district t tax collector has reported under oath that as of uh December 5th uh 2025 flower memorial taxes collected uh $69,49845 uncolcted taxes within the city of Watertown $4,39.3 in the towns of Laorray Pamellia Rutland and Watertown $1,0007 $1772.50 50 uncolcted total taxes of

053$5,5155. The board has reviewed this report against the original tax rules and found it to be accurate less the assessment reduction for the national grid parcel. Therefore, be it resolved and number one, the portion of the report concerning unpaid taxes on properties inside the city of Watertown will be sent along with the resolution to the city controller. The portion of the report concerning unpaid taxes on properties outside of the city will be sent with this resolution to the treasur of Jefferson County. The city controller and the county treasur are each authorized and directed under section 1322 of the real property tax law to collect these unpaid taxes, including all legally required penalties and interest for the properties within their jurisdictions. Each treasurer must forward the funds uh they collect uh minus the permitted 5% penalty

054they retain to the treasurer of the Watertown City School District at least once per month. >> I'll take a motion, please. >> And a second [laughter] discussion. All those in favor? >> Any oppos? Motion carries. [clears throat] Item I'm sorry. >> I didn't see approval of >> that's exciting. Uh resolved that the approval of the memorandum of understanding by between the Watertown City School District and the North Country Prenatal Perinatal Council is hereby approved. >> Motion please. >> Tina and a second. >> Melon discussion. >> I had some similar questions actually. um says it's part of the family resource center initiative. Can you provide some examples of what that entails? >> I can. Yes. Um so things like I'm just pulled up so I can answer a question. Um so when a family comes in

055if they're having food insecurity, housing issues, health care issues, things like that, they can um be basically a single point of contact for that family. Um, they also have activities so families can mingle together. Um, they have parenting courses. Those are some of the examples. I can give you a more comprehensive overview if you'd like. >> Okay. And then it also also parent advisory council. Can you give some insight on what that is or what that does? >> The parent advisory council >> that suggests potential candidates for the parent advisory council. >> I'll have to look into that, Melanie. I'm not familiar with that process. Any other discussion or questions? >> All those in favor? >> Any oppose? [clears throat] Motion carries. D. Approval of a business associate agreement. >> Resolved that the approval of

056a business associate associate agreement by and between the Watertown City School District and the North Country Family Health Center is hereby approved. >> Motion, please. Tina and a second. Melanie discussion. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Item E, approval of hazardous materials testing. Whereas after public advertising for bids for hazardous materials testing of Ohio Elementary and Starbucks Elementary, copies of specifications were furnished to three vendors and two bids were received. Whereas the firm submitting the lowest possible reasonable bid meeting the specifications for the hazardous materials testing of Ohio and Starbucks Elementary is energy and environment. Therefore, be it resolved that the hazardous materials testing of Ohio Elementary and Starbucks Elementary in the amount of $13,900 as noted in the bid is hereby approved. >> Motion, please. >> Callie in a second. >>

057Tina discussion. >> John, the only thing I [clears throat] would add to this is this is regarding the 110 capital project and is required in order for the project to move forward. >> Okay. Any other discussion? All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. [gasps] Item F, approval of single audit. >> Uh, resolve that the single audit as performed by the firm of Bowers and Company CPAs for the period ending June 30, 2025. Is hereby approved. >> Motion, please. >> Tina and a second. >> Melanie discussion. John had a piece with this. Go ahead. >> Oh, go ahead. >> Um, what I was going to add was the fact that with the single audit, I think what's difficult with these audits is that some of them are two years old, one years old.

058So, you would have recalled last year hearing these findings. Um, but not the audit. The audit was not ready. As you heard at the last board of education meeting, the federal guidance document was not ready yet for this to be submitted. So, it you have heard these findings last year and this year. And I am proud to say many of them have been addressed already with different systems that have been in place. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh item G, approval of personnel report. >> Be resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, Dr. Larry Schmegle. The board of education hereby approves the following resignations. Leave of absence appointment probationary instructional probationary instructional part-time STEM programs permanent permanent part-time tutors after school substitutes instructional substitutes

059non-instructional winter coaching co-ed student extracurricular wellness coach. >> Motion please. Tina and a second. Melon discussion. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? [clears throat] >> Motion carries. Item H, approval of administrative substitute rate. >> Result that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, Dr. Larry Smeaggel, that the daily rate of an administrator sub is $500 per day. >> Motion, please. Tina, and a second. Melon discussion. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Item I, approval to discontinue employment of a particular employee. >> Resolve that upon the recommendation of Dr. Larry Schmegel, superintendent of schools. The employment of a particular employee as presented to the board is hereby discontinued uh effective December 17th, 2025. >> Motion, please. >> Tina and second me discussion. >> All those in favor? >> Any

060opposed? Motion carries. Item J, approval of policy 2306. >> Uh, resolved that the following revised board of education policy is hereby approved and adopted. Uh, 2306 public participation at board meetings. >> Motion, please. See? >> Any discussion? >> Yeah. Um said I think that the time limit is fine. It's not anything I ever wanted to do, but that's totally fine. uh to speak to your point, I I have talked to John um about extending time periods and I think that the right person is sitting in that chair and he has he has told me that he will allow that uh and that was a big thing for me to pass um despite the changes. So, you know, it was personal to me, but I'm going to vote yes for it based on my conversations with

061him. >> Thank you. And the goal is not to cut somebody off mid thought, mid-sentence, but to be reasonable with it. If if people are going to move on to like other agenda items or other thoughts after that, then I don't want to stop that. But any other discussion? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. [clears throat] Item K, approval of hourly pay rates aligned with New York State minimum wage requirements. Where is the state of New York in enacted legislation increasing the minimum wage effect of January 1, 2026? And whereas the pursuant to this legislation, the minimum wage for workers in Jefferson County will increase to $16 per hour. And whereas the Watertown City School District is committed to providing fair and equitable uh comp compensation to its employees. Now therefore

062be resolved that the effect of January 1, 2026, the board of education of the Watertown City School District hereby approves an increase in the minimum wage of pay for all eligible employees to $16 per hour in accordance with the New York State Law and be it further resolved that the superintendent of schools or their designate is authorized to implement the wage increase and ensure compliance with the applicable laws. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Motion, please. >> Oh, you have a second. >> Thank you. Discussion. >> The only thing I would add is this is legally required in order to be in compliance with the minimum wage. Um, as of January, the board has approved these over the last couple of years to get minimum wage increased. And this will be effective January. >> Does

063this affect the salary scale? So I have to assume that would be >> No, we we did look at that Melanie. >> I think at this point all the contracts that we've signed with all of our bargaining units have them significant or not significantly but above the minimum wage at this point. >> Correct. That is accurate. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor? [clears throat] Any opposed? Motion carries. [snorts] Item L, approval of educational student trips. >> Resolve that educational student trips as presented to the board is hereby approved. >> Motion, please. Melanie and a second. Discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Uh, settle in for this list. M. Approval of a donation. >> [clears throat] >> resolved that a donation of winter coats, boots, and clothing

064items estimated approximately $300 in value to the district's uh get ready rooms uh was received from Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Amy Adams. Uh the board gratefully accepts and approves this donation which will be acknowledged in writing. >> Take a motion, please. >> Callie in a second. >> Melanie discussion. >> Thank you. >> Great. That's awesome. And we just saw all those great things that those get ready rooms are doing. So, it's a great opportunity. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. >> Item N, approval [clears throat] of a donation. >> Resolve that a generous donation from the Watertown City Fire Department for 72 winter coats for students in need in the district is gratefully accepted and approved and will be acknowledged in writing. Motion to call in a second. Melanie discussion. How

065did >> those get distributed? Do we not? >> So I the home school coordinators and myself coordinate sizes. We've been working very closely with the Watertown City Fire Department. We're very grateful. So the home school coordinators play a key role there helping us. >> So picking out specific sizes for specific kids that need them. That's awesome. >> Absolutely. >> And the fire department does this every year and uh it's just an amazing program. >> All those in favor? All right. Any opposed? Motion carries. Item O, approval of the donation. >> Resolve that a donation of $2,000 from the New Life uh church uh be accepted for Sherman Elementary. This generous contribution will help stock and sustain the get the new get ready room at Sherman Elementary, primarily to purchase coats and boots for students in

066need at the school. This board uh gratefully accepts and approves this donation which will be acknowledged in writing. >> Motion please. Melanie and Tina discussion. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Item P, approval of a donation slashgrant. uh resolve that a donation on behalf of the uh community support fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation for $1,500 uh designated as support for the hygiene essentials at Watertown High School. Uh this generous uh donation is gratefully accepted and approved and will be acknowledged in writing. >> Motion please and a second. Melon discussion. All those in favor? >> Any opposed? >> And one obstension. I was getting there. >> Motion carries. Item Q, approval of a donation grant. >> Resolved that a donation grant on behalf of the Northern New York Community Foundation

067for $500 designated as support for the Watertown High School Technology and Science Club. This generous uh donation is gratefully accepted and approved and will be acknowledged in writing. >> Motion, please. >> Tina and Melanie discussion. >> All [clears throat] those in favor? >> Any oppos? >> Any [laughter] for scholarship spot? As long as they know that. >> Okay. Yep. They do on their end. Okay. Item R, approval of a donation slashgrant. >> Resolve that a donation grant on behalf of the Bruce W. Dory Memorial Fund for the Northern New York Community Foundation for $1,492.50 designated as support for the Watertown High Forensics classes. Uh, this very generous donation is gratefully accepted and approved and will be acknowledged in writing. >> Motion, please. Melody and a second Tina discussion. >> I would love to hear more

068about this club at some point. I saw that they're on social media. I don't know recently. I'm just intrigued by it. >> I mean, honestly, it's science obviously is not my thing as a history teacher, but um yeah, I think it sounds interesting. So, we'll get it on the docket sometime in the future. Any other discussion? >> I'll just add that this is the first year it's been awarded since Mr. Jordan passed away and I can vouch for the fact how much it's meant to be family and they actually went to the school this past week presented it for the first time. So really meaningful for them and make up their loss. So >> amazing >> very generous. Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Take that. One obstension. And item S,

069approval of a donation. >> We saw that a donation of several new hats, mittens, and socks from the Superintendent Student Advisory. This generous donation estimated at approximately $400 will be distributed to North Elementary in HTY students. The board gratefully accepts and approves this donation, which will be acknowledged in writing. Motion, please. Callie in a second. Melanie discussion. >> I just want to say in general, you look at that list of donations and we just we have a phenomenal community that when they see a need, they they fill that need and we're just very appreciative. Our students are very appreciative. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion carries. >> It's the end of the resolution. >> All right. Running out of letters there. Uh our second public comment session. Anything um non-aggenda related?

070>> Yes sir. >> Good evening. >> I'm not accustomed to making comments. I've been here for several meetings and uh I would and for the most part people are 20 feet 30 feet away from you [snorts] when you people talk most of you talk as if you are speaking to the person next to you and is and if there's any background noise at all [snorts] it is impossible to hear you. people take time out of their schedule to come here, participate, make comments, and observe what's going on. We would appreciate your speaking up. Many of you are teachers. Use your outdoor voice. Speak to the person 20, 30 feet away, not the person next to you. I appreciate it. [snorts] >> Thank you for your comment. We will definitely work on that. Really? >> Okay.

071Um, thank you for saying that cuz that was one of the first things I was going to say. And maybe I should make a suggestion that you I know you have microphones for the streaming, but it would be really nice if [snorts] you had microphones so everyone in the room could hear because when the rooms are packed, you can't hear anything. And even some people complain that in the streaming you can't hear. And you guys talk really soft like all of you. No one has a big mouth like me. Like my voice is loud and no one's voice is loud like mine. So you can't really hear you. So I appreciate you saying that because it is very frustrating when you're trying to figure out and you guys say important things and everyone should hear

072it. So if you have a soft voice like Melanie, like I don't think she can scream. So I would suggest that you get a microphone. The other thing that I suggested to Jeff Wood a couple couple of months ago is it's really embarrassing that when people watch the streaming they're looking at my back like we are our technology is way too advanced for that. We really should have and and I actually spoke to him and he's like, "Well, you know, maybe we could get another camera to look from that." That's what you should do when you go to the city council meetings. You can see the person speaking like it's so rude that people and they can hear me cuz I'm loud, but they're looking at my back and that's just not appropriate. So, I

073think that we need to fix that. Okay. Just the the the um just the the vision on that is really not good. accepting. Um, another thing is, you know, I want I want to really emphasize that the reason that I come is because I want to give constructive criticism. There are people who don't want to hear what I have to say. That's fine. But you guys don't have a choice. I'm here. You got to listen to me. And so, I'm giving you constructive criticism because I really feel that we always can be better. Brandy always says that we should be better. We can do better. So, these are the reasons why I bring up my points. It's not to ding people. It's not to stand up here and put people down. It's just that we

074can all do better. So, I'm just going to preface that because some of the things I'm going to say are going to be a little harsh. Um, the reports, when you guys give your reports, it would really be appreciated if you were more specific like you very you give. You don't even name the policies. You just give numbers. And most people don't even know what policy numbers are. Most people don't even know that they can go on the website and look at a policy number. So it would be very nice. You spend a lot of time. You take the time to review it. You take the time to read it. You take the time to put some thought. You want to make people understand that. So it would be nice if you guys when you

075give your reports from your committees, you're a little bit more specific about that. Um I'm not sure how many people on the board know. Well, I I guess you should know. If you don't know, you're going to hear it now, but um we had a parent who presented a foil request and she received a letter from the district saying that if she wanted that foil request um completed, she had to pay $1,300. And [snorts] then that letter quoted a New York um law that substantiates that. So, I'm going to tell you right now, I read that law and I've also talked to a bunch of people and that the e the explanation of that law in that letter was stretched. You cannot charge people money to um Am I saying something you don't like? Okay.

076Cuz I thought you were going to say it cuz I feel like you're getting anxious. Okay. Cuz I'm not. Okay. Oh, no. I I just thought maybe I was saying something that you felt was inappropriate. You cannot charge people for collecting information that is already readily available. In that letter, it was specified that it was going to exceed 2 hours and the minimum payment was $33 for the person that could do that. You cannot do that. The information that was requested is already part of documentation. It was emails. It was policies. It's curriculum. That person did not ask anybody in the district to go and find stuff. It's already there. So, for it to take two more than two hours, maybe, maybe not, but you're charging $1,310, that is not a common practice in the

077city of New in the city of Watertown. If that was a practice, my husband and I would be bankrupt because Jeff Smith has foiled a ton of stuff from the city and we would be bankrupt. That is not community effort. That is not prudent to ask someone, especially with our socioeconomic status, to say you need to pay $1,300 before we give you your foil request. So, I don't know how many of you on the board know that, but that is not being community friendly, and I would ask that you guys look into that because that is not appropriate. Um on the October report ending October 31st, 2025 on line item 1420, the total legal budget was $190,000 and the adjustments of $2.1 million adjusted bud budget of $2.3 million was made [snorts] with a available

078balance of $17,000. That's a huge adjustment and I think that that adjustment deserves an explanation given the fact that the word legal is thrown around like of someone's middle name. Everything that we talk about here goes to our legal represent everything. >> I'll be happy to explain it right now. We had some settlements that had to go out. >> Okay. >> Those were settlements >> and Yep. probably the settlement that was introduced at the beginning of September for $3 million. Okay, perfect explanation. However, it is concerning and that settlement was a good one because that's been going on since the 1960s. Like that was totally acceptable and finally finally that was settled. However, the concern lies in this. We have several pending litigations And those legal costs are going to continue to go up. And

079my comment about that is that the pending litigations, and I said this when I was on the board, we can always resolve things at the lowest level. But because we don't have conversations, because we're not open to communication, because we're not transparent, then people feel that the next line of item is to go to an attorney. The two pending litigations for UPK and the art thing should have been resolved at the lowest level and it wasn't. And you know why that bothers me? Cuz it's our taxpayer dollars. We are all everyone in this room is paying for that. And yet our superintendent makes a comment at the last board meeting that the reason why he [snorts] or the board or anybody doesn't comment to the media is because sometimes you can't say certain things. Well,

080yes, we understand that. But it's zero communication. And you know what happens when you don't communicate? Then people start rumors. People make assumptions. People just make stories up all the time. I get phone calls about stories that are crazy and I'm like, "No, that's not true. That's not true." So, there is there are some parameters and when you know the media, Channel 7 um and other media outlets call to talk and there's no response, it looks really bad on this board. Now, I know there's a rule and un you know some rule that only the president's allowed to talk. That's fine. But do you get phone calls from the media, John? >> Sometimes. >> Do you answer all of them? Because I've seen you on TV once. >> When I'm capable, when I'm able. Yes.

081>> So, but it's not just I mean other people, too. But the thing is is that, you know, we should be talking to the public. We should be informing the public of what's going on. They have information. They have all the access to the information, but there's never any feedback from anybody on the board or even any of the district leaders. None of the district and I know this for a fact. District leaders have been called and they have no comment. I think there needs to be a changing culture of that. You're probably not going to listen to me, but I'm going to make it public that I think that people should be talking more so that we can have open conversation and at least we can have some transparency in what's going on in

082the community. That's my comment about that. um the audits. So, we had the audits done by Bowers and I don't know how many people looked at that. It was 17 pages long. I know they did a presentation. I wasn't here, but I listened to the whole thing. And I'm not sure if the board realizes that really the audit the take-home message there for me was that the board has a lot of responsibility. The board really um is not providing the fiscal oversight that you are obligated to do by your duties. You have three jobs. Fiscal responsibility, drive policy, and evaluate the superintendent. That's what your job is. And you guys are really not doing that because what came out in those reports is telling that the board is not providing fiscal oversight and that's not

083fair to anybody because that's a lot of responsibility on Brie. But this is why we have a check and balance system and this is why we have a board and if the board is not doing their job, it's not fair. It really isn't because you can't expect one person to be completely intact and immune from making errors. So that is not that is my comment right now is actually supportive of Brienne because I think that she has a huge responsibility. But you guys really need to start looking at those numbers because it's a big deal. For example, you guys were dinged because you there was 14 reserve accounts set up and there was no documentation and no policies written about it. So then it was brought to your attention. So then they retro put the

084policies together, put the documentation and that was was brought to October 21st meeting and you guys corrected that and that's great that you corrected it. But why are they setting up reserve accounts without board approval or knowledge? That is part of your responsibility as a board to see where the money is going. This district has a lot of money. We're very blessed to have that. We have great cushions in our general fund. So, I would caution all of you. You really need to step take a step back and look at what you're how much you're putting into your fiscal responsibility of your duties. Paying bills on time. We got dinged for not paying our bills on time. Was that addressed and corrected? Yes. But we shouldn't be that that should not happen. Um I'm going

085to bring that up later. So the Questar report so the Questar report was a title grant audit report. And if anybody took the time to look at this, they had nine things with observations and risk. Two of them are high, which is the maximum, and the rest of them were medium. And some of these things have been were brought up the year before and they still haven't been corrected. That's another one of our responsibilities as a board member. You should be looking at these. Who's who is driving this car here? Who is looking at this? Whose responsibility is it to look at these audit reports and say, "Okay, we someone needs to be driving this bus and we're going to go back and rectify." I don't know the answer to that, but that is a

086problem and I'm bringing that up to you guys. In the assessment, the annual risk assessment, we had three items that went from moderate on in 2024 to the current year being moderate to high. And those were purchasing. So confirming purchase orders, there's a deficiency there. There's a deficiency in the assets transfer form. So, what they're doing is they are transferring equipment or um furniture from one building to the other and they're not filling out the proper paperwork. That seems like a little, you know, small, but it's a big deal because you get dinged on it on an audit. And the other thing was there's there was no inventory control forms. These things have already been raised before. They're not being corrected. So, I'd like to bring that to your attention. um rolling out. Thank you,

087Randy Richardson. We got a lot of phone calls. I don't know if you did, John, or anybody else on the board, but people in this community were very upset about the fact that the school district is now collecting tax school taxes. >> [clears throat] >> Not so much because the district is collecting the taxes, but the question was why the change and the rolling out of that was very poor. There was very poor information to the community. Yes, I know Dr. Schmegel will say that it was said at some meeting and I actually do recall some in some form, but that's not the point. The point is that the community had no idea. And then it went on the website and there people didn't even know that they could play pay online. People called Randy

088Richardson and within 24 hours it was fixed. But my question is fiscally like are we being fiscally responsible? That's a big job. Why was it changed? The city was doing a great job or not. I don't know. Nobody talks about it. Like so we took on more responsibility in our business office as though our business office doesn't have enough to do and the whole thing was a disaster because people were blaming each other cuz the money um people were getting bills it was incorrect and then they said no the city gave us the wrong amount no the school district screwed up like it was a mess. Now of course the rolling out maybe it'll get ironed out maybe it will be fixed but I think the community deserves to understand why that changed. I don't

089think anybody on this board knows why that change took place. I certainly never heard anything about it. So, I think that, you know, these things that I'm bringing up are really important. And I know, John, I appreciate that you pay close attention to the things that I bring forth. And I do appreciate I do appreciate Dr. answering all my questions, answered every single one of them, and that's all it takes. It's just communication. We need to learn how to be more transparent and communicate better with one another. Thank you. >> Thank you. [snorts] >> Anybody else for public comment? >> Items for discussion and information. A substitute pay rate increases. Dr. Wheeler, you want to kick that one off? >> Yes, thank you. Um, in looking at trying to increase our substitute coverage rate in

090the district, we were looking um throughout the region. We have 18 districts throughout our region. We are trying to look at what the minimum uh hiring rates are for those substitute positions. Um, there should be a uh one pager in front of you that you have. Tina's going to walk you through um some of those hiring rates that we would like to recommend to the board. We're not asking the board to make a decision tonight. However, we would like to bring it back for board action at a future meeting. >> Thank you. So, you'll have the the onepage handout. There's a chart at the top and this nicely outlines um each of the sub positions in our district uh in the first column and in the second column. We chose two districts who are comparable

091in size in our 18 school district region here in our area. You can see the the disparities there and then the proposed increase is to the far right. And I just have a little narrative that I'd like to explain. Um the last time that we looked at our sub rates, the board of education was back on January 1st of 2023. So we're almost at year three of the the increases. And since 2020, uh back in 2020, only five years ago, almost six, it was 1250 an hour. Um and back in 24 actually in 22 it was 1420 per hour and then it went up to 1550 cent increases uh and now we have uh $16 per hour. So the the minimum wage has gone up approximately dollar80 by in terms of the last time it

092was raised. So substitute rates were last increased as I said on January 1st of 2023. Since that time, the state minimum wage has risen by $180 per hour, and the district has experienced continued pressure in recruiting and retaining substitute staff across all roles. The proposed adjustments are intended to keep the district competitive with similarly sized regional districts, address ongoing substitute shortages that impact daily operations, and support instructional continuity for students. Enhanced rates, particularly for long-term subs, certified teachers, and nursing staff, reflect both expanded responsibilities and current regional labor market demands. As the largest school district in the region, our district requires significantly more daily substitute coverage than neighboring districts while competing in the same labor market. Competitive pay is essential to ensure reliable staffing for classrooms and essential services, reducing internal coverage demands, and protecting

093instructional time. Overall, the proposal increases a strategic in represents a strategic investment that advances our district strategic action plan by supporting attendance, engagement, safe learning environments, and consistent student learning. And in looking at our daily sub rates, fill rates, we're some days we're we're about half in non-instructional. We're only able to fill about 50% of absences with subs, especially in our non-instructional food service, maintenance, custodial, um, aids, TAs. So, we feel that, you know, taking a look at this chart, hopefully this will be some good information for the board to look at in comparison with the other two top districts uh, size-wise in our region. Does anybody have any questions on the information? >> How often do we go where we have a position that we need a sub for that doesn't get filled? >>

094Sometimes we can go where we have to like a permanent >> I'm thinking like daytoday >> like dayto day uh sometimes it can be John it depends um sometimes looking at our food service department we go for a few weeks and we have to internally cover those positions. Um, it depends. You know, sometimes we're going day to day, sometimes it could be upwards of weeks to to a month. >> What we're trying to avoid is >> Sorry, go ahead. Go ahead, [clears throat] >> Dr. What we're trying to avoid is is people that live in our community that are choosing to drive out of the community to sub elsewhere. Um, we did do a substitute uh teacher kickoff at the beginning of this year um with Tina's department in Boseis. Uh, that was wellreceived. We're

095going to be looking at doing a mid-year check-in uh with those individuals to see uh what training they found appropriate, what continued training they would like. Um but at the end of the day, we would like to recommend to the board um a daily rate that's competitive. >> I also should mention too that when we looked at the proposals in the far right, we have to be, you know, very vigilant of what our starting rates are for many of our, you know, many of our positions in our district. So you'll see, you know, a little bit of difference in the numbers here, but we had to really take a look at our minimum starting rates for those positions that are that are permanent in our district. We had to consider that as well. >> Tina,

096my question is since January of 23 when you raised it, Mr. Halbert, can you hear me? >> I [laughter] making a conscious for a second. since January of 23 and I remember that increase very clearly. Have you [clears throat] have you found that more substitute positions are occupied than prior? Because I remember our rate of pay was very low. >> It was. >> So did this make in a two-year would you say that it made a noticeable change? >> It did until the other larger districts in our area then looked at what we it's a constant kind of competition Jason. So initially yes it did. Um but when we look at let's say for a cleaner uh the the two other larger districts in our area they outweigh as you can see here. So initially

097it does do that but over the long run we have to look at this and adjust accordingly. >> So it's not necessarily about compliance [clears throat] but it's about retaining subs on a long-term goal. >> Yes. Yes. And what we're looking to do too is uh we we consider it a win-win with our substitutes especially teachers. We've seen it in maintenance, custodial, food service. Those substitutes, we're g we're giving them a trial run and they're giving us a trial run as well. We're creating a good first impression for them. So, we're trying to really grow from within and substitutes are a great way to do that as well. >> The other thing I'll just highlight uh on the sheet that you have in front of you is that all but one of our hourly rates

098or daily rates is actually above the other district. Most of them are below. Tina, is it fair to say that other districts not in our same size would be similar in comparison to these numbers or maybe you don't know I mean but I'm just wondering if [clears throat] you know closer districts that are guessing river that's you have to drive 30 miles to get there versus general brown which is 10 [clears throat] >> right >> do we know that or is that just do we not we believe We took the closest look at the the two other larger districts in the area. I >> I could tell you without a doubt that the smaller districts, your your class D size schools, the Copenhagen, Leaf Farills, the lines are significantly lower than that. >> Lower than

099ours now. >> Significantly. >> Okay. >> But we also don't have the pool and it's we oftentimes do not have certified teachers as substitutes in classrooms, which I do not think is a good idea. Any other questions, comments? >> Okay, [clears throat] >> John, with that being said, would it be okay to put it on the board agenda for board action at the next meeting, the January 6 meeting? >> Any objections? >> Sounds good. >> Okay, sounds like a plan, Dr. Smeaggel. >> Thank you. All [snorts] right, upcoming dates. Superintendent Conference Day, no school on Monday, December 22nd. Holiday recess will start on Tuesday, December 23rd, and run until Friday, January 2nd. School resumes on Monday, January 5th of 2026. 12-month employees will have a 2-hour early release on Wednesday, December 31st. All buildings will

100be closed Thursday, January 1st for New Year's. And then we're first meeting of the new year, FAFSA committee meeting in the district office on Tuesday, January 6th at 5:00 pm, followed by our regular board of education meeting uh at 6 pm in the district office. Um a look around the district. Tina, you [laughter and clears throat] want to start? >> I just want to thank foring us for the great little concert you gave and just Um, I went to a couple Christmas concerts and I have to give a huge shout out to our music department. They were phenomenal. They really were great. So, kudos to the music department. Um, I was lucky enough to get into cakes to wrap gifts, which I will be there again tomorrow, the next day. And I told the kids

101that if their parents had any complaints about the just tell them that [clears throat] um so when I was there I had heard from two different students um that there was one student last year [clears throat] second was out all the time. Um, we joked with her brother that, you know, we needed to get her on the right track because his attendance was great and she just didn't [clears throat] want to come. She didn't come. So, this year her attendance is stellar, but she is now playing two sports. That is the only reason that this child comes to school is two sports. And I was I was a little sad about that, but I was just so grateful that we have that to offer these kids, you know, for for something that really excites them.

102And another on that same thing, another boy was standing there and he was all excited because he had and I said, "I love the bowling team." He goes, "I love the bowling team." He goes, "I was too late to get on there last year, but I surely need it this year." So just kudos for the sports and the different sports that we offer our students because sometimes that really is what makes them happy. So that was that was um I want to thank everybody for the gifts that we have in front of us. Wonderful. And I just want to wish everybody a very merry Christmas and a very prosperous >> Caleb. >> I would like to thank for hosting the student advisory council at to uh read just the students. We serve cocoa kitty cakes.

103I'm not sure what other students did, but my class and I sang Christmas carols while we get all chocolate. I would like to thank Sherman for creating a berry for being, you know, debut. This is my second time we'll be being here in Sherman. So, I'm very excited. I'm also thankful for having you guys here. Can't wait to see you guys next year. >> It's going to be next year. Thanks, [clears throat] Jason. >> Um, [clears throat] all right. First of all, John, thank you for calling it a look around the district. That's what the title should be. I had to get the little plug in there. Um, [snorts] I want to thank Dr. Schmegel and Willie Smith in the same sentence. It's not an impossible thing, even though that's an impossible thought. It's very

104easy. And I'd like to applaud Dr. Shel for just responding questions that she asked. And I've been here since Melie has been coming for day one. And what she just said, nobody can even have their feelings hurt about. I think that that's an important evolution to this board and I think that we'll continue to evolve. I saw it tonight and I was shocked and that's phenomenal. So let's keep moving in that direction. Um, Tara Elmer made these ornaments for us. Is that right, Terra Elmer? Yes. Okay. If that's what I really look like, [laughter] I think it's phenomenal. >> They're amazing. >> It's a great ornament. I'm going to put that on a auction or something someday. >> You got to sign it first. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um, >> I'm going to turn mine into

105a belt buckle. [laughter] >> Mrs. Lev, uh, she's still here. Yes. and all involved in the get ready room. That's that's phenomenal. My son had Mrs. Licker. Uh so she's always been close to my family. But I think that's just a great idea just like Connor Browns and that's what makes our school district different is coming up with these great ideas and enforcing them. So let's continue to do that. Great work. Um Jennifer Haynes, I know her as Jennifer Bolter. Comes from a great family. The bolters were like a staple in local theater when I was growing up the best [clears throat] and the performance that those kids did tonight was worthy of like a font last name and that's [clears throat] the highest title that or the highest compliment I can give someone. Uh

106so applause to her. And finally, um, the group over here, uh, of Emma, Thomas, Titus, Evan, Johnny, and Nolan, who were here on behalf of the Sherman PTO. It's great that they gave up a night so close to the holiday when they're excited to be here and to make our lives easier. So, thank you. That's all. >> Well said. Great. First [clears throat] on the public comment piece. I might be one of those strange people who actually enjoy public comment. So I think it's a really important part of what we do. I think this policy change is minimal. Um as it was said, it really just tweaks the the time limit, but uh every time someone gets up and speaks, wherever they are, whatever they are, it always makes me think and there's always something

107that comes out of it that I know I can do a better job at. So, we always want to make that a welcoming experience and inviting. Um, and to Mr. Holet's comments, I'm thinking of that meeting we had at North, I couldn't even hear my colleagues talking. Um, and we, you know, we do cater to in some respects [clears throat] the streaming, but we have people that make the effort to come be here and they can't hear. So, I mean, that doesn't make sense. So, I think we should look at possibly even having some type of amplification when we're speaking. If not at the district office, then we're when we're at schools where I think it is a little harder to hear. I'd be all in favor of that. I if we can have a

108clock, we can have something where you can hear too. So, um that's blinding by the way. That's that's I feel like I in the pool. Anyway, um so there's that. Mrs. Man, you do such a good job here. Sh. This is my alma mater. I always love coming back here. I'm looking at those students and I was just there. I can't believe [laughter] and and I'm old. But you really create a great culture here. It's clearly a family environment and you're you're making all the alumni of Sherman very proud. So keep up the good work. Merry Christmas to all of you and your school and all my colleagues and anyone tonight. >> Thank you Melanie. Um, thank you for having us and Sherman is very lucky to have you, Mrs. Lonnet. Um, thank you for

109presenting on the get ready rooms. It is such a great opportunity um for the kids here at Sherman and across the district, the buildings that have it. Um, you would be surprised what you know a ponytail can do for a girl's day. So, um it seems like such a little thing, but it's so huge in the scope of the day. Um I also had the opportunity to watch Sherman's um Christmas concert last week, which was so fun. Um the light show I was not expecting in that big auditorium, but I should not have been surprised by the number of people there that night or there or here tonight because Sherman certainly has a following and a family um feel to it. So, I think your families appreciate you. If you don't know, they do. Um

110yeah, and that's it. >> Um not a lot to say. Just to congratulate um Conor Brown one more time. It's going to be fun to see where he is in 10 years. >> Absolutely. >> Um remarkable young man. Um and just thank Sherman just on it. um PTA students and staff. Um and since I'm old and tend to repeat myself, I will say it again [snorts] this year. My kids went to Sherman. Um [clears throat] so it's fun to come back every year. Um and see that it's the same only because of the leadership and the and the staff. It just keeps getting better. Happy holidays to everyone. >> Thank not gonna forget tonight. [laughter] So for those of you that don't know, Dr. Amy Gharts gives me something to share with all of you

111every board meeting and uh like a knucklehead I forget every single time. And so tonight I am not forgetting. [cough] Dr. Ghartz wants to share a small group of parents has come together with a goal of supporting those parents who have had a child with special needs. The first edition of our newsletter, Navigating Special Education for Parents, will be published in both hard copy and digital format by December 19th in time for the holiday break. The focus for this edition will be on annual review meetings and what to expect at a CSE meeting. This group is very passionate about this mission. The goal is to publish a total of three newsletters this year as well as create a resource page on the Watertown District website by spring. We invite parents to join us and contribute

112their knowledge, expertise, and experiences to the newsletter. Feel free feel free to reach out to Dr. Amy Gearart's if you are interested. So, good stuff. Thank you, Dr. Amy. Um, I was able to attend several of the musical performances. I don't know that we could have packed any more people into the auditorium for the Case uh Christmas show and the Watertown High School Christmas show. Um, plus we've got groups that are going out into the community and doing some outreach into some of the places where u we've got some some families and some of our elderly that can't make it to um our stage. So, that's wonderful. [snorts] A huge shout out to Lorie Fonts for all of her efforts uh behind the scenes for the Christmas parade. Uh, and thank you to everybody that

113was able to make it. Um, Mother Nature didn't snow on us, but it was a little chilly. Uh, and to Mr. Shanley for all of his work [clears throat] on the van and the audio, and it sounded great and it looked great. Uh, and it's always so much fun to, uh, to be a part of that. Um, uh, Mrs. Monet, thank you so much. You guys always roll out the best welcome mats to the board of education. We love being here. Your kids are amazing. Um, we appreciate you so much and thank you for just the the warmest possible welcome we could have had. And then just happy holidays to everybody, however you celebrate. Um, please enjoy the holidays. Please enjoy the time off with your children. Um, and um, you know, um, you know,

114make the best of the time that we have. So, merry Christmas and happy holidays to everybody out there and all of my board members and all of our administration. You are greatly greatly appreciated. And with that, we have a proposed executive session for the purpose to review the employment contract of a specific employee and legal advice for consulting with an attorney under attorney client privilege. Can I get a motion to go into executive session, please? Tina, and a second. Melanie discussion. All those in favor?