00128 motion by and a second. Second by Derek. All in favor? >> And we can stand for a pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation indivisible and justice for all. The first item is minutes and the approval of the minutes held on July 1, 2025 for the reorganization. A motion to approve the minutes as presented. >> Motion by Frank, a second. >> A second by Elen. Okay. Ken, how do you vote? Yes. Patty, yes. Derek, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Rebecca, >> yes. Elaine, >> yes. >> Derek's abstain. Okay. And I'm a yes. Motion carries. The next is the minutes held on July 1 for the regular board meeting. Can I get a motion to approve the minutes as presented? >>
002Motion by Frank. A second. >> Second. Second by Rebecca. Okay. Elaine, have you vote? >> Yes. >> Rebecca, yes. >> Yes. >> Derek, >> Penny, >> yes. >> And Kim, yes. >> The next item is public comment on the consent agenda items. >> No. Any public comment consent agenda items? Okay, we will move on to the consent agenda items. We have uh six A through S with TV in the approval of the consent agenda items. Any items to be pulled, F and D? I had a question about Okay. So, we will pull D and F. So we'll have A through C, E, G through S, and then we'll not the other ones discussion. >> Can I get Oh, wait. Sorry. How about G, not F. >> Okay. So you want G. >> Yeah. Not F.
003>> Okay. So it's A through F, H or sorry, A through C, E and F, H through S. You got that, D? Okay. >> All right. Can we get a motion to approve those that I just named? >> A motion by Frank. A second. >> Second by Penny. Kimbo. >> Yes. >> Uh Penny. >> Yes. >> Derek, >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> Rebecca, >> yes. >> Elaine, >> yes. >> And yes. Okay. So, we will start with D, the approval of the districtwide safety plan. And Kim asked for that to be possible. So, I just had a question about it was page okay a question on the districtwide safety plan. I believe was page 11. Um it's about if there's another public health emergency or pandemic of any kind. um it still lists
004CO 19 as like sort of important which I sort of feel like it's not that important anymore. I mean it feels like our policy sounds sort of dated if it's just listing CO 19. I feel like there should just be a general like if there's a public health emergency or if there is a pandemic um that it doesn't need to be listed separately. So, are you asking for your medical? Oh, sorry. Let's see if this works. >> They should be turned. You can turn them on. >> Does that work? >> Yeah. There's four bulleted items. you're referring to Kim. >> Yeah, there might be other >> and it lists out CO 19 and I think Kim is asking for that instead of being CO 19 to be any um medical pandemic. Yeah, like I said,
005it just feels outdated and it would be like if we had a measles outbreak five years ago, but we're still listing it as like it exists or it's a possibility. Um because there is CO 19 out there right now, but it's not an emergency. It's not considered a pandemic anymore. Again, it just feels dated and I felt like it should just have a little more broad title rather than just listing that instead of any other virus or infection. >> I would check with Tim on this, but I believe there's a possibility if it were to flare up again due to fact that we had experienced it. Um we do have to approve district saf by the 1st September September. We certainly could pull it right now and talk to Tim and ask uh his input
006on it. We have to make sure we have time to get approval for it. And first person that like does somebody write it or does somebody like >> we work with Kim B reviews district >> I mean it's not super important that you know if everybody else wants to go back >> I think those are just examples >> I think it's best example because of course of past history that went through it in case it were to happen again that's my understanding of it >> to your point though you know we could give you other examples of any infectious disease But I can certainly ask him how right now we just have to have it adopted by the first cover. >> Well, there's a there's there's an appendix that has the infectious disease preparedness and
007response plan. So, I mean, it's it's covering all infectious >> It's covering all infectious diseases. So, yeah, I mean, we don't have to have CO 19 as a specific example listed, but I believe there's another appendix that actually that said bloodborne diseases or something and I don't know why they have to be separate because it seems like plans are almost identical in terms of how it's going to be addressed. I just comment the only thing I would just mention is the timing of it is that we had brought up last month and that we have the time to adjust it. So it's getting we're getting tighter on to adjust it. I still think we can adjust it just to make sure that we have a meeting. >> I think I wrote it down for legality.
008Yeah, it can be redundant. It's not the end of the world. It has to get tweaked, remove it, update it. We know it's updated. Yes. Approve. >> So we can approve and then update >> As required. Yeah. >> Probably revisit it. >> Yeah. >> Do you want it back on the agenda for approving now and for September? if it can be just amended for September as is a question about 19 language whether that needs to be there or not question and then if it's if it's not required to be there we can amend it back for September allowed to adopt at least they are required to and put an amendment up next that works >> y >> all right Frank has a motion for de approval of the districtwide safety plan a Second. I'll second
009by Rebecca. >> Yes. >> Rebecca. Yes. Frank. >> Yes. And you're moving on to the code of conduct for the Berlin Middle School. >> Um so I just wanted to address it's on page eight. Um and it's category two behaviors issues. Um the first box says academic dishonesty cheating plagiarism uh use using force or information to use another person's work forcing someone to do your assignments repeatedly not citing the source of your work. This is the only place where um academic cheating or dishonesty is actually spoken about in in this entire 84 page document that I could find, you know, reading it. It's a lot to read. Um and I it just seems like it's a really big deal. Kids are cheating and and not doing the work and especially with AI being such an
010issue and chat GPD and everything. I I feel like there just should be more language specific to how easy it is now for kids to cheat. And I mean, obviously, we'd have responses here of what would happen if they're if they are cheating. But I think that um maybe this isn't maybe the code of conduct isn't the place. Maybe it's policy that's more specific to, you know, to what cheating is and the use of AI for cheating. But um I just I I guess I wanted Ken to comment on this subject. >> First off, my thoughts the same with AI right now and how much is out there with kids to be able to achieve legs. Um actually we were talking today Dave and I and I and Joey regarding social media policy. I think
011it ties into this as well. One of the things we noticed over the summer I noticed through district audit of our our dad is that we don't have a social media policy which is was recommended to us. So I've asked the principles to work with their share decision making teams to develop one. I I foresee this being a possible offshoot of that to also be going into the AI piece because it definitely ties into technology can be incorporated into that as well. We are thinking through the handbooks to do that. Certainly there could be a broader discussion with the board in terms of district policy but minimally there is some work that was being done here during the school year once teachers are back to to work on some of those type of items. So
012I do agree. I think you can read something definitely strengthen more language there because it's no doubt as prevalent. Dave, anything you want to add to that? >> Yes, I appreciate that. Um the social media handbook that we're creating now will have a lot more in there about uh academic dishonesty, plagiarism, i.e. AI, but not even just AI. students going on the internet to do their homework or you know chat to you all that stuff. So we you'll see much more robust explanation of social media [Music] in terms of consequence especially with the rates when kids do it you know are they getting zero but there's a chance to do it again and lose credit you know points be more specific it's pretty general right now what I can see here and that may cause
013confusion with how the outcome is handled for different students. >> Um so the first week I'll meet with the building level team and uh it's a shared uh decision making group um and we'll bring it up. Uh to be very honest with you there's a mixed uh feeling. Some people think uh we should be very harsh. Some think that we should have a tiered approach. Um I personally think we should have a tiered approach towards it. Um but we'll work together and in the next meeting if you want I could definitely give a lot more about it working with Mr. Bzo and Mr. has more information about that. So you're you're saying that right now there isn't really a policy about using AI when it's sort of generally considered cheating or not. It is. We
014had a couple of situations last year um isolated in a sense. I can think of one where a student uh wrote a paper uh it was definitely from AI. Um and working with the teacher um they allowed the students to do it over. Um there was some penalty in terms of the final grade but you know we worked with the student uh I believe Mr. shorted in terms of restorative practices in terms of achieving the negative implications of um we if you notice we are going to a much more restorative approach in terms of trying not to make it punitive but that students would learn from it. Certainly everybody has to be held accountable. Um but we're trying to reach our students multiple ways. What I don't want to be very honest with you is
015that somebody makes a mistake and right away we we hit them hard and we get the feet involved. We want them to learn from it and build upon it. And you know it's multiple times and that's a different story. But the first time you want them to understand why it's a problem and then work with them. >> I just I agree with you educational. I would just say we should probably look at just getting AI in there someplace because I don't see it there as a starting point at least have discussion around it adding language work but it needs to come back with some updates. that's necessary. >> It determines if it is part of the code of conduct or policy, right? So, if it's part of the code of conduct, it'll have to come
016back. If the district implements the policy, then it's a policy and you'll go through the green process, >> right? Like it may not be the appropriate time to talk about it in the code of conduct. I don't know if it's it's not very strong language. doing it's one paragraph talking about cheating basically in a huge document but maybe that's enough for now to pass it through and then professor more policy >> but it's buried in the policy it won't be there in front of the students to see in in the >> well the handbook is another thing too this is right >> yes it can match up with the policy if you want to reach out to this book and get some sample policies from them for discussion >> because we have lots of policies
017people forget about hear yours up front all the time. I think that's what you're looking for. >> I'd rather have a districtwide policy so it is consistent for the elementary and the high school kids. Elementary kids have access and they know how to use >> and in the code of conduct in there they can see it. >> I also show that does that help to have district policy to align with? >> Absolutely. because everything that we have >> and like you said be consistent because you're right our older bra using a lot really that's what we're we're doing most of the teaching and teaching it's how you know AI is good but we have to teach them how to use it in certain ways not just >> right it can be a tool but there
018also should be maybe some social stigma over the use of it you know where peers aren't sort of bragging about using it. There's, you know, it's not something that they're they should be broadcasting because, you know, there could be serious consequences and maybe even social conse within their peers if it's developed into the social media handbook that us. But I guess whatever the board would like us to do we can do. I think if we get the district policy as the direction we can then look to align it maybe general language right now as an example in the handbook to say I included as plagiarism as example and later on once the district policies in place then maybe more closely aligning that makes sense some of the board wants to hearing wants to explore policy
019>> so can it both be in a policy like it's a policy and it's in a handbook but also be part of the code of conduct or it has like it Yeah, it could be >> so many things. >> I just think however we do it, it needs to be consistent. So our fourth and fifth graders in elementary school are used to the same policy when they trans. >> And I'm not sure if the social media bracket is the place to put it because it's not really social media. It's using your computer, but it's not the social media platform necessarily that you're using, right? Maybe it is. I don't think so, though. It's not like they're two different >> They're two different things, right? I mean it's more just technology using technology >> it would
020be it would be student use of technology policy >> right >> and this would be the one that give us samples samples and policy can I just jump into sorry so I've actually met with model schools and they were um I was talking to Ken they were talking about AI policies and there she's going to share me some of the ones that districts are just starting to do them. Um share with us some AI policies that we can bring what they've been working on. Um I think that Kabad Crane and and Greenwich one ones that were actually starting but she said most schools are in the same spot we're in is trying to find >> like that common ground of what to do with AI. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mentioned social media too because justation
021piece a lot of times kids will take AI and they'll share most platforms and whatnot too. So I've seen it I didn't as well there we go way to go about it but the language and we can look we had both s districts so we had them as exemplars and stuff but I think personally I think the more places it's there the better starting with the district policy and having it as Frank mentioned articulated out to the buildings consistently and enforce consistently too whatever the consequences would be but make sure they're consistently enforce they mention the tier I think all that is great but making sure it's consistent with every kid in terms of how it's handled when it happens and education I think is definitely critical especially low levels you know the senior you
022would hope they at that point has some experience with it but >> so the other thing I wanted to say is that this school actually is a year ahead in terms of New York state in banning cell phone usage in in school during school and um there's not a whole lot here about that but I'm I think in the um in the student handbook there's going to be there is more about what school's policy is on cell phones and um did did we already submit our plan to the state? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we did because we're already ahead of >> Yes, that's correct. I would I would absolutely commend the work that was done previously by by the principles here. Um we added some tweaks, some some small things that had to be
023tweaked. Uh we went through the council's quality eyes on it and then some statement portal. Um, pretty much what we had though was was was very good already in place. So now I think it's continuing to broadcast that out to families as well. But I think a lot of parents are already accustomed last year to the change that was coming and this year now just continuing to to get that out there more so students. So just to summarize there, students are storing lockers not to be felt bell start the day they come to school a bus is fine walk the door they can't have a phone out at all can't use it at any point not allowed for study halls or any exceptions we had some language there that there was some exceptions discretion there's
024no more discretion allowed to get rid of that language um then students have them back leave the building the end of the day and there's progressive consequences for violations again educational parent involvement as um counselor involvement. I think it's it's restorative and Dave especially is at all levels included starts there but certainly by middle school you can see every kid devices but that means controversial things said that students can't read because you can get Wi-Fi on it and you can use it. They're very strict about it and how we altered from last year was just following what the regulations uh have been set forth. So we made sure and reassured that we met everything that the state is asking for. So, we have alternate uh excuse me, altered some of what we have. Um, but
025pretty much same thing. Students going to come in, they're going to put it in their lockers. New York State says they cannot go at any time to the locker use. So, one of the messages that you really have to get out is you can contact your child at any time. Just need to call the main office. We'll get your child down right away or your child comes down themselves if they need to contact. We'll never say no. Child will be able to speak to any, you know, their family at any time and vice versa. But the phone I looked at several other districts um internet enabled uh device policy and we're right with everyone else. Again, New York State is dictating this. This isn't like a Dave Burnsley or a Berlin thing. This is a
026New York state governor. >> Yeah. governor's office. I'll just add one of the pie some exceptions. There are a few exceptions. One of them very few is for students with medical reasons to have one. Um Tom was very aware of that. You know looking at terms of what would qualify example would be something serious student for diabetes monitoring that would be something that would qualify medical from the doctor there's a lot of other things that don't bother student for example you know anxiety is anxious not having that would not qualify so we just have to clarify those cases case by case as they will come and they may hear, you know, this kid does have a poem. Reasons that we can't disclose in terms of all the medical needs of it. Um, but otherwise not
027going to see kids deliver accommodations that do not require their personal cell. >> Can I just ask um were there a lot of students last year who had smart watches? >> Yes. >> Okay. Were they banned as well last year or was that >> not really? No. Um it's not really uh we had a couple of cases where we found that students were abused of that privilege. Um I have no >> Okay. So how soon are parents going to be getting emails about this this change? >> Tomorrow I have letters all set to if you are going to approve the code of conduct send it out. So the letter uh is all set, ready to go. So people >> I'll make a motion. >> Any other discussion or comment? I'll second a motion was made
028by Frank for G and yes. Rebecca, yes. Frank, >> yes. Derek, >> yes. >> Penny, yes. Yes. Move on to the president's report. I don't have much to state on my end besides that. I look forward to the upcoming school year. Um I'm working with the superintendent to um come up with the topics for roundts and on schedule. So September will be special education. November the topic will be elementary academic results. December will be the middle school and high school academic results. Um so and then lastly if any board member has any topics um that they'd be interested for round table please reach out to me and also if there's an administrator that would like to um have a topic you can reach out to the superintendent I have. >> Good evening everyone. Welcome. Um
029just a quick update Katie with the round table uh monthly meetings from this morning at cabinet and we have a couple adjustments which I haven't informed him yet so it's on my shoulders just that we're proposing for Tom still to present round table for September as planned. Jody's actually move up to October and then we have Dave doing November. The reason being Dave we don't have round table in December so I get some adjustments with the cabinet. I wasn't aware of that till this morning myself. So again, my apologies. >> That's okay. >> Um, so updates for August. We're getting very close to the start of the new school year. Less crazy to say less than for staff coming back. I'm about a week away. It's the first time in my 25 years that I've
030been back in August with staff usually September, so it's going to be new. Um, but we're excited to have some new staff on board. Some of which are here this evening. So I'm really excited to introduce uh to the community, to the board, our new fourth grade teacher. working in Jod's building and that that is Ally Wolf joined as well by her son Brooks. I just met over there. Jody, anything want to say that we're really excited to add to our building. Thank you. And she's already been in a lot. >> Thanks for joining us tonight, Allie as well. And also um excited to in Dave's building here we have a new counselor, high school counselor. She really want to be here tonight, but she's actually on vacation and that scheduled. So uh her name
031is Savannah Caldwell and she'll be starting with us uh as of the 27th or high school counselor data you want to mention about Savannah. Sound effect. Um I first want to acknowledge Rachel Harrison. Rachel Harrison is here. uh she she's so well respected in this building and she's going to be sorely missed uh when she should be acknowledged for the great work that she did always with the students in the community first. So I just want to say my u you know I just it's hard when she said that uh she's going to be going like 10 minutes from her house. I said we can't compete with that. Um but I just want to give my compliments and my thanks. She was wonderful. Saying that, Savannah just wowed everybody in the interview committee. Uh so
032much energy and so much passion. um she she knew a lot about the community and we're really excited to have her and uh her and James have already teamed up and they're going to be dynamic official but today I interviewed final round with Dave for new candidate who there'll be more official part tomorrow but I'll be appointing her and then asking for the board's official appointment in September for candidate and that individual um is replacing is Ariel Gilbert who I'm excited to I guess officially you'll see on here an agreement here with the MOA and the BTA and VA working on and that's coming to fruition today hopefully a moment and Ariel is going to be officially in a new TOSA role so we welcome her to that new role for 20 years of district
033we're excited to have her step forward in this important role for instruction for our school district so welcome to Ariel to her new role and also again the board next month I'll have a new appointment which should be set hopefully tomorrow for So, I tried to get it today, but it's just too much. Uh, so that's staffing right now. We still have uh we're really getting really close finishing that up. A couple positions are still open, hoping to fill. But, um, so we're planning for the new school year, working for next week, um, opening day conference days with staff. We have some good PD um, and a barbecue as well, which I'll invite the board. Uh, I give you more information afterwards on the 27th. Uh we got the firehouse 12:00 if you'd like to
034stop by. I'll send an invite out afterwards. For now, I meet new staff. Uh we'll be thrilling and think a nice little uh have a little welcome party for everyone back to the building buildings. Um beyond that, I also want to mention first day of school was September 2nd for students. And also important to note that Rachel is trying to keep working to incredibly stuff tomorrow for us on Friday. We are going to be upgrading our phone system the district. excited to have those phones uh finally updated. We've been in the works for a while. So, thank you, Colleen, for leadership with that. Um and as we as we get that done on Friday, it's going to require our phones to be down Friday. So, if you try to call, you're not going to get
035an answer. So, you may want to use email on Friday for the day and then back online, possibly in the afternoon. We're not sure yet for this Friday, which would be 8:22. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Next, we'll move on to administrative snapshots. We'll start with the business office. >> Oh, it's right. >> So, our auditor has been collecting various pieces of audit's not done yet. So, when they come in, they'll assist us with closing journal entries. That's why you don't have appropriation report or final report for you at the time when the books closed. They'll be able to come back and give a report on the budget before where we ended up versus where we were during budget time. Uh we also had a review going on for our title funds that
036we've submitted and waiting for feedback. We had a meeting with the data privacy people from NIS um and asked for some time to work on um working with merit to produce what they asked for. Thank you. Thank you. Any questions for the business office? >> Hi. So, I just have some updates since our last board meeting for MTSS. So, I have been working on a new handbook for the district with MTSS procedures and outlines. Um, so that's a work in progress right now. And then I've also created a new MTSS referral form based off of survey data and feedback from the staff in both buildings. So, I'm going to introduce that during the first faculty meeting of the school year. Um, and I'm also going to share it with Rachel so she can add that
037to the staff um link on our website. So people can also access it there. Um I've also been working on a Google Drive folder with resources and that will be shared with all building admin and staff during the first two days as well. Um so there's resources for reading, writing, math, social emotional, there's data trackers, OTP, speech resources, um anything and everything there to help support the teachers while they're working with our students. And then we're still currently working on the audit. As soon as the state testing scores and data becomes available, I'm going to be analyzing that and then kind of compare that with I Ready ISL diagnostic data um and attendance. >> Thank you. >> I just wanted to kind of touch on that we wrapped up our in district extended school year
038program or ESY program on Friday. Uh we have a total of 24 students participating. And just a quick reminder, the ESY program is for students who demonstrate substantial regression over extended school breaks um and require that program in order to prevent that regression. And students need for that program is determined by the CC. And at the last board meeting, I shared with you all that um Berlin was set to host an out of district student for the first time, as far as I'm aware, in Berlin's history. And I wanted to share that we've had a great experience with that. The student did very well and I'm very excited and look forward to kind of building upon that um and expanding our connections in the region. Um and hopefully helping to build some sustainable programs in
039district with that additional revenue coming in from other districts who choose to send their students to our program. So, I look forward to continuing to build those partnerships in the region. And I'm glad that we had a great successful first experience with that. Sam and I look forward to diving into MTSS and special education in great detail at our round table. Well, we plan to give you an overview of all the different processes, spell out all of the acronyms. I promise we'll do that and um review some data with you. If there's anything any specific information or topics that you like, let me know now. or if you want to let Ken, you can follow up with us and we'll make sure to include that in the presentation. >> Thank you. Any questions for how
040many students do you have right now? >> How many students do you have? Can you hear me? >> Yeah. In >> depends on the day because we have students who transfer in and out at this point in the year. Um don't have an exact number for you right now. round table. I will absolutely have you very detailed numbers around 10 minutes but I don't give you that adds up dates as well because again there are transfers in that especially this time of year as we get students who are enrolling or students who are transferring it's a hot time >> mentioned two correct me wrong but there were almost three we almost had three people three students I guess if I right but then changed out a lot correct so there was actually we had originally
041there were three students that um was looking to was um post uh but the two of those families opted to not send their students to the SY. So they were eligible and slated to join us but um the families opted not to have their children participate. So it would have been up to >> I bet that potential for the future as I appreciate you bringing that up. Did Brunswick not have programs for those students or why did they come to >> they previously ran their own program is my understanding and they did not choose to run their own programming district given their numbers >> thank you next is transportation and don't see here but she did provide an update and I can give you a brief synopsis that they are ready and look forward to
042welcome back the students for the new school year. Um, importantly, they have they will have all buses equipped with GPS trackers in a parent app available for parents the first day of school and will be communicating with Rachel to get all the necessary information out to the community prior to September 2nd. So a new app with a new tracking mechanism is on its way to parents and families that um rely on that technology. >> Um actually want to mention a that um Janette is on vacation. Um so she had shared this update and I also want to she and I had spoke recently about the the state required a survey survey requiring electric buses and the transition to electric buses. Um, so we just did that survey. She did a lot of work with that.
043I appreciate it. Uh, but essentially point we're still exploring uh what our needs would be. I think a lot of schools in that state right now a lot of concerns out there regionally for the certain events as well about how this is going to look and whether we completely timeline the state's expecting to to move to electric buses. Berlin obviously I brought up with other colleagues and how we are. Um so right now what we're told is you know we're exploring it right now exploring the infrastructure and you know whether it's something we're able to do but right now it still stands something that we're projected to have to look to the future and make that move. So we're hopeful that you know they'll consider our unique need each year in Berlin and something that
044we have to look at very closely. So we need to complete that survey. Now we're still in the assessment mode. I believe the switch was 2034. I'm going to have to check that Derek in terms of when the actual required to the sense I was that they're going to have to push this back longer if they're serious about it. There's funding. It's infrastructure. There's a lot to go into it. just >> so the custodial staff are finishing up running the schools for opening day. The schools look amazing and the staff has been working very hard. Um pleased to report that the gym floor here at the North School High School was recently refinished last week. Um, we've used a new product this year and the vendor who sold us the product helped us with the
045application process. Uh, the new product has a much faster dry and cure time which will allow us to apply more floor finish during the school year. So rather than doing it just once um during the school year and we'll be able to do it on school breaks. My understanding is it only takes um a few hours to dry and that cures overnight next day. So, we should have some holiday times that we can reapply the floor finish so that it looks nice and longer. So, um and I've been told that the sneakers will squeak. Okay. So, hopefully that'll be the case. Um annual New York State fire inspections have been completed. Um all the buildings passed, certificates that I can see are posted. Um work on the new audiovisisual equipment cancellation under the smart schools
046bond act will begin tomorrow. Um they got a break in their schedule and we're able to move us up. Um so the hope is that most of if not all of the work can be completed before opening day. Um work has also begun on the installation of new phone system which Ken mentioned um under that farm school bond act as well. will be meeting on Thursday afternoon this week with Doug Dickinson um with regard to the $100,000 project. That project has been submitted to the office of facilities planning has been approved and so Doug is meeting with us to talk about schedule for construction when to put it out, you know, when to go out bid for it. Um, and the hope is that work shouldn't take too long and we can get it finished
047this fall before the cle weather. So, which will be great actually because it'll allow us to finish it and they give us the opportunity to look at something for adding to the um budget vote for next year and being able to try to have an order that we can get it through the budget vote of next year and do the project during the summer of 26 construction season. Um but the aid for this project will come back in the 2026 207 school year. So that'll work well for keeping that project going. Um annual training will be held with the building and ground staff during next year superintendent conference day. That will include the um aspis awareness and construction or workplace safety training that we do every year. Um, and the QER work order system underwent
048an update last last week. Um, moving from one version of that to the next upgraded version. We're working to learn a new system now. We're busy getting ready for schools. >> Thank you. technology is not here. There's no report. So, Jody, >> hello. Good evening. I just want to second that thank you to the Colonial staff. They've been working day in and day out and our building just looks beautiful. So, I appreciate all their hard work and they're still going to work, I'm sure, till the last minute until kids walk in the building. So, just thank you to them. Um, we've been busy or I've been busy preparing for our upcoming school year. So I um was able to meet with our ELA specialist from Star again we met in the summer sort of discuss
049some of the goals and needs that we identified last year. Um also looking at how she can support some of our newer staff this year um in just targeting that PLA tier one instruction um and then also set dates for her throughout the month or not throughout the year, sorry, the school year. Um, and we're lucky enough to be able to have grindies that we also have our after school PD time. So, when we're working on curriculum development, she's going to be able to be part of that and really benefit and and give feedback to teachers and kind of guide that work. So, I'm really excited to work with her um and have her work with our teachers in that aspect. I've also been meeting I met with Ariel and I met with Sam and
050we've been talking about just kind of ours needs, our data needs, our technology needs. Um, you know, Ariel and I talked about looking at our assessments and Sam and I are going to, you know, we're going to plan some monthly data meetings. So, we're going to look at the data obviously and come up with those targets and what we're seeing, but then we're going to communicate that out to teachers and really keep that conversation going throughout the year. Um, so we're looking forward to that. And then just finalizing our master schedule and making sure that we're utilizing and maximizing the staff that we have in our building. And you know, we're looking forward just continuing to provide um enrichment activities, some push-in supports, and also just strengthen our win time so um we can provide
051some academic and behavioral support to our students who are struggling. >> Any questions for Thank you, Jody. Next is the Berlin Middle High School and Athletics. Um I just very excited news about the gym floor finish that we do that numerous times and the sneakers will sweep. So I'm very excited about that. Um for athletics, we have about 123 students signed up between the two districts. Um it's a little bit down from last year. Um we have kicked off our fall season. It started on Monday for the JB and varsity teams. Modified will start um September 2nd when school starts just to help with the transportation piece on that. Um we are still in search of girls modified volleyball coach. I'm really nervous about that. So if you know of anyone that might have an
052interest that I can speak to, I'd greatly appreciate any help with that. Thank you. [Music] So, one of my goals this year is uh not to talk about so much purpose, even though I love to talk. Uh so, I'll work on that. I know it's last now, so I take the hit. Uh so, the regions uh were given today, be tomorrow. Uh on paper we have a total of 61 regions exams being taken as a paper because uh some students don't show up if they're supposed to summer school. Um Megan did a wonderful job as principal. We had 24 students in it. 31 courses 30 courses students passed the one course that did not. Everybody in Quest started here did what they needed to do to get that student to the finish line. Um decision
053the student made that not to do that but I was very satisfied with the support. One of the things speaking about uh going out tomorrow is the new entry procedures coming into the building. Uh our safety committee last year worked uh with Alex our SRO Deputy Delissio and their academic sheriff's office and it was not the safest thing in terms of what was going on. Students were coming in at all hours and going around the building um and we didn't have designated areas that uh the personnel. So students uh can enter the building beginning at 7:10 in the morning and buses release at 7:10. So drop offs for 7:10 as well, not earlier. And if students going to get breakfast, they'll go right to the cafeteria. If not, middle school students will go to the
054auditorium and the high school students will go to gym. When the bell rings at 7:20, then they included a lockers in their classrooms. Um, it's strictly being done for safety and supervision of business. So this will go out tomorrow along with ninth grade orientation, sixth grade orientation, and just a letter to uh the community welcome back in I want to say in the code of conduct, you'll see I actually put the New York education 28.3 and I break it down about this uh the internet enabled devices. So I did put that at the very top. So that'll be this morning for people to see that orientation 6th nth grade. Oh, let me back up. We're doing a little different this year. Uh Rachel TK is the brains behind this. I cannot take any credit. Um
055so what we're doing is sixth and nth grade together on the 25th beginning at 6. We'll have a sixth grade in here from 6:00 6:30 and the ninth grade uh tour in the high school their classes and doing some other things. We're gonna have students here assisting and then flip-flop 6:30, 9th grade, I'll be doing the presentation with some staff members. And the big thing is districtwide ice cream social that will begin at 7:00 in the bus and Rachel was able to secure for us a lot of ice cream from Stewart. So we'll have ice cream sundaes for the kids and for adults and that's 16. We're trying to create the community and everything. Also, I asked for the different clubs and organizations to set up tables so they could speak to the parents and
056the students what programs and what clubs are available because we want students to be very uh lastly last two things. Senior sunrise 6:00 a.m. on August 28th. And then Saturday, September 6 will be the senior paint as well where the uh students will get their spots, seniors to paint, but we're also doing a barbecue for the same time for the seniors and their families. And you don't necessarily have to be painting to be involved. So once again, we're trying to do different things to get the community out involved. You >> provide paint. >> Yeah. Well, so it's an interest question. for if a student needs uh paint or uh you know paint brushes. Yes, we will provide um we're trying to get some donations as well but certainly no one will be excluded. Anybody who
057wants to will have I think it's a great thing with the building last year. So I'm looking forward to we switched it to J excuse me to a Saturday so we get the families involved and be able to date the ice cream social >> that is Monday August 25th and that will be at 700 p.m. Um and that we're going to try to bust a little something a little different. So, if it goes well, I created it. If it didn't go so well, Rachel's created. No, I'm joking. This is Rachel's idea, and I think it's wonderful. I think it's the >> Thank you. Any questions? >> Thank you, Mr. What is the parking lot? >> That um we said we're going to start at 8 in the morning, right? I think 8 in the morning.
058>> Okay. I wasn't sure. >> Yeah, we we'll send something out >> so the kids can get time off work. >> I'll be sending out by the middle of next week something to the seniors. >> Okay. Just thank our student representative show. Thank you. >> Opportunity for public comment. Uh we have some signed up. Uh first on the list is um Daniel Hughes. [Music] >> Before I start, that's possible. My wife like she can come up and finish reading for you. >> I'm sorry. >> We don't transfer minutes. Thank you. All right. Um, we need your help. My name is Daniel Hughes. Uh, today I'm here as an advocate for my son Aughes and potentially other students down the line advocating for all students who look to accept challenges like attending STEM high school. Not
059an easy path. It's a challenging path. Our request of the board of education is approval to allow Hayden to attend ST high school requesting to quickly resolve expediting this process. We've spoken to Mr. Ken Rizzo and he offered this opportunity for my wife and I. Um the information strongly requests are going to be submitted in written form to the board of education. We met on August 8th with Ken Mau. We as a community need the district to to fund the state funded programs such as STEM. Board of Education has the power to act. School starts at STEM on September 4th. We've yet to receive approval for our Sunday. County legislators Bruce Matire and Jeffrey Kasaki support our request. They emailed the request of support on August 14th to the board of education or I'm sorry,
060excuse me, principal at Berlin. Um, David Burns, I apologize, my I can't see too well. Uh, Hayden is extremely smart, has a very high IQ. Uh he can quote battles at the CI civil war. He watches History Channel for fun. He has aspirations in engineering and to possibly attend West Point Berlin Central School District does not offer programs for Ken. The last time I was at the board of education was for my son Hunter. My son Hunter currently attends this program. He's been extremely su successful at the time that he presented for the district the findings that he shared for his experience at STEM currently. It was a question by one of the board members. I don't remember their name but basically uh the question was why do only three attend this wonderful opportunity and
061currently we only have one that's requesting to go unfortunately due to budget restrictions that was denied. We are submitting and writing today a request to allow to attend ST high school request respond by August 22nd. Sorry direct, but we're running out of time. Time time senses. Two weeks prior to school is where we're at. It's been shared previously in the meeting. We should only we should be able to talk to Hayden about positive terms about him returning to school. Instead, we sit silently because we don't have an answer. There are no emotions. It's an unknown. It's an uncomfortable feeling. For transparency, we and Hayden followed all the rules. We applied he applied to STEM. He was accepted. He visited with principal. We attended the shadow day. He was accepted into the program. The STEM administration
062followed their protocols. We waited for a response from the previous interim superintendent, Dr. Long. There was no response received. My wife sent an email in May after the budget was passed informed that the opportunity would not be acknowledged that for budgetary reasons the answer was no. She had sent the email and that was denied. We in turn appealed with the New York State Commission of Education. >> Thank you. Um, so sorry I just recapt So we in turn appealed with the New York State Commissioners of Education. We're content that the appeal will be approved in our favor. However, the issue is time. School starts in two weeks. The appeal takes much longer than Please do the right thing. the recommendation of the legislative members. I allow Hayden to access STEM. In the past, we've put
063our finances and channels to give our children the best best education that they could get in private schools. Nothing against private schools. I've worked 90 to 100 hours a week to do this. In conclusion, to stand here and pretend this is only about Haiti would be a travesty to all of the other students in Berkeland and other rural areities that may face the scenario in the future. Again, the state has approved and paid a lot to to do with these programs and similar programs. If additional budget support is needed, please work to gain access to to bridge that gap in funding instead of saying no. For that reason, my f my fight is not over here now. My plan is to continue to be an advocate contacting legislative leaders about assisting rural areas such as
064this that I lived in and pay taxes for 25 years. same residence. Why? Never complain that all children deserve an earned opportunity such as this is not a luxury. It's a program that sought after field just as the legislative letter that was sent indicates. Please don't leave Hait behind. Do the right thing. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. I have a written request. I've got several coffees. Sorry to take up so much time. Sorry to be emotional. >> Dan Bear, the person with us talking to you to pull through the day. I want to let you know I received a letter today from the legislator which I'm going to be sharing with the board. I haven't had a chance to yet. I just got it today. So I think you mentioned Mr. Burns
065just to correct that. Maybe he did receive a copy, but I received it today. >> Yeah. I think we came to meet you. I didn't want you looking forward. So, thank you. >> Thanks. [Music] >> Oh, um pass. any other comment. Okay, next business. >> Okay, good business. >> Yeah. Um like uh Ken chair board at my meeting this morning and colleague Ken look to reinstate the second PK program. There was 12 students on the list. I'm not sure how many's left. And also what's our projected enrollment this year? So um we have actively started to explore the possibility of reinstating the prek program. It was something this year that already was on our radar. Um we set the timeline to see if it was something more escalated that we were able to do. um
066fully understanding the decision that was made in the in the spring was made with understanding that we'd have one or two students that potentially get a weight list that has grown um to up to 12 students. So today I share that we did a survey to uh through Quest Star to see how many families would still potentially be interested if if we will uh allocate funding for this and space work with Quest Star to get approval. still requires some final approval. Um, and we have confirmation from 11 families that said they would in fact uh participate this year if we were able to open it up more immediately. Um, that doesn't include additional families that can be out there that weren't on the way list that could be additionally more minimally. We're looking at these
06711 students right now that would be able to participate um in the program. So right now we are um as of today, you know, going as quick as we can to try to get all the information to share with the board and the community in terms of uh what we're able to do, but it was something that we were planning on looking at. We're just trying to do it in a more explained manner now knowing that there's a much larger group of students that uh would you know benefit from this originally thought. I want to commend the speed at which you speak because uh these are preschoolers and they need to get a good foundation which you're committed to and um to really help these students. So it's hands off. Thank you. board comment D
068in location of the next board meeting of a round table scheduled for Thursday September 4th at elementary school starting at 7:15 p.m. And our regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th at 7 7:15 p.m. at this building. Um, now I need to make a motion to go to executive session for legal and personal motion by second by Lane. All in favor and I do not anticipate you we will be taking any action after executive session. the best.