001This is a special presentation from the Brighton Central School District Board of Education. Good evening. Welcome to the Brighton Central School District Public Board of Education meeting for Tuesday, April 8th, 2025. This meeting is called to order. To begin with, as we do with every meeting, we allow for the opportunity for public participation. If anyone here would like to speak, provide feedback, ask questions of the board or of the superintendent, we can do that now. You can find Dan Goldman over here and um he can give you a card. Is anybody here who would like to speak? Would any of Allison's children like to speak? Take that as a no. Seeing none, we'll move on. Um you all have had a chance to review tonight's agenda. Any questions, comments, or edits to the agenda? Motion
002to approve. So move. Moved by Karen. Second. Seconded by Esther. All those in favor? Hi. Next up, you've also had an opportunity to uh review the minutes of the March 25th meeting, which of course included the executive budget proposal and budget hearing. Any question with regards to those minutes? Motion to approve? So moved. Moved by Eller. Second. Seconded by Carrie Lynn. All those in favor? Next up, I'll turn it over to Dr. McGau for the approval of it. Oh, no. Somebody do I do the approval first. I apologize. Next up, we have the approval of the administrator tenure recommendations. Two of them. One for Dr. Allison Rio and the second one for Ashley Edwards. Motion to approve. So moved. Moved by Esther. Move by. Yeah. Moved by. Second. Seconded by Sue. All those in favor?
003I. Now we turn over the presentation. Yes. So uh before you do that though, the uh children with Dr. Rio have a very quick trivia. Now's the time. When I said I would cue you, that's the end. [Laughter] [Applause] Dr. Rio has grounded them all and is very unhappy. So we'll ask Dr. Rio if you could go up to the podium please with Mr. Davis and Dr. Lee. And while they're walking up, I'll also explain that Ashley Edwards also receiving tenure ten who we're super excited about, wants her children to be able to do the wave for her also. Um, but not everybody could be here tonight. So, she is going to be recognized along with the other tenure recipients at the June the first meeting in June. We're super super excited for this appointment
004for Dr. Rio and would like to tell you a little bit about her and the reasons for this recommendation. First, she has a bachelor's degree in childhood special education from St. John Fischer, a master's in literacy, also from St. John Fischer, and her doctorate in teaching and curriculum from the University of Rochester, certifications in special education, pre-K, kindergarten, grades 1 through six. Literacy birth through grade six as a school district leader, as a school building leader. She was a consultant teacher, self-contained teacher, and ELA coach in the Rochester City School District before joining French Road as a literacy coach in 2013. became our assistant director of humanities in 2016, the interim principal at French Road in 2017, and then the principal at French Road beginning in 2018, and began this work in 2021 as assistant
005superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She is, as I wrote to you, and the community should hear, a rare and remarkable leader whose intellect, integrity, and impact have elevated every aspect of the district's work. She brings exceptional intelligence to her role, not only in terms of deep content knowledge and strategic insight, but also through her intuitive understanding of people and systems. She possesses a rare ability to think analytically and act emphatically, empathetically, I'm sorry, and emphatically, I'm sure, but empathetically, making decisions that are both wise and deeply human. Her passion for meeting the needs of every child is evident in everything she does from policy decisions to individual conversations. She consistently champions an inclusive and equitydriven approach to teaching and learning that is improving outcomes for all students, which is always her focus. Her energy is
006endless. Whether mentoring principles, collaborating with instructional coaches, or leading a professional learning system session, Alison approaches each task with contagious enthusiasm and an unshakable commitment to excellence. She's kind, humble, and grounded, which makes her not only an extraordinary leader, but also a beloved and trusted colleague. She's helped cultivate a deeply positive and collaborative culture in central office and across our leadership team. She leads with generosity and respect, creating spaces where people feel safe to learn, contribute, and grow. Her mentorship of principles has been transformative, helping to build leadership capacity across the district in ways that will benefit students for years to come. Her leadership is not only admirable, it is undeniably effective. We are already seeing the results of her work and improved student outcomes, stronger instructional practices and a renewed sense of purpose among
007instructional leaders as well. Under Alison's guidance, our curriculum and instruction are more responsive, more rigorous, and more inclusive than ever before. For all of these reasons and many more, I am so honored to have recommended her for tenure to work with her each and every day to consider Alison an integral integral member of our cabinet and leadership team and this district in so many ways. also a pretty amazing uh mom and wife to not just one but two sets of twins. I know this always comes up but awesome four kids in the back and her husband Chad. Uh we really appreciate the sacrifice that all of you make as a family for uh Allison and for all of us in the district. So Dr. Yo, congratulations. Should we get the family? Yes, family. Always family.
008Should have said Nick, Julie, Carly, Aiden. So happy to have you. My husband Chad as well. Sorry. Yay. As uh Dr. McGawan noted, we will have the opportunity to recognize Ashley and a number of other people at our June meeting. We look forward to doing that as well. A great group of people this year receiving tenure. Um a nice positive upbeat presentation like that must be followed by a budget presentation. So, um, we'll learn some more about the budget even though I think there's not a lot new. We'll turn it over to you, Dr. McGowan. No, as I've said to you, we it is what it is and we are where we are. So, let me walk through that, but not any significant changes or really not any changes from our last conversation at the
009last meeting where we said essentially we were giving you the proposal, but hopeful that a state budget would be adopted between now and then uh by their deadline by law, March 31st, which has not been adhered to. uh we're not even close and apparently that is at a standstill. We do not expect that number to change our budget though. Uh we're projecting our state aid to be what the governor proposed and it's unlikely that it would be less than that. Uh so we feel comfortable moving ahead with a budget proposal at this point. Um certainly by the end of the month if there was a budget and we need to make adjustments we would ask you to come back and do so. But this is the budget proposal that stands right now and we expect
010it to be the budget proposal. Few of the guidelines that we start out with as you know at the beginning of this process is to really look at the uh need for sustaining revenue when we start programs and support what we are doing here. We need to make sure that we can continue to support that. We're struggling in that area. I'll mention it later in the use of reserves to uh sustain the program that we have and that's a fundamental weakness of where we are right now relative to revenues and where are where we are going forward. But we want to make sure that in the budget process, we're understanding the long-term and short-term changes to the foundation aid formula if there are any. And we are hopeful over the next several years, we'll see
011some change that would benefit Brighton in that regard, but unsure of what that will look like. We'd like to prepare and respond to continued pressure from inflation and labor shortages. In other words, making sure that we can compete in that marketplace while being aware of the inflationary pressures that people are facing uh both on the employment side, but also in terms of our cost pressures internally. We'd like to make sure we can continue to support blueprint priority areas identified by our community mental health and wellness, academic excellence, the family and student experience and operations. We'd like to make sure that we're recognizing the current economic climate, changing student needs, and uh prioritizing resources to support our kids while finding opportunities to optimize resources, be as efficient as possible. Like to make sure we're looking at
012short and long-term priorities for investment in our facilities as well, which we will continue to do. And of course, we would like to continue to always comply with the New York State property tax gap and understand the long-term impact on financial planning, which we've talked quite a bit about in this process. In terms of the priorities and the feedback that we got from the community, it was clear to us that we needed to be responsible, respectful, and responsive. So responsible in terms of providing for the needs of students, responsible in terms of the cost to community members, respectful of their perspectives in the feedback that received and their concerns uh over the current state of taxes in town. We'll mention this a couple of times. And then responsive to that feedback and the incredible anxiety
013that people faced uh when they thought that the reevaluation would means a significant change in their taxes. Bless you, Mr. Davis. That's not typically part of the presentation. We always say, "Bless you, Mr. Davis." But there happened to be a sneeze for those that don't realize that who are just watching at home. Our strategic budget priorities. Then after all of that conversation along the way, minimizing our tax impact, uh being respectful of current financial conditions that everybody is facing. Optimize current resources to preserve program. Explore future options for fiscal sustainability. Balance the immediate needs with long-term financial health. Understanding the long-term impact of any financial decision we make in this budget process. and make sure that we're always engaging our stakeholders for informed budget decisions. We had multiple budget forums. We had multiple opportunities for
014people to engage as well as gather feedback through the thought exchange that we put out very early in the process. The strategies that we decided to utilize to close the gap, the preliminary gap were to one, of course, explore whether or not the levy made sense. Should we look at going over the cap? It's highlighted and crossed out in red very specifically to make it clear to people that we are not we are not we are not proposing a budget that would exceed the property tax cap to gain revenue to support that budget. We did go ahead and rec reconcile categorical aids. In other words, maximize every opportunity to make sure that we were being reimbursed for what we had spent based on state funding formulas and to make sure all of those dollars were
015coming in. Evaluate short-term revenues, potential for investment income, utilize current resources as a temporary financing source. So that is the use of reserves. We also looked at ways to reduce expenditures, the current use of resources to purchase one-time expenses. One example for you would be classroom furniture where we can we know we need to replace. Do we have year-end funds that we could utilize to do that? We would try and make some of those onetime purchases. Now, one of the dangers of that is then that impacts our ability to put money into reserve to offset taxes with reserve. So, it's all Rubik's cube that we need to continue to uh work with defer expenditures to future budgets. So, just simply say we can't afford that now. We'll have to afford that in the future. Again,
016the risk to that is some of those expenses will only grow over time and we have an obligation to maintain our materials, our resources, our supplies, our facilities, etc., and can only defer things so long before that expense becomes even greater. No different than the things you defer in terms of your expenses at home. The roof doesn't get any better. You probably still have to replace it. In fact, it may only get more expensive uh to work through. So, we're always aware of that. Not talking about us replacing a roof, but trying to compare it to a home and reduce services or instructional release time as well. So, we tried to keep you can see it's the last item. uh reductions, any potential reductions as far away from student programming as possible and the offerings
017we're giving to kids. Uh but that certainly was a consideration along the way. The executive budget as proposed right now increases spending 5.45% for a preliminary budget uh being proposed at $110,572,957. It's an increase of $4.2 million in the operations area and $1.5 million in the capital area. That breaks down to an increase in salaries and wages increasing 1.74%. So that doesn't mean that people in the district are receiving a compensation increase of 1.74%. It means spending in that area of the budget goes up 1.74%. Employee benefits will go up 8.71%. That's the variety of benefits that are paid for in that budget line. Health insurance, retirement system contributions that are mandated by the state. Social Security comes out of that line. any other compensation other than salaries uh would be in the benefit area.
018Boseies will go up 2.75%, supplies and services 4.83% and the amount in the debt transfer line up 24% uh a relatively small amount compared to the entire budget but by percentage a larger increase as well. And that is when we start to begin to pay off debt. Remember there's a revenue that matches that in terms of state aid that offsets that particular expense. uh the other expenses do not have those same offsets necessarily. Where are we spending the money? So in other words, what parts of the budget? Well, a good threearters of what we're spending if you think about it in terms of people is where it's going. But we would equate people to program. That that's what we are. We are a people business. We should be investing in people. We should be spending
019on people. That is where people should folks should see the majority of our spending. So whether that is in the teaching area, administrative area, instructional support, extracurricular, non-eing positions that currently of course support our ability to offer program benefits, payroll, benefits, contractual, but also people in terms of the spending we do for most of the Bosey's expense, which is again dedicated to program for students, paying for students to attend a particular program. supplies and services 16% is obviously necessary to offer the program to kids and debt capital is just 7%. Bosey's all other would be some of the administrative costs that go along with that. So as you can see from from that piece that's a total of 27% between those three particular areas. The rest I would put in the category of people but
020people because that's what supports program. We lean into that. We're not running away from that. We're saying we have to be spending that in order to offer the engaging rigorous program that we do. Using revenues and reserves appropriately is a key to this. You'll see some of the highlights in red are important to point out. And the proportion to spending. Uh we're seeing an increase of about $500,000 in the investment area. Uh that's up significantly and allows for about half a percent increase then in spending. We're also seeing an increase in foundation aid. I mentioned this before. We're now looking at that being about $760,000 or 3.8 86% in total. Some of that earmarked as well. That would allow for 73% in spending. The other state and federal aids will go up 1.21% and that
021would be an increase uh I'm sorry, they'll go up 13.6% but an increase of 1.21%. Remember those are largely reimburseables. Uh so that's not this large of new funding. Uh the only funding that really supports new program or new expense going into the next year would be foundation aid. So, our subtotal of those sources is 3.57%. The use of reserves uh will go up about $250,000 in the appropriated fund balance, which is what we dedicated appropriate directly towards the tax levy, we were recommending going up about $500,000 uh to close those gaps. And of course, then the property tax levy going up 2.03% which is not exceeding the property tax cap. Again, very important to keep pointing that out. One of our challenges that we've mentioned over and over again, we'd like people to really
022understand this issue because it will be an issue for us going forward is the difference between the cost of doing business, the increased cost to do the work and the increase in revenue and the significant gap between those two things. The best way to explain it is the consumer price index which is generally accepted as the measure in our economy for how much more it costs people to live. Right? And the index includes items uh that are relative to what our grocery bills are, what our utility expenses are. Basically, the consumer price index says this is how much more uh costs have inflated or the measure of inflation. And that right now is up 3.7%. And what we are proposing in terms of a tax increase is 2%. In other words, it's generally accepted that
023people's cost of living is going up 3.7%. If you walk into Wegman's, you go to buy a car and forget about even for a second the conversation about tariffs and all those other issues in the economy. Even before that, the general cost of living is up 3.7% to buy other services and we're saying the cost to our local taxpayers is going up 2%. That is both something we think people should recognize relative to a big cost difference for this, but not for milk, not for eggs, not for the things you're buying in the store, which are going up faster, far faster than the expense here for such an important service you're purchasing. But also a long-term challenge because of this gap between what it is costing us and what we are charging people for that
024cost. understanding that taxes are a challenge for people. Taxes are high. We're not oblivious or obtuse to that. But this is this ongoing problem we'll have to address and figure out because the cost of doing business is going up far faster than the revenues that are coming to the district. Even combined with the foundation aid increase, which is at about 3%. 3% foundation aid, which is the the general aid for the increase in expense, and 2% in terms of foundation aid. Nowhere near that 3.7% number, the regular cost of doing business that people are seeing everywhere else in their life. The property tax cap calculation is an algorithm provided by the state, a formula provided by the state. And again, this illustrates that, but this is the property tax cap cap calculation and the report
025card that goes out to our taxpayers. Again, showing that it will be 2.03%. That's our capped number. But that would only allow for a 1.2% 2% increase in spending far lower again than the the rate of inflation in terms of what our expense is going forward. So to accommodate for that in terms of how did we reduce expenses just to point out to you from the 2425 adjusted budget to the totals in the far right column 25 26 in terms of the numbers of staff members and that point out the changes overall in the teaching area we're seeing a reduction of 1.5 positions. So from this year a total again of 1.5 positions reduced in the teaching area. It's a combination of small parts of lots of positions. For the most part, we've been able
026to do some of that through attrition through specific positions where people are retiring or leaving um not reducing significantly to uh individuals going into next year. Any reduction to a person though is significant to them. I don't want to gloss over that. That that is, but we're not seeing largecale layoffs is uh part of the point. We're looking at 10.7 positions, a total of pieces of par professional positions across the dis district district. An addition of 62 positions in the school uh nurse area and custodial maintenance down 0.5 positions. The total number of positions that change across the district staffing allocations is less 12.08 08 positions and remember there are reductions and then in some areas there are additions for example uh English as a new language English language learners there are additional positions so
027those offset and that's why we're at a total of less 1.5 positions but 12.08 08 overall across the district in a variety of areas. Class size is always a question that people have um you know going forward and it is a priority in this community. It is also an area uh that has caused us difficulty and that we have to look at relative to still being able to offer program across the district. The changes for next year we're looking at uh in kindergarten still having 12 sections in first grade having 12 sections instead of 13. Again, a slightly slightly slightly smaller class anticipated. That class size will go from 19.7 to 20.8 anticipated. We'll have the same number of sections at second grade, but it's a reduction from that cohort leaving first grade uh to
028second grade. The average class size would be 22.5. In third grade, we would go from 11 sections to 13. Their cohort is going from 12 sections in second to 13. That will be 22.5. So, we've had to add there. In fourth grade, we're going from 11 to 12. The cohort is also going up one section. The class size will be 21.4. And in fifth grade, we will go from 12 sections to 11. But that cohort is staying the same, 11 sections as they leave fourth grade and go to fifth grade. And their class size average will be 22.1. The far right column shows you what would happen if we had to reduce by another teacher or add a teacher, how that would impact class size. that just that is just for people's reference when they
029walk through this information. We think it's really important to point out to people though what are you getting for the spending that you're doing for what you're purchasing here in the district as a taxpayer and we continue to believe deeply that people are receiving an outstanding experience for their investment and for those without children in school. It is worth investing in our children at such a high level when they are getting this experience and having the outcomes that they are. Last year's graduation rate was 95% 98% of our students receiving a regent diploma, 66% with advanced distinction and 76% of our students, I always think this is a very impressive uh number receiving at least one AP uh class before they leave, which we know translates into higher degree of success uh when kids leave
030us for post-secary opportunities. And 88% of our students plan to attend a two or fouryear uh college. We were ranked number two district by uh the niche r niche r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r rankings in 2025 number two district in Rochester. Named a blue ribbon school of course in 2018 at the high school and the middle school was again redesated as a school to watch in 2024. An incredible number of opportunities for kids and on athletic teams and in the arts. We continue to excel in both areas. a huge number of clubs available and different opportunities for a wide variety of interests and continuing to receive recognition whether it's in uh the STEM area as a top 500 STEM high
031school in 2020 and high rankings in each of those areas all the way down to Council Rock as a habits of mind school of distinction in 2019. Our graduation and college readiness statistics we think are also very impressive, especially when you look at the distance that we've come from 2013 with an 89% graduation rate. But fast forward to now a 95% graduation rate. Most important to us is the change for particular subgroups of students went from 55 to 96 for African-American students, 78 uh% for economically disadvantaged students in 2013 now to uh 85% 65 for students with disabilities, now 83%. So really done quite a bit to close the gaps realizing that success and acknowledging that success for some kids is not success for the district. That is really about success for all students that
032we should be measuring ourselves by. A wide variety of opportunities for all members of our school community to engage and be be a meaningful contributor to and a part of our school community and again so many opportunities for kids to be a part of the club or activity that best suits them. That is what people are getting for their investment. great opportunities but really great outcomes as well. A quick word about the impact on tax rate tax rates and equalization. First of all, I can't emphasize this enough. I know I said at the beginning, one, we have nothing to do with assessments. Two, the assessments are on hold by the town indefinitely. Uh three, your taxes will not change based on your assessment, but rather based on the rate and the change going to next
033year that we still really don't know because of uh the uh I don't want to say confusion, but the particular situation around where the assessments were heading. So, it's very hard to tell right now what the equalization rate will be. The point for people in our community to really take home is whatever your taxes were last year, we are only collecting 2.03% 03% more in real dollars. People can generally assume generally assume that their taxes will go up about 2% from the year before. Um but overall again before the pause on equalization it would have been 100%. The town of Pittsver is at 57%. And we're responsible for the tax levy and we know the impact on homes matters but we're not responsible for the assessments in any way. So that leaves a lot of
034question marks on the screen. We know right now that the Pittsford equalization rate will be 57%. So that's essentially the rate when different towns are assessed closer or further from full market value, the state has to apply a metric. So people are paying uh their fair share. We believe that will be 57% again um in Pittsburgh. But where we can usually say we think it'll be about this will be about here. We still do not have those numbers and can't speak to those yet. But the impact on tax rates at this point the equalization rate that was uh with the full value right now if we're thinking it's about 55% so close to last year we're looking at an impact of 28.49 in terms of the rate per thousand which means in Brighton your taxes
035on a home valued at $250,000 we can assume will go up $144. Again, these are estimates. You're approving a spending plan, but this is what we estimate as the tax increase. But because of the equalization rate with Pittsford, which saw larger increases in years past, a home valued at $250, $250,000 would see their uh taxes go up by $1 again because that has to be equalized based on uh relationship to full market value. Total spending proposal again of $110,572,957 or up 5.45% the levy then increasing 2.03%. We believe a solid solid investment in mental health wellness academic excellence family student experience operations supporting our work in each of those areas and that we've been able to minimize the tax impact as much as possible. We really need to be aware of this long-term issue though
036and ensure that we have the resources targeted to student needs, supporting our staff in meeting student needs, that we're maintaining fiscal stability, which we believe this does, and that we are again supporting our students and families by investing in programs and opportunities. Can I answer any questions for you? I think you won't be able to answer this, but we do not have a sense yet when we'll actually have an approved state budget. Correct. Obviously, you know, this is estimated. We're pretty comfortable with the estimate, but there's not right now a commitment from the governor or the legislature on when that budget will actually be approved. Correct. No. And actually, I not telling tales out of school. This was published in a variety of uh of uh media outlets that the governor said she is not
037concerned with how late it is. Um and they'll continue to work on it. They want to certainly get it right and continue to negotiate several items. uh but feels as though uh in the governor's words, we will know what we need to know prior to the budget vote. Um so, you know, all we can do is simply be confident that at least the numbers that have been proposed at this point, which is what we've built the budget on, will be numbers we can count on going forward, but we are not anticipating just in terms of the people that we talked to that a state budget will be finalized anytime soon. Do you have a sense of what the sticking points are? So there are several uh one of which I think not spoken very widely
038about is likely concern over federal funding over Medicaid in particular and the impact on the state budget um and anxiety around that. But there are also a variety of non-education issues that are sticking points. uh you know I think that there's a a big discussion around what's called article 78 language that the governor is using to um de develop essentially different policies and using policy language to create laws through the budget and that is an age-old debate between um particularly the assembly there's a lawsuit uh silver versus pitakei that goes back in time over this and there's a lot of conversation with the current speaker Carl Hasty about that. Uh so there are several of those sticking points. The only education issue which was really a sticking point was the bell-to bell cell phone ban.
039It does sound uh the way uh speaker hasty described it in the last couple of days at a press conference as though they have essentially agreed to something resembling that with in his words some tweaks to what was proposed by the governor. We don't know what those are though. It doesn't sound as if education issues are what is holding up the state budget process at this point. Thanks. You bet. Other questions for the board. Thank you, Dr. Budget hearing is on May 13th. The budget vote on the 20th right here in this building. No word yet on Quantis food trucks. Uh but as we always say in the memory of great Brighton Teacher Association member, teacher Gretchian Schaefer, former Kanian, we hope you can come out and support it. Hopefully, it will happen. and we'll
040be raising money for kids to go to camp and other great causes, but also come and vote that day uh and be a part of the process. Thank you. There is the opportunity to absentee ballot if you're not going to be in town. So, those will be available also. Yes, absentee ballots available. Thanks a lot to Lou for his leadership and getting us through this process and to this point for all of our budget makers in the room for the work that they do to get us here and your guidance representing the community along the way. Much appreciated. Thanks. If there are no questions, I will put forward an approval of the resolution for the adoption of the 2025 2026 budget and the 2025 2026 uh property tax report card. So moved. Moved by Karen.
041Second. Seconded by Elellaner. All those in favor? I. We are approved. Now on to the report section. Um first you've had the chance uh as we are responsible to approve the financial ports reports we have received. You've got both the executive uh budget summary status report period ending 22825 and also the treasures report period ending 22825. Any questions with regards to those financial reports. Motion to approve. So moved. Moved by Carrie Lynn. Second. Seconded by Esther. All those in favor. Student representative Dagy. Hi. So for academics, the fourth quarter starts tomorrow, which is also the last quarter. Um the SAT boot camp is going to take place April 22nd through 24th at BHS. For sports, JV, varsity, and modified spring sports have all like just started. And uh last Friday, we had a um our
042last sports assembly to honor our spring athletes. For clubs, Friends of Rachel had a March Madness mixer on March 19th where students played board games and ate donuts. Um, the Galaxy Literary Magazine held its annual suare March 21st. And the Bray and Math team came in third place in the division after this whole year and they're also sending four students to the New York State Math League meet. Um, for executive council, we held our elections for next year's council. So, those results are already in. And we've just been working on um for our springfest and the faculty talent show. which is going to take place after the APs in May. Other than that, Council Rock Primary School is having its annual ice cream social today until Thursday. Brain Believes Day took place March 13th where
043um students completed numerous service projects and it was very successful. The class of 2027 had a Chipotle fundraiser on March 19th. Um the BHS counseling department held its counseling night to share um information to parents about senior year, college, career search, and like the college admissions review. And for all of April, all the B uh BCSD buildings are holding a brighten your wardrobe spring clothing drive. Thank you very much. Uh Monro County School Board Association uh the the three different meetings district operations. I did happen to attend that one back on March 26th. We had a uh demonstration of the new voting machines from the Monroe County Board of Elections will be the voting machines we are using for our election on May 20th. There'll be a representative uh from the Monro County Board of
044Elections at every location that's using the new machines. They look great. They look very straightforward. So, so excited to see that they are in no way, shape or form and this was emphasized a number of times connected to the internet in any way, shape or form. They are standalone machines. Um so, we had a good demonstration on that. Um and went from there. Information exchange that is Esther and I. We both um share the committee work for that. And um this past month they just did an overview of what makes an effective board and efficient strategies to um run a board smoothly especially in um some uncharted waters. So that's it and we have another meeting tomorrow. Great. legislative. Uh as is our tradition in April uh which should be our last meeting of the
045year, we invited uh Regents Hail and Norwood to join us to give us an overview of the work that they do. It was a very well attended meeting. We had a large number of superintendent represent representation from I think 17 of our 21 districts. Um the regents had a lot to say about um the current situation at the federal level and not as many details to say as about um blue ribbon committee on graduation requirements. So we we had a a long discussion about um how everybody feels about that sense of being in flux. Um Christina and Eleanor were with me. I don't know if you want to add anything about about the meeting in particular. I think the the message that I took is to try and see through some of the noise to
046to be patient and kind of wait for the message as all of this is sorted out legally and otherwise. but that there's a lot of noise around this right now and that we need to wait for the noise to subside to find the message within I think was one of the big takeaways I took. I think they but it was a great meeting. Yeah, I'm always grateful that um they're both so willing to give their time to us to help us understand what their work entails. It looks like we will be meeting again in May. I don't have a date yet. um a because we don't have a budget and b because we don't really understand what's happening at the federal level. So I'll report back sometime in there. And I think I heard maybe
047in a meeting you and I were at it was district steering we already have a date for the legislative breakfast in 26. We do. Don't ask me what it is right now. But I can tell you it's the first Saturday in February. We will have student voice again. That meeting is always well attended. We've um changed the venue to CCR to Country Club of Rochester so that we have more room for folks to attend in in a you can spread out a little bit more than we can at Shadow Lake. But um always appreciate um the folks at Monro County School Board for giving us access to folks like the regents and our legislators. Great. Next report from uh Monroe One Boseies and Mark Quakanovich our former board president is our representative to Monroe One
048Boseies. I'll just do a quick summary. Um, they're also going through their uh 25 2025 2026 budgets covering transportation, administrative expenses, and capital projects. They were approved by the 101 Boseis board of education. Their annual meeting was held on April 3rd and their budget was presented. Procedures were outlined. Um, districts will vote on the 2025 and this is a later item on our agenda tonight. 2025 2026 Monroe One Bosey's administrative budget nominees for three appointments to the Monroe one and I'll do those in the future agenda item at this meeting here and um they've approved -ate uh reimbursement on component districts and that uh noted that some of us are familiar with Amy West from Honey Flimma but Monro Wosi's board of ed member Amy West again hon falls Lima was recently honored and recognized
049by the New York State Legislative Women's Caucus as part of the women's History Month celebrations in Albany for her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and support for public education and her role as a business owner and community leader. So, as always, we are grateful for Mark's service in our community representing us on the Bosey's board. PTSA, Dr. Castillo. All right. So, we'll start with Council Rock Primary School. Uh Council Rock hosted a successful uh fun food Friday on March uh 21st. Looking ahead, students participated in Bright and Believes Day during which students would write letters to younger classmates. Uh other upcoming events include the open house and book fair starting in April and a bus driver aid and appreciation day. Um looking at French Road Elementary School, uh March events at French Road include a fun food
050Friday on March 21st and Brighton Believes Day on March 12th. Uh for Bright and Believes Day, they had a macaroni and cheese drive benefiting raacha. Uh the March 17th staff meeting featured St. Patrick's Day themes St. Patrick's Day themed snacks. Thanks to Liz Rearden for arranging that event. In the coming weeks, students can place the yearbook orders with April 11th as the final deadline. The school will also host a third grade ice cream social on May 1st and a color run on May 6th, taking place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The fourth and fifth grade course concert scheduled on May 8th and 15th, respectively, will also feature an ice cream treat. Uh 12 Corners Middle School, 162 students attended the seventh grade activity night. Thank you to Jennifer A and Stacy D for sharing the
051event on February 28th. Uh for Bright and Believes Day, students had a chance to celebrate with their pen pals from the Jewish home, Gable's Legacy, and Valley Manor. On March 17th, the PTSA provided hospitality for the faculty meeting. Thank you to Lindsey K for helping with that event. You can find pictures for both of those events in the accompanying report. Uh finally, to the high school or actually no, one other one. uh start going down to the high school. Brighton High School participated in Brighton believes day as well by sending thank you to individuals who serve the Brighton community as well as letters to students at Council Rock. Uh the PTSA also provided hospitality for their faculty meeting on March 17th. Additionally, the PTSA representatives from 12 Corners Middle School and the high school met
052with the principles uh the principal on March 19th to discuss linewise, a digital tool aimed at classroom management and content filtering. The PTSA ended March uh with a staff appreciation lunch and you can find pictures for that event as well. And finally uh for reports and committee news um the PTSA's fundraising uh efforts continue with a silent auction scheduled for the end of April. Thank you very much. I made a mistake. I jumped over two pieces so I didn't forget you Jamie mentioning Nicole but I got to finish with other board member reports and is our practice. I'll start at the end of the table and work this way. So I apologize to everyone. Nothing new to report. Okay. And continuing that trend, nothing new to report. Uh March 13th, uh curriculum council met. Uh
053we are continuing our deep dive into exploring artificial intelligence um and its effect on our students, our our teachers and our uh school education system in general. And um that's been very interesting. Um and on uh March 27th, the uh school equity based team for Brighton High School um met and we are continuing our deep dive into um our exploration of our students having a sense of belonging. Um and we are going to give a another survey to them and with a more of a fine-tuned um uh questionnaire and hopefully we will be able to assess that information and improve um the sense of belonging of of our students. Thank you. Um I met with uh 12 corner schoolbased equity team. Our deep dive is is into student discipline. Um that work can use. And
054then because my number hasn't been called yet for jury duty, I can go to the PTSA meeting tomorrow. So I'll tell you about that next one. Do you want to talk about district steering or u Monro County School Board Association? We've I mean Larry and I both attended Monro County School Boards Association steering committee. We we sit on that. I think you're the member at large, correct? And I'm the legislative co-chair. Um we talked about the budget uh for next year for that particular group. It's kind of like steering committee is hard to get your your hands around. It's almost like a PTSA meeting like we have to we're approving their work, right? Um so there are reports from all the different committees, legislative district operations, um information exchange. We went over the budget for
055next year. Um it's kind of housekeeping sort of work. Thank you. So I have nothing to report. Christina, I don't either. I have a couple coming up. Okay. I'll note just as is always the case a lot of construction work coming on but sort of in an illustrative way I I had the chance to sit and look at some of the work that needs to get done at Council Rock and the discussions today were about looking at estimates and costs and trying to figure out what impact tariffs might have on that. It's for something to then go to SED that would then potentially be bid in March of 26 that would maybe be completed in July of 26 and we're discussing it in April of 25. So that's how these timelines work a lot. And
056um kudos to Lou and a number of the buildings folks. I think we call attention to them a lot, but it's impossible to call attention to them too much because they do such great work. John Devel and his entire team. So appreciative of their work. Uh, it's baseball season, so I'll note that uh Jamie Porter has kindly offered to pinch it for Nicole Yos who is doing I think an ice cream social or something tonight. You are correct. And wow, what a what a transition. So, can count on Larry. Yeah. So, thank you for allowing me and Nicole to come uh every single time you have a board meeting. From my understanding, you have like the pictures in front of you and my job is to go through quickly. So, um so thank you. We're
057just going to showcase some of the the wonderful things our students and our our our teachers are are doing in the classroom. So, at Council Rock, so there's the school counselors have been pushing into some classrooms, talking about some very important safety things with our students and having some great conversations and lessons with that. So, also uh there's a cool erosion project going on Michelle Oric's room. So, it looks I only have black and white. It kind of looks like cake a little bit. So, I don't know if I sand. I mean, yeah, I figured. So, sounds like a pretty pretty nice science project there at Council Rock. So, over at Fres, we have some very talented musicians here practicing outside. It was a little warmer a little while ago than today, but they are
058playing the uh Star Spangle Banner at the Red Wings game. Um, so they're they're getting some good practice in. That's always a great a great uh show by by our students there. Um, we have some other students doing some amazing ceramics in art, working hard. Um, we have uh some students doing a uh a chalk talk and thanks for the custodial staff. Uh, so it's not really a chalk. They're writing on the floor with dry erase markers, but I don't think there's anything that rhymes well with dry erase marker. Uh, but I think it's kind of a a unique way for them to to do some ELA work and some literacy work in in there. So, there's a couple pictures of them doing that. And then uh this very cool project going on for third
059graders in uh extended studies. they are are kind of like making new planets and kind of describing what those are and and doing some projects around what life on on those planets would be. Um I guess some of them are gassy. So uh so some big gas giants in there and some rocky ones. I don't know what's going on with that one that like a piece is coming out. I think that's like the inside core they're really uh working on. So some really ingenuative things by by those students. And uh the fourth grade students are uh making uh time travel machine prototypes uh in their extended studies which is I think a classic egg drop where they have to drop the egg. But I just wanted uh you know Kevin and maybe Lou this is
060coming your way. Um we're putting in a request for a Delorean and some plutonium for this project. So I just want to make some sure there's room in the budget for that. Gotcha. Gotcha. So I'll take care of the flux capacitor. Yeah. It's no requisition. And that's how we know you're all of a certain age. Yes. I could go on. Um yeah, we have an over and under bet with Bill about when we're when I'm going to finish. So um and then there's a I already won. Um we got some snapshots here of just like what a day uh in FRA looks like and there's a lot of kids having fun. Uh, I know Cedric Goodwill is doing some great things in Gizad and a lot of kind of like uh music work and there's
061a a lot of pictures of our how we we focus on students with a lot of one-on-one and small group opportunities. Those are really important especially um for some kind of revision or some extra help for those students and it's it's really what what makes things special when we can we can do that and spend time with with our students. So, there's a couple pictures going on there, as well as some of our academic support instructors doing some of that, their important work at FRES. And uh the fifth grade band had the opportunity to go to TCMS, which was great. And they got to talk about what it means to be in band at TCMS and to hear from those students and play with those students, which is kind of a really great opportunity and
062to to meet some some students who might still be there the next year, too, that they'll be playing with. And also at TCMS, there's a couple pictures. Uh we have um apparently the Elkins uh are really lobbying for all their clubs this this month. But so their uh middle school science olympiad team placed fourth in their regionals. They just went the other day to uh compete against 40 schools in the New York State competition. I did not um uh hear how well they did, but it's pretty great to have uh these these young middle school students doing some really cool science and technology. uh and engineering stuff. Um so in science olympiad and then also uh just to kind of showcase what amazing cultural diversity we have in our community and what we have in
063our school. There's a couple slides for this but we have a new student from Brazil who during some wind time shared with some students about what life was like where she grew up in Brazil. And uh it just kind of when you you know walk into Tus and see all those flags about where our students are from. It it really is a is an amazing place where we live, our community and and our schools. Um and there's a actually a picture of those flags uh in the next uh page where we have uh a teaching resident in and he played a little bag pipes for some of the students on St. Patrick's Day. So, and then uh we also uh in in the uh ENL department, they're working in conjunction with the Warner School and
064some students from the Warner School came in to talk about um to do a little Chinese club presentation and things like that to learn about some cultures there. And then this the second Elgens group uh they uh also run the E3 club and they had their students uh do a competition with some some uh robots that they built and they had to move uh some pucks which were just kind of bottled cap stuff around. But our our students came in first and third in the competition at RIT which is which is pretty cool. Uh they got to take a a picture with one of those Boston dynamic dog robots which is cool but a little sketchy if uh if I can if I can add that. Yeah. It's incredible what what they what Boston Dynamics
065does with those things. But there um interesting. And then also a little uh little gym class, physical education stuff going on. So they've been doing a little CrossFit here and there. And I find this unbelievable that uh one of the students um in his class is close to the world record for bench press presses for his age group. So I can't relate to that. But I can relate to the next one where multiple students have had their first pull-up and handstands for the year. So I can I can work with the single pullup. That's that's that's my lane. And then uh again there's just a whole bunch of snapshots of some of the things that are are going on at TCS uh that follows. Um there are some more things going on during win. So
066uh where um we uh there was kind of a presentation about the uh Hindu festival holy. So which is the um where they kind of throw the colored powder and stuff like that. We avoided that. They brought in colored scarves, which I think everyone appreciated from the custodial staff that that was the the alternate. And then finally, some some BS uh VHS stuff. So, two of our students um I I'm not going to do well with the last name, so I'm going to skip those, but Peter and Gabe uh have qualified for uh the All Eastern Symphonic Band. And what that means is that's open to the entire Northeastern United States. That's a big deal. Yeah. huge. So, and it's just really and Gabe is in one of my classes and a fantastic go around.
067But just what a what a a remarkable um um you know just accolade for for those two gentlemen who are for doing great in that. And then also on the other side um Phoebe and Samantha, two other students uh are in the senior high honor band which is part of the 2025 New York State Band Directors Association. So again, just a great honor for for those two students and just wonderful musicians and it's it's just uh fantastic for the the opportunities that we have from the clubs that we offer. I know that you've been brought up, but it's just so great to have these extracurriculars to what we do in class and also what we do in the arts. Um it's just a just a great place to be. So one of our uh new
068clubs uh the Latino student union was doing a community service project. So they threw some pictures in. They're working with Lifespan, which works with adults in the community. And uh then the final couple ones. So uh John Clemens just threw out a little picture about what their AP world is doing. And this is kind of finishing things up and getting ready for the AP exams that are right around the corner. So he was doing some work in uh the large group room. And then a couple other things is that for in the high school, the math team uh placed third in our division this year. So unfortunately behind both Pittsburgh schools. We'll work on that. So I think that has been a uh long time rivalry here. So uh but uh you know third place
069is is excellent and the students did really well. But one of the big things is that um we had the number two senior in the county. So Jonathan Harrow uh qualified for that and Asher Clar or Claire I'm sorry I don't know that that's name but he came as the number three sophomore in the county. So we really have some extremely talented students operating in in all sorts of these uh you know in math and science and the arts. And then we had a very cool field trip that the uh art the AP art and advanced art classes went to in Buffalo. They went to the AKG uh art museum and uh with with a field trip and saw some really neat things there. And again, just want to thank the board for the support
070for field trips and the electives that we have and all the extracurriculars and sports and uh the wonderful things that that our students do. And as I finally uh near the last couple um the teen institute club put on a program um which is that's a club at the high school put on a program for fifth graders and we had students come over and they gave them a little quiz about what type of leader they are and then um they did a kindness activity but the whole point was to make sure that every kid sees themselves as a leader and that they have different skills that are leadership skills in different places that a leader is not just one kind of like um generic description that that everyone has has a place to lead and
071the effort can make positive change. And then finally, uh I uh um Lance Mitchell did a big uh board game club. So, a lot of wholesome quality fun hang out and a lot of students uh doing that after school. And there's just a couple pictures uh for there. And uh got a couple kids playing cards. I hope they're playing pitch and they can teach Dr. Hall a few pitch skills. He needs that work. So, and that's uh that's all all we got there. We appreciate you pinch hit the call tonight and as always the pictures are fantastic. Nothing better than watching as you pointed out kids in activities being engaged and having fun at some of those things Jamie. So thank you very much. Thank you again for having me. Y and for the community
072this is posted correct. That is correct. It's on the it's on the the school website. You're able to see all these pictures. Yeah it's a good point. Thank you. Um Dr. McGowan few items uh very quickly. one I'm not sure if you heard but the budget will be voted on it will 7 to 9 in this building come for the food trucks and the vote as you heard Dagney gives really great updates as did both PTA and PTSA so thank you for that but sometimes I end up repeating Dagney very specifically and she does it way better spring sports of course started and lots of fun out there uh it's not quite the right weather yet but we're getting there uh people are really patient and a lot happening on the art side as well
073concerts are beginning. So, uh really exciting to be at that point and the fourth quarter beginning also. But more important than any of those things at this point, I just would like to certainly say eat for our friends and neighbors who just finished uh their month of Ramadan. Happy Passover to those celebrating coming up as well as happy Easter. We hope everybody has a great, safe, restful, enjoyable break with family and friends, too, which is of course next week. Thanks. Thank you. Uh next up, I referred to this before. We've got uh this year's resolution to both nominate candidates to the Boseis Board of Education and also um the approving their Monroe One or voting to approve rather their annual election and budget vote was referred to earlier. I'll mention the name of the three
074individuals. There's three seats open. There's three people running currently in those seats and running for their seats again, but it's David Brian Butram from Rush Henrietta. It's Kim McCcluskey from Pittsburgh and um Rebecca Hicks from East Rochester. We addressed the budget piece before. Um I'll do these as two separate resolutions. first for the three candidates. Motion to approve the nomination of these three candidates to the Boseis board of education. So move second. Moved by Susan, second by Karen. All those in favor? I. Uh resolution move forward for the Monroe one Bosey's annual election and budget vote. So move. Moved by Esther. Second. Seconded by Elellaner. All those in favor? I. Um this is the word I cannot say. So I'll look at you in a second. This is the approval of the amended settlement recommendation
075memorandum between the country club of Rochester versus town of Brighton tax proceeding questions. Pretty smooth. Um or if you just go real fast here. Yeah. Um we've talked about this a couple times before. Is there anything you want to add to this? No, I mean just for people to understand tax these claims are and we have a reserve that covers these claims as well, but these claims are when people essentially challenge their assessment and what they've been taxed and it's a process that they go through, have a right to go through that and we work through that with whatever entity and this hap this is not uncommon. Uh I I suppose them being on the agenda and us approving or getting to this point doesn't happen all the time. So it's worth reminding people but
076um this is just the result of a long process of working through a settlement uh in that process. Okay, questions from the board. Motion to approve. So moved. Moved by Carrie Lynn. Second. Seconded by Karen. All those in favor? I move forward with the consent agenda um which includes approval of personnel changes, recommendations from the committee on special ed and the uh committee on preschool education. Uh a number of different fundraising activities to get your cars clean to get your bellies filled. So um a number that are listed here. Um we've got field trip approvals. I just have two items on the personnel agenda. I'd like to Thank you. I'm sorry about that. you asked me about that. Let me stop right there. We'll go back to our first item, which is the personnel agenda
077and give uh Dr. McGowan a chance to say something. I apologize. No, that's no problem. Well, there are two items. One, uh certainly joyful that we would like to celebrate the appointment and the recommendations of Amanda Masters as our new middle school assistant principal coming to us from Bloomfield, most recently in Palm before that. Outstanding educator and leader. Uh great reputation, incredible references. Committee was very high on her as well. Just did an outstanding job throughout the process. So, we're very excited uh about her joining us. But on the more mournful side, we do want to take a moment to recognize a staff member who has passed away, uh one of our food service employees, uh Pam Machowski, and ask for you to just join us in a moment of silence before we move on
078to the agenda. Thank you. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with her family and uh all of her colleagues who certainly miss working with her and are thinking about her each and every Thank you. Thank you. Um we're excited about Amanda. We had a chance to meet her just as we were walking into this meeting. Acknowledge Carrie Lynn for participating that interview process. Thank you very much for taking the time to be able to do that. Thank you. Um, oh, we talked about fundraising activities and uh field trip approvals that are on the agenda. We have one gift and as is our practice, we will read that gift. A gift from Palmer Food Service of five cases of peanut butter and three cases of jelly for Brighton High School Bright and Believe Service Project.
079I would like to acknowledge and I don't know if Dr. Hall um this is for the the is it the natural helpers who make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Friends of Rachel? Friends of Rachel, I'm sorry. all the seniors. Well, okay. Hungry students. Thank you. Okay. I'm sorry. Uh motion to approve the cons. I'm sorry. Any questions with regards to the consent agenda? Motion to approve. So move. Moved by Elden. Second. Seconded by Esther. All those in favor? I. Uh before we adjourn, just uh thanks as always to Asher, Bill, and Mike Killer Bill. Um a quick note, uh uh had a chance to be at the Brighton Rotary fundraiser on Friday night. And uh shout out to Sarah Stabbell and a group of our students from French Road, Middle School, and High School,
080and all be all who came and performed, did instrumentals. We had possibly a singer from a board member um coming for a couple of the ac capella groups, but just really amazing to watch all these different students so supremely talented. Um just did a great job at the Rotary event. So, uh grateful for them. Spring break next week as you pointed out and April 29th, which is the Tuesday after the break will be our next meeting. Anything else for the good of the order? Motion to adjurnn. So moved. Moved by Karen. Second. Seconded by Sue. All those in favor? I. We are adjourned. This has been a special presentation from the Brighton Central School District Board of Education.