Board of Education Meeting February 9, 2026

001Let's call the meeting to order. The budget meeting to order. Uh please stand and join me for the pledge. >> I pledge aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. Can I have a motion to approve the agenda for the February 9th, 2026 board of education budget workshop as presented? >> So moved by Jess. >> Second by Mary. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. So Mr. Adams, you want to kick us off? >> Absolutely. Uh thanks for coming out and thanks to our to our guests. We're going to be talking about predominantly the revenue side of the budget. That's what uh what Christine her

002office and uh uh assorted other other folks including uh the the district leadership have been working on and building leadership as well. So uh Christine prepared a presentation for us and uh keeping in mind that we don't have all the final figures on the revenue side but uh those will come. So Christine, why don't you take it away? Thanks for the work you did in putting this all together. >> Okay. So tonight we'll talk about the Governor Hokll's executive budget proposal from January, the property tax cap, draft revenues to date, some information on expenses to date, and then what to expect for the March budget presentation. So, for the January executive budget, um you'll see that foundation aid is um just a 1% increase 211,994 from this current year to next year. Um she gave

003a minimum increase for safe harmless harmless districts, which we are one of a 1% year-to-year increase. So hopefully this will number will change by the April run, but right now it's 1%. Um, >> is safe harmless a a digital thing? Either you are one or you aren't. >> Most districts are on safe harmless, >> right? >> Yeah. It's a calculation. Yeah, it's a calculation and if it doesn't give you at least 1% then you get 1%. >> Gotcha. Yeah. So we're we're in a as Christine said, we're in a large group. remember last year >> we were at 2%. And we're sort of hoping that so we got roughly $430 or $450,000 increase in the foundation aid and this year it's down down to the 1%. Uh there's hope that uh in terms of a

004proposed budget versus an enacted one uh that there might be some differences in our favor there but a lot of folks are in a similar situation but still still is our reality too. >> Right. So, our Bosey's aid is increasing 16% um a total of 412,000 159. Um and Bosey's aid is aid based on your prior year expenses. So, we spent a little more than the year before that. So, that's why the increase. um our public and and private access cost aid. That's that aid that we get um for our special education students that have um high cost needs. And so um the public cost is going up 111,903 or 23.4% but the private is going down a little bit 14,272 or 1.7%. So the difference between public and private is if you have kiddos

005in a public program, a public school like Erie 1, Erie 2, Boseies, we have uh class at Holland. Um and where private is like Summit and Faulk and schools like that. Um our hardware tech aid and software um library and textbook aid is going down a little bit. Um those are flat dollars amounts based on um enrollment numbers. Our transportation aid is going up 47,463 or 1.3% because we spent money more money just like the Bosey's aid, you know, a little more the prior year. Now, I'm going to change that um on the presentation for March because we know that we're spending more this year than what we actually budgeted. The state won't have our numbers until >> this year closes and we do the ST3 in September. So, um I just want to wait

006until I get um January's um Fiser bill finalized and then February's bill. So, it gives me a couple more months of actual data. >> But as far as our understand budget and actual are different, but as far as our budget goes, we budgeted >> albeit a bit late an extra 800 in transportation, right? So assuming we were to spend that >> the the cost went like the cost is what we projected is going up by then. Our budget that we enact that we accepted for May was I believe 5.1 and then when the new when the RFP came in we're like no we're going to have to go that's why we've seen those big budget transfers. >> I understand that. But we'll be reimbursed. Our aid next year will follow what we >> agree. I

007would just say in terms of what in terms of our budget for this school year, what we adopted was before we had that number. So, >> so this number is based on our budget. This increase is based on the aid we will receive for this year's transportation expense in our budget >> which will actually be >> now what it is is what the state what they what they gave us the prior year plus CPI >> right >> so a little more than so that's >> yeah so the 47,000 they don't know that we're spending so much more this year on transportation until the ST3 is completed in September and then they'll know and then they'll increase our transportation aid because it's based on your prior year actual but they won't have our actual numbers until

008we close the books June 30th 2026 >> right I'm just trying to get at we should anticipate our transportation a date actually being higher than we're than this screen is showing >> right that's what I said I'm going to increase it >> um in March but I want to look at a couple more actual bills before I decide what number That should be It's probably going to be around 300,000, but I'm um >> Right. >> I'm going to wait until I get a couple more. Yep. Okay. And then building a 18.2%. I don't use the governor's um budget for building aid. I use Capital Markets, our fiscal advisors, um because they prepare all the debt and aid schedules and they know, you know, the final costs were were reports were submitted and how much aid

009we're going to get on the um phases of the project that are closed down. So, all in all, it's a total of um a 27.9% increase. Um but a a lot of that money is um building aid. You can see the big difference. Um $929,000. Um >> right. >> What's um on this screen also is our UPK aid. So the governor changed how districts will be funded. We'll see if this makes it in the final budget, but she proposes up to $915,000 or $10,000 for every full day UPK student. We have no information on what halfday students will be reimbursed. There is nothing in the budget like a dollar amount per half day kiddo. So, but what what's the same is we have to give 10% of our allocation to a community um a CBO

010community- based organization. For us, it's this year it's the YMCA. We we have to send an RFP out um and hopefully it'll still be the YMCA, but we'll see what happens. >> And this number includes no transportation aid for UPK, correct? there is no transportation date for UPK students. That you're correct. >> So I want to make sure I understand the the the visualization you're presenting here. Um the 2020 the 2627 executive budget proposal is based just like this is the most recent information you are you have so far. Correct. Like you we all know this could change at any moment. >> This is what we think we would get based on what we know. We think we would get this in these categories. The 202526 budget is what we have spent. >> No, it's

011what we have budgeted. >> What we have budgeted so far in these categories and the dollar difference is basically you telling us um if it's positive then can presuming we would still spend in these categories as we've spent we're doing pretty well. And if we have on the negative, this is where we are actually losing money if this budget stays the same. So we would probably have to adjust the way we spend in these categories and move money around in the future. >> This is the revenue side of the budget, not the expense side of the budget. >> Well, that's why I'm saying like so clear it up. So, what am I what am I supposed to take away from? >> It could be more. It could possibly be more. >> Say >> we could

012get more money if the budget should change. >> So, >> foundation A would be the right would be the the one that we hope would increase. >> Right. So, you take this money from this isn't all the revenue. This is only the uh executive budget proposal. So the state aid basically plus UPKA. Then we'll have tax receipts and stuff. But you can't say like okay for foundation aid I'm going to spend it on salaries or supplies or revenue is one piece and then we have the expenditure budget as another piece. And then in totality, the revenues need to equal the expenses by the time you're done budgeting for the school year. >> All this is saying is right now we're anticipating this portion of our revenues an increase in 1 six million. >> So how

013should I interpret the increase in N in the decrease column? All that is is an increase over the 2526 budget. >> So, but what how should I interpret that in terms of action? >> It's it's going to it's going to house >> this is information action. >> They're not talking action steps right now. She's literally just presenting that this is we're expecting this to be this. We haven't married the two of like >> the tax increase. >> I get what you're saying. You're lo you're jumping to the next step already, but this isn't the next step. I guess what they're saying. >> Okay. Thanks. >> So all this chart is just shows a representation of um in a in a graph um of the increases um from 26 27 from 256. So the light gray

014I think is so far away I can't see it. Yeah, it's 26 27 and the dark gray is the current school year. So you can see the increase in building a for sure. That's like the biggest category >> and so much of this is dependent on what we're spending. So yes, it's great like oh look at the the coffers are opening up for us for building aid, but that's because of the money we've spent also. >> And that money can only be spent on debt service. >> Yep. And then our transportation aid, that's that like like Christine was saying, that's taking what we had last year and applying CPI to it. And you know, even though in our budget in May, we put a more than CPI to it, that's not reflected. And then it's

015not even talking about the fact that we've had all these budget transfers to make up for what the actual transportation cost was that they'll get that finalized document. So I think of ST3, I think of it as like, you know, just a just a code for a document you're sending in like when you're doing your taxes almost. All right? But you're submitting your ST3 that fills out that accurate that actual information of what you spent and then you get your aid change based on that. >> I'm sensing more questions there and I don't want to be like I'm not I'm not trying >> holding my questions to the end. >> Okay. >> So you could >> Yeah, the next slides will help you. >> Yeah. So the one good thing to remember is you can

016never exceed the voter approved budget. So that's why we have to do transfers from some expense lines to another because if lines are over then you got to move it from another expense category because you can't exceed your total approved voter budget. Okay. So here is the tax cap calculation for that page. Um so this is a prescribed formula. You start with the tax levy from this current school year. You multiply that by the taxbased growth factor that is given to us by the department of tax and finance. That is like the growth in Hamburg. Basically it's a small number a percentage wise. Then you add in the pilots receivable. Those are payments in lie of taxes. So those are um companies that are not on the tax role but are have a special arrangement

017to pay um for a certain number of years until they become on the tax role until the pilot expires. Then you subtract out the capital tax levy from this current year. So, the capital tax levy is your principal and interest payments that are due on your bonds and your bands for capital projects plus the $100,000 um um capital outlay project plus our district's share of Bosey's capital. So, anything that Boseies does, they charge to the district based on um a certain, you know, how much business um how big the district is, those kinds of things. And then you subtract from that whatever money you're going to use from the debt service reserve fund. And that equals your um capital tax levy for the year. and then you multiply it by the allowable growth levy which

018is um per the law the lesser of 2% or the rate of inflation. So right now the rate of inflation is between 2.4 and 2.7%. So it's 2% because that's lower than inflation. So then you take that number and you add um the pilots receivable for the 27 26 27th school year and we get that from the Hamburg IDA and that is the total le levy limit before any adjustments or exclusions that 42,763 561. Now for the exclusions um we don't have any anything in the very top. Um so the reason you would get like an employee retirement system exclusion or a teachers retirement ex um retirement system exclusion is if the percentage given to us by the retirement system exceeds 2% you could take that difference. So say TRS went up 2.5% then you

019can take the 0.5% as an exclusion but since neither pension system are is going up by more than 2% there is no exclusion to be used in the tax cap calculation. Then you add in the capital tax levy for the 2627 school year. again debt service payments principal interest kelay what we have to pay to boies um and that's two 2 million713983 um and then you come up with your tax levy limit which is 45 million477544 or 2.4% >> 2.04% 4%. Sorry, so far away. Um, any questions on the TAC cap calculation? I know there was a video I sent um to a couple board members last year that explains all of this in kind of a friendlier way. Um, especially the 2% which is not really 2%. Um, if anybody else wants that video,

020I can send it to them. Okay, so that's the tax cap calculation 2.04%. Okay, so now this is a total of of draft revenues, all our revenue estimated at as of today. So our property tax levy which was on the previous slide plus the pilots because remember they're not in the um in the levy. we get those monies separate is 45,617172 or a increase of 962,755 over this current year. Our next revenue category is Erie County sales tax. I'm keeping that the same at 5,250,000. our miscellaneous which is a bunch of smaller revenue categories but makes up continuing ed tuition Bosey's refund interest and then some um other miscellaneous things um for a decrease of 171767. Now, the biggest reason this is decreasing because remember we budgeted a one-time revenue source of $475,000 for the

021property sale of the Boston Valley Lamp. That is offset this year. I'm budgeting $150,000 for as an estimate of the maintenance garage. So, um, that's why it's going down, but not going down 475. Um, county transportation aid for students in temporary housing. So, we can't budget anything for this current year because we're not even going to see that $38,000 revenue that was budgeted for this year, unfortunately. Um Erie County receives some federal funding for um transportation of students and temporary housing, but we've received very little. We apply for it and they say no, not eligible. No, not not eligible. Um so we're not going to see we got a little bit of money, but nowhere near 300 and I can't budget something that's not going to come in. Is this different than um I forget

022the name of the program when we have a a homeless student >> McKenna >> Vento one? >> It's the same thing. >> Yeah. >> Why didn't we get the funding? >> So what >> is that a federal the change in federal policy? >> It could be. I mean when we send our invoices to Erie County, they send them back and say no, not eligible. No, not eligible. No, not eligible. I >> How do we know if they're going to be eligible? Like is there a list of like what's eligible and why it's el you know what I mean? Like is is there a qualification list somewhere? >> Um we send them they ask a lot of information from us. Parents names, addresses, where we're picking the kids up, what school they're going to, what grade,

023lots of information. And then we get it back then and says, "Nope, not yes, this one's good." But it's very few that they're actually paying for. I don't know what their criteria is. We just fill out the spreadsheet that they mandate us to fill out. >> Do we have any recourse? >> Yeah. Like is there >> Oh, we've emailed they just Yeah. >> Our our recourse has been consistent communication of checking to see over the course of last spring like where this these funds that we were under the impression that we along with every other school district in the same situation uh would be receiving and there's none forthcoming. They sent us as Christine said the spreadsheet with various >> is everybody having the same problem like nobody's getting >> uh to the degree I

024I couldn't speak for the numbers for everybody but it's a good it's a good question to to to raise but I know that there's I I I know that the aid that we thought we were going to get is not and that's the that other people are dealing with the same. I just don't know if it's to the tune of 308 or not. >> I doubt it's exactly >> No, I don't mean the specifics with it but yeah I'll let you know that a lot of districts didn't even know about this funding. The reason I found out about it is because of Mike Cornell told me about it and then I reached out to Erie County back in when we were budgeting 2526 and said, "Oh yeah, yeah, any district can apply, but a lot

025of districts like they didn't go out and advertise it, right?" So, it was kind of when I've talked to a couple districts at my um business official meetings like Sweet Home asked me about it and I said yes and then he went and built but he didn't know about it until their business official didn't know about it. So, I don't know if their funding dried up and that's why like they expended what they got from the federal government. >> It merits some more questions on my part with it. Okay. So, I'll take that down as something that I will look into and hopefully get answers for you that I would share with the board, but also with public in March then. >> Yeah, >> it'd be interesting if there was some reporting around it. >>

026Yeah, just around usually is this money getting doled out to what degree? >> Correct. >> Is this something that Mary and I should be talking to people about? >> See, this was more about the county reimbursement of it. Now, that could have that could have Albany overtones to it, but my my direction would be go to the county with it and determine and figure out where that >> came from because you're right that it might be a case that it was conversation between county and state that that occurred, but county is my first my first >> and you're saying we've gotten a small like are we getting 10% of that number less than 10? Like where are we at in terms of what we've actually received? >> I'll get back to you on that. I

027don't have that off the top of my head, but I would definitely >> but stuff we can look into for sure because there's some there was some that did qualify. It just wasn't to the to that number. >> And I mean yearover-year this 308 is that where we have been over >> No, this is we only budgeted for this one. It was like a one time. >> So we have not in past budgets had anything? >> Nope. >> But we are anticipating getting >> students who need >> Oh, for sure. So yeah, >> we will be responsible and yeah to for whatever those costs are. >> Yeah, I know one piece of it is that we budgeted the 308 for all of our students that were in temporary housing >> and we did get like

028the first time we build it was a half year. we did get, you know, some good money, but then the second time, like the second half of the year, they're like, "No, you know," and they changed. They wouldn't give you any reimbursement for the students in temporary housing that are in your district. So, if we had students staying at a hotel in Hamburg where before they would include them, >> they were excluding them after the second half of the year. If so, that changed >> if they were previously a Hamburg student. >> Yep. If they No, if they were they paid us if they lived in like a Hamburg the transportation between the Hamburg hotel and the Hamburg school building that they attended and home. >> But the second half of the year they said

029no, we're not funding um your in district McKenna Vento students. >> So that is one change. >> Okay. But we certainly have dis students all over the place, not just living in within the district boundaries. >> So, this should be a priority. >> Well, and and here's where I would would go with it. Like I said, there's going to be, you know, I need to get some more specifics based on what the on what we were told versus what we received with it and give you some specifics on that. At the same time, I want to be super sensitive about how we have this conversation, too, just because it is, you know, it's it's a it's a it's a challenging situation for for a lot of folks, >> you know, and not just us. That's

030not to to to stop the discussion about where the misunderstanding came with regard to what we could apply to last year's budget and what we actually received though. >> Is this >> they'll work on those details. Okay. >> Bringing up with Erie County School Board Association because if it's happening to us and is it happening? >> Certainly. Yeah. I wouldn't want to perfect. >> I think we need a root cause first because we don't seem to know why we're not getting >> certainly asking your other friends though over at that organization might see what they're doing. >> I mean the money could have dried up. We don't know just like the art money dried up. >> Um next category is Medicaid and those are for our high cost um special education students. I'm budgeting the

031same amount. Um and then use of reserve. So in Rick Yansy's our our fiscal advisor's um projections, he has a use of $600,000 from the debt service reserve because our principal and interest payments are definitely going up because as we pay for the work that was done in the buildings. Um but I also have in there using 200,000 of Eblar um employee benefit acred liability reserve to offset earned s and vacation payouts for retirees and then 150,000 from the ERS reserve th those are the folks the non-instructional um pensions in the pension system um due to and you'll see this later um due to the increase in ERS expenses TRS is actually percentage- wise going down But ERS is going up. >> So 200 200 from Eblar, 150 from >> ERS and then 600 from

032debt service and that equals the 975,000. Last this current year we didn't budget to use any reserve funds. >> Um the Medicaid category, any concerns about losing reimbursements? >> I don't because in Hokllo's budget she said she would make up anything lost um from the federal government. So, we'll see. Um, it they were paying a little slower because of the government shutdown, >> but now they're paying like they're catching up. So, >> I was going to say, shouldn't we be maybe budgeting more because it was a half created thought, but if if we are expecting more special ed students and the budget from the government is going to be getting bigger in this area, should we be adjusting accordingly? But that might be, like I said, that's a half big thought. So, I don't know

033if >> Yeah, I wouldn't budget more only because each year the district contribution is always a little bit more than it was the prior year. Happens every single year. >> Yeah. Right. Plus, the they'll be behind in reporting, right? So, like what we get reimbured for will be what happened historically, not what's happening right now. And also just because we have an increase in students with special needs doesn't necessarily equate to exactly what we can claim for Medicaid. There's certain um items that we can certain services and that. So um an increase in students with special needs doesn't necessarily say yes, we can claim more of our Medicaid, >> right? >> Just because of how they require us to report into what we can claim. And then interfund transfer, that is our transfer from the

034C fund. There's a lot of positions that support the cafeteria fund, you know, um the people in the district office who pay the bills, who do the payroll, the custodians who clean the cafeteria, technology, who work on their computer system. So, um it's 1557.95. The reason it's a little lower is because we had some custodians leave, retire, and then the newer people coming in are making a little bit less money. So that's why it's down a little bit. So our total revenues for draft one of the budget 92 million an increase of um 3,146 629 again um we're using you know 975 of re reserves for that number. So that is our total revenue. And here's just an illustration. They do look pretty similar because in total, you know, it's not like big when you're

035looking at millions and millions on the left side. So it's just really the use of reserves is um you know, a difference here. So, expenditures. Um, here's what we're working through and a few things that we do know. So, as I mentioned before, ERS, the non-instructional pension system expense is increasing from 6.5% to 7.6%. That's a pretty good increase. TRS, our instructional pension expense, is decreasing. from 9.59% this year to an estimated 8.24% for next year. Our workers compensation is decreasing by 90,7 uh 578 due to a better experience. So comp works on a three-year look back. So we actually have a bad year coming off and a good year coming on. So that's why the decrease. utilities will decrease by 9,304 based on I already have our um consortium's energy consortiums budget and I

036I think because we've been doing the LED lighting in all of our buildings that our um electric usage is you know even though you know rates are going up our usage is going down because we're using um more efficient lighting. um debt service will increase by 1 million 368875 due to the projected payments on the borrowings for the 2021 capital project. So I have a schedule from Rick and see it's all laid out for um this school year and I'm using his numbers not the state's numbers again. Transportation is expected to increase due to underbudgeting in 202526. Remember budgeted at CPI but then went out to bid afterwards and um got a large increase. So, in the RFP, um, March 15th is the deadline for Fisher Bus to let us know. So, we have it

037in time for the budget if they're renewing at CPI or not. I mean, every indication that they've told us that they will renew at CPI, but until March 15th comes along. >> Any question on I mean, we don't have a lot of numbers yet, but >> the TRS and ERS, those are >> those are based on like three and five year rolling market indexes and things, right? So there's there's no >> Yeah. TRS is the best >> funded pension system I think in the whole country, >> right? >> When it comes to transportation, >> that big number from the budget, are we on track to be on budget with that? Are we looking at huge overages? It's kind of early to say, but um because I only really have September, October, November, December. Um and

038we just finished um agreeing with their December invoice. We had a heck of a time getting, you know, the invoices and the numbers. They had some change in personnel and, you know, um some miscalculations and we finally got them. Um, so then we'll be we'll be doing January um next week and then so I just want to make sure we have a a couple more actual invoices before I see where we are. >> If they tell us by March 15th that they want to renew at its CPI, are we locked into them? >> How does I like knowing that we had this big increase for this year? Now you're saying we had some issues with invoicing. There have been many noted issues um with just experience um for families this year. Are we considering putting

039out another RFP? I this I think this was the biggest wild card this year when it came to our budget and >> it's not been the best experience. No, there's been more than our and our and our families have been remarkably patient. Uh I've got something in the superintendent report that'll cover it to a degree. Uh it's not going to be a the idea of renewing a CPI is something that we're absolutely we we'd entertain if it was there, but it's not the only option that we have either. There's and again I'll get into some more specifics with it but um there I've got some some cause for belief that things will be that that the that that side of the street is going to be um handled in a little bit of a better

040fashion right now or a lot. Uh but I understand that it's got to be shown also and I'm not talking about us saying that to Fischer but that's you seeing that for me too. So that is that is part that's why you know we had a essentially a uh a mid-year meeting uh last week with the leadership there and um we've got we're uh we're we think we've got some reason for confidence for to improve in terms of what our families are experiencing uh and then as Christine said she'll be taking a look to see um on the budget side of things. >> Okay. >> All right. But that's certainly not off the table as an option for us. So the next steps in the budget process um is to assess the staffing levels according

041to enrollment and then update salaries. Then based on those salaries finalize FICA, TRS and ERS based on those salaries because those are percentages of salaries finalize our Boseies expenditures. So our Boseies participation meeting is actually tomorrow. So um that that's I mean we spend good amount of money with Boseis about $8 million. So it'll be good to get that meeting going finalize our health insurance. Um the meeting with Loi who is our healthcare consultants is February 19th. So they will present us with what they think our in health insurance uh increase or decrease should be. finalize our general liability insurance that will occur in March. Um finalize transportation based on an RFP or CPI, whichever way we go. Then we'll update the state revenues from the April 1st or whatever date the budget is finalized

042um school aid runs and then balance the budget. We'll talk more about use of um fund balance and reserves and as part of that balancing So next month we'll dig deeper into the expenditures, class sizes. >> Correct. >> And then so this is what you can expect from the March budget presentation, detailed enrollment data, staffing, I didn't change that word. Um, draft expenditures as of March 12th, that's the day of the board meeting. And then again, the discussion of use of fund balance and reserves. And that's all I had for tonight. >> Anything else? >> Discussion. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Christ. >> Thank you. >> Did you get all your questions in the chat, Mary? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> All right. Seeing no further business, can I have a motion to adjourn this meeting,

043the budget workshop? So move. >> So moved by Tom, second by Jess. All in favor? Hi. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Meeting is adjourned. We'll give Ashley a minute here before we start the >> She'll be right back. >> Proper reading. >> Sounds good. We can do a little little transition. Thank you folks. >> Start. I'm going to invite two students up to lead us in the pledge. Uh Aubrey Lambert and Sam CR. If you guys could stand up where you are and the rest of the crowd, please join me. and Aubrey and Sam are going to lead us in the pledge. So, whenever you're ready. >> I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and

044justice for all. >> Thank you. Came in a little hot there, Sam, but you leveled it out. Uh, I am looking for a motion to approve the agenda for the February 9th, 2026 board of education meeting as presented. >> So moved by Ashley. >> Second by Jess. All in favor? >> All opposed. Motion passes. Uh, we will open up with items B1 through three. So >> would you like to do an introduction? >> I would love to do an introduction. Absolutely. Uh it is with without doubt one of the one of the great things about our our board meeting rotations. We get to visit all of the schools. Uh this one feels a little different for me and I'm just super excited to see uh to to hear from from these folks. Mr. Lowour, our

045middle school principal, why don't you take it away and introduce your uh very esteemed guests with you. Not guests, we're the guests, right? They they live here. >> I'm actually going to have them you guys come on up. They're going to come up because I want to have them. They're gonna introduce themselves and then we'll give away curve ball as we get started too. So a little awkward. You guys stand right here. I know it's a little awkward. Thank you. All right. So, we didn't rehearse this, but you are going to give your name. And they are all eighth graders. You don't give a grade. And then uh tell everyone your favorite part of eighth grade so far this year. There's a lot of good stuff coming up in eighth grade, but tell everyone your

046favorite part so far. I'm Brena Rogers and my favorite part um is like all the new teachers. >> I'm Aubrey Lambert and my favorite part is all the teachers being more laidback and having more trust in us. >> Uh my name is Sam Cumber and my uh favorite part about 8th grade is uh what we're doing new is um HQ and uh every Wednesday we're having fun. >> My name is Ellen Hall and probably no offense Mr. Adams but from Mr. Low >> the abundance model. I do not. I like other people in your family better than you, too. >> My name is Finn Martin, and I really like the study halls, so they can I can catch up on my work. >> So, a little brief um introduction with these guys. So, the really

047cool thing about this little group is they uh they were created completely organically. It was really like a group of kids were like, "We want to get more involved and do something. we'd love to help you out uh with HQ stuff and and the assemblies and the family meetings we're doing. Um so they we kind of formed this little student leadership team and now they are actually working with our younger grades. So then they're going to kind of pass the torch into seventh and sixth graders. So as they move up, we can have some student leaders uh doing that as well. So um this is the quietest they've been in uh since we started working on these things. So it's kind of great. But they are a super fun group. We've had some really good

048times already. So, they're going to kind of work through the show a little bit and I'm going to I'm going to talk here and there. So, you guys are good to go. >> Joy, value, and connection. Vision education for educating modern thinkers who create, care, solve, and discover. Mission engaging all students in learning experiences that inspire lifelong learning and empower each for their future. Now, >> I'm going to try not to talk a whole lot, but there is a lot of things that I that I really could jump in with. So the one thing I can say, so uh for those who don't know, I've been here for um a little over 12 months. Um this part of it, like I can even go back to my my grad classes when I was going back

049for my administration and you know a lot of it's like talk about mission or vision or district and things like that and for many places like people are talking through it and they're like trying to find what their districts is like this is truly lived like this is lived. We did our strategic planning work and things like that. Like you see this vision and mission every day uh in the hallway. So I love it like this that's a huge thing for me and especially in the core values. >> Core values. Honor every learner as a unique person and adapt to the needs of each. Inspire the love of learning in every student. Ensure that our schools are places of and teaching and learning. Be proud of our past and committed to our future. ensure that

050our schools are so safe, kind, and welcoming so that we make every day a great day to be a hammered bulldog. >> I think you're going to see a lot of a lot of these in in what we're going to talk about of the culture that we have going. So, uh, for our building focus, so last spring, we did a student belonging survey. So, we used a lot of that work and the data we took from that, um, as we worked with our strategic planning team this summer and, uh, at different points early in the summer, then in August with our actual building team, too. And our building focus is kindness, connections, and community count at HMS. So trying to narrow it down from there, like those three pillars, like they are unbelievably important in

051a middle school. Like they have to be present uh for things to work. So those are really our our focus and and you'll hear us talk about kind of the day-to-day things that um we use to focus on those things. Um I will try to not make this into a middle level education TED talk. However, I love this stuff. So I am going to read a quick little uh part of this book. um because I think it really explains like the importance of all these things and how they bring middle school together. So this is called middle school matters. Fantastic book. Uh mention the words middle school and most adults grown. I get it. If we handle the phase with grace, we're wired to remember the bad and downright awkward moments. I have my own

052mental catalog. Succumbing to pressure to weigh myself at a sleepover. Getting tossed out of classes for giggling uncontrollably and passing notes. Eeking by with a D in seventh grade math, creating a slam book with friends so we could describe one another's flaws in detail. That seemed like a perfectly reasonable idea at the time, but the comments stuck. It was 30 years before I cut my banks again. At 12, peer approval is everything. Kids are navigating a different world today, but middle school is equally memorable. No one gets out gets out unchanged. Middle school is a stew of of simmering hormones, shifting relationships, and increased expectations. Yearre months separate elementary from middle school. But the shift is seismic. Suddenly, kids are yanked out of childhood and tossed into adolescence. They have to master locker combinations, multiple

053courses, and new routines. There's an influx of new students and greater academic demands. All this is exciting, but leaves them feeling unmed when they most want to belong and fit in. And it's so true. Uh really if you know middle school teachers and and and for me I'm sure Tom got it as well when you when you say that you work in a middle school like you get like a look like what like that's crazy. I even like uh now like if I say I'm a principal like I I only say principal not middle school because I'm and I'm like please ask please ask please level and you say it and then you get like a weird look like oh my gosh it is that's the type of place and it's uh it's three years

054of unbelievable growth and guidance that's that's truly needed for students as they prepare for high school. And even when you look at if you go to um like a teacher appreciation at basketball games or football games like the teachers who are always recognized are high school or elementary. It's like those three years of middle school like don't happen for some kids but they are so unbelievably important in their lives. So um one other little quick little reading that I like here. Uh middle schoolers are young enough to be unjaded but old enough to grasp sophisticated con concepts. They can experiment, grow and veer off course while the stakes are low. It's the ideal time to impart strategies, teach social emotional skills, and foster integrity and healthy risk-taking. Rather than merely helping our kids survive these

055years, we should look instead to set them up to thrive. If we get it right, we'll equip them to manage social turmoil, maintain reasonable academic expectations, and make well-considered decisions throughout their lives. Contrary to conventional wisdom, kids can emerge from middle school stronger and wiser for their struggles. So, one thing that always bothers me when I talk about middle school, people like, "Oh, yeah, those are middle school behaviors." And and you know, middle school, it's everyone's so mean. Like, it doesn't have to be that way. And that's really what we're working for. We're working for a place where every single kid wants to be there. In our family meetings, we start off and say, "How many of you guys want to come to a school where everyone just is excited to be there every day?"

056Everyone raises their hands like perfect like you guys are responsible for that. Like, we can all work together to make that happen. So, um, all those I think will kind of shine through in our, uh, our story that we're going to talk about now. >> Our story, everything starts with kindness. At HMS, we intentionally design varied activities and opportunities for meaningful peer interactions, helping students forge authentic connections across different backgrounds and interests. Great school culture is not an accident. It happens when we recognize that we all depend on each other and then work together to create supportive caring conditions for everyone. Students, teachers, support staff, guests, and everyone. >> The amount of of uh things that students can get involved in that form these authentic connections is crazy. So, Finn, can you tell your story

057really quickly? >> Oh, so I'm new to the school. Um, >> I'm new to the school. Wait, what am I supposed to talk about? Wait, so Finn, you would ne you would never know. Like I was floored like it was even like a month and a half ago and and we were just talking like we've been working together as a group for a good amount of time already. They're like, "Oh, yeah." I'm like, "What? How is that possible that you've made so many connections so quickly?" So that's the Finn story. So he unbelievable like the amount of connections that can be made through getting involved in different things and just the way the the kids are welcomed and the way that the adults treat kids. During our Wednesday Bulldog HQs, we have grade level family

058meetings. It's an opportunity to intentionally focus on learning that will help our students grow. This year's themes have included handling heart better, your words have power, being nervous is okay and normal, and manners and respect will open doors. So we so during our HQs on Wednesday, we meet with a grade level and we they're called our family meetings and the different topics have kind of come up through up through um the survey we use but also discussions that I have with adults in the building and and just discussions with kids. So handling hard better that was based on a video Carola Lawson. She's a women's basketball coach at Duke and it's a fantastic video basically saying like life doesn't get any easier like it's going to keep getting harder and harder and harder so you

059have to be able to handle it better. So, we actually you hear a lot of people throughout the building, teachers and kids talking about handling hard better now. Like things are going to keep getting more difficult, but you got to handle it. Um, your words have power. Obviously, in a middle school, we really need to, and we come back to this a lot, things that kids say, we have to make sure they understand the power that they have. Um, normalizing being nervous. It's s it's totally okay. These guys every time they get up in front of the family meeting, like, actually, I feel like you're not all that nervous anymore, but they talk about how like they're nervous, and that's okay. like that feeling. We talked about how being nervous is your body like knowing

060something that you're going to do something cool. So, it like amps you up a little bit. So, um that nervous is okay. And then manners and respect will open doors. We did this is our our latest one. And Sam's got some really good oneliners. What's your >> um so a couple of my lines from my dad. He's a fifth grade teacher at um Cloverbank Frontier. And um couple of sayings are um really good. >> Go Bulldogs. saying is um if you're the last one in the door, you're the last one through. And um also um ladies first, never last, always the future, never the past. So um that just like touches people and they get to know that better. >> Yeah. We talked about like having manners and being respectful is kind of like a

061superpower. Like the difference in you walk by a student in the hallway and you're like, "Good morning, Owen. How you doing?" Like Owen is always like, "Hi, Mr. Loud." Like you get a great one. you get and you get the adults name and some kids are just like hey like we talk about like opening doors for yourself like great manners can what we say open close doors but they can also poor manners can close doors that are open so talking about how those are super important uh um endless opportunities HMS truly has something for everyone and the list continues to grow as students educ I can read handwriting sign. Uh kindness, connections, and community count. HMS cultivates unique and diverse clubs because our students thrive when they discover their passions alongside friends. >> I'm not

062reading the wrong thing. Alongside friends and mentors, these meaningful connections strengthen school engagement and empower students to make positive contributes to our HMS community. So truly there is something and they can attest that something for every every student like you see just the the few pictures up there when the music goal is awesome. Bottom lefthand corner our newest one of our newest clubs uh the pit crew. They're a small engine repair club which has been absolutely fantastic for some of our students who who love having something to be involved in. Like there are some students who uh attendance things were an issue and they are coming to school because they have this awesome club to go to and they're and they're happier in their in their school day for it. We have uh we had

063a student the other day. She came up to us. She wants to start an entrepreneurship club. So, we're gonna start that and have a makers market in the spring. Like, she's fired off all all kinds of awesome ideas. We had some students come up to me the other day, meet with me. Uh they want to start a dance club. Um and they said it would be fine if I would be the uh staff advisor. I don't know if that I would be the best choice for that, but they did promise I wouldn't have. They would handle all the choreograph choreographers. So, uh, we'll see how that goes, but we definitely like the adults building like we want students to have something to be excited about, um, and connect to for sure. >> Kindness day 2026,

064making an impact outside of our HMS walls. We had many service projects, which some included kindness cards for meals on wheels, dog toys for dog rescues, port pillows for Oshai, bulldog banners, and kindergarten reading and craft partners. So, this happened on our half day on January 23rd. Uh, we had incredible leadership by Sher Dunn, one of our uh, fax teachers. Um, and then Stacy Smith, who's a fax teacher, helped out. Trisha Miller, who obviously is is an unbelievable value to everybody. Um, but the plan, there was a lot of planning. Their leadership was great. We had a bunch of staff members who stepped up and they hosted some of these service projects. Uh, some other ones we made, uh, ring toss games for the elementary schools. A lot of different things for OSHAI, which is

065fantastic. And the kids really got to walk out of the building that day like knowing that they made a difference. Make sure like these things are going to people who who need them. The eighth graders who got to go read and do the craft with the kindergarters, the stories they told were absolutely fantastic. Like and there's tons of pictures. Super cute. So that was an awesome experience. And you guys do that. You read the kindergarters, right? You super fun. >> Brianna, you did right. That was your bus day. >> Oh yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> The voices that matter. Students survey results. They sometimes hold you after class and talk about what they can do to help or ask you about what's wrong. Old teachers I used to have to say hi to me in

066the hallway. >> And that I I'm thinking that's like what former teachers like kids weren't calling them old teachers like former teachers. >> Clarification. >> Say hi. Yeah. I feel like if the adults notice you're struggling with something, they don't sit around and watch their they they offer extra help either after school or during study halls. They really go full on Mike Tyson made in lockdowns. >> Our our staff members do a fantastic job during lockdowns. Obviously noticed by kids. They feel safe. >> The adults at HMS make me feel like they care about me by always checking in on asking if everything's all right whenever I look upset during class in the halls. Uh yeah, you can read the last the last one. >> Actually read these answers like have 700 people in our

067school and this is a long cerebrate so probably not. >> So we did actually so we did it with the eighth grade and I actually I was watching as I came in. So I found out the student who said that and I went right after and messed with her in the hallway and said I do read those. I just uh so this came from a survey we did a climate survey we did um a couple weeks ago. the the results were awesome. So, we also grabbed some other data like uh 97% of our students um responded they agree that they have good friends. Okay, so I I this was we talked about last year too if some remember I think we're like 95 96% but still like that seems high but that's still a decent

068amount of kids who we have to work with. uh like 94% of students had um an adult that a trusted adult in the building. And then there were some other things like only 76% I thought was pretty low said that like when they do good things it's recognized. So that was good learning for us like we got to find ways to recognize students. We have kids who do amazing things all the time. So we have to find ways to make sure that we are recognizing them. And then uh 70% agreed that all students in at HMS uh show kindness. So that's another spot we really need to work on. So where do we when can we work on those things? So there is a group the last thing I want to kind of talk about

069there's a group and Tom will know this acronym and he probably has a little more history where it came from called scamping. Uh it is social workers, counselors, administrators meeting and then so that's where the scam part was and then they added psychologists and nurse. So every Monday morning that group meets we start our week off meeting together and we talk about the kids who that 3% of kids who are saying they don't have friends or or kids who are struggling for different things. So we start our week for sometimes it's 45 minutes sometimes it's an hour and a half depending on the agenda and we work together and we come out with plans of what we're doing for those kids. So we focus we know the things that are working for the majority of

070kids but then we have to start figuring out uh ways to help those kids that the things we're doing for everyone else is not working for them. So, that's our our kind of plan. It's an awesome group of people. We've had um two intern principles come in this year um who have been a tremendous help, but they have both raved about that group and and what they do for kids and how impressed they are with that group. So, had to get a a nice plug for them. Finally, family reading night. Megan Mo, like everything she does is absolutely outstanding. This will be the first family reading night I get to go to. So, I'm super excited for it because she just does uh she does things the right way. That's for sure. Um, and Nickel

071City is really cool. So, we had to get that a nice plug in for that. Anything else you guys want to say? >> Awesome. Was that a hand up or no? >> Good. >> Awesome. Well, we really appreciate uh appreciate you guys having us. >> That was exceptional. Thank you so much. DID >> you already give them the good news that perhaps they don't have to stay for the home meeting? >> I did. I did. Okay. >> All right. I give and I give and I give more. >> Who told you that? >> Thank you folks. >> I don't have good living. >> All right. That was nice. Yes. Why'd you want to move to capital project update? >> Yes, indeed. Uh excited to hear from the middle school. Also excited to hear sort of

072the official transition from our various phases now phase four and uh Union Pleasant is getting some serious attention. And Sean's here to to share a bit about that. Sean, thanks for being here. >> Yes, sir. >> It's on there as of today. Um, real quick just from the report you see in the first page. Uh, a couple quick quick hitters from from phase four starting up. Um, >> we're obviously working through the submit process. Nothing nothing major to report there other than just working doors and hardware is a huge part of that scope. >> You're welcome. We are going to be >> uh locking that in and kind of getting things on moving and ordering couple weeks here this summer. Um we did post the building which just means that every entryway you see on

073that building and you'll see a sign from the department of labor just notifying everyone making them aware that there will be a pavement inside that building going on. Um we basically mobilized today. So first trip over there next time you're there you'll see some fences up in the parking lots. Uh that's just to get ourselves set up, make sure we make it safe for the kids where we're going to be putting trailers and equipment and the temporary power is going to be going up outside. We did start demoing that out as well today. So these pictures you see there showing the seats and clean floors and everything are no longer the case as of the day today. Seats are gone. Not gone, but >> what did you do with the seats? Well, we saved all

074those nice HSH plaques from the aisle seats um to be auctioned or given away and the rest of them are going into >> the seats are not 70 dual seats. >> One connects to the next connects to the next. So you could never you would have to take a whole row. >> I understand. >> And we just there's no possible way to demo it as a row either. >> I see. So there was just >> the question remains where would one find those seats just out of curiosity. >> They're not seats anymore. They're pieces. >> That's a missed opportunity. >> There's also the safety aspect of turning over something and it's they were not able to be contained as one. We looked at it many different ways. >> They were disable all those endals with

075the original history of the HSH turned >> over. So anyways though just otherwise from the report you'll see that there's no there's no new information report financially there's no having change orders change orders we haven't had any allowances yet we just got started today so if we had that probably be a problem schedulewise uh obviously the de the clean demolition of that building and that will continue just this week our goal is to over the break get into the abatement in that auditorium try to get it done kind of start to finish in terms of the floors and the gymnastic the carpets so that that is all cleaned up and done before return week of the 23rd. Um from there eventually you'll see a large scaffold go up in that that autumn. That's when you

076know we're really getting into it and into the long haul in there. Um that's really all there is to report. I don't know if anybody has questions about phase 4, concerns about it, but that's there's not much new to report here this this month. There will be a lot to report I'm sure by the end of next month because things are going to go quickly. When will it get disruptive at the school with respect to parking, picking up, bus drop off stuff? >> So, all we've really all we're really taking over our footprint during the school year is one side of the Hawkins lot. It shouldn't really be disrupted. >> Yeah, we've worked with the bus company. We should be okay. >> Relative, >> I know the parking is always sensitive wherever where I mean,

077we had a hiccup this morning timing, but I mean the logistics of the buses is is not impeded. You know, we've we've coordinated deliveries and drop offs to avoid pickup times, drop off times. There's always you got to watch those guys closing and stay on them because inevitably a driver won't get the message. But, uh, tense is to keep zero influence on on those times where it's busy around that building, especially that building, >> gets very congested. >> Yeah, that's why I asked. >> Yeah, like I said, there'll be a lot more report for that phase going forward next month. The only other thing we really add to this report is when you look at the the granular schedule on page two of your report, you'll see phase five showing some that is going to

078be basically the Charlotte Boston elementary work. We've done this referendum to basically resurface those two buildings playgrounds like like the other elementary schools as well as upgrade their public address system. So that's going to be getting submitted to SCB this week I believe and that will happen this coming summer. There'll be additional work going on in those two buildings. So those types of things and the the the scope of the work being done at Union Plaza, that's all like that that has a large bearing like the the responsibility that you had of deciding what what dollars and cents followed this phase of the project. So those things are happening and the the extensive amount of things happening in Union Pleasant plus the work at Boston Valley Charlotte because of your decision to move forward with

079that. So there'll be some uh just want want you to be able to see like the impact of what you do at this table and how that plays out in the lives of our kids too. >> Lot happening this summer. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Appreciate it, John. Thank you. >> Thanks, Sean. >> Uh and we're still in presentation mode with this. And as Kayla gets ready for her presentation, I can share a little bit. uh part of our board goals that we had discussed at our summer retreat and then uh um during the first during the the August meeting one was that uh we were going to make sure that uh that people were up to speed on facilities and capital projects and that's you know Sean's presentation certainly an example of

080that and then we said that we wanted to make sure that there was presentation so the board and community had a good sense as to um what's being done to make sure that we live up to our vision uh the idea that we're working with modern modern learners who who create, care, solve, and discover it to to expand beyond that. It's the it's the greater community as well. Uh so we thought it would be a good idea to share with you some of the things that go on after the school day is over and doesn't necessarily have to do with the students of Hamburg Central, but things that uh that show uh the genuine connection between school and community. um with that in Kayla uh part of Kayla Deleó's work um in her in her

081public relations work, but also I think you know going beyond that is helping to organize, spread the word and register and be a contact person for the folks who are delivering uh our continuing education opportunities. So Kayla, if you could take it away, thank you so much for putting this together for us tonight. >> Yeah, thank you. >> So I'm Kayla Deleó. It's my first time um getting to present for you guys. So, I'm excited. Thank you for having me. Um and as you know, I'm a PR director, but I'm also continuing education director and I'm excited to get to talk about this because it really is a big part of what I do and it's a part of my work that I really enjoy. Um and I'll just say like to preface things. Um

082when I really took an active role in this, um a few years ago, I saw it as a welcome challenge to expand on a program that's already very beloved. Um there's so many classes that we have that have been going on for decades. Um that people come to and they've formed friends and community through it. Um but I saw it as an opportunity to think what else are we not tapping into that the community might be interested in. So that's what we try to do every semester. So what is continuing ed? Um adult education courses offered to the community through the district. And what types of classes are offered? So I passed around the brochure so you can take a look. Um, but we have arts and crafts. We have business and finance which is

083free. Um, cooking and baking, fitness, sports, swimming, special interest, which I'll give some examples of later, and then travel classes through AAA, which are also free. And just some stats here by the numbers. So we have 53 classes that are being offered this semester, 22 new classes this semester, 32 different instructors which are teaching with us. 617 people participated in our fall 2025 semester. And we have classes across four of our buildings in 17 different spaces. So I won't go through all of these because you can read them for yourself, but just an example of some of our new classes. Some of the ones I'll pull out to highlight. We have jewelry making. We have date night cooking classes this semester. Um, one of them has already passed, but we have another one coming up.

084We have um a request on our survey from last year was for more like cultural cooking classes. So, we have a Mediterranean and a Moroccan cooking class coming up. Um, a lot of other cooking classes as well that we'll get into with my special guest also. Um, but some examples of those special interests, we have intermediate Spanish, we have mindful wellness series, and then some of those free business classes, things to consider before retirement and travel. We have Canadian Rockies and European guided travel. And these are just some of the examples. There are a lot of others as well. So, how do we find new classes? So, I believe about a year ago was the first time I did this, but I put together a survey um on Google Forms that I sent out to

085everyone who's taken our classes in the past two or three years as as long as I had emails for. And then I also put it in the monthly newsletter, um the Bulldog Bulletin that gets sent out to everyone. And it's a survey that just basically gets a feel of people's relationship with the program. So, if they've taken a class in the past couple of years, what categories they're interested in, what was their favorite class, their budget when thinking about classes, um, and also if there's anything that we are not offering currently that we could be offering. And that's really where I get a lot of the ideas for new things because it's that's the best way to know is to ask the people what what are we not bringing to you that we could be.

086Um, and that's also given me an opportunity to find different organizations across the Buffalo area to bring into our school district that might not even be in Hamburg. Some of them are, but in the city and other suburbs that are interested in teaching with us and building those relationships and just bringing the community together in that way as well. And then research and recruitment by the continuing ed team, which is me and Lisa Battershell. And I'll be giving her a big shout out later. couldn't do it without her. Um, and then again, I won't go through all of them, but these are some classes that have returned. Um, like I said, some of them decades. I mean, a lot of our sports, um, classes, the volleyball, basketball, um, swimming, I will say aquaerobics and deep

087water workout, two months before registration's even out, I'm getting calls, when is the registration open? Because we could only take 25 people with the lifeguard, so they want to get the spot. Um, and people love it and it fills up every single time. Um, and you can see other ones that have come back and people continue to love these classes and they continue to fill. So, how do we advertise? Um, social media, which I was doing on through our district page, but actually last semester I created separate pages for continuing ed because I felt that there's a different audience. Sometimes there's some crossover, but a different audience who might want to follow continuing ed specifically and separate for the district. on what's going on during the school day and then what's going on here at

088night is a little different. Um so we have social media for that printed bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro brochures which you're holding um which we bring around the community to town halls, libraries um youth center um in Orchard Park, Hamburg, Lake Shore and Boston. Um, and then postcards sent to all districts district homes which hopefully you all got. Um, which go out at the beginning of the semester and it has a QR code that you can scan to look at everything online and register. Step out Buffalo, which was another one of our ways to kind of expand this even beyond Hamburg. Um, that was one of our goals, me and Lisa, when we started working together is to really there

089what we're offering could be of interest to people across Western New York. It doesn't even have to just be here. Um, and I've definitely noticed some success because when you start to see the registrations coming in, you're seeing other towns. You're seeing north towns, you're seeing city, other south towns, and a lot of the time previous we were seeing mostly Hamburg Orchard Park. So, I'd like to see that growth. Um, our website and then instructors also advertise on their own social media. So, now to my special guest. Um, I want to introduce Ashley Wagner. Um, she teaches a lot of our baking classes here. Um, and I asked her to come today because I' I've gone to one of her classes to take pictures and she truly just makes it so much fun. Um, she

090makes it clear to everyone you don't know anything about baking to enjoy the class. Um, and her treats are obviously delicious and she's taught with us for now a few years. I believe like three or four years you've been teaching with us. Um, she's like studied in Germany. She'll tell you all about it. We're very lucky to have her. So, thank you. >> Ashley, you can say goodbye. Yes. Oh, yes. >> I brought a sweet treat because who doesn't need sugar right now? Um, there are almonds in here, so if there's any almond allergies, do not take one or take your own rings. Um, so yeah. Hi, I'm Ashley Wagner. Um, so I am originally from way northern way northern New York, like St. Lawrence County. Um, this school is lovely. I went to a

091prek through 12 and graduated with 42 people in my class. So, um, this is huge for me here, this school. Um, but I moved to Buffalo in 2011 to go to the culinary institute in Niagara Falls. I was in the first graduating class up there. Um, so I got my degree in baking and pastry arts. And being a very small town girl with a big dream, I moved to Cologne, Germany, 3 weeks after graduating culinary school uh at 19 with a suitcase and a dream. And I was still dating our foreign exchange student from Germany in my small hometown. We are now married. It worked out. He lives here. So when I went to Germany again, I was 19. I had my degree. I did not speak a word of the language and I was

092just set out to hopefully get a job. So, luckily I did. Uh, I started working at the Hyatt, which was lovely because they were like a young American pastry chef and they all spoke English. Um, I don't know, the food industry is really grueling. I don't know. Um, people know I guess the crazy hours, crazy time that you work, but my time abroad I thought was going to be about a year. I thought, okay, I'll train at the Hyatt. Why not? Great hotel, big city. And I stayed there for 8. So I was at the Hyatt for about a year and a half, working 3 to midnight um every holiday, every weekend. Served a lot of famous people. It was a really fun time as this young girl. I then went on to work with

093a Michelin star chef um who they're crazy. The best chefs are crazy, I have to say. Like they because it's because the hours are always crazy. But I worked with a Michelin star chef and then I went on to a more corporate level um where I led a production of about 100 people. Um I don't know if you know doc here it's Dr. Odoker um in Germany it's Dr. Edka that's the company I worked over there that went corporate. So I specialized in food science um over there and worked with a food scientist to do product development and really just lead a mass production bakery that shipped products all over Europe. So in that job um to be a pastry chef in Germany you actually go it's like two days a week you go to

094a school three days a week you actually work within a business. So again I was in my early 20s and they were like okay you have you know students that have to go through three years of training. Um I was partnered with my other production lead over there um who has the German training. So she got to sign off on everything. the Germans didn't want me signing up on things, but I was able to then train students. Um, as myself being my young 20s, I had these kids coming in who were 15 years old starting, it's called an alveong. I consider their program kind of similar to the Bosey's program here. I think it's great. It's very hands-on. But I was throwing students um in my early 20s to teach. And I very quickly learned

095really how much I loved it because I didn't think that that was going to be in my program coming out of college. I thought I was just going to be baking cakes and, you know, dancing around the kitchen. I very quickly learned abroad, okay, teaching is what I love. I love organizing. I love management. I love teaching. Um, I got to go to all of the students. They had like midterm finals and then final finals and you do this huge presentation of baked goods and I was, you know, cheering them on and it was just so much fun. So then eight years later, I decided to come back to America. Um, and it was a good choice. Uh, my husband loves it here. He really wanted to live the American dream. So, we're back here.

096But upon returning, I actually got um in touch with the Tasker family. So, I came home to help Rosies open in East Aurora. So, I designed their ice cream with them, worked with them, went on to help a place in Orchard Park, open a little custard stand. um went back to help kind of where I worked in college and jumped around and then I got um a phone call once from Ron Sullie. He teaches the chocolates. He's the chocolate master. He does the breads and he was like, "Hey, people really want to learn French macaroons. Would you have any interest in teaching some of these classes?" I to be honest have never heard of continuing ed because coming from the boonies there was like one little gas stove for an entire home and there was

097like 12 of us in this class. So I was like what's continuing education? So he was like why don't you come and kind of like just kind of observe one of my classes. So I did and when I was like French macaroons are so tricky. I need to test the ovens in this building because I do not want to come and teach something. I don't know if anyone's ever tried to make French macaroons, but they're very finicky. So, I said, I want to make sure when I'm teaching, it's going to go well. So, I did. I came. I tested out the ovens. So, quickly fell in love with this program. So, I've been in it for I want to say three, three and a half years already. Um, I started with one macaroon class of

098raspberry macaroons, which is why I presented to you the first thing I ever taught here. Um, it is amazing. So now I've been, you know, back in the States for a few years. I recently opened my own consulting business, which is I quickly learned in Germany that was my long-term dream because I worked eight years of truly no life. I spent my 20s at work every holiday, every everything. I worked an average of 60 to 70 hour weeks because the eight hour days are not a real thing, I feel like, in this industry. So now I have a consulting business and it's amazing. I consult for businesses to kind of help them with whatever they need. I teach with continuing ed. I do private orders for companies, you know, markets, whatever I really want. But

099this program, I feel like I'm a new mom. I will say I have a new baby boy, my first baby. And it's like having an evening class, the opportunity to come. My husband gets home from work and I'm like, "Here you go. Goodbye." Um, it's my time. It's I get to do what I love. I have met so many wonderful people through this program. I have regulars again. I came here for college. So, I was here for two two and a half years. Went to Germany. Came back and I was like, I don't know Buffalo. I don't know football. Working for the Tasker. Never heard who Steve Tasker was. The man I was around him all the time and I was like, so what do you do? Like I had no idea. Um, he did

100find it comical. Well, he really did. Bless his heart. Um, so with this program, I've got regulars. I've got so many fun people who truly enjoy coming to every one of my classes and that means so much to me as well because they're just so kind. And sometimes I think of some who walked in and they would, you know, introduce themselves and I'm not shy. So I'm like, "Come on over. Like we're going to dance. If we have a minute to talk, we're going to talk." Um, I put people in groups and I always say like, "What are you really scared to make?" like what are you terrified to make? And I ask everyone every class. It's like a group thing. They're all terrified of yeasttos. So I'm like, "All right, we're going to start

101yetos. We're going to teach a class on that." Um, and I really have these people coming together who it's a lot of strangers. And by the end of the class, I put them into a group of three or four and they leave having to change numbers or plans to do something. Like I just love the community of it as well. Um, and I have to boast a bit about Kayla. So, being in my branches of all my business, new new mom, all that jazz, I can't get over how quick she is with communication. I feel like I have all information needed. Everything is super thorough. Having someone who organizes it on the back end for you so well. The other aspects of my business I have to do entirely myself, but having someone, she's there

102all the time whenever I need. We always joke a little because I'm an over talker, over, you know, confirmation of everything person. I just feel like it's been amazing. Also, the advertising and everything. I can't boast enough about these beautiful kitchens, truthfully. Like, being a pastry chef working in, it's not glorified everywhere in some of these kitchens that you're forced to work in. Um, these are beautiful kitchen spaces. I, you know, the fact that I was able to come in and test everything, I now know exactly what I can make in these kitchens with the space I'm given, with the materials I'm given. I bring a big box of a few random things like certain scales, you know, that maybe aren't here, but it is such a beautiful space and I think the program is

103just run so well. So, I'm very happy and thankful to be a part of it. Um, and I will continue doing it as long as I feel happy. Um, but yes, there are a few examples of what I've done. People love the European stuff that's been new. Um, so this right here on the bottom left, those are Belgian waffles that I'm going to be teaching in March. Um, which is just a classic Belgian waffle with a hot cherry compost and a vanilla glaze that's very big over there, Belro. Um, and then I'm doing a lemon blueberry macaroon. I did German pretzels last year. Um, I did those were two German Christmas cookies that I did just this past Christmas that people for. Um, people now love to try and learn German in my classes because

104I am fluent in German and that's fun. So, they get a little lesson, you know, speaking German and what we're making and yeah, so that's just a little bit about me. >> No, thanks Ashley. And and like in another thing just to to point and we really appreciate we're going to try these. Are these macaroons from our ovens? >> No. >> Okay. All right. get a player get a >> from your oven. >> I'm sure it's very similar. But that's another thing that this board now not this existing board, but some of you were were on it, but like that type of vision of making those family consumer science rooms as they are, that's another thing from vision to reality. That's a facilities committee. That's a recommendation that's acting and that's the community supporting it.

105So Ashley, thanks so much. Kayla, I don't know if you had a uh a closer for us or not, but uh >> thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> So much delicious. >> They were good. delicious. >> There's some extras you can find. There are two more. So, >> are these classes full? >> No, not all of them. There's still spots left. So, >> plenty of space. >> Yes. Um, just some thank yous that I couldn't do it without these people. Like I said, Lisa Battershell, she's been my right hand with this program. Um, we make a great team if I say so myself. Um, she's awesome. Couldn't do it without her. Um, Deb McGee and payroll. Um, buildings and grounds and custodial staff. I have to shout them out because oftentimes that's who

106people are seeing when they're in the buildings at night and they're the ones helping them find the room. They're obviously helping with the clean up like whatever people need. Um just being like a friendly face when people come to these classes. So I thank them so much. Our clerical staff and administrators for all the moving parts with putting these classes in different buildings different times, working with all the things already happening at night. Um and then you guys, thank you for your support always. and follow us on social media. Of course, the social media girl. >> Thanks so much. >> Thank you so much. >> No, thank you. >> Great job. Thank you. >> Okay, move on. So, at this point, we're going to do a little administrative stuff around board operations. Uh we're going

107to start with uh replacing the open space here uh in vice president. So at this time I will call for nominations for board vice president. >> I would like to make a nomination. >> Go ahead. >> Uh I would like to nominate Jess Serena. >> Do you need a little speech or we go? >> We'll see. Jeff, I'd like to nominate Dave Yin. >> Dave, >> thank you. But um thank you very much. I'm I'm honored by the nomination, but um I will pass and uh support Jessica um as the new vice president. Okay, with that, is there any other nominations for board vice president? All right. Um, so we will start with a show of hands. Who supports just for vice president? All right. In that case, uh, we will I will look for

108a motion to make this formal. There's some debate about whether this step is necessary or not, but no harm in doing it, even if it's unnecessary. I'll look for a motion to elect Jess Raina. >> So moved. Vice President of the Board of Education for the remainder of the 2025 school year. So moved by Ashley and second by Mary. >> Uh all in favor? >> I I all opposed. >> All right. Motion passes. So congratulations, Jess. You are the new vice president. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Uh with that and a little bit of an asterisk, you do have to take an oath of office as the vice president. Um, so Christine, are you in a position to do that? You'll have to do the signature part later. We have the wrong book, but you

109can take the oath now. >> Okay. >> You want to stand and raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Jessica Reena, >> I, Jessica Reena, >> do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and the Constitution of the State of New York. and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties >> of vice president of the board of education >> of vice president of the board of education >> of the Hamburg Central School District >> from February 9th, 2026 to June 30th, 2026. >> from February 9th, 2026 to June 30th, 2026. >> according to the best of

110my ability. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Excellent. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> So with that, we'll move to the other open item uh that Laura's departure leaves us with, which is a discussion about filling that seat. Uh I will start briefly with just re recapping our options. And I I I've double, triple, quadruple checked this with every resource available. Um so we have three options. The first is we could hold a special election whereby we would have one thing on the ballot which is this seat and it would be for the remainder of the term of the seat. Um that would have to be messaged to the community. There would have to be time for individuals to pick up petitions to submit their petitions for us to get a ballot for

111us to notify the public of the election to hold the election. practically I think that would be nearly impossible to complete before May. Um and even if it was that individual might get one meeting probably not even that. So I I would propose we discard we discount that option that leaves two other options. One is to appoint someone uh and the second is to you know just leave the seat vacant until the upcoming May elections. Um, and so at this point, I guess we'll just open the floor to to anyone who has any thoughts about preferring either of those two options. Historically, we've done it we've done it twice since I've been on the board. In both times, we um messaged the community that we were looking to fill the seat. um received letters of

112interest, reviewed the letter letters of interest, uh interviewed the candidates and then appointed from uh from there after after internal discussion as to who we were going to uh choose. That take that took two or three months at least. Uh so again going with the time thing. Um, again, maybe one meeting. I would my recommendation or my my what I would rather do is uh go with six members and just have three seats on the board at the election. uh at the election the third the uh the third vote getter uh the third low uh third lowest vote getter is the person who will be elected to the uh unoccupied seat so that person a uh takes their position immediately they don't wait till July they they'll they'll take their position they'll be at the

113June meeting >> y >> um and then that lower then they'll have to be on Laura's election cycle so whenever she's re up for election again is when they'd be up for election. So I think like I said looking at the timing and we have an extra person for maybe one or two meetings. I'd prefer just uh leave the seat open and Okay, we can move on through budget. Um, I guess something else to add, um, historically when it's happened, uh, has always been much ear when it's happened the two times I've been on the board was much earlier in the >> calendar. True. >> Usually it was around, uh, September, October time frame is when both seats became vacant at separate times, but that's so we we felt we needed to fill the spot

114uh, for the year. Uh, like I said, with only having someone for one meeting, I think it's best to just leave it open. >> Okay. So, maybe rather than sort of seeking agreement with Tom, does anyone have a different opinion or >> not a different opinion, but um just in case the question comes up, I know I had asked you kind of when I was trying to familiarize myself with what this would look like, but because people say, "Oh, well, there's only six people." Typically, we don't have any >> issues with voting, but let's say there was something. Can you go over what that would look like, what something would need to pass then? >> That's a good question. So, the board operates as though we have seven members. So, no matter what the motion,

115four votes are required to pass it, right? If five people showed up for a meeting, a 3-2 vote is not a pass. Four votes are required to pass any board action. So, So if for some reason we were, you know, locked 33 on something, that motion would not pass. Which is usually why boards have an odd number is so that you you don't have tie votes. >> Um, having said that, I I don't I don't really recall much dissension um, you know, aside from a vote here or there. So probably not a huge issue for us, but >> no, I just wanted it for clarity in case that was a question that Yeah. >> came up. >> Yeah. We just basically that that question would then just basically stay on the table. Yeah. So, we

116had a an additional member to break that. >> I know you said that um if we wait until the election in May, the third highest vote getter would take Laura's remaining term. What if that person is someone who's currently on the board? Because you say >> Yeah, that sort of hurts your brain a bit, doesn't it? Well, I just you say that person takes their seat immediately, but if that person's already on the board, >> so the seat would remain empty. >> The seat would remain empty. >> So then and that would and then in this case it would be camp. He would just take over his his election cycle would change from what it is now to to lower his election cycle. >> Presumptuous. Would we then have another like a special election? >>

117No, we just wait. >> Or no, >> just remain empty for one month. >> No. And and like running an election is not free either, right? Like you got to hire the board of elections. You got to bring those big machines in. Like I don't know. I remember hearing 20 30 20 30,000 bucks to run a >> That's why I asked like what is that? What then? I mean, >> I'm just guessing maybe it's a half that or twice that, but it's it's not free. No, it's a safe bet. >> All right. So, it sounds like general consensus is we're going to leave the seat open. So, in that case, you know, obviously no further action is required. Um, I guess the the public saw that we discussed it. So, I appreciate everybody's uh thoughts

118and contributions there. And I guess with that, we will move into the other action items. Uh, so we'll move into uh D1 or D in general. We've got board briefings, uh, information items, which I don't recall there being any future board of education meetings. Recall we did move the March meeting to March 12th. Correct. >> So that's at Union Pleasant, I believe. >> Yes. Um, not in the Pleasant Auditorium. >> Correct. So there >> standing room only. >> So we've got meetings and workshops. Uh, I understand Jess and Mary, you've got lobby day tomorrow, which is exciting. I'm I'm uh I'm thrilled for that opportunity for you guys. So, that would be exciting. Did Did we um I understand you sort of generally, you know, follow the ECASB opportunities that they set up, but are

119there are there either extra opportunities that you have or we discussed those sort of leave behinds like Hamburg focused leave behinds? Did you guys discuss >> anything specific there? >> Mr. Adams did send a leave behind. Um, so I it it's pretty general. I mean, there's a lot of stuff that kind of all districts are were worried about. Um, but uh ECASB has a leave behind folder for every single person that we're meeting with. Um, they did say we could seek out additional opportunities and we don't have any meetings with um, Assemblyman Rivera. So maybe we could on the train tomorrow get an email out to him and see if potentially he's available. Um, but ECASB has a pretty full day, a pretty full lineup for us. Every half hour, um, we'll be in a

120different office. So, >> good. >> Yeah, it's pretty exciting. >> It's exciting. Good. >> Excellent. Um, >> yeah, >> next up, we had some some budget transfers. These were the under 25K, so they'reformational only. Um, and then we had board committee reports. So, sorry I got thrown off. I couldn't remember which order we decided to do this in. So, we'll go through the the board committee reports first and then we do need to after that um final item of of Laura's departure is revisit our committee assignments, but we'll do the committee updates first and I will look to Max to kick us off as usual. So, first of all, um we had the school play um which was the murder of Roger Akroyd. Um I went Saturday night. I thought it was very fun and

121it was a great production. So, it was a great job to Mr. Rino and the drama club. They did great. Um we had Thread It Together in January. Um, it was a great success. So, I want to thank everyone who donated and uh leftover items were picked up by hearts for the homeless. Winter sports um they're getting ready for playoffs and um I think the track team set what like six school records or something like that. >> Crazy. Um, science Olympiad had a great competition last weekend at Buff State. Uh, eighth graders and their parents have been invited to visit, uh, the high school this week on Wednesday night and then we're going to kick into the big stuff. Um, so, uh, we had a rock paper scissors competition in December. So what that was

122about was um it was a competition between teachers and students. So they would go to the corner store and buy like bead necklaces and they would find other people that had necklaces and then they would play rock paper scissors and whoever won got their necklace and then whoever had the most at the end uh competed against it was a teacher versus students. Uh whoever won uh got a prize. So all the money that we made off of that went to Roswell and Oshai Children's Hospital. Uh and since that was such a big success, uh the student government voted that uh we uh wanted to see it again maybe in the future. >> Who won? >> I think I think all I know is Mr. Dudek lost. That's all that matters. >> All the characters, right?

123So, going into Fall for Bucks, um, for those who don't know, Fall for Bucks is an event that we have at the high school. Uh, participants will donate about $25 and shave their heads. Um, all the money raised goes, uh, directly to Roswell for cancer research. Uh, we have the day finalized March 25th. Uh, and we are selling t-shirts. So, we're going to be sending out letters to local businesses. That's the handout I gave to you all um about sponsoring the event. So, they'll get their name on the back of the t-shirt that we'll sell. Um and then students and staff are going to be able to sign up after break and uh we'll be able to fund raise online through the Ball for Bucks website. All right. I think that's it for me. >>

124Okay. Thanks, Max. >> Ashley, I'm late. Today, uh Jess was at our last PTSA meeting, so I'm gonna let her talk about that. Uh Mary did the PCC uh committee this month, so I'm going to let her talk about that. Uh no finance committee since the last time we met. And we have to eventually talk about planning a building visitation. >> True. >> So, if anybody has any thoughts on that, can toss them out there. Do we know what building we were doing next? Usually we do secondary and elementary. We did the elementary. So >> So were we doing middle school >> actually? Yeah. >> Yep. >> Start looking at that. >> April. >> Our next meeting will be over an email with Mr. Adams. >> Dave. >> Um yes, I was at the Super

125Bowl uh sponsored by the parent child connection. I was a judge with Mr. Adams and I also was there with Jess Mary and my first time as a judge. I've always been cuz I thought I would cheat which I would and uh but it was really hard to cheat and uh but I was the best of the judges but Dave had like 20 styrofoam bowls in front of him. Like there was others who may have like had a little sample then moved it to the side. Dave looked it was like the ghost of Christmas present. like it was an abundance. >> That's right. Because I could refer back, you know, you know, but it was a lot of fun. Um, and uh, you know, Randolph always seems to have an advantage. Um, but they because

126they won the golden ladle again, >> but it was a lot of fun and uh, we definitely were stuffed. >> You know, Maggie out there asking for extra money. That was that was good. >> Brought in a good chunk. >> Very good sales uh, person. Is that a good >> That was it. Um the article in the Sun about Laura's retirement. I don't know if everybody's seen it. I brought it, but it was very touching, very nice. So, if you get a chance, you want to see it. It's right here. And that's all I have. >> Thanks, Dave. Tom, >> um just a couple things. Nothing really that I've gone to, just planning on going to. Um ECSB is uh their finance the budget uh committee is this week. So, finalize the budget. I assume

127there's not going to be a dues increase for ECSB again. Um Cam and I have uh AOF this uh this week um which we got some fun stuff to report on. So next week or next month we'll I'll go more into what we're doing uh once it's been approved. Um and just uh I wanted to mention that uh Hamburg does have an Olympic tie. Um, one of our alumni who um is on the board is on the wall of fame is one of the aerial coaches for um the US ski team. >> Oh, wow. >> Cool. >> Ski club. >> Oh, cool. >> So, actually saw him this weekend. >> Really? >> Yeah. He didn't get to march. He just goes as soon as the he goes when the competition starts. >> Cool. >> Thanks,

128Tom. Barry. >> All right. Um, I went to a couple of things since the last time I was here. The Erie County School Board Association Legislative Committee meeting. It's a mouthful. I'm going to let you talk about that. Oh, >> okay. >> If you don't want I mean >> I thought you want to talk about the AI presentation. >> I was only going to talk that they they had a speaker talk about AI in education and what to be aware of. I had a lot of opinions on it because I know a lot about AI, but I figured you'd want to talk about it. >> Okay. Because I don't. Yeah. >> Okay. Um it was it was informative. >> Um uh parent child connection meeting on January 28th uh was in preparation for the Super

129Bowl. Um but there were also some presentations coming up. There's one tonight actually that I am missing. Uh helping your child recognize eating disorder risks and early signs. And then on March 31st, ADHD 101. Um so go to that. It's here. Uh, sounds like a fun time if that's what you're into. Um, I also went to the Super Bowl. Um, and it was great. But also I met with Tom and Christine to discuss progress on our district's progress on the zero emission uh, busing, which I just wanted to point that out as you as Dave loves to point out. It's like one of my favorite things to talk about. So, I just wanted to do a shout out. I really wanted to thank you for having that meeting with me and just taking talking that

130through with me, taking the necessary I wrote it all out so I don't forget your name. Taking the necessary steps to implement the zero emission emission busing here in our district by working with Boseies to begin uh a fleet electrification plan. And for those of you who don't know, a fleet electrification plan is a roadmap to electrify the school district or third party operator's entire school bus fleet by 2035. This includes a comprehensive evaluation of existing fleet operations and depot electrical capabilities. This plan serves as a guide or action plan that identifies and prioritizes recommendations to help the owners make informed decisions about infrastructure and bus purchases and installations. It's basically a just we need to come up with a plan in a formalized way and we're partnering with Boseies to do it. Also completing

131this unlocks additional funding for electrical school buses and chargers. So uh and it helps us meet the uh reporting requirements and doing this gives us funding more funding from NAERTA. So doing this not only gives us a plan it keeps control locally it's uh and it makes sure that we get even more funding. So these are the things that we want. I know one of the things we talk about with um Erie County is that we're we want to keep local control. That's one of the things that we advocate a lot for is making sure that if we have to do this, we we maintain control that we're doing it within within our terms and conditions. So, I just I really appreciate you doing this, but doing it in a way that makes sense um

132with our area and not just within our district, but really a bigger plan that makes sense with all of the community that we're working with. So, thank you. Um, as you have all talked about, we are going to Albany tomorrow to advocate uh for all the schools in Erie County, but we are also going to be advocating for Hamburg. I know uh I haven't seen the leave behind that you've left with Jess, but I just wanted to take uh a second to let you know that uh I intend to me personally take this opportunity. I've never actually gotten a chance to sit in Albany and and listen to our legislators in person. So, I'm looking forward to to that. This is also an opportunity for you all to advocate for Hamburg. So, tell me, tell

133Jeff, it's me. Jess and I are going to be there. Tell us what you want to hear, what you want us to advocate for, what you want to listen to. I for one uh I want to know I want to advocate for and listen to things like ensuring all of our students understand how their state and local government will be protecting them from federal harassment in the form of ICE or what the dismantling of funding for special education will mean for our teachers in our district who work with these students and the parents of these children. So, if there is something specific that is in your heart that you want me to learn about and bring back or that you want me to talk to, we get to meet with Senator Pat Gallivan at the

134end of the day. So, he's our local representative if you didn't know. So, let me know if you have a story that you want to share. Stories are what we are supposed to talk about. That's all. That's my >> You did. Thank you. That's all. >> Thanks, Mary Ch. Um, so it's been a busy month. Um, we did attend the ECASB legislative meeting. So for someone who is not as knowledgeable about AI, it was a brief because it needed to be with time constraints, but very like meaty presentation talking about some of the positives that can come out of AI, but also some of the pitfalls and things to be looking for. And one of the things that they really focused on was um wanting to make sure that our educators who are going to

135be the ones in front of these kids and these kids are going to be using AI get training and are educated on AI the positives and negatives so that they can make sure that when they are implementing it in their classrooms with their students they can be very aware because it has so many benefits but it does have some drawbacks. So, um, that's something to definitely be top of mind. Obviously, things change daily, but making sure that the staff that are going to be using this have a good set of, I don't know, just I mean, trainings, something so that they can be aware of what to look for, how to use it most efficiently, but also how to be um, watching for some of the the drawbacks that come with AI. Um, we also

136did discuss going to Albany. There is a small but mighty delegation. Um, I think we're the only two taking the train, but that's okay. Lots of work to be done on a 5 hour train ride. I can't wait. >> What time is the train leave? >> 7:22 a.m. Bright and early. Listen, early bird gets the worm. All right, >> we've got stuff to do. >> Um, I have been to so many basketball games, uh, modified JV and varsity boys and girls, because these kids are just amazing. and my kids want to go watch. But I was lucky to catch the junior bulldog cheerleaders at one of those games, which that was so great, those little ones out there. I mean, some of them are in fifth grade, so they're not so little, but holy cow,

137that's much fun. And I didn't know we did it, but I was able to catch teacher appreciation night with the girls, and that is so wonderful. And I didn't know it existed. And now I never want to miss that game because the the girls on the teams gave a little blurb about why they chose who they chose. And just hearing some of the reasons, it really kind of just brings you back to the people we have in this district who are with our kids and sometimes spend more time with our kids than we do are making such an impact on them and it's so positive and amazing and we just have those people here every day. It's special. Um I stopped by Threaded together. I talked to Emma, but I also talked to Gwen Doyle.

138Um some of the the students who are volunteering, they're so amazing. And the fact that we have students who are doing such amazing things in the classroom, um, extracurriculars, but then also in the community, I think that just really speaks to the great dynamic we have here with kids who are really invested and involved. Um, left there, went to the home opener, the only home ever, um, girls wrestling match in Hamburg. That was so intense. So intense. Um, but it was so great to see. Honestly, it looked like I've been doing that forever. I would never have known that this was the first year, but those girls were amazing. And then I made it over to Spongebob. It was so good. I was a sobbing mess. My children were so embarrassed. But to watch that

139production, months of hard work, all these kids coming together on stage, backstage, those the staff members. Um, one of the lines towards the end was like, "You did that." And the character said, "No, we did that." And just looking at this massive group of kids on that stage, yeah, they all did it. It was incredible. Um, Super Bowl was great. Farm to School, have to shout out Farm to School. They put together this little like quad of different soups. Delicious, incredible. Trisha Miller, she's amazing. And then, um, I'm sure many of you don't know him, but Mr. Phil from Charlotte Avenue, he also had a soup there. He is incredible. We're so lucky to have him um in this district because he really cares about what he does and the way he interacts with the

140kids every day. It makes it makes it great. Um and then one last thing, it's not necessarily board related, but I was so happy to see on that middle school presentation um two things. one talking about the pit crew from the small engine uh repair club because that is something that um we were able to do with funding from it takes a village 5k that uh I organized last year and the family reading night the nickel city they're coming because funding came from that race and we're going to run again June 7th 2026 we had 358 runners last year we're aiming for 500 runners this year because those runners coming together to support for our children. It just allows us to to put more money back into these extracurricular opportunities for our kids. And to

141hear Mr. Lowour say that like we had attendance issues and now they want to come to school because they want to be a part of that club. I think that just speaks to how important it is that we have something for everybody and making sure that whatever that is, we got to find a way to make it happen. So, uh, look for registration coming up soon. >> Okay. Thanks, Jess. Uh with respect to my committees, uh the IDA, we actually had a public hearing this morning. We're doing a light industrial project on Jeffrey Boulevard, which of course was a frontier school district. Um we are also searching for new suitors for the land out on Route 5 across from the Gateway building. Our original fire didn't work out. Um so that's an interesting project out

142there. Uh Tom touched on the finance academy. Uh I know you're on the uh what's your committee? >> Uh workbased learning. >> The workbased learning committee, right? You're you're doing some cool stuff. I'm on the scholarship committee. So we're working on our our scholarship applications for this year, which is a super fun project. Um on the Boseis board, interesting. We're also going through a superintendent evaluation there. Um all all is good. Um but um you know they're very focused right now on the new building project that's that's going on which understand Dr. Capuana will will maybe come out in the next meeting or two and and sort of share a little bit about that but they're working on some really interesting stuff and interesting interestingly last meeting they also we also got a fairly detailed

143look at their um professional development curriculum specifically in support of technology and AI. So there is a a Boseis focus there on helping the component districts of which we're one you know get their arms around this challenge and make sure the teachers understand the pitfalls and everything that goes with that. Um we have the leadership forum which is uh Mr. Adams and myself and some of the union leaderships u met and um they kind of got a sneak peek at the budget which we just talked about tonight. Uh we also discussed the capital projects. It was good to hear their perspectives on some of the logistics items which is why I asked some of the questions I asked tonight. And then um Mr. Adams evaluation uh is in progress. Uh the we are currently undergoing

144a software issue which might be a me issue and I'm working through that and uh I will communicate with the board when I figure that out and get everyone right permission to move that along. But I think I think all is good there. You held up your end of the bargain and now we're we're slow in our in our response. So, all is well. All right. With that, I'll transition to uh continue discussion on committees. We need to reassign Laura's committees. Everybody has a sheet in front of you. Yellow represents where Laura's name used to be. We need to fill those yellows. I'm just going to go down in order and uh see what everybody thinks. So, the ECS ECSB delegate assembly really this is the alternate. Um I don't I don't know. I've been

145alternates in the past and I don't really go very often. So I'm not sure the commitment on this one. But >> is there any more delegate meetings? >> There is one in >> February 20. No, there is one coming up. Yes. >> Are you going? >> So I need to look because I might have a conflict with bingo night at Charlotte Avenue, >> which I haven't missed that ever. Oh, >> what is it? >> I've got a lot of prizes for that event, so I need to at least think >> Tuesday. >> No, it's a Thursday. >> Oh, it's a Thursday. It's a Tuesday right there. >> I mean, I think it's got to be Mary. >> Yeah, it's got to be Mary. So, Mary, >> it's fine. >> Transportation committee. This is one where

146we used to only have two members. We expanded it to three. So, Mary and Dave are are the current members. >> Is this a backup position? >> This is an alternate position. I can be a backup if >> Ashley is the alternate >> uh strategic planning committee. >> That's an important one. >> I'm happy to do >> meeting next week or two weeks. >> Oh, are we >> three weeks? March 25th. Oh, it's March 25th. >> March. February 25th. Okay. >> I mean, I'm happy to do it if nobody else wants it, but if somebody else really wants it. >> All right, Ashley. Parent Child Connection. That's Dave, right? >> Yeah, sure. That's Dave >> safety's Mary >> it is >> facilities probably me >> and comprehensive >> Thursday >> school counseling >> the same

147Thursday >> has that has that committee met yet? >> Well, it only meets like uh two times uh and uh >> I can't be both. Well, no, >> you know, Ashley and I can handle it. I mean >> um >> I mean I was a backup anyway. >> You don't even need to do >> All right. Why don't we just leave that? We'll just leave that. >> Yeah, just >> Ashley and I will just handle it. >> All right. So, the ECSB delegate alternative is Mary. Transportation committee alternative is Ashley. Strategic action plan is Ashley. Parent child connection. The third member is Dave. >> District safety primary is Mary. Facilities Cam was added and Ashley was made >> forward >> proper member of the comprehensive school counseling program. So, I'm looking for a motion that

148says what I just said. So moved >> second moved by Dave and Mary. All in favor? >> I >> all opposed. Motion passes. All right, >> Mr. Adams. Okay, go. What do you got? First of all, just a thank you to everybody and that includes our our our audience members as well, but uh a big thank you to the Cardini family who came on here not under false pretenses, but probably with the thought that maybe they'd go a little bit earlier and especially Allison, who is uh who I' I'd like Allison Ally to come on up uh forward and and I'm going to talk a little bit about why I invited you or why I I want to share some of your work with us. You might know Angelo Cardini from uh from Boston Valley.

149Ellie, yeah, you can come right around here. Okay. Uh, and you might you might have even seen Ryan with a lacrosse stick in his hand one of the like on on on our fields. Ryan's a ninth grader uh at Hamburg High School and Mike Kartchini. Uh, you'd see him all all all over Boston as well and occasionally with uh with I believe a fishing rod uh involved some some outdoor stuff. So Ally is one of our seniors. >> Yeah, that's tough for me to say. Uh, so Allison's a senior and what I wanted to what I what I shared with you uh that's in your pile of stuff and I did this last time too but we didn't we didn't get to it. Um, but uh I want to share with you what the New

150York State portrait of graduate sort of like the the six characteristics that we're really being charged to think of as as what students are going to experience leaving uh upon their their time here at Hamburg Central and in all schools in New York State. Uh I've been doing a fair amount of reading lately that tells us things that you all know that we all know. Um but just the importance of as an as a learner trying to devote yourself and trying to cultivate in those students who are in our classrooms the idea of exploration. The idea of not doing things for a grade, not doing things just to get by and not resisting those things that are offered either, but really doing it in a sense of exploration. That's a high bar to set to

151really feel that internal motivation. The what the literature really talks a lot about is the importance of clubs, the importance of activities, the importance of ensembles, of interests like athletics. And that is absolutely true. Those are some of the things that really add color and fabric to our lives. But it also exists within the classroom too. Something I saw recently was um was a a public speaking class that one of our high school teachers named Genevie Federick runs. And I was able to go in and see some of these speeches. And what they gave were TED talks. TED talks sort of like the you know there there's there's all sorts that you can that you can look at. But each of these students selected a topic. Talk about student agency. Talk about the idea of

152exploring things that interest them. That TED talk that they presented was really powerful for me to see and it wasn't because a portrait of a graduate what does the state want to do now and then our answer could be well we already do that that's not what my discussion here is trying to convey what I want to convey is that some of the very attributes that there the state is looking for us to cultivate in our kids are things that we already value here we at this table we in the audience we throughout the community Allison whose class I didn't get a chance to see. But I got to see her work because of Kayla who recorded it and put a video together for us that we were able to see that some of us

153at this table probably already seen on social media. Well, I think I just want to show it to you and show you what sorts of things happen within our classes and when our students are able to choose some of the topics they choose. So yeah, you'll get a chance to talk, but rather than have you give that speech, I figured we'd watch what you gave. >> I want everybody to look around, notice a color you like, a familiar face, or a small detail you might overlook. These are the things that silently make up our lives, and we move past them with the assumption that they will always be there. Well, I'd like to offer you some advice from Ferris Buer himself. Life moves pretty fast, so if you don't stop and look around once in

154a while, you could miss it. Well, for me, that quote is reality. My name is Allison Cardikini and I have retinitis pigmentotosa, also known as RP, which is an eye disease that I was diagnosed with when I was 13. RP is a group of genetic eye diseases that slowly damages the retina, causing progressive vision loss, starting with night blindness and loss of peripheral vision, leading it leading to tunnel vision to eventually no vision at all. There is no cure. So, it's not going to get better and it's not going to change. So, a lot of the time it feels like I have a timer on the way I'm going to live my life. And although that seems pretty negative, I can be angry and I can be sad. And there's a lot of the times

155where I wish that I could change the way that my cards were dealt. But one thing that I've slowly slowly learned after the diagnosis is that life does move pretty fast. We are blessed to be here today. We were blessed to wake up. And we were blessed to continue with the path that we have been given. I promise you that living every day like it's your last is one of the best things that you can do for yourself soon, later. Not now, someday. Because someday isn't promised to look like today. You will realize how much of your day is made up of tiny meaningful moments. A laugh with your friends that is completely out of context. A familiar song that puts you instantly in a good mood or a quiet moment where the world stops

156and everything just feels okay. You get to live your life however you want to. So just go out and get out of your comfort zone. I want you to notice something in your everyday life that you rush past because life doesn't slow down, but we can. Like I'm interviewing you here, right? A little microphone. Uh that's pretty powerful like hugely powerful. >> Thank you. >> Uh tell us a little bit about that feeling of getting of preparing a speech like that. >> Um it was definitely stressful I feel like at first but then once you you get to choose what you talk about. So whatever it is you have to be comfortable and like confident in it. So I mean it I was excited to talk about it and bring awareness to it. And I

157I liked the class. The class was really fun. So talking was natural and I enjoyed it a lot. But yeah, it was fun. >> No, no, you did. And you and you it's not only a moving message because we're now connected with you more. Like I've known you for how many years here and like in this to be able to be at home and taking a look at what's on social media. I was like, "Oh, I should probably watch this." Right? I was in that class and then I saw it and I was like I just I had an idea but I had no idea. Yeah. So your vulnerability, your willingness to be vulnerable with us, um, is and the way you were so articulate with it, like that's the type of thing that can

158happen within a classroom. Now, you're not going to get that in every situation all the time, but moments like this are exactly the idea of exploring what your feelings are, exploring who you are, and exploring how you're going to go about living your life. One of the components of Portrait of Graduate is to be reflective and future focused. like there's nothing in that speech that's not reflective and future focused with it. So it lives in part already when we're at our best and it's not. But believe me, I know that there are times in my teaching like that kids really maybe felt a sense of exploration. There's times when that's not going to be there. But in this case, I just thought it was too much of a powerful example to uh to to to

159avoid having you get get called on a Friday like two days ago to be able to come here. And I can't I can't say enough about your folks and family for uh for being willing to spend the time with us. But Alison, congratulations to you and uh thank you so much for for the message you had for us. >> All right. Thank you. >> I'll sheepishly come to the high school certificate that I prepared that I have craftily left in my office. All right. But uh but I will see I will see Alison. So the sharing of that is because I I think there's there's a couple things in our work and you'll see this in strategic planning and this is my way to say strategic planning is March 25th. One of the things that

160we're talking about is the idea of like what New York inspires is that's what stayad really calls this sort of global global movement that a portrait of graduate is part of. But it's going to impact all the things we do in all of our schools. But our vision is such that when we're at our best, we are doing a lot of the things that are sought through this portrait of a graduate through this idea of New York Inspires. And I just wanted to I wanted to make sure that that moment was sort of captured for us. There's certainly other things to share as as well. Um, for one thing, we did talk about transportation a bit uh during the budget presentation, and I am uh I'm as confident as I've ever been with regard to

161the fact that I think that we're going to see um that that we're going to have an improved customer experience with regard to transportation. Uh they have a uh they they've brought in a new uh whether we call it site manager or or area manager who has started this week uh and will be meeting our folks and is really really going to be invested in the community without going too much detail like as invested in the community as you can coming in from another place but like Hamburg's the spot for this person and their family and that means a lot. Uh so we have we have high hopes with that regard. Uh, I know that how this goes is part of what I'm being looked to like and like that's that's a that's a mark

162of how I'm doing with things. So, uh, it's it's not only important to me because it's important to our families, but it's important to me because I've got to be able to prove that like just like with the with the evaluation, um, I got to prove to you that I'm that I'm working as hard as I can and uh to to getting a good good experience for for our for our kids and and our families as well. Um the other thing I want to mention and certainly it's been mentioned by others but just the idea that the stages of our district are alive uh since we've last met. It's been the the Spongebob at the middle school. It's been Winnie the Pooh at Armor and then we go to a murder at the high school.

163So that's a wacky juosition there. But just to see that level of engagement of exploration that the students are doing under the watchful eye of people who care about them and that's what Allison's story is too like this is done with a teacher who's had her I believe for for a year and a half now. And like in that courage to be able to get up there I think that's cultivated through the environments that created within the within the classrooms. And that's been uh that's something that's given me a lot of joy and makes me sort of like uh sort of aspirational like I better be giving people that same experience when uh when I'm working with them too. So that's that's what I have for my report. Okay. Thank you very much. Thank you.

164>> With that we will move to uh consent items F and G. Uh at this time any board member can make a request to withdraw a specific item from the consent agenda for individual consideration. Is there any such request? I don't want to remove one, but I have a comment on one. So, >> fair. So, we'll leave it in and then you can comment. So, I'll look for a motion to approve all consent items F2 through G6. So, move Tom by Tom, second by Ashley. Discussion. Uh, I just I I always have had a hangup with um the extended field trip uh forms >> and this one dates >> and this one doesn't have a date. >> I was looking to it when they go I think I know but >> I figured out when

165it was because it says further on that >> they won't miss school. So I'm assuming it's over spring break and it's correct spring training. >> Uh but it's not it's not on the it's not on there. That's a miss. Feel like I said that last time about extended field trip, but for a different reason. >> Okay, I'm on it. >> Good thing to bring up. Thank you. >> Any other questions on these items? Uh Wendy Wyinners is retiring. >> Stealing my son. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> No, no, it's fine. No, you guys need to talk first, then I can go. >> No, I'm good. All right. >> Okay. Mr. >> All in favor? >> I >> All opposed. Motion passes. Mr. Adams would thank you, Mr. Yes. I'd just like to give

166a give some congratulations. First, we have uh Ellie Goal, who's retiring. She's been our uh our monitor at the middle school for a uh for for a for a long while. That'll be effective in April. First, want to thank her for her service. And then on the teacher side of things, I want to thank Tom Pharaoh and Wendy Winters for all their years of dedicated service for the students of of of Hamburg High School and Ham Central itself. Uh Tom's a love science teacher and Wendy and French and uh the yearbook uh as well. That's a that's a big component of of Wendy's work too. Uh so >> hopefully there's an error parent there. >> That's that that is exactly that's that's exactly what's happening. All right. Good. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh so we'll

167move to items H. Uh H1 revised appointments for the 202526 school year. Can I have a mo motion that the revised appointments for the 2025 school year be approved as listed? So moved. >> So moved by Jess second by Tom. Uh why are we doing this at this point of the year? >> So we have an additional person Nicole Cronin. She's our psych intern. She went through the um committee actual training. So the training ended now we officially appoint her and then she can chair meetings. Excellent. Any other questions? All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Motion passes. Uh item uh H2 for Bosey's nomination. Can I have a motion to nominate John Sherman and Janet McGregor Plar as candidates for election to be held on April 21st, 26 to serve as trustees for

168the board of cooperative education services first supervisory district of Erie County for a term beginning July 20. Thank you. >> Second move >> by Tom, second by Ashley. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Item H3. Can I have a motion to approve a transportation contract with North Colin Central School District for the 202526 school year? >> So moved by Tom. Second. Second by Dave. Any discussion? We did this. I thought we did this last month. We have Is this like a monthly thing or correct? >> Do it every 30 days. >> Okay. Is that why there's an end date? Like I I was looking at these and one of them had a date that's already passed and I was confused why we >> Okay, >> thank you. >>

169Both of them do actually. >> Any other questions? All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. Item H4. Can I have a motion to approve a transportation contact with contract with student transportation for America for the 202526 school year? So move. >> So moved by Mary. >> Second by Jess. Any discussion? Are these are are we are we still transporting these students or they are these? >> Yes. One will end because one of the students is moving. >> Okay. >> So we won't have the STA contract. Okay. All in favor? >> All opposed. Motion passes. Uh believe that is the last item before public expression. Nobody signed up for public expression. All right. Uh seeing that I will look for a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> So moved by Ashley. >> Second by Mary.

170Any discussion? All in favor? >> All opposed. We are adjourned. Thank you very much everyone for attending.