001All right, I will look for a motion to end executive session and return to regular session, please. Tom and Ashley, I think all in favor. >> All oppose. Okay, we are back in regular session. Um, so with that, we will move to recognitions and presentations. And so, we have our internal audit present. >> Yes, indeed. So, we are fortunate to have our Lumson McCormack external audit presentation that we we're thrilled that you're here and we know that you you've uh you presented to us before, but uh we've taken a look at the documents that you so uh uh carefully put together for us, but we're we're interested in hearing your your report on it. We certainly have some some questions as well. >> Great. Thank you. Do you just want me here? Uh, but >>
002um you have in front of you copies of all of the draft reports and then I think um are we pulling up the presentation as well? >> Oh, okay. It's the Yep. the Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh so I'll just present off of this because there's like 50 pages of uh words in front of you. Um, but you hire us, if you want to go to the next slide, sorry, to uh render an opinion on your financial statements. So, we're issuing an unmodified opinion, which is a clean opinion uh that your financial statements are fairly presented in accordance with generally accepted um accounting principles. Uh there's also report in accordance with government auditing standards which are required to have. there were no matters under those standards and also a report in accordance with the
003uniform guidance which is required because you received federal funding in excess of a million dollars um actually 750,000 for this year but you had about 1.9 million in federal funding down from 2.8 8 million in the prior year. Um you had some FEMA funding in the prior year. Um and just a small amount to finish it this year. So that was about $100,000 of the decrease. And then you had um COVID funding which was expired. We used all of that funding by the time it expired, but that was about $545,000 in prior year. So those are the reasons for that decrease. you're considered to be low risk because you haven't had any findings um over it's a three-year look back period um and you have had an unmodified opinion on your statements. So, we're only
004required to test 20% of your federal funding. We tested the special education cluster, however, which accounts for 46% of this year's federal funding and we have no findings and no questions. So, all of that was clean as well. we will file a data collection form which is just the information going to the federal government regarding those federal grants. Um and that's the last piece after the board has approved the audit. Also in your packet is the extra class extra classroom activity of schedule of additions and deductions. That's the detail on all of your student clubs. So, you had just over $600,000 of receipts and dispersements going through those clubs during 2025. Um, and we had no comments or suggestions relative to that. As well, we do test the club activity. We take a look at
005the student records and the district records to ensure that they match and to ensure that the students are properly accounting for their clubs. And so, again, we have no issues with that. And then the last two things listed there, the communications letter and the management letter are on the next two slides. So I'll go over those very briefly. Uh the next slide. Thank you. Uh so required communications. Um really the the major thing to point out on this page is that there was a new um governmental accounting standard GASB 101 on compensated absences that was required to be implemented for 2025. This is relative to your accumulated sick and vacation time. It doesn't impact your budget or how you account on a fund basis for employees sick and vacation time, but it does impact the
006governmentwide financial statements um which are included within that large financial statement report. Um we had to reclass beginning of year compensated absences by $1.6 million. It increased by that amount to about $5.8 8 million because of the changes in how it is approved. Um the big changes are now that we have to account for the sick leave bank. So this is the time um that goes into a pool for all employees within a bargaining unit um that all employees can use. In the past that didn't have to be included in there because it's not paid out to anyone. Um it's just used. But now that has to be included. And then there's some other um kind of modifications to how time is accounted for that cause the increase in the liability. So it's a one-time
007adjustment to that number. Um and then it will be um consistently applied going forward in future years. Um other things sorry a couple other things of significant here are just uh estimates remain the same in your financial statement. So the number of years of service of your fixed assets, your buildings and equipment is an estimate. Compensated absences were and remain an estimate just under different uh requirements. Uh your pensions with the teachers retirement system and the employees retirement system and involve actuarial assumptions and calculations as to your other post-employment benefits or OPED and your reserves or estimates of what the district will need to use going forward. And then we just referenced notes 7 through 10 as the more significant disclosures to pay attention to, which are basically where all of those estimates are and
008all your uh disclosures on your liabilities. Moving forward to the management letter, um these points are actually all carry forward points from prior years and really just updates. So the first one is excess fund balance in the food service fund. Um, as you may recall, the New York State Education Department stipulates that you must have that you should have less than six months worth of expenditures in fund balance at year end within the food service fund. Uh, most districts have had far in excess of that recently because of all the COVID funding. Um, so you had to submit a plan to the state on how you were going to spend down that existing excess fund balance. Um and so I'm pleased to report that you have done so. You have used it both for equipment
009within the food service fund. You have also um charged And then you'll see more of that when we get into the numbers. Conversely, fund balance in the general fund we had noted had been um declining over the past few years. So we had just uh reiterated to take a look at fund balance use of reserves what you were appropriating to offset the subsequent year's budget. You have been working on adjusting that and over the past couple of years I think you've increased general fund fund balance about $4.5 million. So that is improving and it increased about 1.6 million in 2025. The final two points here are just upcoming accounting pronouncements. Gazby's 103 and 104. Gazby 103 for the most part just changes where the budget pages within the financial statements and requires some more disclosures
010on changes and modifications to the budget. GSB 104 is just accounting for those capital assets that build those buildings um and your equipment and just how those disclosures are. As of right now, I don't see it'll have any. Moving on then to the numbers. This is just a summary of fund balance in all of the funds. So, as I mentioned, you can see there there's a 2025 and 2024 column. So, for the general fund, you can see that increase of 1.6 6 million from year to year that I just mentioned. Um, you could use some of that increase to for some additional funding in your reserves, including your capital reserve, your employee benefits reserve, and your retirement contribution reserve, which is for the TRS and ERS expenses. Um, assigned fund balance. uh the big amount
011in there 2 million of that 2 million26 appropriated to reduce the subsequent year's tax levy by difference that 4% of subsequent year budget and within that 4% the special a fund should have fund balance of zero every year this is all of your grant funding um so you can only spend in that fund what you receive uh so you're at about $2.6 million in federal and state grants will be used uh to offset expenditures in the capital projects fund. The deficit fund balance of $39 million is just because of timing of where you are on your project and your financing. Uh you have bond anticipation notes outstanding of about $50 million. Um once those convert to bonds uh you will see that as a large revenue influx in that fund and it will defit in
012the food service fund. This is where I mentioned we needed to use fund balance and you can see that defined $452,000 uh as planned um in accordance with that plan to the state. The debt service fund these are amounts that are required to be used for principal and interest payments on debt. It increased due to band pre a premium on that band that bond anticipation note as well as interest earnings in the fund. And then miscellaneous special revenue is your scholarships and uh donations and there was minimal activity in that. Moving to the next page just focusing on the general fund you can see uh by category there's not any huge fluctuation anywhere on the revenue side here. um property taxes um were bound by that tax levy cap unless the voters go beyond it.
013So that is within the cap. Um state aid, you had some fluctuations and some increases in building aid, transportation aid, um excess cost aid and general aid during the year. Sales tax, you can see remained uh relatively extremely consistent with prior years. And then your other income will fluctuate a bit based on um interest which did go up this year. You have a lot invested currently and you do have um all those proceeds from the bond anticipation notes which you were spending on the project. So your interest earnings did continue to increase in 2025 but it was offset by reductions in uh both refunds and uh tuition from other districts. The next page on the expense side, again, just focusing on the general fund. Not a lot of fluctuations here either. You can see that
014salaries remained very consistent with the prior year. um your total salaries actually decreased about $285,000 across the district, but with the um expiration of the COVID funding, some of those costs then have to come back to the general fund. Um so the general fund did increase a bit more than salaries in the prior year. Um would also impact the payroll taxes on employee benefits. retirement systems includes your required contributions to TRS and ERS. Um those rates did go up for both systems in 2025. Um they're set by the state. So you can see those increases there. Your health insurance, your self self-insured in 2024. Uh you had higher claims and costs. You also had, I believe, a bunch of retirements and so those people are no longer included in the cost for 2025. debt service
015had increases because of the increase in the bond anticipation note. So those have increased over the past couple of years. So you have about 50 million outstanding at June 30 2025 and you have 30 million something outstanding at the end of 2024. So during 2025 you had a payment um to reduce the ban uh from the general fund and then you also had uh interest earnings on that ban as well. So that increased your debt service costs. Both these services will fluctuate year-to-year based on need and you had some additional um special education costs in 2025. And then transportation and other you did have um some contractual increases uh to your transportation in 2025. You also had some costs that initially had been expected to be paid with grant funds that were not. So the
016general fund pay for those in 2025. That is a summary on a fund basis. This is now just looking at a governmentwide basis and the district really as a whole. Uh so looking um really at the balance sheet here, current and other assets. That's made up primarily of cash. That increase of almost $13 million because of that increase in bond anticipation notes and amounts not yet spent that will be spent on your capital your 2021 capital project. Capital assets gives the buildings and equipment net of depreciation. So you had about $25 million almost in additions in 2025 about $4 million in appreciation. So a net increase of about $21 million and those return the terms were almost exclusively uh due to capital projects deferred outflows and deferred inflows net. So this is um the actuarial
017pieces of your pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities. Um those will fluctuate year. These changes really represent changes because of um differences between the actuaries estimate and your actual So for example, health insurance make assumptions on how much rates will change um and how much you will pay for health insurance and then your act will adjust that back. Um in addition investment earnings the pension assets um at the state level are all invested and both of those plans are um TRS is fully funded and PRS is almost fully funded. Um so they project what the earnings will be on those and fluctuations project also affect those calculations. Um so we just kind of pull those out so they don't skew the other areas. You can see it fluctuate significantly year to year. Um there's nothing
018really that you can do to to uh minimize or that fluctuation. And that's really just a state level calculation on the pension side that gets uh flushed through to every government within the state who pays into the pension systems. That is your share of it on the long-term liability side. So this is your um your bonds payable, your compensated absences, the premiums on the bond um your leases and then also the oped and pension liability pieces themselves. Uh the decrease year-to-year is because of principal payments and no new bonds during 2025. And then other liabilities is where you see that $22 million increase in your bond anticipation notes at June 30th 25 versus June 30th 24. And then at the bottom we just try to quickly, you know, show a reconciliation between your fund basis
019net income or loss and your governmentwide net income. Um, and you can see it really relates to how you account for your long-term assets, which would be your buildings and your equipment, and your long-term liabilities, which are your bonds and your pension. And then the final page is just explaining everything I just said on the last page. It's just written out for you there, so you have a summary of it to refer to when your board. Um, and that is it. Does anyone have any questions? It's encouraging to see the extracurricular extra class. >> Yes. >> Some sort of little issue there every year. >> Yes, I know it's been you've been uh I think this is two years in a row that we've had um clean extra classroom plugs and it is relatively rare
020among districts. >> Good. testament to our students and our advisors on the club. >> Any other questions? >> Okay, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Good night. >> With that, we will move to our apartment building reports. So, I think it's uh Mr. >> Second round. >> Go ahead, sir. >> All right. Thank you all for having me. Uh, for those who don't know me, I'm Zach Sortisio. I'm the instruction superintendent with Turner Construction, overseeing the work on your capital projects here. Um, so quick construction update. Uh, you should all have a copy of this in front of you. Um, we'll start with project issues and concerns. Uh, happy to report. I do not have anything to report in terms of issues or concerns on both phases two and three. We've eclipsed the substantial
021completion date on both of those projects and we are moving into the part of the project that we call punch list and close out where we take care of all the little loose ends that remain and close the close the project out both physically and fiscally. Quick schedule milestone update. So like I said, we're we're beyond substantial completion. Um nothing really to report on phases two and three. Uh what we're looking forward to now is getting phase four out on the streets to solicit bids from contractors which we're projecting to be advertising for bid in about four weeks. That is subject to change as we pull in the design and the front end documents and get everything compiled contractors. Uh early to mid a early to mid October is what we're looking at. Uh moving
022into the financial section here. So I have uh four total change orders to present to the board today. Uh the first of which is CO201-13. This is related to the phase 2 work to change to the contract value for the general contractor in regards to replacement of area D classrooms at the high school. Those are 217 through 225. If anyone has any questions on this, please feel free to stop. Next up would be CO-301-2 which is in relation to uh provision of new roller shades at several classrooms at Armor Elementary under the face these contracts. Several several rooms that were left off the shade installation list that were pulled back into the project. >> Was that just an oversight the first time around or >> I think it was opportunistic. It >> was opportunistic. Decision
023made after >> buying shades more shades. Exactly. Uh next would be CL-303-01 to the electrical contract under the phase three work at Armor. Uh this was a result of some discoveries within the existing electrical system in the building. Uh discovered some some shared neutrals as we call it which is a layman's terms an electrical problem that was addressed by the electrical contractor. This is the uh the result of that. Finally, CO-303-2, which is along the same lines of phase three electrical contract work, armor, found additional shared neutrals and they were repaired and addressed as we work. Beyond that, I don't have operations wise much to update you on. Uh we can go into the slideshow here. So, see some beautiful pictures there. Some befores and and afters of the boiler room. Those two pictures up
024top are what you had in that boiler room, at least in part. That's about halfway through us cutting into pieces. Your old 1954 steam boilers. And the two photos on the bottom are pretty much as the boiler room sits today. About 90 98% complete, I would say. Some insulation still need to be completed there, but the board and board and myself had the chance to to go look at this today. come along. It's a real real feat. A lot of lot of work involved there. >> That's from the other side, right? >> Yes. >> That's from looking out where like the load is. >> That's the That's the column. That's the one that we talked about so much this summer, right? >> The column. Yes. >> The column that kept me up. Oh yeah. >>
025Uh so there on the left side, top and bottom, that's where the chimney you used to have and the bottom is where it once stood. The chimney no longer serves a purpose now that the original steam boilers are gone. So unfortunately we are down one chimney. Unfortunately we And then the right side there is a bit of a before and after for the senior lounge part of the cafeteria. That that before picture is after the demolition work was complete while all the new work was going up above ceiling. those new ducks going across to the ceiling diffusers that are spreading new air conditioned air throughout the uh cafeteria. And that's the bottom picture that stands today. Uh so we've got some before and afters for room 150 and the high school on the left side.
026So top is just as we completed demolition. The bottom there is after we completed the new unit vent, the new flooring, new ceiling, new lights. So that room's got a major facelift. pretty much night and day. The right side there is the before and after of the cafeteria which was a bear. That was a lot of work. Uh it's a really large space but yeah we added big rooftop unit air conditioning and replaced all the ceiling ceilings lights painted all the walls. Uh so we have some armor before and afters. You may remember those old pendant hung lights and sort of uh aged ceilings. And the bottom is is what you see today pretty much everywhere in that building. New 2x two lights and 2 by two ceilings. And some before and after playground pics.
027The district facilities crew did a really nice job on the the demolition and site clearing work and paved the way for that that beautiful playground you see on the bottom there. New rubber surfacing and brand new play structures. So, I don't have any updates from the the last meeting on on procurement schedules. Um, the only thing I want to mention is phase four award period. You see down there, we're still targeting 106 as the start date, but like I mentioned, that's somewhat subject to change. Not only is it in relation to the design phase and completion of that work, it's also strategic in avoiding other projects in the area bidding at the same time. We don't want to open bids on the same day as park or something like that. It's just And is there
028a requirement on the duration of the bid period? >> Minimum four weeks. Minimum five days like an advertisement. >> So 10 106 would become four weeks later or >> no. So 106 is when we first advertise and first start soliciting bids from contractors. If we were to open on 10 or if we were to advertise on 106, we would actually open those seal bids on 115. >> That's what I was doing. Okay. >> So that's what could change is the actual bid period start date which will in turn influence the open >> which the bid open date is what we don't want other projects >> I al that is to make sure that we get to the >> yeah actually what I was thinking about timing board >> that's exactly what we're that's one of
029the facets of the schedule. >> Yeah. Does anyone have any questions? Sound like it. Thanks. >> Thank you to our outside speakers. We will move through here information items. So the agenda for board briefings, uh, future board of education meetings. So, this is technically not part of the tour. We are here because Armor is out of conflict. Uh, so we'll start the tour next meeting. We'll do Charlotte first, October 14th, November 18th at Armor. You guys can see the rest. Um, meetings and workshops. So, we have some interesting um, NISBA and and ECASP stuff. Um, personally, there's the uh there's the ECASP. So, there's actually something that's not on here, which is a an event that Mr. Adams and I are attending. It's a uh governance leadership event for superintendent and board presidents. So, Mr.
030Adams and I will be there for a morning, October 10th for one of those events, which forward to. Um, and then I also wanted to mention there's a another event I think it's yeah that October 9th ECASB resolution center. So that's a new event that ECA is hosting. ECASB rather is hosting. So what I think they want to do is explain all the NISBA resolutions to the local borders and make sure we all sort of get it as far as like what's relevant for Western New York so that they're trying to influence us to the benefit of our local region. So I think it's a good meeting. Um I'm the alternate delegate. Mary's the delegate. I'm also looking on both. Um, you guys noticed the NISBO resolutions came out yesterday. Um, so Danielle Graaso Gracio
031sent it. She sends the resolution. So what I would suggest is since this meeting happens this meeting happened before that you guys review that particular legal recommendations around that and if there's anything that you have a passionate disagreement with that we discuss that because Mary and I will probably meet to sort of represent how our district looks about various aspects of of recommended resolution. Um, I didn't I was gonna ask everybody to look at it today. Um, moving on, we have someformational budget transfers policy first meeting. So, this is the wellness policy. Obviously, this year on the um on the agenda, we actually made a minor change to it. >> Sure. Uh, so the wellness uh committee got together to look at the recommendations from There's only one small change we're going to make from
032with specific questions on that which doesn't seem the rest of our policies it doesn't have that line to a singular person. So it's just going to say basically more information reach out to school and and when those there's there's some further information about titles and such who's who's facilitating the name generically that title I think that's helpful but you know someday well into the future when we're seeing you know somewhere we have somebody else in that role we're not changing policing you can still have it. Um so with that we will move to um board committee and individual reports. Uh where did I start last month? Start this side or that side. >> I think I started with Jess last week. I'll start with Ashley. >> Um so I got to attend opening day ceremonies
033here ceremonies. That's what I'm calling ceremonies. >> It was >> feels like that. Um that was super exciting. Uh the environment was so positive and energetic. It was really nice to be able to be here for that. The reading and welcoming of Mr. Adams by the staff was it was something to see. It's heartwarming. It really a lot to how the staff is feeling about the leadership because they were super pumped to see you and I just thought that was delightful and I was happy to be here. So, um very positive been there. School's been going great. you've been able to see the kids like buildings and everything just seems like there for the most part usual hiccups that happen. Um, as for my committees though, they most of them have not met yet. So,
034we have PTSA coming up next week. We've got connection coming up in a couple weeks. We'll be looking forward to those reporting back and I are going to start discussing building visitation at some point as well. >> Yeah. You want to pull the group here? I mean we had talked we kind of just go in rotating order. I think it's >> Yeah, I thought we talked about maybe >> you wanted to add school in Charlotte. That will be >> think that works. Yeah, because Charlotte was sort of the first when we moved to this two a year thing. That would be the one. That works. Any objections? Ashley and I can run with that. All right. Second to report. I got this uh cool keychain from the music boosters. You can get one too by
035going online and see signing up to music booster. But that was a great article in the focus. Um you know that was really nice looking for some great things out of here tonight. But uh just what a great uh great start for a great group. So and that's it. I'm sure that there's a transportation meeting in our future. We'll be okay. So, that's all I got. >> Thanks. >> Um I am very disappointed. I pray staff and people that were there. I'm glad you guys were able to attend. It sounds like it was uh like being at the Oscars. So, kudos to was involved in getting that together. Um none of my committees have met. Um I will be attending a sunrise seminar that um is putting on on the 25th. Um there are some
036topics on there that are really interesting. And then on October 9 conference that's my own work that I really enjoy and I feel like is also work and I absolutely love all the things that are going on. But from my house, I can hear all the sporting events and people walk to open house and it's just that heartwarming feeling that we talk about when your school is so Brent reports this week. I saw that. >> Um I will be going to the ECS legislation meeting next week. Uh so looking forward to that. >> Did you RSVP? in a very stern. >> They did and I immediately replied um with all necessary details. >> Um I went to the New York State outdoor volleyball tournament this weekend with my son who was not all that interested
037in volleyball but did ask me uh who won the boys match. I don't know. So, he has to know is what? So, Hamburg Girls won and that's what we're going to tell. Um, it was incredible. I heard from many people that Hamburg should do this. Uh, I thought that was great. However, um, the responsible adult in me said, "Should we do this? How this?" It was amazing to attend, but it did look expensive and it did look like a lot of logistics. So, uh the the responsible board member in the sense I would love to know more from the administrators about what the logistics of that is another time because I'm curious. Um the parent meeting said that was totally rad. Uh I'd like to know more about that. Um I've also like I told
038you working on that rubric for the board evaluations. uh upon creating it and fiddling with it, it feels in its current iteration more like a survey assessment than it does a group. So it makes me feel like I can. So this is just an open call if anyone wants to put around on it with me. >> I I would make a suggestion around that that maybe we organize ourselves. Um I think I mean traditionally that's something that's that's too strong a word but it's negotiated between the board and and the superintendent right like we can't force you know unreasonable expectations on them. So my suggestion would be we put like stand up a very quick sort of subcommittee >> to sort of maybe two or three of us sort of agree on this. >> I
039would take it to Mr. Adams. you would agree or disagree or perhaps change it a little bit and then we would bring it back and forth. >> Love that. >> So, it sounds like you're interested. >> Yes. >> I think personally I should probably >> objections to that trio. >> All right. >> Incredible. >> Thank you, Mary, for bringing that up. >> Yep. I have two more things. >> Sure. >> Sorry. >> That's right. >> Welcome back. social is happening this Thursday, September 11th, uh at UPS, uh 5:30 to 7:30. I only bring up because I am the co-chair on it. It's going to be a fun time. So, if you have UPS students, you should come have free pizza with us. And uh the personal pet pet project of mine, the village bike, starts
040Monday, September 15th. you live in the Glendos area and you want to drive to school with me. >> Excellent. >> They used to call it a hot dog. >> If you want to bring a hot dog, >> so um since the last meeting I did, um attend the zoom with Nick Langworthy's office. he was not on. It was a one of his aids. Um there was a very low turnout which kind of shocked me considering what's going on with public education. Uh a lot of the topics that were discussed seemed to be glossed over, I'll say. And I don't think there was really any meat to the discussion, which was disappointing. One topic that did come up was vouchers for private schools. And I made it known that I look a lot into things and
041recently I read that Arizona implemented a voucher program and since then they've had to close public schools. They've done studies and those vouchers are being used in the wealthiest of zip codes. They're not really targeting the people that maybe you hear they should be targeting. Um and so I just voiced concern for that. Um the aid said he would get it back to Mr. Langworthy and hopefully we see him advocating on our behalf um in Washington. Um I was also at opening day. It was wonderful. I've spoken to several admin since that day and um they said that that was unlike anything they've ever seen um when it comes to the reception that Mr. Adams received. So I think that's really telling about the excitement and the energy that we have in our district currently.
042Um and I want to see that continue. So that was great. Um, I also attended the volleyball game on Saturday. It was incredible. Uh, I was there as early as I could be and then we had to leave before the boys finished. But to watch those girls take it five sets and kind of win it in a nailbiter. You might have heard me in some of those videos because we all know I project. Um, but it was so great. And yes, Mary, I do want to bring that here. I am a doer and I will find the grants and be the one to do the logistics because I think that would be incredible. So maybe not next year, but that would be something I would love to see here. Um I would love to see
043like the Target rally towels in or not but like they had the frontier but they have like these towels with all the I want rally towels. I want all the things. So that was amazing though. It was a job well done to Frontier um and everyone in their atmosphere that made that happen because it could not have been just one person but it was incredible. Um and then PTSA so uh Charlotte Avenue launched their fun run but Boston Armor and Union Plaza will be launching fun runs in the coming weeks. So if you know somebody have a student at one of those buildings maybe a neighbor that you're close with you know shoot them a little $5 donation so that they can earn some prizes. Um, the first meeting for the central unit is next
044Monday the 15th. It's here at 6:30 I believe. And then I will also say membership right now we are at 107 members with a goal of 500. So if you haven't grabbed your membership yet, go ahead and grab that. Um the cost it's split between our district and then New York State, but it covers our insurance um for the most part and our tax prep and that allows us to be able to hold the event um in our buildings. But it's going to be a great year. It's been a great start to the year. Charlotte and did their back to school. I feel like Boston was tonight. Maybe um Union Pleasant is Thursday. >> You can get swag t-shirts if you want. We love swag. >> It's going to be great. >> We don't have
045music. >> Yeah. I'm embarrassed. >> We all need a link to grab your PTSA. along with a little statement that all it does is sign you up as a member does not volunteer hours. >> I appreciate how clear >> I'd like to make that very clear so that >> it is very clear. >> So >> I love the options >> pay a little more and $10 to support the events for the year. So >> all the buildings too. So if you have kids at multiple buildings, it's one membership, all six buildings. You can do it all. >> That was really easy. >> I just thought you were eager >> and I do love that. I appreciate that. I feel the same. >> All right. Thanks, Jess. That was that it? Sorry. >> Yes. >> Okay.
046Um, so myself, uh, the IDA Land Development Corp, we meet Wednesday, so we have a meeting tomorrow. But our last, uh, our last session right after Sean spoke at our last board meeting, we did approve that land sale near Gateway Building. So that's kind of exciting. There's, I guess, an influx of cash in that organization as a result. So now we're sort of seeking new investment development opportunities, which is a nice transition for that. >> So Sean, Sean can be your friend. >> I'm gonna be um policy committee that's been covered. We met a few minutes ago, discussed policy 5661 as well as the two other policies that are up for a second read today that we'll be approving formally hopefully. Um so the fourth assurance policy committee has met on all of those policies,
047talked about building visitation, Mr. Adams review rubric, whatever we want to call that. Um and I'll just sort of echo what everyone said about opening day. I mean great great job to everyone who who organized that and presented that for hosting great great words and the volleyball. I unfortunately I couldn't make it. I love volleyball. I would have loved to have seen that event. Uh but I want to give a shout out. Mr. Crangle was like 50% of that organization. I know we did it at at Frontier. Um there seems to be some some debate about who owns the the court. So we I believe we could stake a claim that we could have the court. I think it's branded. I saw a Frontier logo on it, but we can >> That's probably just a
048>> We'll take >> So, I think we could do that. >> I'm not a sports person, but I felt it. I felt that. >> All right. So, with that, we will move to um reports from the superintendent. Oh, I'm sorry. I totally overlooked you. Go ahead. >> Sorry. So I thought I would learn from you. >> Tom is not sitting in a Christian. It's Christian, right? >> Yep. Max. Uh I'm the VP for student government. Um I'll just start with that. Our first meeting is tomorrow. Main theme is going to be homecoming. Um I didn't Max tell you guys the theme of superheroes. >> Yeah. >> Uh pep rally is on the 16th with rainy day. being 17. Uh game days on the 19th, parade should start at 6 p.m. and then the game will
049be at 7. The dance on the 20th and doors open at 6:30 and it ends at 9:30. Right now, we're planning on selling them for $20. Um we are doing spirit days throughout the week. We our Wednesday day just got struck down. So, tomorrow we're going to decide as a group um what day we want to replace that one. Uh one of the biggest things that I've heard about throughout the entire first week is phones. It's kind of split topic right now. I think people are just getting used to the changes. I've heard both good and bad things. I've seen some people talk about their phones and having to be told to put them away. Overall, it's been a pretty good experience for that. Um there's we also decided that we're going to do Threaded
050Together again this year sometime in January and Ber is hopefully going to happen this year. >> Uh you got any big names lined up for B for Bucks? I'm not a big name looking at my office. You know, I'm in I'm in for I'm in for a third round. But we might want to chip set like a dollar amount. And I got to say, even though just mentioned his name, but uh somebody's much more attached to his hair than I principal might be might be a really good point. and I don't think he's here. So, >> got to show up at the meetings. >> That's how you get volunteered for things. >> Um, finally, >> you can bring that up to >> the final thing is that uh most clubs are going to start meeting
051next week. Um, >> yeah, that's it. >> Thank you. Very thorough. >> Okay, great job. >> Can I ask a question? What are the like did they assign a superhero to each each grade? Um, yes. I know what they are. >> I don't remember the first ones are assigned to each grade, but um, >> it's kind of you got to pick like the Mount Rush seniors. I think I remember Spider-Man juniors. Freshman sophomore has got Superman and freshman got >> much better than my no wonder twins. >> That is the best for >> roll. Yes. Let's hear from uh I'll hand it over to commercial liend. Thank you Michelle. Thank you everybody. Christian it's a wonderful job. >> When we met when you were in sixth grade I didn't anticipate us talking across state but
052well done to you. You did great. Um thanks for everybody for joining us tonight and uh our board members and district staff as well. Thanks for the support you've given all of us for the start of this school year. Uh since we've last met, we've sent out schedules. We've uh sent out uh transportation information. We've met with staff to kick off the year and we welcome students on September 3rd. Today marks the conclusion of our fifth day of classes. Uh and the cycle of days for our middle school and high school are complete plus one. It's a 4-day cycle with those schools and our elementary schools are one day away from completing their first six day cycle. Um UBK began on Friday with UBK transportation starting on Monday. Uh as with any school year, uh
053there's a number of questions uh questions from homes, questions from staff. Uh some are similar to previous years, some differ. Um some of the questions that began that begin each year have the fundamentals such as will my child get to school and return home safely. It's always a tense time with regard to bus routes, pickup, and drop off times. Um Fisher bus has fielded all sorts of calls. Uh Christine Youngberg and her staff has fielded all sorts of calls. Uh and our building staff as well. Uh a large change this year has to be has to do with the use of the My Ride K12 app um which provides busing information. Uh there's a that's a there's a key component um that Fisher Bus will be implementing in uh in the future days that will
054do a uh that that will give parents a better line of sight into delays or perhaps uh buses arriving arriving earlier. Um there have been situations where we needed to adjust. Uh for instance, Potter Road, which is where some of our students are taking their some of their skilled vocational courses, the PM runs, uh had too many students for two the PM schedule for it had too many students uh for the two buses that we assigned there. Um so we added a third one on Friday and we continue to do so. Um there's always a chance that those writership numbers change um based on students driving. um if that's the case and that's something we need to be monitoring. Um we can reduce that back down to two. Um but that's just like a a
055window into it. This is not to say that we're doing everything perfectly and with every phone call that comes in that we're answering it uh with a quick fix to it like adding a run. Um but that's what this time of year often brings is that is that adjustment. Um, I want to make sure that uh remind everybody that we'll be doing a bus audit of of all of our runs to take a look at the numbers of actuals that we have on. Like for instance, in the UPK world, uh, all students are routed, which gives uh, it's as if it's the full bus of students who are in UPK, uh, when that estimated time comes out. Um, sometimes those runs are really, really long. sometimes they're a lot shorter depending on the number of
056students who are actually on the run. And so those are the types of adjustments that uh that we are looking to make as well. Um I want to thank our students and our families for their patience for taking the time to reach out to us. We know there's nothing more valuable than uh than their than their students. Um and we want to try to make sure their experience is a good one at least and and we want to make sure that they're they're heard as well with regard to their concerns. Um certainly appreciate the work of the drivers and staff uh official bus in our place for u for for all their work um on that and if you're if if folks are here to talk busing or anything like that I'm certainly around afterwards
057too um if that if that would be necessary. Um another item that is of concern that I'd be totally ignoring um things uh if I were to to uh to not mention it was class size. Um we talked in the August meeting about three uh different it's four different um grades at certain schools that we were monitoring closely g like detailed view of this in March of uh of what the estimated numbers were. They didn't really move too much from there. Um and I know there's still concern about that and I also know that saying trust me is not exactly the right response. what would be the an indication of wanting to work with people and listen to people about concerns. I just I I want to say a couple things about class size and
058not say that this will be um the the end of the story at all. Um I know it's something that we'll will come up and we'll we'll talk about in the future. Um there is a study that we reference a lot. Um and there's some studies that that you know studies seemingly can support each side of this view. Um some studies will say class size no matter what. Uh other sides will say that class size matters but there's other things that matter matter a lot. One of the most compelling things that I've seen is uh a phrase called collective teacher efficacy which is sort of the belief of our staff that they can work together to affect good change for our kids and give them good rich learning experiences in a safe environment with it.
059Um, I do feel like that might come off as too oppositional and I don't want it to be oppositional because I think what is being asked of me and of us when we talk about class size is the idea that we've talked about a lot which is how are the children how are the kids doing and for that I think we're going to be getting I know that we're getting into conversations which try to help answer that. Uh, one of the things that um that that that Cam did when he when he presented to us last time was talk about goals and that notion of being able to define or being a being able to better articulate the answer to the question of how are the children um I think that we're going to be
060able to provide great experiences for our kids no matter what their class size is. Now, we're not saying class sizes, you know, like I'm not saying go and be above the the the class size bands, the guidelines that we have. Um, but I I I do feel that there's room for us as a group to talk about here's why we picked the group up. Here's the demonstration of that. Uh, and not that that needs to be a closing of a conversation, but I think it's uh it's um it's important for me to hear the concerns and to realize that we're really talking about the goals that are set out of being able to discuss how well the kids are doing both in an academic sense uh but also the social uh social emotional sense and
061a physical sense as as well. Um we need to live up to our words. Uh, I think we do that and I need to be able to demonstrate that in terms of us living up to our Christian mission and core values. Uh, let me move on to some other items, some policy items that have come up over the summer. Uh, Christian alluded to one and I'll share some information about that in in a moment, but uh, I'd like to report that temperatures for learning have been much more favorable than we perhaps anticipated. Uh, it has been great learning conditions uh, for kids. So, we haven't had the maximum heat indoor heat concerns that we we thought we might. We're not saying that we will not have those. Um, but keep in mind the buildings have
062those um, you know, mitigation measures that we'll be attempting with our principles and our head custodians. We're working together on that. Um we have that reporting procedures that all staff have been informed of at their first staff meetings where if they go into a classroom and feel that it is uh too hot or it's approach approaching that 88 degrees that a call is made to a building leader call is made then buildings and grounds and that are districtowned uh thermometers that that are are sort of deployed uh and records taken and it's three feet above the center of the floor and not by any heat emanating device. Uh, and I don't I I I say that because I you can sort of tell where I go into policy speak rather than uh than than speaking
063uh sort of conversationally, but uh but those those things have we have not we've not really been tested on that quite yet. All right. But we will um and we think that we're going to uh come out come out favorably um with that. Um, in my discussions with building principles, uh, it's much like what Christian meant to say. Uh, the implementation of the internet enabled device uh, policy has gone well. Uh, it's done better than we could have expected. And that's a testament not just to uh, the leadership both at this room and in our schools, but certainly a testament to our staff and our kids uh, and their families because whenever we talk about kids, we know it's a reflection of all. Um, we've got great kids. They're great students. Um and uh there
064might be some uh folks who begrudge the idea of not being able to have uh internet enabled devices out, but they have uh they've done more than just complying with it. Um third thing I wanted to share was the uh the free meal report. And this is something that uh that uh Kim Abram, our director of food services, put together for me. Uh I can share this information with you more specifically, but just I'll just read through a couple of the of the changes. Okay. Uh if you take a look at breakfast served on let's say the let's go let's go to the high school breakfast on the first Friday of school last year uh at the high school 38 served this year 103. Uh if you look at the middle school on that first
065Friday 15 breakfast served this year 52. uh if you look at lunches and you take a look at Union Pleasant from last year uh like let's take last year the uh we can take a look at the first Friday from last year Union Pleasant 237 the first Friday this year 338 all right so we have increases and those increases I think will increase uh and that's a that's that's nothing good. There's nothing but good that more kids are accessing that full stomachs, happier kids, whether they know it or not, uh more ready to learn whether they know it or not. Um and being able to uh jump onto that was was key. Remember Boston Valley uh was community eligible last year, so they saw some increases as well. Armor was going to be community eligible
066this year, but now everyone is. And uh we think that's going to encourage more and more uh more and more students to take advantage of it. And I was a a a happy consumer of Taco Tuesday at a lot of school. We saw uh saw happy lines, saw kids I saw near a phone. Now the eyesight's not as good as it as it used to be, but I I I'm sure there's I'm sure there there were a couple exceptions to that. But uh it's a great feel uh in that high school cafeteria. And that lunch period is 40 minutes long. And you ever done lunch period coverage? 40 minutes is a long time and it was it was it was a great experience. So, and good people good people around. Um some other items for
067you. Uh a few of us will be uh the um the guests on a uh on a podcast that the superintendent of Grand Island Schools uh hosts telling Chief Joy Mastery and Public Education. That'll be on September 19th. We'll do we'll do that. Um we're going to feature our farm to school program. We're also going to feature um the uh the connected program which goes beyond athletics at the middle school and um there'll be a couple other things that we talk about as well. Uh groundbreaking ceremony for the uh the new um instructional services building force at Walden and Dick Road. That'll be on that uh Friday, September 19th also. Uh and uh and keep in mind with homecoming just a great time. uh homecoming I I know like the you know the homecoming parade
068the homecoming like the the floats and such that's a very football based but homecoming's for for all of our of our of our students the pep rally look for everybody and there's all sorts of athletic things that we can do share those things but thanks for the time is there any questions or comments on Mr. Adams before we move on >> I'm just when it comes to the school lunches you still want to fill out. >> You know what? That's a great great reminder. Thank you. I'm going to look back at my notes and say, I can't believe I didn't say that. You're totally right. And we've talked about that before, but right, if we could have we're still interested in parents and families filling out that free lunch form, even though it seems a
069little odd that we're asking that because kids are already getting this these meals already, but any information we can get into New York State, Washington DC's hands about need that's economic based, that's going to put us in line for grants and funding and things like that. Thank you, Jess. Purple favor. I said purple. No, the purple. >> I did have a question. >> Y >> um and you don't have to have the answer, >> so don't worry about that. But you had mentioned early in your report about, you know, we can adjust the numbers later on. Uh or any bus as like as necessary, but particularly in the hotter road scenario. It made me I know that we're doing the audit coming up, which is lovely. Love that. At what point what is the threshold
070in the future? Uh what how and what is the threshold we adjust the numbers on the bus like again we don't I don't even know the answer today but that's something like we're not going to do an audit in like March >> right I can use I can I can give you a specific example of Potter just to tell you what the decision making was there. Um, basically if you're if you have children on the bus, if you have young children on the bus, you can have 66. All the elementary teachers in the world are like 66. That's a lot. Um, and then if you have, uh, larger kids, uh, you have 44. So what we had with the Potter Road buses were for those students, we had 94, I think. >> All right. So
071you went, we only had two. Yeah, exactly. On two. Yeah, not on one. So great point. Thank you again. Uh but but it was enough to say, you know, like the the idea of talking to folks like, well, you know, some of those kids are really small. Like, no, like what we need to do is add the third bus >> and then if we see if those numbers drop, then we're able to make a move. But that's but it's three buses right now. We're not we're not doing it day by day. In terms of our decision- making, like when will the audit be? We're looking at that being like we want to make sure like we want to see these first few weeks of school through and then you're going to have your audit come.
072So my yes my question is rather like at what threshold would we say let's say it's it's March and we had so many kids get their license that for them and it goes down again I'm not saying you have to pick a number but at who what number would it be and who does the counting like is that something we would rely on Fisher Bus to like bus driver says Hey, I don't have as many kids on my back. >> Can I get a fuller bus? Right. Can I lose my run? No. Right. >> Right. Like like I guess and again I don't need an answer, but like how we should think about that. We we we should and my my my quick board I know you're not demanding it but my my my initial
073reaction is that's why the communication with bus is just paramount of importance and that's Christine's office talking with Lindsay and that's having those fuller discussions and then you know relying on our own eyewitness accounts too and looking into those things >> probably we should set a threshold and decide that I it's not just numbers so it's time on the bus because we have some students that we're transporting from Buffalo >> to our schools and you can't add so it's not just numbers this time. >> Yeah. >> Only there was alert >> I think maybe maybe think about the question maybe a little more generally. How can we how can we as a board get insight into into or or confidence in that we've optimized our buses, right? Like that we don't have empty buses or
074or near empty buses running >> or you know dangerously full buses on the flip side, right? So I I don't want to get into necessarily saying you know thou shalt have under these seven conditions we'll add another bus. Rather I I'd sort of defer to you guys on that but I think maybe Maybe just sort of regular check-ins about given given the sensitivity of this issue particularly this year regular check-ins around you know some assurances that they're sufficiency. >> Well stated that one too >> it's not it's it's more vague for future discussion. Class sizes are obviously you summize a little bit of where we're at and it's very early in the year still so we really don't have much to go on right now aside from straight numbers. Um, but I hope that we
075can continue to have a discussion on class sizes, talking about how that relates back to our vision or values and our guidelines and why we chose them because as you said, like there's all different sorts of research out there. So, I just want to put that out there as the year continues, we'll continue to hold space for that discussion. We need to have the ability to do that. >> No, I was, you know, I was thinking, I'm sure You may not want to hear this, but I was thinking about when we were having these discussions about class sizes of my own six children and I was thinking I believe there were three of them that had classes of 29 way back when we had some really significant um amounts of students at EPs. And so
076I think about those, you know, one of some significant learning issues and you think of the data. Well, how do we know what's what's going to happen down the line and I am just thankful a for incredible teachers that manage that and were really creative with their lessons and the way they plan and also I'm not sure to go on and see the wonderful things that those kids have done and that there is you know there's no perfect magical number so much that goes into what happens in construction and creating, solving, caring, discovering, all those things that we say. Um, I just guess I wanted to just speak to my own experience that it I remember everyone being up in arms about the size of that of those classes at the time and it turned
077out great. Those kids are great, everything was fine. So, um, I just want to share my own personal experience because I was one of the ones that was upset about it and I went back and thank the teacher for an incredible year and some experiences I'm not sure my kids would have had besides just another perspective >> definitely but I do think that that leaves open to continue to look at it because not every child's experience will be the same. Not every >> No, of course not. No, I'm just sharing the dynamics of the you know the world precoid postco all those things do come into play. So again continuing to >> look at everything is important. I do like the idea something that you said really struck me as like the demonstrating and proving
078it you know I love me some things um some outcomes in the same way that we have that for I know it's like policy speech but like this is how we measure like the building is too high the measure here this measure like that sort of I'd love to know your take and I wrote down where you said the collective future I don't know. So, >> yeah. Certainly not my work, but I I read it and I'm like, "Oh, I've felt that before." Yeah. >> Like, I've seen that. >> So, I'm I'm curious like I I'm looking forward to seeing >> Yeah. And it's much more than academics, but that's part of >> for sure. Yeah. But like that stuff. >> Any other questions or comments on Mr. All right, let's do some business. So
079we'll look into uh items G and H. So at this time uh any board member can make a request to withdraw a specific item from the consent agenda for additional individual consideration. Is there any such request? >> I would like to make for consent item seven G7. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> Okay. So with that, let's any other sorry any other requests? All right. All right. So, we'll handle the consent items first. Uh, so I will look for a motion to approve all consent items G2 through G6, G8, G9, and H1 through H4. So, so moved by Dave, seconded by Laura. All in favor? >> All opposed. All right. So, those items uh pass. Uh so now I will look for jump. >> Oh sure. I just wanted to thank uh John Moore. He was
080one of the uh personnel changers. John has come to us and he's going to fill in for us uh as interim middle school assistant principal for the next couple months. Just want to thank you John for being here. Thanks for being available to us. I know you were hoping to say a couple couple things but thanks for coming tonight. And I I hesitate I I'm thinking twice about what I want to share because some of you have already said nice things about Tom Adams and I didn't feel it might be too much >> after a couple years. So I uh so I I I met Tom number of years ago I was the assistant principal and he was a brand new teacher back then and uh we uh I I I loved his integrity back
081then. His passion his passion is Exuberance and enthusiasm has been the same the entire time I uh nauseated [Laughter] speaking freely. Uh so when I uh you know I'm happily retired very happily retired I I I have the luxury of only working for people that I know and respect that and I I turn down more jobs than I think every time I finish I say I'm done. I'm not going to do Then uh number of years ago I got a call at New Fay which is where I was the assistant principal at when I met Tom. I moved on. I was principal for 16 years at all levels. I got a call and say hey you know that guy Tom Adams he left the middle school a new thing. I need a principal. So that
082was my first time replacing Tom. And if I could tell you that I got tired of hearing oh we miss Tom. Little did I think it through when I came here now. I keep hearing, "Oh, we miss Tom." So, I'm getting real tired of it. But it's it's a good it's a good thing for you all. Um, but I also want to say that I he again his his enthusiasm. He always said, "You're not gonna leave him. It's just different. It's different. I love you. Okay, that's just Well, I've done a number of high schools. I've been I've been in Mar school. I've been in school districts in Greenwood. And yes, I've only been in middle school for for a couple days, but I've been in a lot of middle schools and there was a
083special feeling and the the staff has been exceedingly friendly. The students, I mean, they're still middle school, don't get me wrong, but they've been exceedingly friendly. And I saw something today in the lunchroom. This is what I really want to share because I've not seen when in my position. You do lunch. I've done only mentioned 40 minute lunch. Oh my goodness. That's that's torture. But I've done some money and what I do the first time I go in, I find the student who has no one to say and then I make sure that I talk to that student to see if I can just crack into what what's happening. There was a student yesterday, first day that I was all by himself at a table had some really odd characteristics and behaviors. This is going
084to be a tough not he was friendly enough. He spoke to me and I went in today. When I walked in, three boys that were at the table next to me, three boys walked over this new. He was a new student. was used to invited him to their table and asked him to sit. Now that may not sound like a big deal, but I've been around a long time. You don't see you just don't see that school and and and I watched it like this interact. So I really wanted to share that. But I also want to share that I've been at a lot of board meetings for years and I've been at some districts where they meet for 15 minutes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Approved. Approve. Approve. Well, that may sound efficient. I think there's
085some things that that were lacking that district. And I've been in districts where board meetings last three hours and it's arguing and bickering amongst two or three people. And being here tonight and seeing this interaction that you you all have had shared interaction and buying and concern it's not as heartwarming as the lunch thing that I but uh but it is different. I want you to know that if you don't know any different you don't know this is the way it happens. So, I applaud you for that. And uh I I'm looking forward to it. Keep in kicking and screaming maybe, but your turn is really, you know, I respect them and that and the new principal is, you know, I think he's going to be fantastic. He's doing a great job. I have a
086lot of confidence. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh so we will move to item G7. So I'll look for a motion. Um I'll look for a motion to approve item G7 for an extended field trip. So move by Dave. >> Second by is that Jess? >> All in favor? >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. We want to skip the whole discussion. Sorry. That's the whole point of this one. >> Go ahead. >> I was going to say Oh, okay. Um, so, uh, >> there's a script here. I just wanted the script. >> It's cool. Uh, >> putting me right on the spot there. Getting me right to the end. So, I wanted to pull this one out. This is the, uh, field trip that is having the eighth grade go to Washington DC in March. Correct.
087March. So, um, I just wanted to throw it out there that I do have some concerns about this. I understand, uh, there's a lot happening in DC right now. um with the uh federal government, the National Guard and I know that that is a thing that is happening now and we cannot predict what the future holds. Um but I uh I am a little concerned uh about what is happening and what could happen and the future is uncertain and I understand that the outcomes uh for this teacher and this field trip are things uh like having our students be a part of history, going to our national museums, learning about outputs of American history. And I knowing what I know, uh, I I think that I I am concerned about the safety of our students
088and I am I feel like there are opportunities and alternatives for our students to uh achieve those outcomes in other places. And you know, this is something that I've talked to you about ton, so this is not surprising to you. And and I appreciate now is the time to do it. So that there's fundraising to be had, there's planning to be done, and I totally appreciate that. That's also why like if there's going to be adjustments made, make adjustments now. And I could be totally wrong and everything's going to be fine and and there will be no lasting impacts to this interesting turn of events. But I felt remiss that I didn't bring it up and just express that this is a concern that I have and it is nothing to do with the quality
089of our teachers and everything to do with the situation on the ground. So I wanted to say that I would not feel comfortable uh eyeing this. I guess I would be married but that is what I wanted to propose to the >> I think that uh you know the parents that send their children to Washington obviously it might be the only time they ever get to see you know our national you know the nation's capital you know and their parents are approving it. I think it's their decision to make and um you know you can't predict or forecast what's going to happen in March. You know I did not like it years ago when we stopped the trip overseas of little France because there was a bombing in the airport that they you know would
090pass through. You know I didn't like it then and uh I don't like holding back something from the student again might be the only chance they ever get to see Washington. Um, this is my opinion again and I think it's more decision than than a board's position. Certainly, if at the time we see something that we don't like, I think that superintendent could make a decision at that time. But, uh, you know, I I would think that, you know, passing this uh tonight would be important and keep my eyes open. I understand your concern. You know, it does concern me, too. I I think you know when you do something like that you know that tyrannical government that we have in Washington wins and uh so I I think you know and if there is
091a protest maybe our students you know observe something that's that's issue you know so but I understand the concern and I want I think it's real and this it's an issue but I would think it's more of a crime >> I'll share I will have an eighth grader who would go this year. And I did share some of your concerns, you know, thinking about, oh my gosh, this is his year to go. What if nothing changes? But I also think that they've watched the years before them go and they know that this is something they're going to get to experience and they've heard the stories and the staff that goes, even the ones that aren't like eighth grade teachers because people get the list, some are not, they get so excited about going, they get
092excited about sharing what they've done in the past with other students with current students. And um I mean obviously if something drastically changes before then we can make an adjustment but I would hate to see those kids miss out on those moments with those teachers because it's different than going with mom or dad or with your family. You you know it it really is kind of a learning experience. I mean when I'm talking they don't listen. When Mrs. Colette talks silence because she's golden. So, I just I mean I get it though because I'd be a parent letting my child go and but I think that um yeah like this is something that they know eighth grader brings this and I wouldn't want to take that away and not approve it now because if we
093don't approve it now at a certain point is it going to be too late to do that >> to address Mary's concern if we approve it now let's say something something happens you can speculate something that would be concerning happens. We could at least still I guess we as board don't have the right to change it, but you as a administrator could do that. I assume as as board >> I mean technically we could resend it, but I would assume we would be doing I assume Mr. Adams would be ahead of us on that, >> right? I'm just saying there is the even if we approve it tonight, the possibility for change exists. >> Correct. if something's going on just to address the concern of what if >> he's okay if I can say one
094more thing and then I'll >> I would argue one more thing uh there is something happening and with given the history of this administration it's going to continue to happen there is nothing that has happened that has gotten ever Uh, and I wouldn't argue to say nothing happened. I would say let's make a decision now to adjust to an alternative site. There are so many wonderful places of American history in New York State and Chicago. Uh, I that are more local and that are still meaningful. These are I think that there would still be these meaningful trips with students, with their teachers. Um, and admittedly to your point about parental decisions, it would be I think in the same way that it is a relief for teachers to be able to blame the state to
095take away cell phones, you can blame the state now and not the teacher. It'd be super great if parents who are on the fence and just blame the school board now. >> Yeah. You want to get you want to get some parents here, you know. >> Yeah. I I I I agree with with Dave. This is a parental decision to start with. Um I mean this is something that that the staff comes to us for approval. We make sure that there's an educational purpose for the trip. Um you know really eyes are dotted tees are crossed. You know this goes through a lot of desks. This goes through middle school administration or central administration before it gets to us. A lot of eyes on it. So under the part of it also is you know
096it's also their job to to assess that and if it's and their decision it's not to make the trip then they would go back to the staff and say we need to rethink that but it's gotten to this this level. We have to trust our staff. It's not the board's position to go and say you can't go here but you can go here and and start me that gets into a little bit of micromanagement the board should not be doing >> I was going to say that yeah but to me by the time it gets here our goal is to provide opportunities for kids um in the best way that we can and obviously um it's gotten this far so comfortable with it and decision I don't want to start looking at field trips and
097deciding which which places are okay to go and I think that's our job is to make >> if I Okay to add something here. >> Go ahead. >> Okay. Uh just like I mean this is on my recommendation, right? This is this is something and I and I and I hear your concerns and I hear the concerns of others with it too. I just want you to know that you know if if something should come to pass that that that where where student safety would be compromised with it that would be taken with the utmost seriousness and it's not about the fact that this trip is well planned and well organized. that the safety issue is acute like that. Um then then we have to make that those decisions have made it been been made
098at other times too. I mean it seems like a minute ago but you know as part of an eighth grade trip that uh that didn't didn't happen because of things that were happening in the area that we were heading to and it wasn't on a on a on a um it wasn't the same circumstance but the decision wasn't made to pull again. It was not the situation that was here. So I'm not I'm not shy about making that sort of decision with it. I do think there's but but I can't speak about the DC trip without saying that I was you know I chef owned it for 14 years and I just like I I know like of it's and I know you're not questioning the value of of going to that place and seeing
099those sites but um but I just I think that the true learning experience that can happen there are a few still still recommended. >> Can I just ask one question not related to approving this or not? I'm just reading over the details and um I just want to confirm that we I know there's fundraising but if we have families who are going to struggle to make it happen do we proactively reach out and let them know to contact us? How does that work? I just >> so yeah so they wouldn't be in contact in terms of like a board of education although you might be privy to that because of your involvement collectively with the with the community. Uh the folks at the middle school and I can speak very clearly about that. It's like
100well that they they have their their ears to the ground know of many situations where you know I'm thinking specifically of the folks that I worked with in the office down the hall in counseling department very aware and that's not to say that the the teachers weren't either but that's where my information came in and um things were done to make sure that that >> I just want to make sure I >> for sure there's a there's a good sensitivity to that. Okay. Any further dialogue? I mean, myself, I think, you know, the staff's built an itinerary around the eighth grade curriculum. Obviously, the staff who goes on the trip is generally social studies teachers. I think they're probably well aware of the situation. I I'm going to choose to defer to their judgment right
101now. They and our administrators are asking their our permission to go on this trip. So, So, um, everybody's had a chance to say their piece there. So, with that, all in favor? >> I. All opposed. >> Thank you. Motion passes. We will move to action items I, I one, external auditor report. And I have a motion that based on the recommendation of Superintendent Thomas Adams, The Board of Education accepts the audited financial statements for the 2024 25 school year. >> So moved by Laura. >> Second by Jess. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. All opposed. Motion passes. I two. Transfer reserve funds. Can I have a motion to approve the following transfer effective June 30th, 2025 and that this transfer occurs no later than August 31st, 2025 in order to comply with 4% fund
102balance requirement $24,897 from the unappropriated fund balance be transferred to the capital reserve fund. >> Moved by Laura, second by Tom. We're we're okay on these dates. I'm assuming. >> Yeah, you are approving it retroactively, but we had to get it in for the audit. This is the audit recommendation. >> Good. So, it's good thing we're approving. >> Yes. >> All right. >> Otherwise, we'd have to do a corrective action plan because we exceeded the 4% which we don't want to do. >> Fair enough. Yes. Glad we could save you that. >> All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. I three. Uh, this is a second reading. Can I have a motion to approve new policy 7224 and 3311 as submitted? >> Moved by Mary. >> Second by Ashley. All in favor? >> All
103opposed. Motion passes. Appointment for the upcoming school year. Can I have a motion for the appointment for the 2025 2026 school year be approved as listed? >> Moved by Laura. >> Second by Tom. Any discussion? All in favor? I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Item I5, reimbursement of medical expenses. Can I have a motion that the board of education of Hamburg Central School District reimbures a sum not to exceed 1,00 1,319 for medical expenses related to injuries sustained by a student during school activities? >> By Laura, >> second by Mary, I believe. Any discussion? All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. Item I6, uh, award a Ram ProMaster 2500. Can I have a motion to approve the bid for a Ram ProMaster 2500 van as listed? >> So, moved by Ashley. >> Second by
104Tom. Any discussion? >> Good price, Dave. >> Always got to get yourself school district. >> Uh, all all in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. Item I7. Can I have a motion to approve a memorandum of agreement between the Hamburg Central School District and the Hamburg Teachers Association regarding the Empower Herb Club? >> So moved by Jess, >> second by Ashley. You want to maybe just explain this? >> Sure. You're certainly many folks here are aware of the good fellow club which is club run by one of our social workers in high school, Paul Thompson. Uh it's a great cross-section of students um who are involved in um all sorts of activities about um you know the the the fine arts of of maturing in today's society and uh being able to reach out a
105hand to to others to help uh and empower her would be um the equivalent of this group also led by a social worker at the high school team whose work that uh you're you're well aware of but this would be meeting outside of uh class time. And again, the hope is that you're you're reading a cross-section of uh the student body at Hamburg High School for for very similar but you know different different methods but for uh the similar end results. >> Okay. Any other discussion on this? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Motion passes. Item I8 change orders. Can I have a motion to approve change order 201113 30102 31301. >> Thank you. >> So moved by Tom, seconded by Ashley. Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> All opposed?
106Motion passes. Item I 9, Bosey's room rental. Can I have a motion to approve a room rental agreement between Boseies and the Hendrickson School District for the rental of two classrooms for the 20 2526 school year? So moved by Mary, second by Laura. Any discussion? >> Has always been two. There was only one. >> Okay. >> Back in the day. >> Yeah. Middle school went down. So >> what do they do? >> It's for class of students with special needs. >> Oh, some of our students from here go from other districts as well. And it's OC staff. All in favor? >> I. >> All opposed? Motion passes. Finally, item I 10. Can I have a motion uh to an improvement agreement between the Hamburg Central School District and Sunni GCC regarding college credit courses for
107Hamburg students effective July 125 through June 30th 26. So moved by Laura, second by Ashley. Any discussion on this? All in favor? >> All opposed? Motion passes. Um so now we will move to public expression. We have three individuals signed up for public expression. So I'll spend a little time here just explaining our rules. Uh some topics are not to be uh are not permitted to be discussed in the public forum. For example, any topic related to an employee or they can be applied to be related to an employee, special ed placement, individual student situations, etc. The topic is inappropriate for the public forum. I will instruct you not to speak but rather present your concerns in writing for the board's discussion. Um I will recognize an individual. Individuals must identify themselves with name and
108address. Uh we will allocate five minutes for each speaker. So try please try to keep your comments to to that. Um and the members of the board will listen to the remarks of the speakers. However, the policy of the board will be to take no action until the superintendent has had an opportunity to inform the board of any issue raised by the speaker. So, with that said, uh I will call our first speaker, uh Liz Houston to speak for the music boosters. >> Hi everyone. Liz Houston, 5510 Meadow Drive, Hamburg, New York. Um just want to give you a quick update about what we've been up to. As you know, last year was year one. Thank you all for your really wonderful support. Support the board, support the community. Um, because of that, we were
109able to fund over $6,000 in wish list and grants for our teachers in their classrooms. Uh, we had 121 members and with our strategic plan that we put together last year, this year we're hoping to double all of that um and add a little bit more to everything that we are doing. Uh, this summer as part of our plan, we added a Hamburg alumni member to our executive board. So, some of you may know or remember Bailey Thompson if you've been around for a while. She joined our executive board this summer and um we participated in the give 716 day of giving where we raised over $6,000 due to generous donors and matches. Um so again that's going to go right into our programs and work for teachers. So it's our sophomore year which is
110kind of crazy. Um hopefully we don't graduate anytime soon for a long time. Um, >> so a couple of things. Like I said, we're really looking forward to building upon everything that we've done. Um, some of you have already your memberships have renewed. You've gotten our our incentive for this year, which is a nice little keychain. Not only can you like share your spirit for us, but there's a nice QR code on the back so you can share with other people to find out more about us and join us as well. If you have a current membership and your membership's not up since it's rolling all year, you can also, it's a member exclusive for now. You can buy these for $5. So if you have one, you know, your kids want one too for
111their, you know, instrument case or anything, $5 helps support the things that we do. It goes right back to classrooms. Um so this fall, just a couple of things that we're working on. We are currently working on um the draft. We're going to put a um we're writing a grant for the um oh gosh, Ralph C. Wilson, thank you. Um the Ralph C. Wilson grant that'll go on Friday. We'll see how that goes. Um, we are opening fall grants for our teachers. We are hoping to fund $4,000 of grants for their classroom. So hopefully they all apply and need lots of things or want lots of things because we have the money to do that for them. And we really want you to save November 10th to join us for our very first faculty and
112staff concert. Yeah. because what better before concert season kicks off for the kids to see their teachers doing exactly what they're asking them to do. So come and join us if you happen to want to come play clarinet. I'm not really sure if you want voluntelling, but um if you happen to want to play clarinet, I'm sure we can find a space for you. Um let me know. But we would love for you to join us that night. Big free community event. Um, yep. If you you want to join us, you want to be on stage, just want to come and enjoy, we hope to see you there. And last but not least, if you want a paper membership form, want some other information, um, Susan and Dawn have more for you, and we'll keep
113you updated on what we're up to. Lots of stuff this year. >> Thank you everybody. It's uh it's amazing to see how fast you guys have sort of gotten to this stage, right? I mean, you're raising money, you're bowling out money, you're hosting concerts. I mean, felt like just a year ago you were like, >> "Hey, we have this idea." And you know, you're going to see them. So, you might email them the day of a board meeting to say, "Does my membership want to renew?" >> Hypothetically speaking, >> all right. Um, so I'll invite our next speaker up. Uh, apologize if I say anybody's name wrong, but Chris Pedora, uh, please come on out. Uh, Chris is going to speak to us on PreK Boss. You said that correctly, so thank you. Um, Chris
114Pedora, 7690 Kevin Drive in Hamburg. Um, this is my first time in a schoolboard meeting, so I appreciate your passion. This is awesome. I'd like to be up there with you. Um, I'm going to be a downer after that, too. So, I apologize. Um, but I did want to talk about busing. Um, I do have a daughter in the UPK program. I love the fact that we have a UPK program and I love the fact that we can bus our children. My daughter's scheduled to be on the bus for just under an hour and a half in the morning and about 50 minutes in the afternoon. Fortunately, the afternoon bus ride has been so much quicker. We're still looking at an hour and a half in the morning. She can't go an hour and a
115half without going to the bathroom. Um, for a four-year-old, I think that's so excessive. Um, we're putting the highest stress on our most vulnerable student population, about four-year-olds. Hour and a half in the morning, 50 minutes in the afternoon. That's 20% of their day. It's 20% of the time they're awake that they're expected to be on the bus. I think that's asking too much. Um, so I had the privilege of talking to Mr. Adams and everyone said so many good things. I don't want to pile on, but I appreciate the accessibility. Um, I don't know how many districts have that, but it's awesome to be able to talk to you about it. But I did feel the need. I was going to stay home. Uh my wife and some other folks encouraged me to come.
116I was told not to be verbose. We'll see how that goes. But um but I did want to stand up here and just, you know, encourage everybody to have conversations, continue the conversations. These are youngest students. It's a lot of time. So thank you. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, Chris. Um our final speaker, Emily Gerkin, um speak to us on busing. So, I swear we didn't plan this, but he's kind of a neighbor and I'm here for the same issue. Although my kids go to BBS, well, my littlest one, she's at Armor. But the issues with BBS, I live on Back Creek Road. I'm 1.5 miles from BBS and my kids are on the bus on the ride home right now for an hour and in the morning for 35 minutes. I can eat
117the 35 minutes. It is what it is. Last year it was 15 each way, but an hour to his point like we're adding that much time for these small kids. So that's an hour and a half total. My kids are going to be on a bus for a three mile drive each way. And Miss Christine, thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. Um I did trip upon her name on the website. Um, so I wanted to appre I want to say how much I appreciate your communication and that's kind of part two of my complaint with Fisher Bus and I know we signed a a contract with them, but they haven't answered any of my husband has called five times. Every day the kids have been in school. She refuses to
118call him back. He was actually transferred today. We actually finally got someone to answer the phone and he she's like, "Yep, give me a minute." Transferred and then she wouldn't answer. So, I don't know if we're supposed to be reaching out to them. That was the impression we were always given from Mrs. Lawler to like reach out to them as well and let them know. But like if they don't respond to us, how are we supposed to communicate? Like, so thank you also for clarifying that there might be like an audit process. Um, if that audit process is for the amount of students, that's great. Hopefully, it is also time on bus. Um, but now here is is it a catch 22? I've been making my schedule so that I could pick them up, which
119is crazy. Like, we're wrapped down Bat Creek Road. Um, but do I send them on the bus to prove the point that they're on the bus for an hour? If I don't send them on the bus, is that going to somehow affect the audit? >> So, like, what do I do? Do I, you know, do I have my 5-year-old on the and 8-year-old on the bus for an hour just to prove a point to Fiser that this is a problem or do I keep picking them up for their all of our well-being because after an hour on a bus, they're going to be unhappy. So, I know again I don't expect you to have all the answers right now, but >> No, but you're you're given, you know, you've got our attention and and there's
120plenty of others. Like, it's not just because you're sharing here, but like that's that's that's information that we're hearing and we're talking to Fischer each day with it and we're, you know, we will be we'll be getting in contact with you. I want you to do what you think is best for your kids. For sure. What our what my job is to try to make sure that we're doing what's best for kids and whole community to do. So that's the that's a challenge that's laid out for us and you're helping us see what issues there are out there. >> Just speaking for our little piece of Back Creek Road. And lastly, just one little story speaking of because there's a bunch of us kind of right in a row with elementary kids. Um something else
121to be on the radar with Fiser. Last year there was an accident I guess with one of the middle school buses like it went off the road. They never even contacted the parents if it wasn't for the fact that her my neighbor's son had his phone on him to say like, "Hey, mom, just in case you hear, I'm fine." And she's like, "What are you talking about?" So, there was no notification system. Maybe something in this app would do that. I'm not sure. Maybe something they could add to the app if, god forbid, something happened because like for my kids that they don't have phones and I don't want them I don't want to not know if they got in an accident. Not that there's anything I can do while it's ongoing, but something that
122I can at least talk with them about after. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Emily. >> Um, with that, seeing no further business, I will look for a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Moved by Ashley, second by Tom said that first. Uh, all in favor? All opposed. We are ajourned. Thank you all.