001Good evening and welcome to our business meeting of May 21st, 2026. We convened the meeting at 6:00 and then went into an executive session. Um we have come out of the executive session and so we are reconvening uh our public uh session. Um let's start with the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance 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. Uh, at this point in the meeting, the public may speak on any of the listed agenda items. Seeing nobody coming up to the microphone, we're going to move to the consent agenda. >> Resolve to approve consent agenda items 2 through six as appears on the consent agenda portion of this agenda. >> Second. Questions
002or comments? The consent agenda includes approval of cse CPSE placements, an updated substitute listing, approval for various staff members for additional or unpaid hours, two donations, one from the Deanna Bell family for the John Clander scholarship fund, and one from NICERT, which will be deposited in the general fund. The board is also approving entering into agreements to authorize Rick one rock which stands for one risk operations center for an intermunicipal agreement to negotiate data privacy agreements with vendors and third party contractors. >> Thank you. >> I have a question. What is nicer? >> The New York State Insurance Reciprocal. >> Thank you. >> They give us a $1,000 credit every year for us to >> put back towards one of our programs. It's who our insurance provider. Thank you. >> Any other questions? All in
003favor? Opposed? Abstensions? The resolutions pass. >> So, we're moving into reports. Students, how's it going? >> The junior class went to Six Flags today for their field trip. Oh my god, that's so fun. >> Tomorrow there will be the spotlight awards ceremony in the pack during lunch. Tomorrow is also the midpoint for the fourth quarter. Uh the chorus concert is uh May 27th at 700 p.m. And the band concert is on June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. And then also the TV production class won second place for arts and c the art and culture segment and third for best broadcast for the ninth show. >> Nice. Right. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Uh, okay. It's busy there at the end of the year. Um, Dr. Lu, do you have things left on your >> We had
004a long one tonight. So, I want to begin by thanking all the community members who came out and voted for the district budget and ultimately supported both the district bud budget, the town library, and participated in the election of our board trustees. I did want to take this opportunity to thank Crystal Hernandez for her years of service. um and congratulate Jay Lee who will be stepping in as a board member effective July 1st. Some of the events we had the opportunity to host the commissioner of education who came with the chancellor, assistant commissioner and the deputy commissioner that had a chance to tour all three of our buildings really with an eye towards meeting and hearing directly from our students. Uh it was a really successful trip. The commissioner had very nice things to say
005and sort of our ending of the day debrief. I give her credit. She stepped right into classrooms and immediately began speaking with students. Uh we c sort of had to not we her assistant director had to sort of drag her from one class to the next because she didn't want to stop the conversation she was having one student in order to go to another space. And I do want to thank uh all of the staff administrators and students who participated in the visit and made it such a success. We always are eager to show off the amazing things that we're doing here in Putham Valley and I know she certainly left with that. uh we had our second bid opening for the remaining portions of our project, our facilities project. So the good news is
006is we received bids in all of the necessary fields and we anticipate awarding those. In fact, some of those bids will be awarded this evening so we can begin whatever work we can this summer. The board already accepted the site survey work, the site work for here at the middle school high school campus. So that work is already scheduled. Um, so now we'll be awarding uh well drilling our HVAC installation and roofing work this evening. Uh, so there is still a remaining contract to two out there that we expect to have on the next agenda, but um, I'm glad to that we're able to move forward in that voter approved project. Our culture and discipline committee held our last meeting of the school year. We sort of we're in the process of finalizing our guiding
007principles which will be shared out with both staff, students, and parents before next school year. and we're working on our action planning uh smart goals for next year as we reconvene that committee moving forward. Uh Boseies hosted their district component orientation reception uh which I was able to attend. We heard from students in several of their programs. Got sort of a tour of some of their facilities and actually had the privilege of watching one of their students paint artwork live in front of us. um totally an aspiring Bob Ross for those who know who he is and um printing mountains, landscapes, trees, waterfalls from scratch to completion in about 40 minutes on a canvas. It was really impressive to watch. In fact, all of us got to leave with a piece of his artwork um
008as sort of a parting gift. Um so that was huge kudos. Jordan is his name. I will introduce him as um an inspiring artist. Very impressive. So, our TV production IB film students held their annual celebration and had their film contest or film night. Middle school had their concerts. I know the chorus concerts the last two evenings. Middle school this morning hosted their career fair. I was sorry I was not able to attend, but I do know they had um many from within our community as well as within our school district attend the career fair as well as some of our board members. We had a World War II vet, Niles Mockler, who fought in the Battle of Iroima, who just turned 100 years old, um, come in and speak with our students uh, this
009afternoon. Uh, Miss Lavine and I had the opportunity to stop by. I was all all captivated and didn't want to leave. I actually had the opportunity, he came to our seventh and eighth grade chorus concert the other night, so I got an opportunity to speak with him there. Um, but he as um bright and witted as you would a 20-year-old would be, he carried on conversations with students for over well over an hour today, answering questions, participating in interviews. Um, they filmed a lot of it, so we have the opportunity to capture it. I spoke with him at great length several times today. He actually gave us a challenge coin with his name on it sort of com commemorating uh his experiences both in the battle of Euroima as well as um his service to
010the country and the fact that he's 100 years old and still going around to share his knowledge and experiences with our students. So I know that um many enjoyed it his experience that we thank him for the time he dedicated to our school district. At our elementary school we've hosted many events. We had our community read event earlier this week or last week. This week >> this week I >> already for I don't know what day it is anymore. Earlier this week we had our community read event. So community members from around the town and region come in and have opportunity to reach to our students. First and second grade hosted concerts. We had our garden planting party for the second year which is again a huge success. If you have opportunities, take a look
011at how beautiful the front of the elementary school is. And thanks to all the community members who donated plants and came and planted them for us. And the student vote of Mason's middle name uh tied to civics and civic engagement lessons. Um I believe is in the process of getting narrowed down to limited choices. Um in retrospect, we should have started that way. Uh but now students are having an opportunity to vote on sort of a final list of names. So, we'll ultimately have a middle name for Mason. I don't know. Do we know Do we know the >> favorites? The ones that emerged. >> Not officially. I know Tiger is in there, but >> I know Tiger is >> I don't want to influence the the vote. >> Did the mighty one. >> I
012think you were the only one who picked the mighty. >> I think you were the only one. >> Oh, come on. That's a great middle. Mason the mighty. >> Mason Tiger was a big one. So I will be sure to let everyone know when the name is finalized, but the process continues and certainly a great opportunity for our students to understand um what civic engagement means and participate in such a meaningful activity as voting. Uh Katona Museum of Arts is showcasing their young artist event uh through May 24th and we have nine nine high school seniors who have their artwork on display there. Just a quick public service announcement. Our elementary school has a half day scheduled tomorrow. This is a giveback day associated with their parent teacher conferences. So it's schedules for Friday, May
01322nd. Students will dismiss half day. The Pton Valley High School Theater Works has their 2026 oh sorry the High School Theater Works Spring Musical Into the Woods received three Metro Award nominations. Outstanding performance by student critic Payton Ferrauzi. Thank you. >> Uh outstanding duet performance by Masimo in Vienna and outstanding performance in leading male role was Masimo. So congratulations to them and we look forward to seeing if they um ultimately win at the Metros. We have a lot coming up. This is a very busy time of year. So our elementary school has our Colonial Day scheduled for tomorrow as well as our high school spotlight awards as the lady shared. High school chorus concert on May 27th. Middle school chorus concert on middle school band concerts on May 28th and 29th. High school band concert
014June 3rd. Hope nobody plans on being home with their kids any day soon. >> Lower Hudson Council school superintendent scholarship achievement dinner. So Barbara, myself, and Mr. Melo will be joined by our Val and S on June 3rd. Elementary school fourth grade concert June 4th. High school underassman awards June 5th. If you catch the that's every day this week that week. high school, I mean elementary school haiku celebration, June 9th, senior capp and gown walk at the elementary school. June 10th, senior awards, June 10th, middle school art show and 8th grade IB community project showcase on June 10th. That brings us to our next meeting. So, all of that will happen before we meet again. After we meet shortly thereafter kindergarten show on flag day June 12th, athletic awards June 15th, fourth grade revolutionary war
015reenactment June 16th, high school graduation June 18th. Obviously we have our fourth and eighth grade moving up ceremonies, all of that good stuff. More information to come um after our next meeting for those or during our next meeting for those events. I did want to take an opportunity to recognize two of our board members. So, Crystal Hernandez was recognized by the New York State uh school board association uh with excellence and recognition program. So, we know we have a certificate for her. >> So, this certificate acknowledges school board members who strive to continually expand their governance knowledge and skills and uh the letter will be placed in your folder at NISMA. Thank you. >> Also, Miss Barbara Parbelly received the level four lifetime achievement award, which is NISBA's highest award level for board excellence recognition
016program. Also, a letter placed in your file in NISBA and a fancy plaque. A >> lovely beautiful >> and a free registration for the annual convention and expo. >> Wow. really paying the district money. >> That's in Buffalo. >> In Buffalo. >> Oh, no. >> In October. >> Oh, no. >> I'll go with that. >> So, uh, in line with our visit former Eroima veteran, I do want to wish everyone a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Uh, a weekend we pause and honor the men and women who gave everything. uh and we encouraged dedication and their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. So I want to thank all of the veterans especially those who we lost um to make this country what it is today and that's it. Thank you. >> Thank you.
017>> Okay. Surprise. Okay. Uh new business number one please. resolved by the board of education to accept the final vote tally for the budget uh proposition the board election and town library budget proposition held on May 19th, 2026 as follows. Proposition one budget yes votes 985 no votes 876. Proposition two uh town of Putnham Valley Library additional funding yes no 844. Board of Election Candidates Crystal Hernandez 836 Jay Lee 900 Wright's 29 >> second questions or comments >> going to Miss Crystal. >> We are. >> Thank you. >> I mean that >> and again Dr. L predicted that our vote was going to be 52 to 48. Um >> we lost a percentage. >> So um you know I'm glad so many people came out to vote. Um, >> we need more. >> Well, we
018need more yes votes. >> Yeah. >> Um, it's a little scary when we had more no votes than two of the neighboring school districts had total votes. >> So, um, >> but it means people in Putnham Valley are engaged in the process. >> Um, any other comments or questions? All in favor? >> I just want to say really quickly, I I will sincerely miss doing this work along all of you. Um I will absolutely be wholeheartedly involved still in the buildings um as a from a parent perspective. Um but it has been my joy and my honor to serve alongside you and to learn so much from each and every one of you. So thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you Kristen. Thank you. >> Uh all in favor I >> opposed abstensions. The
019resolution passes number two please. Whereas Allison McDougall has been previously tenured as a teacher in a New York public school or Boseies and whereas said teacher has presented proof of receipt of tenure. Now therefore, be it resolved upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools that the board of education hereby appoints Allison McDougall to a three-year probationary term as a reading teacher commencing on September 1st, 2026 and terminating on August 31st, 2029 in the tenure area of reading at the middle school on step 10 MA of the PVFT salary schedule. Miss McDougall holds literacy B through 6, 512, and childhood education 1 through six provisional certifications. >> Second. questions or comments. She's going to be at the elementary school >> or the middle school? >> Middle school. >> Okay. >> We had uh both middle school
020AS teachers retire this year. >> So Liz and Denise are retiring. Um we have one in district staff that'll be moving into one of those positions and we had to fill the other. >> Good. Uh all in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. The resolution passes. Number three, please. revol resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Renee Rena to a probationary appointment as theater manager effective September 1st, 2026 with a probationary period of 52 weeks, August 31st, 2027 at the high school performing arts center at an annual salary of $75,000. Miss Rena is also approved for up to 5 days of paid training before her start date of September 1st, 2026. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? I wait I have no we can do it. I just have a
021question. Um her contract says that it's only for 200 days. Is she still going to be managing the pact for the summer or will we be hiring an interim? >> So there's very little that happens in the pack regarding rentals over the summer. So the reason for her 200 days was to cover those the events that do trans. Typically it's a school calendar position. They only work while school's open. So the 200 days gives us flexibility over breaks and over the summer. M I know that like different theater >> one theater group yeah they use it now they don't they don't need a lot of assistance but yeah she would be able to cover when they're here >> and that includes that >> y >> perfect great okay I'm going to do it again all
022in favor opposed abstensions the resolution passes number four please >> resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of senior office assistant Alicia Hunter from the district effective May 27th 2026 as per document number 93-26 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. The resolution passes. >> Number what was that? Five. Six. >> Yeah. resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Gina Masia to a probationary appointment of senior office assistant effective June 1st, 2026 with a probationary appointment of 52 weeks May 31st, 2027 at the district's office human resources department step six of the CSCA salary schedule. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> I opposed extensions. The
023resolution passes. Number six, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation of recess/ lunch monitor Laura Eaggan from the district effective June 26, 2026 as per document number 191-26 according to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Abstensions. Resolutions pass. Number seven, please. >> Resolved to authorize the following adjustments to the restricted general operating fund reserves as follows. Pending the annual audit resulting from 2025 to 2026 remaining unexpended general fund appropriations and revenues. Increase the capital reserve 2024 under education law section 3651 up to $1.5 million for future capital projects and increase the employee retirement system reserve fund GML section 6-R up to $1.5 million. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in
024favor? >> I opposed extensions. Resolution passes. Number nine, please. >> Eight. Eight. >> Oh, sorry. Eight. >> Resolve to nominate Cheryl Brady as a candidate for the New York State School Board Association Area 10 director position. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> I got the acronym correct. Right. I just >> What? >> Just make sure I got the acronym correct. >> She's done a really good job. It's nice that she's going to stay on and continue to do that work. So I'm happy to that we're nominating her. All in favor? Opposed? Extensions. The resolution passes. Number nine, please. Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to award bids for contracts 2, three, and four for the 2025 capital project as per KGND architects document 1952 attached to the agenda and official minutes
025of this meeting. Number two, roofing Barrett Incorporated. Number three, General Construction, MCT Service Incorporated. Uh, number 4 A, Mechanical Construction, Manga Mechanical Incorporated. Uh, number 4B, Geothermal Wellfield, uh, Reliable Well and Pump Service LLC. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions? The resolution passes. So, I'd like to open it up for public comment on any topic. Uh, upcoming meetings. Well, we have one June 11th and June 25th. >> So, our next meeting on June 11th, I know Miss Lavine is working on with Mr. Melo to to schedule the CTE presentation. So, um, we're not sure if we're gonna be able to get someone from Boseis yet, but if not, we'll look to get our own students, and if not, we'll do it ourselves to provide an update regarding what's going
026on in the CT program. >> Thank you. >> So, that's scheduled for the June 11th meeting. >> Great. uh board member comments >> just uh it's very busy and I I know Barbara all of us are like all over the place but the concerts that have been put on at both the elementary and the middle school the past couple of weeks were just so moving and inspirational and it's funny thing um you know Barbara as we talked seeing the progression like we can we go to the elementary go to the middle school then go to the high school you can see the growth that these kids have. And it is just an amazing uh amazing phenomena to see how our music arts department groom these kids to such a a great level year after year
027after year. It's a prideful prideful part of what we do here in Putnham Valley and kudos to that whole music department. >> Uh Dr. L mentioned the now I've lost it the the oh the thing that we did today what was it called the student um >> the career fair >> I'm sorry >> career fair >> um was great so >> there were so many people from the community um that shared their life experiences with kids the the students were so engaged um even like at boring tables, but they asked really good questions. Um, they were really just darling. And the younger ones whose parents were presenting would run to their parents and the older kids would just like walk on the side and not acknowledge their parents. Um, but it was really nice and
028it we really appreciate the community members that are that come out and do this. It's it's a long day. It was from 8 to 12. >> So, um, it was a good four hours. Um, but really very positive and very good. I have to laugh because one of the one of the questions they asked several times was like, "How much schooling did you have to go to to qualify for this job?" So I said, "Well, my teachers, I can give you that, but there aren't any qualifications for the board except being elected and then coming to everything and coming to everything you can and taking every class you can." Well, why are you taking classes if you don't have to? Well, because that's the only way to learn. So, it was very it was very
029cute. They were really good. And how much do you make? >> How much do you make >> as a board person? Oh, yes. An exorbitant amount. >> Um, still zero. So that >> $3. >> So that was >> it costs us money really >> and it's really nice when students come up and know who I am. Either you taught my sister, you taught we had and we had a lot of returning students who come and share their expertise which was really nice um to see. So yeah, >> and just to piggyback on that, Barbara, just to, you know, just communicate again, it won't occur for another year, but all the communities invited to participate to sit behind a booth. You know, we'd love to see they're always looking for um volunteers to come in. So,
030>> and we need a nurse. >> There were no nurses. >> No, there were Dr. Amin and um Debbie Monttoante's daughter who's a >> Yeah, >> I did it last year and I felt that I saw like all the students who are still in the middle school last year. I will do it again next year. But they've already they all the other people have already seen my colorful board and I thought I might get you know booed for my color my colorful board. So I wanted to give them a year off. >> So it was good. >> We also had the opportunity to go to the community uh read aloud um at the elementary school on Monday and that's always a highlight to me I know for many people. So it's always fun to go
031and choose a book and go read to the staff and or I'm sorry read to the students. So I did the fourth grade this year which was different. I'm usually second grade, so totally different questions. Totally. So, and it was fun to see >> you up too, >> Sam. Yep. And I was reading Green Eggs and Ham to the fourth grade. >> The fourth graders were kind of, huh, what? >> But then they ask great questions and the whole dialogue that occurs within the classroom. >> The amazing thing halfway through the book, this little youngster read it. I said, yeah, what what's your question? He says, "The theme of this book, it's don't judge a book by its cover." Right? Like, you got to try it before you deny it. >> I thought that was
032brilliant. Green eggs. Brilliant. >> Right in the midst of this. Yeah. I love that they kindergarten kids who I usually read that to, they just sit there in awe, you know. >> But the fourth grade, they were >> quick to to catch >> the take up of it. Yeah. >> It was cute. Mhm. I just want to take a se a moment to celebrate uh the fact that the commissioner of education and the chancellor of education in New York. We're both in this building in the other two buildings as well to see the amazing work that both teachers, students, staff, administrators are doing. And boy, what a day of pride that was. It really just was so great to see um a sampling of our programs um which the district did a tremendous job in
033planning that visit which was very short to be able to show all of the things that we do um and I know that we didn't get to everything but certainly there was much uh represented in that day and it was um a beautiful day to just show all that's happening in Putham Valley and how we are small but mighty and set apart from many other school districts um and and leading and paving the way for other school districts in a lot of ways. So, uh I just want to thank the district because there's a lot of work that goes into planning a visit like that. Um it is it's a lot of work. Um kids don't just magically show up at certain times to certain things. So, um thank you Jackie Lavine for all that
034you did to to support that as well as Dr. Loft and his team. Um it was a really great day and I was just very proud. >> Yeah, >> I was very proud of us. So, yeah. I also want to say uh congratulations to Jay Lee. Um I I think that one of the takeaways from this season for me was for our community to um see uh a process like that be done so incredibly respectfully and um you know with the best of intentions for our kids. And I I think that that was just wonderful. I'm super excited that he's another parent um and that he'll be here for for a good long minute um with his babies. And so, um, congratulations to him and his family for for this new appointment and this new
035journey. >> Not to be a downer, but I I have some comments. Um, I feel that again with the half day tomorrow, um, we had a surprise. So, and I can tell the district is surprised because they have sent out several emails like, "Hey, don't forget, don't forget, don't forget." Um, and not that the district was surprised, but they expect the parents to be surprised, right? So, they expect they they don't know that the parents know this. So, again, for the second year in a row, I am pleading with the district that we need to get this on the calendar. Um, it's still not on the calendar. Um, when you look at the monthly calendar, you can see it, but I know as a parent in the district, I this is actually the first time
036I've ever looked at the monthly calendar. My son is in sixth grade. Um I didn't even you know I was looking for that calendar. Um it is not in the one the one that is the day that shows half days. Um which people print out at the beginning of the year and we did amend it in December on December 11th. Um and then I had asked last year that we mention all half days um by the end of spring break and it's it's still not here. And while I mean children's center is again not able to do tomorrow um I spoke to her um I reached out and you know we got an I got an email like oh children's center isn't able to do it cuz we didn't have enough um warning um which
037and I spoke to Annie and she needs and it's they're not part of the district which I think is like fair like needs to be mentioned. They are part of the parks and recck district but they take care of our students. they allow our students to go to school because they take care of the kids after school. If that wasn't the case, then kids would go elsewhere, right, where they would have after care. Um, so I feel that they are not looped in early enough. She says she needs at least 3 months. They're already working on a like short staff. Um, so to get people to be able to take off from their regular calendar job, she needs 3 months notice um to get people to work on those extended days. I'm not saying that
038it is the fault of the district or you know the fault of Children's Center. I don't believe that it's anybody's fault. But who I do feel for is the working parents who time after time are stuck with this these half days. Um and luckily does not happen in the middle schools. But for the little ones who like really need parents to be home, um there's they're scrambling. I mean even teachers um you know teachers who have to stay for the extra half days um don't have somewhere to put their children. So I just again want to make it a goal for next year or suggestion um even in these little tiny notes at the bottom I don't see anywhere >> that May 22nd is a half day um just that it would be added as
039a holiday. So I propose and it's it's not the color. Um, so I propose that we put the half days on this calendar that we ensure that at the beginning of the year, and I'm happy while I'm on the board to step up into this role and ensure that Children's Center is notified of it, um, with the September calendar of all of the half days because I think it's important that they are able to plan well in advance for them so that they can provide for our students. Um, so I just move that we that we amend our I don't know if I can move. I don't know what whatever I suggest want to put on that calendar the one we amended um or the one we adopted um for 26 202 27 that we
040put the half days that we >> and you know that's a half day that correct me if I'm wrong Dr. that we know in advance because it's the give back day for the parent teacher conferences, right? >> Correct. So, I mean, listen, I'm open for suggestions. Um, this date was shared back in August 2025 with all families that there would be a half day. It's been posted on the building calendar since then. Um, so while it may be missing on the district, the sort of this the one pager that we send out and I'm and I'm totally in favor of putting them on there or having a conversation regarding when to best schedule those half days. We do owe elementary school teachers as a contractual obligation. They get a half give back day for each
041of their parent conferences. So if they have two evenings of parent conferences, we owe them two half days. The contract doesn't specify when those half days need to be scheduled. uh we've sort of allowed the them to determine or the union and building to determine when to schedule those days which is why it's the Friday before Memorial Day and I believe the other one was the day before the I think it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Um, but certainly the board sets the calendar and has the right to select those days. But I do want to I mean I understand maybe the children's center doesn't want to check our calendar or they don't want to. We can do a better job of getting the information, but I want to be clear that this date has
042been shared by I have the document that Margaret shared with all families in August 2025 which clearly lists all of the days including May 22nd as being a half day for a 12 p.m. dismissal. It's on our one sheet Pton Valley Elementary School events for the entire school year that was shared back in August. So certainly the children's center had access to the information. Um we could do a better job of proactively reaching out to them. But we don't do that for every other organization, right? >> It's up to organizations that use our buildings to check our calendar. Like the sports teams use it. We don't reach out to them and say, "Hey, we have a half day this." They ask us if there's any half days that they need to know about. But >>
043yeah, >> um I do this is not the issue we've run in the past which we've made a commitment to not do is scheduling half days at the end of the year too late which is probably warrants the next conversation. >> Um but this is not that right. This isn't just a give back day. Typically we base it on the number of unused snow days we have this year we don't have any unused snow days. So maybe that makes the conversation yep but in this case this was a day that was scheduled in advance of the school year but shared with families all the way back in August. And I know that Dr. Podesta is really good about putting um upcoming dates in her weekly word. I'm wondering if the children's center has access to
044that. I don't know. >> I mean, anybody who signs up for it could get it. That's anybody could opt in to receive that. >> It's public information. >> Maybe the district should be proactive about having that conversation with the children's center. >> I did have that conversation with Annie um about how she should be signed up for the connected emails that she should go to the website. Um, she does she she has people in the buildings who work at the children's center who typically tell her the schedule, >> but nobody from the district from the administration um tells this children's center and know with all due respect like sports teams who use our stuff once, you know, once a month. Um, the children's center is there every day for our kids. They've raised my son.
045>> Be being a parent that also utilized the children center and had no other choice. Um, I would like to see a proactive way where we could just partner with them with communication, make sure that they are aware, not have to be opt into it, but we're able to provide that information to them. >> Right. It it should be a mutual communication process, you know, to ensure that they are fully aware of what's happening with the calendar and other things, too. Um, for sure. Uh, the other thing that I've noticed is that for whatever reason, I'm not sure what the reason is, we have the monthly electronic calendar. We have the at a glance calendar, but we don't do like a PDF printed calendar like most other districts do where >> so that's what she
046was saying is that >> and that's the problem. >> She gets that from Lakeland. you know, districts that have a printed calendar have fewer changes on the calendar because it was printed. So, I think that maybe that's something that the district might want to think about is being highly intentional about the calendar, which we've talked about since I've been on the board, and we've gotten much better at it um in the last 3 years. So, I commend the district for that, for the especially for the conflicts between schools when kids have, you know, families have multiple kids in different schools. um that has gotten much better. But if there was a printed monthly calendar for parents, then this is a moot point at the because then it's there for them to see and also um
047the children's center could just get a copy of the printed calendar and then all of this would go away. I don't even know that we need to print it, you know, put in the funds to print it. But to have a PDF downloadable version that is sent out via connected or, >> you know, by Travis McCarti, Margaret Podesta and um Matt Melo um or who, you know, whoever wants to send it um >> to the parents or to the community. >> I just find it strange have it. >> Well, we just established it. I'm I'm looking at the elementary school calendar for the entire year that was sent out to everybody at the elementary school in August. So I don't want to make it sound like we don't do this. >> No, I think it's
048just >> we don't do paper for anything like printed and mail it to people, but it's sent via connected to >> to parents as a PDF for >> or like as a downloadable. Yeah, that's fair. >> It the problem is when you have and that's great for the elementary school, which we know communication at the elementary school is wonderful. >> Sorry, I'm not saying the middle school didn't. I just have the elementary school one in front of me because this is about an elementary school. >> What I'm just saying is that from a district perspective and I'll just speak from having three children in three different buildings. If I have to go to three different calendars every month to figure out what's going on or read the weekly word and then read the monthly message
049from Mr. McCarti or read the once a quarter message from Master Melo like to figure out what dates I'm supposed to be everywhere. It makes it really challenging and I don't know why our district for whatever reason doesn't have a yearly calendar by month that has all of the events happening for the year. >> So I think I'm confused cuz there like I just clicked on our website on our monthly calendar. All the district events are on here. If you click on May 22nd, it lists half day 12:00 p.m. student dismissal elementary school. >> But is that link sent out to families to say, "Hey, check this for the entire school year." And how often is that particular calendar updated? Because if it was >> It's updated daily. >> That well that's a problem because
050things should be planned out in advance. So, but I'm just talking about Hallmark events like when is the second grade concert going to be. I'm not talking about the minutiae that you know should be updated on a regular basis. I just think it's interesting. It's something to note that many other districts have a full year month calendar that share all of the major events that happen in a in a PDF that sometimes is printed, sometimes it's not. That can go to families and and in addition to that can go to partners, right? like the prek program that we have, right, needs to know what's happening with the calendar. Um, and so I don't know, you know, whatever communication is happening with the prek program should be happening with the the after school program. So I
051just there's communication could be easil easily fixed with a different type of calendar. That's what I'm just saying. >> No. Yeah, I agree. >> I'm not saying that the calendar that you know >> we know that people use our website, right? And I do think is again a bottomless bit. Um we we know that it's not being used because I've gotten four emails in the past week about the half day. So we know that the district is nervous that babies are going to be left at the elementary school. So maybe we just need to figure out a way like Crystal said or somebody else says communication is always a not it's not just the district's fault. Parents should also be looking at the at it. I get it. But, you know, there's 5,000 things that
052we're dealing with in May, right now. Um, having a paper calendar or having a PDF calendar or maybe even a connected that goes out quarterly, like at the beginning of each semester saying, "Hey, you know, we finished here here's how you access your grades and here is the calendar. Please make sure you look at it. It shows half days or you know, something like that." just to have reminders um and have communications with people who are in our buildings. I would say especially children's center because I mean truly they they're there for us every single day um as students, as parents, they're in our lunchroom, you know, um all all the time. I >> I also just want to take a second to highlight the fact that Dr. Podessa's communications weekly need to be read
053by parents and >> not because they're need to be read. She is amazing at making sure that she is on top of communicating all of the details that are happening way far in advance. So, you know, it from a parent perspective, I don't necessarily think that there is an issue with communication. I actually think it's just more with the children's center specifically, you know, about the dates that were open or not open. I can easily email her the link to the monthly calendar at the beginning of September while I'm on the board. I don't mind take that upon myself. >> I'm happy to email the everyone at Parks and Recre the link to the calendar now if they don't know how to access it. >> Okay, perfect. Anything? >> That's it. >> That was it.
054>> We're good. Um, I'd like um motion to convene an executive session for 12 matters of the employment history of 12 particular persons. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? There will be no um board work done after. Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Resolution passes.