001Good evening and welcome to Cinco de Mayo. Um this is our May 5th, 2026 final budget hearing and business meeting. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. So the first thing on our agenda is a recognition by the Putnner northern Westchester Boseies. >> Good evening everyone. So we're very thrilled to have some guests here and to celebrate one of our own students. So without further ado, I want to invite up Dr. Lynn Allen who will introduce the rest of her team and we'll get started. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? Okay. >> No, no, it's fine. >> There you
002go. >> They are better. >> Okay. Thank you so much. Uh good evening everyone. My name is Lynn Allen. I'm deputy superintendent at Putnham Northern Westchester Boseies and one of our uh as one of our treasured component school districts. It is always wonderful to return to Putnham Valley and have the opportunity to thank you for your support in all things uh most importantly our amazing shared students. And on behalf of Neil Bole, our district superintendent, and our Boseis board, I want to sincerely thank Superintendent Luft, the Putnham Valley Board of Education and Administrative team for giving us time tonight to celebrate our student of distinction. At this time, it is my pleasure to introduce Dr. Melissa Cafaro. She is our our special education supervisor uh who oversees our local school buildings and she is going
003to do the honors of introducing the others who are here as well as recognize our very special student of distinction. >> Thank you Dr. Allen. Uh thank you Dr. Lu and the board of education for having us here tonight. Um I'm here with Lena Durano uh our student of distinctions teacher. Um, and we're very excited to celebrate Liam. Uh, Liam is a creative and energetic third grader who always tries his best and takes pride in all of his work. He is kind and thoughtful towards others and makes a strong effort to include everyone. Because of this, his classmates look up to him and enjoy being around him. He shows a strong desire to do well both socially and academically. Liam is a great role model within the classroom. He follows rules carefully and often encourages
004his peers to make good choices alongside of him. He is especially strong in math. He is always eager to learn new concepts and works hard to understand them, never giving up when problems are challenging. He also enjoys science, especially all the hands-on experiments where he can explore and discover new ideas. A true artist at heart, Liam loves creating characters and bringing them to life through his drawings and his stories. He takes pride in sharing his creative work with others in our school community. Liam's hard work, strong academics, creativity, and leadership skills make him a wonderful third grade student and an excellent candidate for our student of distinction. Liam, can you come up? >> You say something. >> If you want to say something, you can. Take it down. >> Thank you. >> Oh, that's cool.
005Congratulations. >> No bubbles. We'll take a picture. Come over here. >> We want to make sure. >> Uh, sure. >> My name is Liam. Thank you. >> He's great. Congratulations. >> We're going to go outside and take more pictures. So, thank you everybody. >> Way to go, Liam. What wonderful nice things that were said about you. >> Way to go, Liam. >> That's awesome. Congratulations, Liam. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Yeah. >> He's welcome back anytime. He brings good energy. >> That's right. >> He does. >> Okay. The next then we're switching to budget hearings. So the next um this is our final budget hearing before the vote on May 19th. Um do we have anything to add or anything that's exciting to add? >> So I think this evening sort of marks
006the culmination of work that's been going on for several months. Obviously uh this year's budget really began being discussed all back in September. Uh budget hearings started in December where uh Dr. Chan and I started meeting with individual buildings and departments. uh presentations uh continued throughout the winter months and we've we've held listening hours, we've held many board meetings, presentations, we've met with the PTA as well as uh next week we have another information session scheduled for the senior centers. We're excited to be invited back and um I think that we're presenting what is a very responsible school budget. It balances our fantastic instructional programs with the financial burden it places on our taxpayers. So, I believe we've met um our we've done our due diligence to present a responsible budget. It comes in at
0071.98% is our tax levy increase. So, um unless there's any other questions specific to the budget, I think we're good to go. >> Oh, because I'm sorry we didn't I didn't open it up for public comments before we did the Boseies thing. So, um, if anybody wanted to talk on the budget, we would hear you now, even though it's an agenda item. Okay. So, next we need to select the chairpersons for the vote. Um, wait a minute. >> Huh? >> Okay. So there'll be somebody there in the morning and then the afternoon at elementary school 6:00 am to 900 pm. >> If either one is delayed or anything like that, I am available. You give me a call and I can I can come in. But thank you. >> You can sleep in. I will
008wake up. >> I'll be there. I'll meet you at 6. >> If you meet me, I'm going to lose it. If you're going to make me wake up at 6 a.m. only for you to show up. >> I always vote at 600. I didn't see the notice until Saturday morning. That was the problem. But you and Janette had already asked for the slot. So, >> it's up to you. If you want to do it, you're more than welcome. >> Are you sure? I'll take it. Yeah, I'll do the 6 a.m. >> 100%. I was waiting for you to offer and you didn't, so I took it. >> Yes. Put me down, Moren. I'll open it up. Yes. Okay. Good session. Session. >> Listen, I would have done it, but we have an offer. >> No
009problem. >> Thank you, Sam. >> Okay. You're welcome. >> Appreciate it. Okay. Um, so let's move to the consent agenda. >> Yep. Okay. Uh, resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to approve consent agenda items 2 through six as listed below. >> Second number. The board is approving minutes of the previous meeting cseps placements approving additional or unpaid hours for various staff members which includes the summer programs of ESY summer boost and kinder camp approving agreements and contracts including a co-op transportation agreement that joins Putna Valley with Croin Garrison Hen Hud Lakeland Austin Peakll and Yorktown approving health and welfare contracts with Haldane and Yorktown >> approving a contract for cooperative educational services with the Rick for school years 2026 to 2031 through Southern Westchester Boseies for computer services, a student transportation contract,
010and a contract with Pace University for next school year to field opportunities for Pace grads and undergrad students for the school of education and providing professional development opportunities for district faculty and administration. >> Okay, any other questions? Thank you, Mrs. Bolino. Um, all in favor? I >> opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Resolutions pass. Okay. Reports. Students. So nice to see you. It's spring today. Um, we don't have much, but our IB tests for seniors have started. They started last week and they'll go for probably the next two weeks. And then the NHS ceremony was last Wednesday for those being inducted into the National Honor Society. And it was lovely to see both of you there. Um it was a great it was a great um evening. Okay. Um so it's quiet for the students, huh?
011Nice. Dr. Left. >> Good evening again everyone. So uh this week marks our teacher staff appreciation week. So, I do want to extend our gratitude to all of our professionals that make everything we do here every day on behalf of our students possible. So, I know we sent a letter today as well as I know PTA sponsored some activities uh lunches throughout the week. Um, but I do want to take this opportunity to recognize that. I did also find out that it's nurse appreciation week. So, I would like to extend my appreciation to all the nurses out there as well. Um, as we mentioned, the science research symposium took place. Uh, we had a fantastic keynote speaker. uh come back in and uh really share her experiences with the students and um it's always a
012humbling experience to hear our students present their research even with a doctorate. I don't understand half of what they say. Um it's a very humbling thing. But uh I do want to extend our gratitude um to coach West as well as our student presenters and our keynote speaker for making that evening a possibility. As we mentioned, NHS had their induction ceremony. We actually inducted a lot. It was a lot of juniors that were inducted in. My highlight is always hearing our seniors announce where they're attending school and what they'll be studying. Uh I think there was three elementary educators in the entire class. >> Everybody else is like >> science. Lots of nurses. There were a lot of nurses. >> Yeah, a couple. Yeah, quite a few nurses. >> Lots of science majors, architects, engineering,
013>> engineering, >> all that good stuff. Uh girls in sports day on Sunday. Pton Valley hosted their girls in sports day. I know that Sam had stopped by. Uh, always a great showing and we want to thank both the organizers as well as our coaches and our student athletes who were present helping facilitate that. It wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for our coach and student volunteers who were there helping uh our youngest athletes in the community come out and learn all about different sports. Uh, for me, this time of year is actually a highlight. I've uh I've had the opportunity to visit many classrooms, observing some of our non-tenure teachers, and it's always a good reminder as to um why I do this lovely job every day. Um getting in classrooms and seeing teachers
014and talking to students is always a good reminder as to uh why we are all here. So, I very much embrace that opportunity to do so. Another very exciting time, and I know there's one of them here this evening, is we've been doing a lot of work regarding filling some of our open vacancies and hiring some new staff members. So, um, we continue to do that as we fill our remaining vacancies and we're looking forward to welcoming all our new hires back for our orientation program at the end of August. Some information to share. Our student artists have some work on display at the Katona Museum. Uh, their annual young artist event is running from May 20 uh is running through May 24th and we have nine Putnham Valley High School seniors have their artwork
015on display. Congratulations to the Putnham Valley Central School District music department. Once again recognized as the best community of music for music education. Uh several of us had a meeting with the town supervisor and tax assessor. Uh that was actually a very productive meeting. It was a great educational opportunity I think for both parties and we're looking forward to further collaboration in the future. I do want to talk a little bit about advocacy efforts. I know the board had endorsed a letter that we sent out for a voter voice campaign uh addressed to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. And this advocacy is really about creating a separate championship for private schools versus public schools. Um for those who are aware, in many cases private schools dominate public schools when it comes
016to that championship level. And really what our hope is really just to create an equitable and fair playing field. We're not trying to take opportunities away from students, but create a separate classification so private school students can compete against other students who attend open enrollment schools uh while public school students can play against other school districts that are uh restrained by their district boundaries. So that information is out there or certainly willing to share that voter voice information. What it does, it instantly generates a letter to both the NISA officials as well as local uh assembly people and uh senators and as well as the state education department, governor's office and others just making them aware that this is sort of a community issue and not necessarily just a school issue. Some of the upcoming
017events, we have Commissioner Rosa scheduled to visit our schools on Monday, May 11th. Uh we'll spend about the first hour of the day here at the high school. Uh, Miss Lavine has a whole parade scheduled. Uh, I think there's jugglers and clowns and cars and cheerleaders performing and marching bands and other stuff. Um, but it's going to be quite the showing of Putnham Valley upon her arrival. Uh, she will transition to the middle school to visit some classrooms, meet some students, and then end her day with her entourage in the elementary school. again visiting some of our students classes and seeing all the things that Putin Valley is so proud to show off here. So, next Monday that'll be taking place. We do have our bid opening for the remaining portions of our facilities project
018upcoming. So, by next board meeting hopefully we could award more of that work. Our culture and discipline committee is scheduled to meet again on May 12th. That's been a committee that's met throughout this school year and will continue into next year. the district and the Putnham Valley Federation of Teachers executive committee meeting. Uh we meet several times a year just as a whole group. We set an agenda together and use it as a great opportunity for collaboration. So that meeting is scheduled for May 7th as well as our next collective bargaining session with the Puth Valley Federation of Teachers which is scheduled for May 21st and our middle school career fair is also coming up on May 21st. And that's it. Thank you. >> That was a lot of stuff. Can I ask a question?
019>> Sure. >> Um, what was the purpose of meeting with the tax assessor? >> Um, it was really just that we were reviewing some, as you know, the exemption conversation that started here at the board uh kind of opened up uh I don't say can of worms, but it raised more questions than we had answers. So, some of that conversation was getting answers to those questions regarding what are qualifying factors, what are disqualifying factors. We spoke a lot about information sharing. The new town uh taxor has been much more willing to partner. Uh he's been working very closely with Dr. Chan and her team to provide us with data and information. So uh it was just a great opportunity to touch base um sort of learn from each other and reach an agreement regarding how
020we could sort of mutually uh support each other moving forward. So I'm looking forward to next. I mean there was no sort of formal agenda as much as it was more of a meet and greet information sharing session. So we're hopeful that >> throughout the year. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. We have been meeting periodically with the town supervisor. This is just the first time the assessor was part of that meeting because of um questions related specifically to the exemptions that the district's been offering. So it was it was productive. Any other questions? >> No. >> Thank you. Good to go. >> Okay. We're going to move to new business number one, please. >> Whereas Christina Cruz has been previously tenured as a teacher in a New York public school district or Boseies, and whereas said
021teacher has presented proof of receipt of tenure. Now, therefore, be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools that the board of education hereby appoints Christina Cruz to a three-year probationary term as a speech therapist, commencing on September 1st, 2026 and terminating on August 31st, 2029 in the 10-year area of speech at the middle school high school on step 13 masters of the Putnham Valley FE uh Federation of Teacher Salary schedule. Miss Cruz hold speech and language disabilities professional certification. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> I opposed extensions. The resolution passes. Number two, please. resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Caitlyn Chapton to a four-year probationary term as a science teacher commencing September 1st, 2026 and terminating on August 31st, 2030 in the tenure
022area of science at the middle school on step 3 MA of the PBFT salary schedule. Miss Chapton holds biology 7 through2 initial certification. >> Second >> questions or comments? I do want to note that I see Caitlyn in the in the audience this evening with her family. So, >> all in favor, >> we will welcome her up. I >> oppose the sentence. Resolution passes. Caitlyn, come up and >> come on up. Thank you. >> Bring her with you. That's okay. >> Yes. >> She's now part of the Putinham Valley family. >> And Caitlyn's one of ours. >> Congratulations. Welcome. Congratulations. >> Welcome back. >> Congratulations. >> Beautiful. >> Thank you very much for joining family. >> Yes, definitely. >> Caitlyn has offered to take you all out for dinner and drinks >> for having sat
023through. Although I got to you guys, in terms of meetings go, you locked out. The fact you only had to wait a half hour to get here. If it was going to be like 2 hours before we got there, we would have moved you up so you didn't have to sit here beforehand. So, thanks again for coming and congratulations. >> I didn't recognize the name, but I know the face. >> Uh, it's always good to have students back. >> Yep. >> As teachers. I think it's exciting. >> Please, please don't feel obligated to stay if you guys want to move on. Thank you. >> Thanks, Debbie. Uh, >> that's a nurse. >> What are we on? >> Number three. >> Wait a minute. Number three, >> Sasha. Number three. >> Sorry. >> That's okay. >>
024I saw a nurse. I got excited. Have a nurses week. um resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Joshua Cologne to a 4-year probationary term as a Spanish teacher commencing September 1st, 2026 and terminating on August 31st, 2030 in the tenure area of world language at the middle school on step 1 MA of the PVFT salary schedule. Mr. Cologne's New York State Spanish 7 through 12 initial certification is pending NISET approval. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Oh, it's nice. We found a Spanish teacher. It's always an exciting thing. Uh, number four, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Megan Fleming to a probationary appointment as a senior office assistant in the athletics department on
025step five of the CSEA salary schedule effective May 8th, 2026. Miss Fleming will immediately begin an unpaid leave of absence effective May 8, 2026 through July 19th, 2026. Miss Fleming will begin her 50 week probationary period on July 20th, 2026 through July 19th, 2027. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> Who? I just want to clarify the leave of absence covers the um when the expiration of that civil service exam is uh and when the start date. So she will be filling in for Kathy in athletics. Uh Kathy doesn't leave until July. Uh so that leave of absence covers the gap from the expiration of the existing CSEA test to when her start date will be. >> Got it. Thank you. >> Uh all in favor? I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Number six, please.
026>> Resolve to approve the Westchester Putinham School Boards Association 2026 27 nominating committees slate of officers, directors, members of the board of directors, and the 2026 27 proposed budget and authorize the board of education president to sign the WPSBA annual meeting ballot as per document number 18126 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. questions or comments. So, I had asked Moren earlier um so we we're approving her budget and the slate of officers which all of you got. >> Yes. >> Um Crystal, I think you and Jackie and I are going to go to the dinner. We will vote there, but I'm all Moren also has our vote. >> Did you just uninvite me? >> Are you coming? I'm so excited. I didn't know. Moren didn't tell me. for that.
027>> So now you're now you're uninviting yourself. Okay. Um anyway, uh all in favor? >> I sentence the resolution passes. Number six, please. resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to award the base bid for contract one site work for the 2025 capital project to Laura Lee Industries as per document number 186/26 attached to the agenda and official meetings minutes of this meeting. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> This is the voter approve part of the voter approved facilities project from last May. Uh, and this work will cover the retaining wall, paving, new parking areas here on the middle school, high school campus, >> which will start right after school closes. >> The plan is to start the summer. Yes. Once the bid is awarded this evening, then Dave will already start
028scheduling um meetings with them regarding uh schedules. >> Excellent. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions? The resolution passes. Um, I'd like to now open it to public comment on any topic. >> Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> My name is Joe Ferraro. I'm calling here with a PSA uh to invite you and all your friends to a special >> Joe. Can you lower the microphone? I I I can't I can't hear you. You're not coming through too loud. >> Special evening tomorrow at the library where there will be two important conversations. >> One at 6 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. At 6 p.m. will be a budget uh library budget information session followed immediately after at 7 p.m. with a meet the candidates forum that will be um moderated by myself.
029I know everybody so excited about that. So uh just want to invite everybody who is watching and who might be watching within the next 24 hours that around this time tomorrow we will be kneedeep into our meet the candidates and I just want to thank everybody for coming out. >> Thank you Joe >> and thank you Joe and the library board for opting to host this um meet the candidates. We're confident that your volunteerism will be met by nothing but positive feedback from all >> just don't check social media. >> Okay. >> Um our upcoming meetings, so uh the vote is May 19th >> again from 6:00 am to 900 pm. Um, if you want to hear the results that night, you have to be in the room before before the doors close at 9:00.
030Um, hopefully it'll be a little faster than last year's. >> That is that it will definitely be. >> Okay. >> Um, so yes, it's a little scary, but we will the next the next time we meet uh will be after the vote, right? So May 19th is the next vote. 6:00 am to 900 pm at the elementary school. You could see our website or contact Morin Bolino, district clerk for additional information on early mail or absentee ballots. I know that individuals have been in and filling them out. But just as a public service announcement, they are available to anyone who needs them. Uh Moren is the right person to go to or there is links for the all the information you need available on the district website and the next time we gather as a
031board will be after the vote on May 21st. Okay. Uh, board member comments. I have a bunch, so I'm going to wait till everybody else is done. >> I have a request. Is it possible last year we had a a student from the uh tech center over at Boseies come and speak to us about the program and how um important it was to that young individual, that young lady. Is it possible to get another speaker over here this year? Um, I we still have time. It's only the beginning of May. Um, you know, if we could do it in in June or something like that, I would love to get a perspective again. I I think it's so important that that uh you know, the career oriented programs that most uh offers. >> Well, and
032somehow last year we also or I missed it. Um, which is entirely possible, but I Bosey's graduation. It's always nice to go. Guy and I used to go um John Kleiners and I have gone. Um >> I'd like to know when it is. So I think that would be nice. >> Sure. They always send information to invite us. So I'll be sure to extend June 11. >> June 11. Look at you. >> It's on prom. >> Oh, >> I didn't schedule it. I want to know for the record. Write that down. Bluff did not schedule the graduation session at Posties or the prom. >> Oh, and we have a board meeting that night. Thursday the 11th of June. >> We do. They also have, which I'm I have on my calendar to attend, is they
033have their open house for the component districts. >> Yeah. >> Uh that's coming up as well. I think that's also in June. >> That's next week. No, that's the 13th. >> Oh, it's coming up that soon >> of May. >> Um but that's an opportunity. Obviously, it's not to celebrate our students, but an opportunity to see their programs, tour their facilities, hear from them. So, I don't know if anyone else is interested. >> Keep going. I'm >> I was planning on attending that. >> I'm going to be at the town board meeting that night on May 13th. >> Okay. Yeah, couple items that they're going to be discussing. Um I I the student perspective is important to me because we do invest a lot of money and into the program. So if we can get
034a student uh you know I'm I'm sure a phone call to uh you know the principal of the the program and just say hey listen who do you have that you know about came up >> so well I cannot promise a student I could see Miss Lavine in the back of the room typing away as you're speaking so I'm sure she's already working on it. >> Thank you Jack. >> Um we will try to find a student but at the very least we could definitely do an information session. I know in the past we've had directors or principles of the programs come and speak. Um, so I'm sure we could have something whether we do it ourselves or have someone from PNW here to do it. Obviously, our priority will be to try to find
035a student. Um, that's obviously up to the student. So, um, >> it'll work. Elelliana said she'll do a presentation for them on their behalf. >> I love I love her. >> It's a great sister program to to what we do with our kids. >> Sam, have you been on a tour of the facility recently? >> What's that? >> Have you been on a tour, Janette and I, like recently? >> Many many times. Yeah, I >> it was like incredible. >> Yeah, the the way the the levels go. And when I was AP here, I was also a liaison uh over at uh tech for our kids. I would go at least once every two, three weeks just to check to see because I love the program. Yeah. >> And I would talk to our kids
036and um it it it's really cool that they have that opportunity to invest themselves in a trade. Uh it's so important. There was an architecture classroom that we like sat in on where they were literally creating a building. Yeah. >> Um with numerous things in the building to that would that would do well in a certain area. So the one that we looked at was a ch like a student in Dubai. He created a building on a certain corner based on the amount of traffic that was there based on and like they did this whole >> it's amazing >> assessment of like the traffic of the area um tourism what sells what doesn't sell um not only so not only did they have to like so they they had to do so much research and
037then they had to create a building and like price it out I mean it was just >> it was so like real life experience it was just incredible. A lot of them were I feel like Bosei sometimes still gets a bad rap, but like like every child we were student, not every child, every student we were speaking to was going on to further their education. >> Um, so like going to college or going abroad or doing >> or apprenticeship, you know, or apprenticeship. The particular program we were doing, I was I we didn't have anybody in apprenticeship, but there were definitely a lot of other opportunities. But it's not it it's a stepping stone sometimes like you know I think it's awesome >> to give you I don't know I just I feel like sometimes
038it gets a bad rap but it's such an incredible opportunity >> and it should be utilized. People should look into it. >> Thank you. >> Um just a couple of things. Um, so I want to encourage our board uh and the district to continue to whenever possible bring students to meetings to be able to be celebrated. Um, I think it's really important. I think kids coming to meetings helps us to ensure that we're centered on what matters most, which is our kids. Um, and there's always something to be celebrated in Putham Valley because we do really great work here. So, um, I would love to see a little bit more of that happen next year. Um, additionally, uh, just on the celebratory notice, we have 85 students participating in NISMA this year, which is absolutely
039amazing. So, for those of you who don't know, that's where a student um goes uh to essentially be judged by a music educator who they don't know. They have to prepare a piece that is usually very challenging. Our music teachers work um with the students on their own time to try to make sure that they're well prepared. Um and historically they've done very very well in those adjudication sessions and so we have 85 students participating. That's a really big deal. Um additionally we were also once again I don't know how many years in a row it is but awarded uh one of the best communities in music education. >> I think every year >> I think it's been like every year since it existed right so we continue to uh take that in stride and
040and kudos to our music department for all that they do uh for our students. Um I recently attended the high school steering committee meeting. Uh again we're doing really great work around uh just you know what does grading actually mean? What should it mean? What should it look like for various departments at the high school level? Um to ensure that the grades that students are getting are reflective of what they have learned in the classroom. um you know in education we've the pendulum has swung um specifically post pandemic has swung to the side of things social emotional learning more than what you know academic rigor is actually supposed to look like and I think everybody is ready to get back to a more balanced approach to understanding what grading represents um and that would be
041inclusive of students and teachers um and parents and so um we've done some great work this year I want to congratulate Mr. Nin and the science department at the high school. They did a model for the other departments around what um uh unified grading could look like in a department. Um it's very challenging to do across departments at the high school level because the nuances of how English is graded versus how science is graded is different, right? Um but certainly within a department there should be continuity and so that work is happening um and is really moving forward. Um and it's really very exciting to see because now students will really have a true understanding of what their grade means at the end of a quarter at the end of the year. >> So will
042they get that like at the beginning of the year like like >> that's essentially what it is is a syllabus. Yes. That we're um now there are syllabi already created at the high school in different departments but essentially it's revamping them to just ensure that if there's uh multiple teachers that are teaching the same course that one teacher doesn't have 20 assignments and the other has 10. >> Right. Right. >> Right. Yeah. like those things need to be there needs to be consistency amongst courses and and within departments as much as possible. And then we've also talked about things that are um needing to be more consistent across the building. Um things like our late policy for work and how teachers are handling that. Um you know, it can be confusing to students if everybody
043has a different way of doing things. So um I'm very proud of um the team uh that's leading the steering committee. They're doing a great job. Mr. Dr. Melo has been incredibly involved and when he's not available, Dr. Payne has been there as well. Um, so there's an evident support from administration to be able to do this work and I think that's critical. So, uh, really great work there. I will be also attending the elementary steering committee which is coming up in the next week or so. Um, and then the student vote. Our students are going to get to vote on Mason the dog's middle name which >> the mighty >> according to Sam should be Mason the mighty. that's his vote. So, uh, please make sure that your kiddos come out, uh, with you.
044That's the caveat. They've got to come out with you as a parent, uh, to be able to vote that day, um, as a, you know, family experience for our democratic process. Um, so we'll have the voting open to students. Um, I think we're going to start at 7 a.m., I believe, is what we talked about. So, 7:00 a.m. uh, till 9:00 p.m. the booth will be open for students to be able to vote. Um there'll be decorations, picture opportunities, ballots for filling out and lots of fun. And and also the students will be doing a lesson around um what voting means. That's uh age appropriate. Students are on the high school steering committee. >> Yes, they are. Elelliana's one of them. >> Okay. Did the grading conversation was it brought by students? Was it partially?
045Yeah. Do you want to speak to that? >> Yeah. >> It's okay. >> Talk about you've been there every every time since. >> So, start. Why don't you talk about the inconsistencies that you talked about in the beginning? >> Um, well, we talk about how like some people like depending on like who their teacher is, like they can be in like the same class but get completely different like grades in it and like you can have like a a teacher put an assignment like the day before the quarter is done, like have no assignments until the day before. than some people it's like like a lot. Um and then it could like change like who you want as your teacher and like the just like the relationship between it and because of how inconsistent it
046is. >> So it's more assignments than grades or is there also discrepancy in grading that students? >> It was about the actual grade that the teacher gives. It's just like the assignments and like how many tests and like what their late policy is. Do they accept late work? >> Is it completion based? Is it like correctness? >> So, do you feel that the work that was done was going is going to be beneficial to students? I know you guys are building it for the next you're building the boat for the next team. But >> yeah, >> do you think it will be beneficial? >> Yeah, I think it will help. I mean, and it's going to be like I guess different, but >> but more work needs to be done like next year. I mean
047it's not finished correct. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Oh yes. Very big project. >> Very like I cannot even tell you the immense grander of this project that it it's starting small but will infiltrate my hope is that it will infiltrate the entire high school. Um because a student shouldn't be in a class receiving um good marks all year and then take a final assessment and not do well because now a parent thinks that all is well and doesn't necessarily have the opportunity to check in about something that might be happening if it looks like their child is getting 90s all year and then when they're faced with an assessment at the end of the year they bomb that assessment. And so that's one of the places where this conversation began from the parent perspective
048and then the student perspective was more so about just the consistency in what's happening in classrooms especially when they are the same class. Um, and so it's a huge project and I am so proud of the high school for committing to this work. And when I tell you the people on this team, both parents, teachers, and students that are committed to this work are are really in it to ensure that the future of what grading looks like at Putham Valley is equitable, that it makes sense, that it's also rigorous in nature, and that there's a scale of rigor, right? as we um prepare students for college. Um we talked about the difference in rigor between IB classes and nonIB classes, between AP classes and nonAP classes. So there there's just been a tremendous amount of
049wonderful conversation that is actually providing action and I think that's the biggest piece. >> Okay. >> I have a few comments about that one. Um, how is there was a movement a while ago, I can't remember when, um, related to grading with equity, um, based on not on students not having the same opportunities at home, um, thus creating disparities in grading. >> How is our school I I don't actually know. Is our school participating? Like does it follow this like equity for grading? Um and if that is the case, how how is that impacting how grades will be given and applied across classes? >> Sure. So the the high school I think over the course of two years did a book study on grading for equity. Um I think what you're seeing now the conversations
050that are taking place now is sort of trying to um take those individual lessons and what those teachers learned from that book and now put that into look at it through like a systematic approach. Right? So while I think that book study changed individual teachers perspectives and how they grade or how they view grading or how they value grading, now what we're doing is going the next step from the individual to now looking to do it across a department. Right? So now we're looking to take those same lessons and apply um apply that equitably across departments. The issue is not every teacher left that book study with the same feelings and the same beliefs. And now I think the work that Crystal's talking about is now you're trying to align people who may have very
051diverse perspectives about grading, right? Whether if it's a day late, you get zero or whether I'll take it late and I'll give you full credit or whether you get half the credit. People feel very strongly about teacher autonomy and how they roll in their classroom. And it's it's a huge lift to try to align teachers across a department to agree to a common set of expectations. But I think Greg Crystal pointed out, I think we owe it to parents to be able to for the grade report card grade that students go home with to reflect their ability to do well on an assessment. Right? So if you think your kid's an honor student in um science all year long because they come home with a 95 and then get a 5500 regions, that's an issue.
052And I think everyone acknowledges that being an issue. So the work now is trying to align grading across departments um so that everybody has a sort of a fair look as to where they are excelling and where they need improvement. So the whole a lot of the big push back on that grading for equity was that people perhaps were not given appropriate feedback uh based on or appropriate maybe not appropriate is the wrong wrong word. um assignments and grades based on having to know things that they were not getting things wrong based on like be because that was like the whole push, you know, like to give everybody a fair chance so that some so is is the push forward more towards aligning with that book or is the push away from back to like
053what I was learned where if you didn't know it, you got a bad grade. if you didn't hand it in, it's a bad grade. So, who's who's creating that balance between like this grading for equity versus actual assessments? And >> yeah, I think the movement is definitely towards the lessons learned from that book. Now, grading systems, grading scales was a very small portion of the content within that book, right? It goes a lot deeper um to much more sort of uh holistic type topics. >> Totally. Um but regarding grading scales and expectations, I think that the movement is moving in a direction towards um being consistent regarding how many assignments we have, how heavily weighted exams are versus homework, how what the expectations are, how many assignments you have. Um, it's really to come up
054with equity across grade levels so that students, it's a bad situation where if the teacher your students assigned to determines their ability to score really well on the report card versus >> much more difficult to score well and that that shouldn't be the case based upon which class you end up in. >> Right. I just want to make sure there's like accountability like what you said like >> if we're >> I don't these words sound bad and I don't necessarily mean it but if there's like fluffy grading throughout the year and it's across the thing across the board in each department when we get to the assessments at the end and when we're trying to figure out whether or not people are >> literate and can do math are these assignments and these grades going
055to reflect >> So I think the question that you're asking um can be answered with this. The book grading for equity talks about very specific topics that truthfully I I think some of the push back in that time was really related because to people not being able to put their heads around that because >> things were being done so inconsistently. And it's not necessarily a bad thing in a high school that teachers are the shepherds of their classroom and the shepherds of their grades. that's not um unique to this building, I would say. Um but in looking at instruction that's driven by data, you can't really do anything until you actually lay level the playing field to ensure that students are getting as similar of an experience in classroom A than in classroom B if
056it's the same course. And so right now that's what we're doing is to just level the playing field logistically with these things that are very tangible. How many assignments are in a quarter? Um because you know first of all we have to determine what are the disparities does within a department how many assignments is each teacher giving in the courses that they teach. Looking at that data and then coming up with this which is what the science department did. they came up with a um solution, right? Taking all of the ideas of the people who teach those courses to be able to create a framework for that department for just actual grading and what a grade will mean as far as is it indicative of learning, how is it indicative of learning, right? Um, it's
057less about right now the disparities that happen when people come from different backgrounds because you can't make that determination until you have a level playing field. And so that's part one. Part two that we've talked about is norming our grading practices. So once um the systems are are equalized then teachers have to work together to essentially score together to say am I scoring this if it's on a rubric of 012 am I scoring this a two but you're scoring it a one and five >> right and then comes the work once that's all done it's like a triangle right foundation first at the top of that work is really now based on that how are our kids performing based on what they bring to the table that is applicable to what we do in school
058and where do we need to build in equity so that they have a fair shot based on what they're coming in with. So, it's layered and that's why it's so hard >> um because it's a huge project and again I will say I'm so proud of the high school team for taking it on and they're doing a really great job. So, one step at a time. So it's been proven that in order to make change happen, you have to have buyin from all from the people who the change is happening to. Um what kind of buyin do you have from the teachers? >> So that's an ongoing conversation. Um I will say that the steering committee this year in every building is very teacher run. Um which is a little bit of a shift than
059in previous years that I've sat on steering committees. Um and it's wonderful because this conversation actually came from the teachers. And that's I think what Dr. left is trying to say that because of the book study that was done, I think that there was light shed on that we can do some work around this and it will be good for kids, it will be good for parents, it will be good for teachers. Um because as a new teacher, one of the benefits of doing this work is as a new teacher, when you're handed a syllabus that says you need to do 10 assignments for quarter one and 10 assignments for quarter two and four quizzes and two like it just it makes it so much more palatable to be able to figure life out as
060a new teacher and also ensure that there's continuity in instruction. Um so there's a lot of benefits to doing this work. buyinwise, I I think it's there um because it really only helps everyone. However, and this this is just the last thing I'll say, >> the autonomy that Dr. Lu was speaking about is ve it is and I will I'll be the first to say it's very important not only in every teacher's life, but also like I think more so in secondary teachers lives because sometimes what they teach is so unique. Um there's a lot of singleton courses that happen in a high school and so they have to kind of have domain over how they're doing things in their room. But when there are multiple sections of a course, there has to be that
061through line of um alignment, right? And so what we're trying to do is build a happy medium where the language is not so tight that it still gives teachers autonomy, but it also does level the playing field. And when you do this with things that are very tangible like the number of assignments there's there's no opinion about that. It's a number. It's very quantitative. It's not qualitative. Right? And so it's easier for people to grasp I think which is why we chose to start there and then go to the more philosophical stuff later. >> Okay. I think it's just important to balance the autonomy with the accountability and it's >> absolutely I don't know that I necessar I don't have the right answer I'm just interested >> you and I are on the same page
062about that for sure because accountability is everything but >> right >> the the bigger piece is just that those grades >> if they're indicative of learning throughout the year they're they're going to point to what a child will get on an assessment >> yeah absolutely >> and if those two things don't match >> in a like maybe they won't match perfectly But they should be within a tenth a tenth percentile. >> Right. If you're scoring high throughout the year, you should score high on which is not always the case. For sure. >> What is exciting is that everybody at least that's on the steering committee including teachers are very excited about this work and I was very encouraged to see one department choose to move in this direction and work together to build a model.
063That's the key to buyin is when teachers are doing the work, they see other teachers doing the work and then they get excited. So I'm just like over the moon about this project. is great. >> I think you've convinced me to join the steering committee as long as they don't always meet during the day, but I will try. >> So, I think the hope is equitable grading systems. Sort of the next step from that is common assessments, right? So, equitable grading systems could generate common assessments. Common assessments are tied to individual standards. Yep. So, if we have common assessments to individual standards, now we're having teachers uh having informed instruction, knowing exactly where their students stand tied to standards, the same standards that appear on the assessment at the end of the school year. And
064that's when you really start to be able to empower teachers with data to drive their instruction to know where their students stand. And that will become a much more reliable predictor of student success at the end of the year than what we currently have now which is not common assessments, not time to standards, not the data analysis is not done after each assessment and it >> doesn't give us the same >> right >> prediction of student success in the future. >> That was a really good explanation. Thank you. >> Just so exciting. >> Yeah. Great. And when it doesn't match, sometimes it's because the assessments that we're looking at are state assessments that >> right, which >> are they can be well written or not, >> right? And >> I took the fourth grade science
065test and >> and I am pretty good at fourth grade science, but >> the questions were the fifth grade >> tricky. Like I don't know who wrote them, but like what were you thinking? A 10-year-old is reading this. Yeah. you know. So >> I I also just on that note I want to say that this is not about at all teaching to a test. >> That is not what this is. >> That's another complication. >> This is about building quality instruction and more so quality instructional systems that allow teachers to do exactly what Dr. I've just talked about which is to look at data on the masses to determine where are our strengths in our standards right now. Where are the weaknesses? Or perhaps there is one teacher that's really strong in one standard or
066or students in that class that look like they're really strong in one standard. What's happening in that room? Let's send everybody to go see it. Right? That's the power of data is the collaboration that can happen amongst teachers um once it's it's being analyzed. But you can't analyze data unless it's good data. And so you have to make sure that things are comparable first. And so you know we're starting from the I feel like we're starting from the ground up just because it hasn't been looked at in a really long time. >> Um but when people are committed to it, it goes really really fast actually. So >> now the students that will serve next year on next year's committee are are it's all seniors the students on the committee correct? >> Yes. >> No.
067>> Right. >> Is there a junior? >> Okay. So a couple of juniors we have that will hopefully >> that helps with the bridges. >> They haven't been as consistent but they will hopefully continue. >> Okay. >> And they have brilliant ideas. Brilliant ideas. >> Um my watch is talking to me. >> Yeah. Yes. >> Okay. Uh >> yeah, thank you. >> Good. Good to go. >> Um okay, so we got a letter from Cheryl Brady. She's our director uh of area 10, which is our uh West Westchester Putinham School Boards Association area. Um she's been a great um she's been really responsive um and sends out really good newsletters and stuff. She would like to run again, but the board would have to not send her a nomination on district letterhead. I have what
068what's required on it. Um, does anybody have any objections to us nominating her? >> No, >> I do not. >> Okay, I'll give that to Moren. Um, the town board meeting that you're going to on the 13th, 5:00, they're going to start the discussion with EV buses. Correct. >> Five o'clock. Yes. because I could probably be there a half an hour before I had to leave to go to Boseies. But >> the it's a work session and uh they only do the public announcements at their their actual business meeting. >> So, you're going to be at the work session? >> I'm I'm going to go to the work session because there's a couple of issues that uh are going on that I I I want to ask them some questions about. Um the 27th is
069their actual meeting where they would ask the fire department, ambulance, library, school to talk. Yeah. >> I'm going to be at the course concert that night. That's why I'm going on the 13th, you know, to let them know my concerns about a couple of issues. >> So I had planned to go to the 13th as well. >> Barbara, if you want to go >> to the 13th for a half an hour. I don't know that it's feasible for us to do that though. there's no like we're not going to be able to do much. So, okay. So, then on the 27th I can go and cover uh that month. >> That's where you need to do the presentation >> and that's where I will talk about um EV buses. Okay. Um but you're you're not
070going to be there, right? >> Not on the 27th the 13th. If there's anything that um anybody would like to add, we can start, >> you know, uh a collaboration so that we ensure that we're >> right >> giving all the information possible that we have at the moment. >> Uh all right, let's see. Uh I wanted to mention again the meet the candidates night tomorrow night at 7 o'clock um at the library and we appreciate the library for hosting. Um, okay. So, this is the end of the year when I start harassing people about evaluations. So, we have to evaluate Dr. Luft and we have to evaluate ourselves as a board. >> Yeah. >> So, I went on board do uh >> is it set up? >> Uh, super eval. And it's set up,
071but you have to scroll down in the dates. Make sure you pick the year that we're in. >> Yeah. >> Um, and pick the board self-ealuation. So, I'd like to have the board's self-ealuations by May 28th. >> Oh, no problem. >> Um, >> will you be sending a reminder email? >> I will send Huh. I was sending >> sending a reminder email. >> I will. I asked Dr. Lu if he could have his self-evaluation done by the 28th. As soon as he has that done, I will get it to you. And I need like by June 8th. So, it only gives you a week to do Dr. Love. So, if you could like in your head set aside two hours. I know I have to go through Dr. Luff's uh self-evaluation um because on the
07211th of June, which is a board meeting, I want to have an executive session with him going over his evaluation. >> Okay. You want our evaluation with >> your the board self evaluation by the 28th >> that I have and then Dr. >> Dr. Lu is due on the 28th and I will get it by the evaluate himself before you can Do you want it again? >> You when do you want it from us for >> the the eth? The 28th for board evaluation and the eth for Dr. >> So we like scaffold them. So the first one the self eval has to be done by the team and then on the same day that you hand that one in your next assignment do I mean your next assignment will be handed to you. >>
073Thank you. >> So that'll be my have another >> is there a syllabus for that? >> We already have three two things on the eth. I'm not doing any of them, but we already have two for the board. So, adding a third seems like a task. >> I'm really sorry. >> He is going to the eighth grade. You're going to the whoop zisba >> WPS, >> right? >> The eighth grade thing is not on the calendar, >> but he just >> a lot on the eth. >> It has to be done before that. >> So, by the 8th that be clear anytime before that >> and you know, I'll send you a little reminder notes. >> Would love that. >> Say, please get this done. I'm trying to put other reminders on. >> Um, I
074also wanted to mention that New York State has passed its eighth budget extender. >> So, we are Dr. Chen and Dr. Lu have done this budget with their fingers crossed that we're that the state budget is going to come in on time, but it's not. So, um, it makes it terribly difficult, I think, to plan a budget when you don't know what your state figures are. >> Um, so I'd like to thank both Dr. Love, uh, Dr. Chen, and their associates for all the work they do trying to figure out what is the state going to do in a month. Um, so I just wanted to say that >> I just want to point out we don't get any extensions for our school budget vote. >> I know. So even though we don't know how
075much money we're getting from the state, we have to just make it up. >> Certainly makes it more complicated >> to not know how much money we're getting before we vote on the school budgets. >> Why I don't do your job. >> Can't even begin to imagine. >> Okay, I think that's it for me. >> I think I asked this last time, but I don't remember. Who is anybody from the board going to meet the commissioner? >> At least one person. >> I am. And but I'm going to be ready if Dr. Lu gives you the high sign that The crowd is getting too big. Please leave. I'll be happy to leave. I I'm going to go. But >> so we did change the structure a little bit. We had a planning meeting with representatives
076from the commissioner's office earlier this week. Um my fear was if we're going to tour classrooms, I can't really be parading 37 adults into classrooms where kids are learning. Um we did transition away from that, at least at the high school. The initial piece is going to include um what I would call like a gallery walk up in the high school library. We have some of our students uh presenting whether it be their science research for their CAST or TOK projects, their skill of biiteracy. We're going to have representatives from different clubs available there to speak. We really want to highlight some of the both the academic as well as the student leadership opportunities that exist here in the high school. So that environment is certainly more conducive to a larger crowd. So I would
077say anybody who wants to attend is welcome to attend that. >> Have you invited our board reps? Uh Jackie already has them scheduled to lead. They're actually leading the tour >> for you. >> You guys are leading the tour. >> They are meeting the commissioner at the front door. Well, if you check your email, Jackie is probably sending it right now. >> That's why Jackie wanted to see that. >> That's wonderful. >> It's after the circus that takes place outside the building beforehand and the parade and the balloons and >> fly over. >> Oh my god. >> I feel like that has to make you feel so good. confidence your district has in you to lead. >> Well, some of them are wonderful. >> So, what time is the the gallery? >> The plan is
078to start at 8 >> 40. We'll say she's supposed to arrive at 8:30. Um, so our plan is to start that kind of gallery walk in the high school library around 8:40. Um, but I will say that we cannot take everyone on our tour of classrooms. >> Um, so some will have to stay behind. >> Okay. Okay. >> Anything else? >> It might be a fire hazard to have so many people walking down the hallway together. >> So, um, did you want us there or No, >> you're welcome to come. Absolutely. >> I already I told the commissioner's office, >> you know, to go. >> I told the commissioner's office that we had already extended the invite to our board members. >> Okay. >> So, yes. >> So, if we don't show up, we look
079delinquent. >> Oh, >> no. You people have to work. >> I'm just kidding. >> I'll write Do you want me to write your note? >> I need the note. Um, I will do my best. Um, and good luck to the candidates for their meet the candidates. >> Good luck to you. >> It's the thing you hate to do the most. >> My god, it was so hard. >> I know. But it is so important. Really, it is. So, >> um, >> it was so hard. >> Even though it's, you know, other than jumping out of your car to push those signs in to our rocky roads in Buttonham Valley. I brought my daughter last time I did it. You hop out and put them >> remembering where you put them to pick them up. Yes,
080>> that was a hard one, too. >> Or maybe where they were supposed to have been and are no longer there. >> Oh, I just want to say one thing about that. Um, I really am so grateful to have another person running. I think it's important. Um, and it's wonderful to see members of our community stepping up. I don't believe that it should ever be just a person sliding into a position because there was no one else. Um, it's really great to see that we have community members that are willing to do this work. So, thank you. >> Anything else? >> Good to go. >> Okay. I need a motion to adjurnn. >> So, move >> second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? >> I >> Good night. Good night.