001Good evening and welcome to the work session business meeting of the board of education April 7th to 2026. Please stand for the pledge. We are going to be led today by the science fair students and we're so glad that they're here with us tonight. 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. >> Outstanding. >> Thank you. Do you want to you want to introduce them or you want me to or >> we're going to do them first? Right. >> Yep. >> So, we're so excited to have the Putnham Valley Elementary School Science Fair projects and students here to present to us. Um, you know, again, I I learn something new every time
002I come into this building or into any of our buildings. Um, and I was really impressed tonight. So, we're going to recognize the students. We're going to ask you to come up and tell us a little bit about your project, maybe the name and sort of what it was about so we have some kind of an idea of of what it is that you're interested in. All right. So, good evening everyone and thank you all for coming. We're very excited to have an audience here. It gets lonely here most nights. There's Mark and Mark and some Dan sometimes get a couple others. Joe Joe's always here loyal. Um, so thank you all for coming and it's obviously a very exciting night for us to be able to celebrate some of our very talented future engineers
003and scientists. So, thank you all for taking time to be here this evening. Um, but none of this would be possible if it wasn't for the leadership provided by Miss Pros and Miss Bruno. So, I want to invite them both up here. >> You got you your own mic, please. So, we're going to take this opportunity to call up each of the students and then they can say a little something about their project in the mic and then we have a certificate to give everyone and then at the end we'll have all everyone line up in front of the de and we'll take a picture and so we'll have a photo op for everyone. Sound good? >> Fantastic. >> All right. Thank you. It's all yours. >> Oh, here we go. Hi everyone. Thanks for
004coming. Um before we call our friends up and they get to tell us about their amazing projects, we just want to say congratulations again. We're super proud of all of you. You guys rock the science fair. You really are amazing scientists and we hope that you continue to be amazing and push yourselves and then one day we'll see you at the high school science symposium which is coming up next week. By the way, if anybody wants to attend um and yeah, so here we go. Let's call up some friends. All right. I'm going to skip the people who were unable to attend and we'll come back to them at the end. Okay. So, first up, we're going to have Aaria Becttel. Come on up, AARIA. >> You can introduce yourself and just tell us really
005quickly about your project. Okay. >> Hi, my name is Zarya Beal. I have made a cereal and milk dispenser. Why I um why I made the cereal and milk dispenser is if my mom hasn't made anything for breakfast or um if you want something to eat quickly forgot. Congratulations. >> Nice job. >> Awesome. Next we have a duo. We have Charlie Cannon and Max Martinelli. Come on up, GUYS. >> HI, my name is Charlie Cannon. This is my partner, >> Max Martinelli. Our project was named the Big Bounce. And our question was, we think the gym floor will allow the basketball to bounce the highest. And our hypothesis was, we think the gym floor will allow the basketball to bounce the highest. Um, and our results were we had the gym floor bouncing the HIGHEST
006>> right here. Charlie, >> how are you? >> Next up, we have Thomas Bell. Hi, my name is Thomas Bell and my project was about photographic memory and the results were we took all the data and the high school students had the best memory. Here you go. Congratulations. >> All right. Next, we have another partnership. We have Margaret Hendershot and BAILEY MIN. HI, MY NAME IS MARGARET Hendershot Bailey Malon and we did the apple oxidation experiment. So our if you slice an apple, they turn brown quickly. So our experiment was to determine which liquid makes the apple not turn brown quickly. >> Excellent. Up next we have our friend Felix Kluga Glickman. Come on up. Hello. My name is Felix Kuga Glickman and my project was about woodf frogs. Um I did a series of
007experiments to see how pollution would affect wood frogs. And turns out that it can greatly affect them if the lake is very polluted. >> Awesome. Next up, we have Andis Lee. Hello, my name is Andis Lee and my science fair project was to determine which household environment had the most germs. >> Love it. EXCELLENT. >> Up next, we have Tyler Pastula. Hi, my name is Tyler Pesoula and my experiment was on how long do different foods last in the refrigerator. Most foods would last four to 5 days in the refrigerator. And since mold needs moisture to grow, raspberries, broccoli, and chicken grew faster on swamp number two because they were in the refrigerator for longer. And the more mold spores grow when they're faster in the refrigerator. So, don't keep those leftovers for too long.
008Right. Mrs. Bruno learned that about the pizza that you had shared because that was not a good idea. All right. Up next, we have Daniela Picone. Hi, I'm Daniellea Picone and my project was does dog sense of smell change with age? And my hypothesis was that I think Cleo, the younger dog, will find the bacon faster than Zeus. And my hypothesis was correct. Next up, we have Brian Ramirez. Hello, my name is Brian Ramirez and my project was about dinosaur tales. My hypothesis was tail one would have the most knockdown fors and my hypothesis was correct. Um my thought was because the tail is would drag on the floor and knock down the blocks from a lower point. >> Excellent. CONGRATULATIONS. And last but not least, we have Brooklyn Richards. Come on up. >> Hi,
009my name is Brooklyn Richards and my science project was about making a baby toy for a six-month-old. I made a toy that would help a a six-month-old's brain develop and would be fun for them. Congratulations. And we just want to recognize a few friends who were unable to attend tonight. We had Luca Antinet, we had Sammy Auster, and >> James Lennon. So those three friends couldn't be here, but they did amazing things about 3D printing. >> Just want to quickly one say you guys did an amazing job. you make our job much easier when you are so willing to learn and grow. So kudos to you. You did an amazing job. Thank you to all the parents for all of the support. And we really want to thank our high school crew, not only the
010students, but uh Coach Westervelt, who has a lot going on with her own high school research program in the high school. um she is so willing to give and learn what fourth grade scientists look like. She's going to have them soon. Um so we're really grateful for her collaboration. She made it a really nice experience. So congratulations guys. I don't think anybody's here. >> Janette, did you want to say something? And can I just say that you guys all did a great job just now presenting your information. There's a lot of adults that would not even get up to do that and you guys did an amazing job not only with your experiments seeing them at the elementary school and here but how you're presenting yourself today. So congratulations Mr. O. You have anything to
011say? No, just uh I got to say young people and I I saw many of you at the elementary school when you were setting up and practicing uh and then to see you tonight. Even that little bit of time between the practice and now you've grown exponentially. It's just amazing the knowledge that you carry with you. You're going to be great scientists. You're going to be great engineers. You're going to be great instructors. I I'm I'm aed. I really am aed. Thank you so much. >> Sasha, do you want to say anything? >> Did you learn anything tonight, Sasha? >> Oh my god, I learned so many things. Um, one being that I can lick my toilet seat, but not my dog's mouth. Um, which is really sad. Um, but I am so proud to
012see the young people. Um, and I love that our teachers and parents are so willing to work with um, the students to come up with these incredible hypotheses. And I love to see the difference in interest. It goes from dinosaur tales to baby toys to germs to woodf frogs. It's all incredibly interesting. And I love going through them and hearing everybody's takes. And I love seeing that you tried. And sometimes your hypothesis was incorrect. And I'd like to see where you guys are going to take it next. And I bet I'll be seeing you guys do the uh science research projects in the future. >> Yeah. >> All right. You guys want to line up in front of the table there? >> Yeah. Let me get out. >> I don't want to be in it.
013I just stand over >> Are we hiding? >> Nope. Come on, girls. Get in. >> This is This is our favorite event of the year, by the way. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Hold your your certificates out front so everyone can see them. >> There you go. >> Lock the other kids faces. >> Make sure you look at the right camera. All people all talented >> which everyone belongs to your parents. >> Very good. >> All right. GREAT. >> Thank you guys. >> Great job, guys. >> We do continue to push for signs for the middle school. I will always. >> Thank you guys. totally. I love it. And I would like to high school. >> Yeah. We're just giving our young scientists and their families a chance to go home. Although we'd love to
014have them stay. >> Hey, look. It's Mark, Mark, and Joe. Like I said, >> I'm Dan. >> Technically, Dan gets paid to be here. >> Yeah. >> Did you girls do the science fair when you were in fourth grade? Do you remember? >> Yeah. >> Do you remember what your topic was? >> I did something about like oobleck. It's like this thing you touch and it gets solid and then it gets um liquid. >> I don't really I don't remember much about it though. I made lava lamps, but I don't really remember much. These are definitely a lot better than what I >> Yeah, they're good. They were good. >> Really? >> Yeah. And so different. It's really very good. Anyway, um I'd like to open it up to public comment on the listed agenda
015items. >> Okay, then we're going to move to the consent agenda. Mr. Resolve to approve the consent agenda items 2 through six as presented to the board at this meeting. >> Questions or comments? The consent agenda includes approval of the previous meeting minutes, approval of additional or unpaid hours for various staff members, which includes a leave a few days leave of absence for a staff member, approving RISE program team meetings for and the elementary springtime reading academy teachers and staff that work that and also approving additional duties for Dr. Vodesta, Mr. Melo, and Miss Lavine at no additional compensation. appointing them as title nine decision maker and appeal decision makers. The uh titles go between all three of them. Also approving the superintendent of schools to enter salary letters of agreement for the upcoming school
016year for those individuals who do not are not part of a union. Approving entry into a contract for student transportation and an SOA between the district and the PBFT which is an online course program platform for three students as part of their IB program studies. Thank you. Any questions or comments? >> I do have a question. Um, and a comment. I think it's great that there we were able to find some sort of middle ground on the Mandarin sort I'm not going to call it a problem, but the Mandarin >> course of study. >> Yep. Course of study on Mandarin. Um, I am interested in how it's going to work. Will there be a faculty member or is it going to be sort of an independent study? Just curious. So, it's an online it's actually
017the only online approved platform that IB will grant credit for. So, they essentially participate in an online IB class. So, it's provided by a teacher who's certified in IB, just not one that's physically in front of them. >> Okay? >> So, they're scheduled to take the class. They uh will be scheduled into a sort of a classroom, probably the library during that time, and will be able to participate uh to complete it. The promise we made were these are students that were far into the Mandarin program uh before we lost Miss Lum. So, we thought it was important to provide them an avenue to continue, especially if they're pursuing whether it be IB credit for an HL class or whether it be the IB IB diploma. We didn't want to have students midway through their
018program and and run out of options and have to switch somewhere else. So, we're appreciative that the teachers union was willing to sign on and uh we want to make sure we're supporting those students uh throughout their process. How many? >> So this is for next year. >> Next year. And three students maximum >> and that's the last year that this will be offered. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Well, sorry. These students will be going through their junior year. So if they continue, they would have a two-year option to complete it because it would be junior and senior year if they want to get the IB credit for it. >> Yeah, that's that's fair for those students who have put so much effort in in previous years. So you want them to continue
019that. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I oppose extensions. The resolutions pass. Um reports. Um students, did you have a good restful week? >> Yeah, >> we're glad to see you back. >> There's been four whole days of school since we were last here. >> Yes. So, we don't have we don't have much, but the spring musical, Into the Woods, is on April 17th, April 18th, and April 19th. >> And then Friends Network went bowling. I don't remember if I said that last time. And I'm going to Quinnipak for nursing. That's it. >> Yay. Congratulations. >> Yay nurses. You know I'm a nurse. >> You are? >> I am a nurse. >> Really? Nurse. >> Yes. I've done lots of nursing. I was an ICU nurse and now I do
020homebased primary care. If you have any questions, happy to answer. >> I had no idea. >> I love nursing. It's a great career. >> Um yeah. So what are we now almost middle of just the beginning of April. So, we've got some time left. Okay, Dr. Lu. >> Uh, so good evening again, everyone. I uh welcome back from spring break. While my um older child is one year younger than our board reps, I spent some of spring break visiting colleges as well. As terrifying as that sounds, um I would love for my son to go to Quinnipiac. So, you might have to give a tour one day. Um but here we are back at it. So, my update is very short. We've only had a couple uh school days since we last met, but just
021a reminder, the commissioner of education has requested a visit to our schools. She's heard a lot about the great things we are doing here, and I know we've rescheduled a couple times, but she's currently scheduled to tour all three of our buildings on Monday, May 11th. So, that's something we're looking forward to. We're hoping to get some nice positive press out there and uh celebrate some of the amazing things we do here in Putham Valley. So many other upcoming events. The Putham County Youth Awards dinner is this Thursday. Uh so you have a student Jacob Lash from uh PBHS will be honored. I know Mr. Melo will be there present. Our Pton Valley Education Foundation has their spring gala scheduled for Sunday, April 12th. And they'll be recognizing a few people that may be familiar
022with you. Uh Mr. Sam Olivero, Miss Barbara Parmaly, and Miss Liz Bros. So, we congratulate them and we thank the education foundation for recognizing their efforts on behalf of the students of Putnham Valley. Some upcoming events. The high school has their poetry jam during the community lunch. Either you participating no poetry, no jams, no. >> You don't have to look so terrified. >> Elementary school recorder concert April 15th. You more interest there? You remember how to play your recorder? If you had to pick one of the two, what are you doing? You doing the recorder or the poetry jam? >> Yeah. Hot cross buns on the >> All right. Fair. I'm with you. >> It's like muscle memory. It'll go riding a bike. It'll come right back. >> And as we have discussed, the High
023School Musical Into the Woods is scheduled for April 17th, 18th, and 19th. So, we're looking forward to that. That's it. Oh, wait. I did want to talk about something else. Um, so there's actually been a lot of conversation. This started last uh before the break during the listening hour and I think at court continued into the board meeting, but there has been a lot of conversation out in the community regarding the district's debt service. I think my uh my public service announcement for this is this is nothing new. This is not a surprise. This is not money we were unaware of. Um this is not something that we have not been um well aware of and using responsibly over the last 10 plus years. So, I did a quick little uh spreadsheet with some research
024just to show where uh these funds have gone over the past several years. So, in 2015, the balance of our debt service was $6,765,771. So, that money was utilized to offset budgets during difficult years. So by using that debt service funds, that's less money we otherwise need to levy in taxes. Without having an opportunity to levy our own reserves to balance the budget, the district could quickly find itself in the position where we need to seek a supermajority vote to simply balance our books, which is something we very much want to um never get to. So the debt service funds have been utilized many times over those years to offset any imbalance within our budget so we can responsibly budget for the programs we need while still being cognizant of the impact those budgets will
025have on our taxpayers. So while those funds were $6.7 million, they were spent down to a low of $3.5 million. And then we actually reached a great place where we were um balancing our budget without the use or large uses of reserve funds. So while we may earmark some money from that debt service to balance our budget at the end of the year it was unneeded and a return to that fund. Um so it's really served the district and our taxpayers well over those years. Over the past several years since interest rates had increased uh that money has accred some interest over those years. So the fund has grown from a low of 2020 of 3.5 million back up to 4.1 million in 2025. But as Dr. Chan had already shared, we do have money
026earmarked out of the debt service again this year in our budget in order to create a balanced and responsible budget. So um I know there's lots of misinformation out there. I just want to caution anyone that this is not found money. It's not money that we were unaware of and it's certainly something that we have been diligently using for well over 10 years in order to balance our budget and to offset any potential impact on our taxpayers. So that's out there in the public and for Mark and Joe. So you guys report that out to the rest of the community, please. Thank you. >> That's a really good rate of return. Three million to 4.1 million. If you had $3.5 million in the bank, you as well could have seen that >> saying like that's
027a fantastic rate of return. I wish I had >> I have to say we actually and Dr. Jen could speak more to it than I can cuz I know she sits on the board, but we um we invest with other districts in sort of a consortium based investment fund and that offers a much greater rate of return than it would for an individual um taxpayer. >> Dorian cool. >> I don't know if you have anything you want to add on that but only that individuals are not allowed to invest in that. I already asked. I tried. >> Um I wanted to add something to your report if possible. Last week, last time when I wasn't here, I was at the all county um for the middle school for five and six for the chorus and
028the band. Um this was the first year that I went and it was really fantastic. Um the band, not that our band isn't f fantastic here, but it was like really I was shocked that these kids were, you know, 11 and 12. Um and the chorus, these kids had amazing amazing voices. Um and then they even had an orchestra. We don't have like a string thing, but they have an orchestra. And it was it was really cool. And I really like that people have the opportunity to come together with different um groups of schools and have a common thing that they love. Um, my son met a couple of other kids from different districts and I just thought it was really cool. >> Nice. >> And they played Star Wars, so you know, I love
029Star Wars. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Great. Um, to to Dr. Lu's point though and and Dr. Chen's um I also think it's important to notice that if we if we take money from reserve, it doesn't mean like, oh, all of a sudden we've got all this money and we're going to spend every cent we have. they they've been able to put some money back because we are constantly on the lookout for ways to save money and how to um budget better. Uh and I I think that that's really impressive. Um and and it allows us to build up a reserve for hard times when we when we need it. So >> also when you borrow borrow from the reserve, what you've done is um create a need to replace that. Not the reserve itself,
030but you're borrowing money. You're not raising it through taxes. You're not getting revenue from the state. You're literally taking it from the piggy bank and putting it in to your budget. Now the following year, how do you make that up? Where does that million or a million and a half or two million come from the next time? You either borrow from >> more of the reserve or you raise taxes. There's danger in using the reserve all the time. Uh, you know, using it moderately and uh with focus like we do in the district, that's safe. But biggest fight I used to get into with the town board and the legislature when I was on those was taking the reserve to where it's almost depleted. Then you're in a really a tough straight because that money's
031got to come from somewhere the following year and usually it's raising taxes. >> Paul Lee would have loved this. >> Yeah. Guff. >> Uh okay. Um, we're going to talk about the 2627 budget and vote information. >> Yep. So, I'm going to invite up Miss Bolino is going to talk a little bit about um when to vote, where to vote, what you'll be voting on, and how to register to vote if you have not yet done so. >> Okay. On Tuesday, May 19th, the community will be asked to vote on three items at the elementary school. Polls are open 6 a.m., close at 9:00 p.m. First one is the budget proposition. The second one is an election of a trustee. There's one seat available for a term beginning July 1st. It's a three-year term through
032June 30th, 2029. And also on the Putham Valley Town Library proposition, on the district website, we have links that can tell you whether you're registered to vote. If you're not registered to vote, you can also look up the forms here to send in to register. All voters must be registered by May 14th to vote in the May 19th election. You have to be a resident of the community for 30 days, be over the age of 18, be a US citizen, and not be in prison or have a felony conviction. To be a candidate for the board of education, a person needs to obtain a minimum of 45 signatures from qualified voters. that anyone can contact me and I can provide them with further information. Signed petitions are due back to me by 5:00 pm on
033Monday, April 20th. So, we urge everyone if they're not sure to please check to see if they're registered to vote and if not, there's plenty of time to still get registered. They can also stop by the district office any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. before May 14th and I can register them to vote, which would count in the general election and in the school elections. For those people that would like to obtain an absentee or an early mail ballot, it's a two-step process. An application must be submitted before the absentee or early mail ballot can be provided. I'm not allowed to accept the applications until after the the May 19th, excuse me, April 19th. So, next week we will be putting on the website the application process, but it has to be brought
034to me with an original signature and then I can provide a ballot to the person bringing it in or I can mail it to the voter directly to their home. >> Marine, real quick, if the board presidential board members isn't due till April 20th, how can that be available on the 19th? >> It's just the application. Okay, >> that's why I can't mail out the I can't mail out the ballots until all that is settled. Okay. >> But the applications are will be available the middle of the month, but I will not be mailing the ballots till after the 20th of April. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. You're welcome. >> And that's it. >> Okay. >> We do encourage anybody to register, everybody to register and to vote. Um Dr. Luff swears he's going
035to get more than 10% more community to vote. Um I wish him well. No, I I it's it's hard for me because I I think it's such a privilege that we have and you know, people just >> people have fought wars and struggled for, you know, years, centuries sometimes to to earn the right to vote and and then we don't sometimes. So, um >> I nominated Sam as the chair of the voter turnout committee. Uh >> he's got the greatest following. >> Did you find uh are the students going to do anything or you hadn't found out? Nobody said anything to you. >> Registered. >> You haven't heard anything? >> Yeah, we have to. >> I'm on it. >> Thank you. >> Good. Thank you. >> Um Okay. >> Yeah. If you're 18, vote. >>
036They register at 16. >> Yeah. Right. Right. They can't vote, but register at 16. >> Excellent. That's so interesting. >> Uh okay. Any other vote information. >> Okay. Uh the next is new business number one, please. >> Resolved by the Putnham Valley Board of Education to adopt a tenative budget for the 2026 27 school year in the amount of 65,254,332. second >> with two dollar signs >> and and $23 332. >> We have a second. Did you say I'm sorry? Questions or comments? >> We we will have the budget on the the website after this meeting. Correct. >> 900 p.m. tonight. >> Excellent. >> Everybody set your alarm. >> Thank you. for people have no nothing better to do than >> view of the budget. >> It's a really good, you know, if you need
037to >> It is a good budget. It's an excellent budget this year. >> Well, and it is a good budget. Um, >> okay. I'd like to open it up for public comment. >> We need to vote. >> Oh, I'm sorry. All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Um, yeah. I'd like to open up for public comment on any topic. Good evening everyone. My name is Joe Ferraro. I have uh just two things. One's uh uh budget and vote oriented. Um, primarily I just want to let uh the community know that the library will be holding budget information sessions uh at the library in our fireplace room on Saturday, April 25th at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 28th at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 6th at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 16th at 1 p.m.
038Plus, we have our final board meeting uh May Monday, May 18th at 7 p.m. the day before the vote. So if anybody has a last minute questions you can flood us all one person will show up. Uh so but uh and if you have any uh there'll be more information on the website putnobal.org and if you want to ask me anything specifically you can send an email to trustees atnobal library.org. Secondly, we are a week away from our deadline for um the Putnham Valley Library Board's uh scholarships for seniors. Uh we've put into place two scholarships, both $500 each. Uh one that's a creativity award to recognize a graduating senior demonstrates creativity, intellectual curiosity, artistic expression, writing innovation, or academic excellence. And the other one is a community connection award to recognize a graduating senior
039who has demonstrated leadership service or meaningful contributions to strengthen the Putnham Valley community. Uh on our website uh is there on the information for that as well as the guidance office has that information. That deadline again is the the 15th. Um we are looking forward to reviewing those and um giving a deserving senior or two uh that award. >> Thank you Joe. >> Thank you so much Father Valley >> scholarship. >> Good. Is that cash? >> Is that in cash? check. >> Nice. >> That's great. >> Listen, that's Uber money. >> $500 is Uber money. Like, I love it. >> It's great. >> It is. >> I like it. That's cool. Thanks. >> Okay. Um, upcoming meetings. Um, >> so our next meeting is scheduled for >> April 21st. That's our special business meeting. It's
040a Tuesday. Uh, prior to that meeting, we'll have our reception for our tenure recipients as well as our retirees. So, looking forward to another packed house to begin the meeting. At the end of the meeting, it'll probably be Mark, Mark, and Joe and Liz. Dr. How many retirees are there this year, including the um CSEA and and teachers? >> I would defer to my HR person who's not here. >> 17. >> I should have known as Moren, >> you know, cuz she's got to buy all this stuff. >> Wow. >> She buys this swag. >> That is a lot. >> They're gold watches now. Rolexes. >> Gold watches. >> Rolexes. Um, >> wow. 17. >> That's right. >> Yeah. I mean, it's getting close. I mean, that'll be those numbers the next few years, I
041would imagine. >> Pretty close to it. >> Do we always do Tuesdays in budget season? >> We do, right? >> Well, sometimes it corresponds with the Bosey's budget vote, which is a regional thing. So, every um board meeting gets moved to Tuesdays. And this Tuesday board meeting is my fault. >> Yeah, >> because I can't do Thursday. I'm >> just curious. >> So, not always. >> There's two Tuesdays in a row, >> but Boseies always does Tuesday. >> There's three. May 5th is a Tuesday. >> Oh, and I did. I noticed it was three. >> Yeah, the three >> I'm sensing you don't like the Tuesday board meeting. >> My Yeah, just Yeah, I have I cart around a child. >> And tomorrow are tough. >> Tomorrow's not Friday. That's depressing. >> That's true. Moren
042and I were working on next year's board meetings already. So we'll >> I got 97 invites today. Thank you for that. >> Oh, you got them. Say they went very It's only a couple Tuesday. >> Yes, >> there's only a couple Tuesdays. >> Yeah, it's 97, I think. >> Okay. Um, >> board member comments. >> Just this science uh research at the elementary level. My only request and I don't know if we can do it. I would love to see this happen at the middle school level. I know we've talked about that, Dr. Love. Um, the continuity from elementary to middle to high school, man, I can imagine what these young people would have when they hit that high school level if they do that continuously. Um, just uh something to think about and maybe
043um >> so we we are positioned all ready to go. All I need is a hand to go up. But unfortunately, and Miss Bros and Miss Bruno can tell you how much work goes into this, um, we can't do it unless someone uh, someone's hand goes a lot of work. It's a lot of work. I understand you could continue to push it, but >> I mean, you only need one math scientist. >> I mean, certainly it's split the work between two, but >> I think it's complicated because the fifth and the sixth grade, like the math and science teachers, like I think the middle school's a little bit more complicated. Like in the elementary school they have one teacher who teaches everything and then like dedicated science. >> It is difficult but but they do
044it at the high school even though that's staggered you know >> but they have a whole person like dedicated to science research. So the person if you're asking fifth I and I don't know as much about seventh and eighth grade because I don't have one yet. >> Um but in fifth and sixth grade they share the math and science. So like and it's like a not like a core >> again it's not for everybody. It's only for those children that wish to participate. >> Yeah. >> Um I I I I would that's my own personal thing. I would just love to see that happen if it could. >> Yeah. >> I I'm sure has heard this. >> Yeah. I'm right there with you. >> Heard that message from us. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. I
045have two things. one, we got um a letter today to support the lower Hudson Educational Coalition's letter to um petition the public service commission. I'm asking the state to ensure that electric utilities are prepared. This is for electric buses and that necessary infrastructure planning is in place before these mandates are fully implemented. So basically it means pushing back the the bus mandate um because all districts are not ready. No. >> And electrically uh to do that. Um so um does anybody have any objections to us sending the letter? >> I do not. I think it's great. >> If if you could just put a caveat on that letter that um until that infrastructure is established, the state should hold back their mandate. I I would just add that one line. Until this infrastructure is established,
046it's going to be such a drain on our electrical system which is overt taxed right now by uh you know uh the artificial intelligence uh phenomena. Where's this electricity coming from? It's not unlimited. and um you know to keep banging the the system with this that and everything else it's it's just insane. So yeah, I I'm in favor of that. But New York State, please don't do your mandate until that infrastructure is set up. That's only rational. >> I don't know how they can expect school districts to to meet them without if you don't have the infra like it's just >> you you go upstate New York, you know, I I I subscribe to the Oniana Star and almost every district in Atgo and Delaware counties, they're they're hurting. They they barely have money to
047open school every year, let alone do this mandate. I I I it baffles me. It does, Barbara. It really does. >> Okay. Uh, the other thing I I did get an email um from a former board member um asking that I read this because they couldn't make the meeting. Um, it's just really informational. The district budget vote is May 19th, Tuesday, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the elementary school. It's crucial that the citizens of the Putnham Valley School District come out to vote. Our students need to have a strong education. They are our future and must have the tools so they can succeed. It is critical that the community votes for the budget. If you cannot attend the vote on the 19th, go to the PVCSD homepage and on the right side in
048red, there is information on how to obtain a mail-in ballot. Please vote. So, it's just a reminder that we've got community members out there that are interested and, you know, encouraging all of us to vote. Um, okay. Let's see. Anything else exciting happening? No, we're waiting for spring. Little little flower shoots are trying to come up and then they get the wind is blowing them. But >> the the forynthy is beautiful though. >> It is. >> It's like a burst of sun some sunshine. Yeah. >> All along roadways. >> Okay. Motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. Questions or comments? All in favor? I >> Good night everybody.