001Good evening and west. Welcome to the business meeting of August 21st, 2025. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Um, we convened our business meeting at 6:30 and then went into executive session for the employment history of one particular person. We came out of executive session and we are now here back at our business meeting. So, the first thing is um we're opening a public hearing um to receive comments from the public on the volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance core worker exemption. Does anybody have anything to say or add? Um I I think Crystal, they brought it up at the town board meeting
002the other night too, right? Or not while you were there. The volunteer did they bring it up? >> Uh they did. I they did not bring it up actually. They just gave a report on the number of incidents um that they've had. But I gave a report certainly uh regarding that uh when I gave my report last night at the town board meeting. >> Okay. Yes. Thank you. >> You think they passed it? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, I guess I could provide just some background information since there's no public here for our hearing. Um, so this is something that the district is actually a long-standing exemption that has been afforded to volunteer, fire, and ambulance core members in Potton Valley for many years. The district has allowed this exemption. The state had changed
003what the maximum aotment of that of that exemption had been. So this is really not something new, but more so an update of an existing exemption um to allow volunteer firefighters and ambulance core workers who qualify. And there's a list of qualifications associated with this uh to receive an exemption up to 10% of the value of their home uh for taxes. So when we had done the calculation, if every volunteer fireman, firefighter, and volunteer ambulance corps member were to qualify, which they won't all, uh we believe the average uh taxpayer could incur an increase of approximately $14 in taxes in order to fund this because it's not less taxes, it's a redistribution of taxes uh that these individuals will not be paying, hence would have to picked up by the rest of the community. Um,
004so I think the board in previous public discussions had reached a conclusion that we believe that was a very fair trade-off to recognize these individuals who many times spend hundreds of hours volunteering for our community. Um, to that was a fair redistribution of taxes uh for those who qualify uh with having a very minimal impact on the overall tax base. >> How did I do? >> Was good. >> And what we have is consistent with the county and the town. Correct. So, we matched ours to what the maximum aotment allowed and what was provided by Putnham County. And it sounds like maybe the town did the same last evening. And this will be in effect I think exemptions have to be filed by December uh of the school year. So, we're still way ahead of
005the schedule. >> And that would be they would see the difference on next year's tax bill, not this year's. Correct. I believe that is correct. Okay. >> Uh any other public comments? Okay. Um so I'm going to open it up to the public to speak on any of the listed agenda items. Seeing no public uh to speak, um we're going to start with the consent agenda. Resolve to approve the consent agenda items 2 through 23 as presented to the board at this meeting. >> Second. Questions or comments? >> Well, you want to give us a summary of what's in there, please? That would be the 20 to 2526 fall coaches, additional hours for staff members, addition to summer worker list, academic eligibility, and afterchool suspension staff members, school nurses, unpaid leave, CSC, CPSC reports, 2526
006substitute listing, enhanced longevity, graduate course credits, and inservice credits, donation to Putnham Valley Elementary School, Release and settlement agreement. Universal Protection Service LP doing business as Allied Universal Security Services. Rick 1 operation center reallocation from the general fund. Internal claims auditor report for August 14th, July 24th, July 14th, internal claims auditor warrants for July 2025. Treasury treasurer report for May and June of 2025. budget transfers from June 25th uh 2025 through August 19th, 2025. Minutes for July 1st and minutes for July 21st. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? Extensions. The resolutions pass. Um reports Dr. Lu. So, we had an exciting day uh today. It's one of our favorite days, our kindergarten bus run in orientation. Um lots of tears shed, mostly by the parents. Um but it's a
007great opportunity to meet some of our new families, encourage them to get involved. Uh promise to take good care of their kids and tell them what an amazing year they will have. And um like our students go for their first bus ride. I had the opportunity to board several of the buses, talk with the students, help buckle students in and um it was very well received by many. There were some few tears shed, but um as I always promised the parents that within a couple minutes of being removed from the parent, it's only the parent who's crying. The student has moved on and having fun in the classroom with their with their peers. So, um thank you for everyone who helped put that on. Our TE TAs were there right now. Our parents, our kindergarten
008parents are meeting with their teachers for the back to school night this evening and we're looking forward to getting started. Just some updates uh with our UPK partnership that we had previously shared. We did our inspections of our spaces and certifications and we were able to expand the number of seats per classroom from 16 to 20 students per classroom. So, we were able to invite another eight students off of our weight list. So, we have essentially exhausted our initial weight list and have now created a second weight list for students. So, we're excited to be welcoming 40 students into our UPK program for the first year beginning on September 2nd. Our elementary school has been busy with our elementary school summer boost programs, our kinder camp, and our extended school year program, which were all
009housed at the elementary school this year. Again, I want to thank the teachers and administrators who run those programs and uh especially our extended year program. Many of those teachers give up the entirety of their summer uh to work with our students and make that program the success it is. A quick update on our uh turf and track replacement. So, I don't know if anyone just peaked down the hill recently. The turf has been completed for some time now. They've uh completed paving of the track in the area outside of the fence poles. The fence poles have been installed and the track surfacing company arrived yesterday. So I think about six tractor trailers of equipment and supplies have been onto our campus in the last 2 days and they are starting their work um have
010started their work already. So we are slightly behind schedule. Uh, a couple rainstorms had gotten in our way, plus the track surfacing company got held up for a couple extra days. So, we're still uh eagerly trying to meet our deadline to be able to host our first games in the first weekend of or the first week of September. Um, but we do have contingency plans in place for moving those games if necessary. The good news is that we are not very likely to be having this conversation come October or November, which other districts have had to face and lost entirety of their seasons. So, uh, the work progresses. Uh, we remain close to being on schedule and uh, Dave Middle is certainly staying on top of them to make sure that we get it done
011as well and as soon as possible. Just some um, maybe reminders or announcements. Putin Valley was awarded a green ribbon recognition from New York State as well as a whole bunch of national organizations. We they've sent us um banners. We got to go up to the board of regents meeting and receive an award on behalf of the district. Uh Dave Spittle starred in a in a documentary that they are producing about uh sustainable energy and geothermal. And there was like a film crew here. I almost asked him if there was a makeup artist, but we didn't get that far. um he was here. They said they only needed six hours of his time. He said you could have a half hour. We'll get in. So Pavali continues to receive recognition for our work around sustainability
012uh sustainable energies, renewable energy sources. And again, it's not just about saving money for energy sources. There's a whole instructional program that goes along with it. And I know that Dave highlighted that during his conversations with the film crew. Maybe our most exciting news of the summer is the New York State ban on internet enabled devices. So the board of education has set forth a policy. That policy has been shared with the community along with several communications coming both from the district as well as the building level. Uh we encourage all parents to read through those and understand them. No parent wants to receive the phone call that your child's phone was confiscated and you must come to school to pick it up. I as a parent would not be happy to receive that phone
013call and I've made sure that my 16 and 13year-old sons are well aware that I will not be happy to receive that phone call. So, um we treat this law just like we do any other law. Um students are not allowed to smoke cigarettes in class. They're not allowed to vape in class and they're not allowed to use their cell phone in class because that's what the law says. Um so we plan on upholding the law as it's written. Students are encouraged to keep their devices at home or keep them securely locked away in their locker and um as was shared with each of the buildings, there's certainly consequences associated for those who are unable to. So we encourage anyone who uh will struggle with the impulse control to not reach into their bag to
014grab their phone u and lose it that we encourage them to keep it in home to keep it in their car or to keep it in their locker so they don't have that temptation with them. Uh it's bellto bell, so the first bell of the school day to the last bell of the school day. So this ban is inclusive of passing time in hallways as well as lunch periods. So that's all been shared with the community, but we wanted to take an opportunity to remind everyone that that is in fact the law and and is part of the district's policy to uphold that law. Um, as we mentioned at the very end of the school year when it was extremely hot, the district has adopted a policy around extreme heat conditions when we will remove
015students from the class and when we will seek mitigation strategies. Um, being as lucky as we are to have essentially universal air conditioning. We don't anticipate this being an issue here in Putham, but we do have to New York State requires that we have that policy in place. So, we did adopt that policy at the very end of last school year as well. looking forward. It's about to get really busy around here. Our new staff orientation and new employee, sorry, new employee orientation is next Monday and Tuesday. Our superintendent conference days are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday next week. We also have a fifth grade orientation next Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. So, anyone with an incoming fifth grader, uh we encourage you to come uh participate in that event, meet some of our teachers >>
016to the middle school >> or new or newcomers to the middle school. Yes. Uh our first day of school is September 2nd. There are some conditions to that. Uh, kindergarten classes will be split. We always bring in half a K class at a time. So, it allows the teacher to better get acquainted with the students. Um, help the students acclimate to the classroom. So, kindergarten only, half the students will be there on Tuesday, the other half on Wednesday, and then they continue as a full class for the remainder of the school year. The middle school on Tuesday the 2nd, it'll be fifth and sixth grade only. Again, that's an orientation program that's run uh beginning on September 3rd. All middle school students will attend. And in the high school on September 2nd is 9th grade
017students only. Again, they run an orientation program uh that's really run mostly by our seniors uh who be big buddies with our ninth graders. And that is scheduled for the second and then all students will attend the high school beginning on September 3rd. And then as we look forward to the following weeks, our elementary school has their back toight evening scheduled September 9th for grades three and four and September 10th for grades 1 and two. And middle school back to school nights 5 and 6 on September 16th, 7th and 8th on September 17th. And looking ahead, we'll have another meeting before this, but our schools are closed on September 23rd and 24th um for Russia, I believe. And that's all I have right now. >> That's a lot. >> It's been busy. >> Yeah, it's
018been busy. The schools look wonderful. The grounds look wonderful. Um, you know, they really really they've done a really amazing job. Okay, then we're going to move to Does anybody have any questions for Jeremy? >> Okay, >> I did. Hold on. I should point out we did have an opportunity several of us met with members of the library board, the town library board and they're sort of going through a strategic planning long-term uh planning process and they're speaking with community- based organizations all over the school was the I believe the first meeting. Uh we had a great conversation about finding opportunities to partner, how we could support each other, what our vision is for the town of Putna Valley and how we can collectively work towards achieving that vision. I thought it was a very
019productive meeting. We thank them for their time and coming and for involving us in those conversations and we're looking forward to seeing all the exciting things that the town library will do. >> Thank you. >> And your meeting with the town. >> That's it. >> Did you mention the meeting with the town? >> We did meet with uh members of the town board as well as as well as the town supervisor. A very similar theme for that meeting was looking for opportunities to partner, how we can support each other, ways in which we share services and can better share services. Um, so we did a very similar meeting this summer with the town supervisor and a member of the town board. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Let's move to new business. We'll start with number
020one, please. Resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby appoints Mary Ela Boyo to to a probationary appointment of senior account clerk effective August 12th, 2025 with a probationary period of 52 weeks through August 11th, 2026 in the business office on step three of the CSEA salary schedule. >> Second questions or comments? >> All in favor? I >> opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Number two, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Cynthia Serrano to a 4-year probationary term as an ENL teacher commencing on September 1st, 2025 and terminating on August 31st, 2029 in the tenure area of Englishspeaking other languages uh at the middle school on step 1 MA of the PVFT salary schedule. Miss Serrano holds English to speakers of other languages.
021Initial certification. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? This makes how many ENL teachers at the middle school? >> Two per building. Six district question. >> Two per building. >> So now we have two full-time dedicated. We don't have anyone split between buildings anywhere. >> Very good. >> Um any questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. The resolution passes. Number three, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to appoint Laura Sherwood as a sub data specialist effective August 15, 2025 through June 30th, 2026 at an hourly rate of $44.85, not to exceed $35,000. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> I have one. >> So, go ahead. >> So, just a point of clarification here. So, Laura Sherwood did retire as a full-time employee from the district at the
022end of last school year. We did a search to replace her position. We had a part-time individual um who was moved up to that full-time position to replace Loris, but that created a vacancy for the part-time position. And in speaking with Michael Lee and other members, we made the decision that um Laura would be an excellent person to fill that part-time position. um because the the salary does cannot exceed $35,000 that would allow her to continue in that position even without the state waiver. So, it's really we essentially moved up a part-time person to full-time and she retired and now she'll be serving the district as a part-time employee um underneath the amount that would require any sort of waiver in the future. And we're just simply paying her at the same hourly rate she
023was making there. She has a very unique set of skills and talents and I know part of our plan for the upcoming year is for her to work to uh transfer those skills and talents onto the full-time individual who replaced her. Good. >> Did that answer your question? >> Absolutely. >> Thanks. >> All in favor? >> Opposed extensions. The resolution passes. Number four, please. Resolved on recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the amendment to the appointment step of Jenna Gargano approved at the business meeting of June 12th, 2025 to reflect step 1ba of the PBFT salary schedule. >> Second >> questions or comments? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Extensions. The resolution passes. Number five, please. Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education
024hereby appoints Kimberly Zern to an appointment of school monitor effective September 2nd, 2025 with a probationary period of 52 weeks through September 1st, 2026 at the middle school on step one of the CSEA salary schedule. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? All in favor? Opposed? Extensions. The resolution passes. Number six, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby accepts the resignation of Stephanie Gambelli, school monitor from the district effective August f 4th, 2025 as per document SG082125 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> All in favor? Opposed? Resolution passes. Number seven, please. Resolved in the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby accepts the resignation of Joanna Jackson, senior account clerk from the
025district effective July 14th, 2026 as per doc number JJ0825 attached to the agenda and the official minutes of this meeting. >> Second questions or comments. Why are we having documents with letters in the beginning? Is this a new thing? >> It's the way our district clerk stays organized. >> Okay. All right. I thought I had figured out the system before. Now I have to learn a new system. Um, all in favor? >> Opposed? Abstensions. The resolution passes. Number eight, please. Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to accept the resignation for the purpose of retirement of teacher Joseph Mahoney from the district effective June 30th, 2026 as per document number JM0825 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. Second >> questions or comments? >> Well, obviously we'll have a full
026year to recognize the contributions of Joe Mahoney to the district. I did want to take this opportunity to recognize the many years of service he's provided to Button Valley and the students of Button Valley School District and he will certainly be deeply missed when he retires at the end of this school year. >> Any other questions or comments? All in favor? >> I opposed. Abstension. The resolution passes. Number nine, please. >> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby accepts the resignation of Jonathan Aguila, campus monitor effective 826 2022 for the purpose of accepting another position in the district as per document JA2125 and in the official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. Questions or comments? All in favor? I >> oppose extensions. The resolution passes. Number 10, please.
027>> Resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby accepts the resignation of Holly Keeler effective uh August 26, 2025 for the purposes of accepting another position in the district as per document number HK082125 and in the official minutes of this meeting. >> Second. questions or comments? I'm glad at least some of these resignations are finding another place in the district. So, I think that's >> um all in favor. >> I >> opposed extensions. The resolution passes. >> Number 11, please. >> Where are we? Who's turn? >> Oh, me. Sorry. Resolved upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby appoints Danielle Pel Pelico to a temporary retroactive appointment as a senior office assistant effective July 1st, 2025 on step three of the CSEA senior office assistant
028salary schedule and a 26 week probationary promotional appointment as a senior office assistant effective August 11th, 2025 through February 6th, 2026. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? So both this one and the next resolution are recognizing uh the efforts of two Daniels, ironically uh who have been fantastic additions to the school district for several years now. Each of them entered as an office assistant but entered into a title into a role that was historically filled with a senior office assistant. Um and have proven themselves worthy of that title, have completed their examinations and uh are both been recommended for promotion to the sort of the rightful title for each of the seats they hold. >> Thank you. Any other comments? All in favor? >> I I >> opposed extensions. The resolution passes. Number 12, please.
029>> Resolved upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby appoints Danielle Dearman to a temporary retroactive appointment as the off senior office clerk effective July 1st, 2025 on step four of the CSEA senior office assistant salary schedule and a 20 week 26 week probationary promotional appointment as a senior office assistant effective August 11th, 2025 through February 6, 2026. Second >> questions or comments? All in favor? I >> opposed extensions. The resolution passes. Number 13, please. resolved upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools at the board of education hereby appoints Jonathan Aguilera to a probationary appointment as a teacher aid commencing August 27th, 2025 with a prohibitionary period of 52 weeks through August 26, 2025 at the elementary school on step two of the CSEA salary schedule. >> Second >> questions or
030comments? >> I think his name is spelled incorrectly here. >> I'm sorry, >> his last name is spelled incorrectly. There's an I. >> I don't know how much that matters, but I believe his last name is Aguilar. >> Um, all in favor? >> I >> opposed. Abstensions. The resolution passes. That was 14, right? 15, please. >> Did I skip one? >> Uh, 14. >> 14. 14. >> We're on 14. 14. Correct. I'm sorry. resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools that the board of education hereby appoints Holly Keeler to a 4-year probationary term as a teaching assistant commencing on September 1st, 2025 and terminating on August 31st, 2029 in the teaching assistant tenure area of step one on the CSEA salary schedule and in accord and in accordance with the PV CSD policy
0319250. Miss Keeler holds teaching assistant level one certification. >> Uh >> second >> questions or comments? All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes and her name will be corrected on the >> Thank you. >> minutes. Um number 15, please. Resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby enters into an agreement for this education of secondary students from the Garrison Union Free School District as per document number G082125 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting. >> Second questions or comments. So, this is just a continuation of our existing contract with the Garrison School District to allow them to tuition their students in uh the Pton Valley School District and each year that's associated with an increase in that rate of pay of CPI or
0322%. >> And how many students are are is Garrison sending us this year? >> 10. >> Okay. >> No. >> What? >> Seven or eight, you think? >> I'm not prepared to answer that question. >> Okay, that's all right. I'll find the answer. >> All right. They're going to all mix in with our unim tell them apart, so it's fine. Um, all in favor? I >> opposed extensions. The resolution passes. Number 16, please. resolved on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools to approve and authorize the president of the board of education to sign a schoolyear food service management company contract with Woodson's Nutritional LLC for the 20 2025 2026 school year as per document number WN082125 attached to the agenda and official minutes of this meeting >> second >> questions or comments. >> All
033right, so this one deserves a little background information. uh end of last school year, we were approached by the Garrison School District about a possible partnership related to food service. They don't they do not currently serve food in Garrison School District's building. They don't have any hot food. No, no food served. Everything has to be brought with them. >> So, um >> I didn't know that. So they have some money dedicated to build sort of a servery, but they don't have the ability or space or money to build a whole kitchen. So they were looking to partner with a school district that would essentially cook the food and then Garrison would be be responsible for transporting and serving that food over in their district. Um, it was something that I was willing to entertain and
034it was something we spoke to our food services about. And over the course we quickly realized that that plan wasn't going to really work out as we anticipated. Um so while I was probably more willing to walk away from it than others, I do want to give uh Dr. Chan credit because she in working with um a food service consultant as well as individuals from the Garrison School District found a way to not only do this but to do it in a way that is now going to allow not only Garrison students to receive lunch but to receive free lunch. And it's going to happen in a way where Putnham Valley actually gets the re um the rebate on those meals that are served. So, it really turned out to be a win-win situation. In
035order to make this happen, we had to go back out for bid because it was a change in conditions with Witson's. Witson's is our current food service provider. So, they rebid on us to keep us at with along with the additional Garrison students. And financially, it's actually turned out to be advantageous for us. We're now going to receive a better rebate and we're going to receive more of them because we're going to receive them for the Garrison students. And it's really a win for Garrison because now Garrison is not only able to provide high quality lunches and and maybe breakfast in the future, but for now lunches, but they're going to be able to do it for the Garrison students free of charge, um, which they wouldn't have otherwise been able to do. So I
036do want to recognize that this was a tremendous amount of effort and insight in order to make this happen which at the time we weren't sure whether it was going to harm us, hurt us or have no benefit to us but uh Dr. Chan really believed in it and partnering with them and it turned out to be something that was extremely beneficial for both districts. So um in a few short words there was a lot accomplished uh that this resolution recognizes >> Dr. Chen. Thank >> thank you Dr. Thank you for that. And the kids in Garrison, I'm sure, are going to thank you as well. >> Yes. >> And collaborate with >> the Dr. Jan memorial lunch. >> It's going to infringe on our when the eighth graders come over and visit. They are
037they're they're most excited about being able to come to lunch and have hot lunch. >> We're going to have to come up with some bigger some better way to serve them food when they're here. >> Outstanding. >> Uh and Dr. Luff, we want to thank you for supporting Dr. Chan in those efforts um so that she could creatively figure out ways to continue to support our district. >> Absolutely. >> Yes. Love the creativity. >> So, I know that Garrison is having a board meeting right now as well and I spoke with their superintendent earlier this week and he wanted to make sure it was okay that he shared this information but is very excited to be able to sort of publicly disclose this for the first time this evening. Uh that this is something they've
038never been able to do before which they will now be able to do thanks to their partnership with Paran. >> Great. I mean that's great. Any other questions or comments? >> Just to answer the question for before we have seven students coming this. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you Jackie. >> Uh >> after the lunch there's going to be 10. >> I was I was forecasting. >> Uh all in favor I >> opposed the resolution passes. >> Number 17 please. >> Again we have to read this whole thing. Yes, >> you got the you drew the short story. >> Let's run into the longer next one. >> I know Crystal has >> he already informed me. >> Okay. Result on the recommendation of the superintendent of schools that school taxes be extended against the
039taxable property of the towns of Putnham Valley, Caramel, and Courtland as appears on a tax list hereby are levied. And be it further resolved that this board execute warrants on August 22nd, 2025 for each of the towns for the town of Putnham Valley to be effective September 1st, 2025. school taxes in the amount of 37,966,979.72 less star and on behalf of the Putnham Valley Library taxes in the amount of 430,791.31 as per document TXPVO82125 attached to the official minutes of this meeting on file in the district office and the town of Caramel to be effective September 1st, 2025. School taxes in the amount of 112,57012 less star. And on behalf of the Putham Valley Library, taxes in the amount of 1,277 27 cents is per document TXOX2125 attached to the official minutes of this meeting
040on file in the district office. And a town of Courtland to be effective September 1st, 2025, school taxes in the amount of uh four uh 4,488,74516. [Music] Let's start. And on behalf of the Putnham Valley Library, taxes in the amount of $50,93142 is per document TXCT82125 attached to the official minutes of this meeting on file in the district office. That these warrants be for that portion of the district lying in the towns of Putnham Valley, Carmel, and Courtland. and the collection periods ends October 31st, 2025 that said warrants are delivered to the tax collector of Courtland and Putinham Valley and be it further resolved that the collector may make no changes all or alterations in the warrant or roles except as provided in section 551- 558 of the real property tax law and shall issue
041tax statements and make collections pursuant to the applicable provisions of the real property tax law. >> All done. >> Second. >> Questions or comments? >> Crystal saving herself. >> Yes. >> All in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. The resolution passes. Number 18, please. >> You sure? >> Yes. >> Sure. Yes, we're sure. >> You want to say that? >> No, not me. That's Crystal. I am absolutely honored to be able to do number 18. All right. Whereas the board of education of the Putnham Valley Central School District, the district believes that attracting and retaining quality volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers is a critical problem facing communities within the district boundaries and that maintaining effective emergency protection depends on the ability to train and retain volunteers. And whereas the board of education further believes that real
042property tax exemptions are an incentive to attract new volunteers and maintain such volunteers as well as to recognize the dedication and hard work of these volunteers who unselfishly give their time and risk their safety to protect their neighbors without compensation. And whereas the board of education wishes to adopt the provisions of section 466A of the real property tax law, which would grant a partial exemption from school taxes of a certain residential real property located in the district used as the primary residents of certain enrolled members of an incorporated volunteer fire company or fire department, volunteer firefighters and incorporated volunteer ambulance service, volunteer ambulance workers located within the district. Therefore, be it resolved that the board of education, after having given uh the public an opportunity to be heard at a public hearing on August 21st,
0432025, hereby adopts the provisions of section 466A of the real property tax law and provides uh two volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers who have at least 5 years of applicable service in an incorporated volunteer fire company, department, or incorporated volunteer ambulance service located within the district. A partial tax exemption from school taxes to the extent of 10% of the assessed value of the property as certified by the applicable assessor and subject to statutory requirements for assessment roles prepared on the basis of taxable status dates occurring on or after the date of approval of this resolution. And be it further resolved that the board further adopts the provision of such law that grants volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers that acrew more than 20 years of active service as certified by the applicable assessor the
04410% exemption from school taxes as set forth above for the remainder of their life as their prim as long as their primary residence is located within the district subject to statutory requirements and be it further resolved that the board further adopts the provision of such law that extends or reinstates the tax exemption to Any qualified unmarried spouse of a deceased volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker as long as the deceased volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker had had at least 20 years of applicable service in an incorporated volunteer fire company, department, or incorporated volunteer ambulance service located within the district and had been receiving the exemption prior to their death as certified by the applicable assessor and subject to applicable statutory requirements. And be it further resolved that the board further adopts the provision of such
045law that extends or reinstates the exemption to any qualified unmarried unremarried spouse of a volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker killed in the line of duty as long as the volunteer firefighter or ambulance worker had at least 5 years of active service in an incorporated fire company department or incorporated voluntary uh ambulance service located within the district and had been receiving the exemption prior to their death as certified by the applicable ex assessor and subject to applicable statutory requirements. And be it further resolved that the district clerk is direct uh directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to the assessor of any municipality which comprises the Putin Valley Central School District. >> Second. >> Are you going to second it? >> She said it. I'm sorry. I missed it. >> After all that
046questions or comments? >> Oh yeah, I seconded it. No, actually read it again. >> Yeah. >> I have a question. How do we confirm annually who's eligible for the exemption? >> The tax assessor is. >> Okay. So, how do we confirm that she has done that? She or he? >> I mean, we get our tax rules from >> Okay. >> them like they report to the county and the county gives us the tax. So, we never there's nobody in the district who's responsible or has any ability to kind of >> validate that. It's done through the assessor in the county. >> Okay. We just get the bills that tell us what the amounts are. >> Okay. Okay. Any other questions? >> The fire and the ambulance department keep track of those individuals who have seniority
047and and years in service, >> but they have to turn it in yearly to the county >> and to the state of New York. They're audited uh for that. you know, especially as uh either the municipality or the school district allows us tax exemptions, they have to report their stats to the state as they report them to us or the assessor. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments? All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Abstensions. The resolution passes. >> I was going to Do you want us to add that language to the resolution? We could have Crystal read it again. That's a contractor. But >> go again offer. >> But number seven, do we need to read that again since we changed the date? >> July 14th, 2025 versus 26. >>
048Oh, that's fine. We we corrected two of the dates. And number seven, the effective date was July 14th, 2026. And on number 13, we already corrected the date for the probationary period ending August 26, 2026. So that it's already been updated in system, so it'll be part of the minutes. Okay, >> thank you. >> Okay. Uh, upcoming meetings. >> So, our next board meeting is scheduled for September 11th uh to be held right here and uh the meeting after that be September 25th. >> Okay. >> At some point, we'll need to talk about the signing presentations. I know we have a data presentation we usually do in the spring once the data is fully available uh as well as others. So we can I guess maybe in board comments start to talk about or think
049about what are some of the presentations the board would like to see before we get to the busy budget season. >> Could uh one of the presentations or two of the presentations be the demographics in other words population grade level? Yeah, we'll do that as part of the data presentation >> and and also I I know it would only be preliminary, but uh the amount of kids attending the tech center as well. >> Sure. Yeah, that's always part of that presentation as well. >> Thank you. >> Um pretty soon we'll be starting to have the buildings come in and give their building updates, beginning of school updates as we do every year. Uh but if there's any other presentations the board would like to see, um other than the data one, we'll make sure all
050that information is in there. Uh we can start talking about it so we can schedule those. Okay. But I would say as early as the 25th will probably be our first uh opening of schools update >> through the buildings. >> Yeah, I'd love to see um historical state data last maybe 5 years on how we've performed on ELA and math 3 through8 and science um for the last two if possible. Uh I know the principles usually do their I Ready data, right? Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. And we also not a presentation but need to have board goals on our agenda. >> Right. Right. >> We'll talk about that on comments. Um so let's open it up for public comments on any topic. >> Good evening. Anyone? Everyone. Not anyone. Everyone. My name is Joe
051Ferraro and I'm just a few things. I want to say hello. Um I found an error on your meeting dates. Uh the Bosey's vote date is it is a Tuesday but the date is actually a Wednesday. So in your schedule it's just not correct. Um, uh, thank you for, even though you're required to by law by section 259, uh, collecting library taxes for us, but I want to thank you for for accommodating and doing that for us. Um, the PMAN Valley long range planning community conversations started today. As uh, Dr. Love mentioned it was a very productive meeting and while you were in your executive session, you probably received an email from me as trustees uh asking you to be involved as a trustee in that conversation. So we look forward to having that conversation
052and I hope everybody has a good start to the new year. >> Thank you, Joe. >> Thank you. >> No bubbles. [Laughter] How do we get um the dates to be more involved in the library? Can we get put on an email list? >> Absolutely. >> I don't know if anybody else >> conversation in our conversation. >> Okay. U board member comments. Um one of which is the letter of advocacy. Sam, you want to talk about that a little? I uh for quite a while, many of you may be aware that New York State uh has mandated that uh all districts go to full electric buses by uh 20 originally was 20 uh 28 around there. They moved it to 2035. [Music] I've always believed that is an ownorous mandate to put on any district.
053Every district is different. If they want to do it for New York City, I can understand that. It's a it's a very crowded urban environment. Any cut down on, you know, diesel andor gasoline fumes, you know, the the carbon emissions would make sense there. But in rural areas, uh, Putnham County North, I think it's the most ridiculous thing ever put forward. I'm a big believer in the hybrids. they uh you know reduce emissions amazingly well and uh it it's something that's affordable for our districts. with the current administration, whether you approve or not. The fact of the matter is that those discounts that were uh rumored to be handed out and buying these buses or doing anything in the green uh save the green, you know, environment. They they no longer exist. Just the other
054day, uh there were statements out of uh the executive branch stating that all uh wind power and solar power will no longer be funded or uh supported by the government and that includes these electric buses. So I asked the board and and uh you know to do a letter of advocacies to Albany to ask them to please reconsider this and uh a letter was put together by Dr. Lu Melody uh based upon one sent out of Mayapac I believe Mayapac school district. So uh I I fully support that idea. Albany has to understand they can't mandate these things on a whim. they have to research and investigate. And I do not believe that was the case for this mandate. I think it was just a a a gutshot, boom, we're going to do this because
055it sounds good without considering the financial and and the um safety factors involved. We have sometimes some very cold days here. Uh this past January, we we average well below the normal rating. And anything below 20° for an all electric vehicle or above 90 degrees for an allect electric vehicle wears the battery out. 50% of its power is gone before you even start in that those environments. It it puts our kids at risk. So I love this letter of advocacy advocacy. It was well written and it would represent to the state that Putnham Valley School District cares about our kids, cares about the environment, and we request that they re-evaluate and come forward with a better idea or at least a lot more money to help us buy those things if that's what they want.
056So just a point of clarification, the state has not yet moved off of their timelines which are there by 2027 we will not be allowed to purchase gas powered buses and by 2035 our entire fleet must be electric buses >> even. >> So they haven't moved off of those deadlines since the inception of >> they're still doing a 2027 nonsense. >> Yep. 2020. >> That's why this letter letter is so we're not going to get money. >> 2020 after 2027 you can no longer purchase gas powered buses. That's the first deadlock. >> How any provision for hybrids? That's the way to go. I know our district. >> I don't think they even make hybrid muscles. >> I don't think they're even produced. >> They don't make them. >> They make the little Yeah, >> the
057little ones they do, right? >> We have We have hybrid vans. >> Yeah. >> But I don't think even the any the small or large school buses. Not that I know of. I've never seen a hybrid. >> I mean, Dr. Luff, you you're you're familiar with this. Dr. Chan, you're familiar with this. I mean, it's double the cost. one of these electric buses compared to a gas powered. It It makes no sense to me >> and shorter lifespan. Right. Half the lifespan the bus. >> Yeah. Right. Right. >> So you have to, >> you know, you have to build the infrastructure. How do you charge them? You got to put up these charging stations, which is additional cost to the taxpayers. If Albany wants these mandates, have Albany pay for them. Not on the back
058of our taxpayers who are stressed as I love that letter of advocacy. >> Yeah. That wrote that was in the letter. >> It's excellent. Dr. Love, thank you. Thank you. >> Suggestions for >> everybody was involved in putting that together. It states the case. It puts out good evidence. Go with it. Let's send that out. >> So, who would we send it to? Both. >> I I would do >> Slater uh Harkham >> Rollison is our >> and and the Department of Education. >> Rob Roll is our state. >> That's right. That's right. Roll is ours. Harkham is transfer to Donald Trump too. So what do we have to do in order to send this letter to us before we have to approve it or >> So what we would do is and first of
059all while I I appreciate the credit really Melody drafted the letter so she deserves all of the credit. >> It's excellent. >> Um so what we would do is we have a conversation this evening. If it's the will of the board to move forward, we will draft letters that will then appear via resolution at our next board meeting. the board by approving that resolution will give permission for Melody to send those letters on behalf of the entire board and between now and then we'll have an opportunity for you guys to sign the the letters themselves. >> Okay. All right. Sound like a plan. >> Yeah. Great. >> I like it. >> Yeah. >> So, we can put a resolution on for September 11th and then send them that day or the following day. >> Thank
060you. Great. >> Sounds wonderful. >> Excellent. Great letter. >> Great letter. Yeah. Uh, okay. Uh, other board members, Crystal, you went to the town and you also went to the advocacy meeting of >> Yes. So, you and I spent some time on the screen on Monday night at the um >> It got darker and darker behind you. So, >> yes. Yes. >> No, when you you were sitting outside, right? >> Oh, I was sitting outside. Yes. I was trying to enjoy the weather while it lasts, >> trying not to cry about someone being over. Um, so, uh, we went to the Westchester Putham, uh, School Boards Association, uh, advocacy committee. Barbara and I, uh, it was, uh, a great learning experience for me, having been my first, uh, meeting. Barbara has been there many a
061time. Um, but, uh, we discussed, uh, the agenda from last year. Uh, had a conversation around what the agenda would be for this year. Um there is uh conversation regarding some recent court rulings around the uh age 22 uh for our special education students which I know Miss Estraa is uh in knowledge about and working on. Um and so that was a big conversation. Uh of course this new cell phone policy was also another conversation. Uh, and one of the things that I brought up as um I think being a really good bang for our buck as far as advocacy being uh time that the um powers that be give us to be able to implement new policy. I think that is really important. This cell phone policy was very rushed. >> Yeah. Um while
062I agree with it and and love the fact that our children will be phoneless throughout the day and that's my personal opinion um it was way too rushed to do it well and I think that we all feel based on our conversations with this new policy that it is a living and breathing document and we're going to live it and uh be receptive to feedback from all stakeholders, teachers, staff, parents, students, uh administration um because it is a shift in culture. Uh, and that is what I mentioned at the board meeting last night. Um, because I wanted the community to know because it is the board's will for the community to know that we are working alongside the community and we hope that the community will partner with us to be able to establish something
063that makes sense for everyone, especially our children. Um, and so that was the the gist of the meeting um from the advocacy team. Uh, and last night, uh, I will say that the cell phone policy itself was very wellreceived at the board meeting last night. Um, so I thought that was great. Uh, and additionally, we talked about, um, the fact that school is starting in just a couple of weeks and for everybody to be looking out for our students and we celebrated the fact that we are now having 40 students come to prek, which is just so so wonderful. I feel like we're not celebrating enough the fact that we get another year with these babies. Um, so it's really exciting what's happening in Putnham Valley. Um, again, it was a full house at the
064board meeting last night, uh, for Putnham Valley. So, that was exciting that there were lots of people there to hear this information. And, um, we also talked about the fact that we want to continue to build our community uh, relations with the um, with the town uh, and the sharing of our resources as we have done for this for the town camp as well as town day, sharing our buses, sharing fuel costs. Um, we talked about all of that and we look forward to having some more reciprocity in that way. >> Great. >> Um, the next town board meeting is September 17th. >> Okay. >> So, Sam, you want to go? >> I I I'd like that. That'd be great. Um, I'll put that down under right now. >> I will um >> Please excuse
065me for using a cell phone during this proceeding. >> I will, >> but otherwise I'll forget it. >> I will try to um pass along a list of things to mention. might get crystal and that that way you have a thing. >> Yeah, that was very helpful. Thank you. >> Okay. Um Okay. The the NISBA uh New York State School Boards Association um convention is being held in October. Um Crystal, you're going. Yes. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I I looked at the prices and I said, "Oh, no. It's like twice as much to go in person as to stay home and watch it on on your computer. >> I did it last year online and it was great. >> No. And this year they have more stuff online. Oh, >> but it's still not the
066same as being at Inerson. >> Definitely not the same. >> I really liked being on my couch. >> Did you see the robot? >> Take it or leave it. >> Yes, I did. >> I learned a lot though. >> Are you also sign up to go virtually? >> I am having I need haven't decided. >> I can't make any choices right now. I am currently moving three different houses and I'm having just a driving. >> I am driving every day as I did last. >> Would you take a passenger? >> I will 100% take a pass. I would love a passenger. >> Melody, I'll go with Crystal in person cuz I have kids. >> You can't go this year, right Jeremy? You've got someplace else to do. >> I might do the virtual. >> What
067do I have to decide? >> It's not worth me to anymore. The other thing is the annual meeting, which is the 8 or 10 hour meeting, is uh October 16th. Um Melody has to sign one of us up to be the rep. >> So >> October 16th, >> Crystal, now that you're serving on advocacy, I didn't know if you wanted to do it. I It's a lot of hours. >> Okay. >> It is, >> you know, when you're trying to get dinner, right? Exactly. >> It's all the resolutions. So I don't mind doing it, but I didn't want to assume that it would be me. So, I didn't tell Melody who put >> You can watch. You can watch. If you are willing to take that hit for the team, I'm good. >> You can
068watch. >> Have to pry it out of your hands. >> I could watch. Anybody Anybody can watch. You just don't vote. >> You do a great job. >> I think that's your thing. >> Barbara, do you want to do that? >> Yeah, I like Yeah, that sounds like an excellent choice. >> They said good answer. Yeah. Okay. >> So, Melody, when they ask for the who's the the annual meeting rep, you can put me down. That way they'll >> be knowledable. Yeah. >> Thank you, Barbara. >> Yes, we thank you for that. >> Um, >> just realized >> Oh, we're all in line behind our audience. >> Our audience is doubled. Okay. Um, so I I know you saw Melody sent out the the two spreadsheets, one for the our policy review committee. >> Yes.
069>> Um, the five-year look back at all of our policies. >> I don't know whether you you two are the policy committee whether you feel that it's doable, whether you feel like it's I'm not sure how to proceed from here. I don't know whether you two want to meet and go like I I'm not sure h how you want to review this. >> I I I would like to defer to Dr. Lu and pick out those things that most importantly h have to be done. >> So So there's two things that are going to happen simultaneously. One is as necessary updates are recommended, they'll be brought up to the board regardless of where they fit in the policy, >> whether it's zero series or the 9,000 series. >> Th that'll continue to come up. And
070I think Melody linked what those have been over the last couple years. It's actually a significant number over the last couple years of policy updates that have been made uh throughout the year. So that work will continue. The the other piece of the work was we had made sort of a commitment now that we just over a two-year period rewrote all of our policies that we want to now stay on top of it >> so we're not finding oursel in a place 5 years from now we're rewriting them all again. So what this schedule is is now going back through them. It's essentially a reread. I imagine the changes will probably be very minimal, but it's another set of eyes, another chance to glance through it, another quick conversation. So I would like to continue
071a process very similar to how we did um the first time around. It would just be now drawn out. So I think it's the zero and the zero series and the 1000 series would be our first and we would do that in the fall. So we'll just pick a date in the fall. We'll share those policies with policy board members if you two are going to continue and then we'll simply have a meeting and we'll go through it and we'll talk about any proposed changes or anything that we want to see done. and then we'll do another one in the winter and the spring is crazy so we're not doing any there. So we'll sort of over a 5year period we will have reread each of the policies that we had sort of revamped over
072the last two years but now we'll just have a continuous cycle of uh >> of review. >> So we don't do it all at one time. Correct. We did this and I I'd like to remain on that. >> Okay. Me too. That'd be great. I would also like the rest of the board to what you see on the schedule what's what they're going to be looking over just read it over >> like in case you have an idea or thought or a suggestion how to make it better or whatever. Um >> right any obviously any proposed changes will be brought before the board anyway. So anyone would have an opportunity to provide feedback on what those what they would like to see changed. >> Right. Um the second spreadsheet was um we we had set
073as a goal um one of the things that we wanted to do was set out a kind of a what what meetings and what things have to be done in what months a kind of calendar of the year. It's nice when you look at July and they're all checked. Yay. So I looked at August and we we you could check off the business meeting. We can check off the kindergarten run. Um we're not having a board retreat, so that's checked off. um a walkthrough tour of the buildings. Does we're all familiar with the buildings. I don't know if that's important this year. Um I mean I think it's a good thing to leave on in case you have new board members. >> A walking tour of the track when it's done. I'd like that. >>
074We can do that. >> Um I I would like to do a tour of the buildings each year. I think that's important because it's not necessarily about knowing the building. It's about knowing and seeing that the building is ready for opening. >> Okay. >> Um and I think that that's important. Um, it also allows us to see the work that our custodial staff has done under Dave's leadership so that we can celebrate it. Um, and that's easier to do if we're able to see it firsthand. >> That's easy. We're here all day every day. So, >> you guys, whatever. >> No, no, no. You guys, >> you guys figure out what works for your schedule. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Yours will be That's a highlight of mine because of their facilities. your schedules will
075be far more difficult to So you guys come up with a time that works for you and we'll make sure that if it's not myself or Dave, we'll make sure someone's >> prior to the next board meeting. >> Can we do it? Um >> Oh, that's a great idea. Maybe by the next board meeting or coinciding with like the new teacher orientation. Um I know they do the bus run then, but like if we can have like consolidated, we can put that with something else. >> Could we attach it to the next board meeting? Like do >> like an hour before the next board meeting? >> I'm okay with that. the 11th. That would work. >> That would be long. >> I would like that, too. I don't know if we all need to go,
076but I'd like to do it. >> So, like at 6, >> we'll meet at the elementary school and then do 1, two, three. >> Mhm. >> And then we'd be here by seven. >> You think an hour is an hour. >> Does that work for everyone? >> Three buildings. >> Extra bonus if we can see the boiler. >> Huh? >> Extra bonus if we can see the boiler. >> Sure. >> If you dare go down there, I would. >> Do you think an hour is enough time? No, an hour would not be enough to do all three buildings. >> An hour and a half. >> 5:30. >> Bring your walking shoes. >> An hour and a half. 5:30. >> Do the elementary for half an hour and then we have >> or not? Everybody has
077to go. If you feel like you don't need to go, that's fine. >> Or if we don't get them all done in one, we can schedule in whatever remaining building the next time if we want. >> So, what do you want? >> This is the earliest I'm going to be able to make. >> I think we can do I think we can do an hour if we're there. >> So, we'll start together. >> We'll leave the high school for last cuz we could do the high school before any board meeting, >> right? Yeah. >> Yeah. I like that idea. >> Okay, perfect. >> That's a great idea. >> Um, we wanted to discuss our board goals. I think Crystal did a These flies are making me crazy. >> What did I do? >> No, I
078think your possible goal board possible board goals for discussion that you had sent at the end of our retreat was really well thought out. I'd like to put it again in a kind of a spreadsheet like who's going to who's going to do it and >> yeah, >> how is it going to be done? Yeah. Yeah. So, I have some thoughts on how we can progress monitor whatever goals we choose. Uh, and we I have a format that I use for the rest of the areas of my life that really works very well about making it a smart goal, making sure that everybody has kind of like their their their job, their own goal, right? Um, and then just check-ins. We can check in throughout the school year to see how it's going. >> Okay.
079So, we're going to are we going to formalize it because it should go on the website under board goals? >> Absolutely. So, the goals themselves will continue to use, I guess, the process that we've always used so long as that's what everybody wants. Um, we might want to consider having a progress monitoring uh protocol added to our protocol document to be able to monitor our goals. Um because that was uh something that we we all felt we wanted to do better. >> We should put it on what meeting we want like on that the thing that we're >> Mhm. >> filling out right now like what month by month we should figure out if we want to do it quarterly or every 6 months and make sure that we put that's exactly right on that
080timeline. So that's a part of the process is to figure out what the checkpoints are, when they are, and then to write them down, >> and calendarize them. Yes. >> So that they actually happen. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> All right. So how are we going to do that? Are you going to >> we can whenever we talk about the the the the goals, we can set up that process, talk about that process. >> Well, do you want to do at the next meeting? We may have I I don't want to make the next meeting what what are we going to do at the next meeting? >> Do we want to monitor it every six months? Why don't we monitor it every six months and put it on the timeline? Now, >> my suggestion would
081would be once a quarter. >> Once a quarter because board the goals are for 10 months essentially because the school year is 10 months, right? >> Um I mean I guess goals could happen in July but probably not. So, um it would really just be checking in like at the end of each quarter, >> okay? >> Um on the goals, >> okay, >> and monitoring the progress, determining, you know, prior to that what the action steps are to attain the goal. >> That's the piece I think that we we can do a little bit better, >> right? >> More than anything else. Yeah. >> Right. Is just like how do we get there and who's responsible for those steps, >> right? >> And you know, are they happening? And if they're not happening, what is
082the barrier for why they are not happening and how do we deal with it? >> Okay. We had said that we were going to review the cell phone policy mid year. So maybe we give it a little more time, not quarterly. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> To gather the data. >> Yeah. >> Because I think >> Yeah. Quarterly >> two and a half months is going to be I I think we're still going to be in the tripping over ourselves period. >> Okay. >> Um >> so we could make that one that goal midyear. Mhm. >> Um engaging the community in budget and bond information. Um >> yeah, we need to set up action steps for that for sure, >> right? >> Because that just doesn't happen. >> Uh creating and implementing a board timeline.
083We've got that. I think that's good, but we should check that we're following it and still doing it. um the board handbook. Um I'd be happy to work with Melody on if and we can check on the progress. >> Don't we have one? >> We have a protocols document. >> So we have protocols. The conversation was taking those protocols along with other resources and putting them more into almost like a binded book including the board policies. So the policies that no just the governance ones just the ones that pertain specifically to the board of education members. >> So to sort of create >> that shouldn't be too tough. Uh, no, it's a lot of information we already have and I know that Melody has already began collating that together. Yeah. >> Just putting it together
084>> into one one document >> and then a timeline report. So, that's good. Okay. So, we'll >> Yeah. So, I can um >> I guess we'll have our our discussion about setting the goals next meeting and then once those are determined, I can set up a document that will help us to progress monitor them. >> Okay. Okay. That'd be great. Thanks. >> Thank you. Thanks. Um I I attended uh Nisba's leadership in education um one of the two days. Um it was really good. There was a lot of talk about the new portrait of a student um which I think is something that we should talk about. Um as it develops I mean for the first time the state's given us like four years to implement this. So that's a good thing. It's not all
085like oh you have to do it tomorrow. Um We already finished ours in our summer retreat. >> Yeah, >> we have we have a little uh >> high achievement >> schematic or what do you want to call it? Graphic that uh represents our portrait of a gra of a graduate. >> Then I think we all need one. Um, I also attended the summer law conference and I will say again I I am amazed every time I attend and I don't attend every year or haven't um but every time I attend I'm amazed at how much the law has changed in a year. Um, education law I'm not talking about the law in general. I'm just talking about focused on education. Um, we got a thing from the from NISBA saying that they had um the
086new 202526 law manual. Uh, I asked Melody it's like $500 for the manual. Something ridiculous. But they have a digital copy >> law book. It's $500. >> Yeah, it's quite >> Oh my god. >> So, but there's textbook for for not quite that much but close. But they will give us a digital copy and Melody's going to order the digital. >> Oh, that's great. >> And make it accessible to all of us. >> That's great. >> Why on earth is that so expensive? I I purchased >> to deter people >> for about $40. >> They're using it to subsidize the electric buses. >> Oh my god. >> That's where the profits are coming. >> Yeah, somebody's making money off of that $500. >> I know it's a lot of money. Maybe it wasn't quite that,
087but it was. But anyway, um >> when it becomes available, she will link it somehow, right? >> Can the library buy a copy? >> Go ahead. What? >> Yeah. So, she will make it available. You can put a link on your computer. And so, she's going to do that for us. >> I I can't understand. It's not expensive. >> It's a college textbook. I mean, 10 years ago, honest, I bought one for like $40. You know, the end book. I mean, what what happened? >> Um, district goals um are on our agenda, but we're but we're not ready there yet. >> Yeah. So, our our next our next admin meeting is primarily focused on building and district level goal setting. >> So, we will probably do that in September. One of the meetings in September.
088>> Yes. >> Okay. I'm going to write that down on my list. Um, we don't have anybody attending new board member training, but Janette and I are going to attend the governance training that they're offering for pres presidents and vice presidents. Um, I don't have the date, but they're also the first uh Westp meeting dinner. um they're going to have a meeting for the student exeicio board members prior to that meeting from like 5 to 6 and then the students are invited to stay for the dinner but they don't have to stay. Um but the rest of the board is also welcome to go. Um, so when you see the thing from from Westp, if you're interested in going, you have to tell Melody so that she can register. Um, I will be going because
089I will be part of the training for the student exeicial members. Okay. So that's that. >> And we're it's confirmed that our students are aware of this training available. >> Our students know about this training. Yeah, we shared it with the high school and the high school shared it out with >> Okay. >> Our hopefully our new board members will start in September. >> That would be good. >> Yeah, >> that's we hope. >> That's our hope. >> Um >> good is the optional word there. >> Yeah, >> we're doing what all we can, but they're busy. It's a small district and those kids, you know, our students do a lot. So, >> the kids are awesome. Um, >> okay. Uh, any other comments? [Music] >> Huh? >> No. >> Okay. I'd like a motion
090to adjourn and go back into executive session. >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Good night. >> Thank you. >> What time? >> Oh, what we're going to be discussing. Oh, after which no business will be conducted.