October 14, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting (New Link)

001[Music] May I have a motion to return the regular board meeting to public session? Mr. Bulan, Miss Bleinger, all in favor? Motion carries unanimously. I call the regular board meeting to order. All board members are present. Good evening and welcome to those in attendance. Please be advised that in the event of a fire and emergency and an evacuation should be necessary, an alarm will sound. Please note all marked emergency exits and evacuate well away from the building. At this time, we request that everyone turn their cell phones and other electronic devices to silent. Thank you. We are on item three. Dr. Brown Hall, I turn it over to you for the school and district spotlights. for president. Thank you very much and good evening. New places, new faces, and new opportunities are hallmarks of the

002start of school. From new administrators to teachers, students, and families, building community is critical to the first days and first weeks of the year. As new administrators, Him Elementary principal Clare Lana Michael and Assistant Principal Natalie Davis found a unique way to bring the building together. I'd like to welcome both of those administrators to the podium to share more about this initiative. Thank you so much. With Natalie and I both being new to him, we wanted to go into classrooms and get to know students as well as all the adults in the building. This initiative is part of our continued commitment to building a safe, trusted, and positive relationship with every student. It's about building mindful connections and showing our students that our building is full of safe, caring, and supportive adults. We are so

003thrilled to have joined such a wonderful school community at Him. [Music] With Natalie and I both being new at HIM, it was really important for us to get into classrooms to get to know everyone in the Heim community. So teachers signed up. We came in. We read a book and asked our students a few questions. Really get to know everyone in the classroom. I am right back on my feet again. Has anyone ever fell off a skateboard? >> Yep. >> That probably hurts really bad. >> During our activity, we did ask students, what is something that you want us to know about you? And a lot of students said really beautiful things. And Natalie and I also got to answer those questions. So it really built connections with the students. My name is Caleb and

004the thing I'm like fierce kind of like about is like how good I am at flag football. >> After we read the book as an added icebreaker, we were able to all to get into a circle and we had a little game with a beach ball. So on this beach ball, there's all different questions. So I would ask a question, for example, what are you good at? So a lot of the kids were able to talk about, you know, things that they're really good at. So really just us another chance for us to get to know them more. >> What's your favorite animal? >> Cross between tiger shark, great white shark, and salt water or crocodile. If you could open up a restaurant, what food would you serve? >> Pizza. >> Oh, very nice. We

005don't want to just be people that are in the office. We want to be visible in the hallways for them. Just make them feel comfortable and know that we are trusted adults that they can come to with anything. >> I think I'm funny. What are you >> silly? >> You think you're silly. When all of our students and families feel connected, we see so much more success within the classroom, whether it's math or a social activity, the engagement between each other is so much more positive. From the moment they walk off the bus or out of their car, our kids feel seen and heard and have a safe place at the building every day. We want them to feel that the adults in this building are supporting them no matter what their role here. Whether

006they have a bus duty or a cafeteria duty, they're happy. They're smiling. Students know that every adult in our building is someone that they can go to. Mrs. Davis and I were really nervous our first day of school. Do you know why? >> Why? >> Cuz we were new. We didn't know anyone here. >> Yeah, but now you do. >> You know we do. It's really special for me just because I noticed after doing these activities, the kids now see us in the hallway and they like give us a high five and say, "Hi, Mrs. Davis." They get excited to see me now. They kind of, you know, they know who I am. And also, not only do they know who I am, but I know who they are. I know a lot of them

007by name. So, that's really exciting. >> When I count to three, I want you to show me your favorite dance move. Ready? 1 2 3. I'm doing mine. >> Getting to see smiling faces who are so excited to be there, it really just makes our jobs worth it. We have really phenomenal teachers and support staff here at HIM. Our students are very lucky. We want students to look at us and know us as humans and know that we are safe people for them and together we're going to have a great year. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> E the Heim community is very lucky. Thank you very much for that. Next, we know literacy is a foundational component of education. Reading is truly a year-round endeavor to keep students engaged in learning to instill a lifelong

008love of literature. Please welcome Country Parkway Nate Barnes, who will share how the school and the PTA work in unison to keep kids passionate about reading. >> Good evening, Dr. Brown Hall, board members and district level leadership team. To echo Dr. Brown Hall sent Sentiment. This evening we're going to focus on reading, reading, reading. Specifically, we're going to focus on one of many country parkways annual initiatives that aligns to teaching and learning in the district strategic plan to cultivate an organic and intrinsic love for reading. Each year we promote reading through our annual summer reading challenge which culminates with a back to school reading celebration in which students receive a variety of prizes based on various levels of reading that they achieved over the summer. In addition to cultivating an intrinsic love for reading, the

009goal is to bridge the gap between the summer months and the launch of the school year so that the transition back to teaching and learning is successful. As we know, if students have an organic love for reading, then when they're asked to perform a task connected to reading, they're that much more prone to be successful to do so. So, we hope that you enjoyed the presentation that has been put together for you this evening. And if you haven't already done so, we hope it encourages you to grab a book and read for your own personal pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity to highlight our school. >> Thank you. [Music] At Country Parkway, our goal is for all of our students to have an intrinsic love for reading. And we want to build that love for

010reading at the earliest age. So each year we have a back to school reading celebration and the back to school reading celebration is reflective of our summer reading initiative in which students are encouraged to read, read, read over the summer. We have four levels of prizes which range from a certificate to a pencil to a book to a lunch outside with the principal and the big boy which is the dunk tank. >> Any student that reads over 1500 minutes, they get a chance to dunk the principal in the dunk tank. >> If you're a level four, you could dunk Mr. Barnes. The best part about reading like if you read different books the more knowledge you'll know. >> It actually encourages me a lot when I'm able to sit down and have informal conversations with

011children such as during the lunch with the principal. I'm able to see their language development, their vocabulary, their background knowledge in real time, which that much more confirms the importance of reading. >> You can read as many books as you want. You can learn about stuff and it's better for your eyes than watching television or playing games. >> The book fair is really an important piece to the start of our school year. What better night to come out and be able to peruse really fun, new, engaging books and be able to start your year on a really positive note for reading. >> I found Sonic Elliot. >> I found Sonet. to see the students be as excited as they are as they run through the bookshelves and the tables in the gymnasium. It's awesome. The

012Country Parkway PTA is really here to enhance their learning experience. And so for us to be able to blend with the teachers initiatives and be able to continue to build that momentum for their love of reading makes everything so worth it for us. And as a parent, that speaks volumes and that is the best part of everything. Who can show me the front cover of their book? >> I love myself a good fantasy book. It's like the wonderful stories. I imagine I'm in the book with the characters. I just like reading. I do it for free. >> It's gratifying to be able to hear students say, "I love reading. I love snuggling up in the bed or sitting under a tree and reading a book. Regardless of what content you are learning, you have to

013be able to read." Whether you're in mathematics or whether you're in chemistry, reading is really the core. It's the nucleus. So when we do a really good job at rallying around the topic of reading and building a love for reading when students are young, when they're in their intermediate years, when they're in their secondary years, they're able to successfully engage in the task that's necessary to be academically successful. [Music] >> That's awesome. Thank you very much. Finally, tonight we want to take a moment to thank two retired individuals who have provided leadership, stability, and mentorship through several administrative changes in our district. Mr. Kevin Lester worked at Williamsville South for more than four decades. After retiring in 2017, he has returned to South as substitute teacher and a substitute administrator on three separate occasions and

014also spent time at KC Middle and Transit Middle where he is now as a substitute assistant principal. Mr. Lester, thank you very much. I'm going to move forward to Gil Lacata. Mr. Lacata is a retired principal in the Starpoint Central School District in 2022, but he has been a staple staple throughout our district since 2023. He has helped at Forest Elementary, Him Elementary, High Middle, Mil, and Williamsville North. Together, both Kevin and Gil have been incredible partners in education and resources for our students, families, staff, and administrators. We wanted to take a moment tonight to show our gratitude and appreciation for their dedication to the Wimsville community. Please welcome Kevin Lester and Gil Lacata. [Applause] So, I have to tell you all, every time we have a situation where we have to fill in for

015an administrator while we're looking to hire something, I always say, "Do you think Kevin will do it again? Do you think Gil would do it again?" Gil was at High Middle School all last year as interim assistant principal. And I know right at High and Before that you were at >> Mil right at Mill too. Absolutely. And Kevin you Kevin's everywhere also. And Kevin when we needed him to fill in that transit uh earlier this year I said you know Dana you think you I think you think Kevin will do it again. She said I'll call him and he was right there for us. So I want to thank you both sincerely for helping out. You know our school community. You've built community in our school. So, in our schools. So, thank you very much.

016Sincerely, >> I I just wanted to say thank the I would like to thank the district for keep bringing me back. It's somewhere I've been 54 years now. I love it. It's a great place. >> Um you missed about five schools I was in. No doubt, >> but it's been great. It's I'm thanking you. >> I'm sorry. >> I'm thinking I'm thanking the uh our district for having me here. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> You can come back again, Kevin. Superintendent, Board of Education, Leadership Chief, I just want to thank you. About three years ago, I knew it was time for me to leave Star Point, but I knew it wasn't time to retire. But my wife thanks you. She's here tonight for getting me out of the house. But I just

017want to say this. I was My wife Paul and I were blessed. Our four kids went through the system. Uh two of them are working in the district. Uh we're very blessed. And now we have grandkids coming here. But I just want to point out some people what I've learned along the way. You got great great principles. In fact, um, Mr. McDuffy, Mr. McDuffy, could you please stand? >> Oh, >> come on up here. Come up here. >> Mr. McDuffy came into mill. Remember that, Dr. Brown? >> And he just did a great job. And his two assistants are here tonight. Miss Chamberlain >> and Miss Daphne. >> Absolutely. That's really the A team. And then I had a chance to work at uh him as you mentioned. >> Y >> and the first call

018I made to Mr. Buffammani was I got a problem. He goes what is it? I go do I call you AJ? >> What's your name now? Cuz he was a student of mine back at Williams. >> And it was Mr. Bluff. Outstanding administrators. But I just want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It's been a great journey. We enjoyed it. >> Thank you. And we're going to take a picture. Well, one um a lot of people may not know uh Mr. Lacata was actually interim principal at Heim Elementary over the summer and the person we hired to replace him was his daughter Claire. So that was amazing. And last year at Williamsville South, Mr. Lester was our interim assistant principal and athletic director. And the person we hired to replace him was his

019son. So they they have a family of educators and have done a wonderful job uh really supplying our district with more educators. So thank you very much gentlemen. [Applause] President, I turn it back over to you. >> Thank you, Dr. Brown Hall. Are there any board acknowledgements tonight? Mr. Pascalia? Uh, I just wanted to acknowledge, uh, was actually just announced today at 3M that Mike Terillo, head coach of varsity, uh, football, Williamsville East, was, uh, nominated and picked for the, uh, Buffalo Bills coach of the week, um, with his victory uh, crucial victory of 17 to 14 over Grand Island, putting them at a record of 5-1 and, uh, clinching a playoff spot. >> Wow. >> I just want to acknowledge uh, Mr. Trillo. He's worked a long time in this district and coached a

020long time and uh that's a great accomplishment. So >> awesome. >> Thank you, Mr. Mscalia. Are there any other board acknowledgements? >> Okay, seeing none, we will move on to item 4 A. So, Dr. Brown Hall and Dr. Mcinley, I turn it over to you to introduce the external audit presentation. >> Thank you very much, board president. I'm going to turn it over to our acting assistant superintendent of finance and management services, Dr. Chris McInley. >> Thank you, Dr. Brown Hall. Uh, it's my pleasure to introduce Carl Whitmer tonight, partner at Dresser and Mlei, who will provide the board with an overview of our external audit. >> Thank you for the introduction. Good evening, board. Um, so here tonight to present on the results of the district's audit for the fiscal year ended June 30th,

0212025. We did have a chance to meet with the audit committee not too long ago, just hour and a half ago to go over the results of the audit in more detail. Um so for tonight we have prepared similar to past years a short slideshow just to make sure that we get the required the important communications to this group before the financial statements are issued as final which is anticipated for tomorrow which is uh significant in that October 15th is a reporting deadline for school districts in New York state ed. So anticipate getting the reports in on time. Make sure I have the clicker here. So each year, what can you expect out of the audit process? The products of the audit, our deliverables, of course, are the financial statements. That's the report that summarizes

022the 12 months of activity for the the district's fiscal year. Within that report is our professional opinion. Um that is really why we're hired. So to explain to the group, we're hired to come in and perform an audit over the district's financial statements. And why that's important is the users of your financial statements, anyone who picks those up and reads them, resident taxpayers, the bond market, banks, granting agencies, they want to look to an unbiased, objective, external audit firm for that reliance on the financial statements. Can they be relied upon as being fairly stated and accurate? And that's why we're hired. We perform our process, our audit process, and at the end of it, it culminates with our professional opinion in which states we believe the district's financial statements are fairly stated and can be

023relied upon for this year. So, that's the position that we're in to release for tomorrow. In addition to looking at the dollar amounts in those financial statements, we also are working with the staff here, performing interviews, updating narratives, getting to know what are the processes, what are the procedures and the policies in place surrounding all the dollars that come in and out of the district. And we call that the internal control structure. We also take a look at that and if there were any deficiencies or any items that we thought presented a risk to the district, we would report on those. So I'm happy to report tonight that there are no reportable findings over internal control. So a a clean report card from that side. The second item here is a single audit report. This

024is one item I communicated to the audit committee earlier that is a little bit different than past years in that it will be issued at a later date. This audit is performed under guidance which is provided by the federal government. Each year they have an annual update to this guidance that myself and my staff at the firm use as the basis to perform a compliance audit. They haven't released the annual update for this year yet. So the district's financial statements will be issued separately. Make sure they go out to New York State by the 15th. And the federal single audit, that compliance audit, I'll be in touch with Chris and as soon as anything is released, we'll be working to wrap that item up. Next item is a management letter. This is really our opportunity

025to pro provide any recommendations that we might have over different processes or upcoming changes to accounting. This year we had a couple really just housekeeping items surrounding um school lunch activities and extra classroom activities. The auditor communications. This is something that we go into greater detail with the audit committee, but tonight I would just like to present to the group. One of the key communications is to clarify what our responsibility is. And that's that we perform the audit over the district's financial statements, but that those financial statements are the responsibility and the property of the district's own records. Finally, there's an extra classroom activity report. This is a separate little financial statement that is going to present the financial activity for all the the extracurricular activities, clubs, um student government. New York State Ed provides

026the guidance for a separate audit on those items and we perform that for the district as well. So getting into the highlights for the financial statements for the year, we'll focus in on the general fund of the district, which represents the lion share of the activity um throughout the fiscal year. The graph in front of you is a five-year trend of all the money coming in, your revenues and transfers in. That's your blue line, compared to the money going out, your expenditures and your transfers out. That's your red line. And what you'll see if you're looking over the five-year trend here is the first two years spending was above the money coming in. But most recently, the past three years, your blue line is on top of the red line, which is indicating that you

027brought in more revenue than you spent in expenditures. What that turns into is an increase in the general fund fund balance, the equity position of the general fund. So focusing in on this year's audit of 2425 fiscal year total revenues that blue line for 25 is $241 million of total revenue. A growth of about $10 million from the prior year which is primarily attributed to state aid that came in much higher than was anticipated at budget time. Money going out expenditures were just shy of $214 million for the year. Pretty consistent with the prior year. operating costs, instruction costs, salaries, those did increase as you would expect along with contracts, steps, and so on. But the district's local share in funding capital projects was reduced compared to the prior year. So that that just about

028netted each other out for a consistent performance over the last two years. So that total revenue of 241 million over expenditures of 214 netted a $27 million increase to the fund balance position of the general fund. Here's a a five-year bar graph of your total fund balance. So, if we're looking at the top of all the way to the right, your 2425 fiscal year, total fund balance is now at $133.5 million, up 27 million from last year's 106. The red portion here is meant to illustrate the portion of fund balance that represents restricted funds. There are legal reserves that the district maintains, something that this board monitors on a regular basis. The total restricted fund balances represent just over $118 million for the year. And the unrestricted portion, that blue portion, is at 14.8 million,

029which we'll break down on the next slide. That 14.8 million is broken down between assigned and unassigned. That red portion is your assigned, basically representing funds that have already been spoken for in the next year's budget. And the area to focus in on in the blue is called your unassigned fund balance. This is fund balance that's not earmarked or restricted for any particular purpose. This money is available for the district's use for whatever they need it. This next slide will focus in on that amount because New York State has real property tax law 1318 which states this type of fund balance should not exceed 4% of the next year's budget. So each year management looks closely at the ability to fund the restricted fund balances and then notes that they have maintained an unassigned fund

030balance at that 4%. So, the district has been in compliance with the real property tax law requirements for each of the last four years. Finally, just a slide here with contact information. If anybody has any questions, you know, I urge you to reach out a call, email, whatever works. Um, it's a pretty quick interaction tonight and if you have a chance to look through the financial reports and have any questions, I' I'd be happy to answer them. But overall, it was a a successful audit and enjoyed working with the district. So if anybody had any questions tonight, I'm happy to answer. Board members, are there any questions? >> Carl, thank you very much. Thank you for your presentation at the audit committee meeting that was held this evening at 5:30 also. So we appreciate it

031and we appreciate your partnership and thank you very much, assistant superintendent Dr. McInley also. Thank you both. >> Thank you very much. for president. I turn it back over to you. >> Thank you, Dr. Brown. We are now on item 4B, public expression. I call on Parliamentarian Puland to review our public expression format. >> Welcome to all who have come to observe this regular board meeting. Per policy 1510, the board allows for up to 30 minutes for this first public expression period. This is a time when we invite members of our school community to share ideas, opinions, and concerns with us. While we are here to listen carefully, we take your concerns seriously. Public comment is not a time for discussion. Therefore, please do not expect us to respond tonight. Instead, you will receive a

032response by email sometime after our meeting. Because we want to maintain mutual respect and civility, please ensure that comments are delivered in a respectful manner to the board directly. Also, under state and federal privacy laws, we are unable to entertain any comments related to employee personnel information or any topic that may disclose information about a particular student. On these matters, we ask that you go through the appropriate administrative channels. Please note that individuals are required to sign up prior to our meeting and each speaker is allotted three minutes for comments. You'll be signaled at two and a half minutes so that you may conclude your remarks. At this time, we will begin our public comments. After I call on you, please step up to the podium and state your name. Our first speaker this evening

033is Jeffrey but just a reminder I know Parliamentarian Puland just reviewed this but please do not identify any particular employees or students in your comments. Thank you. >> Good evening superintendent and board members. My name is Jeffrey Feud. My family lives at 83 Lafayette Boulevard in Amherst. I'd like to speak tonight about board of education policy 5710 as it relates to pickup points and this policy established that pickup points for children uh for the bus stops will be at an intersection or fire hydrants. I do see that the policy is on the agenda for later tonight, but I did want to give you my family's experience with the current policy and hope you take that into consideration when you're addressing revising the policy. So, my son, he's in second grade at Forest Elementary and this

034policy was not enforced against him for the first two years when he was in kindergarten and first grade. Um, he was not required to go to an intersection. He was not required to go to a fire hydrant. he was allowed to be picked up in front of my house, no questions asked, for two years. This year, at the beginning of the school year, um out of the blue, the district started enforcing it such that he had to walk down the street to a fire hydrant, wait in a stranger's driveway to be picked up by the bus. Um it's him and the little girl next door. They're the only two kids in the general vicinity. Um the bus has to stop once. It's either going to stop in front of our house, it's either going to

035stop down the street. It just doesn't make any sense to me why the bus can't stop in front of our house when it's going to be one stop. Either way, I think it's much safer for it to be in front of our house so he doesn't have to go down the street, wait by an intersection um in someone's driveway or person who lives in that house is regularly backing out for work at that time of day. Um it's just as a parent very concerning to have to dodge a car and not um you know be in the front in the safety of our house. I did ask the assistant superintendent and the transportation supervisor to make a safety exception for the policy and I appreciate they did respond to us but they they wouldn't allow

036it. So, I would request that the board amend policy 5710 just to allow for common sense and safety to prevail such that bus stops don't have to be at an intersection. They don't have to be at a fire hydrant. I did look at the amended policy that I believe you're considering tonight and it does now appear to allow for pickups at a district designated location that is safe and efficient. That doesn't appear to be defined in the policy. I sincerely hope that uh common sense prevails and that you listen to parents uh the concerns they bring to you about where the pickup point should be and take that into consideration when considering where the pickup point will be for a particular child. Thank you. Our second speaker is Rachel Bruce. Good evening, members of the

037board. My name is Rachel Bruce and I'm here tonight as both a parent and an advocate. Not just for my own daughter who is ele who is in elementary school and lives with type 1 diabetes, but also in support of a friend whose daughter is now in middle school and navigating the same chronic condition without the same level of care. I want to thank the district for the invaluable support my daughter receives from her school nurse. Her ability to safely learn and thrive is directly tied to the daily monitoring and help she receives, especially when it comes to her continuous glucose monitor. This partnership between family, nurse, and school is essential. It's deeply concerning that this same level of care and oversight is not continuing into the middle school setting. My friend's daughter, also living

038with type 1 diabetes, is not allow is not being followed in the same way. The support she has she once had essentially dropped off even though her medical needs haven't changed. In fact, as our kids grow and face new environments, changing routines, and increased independence, their need for strong socialbased support increases, not decreases. Care for chronic medical conditions like type 1 diabetes should not be a matter of grade level. It shouldn't stop at fifth grade. Our children's health, safety, and ability to to learn depend on continuity of care from kindergarten through high school. I respectfully urge the board to review the current nursing protocols across grade levels to ensure that every child with type 1 diabetes receives the same standard of care regardless of their school age. Our kids deserve safety and support every step

039of the way. Thank you for your time and your attention to this important matter. Thank you, >> Dr. Danielle Bounds. Good evening. Hello. I'm Dr. Danielle Bounds. I'm a doctor of physical therapy who works with the geriatric population, including those with dementia. As a doctor of physical therapy, I evaluate, treat, advocate, and educate. I also spoke at the board meeting last April where I advocated for proper accommodations in UPK for my now four-year-old son, a type 1 diabetic. So, imagine my disappointment when I see an article regarding diabetes and lack of remote monitoring in the same district. It appears that the Williamsville Central School District still lacks empathy and common sense in regards to this condition and importance of proper management. In attempting to understand the reason this continues to be a problem, I've come

040to the conclusion that more education is needed regarding the seriousness of diabetes. So, here I am today. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Other autoimmune conditions include hypothyroidism, RA, MS, lupus, and Crohn's to name a few. Anyways, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas attacks itself by mistake and destroys the insulin producing cells. In other words, the pancreas and type 1 diabetes no longer produces insulin. None. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels in every single person in this room. Blood sugar levels fluctuate daytoday, minuteby minute, based on many factors, including stress, hormones like growth hormones, puberty hormones, what you eat, hydration, illness, activity level, and time of day. And according to the diabetes research connections, there are at least 42 factors that affect blood sugar. And those of you who not

041have type 1 diabetes, we don't have to think about the function of insulin. and those with type 1 diabetes, thinking about insulin and blood sugar is 24/7, not just what they eat. And too little or too much insulin is deadly. Middle school starts in fifth grade in this district when a child is 9 or 10 years old. At 10 years old, the district is expecting that a child manages their disability at school for their managing new age appropriate responsibilities, learning, socialization, and managing multiple classes and teachers and managing an organ that has failed to do its job through no fault of their own. Also, type 1 diabetes is still classified as a disability. At 10 years old, would anyone in this room responsible for a disability? A disability that if not managed as life-threatening? At

04210 years old, would anyone in this room want to be signaled out in class because of their disability? And at what and who what age is a child considered responsible enough to manage a serious condition or disability? The New York State Department of Health states that age alone should not be the guideline used to assume that a child is ready to accept responsibility for managing components of diabetes care. It is important to realize that children develop at different rates. There's no magic age when a child can suddenly perform a certain skill or be responsible for his or her care. Middle and high school age students should be able to perform self-care tasks depending on time sinceense diagnosis, level, maturity, and development. Before I leave, I'd like to remind everyone of Elijah's law, which in New

043York State mandates that all school districts have specific policies for severe allergic reactions. This law was named after a three-year-old that died due to anaphylaxis. In reviewing this law, I came across a powerful quote. It shouldn't take a tragedy to create change. Elijah did not die in vain. We need to create impactful legislation in your state to require a bill aimed at preventing another tragedy like Elijah's. So, what will it take? Thank you for your time. Thank you, Mr. Benjamin Liten. >> Good evening. My name is Benjamin Lynch and I'm the father of a type one child who's concerned for my daughter's safety and privacy. In 2023, my wife stood in this room asking for something simple. The use of remote CGM monitoring for children with type 1 diabetes. At the time, Williamsville was one

044of the only districts not using this technology. The district agreed to implement it, but only for elementary students. Now, we're back. Our daughter is in fifth grade. She's 9 years old, supposed to be in fourth grade, still just a child, balancing being a kid with the constant demands of type 1 diabetes. What you can see, she wears a CGM and insulin pump. She carries a backpack full of medical supplies all day. She has a phone to monitor her blood sugar. What you can't see are the sleepless nights, the forest juice when she's low, the needle sticks. She just wants to feel normal. This technology makes that possible. It's free. It's an app on an iPad in the nurse's office. It is to be viewed at scheduled times defined by her doctor. It alerts when her

045blood sugar is dangerously low. It's safer. It's more efficient. and it's more discreet. When she moved up to middle school this year, remote monitoring was removed from her 504 plan without our consent. Now teachers are asking her blood sugar in front of her classmates. She's embarrassed. She feels singled out. The current system is missing lows that we as working parents are catching remotely. This is dangerous. We're asking for you to use the technology as it is intended, how every other district uses it. We're asking for equal treatment, for a daughter to learn like everyone else, to feel safe and normal. >> Thank you. Thank you, >> Angela Litman. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Angela Liten. I'm the mother of a child with type 1 diabetes who is being reminded that she's

046different because of how this district has chosen to treat her. I have emailed the principal, superintendent, and all of you as well. I have tried everything. We had a meeting with our endocrinologist, a specialist who generously gave over an hour of her time to help this district understand how remote monitoring of her CGM could help keep her safe and feel included. The district's response was to require my daughter, a 4-ft tall child already carrying a backpack full of medical supplies, to lug around an iPad the size of her torso and discreetly hand it off to every classroom teacher. That was your solution for inclusion. No other district does this. No other district would even suggest this. How is this the least restrictive environment? Why is Williamsville trying to circumvent technology that's designed to protect children?

047The suggested method increases liability. It invol It involves more people with less training. Teachers are not clinicians. They should not be responsible for interpreting blood glucose data while they're trying to teach. And let's be honest, carrying protected health information around the building is a breach of confidentiality waiting to happen. I requested teacher training records since the teacher's diabetes training directly impacts my child's care and I was told to fill out a foil request and wait 20 days. The teachers are caring for my child now. Why shouldn't I have access to their training? We moved here from another district in 2023. They had two full-time nurses per building. They remote monitored students in elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school because they understood that teenagers rebel and younger kids need support. They didn't place the burden on

048a child or on teachers. If Williamsville's current staff can't manage this safely from the health office, then hire a second nurse. Hamburg did. Lancaster did. Lockport did. So have other districts. You saw the media story. Kentton changed their policy immediately after it aired. You were provided with the administrator's email tonight. You were also provided a list of 39 other districts in Western New York that remote monitor CGMs from the health office. You were given two Department of Justice settlement letters confirming that remote monitoring is a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You were given a copy of a petition with over 1,500 signatures. This isn't an individualized assessment. This isn't safe. This isn't inclusive. The district has made it very clear that they do not care about our child and her needs. But

049we do, and so does this community. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Kita Price. Prince, sorry. [Music] Good evening everyone and thank you for being here today and for taking the time to listen to the voices of us parents. I'm standing here today as a mother, as a parent, and as a friend. My name is Kayina Prince and my nine-year-old son is a fourth grader at Boris Elementary, the same age as Angela's daughter. On June 9th, 2025, our lives changed forever. When he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I'll be honest, before his diagnosis, I never imagined myself standing on a podium speaking before board of education. But one thing I've learned in the past four months is that we are our children's biggest advocates. All of us are. Um, and if speaking today can

050help another child or another parent facing the same challenges, I will do it a million times over because at the end of the day, our children deserve the best care and the safest safest school experience possible. Now, I want to ask each and every one of you to take a moment and think about the children in your lives, your kids, your grandkids, your neighbors, your friends kids. um when they walk into school each morning, you trust that they are surrounded by caring adults who want what's best for them, right? Who want them to learn and play and thrive just like every other student? But what if that child had a threat life-threatening medical condition? What if their day required a few extra steps, a few moments of monitoring to keep them safe, and instead of

051receiving that support, they were told, "You're independent enough. You can handle this on your own. I'm not sure how many of you have been around a 9 or 10year-old. Uh but I think we all can agree that no matter how responsible or mature they are, they are still children. Expecting a child to manage a disease like type 1 diabetes completely on their own is unrealistic and quite frankly unsafe. Children with type 1 diabetes don't get to wake up and eat whatever they want. Every single meal, every snack, every bite has to be carefully planned, weighed, and counted. Parents spend mornings with sticky notes, double-checking supplies, and praying that the days go smoothly. Our home is filled with sounds of alarms through a device called a sugar pixel. It connects to my kids CGM monitor and

052sounds alarms that signal when blood blood sugar is dangerously low or high. They go off like fire sirens, echoing through the whole home. At home, we have access to added technology to keep up with his highs and his lows that not just I monitor, but his siblings monitor, his grandparents, his aunts, his uncles. My house has alarms that go off. So, that's how we know at home that he's low or high. Um, technology is not perfect though, and sometimes alarms don't transmit to every parent following the device. Sometimes one phone gets the alert and the other doesn't. Sometimes the system lags. Sometimes young kids say they're independent, but they can't hear the alarm. But remote monitoring is important. Um, can I just finish this last second? >> Your time's up. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank

053you for your time. >> Thank you. Phyllis Newman, superintendent, members of the board and community. My name is Phyllis Newman. A family has lived in the district for 51 years. >> Miss Newman, can you pull the microphone? Okay, please. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Nobody's ever accused me of having a soft voice. Uh, I spent 18 years on the district's PTA as a board member or officer of the four Williamsville schools our children attended. In 1975 and 76, I was lucky enough to be part of the board's districtwide gold planning initiative. But tonight, I'm here because I'm a neighbor, not of just of any child, but a precocious, bright nine-year-old girl who lives next door to us. She has type 1 diabetes, and she is be being treated differently because of it. This isn't just

054a medical issue. It's a dignity issue. It's a child being singled out, made to feel different, and losing confidence in her school, a place that should feel warm, welcoming, and inclusive. The technology to solve this problem is available. It is a proven, coste effective tool used by numerous other neighboring districts. What seems to be missing here in Williamsville is the will to use this technology as it was intended to be used. None of us plan or expect a diagnosis of juvenile diabetes and our children or grandchildren, but it happens. And wouldn't we all want the best technology for our loved ones? Remote glucose monitoring, remote continuous glucose monitoring is not a luxury. It is a lifeline. It is a way to protect this child's privacy, excuse me, and that of every other child who lives

055with type 1 diabetes. Remote CMG protects privacy, safety, and the right to learn without shame. No child should be made to feel like a spectacle because of a medical condition. I urge you to act. Review your policies. Equip your health offices. Train your staff. Do what is right. Not just for this amazing little girl, but for every child who deserves to feel safe, included, and respected. She is not asking for special treatment. She is asking to be treated like everyone else. Thank you. >> Thank you, Lynn Subberstein. Good evening. My name is Lynn Summerstein. I haven't had the experience of being at this microphone in 30 years. And my family had a due process hearing for our daughter in 1988. Everybody here looks very young. That due process hearing was to initiate inclusion in the

056district. We thought the barriers we faced for our daughter were a thing of the past in Williamsville. That's why it is so disappointing to hear that parents still have to come to the microphone to ask for what their child or children need. Where is the collaboration? Where is the child advocacy? These situations are too hard on families as our family well learned. I hope this body remembers that and works to resolve the issues that the parents presented here. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. And that concludes our public expression for this first session. >> You are now on item five. Dr. Brown Hall, I turn it over to you for the community update. >> Thank you very much, board president. I appreciate that. The community update for Tuesday, October 14th, 2025. First and

057foremost, I want to really thank um assistant superintendent Dr. Marie Balon and our executive director of communications, Mr. Nick Fipowski for the work they did in chair chairing the handbook committee. We wanted to make sure that our handbooks were consistent uh districtwide so that all of our students and families are receiving the information that's necessary, but that it's consistent at the elementary, middle, and the high school level. So they were able the entire committee worked to review and streamline the handbooks and a print version is available at each building with a digital version being available on the school websites. This was one of the items that the board uh brought to my attention and we wanted to make sure that this was taken care of for the 2526 school year. So thank you very much

058to the handbook committee. Also, the My Ride app, K12 app, that is our bus tracking system that we use in partnership with STA. So, parents and guardians will now see the daily bus route highlighted on the app's map. It's important to note that each child may be assigned a different route color for morning and afternoon transportation unless they ride the same bus. In addition, estimated pickup and drop off times will also display providing more accurate tracking. But we want to make sure parents know that there is a small lag in when you're watching the app. There is a small lag. So if it's saying that the bus is uh nearby or two minutes away, make sure that's just a short lag. I want to thank both our director um Andrina Goldmith and our assistant superintendent

059Dr. McInley for everything they've done to get this app functioning functioning to be more appealing to parents and that they're able to really track when their buses are coming. So, thank you very much for that. Bus stops and bus routes as parents um have contacted the board of education. We heard one parent speak tonight about the bus routes in alignment with policy 5710. So this policy is not new and it was also included in our summer newsletter in August and a Wix mail in August because we wanted to make sure every family had it. We are strictly adhering to the policy very similar last year when we underwent our transportation efficiency study. We saw efficiencies that could take place in our district when we adhere to policy 5710 and provide for shorter bus routes for

060our students and allowing for more flexibility when we're scheduling bus routes. So, we are adhering to policy 5710. We have gotten parental concerns about where some of the bus routes are located, especially on streets that do not have sidewalks. So, we are partnering with a transportation safety consulting firm to review those bus stops, the locations, and the geographic region around those bus stops. And we anticipate that that study will take place beginning the last week in October. And then there will be a presentation to the board shortly after that once the study and the review are done. >> Go ahead, Dr. Sting. >> Just a quick question. In the policies 5710, you mentioned district designated bus stops. Would this would that change after the study is done or so? What so in the policy what

061you're referencing is the policy that is up for the first reading tonight. That additional language will allow more flexibility if the study is completed and recommendations come back that are not in alignment with the current policy 5710. The new policy 5710 for the first reading tonight will allow for more or greater flexibility in that manner. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. Athletic buses. So with realizing the new efficiencies, this is something that parents have asked our board of education for and the superintendent for a few years and it was brought up at the uh North High School PTA meeting. Board member Fletch and I were able to hear a parent speaking about they remember this being a concern at one of the community forums, but we know change and things that we're working on do take

062time. So when you bring an item to the superintendent or the board of education, it's not that we've forgotten about it, but things do take time. With the new efficiencies we've experienced adhering to policy 5710, we're the transportation was able to allocate afterchool athletic buses to transport students from High Middle School to Williamsville North, from Casey Middle School to High Middle School, and from Mill Middle School to Williamsville South. So this is a direct result of the analysis from the efficiency study review of transportation during the first month of the school year and resources that could be better reallocated to benefit our students in alignment with policy 5710. So, this has been something that's been asked about for many years, and so we're happy that this year we're able to provide it. And I want

063to say thank you again to our director of transportation and our athletic directors that really kept this in the forefront of our minds. Also, PTA, PTSA, and SEPSA. As many of you already know, our PTA and PTSAs were in Sepsa were asking about means of communication. They do use our district newsletters and that is still the primary mode of communication when communicating to families about PTA or PTSA announcements and SEPsA announcements. But what we've also added now the district was able to establish PTA PTSA and SEPSA email accounts to send information through Wix on a limited basis. So, this is something that our school administrators work and partner with our PTA, PTSAs, and SEPSA to decide which communication needs to be sent out. And they're sent out from the separate PTA, PTSA email account. And

064it will include the acronym for your school building. For example, CM is Casey Middle School. So, you know that it's coming from the PTA PTSA at Casey Middle School. The school and/or district newsletter will still be the primary vehicle for events and activity updates from the PTSA, PTSA, and SEPSA portrait of a graduate. So, we have recently established a district web page to help share information regarding the New York State portrait of a graduate. It features an implementation timeline because this is something that is going to be phased in until 2029. Presentations and updates from the New York State Education Department are added to our district website andformational need to know graphics for our school community. I always want to applaud our communications department under the leadership of our executive director Nick Filiposki because any

065initiative that we embark upon, they create great graphics. They create a website with a plethora of information and a timeline so parents, family, and community members see exactly when these milestones are. We will also, as part of the superintendent speaker series this year, have a four video series on portrait of a graduate to really break it down and really have a chunking opportunity for families to understand everything that is incorporated in the New York State portrait of a graduate. Digital Dangers. FBI Buffalo will have a visual virtual presentation on digital dangers on Thursday, November 6th from 6 PM to 8:00 p.m. Digital Dangers. That's how that's all those days, bro. Uh viewing is available at Dodge Elementary and Casey Middle School. Audience is for parents and guardians, educators, administrators, and local law enforcement. Digital Dangers

066is a virtual presentation designed to inform parents, educators, and school communities about today's most pressing online safety concerns and provide resources for parents and educators to use at home and in the classroom. A Wix mail will be sent on Wednesday, October 15th. Again, we are hosting the viewing on Thursday, November 6 at both Dodge Elementary and Casey Middle Schools. Our family flu clinic will be on Monday, October 27th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the KC Middle School small cafeteria. You will need to enter through door 10. So, park in the athletics parking lot and enter through door 10. Please bring your insurance card and appointments can be scheduled by clicking that link in the community update. Shots available to those four years of age and older. Most major insuranceances accept it and they're

067listed there. Our community forum with the board of education and superintendent will be held on Saturday, November 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Williamsville South High School cafeteria. So, as you saw this evening, we cannot respond when our public and parents are actually coming to speak at the board meeting. The community forum gives you an opportunity to interact with the board of education and the superintendent. We can have dialogue back and forth. You can ask questions and they can be answered. Very, very different than when you come to speak at a board of education meeting. The board provides two opportunities for this every year, one in the fall and one in the spring. So, the fall date is Saturday, November 1st, and we look forward to seeing our community, our parents and

068guardians, and our students at that community forum. October is principal appreciation month, and so we want to honor our principles. We appreciate everything they do to run efficient and effective schools in our buildings and really make it an intentionally inviting environment not only for our students but for our staff and faculty also. So, thank you to all of our elementary, middle, and our high school principles who are listed up here on the screen. So, I encourage you all when you are dropping your kid off at school or going to a PTA, PTSA meeting, just make sure you're giving our principles a a good thank you. We get a lot of emails in administration about things that may not be going well, but it's always great to get a thank you email and a highlight of

069things that are going well. And speaking of things that are going well, we want to thank our board of education in Williamsville for always being so supportive of all the educational initiatives in our district to really make sure our students continue to receive the the very highest of educational opportunities in our district. So this is Board of Education Appreciation Week, October 13th to the 17th. So I want to thank all of our elected officials, including our student board members. Thank you for all you do to make sure that we provide the best education possible in Williamsville. Same thing goes for our board members. Please shoot them an email. If you see them in the grocery store, give them a thank you. I know it's very easy to talk about, you know, things that might not

070be going well or we need to work on, but really express to the board the things that are going well and thank them for their volunteer service that takes up a lot of their time. Cancer awareness. So, this is cancer awareness month. I am part of the men wear pink campaign. So, I will be wearing pink every day throughout this month, hence the pink suit. So, we know that breast cancer affects both men and women. We want to bring more attention to that. The American Cancer Society is working to make sure that money is funneled to find a cure for breast cancer and to support individuals with getting their um necessary mammograms when necessary and providing support to families that are dealing with breast cancer. So again, every day this month, you will see me

071wearing an article of of pink clothing or a pink suit and that is to really increase awareness for cancer. That is a community update. Today's October 14th, 2025. Any questions, board members? All right. Thank you very much. I turn it back over to you, board president. >> Thank you so much. We are now on item 6A. And as Dr. Ronhal just discussed, our board community forum is on November 1st in South High School. We hope to see many members of our community there. Our board retreat is going to be December 3rd. We have an upcoming building visit to Forest South and Mill on November 4th. And we recently had building visits to North AIM and Casey. And during that time, we were able to observe the facilities and also instructions that were happening in the

072classes at both North and Casey. Does anyone have comments related to any of the items in 6A? Okay. 6B. Would any of our student board members like to provide a report regarding recent and upcoming events at your school? Okay, why don't we just go down the table again? Does that work? >> Yeah, that sounds good. Um, for North over the past month, we've definitely had a theme of community uh throughout all of our schools. Um, starting off on this September 16th, we had Spartans read at Him Elementary during our homecoming week where varsity athletes were able to go down to Him Elementary and read books to an assigned classroom. I went and I was a I was assigned to I believe second grade and it was a great opportunity to kind of connect with them.

073The kids are definitely very active and I'm definitely very biased. I love elementary school kids, but uh it was a great opportunity and we read books about being a leader and we able to get their perspective on what what being a leader is and also educate how we can be leaders in our sports and other activities. Um on the 26th of September, we had the Maple West Fall Fest and a lot of uh juniors and seniors to volunteer and uh help the community and kind of connect with their siblings or other people that are in the district. And on the 3rd, seniors uh sorry, October 3rd, seniors went to Dodge Country Fair and volunteered with that. It's everything to the fall fest. And North started their new Dodge riders and striders program, which meets twice

074a week in October to teach kindergarteners how to ride bikes, which is a great program because uh as you know, like at least in my opinion, riding a bike is one of the hardest things that I've learned when I was a kid. So, by having an older person that you look up to that uh goes to your district um definitely impacted their positive outlook and hopefully throughout the rest of the month it gets better and they learn how to ride bikes. But definitely a good sense of community. Um also as well we have the upcoming country parkway fall fest on the 24th of October. And we're returning to our math and science development peer uh sorry program peer tutoring which uh along with community is relying on each other's strengths to better our uh knowledge

075in school which any student is able to sign up for a subject that they believe that they are um well adjusted to or a class they did well in and assist other students that are currently taking the course. uh it's unsure how many classes we'll be able to uh provide tutoring for just depending on how many people sign up but in the past it's been very successful and I myself has been part of the program in the past and it definitely has helped a lot with people's grades >> uh as well we've had 40 students from North Case that were chosen to be part of the NISMA area all state music groups which is an accomplishment in uh New York where you're able to play for uh the area all state orchestra or band or

076or chorus and it's just a definitely a great recognition. The fact that we had 40 students alone is amazing. So, congratulations to the students that were recognized. We also had our second uh be good, do good Tuesday, which is based off of Josh Allen's quote. Um, and we were to find pumpkins throughout the halls where they had an act of kindness written on it and receive a prize for it. So, this kind of influenced community, but also showing kindness in simple ways. Uh, it also is a fun activity to run around the halls trying to find pumpkins so you can uh complete an activity. Um as well as we are continuing our uh be good dog do good poker chip cards which our teachers are able to carry on a fanny pack of poker chips

077whenever they see a student uh doing something good or showing an act of kindness they able to uh get a poker chip which can be uh turn in for a dollar at the hot spot or the snacks shack. Um as well they were wearing pink on the sorry people were wearing pink on our uh be good do good Tuesday to support DECA's making strides campaign which as well supports breast cancer awareness. Uh four Will North students were honored in the 2026 national merit scholarship program as commended students meaning they were the top 50,000 students in the nation to take the 2024 PSAT which is an amazing accomplishment and we are so proud of those students and the fact that we have four of them. We are just amazed at uh the academics that uh have

078been poured into this district and a team of students wrote, directed and performed a stage play called uh Fiend in Basset Park just last month and established their own theater company uh in hopes to grow uh the theater uh in Williamsville and also uh get community involved. also by performing at Basset Park. It was an event where siblings, parents, teachers, and other people in the community were able to see a performance that they did 10,000% from scratch through the this district. So, >> very cool. >> Thank you, Jazelle. DSP. >> Yeah, the school's been like very lively lately because of the homecoming last week. Every day there was something new going on. Um, we kicked off with like the formal assembly and I was honored to be part of it as I was one of

079the homecoming court members. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, that was something like I never even pictured happening and kind of showed like you don't have to start out as the best, but you can be the best at the end. Yeah. You know, you just have to stay consistent and put yourself out there like I did. throughout the week. Um, we had bingo during school which was you got like a bingo card as you walked into school and then throughout the periods the numbers would get announced and there were 10 winners. Each of them got a gift card. >> That's awesome. >> Yeah. Then there was also movie night on Wednesday. Thursday there was Powderpuff which is a football game where the girls are playing flag football and the boys are the cheerleaders. And I mean I

080think it's it might be better than the real football game that we have happens on Friday cuz yeah like like I know like teachers were changing all their study plans just to help support their students that were in the flag football game. or Potterpuff game, I would suppose. Yeah. And then there was the Pepper Rally, which had like a lot of games. I mean, I can't I can't count, but it it basically what it is, it's just like you all the classes compete and it's just like we all get together, too. Yeah, there was also the Billy's bash before the football game, which is sponsored by the PTSA, I believe. I had a great turnout. I mean, there was tons of students that came out and it really added to like the the community feel

081of it that week. And then the football game, which we won, of course. And I want to say it's not only the football game that day, it's the dance line performing there, the cheerleaders, and also the band, which I know like does a lot of performances throughout the week. And I believe South went to Mel Metal to the the band to perform there. Yeah, outside of homecoming, there was um a new wallset challenge, which I might have talked about from the through the weightlifting club where students and staff compete to see who can hold the wallset challenge the longest. And it's a small thing, but it's been really fun and positive way to connect both the students and the teachers. And there too, you get to win a what's it called? A gift card. >>

082What was the record? >> What? >> Longest time. One of the students got 16 minutes. Wow. Which is I believe it's a record from last year, too. >> Wow. Yeah. I believe it was just only six minutes from last year. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> We all set? >> Yes, we are. >> Hey, thank you so much, DSP. Selia, >> so yeah, it's been um a very exciting and busy like last month here at East. So, uh, September 9th or September 16th, my med, we had our college and career readiness day where from 8:15 to 9:15, a lot of college representatives were down in the commons and students, they could get passes from their teachers to go down and just interact with the people there. And there was also um, representatives from Navy and

083Army that too for anyone not interested in like traditional college experience. But it was a very like fun experience for students to just get pamphlets and just ask the representatives, oh, what's this college about? What can I learn here? And just see like tuition, other sorts of stuff. That was fun. Um, of course, we also had our homecoming week last week. And we had our pep rallies Monday, Friday. And East always has like competitive, well friendly but competitive grade competition where the grades always compete to see like in games such as like chicken toss and like tugof-war who can do the most and you get points based on that. But I swear it's rigged for the seniors every year. >> They always end up winning it against the juniors. But uh then on Monday, last

084week Monday, they announced the homecoming court. And then on Tuesday, we had our ping pong tournament after school where you could sign up for either recreational doubles or competitive singles. And there were snacks and the tables were set up in the commons and spectators could also watch. And it was really just a chill event organized by StuCo where uh top three got or no first place got a $15 Amazon gift card and top three just got a picture taken together and posted on the east Instagram. And then on the Wednesday we had our annual carew walk at the track track and field where students would show up. It was a $5 entry fee hosted by NHS where you could support your grade grade grade levels charity and it was just a great experience for students

085to get together and just enjoy supporting a great cause. Then Thursday we had our annual taste of East and this year it was a bit special because Williams East our mascot we did the Williams East flames we tend to have a bonfire but we had Cathyoko announced a statewide fire ban. So on like the Thursday day of it was announced that there would be no fire that day and it was a lot of buzz but we all managed to make it through. It was just very chilly I'll say very cold >> but yeah a lot of people showed up and different clubs basically what they do is they'd have so you can show up to the event as adults parents you can bring anyone and you basically pay for tickets. I believe it's 50 cents

086per ticket. And then you can go up to different tables and purchase different like snacks such as French club, which I helped at. They were selling pastries, mini for like three tickets for not not that expensive. And you basically support your friends. >> So what kids would do is they'd volunteer for tables for time slots like 30 30 minutes to an hour and then they'd also go interact at the other tables and just hang out with friends. And we also had our powderpuff game that Thursday. And then Friday we had our other pep rally where they it was basically just our students, our cheerleading team and our teachers had the annual like dance dance along where even though we couldn't record it with our phones this year, it was still fun to watch the teachers

087dance their best. >> But um then our flag or Williams football game that night which was quite exciting as it came down to the war but Williams managed to beat Grand Island with the last second field goal. So yeah, and then a lot of stuff to look ahead for such as HOSA tomorrow in fact is hosting a stop the bleeding training where professional paramedics are coming in after school in the library to give out a presentation on you know stopping bleeding training. It's free hands-on open event for students where they can receive a certification from HOSA for completing this. And then FBLA is also hosting their fall district meeting uh at East on October 22nd from 3:30 to 7 PM which is going to focus on networking like talking to a lot of adults who

088are in like the business industry and basically just getting to know more about FBA and getting more involved. Um, and then our bands, they also performed at the pep rallies on Monday, Friday. And then this next week, uh, October 21st is our first band fall concert. And then October 23rd is our orchestra fall concert, which is I invite everyone to come as they always put on a great performance because I was coming into school today and they practice in the auditorium starting now. So I could hear them all the way through. That's how loud they play. Uh, and then NHS and StuCo, they're hosting trunk or treat on October 28th. >> Oh, wow. >> 4 p.m. in the East parking lot, which is basically open to the public after school where you can show up

089and kids will basically decorate their cars and you can go around and they'll basically give you candy. So, it's always a fun event. And then the first SIAK meeting will be on October 22nd in the East Auditorium. Um, 22nd Wednesday morning, I believe. So that will be where representatives from different schools come together and they talk about just different issues or from the Williams School District. And then uh for the National Merit Scholarship, East also had four students recognized as National Merit qualifiers. >> Wonderful. Thank you. I'm tired just listening about all the activities, all the opportunities that are available at all of your schools. So thank you for sharing. Yes, Mr. Biscell. >> I have a question for East. Who won uh King of Homecoming? >> King of Homecoming. Uh they did like four,

090it's like a torch thing where they have four different um categories. >> So they basically announced three different nominees and then the students get to vote um for the four I don't know the exact people, but basically there were four winners though. >> I was getting to it. My nephew won one of them. That's why. >> All right. Thank you. Any other board member questions or comments? Again, thank you all for those very thorough reports and letting us know about all the amazing opportunities available at each of your schools. Thank you. >> Okay, we are moving on to item 6 C. Last fall, we approved the student board members committee to help advise us on the student board member selection process. and we received the committee's recommend our recommended process in January and then approved

091it in February. Um at this time are there any comments about the current uh selection process as we move to look at the process for 2026. >> Mr. Mana, >> I want to hear from the students who went through our decision on what method to use and how it impacted them and >> absolutely. Do any of you want to have share your experience on the process last year? >> Do you think we should look into changing it? >> Um, I will say this now. Obviously, this was a constraint because this was the first year, but I would say it was somewhat vague as to what the responsibilities would be. I think this year um it would be I think helpful to the people who are interested in the position if we as board representatives could

092also give them like some feedback about what the responsibilities would entail and like what all you'd have to do how much of a time commitment it would be because obviously we can do that last year because it was the first year but I think that would be a great change to add. >> Absolutely. Do do you feel that the the the campaigning because there's multiple ways that this that the board the student board representative can be placed on this board. So, you know, this board chose the election process. Um, do you think that's something that needs to be revisited? I would say no because I mean election process pretty much what happens is you pick the popular kid most likely and I don't think that's a problem cuz that that way you have like connections

093with everybody you know the the main goal one of the goals as a student board member is for you to be able to get feedback from people and being popular you know you know a lot of people and you'll be able to get feedback from So, I don't think the election part of it is wrong necessarily. I I do want to talk about the campaigning part. Once we got elected or not elected, sorry, >> selected from the principal, the top three. Is that what you're talking about? >> Yes. Once we got qualified after the interview, right? nine students total in the district had to make videos and I think three per school and I think that in and of itself should be just the all all the campaigning we have to do. We shouldn't make

094posters or go on social media. I think talking to people that's that could be fine because I don't think there's a way to monitor it like nobody's going to monitor your conversations. You know what we could do is like a certain class that everybody takes like I think ELA or social studies right we have our video shown during that period it it I'll take like maybe five minutes and students vote right then and there from what I remember and know like only half of the school voted 50% of the school voted and yeah it's just a s suggestion to eliminate the campaigning process that like you know all those posters wasting all that paper and ink could be eliminated. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you so much for sharing that. Appreciate it. >> I mean just

095one question. What would you do to make the participation 100%. I don't think we can have 100% participation because some kids might be like, you know, all all three of the people running are my friends or you don't like all three of the people then maybe we can have one of the options as I choose not to vote. >> None of the >> like nobody's millions. >> Yeah. I mean talked about a weighted vote weighted vote system but I don't know how easy or kind not easy that would be to to go through then all the process and then tabulate was the second then the runoff and be a little more cumbersome than >> do we know the percentage of votes or how many students voted I don't I don't recall forgive me >> it

096varied by the school um we I >> recall off the top of my head >> yeah it it wasn't u I think actually South had the greatest participation with 50% um I know that at some point um in casual conversations one of the students and I think you had just said said that again um you know it's maybe having a designated class time >> yes >> um as a time to vote um might be an option but that this is something that I think we need to perhaps reconvene that committee um the principles are the people who really need to be on the same page with with this they're the ones that are um operationalizing this for sure and and we're getting into the realm of practice and not policy. So we have the policy

097doesn't need to change um the implementation in at the buildings and we do want that to be consistent across buildings. So however that however we want to look to make that happen. >> May I for a moment? I I don't know about having class time to vote, right? It's not real world. We can't force people to vote. The the reason why you campaign is that you campaign so well that people are excited to vote for you, right? So, if I have a candidate that I'm excited to vote about, I'm going to make sure I vote. But if I have candidates I'm not excited to vote about, then I'm not going to make sure I vote. I don't know about identifying class time to to force people to vote, quote unquote. >> 50% turnouts more than

098any of us got. >> Yeah. Well, you know, I was and I was going to say, you know, that that is the reality of >> how many people are there in Williamsville and how many voted >> but I think the educational piece is important and I'm not saying I have a grand answer, but the what what you said, you know, what is this position? What am I voting for? So, sure, being popular offers you connections, but do people know why they're clicking a button? Do they know why they're voting? um you know that's education around voting is huge and I was going to offer the consistency comment as well between the different school buildings. I think that's something to look at. >> I was just going to say that I think and correct me if

099I'm wrong that almost every class watches the schoolboard videos at least in like the seniors do at least for when when we run >> I know that that's been kids have told me that that the difference and >> maybe 10 of them. >> Oh I have not heard that that's in detention heard >> and maybe some of the government classes. Thank you. >> You got to watch these. >> So, I guess Oh, I'm sorry. Just >> something you'd like to say? >> Yes. As far as my experience, I would say that the whole election process went well. I would say since the board uh that I guess went through the interviews with us was made up of students and principles and guidance counselors. It kind of I guess I guess in a way filtered through

100the applicants and all the people that were selected were amazing candidates. And I would say the people I ran against were would have been great in this role. So I would say as far as education part as like who am I voting for and um what does this role serve? I would say by having this board it does ensure that the people that are being uh elected and voted upon uh have the qualities that are needed for this role. But I would agree with DSP especially with this new phone policy with not being able to use their phones in school. I would say it'd be convenient with having a designated time during school to vote as well as if there is a possibility for us to meet with the uh incoming people that were um

101interested in this in this process or even coming into different classes to talk about like DSP said uh our role and or I guess the new batch of people uh students that are uh going to be campaigning what they would be doing and uh their hopes for this position. I I think that you are the greatest ambassadors that we have for the for the positions and your comment about going to classes I think would be an excellent one. You know, maybe you make the tours of all of the social studies classes just to talk about what it means to be a board member. >> I also know this that um during the uh like the interview process, there's like the principal um couple of students and like a guidance counselor. I think I don't know

102how practical practical it would be, but for some of you board members to also be part of like >> visual like you know interview process because I feel like if they'd be working with you, you'd want to you'd have the best understanding of how their response you know should be I'd say because like the people who interviewed us they don't really they're not like on the board as much as you know you guys. So I don't know the possibility of that if maybe you could have the interviewers all come to like district office for a day or something. I just brought that up. >> I like that. >> I think it could just be us three like at our own schools part of the interview committee or >> the panel. Sorry. >> So, it sounds

103like there's a lot of really interesting great ideas that are being thrown out. It sounds like we may want to look at reconvening a committee to to sort of discuss these ideas and then bring a recommendation to us. I know the I don't have the charter from the previous committee in front of me right now, but I know all the principles were involved. I believe there was a school counselor involved, there were students involved, and then there were board members involved. Do you remember explicitly? >> Yes. Okay. Um, so should we do we want to agree tonight then to move forward with the committee? Is there a motion to form a committee? Mr. man is making a motion to to reconvene the student board member committee. We would need to um I know the principles

104helped to designate who was on the committee. We would do that again. And there's a >> got a comment >> and Miss Fletcher seconding. >> No, I had a comment really quick before I will second. But another idea I just thought is maybe having the the future or the people that are you know running or to come to a board meeting maybe and just talk for a minute or two about why they are running and what they would kind of like how we do meet the candidate night sort of a meet the candidate night for the the student board members. >> I was going to offer just come to a board meeting so you can see what it's like. >> Yes. >> All right. >> And I will second it. >> Okay. So we have

105a a motion from Mr. Mana, second for Miss Fletch to reconvene a student board member committee to look at the selection process for this coming year. Is there any further discussion on this? All in favor? Motion carries unanimously. Okay, we will move on then and thank you all for sharing your thoughts on this process. Um, we are on item 6D. We held a policy committee meeting on October 6 to review and discuss policy 5710, the transportation program. There were some minor suggested revisions that are in agenda item 13A for our first reading this evening. Are there any board member comments or questions related to the that policy committee meeting? Okay, Dr. Spicer. >> Yep. I will just say that um thanks to Dr. Brownh Hall for bringing um calling attention to that conversation by sharing

106some of the things the district had already done and is doing um to look at transportation. I think it's really important to know to reflect the discussion that was had in that committee. Um I as a parent was very impressed and surprised um at how much research goes into every parent feedback, every concern about if a bus can fit down a street and turn around and you know everything that has gone into this. So um and that also that we have heard the the communications from from the community um and and for them to look at board docs so they can see our response to that. So thank you for putting that in and it was a great dialogue. >> Thank you. Any other comments? Okay, we're moving on to ECSB and NISBA. These items

107are in board docs. Are there any comics related to ES ECSB or NISBA? >> Yes, DSP. >> Yeah, I wanted to talk about the meeting I have with Nesba. So, the student board members have the opportunity to attend a statewide meeting >> conference maybe. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. I'm just going to tell like what I thought about like was the most uh like the point I took away. It was that this whole like role of being a student board member and the way we got here that was all discussed and it's a way for us students in high school to participate in democracy. Just thought that was a good takeaway. They also mentioned us also running for board members later on or consider running for a board later on. >> Got it. >>

108Yeah. >> Board member in training. >> Thank you for sharing. >> Thank you. >> Any other comments? Okay. We did have under this item our NISBA resolutions and positions. Board member Blackinger is our voting delegate for NISBA's annual business meeting on October 16th. And typically our delegate votes according to the NISBA resolution committee recommendations unless we agree at the table to vote differently. So all three proposed bylaw amendments were not recommended um by the NISBA resolutions committee. The proposed resolutions number 1 through 23 were recommended and proposed resolutions 24 through35 were not recommended. So, are there any considerations to vote differently from those, Miss Blackinger? Uh, yes. Number 26 um talked about the advocation for legislation that restores religious exemption um to vaccine mandates. So, I would like to um get support um from the

109board on agreeing with this. Um, I feel that this legislation allows families with legitimate religious convictions to participate fully in public education. So, most states have found ways to respect both health standards and constitutional rights. So, I feel we should also do the same to ensure fairness, inclusion, and equity for all students. Would you like to make a motion to um support resolution number 26 then? Okay. Is there a second? I see no second. >> Okay. >> Were there any other resolutions for discussion? >> Okay. I want Oh, sorry. Oh, that's okay. Do you have another? Go ahead. >> Also, number 32, um, which talked about health and wellness concerning food in our schools that were served. So, I'm advocating for higher standards, better oversight, and transparency. um specifically this was um for free from

110unnecessary chemicals and harmful additives in our school breakfast and lunches. >> Okay. So is there any discussion then on resolution number 32 and um Miss Buckinger I know that you had sent us a proposed amendment that you had. Could you read that or if not I can read it. I have it. >> Um yes I have it. So, it would reframe it to focus on reducing harmful additives, artificial dyes, and unnecessary chemicals in school meals while also advocating for locally sourced farm-to-table and minimally processed foods. >> Thank you. Okay. Is there any discussion on that supporting that as amended by Miss Bleinger? Miss Miss Puland, >> the only comment I have is is it too late to submit amendments because I think it said September 19th was the >> Yeah, it wasn't clear to me

111if they accept them at the table. I thought they did. >> They do. >> They They only get published if they're in by that date, but at the table, I believe you can offer an amendment. >> Yes. >> Okay. Any other discussion on that? So all in favor of supporting that resolution as amended. Okay. All in favor motion carried carried unanimously. So you can support that resolution. Um, and then I just wanted to bring up the resolution number 34, which was that NISSBA advocates for the mandatory implementation of daily recess for all students in schools that serve exclusively elementary grade levels, and that would be in addition to scheduled physical education classes. Would there be a second to um my motion to support that? Mr. Biscalia, is there any discussion on that? All in favor?

112Okay. Again, unanimous. So, we can support that as well. >> Okay. Great. >> Are there any others? So, the others we will uh you will be voting as as they were recommended by NISSPA. Okay. Wonderful. and thank you so much for doing that. >> My pleasure. >> We are now on 6G. Uh the district-wide le and assignments are listed in board docs. Does anyone have any comments or questions regarding the assignments? We are now on correspondence. We received correspondence regarding high middle school athletics transportation, the 2026 27 school calendar, transportation safety, land use, private security, constitution day, and childhood cancer awareness. May I have a motion to approve agenda items eight, minutes, other business, nine, personnel, 10, business and finance. 11 district facilities and support services and 12 exceptional education special needs and student activities

113as presented. Mr. Mana, Dr. Singh, any discussion? All in favor? Motion carried unanimously. In item 9D, we just approved an amendment to the superintendent's contract with an updated term through June 30th, 2029. I would also like to thank the following retirees for their service to the district. Helen Martinik, human resources clerk with six and a half years of service, and Wesley Smith, facilities lead mechanic with 21 years of service. Congratulations and thank you. [Applause] We are now on item 13A. May I have a motion for the first reading of policy update 5710 as presented? Mr. Man, Miss Fletch, is there any discussion? All in favor? Motion carried unanimously. May I have a motion to postpone policy update 5710 for the second reading and adoption at the November 18th meeting. Miss Blackinger, Dr. Spicer, is there

114any discussion? All in favor? Motion carried unanimously. There are no matters to discuss under 14 instruction and 15 legislative matters. Back to policy. I wanted to refer the >> Sure. Go ahead. >> Sure. Uh for the policy committee, I'd like to refer policy number 3290, which is entitled the operation of motordriven vehicles on district property to the policy review committee. Uh there's been some instances where students riding their ebikes or ecooters or these lithium battery powered uh devices on school property causing damage. uh really be uh a danger to the students and to the people in the parking lot, the cars in the parking lot and some districts have banned them totally from district property. Uh I don't know if we want to go that far, but I think we talked about at the agenda

115planning maybe something where they walk those devices once they reach uh the the school's property. Um, I think there's probably some words in there in our in our code of conduct at least that would address it, but I think uh policy 3290 should be modernized to reflect really what our concerns are. Just like to refer that to the policy committee. >> Absolutely. Is there any objection to referring that to the policy committee? Okay, we will. >> May I say something about that? >> Absolutely. >> Um, I just want to thank our district clerk uh Lynn Kerry because she has researched and there is an updated policy from Boseies. is actually um newer and it's dated 2026. And Lynn also found other district policies that um have wording in there about ebikes and east e scooters.

116So I'll send that to the board so the policy committee can reference those also. So thank you Lyn Carrey. >> Thank you so much. And we'll try to get that policy committee scheduled as soon as possible so we can review that. And if there are any other policies that board members think we need to review at that time, please uh send us an email with your suggestions. Okay, we are now there were no matters to discuss under 14 instruction and 15 legislative matters. So we're on item 16. Does anyone have a topic to discuss under committee of the whole? I Mr. Mana. >> Well, do you want to start with the the empower? >> Yes. So one of the topics um we had received correspondence from Buffalo ball hockey um and empower play and uh

117basically wanting to uh start a land use agreement with the district. Is there any interest in exploring that further by the board? Okay, I don't see any interest. So I will respond accordingly to that correspondence. Thank you. And Mr. Mana, did you have the topic you wanted to discuss? >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President. So at the last board meeting, we uh we voted to ask our attorney to look into the the idea of uh this this this board starting the process of receiving some kind of stipend or compensation. Uh so our our attorney did some research and you know like I said then it's really a two-part proposition. You know could we and should we uh our attorney got back to us with a a very wellressearched opinion that says we could be a

118lengthy process. Um, and to be honest, if if we started down this road, the way, you know, government clock works, I will probably be in the Williamsville school board grave before this becomes a re reality, the school board grave. But I think it's important to to start. So under my um committee the whole I I am proposing that we create a committee and it's entitled the um the board of education compensation advisory committee and it would be you know stakeholders uh certainly some board members who you know we want to hear their opinion um on these should we um I I I look at the the city school districts throughout the state that receive receive uh compensation. Again, they don't care about their students any more than we do. Uh I think this board deserves

119some kind of compensation and um so this committee would be a step on listening to what the stakeholders have to say and giving us a recommendation. So I guess I'm making a motion. Is is it proper to form the committee and then decide who's on the committee and vote on the entire uh structure at a at a future meeting? >> So there's a motion to form the committee or at least decide if a committee should be formed. Is that what I'm hearing? Okay. Is there a second for that? Miss Buckinger, is there any discussion? Miss Buckinger? Yeah. I just want to say I think this is an important initiative. I I'd love to see Williamsville lead this initiative and I think other districts would follow. Um but it's worth a shot. So thanks Mark. Miss

120Puland. >> Um I I think Mr. Manor you it brought up two issues. Could we and should we? The f the first I think we need to look at the could we first um rather than the should we first. Um you're right. It is going to take a lengthy period of time and I might suggest that we look to use our NISBA resolution system to get that moving through the um government first because as we know we all know from our governance training we can't do anything unless we have legal authority to do so and currently we do not have legal authority to do so. So, it might be best for us to start with putting a resolution together. Um, and then we could check with other school districts who would want to join onto

121that resolution as we've seen with other resolutions that there have been a number of them. Um, look, doing some research, you know, it seems like the school districts currently that are receiving compensation are the five largest school districts. We are not the sixth largest school district. So for us to be the next school district and in isolation um might not be the best move to make. But if this is something that is now opened up to all districts in the state to consider um I think that would be the more appropriate way to go. >> Well I I I think NISBA is a is a great organization and I think we can do multiple things at the same time. I think the NISSBA resolution route would take at least a year to to get everybody

122on board and to vote on it. And at the end of the day, you know, I'm interested in what our stakeholders are saying and what our stakeholders are paying. Okay? and Ni NISBA would be a wonderful ally if they would advocate for leg legislative authority to do what the school districts have done. In 2017, the New York State legislature allowed legislature allowed the the president of the Yoners school uh uh um board of education to receive pay. I think they're already receiving some kind of pay, but they voted for the president of that of that district to receive pay. So, NISBA partnering is a great idea, but I don't want to wait and follow NISSBA or every other school district uh um in the state or in the county. I think it's time for us

123to take this step. And maybe out of the committee that we formed, maybe they recommend just as what uh um board member Puland said that we wait and try to pull all of our influence uh w with NISBA. But I think that you know I'd like to start you know where the the stakeholders know us. They know our work um on a daily yearly basis and really hear what they have to say. It it may come out of that exactly what you say, but I think I want to start with the committee first and hear hear their opinion and their direction. >> So, I just want to make a comment that you both offer very strong and valid arguments for Williamsville to take a lead. So, Mr. Mana, I think you maybe misrepresented what Miss

124Puland was saying, and I just want to be clear, you both offered that Williamsville would lead an initiative. So, I think those are you both presented very viable options. Um, and I appreciate the research and the thought that went into both of those. So, thank you. >> I think it's a great idea. What What >> I I I just think that we don't we do not have legal authority to be getting any compensation yet. And until we are granted legal authority, it seems premature to see if our commu if our community wants to pay us. >> Well, well, I I I believe and that would be part of this committee. Now, I believe in the research I've done and what the attorney came back, it re it requires legislative authority, which in this case would

125be the New York State Legislature. So, we have two legislators, an assembly person and a state senate person who represent Amherst, I believe would be up to them to introduce legislation. That's how legislation gets passed. Somebody has to introduce it. So I think if they hear from their constituents in Williamsville that they want them to advance legislation, that's what it takes. When you say of course the general municipal law is under the public officers law is that no elected officials receive payment unless specific legislative intent allows it. So, we are going to ask if the committee and the board eventually agreed in theory the path would lead to um legislative authority. But to get to that legislative authority, I would like a committee to give us an opinion of whether or not we should. And

126that is combination with the the could we uh and then we hear from our legislators whom maybe uh I know uh President Kashmir Bogner suggested, you know, in a just a broad conversation that maybe we tie them in with any committee if we do form one to hear what they have to say. So, I I agree with what you're saying, but I think that we have to take the step of forming the committee to let our legislators know that we want them to provide specific legislative authority. >> I'm thinking, >> okay, are there other comments on this topic? Mr. Biscalia, >> um I think it's important as Mr. Vanna said a committee, you know, it's kind of look at it like the start start schools time uh committee. Did it ultimately pass? No. Um but

127there was good conversation things brought up. And I think that's ultimately what Mr. Man is looking at is is conversations, uh ideas, seeing what the public thinks. Um ultimately, look, when I when I first ran for the board, I got asked this multiple times. Oh, how much you going to get if you win? How much you going to get? And I like nothing. I get, you know, to see constituents and students and, you know, that's the value of it. Um, I think the public already thinks board members get paid, a lot of them. Um, I think it's a lot of work being away from family. Um, so like I'm kind of in between, but I think if someone's in between, it's important that we hear from the people that not only, you know, pay taxes

128here, but vote for us as well. Um, and I think if that's involved in the committee, I think that would be helpful. You know, they could come back and say, "No, we would never want that." And that's throw it out, rip it up. Um, you know, that's that's kind of how I feel on it. There other comments. Um I as I said with the with the first t time we discussed this during committee of the whole I'm always open to doing the research. So I am open to the idea of forming the committee. I would want the committee to consider the idea of going through a NISSBA resolution route as one potential way to have this happen. The only other potential way I believe is Mr. man of what you said would be using our

129legislators to um propose the legislation to introduce the legislation to the New York State legislature. Um okay. So we had a first and a second for forming the committee. We're going unless there are other comments, we're going to take a vote on whether we will form this committee. So all in favor of forming the committee, I have Miss Blacker, Mr. Bulan, myself, Mr. Anna uh Mr. Piscalia Dr. Spicer and Miss Fletch opposed Miss Puland and Dr. Singh are opposed. So the motion carried 72 and so I guess uh we will add this the specifics as an agenda item for our next meeting. Well, yeah, we'll just change obviously the the timeline of when the reports are due. And like I I don't I don't envision 20 meetings. It's, you know, it's stakeholders and letting them

130know what other districts get, the work we do, people that are familiar with us and again having rendering their opinion. So my question on on you know how we format this committee, can we give suggestions via email or does this all have to be hashed out and voted on one by one? Like if I say no more than four or somebody says no more than four board members or somebody from the PTSA council or their design or I mean how does that all you know come together as the committee? >> Well we are limited to four board members for forum purposes as far as every other committee. um it kind of has developed on the scope of the committee but something that is this impactful for the entire community like school start time and some

131of those other things we have asked people to express their interest in being in the committee and then we have literally done a um >> lottery. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I think just you I understand but I I think you know for for for this purpose I just wonder if it would be more beneficial for people as I mentioned who have you know who understand kind of what we do so we don't have to reinvent the wheel and and go back and say well this is what a board does here's what we do at committee meetings here's what we do at PTA meetings here's the mandated training we have to do somebody again who knows kind of the function of a school board I would hate to have, you know, I wouldn't hate, but I

132don't I don't think it does anybody a a a service if we just pick names out of a hat of people who don't know anything about what we do. And I I think everybody's going to have a vote on this one way or another, as Mr. Biscalia said, uh at at you know, the most important vote, which is at the ballot box, where they either vote for us or against us based on what we do and vote for or against the budget. Um, so I I don't know. I just like somebody people who are not just names drawn out of a hat, I guess. >> I think >> I don't know. >> Just to that point, I think Williamsville has a good number of former board members. It seems I meet more and more every

133time I go somewhere who are formers. And so that might be a requirement. >> I I I suggested one, at least one. My original draft was at least one if willing. Mhm. >> That might be the answer to Miss Pulling as you said, you know, a just drawing names then if we had somebody on the on this committee who was a former board member who could do it. >> Well, I I think it's less important for people to have a full understanding of what the board does than it is for we're this is about a taxpayer base and taxpayers making decisions about how their money is going to be spent. So, um, like when we did the school start time committee, people didn't have to have a knowledge about that. They had opinions for sure,

134but they learned along as part of the committee process. Um, I wouldn't want us to just hand select. >> I I I'm open to anything. I'm just throw just throwing it out there. But I think I I want to make sure we are understanding the the committee and I think maybe board members come at the November 18th meeting with an idea of what the committee structure should look like. But I do think we got to have to be careful and not put the cart before the court because I think the legislation would allow for board members to get paid. I think it would be district specific on how much the board members are paying. So those are two separate things. the board members. I mean, the community would then have their voice by the, you

135know, voting on deciding how much board members get paid. The legislation is just that will allow it. So, I think those are two separate items. >> The legislative calendar starts in January. So, I'd like to have something that, you know, concrete one way or another if if it is concrete to to have advanced in January that when the legislative session begins. >> I have an endgame question and I don't know if it's answerable. Do you anticipate eventually this coming to vote for the like on the like as a budget item like as like a referendum on a is that I hope so. >> Is that what we would end up with or would we not >> I I I believe the monies get paid out of out of the general fund line item. >> It

136would get paid out of the general fund. Right. Exactly. I think Go ahead. >> No, what I was going to say it would be depend on how the legislation is written. Right. So, for the big five, they some of them specify a specific amount. I I don't know that they all do. Um they say up to a certain amount on some of the legislation. So, it would depend on how the legislation was written and um approved by the legislature, which could be a specific amount, or it could just be that um they would allow our district to bring it as a proposition to a vote. I mean, that would be another option. And so I think it, you know, >> that's another discussion that the committee could have >> with a dollar amount >> in

137terms of what what are we looking at? >> What do you mean for dollar amount or a separate referendum on this? Because I don't believe it's Well, I don't believe, you know, New York is not a referendum state. There's only certain things I believe are mandatory referendums. So I don't believe that I I don't believe but this would be part of the committee researching with the legal. There's only several very narrow issues that are referendum worthy. Everything else is just their opinion, >> right? And one of those topics used to be student board members. You would need to take that to your um community and they would vote on whether you would have a student board member. So there is legislation that exists where you know the our community would make those kind of choices.

138It's a similar vein. Just pointing that out. a law though that was the original law for student board members that the >> correct >> it would have to be voted on by the community. >> Yes. >> Right. >> So anyway, I guess where we're at right now is we will form a committee and we will have further discussion about who will be members of that committee on our agenda for November 18th. Okay. So we will move on to our second public expression. If anyone in the audience would like to speak at this time, please step up to the podium and state your name. Not seeing too many people left. So, we will move on. This concludes our regular board meeting. The next scheduled regular board meeting is November. >> Oh, I'm so sorry, Dr. Singh.

139>> No, I just wanted to wish our community members a very happy Diwali which is coming on Monday. >> Thank you very much, Dr. Singh. And that is a superintendent conference day. Um, so this concludes our regular board meeting. The next scheduled regular board meeting is November 18th. Uh, we invite our school community members to join us at our community forum on November 1st at South High School. >> And is there a motion to adjourn the regular board meeting? Mr. Mana, Miss Fletch, all in favor? Been carried unanimously. Thank you. Good night, everyone.