001Good evening and welcome to Co's uh City School District Board of Education meeting tonight, December 10th. I'd like to call the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. If you could please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible and justice for all. >> Thank you. Emergency exits. We have two on the side here and the one that you came in and we would meet out front. Can we please have a roll call? >> Mr. Jackson here. >> Mrs. Snider >> here. >> Mrs. Gendra >> excused. >> Mrs. Paradise >> here. >> Mr. Dro >> excused. >> Mrs. Burwell >> here. >> And Mrs. Gil, >> I am here. At this time, I'll
002turn it over to uh Superintendent O'Shea for our district reports. >> Good evening everyone. How can you hear us this evening? Good. Uh so, welcome. Uh, as you know, we really like getting uh student uh involvement in terms of what our clubs and activities are. And tonight we have club proposal. And it's a a joint proposal for both middle school and high school. And so to introduce our student members, uh, Mrs. Ozel, a Spanish teacher from Kose High, and Miss Bartholo, sex teacher from Co Middle School. >> There's a good place for us to stand. >> Okay, >> stand. That's perfect. That's good. That's >> slowly turn. Uh, so here, but I'm Alicia O. I teach Spanish at the high school. And break on here sciences at the middle school. Um, and I have to
003say that this club idea and proposal is almost completely student driven, which is awesome. Um, when Alla and Maria messaged me, I think over the summer, maybe even, and said, "Hey, we really want to do this club and we need some back advisors. Can you guys help us out?" And I said, I don't cook, but I don't cook, but I'd love to learn and I could bring in a cultural aspect and then profile you can help out part. So um I was like absolutely, especially with these two very impressive young women. I am very happy to um work on this with you guys. So um without further ado, I'd like to bring up Maria and Ella. Hi, good evening everyone. My name is Maria Aendi and I'm >> and tonight you know guys and we
004are going to talk about our club and we have we had this beautiful idea to bring out to the school district. Okay. Um, some of the reasons why we wanted to do it was the cultural fair. We had cultural fail held by what's her name? Hiba. >> Okay. >> And I was really impressed by how much students they were like they were very engaged and they were really happy about it. It was supposed to end with period 8, but it continued until period 10 miles. So that like brought my awareness of like the lack of culture there is in the school and we wanted to do it in a way where everyone is engaged and we know that food brings people together. So we came up with the idea to do the cultural fair or
005culinary cultural club. the benefits from having this glove. It's extension of food palette because teenagers only eat I don't know >> noodles. >> Yes. And most of them if you like if you have a teenager or a kid they don't know how to cook sometimes and sometimes parents don't have time and that's a lifestyle really. And it will be a new club for the school of course and it will be the first one between like all of them together. So um it will develop the commun communication skills for the middle schoolers and the high schoolers and the networking especially because if you get to know more people more opportunities you might get from it. We plan on using the middle school kitchen since the high school science room like um we'll meet twice a month
006usually like Tuesday or Wednesday like just randomly like like every time we meet it's going to be like different rotations of like the days of the week. One day is going to be for prepping and then the other one is going to be for cooking because we don't want students to stay after school for like a long time. We plan on doing since there's four stations of kitchens in the middle school, we plan on doing like a phone a full steel where one is the entree, one is the side, one is the yellow raers or collaborations we got. It's connect center generations from NHS pseudo council PDL and um we're going to have the collaboration with the model of London because um they manage like they represent most countries around the world and that's the
007goal. We want to bring more cultural awareness to the school district because most kids don't know that different colors. There are many um HelloFresh like maybe um we're going to have very broad recipe books. Um and we're gonna have intentions of having after school fundraisers in the near future. So, we have four stoves and ovens. We have two fridges and one supplies storage. We have a lot of utensils and we got donations from the science rooms. So, we have a lot of like cooking appliances, cleaning supplies, and we have recipes made out. We did a Google form and we got recommendations from students that would have a very strong team. What we do need is like ingredients which is what we plan on losing the money for hair covers. We don't want hair in the
008food and an apron. We also proposed an idea of using her cricket machine to make everyone like a customized apron. And for students who want to have the food we make for dinner, we also want to get grab boxes. And this is like some examples of the countries and some dishes we actually wanna have um all in the club. >> Thank you for your time. >> Any questions? Any questions? >> I love this idea. I love it. >> I mean, Tara, like let's find something new that kids are interested in. I think it's great. We've talked about, you know, the model UN and bringing in new cultures that way. And this is just kind of ties right into it. I think it's a wonderful idea. Um, you know, if you need help with donations, let
009me know. Okay. I like it. Um, like the apron idea, little little personalization. >> Um, so when when are you proposing to start? >> As soon as possible. As soon as we can get the materials that we need. I guess we'll still have to meet and come up with the recipes. But yeah, we had a lot of interest, too. So we had a bunch of students at the meeting and then there were students who were at there was two other meetings going out at the same time. So we sent interest forms to those meetings and students were like, "Oh, if I weren't here, I'd be at this meeting." So over over 30 students just at the high school. And then how many >> about 10, but I think a lot of them are going to
010be more interested when they see it. >> Right. >> I was just going to say like over break we're gonna really like start planning on our first meeting. We want to hold it like mid January somewhere out there. Just out there for >> Okay. >> Any questions, comments? >> I don't have a question, but a comment. Very well done. Great presentation on sold us. Yeah, great job. >> Thank you. >> I would like to add a little thing. This is like a personal project because we are both from different cultures and we come from different places. So we would like to show our own um culture food like we did in the fair because we were both participated in it. >> I think it's really important the way that you guys looked at this and
011and your why. You know, food is a big thing for people and it does bring people together. And I think, you know, it is kind of, you know, a little bit of an equalizer, too, when you try something that you didn't think that you would like and now you do. And, you know, that kind of opens you up to even just meeting more people where, you know, it can kind of expand into different things other than just food. But, it's it's such a great concept and I think that you guys did a lot of hard work in making sure that you thought about all of the the things that you'll need to get started. So, thank you for coming. We appreciate the presentation. We know that it's not easy to get up here in front
012of a bunch of a bunch of usual before you >> What's that? >> I I said I do have a comment. >> Yeah, sure. >> Um I do think it's a great idea and I have to say that I think it's even a great idea for those of us who aren't used to doing cultural food and stuff like that to get into the culture with our grandparents or you know like. So, I I welcome the idea of even having some kids that are Polish or German or, you know, like that don't normally have these ideas and for them to like go to their grandparents and say, you know, what's a recipe that we could do? And then my other comment is I would love to attend a cultural food festival at the school at some
013point. That was that was one of our plans. >> Perfect. because I will be the first to be there and pay money to donate or whatever to sample the food. So, thank you. >> And I feel like if we could get our high schoolers to eat more than chicken and stuff. >> Yes. >> I just wanted to also thank the adviserss for being willing to step up and volunteer this year. Um, you know, it is really important that we bring things that are relevant into our buildings and, you know, build our students to have these lifelong skills. So, thank you very much for being willing to stand up and um you know, help with this. Uh we really appreciate it. I mean, I'm all for it. What do you guys think? >> Absolutely. >> Report
014back and let us know how it's going. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you very >> Thank you. >> So, uh, tonight we also have our director of MCSS. Do you want to talk about the model you have first? Since the students are still here, begin to share the good news and then um go from there. >> Um okay, stand here or you want to you can stand wherever you want. >> So um sure and I just wanted to say excellent job because you stand. We have a cricket room at the high school. Just putting that out there. Um and then Miss Brown and I have to taste test any any samples. So um our model who had attended their first uh event this past weekend there was over 200 students present
015and at our first event we made it into the gazette uh because we took home uh two different distin distinctions. Uh Luna Zuk was runner up for best position paper and Jack Abdul took uh runner up for best delegate. So for our first event we are just so excited and proud of these kids and their photo is in the paper. Um, and we're just thrilled that this kind of came and that they were able to represent our school with so many other big schools around the capital region. And I'm just proud of Emily Fry. I'm just proud of her students for the work that they did. So, just show that that's >> Thank you. And now, Rachel Marcel, director of MTSS to um fill you in on >> give you a quick update on some
016stuff. And I would like to also say Marlo, this is amazing and I'm so excited. It came out of the elevating student voices work that I did with HIVA and that group last year and to see this growing and spiraling into something more and continuing on was really our intention um even with elevating student voices and how can we celebrate our diversity and how can we bring everybody together to really understand one another, get to know each other at a deeper more personal level. So, this is just fantastic for me and I will pledge to be in on the first grocery order for the first meal as long as I'm invited to sit and sample. >> Thank you. Um, so tonight I just want to give you an update on kind of all things MTSS.
017Um, I know obviously the MTSS work we're doing is super important and valuable, but also some other things that are coming out of my office I will update you on as well. So, as far as MTSS, our teams, our pilot schools, middle school and neighbor lancings continue to meet multiple times every month um with myself andor with Renee um our MTSS expert throughout the MTSI center at Albany. Uh I have to give a shout out to these teams. This work is not easy work. It's mindset shift work. It's really kind of changing how we've always done things. Um and being willing to kind of sit with some of that ambiguity and do this work. and they've been amazing. Even though there are sometimes things we have to talk through, maybe a little disagreement on data
018points, benchmarking data, etc., everybody's coming together to do this work with a common understanding that it will support our students and be best for our students in the long run. Um, our district-wide team met again uh last week. We had another great meeting. We went over our referral form, which will become standard K through 12. So, that will be a systemized process. couple little tweaks we'll make with that with feedback from all of the district-wide team members. Um, we're working on our communication plan to now begin rolling this out to all of the buildings. Abram Lancings in the middle school have been those pilot schools that are really working with those data teams and those empty little S teams which are those student teams formerly kind of our IST teams in each building. So now
019how do we teach everybody else? How do we start getting those data teams and those MTSS teams set up in all of those buildings? um identifying those key data points so that every student K through five, the benchmark data is the same for every student, which then tells us who needs to tier 2 and tier three interventions based on at least three data points for each grade level. Um and we're pretty close to having all of those solidified at this point already. We'll be doing data cycles in January in both of these buildings. We're taking all that data and we are going to analyze it. The data teams are meeting for full days to go over that and to strategically start looking at who needs to be an intervention based on what our benchmark data
020is telling us. Um, so hugely exciting. The middle school already held an MTSS meeting. Um, they're really starting to try and model it already after what we learned. I got to be a part of one of them. I know I believe Heather or Dina. They have been one of the others. Amazing. like the team just did such an amazing job of taking what we've been learning and practicing and moving it forward so that teachers feel supported and they feel like they have a plan walking out of those uh meetings. So it's absolutely uh fantastic. So the work is moving along. I say we're going slow to go fast because we want to get it right. This isn't something that disappears next year. This is something that needs to be in place and needs to be
021solidly systematically thought through to be here for years to come. Any more questions on that? >> I just have a question just because um I'm just questioning the identifying data points. Yeah. Is that a singular item? Um is it just I ready data? I know you said there's got to be three there's got to be a minimum of three data points for each grade level. So we've identified things I ready or phonics integrity ambal reading fluency state assessment data. It depends on what grade levels you're at. you know, we have foundations integrity at the lower levels or phonics. Um, but then as you move into like middle school, you have more of I Ready New York State assessments. We're looking at web some things that will expand as we move forward as well that we
022might not have because what we're doing through this process is what do we have? What solid benchmarks do we need and then how do we put them in place and implement them moving forward next year. >> Okay? And that'll be uniform throughout >> K through 12. So K5 will be systematic in all three of the elementary buildings. You will use the same three data points for kindergarteners, first graders, second graders, so on and then six through eight at the middle school. Um and then the high schools Darnell and I kind of moved last week to start start our conversations around this will look very different at a high school than it does K. We'll be looking at things like credits um credit recovery and those types of things. Obviously New York State data 8 to
0239 will have by ready, you know, when they finish will have moving ahead to freshman year. >> Great. Thank you. >> No problem. >> So, also just a quick TCIS update. I know that's something that comes from me. I'm the administrator in charge of ensuring that staff are trained. There's a picture up there from one of our summer trainings, one of our groups that went through. Um, so since July of 24, about a year and a half in, we've had 93 staff members go through. Today, my dress is because we had a refresher training. So, eight of our staff who have already been trained did their one-year uh renewal or their once a year renewal refresher training. We finished that today. Um we are up to four district trainers. Uh we had Miss Lady Fer,
024a social worker here at the middle school, went through the train the trainer program last summer. Um and as of the end of August, joined our training team and was with us today. We're hopeful to have another one go through it this summer as well when it comes to the Boseies. um so they don't have to travel and we don't incur that cost. We are doing another initial training, a 4-day training in January. During the school year, we break it down so teachers are definitely not out of their rooms four days in a row. We do one day a week and then two days that last week back toback for testing purposes. So, it's over three weeks, four days. Um we just finished up another round of strengthening families at Abram Lancings. And I also
025had to laugh during the presentation because if you see my family is up there. They made their own aprons one night at our nutrition program. Um Mr. Bird has loved to bring this program in each year. It is completely free through Cornell Cooperative Extension. Obviously they have a lot of different programs. Nutrition being key to what they do. So how we have framed ours is three evenings. It's a max of 10 families. We did have 10 sign up depending on the night, depending on the weather. Um, some of our families have to walk, you know, to be there. We had about six families complete it this year. We do a strengthening families curriculum night. One of the nights they make vision boards. Um, they do um little conversational pieces while they have dinner. They bring
026in dinner for our families every Wednesday night, whether it is sea, pasta, uh, we had chicken and broccoli alfredo one night. They bring in great dinners for our families. There's always lots of fruits, vegetables, um, all of that. So over dinner that evening, they ask specific questions, play little games um as a family. We do a nutrition evening. I ran the quesadilla center that night. Um so the families come around, they can pick from all different options of beans and fresh veggies, make their, you know, make their quesadillas. There was um decorating um like the food service gloves but into turkeys with snacks in them, popcorn and different treats. There was a cookie decorating station that night. Um, and the families made their own aprons and then they walked the red carpet as we played
027music to then show everybody their aprons. And then there was also a steam night. Um, again this year they usually bring the little robots. They can program. Um, they bring in lots of different artifacts with different animals. Um, and it's just a wonderful event uh for our families. So that's just a picture of some of our families. Um then another update there was a jewel settlement and by jewel I mean the vaping company um because they were unfortunately trying to target and get teenagers to use vapes. Um so what happened with the settlement is school districts are now receiving some funds. Um we have elected along with 11 other school districts to have capital region Boseies kind of manage those funds as they come in. They'll manage the contracts, the payment for whoever we want
028to bring in to utilize this funding for. It has to be specifically targeted to obviously drug and alcohol education. Um so we're receiving about $30,000 total over three years. Our allotment for this year is 11,719. Um I went to a meeting with Capital Region Boseies in which they talked about who they have contracts with, who can assist with this work. Um, and in talking with our teams internally, what we would really like to use our funds for this year, um, is to bring in Mr. Chris Herren, a former NBA player who has been wellreceived in many districts in the area to the point of what we've heard standing room only. Um, he has a memoir basketball junkie and also an Emmy nominated ESPN film documentary on guarded on his um, kind of journey through substance
029abuse and his sobriety. Um, so having talks with them to potentially bring him into our high school at the end of January because he will also be in a local neighboring school, which is also good with Capitol Region, uh, Bose is running this, so that we can share transportation costs and those things. And lastly, I believe this is my last slide, Holiday Hope. I know one of my social workers is in the room. They are a fantastic team. I can't say enough about our social work squad and all that they do to ensure that our families have support year round but also um during the holiday season. So this year so far we've had 87 families registered for the program which is over 200 children. These are some pictures from last year when I was
030there uh during the setup uh one evening with uh Britney our parent leaison. Um, so what we do is basically create a Macy's, a Walmart, whatever you want to call it, and families can come in and get brand new items um for their kiddos. Um, they earn their holiday bucks by engaging with us in the school community, coming to report card conferences, open houses, taking their kids for their annual physical, dental visits. Um, we don't make any of the bucks hard to, you know, have access to. Our social workers work with the families to go through what counts um and give them as many of those holiday bucks as they can, which we max out at 10. Um some of the items like bikes you might see might be two, three, four points depending on
031the size of the bike, but they can walk out with a brand new bike for their child. Um our social workers do an amazing job at our election day raffle every year. They raise tons of money. This year we've also had a donation from the Elks Club through a grant that they received. The Sons of American Legion always donate every year. Um, and we've had some anonymous groups this year who don't want to be named, but who have just said, "This is such a great program. We want to do it. We want to, you know, give you these these funds." We've had an Amazon wish list this year. Uh, Jen Sanjamal, who's been intrical in putting this all very techsavvy. Now, we have QR codes. Parents can sign up. They can do everything through their
032phones. Uh everything is printed out for the social workers ready for the shop which is this weekend. Um so they know when a parent comes in how many bucks they have and we have plenty of volunteers myself included who are the personal shoppers with the families um that build their bags and help them carry it through the shop. Um so if anybody wants to stop by we are always willing to have more volunteers. Friday and Saturday our shop is open and Thursday afternoon and everybody will be setting up. Any questions? Oh, and also thank you. She's like, "Wait, wait, wait." So, also on your agenda tonight, you are approving anou with Capital Roots. Um, so I've been in touch with Amy Klein, their CEO, to get a little more information about the grant and what
033this will mean um for us. And so, typically in years previous with this grant, they've subcontracted out their work to St. Peter's health partners. So that's who brought in our blender bike. That's who did our playground aid training last year. They're no longer doing that. Capital Roots is going to take that work back and work directly with the school district um moving forward for this next grant cycle. So I've talked to Amy. She is willing to come herself or to send a representative to our wellness um district wellness meeting in May. Um they really want to, you know, streamline what they do in communities and schools. um really around food access, healthy foods, and physical movement um are kind of their goals. Um we had a lovely chat about fresh produce, different produce things. So,
034I have emails out to Brian Nolan already to make sure we're taking advantage of some of what they can already offer. Um, and then we did at our district wellness committee meeting that we had in November, uh, just a couple weeks ago, we did talk about the safe snack list and how that really is no longer kind of the standard option because the standard items that we were used to buying from that list aren't even on it anymore. Um, and it's things that are tough to find andor really, really expensive. Um, so we're going to go more at the guidance of the district wellness committee moving forward with those food recommendations. Um, we're usually pretty good about gathering allergy information on our kiddos and being very careful about that. Um, but the safety net just
035doesn't seem to be the way to go anymore. So those changes will be coming out. But I don't know if you want to share anymore. >> Everybody's also they need to get on that list. So the ones that everybody knows about, Oreos, Goldfish, they're not paying anymore because everybody knows that those are safe items as long as you buy that new brand. >> So guys, the first reading that we have on the agenda tonight of the the wellness policy, it does refer to the wellness committee and their recommendations rather than the safe uh food snack list. So, we decided to change that just that portion of the policy right away so that we can make it a little bit more flexible for folks throughout the rest of this school year. But the wellness policy will
036then take that that whole policy back or the wellness committee will take that entire policy back and and review it. So, there's much more in there than just safe foods, but it is also on our agenda for first read tonight. So, I had some questions on the capital roots. um uhou and and typically when we get into an agreement it's like we already kind of know what the outcome is going to be. So I understand that with this grant application there is a requirement for some collaboration with school districts but I guess you know you did answer some of the question as far as like what what does that look like for us here in hose um but I guess it's hard when it's not really firmed up as far as like knowing in this
037year the grant will supply this and you know hasn't been. >> Yeah. And so it's very unusual for us to get into anou without having like that support, >> right? And they can't apply for the grant without school district collaboration. So they don't even have the grant yet. >> No, I understand. Which makes me question like why am I approving a memorandum of agreement if I am I don't know what I'm agreeing to. So, some of that is like, okay, how many school districts are they working with? Where do those funds get prioritized? Is it based on need? Is it based on, you know, my friend works at Guilderland? I don't know, you know, and obviously, um, if we don't approve it, then we get nothing. So, it there it's just not really the order
038of operations that we're used to. Um, Capital Roots is a wonderful organization and you know they really kind of formed on the ground really like just being that community helper. >> Um, so now that they've gotten bigger, it's just, you know, I guess I it it's just not something I'm used to without having some sort of an outline as to what that agreement looks like. says that essentially we're we're going to be partners. Wonderful. Um but what that means is to be determined. >> Could I absolutely um so last year with St. Peters um at the beginning of the club I sat down we talked about our needs. We talked about how we wanted to work together what we needed to see and that's how we spoke about and some other things. So, um, we
039would have that type of meeting with them where I know that it it doesn't say, you know, say that in in there, but it's it does say partnerships were equal well and uh they were very um, you know, adaptable in the past for our needs and now that >> Yeah. And I imagine them coming in May, knowing then if they have the grant and what kind of things are moving forward and then talking with that committee around what are those needs and how can they best meet our needs through >> and that would be a developmental process for the upcoming school year. >> Yes. Because this grant cycle won't even start um before the end of this school year. So even them coming in May would be a little bit early, but they'll at least
040know by then if they have the grant. Um, Miss Marshall, do we know where the funding is coming from? Is it government funding or private? >> Um, I forget the name of the actual It's a large grant that I know like for roads. Yes. Okay. It's a creating safe and healthy schools grant or something like that. No, I'm not aware of the actual fun if it's federal if it's Yeah. >> Do we know the other schools that are collaborating with them? >> I don't. I'm happy to call Amy back and it's just lovely to work with. We had a wonderful conversation. Um I'm happy to call back or shooter an email to see if there are others specifically with them or if it's just our district and I truly don't know. >> Yeah, that would
041be great to know. >> Perfect. >> I mean, do you feel that would be conditional based because we have it on the agenda tonight. I don't think it's going to be based on it, but it would be great to know if there's other districts, local districts that were >> for sure. >> Anything else? >> No. Love collaboration. >> Yeah. So, thank you very much for coming. Uh, I I really appreciate the presentation talking about, you know, making the structure, building the structure for for all things. Um, you know, especially our intervention cycles, you know, we're we're talking about our resource equity. Um, you know, >> all all together. I don't want to um jump over the importance of the holiday hope program. You know, I know a lot of our families are really relying on
042it. So, I just want to thank so many people. >> So, they're amazing. >> Thank you very much for that. It's a lot of hard work and we appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you for your lunch. >> So at our last meeting uh we began talking about metal detectors and I wanted to uh continue uh that discussion and um there are uh you know we just looked at three systems. Um one of them was very very expensive. Another one has the um airport feel with the bar overhead and then the one that we talked about at the last time CIA open gate um which is the one that uh we went and visited at water elite and these are some pictures as to how uh water elite looks and uh we're just going to
043show you a slide from the company so that you could see one school's experience which is on the next slide and uh the one that we're going to watch Laura I know we we gave you two slides so you get two um links so you can see in the future um is one of the master okay so we're going to watch the top >> located in central Virginia county school is a part of the Louisa County Public School Division that boasts some of the most impressive facilities and academic performances in the region and has garnered attention nationwide. The division believes strongly in the security of its students with the addition of each of its six schools ahead of 2023 to 2024 academic year. Every student and visitor is required to go through an open gate
044system upon entry to the school building and a number of school entrance locations, including the entrance to the Louisa Alliance outdoor football known as served us so layer. >> So we're looking for something that's reliable simple open filters. We pull systems from high school down to the stadium. We do athletic events at our stadium. So having a system, >> I think I was surprised at how seamless it is when the system alerts. Having the student step to the side, checking what might have been learned, having the student go back through, I think it goes very smoothly. feedback that we have been very comfortable and they know that we care about everything we can to proactive extra make sure you're safe. >> This is actually a better way to open kids to the school. They get
045to look every student in the eyes and says provide the highest of and fire. >> Thank you. So this video echoes what we heard when we went to Waterville and what we witnessed as students went through through the line. Um talking with the company um they assist in your first two days of implementation. They uh do not activate until we've had training until staff has had training. um um you know have models of communication from other districts and to parents that we could adapt and and we wanted to just bring this back to your to your attention and see if you had any other questions. I know Laura Mard have been on a visit and Laura has been doing some of the research as well. I mean, I I appreciate the the photos because that
046kind of really gives you a visual of what it looks like. And it's funny because I've been walking in the morning and and they're ready. They're ready to go in the morning. Like they already kind of have their aisles set ready for kids to walk in, do their yonder pouches. Um I guess questions, you know, kind of surround maintenance and uh support once they're purchased. Um, you know, I don't know if we've gotten into that level of detail. It is a significant, you know, purchase. I'm sure we could absorb um some of the materials that we would signage or or anything like that through. Um, I know that we're thinking are we still thinking of purchasing a unit within this budgetary year and then one in the next year or like I I'm not sure
047what two in this year. Okay. We believe we can do two this year. We would like to be the training and that uh and have to work with them for training dates. Wonderful if we were able to do the timing for the beginning of the second semester. I mean that that depends on when we place the purchase order when we schedule uh the training. >> What is their delivery timeline like? Are they aware that we're looking at that quick of a turnaround? They're they're not aware that we're looking at that quickly turn around, but in talking with um water relief, they were able to um do this. Their biggest thing was setting up the date for the training to make sure that there was a forum, but they did I think they said four to
048five weeks. I'm not I'm not sure, but that's at the beginning of the school year. We're sure there's a lot of demand. So that would be that would be our very next you know question to that >> is there any recurring costs >> um the batteries are chargeable you know sort of eventually new batteries details ask but um water has had it since the beginning of the year correct this year and uh no current costs yet no That's >> does the branding come with or do we have to do our own branding? >> Yeah. >> Listen, Mr. Huno has worked really hard to do the >> He will not be happy if we have two big metal things that they're not branded. work. >> Okay. >> Water. >> What about technology? Is there any technology
049that is used with it? Are do we have the appropriate technology to support whatever software? Is there any like analytics that come out of it? I don't know. Questions. >> So, I know they use um they use model handheld their their cell phones, correct? Their model handheld. >> I understand it's proprietary. software that the corporation is designed that can be an app based with desktop but that way um the security that are meeting the students administration up front have the app on our device or we have iPads that we can load it on to to use for that um and then sensitivity on machine mentioned that last time that can be adjusted so if it's going off too notebooks and things like that you need to adjust that um so that would soon the training
050piece of it and learning how to adjust those all of those adjustments. My understanding is that's all done from the app. Everything from the app hits the times a day tracking all of that comes with their software that they design. >> So we have enough iPads to support should we need it because we we can't require our safety team to use their personal cell phones if we're not paying for their personal cell phones. >> Correct. for iPads which I think would be sufficient and if I need to search for my school budget but I think >> and we would be working with PJ you know administrator everything out to the neighboring school as well. Do >> you guys have any questions? uh just have a communications plan once this is set in motion knowing that
051our families and our kids sometimes safety measures are put in place and they create a little bit of anxiety before they be create that safety feeling. So looking at that how are we communicating with our families our students. So uh you know once we had the solid start date know when the training is going to start we would be communicating to families. Do you want to talk about that? Well, well, I think the communication plan is crucial, right? Just like, you know, that the kids had a good idea by the time they came in. So, we want to reduce anxiety for that. Um, but I think we also just need to consider having discussions with about what would be appropriate use or vend for these especially because they're so for example in my mind very
052proud that they should be rolled outside utilized for that. What about um community events? Obviously our basketball team draw large crowds. Those What about our musicals? You know, we're drawing large. So I think you just maybe want to define two and have some parameters to what they use for what they might not then communicate to the community. >> Great. Thank you. and any greater conversation with the the police department as far as um maybe bulleted items that could be used in in communication. You know, we personally have seen that there have been increase of weapons possession um amongst kids that are school-aged um and and we see it on the news. We're seeing it on Facebook. We're seeing it come out, you know, out from these reported incidents in our town. And so one I
053think one of the reasons and I don't you know necessarily speak for the board but I think one of the reasons um you know that I think that this is a great idea is is because of that and I feel you know very strongly that we need to you know uh once we're aware now we have to respond and so like this is part of that response um is just securing you know we certainly started a very drawn out safety plan um and that started with getting bodies and that was what was necessary. Um, and then we've just made intentional additions, you know, as the years go on and, you know, I feel like this is just another piece. Um, but not to look at it lightly to say it's just another step in the
054process, but to say this is important for us to do now because, you know, um, so I don't know if any of those communications, obviously, we don't want there to be any kind of a stare scare tactic or anything. Um but just curious if if those communications involve like our local law enforcement at all. Um obviously this has been after the safety committee meeting like we haven't we've met with them um a while back. So, um, Detective Sheen was just up yesterday detectives and stop by daily, but they like they're very enamored with the whole process checking process process yonder and we've spoken to them about how we could easily integrate an added layer of safety and security through lines. We now have these detection systems, how it would be seamless, how we can make
055sure that it was quick in the morning. um I think they have that they're very excited about minimizing issues during the school right and so it's a deterrent and and I know you go on a down show protection system to go see the music that's become a societal norm for large public >> yeah I mean you can't go to a concert without having a clear bag. >> So, I don't foresee it I don't I don't foresee it being a problem to not bring a weapon into school. Like, if you have one, a metal detector, I don't think is more intrusive on your personal being than anything else. I mean, it's a weapon for school. So, >> I think it's less invasive than being stopped. >> Yes, I do, too. >> You know, I think it's
056more equitable. I think everybody goes through it. It's quick. It's It's expectation. It's firm. >> Yeah. And you're not just randomly stopping kids. >> Everybody has to go through it. So, >> it's equal. But also, I I understand like the communication that has to go out to the parents. I as a parent wouldn't feel offended that my child is going through a metal detector because I would know now that the school is a safer environment for my child. Um, but I do agree with the whole to the public getting that out there that I don't I think that if it's a school function then the you have to be across the board. I don't think you can just pick and choose what events you're going to use the metal detectors at. I don't think that
057you can say that it's, you know, more of a thing that somebody's going to bring something to a basketball game than a play because, as we've seen, people bring them to churches and things like that. So, my idea on that aspect is it has to be equitable for all of your events. >> I bring that up because we host a lot of elementary and middle school events where they will not have them. So that could be new information for those families. >> But that's what I'm saying. The communication needs to get out to the public that if you're going to be going to an event at the high school. We now implement be prepared because once again, I don't think you can single out just a basketball game. >> Correct. floor a football game that
058you're going to have violence at because then people are going to say, "Well, I went to a play and you didn't search me or I didn't go through the metal detector at the play. Why am I going through it at a basketball game?" >> I agree. >> So, um would it be possible for maybe you guys you guys to get the team together and and talk about these things? Uh I know that we kind of need to make a decision as to you know this is not a vote or anything you know this is money that gets budgeted in this year so it's not going to be a line item um necessarily it is um out of this budget. So this conversation is, you know, whether or not we want to move forward in, you
059know, expending, but we can follow up soon with maybe a a conversation with the teams um to figure out, you know, some of those logistics and and then have it maybe presented, you know, at our next meeting before implementation, like in the January meeting before implementation or >> I mean, for me, I don't have a problem with it at all. I'm just suggesting that okay not to have it as you're only going to do it at a baseball game or a football game. Well, I think the difficulty there is just when you have simultaneous things happening. If you say every event and basketball, you know, event at at or like volleyball inside and you know, football outside, like what where do you where do you draw that? Yeah. That Yeah. You have to use >>
060I think my thing that I'm saying is that you can't not do it at the place for the elementary school, but do it at the place for the high school. >> Right. That's that's a bigger event. We would expect to have a lot of outside people. >> Yeah, for sure. That was just my suggestion. >> I don't I'm not >> I think what we could do in relatively short fashion is meet with the high school safety team. We have a district because we're talking about the high school safety team. we get to do that relatively, you know, within the litigation, let them know, talk about some of the logistics that safety officers, assistant, principal, you know, teacher. So, we can we can schedule that and then in the meantime, proceed forward. Okay. And then share
061with you the communication plan and all of that. >> Yeah, I don't have a problem with it at all. I'm just saying to you, you've got to think about the logistics of if you have somebody that goes there for an elementary school play and they don't go through a metal detector and then they're going through for a high school play and they're going through a metal detector. It just gives a little, you know, for >> they may say why why now >> we know that campus safety monitors or safety officers. >> Yeah. So can I ask if anybody has any any other questions or it is not necessarily for this or I just kind of need a consensus to know whether or not we are moving forward with the budgetary expense. >> Good. Thank you.
062>> Okay. So we'll move forward with that and just look for some followup on details later. Okay. find out about those sleeves. >> That'll look good. >> Okay. If not, we're gonna get like that cricket thing working. >> And now I'm going to turn this over to business. >> So on tonight's agenda, we have two action items. We have uh the annual financial statements. Uh so we just met with the audit committee uh just prior to our board meeting. Uh we met with MMB. Uh the financial statements um for this year uh were prepared uh according to governmental accounting standards. So the Gazsby standards uh they did issue a clean opinion which is the best possible opinion. um they are prepared on a full occurral. Um the net position for the school district is negative.
063That's normal. Um we have certain liabilities that we're not able to fund. So that's our postemployment benefit. So our retirement benefit liabilities over 100 million. So we're not a we're not allowed to fund that. Uh then we have ERS and TRS liabilities also that we're not able to fund. So, uh, the net position last year was, uh, 53 million negative and this year it's 45. Um, so that those changes were changes really in the OPAD liability, the reduction in our opad liability. Um, we did have um a footnote. Uh, we had a change in our compensated absences. uh that was due to a change in the uh Gatsby standard. So we talked about this last spring um and it recalculated last year's compensated absences and then I had to recalculate the current year compensated absences
064differently uh because of the change of standards and we also did have a footnote for an adjustment to our transportation expenses from prior year. Um we did have uh two findings. So uh first finding is fund balance in excess of 4% which we'll talk about a little bit more when we talk about our long range financial plan. Uh that is a reoccurring uh finding and then the second was uh audit adjustments. So again we did have a ban very late in June. So we had several adjustments um related to to that band. Um again adjusting entries for year end our normal um and that is a a repeat as well um for extra classroom. Um we had uh three recommendations. So the first um was related to uh cash receipts um just being u reconciled
065as far as tickets if there's a ticket uh collection process making sure that that's reconciled. Um timeliness of deposits which when there is uh school vacations and such uh the fiveday rule sometimes can be um challenging to meet. And then the recommendation um is for separation of duties um as written. It was for the central treasurer. That's not really what the separation of duties is. It's more for the interial patrols aviator. So um we we agreed to talk about implementing some compensating controls and working that out as that um position is really key in the success of the programs. That was basically the discussion related to extra classroom. Um the auditors were very um complimentary towards the team and the controls that are in place in the district. Uh and I too uh was complimentary
066towards the team because they do a very thorough job and of course I appreciate that. Uh so we know that we're in good standing um in our internal patrols and our practices. So, the audit committee is riveting. If you haven't been on one, you should get on one. Uh the words that I heard three times, very impressive. Uh the auditor saying how very impressed she was with Stacy and her team. So, thank you to Superintendent and Stacy and your teams for getting us through yet another audit um with very little finding. Um that 4% is ridiculous >> and we will work our best to get it down. Right. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Spend that money on the >> Thanks for um so next I'll just talk very briefly about the reserve plan because we
067did go through this the last time we met. Um, I just made um adjustments for balances as far as making sure they're reconciling against the financial statements. And then I did also update the the fund balance portion because I didn't have that information the last time we met. Um, both the financial statements and the reserve plan will be after you act on them today. They'll go up onto the website for the public to review. Uh just as a highlight for any members that weren't here last time we met, uh we did say that our uh priorities are going to be the capital of Missouri, uh which will be a referendum in May 2026. We'll be talking more about that in several upcoming months. Um and then also the opt liability is the tax that's underfunded.
068So those are our two priorities. um feel pretty confident in our other our other standings for our reserves. So without further ado, yet another very um riveting topic is our long range financial plan. For the um for the audience, it looks like this. There's handouts available to each of you. Um I'm just going to go by columns starting with actual 2025. Um so long range financial plan it's a five-year outlook. purpose of this it's used as a tool um for the first column 2025 that's our actual results our actual operating results um and that information is taken from our financial statements and then for 2026 that is our budget and then for 2027 28 and 29 we use market trends and estimates for those columns um we do use this as a tool for our
069budget process when we talk about what our plan will be as far as taxes, what's going on uh with state aid, what assumptions we can make there. Um, and this year I'll talk about uh we have one of our largest uh units uh their contract is up at the end of June 2027. So, last time we talked about this, I made some assumptions that we'd have large groups retiring. I didn't I didn't have that same assumption in this. Uh so we'll we'll go back to the table. We'll negotiate in good faith, but that's not something that I factored in here. Um okay, so for 2425, the first column of the highlights. So revenues exceeded what we forecasted. We did talk about this last time we met. Uh really the story is library aid and with
070the legalization of sports wagering uh we had uh an increase in our state aid that we hadn't planned for as a result of that. From an expense perspective um we did spend our budget. Um the areas mainly that we unders were instructional programs. We talked about this last time we met. Uh staffing. So there's a a shortage of teachers. Um there's a shortage um not just here in schools but throughout the state and it does impact our programs for our services uh for our children that are waiting out of district placement and what we can offer there. So we understand salaries and instructional and in tuition and special programs and uh benefits as well. Obviously, if we don't hire the people, then we're outpaying the benefits. So, those were our three main areas where we
071underst uh so that's that's the story of 2425. So, we're going to move on to column 2, 2026, which is our budget. So uh for this I assumed we would be funding the capital reserve. Um and so you'll see that the fund balance uh projected is just about 6%. So that's obviously assuming a pretty large um um funding at the end of this current year to the capital reserve. uh assuming that our districts authorize or our voters authorize that in there for column three which is year 2027 this is uh the talking point here that we'll have some back and forth I assume uh I assumed end revenue of 0% growth in the tax levy and I also assumed flat state aid we don't know what's going on with state aid I'm certainly not going
072to assume there's going to be growth Um I don't know if there's going to be a decrease. Uh they did have the the Rockefeller Institute take a look at that effort uh to date. So 0% is assumed uh in 2027. For expenses, we will be exploring efficiencies. We do have the HBAC audit. Um we do have three of our buildings that are experiencing um issues. the the the controls are updated and they call them vintage. I think that's a nice way. Um so by 2027 we would we would hope that we would have some of the recommendations in place. Obviously not all I don't know what the ticket price is going to be on those items. Uh but hopefully we'll see some improvements and some efficiencies through those improvements. And we're also actively bidding our
073transportation contracts. So you would have saw that we uh we already bid our McKenna Vento population. Uh we just bid our out of state transportation. Next is going to be our summer programming and so on and so forth. So we're going to be actively bidding that work out to make sure we're getting the best possible price on those. Also in 2027, um instead of short-term bands, we'll have a long-term bond issuance. Uh so the capital right now it's uh negative. It looks like we're we're negative in the capital um because it's short-term right. Once we have longterm then a lot more um as I mentioned our our largest unit uh that contract will be expiring in 2027. And so um hopefully uh we would have a new contract in 2028. Uh so that's just something
074for us to be mindful of. Um again I for 28 and 29 I anticipate savings as we work through the HVC recommendations. Hopefully we'll realize efficiencies through that process. Um, I did assume a 2% increase uh in taxes in 28 and 29 and then a flat state aid for 28 and a 2% increase in state aid in 2029. So these are all assumptions. These are obviously subject to change. What we use this tool for really is to set set the stage for our our tax uh discussion which will be coming up in two short ones. Um so again I did assume zero for this based off of the current environment and then I'll just open it up for discussion. This is a draft. Usually what we do is we go over this now and then
075towards the end of the year as I realize where where we're landing as far as actual results, we update it and we have the discussion and then we also fund reserves based off of that discussion. >> So open it up for any discussion or any questions. >> Anybody want to raise taxes next year? >> I'm happy with a zero. Me too. So I I guess my only question is we had talked about funding capital reserves and I know that looking at efficiencies through the HVAC audit will you know put us you know hopefully in a better place but also there's going to be a lot of work. I don't see where that if we're funding the capital reserve for future projects with HVAC in mind where where is that falling off in the reserve balance
076past 29 or are we making assumptions that we'll be able that it's going to take us a longer period I guess I'm just wondering where that >> the assumption the assumption is I'm going to take a step back >> okay because we we talked about reserve. We talked about HVAC needs. We talked about some significant health and safety uh issues that are not mandatory but are priority. So, >> so I'm going to take a little bit of a step back and this would be more about the discussion on what it would look like on the referendum um in May. >> Okay. >> Um so my thought process right now and I don't have um estimates. So my thought process now is $2 million a year for 10 years. So it would be $20 million over
077a 10-year period. And we would be in a position where we could fund 10 million uh by 2027. So we would be able to fund half of that right away with the first priority being HBAC. We know the middle school has issues. We know the high school has issues. Harmony Hill has issues right now. Uh all of the systems are vintage. So we're uh just in the infancy stages of that audit. So I don't know what the price tag is going to be, >> right? >> But there's many other needs. Um so PA systems we want upgraded. Um there's cafeteria um upgrades that we would like to do that would benefit all children. Excuse me. there's health and safety as far as upgrading like the security office and uh entrance ways etc. So, um, what
078we would need to do is we'd need to meet as a facilities committee and bring each of the buildings leadership together and talk about what their needs are and prioritizing those needs. And then that would be outlined on the referendum needs to be kind of high level >> on the referendum itself, but as we're uh presenting the budget, that would be part of the presentation process. >> Okay. So the thought is 20 million over 10 years >> to go out to the voters with the thought that we'd be able to fund 10 million of it >> in two >> pretty quickly. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. But there would there would be of some expenditures prior to 29. We just don't know what the audit is going to look like. >> Correct. And with
079the capital, so with the capital reserve, the way that it works, >> it just looks like we're hanging on to this reserve balance for the whole through the whole we're not spending it down, right? Based on here, >> but we we likely would intent. Yes. >> All right. >> Um, excuse me. The way the capital reserve works is you go to the voters to establish and fund it and then you go to the voters again to expend it each time you want to use that reserve. So that's the process. Thank you for clarifying. Sure. >> Any more questions? >> Thank you Stacey. So just uh a couple more things. Next slide. Uh so uh Mary Beth press updated this um not going to go through everything but this is an overview of some of the
080website stories and social media post recently but we uh do have some positive coverage in the media. Um Mr. Perry sorry is Rosie. So Rosie and Mr. very heartwarming to watch. Um, news 13 came to our new science and that is going to be the week of the 22nd and what we found out after this. Um so Laura Carlin was interviewed by the Troy record was determined on um the use of the proceedings. So uh she says in record I shared it with you. >> Okay. So so that's too and then these are some of the upcoming stories that that have happened. Tomorrow was yesterday was the RPI engine. They go down the elementary schools the new store shared model. Um and then the next slide is our upcoming our upcoming events and uh I'm
081not go through them all. However, tomorrow night our uh holiday concert at the high school and then we have over the course of the next weeks um concert at both grade school and Harmony Hill. Abram Lancing is a singalong. They lancing and harmony alternate with other when the concerts are. So this year is it's the spring concert and holidays. Very good. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. What did you say? Tomorrow night is what? It's not on there. >> Middle school and high school concert >> up at the high school. >> High school. >> Any questions? >> Great. Okay. No, you're not messing it, Sue. It's not on that slide. No one else, >> but it also isn't on our our calendar. >> It's just a great event. I went to it last year. So,
082>> yeah. So, I know that there was a little bit of an issue. Um Ashley kind of texted me. I don't I'm not sure if she reached out, but she was like, "Do you have access to the BOE calendar?" And I said, "I sure don't. So, she had to rework. I don't know what happened to it, but >> it disappeared on us two different times completely. Did not have access. I know PJ was able to get it back and then it totally disappeared again. I'm not sure that got it back yesterday, >> but it's been disappeared. >> So, I know she had to add a bunch of new items on. Um, we'll just ask that. >> It's just it's a great event for anybody that wants to go. tomorrow night at the high school. Everyone
083>> invited >> if you need Mrs. Paradis to sell anything for you. >> I will do it. I will go out on the corner. Just give me a uh placard, >> but you got to tell me first. >> Okay. So, we'll move on to the agenda portion of our evening. Does the board have any items on tonight's agenda they would like to discuss? Does the community have any items on tonight's agenda they would like to discuss? No. >> Okay. So, before we get into the designation of our consent agenda, we're actually going to remove one item for a separate vote. So, can I get a motion to remove 8C from the consent agenda for a separate vote? >> Make a motion. >> I'll second it. >> Mr. Da, >> yes. >> Mrs. Snder, >> yes.
084>> Mrs. Paradise, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burough, >> yes. >> And Mrs. Fer, >> yes. >> Can I ask that the deputy clerk please read aloud item 8 C? Be it resolved that the board of education appoint the following individuals to the coaching positions listed below for the 2526 school year as per the CTA contract. Position is contingent upon acceptable program enrollment. And then there is a table that lists the winter sport co-curricular activity, the name and the FTE of the individuals. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So now we will go through uh get a motion to approve 8 C. So this is the approval of 8C. So it'll be yes or no vote. >> Mr. Jackson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Snider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Paradise, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burwell, no. >> And
085Mrs. Gill, >> yes. With that vote, 8C will carry. Now, can I ask that the board of education adopt the following resolutions of the December 10th consent agenda 7 A through M, 8 A and B, 8 D through K, and 9 A. >> I'll second. >> Mr. Jackson, >> Mrs. Snider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Paradise. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Burwell. >> Yes. >> And Mrs. Giller. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much for that. Um, any comments from the board of education on anything not related to the agenda? >> I would just like to thank everyone who came out to the Polar Plunge in Lake George supporting Special Olympics and our unified programming. Um, we had a great group from the co city school district led by Kim Castle from Harmony Hill, Mr. preparers lots
086Marshall's there lots of people there it was awesome go showed very well and next year we're going to have a whole bunch of students there with us so that's our great thank you guys all >> I also wanted to congratulate the casting crew of the Adams family and wonderful production uh lot huge turnout so I heard nothing but great things so congratulations to the elementary school play um we look forward to see what you do next so uh didn't want to forget that. Anything else from from the board? Any comments or questions from the audience on anything that's related to the agenda? Anything? No. So, we just went through our first board policy review and again that was the student wellness review and the item that we are updating is to review annually the safe
087snack lists. We're taking that off. And all elementary classrooms in the district shall be required to comply with the recommendations from the wellness committee for shared snack celebrations. And the rest of the policy again will go back to the wellness committee to be amended at a future date. So that was just for read for um that portion of the student wellness policy. um dates for future meetings, January 7th and January 28th, right here at Cohost Middle School at 6 PM. I just wanted to take a moment and thank our entire school community um for what a great start to the school year. Um almost halfway through following the holiday season, but also um to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. I know it's very hectic. um can be very wonderful for some and
088and not so wonderful for for others. So, just wish everybody a safe and healthy uh holiday season because we won't see you till January. Um, with that, can I get a motion to enter into executive session at 7:23 p.m. to discuss matters to leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation and to discuss CTA negotiations and to discuss litigations. >> Make a motion. I'll second. >> Mr. Jackson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Snider, >> yes. >> Mrs. Paradise, >> yes. >> Mrs. Burwell, and Mrs. >> Yes. Thank you all again. We do not plan on returning. Have a happy day. I read the