001Uh hello. Welcome to the August 26, 2025 Helane Board of Education business meeting. I'm calling the meeting to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> Ice to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> President Clemens >> here. >> Vice President Valentine >> here. >> Trusty McNall >> here. >> Trusty Copper here. >> Trusty Clement >> here. Um, we're going to start today's meeting with a moment of silence to recognize and honor the life of Sharon of Sheriff Mcconville um who passed away on August 22nd. Um, his life uh was connected to and touched the village in a number of different ways. He was a 1975 How graduate. He's the father of our
002middle school teacher uh Ryan McCunville, the grandfather of some current um Haldane students. And as Ezra pointed out earlier today, was really instrumental in the support for identifying the need and the value of a school resource off officer, which has been really valuable to the district. So, we'll take a moment. Thank you. So I believe we we don't have any updates or changes to the agenda. So maybe we have a resolution. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the agenda as written. >> You have a motion, please. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> All right. Um, so after a relatively slow summer for the board, certainly not for the district, but after a relatively slow
003uh uh meeting schedule for the board, we'll actually be meeting again next Tuesday um here in the middle school li uh high school library at 7 p.m. uh for our September um business meeting. Uh I really think the only other comments that I have are sort of building on that theme. that the summer can be a time of rest and relaxation or slowing down for some people, but for a lot of people in the district, it's really not. We know Dr. Duffy has been really very busy. We know that uh Katherine, our business official, has been super busy with the um with the audit. and importantly um uh all of the maintenance and facility staff who always work so hard um and do so much um both with the regular staff and folks that join
004us for the summer and tomorrow things really start to get underway. So uh back into the swing of things have Dr. Duffy >> are we doing the hearing for >> Oh that's right that's right public hearing. Sorry, I'm used to moving directly to you. So, uh, so yes. So, we have, um, as required, um, we have are going to have a brief public hearing on the Hane Central School District, um, safety and emergency management plan for the 2025 2026 school year. Um, and um, give anybody and everybody a chance uh, to ask questions or make comments about those plans. So I am opening uh the public hearing, right? Don't want to cut anybody off. All right. And so now um uh the public hearing is now concluded. Uh thanks to everybody who works so hard
005on all those plans uh and all the work to keep uh everybody at the district safe and secure. So now >> Okay. So, as we kicked off the board meeting tonight, we know this is a very exciting time in Haldane. We've had a lot of wonderful events taking place, especially the past two weeks of school or two weeks of the summer. I'm already in school mode. So, we've hosted student orientations for preK, which is a brand new program that we're bringing to Heling this year. Our kindergarten, our sixth grade, high school was today. It was a wonderful program. And then our new um students, K5 as well. So, all of the orientations were very welcoming. students got a chance to go visit in classrooms, meet with some staff, get a tour of the building, and
006then parents also were able to engage and take some tours as well. So, I had the chance to actually introduce myself to some families, which was really nice to have that opportunity. Um, I also this week, uh, sports for the fall officially kicked off and so um, Tom took me down to visit football. I saw tennis, cross country, volleyball, and soccer. And so it was really fun to see students back doing their thing, whether they are running, whether they're on the field, doing warm-ups. You can feel the spirit in the air. And we have games as early as next week, which is very exciting. Uh we new teach orientation last week. So we are bringing in I think a total of six new staff including administrators. So um Josh led that. It was a two
007fall day experience and we had a bus tour led by our one and only wonderful high school principal where we got all things held and just a lot of background in history and that was really well attended and just a nice way even for me as a new superintendent to get to know the community and see where our students live. So I think that was really important for everybody. Um tomorrow is the kickoff of uh conference day. So I'm really looking forward to welcoming back our staff and that starts at 8:30 um on Wednesday morning. We also have a second day, so a second conference day on Thursday where teachers will be engaged in kind of setting up their classrooms and then a learning session on housing essentials and connections to portrait of a graduate.
008So looking forward to that. And then the buildings look amazing. So just a shout out to Adam and his team. I did a walk through in each building to just get a sense of what where we are, what's maybe missing, what else might we need, and the buildings are ready to go and opening for our first day of school on September 2nd. So, it's been a great and fun busy couple of weeks, but um I'm ready for the kids and staff to come. So, looking forward to the opening of school year starting tomorrow. >> Great. You >> um so, uh there aren't any special presentations tonight and so uh the next thing on our agenda is the opportunity for communication from the public uh related to uh agenda items. So, the Helen Board of Education
009desires and values input from the entire school community. This first public comment session is reserved for comments on any special presentations or active agenda items. For those who wish to address the board, we'd ask you to sign in and state your name for the record, to keep your remarks to three minutes or less, and to avoid disparaging remarks and discussion uh of district personnel. Um although the board would not engage in dialogue, we'd want you to know that we're listening and we ask you contact information with our district for prompt followup from the superintendent on my side. So, next on the agenda are our information reports that we'll actually be um acting on at uh our next meeting, which is I assume, yeah, September 2nd. Um and next we have on the agenda agenda um
010minutes. May I have a motion, please? Second. These are for the two meetings we've had recently. Um and oh actually one including the reoring >> uh all those in favor I. >> Any opposed? Next on the agenda is the consent agenda financial. May we have a motion please for >> second. >> Um there are a couple of things I think I'll bring one thing up and maybe Dr. Duffy wants to know the other uh so recent additions are um two uh grants u one from the helane blueevil booster club for a football sled and the other is the acceptance of a grant from um the helane devil oh sorry the first was held devil booster club >> I guess they're both the booster club one is for the sled and one is for a soccer
011team so that's great we really appreciate their uh their contributions uh and and and supporting sports. Is there something you wanted to share? >> I just want to add on that slid. I know a bunch of the um money is going to re get reimbursed by the football club. It's not only the boosters. >> Okay. >> It's 3,300 that the boosters is putting forward for it, but then a good deal of money will also be coming from the football um group itself. >> Okay, great. That's great. >> Yeah. Good. And it's great. That's actually really the intended flow, right? That the booster club is really working. That's really what we want to see happening. The booster club working with the separate clubs as well. So that's a great that's a that's great to know that's
012how that's happening. >> And the other agenda item is number 10 there. So exciting to note that we have a student coming from Lafers to our self-contained 1212 program at the elementary school. So that's exciting to see that program expand and have students from outside Helane join us. >> All right. Um, all those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Right. Next. Consent agenda personnel. Then we have a motion, please. >> Some move. >> Second. >> There's anything necessarily. >> I could take a quick moment just to recognize Adam McNeel. >> Absolutely. Yes, he's been our director of facilities and transportation for the past two years and it's bittersweet that he's moving on to another district, but I do want to take a moment just to thank him for all the work that he's
013done the past two years and he's really uh leading us and putting us in a good shape for the next person coming in. So, we have some entry or exit plan meetings that have been scheduled and he's putting together a nice format for us to see where the work is and where we need to go moving forward. >> Great. Um do the motion I guess. >> All those in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? >> So next moving on to new business, please have this CSC recommendations. May we have the recommended action, please? Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the recommendations of the committees on special education and preschool special education as presented. >> I have a motion, please. >> So moved.
014>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Next on the agenda is the approval of the Haldane Central School District safety and emergency management plan for which we held uh the public hearing at the beginning of the meeting. May we have a motion, please? >> Oh, no, sorry. May we have the recommended action? Be >> it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the Heling Central School District safety and emergency management plan for 2025 2026. Motion, please. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> And next is the approval of the Heldane Central School District building level school emergency response plans for the 2025 school year. The recommended action, please. Be it resolved that upon
015the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the Heling Central School District building level school emergency response plans for 2025 2026. May we have a motion, please? >> So move second. >> All those in favor? >> Any opposed? Approvals of important plans for the 2526 school year. So, next we have the approval of the K12 guidance plan for the school year. Recommended action, please. >> Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the PK12 guidance plan for the 2025 2026 school year. >> An important distinction, the PK12, not K12. That's going to take some getting used to. Um, may we have a motion, please? So, move second. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? And next, the authorization to
016review renew the committee charges, the board district committee charges for the 2526 school year. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby reauthorizes the committee charges as presented for 2025 2026. Now we have a motion, please. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I. Any opposed? >> Um and next boy, really the school year getting started. Appointment of the board um member representatives to the Haldane Audit Committee for the 2526 school year. May we have the recommended action, please? Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby appoints Peggy Clemens and Michelle Copper to serve on the Haldane Audit Committee for 2025 2026. >> May we have a motion, please? >> So moved. >> Second. >>
017Um actually I have a Katherine I know you put out a call for additional committee members. Did we get any >> Thomas Pearson? >> So Thomas is the new me. Okay, this is my first time. Great. Well, thanks very much to Thomas Pearson for joining the committee. Thanks very much to the committee members who served in the past and thanks Carol Pal's been a committee member for a long time and we really appreciate having their expertise on this committee. It's very important. All right. Um, all those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Next, the approval of a memorandum of understanding with Duchess Community College for college credit courses for the 2526 school year. Um, may we have the recommended actions? >> It resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools. The board of
018education hereby approves the memorandum of understanding with Duchess Community College for college college credit courses for the 2025 2026 school year and authorizes the superintendent to sign the agreement on behalf of the district. >> May we have mo may we have a motion please? >> So moved. >> Second. Um, Julia, I could have reached out to ask this to you, but since you're here, so are these students, so are these are dcc student classes that are taught by our faculty. And do they follow the curricula sort of pretty standard? So, I don't think some people know this, not many, but I've been taking some classes at dcc and I just want to say they're not easy. [laughter] I worked very hard and so um and it's been really lovely honestly as a member of the
019board and as a person interested in education to be a part of these classes to see who's in the classes with me um and to have um to learn a lot um but to really not just on a ideological level but on a real personal level to really recog recognize what tremendous institution dcc is, all the different kinds of people that it serves. And it's um I mean, I know we feel that way about all the colleges that we work with, but DCC is really close to home, right? I mean, it's it's our local institution. And so um that this is this is this is great. So, >> all those in favor? >> I I any All right. The next is a discussion of the superintendent evaluation process. So actually a while ago Dr. Duffy
020and I met to talk about the process. Um I really uh left it up to her to I I sort of explained what we had done in years past. Uh left it up to her to identify whether there were any kinds of changes that she wanted to make. Um, in developing Dr. Duffy's contract, we'd already made one change, which was to kind of move back the date by which we needed to finish her evaluation by a couple of weeks because the end of the school year is so busy. But other than that, the process is going to be pretty much um, you know, pretty much the same. >> Uh, using the same form, the same that the the document that's attached is is our timeline. Um and uh you know which gives uh you know
021the opportunity for the board and Dr. Duffy to meet on a more informal basis in the middle of the year for people who aren't and aren't familiar with it. Um uh talking both about the goals as well as the practices and standards that are part of the New York State School Board Association's superintendent evaluation tool which has really served us very well for a long time. and then the opportunity for a more formal um a a process at the end of the year where Dr. Duffy engages in a pretty intensive sort of self- evaluation process sort of sharing um information with the board um about what she's accomplished and then the board having the opportunity to meet on our own and then to meet with Dr. Duffy um so that we have um um a
022formal evaluation process completed um by the end of the school year. >> Great. >> So yeah and already um it's clear that Dr. Duffy's keeping in mind you know all of those we really appreciate it. Um >> I I there there has been a habitual sort of conversation we have about the standards because there you don't know there there five standards and where we make some judgments based on all those standards and I still I continue to be you know curious about standard one and the ability to which we can oversee some things that are invisible to us. So yeah, you know, >> as we approach the time in which we do that midyear evaluation, I think it'd be good to kind of >> review standard one because a lot of that is about >>
023understanding the degree to which we're providing leadership to to the teachers in a way in a curricular way that's just invisible to us seeing. So >> Oh, that's a good idea. So let's plan to do that. Right. So the way that the for those most people are unfamiliar the board gets together and has a conversation and that's an opportunity as we're leading up to that to to think about that and to even really mid year to really think about well what do we want to see by the end of the year so that the board feels better informed and so that we can collaboratively discuss that. So that's um this was actually what I wanted but I didn't. So um oh [clears throat] one more thing so this needs to be filed with the district
024clerk by September 1. So, what I'll do, Megan, is I will share this link with you and I'll just write an email that'll be the formal statement that the superintendent and the board have made this decision because it's it's needs to happen by September 1st. Okay. >> Okay. >> Um, next is for us just to look through, let the public know and let ourselves know what the workshop topic meetings are going to be. If you wanna Sure. Yeah. Absolutely. Okay. So, we're going to kick off um uh September 2nd is a business meeting, but I'll also be sharing a draft of the district goals for the board's review. Uh then workshop topics. Um September 16th, we'll have an update about our capital project and also our steam programming planning. The steam is um a continuation
025from the work from last year. So that'll be a presentation to kind of give the board and the community the sense of what what we accomplished last year and then plans for this coming year as it relates to the capital project. We also will have October 21st we'll have our financial audit presentation and also our technology detail report. The technology detail report will be similar to what we've seen when we do the reports for each school. I don't know if the board and how have had a technology detail report in the past. Leah Horn is now our officially our director of technology. So, we're going to have her do something similar um that we've had each of the building principles do. So, that's taking place on the 21st of October. Um November 4th is our
026fifth grade transition to middle school. I know that this has been a um quite a topic for many years and so we're looking forward to finishing the work this year and actually making that a goal come true in a year from now. But um we'll hear from our middle school principal and plans as far as that goes on November 4th. Uh December 2nd will be the transportation audit presentation. And then uh January 20th we'll start with our different um department and school level report. So curriculum and instruction and state assessments. Uh February 24th will be elementary visit summary and detail report. Then we'll have middle school March 17th, high school April 21st, as well as athletics, and then May 19th is a special education update, and I also wanted to just do an overview of
027my entry plan summary, highlights for the year, and perhaps sharing thoughts moving on to 2526. And then we'll end the year in June 16th with a steam curriculum update again. So those are the draft list of uh workshop topics at this time. So, it has been a long time since we've had a report about how technology is being used in the district and I I I'm pretty confident it hasn't happened since co and I think with the I mean just generally with how society is moving as well as the use of devices so heavily throughout COVID It's my perception at least I could be wrong. There was some expansion of the onetoone program during that time. Um, and I think the board I want to make sure that Leah has the chance to be the
028best prepared for the kinds of questions that the board is going to have because I think not surprisingly, it is an issue I think that people are really excited about, right? There's a lot of affordances that technology can bring to us, but I think, you know, as evidenced by, for example, the cell phone ban, there are concerns about technology as well. And so maybe what the board I just we have a little bit of time. Why don't you think a little bit about what you might think might be a good way, right? So I don't I don't want to overwhelm her with too many questions. I think there's probably a lot of questions. I'm going to prioritize them, but I do want to give her the opportunity to be the best prepared to address an
029important topic. Um so that um yeah sounds think about that. >> Um and then >> and I would just offer and add if there's any burning questions that any board member has though that would be helpful to know ahead. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's what I mean. So yeah, so and and so it's sort of communicating that with her. But yeah, for the right now I think if if people do have burning questions, >> going ahead and emailing them to Dr. Duffy and seeing me would be a good way to start and then we can move forward from there. So, thanks. Yeah. >> And I appreciate I mean Leah's an old hat. We're seeing technology in the district. So, it's not like we're putting her on the spot the first month, >> but it is, you
030know, it is early in the school year. So, I think that's >> I have a I have a quick question about because we're I'm not accustomed to think of preK as part of our elementary school program. I would assume that when Christine comes and gives the elementary visit summary that will include prek at that time. >> Yes. So we'll we'll add that. We'll modify that so it says prek. Yeah. So prek through five. >> Okay. I was sure. >> Thank you. >> No, it is a reminder. Yeah. >> It's a reminder, right? We've been K12 and now we're prek12. Um, so yeah, that's a lot a lot of excitement >> and even though so September 16th is a special CS Arch capital project update, but we'll be getting the updates throughout. >> Yes. Yes, I'll
031include them in the weekly um updates. And actually tomorrow, as part of the opening of conference day, I'll be sharing some updated slides with the faculty and staff that were presented to the board back in the spring, but I don't know how often our faculty and staff are looking at board meetings and presentations. So, I will make sure that they're familiar with the work and kind of the plan moving forward for this school year. And then the hope is that we will have frequent multiple smaller updates throughout the entire school year to the school community, but then also the community at large about capital project because there's been a lot that's happened behind the scenes since it's been voter approved in November. But if you're not on a committee, you might not and if you
032don't see ground broken yet, you're not maybe quite sure what's going on. feel like we've had a conversation but I don't remember what the outcome was about how so that September 16 meeting that's an important meeting a lot of people haven't seen like they're going to see some new things new plans for the high school wing um really exciting things that people haven't had to >> which we did in April too >> we did do but has it is that okay we did in April too well I guess here's my question I I think even just an email. Do we want to do an email to parents just letting them know that there's going to be another presentation? I don't know. I'll leave it up to you all to think about. >> Yeah. But um
033also I forgot to mention curriculum night. So we will have um Megan updated display boards and I'll be at every curriculum night kind of standing with the board to introduce myself and then answer any questions that people might have. But I think that I don't think that's a bad idea as we sort of frame out what what new information is going to be shared on the 16th then. >> Yeah, that would be good. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Or if it's if we can't do it or it's always after the meeting, we can side by side comparisons >> and just encourage people to be looking for all of those updates as they come along, which will happen a lot more frequently this year. Good. All right. So, now we're at the second opportunity for communication
034from the public. Um, so this is an opportunity for anybody attending the meeting if you have comments to make to the board um on any school district matters. Um, all right. So, any reflections from board members? Oh, what do you have? Did you have a comment? Yeah. >> Hello. I don't know who it is. Hi, my name is Barry Bag. >> Oh, so I'm gonna I'm gonna ask you to do a couple things. I'm going to ask you to sign in. Sorry, you missed I do a long spiel about making comments. So, I'm ask you to sign in if you don't mind. >> And then if you would um just so that we're because we're recording the meeting, if you wouldn't mind standing at the podium to make your comments. strokes. >> Do you mind
035standing up here? >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I haven't done this in a while. [laughter] Hi, my name is Barry D. My wife first. uh we work here well at the built for actually worksheet uh 7:00 in the morning. Uh my question lies to two things basically. One uh we've been basically serving the kids uh not two healthy snacks but we bring juice and cookies sometimes and donuts and whatever and they eat them. [laughter] But now, according to New York State, uh you're having uh breakfast and lunch. Uh I know I we start at 7:15. Uh school uh doesn't start in elementary school to 8:35. When are we going to have a breakfast? >> So would this be a kind? So the typically way the way the board handles comments is we like to
036hear questions and comments but we don't typically engage in dialogue when people come but we appreciate your question and I can promise you that Dr. Duffy will be following up with you afterwards and so are there other concerns that you have about the free lunch meals or anything the free >> not not so much the next thing is iPads. Uh one of the things uh well basically during uh October and uh September kids outside they play got kickball they play ball they have a good time. However the weather go into the library. >> Uh we have 16 students ranging from fifth grade down to kindergarten don't mix that well. [laughter] Uh, I didn't bring in I have iPads myself. Bring them in. I let them get on the internet. Superize the games. You know, no
037violence and that type of thing. I turn on the computer, show movies, uh, cartoons, sometimes educational think, but [laughter] >> it's before school. They've seen the joy coming to school when there are parents that are going to work be at work before the doors open and we're providing that care. That's my question. >> I want to be able to continue with the Yeah, I see. >> Oh, I see. Oh, good question. Right. With the new Yeah. So, that's the kind of Yeah, I'm I'm I'm confident that Miss Jam would be We'll be in touch. had any questions for me? >> No. >> But thanks. Thanks for >> any reflections from board members. >> I do. First thing I'll say is that I I drop my son off every day and I have for the past
038seven years and I see both of you every day uh coming back just as I'm arriving in the small lot and I'm always curious. was like, I wonder where it is they work and how it is that they were here before everybody else and how that [laughter] >> but every day I have the same question every day. So, I'm so glad to now know that that's what you're doing. And >> thank you so very much. I should have just asked, but I felt like >> I didn't want to say that. This is usually the time of year where I say, you know, I work at a local business and I have the opportunity to employ, you know, folks that have been here at Haldane and, you know, this particular this last year we had um,
039you know, some both recent and graduates from several years ago and multi-generational and I just wanted to say that we have currently in our employee a graduate that left maybe three years ago who is who runs our box office. You know, it's very important job that he and he does it so incredibly well. He's 21 years old and typically this is a job that you know a real adult would perhaps be [laughter] and uh and Luca I know if you ever hear about this but I wanted to say that you know it's just you know an an expression of how well you know we prepare our kids for the world that they can step into a job of such considerable responsibility and you know manage people that are twice his age with so you know
040so so well. So, I'm continually impressed by the folks that I have the opportunity >> that have graduated. Just wanted to say, >> thanks. >> And thank you to uh Julia for organizing the orientation and else was involved in high school orientation. Um it was uh student run. So, thank you very much to all the students that donated their time. Uh I think they may have been bribed at some level maybe, but that's more we don't bribe children, you know, what was the world come to? Um, but uh, but a thank you to those kids. Um, and I think the I believe it was well attended and uh, the kids were honest. Nice opportunity for uh, kids to talk to other kids which is great. >> So, thank you. >> I just want to briefly
041compliment the work that went into that guidance plan. [laughter] It is so comprehensive. I remember last year being blown away by it, too. from the things like Red Ribbon Week and mental health awareness month. So all the awareness raising things um to just the comprehensive work that goes into all the grade levels, you know, all the school buildings with planning for college and everything and all the work that goes on outside of the classroom, which is very impressive to read through that again. So thanks to everybody who put in all that work. Any final thoughts from you? looking forward to our opening conference day tomorrow and welcoming back staff and welcoming new staff and again board is invited if your schedules allow 8:30 to 9:15. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. So I move
042to adjourn the meeting. May I have a second, please? Second. >> All those in favor? likes any