001[Music] Good evening. Welcome to the July 29th Mount Vernon City School District business meeting. Today we ask that you stand for the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisibley and justice for all. [Music] >> Trusty Brown. >> Trusty Kelly. here. >> Trusty Mcdana. Trusty Middleton. >> Trusty Peterson >> present. >> Trustee Scott >> present. >> Trusty White, Trustee Mitch, uh VP Mitchell >> here. >> And President Marabel >> present. Okay, we have a quorum. Okay, we're going to go into public comment. There is no legal requirement to recognize public comments at the meetings of the board of education. However, the board recognizes the critical importance of community discourse and involvement in the education of Mount Vernon's children
002and accordingly members of the public are invited to speak at each regularly scheduled board meeting subject to the terms of the board policy. Please state your name, address, and the organization if any you represent. A speaker must register in advance by no later than 12 p.m. the day of the meeting by contacting the district clerk in person at 165 North Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, New York, by phone at 914665-5235 or by email at rjames mtveroncsd.org. The board welcomes all respectful comments whether praise or criticism. However, identifying and criticizing a specific student, parent, teacher, administrator, other Mount Vernon education official or employee is strictly prohibited. Any such complaint must be presented and addressed through the proper administrative channels. Each speaker is allowed three minutes to speak. Up to one additional minute may be used for the
003speaker to summarize and conclude their remarks. If appropriate, board trustees and or the superintendent or other staff member at the direction of the superintendent may immediately respond to a speaker's remarks. Our first speaker this evening is Linda Castro. Um, I'd like to congratulate and welcome the newly uh elected members of the Mount Vernon Board of Education. Um, I wish you and our superintendent um, success in all of your endeavors, most especially those that directly affect the overall well-being of our children. Uh, as the continuing board members already know, I'm a retired educator. Aside from classroom teaching, I've held the positions of curriculum coordinator and teacher director. Um, I became a lunch monitor in 2019, a job which I greatly enjoyed. A number of months ago, however, I made the difficult decision to resign because I
004was distressed and frequently unable to sleep as a result of what happens regularly uh in our cafeteria. our children being treated with scorn and disrespect, screamed at and punished incessantly for minor infractions for rules that are often arbitrary and illdefined. On a number of occasions prior to resigning, I expressed my concerns to school and district administrators who acknowledged that the problems I described exist districtwide. However, at that point, there was no money in the budget for training lunchroom staff. After recently speaking with I believe the new director of HR, it's now my understanding that this board has allocated money for that training uh uh training in person, not online. I want to express my sincere and heartfelt thank you for listening and for acting accordingly. As you know, learning doesn't just occur in the classroom.
005It happens as part of every interaction we have with our children. If we want to give children a comprehensive education that will enable them to reach their potential um in life, we need to teach them not only the three Rs, but also how to have positive interactions with others, how to engage in stimulating activities productively and how to handle difficult situations calmly. This all begins with the adults in their lives providing a welcoming and engaging environment modeling pro uh positive behaviors and treating children with respect and compassion. It is imperative that we treat our children with a respect and compassion that is based on the firm belief that they can and will succeed. The children of Mount Vernon deserve nothing less. They deserve the very best. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Castro, for your
006continued service to the students and the families of the district. We appreciate you. >> Harry Soloway. Thank you. Good evening, trustees and community members. My name is Harry Soloway. I recently retired after 34 years as a public school special education teacher. The majority of my career was in Elmsford, a few miles north of here. And I would like to speak uh regarding the No Place for Hate curriculum. I'm an active member of the National Educational Association, the NEA. As you may know, the NEA is the largest union in the United States, counting more than three million members. Recently, the 7,000 member policymaking body voted overwhelmingly to cut all ties with the Anti-Defamation League, the ADL, stating that the NEA will not use, endorse, or publicize materials from the Anti-Defamation League, such as its curricular materials
007or statistics, and including the No Place for Hate curriculum. They explained that despite its reputation as a civil rights organization, the ADL is not the social justice educational partner he cla it claims to be. The ADL has a long history of surveilling activists and social justice movements, raising concerns about his potential to chill free speech and activism. The ADL has actively attacked the anti-apathide and Black Lives Matter movements among others. Although the ADL positions itself as an antibbias organization, it is primarily a facade for its true agenda of p punishing critics of Israel and conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with anti-semitism. The ADL's No Place for Aid curriculum is problematic for several reasons. The program prioritizes anti-semitism over all other forms of discrimination, including racism, islamophobia, abbleism, and anti- uh LGBTQ bias. Students, faculty, and
008guardians are asked to sign a pledge that prominently features the ADL logo. The fact that virtually every member of the school community is required to sign the pledge in order for the school to parti participate can be construed as creating a coercive environment. If a school wants to implement its own activity for challenging bias and bullying, it must first appeal to the ADL for approval. Absent ADL approval, the activity cannot count towards achieving the official no place for hate status. One need not be a champion of public education to cringe at the outsource the outsourcing of anti- I'm sorry uh of antibbias education to a private political advocacy organization. The curriculum's focus on anti-semitism and criticism of Israel leaves many Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian students feeling attacked and marginalized. But perhaps the most damning criticism
009of the No Place for Hate curriculum is that it is a top-down effort that leaves no room for centering the voices and experiences of students and families, particularly those students from marginalized communities who are often the victims of bullying. It is a one-sizefits-all program that will not support the unique needs of the Mount Vernon community. Nor does it encourage the deep and institutional reflection that would actually combat the debilitating hate and intimidation that is the inevitable result of school bullying. I urge the board of trustees to reconsider its commitment to the grossly flawed and dangerous no place for hate curriculum. Please, please avoid the path of least resistance and seek an anti-bullying curriculum that truly addresses the critical and damaging issues of bullying, cyber bullying, and bias that threatens the well-being of our students every
010day. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Soloway, for your comments. Jeff Manuel Thanks. Thank you. Uh good afternoon trustees, administration, community. Uh my name is Jeff Monroe for the record and I'd like to uh reiterate and to welcome actually my comrade, Mr. Sali for um supporting this appeal to as I said in my last my June 15th statement to to ask Mount Vernon City School District to truncate any and all ties with the Anti-Defamation League. Um as articulated in my last statement, the NEA vote was um a gateway to the conversation and a potential pathway to consider the rationale for for for cutting ties. But I understand that and I said then that the the um NEA was not the the jump major if you will of the march. The AD the the ADL is
011the center point of the contradiction. The ADL the anti-defamation league as has been articulated just now is in fact um a bad faith leader in the so-called anti-bullying initiative. Um, I think that can be illustrated in the actual playout of what's happened since the National Education Association vote. Within within 48 hours after that vote, there was a press release from the NEA that the vote would be considered at the executive council level of the NEA. Within 4 days of that vote, there was another press release on the NEA's website from the president's office herself that this vote would be considered at the executive council. I'm a member of a union, too. what is a member but its actual membership. Why would the executive council of the NEA back away from the membership's vote? I'm not
012an NEA member. I'm not really uh at liberty to discuss that in any way, but it seems to me that it's a prime example and an illustration of what the ADL is about because one of the statements that it made that it made in its um in its press releases that they were going to confer with Jewish leadership and the ADL. What does this show to me? It shows that the ADL is what? a bully. Why do we need a bully organization telling us how to deal with bullying in Mount Vernon? That is the primary question we need to answer. For me, the answer is already clear. I think frankly the answer is clearer because although respectfully I defer to um our administrative administrative leadership, Dr. Dogget um Dr. Strickland as how to uh tactically
013and executively go about the needs of our children. But I'm an organizer. I believe the true expression of truest expression of democracy is self-determination. That comes from a bottom up strategy. That means power in the people comes from our parents in this case, our students, staff as well, and our educators and obviously our trustees who represent our common vote. For me, the ADL's extraction from any relationship with Mount Vernon is the first step to actually talking about what what makes bullying possible in a colonial society. Why a why a more powerful um entity would seek to overpower lesser individuals or entities is an important conversation. It manifests itself in our society in the adults and that's why our children bully. I think the more important conversation as we go forward is to consider that you
014know it's a very basic thing um even lacking the moral clarity on the issue. Um it's basically good politics to be on the right side of history. The ADL and the state of Israel is in no way at this point on the right side of history. A community of mostly African descended people have no business siding with an entity that's performing a live streamed genocide. We have no answer. There's no excuse except maybe on the floors of corrupt political power why we should even be having a debate over this. But in this particular matter, I understand bullying is necessary. uh bullying as a pathology really as a pathological social dysfunction need to be addressed. I think we can talk to our students about it. I think the very conversation about why bullying exists is an
015answer to how we can come up with a curriculum if that's necessary. But let's consider that I know this is uncomfortable. We live in a community where this com this this building is actually addressed on Columbus Avenue. I know it's an uncomfortable conversation. We're not ready for it, but we have to become bigger than whatever it takes to be ready. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Monroe. Um, I would like for Dr. Strickland, if he can, if he would um respond to those comments regarding the No Place for Hate. >> Yes, great evening. Um, I definitely have been hearing and doing my own research around the No Place for Hate uh curriculum. Uh, I will say that, um, it's actually not a curriculum, but uh, I will let uh, Dr. Dogget who's been
016spearheading this uh to make a comment. >> Yes. Um thank you for this. Um No Place for Hate has been in the district for about this will be year 10. It was 6 years at um Rebecca Turner Elementary School where I was principal. Uh when I came aboard as assistant superintendent um at the time we brought this anti-bullying program districtwide. Um as a result of that um I did speak to uh Mr. Monroe. He brought us concerns to me at the July 12th let's talk and he basically let me know about the um national national education associ association was taking a stance to boycott um ADL and um he did send some articles or some research and I did research from the article that he did send me and on July 18th the teachers union
017backed away from um boycotting the ADL um the ADL and the NEA met with state leaders, civil rights leaders, including those of Jewish and Arabic communities and made the decision to back off. So that's why we decided to still continue to move forward. But I did speak to Mr. Moro and let him know that, you know, we will cons our goal right now is now that we have this anti-bullying campaign is to use what we have, sustain it, and throughout this school year look for another anti-bullying campaign with parents as well. So it's not we want to sustain this without using anyone but right now at the time we cannot do that and I did express that to Mr. Monroe. He will be a part of that process if the board decides to go that
018direction. >> Okay. Thank you Dr. Dog. Uh Mr. Monroe have you agreed to work with us in order to find alternative uh programs for the no hate no place for hate. >> So I appreciate Dr. Dogget's um uh sentiment and and of course I've been organizing in Mount Vernon for over 30 years and I remain in the streets. I'm going to stay in the streets. What I'm going to continue doing as some of our in fact I know a couple of our trustees are on this board because of that. So that's how they know me. Uh I'm not going anywhere. What I in hope to do is to get neighbors and our students also in the same kind of collective power that we need and really that's where we're going to have I think get
019the outcomes that we need. So obviously I'm committed. I mean I shouldn't say obviously but certainly I'm committed to answer your question. >> Thank you. >> And not just myself. I don't want to speak just for myself. >> We appreciate your service. Thank you >> Mark Stucky. Good evening everyone. Glad to be here once again. Um before I start, may I have your name again, please? Dr. Dr. Kimberly Young Wilkins. >> Dr. Wilkins. Okay. Thank you. Um before I get going, I just want to say a name. Rosalyn Long Island. Remember that especially you new board members when you go for your training and you have your uh whoever doing your training say uh do you know anything about Rosalyn Long Island Allen? That's where we are right now. This is Rosalyn. Rosalyn was uh
020years back caught up in a big scandal of thousands million dollars of theft that took place in Rosalyn. Where are the I'm going to say let me say this my name is Mark Stucky Mount Vernon resident Mount Vernon's uh whistleblower. We are in the same position. I came to the district about two meetings, three meetings back about um a donation and within that time, please don't wait a long time to get back to the residents and you you know to say we're going to give you an answer, you know, a week. do something sooner instead of waiting a long period of time because it winds up looking like we are back in the same rut of the old regime. And I do believe in this new regime very very strongly. My heart is with you
021guys all the way 100%. But don't let us down. Please don't let us down. The thing that's dealing with and I I'm I'm I'm speaking on is the air conditioning system at Mandela. You have three units sitting up there sitting and it's been flims flammed by our $20 million budget that we had. That unit should be running and not having air conditioning come from other schools being put into that building. I'm working in there almost every day trying to put little things back together. Put I put up a wall that divide the refrigeration from the from the uh the cooking area, putting baseboard molds in, painting the place up, and I ask you to come by and just take a look. I'm trying to do a lot of things to help this district. But the
022thing, if I'm not getting the support, I can't move forward. Rosalyn, Long Island. We shouldn't look at Rosalyn and say, "Wow, Mount Vernon is Rosalyn all over again." Think about it. We shutting down our buildings. And we need someone, Dr. Strickland, to oversee the movement that has taken place when the buildings are closed. Because if you're not looking and I'm Hey, Mark sees everything. Things are being taken out in broad daylight. Roslin Long Island Allen, Parker School, the the picture of Miss Parker. Can we put that at the library? Not only the picture, but there's a bell. More people walk through the library than they do this building. You have pictures in your vault, I believe, that are hidden of people who wind up being on the board or or past superintendent. Hidden. Let's put
023Miss Parker up. Let's put her in the library. That's history. It's It's bad enough our history is going down the tubes every single day. Let's try to preserve something. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Stucky. Um I would like to address uh your comments regarding the uh air conditioning. Um as you know that when the board meets we can only meet as a group. The last meeting that we had was July 15th. So we have not met since we had your discussing discussion with you. We have referred your um information to Dr. Strickland who will be reaching out to you and you will have a conversation and there will be some uh review done and then we will we will um they will bring it back to the board for us to to uh discuss.
024Number one. Number two, when you refer to items that are of historical value at Parker School such as the portrait and as the bell, those items once they are presented to us as historical then they become valuable assets. when they are valuable assets that is an item that we must discuss and exec. So we are not allowed to um comment on that at this time. So I just wanted to say thank you couple hours. >> Right. With all with all due respect, Mr. Stucky, um you can have that conversation with Dr. Strickland, which will be sometime this week. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Cynthia Quinnshaw. Good evening, Cynthia Krenshaw. Stucky, you took a lot of what I was going to say, but I Well, thank you for that very much. um a whistleblower, who
025you know the whistleblower is, was here a couple of meetings ago and he had his concern about um the copper being taken from this school um from inside and from people scrapping. Mount Vernon has a large scrapping population. My question is why is the cameras turned off in the schools that is closed? When I went there to see where the bail was, I went to the basement because that's where we knew the bail was. But come to find out, the bail was moved um by exit A close to the door behind boxes. That bail is a lot of money and a lot of history. It's not in the basement anymore. Why it was moved upstairs by the door, I do not know. But so and I know that they couldn't walk up there, but you
026need to have securityities in those closed schools because we have a big scrapping population and they are taking coppers. I see that the air conditions are still in the windows at Parker. Maybe those ACs could go to Rebecca Turner, but you need to do something with the cameras in those schools. My next thing is any status on the home of um CJ Parker. But I heard you what you said um President that I guess you're looking at what the value is, what's the asset? And if it's a big value, what is the problem there that it has to be secured in the basement because it's a lot of asset? I mean, it was in the hallway at Parker School coming and going the picture. So that's in historic black picture and it's part of our
027history in Mount Vernon along with the bell. The bell is like back from the 1900s when the schools was called by numbers. It was at school number four which is Nathan Hill and then it was changed to Parker. That is history that we need to keep in Mount Vernon. The bell and the pitcher. Um the fourth thing I wanted to say um to the monitor and I just want this just a question. Did you walk the halls of the schools that was um that's being you know closed and um being at the comprehension meeting they're looking at the reuse of um the schools that's being closed and I hope the committee the schools and the committee the people that's involved in Mount Vernon will be involved in whatever decision that you guys make for our
028schools. Yes, president. I see you want to say something. >> I just wanted to respond to you while I wait for your comments to be concluded. >> Okay, I'm finished. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Miss Crunchaw. As usual, um just a couple of things. When you asked the question about uh the asset, assets are discussed in exec. So, we have not had this is our first time hearing about the bell, so we will have to discuss that >> um and exec since you're you're indicating that it is historical value and it's valuable. >> Katie, >> that's number one. Excuse me. You said indicating it is >> right. So I'm just saying you're indicating it to us tonight which is our first time hearing it. Um and the portrait >> again is something that we discussed
029in exec because it is there has been value according to um the presentation that has been sent given to us that there is some value attached to that that asset as well. So that is something that we have to discuss in exec. Um, and then you had a question about the cameras being turned off in the schools and the buildings that are closed. And I will let uh Dr. Strickland address that >> um with you. >> So, at this time, I can't um address that because I need to do my research to ensure that that's accurate. >> Uh, but I would be happy to um let you know what my findings are. >> Okay. Cuz stuff was taken out the building. We was moving. >> Yep. No, I'm I'm definitely I'm I'm an avid note
030taker, so I I will definitely follow up. >> Okay. And who is going to um put the value on the picture and the bell? You have a company that's doing that. Who's who's who's going to say how much the picture or the bell is worth? >> Okay. That's something that we can't discuss right now, but when we when we have a finalization, then we'll be able to share. >> Okay. Please. Um did I answer all your questions? >> Yes, you did. Thank you so much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. I know you had a question for the state monitor. >> Oh, yeah. I just want to know did she walk the schools the closed the schools that's being closed. Did you walk those schools? >> No, not yet. I got to 11 of the 16
031schools so far. I'm doing the rest of them this week. So, I have not been into the buildings, the three closed ones as of yet. >> Okay. Could we get your decision on the school or No. Could you >> decisions >> decision like do you think it's really in that bad a shape? I guess maybe you can't answer that. That's okay. >> Amen. No, I can. >> That's all right. That's all right. I know what that will do. Thank you, Miss Grinshaw. >> And that ends tonight's public comments. We can go on to superintendence report. Great evening, President Marabell, Vice President Mitchell, Board of Trustees, and to all the students, staff, and families in the city of Mount Vernon. Uh, I am Dr. Deario Strickland, and this is my July superintendent report. The district website
032has a dedicated page for all news and information regarding the state monitor, including what her role will cover. This page can be found at the top of the navigation bar. The final hearing will be held on August 5th to discuss the financial performance in the district. We look forward to seeing you there. Lan White will be joining our district this Friday, August 1st. Before uh before her role in, excuse me, before her role in coming to the Rochester on to the Mount Vernon City School District, uh she served as a science teacher, igniting a passion for learning within her students. She also has helped communities build new schools and provide additional educational resources to their students. We want to definitely welcome Lan White, our new assistant superintendent of pupil personnel services. Thank you. Mount Vernon's
033jewel box is your window into the vibrant environment that defines the jewel of Westchester. In the first edition, summer programs were highlighted to showcase how they assist in students academic success. Last week I focused on community collaboration, focusing on the immense important of family engagement. And this will be uh something that comes out every single Friday. So you can find it on Facebook, uh Instagram, and or YouTube. During the summer, the district has been providing various educational programs for our babies to keep them engaged in their academics year round and prepare them for success. For our high school students, there are the Lehman Scholars and Smart Scholar programs, giving them the opportunity to earn college credits before they graduate high school. The district is also hosting a region's prep and credit recovery course allowing students
034to fulfill their requirements for graduation during the summertime. With over a thousand responses, the most recent climate survey provided valuable intel on how the districts or how the community members, students, and stakeholders feel about the current status of the district. The survey asks questions about the quality of instructional focus in our schools, satisfaction with curriculum materials, transparency, and more. These results will serve as a valuable tool for strategic planning and ongoing improvements within the district. Thank you to all those that participated and shared your thoughts with us. I've been meeting with various groups and organizations within the Mount Vernon city to better understand and know the city. I've held three sessions of community forums to invite members to share their thoughts and concerns with me. Additionally, I have met with students, faculty, and staff prior
035to the end of last school year to see the environment of the schools. Since my in my first month as superintendent, I have met with the mayor, the black clergy, and the NAACP to name a few. And if you would like to attend an event, please fill out the form on the superintendence page on the website, and it's located in this little box that says, "Invite the superintendent to your event." The Mount Vernon City School District utilizes an online registration system. The process is extremely easy and secure to ensure families uh to ensure families register at the earliest convenience. I would like to note that online registration does not work from a mobile phone. Please visit the district website to register your child today. I also want to make mention that we have found that
036we have over 100 um addresses that have been dropped in Infinite Campus. So that is going to impact the placement and transportation of students. We need families uh that had leases expire bring their proof of address or residency to the district office so that we can update your information and guarantee that you have a school the first day of school. And now for our polishing the jewel updates because we're going to move away from reconfiguration. Teachers from teacher moves from Mount Vernon High School, Mount Vernon Honor Academy, Leadership Academy, and Parker Academy are 100% complete. Additionally, a majority of Parker's uh Mount Vernon Honors Academy and Leadership Academy IT equipment such as desktops and monitors are packed and ready to be moved. Smartboards and other furniture have been moved from the Rebecca Turner Academy to
037create K through six classrooms. Some of the next steps for the reconfiguration include moving equipment from closed buildings and utilizing them in other spaces. Examples include packing up the Parker Library and extracurricular materials and consolidating good condition furniture by grade level such as desk and chairs. And I will say on the way to work one day and in the car I did see um there was lunch equipment being actually moved into uh Nelson Mandela uh and Zala Coffer uh school. Oo these names. And with that being said uh that concludes my July report. >> Are there any questions? >> I have questions. >> Are there any questions? I actually >> Trusty Mitchell. >> Okay. Um, for our Spanish speaking population, how are we ensuring that they're being communicated? We had some Spanish- speaking folks here
038earlier who were here for the public hearing and they literally spoke no English. I I bust out the translator and told them how I gave them my email. >> They'll email me in Spanish and I'll translate it and send it to you. But how are we making sure that those those those families are being alerted in their language via phone call in on in the mail and email? How are we is that how are we doing that? >> So some of the platforms actually have translators within them. We unfortunately don't have the staff that actually can go and physically translate all the materials uh so that it could actually meet the needs of our um our Spanish population. Uh I do know that some of the copers actually will translate the information. However, many of
039our families that are uh Latino are from the Caribbean islands um and they speak a different form of the language uh the Spanish language that every printer and copier cannot necessarily put pick up. So, uh, with that being said, the one thing I will say that we need to do is, um, think about how we are going to invest in translators or or some type of translating service, uh, so that we can support our, uh, our Spanish speaking families. >> Are there any other questions? >> Oh, wow. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Strickland. We're going to move on to um >> follow up on old business. >> Is there any old business that the board would like to entertain? >> Hearing none, we'll move on to 5.1. Approval of consent agenda items 6.1
040through 9.3. >> I have a motion, please. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. We'll move on to items resolutions submitted after the work session beginning with 10.1. Can >> I have a motion, please? 10.1 authorization to hire security monitors for district-wide summer programs. Motion, please. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? Um, >> can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay, great. when I reviewed I had a question around regarding the hours worked versus uh hours um identified here and it didn't match up and I just wanted some clarity on that and one it said that staff were working like 1 to 5 but then it said 7 hours that they were being paid for. So can you clarify that for me? one corrected. >> Oh, that that one.
041Uh, so first and foremost, just an FYI, these individuals have already begun working. >> Mhm. >> This was actually held up in the transition between myself and Dr. Smith. And uh, I do need to put that out there. Uh, Trusty Scott, that um, for Mount Vernon High School. I'm not sure as to why that amount is different. However, I do know that these funds are actually compensated from um they're they give us the funds to have our security guards to be in spaces. >> So, I just need to find that out. But what I can do is I can um definitely uh follow up and get you that answer. >> Okay. Thank you. Because it seems like it's a few of them that fall into that category. So, >> you know, I just wanted to
042understand how we got to 7 hours, but they're only working four or only working six. >> Do we need to uh pull this and and discuss it in exec and we can bring it back? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, we can answer your question. >> Thank you. >> So, can I have a a motion please to uh pull 10.1 for discussion? >> Motion. Second. All in favor pulling I >> I. >> Any abstain? Any oppose? Okay. >> Motion carries. We're going to pull 10.1. Okay, I have a motion, please, for 10.2, authorization to pay Mount Vernon Steam Academy teachers to participate in online training for AP calculus. >> We have an amendment on the floor. >> Yes. If you look at the um date for August 4th through August 7th, that needs to be changed
043to August 11th and August through August 14th. The registration the course is closed. Registration is closed. So the teacher has to register for the courses on August 11th and through the 14th. So it's just a date change. >> Can I have a motion, please? >> Second. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? >> I opposed. >> Abstain. Motion carries. I have a motion please for 10.3 human resources 131B classified. >> Can I have >> questions, concerns, discussions? All >> Trusty Mitchell, >> just so we're all clear, these are ex these are extensions of contracts, correct? >> No, this is classified. I'm sorry. Um, no, these are there's no just to we're understanding so the public is aware, we're not there's no extra dollars being awarded here. Correct. >> So, Vice President Mitchell, we're not
044on those resolutions yet. We're on the classified >> ahead. Yes, I'm sorry. I'm ahead. I'm sorry. I'll save that ask again later. >> No problem. And I I will definitely answer. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Can I have a motion, please, for 10.4 authoriz authorization to amend the resolution to hire staff for the Mount Vernon Aquatic Facility? Motion, please. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? >> I have a question. When Gary Prello secured the money for the pool repair, it was also promised that there would be free swimming lessons for the community members. Is that part of this resolution? >> This is >> so this is this resolution is something that was already passed. Um it's actually an amendment. uh we had to ensure that
045we received the money for the three lifeguards that are on the resolution and that's why it is going back through the board uh as of right now. So, as far as that question, I can't answer that um at this time. Uh but I'll definitely do some research and finding out. You're welcome. >> Any other questions? >> All in favor? I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. I have a motion, please, for 10.5. Author authorize an agreement between Lisa and the Mount Vernon City School District. Motion, >> questions, concerns, discussions. >> Now, my question, these cont Yeah, these contracts just to ensure these contracts are extensions, not awarding extra dollars. >> That is correct. uh these contracts are extension and not awarding extra dollars um at this time. >> And when is the plan timeline that
046we plan to revisit >> as discussed with the board officers? Uh we will be revisiting this um late December, early January and after uh we hopefully um work something out with our uh educators. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Okay. I have a motion for 10.6 Six. Authorize an agreement between the Mount Vernon City School District and Rita James effective July 1st, 2025. Mo >> motion. >> Second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Do I have a motion, please, for 10.7 authorize an agreement between Jawan O'Brien and the Mount Vernon City School District as the school district treasurer? Motion, please. >> Motion second, questions, concerns, discussions, all in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. I have a
047motion, please, for 10.8 8 authorize an agreement between the Mount Vernon City School District and Sabian and James effective July 1st, 2025. >> Motion second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. We're going to move on to 11.1 for a motion, please, for a first reading for district personnel device policy number 5695. Can I have a motion, please? >> Motion. >> Okay. Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries for the first reading. District personal device policy. The Mount Vernon City School District recognized the importance of maintaining focus, respectful, and academic rigorous environment. The growing prevalence of personal internet enabled devices such as smartphones and smart watches has introduced new challenges related to distractions, equity, and safety. In response and in accordance with
048the state law, the district prohibits students use of personal internet enabled devices during the school day. This policy reflects a balanced approach limiting non-educational distractions from personal devices while encouraging the structure supervised use of tech technology technology for learning accessibility and community and communication when necessary. The goal is to ensure all students can learn in an environment that is safe, inclusive, and future ready. This policy is not intended to discourage the thoughtful and meaningful use of technology in the classroom. On the contrary, the district strongly supports the integration of digital tools, particularly those provided and managed by the school to enhance instructions, foster engagement, and prepare students for success in a digital connected world. Educators are empowered to incorporate technology in ways that align with the cult with the curricular curricular goals and institutional best
049practices mission. This policy established clear guidelines for students use of personal internet enabled devices during the school year. The Mount Vernon City School District is committed to fostering a safe, equitable, and academically focused learning environment while supporting the responsible integration of technology into instructions. Definition. Internet enabled devices include smartphones, tablets, smart watches, and other devices capable of internet access excluding district issued devices for educational purposes. School day. All instructional and non-instructional time during a required school day. School grounds. Any property owned or operated by the school district used for educational purposes. General prohibition. Students are prohibited from using personal internet enabled devices during the school day anywhere on school grounds unless explicitly authorized by school personnel. Exceptions or educational essential use. Students use of internet enabled devices may be permitted. Students use of personal in
050internet enabled devices may be permitted under the following circumstances. for educational purposes when authorized by a teacher or administrator for health- related needs such as the use of diabetes monitoring apps or other essential medical tools during emergency or safety drills where devices where device access is necessary to the sport to support the language access including translation services for English language learners for for caregiving responsib abilities as determined appropriate by the school counselor or psychologist when legally required, including accommodations documented in an indivi individualized education program IEP uh section 504 plan under the rehabilitation act of 1973. Communication with parents and guardians. Parents and guardians will receive annual information on how to contact students during the school day through designated school channels. Emergency communication protocols will be maintained and shared in writing. On-site storage. Students must
051store personal internet enabled devices in designated locations such as lockers or secured devices. Students students are responsible for safekeeping of personal devices. The district is not liable for lost or damaged devices. Uh publication and accessibility. Uh this policy will be publicly available on the district website by August 1st, 2025 and it's my understanding has been up and loaded before then. Uh it will be translated and accessible in primary language spoken within the district and community annual reporting and equity monitoring. Starting September 1st, 2026, the district will publish an annual report analyzing the enforcement of this policy, including any demographic disparities, disparities in discipline or implementation. If disparities are identified, the report would include clear mitigation, a clear mitigation plan. No student shall be suspended solely for violating this policy. New York State stakeholders involvement. This
052policy was developed in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders including teachers, union representatives, uh, school counselors, students, and parent representatives to ensure alignment with the district educational goals and community values. Can I have a motion, please, for 11.2 two, authorization to wave the second and third reading of the district personnel device policy number 5695. Motion, please. >> Second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I do have a comment. >> Um, I just want the public to know that this is a mandated policy issued by the governor of the state of New York. The state, the school districts do not have an option. We have to implement this policy and it is due by August the 1st. That is the reason why we are asking for the board to wave the second and
053third reading even though we normally would have a second and third reading. We have to have it implemented by August the 1st. We are behind the eightball on this. So, and today is July 29th. So, we are asking for your support in waving the second and third reading of this policy. Thank you. Okay. >> Are there any other questions? >> All in favor? >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Have a motion, please, for 11.3 authorization to adopt policy number 5695, district personnel device. >> Motion discussion. Second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I >> oppose abstain. Motion carries. Have a motion, please, for 11.4, the second reading, board of education policy 1240, resignation and dismissal. Motion, please. >> Second. Questions, concerns, any discussion? All in favor? >> Uh, oppose, abstain. Motion carries for
054the second reading of 12:40. I'm going to help uh >> we're going to take turns. Yes. Your turn, >> right? We're going to take turns on this. >> Board member resignation, removal, and vacancy procedures. A board member may resign during a district meeting of residents such as the annual meeting, not a regular board of education meeting, or by submitting a written resignation to the district superintendent of the supervisory district. The superintendent must approve and endorse the resignation and file it with the district clerk. Alternate alternatively, a board member may resign under public officers law section 31 by submitting a written resignation directly to the district clerk who must then notify both the school board and the state board of elections. A resignation may only be withdrawn with the consent of the individual to whom it
055was submitted, either the district clerk or the Boseis district superintendent. The board of education does not have the authority to act on requests for resignation withdrawal. The resignation will take effect on the date specified in the resignation letter. If no date is specified, the resignation takes effect on the date it is delivered to or filed with the district clerk. If a date is specified, it may not be more than 30 days after the resignation is filed or delivered. Upon resignation or withdrawal, the board member is prohibited from applying for employment or contracting as a vendor with the district for the remainder of their term and for an additional 6 months thereafter. Attendance and vacancy due to non-attendance. Each board member has a duty to attend all meetings. If a member refuses to attend three consecutive
056meetings after being properly notified and fails to provide a satisfactory explanation for each absence, the board may declare the office vacant. Board member removal. A board member may be removed from office by the commissioner of education for willful violation of law, neglect of duty, or willful disobedience of any decision, order, or regulation issued by the commissioner. Additionally, the board of education may remove a member for misconduct related to their role. If the board considers removal, a written statement of the charges must be served on the board member at least 10 days before the hearing. The board member will be given a full and fair opportunity to respond to the charges before any decision is made. Upon dismissal removal, that board member is procluded from seeking a board of trustee position for three years after the
057last day of that board member's term. Filling a board vacancy. As a small city school district, the district is not required to fill a board vacancy resulting from death, resignation, removal, or refusal to serve. However, the board may choose to fill the vacancy by appointment for a term that ends at the next annual election, at which time a new member will be elected to complete the unexpired term. To make an appointment, a majority vote of the remaining board members is required. Alternatively, the board may call a special election within 90 days to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term. If the vacancy is not filled by appointment or election, the district superintendent of the supervisory district may appoint a comp competent individual to serve until the next annual election. A person elected or appointed to
058fill a vacancy will assume office immediately upon filing the oath of office. Education Law sections 306 160706 17 and 1804 section 1 2103 section 2 21 2109 2111 and 2553. Public officers Law sections 30, 31, and 35. Okay. I have a motion, please, for 11.5, second reading, board of education policy 1310, powers and duties of the board. Motion, please. >> Motion second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Further second reading 1310. >> Okay. Powers and duties of the board. Small city school district. Board of education powers and duties overview. As a small city district, the board of education shall exercise its powers and duties as defined in New York State educational law, primarily under articles 33, 35, 37, 51, and 53, along with all relevant federal and state
059laws and regulations. In general, the board is responsible for the overhaul, supervision, management, and control of the district's educational affairs and is vested with all powers necessary to execute these responsibilities as granted by the New York State Law and the Commission of Education, board member roles, and authority overview, policy, and leadership. The board serves as the policy setting body responsible for hiring and overseeing the superintendent. The board delegates the administration of of schools to the superintendent. Two, oversight responsibilities. The board is tasked with the financial and legal oversight of the district and ensuring that the district's educational objectives are being met. Three, authority and individual roles. Board members derive authority only in their collective capacity as part of the corporate board. Individual board members do not possess authority to act independently of the board's decision.
060When interacting with the public in their roles as board members, board members should exercise caution and distinguish their personal opinions or opinions as parents from their official stance of the board. Goal setting. The board collaborates with the superintendent to establish annual goals for the district. Superintendent evaluation. The board evaluates the superintendent's performance semianually. Internal board goals. The board sets specific goals for its own internal operations each year which are separate from the district goals. Self-evaluation. The board conducts an annual self-evaluation adhering to best practices standards to ensure high performance and accountability for board members and the board. Decision-making process. The board aims to make decisions by consensus whenever possible. Though some decisions may require majority vote after a thorough and reasonable discussion period. Binding decisions. Once the decision is made by the board, it is
061binding on all members. Board presence in the community. Board members should maintain a visible present presence at schools and community events. The board president and the board members will agree on designated visit school list. The visiting board member in advance should notify the superintendent or the design and the visiting school principal or the design of the proposed visit date. The principal will assign and escort during the visit. However, board members are to avoid visiting schools as a trustee where there are direct family relationships to prevent any appearance of nepotism unless attending a special event. Approval and oversight responsibilities. The board must approve budget, bonds for voter approval, policy, hiring and tenure decision, collective bargaining agreements, contracts, special education service, and litigation matters. Access to information. The superintendent or their design must provide the board with
062all necessary documentation before any decisions are made. District clerk evaluation. The board evaluates the district clerk's performance annually. Board members rights and responsibility. Supporting board's decisions. It is expected that all board members will support the position of the board even if they are in the minority. Rights as a parent. Board members retain their rights as parents within the district. When acting in a parental role, members should make it clear by saying, for example, I am calling as a parent and then present the student's name. volunteer for officer canvasing. At the June meeting, the board president will request volunteer to canvas other board members regarding their interest in serving as officers for the upcoming year. If there are multiple volunteers, the president will choose one, typically from the most senior volunteers. Officers elections. At the annual
063July reorganization meeting, the designated canvasers will present their findings after which the election of the board officers will take place. Any trustee may be nominated for a given position regardless of the canvas's report. Open ballot system. Board members vote for positions while excuse me, let me read that again. Board members votes for position will be cast in open ballot system at the public reorganization meeting. Education Law Sections604,709, 1804, and 253 and reference to policy 6540. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um, due to the um duties of the president of the board of education, I'd like for the vice president Mitchell to read that one. >> Sure. >> Thank you. >> I'll do a motion. One second. Can I have a motion, please, for 11.6? Second reading, Board of Education policy 1321, duties of the president
064of the board of education. Motion, please. >> Motion second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. Board of Election Policies section 1000 bylaws titled Duties of the President of the Board of Education Code 1321 status active adopted July 12th 2006 through 2025. Board President has no greater voting power than any other board members. The board president's role and duties include the following. Presides at all meetings of the board. Conducts meetings using parliamentary procedure. Ensures the timeless and orderly fashion of board meetings while encouraging open discussion and deliberation. Guides the board to reach decisions in an efficient manner. Calls special meetings as necessary or on request. Executes documents on behalf of the board. Serves as a spokesperson for the board and works as a liaison between the board
065and the superintendent. Works with the superintendent to set meeting agendas. shares information pertaining to board work with all board members in a timely manner and in consultation with the board. Responds to communications from the community received by the board. Creates committees and liaison leaison assignments in cons consultation with the board. Appoints members to all committees of the board. Serves ex officio as a member of all committees. The president will actively assist will actively assist the orientation of new board members and aides mentors if warranted considering the new board members experience scheduling and other relevant concerns. Performs the usual and ordinary duties of the office education law 1701. >> Thank you. I have a motion please for 11.7 second reading board of education policy 1322 duties of the vice president of the board of education motion
066please >> board of education policies section one I'm sorry >> sorry um all in favor >> any oppose abstain motion carries thank you >> board of education policies section 1000 bylaws Title: Duties of the Vice President of the Board of Education Code 1322, Status Active, adopted July 12, 2006 through 2025. The board of education may in its discretion elect one of its members, vice president, who shall have the power to exercise the duties of the president in the case of the absence or disability of the president. The vice president position serves as preparation for the position of president and generally should be held by a board member with an interest in serving as president. In case of vacancy in the office of the president, the vice president shall act as president until a president is
067elected. The role and duties of the vice president. One, stands in place of the president whenever the president is not available. Two, serves as a sounding board for the president. Three, reviews board documents with the board president and assists review executive agenda prior to board meetings. Four, is a liaison or will designate a liaison to the PTA council. Five, the vice president will assist the orientation of new board members and assigns mentors if warranted considering the new members experience, scheduling, and other relevant concerns. Education Law Section 1701. >> You can have a motion please for 11.8 second reading board of education policy 1331 district clerk roll. Motion please. >> Second >> questions concerns discussions. All in favor? >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. >> Thank you. uh just for the public's edification, you will often
068hear adopted. That's the year that the policy was drafted and you hear the year most likely 2006 and then you'll hear July 2025. That is this current current board and the previous current board review and revision of the policy. So it gives a date stamp as when the last time uh the board reviewed it and made changes. So with that being said, Board of Education policies 1000 bylaw duties of the district clerk 1331 status active adopted July 12th, 2006, reviewed and revised July 2025. Uh the district clerk will be appointed by the board at his annual re at its annual reorganizational meeting and will serve for a period of one year. the clerk's duties, attends all meetings of the board, and keeps a record of its proceedings and records by name those in attendance. Prepare
069B. Prepare minutes of meetings of the board, obtains approval of the minutes by the board at the next meeting, signs the minutes to signify their official standing, and forwards copies of minutes to each member of the board of election. C. sends notices of special meeting to members of the board, contacts and communicates with members as required. D C that proper legal notice and announcements are published on all specification and items out on bid in accordance with state law. E maintains an up-to-date record of the board policies and bylaws. F delivers to and collects from the the president or vice president such papers for signatures as may be necessary. G distributes notice to the public announcing availability of copies of the budget to be presented at the annual district meeting in compliance with the requirements of
070state educational law. H administers oath of office as required by section 10 of the public officers law. I gives written notice of appointment to persons appointed as inspectors of election. J calls all meetings to order in absence of the president and vice president. K assumes other duties customary to the office. L in the district's in the district clerk's absent a designate appointed by the board will assume all district clerk responsibilities and duties takes minutes of takes minutes of the meetings noting opening and closing times of them and action taken. The above duties of the clerk are not intended to be complete but should serve as a comprehensive guide in undertaking the duties of this office. The district shall perform such other d district clerk shall perform such other duties as may be assigned from time
071to time by the board. Education law 2121 public officers law 104. >> Thank you. >> Can I have a motion please? 11.1 authorization to discuss policy 1510 which is the regular board meetings. Motion please. >> Okay. Okay. Questions, concerns, discussions? Now's the time. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Abstain. Motion carries for 1510. Discuss >> 11 or three 11.9 and to discuss 1510. >> Oh, okay. >> Sorry. Sorry. You ready? >> Okay. Um what you guys wanted to talk about? Mhm. So currently 1510 indicates that there are if you go to agenda setting it indicates agendas and supporting materials will be distributed to board members at least 2 days before the scheduled meeting when possible to allow for careful review. Um the board does not feel as though that this is um we'd like to
072change the 2 days to 7 days. Any discussion? In a lot of boards, isn't that um like general practice a week? Yes. Any other discussion? Okay. So when we read it, we will change the at least 2 days to seven days. the second reading. Thank you. And if I forget, please check me. This is long. Okay. >> So motion please for 11.10 second reading board of education policy 1510 regular board meetings. Motion please. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries for the second reading. >> Board of Education policies section 1000 bylaws title regular board meetings code 1510 status active adopted July 12th 2006 revised 2025. Board of Education meeting protocols. Open meeting requirement. All meetings of the board of education must be open to the public except
073for portions that qualify as executive sessions under the open meetings law. A meeting is defined as an official gathering of a public body for the purpose of conducting public business. A public body refers to any entity composed of two or more individuals that requires a quorum to conduct business including committees and subcommittees. Executive sessions. Executive sessions will be held only for matters permissible under the open meetings law. Discussions in executive session are strictly confidential and not open to the public. Regular meetings. The board of education of Mount Vernon City School District will hold regular meetings on the date and time established at the annual reorganizational meeting unless modified during subsequent board meetings. Regularly scheduled board meetings will generally take place either on the 3rd and or fourth Tuesday of every month. If a meeting date
074falls on a holiday, the meeting will typically be rescheduled to the nearest Wednesday or next or another Tuesday. The first Tuesday of each month will be designated as a work session. If a work session date falls on a holiday, the work session will typically be rescheduled to the nearest Wednesday or another Tuesday. Meetings will generally be begin at 6:30 p.m. Executive sessions, if necessary, will typically take place after the public portion of the meeting. Additional meetings. Additional meetings may be scheduled as needed to continue discussions on key topics or to hold executive sessions regarding specific personnel matters, contract negotiations, or litigation. Board members should keep Tuesdays available for these additional meetings. All meetings will adhere to the open meetings law and will be announced with at least 72 hours in advance notice. Notifications for other
075meetings will be given as soon as practical practical practicable agenda setting. The responsibility for setting the agenda is shared by the superintendent, board president and vice president. The superintendent will prepare the initial agenda and collaborate with the board president to review board president and vice president to review it for each meeting. The agenda for each meeting will be prepared during the week prior to the meeting. Board members wishing to add items should contact the board president at least one week before the meeting. Agendas and written reports requiring action will generally be posted on board docs the Thursday before all board meetings. Paper copies will be made available upon request. Agendas and supporting materials will be distributed to board members at least 7 days before the scheduled meeting when possible to allow for careful review. The
076agenda and related materials will also be made available to the superintendent, designated staff, news media, and members of the public, students, and parents by way of board docs. Public requests. If individuals or groups wish to bring matters to the board's attention, they should submit their requests in writing to the superintendent, who will then present the matter to the board. Any items added to the agenda after it has been disseminated to board members will be announced at the start of the meeting. Such items may be excluded by a majority vote of the board. Meeting notifications. The district clerk will notify board members of each regular meeting in advance. The notification will include the meeting agenda and time. If a meeting date conflicts with a legal holiday, overlaps with another local meeting, or if board members are
077unable to attend to form a quorum, the board will select a new date for the meeting during the previous regular meeting and instruct the clerk to notify all members. Adjournments. A meeting may be adjourned to a future date and time by a majority vote of the board members present or as otherwise mandated by law. Committee reports. Board members will provide periodic reports at the board business meetings on their activities as committee members and liaison. Committee reports should be brief and focus on key points. The board president has discretion to preclude questions from board members to committee members for which the board member is a participant as those questions should be addressed to the committee members sitting on the committee at the committee meeting. If a written report is necessary, the committee chair will inform the
078board president, superintendent, and staff attendance. The superintendent and designated staff members shall attend all board meetings except when topics concerning the superintendent's evaluation, employment status, or salary are discussed. The board may request the attendance of additional individuals as needed. Video conferencing and public notice. If video conferencing is used for a meeting, the public notice will indicate that video conferencing will be utilized. Provide the locations for the meeting and inform the public of their right to attend the meeting at any of the locations. Live streaming of meetings. Board business meetings will be streamed live and recorded for future viewing. Working sessions may either be streamed live or recorded for future viewings unless future showings unless otherwise stated. Working sessions are public meetings. Working sessions Working sessions are public meetings generally scheduled once per month, typically on
079a Tuesday when no other board meeting is scheduled that evening. These sessions provide additional time for board members to discuss business issues, but no public comment will be taken during these meetings. Business decisions will not be made during public work sessions. Schedule considerations in planning the annual meeting schedule. The board will aim to have one week each month without any schoolboard meetings scheduled. Board meeting dynamics, respectful listening. members agree to listen to one another with an open mind and avoid interrupting. Two, facilitated discussions. The board president will ensure that all members have an opportunity to speak. If necessary, the president may request that members take turns commenting on any on an issue with the rule that no one speaks twice until everyone has spoken once. Three, focus on the discussion. The board president will facilitate
080the focus of the discussion. Four, time limit for public meetings. The goal for public meetings is to adhere to a two-hour time limit. Five, preparation for meetings to take to make the best use of time. The board members shall inform the superintendent and board president in advance of any items they intend to raise that may require preparation or research. Similarly, the superintendent will refrain from introducing any unexpected issues. Public Officers Law, Article 7, Education Law, Sections 1708 and 254. Note, refer also to policy number 1520, special meetings of the board of education. Motion, please, for 11.11. Second reading, board of education policy 1410, policy development, adoption, and dissemination. Motion >> second. >> Questions, concerns, discussions? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries. >> Mitchell. >> Would you like to read
081that one? It's >> 1410. Thank you. >> Board of Education. Board of Education policies section 1000 bylaws title policy development adoption and dissemination code 1410 status active adopted July 12th 2006 through 2025. The board of education shall reserve it to it to itself the function of providing guides for the discretionary action of those to whom it delegates authority. The superintendent shall act as an adviser to the board in the adoption and approval of written board policies. The board shall seek input from the staff and community where appropriate. These guides for discretionary action shall constitute the policies governing the operation of the school system. The formulation and adoption of these written policies shall constitute the basic method by which the board of education shall exercise its leadership in the operation of the school system. The study
082and evaluation of reports concerning the execution of his written policies shall constitute the basic method by which the board of education shall exercise his control over the operation of the school system. All policy proposals and suggested amendments shall be submitted in writing to the superintendent briefly describing the proposal and why it is needed. The superintendent may designate a staff member or members to conduct independent research to evaluate the information within your proposal to maintain a reference file for the board on all such proposals and to draft city policy proposals. Sorry, sorry to I'm sorry. And to draft policy proposals proposed new policies will initially be presented to the full board as an item for discussion only in order to permit time for evaluation and comment. The initial presentation will include recommendation by the superintendent including
083a reading of any completed draft and any reports uh done by staff or others. AO opportunity will be given for concern groups or individuals to react. All board members and the superintendent shall receive a copy of the policy proposals or amendments from the staff member responsible for drafting same along with a copy of the original proposal suggestion and all other relevant information and data at least 2 days prior to any meeting at which discussion or action is scheduled. Review and or adoption of policy proposals shall be scheduled on the agenda of a regular or special meeting to permit time for study of all new policies or amendments to policies and to provide an opportunity for interested parties to react. Proposed policies or amendments shall usually should usually be presented as an agenda item to the
084board in the following sequence. A information item distribution with agenda. This may be an announcement that a policy is being formulated in a particular area and that interested persons may submit suggestions. B. Discussion item. First reading of proposed policy or policies. Response from superintendent. Report from any board or advisory committee assigned responsibility in the area. Board discussion and directions for any reddrafting. C. Action item discussion, adoption or rejection. Amendments to the policy at the action stage should not require repetition of the sequence unless the board so directs. The adoption of a new policy and or amendment to an existing policy shall occur only if only after the propo propo proposal has been moved, discussed and voted on affirmatively by a majority of board members at two separate meetings of the board of education i.e. the
085first reading and the second reading. The policy draft may be further amended at the second meeting. By a majority vote, the board may wave the second reading and complete the adoption of the proposed policy at its first reading. The formal excuse me, the formal adoption of written board policy shall be recorded in the official minutes of the board. Such written board policy sha sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh sh shall govern the conduct and affairs of the district and shall be binding upon the members of the educational community in the district. It shall be the board's responsibility to keep his written policies up to date so that they may
086be used consistently as a basis for board action and administrative decision. The superintendent is given the continuing commission of calling to the board's attention all policies that are out of date or for other reasons for other reasons appear to to need revision. Excuse me. The board will maintain an annual policy review process as policies and regulations are added revised during the year. The district clerk will make available to board members current copies of all board approved new revised policies and regulations. Each board member is responsible for keeping their manual updated. At least annually, the district clerk will prepare an updated table of contents for all policy manuals. Policies will also be available on the district website. Suspension of policies. When considering suspending policies and board adopter regulations, the board show should thoroughly discuss the reasons
087for suspension and find suspension absolutely necessary. Policies and board adopter regulations will be subject to sus suspension for a spe a spec a specific purpose and limited time by a majority vote of all members of the board. Policy dissemination. The board of education recognizes the need for widespread familiarity with district policies and regulations. The superintendent will establish and maintain a plan for preserving and making accessible the policies adopted by the board and the regulations needed to put them into effect. All manuals distributed to anyone will remain the property of the board and will be considered as on loan to anyone or any organization in whose possession they might be at any time. The manuals are subject to recall at any time for updating. >> Thank you. Goals. District goals. There will be a goal setting
088meeting with the superintendent and assistant superintendent noted later than July 31st to discuss district goals. The superintendent will draft those goals for board review by mid August and will share the final goals with the community at a public meeting in the early fall of each year. The superintendent will provide reports on progress towards goals throughout the year as appropriate. In addition, the superintendent will report annually on progress towards academic goals. Board goals. The board will develop its own goals separate from district goals. goals at its annual retreat in July or assumed thereafter as practicable. Such goals will be related to internal board workings, not the work of the district. The board will review its progress on set goals mid year and at the end of the year. The board will share the final goals with
089the community at a public meeting in the early fall of each year. Education Law Sections6049, 1709 1 and 2 and 2532. Note refer to board also refer to board policy 1411 incorporation of policies into district's policy manual. Can I have a motion please? Thank you. Can motion please for 11.12 the second reading the nepotism policy the draft nepotism policy. Questions, concerns, discussions. All in favor? I. >> Any oppose? Abstain. Motion carries for the second reading. >> Nepotism purpose. This policy promotes transparency and practicality and public trust in actions and decisions of the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Trustees. The board. It ensures compliance with New York State general municipal law article 18 educational law and public officers law 74 section 74 and establish ethical standards to prevent nepotism and conflicts of interest in
090all board related matters. Scope. This policy applies to all current and future Mount Vernon City School District board of trustee members in both their official and personal capacities as it relate to district business. Definition family members. It includes but not limited to trustee spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, in-law, step relative, or any person residing in the same household as the trustee. Conflict of interest as defined in general municipal law section 800 subsection 3. A conflict of interest arise when a trustee has a direct or indirect financial or personal interest in any decision or action before the board that may impair the trustes objectivity or independence of judgment. Nepotism. The act of using one's position to benefit a family member or employment contracting or any official matter regardless of merit. Prohibited conduct. hiring
091and supervision of family members in accordance with education law section 316 and relevant case law. No trustee shall recommend, advocate for, participate in deliberations or vote on any family members hiring, appointment, promotion, evaluation, demotion, or termination. Two, trustees shall not use their influence directly or indirectly to affect employment decisions involving family members or any employees. B. Voting on matters involving family or financial interests. Pursuant to general law section 801, trustees shall recuse themselves from any discussion or vote where they or their family members have a direct or indirect financial interest. Two, a trustee with such interest must publicly disclose the nature and the extent of the interest in the board minutes and refrain from participating. Acceptance of gifts. Consistent with public officers law section 74 3D and F. Trustees shall not solicit or accept gifts
092or gratitudes exceeding $75 in value, whether in the form of money, services of goods, services, goods, or favors from any individual, entity, vendor, or contractor doing or seeking to do business with the district. Two, this prohibits any This prohibits includes indirect gifts or favors to family members or others that may reasonably be interpreted as attempting to influence the trustes actions. Disclosure requirements. A, annual disclosures. As required under General Municipal Law Section A12, each trustee shall annually file a disclosure statement listing any actual or potential conflicts, including family members employed by the district or involved in the district contracts. B. Ongoing disclosures. Trustees must promptly report in writing to the board president and the superintendent any new or evolving circumstances that may present a conflict of interest or appearance thereof. Ethics and conduct standards. Trustees shall
093adhere to the standards of conduct set forth in public officers law section 74, which includes one, acting in the public's best interest and avoiding any appearance of impropriy. Two, refraining from actions that may impair their independence of judgment or use of confidential information for personal gain or otherwise. and three, maintaining transparency and fairness in all board dealings. Enforcement and consequences violations of this policy may result in the following. Public censure by the board, a letter of admishment or a note to file. B. The board shall vote to initiate an investigation into the allegations, excuse me, into the alleged violation. If the violation is substantiated, the board members in question will be presented with formal charges followed by a removal hearing and C or three referral to New York State Educ Education Department or Commissioner of
094Education under the law section 306. The policy administration the board president is in consultation with the district council shall be responsible for overseeing compliance with this policy. Trustees are encouraged to consult legal counsel when questions arise about potential conflicts. >> Thank you. Can I have a motion please for 12.1 to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation, the financial history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment, employment, demotion, discipline. suspension, dismissal, or removal of a particular person or corporation and to receive legal advice on a pending matter. Can I have a motion, please? >> Motion second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Abstain. Motion carries. Executive session. We will not be returning to this room. So, we want to thank you for attending our
095business meeting tonight.