001Good evening everyone and welcome to our October board meeting. This is a special board meeting. Tonight we will be recognizing our Board of Education as it is our board appreciation month and we're going to take our October board meeting to spend some time celebrating you and we have a little presentation in store for you. But before we get started I'm just going to talk a little bit about the agenda tonight. We have Kyla who's going to give us our student update first. And then we have our Board of Education Appreciation presentation. And so I'm going to turn it over to Kyla to sort of kick us off. Kyla? All the schools had a really exciting and great start to the year. And I'm going to be sharing some report from all the Comac high school,
002sorry, from all the Comac principals and students. All of the primary schools started the year. celebrating Constitution Day, wearing red, white, and blue, and learning what it means to be a part of a community. All of the schools also started the COMAC Champion Program, and they did this through reading and activities. New this year, all of the primary schools also have discovery-done spaces where the students are able to explore technology in new, innovative ways. At Wood Park, students have been busy learning and growing together. Two classes built in their... new tower gardens exploring that how plants can grow inside with an alternative light sources. They're also looking forward to Red Ribbon Week where students are going to focus on making positive connections and positive choices during tough and challenging times. Indian Hollow welcomed kindergarten families
003at a PTA meet and greet and visitation day where students were able to meet their teachers before school started. They also began a new COMAC champion initiative recognizing students for demonstrating their highlighted traits each month. At Northridge, classrooms are full of engaging conversations. Ms. Blady visited each school and she read I Built a School, sparking conversations about what students love the most about their bringing the whole school together. Tomorrow, we're also going to be having our float night where all of the grades are competing and creating homecoming floats that will be shown at the homecoming parade on Saturday. Each month, I'm going to be visiting one of our buildings and talking to the students about concerns, desires, and their favorite things about Comac. This month, I talked to the students at Comac High School. When
004asked what they loved most about Comac, Students shared they loved the wide range of opportunities that were available, allowing them to make the most of their high school experience, from spirit weeks to clubs and school-wide activities. They also shared that they loved the strong sense of community service and many ways to give back through honor societies, and that the variety of clubs and classes that can help them explore their interests and future career paths. When asked what their greatest memory or proudest moment in COMAC is, student mentioned COMAC Day, which the kids who went to that said it was a great day and experience, and the kids who helped plan it thought it was a great thing that they're really proud of. And participating in unified basketball, many described as their favorite thing ever, and
005they expressed interest in possibly having more unified sports. That's all. That's it? I thought it would be fitting to have Kyla sort of share her student update because when you think about how much Kyla has shared since the opening of schools and we're just a little over a month with all those programs and activities that our students value and all the things that are taking place in our schools K through 12, it wouldn't be possible without the support of our community but also without the support of our board supporting the programs that we put. To listen respectfully. and to work collaboratively, even when perspectives differ. Your openness and flexibility have enabled the district to pioneer initiatives like project-based learning while maintaining fiscal responsibility and ensuring equality for students of all backgrounds and abilities. We are
006especially grateful for the time you give, time away from your families and careers, to review budgets, run committees, visit programs, and support the district's mission. Your example inspires us as volunteers and community members. Thank you for caring not only for your own families, but for all of ours. Thank you for leading us through both challenges and celebrations, and thank you for continuing to build a strong foundation for our students' futures. On behalf of the Comac Council of PTAs, we sincerely thank each and every one of you for your service, support, and unwavering dedication to Comac and its students. At this time, I'd like to welcome Mrs. Andrea Allen and Ms. Jean Powers to start our presentation. Good evening. On behalf of the students, staff, and administration of Comac High School, Comac Middle School, Burr Intermediate,
007Sawmill Intermediate, Indian Hollow, Northridge, Rolling Hills, Wood Park Primary, and the Cedar Road School, it is with great pleasure that we honor the Comac School District Board of Education. At this time, we would like to invite the members of the Board of Education to join us in the audience. Joining us this evening are three of the six seniors that worked on this special project. Joining us tonight, we have AJ Arizonis, Gabby Brown, and Maya Dutta. Additionally, Sophie Denson, Vittorio Rico, and Ethan Salty helped us as well. Our initial plan was to highlight pivotal moments in their lives as COMAC students. Those meaningful experiences that helped shape who they are today. We asked them to reflect on their journey through COMAC schools and to share what made a real difference. But what followed were conversations that
008were honest, moving, and unforgettable. Above all, each student spoke with a deep understanding that their journey was shaped not by chance, but through the relationships they built along the way. These relationships created a safe, supportive environment where they felt empowered to take risks, step outside of their comfort zones, explore opportunities, and try everything. Opportunities that would not be possible without the vision, dedication, and support of our Board of Education. As a board, you lead with integrity and balance your service to the district with careers, families, and... Thank you for your unwavering support and service. Your leadership not only shapes our district, it changes lives. Through relationships, learning becomes transformational and our students gain the confidence to embrace all that Comac has to offer. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Gus Huber,
009Dr. William Hender, Ms. Sue Hermer, Ms. Nicole Goldstein, and Ms. Dana Schultz. Thank you so much. So just before we move on. courtesy of the high school staff and and the rest and the and all of the buildings those are swag bags that you have in front of you a little gift a little thank you I think that one of the things when you watch that video that resonates most is one of the largest items on our agenda each month that the board takes action on is hot is the hiring of staff And when you watch those videos and you see that the impact that our staff have on the children of this district, when a child turns around and says, you changed my life, you've... I'm sorry, I skipped over Sue. We're going to
010have our first public session. That came quick. I'm going to have Sue Hermer read the board statement. Good evening and welcome. We're so glad you're here with us tonight. Your voice matters and we truly appreciate your involvement and interest in our schools. There are two opportunities for public comment during this meeting. The first is for comments related to items listed on tonight's agenda. The second, which takes place at the end of the meeting, is for comments on any general school district matters. If you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please take a white card. If you'd like to speak during general public participation, please take a green card. The district clerk will call speakers by number. When it's your turn, please come up to the microphone, say your name, and let us know if
011you're a resident of the district. Each speaker has up to three minutes to speak and will kindly notify you when your time is up. Please direct your comments to the board only. These public comment times are for listening and gathering feedback. We won't be responding in real time, but if question is raised that requires follow-up, we'll be sure to get back to you afterward. To maintain a respectful and welcoming environment, please avoid discussing individual students or making personal remarks, positive or negative, about specific staff members. Speakers should remain respectful and avoid being repetitive or disruptive. We want to make sure everyone feels heard. So we ask that comments remain respectful, focused, and not repetitive or disruptive. That's it, thank you. Okay, Deb? Okay, so this would be open for public participation on agenda items only
012if you like to speak if you have a white card Please come up. Let's move on so we're gonna at this point accept Acknowledge the correspondence as listed and we have a few donations We have a donation of $2,000 to Sawmill Intermediate School for grade three special events from the Sawmill Intermediate. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge her 20 plus years of dedicated service to the students and families here in Comac. Laura, you've done positive things for this district. It's been an absolute pleasure for all of us to work with you. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement. We still have some time left with you and we wish you all the luck and we're very grateful for all of your hard work. So thank you, Laura. if i could just say quickly thank
013you um and i think tonight's board presentation is really the essence of what comic is about and it's really been my honor and privilege thank you mrs newman if i could just take a moment um Mrs. Newman and I spend a lot of time together going through the budget, and these are huge, huge shoes to fill. An assistant superintendent for business is a challenging position, even during challenging times. But Mrs. Newman, you're an absolute class act, an absolute pleasure to work with, and we are going to miss you dearly. But we still have plenty of time to celebrate this journey this year. I may be back for budget presentations. Okay. At this point, I'd like to make a motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented and or amended 2 through 20. Can I
014get a motion? I second. All those in favor? I acknowledge receipt of the Committee on Special Education for the dates listed and acknowledge. Receipt of the Committee on Special Education for the dates listed. Need a motion. Acknowledge receipt of the June 2025 and July 2025 financial reports listed below. Acknowledge receipt of the Internal Claims Auditor's Monthly Update. Acknowledge receipt of the professional services from Bond, Schoenick & King, Peabody, and George Baer. I'm sorry. Even thinking about him is tough. I went to Old Farms many years ago, Comac School, and George Baer became the principal there and made the place feel so much like a home. And years later, I wound up, my life came full circle like many of us, and I became a teacher in the district, and George Baer was still right next
015door to me. in Wood Park and I'm just doing amazing amazing things. He's the type of guy where um He just was such a warm personality so kind The parents knew it the children certainly felt it and the staff looked to him like He was a giant and and such a humble person he'd go out every day and I if you knew him as a teacher he he'd he'd Dust he'd bring the What do you call those? Those mats, those giant floor mats. You could always see George Bear shaking them out. He had such pride in his school, and he just wanted the place to look great. When I went to school, I invited him to my administrative classroom, and he shared stories from his past. Originally, he was going to be a priest, and
016he met his wife. His path changed a bit. He became a teacher. He was laid off. the district found a second home for him in another position and eventually he found himself on his way to administration and it really did affect so many people's lives um i know that i received word um after services had already passed um and i felt like it just the moment needed to be recognized and and and known to the community what what a loved person this was and thanks for your time Are there any other green cards? Anyone else? Okay. All right. At this time, this ends our public participation and our agenda for now.