001So, reconvene to open session. Resolved that the board of education reconvenes to open session. The time is >> 6:35 p.m. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Dr. Walsh. And a second. >> Second, >> Liz. All in favor? I. And that's unanimous. Please stand on me and recite the pledge to the flag. Awesome. So good evening everybody. Uh to start this evening we are going to start with a couple of presentations. The first one is going to revolve around the fund balance reserves and the tax levy by Mimi, our assistant superintendent for finance. >> Hey, good evening everybody. >> So, uh, tonight is our annual presentation on fund balance reserves and the tax levy. There are three separate um resolutions that are on tonight's agenda that are related to this presentation specifically. One is
002the funding of reserves. The second is the authorization of the tax collection dates and the third is the confirming of the tax roles, the tax levy and the tax warrant. So um fund balance is is really a very important um part of the fiscal health of the school district. Um so of course we work very hard to uh make sure that we maintain it. Um it it helps us in a lot of different ways. It helps us to stabilize our cash flow so that we don't have to do any short-term borrowing. Uh it supports our long-term financial planning. It stabilizes our tax levy. Um and it helps us maintain our strong credit rating, which means we get good interest rates when we do have to borrow money for capital projects. So um I do want
003to walk through the steps that we take in managing the year-end fund balance. Um and that includes the funding of reserves. But we start by going back to the beginning. So we start at July 1st of 2024 and we take a look at where our fund balance was at that point. So at that time um we had unrestricted fund balance uh of a little over 1.9 million and that basically is um we can we can have up to 4% of the next year's levy in unrestricted fund balance. We also had carryover encumbrances of about 309,000. So this is based on actual obligations from the year before that carry forward into the next year. We have to make sure we have funding for that. We had non-spendable fund balance uh which is based on actual prepaid
004expenses from the prior year. And we had um assigned appropriated fund balance. So this is the amount that we used to balance the budget. Um, and this included uh TRS and ERS reserves in addition to fund balance. So, we had a total operating fund balance of approximately $5.9 million at the beginning of the year. That does not include our reserves. All right. So, then we look at what happened uh over the course of the 2425 school year to determine whether we had operating uh savings or deficit. If our expenses exceed our revenues, we have a deficit which which of course we always hope to avoid. If our revenues exceed our expenses for the year, then we end with savings. And this can occur if we receive more revenue than we budgeted for and or if
005our expenses are actually lower than what we budgeted for. And of course, we're always hoping to be in a savings situation at the end of the year. Uh we ended the 2425 school year with uh total revenues of just under 45.9 million uh and total expenditures of just under 44.3 million. So that is savings of $1.6 million. Uh I mentioned before carryover incumbrances. So taking that into consideration, we have to put aside $426,000 for that. So basically that leaves us with savings of just under $1.2 million. We then take that number and we add it to the beginning fund balance number that we talked about on the first slide. Um and that leaves us with just over $7.1 million to allocate across all of our different different types of fund balance. So some of those
006different types of fund balance, right? So we have assigned appropriated fund balance. Um, and this is based on um our school year budget that was adopted by the board and approved by the voters. Um, and we need to allocate $3,950,000 um towards associated uh I'm sorry, assigned appropriated fund balance. This includes the amounts that we um said we were going to use or budget for from the ERS and the TRS reserve. You may remember that. Um we have again non-spendable fund balance this year for prepaid expenses that we have to account for and um again the unrestricted fund balance can be up to 4% of the following year's budget. So for us that could actually be it comes out to a,990 2,377. We're going to round that to uh 1.99 million. So after we allocate
007those types of fund balance that's listed here, basically that leaves us with uh 1,96,675 that we can allocate towards our reserves. So let's take a look at the reserves. Our district does have a reserve plan and based on that plan, we are recommending the following. So in this chart you will see where the fund balance was as of June 30th of 2024 where we are recommending it be at June 30th 2025 and then what that change uh represents. So we are looking at increasing two of our reserves and decreasing three of them reserve the unemployment reserve and the 2017 capital reserve will remain unchanged. Um so let's talk about some of the changes. The uh employee benefit liability reserve um we always fund this up to the level of our actual um liability. And so
008for us that liability has increased by $68,739. So that's the amount that we're putting into that reserve. Um the TRS reserve. So this one gets a little tricky. So each year you are allowed to fund the reserve for up to 2% of the um TRS associated salaries for that year. However, we also put $500,000 from the TRS reserve towards balancing the budget. So we have to take the 500,000 minus the 2% and that 2% is $288,599. So that means we actually have to decrease um the reserve because we're taking more out than we're able to put in. So we have to decrease it by $211,41. Don't really have a choice in that. Um and then the other two small decreases are due to um actual expenditures that occurred during the 2425 school year. and the
009board had indicated they wanted that those expenditures to come straight from the reserves. So those come out and then the bulk of our savings um which is just over 1.25 million um we plan to add to the 2023 capital reserve um and basically this is intended to uh help us fund anticipated future building improvements. That's going to be particularly uh important this year because every five years we have to have what's called a building condition survey done by our architects and this is the year that we're going to have ours done. So, we're going to have a really good idea come this uh next spring as to what kind of improvements we're looking at and the more money we have in this reserve, the more money we have to offset some of those costs. So,
010okay. and we're going to revisit the tax levy um because the board will be finalizing that tonight. We did speak about this in detail at our budget presentations. Um and the tax levy for the 2526 school year is 32,224,476 and that is an increase of 76,778 from the prior year and a percent increase of 2.24% 24% and that is below our allowable levy limit. Um we do have a minor adjustment that gets made to that uh dollar amount. We have what's called omitted taxes that have to be subtracted out of that. So we actually reduce the actual tax warrant by $4,212. So you'll see in the resolution that the warrant is actually $32,220,264. because we're not allowed to collect the emitted taxes. Okay. So, each year um at the beginning of August uh our two
011counties because we have properties in both Duchess and Putinham um get the finalized assessed values to us and um we got them late in July from Duchess County and early uh this month from Putinham. So once we have that information, we can actually finalize the tax rates. So basically we look at the final assessed values, the equalization rates and the amount of the levy in order to calculate the actual tax rates by town. Um and we did go through that all those different pieces of of this particular uh calculation at the budget hearing. So um anyway, the um the calculated tax rates are on this slide. Um and um the good news is that the numbers are very similar to what we presented back in May. So, we had good information at that time. And
012you can see that the polling um increase is 1.04%. That's um that's the lowest I've seen it in a while. So, we'll take it. Okay. And then we do typically just offer this slide if anybody's interested in um trying to calculate their tax bill. This is the uh this is the formula for that. It'll be coming out soon though. Okay. So now we're going to talk a little bit about the tax collection process. So the board um will be asked to approve the tax collection dates this evening and they are as follows. So taxes that are paid between September 1st and September 30th are penalty-free. Payments in full between October 1st and October 31st can still be made to the district, but there will be an additional 2% penalty assessed. uh we also allow for
013installment payments. First installment payment has to be made by September 15th and then the second installment payment is actually made to the respective county. Um and that would be due on March 15th of 2026. After October 31st, we turn over all of our collected or I'm sorry, our uncollected taxes to the county. Um, and then any payments that uh taxpayers want to make after that date have to be made directly to the counties. We are no longer authorized to accept any payments after October 31st. It's based on the law. Okay. So, in in an effort to try to make things more convenient for our residents, um we're actually offering three different payment method options this year. So, um, most people will probably take advantage of the, uh, mailing the payment to our lockbox at Mnt
014Bank. Um, and that address actually will appear right on the tax bill where that should get mailed. Uh, for the last couple of years, and we're going to do it again this year, we've been offering the option for residents to actually drop their payment off at a lock box outside of the district offices um, at 515 Route 22. Uh that lock box is lock box is available from 9:00 a.m. to 3 pm on uh any school business days um through October 31st. We can't take payments after that. And then new this year um is we're actually uh have an option to um make payments by credit card or echek. Um and this is actually done through the infoax website. Um it's the address is there but it uh it's the all information is also on
015our website. Additional fees do apply for this option. For the echek it's a it's a small fee. For the credit card it's a percentage of the um the payment amount and those those uh fees have to be paid by the taxpayer uh because New York State real property law uh prohibits us from being p able to pay any fees. So all of this information is available on our website. it's already out there. Um, it will also be available on the flyer that is inserted with the tax bill when that comes out. Um, and of course you can always contact our school tax collector. And that is all I have. I if anybody has any questions, happy to answer them. >> Maybe thank you so much for um for this update. Um I do have a
016question about the funds that get moved um this year. Do they have a time limit or do they have to be used by a certain amount of time or they just become part of the reserves if those line items to be used whenever the projects are >> are you talking about the capital reserves? >> The capital reserves. >> Yeah. So that's a very good question. Thank you for that. So you'll notice that that we have two capital reserves and they each have a date associated with them. When we established the reserves, um we said that they would be good for a 10-year period. So, our 2017 capital reserve um will need to be spent um by 2027. So, um this is something that we've been, you know, talking about. Okay, what are the different options
017um and yeah, up for further discussion. And if we don't use it for that, then um it it goes towards paying down debt. Um, but we know that we're going to have future needs for building improvements. >> Yeah. Thank you very much. >> So, Trusty Ory, one of the things that we're going to be talking about at one of the upcoming meetings is to um discuss what that may look like, right? Take a look at the capital project. You know, there were a number of things that had to be cut and from those projects, what may make sense to take those monies out for that 2000, you know, 2027. So, you'll be seeing and we'll be having a conversation shortly um with regards to what that looks like. >> Excellent. >> You're welcome. >> And
018any funds um to come out of a capital reserve do need to be approved by the voters, >> right? So, that's why we have to have these conversations pretty soon because then we have to bring that to the voters for the May, you know, vote. Thank you. >> Thank you. Oh, did you have a question? Okay. >> Thank you, Amy. Okay. So, we're on to our next presentation, which is going to be Mr. Anthony D. Carlo, who's going to give his superintendent entry plan. Thank you, President Great. We're just trying to get it up. So, as we're putting it up there, just uh a couple of things that are uh that are important. Um, some of you are aware of it because um, part of the first uh, number of weeks of me being here
019was my listening and learning tour of the district and and meeting with a variety of different organizations, um, stakeholders in the community, uh, the village, the town, um, a variety of different people for me to be able to get to understand the community a little bit better, how some of the things run and operate. um is really important and um I'm here to kind of lay out what I've done to date and what I'll be doing in the future. Just trying to see how this is going to work. Right arrow, wrong arrow. Okay, there we go. Got to go back. Okay, so um school's all about teaching and learning, right? And so I am learning and conversations. I met with every single building principal. Um, of course, I've met with the uh the district level
020um cabinet and uh really began to get a good understanding of the things that are really working well, some of the things that we can work on which you will further hear in this presentation. And then one of the most important things um and some of you might have seen today um on the website a little bit about the superintendent's corners and the the Friday updates that I'm going to be doing. So I will try to be as visible, as approachable and transparent as possible. I do ask a lot of questions, but you don't know until you know, right? So it's important to get a better understanding of how things are are working and and what some of the things that I can do. Actually, today had a meeting with the PTA, PTSA, and the
021Tiger Club. And what I came to find out was when I met with them all individually, there was a definite need for everybody to be talking and working together. What do I mean by that? You know, when we look at the calendar and events, you have a variety of different organizations. You know, they don't want to be stepping on one another's toes. They want to be able to work and cooperate together. And today's meeting was uh, you know, I think the beginning of a new beginning, if that makes some sense. Um, it went really well. We talked about dates. What our goal is going to be is the following because this is important. um by next May we should all be getting together meaning the following meaning the buildings and kind of get what their
022what their calendar will look like for the following year looking at then all the organizations and what dates they're looking for. So at the end of June, we're leaving the school year for the next school year pretty much understanding who's doing what, why, when, and how, and that we're not stepping on one another's toes. And and that should be a cycle that happens every year. As Mimi just mentioned, you know, speaking with her and looking at um finances, I've been involved with uh you know, the the bond project, speaking with and being a part of understanding what's happening, what's going on, and and how are things are moving along. you're going to see um come next month there'll be a presentation and update on how things are going and then over it's about you know
023building a real strong foundation about government's leadership and how decisions are made boy oh boy I'm too quick on the draw um the challenges okay we know that the world that we live in is changing all the time right and how are we going to meet the needs of the next generation of workers and how are they going to be college and career ready and you heard me you heard me speak about this and I I mentioned it when I think I was here back in um June um that we celebrate our graduations uh from Pauling and 12th graders, but it's really a celebration K to 12, right? It's about how we as a district really start from the time they enter into our district in kindergarten, although one would even argue now preschool until
02412th grade. And what does that journey look like? um and how can we make that journey both enriching, enjoyable, and still really talk about creativity, really talking about um how kids can be ready for what the next generation of things is going to be. And we know all about AI. What's that going to look like in the lives of students? The state is working on new pathways for graduation. What does that look like? how are we going to be able to make sure that we have programs for our kids to be successful once they graduate in 12th grade? Um, and then developing a a mindset where all we do is um fair, firm, and consistent and in what we do and what does that look like across the board. And then of course the fiscal
025challenge. As we know, every year is a unique year. What does that look like? What are the needs of the district? you and some of this the work that I'm going to be doing this year and and sharing this with you the community but as well as the board you know what things are are are working well and what are some of the things that we need to work on and what what does that mean when it comes to PD when it comes to materials when it comes to supplies when it comes to courses um so you know that's some of the work that is ahead of us and you know studying um policies state laws looking at what we have from a curriculum point of view professional development assessment, budgets, of course, contracts, job
026descriptions, and and what does the flow look like K to2? What does it look like K to 4 in the elementary? What does it look like 5 to 8 in the middle? And of course, what does it look like 9 to 12? And how do we continue that continuum? How do we look at transitionings four to five and then 8 to 9? I've learned some things right that we have to take a deeper dive and look at in in readiness for what fourth to fifth grade looks like social emotionally academically homework heard a lot of that what does that look like and that transference from elementary to middle but I want to spend a second talking to the public and to the board about this and and I think it's important you know and and
027you'll we'll see a little bit later when I talk to you a little bit about the uh cell phone policy that's happening Um, we really have to have a conversation and in my conversations at the middle um, high school and elementary level, we have to start to work on developing stamina for our students. Mr. Dar, what does stamina mean? What does that look like? We need to have students be able to sit and attain for a certain amount of time to complete a task. Not just say, I give up. That's it. It's over. Right? And if we start to build that stamina starting what does that look like upon end you know exiting kindergarten what does it look like exiting fourth grade what does it look like exiting eighth grade because in order to be
028successful in what we're being looked at doing now with the pathways of learning and the state is saying you have to be creative you have to be analytical you have to problem solve well if we're in a group and we're working together I just can't walk away and say oh I'm done I don't want to do it anymore right we have to start to build what some of that capacity is and be able to make sure that we do that because I think that that will go a long way for further student success as we transition K to 12. Um, and then, you know, I I've met with every single board member individually. Um, I've met with community leaders to get a real clear understanding as well as parents as to um what they see
029as some of the needs moving forward and what are the great things that are going on in the district. and my, you know, 90-day 12-week entry plan. First week immersion, next 10 weeks learning, and then one week of of synthesis. Um, and I just mentioned to you, you know, this is what I'm going to do. I told you out and about, transparent. You'll see me all over the place the first um weeks of school out and about welcoming our students at every single building, welcoming you and parents. Um because I think it's important for the students to see me as a superintendent out and about. Not just somebody who they see on a screen or every once in a while see here or there, but see me on a day-to-day basis when they're in school
030and also when they're outside of school and different events and things that are going to be going on the community and of course within our buildings. Um, you've seen or you'll begin to see a little bit about the communication piece and my use in working with Laura and she's excited about it too, believe it or not, about multimedia and, uh, how important it is to share the great things that are going on in the community and the great things that we're doing academically, social, emotionally, um, as well as, um, you know, school needs to be fun, too, and talk about some of these great events that go on in the community. Um and the purpose is to really get to know core instruction, be visible, accessible, and of course to establish government to listen, observe,
031and learn. Um and one of the things that we have to really understand is that it's got to be a collective effort, right? Nobody's perfect. I'm not perfect. I never will be perfect. But how can we be honest and upfront? And then my role as a superintendent is to provide the materials, resources, time, right? Time is always a big issue for for our our teachers and our students to be the best they can be each and every day. Um, and as a part of these visits, and Pam knows that she's sitting in the back, you will see me on buses. I will spend a day on a bus welcoming kids in at all levels, not just the elementary school, but all levels. Um because you know we take for granted the importance of of transportation
032and of bus behavior. So sometimes it's just kind of good to go and talk about the importance of remaining seating, not being up when the bus is running and kind of do some of that that modeling. Um you know, I'll be observing instruction um with our our principles at all different levels. um looking at and being involved with teachers and feedback, listening to teachers as to what some of their needs are and and what some of the things that they're looking for um as they go through this year, but for not just year, for years to come because that's the other piece that's really important. Um and I've shared this with the board of education. I want to share this with the community. We all talk about research, research base, research base. What does that
033truly mean? When you are looking at new programs, when you're looking at new curriculum, when you're looking at professional development, true research says to you it takes three to five years to dig to really get rooted. But in education, we want the results like that it's not working and then we we move on to something else and then we continue to get that that cycle and that cycle and we never stick with something long enough to see if it's working. Right? So that's the important piece in the conversations at all levels that I've had with the principles that I've had with the board of education. And it's going to be really important as the board um and as they're looking for the new superintendent to really develop a strong strategic K12 plan that gives you
034the public and the board the journey of where you're headed over the next 3 to 5 years. So when it comes to budget time and you hear about professional learning, you hear about materials, you hear about the things that we're doing with students, it all ties in to what that plan is. So, um, you know, I'm looking forward to kind of begin to develop some of that framework with the board and with each of the leaders and of course our teachers as we move forward and of course the work that I'm doing with um, you know, our assistant superintendent um to get a better understanding of what their needs are and how I could be supportive of them. I'll be doing town hall meetings come September. Um, I'll be meeting with um, the staffs at
035each one of the buildings. I'll be working with the principles um you know at one of their faculty meetings to come in and kind of talk so they get to know a little bit about me although I'll be doing that of course at superintendent's conference day but this will be a little bit more um you know informal at each building and then of course with the community uh I'll be hosting um someformational nights at each one of the buildings kind of a meet and greet definitely I'm big about student voice I'll be going to the schools and and eating with and having conversations with the students them to talk to me about things that they're happy with and things that we may be able to work on at each building. I'm going to establish student
036circles in the middle school and high school uh to meet with the leadership of each one of the grade levels and talk about things that I can help them with and that we can you know enhance their education to the best possible that it can. And then you'll see a lot of me on um you know social media and of course on our website. Um our partnerships I talked to you about I'm meeting with all the key stakeholders in the community. I'm talking with them. They're getting to know a little bit about me. They've talked to me a little bit about their concerns. But I will tell you the overarching theme I have heard is about communication is about um working together. um really um making Pauling feel as though we can do things that
037we can work together for the betterment of all our students. Um and you know being problem solvers not automatically saying no but how can we work together when problems come up and things arise and then you know events you know a lot of these organizations want to want to have certain events and do certain things and how can we work together to make some of the things happen and everybody you know come together so I'm excited about that and then of course you know governments we um myself and the board had a retreat literally my second day on the job um But you it was a very I think insightful and and and very poignant conversation in our retreat that took place back in July. We have another one coming up um next week. And
038those retreats are important because it really allows me to gain a clear understanding of what the board's thoughts and goals are not just for this year but um for years to come. Um, and then my responsibility is to kind of put together this whole kind of a profile probably the end of September and October to the community about what some of my findings were, some of the things that are working well and some of the things that we can be working through and uh, working on. Um, I talked to you about the finance piece. Mimi and I talk every day and you know we we are developing a really good conversation around the things that are happening and the collaboration as well as Deborah and myself. I mean, you cannot affffect effectuate change if you
039are not collaborating at the top levels and making decisions on what's best for kids. Um, and then here's the final week. We be I told you reviewing the entry again being out and about on social media and then I'll be talking about next steps with you. Really depends on what I see and what happens as uh we go along the way. Um, and it really is about human capital. I'm going to be honest with you, you can't get to the work unless you build relationships. Bottom line, you know, it's it's about working together, collaborating together. I might not be able to always give you a yes, but if I give you the no, I'll explain to you the why behind it. And I think that's a really important piece. Um, you know, as um I
040work with the board and with the community. Okay, any questions on that board? Okay, great. No, thank you. I appreciate it. look forward to it. So, next up, I'm going to talk to you briefly about the new state cell phone policy. So, I just want everybody to know, and most of you probably here know this. This is not something that Anthony D Carlo or the school board put in place. This is a state mandate that is starting this school year with regards to no cell phones, bellto. So basically what that means is from the time you enter the building to the time you leave the building the cell phone cannot be on your person. Now that may look differently at different levels. In the elementary school, there are no cell phones, right? They're they're they're
041not middle school. Yes. And we know high school. Yes. However, in the middle school, those um cell phones will be in, you know, lockers. In the high school, they'll be in yonder pouches. Um there will be meetings coming up at the high school. Um the meetings will take place on August 20th. Um and then on August 28th for parents to come in and get a better understanding of what the yonder pouches look like. Um how they'll be put into them and then what happens at the end of the day of how getting the magnets and taking them out. Same conversations will be had in the middle school about what that looks like. But I I have to tell you, in my conversations with both the middle school and the high school administration, um the students
042here at polling really do a good job at adhering to what rules and regulations are. And listening to what they had to say, I I don't see this being as ownorous a test that it may be in other districts because I think the kids understand the importance about learning. Um there will be some modifications especially in the um you know the high school more so because of lunchtime but you know that'll be addressed and I I I am sure that the kids will acclimate themselves to it. Um and that's an important piece to what goes on. Um I know that there's a lot of questions around well Mr. D. Carlo you know what happens god forbid if there's an emergency because that's like the big issue that I think is on everybody's mind. Um, and
043I can assure you that as a part of our our parent portal system and the like, if for some reason there is some kind of an emergency, you will be updated. You will get a better understanding of what's happening and what is going on through the portal. Um I am not oblivious to understand that something will happen somewhere in the state of New York and at that point in time when something happens there'll be questions and concerns that'll I'm sure will come up and the governor and her team will have to address what that may look like. Always when there's change the initial years the first year is always the most difficult. Um but but I I really truly do believe that um as the students get acclimated to it and parents right because I
044think it's both there'll be a better understanding of what's happening and going on. Um I say this and this is not for me to tell you to do it but I have expressed this with the board of education and some of the board members have taken a look at it. If you do have Netflix, go on and look at the documentary called Social Dilemma. It really ties into some of the aspects of what has happened in our society with cell phones. I'm not here to tell you good, bad, or indifferent. It's just an interesting view. These are the actual people who created some of this and where they think that some of this has has gone wrong in society and what's happened. Okay. Again, um it's important, I think, if you can please attend those
045meetings that are coming up at the middle school, high school, and elementary school to get a better understanding. Um and like everything else, you know, if you do not follow the rules and regulations, there's consequences, and those consequences will be progressive um with regards to having a cell phone and then exposing it, going against what the the school policy is. So, that's a definite change. every school system across the state is dealing with it. Um, this district, I think, has done a very good job upfront on how we're handling it. I know some districts came out and made comments about where they could be, and the governor has said, "No, they cannot be in backpacks when kids walking around with them. They have to either be in their locker or they have to be in
046a yonder pouch." And I think, uh, Pauling did a really good job in getting ready for that. So, um, any questions on the policy where we stand? Again, I know it's it's going to be a little bit different. And again, it's not just cell phones. It's also any type of smart device is not allowed. I want to make sure that we clarify that also. Now, please, if there's a medical reason, okay, or some type of a reason based on a child's IEP or the like, of course, you know, that would be documented and of course the child would have to to do what's needed to be done with regards to that. We do definitely do understand that there are going to be students that that fall into that category. Okay. And then last but not
047least, Joan, I don't know if you can come up with this one. I apologize. I didn't know you had to do that. But last but not least, and and and this is important. Um and sometimes we take it for granted, but it really is important. And again, it's for transparency sake. I was a middle school principal, was an elementary school principal, I was an athletic director, and I understand the importance of the chain of command. So, um this is going to be on our website. Um, it'll be on each one of our schools websites also about if you have a question and an issue and I'm not going to read this to everybody. You can take a look at it, but it goes through each specific department area with regards to athletics, behavior, um, uh,
048code of conduct, facilities, food services, health services. I'm just doing special education. If you have questions where it should originate and then where it ultimately goes, it should in no manner go right to the board of education, right? It should go through the chain of command depending on what the issue is um that you as a parent may be questioning or have questions about. It's really important to follow that chain of command because a lot of times your question can be answered at that first individual or individuals that you speak with. Now, kids are kids, right? They're going to come home, they might report something that happened, right, in school, and of course, you love your child. You're going to listen to what your child has to say, but then sometimes there are things that
049happened along the lines that may better you may be better understand what did or did not take place. So, it's really important that as we go through the school year um that we follow that chain of command because it's important that a lot of times those things can be um taken care of especially at the classroom level. Um then if not then it goes through whatever depending this specific area is. So um I thank you the board for tonight for listening and giving a quick little overview of where we're at things that are going on as we get ready for the school year. Just a quick reminder, um, school opens on Wednesday, September 3rd. Um, we are going to have a portal day this year. What does a portal day mean? On, and it'll be
050in your welcome letter that I'm going to be sending out the end of this week, but I want to let the public know and the board know. So, on August 19th will be portal day. So, school tools, if you go on and to that um icon, um, you'll be able to see your child's schedule, your courses. It'll be live starting on August 19th. And we're doing that across the district. So that'll be elementary, middle, and high. So we're calling it polling portal day. And you'll get a a reminder. It'll be on our website, and it'll also be on the welcome letter that I'll be sharing with you, the community towards the end of the week. So questions. >> Thank you, Mr. D. Carlo. Um this is um very good um overall to see your entry
051plan and um we're looking forward to you know to your reports and and I'm sure the community will be excited to see your multi- media presentations around that. Um specifically my question is about the phone policy and the communications flowchart. Can you um share with us where all of this information can be found and how it's being disseminated to the community? >> Thank you. Great question. So myself and actually Laura, we're working on that today. Um we're going to try to make it where it's prominent so that you don't have to go hunting and pecking to find some of these things and where they're at. So we're going to try to make the website a little bit more user friendly and the pertinent information will be on there um to your point because that's extremely
052important. So her and I are kind of looking at the current website some changes that make a little bit more sense as we get ready for the school year. >> Good question. >> Excellent. Curious. This is a very appealing colorcoded chart that seems to have a lot of info. >> Um has there been any thought given to maybe blowing this up, putting them in the different buildings? >> Yes. Yeah. We Lauri, you want to speak to that? You can speak to it. >> Yes. I think, you know, that's kind of the I created that with that concept in mind. So, yeah. So, I'd like to see that right now. I will say I do have it. I did it real quick before I left. Um, if you go to our website and you go to
053parents and howto, it's embedded in the page. Um, so if you scroll down, there's kind of a heading that says need to resolve a school related problem and it's embedded. Um, but it will be accessible via multiple links. Excellent. Thank you. Haven't gotten there yet. >> Thank you. >> Zach, can I ask um Mr. Darlo a question? Sorry. That's okay. Um the portal day sounds very exciting. >> Yeah. >> Um do we know if um a lot of families have signed up to the the new system? Do we have anybody struggling with that? >> I can get that information. I'm not sure. And if I told you that I was, I'd be not telling you the truth. So I can look into that and share that with you. How many to date have have now
054um Chris Kenyonos is going to be here on the 25th. He's going to go over the whole uh parent square with everybody. Right. And then he's going to put something you know out as to you know if you have him put on here's what you can do. So but he'll be here on the 25th to go over that. You're welcome. >> I love the name. It's like we're taking something from college football or something, right? Like portal day. >> So Mr. Dakota like that's the the uh school tool parent portal which is separate from parent square right it's two things >> correct >> and in my welcome letter I'm sorry just to clarify because I thought I might have said it in my welcome letter you know to parents it'll be spelled out and underlined
055how to go in and look for it and what it looks like so thank you >> okay thank you so much uh so that brings us down to the agenda order uh resolve to approve the following additions, deletions, changes, and order the agenda as presented. I'm going to turn that over to Laura to tell us about them. >> Sure. Yep. We have um a bit of a lengthy 16 item addendum this time all in uh the area of personnel. Just you know, our personnel department's working really hard this summer to make sure we're set up for um staffing for the upcoming school year. So we have um through resignation, school monitor, relief, school bus driver, school bus monitor, um an amendment to an appointment which is a teaching assistant position and then a number of
056appointments including resident building substitute teachers, certified substitute teachers, non-certified subs, non-certified substitute teacher and substitute teaching assistant. K one person playing that role. uh substitute school nurse, substitute digital and audio video technician. Um two sub two two uh school bus drivers, a school nurse. Um oh, and this is actually additional summer hours and days for school nurses and an athletic trainer as well. >> Thank you. And just for a little context too, I think uh one thing that's important to say is our reorganization meeting has a ton of that stuff and this is kind of the leftover stuff to tidy up loose ends and get all that. So not abnormal in the least that we have kind of a long addendum. So I'll reread it again and we'll vote. So resolve to approve the following
057additions, deletions, changes, and order of the agenda as presented. We got to have a motion. >> Motion >> Mike and a second Michelle. And all in favor? I >> I and that's unanimous. >> Okay. And that brings us down number nine. Uh visitor comments. This first visitor comment section is for agenda items only. And we do not have any. So that brings us to item number 10 on the agenda, which is board remarks. So anybody like to make any remarks this evening? All right. So, that brings us to item 11, which is the board vice president comments. >> Good evening, everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Um, I know Mr. D. Carlo mentioned it, but I really want to thank um all of our board members who participated in our July um 2-day
058retreat. Everybody here at this table gives up a lot of their time um to support our school district both during the school year and in the summer. And everybody was um really engaged and thoughtful and it was a really great two days and we have two more next week. So, I want to thank everyone for their participation. Um, summer really is flying by. So, just a reminder in terms of sports, um, that if you have any middle schoolers or high schoolers, that family ID is open. That's where you register your students for any modified or high school sports. The sooner you do that, the better because the nurses have to go through and verify eligibility and check physicals. Um, the varsity football team will actually start practice on Monday. The other, um, high school sports
059will be begin on the 25th. Modified begins on September 5th. And I did take a look at the athletic calendar for my own children and it's already quite full. So you can already start planning your fall to come and support our athletes. The PTA is hosting their very popular Playtime and Popsicles event on Tuesday, August 26th at the elementary school. This is an event for preK and kindergarten students to come and meet other classmates um meet other parents and hear a story from Miss Rivas. This is also a good time to remind you that um you should renew your membership in the PTA and PTSA and Tiger Club. These are all volunteer organizations. Mr. D. Carlo again spoke about how he met with them today. Um, they put in so much time, volunteer time for
060our school and our students. Um, and anytime you join and you make that donation, that money goes to help all the events they put on throughout the year. They're going to have many opportunities for you to join. Mr. Darlo also alluded to the meetings um, Miss Callen and Miss Gleason will be hosting. I want to thank them for doing that. I think it's really important regarding the new cell phone policy. I have middle schoolers, I have high schoolers, I'm a teacher myself. I know it's going to be a big transition, but I do believe it's going to be a good transition and that we're going to see um a lot of positive student interaction and and improvement. Um but I think that it's going to take time to adjust and I really appreciate the opportunity
061families will have to come and discuss it. Um I did just want to mention that um later in our meeting we're going to be discussing the audit committee uh as we did not finalize the membership at our last meeting and I just wanted to be sure um as someone who's uh entering my second year on the audit committee to really thank our outgoing members um Karen Burka Harvey Mikovsky they have given so much of their time and talent for many years to our district. They stepped up in times when it was really hard to find volunteers and often came back simply because we couldn't find anybody else. They've always been professional. They've been organized. They're always appropriate. They've been very committed to doing the right thing for our district. Anytime new members have joined the
062committee, they've helped transition them. Then they've always made sure that everything was done, you know, by the books. They've kept the audit very separate from the district to make sure that um you know, everything was on the up and up. And I really appreciate everything that they have done. Um and just uh like Mr. D. Carlos said, if you're not already registered on uh school tool and you're having trouble, definitely reach out. the the parent square is new, so it sounds like there'll be information on that. Um, and enjoy the last few weeks of summer. >> Thank you, Dr. Walsh. And now we're on to the next item, which is superintendent's comments. >> I have no comments. I think my presentation was long enough and spoke to a little bit of an update of where
063we're at and what's going on. So, I look forward to everybody enjoying the last couple of weeks of summer. Um, and um, look forward to a great 2526 school year. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Carlo. So, next up is on to item number 13, the consent agenda. So, result that the board of education approves all asterct items as the consent agenda. Do I have a motion, Sandro? And a second, Dr. Walsh. And all in favor? I. And that's unanimous. Okay. And then on to item 14 on the agenda. This is the minutes. So resolve that the board of education approve the minutes of the following meetings. So we have two, the reorganizational meeting and the business meeting of July 9th. Uh do we need to do two separate ones or can we do them both
064linked together or so? We'll do one thing just to link the two. So uh do I have a motion to approve the minutes from both of those meetings? Liz and a second Michelle and all in favor I and that's unanimous. Now the flip. Okay. You weren't kidding. There were a lot of addendums and stuff, huh? Okay. So, this brings us to number 17, which is Board of Education. So, I think now is uh a good time, like Dr. Walls referred to, to finalize um who is going to be serving on the audit committee. Last time we were able to um talk about the board members. We said uh Dr. Walsh will be continuing. She served last year, first year, this will be her second year. And then Mrs. Fila will share that she was interested
065as well. We have uh one community member that is entering their sixth year. Um for reference, the charter for the audit committee says uh speaks to a three-year term. So, uh, it's serves up to two three-year terms for a total of six years and then anything beyond that is kind of year-to-year at the discretion of the board. Um, so we have M Mr. Nick Shaw who's going into his sixth year and then that leaves us with filling it. Um, we have three people that shared interest. Um, and I know they shared with the board. I'm just going to read the three names and share and then we can have a discussion as to how we feel about perhaps including them uh onto the audit committee. So first person is uh Andrea Ganon who sent us
066um an interest email also referenced her expertise in data management her credit and risk an uh analytics uh and she is a VP in business and data consultant for Mnt Bank. Then we received interest from Helen Pino Weiss who works on the finance committee of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce. She volunteers for nonprofit organizations offering financial literacy classes and she is an assistant vice president manager at Key Bank. And lastly, there was Robert Labra who uh has there's not much more to say than this has been a professional accountant for almost 50 years. So we had three people with really um impressive uh and obviously relevant and extensive qualifications and experience. Um, and I would like to open it for discussion as to perhaps putting all three of them that want to participate on the
067audit committee onto the audit committee. Anybody would like to jump in? >> Does put us at an even number? Do we need an odd number of committee members? >> So, last year we had five. Um, Dr. Walsh and I spoke with uh council just to make sure we fully understand understood the audit committee. Um, so we did talk about max number of members. We talked about even versus odd. We talked about the the uh terms and and uh all that kind of stuff. So, um an even number would be okay according to council since there's no formal voting or anything that takes place. It's all recommendations. Um but definitely a good point. So, we were told an even number would be okay. >> Uh Mr. Gretch, I just wanted to share with the board that
068I'm I'm really excited to see community members getting involved and um and really um Dr. Walsh, thank you for thanking the audit committee because what a great job everybody has done and supported the district. Um so I would really support these um folks that are interested. >> Anybody else like to add on? >> I mean I would definitely agree with what Liz said. Um I'm in my first term. This is my second year or I'll be going into my second year on the audit committee. Um the committee meets three times a year and it really is nice to have community involvement. It really should be a community committee, right? It shouldn't be a board committee. We want um an independent review of the audit to make sure that everything is um you know as it
069should be. So I think it's great to have new community members and I would be happy to support them as well and support those three individuals and u other folks that we that we mentioned here. So that sounds good to me. want to get involved and I think we all significantly support that. Um the only reason that I was asking about the odd and even was that if these three people you know really wanted it and I made that an even number I would be happy to jump on another committee so that those people could be involved which is why I asked but if it's fine then we'll move forward. >> Cool. Thanks. Um yeah so in that case I guess we can finalize our audit committee. So it would be Dr. Jennifer Walsh. This
070is Michelle Spielval as our two board members. And to Dr. Walsh's point, we would have four community members. So a 2:1 ratio, which I think seems appropriate per what the audit committee really serves to do in this district and keep it separate from um from us really. So uh Mr. Nick Shaw, this is Andrea Ganon, Mrs. Helen Pino Weiss, and Mr. Robert Labra. So that sounds good. So we have our audit committee finalized for the 2025 2026 school year. Thanks everybody. And with that case, uh, we're on to unfinished business. So, unfinished business, do we have anything in particular that >> last time? >> Okay. >> Um, under finished business, should we should we provide a like a brief update on where we stand? you have the superintendent. Um, >> yeah, and that sounds that
071sounds like that could definitely fit in that space. So, in terms of the superintendent search, just kind of go over where we're at. Yeah, I think we definitely can. You want to >> take that? Sure. >> Um, so obviously one of the big challenges we have this year is hiring a new superintendent and we have been working hard to make sure that we're getting um all interested parties, firms, both private and both public like Boseies to uh share what they can do with us. So, our RFP process ended on August 8th. We had a good number of uh of firms reach out and submit a proposal. Uh the board is now going to take a look at those proposals and understand how they're different, how they're what what kind of work uh works for what
072we're looking for. Uh and then we're going to contact them and bring them in and have them interview um to understand further what they're going to be able to do and what we're looking for and how that matches up. Furthermore, we already have one scheduled. We're going to have Duchess Boseies come in on August 25th. Um they're going to present um during executive session. They're going to tell us exactly what they offer and and everything I just described those firms as well. So we have both regional a little more beyond regional. We have Duchess Boseies. So we have a wide net cast as to the different firms that are going to be coming in interviewing and sharing what they can do for our school district. And then the next step is really us asking questions,
073figuring out how that aligns with our goals and community goals and then picking a firm to kind of lead this process. Um, and I think this can kind of be a consistent update perhaps under unfinished business every time just see where we're at. So that's where we're at. So uh, we're going to have a couple couple board members review that work and look at the proposals. We're going to see out of all the firms which ones are should be coming in for an interview. uh and then obviously make contact schedule that they already have the Dutch Boseies one scheduled as I said and then we're going to work with that firm whether it's Duchess Boseies whether it's a private firm to then get the process started getting stakeholder input throughout um and we'll we'll share
074that timeline and all that once we have a better idea with the with the firm that we um that we see the best fit but um that's where we're currently at. So if I if I missed anything, anybody please feel free to add on or anything else that sounds good. Thanks. So that's where we're at. Cool. And like I said, maybe we could just keep that under unfinished business for the time. Awesome. So that brings us to number 19, which is uh new business. So anybody want to share some new business? And I think only one thing I want to share is uh one thing the board is looking at is we're definitely looking at in this time of transition. Um we're looking at our website. We're looking at our board management system. So we're
075trying to get in some information. We currently use Simly. Uh Simly is not widely used in New York State. Um we're currently looking at what perhaps board docs are now known as diligent community um has to offer. So that's just something we're exploring so everybody knows that. Um, again have to look at a lot of price and all that and and uh and again what what benefit it has in terms of beyond what we currently get with uh with Simly but um that's something that the board is looking at. Um just to be fully transparent and clear with that. Um otherwise though I think new business that's pretty much covered. So and that leads us to number 20. So that's uh time for second visitors comments. So, this pertain to anything about the school district
076and it looks like we perfect. Okay. So, before we get to comments. Oh, sure. You can sign in right now. No problem. Okay. So, I'm going to read this while you sign in and all that. I can find what I did with it. Um that. Oh, perfect. I'll take that. Wrote it out. Okay. So, I just want to read it per our policy. So, we value your input and that's why I welcome public comment. Here's a quick recap of the guidelines. Please introduce yourself by stating your name and address and let us know if you represent an organization. Remember, there is a time limit. Each speaker has three minutes. Unused time cannot be given to others and we respectfully ask that you direct your comments to the board president. Remember uh please remember we're here
077to listen. We may not respond tonight, but if necessary, we will follow up at a later date. Let's please be respectful and avoid discussing individuals by name due to privacy laws. Thank you. >> There you go. >> Okay, so we got three people. So I'm just going to go in order of this. So first up, uh Mr. Mike Caprinsky. topic uh general. >> Good evening board members, interimm superintendent to Carlo, PCSD employees, everyone present and watching this evening. My name is Mike Prinsky at For Mainway in the Highlands. Uh I'm Pauling here. Uh I'm here this evening to express my many thanks to the board members that have sacrificed time from their families to run for election, re-election, and have effectively changed the balance and dynamic of the school board for the better in less
078than one year's time. our children will greatly benefit. A little over one year ago, prior to the schoolboard election held in 2024, school polling school board meetings were extremely difficult to witness because of the unhealthy and rubber stamp type of relationship the previous schoolboard leadership had with our recent resigned superintendent. We had a school uh we had a school district superintendent that caused significant morale uh deficit among our school district employees and communities. There's very little, if any, management and oversight by pandering school board leadership. I'm here tonight to state how thankful I am that those days are over. And if you don't believe they are, just watch and listen to the former school board members that show up at our meet school board meetings. Their voices, once heard from the seats you now occupy,
079have been reduced to sore and sometimes angry comments during public comment time or on social media. Their power over the community, schools, and children have been stripped. Thankfully, the irony is truly palpable. And speaking of public comments, thank you for no longer reading those obnoxious, overbearing rules before welcoming community members to speak. Um, you guys are all heroes. Thank you for all you have done. We'll continue to protecting our children from the zeros of the world. This is what we overwhelmingly voted for. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Kapinsky. And next up, you guys want to speak separately or Okay, so next up is uh Jean Seno. Did I say it right? Jean Seno speaking about UPK. >> Thank you. My name is Jean Seno. I live 28 Walnut Street in Polling. Uh my husband
080and I have lived there for 8 years. We our oldest son is about to embark on UPK come in September. Um, in March we found out via the lottery that we were entering the stages UPK program. I reached out immediately to the school and sadly was told that I needed to speak directly to the stages program and their director because it was different. I took that with a grain of salt. I had a lovely conversation with the director Alyssa at um, Stages program. She explained how it functions and what the day would be scheduled like. Um, in May, the late May, we had a orientation where she explained the hours of the day and it was 8:50 a.m. That's when drop off would start, but the school day would kick off at 9:00 and it
081would go until 3:10. This past weekend, I received an email explaining that the school day is now structured with stages from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I reviewed your last month's board meeting and your minutes and the stages contract that was signed and I understand that each child is to receive funding for $5,400 and they are entitled to a 5hour school day. However, my understanding of the New York State law and the mandate is that it's 5 hours of instructional time. I'm having a tough time as a parent understanding how in 5 hours of a school day, my child is going to receive 5 hours worth of instructional time. That to me means that my child is not eating lunch. My child does not get downtime for perhaps rest or nap or quiet time, free
082play. Are they playing outside? I I'm I'm struggling to understand that and in listening to Mr. D Carlo's presentation which was wonderful and I appreciate it and I do have a great understanding of you. Now your second bullet point was the equity challenge and you mentioned you know community demonstrating fair, firm and consistent to all. That doesn't feel consistent to me that the students again chosen via lottery that will be at the elementary school have one hour longer than my child does. Your other point um was stamina and transition and now I question will my child be prepared to go to kindergarten and later grades. You know to me this is this is affecting the foundation he needs to prepare for future learning. If he only has a 5-hour school day and then we transition
083him to kindergarten and suddenly it's a 6-hour day built in with an actual lunch free time nap or rest whatever it may be called. What does that mean for my son? Um I watched the uh town hall that the board members that were up for election presented you know all about themselves and each one of you I I did vote for and each one of you did discuss equality and equity amongst all students. You also mentioned you know following the law and to me I'm I'm concerned. So I guess my question is if they will not be extending their day, what does that mean? Is will it be police to be sure that my child is receiving 5 hours worth of instruction? And if so, does that mean that my child is being rushed all
084day long? Because, you know, I don't want my child to feel anxious about school or not enjoy school because they don't feel that they have downtime. Um, I don't think that that's fair. He's four. As are all the other kids in the UPK program. >> Sen, really quick. Yes, you reached three minutes, but I we we want to hear I just ask if you can wrap it up, but >> don't make me seem like I'm cutting you off. No, you're fine. >> Thank you for sharing this with us, but just Thank you. >> That was the end of it. Developmentally, it doesn't sound appropriate for a four-year-old. >> Thank you so much. >> Sure. So, Miss Seno, um, if you don't mind before you leave tonight, give me your contact information that we can sit
085and have a conversation because as I said also in the presentation, I'm learning what I'm learning every day, right? And so, you know, I will be reaching out and getting a deeper in depth because, you know, I I've come to understand certain things, but I don't need to clarify them before I can move forward because it's come to my attention that certain things were said like you said in March and then things were changed. And so, you know, I have to see what I may be able to do. I can't, like I said to you before, I might not be able to give you a whole loaf, but I may be able to help out a little bit more with it. if you understand what I'm saying, but I got to get more information, but
086I will definitely, if you'll give me your number, I'll sit and talk with you. We'll see what we might be able to do. Okay. You're welcome. >> Thank you so much for coming tonight and sharing with that uh sharing that with us. Um, next up, we have uh Mike Seno also talking about UPK. >> Uh, good evening everybody. Uh, I just want to say that I've worked in school districts for 42 years, assistant superintendent for business. You did a great job, Mimi, with the fund balance and tax rates. Um, I'm here to talk about my grandson. My daughter-in-law did a fantastic job to what wrap the uh different points that she did put together. So, I'm not going to go back to that. But I just want to let you know in North Rockland where
087I spent the last 20 years, I just retired last year and now I'm the facilities director running $53 million worth of projects for the summer. I don't know why, but anyway, bottom line is um we did have the same problem with community- based organizations versus the school. It is much better. Of course, if you picked a big straw and of course our Mason got the short one, but the the board at the time and still does. We have we actually participate with our fund balance. Uh to to at least make it even as far as 6 hours is 6 hours whether you're in the school or you're out. So, uh if you have any questions, I will give you my card. I'll help you out. But uh as as far as equity, that's what we've
088done and it's working out great and our parents are happy and and the kids are getting much better, you know, better education and social. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Um and that leads us to item number 21, which is board president comments. Uh I'm going to be really brief. Um, I just wanted to point out that, you know, Mr. Carl, thank you so much for your entry plan tonight. Um, you use the word collaboration often and I think that the stakeholder meetings that you've had throughout the summer were beyond beneficial. They were so wellreceived by so many of the community that, you know, this I want the community to understand this isn't a oneanddone. Hey, here's a new guy and this is the last you're going to hear. I think one goal that we
089have as a school board is to really um take those stakeholder meetings and continue them and make sure that everyone has this consistent and open line of communication whether it's coming to a schoolboard meeting and sharing what's going on or whether it is inside the schools outside the schools the more open lines of communication simply put the more we can help kids and that's what we're here to do is help kids. Um one thing that's opening a line of communication is next month we're welcoming two students up here which is going to be phenomenal. We are going to get input from the student body. Uh we are going to get a perspective that is going to be so enriching to the work that we do. And while their title might be exeicio non- voting members,
090I cannot stress enough how monumentally important it is going to be to have those students up here and working and communicating with us. It is going to be tremendous. And those opportunities, which maybe 5 10 years ago sounded outlandish, um are are going to be so great for the work that we do as a school district and the work that we do for our students in all of our buildings. Um so I know I speak for the entire board when uh I say we are really excited to embark on that next month and have those students join us. Um I know teachers, close your ears for a second. We're we're summer's going very fast. Um school's going to be here before before we know it. But um but I'm beyond excited. Um, we have a
091lot of challenges ahead of us. I know I said this last time, we have a lot of tasks and challenges ahead of us. Um, but we have a great group to get it done. But to get it done is not just this group. As I said, the word collaboration, um, stakeholders, we look forward to working with the community, with members within our school, outside of our school, um, to do the best we can in the tasks and challenges we have in front of us. Whether that be the superintendent search, the cell phone policy, um, any of these items that we talked about, um, we look forward to that collaboration. And so I'm so happy you used that word tonight many times um because I think that word is going to be a theme this year
092as we consistently talk with stakeholders and really utilize that work, that communication uh to do the best we can for kids. So I am beyond excited for this school year to come. Uh and I hope that everyone is able to enjoy the last bits of summer that seem to be flying by very very very quickly. Um, with that said, that's all I have for um tonight and I thank everybody like always for your hard work and diligence and um and participation. Um, and with that, we can adjourn the meeting. So, resolve that the board of education adjourn this meeting. The time is >> 7:47 p.m. >> Too bad. Uh, may I have a motion, Liz? And a second, Dr. Walsh. And all in favor? I. Thank you. You have a great evening everybody.