001Can is this? Yeah, there we go. Thank you. Uh, the reorganization meeting of the Pauling Central School District Board of Education is now called to order at 7:01 p.m. I will now call the roll call. Uh, Jen. Sandra, here. Zach, here. Mike here. Keith here. Michelle here. Thank you. All right. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One nation. Thank you very much. The first order of business today is going to be to swear in our interim superintendent and new board member. Um, Anthony D. Carlo will now be installed as the interim superintendent of schools for Pauling Central School District. Um, let's head to the podium and we can take the so you can take the oath of office. I do
002solemnly swear Sorry, just raise your right hand. Sorry. I just solemnly swear I will support the Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge according to the best of my abilities the duty of office of interim superintendent of schools for the Pauling Board of Education. [Applause] Oh, whoops. Sorry. I'm so sorry. That's okay. Thank you so much. Uh, now we'll welcome to the podium Michelle Spiel Vogle to take the oath of office for new board member. do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge according to the best of my abilities the duties of the office of school board member of
003the board of education of the polling school district. [Applause] Otherwise, Congratulations to our new interim superintendent and our new board member. Um, at this point I believe Sandro, you had some remarks. Well, I guess as we're moving for for the election, so I I just wanted to ask for your indulgence and forgive me if I get a little overclempted. All right. So, I'd like to begin by expressing uh my deep gratitude to each and every one of you. Uh not just for what we've accomplished this past year, but for what I could consider to be remarkable teamwork and shared vision that made it possible. Um, when our community passed the budget with over 70% support, they didn't just fund the schools. They reaffirmed their belief in our collective ability to do better things. Because of
004that trust, every one of our academic programs remains intact and we now have the opportunity to expand on that, you know, on our steam offerings, our new electives in applied studies and performing arts. Um, and to deepen our commitment uh to differentiated instruction. So, that's really important. Um, I also think that we've grown uh from within. We've welcomed in new leadership, including a forward-thinking director of PPS and a highly respected and experienced interim superintendent. So, welcome, Anthony. And for the first time in more than a decade, we reached a timely and successful contractual agreement with the Pauling Congress of Teachers. Um, and that is huge. That milestone didn't come easily. It came through trust, uh, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the work. So, thank you and thank you to all the board members,
005Mike especially, for your leadership on that work. Um, but beyond these tangible wins, I think that our greatest achievement this year might be the growth that we've experienced as a board. uh we've become even more collaborative, more transparent, and more open to new perspectives. I, you know, really truly believe that leadership isn't something to hold on to. It's not some, it's something that, you know, that you pass on. It's a torch. It's not a title. So, as I enter my the final year of my current term, I believe that the most meaningful way that I can serve is to empower a new leadership team. And so, having said that, it is with great confidence and pride that I nominate Zach Gratchic for president and Dr. Jen Walsh for vice president. Dr. Walsh, uh, your continued
006leadership will provide essential continuity, and both you and Mr. Gratchek, uh, bring the wisdom and steadiness and collaborative spirit that our district deserves. As lifelong educators and tenur board members, I I believe that you're uniquely equipped to lead us forward, especially as we undertake one of the most important responsibilities of any board, and that is selecting the new permanent superintendent. so proud to stand right beside you uh fully committed to do the work that's ahead of us um and really proud of where this group is going forward together. So Mr. Gretch, Dr. Walsh, what do you say? Thank you so much, Sandro. Um that was great. Um at so um that being said at this time I am uh requesting nominations for the position of calling board of education president for the 202526 school year
007officially. Um do I have a nomination um for the position of president of the board of education? Nominate Zach Graic. Okay, Zach Graic. Do we have a second? Okay, we have a motion made by Sandro and seconded by Liz to appoint Zach Gratchic to the position of the president of the Pauling Board of Education. Are there any other nominations for president? Great. Um, all in favor? I. That's unanimous. All right. Right. That is closed. Um, well, Zach, you've officially been appointed president of the Pauling Board of Education for the 202526 school year. Very much. Um, so do we have uh nominations for the position of vice president of the Pauling Board of Education? I nominate Dr. Walsh. Yes. Thank you. Do we have a second? Michelle. Thank you. So, we have a motion made by
008Sandro and seconded by Michelle to appoint Jen Walsh to the position of vice president of the Pauling Board of Education. Are there any other nominations? No. Um, so those in favor of Jen Walsh being vice president of the Pauling Board of Education for the 202526 school year, I All right. Jen has been appointed vice president of the Pauling Board of Education for the upcoming school year. Thank you very much. both of you to come up and take your oath of office at the podium, please. Okay, great. Okay, just great. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge according to the best of my abilities the duties of the office of board president
009of the board of education of the Pauling Central School District. [Applause] [Music] Okay, sure. Yeah, that sounds good. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the State of New York and I will faithfully discharge according to the best of my abilities the duties of the office of Vice President of the Board of Education of the Polling School District. [Applause] Thank you so Okay, so at this point I am going to hand the meeting over to our new president of the Pauling Board of Education, Zach. Thank you very much. Thank you so much and thank you to everybody and your trust support and I'm looking forward to this amazing year and I have no words but maybe I'll come up with some later.
010So thank you. you. I'm looking forward to it. Um, so we're on to number five. It says executive session, but we're not going to be doing executive session, so we could skip over that for now. I I think originally the plan was to um this night originally do a public hearing on it, but because of, you know, a number of issues that came up, the the want is to want to do that in August toward the second meeting in August. But tonight just wanted to go in with uh our assistant superintendent for business just give a quick overview. That's okay to the board with regards to know issues when it comes to our building usage and security and safety which would be important. I don't think we'll be that long. I think if we could
011do that now then we don't have to do that after the public hearing in August if that's okay with the board and you president. Great. Sounds that sounds good. So I'll read this and we'll have a motion on that. So be it resolved that the board of education enter into into executive session to discuss matters made confidential by state or federal law. The time is Oh, sorry. Uh 7:15. Do I have a motion, Jen? And a second. Second, Liz. All in favor? I Thank you. So, we'll reconvene to open session. Resolve that the board of education reconvene to open session. The time is 7:40 p.m. 40. May I have a motion? Sandro and a second. Second, Jen. All in favor? I I unanimous. Okay. Just for some further clarification about the um executive session. So
012the board took a look at the district-wide safety plan and some important updates uh in working with um Alteras to to get into our plan. Um it will be posted early next week on the district website for people to take a look at and then it will require 30 days of being posted for us uh then to have a meeting on August 25th at our board meeting uh in which we can vote and approve it. So, the board aims to put this plan visible, as I said, on the district web page for anybody that wants to take a look at it. Um, and it will be there again for us to vote on on August 25th after the required 30 days. Okay. The next thing in the uh agenda is the agenda order. So, resolve
013to approve the following additions, deletions, changes, and order the agenda as presented. I'll turn it over you Laura to talk about the agenda. Sure. Thank you. Yes, we do have an addendum. Um, we just had to remove a few things from the consent consent agenda. Um there were a few appointments that we had on it that actually had already been done earlier uh this spring. So uh the appointment of the McKini Vento liaison uh the community involvement coordinator and the 504 coordinator as well as the coordinator of pre kindergarten have already been um appointed. So we just removed those. Great. So at this time resolve to approve the following additions, deletions, changes and order the agenda as presented. May I have a motion? Sandro and a second. Heath. All in favor? I I. It's unanimous.
014All right, moving on. So, this brings us to our first visitor comments. Uh, looking at the sheet, there is none. So, that then brings us to board remarks, and I'll turn it over to anybody at this time that wishes to say anything. Uh, I just want to congratulate uh, Zach and Jen. I'm really looking forward to this year and Sandro. Thank you for um, everything you've done for the community and our students and us in the last year. So, congratulations. Oh, and welcome. Yeah, I just want to echo that. Congratulations, guys. It's going to be a great year. Welcome back, Michelle. Welcome, Laura. Welcome, Anthony. Great. And thank you so much. Um, so at this time, turn over to Dr. Walsh with board vice president comments. Good evening. Um, I only have a couple of
015things. I wanted to congratulate all of the graduates. I was able to attend the high school graduation this year. It was really lovely. Um, just the right amount of time. The student speakers did a great job and gave some really nice messages. and I had the privilege and honor of being on the stage and I got to watch them as they walk across the stage and their their faces were just so awesome to see the smiles, a little bit of fear, a little bit of sadness, but um it was really great and we should all be really proud of them. Um I want to thank the PTA for hosting movie night on the last day of school, which was I know a lot of work on their part. They had a date change due to
016weather, but they always come through for us and it was a nice way for a lot of kids and families to end the school year. Um, I know many of us have been involved in things at the recck department over the years, but um, watching the kids go to camp this week, it's so nice to see our high school students as counselors and our middle school students there and the little kids and they're kind of all mingling together and a lot of really great bonds and relationships are formed. And I think in our small town, that's one of the things that makes us um, unique. I want to thank um, everybody for your confidence and for your um, you know, recommendation that I be the vice president again. Um, I I take that very seriously,
017but I also want to really echo what Mr. Oay said. Um, it's just a role, right? It's just somebody who does some of the administrative work behind the scenes. We are a group of seven. Each of us is only one of seven. Um, I think that's really important to know. I also think the rotation in leadership is something that's very valuable. It gives everybody some perspective. So, I certainly hope that next year we will see new people um, step up as well. And I really do want to acknowledge all that Mr. Ora did for us this year. um you know we came on and there was nobody else from the board who'd been in leadership before so that was new. We had a new um appoint a new board member during the year. We um
018you know dealt with the retirement of a superintendent and interim appointment um and a lot a lot of work was put in and not just physical work but a lot of thoughtfulness to make sure that we all felt valued and important. So thank you for all that you did. Um I want to welcome Laura and also acknowledge how much work she has been doing. Um, she stepped into a new role at a challenging time coming up before the reorg. This is a tremendous agenda to put together. I'm not sure everybody knows all the district clerk does, but it's a lot. Um, and I can imagine walking into it would be overwhelming. Um, but she has been nothing but lovely and pleasant and positive. And so, we're happy to have her. And I also want to
019thank Mr. D. Carlo for coming back from a previously scheduled family vacation and jumping right in and being willing to be here with us today and tonight and joining us on our retreat tomorrow. We're really happy to have you. So, thank you. Awesome. And with that, we turn it over to the superintendent's comments. Thank you very much, President Grace, Vice President Walsh, board trustees. Um, I'm excited very much to be here. It's been an interesting two days, although today is my first official day here before I left on my trip. I I began my listening tour, my learning tour, my sharing tour, my building tour, my planning tour. What does that mean? So people that are out in the audience into the board of education that's here. Part of my role over the summer is
020developing that entry plan, right? And what does that look like and what do you do as an interim superintendent, you have to do those four things to really gain a better understanding of how things are working, things that are working well, things that could be further worked on. I'm going to be sitting down with all of you, talking with all of you um over the summer. I just finished today meeting with all of the central office cabinet members, the school administrators um having some really good conversations um about their thoughts, their ideas, their visions. Um and what's really important, I think somebody mentioned it before, every year's a new year, right? Every year is a new beginning. Um and uh it's always exciting at this time of the year. People think ah it's a summer
021time, everybody's on vacation. No, everybody's working real hard to get ready for school to open up uh coming September. And um as was mentioned before, I'm excited about the next two days. Um you know, we're having a retreat, myself and the board of education talking about issues of governance, communication, talking about organizational alignment, and the things that are important to a school district as well as to uh the board of education. Then what my goal is to in September is kind of present some of the facts and things that I found out over the summertime, share that with you as a board, share that with the community about u the things that um we're looking at continuing to do talking about some of the goals over the next couple of days. Um and what's really
022important in my role is somebody who is a listener, who's a collaborator, who's a problem solver, um and who wants what's best for kids. Like that's ultimately why we're here. What's the best for kids and how how can we enhance their education each and every day? And I I want to echo congratulations to the class of 2025. Although I wasn't here, I did get to meet a couple of the seniors um back in June. And what's really important is that we celebrate seniors, but really it's a celebration K to 12. That's a celebration of experiences that start off in kindergarten and of course lead up to high school. Um, and you know, my role is to support our building principles, to support you, the stakeholders. We're going to be doing a lot of meetings with
023stakeholders. I will be to get a better understanding of how things are going on. Um, I'm an advocate of student voice. Um, so um I'm going to be setting up meetings at student circles and our our middle schools and um our high school. Um, and you'll see me out and about a lot. I'm letting everybody know my therapy is like at 4:00 every day. outside with kids at events, at games. I, you know, enjoy doing that. You'll see me in the buildings a lot. Um, and I'm excited to be here. Um, and I look forward to, uh, the work that we're going to do together as, uh, a cohesive unit for the 2526 school year. So, thank you all very much. Very excited. Thank you so much. And that brings us to the consent agenda.
024So, with what we heard before, resolve that the board of education approves all asterisk items as the consent agenda. I have a motion, Michelle. And do I have a second? Keith. And all in favor? I. I. That's unanimous. So, once you're done turning five pages, it's page 11. As Laura said on page 11, item number 13, uh, NISBA liaison. So looking for somebody um, our NISBA liaison to serve in this role. I believe Andrew, you served in this role last year uh, as the president. So I'm more than happy to serve in this role. If that's okay with everybody, I'm perfect to do that. that somebody wants to make a motion for such motion. Second and all in favor? I it's unanimous. And item number 14. So this is to appoint a Duchess County School
025Board Association liaison. Uh Liz, you did this for us last year, but obviously I'll leave that to you as far as this year goes. I I'd like to see if any other board members would like to um to attend. It's uh once a month. Uh it's Thursdays. It was Thursdays this year. I'm happy to stay in the role. It's a little bit difficult for me with my work schedule. It's it was kind of a tough year and I I'm also interested in joining a committee this year and it I'm just um if anybody's interested with that said, would anybody be interested in serving as the Dutch County School Board Association liaison? Let that marinate for five seconds, Keith, before you go. Motion and and All right. So So I'll read it this time. Yeah. Thank
026you, Keith. So, resolve that the board of education appoint Keith Tucci to represent the district on the Duchess County School Board's executive committee and serve as liaison between our school board and the association. Do I have a motion? Motion. Liz gladly motion that. And a second, Sandro. And all in favor? I I think Liz would have seconded that too if she could just Okay. And that brings us to number 15. So, these are under additional items. The first one is uh board of education committees. So we have two committees um official committees the policy and the audit committee. Uh we'll start with the policy committee. I guess the first thing would be to scan the room in terms of anyone that had interest in serving on the policy committee this year. So I'm going to
027return. So Michael and Liz I I'm interested. Yeah. Liz, I'd like to be Sandro. So that makes three. But I also want to point out that there's a way if there was more than three that want to do it. we've done in the past where we've had it just announced as an open meeting. We've had it as an open meeting. Uh and there can be more than three board members. If anyone else is interested in in doing that, we we did that actually I believe at the beginning of last year um before there was a board resignation. So um if anybody else in addition to Mike, Liz, Sandra would want to do policy. It's once a month. Yeah. So once a month and yeah, I was on the committee last year. I'll just share that
028I um in this role I'm more than happy to step away and give the opportunity to somebody else that hasn't done it. It's uh really worthwhile. Michael did a great job last year. Guido who who served as our policy chair did a phenomenal job. Um um yeah, it's it was really enjoyable work. So if Keith or Shell or Jen or that's it. So with that said, so Michael, Liz, and sounds good. And that brings us to the uh audit committee. I'll start with board members and then I know that there's a community member that was uh interested that shared interest a very competent and uh uh worthwhile community member. So audit committee would anybody I know Jen was on it last year. Yeah, I uh served on it for the first time this year. I'd
029be happy to continue. Uh it meets typically three times a year. Um September, January, and June. Um they the meetings have been on Thursdays around 4:30. Um the June and September meeting we typically meet with the auditor. The January meeting is more of a check-in. Um there can be another board member. There doesn't have to be, but if somebody's interested, certainly happy to have someone. Right. So Michelle support memberwise before um going to say um they have to jump if you need somebody else to do it. But you do we need more people? That's what I'm you said last year was only yourself, right, Jen? That was I mean I I think you're certainly welcome to come. I don't think we need more people but you're I I don't believe that there's a limit, right?
030There's some community. Yeah, we have some community members now. We have some community members who I believe are planning to step away over the course of the next year. So, um uh yeah, the only policy we have says that uh uh committee, excuse me, committee cannot have more members on it than there are members of the on the board of ed. So, we have seven members on the board of ed. So, we can't have a committee of other than that it can be uh how many do you have a number of because I have one community member that was interested. I have gotten some interest too. Okay. So, but it's not more than four. um one, two, I believe it's four community members right now, right? Yeah. So, maybe we'll take a look at the
031community members, but let's do the board part of it right now, I guess. And we this doesn't have to be finalized tonight by any means in terms of the the community members would not know. Yeah, just with the board. So, we'll do board members and we'll figure out the community members um I guess at a later date. Keith, did you want to throw yourself on there or are we going to have uh I don't know. I just want to discuss possibly another committee. I don't know if I don't see anything for new business on the agenda. We have time for that. Yeah, let's throw it on. How about um whether it's this one or the We have a business meeting to follow too. So, if you want you want to throw it on the Yeah,
032we'll do that on on uh on the business meeting next. So, so Jen, Michelle, and Keith, if you don't want to do it, I'll throw myself on there just to make three uh board members, but totally up to you. Well, I'm asking because if this other committee, if we discuss it in forms, I would throw myself on that one, but Got it. But I can do it as well because you said it only meets three times anyway. I don't I don't know that. Can this one have four board members? Uh, that's I think this one can also operate. Um we do I mean oh so puts us at 8. Um so we haven't gone into exact yet but there is a time for exec too. Yeah. Yes. So we can hold off and I guess
033there could always be an addition and and so on. So right now Jen Michelle and I think for now that sounds good. Cool. Yeah. Thanks everybody. Okay. And that leads us to item 16, which is the second visitor's comments, and there are none. So, that leads me to the board president comments. I'm going to be very brief. Uh, I just want to say thank you to everybody for your trust. I'm looking forward to such a great year and um just the positive future ahead and all the work that we're going to do collectively. As as Jen said, it's the title to me is nothing more than I get to be a part of this group of seven and help out managerially and and organize some stuff. um each and every person has the same amount
034of information power all that stuff that we talk about and I'm looking forward for every one of us to play a really big role and an even collective role in doing what's best for the students of this school district, the staff of the school district and the community as a whole. So, it's as simple as that. Um but I I cannot thank you all enough for your your trust and your um it just means a lot. So, thank you very much. Uh one thing I do also want to say is uh this year was a big transition year. uh we had two new people in leadership and I think both of you did such a phenomenal job in that role. Uh Sandra, you're just what you did in so many aspects of from board and
035district goals to to the interim superintendent process to just making it feel that as a board member that there was no hierarchy. There's no um everyone has the same opportunity and voice and coming to a meeting and having the confidence and the the just the comfortability of of knowing you can share an opinion whether it wasn't the same as everybody else but it was going to be heard it was going to be valued and it was going to be part of a discussion that would lead us to the best results and I think this year there was a lot of very good results as a result and uh I just think that you deserve all the credit in the world and um I too share the same viewpoint that you have and that Dr. Wall
036shared that this leadership position is not something to be occupied for 5, 10, whatever amount of years, but instead it's something that everybody should have the opportunity. Um, if it were up to me, we'd take turns running meetings and we'd really show that we are a group and we are a cohesive unit. Um, and and that's how I see it, too. So, I I'm really happy you said that and uh I I agree with it 100%. But I just want to say thank you and uh Anthony, welcome aboard. I'm looking forward to working with you and doing some great things this year. Laura, congratulations. And same goes with you as well. First meeting I thought went really well. I thought it was very good. Right. I thought it was I thought it was very good.
037I know how much work you put in. I mean, there was 60some items and all this that you had to get through and and it was done really well. I'm going to I'm going to clap it up, too. Um, you know, I know you spent a lot of time and that time is really appreciated. I know anyone reading this not only has a clear um idea of the work done tonight, but it it just makes it transparent and open and and and very uh easy to read through. So, thank you for all your time and effort on that. Um and otherwise, I'm just looking to a great year looking forward to a great year working with everybody. And um I and that's all I really have to say. So, thank you all. And with that
038said, um we'll adjourn the reorganization meeting of the night. I think we still have the business meeting, but uh resolved that the board of education adjourn the reorganizational meeting of the board of education and beginning the business meeting at 7:59 p.m. 7:59 p.m. If you had 8 p.m. the under hit. Uh may I have a motion? Motion. Sandro and a second. Liz, all in favor? I. And that's unanimous. Great. Okay. So with that said, um we're on to the business meeting. So never a dull moment. Um so first thing I guess the business meeting is called to order. So business meeting of Paulie Central School District Board of Education is called to order. The time is it's 8 o'clock p.m. 8:00 p.m. Nice and round. Perfect. May I have a motion? Shell in a second.
039Sandro, all in favor? I. And Laura will do roll call. Sure. Um all right, Jen. Sandro here. Zach here. Liz, Mike, Keith here, and Michelle here. Thank you. Awesome. And next thing is pledge to the flag. Everybody's okay with doing that one more time, right? So, we'll pledge the flag. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for which it stands. One, and justice for all. Great. So, now we're down to number four, which is the agenda order. So, I'll turn it over to Laura to talk about some additions to the consent agenda. Sure. Yeah, we just have two additions to the consent agenda. Um, one of them is an appointment of a school bus monitor for the summer. Um the other is um the addition of um a
040substantial equivalency um adoption um from Ms and top day school. Great. And with that said, so with those addition additions, resolve to approve the following additions, deletions, changes, and order of the agenda as presented. May I have a motion? Motion, Mike. And a second. Second, Jen. And all in favor? Hi. Hi. Hi. And that's unanimous. So, that brings us down to number five, which is our first visitor comments on agenda items only, which we do not have any. This is easy. Uh that brings us to our second round of board remarks for the night. So, if anyone had board remarks this time through, Anthony, I just wanted to uh appreciate your comments with uh communication and stakeholders and uh I think it's something that's really important to to to this board, especially communication and and
041feeling out where people are at and issues that come up to make sure that we're, you know, recognizing what they are and being able to address them together. Um, I think as a board and speaking with everyone, it's really important for us to be visible as well. So, I look forward to working with you to figure out how we can be involved with those conversation with stakeholders and be in the buildings and make sure it's done appropriately. Um, but it's something I think that's really important to us and we appreciate your communication skills. We've heard a lot about, you know, you've spoke at the last board meeting about how you want to be visible, you want to be communicating with all stakeholders. So, we really want to encourage that as well and want you to
042know we appreciate that aspect and we want to be involved in that. So, I appreciated your comments and thank you for uh for them. Thank you, Trusty Tucci. Much appreciated. Anybody else? Board remarks. So, then we'll go to item seven, which is the board vice president round two. I think I'm good for now, but uh thank you and I hope everybody has a good summer until we meet again. Awesome. And Anthony, round two. I think I said it all in the first meeting. Thank you. All right. So, this leads us to number nine, which is the consent agenda. So, resolve that the board of education approves all aster items as the consent agenda. May I have a motion? Motion, Mike. And a second. Second, Liz. And all in favor? I. I. That's unanimous. And this
043is on to number 10. So this is the these are the minutes uh from the last board meeting. So this is from the business meeting on June 24th uh 2025. So resolved that the board of education approve the minutes of the June 24th, 2025 board meeting. I have a motion. Motion, Sandro. And a second. Second, Michael. All in favor? Is everybody except for Michelle and any abstensions? Michelle. Okay. I believe that brings us to is that an asterct in front of the second reading or is that Yeah, that brings us all the way to 15 unfinished un policy on consent. Got it. Got it. Yeah. Okay. Um, so in that case, we're going to 15. Uh, unfinished business. I guess I'll look around the room. Is there anything that was unfinished from kind of last?
044Yeah. Um, well, that was that was No, that that was already there were it seems that there were no changes made to that policy. So then it just went into consent as it was last time. So, but I for unfinished business it was the the the workshop idea that we that we discussed Keith. Right. Right. So, that's the thing that we that I think um Laura could ask you maybe to keep like to actually have a bullet um for unfinished business until we sort of wrap up the idea of the workshop. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. So, so just yeah to reiterate that the idea was to uh kind of go along with the with the bellto bell the the new state law with cell phones to really um set up some seminars for we were
045thinking kindergarten, first, second grade parents to start just about cell phone usage and and the dangers of it and having it too early and um just to give them some information, maybe bring some experts in to have a real good conversation about why I think the law went into place and and the concerns people are having with it with the distractions of our students. Um I know Kim spoke to PTA and PTSA uh leadership about getting involved in that. I haven't had a chance to reach out to them yet, but I will follow up with that. And uh Anthony, if you want to obviously jump in on that too, we can maybe discuss and anybody who's who's welcome to get involved in it. I didn't know if if Kim reached out to the PTA or
046PTSA because that sounds like um more of that lane where we could do something more open. You know what I'm saying? Yes. So, we could we could work together on it if you want to take the lead. Anthony um however it's appropriate. We just want to try to set something up and think about um wait I think wait till 8 was the uh organization that does a lot of that. So maybe we could reach out to them. Um, I'd love to try to really encourage parents to come, even if we had a sign up, personally invite people that maybe didn't sign up, just to try to really get as many parents as we can because I think it would be really informative. I know it's going to be informative for me as well. So So
047I one of the things that I I think is important is twofold. Number one, I think you offer an opportunity in person, but then I also think you need to do a video, right? so that people who can't make it can get a better understanding of what really it's about the why behind it. So like you know you have both audiences because there are parents that can make it and then parents that can't but really do want to see it they feel if they miss out on it you know then they have they don't have the opportunity. So I'm I'm big into that aspect of things like when we do workshops that are important that there should be both modalities both an inerson modality and a virtual modality that we can record and then you
048have it so it's memorialized and it's there that anybody can go on the district page or the school page and click on it and see the presentation. So something to something to think about. Would you recommend we run it live as well for people to watch? I I would you know I would have to make sure that we have the capability. I'm sure we can do that. You know, we just make make sure we get somebody there to video it and live stream it if it's possible. I could speak to the gentleman that's behind the little booth over there. Uh we could see how that's doable to be able to do that. If it happens in this room where if it happens somewhere else, then there's logistics. But I think just to piggy piggy back
049on what you were saying as you were speaking I think what's important for us maybe to kind of think through is what are the objectives of the whether it's one event or you know a couple of different seminars etc. What are the objectives that we're trying to achieve? Um, you know, because one could be informational explaining why the policy the policy exists, what the law looks like. Another could be, you know, what you can do, you know, in the home so that you can establish healthier habits, technology habits at an early age to collaborate with the schools perhaps. And then, you know, what is that? What does this policy actually look like and then do a Q&A or something. So, I'm not trying to dictate what the objectives would be. I just think that that's
050probably something that we would be well served to do so that then when we communicate that out to people, you know, they know exactly what to expect. It's not sort of like a question mark coming in here thinking, "Oh, I thought it was going to be this, but it's something else." Um, I love the idea of memorializing it in, you know, in in video. And I think it goes right in line with some of the thoughts that we've had throughout the year about having sort of board communications that are memorialized in video explaining to, you know, to the community the role of the board. What is it that we do? You know, things things of that nature. I think that's great to, you know, to hear that this is already something that we can sort
051of look forward to doing this year. I think I was also thinking Keith um I know your cake like the age group that you want to focus on. I'm also thinking about like if we however this looks like to really we're going to really have to target high school because this is going to be very very very challenging for parents and so I would love to um not only because I do this for a living but like this is going to be really big for parents and so I would love to also invite older like we we really have to open this up to everybody because this is going to be really really difficult for them not just how to use the pouches but like what how parents can support that and what are they
052going to how are they going to get in touch with their kids just all of that because um and there's some really great literature you know for parents to read too and students just a thought too I just wanted to throw it out there if we're taking notes um there's been other communities that have contracts where they try to encourage parents to literally sign a contract with their kids about not giving a cell phone a smartphone especially too early not to pressure people, but if that's something cuz a big issue with the cell phones, you would know more than me, is the social piece to it. So when kids in third and fourth grade are getting cell phones and other kids don't have them, now there's a social piece there where there's pressure to parents
053to give kids cell phone, smartphones especially too early. Um, I just wanted to throw it out there. So maybe the idea of can we encourage our community to say hey here are the reasons why child shouldn't get a smartphone and if you're in agreement with that can we as a community come up with contracts or maybe it's not a contract but another way of kind of committing to saying hey I'm going to be one of those people who doesn't give a smartphone to my child too early and here are the reasons why to encourage other other students to do it. I'm just openly giving ideas just to throw them out there. I know that's uh that's a big part of the wait till 8th too. I actually just opened it up. So it's they have
054a pledge and it's like trying to get your specific community and all that uh involved and it says signed by 100,000. It just says by sign this pledge I promise not to give my child a smartphone until at least the age of 8th grade. Uh as long as at least 10 families total for my child's grade in school pledge to delay the smartphone or something like that. So the pledge exactly what you're talking about that definitely exists uh in this organization that that we just spoke about too. So I think there's definitely a space for that type of uh contract you referenced. It sounds like this is exactly what they're or what you're talking about. Yeah. Maybe the idea to reach out to the PTA and the PTSA would be like, for example, something like
055that seems like, hey, if we could partner up with the PTA with PTSA, you know, to to be able to roll out a pledge or an agreement or something like that to drive awareness, collaboration, I think that's one that that's from my perspective, that's a great idea. I love that. I'll just second what um Liz said. I do think in terms of the policy, you know, having some support and some um literature, some videos, some meetings for parents of older kids too because it it is going to be a very big transition for everyone um myself included, right? That suddenly my child doesn't have access to their phone all day. So, understanding the why, you know, understanding the how and then understanding that we recognize it is going to be hard and it is a
056change because it's new and that it's a law that we're following and these are the things we put in place to meet that law. The district has a policy. we have these plans to communicate, but it is going to be a really big change for everyone. So, I think we all are going to need to kind of work together and be supportive. So, I think we're going to need communication about that before school starts. Um, you know, whereas maybe what Keith is talking about can be sort of an ongoing thing over the course of the year. I do feel like this needs to be addressed before school starts. So, the beginnings of it because it's going to be, you know, that September is going to be a challenge for everybody. Little things like that because
057last year transportation there were some issues with transportation small minor they were being handled but caused a lot of confusion you know um first time. So I I I do agree wholeheartedly with that. And I think we need to It sounds like we should start maybe we start with the high school level this summer and talk about talk about that specifically or we could do a I feel like it's a little bit of a of a different topic though. I feel like I know I was going to say like like the PT I have no idea but the PTA doing you know the younger and then the PTSA do like separating it like that because that's that's two different you know languages. It's not the same. Um, yeah. So, it sounds like we should probably
058start with the upper grade levels based on what you've said. It sounds Well, I'm just thinking they don't even know what they're going to be doing when they walk into school that that these pouches are going to like what they're going to have to do something. How do we unlock? What do we do? I mean, the teachers I can't speak for them, but this is going to be really hard for them to to uphold that, right? Just thinking about the high schoolers. Um, even middle schoolers, maybe. I don't know if this is like silly idea, but kids aren't really going to want to go to the office to go call their parents like back in the hallways. Like I remember there was like like with maybe free ones that you don't actually have to pay
059for, but like I remember there was like pay phones if I had to call my parents at home like yeah like no. Um but just like an somewhere that the kids have access to call their parents or you know if they need to without needing go and so the the policy mentions um you know using email as a way to communicate during the day. Um as a teacher I I feel like one of the things we haven't done a great job of in my school in particular is getting kids to check their email often. So we are in my district are viewing it as kind of like this is a good opportunity for get to get kids to use email. So, um I do think they have thought about the fact that kids going to
060the office on a regular basis is not only not normal, but it's not feasible, right? That like every kid can go to the office to call their mom about something, but they do they are going to have their Chromebooks, they will have access to email. Um but those are all things they're going to have to be trained on because it's not what we've been doing. None of us have been doing, right? Everybody's been using their phones to communicate during the day. Um one other thing is um Parent Square. I know that we're implementing that this year and we use that at our school and it's been great because a kid can actually come to me. I have my phone and we can reach out to the parent right on their phone. So you can text
061a parent on parent square. It's not giving your phone number but it's a direct link to their cell phone because emails are tough sometimes. Not everybody checks email on their phone but the parent square comes as a text message. So that's something that I used a lot this year where the kid would just say, "Hey, can you let my mom know I'm staying after school today and go right on my phone, use Parent Square, text the mom, "Thanks for letting me know. No problem." Well, they have a direct link to parents through any adult once they're signed into Parent Square, which is secure, safe, easy access. Just something to think about. I don't know if that helps, but I don't want to split hairs and I don't know if we want to keep having this
062conversation, but I would I don't I I would be concerned about that. Like, I just think I think it needs to be clean at first. I mean, I I don't know how how it's going to be done, but it would be really great to just let the kids know that this is the avenue and this is the avenue for the parents. I just think it's going to be hard for teachers to manage. And you know, if if there's a parent square or or a pay phone, I can envision a line going down the hallway with quarters. Quarters. Um I don't know because I think it really teaches kids how to be independent and I think that's the reliance on the cell phone. I mean, that's the issue. And I think we I don't I'm just
063having feelings that we might be doing them a disservice if we give them a ton of avenues. I think we should be really I mean clear. Yeah. So that's why it's partly why I think we have to really focus on being very clear on the objectives of what it is that we're trying to do and maybe we parcel out the audiences that we're trying to reach with different communications. I'm not thinking that we're necessarily going to solve it today, but that's why I think it's going to it's going to be an unfinished business until we can sort of think through it and and I don't think that we necessarily ourselves here um think about the content, right? It's we we set objectives and then we can find subject matter experts, you know, that have experience
064in this that can maybe bring something to the table for us, you know, to review and then work with them to put together whatever the workshops are, you know, for the community. There's a lot of research behind it. You know, I don't know if it's still on. I will check. That'll be my homework assignment. Uh but Netflix had a great documentary years ago called Social Dilemma and it that's powerful and if that for parents to see that and to get a better understanding of how they were formed and it's all about dopamine. It it's it's this likes and the stuff that releases this endorphin that kids then get addicted to it whether we like it or not. And that's part of I think where you're going Trusty Tucci is to inform parents early on right
065that if they prolong this right the better off they will be in the long run because to your point what's happening right now Trustee Kazaka is those students that are in high school have been had as a part of who they are and what they are now you're taking it away from them and what's the why behind it and what does that look like so I yeah you're both right there's two aspects of it and how do you to deal with that and you know we can I I think formulate something and work through that as a group and be able to do that. So, yeah, great discussion and like Sandra said, I think it's going to be something on unfinished business for a little bit. It's not going to be solved in one night,
066but we said that about the policy, too. Like, this policy gets us compliant. We're legally good, but it's definitely something I think I wouldn't be surprised if we were to look at it again within the calendar year and make little uh, you know, tiny changes that work for our district. So, um, definitely something we'll keep talking about, I'm sure. Um, in add unfinished business, I think that was pretty much good. So, that brings us to new business. And I know Keith, you wanted to start out with, uh, talking about committees. Yeah. Does anybody else want to speak because I feel like I'm talking a lot, but is it okay? So, one one thought I had, I know a lot of other districts have, getting back to committees, have a curriculum committee, um, where they look
067at curriculum ongoing. It's a monthly discussion. Um kind of runs the same as other committees. It's something I know that a lot of us with the MTSS um presentation, a lot of us are really engaged in in that and our curriculum and looking at literacy and MTSS. I think the curriculum committee would be something great just to have some uh board members on it to continually look at our curriculum and find out how the progress is going. So that was one one thought. The second thought is with a lot of the capital projects, um, I know other districts also have building committees. Sometimes it's called building and grounds committees where you have community members and board members just monthly looking at what's going on with the construction projects. Um, and if projects are completed, how
068is it going? What do we need to look at in the future? Um, so those are just two things I wanted to put out there. We want to discuss adding two more committees to the committees we already have. I'd be curious, Mr. D. Carlo, to know what you've seen and and what you have seen be effective, especially in in line with the two that um you mentioned. Yeah. So, we'll we'll go backwards. The capital project committee, I have seen that I was a part of that my prior to school district in in Mayapac. um actually was buildings and grounds and then trans transported itself when we did a bond into capital projects. I mean you know it's always good to have an update as to what's happening and going on and then whoever the liazison
069comes back and reports back to the board reports to the community on how the project is progressing and how it's going. Um and then it's also something that after you're done with it, right? um you're never ever done because then you go and you're looking at your building condition survey and then what does that look like and what does that look like with you know capital reserve funds and the like. So yeah, it's something that I've seen done before. Um the curriculum um committee I I' I've seen it um in certain places. Um what's really important about that and and you know is um got to be careful because you don't want it to become so encompassing that you're trying to tackle so many different things. Sometimes it's geared towards a specific area for that
070school year that you look at and you focus in on and you talk around and you had mentioned MTSS and I know that's something that the board is looking at. So that may be that focus because what happens is if you try to do too much then you don't do anything effectively. So like if you target a specific area and that what may look like and then that becomes the area of the course of the year you know that would be something that again it's the pleasure of the board but I've seen it done that way otherwise if you try to tackle so many things it it becomes very difficult to be do so whatever that priority or your goal is right for the year from a curriculum point of view that's what your your
071focus can become. I don't know Vice President Wilson if that answered your question. Okay. And um Dr. Kirkus and Miss Hesum, are you aware? Have we ever had either of those committees? No, I was just going to mention the the purpose of having the curriculum leaders present at the board meetings. Is this so that uh the board can ask questions about what's going on? It's a K12 uh leadership position that our teachers hold. they are they they they can absolutely report regularly on on the resources being used uh progress being made etc. So that that's just something that we've done for years and we have had um a facilities and finance committee um and in fact that committee was instrumental in um the process for assessing the last building condition survey and getting the capital
072project rolled out. Um and in fact we go back to that committee. In fact, Mr. remain has has helped on that committee. Um when we've talked about the specific phases of the project um and you know when we needed some feedback as far as uh what things we were going to put as an alternate you know because budgets were tight uh and that type of thing. So we we never really disbanded the facilities and finance committee. It's just kind of morphed into what we now call the um the OACM team, which is the um owner, architect, and construction manager. Um I mean, I imagine that we could have a board member uh be a part of that team. Um and then we we are due to have our building condition survey done again um during
073the 2526 school year. So um that would be a good time to pull that facilities and finance committee team together again because there will be decisions that have to be made uh in reference to you know as it relates to curriculum you know one of the things that we started this past year was really starting to dive into data you know so um you know maybe it's a question of revisiting sort of that fine-tuning, you know, the the data collection, like how it's presented or, you know, how how we review that. Um, because as as you know, Keith, as you were talking and sort of hearing, you're right, like we do hear from curriculum leaders, you know, as a as an entire board um throughout the year, right? And and I think that one of
074the one of the things that you know Keith you weren't here last year but most you know most everybody else was like what we said as a board that was interesting to us or that would be interesting to us was to review the data you know to look at how you know the progress was being made like what it is that we're tracking you know so that we can identify areas for improvement you know uh or problem areas. Hopefully with MTSS, you know, um being implemented the way that it's going to be for this year will help us, you know, dive deeper into those things. Um you know, so that of just thinking through, you know, what you what you said. Um the only thing that's nice about the committees is it's a monthly get
075information monthly. I know that they're not they get information from curriculum leaders like every meeting. They do presentations every every meeting. I mean not not every meeting but they they come to present to us from all um different curriculum areas over the course of the year right my only view not to cut you off Keith I'm sorry my my only view on the uh and I understand we get those presentations to me those presentations are more public facing as opposed to what potentially a committee may offer in terms of just that engagement I think that might be missing us sitting up here with live stream going with presentation having to serve a purpose for the public as well. Um, I don't know. To me, I see a value in a committee separate from the presentations
076we get, especially if that committee has a specific lens to Mr. Carl's point of like MTSS or something like that where it could be more of a regular thing where a couple of us can work on it and then those couple can report back to the board. And I I don't know. To me, that offers a unique opportunity that I see a little different from what I just heard otherwise. I don't I don't want to uh give the impression that we should stop doing the presentations either. I think they're important. I just think this would be another layer for us to, you know, follow through with what what's happening. How are we how is our progress monitoring going? How is the data collection going? How are our programs going? Is there something we need to
077tweak? And I think if we do that monthly, it just for me personally, it would help me just to be more informed. And and to your point about meeting with like stakeholders, this I feel like is a very organic way to do such, right? It's not trying to schedule a lunch, you know, randomly on a Tuesday, but instead it's hey, we have a meeting that's set, you know, monthly. That I don't know. I to me that aligns perfectly with what you said before. Wondering who from the staff we would sort of anticipate being a part of these committees. And then I think Dr. Kirk has stated the uh obviously we'd start with the department heads and the people that are involved. They would come to the committee. Um whoever's you know MTSS leaders obviously Dr.
078Kirkus would be there. Um, so whoever's involved with developing curriculum, especially related to MTSS, would would be at the would be on the committee, I would hope. I I'm I'm I'd like to keep talking about this because I would like to know what the goals sort of to what you were saying, Mr. Ori, about um if we you know, the the cell phone, what would what's our what's our goal? Because I I don't it's not our it's not the board's role to micromanage that. And I just would be a little bit weary of that, you know, with the I don't think that's our role to micromanage the curriculum. So, but I think we do I I agree. I think that it is forward facing those presentations. I completely agree, but I just would want to
079know what our goals are before I could really support that. I I don't want to speak for you, Keith. the way um I guess a goal I see the curriculum being is like um thinking maybe you think the same Keith maybe think differently when I hear what you said especially if it runs through MTSS to me there's a lot of resources at play there and if we can hear directly about what's working what's not working what's needed then I feel like that sets us up very well for budget season to make the appropriate decisions to to uh support what we've heard directly from stakeholders so for me I see the committees as a way of having organic stakeholders holder meetings and and and conversations and then I see that work through those conversations uh via
080the committee and you know being presented back to the rest of the board and all that. I see that work then being utilized from a budget and resources standpoint come like the following. That's how I I'm I'm looking at it. But I understand what you're saying completely like I don't I don't view it as um you know somebody that has a master's degree in curriculum instruction. I don't think I'm going to say a single thing about my thoughts on learning but more so what are the thoughts? how is it going? What is and isn't working? What do we need to do resource-wise? How can we teachers uh you know uh materials, stuff like that? And then maybe we can use that information more uh I don't know more in more depth come budget time. That's
081how I saw it. But I don't know, Keith, if you saw it differently. I think I think our role is the as the board is to serve, right? And to support. It's not to voice opinion on curriculum. I think it's just being informed to say how can we support? We're here to serve you. We're here to serve the kids. The more information we get, better we can support and serve. And whether it's financially or being creative with scheduling or how else, how can we support our kids, especially struggling with literacy, what can we do? Can we think things through differently? And obviously, we'd listen to our our employees about what how how's it going and have honest conversation about what can we do as a board support you. And I think uh D Carlo said
082it, we're here what's best for kids. We want to do what's best for kids. And I think what's best for kids is also looking at our employees and saying how can we support you because you're the ones teaching our kids. So what can we do to make sure that environment is positive and encouraging and the only way we can do that is to be informed. It's important to me. But again, I I appreciate everybody's perspective. What Liz's point too I don't think we're trying to finalize anything tonight right as far as creating a committee and putting members on it but I think it opens up a conversation curriculum committee buildings grounds and and I think people give opportunity to to digest and maybe next time on unfinished business on the August uh 12th meeting maybe
083have a conversation with uh you know legal or some point about maybe some caveats there and maybe on August 12th we can have a further discussion if that sounds okay with Keith and other people. We could also do some research and see what other districts have, who serves on the committee, how often they meet, what the expectations are, um, you know, how to do the do all the staff members come to every meeting. Is it that it kind of rotates? Like if I'm the English person, I come to the first meeting and then math is the second like, you know, kind of have more of an idea of what we're looking for. Maybe get some ideas on what other places do too. I think that that's I think that that's you know just sort of
084thinking through and you know what it looks like right to me it's you know resource management being like really incisive about what the you know if you can articulate the goals right like what is it that the you know what are the goals that that this committee is going to serve and then maybe you know be hyper focus like MTSS actually like that is the thing that sort of spans all of our, you know, um, curricula. So, but again, like not that, you know, we're for me not trying to solve for it. It's just questions as I'm listening to you and, you know, and obviously like you're articulating, you know, you know, a lofty ideal, right? Like obviously we do want to do what you what you said. We want to be able to to
085serve our kids in the best way possible and support our, you know, our teachers, but you know, it's not the what we want to do, it's it's the how. For me, it's always or like super important like how we do those things. Um, so to be able to articulate those goals like that could be something that, you know, we can revisit at the next meeting and, you know, do some work around that. Yeah. What's what's going to be important just a footnote for the August 12th discussion that we all need to keep in mind is that um every school district for September of this year has to sign an attestation to the New York State Education Department about science of reading K to3. That's got to be a that's got to be the one of
086the big target areas, right? And then how does MTSS join up with the science of reading K3? Because what the state has said to all schools in the state of New York is, hey, listen, you're not doing a good job in getting kids to be at grade level in reading at the end of third grade, right? They're looking at the data. They're looking at the research. So, and then they're saying, okay, you're you're what programs do you currently have? How effective are they? Um, you know, you're looking at progress monitoring, and then how does MTSS work in that? But then the piece of the puzzle is as leaders of the building as we are doing that work and we are offering professional development how are the teachers then imparting that instructional repertoire to the students
087right because when you look at MTSS and it's a much much more deeper conversation we're going to have this year but how do we help teachers develop a toolkit depending on where the student may not be at grade level to help in that classroom Right? Because what the state is saying the days of you saying, "Okay, reading teacher, you fix it. Hey, AIS teacher, you fix it." It's not that way. They want to see an MTSS, what is the the the teacher doing in that classroom to help specific students get to grade level? And of course, after you go through that process and you're giving them whether it's tier one, tier two, and that's not working, and having the parents involved from the get-go, then it's it's kind of a seamless approach. But that's really
088important. And that's what the state is saying. Um, so that's to me one of the areas and we'll talk about this between now and the 12th that we really should be concentrating in because you can't build the top of the skyscraper if you don't have the solid foundation. That's really what the state is saying and that when you're looking at budget, you're looking at materials, you're looking at professional development, a lot of that has to be geared K to3 and and and that's an important conversation that we're going to have as a school district. that I can tell you is happening all across the state because the state has finally said we can't wait anymore, you know. So that's an important aspect to look at it while we're doing this work. So to so to
089I appreciate your comment. So I think as a board, you know, we take we should take this job seriously and if that's what the state's asking, then again, I'm going to restate it. We have to be informed as to what we specifically are doing in our classrooms. Again, not to judge, but to say as a board, how can we improve? How can we support more? What can we do to help? Do we have enough tool? Do the teachers have enough tools? Is there enough support? Is there again, is there something we can look at the schedule? How we can all that? But we have to be informed. Correct. I listen, I'm on board with you. But what I'm trying to say is that we have to I go back to what I said about 20
090minutes ago. We have to be very prescriptive in what specific area we want to look in and hone in on. That's that's what I'm saying. Keith completely agree with that. That we have to Right. Yeah. I I agree with everything that Keith and Zach just shared and also um Mr. D. Carla, what you shared about the state wanting to really focus on that. I mean, one of the things that we um kind of talked about publicly, but also in the background when we had the curriculum presentations is we were all kind of sitting here always wanting to know what what can the board do? And I I see, you know, this hybrid of what everyone just shared here and what you just shared, Mr. D. Carlo, like those are the types of discussions that can
091take place in this committee. And I think it'll really do a great job of kind of uh giving everyone an opportunity to really study and understand what's going on and not just kind of uh consuming it from a I think it's I'm I'm excited about I would definitely be interested in being involved. So I guess at that point uh we're all okay with putting that under unfinished business for the August 12th meeting. And in that time, we'll do a little bit of homework and see what other school districts have, who serves on the committees, uh, and and really what has been said a bunch is, you know, what is the prescriptive goal? What is the the focus and and and real goal? Um, you know, Sandra, you say it all the time and every time
092I I love when you say it, you know, the the uh, you know, the why, the how, right? It's it's the Yeah. It's not the what, it's the how. The why, the how. It's not just what we're doing, but how we're going to do it, why we're doing it. So, um, yeah, I love that. And I think that between now and August 12th is a month we have a bunch of retreat days. We meeting with legal and all that. I think definitely can do some really good work there. So if that's good with new business, anybody else have anything else that they want to discuss? So then we'll jump down to item 17, which is the second visitor's comments pertaining to the district. There are none. This is really easy. Um, so then there's my
093comments. And I apologize. I wrote something kind of long. It just got longer as I kept going. So, uh, I'm going to share something a little bit longer this time and, uh, and then we'll adjourn the meeting. So, um, so I wrote out, um, just good evening everyone. Um, as we begin a new chapter for our school district, I'm incredibly grateful to serve alongside this amazing collection of individuals. Uh, together we share a clear mission that's been stated over and over again to empower student success. Um, success looks differently for everybody. And whatever that success is for our students, this board has is all in to make sure that students have everything they need to be successful. This board's aim is not to govern with words alone as seen probably by these discussions, but about
094action. You know, Michael just said it like what can we do? Um that's what this group of people wants to wants to do. They want to do whatever we can to help our students. Um, we're committed to making decisions that put students first, to foster genuine partnerships with families, and to invite every community member and stakeholder to play an active and positive role in our school's success. We will listen, collaborate, and act with purpose to create a positive, supportive learning environment for all of our students. I'm proud to work with six dedicated and capable colleagues who bring passion, expertise, experience, and most importantly, heart to this work. um all volunteers up here uh that are doing this and it amazes me that such amazing people come out and you know give up time with their
095own families and kids and and hobbies etc to to be here on behalf of all of our students and and community. It's it's amazing. Together we will build bridges uh with our community. We'll strengthen communication and we'll empower our schools and most importantly our students to reach new heights. I am beyond excited to see what this group will do and I know we're going to do great things. Um, I had to quote a local famous Pauling resident. So, here it is. Uh, but I think it really matched how I feel in this moment. So, as the 47th governor of New York and Pauling resident Thomas Dwey said, quote, "We need not be afraid of the future for the future will be in our own hands. We shall need courage, energy, and determination. But above all,
096we shall need faith. Faith in ourselves, in our communities, and in our country. And that's the end of the quote. And I just want to share with all of you that I have the utmost faith in this group to do great things. I have the utmost faith in our community, our teachers, our staff, Mr. D. Carlo, the assistant superintendent, and everyone involved with bringing this school district to the new heights I know it's going to reach. There's a bright future ahead. I'm excited for it. Everyone up here, I know, is super excited for it. And I just want to say, let's move forward with courage, clarity, and commitment together. So, thank you. And those are my comments. And at that moment, uh, we can adjourn the meeting. So resolve that the board of education adjourn
097this meeting. The time is 8:43 p.m. 8:43. May I have a motion, Sandro? And a second, Jen. And all in favor? I. I. And that's it. What's the What's the send off again? Uh, like, subscribe, and we'll see you next time. Thank you everybody.