001William Mastersonson, retired teacher at John J. High School for many years. Karen Whan, retired teacher of many years for Winger Central School District, also passed away. Glenn Barnes, retired bus driver with Winger Central School District for 18 years. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. 4.01 01 motion to open public hearing on extending the partial tax exemption for resolved that the board of education does hereby open the public hearing on extending the partial tax exemption for senior citizens. Motion Mr. McFarland second Mr. Capalari all those in favor thank you 4.02 2 presentation on extending the senior citizen partial tax exemption. Miss Dainty, thank you. Good evening. This evening we
002will have a brief presentation regarding uh the tax exemption for senior citizens which is real property tax law 47 and the extension of that tax exemption for the 2627 school year. Real property tax law section 467 expands property tax relief for eligible senior citizens. We the district has in the past approved this exemption. However, this is a bit expanded and also renews an exemption that had expired for the 2627 school year and it's effective July 1st of 2026. The timeline for completion for this would be the school district to take any action prior to March 1st because that is when the information is shared with the local municipalities and this information can be added to the tax roles for the 26 27th school year. The district received this information in a client advisory memo from
003our our district attorneys and therefore have reviewed the resolution that we do have on the agenda for this evening. Um in the past most recent past December of we had a 467 exemption approval by this board of education. Thank you very much. It was a partial exe exemption and it allowed seniors to receive up to a 50% exemption of their taxes based on their earnings which are on a sliding scale. So what has occurred is that we have added a approximately $5,000 I think of lower income allowability. Therefore providing the extent the exemption from 50% to 65% because 50 is what we've had in the past. That is about all of the information that I have to share on this real property tax exemption number 467. as everyone's making their way back. Thank you, Miss
004Dainty, for that. I know we don't have a ton of information on that, but I do appreciate what you've been able to share. And if anybody has any questions, um, they can always reach you through your email, and I do appreciate that. Does anybody on the board have a question, Mr. Lumia? She doesn't have a lot. She pretty much has that. So, I hope it's not too far off. Just on cur just in curiosity, how much additional revenue must be raised for those making $1 more than whatever it is $58,399. How much additional revenue must be raised for those who are making $1 more than >> depends on the exemption of their property. >> It depends on the assessed value of their property and the tax rate in that year. >> I'm I'm aware that.
005But how much additional off do we know how much additional revenue must be raised? It depends on the cost of the property and the and the tax rate in place at the time. >> Okay. >> Every house is different and every year >> I'm I'm aware of that. >> Yeah. Maybe can you ask it to me another way? >> Let me try to ask the question differently. >> That's basically it. >> That's what you're asking. >> I didn't I didn't hear you. I'm sorry. Trusty McFarland. >> Mr. Mcfarlland, can you repeat that for her? >> What what Mr. Bloom is trying to ask is that by reducing the tax base on that real estate, who's going to make up the difference? >> I can answer one. I can answer that one. That's not a problem.
006>> Thank you. So, in the >> So, some people understand me better than others. >> I understand that. >> So, the district currently has seven municipalities and each of those seven municipalities have a piece of our uh tax levy. therefore a responsibility to pay towards that. That is based on assessed values of the properties within the districts. It's going back up. I mean within the towns. So if the if a taxpayer in your situation as you you had just asked lived in the in Fishkill then the all of the other non-homestead meaning personal home owners would take up that additional piece. That happens that way with every exemption whether when we've done this for volunteer firefighters, when we've done this for disabled people, um disabled citizens as well. That's how it happens. It it just
007shifts the responsibility within that same piece of the pie because it's broken down by assessed values. Anyone else have any questions? No. >> 4.03. >> Input on extending the partial tax exemption for senior citizens. No comments. 4.04. resolution extending real property tax exemption pursuant to section 467. Whereas section 467 of the New York Real Property Tax Law, RPTL, provides for a partial exemption from t taxation on residential property owned by senior citizens. And whereas the board of education has previously adopted resolutions extending the partial exemption provisions of section 467 of the RPTL to such qualified persons. And whereas the New York governor signed legislation enhancing the partial exemptions and modifying the income eligibility limits for persons qualifying for such partial exemption. And whereas the board of education adopted income eligibility limits applicable through the 2025
0082026 school year on December 5th, 2022. And whereas the board of education desires to adopt the enhanced partial exemptions available to qualified persons meeting the income threshold limits corresponding to such partial exemptions and to extend the same income eligibility limits currently in effect for the 2025 2026 school year for ensuing fiscal years until further amended by the board of education. And whereas the board of education has held a public hearing regarding the extension of such enhanced partial exemptions available to qualified persons meeting the income threshold limits corresponding to such partial exemptions. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education does hereby extend the income eligibility limits for the partial tax exemption previously authorized pursuant to section 467 of the real property tax law as modified by the enhanced partial exemptions in corresponding income
009eligibility threshold limits now available in accordance with the schedule as stated. Do I have a motion? Mr. McFarland second. Mr. Lumia. Any discussions? All those in favor? Unanimous? Motion to close the public hearing. >> Resolve that the board of education does hereby close the public hearing and resumes the board meeting. >> Motion, Mr. Odum. Second, Mr. Copalari. All those in favor? unanimous 5.01 Superintendent Spotlight on Programs Project-based learning. We should try that. >> Thank you, President Johnson, members of the board of education, members of the Winger Central School District community. Before we move into our presentation, uh, I need to thank once again our facilities, operations, custodians, driver, cleaners, all of the individuals who have worked tirelessly to prepare us to open uh, as we did today, as we did the day after the last
010storm. Um, we have 15 different building locations. We also have three transportation compounds and the work that was done is absolutely incredible. I'd like to say hopefully that will be it for this year. But as I speak to you now, I have a conference call with the meteorologist tomorrow morning at 4:15. As it appears, believe it or not, there may be some inclement weather rolling into the district. And I'm also being told as I've made my way to the meeting this evening is they're talking about a potential storm next week. So needless to say, I don't think winter is leaving us anytime soon. But we can be very, very proud that we are served extremely well by all of the individuals in the facilities, operations, maintenance department, our head custodians, our drivers. You have to
011remember we have well over 250 buses and in order to plow those areas those buses have to be cleaned. They have to be moved. They have to be moved again and they have to be moved again. And when you have a foot plus of snow, uh that makes it that much of a challenge. So I would ask the board to please congratulate and recognize our employees and I thank them for doing an absolutely outstanding job. President Johnson, as you mentioned, projectbased learning. Uh the district has been doing it for the past few years and we've been offering extensive opportunities for students to participate in projectbased learning to learn the relevance in the real world application of what they're learning and how they will use it and apply it in the future. They're personally engaged and
012involved in real world activities and meaningful projects. Tonight we're going to have two presentations uh that will be done by staff that are intricral to this and we also have Bishop John Williams who is the area representative from the New York State School Boards Association. He will be the third presenter and at that point President Johnson will introduce him and he will proceed with his part of the program. But needless to say, these types of programs are monumental. And these individuals uh that you're going to be hearing from tonight have been recognized not only regionally, but throughout the state for their efforts. So, they come here this evening to share some of the work that they've done. And fortunately, myself and members of the board of education and the senior team have had the opportunity
013to interact and be involved in these projects. and is truly awe inspiring. So let's start with the first presentation this evening that comes from our technology integration specialists and I can tell you that these individuals were on the cutting edge during the COVID pandemic. As you know, we had to endure remote learning. We didn't have a choice in that matter. But the work of these individuals not only served as a model here in this district, but it served as a model in the region and throughout New York State and we've been able to take some of the work that they've done and integrate it into the classroom and make the classroom come to life. So let's first start with our two technology integration specialists, Mr. Dan Roberto, Mr. Andrew Nicola and the fine job that
014is being done by our direct director of technology Mr. Outshot. Could you please approach the uh stage ladies and gentlemen? Thank you very much. Give him a round of applause please. Thank you, Mr. Morgan. All right. Evening everybody. Thank you. My name is Andrew Nicole along with uh Dan Roberto and our director Art Chow. I want to thank uh Dr. Bon and members of the board of education for having us here this evening and the senior staff. We appreciate your support and uh everything we do. And I know we're talking about PBL and we're going to talk uh you know pretty where it's rooted and everything like that. Uh but Dan and I and and I won't allude too much. which I'll let him talk about is we we do a lot with PBL but
015it's also rooted in the principles of UDL which is the universal design for learning uh and we want to ensure that all the students in wingers have the equitable access to rigorous learning experiences. So we really try to tie that in with all of the teachers and colleagues that we work with. we also look at is the SAMR model and we want to make sure that all three of those PBL, UDL and SAMR kind of create that framework uh that levels up education who wingers for our students uh our colleagues uh administration and everything and it promotes innovation, inclusivity and deeper learning for all of our students >> and I would just like to build on what Andrew was saying. Um, we look at what can happen in the classroom and it's amazing and we've
016gone through the philosophy of innovation comes through inclusion. So, as Andrew mentioned, we looked at the policies of UDL, the universal design for learning. How can we provide in all of our classrooms multiple means of representation, multiple means of engagement, and multiple means of action and expression by um by the students. So if we can empower the students through inquiry and then have the inclusive practices through digital platforms and digital learning spaces, we can really see innovation happen in the classroom. All right, without further ado, we put this together to kind of give you a little trailer, little snapshot of what happens in wingers with the technology integration team. Well, we figured we change up our presentation format. So, that's why kind of did a little a video of of all just just a little
017snapshot into the projects that are happening uh across the district. So, uh Dan and I go K through 12. So we are all the way up from uh embedded in the youngest learners in the classrooms all the way up to our seniors as you can see and uh doing uh podcasts and everything else. And that was a real Emmy award winner we had in there at that studio at Ketchum High School. If you uh look back at that, that is a real Emmy uh that we had. We were very fortunate to have him come in and uh work with the students. But uh just gives an overview of kind of what we were saying with the PBL projects and how it's rooted with the UDL and SAMR models. Um you have No, I would just
018uh I think Andrew summed it up perfectly, but you know, I just like to thank everyone here at the table and everything. Um they've allowed you know us to really go out and have the opportunity to work with teachers and bring in you know some really practical solutions that can reach every learner at every level. So that's all I would have to add. >> Thanks Art. No, I was going to say uh you know most importantly thank you to the board and thank you Dr. Bonk for supporting us uh and coming out when we have these crazy ideas sometimes and and need judges and participants to help work with the students. Uh you're always there to help us and support us. So, we thank you for that as well. Thank you. So once again, a
019round of applause please for our technology integration specialists. This is real world stuff that's going on here and our kids are participating here in Wingers and we're so proud of everyone who is a part of this. And I also want to thank the individual from the senior staff administration that oversees this, Dr. Michelle Cardwell from curriculum and instru. Great work, Dr. Cardwell. Thank you very much. At this point, it's my pleasure to introduce Mr. Sammon and Mrs. Kohler who are going to come up. They're going to talk a little bit more about projectbased learning. Come on up, please. And by the way, they are published authors as well. >> So, published authors. We uh we recently wrote our second edition and that's what we left up here for all of the board members. And what
020we wanted to share with that is the work that's in that book is this district. We're lucky to have this opportunity, the inspiration, the ideas. It's all part of the freedoms that were allowed and the autonomy that were allowed because of the leadership in the district, because of the building principles, um because of the students that we work with. So, we're extremely grateful. So, tonight's presentation, we've talked about project-based learning at several different um meetings. This one's going to take a slightly different tone. We have some student videos embedded because we wanted to bring the voices of students here tonight. Um, it's hard for us to get out to every classroom with all the students to be able to bring those students here and organize it with family schedules. So, we made sure we went
021to them and we're bringing their voices to you. So, we have snapshots from the classroom interview formats where students are going to be working on stuff tonight. So, we're very thankful to be here. How do we How's the clicker work? Is it not? Okay. >> Oops. >> Look at us figuring it out. >> Um, of course, we want to start off by thanking our board of ed, central office staff, and Dr. Bon. We would definitely not be standing before you um without the support. Um, and so I just want to give a round of applause for all of the people that are listed up here. So, as we do with all of this, um, project-based learning is the umbrella in which all the other instruction falls. As Dan and Andrew were talking about earlier, UDL's,
022direct instruct, workshop models, project-based learning is an overarching umbrella. And so, with that understanding, it requires a lot of collaboration from different departments. And so there's a lot of opportunities that we have where we'll work with Dan and Andrew um as part of our tech integration with art. We have Audrey who was our director who's here tonight which we're always so thankful for. We have the humanities side of the house with Jenny Sinella and Christine Marino and Christine Blake that we get to collaborate with because project-based learning is not just the steam part of what we do. There's the writing that's part of it. There's the tech integration that's part of it. There's the reading that goes into it. And so we always like to acknowledge the whole professional development team. >> So we're going
023to start with this one quote. When students believe their work matters, they begin to see themselves differently, they begin to think differently, and they begin to work differently. And so we are trying to change the story of our students where it's not just worksheets, paper, pencil, right? We're trying to build experiences that help students see themselves from a different perspective. >> So, we're going to run through um this growth progression, authenticity, responsibility, autonomy, and ultimately ownership. And this is from the student perspective. And this is kind of the viewer, the lens that we like to try and create as we're working through designing learning experiences with kids. And so portrait of a graduate, we know that this is hanging out there. We know it's coming down. Rubrics are being worked on and we can't ignore
024it. We're staying in front of it with our youngest learners starting even in kindergarten and working on that plan all the way up through our high schoolers that it will impact directly in the next couple of years. And so when we think about why now with project-based learning, it directly aligns with the portrait of a graduate skills. We want our graduates to come out thinking critically, knowing how to communicate ideas, solving problems, being reflective learners. Um, these aren't add-ons. These must be practiced through real work work. So we don't teach these skills after content. All of the skills listed on our portrait of a graduate, we have them happening throughout the content, throughout the lessons, throughout the experiences. So, this is a big one in society today is artificial intelligence. And so, why now? AI
025is going to be changing and is changing the landscape of education as we know it. If we sit back and we think of it as schools that we're going to train our kids to recognize patterns or generate options or optimize given constraints, um if we're going to train them to compete against AI, they're going to lose. AI is superior at certain tasks. However, if we prioritize defining problems, questioning outputs, weighing tradeoffs, designing for humans, taking responsibility, that's where humans shine. And that's what we're looking for in project-based learning is where do the humans shine? How can we bring that humanity to it? So when information is abundant, meaning matters most. So helping kids understand that and work through it. Um we're in an AI era right now. And there used to be a discussion of
026that it was um consumption versus creation. And really what we have is we have a new design. It's critical consumption that feeds creation. Because what we have to do is we have to take the processes, the deep fakes that are out there, the AI processing that our children are going to have to do. They're going to actually have to think critically about all these inputs and then create from it. And so that's what we're looking at with project-based learning is that it helps us address some of these challenges. >> And so traditional concern is where does PBL fit into instruction? This is not something separate. Um, PBL gives instruction the destination. Okay. Um, it becomes purposeful and lessons answer two questions. Why do I need this? And how am I going to use it? How
027will I use this? >> So, we have some student voice right here. I want to start with um the interview from the student and have them share and then I'll come in and talk on the back side of it. So from the voice of our students, a public product when we're thinking about it is it's beyond the idea of just handing in a paper and pencil test to a teacher. It's a real problem that our children are using their intellect. When we talk about PVL, we often say fundamentally shifting how we interact with knowledge. Our children are learning these concepts that they have to learn in their class. And what they're doing is they're using it and applying it in real world scenarios. this particular case he's talking about, we took um it's part of
028an ecosystem unit that the students are working on and they took Hudson water, Hudson River water and tested it and they identified that the parts per million of lead water are extremely high and so what are the water filtrations? They met with Senator Rolison and have discussions how that is happening and how we're using it. But there's seven different communities in our area that use that water as part of their drinking water. So our children wanted to sit back and think about innovative designs on how they can do this, how they can filter down to parts per million. What does that even mean? And so when we think about it, how this ties to portrait to graduate, critical thinking, communication, reflection, transfer, um this is all part of it. This is where we want to
029bring our students not just to test but how do they solve real problems in the world and how does their knowledge go beyond the four walls meaning it can communicate to the greater aspects in their community. So that's the why I'm doing it. The next part is the who I'm doing it for. And so I want to have another student voice kind of share what she was working on here. So, community partners, this is the who. So, there's the why I'm doing something and there's the who I'm doing it for. So, in this particular case, again, this is this product where or this is this project where they're working with two senators who wrote a bipartisan letter to the EPA about pollutants in the Hudson. And so the children are learning and working from their
030drafts to then go through and see how they can work with it. We've partnered with I naturalist like she said it was a virtual platform. There's five different images from their school environment specifically that have went out to that platform and have received research grade quality based upon the images that they put and how the children identified it. And so this is them collaborating now globally. I naturist is a global platform that everyone can actually communicate. So it's local scientists. And so again, when we think of the what we're doing and the who we're doing it for, um when students understand that, their motivation changes completely. And so this is some of our work for community partners. It amplifies the meaning of what we do. So the next two slides are going to be focused
031on third graders. Um so when you see the videos, you'll see they're a little bit different. We'll start by watching our third grader um talking about their authentic role that they have in this experience. So, third graders are so funny. When I was in class that day, I was like, "Hey, do you guys mind if I just, you know, take a few videos?" And they get so shy they giggle and then they're okay. Um, but the authentic roles, a bridge to agency. So, this is them finding their identity. So, there's some circumstances where, yep, we have roles and we're like, "Yep, this is what your role is going to be." But in this case, we gave students various roles. And we teach them to honor who you are as a person. What are your strengths?
032And to pick a role that you can really shine bright in what your best skill set is. And you might have more than one skill set, but to work the most efficiently in a project or to get to a final product, we need to be the very best that we are. So roles clarify. Um they think, okay, this is my part. And so um it alleviates kids um you know rolling around on the floor for a lack of better word um roles align. So this matters beyond my class. So um right now we have various PBLs going on with different roles. So if you're doing one for Central Hudson, there might be an engineering role that ties directly to a real job at Central Hudson. So we try to keep them very authentic roles empower
033and show them I'm capable of doing this particular job. So students think beyond the classroom and consider their potential to impact um the broader world. So the next one we'll watch the video. So this was not an interview. This was the kids were like in the moment and I paused them and I said hold on start again. And they were like okay. and they were awesome um explaining one of the products that they're working on. So, the background of that product is we're collaborating with Ketchum High School's manufacturing class. We have third graders prototyping um interactive wall art for the infusion room at Mid Hudson Regional Hospital at the Maria Ferrari's Children Healthc Care Services. And so they start off with their own ideas and then they have to come together as a team to
034prototype one because we can't send 90 or 100 prototypes to the high school. That would be too much for them to vet through. Um but their ideas matter. It's their voice. It's their choice of um talking with their team about this is the best part of mine. This is the best part of yours. Um they are managing themselves. You heard the classroom. It was an active classroom and active on the product. They were all having conversations of how to get their individual ideas to one idea. How do we take the very best so that we could send that one idea off to the high schoolers so that they can begin manufacturing it. Um, so they're uh they're pretty awesome when you give them that voice, choice, and independence. They just own it. Their ownership grows.
035So Tara said we can't send 90 different prototypes up to the high school. We have done it before to them and they hated us for it. So we learned our lesson that that doesn't happen anymore. Um so in closing really quick the core questions what are we looking ahead here? Who does this um right? Why does this work matter? Who is it for? What am I saying? How will I approach it? How independently can I manage it? This work represents me. That's ultimately what we look for in project-based learning and how we're moving through these elements that we addressed tonight and that the children shared with you tonight. So, as always, thank you for having us. I hope that this is meaningful. Um, we're extraordinarily grateful for again the students, the teachers, um, the building
036administrators, COS, the board members, and all of the above because this doesn't happen without your leadership. So, thank you very very much. >> Can I add one more? Thank you. Sorry. Um and um as we stated before, if you go to the WCSD homepage um right under Dr. Bon, you'll see that there is um a link to our steam PBL um website. And just so you know, that's not just a place to curate and showcase work, but it actually serves who community serves as a community partner for our students. So some projects aren't as grand, right? a Central Hudson or um Mid Hudson Regional Hospital. So, we needed a grand audience inhouse and that is you, our community. So, that's the purpose of that web page is to have a community partner to showcase our
037work um you know for everybody. >> That's it. Amen. So that is just a snapshot as how we are bringing classroom learning to life. And as our staff have said, these things just don't happen. It just doesn't occur. It requires a tremendous amount of work and collaboration within our district, among our faculty and staff, support from the board of education, partnerships with businesses, government, large corporations, smaller businesses, local government, state government. It truly takes an entire community to prepare our students for their future. And here in Wingers, we're doing realworld cuttingedge activities to give them the skills and abilities necessary to be successful. And I am so thrilled that this has been recognized by the New York State School Boards Association. This also does not happen by chance. I want to thank board president Johnson,
038Vice President Miggots, all of the members of the board of education. They have been working tirelessly to promote these types of programs at the state level through the school boards association. Now, we know that last year the New York State School Boards Association was here. Bishop John Williams, our area representative, was here to present the board of education with a banner and recognize the district for the work that we have done. And they are here again for the second year in a row to continue. And we want to thank them for their support at the state level and continuing to promote the wonderful things that we are doing here in Wingers. the ninth largest school district in New York State and the largest in Duchess County. And with that, we'll move on to the third
039part of the presentation, our board president, Marie Johnson. President Johnson, >> thank you, Dr. Bon. Um, I'd like to say it has been an honor to go to New York State School Boards Association and advocate for the amazing work that is being done in our district. I am blown away every time I go to any of the technology stuff that you guys are doing. You invite us to everything and we are so honored to go and uh what John and Tara do and going to the Maria Ferrara and the Central Hudson and even just going to our rocket launches. It's it's really it's been a lot of fun. Trusty Migates and many of us go to these things on a regular basis. Um, I have had amazing conversations with our next amazing person, Bishop John
040Williams. He has been so supportive of everything we've done in our district, and I would just like to turn this over to him and thank him for all that he's offered us. Thank you. Well, good evening everybody. Uh it's my it's my uh privilege and honor to be here today. Um I don't even know what to say because the presentations were just so amazing and um I have to I have to say that um it's extremely impressive what you're doing. I I don't really don't mind coming back to Whoers. Um I really like coming here because every time I come here, it's always for really good stuff. And uh and so I I took the time to uh in preparation for being here yesterday. Uh but of course, you know, we all had that snow
041and I'm about done with the snow. Um and I'm ready I'm ready to move. I've already told my wife that when I retire, when we retire, um, we're going to build a house in Barbados and sit in the beach sipping virgin pina coladas all day long. But, uh, in preparation for being here, I really took the time to to look at the program and, um, to review the website and all of the different things that are being done. And I have to say I am really extremely impressed with the initiatives and and the matrix and all the different things that are being done. And so I want to applaud you um Wenters for the staff the all of those that are a part of making this happen. I want to applaud you today on doing
042such a great job, great work. One of the things that I want to say on a very personal note, um, anybody that knows me that, uh, knows that I'm very heavy into, um, inclusivity. And, uh, that was one of the words that was used tonight in the first presentation. And this this these programs, these projectbased programs are the epitome of inclusivity. It's the epitome of making sure that all of our students, no matter what their background is, no matter where they come from, no matter what their economic standing is, is that they all have a great opportunity to be able to learn and be able to learn in the ways that they learn. And so I'm extremely impressed. So it is it's it's my um profound privilege tonight um to present not just one um
043but two um awards. Many of the initiatives um in your initiative matrix and um many of the programs even along by themselves could have been um recognized individually. Uh but um we want to come they could have been qualified for the applause of cause, the culture of caring. Uh but tonight we want to recognize all of them uh the sum total of all of the initiatives that you've done and all of the programs you've done um uh for the champion of change. And so uh we have two banners that are here sitting on the table. And if you don't mind, I'll I'll I'll take one the first one. The first the first banner uh is presented for the projectbased learning program. And so on behalf of NISBA, and you all have seen this, it's been
044sitting here already, but on behalf of NISBA, New York State School Board Association, our pre our our uh our our our director, our director, uh Bob Snyder, and all of the executive board uh the board of directors of NISPA. I want to present this first. Um I want your I want your president and your your uh your superintendent, Dr. my friend um to come first and then we're going to get pictures with everybody. But I want to present this first um champion of change for Wingers for um Winger Central School District Board of Education projectbased learning program. That's the first banner. That's the first banner. Can you clap? But but because whoers because Wingers is just so amazing and you all you all are overachievers and and and I think that's a wonderful great thing.
045I also want to present a second award a second award for the projectbased um learning program website. I had the opportunity to go through that website and it was absolutely amazing. One of the things that I think that um is is really wonderful about the website is that it offers a lot of information that will help a lot of other districts. I come from a very rich um tech techn technology um based uh district in Middletown and um but I got to tell you the truth what you all are doing is absolutely impressive and and so I want to present this second award change champions of changeer central school district board of education for the steam projectbased learning showcase and I want to present that to you all as Well, and Congratulations is welld deserved.
046Uh I I'm looking forward to reading the book. I'm looking forward to uh coming back next year for whatever else it is you do because you are just absolutely amazing. This is a beautiful district and I love coming here. So uh thank you. Congratulations and uh keep keep up the good work to all of the central school district. This board of education, I want to say this before I sit down. Um the board of education um this job is not easy. It's not an easy job. I've spent I spent almost 14 years now on on my board. I've served five years as the president of my board during during COVID, which you know, um the fact that I still am able to um to to get up and walk with is an amazing thing. Uh
047but uh and I don't just serve as um you know, on board education with NISBA, but I'm also the um the president of the Orange County School Board Association. And so none of this work is easy. So, I want to applaud each of you that sit on this board of education for your time, um, for your your your passion that you have for our for our scholars. And I say this everywhere I go, we might be competitors when it comes to getting on basketball courts and on baseball fields and on football fields, but when it comes to the education of our children, we are not competitors. We are partners because all of our children matter. and you uh Wentress Fall has proved uh without beyond a shadow of a doubt, without question um that you
048are all for our kids, our community, our families. And again, I want to applaud you. I want to congratulate you on being recognized um on today. Thank you. Thank you very much. Bishop Williams, thank you again for representing the New York State School Boards Association. And please pass along our thanks and gratitude to Patrick Longo as well as uh Bob Schneider, the executive director. We appreciate your support and your recognition. uh and we will continue to work diligently to prepare our students for their futures in an everchanging world. So I want to thank you for that. And for any of you who may be wondering how does this impact our secondary students, you did not see our secondary students. You saw our elementary students speak. We we happen to have two secondary students on our
049board and I'm not going to put them on the spot, but if they'd like to speak about it during their report, they certainly can. But how does this translate into preparing students to graduate from high school and move on? The New York State Education Department just released the graduation rates for the 2425 school year and who continues to climb. We have the second highest rate in Duchess County at 93%. Are we satisfied with that? No, we want 100%. But we are moving in the right direction and through programs such as projectbased learning which we are infusing at the elementary level because it's never too early. Elementary education is the foundation of education. We continue it through the middle school and then it continues through our high school. It's a 12-year plan to make sure that
050our students have the skills and abilities necessary to be successful. And one of the ways to do that is through project-based learning, which is turning into high and increased graduation rates. In addition to that, as was shown earlier, it's going to meet the requirements of the portrait of a graduate. And I must give credit where credit is due. I would like to uh congratulate Commissioner Rosa and the board of regents for adopting the portrait of a graduate and for beginning to do things differently. You noticed in the presentation this evening, the word differently came up numerous times. If we do things the way we've done them in the past, we can't expect the results to improve. We have to do things differently. We have to take risks. We have to take calculated risks and we
051have to think outside the box and that's exactly what project-based learning does. I want to thank our faculty and staff and our teachers for totally embracing this. Can we give them a round of applause to some degree it has been a total transformation in the classroom and again it is proving positive dividends. So thank you to our teachers, thank you to our administrators for the support at the building level. Thank you to the senior staff administration for the support at the district level. And of course, these things don't happen without a support of board of education. Thank you very much, Board of Education, for your ongoing and continued support of project-based learning and preparing our students for tomorrow's opportunities. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Bon. Moving on, I would like to go to 6.01
052public comment on agenda items. Nothing. Okay. 6.02 communication communications announcements received by the board of education. Trusty Mets. >> Yes. I would like to congratulate the boys and girls varsity basketball teams of RCK and John J High School for advancing into the playoffs. Uh the first playoff game started tonight, right Winter? Over at John J High School. >> Yep. Absolutely. The John J boys took on the RCK boys. And I have information you don't. >> Do you? I'm interested to hear. >> Okay. >> You don't have the information? >> Not yet. >> It just happened. It's hot off the press. >> The game started at six. >> Screener over there. >> Okay. >> Um, it was it was another close game between the two schools. >> Not another point. >> No, no, this was a
053six-point game. And John J is moving on. Congratulations to the John J Patriots. >> Absolutely excellent. >> But great job by uh Royce Ketchum athletes because they have poured their hearts into it. Anyone else? Mr. Lumia, >> I'd like to thank John and Cara for your book. I'm looking forward to reading it. And also like to thank uh Mr. Berto and the rest of your staff for the job that you constantly do. You are exceptional. We're very happy to have you and I hope that I hope you continue being with us. So, thank you. I also want to congratulate Philip Kanakus, a former RCK graduate for being recognized at the two 2026 European International Music Award for best new age producers. Mr. Kanagus. Of course, let's give a hand for Mr. Kagas graduate. What's the
054magic? Oh, did I miss the name? Go ahead. I'm sorry. Okay, I'll do it. >> Mr. Kapalari. >> Yes. Uh, last Wednesday, February 18th, marked the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5913 in Wingers. This has uh important significance to Winger Schools in that the historic Drake School, the building where they reside on School Street, was established in 1866. Upon returning home from the Second World War in search of a post, it was whoers who felt it was absolutely necessary and vital that they have a home and gifted the school gifted the school to the Veterans Post which remains an active VFW post today. So, as a way of kind of connecting the uh past with the present, uh it just goes to show the important legacy and support
055that the Wajgers community has shown for our war comrades and veterans throughout the years. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> No one else. Let's go on to our student board members. I'm gonna No, I'm just Winter, you had something to say before, so we're going to let you go for it. >> Excellent. Uh, first off, I would like to say go John J. Another victory. Um, our basketball team is absolutely excellent. All of our sports are absolutely excellent. But we cannot forget the effort that these student athletes put in. It is absolutely astounding to me. I knew a guy who was on the football team and let me tell you he was putting in eight hour days, six-hour days during the summer and I am sure that those on the both boys and girls basketball
056teams have the same level of dedication and that is absolutely excellent to see in our district. Again, good evening. I would like to spotlight a club. Model UN is going to be going to a conference in about two weeks. Now, this is an international competition. It is um National High School Model United Nations. It is hosted in the city. Is about a 4-day conference. They'll be staying in the city for about four days competing against the best of the best. And let me tell you, we took home awards last year and we're going to take home a lot more this year. >> Thank you. Thank you. These kids um including myself have been working extremely hard and I believe that these are some of John J's best and brightest. We have people from all across
057the school. We have people from public speaking. We have people from robotics. We have people from absolutely everyone in John J. All walks of life. And let me tell you, they've been putting in incredible work. And the quality and the dedication to that work is again incredible. And we are definitely going to see what holds out. I'm hoping for a lot of awards, but we will shall see. I have no doubt that these kids will pull through. They are absolutely excellent. Other than that, um, going back to the previous topic of today's presentation with project- based learning, I would like to thank all those involved in installing project-based learning. I know this, uh, presentation was based on the primary schools and, uh, the middle schools, but I do want to talk about the secondary schools
058quickly. As you guys know, the main project-based learning campaign at John J High School is where the students literally build a car. They engineer it, they design it, and they drive it at the end of the year. And that is personally the only thing I can do on a car is change my oil and change my tires. But being able to do anything more than that is just so so impressive. And it shows the real life skills that project based learning is doing and that how students are putting their absolute all into their work because it represents them. And I think you know as I'm sure everyone knows no two students learn the same. And programs like this allow every single student regardless of their strengths and differences to not only succeed but excel. Thank
059you very much. >> Thank you, Winter. Ash, what do you have for us over at Orchard View? >> Um, unfortunately, no sports highlights since we do not have a team at Orchard View. Um, but our seniors are all in the process of planning lives after high school with our school counselor, including me. And um the Natural Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI is an organization aiming to speak with students about mental health and local support systems that are accessible to them. And we'll be learning from them, our students, on February 26th with a brief presentation, short videos, and a personal testimony from a young adult um describing their journey to recovery. Uh other than that, we unfortunately are continuing to have issues regarding breakfast and lunch in terms of uh food hygiene, but the principal
060and I are continuing to work on it. And that's all I have. >> Thank you. And just so you know, you can start planning your pickle ball contest with Dr. Bon. I hear he likes to do that every year. >> Do you have a field for us? >> Oh, I heard about I know things. I don't know about that. Yeah, I heard about all the students ready to play. We just need >> I know it's coming. I know it's coming. >> That being said, uh just a reminder, Van uh Van W has their play coming up this weekend. So, anybody that wants to go, it's I believe Wednesdays. No, >> Friday. >> Yeah, Fridays. >> Newsies is the play. Sorry, I'm trying to remember all the plays coming up. I got a lot of them
061in my head. Um, so we do have that one coming up. And then just a quick note for anybody listening, our next board meeting will be at Royce Catchum because WAP Jr. will be in deep preparations for theirs Legally Blonde, which will be following that week. So just to let you know, if you are coming to the next board meeting, we will be at Royce Catchum. I just wanted to put that out there just in case. So next up is 7.01 consent agenda. Does anybody want to remove anything from the consent agenda? Seeing none, resolve that the board of education does hereby approve the following consent agenda items as stated. 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 8 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 and 7.13 >> motion Mr. Lumia second Mr. McFarland all those in favor
062unanimous 8.01 01 second reading and adoption of policies. Resolve that the board of education of the Winger Central School District hereby approves the second reading of and adopts the following policies based on the first reading by the board and the recommendation of the policy committee as stated. >> Do I have a motion? Mr. Lumia. Second, Mr. McFarland. Any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor? Unanimous. Is there any additions to the agenda? No. 10.01. Comments from the public. Is there any comments? No. 11.01. Can I get a motion? Resolve that the board of education does hereby adjourn the February 24th, 2026 board of education meeting. The time is 8:42. >> Motion, Mr. Lumier. Second, >> Mr. Morgan. All those in favor? Unanimous. Thank you everyone. See you at Roycey Ketchum next