001please. And a moment of silence also for John Robert Ross who passed away. Um he was a retired special education teacher. And I'd like to uh do another moment of silence for Michael Kable. Um Michelle Costal's father-in-law passed away yesterday. 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. 3.02 Superintendent Spotlight Science Olympia. Good evening, members of the board of education and members of the Winger Central School District learning community. We are very, very proud to have with us this evening the John J. science olympiad who recently placed sixth in the New York State competition which is the best that they've ever done. And as I've mentioned many times, we continue
002to provide these types of opportunities for our students outside of the classroom to learn and grow and be successful because again, I believe that success is infectious. And I believe that success has contributed to the work that all of these students have done and made us very proud of John J. High School. And with that, one of their adviserss is here, Mr. Freriedman. Mr. Freeman, I believe that I was the principal who hired you at John J. High School many years ago and I and I I I could not be more happier of what has happened with this program and you've taken it to new levels and to new heights. So, at this point, let me introduce one of our adviserss, Mr. Ian Freriedman. Mr. Freriedman. [Applause] Well, Dr. Bon, thank you very much. And
003uh board of education and administrators, we hugely appreciate all the support you've given to us. Um Dr. Bon, when you hired me, you left like 6 months later and it was a devastating loss for John J. Um but fortunately Mr. Kesalawa has been hugely supportive of everyone in our club. It's been wonderful. Um and in in general for the STEM program at John J. Um most of these kids are getting accomplishments not just in science olympiad but in so many other activities. Uh I don't want to talk for very long. I'm going to kick it over to them. But I do also want to give a huge shout out to my co-advisor Jessica Morsey who could not be here today but without whom this year would not have been the success it was. So I
004am incredibly proud of these students over here. Many of them are graduating not going to be back next year going off to exciting places. Uh and I'm going to give it to the the co-presidents of this. Um I don't know who's going to start talking. Okay. Emma Mazada here. Hi everyone. So nice to be here tonight. My name is Emma and I am currently the knowledge president of John J Science Olympiad and I was also the vice president of John Science Olympiad last year and I've been involved throughout all four years of high school. Um so I just wanted to take some time tonight just to talk a little bit about what our club has managed to accomplish this year and also just thank you all for your continued support of this organization. Um, next
005slide, please. Great. Thank you. So, we're just going to do some quick officer introductions. I already introduced myself, but Hi, I'm Augustia. I'm the co-build president. I'm Shaylen. I'm the other co-uild president. I'm Jacob. I'm one of the co-vice presidents. I'm Haley. I'm the other co-vice president. And I'm Anya. I'm the technology and social media officer. And I'm Bade. I'm a member of the team. Um, we also want to recognize Rohan, our secretary, Nico, our treasurer, and our outreach team. Age, Devanchi, and Denia. Next slide, please. Okay, so what is Science Olympiad? We are essentially a club that is very dedicated to spreading awareness of STEM and allowing students to explore their passions in STEM as well. Our club offers 23 different events across different fields of STEM. That's going to include chemistry, biology, um
006engineering, which we like to call builds, physics, and um even earth science. So any type of interest that any students coming into science olympiad have are covered in some sort of event. And you can see that in some of the pictures on the right. Those are some of our um new freshmen this year participating in build events at some of the in-person invitationals that we've been to this year. Um we've also been fortunate enough to have probably the biggest team we've ever had this year. We had three full teams and each team has 15 members and then we also had a fourth team which wasn't completely full but did have probably eight to 10 members which varied throughout the year. So we had a very big team this year and a lot of JohnJ students
007interested. Um, and we attended over five um, satellite and in-person competitions. So, we had a very busy year as well. Next slide, please. So, the first in-person invitational that we went to this year was South Windsor in Connecticut. This was in mid December. Um, and it's actually the earliest com in-person competition that we went to because in the past we've only started going to in-person competitions in January. So, this year we decided to get a head start. We were very successful. Our A team placed first place out of 19 teams that attended and our B team placed seventh out of 19 teams that attended. And overall throughout um both teams we had 17 medalists and eight of those were first place medals. So we were very successful at our first competition. Next slide please. All
008right. So capital is usually what we start off with our invitational but this year was our second invit invitational. Uh this is one of the hardest invitationals we go to throughout the year. So placing in this competition is a big deal. And John Ja team got fourth place out of 32 other teams. And John JB got 13th place. And overall we made we got 16 medals and three of them being first place. So we also went to the Mount Academy Invitational in January. Um this is the second year they've hosted it and coincidentally this is the second year we've placed first. Um this year we were lucky enough to bring three teams instead of the normal two. So our A team plays first out of 30 teams. Our B team plays seventh out of 30
009teams and our C team plays 15th which is still really good. They beat out a bunch of other teams. Um we placed tw we got 29 medals in this competition and we got six first place medals. So, at our regional competition this year, this is the competition that it all leads up to for state qualification. This is probably our best performance yet we've ever had in our history of the club. So, our John J. A team got first place out of 30 teams. Our B team got sixth out of 30 and our C team got 14th out of 30, which is still very impressive. Um, so we had a total of 27 medals with a total of 11 first place medals, which is very very good. All right. And then the last event of this
010year was uh states which was a few weeks ago. Um and we placed sixth out of 60 teams from all across New York State including a lot of teams from a lot of teams from New York City and Long Island. Um and so sixth place was our highest performance yet as a school. Um and our team got eight medals including two first place medals. And there were a lot of events that we were really close to placing. So, um I think this was our strongest performance this year. Really strong team. Uh we have a lot of seniors graduating this year. Um which you can see on the right. Um and then our full team there with the trophy. Yes. Um so we'll go into some individual medals for states as well. These are some of
011our medalists. So in Chem Lab we scored fifth place. Haley was on that event and so was Nash. Um, in disease detectives, we got fourth place. That was Anna and that was also Charlotte. Um, in dynamic, Jacob and I got eighth place. And then in forensics, that was a first place medal. That was also Anya and Nash. Um, and then helicopter placed first. That was Vade and Shayen. Material science got eighth place. That was Charlotte and Vade. And then optics got ninth place. That was Vade and Joey. And then Wind Power got fifth place. That was Shayen and Joey as well. So those were just wanted to recognize some of our medalists. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you so much for your continued support. Um and this is just a brief look at what we did
012this year. Mr. Freeman, is there anything you wanted to add? Sure. [Music] All right. So, uh, you know, I haven't touched this, um, beauty in a while. Uh, this took us like all year to finally make me and Haley were on this event. It's called air trajectory. This year they made it just a bit more harder because it wasn't hard enough apparently. Uh, so we had to shoot this a ball. So, we decided to shoot a raet ball this year and go from two to eight meters. You got two shots. You got one far shot which is like around the six to eight meter mark and then you have a near target which is for some reason elevated this year because they wanted to be fancy and they elevated it and it was like at
013the state level 1 meter to 1.5 m high and they didn't give us any increments so u we had to calibrate this to a t uh so the nearshot was like anywhere from like two to six. Um, and we got one bucket, two bucket shots if we qualified for it. And that was just a bucket anywhere placed. So, um, I think this time, uh, Dr. Bon, do you want to put a bucket wherever you please from 2 to 8 or 4 to 8? Yeah, we'll do a test run. just uh I I wouldn't recommend. It's a little bit harder of a ball. If it was a ping pong, I would let it. Now, I seem to recall having done that in a class at John J probably about 10 years ago. I think Mr. Herman
014was involved in that. I've never felt the same since. came this close. All right. Yeah, sounds good. Three meters. What do you think? That seems doable. That seems seems doable. Yeah, it does. Oh. Oh, how about that? That I'm fine with anything. Okay. It's up to you. How about this? All right, that sounds good. Are you up for that? Maybe. We'll see. Let me know. expert. All right. What do you think? Got to run the tape. That's 7.5. Yeah. This is possible. Okay. So, let's we'll do a test run and then we'll do an actual run again. I don't I don't have to stand here. No, no, no. You're good. You're good. I know you can do it. Well, they're setting up just a few things about science Olympiad. Um, I've been coaching for more
015than a decade and the team has made it to the state competition every year. Um, but this team is something special unquestionably. Uh, there's about 500 teams in the state of New York that make it to the state, no, sorry, about 500 teams in the state of New York. the top 60 of which make it to the state competition. So, um this John J team um was not just sixth out of about 500, they're also the top ranking team north of New York City. Um the teams that beat us were all either on Long Island or New York City. Oh, they're lining it up. Uh couple days before the state competition, I stayed at John J until after 10:30 p.m. at night in the gymnasium as they tested this over and over and over again.
016At one point I was like laying in my back doing stretching exercises trying to, you know, trying to stay flexible as I uh get a little bit older here. Um, you ready to test or Okay. Uh, and these are stories that I will probably be telling sto students for years and years in the future. The story of Haley and Augustia in the gymnasium till 10:30 at night with me lying on the floor floor stretching and doing push-ups and stuff like that. Go for it. Oh, that was pretty close. Yeah, Dr. Bunk, you realize that by picking a far away destination, it's a little harder for them. I had a sense of Yeah, but that's good. We want to challenge our students. They challenge. Well, these are kids that enjoy taking tests in their free time.
017Like they like challenging themselves. Okay. I'm I'm trying to kill the silence here, but you This is the process that they go through, right? Like this is how they uh during a competition, they line everything up. They adjust for their second shot. They also have this year have had to like take things like humidity and air temperature into consideration because it can have a noticeable effect on how far the ball goes. Oh, that was perfect distance. It was off just a tidy bit. You really want to get it in there. Now, if we thought of it, we would have brought a backdrop that wasn't a black curtain. Oh, good job. [Applause] Hey guys, thank you all very much. We really appreciate this. [Applause] Yeah, I think we're Ian, how many events were there in the
018competition? What's the total number of events? 23 events. 23 events. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. 23 events. We got eight medals. Yeah. So, in addition to, let's give them a round of applause, please. Science Olympia at John J. High School. Very proud of you. Great [Applause] work. I also uh wanted to mention that it's National Assistant Principal Week. Uh having been an assistant principal for a fair amount of my career, uh I am truly in awe of the work and the responsibilities of an assistant principal. And we have some of the best of the best uh in our school district. So if we could give them a round of applause, please. Thank you for all of their work. I believe it's 14. Yes. Yep. I believe that's correct. And I have to uh congratulate our theater
019programs at both of our high schools. Last week was curtains at John J and this past Friday was Mary Poppins at Royce C Ketchum High School and the shows were absolutely phenomenal, very enjoyable. The talent our students have is totally off the charts and the leadership that we have from our adviserss uh is also second to none. So I want to thank Precinium. I want to thank Mask and Mime and everyone associated with those organizations, the parents, everybody that chipped in. Phenomenal show. So round of applause please for them. Thank you. That concludes my comments. President McFarland Chad. Well, thank you very much, Superintendent. Moving right along to 4.01. Comments on the agenda items. Anyone signed up for agenda items? No. So, we will wave the reading at this point. Moving right along to 4.02
020communications announcements received by the board. Um, if I may. Thank you. So, I'd just like to give a congratulations for the 19 new members into the RCK Italian Honor Society and their families for supporting them and all the staff that work so hard with them. Uh, also the change makers at Gay Head Elementary. I'd like to thank those students and their staff. And congratulations to the DC Boseies Pikipsy School District and Winger Central School District for the uh great work at the bridge of the future award. Uh Pipsy DC Boseies and Wingers all got an award for the bridge to the future. So I'd like to commend our superintendent Dr. Bon for receiving that award. Great speech. Well, he's a good speech maker anyway, but he did a real good job that night. And again,
021a great job done by John J. FFA uh for the award centennial for 2025 and 2026 and the new state office, Matthew Mulligan. So, we'll hope to see a lot of him coming up in the future. Thank you. So, just to piggyback what uh Superintendent Bach had to say, Broadway Theater is now located between Route 52 and Meyers Corners. Anyone who wants to go out and see a Broadway show, not that I'm against going down to New York City, but all you need to do is go to Route 52 or Myers's Corner four times a year. Those two performances backtoback were absolutely incredible. I would say probably in the 10 years that I've been going to shows, those two shows were fantastic. And let's also give a round of applause to both of our junior
022high school productions because guess where those students are headed? They're headed both to Precinium and to Mask and Mine. So, you know what? Let's continue. And let's also give a shout out to all of our elementary school productions because that's where it all starts. We have an enormous amount of talent in this district from a performing arts standpoint. Let's also commend the orchestra and the bands for these last two performances. Not many people really understand the coordination, the rehearsal, and what goes in to doing a musical, singing and dancing on key, on Q with the orchestra. Two outstanding performances by both of the schools, both of the orchestras. Just incredible work and uh I look forward to more shows. Uh hopefully uh they'll bring some of my favorites in. But uh definitely uh incredible job
023by all of the students. And let's also give, and I'm going on here, but let's also give a round of applause also to the stage crew, to the production crew, to the stage managers, to lighting and sound, the coordination and time of about two months, two and a half months that these kids put in after school with all the work that they have to do to do these shows. It is a phenomenal job. So, I congratulate every student, everyone who participates in all the productions from elementary through high school. They deserve a round of applause. Great performances this entire school year. Thank you, Trustee Sloshaw. Uh, Trusty Migs. Yes, I would like to congratulate Senor Olivivera at John J and the officers of the Spanish Honor Society on their induction ceremony last week and to
024congratulate the I believe it was 60 member new members who were inducted. 70 new members who were inducted 60 were present. Trusty Kellen All right. I'd also like to mention the project learning students from Sheafro, Oakrove and Kenry who did energy projects at Central Hudson. They were very creative and the using recyclable materials. They did projects that showed uh how energy can be produced at renewable sources and they're very clever the pro all the projects. Thank you Trustee Johnson. Yes, I'd like to um reiterate on Senor Alivera. I believe we also had the Spanish Honor Society at Royce Ketchum since the last meeting as well. Um, and I'd like to congratulate all of those members that were able to be inducted into that. And I also would like to say that the Central Hudson was
025a an amazing program. It's been two years now, I believe, and it's growing tremendously uh with the different students and how the project-based learning is really coming along. I just I'm very proud of that program, and as Dr. Dr. Bon knows I every time I go to anything with the state, I'm always uh grabbing a certain person's ear trying to get them to come down and look at it. And I believe they're going to be doing that shortly. If I'm not mistaken, wasn't there 200 students involved in that? 215 students involved in that. I believe it's 215 students and uh throughout many of our elementary schools, it's been going on for for four years where we're bringing the classroom to life by having our students participate in these types of projects where they get to
026go to some of these organizations and see the relevancy of what they're learning and how it's put to work. And it really is an awareness piece that is huge and it really makes their learning that much more important as far as they're concerned. And those are conversations that I've had with some of the elementary school students in that in that regard at at some of those activities. So again, uh we need to thank our professional development team uh for the work that they do in that regard and working along with our teachers and our principles. So thank you. And Central Hudson was out there trying to hire some of our students already. So trying to sign the contract trying to sign them up. Yeah. I'm sorry. Trusty Cullen, you have something? Yeah. Uh, and congratulations
027to Dr. Cardwell who oversees the project learning team. Thank you, Dr. Cardwell. Thank you very much. May I add, there are two teachers who gave presentations on the algebra curriculum. They were doing pilot programs on math nine came out that they think personally I think our teachers should develop their own program with the current we have a lot of capable teachers in the community in the district and uh these particular programs or this particular books that they use is if I'm if I understood correctly are not appropriate for those students if I'm I believe that was that was stated. So I I think that we we have enough people in this district, enough teachers who can develop the program that satisfies the curriculum and the state. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Looney. Anyone else? All
028right, I see nothing. 5.01 Superintendent Recommended budget number two, an update on state aid. By the way, uh, as mentioned before by President McFarland, there were three school districts that received awards, Duchess Boseies, Wingers in the city of Pikipsy. And I want to acknowledge Dr. Watson from the Pikipsy board who happens to be in our audience this evening. If we could give her a nice warm wingers welcome. Thank you for being here Dr. Watson and congratulations to the Pikipsy City Schools. As I mentioned to you last time, this could be a very short presentation and it will be because we don't have a state aid update because we don't have a state budget. Unfortunately, from what I'm hearing, we may not have a state budget for quite some time. So, here's where we are with
029budget. Uh recommended number two um by the superintendent of schools. It's very similar to the initial one that was recommended, although there is one addition that I think you will be pleased with. So, we mentioned the members of the board of education, president Mike McFarland, vice president Eddie Slowshour, trustee Virgil Capillaryi, Cheryl Miggots, Marie Johnson, John S. Morgan, Peggy Kellen, Keith ODMS, and John C. Lumia, senior staff administration. Mr. Darren Lokima, assistant superintendent, administration, information systems, Dr. Michelle Cardwell, assistant superintendent, curriculum and instruction. Miss Kristen Dainty, our assistant superintendent of finance and business development, who is over at the podium here and who has been the architect of this budget, and I need to thank her. Richard Zip, assistant superintendent, student support services. Renee Harris, executive director of human resources. Ronald Broers, our director of
030facilities, and Miss Alberta Pedro, the district clerk and secretary to the superintendent. So, what have we done so far? Back in November, we had the superintendent's video explaining the budget process. February the 10th, we had preliminary budget presentation one. Back on the 24th of February, we had the superintendent's video explaining the budget process in both English and Spanish. Back on March the 10th, superintendent's recommended budget presentation one and the transportation proposition presentation. Here we are this evening with unfortunately no update on state aid. It is my hope that by the next board meeting on the 22nd of April, we will have our figures from the state and I will be able to recommend a budget to the board of education for adoption. May the 5th ballot presentation to the community. John J. High School and
031then the 12th the community forum which is the statemandated public hearing on the budget that's at Ketchum and the budget vote May 20th 2025. So tax levy in New York state aid what we know the CPI currently is 2.95%. Since the CPI exceeds 2% the district can utilize 2% in the tax cap formula. So the tax cap calculation, the maximum allowable tax levy increase to be under the cap is 1.57%. The budget recommended maintains programs and ad supports with a tax levy increase currently of 1.40%. Which is below the tax cap. that is using the governor's executive budget proposal which includes the continuation of the foundation aid formula as well as UPK funding 202526 budget tax levy versus the total increase. So what does this budget mean to our taxpayers? The tax levy increase is
032what impacts the taxpayers 1.40%. 40%. This year, we're going to continue to maximize our resources and provide program supports and opportunities for all of our students and staff, but not at the sole responsibility of the taxpayer. At this time, I'm recommending that the district utilize $12.3 million of the general fund balance to offset the tax levy to continue provide the services and programs to our students. That's mental health services. That's special education, safety and support. And instruction and career and technical education. If you look at the numbers, the tax levy for 2425 was 190 million. Preliminary 192 million. That's a difference of $2 million, which comes out to 1.4%. You'll see the budget increases by 16 million, but the majority of that money is fund balance. Levy to levy change 2.6 million, 1.4%, budget to
033budget change 15 million, 5.09%. Grants, funds, uh, fund balance, and state aid comes to 40%. The tax levy will cover 60%. So on April the 1st, New York State Legislature was back in session. Budget extender was approved. That expired the end of business today. And today they extended the budget process again by adding another budget extender. So what does it mean? Well, all the information we received from New York State will be reviewed immediately upon receipt. A revised budget may be provided to the board at the April 22nd meeting. New York Aid currently compromises 35.5% of the revenue. We expect to be able to maintain the 1.40 increase in the tax levy. If the New York State aid changes as we expect, we believe that we are going to get additional funding beyond the governor's
034proposal. And I am going to recommend to the board of education that whatever that sum is, all of it, its in entirety be taken to drive down the tax levy increase. So, I'm going to try to remember this off to the top of my head. We're at 1.40. Let's say, and I don't know that this is going to happen, but let's say hypothetically we get another $600,000. I believe that would take the tax levy under 1.0%. Correct? So, that's a real possibility. If we got in the neighborhood of a million dollars, I believe it would take us under.75%. So there's a potential for that as well. So the good news is is that we have built a budget based on the funding that we currently have because we don't know what we're going to get
035in addition. But we do know that we want to take those funds and direct them at bringing down the taxpayer to continue to be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers since we believe that in this budget we are providing the services necessary as well as the programs for our students. And that basically just reiterates what I said. All of that money I'm going to recommend to the board and I'm hopeful that the board considers my request be put to reduce the tax levy. Budget voting in person Tuesday May 20th 7:30 to 9 designated poll site. There are absentee or early mail ballot available to any registered voter by completing an application. What's the difference? You must provide a reason why you can't vote in person on the application for an absentee ballot. No reason is required
036for an early mail ballot. Applications for absentee and early mail ballots are available online or by contacting the district clerk at alberta.pedro at wcsdny.org. phone number 2985000 extension 40145. So we again look forward to the emails that you have sent in regards to what you believe are the priorities that we need to address for our students. We look forward to your continued conversation at our board meetings and public hearings. And again, budget at wcsdny is an email that you can send any thoughts, any questions, any concerns, any recommendations that you have because this is not just a budget developed by the board of education. This is a budget that is developed by all of us, the board of education, our staff, our families, and our entire WCSD learning community. And with that, we look forward
037to continuing to build our future together. Thank you very much. Thank you, Superintendent Mark. That was very informative. Thank you. Moving right along to 6.01 consent agenda agenda resolutions. Anybody want to remove anything from the uh agenda conser? How about 6.03 addendum? Second. All those in favor, right? We're pulling the item. Okay. You're up. It's It's resolved that the board of education does hereby approve the following consent agenda items as stated. 6.02 6.03 minus the addendum 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 10 6.11 and 6.12 motion Marie Johnson second by U Virgil Cavaleri all in [Music] favor unanimous any opposed none resolve that the board of education does hereby approve agenda item 6.03 03 addendum motion uh trusty Kellen second by Mr. Slowshour discussion all in favor any abstensions. So moved 701 professional learning
038plan. According to policy 9700, it is the responsibility of the professional learning team to submit any recommended revisions to the professional learning plan to the board by April 1st. The board will consider the recommendations at its first regular meeting thereafter. The board may accept or reject the recommendations of the team in whole or in part. The board may also request any additional information or data needed to evaluate the success of the program in achieving its objectives. Please let Dr. Caldwell know if there is additional information needed or if there are recommended changes or revisions needed. Approval of the professional learning plan will appear on the June 2nd board agenda. Moving right along the 7.02, approval of new club charter, Griffin Backstage Club at Vanwick Junior High School. Resolve that the board of education does hereby
039approve the new club charter for the Griffin's Backstage Club at Van White Junior High School as submitted. Do I have a motion? Motion Marie Johnson, second by Fergus Cavaleri. Any discussion? All in favor? Unanimous. Thank you. Request for additional agenda items. Does anybody have any additional agenda items they'd like to uh add in or any discussions? I see none. 9.01 comments from the public. Anyone signed in on the uh public comment? Okay, just before we start public comments. I think somebody wants this. Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to listen to public comments. Although the state law does not require us to hold public comment periods, we have chosen to do so because we believe it is crucial for us to hear from the community members about their concerns and issues. The board is here
040to listen. The public comment period is not designed to be a debate or dialogue. Please do not expect the board to respond to your concerns and questions tonight. We take your concerns and questions seriously and want to have significant time to process and research issues if need be. Any questions from the public should be submitted through the use of the public comment form which may be obtained online or at the desk with the district clerk. We will have a proper staff member get back to you as appropriate. I also want to point out that under state and federal privacy laws, we're unable to address any comments or questions about specific students, schools, or school personnel. We would ask you to go through the appropriate administrative channels. A total of 30 minutes at the end of
041each board meeting is set aside to allow for public comments on items related to our school district that are not on tonight's agenda. A signup sheet on non-aggenda items is located on the desk with the district clerk. Individual comments are limited to three minutes and are welcome. In the interest of civility and respect the different to respect different points of views, clapping, booying or disturbing in any disruptive manner uh during either public comments is not permitted. At this time, comments related to school district business are welcome. So, first we have Wen, Melanie [Music] Woolen. Thank you. Hello. My name is Melody Weldon. I'm a parent to two children at Meyers Elementary School and I'm also a licensed mental health counselor in the community. Um, some of you guys are already familiar with my name. I
042have sent emails and I know other parents as well who is here tonight on behalf of concerns of the ICT setting at Myyers Elementary School. Um my both both my children are both in ICT settings right now and their learning experience including their peers is being interrupted by behavior issues. Um students you shouldn't be discussing student students or schools. So I can't mention the fact that the classroom settings are being interrupted to learning experiences. That's correct. Okay. So just read Mike. Correct. I understood what was said. I just thought names could not be presented. So I'm not presenting children's names. Okay. So you guys brought up a presentation about mental health, correct? Safety and special education. My understanding is that that is not taking priority right now for some of the students in the educational
043system in Wingers Falls right now. Our children, mine particularly, and I think I have the right to mention my children are being interrupted. They're coming home upset. They're coming home with their learning experience interrupted. My son particularly has a tick disorder. His disorder has flared up because of what is occurring in the classroom setting, what he's observing. There have been incidents that require further treatment and attention that is not able to be obtained in a school setting. These kids are not getting the right support. We're talking about supporting children. We're talking about supporting their education. Yet, that is not occurring. We have two months left and my son is in sixth grade. His learning experience has been horrific since December. Nothing has been done. We've brought concerns up to the board to the appropriate people
044in charge seeking support and we yet have received that. As parents, I'm left with no alternative options. But besides having to teach my son and daughter how to handle situations in the moment instead of worrying about academics, they're teaching their peers how to respond to kids who are not emotionally regulated. I'm a therapist. We're not supporting mental health at all. We're hiring staff, but we're not seeing any results. You find that we hired all together a behavior analyst group and there's no positive results coming out of that budget that's being utilized on them. There's no action. Instead, we're continuously having the same problems. There's children not wanting to go to school. There's children contacting their parents to be picked up early because they cannot focus. The settings are overstimulating for them right now. My son
045gets overstimulated by behaviors. He has a tick disorder. He feels paralyzed. My time is up. Wow, that goes by fast. I hope that you guys can do something about this though because it's gotten out of hand and parents are not going to sit quietly anymore. We need a solution. We need to work together as a community and we look to you guys for that support and we need a we need it to be resolved. Thank you. Thank you very much. Holland. Good evening. Good evening. My name is Bryce Holland and I'm seeking your consideration for the Boseis Board of Trustees. I attended Arlington Central School District and I recently graduated from the University of Virginia having done a self-designed major I titled Cradle to Career Education which was inspired by the famous Harlem Children's Own.
046On March 5th, I was nominated for the Boseis board by the Pikipsy City School District Board of Education, which I have the honor of serving in my employment at the collective impact nonprofit organization, the Pikipsy Children's Cabinet, which I'm very proud of. When I was in college, I was soulful and sentimental. I knew I wanted to study education to help children. Having been born into poverty in the city of Pikipsy, I felt I had something to owe to the kids who were just like me who may not get to go to college as I did. During college, I avidly searched for a silver bullet, this answer in education so that all kids, no matter their backgrounds, can grow up to have successful careers. And I was constantly thinking about the powerful statistic that 80% of
047a child's waking hours in a year are spent outside of school and the implications of that. I say all that firstly to express I am a proud citizen native of the city of Pikipsy and resident of Duchess County. Secondly, it was a to express my personal commitment and belief in the power of Bosey's programs such as career technical adult education, resilience academy, and special education to eliminate opportunity gaps across the county. Boseies serves a vital role in helping students with diverse learning needs to achieve their goals and ultimately realize this dream of socioeconomic mobility for all of our children. emphasis on all. So for me to be home on a mission to eliminate opportunity gaps is both very personal and purposeful to me in this polarized age where fear and crisis are normalized. No solution
048has ever made more sense to me than the importance of local work like education. uniting communities with the shared understanding that for our children as well as our democracy, neighbors must work hand in hand to overcome adversity. And I believe Duchess County can be a model that inspires others to do the same. I believe an America where place-based cultures thrive, where each and every person in their communities is passionately doing their parts would be a much kinder America, one better prepared to face the challenges of our time. So to that end, I hope you'll consider me for your vote for the Boseis Board of Education. I'm deeply thankful for my education and the opportunities that led me to pursue my passion in education and local advocacy. So it would be my honor to be of
049service to you all on the Boseis board of education. Thank you. Thank you. [Music] 10.01 01 motion to adjurnn. Resolved that the board of education does hereby adjourn the April 7th, 2025 board of education meeting. The time is now 8:30 p.m. Motion by uh Trustee Johnson, second by uh Trustee Kellen. All in favor? Anyone opposed? So move.