BOE Meeting - September 23, 2025 BOE Regular Meeting

001to adjourn the special meeting. Move it. Second. >> All in favor? Meeting adjourned. >> I'm going to call the uh regular meeting of the board of education of the Udica City School District to order. >> I'd like to welcome everybody here. Um first we're going to have the pledge of allegiance. You got to have the color guard. Where where are they? color guard left face carry. G color then color. >> Okay. 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. Water color. Ready. Cut. Left. Face. >> Color guard. Word. March. That was the second uh presentation of the colors that our uh color guard has done in the past week. I think they're

002shaping up nicely. Um, can the clerk call the role, please? >> Mr. Jason Cooper, >> here. >> Mr. Donald Dolls >> here. >> Mr. Joseph Jr. >> I'm here. >> Mrs. Tamille New >> here. >> Mr. Braden Bannon >> here. >> Mrs. Danielle Pula >> here. >> Mr. James Paul >> here. >> And our student rep, Heather Conception, is on her way. >> She's on her way. >> Okay. We do have a quorum. I'd like to uh just take a couple of minutes and address resolutions that will be adopted in the superintendence report for the passing of uh Relle M. Fredell was a former employee of the Udica City School District. The board of education of the Udica City School District records with sorrow the passing of former employee Relle M. Fredsell. Mrs. Fredell was

003employed by the Yuca City School District for approximately 30 years as an English teacher predominantly at Thomas R. Proctor. Mrs. Fredzel's dedication left a laughing lasting impact on everyone she met. She was loved by her students, their parents, and the entire teaching staff wherever she taught. Resolved that the board of education expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Mrs. Fretzel and that this resolution be saved upon the records of the district. The second resolution we're going to be adopting is for Anne P. Corel who was a former employee of the district. The board of education of the Udica City School District records with sorrow the passing of former employee an P. Corel. Mrs. Corel was employed by the Yuca City School District for almost 31 years as an English teacher. She also spent time

004teaching summer school, tutored homebound students in the evening and night school for a time. Mrs. Corel's dedication left a lasting impact on everyone she met. She believed in their potential and nurtured their ability to learn and find meaning in literature. resolved that the board of education expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Mrs. Corel and that this resolution be saved upon the records of the district. The next resolution will be for Norm Stamboli or as I call him coach Stambboli. Um, the board of education of the Udica City School District records with sorrow the passing of former employee Norman Basil Stamboli. Mr. Stambboli was employed by the Udica City School District for approximately 39 years as a Fed fizzed teacher. He also spent 20 years as a basketball coach. To his family, he was

005dad and husband, but to the community, he was coach. Norm was much more than a coach, though. He provided for all his players shoes, clothes, laundry, and a bed when needed. He never let a player go without. Resolved that the board of education expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Stambboli and that this resolution be saved upon the records of the district district. Just take a brief moment to acknowledge them. Moment of silence. Okay, next up is public comment. So, you'll have three minutes. Um, please state your name, address, and uh, up first is Nema Wallace. >> Good evening. My name is Na Wallace. >> Sorry, I apologize for butchering your name. >> It's okay. My address is not on. Okay. Can y'all hear me? >> Yes. >> All right. I'll say it

006again. My name is Naima Wallace. My address is 9 Cromwell Place, Udica, New York, 13502. So, I have a couple of questions. My first question is, when will the school comprehensive education plan be put up for 2005 and 2006? Because there's nothing up on the website about the school comprehension plan for any of the schools for this year. So, when will it be put up? >> You won't get an answer. Someone will get back to you. >> All right. And the same thing about the district comprehensive plan. >> So, what is the question? >> It's not on the website either for this year or last year. So, I'll get an answer back about that too. >> Okay. So, my next question, what is the role of the transportation department here? I I think it's to

007transport the kids. >> The that's their exact role is just to transport the kids. The transportation when you call here, they're not to help facilitate between the parents and the bus company. >> I mean, >> you're asking questions. We're happy to >> I'm asking you a question pertaining to the transportation department here at the board of ed. >> Right. So, >> I was told that they were here to facilitate between the parents and the bus companies that if there was an issue to call them to help facilitate the issue. Is that what their role is or is it not? >> Um, again, this is not really a question and answer period. I just tried to >> respond. So, what's going to happen is I I did recognize that you were I was aware that you

008did call >> and that you got calls back, but you haven't touched base yet >> after hours, but I never got any help in any situation when I called. I had to facilitate for my children to get a ride. I called the bus company, they didn't know what was going on. I called the transportation departments, they didn't know what's going on. I have three different incidents. The first one was at Donovan on 94. The bus left the kids because the phone the situation with the phones, the system went down. No one went outside to let the people know that the kids were waiting to get their phones and the bus left. The walker kids and the bus kids got mixed up and they told the kids to walk home. They did not give them any

009help or find any way for these kids to get home. My daughter called me. I put her in the cab. On 9:19 Proctor, the kids was going to Boseies. They went to get breakfast. The bus left. They put the kids in the auditorium. One security guard put them in the auditorium and then moved them from the auditorium to ISS and then told the kids they had to wait to fifth period to get a bus. No one knew that the kids were in the building. not the principal, no one in the office or anyone else. I went to the school to let them know what was going on. Once again, I had to pay for my kid to get in a cab to get to school cuz she would have been late for her test waiting

010for fifth period when all it would have took was someone to say, "Hey, the kids were getting something to eat. Give them a couple of minutes or call the transportation company or the bus department and get another bus." The same way you say that, well, if the bus is late, they'll send another bus. No one ever gets another bus. And then on 9:22, the bus for first student, I called here. I spoke to Sue because I have a message from Sue from the transportation department on my phone that said, "If you have a problem, please call me and I will help you." When I called on the 22nd, she told me, "That's not my problem. Call the bus company." >> So, I called the bus company. No one answered. I called again later on. They

011told me, "Well, we were worried about getting the buses out, not notifying the school or the parents that the bus was late." Then I had to put my child in a cab again. So once again, I asked, "What is the role of the transportation department if they don't facilitate between the parents and the school buses?" >> So what I'd like to do is first I would like to thank you for advocating, expressing your concerns. I'm aware that someone from the transportation department reached out to you and they've called several times to get in contact with you. >> Always after hours, never during the time of the incident. It's always after I fix it. They never they never give any help within the situation. >> So, I'd like I'd like to acknowledge two things. I'd like

012to one um schedule a time so you can meet with transportation so that they can help you navigate that system because I understand it can be challenging at times. And also want to acknowledge that if it was after hours, it is because our team does work late and are working around the clock to address these issues. So, you know, if you receive a call at 5 and 6:00, I >> But how does that help me if one, what if I don't have money to get my child in a cab? >> Which is why I would like to be prudent to get ahead of this. And so what we'll do is we'll schedule I'll have someone from the administration schedule a time to meet with you to directly to discuss concerns unique to you and the

013ways in which we can help you navigate that process. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Oh, one other thing. This app, it doesn't work. Who do we talk to about getting this app updated, serviced, or something? Because it does not work. My daughter goes, she takes the bus with Dorham. They sent her a new code. It doesn't upload. She can't see when the bus is. The whole situation with the bus on the 22nd, it told us that the bus was at 9:14. It arrived. The bus didn't get there till 9:46. And that was from the words from the bus company that the bus got there at 9:46. And when I try to screenshot so I can prove that it says what it says, your app has it disabled where you can't screenshot anything.

014So, we can't even use it as evidence to show you guys that, hey, this isn't working because you disabled it from us even taking screenshots to show you that it doesn't work. >> So, what So, what we'll do is hearing those concerns, I have a member of the administration reach out to you to meet with you directly to help you navigate the app and also the um transportation system. And I've got those notes. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you for sharing. Rous Lawson up next. >> Yeah. >> Hello, my name is Brous Lawson, 1634 Taylor Rath Utica, New York. >> 13501. My first question is the safety at Proctor High School. I want to know why haven't the board of education implemented a plan to have our schools more safe. Um over a

015period of time out the course of this year, last year, and maybe a year or two prior than that, the fights and the violence has gotten a lot worse. There should have had already been a plan implemented or some type of implementation of some type of security implemented at these schools. Donovan being one, Proctor being another. I have a video on my phone with my son being jumped by numerous kids outside of Proctor. There's no employee or adult within a mile of the front of the school with my kid getting jumped. Someone should be held accountable. the board of education and the Utica City School District should not be allowed to have my kid for a large period of the day and not be held accountable for their safety and everybody just worry about the

016employees. Yes, they implemented security guards that wear the red shirts, but to my knowledge, these security guards are not well trained to be able to handle an altercation between the teenage the teenage youth that go to these schools. So my question is what is the the security plan for these schools to make the safety of my child better so that way I can send my kid to school. My kid doesn't have to go to school and worry about being jumped. Doesn't have to worry about leaving to go for the bus and be jumped and there's no security guard because the security guard say, "Well, we can't do nothing because I'm not going to get hurt. I got to feed my family with this job." And then the staff say, "Well, I'm not going to go

017out there. I'm not about to get hurt either. So therefore, my kid is going to high school and what got to be emotionally stressed, mentally stressed because worried about getting harmed. But if I turn around and arm my child or teach my child some type of defense and tell them just go have at it, then now I get a neglect charge. But it seems like the board of education in the Udica City School District just gets away with not getting a neglect charge. But our us as parents, you can't beat your kid, but I could send my kid to school and everybody like, "Well, we had him for eight hours. So, it's not our fault. We there's nothing we can really do about it. We tried." What do you mean you tried? And another thing

018is as far as I went to a couple meetings at Hugh School or whatever for my child and the staff felt okay, principal, counselors, and whatever other staff came into the meeting, they felt comfortable with telling me my child is in the fifth grade and reads at a second grade reading level. I find it highly unacceptable. Highly, highly unacceptable. And then by the time my kid does get to proctor, you already told me he's reading at this level. So, how'd he get to the fifth grade with a second grade reading level? And you're telling me his behavior is this, that, and the 30. He's being a class clown. Well, he's got to do something to occupy his time. As far as I hear, board education or we don't have a budget, but making over 70

019$80,000 a year seem like a good budget to me. I'm just hypothetically speaking. >> No, no, no, no. It's hypothetically speaking. >> No, we I I just want you to know I Was that the timer? I just I just want to tell No, it's okay. >> I agree. >> One of the things we addressed early in the year was improving the reading scores. Our kids should not be in fifth grade with a second grade reading level. And we are taking steps and Dr. Spence has been implementing things. He'll he'll talk about that, but sorry. >> But I agree. I agree. and we are taking steps to address that. >> I don't know if you guys keep up our current events on social media, internet, but the kids do a lot of I understand that, but

020the the the kids, teenage kids, Proctor, Donovan, they're putting up more and more videos of fights that's happening in the schools. And it's and it's it's ridiculous. It's really ridiculous. And and it's sad that no one's implemented when school was out. Nobody got to get together at some point. We're we're going to we're going to talk about that. Okay. >> But >> talking about it is not taking care of it. We've been talking about it's getting worse. >> Go ahead. >> So, in the superintendent's presentation, I'm going to address student achievement, but I also caution us to really look at the aggregate data on a holistic picture. Things are actually not getting worse. This time last year, we were actually seeing a decline in incidents. >> I beg. So you may experience that differently. However,

021when we look at the global picture, that's not the case. But I will discuss that today. >> What do you mean global picture? >> So we're looking at the global all the kids, all of the kids at the school. When we're looking at it at a high level, 50,000 foot view, we are actually >> 50,000 in Proctors right now. >> No, no. What I mean is that we're actually trending downward. There's actually less of those incidents. And so is there work to do? Yes. But I'll address this in the superintendent's presentation. I think you brought some timely um pieces that you know it's always an ongoing discussion. So I appreciate you bringing that to the forefront and I'm going to talk about it a little bit tonight. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it.

022Thank you. >> I can't read the writing. Miss Shaw Thompson. Did I get your name right? >> No, Shante. >> Shante, I'm sorry. >> How did I miss that? >> Hi, my name is Shante Thompson. My address is 104 Linux. Um, I actually have the same concern as far as my children's safety in schools. Um, I had an incident here in Kernan where um, a child was sending nude pictures to my daughter and she was the one suspended from school. Um, I also know that that that specific picture was floated around amongst staff. I find that highly unacceptable. I called to get a meeting with the child's parent and the board of education where in which I was denied. So, what are we going to do about that? How can we fix that? How can

023we how can we make a change for the future with the kids in situations like that? Also, my kid was attacked in Proctor's cafeteria um by another student. He ended up getting into a fight. He didn't hit the kid back. He got suspended for 5 days. superintendent meeting was supposed to be done uh today where which is not. So what are we going to do about that? Now I understand that everybody plays a role and have a specific title. However, it doesn't matter if it's your title or not. If you care, you should do something about it. If it's not your position, you should still get up and advocate for the children. This is our future. What are we going to do about it? If they're not safe, the community is going to go down

024regardless. So what can what can be done about it? Well, you know, we hear what you're saying, but we can't discuss specific. >> Isn't that the purpose of the meeting? >> No, not to discuss specific student related issues. >> It's not the specific student related issue. It's in general. Period. It happened to mine, but what what are we going to do to prevent it from happening again? Go >> ahead. is the question, not mine specifically, just in general. >> So again, you know, we're going to talk about student discipline tonight. I don't want to go too into that now because it's a presentation for that, but these are very complex issues. It's ongoing. There's been a lot of resources that have been implemented into the building. you know, staff are working hard every day to

025help address and help educate our young people on how to uh uh conduct themselves in school and provide that necessary support. And so, you know, we I gained a lot of information last year conducting over 50 parent meetings and meeting with parents directly as the superintendent to really understand their issues. And I've never met a parent that said, "It's my kid. It's always the other kid." You know, but we do our best looking at the facts that we have in place to direct our students to the resources that we've invested in the school that this board has invested in so that they have the support because we are in the education business. You know, there's people here, you know, that just hearing the stories in the communities, there's people here that talk about the need

026for having someone that could help support them as they're going through their educational journey. That's and and that's our job and our role here. So, it's not a one-sizefits-all. And there's also again uh other um factors that go into play when dealing with student discipline. And so you're talking about very complicated factors. And again, we've addressed that and we're trending in the in in the right direction. And we'll continue to invest resources. We've increased personnel at Proctor and ALS and also have invested over $10 million into social emotional uh supports for students to help them navigate this here uh life. So, it's an ongoing uh discussion, but again, I appreciate everyone for bringing that to our attention and I'll talk a little bit about it. >> Okay. I have another question. What was the purpose

027of banning the cell phone from the children in school? >> I think that question is um we had a town hall discussing that we are um upholding Kathy Hok other Hok's law. There's a law that uh bans internet enabled devices during the school day. the school district adopted a policy to be in compliance with the governor's law. >> Okay, here's a proposition. Is it possible that one of you guys can ask or see if there's a way that like uh uh a security or video monitoring system could be placed within the halls or classrooms of the schools that the parents could tap into so that we can actually watch and see what goes on during the day for the for the safety of our kids. If our kids aren't able to contact us when in

028need and if we call here and get the runaround or got to talk to this person or that person and you know by the end of the day we still can't find our care to figure out what's going on at that moment if possible because I feel like that'll probably help or a better way of communication between children staff and as well as the parents or their guardian. So in the PO policy, we outlined the the modes of communication for parents to get in contact with their students throughout the uh throughout the school day. We've also conducted, you know, and had lively discussion at the town halls pertaining to just that. But if you'd like to express your ideas, you can meet with a member of our staff and meet with me on Wednesdays. I

029do Wednesdays with Dr. Spence for 20 minutes and we can talk about that more broadly. >> Okay. And that would be here. >> Correct. >> All right. I'll see you guys Wednesday. What time? >> You choose the time. you go on the Wednesdays with Dr. Spence and you complete the um the form, it'll automatically populate. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, >> Mr. President. If I might point out information. >> Yes. >> The public comment policy for the board of education is that public comments are three minutes long. They are comments directed to the body of the board of education. It is not a Q&A back and forth and generally it has been the practice of the board of education that responses are not given on

030the floor. Instead, if there are questions, they are considered and an administrator gets back to them so that they can have a considered answer to their question. I thought that might be helpful for everyone who might be their first public comment period to just outline what the policy is. Thank you. Up next, Joe Prada. >> Excuse me. >> Good evening, guys. Uh 3 minutes. I got a lot for you, but first and foremost, thank you for all that you do. Um I see and hear the negativity placed upon the school district. It's been like this since I was a student here. I've had a lot of friends, family members graduate from here, turn into successful adults, and we attribute that to Udica. So, just wanted to say, you know, thank you. see a lot of

031kids leaving to go play sports at other schools. It's motivated motivated me to come back and coach baseball this year with Coach Gaido because we need to turn that around. Uh that being said, there's a quote that I always mention when talking about Udica. It's hard for you to love it if you don't come from it. I'm a Udica guy through and through. I'm a proctor guy through and through. Graduated from here, won championships here. Uh very proud of that. Let's see. Um I worked in these buildings as a substitute teacher for years. If I knew about the programs and scholarships that my job offers currently, Grand Canyon University, I'd probably be in my 10th year as a teacher here. I'm the local representative for Grand Canyon University, a fully accredited online university with over

032100,000 students nationwide. I serve as a local representative for upstate New York. And my mission is to connect educators and school staff with life-changing scholarship opportunities. I know the challenges we face, especially around teacher retention and shortages. It's widespread across the state. That's why I'm here. GCU is offering significant scholarships for anyone employed in a New York State school district. 32% off bachelor's degrees in education, ideal for teaching assistants, subs, or anyone looking to become a certified teacher. With PEL grants and these scholarships combined, students can receive nearly $45,000 towards a $50,000 degree. Um, that makes higher education truly accessible for a lot of people. We're also offering 25% off master's degrees that leads to lensure, perfect for current educators looking to advance. My job is to spread awareness and apply these scholarships that are

033only available to students through our New York State based team, not through Grand Canyon itself. Um, in the past four years, main reason I'm here, Udica has had 21 enrolles and 18 graduates from GCU, but many more could benefit if they had access to this information. That's why I'm asking for your support to get into the schools. I've spoken with Dr. Spence. I understand he has a ton to deal with and bigger things to address. And I've reached out to a few board members who have been very helpful helping me navigate this. and I've spoken to others who work in these schools and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. So, um, all in all, I'm offering free lunch, free swag, free information sessions to staff, not a presentation by any means. Stay out of the

034way, don't interrupt daily operations and just be there to help them with questions. No pressure, just opportunity. I do this everywhere across upstate New York and it is very wellreceived in most districts. I'm just trying to do the same in my hometown. Um, I'm a trustworthy person. Pride myself in being a positive role model to a lot of young student athletes. spent years as a collegiate baseball coach, high school baseball coach. Giving back is a part of me. I'm sure you can ask around the schools. Most people will tell you the same thing. Even the teachers I tortured when I was a kid. Um, I've begrown to become friends with them. With your help, we can empower more UDica educators to grow, stay, and thrive right here in the district that we all love. I

035have so much more information to share, but just look for an opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Yep. >> Olivia Paul. >> Good evening. My name is Olivia Paul and I reside on Armory Drive. For the past several years, I have come before the board and communicated directly via email and in in-person meetings with the various superintendent and administrative staff about the traffic conditions at Columbus School at dismissal time. Here we are at the start of the new school year and it continues to be a major concern for me and other Armory Drive residents. The reason I am here tonight is to highlight the congestion caused by what appears to be an increase in bus traffic this year. On at least three occasions over the past few weeks, I have counted anywhere between

03617 to 20 buses leaving Proctor High School and using Armory Drive as the route of choice, causing a very heavy and abnormal amount of traffic during Proctor and Columbus dismissal time. It could be more because I am not always outside at the start of the dismissal. This coupled with the car traffic from Proctor, Columbus, and MVCC is unacceptable and presents increased hazards for everyone involved. As a resident, I dare not come home or try to leave my home during the 2:40 to 3:00 p.m. hour. I get blocked in because no one will move and allow me to get in or out of my driveway. It is not fair to me and my neighbors to deal with this nonsense. It is hard to believe that the Udica City School District did not contemplate this in the

037transportation planning ahead of the school year. Who determines what directions the buses should go? Was the bus route discussed with the provider? What about Arthur Street, Hillview, Culver Avenue? Has there been any coordinated efforts with the Udica Police Department? What if and what if anything is being done to resolve this matter? I invite you personally to meet with me to visit Columbus School and Armory Drive during the dismissal time and I'm asking that this matter be resolved as soon as possible. Thank you. >> Thank you. Ismar Omaric. Hello everyone. Uh good evening. Thank you for your guys' time. I truly appreciate it. Uh my name is Ismar Maragic. Uh and I'm here because my sister uh was struck by a reckless driver outside of Proctor High School on September 11th. Uh she is recovering, but

038uh her life and ours have both been changed forever from the course of this event. Um what happened to her shouldn't be the only stopping point for this district to take school zone safety seriously. In fact, the risks were clear long before this uh unfortunate event. Um, I took the time to study around the immediate v im immediate vicinity of the school. Um, in the four corners around from Arthur to Hilton to Will Smith uh drive and Arbory Drive, there are only two intersectional crosswalks. Uh, one to cross each block safely. Um, and the student has to walk half a mile just to get from one to another. We have one posted speed limit sign in the entire vicinity of those four corners. That's from Hilton approaching uh downwards to Eagle. Uh let's see here.

039We have a children's center, NBCC, Proctor High School, and Columbus Elementary School all within walking distance of each other. And yet parts of Will Smith Road Armory Drive also have no sidewalks. So assuming that let's say we have snowed in, knowing that New York has a lot of snow, if that gets put in and we put them all on those places, where can kids go when they're walking? National data from the US Department of Transport also shows that 40% of pedestrian fatal uh fatalities occur where there's no sidewalk present. Every year 25,000 children are injured in school zone accidents and over 100 kids are reported dead every year. A safe routes to school study found that addressing that adding crosswalks, sidewalks, and speed bumps reduce pedestrian accidents by up to 75% in some states including

040California. So my question is this. Why do we ask children to walk in unsafe conditions when we know simple fixes like adding infrastructure to crosswalks, sidewalks, speed enforcement, maybe law enforcement added in uh can save lives. So, for tonight, I want to ask if there's any way to prioritize from the board tonight uh any infrastructure changes, including proper crosswalks at every major uh entry point in the school, uh installing speed bumps and flashing school zone, speed signs, uh ensuring sidewalks exist where students can actually walk, uh including maybe some ways to address pickup times and probably adjustments to that kind of thing. Um, and I'll just say that we spend billions nationally on busing, but here our students can't even cross the street safely. That's kind of unacceptable. And my sister's accident should be the

041last one that this person that this city in this county should really go through and the district should see. Uh, please don't wait for another family to go through this, including mine. Thank you so much. Have a good night. >> Thank you, >> Ferris. Good afternoon. My name is Ferris Maragic. Uh 1600 Rucker Street. Um I'm also speaking on behalf of my mother and my sister, brother of my sister who got hit by the car on September 11th. I would really like to really talk about how pedestrian safety has never really been a priority or safety in Proctor for as long as I've been there, my other siblings and my younger siblings. We have really gone through a lot of damage from this mentally and physically and it's gone way beyond where it has to

042be. Everyone who walks within UDICA has the right to walk as a pedestrian and every student, every parent and every staff member who walks outside the building is at risk. There is, as my brother said, not many sidewalk continuations outside the school, crosswalks, spa, school safety zones, and it's really painful to see how how much people have reached out and really want to see a change. even a crosswalk, even spray painting a temporary crosswalk just to have people's safety safely cross the school. It's any action that can be done to at least protect the pedestrians, protect the kids who need to walk. There's too many students in that school. Too much traffic going on there. And as many residents who live in that area go to pick up their siblings, their kids, and others, it's

043really unsafe. And I'm very happy that we finally at least built some sidewalk and renew the parking lot at the other end of Proctor. But there needs to be more work done. And I'm asking please if any action could be done as soon as possible to prevent any risk for anyone. Safety, protection. I don't want any other family to go through what mine's going through right now. And I really don't want to see anything else happening here. I don't want there to be any death or injuries happening from here on forth. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chris. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, Howard Potter. >> Howard Potter, 1138 Hilton A. Um, it's unfortunate that this family's had to go through this, um, or to sit here and listen to other families talk about safety or

044their kids getting jumped. This has been an ongoing issue for years. I'm going to leave this with the board. These are emails that I've sent on to the board, multiple superintendent. I've worked with city hall. I've worked with the police. They're all willing to help the city and help the school district improve drop off and pickup safety. I worked on it with Albany Elementary JFK and I was trying to work on it with Proctor. Uh Mr. Marino was working on it with Columbus. They redid the infrastructure to the front. We have to do more. I do not want to. This is sad. So I don't know who wants this, but >> thank you Sherry. Duncan tell. >> Oh, you did it. >> I did it. >> You got like one out of 10 though. Congratulations.

045>> It's the writing. It's too nice. >> And I consider that. Hi, I'm Sheree Duncanel, 1017 Dudley Avenue. Um, thank you guys for having us tonight, all of us. I am a mother of four students. I am I Raider Pride all through my blood. I am a graduate of Proctor 96 and I'm on my last of my little Moheakans that is in Proctor currently. I missed the town hall and I accept that. I was at work and I work an hour and 10 minutes out of town. I won't go into the cell phone policy per se. I don't agree with it, but there's that. What I would like for you guys to address is we want to focus more on education within the schools. Makes perfect sense. That's what they're there for. We're scrunching on

046time with these students in the beginning of the day and at the end of the day for this cell phone policy. I understand it was just thrust upon you guys and you were working with what you have but it's still affecting education. We have I have a friend who is a behavioral specialist in Proctor who spends excuse me a good portion of her day working with this phone system helping people get their phones or turn their phones in. How is she going to help the people who are obviously issues within the school to do her job providing these children assistance when she's policing phones? That's an issue. Additionally, some of us parents, I have an honor student, so I don't experience a lot of what other people have, and it doesn't mean that it doesn't

047exist, and I understand it and I respect that. But in the mornings, I see this when a child is late, be it the snow, we live in Udica, their lines are out the door to get into the schools. I have a picture of several pictures. I actually have a folder of pictures that I have taken myself because the children were outside in the snow and it was cold and we're checking through the metal detectors at that time. Currently, if it takes so much more time due to the cell phone policy, how many of our children are going to be outside in the cold? So, I'm not upset that we have rules to enforce. It's okay. I'm fine with that. I'm upset with the fact that our children are about to suffer. Like I said, my

048child is an honor student, but one must suffer because of what other people have done, not to the tune of her health. I'm not having my child stand outside. It's going to be where her attendance, which has never been an issue, is going to be affected this year. I work, my husband works. We do our best to get our child there in all of this inclement weather. And then just to watch her stand outside for 27 minutes is ridiculous. Again, she's my last child. It took on average 17 minutes to contact my child, any of them, up until this year when I tried to call the school. 17 minutes. I am that petty. Yes, I timed it. And that's an average. I haven't had to call the school yet this year. It's early. How long

049is going to take this year? Yes, I was one of those parents who would text my child and say, "Family emergency. I need you outside the building at this exit at this time. I understand I can't do that now, but how long will it take me to reach my child?" The safety of the students as these parents are talking about is a very major concern. If I have to take my daughter to the doctor's appointment, why are there like 75 students milling about outside? Why is that a thing? I went to Proctor. That wasn't a thing. And we had an open campus. We were allowed outside. Campus is closed, but there's still tons of students outside milling about. Why is that not being addressed? And I'm not asking for an answer. I understand Mr. nana

050the the the setup that we have here. But I mean those are some major issues. Not my child, but you know what? It takes a village. Those are my children at the end of the day. So those are some things I would love to see addressed. The attendance, the children actually being in the school when they're supposed to be in the school and when they're not go away. All of that outside is why we have students that are being harmed on school property after school. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I believe that concludes public comment. Um, is there anybody that was on the list that I've missed? If not, thank you very much. Up next, um, I'm gonna Thank you. Um, we have our new student rep, Heather Conception. She's a bridge student

051and a senior at Proctor. They didn't give me um the list of all of your achievements and what your interests are um for today's meeting, but I promise the next meeting will roll out all of the fanfare and red carpet. So, would you like to give us a little brief uh presentation? >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Oh, okay. >> Hello everyone. Thank you for coming tonight. So, as student council president, I was elected to be on the board as a student representative. So, I know I'm new to this position, but I'll try my best and reach out to all the all of your students at Proctor. So, some of my concerns. Oh, wait. I have a few copies. Could you take one? >> So the last week I attended a meeting about this new

052position. It's a national student board member association. I spoke to Senator Mayor, Assembly Member Warner, Chancellor Young, and Commissioner Rosa. So whole the whole New York State has us in mind, the Udica City School District. So some of my concerns are that fear that the CTE building is not being used to its fullest potential. Some students and faculty are wor worried that the CTE building isn't being used to its fullest potential because its access is limited limited to freshmen who they feel may not appreciate the opportunity as older students. To improve this, opening the building to older students or creating specific programs for them may help. Many students wish they could have been granted this same opportunity. Another concern that I had and other students alike, the security guards. There's a concern that some security

053guards are too lenient with students who skip class, particularly those who are friend who those they are friendly with. While it's great that students feel comfortable enough to confide in the security at the school, there should still be clear boundaries and consistent enforcement of the rules to ensure fairness for everyone. So some of my solutions possibly if possible I would like to hold studentled meetings with a diverse group of students to get a holistic view of our school environment. This would help me understand the different perspectives and concerns within the student body. I think it's important to hear from as many voices as possible. Thank you for giving me this platform and thank you everyone for coming here tonight. [Applause] That was excellent. Um our our usual custom and practice is if the student representative

054needs to leave to go do her homework or his homework, you're welcome to do it. If not, you can stay for the meeting. I'm just giving you the opportunity. You don't need to feel. >> No, I'm I'm just saying if you do cuz sometimes, you know. Okay. We tend to go a little late. So, um but I appreciate you. >> Yes. >> Sorry for my absence. I thought the meeting was at Proctor. Sorry. >> It's okay. But we appreciate >> has done that a couple times >> and I live right there. >> Actually, we all have >> here instead of going there. Um, okay. So, >> Dr. Smith, I just wanted to follow up on that. Uh, I think that the student polls and meetings are a fantastic idea. And if you could try to

055help make that happen, I think that that would be a fantastic way to utilize a student voice as an exeicio member on this board. And I think it's completely within the spirit of the state law that was passed. I also think that we have or we I think we moved to have student councils in every single building. So having connections between our student representative and those student councils to give that holistic view of the district I think would also go a long way >> and I'm I'm sure that building principle will help to support that idea. It's something that we had discussed previously. I know in our 101. So, we like student voice. We want to raise our next generation of civic leaders in this community and beyond. So, it's not too tall of a

056task, but I'm sure it should work with the building administration where appropriate. I board's had a I think a fine history of student representatives, and I can see already that Heather is also carrying the mantle. So, thank you. Um announcements and reports PTO PTA shared decisionmaking committees student councils cse chairs title one UTA Just to give you help, Mr. Bike, I think uh Heather Kane stayed watching me speech by the way. She want to hear my speech. I think so. >> Good. >> But um good evening. My name is Brandon Long. I am the vice president of the Udica of of high school at Yuka. I'm I'm the vice president of the high school for the Udica Teacher Association. from attending Proctor High School in Hamilton College and receiving my formal education locally to teaching

057for nearly 20 years in my native school district. This is truly a full circle moment and I'm grateful to be here with you guys. Um, schoolboard recognition week is coming up and this year it is October 13th to 17th. We will mention this at our October meeting as well, but we wanted to personally thank the board of education for their service and dedication to the Udica community. This school year is off to a great start for us teachers. In August, we worked hard setting up the classrooms for student arrival. It took time and effort to transform bare walls into inviting and inspiring environments. And the first few weeks of school have been exciting times. This month we open our classrooms and greeted the parents at various open houses throughout the district. In upcoming weeks we

058have various field trips to places such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Coopertown, Rome Capital Theater, and Seiki's Farm Market. I was personally able to attend the CTE opening and I am amazed of what's going on. Heather brought up some good points, but what I saw and what can happen, I'm actually looking forward to the future and what could contribute to our community. So, I'm I'm looking forward to that. On another note, our statemandated FO policy with bell-to-bell restriction has been in effect. This welcome change has created spaces where students can be more present and engaged in their classrooms. The policy also creates opportunities for students to foster positive connections with each other in secondary schools. These changes are already apparent. I have not seen any Tik Tok videos in the hallway so far.

059Some That's a good thing. That's a good thing so far. At this time, many of our teachers, therapists, and counselors continue to go above and beyond by filling gaps as they cover extra classes and duties throughout the school day. We are also receiving reports from our special education teachers as they are short TAs in the classrooms. As we all know, our teacher assistants perform vital roles in our classrooms and we need to do all we can to fill these positions. Choir and instrumental and instrumental teachers are getting anxious as their extracurricular stipens have not been approved this year with without board approval of stipens for after school concerts. All county and other uh and other things are in jeopardy. After speaking with administration, we feel this will be remedied soon. To end our negotiation to

060end our negotiations team is looking forward to negotiations that start next month in October. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Hamilton College ma'am, >> UAA, UTC, Teamster Local 182, SEIU Local 200B, Mohawk Valley Buildings and Trades. Is Ian here today? >> There he is. Ian >> up on the barrel. Ian, >> good evening everyone. Um, so for this meeting, we have our tax report is back. We're starting to receive our uh tax collection from the city. Um, at the time I created this report, uh, we'd received uh tax payments through August 31st. Um, so the remaining balance at the time was 27,674,4375. Um, we've since uh been receiving weekly payments from the city uh similar to last year and uh the process is going smoothly. So hopefully we'll stay on track. Um, also

061regarding pay uh tax payments, um, one of the big projects I worked on at the end of August was our pilot billing. Uh, so we got our pilot bills out. Um, and we're about 66% um of pilot bills payments have been received. So, we're going doing well on that. Um, I've also enclosed uh the general fund budget status report, cafeteria fund budget status report, and cash balance reports for all district bank accounts for the month ending June 30th, 2025. Um, is there any questions for anyone or >> I'm going to let you off the hook this evening. >> All right. Thank you, Joe. >> Thank you. >> All right. Have a good night, guys. >> Appreciate it. >> Okay. Up next, we have our security update. Good evening. First, I'd like to thank Captain Williams,

062I'm sorry, Chief Williams and Captain Hull for being here tonight. Um on September 9th and 11th we had two incidents occur off school grounds but in the vicinity of two of our schools. The UK police department is currently in investigating both incidents. Fall sports have begun. We've had three football games, two JV, one varsity game. There's been no incidents in any of the games so far to report. Last week we conducted a meeting with the Udac Udica City School District and the Luca Police Department. We went over the safety plan that will be implemented for the October 4th night football game. Um, there will be increased red shirts and also increased police officers at the game. And I just want to report that currently the Utica City School District has the largest security staff that

063we've ever had. That's it. Does anyone have any questions for Jeff? Well, I would actually go ahead. >> No, go ahead. >> Well, I just wanted to uh thank the uh Udica Police Department for the help. We've had some incidents off campus and they responded swiftly and quickly to provide some support around the perimeter of our schools. >> Hold on. Can y'all hear me now? >> Okay. My big boy voice. All right. So, I just want to thank the Udica Police Department. We've had some incidents as uh Jeff just stated that occurred around the perimeter of the school. They responded swiftly and quickly and were great partners in this work securing the perimeter and providing relevant information in a timely manner. And I know that you know we can call on them to help them

064with this work and and if uh Chief Williams if you would just talk a little bit about the night game and what you plan to do there to provide some additional coverage. >> Sure. >> Good evening. >> Hey Chief. Um, as far as the uh Proctor football games, we instituted a uh security plan was put in place a couple years ago. That plan has worked well. It's a mixture of both red shirts and you police officers to include not only security at the venue itself, but once u the uh students let out afterwards to make sure that there's no problems in the neighborhood. So, it's a plan that's been uh devised by Captain Jim Holton who's done a great job with it. And uh I think the key with any security with the school district

065and we have seen this um um over the past several years is that good communication between us superintendent and the um security staff is critical and the principles and we've had that and uh I know early on from talking to uh superintendent Spence that uh you know any issues that come up you're addressed right away. So um and I understand some of the frustrations for the parents where we're finding that what's driving a lot of these f these a lot of these disputes and fights is social media. These kids get in into these beefs and they carry these same um beefs that start outside the school inside the school. Um unfortunately most of the instances we are seeing are happening just after dismissal once they let out um and sometimes away from the school district

066as well. So, uh, we are doing our best, uh, based on our own staffing to make sure we have patrols in those areas, but it's not always, uh, you know, valuable for us. Just to let you know, I have my own staffing issues. I'm down about 25 police officers than I was a year ago. So, it's been very difficult trying to keep staffing in place. But, uh, like I told uh, Superintendent Spence, you need something, just give me a call. We'll do our best to give it to you. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. And and u I I just want to this is my personal perspective, not the perspective of the board. Um, I've been on this board for this is my eighth year and I'm at the end

067of my rope in terms of the fights that are occurring in the schools and around the schools. If they occur in the school, obviously we have security there. Sometimes we have to get police involved. There's disciplinary process involved, but and we also have $10 million which we're spending for emotional and social um mental health support. If if the altercations are occurring near the school, then it's like the the range that our staff and our red shirts can go is just basically to the edge of the property. Correct. They don't have any authority once we leave the the radius of our school. Correct. >> Correct. the best they could do is just be the best reporter so that an incident does occur that they notify the police so we can take action. >> And so that,

068you know, creates a situation where the the department has to step in and sometimes that means that they're going to have to come from other places and obviously we're aware that the department is short-handed. My understanding is that um the sheriff's department is short-handed, the state police are short-handed, everybody seems to be short-handed. It's not just Udica, you know, Anida, Rome, everywhere. So, but my main concern is inside our buildings and the radius of our schools. I have had it with the altercations. I and and I don't think zero tolerance works either, but something has to be done because we can't have 98% of the students concerned, even if it's just a little bit, and 2% creating the problem. On the flip side, we can't pull everybody out of school and just expel them and

069then have them roaming the neighborhoods because that doesn't work either. So, do you have any suggestions on how with the manpower you have, how we can do a little better to expand safety from the radius of the school? >> If I had an answer, I'd be selling it nationwide to other school districts as well. Um the reality there's no simple answer to that. Uh it's kind of interesting every year based on our security contract I have to provide u stats for police involvement in the school district and what I'm finding more and more and you brought this up earlier in your discussion is the amount of mental health related calls we are responding to in the co in the schools. Some of the students as early as age as six were doing some type of

070crisis intervention. Now, we do have a crisis response team, a dedicated officer is well trained that works with a clinician from the neighborhood center and uh they've done a fantastic job um in dealing a lot of these things. But we're seeing that a lot of these problems, you know, our definitely involved mental health. On top of that, let's face it, a lot of these problems start at home. If you don't have parental involvement with these kids, you know, it's it's one of the major causes for these problems. Anybody else have any questions for the chief? >> We appreciate it, Chief. Thank you. >> Okay, we're just going to take a brief recess. welcome everybody back. But just to get this on record, um you know, there there have been ongoing discussions between the the city

071and the school district regarding, you know, the the safety off ground safety of of our students. And there, you know, there are people that are calling for us to put make modifications to streets or to add street signs and um change the uh uh the direction or, you know, the make it something a one-way street or change the way the the streets are handled. Even putting speed bumps in on city streets, that's a that's a city issue. Um but we are in communication and we do have discussions with the mayor's office um and the police department to you know try to address whatever concerns are coming up. So, it's not something that we can we can control in terms of um our you know the streets surrounding our schools. We can control our um our

072school grounds but not the the actual streets. They're public streets and obviously they're owned by the city. So, I just wanted to be clear about that. That's not a copout. Obviously, we're trying to do what we can to keep everyone safe, but it is a it's an effort that requires um a lot more uh assistance. So, with that, Dr. Spence, would you like to give us your presentation? >> Yes. And I'll try to truncate as much as possible. We're making good time, folks. All right. So, again, we start this presentation. This our theme for this year is really focused on equity, accountability and achievement. Raising the bar for all students continuing momentum from our previous 24 256 year broken >> we put this in the budget I'm telling you. >> Thank you. Okay, >> you

073got turn. >> Yep. All right. And then similarly again we want to start every presentation with the mission and vision because it centers our work and we're really focused on accountability and continuous improvement. We understand like any urban district that there are challenges and we know that we want to strive for incremental and sustainable growth over time. So that's what we're working on as we're building a culture of continuous improvement. And I'd also just while I'm here, I just want to thank our red shirts and our security that go above and beyond every day. They've been really strategic in the cell phone process and they've been really working to help us um manage the building. So, I just wanted to make sure I acknowledge their work. Again, focused on our our mission and vision, which

074is aligned with the portrait of a graduate. And I'm happy that we were already headed in that direction before New York New York Inspires released that document. I want to call the board's attention to this document here. First, I want to thank the board for approving our uh opening day at Nexus. It was a joyful experience. It provided an opportunity for the organization to come together as a whole to really get motivated and and rejuvenated around the real work of urban transformation and educating our young people considering the circumstances. At the at the end of each um opening day, we offer just a brief survey to our um our um employees just to get a feel for how you know they experienced that opening day and it was favorable as you can just as you

075can see and with the percentage of people that agree with these particular uh questions. So again, I want to thank the board for giving us the tools to engage in our work and we look forward to an engaging opening day next year. >> I do have a question on that. For this survey that was given out by the district, >> were employees required to put their name on the survey in order to submit it? >> I believe the survey collected emails for this. Yes, >> it collected emails. >> Correct. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, we've been talking a lot today about uh discipline. There's been some questions about student achievement. And before I go into the instructional aspect of the district, I just want to speak to the framework that

076the school district exists in the Every Student Succeed Act, which is the federal government, the federal law that states adopted to implement, which really determines how we are rated as a district. And so one of the things that ESSA requires is that all districts monitor and improve academic per performance for economically disadvantaged students, students from each major racial ethnic group, children with disabilities and as defined under IDA and English language learners. So what that means simply put is that as we are working to move the needle for our students, we have to look at each subgroup's performance in any particular area. So that what does that mean for us in an operational sense? It means the challenge of educating our people who may not necessarily show up ready to do school in ways that we

077want becomes that much more difficult because if they're out of school, we may not be making sure that they get the best education, which is why we've invested the $10 million in a system of care and a system of support. So our goal becomes that much more challenging. And I have to state this because people think that it's just a zero sum game. you do this. There are implications for any of the things we do, which is why we are being diligent by tracking data, looking at the metrics to determine how the district is performing overall and how we support these particular groups because this is what we're held accountable for. Now, just to provide an update, people, you know, there have been questions about student achievement. I know that the board is interested in

078reading levels and we've talked about that in achievement which is a good thing and we're happy to report that after our administrative council session with the mor that student achievement in our core content areas we have we did uh show growth particularly in the K8 and we really want to first applaud and speak to the work that's happened at the district. We last year again the board invested in the red program. We also had a lot of work that was done with curriculum. We had a lot of work that was done in regards to monitoring our instructional practices. So for the organization, this is a really big lift and it's something that we should celebrate. All too often in any urban system, people talk about how bad things are and people talk about the the

079myriad of problems. However, we have to be diligent and conscientious enough to look at the student performance as it expands yearoveryear because again we are looking for incremental and sustainable progress year overyear. So we are headed in a in a in a good in a good direction. When we look at uh current and being our only school identified as a TSI school, the school performed well enough that if it wasn't for the um for the the way that the the accountability system is structured that they have to remain in that show growth for two years, they would have already been off. So, we've got our teachers working, we've got our building principles working, the organization as a whole is working to move the needle on student achievement, and I couldn't be uh prouder to report

080that today. So that's definitely a win for the organization as a whole, both the instructional operational side, and it's one of the things that we celebrated at the opening day. Um, another thing just in regards to enrollment, we're seeing that enrollment is growing, particularly at the kindergarten level, which just is a reflection of the community's um, uh, confidence in our district that they're willing to give us our young people. So, we're really excited about that and we will be providing the uh pupil counts to the board on a um on a a monthly basis. So, we were talking about discipline and I want to make sure that we we couch this correctly. So, tomorrow, I can't believe it's the 24th already, we are going to have a breakfast of champions with our community partners throughout

081the district. and we're going to meet with our community partners to really ensure that their work is aligned to the district's newly adopted goals. The administrative council worked really hard this year to adopt goals for the district and part of our work as an organization is making sure that all the activity is aligned across the organization. So, we have data, we understand the challenges that our young people face. We want to make sure that they are coupled with the right community partners to help them make the best decisions. I also issued out a letter um I believe it was the 11th regarding you know all of the supports that the district has in place to support our social emotional learning of our students but also to the point and the frustration expressed here that we

082have to make sure that we are giving our young people the opportunity but also providing our young people with the discipline and the structures to help them be successful. And that's one of the things that we're going to uh continue to look at keenly this year. Discipline starts in the home. I will say that superintendent faculty and staff want to come to work. They want to educate children. And as society has transitioned, the school has taken more of an active role helping our young people navigate life. If not us, then who? So I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge that we have people, young people that have insurmountable odds that they have to deal with each day. And our challenge and our work is how do we make sure we are providing a physically and psychologically

083safe space for our young people who are prepared to do school while also providing our young people who may not be as so prepared with the tools to make the good choices. I sent out a letter. We will be firm. We are going to monitor discipline in in in in concert with the student code of conduct. We will offer love, but there must also be order in the schools. And all of the data that we have looking at the big picture shows that we are making cultural shifts and market improvement in that area. And it's going to be a balanced approach. But we have to do it together as a team, as a community, as a faculty and staff. Parents play a role in the comportment in the behavior of young people. The school system

084plays a role in educating and socializing young people. But we have to work together if we are going to prepare citizens that are prep ready to enter this community moving forward. And I cannot be clear about that statement. So moving from discipline talking about just the operations and and resource personnel management there. I'm actually going to withdraw there's a creation of position for the assistant superintendent of school leadership. I'm withdrawing it at this time because I think and I recognize that I want to couch that a little bit better so that we understand why that position is necessary. So one of the things that we do when you're looking at urban transformation is we always start with a question. The question guides our work because we don't necessarily know all the answers. The question is

085to what extent is the organization structurally designed to achieve its mission and vision and are there structural gaps within the organization and if so how can they be addressed to support the district's mission and vision? Now we've aligned our work with the with the New York State's DT DTE DTSDE framework which is basically outlines the different areas of school's performance of a district's performance systems and organization school leadership curriculum instruction parent family communication social emotional learning that is the framework that we are using to analyze and evaluate the school system. In doing that, one of the things that we recognized is that we need to provide better support to our building leaders as they're coming up in a pipeline and having that support. So part of that is looking at the research that that really

086shows us that uh the principal is one of the driving factors in moving a district academically and moving uh a a district um uh in in all ways social emotionally as well because of their impact on our multiple stakeholders. So we know that from research Wallace Foundation has invested a lot of money you know just focusing on school leadership and we know that when our school leaders are provided with the attention support and care they can do their best work in capital management instructional leadership and building level organization. So as we are working to build the organization, we want to continue to have a pipeline and secession of leaders that are coming up that are being cultivated so that they can help drive the uh uh um student achievement. And so the proposed structure that

087we'll be talking about and I'm again I'm just couching this now because I want to provide just an updated a chart to show you how this what this looks like will be an assistant superintendent for school leadership position really designed to coach develop evaluate principles and assistants and help to provide that layer of support. It's a position consistent within the big five. You'll find that in systems such as Buffalo, Rochester, etc. there's a tense focus on helping to support our building leaders. So this is what the structure would look like and the the focus is how do we provide real time support. Now one of the things that was asked when um I became superintendent is well how do we move student achievement after spending a year conducting an analysis of the organization both structurally

088looking at the metrics that determine the organization's efficacy. This is a gap in the organization that I see where we need more support, real time professional development, someone that can walk alongside our principles to help move the needle. So that's something a conversation I'd like to revisit at a later date. Now I'm also again it was a joy to um meet with the board. We had our ribbon cutting on the 18th and I'm happy to announce that the project was delivered under budget on time and fully staffed with the teachers ready for that program as well as the administrator there to oversee that work. Um I can't express this enough. There are so many people community leaders board but there's also the our unsung heroes which are buildings and grounds folks and I met with

089them today. We got to show love to them. I told them I was going to sing their praises. these these uh this department is always ready. They're always on the go. They're upt often at early we hours, especially in the winter. And they were instrumental in bringing this project home. So, I got to give the team a shout out. Got to give Mike Ferrar Mike. Come over here. Stop being shy. Get over here, Mr. Grumpy. Get over here. I want to give Mike a shout out. Very good work bringing that project and bringing that project through. But um I I I I definitely, you know, it's definitely one of the gems in the organization and they've been a pleasure to work with. >> Dr. Spence. Yeah. >> To that end, >> do you mind if

090I just interrupt you for one second? The board had a plaque made. >> No. >> It says, "With our greatest appreciation, we honor Michael Ferrara in recognition of your dedication, leadership, and hard work on the CTE wing at TR Proctor High School. Your efforts have created opportunities for years to come. We are thankful for your pa passion and commitment to the Udica City School District and we dated it at today's meeting. So, um I I just know on behalf of the board and as as Dr. Spence was singing your praises, we said this is the best time to give you this plaque and I think we should have a picture taken with you. [Applause] Yeah, we got to say >> I don't really want to stand next to like Before >> really before >> all

091rightbody. Everybody look up here. >> Here you go. smile. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Facebook. >> Oh my god. Yes. Okay. So, just moving along. I just wanted to provide the >> No, that's all right. That's all right. That's perfect. All right. So, >> all right. Okay. So, moving along. I just want to give the board an update on both these regalizations. >> Don needed something. Joe, forgive me if I'm stealing your thunder because I'm I'm going to talk about the regionalization unless you had that for the both season. >> Oh, no. You go. >> Okay. All right. So, again, just an update to update the board on the regional regionalization efforts. Um, right now, the state has tasked us with thinking about the ways in which we can collaborate as districts in this county

092to share resources to address things like funding inequities, staffing shortages, declining enrollment, etc., etc. And so at our OM Boseis meetings, we've been discussing this and really um teasing out what that would look like more broadly as a district. Four of the key themes are the human capital development, student holistic well-being and support, equitable access to advanced learning and career pathways and overcoming logistic logistical barriers such as transportations. So again, this is ongoing conversation. We're working with our OM Boseis partners as well as other uh systems leaders in the county to think about how we can develop a shared network of services. There'll be updates to come. Okay. So here I just want to talk about the um the board policy 1708 the internet enabled devices policies. I'm going to actually call Emory and uh

093Mike Ferrar to come over here and just want to provide the board with the um policy. Again, this policy was based on Kathy Hokll's law and the team did a fantastic job on really um evaluating and uh assessing the the the the plan of action. So, just to give some quick context, the plan was designed again going back, we a slew of communications in the summer. We conceptually designed what this would look like and and on the first day we knew we had to operationalize that. Administration was deployed to the buildings. We met as an administrative cabinet, took feedback from the buildings from Marie as well as um the security and so many other stakeholders that were helping implement this process. And then we noticed that we were we got it down to about um

094and Michael has the better numbers in terms of quantifying the minutes that it took per transaction. and then we worked to shorten that time so that we could dismiss on time. So, it's a great work for the team. Mike, I'm g allow you and Marie to come up and talk about this. >> Good evening. Thank you for having me. Um, that was a big task to take on over the summer, opening of school, everything else. I have to say, and I'm glad Mike got that award today because he has been my right-hand man. We're 5:30, six o'clock in the morning, weekends, every day, adjusting, changing. So, I'm he was well deserved that award. Um I also have to thank uh Jeff Galanic. He's also been coming in early, helping out, constantly readjusting, changing. Like every

095day we met, we learned, we debriefed, we changed. Um we started out collecting just under 2,000 cell phones day one. Our average now is 1,500 to 1,800 cell phones a day. We get them in quickly. We opened up more lines. We train more people and now we are finally I know we were cutting into ninth period a little bit. We cut that down so kids have their full ninth period and they we dismissed them and within 15 minutes we can get all the busers or phones back, get out buses and then we let all the other kids go and we have a really good process and we're still improving it every day so it'll just get better. And um the woman over here I think Miss Duncanel brought up um winter we've already talked about

096plans. What are we going to do in the winter? You know where are we going to bring the kids in? We don't want wait them outside. Um, also I need to thank the assistant principles. They've been instrument in instrumental first and nth period helping out with this. You know, they're in there. They're helping out with student supervision. Outside agencies are helping with student supervision. I know, you know, they might not be exactly in the room, but they're there supporting kids, keeping them positive. You know, just singing cuz who wants to wait in line at the end of the day or in the morning? You know, nobody really wants to have to do that. There's other things we'd rather be doing, but we rose to the challenge. We worked together. security has been instrumental um positive.

097We just added something else to their plate and I have to thank the faculty's affair committee over at Proctor because we work together with the teachers. We wanted them to teach and not have to be burdened with this. So, we took on that responsibility and all work together. Um and I I think that's basically it. We're constantly revising, making it better, and we're open to suggestions. We're meeting with parents, students, security constantly and coming up with plans daily to make it better. So, thanks for having me. I'll turn it over to Mike. And now I have to go home because it's way past my bedtime. I'll be there early. >> Thank you. >> So I just want to quickly just say like any other system that you launched for the first time, especially not having

098one anywhere else, we had our challenges. It's how we came together and faced those challenges. In 3 days time, we we had a turnaround of obviously everybody knows the first day of school was 4:00, 4:15 to to by Friday we were dismissing at 2:20. taken about 15 minutes and since then now we're back to normal dismissal and it it's taken the whole team here um collaborating together. We've moved um entry points to make sure the kids aren't waiting outside anymore uh for for arrival. We and not only the the proctor, we've done it in the middle schools too. So I know we focus on proctor too, but we've made a ton of adjustments in the middle schools with where the kids are coming in in the morning. We've utilized some hallways and quarters that are

099not really hightraic areas to to make the kids come in at their arrival point so they're not waiting in the sidewalks in the rain. And we're continuing to to look at that every day. And again, uh from where we were from the first day of school to even the Friday to now, uh we have pretty reliable system. And again to not have the teachers dealing with the cell phones during the day because I'll just for my own opinion even if they're in a pouch in their book bag or in their locker they're going to be a distraction to the teaching environment. This is the best way to tackle it and it is working I think efficiently. >> Thank you. >> I I think what else is important to note here is that it's the process

100that I want to call attention to. there's a very um immediate reaction to whatever process we have or it's not working and then there's feedback. They say there's no one there's no one that's perfect except the people in the comments. It's kind of that thing. The system itself as we are rolling out new initiatives needs time to develop the system, get feedback in real time and then meander or move as necessary. The reason why we were able to cut down this time is because we collected the data. We were able to come back as a team and we were able to quantify its performance and cut it down on a day-to-day basis. In anything we do as the district, it follows the same process. There's the initial implementation, we get the feedback, we review the

101data, and we make adjustments as necessary. So, this was a small microcosm of that process. A lot of thinking, a lot of stakeholders. Great work everyone. Superintendent happy. So just want to say thank you. All right, moving on. Just um I just a couple of things. I had the opportunity to attend the Boseis regional program for excellence. You know, we had Proctor students that were able to get some real time mentoring experience in different careers. Um just an exciting night and we want to continue to support our students. Uh just I want to thank all everyone who came out at the uh open houses to come out. It was really a grateful a beautiful experience. I got to see teachers connecting with parents parents a whole host of fun activities really uh just a great

102experience as a system. So many people coming in. It was really great to connect and see people. We have the uh Donovan. It's going to be tomorrow Conklin and Columbus. So, I just want to, you know, give a shout out to people, call attention to that. >> You made the big screen. >> The big screen, my man. >> I said that, my man. Look, >> labor relations, >> my man. Yes. But yes, just good work and it just speaks to these are always fun because you really get to to be with the community at these events and just I get to meet people. So, those are fun. Oh, I got to give a shout out to the Udica volunteer reading tutor support annual meeting that'll be held tomorrow uh September 24th at 9:30. Um these

103volunteers attract just countless hours of just focusing on the importance of literacy. Uh just a lot of amazing people, a lot of retired people that still come out and do this amazing time. Shout outs to them. I do have a conflict tomorrow because we have the breakfast of champions. I'll be there as soon as I possibly can or we'll have someone from the administrative team there. But I definitely got to give these folks um a shout out for the work that they do. And then our community partners at TripleA, you know, we talked about, you know, driving safety. They came and they spoke to the kids Watson Williams about, you know, being uh uh vigilant when crossing and really expressed the importance of safety. And the mayor was there and also shares the concern that

104the community raised. So just a great event. This is my uh communicate. This is Yeah, I'm giving y shout out. Okay. Do y'all want to talk about this one? Because this was good. Y'all want to take this one? Daniel, you >> want >> Okay. All right. So, this is great. I think this is great for an organizational lift. Um you know, we went gold for the uh for the uh pediatric cancer. I am going to do a college day like a Wednesdays where you erupt your college day. We're going to have some fun. We're going to have fun with these committees this year. So, I'm excited for that. But this was really good. Uh, just to provide an update. So, um, Commissioner Rosa will be back on the 29th. It will be the same schedule

105as it was before. She could not, unfortunately, she could not attend previously, but she will be back on October 29th. So, I just wanted to update the board. Um, and again, she she's going to want to see Proctor and the great things we have going on there. And that concludes my report. Okay. Thank you. [Applause] Okay. Um, are the superintendence reporting? >> Are you moving it? >> You presenting it for approval. >> He is you're you're you're withdrawing S66 on page seven. S68 on page seven. And we are adding as page 30. >> Yes. And we are adding page 30 P27 um as a walk-in. >> Well, yeah. >> Okay. Does anyone have any other pages? Are you recommending the report? >> I am. I'm recommending the report as >> with the addition and the

106two um sections pulled. >> Correct. >> Okay. Uh does anyone have any pages that they want pulled before we make a motion to adopt the report? >> Yes. Um S67 on page seven. >> Okay. >> B12 on page 10. That's 67 B12 on page 10. >> Okay. And then um I'll ask for your advice on what you want to do with this. I have some general HR related questions. I don't know if you want to pull the HR pages for it or if you want to just do them before discussion of the whole report. >> Why don't you ask the questions that you uh they're general questions, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Why Why don't we do that first? >> Okay. >> As right now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Do we have we already moved

107the super? No, we have not moved the superintendent's report, but um >> actually I think we should move it with the pages pulled. >> Okay. >> Um and the withdrawn and the addition >> then we can discuss. Yes. Okay. So, I need a motion to adopt the superintendence report with S66 and S68 um removed and adding page which is now page 30 which is the P27s and then pulling S67 on page seven and B12 on page 10. Can I have a motion for that? >> Well, I was asking if anyone else had any. I'm sorry, Don. >> No, he has questions. >> Oh, >> do you have any, Don, that you need pulled? >> No, I can. >> No. Okay, move it. >> Okay, we need a motion. >> Second. >> Okay, any discussion? >>

108Go ahead. >> Um, general HR questions. So, I'm just going through this uh HR pages here, and I see we're hiring five full-time staff. We're losing 19 to retirements, resinments, or uh resignations. What is the strategy long-term strategy to recruit and retain qualified personnel? >> So that strategy is being developed. That's more part of a comprehensive strategic planning strategy. I think it'll be something good for us also talk about on the 18th. But there's a scarcity in the market and we have to get creative about how we are going to retain, recruit and attract people to this city and in this system. And so that's more comprehensive but there's that's in the works. Okay. Any other questions? >> Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor? opposed. Motion carries. Okay. Uh need a motion

109to adopt S67 on page seven. >> Second. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> Yes. So, it's actually a question on the contract. I don't think it is a legal question that needs to be addressed at executive session. There seemed to be two like one is one spot on the contract called for one bus another called for two. I believe it is supposed to be two. I just wanted to made it make it known that before that was executed for there to be a check on that for the consistency. >> There are two buses. >> Okay. No. And then so we're we're adopting that provided there are two buses. Yes. >> Okay. >> Any other discussion? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. B12, page 10. Need a motion. >> Second. >> Yeah, we need to.

110Has that been circulated? >> Yeah, it's in everyone's. >> Okay. So, we have a motion. We have a second. discussion. >> I'll ask the procedural question first which was and I could not see because the way board docs shows up sometimes with the public versus private view. Was there public notice of the budget transfers between uh what are we calling those account areas? Not the individual accounts but the sort of usages. >> I saw something in in the documents that we received. We discussed this at the agenda plan. Right. >> I saw it. I just I it's it doesn't show up during the little public section. I'm just asking if it was publicly available or not because of the fact that board docs because we see more information shows up. Strange. I'll have to confirm.

111>> I got no use for >> I'll have to I'll have to confirm. >> Well, I would like to have a confirmation that it's public before >> we vote on it. >> Yeah. And I and I, >> you know, just just building off the conversation agenda planning, I understand why we want that to be public and transparency, but again, just reminding that the voters approve the overall budget and the transfers occur, you know, at just based on need within the organization. I I understand that there's still there are other this does not have to do with the budgetary requirements under the education law. This has to do with public officers law and open meetings law requirements. That's I'm why I'm asking the question. I appreciate your point. It goes to a different area. >> Understood.

112>> Um we got to close the audit out. That does bring up a substantive point of if the voters approve the overall budget. Looking through the sheets, I see that we have large balances in a bunch of the account areas remaining. And I believe that in response to a question that President Hobbika had asked previously about spending that money on student supplies, there was an issue that it couldn't exceed the amount that the voters authorized. If there's a balance left over from the amount that the voters authorized, what does that money get used for? and can that money that is a balance left over from the maximum amount be used for those items? >> So just addressing the 2425 budget um that the board passed and and subsequently the voters passed. Um the key element

113is there was an appropriation of fund balance of a little over 11 million. So you had expenses you minus your your revenues and there was that appropriation of fund balance. um for the most part you didn't have to use that though it's built into the expense portion right so as that's what helps pivot throughout the year as Dr. Spence has mentioned we look at the data we we look at the programs that are ongoing um you could expend everything up to that point but the question is are you just expending to expending or are you making the investment um so throughout the year Dr. expense and and his administrative team looked at those expense lines and tried to make decisions based on the needs of the district. >> So, just a follow up to that

114to be a little clear. So, that $11 million or whatever the balance is, can that be used for items still? >> No, because your year has ended. Okay. >> You could have encumbered it, right, which is placing an order for an item by the end of June. Um but past that you cannot roll it over to the next year. It's theoretically it's ro well well it is it's rolled into your fund balance right that you can so choose to then appropriate not in 2526 because your budget already been passed but it's there in fund balance to be appropriated in 26 27 or or out years. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, it's been moved and seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. Up next are the uh

115Bosey's report. Um, anything that I would have had to add was um addressed by Dr. Spence. Um, Bosey's executive board. Anything to add, Braden? >> Yes. The the schoolboard institute executive board met on September 8th for its meeting um where we met with various representatives from all the school districts in the institute. Um, we had then had a legal update last Thursday right after the CTE ribbon cutting uh ceremony that was led by Heather Cole from your office, which was a great uh update for all the school districts on the law changes. Um, and there is a list that I think was already sent out to everyone of all of the general meetings of the school board institute that are open to everyone. Uh, if not, I will send that out again. That's it. >>

116Okay. Audit and finance. Uh, we had a meeting um and uh what did we discuss at that? >> We discussed the court on it and we need to special meeting date. >> Yeah. So, we we discussed the close out of the audit. >> It it was it was well over a week ago. So, I'm sorry. Um the other thing is that we're going to have to set up a special meeting um to adopt the audit, >> which we are hopeful is going to really be outstanding this year, which would be nice. And um so we need a date. What did we say? October >> 21st. >> No, I'm >> already here >> to do it at the state portal by >> No, we got to we got to do it for the state portal. >>

117So, >> did we say October 7th? >> Yeah, it was October 7th. Yep. >> So, that's when it'll be >> Okay. Wait, there we're going to get it prior. >> Yes, of course. >> And and then we're going to just Okay. So, what time on the seventh? >> What time would everyone like to do it? 6 o'clock. >> No, >> 5:00. >> 4:30 to 5. >> 5 o'clock. >> 5:15. >> There's a girls soccer game that day, just so you know. >> From from 4 to 5. >> Okay. How about five? >> You won't be in. >> How about 5:30? >> Does that work? >> No. No. 5. >> You can do it earlier. >> How long is this going to take? >> It shouldn't. Y'all going to have the information? >> I'm hoping that

118we're going to have it beforehand. My understanding is that it's anticipated it's going to be a a good audit. So, >> okay, the audit's going to be there, too. >> And the auditors have to be there. So, why don't we say >> 5:15 >> October 5:30? >> Okay. All right. 5:30. >> Change my hair. >> So, we're going to need we're going to need a notice to go out of that special meeting. Okay. >> Is it here? Can we pick a different place? >> Need it to be here. >> Okay. Um, >> I believe that was >> What was that? >> That was it. Capital projects, anything. >> Is that me? >> Yeah, >> I was just teasing. No. >> Okay. Uh, CTE, >> uh, we had a big ribbon. >> Didn't we just have

119something happen? >> Wonderful ribbon cutting. You can remember that a week ago. >> We had a great ribbon cutting. Where's my walk-in music? >> Give us a black. >> I I >> give us a bat. >> I want the I want the walk-in music that >> from the Tesla. >> We're going to bring the Tesla. >> I will. Yes. Great meeting and or great um ribbon cutting and all that. And I just want to encourage I know people are dying to see it within the district in the community. I just want to keep those tours up. I know um Michelle Hall and Carla Kellogg said they're working on just getting our teachers in there first in different buildings, but it is beautiful and um I'm so proud that you get a chance to see that.

120>> At a minimum, we should have a virtual tour. >> Are you going to wear the GoPro on your head and walk around? And then that's >> that's something that Mike would probably do. >> Um >> exactly. >> Oh my god. to push it after from outside >> PA committee. Um we are working tirelessly to schedule a date convenience. >> Um >> did you >> No, I'm just waiting for my um >> No. basic um my list of basic um equipment and other items needed for all of our sports teams >> that I'd like to see that >> sooner rather than later. Um policy committee anything to report Braden? >> Yes, the policy committee met I did not have the date. What was it the 18th? Um we are recommending three policies for to be

121amended or adopted today in new business. Um the details some of those changes were sent to the board. Um and the next meeting is October 8th. So backtoback days here. I think that's it from us. Anything to add to N? >> Okay. >> Yeah. I'm just going to break in really quick and just want to say that we already started the policy committee with vigor and under Nana's um leadership as the chair of that committee we've orchestrated a great plan already which really has worked out beautifully and we're auditing all the hundreds of all of the policies and so we've been able we passed four we got four through already which is a record three with the fourth coming >> which is a record number for a polic policy. So I think committee has been

122extremely effective and I think we're going to see a lot of growth and a lot of change, a lot of new policies coming forward this year. So it's going to be really exciting. >> I I just want to say as the former chair of the policy committee that is not the record when you get to a dozen in one when you get to a dozen in one in one setting. >> No. >> Then let me know. >> Yeah. I do I do think next month looking ahead looking ahead I think we do have 10 policies up for consideration at the next meeting. So if we get through all those we'll be approaching >> and also pass to Nana. Do you know what that means? We are line by line. This is not just like yep

123looks good. This is it is detailed. You've got Nana in there. I I think it's I think it's fantastic. I think it's fantastic that you three are doing that. Keep up the good work. >> It's the comma police in there. We are going through >> James's new new position two on committee. So, welcome to policy. It's a lot of fun. >> Fun times. >> Code of conduct. Anything to report? >> Nothing to report. We're going to do code of conduct quarterly uh this year. So, we're going to on the board this summer >> communications, equity, and outreach. >> Uh that meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 5:15. Yes, tomorrow at 5:15. We're really excited to see all of the great uh headway we've already got planned for communication for this year and a lot of

124ideas when it comes forth to equity. So, you're going to see a lot of changes happening this year as well. >> Yes. I hope it does as well as the uh policy committee meeting. >> It will cuz me and Tal are on it >> and James again. Oh, and James. Shout out to James. >> Okay. I need a motion to approve the minutes of the August 26 meeting. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Any deletions, additions, corrections? >> No. >> Hearing none. All in favor? >> Any continuing business? Okay. Any the new business is the adoption of policy 8008, policy 5012, and policy 0015. Can I have a motion? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Great job. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. Any communication to new? >> Not tonight.

125That's >> anyone else? Okay. Um, so our next regular meeting just for housekeeping is when? >> No, that's a special meeting. >> October 21st, I think. >> I just want to make sure. October 21st. Correct. >> October 21st. >> Okay. Okay. I need a motion to adjourn. >> Really quickly, one more thing. One more thing. One more thing. Just from policy. Um, just a thank you to the clerks and the Boseis policy service who worked really tirelessly back and forth to get those policies updated and here tonight. It was a really quick turnaround. They were on top of it and they would not have been adopted tonight if it were not for their very hard work. >> Braden, I think it's great. I really do. >> Braden, I think you're a chair. I think you

126are getting things done. trying to remember like in the NFL when you have like a allp pro quarterback and then he's followed up with another allp pro quarterback. >> Nana's the Tom Brady of policy now. >> Okay. >> One extra thing that we can bring to attention when looking forward to our meetings that we are no we didn't adjourn yet >> that we are scheduling. Can we make sure that we are also looking into holidays and making sure that we are aware of all holidays that are happening and really try not to schedule meetings on religious holidays. I know that we do have uh a member here tonight that's sacrificing his time with his family. >> Oh, it's Tuesday. Yeah, it's it's Russia, right? really need to make an effort to watch um out for

127all of those religious and if we could do the same thing too when looking at our open houses just to make sure that we're aware and that's something that we'll talk about in the equity uh committee meeting tomorrow. >> That's an outstanding point to >> well I can't credit it does come from Mrs. Cooper who this not happy to share with her husband because this is a very important day for them and so thank you for being here but we need to be more respectful. I think being aware and cognizant >> must be must be it Braden must be wearing off on you >> Braden. See >> who you are not handling this well it's >> not good when the young buck comes in. >> Wow he's getting >> now I need a motion to

128adjurnn's doing a great job. >> Good night. >> He's doing a great job. >> Motion. We are a journey. >> Two hours.