001All right. Are we on? Are we live? We good? >> All right. Everyone okay? >> All right. Meeting call to order at 7:37. Roll call. Myself, Diana Corbel, Katie Gavino, Robert Coleman. All right. Can we rise for the pledge? 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. >> All right. Um, welcome everyone. Um, does anyone have any board announcements to share? >> I announce I have more of a question. Um, I don't know if we can I'm sure that Dr. Koul can answer this. Uh, the food pantry, the food pantry is closed now. I don't recall seeing anything unless I missed it. Did we close our food pantry? >> So, the food
002pantry um hasn't delivered food since last March or April. I don't know if you were aware of that. And we had a lot of mice, you know, at the high school this year. I think you were aware because you were one of the people that I think um was aware of the situation. >> And we >> would you like me to respond to your question? >> Yes, please. >> Okay. >> So, we had a mice infestation at the high school uh as a result of some of the food that had been left for many months at the high school. We also had uh complaints from some of the families that food was being delivered uh repeatedly over and over again to their houses and they really didn't need it. Um there were some families that
003expressed concerns that we weren't being sensitive to their cultural um beliefs and wishes and that the some of the food that was being delivered really wasn't meeting their needs. So we have um reverted to gift cards that we're providing for families. We are still providing food for those families that need it that have expressed interest through our family engagement center. So to make the statement the food pantry has closed is not accurate and uh Dr. Arietta if you want to just add anything to the conversation because I know you've met with uh Miss Walker and everybody else. So I just want to clarify. Thanks. >> The local uh South Orangetown family that actually is also running a food pantry. So we partnered with them um as a result of the some of the issues that
004you know Dr. Kulat mentioned especially with the I would say the the mice issue that we had at the high school and then also just the the lack of manpower to to make the deliveries. So we found out through one of our social workers that there's a local family in South Orangetown that has run a food pantry out of their home. Um so we've partnered with them. Um any food that was still salvageable uh at the high school in the food pantry we gave to them. They took all of the food. Um and then they actually are starting to partner with like I think our basketball team is doing a series of deliveries. Um so we thought it would be better to engage other you know established food pantries that have the manpower and that
005can make the deliveries consistently um rather than have it at the high school. Um, also if you think ahead, you know, in one year that space, the old counseling suite is going to be renovated and then there would be no other um location in the high school to have it. >> And if I could just ask, what about the Cove program that because they were involved very >> Yeah. So, we spoke with I spoke with um Mrs. Slackman who's the uh Cove teacher uh the Tapenzy High School Cove teacher um and I asked her I said listen if this is going to be like we'll make it work if it's if it's something that you need in order to have um uh it as a job site because that's what it was used during CO
006and she said no like yeah it's nice to have but really now that you know there's no regulations she prefers to get them out into the community um to do other things outside so it wasn't going to cause a hardship for Cove that they would still have uh job sites both in the high school and then also outside. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Dr. Ariana. >> Okay. >> Well, that's great. So, if somebody uh calls and requests to to donate food, we can >> So, we're not taking donations just because it's hard to house it at the at the high school. Um there will be times that individual clubs may do a targeted food drive when it's not going to be stored and housed in the high school. So they can collect it and then
007they can bring it to the the local pantry that's run by a South Orangetown family. >> Well, so I mean we would >> we're not going to take random deliveries. We were having some people who were just stopped. >> Yeah, there was food even being delivered dropping food off all summer long. >> I have some soup cans at home that I was ready to >> don't bring it to us [laughter] for a food drive when it's announced. Okay. >> Like I think for example, I think the the freshman seminar class is currently doing a food drive I believe. Um, and then then that would be the appropriate time to bring things in because then there's it's not a lot of turnaround. It'll be a quicker turnaround where we can have it in and then get
008it out so it's not sitting in an office or in a classroom and >> potentially having issues. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> All right. Um, anyone else I have one thing to share? >> All right. Um, so, um, as a parent of the district as well, um, I'm lucky enough to celebrate, um, the Orangetown Patriots, Junior Pee-Wee squad that won the Nationals this past week. My daughter's on it. Um, but there are also quite a few girls from this district. Pearl River, Nanuette, Clarkstown on that team. So, it really is a culmination of a a a lot of hard work put on by girls from all the surrounding districts. Uh, so I really just want to um say congratulations to all them, the hard work that they did, and hopefully we'll all
009get to see them one day on our squad, the girls that are are here and and also on the other uh surrounding districts. All right. Is that it? Okay. Uh superintendent announcements. So, good evening everyone. So, I'll start off with uh one of the most positive uh experiences that I get to have as a superintendent is every month I go to St. Thomas Aquinus with uh Miss Luciana, our high school principal, and we meet with the Rotary Club and some members from stack and celebrate our students of the month. And so, for the past two months, our recipients were Audrey Hanser and Laura Eststean Estabban. So, we're grateful for our partnership with the Rotary Club and Stack and look forward to our continued uh working with them to celebrate our students of the month. We
010also have a a video board inside the high school that runs stories all the time and coincidentally, one of our Rotary members was walking into the high school and saw the student of the month coming across with Stack and the Rotary Club and then sent an email. So, it was really cool to see that that those um accomplishments are publicized and celebrated uh throughout the high school. Recently we had our meet the candidate forum. So it is election night tonight and I just want to give a thank you to Denise de Jardens and Tracy Halahan for participating in our meet the candidates forum. >> I'm sorry we're being interrupted. >> Sorry about that. No I just shared something. Sorry. >> Sorry. Uh again sorry. Um, so thank you to Denise Desardens and Tracy Halahan for
011participating in our meet the candidates forum and a special thank you to the members of the youth and government club who facilitated the forum on December 8th that was last Monday and that is Rihanna Patel, Thomas McKenna, Griffin Meltzer, Amelia Rabininoitz and Sophie Baranti. Uh, moving on to more work with the students. Uh, Mr. Brady and I had the opportunity to meet with Jaywan Shay who is one of our uh board members who couldn't be here tonight because he wasn't feeling well. We have had the opportunity to meet with all of our student leaders at Tabin High School um and [clears throat] talk to them about the student survey that we're going to be administering this spring. The climate survey will that will go out to uh students. it will go out to parents um
012as well as staff and we're asking for students to have input on the questions and so they're doing that now and giving us feedback. So thank you to them for their input and we're looking forward to administering that survey in the spring. We also had our SS debate casting team attend the youth and government conference. So, we had three members of the South Orangetown Middle School Debate Casting Club sponsored one bill that they presented at the New York State YMCA Youth and Government Conference for Middle Schoolers, and that was in Albany on November 23rd to the 25th. Dylan J, Aiden P, and Ian W sponsored Bill 49, and they presented to over 500 students from New York State. The bill was an act to provide a service under the New York State Unified Court Systems
013for the mental support of juniors in traumatic cases. The purpose of the bill is to help the physical and mental health of jurors. Sorry, I said juniors jurors who serve on traumatic cases. And the bill passed unanimously. And also, as you know, we recently had our youth and government high school kids present. And so, it's a very nice feeder club um for the high school. So, congratulations to those students. We also recently at SS had the Patriot pen competition and South Orangetown was honored to welcome members of the Raymond Demiola Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post 1615 as we celebrated our young writers during a ceremony on November 25th and I believe this is the 10th consecutive year that SS has participated in the Patriots Pens Project. Along with Commander John Antonucci, they recognized 45
014students from South Ttown Middle School. This was the largest number of students participating to date. They submitted essays as a part of the annual VFW Patriots pen competition. Congratulations to all our students and thank you to the veterans who always come up uh to SS and um give out those awards and take the time to read the essays, the many essays that they receive from our students. Also recently, just last week, um our students had the opportunity to participate and perform at Radio City Music Hall. And Miriam George, who's here, who's one of our board members sitting at the end of the table, is one of those students had the opportunity to perform. We were just talking about it before the meeting started. So, Coral and concert choir members performed a holiday romance. This was
015an arrangement by coral director Russell Wagner and the Sounds of Christmas program at Radio City Music Hall and Miriam just shared with me they went on stage at 8:00 at night in front of uh quite a large audience. This is actually I'm sorry this is the 14th year that our vocalists have been featured in the ac cappella program which precedes the performance at the radio Christmas spectacular. This is a very selective um process every year to be asked to perform at radio city and the fact that we have been on that stage for 14 years uh running is just amazing. So thank you Dr. Wagner and thank you Miriam and to all the students who participated. I am definitely going next year Miriam I will be there. We also uh just last week had our
016PS winter concerts PS winter concert 1 and two. Thank you for putting on such wonderful concerts. The performance were so impressive. The auditorium is packed. I had the opportunity to attend the sixth grade concert and it's it's amazing to see the culmination of years of work uh on behalf of the students and teachers that really begins at the elementary level for um the ensembles, you know, including chorus. And it was just so cool to see all the families come out. We also had the concerts before Thanksgiving at the high school. Um and we're looking uh forward to more upcoming concerts um next week at Tapenzy High School before the holidays. So thank you to our music department for doing that. Also uh recently we had the BoseI services guide and so I want to thank
017some of our central office administrators who attended that for showing our appreciation and support for our partnership with Rockland Boseies and as you know they support many of our students and partner with us on many programs. Before I conclude my superintendent report and turn it over to Miss Natalie Espanel, who is our assistant superintendent of business and operations, who's going to do a budget process overview and guiding principles presentation. I just want to take this opportunity to wish everybody a happy holiday season. This is our last board meeting uh before we go on break. Um, and then I just also want to let the board know that when we return from break, uh, in the new year, we will be talking a lot about advocacy for public education. There's been a lot of advocacy on
018the part of New York State School Boards as well as lower Hudson Council superintendent. Um, working on things such as obviously public funding for schools. We just got some good news today from the state that they're proposing a billion dollar increase that will also help with early childhood education. Hopefully some of that money will reach South Orangetown for prek funding. So, we're optimistic about that. Um, and we'll also be uh working with um the local school districts around the state to advocate for more funding for public education. Um, looking at items such as substantial equivalency, which look at private schools and ensuring that the private schools that serve kids within our boundaries are providing a substantial education that's equivalent to what we are providing. um and some other advocacy issues. So, with that, I will
019turn it over to Miss Espanel. And that concludes my superintendent report. >> Wait, wait, before we before we do that, can I just because I saw the other businesses at the end? >> So, I just want to I don't know if it's really a board announcement, but I just want to bring something up. Is that okay? >> Sure. Um, I was actually thinking, so I guess this will be an award announcement from from Rob Coleman, but one thing I was thinking about today, it's election day and it's also we're approaching the 250th anniversary of of the country. Um, and I don't see like or what I would like to encourage is like including activities especially our district is a historical district, right? um including activities in the coming spring leading up to the you know
020July 4th as well as the fall that that support the country celebrate the 250th anniversary and one thing I would say that really aligns what I think now I'm just one person but aligns really well is that that now we have the profile of the graduate where where we're supporting the individual and I think one thing that people always miss of like why is America so great of course America has some flaws. Nothing that a man or humankind creates is perfect. But one of the reasons in my opinion it's been so successful is because it values the individual. Right? It's the first form of government where the individual person is actually more important than the government or the state. And so I'd really like to see especially we're on election night tonight. Um, one of
021the things I wrote when I joined the board is that I wanted to encourage, you know, supporting and celebrating the 250th anniversary. So, I like to task the the administration uh other stakeholders on like how we can integrate activities like that in into this coming second half of this year and the first half of next year. So, >> sure, >> we can put that in the minutes. [clears throat] >> Absolutely. And I I just have a couple comments to make on that. So we have been meeting and talking about the 250th anniversary of the United States in particular and how to integrate it um throughout the district and how we can celebrate. So some ideas that we have already come up with. We've met with our school leaders about it. We've also met uh Dr.
022Arietta and I several times looking at historical figures. Our town is rich in history um and making sure that we can really capture the voices of our students today and that it's not just a moment that passes in time. So, we've talked about um some projects that we can do and some ways that we can capture that. Looking at historical figures, branches of the military, flags, local history, sites, field trips, currency was something that we talked about. Um obviously, a lot of the work that we do with veterans and and capturing that and making sure that that that's something that continues. um talked about the first public schoolhouse, Independence Day, music through the decades is something that recently we've come up with and so we're looking at through the arts um integrating some of these
023projects throughout the spring and and into next year. So, thanks for bringing that up and is definitely something that um we have been working on and again it is really the goal that we just ensure that we're capturing their voices as we commemorate this important milestone in our country's history. So, thank you Rob. All right, Miss Espie. Now, >> good evening. Um, so thank you for that. I think it's also relevant in developing the budget. the the process you'll see is is standard year-to-year, but it's important because we're reassessing, looking at our student base, working with the budget builders um to determine what are the needs with the students that we have currently because the budget spans over one year, but then in long range planning, we're looking for sustainability to meet the needs of
024all students that walk through South Orangetown. So, this brief presentation is an overview of the budget process. Um, the items we'll go over include the purpose of the school budget, the budget development process, alignment with the academic priorities, budget considerations, budget factors and parameters, consideration of long range fiscal plans, and the budget calendar summary. So, the budget is the financial plan for supporting the instructional needs for all of South Orangetown students, providing balanced spending, uh the legal basis for the tax levy, and transparency to all stakeholders. Again, it's a structure that we carry through from year to year um because it is a legal process and because we are working with public funds to ensure the education of all our students. So the focus of the budget process is alignment with academic priorities. The development
025of the budget revolves around the academic priorities. The district's academic priorities are reviewed during the budget process through collaboration with district administrators and the board of education. The budget supports the district's academic, operational, and administrative goals. The budget process provides a formal structure for program requests or modifications to be cons considered and implemented. So in collaboration with budget builders, consideration is carefully given to broadly noted on this slide these specific um instructional and operational areas. This includes a small class size or the appropriate class size for the student base. Specials which include the physical education, music, art, technology, library and um other programs. The needs of for special education, technology, athletics. Um you could read through these capital bond projects, summer programming, afterchool enrichments, curriculum, safety, transportation, facilities, whether it's part of operations or instruction,
026it's all for supporting the student and the environment that the students are learning in. Now we also have to be mindful of the parameters in which we develop the budget. This includes internal and external factors that have a direct impact on what um we're able to put forth as a budget each year. Um as well as how we manage the transactions throughout the year. So here we have mandated services, a free and appropriate public education, student enrollment and shifts in demographics, historic budgets and overall fiscal health of the district. So that's uh that speaks to the long-term plan and sustainability having reserves so that we're not, you know, kind of as a district paycheck to paycheck you can say. um contractual obligations, tenant agreements. We have a handful of tenants that for um compile or
027create a portion of our revenue and really every every dollar is valued. um long range facilities plan and debt service planning, special program areas like summer programs, state aid projections, which um I'm trying to gather as much information and hopefully January we'll have more hard information from the state in regards to the federal during their budget cycle. We know that they extend it until they'll reopen um what they're putting forth in January, but all of that, even if it's not directly aligned with a a financial um cut to the state budget, the state pretty much usually fills the gap. So where if the federal puts out a limitation on Medicaid revenues that will impact how much the state then has to budget for um certain services that are claimed for reimbursement. So while we work
028with a focus when we develop the budget on the the needs we'll see next year in the 2627 um instructional year, we also have to remain mindful of the long the long range financial planning which includes um looking at the audited financials which gave us that point in time u fund balance and the different components of our fund balance. and we have to see how much budgeted revenue is going to be derived from the tax levy and from the state aid. As you know, last year we also um were able to fund some of our budget through ERS and TRS uh reserve appropriations to cover those specific expenditures. Um, all of the amounts are formulated like the tax levy within parameters such as the tax cap calculation and projected state aid. Expenditures or appropriations include
029salaries and benefits based on contractual obligations, depth service per bond amortization schedules, materials and supplies and contractual services. So we really have um whereas we may put forth um direction for our budget builders to be minimal and or really kind of analyze their existing expenditures and see where they're where they have more needs for spending and and reduce other lines. There are some items that we cannot um um streamline such as contractual obligations and the fund balance is the accumulated difference throughout the years between revenues and expenditures trends in the district fund balance have provided for establishment of various reserves. So this is a snapshot of um the audited fund balance at 6:30 2025. As you see um we're we're pretty um we have a good level of fiscal health with the various reserves that
030we were able to um to create over the years. So this takes year by year with excess funds contributing and proposing to the board um funding additional funding of each of these reserves. The state the office of the controller um they pretty much prefer a fund balance of 4%. Um and that's what we have been able to maintain which is the 4.6 million. It's 4% of the following year's budget. So it's 4% of the 2526 budget. And on the left hand side of the screen, you'll see that the actual revenues for 2025 were 114 million and the expenditures were 109 million which provided um an increase in our fund balance of 4.4 million. This was mostly due to u more interest earned than anticipated as well as we had re we received in the 2425
031school year a little more state aid than was um budgeted for. So these are the demographers projections on enrollment as provided annually by both these demographers. The total enrollment is projected to decrease by 10 students in the 2627 school year. These totals include uh the district's 18 UPK students that are within uh Schaefer as well as out of district placements. Enrollment projections are important when developing the budget mostly as it relates to the number of instructional sections and staffing levels from year to year. The business office has collected current section data from each building and has reconciled it to the staffing reports. This aligns the staff to their assigned task roles to ensure we can identify staffing capacity and needs across the district. So, as enrollments may decrease in one grade, there may be a
032one less uh section or so if that's what the projection calls for, but it may have there may be an increase in another grade level. So, this is the budget calendar budget development calendar in summary format. The budget development process for the next school year starts as the current school year is opening. Um and it's flying time is flying fast. Um few months in and once we come back from the break it's basically drilling down into the numbers. Um the external auditors presented the fiscal results for the 2425 school year and having a clear understanding of the fund balance as we just saw uh leads us to various budgetary decisions. During September and October, the budget calendar was developed and approved by the board to ensure the district calendar is aligned with all legally required
033notices uh disclosures and reports. During this time, reoccurring service or material contracts for 2520 the 2526 school year are evaluated for renewal or rebidding. So, we reach out to contractors and see if they had an option for renewal. We um we reach out to them, see if they're in agreement with renewing at a CPI index. Um and if we want to reestablish the terms and conditions of contracts, we go out to bid um and get a new base of participants and then award accordingly. In early November, budget templates were sent to the budget builders for gathering and substantiate substantiating their needs for the 2627 school year. The budget binders in the budget builders include district leadership. um my fellow colleagues here, they've been hearing me for the past couple of months and um these are
034the building department and central administrators. Monthly budget meetings are scheduled throughout the year. Um we're we've had most of them with the budget builders and this last week I'm finalizing with the remaining ones. Um then you know we've discussed certain items, they'll review, send me information again and we'll start really um framing the budget in January. Um within these meetings, administrators are analyzing their current budget for information of the projected budgetary needs for the 2627 school year. This review also entails consideration of staffing needs or changes. So that's the broad picture of our development process and let me know if you have any questions today. >> Thank you Natalie. Before we open it up for questions, just want to say great presentation. I think not only for the board but for the public to kick
035off our budget um guiding principles and really show the public um where we are in terms of finance in terms of our overall fund balance and also that we are facing a challenging budget season just as we had last season knowing that expenditures are going up. Um in some cases percentages are a lot higher than what our tax cap limit is and so it's always a challenge. But thank you. We'll open it up to the board for comments. >> Yeah. Can I say ask few questions or one? You have a very hard task ahead of you, but um you you made the statement that uh we have a very I think a lot of people when they see the um capital reserves, they just look at the bottom line. >> I just want to maybe
036just make the public statement that you need to look at that as like it's not just one macro savings account for the district. Instead, it's like a a savings account that has many accounts inside of it. So, we just can't while while we are while we do have decent fiscal health, I would say in the near term, it's not like we have $36 million just sitting in there and we can do whatever we want. It's divided amongst the different areas. Um, so I think that's one thing that should just be made clear to people. They see the big number and think it's it's just one big pool, but it's that's not the case there. It's actually subdivided into areas where we can spend the money. Um, one other point and I what I'd like to
037uh request or give guidance. Now, this is just from one board member, but we I would like to try to come in with the budget under the cap. I know we're the cap is maybe 2.49, is that right? Or 2.5%. >> We don't know yet. >> Um, we don't know what the cap is, but I'd like to try to >> nice rough estimate as I started drafting. [laughter] I think somewhere in there between two and three probably because we took on [clears throat] more debt with the 22 >> the state did >> but we took on we drew down on our capital debt. Yeah. >> Well, I'd like to come in under the cap >> by at least 50%. So, if it's 3% if the cap is three, I'd like to try for one and
038a half. >> We need to save the taxpayers some money. That's why I joined the board. I think we should be able to do that. um you show the enrollment numbers, we're we're our enrollment is decreasing and it looks like it's going to stay down >> at 2700 from 3,000 and it's not moving. So, we really need to try to not go all the way to the limit on increasing the budget. Instead of saying let's go out at zero, let's just maybe only increase it by 1% instead of 3%, one and a half. Let's see if we can start there and maybe we can find other places to squeeze too. So >> yeah, we have had uh started having the conversation just about what a 1% would look like to start as a base and
039then we are building from there. So we're having those conversations. Um and also just about the uh point that you brought up about fund balance and really last year you know we used fund balance the year before that we used fund balance and my charge to the team was this year we really can't use fund balance to close the budget gap. So we are we are definitely um looking at a very fiscal fiscally conservative approach to this budgeting process because we want to make sure that we have fiscal solveny for many many many years and decades to come not just to get us through the next couple years. So thanks >> also the fund balance has been going up in the last couple years because rates are high now Fed's cutting rates so we're can't
040expect the fund balance to grow so much. spending our savings is not is is even less sustainable than than the current contracts and stuff that we have. So >> So that's a good point because interest that pertains to the reserve is coded and put into the reserve unless there's a cap on the reserve. So something like um the taxerts if you're at let's say 100% of your estimated liability you really auditors have a different take on it but if I'm if we're funded at 100% I'm not going to put let's say 300,000 of interest there you know it could be allocated elsewhere thank you >> thank you. >> Okay. Um any reports today to chair? All right. Um board discussion on agenda items. We have the addendum that was received just today. Does anybody have
041any questions they want to discuss on that? I definitely think it's important talk about >> I can briefly >> yeah definitely if you want to just start and then we can go from there. >> So I know it may have been two board reports or ago I put something briefly in there that um the high school was having some issues with the heat beyond the replacement the replace boilers. So it's kind of the whole the system as a whole. There's different portions that are not function functioning well. So one is like local controls which is just your your control over the system the building management system. Then there's another component um that it's the let me just make sure I have the right wording. F&T traps which is the flow of steam throughout the system.
042So they're basically um levers that open and release the steam and so the flow is not operating properly. It's also creating a back flow of steam into the boiler room. However, the heat is not being dispersed evenly and is not functioning just because the whole system wasn't replaced with the capital. So we have an old system working with new components. Um so this emergency resolution is to address a portion of the issues because to address the whole system it would be a a huge capital project. We had the architects assess the various issues. They outlined them and they said well fixing some of these items will improve should improve the system for the students and the teachers in the building. So what I'm hearing you say is because we didn't replace the whole system. That's
043what they're saying, >> right? So it's it's like a few isolated issues that together are part of the heating system in the high school. Um, so I can >> Yeah, I could even be more specific or maybe less specific, but we have the 700 and 800 wing in particular and the C-wing which were not addressed in the bond that are still running off old Seammen's controls. Um, Seammens was a company that originally many many years ago and then we did a project with Honeywell um that came in and the controls are not um they're antiquated for lack of a better way of putting it. So we've been having this issue even last year with steam and a 7 and 800 wing. We bought two new boilers. The two new boilers are not integrated with that
044part of the building. So, this will help us address the controls and the issues that are in the center of the building. And the longer term project has always been to convert the entire building to hot water, but the 7 and 800 wing and C-wing were not addressed in this initial project. So, this emergency resolution will enable our director and assistant director of facilities to address those issues. And Matt, you're here. If you want to speak to it, feel free. >> I know you've been living this every day. [laughter] >> Can you just go up to the podium? I'm sorry. Just because everybody can hear it outside of the room. >> Thank you. >> So, um speak to it. Um so, we have the new boilers and they're working. they work and they create all
045the steam for the building. The FNT traps, the way they work is the steam is created through the buildings. The traps trap the steam the steam from coming back through the system back into the boiler room and they send the water back in so that we can refill our boilers. the traps are sticking and basically allowing for steam to come back through and into our boiler room which is creating a steam issue which is creating some of our heating issues daytoday because we can't run the boilers with the steam um billowing into our boiler room for fear of setting off a fire alarm or some other um event that would cause it. So what we're having to do is run the building during the day and then at night just run on um low flame
046so that we can keep maintain some of the temperature of the building and then come in in the morning and build the pressure back up to the building so that we can feed the areas. On top of that we do have control issues where in this system um we actually still have a dialup system which is that's how antiquated it is for the seaman's um end of it. So what we need to do is put local control so that we'd be able to control the room's temperatures um by circumventing the BMS system which is the building management system. So we would be able to then control each room individually so that they are not overheating or underheating um on a day-to-day basis. Um if there's anything else I can help with. >> No, that's I
047have another question. Um Natalie might be able to answer. I know you're like just you know it's like your first second meeting. Here you [laughter] are. Um, we didn't try to start the boilers prior to December 4th like because that's when we were it was reported to the board or was it we didn't like fire them up and make sure that they're ready to go because of the issues that we had last year. >> The boilers are working. I don't know if you were boilers but all the other heating systems and we didn't test it out beforehand before we started it up before we needed to. We knew we were going to go into the winter >> and start them up. We didn't >> they were tested. So, let's just be careful. We're not making
048assumptions. Let let them speak that they were tested. Go ahead. >> So, there So, so it is they were tested, but our boilers are they run sometimes on oil based on ONR's um directive. Um so, we're able to now because there's a gas pressure one of the issues is also a gas pressure issue, right? So, that's outlined here. I have the various um items that has to be addressed with ONR. Um all in all, all boilers are working. Um capacity because of the gas is being addressed, but we are we are able to run some on oil and some on gas just to make sure that they all can function. Um but it's the whole infrastructure as as I understand it and that these portions will help the whole system work as a whole and
049with local controls um because we have an antiquated building management system. Um the local controls will allow for regulating the temperature within each space. >> So now is this a bandaid on our old system? >> What is it? >> So is this a band-aid on our old system? Yeah, you would you would say yes, it is. It is until years down the line where it's not part of any existing capital. What we're doing right now is not part of >> Yeah. >> the planned capital work. >> What do we did we ever get an estimate on what that additional those hallways that we didn't do in this capital project would would you know cost? >> I don't have an estimate right now. Well, you know, you remember we we went through that whole project and
050then we realized >> they didn't even include new boilers in the project and then we went and appropriated funding just to get two new boilers. >> So, that was a big win. Those came and now they're >> trying to integrate them into the new system. >> I mean, these these these choices were made before all of us on the board. So, it's really understanding. >> Um, >> so we're getting there. >> This emergency resolution will definitely help us tremendously. >> Yeah. I mean, we can't have the rooms >> not cold, some rooms cold, some rooms hot. We can't have that. I understand that completely. >> And I don't think it's in our budget to do another capital project, right? The second. Um >> but does anybody have any other questions regarding this? >> The third
051paragraph I'm not crazy about. >> Like what are we doing this non-competitive bid so it needs to be fixed tomorrow? Like this is so urgent. Who's actually having oversight on that? Like how much it's going to be and who gets to make the decision? What if they say it's X million dollars? >> No, that's why that's why it's a portion of all the issues that that were assessed by the architect. So, it's not we're not looking to spend a million dollars just for the F&T traps, which is the main item um mentioned in this resolution. it should be estimated around 150,000. And then if any local controls are addressed in in the instructional spaces, that would be 5,000 per room. And we would only look to address those that are of need right now, those
052rooms mostly impacted. >> So, can we approve this but like a cap? Like, and then you have to come back to us like >> because the way it's worded right now, it's like there's a problem. We're getting a waiver from New York State policy and exemptions from essentially normal bidding process, but there's no sort of like it's completely open-ended here. >> So, the reason why we wouldn't want to do a competitive bid is because then by that time I think we'll be maybe in February, right? No, I understand the need to waiver for all of those things, but at the same time, if the person on the other side says there that they got the waiver, >> how are they feeling like they're limited on maybe there's just not enough oversight on the money being
053spent? That's what I'm I don't know if I >> So, the question is, can there be a cap in the resolution? We we can so I know that the F&T portion was estimated at 150,000 um to allow for some of the local controls to be addressed. >> I know when you give the cap, guess where the guess where the quote is going to come, right? Maybe that's >> $1 under the cap. [laughter] >> So, and if there is no cap, it would be 50% higher. So, I would encourage they would also have to submit um certified payroll for all the work being performed. I'll vote for it, but I would my my encouragement is to start out at the cap of like 300. It should sounds like the >> I wouldn't go past that. >>
054Huh? >> I wouldn't go past that amount. >> Okay. >> Or even if it's 250 just to >> We had that conversation. >> The most I think it's probably not specified. >> That's the purpose of it. >> Yeah. We need to heat for the kids immediately. We don't want to hand someone a piece of paper that says we've waved all of New York state regulations for you and you can just fix it. >> This also makes me a little uncomfortable. >> Yeah. >> So, how would we do? >> I think it's intentional. I think our attorney is it that way. So, that I don't know. >> I mean, we can just pass it in the administration just verbally commits. Well, we'll come back to it. >> We're not going to do anything about, you know,
055>> if the cost exceeds 250,000, we'll come back to >> How's that sound? >> Other board members are >> Okay. So, we have here. So, I have a motion to add business office consent agenda addendum and revise items 10-1 on business office consent agenda. Do I have a motion? Motion. Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> I'm sorry. Which one are we talking here? It's a new one. This one that Natalie just that one, right? >> Yes. The the agenda. Oh. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I Okay. Thank you. >> I All right. Then we have motion. So we have the just the regular agenda items. Does anybody have I know we just spoke to the one business office consent agenda addendum. Is there any is that >> this one?
056>> No. Okay. >> I'm just saying the regular agenda. Anybody have anything they wanted to discuss? I don't want to breeze over it. Good. Motion to approve amended consent agenda categories 8 through 12. Eight links, excuse me, 8 through 12. >> Thank you, Diana. >> Thank you, Katie. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Okay. Did I Did I read this? No. No. The the amendment to the district superintendent employment agreement. >> No. No. So, um Diana, my apologies. This is part of part of that. I thought I was reading it after. So then I would like a revote then. >> Okay, that's fine. All right, let's go right back. >> And I wish to table that part of the if we have to split the agenda, I wish to table part of
057that amendment until the stakeholders have the right to understand what we are putting into play what we're what we're requesting. >> Okay, I'm going to go back to what we just motioned. My apologies. Um motion to approve amended consent agenda categories 8 through 12. We had a motion by Dan and a a second by Katie, but we're going to do that again. Um, so do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Thank you, Rob. Do I have a second? Thank you, Katie. All in favor? >> I. All opposed? I >> Okay, motion passes and we can move on to um we're going to take a a rest at this point to >> I just want to make a comment before you recess. >> Absolutely. >> If I can. >> So, I just want to say
058to Mr. Finn, Miss Graino, Dr. Coleman, thank you for all of your support and confidence and and your confidence in me to continue leading our amazing school district. My heart has always been in South Orangetown. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with such amazing colleagues, students, and families. We have a lot of work to do ahead of us over the next few years. I look forward to look working with everyone and a stronger governance team where everyone is focused on what is in the best interest of our children to prepare them for the future. I really appreciate your support. So, thank you. >> All right. Um, so like I said, we're going to just take a a recess at this point and wait for the election results. Um, it's about a little
059over a half an hour left, so if you haven't gotten out there, you still got time. Um, so thank you everyone for for listening and uh we'll be back soon. Thanks.