001So that's why I told her to because she Okay, here we go. Robin for mic check. Hold on. Check. There we go. So, we had to wait for the audio to kick in. This is mic one. Microphone one. Number one. Check. One, two, three. One, two, three. Mic one. This is mic three. The super mic. Mic three. Super mic. 1 2 3. 1 2 3. Mic 4. President mic. Mic 4. 1 2 3 4. Mic 4. Mic five. One, two, three. Mic five. Mic five. Check. Check. One, two. >> Can you present tonight? >> No. >> And microphone six. >> Microphone 6. 1 2 3 4 5 6. Mic six. >> Did you want me to do 27 >> podium mic? >> Okay. Student ambassadors mic. One, two, three. Student ambassador's mic. >> And then
002here comes someone special with the podium mic. >> Hello. Can you hear me? Mr. Bakula, how are you this evening? >> Great. I'm great. >> Happy New Year. >> I think it's working. >> Is that Mrs. Quiet? >> Yes. >> Hello, Mrs. Quiet. Happy New Year. >> Can't wait to see you. >> She's like, "Stop talking." >> She's She is right now. >> All right. So, those are all the microphones. >> Uh there is no mic too. >> She went to Miami and >> I am going to check the going to the studio mode, >> but then she goes I made her cancel in February because she's got to help transition of the graphic. >> Just did the transition, >> but I think she's going now. >> So, you should be able to see the
003computer screen right now. >> So, you see that and now we're going back to on camera. So that transition should be nice. So I think we are good for right now. And I am going to mute. >> So muting here in three, two. >> Okay. >> One. So, um, I'll invite you to do an intro. Okay. >> Where you going? extra special pen. Someone has to have a pen. They want a pen. John and I are planning our right now. >> Yeah. I'll give away. I used to dress. Oh, I got you. I told you I should have brought so many reason. She clear. I'm going to Okay, we'll go ahead and call this meeting to order at 7:34. If everybody can stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States
004of America and to the republic for it stands nation. >> All right, just a couple quick messages. Uh yeah, if you could please silence your cell phones and in the case of an emergency, there are two emergency exits. There's the door located directly behind me and the entrance you guys use to come on into this fun meeting. We'll do roll call. We have Roger Broker, trustee. Uh Ashley Dreer, trustee is excused for the evening. Beth Kreblin, trustee. Our district clerk, Jude is excused for the evening. We have Dr. Graham, uh, superintendent of schools, myself, Sue Marston, board trustee, Jay Grover, board trustee, Joy Larka, board trustee, Daniel Brutam, board trustee, we have uh, Cheryl Cardone, assistant superintendent of people personnel services. John Fitzpatrick, a super assistant superintendent of curriculum, staff development, and human resources. We
005have Doug Whan. >> Yes, we actually we actually have a sign. I feel terrible. Mrs. had texted me to grab it from her desk. And I forgot to bring that down. But of course, Doug is our interimm assistant superintendent for business and finance. >> I thought it was a test and I did it. So, thank you for being here and um filling in to help us once again. We appreciate your work and um and being here on a fine Monday evening. And then we have Siana and uh Charlotte Towers, our um board of represent student representatives. So, I think that's everything, right? So, we can go ahead and get started with the approval of our agenda tonight. If I can get a motion, please. A motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >>
006I >> opposed. Motion carried. 6. Okay, great. Thank you. I just want to make sure. >> Okay. And can I get an approval for tonight's meeting, please? >> Motion. >> And a second. Second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 6. Okay. >> Good evening everyone. I would like to introduce you to Michael Poretta this evening. He is our middle school ambassador. He's the seventh grader at BCMS and the treasurer of our student council. >> Hello. Hi, my name is Michael Brown. I am the treasurer of the middle school studenting council. Leading up to the break, we tried to get our students into the holiday spirit. Some of the spirit days to wear your favorite was to wear your favorite team sports gear or wear your favorite head. Other spirit days were to wear
007flat, PJ sweater. One spirit day that was cool was the Clash of the Carol where the sixth graders wore blue, seventh graders wore green or yeah, seventh graders were green and eighth graders wore yellow. It was very fun to dress up as this. The day before break, we had a holiday assembly. The students in the band, chorus, and orchestra performed music and the students in the crowd got to participate in a single. We also had a minute to win a games for 10 students from each grade to participate in the winning. The winning students from each grade got a $15 gift card to Starbucks. The sixth grade students had to use plastic cups to pick up mini marshmallows off the table. The seventh grade game, the students were sucked up as many mini marshmallows to
008cook with a straw. And the eighth graders were blindfolded and had to scoop hose off the table into a bowl on top of their eye. It was a lot of fun to watch everybody. Thank you. >> Thank you. behind us. >> Okay. Our high school business. >> So, prior to our break, the high school also had a holiday spirit week and it was a huge success. A lot of people participated and before the last day before break, student council did a nice job handing out hot chocolate during the lunch periods which was a nice way to get into the spirit. And now that we are back from break, we are approaching the end of the quarter. And students are beginning to prepare for regions week and midterm exams which will be held during the week
009of January 20th through January 23rd. So, we had Deco Regionals last month and 62 of our Grand Island students went and competed at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. It was packed. There were over 700 kids from our region all competing. And out of our 62 kids, we had 16 that made it to states and 14 of us will be going to Rochester in March to compete. We had former DECA students and local community members who all served as judges. And Emily Voss, who's a junior here, is our regional president and she's running for New York State president for our whole depth of state. And she's doing a great job with everything she does. She ran regionals amazingly. And next, we have students in the Academy of Finance and Stack are preparing as we leave Work
010Florida next week in order to partake in a leadership conference at Disney World. So, we're just preparing for that. Sand, when is that election for the president? Do you know? Is it the spring or >> wouldn't it be during the states? >> I think it's like right before state. >> We had we had a a student run for office a few years ago and I remember going and seeing that person's speech and it was kind of a big deal. There's some some campaigning that goes on, right? >> She's doing a great job. >> Yeah. Did you participate in regionals? >> I I'm didn't. Sorry, I didn't. I'm doing a manual so I have the right to say good, >> but I got to help out. >> What's your manual? >> I'm doing a business um
011administration's project. >> To correspondence and uh recognition interviews with Dr. >> Yeah. Thank you so much. I'd like to bring Rob Hennessy up to the microphone to do a a really wonderful introduction. and John, maybe you could come up and join uh Rob at the podium and uh celebrate your good news. Really remarkable great news. Uh so Rob, take it away. >> Hi, good evening everybody. Um thank Dr. Bram School Board, Mr. Baker for inviting us here today. Um this is John Bourne is a senior now. He's been bowling for Grand Island for six years. Uh he was nominated and he received the athlete of the week award for bowling a perfect 300 game at Blue Court on December 18th. He's also currently fourth in He's currently fourth in section 6 boys bowling with a
012223 average. And he's helped a very young boys bowling team to a three and three record this year so far. Um, in his career for Grand Island, he has a high three-game total of 814, which is a 246, a 289, and a 279 at Lockport last year. Last season, he was the top bowler in all of section 6 with a 233 average. The last three years, John qualified as representative Grand Island as a section 6 All-Star at the New York State Tournament in Syracuse. He has been a major contributor to Grand Island winning the last four section six class B titles. Prior to this evening, John competed in the Beat the Champ, a bowling competition. It's a local television production. He's the first high school student to compete in that, the first high school student
013to win a game in that, the first high school student to win a taping of the show and move on to the following week. Um, he's not only a fantastic bowler, he's a great student and young man. He's a member of the National Honor Society, DECA Academy of Finance. He's on the student athletic leadership team and he with the Western New York bowling leaders ran a food drive this winter and collected um food and cans for feed more Western New York. Um as a coach, it's probably it's wonderful to see a student and an athlete grow through the years and he has come now this year as a senior. I mentioned we're a young team. I have one senior, no juniors, one sophomore, freshman, eighth graders, and two seventh graders on the team. Wow. >>
014So, John here is almost a third coach with the team and helping bring all these young women along and pay it forward helping these students develop. Um and lastly here he has recruited he was recruited and he is signed with Mercyverse University and he's going to pursue a degree in accounting and data science. >> So wonderful athletes AND John if you would just get to the microphone a bit. So, just share with our board and the community uh how rare it is to give it 300 and how many have you had in your in your life your lifetime so far? >> Yeah, it's pretty rare. I've had two myself. My first Yeah, two. >> So, my last one was my first one was last year and this was my second one. >> Pretty bright. >>
015Yeah, that's that's great. So, um, when this happens, how how does the bowling community celebrate it? Do you receive any special, uh, accommodations? >> Yeah, you get like a lot of recognition from everyone. Everyone usually pretty proud of anyone. So, we usually get like crystal type. >> Okay. >> Do you still get to purchase a ring >> because it's sanctioned? I mean, I think it stinks you have to purchase it, but I was I first of all, I've never gone to 300 and my brother hasn't. Let's just put this, I can't 100, but um I was just wondering if the ring was still a thing. >> Did you have to take the bumpers down or leave them out? >> So, what do you what do you credit some of the success? How do how when
016you look back over the years, what credit would you like to bestow upon others or shine a spotlight on others that have helped you along the way? Definitely my parents. >> Well done. >> Could Can your parents just stand just to be recognized? >> Nice catch there. How about anybody else? Any any special recommendation or uh accommodations you'd like to shine in others? >> Jeff. >> Okay. How many usually? >> Okay. Can you bring nine? >> Wow. >> That's awesome. Uh do you do uh how are the chicken wings at all? >> Okay. Would you do you have a recommendation for >> how heavy is all >> what's the difference between all nine balls? Well, they have different. >> And then when you when you when you test the lane out then is that when
017you choose the game, >> which is fascinating actually. >> Well, congratulations. That's fantastic. And good luck at Mercy. If we could do a group, >> you could take All right, ready? I'll take All right, public comment session agenda items only. No one signed up. So, we'll move on to curriculum and instruction with John. >> Just uh tonight uh for curriculum instruction is the December updates uh for curriculum and instruction. >> Great. Does anybody have any questions or comments for >> moving on to personnel instructional? Does anybody have any questions before I ask for a motion? Great. Then can I get a motion to improve instructional PI1 through PI6, please? >> Motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried 6. Do we have any >> I don't think we have any
018intros tonight. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to personnel non-instructional. Any questions or comments before I ask for a motion? >> Great. I'll ask for a motion to approve um non or non-instructional personnel PNI 1 through PNI >> two please. >> Motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed. Motion carried 6. Um on to finance. >> Finance. Uh we have three uh items for action. The first is two buses obsolete. One does not pass inspection. It's 10 years old. Uh the other is almost 10 years old and has 136,000 miles on it. So both of these need to be um determined. The second item is we have $5,000 donation from the estate of Barbara Simmons to the high school DECA organization. >> Oh, nice. And third is the appointment of the extra
019classroom treasurer which is the new um accounts payable person. >> So that job has always been together accounts payable and extra classroom treasure. So those are the three actions. >> Great. Does anybody have any questions? >> I have a question. >> Okay. >> With the obsolete on the bus that wouldn't pass the DOT inspection. Um, if you look at the cost of the repairs being that more of of what the vehicle is is worth in value. >> I didn't hear when you started >> um the obsolete bus that did not Yeah. did not have the DOT inspected. Did the cost of the repairs exceed the value? What happens is they just rust out and the Department of Transportation will be in the bus garage all the time inspecting the buses. So if there's too much
020rust down or if they're basically over 10 years old, they rent a pass inspection. >> So the cost to bring that back to a bus that could be used would be would be too expensive. >> Okay, I understand. Thank you. >> Any more questions? All right. Can I make a motion to approve finance A through C, please? >> And a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 6. The two items of information are the warrants um for October and November. And we're also showing you the budget timeline and checklist, which is something you do every year to take a look at. What it does, it sets in motion your planning for your budget. So that budget timeline and checklist besides being present in our um agenda um will that be posted anywhere else?
021I'm so I'm just I'm I'm asking um because it seems like our community is asking for more information um being notified ahead of time for for information and you know um just going into our budget season. I'm just wondering um what we can do as a district um to share maybe not necessarily this exact figure about that information. Um, >> sure. >> You know, I mean, obviously we'll put it Oh, go ahead. Go ahead. >> No, there's more um there's a lot of process in there and a lot of things that the public would like to know about, of course, but what they really want to know about is the four budget presentations. So we should highlight that here on our website or else we can let So Doug I I appreciate that but you
022know as as history will will show they don't they don't show up in our meetings right and um and and and then they will say we are guilty of not sharing our information so or they didn't know or they didn't know where to find the information. So, I'm just wondering like I I'm sure it will be on our website. I'm just wondering if maybe um we could put the timeline or something into tribune um on Isle the grand just something more because it if if I if if I know myself and coming out of our last capital project vote, we've heard a lot from our community and and part of what we've heard and I'm sure we'll discuss that when we get into the to the next section is, you know, we didn't hear about
023it till we got that flyer sent. So, I ju I just just trying to preload to get the information out maybe in different avenues. I it was just a question, you know, just I don't know. I It's just my thought. >> Yeah. No, I agree. So I think so what are some of the >> we have the mailer right that goes out but some of the budget input sessions for those meetings outside of just putting it out that it's a regular board meeting with the budget input session how else do we get that out there typically to the public to let them know that this is perfect what could we do >> yeah I >> I think so we do have our website and on the website it does indicate the different budget presentations uh
024right under board of education future future meeting dates and that's published by June uh as soon as the as soon as this board uh selects the appropriate budget hand or uh board meeting calendar. So that's been on our website all along and it would say budget presentation one two and three. So that's already been published, but we can easily uh send this document to the tribune and the Iowa the grant. >> I guess I'm thinking more of uh community members and families that they don't have kids in our schools. They may not, you know, >> to go to our website. >> So I know in the past we've worked with the town, right? Would it be simple enough to just create a QR code link to the budget presentation, post it in municipal buildings like
025on the door of the library or maybe town hall or something like that that anybody walking by could scan it and get a link right to the um just keep it up during budget season. But that way you'd be reaching that demographic of people who might not have students currently in the district. >> What's another idea? I'm just trying to think of the people who, you know, I mean, I deserve a lot from our community that and and it's hard like you have a fundraiser, you have anything. How do you get the information out to our community, right? So, if you know, if you just brainstorm to get our information, our schedule, you know, this timeline, right? Um, I think I think >> we could work with Ellie Leenszic and she's our public relations specialist.
026>> She could come up with a plan for us. >> Do you have something to say? >> Yeah, I would actually have you guys ever considered like making a Facebook or Instagram page for the board like board of education because I feel like that's where I get most. So, we have and we've had it in the past and it um it didn't didn't work out. So, um and still we're only reach we're trying to reach the people that that don't have Facebook, right? Don't have um internet, don't rebrand their ideas, right? Like um don't have um So that was at social media when you guys tried that. That was before a game. Is that was it was there feedback allowed on that or what didn't you remember? >> I'm just wondering if it's on I
027love the idea if it's something more justformational >> there. It was actually they discontinued it. I've been on board for about 10 years. It was probably about a year before I was on board. What I remember prior to board members saying is that there was a lot the posting that was going on was specific to the individual posting and not the board as a whole. Certain items should not have been posted. Um because remember we can't act individually. We have to act collectively as a board and there was a lot of discrepancies with that. So the prior board before I was on >> it was it was before my 13 years in so >> had decided to discontinue it but I know that there is a social media brand island where maybe this could be
028posted or something just you know not a education. I I think the district had one too and but pretty much it just said in school closed and there was no commenting right so >> correct >> and it wasn't well and I I don't I don't think it was useful we didn't I mean I mean it's certainly something we could >> entertain for information only >> with with no comments you know what I mean um >> Ellie Leenzac has started some social media accounts for the district. I don't know if the two of you follow us on Instagram, right? >> Yeah, >> that's so you you'll see some of our principles post on that, but Ally, our internal uh communication specialist is posting quite a bit. Um, and she's doing she's getting a lot of views.
029A lot of it is Goodwill public relations. So, uh, and mostly our audience, I think, are kids. And it's is that a fair statement? I don't know if some adults, maybe some young adults, but I know you you live mostly in Insta, Tik Tok, >> Snap, right? >> So, so she's Yeah. So, she's good at that. So I will definitely need a family just to talk about this, talk about ways to use social media to promote this um and traditional methods >> and maybe and maybe have something without comment. I I want to say that that and I could be wrong unfortunately but I I I want to say there was a time when they were trying to save and I want to say that's when Facebook was but I don't know but it was
030not really in use when I got on the board. I I want to say it was when they were trying to save the pool and um it wasn't well maintained. Um and it was 107 and it was um yeah, but we might be able to put one up that for information only. I mean, and then we could we could announce concerts and all kinds of stuff, but we we did that with no comments. That could be a way to get information. Yeah. So in terms of timeline of course timelines but I think that you know the content itself and having some sort of of easy framework um and maybe like a Q&A available so the content can be you know um get to the public the best way because like when some things can just
031be overwhelming and confusing and not you not give you the whole picture. Um, so I think that that was last time. >> I just I just pulled up our current page of business and finance and you'll be able to actually go back quite a few years. >> Yeah. >> So there there is a unfortunate >> I know. >> Yeah. >> Ways to get that information now. So, we're, you know, I do I I I I'm happy with a lot of this information that's already published and it's a guide for people who are paying attention, but like you said, there are some people that don't have access. >> Well, they don't know where to look and just, you know, I'm just thinking it would help maybe with fees, transparency, >> right? >> Um, >> that's all
032I mean, and we we only have a few things. We have the tribune and we have de grand right and you know if we could just get timeline up be you know because they only see the end result they don't you know we're like you know we started this in January so we have meetings and so if you know maybe if we could get the process up and then keep maybe maybe more people will show up at the meetings or more maybe more people will watch right I don't know I'm just just in hearing everything from our last capital project show it's I think we could take some of what we're learning there and apply it to to our budget classes. I don't know for sure. Anything else for Okay, sure. It looks like you
033just had your two. All right. Well, I can just go ahead and ask for a motion to approve special education equal personnel services. Great. CSC and CTSC. Yep. They're combined into one tonight. >> Yeah, just they are combined. >> And a second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carried. 6. >> Yeah. Good. Um I did include the report from the high school and middle school regarding uh the clerks that are helping us manage uh the cell phone uh ban. Uh that's in board docs. If the board has any questions or if you need more data, please let me know. So I'm hoping, you know, we can provide more information for the board with respect to that report. I'm just I'm just curious and it's great to know like I'll be in and out
034with OC's early dismissals and that are they receiving do you know and I don't I don't know how we would know but like many health like calls from parents I know we were really concerned about parents wanting to get in touch with their students during the day are we receiving many of those calls or >> I did include that data in >> and I I think uh Felicia is going to collect that data specifically uh because I'm not sure if that was listed in the report. So, we'll definitely update that report for the board. Um it's definitely busy at the high school. Uh so, we're just looking to get a little bit more data from the middle school. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Yeah, absolutely. And we, you know, we knew this the board was
035very generous and letting us move in this direction. Clearly, it seems like it's very busy at the high school. Middle school still evaluating its busyiness, but we'll get some hard data on how many phone messages uh our clerk is receiving, how many times they are uh working with kids who are coming to school late that need their cell phones uh kept at the main office and get some more data from the post school. >> Yes. And I have to say that I know like um the senior lunch bunch and I'll just go back all the way back to seems like it was just yesterday but um I know it was uh I heard after but great that we allowed the students to have their phones to be able to take those pictures and have those
036memories because truly that's we don't have cameras anymore. So, thank you for that and hopefully we'll continue that through um not only just for our seniors but for some of those other special occasions so they can capture those those are important to have for so thank you for that. The other uh report that I put under the superintendent report for the board is to get your feedback as we have created this draft community feedback survey as it relates to uh the results that we received in the capital project vote. We definitely want to thank the community for coming out and voting. Uh it was, you know, a lot of people, 1400 people said no thank you to the capital project and we appreciate their perspective and their vote and it's really really important for all
037of us and uh the school district to hear and listen to that but to learn more and maybe do a little autopsy on that. Uh we've created this draft survey. We'd like to give this draft survey out to the entire community. So I'm open to the board if you have suggestions and how not only to have our families have access to this but non you know residents who have don't have children in the schools the best way to get this information to them. And tonight if you have recommendations to modify add delete um items we can uh I'll take that and manage that right away so that we can get this out as soon as we can. Brian, first of all, I just I want to say thank you for taking the time to put
038this um survey together. And I just really want to reiterate that um although it wasn't the results that we were looking for, we really thank the community for coming out um it really is an opportunity for us to look at our process and and and make it better going forward. And I just have a few quick things to say and then um mine is going to be more on the process. Um as it's kind of like I shared with the budget. I really truly believe that we need to get this survey in the hands of everybody. So I would actually like to see an actual physical snail mail out. Um and you know with that you know um along with a digital copy getting it on aisle demand getting something in the tribute um having
039pickup locations but you know it' be nice that in the survey we could um put some details of why we do certain things too before they're you know so they have some information maybe more detailed information um on the project and then also um you know even with snail mail we're going to miss some people right so let's say I get it and Jay doesn't and he's my neighbor you know if you put oh you you can pick it up at the library or you can pick it up at the town hall or they're at all the schools or you can click on this link right um so we have information for the individual does that make sense like >> yeah I would like to see that I'd like to see the paper copies maybe
040not suggest suggesting you mail it to everyone or you >> Yes. >> And what would it be a pickup and then also like dropbox location? How would you get them? >> Well, they they can mail it back, drop them off. >> We actually have a little mailbox at district office that's mounted >> and that can be an option. Drop it off there. >> Sure. >> Drop off mail it back and then obviously have a deadline, right? But um >> maybe work with us as well as another option. >> I'm also thinking that our public library has as a location. >> Yeah, I'd love to see you. >> I'm sure we can probably reach out to this, but I I I guess my whole point is is that we we really need to hear from everybody
041because um I know I I spoke to many people that came out and voted and um you know they're not on social media. They don't rebrand our ideas. They and and the only way that they would receive that is if there was no house. So I I just really think you know after receiving you know 1,400 nos if we're in put >> to Roger's point earlier QR code I don't know I'm just thinking out loud. I'm not good with type of stuff. So uh is there such thing as a QR code for surveys? >> Yeah, sure. >> That's another option too. It would be digital but for certain, >> right? >> Yeah. I'm thinking of those people who >> the seniors right the paper I think the mailing is going to there were people that
042seniors that would be able to figure the website out >> don't even know what a QR code is they have a track phone you know >> I think the mailer is definitely um I also agree with possibly just terms being lots of comments on Facebook that might couple days after um some misinformation that you know people they they hear something and they don't know the full story or they believe they know the certain they throw it up on social media and then everyone believes that it's true. Um so I do agree with Sue where if we can put something like turf field placement it's added to life and if we don't get it done this project. The reason why it's there um hexag the the issue with how hot the classrooms are and how temperature
043the cap temperature classrooms just even if it's like a quick one sentence >> a little bit more detail under the question >> why we're putting it there and I don't want like a book because people are going to stop reading >> but if we have like one or two sentences like just exactly just draw them in like this is why the board of this area, >> right? >> And then HVAC upgrades were not just for the air conditioning, right? You're upgrading the actual heating units. So, that came with it. So, >> okay. I like that idea. >> Just a little blurb. So, there's a little bit more information. Um, I would love a picture of the boys lockers and how terrible they >> Well, I was I was going to suggest >> I mean, what
044if there was an image? >> Yeah. So people can actually see you have a lot of, you know, in my line of work, we have a lot of people that are visual and objections to certain things like one of the things I say to my clients are take pictures, pictures, give me an explanation. Tell me why. Because it helps with the thought process negotiations. If people see the condition of these lockers, the fact that doors, they don't get shut. They're rusted out. They don't know. >> So, so to to to your point, Joy, going forward, we have to figure out how to get that information out to them before they vote, >> right? And um and I know we do everything that is required of us and we do it very well. And um but
045you know that I I I've heard that too, right? like it would be helpful to seize, right? So, you know, putting in the survey could cause some ink too because a lot of people go back to school, we don't know the lockers are busted out. We don't know our VAC is out of date like that flyer that went out, which you know, we have always done in the past. I'm not right. And I explained that to people. We've never had to um we've done everything we've done in the past. We didn't realize we didn't have disorders. we've always had the support. This is a great time for us to sit down, reflect, but to Joyy's point, you know, before that fire earlier, if we can give them more details before they vote the first time,
046I think we may have um maybe had a few more guesses. I don't know. I don't know. I'm just saying like to your point, right? the best job. >> That's what they're saying. Like there wasn't a lot of detail on that flyer. So I just wanted to mention that while you were while you were saying that. So um >> so we'll definitely take I know I asked Cheryl I just gave it you're taking good notes for me. Um so we'll add a little more details. If we need to add some pictures to the survey, we will. Um how about any other suggestions besides adding those things? Are the questions uh good enough? The items good enough for your >> I think so. the autopsy. >> Yeah. Well, that to our point that we just talked
047number five where you primarily receive information about the project. Like Joey said, a lot of people interested to see people information online versus the information you put out information the pres. And the meetings we discussed it architects were here. Do you think that um the information on contribution should be included somewhere? >> Okay. Survey that was a very common theme of misunderstanding where you know many people did not. >> Yeah, I'll add that. It's great. And even if we break it down simpler than the big centers something >> the goal is is to get it simple but where they understand it and not get lost. >> Yeah. >> So I'll work on that this week and I do have a meeting tomorrow with our >> just one other note. >> Yeah. Um, I think we're
048focusing a lot on changing minds of people who voted no. And I think it was very clear that somehow our parents did not come out and vote for this. And whether it's because there's an assumption that this has passed historically and that that vote was not needed. Um, I think we do need to pay attention to that demographic too because you can't imagine parents of students voting this down and somehow that was missed this time. >> For sure. And this the digital one is easy to send to 4,000 email addresses that we control. So that'll definitely we'll definitely get a lot of that and hopefully they'll indicate that you know on number three right Mark you know I am a parent I am a resident you know we'll be able to see what the u
049uh percent of of individuals who reply to us. So that'll help us out too. Thank you. So Beth, I just I just want to go back to a 2019 capital project vote um which I had gotten the details from Brian just to reference to all of to everybody. Um we we it passed 540 to 257. So we really got the same, you know, parent support that that we had in the past, right? So, um, I would be careful in saying we we didn't get the parent support because we got the parent support we've always needed in the past. >> Right. Right. >> I guess I'm just saying can we more we can absolutely we can work on that. But I just want to be careful that especially here it's in the at the table and
050and I think if we went back historically we've received the support we've always had. Um, but can we do better? we can always do better and obviously we kind of that's what we're learning from this but that's why I I just wanted to mention that um and yeah >> great good feedback thank you so much and >> the other thing I want mentioned you know you're putting in a lot of information I just I just want to remind everybody that we're asking why they didn't vote and now we're giving them a ton of information they didn't have when they were. So, this isn't this isn't asking them to lose, right? And when we go back out for the other vote, we will be giving them more information. So, I just I just want to be
051careful what this tool is for and what we're trying to ask and what kind of information we're trying to receive. survey looks great. Thanks. >> All right. So, we'll work on that. And then I mentioned I have a meeting with Ally Lens tomorrow. So, we'll take a look at all of these uh suggestions and make some modifications. And we'll begin looking at getting this out by US mail, too. Maybe doing some QR codes around the community. Definitely tapping into our library. uh seeing that the town hall would uh be a drop off point too and I think we'll look forward to that. >> Yeah, I think it's great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. So, um I don't have anything for Gizmo, but I'll just go on to the um the other item I
052put on. Let me come back to the lost which is the real property tax law exemption for veterans. Um I'm not quite sure why I'm sure everybody has seen it now that it's on the the agenda, but um there is a new program out for our um disabled veterans for a tax refund. Um I believe it's 100% refund. Um and it is for veterans that are 100% disabled. So um it is a new um new law. I'll say it was signed by our governor on December 19th and we um it's here dated January 8th. Um, as you all know military, we the last uh veterans um exemption I will say that was passed our board um did enact that deduction or reduction in our veterans taxes when that came up. So it's here kind of
053for information to look at. Um I support it. I would like to see our board review it and um be on board with it. But what what we need to do, Doug, is figure out um how how our veterans would sign up for it, how we um and how we follow through with it. I think the last veterans tax um reduction had to go through the town because they print our bills if I remember correctly. Um, but if we can get the actual steps on how it's done, I don't Um, >> well, the the current law, >> sorry, that's the mic. Thank you. The current law for veterans that are 100% disabled is a 50% reduction in their taxes, but it's capped at $40,000 of assessment. So, every veteran that's 100% disabled right now gets
054a $40,000 reduction in their assessment. >> Is that automatic? Well, you've already have that. You already have that on. >> This extends that >> to provide a 100% deduction. >> Um, the research we've done so far is there's 122 people that live in Grand Island that are 100% disabled and get the current um deduction. Um, if you went to 100%, it's about $41 million. And we can provide this at the next board meeting when you have a more in-depth discussion. >> Is it still capped then? >> No. This extension, >> this extension in effect would relieve them from paying taxes as I understand it and the amount of money that they wouldn't be paying will be spread to all the other >> taxers. So yes. So, we're not going to we're not going to lose.
055We set a levy. >> Correct. >> We will not lose any money. Whatever our levy is, we will collect. But if there are people that are exempt, whatever they are exempt is going to be spread to other people. >> John, I So, you're saying 41 million? I I find it hard to believe that 122 residents pay $41 million in tax. >> $330,000. >> Yeah. So I I'm going to guess that's the valuation maybe of the >> it's the assessed valuation. >> Okay. Okay. >> So um >> and the total is over, right? >> Well, our property base is is 3.5 billion. >> Billion. Yeah. >> And we would be losing 41 million. >> Well, we wouldn't be losing it. >> It's being spread to it. be absorbed by the other. >> Right. >> So for
056myself, I'm more interested in how we implement it. >> Um for me, it's an appointment. Um >> whatever. For me, >> it's a local option. >> Yes. And we voted unanimously on the last one. I don't know what this board was, but um we sit here today because of our veterans and some return home injured, >> disabled, and some don't return at all. So, some pay a lot a big price and anytime we have an opportunity to say thank you. Um so, I don't know what other information um these board other board members would like, but for me, it's more about how we implement it. Um and then I I I would I just want to make sure we know how to do it, how to do it correctly. Um because I'm assuming these legends
057are only have to sign up for it, right? Like the last time we did the exemption, they had to know about it, sign up for it. >> Um well, it is for the current people that are already 100% disabled. just transfer to the new received. >> That's correct. Okay. >> So, anybody new, I'm assuming they sign up. It's probably very similar to the star exception. You sign up to the state tax department website. So, that's how you sign up. But for existing, >> good. So Doug, would you be able to put together a report for the board and maybe a draft uh resolution language and then the board can take a look at it? Sure. Table it or take action? >> Sure. >> I I will certainly want to know the the difference that would
058be shifted. Everybody I think they have to know that number. >> Sure. I I understand the importance and I'm not saying I don't disagree with Sue. I'm saying that we still should know the the actual ascertainable number. >> Okay. >> I just know the last time we accepted the program, I don't I don't believe they got that number because it was larger and it was more unknown because there was multiple levels and >> it was really. >> Yeah. So, we've already approved the 40. It's only the 60. >> And the information I have is coming directly from the assessor's office. >> Great. >> So, I'll be able to put a report together and I'll calculate the difference and what we describe. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you. >> Does anybody else have any information? >>
059Great. So, we'll um we'll go ahead and receive that information and if everybody's comfortable, we can put that on our next agenda as an action item. >> Thanks. I'm sorry. >> Yep. >> Oh, no problem. Um just a quick update from both the Gigabine and middle school PTA meetings. Um both schools worked together this year on their point set of sale. It's an annual fundraiser and just wanted to mention that um that brought in just over $1,000. So each school is able to net about 25. >> All right. On the public comment section, general items not included in the agenda. Nobody signed up. So we're on to committee poll items information round table. And we'll start with you, Roger. I just want to say >> um I just wanted to mention I was invited to
060attend the Sidway sing along the day before break. Um, and I had to try not to cry through the whole thing because it was so sweet and so endearing just to see all these little kids in their pajamas singing and to have Santa come into the gym and um it was just such an uplifting moment for my holiday season and I'm grateful for all the parties that come together to make that happen. Very cool moment. >> Thank you Jay. >> Just thank you Dr. Fouchy for the tour. Always good to get back through the buildings and see what's going on. Appreciate it. Happy new year. >> Thank you. >> Everybody. >> Yeah. Thank you. Just a little bit of couple notes. Um as the board knows, every building in our district, all the faculty, staff,
061administrators do an amazing job at supporting those in need in our community. just want to shine a spotlight on all of our faculty, staff, and administrators who worked above and beyond to support families in great need uh from November through the Neighbors Foundation work uh that was uh spearheaded at first by our elementary schools and then uh middle and high schools. So really a great altruistic experience uh for um our school community, giving back to our community. So thank you to everybody involved with that. And uh some of you may know I'm the president of the Erie Niagara School Super Association and we're putting together a regional grid capacity seminar this January. I've invited Sue uh to attend along with me. Hopefully Doug will be able to join us. And the goal of this regional
062grid capacity seminar is not to be political. It's not to uh talk about any other aspect of zero emission bus challenges except for the superintendents in this region and board trustees to better understand the capacity of the grid. So we've invited NY, we've invited um the national grid and we've invited NAERTA. Uh I'm very pleased Dan Lanage from Niagara Leaf Field is going to moderate the event. Uh we're going to have a expert panel uh talking about brick capacity. We have approximately 60 attendees so far. And of those attendees, they've inserted on a spreadsheet uh the location of their transportation center so that the experts will be able to look zero in on that address and better understand the current capacity and their plans for future capacity. So again, it's apolitical. We're not looking to
063have media attend. We're not looking for anything of that sort just to better understand the realities of this law. So, I just wanted to share that with the board. Uh Sue will be attending, Doug will probably be attending and we hope that for the region, it's a great introduction to electrical grid capacity and uh the realistic notion of this law as it relates just solely on capacity. So, I just wanted to share that with the board and we'll be able to report back out in February about that that summer. >> Great. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Great. So, 2026 seniors, this is your year and I know we're sitting here in January, but I'm going to tell you, June's going to be here pretty quick. So, just hold on to your hats, enjoy the festivities,
064and before you know it, you'll be crossing that stage in June. Um, it's a lot of fun. So, a lot of hard work still and at least until the beginning of June, but um enjoy your time. It's it's a great it's a great time and um it's your year. So, congratulations. Couple dates here. February 2nd, we have our next board of education meeting if you would like to come back and join us again. Um it's also our first budget input meeting. And in case you're counting the days to your next days off, that will be February 16th through the 20th. That is our turn. And with that, I will call the meeting to adjourn our meeting at 8:31 p.m. Can I get a motion, please? >> I a second. >> All in favor? Yes. >>
065If you're student that needs your agenda, you can come up to any board trustee or any one of those. I want