001I was just walking by cuz I was wondering. >> Did you hear me? >> I was just walking down here cuz I I was like, "Oh my gosh, it's probably after." I'll be right back. >> Sorry. I was I was having audio issues for some reason after I returned the camera on stuff like that. OBS wasn't registering the audio, so I had to shut it all down again. >> Okay. How are you? >> How are you? >> I'm good, thank you. >> What's going on? >> Nothing much. >> Yeah. Getting ready for >> Yeah. I can't believe it's already >> September. >> I know. It's going by too fast. >> I know. pretty early this year. >> So a couple more times, but yeah, we're getting started. >> Yeah. So we started doing the start.
002So >> yeah, it's I think it's going to be Okay, here we go. This is the mic check. This is microphone number one. Mic number one. >> You're extra. >> Let me skip over to mic number three. Super mic number three. Next we have the president mic number four. Number four. Check. Check. President mic. Next is mic number five. Mic number five. Next is mic number six. Mic number six. 1 2 3 4 5 6. >> Student rep mic. >> Hello, I'm Sienna. Um, >> that was your student rep mic. I think you're good. >> Yes. Good job. >> Well done. >> Okay. And lastly, the podium mic on the wireless. 1 2 3 4 5 podium mic. 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Like the old Sesame Street. [Music] Okay, I think we're
003set with mic check. I'm going to check the transitions and then we will mute for No. >> Yeah, just >> that is correct. Okay, excellent. Looks good. Meet now in three, two, It's only took how many years? 32. I'm I'm >> like, >> no one can see anybody behind me. [Music] >> That was nice. So there's no hope. [Applause] Remember last around. >> I always No, no, no. One second. which is great. Yeah. One minute. Okay, computer's working. >> We'll go ahead and call the meeting to order at 7:33. Everybody can stand for the >> flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Just a couple quick notes. If you guys could silence your cell phones um
004and in case of an emergency exit directly behind me or the door walked in. Roll call check. We have Roger Broker trustee Beth Krelin trustee. June district clerk. Dr. Brian Graham, superintendent of schools. I am Sue Marson, board trustee. Jay Grover, board trustee. Um I almost said Marco, but that's Danielle Bruno, board trustee. John Fitzpatrick, assistant superintendent of curriculum staff development and human resources. Cheryl Cardone, assistant superintendent of people personnel services. Need to change that. All right. Um Bob Merkel, assistant superintendent for school business and finance. And we have our um student representative Saris. Um excused tonight. We have uh two board trustees that are excused tonight. Joy Marca and Ashley Dreer along with our other student representative Charlotte Tower. And that we will ask for a motion to approve our agenda for this evening.
005>> And a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carry 5. And approval for our minutes from our August 4th meeting. If I can get a motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 5 Z. >> All right. Good news for Dr. >> for sure. So, uh, the board was very generous during the budget, uh, season and all of the work that goes on in creating a school budget to add an opportunity for students who need a little, uh, additional um, connection to school during the summer. We call it the Viking voyage. The board will remember that this uh the idea of this was to support students uh when they're away from school uh to be reconnected uh to school through our social workers and counselors and those uh
006support staff that give them extra support socially, emotionally, behaviorally. Uh we the board was very generous and we created this Viking voyage and uh in turn uh the staff uh put together just a simple two-minute uh slideshow video just to show uh how they uh supported our students but also how much fun they had uh in the process. So we'll just play a couple minutes of this for you. [Music] Good job. You guys Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] So, I do want to pay attribution to our team, Cheryl. I know you can speak to them, but Alyssa Brown, uh, I believe it's Melissa >> and Rob. Yeah. maybe you could just share your color to this program. >> Um, so there were 34 students
007that were signed up to attend the program and um I think at the end we ended with 30. Um, I did talk to Missy and Cara and Melissa at the end. Um, we will be debriefing at a social work meeting. Um, doing anything, you know, the first year there was a lot of great things, but then they're excited to bring this program back again next year. kind of refined some of the um things that they did as well. He said one of their biggest takeaways was the fact that the fifth grade group going into sixth grade actually got to meet each other before going to middle school again. So, you know, they were split up when they went to Peg and then they rekindled those friendships again, you know, going into the middle school before
008going to the middle school so that they didn't feel, you know, so alone in Peggy. So, um it was a great program. Um, they had a lot of fun. The kids had fun. The teachers had fun. So, nice to get some more information. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank everybody [Music] >> comment session. We didn't have anybody sign up. So, we'll go on to curriculum and instruction. >> Thank you very much. Uh the first item on curriculum and instruction is the approval of two field trips. One for the uh finance academy as well as uh the student athlete advisory council attending a leadership/team building uh seminar engaging activity in Walt Disney World and that's in January. And the other one is for our high school um ensembles with uh Mr. Reed and Mr. else to
009compete in Chicago and that's in April. >> Can I get a motion for >> and a second? >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried 50. >> Thank you. And uh for your information, we're the annual library reports which really goes over the circulation uh and other items of interest uh that happen in our libraries this year. >> I just have Not a question, just something to note. I was looking at the um the circulation I think for like a number of books taken out between and there seems to be a big number difference between so I don't know if there could be collaboration just to maybe find out what one is doing different than the other. um it was in the thousands um in second and third or third and fourth and almost double
010every so I don't know just a suggestion as a child I look to read I don't I don't know could be class sizes different programs whatever I just noticed a big difference I just can't find it I don't know fifth grade was 4,200 and it was over a,000. So I don't know just something to know. It it just could be I don't know enrollment whatever but just some numbers to know somebody different. That's all. >> Thank you. Yeah. Absolutely. Thanks. Sorry. All right. I had two personal personnel instructional. Anybody have any questions before we ask for a motion? >> All right. Then I'll ask for a motion for to approve instructional personnel PI1 through PI5. Please >> make a motion >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 5 Z. I
011think we have >> We do. I think we do have an introduction to >> Okay, Stephanie, do you have somebody to introduce? >> Yes, that'd be great. >> No pressure. It's your first big introduction of how I love it. >> So, I would like to first thank the board for um allowing me to speak on behalf of our new hire. Um, we were in the market for hiring a new 611 teacher this year. Our enrollment numbers are rising, which is always a good problem to have. Um, so that was how I've spent most of my time um since I started at Sidway is interviewing to fill um this new position. So, I am pleased to um say that we found an amazing candidate. Brook Shakuna is joining our Sidway uh community as our new one
012special education teacher >> Stephanie. Is it okay if she's singing? >> Oh, yes. >> Yeah, that'd be good. Thank you, Brooke. >> And husband Brett. >> Oh, very nice. >> Brooke is a graduate of Buffalo State University where she obtained a bachelor and master's degree in education. She holds three teaching certifications including early childhood childhood and the coveted special education prek through 12 certification. Brooke has taught in multiple settings spanning grades K through eight in both the general education and special education settings. Outside of the school setting, Brook's passion for helping others is admirable as she established the creation of Brook Funshine, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about traumatic brain injuries and has partnered with the John R. Oshai Children's Hospital concussion clinic to enhance community education and support for individuals
013affected by traumatic brain injuries. Brooke is also newly married to her husband Brett. And we at Sidway are ecstatic to have Brooke working with our littlestings and are looking forward to an amazing fun-filled. [Applause] Just checking any other intros tonight. >> Oh, sure. Lauren, if you could stand, please. So, a few minutes ago, we saw um the Viking Voyage. Um Cara Gra um is currently the social worker at Sidway. Um she just had her baby, a little boy, last week. So, Lauren is here, um to replace Cara. Um we're recommending Lauren Bradley, um otherwise known as Lauren Colorup. She actually played soccer with my daughter Justine um for appro approval as a long-term substitute social worker at Sidway Elementary School. Uh Lauren holds a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. She
014brings over three years of experience. as a school counselor working in Catholic education with students from preK through 8th grade. A proud Grand Island Senior High School alum, Lauren was a multiport athlete playing soccer, running track, and may still hold many school records to this day. Beyond the duties of a school counselor, Lauren has led several student support initiatives including kindness club, friendship club, diamond art club, and has also coached cheerleading and track at her previous school. With a strong commitment to social emotional development and a deep connection to the great island community, Lauren is wellprepared to support our youngest learners in this support role. So, welcome Lauren. We're excited to have you. All right. On to personnel non-instructional. Anybody have any questions? And then I will ask for a motion to approve non-instructional personnel
015PNI 1 through I4, please. And a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried 5 Z. Any introductions? No. All right. I'm fine. >> Well, I have several items tonight. So, uh, I'll go over the action items and then I have anformational item that I'd like to share with you as well. Uh, so item A on the finance agenda is some obsolete vehicles from our uh, buildings and grounds department. Two trucks. Uh these trucks were heavily used for salt trucks. You know, they do have load miles and everything. We've been fortunate in the past to uh get a a a good rate for these when we put them out to auction. Um so I Phil and I have talked about this a little bit and uh we're going to be working going forward on
016coming up with a rotation for the trucks so that the older trucks are used for salting and things like that and the newer trucks are we're going to try to not use them as much. So hopefully we can get a little bit more life out of them in the future. Um so that's item A. Uh item B, the capital outlay bid recommendation for doing some floor work in the middle school. Uh a shout out to Young and Wright. They they did a very great job on this. We received six bids for this and we were able to do our entire scope of work uh within the $100,000 capital outlay. So very excited for that. Um, so the the first portion is just going to be to tear up the old floors. That's what we're approving
017tonight. The second portion is going to be putting the new floors in. That's going to be done uh on state contract. Uh so that will will be uh put in front of you at a later date. >> Okay. Question. Yes, ma'am. >> So the capital um aotment for each year is 100,000. This one came under >> 100,000. Can you do more than one or is it one up to? So this is uh you can only do one. So you're asking if you can do more than one project to get to the 100,000 >> or is it just one or is it Go ahead. >> Yeah. No 100,000 total. Um you can do multiple thing. So it's all got to be in one building. Gotcha. >> That's really the stipulation. You can do multiple things in
018that building. It's but it's got to all be in the same building. >> Um so this 34,300 is just for taking the floors out. the the other portion, the other 65,000 is going to be to put the new floors back in, wax them, etc. So, we will be using the whole $100,000 aotment this year. >> I I was just curious how it works. >> Um, but again, yep, a shout out to Young and Wright. They they did a a great job bringing a lot of uh people to the table and getting interest, especially for this time of year. So, very excited for that. Uh, and we plan to do this work over Christmas break. just for Beth as she's a new trustee and just to help uh kind of fill in some of the gaps.
019>> Yeah. A small capital outlay is something that every district can apply for up to $100,000. >> Uh the district will get about 70% back. Is that fair? Correct. About 70 71. >> Yep. So, uh, the cost of the district is in that 30 29, you know, percent range and we can only do that once a year, which is great. Uh, all throughout the state, uh, build, uh, district facility managers and supervisors along with the, uh, New York State Council school superintendent are advocating for $250,000 for small capital outlay as construction costs get more and more expensive. I mean, we were very blessed to have six bids and to find a bid that, >> you know, that was reputable, but also uh gave us flexibility in the work that we're going to do. It's uh
020getting more difficult to get a good project, a good small project done supported by the state uh with inflation and all of those elements. So, uh we will continue to advocate. I even think the uh Erie County Association of School Boards is advocating for that. So there's a large chorus uh throughout the state wanting to see that number go to 250,000. So just >> thank you for that. >> So >> uh I would just add to that uh the aid you get the aid back on that the following year versus a regular capital project. You get that aid back over 15 years. So you get the aid back faster. But uh Dr. Grant did did mention they uh in the budget negotiations the last two three years at least they've been looking for that 250,000
021didn't didn't end up coming to fruition at the end of all the negotiations but um so it Phil and I really take a look at what our our most urgent needs are and what we can address with that and and try to take care of our most urgent needs uh that we need to do ahead of our big capital project. Um, so you know, we we've got an idea already for next year, uh, that we'll probably be pursuing. So, you know, that's kind of how we, you know, after going through the building condition survey and all of that, we're always thinking, okay, we might be able to do this as a capital outlay. And then, you know, when we're getting to game time of what we're going to do, we really take a look and
022say, what's the most urgent thing we need to do on this list? >> Uh, so that's item B. Any other questions on item B? >> I I have a question. Yes, ma'am. I just wanted to say that, you know, first I really appreciate the transparency and seeing the bids and the diligence in getting that money bids. So, um, seeing them side by side, but given that that bid, just to be clear, is for removal, >> correct? Yes, ma'am. >> Only and and that's that 34,300. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Are we confident the installation of the floors is going to be um Okay. >> So, that that work will be done under state contract and it's uh like the state contracts are done by square foot. So, we've already uh Young Rights calculated that all out
023already >> at the 60,000 >> uh for the other 65,000. Yes. Correct. >> Okay. Okay. That's that's all I want to ask. Thank you so much. >> Absolutely. So, the the state contracts typically go for a year, but some some cases more, some cases less, but typically a year. So, so we're confident, you know, that that we'll be within that number, uh, with the state contract. So, >> and that being like the cost of materials plus installation, >> materials, labor, waxing, all >> correct. Thank you. >> Yep. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. On to item C, food service, obsolete equipment. Um, this is an old stove and uh we the buildings and grounds crew was actually working on installing the new ones in the middle school this morning. So exciting to have some new equipment
024in there, especially with all the extra meals we'll be preparing for next year with breakfast and everything. Um, item D, as you know, we've uh had a a transition in our accounts payable office. So just renaming temporarily Kathy McGabro has has graciously agreed to come back and help us out in the interim. So uh just need to rename her as the extra correct extra classroom activity fund central treasurer until we hire a new AP clerk. Um and then item E, item E is the transportation contract bid results. Um I I emailed a change on this to uh Jude and Brian. Um, so after we received the the bids on this, uh, I went back to the company and, you know, discussed how we might get the price to be a little bit better and and
025we were able to come to an agreement at, uh, $578 per day per bus per run, which is uh, a significant improvement over um, what the original bid came back. We only received one bid. So, uh, after working with Teresa, um, we were only going to award run one, run four, and run five from the bid, but after working with the the company and, uh, we we have two more runs that we had to add in, we were able to put five runs together. And with with us doing five runs with them, they were they agreed to give us a a significantly better rate. So, the rate uh will be updated. Um, we don't have the emergency contracts on on this one. So, uh, the two emergency contracts for the the extra runs that we
026are adding uh were different than runs two and three. So, I can't award all five runs on the bid. Those two will have to be emergency contracts and then we'll rebid those those runs at a later date. So, I'll have those emergency contracts on the September 8th meeting. Uh so for tonight, we're just going to approve awarding the bids of uh run one, run four, run five at a rate of $578 per day. Uh that's going to be using their buses. Um for this, we did explore using our buses, but after some feedback from some other districts, we decided it would be best to use their buses. >> Any questions on the transportation? See, so Jude will have the correct >> correct. >> It's just the correct motion. >> Okay. I just want to make
027sure I'm making the motion correct. >> Absolutely. >> So, uh those are my action items. Um so looking for action on on items A through E, please. Um um so we need a motion to approve finance A through E E with the change in rate per day from 696 per day which is noted in our agenda to the I78. >> Correct. Yes, ma'am. >> If I can get a motion >> and a second. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 5 Z. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks. Um, and then on theformational items, item I is uh a product called Cashve Best. So, I just I wanted to put this on as information for this meeting and then I'll be seeking approval uh of this contract at the September 8th
028meeting. So, I've included some literature in there. I I uh I'll give you just a quick summary of this. So, uh, one of the first projects that I did when I started here was to take a look at, um, our our cash on hand and find ways that we could invest it to, you know, improve our revenue in that area. So, I did include a summary of revenues for the last 10 years from interest income. And uh as you'll see in 2324 once we made that adjustment we went from about $270,000 in 2223 to uh $1.07 million in 2324. So about an $800,000 increase that year um just in investing it in in better options. Previously it was invested in a money market which was right around 2%. We were able to 23 24 the
029rates were very good over 5%. Last year they were a little bit lower still over 4% but um we we did uh 1.17 last year even better. So um this cash best product uh will so Lori Bowser I want to give her a huge shout out because she works very closely with me on our our cash flow. uh we we discuss this weekly on, you know, how much money we have in in all of our different accounts and what we can invest so we can maximize our revenue on interest earnings. Um and so she's done a great job in in helping me uh manage this and and look at what's coming in state awes and and payroll and all of that. And then we we will transfer money back and forth as needed to maximize
030this. So this cash vest product what can it do for us? So they will they would get view only access to our bank accounts and see all of our transactions uh both incoming and outgoing and allow us to have much tighter margins on the cash that we have on hand so we can take more of that cash and keep it invested in earning more revenue. That's item one. The other part of what they do is they look at uh what we're paying the banks for their service for us and make sure that we're getting the best rates from the banks for their service to us. And then the third thing is when we do financing and we go out to finance things, they will help us shop uh better and and go get us better
031financing rates and also better rates on our interest income. They will shop that as well. So right now we've typically uh been in in nightclass um and we've been doing treasury bonds through it's all you know everything is is backed by cash so there's no no risk in it whatsoever for us but they will look at a lot of different options CDs you know and a whole slew of other options and try to help us come up with the best option for investing our money. The cost of this is is right around $20,000. Uh they I've done a little bit of analysis and I and I feel that they can help us make that much more in interest and save that through their product. Um and they have a guarantee their first year of service.
032If they don't if they don't uh make that much for us, we don't pay it. So um so there is a guarantee that they have on there. Um, so that's that's some information on the product that I'm looking for uh that I'll be seeking approval for at at next meeting. Um, they have offered to to do a presentation so we can have them come to a presentation next meeting if the board would like. Um, any questions? >> What's the term we would be signing with them? Like if we decide to go, is it how many years do we have to sign? Do we have a guarantee for the first year? But how many years are we committed? >> Uh I believe the contract that that they proposed is it um I want to say it
033was 3 years. Uh but I think we have a option to cancel at any time. I apologize. I don't wait. No, I did. It's on here. It It's included in the in the paperwork. So um let me just find that part of the agreement on here. So, >> so after the first full calendar year, we would have to give them 30 days notice to cancel >> Without penalty, I said the reason. >> Okay. >> So, ideally then, >> but but we can negotiate that. I I we could negotiate just having a one-year deal, you know. Um and I could most certainly do that before I put the contract in front of you on September 8th if we want to just make it a one-year deal for now. Um I did I did check a couple
034references on this uh at a couple different districts and both outstanding references on what they've been able to do. Um one was Orley's Niagara Boseies. They've been using the service for about 5 years now and nothing but good things to say about them. Uh, and there was an additional one uh in Barker, I believe it was. Uh, he he actually I I talked to him about it at a conference uh last fall and then when I talked to Cashvest at at a different conference later on and they started describing the product, I was like, "Oh, yeah, that's the one he was telling me about." So, so you know, I I did a lot of homework on this and I I think it makes a lot of sense and will help us improve our revenues and
035it's going to be even more important um going forward as interest rates, you know, we we anticipate those to keep falling and um we're going to be using a good chunk of our reserves uh should the the big capital project be be approved, we're going to be using a good chunk of those reserves towards that to offset the tax impact. So, this will help us maximize our our money going forward. Any other additional questions on cash vest? >> Would you would the board like me to have them come present at the next meeting? >> Um, I think it's me personally. I'm not so you know I appreciate the information we get but if they can streamline it in what they do that would be helpful to me but I don't >> if they have like
036a 15minute presentation I mean >> um >> it might be worth it to you know hear from them and then >> um yeah >> just to just for you when you're communicating with them we're at Eco Island. >> Okay. So some of the technology, you know, >> where where do they where is their home base? >> Uh Rochester. >> Okay. >> Oh, maybe they'll come. >> Yeah, I I believe he did offer to come in person. So I I'll make sure that we note the technology >> and the location of that meeting. >> I mean, and handouts are fine. I mean, technology is great, but handouts are also >> appreciated. And then um really just an an outline of our responsibility, what the contract looks like and and um what would happen if we got
037out of room. >> Perfect. >> But we don't need no usually when we do presentations, I I ask 10 to 15 minutes. >> 15 would be great. The exception to that rule is capital when we're talking about capital projects because there's a lot to discuss. Yeah. But but no, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to to uh do that for us. So I will reach out and set that up and uh that's if nobody has any additional questions on the finance agenda. That's all I have. >> We'll move on to the special education person. >> Thank you. We have three action items tonight. Um the first two are are the regular items, the CPSC and the CSSE recommendations. Please both >> just two, right? I think the third item is just a first. >>
038Um I Well, can I do May I ask a question, please? >> So So we have the code of conduct that we um present to the board of education every year except for a couple of wording changes that we added. The only thing that's added this year is the cell phone policy which you did already approve. So if the board wanted to, you know, we can do the first read tonight or if the board wanted action items. So I apologize. >> Did everybody get a chance to read through it? I know I did. I don't know. Um did everybody get a chance to read through it? Is everybody comfortable with making it a um action item? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And I and the cell phone policy if you notice of it is um in
039a different color. So I just wanted to note that you know that was the change that was being made. >> Yellow. >> What is the blue? >> Is there a blue piece too? >> That could have been an error on my part. >> Um blue under student. Yeah. The chart is it is it just a blue chart or >> Can you show it to me? >> That needs to be deleted. >> Thank you. >> You're okay. Okay then. Okay. >> Any more questions for chair before I ask a motion? Okay. I will motion to approve for special education personnel services A through C, please. >> And a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carried. 5 Z. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Superintendent. >> Excellent. Thank you so much. Uh just uh just
040more of an update for the board uh the athletic department uh particularly the committee that uh helps to organize the hall of fame uh for our uh graduates who were amazing athletes. This is year two. So there was a meat raffle. It was very well attended. I myself and our friends. It was a little little warm that night but it was great. Uh so you can see through these pictures a lot of people attended. I think they raised over $8,000 which is really great. Uh so again a big thank you to our community and for all those who donated items. Um when when you know June and I have a little uh uh experience putting together meat raffles uh because this is in the summer and it's at the BFW post, their overhead costs are
041so low that they're able to generate a lot of revenue. So we really thank uh the BFW. We thank all the committee members and uh and it was great. Yeah, it was a really great time and I I won some states so that was good. Did you win anything? You didn't win anything? Oh my gosh. >> So, um as you know, we just had a new teacher academy. We're so proud of our new teachers who attended. We're so proud of John Fitzpatrick and Amy McMahon who put together a great program that highlighted our GITA and our administrators and our uh teacher leaders. Uh this was really wonderful, so well done. And uh the big theme that you'll hear um this year and you've heard it already is engagement, empowerment, belonging, every child every day. Uh
042so I think John I didn't say it exactly the correct way. It's everyone every day, right? Uh but this is a really great theme. Uh Miss Mrs. McMahon did such a great job in setting the tone. Um and uh you know, we had a really a robust week of engagement with our new teachers and putting getting them started on on the right foot. Uh all the administrators had an opportunity to either engage with them or work with them. At the end of the week, uh, we had Jay that helped, uh, welcome everybody. So, we thank Jay for that. And Sue, you also help welcome everybody on a different day. Um, and just, you know, just when you think about it, look at the tulips and the decorations and just establishing a really lovely uh, approach
043to four days, right? Four days of full days working with our teachers. And I know you'll probably talk a little bit more about that, but just a big thank you to everybody involved. And Stephanie Anderson, popsicles with the principal. It >> was great. >> Yeah. And uh are you surprised that I had this photo? >> A little bit. >> Somebody that works with you sent me this great photo and it was so well attended. I heard long line of people and it was a little chilly that night. It was a little chilly. It was great. My my vision for it was to actually be like on the playground playing >> and interacting with the kids. >> Um and then just naturally the families formed like this. It was like they were meeting Santa. Like they
044just walked a really long line >> which forced me to be stationary. So it was like everybody got their meet and greet with me which was which was really cool. Yeah, >> I got a lot of great positive feed feedback from the community. >> Yeah, it's a it's a big building. It's so beloved and uh thank you for doing that. Putting extending yourself, what a great way to introduce yourself and you know uh the board knows uh it's been busy this summer and as we look at this just this list of dates and everything that's happening already, right? It's really, you know, we're moving and grooving and the students haven't even arrived yet, right? So, you got your uh soccer and you know, athletic events already underway and and I think we even had some
045scrimmages or something today, right? But yeah, boys versus soccer away at Williamsville. >> Uh first student day of course September 4th and our staff bel, you know, give you a little update on that. Uh but it's uh rocking and rolling. a lot of fun uh exciting things for our students and their families. And uh we've talked about the Viking tip line. It's in a different location on our website, but we take this pretty seriously. Um if anybody in the community, any parent or any student or any teacher, anybody can click that button and send a report that goes to Cheryl Hardone and the principal connected to that building. So, it's it's an excellent tool to keep everybody safe. And of course, uh any board Anybody in the community that wants to communicate to the board
046can do so with BGI gicv.org. Any questions? >> All right. Thank you, Sue. >> Okay. Nobody signed up for our public comment sessions. So on to the committee of poll items and information round table. I'm going to start with you Raja. No, just excited to get back and have to see how the cell phone thing rolls out with all the buildings, especially nice to have here. She's been too quiet. >> There was no really hopefully I have lots to say. >> No, I'm glad the summer events went well. Okay, welcome back. This building looks great. I'm sure all the rest of them look just as good. So, thank you to everybody who worked over the summer tirelessly. It's very hot in the summer. I'm sure those second floors were short. So, thank you. Everything looks
047great. Looking back and I agree all the >> I just have uh two items. Uh as Dr. Graham mentioned uh we do really want to thank Amy McMahon uh for all the planning and she plans with intention. Uh everything that was in our new teacher orientation was done intentionally to raise the moment as she would say to make it not just an everyday orientation but make it a moment that they would walk away from having a better uh feel for Grand Island and the the what what we do here and how we welcome people. Um I also want to thank Sue and I want to thank Jay for participating and giving your inspiring words. Um, and from many perspectives, not just as a board of education member, but as parents, um, teachers, business leaders, uh,
048you name it, just from all perspectives in the community. Um, I also want to thank our, uh, union leadership, Bob Simpson Simpson, uh, who gave a a brief, uh, presentation, district leadership and building leadership for participating and making a moment for our brand new educators. Um, and then uh next week we have our opening days. Uh, we welcome our entire staff back to the high school auditorium at 8:00 on Tuesday, the day after Labor Day. Uh, we'll have a fun-filled morning uh, you know, with an amazing guest speaker and uh, Dr. Brian Graham will uh, give his opening day remarks and uh, take us through uh, a lot of different things. Yes, Sue, you'll be speaking again and we really do appreciate that as well as every other union president that day. At um noon,
049uh the teachers have their time in the classrooms and then the next day the building principles have an agenda for them. >> Thank you. >> Just welcome back everyone quick. [Applause] >> Couple quick updates and a quick item for discussion. Um, our external audit will be starting next week to review last year's uh, figures. Um, Kathy McGabro has been doing a great job helping us get things caught up and closed out for last year. Um, so we'll be starting that work next week. Um, B&G and Jay, you you um, started it off, but they have been busting their butts all summer long and just want to give them a huge thank you and a huge shout out. Um they they've been down some staff and they've been just working super hard getting the floors done,
050hanging TVs for the classrooms, cell phone cases, maintaining um doing district office moves, all of that stuff. They've just been rock stars, you know, in getting things done. So the the buildings are looking great and just a huge shout out to that team. Um so one item for discussion real quick. So, driver education. I've been working with uh Chris Hoffman from Hoffman's Driving Academy on a contract amendment. We we needed an amendment because of the structure change of the in-class portion of uh the program. So, uh the existing contract uh paid a a Grand Island teacher and then also paid Hoffman's Driving School for a portion for the in-class portion. that teacher is no longer uh doing the the driver ed for us. So, we have to amend the contract so that we pay Hoffman's
051for the entire in-class portion. That's the easy part. The more challenging part that I've been discussing with uh Mr. Hoffman is is the >> unfortunately there's some discussion that is part of the meeting. It shouldn't put on our agenda. >> Oh, okay. I'll >> Is it something that can wait till the next meeting or Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I think I think Bob uh >> really just wants to let the board know that >> if you want to give us the information it's very detailed, but you know, we'll we'll be able to provide a recommendation at the next. >> Correct. >> And then if you want to email us the information, if you want to go to ahead of time so we can look at it, that would be wonderful. >> We'll do. >> Yeah,
052absolutely. So, so my intention was to share the information and then have action on on the next agenda. So what what we're working on um so NIER's recommendations for the insurance limits are significantly higher than than what our current insurance limits are. Um so currently they their policy is a $1 million 2 million2 million aggregate for it. NICER recommends a $5 million policy. So, uh, in in his work with his insurance company, it would, uh, cost us approximately an additional four over $400 per student to do to do that if we wanted to go to that higher insurance. Other he's worked with other districts on this. There's uh, a couple districts that have stayed at the lower limit and kept the program. There's another district that wanted the higher limit and um they weren't they
053they didn't want to have that big of a cost increase for the program to the students. So they chose just not to run the program. Um so so those are a couple options that we're looking at now and I'll have a I'll send all the information along and at the next meeting I'll I'll be looking for a recommendation then we can discuss it at that time. >> Great. Thank you. >> Excellent. So, Bob, thank you for Let's go. >> That was not intentional. >> It's okay. Um, thank you for having me tonight and yeah, I'm excited for this school year to start and thank you to everyone who's been here over the summer working hard. Yeah. >> What are you most looking forward to your senior year >> besides it being over and graduating? Honest
054probably the passing of the George ceremony because my sister, one of my sisters is in kindergarten. So, she'll be able to run to me field. So, I'm really excited for that. Nice. >> That's a great day. >> I'm excited. Thank you. >> Nice. Thank you. Yeah. excited about that. >> I think that event will be October 2nd, right? So, if any board members are >> close by and want to see it, it's very special, very touching and uh should be a wonderful event. So, it's October >> song you played last year, make sure you play it again last year. You got everybody. >> Yeah, they had a country it was a country song. So, I was saying that uh Bob just, you know, wanted to celebrate all of our SRPs working so hard. I I
055definitely want to do the same. Really a a heartfelt gratitude for all the work. When you walk in our buildings and you see the floors popping and shining and all the work in a hot summer, uh we really appreciate that for sure. Cleaners, aids, custodians, buildings, and grounds of course. our clerks, our nurses, our transportation department, our teachers, and our administrators. I know I've said this several times over the summer, but running a summer school program and getting kids the credits they need is so important on their journey to graduation. Uh we saw today a beautiful video celebrating the Viking voyage and that really is a testament to this board and your commitment to all of our kids throughout the entire district and having those opportunities is very meaningful. So uh just want to recognize
056all that we shared with you today and of course the board also uh for their support. So thank you very much. >> Just to what everybody else said getting our school ready is a huge job and everybody does such a great job. Um I look forward to being here on September 2nd to welcome everybody back. So um everybody go out and enjoy their last few days of summer. Um it is weird. I don't have a son in the district this year. So, the beginning of the school year does look a little different for me, but I am excited and plan to still be in the district as much as I can attending those events that fit into my completely wide open schedule. Um, so you will still see me around. Sienna, have a great senior
057year. It will go by fast. Um, fast and furious. Um, so enjoy that. Um, and with that, I will just go to meeting with a few important dates. Our next board meeting is September 8th and that will be at People Island and then the next one is September 29th. So with that, I will ask for a motion to close the um close meeting at 8:24 >> and a second. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carry 5. Thank you. Have a great night.