001call and then we adjourned immediately into executive session at 6:05. We adjourned from executive session at 6:46 um and no action was taken. So moving on with the agenda uh we have the approval of agend of the agenda. May I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I >> Okay. U moving on to the previous board minutes. May I have a motion and a second to approve the minutes? So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> um communications. We did share some communications from Irwan Boseies about the board of ed uh last week. Um we have two letters of interest um from the incumbents. Um are there any other communications to share? No. Okay. Um that is
002it. Unfinished business. We have none. So that leads us to our superintendent report. >> Thank you, Mr. Valante this up maybe. There it is. All right. Okay. Um we would like to start off tonight with a few um we got some superstars in our audience that we're really um really proud of and um wanted to make sure we get them in front of the board to recognize their great accomplishments on behalf of Sweet Home. Um, so first I'd like to call up Sophia. Come on up. >> Um, super proud of you. >> We haven't said what you did yet. Uh, but but that's okay. So, um, we have, uh, not only does the board of education want to recognize you, but the town of Amherst is also here to recognize you, um, on really setting
003the stage for girls wrestling here at Sweet Home. And to get a hundred wins, um, as a Sweet Home Panther, um, in an emerging sport is just such an honor for our district and our school. and we could not be more proud of your efforts and everything that you've done for the program to put the program on the map here at Sweet Home. Uh but to also to elevate girls sports across New York State. So super proud of you. You finished eighth in states. Couldn't be more proud of you and congratulations on all you've done and way to represent Swedish. Stand from her back. Get mom and dad in the show. That's good. Make sure you start. You got to shake everybody. We're all so proud of her. >> So proud of you. Thank you
004so much. >> Congratulations. >> Oh, congratulations. Yeah, >> congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Way to go, Sophia. Congratulations, Sophia. That's awesome. >> Thanks. You're such a tiny thing. Congratulations. It's just >> congratulations. You're welcome. >> Stay up here. Stay up here. >> So, we're honored to have our our town supervisor here as well. Um, who wanted to say a few words to Sophia and our new town supervisor, Sean Lavin. So, um, thank you, Supervisor Lavin, for being here. >> Uh, this is incredible to stand at the podium and not at the board. So, I want to take full advantage if that's okay. >> So, Sophia, is that okay if you stand over here next to me? Just I want to I want to read this in its entiters. So, Superintendent Janestri, members of the Sweet
005Home School Board, uh, thank you so much for inviting me. Sophia's I'm here on behalf of Sophia, much like yourself. The town of Amoris got a proclamation for I want to read it in its entirety because it she is such a dynamic individual who I think uh, puts home uh, and excels in this program. So, we are also so proud of her and I want to make sure this is read into the record. Whereas Sophia Gudana, a senior at Sweet Home High School in the town of Amherst, has distinguished herself through exceptional dedication to athletics, academics, and service to her community, taking first place in girls wrestling title in the 145 pound division. She has established herself as a true trailblazer in the sport of girls wrestling, demonstrating remarkable leadership and determination as the co-founder
006and captain of the school's girls wrestling program, helping establish and grow opportunities for female athletes while serving as a role model for younger students. Throughout her time, Sophia has competed as as a 4-year varsity athlete in both wrestling, soccer, serving as captain, earning numerous, including most outstanding wrestler, most valuable wrestler, champion, overachiever award, MVP, first team ECIC, and the Heart of the Panther award. She has demonstrated her commitment to athletics and mentorship by assisting with coaching younger wrestlers with local youth programs, children ages 4 to 10. She has also excelled academically, earning scholar athlete recognition in every sport each year, being inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Whereas committed to leadership and civic engagement, Sophia has served for three years as a student government senator, an athletic committee chair,
007also participating in the Amoris Youth Consortium, pledging to promote healthy, drug-free lifestyle and positive role modeling. Before they are resolved, the Amoristown Board proudly recognizes and honors Sophia for her outstanding athletic achievements, leadership, academic excellence, and dedication to the community. Sophia told me she lost >> four matches, >> 14 matches in a four-year career, uh, which is unprecedented, and we are so thrilled, um, for your success. So, thank you, Sophia. Yeah, it's all >> Where's college? >> What's uh what's what's the plan after Sweden? >> Um I'm thinking about going to either I want to be a physical therapist major in biology. >> Wonderful. Nice. Let's all Yeah, let's all come around. >> Sure. >> All right. Okay, stay where you are. Excuse me. And I know we will get the supervisor back at a
008meeting soon um for updates on the town and development and all that stuff. So >> I love all right. This is a good night. This is a good night. >> You can go. They want to go. >> Yeah. you are you are more than welcome. Um it's a public meeting you could stay but this is uh if you if you want >> but also we understand >> take off too. So, uh, continuing with our theme in athletics tonight, um, we found out last week during our, um, athletic use meeting our athletic council meeting that coach Brandon Woods won the coach of the year for the ECIC, which um, is a true honor for Sweet Home. But, uh, just, you know, co, if anybody knows Coach Wood, Woods, he's he's the most humble, uh, but most
009passionate man, um, when it comes to our young men and our young athletes. Uh, I won't even say basketball, but just developing young men, young athletes here at Sweet Home. We are so fortunate to have him as our coach uh, here uh, for the boys basketball program. I'm not even going to say team, it's a program. Um, because he goes to everything and anything under the sun. Um, Coach Woods works years year round with our athletes and student athletes. And um, he is, you know, the basketball is important, but growing young men um, into men is is more important for him. And he puts that a lot of weight on his shoulders. Um, and his family is here tonight, uh, which they should celebrate in this in this award because he puts a lot of
010time and effort in. And I love seeing his boys and his wife at games. Um, and I know they love being here, too. Um, like I said before, we are just really blessed to have Coach Woods on our staff here at Sweet Home, not only on the basketball court, but at the middle school as a counselor as well. Um, where he dedicates countless number of hours, um, to helping our our our kids grow, um, as people at the middle school. Um, he's on our athletic council, um, which is his voice is super important, um, to be on there. Um, and he, again, he's a yearround coach. um the stuff he does over the summers, the leagues he he has our kids participate in, um the youth programs that he's a part of, it all comes
011together and he just had a fantastic season um this year. Um and I know uh you know he's already back at it again um for next year as well. And so it's my honor to bring up Brandon Woods um here tonight and he gets the welldeserved well-earned uh ECIC coach of the year and it's just great honor for him and and for Sweet Home. So congratulations coach. Very nice. Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Turn around. >> Then then to your turn to your right. Yeah. Then we'll get in front again. >> Same thing all over again. >> All right. >> Pictures. >> One more. >> Oh, you're going to keep going. >> Congratulations. >> She's the cruise director. Yes, sir. >> Coach, congratulations. You're welcome. You're welcome. >> Yes. >> Certainly not Dr.
012Destri's making. Yes. >> Oh, you're getting a staff in there. Hey everybody. Congratulations, coach. >> I should say when we found out that Brandon won the award, first thing out of his mouth was, I have the best staff in the world. Said that you guys, >> you took off your jacket, so you got >> just for pictures. I'm putting it right on. I appreciate it. Thanks a Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Um, go ahead. >> Yeah. So, thank you once again. Um, very honored to not only be here, but also represent Sweet Home basketball, but Sweet Home, our district, our school district is means a lot. We're at SH and I tell our guys all the time, it's it means something. Like, you look at we're in a we're actually we're about to embark
013in March Madness, right? So, you watch Duke, you watch UNCC, and they have those logos on, it means something to those guys. same thing for our guys. So, first and foremost, thank you to our admin, um, our Bill Nman, but also our district and also our board, um, Dr. G, thank you very much. Um, this is, see, we have a person here at the lead of this district that if you call him, he'll answer. If you need something, he will respond in a appropriate time. And I appreciate that. Thank you so much. Um, our athletic director, Chriso, thank you so much. Um Lorraine, our secretary, one of the best um top-notch department custodial, our trainers, Marcy, um Marcy should be a first ballot um hall of fame state person, you know, going in the state
014hall of fame. She should be a first ballot. Caleb is will be falling in her shoes, I'm sure. Um our players in in our community is just amazing. And our players, honestly, they they put up with me. um they put up with us and it makes them better. And just like what Dr. G said, we're our aim is not just make them better basketball players, but make them productive uh citizens in in society, right? Because they're going to be a professional um doctor. They're going to be maybe superintendent. They're going to be something in life, father, husband, and they're going to have to use some of those lessons and import into that. Um, you know, I I think that our alumni also is huge for us because like right now we have a kid that
015played for me a few years ago and he's stand where I'm standing he was in front of the board if you guys remember Don Lewis he was speaking to you guys about why it was important for us to play sports during co right and then you know Miss Doria was up here as well I was here and we had family and again you guys listened and you heard and you had some some great u you know concerns turns, which we all did, but we got it done. That young man now because he had that opportunity, he's now a GA at Fairfield. And so he's in March Madness himself. So, um, that's one of many alumni that we have. My coaching staff, my guys got to come up. Um, Zack Blast. Um, Zach is a first
016year guy with us. Where is that? Um, first year guy with us. Um, he's a sub in our buildings. Um, he does really good work. He's played basketball at at Duville. um last year actually he saw us play a couple times. We had we talked some basketball and he wanted to come on board and we're fortunate enough to have him. Longtime guy. This is another reason why our alumni is so important. Um Kyle Terrone. Kyle Terrone played for me my first year. Um my first game, our first game together was against Jamestown at Jamestown. Um and it didn't go so well. Um we were very young. Um but again he was a lead in that because he was a senior but now he's an educator at Winchester right um in West Cica. Um you know
017I know there's some openings for PE. He's someone that we need back in our district. Um but what he does with our guys like every single day pours so much in time in takes my 5 a.m. texts 7 a.m. calls on the way to work and again it just makes our guys better. Um, my parents that you see here today, they've been with me since, you know, just playing basketball when I was a kid, but also at Courtland. Um, and they're still supporting now, come to my games, which I really appreciate. Um, I know at the age of 41 years old, you still have your parents still coming to games as and supporting your kids just as much as as if they're their grandkids, which is uh we appreciate that. Um, my boys and Dr.
018G talked about it, Julian Justice, but also Jordan's at home right now cuz she's sick under the weather. Um, these guys love Sweet Home Hoops. They love being a part of of Junior Panthers. They love and can't wait to come here um eventually. And um you know again the Shawn McGraths, the Mai Pattersons, the Dual Cushion Rose, the Jamal Lucases, those guys are big brothers to them and they do a really good job showing them what it looks like to be a sweet home basketball player but a a student athlete most importantly. Um not to be long-winded, but I'm just going to talk a little bit about our program. You know, we're huge on family, family, attitude, sacrifice, togetherness, and persistence and discipline. And this team here this past year, coach, excuse me, Dr. G
019was talking about showed that it exemplified togetherness. Um, this was a group that uh was not picked to be like very successful. We lost two kids. Sweet home, everyone wants our kids. So, we have to constantly fend them off um because we develop great people. Um so, I understand that. But the kids that we had come back um they heard the noise and they responded appropriately. They represented your school district the right way. um and they will continue even though out of three out of 365 days, one night um unfortunately does not um cast what these kids accomplish. And I know it was not our best night against North Tanowanda, but um you know what you what you deserve and what you earn are two vastly different things. And that night, we just did not
020earn it, but you know, we deserve to be a buff state. But we did earn an ECIC Division 2 championship. Shawn McGrath is also our player of the year in ECIC. he should be um acknowledged as well. Um and we did some awesome things and those kids are going to learn from this and have a great experience in college and and and past that. Um but like I said, I I appreciate it. I'm humbled. I'm, you know, I am a humble person, but I it's a team effort. Um but but the most important person that allowed me to do what I do, and I know you said I'm back to it right now. I'm back to it a different way. I'm coaching these guys. However, the most important person is my wife, Brooke. She honestly
021is like the most unselfish person that you will ever meet. She's an educator herself. She coaches our daughter in softball, runs um Girl Scout um we have Girl Scout cookies everywhere, guys. You want We got to get rid of them, please. Um she does so many great things to allow me to pour into this district and she's invested in this district. So, I definitely have a partner in life, but I have a partner as far as um you know, she's definitely our our CEO of Sweet Home Basketball. She, you know, signs off on things as far as like, you know, our different things on Twitter. Um but also, you know, just keeps everything where it needs to be so when I go home, I can just be dad and I can just be um husband
022and I can do the things I need to do. So, I appreciate you, Brooke. Thank you very much. Um, first and for I mean lastly as I close is this like you know this this this award is only like a little bit of like it's me but it's everyone even the kids that didn't get a chance to win ECIC Division 2. It's really all of a collection and um I'm just appreciated to have this seat to be in the seat because it's rented right. We all our goal is to leave it better than we found it and that's exactly what we're trying to do every single day we're here. So thank you once again. I appreciate it. Well, thank you, coach. Um, I mean, we're just again, I'll say it, very lucky to have you
023here at Sweet Home and congratulations on your success this year and you know, I know you're at it already, so fun never ends, right? We're trying to get our guys now trying to get them different places right now. But like I said, now it's his group pointer and these guys this guy's birthday is tomorrow. So there's >> Right. >> Happy birthday. Oh, I'm gonna have some cake. >> Nice. >> Great. Great. as uh with Sophia, you are more than welcome to stay, but if you if you guys want to um take off or you know, you're you're absolutely more than welcome to do that as well. So, oh, the boys are they want to stay. They want to hang in, right? I know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. Sounds good. All right. Um we
024wanted to present to the board uh tonight as well um what the uh proposed um after the user group work and meetings with our construction manager and architects um this is the proposed layout of the building of the addition at Maple uh elementary school. So um you will see at Maple um because it's critical and and we have the most spacing issues at at Maple. You will recall that phase one of the capital project involves the expansion um at Maple and we've been working um really really diligently since December 15th uh when after the the budget after the vote passed um that night um to start designing the the footprint um and the classrooms. And so what you see is only one facet of the design. It's the building layout or the building footprint. We
025still have a lot of work to do on the facade. We still have a lot of work to do on what the interior uh classrooms will look like. But what you are seeing here um is basically an expansion um on on the uh if you're looking at the top of the building on the right side on the right wing. Um and we put it on that side to include what you see over here is a bus loop. Um so this would be an additional bus loop that's not here now that would provide additional parking that's also much needed. Um over at Maple Mir, the um reason it's designed this way is to have the exit right out instead of to the back of the lawn um over here. We wanted to design it so the
026exit was over here right into the to the bus loop. So that's why it has kind of that weird uh shape that you see. It's not a normal square or a box. It it has this cutout right here. um so we can have that exit out to the to the uh new bus loop that would be in the back of the building. Three of these rooms are designed for UPK. Um one of them is a STEM room. One of them is right now labeled an ENL room and one of them is a grade level room. So the hope eventually at Maple Mir is to get UPK which is currently housed at St. Leo back here um at Maple Mir once the um addition. you know that Maple Mir is the only building in the district
027that does not have UPK in it um because of the um uh uh spacing issues that are at the building right now. These rooms uh the UPK rooms would include their own bathrooms. They are two uh stateed specs um as well. Um and the uh main hallway here that you see um here leads into the rest of the building um where the uh exceptional classroom is and where a second grade classroom um currently is located. Um we have built-in space for a utility electrical closet. We have built-in space for um technology closet as well. There is an additional restroom in the hallway here which was a request of the user group. Um there is plenty of space for storage. Uh we will build the space with cubbies inside the rooms, not in the hallways that
028you currently see. And of course in stage three of the project, the cubbies will be put into the classroom and get out of the hallways uh to clean up our hallways. Um there is plenty of like I said before, plenty of storage space that the teachers requested um to be placed in here. um as well there's clo coat closets, cubbies, bathrooms um and all within uh budget uh which is very important um in in phase one. Uh you'll see up here um where um the wing that the addition is being placed on um in the key the footprint is 7,200 square ft. Um the exit is proposed to the bus loop. Um there are closets with uh sliding whiteboard doors in there as well. The teachers request a lot of whiteboards be placed around the
029rooms. Um they do that does include an ENL and a STEM classroom as I said before. UPK and GR grade levels um and two single occupancy restrooms in the hallway. Um so if you um we're looking at this tonight, we're here to answer any questions you may have. Um but we are at a phase now where we kind of need it doesn't need board approval but your green light to move forward on this uh proposed um footprint of the addition um at 7200 square f feet falling within our budget to see if there was any questions comments um concerns. >> Emergency vehicles are able to get >> get through that loop ambulance the whole >> 100% designed for that. Yes, that new bus loop is going to be a game changer for the building because
030as you know if you've been to Maple on arrival or dismissal, it is very clustery um on that side of the building. John, I don't know if you added a number of parking spaces >> and we're adding parking. >> Yeah, we're adding parking spaces back there. I think it was 22 if memory serves correctly. Uh but that bus loop was designed such that it would be uh because of where the wing is, it does connect to the um the hallway where um several of our exceptional classrooms are. Uh so that would be a bus loop and a drop off for uh some of our highest need students. Um so it it will be uh it'll run right along, you can see right along pretty close to the property line there. Um, but we felt as
031though that this was the best way to make again uh what the user group as Dr. Destri had said at Maple Mir um to try and get as many things in the project as we could. the the architects are already working with the town of Amherst on on these roadways um in here um to provide access entry and exit access in there and to ensure that the the specs would for emergency vehicles and buses uh that could get in here and through the loop um as well. >> We lose that back field where the fencing is right now or does that stay? >> The other piece of this that we liked it on this wing is because we get to keep a lot of the field that's back there. So, where the temporary classroom is
032now or the learning cottage, um all of that will be green space u once this is is is done. Um and we'll have that space for our play play areas. Um um this also we put an um can't really see, but you see this sidewalk here. Um we're going to ex, you know, put the sidewalk around the building. Um so students will have access they could leave exit out here and get to the playground easily through the sidewalk. Um, I will say I want to thank the user groups that that have had um helped. I know Miss Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jason has been have been on those. Um, they're going to continue their work. Uh, as for the facade, we have a meeting. Um, and Young and Wright is ready to present, I think, four
033different looks of the out of the what the outer building will look like, the the facade of the building. And then they're working on the interior spaces. They'll have some um pictures based on teacher input. Um and that'll be about a month or so where they'll come back, meet with the teacher user group and get their input on um some designs of the interior spaces. >> I I just want to say I think that the last meeting we had at the school was invaluable with the teacher input that we got on all the different things how they want to see these classrooms sort of work for them. >> Yeah, it's been great and they've been extremely helpful I would say. um thinking of things that we would have never thought of or even the architects.
034Um I will say, you know, kudos to Young and Wright though. They they did um have a lot of prompts. They put out surveys. They they really are are looking for the input and they're taking that input. They have minutes that they're distributing to the user groups. Um the user groups are signing off on the minutes and making sure that all the notes are captured. I know we've done a lot of construction projects before, but they just seem so meticulous and I I just am so very impressed by their um de attention to detail and really posing questions and it just >> well we went in with the goal obviously the spacing uh in the building is an issue. Uh the the hallways are an issue. We went in with a goal to try and
035maximize. You know, obviously this is this uh these six classrooms are all that a the project could afford and b that um the state would fund uh in terms of building aid, but we tried to really meet all of as many of the spacing needs as we could uh in this in this footprint from that end of things. And you'll start to see that in the design. Dr. Estri did mention that that um you know we're looking to put uh storage cubbies inside the the classrooms and taking them out of the hallways uh to allow for easier traffic flow and things along those lines. So it's it's unique because you know not many school districts are adding space. uh we're that you're we're usually renovating existing space, but this was a way to try and
036get what we needed into a you know limited green space over at Glendale or Maple Mirror rather. Sorry. >> But the questions they asked actually brought out, you know, the teachers responses like I wouldn't have thought of putting a whiteboard along the classroom. I I don't know those exist. >> Yeah, I it's going to be pretty exciting as we move forward. You know, Dr. Janestri did mention it. The last project we engaged with a a design firm that helped us with picking furniture colors and seat styles and things along those lines. Um, but you're going to see in the classrooms how much things have changed over a period of time. Uh, the classrooms in themselves, and you know, I'm not letting anything out of the bag because we haven't really picked anything, but the classrooms
037are going to be so modernized and so different uh than than what they are now. And I think that's going to really lend well uh to teaching and learning, >> 21st century learning. >> And I'll just say one more thing. I'm excited because I think um we're learning a lot through this process that are only going to help Heritage Glendale um for their additions and Willow Ridge for the renovation um through this process. And uh Maple Mirror is kind of leading the way, but you know um we're going to learn some. I'm sure we'll change some things as we get into the other um buildings, but um you know, so far so good with the with the input. >> Yeah, it's pretty hard to believe that just about this time next year, we're going to
038be putting shovels in the ground. >> Yep. Great. >> Any other questions on that? >> I'll miss the learning cottage. >> I will not have to miss it for a few more years. >> You got it for two more years. So well of course if the the our public supports it in May but um yeah >> uh we reported last week that we were having our superintendent conference day on Friday and um like with any superintendent conference day we did a survey feedback of the teachers um um and uh we wanted to just um throw this out there to you that we had 162 responses 61 different offerings were were uh had here in the district um 91% % agreed that the schedule was well structured. Um it was a day of a lot of
039choice for for our teachers um to go to different sessions. They had where they were in literacy, STEM, portrait of a graduate, gardening, yoga, pickle ball. We had the food trucks out front. Um we did a lot of connecting to the strategic plan. Um we had students in the building uh that day that participated as leaders as well, which was really cool. Um and there was a lot of positive feedback. Dr. Wilson, I don't know. Um, and her team helped planned it. Um, and >> it was it was very exciting from the time that we advertised submitting proposals all the way up until the morning and as people were leaving, they they'd stop and say, "This is so exciting. We're so happy that we have all these choices." I think the thing that made it
040really strong for us is that it was for us by us, right? So um many of our staff members who have talents and other things like we have someone who's very good at gardening and and and sent in a proposal for that. The feedback from staff um there there was the range overall very positive and very much appreciating the balance between wellness and instruction. So they had the combination and they were able to pick from from many many choices. We had several students come in on that day and work in a couple of sessions. Janine being one of them. And you see there might be some, if you can look really close at those pictures, there might be some other people you recognize in there. Um, but our students stepped in to help out with
041sessions like the portrait of the graduate as well as our restorative practices to share to lend a student voice. So, it was it was a really great day. lots of really great feedback and as always we took the feedback and we will use it to help us continue to improve and that's the one thing I'd really like to say because this is a team effort the office of curriculum and instruction we always come together to plan our superintendent conference days and we always look back at the feedback we always look at trying to make it better and that's the feedback we've been getting that it is continuing to um to improve and become a really great day every single time somebody says this was the best one ever and the next one they're saying the
042same things that tells us that we are really um listening to what they need and responding. I I just want to add my It's hard to see, but my son's in that picture up there and he um >> well, he did tell me the night before he was excited to because there were going to be so many important people there >> and I I didn't provide any comment to that comment, but glad he was able to participate. Yeah. >> Was able to go with the flow. His partner who was supposed to present with him couldn't be there. He was sick. So I stood in for his partner. So he and I tag team um the um the the relationship building at the at the beginning of our session. He was great. >> Yeah. Good job.
043>> And then just a couple updates. Um hope you were able to attend Spongebob the musical or the music the Spongebob musical of last weekend. Um boy, the lights, the the the sound, the music, the um sets, the costumes. Um and the number of students participating just super impressive. Uh uh the entire the entire show. Um really proud of our music department um for all the work that they put in. Um they they were it was all hands- on deck uh for many many months. Uh and and they they pulled it off um glowingly. It was it was just great. Um um way to great way to bring the school together. Um and I know um the hard work that goes into it uh by many many students, adults, stage hands. Um just congratulations to
044everybody um for pulling off what everybody was curious about. How did how was this going to go and it went great. So um nice job all weekend long um for everybody involved with the musical >> starfish. Then our dollars for scholars meet raffle is coming up. Uh DFS is uh you know very important uh for our seniors. Um and we raised a ton of money um to give out what was it last year? $107,000 in scholarships to our seniors. And um so Friday, April 17th, St. Leo the Great. Um it is an awesome time. $10 per person pre-sale, $12 at the door. We also will sell tables. Um you know, only 275 tickets sold. Uh and it's just it's just a great night out. a lot of fun. Um, and Don leads our effort with
045with dollars for scholars and it's a lot of work, but um, everybody always has a great time with it. So, I want to thank Don and the group. >> Well, thank you. I I will just put a shameless plug to any member of the class of 2026 that may be watching. Uh, our deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, uh, at 11:59 p.m. So, they have to be in on Friday. This year we're going to give away close to $130,000 in scholarships to our Sweet Home seniors. So, it is something that uh there's many many people that work very hard on it. Uh and we have fantastic support from our alumni association, from all of our PTAs and PTO's and PTSAs. Uh but you know, the majority of of fundraising that we do are for events
046like this, and this is a big one for us. Uh so if you can come out and support that'd be great. Um but uh more importantly for the seniors get your applications in because Friday's going to be here before you know it. There are no extensions. >> And that's what I got for tonight. >> Any other questions? All right. Let's move on with our agenda then. Um this lead uh sorry upcoming events. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Also, I'm I Dave Lowry is here tonight and I want to say thank you to Dave for always uh supporting school boards throughout Erie County. Um I I I saw you here and I was like, "Oh, I got to recognize Dave." Um for all the great work that he does for for Erie County school boards. Um Dave
047is everywhere and and he really advocates on behalf of every single student in Western New York and um we are really really lucky to have him in Erie County. uh because he puts in the hours. I can't even um add him up. I mean, it it is he's everywhere and he's always advocating for our kids um and always advocating and promoting school boards um throughout our county, but throughout New York State as well. So, thank you Dave for all your work and thank you for being here tonight. It means a lot. >> I want to know when you sleep. I see like it's four o'lock in the morning. I'm like, is this guy sleeping? >> No. Okay. Uh so upcoming events, um we have a DEI meeting tomorrow. Glendale's MCT teacher night is Thursday. Uh
048senior high school all or all county music fest at UB this weekend. And then some uh book fairs night at the libraries, literacy nights, um and then leading to April 3rd through 10th uh spring recess. So, um, and then of course the dollars for scholars meat raffle. Um, all right, that leads us to our open session. Um, per board policy 1510, this open session is for topics related to tonight's agenda. Is there anyone interested in speaking? Seeing none, um, we will move on to new business. Um, so we did talk about these um, last week. Um A is the rules for use of optic scanning voting machines. Um our annual public hearing and district vote policy 1610. Um our special education and monthly financial uh sorry our class placements and preschool placements. Um monthly financial
049reports, disposal of obsolete property which is uh tech equipment. um our bids for our commercial printing, um for our school calendar, um capital improvement project phase one, our hazardous material survey and testing. Um overnight field trip request uh for our German exchange students. Um revised policy 1410 second reading. Um our Apple Inc. iPad and laptop contracts. um uh designate for an impartial hearing officer appointment which would allow um the board president or the board vice president to authorize um such appointments and um Bosey's use of Dexter Terrace school um contract for their extended school year program in the summer of 26. All right, any questions or comments on those? Okay. May I have a motion and a second for uh consent agenda A through L? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >>
050I >> Okay. Leaves us toformational items. Mr. Coleman. >> Um good evening everyone. Um with March being Women's History Month, Summer and I put together a wall in front of the senior lounge titled Who Runs the World? girls, a play on Beyonce song. Thank you. Uh there are multiple different influential women of all races and a quote from them listed about the power and strength women possess. Uh as we know, the Spongebob musical was last week. The cast has been rehearsing since November, and it was a great show to see. Uh we actually have four members in student government that performed. Uh Trinity Man, Sarah Asseri, Drew McNelis as Slooward, and Briana Brown as Sandy. and they all did a great job. Um, since about January, select seniors and juniors, with many being involved in
051student government, have been going to the middle school twice a month for the peer mentoring program. We have lunch with some students from each grade and play games, discuss goals, and check up on their progress. I feel it's very beneficial for middle school students to have someone older to talk to and guide them toward the right direction for their education. It's also been great for us to see improvements some students are making already and how they're uh destined to do better. The next time we'll be over there is actually Thursday the 19th. Um last week uh members of the student act committee uh went over to Damon for the regional challenge to change event hosted there along with other schools. Uh I was there this year and last year and it's overall a very fun
052event collaborating with students across different districts making art music having discussions and more. Um a update for one of our committees technology committee has been working on uh the raptor passes trying to remove your student ID on there and they have done so and it will be removed next year. Um, spring sports started yesterday and we plan to have our pep rally uh, April 2nd. The pep rally will recognize the athletic and academic accomplishments of our classmates and we plan to highlight winter and spring sports and the leader of me habits of mind through games and activities. Um, summer and I are still meeting with Dr. Luchi, Mr. Lou and Miss Bruce. We actually just met last week putting together planning and finalizing our plans for mental health awareness. Uh we're looking to do a
053town hall assembly in April. And then for mental health awareness month in May, we'll plan to have tables set up during lunch periods featuring some local mental health resources. And we thought this time would be great because kids are studying for AP exams, taking their SATs, and prepping for exams in general. So it would be good to talk to someone about like mental health and how to get all through it. And lastly, members of the members of student government have the opportunity to attend Maple Mir Elementary on Friday um June Mayor June 22nd for their leadership day celebrations. Um we have the opportunity to assist the day's activity and we are grateful for the invite and excited to be there. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miam. >> Okay, just a couple things. um PTA meeting
054I attended. Um Mr. Ryan talked a little bit about Angie Kamso and it was a nice tribute to her. Um they're getting ready for their leadership day May 22nd. It's titled Under the Sea and they had an inquiry from Albian Central who's going to come down and just see what the whole process of leadership day is. So the word's getting out amongst other districts about what we're doing. >> Great. Um they talked a little little bit about um next year trying to add to volunteers and what they can do to showcase what volunteers do and how you can get on board. And then they had a um it was a basket raffle dance night. Very well attended. I got five baskets and it wasn't fixed. It was good stuff. But the cutest thing was just
055watching the dads dancing with their daughters at in the gym. It was just it's just so cute to see the dads and kids together. It was just a really good night. Very well attended. And that's it for now. >> Okay. A handful of committee meetings. Um I had the district safety, our DEI, which is also meeting again tomorrow. Um the alumni uh committee and chef. Um, I also, we talked about it last week with the celebration of life for Andrew Kamisso. Um, I had a special meeting for the alumni to look at the wall of fame applications and picked the people that I have put on the wall this year. And most importantly, and the best trip of all of them was, uh, I visited Glendale last week and uh, I went in early. I
056spent I want to make sure I get the names right here. I I spent an hour each in two of the teachers classrooms. I started with Joel Vanderwater with the preK classroom and then I moved down the hall to with Jessica Waterford Wanderer, excuse me, for her kindergarten classroom. I got got to spend time with them talk with the kids, working with the kids on a few things and then after that Dr. Janastri and Danielle joined me and we took a tour of the school and talked to a lot of the staff as we're going through. I thought that was a great use of our time that that would be it. Amy, >> um, so just two quick notes for me. Um, I was able to pop over to the challenge for change at Damon.
057Um, I didn't realize they were at Damon until late in the day and got soaked on my way over there, but I was happy to pop in. So, thank you for letting me know, Dr. Wilson, that you guys were there. Um, the other thing I filled in for Peter at the Willowidge PTO. I left my notes at home, but from memory, I will try. Uh, I know they're in very good financial shape right now. They're getting ready for board member elections that are coming up. Uh they had some students there from their leadership team to um did a presentation. They were so stinking cute. They did a a presentation requesting funds to help them put on their leadership day. Uh it was they did a really great job. And so they were going to talk
058about that amongst themselves in terms of the PTA. Uh Northtown Community Center was there. They have so many great programs. They're just trying to get the word out. They're meeting with all the different PTAs and and just really talking it up. Um, their next meeting is not until May, so you're good for next month, >> uh, Mr. Balante. Um, and I think that was >> it was a quick meeting. I was in and out in an hour, so I don't really remember everything else, but for the most part, it was a great meeting. >> Thank you, D. So much for a quick meeting. So, I was able to attend the Heritage Heights PTA meeting on Oh my goodness. >> Wait, >> week or so ago. Can you hear me? All right. >> No. All right.
059>> My DEI, I can hear you. Sorry. Um, a lot of the meeting focused on parents in the classroom and that led into for me at least an understanding what the BLT and the PLT have to do with any of that and the kind of the relationships between the PTA and those other groups. So again, that took up a good hour worth of conversation. I think we ended up with what is the policy and uh we'll adhere to the policy and if there are some exceptions that should go back through uh the building principle and again he participated in that and wants to have a follow-up conversation with me. But a good part of the meeting was centered around their multicultural day night and the many things they've got planned which is beyond just food
060and drinks and uh various people coming in and discussing their their cultures and so I was very happy to hear that and it seems like that's moving in a direction I'd like to see it and I was able to also help support that myself. So anyways, that's uh that's all I have. Unless you haven't seen my famous picture in the on board from my from my trip to Washington DC. It's in the back of the onboard publication from last month. I'll pass it around if you'd like to see it. So although I I think my uh travel stipen might be in danger next year, but I I'll pass it around. >> That's all I have. Thank you. Ryan. >> Uh yeah, I um for the last month I attend att t att t att t
061att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att t att tended the uh finance committee for the Erie County Association school board which David was there and uh we reviewed the budget. Um and I think the one thing I want to mention to the board here is noteworthy is there has it's been 12 years now without an increase in dues. So, um, you know, u kudos to Dave and his team for being able to put on such great programming and maintaining the cost. Um, you know, and obviously with we know how things have gone up and so they've done a real good job of being efficient, um, and and being able to maintain
062and and have such good programming. Um, I did attend the High School Musical. I was not overly familiar with Spongebob, but I have a new appreciation for um uh for the cartoon and um and I was really impressed with um not only the I mean the students, the music, all that. It was just outstanding. I thought the theme really was um was a good one as well and it and it um uh just was a a very positive story of um working together and kind of fitting in with some of the ideas of diversity and inclusion in that. Um I also attended the athletic committee meeting this month. uh we began uh initial uh discussion and look at um plans for the uh baseball and softball fields at very early stages. But again, what's impressive
063about that is we had, you know, coaches and and and members of that committee that are um providing really um uh feedback that is very practical down to things like, you know, foul balls and where they get hit and netting and those kinds of things so that the um the architects can um you know, put together an initial draft of some renderings and that. So, uh, you know, I think it was a good first start for that committee. And again, this just focused on softball and baseball. Obviously, there's the other fields that we'll, um, be looking at, uh, down the road and and ultimately come to the board for review and discussion. >> Would you mind if I just add a little bit about David Lowry and what he's done with his programming? I think
064he's done a terrific job and I think that's why the costs have been kept in check is because he's able to go out and get some of the sponsorship we may not have been able to get in the past. So, thank you for that if you don't mind. >> Thank you, Dirk. Um, I just have a couple things. I did attend the um athletic council meeting as well. Brian pretty much summed it all up and I did attend the play on uh Sunday afternoon. So, um it's always fun to watch when you know you have kids in high school and watch their friends perform. So, very brave souls up there in front of everybody. Um okay. Um moving on to open session number two. Would anyone like to address the board? You would have three
065minutes. Please state your name, address, and relationship to Sweetheart. Seeing none, we'll move on to personnel. Um so uh we do have to make a slight adjustment here. So um teaching and administration one uh may I have a motion and a second for um teaching and administrative A through H and J. >> So move second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. So um then um teaching um and administrative appointments. I may I have a motion and a second for that. >> So moved >> second >> on the question. >> Yes sir. >> Okay. So I I guess I can say this in public. So, I had a little bit of hesitation earlier uh because I don't appreciate the fact that this was given to us at the last minute and I did have
066a little discussion with Michael. So, we see eye to eye on that. And I also wanted to understand a little bit more about the candidate and her new position and her strengths and her ability to push back on some of the junk that comes out of Albany and state ed. And uh I'm pretty satisfied with that. So, I think I can move on and vote in the affirmative here if you don't mind. >> You are free to make your own vote, Mr. Ravenhole. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, um may uh sorry, a motion and a second for uh letter I under teaching and administrative. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. Um, which leads us to um, sorry, uh, >> I think we're done.
067Service >> B service. Sorry, thank you. Wait, hold on. We didn't do B, right? So, consent agenda B A through um C for teaching and administrative, which would be appointments for sub, sub substitutes, and interolastic activities. Sorry if I'm screwing you up, Fallon. So, can I have a motion and a sec and a second for the rest of teaching and administrative A uh B2 and C1? >> So, move. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. And then service consent agenda for service um A and B. May I have a motion and a second? >> So move. >> Second. >> All in favor? Hi. >> Hi. >> Did I get everything, fen? >> Okay. Thank you. Um, all right. That would all we have unless anyone that has anything for the greater good.
068Okay. May I have a motion and a second to adjourn the meeting? >> Motion to adjurnn. Second.