June 2nd, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting

001Good evening, and welcome to the June 2nd, 2026 meeting of the Antelope Board of Education. We have a tobacco policy in place. There's no smoking within 100 ft of any school building. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. District Clerk, will you please call roll? >> Trustee Smith? >> Here. >> Trustee Jared? >> Here. >> Trustee Mitchell Morel? >> Here. >> Trustee Jerome? >> Here. >> Trustee Goodrich? >> Here. >> Trustee Kunnansen? >> Here. >> Trustee Bishop? >> Here. >> Thank you. Item 2.01 is our welcome from high school principal, Mr. Lance Edelman. >> Okay, I think we're on right now. I did offer it to have the students do my presentation. They've declined. But anyway, um good evening and welcome to Antelope High School. Uh thank you also for giving me the opportunity to

002present tonight. I'm going to do something a little different. So, we'll see how this works out. Usually, when I come, I present all sorts of data and talk about you know, how we're doing academically. I've decided to shift a little bit and kind of talk about uh a lot of the activities that are going on, because quite frankly, since we've been back from spring break, this place is hopping. I mean, we're we're busy, we're out doing a million different events. So, I'd like to kind of go over some of the activities that are going on in the building, and I got to tell you, I'm not going to cover it all. Especially, I'm going to talk about a lot of things that are initiated within the building, but there's a lot of things going on

003um through our clubs that I'm not covering, and a lot of things going on through booster club as well, like like tonight's uh trivia night. Um but there there's just so many events, there's no way I could get through them all. So, let me start talking about when we came back from spring break, that's when we really started with a lot of a lot of events, such as uh field trips, and uh I'm hoping everyone has the printout or can follow along on their screens. Uh but starting on April 9th, uh all of our English 102 students went over to SUNY Ulster to to celebrate uh poetry month, and they were all able to see an internationally recognized poet, Sarah Kay. It was a really nice uh day for for those students. Uh the following

004day, we sent our 11th grade students uh mainly through US history and through our English classes to the FDR library, and they were able to review historical figures, such such as uh Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt, and they got to see a lot of documents. Uh also very well received. On April 15th, uh some of our art classes, our drawing and painting, our AP studio classes, and our glass and metal classes went to New York City to the Museum of Modern Art. Uh they received a guided tour, and they explored all sorts of uh materials, mediums, and processes. Also, in April, uh towards the end of April, we had a presentation by New York State Police. Uh they came in, and we did two separate assemblies, one for grades 9 and 10, the second for

005grades 11 12. And we we had the presentation on the dangers of vaping. Uh vaping still is a is a is a huge issue for our youth. Um we continue to send very really mixed messages by all the commercials and the availability and not many people really truly understand the dangers and what it's doing to to the bodies of our teenagers as well as adults. Uh so I think I think that was very important to do. Um Also on April 21st in the afternoon, we had sent our photography and digital imaging classes to the Center of Photography in Woodstock and they reviewed some of the current galleries. And then finally on April 22nd, we sent um 11th graders to the SUNY New Paltz SUNY College Fair, which which was a a nice event. Couple of

006those things in April I wanted to mention is we also had our Seal of Biliteracy presentations on April 15th and 16th. We had nine students uh achieve the seal. Six students did that in Spanish and three in French. We also our social studies history department started reviewing where we were um progress for uh Seal of Civic Readiness. And we're anticipating approximately 33 students will earn that seal on their diploma this year. And then obviously it's pending a few requirements that that still have to be met. The month of May started off with us officially announcing the valedictorian, salutatorian, and principal's award. Uh so Shelby Burke is our valedictorian this year. Fiona Green is our salutatorian. And Jenny Albright, our board rep, is uh is the recipient of our principal's award and I look forward to

007going with all three of them as well as the board president Ms. Bishop and Superintendent McLaren uh Thursday we'll have a scholastic achievement breakfast where we'll really celebrate their success. Also beginning in May uh the first we celebrated uh Law Day uh through our 12th grade students through our civics and our AP and US government classes um attended presentations that were hosted by Ulster County District Attorney's Office. So, we had uh the DA as well as two ADAs, one isn't listed on the slide uh present to our students and talk about some relevant issues that are going on right now. Unfortunately, May is taken up a lot by our advanced placement tests. We ran our AP testing program from May 4th all the way to May 27th. Uh in all we had 104 students take

008a total of 168 AP exams. So, we're really pleased that we're still able to offer all of these AP AP courses and our students are definitely taking advantage of of that opportunity. Getting into May a little bit deeper, we were we really really enjoyed uh the the high school spring concert. Uh that concert was recorded. I did send out messages and posted on our website. There's a link, so anyone who missed the concert, I encourage you to watch it. We have such an amazing group of of students. It it really was incredible. Uh the following week was our spirit week. Uh grades 9 through 12 participated. There was a theme of the day each day. Um you know, some some some events were more better received than others, but all in all it was it

009was really a nice week. Also during that week, our 9th and 10th graders completed SEL circles for the year. Uh SEL was probably it was probably the best received that it's been in the last few years. We kind of changed the format of SEL this year where instead of them staying with one group um one facilitator they rotated to different facilitators. So, I think it kind of it kind of made it a little little bit more special. And we were still able to uh address, you know, the the core pillars of SEL, which is self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. So, the SEL facilitators did a did a wonderful job this year. Um they're in the process of just getting some additional student feedback so we can make some decisions for next

010year. May 20th, uh we were selected by New York State just like other schools were selected to administer some field tests. So, we did some field testing for the Regents in geometry and physics. Uh those were only one period ex- exams, and it's really it's really a necessary component of the New York State testing program because it's a good way for them to flesh out what type of questions, you know, could be asked on subsequent uh Regents exams and which ones would potentially, you know, not good questions that should be thrown out. So, it is a really important uh component of the testing program. On Monday, May 26th, uh we had the War of the Classes. So, each each grade level competed against one another uh various events. This year, the sophomores, believe Believe I

011shouldn't say believe it or not, but the sophomores took took the crown and and and won the event. So, they're they're being uh celebrated and there's there'll be something special for them in the cafeteria in the very near future. Uh also on May 28th, we had the BOCES Career and Tech Graduation Ceremony. We had approximately 33 students who uh graduated from the Career and Tech program. So, we're very proud of them. And then to end the month of May was the senior prom, which which is which is which is really wonderful. Um This was my 18th consecutive prom, by the way. And I still look good at prom. I dress really good. But uh the students, as you could see by the slides, um they they were they were just they were just absolutely fantastic

012and I think everyone had a had a great time. So, you know, congratulations to the class of 2026 for for their for their prom. Um It was wonderful. Okay, so let's get in let's get into today, June June uh 2nd, because this is going to be a crazy month with lots and lots of activities. So, today was the senior summit up at Bell Air. Uh we had we had roughly 38 uh no, 40 two, I'm sorry, uh students attend this year. Um The way it worked, in the morning, they could rotate among different sessions. We had The three sessions they could choose from was how to become a millionaire, which is strategies for wealth, which was presented by financial advisor Maggie Schimmelpfennig. We also had a session called emotional life skills, building peace through yoga

013yoga and mindfulness, and that was done by Tara Sanders from the Integrated Ulsters Trauma Informed Collaborative Group. Uh and then we also had a session on basic car repair and maintenance, which is always interesting to watch, by the way. It's watching students learn how to change a tire, add fluids to your to your car, what to do when your vehicle breaks down. It's uh it's very interesting to watch that that occur. And that was um facilitated by our technology teacher uh Doug Sanders. Um in the afternoon, there was a work there was a workshop um really about safe travels, and that was presented by Ulster County Stop DWI. Um and and that was well received as well. So, tomorrow night we have the community mentor presentation starting at 6:00 p.m. We have approximately 13 students

014who are going to be presenting uh their experiences with the program. I'm looking forward to to watching them and hearing more about their experiences. Um and I'm not going to speak more about it because I just read the the speech that uh the advisor wants to read, so you have to come and see it. Okay? Uh this Friday we'll have the senior picnic. Uh what we do is we we'll have the seniors from period 7 through 9. Uh our faculty who hosts this every year, they donate uh various uh food items, and and it's usually the dessert's usually the best, but uh it it's just it's just unbelievable. The kids appreciate it. They get a chance to really socialize with with all their classmates. We'll also hand out the yearbooks, so they'll get first crack

015at the yearbooks. They'll have time to sign the yearbooks. And um it'll be wonderful. There is early Regents testing going on this year. So, on June 9th, we'll be administering the ELA Regents to our students. On the 10th, we have two early Regents, which is the Algebra II Regents and then in the morning and then physics in the p.m. Later that evening, we have the National Honor Society induction ceremony. That will start at 5:00 p.m. That usually takes about 40 minutes. And followed by that is our senior scholarship award ceremony at 6:00 p.m. This year, we're looking at a little under $400,000 that's been donated by our community. Um it's always a special event. A lot of our donors will be present, or at least they've indicated that they'll be present. So, we're excited to

016give this our students those those awards because they've certainly uh earned them. The following day, or night, we have our we have our athletic college signings, which will be at 5:00 p.m., followed by our athletic award ceremony at 6:00 p.m. These are really busy nights. So, after the 11th, I'll finally get a couple of nights sleep and not not not have to stay here late. Um and we'll go until June 16th, which is the last official day of high school classes. It's also the last official day of BOCES Career and Tech. So, there has been some misinformation circulating out there about when when that when those programs end. They will end on June 16th. And then we get into our exam week, which is June 7 Well, that looks off. Uh but it's the 17th

017through the 24th. I see it says the 14th. But 17th through through the 24th. Um and then obviously we got our commencement ceremony, the graduation for the class of 2026, which is Friday 26th at 6:00 p.m. Um, we hope to have it on the athletic field. Let's Let's just hope for good weather. And beside that, I hope you could see how busy things have been here. And I'm more than happy to take any questions, comments. No complaints though. >> So, this was much better than just looking at a bunch of data. So, thank you. This is great. I'm looking at this 168 AP exams administered. Uh, I I assume how do you do that? I mean, how many teachers do you have for AP programs to pull off 168 exams? >> So, because they're they're

018administered during the day, um, what we've done is we actually tap on a tap into a lot of our retired teachers. So, we had a lot of retired teachers come back and proc- and proctored is pretty much, you know, there's a lot of rules with AP, so we have to have two proctors in in the in each room. Uh, we also have students who receive accommodations, so they're in separate settings. So, on any given day it's probably probably about four proctors per day. It's it's it's a lot. Uh, AP also switched to digital. Most of them are digital. There's a couple that that that are both. Um, but it's it's it's a it's a lot of management. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> I somehow never knew what war of the classes was. Can

019you tell me what that is? >> What Would Would to explain? I like when students do this. >> I mean, I personally did not attend, but pretty much it's all four grades compete against each other in a variety of challenges, like tug-of-war, a water balloon race, but just a bunch of stuff for um certain points, and this is after spirit week. So, you have all your points from spirit week, and then you get your points for war of the classes. It's pretty much just like a big grade versus grade competition with a lot of stuff. It's really fun. >> And the spirit week each class gets points depending on how many students are participating in that theme of the day. And then it's really fun to watch them out on the on the field competing.

020And they had a nice day this year. I think last year we had to do it in the gym. This year was out on the field, so they were able to integrate more uh water events into it. So, and there was free food for uh for all the students as well throughout the event. >> I have a couple questions. Um just you mentioned the SEL, the improvements in the SEL uh program because of the way that they're meeting with different facilitators. Are the facilitators our teachers? >> They're all our teachers. >> Right. And they've been trained by Morningside. >> Yeah, a lot of them have been trained trained either by Morningside or the ones who who are new to the program, we we have two SEL facilitators who are like train the trainers. And you

021know, and they they also meet during the superintendent conference days to kind of hone in on, you know, what's being said and how to deliberate. >> Sounds great. And then I had a question about the um the Regents field tests. And I hope this isn't a stupid question, but um do the students get any credit for taking the uh field tests in any way, or is there just they're doing this as uh volunteer work? >> Well, they do it as volunteer work, but it's also a good experience for them to see the type of questions that may appear on the exam because there's going to be you know, the questions that they're taking are going to be very similar to the for the field test will be very similar to the ones that they're going

022to be taking later in the month. So, it is a good practice warm-up to get that feel. And again, it's 40 it's only 42 minutes, so it's not um it's not a very stressful event. It's like they don't finish the exam, they don't finish. But uh it it gives a lot of feedback to state ed. >> And my last question is a selfish question because I can't be here by 6:00 tomorrow night for the start of the mentor the community mentor program, but I'm curious about how late do you think it'll run? >> I don't think it's going to run very late. I'm I'm thinking that the opening's only going to be about, you know, >> Maybe 1 hour? >> No, I'm going to I'm going to say only about, you know, 15 minutes 15-20

023minutes to welcome everyone and you know, acknowledge the mentors and the and the mentees. Um and then we're really going to do this more of a um science fair type of uh So, you'll be able to pop in and there'll be 13 different tables and all sorts of displays where each student can really go through you know, what what what they've accomplished. >> Sounds great. I hope I can make it. All right. Any other questions or comments for Mr. Edelman? >> Yeah, I I had a question which I think you partly answered about the I got mine was also about the field region the region's field test. Is So, they Did I hear you say that they only lose one class period of time to do them? >> Correct. >> And is that population of

024kids who are doing that, is that the same kids who are taking all the AP tests and >> Potentially, yes. >> Is it So, it's mostly 10th or 11th graders? >> Uh it it it varies year to year. Uh this year this year it was um it was uh 10th well, 10th graders, some 11th graders were in there, and then and the physics was pretty much 12th with some 11th with some 11th graders. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Edelman. >> Thank you. >> Item 3.01, our student representative, Jenny Albright, will give her report to the board. >> Good evening. Yeah, a lot like like Mr. Edelman said, kind of took all of my talking points. A lot has happened. But, he did miss that tonight was the trivia bowl, which was really

025fun. A great thing for them to put on, so many great prizes. It was amazing. Um like he said, there are Regents is coming um for all classes. There are the early Regents exams, which are different. Um there's the there was the senior summit today, which I heard was very good. Um the community mentorship thing tomorrow night, or not thing, presentation, again, really cool. Um the senior picnic on Friday, and then also the NHS induction and the senior scholarships, which over 400 or almost $400,000. That is insane. Like we are all very excited and very grateful. Prom was amazing. Like cannot thank our grade enough for how much money they raised to have such a good prom. It was I mean it was it was a night. Um the golf team the girls golf team

026and the girls track team are both going crazy. They're going to states tomorrow, which is very fun. And outside of just the high school, of course, like all the younger the younger schools, like the outer schools have their moving up ceremonies coming, which is very exciting for them. And also, I wanted to use my position on the board to talk about the immigrant resolution that you guys have been hearing about. We as a student body find this extremely important. Like we as a student body, especially when it comes to older grades, have left classes early to go protest for people's rights. And we deeply want this resolution to pass. We want traffic We want staff to be trained. We want policies to be in place for if emergencies were to happen and for students to

027be not just on school grounds, but on buses, at games, like at just everywhere. Um and we also want protocol in place if anything were to happen to a student. Additionally, we don't want the school to be declared a safe zone because it should be. I mean, every child has the right to education. And thus, that should be ensured by the school being a safe zone. Um and like teachers must be trained on the know-your-rights like know-your-rights when it comes to being talked to by an immigrant enforcement officer because teachers must be allies to students regardless of their immigration status. And off additionally, families must be offered resources such as know-your-rights information, mental support for families that have lost someone due to deportation or may lose someone due to due to deportation, and emergency care

028for students that like if the event ever happened did lose a family member to deportation. And just we as the student body find this extremely important and would not even love, we need to see it implemented to have faith in the district, so. >> Thank you, Jenny. Um it's very important to us as well. We're going to be discussing it again tonight in unfinished business. Um it feels like we're getting closer to you know, being able to improve our our current um resolution. And just for the record our district is considered a safe zone. Our school is considered a safe zone. So you know for for what that's worth. You know, we're not really sure what kind of protections that offers and in terms of you know, on a football field or things like that,

029but we are working we're working in the right direction toward improving our resolution. >> And we do deeply appreciate that. Thank you. >> And I just want to say that I'm so grateful for the student body for coming together and making that you know, making that comment to us. Anybody else? >> Thank you so much Jenny for speaking up on behalf of everybody tonight and always at our safety committee meeting. It was asked again another follow-up about the smell in the hallway which seems to be completely resolved. Yeah. >> Yeah, it's like totally gone. I haven't smelled it in forever. >> But I also wanted to encourage you maybe to bring the message back that it would be really wonderful to hear student voices I think at the state level too because a lot of

030what I hear you say I think I've learned as a trustee we kind of are hamstrung in a way but the state government is not and I think there is a lot of discussion now state to state about what states can do in terms of delineating areas. You know, making greater protections. So I highly encourage you all to email your representatives. It really does go a long way. I was surprised when we went to lobby day. I was like oh wow, I think that they really heard us. So so that is an additional thing that you all can do that I I think would really make an impact. >> We will likely speak to our civics teachers about that. I feel like that would be very helpful for our grade. >> First, I'll echo everything

031my colleague just said and then transition to a slightly less serious topic cuz it's But uh Jenny, I feel in your neutral reporting on the trivia bowl, you left out an important detail. Is there a member of the winning trivia team at the board table right now? >> Yes, and there's also three winning members in the the crowd. >> Okay. >> of our amazing team. >> And so here's here's what I just wanted to say to you. So, my grandfather was a Norwegian immigrant whose English was not his first language, but he loved English puns. And so did my dad. And so do I. And so does my daughter. And so appreciation of puns is something that runs in my family and is I believe it is generally considered a mark of a high intellect

032if you're good at puns. And I texted So, I when when all the trivia teams made their team names, I encouraged them to incorporate a pun cuz that's traditional in trivia. And I texted the name of Jenny's team to my daughter who said in all caps, "That's amazing." So, I would like Jenny, please would you share with the board the name of your trivia team? >> Please forgive my butchered pronunciation, but it was Lay Quiz- Lay Quiz-erable. >> Lay Quiz-erable. >> Yeah. But I did like Duff Dynasty and The Miseducation of >> Yes, we also had The Miseducation of Pine Hill, which I thought was a very nice extended pun, but I doff my cap to you. That was a That was an amazing pun and you did amazing in the quiz and congratulations. >>

033Thank you. And that was all Ms. Curluth. All of everything should go to her. >> Thanks, Jenny. All right. May I have a motion to enter into executive session to discuss the superintendent and assistant superintendent's contract as well as the district clerk stipend. Trustee Jared, second. Trustee Knutson, any questions or comments? All in favor? All right, that's unanimous. We will be back in about 30 minutes. >> Mhm. >> May I have a motion to exit executive session and return to public session? Trustee Jared, second Trustee Goodrich. Any questions or comments? All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. Uh item 5.01 is acceptance of minutes. The Board of Education hereby accepts the minutes of the May 19th, 2026 meeting. May I have a first? Trustee Jared, second Trustee Smith. Any questions or comments? All in favor?

034That's unanimous. Thank you. Item 6.01 is our Superintendent's report. >> Good evening, everyone. In her absence, Superintendent McLaren has asked me to share her update this evening. Thank you to the community for supporting the budget and the capital reserve proposition. We are grateful that this community continues to support our students and allows us to continue to provide the services and programs that are so necessary. I hope that everyone who is able will join us for graduation to see the culmination of the incredible support that these young adults have received. I also want to congratulate the returning and newly elected trustees, Caroline Jerome, who has graciously decided to continue her board service, and Aubrey O'Neal, and Phaedra Daggermond Jen, who have stepped up and joined this amazing board. We will miss Emily Mitchell Morrell and Clark

035Goodrich, but we have one more meeting with them, so no need to say goodbye yet. Last week I had the honor of attending the Mid-Hudson Athletic League Scholar-Athlete Breakfast. At this event, each district is in the Mahwah recognizes two scholar-athletes. Onteora recognized Sadie Conyers and Connor Gerloff. Congratulations to Sadie and Connor on this recognition of your athletic and academic achievements, as well as your leadership abilities. Once again, our board trustees are being recognized for their dedication to their board work through the Board Excellence Recognition Program, as implemented by the New York State School Boards Association. This program is designed to acknowledge school board members who strive to continually expand their governance, knowledge, and skills. It is comprised of four achievement levels that are reached by accumulating points for participating in Nisba training, workshops, events, and

036activities. This year, we're recognizing Clark Goodrich, Jenny Jarrett, Caroline Jerome, and Rory Smith. We are incredibly fortunate to have board members who not only dedicate their time to activities and meetings within the district, but who also sacrifice their personal time to attend Nisba events to expand their knowledge and bring additional resources back to the district. Thank you all. We discussed the future playground of Bennett during our facilities committee meeting last week. The reps from Parkatects, the play equipment company that we built all of our playgrounds with, came and reviewed all of our play structures to determine which of them might be relocated to the central playground. We will be creating boards with options for students to consider and share their opinions on what structures should be included in the layout and different layout options. We

037will bring this to the students in September for their consideration and input. Superintendent McLaren also asked me to share status update for the AI circle and our proposed policy work. The AI circle team convened on Thursday and has identified minor recommended revisions to the Nisbet AI policy. We will present an analysis of staff, student, and parent survey results at the next meeting with recommended edits to follow. Additionally, the team has begun developing guidelines for staff and students on the appropriate use of AI for school related work. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Item 7.01 is board district news. Do any trustees have news to report? >> When Principal Edelman mentioned the concert, I thought to myself, have we really not been together since then? Is that possible? Okay, well, the middle school and high

038school concerts were amazing. If I didn't say that, I don't think I did say that last time though, so maybe it happened since then. It's the end of the year fire hose, I feel like. I don't know. Yay. Yay for the concerts. Um I attended the hidden in plain sight um workshop that Dr. Salamini offered to middle school families. And I think he said that he opened it up to all the the other elementary both elementary schools as well. Um it was excellent. I am very happy that he's partnering hopefully with Ulster County Prevention. Uh it looked like in our update it for students. And I thought it was a brilliant to offer uh the hidden in plain sight room experience during open house. Dr. Salamini is a man. When I read that, I was

039like, yes, so smart. Um and you know what? I I think it's a really important for uh parents to even just spend a few minutes talking. The the women running it were so uh educated, but also very easy to talk to, so knowledgeable. Any question. And it was really it was useful things even like I wouldn't think of. Um not only what these things might look like, but also like slang for them. Because like I sometimes have a bunch of teenagers in my car, and I do not believe any of them are hiding vapes, but they say all kinds of things. I don't know what they're talking about. You know, so it it it was really like a very comprehensive. So, I was sad there weren't more families able to attend. There was only four

040of us. Um but I'm encouraged um by his desire to like integrate it more, and I I'm fully in support of that. And one other thing is that in the amazing end of the yearness, every year the um some part of our junior music department performs at the Maverick concert opening, which is going to be on Saturday. The middle school jazz band starts at 12:30, followed by the um select jazz band. And then I believe you can see trusty Knutson and his wife uh Francis in Ars Choralis, followed by the band The Siblings, which is actually four sets of siblings, but three of them go to Onteora, and they're going to close out uh the Maverick concert this year. And it's free, and last year there were baby bunnies and ice cream and all kinds

041of things. So, if you want to come and just be in a beautiful place and celebrate some Onteora folk, that's this Saturday at 12:30. >> Thank you. Any other? Yes. >> Um I have a fifth grader, and I would want to know this if I didn't have a fifth grader, which is that they have three field trips in June. Um actually, they just had one, and then they have two more. One was with their pen pals, who were in Tannersville, which I thought was so cute. Their teacher used to teach in Tannersville. It's her first year at Onteora, and so she has them writing back and forth with her old students, and then they all hung out somewhere. Uh maybe it was in Tannersville, I don't know. And they had the best time, and Max

042loved his pip pen pal T.J., and I just thought that was adorable. And then there's two things about them kind of um you know, assimilating to sixth grade. So, they're um having a like field day at Davis Park with the other fifth graders from Bennett, so they can kind of get to know them and hang out. Although, they they all many of them already know each other from sports and stuff. Um so, before sixth grade starts, they can hang out uh in a couple weeks. And then they all come to the middle school on June 23rd to see it and see where their classes are going to be. Um and then actually in August, they they go with their parents also. And we like look at their locker and see where their classes just so

043it's not so scary when they start in sixth grade, which I thought I can't remember if I did that, but I think it's a great idea and I was happy to see all of that is being thought about. Anybody else? Yes. >> Just really quickly, I already talked about trivia this afternoon, which was great fun. I also got the opportunity to be briefly at War of the Classes. Um and and witness some of that wackiness and fun that the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors pitted against each other were doing. My event was a part of a big race around the track that had word scramble and Pictionary and I was doing music matching and there was something else and they were running all over the place. But what I just wanted to point out was

044the common denominator between War of the Classes and trivia is that both had amazing support from our booster club. And I just want to take 2 seconds to recognize the booster club. I know we have a lot of students here. Some of the people in the booster club might be your parents and you're at an age where, you know, we don't sometimes we forget to thank our parents, but these events are going off and the kids are having such great time and the booster club is toiling to really make these things run smoothly and they do a fantastic job. And I just wanted to recognize my fellow members cuz I'm in the booster club, but the fellow members of the booster club, you did a great job this year. >> Any other board comments? All

045right. On we go. Um we'd like to acknowledge the public heard comments that were made at the May 5th, 2026 meeting. We did not have public be heard at our last meeting. Uh the following folks uh, spoke to us. Tanzy Mishaw, uh, Pohan spoke for Mateo Afarwela, who was unable to be present at the meeting. Jude Kerjan Frank, Jason Glazer, Meredith Kunhardt, A.J. Jacobs, and Charlotte Royer all spoke. And we have a statement to read before public be heard. Public and students may comment on any agenda or non-agenda item. The board appreciates hearing from the public including students on any agenda or non-agenda item. Please understand that by our adopted parliamentary procedure, the board can't engage in discussion or answer questions during public be heard. Please know that we hear you and take all your

046comments into consideration. The board does reserve the right to to correct any inaccuracies or misinformation during public be heard. Please limit your comments to 3 minutes, be civil, and do not name any particular individuals or promote any commercial ventures or products. People wishing to express individual student or personnel concerns can bring them to the superintendent's attention in private. Further, all individuals at board meetings are expected to abide by the rules for public conduct on school property as set forth in the district's code of conduct. At board meetings, speakers and observers may not engage in behavior that disrupts the meeting such as shouting, interrupting others, blocking the free movement of others, or obstructing the view of others. In the event of such disruption, the board president will remind those in attendance of the rules under this

047policy. Any board member may request a brief recess of the meeting, which would serve as a cooling down period. The board president may order the removal of persons who are a threat to the safety of others or who disrupt the orderly conduct of the meeting. We understand community members are passionate about certain issues. We all want our school board meetings to serve as an example to our students that members of our school board and members of our community can deal with controversial issues in a civil manner and show mutual respect for one another. In that spirit, we ask that all speakers and members of the audience maintain civility and respect for the differing views of others. And tonight, we have Abigail Elliott. >> Good evening. My name is Abigail Elliott and I'm a citizen of

048Olivebridge and a student of at Onteora High School. I'd like to start by thanking the Board of Education for their time and service to our school district. I am here tonight to speak in support of the proposed resolution to support the safety and protection of immigrant students and their families here at Onteora. In February 2025, this board took a big step in the right direction by passing a resolution which I acknowledge sent a message to the children and families in our district that students should feel safe, protected, and welcome. However, since February of 2025, immigration enforcement has increased greatly across our country, including here in the towns that Onteora students call home. Families within our community live every day in fear and send their children to school filled with uncertainty. The frightening reality that many

049students currently face follow them out of their home and straight through the school doors. School is meant to be a place where students can focus on education, building relationships, and obtaining fundamental skills to prepare them for their futures. No student should have to wonder whether their families will still be together when they get home in the evening. This issue is also personal to me. I've worked for an immigrant-owned business and have the opportunity to truly get to know the family running it, including their young child who attends the school district. This family is one of the most genuine, hardworking, and inspirational families I have had the privilege to meet, and they, along with every other immigrant family, should be able to send their children to school without the fear of being separated from them. Passing

050this resolution would send a clear message that Ontior stands with every one of their students, that every child has the right to an education, and that our district is willing to take the steps necessary to protect the students place in their care. I truly urge the board to review and adopt this resolution. Members of the community and Ontior students are watching. This is an opportunity for our district as a whole to demonstrate courage and show every child at Ontior that they belong here. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you, Abigail. Samantha Navarro. >> Um, good evening. My name is Samantha Navarro and I live in Woodstock and I'm a student of Ontior High School community. Tonight, I am here to speak about the immigration resolution. I'd like to thank the Board of

051Education for hearing the voices of all the concerned students here today. The This issue is especially meaningful to me because as a child of immigrants and growing up in an immigrant household, it has given me an appreciation for the opportunities and support that schools can provide. But, it also has helped me understand some of the concerns and uncertainties that immigrant families may face. While my family's experience may be different from that of others, I can understand the uncertainty and anxiety that can come when people worry about how immigration policies might affect their lives. Seeing members of our community feel fearful or unwelcome is difficult, especially when students should be focused on learning and growing. I support efforts that help all students feel safe, welcome, and able to focus on their education. Regardless of their background,

052every student deserves to come to school knowing that they will be treated with dignity and respect. What stands out to me about this proposal is that it's focused on clear communication, staff training, and procedures that help families understand their rights and know what to expect. To me, a strong school community is one where every student feels supported. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Samantha. Jude Curjan Frank. >> Good evening. I'm Jude Curjan Frank, mom of three in the Onteora district, and um I live in West Hurley. This is my fourth time speaking at this public be heard. Um I'm speaking again to uh ask that the board adopt the URR resolution to protect immigrant students in our district from ICE. We're asking for staff training. We are asking for protective policies for students

053at school and in on buses, and we are asking for emergency planning protocols. Um I do just want to say I'm I'm quite moved by the presence of these students tonight, and I just wanted to say that out loud. I'd like to make a clarification. Um I was listening to the last board meeting, and um somebody mentioned something about uh something we said about communicating safety plans to the public. I just want to say that I don't think that the specific details of these plans need to be acknowledged to the public. That's something that stays in-house, as you would with an active shooter drill. But what is important that we communicate is that there are specific plans in place, and that everyone that needs to be involved, teachers, bus drivers, all staff are very well

054trained. That's what the public needs to know. They need to be secure in this so that they can feel safe sending their kids to school. We have all kinds of trainings like this. We have fire drills, intruder drills. As I learned from my son, there are bear drills, which is new to me. Um everyone practices these, so should a situation arise, everyone knows what to do. They know it not just conceptually, but kinesthetically in their bodies. I can speak about kinesthetic learning and understanding because I'm a movement expert. I've been teaching movement for 20 years. I have a master's. I'm a certified movement analyst. I know what I'm talking about. And everybody else, whether they have this training or not, does know this too, that people learn best by doing. It's why everyone was so

055excited uh when the manipulatives were passed out from the foundations uh training, because we know that kids learn best when they're actively involved, as do adults. We need to do it. So, while emailing um protocols is important, it's not enough. There needs to be specific training, active training, not for the students, but for the teachers, for the bus drivers, so that in the event that ice does come, no one will freeze up. They will not have to consult a manual to know what to do. They'll know because they have done it. I can speak to this um because when I was teaching in West Baltimore, we had to do things like active shooter drills. We got our list of code words. We listened to the principal explain what we're supposed to do, but it didn't

056actually take effect in us until we did the practice trainings, until we did the drills. And I know that it worked because when we were in a situation that was a not a drill, I knew what to do. I knew how to act because I had done it before. And while it was terrifying to blockade my door, I was able to take care of my students because I >> Jude, thank you, Jude. I'm so sorry your time ran out. Thank you. Oops. Russell Curgenfrank. >> My name is Russell Curgenfrank and I go to Bennett Elementary in fourth grade and I have one thing to say. Do you realize that if people find out that you haven't passed the resolution that um they would be they wouldn't choose to send their kids to your to this

057district because they would be scared for their children. Thank you for listening. >> Thank you, Russell. Ruby Gehegan. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. I'm a little bit taller. Just a tiny bit. Sorry. Okay. Uh hello. Uh I hope you're having a good evening. My name is Ruby Gehegan. Uh I'm from Woodstock and I've been an Onteora student for my entire school career. What I've learned throughout my time here is the importance of our community and our community is built so deeply on the success and the support of our immigrants. So, I too am here to show support for the resolution to protect immigrant families and students. Uh Onteora places such an emphasis on the safety of our students and highlights just as all educational institutions do that the the idea that knowledge is power. Um

058and supplying our students with the knowledge and confidence in their own safety and arming faculty and staff with the awareness and appropriate protocols is powerful. I seriously urge the board to take this resolution to heart and I thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Ruby. Connor Gerloff >> Hello. Um my name's Connor and I live in Boiceville, New York. I'm a senior here at Onteora. Um first of all, I'd like to thank you all for being here and listening and taking your time to listen to all of us. Um I support the immigrant immigration resolution. I believe this resolution is very important for the community and students of Onteora making this school district a safe place for all students that go here. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Connor. >> Is it Adam

059Grady? >> Adam Grady? Are Yes. >> Hi, my name is My name is Adam Jordan Grady. Um and I support the immigration resolution because my mom is an immigrant. And I also think education is a basic human >> Adam, I'm sorry to interrupt you. Um Amanda, would you just stop the timer for a second? You can I think you can pick the mic up if that helps. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Do you Do you hear me now? >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> So, you can stand up. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um I support the immigration resolution because my mother is an immigrant and I think education is a basic human right. I also think America is built on immigrants and I think there is no reason for a 6-year-old or a student should

060feel unsafe at school. Thank you. >> Thank you, Adam. Hazel Haynes. >> Hello. My name's Hazel Haynes. Um I'm a senior here at Onteora. Uh this is my first board meeting and I did not expect to speak, but I would just like to express my support for the immigration resolution. I think that teachers are invaluable resources to our society. Having the knowledge to protect students only strengthens that. Providing a safe place for both students and educators is not only important, it is essential. Education can affect the trajectory of a whole life. Every person should receive a fair shot at setting themselves up for success. Every child deserves to feel secure and supported during school regardless of immigration status. Immigrants strengthen our community and should not be persecuted for living. We must do what we can

061to support our fellow people so they can in turn support us. Thank you. >> Thank you, Hazel. That is the end of our list of folks who signed up to speak. Would anyone like to Would anybody else like to speak? All right. Well, thank you all very much for your comments. Do we need a break? We're good? Okay. Okay. We're going to keep going. All right. Uh on to item 11.01, uh approve uh discussion and possible action. Approve statement of the chair. Uh the Ontario Board of Education hereby approves the statement of the chair for the 2026 annual budget vote and school board elections. May I have a first? Trustee Jerome, second Trustee Smith. Any questions and comments? Or comments, I should say. Yes. >> I just want to thank everybody who came out and

062voted. Um it's such an important part of the democratic process for and we in the particularly in the school district love it when people um pay attention to what we're doing here and come out and vote. And I so just appreciation to everybody who came out and voted. >> All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. Item 11.02 is our professional learning plan. Uh the Board of Education hereby approves the updated professional learning plan for 2026-2028, which was uh discussed at our last meeting. Assistant Superintendent Laughlin took the board through uh the details. May I have a first? Trustee Jerome, second Trustee Jared. Any questions or comments? >> I have a couple questions if that's okay. Um in Well, first of all, I was wondering um typo maybe. Dr. S is still in there as interim

063principal. I don't know if that's important. But in um reviewing the committees, I was just curious why there aren't um more middle high school educators that aren't specifically like language educators or special education educators in the committee. I don't >> We work with our bargaining units and they make suggestions on the members of the committee. That's not something that's chosen by central office. The our bargaining units propose the members that are represented. >> Thank you. Interesting. I was also wondering if you could tell me what do we mean in there when it says hybrid instruction uh specifically in the the goal about continuing to improve integration of tech into instruction. It talks about hybrid instruction. >> We're required by the state of New York to maintain emergency plans where if something happens um and we

064have to be out of school for an extended amount of time, we would be in remote instruction. So, if it's a combination of here and remote, it could be a short-term situation. That's the reference to hybrid. Hopefully, it would be a temporary um emergency uh situation. >> I have one more if nobody else has Okay. Um When What's the cadence that the committee meets and do the goals get reevaluated throughout the year? Like are they fluid or are they set like annually and then it's like board district goals that generally don't change? I'm just curious if like something arises in the environmental world, do the goals ever are they responsive? I guess my question. >> We set them for a two-year period just as a matter of practicality, but they're revised after that and I

065would say that anything that needs to be responded to even if it's not spelled out in the professional development plan would we certainly have the you know ability to to go beyond that as needed. >> Any other questions or comments? All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. On to item 12.01 our consent agenda. The board hereby approves items number 12.02 through 12.06. May I have a first? Trustee Goodrich, second? Trustee Smith. Any questions or comments? I reviewed the schedule U and everything appeared to be in order. All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. On to contracts and independent contract retainers item 13.01. Uh the board hereby approves items number 13.02 through 13.04. May I have a first? Trustee Mitchell Morrell, second Trustee Goodrich. Any questions or comments? Yes. >> I just want to acknowledge the

066town of Olive. It's like a very big you know, responsibility that they also are caring for, you know, the school that their ambulance contract is in here, but it just made me think about how often the Olive Fire Department comes whether it's just to like let kids climb on a fire engine or because there's like an alarm going off or and you know, with the campus centralizing in the future I know the burden will just increase and I know rural fire departments and EMS services are woefully understaffed, so it just made me think how grateful I was that they are they're so game as a town for all of this. >> Any other comments? Yes. >> I can't resist with all these students here doing a very brief civics lesson about what you're witnessing because

067it may it may be confusing to you and I just want to explain how public boards like this work. So, these sections of this agenda that we're just kind of saying everybody agrees and we all just vote, right? You may be wondering, well, they didn't talk about it at all. What the heck are they voting on? So, what boards like ours does is we publish our agenda days in advance, about 4 days in advance on the website and every everything that we're talking about here, the specific documents are linked. So, if you're interested in you can go in and see what we're talking about. But, we don't because they're things like in a consent agenda, the reason they're they're in the consent agenda is cuz they're not controversial and we don't need to talk about

068them a lot, but it doesn't mean that if you want to know what the information is, you can get it. And if you're going to attend other board meetings in the future, I highly recommend going in ahead of time and looking at what's on the agenda cuz it'll make the meeting much more understandable to you. End of lesson. >> Any other questions or comments? Yes, Jessica Goodrich. >> Just want to say I think we're fortunate to have the Olive First Aid here. Uh not every town has a paid uh EMS squad and Olive is paid. And the money that we pay them to cover our sports events, I'm sure goes to a good cause to to help them with with their uh with everything they need to to pay for. So, we're we're very fortunate

069to have a our first aid unit. Want to thank them. >> Thank you. Shall we vote? All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. Okay, on to policies 14.01, second reading and adoption of policy 8230, school counseling program. The Antelope Board of Education hereby adopts policy 8230 as written. May I have a first? Trustee Jared, second Trustee Smith. Any questions or comments? All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you. Item 14.02, second reading and adoption of policy 5572, disclosure of wrongful contact uh con- conduct uh in parentheses, whistleblower policy. And this combines policies 5572 and 5573, which are attached uh to to our agenda. Uh the Antelope Board of Education hereby adopts policy 5572 as written. May I have a first? Trustee Goodrich, second? Trustee Jerome? Any questions or comments? All in favor? That's unanimous. Thank you.

070Okay, on to committee updates. Have any committees met recently? >> Uh we had a very different facilities meeting, which was fun. They had all the plans for different parts of the campus um like architectural plans on many tables. There was one for the playground at Bennett, the new classrooms at Bennett, the new floors in the gym, many other ones I'm forgetting. Just like when they're going to be done, what it's going to look like, the plan. So and they went over each one with us. It was really interesting. And yeah, I mean a lot's happening over the summer and into early fall sounded like. Awesome. Trustee Goodrich? >> So we had the safety uh committee meeting and we covered uh a lot of issues. Uh fire inspections, lead inspections, abatement for over the summer for

071the construction. Uh the capital project updates, what we're doing there. Um went over the CPR videos and CPR training for all K through 12 age appropriate. K through four I think gets a different training than you know five through 12. I think the way it's broken down. So uh that's uh it's pretty good. The um the problem that uh with the odor was I guess the 3D printer ventilation and that was uh fixed by Kyle. Great job, Kyle. So thank you, Kyle. So I think that covered most of it. Uh since I won't be here anymore, we're going to need a new safety uh committee member and uh but I know um Trustee Jared is there as a parent, right? So maybe she'll suffice. I don't know. >> Great. Thank you for the report. Uh

072any other committees? What I guess, please. >> Uh, yeah, I felt wonderful about our safety committee meeting. It's always uh, really wonderful to meet and hear from the outside professionals too that work with the district from BOCES and from the firms. They are really on top of it. Makes us feel really good. Um, and I did ask since it seemed like the the right space, um, our security Gosh, I don't know what his title would be, but he's the important guy that is on Zoom that is like holds Who is he, Clark? Like the guy Is he from Am Stephanie, do you know? >> He's from Altairis. That's our security, um, company that we consult with. >> Okay, yes. So, I asked because he was there, um, about concerns around ice and students and the

073school buildings. Um And so, that I felt like we had a a productive initial conversation of just like, you know, um, the representative from BOCES shared a little bit about how BOCES is thinking about it. Um Not to undermine, but I also I did want to share this out loud just because sometimes I feel like in voicing our compassion and concern, I know none of us want to create an atmosphere of of fear either that's, you know, maybe contributing, you know, inadvertently. I was really reassured to hear that I think they said they work with 97 school district, like 700 school buildings. And they haven't had any incidents. So, that made me feel better. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't do this important work, but I also just hearing that from them made me feel

074like a little a you know, which I think is good, too. Um, but I was glad that it was brought up and it definitely seems like a place that further questions can be asked by communications committee, perhaps, uh, similarly to what Jude was saying, like not specifics, but what can we share out, you know, all of those individuals are so knowledgeable. Thank you. Who wants to talk about the communications committee? Okay. So, communications committee met Monday. Yeah, yesterday. That was just yesterday. And, um, we discussed, um, we had our regular communications meeting for 1 hour. And in that meeting we discussed our board briefs and what we want to see in, um, in our June board briefs and then what we'd like to see in our July board briefs, which is going to be a

075whole lot of celebration, you know, reviewing the end of the school year. And then we had, um, uh, we we also, in that meeting, we also reviewed our long-term communications plan, which was developed over a year ago, I guess. And we did acknowledge that some of the goals on our, um, long-term communications plan have, uh, been put on hold while we were, you know, ultra, uh, concerned about getting our capital projects passed. So, now that we're we're past that, and we can go back and focus on the parts of the communication plan that we've, uh, we've let lie for a bit. But we have, um, achieved a lot of the goals of the plan of the original plan. So, we're really we're really proud of that. And then we had a second hour, uh, part

076of it was with our BOCES, uh, consultant, who really supports a lot of our, um, outstanding communication that's been going on in the district uh, to discuss the potential um, changes to our student uh, support resolution to adopt parts of the URR resolution and that was a great I thought that was a great meeting. Um, we came prepared with some um, edits. Trustee Knutson had some edits already in the document and I had some suggestions and we had great conversations about that. So, and we'll you know, we'll share more of that uh, when we get to that part of the agenda. Anybody else? >> So, for the first half of the meeting, I just wanted to say we did discuss for the board briefs all of these um, capital improvements and it struck me that

077the track, the um, the gym, the uh, yeah, the middle school gym floor. These are all places where our students come together and work really hard to you know, do their sport or to play music or to do all these um, human first activities that we really support at Ontiora. So, it was nice to see this like thread weaving through all those capital improvements that are going that are going to support that peer-to-peer you know, being in the same room together kind of feeling. So, that was great. Um, yes, and then it extended into this deeper conversation that will continue where um, where Trustee Knutson was um, good enough to we started just talking about the framework knowing that we have been called on by our community and our students to make better what we

078have. So, we'll talk about that tonight. >> Great. Any other committee report information? Go ahead. >> So, I just wanted to quickly add um This is such an interesting time to be alive, isn't it? Um but um in terms of the district trying to figure out its long-term communication strategy, we're in a time when where people go to communicate and get their information it feels like stepping into quicksand. You know, like you just there's so many there's social media, there's websites, there's the press. I don't know if anybody reads newspapers anymore. Um and I just since we have more community and students here tonight, I just wanted to encourage anybody who's listening and is I do feel like certain innovations that I feel like the board briefs have gotten more informative and more regular. Um

079that's a great thing to sign up for if you want to know what's going on in the district. Parent Square I feel like has been a real um game-changer in terms of uh parent-teacher and uh communication. Um but my main point is just if you are not finding the information you need where you go, give feedback to the district because these next several years will be a time I think when the website is going to get probably going to get overhauled in the next couple of years. Um changes will be made and we want to make them in a way that will be the most effective at reaching the people who want the information where they want it, not over bugging them, you know, but uh because um communication is so vital to the health

080of the district. And so, I just wanted to make a pitch um that um if you think things are going well, that's great. Maybe let us you know, you could let us know that, but especially if it's not going well and there's something you want to see done differently, write us a note um because we we do take this seriously and we do think it's really important. >> Thank you. All right. On to unfinished business. Um Yeah, please. You start. No, I want them both to talk. Okay. Um so a few months ago maybe, Jenny and I were thinking for our next book club um to do readings about edtech. Um it's very topical right now and I I have been getting a lot of articles sent to me by parents and that I just

081find on my own and that Jenny and I send back and forth. And you know, I mean, I think people thought edtech was this one thing and you know, it made me feel better because even in Sweden, which is like the best country ever I've heard, never been, but um like they really dive deep into edtech and are really backtracking now completely. So, there's no shame in the fact that we thought it was great and maybe it's not as great as we thought. Uh and then right when we're really we're like peaking and talking about this, LA um the city of Los Angeles came out with a resolution um that we were very inspired by in terms of edtech and it's like very I think it's no screens K through second and then more limited

082in the later grades. Um so, we just compiled kind of our greatest hits. Uh there's a TED Talk by Jonathan Haidt. There's um a paper by Jared Horvath which who he's very like on top of this field right now. Um there's the resolution from LA um and I think those were the main things and um so, we're just really excited about this. And I'm I mean, I'm leaving soon, but I just really wanted to get this ball rolling before I left, because it's definitely like as people parents used to always come up to me about centralization, this is what everyone wants to talk about now, and I think, you know, it's also good in the name of recruitment and keeping students and just knowing, you know, this is a place where we're thinking about that

083and want to stay on top of the research and um you know, want to do right by our students in every way. So, we're excited about these articles. And are we reading all of them, or how are we doing? Okay, yes, we're reading this really not much. Um I actually Yes, I read actually read them all today in probably 25 minutes. So, it's way lighter than the AI. It's a little more fun, if you don't mind me saying. And um I'm excited to talk about it next week. >> So, could you explain a little bit more detail about what EdTech is? Cuz it's a fast word, and it could mean anything. I think it means you know, like amount of screen time, uh whether you give kids in kindergarten uh a laptop, things like that.

084Can a little more detail. >> Yeah, I mean, it can mean anything, I think. I could it could mean one-to-one device, um which we I don't think have in younger grades. Sorry, in younger grades. No, we do. Okay, sorry. >> I'll just clarify I did ask an RFI on this, I think the meeting that you weren't here. And we provide iPads in pre-K, and they have web browsers. So, the So, we do have one-to-one Chromebooks starting in kindergarten that all are equipped with web browsers with Gemini, as well. So, that's just >> I mean, because I I know I just don't want to make it sound too bad, either, cuz it is an hour a week for kindergarten. Like we're not totally off the rails or anything. But yeah, I mean I think EdTech can

085mean anything from you know, a one-on-one device situation or you know, even testing on a computer or you know, learning games. Any It really can be anything that involves a screen in the classroom. >> So one of the the surprises that I got out of it was um talked about books. You know, real printed paper books. You know, do we want to go back to that? I guess Sweden went back to books. You know, so they didn't get PDF files on their computers anymore. They actually got books. And obviously I It's probably a a lot more expensive. Um so do we do books anymore? >> I I really appreciate the board's willingness to roll right into this because I know the AI discussion, you know, I'm still processing. I offered to mine through for a

086resolution for NISBA and I'm working on it, but like it is a lot. There's a lot there. But I also keep seeing, for example, I know I sent this in an email to the board, but like this morning the NYSUT and the American Federation of Teachers both put out statements regarding this and they they conflate um EdTech and AI together in in all of this. And it really feels like EdTech is actually like above the umbrella, you know, and AI is like a like a piece coming off of it. Like Emily was saying, it could mean so many things. Um but it really doesn't feel like two separate conversations. And the more that I see teachers unions and like the Surgeon General put out a warning on screens just in May 20th and it all

087addresses screen time and AI together. So, I do think that they are partners and I don't know how that will express in resolute possible resolutions or policy, but it does make sense and also I feel like I when I speak to Emily about this, I do remember my daughter asked me today in the car, "It's such a nice night, Mom. Why did you run for the Board of Education? Don't you want to sit outside?" And in the car and I was like, "You know what? I ran for Board of Education because of you and all of your classmates and all the kids. I love you guys. I want this to be the best for you and this is the thing that I'm hearing about. This is the thing I'm reading about and I just feel

088like we're not ahead actually. We're we're right on time, you know, which is a good place to be cuz there's a lot of information, there's a lot of discussion. We don't need to be mining in the dark. Um and I we really tried to send just what felt essential. There is so much. We must have like 30 articles between the two of us, but it's it's really not a heavy lift what's here. Um I think that's all. >> All right. So, we all agreed to do the reading, right? For the next meeting, prepare for the next meeting and we'll have a conversation then. Okay, it's not it's not like the Brookings report. Yeah, 2 weeks. Oh, I'm I'm sorry. Did I say next week? I meant next meeting. Next meeting, 2 weeks. Okay. Yes. >>

089So, while we have all these students here, if you have any uh thing that you can add to the whole AI and the amount of screen time in the classrooms, just, you know, let us know your feelings, you know, send send emails to the board. We all get those emails, you know, you have it's one email address and it'll go to all of us and the superintendent and let us know what you feel about artificial intelligence and the amount of screen time and you know, social interaction that it uh you know, the AI does take away and and your iPhones all take away from your social interaction. And you know, let us know how you feel. >> All right. Thank you all. Moving on to 16.02 is our continued discussion of the student support resolution.

090So, we, you know, obviously, we've been discussing this for several weeks and we have given careful consideration to ways that we feel that we can enhance our current student support resolution and add some language from the URR resolution or some of the concepts from the URR resolution. Our process is to draft a resolution like this and then send it to our attorneys to make sure that everything that we say is true and can actually um be Yeah, it's legally enforceable and that we can actually do it as a school district. So, I don't know uh how we want to do this. >> Right. So, um Yeah, go ahead. >> All right. My suggestion is because there are people here who have not been a part of this conversation with us and there are I'm you

091know, and we certainly don't um expect that anybody has our resolution memorized. So, um we don't have copies of it, but we we we can read it aloud. I mean, we we read it aloud when we adopted it. So, we can read we can read it we'll read aloud what exists and we'll read aloud uh our edits that have not yet gone to our attorneys. >> So, yes. So, the um the Ontiora School Board passed this resolution shortly after the uh change of administration in um late winter of 2025. I forget the exact date. It was early February late early February. Okay. Um and actually um other districts have incorporated our resolution into their resolution since then. Um but uh I'm sure this So, if you've read our resolution, this will be familiar to you,

092but if not, it's not that long. So, I'm going to read it for our students. Whereas, every school-age child, regardless of immigration status, has the right to access a free public education, grades kindergarten through 12, in accordance with article article 11 of the New York State Constitution. And the Ontiora School District, herein after the district, that means I'm just going to shorthand it as the district from now on, supports that right. Whereas the district has a legal responsibility to ensure that all school-aged children who reside within its boundaries, regardless of immigration status, and others as required by law, have the opportunity to attend school in the district. And whereas through its policies and practices, the district has made a commitment to a quality education for all students, which includes a safe and stable learning environment,

093means of transportation to and from school sites, the preservation of classroom hours for educational instruction, and the requirement of school attendance. And whereas educational personnel are often the primary sources of support, resources, and information to assist students and student learning, which includes their social and emotional health. And so this was the I just read the first part of our resolution, and now I'm going to read two sections that were not in the original resolution that we're thinking about putting in, okay? And this is draft language, so understand this is nothing final. There is a process, our attorneys are going to have to vet this, but what we're talking about as a board tonight is if this is what we want to send the attorneys, okay? Um so, first new section. Whereas the Board of Education

094recognizes that when our students are subjected to a persistent fear of threats, whether real or perceived, whether to themselves or their classmates, it is damaging to their social and emotional well-being, disrupts their learning environment, and compromises their ability to fully access a free public K-12 education. So that's the first new section. And now I need to explain this next section a little bit. Um there was a development in New York State recently. If you've been reading the news about the governor passing the um the budget for the state budget for next year. When they when our when our state government passes the state budget, there's often legislation in there, new policies, new laws that get passed along with the budget. And the governor signed on May 29th, uh 2026, just a few days ago, uh

095clarifying um legislation about immigration enforcement and sensitive locations like schools, churches, hospitals. Um So, all I could find on the New York website, so when when there's a law passed like this, the governor puts out a a what's called an executive summary. So, the governor, if you go to the the governor's site on the New York State website, you can read the governor's summary. It's not the actual specific legal language of the law. It's It's her summary. This is what's in this law, okay? So, we're waiting for our attorneys to actually get the text of the actual law. So, I'm going to just going to put in parentheses, whereas Governor Hochul signed a law on May 29th, 2026. In its final form, this would be like referring it to it by the code number, but

096we don't have that yet. This law that the governor signed on May 29th prohibits all civilian, state, local, and school employees, including higher ed and K-12, from permitting access to any non-public area of a school, preschool, or child care facility to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant. And And now we're back into our original um uh resolution, whereas the district is committed to complying with existing state and federal law. Okay, so the reason we put that there is because state law has changed since we passed the last resolution. So, we wanted to actually put a reference to the new law which is stronger, which we which all of you who spoke about wanting stronger protections can be happy about. Um so, our new resolution would reference specifically that law and that our employees are actually

097prohibited from um permitting access to our buildings to any immigration authority without a judicial warrant. By law, they can't do it, okay? So, the whereas sections of a resolution are sort of like the background information. It's It's because this is true and this is true and this is the situation we're in. This is the situation we're in. All these things are true. Then we go to therefore be it resolved. And the therefore be it resolved section is about what we as a um board are asking the district to do about this, okay? So, and again, I'm back into the old resolution first just so everybody understands what's in it already. Therefore be it resolved that consistent with New York State Education Department SED regulations and guidance, the district, when registering students, will not ask questions

098or request information that may reveal the student's immigration status. And be it further resolved that any district staff or faculty member that that receives a request from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office or ICE or any other federal immigration authority regarding a student or students will take no action and will immediately forward such request to the building principal, who will then consult the superintendent, who will forward to the districts the districts, meaning the school districts, attorneys for legal advice. And be it further resolved that the district will not allow law enforcement to interview, interrogate, or remove a student from school property except as consistent with applicable law and board policy. And be it further resolved that the district will comply with the federal family educational rights and privacy act, FERPA. This is the act

099that protects student privacy. Um with regard to the release of student information to any immigration authorities, and will consult with the district's attorneys with regard to compliance with FERPA. That's our old resolution. So, here are some new be further resolves. Be it further resolved that the district will ensure that all staff are fully informed and kept up to date regarding the above referenced procedures. And um we are going to attach to our um to our resolution, the superintendent has laid out very specific contingency planning should anything happen at our It will be linked on our website, actually, as well. It will be public. This will be made public. So, any any member of the public can read this. Um Yes, um Yeah, I'm just I have a little bit more to read, and then we

100can do comments. Be it further resolved that the district is committed to addressing incidents of immigration-related harassment, bullying, and discrimination pursuant to the Dignity for All Students Act, DASA. Um Be it further resolved that the district will make available to all staff, students, and families information regarding their legal and constitutional rights, as well as information regarding the development of family preparedness and emergency care plans. And be it further resolved that the district will continue to provide access to comprehensive trauma-informed support to any and all of our students facing distress. That's the end. >> Jenny first, then Emily. >> I don't know if this is within um the reach of the board, and if this was stated, call me out. I did kind of blank out a little bit. It Like you did say that if

101there was no judicial warrant that um an immigration officer could not enter the building. But how does that, especially with the level of violence that we've seen these officers go to, how does that ensure a student's safety or their family's safety that they won't be, say, followed home and detained at their home? Like that Is that something that the board could deal with in any way? Like what Like when it comes to like safety on buses or >> Um we have asked questions about safety on buses, and school buses are school property. You know, it's part of It's part of the school property. So students are safe on buses. Um but in terms of um an ICE agent following a student home and you know, once the student is inside the house, um we we

102really can't assure safety there. Um but we can make a note of your question and and ask the attorneys to weigh in. Emily? >> Um yeah, I just actually this bus driver thing. I know they're contracts uh contract employees. So are they still considered staff? So when we say staff, that includes the bus station. I want to make sure. >> Yes. And um the superintendent's um response in terms of the scenarios that she lays out and the procedures that would be followed in the event of any any of the things that we've already discussed. Um she sends those to all contacts within the district. So, um not parents, but she sends those to all staff all faculty and staff including the uh our transportation contractor. >> And I believe she made a second request to

103the transportation director. Am I correct about that? That that that they reconfirm that they have gone over this with with all of the employees. >> I I your additions are masterful. So, I I mean, all these weeks that we've been looking at this and I we've been asking questions to the attorneys and receiving back answers about like, "Well, we can't do that and we can't really do that and we can't do that." But, you I think you definitely found a way to add something that feels real and not because I think that what we're why this is taking us so long is because we're interested in something real. We're not interested in like just doing something so we it looks good to people or everybody will like get off our back. We're not interested in

104that. We're interested in really digging into how we can actually what can we really do and how can we codify it in a way that it really does that. And I can't imagine based on what we've learned from the attorney, this this walks a really powerful line, I think, between like there's nothing here that I'm going like, "Oh, Rick, there's not going to get get through." I don't think, but it really does add add some really important things that the students tonight were asking for and other people have asked for, especially, I mean, referencing the new law in New York is brilliant. But also, you know, really putting in there, you know, making available to all staff, students, and families information regarding legal and constitutional rights and information regarding the development of family preparedness and

105emergency plans. I mean, I just want to pause and just say like, I think that's huge, you know, to have the district take, if we can, take that step to communicate that to families that, you know, might not have legal counsel to refer to, you know, and are just like where all the rest of us just trying to get by day-to-day. I mean, that would be really powerful. But I did just I did want to add in something that came up in public be heard just for clarification. My understanding, and please, anybody correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is there's no need for a drill because there's one thing that everybody is supposed to do, and that's in the memo, that's everywhere, which is don't let anybody anywhere and call the superintendent and

106the superintendent calls the lawyers and like, nobody is there's no like and this person is allowed entry for this reason or anything. It's literally like any form of law enforcement of any kind arrives at the building and our friend in that security vestibule who doesn't want to let a parent in for National Junior Honor Society. We had a 30-person line out there as she checked she's not opening the first door. You know what I mean? Like that's no teacher. Everybody has been made aware of that. There's no bus driver that's letting anybody on a bus at school property. That That That's the the drill is don't do it. Call the superintendent. So, I just wanted to say that because I felt like I didn't want people to feel like there should be uh like bear

107drills that we were doing that we weren't doing. That there is no a superintendent was very clear in the last meeting. Nobody should receive training in the district on how to recognize a warrant. She doesn't want That's not because it's not their job. Their job is no, stop, and then the lawyer takes care of all of that just like any other threat that happens in our building. So, um And this also raises a question for me. Do we have an Amnesty International Club? Is there like a a human rights club in the high school? Because you know, I don't know. Maybe we can partner The board can partner with that club. If there's any anybody here like that's involved in the club that wants to reach out because there's a lot that the district can't

108do in terms of information perhaps that we can't share that a student club, I don't think would have that same You know, there might be like information that students want other students to have or want their families to have that perhaps a student club could work on circulating in a way that the board couldn't. I don't know. It's just a thought that I had about You don't think so? >> I just don't know. You know, we'd have to we'd have to find out. We'd have to run that by the attorneys. >> Uh I just want to thank uh Trustee Knudson for great job on this. This is really good. Thank you for spending the time. Uh, the second new, uh, whereas, uh, section, I think that's a very powerful, uh, new section. So, I want

109to thank you for that. Uh, it'd be interesting to see how this works out with the lawyers and, uh, also, um, our superintendent. I I know she's said in the past that we don't want employees to have to figure out, you know, what kind of a warrant this is and whether it's a legal, right? So, really they have to, uh, the employees have to contact, you know, the principal and the superintendent. The superintendent's going to be contacting the lawyers and and that's the important part, right? That's that's critical, right? Uh, the judicial warrant, we don't I do we want to say judicial warrants signed by a judge. Cuz ICE does have They show warrants that aren't signed by judges. That that doesn't They're They're useless. That doesn't hold water, right? They got to be signed

110by a judge. So, we may want to add something on on those lines here. But, I like this. Uh, I don't know if we're going to be able to get buy-in from the employees and and that's something we have to work out, right? Cuz that's a big responsibility for the employees. And, um, we've always liked the idea where employees um, contact the principal for that building or that area and contact the superintendent and contact the lawyers. >> This might be illegal, but I was thinking maybe since we're meeting Monday, if the lawyers looked at this we're meeting to do something else on Monday, not a normal meeting, but because this is taking so long and we don't want everyone to have to come to another meeting, maybe we could approve it Monday if the lawyers

111say it's fine. When we meet. >> Well, it depends on how quickly the attorneys can get it back to us. >> I think it should go on an agenda, but we would have to discuss it publicly, but if it was exactly the same, then I don't know. >> Yeah, I do I feel like we do need to discuss it publicly. Uh and that's not I mean, we could we So, we're talking about Monday. We have a uh special meeting on Monday to review the superintendent's evaluation and our own board self-evaluation. And we call that a board retreat. Um there are specific things that can be discussed in board retreats, and then there are specific things that can be discussed in executive sessions, and this would not fit into either of those categories. Jenny? >> I

112mean, I don't know if this is appropriate to to say, but I feel like just saying "Don't let ICE agents into the building. Have this person contact this person." and so on and so on, would could fail in the event of an ICE agent coming to school or multiple ICE agents coming to school. And I feel like it's too much of a risk to take to not have staff trained on what to do if, God forbid, an ICE agent were to enter school premises. Like, I feel like staff should be trained on something like that just because >> Well, the procedure there, Jenny, is to call local law enforcement. >> Okay, I didn't know that. Yeah, I just I just Yeah. >> And that is outlined in the superintendent's memo, which would be attached to

113this policy, but if somebody does anything illegal on this campus, which that would be totally illegal what you're describing, it would be a break-in, you know, and so we call the cops. >> Okay, I just wanted to make absolutely sure. >> To that point, um this chain of command protocol, I just want to for people who aren't familiar with how I as I was not before I joined the board, but with how the, um, administration in this district works is there is a very strict chain of command and you're taught to follow it in all areas. So, this wouldn't be something new, a new behavior that they have to learn. It's just the chain of command which they're quite used to this concept. Yes, to your point, Rick. Yeah, that would be that would be

114call the police moment. Um, I also wanted to just say that we as a district we're very law-abiding. We like to make sure what we're doing is enforceable, but we also wanted to in the language that we've added put the, uh, feeling that we really care about this, too. And while we're trying to be, you know, we're pretty straight-laced, I'll give you that. But, but there is emotion there and we've or or we've tried to add some of that, I don't know how else to put it, just some of that feeling there. And again, um, Trustee Knutson I think has done that. Um, and it just may be a handful of words. And as anybody who's written something or read a uh, you know, a beautifully written piece knows it's just those handful of words

115that can add nuance and depth and texture and meaning. And I think you did that and and I, you know, I'll be curious if other board members don't feel that way or if members of our community don't feel that way, but um, I wanted to add that that's there besides just the enforceability piece. Um, and then finally, um, oh, I was going to say um, again, you guys aren't looking at this, but there's this going to be this link to the superintendent's memo. And that's the memo that she shares with the So, we had mentioned during this discussion that she's sharing it with, um, the bus contracting company. She's sharing it with all staff. Now, that piece, which is permissible to share, um, there's no, information there that's going to put any of our students

116in jeopardy. That will be shared with everybody. So, you will be able to actually see the the, um, the minutia, the the the context. Um, so that, I think, will answer a lot of, hopefully, a lot of questions that have been out there. >> I just want to clarify that she's also re-sharing it. It was it's not new. Like, she's re-sharing re-shared it based on this conversation, but it's previously existed and now will be linked to the to this resolution. I, you know, it occurs to me that I think something that happens in our district that's we really could improve is that there's these really important things that happen in in silos. And part of that, I think, is because we're a ginormous geographic district. It's really hard for us to get together. But, I'm

117thinking like maybe part of this is also that like 3 years ago, Gabe Bono asked me to be the parent representative on the safety committee. And I was so honored, and I was like, "Wow, what does that even mean?" So, I went to the first safety committee meeting, where there were like 14 people in the room. And they're they're like, "Well, now we're all going to review the district safety plan." Which is, by the way, like over a thousand pages, only in the central office. It cannot leave the building and it is a detailed, annually reviewed plan for every scenario that we do not want you guys thinking about for a second during your day and that I as a parent don't want to be thinking about for a second during my day, but it's

118literally like every scenario of something that could cause harm to the children or the teachers and the response to it is outlined in that plan, reviewed annually, and all of the beautiful, our amazing SROs, and our security team, like the local law enforcement, they're all aware, they're a part of the plan. So, I think that when I listen to these amazing students and I listen to Jude, you know, say "You don't have to tell us the details, just tell us that it exists." You know, I keep I keep coming back to like hearing Jenny's question. It's not a bad question. It's a great question. I'm sitting here asking myself like, "Why doesn't I want Jenny to know the answer to that question." I really do, you know? I think we could do better um bridging.

119I think this is like a safety committee to communications committee bridge that might need to happen because I I think that if somehow we could demystify a little bit, I think a lot of people would feel a lot better cuz I sometimes I I'm sure up here everybody seems like, "Why isn't Jenny worried about this?" But I think part of that is because for 3 years I've been in the safety committee listening to a lot be talked about and I kind of feel like I know that there's definitely a plan and it's good plan. >> I just want to jump in and say that uh the safety committee, the safety plan is strictly confidential, strictly confidential. And like you said, a thousand pages that is kept at central. Um it is also shared with New

120York State Police and it is also submitted to Albany to New York State Education Department. But nobody that's not on the safety committee knows what's on it. >> not implying we share the safety committee report. I would never do that. I fully understand. I sat in the office and read it for as long as I could. I was like, I don't have a year to sit in the office. I just mean communicating that we have these plans exist. You know that like there is a there is an extensive I mean, I'm sure Superintendent Laughing can speak clearly to this more than I, but >> Thank you. I just wanted to clarify some specifics of language and let everyone know the district-wide safety plan is public. It's in our It's on our website right now. It's

121the specific building plans that are not public. Just to clarify the language. So, anyone can read safety plan right now. It's there. But, just to clarify, the district is is public. Anyone can read it. It's the building safety plans that are not public. >> I did want to say that like we as the student body do thank you for taking this so seriously. But, we come to it with such concern because we've seen people be deported in Tannersville. We've seen ICE vans drive through Woodstock. Their boys their their boys felt through Phoenicia. We're watching the protests outside of Delaney. Like this is something that we are living through that we have not seen before. And that's why we take such intensity to it. But, we do thank you for the work that you have done

122so far. >> So, I've been on as part of my being on the board, I've been on the safety committee two years. And uh I have not read the building plan, which is the detail. And because I don't have a need to know, and I don't want to know, right? That's Um that's not my job, right? But I do have access to the safety plan. So the the building plan is at a whole 'nother level, and uh that is very limited, right? So. >> Um and I just wanted to sort of just peel back a little bit um other concerns that are shaping how and what to what level this language goes. Um we're a board that um so school boards are governing boards, and their job is to make sort of high-level policy. We

123do not tell our administrators, generally speaking, specific operational like you're going to run your operation this way, you're going to do this, you're going to do that. We set high-level goals, high-level policies, and leave it to the administrators, the teachers, the staff to figure out how to carry out that policy. So if you're if you're reading the URR resolution, one of the things and I've said this in prior prior meetings, one of the things that struck me about it was that it says or at one point it says this is not an operational plan, but then it lays out a whole host of operational specific instructions for staff in any district that um adopts it. So part of the reason is that that is not in this language that we're proposing adding tonight is because

124two two reasons. One is that we understand our role as a as a governing board that we are not, you know, writing operational instructions for the people who actually, you know, work this district day-to-day. And we also have a a very good trust level with our administrators. And so, when we put a policy in a resolution or a direction, um they've been very responsive at at trying to carry out what we ask them to do. And so, we don't feel like we have to micromanage would be a word, um you know, the response and and and we trust in their experience, their wisdom, um um that they will figure out um the operational details. And so, I just want to explain that difference between, you know, that you you probably have noticed if you read

125the the URR resolution much longer than ours. Because our stay is kind of high-level and the um um Trustee Jerome was right. It's um part of our the intention here is to communicate that we do feel this the way you feel it. We are this is very important to us. Um to try to put more of that language into the resolutions because if a resolution is very legalistic and dry, it can feel like we don't care deeply. But we do. But we're we're trying to approach this in a very specific way that um in which everybody's doing their part. And the people who know best how to do various functions here are doing are taking care of those functions. And the we as the board are not stepping into day-to-day operations. >> So, um are

126all members of the board in agreement that we will send this off to the attorneys for their advice and bring it back to the public at the at our next meeting? Okay. Thank you. And I, you know, I think I'm probably not the only trustee that was taking notes on some of the things that were suggested and some of the questions that we really haven't responded to yet. The next uh agenda item is this continued discussion of uh a new direction for students in an AI world. And we had um discussed at the last meeting if we we brainstormed a bunch of really great ideas. Thank you, Jenny. Thank you, all students, community members. Thank you so much. Um and we had uh discussed possible ways to move the conversation forward and involve the community

127in a in a conversation like uh an evening event of some kind or Anyway, yes. >> Before all you students leave, one idea was to have this I really love this idea of having a a They're They're gone. They're out. Um but I really do love that idea of having um Oh, not everybody. Um like a a teacher, student, community member all talking about why, how, if they should use AI because I know that when I speak to my daughter, she's like, well, I find it terrible that my teacher can use it and I I can't. Um and I explained to her, well, the teacher might A has a lot of experience um and development that you don't have and she may be using it in a different capacity. Oh, yeah, I hadn't really thought

128about it that way. You know, so again, I think that there's this wonderful piece of learning how people use There's good times to to it. There's bad times to use it. Um, but having our students up here, this goes for the EdTech, too. And describing what their opportunities and challenges are around it and helping decide the conver- a little bit of the conversation. Stuff I'm sorry. >> Um, I mentioned earlier that we were also, in in addition to our policy recommendation, that we were working on a document of guidelines for students and staff. And a large part of that document speaks to those conversations, to addressing the why, just not the yes this, no that, but talking about that and to having those um cyclical conversations that, uh, you know, repeat and have developmentally appropriate

129as they have to happen again and again and again. And opportunities to pause and to talk about it about, you know, professional practice and student learning and thinking and the brain and all kinds of things like that. So, just wanted everyone to know that is certainly a part of the document we're tinkering on. >> And Superintendent Laughner, did I hear correctly that you're going to give us a presentation on the survey results at the next meeting? It's going to be that will be very interesting to me. Um I kind of want to wait for the survey to to talk too much more about this, but uh I don't know if anybody other trustees feel that way. >> I think that's a great idea. >> I just want to add one more thing that I just

130can't get off this student thing because then also, when I'm speaking to my daughter, she's telling me like, oh yes, certain teachers only pen and paper homework assignments, never anything like I didn't know that. I'm like, oh that's cool. Like I'm seeing her do certain projects where I can see that she's not she can't she's drawing it or she's you know, whatever that solution is, but then to learn that there were two teachers in particular that they just homework assignments are done on pen and with pen a pen pen and pencil or paper and pencil. And I'm like for me to hear that to have that learning from her mouth is just so great and then for me to share, you know, my perspective as a parent or um a co-founder like why I like

131to use it and when I don't like to use it, you know, I think it can be very powerful. So I'll wait to to hear it, but I you know, it's it's great to start speaking with the people who are in the schools. >> The survey includes student student responses. So yeah, yeah, so that will be a big piece of it and that that's actually the piece I'm looking forward to the most. >> Half of my like homework list in between board meetings and I kept looking at like AI, what's next? Question mark. And I kept being like, why am I struggling with this? And I kept thinking I think it's because I really want to hear like the you know, I want to like hear the what's about to come, you know what I

132mean? I think it's going to be so great and really guide us. So I also felt a little bit like I just want to wait maybe just a little longer. >> All right, so we will postpone this discussion until we have more information and then we'll move forward. Any new business? >> This is kind of old business, but it's kind of new business. Um in all of these papers that were reading in the Horvath paper or the hate paper, I'm not sure which, but it also comes up in the AI paper and we're talking about this a lot as a board. Uh the importance of districts providing after school activities when they can just to create an extension of that in-person playtime after school where kids are not like home and possibly just going on

133screens. It just was a reminder to me that like that was a really big part of our discussion as a board about centralizing. And I am sure it's not going to be an easy or a light lift. So, I just was wanting to put it out there that I feel like along with construction and how long that's going to take, I feel like I would not want to save figuring out how that might work for like the last minute. I think as a board we really hammered that, you know, it was really important to all of us. So, I just wanted to put out there that maybe there's some way that we can talk to administration about like benchmarks, when it's appropriate to start discussing certain things or to you know, start talking with the

134teachers union. I'm not sure, you know, how that would work. >> I don't want to speak for the superintendent and and assistant superintendents, but I do know that that is a priority. You know, it was like uh it was really a not to call it a selling point, but it was really a point that we made clearly that once we're on a central campus, the you know, that Bennett would have after-school activities. Um you know, and and transportation home. And the reason why it isn't a district-run program at this time is because we can't do it in both elementary schools. So, it wouldn't be fair to do it in one. Um but I, you know, the uh PTAs have stepped up and they they do Kidstock and Cool School uh at Woodstock and Bennett. Um

135but it's not the same, you know, so yes, I'm sure that uh that that will become a priority and certainly before the the kids are in the building. There'll be a planning phase. Any other Yes. >> So, I've been Yeah, and we we've all been getting emails from parents of young children who are very concerned with before and after care, um which is a totally the universal parent concern when you have little ones. Um and what I keep coming back to and what I keep seeing in discussions around this is um that there's a basic structural problem um around here, which is in which is just really staffing, hiring people um and aggre- and and what I keep the phrase I keep coming back to to to advise is what has to happen is the

136demand has to be aggregated into one place because when you have enough demand for something in in a single place, that's when you can generate the revenue or you can generate the participation, the regular participation enough to staff something, right? And so, that is a problem that's not going to go away, but when we're all in this district in Boylston, you'll have a lot of elementary kids aggregated after school there, um and I think it will be much easier. Um but um this is something that um you know is partly outside the the the schools' penumbra of responsibility. Day care is not We're not you know, the as the the superintendent has pointed out with the the school district is not a a licensed day care provider. It has to be outside group. So, this

137is something that towns need to think about that um communities need to think about. Schools can certainly support and help. But uh um and that parents who really need this need to um I really suggest if you're a parent who's really caring deeply about this that you find other people who think like you and start talking to each other and advocate with people who can help you. I don't know who you know wherever they may be. It might be a church that could that could host a program, you know, I um but um I do think that um it's going to be difficult until all of our little ones are at are are in the same place because that's physical location is everything when you're trying to stand up a program, right? >> I think

138that part of the reason it's difficult I mean it's a natural extension to go from the school to have it at the school. And my daughter if who is 13 now had aftercare at Woodstock Elementary and I left her there every single night and picked her up. And so I think that it's and that's not that long ago. So it's like I think that's why there is sort of this urgency and this and I understand our enrollment is going down. But um that program was there was there wasn't a short of shortage of children in it. But if you're saying like parents get together and keep on sending emails, you know, we are we are looking for solutions to be sure. Um but I would really like it. It would be such a major gift

139to our community if we could figure it out. I mean such a big that they didn't have to go out to a church or they didn't have to go to you know, another center. Like if we could figure this out boy would we be a great district. So, I know that the administration is working on it and um yeah, it would be great to just keep on going down that and hopefully we thought we had a solution and then we didn't have a solution and keep on pecking away at it because um we really want to be the best district we can be for um the parents in our district especially of younger children who are working so hard. >> So, I was going to say some of this for the next board meeting which

140would be my my last board meeting. But uh I'll say it and then I'll probably repeat it next board meeting. It's been um a nice great experience uh being on the board. Uh this is a rockstar group. Uh the previous board members were great and uh it's pretty impressive um team. You know, it it really is. I mean, it's it's it's outstanding. I was I'm surprised how uh well everybody worked together. A lot of teamwork. Um one area that I think we could improve on and that'll come when we do the centralized campus is um we need to really hold off for that. We got to give our superintendent a little bit of latitude between now and the centralized campus. Uh in the area of managing the the number of employees cuz the whole idea

141was one of the ideas for centralized campus is we have a large number of people they're going to be retiring and we will have the opportunity with a centralized campus to reduce the the number of employees. So, that would be something that I think the uh school board can keep an eye on you know, a couple years from now in 2028. That's something we uh you know, we we as a board should should have input. We should get the data first and then have input on that to the superintendent. Um and it's uh it's it's other other school districts do do that. They they do get information on the number of employees. We have uh been so focused on the Central Unified School District campus and we know we've got a lot of retirements coming

142up that uh we haven't really focused on it, but that's something we can work on in in the future. Uh and the number of electives. Uh kind of great school district here. Provides so many electives. You see all the numbers that uh Lance provided. You can look at it and go, "Wow. So many opportunities here." And you want to keep that going if at all possible, but it's hard if if the number uh of students uh especially as they percolate up from K through six and start going into high school, there's going to be a reduced number of student enrollment in the high school area. So, how do we keep those electives going? Um there's going to be some maybe some tough choices that the board and the superintendent are going to need to work

143on. >> Thank you. Any other requests for information? All right. Our next meeting is uh Tuesday, June 16th at 6:00 p.m. and we will be back here at the middle school high school. Um may have a a motion to adjourn. Trustee Jared, second Trustee Jerome. All in favor? Didn't give you a chance to have ask any questions or comments. Okay, thank you.