001All right. I'd like to call to order the Monday, January 12th board of education business meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Would everybody please stand to the flag of the United States of America to the stands one nation under God indivisible >> here >> Mike here >> Kevin can't be here this evening Ian Money here. >> I already know that. >> Thank you. >> Okay. The exits are to your right and to your left and behind us to our right. Subject 2.1. May I please get a motion that after review the board of education approves the agenda as presented and or amended at this meeting? Mike Patty. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. Motion passes 60. Subject 3.1. Okay. Please get a motion to accept the minutes of the December 8th, 2025 business as
002presented. Mike Patty, any discussion? All in favor? I motion passes six to zero. This is maint. Perfect. Okay. Uh, subject 4.1 statements and presentations for the portal. I'll hand over to Superintendent She steals my >> Thank you for the >> uh 8th grade high school choice forms were due at the end of December right before winter break. We uh have our final numbers in and they have been communicated to Forward Manchester. Um and so that process is underway. This year we had 29 students choose Warwick and 13 choose Chester. That was the equivalent of 69% for Warwick and 31% for Chester. Um which is a slight shift from the historical trends the last few years. So uh Chester was very pleased with their numbers and expressed uh gratitude and I told them that was due
003to you know their academic programs and the things that they put in place. So um on tonight's agenda there are several things from our various committees. The facilities committee has the final payment for the roofers WTI company. Our audit committee has the single audit report approval and that's because we spent federal funds um in excess of it in that where an audit was reported was needed and that's uh due to several additional grants that we had in a single year. And then for the policy committee there is a new policy on the agenda for protecting prayer in schools and we have uh two or three more revised policies. Homeschooling policy is revised, policy development policy, student records policy, and data privacy. Some of those are our own revisions from here in the district and some
004aren't as just regular updates to changes in laws. And then we added forms to two of our policies. One on instructional materials, uh, so that if parents have a concern about instructional material, there's a form that they can fill out. Um, and then when parents are requesting home hospital or institutional instruction. There's a form that they can now fill out and talk about process right now. So, it's just adding those forms to policies. Tonight, we do have one presentation on middle school discipline. It's going to be by our assistant principal Stephanie Ramos. Uh Miss Ramos handles uh 90 probably 8% of the discipline here at the middle school along with Mr. Gillespie as she assists him regularly. And so she's going to talk a little bit about the data so far this school year. Good
005evening. This presentation, student misconduct reports and applied consequences year to date, provides a snapshot of discipline data collected thus far this school year and includes only incidents that rose to the level of formal documentation and administrative review. It offers an overview of how referrals are generated, where they originate, and the types of consequences applied in response. This presentation will also highlight middle school data by consequences and outline the processes and restorative practices used to address student behaviors, support accountability, and grow a school a positive school track. All investigations begin with a referral, except that a referral doesn't necessarily look like that. So referrals can be generated in different formats. Most of the times we see a teacher referral but referrals can also come from students. They can come from teaching assistants. They can come from
006the lunch and recess monitors, the bus staff, parents, and online platforms such as light speeded and bag. What's important to note is that a referral is per child and not necessarily per incident. So one incident can generate multiple referrals. So when we look at referral sources here you have it broken down into the categories the main categories that we usually get referrals. So we have teacher referrals. So year to date we've had 57 referrals which has been 39 incidents. Student referrals for um 40 referrals which has been 30 incidents. Bus referrals which has been 22 13 incidents. Lunch and recess staff 12 referrals which have been nine incidents. Parent referrals six which have been five incidents. And online platform referrals which have been nine to nine. The reason that uh online referrals are 9 to9
007a onetoone is because your electronics are personal to you. So those referrals generated are generally one to one. So when we look at the code of conduct these are the disciplinary infractions that we have highlighted in yellow. We have the ones that we have here the most. Right? So you have insubordination and dis and disrespect, inappropriate behavior, physical misconduct, and physical misconduct, pushing, hitting, kicking. This report right here shows you yearto date from e school. So this right here calculates every single consequence that has been given in each of the categories under the code of conduct year to date under ES school. Sorry, I just want to point out that if you look at this report, you can see that our heavier areas are in inappropriate behavior, in physical misconduct, and in the ones that
008I mentioned before. So each uh each infraction has a range of consequence that is dependent on how how many times the offense has occurred. Right? So we look at the prior history and the circumstances of set infraction. You have warnings, lunch and recess detention, in school suspension, out of school suspension, um and out of school suspension with a superintendent hearing. The amount of the consequence is decided on how many times the offense has occurred, the intensity of the offense, the age of the students, the intent amongst many other factors. So the first consequence, a warning. This is usually the first line of offense, right? It is going to be when there is no ill intent. It maybe was something that was not purposeful. The purpose of this is to build the responsibility. It may be
009some a new student the start of the year. It may be a new goal. It may be the first time that I'm we're interfacing with the student. But this a warning doesn't rise to the level of requiring an administrative consequence. However, it doesn't mean that there is not a consequence in place. There's usually a conversation usually with an administrator, a psychologist, a guidance counselor, contact home, and usually a natural consequence that may be something along the lines of if you broke it, you fixed it, or if you hurt someone's feelings, you apologize. Lunch and recess detention is used for minor to moderate infractions. Here a consequence is needed but removal from instruction is not appropriate. You are the goal is still to build responsibility. The student spends lunch and recess in the ISS room. There
010is still an opportunity for counseling whether with an administrator, a psychologist or a guidance counselor. There is parent contact whether it is a a phone call home or an email and the natural consequence is still there. An inschool suspension disrupt um is for behaviors that disrupt learning or aren't severe enough for an out of school suspension. This is for serious offenses such as physical misconduct, rapes amongst others and are generally for repeated offenses. Students would report to inschool suspension room and are given academic work from their classroom teacher. They sit quietly with supervision. They again have an opportunity for counseling whether with an administrator, guidance counselor or psychologist. And there is contact home and sometimes there are parent meetings here. There are also natural con uh consequences that are restorative in nature. Out of school
011suspension are for serious misconduct such as violence, extreme disruptions that threaten the safety or andor learning. They are for repeated serious infractions. Students are not allowed to attend school and are sent home with classwork. There is a f phone uh call home to parents. There is a meeting and there is an official letter and notification of suspension. In general, when there have been out of school suspension, you have an reintroduction meeting with the student upon their arrival that includes the parent, the administrator, and the counselor. And again, there is still the natural consequence that is restorative. So if we look at incidents and consequence by the numbers, there have been 148 events that rose to the level of taking an official note. Of that there have been 106 official incidents. Eight have been unfounded. 21
012warnings were given and 77 detention in school suspension andor out of school suspensions were given. So if we look at this number and we break it down even further, there have been four removal from classes. Lunch and recess detention for one day has been a total of 10. Lunch and recess detention for two days have been 22. Lunch and recess detention for three days have been 16. Lunch and recess detention for 4 days has been four. In school suspension has been 19. Out of school suspension three. And I mean sorry in school suspension and out of school com suspension combined have been three. and out of school suspension has been won. So if you're looking at this data, you're probably thinking, so how do we get there? Right? So we have a disciplinary process that
013ensures fair and equitable application of disciplinary measures, right? And this takes time. So once a referral is generated there is interviews that occur. You have to interview the offender, victim, witnesses, staff and sometimes there are multiple interviews that are necessary. You have to find written statements from all of the above. Um you have to research and examine evidence. You have to go through video footage, documents, emails, computer history. You have to research the background. Right? It's super important to look at a a student's IEP, their behavior plan, prior notes, the infractions. You take all of this into account before you levy a consequence. Then you contact parents, you contact teachers, and then there's uh paperwork and documentation. Well, then what becomes is what next? So, we have to address the root cause. Finding out why
014a student misbehaving misbehaves is the key to truly challenging behavior. Punishment alone is not enough. Why? Building relationships foster empathy creates a positive climate by shifting focus to repairing harm, teaching social emotional awareness and skills. This leads to fewer suspensions, better academic engagement, teaching responsibility, communication and problem solving. How restorative practices are completed in conjunction with disciplinary consequences? Some of the restorative actions that we do here in the middle school include a reflective journaling or think sheets. They're again natural consequences. mediation when appropriate, individual counseling, assignments that are related to the infractions, and this may include reading articles or watching videos to create the report or online learning modules. Miss, could you give an example of a natural consequence for someone that drew on the bathroom wall or made a mess in the cafeteria? What
015would be a natural consequence for those? So for a student who, let's say, made a mess in the cafeteria, a natural consequence would be to clean it up. For a student who, let's say, drew on the bathroom walls, a natural consequence would be again to clean it up. Right? If you are at home and you made a mess, your natural consequence would be to clean it up. Thank you. Thank you. >> There any questions for anyone? >> Yes, I have some questions. Okay. So, if we go to the number of incidents, right? And I know you can't tell us the names of the students, but how many are of these incidents are happening by the same individuals? Do we have that documented? And when you go back to the uh the slide that had the
016inschool suspension, so where it was three and one, is that one that the out of school suspension is it counted twice? So for instance, where you have the tension one time, you have 10. Is that if they get it for two days, is that 10 included in and then 22 as well? Or are those all individual punishments? So in this document I can tell you that these are all individual punishments. These are all individual incidents. >> So there are four students that received one. >> Okay. >> And there are 10 students that received it for only one day. Now a student that had multiple offenses may have had detention for one day and the second time it's on the third day may have had bunch of recess detention for two days. So there are >>
017this doesn't reflect the map series. >> Correct. Um so in terms of looking at the number of individuals I think that's information we can certainly look at and quantify for you. I I I don't think we have this evening but we can >> 77 is it 10 kids 77. And if that's the case, do we see any trend when we're using these root cause analysis and everything these startup measures? Is it having an effect? Is that are those same 10 still offending at the same rate or do we see an appreciable reduction based on the tools that we're using? >> So for some students you see an immediate decline, right? because the in sometimes the warning is enough to just have them stop and sometimes the lunch and recess is enough to have them stop
018for other students and it's a very small subset there are they are repeat offenders >> and does that make up the bulk of the 77 they half of the 77 >> it does not make up the bulk >> no >> I would say there's probably a handful of significant offenders. Um but again, we can get that number for you. Um I would say the biggest factor uh for us when we look at students that these consequences make a difference would be parent support. So when we have parent support and understanding the importance of schooling and staying in school and listening to adults and following the rules, when we have that parent support, usually these consequences do what they're supposed to do when we see reduction. um when parents um are we have a little bit
019more of a need to engage with parents and conference with parents and work to get their support. That's where sometimes we struggle and students will talk with me. Thank you. Any other questions? >> Actually question was on the initial slide where it said like who could write the referrals. Could you just maybe walk me through or walk us through like how a parent would write um behavioral incident report? So a parent actually wouldn't write a behavior incident report. And so that's kind of why I framed it the way that I did. It doesn't necessarily mean that they would all all behaviors all referrals do not come from a behavior incident report. Students do not write behavior incident reports. neither do let's say um lunch and recess staff. Usually it's through a conversation. They come to
020me, they come to um the guidance counselor and they report these things and then we begin an investigation. >> So it's initiated through that. Okay. >> Yes. >> And the reason why there's the referrals are higher number than the instances are sometimes multiple referrals per incident. So one referral can generate I mean one incident can generate multiple referrals. So like if there is a group of let's say there's an incident and it involves five people that would be five referrals. That's why we broke the data down into incident. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you. At this time, we also have our administrative reports from our principles and our assistant superintendent principal from the elementary school first. Good evening. Um, as we closed out the final two weeks before winter break, our
021school was filled with excitement, energy, and a strong sense of community. December brought many joyful traditions that balance fun creativity and meaningful learning experiences for our students. You can see from the pictures above that our students and staff enjoyed a gingerbread wheel and a schoolwide hunt which sparked curiosity in the schoolwide engagement. Um, congratulations to Mr. Swingle's class who found that little booger hanging on the wall in the in a frame in the hallway. Um that was followed by a festive Grinch day that brought smiles throughout the building. We had a very friendly Grinch this year that brought treats to all our students. The weeks also the weeks also included winter concert rehearsals and performances where students proudly showcased their hard work and um teamwork and growth. Mr. Poe led each grade level in a
022wonderful performance. Children sang the songs and celebrated to a full house audience. What a way to start the holiday season. Additional spiritfilled moments included ugly sweater or festive outfit day, pajama day, and a joyful schoolwide singalong, creating memorable experiences for students and families alike. We even had an elementary door decorating contest where Miss Michelle's prek students all stood out above the rest floating in the snow globe. Excuse me. >> Anyone who has ever worked or visited an elementary school in the weeks leading up to Winterclave knows just how insanely challenging those days can be for a teacher. I would like to extend a heartfelt shout out to our incredible teachers, teaching assistants, and staff for for providing a place where children could be joyful and excited while still remaining true to instructional goals, routines, and
023responsibilities. Your dedication ensured that learning remained strong right up until the final bell. Following our twoe break, we returned to school with a smooth transition and truly hit the ground running. January has already included ISTD meetings, PAF training, and other productive day of collaboration with GNR's Nicole Mel as we continue to strengthen our instructional practices and supports for students. Today at our faculty meeting, we shared an inform informative meeting led by Kate and April, our instructional coach, teaching teachers about learning walks. In the weeks to coming, she plans to set up more opportunities for these to take place to learn and grow from one another. Looking ahead, we're excited for several upcoming events in elementary school. sharing with the middle school the steam fair on January 21st. CBTs, not that those are very fun, but
024will be on January 28th, spirit week, the week of January 26, and of course the Peek Valley here at the middle school on January 30th. So January is shaping up and coming very fast to be an energetic and impactful month. And I'm grateful for the continued commitment, professionalism, and care shown by our entire school community as we move forward together. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. We also were very busy before the breaks as we previously noted at the beginning of December. Um we had a lot of fun-filled events. They're highlighted on the slide above. The uh photos on the left side, those are from our fourth grade gingerbread house event. Students had a wonderful time designing their own gingerbread houses while working alongside family members who were able to attend. Students uh
025definitely showcased their um impressive creativity with some unique designs while utilizing their sugar fil uh building material. So, it was fun to see uh the various designs they came up with. And also, thank you to our fourth grade um teachers for all their help organizing that successful event. The top center photos are from our winter holiday concert um for band and chorus. All events were well attended and students did an excellent job performing uh the musical pieces that they had been preparing. Thank you to Mr. Compton and Mr. Poe for their continued dedication working with our student musicians and also thank you to Mr. Ferry uh as for as well for his support with the program design and including the addition of uh beautiful student created artwork that was featured in this year's program. Our
026our bottom center photos are from our first quarter celebration. Students who had earned honor role, high honor role, and perfect attendance were recognized uh and enjoyed ice cream sundaes while celebrating their achievements with their classmates. Uh the photo on the bottom right was from our afterchool uh movie event that took place for fourth and fifth graders. Uh students enjoyed wearing pajamas, uh bringing in their blankets and having snacks while watching this year's holiday movie together. Again, thank you to Miss Mrs. Chapman and Mrs. Shepard and our student government members for organizing uh that fun event. And then the photo on the top right is from our Mid Hudson uh Discovery Museum trip. That photo features some fourth grade students on that trip to the museum in Pikipsy and students were able to explore a variety
027of subject areas and were able to participate in hands-on learning activities during their visit. Uh, additionally, um, as Miss as Miss Ren said, we are looking forward to the events in January, uh, the Steam Fair again, uh, which will be, uh, incorporating all K8 students. We love to see the creativity of our students in that event. And, uh, spirit week will be the 26th through 30th as mentioned. And then again, the district pep rally is Friday, January 30th. We look forward to another exciting opportunity for our students to come together and celebrate their Laker Pride. And uh as the person who does all of the talking during the pep rally, hopefully my voice will be in better shape at that time. Um also academically, we are approaching that midway point of the year. It's hard
028to believe that we're already there, but as we approach the end of the um second quarter, uh Mrs. see our guidance council will be working with sixth, seventh and eighth grade students as they select their um next electives for the second semester. So that um scheduling will be taking place um and information is sent out to parents also so they can discuss those electives with their uh children in advance. And also our seventh and eighth grade students will be participating in uh jumlative midterm exams uh the last week in January and the first week in February kind of spread them out so students can focus on each subject area over that twoe time period. That's it. >> Thank you superintendent with update and she has a little of everything for this one. Good evening. Uh
029last month I talked a little bit about our computer based testing CBT uh simulation that will take place uh this month. Um just wanted to give some background to um actually what the simulation is as some parents did email me um questioning uh some questions about it. So the CBT simulation we chose this year uh is for ELA for students in grades 3 through 8. Uh the simulation is to test the system or the processes and it's not to assess students learning. Uh it's basically make sure that the computers that the students will be using in the 3 through testing uh in the spring uh that the students are familiar with the process that the um actual um computerized components uh of the system are working properly. as last year we realized when everybody logged
030in at the same time in the spring uh the system crashed. Uh so um just to um pretty much say it's not for assessment purposes but more to get students familiar and to work out any kinks that might come up in the actual process. Uh school messenger went out to all families uh the first week last week when we got back from break alerting them of the upcoming simulation. Uh grades six through eight uh it will take place on uh January 27th. Grades three through five will be January 28th and any makeups will be on January uh 29th. It does not take a tremendous amount of time. Uh it's we're trying to shoot for a first second period in the morning uh and then students can get on with the rest of their day. Um
031this month our data team meetings will resume uh some of the work we will be doing in the coming months. We'll be uh analyzing our districtwide and New York State assessment data. We're also going to be taking a look at our instructional technology. So our programs and apps that we're using currently and seeing um uh do we actually how many staff members and students are accessing these apps. do we want to bring more apps, less apps um to the district? So, we'll be doing that and we'll also be uh discussing our 6 through 8 ELA curriculum and uh trying to uh align that with our K5 uh ELA curriculum. So, those discussions last year, we focused in on uh preK through grades three where it's actually to grades five um as the program goes to
032grades five. uh and that was part of the uh initiative with New York State Education uh with the science of reading need to be implemented by this fall. So now we're going to look to align and improve our K 3K through 8. Uh additionally, I mentioned last month that our annual review season is approaching in our pupil personnel office. That's for our special education students as well as our general education students who have a section 504 accommodation plan. Uh very often, um I am asked as our our um special ed staff, what's the difference between a student who has an IEP versus a 504? A student that has an individual education plan is provided is classified as a student with a disability and is provided with specialized instruction and services. Whereas a 504 plan is
033provided to general education students that might have a uh some form of a physical or mental impairment that might preclude them from accessing their education. So they might need accommodations. Uh so these plans are developed as well by a 504 committee. Uh these types of plans are reviewed at least once a year. Uh teams review progress. Uh there's teacher input, there's family feedback. Often there are assessments that accompany that, but they're not um they're not typical academic assessments, but more uh not nationally normed uh reference assessments. Uh goals, services, and accommodations and supports are updated as needed. Families are active participants in this review process. Uh we make sure the both committees make sure that uh access is in the least restrictive environment as possible. And these reviews are completed by the end of June
034in order for them to be implemented for the following school year in September. Happy new year to everybody and thank you. >> Thank you. >> No more presentations. Thank you everybody. Okay. Uh this one >> uh we had a meeting last year. Uh we met with Brian Fesler who's a NISPA chief advocacy officer for government relations. He's kind of over to expect for the budget. Um there's really no surprises expected for the school budget this year. You know, a couple years ago they kind of to everyone for a u but that's not expected this year. Again, it's an election year. I don't think the governor wants to be crazy. Um the electric buses is is on everyone's mind. Um there's no answer coming from from the governor on this right now. Again, I wouldn't expect
035anything coming down from her until after the election. So there are lots of legislators who know the positions of our schools because they're pretty much all mocked. They're against this. Um but there's no moving on. So we're kind of a whole >> everybody from >> just curious because they had that >> fire hasn't been in the last few last year. >> That's not true actually. No, I'm sorry. >> They had that fire. >> They've been very outspoken too. I know that one of the reps there he was he's been actually we we had OR coming he was a a fire you know he had a lot of concerns obviously they had two fires facilities so that's the downside of all this electric bus um as far as the whole harmless u initiative it looks safe
036like I said it doesn't look like there's any any uh supplies or changes to any proposals. So that's a good thing for this year. We'll see what the future brings. >> That's discussed. I mean, I know Senator Scopus is beating the drum. Um so we'll see what that goes to. >> Thanks, man. Ian Jester nothing major but they did pass up over the next couple years many Warwick >> um just a couple things Warwick hair salon um is open again so the next two upcoming dates if anyone would like to go and get your hair done by one of the um students February 12th and March 12th, you can call the school to make an appointment. Um it's a really great thing the school does and it's, you know, need the practice. So, if anyone's
037interested, um tomorrow night there's a driver's forum. Tomorrow night, 6 p.m. Um if any students are planning on getting their parking permit for the year, student needs to attend one of the forums along with their parents uh in order to get a parking pass. So, that's really important. Um and there was a note about girls lacrosse. anyone that is interested in trying out the for girls across JV or varsity, there's a meeting on Wednesday during lunch. That's all. Thank you. >> Thank you. And then I know um we're going to approve some things for the audit and budget committee. We haven't yet again facilities. We have something on the agenda and then for policy. Hey, PTSA ladies on >> I I just know that the spirit wear that they're selling at their shop is closing
038tonight. So, if you want to get your spirit wear for spirit week and make sure that you get your orders in before tonight for that green, >> happy new year. Thanks for coming. >> Sure. Happy new year to everyone. I just have a quick um update. The village is hosting a program for all the residents to take advantage when the lake is frozen. Now it's not, but um as it's getting cold, if the lake is frozen outside the community center, we have bins where people could donate skates. We have skates available as well. So if someone wants to go ice skating, they could borrow the skates there as long as they're returning. So we just ask for the teachers as you have so much influence um on our children to just please remind them to
039be safe on the ice, right? that never to go alone to have um to wear a helmet to make sure that they have an adult with them if they take advantage of taking the skates to go skating in the that's >> thank you very much. Oh, and literally it's the sign up. The sign up is the sign up deadline is 21st uh I'm sorry, February 1st. After February 1st, you could be put on a wait list. So, make sure that you register and you need volunteers. So, you sign up to coach. >> Thanks. Okay, moving right along. Subject 6.1, privilege of the floor. All right. Thank you. Subject 7.1. May I please get a motion to wave the second reading and adopt the following policies and or reision revisions at first reading as presented? Mike
040Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.1. May I please get a motion to approve the financial reports for December 2025 as presented at this meeting? Addie Mike. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.2. May I please get a motion to accept the single order report from Nent and Howler PC as presented? A >> yes. >> Mike, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.3. May I please get a motion to approve the final payment for capital projects numbers 002-016 and number 001-27 for weatherproofing technologies as presented Mike Aaron any discussion all in favor I motion passes 6 to zero subject 8.4 Four. May I please get a motion to accept the donation from General Mills Boxtop Tops
041for Education as presented? Dave, Mike. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you PTSA for that donation. All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.1. May I please get a motion to resend the November 10th, 2025 resolution appointing Mark Bonger as school district treasurer as presented. Aaron Mike, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.2. May I please get a motion to appoint Anthony FZ as school district treasurer as presented. Dave Mike. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.3. May I please get a motion to approve the additional duties assigned to the staff members listed below as presented. Mike Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.4. May I please get a motion to appoint
042Greg Roberts as spring musical set design and crew adviser as presented? Mike Patty. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.5. Please get a motion to appoint the following individual as a substitute as presented. Mike Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? Motion passes six to zero. Subject 10.1. May I please get a motion to accept the CPSC and cse recommendations as presented at this meeting? Mike Patty. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 11.1. May I please get a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss medical, financial, credit or employment history or any particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of any particular person or corporation. Dave, Mike, any discussion? All in favor?
043I. Motion passes six to zero and we will not be returning to public session after executive session. The next board of education meeting will take place on Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria. Thank you very much everybody.