001Okay. I'd like to call to order the Monday, December 8th, Board of Education business meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Um, subject 1.2. Please get a motion to appoint Sarah Hannah as district clerk promporary for this meeting. Heaven, any uh discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes. 1 2 3 4 5 6. >> Is he supposed to be here? Okay, I'm just going to take a little bit of a break for a second. >> David Clifford >> here. >> Mike Gworth >> here. >> Kevin Holder >> here. >> Ian M >> here. >> Okay. Okay, everybody please stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the republic for it stands nationy andice for all. >> Okay, the exits are to your left and to your right
002and behind us to our right and left depending where you're sitting. Subject 2.1. Uh, please get a motion for the board of education after we review to approve the agenda as presented andor amended. Mike Aaron. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes 6 to zero. Subject 3.1. May I please get a motion to approve the minutes of the November 10th, 2025 special business meeting as presented at this meeting. Dave, Ian, any discussion? All in favor? I motion passes six to zero. [clears throat] 3.1. [snorts] >> Okay. Subject 4.1, statements and presentations to the board of education. I will hand over to Sarah. >> Okay. Good evening. >> Good evening. Um just uh to quickly go over publicly just a few items that are on the agenda tonight related to the capital project. We have
003the final payment for Milbour flooring. They are are completely done. No punch list and nothing left over. So the final payment is on and has been by facilities committee. There are several change orders that have also been reviewed and accepted by the facilities committee. and and just a general update that the water tank the middle school is set to be delivered and installed starting this Friday. Uh so the lower lot will be closed effective 4:30 this Friday on that. We are still working on solutions and getting the badge of partitions to meet the design standards that were set. Um and then we still have a punch list of items with our other units. U we are uh very close to final payment for the April 1 as well. So um and then also on the
004agenda tonight just uh we normally this is only done in July. Uh we're doing it mid year this year because we are restructuring the organization with the school district with assistance superintendent's retirement at the end of December. Uh we are trans uh we are changing to a school business manager as opposed to assist superintendent for business. Uh, and so that will be directly overseen by the superintendent of schools. And then the three positions that were underneath the assistant superintendent will now report directly to the superintendent of schools as well. For administrative reports, we have three reports this evening. Elementary principal Miss Spring uh unfortunately is ill this evening, so she asked me to read her report. As we enter the final weeks of 2025, Green Lake Elementary continues to flourish with meaningful learning experiences, strong
005family partnerships, and a vibrant school community. We held two successful parent teacher conferences, a heartfelt thank you to teachers who prepared thoughtful, data-informed conversations about student progress, and our parents and guardians for their engagement. We were delighted to welcome 170 guests to our annual Thanksgiving lunchon. That's nearly one to one, just in case anybody's wondering. A special thank you goes out to Samanda and her kitchen team, as well as the many volunteers who helped make this cherished tradition another wonderful memory for our students. Students enjoyed an engaging and interactive assembly while with history time Henry exploring significant historical milestones throughout music, humor, and performance. At the end of a assembly, we recognize students selected for wow moments. A wow moment is a positive behavior or action demonstrated by a student that makes staff and faculty
006stop and say, "Wow." These moments highlight students who go above and beyond in modeling the expectations of the PBIS program, showing kindness, responsibility, respect, and good manners. Miss Ring would also like to give a well-deserved shout out to Caitlyn Averil, Erica Arietta, Cynthia Medina, and Kristen Santa Petro for their leadership and collaboration in facilitating the first round of learning walks this year. Their preparation, openness, and instructional expertise helped make it a professional a valuable professional learning experience. And assistant superintendent Amy Petrazi will be speaking more on this initiative in her report. Last week, they wrapped up the annual holiday shop where students had the opportunity to purchase gifts for family members and for themselves. Thank you to the PTSA for organizing such a wonderful event. Looking forward in the next couple of weeks, there'll be
007the gingerbread readaloud at schoolwide hunt, bridge day, winter concerts, ugly sweater and festive outfit day, pajama day, schoolwide signal. They will help cultivate joy, connection, and a shared tradition through school community. On behalf of Green Lake Elementary School, she wishes the board of education, families, students, and staff a happy holiday season. Middle school principal Gillespie will do the middle school report. Okay, good evening everyone. We also have uh a lot of events that have taken place in November and December. I'll start with the uh recent events that are pictured up on the screen. On our top left, we have a photo of our student government assembly that took place on November 21st. The entire middle school attended to hear our guest speaker, town supervisor Jesse Dwire speak about his experiences running for office and the
008various roles and responsibilities he has had in his elected positions. Thank you again to Supervisor Dwire for taking the time to come and speak with our students and also engage in some great Q&A. And it really was great Q&A. The the students uh had some great questions to ask him and I thank him again for for his time taking uh taking the time to give them comprehensive answers. Also, students then had the opportunity to listen to speeches from their classmates that were running for positions in our middle school student government. So, thanks also goes out to Mrs. Chapman and Miss Shepard for their work coordinating the assembly program and also the election process. The bottom left photo, we also had history time Henry come and present to our fourth and fifth grade students. So it
009was history time Henry and his assistant geography George who led the adventure using their time machine to visit and learn about important moments in history. Uh the students had a great time and they they were uh engaged and attended throughout the assembly. Also in our bottom center photo we have our Veterans Day wall of honor which we have displayed here in the cafeteria. Uh that wall was created in partnership with uh two of our groups, peer leadership club and student government working together. Students and staff were able to submit a photo with information about a family member that had served. U this was a great way to honor our veterans and again thank you to Mrs. Greenberg from peer leadership and again Mrs. Chapman and Miss Shepard from student government. On the bottom right is
010a photo of our sixth grade students participating in a book tasting event held in Miss Miller's class where students have the ability to sample various books as they work to choose the one that is right for them and the one they like the most. Uh thanks to Miss Miller for this creative class event that she does each year with them. On the top right is our eighth grade students enjoying a a day as they attended the annual trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. And finally, uh, our photo in the top center position or photos in the top center position is our PLTW holiday fundraiser that is currently taking place. And that is the sale of a handcrafted wooden holiday trees made by our students, which is used to raise money and donate
011to support the eighth grade Washington DC trip this year. Uh, those photos, as you can see, the finished product on the top. Um it's also important to note the four photos below and the assembly line that goes on in PLTW. So we have students sanding, we have students um drilling and constructing the trees, we have students varnishing and then um again the finished product you see up on the top there's a way where you can uh have holiday cards um displayed. So again those are for sale currently and um we thank Mr. and the eighth grade PLTW for all of their work on that. Other recent or upcoming events, uh we also hosted our Thanksgiving lunch on November 20th. We had five different lunches for students and families that day. And I want to uh
012thank our entire food service staff for uh all their work in the preparation and serving of those meals. and to our staff members who assisted in serving that day, including uh Miss Petraasi and Miss Haden uh who took time to uh to serve those uh students and families. Also, thank you to both Chester and Warwick High School for hosting our students and parent visits. Uh a reminder to our families that our high school choice decisions are due uh next Monday, December 15. And I'd like to thank Mrs. C for all her work with coordination of the high school choice process. It's a a lot of information for our students, but we we hope that it gives them what they need in order to make the right choice for their next step. Um and then I'll
013finish with some upcoming events over the next two weeks here at the middle school. Uh we have our uh holiday concert which will take place next Tuesday, December 16th. We look forward to families coming to enjoy our band of coral student performances. Again, those times are grades four and five concert at 5:15 and grade sixth grade concert at 7:15. Also, um I don't want to forget to mention we also are doing the holiday shop. Uh we had day one today and uh day two will be tomorrow. So, thanks again to our PTSA for providing that opportunity to our students. Um other events take place, Laker kids will be visiting the senior center senior center on December 17th where they attend annually for caroling and to serve lunch to our seniors and also our NJHS students
014just had visited the senior center last Friday where the students participated in shared activities with the seniors. So again um it's great to see our students go out in the community and u visit the senior center. Thank you to our adviserss uh Mrs. Joseph and Mrs. talents from um Laker Kids and Ms. Chapman and Mrs. Novak from NJHS for organizing both of those events. Uh fourth and fifth grade students will also have an opportunity on the 17th to participate in our after school movie event where they can wear pajamas, uh bring their blankets, have snacks, enjoy a holiday movie right here in the cafeteria. And then on December 18th, fourth grade students will be making gingerbread houses with members of their families that are able to join them that day. And then finally in the
015afternoon on December 18th, we'll be celebrating our students that made honor roll, high honor roll, and those that had perfect attendance during the first marking period. That is it from the middle school. Happy holidays to everyone. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> This is superintendent update you on. >> Good evening everyone. Um, as we begin December, I want to provide a quick update on a few key instructional initiatives and some upcoming events. Um, up on the screen, you'll see the first learning walks have begun at the elementary school. Uh, learning walks are brief focused classroom visits where teachers and our instructional coach, Caitlyn Abil, observed instruction and action, gathered ideas, and shared best practices. Um we started off with a soft opening inviting volunteer teachers to participate and I believe this morning's report um Erica
016Ariata Kristen Sansa Pedro as well as uh Cynthia Medina had volunteered to participate. Uh the focus this month was on UFly phmic aware the UFly phmic awareness curriculum where they uh watched each other teaching a lesson and then they came together at the end of uh observing each other and came up with strategies and picked up on ideas that one teacher might have been doing that maybe they would try to practice in their classroom. So it was a really nice opportunity to hear their feedback on seeing their colleagues. Um uh this Thursday, the 11th, uh an HMH coach will also be at the elementary school to model lessons with students. Uh the goal is for teachers to see strategies in action with the new interreading curriculum and take away practical techniques that they can use
017immediately uh on their own in their classrooms. Uh teachers were were given a um survey of sorts to identify areas they needed support or wanted additional support in. and to remind you that they just all our teachers uh K5 have just rolled out this curriculum in September. So any strategies are helpful um and such as keeping students engaged, running partner, small group and independent activities smoothly and encouraging students to explain their thinking and collaborate. This hands-on coaching gives teachers examples they can implement right away. Um, moving on. Um, yes, state assessments, uh, spring 2026, grades 3 through 8 state assess assessments will be fully computer-based. Uh, New York State Ed has been rolling this out gradually over the past few years, and this will be the first year all districts are fully implementing this computer-based
018testing. Uh, students will be using their schoolisssued Chromebooks and there will be an ELA stimulation exercise at the end of January to prepare them. Um the testing windows and these came from New York State. Um the grades three through eight ELA, math and science windows are April 6th through uh May 15th with makeups taking place within those windows. Um the uh NISA slot is for English language learners. The speaking takes place April 6 to May 22nd and the listening, reading, and writing May 4th to May 22nd. And then our regions take place in June with algebra one on June 17th and living environment biology on June 18th. And I'll speak more about this as the time gets closer. Uh finally, I want to note a couple of other district initiatives. Um the before and after
019school tutoring is in full swing with teachers providing small groupoup instruction targeting skill remediation and practice. Also, starting in mid January, our special education department will be entering their annual review season. During this time, the committee on special education meets with families who are also committee members to review their students progress and make recommendations for the next school year to ensure each special education students uh continued success. Uh these efforts reflect our ongoing focus on supporting teachers, engaging students, and ensuring that all learners are ready for success. That concludes my report for this evening and I wish everyone a happy holiday and a happy new year. >> Thank you Amy. >> And that is our update for this. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you everybody. Happy holidays. Uh moving along Mike Ox any little updates? >>
020Yeah. um for ox forb by the way for nisba patty and I were speaking and she feels that she doesn't have the time to commit to be the nba rep so she asked me if I could take that from her um I volunteered to do it kind of we talk a lot about a nisba issues anyway in oxa since I'm the oxar rep I volunteer just to take over so that's okay with everybody um you're okay >> yeah I'm fine I'm fine with um last week I we for we had a virtual meeting. We sat in with some uh from some legislation people. Senator Sucus, Senator Wolson, Assemblyman Brain, Sen Yucas, Assemblywoman Paul Key, and a rep from um Brian Mah. Talking about a lot of issues that are going on here statewide. Uh the
021most important thing that came back was the electric busing. Uh every district is concerned about it. this mandate that's coming at coming down. It's going to be staring at us very soon. Uh there's not a single rep that is for this timeline. So they're working to do what they can do up in Albany to at least extend the deadline. Um so this is going to be an issue coming up pretty soon. So uh it's going to be taking up some of our time. I'm sure we're going to be meeting about it a lot. Um, I urge everyone who's watching now, please reach out to your representatives and let them know that this initiative, which it's it's going to cost a lot of money and many most districts cannot afford it. The electric as as good
022as it might sound, it's not it's the time frame is not feasible. It's uh it's going to be a problem. Um the good news is that all the legislators seem that the whole harmless um funding for schools next year will probably be held in place. So we shouldn't be looking at any kind of loss in revenue from state aid. Uh they mostly seen because it is election year coming up. They don't see the governor wanting to offset too many people with the in the education world. So they're thinking that that's probably going to stay where it was this year. Um but that doesn't mean that it can't change in the future. So we you know we have to be aware of that. Uh the other big thing was New York State's concern with federal funding
023and money that's coming from the federal government because there just a lot of uncertainty right now what's going on uh especially at the federal level with the department of education. Uh New York State they don't feel would be too fully affected by this because they do selfund a lot. Uh but obviously if federal government decides not to give us money, we're not getting money. So there is a possible loss of of revenue in there. Something to keep an eye on. Um they're very open to uh listening to our concerns, which is good to hear, good to see. Um they seem to have our interests in mind, so that's a good thing. So uh anything that comes down the pike, I'll let you all know. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. Ian Chester updates on
024Chester. What's going on? >> Um, nothing too much. It's a December, so bunch of sports are going through. Um, tomorrow there's a high school concert, but the bigger thing is on December 16th, I mentioned last time. There's a referendum sports facility um in Chester. So, that'll be a big whether it goes through or not change. That's all. >> Thank you. And Patty's not here for Warwick. So, does anybody have any updates for Warwick? No. Okay. Uh, audit committee. None. Then a budget committee. We have a meeting workshop on Wednesday. Should be on the calendar. Uh, facilities. Sarah mentioned that. We met last week and uh there's some approvals on here. Uh, policy committee. Nothing. Okay, [clears throat] moving along. Uh, I don't see anybody from the PTSA. Does anybody have any updates regarding the PTSA?
025>> Tomorrow is the last day at Middle School. >> Okay. Okay. And then uh I don't see anybody from the village of Greenwood Lake. >> How how was the holiday uh market and everything on Saturday? >> Would anybody come? It was well done. >> Yeah. Well, uh, little league registration is open. Uh, you do not have to pay right away. Just sign up, please, as quickly as possible so we can organize teams and coaches. Uh, and like I said, you can pay later. And there will be a wait list and there will be late fees associated later on. So, the e the earlier you do it, the better. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, subject six, public statements and and petitions privilege of the floor. Okay. Thank you very much. Uh, subject 7.1. May I please
026get a motion to adopt the 2026 2027 vision and district goals as presented. Kevin Ian, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes 6 to zero. Subject 7.2. May I please get a motion to approve the November 2025 financials as presented? Mike Aaron. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.3. May I please get a motion to abolish the following non-pedagonal position as presented? Mike Kevin. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.4. May I please get a motion to create one FTE school business manager position as presented? Dave Ian. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.5. A motion to adopt the revised 2025 2026 organizational chart [clears throat] as presented and that's what Sharon Saris showed us before.
027Mike Aaron. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.6. May I please get a motion to amend the 2025 2026 board of education business meeting calendar and the 2026 2027 budget preparation calendar as presented? Kevin Ian, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.7. May I please get a motion to approve the MOA with Orange County Department of Emergency Services as presented? Mike Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes 6 to zero. Uh subject 7.8. May I please get a motion to approve theou with the county of Orange in the district as presented? Mike. Kevin, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.9. May I please get a motion to approve the services agreement with Pam Sutherland LLC
028as presented? Mike Kevin. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.10. May I please get a motion to approve the appropriation of funds for the school lunch fund as presented? Mike Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes 6 to zero. Subject 7. 11. Please get a motion to authorize superintendent to make transfers within function unit appropriations as presented. Mike Aaron any discussion all in favor? I motion passes 6 to zero. Subject 7.12. May I please get a motion to approve the final payment for the middle school capital project number 001-027 as presented. Mike Kevin any discussion all in favor I motion passes six to zero subject 7.13 may I please get a motion to approve the districtwide capital project change orders as presented Mike Aaron any discussion all
029in favor I motion passes six to zero subject 7.14. May I please get a motion to authorize the superintendent of schools to renew the contractual agreement with Auctions International as presented? Going to sell some old things, I guess. Mike, Kevin. Uh, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 7.15. May I please get a motion to approve Phoenix Graphics as the printer of ballots for the May 19th, 2026 budget vote and election as presented. Mike Dave, any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.1. Then please get a motion to approve the change in title from district treasurer and appoint Scott Sullivan as school business manager as presented. Mike Ian. Any discussion? Congratulations, Scott. All in favor? [applause] I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.2. May
030I please get a motion to appoint Michael Bumas as long-term lead replacement as presented? Mike. Kevin. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 8.3. May I please get a motion to appoint Kendall Toino to the following substitute positions as presented? Mike Dave. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 9.1. May I please get a motion to accept the CSE recommendations as presented? Kevin, Ian. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes six to zero. Subject 11.1. Then please get a motion to adjourn to executive session to discuss negotiations conducted pursuant to the Taylor law involving the GLTA union. Mike Aaron. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Motion passes 6 to zero. Uh we will not be returning to the public session after the executive session.
031The next board of education meeting will take place on Monday, January 12th, 2026 in the middle school cafeterium at 6 p.m. Thank you very much everybody. Enjoy your evening.