001Thank you all for coming. I'll pass the roll for a meeting May 12th. Uh will you stand up for the uh pledge of allegiance, please? >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you, Mrs. Carito. Great to have a packed house tonight. Um this is one of the best meetings of the year. Uh I have a few updates from around the district. Uh first off to uh any of the moms in attendance, I hope uh and those who may be listening at home, I hope everybody had a great Mother's Day uh this past weekend and and you and you were able to spend time with your families and and
002get some uh some fresh air and you can get outside. Um around the district, so I believe since the last time we met um here as a board, the senior citizens dinner took place. Again, just a tremendous effort. Mr. Tasman, thank you for your efforts. Kim Lestufka in the kitchen, all the PTA uh presidents, uh admin team, it's really a a team effort and we have uh our students from Fine and Performing Arts who put on a great show that night uh for our uh seniors. Um Pasta and meatballs was a success. Everybody left uh I think satiated and uh we got some some really nice thank yous from members of the community who were able to make it that night. So, uh so, great job all around. Um some student uh and and team
003recognitions um and we'll we'll get to, you know, the the the the big recognitions in a bit with Mr. Butler. Um Congratulations to the Wind Ensemble for earning a gold rating at the NMEA Major's Festival. Uh definitely reflects the dedication and talent of our student musicians and our teachers, so congratulations to that group. Also, the Chamber Choir, the Chamber Orchestra, uh Wind Ensemble each earned first place in their respective divisions at the Music in the Parks Festival. Uh they always represent us uh with excellence and pride, so thank you to those students and and those teachers. Uh our Coding Eagles, so that's our coding team, our computer coding team, uh captured championship title at the Long Island Code Conquest Hackathon. We hosted it. Again, the reason we host is because we're the reigning champs. Fourth
004consecutive year that that team has uh been the coding champs. So, those are the students literally who are competing against other districts from around Long Island. And for those in attendance as old as me, uh it's like a game of risk uh board game which players kids where you're trying to capture territories by being the best coders in the room. So, incredible innovation, teamwork, problem-solving skills. That's uh gosh, Mr. Ferraro, Ms. Thompson, uh Ms. Brophy at the middle school all leading uh those efforts. Um a lot of upcoming uh events on the calendar. I won't get into all of them, but for those of you who have the time, there are spring concerts underway, there's art shows, um our student musicians and artists all just showcasing their work. And then lastly, coming up and this
005will be perfect segue to some some other uh recognitions and acknowledgements on the mic. Uh we always this time of year have our first responders and police and fire fire firefighter assemblies and and parades and our Memorial Day ceremonies throughout the district. Um it's really an incredible place to work in Half Hollow this time of year because uh just everyone comes out to kind of celebrate uh those who dedicate their lives uh life of service uh in different capacities. Um and then lastly, you know, next time we meet will be after Memorial Day, so um again, I hope it provides our students, our staff, community time uh to rest, spend time together, um and then just always remembering um the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice uh for our country. Uh
006always have to remember that most of all. So, thank you. With that, um I will turn it over to my friends to the left. I just asked Hannah she's no longer she senior assassin. Wasn't a winner? Is there a winner in this room for that? Okay, okay. We won't We won't have to do that this, but I will turn it over to them for um updates from our students. >> Thank you. AP and IB testing went underway on month April 28th and is still in progress. Most students report that the testing experience is going smoothly and we wish students the best of luck with the new testing. Next week, the school holds its annual Memorial Day assembly. Staff and students have been preparing many exciting ways to honor and remember those who served us. The
007Spike Ball tournament is back and will commence on May 18th. The prize for each The prize for each partner is $10 and the prize for the winners is $50 gift cards each. Permission slips are due this Friday. >> Decision Day was a very successful event. It celebrated seniors and their future plans after graduation. Students and staff came together to recognize this exciting milestone and support the class of 2026. Along with that, seniors are looking forward to their upcoming prom on June 26th at Land End. Tickets will be on sale soon and more information will be coming out shortly. >> Thank you. Good perfect. Thank you. All right, we're going to move on to uh 5A recognition and awards, number one, hometown hero recognition, Dr. Burkins. >> Yes, I'm going to invite Ms. Barry up to
008the to the podium uh for this next moment. I just have to say before she gets started uh because she will not be saying this. Uh what you're going to hear next is is just uh ex- extreme point of pride for me, for the for the entire board, I think for our community, and she's the architect that made this happen. Her collaboration, her leadership um is has just been tremendous. A lot of work behind the scenes to make this happen. I'm I'm not a natural podcaster. Certainly writing the scripts, all that went into it, the invites. So, Ms. Barry, I didn't want to forget to thank you for what you're about to brag about here next, which I know you're not going to mention your name, so I am. So, thank you. >> Thank you,
009Dr. Murphy. Good evening, members of the Board of Education. Tonight, it is my privilege to recognize and celebrate the individuals who participated in this year's Hometown Hero Speaker Series. The speaker series was created to highlight veterans and first responders who are connected to our community as they shared their personal experiences with our students. Throughout the year, these individuals visited our schools and offered invaluable lessons about courage, sacrifice, resilience, and service to others. Our students had the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from men and women whose lives have been dedicated to protecting, serving, and supporting our communities and defending our country. Many of tonight's honorees are also graduates of Hauppauge schools, parents of current students, and lifelong members of our community. Their stories reminded our students that leadership and service are demonstrated every day by people
010right here in Hauppauge. At this time, I'm going to play a short video clip that captures this year's event. >> I always kind of wanted to be a pilot. >> I do come from a family of first responders, so I would kind of say it's it's in our blood. Our roots. >> I was drafted, which means at 18 you had to go down to select service. >> Signed up for it. Getting high school, I honed in on the fact that I knew for certain that I wanted to be a police officer. >> I signed up when I was 17. >> I joined as a senior in high school. >> Today is the launch of our hometown hero speaker series. We have heroes and role models around us for our students here. Some are moms and
011dads, our aunts and uncles, our grandparents, or our neighbors who are shining examples of what a hero is all about. >> Why did you choose this job? >> How did you feel when you were told you were being deployed out of the function? >> Why is helping your community to you? >> I know that you know stuff I do will impact someone's family life and I know whether it's my family or someone else's family and it just matters. >> Learn how to work as a team with every different type of situation. Always be ready and be able to adapt and overcome whatever comes along the way. >> There's a real meaning behind this shield cuz this is the exact same shield that my father had when he retired. >> Just being a New York City
012firefighter has been my life long dream. It was a great career. >> I I would do it all over again if I were young. >> This is the very best of Poplar, but district slogan is learners today, leaders tomorrow. You're You're our leaders. You set the tone. You're our role models. Thanks for being here. Thanks for listening. >> To all of our hometown heroes, thank you for your service, your sacrifice, your willingness to share your stories with our students throughout the school year. Your experiences have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our schools and our community. Many of our honorees brought their families with them tonight. We would like to also take a moment to thank them as well. At this time I would like to ask those of you that are here in
013attendance tonight when I call your name to please join Dr. Murphy over by the stage. Unfortunately, four of our hometown heroes were unable to make it tonight due to either sickness or work conflicts. I will read their names anyway. Detective Jamie DeSaglio. Danielle Matteo. Giovanna Kenny. For those of you with us tonight, Mr. Frank DeVersa. DYLAN HEEVER. DOUG HERSHBERGER. ROBERT HANSON. HAROLD PICKWICK. CAPTAIN DAVID PICKWICK. MR. MICHAEL BUSCEMI. OH, YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YEAH. YEAH. TELL US what you need. You want >> Yeah. >> Is she wearing the same thing again? >> Good. >> Okay. Thank you, everyone. >> THANK YOU, GUYS. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> EXACTLY. YOU guys make our community a better place. Thank you. >> Thank you, everyone. >> To how many? >> Thank you, guys. >> Thank
014you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you for loving us. >> Hopefully you too. >> Oh, that's right. Okay. So, I'll see you tomorrow. Yes. Awesome. No, appreciate you guys. >> Thank you. >> Oh, perfect. Yes. It's all good. >> Thank you. >> you. >> Yes. >> That was awesome. >> Yes. >> That was awesome. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Absolutely. I'm glad. >> I'm glad. >> Uh Mr. Butler. >> Mr. Butler. >> You're great, too, Dad. >> YES. >> JUST SAYING. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK SOME OF OUR athletes both collective and individual successes. We recognize a number of individuals but we also recognize two teams here tonight. And the two teams that we recognize here as county champions tonight I'm just so grateful that we get to honor them
015in a in a public forum because both of them kind of compete in the winter season in areas where not many people get to watch them unless they really mean to go and see them. Because they don't compete on campus. So our girls winter track team county champions. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH. BUT THEIR DEDICATION AND THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE TO compete to succeed and the fact that they can't compete on campus winter it just just a bigger congratulations to them because it's not something that's in front of everybody all the time. So congratulations to them. And our second county championship team of won their second county championship years are is our cheerleading team. CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM. THEIR COMPETITIONS TAKE PLACE AT ALL DIFFERENT HIGH SCHOOLS but a normal schedule as with the with other teams.
016So just happy to be able to honor them. So along with the individuals and the team successes I'll call you all up give your name walk over and receive your certificate. The first group is our girls county champion cheerleading team. First up Ashley Forgione. Isabella Tropeano. Krista Puma. Maddy Malayo. Nikki Tamayo. Katie Porter. Layla Esposito. Ricky Balanda. Mia Conti Cassidy Delgado Maggie Egbert Gianna Galarraga Annelise Jansen Carolyn Lombardi Samira Narang Sophia Salbilla Eva Sign and Paige Vaughn Also also with us tonight are our coaches Alonzo Matt Jones and Lizzie Sahagun. Congratulations. >> Hey. >> We did it. >> Good job, Tess. >> Get together. Do it in 3 seconds. One >> You have to pick your spots, you know. Let's go. >> If there was ever a team that knew how to take a picture.
017>> Our next team, as we said, girls winter track, county champions. Congratulations. When you hear your name, please come get your certificate. Ava Lingan Kathleen Ventura Ella Murphy Rowan Ashby Alex Wetterholm Rachel Buggy CC Mosha Ava Della Curti Kate Marietta Emma Kersland Catherine Pascudo Breanna Pena McKenzie Clark Anna Lingan Juliana Heck Grace Lazauskas Jenaia Jeffrey Kate Mullen Juliana Stepanio Sophia Nair Paige Theodorakis Sophia Mariani Erin Rodriguez Chloe Coughlin Gwen Tapla Abigail De Santos Diabel Franco Sarah Dician Alessandra Paplavic Lydia Mendieta and Catherine Mendieta Along with them tonight, coach Mary Nowotarski and coach Jim Ryan. Congratulations, ladies. >> Will that work, Paula? >> Say yes. >> Congratulations, ladies. We'll finish up our recognitions with a couple of individual recognitions. In boys swimming receiving All Long Island, all county, all state, and all American honors in swimming
018and diving, Noah Hutseler. In all county in boys winter track, Griffin Stewart. In girls basketball uh receiving League 4 Player of the Year, all league, all county, all conference, and hot off the presses, little birdie told me, all state for the second year in a row, Alexa Fortune. Also in basketball, all county academic and all league for Kate Oliveto and Angelina Clemente. Congratulations to all our winners. Uh thank you for all your efforts, and thank you all for the time to recognize them. >> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. >> GOOD EVENING. WELCOME TO THE opportunity to speak. I'm as director of career and technical education. I'm proud to highlight DECA, an international organization that prepares students for careers in business. Through real world experiences and competitions, students build leadership, communication, and business skills. Our program success is driven
019by strong leadership. I'd like to recognize Mr. Hufnagel, our DECA advisor, business teacher, and coach. His dedication plays a key role in our students' growth and success, and he makes these opportunities possible. >> Thank you to the board and the administration for supporting the co-curricular clubs at our high school. We have plenty of them, and I'm proud to say DECA is a very successful one, and one that is very embedded in the school, from running the school store at the high school to running the gingerbread community house competition, and just being a very visible part of the community. So, tonight is to recognize three of our students that went on to the International Career Development Conference in Georgia earlier this month. We got back. And that is Annabelle Adamo, who is our president, Irena Bella
020Blasi. ALLISON WINTERS. SHE IS our vice president of community Sorry, of membership. These three students competed at the state level first earlier in March. They excelled there, were invited to attend the International Career Development where there's over 26,000 members across 12 countries and territories. And I am proud to say they represented Half Hollow with everything any of us in this room would expect and more. So, thank you ladies for doing SUCH A GREAT ONE ADDITIONAL THING, ALLISON, I'M SORRY, Annabelle and Irena were also nominated to be members of the New York DECA Honor Society. >> THANK ALL THE HOMETOWN HEROES AGAIN. I WANT TO congratulate all the award winners tonight with both counties and DECA. And I'm going to take a 2-minute break so you can go home and have carbonated >> 2-minute break. This
021is the time to make your way to the exits if >> And we're back. >> It's the one to five week presentation. School budget hearing by Dr. Donald Burch. >> Thank you, sir. Um Board may be having some deja vu. This is uh the fourth uh actually the fifth instance, but the fourth presentation uh leading up to important adoption tonight. This is our budget hearing and then of course I'll say it again at the end of the presentation, but our budget vote is next week. Um week from tonight. Always like to uh lead with our values and our our mission and vision. Again, our vision is always future looking where we want to go and our mission is how we want to get there. Uh mission deliver high quality instruction uh foster deep learning and
022build respectful collaborative relationships. Again, our budget is meant to support that mission in support of our vision. Big picture overview, which I've detailed in past presentations, but again, thank you to the board. We have a couple of things each year that we're so proud of and like to highlight. Everything from our class sizes to our course offerings for all of our students, our leadership in technology in STEAM. You heard me tonight brag about our coding program and of course our focus on security. And I do think we get that right, our balance with security of making sure our environment is safe and secure, but in ways that are not always obvious from the outside looking in, so that our kids are just enjoying a traditional experience like we all have. We have supports for kids
023outside of the academic avenues with mental health programs as well as we need them. And of course, our college awareness opportunity trips, our post-secondary opportunities. This summer, we have another college trip happening. Number of students are taking advantage of that. The board has supported that for years. On the other side of the continuum, we have just finished up the pre-K lottery. Um Again, we've been very fortunate that we've been able to say yes to every one of our half-day parents who has a youngster ready for pre-K. And and then again, kind of pendulum going back the other way at the high school level, the budget allows for the continued funding of all the standardized tests, which again, just just takes it it stress will be in the students, stress will take standardized tests, um the
024paperwork, the money involved is is really not a stress for our kids because the district uh funds it and again that's thanks to the board. Um along those lines we have a a number of advanced courses. We have dual enrollment opportunities many uh throughout our departments at the high school. We focus on CTE. We have a number of students uh pursuing CTE paths through BOCES. And then I just always like to point out um we have a focus what's called transfer to capital each year. Uh this upcoming year transfer to capital will likely be used to reimagine some middle school art classrooms. So um it's obvious when you drive by the district just was an amazing ribbon cutting today what's going on on on our fields but there's also a lot of great stuff happening
025inside our buildings. Uh big picture uh looks like Newsday should have their summary. I didn't see the paper today but they they summarize where all districts our operating budget budget to budget 2.87 with our tax levy at the top there. We're still still waiting on Albany to finalize their budget. Um Yeah it's just I'll I'll I'll just have silence in response to that. It's amazing that we're here and that they are still not settled up there. Probably did not. Um A breakdown of our budget again expenses match revenues. These per percentage breakdown is basically in line from year to year with a little uh change here and there depending on you know different circumstances but uh this breakdown is is pretty consistent in Hauppauge. Uh again I spoke about transfer to capital. Happy to report
026that the Forest Brook playground you know there was a connected story here that was a good one where we are scheduled to receive a grant um to help us to help the firm to help mitigate the cost of that playground and that's happening in the next couple of months really over the summer and that is this year's focus. With that grant as part of it which was a nice development and then next year as I said likely art rooms at the middle school. The propositions that are constituents will see in addition to the budget. One is to establish a cap reserve. Again we think of this as a a piggy bank that if we're fortunate to have money at the end of the year, it's no taxpayer impact, we can focus some of those funds
027into a new cap reserve to allow us to do what you see around us and again why the board at least since I've been in the district and so many of the members here have been on the board for a decade or more have done the right thing about you know planning for the future and making sure that we don't have drops in our you know our upkeep of our district. So cap reserves has been one mechanism. That's the establishment of one, the use of cap reserves is also on the on the docket for voter consideration. We have cap reserve one which is again many times these buckets these piggy banks are focused this one is on HVAC or asphalt repair and so we have funds available. Again there's no taxpayer impact this is money
028we already have saved that we're simply looking for the public to approve our use of those funds. Same with prop four that's cap reserve two. Our students at the high school know that those locker rooms are ready for a facility rehabilitation and and so that's the focus of prop four. So, all exciting again. Think everything we do is how will this improve the experience for our kids. So, that's that's what you see there. Um gosh, when we first started there was a lot of dates on there. We're down to one date, May 19th, week from today. Uh I'll just say we're looking to brand everywhere we can and even the budget signs up around the district include our district imagery, our eagle. So, hopefully everyone is uh seeing that and and and this is just
029repeating what everyone knows already, but uh our information will be available on our website as it always is and um the uh the the hours are 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. And that is all. >> Thank you, Dr. Murphy. I want to thank you for all you do and all you've done for the district. You have done an amazing job. I want to thank one of these two downtown board members and say that the school district is all about college campuses in Hartford. >> Thank you. Uh uh I thank the Smithtown Town Board for for recognizing us. Thank you. >> We're going to move on to 5C, guys. You got 2 minutes. Uh this meeting budget adoption of Board of Education April 21st, 2026. Call for the motion. I will second. Discussion. All those in
030favor? We'll move on to number six. Any questions or comments on tonight's agenda only anybody? Thank you. We'll move on to our consent agenda, 7.1 through 7.4. >> That's correct. Yeah. >> Any board members have anything they want to say? I'll entertain a motion. Any uh second to the motion? We'll move to eight policies or are none. Committee reports wish to mention that all our board members and citizens vote. Uh any discussion matters? >> I work I did have one thing I drove by the Skaneateles Public Library today and they have all the American flags out. Any reason we can't put ours out as well and thank all our veterans and all that stuff early? I mean only got a couple days I'd like to see a longer length. I don't know if you've been
031by the library. It's >> Uh I haven't seen it but you know we'd love to put out our flag so I'll talk to Mr. Holmes and we'll see if we can get them out early. It sounds like a a great idea. The big ones included at the high school. >> Yes, very much so. It's just if you drive by it's just eye-catching. It's fantastic. >> Awesome. Okay. >> That's the end of it. Um >> New business? >> None. >> So Any questions and comments from the community on anything at all? Anything from the community? >> I'm ready here. >> Okay. I'm ready. >> No pressure. >> We thank you for being here. >> Before we adjourn in German, um our next thing in the board of education is June 9th, 2026. I encourage people, please
032come out and vote. Um we've got Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 from 6 to 9 p.m. right here at Weedsport will. Please, okay? Um may I have a motion to adjourn? This is Collins, okay? >> I'll bring a second. >> Favor? >> Thank you everybody. Have a good night. Go to Weedsport. >> Thank you.