001of America and to the republic for it stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. >> Mrs. Adita, can you please call the role? >> Maryann Meen >> here. >> Marian Quinn here. >> Brian Arnold >> here. >> Jennifer Boy >> here. >> Jeff Hate here. >> Sophia Bonet Hollis >> here. Donald Logan, Eileen Snook, >> and for the record, I'm just going to add that messenum is also with us today. You're um and uh we're very welcome. We'll welcome you in a minute officially, but I just wanted to put you on the roll call. Thank you. Reading of the district mission. Our mission is to empower all students to be self-directed lifelong learners who willingly contribute to their community and lead passionate, purposeful lives. Um, as we move to get an approval
002of tonight's agenda, um, I'm going to propose an amendment to the agenda. Under item B, new business, which currently reads board policy first reading, I'd like to change that to um, policy adoption and change the resolution language to read the following. Be it resolved that pursuant to the provisions of policy 1410, the board hereby waves the requirement for a second reading preceding the adoption of the following policy and hereby approves the adoption of said policy upon a first reading at this meeting. The policy we're talking about is policy number 7316, use of internet enabled devices during the school day. Can I please get a motion to amend the agenda as I just described? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. Thank you. Um, any discussion? >> I have a question. >> Sure. >> Um,
003I'm hearing a lot of chatter about Gizmo. What is Gizmo? It's like kindergarteners use it. >> Yep. >> I don't know. >> I have one. Uh, Gabby has one actually. It's a digital watch that uh you can um call from as well, but you can't go on the internet, but you can call. >> So, are they allowed to keep it on? >> I do not know. >> Yeah. And I'm not familiar with that technology. So, I was just I think there I think we're going to learn a lot along the way here. Uh technically, >> there shouldn't be calls made while uh uh through any technology, but um that would be a violation of the code of conduct. Uh however, our policy here, and I know we're not at the point where we're discussing the
004policy yet, correct? You're just modifying the agenda. >> Correct. >> So, I I excuse me if I'm jumping ahead because I >> because I said discussion. >> Oh, okay. Um But um I I think we're learning along the way. There's some technologies here that maybe stand outside the scope of the current language because we've listed everything as internet enabled device. Um so we very well may have to revisit this policy a couple of times throughout the year as we see what else is out there. >> So I will defer to Linda then. Let's talk about this because as the policy No, but as the policy chair, I think kind of maybe what you're getting at is do we want the two weeks to talk about it again or are we so basically the change that
005that we're enacting today is a very small change that's reflecting changes that came late from the state ed department. So we had approved we'd already gone through a first and second reading of this policy earlier in the summer, but because of the changes we're making just a tweak to it and because it's so relevant for right now, we thought we would just get it through. But I wouldn't be surprised if we have to do it again and and again >> and again. So Jen, yes. >> I guess some of the chatter that I was hearing was that the watches that don't access the internet that make calls when you go on the website and it's the questions and facts about it that says that they're not allowed, but then it's not within the policy. I
006said, so it >> the matter I was hearing was that it was confusing to parents. So, can I offer something? Can we um are you comfortable with kind of an iterative process of this? So, we'll do this so that we're in compliance with the state. >> It was just a question. >> Oh, no, no, it's a good question. And then um and then, you know, we can all think back to when we went a thousand times over our public comment policy. It'll be something like that where you'll always be sick to death of it by the time we're finished. So, um you remember that? >> I do. And I was just going to say in our family, >> yes, >> we read the new gizmo that was just purchased two weeks ago. >> A very
007special birthday. Yes. >> Staying home. >> It's for on the weekends when you go to your friend's house or it's things like that. So I think each family is going to have a different thought on how it all works. So we should >> probably figure it out over time. Right. >> I don't have a problem with your >> suggestions here. >> Yeah. And so, so, so today it's a it's a modest change that just puts us in, but I think if if there's, you know, more consultation needed with elementary teachers or principles or whatever, we can we can go there as time moves. >> Yeah. And I think we were prepared to speak to it when the it actually came time to speak about the policy. But I will now that John will continue as
008he has all along uh pull back uh our groups that were working on this to check in see how it's going and also to see if there's any recommended recommended changes to the policy that need to be made as we learn more about perhaps the technologies that kids have access to um or those that become available along the way. >> Okay. So, what I'm going to ask for at the moment is a vote that reflects um I didn't cut anybody off, right? Did anybody ask? I would I'd like a vote that says that you are willing to wave second reading on the policy as presented tonight. Um all those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Motion passes. Thank you. Now, I need a second motion to approve the agenda as amended. Can I please get
009a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. Thank you. Um any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. Motion passes. Thank you. Okay. Um correspondence. Um does anyone have any correspondence they'd like to share tonight? Seeing none, um board president's remarks. Well, that that's me. Um I I want to start by welcoming Mia. Mia Nuome is our exeicio student board member. Um we are very excited to have her here. Um and she went through a process to apply for this position. Um we also have an an alternate student. Her name is Shantine Woodnet and we're happy to welcome her into our little board family as time goes on, but this year Mia is our is our main person. Um and uh and we're going to be happy to hear from
010her at all these meetings. Welcome. very happy to have you. the >> um it's a it's a very interesting uh you know it's kind of a mandate that everyone has one of these but many many places many of us went to a leadership conference this summer and many school districts have already had a role like this and we saw some students who have been in this role for several years present and it's very interesting and I'm also looking to Mia to help us evolve it for us like what makes the most sense here what makes the most sense for us, what are we looking for for feedback because we're all new to this, right? And um and just for our our viewers, Mia joins us here at this table, but she doesn't join us in
011executive session where we would talk about anything related to specific students or personnel, you know, so she's really here to give us the student voice on the things we're listening to and voting on as we move forward. So, we're excited to have her. Um I want to just welcome everybody back. a warm welcome to our students and staff and uh thank you to everyone who did such a great job opening up the school year. Um it is new time of new beginnings to that extent. Um as we're talking about the you know I was going to say something about the cell phone policy but my god we've already talked about it for 10 minutes. So we know that that's going to be a theme of the year or but hopefully not. You know I've actually
012been very encouraged at at you know the the reflections from Dr. Bante over the first few days um and from some things we heard from other districts that did sort of a quasi implementation last year through through Darus County school boards. So I'm encouraged that that students will actually find it rewarding and that and the staff will really find it rewarding. That's the hope, of course. Um, I'd really like to give a a thank you and a shout out to our two largest unions, our teachers union, the ATA, and our teaching assistance union, the ATAA, for overwhelmingly ratifying their labor agreements yesterday. Um, fair labor agreements are foundational to building trust and continuity in our Arlington family. And on behalf of the board, I'd like to thank the leadership of both unions and our administration
013for their willingness to work together to produce agreements satisfactory to all sides. And finally, on a lighter note, I want to highlight that today in the mail, I received my Arlington continuing education uh little flyer, and I have actually availed myself of things in this. And really, they do a lovely job putting together a very wide array of things for different interests. So, I encourage you to look in your mailbox and see if you've gotten it and see if there's some little thing you'd like to sign up for. That's all that I have for now. Um Dr. Bronte, >> thank you, Maryanne. I'd like to welcome everybody. Welcome, Mia. I know welcomes this evening and we'll soon turn it over to you for comment. Uh, but I I did want to start we had a
014wonderful uh open meeting with our staff uh just last week. Gosh, it seems like weeks ago, but it was just last week and it was a real pleasure to greet you 1,200 or so of our staff members on opening day. Thanks to the board members who were able to be present. Um, I apologize for any of the Mets fans who were in the audience because I know uh I took a little ribbing at the the Mets during my comments, but uh kidding aside, I I really did try to underscore as the board's aware uh that we are in this period of transition as a school district and that um the importance of stewardship and uh that we're all responsible to be good stewards of the district's resources, the district's reputation, and ensuring that the things
015that we've come to really appreciate about the district's culture uh continue as maybe some of us phase uh move on to the next phase of our careers and the next generation of Arlington's uh teachers and staff uh come to join uh us. Uh to that note, I invited three staff members for those of you who weren't there or weren't able to make it uh to join us and just include uh a little bit about who influenced them when they were coming into their careers. Um who are those people and uh what did they learn from them and what is their hope for the next generation of of of Arlington's educators? And I want to thank uh Bob Meyer who happens to be in attendance uh this evening, uh Claudine Car, principal at Veil Farm, and
016Steve Canio uh physical education teacher at Overlook Primary. All of whom have served the district for 30 years or more. Um I was really encouraged by uh what they shared and had to offer to our staff and um I know our staff was as well because uh I heard a lot of positive comments thereafter. Um it's been a really great start to the school year. Uh it's always a little tricky with the caveat of transportation. The first few days we're working out a lot of kinks uh with transportation. All that being said, we transport thousands of kids and even those concerns have been fairly minimal. Um I've had the chance to visit all of our schools as I know members of our team as well uh have as well and uh probably focused a most
017on the high school just out of curiosity for how the cell phone policy was going to be implemented. And I have to say Mr. Murphy and his staff, not just with the cell phone policy, but on all elements of the high school operation. Really are off to a great start there. And I don't want to step on Mia's toes because I think she's going to talk a little bit about what it's been like uh with the new cell phone policy at the high school. But all in all, a really positive start to the school year. Um a very exciting start to the school year. And uh that concludes my remarks. And if I can, I'll transition to Mia at this point. >> Sure. >> Go ahead, Mia. How's it been going? Hi everyone. Thank you
018so much for the warm welcome. I really appreciate it and I'm beyond excited to be here. Um, I just wanted to talk a bit about the cell phone policy and how some of my peers and students in student government have been feeling about it. Overall, surprisingly, I've gotten really positive feedback about it. I think everyone was very nervous for it and what it would be like, myself included. But I think everyone's realized that it really makes kids socialize with with each other more, which we've been lacking for the past few years. You don't bump into people in the hallway anymore while scrolling on your phone. You actually have to interact with people now. You can't just avoid them by being on your phone. And overall, I just feel like in the past few days, it's
019made the school a more positive and welcoming environment already, which is great for our incoming class of 2029. Thank you. >> Wonderful. >> Thank you very much, Mia. I don't know, we we don't have any protocols yet around your talking, but like I don't know if anyone would like to, you know, ask Mia anything or if there's any questions at this time or we can do that later. I see your microphone popped on. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Um Sophia, >> what about the ones who or the minority who are having a problem with the policy? If you have heard, what are the things that they are struggling with? So I think most students having a problem with it have really said that it's in the lunchroom that they're upset that they can't use their devices
020there because as we're aware, not everyone has like friends to sit with at lunch or people to talk to. So they would use their devices instead. But I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing because I think it gives people an opportunity to be thrown out there and forced to make friends with people which I think is a great skill. So yeah, >> you know, we had do they are they doing anything with like games or having things out? >> Is that a silly thing to say? Doesn't everybody love a >> I would say not yet. I think the idea of games has been presented. Yeah. >> And the high school's considering that at some point or some derivation thereof, but as of right now, I wouldn't say there's any games. My observation is
021there's no no games being played. A lot of socialization. The cafeteria is definitely louder than I recall it uh being in the past, but it's uh right now I'd say that's a good thing. >> Okay, great. Um let's see. Public comment for agenda items only. Um Francesca, do we have anybody for public comment tonight? There are no to my knowledge there are no public comments uh for items on the agenda. However, I know we have >> we had a couple people that walk in. I'm sorry. Would would you have any interest in speak in speaking at public comment tonight at all? Okay. Thank you. >> Um seeing none then I'm going to move on to reports and discussions. Um the board workshop topics draft schedule. >> So if I >> you certainly may. Uh, I
022just wanted to share with the board that Fran and I are beginning to shape out um uh the board discussion items for for the year that we anticipate. Um, I would just draw to the board's uh attention that on September 16th, which is our next committee of the whole meeting. Uh, Mr. Orchet will provide uh New York State assessment result presentation. Uh, that's something that we do each fall and that we're planning to do at our next committee of the whole meeting. Uh I only have one um Tetratech and it should really be Tetratech Palumbo uh uh meeting with the board. But as we further develop the capital project work, I would anticipate that the board would like to have routine updates from Palumbo and from Tetrate Tech similar to what we did last school
023year. I have one scheduled for October 21st, but over the course of the year, we'll probably schedule two or three more uh of those to occur, whether they be at committee of the whole meetings or at full board meetings. I think we balanced that. Last year, we had at least one that was at a regular board meeting. Um so, they're not on the schedule yet, but they will. Um I also included at a committee of the whole meeting on December 16th, um a special education and uh pupil personnel programming uh report that'll be provided by Dr. ation. Uh we just want to give Dr. Kate, this was the request of the board to have this presentation separate from the budget uh because typically we provide a special education overview uh as attached to the budget
024which occurs usually in February. Uh we're pulling this outside of budget development and I think by that time uh just in working with Dr. Kation and talking to her, she's already forming some impressions of the relative strengths uh of the program also areas that maybe need further to be further developed. Uh I think by December she'll have a pretty thorough uh review that she's facilitated and we'll be in a good position to have a thorough discussion with the board on that topic. What's not included in here that I just want to remind the board and we'll continue to uh build this out. Um the budget development calendar so you know that you're going to have a series of reports as we get into budget development really starting in late December all the way through the
025spring. Um I have not included the process for the superintendent evaluation. There's a couple of touch points along the way uh that the board has with me or without me along the way that include that. Uh and then there's other reports that um you know are somewhat uh standard that we provide over the course of the school year that the administration really feels is important uh that are more timely in nature just to make sure that the board is uh aware of. So this is the beginning uh of that and I just wanted to be sure that you saw it um uh before we get too much further into the development of it. and I would expect to have um the next iteration available to you on the 30th with some of the other items
026uh articulated on it. But things are shaping up for the fall already. Um one I forgot to mention was just uh as a followup on September 30th. The food insecurity followup with Mark Hicks, the director of food services uh will be on September 30th. I'm sorry I didn't call that out. That's also listed already on our um discussion items for the year. >> Okay. So, it's not intended to be complete at this point, but it's a nice way to reassure us that we've been heard and that the things we want to hear about are coming up on a scheduled basis. Um, are there any comments that anybody' like to make at this time related to this document? You know, you can continue to give feedback on this document, you know, throughout the year. I mean,
027what we're scheduling and that'll come up through our discussions and things we talk about. All right. Then, moving on. Um, uh, draft goals for the district goals draft. Sorry. >> Say that three times fast. Okay. >> I also included for the board a draft of the district goals for this school year. Uh, this is a draft. So, uh, it's not on for action this evening, but I would like to have the goals uh, well articulated certainly by the 30th. So, if there's any feedback, we can discuss tonight. That's fine. Uh but I think what's most important is if you have feedback between now and the 30th if you're able to provide that to me. Um uh and I'd look to have a second draft potentially for adoption after further discussion with Maryanne um for agenda
028prep at the meeting on September 30th. So I uh just to speak broadly to them for anybody who may be listening at home. I know they're attached. Um, our first goal is related to student achievement, um, and establishing a 5-year target of 80% proficiency in ELA and mathematics in grades K through 8. Uh, the second goal is related to having a support plan and working with um, our teachers uh, to develop a support plan uh, um, that accounts for successful transition to Arlington um, and establishes a plan for ensuring instructional excellence. Uh this is related to again the anticipation that we're going to have a significant turnover in staff uh over the next 5 years and that we need to make sure that we have a thorough plan in place for the new teachers who
029are going to join uh our ranks uh through that period of time. Uh the third goal is related to the continued planning of the 2024 capital projects uh that were approved by voters. Uh the fourth is related to uh long-term staffing plan. Uh that's inclusive of teachers but also administrators and other um important areas um uh CSEA um TAs other areas um and making sure that we again have a thorough plan in place uh to uh for those individuals. And then the last and I realize the fifth goal may need a further articulation. Um we are stepping back as a team and just examining the academic, social and emotional supports that we have in place currently for our kids. Um with the thought that we probably have to um uh re-evaluate certain areas of our
030program. Um there's programs we've adopted over the years. We may want to review those programs. Uh have to make decisions related to whether we're going to continue those or not. Um or or bring in new programs for our kids. So, um, at some point, uh, along the way through this year, um, specifically in the area of, uh, our kids academic, social, and, emotional experience, we want to evaluate how we're doing and whether the programs that we're providing to our our kids are, uh, sufficient or whether they need to be further reviewed and um, uh, again, perhaps uh, um, abandoned or um, new iterations of those programs implemented. So, um, we're at a point where I think we we need to do that just given the scope of programming that we've adopted over the last 5
031years. >> Thank you. >> Um, I'm open to have a little discussion about these right now. Would anyone like to say anything, Jen? >> I just had some feedback on the first goal. >> Sure. >> Um, more just a wondering with the five-year plan, it's sometimes it's kind of hard to gauge how much progress you're actually making towards that goal. And I just wonder if a shorter span would be >> sure. Um, what we've gotten in the habit of doing and I would encourage us to continue to is each July we provide a report usually during the board retreat of how we see our students doing specifically in ELA and mathematics. There's other areas that we provide you with information on. Um, and I would propose that we continue to provide you with that annual
032report as part of the retreat. Uh, so you can see how we're making progress. Um, but using this as a benchmark now, uh, which in the past we've told you, well, here's how we're doing, but we really haven't related that to anything, uh, any goal, if you will, other than we just want to do the best we can for our kids. Uh, so we're in a position where we can provide at at least our local assessment data. Um, I Ready would be an example of that. um for how we're doing um on that assessment in July. The state assessment, we're usually not in a position to provide that information to the board in July because we don't receive the results until usually August. Uh thus John presenting them in September because that's usually the first
033opportunity that we have to go through state assessment results with the full board. Both are important measures and and should be considered for this. So I think part of the conversation will occur in July as an annual update. the other part will occur in September as the second part of that because I think the state assessment results are important to consider as it relates to these and um then we'll have your feedback along the way uh obviously and if we need to tweak or modify that we'll certainly do so based on the board's feedback. Donna. Um, so you're saying September and July. I guess I was thinking um, you know, this this is number one goal. It's super exciting. I mean, but a big challenge. And we had sort of talked earlier at the retreat
034that um, you know, this was not going to be a top- down process. It was going to be really uh, to be an organic process, right? >> So, I guess I I don't know. I just was kind of excited to find out before July just like what are we doing? I need to see like test scores but what are we doing? What what what what progresses have we made in the communication and the development of like yeah like what are we doing? How's it going? >> Sure. Absolutely. That's fair. Um and I I think what would fit nicely. I usually use these goals as a basis of discussion in my midyear review. Um, so which usually is in December and that I think would be a good opportunity to share with you some of the
035work that's going on uh across our elementary and middle school level specifically because the goal is a KA goal um that relates to this work and if you think that's a an update that's soon enough or more timely um as our building principles are just kind of getting back with their leadership teams and shaping out what this work looks like for their respective buildings. I can collect that information and share a summary with the board um as part of my midyear review. Uh that seems like that would be good timing. Um and it's usually the basis of uh what that midyear review is around the district goals in some way. So if that works for the board, then that's how I'll approach it. We don't need to make that decision tonight, but uh that's how
036I would suggest approaching it if it works for the board. >> Any followup? >> No, that sounds good. I had a comment on number five and we get down to there. >> Um you all right go ahead. >> Okay. >> Um just I thought I mean I see that that was the same goal as last year >> you know and I was kind of new board member. I mean it all was just wow you know a lot but now I'm thinking it's just it just seems the wording just seems so broad it should be almost undoable. Um so I just you know I don't know just I guess I'd like to understand that a little bit more. And then just other thing associated with that is maybe it's part of that is you know students
037students growth is very tied to their families and you know being in school and we had talked also at the retreat about you know trying to engage our families more have them feel part of the the school community more um >> various ways of doing that and you know that would also maybe encourage attendance you know are we getting is our attendance improving and just I don't know I guess there were a couple specific things I remembered from our discussions um with your review and I was trying to look through the evaluation and try to pull things out but it's it's hard there's a lot of things so I just but there were a couple things that I really stuck that we had a lot of discussion about that um you know anyway there were
038there were some thoughts >> yeah you were right about I'm sorry >> no go ahead >> uh about the family engagement piece and I um again in trying to respect maybe a more organic nature to how we're going to make progress uh just to provide some rale now. Uh, but I appreciate the feedback cuz we may need to call it out more specifically. Um, progress towards that 80% proficiency. I I think some of our schools are stepping back and realizing given where they are now that they need to re-evaluate their approach to family engagement and uh and I appreciate that and that might be the work that's best for them at this particular moment in time. whereas others are coordinating work around how they provide intervention to kids who are who are behind and that
039may be what's most important to them right now and and my commitment to them has been to allow that uh them to kind of chart the course uh uh in the way that they feel will be most impactful or what's most relevant right now at their particular school. So embedded in that first goal, I was kind of uh envisioning that there is family engagement work that will occur. It may not be across all, I'll just use uh eight of our elementary schools, for example. One or two may prioritize that right now, whereas uh another two may prioritize that next year because they felt that there was something more uh relevant right now that was important to um consider. Um the the I think spirit of uh the fifth goal um and I hear you it
040is broad and uh it probably should be narrowed a bit more. There was one part that was programmatic in that uh we've adopted a couple of new programs over the years and I think we're hearing feedback from our staff that uh academically some of those programs are working really well with our kids and others uh they may not be. Um so that's one part. Uh the second part though is that our our process for intervention, how we're supporting our kids who aren't making progress towards our goals for them is likely something that you know needs to be re-evaluated and um so it is broad here. I am saying you know at least two things that come to mind uh when I say it so or when I think of this I may need to just
041list them either as separate goals or just focus on one for the school year. >> So yeah. So I guess I'm hearing but I guess I was reading more generous. So you're saying the process you really you're you're you're thinking about evaluating sort of some programs, specific programs. >> Programs and then other models. Yes. And models of support that we have in place for our kids >> or don't that are just missing. >> Yeah, that's good. Yeah. >> Thanks. >> So I'll work with that a little more and see how that's uh a little too broad. >> So what I'm I'm guessing from the questions and from people's reaction and um that we're supportive of the areas of focus, right? And I think though um we might it might be helpful if we had um
042a little more meeting of the minds of of what you what you're hoping um to achieve. Not in incredibly specific ways, but in general ways, directionally, that sort of thing. so that it's fair to you when we get to your mid-year review and the end of year review that we haven't had a different we we all have we're all starting on the same page of the direction for the year and I think we're pretty close but like and I think you're hearing some of this I had one little nit on number two um the goal too uh the district will develop and support a plan for new teachers and I think maybe we had talked about administrators as well you have an awful lot of new administrators >> um and I think that sort of
043getting everybody on board with the idea of um Arlington culture and and and uh the Arlington way if there is such a thing or was such a thing or will be such a thing you know that sort of to have people rowing in the same direction both at the teacher level and at the administrator level. Um so anybody else have comments about this document right now? Sophia >> in the five goals you mentioned family engagement um and that being an area that we wanted to see more progress or a a different better approach where in this five goals do you see that particular >> yeah so my it would have fallen under number one as I was conceptualizing it because I don't think it'll be possible to reach that target without reinvisioning how we're um
044engaging our families uh to just circling back to the conversation uh exchange Donna and I had I do think some schools will prioritize that more so this year um uh as compared to others just given where they each are. I think you will see from John's presentation uh in a week or so uh that we kind of have schools that are all over the place in terms of student results right now. So, um, I want to be respectful of the fact that our principles may feel really digging deeply into re-evaluating family engagement may be a priority for them this year, whereas others may say next year. Um, and and that's something that I'm trying to leave some room for them uh to determine uh within the process. But overall over the next uh few years
045I would envision that all of our uh buildings at some point are going to have to really reinvision how they're engaging uh families uh in order to meet that benchmark. >> So is delegation you're delegating this to >> the schools and then they assess if there's high priority or low priority. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. >> Um and it goes to the >> You're not on. You're still not on is red. It's not a little light bulb went off up here. Can Can you Can you hear her? There you go. Thank you. >> Um >> that saves the day again. >> In the first goal, it's a fiveyear goal and it gets us to 80%, right? >> Yep. >> Um I just want to say I appreciate that as a goal. I think it's,
046you know, we see where our kids are and it's easy to want to say we need to be to 80% tomorrow, but it's not realistic. Um, and so over the five years, I appreciate I would appreciate getting updates where we're going, what progress we're making, but coming from the 100% of kids will be on reading by third grade, um, that wasn't a realistic goal. And so it was one that as a teacher you could say, well, I'm not going to make that goal anyhow, right? Um, so what I'll appreciate seeing over the next five years is seeing how schools what their target is for that year within those five years and how we're progressing as we go. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else at this time? Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you for putting this
047together. >> And yes, I appreciate just your continued reflection. So, if thoughts come to mind after the fact and you want to email me, that's appropriate. >> Okay, let's see. That brings us to the new business section of our agenda. Our new business section of the agenda lists several items for individual resolution approval. Documentation concerning these items have been provided to our board members in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. Um, item B, which has been revised to read, be it resolved that pursuant to the provisions of policy 1410, the board hereby waves the requirement for a second reading preceding the adoption of the following policy and hereby approves the adoption of said policy upon a first reading at this meeting. And the policy we're referring to is policy number 7316, use of
048internet enabled devices during the school day. Can I please get a motion? >> So moved. Thank you. Second. >> Thank you. Um any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed abstensions. Motion passes. Thank you. Um item C, Arlington Teachers Association Memorandum of Agreement. May I please get a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um any discussion? just want to I think you already shared some much more eloquent comments than mine will be at the front end of the meeting, but I just want to thank uh Bob Meyer who's here, Robert McHugh, who serves as the chief negotiator for the ATA, also Hillary Roberto who really takes the lead on our our behalf um uh in their work together to bring together an agreement that I think is
049respectful both of the district's financial position and uh also uh the ATA's advocacy for some changes uh not just in compensation but uh working conditions for uh their membership. >> Thank you. Any other discussion at this point? >> Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed. Abstension. Motion passes. >> Yay. >> Excellent. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, oh, here we are. Item D, I lost my place. I'm sorry. Item D. Um, Arlington Teachers Association Assistance Association's Memorandum Agreement. Um, may I please get a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion? I think I think um I think Ditto, right? >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I was looking ahead on the agenda for a second, but I would also just like to thank >> summed up as Kathleen
050Collins who serves as the president and Kathleen had a a good team. I I couldn't name them all right now uh that were uh working on the teaching assistant side. Again, Hillary uh and Erica Fuller uh from uh the district. Uh David Shaw was really helpful through the negotiation as well, our lead council. And um congratulate the TAs on on their settlement as well. >> Thank you. Um, any other discussion on that point? Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. Motion passes. Congratulations. Thank you. >> That brings us to our business consent agenda. Our consent section of the agenda lists several items for approval by a single motion. Documentation concerning these items have been provided to our board members in advance to assure an extensive and thorough review. May I please get a
051motion on the consent agenda? So move. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um any discussion or comments on the consent agenda? >> No. Seeing none, is that right? Seeing none, all those in favor? I opposed. Abstension. Motion passes. >> All right, here we go. Um that brings us up to future discussion items. Item 11. I don't have anything carried over from a from a previous meeting. Does anybody have any future discussions I propose? Sophia. >> Um I would like to bring a future discussion item about artificial intelligence. >> Okay. >> I'm coming from a place of curiosity about if we're doing anything today regarding guidelines. If we're not, how is how are things happening? I um I would just like to understand I don't I don't want to propose changes or radical what
052no I just want to understand what if we're doing any and if we are not if there is a short-term plan lock plan the New York state is going to do something what >> okay um clarify go ahead yes >> just so because um AI is so broad are you thinking more so like in the instructional realm or probably as >> teachers and students what are the guidelines like >> teachers use student use um >> what is it if we have guidelines if we don't if we want them >> got it >> that's it yeah >> thank you >> so just a little summary I love to give a summary of our future discussion items it's one of my favorites so um any board member is allowed to propose an item for future discussion and
053what we do is we um don't discuss it tonight but we We'll discuss it at our next meeting. Um not not the committee of the whole, our next public meeting in two weeks. Um and at that point, um between now and then, I'll talk to Sophia. We'll talk with Dr. Bonante and we will figure out exactly kind of where we're going. And then we'll bring something to the full board because we try not to task administration with things unnecessarily that we don't all kind of that some portion of us support so that we're not um you know uh diminishing his ability to do other things by by pet projects from the board. So that's our process for that. So we'll look forward to that next next time. >> Thank you, Marian. >> You're welcome. Thank
054you. Does anybody else have a future discussion I like to bring up tonight? Okay, seeing none, moving on. Um, and we have no public comment for non-aggenda items tonight. >> There are no public comments for non-aggenda items. >> Okay, thank you. That brings us to committee reports. Um, advocacy. Uh, we met this evening prior to this meeting. Um, I I will we'll I'll report out again on the 30th at our next meeting. Um, just to give you a little synopsis of what our overall thoughts are um, in preparation for the NISSBA business meeting in October. Um, and what I'll actually do too is send you all a little something to read ahead of time so you have a flavor of what our group think is. Um, and as long as you're supportive on the 30th
055of that group, think, then that will direct um my voting when I go to the business meeting. And again, we'll just firm up the idea on the 30th that you would like me to be your voting delegate. And if that is the thought on the 30th, then um I will speak with Fran and we'll get me registered as a voting person. Thanks. >> Perfect. Thank you. Um audit. >> Nothing at this time. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Jeff Cappy, >> um we're going to have our first meeting September 24th, 11:00 a.m. at Overlook. Um we're going to get a little bit of a look at the new geothermal system that's there and we'll report back after that. >> Fun. Who doesn't love a field trip? Very nice. >> Okay. Um policy. Our first meeting is
056Wednesday, October 8th, 3 PM. >> Okay, thank you very much. Um, that moves us on to organization reports. I know many of the organizations haven't gotten rolling yet, but we'll do a quick roll call and see where we are. Um, Arlington Education Foundation. Eileen, >> the first meeting is tomorrow. >> Oh, tomorrow. Okay. Um, Duchess County School Boards first meeting is October, let's say, 6th. Whatever the first Thursday of October is. >> Okay. >> It leaves my There has to be one prior to that, right? Second. It's actually the second. >> There's no school on the second. It's the >> But it's I don't think it's the 9th, actually. I think because it's done via Zoom. >> I I feel like Kelly left it alone. >> She may move it. >> But yeah, >> I'll
057I'll get back to you guys on It's this sooner or the night. So, it's like a cliffhanger, right? >> It is like I don't know how we'll >> I don't know how you're going to make this two weeks to find out when the Duchess County School Board's kicking off their year. Um PTA, PTSA, um I think I haven't gotten anything from them yet, so but I wait eagerly. Um health and safety, have we heard from their scheduling yet? Um equity >> first meeting is Thursday. >> Thursday is you're you're working early this year. We're getting her We're getting you right to work. Okay. Um that moves us on to superintendent's closing remarks. >> No closing remarks. All right. That brings us to board reflections. And I don't know Mia if if Dr. Bernante share with
058you, but at the end we have this thing called board reflections and we can basically comment. They're generally positive, right? But we, you know, if we um >> we like to bring our negativity up earlier, but um you know, uh you know, it's just an opportunity like if we went to a concert or we went to we we went to a school or you know, anything that we experienced since the prior meeting that we'd like to share um or you know, it's our opportunity. So um and I'll just say I'm open for board reflections if anybody would like to share. Sophia, >> today I drove behind the school bus. >> And I have to say after a year on the board, it was a very different experience. >> I noticed if the boss was electric
059or not electric, I I noticed that it was impeccable. The bus was impeccable. It was new or something. The smiles of the parents is the little kids come down. The rigorous bus driver who the brother came down and the bus driver like no we need an adult. >> Turn around get the adult and it took a little longer and we were all waiting but it's the safety of the kids. Um I was not born in this country. in a country where school buses don't do all this thing about the lights >> which I think expresses such respect for children and you grew up here probably and you take it for granted it's just such a civic moment of just respecting the space of kids and the safety of kids so >> well thank you >>
060that's all I wanted to share >> anybody else I I need to say. I mean, I I loved everything about the opening day. Um, I enjoyed the tone that was set and all that, but you kind of forgot the whole thing when they did the defying gravity piece. I'm telling you, it just was like so life affirming, you know, little tear, little tear, not going to lie, little moving, but um, thank you for putting all that together. I know it's not a small amount of work. And thank you to Hillary for roasting Phil for year two. >> Keep that. Keep that up, Hillary. He's getting very good at >> will she never run out of material. That's the great thing. >> I know because he continues to produce more. >> Produce more. There's other people
061who conspire with her. >> Yeah. Yeah. We love that >> group effort. Go girl. >> Brian. >> Also too, who was the young man saying the national anthem? >> Michael. What's his name? Michael. >> Michael was absolutely amazing. >> Yeah. Yeah, he was. He was he was terrific. >> I think he's just new in the high school this year. >> He's a freshman. Michael uh sang the national anthem at the 8th grade LMS moving up ceremony last year and did a fantastic job and ran off the stage way too quickly. So we gave him another opportunity and he certainly uh he did fantastic and his mom and his grandma were in the audience like 20 rows back and um yeah they just were overjoyed and I think we all were. Um >> he did an
062amazing job. >> Very talented and the and the performers in the lobby before the event began >> Mr. Hammond had a group there. >> Yes. Yes. I just think, you know, um last year there was also students involved, but that's something we haven't had in years before and um it means a lot to to me. I think it really creates this tone of and reminds us all why we're here when we have students in the pro in the in the places that we're meeting as adults. So, I thought that was great. >> Thank you. >> I also attended the open day and I found it very inspiring and I I really appreciated Bob's comments. I just thought that was neat. We feel you commented that you didn't like prep people like you know maybe talk
063about this and that the other. So I thought your story was really meaningful and I I I was just kind of lifted up the whole day. I really was inspired and I thought it was really kind of a model for for for for leadership of just you know helping people see the value of their work and I I I like that a lot. >> That's a great way to put it. Does anybody else have anything anything to to add? Okay. Well, seeing none, I will just say that Mia, great job at your first at your first meeting. Thank you for your comments. And um can I please get a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Thank you. Um no discussion needed. All those in favor? I