001All right. Uh, this is the call to order for the East Aurora Union Free School District Board of Education meeting dated Tuesday, May 20th, 2025. Uh, please stand and join me in the pledge to the flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Kim, thank you very much. May I have a motion to enter executive session uh to discuss uh the superintendent evaluation and contract negotiation, contract negotiations for 10 particular employees, contract negotiations with the EAA and matters protected by FURPA. So moved by Mrs. Oiler. Second. Second. Second by Mrs. Danny. Discussion. All in favor? Opposed? And that is passed 4. Thank you. Well, there's enough people that uh so uh we
002are returning from executive session uh where we discussed contract negotiations for 10 particular employees, contract negotiations with the EA matters protected under FURPA. We did not get to the superintendent evaluation and contract negotiations. Um, we're moving on to item four, uh, agenda changes. Do we have any agenda changes? We do not have any agenda changes. We are moving on to item five, the superintendent's art collection. Um, yeah. So, today is one of my most special days of the year because we get to build on our art collection. Uh, and every year, I'll be quite honest, I'm blown away uh by the selections. And today we celebrate those students and their teachers are with us as well to share with us um the art that they created um what the process was and and why it's
003so good in being added to the collection. So at this time I'll turn it over to Mr. Vanstra. I'm the curriculum coordinator for the art department. So the de facto department head I guess. Um, and uh, we've been doing this superintendent's art collection since every it was it was done before any one of us uh, got here, which means it's been over 32 years. Um, and uh, it's really the highlight of our year. I mean, we have the the student art show, but this is when we get to pick one student from our uh, our year that really exemplifies uh, you know, what we'd like to see in an art student. someone with passion, uh someone who uh can uh show off their talent in in a way that we all can appreciate. Um and
004uh yeah, I guess you you'll get all the the good stuff for each individual one when we talk. Uh the art department is myself, uh Mr. Vanostrain up at the high school, also Mr. Kegler. Uh at the middle school, Mr. Wallaceauser and down at Park Ele Elementary, we have Mrs. White. Miss White, um would you like to start us off? Sure. Well, it is my pleasure to be able to introduce Millie Worster. Millie, short for Amelia. If you want to come right up. And Millie created this amazing watercolor abstract cat in, if I didn't mention, she's in third grade and such a talented artist. As soon as I saw her cat, I was just in love with it. So, um I think she is a super hard worker in class. When she comes in, she
005knows exactly what she wants to do. Once she hears the directions, she just goes right to work. She's such a hard worker. She's super kind and she's one of the nicest kids in the in all of third grade. So, I thought she was incredibly deserving of this. Her talent speaks for itself. She's such attention to detail and um her custom mixing of her colors I was just really impressed with. So if you'd like to see anything about your piece. This is the cat. Um on the whiteboard we there's pictures of cats and we could look at them and draw them. And I drew these two cats with the sun and clouds and grass. Then there's also some examples of borders that are on the board, too. And we drew these with a Sharpie and colored
006them in with markers. Very nice. Yeah. And the cat was watercolored. Congratulations. Do you want to take you go ahead look right? Nice job. Good evening. Uh from the middle school, we have Kaden Moore. Kaden's a sixth grader here at the building. Um just a few things about her before we share her work. Awesome kid. I watched her work every day for two uh two quarters. So focused all she takes care of all the criteria of the project, but she does it so creatively and her craftsmanship is second to none. So a couple times, well more than a couple times when we get a classroom critique halfway through a project, I would put hers up there because it was so good and kids learned from seeing what she was doing in the moment. So um
007I can't say enough about this young artist. So uh I'll let her say a little bit more about her project. Okay. So, we had to choose a phobia and draw it. And so, um, there was this huge twist and I decided to go for the fear that a goose is watching you because I just felt like it. And so, it's an accident of phobia. And so, we use like blending of colored pencils and Sharpies and just like Jet. Yep. Great job. and she added so much humor to it being a cartoon and uh she just got the project. She had she has craftsmanship. Uh they were supposed to blend colored pencils and she blended everything and gave outlines and then she gave it the humor and she even worked with the with the text. She
008made that, you know, kind of fit the the theme. So it was just an outstanding piece and awesome job. you. Yeah, it's privilege. Thanks. [Applause] So for the first one from the high school, I get to do uh my selection. Uh Lily Bowman. Lily uh was one that I had my eye on from the beginning of the year. It was just it basically came down to a point where I was just like, what piece is it going to be of hers? it was uh she was that uh prolific and uh that that good on all of her projects. And this is the one that we went with. Um so when I started this project, I looked at a bunch of different photographs to use as references. Um then I drew a couple thumbnails to get
009the general idea of what I wanted to do. Um, and when I started painting, I did stuff that was background like um, and I don't have a ton of experience with watercolor, so this project was a bit challenging at times, but I'm pretty happy with the outcome. All right. I'm Tom Kegler from the high school. And um first of all, before we get started, just to thank all of you that were able to make it to the art show yesterday at the high school. It was um I think one of our best ones. I I know I say that every year. Uh but it's very well attended and the chicken barbecue was a really nice touch. So um really well done. Uh and this obviously as Mr. V said is really our highlight as teachers.
010We get to pick one piece and I think you alluded to the fact we actually start looking quite early for this. Uh sometimes years ahead um because I teach a lot of the um the students that are out there this one is an AP student. So um when I'm choosing I'm kind of like aligning a little bit with the right cross. I'm looking for the three things of heart, pet, and hand. And I I kind of categorize that as somebody who's very passionate about their work. Um that has an incredible work ethic and is also talented. And those three things are actually hard to find where they really culminate to one uh person. And my choice this year was Isabelle Kell. Um so this piece was the culmination of your AP class. So a little
011bit about the AP classes. um AP arts a little different than all the other AP classes. There is a exam but it's actually the exam is sending in your portfolio and the students have to create 15 major work requirements four which are done over the summer um that averages about one major work every two weeks. So um that's on level with most colleges in terms of uh work pace is quite intense and they have to come up with an overarching theme and um a lot of times that will evolve over time and then it also culminates after they submit that to the AP they have to do a group show which we just did with the art walk that was on the Royoft campus phenomenal show each student had 15 pieces in there and they
012also have to organize their own personal show which yours is coming up and we'll share that in just a moment so I'll hold your piece It's uh I challenged my students in AP. I said while you're doing this, try to do some like some of the smallest works you've ever done and then maybe some really big works and you know she took that literally wonderful piece on stretch canvas. So share a little bit about what you did. So my theme for the entire AP um portfolio was overcoming challenges and I used plants because I have a huge passion for that and I did acrylic and collage to kind of um celebrate like the plants like make it more um more so and this one was like a society problem like overcome. So and what was
013it titled again? uh germination of the population. Very good. And 30 by 40, correct? Sizewise or is it 3 foot by 4 foot? All right. So, a nice big piece. So, it's a and I got to watch her working on this over quite a long time. And um this was not projected and traced. Okay. That was um Mr. Brunson will appreciate this was done with um you know the traditional perspective approach. And when we start working with paints, drawing is one thing, but then to paint that is is another challenge. And then it might be hard to see from a distance. the color hits are collaged on and I would encourage you to take a good close look at that when you get a chance. Um, so just a really nice piece. I'm really proud
014of you. Um, can you share us a little bit about your art show that's coming up? Um, so my art show is this Saturday. It will be at 42 North in the meeting room which is off of the beer gardens and it's going to be at 1 to 5. 1 to 5 on Saturday at 42 North and our students have done really well at these personal shows. is such a good experience to do that. But once again, congratulations Can you get all the teachers and and the artists to come up? We'll take a little [Music] I know. How's that line? If you could squeeze in a little. Thank you. How's that? Great. Ready, guys? Congratulations. But I just think that's so neat that anytime going into the future, you can go back and see. I
015want to go see the the first year that we did this presentation, the board decided they wanted to emailed out the parts on just another second. Um I just want to take a moment um just to recognize Mr. Wallser recognize Mr. Walsher who is retiring this year after more than 30 years with the district 32 years and students. Um my three my three children had him and definitely the top of their list. um and he's just done such great work for us and uh we're certainly going to miss him. Uh we're going to celebrate again next month, but I saw since you're here and is with us that I had to take a moment to say thank you for the amazing work you've done for us. Thank you. Please come on up and take a
016look. Are you here? [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] like to mention that those pieces will be in the superintendent's art collection from now till the end of time. So, uh, the collection has grown significantly over the years and so those students and their parents will be able to come back and see their their their pieces of art, uh, in the collection for the rest of their lives, which is really great. Congratulations. And Mr. for us. I I'm going to walk around the building someday soon here because I will recognize the very first ones. Uh because of because I remember a couple of them and they have a little brass plaque some of the ones very it tells
017you what year it was. So it's got the name and then the first year and uh and I remember a couple other kids. So it it be interesting to be able to say well it's since something around maybe 80s but you know what I thought you cool uh all right we're on to item six uh new board action new hires or board action new hires um letter A uh superintendent recommends uh the board approve the appointment of Abby Cole to prob probationary uh a probationary 1.0 FTE position within the tenure area of elementary education effective September September or September 1st 2025. May I have a motion? Moved by Mrs. Oiler. Second second. Discussion all in favor. opposed extensions. That's pass and it's not here released tonight. Uh we move on to B superintendent reference for
018investigation Tara Flanigan to the probationary a probation area 1.0 know FD position in the 10-year area of education of children with handicapping conditions general special education effective September 1st 2025. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Mrs. Daniel second. Second by Dr. Emproa discussion all in favor. opposed abstensions and that's passed zero. Congratulations. Thank you for letting me join our family. I appreciate that. And we're on title C. Uh superintendent recommends uh the board approve the appointment of Emily McLaclin to probationary 1.0 OFT position within the 10-year area of education of children with handicapping conditions spe general special education effective September 1, 2025. May I move second? Second second by Dr. Emproa. Discussion all in favor. opposed abstensions and that is pass 6. Congratulations. Thank you so much. I'm super excited. Uh item
019D. Uh superintendent recommends the board uh approve the appointment of Teresa uh Biano to a probationary 1.0 FTE position within your area of education of children with handicapping conditions general special education effective September 1, 2025. May I have a motion? So moved by Miss Armbrust second. Second by Mrs. Danu. Uh discussion all in favor. opposed extensions. It's passed 6. Congratulations. I've been so honored to work in the district this past year. So, I'm so excited to continue to make an impact. So, thank you all very much. Uh on item E, um superintendent recommends the board approve the appointment of Ben Kier uh to probationary 1.0 an OFT position with the 10-year area of social studies education effective September 1, 2025. May I have a motion? So moved by Miss Armbra second seconded by Mrs. Danu
020discussion. All in favor opposed abstensions. That's pass 6. Thanks for the opportunity. We look forward to many uh many years here. So, thank you very much. Uh we're on to F. Uh the superintendent recommends the board uh approve the appointment of Joseph Fleeting uh to probationary uh 8ft position within the 10-year area of English education effective September 1, 2025. May I have a motion? moved by Mrs. Oiler, seconded by Ms. Armbbrust. Uh, discussion. All in favor? I opposed abstensions. And that's pass 6. Thank you. I'm very grateful for this opportunity. Move on to item seven. Uh mainly member comments. Uh before I get to the cards, I have a sheet here to confirm the board members have received all and reviewed all of our emails. Uh we received an email from Jennifer uh Dobner uh
021on 514 uh with regards to DASA. Um a second one from Jennifer Dobber on that same day also regarding to DASA uh one from Mr. Manrey about the NISAD uh guidance on 516 and then two from Mr. Russ on 520 in response to uh the DASA uh did everyone get those and have a chance to review them? Thank you so much. Moving on to our comment cards. We have one speaker tonight and it is Cecilia Dphano. Hi. Good. Okay. Hi. Um, I just wanted to say hello. Um, and thank you for all the support that we got for the fun run. We raised over $30,000 the PTO at Parkdale, which is awesome because it's going to fund so many amazing things. My favorite thing being on the PTO that we fund are the teacher grants.
022and one like rolled in 45 minutes ago right before this meeting started and it's so wonderful to be able to see these creative things that the teachers at Parkdale are planning and we get to help fund them through our grants and they're going to be funded next year and we've done like $2,000 per grade level this past year and it worked out wonderfully um and we're just so excited that we get to continue that for next year as well and um we did see that Mr. Russ was there at the fun run. Thank you so much for coming. I don't know if anyone else was able to attend, but I did get an alert that you were there and I did see you there. It just it means so much. I did get an alert
023in the group chat that you were there. It just means a lot that you show up to these events and you support us. It's so wonderful to see you and the other board members out in the community when we have these big events. We just support. And I want to give a shout out to our leadership at Parkdale for working with us on the fun run this year. We could not have done it without them. there were a lot of logistics and so I do think that they deserve a big shout out from the PTO. So that's it. That's all. Thank you. Congratulations on the success. We're going to move on to item eight superintendent comments. Uh yeah, I just have a few. First I'd like to recognize some of our our very esteemed board
024members. First board of achievement. This is from the New York State School Boards Association. A board of achievement award is presented to Maria Praa. The East Union Free School District through NISPA's Board of Excellent Recognition Program, conferring more than 75 points for your ongoing association professional development and accepting additional leadership roles. Congratulations. Next um is a New York State School Boards Association Board Mastery Award goes to Daniel. Congratulations. Uh and this is Board of Excellence uh recognition program conferring more than 250 points for your ongoing association professional development and accepting additional leadership roles. And you also get one complimentary training. So there you [Laughter] go. There's a lot of things to share, but one thing came up and I'll just Yeah. So um so there's been a focus um on um helping kids to uh
025complete the FAFSA. And so the FAFSA is their um uh what does FAFSA stand for? It's it's their uh process that that students go through as they apply for college uh for their uh financial aid. And so it's a really complicated process and can be overwhelming. So the uh the state of New York has a goal of 75% of students within the district uh that are eligible to file a FAFSA to do so. Uh so this is a process right now. It's at about 52% statewide. And so I can try to read this. It's pretty small. I just got this but it's 52.6% of the estimated class of 2025 has completed a FAFSA. But in in Eastern War, we are in the range of 75 to 79% which puts us in I think the top
026five or seven school districts in the entire state. All all 700. Uh we are right near the top. So this is a really important thing for kids as they enter college. And so I just want to shout out to Mr. Roberts, Mr. Skolski and our counseling center for their hard work and diligence. I we are well ahead of the game. Yeah. So anything you want to have to add, Mr. Roberts? No, it's just um new this year the state has set that expectation that we're monitoring uh the percentage of our our um student population who has completed FASA. Um so we've increased our ad campaign um and all of our our student meetings. We meet as you know with our with our seniors individually. So, it's part of that script that we use and uh
027and so between that and obviously great parents and great kids um that were able to uh set such a such a high mark. So, proud of that and uh we're not going to rest though until it's 100%. So, we still have some work to do. Can I just jump in? I did see a report on that. There's only three districts in the state that are um over 80% right now. So for us being in the 75 to 79 where we are and so I don't want to brag too much but we're the only one in our posties that hit the mark and I'd say we're one of few in Western New York. So it's Thank you. Oh, sorry. Um, so, um, again, uh, this year we just received notice too, uh, East Union Free School
028District has been recognized for the second year in a row as one of 935 school districts amongst the best communities in the nation for music education. The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made um to districts and schools that demonstrate an exemplar high commitment to and access to music education. Congratulations to our music department. Yep. Very well done. Like there's like um 22,000 school districts in the country. So we're one of 935 that were recognized. Well done. Good day for the high school. Well, I guess this is gate as well, right? Yeah, this is gate 12. So, very good. Uh, moving on to uh item nine, administrator comments. Um, we have administrators with us
029tonight. Do anyone I can start off any comments? I thought superend just announced it. Oh, I'll start. I So, we're talking about music and our third graders will be um having their uh chorus performance on May 29th. Immediately following they have their international celebration. So, we're really excited to bring that back. Um we have lots of fun uh events including our field day which is on June 6. And I'm very proud to say that this year we will have our first ever wax museum on June 20th. Our fourth graders will be um putting together a wax museum on uh some of the famous people that they've learned about. So we're really excited for that authentic opportunity to learn. And um of course you're all invited to send off the summer which is on June 24th
030this year. Lots going on at Parkdale. Oh my goodness. I'm going to be very very brief. Yeah. There is a invitation on each of your seats from Mrs. Markinger and Mr. Tertune. They are our LEAP teachers and they would like to invite you all to our capstone event which is at Knox Mansion, the Knox Main House next Wednesday evening. Um actually it's 4 to 6. We made a time change last year. Um, and that was actually due to a lot of athletics happening later in the evening for playoffs. So, families expressed to us that they wish we would do it a little bit earlier. So, we started doing it 4 to 6. Um, so that's the reason for that. And we're just really excited and super proud. So, if you can stop by, we would
031appreciate that. Great. Thank you. Your turn. Your turn. So, I have to say that was it Amelia, late young girl. Uh, her parents were my students. Yeah. And and I said that to Chelsea and she's sitting back here trying to do the math. Are you laughing at 46 or 56? All right. That's not part of my announcement. Um, so last weekend we had prom uh and it was uh a great day. Um we've we've um we sort of celebrate our juniors and seniors all day long now on prop day which has been a really nice tradition and um we were we were a little anxious about going downtown to the to the admiral room uh because uh we scheduled this event a year in advance not knowing that there'd be a bison's game, not knowing
032that there'd be a playoff Bandits game. Um and thankfully parking was fine. And it was a beautiful night. And I think the one thing though that I did want to mention um is the staff, the management and the staff of the admiral room who are uh hosting weddings and and proms and events, you know, all year long. Um said over what's that? Former students and former students. um you mentioned um how polite and and mature and positive and engaging our students were and uh and that stood out and and uh was not surprising to me but it's always nice to hear that uh when our students are out in the fall. Similar note, uh today was our day of um service and so we had, you know, 550 kids and over 100 faculty and staff
033scattered across Western New York. uh we went to 30 different locations and um we started the day in in the auditorium and I thought I'd just read this to you just to frame our service learning day is a day of community service um that's valuable because it helps us build empathy, develop responsibility and understand the impact of giving back by stepping outside of our classroom and for many of our students and staff outside of our community helping others learning learning new skills, strengthening our character, and growing as compassionate citizens. And they did that through some just amazing experiences today. Um, packing meals at St. loops. Um, creating backpacks at the school supplies at the teachers desk. Um, painting the fire hydrants and planting flowers down Main Street. Learning how to use a fire hose um
034with the firemen in East Aurora. Um, making blankets for Makea-Wish and painting signs for farms at Providence Farm, just to name a few. uh a huge huge undertaking. I want to thank Miss Ay who is the connection between the school and the community. Uh I want to thank Jamie Swinich and um Jen Marshall for coordinating the transportation which is always um a struggle and our students and our teachers for um being committed to to the service um learning initiative that we started about three years ago. and it just gets better and better every single year. And a thank you because our garden looks amazing now at Parkdale because they teamed up with our students and they did a phenomenal job. So, thank you for coming to Parkdale, too. And then if I can, finally, I'll
035stand back up, Mr. Lero. Um, I just wanted to let everybody know that we invited on prom day, so our juniors and seniors have um activities in the morning and then we let them head off to prepare for prom. Um and we took advantage of that day and in the afternoon we hosted Dr. Hunter uh who has presented at the middle school for all grade levels there. He presented two years and uh and and students and faculty and staff are still talking about that presentation. So um we're looking forward to continuing that partnership with him and our staff. So I just want to let you know administrators. Yes. Um so I am going to report please on the safety meeting. Um so we had our our district safety meeting last Friday and um the meeting
036was well attended. Um all of our schools reported on the status of fire drills and how they're working them in and we've had some issues with weather holding some of them up. So, um, we're working to to ensure that those all are included before the end of the school year. Construction at the high school is going quite well. Um, they big thanks to Mr. Mertzoff and his crews um because it has not affected um service at the high school, especially because we've also had um construction on the roads, not to mention on campus. Um, we had a couple incidents at the high school recently. Um, the cow got out and we had a laminator set itself on fire. So, it was exciting for a few days there. Did you say just say the cow set
037on fire? Two separate incidents both. Patty is safe and she's moved on to her new home, right? Yes. Um we are um also at uh the middle school. We are monitoring student drop off to ensure everyone's safety. Um, also again very happy with the contractors that have been performing work. Um, they've been proactive and and working with the district very well. And at um, Parkdale, they are working on creating additional annexes for the blurp um, plans and working with Alteras to ensure um, strategic plan um, with the other buildings and also to ensure their initiatives are met. Um, buildings and grounds has been um, working with the multiple shifts. There's a lot of grinding and point work being done at the high school. Um and the fields as I mentioned earlier are going very well
038and we've also um have the district safety plan sent an email and um pending a review at our next meeting. So oh and lastly um under technology on the safety plan we are rolling out um digital hall passes at the middle school. everyone's been trained just this past week and that will hope ensure um we know where all students are and that they have approval to come and go that can be digitized and and tracked in case we ever have to look into it further. Um it also will limit um digitally access to certain locations once we roll out the entire product. Um I also updated and this would be something I would update tonight too as the power school cyber incident has evolved on its own. um the bad actors have started reaching out
039unfortunately to some of the affected parties. Luckily, no one in New York State has been affected by that yet, but we um are ensuring that we continue to communicate out that um credit monitoring and identity protection to keep everyone safe um while it's free. Um as far as technology, I have just one um real quick update. Unfortunately, the April 22nd um board of education video has become inaccessible to us. Um there's a glitch with YouTube where um it was not ending the live stream and we had pressed it but it didn't take once it hit the 12-h hour mark. It's unaccessible to us. We have done everything we can to try and get it pulled work with their management and unfortunately it is irretrievable. So I do apologize the April 22nd video um is is
040not something we can offer. We do encourage everyone to review the meeting minutes from that date as the official record of the the meeting. Other than that, thank you. So, so what you're telling us is if we want to have anything longer than a 12-hour meeting. No, we have to pause while you start a new YouTube. You give me a heads up. We'll find another tool that can handle it. Excellent. That one that one hit a mark and we It's lost to us at the moment. Thank you so much. Anyone else? Um yeah, just a sneak preview into June. I don't have anything on this agenda, but there will be quite a few items on June's agenda for um we have to have more textbook committee meetings, ladies, in the coming weeks. But um uh
041on the June agenda will be probably 12 or 15 novels that the high school English department is looking to adopt um either for a new bookbound course that's being offered or just to add to their collection uh and to diversify what they're reading with their students. Um high school social studies, a couple of the AP classes want to incorporate some new novels. Those will be coming in June. And then um a couple big ones are are at Parkdale kindergarten through 2 grade are would like to purchase the updated edition of their ELA program. Um so we've used the same program for years and years. There's an updated third edition. Uh we've had presentations on it. We are going to move in that direction. So that'll be on the agenda for June. And also grades three
042and four uh would like to adopt a new ELA curriculum. Um, so I'll explain that more in June, but there'll be a good chunk of uh new curriculums coming up in June. Thank you very much. Anyone else? That was great. Thank you all. Uh, we are moving on to item 10, board president and board members comments. Um, so I will briefly from the choir about BDTV. Um, just because that's going to be my regular thing. Um, if you're not subscribed on YouTube to Blueevil Television, please do. It's a great source. And I'm not gonna uh spoiler a uh somebody else's announcement about that um because I'm sure she's gonna um uh I attended the uh uh art and tech show uh last night as well and was equally as impressed with the uh all of
043the the work that was there um from the uh from you know the uh fiscal arts to the uh um the the tech. Uh I loved listening to the the kids who were there with their tech projects talk about what they did and how they did it and uh and also the AP research uh students were there um and uh to you know so you could ask them about their projects which was pretty cool. Uh, and then my only other comment was I got a uh my one of our kids was out planting trees today and then uh we got a text from the other one saying um I'm going to be driving a fire truck around the village very soon. And I replied, "Wow, send pictures." Because I was both amazed and and impressed.
044Also, I felt it was a little bit irresponsible that an 18-year-old be doing that. So, I wanted to see what she meant. She sent a video from the back seat uh of them being driven around in the firetruck. To which I replied, "Ah, backseat driver, huh?" She appreciate. But anyhow, the uh service learning day, I I don't know. I think that as as as much as the um the local uh community partners appreciate it, I think the kids enjoy it. Um that's been my impression and so uh just great job on that. Uh and with that, I will hand it over to Miss. Thank you. It was a delight to drive on Main Street today and see our students out painting fire hydrants. It's it's really cool. Thank you for your work to make that
045happen. Um thank you, Mr. Cassidy, I do have to say thank you to Mrs. Perry and Mr. Campoli for um um giving the opportunity for board members to participate in BDTV. I think there um there are many lessons that can be learned about video and um I think the camera likes Dr. Froda better than me and that's fine. Um, but I do think there's there's something we can do there to engage further with the community and I think like all things the more we do it the easier it will get. Yes. Talk about what yours was when Yes. So I followed Dr. Produce was on the budget and mine was on the role of uh the board and the day a day in the life of a school board member. You all know I'm on
046a bench where I think that anyone in the community can participate. And I think it's really important that more community members recognize that we are just regular old humans like everyone else and anyone can choose to participate and engage in their community at this level. Um it was easier said now than yesterday morning. Um, but I do think I do think participating in this ray is really good and I'd encourage all of us and maybe we can partner more with those folks who are techsavvy as you said, Mr. Cassidy, to make this a more um regular and possibly even comfortable thing because it does feel goofy to put yourself in the hot room with the lights and the cameras. Um, but also I do recognize that there are not a lot of people in this
047audience, but people will engage when they have the time and their busy schedules in the way that meets them. So, the more we can get our messages out there, the better. Keep it keep it under 12 hours. Um, I participated in what I'm I'm the preview of all of the books that we get to read the next month. So, I'm super excited about that. Um, genuinely super excited about that. And, um, the the the art show was tons of fun. also being able to visit the farm and sad that we didn't get to see Patty, but it's okay. Um, we volunteered at postp prom. So, that was a fun that's always a fun event and a safe event and it's fun to see the the students and um they they left with lots of great
048prizes that were organized by the high school PTO. Um, so I would encourage yeah everybody to share that the kids should definitely go there. Um the also shout out to the um the students of the musical participated this weekend in the Shaes Wonder Awards. So they have they have to perform at Shaes. Um and that is on line. I believe the school shared that. So that is that's worth that's worth seeing their hard work. Um and that's that's it. Great. I attended the safety meeting and the tax training meeting, but they both have been reported on. Um, thank you. Did Did anyone um do the webinar on the the uh budget legislation? I was just curious whether anyone had the time to do that. But this is a nice uh summary here as well. I
049have nothing else. You I'm all set. Okay, great. We are going to move on to item 11, uh, legislation. Do we have any legisl? Uh, there will be, but not yet. Um, there were some pieces of legislation included in the budget. We're still waiting for guidance and interpretation. Um, so, uh, pending legislation, pending interpretation, I should say. May I? Yes, please. Uh, Mr. member ready is one of those uh items uh this notion of sub substantial equivalency uh for non-public schools. Uh can we look into the role that the district needs to play in this? Yes, we will. We at this point I already Yeah. Can I I in the process? Okay. Yeah. Um we've have we have six schools which is abnormal for a district our size in our um boundaries. Um so for
050the substantial equivalency they had to pick this has been going on for a year and a half now about uh one of seven pathways. Uh most of the schools qualify or fall into one of those seven pathways because they're uh accredited by um the Catholic schools or accredited by Waldorf schools. Uh there's one in our boundaries that chose pathway 7 which is a local review. So it's a review by the school district of if they are substantially equivalent. Um and it's mandala. So, we've the last several months we've worked with um Boseies to help us um conduct that the review of their curriculum and their offerings uh to determine if they're substantially equivalent. Um I spoke to state ed last week um to be we we submitted all of our stuff through the portal to
051to see and we're waiting to hear back if it's approved or not. Um and uh like I said, I was in touch with state ed last week uh because originally we were supposed to uh put it on a board agenda to have the board and superintendent approve it. Now, they're not sure that's still going to be the case. Either way, if it is or it isn't, I'll be speaking more about it in June. It might be on the agenda uh for an item. It might just be me reporting out on the findings. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Um all right, we are moving on to item 12, uh reports and discussion items, uh the business office operations. Excellent. Well, that was brief. We're gonna move on to being the capital the capital facilities project update.
052Okay. Um yeah, so um got an update from Ryan Hunt uh who's with Buffalo Construction. Another week of progress continued at the high school turf field, tennis courts, and chapa discus. Um the site contractor had been had a busy week continuing to shape and form the field to meet grade and ensure the drainage system is functioning properly. Uh Anastasi uh concrete crew were on site and completed roughly 85% of the tennis court curbs poured the tennis uh po excuse me poured the tennis post concrete bases and formed the shotut and discus pad in preparation for the concrete pour. The tennis court fencing installation is in progress. All the posts are set in the ground and are ready for chain link uh ready for the chain link to be installed which is in progress. Anastasi's drainage
053crew continued with the storm water retention system on the west side of the field by continuing to trench install manholes and piping between the dry wells. Trenching for the turf field perimeter drain is in progress. The electrical contractor began uh and was on site this week working alongside the site contractor beginning the trenching behind the existing field stands and setting conduit. He had crews varying from 17 to 22 throughout the week and so there's some photos but I don't have those with me. Um so work activities included relocating existing soccer field sheds continuing shaping the field form the shop put and discus pad in preparation for concrete tennis court fence post installations in progress tennis court concrete curves continue the field storm war storm water retention system trenching at the turf field perimeter drain and
054conduit installing is in progress scheduled for next week concrete footers for the utility shed start the water line piping continue the turf field storm collector pipe. Start the turf field fabric uh flat drains and drain zone drain zone. Continue the tennis court fence post installation and continue a trench and install conduit. So making good progress and the weather's been cooperative. So that really helps a lot. Did you say you had 17 to 22 electricians on site? Um let's see that was with or at least employees. Yes. So they're probably not all electric. Well, that's substantial, isn't it? Yeah. Yeah. It's moving along nicely. It's I say probably Well, what is the completion date? Yeah. So, you know, it's always August. You know what I mean? So, I you know, I think we're going to be
055able to hit that date for sure. I haven't been able to attend some of those meetings, but I uh I appreciate the update. Sure. Thank you. Uh we're going to move on to item 11, consensus items. Uh are there any board members who wish to add an item uh for the cons consensus agenda? Hearing none. Uh or well, we're doing it backwards. Uh how about uh withdrawing anything from the consensus agenda? All right, that is a no on both of those. So may I have a motion to approve uh the consensus agenda? Moved by Miss Arbra second second by Dr. Discussion. All in favor? I opposed abstensions. That's pass 6. Zooming forward to item 17. The superintendent recommends the board of education uh accept donation from the uh East Aurora Educational Foundation for a CNC
056machine for the technology program in the amount of $39,525. May I have a motion? Moved by Mrs. Oil or second second uh discussion. Well, I could chime in for a moment here just to say uh that we appreciate the quality of this particular proposal. They're all good, you know, but the this young man is uh very articulate and he was well prepared and he he had a audiovisisual presentation which well no audio but a visual presentation which uh helped the board members to see how not only what this machine is but how it would be utilized uh in a broader sense than just one course. Uh it's $39,525. Uh I'm really proud of the fact that the foundation has been able to support this grant and others like it. Uh when I think back to
057my first couple of years with the foundation, we were struggling. We had about $10,000 in the bank at that time and we we were struggling to for grants in the hundred couple hundred dollars range. Uh so to have uh to be able to support grants of this size uh is I believe unique among school districts in our state. There are foundations but there are very few that have the resources to be able to do this and that's it's uh because of uh community members who have supported the foundation uh along the way. So thank you to the community for this and uh and Mr. Dodge's presentation was excellent. I'll I'll just add on to that. Um this grant um $40,000 is something that we couldn't afford to do uh this year, probably next, and probably
058the year after that, too. Um but this this CNC machine is going to really it's kind of a gamecher because it really elevates the program to the next level. And so it's kind of like they don't even know what it's capable of doing yet. What they do know is really impressive. and then there's so much more to learn. So, um, and you're right, Dan, there's there other school districts that have foundation, but not to the degree that our foundation supports our programming. And so, it's it's really unique. Um, it it it has allowed us to do some of the most innovative programs that we've done in the last 5 to 10 years and and honestly, it would have been nearly impossible to do many of those things without the support of the foundation. It's certainly
059unique in Western New York. They there are some very large foundations down in New York City and in the Long Island area. Uh but the resources in Western New York have never been to that extent. Very true. Thank you. See what they do. [Music] Uh moving on to item B. Superintendent. Oh no, we did not. Thank you so much. Uh all in favor? I I opposed abstensions. That's pass 60. Thank you. Now we're going to move on to item. Superintendent recommends board of education approve the retirement separation payment for Kelly Sabu as detailed in the agenda. May I have a motion? Moved by Miss Arbra. Second. Second. Second by Mrs. Zweiler. Uh discussion all in favor. I opposed abstensions and that's pass 6. To see the superintendent recommends the board of education appoint the firm
060of Edelman Cross and Baldman for the remainder of the 2024 25 school year. May I have a motion? Second second. Second by Dr. Proa. Discussion. All in favor? I oppose abstensions. That's pass. 18A. Uh, recommends the board of education perform a first reading to adopt EA-30.04 policy as detailed in the May I have a motion? Oh, moved by M. Daniels, second second. Second by Miss Arrow. Discussion. This was one of the governor's um one of the necessary. All in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. That's pass 6. Uh 19A superintendent recommends board of education approved memorandum of agreement by and between the East Unifree School District and the East or our faculty association as detailed in the attachment. May I have a motion? Moved by Mrs. Oiler. Second second by Miss Arrest. Uh discussion all in favor.
061opposed obstensions. That's pass 6. A the superintendent recommends the board of uh that the board of education accept the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Suzanne Austin Matei, kindergarten teacher of Parkdale, effective June 30th, 2025. May I have a motion? Moved by Dr. Proa. Second second. Second by Mrs. Oiler. Discussion. I just would like to say congratulations to Sue. Uh she's been a valuable member of the team and uh she has spent several years with us and so we wish her the best and hopefully she'll be celebrating with us next month. Great. Uh all in favor? Opposed? abstensions. That's pass 6. Uh 20B. Uh the superintendent recommends that the board of education accept the resignation for purpose of retirement of Rita Gallagher, teacher aid at Parkdale, effective April 30th, 2025. May I have a
062motion? Moved by Mrs. Oiler. Second. Second. Second by Miss Arus. Discussion. Looks like a thank you too. She's been a great aid for us and we just wish her the best in retirement. Hopefully she'll be here next. Great. All in favor? I opposed abstensions. That pass 61 go to recess. uh until after the uh results have been determined from the election and thanks. Um so we're back from recess and we are on and we are on item um 22A. uh accept the results of the annual election, Proposition One budget, proposition two expenditure from technology reserve and the election of board members. Um proposition one the budget the uh yeses were 952, the nos were 461. So the budget has passed. Proposition two, uh, the tech reserve, um, the yeses were 1,113, the nos were 900,
063no, 292. Uh, so proposition two has passed. And we had four uh individuals running for two spots on the uh board of election uh with 997 votes. Uh Jessica Ox Whitel uh is going to be on the board and uh Dr. Maria and PROA had 659 and the two of them will be our new board members. Um following them were uh Jawande Smith with 412 and Amy Ratajjack with 6 365. There were 72 writings. May I have a motion to accept the results of the um election and vote? So moved by Miss Arbra, second by Mrs. Danu. Uh any discussion? Congratulations. Um, all in favor? I opposed. Abstensions. That's pass 5. New business. Uh, does anyone have new business? No. Hearing none. Moving on to items of information. Those are listed. Uh, upcoming meetings also
064listed. May I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Moved by Ms. Armbra, second by Mrs. Danu. Discussion. All in favor? I I. And that's passed. Oh, opposed abstensions. That's pass 5 and we're journ. Thank you very much. Thank you.