FCSD BOE Meeting March 10 2026

001Uh, welcome to the Fredonia Central School Board of Education meeting for Tuesday, March 10th, 2026. We begin each meeting with the pledge to the flag. So, if you please join me. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. So, um, we have an addendum tonight. Before we talk about that or speak to that, uh, could I have a motion to approve the agenda for tonight? >> So, move. >> Thank you. A second. Second. >> Thanks, Mr. Kenny. Um, as I said, we have an addendum. Um, it's to approve the nomination of the following five persons. The secondary supervisory district, three terms, Thomas Joe, David Lowry, Kristen Shars, and Jeff Chase. in a

002two-year term. Uh Kimberly Hingens and those five uh uh are wishing to be nominated and it turns out that there's only five open positions. So it makes it fairly easy process. So we slipped it in the consent. Um is there anything that would anybody like anything pulled out of consent including the agenda? >> If not, all in favor? >> Opposed? Um, next we hear from the public. U, is there anybody like to speak in the first session? Move right on. And, uh, we need to approve the minutes from the last, uh, regular meeting of February 24th, 2026. Got a motion to bring that to the table. >> So moved. >> Thank you. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you. Uh, any questions on those minutes? >> If not, all in favor? >> I >> opposed.

003That brings us right into our much anticipated treasures report. Our initial reading of our uh 2026 2007 budget presentation by John Forbes or this is Minister Mr. Forbes. Thank you. So today we're going to run through the first look at the budget 2627. Feel free to ask any questions as we go. I probably have the information available but if not get back to you later on with that information. So we just put up to start with some budget principles and thank you to Kate. She uh made this pretty instead of the black and white that you may normally find credit to her for that. [clears throat] Just a couple of things to bear in mind as we go through budget our strategic alignment responsibility efficiency adjustment tax cap review and those kinds of things. So

004getting right into the presentation we [clears throat] do have a number of unknowns at this point which is not usual. The ization rates, final assessments, those are typically final tax in August, so there's no surprise there. Final Bose cost is a work in progress. Uh the initial footprint will put in based on current enrollments for things like occupational education, special education, and each of the services that go along with it. And then as we go through the process, which is already started through the next month and a half, we begin to those out, talk to Mrs. Pharaoh, and see what our actual enrollment is looking like. delete as necessary and also same thing with Andy Weock and the tech services. So kind of work through that. So these aren't final at this point. Uh final

005state aid for our debt service. I'm working with Maggie from municipal solutions to ensure that I've got the projections correct both on the debt service side and the revenue side for project I'm calling project 2025 which is our phase one project coming up. And then we also have the final state a figures that we waiting on for April 1st. Dr. Zilox and I talked about it today and actually there doesn't seem to be much conversation at this point given that it's only a couple weeks late for first. So in my mind I'm not anticipating we'll have that data readily available at that point. And then of course final staffing. We've been talking to the administrator staff based on the retirements that we have thus far and also the needs that they have each building level

006and haven't arrived at a final place on that yet. Taking a look then at our proposed expenditure summary and I think I've mentioned in the past and I'll mention again tonight, don't be necessarily scared when you see large percentage increases because it'll depend on the area and the amount of dollars. So, for example, the first area salaries are up only 4.2% but you're talking $19 million worth of salary there versus equipment which you're up 100% but that's only 300,000 out of the 38 or $39 million total. So kind of really can't judge it solely based on the percentages. So going through this slide the salaries of course will be the contractual obligations for all staff in the district. Benefits were up a little bit and they're being driven by two things. One, our employees retirement

007system rate which is set by the state has increased. So we have about 133,000 a projected increase there and our medical insurance which is through the county medical health plan trust which encompasses all the districts in the county. We're up about 16% and that's based upon a couple factors. One changes in the healthcare industry uh to the cost and also things that you have to have in your plan that we didn't have to have before. weight loss drugs are one of the areas that seems to be focused and they're changing constraints on who's eligible for that as well. And also being that we're a self-funded trust, there's a requirement for an amount of fund balance that you have to carry in the plan in order to meet the requirements of the state to be a

008self-funded trust. So the trust itself hires an actuary to come in every year and evaluate current cost and projected cost. And out of that, the initial recommendation was over 20%. And through conversation with the trust, which is a voting member from each district, it was whittleled down to 16%. And even at that level, you're kind of right on the border depending on what the actual medical costs end up being as a group. And you'd be surprised that a small number of people across all the count really can drive it if it's a high cost insurance situation. Just the value of the drugs and the value that can impact the plan as a whole. Area equipment um being driven by mostly maintenance requests. I've put in a number of items there. We do have, as we've

009discussed, have to get on a plan for replacement cycle for our maintenance vehicles. We've seen this year a number of increases in the amount that we have to spend for repairs. Um, our salt truck is barely passing inspection because just the number of years of salt working on the on the body and the chassis. So, we do have to try to get a plan in place to get back on schedule with that materials and supplies. We're up 96,000. That's being driven by three main areas. Uh, $35,000 in maintenance, which is pretty much a placeholder at this point. I have about 15 categories of materials and supplies and contractual expense for maintenance things like plumbing, electric, heating and ventilation. And so I put placeholders in it to start and then go back through and look at

010what we spent the past four or five years. What's tracking like this year and begin to whittle that down. So for the moment we're up 35,000 there. Uh we're up 22,000 in inner scholastic athletics and Mr. Brando and I haven't even had a conversation on that yet. So, I expect that'll come down. And also 15,000 in transportation fuel, which initially I was hoping we' be able to trim back, but now I'm a little bit nervous based on things happening in the world and the price of oil. On the contractual expense side, we're at 439,000. Again, maintenance, I have a placeholder there about 30,000. So, we will that down. our general liability insurance, which would be non-health insurance, things like liability on the building, anybody that insert, those kinds of things. There's been a mark increase

011across the board for school districts. And part of the problem is there's only a limited number of companies that can actually provide that kind of insurance. So, we had a pretty good raise last year and they're projecting about a $15,000 raise to us this year. We are looking at an alternative company to see if we're able to do something there with our a local agent. Uh we're also 25,000 projected out of district tuition which would be places like Summit Center or Randolph Academy, 63,000 athletics. Again, I haven't really looked at that with Mr. Trando yet, and 155,000 in contract transportation with First Student, Transpo, which does our summit run, and Western New York bus company, which does our current carrier center run. Both services uh we're up about a million there. And again, on the

012front end of the budget process, as I mentioned at the outset, there's projections that I need to put in, placeholders I need to establish before we get into the actual who's going where and what's going to cost. So, special education, we're up 685,000. That's being driven by the need for a student to participate in a program called Bloom and Jamestown, which I think I mentioned at a previous meeting when we did the transportation. So, that that's about 200,000 of the 600,000 there. And then some other placeholders that I have in for special education, the three sections there, option two, three, or six. And then things like um occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech, counseling, social work. We're also projecting an increase of 294,000 in occupational education, which is about a 10 student increase. So on the

013one hand, it's a good thing because you have 10 more students interested in going into the occupational education programs. The bad side is they have paperwork. So we're up definitely going to be up there probably around 270,000 by the time we get the final figures. And then we're also 44,000 in our computer services which we're continuing to work with our director of technology and hosties to see about some cost changes there. Debt service and transfers. Um this is pretty much the reflection of the putting in of the 25 2025 project debt service principal interest. It's about 140,000. The actual cost which you'll see on the slide later is about 500,000 but we had an inter fund transfer in 2526 school year to begin setting up the debt service. So the difference between that and the

014actual was about 140,000 increase and we will get aid back on that which I'll mention again in a moment. So on the proposed revenue side of foundation aid rough 660,000 which represents about 4% increase that people say well 4% increase well things alone you've got 4% on salary you've got the benefit cost. So in and of itself 600,000 sounds like a great number but when you have all the other cost factor together becomes part of the puzzle and our two main factors as a reminder our two main sources are our tax levy and state aid which together about % of our total revenue stream. As you can see on the next one over the local sources, we're only up about 6,900 which is being driven by a new pilot agreement through the county. Medicare aid

015right now we're projecting to be flat 100,000 and in this draft I've maintained the 750,000 of appropriated fund balance. That to me is a number that needs to be lower but in the moment I'm running with the 750 in the first draft that we have tonight. big ticket items. I already mentioned most of them. You can see what the impact is. Health insurance was a big one. We were hoping it' be around 8 to 10% and it's coming in at 16%. The rest of the items are already addressed. Within the proposal, we also have our capital outlay project. Currently is still $100,000 maximum. There's been talk over the years about going at 250,000 at the state level, but they don't seem to want to do that. So out of the 100,000 we've been kind of

016focusing the last couple years based upon the phase three proposal our athletic facilities this year we'll be doing the softball fields taking a look at everything we need to take a look at our really doing something our tennis court Mr. song this morning to mention that there's a crack in the surface which we're aware of and we're hoping that the frost is making that look worse than it is but we are projecting to do repair and sailing of the tennis courts on the main street campus. Part of $100,000 if you do the outside work is you need to do $10,000 of inside work which will be continuation of classroom floor replacement at the elementary school and then there is a required New York State Architect fee as part of the $100,000 out and a reminder

017that we do get 82.7% a so 82,700 back on the $100,000 that we spent staffing the lefth hand side is the list of current retirees as I mentioned at the outset this is discussion and we've met with each of the building level principles. We talked about the administrative council meetings and that conversation will be continuing the right hand side blank left blank. So we have a spot to put any additions that we may choose to do based on the retirements and the discussion with the administrators. This slide I kind of always have in there just forformational purposes. You see quite a bit of up and down particularly the last couple years but overall from 201617 through the 2526 budget year you've averaged 2.45% which given cost of everything really isn't particularly high. Our tax levy

018limit which reminder is not a 2% tax cap because there are exclusions that get factored into the calculation but for this year our tax levy limit is 2.44% which would allow you to generate 426,000 up to 426,000 on your tax levy without having the need to go to 60% positive majority to exceed that tax cap. Also, if we're defeated twice, which hopefully will get to this situation, we do have to still comply with the administrative cap, which in this draft is 11.5% and we're currently 152,000 under that cap. And you'll see through the next couple of meetings that that number will fluctuate. But it depends what I move from what category calculation of tax cap and the administrative cap is based on three main areas. Administrative capital and instructional. And so it depends which category

019you move money on how that is distributed. This slide is a tax levy limit versus our tax levy. It's kind of an interesting look at where we've been from 2012 2013 when the tax cap was put into place. The dotted line represents the tax levy limit where you could have asked the voters 40% not exceeding 60%. And the solid line represents where you actually were in that time period. And you can see that four of the years we were in no year did we exceed the cap. In four of the years we were at the cap and nine of the years we were below the cap. 80 uh 14 15 161 17 18 and 2425 we were at the cap. All the rest of the years were below including 0% in two out of three

020years between 1920 and 2122 which obviously reflects the desire of the board to keep things lower. We're coming off of COVID. There are a lot of things going on there but you can see the potential difference where it was levied versus what you really could have been. Not to say that it necessarily would have passed, but it may have been a discussion at that point. And then finally, taking a look at our path forward throughout the March 10th initial budget presentation, we will have another one which should have some significant changes, I would think, before the 24th of March. Uh there is another board meeting after spring break, which is April 14th, which is still prior to the need to set a budget. So have another look there at that meeting. Depending on where things

021land, we could either move forward with approving it for the voters or look to have another meeting the following week or within that following week. Um because 21st becomes our actual need to have a number date. So we've got some movement there that we could go put on meeting if you felt it was necessary for things you needed to discuss further. May 5th is our annual budget hearing and then May 19th will be the third Tuesday of May which is your annual budget vote and board election. >> Questions from the board. >> I have a question for you. John, can you mind going back to the tax levy limit slide? >> That one. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. John, can you explain like in layman's terms the so we were able to tax we

022were able to ask the voters for a certain limit in a lot of those years we didn't do that that has an effect on the budget compounding effect if I understand things right can you talk to like >> so you're exactly correct in each of the years the data line will represent what we calculate our tax levy limit to be which would be different than any other districts because they all have their exclusions and their debt service which factors into the calculation. So for us that dotted line represents what you could have asked for without asking for a 60% majority or more [snorts] yes vote. So you could have been anywhere taking a look at the highest one 3.76 you could have been anywhere between zero and 3.76 in that year. The discussion centered on

023getting it down keeping it low. we end up at 1%. So if you want to make the assumption that over time you could have gone to the tax levy limit and it would have been favorably met by the members of the community, you certainly have left money on the table in that in that scenario. >> And then can you talk to like the compounding nature of leaving that money on the table? It's not just a one-time thing, right? That this this effectively can add up. >> There's actually a couple parts to that. The first is that it would uh effectively if you're saying compound potentially compound it would depend in the moment what your expenses were what you decided to do. So for example in one of the years you could have said we're going

024to go with a little bit higher tax increase but we're not going to put that in our pocket. It's fund balance. We're going to do this. We're going to do that. >> Okay. So depending on where you land with that or if you simply said in the budget you have we're going with that there was a potential to build your fund balance or add to additional reserves. So it's not like you're not pigeonholding to necessarily one thing or there. The second thing is that going low on the acceptance side. So in the years you have a 0101 that also rolls forward in years where the calculation becomes low because it's based on some information from the prior years. So potential was always there when you go low in multiple years and particularly zero that you

025could get to a year and it didn't really happen here because our year after the 0101 was 3.5 but you could have gotten to a situation where you actually had a negative tax cap or something that was extremely low like a 0.5% or something like that. So the best model uh is always to try to be not too high not too low. You know if you take a look at this and divide it out, add up and divide it out, you're probably looking at somewhere, as I said, the 2.5% range. So, if you had a straight line across a 2.5 is the optimal tax levy and then compare it to the levy limit up and down the actual levy up and down is the best choice then in retrospect to say, hey, 222 might have

026been better than 0130, whatever the case is. It's hard to to go back down and say that was wrong or that was right >> at this point. >> And also, you know, that we had zero in 19 20 21 22. I would say that 2526, we'd have to put an aster by that 1.9 because that 1.9 was used to fund the capital project, wasn't it? or that effectively we have an increase to help fund inflation for general budget, right? And you know economic sense coming off of the 2021 around COVID things price of things was high. Obviously if you take a look at the years prior to that from say 1415 to 2122 you're looking at a very minimal increase you're probably right around 1% across five or six years because you're 7.890011. So from

027that aspect, the board throughout that time period did a great job in trying to keep the impact of the community low, especially in a challenging time. >> Can we go back two slant? >> Yeah, I just had one more question on this. So you mentioned >> I assume it's not a direct correlation. it's it's affecting something in the calculation. But you mentioned when we choose to have um a lower tax increase, it impacts the calculation of what the tax rate limit is going to be the following year. So I guess specifically like not little changes but when we see a bounce from 376 to one what is driving the calculation other than say maybe an inflation limit or but like where where do we need to think about putting money so we're not constrained for

028five years below 2%. Um, and where where do we need to be a little bit more cautious about putting expenditures so that we know that our expenditures count towards the levy limit? >> You're kind of talking about two things that are simultaneous. So the calculation of the cap has is based on current and previous year debt service both expenditure side and state aid side. It also factors in the growth factor which is provided by the state to each district annually. That factor is different for each district. There's also the inflation limit which generally is 2%. Unless the inflation rate is is low, which I think it was in a couple years was slightly low. So then you have to use that. There's also you have to bring in any lease arrangements that you have. So

029for us that's pretty much our copers. So about 40,000 there. And you're also bringing in our pilot agreements which we've seen an increase in that with the solar farm being added. So that that's a factor as well. There are also exclusions in the tax cap calculation for employees retirement system and teachers retirement system which is based upon what their rates do. So when the rate changes are relatively small which they have been those exclusions don't apply but they could apply. And then if you ever got into a situation with the negative tax cap, there's some carryover features that allow you to roll it to the subsequent year. So it's it's not just one factor on that side. On the other side, uh when you're talking about what your tax levy could be, that's kind of

030a discussion of what you're trying to do. Obviously, you want to try to keep taxes as low as you can and still fund your program. But in those cases, are you going to say, "Hey, we need to add three positions because of this, or we need to cut three positions because of this. What are we doing with our maintenance? What are we doing with our athletics?" And all those factors come into play to what you end up at for a value for the levy that you feel is a comfortable levy both to support your program and get the support from the community. So, they're kind of simultaneous, but not necessarily one creates the other. Either way, together. So, on Kevin's theme, um there's a lot of a lot of pieces that go into what the

031tax gap's going to be. It's more complicated than I can understand probably, but um not holding you to this, John, but like next year, year after. Do you have any crystal ball idea of I mean, not that you have to answer now, you can think about it, but you know, can you project to the future a year or two years? that further than that to give us some sense where we're going in the tax. >> Uh you you could you could because we know already that the teacher retirement system rate is going to go down a little bit from where it is this year. So that would be a factor that would be no exclusion for that. Employees retirement the same. We have a pretty good handle unless there's additions on our pile agreements. And

032then once we get the which is one of the unknowns once we get the project 25 debt which is going to occur in the next month where we're doing the bidding for the bonds we would have a bond schedule and then that plus the other debt that we already have in place be able to look at the aid ratio and cost so we could you'd have a handle but off the top of my head guessing you'd probably be in the neighborhood where we are right now in that 24 256 range. >> Okay. So, >> I'm just thinking about what you said a little bit earlier, and I just want to make sure I understand because sometimes these things don't make sense. They're just rules that you follow. Um, all things being equal, if we were

033to have more debt that was being paid for by state reimbursements, would we have a higher tax levy limit? >> Uh, not necessarily. You'd have to plug it in and see which way it goes because it's not it's not a pure uh add more did it better text. >> Okay. >> It's a factor but not the sole factor. >> Right. Right. >> You want to go back? >> Yeah. Um we go back two slides. go back there. Okay. Um yeah, my the earlier slide that you we had had this year's uh 26 27 and that's not on >> No, not yet because it's so so much. That's what I was going to bring up from the earlier draft. Okay, we're good there. Okay. Other questions >> um in the equipment. So that does include a

034truck that we scratched from last year. >> Uh I think I have two trucks that are replacing the gator >> and we didn't do either of those [laughter] eliminated. >> Yeah, we did a trade in on a lawn mower >> and we've not replaced that truck in multiple years. Correct. This is this would be fourth year that I've been involved in >> three or four. What year is this alter? >> What year is the salter? >> You're going to answer that. I don't have that. So I can have I what I requested from Doug Esic was a list of each of the vehicles and the condition that he feels they're in. >> Okay. >> So that next time I can have a exact breakout of the equipment. But I want to say it's about 10

035years old. >> Okay. doesn't have none of our maintenance vehicles I would say have high mileage at all because you're really only going a couple miles this way that way but it's the use extensive parking lots with basically 3/4 ton pickup truck >> correct >> other questions or I just have one John um so last year um we took a hit because of the um capital project. Uh we had to take our 350 fund reserve and uh pay for pay for it essentially, but you said we get revenue back. Is that in this are we getting state aid in this from last year's? So the way that it works is that state aid is a categorical aid. Categorical aids of all types which would be bosses, special ed, transportation, building a is paid on what

036you spend. So you don't get the aid in the same year that you start the debt the year off. So we're going to have about 500,000 of debt come on. We're only getting about 130,000 to offset that in the 26 27 year. The difference in budget to budget is you also factored in the 350. So between the 8 and the 350 that was spent last year, it's about an even situation. Then you're able to flow after that. >> So you'll get it when the loan is done basically. So I I haven't got the Maggie and I haven't been going back and forth just because I want to make sure talking about different terms and ways that if we had to we could push the debt out a little bit and change things within over the

037life of the debt causes an increase in interest. So we're trying to not wor >> John did you budget um interest r >> yes >> since that's been are you anticipating that to be similar? Well, uh, you may imagine that some of the stuff I'm a little bit conservative on how I budget the revenue, maybe the same thing on the expenditure side. So, I do have an amount in for revenue. So, for this year, for this budget presentation, I have 60,000 in and right now we're tracking about 130,000 have actually received, but that's based on the rates as they are now. And as we've talked about in each of the board meetings, the rates have declined a little bit. And now, who knows what's going to happen moving forward with the rate. So, I'm hesitant

038to put in 150,000, which I think is attainable this year, and then have it be 60. I'd rather be 60 and get 150. >> I'm not asking you to. I was just wondering what you put in there. >> So, that's how that's how I >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> I just had one more on the applied fund balance. So, you What would you like that? I think we need to be 450 and get there part of the overall evaluation of the rest of >> and that's in an effort to maintain that because we've dropped so low. >> That that's a couple reasons. One, we want to not erode any further than we are and that may give us an opportunity if things go well in the budget bill actually can apply to something

039else. You need to continue to look at funding reserves. Thanks, John. >> I don't know if this is a question for John or maybe Brad, but and maybe you can't answer it tonight, but I know the fund balance was part of what was driving the fiscal u rating that we got on I forgot what they called the rating, but the sus susceptible to fiscal stress. >> Thanks. >> Um stress. Do you have an idea of where that fund balance might need to be to kind of shake that analysis up a little bit? >> Well, the state benchmark is 4% and we're below that in the moment. So, >> so have we been getting that rating since we've been below 4% >> two years now, which is about about where we've been with that. >> Okay.

040I think the first year it was more partly because of the dramatic decrease and I don't think we were quite under 4% but this >> this round it was definitely part of the >> and in the moment the state's not looking at it individually and saying all right this year they had this oh my gosh they are taking a look at a pattern saying Dr. Z said it was here and now it's here and now it's here. Great. Thanks, John. Apologies, but Todd, for taking your seat. >> No worries. >> Where were you sitting back there behind you? [laughter] Touch me on the shoulder. I would have moved. All right. Well, moving on. Um so um yeah everything um I don't even know if I actually did I I mentioned that there's um everything is

041in consent and personnel and new business. >> Um >> did I mention that? >> Yeah, but what about 7D? >> So I think that's a discussion. >> The consent is discussion. >> Yeah. So we don't have it. Okay. So yeah, everything I think we've set a record here first time, right? Personnel business, everything consent. But we do have two items still under financial and treasures report. Two business items to approve. Uh the first is to approve the resolution for participation in BOSI's cooperative bidding. I have a motion, please. So move. >> Second. >> Thank you. A second. Thank you, Dr. Zilas. Um yeah, if you have anything to add, John, um this is an annual uh resolution and um I believe all districts um in our roies um participate. This really just allows us to

042participate um in proceeds bidding which usually produces the best price um since we're usually looking at a um bulk order across all districts and really creates an efficient system for us to make um purchases um and tapping into that that sort of bulk mentality. So this is a good thing for the district and uh something we do each year. Any questions at all? >> Uh, no, just I guess to kind of expound upon that. This is a way that we save money by combining purchasing power to get better rates on things. I know we've talked about how we save the district money and going in on things like purchasing and shared services, right? This is at its core shared services. This is how we save the taxpayers money. Correct. >> Good point, Mr. >> Thanks

043for that. Um, any other questions? Uh, so uh all in favor? >> Opposed? And the sec second item uh in new business is um to approve the resolution for data privacy agreements. Got a motion, please. So, thank you. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Zoyos. >> Um, yeah. So, as you know, data privacy has become more and more prevalent, more of a concern, more of a focus for school districts over time. Um, although this language is a little bit convoluted. This expands on an existing agreement without any increase in cost. So, again, another um good bang for a buck for the district. So um it allows us to participate in what is called the risk operations center aka the rock um which uh again provides uh greater um privacy agreements and especially those

044that um require or we interact with a third party and this allows us to make sure that we are compliant with Edlock 2D which we've talked about on a few different occasions. um and be able to tap into uh the service there instead of us trying to manage this ourselves. So again, good bang for our buck as a district and also um really expands our level of security in this area. Any further questions on that? Uh all in favor? >> Opposed? It's always good to highlight where we're sharing service or disorder. That's good. Uh so we're moving through to personnel and as Miss mentioned it's not a uh something for approval but it's a discussion of u under 7D and it's discussion of board of education member term links which we uh touched on uh

045the last meeting. Uh the board as we mentioned the last meeting is move we're looking at a five-year term moving to a three-year term possibly. So tonight we'd like to continue that discussion. There are certainly pros and cons to both terms. Uh we took this topic up a few years ago and decided to stay with the five-year term, but the vote was close. So I you know we all thought that it might be best to revisit it a couple years later which is now. Uh and um so yeah, so um like to have an open-ended discussion on this and see how we feel about the pros and the cons uh with each each member. >> One thing I just want to share up front that I don't have solidified for tonight. So I think it

046could be a reason to continue the conversation and make a decision at a later date. Um it becomes a little convoluted when so what would happen is this uh two seats that potentially are up for election this year would remain on fiveyear terms. Then the subsequent ones if we did put it to the um public for consideration and potential approval would then all be three thereafter. And it gets a little convoluted to match those up with, okay, so over the course of, let's just say, the next 10 years, what would that mean for board seats falling on the same year? And I just want to make sure that I have that crystal clear because generally what any board tries not to do is have maybe four seats, five seats fall on a given year. um

047when that would create potentially um some pretty good upheaval um with the board membership. So I would just like to have one more meeting to make sure I am square with how that would look. That also assumes that everybody would complete their term which also doesn't happen either. Even if it appears like that would not be an issue, it's possible a seat or two could shift, but I think all we can do is go with the best information we have at the moment. So, I apologize for not having that clarified for tonight. >> Dr. Zach, just in in that research and coming back because I do think that's important to know if excuse me, is there any flexibility in managing that? Sorry. That's okay. Um I did reach out to um labor relations um or

048our board council to talk about that. I haven't um got the definitive answer if there's any adjustment you're saying we could make. >> Right. Like yeah just like a one-time transition period where we would have some flexibility to to make sure that it was set up. >> Yeah. >> I will have I will have a response. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you as well. >> So just based on what's on the website, so we have two coming up this year. So those would be fiveyear terms, so they come up in 31. We have two um that end next year, so they would be three-year terms, so they those two would be 30. And then we have two in 29, and those two would be 32. And then we have one who's in 30, so that

049would be 33. So, I'm seeing two, two, two, and one. A pattern between two, two, and one. >> So, that's a while. Yeah, >> that's good. >> Yeah. >> That means we're not overlapping and having three or four in one year. Okay. >> Right. >> Good job. Good job. Which leads me to uh you know, uh I voted five the last time. I'm open to three this time. I'm open to both. Uh but One thing about the five-year term that resonates with me is they created the present board. I feel like we've got a pretty good board at the m, you know, that that come out of those five-year terms. But, uh, again, I'm open to some of the arguments for the three-year term also. So, >> I think just as a as a recap,

050I was part of the conversations that we had a couple of years ago and um, leading towards the three years and probably still in that camp. Um, in some of the information that we circulated, um, a couple of things, and I agree that this board comes from five-year terms, but many of the members on this board came onto the board with people that didn't complete a five-year term, so they didn't make it through the five-year term. So, there had been um components of that. So, you know, how does that inform >> um people thinking about a five-year term or really fulfilling that full fiveyear term? Um, a couple of the other things just to put it out for the public conversation, and I know we've we've been looking at some of the the data, 75%

051of the boards in New York State have three-year terms. So, that does seem to um be kind of the common practice in New York State is to have a three-year term. I think for me the couple of things that drive that is when we have had open seats the past several years. Um there are years when you know we're very lucky that we have one quality candidate come forward um for those seats but we don't see a lot of active participation or debate or um really you know being able to give the voters choice in the matter. Um, and so part of me thinks a three-year term might um, open the door for more folks to consider it because it doesn't seem like such a significant commitment to that five-year term. Um, so I think

052that that active participation, having some opportunity maybe for more people to be involved um, could open up opportunity for the board um, with some different board candidates as well. So those are a couple of the things that I'm considering. >> Yeah, thank you. That was very well said. I also am in the threeyear term camp. Not like it's not a hill I'm going to die on or anything. I mean I fiveyear terms have worked for me as well. Um, I guess one thing that I hear sometimes is, "Well, just run for another fiveyear and then just leave early if you want to." And I don't know how other people feel about that, but this is an elected office and I don't feel very comfortable with that. Um, I don't I don't like the idea that

053I'm running for election knowing that I plan to step down in less than the amount of time I'm elected for. So I my term is up in a year and you know so I started not to bring it about me but I started by filling out the a one year of someone else's fiveyear term right then I ran for five years so that brings me to six years and I think maybe if people had three-year terms you know I'm not sure at at the end of the day maybe they're more likely to run for a second term, right? And that would bring them to six years, which would actually be a year longer than what we have. Um, I don't know. I don't know. I can only say I came on at age 54 and

054I'm going off at age 60. And that's a little shocking to me. [laughter] >> I'm going off a lot older. that >> and just I guess the only other thing is you know when you tell people things and you kind of test whether it's normal by whe their response and when my husband heard they were fiveyear terms he practically fell on the floor laughing so he was like fiveyear terms so that's I mean it can be shocking to people so I don't know I think it's interesting so anyway I'm in the three-year camp thank yous Uh, I was firmly planted in the five-year the last time we talked, but I've had a bit of I guess I've come to my my big thing was I felt like it took me three years to figure out

055what I was doing on this board to like actively be like this is an intelligent decision we are making. And then it's been like the last two years of like oh this is what we should be doing and if I was here in three I was afraid that we would lose that somehow. But I think I've come to agree with what you're saying. I might be inclined to have run again after my third year ain't happening right now. So I might have been here for one year more had they been threeear term. So I think where I'm at right now would be I would support the threeyear. >> Yeah. Okay. >> She did have to step out. >> Okay. >> Um as far as a year term, I think you'd potentially get a better candidate

056because it is a commitment for five years. But with that, I am concerned because I believe Courtney, Sheila, I'm not sure who else came on to finish up a term. That does concern me, but it takes, like Aaron said, a good three years to get your feet underneath you. Um, and I'd be concerned with the three-year term being more turnover. So, I'm I'm still at five years. I might consider four, but I wouldn't consider >> Yeah, I mean, I'm still listening. I think my goals are the same as Aeron's and Lisa's. Um, I think it would be better if we had more competitive elections. It would be better if people didn't step down. Um, I think my perspective, right, where I was leaning before this discussion started would have been a lot like where you

057probably were, Erin, three, four years ago. Like, I just got here and you're going to say that my, you know, my term is a third over. That seems problematic because I'm still really learning. Um, but yeah, I think if we think as a board, um, we're going to get more competitive competitive elections, that would that would do think that a shorter term is better. Um, but I I also I think Jerry, what you said really speaks to me because we're really not here for the money. Like the pay is not great. So that five-year term is you're here for the community and for the school. And if you get that that term too short, I would be worried you might be here for a reason, an agenda that because I mean even if I cared

058about very particular agenda and I had that motivation. I wouldn't sign up for five years to to execute it. I don't think um I guess I don't know because I don't have one. But um that would be my concern is you might get more of a reactionary type board member. >> Yeah. >> Um but I mean you could get that either way and they could just step down. I see both sides. >> And that is a little bit of what Jerry said. I was a little bit of my fear over the years is, you know, something with an agenda and five years is more of a commitment you get, you know, but but you know, I I guess we've tossed this around and my feeling is three years if that person in most cases would

059sign for another three years, three years. But just three years, man, by the time you get to three years, you're just figuring it out. So, it takes that long. So, uh, hope and pray they would stay for a second or vote for a second term. Um, >> Courtney, sorry. >> No, that's okay. Um, I think that um I I I think it's a great I think everybody has great points and it's uh they're all fair points, but for me, so I'll be six years in August. So for me, if I had had a three-year term, I would have I would have um run again for a second three year. [clears throat] But I but I think five years is long. Um so we don't we don't Anybody wants five? I mean, or three. Should is

060anybody more interested in four? I do think five is wrong. So, if we don't have enough support here for three, should we try four? >> That's it. >> Or your succession plan. [laughter] >> I do not run those. >> Um, >> can I add one more thing? >> Sure. So, I I I certainly recognize this this idea of three years and just getting up to speed and um I certainly appreciate that as well. Um and and had similar feelings. I guess what I would say to that is, you know, 75% of the boards in New York State are are managing that. what best practices could we be doing from an onboarding perspective to get board members active sooner, you know, ready to engage sooner. So, I I don't think that's an eitheror, right? I think

061there are other things that we could be doing to manage that. I did try to find data to see if if there was any data around the percentage of three-year terms that reuped versus five years reing up. there wasn't really great data to [clears throat] look at that. Um but again, I mean, four of us out of seven came in to complete a non fulfilled term and this board um initially. So, um I think that that says something as well as again the the pattern of the number of folks that that step up to run. >> That's a good point. the the the onboarding process. >> There's been obviously we have the state driven one, but >> there was no board >> driven process and we're getting that now. >> Yeah, I think I do.

062I think we have some foundational pieces in place that that hopefully would facilitate and accelerate that process. >> And maybe there's more motivation in a three-year period because you think like I only have three years, I better get in here versus, >> okay, I got some time to to get up to speed. So, It's a you know a related but different issue but maybe we need to promote more activity. I know it's a commitment to come just to the board meetings but conferences the dinners like there are ways to ramp yourself up. >> Yeah. And we're doing that now and we're doing a lot more and it's a good point. Now we can, you know, get Jerry and Kevin up to speed quicker. And a good example is tonight where in consent where we have

063an operating protocol which is basically general guidelines which you just hand to a prospective candidate and also to the new board member in July. We just hand that out and uh you know they can see how we operate and get ahead of the curve a little bit. So that's a good point. So, any other any other comments? Because I want to ask Brad like it sounds like people have pretty set positions. What's what's what do they need to wait for or >> Well, it's up to you. So, in that calculation that you were just doing, so when the five did that include when the five go back to three? >> Yeah. So the 226 will come up in 31. >> So we didn't play I think we need to play out like another couple cycles.

064>> So I I think we still should probably >> play it all the way out like the next >> play out to 40. >> Oh okay. >> I mean if I did if I didn't >> and people who are serving fiveyear terms would serve out even if they were just elected. So, I think maybe we need to play it out till it's fully transitioned to all three-year terms for all all seats and and maybe yours maybe yours does that. So, >> but the fouryear does does bring cause four members to come up at the same time in >> and for some reason I feel like not a lot of districts do afford >> I think it's maybe one or two others in the state. I think that I can think >> and I think you

065know the majority right of our county western New York school districts are three-year terms. >> Yeah. and statewide two um two years ago it was basically 74% of districts in the state three year um and then 22 and then four four year terms were only about 20 districts in the state >> not 20% 20 >> out of roughly seven let's is called 720 >> and that may be that they could have [clears throat] number of board seats that change the >> the number of turnover I don't use four of seven they might use four of >> so again the difference between tonight and the next meeting isn't critical eventually we would need to agree that this would be on um as resolution on the night of the the budget vote and the community to chime

066in. And just to be clear, the many seats open this this year will be five. Anything else? No. Okay. So, we'll uh revisit this next meeting and have a vote. Um so, thanks everybody for that. um hearing from the public. Um no, we're good. Superintendent report. Oh, yeah. Just a few things tonight. One, wanted to touch on some uh personnel items that were in consent. Um but you might have seen the resignation of Francis Martinez Morales. Um, and a lot of times when we see a resignation that brings a little bittersweet mode, but just after that you see that so she's going from a food service um to a teacher aid position. So we're happy to have her remain in the district um in a little bit different um position. So congrats to her. Also,

067um Julie De Pasquali um is resolution for first food service. Again, happy to have her on board. And then also Colleen Paradise um is increasing her hours um as assistant cook. You might also recognize two names that were um the Sums, former um full-time employees, uh Katherine Friend and also Heidi Trestler. So again, happy to have people continuing with the district in a slightly different position or mode. Um lastly, you might see at least locally a familiar name. Jane Jensen, who is a retired teacher from Brockton, is going to join us for a certified extended leave substitute in our PE department. So we're happy to have her on board and somebody bringing a great deal of experience um to that position. So thanks to her. Also just want to congratulate all of our sports um

068winter student athletes as well as coaches. Very nicely done. A lot of accomplishments um probably um at least recently our [clears throat] boys making it to the crossover game um just this past Sunday and came up a little bit short but great season. Thank you to all our student athletes who participated in the winter season as well as our coaches. Um and the page gets turned quickly. many of our spring sports seasons practices started today or um shortly over the course of the next week or so. So, we're already gearing up for the um next thing. We had a meeting um prior to our last board meeting about talking about um utilizing a tool that used to be called board docs now is called um diligent. Um, we really talked about how that would help

069us be efficient not only in our board planning, um, and also a little more efficient at our board meeting, um, but would also have a connection to our policies, um, which again would just create, um, some ease of use. Um, the quote that we got for, um, this particular tool is about $8,500. that is um allowable under Goce's aid. So that brings us down to about $2500 true cost each year. Again, this is money we'd have to have up front and later get um reimbursed for. And we were just trying to get a sense as you know out of our total budget. Not a huge amount of money, but in talking with John, we just wanted to get a sense of where the board was in the thinking about if this is something we wanted

070to build into the budget and move forward with. Again, not necessarily a discussion we need to finalize tonight, but I would say over the next couple weeks prior to our next meeting. Any thoughts? any input from the board at this point >> on that topic? >> Y >> I mean it's as far as licensing goes on a program it's relatively inexpensive. Um that being said it's still 2500 bucks but just what's the ROI? I mean we've talked about it but like maybe when we have an official discussion we're you know, we can just kind of bullet point the ROI because it's your time, it's our time, it's the efficiency, >> easier access, like >> faster onboarding. >> Boom. All of all of Yeah. All of that stuff is important. And just as long as it

071it's both. It's 2500 bucks, but it's also that's nothing for computer programming. just yesterday 5000 annually on a computer program that's not other comments at this point or nos. >> Um but um what struck me was well first of all going to the county schoolboard association a number of presidents to speak highly of it of other other schools in this county. I was surprised the presenter he said how many schools in New York State are using it >> almost 600 out of 700 >> 600 out of 700 are using it and um from what I've seen it's extremely efficient and improve our efficiency so um how do we want to proceed with this um have a straw vote uh at some point >> yeah it doesn't require a resolution per se um at any point.

072Um but if we wanted to get a sense tonight or >> Yeah. Do do we want to um um do you do do people want more time to think about it or do you have um like you know yes or no at this point? >> You're looking at me Steve. Oh, no. I >> I will say [laughter] I mean walk up on the shelter. I'm still thinking >> I might be a little older than Erin. Like as an elder millennial, all this stuff is supposed to be free. So >> um but if I were if I were paying for it, I would want to be able to see what it could do. Uh if you know, I think this is going to benefit Lisa and Steve and Brad more directly. So if you guys have

073seen it and you're happy with it, it's I trust that it's a good investment. I mean, I I don't have any doubt that in terms of bang for her buck for 20 ultimately $2,500 that >> it's there. I mean and I really do think well you know from a president vice president and administration but what you can do as a board member to access the materials make notes on the materials really have interaction that way. I mean I think it it would really facilitate you know the the review of materials and preparation for meetings and those types of things. And then the public's access >> to our information is just there. >> We should just buy it. >> Is it mobile friendly? >> Very. >> Yes. >> I struggled with that today. >> PDFs are,

074you know, general PDFs in that >> I can't get to a laptop, but I got to read it. >> Yeah. >> So, little snippets that I recall is uh like we got thousands of policies it seems like, right? But you can just do a search and it's right on your screen there. You go through and find them. Um, so your backup and we get backup every week. It's going to actually be embedded in the agenda so we don't have to >> go back and forth back and forth. So there's Tell me if I'm wrong, but I mean if we didn't like it, could we just not get it the next year? >> Yeah. It's not like a blood oath. You're not required for life. >> So I guess it does cost a little bit to

075trial at one year, but but then we can always >> Yeah, we can do that. >> Yeah. So I was looking at the book behind you, right? [laughter] I read that book. >> Um, so you want to wait till the next meeting or >> No, let's do it. Incorporate. >> Okay. And they he said the presenter said that this is the optimal optimal time to do it because we'll be >> that that would put us on a path to start it in July with the new >> so less pressure on us. So >> yeah, thank you. That's great. >> Since we're in the discussion mode, um another thing that's come up and this started with our administrative team and to be honest, this comes up every year. Um, and I don't think we need a

076decision tonight, but just throwing it out there. If there is any feedback tonight, um, that would be helpful. Um, each year at the end of the school year, we have a great couple weeks, um, at the end of the school year, a lot of events, um, a lot of things for our seniors. And at the end of that week, which is typically on a Friday, there's a lot of momentum. Um and then we have a little bit of pause Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night until Sunday of our graduation ceremony. Um so there's been reoccurring conversations about you know what, we have all this momentum through those weeks and do we want to consider graduation on Friday night um as opposed to waiting till Sunday. Um it seems like it would really kind of culminate that

077week and those couple weeks in perhaps a little bit different um mode and um one of the things that we discovered in reaching out to Sunni Fredonia saying we might end up talking about this would that be a problem and that would not be a problem typically but there is a question mark not for this year but for next year as Sunni Fredonia has a capital project happening and the timing is a little vague at this point. So they just alerted us to it is possible um that our their facilities will not be available. So this would be in 27 um at all regardless if it was Friday nights and Sunday um Dunkerk would be impacted. That typically is the Saturday um graduation. So, um, this is just a reoccurring conversation and, um, you know,

078again, kind of in the in the three to five years, probably not a right or wrong answer, um, but just a consideration. Um, and you know, this kind of does cut across a little bit of tradition. Um, that my understanding is the Sunday graduation has been in place for a period of time. Um, but at least from the administrative team, um, it does feel like we kind of lose some of that momentum over the course of that weekend. And, uh, we're all kind of primed on that Friday and are thinking maybe it would make sense to to bring it all together and celebrate that Friday night. Any reaction from the board? >> Could we have Neshwan and Catherine to get a feel for how students feel about it? a great idea. >> Great idea. >>

079Do we know what other schools do? >> Um, it's it's a little all over the place. Um, there's also a trend lately, too. Like I know Lake graduates on a Thursday >> prior to the end of that week, which is interesting. And a couple other districts earlier in that week, um, which, um, back in my day of graduating, I don't remember that ever being. I remember Friday night, um, Saturday, Saturday night. I don't really recall too many districts, at least in my experience, being on Sunday. I know that's what we've done. >> Okay. >> So, it's a little it's a little hit and miss, a little all over the place. Um, some schools are still doing something more traditional at their school. Um, a lot of places have opted for a little bit different, you

080know, kind of energy and different location. >> I I I'm open to the Friday night. I like the idea of the momentum and kind of, you know, there is a lot going on. We have the clap out and all of those things and then, you know, kind of roll right into an evening event. Um, I think it's a unique opportunity next year if we're going to be in a new location to try something different. And you know, maybe we try it if we're going to have to be in a different location anyways and kind of see what the reaction is and and if you know there's strong feelings of of moving back then when we have the opportunity to return to King Concert Hall then then you know so it's a it's a unique opportunity

081because we may be looking at something different a different experience anyways next year for our students. Other thoughts? >> What do you want from us tonight? You want us just if we're open to the >> I just kind of wanted to have this out there as a discussion here. Not sure what feedback that might generate um from other sources. Um I think involving our student reps, great idea, which I don't think we thought about prior. I do have a question because you know we do have a draft calendar. Is that something that has to be decided as a part of the approval of the calendar or do we have some leeway on that um in terms of it being a part of the official school calendar? >> Yeah, I don't I don't think it needs

082to be official >> just in terms of the timing of the decision. >> I think we would note that that is um >> a consideration. We did something similar with some half days for the elementary school um that were left kind of off initially and then we we just redid the calendar, made some announcements and some advertising to make people aware. >> Okay, speaking of the draft calendar, um you have a draft calendar again for next school year in front of you. Um we have a conversation about this at our AC meeting with our administrative team tomorrow. I have a meeting with Michelle Greeno, FTA president on Thursday to um discuss further. And again, the contract language between the district and the FTA is that the superintendent and the FTA president will jointly develop and

083propose a calendar to the board of education. So, we are working on it on our end. Um there's um always challenges within the calendar. Um this year part of it is that the um first day at least as it stands right now. Not that we couldn't there's nothing prohibiting us from starting earlier would be September 8th which is the day after Labor Day. Um and often times Labor Day falls um earlier and we're able to start on the second, third, fourth. Um so that's a little bit of um pushing us a little bit on finding days um in this calendar right now which matches the boat's calendar. And again, this is a draft. Um the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a day of instruction and also the 23rd of December and that's generated some initial conversation

084>> with people who've seen that. >> So that matches the Bosey's calendar but the twoe break in March does not match the Bose's calendar. >> Y >> and we remain one of >> how many in the county? >> One of two in the county. >> Yeah. >> Um who I think one of the similarities is that we both have language >> that makes this a collaborative process >> and and I guess I just you know and I know I' I've called this out a few years but you know >> John mentioned that we are uh budgeting for 10 additional students in occupational education and so as we continue to see more students um go into those occupational programs it's starting it impacts a larger number of our students being off of that Bosey's calendar and

085and you know their instruction. So to me that that's that has been a consideration and again we're seeing increasing number of students in that in those programs. >> We can certainly review that tomorrow as an admin team and uh approach that conversation with the FTA. Yeah, I would just have the same thought and along obviously on a smaller scale um that half day before the two week break as well has always been an odd one for me um as a parent teacher conference day because it's not necessarily I'm not sure if it's not the priorities of the parent or but it's it's certainly not as active as a parent teacher conference day as what occurs in October. in my experience. So I just assume it's because it's right before break. >> Have we we've we've

086had this conversation before about half days maybe even before you were on on the board and you know have we tried to implement some sort of programs that encourage students to come to school for that half day because you know attendance sometimes is not most robust on those days. Um so in this calendar the only half days we have are the ones attached to parent conferences and um each building has done something like I know we just had the pride um activities on the last day that we had half day at the high school. So there's definitely been movement there and I remember this being a conversation three >> three three and four years ago. Um there's definitely been a lot of movement in terms of those two nights on that on those days. >>

087I made that statement without looking at the >> Brad. I was actually going to ask was like that's what you're planning for half days or you haven't finalized it like you think this is what we'll do for half days >> total. Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So no finish. Yeah, it's very >> And so if you recall, we started with some half days a few years ago partly um attached to the seven habits and we were looking to build in some additional training time and that's where that first started. Then we dropped it down to two days and you know in this calendar we don't have any. We felt that, you know, there's been some mixed results um across the board whether you're looking at the the student portion of it or the adult portion

088of it. So So we're only looking at three half days. Correct. >> And none for the elementary and those are charted separately. >> Uh those are still half days. So there would be there are some half days at the end of the school year that this doesn't include at this point. Yes. >> So sorry if that >> I was referring more to those PG days that happen throughout the year. >> And then is it the lunar new year lands on a weekend? So there's not a day off. >> Correct. >> Three up. And Brad, just to refresh my recollection, what were the half day elementary days? What what are they for? Like what why do they why do they exist? >> So part of the um end of the school year is a number of

089tasks. Um and um like at the elementary school for example um there's meetings regarding um rostering and end of year data that needs to be compiled. So it was really to um get at those tasks that are hard to fit in if those teachers are on full days where other um middle school high school folks have some exam week which creates a little flexibility. Okay. In there, those are also contractual. Um, last thing I just want to mention real quick, um, Mr. Johnson had just randomly asked me a question the other day and we kind of had come back to, um, our transportation, especially for our sporting events. Um, this was a struggle a year ago, especially in the spring season. Um, first student has done a nice job bringing on more bus drivers. It's

090less of a problem. Um, at least in the moment in this school year, we'll see what this season brings. That is our most active season. So, um, in the fall we had 72 total sports bus runs and there were five that were impacted by delayed trips. None of those trips were cancelled, but there was some delay. Um, in the winter season we had over a hundred um, bus runs and there were three that were impacted and those were delays, not full um, cancellations. One of them was actually again and for student service both Dunkerk and Fredonia. One bus driver mistakenly thought it was Dunkirk run went to Dunkerk and then took some time to get back over here. Um so we are >> last year is it >> I would we weren't tracking it quite

091like this yesterday or last year. Um, but I would say, you know, this is in the the realm of some steps that we put in place, some steps that First Student has taken to get more bus drivers in um that seem to have positioned us in a [clears throat] more positive place. So, we'll be monitoring throughout the spring and hopefully continuing to trend in a good direction. So, Other than that, that's all that's all I have for quite a bit. [laughter] Quite a bit. Um, okay. So, the next regular board of education meeting will be Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 6 p.m. here in the high school library. Um, any other general comments from the boardw >> I would like to recognize Neshwan for attending the boys basketball game and cheering in the cheering section. It

092means a lot >> when when the kids go and support each other and you were a hero. >> All right. Any other comments? No. Following that, we'll move on to Mr. Tanelli. Sure. Um, so just a couple of uh shout outs here. Uh, this past Sunday, our high school chamber orchestra performed prior to a Bo concert. Um, and also with film composer Danny Elfman, who wrote the score for the movie Nightmare Before Christmas. So, our kids were up on stage uh, performing there for him. Uh, so that was a really cool experience for them. Thank you to M Mrs. Terrari for taking them. Mr. Fores for being a chaperon for that as well. Um, I did want to say that the half day that we have upcoming for March 20th, we're using here at the

093high school for career day. So, we have um quite a few presenters coming in that will present to students. They'll be kind of grouped and move around the building. They'll all see four to five presenters that day. So, that's uh is how we'll make use of our half day here uh in the morning that day. Um Dr. Zilc congratulated all our winter sports athletes um and mentioned our spring athletes starting right away yesterday. um which they did get a little bit of a a nice day to be outside and and all that stuff too. Includes unified basketball which is starting as well. Um and we're going to have an assembly game for our unified basketball team again this year. I believe it's a [clears throat] little bit later in May like May 19th. Um uh

094I can't remember that off the top of my head who's coming here, but it's someone far away like Pemrook or something like that. So they're coming from um a pretty good distance to come and play uh here at Fredonia in May. Um, I do want to mention that our high school musical, The Music Man, takes place this weekend and next. So, this Friday at 7:30 and then Saturday at 3 is our matinea show and then next weekend. Both Friday and Saturday are at 7:30. So, um, please come and attend. Uh, you have to buy tickets online, but you can come and attend any one of the four performances for our students. Um, and the last thing I wanted to mention, this Friday we have an inservice day here um, at Fredonia, but uh, one of

095the things I'm really excited about for our high school folks, we do have a presenter coming in to talk about MTSS, the multi-ter systems of supports. Um, it's sort of a thing I put on pause and coming on. Wanted to make sure we were doing it right. So, we have a gentleman coming, Gary Schaefer, who's a professor at Niagara University. So, someone somewhat local who we can kind of remain in contact with and work with. He's going to present to our full faculty and some middle school faculty as well. um and just kind of go through the whole process in an hour of what that is this this tiered system of supports for our students. And really it encompasses the education that kids get in the classroom every day, but then some really personalized stuff

096that goes all the way up to a tier three intervention. Talks about social emotional help and all the things that are are included in that. Uh and then he's going to work for two hours with a smaller group of us at the high school. Um we call our we we didn't break any uh barriers with our name. We're just the tier 2 group. um and tier two is the second group, but nonetheless um he's going to work with our group for uh two hours and talk I really let us take a look at what we already offer and don't realize it um so that we're meeting some of the requirements and kind of help us see that and then adjust anything that we can to do it better in that two hours and that's really

097what this is all about. So we're pretty excited about that. >> Great. Thanks Mr. Yeah, maybe a follow up on on that presentation next meeting, you know, and uh great use of the halfway actually. >> Yeah, we're excited about that. That's awesome. >> Mr. >> Yeah. Um at the elementary school, we're thinking spring. And with that, I'd like to thank Mi joined up at the high school. She lives just a couple houses down and she's walked a couple of our elementary classes to her farm where they've tapped trees and we've uh harvested maple syrup and we've begun boiling that down. So, you know, we're going to get a little tasting, but the kids are excited for it. Um, so that's spring. And then the Ottabbon Nature Preserve Society Society down there in Jamestown has been

098coming into classrooms um and they're preparing um our second graders for the spring field trip. Every spring we take either the first grade or the second grade and they do like the vernal pools and like uh tap holes and eggs and things like that. And that's always a really fun trip. And then in first grade um we are shifting from celebrating the traditional 100th day of school. We that's always kind of like, you know, 100 days older, but we're going to celebrate the 120th day because the first grade math standard is that kids will be able to count to 120 by the end of first grade. So, it's more of a math theme this year. They'll count to it by, you know, twos, fives, tens, ones, and it'll be more of a math day as

099opposed to just a regular uh 100th day school. So, that's it. We're thinking spring. >> Great. Thank you. Maybe we can get some maple syrup samples. >> Good. [laughter] Actually, we can't accept it, can we? >> Um, so, uh, our pride committee, I think I mentioned at one of our last meetings, our pride committee, we tried to do sort of some short incentives to keep the motivation, um, and relevant for the kids. So, we have a pride bingo starting next week for the two weeks leading up to break. So the board consists of some different classroom expectations that the classroom will be working together and then getting a you know a dot or a chip on their bingo board. The seven habits are also incorporated on there. So we'll be calling the bingo spot for

100that day. Um and if the class earns it, they can be working towards getting themselves um a bingo. So we're excited about that. We also have our March Madness or attendance madness. We have it we're down to the final two. The championship round which ends this Friday >> um is between Mrs. Lorenzo's sixth grade class and Mr. Wright. So, interestingly that it's two sixth grade classes, but it's been a very tight race. In fact, in the final four, we had a tie break and Mrs. Cells, yeah, we did a free throw contest, Mrs. Cells and a student against Mr. Wright and a student. Obviously, Mr. Wright and his student won. Um, but it was really, you know, tough tough fought battle. So, yes, the final round is this week for attendance madness and that is

101one of the things that we're doing to try to encourage attendance particularly on some of those half days. but just in general um we have a huge bracket when you walk into the middle school they can track their progress and finally we are excited to be um a part of the inservice day on Friday and we thank the high school for including us in that MTSS presentation which is really geared towards secondary which just looks a little different from elementary and primary. Um so we're we're excited to be part of that and then just some really you know collaborative conversations among our departments and teams that they can have that dedicated uninterrupted time together to work. >> Great. Thank you. Let us know next meeting who wins. >> Oh, I will. Yes, I know. It's

102just really so exciting. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Thank you. So, um, as you heard, March 13th, this Friday, is our full and our last final inservice day. Um, that we weren't sure with the weather if we were going to be actually having it or not, fully there for a bit. Um but as you heard middle and high school are going to be working with their outside presenter um Gary Schaefer to on multi system of support and in the actually starting tomorrow we have a coach from HMH which is um the curriculum into reading that's our new literacy curriculum for grades K through 4 and um we have a coach coming in to work half day with grade one and half day with grade two tomorrow. So they'll have subs in in the morning and

103then those subs will flip and and sub for grade two. They'll be working directly. Then Thursday is going to be grades three and four. Same model. Then on Friday it'll be a full day at Welock with the kindergarten team. And um when we purchased um with the last of the COVID monies, the HMH curriculum, um what comes with that is one full coaching day. So that's what we're using on the 13th. and also with the MTSS presenter along with these other two coaching days. That's an example of how we use the title fund grant money. So to pay for those does come from title 2 and that's the ESSA, the federal funding, every student succeeds act. Title two funding is dedicated to supporting instructors for best in practice instruction. So we're able to pay for

104presenters to come and we're able to look and see what are our needs, what are our priorities, where do we see this, you know, and um kudos to Mr. to like figuring out finding you know that's what we do. We look say, "Hey, can we get this person? Hey, what do we think about this?" We try and work with other schools to see can we share costs, do things. Um, for example, our ENL team is headed on the 13th on Friday. They're headed over to Dunkerk and they'll be engaging in PD um specific for English as a new language with um that Dunkerk is holding with for different schools to come and attend. So, um there there's different things happening regionally. The 13th is a regional day. So all the schools in um Eerie Tupose

105have that inservice day this Friday. So they can do these things and have these conversations. So um I know that our student support team they're headed >> to Brockton. I'm like wait it's someplace else. Yep. To Brockton for a similar thing where they can all work together regionally. So that's very exciting to be able to offer that. Um so I wanted to be able to explain about that and how that's one of the uses that we do of those federal funding dollars. Um and then we hope you'll all come on Thursday to the culture fair. Um and I don't know Neeshwan if you want to give any uh discussion about your part in in this um the culture fair, but it's going to be very exciting. I want to shout out to Bonnie Bernett, the

106instructional leader and the entire um ENL staff along with um Albert Ramirez, our Hispanic outreach coordinator, uh Beatatric Rousario, who is the ENL teacher aid together um with the other teachers, Mrs. Lamp, Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Nolton and Mr. I hope I say it correctly. And Broioni, I think I said it correctly. I'm not really sure. Um, they've all worked really hard to create this experience for students. And Mrs. Moon, she has one of her high school classes. I don't remember which class it >> global global. Sorry. >> Their their stu her students will be there full day at the culture fair. They're working with the elementary students. So, it's been an amazing thing. and and uh Neshwan, I won't steal any surprises, but if you want to share what your part has been in this,

107too. So, it's been exciting. >> Oh, so I think I can say it now, but we were working on this like aircraft that's kind of it's pretty big and it's going to give the students a more immersive experience with traveling and they get have a little ticket and they're going to come on board the airplane. They're going to go to their countries and there's dolls and it's just an experience that the students will have and it will be more memorable for them. So, that's what we've been working on. >> So, now working on that with you? Um, so it's been my uh construction systems class and it was tasked to us by like Mrs. Moon that we should make it and we were very happy to help. So that's who's been working on. >> Thank

108you so much. So we have two different high school courses working to help you know for our students to come and have this experience. They have passports, they have boarding passes, they have luggage tags, they get their paper bag, which is their luggage, and then when they travel to all the different countries, they get different artifacts and things from those countries. Um, there are some food tastings that happen. And a lot of parents have just volunteered their time and to be there. So, it is an absolutely amazing event. I encourage all of you, if you have time, anytime on on Thursday between, I think it's 9:00 a.m., Mr. Dallinger, and >> 9 to 3ish. So, um, it's right here in the the main gym at the events entrance. So, >> So, we should come in

109the events entrance. Will we be able to get in the events [clears throat] entrance? >> We probably have to go either through >> Come through the district office. >> Yeah. Yeah. District office. We'd love to have you. And I know that you'll get you'll also have to, you know, have your passport and your boarding pass and all the things. >> We have passports in our office already. So, >> we can make sure that, you know, you're all set to go and, you know, cleared by TSA and all those things. So, we hope you'll join us. So, thanks. >> No, be with any long lines right now. I think there's some long lines. >> Hey, you never know. Get there early. >> Get there early. Um, great. Thank you. Suffice to say, a lot going on.

110>> Yes. Lot of exciting exciting day on Thursday. >> Our own version of March Madness. >> There you go. Thank you, Dr. Mr. Forbes. Have you all talked out? >> I actually have something which is bizarre, but um two things. Uh, in terms of the budget piece, candidate packets will be available for download off of our website by the end of this week. Um, for anybody interested in running. Um, so that'll be that will be available. Um, and then for any of our board members who are interested in going to the CCSBA mix and mingle that's coming up on the 18th. I need to know by tomorrow, please. >> Where is that one? >> 21 bricks. >> March 18th. >> Yes. Yeah. It's it's at um the usual 55 5:30 registration time. Um and this

111one rather than being a set come in sit down presentation um I guess it's more of just kind of like as I said a mix and mingle. >> You said county school board. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> So yeah, if you guys can just let me know by >> wants to do that >> by the end of the day tomorrow. >> Yes. Um, >> that's it. Okay. >> Okay. Well, um, no, we have no need for executive tonight. Um, a lot of good discussion tonight. That's good. Good meeting. Um, so if, uh, no other further discussion, we'll adjourn. Can I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Thank you. A second. >> Second. >> Thank you. All in favor? >> Opposed? Meeting is closed.