001So good. Good evening. Welcome to the July 1st, 2025 reorganizational meeting of the Katona Lewis Burough School District. May we please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. Just wanted to let everybody know that our newly elected trustees, Miss Arwin Thomas Bellani and Carolyn Snow, were previously administered the oath of office prior to tonight's meeting. And then I will administer the oath to Dr. Blanch and our assistant superintendent and student trustee within the next 30 days. So, the first order of business is the uh president and vice president. So, are there any nominations for president of the board of ed for the 2526
002school year? Mr. Swagger. Yeah, I'd like to nominate Lorraine Gallagher. Okay. Are there any other nominations for board president? Okay. May I have a second for Miss Gallagher to serve as our board president? John. Okay. All in favor of Lorraine Gallagher as our board president. 6. Thank you very much. Next order is our vice president. May I have a nomination for vice president? John Barbara Williams. Are there any other nominations for vice president? May I have a second for Barbara Lorraine? Beat me to it. All in favor of Barbara as our vice president. Thank you. Congratulations. What I'd like to do is administer the oath of office to Miss Gallagher and Miss Williams at this time. If you want to both step up, we can do it together. Sure. Sounds good. [Music] What I'll have
003you do is raise your right hand and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of board president the duties of the office of board president the duties of the office of board vice president the duties of the office of board vice president according to the best of my ability according the best. Thank you. And then Lorraine, if I could just have Barbara. Lorraine, you can sign here, please. Thank you. Thank you. And Barbara, if you wouldn't mind
004signing here. Thank you very much. Thank you. Congratulations. Now, I'd like to turn the meeting over to our newly elected board president, Miss Gallagher. [Music] Thank you. Good evening and thank you very much. I appreciate um everybody's vote tonight and I'm really ecstatic and looking forward to working with Barbara as well the rest of the board for a for a great new year and I think uh a lot of great things are coming our way. Um so next on our agenda is 7.01 board announcements. Anybody have any board announcements? just briefly welcome Arwin and Carolyn to the board. This is their first official meeting. Um and um yeah, excited to have you both. Excited to be here. You and maybe also welcome. Yes. Next is board committee reports uh 8.01. 01. I don't think that
005there have been any committees meetings since we last met. Was there sustainability? Um, yeah, there was uh last Friday, right? In the morning or the Friday before. That's right. I have to admit that we didn't pass between Lori's last day. Uh but um I can recall from the agenda that we did discuss some final issues relating to the um the energy contract that was still being negotiated um the energy performance contract and so that was the main point of discussion and I think that we still don't have any news to report at this time but um yeah I think that's about it. Great. And so um especially for Arwin and Carolyn, there are several board subcommittees um and district committees that meet throughout the year. Uh those committees are the audit committee, the finance committee,
006facilities committee, shady lane, um actually it should just I think just be now. um parent council leazison, policy committee, sustainability committee, New York State school boards association leaison, Westchester Putnham school boards association leaison, and then the district safety committee, equity and racial justice committee, food services committee, and special education empowerment committee. Um, I think uh Barbara and I will send out an email to everyone with uh the list of these committees and if you could uh express interest in ones that you're interested in serving on. Um, we'll figure out the best way, especially when Marjorie's back, we'll put out some dates of when the proposed meetings are. Um, and then we'll figure out, you know, who's best suited for which committees. So, I saw in my initial intro package that it said that new trustees
007are usually appointed to the parent committee, but I also just heard you mention several committees that I had never heard of before. So, I'm wondering does that change now? So, it's open. We could join any of the committees. Oh, absolutely. And I think most of the trustees sit on two three at least. Okay. Um, and if it's all right, one of the ones you had mentioned there was the special education empowerment committee that that's piece that and I are working with and partnering um as we're looking to kind of bring the uh PCG report to life and we've been partnering and we've met I think it's maybe three times already with our Septto leadership. Great. And so when we come back in the fall we'll have a better clarity of what the structure is going
008to look like for that as we move forward that work. So that is a new one for all of us. again district committee with the board liaison representative on so re that's actually good news and I think first that we're announcing in a public meeting because at our last meeting June 12th I believe was when parents came and spoke and one of their requests was having to do with creating this new council. So what I'm hearing if I'm hearing correctly is that that you are working with the police to to get that done and so I think that's important and I hope that those parents are really excited about the fact that we're being responsive in that way. Uh, agreed and that's a again a partnership since um kind of midway through the year with
009the SEPTA leadership that was the hope and desire to kind of start the year and then it was reinforced with a PCG report as well. And so um we're very excited to kind of come back in the fall and talk about the structure and you know to the spot of we you know having you know hopefully some student representatives on that committee as many times we do as well too with some of our work. So so thank you. Great. That's great. Um, and none of these committees really meet over the summer, um, with the exception of the policy committee. And I think there was a expressed desire to keep the policy committee intact because many of the policies that we were working on have kind of carried over. Um, so I think that that committee
010will will most likely stay intact and that's Marjorie um is the chairperson of that committee and then Barbara and myself serve on that committee and meeting the board doing that as well too because typically I know we wouldn't meet in the summertime. We've got a few things we need to get done. Uh, for example, the new kind of cell phone policy we need to get done. So, that was one of the ones why we extended it. So, I think we're actually meeting this Friday, I think, is next Friday. 14th. 14th. There we go. The 14th. 14th Monday. So, that'll give us some time to get that done, but I appreciate the board allowing us that to do this summer because there's some things coming from the state that we had to just get in place.
011So, so thank you. But the thing to know about policy committee is that all of the policies that we amend or create then get brought and have several readings go through. So you all even if you're not sitting in the policy committee, you have an opportunity to review policies and you know sort of ask questions, raise any concerns even if you're not sitting in the policy committee. So it's not like uh you know you still have an opportunity to to weigh in. Great. Thank you. Yeah. And then all the policies are also reviewed by council um where needed to make sure that we are within the confines of of the law and meeting our requirements. So there's lots of eyes on them, but um Ray said there's some that we just are up against some
012deadlines. There's a new state requirements. The heat temperature I think is one and then cell phone. Um we any more questions on the subcommittees? So Barbara and I will talk and we'll get an email out um to everybody and we'll kind of look and see what dates, you know, have typically been held and um see how that all works for everybody. Um moving on to section 9.01. There are no presentations tonight, so um we will keep on moving. Uh that brings us to uh 10 public comment. I don't think anyone's here for public comments. So, I'm going to close public comments at this time. And then we're moving on to uh 11.01 adoption of annual resolutions for the 2025 2026 school year. Um can they we move them all together with but we are pulling
013out that's consent. That's a consent agenda. Okay. So, can I have a motion um for the annual resolutions? Somebody seconded by John. All those in favor? 6. And Lorena, if I may, as part of the annual resolutions, we reappoint Kim to be our uh district clerk. And uh I know that we do recognize Kim often, but she is a cornerstone of the board. And I think it just deserves recognition. Thank you. Kim is amazing. Sorry, there's a lot of uh you the one to pull. I think it's she's got a notice there up here. Okay. Um so we are going to pull item 16.01 from the consent agenda. Um can I have a motion to move the rest of the consent agenda? Uh motion by John, second by Arwin. All those in favor? 6. And
014um now if I can have a motion to move 16.01 um from the consent agenda. I'll second. All those in favor? 5 0 one abstension. agenda. Sorry, it's a long moving on to 18.01 resolution regarding donations and gifts. I will say we are so fortunate as a school board that um I think almost every meeting we have somebody gifting something to the school. So, tonight we'd like to recognize Florence White for a mon monetary donation of $500 for the Donna White Memorial Scholarship. Um, can I have a motion to accept that gift? Motion by Bill. I have a second. Second by Arwin. All those in favor? 60. And finally, that brings us to board discussion and dialogue 19.01. I'd like to kick off first of all congratulations to the two of you. Thank you. Um
015I think you both bring unique acts as aspects to the board in leadership which I think is really important. Um I'll be honest that the results could have gone the exact opposite and I would still feel the exact same way. Um, I think, you know, my year plus on the board, I think we have a really strong board, but as always, you can always get better. Um, I think we have a strong superintendent and it's our job to keep pushing him and him working with us. Ray, I'm sorry to reduce you to a he or him. Um, it's the first thing I haven't called lately. So, I'll take But as I, you know, as we kick off our 25 26 school year, and it feels incredible saying that, kind of a little scary. Um, I
016I hearken back to my my coaching days when it's time for captain's leadership. And I would always go back to there are leaders by name and leaders by nature. Um, sometimes you can be both. Sometimes you can be neither. I challenge the five of us that are not named a leader of this board to push and be good and lead within. Um I challenge our leaders to be take that title and not use it just as a title, but to actually lead this board and push us forward. And I'm I'm excited. I'm excited with our new members. Um, and I think it's going to be a fantastic year, a fantastic partnership with the district, and I just wanted to get that off my chest as we kick off the school year. So, congratulations. Let's get
017dirty and get to work and have those hard conversations. I actually had a few comments going back to the June 12th meeting. I think, you know, we had a really robust presentation by PCG. Um, and I'm really glad that I is here uh with us. I think when we look at the study and the assessment and we look at her arrival, I think we have a real fresh start when it comes to special education, how we're looking at it. We do have a great program, but I just wanted to say a few words because we've talked a lot about the assessment. We've and and I feel that also it's important to acknowledge and recognize the parents that were here. This can be such a difficult uh subject matter. Um, and I want once again want
018to reiterate that I think it's really important that you really made this happen, Rey, in terms of the assessment. You know, there's a saying that says you can't uh manage what you can't measure. And so, you are measuring things so that we can manage them. And this is one of those examples. Um, and you know, I just want to say that I really appreciate listening for to every single one of those parents just as much as I appreciate listening to parents who are having a really fantastic experience in our program. And I heard many of those stories when I was at Me Pond at the PTO meeting in Principal's coffee, the last one of the year. Um, there were tears. There was a lot of gratitude from parents. And so it's it's important to hear
019from all parents. And you know, um I think even when we look at the end of the road and when we have all the implementations um completed and we're running as strong of a program as we can, there will be a few times when there might be disagreement between the district and parents about what's the best way forward. And I think that that's inevitable. Um that said, I think we can do better in terms of communicating with the parents um understanding um and just making sure that whatever decision we come to that there's always sort of a feeling that we're all on the same side of the table, which is on on behalf of kids. So, and I I fully trust that that we're going to get there and I think we're largely there. Um,
020but we have room for improvement as we we learned with the assessment. Um, so yeah, I just wanted to recognize those parents. It has to be really hard to be standing up there and uh it's important to hear their voices. Also, I'm very excited to push very excited to serve alongside everyone here. Thank you. And also very excited to hear of the formation and we have our literacy reports to look forward to in the this in the fall too. Um I think since Rey has joined the board um many of the things that Bill and I both ran on three years ago now um are coming to fruition. So I I'm feeling really good about our trajectory. Um you know there's always room for continuous improvement as I work in the manufacturing fields. We're always
021striving um to hit the next efficiency, the next better model um and to move onward. And um I think there's a lot of opportunity for some good board development this year. We are a young board. Um unfortunately Marjorie I think is has more years in her alone than all of us put together. Um so um looking for forward to her returning and and joining the board and sharing some wisdoms and learnings and working together um with everyone and our amazing cabinet. Um we wouldn't be here without um all the hard work that they put in, you know, throughout the year but also over the summer and excited to hear about the what you've been cooking up all summer for our teachers and their professional development. So um thank you. I was just going to say
022the same thing about special ed and literacy. I mean, that was a big big thing when we were running for the board and you've addressed both of them and doing a great job. Welcome. Looking forward to working with you guys. Um, any rest of the group. So, thank you for for attacking those two things for us. Well, I guess I just don't want to be the only person. Um no I your pleasure I really did want to congratulate the both of you. I am happy for some new leadership team. Honestly I I think that this will be great. I think that when I decided to move forward with this with with finally running cuz I thought about this many many times when you both ran before you both ran um and and this was when
023it came to be the right time and I'm excited to do it with this team. I like the fact that in some ways we're a a new team. I like having that one person has experience. Um, Carolyn and I both went to a training over the weekend, the governance training, and I was really glad to be in the room with her. So, we got the same messaging and we spoke to the former, now retired superintendent of Rye, and everything he was saying about how it worked so well for them was resonating with me about things I've already seen you doing. So, I'm I'm very excited to be here at this time with you and with this team. Um, and I'm glad that my first meeting went so well. They are never all this short. I
024know. No, I know. Always going to approve. Well, with that, if there's nothing else to be said, we will move on to the superintendent's comments. There you go. Somebody got the stopwatch. Yes. No, I mean just I'd really look forward to be a partnership with a team and uh you know again one new player whole new team and so that's the reality is that I would like to describe it that way and uh as we think about as we start next year working on some of our own learning as a collective group and we talked about those brown bag lunches and so those will what's what's on your mind kind of what's on your plate right now that's where we as a cabinet want to respond back to those wonderings and so those are very
025fluid and so those are pieces that as we go through the summer we'll will connect with. You had mentioned about the summer. No rest for the weary. We had I think 17 teachers here in one group yesterday working. They were finishing up their work today. So it's it's uh right off to the next elements and they were actually working on curriculum mapping in particular identifying power standards and so the work is uh well at hand and add code today. Oh yes. Yes. And our administrative council was there together as well today walking through the elements. the idea of one of the pieces of literature that we had shared with the team a book called learning by doing and general incentives you learn by doing and so our faculty went through our matt admin team went
026through today the experience of what we will be ultimately asking our faculty to walk through as well too so they've walked in those shoes a little bit so they went and uh identified what we're calling our empowerment plans and out of those plans they identified smart goals smart goals at elementary middle and high school so these are the elements that now the leaders have gone through and honestly I couldn't be more proud. Our assistant principles facilitated and guided the learning today. So myself and the cab members there were participants as well as the principles and our assistant principles because they are part of a data team that we established earlier in the fall. they went through and learned from that in the initial standpoint and then now they turn that around and use that and
027one of the points you were speaking about before I can't help but think about the frame of using strengths and opportunities and that's exactly actually the process called collaborative inquiry process Nancy love a number of years ago designed this the tweak that our principal team particularly one of our assist principal teams put in there uh Mallerie identified of bringing in positive framework there's always a deficit model money. Oh, what do you got to work on better? Where it's like, okay, well, first let's talk about where are our strengths and what are we doing well in in what are these children doing well so we can maybe leverage that in other areas and then there's opportunities. So, it's really uh really pretty amazing to see from our leadership team and you would have been really proud
028of the folks you've allowed us to bring on to the district. And then as we think later, typically we do in August, I know we're going to have some conflict scheduling, but we'll get it done is that we'll have our our team joined by the rest administrative council team. So, there's a chance to go ahead and go through a little bit of that work. We will more than likely focus in on the key structures of what it means to be a professional in community. We're going to continue that from what we started last summer and stuff. So, so thank you. That's great. Or do we get another ore? You get something else that sometimes is a used in my house. Just kidding. Um, with that, I think, um, we can have a motion to adjourn.
029Done. Second by Barbara. All those in favor? 6. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Kill.