001Okay, we're just returning from our board of education retreat. We are reconvening back into a regular meeting of the board of education >> July 23rd, 2025. Please rise for the pledge to the flag. [Music] >> 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. [Music] Good. Okay, a reading of our mission statement. We are committed to academic achievement and success for all students in a safe environment in partnership with families and our community. Our mission is to promote confidence, inspire a passion for learning, and to prepare our students to become responsible global citizens. Is there a motion for the approval of the revised agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Motion carries.
002Next is questions or comments from interested citizens. And we have Mr. Marai. >> Uh good evening, Dr. Norman, President Tower, Vice President Simmons, members of the board of education, and the Monterbury committ community. As president of the Monterbury Teachers Association, I'm here tonight to speak to the community about the distraction-free learning policy that will be considered for adoption this evening. While this policy is the result of a law that was recently adopted, I felt it was important to speak to why this policy is urgently needed and to enlist the support of parents, students, and staff to make it work. I live in Middletown and my home district adopted a a distraction-free learning policy a few years ago, so I have heard all the arguments for and against the policy, and my own children were impacted
003by the change as well. So, I speak from that experience, too. Admittedly, I was skeptical about the need for such a policy shift until I attended a disconnected conference held by NISET last September. The messages shared by parents, students, school leaders, and law enforcement were very compelling. I came away with a new outlook, but I also recognize that change is hard. Is it is easy to come up with reasons why we shouldn't do something different. But if we are honest with ourselves, what we are doing is not working on almost any level for the students and staff in our schools. Students are distracted and bombarded with social media throughout the school day. We know that this online environment is toxic and dangerous. The FOMO is real. Although we try to prohibit access to other dangerous
004substances, big big tech has convinced a lot of us to not even bother with these devices. We owe our children better. And for the six days or six hours rather that they are in school, we can actually liberate them from that environment. School officials from districts that enacted this policy with fidelity report higher levels of student engagement in class, fewer fights and discipline referrals, and if you can believe it, more face-to-face socializing in cafeterias, hallways, library, and libraries. For a lot of us, person-toperson interactions were what made our school experiences memorable. In a competition with an internet enabled device that has social media, games, videos, and text messaging, even the best teacher beloved by their students with best lessons is no match. If you have ever tried engaging with your own teenager when they are
005enscconced in the current episode of whatever streaming show it is they are watching, you know exactly what I mean. You are no match for the new bombshell entering the villa. Try that with 30 teenagers who are probably not going to be riveted by the twists and turns of the Burr Hamilton duel. Without these devices, students will be able to attend board of the content being taught and should see better outcomes on quarterly grades and state assessments. Students in schools that enacted this policy reported feeling less anxious without the constant pings from social media, gradebook updates, or even from their adults at home. They said they were more motivated and engaged with coursework and were more social with their peers. One transfer student even described how it was easier for her to make friends because she
006had no alternative but to talk to people. Of course, everyone is concerned about emergencies and we live in a much der world from when I attended Monroeberry High School 30 years ago. We all like the convenience of being connected to our children for last minute changes to schedules or just to check in. However, in a real emergency, law enforcement officials believe that this is still the right approach to have these devices away. Access to the devices in an emergency can actually overwhelm cell towers and slow the emergency response either due to misinformation being shared or parents rushing to the scene. And in grades 6 through 12, our students will be able to communicate with their parents via school district email. And just like in the good old days, students will be able to make phone
007calls from the offices should the need arise. And I could assure you my mother had no problem finding me if I was in Haraban Heights, Pine Tree, the middle school, or the high school. Um, she's pretty dogged that way. Ultimately, what I'm asking from the students and their adults at home is to partner with us to make this policy work. We need your help to help create the best possible school environment for your children and we cannot do it without you and your support and partnership. And we owe it to our students to make this a success because the stakes are too high if we continue to do what we know is not working. I'm also asking for some grace and patience in the first few weeks of the school year because the implementation will
008not be perfect and will likely need to be tweaked. But I am confident that working together with you, we will do our best in making the transition as smooth as possible for the students. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next is update on questions or comments raised and I don't think there are any. So, we'll bring us to approval of minutes from the July 1st, 2025 meeting. Is there a motion to approve? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. Next is approval of the board of education committees. There is a motion to approve. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I motion carries. And our presentation on distraction-free schools from Dr. Vas. So before I start uh this presentation, I want to thank uh Mr. distraction-free
009learning committee um members, building administrators, especially high school and middle school team members, all union leaders, uh cabinet members, superintendent, communications and technology team members. Uh thank you for being part of this journey for us. Um distraction-free learning schools. Um good evening board of education members, superintendent Dr. Norman and my colleagues. I'm here to present today um what does this mean to us and how do we actually implement this process or policies together? So this law directly aligns with our commitment to academic achievement and creating a safe and focused learning environment which are crucial for inspiring a passion for learning and preparing our students as indicated in our mission statement that our board president just read. Um so what is this? This legislation was enacted as a part of the 2026 budget. Its core purpose
010is to bolster youth mental health and enhance student success across the state. This law is um scheduled to take full effect at the start of the 2526 school year and the deadline to adopt the policy is um August 1st, 2025. It's a nation it's a statewide mandate. However, there are there are quite a few states are adopting the similar policies applying to all public schools, charter schools, buses uh across the New York state. The most important requirement um for this uh distraction-free law is a ban on a use of internet enabled personal devices in K12 schools uh throughout the entire instructional day. Covered devices which is referred here um includes phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches, internet connected accessories, e-readers, voice readers, cameras and music devices. The law does provide some flexibilities for the school districts
011to develop their own storage plans. Now this is a new mandate. So to support this initiative, the state has allocated $13.5 million to help the school to pursue the necessary solutions, storage solutions. So for Amandra Woodbury, for us, we will be receiving just about $37,000 uh for the implementation of this process. State has outlined last week the process of how do we get reimbursed for that. Um and the first step as we are doing today is adaptation of policy. Uh and then follow the process later. Um it also emphasized a fair non-discriminatory disciplinary practices ensuring that all the students are treated equ uh equitably under this new policy. Mandro Woodbury distraction free learning committee. So to address this new mandate we have proactively formed the mandro woodbury distraction free committee in in January. This committee
012is a true cross-section of our school community. Um it includes teachers, cabinet members, administrators, coaches, counselors, board member, parents, students and our support staff. This broad present representation of different stakeholders ensures all perspectives were considered when we developed this policy. So once we had the policy um we did a few things. One of the piece is for increase the efficiency and look at the targeted solutions. We uh did the committee in a three subcommittees. We divided the committee into three subcommittees, elementary, middle school and high school. And each committee went back to their different stakeholders and gathered the feedback, did some research and also look for the variety of different solutions that they may have uh come back to the committee to present it. Um we reviewed the new legislation and most importantly what we
013did we studied the policies um and the practices from local school districts. um local means and within the four to six county school districts who have done this implementation uh and and learned the valuable lessons uh by implementing these policies. Uh we also use some of the resources um across the board. Uh some of this committee member also attended a conference that was done by nert distraction-free workshop and came back with some valuable insights uh to form our opinion and help us with the development of the policy. Um our research has been very comprehensive. um drawing from resources like the New York State School Board Association uh New York State United teachers websites and resources national you might be aware of phone off and away there is a big initiative phone off and away for
014last few years a variety of different news articles including some data that came that has coming from the latest research about the districts or even the state who have implemented this kind of the policy what they are seeing uh based on the feedback and the data data collections and even what we did was some of the board some of the members visited local school districts in person to see how this policy is truly effective and how the districts have implemented. So this was a part of the forming the decision process for us. What this means to us um as Mr. Maroy earlier mentioned that um there are some tangible benefits. Uh this policy addresses the distraction and improvement of student well-being which is which is a critical part of who we are as a school
015district. It relieves the student anxiety and social media pressure. It you can only imagine as a being a teacher in front of the classroom nowadays and that ping goes on multiple times uh during the the 42 minutes period and how do you focus on the instruction. Now to add on to that if you have some specific type of the disability of the medical condition it even makes it worse for the students to pay the attention. Um this has the data has shown that it's increased the participation and engagement and ultimately it has resulted in in a less bullying and disciplinary referrals. So uh what you have in uh what you have in the board docs is the draft policy. Um the policy name is Mandra Woodbury Central School District's policy for stu students and personal
016electronic devices policy. So based on the committee's extensive work of last almost about six seven months we have developed the draft policy for our districts regarding the students and personal electronic devices. The core of the policy is extremely clear. Um covered devices meaning any devices that is enabled internet enable um is not allowed to cannot be used in between the bell-to-bell um which means throughout the instructional day. students can use in the buses, students can use after the dismissal. Certainly they can use the device. So for our elementary schools, the covered devices um are prohibited um and it should be left alone at home. It should be left home. This also avoids um any school in management issues for our youngest students. for middle school and high school. Each students uh each student will be
017issued a specialized pouch for their time with one robot. And this covered the covered devices must be turned off and securely placed in this assigned pouch. So this is very similar process of when the students start with us, we give them uh we give the students a device like a Chromebook or an iPad and that device stays with the students throughout their time. Uh with Monrobur, we also have built in some necessary exemptions as a part of this policy. uh that came from governor's office is exemption for medical and disability related reasons uh ensuring that we comply with all the relevant regulations and support our students diverse need. The committee recommend to go with yonder pouches. So to effectively implement this policy uh we look at the variety of different solutions. The different the solutions
018range from putting a small like a suitcase type solution in a classroom where every period when the students changes they would come and put the device in the classroom and then they take the device at the end of every period versus the the the pouch solution uh one of the companies Yonder um and and what we what the committee realized that if we truly want to implement this policy to the fidelity and we want to make sure that we support our students social and emotional well-being this is the proven solution. Um and we look at the data that that came out last three four years not just with this company but also the districts who have done their independent research as well as as well. So this yander pouch is a specifically specially designed uh
019soft lockable pouch um that secures the mobile phone, smart watches and other internet enabled device. I wasn't going to share too much but it is a small pouch like this. So it's very easy to open and close it. I'll show it a little bit later today. So students will lock um the lock uh the pouch um the pouch has a magnetic lock magnetic lock uh meaning that once it's locked students cannot open this by themselves. They have to go to a specific unit or a location where we will have the magnetic uh unit available to open this pouch. Student will students will keep this pouch with them throughout the school day and then preventing the access of their devices. However, maintaining the possession of the device with them and they will put the pouch uh
020in their locker or in their backpack. At the end of the school day, student will go to the designated unlocking bases, unlocking areas where the the unlocking base will be located. This is what the one of the unit looks like. This is like an unlock base. Um and and it will be typically located in the common areas and and near the all the exits near certain exits. um they will open the pouch uh with a simple click and then they will be off to go. So that's once they learn the process it's a very welloiled machines. Um in the beginning however as Mr. Maroy mentioned every district that we visited they all told us that first two three weeks be patient ask for the grace ask for the support for the community and that's what
021we are asking today as well any new initiative takes a little time little adjustment however I can tell you that our administrators have done an unbelievably amazing job in a short window of time they have come up with how the process would work and they are very close to to finalize this process and then send the communication out so this is a small example of what the what does a daily process looks like. So, uh this is a daily process for device management using the yonder pouch. So, upon arrival, students will turn off their device and place them in their yonder pouch. Then students um simply press the button and then uh the pouch will be locked magnetically. that once the pouch is locked then they will be stored the pouch will be stored in
022the student backpack or in their um locker at the end of the day at the dismissal time the student exit the building at the end of the day they will tap that pouch at and then the the pouch will be open quickly and then they walk into the bus or whatever the next step that they have excuse me uh the process is designate designed to be very efficient minimize the disruption and ensures that the device remains secure throughout the day and I know As if you're looking this as a first time, it's hard to believe, but there are tons of videos and tons of proven data now that once everybody master this process, it works very efficiently. Um, this solution is not just used by the schools. Um, we have seen a growth in this
023solution. Like if you go to concert, a lot of concerts are actually using this solution. Some of high-end marriages where people do not want to the host don't want to allow the guests to use their phones, they started using this as well. So it's a it's a proven industry u including the education next step. So as we move forward um there are several crucial next steps. First and foremost um we we are seeking your approval for the draft policy for today because the deadline to to start this process from the state is August 1st. Um then we'll be launching a comprehensive uh ongoing communications to ensure all stakeholders are very well informed. will send out direct emails to both staff, families um providing the detailed informations. Our district website which will be a central hub
024uh for featuring the news story, a robust frequently asked questions including the detailed uh information about what the under is how can this be used including some videos along with an online form for a parents to submit their questions. If as a parent I can only imagine if I'm seeing this first time I will have a lot of questions. So our goal is to produce provide a lot of frequently asked questions to begin with but also address certain common questions that we will receive during throughout this process. We'll also utilizing our crusaders chat um virtual and in person as an opportunity to direct dialogue um and to address any concerns that parents may have. Information will be disseminated through the district and individual school uh individual school letters as well. Um, and we'll be updating
025our code of conduct to reflect once the board is approving this policy as well. Before I close, um, this this I understand this is a law and we had to do it, but it's more than that. This really allows an opportunity for our students to increase classroom focus, enhance the social interaction, and in ultimately improving the student well-beings. With that said, we're happy to answer the questions. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. Uh first to comment the school I work with work in has been taking the students phones for the past five years. We've seen such an improvement in student learning. It's not I mean it's beyond ridiculous from one extreme to the other. My second is a question about where the unlocking devices will be located. Will any of them be like in the nurse's
026office or administrative offices so that a student in an emergency could unlock it? >> Good question. Yes. So, so both building administrators, this will be on the middle school and high school. So, u Mr. Vasquez and and Mr. Maroyy's team is busy in designing the flow including certain strategic locations like what you mentioned as well. Um and and what we have learned in the visit u is exactly that like what are the some hot locations that the students might go and what are the location we should avoid. Um so an example could be um a security officer would be sitting there on a table with the three unlocking station and kids students will come in line click out click out so it will be certainly addressed. Yes. >> Is this battery operated or it's purely
027magnetic? >> It's a magnetic lock. >> So there is no way to put it on the wall and turn it on and turn it off by the administration certain times. >> There is another unit that goes on a wall mount as well. I just didn't bring it here. What I'm asking is that is there is it if it's if the magnet is not electrically powered and obviously there is no way to control this but if this is electrically powered you can just hang it on the walls and during certain times put it on a timer turn it on and turn it off this way it avoids any kinds of uh congestion at the at the stations and the student can just come to it open it and then close it. Uh but I also have
028a question accessibility of this magnet that I could totally see somebody creating a business in the high school buying one of those things and then opening it for other students. We have heard of those as well. Um but it is a very small number and generally um students talk and our administrators have really good eyes and ears in in on their students. uh I can see that uh but it will be addressed uh as come in but it will be very small number of person um of students who may try to do that >> also people who go to high-end weddings don't tend to destroy things how easily destructible is that >> so good question I should have addressed that so as as a district and and it's not finalized yet um it's in legal
029review that we are looking to have first and second pouch at no cost as a part of our current process and then the third pouch would be a $50 per person uh per students. >> Yes. And before we even get to the point, there is a specific process that will be outlined into the code of conduct to make sure that the administrator will reach out to the parents, educate the parents as well that what's happening as well. It we're trying to follow similar process we have for the devices >> and is each student assigned a specific pouch with an assigned number on it. >> Yes. So this is assigned to Jason Mroy. >> So somebody somebody damages it. There is fiscal responsibility. >> Yes. >> Okay. And the third question is since the banning of
030the cell phones, do you see an uptick in violent behavior in schools? Because now instead of concentrating on the phone, kids will start concentrating on each other without knowing how to handle it. >> So the data shows the other way around. The data is showing that there is a lot more socialization. However, we are aware of in the beginning um working with both um both building administrators to make sure that the social workers, the guidance counselors are aware because think about it as our own our students. These kids are wired now for 3, four, five, six years having 7 8 12 hours with the phone and all of a sudden when they come to us they will not have their phone well they might have they will have their phone in the pouch but not
031the access of the phone. So there is there there could be some interesting behavior that could come out but we are prepared to address that. >> Um the pouches are individualized to the students. They stay in the building and so when they come in they pick up their pouch and then they leave. >> No. So this will be assigned to them that they will keep with them including taking it home. >> So if a child like my son forgets his pouch, what happens? >> Good question. So we we have a process already started that um and that will be a lot more communication comes out from both buildings. Um the process and and I'm giving you a roundabout answer because that process might be a little bit different for middle school and high school. One
032of the process that high school is establishing your if you forget the the pouch you will still have to put your phone u in the envelope write your student ID and then now you had to go and they will be taken to the middle uh main office and then at the end of the day you had to go to main office and collect that. >> Okay. and and that has a proven um in other districts um same exact process. the one for you. >> And yeah, um you'd be surprised if there is is it possible to uh so since the that is my follow-up question since it is something that comes with them um and they forget to is it possible for them to forget? In other words, like they can't leave without doing it
033or if can someone walk out and forget to undo it? >> A student can easily forget um and just walk out. Um but we are looking to mount um a couple of outside perimeter so then kids can actually do um come in and then just unlock it. >> Oh okay. >> So this is all in a way this is a well plan um but with the understanding that we had to adapt based on what we will find in the first couple of weeks. Now, uh, sorry, my last question. Disciplinary. I know that there are, um, there's a code of conduct in place for phones in the school already, but now that this is a state policy, and I know that there's going to be a gradual implementation of it, but if it turns out that
034a child, you know, forgets or has their phone or sneaks it in without using the pouch, right? Will the discipline become Oh, okay. Those will change and be communicated obviously. >> Yes. So next uh month's board meeting uh Dr. Hler has already started working with the middle school and high school to address >> based on the approval of this policy what the code of conduct will look like uh moving forward. >> Just a follow up to Murice M. Robinson's question. Um so not just any magnet can open it. >> No no it's a specific >> that is specific but we live in this society that there's always some interesting solutions could come up. I'm sure >> but it's no different than any other policies that we have. Um, however, the good part that kudos to
035the middle school and high school administrators and teachers too, like they wouldn't know, right? I wouldn't say right away, but they will figure it out once this process starts. And that's kind of what the data showed us when we visited a couple of school district. Um, I visited three different school districts. Um, and yes, we are aware about the counterfeit on eBay that can they can get it and a an entrepreneur, young entrepreneur can start something. However, at some point it will come out and it will be addressed through the code of conduct. um New York State's um very generous $37,000. Does that cover the cost of implementing this or is there some >> No, it's a more cost. If you remember um when Mr. Tripoto and Mr. Cahill uh u presented their B last
036last year they presented this year's budget, we did allocate certain funding in this to cover that path. Our goal is so this year all sixth to 12th grade students will get the pouch. Next year we only have to cover the six incoming sixth graders. And what has working for us in terms of the the the device process? Parents are very familiar with when the student get device and how do we collect the device. We want to align the new process as close as possible to that with the understanding that it may not be exactly aligned and we may have to shift a little bit based on the data that we will see. But what I can assure you that throughout this process we have some tremendous support from teachers, administrators, uh board members as well
037as superintendent and and my colleagues at the cabinet level. We want to make sure that we are doing this for taking care of youth mental health and social emotional awareness not just go with the having the heavy hand on day one with the code of conduct. And I'll tell you my personal journey is very interesting too with the person responsible for implementing the technology and and kind of coming on the other side. I'm like wow this is this is impactful. So I appreciate it. I told Dr. Norman and Mr. like who who knew that I would have to come and then present this to to to but it's a really impactful journey and I'm hoping that this would be the same for our students and and our parents to make it meaning out of that.
038>> Which specific parameters improved on in those studies? I'm sorry. Say that again. >> Which specific parameters improved in the studies? >> Specific parameters improved >> improved in the studies. What were they? >> Oh, in the studies. So, so the bullying went down, right? And and general referrals went down. Now, there could be many layers to that, right? But it initially indications are it's going to be impacting this. Now, I can tell you a little bit more about it. What the state has done as a requirement for this policy. Next summer we have to publicize the data of specifically related to the disciplinary action of this new policy and we have to make sure that we are not punishing the students of one shape, size, color, race, ethnicity. So in my opinion they are already
039thinking about that and making sure it's a equitable enforcement of the policy. >> So they're going to be looking they're going to be holding they're going to be looking for improvements and they're going to tie some money to it too. not necessarily improvements. They're looking, this is my understanding as of now, next summer as a school district, we had to publish a data on our website, remove the PII data and publish that website to say how many students were impacted disciplinary by this policy and and we already working with middle school and high school team member to make sure we track the data accurately. So, it's too early to say, but the districts who are doing it have shown that data to us. They said this is certainly improvement. >> Have we had to add
040staff We did not add the staff as of now. What we did what we refilled the staff from the security office. Um there are few retirements and people who moved on. So we are not looking at adding the new staff. We will be adjusting and Joe uh Mr. Tripoto has done a really good job of adjusting the staff that we have uh to utilize them a little bit more than hiring the new person. So this is where as of we are today. Um it may be possible that we may have had to add the staff but I think it's too early to say that. We would like to try that to see if we can manage with our existing staff um maybe expand their hour or just their hours and then see if we can
041um make this work. Also um it's been very supportive from all the different bargaining units as well. >> And you said we're buying two pouches per student from 6th to 12th grade. >> We're buying one pouch uh per student with some extras. >> Okay. So, it's what 6,000ish pouches times 30 I'm assuming is what the cost is since that's the So, $180,000. >> We got some discount. The total cost for this was $125,000. >> Just just 125 >> and the state gave us $37,000. Great job. >> 36 984. >> Well, well done by our government. Um so, and understand that we're um covering that with the budget and and all that. I think we're all good in that space, right? So, and then we're going to buy only for sixth grade next year, obviously, as
042they move in. When students age or when they graduate, so they turn their pouches back in. What's the plan for those? Are they reusable if possible? Yes. >> Much like we do with your other devices, >> same exact process. >> Are they cleanable? >> Uh, say it again. >> Are they cleanable? >> There are ways to do that part. Yes. Or they can be used for some other purposes, >> right? It >> almost seems like you can't really assign the pouch to someone else because it's soft and it's personal. >> We will have to see the quality as well. Like if the students in sixth grade got the pouch, what would be the condition at when the students is at 12th grade, right? >> That's what we do in the equipment as well. But I
043think that we had to live to that far to see how what's the status of the patch looks like. >> Yeah. I mean, my only further comment, no more questions. And thank you, by the way, for you and the team that's put all this together. I know it's a lot of work. Um, it would be I request that we be flexible on this and that the board continues to get updates on how it's going because I feel like there's obviously going to be some things that we don't anticipate. Students are are students. They're intelligent. They figure it out, right? So what is our pro and I'm not looking for an answer now but what is our processes to keep on top of that to keep the leadership involved the board involved if wherever we need
044to pivot to make sure that we're able to uh stay ahead of our great student body and making sure that they have the support that they need and the teachers and staff also have the support that they need with inside the building of you know executing a difficult plan for this district. So, I can respond to that. I I feel that I would I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge how proud I am of our students in general. And I want the public to have confidence in this. And I want to remind us that we put equipment in the hands of our students daily. Uh very expensive equipment. Uh we produce movie shows. You know that we put devices, iPads. Our students are amazing. They do an amazing job of maintaining their equipment and
045things that that we trust them with. I certainly don't see this any different. Um I think we would be dare elect of our duty if we didn't you continue to inform the public of our progress. We have um scheduled presentations for our goals update. This is something that we can certainly add to that. the cabinet and I I can speak with talk to be boss and and uh organize that. But more importantly, I think the first couple of weeks will be the most important. We will learn, you know, once uh school starts and um it will be a learning process, if you will, but we're prepared to be flexible, make adjustments, and um I certainly feel confident with the work that the committee has done and and how we're going to approach this. and I
046have all the faith you and our students. So more to follow. >> Appreciate that and agreed. >> Just one question that um Dr. Norman's statement raised for me and then um a trustee KOman as well. Will there be some form of inspection of the devices? Um if they're taking them home, they have time to kind of figure things out with them. Are we doing like periodic inspections to make sure they're intact and you know that type of stuff? In fact, the the we had a call um last week with Yandere um it's called implementation call. They recommended that as well. So we are looking to do that not in the beginning with the first few weeks are just let's get this through see how everybody adjusts because it's also an adjustment for our teachers administrators
047and parents as well. But yes >> yeah I would think that that's going to happen by default to a certain degree. you know when you're locking unlocking every day similar to what we see with our devices you know they they drop them sometimes uh and I don't want to sound contradictory here but you know sometimes they don't charge properly uh cases break those types of things that >> and you know they'll they'll come to the teacher you we'll we'll find things almost by default so I'm confident we'll evolve to that as well >> I'm sorry I guess I do have another question so for elementary school the plan is not to issue them pouches clearly but to have them store them in their book bags probably after they get on the bus and then put
048them in their cubbies or whatever we're calling it, right? And then >> we want that devices to stay home as much as possible. >> We all know the reality of the situation is that's not going to occur. >> So I'd rather speak in the realities of what I know >> it's very few. We Mr. Baron led that uh K5 committee and he and his team did a really good job of looking that perspective. what their recommendation was. Let's address that onesie twzy instead of making it their blanket. Um and they are already doing it. So K8 in a way like our middle school already have not the policy but the practice in place that the students just don't bring out their phone. So from a implementation perspective that should not be any difference now we
049just adding another layer of that. So we would go with the recommendation of device at home if you bring it will be addressed by the building administrators. >> Correct. So I think that that's we obviously just needs to be clear whether we're editing that and then obviously for my teammate for the policy as we get closer >> question as far as a community. >> I'm sorry I did just a quick comment uh because my grandson always brought his phone to school because he was coming home. He um he and my son raced to get home first. Okay. So he had the phone in case of emergency. There is a way for a parent to lock the phone between school hours. So that might be something to suggest to the parents that during normal school hours
050your phone your child can be locked out of their phone. >> We cannot do it as a >> if you need your child to I'm just saying as a suggestion. >> You can't force them to do it >> but you suggest that. Did you know there's a way to do that? >> Dr. Bas, can you talk about some of the exemptions for ELLL and disabilities? >> Sure. So, so we already have a process in place for medical and and disability um related uh exemptions. Um so if they and and we are ordering some specific pouches for the students who need to use this pouch, it will be like a velcro type pouch. So students can still use the phone as needed to be if they're allowed as a part of their already a process. With
051the ELLL, we are looking at the two different solutions. Uh speaking to uh our new director of UNL, uh Mrs. scrum um we are looking at the couple of things we have a a tool called Google translator that was eventually ultimately last year was banned in a way from ATLA 2D a lot of districts are pushing back to that to say can we open Google translator for our students so that's option one we are also looking at the couple of websites that the students can actually use on the district assigned device for the Google translator so that those are the couple of things that we are addressing it will be ready before the day one >> um another question parents um I don't know if the power school has that capability like Microsoft Teams. Is
052there a way for the parents or kids to communicate through power school like if there is an emergency if the phone is not available >> or do they have access to a specific teacher for a specific time? So let's say if the if if the student is in a certain class smart schedule understands this and there'll be some sort of chat that is allowed between the parent and the and the teacher perhaps or both a parent and the child in case of emergency and vice versa. >> The old drill traditional way works calling a main office. So that's option one. Option two is our existing uh practice is uh 7th to 12th grade students. Well our last year practice was 7th to 12th grade students. They all have devices. They can communicate via their email
053to their parents. So we open that up from 6th to 12th grade. So there will be a communication channel open along with the traditional um uh call in the main office and then we will locate your child if there is an emergency. >> Um sorry not to drag this out but the um data that you were discussing earlier um is will that be in the goals for this year? the um to check on I know that you have to present it as part of the new policy but like to the board will we get to see like the baseline of what actually is occurring and then how the pouches have helped. >> Okay. >> Yes. Uh I cannot tell you when >> but certainly um we need to leave this and then uh before we
054go through that we'll work with uh superintendent Dr. Norman and then follow his lead on the next steps. >> So we haven't approved as you know the goals yet. We will put a draft forward to the board as we did years past and we can update add accordingly. >> Any other questions? Thank you for your support. >> Thank you for all the work you've done. >> Thank you Dr. V. >> Okay. So with that we are looking for an approval to wave the first and second reading and adopting the students and personal electronic devices policy. Is there a motion? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion to approve. Waving first and second reading passes. >> Next is the approval of corrective policy 2100 school board legal status. Is there a motion? >>
055Motion. Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. >> The approval of the districtwide school safety team for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Motion carries. Yes. >> Okay. So, we're going to invite Mr. Chapoto up for a presentation on the district-wide school safety plan. [Music] Good evening. Um, for those of you who may not know me, my name is Joe Trapoto. I am the direct district's uh director of security. I am looking to go through and give you a brief overview of the district-wide school safety plan process. The requirement to create the district-wide school safety plan comes from the New York State Safe Schools Against Violence and Education, which is commonly known as the SAVE Act or Project
056SAFE. The law aims to promote a safer learning environment and mandate school districts to develop comprehensive school safety plans. Its primary purpose is to outline procedures for preventing, minimizing, and responding to emergencies, serious incidents, and threats within a school district. It documents the plans to minimize the impact of these incidents by outlining procedures for risk reduction, response, recovery, and the coordination with local and county resources. It is the framework for creating a safe and orderly learning environment. Unlike each school's confidential building level response plans, the district-wide safety plan is a public document and is posted on the district's website. The district-wide school safety plan process is as follows. The board appoints the chief emergency officer and the district-wide school safety team. The district-wide school safety plan is reviewed and updated by the district school safety
057team, posted to the district website for a 30-day public comment, and reviewed at the at by the board at a public hearing, which will take place on August 27th at the board of ed meeting. After adoption of the plan by the board of education, the district must post the approved plan on the district website and submit the plan URL, the uniform resource locator, to the New York State Department of Education. What's new for 2025 2026? There is a modification to the emergency response terms. The new terms are shelter/shelter in place, hold in place, evacuate, secure lockout, and lock down. What was formerly lock out is now changed to secure lockout. This change is designed to avoid confusion between the similarity of lock out and lock down. However, there is no change to our responses or
058the actual actions to be taken. There is also a requirement to ensure that district plans are inclusive of a brief statement regarding afterchool programs as well as indoor and outdoor activi activities. And lastly, there is a a statement to review the inclusion of actions related to the new maximum classroom temperature law. Any questions? just want uh it does reference the code of conduct which we've just discussed is going to be changing because of the phone policy. So, how will that affect this plan? >> In a district-wide safety plan, it's basically like a 30,000 overview of the district. The code of it specifically states the code of conduct is necessary in the district plan, but the specifics of how it lays out what what's a violation of the code of conduct is not in the district-wide
059plan. >> Thank you. Thank you for the clarification. >> Thank you, Mr. Chipot. >> Thank you. >> Okay, personal. >> Thank you. We would like to ask for approval for the items listed under personnel this evening 12.1 to 12.25. Any questions? >> Motion. >> Second. Second. All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. >> Business and financial. Mr. Cahill. >> Not here. >> Oh, he's not here. >> Who's doing business and financial? Motion to approve items 13.1 through 13.8. >> Any questions? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Motion carries. Committees on special education and preschool special education. Is there a motion to approve the recommendations of the committee? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I think you said something. >> No, I was just counting board members. >> Oh, okay.
060>> Because we have two that aren't off the table. So, we're good. >> We have five. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And reports by board and central office. H. Thank you. Uh, I'd like to uh say welcome home to Jennifer Llewellyn. Jennifer is returning to Monro Woodbury. She's in the audience this evening. Jen is a Monro Woodbury graduate who after um many successful years in another district is returning to Monro Woodbury as a behaviorist. Welcome back. [Applause] Sir, Mr. Reynolds. >> Oh, sorry. I'm not used to the new bad weather. >> Uh, everybody have a great summer. Appreciate all the hard work to get here and uh see you soon. >> Thank you, Dr. Vas. >> So, summer is a full swing for technology. Uh, we are making some uh infrastructure changes, upgrading the smart panels,
061uh, you know, in all the buildings, wireless access. We're also getting ready to upgrade our phone systems. Um uh and more to come to the communications. >> Thank you. Mr. Dingu, I'd like to thank Dr. Vargas and his team for all the work they put in to the distractionfree school uh plan. And I'd also like to thank Mr. Chapoto for his all the work he and his team have done. And I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful summer and have a good evening. >> Thank you, Mrs. Robinson. Uh, thank you to both presenters and have a good night. >> Thank you, Dr. >> Um, it's nice to see students back in some of our buildings. I was able to visit Spell and Summer Crusaders. And at Spell, I was able to see Mr. Hughes have
062his English language learners participate in a steam scavenger hunt through the library, which is a lot of fun. And in Summer Crusaders, I was able to visit Mr. Cercio's class as they were making homemade pizza and Miss Solomon as they were practicing yoga and mindfulness. Other than that, have a great night and a safe summer. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Burgerer. >> Just like to congratulate all of the new hires. Uh, welcome them to our Crusader family. In some cases, welcome them back to our Crusader family. Looking forward to all the great things that you do for our district. And have a great evening. >> Thank you, Mr. Seriel. Have a great evening. >> Dr. Kman. >> Oh, me. >> Yes. Thank you for the presentation. Was very inspirational, educational, both. And I hope everybody
063has a great summer. >> Thank you, Superintendent Home. >> Good evening again. I want to start by uh just acknowledging all the great things that are happening this summer. I too visited our summer programs and was very impressed with all that I that I saw and people that um that I had the opportunity to speak with. Um I'm also excited about our cabinet retreat coming up for August 20th and 21st. I'm looking forward you to spending some intimate time with the cabinet there. I want to publicly acknowledge the Mumro Woodbury staff who have been working diligently behind the scenes to prepare for the new school year. A special thank you goes out to our buildings and grounds and custodial teams led by our director of facilities, Andre Rudiac. as we near the halfway point of
064summer. And here are just a few and it really is just a few compared to what has been done to date of our key updates. Significant progress have been made to meet the requirements of the New York State heat index law which is effective September 1. Air conditioning units and necessary electrical work have been completed in most schools with remaining work on track to meet the deadline. Best of view upgrades at Central Valley and Pine Tree Elementary are ongoing and scheduled to be completed by September. Several school parking lots have been repaved and relined. All five elementary schools will receive new playground equipment. Routine maintenance and deep cleaning are ongoing across all seven buildings. And preparations continue for the roll out of distraction-free learning environments at the high school and middle school. as you just
065heard. So, thank you to everyone for these contributing efforts. Uh your hard work is certainly making a difference. Thank you and enjoy your summer. >> Thank you, Vice President Simmonson. >> Um thank you to Dr. Vaz and Mr. Chipotto for the presentations. Much appreciated. All the work that goes into making sure that the policies that we enact are well thought through and very thorough in terms of our approach to them. Um, welcome to the new I'm going to use a term from Mr. Reynolds, our new teammates. And um, I want to say a hearty congratulations to the summer graduates. Um, uh, I unfortunately won't be able to make the ceremony, but I hope you have an amazing amazing amazing sendoff um, from Monroe Woodbury and onto your next journey into the world. Have a great
066summer everyone. >> Thank you. >> And like everybody else, I would like to thank Dr. VS and and the committee on the distraction-free learning, Mr. Maroy for your comments and and support from uh the teachers and staff and thank you for the presentation from Mr. Chapoto and welcome to our new staff and we'll see you in a few weeks at our next meeting on the 13th. Motion to adjurnn. Motion second. All in favor? Motion carries.