001Good evening everybody. It is 6:05 p.m. We will call to order a regular meeting of the Board of Education. Please silence your phones and we'll stand for the pledge. Are there any additions or deletions to the agenda this evening? No, just an update to the coaches chart in BoardDocs. All right. Thank you, sir. Is there a motion to accept the minutes of the April 15th board meeting? Jenny, motion? Second? Matt, is there any discussion on that? All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. We will move right into the athletics presentation. Welcome. First one to test the mic out here. Luckily for you, I do all the starting lineups at the games, so I'm pretty good with the mic. This is awesome, by the way. This is awesome. All right. So, good evening, ladies and gentlemen
002of the Board of Education, community member members and our fellow administrators in the back. Um Uh we thank you for the opportunity to recognize all of our RCS athletes. Uh we had a tremendous winter season. Um And uh we saw strong participation across all levels of RC, JV, and modified. Uh with our student athletes demonstrating not only competitive success, but also sportsmanship and representing what RCS is all about, and that's carrying themselves the right way on and off the field. Um I like to briefly highlight for the board and for our community members um some of the great successes that we had this winter, and I was really, really fortunate to come in at the time that I did to be a part of the ride because the winter was really special. Um for our
003boys basketball team, uh they finished 13 and 8 this year uh in the Colonial Council and in key wins against LaSalle, Mohonasen, Coaches vs. Cancer that they competed at Hudson Valley Community College. Uh we're going to highlight some of our athletes because I think they've earned it, uh especially with the amount of time they've put on the practice courts and uh during competition. Liam Borsock was a Colonial Council third team All-Star member. Toray Green, uh honorable mention and All-Star member, uh senior leader on our team. Cody Revelly was a Section II scholar athlete >> [snorts] >> uh recipient and uh a member in the exceptional senior game. And they don't just give that out to anybody. If you're competing in a senior game, you know, they got to vote on it and you got to
004have the numbers to do that. So, that's that's a great act that's a great um recognition for him. We also want to recognize our leadership from Mason Cartner, Joe Tuzen, Austin Burns, Ethan Foley, and Kevin Mahoney. And on a side note, our JV team finished pretty strong this year with a 13 and 7 record at the JV level. Our girls hoop team um again had a a very good uh season. Uh they totaled their win column. They went 9 and 11 this year uh winning the Hudson Valley Holiday Tournament and earning their first sectional win in what I'm told has been 6 years. So, that's that's setting the bar. And and they were they were exciting to watch. Some of our our standout girls, some of these names will not be a surprise to you.
005Hayden Wolf was the team leader in points and rebounds. She was a dominant all-around player. She was very exciting to watch. Uh Macy Raymond, leaders in steals, free throw percentage, and perimeter scoring. Uh we also want to thank our seniors Megan Vasson and Layla Rabideau for their contributions this year. Outstanding players. For bowling, uh Ryan Bednatti, and I'm sure somebody in the room can help me if I get this average wrong, but he was our team MVP and his average is 175. Is that accurate, sir? Close. We're close. We're close. Uh he was a Colonial Council All-Star. Uh so, he had a tremendous season. Uh Eliza Cheely-Taylor uh Corlew was a seventh grader, made major contributions, and showed great improvement. We're working to get those numbers up at for bowling. Uh we do have a
006plan in place for that. >> [snorts] >> And we already have our coaches locked in for next year. So, we're we're we're moving along in the right direction for bowling, for sure. On the girls side, McKenzie Eggleston, first team All-Star, New York State qualifier. Kayla um Burnham was a first team All-Star with a standout sectional performance. Sage Anderson was a second team All-Star. So, our bowling program, we started off a little sho- a little slow, and we had some questions, but you know what? The kids came through and our coaches came through. So, that was great. Indoor track and field this season uh had a consistent growth and consistent in personal records. And um our boys, Mason Brzowski, was an MVP, multiple sectional champion, state qualifier. Uh Lucas Briscoe, sectional champion in the pole vault.
007And Reese Graham was a sectional champion in shot put. Uh for the girls, Piper Weddell, we've we've heard that name several times. She's unbelievable. Um she was our MVP and as you know, a very strong distance runner for us here at RCS and and continues. I just I just met Coach Messer in the parking lot, was watching JV softball, and she broke another school record uh I believe yesterday. >> [snorts] >> Um And McKenzie Cross was one of our senior leaders uh with a consistent 600 m dash uh 600 m um performances. And she's a multi-sport athlete. Uh very excited to introduce this next group. Um our boys swimming and diving team for the first time, and I know the board talks about this all the time. One of those uh conversations in the budget
008is the new liner, and this is my two cents that I'll throw in now since I got the mic. First time in in school history being Section II champions. So, I want to congratulate our boys swimming and diving team. I think they deserve a round of applause because that's impressive. The team went undefeated in Division II and won the program's first ever Section II championship. Um Brett Hungerford was the team MVP. Ashton Gunter, Cole Hungerford, and Landon Hungerford, key contributors and part of this of breaking the 400 freestyle relay. Um this championship that this team earned is truly a reflection of not just individuals, but a team. And I can't say enough about Coach Ginder and Coach Carney. These guys and gals put in a extreme amount of time, and they're so good with our
009kids, and I lean on them. I do not have a swimming background. My wife does, but I lean on them a lot for questions and, you know, things that they need. I try to be as supportive as I can, but I can't say enough about these coaches and how great they are with our kids. So, I personally want to thank you for that. And I if it's okay, I'd love to maybe we can bring them in for a nice picture, and then I can move on. Is that great? Gentlemen, can we come up for a picture? >> [applause] >> And I just think it's so outstanding that the turnout. Obviously, you know, we want to promote athletics as much as we can and highlight the kid the the good things that our kids are doing,
010but to get a turnout like this is, you know, amazing. So, thank you for coming. It means a lot to us. Um going to move on to wrestling. Again, we had a phenomenal wrestling season. I got a chance to not only see some of the swim meets and go up to Sharon and and watch them compete, but I also had a chance to watch a lot of home wrestling matches. Uh I went on the road a little bit to support some of our female athletes that were competing in postseason. Uh the wrestling team went undefeated in the Colonial Council and placed second in sectionals. Uh they also brought nine wrestlers to Section II tournament at South Glens Falls, which I had an opportunity to go up there and watch. I brought my kid. We turned
011it into a little dad uh son moment, and uh we really the the kids really did a great job up there. Jaden Akum placed sixth in New York State and three-time state qualifier. His career wins to date as a senior is 107. So, that's impressive. We have Aidan Forrester here. Um his total career wins is 115 and I want to thank Aidan for being here tonight. I'd love to get a picture with you with the board if we could do that as well, Aidan. But, these kids really put in a lot of time and and they really represent us in the right way. So, how about a nice round of applause for Aidan? >> [applause] >> Thank you, Aidan, for coming. It means a lot. I can't thank that coaching staff enough, too. There's so
012many volunteers. There's so many guys that get involved and they really really do a great job with our kids. So, I can't thank the staff enough. Uh moving on to winter cheer, our cheer team placed second and third in competitions this season. Coach reached out to me said, "Hey, I want to you know, can we take our team here? Can we take our team there?" And you know, Coach Walsh is doing a great job. We're trying to improve the numbers there. And we have a plan in place for that. So, she's doing a great job. Um Al- Al- Alicia Shear was the team MVP. Anabella Who's the was the team captain and and had leadership presence throughout the school year and throughout the season. And Shelby Green and Angelina Evans were most improved. So, I
013wanted to make sure that I I I acknowledge them as well. And in closing, I just want to thank our coaches again, our student athletes, our families, our staff and for their continued support. This is a grind. I get it being a student athlete, you know, it's it's not a right. >> [snorts] >> You know, it's a privilege. And to to make sure you're taking care of your school work and make sure you're representing us in the right way is very important and I just want to thank you again, coaches and and athletes for all you have done this winter. And I want to thank everybody here for the opportunity to kind of sell that. So, thank you very much. >> [applause] >> All right. Thanks, Zach. Great job. Appreciate it. Does anybody have any
014questions for Mr. Tisdale? All right. Uh at this time I'm going to ask for a motion to enter into executive session to discuss matters relating to the employment of a particular individual or individuals. Mel's making the motion, second by Jenny. Uh all in favor? I. Okay, moving into business considerations. We have 6-1 through 6-14. Is there a motion for one or more? Motion for all by Jenny, seconded by Matt. Do we have any discussion? I have a couple of questions. Yeah. On 6-9, maybe I'm misremembering. Is there not usually an amount included for the tuition? I looked through and I may have missed it cuz I wasn't reading every single word, but is there generally an amount that we're charged for the individuals who attend these locations? Cuz I don't recall seeing one in here.
015No, it has been in the past and this time I I looked through everywhere and it just says um I didn't see one in there. It was under the compensation section. In the past or not on this one? No, no. In this one it says agreed upon uh the agreement in accordance with the tuition rate established by the Commissioner of Education. That's all it says. Not an actual amount. Do we But I said don't I didn't No. I I don't I don't know particularly this contract why it wouldn't or wouldn't have an amount on there. Okay. I guess I would like an amount before we agree to it personally. Is it covered >> something that we I mean Is it covered by the last part you said there that is set by the Commissioner of
016Ed? Yeah. That it's set by the Commissioner. I It's good to know what it is. I agree with you, but >> It might be a preordained number. It is a it's a set rate, but I don't know what it is. So, is that not normally included in this agreement? Like is the amount not normally included in this and this is the way we've always approved them or I didn't Is the amount not being here different this time? Yeah, the amount in the past it's usually said what it is. But, if it's set by that and we have I think it the number is going to be what it is no matter what. You know what I mean? I would like to know it, too, but um And we don't have a choice for those. I
017don't I don't disagree with any of this. I just find it curious there's no amount attached like associated with it. I agree with you. So, I'm raising my concern. >> it be decided? I'm I'm just looking at previous years of this particular school and there isn't Okay, so that's just a standard for how this one operates. Some of them put in like they file the rates with the state. Some of them don't. Uh in a timely manner, this might be one that doesn't do that in a timely >> say like files the rates with the state like >> So, there's a rate setting unit and it and it deals with like and and I don't I can't speak to it better than someone else might, too, but my understanding of it is these private schools
018set their rates with the state. And some of them do it timely. Okay. And some of them don't. And it is something we voiced our concern about and at least my unit uh because it affects uh how much people can charge and stuff like that. So, it really is kind of out of out of our control at this point. >> something that's managed by another organization as well. The state oversees the >> oversees the set the rate setting. >> send my concern. Um I had another question, too, but For the middle school and high school yearbooks, do we usually pay so much? Do we usually buy so many yearbooks? The contract says that we're buying 175 yearbooks at a cost of I don't know where the cost is, about $5,000. I know I paid for
019my son's yearbook, so do we buy them from the company and then get reimbursed? Like how $5,000? I think that's what happens like we have to >> like I already bought on the website. That's mine. It's your provided Okay. And then yeah, they parents or students purchase the yearbooks. Okay. Victory. Um I do have some questions. Um on 6-6 and 6-11. Is there a reason we're doing them now not in July? We usually we do these always at the you know, reorganizational time. Is there a reason we're doing them early? And I have a follow-up question about them as well. Uh only reason I have is that I was not aware that you normally did them on July 1st and they gave us the contracts now, so we just process them now. Matt, they will
020be part of the reorg meeting unless you have concerns with their contract. No, I just was wondering why these were these two were not there when like everything else that's that's really what Effective dates are July 1st. I I do have a question. Well, I agree with that, but I just The other follow-up question is I with both of these um when was the last time I'm sure we I'm guessing we didn't go out to RFP on these. And when was the last time we went out to RFP on both of these items, either one of these items? That I don't know. Do you know? [clears throat] Yeah, with the attorneys, it's been a while. I know that. Um the risk management safety I don't know of any other than possibly a BOCES that that
021does it around here. Um so, again, I I I think it's been a while for that one as well. >> Yeah, I'm I'm not saying for this next year cuz it looks like we're going to approve them tonight probably and then they'd be on reorg anyway. But, I'd say as we go through next year, it might be time to Listen, the answer may be these are the best ones and everything else, but just for you know, the management's sake, I think we should put these two back back out to RFP just to see what else is out there. Yeah, I don't think any of us would would disagree. Yeah, for Yes. 2017-2018. The attorney ones, there's a ton, right? That that will be one we could do. The risk, you know, risk safety safety services
022might be a little bit harder, but I'm sure I can reach out and try to figure it out. >> Yeah, let's just see. I do have some issues with with that group, so. Yep. That particular one. That's it. Anybody else? All right. All in favor? I. Personnel considerations 7-1 through 7-19. Is there a motion? Motion for all. All right. Motion for all by Jenny. Seconded by Pete. Any discussion? Um Anybody have any? I had one. I just got to remember what it was. Sorry. Oh, in the um I guess it's not the end of the world, but the coordinator for the Raven Quest program 7-7 is also a teacher for the program. Is that common or is this the way this is program is? Actually, the way that we modeled it after the high school
023summer Apex where it's typically a teacher who's teaching in the program and then their coordinator positions are like for an hour after each day. So, it's more of a oversight Yes. Not not like a summer school principal kind of thing. No. And in this case, the teacher is going to be covering for one of the other teachers who can't be there for part of the program. Okay. Thank you. Anything else? All right. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. >> [snorts] >> Um Moving into special reports. I don't really have to report. Um There's just a comment that I'd like to make. So, over the past couple weeks, uh for various reasons, um I've watched meetings of other boards of education that have come up. Uh some are in the news, and some, you know, arose
024for other reasons. So, [clears throat] I found myself watching board meetings while I'm not at a board meeting, which is an unusual [laughter] position to be in. Uh Yeah. However, as I watched them, I took a lot of pride in how this board operates. The people we have on this board, the questions that we ask, our priorities focused on students and the staff in this district, the administration that we have at these meetings, uh we have our challenges, which come up all the time in our meetings, but we have a high-functioning group of people at this table. So, I just wanted to take a moment to recognize that. Uh just encouraged me as I watched some other less high-functioning boards in operation. So, thank you, everybody. I concur. >> [clears throat] >> I love that
025I also watched other school boards board meeting for curiosity. >> Yeah. I didn't make it all the way through. Right. >> [laughter] >> I watched a couple, especially going with budgets and um two things. None We We're functioning much better, and looking at some other districts, Guilderland and other ones, financially, after seeing the situation that other districts are in, we're in a much better position than a lot of other districts are. So. Thank you, Jesse. Yep. Yeah, thank you, Jesse. Thank you, administration and district office. Yep. I actually did watch a board meeting in like October of like 2025, and um I just can't tell you I actually almost cried because it was like 3 hours long, and I love the fact that all of us like laugh and like, you know, smile. When I
026tell they all were like stoic, and it was like I don't know, it was like a business deal more than a normal school meeting. I was like I thought one of like somebody would crack a joke, and all I heard was silence. So, that was um a hard watch for me, and I really appreciate how we all work together um as a team. So, I Yeah, thank you for bringing that up. Yeah, and that's what really came through as the teamwork, you know. So, some of these boards you see grandstanding, and you see obvious disagreements at the table, and they're not working in the best interests of what's really important. >> really depressing. But, we have a good team here, so thank you. >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> Your work is done, Pete. All right.
027To the district office, Mr. Henderson. Uh we just have uh one thing. Jesse and I will be uh at the training center, I think, tomorrow morning at 7:30, presenting our budget to uh the local um um business association, and uh anybody else is is welcome. So, anybody listening wants to hear a little bit more about our budget, um just right up the road on 9 9W. We'll be there at 7:30 tomorrow morning. Have you got it on the road with the budget? Is this the only one they're having, or do you have another one? This is the first one. You have other ones planned? >> Well, hopefully hopefully going to Yep. Hopefully be able to get a couple others. Where are you having it? Uh I think. Okay. Construction, yeah. And uh we also have
028a It's almost done. Uh capital project video in the in the makings, just to be able to explain that a little bit more closely with some pictures of some of our things that we're replacing, and >> [snorts] >> I actually got to go up on the roof as a part of that making of that video. So, we followed all appropriate safety protocols. [laughter] But, it was fun, so. That's all. Okay. Good? Good. All right. Owen, do you have anything? Yeah, I just like to mention a few activities that were just uh recently uh ended, or some coming up. We have uh a few Me and a few other uh students in the high school participated in the RCSTA cleanup along Route 9W a few days ago. Uh uh middle school drama's coming up uh this
029this coming week here. Uh um The NYSSMA all the New York State School Music Association festivals have been closing up as well with solos last weekend, NYSSMA choral NYSSMA majors today, and band majors last week. Um and there's a select concerts for other like the the select music concerts coming up in in this [clears throat] month. Uh and we also had uh the NHS induction ceremony, as well as like uh a few STEM-related uh award ceremonies like robotics and Science Olympiad. And I participated today in uh the Elevating Student Voices Youth Leadership Summit at Proctors, and I was able to moderate a panel there, and it was a good experience that I'll bring to this table in all other aspects. So, that's all I have, but I can if you have anything. Thank you, Owen.
030Well done. Thank you for that. Um we had our blood drive today. Thank you very much. Um and it was a big success. Um thank you to everybody that did come and donate blood. We really did need it. Um especially the ones that are, you know, not adults, and the kids that are still in high school. They looked like they were about to faint, but thank God they did not. Um that would have been horrible. But, um congratulations to the NYSSMA and all those students that had chorus and band. Um I know a couple of my friends that do it, and it was it's definitely really hard. Um and seeing them really happy about this is, you know, it makes me happy. Um and we have our pep rally next week, Friday. So, spirit week
031next week, and then I hope to see some of you guys next week, Friday. Um and then we have um a couple AP tests coming up, so I wanted to, you know, give those kids a good luck, and the ones that are taking the AP tests. Um and then, you know, that's basically all I have, so thank you. All right. Thanks. Yep. Do we have any new business items tonight? No. Okay. Uh Matt, you want to report anything from the policy committee, including the uh item that's on for first reading tonight? Yep, we actually made a lot of great progress at our last policy committee meeting as well. We'll have a lot more first and second readings next time, but we didn't meet the 30-day window between meetings, so they have to wait till the
032next one, but they're all ready to go. Um this one is dealing with the evaluation of the superintendent. And for Mr. Bednarczyk's sake, cuz we did, you know, he raised it last time. Uh there will be some more coming up on the superintendent, but um we believe uh it's good to have these in the uh policy manual, so that the public can see, you know, the job duties, job descriptions, evaluation process for the superintendent. Um it's all in his contract, but not everybody has that. This is a good way for people to be able to see that as well. This is just the evaluation of the superintendent one. Which I don't believe there are any issues with. All right. Thanks. Uh as far as upcoming activities, believe it or not, we have another board meeting
033next Wednesday, back-to-back. Uh next week is the Meet the Candidates night for the Board of Education. Um candidates. >> too, right? Yes, correct. Correct. Yep. Um budget hearing as well next Wednesday. And then the budget vote is coming up on May 19th. We hope that everybody will come out and support our budget, um as well as the capital um improvement plan that we are proposing to the voters. And then we'll have a meeting the day after that to review the um vote results. And then we head into Memorial Day. Uh does anybody else have anything this evening before we take up a motion to enter back into executive session? All right. Then I'll ask for a motion to enter into executive session to discuss matters relating to the employment of a particular person, um as
034well as matters that are confidential under state law. Thank you, Matt. Seconded by Jenny. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye.