001All right, we will get started uh on June 17, 2025 at the board office for our regular scheduled meeting. At this time, I'll call the meeting to order and we'll 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. All right, I know you all just got comfortable, but we are going to go into executive session to discuss privileged attorney client matter. So at this time I'll make a motion to adjourn to executive session. Second move by John, second by Kristen. All in favor? I. Any opposed? All right. We will ask the majority of you to step outside and then as soon as we are at this time
002I will make a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 21st, 2025 and the special meeting of June 2nd, 2025. So move. Moved by Kirsten, seconded by Sue. All in favor? Any opposed? Minutes are approved. Any additions or deletions to today's agenda? None. Amazing. None. It's like we planned it so well. All right, moving on to board recognition. I'd like to start off tonight uh with just recognizing our retirees. First and foremost, I want to thank the district for putting together such a spectacular event uh to honor our retirees. Uh so, thank you. I know that is not a small feat, but also to all our retirees, just a an immense congratulations to the dedication that you've brought to uh this district and we wish you all of the best in
003your free years. Kristen, I heard you have some recognition for some softball team. Well, this one is I am very honored. Honestly, girls, it's actually all joking aside could I could bring tears to my eyes. Not only because this um recognition, my daughter is on the team, but all of these girls I consider my kids. Um I've watched them grow since they were younger. and to do what you guys and the coaches did. And I watched you work so hard for all these years and come out after 38 years and win a section title and play the way that you guys played. And I also got to witness it and be a part of that. I know it was my sandwiches, but besides me making all your food and making sure your bellies were full,
004you guys work so hard and you guys should you don't understand. I don't you know how proud we all are of you, not just me, not just that, you know, everyone, the whole community. Um, and also the community support we got from everyone during that time. So, you girls should be very proud. We're very proud of you. Congratulations. Congratulations, ladies. Let me even though I hug you [Music] And while Kirsten is making her rounds, we understand while this is an exciting meeting to join, please uh feel free if you would like to to exit. Uh we will not hold it against you. Thank you guys. Thank you. [Music] All right, Kirsten, you've got one more. All right. What was my other one? Oh, yes. Um, congratulations to Rachel Oor for the individual medal of top
005score for section three for girls golf tournament. and her sister also I believe was in um the last final rounds too which is awesome. Girls sports are really starting to come back. But I all joking aside, Rome RFA sports are really making a comeback and it makes me so proud because back when I graduated we always went to the section. We always made it through. We always and these kids are working so hard with their coaches and all of them and they're all doing great. They really are. Sure. Thanks, Kristen. Thank you. All right, Miss Sue. Hey, Bellamy. The ride for missing children. It's always a wonderful event to have our kids be able to be a part of it. And they stopped at Bellamy Elementary School on their way through. So, we're very happy
006that we were able to help be a little bit a part of that because it's a wonderful, wonderful um thing for the community, for everybody. It's very impressive. Well, although I did not go to the senior ball, I do have a report from uh Mr. Brian Learon. Uh it was June 7th. I was able to My daughter did attend. Um so I was able to see a lot of the beautiful uh girls and and young men. Uh they were amazing. It was at breezes and it was both inside and out and the weather was perfect. And our court included um the queen, Miss Bella Viola, and the king uh PJ Sumo. So very exciting. At the end of May, there was an art exhibit for grades K through 12. So we just want to congratulate
007all the students that had art um on display and also thank all the staff that helped the exhibit. I actually um also attended that art display. It was uh really cool. They had um people there with the uh with the clay mixing and all the all the artwork was very impressive from um the kindergarten all the way up. So, thanks for uh everyone putting that on. It was great. Well, we actually have probably one more round of applause to give then because we have a special guest in the audience that contributes quite well uh to the art show. So, Miss Mary Cernin, who was also honored last week and who is retiring from our district, thank you so much. And I lose your son today. the goggle me. So, I want to thank also um
008during with both of those things happening um the school district um again for the conflict that we were up against with the senior ball. We're not the only ones that were this, you know, the district worked really hard um to try and get it changed. Unfortunately, the other team and the other school district didn't want to work with that. I do think it'll be very important. Um, and not to go too far into it from now looking forward, we're more proactive and we work with the student council and and the parent, the adult adviser that's on there to make sure that during any section, whether it's football, baseball, softball, or any of them that we do not do dances within that time because we are all going to section and we're all going to regionals,
009okay? So, we don't want to, you know, make those kids make those hard decisions that I don't think they should have to have if we can. Okay. Thank you. Great. And we do not have any public comment uh thus far. So, we will move on to our superintendence report. All right. Well, one of the topics we would like to share this evening is our upcoming graduation, which is an exciting time for our students who are taking that step toward this new milestone. And as in previous years, we are proud to continue the tradition of holding graduation at stadium support, a location that holds a very special significance for our school community. For public safety reasons, the grandstand section of the stadium will not be in use this year. However, to ensure that all families and
010guests can participate in this important celebration, we will be providing additional bleachers and alternate an alternative seating. And while the seating arrangement will look a little different, the heart of the celebration remains unchanged. There are no restrictions on the number of guests. Everyone is welcome to to attend and share in the milestone of um event. Graduation again is scheduled for Friday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m. at Stadium support and we look forward to celebrating with our seniors and all they have accomplished alongside the families and the loved ones. I know that our facilities team has been working diligently along with our um folks at RFA and Georgia has been a part of that again to make sure that we have the celebration at stadium support. Georgia, I don't know if there was anything that you
011and Tim wanted to add to this conversation. We just wanted to say that um things will look very similar to what it has in the past. Um the only difference is just look for the entrances because those have changed slightly just due to the stadium um bleachers being where they're going to be. But overall you should see something very similar to what you have in the past. Are we keeping those or sorry? Yeah. Are we keeping those up Georgia now for um future or are we going to bring them in and out? Sorry. Ones that we're renting for graduation, we're going to return, but we're looking at the opportunity of either renting for the season or buying longterm. So, um we're looking through what those costs will be. um and doing the analysis for the
012fall. But we do plan to have something for football season. Thank you. For those of us that are attending graduation. Yes. Uh can you remind us when uh the rehearsal is? Sure. Uh if if people are able to attend. Absolutely. If I recall correctly, Sandy, correct me if I'm wrong. Rehearsal is at 9:00 a.m. the morning of, which is June 27th. Okay. All right. The next topic on the docket, another important update for the board is regarding our district strategic plan. We are pleased to report that we are now in the final draft phase of the plan following months of thoughtful input, collaboration, and refinement from multiple stakeholders. The finalized draft will be coming to you this week on Friday so that you get a chance to view it first and review it and then
013that will give you an opportunity to provide any final feedback prior to moving forward with formal adoption. Um the strategic plan will serve as our guiding framework for the coming years and we just want to thank the community and everyone who has contributed their time, insights and commitment to this important work. So stay tuned. You're going to see it soon. And lastly, just wanted to bring a couple of celebrations because the year is coming to a close, yet there's lots of fun and great activities happening. End of the year celebrations that are happening in all of our elementary schools are moving up ceremonies. We know the the sixth graders who are moving to middle school. A lot is happening with that. As you know, May and June is awards season. So, we've had award nights
014and recognition events and as the board, you also honored not only the retirees but the tenure um the folks who received tenure this year. So, you talked about academic, athletics, art, leadership, all of those um uh recognitions were happening throughout the district. In terms of academic and transition events, final exams and regions um started and it's happening. It's picking up back again. Summer school planning from the office of instruction along with our building leaders are underway. There are some transition events that will be happening from orientation. Even at UPK, we had teachers who are receiving um the incoming kindergarters who came here spend time with the UPK teachers to get to learn about the students to know their strength and what to prepare for in the fall. Of course, we're getting ready for report cards
015and student progress reports. And of course, fun days, right? Randy had one at John Joy. I got a chance to play some basketball in heels at John Joy and today was Stokes. Um and I know some of the other schools are planning their fun days as well. In the next uh few days, there are some district and board of education activities that we have done. Next page, please. Tenure and retirement celebration is one for staff and faculty. The final board of education meeting of the 2425 school year is coming up. It's next week and I'm so sad. I'm gonna miss you guys. I'm gonna miss you guys meeting too. Yeah. Well, you don't miss miss us that much. You can't come to the meeting. Oh, yeah. No, I have I have softball banquet. HR and
016business will tell you that they are in the midst of trying to do some close out for the year and fiscal planning and all of that in addition to keeping true with the rest of this school year. And of course the strategic plan and formal adoption is work that you will be engaging in at least uh for the last board meeting. Um we always like to bring attention to our national and cultural observances because it is important that we recognize all people and recognize things that are going on in education. Pride month as you know is June that's um you know bringing awareness to the LGBTQIA plus community. Junth. Junth is this week on J uh on June 19th, Thursday, and there's no school. And of course, it is Caribbean American Heritage Month. And you
017know, I'm from the Caribbean, so yes, it is our month. So, we do celebrate that, too. And that concludes the end of my report. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer. I heard there's a move in your future as well. Move to where? Where you going? I want this. Oh, yes. That's Listen, with the to having gone through a tornado, living without my cabinet team every single day, we're in different places. We are excited to say that we have a scheduled move day to move back to West Dominic where the tornado had hit and is going to look completely different. Even the basement it has now been turned into office spaces because if I remember correctly from the historical pieces that I got when we were moving to West Dominic originally the special
018education department was supposed to move with us and when so we moved there wasn't enough space and therefore you always create an opportunity right Tony we create opportunities from a tornado so with the tornado happening um as you know our landlord said to us that she will build the way we wanted. And so we took the opportunity to say special ed needs to be part of us. They need to be with us. And so they will be with us. So Sandy and I will be moving first. June 20th is the date, which is Friday. So we have to pack and all of that stuff. Um and so yeah, we got to pack and and move. And so [Laughter] then after that, we'll do that in phases. You receive a schedule. So you'll know which department
019is moving next when Sandy and I move to West Dominic. So we're excited and we're just very thankful. We can't say enough thank you to the Bosei staff for really accommodating and um in talking with some of them they were like they were sad as well because they're going to miss the energy of our people, but we're ready to come home to Rome. So thank you. Thank you. All right. Uh I see uh we are missing a couple student board members. Uh but that's all right. Uh so we are going to move into the pilot allocation agreement with our special guests uh to walk us through. Mhm. Thank you. Um, good evening, uh, Madame President, uh, superintendent, honorable members, ladies and gentlemen. Um, I'm Anthony Penti, Onidita County Executive. I'm joined by my director of
020economic development, Sean Ketta, who's in the back, Shauna Pel, the president of Mo Valley Edge, uh, and Mark Barco, chief of staff for Mo Valley Edge. Uh I sent a letter to uh this board um just a couple weeks ago uh regarding the pilot allocation agreement uh that we have put forth for the Chobani plant which is to be built uh just uh not too far from here on the triangle parcel in uh Griffith Business and Technology Park, but on the airport side of the of the uh of the fence line, if you will, uh that is owned and operated by Onidita County. It's a unique kind of situation that we're in in in this one. This is a parcel that we have had on uh in planning for a number of years, but in
021view of other moving parts at the airport and on the park, uh we had just gotten to it over the last few years to get some previous u or some further approvals from the FAA. uh since it is a part of the airfield, the Federal Aviation Administration has to sign off on any of the uh additions that are non-eronautical that we want to look at for those sites. So, that took a little while because initially that site was a lot smaller. We had since got it expanded with the approval of the FAA, you know, from about a 100 acre parcel to about a 330 acre acre parcel. As we were preparing this site for development, we were kind of looking at different different pieces of what would be attracted there and and some of it
022was focused on you know the semiconductor industry or technology or supply chain or other manufacturing. uh sometime along or right around this time last year, uh we had gotten uh you know called by Chabbani to begin some discussions of of looking at a site in Onidita County and u obviously you know that site was our our first uh preference for them because of how much space they needed to build. So we began what what be what began as a seemed like a long process. It was a very quick process. Usually economic development pro projects of this magnitude take 2 or 3 years. This one took literally 6 months. Um which was a positive for us. And in doing so, there another parcel that was obtained by Onita County was the golf course, which is adjoining
023to that site just down Perimeter Road, if you're familiar with it, just next to Moawk Glenn uh urgent care facility going to the north northwest is the golf course and just off to the side behind the baseball fields is the triangle. Um, so combined those two parcels equal about just shy of 500 acres of of land. The initial piece of of Chbani and their initial proposal involves just at this point the triangle parcel which is again approximately 300 acres. Uh they plan on building or they are they have agreed to build a 1.4 or 1.2 billion dollar or 1.2 1.4 billion square foot facility which is growing each day. It's I think up to 1.5 now or whatever. So it's it's growing as we go forward. It's a $1.2 billion investment. Yeah. The issue of
024of you know negotiating this uh this agreement with Jabani obviously involves a lot of factors uh regarding tax incentives regarding uh infrastructure improvements uh of which are in the millions and uh along with the state of New York we put a package together and Jabani agreed to that as you're well aware in February actually but we just did the announcement u in a in April of this of of this here. So, the initial piece is a $1.2 billion investment, 1.4 billion square foot facility, approximately 1,00 to,300 employees, uh, 28 production lines, uh, you know, from yogurt to creamers to coffee to energy drinks to all natural is the largest natural food processing plant or will be in the United States. So, we're very proud of what we've been able to accomplish. You know, getting there
025was obviously involves, as I said, a lot of negotiations and a lot of various uh structural pieces on the financing. Um, some of the financing for the infrastructure is coming from the state of New York. We have a f what's called a fast New York New York grant, which is involves about 23 million in infrastructure improvements. We have another one of about 40 million that we're that we're anticipating that will be a part of this. So that's 63 million from the state. We have already invested Naida County has already invested about 7 million in the site. We have to do another match on this of another 7 million. So when all is said and done, we'll have about 14 million just in the infrastructure alone, not counting other amenities and and pieces we have to
026do. It involves, as you're aware, or if not, uh, you know, complete redesign of the roadway, uh, going into that site, a roundabout, uh, a sound wall that'll that'll cover the area of Bell Road and and and the fields that are that are adjacent to 825. It involves sewer, water, electrical, gas hookup. So, a lot of infrastructure. Uh and then there is 73 million in tax uh incentives from the state of New York. Our competition was the state of Michigan and and as it got down to some of the final pieces, taxes were an issue as they always are. So the pilot agreement that we're proposing is a $2 million agreement to start. And it's a little bit different in terms of the percentages simply because of the investment that the county and the city
027have to make in this site. So what I proposed and what you have in front of you is is a pilot that looks at it in three phases. In the initial 5-year period, it it breaks it out that the county achieves 45% of the pilot, the city of Rome 35, and the school district 20. in in the second five years those those numbers change. So in in years 1 through five the county's at 900 the 900,000 the city's at seven the school districts at four. In the second five years the percentages shift this the county foregoes 100,000 of which it's that split between the city and the and the school district. So the school district goes at 450. the the city goes to 750, we drop to 800. Part of the reason for that in
028those initial 10 years is for both of us to recoup and and to invest in into some of the investment that we have to put into this site. You know, as I said, we've already invested 7 million into infrastructure improvements. We have to do another another seven plus and and I you know, there's always some contingencies thereafter. So, you know, we are it it is owned by us right now. There's no taxes being collected whatsoever on that site for anybody. So, that's why it's just a unique situation. I also propose from years from and then in years 11 and from 11 to 40 each year increases 1.5% on top of it. So, at the end of the pilot, the end of the pilot allocation, it goes up to about 3.2 or $3.4 million. Um this
029is still this remains be the biggest pilot we have right now in Nonida County. Um and let me remind you it only involves the triangle site. Chabani has expressed I mean one of the reasons we purchased the golf course and have ownership of that is that Jabani is committed to developing a full campus with more structures on that and more development and more more production. So another 160 acres will be developed and you know we're in the process of negotiating that with them now. So there will be another pilot allocation on that parcel. So there's another bite of the apple is my point here. And that one we can work on a little bit differently because the initial one is what's going to cost us the most money in preparation. Um we have to expand
030the sewer capacity because of the of the discharge that Chabani uses because of the dairy and all of the all of the pieces that go into their production lines. um water uh you know water to that site. Um again the benefit of having the the golf course at the same time is I don't want to pay for the same things twice. So we can make the hookups on electrical, sewer, water, etc. gas all on that entire on both of those parcels now rather than do it again at a greater cost, you know, when they're ready for the second phase of development. They are on a fast track as has has been told. I mean, they want to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2026. We've already gone to bid on numerous pieces of this
031um and we will be going to bid accordingly over the next several months on every aspect of this project as well as them in the next 3 months getting in the ground and building this this plant. So the pilot you have in front of you is a little bit different than normal, but it it reflects the amount of investment that the county has to make as well as the school as well as the city in in developing this site. Uh again, we still have yet to get to the second piece. When we do that, we can look at things a little bit differently in terms of the percentages because by then our expenses will be outlined and or outlaid and we won't have to expend again another, you know, uh series of of millions of
032dollars in in infrastructure. So, the goal is to pay for it, pay for it the first time, get it done right, so that when the expansion is possible, that takes place. But I do expect once we do uh finalize the the sale of the golf course property over to Shabbani, we will be back soon with a pilot agreement uh on that so that they have uh a definitive path forward as well. So I'm glad to answer any questions or anybody else that's with me. Uh I will of course start uh first uh I think this uh as a collective board we are so excited for this opportunity for uh such an amazing business uh that is historically known for giving back so much in especially in the education space. So uh thank you for all
033the work uh that you guys have done to to bring this to us. I think the question that I'm sure most of us have is just I'd love to really understand uh you know not really being at the table on kind of when the the splits happened in percents. So, you know, from kind of what the standard is to how we arrived here, you know, we're asking the district to take about a 30% cut in what a standard pilot would offer us. And uh the city pretty much remains the same and obviously the county taking that 30% back and I understand from an infrastructure, we certainly need to make it ready for them to be here and in that reimburing them reim uh those costs for the infrastructure. I think my concern kind of as
034it's laid out today is it doesn't necessarily feel like the infrastructure we need to change is taken into account for that number. So we already have a space issue and bringing in a thousand you know more bodies to the community and potentially more students. We already have space issues. So I think kind of my question is how did we kind of come to those those reduced rates for the school district and how would we anticipate our readiness for our infrastructure to support those kids? Sure. I I guess you know look and and part of the reason was I mean as I said this is a unique situation and when normally when pilots are done on development projects we don't own the property and usually it's it's been it's it's it's purchased owned by a developer
035in which they you know I mean they then sell or lease to the the industry or the you know the business and and negotiate a pilot that's that's different obviously than what's in front of you. Um the other thing is in those in most of those circumstances there's a lot more money on the table from the state of New York. There's a lot more money in in terms of the overall u investment in the site itself which doesn't come from us. This one was unique because as I said it's our it it's owned and operated right now. it's owned by the county and has, you know, has has not been on the tax roles whatsoever. So, the difference is you're going from zero to what you're we're going to. But it does take into account
036the fact that we have some serious infrastructure outlays that have to be addressed. That will also benefit, you know, the the district in the long run in terms of its capacity. um recognizing that yes, you know, the goal is I'm hopeful that you do have more students, you do have more uh more more, you know, more, you know, growth in this district. Obviously, bringing a company like them here is, you know, is is going to make a big difference. However, not everybody's going to live here. Not everybody's going to go to school here. So, while we're while we're looking at that, we're also looking at what we have to do in terms of those of those improvements. And I think that, you know, given the fact that, you know, the state of New York has
037has decided in this administration not to put money in projects. They're looking at tax incentives. So, there's no money going whatsoever to the company in this deal. So, all of the money that we have to spend is on that site. And between some of the state money for those infrastructure improvements, the rest is coming from here. You know, in in the flip of that, if we were to look at it the other way, too. I mean, I you know, the county would be achieving some, you know, 18% or less of this of this agreement. I'm just trying to, you know, balance out what is going to be needed on that site over the next several years to get it, you know, as we start right now and as we get it ready. So, I do
038understand that. I think at the at the end of the day, you've got a company that's going to be investing not just in infrastructure and jobs, but also in the community and going to be a great community partner. But I also think we have as well in terms of trying to work with the district as they as they further develop this facility and we, you know, accommodate, you know, the land around it that we have to make it work for you as well. So, I think we're both we're in the in the same in in the same mindset of what what is going to be done here. It's just that the numbers just bear out a lot different than this project rather than the other, which is why I state that on the other parcel,
039I mean, we will be looking at a different allocation because that will be already a little more shovel ready than this one is right now. and and you know I mean you know even with you know all of our budgets uh you know and and I don't have to talk to you about school budgets or or budgets indirectly or in particular um you know a you know $14 million hit over the next few months is a big one for me and you know but it's it's it's worth its weight in what it what it will generate in terms of jobs and development for this for this community. I mean, uh, we've invested in other things that have not worked, you know, and I and I recognize that, you know, we thought that aviation, you know,
040because of the history of Griffith and and the and the airport and the amenities that are there would yield a workforce that our our our children and and and residents could uh could be a part of hasn't worked. So I'm I'm pivoting on that, you know, with this with this project of which it's not all production workers. It's, you know, it's it's it's technology, it's administrative, it's, you know, I mean, those thousand workers are not just on the line making making yogurt. And those that are, I mean, the average wage is still around $80,000. I mean, this this is not your typical, you know, manufacturing plant in that regard. So I recognize that it's it's a deviation from what is normal and that but this is not a normal project and that's that's my explanation
041for what we can do as what I'm hearing you say which is that's a really good explanation. I think for many of us it's a little new uh so we're really trying to learn and understand and it makes sense. So the county is getting this ready um and needs to recoup the money. So I and and remember we don't even recoup it all over time. I mean even even in the first you know 10 years as we're out laying I mean if you do the maths the simple math obviously in in the first five years so we get four and a half million but again that's you know that's that's it and the investment and you know that's that's the investment I mean but the outlay is already there we've already put money into the
042site we're not looking you know I mean to you know we're not looking for anybody else to pay for it I guess that's the other thing I mean other you know and I'm trying to keep it away from our taxpayers just as you would. So, this one is, you know, the taxpayer in this case is Chbani. So, so it makes complete sense that you went through it. I understand. Um, and what you just said, and I wanted to make sure I heard what you said, uh, especially in this building here that as we're developing Griffith Park and the school district and being able to have the roadway and to work together with us with that because our piece of this too, it's a lot. It's a big piece and I don't know how that works,
043but I want to make sure that as we are developing it, we're all working together to have this project and this amazing opportunity for our entire community. And that's what it is. Um, I just wanted to make sure I heard you correctly that we can work together as we need to develop our school district and our plan and we need a um we need a road. Your superintendent has beat me up. Okay. I'm glad to hear that. I can tell you that. I'm glad to hear that. I could I could I could honestly say that in public. So, as we are moving forward and we're doing all these great things on Griffith Park, um it's important for us in our city that we have different ways to move in and out. So, I I and
044yeah, that partnership exists because obviously you're on you're on the footprint of what you know, we own everything around you. Plain and simple. Everything that MVCC is on is not owned by MVCC. It's owned by the county of Onida. and you know the fields all of the all of the ball fields all of the you know all of that is is owned by us as well you know and we did talk about I know the superintendent pushed and then we likewise tried to see if we could you know if there was a opportunity for that that expressway to be opened up you know from 825 it's it's something that DOT would not would not uh agree to and and and rightly so I think it would cause too much of a of a of a
045bottleneck and and and you know, we're concerned about the safety of that of the park and of your of your buses, of your of your parents, your teachers, your staff, everything. So, as we look forward and and uh you know, look at your development of this of this parcel and how we get the best and safest access around it and in and out of it. I mean we're committed we're committed to that and I think that's how we can work you know forward on this and then you know then uh you know as as we go forward on the next phase I think that you know things will things will change a little bit for us and that's you know again big believer in trying to get it right the first time and not and
046not uh you know the second or third. I mean, and unfortunately sometimes in our world that doesn't always fit, but I think in this case, we could we could really make an example of it. I think our our work so far has been, you know, transparent, but also, you know, in in the best interest of the community and of the of the district and of our of our taxpayers and and like you, I have to be concerned about them first and foremost as we as we develop more. And so this is a way in which we're just kind of balancing out our numbers a little bit better. So now I kind of and I apologize if I missed this part of it to kind of piggyback off of what she's saying also besides this parcel
047which this is very important and I wish you know it's a great thing to have a traffic problem in the city. Don't get me wrong I love it. Doesn't bother me. Um means that we have people coming through. Is that also including so now as you know you can't get through base now anyway now that government's going back into work um it's hard to get to RFA also so is that part of that road that you're talking about other roads not just this one take this out of the equation I understood what you said with Kelly for kloff but like is there going to be other accesses or anything not I mean the only other thing is that the only thing on this project right now is the roundabout that would take place at at
048the corner perimeter and you know where the Okay, so the B-52 right right there'll be a round there'll be another roundabout there and that's designed to help the flow of traffic because of the amount of employees that would be getting in from you know to to the Jabani site or whatever and while Glenn has been just recently purchased as well to by a new by new I mean they're going to continue but so all of that intersection really has to be as safe as we can possibly make Yeah. Um, as far as other infrastructure, I mean, we we have to figure out this this site and how Gotcha. the the egress and ingress of, you know, on on Bell Road, but on coming out of NBCC, how we best and I I've been obviously in
049discussion with the superintendent on how we how we best accommodate that and not cutting through the softball fields. Not cutting through the most important question. Sure. As I, you know, go through G's Park back and forth is will the county offer a free class to every resident how to use a roundabout. Can that happen? I can I can attest to it. I come through it every day. I go through it every day, too. So So yes, phase two you're talking about with Travani doing additional building. So in your best estimate when what year would that be and then what would the pilot percentage breakdown be for that part? I don't want to I don't want to make commitments right now. I mean I I think you know there the in this initial phase is going
050to move fast as I said. I mean they really want to be open and prod in production at the end of 26 on this particular parcel but their plans are to develop all of it. So I think within the next three years you they will have more development. I I would say by by 2030 but in even in the time frame that they buy that once I know what that investment is going to be on that site you know because I know what you know what they're doing on this this parcel right now. when I get a better sense of what they're doing, I can have a more open discussion with you about what we're looking at as to what that pilot would would look like. Now, mind you, it would probably be smaller in
051in number because it's a smaller parcel. This site is about approximately 300. I mean, it's less than that because when you when you we have some buffer space for, you know, on the aviation side that we have to do. So it'll be a little bit smaller. That acorage on that golf course, as I said, is about 160 acres. So while it'll be a smaller fee for on the pilot, it'll I mean, we can look at a better formula for the district. So that for that next phase, I think it'd be nice to have the school district at the table with the city and the county as you're figuring out the percentages as opposed to just letting us know, oh, hey, this is what we figured out. You know, we weren't at the table. So what
052is the so the time frame? Well, I did talk to the superintendent before I proposed this to the board. Oh, and as well as the mayor and then you know I mean we collectively I'm sorry. So well I just wondered so time frame wise I I do know the county voted on it last week. The city voted on Yes. When is it that you need our decision going forward? Yesterday. No. No. as soon as possible. Really, as soon as possible. So, the next one, just the next phase, and I know I'm not trying to get ahead of ourselves, like this is kind of like we just found out like just now these numbers. Okay. So, now we need to like be on this and obviously none of us want to see this not happen. You
053know what I'm saying? So um the next phase when it happen would we be at the table sooner or maybe we'll talk we'll I'll I'll then to make a rational I will make that commitment to you. I mean I I I think it it really I mean I I I do not want you to think though that this was you know made in a in a vacuum of sorts of just saying we're going to do this. I think you know no and I know you're not saying that. I mean I I I think we had a unique time frame in which to put this pilot together for for the company obviously uh you know this I mean there's negotiations here so there were there were a lot of numbers bantered around with the company and
054and it made but but what made the difference in this in this project has been the pilot. Now I I go back it's it's it's it is different than others but it is the it is still a larger pilot than than others that we have. You mean even larger than Family Dollar, Family Dollar, or I mean everything else on this park. This is this will be the biggest pilot that you see. Um, you know, and then it's designed to, you know, to spur more investment by the company. I think you know the the the outlay of the first 10 years just staying at 2 million a year is is is really you know designed for them to to grow and to move and to and to add and to contribute and do other things. So
055all inclusive I mean it's it's a little bit of everything. So, uh, I'm a data person. So, uh, ASAP is certainly understandable, but in like the world of reality, when are you asking this board to decide? And I thought, yeah, I thought you were going to decide tonight. I mean, yeah. Okay. No. Uh, okay. So, if there is an actual realistic drop dead date, I think we need to know. Uh, cuz we have nine people that have to come to a table and vote. Understood. Um I think the other thing and I'm just going to ask it. I mean are any of the internal rate are these at all negotiable? Cuz I will tell you I think we've kind of skirted around it. It does very much feel like we're on the line for a
056very massively large deal and yet we have fiscal responsibility to our district. So, if I'm looking at math quickly, like in those five years against what a standardish pilot would be, that's a loss of $3 million to the district and then further for the next 5 years and then never really getting to what a standard pilot would be in those 11 through 40 years. It's an equal split. So, I understand making infrastructure whole and bringing uh everyone up to up to whole, but it definitely feels like we're kind of taking the hit from a tax incentive. Um, in what is a traditional 54 315 split, we never make it to 54. 20 22.5 and then for 11 through 40 33 and A2. M that's really hard when we have to go back to taxpayers and
057we're increasing our taxes every year and our 2 something% we take hits year after year and so I just need to ask from a fiscal responsibility are these rates set in stone or is there room to at least negotiate through the length of 40 years is there a rebalance that we can look at well I mean seeing as we both you know both the other bodies voted on this already. I mean, it's kind of hard to go back and and and take a revote at that point. I guess the point I would make is again going back to the second round of this in phase two, but also if if the county has to make improvements to the parcel we're sitting on, I mean, I'm not going to come back to the school district and
058ask for that. And we're going to do that, you know, as a part of this. I think that was one of the things in my in my discussions with the superintendent that we would look at. Obviously, you know, you've got, you know, a major a major undertaking to uh to change the this this building into a into, you know, I mean, a another working school and it's going to require some significant infrastructure work on our part on our parcels. So, at the end of the day, we're going to be outlaying that as well. And that goes back to the partnership of that we have with the school district and always have um you know I I like I I again I I I go back to we're all you know we all started from zero
059here and zero from zero is still zero. The fact that this is generating you know the amount of money that it will over the next 5 years I think is still significant for the district. I understand it's different than the standard pilot, but the standard pilot doesn't, you know, it kind of gets thrown aside, at least in my world, when I have to lay out $15 million in the next 7 months. Let me explain. Sure. So I think one thing I don't know how many of you were here when we did the Oracle or Family Dollar pilot and I think that's an important distinction. Anytime we do a largecale project like that, like Tony referenced, it's owned by a different property owner. And part of what ends up happening is that infrastructure that has to
060go in, the water towers, the roads, the water, the sewer gets absorbed usually in a project this size with a pilot tiff, pilot tax increment financing. And so you you have your pilot, you have your pilot allocation, and you have a pilot tiff. The TIFF is where, you know, here's the the money collected on a pilot. Instead of a three-way split, it becomes a four-way split. There's a TIFF portion that is taken out to cover. For example, in Family Dollar, it was a water tower. It was other infrastructure that had to be extended. So in in reality a lot of times when there's a pilot tiff the taxing all the taxing jurisdictions end up with a lot less money. We are foregoing having to do a tiff agreement in this project because the property is
061owned by one of those jurisdictions who's laying out that money. Um you know there's an example with one of our other pilots. There is a tiff where EDGE went ahead and borrowed about $8 million that we're paying back over 49 years. And it's because it's the only way you're going to get those improvements done. Like Tony said, the jurisdictions, you know, if if I went into, you know, I'll use an example, a town where I did it, they are not going to put up, you know, a $10 million expense for the road, the water, sewer. And if you don't have it, they're not coming. I think the the benefit of being able to do a pilot here is, you know, it was zero. It's it was county land that we were able to bring on
062board. I hope Tony's right in his numbers of a $14 million expense. My my experience has been it probably will end up being a little more. Sorry, Tony. But the county's committed to if there's overage, they're covering it. And I think what's important is if we had to lay a tiff in here, the numbers you see coming to any of the taxing jurisdictions would be substantially less. I think in a lot of pilots that have come before the board, you don't see those dollars even in the first 10 years. And I think what was important when this was crafted was to recognize how do we get money to the taxing jurisdictions earlier. So the county could have said, you know, we're going to go out and bond for this and let's figure out how we
063pay it back. They're they're absorbing that upfront and not laying out going out and putting a debt into this project. And I think that it's it's an important nuance to understand we had the benefit of structuring this way without that tiff that you know everybody would see that money removed. It's the only way we can accomplish largecale projects in this day and age. So I think it's it's important just to know that nuance. So if I can just connect some of the dots in my head. So you're saying with the tiff it likely wouldn't be 2 million a year. It would be substantially less. So then overall we still could end up at 400. If if I if if I could if I have the if taking the amount of money that we're we're we're
064looking at in terms of the um you know the the the tiff if it was a if it was if there was tax incremental financing on this um if you assumed that 14 million or over time and whether you stuck with that number or say it you needed 20 just to keep it balanced you would probably be looking at a pilot somewhere in the in the area of 1.2 of of of the 2 million, probably somewhere in the area of 1.2 total for the three jurisdictions. And then therein lies, you know, the the split in in again a different way because you would you would need to finance the borrowing of that money to do the improvements. Just as you you know, I don't have to explain bonding. you. We've all done it. So, whatever
065the debt service is, you would be looking at that. And if I was looking at that 14 million to 20 20 million, it'd probably be somewhere in the in the 6 to 800,000 a year range, you know, to be able to to be able to do that over time. Um, then that, you know, drastically does that. I'm not bonding for this. you know, we've been we've been outlaying out direct cash, which obviously, you know, comes out of, you know, our fund balance and, you know, my capital my capital project money. I mean, not not bonding, at least right now. I haven't had to bond for it. I mean, I hope that's not the case going forward. So, that, you know, there in lies a little bit different. And now, you know, when you look at
066are we are we trying to recoup? Sure, we are. I mean, or at least trying to acknowledge the amount that we're outlaying. You know, we don't even recoup. I mean, it takes it takes us 20 years before we would recoup every dime we put into this project, which that's a long time, too. I mean, for anybody, whether it was whether it was owned by the school or whether it was owned by the city or whether it was owned by us, all the same in that regard. So, you know, we can look at all that, you know, in that in that in in that vein. But you know and I and I understand this is a different way but you know I go back to what you know what we're looking at here and and what
067what else we can do as a part of it. So that's where I just want to say I appreciate the distinct question the distinction of the tiff. I'm learning all new acronyms tonight. So that's awesome. Uh but I do think that helps tell an important part of the story. So thank you. And I understand look I and look we all have we all have to answer you know for our budgets um but we also but in my in my case um and in the cities to a great extent obviously our our responsibility is development I mean if we don't have the development we don't have that I mean the other benefit is you know if there are you know we're we're you know we're in conjunction with this we we've been doing a housing study
068in which even we put forth before we even knew Chabbani was existing or was was knocking on our door and it identified that even with the existing employment levels that we have with the existing companies we needed 6,000 more housing units in the county and that's a lot I mean you know that may not you know in in a county of this size or you know with the various jurisdictions of towns and villages and cities may not seem like a lot but it is for and and that that breaks it out to 4,000 single family homes and another 2,000, you know, rental or or or properties. Incentivizing that and growing that field as we're trying to do here just across the way and with others that we have planned. I mean, at the end of
069the day, the school district is going to come on on top of those of those taxing jurisdictions or those taxing benefits. So, that's going to that's going to grow. When were we thinking just because if it's a what is our next step? Yeah, next step is probably just any other additional discussion we did have as a board and then our next meeting is the 23rd. So, I think I'm sure ideally uh we have a resolution that we're voting on at that time or we would likely have to hold a special meeting. Okay. Because I know John and I both I won't be here either. Kirsten, John and I won't be We have a quorum right now. 23rd. I mean, is your next meeting the 23rd? And I guess I just want to say as we
070spoke prior to you coming with our legal service that was here, um, many of the no one else on the board, I went through pilots previously on my board experience and I will be honest, previously some of the pilots that were presented to the school district, looking back on them, I would say they weren't nearly as advantageous as this pilot that's being presented to us tonight. I have to say the the benefits far outweigh the cost of what it's going to cost the school district in the initial part and even if we don't get as many um new employees to Chobani residing here in Rome just the the kind of environment that they bring to a school district is immense and what they bring to a community over time that builds. So we as a
071board need to think about this isn't just losing it now today looking out to next year the year after it's looking out what we're gaining 5 years from now because that's when you're going to see the benefit and I want to say that there is no way that it's hard it's a hard concept to understand for any one of us sitting here but what you have done and brought to us while it is different than what is normally presented. You've explained it in a really really good manner for all of us and I would hope that if anyone sitting here has any additional questions, you bring them forward now while we have someone here to explain them to us rather than waiting till next week and not understanding. Well, I'm always available if that's the
072case. I think that's really important what Sue is saying too because our city, we need to move this forward. So we don't want to get to another meeting if three of us aren't here or that if anyone feels like they need additional questions answered to say a yes then maybe we do that you know you can do that right here with Tony and his team only because we it's got to move forward whether whoever's here and whatever needs to happen and since the announcement I will only eat Shabbani that is it you know I think you know I do think you know we've already had discussion I mean they we they were here they were here today for a meeting on some other pieces but you know they are very interested in the schools in
073terms of what the nutrition levels are. You will find I think even before they open those doors that you will be a part of of a supply chain that will it will assist you in in your in your endeavors. We we talked at length about that already. That was part of it. Yeah. I I yeah you know that that's what makes this one a little more unique. Obviously when we deal with whether it's an orgle or whether it's a family dollar even whether it's a wolf speed we talk about the long range job growth and and potential of of of technology or distribution or or manufacturing in that regard. I mean, this one takes on a whole different aspect because of the corporate culture of this of this company and what they hope to bring
074in addition to the jobs. Um, that that I don't think we can, you know, none of us can put a price on. I think you're going to see you more. I mean, they I mean, they spent a million dollars on an announcement to make sure that they supplied 500, you know, uh, meals to to food banks across this this county. I mean that in and of itself tells you a little bit about what they were doing. So anyway, yeah, I just wanted to say uh thank you for coming here. Like uh like the rest of the board members, thank you for so clearly articulating it. I had a lot of questions beforehand, but I think you answered most of them. We're all really excited about the project. Um and I'm happy to vote on tonight
075to push it through. My one recommendation, but you've kind of answered it in the phase two approach is I would have liked to see uh of course the countyy's got to get whole for their investment, but at what point and then at that point go back to the regular prorated redistribution of the taxes. So maybe in phase two we can get to that point once the county gets whole get to the regular pr-rated amounts that the school district should remember what you know what we're spending now is is going to be on that phase two. So that's why I think it that's why it's different. That's why this one was so different. All right. I look at it differently because and that was the important part of, you know, I mean, I can't repeat it
076enough. Not paying, you know, not paying for the same thing twice. Yeah. Nobody wants to do that in in any kind of real estate or any kind of work. I mean, and that was why it was so important to obtain that golf course because if we had if we had just focused on the triangle and waited and then they said, "Yeah, we want to develop this also." and I'd say, "Okay, well, we'll wait for that." Then I'd have to do water and sewer. Yeah. And electric again at a at a at an additional cost. That's why all at once is what makes sense here. Yeah. I think that's a great um uh way forward and very proactive um so you're not paying for it again. I guess um you know, I'll just piggyback off what
077Kelly said. You know, the school district, you know, we had to make a lot of tough decisions. Expanding the Kluff is going to require some infrastructure. So, I know the county will definitely help in in that regard. And then secondly, um um you know, with uh new people in the community, whether you know, I imagine most of them will live close to the area. We've spoken before about, you know, the the child care and daycare needs of the entire county, specifically here in Rome and the district. You mentioned that survey of housing, which was also involving child care back in 2019. And we're working on a new survey now which should go on the next month on on the park um between AFL EADS and DEFAST to see what the current needs are. But you
078know if there's any way we can you know work together and I I know everyone is has been at the table talking about it. So just continue those talks as the area continues to develop. You know make sure we have those resources and support alongside that. And we have invested, you know, just just as a start, our childcare task force had invested 250,000 with MBCC to create, you know, the u the u the childcare navigators uh to assist in starting them. I've already had I've got, you know, three or four, I think, uh different applications of people starting, you know, daycarees in in in the county and in in Rome. I know talking with the mayor he talked about his community center having daycare. We've talked to I can about that. We're talking to others
079about how we expand that. I mean the you know the daycare problem is is universal you know just like housing is and just like some of the other social issues that we have to deal with. But that one is a big one. I mean and when when you're talking about jobs it it it does it comes down to date. It comes down to child care and it comes down to housing. Yeah. And I I can assure you we're we're trying to tackle both of those. I mean, it's it's a struggle, but you know, working together, I'd be curious and and I talked to the lab as well about looking at those, you know, making sure we see that survey and what is necessary and we can we can help accommodate that. Well, thank you again
080for your hard work and all your team's hard work. And again, I'll I'll be happy to vote on it tonight. Yeah. I the only thing I'm going to say is the only um issue I would have not voting on I mean and again whether we do or not is that we're all here. You're going to miss out three that have the actual information to vote with one person who's not here getting the same information that we got. I think that whether or not you have a quorum the next meeting that one person that's not here did not just receive the same information that he just gave us. Whereas us three who did receive this information fully from the people that we needed to hear it from could be voting with you can watch it on
081TV. I think I will say I think we have a due diligence to as uh I love to say marinate and just make sure I think we don't want to rush into a decision. Not that I'm sure it will not be positive. Um but I do think uh I am not going to one rush it to we don't have the resolution. So, we can't vote on it uh quite literally. And if we need to hold a special meeting uh as we did plenty last year, I think we can all come together for a 15minute meeting if everyone wants to be present for it next week. That I would like I would think would be not fairer, not the word fair. You know what I'm saying? I think it would be more logical to make the
082decision with all of us versus knocking out three when we know we're not going to be here when we didn't even know that that was going to be on there. So uh I will call for a last round of questions before we close this and then I would ask everyone to please send uh your availability to meet next week. Any last questions? Thank you. Thank you all for your your patience and your understanding and I appreciate the hard work you're doing. Um, you know, we're we are a team in this county and I, you know, assure you that we'll work together as we have and uh look forward to it. Um, and uh if there are any questions, I'm the easiest one to find. So, thank you very much. Thank you much. All right. Uh,
083next on our agenda is Miss Jen Perno to talk through uh, our summer programs. I think yes, wait for it to warm up. I'm here. You good? All right. So, good evening board members and our Rome community. So, we have a very brief presentation um for Melissa and I are going to uh go go through our summer programs this year. So, we'd like to really say that we worked very very hard on this. We actually have a lot of our traditional, but we also partnered with our community members, our community partners to actually bring in some new uh programs for the summer. And I think you'll be excited to hear about those if you haven't already because it's been on Parent Square. It's been on our uh website. It has actually been on um our
084Facebook page. So, everything is kind of constantly going out there to get interest. And um we have some really really awesome programs that we're going to be um adding to our um summer catalog this year. So I'll have uh Melissa take it away and start it for us and then I will close it out. I know the clicker. Got it. Oh boy. I know. Good evening everyone. Um so as Jen said, super excited to talk about what we're going to be offering our students this summer. Um, and we did work with a lot of our community partners on this. Um, and some a lot of work went into it with the um, directors for ASI and uh, supported learning. So um, first we're going to start with the elementary programs and these look some of
085these look familiar. the LEAP program we're going to be doing again and that services about 400 students preK through 5ifth grade again going to be held at John Joy Elementary School July 7th through the 31st Monday through Thursday 9 to 1 our students will be transported back and forth and they will be served breakfast and lunch while they're there um and this is just an opportunity for our students just not to get into that summer slide and to offer some enrichment programs for them and just kind of engage them in things that they weren't able to do during the school year. So to really explore some new opportunities for them. We're also going to be starting this year, which is really exciting, a partnership with Griffith Institute and offering STEM circuit camps. We are targeting
086students um grades 3 through six specifically. And we have 4 weeks Monday through Friday 9 to 3. So it's a full day program. Students will receive transportation and they will receive breakfast and lunch. Um it's going to be housed at Stout Middle School and there's about 25 students each week that are going to be participating in the events and each week focuses on a different topic. So, we've got biology, chemistry, cyber security, and coding, and drones. So, obviously, the drones is packed full with a waiting list. Um, but the other ones are already up to I think at the last time I looked, we were already up to about 21 20 or 21 for each week. So, we're still collecting um some names and they'll be filled up, I'm sure, um by the time it
087starts. So, that's really exciting. and we meet weekly with Griffith to really talk about what they need and make sure that everything they need is going to be there at Stout for them. Um, and then of course we do have our extended year program and that is specifically designed for our students with an IEP who says they need the 12 month program that is Monday through Friday, July 7th through August 15th. It will be held at Ridge Mills and they will be provided transportation and breakfast and lunch. And so those are elementary summer programs. Go ahead. For secondary, we have um a couple of new additions. So we are going to bring back some middle school enrichment. We're focusing on approximately 40 eighth graders who struggled in middle school um to give them just some
088extra enrichment opportunities to help that transition into the high school. So we are signing kids up right now. Um we we didn't get the most enthusiastic response from everyone. So we are opening it up to some other students. So, we're hoping to really grab all 40 students cuz we are providing again transportation and breakfast and lunch. So, we're hoping that um we get a full slate of 40 students and it's not just you know come to summer school and wrote learning. They're going to do field trips and it's going to be a lot of um you know skills that will help them in the high school. So, that should be a really great program. We're also going to have again the high school summer school that will be held in person and online. So basically
089it's the credit recovery program that happened last year and students are asked they can come in to the high school from 9 to 11 for direct support with their teacher or they can do it online and there will be a Google link that they can if they can't get transportation there will be a Google link for them so that they can meet with their teacher online if they need additional support. We also are going to have our high school regions boot camp and that'll take place for two weeks prior to the regions. That is in person and that is a highintensity rigorous boot camp for students prior to the August regions to really get them through that regent exam. It was really successful last summer, so we're hoping for the same results this summer and
090even better. And then um something new this year we are offering a Sunni poly camp Sunni Poly uh STEM camp about 30 students from 7th to 10th grade is who we're focusing on that would be um the week of August 11th take place Monday through Friday and the students need to get to RFA but then we are going to provide a shuttle from RFA to Sunni and they're going to be on campus involved in STEM camps but it's also Alo an opportunity to introduce these students to what college is like to give them some tours, take them to the dorms and really expose them to what that college life would look like. Um so that's a really exciting opportunity for them as well. Next, uh can I ask a question? Sure. So when you talked
091about the middle school enrichment, you had uh mentioned that it's not just summer school that they'll have things like field trips. Yes. So in my budget brain, I had remembered that the board had to unfortunately cut field trips throughout that budget. So how are we doing that for summer school if we didn't we weren't able to do that for so it's um it's a program through Boseies. Okay. So Boseies is running it through the coaster and so everything is going right through Boseies. They're doing all the hiring with the teachers um and providing the administrator for the program as well. Okay. Yep. And we built in the transportation cost with that. Yep. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. So, we're not done yet. Um next is Project Fibonacci, their steam leadership camp. Um this is pretty
092cool. We have 14 RFA students who apply to take part in the Fibonacci steam conference. It is the week of July 27th. It is an all-inclusive opportunity, meaning the students spend the night for a week at the um camp, the leadership conference, and it's a very hands-on project-based environment um inquiry based where students dive into all sorts of steam opportunities. and they've got lots of guest speakers coming in, including our own um Janette Apps, who is a Syracuse native and a NASA astronaut, which I thought was pretty cool. Um, and a couple of the students, I think about four of them have already gotten scholarships and then we are able to get some grant funding to provide scholarships for the remaining 10 students so that they're all going to be able to attend, which is
093really exciting. Um, another new program that we have starting this year is the pre-ETSS summer camps. And we literally just started this, I don't know, maybe two months ago, partnering with OM Boseies. And um, it's an opportunity for students to step into the workforce and get an idea of what they want to do once they graduate from high school. And we have two students this year who are going to take advantage of a camp opportunity through OM. Um we are providing transportation but we're going to be reimbursed through the pretes program and the students are also receiving a stipend for going to camp. So as we move forward there's going to be a lot more opportunities for our students partnering with OM through this program. So that's exciting. And then finally, we have the extended
094year program for students in grades 7 to 12 who has the 12-month program on their IEP and that's going to be held at RFA. Transportation, lunch, and breakfast will be included for them. Okay. All right. So, we have been very busy um adding new programs. I'm really excited to to see the diverse opportunities that we have and also finding the money for them. So, very very busy. So, on the I almost hit the wrong button. Um for the next part um on behalf of the amazing Chris Whitmore uh representing him tonight on the summer food service programs. Uh so as you can see uh we have our ability to do the summer um free meals to our 18 and under as part of our uh combat food insecurity to combat food insecurity. The meals are
095available in multiple sites. So what he's put together for us is uh inner and the outer districts of Rome. We have our public park sites um open to all ages uh all ages 18 and under uh June 30th through August 15th or the 22nd. It varies by park and so they're going to be available in Pinty Field Pinefield sorry Stevens um Franklin Guyire South James Street Leetown Park. For more details and the latest updates please visit the district website. So it will have very specific information especially for those parks that might be on the 15th or the 22nd. And then we have other programs where uh it varies according to the program, but obviously in the Ridge Mills and what we just went through in our different um summer programs that we're running, we will
096be having food service at those. We're also going to have it at the Romar and Community Center. Uh also at the Y uh Upstate Caring Partners, Johnny Joy and Stra Middle School with our STEM program and our summer program and also offered at Boseies at the alternative education. And then in addition, eligible families may also receive summer EBT benefits which are administrated by the office of the temporary and disability assistance. And he listed eligibility typically based on your SNAP, your Medicaid, and your direct certification. So all of the information that Chris had tonight for us and all of the amazing programs that we have throughout um our summer feeding programs in addition to our summer programs. Any questions? Great job. Thank you. And I will attach this in my Friday my Friday memo. So it
097will be attached for you guys. My Friday my fre my weekly update. My fro my weekly update. I'll have it there. All right. Moving on to our consent agenda. Resolution to accept consent agenda that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the consent agenda be accepted by the board of education. I move the resolution. Second by Kelly. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Consent agenda passes. And that moves us to a very large finance section on page 14. Okay. Uh resolution one, resolution to accept Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency 2526 for UPK services contract. Resolve that the contract is indicated below in accordance with plans and specifications duly advertised and bids received for RFP number 2025-0603 be accepted for the 2025 2026 term and that the president be authorized to sign and
098con contract contract for UPK services awarded to Mohawk Valley Community Action and it's for $6,000 per child. I move the resolution. Second by Paula. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Resolution to accept day automation contract. Whereas the Rome City School District has identified needs for cameras and security systems in accordance with the district's capital improvements and facility management goals. And whereas day automation systems is an authorized provider of such services and equipment. And whereas the district administration has reviewed the proposal from day auto automation and recommends entering into a contract with said firm for the provision of such systems and services in an amount not to exceed $77,5308. And whereas funding for this project is available from the approved capital fund. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education
099of the Rome City School District hereby approves the contract with Day Automation Services Incorporated for the turf camera systems and installation at Rome Free Academy in an amount not to exceed $96,986.70 subject to the terms and conditions of the proposed dated May 15, 2025. Even be it further resolved that the board of education authorizes the superintendent of schools and/or the school business official to execute said contract and take all steps necessary to implement the terms of this resolution. I move the resolution second by Nadia. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Resolution to create a capital reserve. Whereas the board of education of the Rome City School District recognizes the need to establish a reserve fund to finance the cost of future capital improvements and equipment purchases. And whereas the voters authorize
100the creation of a capital reserve not to exceed a total of $10 million. And whereas the board of education desires to establish a capital reserve fund for the purpose of funding future capital projects, building improvements, renovations, and the acquisition of equipment. Now therefore be it resolved 2025 capital reserve. There is hereby established a capital reserve fund to be known as a 2025 capital reserve fund. The fund. Purpose of the fund. The purpose of this fund is to finance in whole or in part capital improvements and equipment including but not limited to construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration and equipping of school buildings and facilities, acquisition of land and purchase of school buses and vehicles. Such purposes are those for which bonds may be issued pursuant to the local finance law. Maximum amount, the ultimate amount of the
101fund shall not exceed 10 million. Term the probable term of the fund shall be 10 years from the date of its establishment. Funding sources. The fund shall be financed by budgetary appropriations from the district's general fund. Unexpected balances from other funds and each other legally available monies as the board of education may designate. Expenditures from the fund shall be made only upon specific authorization by a majority vote of the qualified voters of the district in accordance with the provisions of the education law. The this resolution shall take effect immediately. Be it further resolved that the district clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish notice of this proposition to approve the establishment of the fund in the legal newspapers of the district and to take all other necessary steps to place such proposition before the
102voters. I move the resolution. Seconded by Nadia. Any discussion? Good job, sir. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Resolution to accept Bosey's contract. Where is the Madison and United Board of Cooperative Educational Services? Boseies has duly prepared and presented their final proposal of costs for services and products for the 2526 term. And whereas the Rome City School District is a component district of the Madison and Knight of Boseies and has reviewed the final budget as submitted. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of the Rome City School District hereby approves the Madison and Night of Bosey's final budget for the 2526 schoolyard as presented. I move the resolution by Nadia. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Whereas the resolution to accept donations whereas the board of
103education of the Rome City School District is authorized under New York State Education Law to accept gifts, donations, and grants of money and/or property. And whereas the following donations have been generously offered to the Rome City School District. Wattis 75 Guardian caps for football helmets in the amount of $3,937.50. American Heart Association CPR kits. All-in-one kit contains facilities CPR training for 10 to 12 students. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of the Rome City School District hereby gratefully accepts these donations and directs the superintendent of schools to ensure that appropriate acknowledgement is provided to the donors and that the donations are used in accordance with the donor intent and applicable district policies. I move the resolution. Second, second by Kristen. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Resolution
104to authorize participation in the NICL class program merger. Where is the new New York general municipal law article 5G section 19-0 section 19-0 empowers municipal corporations defined in article 5G section 19N to include school districts boards of cooperative educational services county cities towns and villages and districts to enter and to amend cancel and terminate agreements for the performance among themselves or one for the other of their respective functions powers and duties on a cooperative or contract basis. Whereas the Rome City School District wishes to invest portions of its available investment funds in cooperation with other corporations and/or districts pursuant to the NICLASS municipal corporation agreement amended and restated as of August 1st, 2023. Whereas the Rome City School District wishes to satisfy satisfy the safety and liquidity liquidity needs of their funds. And whereas NILAF
105is merging with NICL class. Now therefore be it resolved as follows. The Rome City School District of Rome, New York, is hereby authorized to participate in the NICLASS program under the terms of the new NCLASS municipal coop cooperation agreement amended and restated as of August 1st, 2023. I move the resolution second by Nadia. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you. Uh any opposed? Resolution passes. And finally, our last one, resolution to approve cooperative bidding agreement with Madison and Knight of Boseies for school supplies and school lunch commodities. Whereas it is the plan of a number of public school districts in Madison and Night of Boseies during the 2526 school year to bid jointly for the purchase of various types of school supplies and school lunch commodities. And where is the Rome City School District?
106The school district is desirous of participating in the joint bidding of the commodities as authorized by general municipal law section 119-0. And whereas this board of education has received and reviewed an agreement governing its rights and responsibilities should it elect to participate in the joint bidding of the commodities. And whereas the board of education wished to appoint a district administer as a member of a Boseiswide committee to assume the responsibility for drafting of specifications, advertising for bids, accepting and opening bids, tabulating bids, reporting the results to this board of education, and making recommendation thereof in accordance with the board of education's powers under relevant law and pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Be it resolved that the board of education hereby appoints Dr. Georgia Gonzalez to represent it in all manners related above and
107wait be it further resolved in accordance with the agreement a copy of which is enexed hereto. The board of education agrees to assume its equitable share of the costs of the cooperative bidding to abide by majority decisions of the participating districts on quality standards to award bid item purchases according to the recommendations of the committee unless all bids are rejected and to negotiate directly with a successful bidder after the awarding of contracts. I move the resolution second. Uh any discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Okay. Our audit committee meeting and finance committee meetings will all be determined after our reorganization meeting. And that concludes finance. All right. We have no educational program agenda items and Kelly is going to take it away for human resources. Action item number one, resolution
108to accept Udica University external clinical agreement. Resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent schools, the board of education hereby accepts the external clinical agreement between the city Rome City School District and Udica University. I move the resolution. Second. Second by John. Any discussion? So this is like interns coming in, right? Like that kind of thing coming into the school, correct? Yeah. Okay. That's what how I read it. Sorry. No worries. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Action item number two. Resolution to accept memorandum of agreement regarding donation of sick days. Resolved that upon the recommendation of superintendent school, the board of education hereby accept the memorandum of agreement between the Rome City School District and the Rome CSD AIDS teacher assistance monitors and cafeteria unit ATAMCU. C S EA local 1000 AF
109ceio on educational local 869 in unit 7763-01 I move the resolution by Nadia any discussion all in favor any opposed resolution passes action item number three resolution to accept settlement agreement resolved that upon the recommendation of superintendent school. The board of education hereby accepts the settlement agreement between the Rome City School District and the Rome Teachers Association. I move the resolution. Second by John. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Action item number four, resolution to create civil service positions. Resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent schools, the board of education hereby accepts the creation of the following civil service positions. Director of District School Safety and Security, Assistant Personnel Director and Nurse Practitioner. I move the resolution. Second by John. Any discussion? The assistant personnel, which is the assistant personnel
110director of the security position is all one. Is that one position? Did you see the um Did you see the I read the job descriptions? They were in our packet. I don't know if you saw them each one of them. I have a clicker. I have a clicker. Three different positions. One for the director of safety, right? Another one for assistant director of human resources to add to the human resources department. But under civil service, sometimes what we call it internally, civil service has a different title. So this is the civil service title positions. So we might already like you were saying have these already going to be filled a certain up a certain way within, right? You just have to take a test now. Like when someone's retired or leaving us and someone else
111takes over. Mhm. So if George is going into a new I'll just say use Georgia and Jen. Jen's leaving. George is taking over Jen. Okay. They move up together. Um and anything that fell under Jen. Now, if you had Georgia going up and you don't want her to take on all that, you're going to break it down into another position. Is that what you're saying? Are these net new positions? These are the the new positions that we talked about based on our framework. When we went through the budget, we went through the budget process. All right. Now, I'm with you. Right. Thank you. I just But some of them require a civil service exam. Correct. Instead of just having them. I got They need a test now. That's the civil service. Some of them do.
112Some days I just, you know, sometimes got Yeah. Sorry guys. I'm sorry. I apologize. Now stay with us, both of you. All in favor? Hi. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Are you doing you doing miscellaneous or do you want me to keep going? Uh, no policy. I can start. M. Okay. Oh, I should have said no. Um, all right. You can whip through. Action item number one. A resolution to approve data privacy agreement. Whereas four Boseies, Anadaga, Courtland, Madison Boseies, Albanese, Skah, Skenkity, Saratoga Boseies, Madison, Onidita, Boseies, and Broom Tagua Boseies have collaborated and entering into an article 5 general municipal law intermunicipal arrangement for the purpose of improving vendor management and data security and privacy practices for school districts and or Boseies statewide known as the Rick one risk operation center, the rock. Whereas the
113board of education of the Rome City School District through its affiliation with the locally based regional information center participates with the rock and desires for the 2025 2026 fiscal year to authorize the rock to enter into data privacy agreements and related exhibits DPAs with vendors and thirdparty contractors that include the requirements of and compliance with New York State Education Law Section 2D part 121 regulations collectively ed law 2D related to student personally identified viable information PII and certain teacher and principal APR data. Whereas the rock also partners with uh NISED the access for learning student data privacy consortium SDPC and the education cooperative TEC to negotiate and approve edlaw 2D compliant DPAs. Whereas the DPAs are presented to the school districts and or boseies for final execution and do not require the expenditure of funds
114beyond those budgeted. And be it resolved that the board of education of the Rome City School District authorizes the attorneys designated by the rock to negotiate and approve of DPAs for software and or technology resources. And be it further resolved that the Rome City School District Board of Education grants the Rock and its designated attorneys the authority to negotiate the terms and conditions of DPAs and take action. so as to effectuate the purposes and intent of the resolution. I move the resolution. Second. Second by Sue. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Action item number two. Resolution to amend the election results for write in BOE members. Whereas the board of education reviewed the May 20th, 2025 vote totals from each polling location, tallied the results, and announced the final proposition and
115board candidate election results at an open meeting on May 21st, 2025. And whereas the results as announced by the board included reference to votes received by writing candidates despite the fact that no writing candidates were elected to office. And whereas when organizing the records from the May 2025 annual meeting and general election for storage and safekeeping, it was noted that write-in votes as announced by the board of board on May 21st, 2025 were not complete. And whereas the final results of the May 20th, 2025 annual meeting and general election are in no way impacted by write-in votes for candidates for the board of education. But the district desires to ensure clarity and completeness in its meaning minutes relative to the final vote results. Now therefore be it resolved that the board resolves that the complete
116and accurate write in results for writein votes cast on May 20th 2025 annual meeting and general election are as follows as detailed on page 21 of tonight's agenda. And to clarify that still puts uh Mr. Johnny Roland at 371 votes uh and the winner of the election. Congratulations, John. You're still I move the resolution. Second. Second by Sue. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Resolution passes. Uh moving on, of course, uh the wonderful upcoming event, uh which is RFA graduation at Stadium Support on Friday, June 27th, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. If you are planning to attend, please try to come to the rehearsal. That will be Friday morning at 9:00 a.m. We do not have any old business. I thought we had a public comment come in. Welcome, Jen. All right, so we
117have one public comment if we're ready for it. Uh, from Miss Patricia, I'm sorry, I'm going to screw it up. Miss Chevitz, thank you. Uh, and the subject is payroll. uh in Rome, New York. So, I'm a lifelong Roman. I went to school here. Um I graduated from RFA and I chose to come back and teach at RFA for over 30 years. Well, in Rome, not just RFA. I was all over the place, including here down the hallway, which I absolutely loved. Um, I'm here because I have quite a few concerns about payroll. I know personally, absolutely personally, 10 people who haven't been paid for subbing or extra work. And from what I understand, that number is at least 20. Now, I believe we have a fiduciary responsibility to pay the people who um work
118for our school district, and that includes me because I haven't gotten paid either. supposedly tomorrow. It's right now it's not in my checking account because I looked before I came here because if it was I probably wouldn't have. Um I'm upset because this isn't the way we do business. This isn't how we did business for the last 30ome years. We have this great opportunity of Shabbani coming in. I am so excited. I love their yogurt. It's a great opportunity for Rome. um you know, new houses, new people. But you know something, they're not going to come here. They're not going to come if they find out the way we treat our teachers, the way we treat staff, if people aren't being paid for the work that they do, if they're not being accurately um compensated
119or that they have to wait weeks and weeks. And to go along with that, the teachers who haven't gotten paid had no notice. They expected a paycheck on a Wednesday. It wasn't there. There was no email. There was no letters. There was no phone calls saying, "Oh, we've got a problem." Or, "Oh, uh, payroll had an issue or whatever the issue is." No. No communication whatsoever between the district and the people who didn't get paid. That's wrong. I'm ashamed. And I didn't come here earlier because I kept thinking I'm going to call I'm going to try to get this settled. I'm um hoping that Chris Sturi and Julie Ramos will be able to talk to whoever to settle the problem. Instead, I go to a wake yesterday and I can't tell you how many people
120said to me, "I haven't gotten paid. I haven't gotten paid. They owe me money. They owe me money. That's ridiculous." and that's why I'm here today. So, that's number one. Number two, there was also a rumor, and I'm going to rightfully say it's a rumor, that one of the schools didn't have milk this week because of a bill that wasn't unpaid. Do I know if that's true? Not 100%, but it came from a TA at that building. Bothers me. I don't like that. I don't want to hear that. I pay Rome taxes. I live here. I've been here my whole life and I came back because I believe in Rome. And the third thing I want to talk about is how some of our substitutes are being treated. When we go into a classroom and
121sub I've done it. We follow a teacher's lesson plans and I know one te one sub in particular they had the plans. At the end of the plans, it said if the test is done, students have three choices. They can go to the library, they can vote go on their Google Chromebook, or they can be on their phone for the extra time left. And somebody from district office walked into that classroom and chewed that sub out in front of students. That's unacceptable. We should not go into a classroom and be embarrassed in front of our students. And we're subs. We don't have the plans. I can't pull um a social studies lesson out of my head. I'm an English teacher. Sure, I could take English and I can do anything with English. I can take
122prepositions and semicolons and colons. I can do whatever if I have extra time. Would you stick me in a science room? I can't do that. I can follow plans. I can write wonderful notes. I could take attendance. I can grade something. If you have multiple choice answers, but I can't pull something out of my head. I follow the teacher's plans. We need to get our act together in Rome or people aren't going to come here. My son-in-law doesn't want to move to Rome because he doesn't want to send his kids here, my grandchildren. I'm ashamed because I really think we have a good school district. We have wonderful teachers. I know that. I was a new teacher mentor for several years. I went to all the buildings. I met the principles. I worked with new
123teachers. I know what we have in this school district. But we need to take control. We need to give teachers respect. We need to give subs respect. We need to pay people for the work that they do so that people want to come here. So they want to build those houses like Tony Abone was saying. So they want to move here so they don't go to Clinton and New Hartford. So we can hold our head up high and say Rome is the best. Because you know when kids hear their teachers being yelled at, what does that make them feel? How does that how do they feel? What do they think when they go home? What do they tell their parents? Oh, my teacher got yelled at today in front of us. No. If there's an
124issue, you take that business somewhere else. I love Rome. And if I don't come here and I don't say what needs to be said, you're not going to know because board members, you're the boss. Thanks. Great. Oh, sorry. Thank you for your time. Okay, that is going to end our regularly scheduled uh board meeting. Uh we I will make a motion to go into executive session to discuss matters regarding an appeal for a dignity for all student determination, contract negotiations for a particular person and entity and uh to discuss a privileged attorney client matter. So moved by Kirsten, second seconded by John. Any discussion? All in favor? Any opposed? All right, we will not be returning to regular session. Thank you all for your time. Yes, you can see.