001history be also qualifying for national and international. Nathan [Applause] Yip second place in the geography B and a history B qualifier. So now two competitions he's qualified for. Jaden TR [Applause] History B national and international qualifier, Mr. Charlie Cooper. Another grade level champion in the region, science be first place champion in the eighth grade level, George Kennedy. [Applause] Hold on for this one. This is a long one. Second place in the history be in the eighth grade in the region qualified for national. Third place in the grade level in the science be Mr. Nicholas Natali. And our final student also two different B's both both sides of the brain. History B grade level third place in the region national international qualifier and fourth place in the regional science be competition. Mia Mroy [Applause] And I
002would be remiss if I didn't mention and thank the teachers certainly uh but the chairs and coordinators who led these initiatives. Mrs. Anderson is here with us tonight. Thank you. And Mrs. Aar who could not be here but really is the person running running these competitions and ran the competition on Sunday the 21st. So thank you Mrs. Acer. Hold on. Reach out to you. Next, we want to bring up Dr. Spentitis and Mr. Pibons from the high school. A couple presentations we want to and they'll leave one into another. So, tonight we're we're honored to uh we're happy to honor Vincent Pino who I want to quickly explain this competition that he's a part of. It's called the Long Island Brain Day. Um, so it's a competition specifically about the brain and neuroscience. Vincent, correct
003me if I'm wrong, it was a two-part competition. So, first there was like a a test that they had to take and then there was like the interactive of uh portion of it. Also, there were over 100 students from 34 different high schools both on Long Island and from New York City. And he finished second place amongst the entire competition which is of course In addition to our recognition, there's also recognition from Councilman Tom. Congratulations. I know I saw you presentation this this week at school. He did a great job on on his AP research project was unbelievable. But you want to tell everyone just like you told last year how specific this brain be competition gets for a guy like you who's interested in neuroscience. Uh yeah. So the brain be was pretty specific.
004Uh it had to do with the anatomy of the brain. So like the atomical structures as well as hormones that the brain controls and neurotransmitters and it also started to add uh diseases that come with the brain and certain disorders that uh happen with the brain. And so you had to understand where these disorders came from, how to treat the disorders with certain types of drugs, and what the neurotransmitters did inside the brain, as well as being able to identify what the structures look like and what they function as. So it's pretty specific. It's unbelievable. This kid is on his way. So those middle school students, if you want to emulate someone, this is this is the guy. Great job. It's funny. Everyone else. [Applause] So, uh, thank you, Mr. Gibbons. When we had to,
005um, decide who was going to speak about which group, I finally offered us to give her the neuroscience speak which I felt much more comfortable with. Um but for I don't know if everybody was able to come and see our production of Mamma Mia this March but it was really exceptional and it always is a great production but this year really blew everybody away. Um our students and staff worked for months tirelessly. It was one of the best performances I've ever seen. Um, and in addition to all the hours the students put in, we had some staff members that we couldn't have done it without. So, we wanted to recognize them this evening. So, um, first Matt Vote and Donnie Apple, two of our [Applause] very two producers, um, Miss Stell and Miss McGori. Mrs.
006Marcus, our pit band director. Um, Linda Vote, I have her title here that I put myself as general organizer. Eric Wild for lighting and sound. Michael Pasano who helped with sound. Oh, look. I didn't see. Um, we had two people who weren't able to be here tonight, but they really helped a lot with building our set. Um, Mr. So, I have him here as Mori, but it's your brother, right? It's Mr. German. Yes. G. and also um Scott Romer who both of them came with and spent a lot of hours. Um and we have Laura Bowen, our choreographer who was helped a great deal this year by her daughter Samantha Bowen. [Applause] Congratulations [Applause] We'll bring the board up. I just want to just note that uh for Mr. Vote, Mr. EPO, they are our
007security during You probably didn't know this. You're watching the show. The show is going on who is someone in the audience who had uh was having an episode uh falling uh having an illness. Uh Donnie Eff's an EMT. Matt's a former police officer and they were able to take care of this person in the audience and get them out all while the show is going on and most people did notice and they always do a great job for us as our school security. You did such a great job. I was sitting about seven rows in front of them and had no idea it happened until the night was over. They do a great job and our staff. You know, you can't say enough about our staff. Uh they're wonderful. Thank you for your new We
008got some pictures. Get it up on the website. [Applause] Come on. Move up a little bit. back. Good morning. [Music] And uh after a visitor section like that, we always give uh the opportunity for our students and staff after you've been recognized Uh, Mr. Keegan's taking everyone out. The friendlies. No, I'm just I'm just kidding. But we give this opportunity for the students and staff. If you want to get out before the board does it business, we'll give you a five minute uh recess. Um, and there's time to take pictures outside with the social media stuff we have against the wall. So, we'll be nice. But we appreciate everything our students are able to accomplish and and it can't happen without our staff. So, thank you guys very much. [Applause] There's so much Let me
009see. [Applause] [Laughter] Thank you. [Music] He got worse. It got worse. Got worse. Yeah. Um I called earlier about the getting a presentation for Okay. At this time, are there any questions on the agenda? Yeah, many visitors agenda all make a motion to accept the minutes. All those in favor? I have minutes. We get to our action items. Then we'll quickly hold on to these seats. Action item number one. Approval of the adoption of elementary school district budget for the 2526 school year. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action number two. Approval of 2025 2026 property tax report card. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carried. Action item number three, approval of Nassau Bosey's administrative operations budget for the 2025 2026 school year. Second. Any questions?
010All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Action item number four, please. Election of the three candidates to the vacant 2025 2026 NASA's board seat. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Action item number five, please. Approval of comprehensive school district safety plan for first reading. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item number six, approval of new policy number 011- R-title 9 policy. Title 9 policy regulation. First reading. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carry. Action item number seven, please. Approval of revised policy number 1102-R, school district records regulation. Second reading. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Action on the read. Approval of new policy number 2245 ex officio student member of the board. Second read.
011Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action number nine, please. Approval to retire policy number 5300-R Island School student discipline demmerit system. Second reading. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item number 10, please. Approval of new policy 8113, extreme heat condition. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Action. Approval of three UPK students to remain in the Island Tree School District for the remainder of the 2024 25 school year. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Action number 12, approval of one Spark student and one Stoke student request remain in the island school. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion to carry. Action done for the 13th. Approval of summer sports camps. Any questions?
012All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Action item number 14. Approval of the license agreement for the 2025 2026 school year with scope educational services. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item number 15. Approval to declare surplus library books from the high school. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carried. Action item number 16. Approval to declare surplus and dispose of music equipment. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carry. Action item number 17. Approval of textbook central agreement for the 2025 2026 school year. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item number 18. Approval of Matt Gund memorial scholarship. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Action out of 19. Approval to
013collect and dispose of facilities equipment. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carried. Action item number 20. Acceptance of the first increase. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item 21. Approval of sick day donation agreement. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. Action item 22. Approval of resolution agreement. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action item 23, approval of use of buildings. Second. Any questions? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Action 24. Approval of personnel report. Second. Any questions? Hi. All right. Okay. Um, any visitors are on new old business? Again, not all at once. Oh, we have a question. I understand um enrollment's been going down. So why is my budget going up? Enrollment
014isn't isn't going down. It's been uh going up the last couple of years. It was going down. It's going a little bit up. I know we spoke last year at the at the budget uh hearing. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Well, we have the hearing in a few weeks. Uh but it's all the costs that you you would experience at home too. The inflationary costs that that you're experiencing uh in the rest of the country experiences impacted the schools. But we are still capped at uh the 2% tax cap. So really the the property tax should not go up past that that particular level. So that's helped out tax residents around here for almost 15 years now. So, it's still going to go up 2% but it's not going up past what the cost of inflation has
015gone gone uh past few years. Okay. Because somebody that I know works in the district has told me that has Yeah, that's that's not true. We've been opening up actually new sections at at Spark Elementary School, at Stokes Elementary School, and middle school student enrollment at at those levels has been going going up. So really, is it a significant increase? We have it. It's not a significant, but it's enough to cause extra sections of of of staffing for for the students. Sure. Okay. I also understand that um second sets of Spanish textbooks are being sent home with all the Spanish speaking students at home. Why identify money paying for two sets of pencils? Yeah, I'm not I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate. Uh we have the principles here are shaking their heads and that's
016not true. I'm not sure if the ESL students get uh extra extra sets of of textbooks. We don't we barely hand out any textbooks anymore. Actually, most of it is all digital and translated on the Chromebook. It's not there's no sets. person. [Music] We have our math books that are in Spanish for our Spanish students. So, but not not in addition not it's quite common. They actually does very but um you know they part of our program so a handful of students have Spanish but it's comes part of our program and that's elementary school. Yeah. Yeah. I know some school districts. I was in a a neighboring school district at one time on LA and not here that would be with certain textbooks that would have all there was one textbook for in school and
017then one textbook for that they would send home to students but that's not done anymore because of budget readings which not affordable some textbooks say at the at the AP level they're $150 a piece you couldn't get multiple sets for students uh it might happen with one or two students out there maybe have some some special accommodations But for the general students out there, there's just one set of of textbooks or books that they would receive. Okay. And then my last I don't know because I know the governor is trying to make it all a statewide thing. So I don't know if the district specifically applies for it, but most people in this district families make a heck of a lot more money than I do. Yet we give free breakfast and free lunch to
018every student in this district. Absolutely. Why? Because the state and federal the state and federal government is is giving this to to the school district. We're not we're not using any of our school district resources with us. The state and federal government offered this based on our free and reduced lunch numbers. So once you've got over 25% free and reduced lunch numbers in your school, you could apply for free and reduced lunch. Actually free lunch for all. So, we applied for it because it was almost a gift that the state and federal government was giving us. I think we would it would be it would be a sin not to take this offer that could benefit all of our students. If we were paying for it, we would make a different but that's we not
019specifically school. No, no, it comes out of state is all taxes that we pay state and federal do it. But they're offering it to us. So to turn it down, you know, we're just an insignificant little community in the whole United in the whole United States. So if we turn it down, they're not going to go, "Oh, Island Trees is turning this down. We're we're not going to do this program and they're going to continue to do the program." So you might as well take advantage of it if it's being offered for the entire country because it benefits our small community. If it wasn't benefiting our community, I would say, you know, it's not worth it. But I think it I think if you look at the whole big picture for just this community, we're
020if we turned it down the state money, we turned down the federal money, they're going to continue to do their program regardless of us, so we might as well join in and take part. If everyone was going in and saying, "We're not going to do it. Will you join in so we can reduce taxes all across the line?" you know, there would be more of a conversation about it, but it was it was almost a no-brainer to say, "Let's let's go forward with this because we're offering this free this service for us." So, it's just like, would we turn down federal aid in some of our programs? Uh because that that that impacts federal taxes. No, we're not going to turn it down because no one else is going to turn down that money. So,
021if you're offering something that's a a great service for the community, let's take it. And because we're getting all that federal money, we have more kids uh involved in the free and reduced lunch money. It's generating a lot of revenue and we've been able to fix up our cafeterias and uh kitchens and even these serving areas all on the federal state dime and not on the district dime which has been. So if you go into our schools and all painted, they got nice signage and beautiful this, beautiful that. all because of the free and reduced lunch money because so many kids partake in it and we're getting reimbursed for all these lunches and breakfasts. I do I I do understand I do understand your point what you're saying and I can say if there was
022a direct benefit of us not accepting it to directly benefiting our community then that would be something that I can assure you that the board would have done but like Dr. Murphy said that that's not would have happened. could have just not taken it and our community would not have the benefit of every kid having free lunch. Um, but our community as a whole would not have seen any it would be any their taxes would go down or they wouldn't gain anything like that. So there would be no benefit to us not taking it only to us, you know, taking the money. In fact, if they didn't take it down, if they if we didn't take advantage of and the community found out, well, you're not taking well, we don't want to impact the federal
023and state taxes, there would be a longer line of people, you know, speaking to the board about their decision-m process. So, that that's just my experience being here that people would be very upset going, you turned on free and reduced lunch for all because you're worried about trying to reduce state taxes, trying to reduce the federal deficit. I don't know. It's not free. No, I I I get it. It's not free. But agree agree. It's like when they say education, public education is free. No, it's not free. It's on the tax payers back. And yet, as we had discussed, we have so many homes in this district that are multifamilies that are not paying their fair share of taxes. They all pay their they all pay every almost every residential home. Because you know some
024people are in default but almost every residential home in the district pays taxes. It pays taxes they pay as a single family home and mult they could be right. They could they could be that's but that's a town issue. But that's a town issue. That's a town issue not orange. I think we spoke about that last year. did. I know. But I'm just saying, see, all of this, as I have spoken to you, affects here, I am somebody who's never had a child, yet I'm paying ridiculous taxes to pay for everybody else's kids so that they don't have to feel the pinch. And that's part of being a being in a in a community is is paying taxes. Yes. And supporting supporting the future. So you've done it fairly because someone at one time and
025I you know and I think we can debate this. Someone at one time paid for me. Someone at one time paid for you. Even people even people not just your parents but when when your parents when those kids went out as you know there were neighbors that you probably had growing up who were seniors who didn't have any kids or people who who may have been married or single didn't have kids and they they helped chip in for you, me or the community. It's it's part of the the whole system. I agree that people just like my community people are upset about they nobody wants to pay more. Um but we get a great bang out of the buck in this district for what we do and and a lot has to do with the
026supportive board. A lot has to do with the staff and and most important the children do. they really produce in this small uh community. And then one last thing um I was speaking to somebody other than the person who told those other things um somebody knows we're saying that the school district is trying to put some of its costs into the library budget. No, it's that's not accurate. In fact, the library we this building, we have an agreement with the library, this whole building of the library. You know how much money they pay the district? They don't pay the district any any sort of rent going going forward. The library taking on the district's title. What are those? They're not taking No, there's nothing. It's part of being a community. So, we're working with them
027and they do a service that benefits the community, but they don't pay anything for this for this magnificent building that's here. We use this room. We share things. We have a symbiotic relationship with them, but they don't pay anything. So, there's nothing in the in the Island Trees Public Library budget that we that they're giving to the district. The district takes on the building and the responsibility for taking care of this building. So, we're putting a new roof on right now. the district. You're you're putting a new roof on this building. Yes. You're putting it on this whole building right here. You can hear them working on it right now. So, it's a brand new roof going on the UPK center, the public library, and the district offices on this side. So, and you know
028how much they're paying for it? They're not paying for it, but the community as a whole is paying for it. Not just the school, the community is. But they also didn't incur any of the cost or anything like that of of going out for bid and all that kind of stuff that goes along with, you know, getting the contractors up there to actually do the roof. They didn't do anything. They just benefited from the fact that they're they're working. Yeah. So, there's nothing on their budget in the future. There will be nothing on their budget in the future that's going to impact the public library in terms of district. Thank you so much. Thank you. Anyone else? All right. On that question. Oh, make a motion to second. All those in favor? I I opposed.
029Motion carries. Good. So much.