001Everybody ready? >> Good evening. Today is July 14th, 2025. Welcome to the Cornwall Central School District Board of Education meeting reorganization meeting. Uh this meeting is officially called to order. My name is John Frink. I'm the assistant superintendent for business and the district clerk. First order of business is please rise for the pledge to the flag. Okay, thank you. Our next order of business is to give the oath to our newly elected board of education members. So, I will come around and uh swear in each of our board of education members. We got this one. Okay. Mr. Cardi, you are first. Please raise your right hand. I do solemnly swear >> I doly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United
002States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York State of New York >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> and I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of board of education member >> the duties of the office of board of education member >> according to the best of my ability. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. Ask sign. Mr. Shepard, please raise your right hand. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> the Constitution of the State of New York >> and that I will faithfully faithfully discharge >> that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of
003the office of Board of Education. Member the >> duties of office of board of education member >> according to the best of my ability. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. [Applause] >> Miss Fox, please raise your right hand. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of Board of Education member >> the duties of the office of Board of Education member >> according to the best of my ability. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Mr. Riser, please raise
004your right hand. >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of Board of Education member >> the duties of the office board of education >> according to the best of my ability. >> The best of my ability. >> Thank you very much. Congratulations. Okay, our next order of business is to swear in our interim superintendent of schools, Miss Megan Ario. Please raise your right hand. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States
005and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of the interim superintendent of schools according to the best of my ability. Congratulations. Thank you. For the next portion of our meeting, we will have the election of our board of education president and vice president. We will start with the board of education president. So, I will take a nomination from the members for president of the board of education. >> I would like to nominate Christian Brunelli. >> Okay. I have one for Christian Brunelli. >> Are there any other nominations for president? >> I'd like to nominate Christine Diaz. >> Okay. I have another nomination for Christine Diaz. Are there any other nominations? Okay. With that, we will take a vote. Those voting in favor of
006Christian Bernelli, please raise your hand. I have one, Richard Shaner, two, uh, Carl Gilpatrick, and three, Elanora Elanora. For Christine Diaz, please vote. Uh, I have Loftton Riser. I have Christine Diaz. I have uh Jim Kan, I have Brendan Cardi, and I have uh Jamie Fox. According to my tally, we have a 5 to3 vote. Is that correct? Okay. Uh our president of the board of education will be Christine Diaz. At this time, I will ask Miss Diaz to stand, raise her right hand to be sworn in as president of the board. I do solemnly swearly >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York. >> Constitution of the state of New York >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> I will
007faithfully discharge >> the duties of the office of president of the board of education. according to the best of my ability. >> Thank you. Congratulations. [Applause] Okay. Now that we have our president of the board of education, I will take nominations for vice president. Do I have a nomination for vice president? >> I would like to nominate Christian Bernali. >> Okay. Are there any other nominations for vice president of the board of board of education? >> I'd like to nominate Jamie Fox. >> Okay. Are there any other nominations for vice president of the board of education? >> Okay. Nominations are now closed. I will take votes for vice president um Christian Bernelli. I see one Richard. I see two Carl. I see three Loftton. Four, Christian Bernelli, five, Eleanor Fazio, and six, uh, Jamie Fox.
008Do I have any votes for Jamie Fox? Please raise your hand. I have one Jim Craig. I have a six to1 vote. Therefore, our vice president of the board of education will be U. Christian Bernelli. I will now come and swear in Christian Bernelli. [Applause] Thank you. Please raise your right hand. I do solemnly swear >> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and the Constitution of the State of New York >> and that I will faithfully discharge >> that I will faithfully discharge >> the duties of vice president of the board of education >> the duties of vice president of the board of education
009>> according to the best of my ability. >> Congratulations. [Applause] Okay, at this point in time, I now turn the meeting over to our newly elected president and vice president of the board of education uh for the operations of the meeting, which next would be recognition of visitors. We might want to take a couple minutes to reorganize ourselves physically if you so choose. Okay. So, um, public comments. Recognition of visitors for any item on the agenda or for any other concern. The board of education welcomes comments from the public. Each person wishing to speak is asked to speak into the microphone, identify themselves, and respectfully limit their comments to three minutes. Two opportunities to speak are available. One early in the meeting, which will be limited to 30 minutes, and one at the end of
010the meeting. Each speaker may address the board only once at both the opening and the closing portions of the agenda. Please remember there will be no cross dialogue between speakers and members between members of the board. All speakers are to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Obscene language, liable statements, threats of violence, statements advocating racial, religious, or other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated. Persons wishing to discuss matters involving individual district personnel or students should present their comments and or concerns to the superintendent during regular business hours. Ex. Yes, that is from our policy book. Any comments? Okay. Next on our agenda is appointment of officers. Can I have a motion? So >> second >> discussion. >> Okay. >> All in favor of the Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> Yeah, we just need to
011discuss. >> I think we have more than one mic on there. >> We need to discuss number two other appointments. Uh OP and Q. There's no names there. Those are board delegates. Um, so those would need to be discussed separately before taking a vote. I mean, we could take a vote on the other ones and then discuss those three or discuss them and take a vote, however you want to do it, but those three uh merit further discussion because there's no names attached to them. >> I'm sorry, you're on uh number one. I'm on number two. >> We can take a vote on number one. >> Thank you. Um all in favor of the appointment of officers in section number one. I >> opposed. Okay. Thank you. Now other appointments. As Jim said, we need
012to pull or discuss um number letters O P and Q. And I will start with uh Oh, can I have a motion to um discuss? >> I motion. >> Second. Thank you. Um it's my understanding that Christian is um serving as the treasurer of the board of um Orange County Schools in the coming year and as a result um the role of delegate. >> You need to serve in that role. >> So to be an officer of the Orange County School Boards Association, you have to be the delegate, not the alternate. Um I was the alternate last year. I attended the meetings. Um and so as a courtesy I guess we can do this but it would it potentially would create some confusion at that level. So unless any someone else wants to serve in
013that role >> and there is an opportunity to be the alternate if you want to get involved and be a part of that. So um do I have to take a vote on that specifically the O or just >> well the motion says delegate and alternate. So you either need to you know, >> just put the names in and then >> Q and put them in and make sure everybody knows what we're doing or we need to, you know, table. >> Okay. So, >> um >> or discuss being >> Okay, so we'll put Christian Bernelli in as the delegate and we'll vote on that. Is there anyone who would like to be the alternate? Um Christine maybe just be helpful because it's kind of how we did it I think in previous years is because
014it's sort of like the committee maybe people don't know especially people maybe new to the board don't know what these three things are and what the the responsibilities are um obviously uh Bash Shakra has served as our NISBA representative for several years and I have served as the legislative leazison for the last two years so I can describe them if that would be helpful and or >> can I just mention also So last year a little a survey came out and we wrote down what committees and those were on there. >> So I believe right before I was leaving I saw an email from Jim suggesting that maybe we move that to the next meeting. >> Right. >> Um so that we can maybe explain it to the new people and then fill that in
015to see who's interested in in which just a suggestion. I brought up sorry I brought up um filling the delegate role with Christians just because that is >> yeah kind of a one it kind of has to happen if he's going to serve as treasurer right% >> so um the others we can certainly table for next meeting that's not an issue but Christian do you want to um explain them in the meantime and then why don't I just describe um Orange County school boards association and we can move those maybe to the committee discussion um so for the Orange County school of the Orange County there are I think 14 or 15 depending how you want to count them, school districts. And this is kind of our federation. Um, so there are members from all
016the different school districts in Orange County. And uh we they lobby on our behalf uh to the state and through the New York State School Boards Association. They also have presentations on shared issues that cross our district boundaries. Um they often have outside presenters, uh legal experts, mental health, uh chronic absenteeism, other things. And so it's a good opportunity to talk to people who are doing what we're doing nearby and learn from their experience and see how they're doing it. U for example, last year there were several discussions about the the cell phone policy and how different school districts were implementing it as well as the uh student representative and I think it was helpful to see how different districts were doing it because more minds are better than one. And I I think it's
017a good experience for anyone new to be just to go and and it's usually meets once a month um in the fall and spring usually on 7 p.m. on Wednesday nights and then the meetings for the winter are virtual so that they can be done from the comfort of your own home. >> Thank you. Um I served on that my first year on the board and it was very helpful to get perspective and see the bigger picture. So, I'm going to propose that we table P and Q for our next meeting and we will send around um the survey as Elanora mentioned, but that we um deleg we put Christian Bernelli in as our appointment delegate for Osma. I'm not good with the acronyms. Orange County School Board Association. So, can I please have a
018motion to approve the other appointments? All except for P and Q and O would be a fill-in for Christian Bernelli. >> So move >> second. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Thank you. All righty. Um number three, designations for the 2526 school year. Um this has to do with the CCHS cafeteria. Um, in terms of the banks and our meetings and such, can I please have a motion or Yeah. motion? >> It's a move. >> Second discussion. >> No. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Thank you. Um, number four, authorizations for the 2526 school year. This has to do with authorizations to, you know, participate in the federal aid program um and authorizations for petty cash funds, limits, etc. Can I please have a motion? >> Second. >> Thank you. Any discussion?
019Okay. Uh all in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay. Thank you. Um acting interimm superintendent of schools resolution. May I have a motion? >> It's a move. >> Second discussion. Um so I my discussion is of whether the necessity of this or best practice and really this is group with the following item number six. Um and I think this should be moved to at least the August meeting. Usually what we've done this through is that actually inside the contracts indicating the succession between different people out the um district leadership and obviously we've had resignations, retirements and vacated points. So we have a change in that. So obviously that would that's part of it. And the second thing is is that you know we're currently in the process of getting a interim assistant superintendent of um
020curriculum and instruction. And perhaps it would be better to work on this because this indicates specific names of people not offices and not roles that when that position is filled that might be a better point to to pass this resolution. Obviously we can amend it in the future but it might be more complete if we do it at that point. So that that's uh on number five and I think that might be the better pathway to accomplish the same goal. >> Christine, if I can just give you a little bit of context around this. So um prior to being appointed into the uh interim superintendent, I would have served as uh the second in charge behind the superintendent. All this is doing is allowing in my absence now as the interim superintendent for somebody else
021to step in in the event that they needed to conduct business on my behalf if for whatever reason I was unavailable to do so. And the same takes place for the acting principal's resolution. It's always kind of been practice. We've always known who would step in in the event that uh a principal was out for the day, you needed to sign a superintendence letter uh for suspension or so on. Um this just memorializes that in board docs. really should be a practice in the July reorganization meeting um to solidify it rather than it just being what we do. Um Christian, I hear what you're saying in the contract, my ASI contract, I am not as second behind the superintendent. Now that I've stepped out of that role for the short term, that doesn't necessarily mean
022that an acting interim supant superintendent would be the person that would be best suited for that. And so Mr. Frink would be the person that would take that role as the next assistant superintendent in the seat. >> So, I understand that and I'm not sure if we're expanding discussion to number six as well. Um, which invokes, you know, section uh 32 uh 3214 of the education law, which as you said, handles suspensions and discipline and those things. And in that section, it specifically gives a list of people who can act including individual board members as well as the board member as a whole in the absence of different people at different stages. So by doing this what we are moving the authority down. So an assistant principal instead of a principal as opposed to what
023exists in the law the text of the law which is that you know a chain of command goes upward and if someone in the chain of command is absent the person above it then has the would make the decision in the absence of that and it seems that that would be us giving what is our the legal designation that individual board members can serve that in that exigency and the board as a whole can as well and so I'm trying to imagine in what situation that we would need to take such quick a and I I can I'm a high school teacher so I can think of things that could happen but in a two weeks between a regular scheduled board meeting that a discipline had to be taken that quickly and if it was
024there would probably be other things going on that the having the designation and I think what this does it basically says someone who takes action as an acting principle uh is not usurping authority of someone else you in the absence of the person who would have that authority normally. And so the best practice of this is that most districts, this is part of the district safety plan or part of the code of conduct where it's outlined. And the only district that has a separate resolution that I could see in the area is Carmel. And I think that was indicated because in the original text on this, it indicated that it probably originated from Carmel's resolution, which only covered the high school, not the other buildings in their district. So my suggestion on number six and
025I sorry if I'm moving ahead to the next item would be to do this since we are voting on the code of conduct next month and we do not have anyone in schools prior to Labor Day September and that we can do that put it into this language in the code of conduct which I think seems to be at least if not the best practice the common practice and I think that would achieve the same goal. >> Can we back up to number five please? Um, is your concern that there are specific names mentioned and we're not just using titles of people? Because I think that it doesn't change for number five. It sounds like it doesn't change the flow of authority or the flow of who steps in. It's a matter of we don't
026have all the people named yet. So, we could come back and update it once we have that. That's not a legal issue versus number six. >> So, that's not my concern. Although I think best practice is that authorities should follow the office and not the individual but that's not my issue here. Um I think with the uh I mean this is five and I think you know obviously even in the past the chain was for us to go superintendent assistant superintendent for business curriculum instruction and then so forth down that chain of command. So that my I I think that it would be more complete. But I I heard our interim superintendent's recommendation. I understand what she is saying. I understand why we're doing this because there has been some movement from what the existing
027language was prior to uh the beginning of this month. So that that's my feeling is that this can be more complete in the future. But if other pe that's just my suggestion. I realize some other people may not think it's necessary. Any other comments on number five? >> I just want to also reiterate that this is for emergency purposes only. This is not this is not like for a long-term situation. This is if something happened that I was unavailable for whatever reason, Mr. Frink would be able to step in and sign and make decisions on my behalf. Same as the same, you know, for the principal ship. It's a very short-term emergency based situation. It's not, it wouldn't be everyday common practice. Okay. So for number five, actoring interim superintendent school of schools resolution where
028we have the flow of who steps in in an emergency emergency situation if the initial person is not available. Um can I get a vote for those in favor of passing it as is? I >> I one two three four five six seven opposed abstaining. Did I catch you your vote? Oh, I did count it. Okay. Sorry. Okay. >> I think you had >> I didn't I had eight. It's eight. I said seven. I think >> you said seven. I think it was >> it's eight. Yeah. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. So, now let's look at number six. Acting principles resolution. May I have a motion, please? >> Move. >> Second. >> Okay. So, um, Christian, I I understand your position that you think this doesn't align with school law, if I heard you correctly.
029Um, are there other >> Can I can I clarify? >> Yeah, please. School law gives various authorities and the school board can delegate those authorities to whoever they choose to by majority vote. This law gives a gives a long list of people who can act in in for the purposes of discipline suspensions and things of that sort. And this list includes building building leaders, district leaders as well as individual schoolboard members as well as a school board as a whole. And I think what it's generally gives power broadly because it does understand that there might be situations where someone has to take that action. And that's why there's a long list. By us choosing then to pass this resolution, we are basically saying we're vacating our authority and giving it to people down in the
030chain of command to assistant principles when perhaps the intention of the law and it's not inconsistent. We can decide not to exercise an authority granted to us. Um but the point about is whether why should we do that and as I said most districts do this um in their district safety plan which we approved in ju June of this year or in their code of conduct which is a which is a board policy when adopted and therefore would have the same force and I think putting it into a policy because there's it it still would happen before the beginning of the school year would it be more more standard and it also would maintain I guess the school board's authority to to act if it needs to. In this case, as we said, this is
031for emergency situations when some, you know, obviously if there's a person who needs to be suspended immediately because they pose a danger uh to others or to themselves and you have to take an action and because not every day people are sick, people have to go on conferences that someone can act and that's and immediately but that's a relatively I think minor number of cases and I think what you do is you could always go up the chain of command hand from building principal to a variety of different district officers and if they're not there there's nine school board members that can be reached that could authorize this even on their own authority by the text of the law. So not inconsistent the question of whether it's advisable for us to take that action. I
032would just uh put in this perspective. I think the logic that um well two it's not likely that we will need this uh because students are well schools are not full of students although you know there are still obviously activities going on. I'm not comfortable with that. I mean just because the the risk is lower and the whole reason that we pass resolutions like this is to cover all contingencies. And secondly, I'm just hesitant to say we're going to punt on this because at the next meeting, we will resolve this issue in the code of conduct. I I see it as being not unlikely that we don't come to conclusions at that meeting either. In which case, we've now punted it to two meetings, two months um to September. And we can always whenever we
033pass something that updates it, it's updated. Uh so there's really no uh harm in passing this now, covering our our bases, making sure that we have a plan of action in the unlikely event, sure, but still not impossible event that uh some of these um you know transfers of power need to be uh executed. >> Thank you. Anyone else before I go back to Christian? >> Okay. So it's like um the law gives the authority knowing that these rare cases can occur and that's why as I said it designates a a list of different people in the chain of command that can do it. I think we also have to look at what are other districts doing. um and the districts in our region all who have the same concerns and the same challenges uh
034have done it a different way I think for good reasons because putting it in the code of conduct means it's more visible to the people who are subject to this and as well as the people who are actually enforcing it and I think that's why districts tend to do it that way. Um, I would also add that the only district that put an acting principal resolution did it in January and did not seem to feel that it needed to be rushed before the beginning of the school year even in that case. And so I don't think that this is necessarily enabling us to do something that we wouldn't be able to do. And the law is already pretty much complete in the sense that it did it. question is whether we want to take the
035school board out of that loop. We're basically taking it out of people out of people who the law gave it to and transferring it to people the law didn't and giving them acting powers by allowing them to act up above their designated position which doesn't is not included in the law. >> Okay. So, >> thank you. Um, so it sounds like we have an option to pass it as is for the time being knowing that we will revisit it in our code of conduct and if it becomes a policy there, it would supersede what is written here. But we have something in the meantime, which seems reasonable to me, but we need to take a vote. So, um could I have those in favor of um those in favor of tableabling this until we have
036a code of conduct um policy created? >> so am I not doing it right? >> Well, we've moved and seconded this action. Um so, we should >> to vote on it as it is. make a vote on it or if somebody wants to make a motion to table then that motion should be made and seconded and voted on. >> Okay. Thank you. Um so as said could we please take a vote on um passing this acting principles resolution as is for now until something is different. All in favor? >> I sorry. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. Opposed one. Thank you. Number seven, resolution to approve cooperative purchasing contracts. This is about um who approves the contracts and um who has the authority to do that, the best value, making those decisions, etc.
037So, can I have a motion, please, to to open this? So move >> second. Thank you. Discussion. >> No. Okay. Thank you. Um, all in favor? >> I >> opposed. Thank you. Number eight, recommendation to approve substitute pay rates for the 2526 school year. Um, may I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Thank you. discussion. >> All in fa Oh, >> can I just have a question for John? I I didn't go back and check the tape from the spring, but this was obviously discussed in the budget and just want to confirm that these rates uh represent what we voted on during the budget process. >> That's correct. Yep. Went back to my notes, pulled up the exact dollar figures for you. >> Thank you. All in favor of approving this recommendation for
038substitute pay. I Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. All right. So, we are on to our consent agenda. The use of the consent agenda permits the board of education to make more effective use of its time by adopting a single motion to cover those relatively routine routine matters which are included. Any member of the board who wishes to dis discuss individually a particular piece of business on the consent agenda may so indicate and that item will be considered and voted on separately, thus preserving the right of all board members to be heard on any issue. It is recommended that the board of education approving approve the following consent agenda items as submitted by the superintendent of schools items number two through 16. May I have a motion? >> Some move a second. Okay. Discussion. >> I'd
039like to pull item uh 16. >> Okay. Anyone else? I was going to pull >> I was going to pull 16, but in addition, I like to pull 10 and 11. >> Okay. Anyone else? [Applause] Okay. So, may I have um a vote on um consent agenda items number 2 through 9 and 12 through 15? All in favor? >> I I >> opposed. Thank you. We will start with number 16. Uh I'll start with you Jim. >> Thank you. Um just to give a background for the dozens of you watching at home. Uh typically policy goes through the policy committee. These two new policies have been mandated by New York State and they are I think need to be passed by September 1. >> August. >> Yeah, they're supposed to be July. >> Okay. Um,
040so a little outside of the typical scope, but uh I just wanted to make a comment. I thought the policy on um and I assume you guys worked with NISPA uh um model policies as well as our legal counsel on these. Um the uh policy for student representatives seemed fine to me. I just one comment on the student um personnel students and personal electronic devices. um device access and storage. Number three here it says at the high school level student devices must be silenced and stored in student lockers. Uh but then right below that is exceptions for specific purposes. Um first exception is if an author if authorized by teacher, principal, superintendent or other personnel as the superintendent may designate for a specific educational purpose. Uh, I can imagine a lot of classes that, you
041know, they do the little polls before class and they do other things and the teachers say, "Hey, take out your phone, scan this QR code." And everybody's going to go, "Well, we're allowed to use our phone if you tell us to use it, but this policy says it has to be in their locker." Mhm. >> So I think you may want to um reward part three there and says, you know, must be silenced is stored in lockers or um I know the practice for a lot of teachers is to have the um kind of shoe cubby holder in the you know stored in student lockers or you know a designated place in the classroom perhaps just add that to cover that. I'm sure you guys have looked at this a bunch, but just just a
042recommendation there on a on a first read. >> And I can just share with you the keeping number one in place allows us a little flexibility in those situations and kids would have advanced notice. So they'd have permission from the teacher with an exception to bring it in for that class period with the understanding they go back in the lockers after. Once we open up the um the discussion in terms of the the cubbies in the classroom and the pockets, it's going to change the plan that we have in place to be able to enforce this. Um it's going to be tricky as it is. So, we do really want to keep these silenced and stored in lockers. The exception, this just allows us a little wiggle room for exactly what you're talking about, Jim.
043Those situations where personal devices would be needed, but advanced notice would be given to the students. >> That works for me. I just saw a little disconnect there, but if we're going to have teachers give advanced notice, that makes sense. Thank you, >> Christian. >> First, just to piggyback on Jim, and this is the first reading, and we have a second reading where if those modifications, we can do it before the policy is adopted, I believe. Correct. And and I'm sure that this would be incorporated into the code of conduct as well. >> Correct. So, the code of conduct was sent and you'll see very common language. This was um from NISBA and from our legal council. So we work through that along with our admin team. So you'll see in the code how it's
044going to be implemented is more um a little more in depth in there. >> Okay. So I have um one I guess clarification question for myself and then secondly on the the exeicio student member policy. Uh the first one is since I know this didn't go through a policy committee, I'm wondering where did these policies come from and obviously there's a human author and I'd just like to have clarification because we do have a policy on policy formation that this clearly didn't go through. So I just would like to clarify that and you it can be uh it doesn't need to be answered now but if someone could just >> I can answer it. >> So these were literally given to us at the end of the school year. So although they were talking around
045it, the timeline by NISBA and all districts, >> all districts have been told that they need to get this done by August. So even our council said it was the uh information and then quick rush to get it done. It's not the best timeline. It's not the best way that we choose to do things, but we've been collaborating with our admin team. We surveyed our students, had some meetings with them towards the end of the school year to get their input and pull them into it. um this is the best case scenario for the timeline that we were given and this is coming from NISBA and our new legal council. >> So I understand that but here's where I guess I guess I'm confused. Uh first of all, I know that because I said it
046in board meetings throughout the spring about particularly about the student uh representative policy and I said in Knoxville meetings, multiple that they discussed that and most school districts passed it before the end of last school year. Um, I have the text of the NISBA sample policy 2245 here. >> And just by the length of what you have in your policy, you can see that they're not the same and that there's a lot in the sample policy that's not in the policy that's being presented. So, this is not just adopting a template sample policy and substantively in that template, they're given choices about how you want to select and also duties that you would like to add to the student member. And so I think we should first of all the stu the spirit of this
047law as passed in New York state was to make ensure student voice and I think partly means that students should select their representative and that's what most districts I think have done directly or indirectly and or interviewed by the board of education or even in some cases in monbury where there's an actual vote and election and secondly I think that there's some things we could add to that to make the position as meaningful as possible. For example, I think because they're not a voting member and therefore not subject to the quorum rules that a student student members should be um exeicio me uh members of the visitation committee because when we visit their school I think it would be helpful for the students to lead us and when we visit the schools and give their
048feedback and be the the leazison between us and the other students and their their peers and so there's a lot not in this policy even compared to the standard policy. But I think that uh I have language for this and because I was in conversations I don't have the language tonight. Christian, isn't it possible though it whether a student leads our visitation committee or not. I I guess I'm that doesn't seem like a policy to me. That seems like a practice that we would put in place once we've identified who our student board members are. Um I just because we can be flexible in terms of what their role evolves to be as long as we have the bare minimum covered with what's required by law. We can evolve it over time. So the policies
049kind of list the duties of the student member as well as the things they can't do um for reasons because that you know if you distinguish them from the adult elected members of the school board and you know once again that's not in our policy and this policy isn't just a template adopted. So I'm really wondering there was an alteration. So I I think that the point is I think we need a I think we this is the first reading of a policy. We have chances to amend and update it. Um and obviously this will not apply to this year since the student represent representatives for 2526 have already been chosen. And I think that we I think that it should the policy and it does not reflect this now should reflect student voice and
050student choice in making that member. And so I would I this is the first reading but I plan to bring language at the second reading that I think would improve this and hopefully um I can persuade other people that this might be a better policy. um my recommendation to handle this moving forward. Um it's sort of a weird situation where New York State says I mean this past I want to say as part of really the budgetary process which was late and was darn near May and they came back and said you have to have these policies by state law by August which is just not really enough turnaround time. Um I think that the most workable path forward it's really hard to hammer out policy language here at the board table. it's much easier
051to handle it at the policy committee level as you know Christian being a past member. So my recommendation would be obviously to vote on this tonight as a first reading. Um if there are minor tweaks and modifications make those you know um via email perhaps before the August meeting but then to put these both policies on the docket for the first policy committee meeting um and beef those up if necessary. So basically be in compliance with state law and then revisit them as part of the committee process uh and if there are changes that come out of committee to bring those to the full board. Thank you. >> Other comments. >> I will just say that I'm in agreement in Jim that as a first reading this does not adopt the policy being a new
052policy and there is chances to make changes and amendments and we are hammering those out in this in the board meeting. But, you know, this will be, I presume, in the next meeting, a second reading and the chances to make changes. And this is an opportunity to talk about what the policy should be and what people want the policy to be. And I think obviously we can have that as a discussion tonight and us obviously during the second reading as well. And so I agree with Jim that, you know, we should vote on this tonight and if changes need should be made, we can we have opportunity to do that. >> Other comments? >> Okay. because of the timeline, I think that Jim's part of Jim's suggestion to hammer some of this out through email,
053I think would be helpful just because uh it's really second reading and adoption and based on Megan's timeline that by August 1st, you know, we've been >> uh tasked to to pass this, we're already going to be at August 11th. So, I just want to be sure we can still talk about it obviously at that meeting, but um it's just hard to write things live and get to a version that everybody's happy with and vote on it. So, the more we can do it. >> I think I if I could, Jim, I think what I heard you say was this is might not be as rich as perhaps Christian we you vision of what it could be that you would present, but it it suffices to cover the requirements of the law and it's been
054um blessed by our legal team. So, um, it's something that we could pass tonight as a first reading. It could pass as a second reading and still go to policy committee for any revisions in the future, but we're then still in compliance with the law with the state requirement. >> So, I agree about compliance with the law and I think I have some credibility in here because I've raised that point. >> I don't think anyone's saying you don't. >> No, I'm not saying that. The point is is that and that's why most districts have passed this because it was not this year's budget process but I believe the last the previous year's budget process that this requirement was made and we did not have a policy meeting with a policy committee meeting with a quorum
055since last fall which is explains why we did not have the opportunity to do it like our peers and I think that would have been a better process as people are saying >> we're going to try to fix that going forward So, I think we'll be able to cover that and make sure that we're having our committee meetings and covering it for sure. >> Can I get a vote on the first reading of the new required board of ed policies? All in favor? >> I. >> One, two, three, four, five, six. All nine. That's okay. All righty. Thank you. Um, let's go back to number 10, please. Uh resolution to approve Orange County Bus Patrol School bus stop arm enforcement. Um I'm sorry I don't recall. Uh Christian, did you pull this one? >> I
056did. >> Okay. >> Um so let me just I guess explain it a bit. If um this is the policy that allows on buses, there are cameras that when the stop arm goes out, they take a picture of the license plate if a car passes the bus while it is stopped. And the major uh provider of this is a a company called Bus Patrol, which I believe is located in Virginia. I might be in error on that. And uh you know I I think that there's a history to this because what the cameras are already on West Point tours buses. What this does is give the authority to then do civil fines on people within the Cornwall Central School District. So, this means that this would allow them, a company in Virginia, to take pictures
057of cars that, you know, and I'll explain why. It's not as quickly as like, okay, you know, clear offenders, you know, a $200 to $300 fine, 70% of which goes to the company enforcing it. And so, this would be effectively a huge tax on everyone that lives in Cornwall. And as as what happened a few years ago in Suffach County, they overturned 90% of these because uh they could not prove that the car actually did it based on the evidence. And the New York state changed the law to put the burden on proof onto the driver to say you need to prove that you didn't do it, not that they have to prove that you didn't do it. So the burden approved changes where if they take a picture and said you did it, the
058burden approves on you to show that you didn't do that. And most drivers can't do that. And if you look at the numbers, we're talking about tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars even at the district level. And that would be mostly residents and drivers in Cornwall. And the second thing, obviously this is about safety. um but has been made in the past. The total number of fatalities according to well first of all the new um the National Highway Traffic Safety Association which basically monitors all the all the accidents nationwide has said that this has no identifiable impact on safety and said it's not that it isn't but there's no evidence to show that it does. And if they look at the numbers over the 10-year period before this was adopted, the number of fatalities
059by a strict definition was four over 10 years, which means that this would almost probably and none of them in New York. So by a looser definition, it was only 40 over 10 years, which would means four per year. And so statistically to think that this policy will have any impact on safety is is a little bit difficult and many people have made that point. The other thing is that most of the ones are as soon as the arm goes down. So it's not about people who are like speeding through at 70 mph clearly like you know clipping people. It's people who get caught in as the arm is initially extending or pulling back and think that it's all clear. And you putting putting this in the hands of a private company that has an
060interest in maximizing the number of violations is something that I think requires a little more thought. And because this doesn't really impact us until the school year begins and buses are on the road, I think we should table this the August meeting. And I think I would encourage my colleagues to maybe do some research because this has been litigated recently in New York State and it is a more complicated issue than I think is being presented here. And what we are doing once we authorize it, we're this will impact only people inside and given the nature of our district, it almost certainly will be residents of our district who will be paying these fines. >> Megan, are we currently doing this in any shape or form? >> Okay. No. And John, you can speak more
061to it since you had conversation with West Point. >> Yep. Um Christian brings up some valid points there. It has been litigated. Um although we have a number of districts locally and around New York State that have moved to this uh to the cameras for students who are loading and unloading. Um so it's up to the board to make this decision. And again, um, as I shared with the board, there will be funds that go back to the county and the county is going to provide, uh, school districts with digital mapping for safety and security purposes for law enforcement to have, um, and school districts to have. So, there was an added benefit to this uh, program, but it's certainly up to board prerogative. >> Can I please go ahead? I was just going to
062suggest that perhaps we we table it for now um even just until the August meeting so we can have a bigger discussion and get some more information about it. >> And can I just unwind the tableabling the cameras are already actually installed on the buses. I saw them today on West Point Tours when I was outside of Willow Avenue picking up my son from ESY. So the it does not require anything. This is just a permission to use those cameras to levy the font the civil penalties is what what we do. So this is not like we are delaying the implementation. It's just a matter of when those cameras can actually take pictures and then send civil uh penalty notices to the drivers. >> Okay. But that's why I'm I'm suggesting to just >> So
063there's a motion to table um subject number 10 until the August meeting uh to be able to do some additional research and become more informed. Um, all in favor of tableabling till August. >> Need a second. >> Oh, sorry. Second. Can I have a second on the motion? >> Thank you. All in favor of uh tableabling till August. >> I. >> Okay. Any opposed? No. Okay. Thank you. So, item number 10 will be tabled until our August meeting. Um, thank you. Number 11. Um, Christian resolution to declare library books as obsolete for disposal. Um, so we took this up in our June meeting and this is as far as I can tell and perhaps there's a difference and I can't I couldn't see one from my my squinting at the at the list but um
064this is the same list that we uh took up in June and with some annotations about the reasons for different books and we also got um I guess an a memo related to this list and the purpose and the purpose of libraries. And so I have I think obviously I've commented this in the June meeting and I think my feelings are similar to what I said in June. Um but I think that there's also some you know some of the issues is that you know look most of the books we understand that books get old and books wear out and that replace them and that's why I did not pull the other resolution about obsolete books for the middle school that's also included here. Um there are some books that we change the language to
065say okay now there's not just obsolete but surplus and one of the surplus books is the hate you give and it's really the only one in the last 10 years I'm sure there are many novels where there are multiple copies and why this one the only reason we're getting rid of it it's because it's surplus just still my my previous objection still holds on that about that and as well as the that books are incomplete because they're a little bit old still thinks that some of these should be on the shelves and accessible. And I mentioned in the June meeting about the date rate prevention book because the way that a student is probably going to use a book is they're not going to check it out. They're going to be in a situation they're
066going to wonder. They're going to go there. They're going to leaf through it and say, you know, what happened to me? And that's not a book that people check out, but it's good that it's on the shelf, even if it's not the complete information because it's kind of there for that reason, which is one of the reasons why I think that book should be on the shelves. And obviously, there's never going to be a perfect book on that topic. But in the the memo, it kind of talked about what the a library is. And you know I thought back to Jonathan Swift's 1704 the battle of the books and this debate between the ancient and the moderns and the idea of whether a library should have the classic books that have you know stood the
067test of time or they should do modern books and this has been going on in education circles should we teach Latin and Greek or should we teach modern foreign languages and it there is a notion about what a library is because it's not simply an ar it was contrasted with an arch arive and as someone who's been a lot of archives that's kind of a straw man of what the that's why we keep musty old books and just that what I think is that books are there partially to be visible even when they're in a database so that people make the connections and they see things that they didn't think they wanted and understand and read and I say this because one of the people that I have the fortune to cross paths with in
068my life is Sydney Verba who was the university librarian at Harvard um and he is the person responsible for all the digitization of any journal you see anywhere in the world because he made a decision in the early 90s to say well I control the largest private library in the world I think he said there's two types of librarians the one that's happy when the books are on the shelf pristine and not read and the librarian is happy when everything is uh checked out dogeared and underlined and he says and that's why I made the decision to digitize this but at the same time I don't think he would think a digitized catalog replaced something that was on the shelf. And I think that we should consider that because this is a value decision about
069what a library is. If the library is just a prop like many people during the pandemic who bought books to put behind their Zoom screen so they look like they were educated as opposed to the you know those are and you could see by how crisp those books were that they were not read or the types of books that are actually taken off the shelf and looked at. So I'm going to vote for this but I think that the value decision is one that you know it's a community decision about what a library should be. It's not a technical decision alone and as I said that's why the debate has gone back and forth literally for hundreds of years about what books are appropriate, what books are helpful and to make the decision without that
070discussion I think is not the best way to go about it. >> Other comments? Okay. All in favor of um subject 11 resolution to declare library books as obsolete for disposal. I >> I >> opposed. Okay, thank you. So, I think that covers all of the ones that folks wanted um pulled. Please correct me if I'm wrong. New business um discussion of the board of ed committees. So, um I would I guess I'll ask folks that were the chairpeople of the committee last year. It's all written here in terms of what it is, but it might be helpful to add some um context to what they are. And then I think um Eleanor's recommendation that we did last year I think worked really well. If people want to um go at this a different angle,
071but we sent around a uh like a form and you could put on like which ones you were interested in, you could pick more than you know we recommend two to three depending upon which committee it is, how intense that work is. Um and then based on the number of people who have come forward and then expertise, years of service, etc. We we try to make a compromise in terms of who serves on what committees. So um anyone care to speak briefly about the audit committee? >> Um as a chair I as a former chair I can speak about that but >> can I also just add to this list and just because we did it before the legislative leaison rep just cuz we might lose it in the mix because it's somewhere else >>
072and also um if there are other committees that we want to uh create and maybe that could be the after we discuss what the committees are. Yes. So, let's go with what the committees are first. Okay. >> So, let me start with the audit committee. Um, the audit committee exists because a long time ago, uh, lots of money monies were misused, not here in Cornwall, but I believe in Long Island, several districts. And so, the state passed this thing that we have to have an audit committee, internal and external audit. And there's a lot of laws regulating its operation. So, we review and recommend to the board the internal and the external audit. Um, we do need to have at minimum three members. We've had members from the community in the past. Um, and it
073is I know that we have finished and John please correct me if I'm not saying this correctly. We have the internal audit is completed but we do not have the document in hand yet and we are in process of the external audit. So we will probably anyone who's on this committee it'll be one maybe two meetings in the early fall to make the recommendation to the full board to approve the audit. and we are specializing in internal audit on purchasing. So that is the topic that will be coming up that they gave special attention which is every year you look at one category with greater scrutiny and so that's that's the short on the audit committee. >> Thank you. Policy committee. >> So the policy committee uh every it's has to be at least uh
074three people. Um it technically can be open to um other members uh you know community members uh I believe um I could be wrong on that but I believe there have been community members on it in the past. Um the way that uh the cycle that has been set up, I think it was set up um four or five years ago by Larry Burgerer and John Edelin uh they uh had been lagging on uh policy review. Some policies were like 10 15 years old. So they got us on a cycle where every three years we review the whole um all of the policies that exist in uh in our district. Um this past year we fell behind frankly at the end. Um we we never had that spring meeting. There was there were so many
075um well as we all know that people that were on the board we had a lot of uh surprise not surprise meetings but a lot of additional meetings uh for various purposes. Um so we have a little bit of catching up to do at the beginning of this year uh frankly. But uh as far as time commitment for what people are are you know trying to divvy up their time between you two or three committees I would say you'd expect um three meetings per year but there are um there's a fair amount of homework to be done before the meetings. You're going to be given uh a trunch of maybe 20 policies you know that you have to review um and you can't review them an hour before the meeting. It's like that's the kind
076of thing you need to give yourself several days because they are very u dense, hence the need to review them. Um but it's uh it's not the only um it's a committee where you get to have the first crack at the the policies. So if you say, well, I want to have a voice on policy, but I don't maybe that maybe being on the committee is too much of a commitment. As you just saw tonight, we did the first reading of a policy, then it comes back around and do a second reading. So every board member does have an opportunity to opine on the language. Um but being on the committee gives you the first crack in in u shaping any edits that might be put forth to the board. >> Thank you. Can I
077can I just add to um Brendan just >> so like the first and second reading if it's a new policy which means it doesn't exist already in our policies and then what the policy committee reviews existing policies which just get a a reapproval if there is no changes or they just approve the modifications but there's not there's not necessarily a first and second reading when it's an existing policy as many are. >> Thank you. >> That's good context because most policies come through we are not the only person looking at it. we get recommendations from the lawyers etc. Um so yeah it's not an absurd amount of uh you know negotiation on like word by word and most of it is is pretty straightforward. >> Thank you. Um facilities committee Jim >> thank you Christine.
078Um yes so facilities committee obviously deals with facilities which is a you know obviously a big uh monetary expenditure of the district and uh the board works closely with administration with buildings and grounds. Um you know this committee as all committees have up to four board members. Uh if you get five or more then it becomes a quorum and a regular board meeting. So um we've had three or four I want to say for the past few years. Um, in addition to board members, administrators, um, we've also had, um, in the past representatives from teachers union, uh, John Hines was on the committee last year. Um, we typically have a represent representative from the administrators union. Uh, Kate Palumbo and Jason Simo have both been uh, on the committee before, as well as, you know,
079in the past uh, potentially just community members um, who have expertise. So, uh, certainly going to be a busy year, uh, from a time commitment this year, um, as we've talked about, uh, I don't know if it was our last meeting the meeting before, but, you know, there is a potential for a bond vote, uh, coming up as early as December, if not certainly in the spring. Uh, so there's going to be a lot of work to do and some of it will be frontloaded here um to make sure that we get work quoted out so we can have dollar values attached to projects and slot those projects before we get full board approval for that slate to go out to voters. So, um, I did recommend to everybody today via email that perhaps on
080this committee at least we raise hands at the meeting and see if there are four or less that we perhaps seat this committee tonight. just uh in terms of hitting the ground running there. Um I think that's it. Thank you. >> Are there folks here who are you know immediately interested in serving on this committee? Just no guarantees but so Brendan Jim Christian Richard. Okay. Okay. I guess that's So if we have Richard, um, Christian, Jim, and Brendan, and that would be the max gym. >> Okay. >> Where's the max? >> All right. Thank you very much. >> um, can I just cuz like I think this is also not clear because our practice in the past is that you can have more there, but you are there as a community member, non- voting member,
081and maybe Jim, you know, >> I haven't heard that. There's been overlap in the past specifically really between facilities and communications because obviously when we're going to pass a capital referendum um the communications committee is a he you know sort of the the facilities committee does the front end and hands that off to the communications committee to you know communicate out to the public uh what projects that um we're asking them to spend their money on and undertake. Um so there's there's been a lot of handinhand between those two committees. So, in the past, we've had facilities comme facilities committee member or excuse me, we've had communications committee members come and sit in on uh facilities committee meetings. We've also had in the past, you know, members that have been on both committees, so we
082haven't needed to. So yes, our past practice has been if there's a fifth member, they kind of they sit in the back in the audience rather than sit at the table. But >> and are more of an observer than I >> I'm just saying that people are aware that they can do that and we do have people from the community comm community members and obviously all of our board members are members of the community and you observer I just think you don't have a voting stake in that, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Take off your board hat. Okay. Thank you for that clarification. Um, communications committee Brendan >> Jim kind of got us started there. So um in a year like this year where we have uh intentions to pursue a capital project u the
083communications committee would support not only uh gathering information from the public and then um you know getting feedback preferences all that and then u sharing once the uh the proposal or the the proposition I'm sorry is uh locked by the board then it's about going out um in concert with um the administration. Boseies helps out a little bit uh creating materials that will inform the uh the public as to what they will be voting on and uh I think this year will be uh very busy in terms of the communication committee particularly because um the cadence of it um if if yet to be decided we have the um capital project vote sometime in the middle of the year not in May um you would then have the next cycle which is the regular budget
084vote which is already a busy time for the communication committee. So you'd have it would be pretty much go go go all year. Um I think the uh in the past uh particularly when we've had years where there's been a heavy load um we've really looked to get uh public help and I think this year will be the same. Um it's just it's one of those committees where you have to do a lot not just kind of like um you know have stuff presented to you. So, it's just you need a lot of hands- on deck. So, um yeah, definitely going to uh if we can all maybe, you know, tap into our own networks and and get people that we feel are are uh might have something to contribute but also, you know, willing
085to roll up their sleeves a little bit, I think that's going to be important this year. >> Um visitation committee. Richard, >> thank you. Before I I talk about visitation, I just have an idea to throw out there about the facilities committee, communication committee. I know in the past I mentioned maybe bringing back the live stream facilities committee meetings because we are obviously getting close to a capital project vote and I think that helped people understand you know what's in the project how we're coming to those decisions. So just I'll say it again, you know, I think that's something we should think about. Um the visitation committee, um I I've been on it for a few years now since I've gotten on the board. Basically, we visit our schools, we tour our facilities, um, we
086go into classrooms and, you know, observe some lessons and we also have an opportunity to speak with our staff. I would definitely recommend um, if you haven't been on it yet to consider joining. Uh, we typically go to our schools twice a year. I know last year we actually observed the new community lunch that was implemented here and then we had visits um over the winter. Um so the commitment would be you know two or three days in the fall and and two or three days in the spring just during the week during the school day. So if you know I would definitely recommend it for someone that hasn't maybe seen all of our schools just to get an idea of you know what they're like. Thank you. I just want to add um for
087our new members, past practice has been uh typically four members do get seated on that committee. Um and what happens is, you know, hey, you know, three Tuesdays from now we're going to go to CO and one or two of the members will say it's not available. The chairperson will send out an email saying, hey, to people that aren't on the committee, we've got a couple open spots. So, there is chance um even if you're not on the committee, there's a chance to, you know, pick up some individual school visits. Just wanted to add that. Thank you. >> Yeah, thank you for that. >> I'm sorry. Can I just add something? Um, if we're going to make some changes, I don't know if you said that in the beginning, just to the description. Last year,
088we only ended up visiting once. Um, and when we were trying to schedule another visit, it it became very difficult. Um, so just a suggestion is at the beginning of the year schedule the two knowing that it may have to be changed but at least it's on the books that you know this week we're go in the fall and then this week we're going in the spring because it was a little frustrating >> the chairperson you know that that person will lead that and work with administration. though. >> Okay. >> Absolutely. >> Um, new member handbook committee. I really don't even know that this is a committee. It's kind of >> defunct. >> A little defunct. If if anyone needs information, we can provide it. Um, and then the scholarship committee is really um typically
089everyone on the board makes a donation. >> We didn't see anyone last year on that as a committee. >> No, no, no. I'm just explaining what it is. The the scholarship. So um uh members of the board donate to a scholarship fund but you know the the winner and the process is um done through our guidance department. So it it's you know really um that's what I'm looking for sterile in that way and that we're not involved in that part of the process. >> Disinterested well >> just we don't get to pick favorites you know I guess is what it comes down to. Um, we also have NISSBA rep um and legislative committee. Anyone would like to take a stab at either of those? >> Um, I will because um our NISSA rep last year
090was um Bash Shakra who did it for three years. Um the New York State School Boards Association is kind of our statewide federation um that lobbies for us usually in Albany for policies on behalf of school districts whether it's school funding um electric buses um and all the various different policies that you know and provides us a a perspective. So they have a convention every year where they decide upon resolutions that create their lobbying agenda and they the basically poll each school district and you vote whether you support or oppose the uh various re resolutions that are proposed and they're everything from um getting grace on vaccination requirements to um uh delaying the requirement for EV PV buses and a variety of different things. Some of these are kind of technical fixes in the law
091and some of them are bigger issues. And so what a representative does is basically conducts the vote and polls our members. And this is not required because the representative could vote their own conscience like a you know a trustee. What uh Dr. Shakra did was that he pulled he pulled the members and whatever carried the majority of the board was his recommendation when he p when he voted in the convention of all the school districts in the state to create the agenda. Some districts post the results of those uh I know in whoers the vote on those resolutions is actually public and you can see how individual members voted on each of the resolutions. Uh we generally have not done that in the past but we could and but the point is is that you
092would attend the convention in October and uh you also get to meet like in Orange County School Boards Association uh school board members from across the state um and you get the experience and conferences where they provide training and background and I think it's a it's a good opportunity in that in that sense even beyond the actual the actual work >> and I think you can um attend attend virtually. >> Yes, you can attend virtually. Um, >> if that's an issue for folks, >> Orange County School Boards Association creates like a a virtual meeting for people who c who can't go to the site and so they can c you can cast your votes and also participate virtually and they set up the Anken conference center at U Boseies where you can go during the
093convention cast your votes. I think they have some refreshments there and the various different representatives from Orange County do attend that. Some of them actually go last year, I think it was in New York City and some did go down to New York City um because they made presentations at that that convention as well as voting on the resolutions >> and more information will come once that becomes available and Bass was a mastermind at it. So we can certainly learn from what he did >> and legislative leazison. >> Yes, legislative committee. >> Uh so the legislative leazison is the point person to with various local state governments. Um, so you are the person when there are concerns uh with town of Cornwall, village of Cornwall Hudson, town of New Windsor, town of Woodbury, as well
094as our state representatives um in the assembly and the state senate. In February, there's a lobbying day where uh schoolboard members across the state go up and you sit down and you get your 20 30 minute to talk to for us it would be currently uh James Scufus and Chris Ekus and basically you we do this with the other Orange County school boards and we all sit in the room and we kind of talk about our concerns and ask them to take legislative action. Uh there are some other things it can be broader than that. Obviously if you want to have a more harmonious things for things like one thing that came up is summer camp and obviously we have construction. So summer camp the less on is the kind of say the contact person
095between our school district board of education and the variety of local governments um local governments that we um interact with. >> Thank you Christian. So um more will be coming via email. keep an eye out. Um we will be opening it up and of course if there are committees that um do not exist that you think should exist um you can send those ideas in as well and then we can um discuss those at the next meeting please. >> Yeah, if I may. So um just I I want to revisit the facilities committee. We had four hands raised. Um it's my understanding that committees can just be filled by the will of the president and the vice president. It's been the past practice of our board to take a vote to ratify those. Um, so
096I would like to since we have four members of the committee, uh, four people raised their hand to make a motion to seat the facilities committee tonight with myself, Brendan, Christian, and Richard. Um, so I'd like to make a motion to seat the facilities committee with those four members who raised their hands earlier. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor of seating the facilities committee with the four people mentioned? >> I. >> Any opposed? Thank you. >> And if and if you and Christian just want to um discuss, you know, we've had uh chair people have been assigned by president and vice president. So if you guys could just discuss who you want the chair to be and email the rest of the board so we could hit the ground running there, that'd be great.
097Thank you. >> Um can I bring up the curriculum committee again? We brought it up last year, kind of fizzled, so I don't know if we want to revisit that to maybe add that for this year. just >> um so I would second that. Um I proposed it last year. I also circulated a potential charter from you know how it would be format and what its uh rigid would be and I think it would be an opportunity to explore and enhance our curriculum. Um I'll just bring one thing that was brought to my attention. Um our science research program at the high school is being not just sunseted but ended and this is the independent research project in science that uh have been presented at the steam expo and you know this would be an
098opportunity or forum to say do we want to commit resources to support you know a curriculum like that um as well as other types of things on that on that field both at the elementary and the secondary level and as I said I circulated a charter and I can recirculate it uh to people to see if there's interest in creating it. And I think that uh it is not an uncommon thing in many school districts in the region. >> Other comments? >> Um I'm sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Another committee. >> Well, yeah, please wait. Other comments about uh curriculum committee thoughts? >> Yeah, I I don't recall the charter, so if you could circulate that out as a refresher. Yeah. >> Yeah. So uh my recollection from last year is we um discussed curriculum
099and I believe code of conduct as potential new committees and we agreed as a board that we were not ready to start those new committees that we were going to call them you know working groups basically or you know uh short-term committees not permanently enshrined them and that people raised their hands in that process of you know along with audit policy facilities etc. Um, and you know, whoever the chairperson was, um, I think we left it to those committees to appoint their own chairperson and, uh, as president last year, I never heard back from either committee. So, um, if there's interest for those committees to be explored this year, certainly people can raise their hand, um, and we should include it in the email with all the committees and, um, you know, folks who want
100to be in those committees should meet and report back to the full board. >> And committees are part of our own organization. And so this can be discussed and organized via email. It does not have to be in the public meeting. And I think obviously we don't have another meeting in July. So that might be the best way to do that than taking time tonight. But I did want to propose a special education committee which was also proposed. Sorry, I apologize. um related to the curriculum committee. I um yes, please forward information, but I would like to also then um coordinate with the administration because that is something that is really, you know, we want to make sure that we're, you know, um on the same page with what that looks like and and you
101know, what the expectations are. So, uh but anyone who's interested, that'll be part of the packet we send out. So the two other committees um the one is the special education because of the concerns raised in the um in the past and uh it's for the same reasons. Um, in addition, I reached out to Lakeland last year and they did not uh get back to me after several attempts which has one as well as I learned that Mayapac also has one and this is to to address and as as many people know the special education PTA was formed over the past year and it's to lazison on and uh I know people who also work in our district would be you know the idea that it would be discussion of what resources need to provide
102for this population, these populations of students, which doesn't just include struggling students, but also gifted and talented as well, which is a program we once had in our district. Um, so I would propose that for consideration and also the code of conduct, which would be a temporary one-year committee to look at and to revise the uh code of conduct. >> Yes. So, if I recall, code of conduct last year was approved, for lack of a better word, for folks to um come back with, you know, what we thought that cadence should look like and and what that process would look like. Um I'm going to talk out of both sides of my mouth. I am a um a staunch um >> Thank you. advocate for special education. I have my concerns about special education. I
103am not certain how a board committee um works within that. So personally I would like to see more context around what that would look like um and and how we would be able to influence help or serve those students um because it so much of what happens there is confidential unless a parent comes forward themselves. So it's a it's a little sticky for me. So, I just would like more information about how we would what would be our purpose in terms of what would be how would we know we've added value at the end of the year? You know, what would be different as a result of us having a committee like this? So, I would just ask for um more information around that before I would feel like we're in a position to make
104a decision one way or the other. I think we have a special education um parent group that is really rocking and rolling for a really technical term. Um and we could certainly be, you know, partnering with them just um having them come and even present to us and and talk with us in that way. Um so that's something to consider. I know Richard serves on that board, so you know, we have representation there, not as a board member, but certainly um he has, you know, ears and and can relay back to us any concerns that he thinks would be appropriate for us to to be aware of. Um, so I would just ask if there's other schools that do it or you know if you have a really clear vision of what you think that
105should be, um, I think it would be valuable to bring that forward and we can discuss further. Other comments? >> Yeah, I just kind of underscore that it does seem like um, in the last couple years in particular, you know, there has been interest in starting new committees um, which I think is certainly, you know, a worthy endeavor. Um but it almost seems like we should uh codify some process for how to start a committee. You know um I think when we say you know to propose a committee I think should should require the production of some written outline um charter whatever we want to call it of what the scope of the committee will be um what its goals are etc. so we can as a board evaluate it and um you know make
106make it better perhaps. Uh so yeah, it's it's hard to have these discussions before we we can all look at what it would actually entail. Um, so who knows? Maybe that's the uh maybe the policy committee can take it on as a actually outlining a policy, but for the moment I think that uh we've all said this. I mean Christian even said that he would circulate that policy the policy that charter for the curriculum committee and I think that's the right approach. So we should just apply that standard to any of these new uh committees. And there's nothing that says we couldn't start a committee in October if that's what it means, but because we have to get we want to get information from other schools or whatever the case may be. So I understand
107that might play into people's commitment in terms of time, but if that becomes a real issue, I'm sure we can all compromise and shuffle if there's a particular interest for a specific thing. Um I would like to believe we would all be um immunityable to that. Any final comments? Okay. So, um, >> can I I'd like to make a motion to add something to new business if I can before we move to the next section if we could. Um, I would just like to add that make a motion or resolution to authorize uh the board president to reserve a space at New Windsor Community Day and also Fall Fest because the opportunity for that will fall really the before our next meeting. I believe we will probably get it Gretus because of our you know
108nonprofits generally have gotten stall space but I just want I think we would need board authorization for you to ask us in our name to reserve that space for us and whether that is something that we'd like to do but also to grant the authorities so that uh Christine you can take that action before the next meeting on our behalf. Um, but we Oh, sorry. >> So, I guess I'm making a motion and I need a second and I guess I Well, >> I want to just add Okay. Yes. Yes. I second the discussion because um where where when did we have the table? Was it the um dragon day? And there I was all by myself at the table and there was nothing on the table and we requested the table. So, if we're
109going to do that, we need to have some type of a of an agenda or what is it we're doing there? Because we asked for the table, they brought the table, but there was nothing to put on the table. So, it became my chair >> and I I wasn't sure what was what was expected. So, if we are going to do that, then I feel we need to have some type of an agenda. Well, and we would have to have a um um uh working principles like what are we there for? What value are we adding? What's the expectation? What do we or don't we talk about publicly? You know, those kinds of things. I think the dragon day situation was a very not last minute, but it wasn't really planned by the whole board
110or there wasn't really alignment on on the whole thing. So, that was kind of a couple people said, "Yeah, I'll do that." And went with it. If we're going in as an entire board and this is something we're going to do as an outreach, I think that that warrants a different um avenue. So, >> at minimum assign no one even knew, you know, the kissing booth. >> My students all knew me. So, I just spent the day, you know, >> catching up. >> All right. Other comments? >> So, yes. Um well, but let me hold back. Well, I'm curious, Elanor, aside from your uh well-known fame as a former teacher, um and may maybe you're the wrong person to ask because that we now know what people were talking to you about. Um how do
111you think that went and because I think we we've we've talked about having um you know, a booth at different places and Christine just summarized you know all of the the questions like well you know like what are we what are we expecting to accomplish out of it? So I'm just curious as the the person who has had probably the closest experience to this of any of us. How do you think it went? >> So it didn't because no one knew what I was doing there. There, you know, there was no it was literally a table that they brought over at the last minute and I was near people I knew. So I was chitchatting but no one knew why I was there except my students who >> This seems like the right way to
112do it. This seems pretty funny. all just running over to catch up and you know I'm catching up with them and it so it became a love fest for an hour and a half two hours but >> you know it was great I loved seeing them but no adults were coming over who I had their children to talk to me about their no one knew what I was there for >> people might have thought like oh she's like she's >> yeah I'm just here I'm just here to get love bring the love >> so if you were grading it it would be incomplete I I I think if we had at least a sign up that said Cornwall Board of Ed, then people may have come over to ask some questions, you know, why are
113you here? What? And that and so I did open up a discussion with some of the adults who came over, explained why I was there, but >> yeah, it wasn't obvious. >> It wasn't obvious at all. No. So yeah, I think this is something that um really communications committee should dig in more at a communic at a committee level of what's the goal of doing a New Winsor community day or you know the uh fall festival in Cornwall things of that nature. Um and I think also it's good to bring back discussion. It's been kind of bantered about in in various places last two or three years. I think they used to go to the library and send two or three members uh a couple times a year back precoid of you know come to
114the BOE you know um don't come to a meeting just come and ask us questions so you don't have to sit through all the formality um and certainly we've seen um that uh the mayor of the village and the supervisor of the town have held those events two or three times a year over the past several years and they seem to be you know fairly well attended 20 30 40 people. So, um, to me, I think that might be a more fruitful avenue of just kind of, hey, here's come ask questions of of board of ed members, um, at the library one evening or at, uh, two alyses or something rather than a booth at, um, you know, a larger gathering. But, uh, I think that's something that, you know, communications committee should kind of
115discuss of, to your point, what are we there for, what are the goals, what are we doing, um, you know, rather than just setting up a dunk tank. I will say my first year on the board um New Windsor Day I went and the Newberg um board of ed was there and just as a point of reference they had a lot of materials out about different programs they ran different um um initiatives families could get involved in. Um they had curriculum information out so it was really just a grab and go and a and a interaction briefly. I mean I was a new board member here so I was very interested in what they were doing you know so um that could be a resource too in terms of reaching out to someone there to
116see what works what doesn't work what are the pitfalls you know what do you have to be careful of because I think that's what we need to consider as well not that we shouldn't be available but you just you want to be prepared for the whatifs you know >> Brendan if you want a little more humor to it I didn't even know which table it was I was just told the more I hear this the more I love it. >> So, so I kept circling looking for an empty table. Picked one and there you go. >> Yeah, I was just going to add I'm I would be in favor of both, you know, maybe attending community day or the riverfest. I like Jim's idea as well. Maybe start some like forums or Q&A sessions. I
117will agree with Elanora. I think the setup we had at Dragon Day, well, I think I liked being there and supporting our students. I don't think anybody really knew why. I remember your phone call to me, where are you guys? Like, it was kind of like, so, yeah, just Yeah, next time if we do this, I think we just have to maybe just plan a little more as a a board. But yeah, I would be in favor of both of those or at least the opportunity to do that. >> Final thought. Final thoughts. Um >> so we uh just so the context of the story is that we were invited to come to Dragon Day by the student leadership council and so we went because we were invited and I think we were expecting that
118they would have something and that that's why we got the Charlie Brown uh folding table and you know I just want to add that you know Elanor I know you were there by yourself but the previous shift. Uh Carl, Richard, myself, and Dr. Shakra were there uh for the morning shift of that. But I think here's the thing about why um for New Windsor Community Day requires a formal resolution as well as um Fall Fest. Um we're reserving it as a board and none none of us individually can act as a board to do that unless we're authorized. And I think that I I think that that is why requires a resolution to provide the authority for someone to do that and no communications committee will be seated because of when fall sorry and new
119community day occur every year because of our schedule and that schedule and that's why we wanted to make that resolution at this meeting. My thought on this is that in our visitation committee uh feedback in our engagement survey, people have said that our board is not accessible and this is mostly about being visible and where people are. And as you said, Newberg uh does this at one of the community days that's part of our district. And I think that I would happily purchase and donate the tablecloth to the board of education. So there would be no additional cost to the district. Um and it can provide a better table than what we had. And I think uh Jamie, you probably know the table I'm talking about. Um so the other thing about the reason for
120it is I think that at a very simple and a way to do feedback that is not naming individual people or in a sense things that might be inappropriate given you know what people might say is a simple question is what do we what is something bad that we have too much of in our district and what is something positive that we have too little of and I think you would get a range of ideas that are not accusatory that are not directed individuals and probably would give us the feedback for what we should put our focus on. And just having a suggestion box of that, something that simple and having a board member who can, you know, in a sense share our information, direct people to where they can get their questions answered would
121be something that would improve our relationship with our community, especially when we are going to them for a budget and a capital project and a superintendent search this year. And I think it's important for us to be out there and I think this is the meeting that we would have to do it and that's why I may ask for the resolution tonight. >> When is New Windsor Day? >> September 13. >> It's in September this year. That's >> September. Okay. So it's in September. I just wanted to confirm. >> You have to reserve it. You have to reserve it. >> I I understand. But in terms of preparation and and the like. And this motion to authorize me to reserve tables is not saying we're necessarily going to positively do it, right? It's just giving
122the so we can have a discussion around that. >> Give you as a president the authority to reserve it on our behalf, >> right? But I think but I think as a board we have to decide that that's what we want to do too. >> When does it have to be reserved by? Do you know by any chance? >> Um they'll take our money to the last minute. >> I'll let you know. But I would say sooner the better. But um >> I well I guess what I'm s I'm sorry. >> Yeah. No, go ahead. >> What I'm suggesting is I understand so to you know to pass it to give the president authority to reserve a table at an event, right? But then I think as a board we have to decide yes that's
123an event we want to participate in and yes we're going to ask these questions or we're going to have this material there, you know, so that we're not running into the same situation and do we have time to come together and do that as a board, you know. So I just want to set real realistic expectations. pass or don't pass it tonight so that we have the chance to do it in the future, whatever that next thing might be. But New Windsor Day might be cutting it close in terms of our um ability to really present ourselves in the way that we would want to. That would be my concern. >> Yeah. Because Dragon Day was not that would not be a good thing to do again. >> You know, not the way we did
124it is what I'm saying. So that's why I had hesitated before. Let's make sure we know what we're doing with this table rather than just have this table and >> right >> what are we doing there? >> I'm also not sure if we can authorize you to approve something without the dollar figure of how much it would be. I mean by default the the president of the board has the authority to make those decisions but it would be the board would be authorizing the the expenditure of a certain dollar figure of district res resources and since we don't have that dollar figure. I know we're getting really technical. I don't know what authorization we could really uh approve tonight and what authority it would give you beyond what you already have. And also to your
125point, I think if we decide at the August 11th meeting that we're going to do this, they'll still take our money. So I think this is a a good time to, you know, we have what, a month to figure out, are we going to do this, get the details, how much does it cost, etc. Um, and then we could probably handle all of that uh at the August meeting. Uh we can yeah we can't approve the app prove of it through email but we can discuss it through email. Yeah >> I I think we need the most important thing is the what what are we doing there? >> Exactly. All of that would be I would propose that we um Christian and I can work on a survey of sorts or a questionnaire or something
126that we get feedback from everybody on the board in terms of you know what is your vision for what this could be? what problem does it solve or what value does it add and then we can consolidate that and in the August meeting present back you know what the consensus was and decide as a group if that's the path forward we want to take so I guess we have to vote on Christian's motion >> so based on that I'll make a motion to table that motion >> okay >> second >> thank you so now do I vote on that one >> okay so um all in favor of tableabling the motion till the August meeting. >> I so confused right now. >> So, we're gonna So, Christian's motion is alive, but we're just going to
127table it to August so we can gather information and come back together because >> deciding that we want to do this and this is what it would look like so we don't run into that situation. >> And we would do it via email. >> We're going to get the information gathered via email and then on next next meeting, Christian and I can come back and share what the results were, what the input was. So, Jim is motioning to table the decision whether I could have the authority to get a table. Gotcha. >> All in favor of that? >> I >> Okay. Opposed? >> One opposed. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Table to table. >> Yes. All right. Um our final recognition to visitors. Uh same rules apply. Um does anybody you've been here before, so
128I feel okay just saying that. Is that okay? Uh anything any any comments from the audience? Thank you for coming. Alrighty. Um, so with that, I just adjourn the meeting, right? What do I do? Oh, that's this time. Sorry about that. Closing comments from the board of ed. >> All righty. Let's start with Richard. >> Caught me off guard, but I'm at the end, so it's okay. >> Yeah. So, I get to keep it short. I want to welcome Jamie and Loftton. welcome aboard. It's good to see you here. I want to congratulate Christine and Christian. You know, we I'm sure we all wish you the best and um working with us this year. And I just want to congratulate all of our graduates and our students who moved up in our elementary schools, middle
129school. It was it was just great to be at the high school graduation. It's always really warming to see everyone and their successes. And I want to thank our all of our teachers, our staff, everyone that's involved in making our students successful. So with that, have a good month or so in summer and we'll see you in August. Yeah, I'm pretty much at the same place. I I wanted to congratulate uh Jamie and uh Loftton here. Um I'd also like to say to Megan, congratulations. It's nice to have you on. And uh Christine and Kristen, congratulations. That's it. Welcome to Jamie and Loftton. Congratulations to our new uh leadership here. And I would like to congratulate our graduates. And I'm hoping that our staff and students are enjoying a very welldeserved rest this summer. just
130trying not to talk tonight. Um, I just wanted to thank everyone for being so welcoming and on boarding, myself and Loftton. Um, there's a lot of information. We're really I'm really excited to be here. Um, congrats to Christine and Christian, thank you Jim. And congrats to all the graduates. I hope you guys are having a great summer. >> Uh, yeah. I mean, nothing else to add. Um, Loft and Jamie, welcome. Um, I know, uh, it's a lot to absorb, so feel free to ask questions during meetings and, uh, and outside. There's never, I mean, there are there is such a thing as stupid questions, let's be honest, but we'll be gracious and understanding about them because we've asked most of them ourselves. Um, and congratulations to Richard on three more years. Um, congratulations to Christian
131and Christine. It bothers me a little bit. The usually like in a story, you don't want two characters who are so close to each other whose names are so similar. It's like you would change one of them. So, um that's what we're stuck with this year. But no, um good luck to you both. Um as you know, it's a it's a responsibility uh a serious one and uh I know uh I know it firsthand. It's just it's a it's a pain in the buns, but you're you're up for it. Uh, and speaking of which, uh, to Jim, our outgoing president, thank you for a, uh, fantastic year. You kept us on the rails. Uh, it wasn't always easy. It never is easy, it seems. Um, but you did Yman's work, and I think you did
132a great job. Congrats. And, uh, nice speech, by the way, at the graduation. >> Uh, with all due credit to Matt Bannon. Ditto. So, I'll repeat what uh some people said, although I'm not sure congratulations is the right word. I had a student who once gave a validatoran speech and said, "Mom, dad, I screwed up. I was supposed to be third, so you don't have to give a speech, so condolences perhaps is better word than congratulations." And I my condolences to those who got an extra three years their sentence. Uh jokingly, of course. And I'm I just want to say that I'm very impressed by both um Loftton and Jamie by your diligence already to this point that perhaps is not seen but bodess well for your service on the board. And I just want
133to say that I appreciate that as much as the fact that um uh that I think that uh your achievement of being elected or being convicted to the school board. Um, I do want to just uh bring a little more serious thing and just one thing that I read this week is a a local school district that is instituting a fifth grade academy and which means that uh they saw that their fifth graders had a like our school district the fifth graders are in with their middle school and as was brought up earlier this year that there's a noticeable dip in proficiency in our fifth grade. And we also talked about another issue in our facilities committee about the traffic issue at the middle school. And what they are doing is that they are actually
134taking their fifth grade and putting it on an elementary schedule, which means staggering the time schedule, but also more appropriate and allowing them to transition to the middle school. And I think it's an interesting idea because it addresses both the academic concern as well as the practical concern of the traffic uh to the middle school and reducing that by roughly a fourth. I don't think it's a simple issue. I think there's some logistics on it, but it might be something that we want to perhaps think about this year and see that if we can maybe solve two of our issues or problems with one stone. And uh if you look for the article, I think you can uh encourage you to take a quick look at it or maybe reach out to the district if
135it's something that you think should be um explored. >> Thank you, Christian. If you have the article, do you want to just forward it to us? >> I will do the link via email to the members of the committee. >> Thank you. Um Jim, thank you. Thank you for setting a good example and for helping me be a vice president and uh showing me the ropes. I really appreciate it. Uh you did an outstanding job bringing us along. Um thank you for um your vote of confidence. I am um looking forward to serving the community but also this board. And I just want to be really clear that I welcome your feedback and um your concerns and they might not all get addressed at this, you know, im immediate moment, but please do not wait
136and hold on to things that then I can do nothing about um or I can't do anything about in a timely fashion. Um so I I welcome that. Having said that, I am leaving for vacation tonight. So if you email me and don't get a response, it's not personal. Um I I mean I'll be checking it, but not regularly. Um yeah, and um I'm really looking forward to a great year together. I think there's a lot of exciting things going on. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm confident with the people sitting around this table, it will be successful and um it'll really add value for this community. So, uh here's to a great year. Cheers. >> Do I have to ask for a vote? Oh. Um can I have a motion
137to adjurnn? Some move. >> Second. All in favor? I >> opposed. Thank you.