Amityville BOE Mtg 6/3/26

001Um, good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Amblyville Union 3 district order education meeting. This is the work session meeting and today's date is June 3rd, 4th to 4th 6th and I call the meeting to order now at 5:37 this in attendance tonight is myself or President Luc Johnson. The first vice president Juan Leon will be anticipated in terms of arriving shortly. our second vice president Chris Naring and trustees are Carol Seyhawk and Leslie Quz and is anticipated that Megan Bestman and Mike Mcdana will be arriving as well. Also is in attendant is our superintendent Dr. Jada Talbert our assistant superintendent for our interim assistant super finance operation with Joe Degron will be arriving shortly our director of human resources Dr. and our assistant director of superintendent >> no assistant superintendent of critical instruction

002Mary Stevens and le it's anticipated that legal will be arriving as well can I have a motion to enter into executive session for one for interviews for assistance director for pupil personnel services and special education also particular person's employment history and advice from council. >> Second is first. Lindsay Cres is second. All those in favor? I >> motion carries 4 Z. We anticipate resuming open at 7:30 p.m. Thank you for joining us for the open session >> at 7:49. Um at this point in time, please make a note of all the emergency exits closest to you. There's no smoking on school grounds and please silence your cell phones during the business of the board meeting. And now, can you please join the board of education in the pledge of >> allegiance? United States of America

003and God stand one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice for all. >> Right. Before we get started, before I turn the meeting over to um Dr. Talbert. I would like to welcome our newest board member, Mr. Michael McDonald. Welcome to the table. At this point in time, I turn the meeting over to Dr. Talbert. Good evening to our board president, Lisa Johnson, our board members, colleagues, and members of the Amityville community. Tonight, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize the remarkable dedication and service of our staff who have reached significant milestones in their careers with the Amityville School District, celebrating 20 Where are the 20? 25 and 30 years of service. It's no small feat and speaks volumes about their commitment to our student scholars and our mission in Amityville. 20 years of service

004for those celebrating 20 years with the Amityville School District. Thank you for two decades of dedication, commitment, and service. Your hard work, consistency, and care have positively impacted countless students and colleagues. We are grateful for all you have contributed to our school community. At this time, our assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Miss Stevens, will come forward to read the names of those who have earned 20 years of service. Thank you, Dr. Talbert. I offer my congratulations and thanks to those who have 20 years of service. We begin tonight. We invite you to come forward when your name has called. We begin tonight with Franka Adams, a teacher at Northwest. Steven Bailey, a security guard at Park North. Donna Brink, a monitor at Park Outlet. Joanne Graham from the guidance office at the high school.

005Christopher Grant, a onetoone aid at the high school. Lorie Heavey, a teacher at Northwest Elementary School. Daisy Mcatti, a monitor at Far. Lance Sinatra, a custodian at the high school. Ursula Sopier, a teacher at the high school, and Suzanne Zabiki, a teacher at Park Avenue. For those with 20 years of service, we're going to ask that the board of ed would join them for a photo. And let's see. Do you want to come and stand behind? We're going to go there and we're going to block. Okay, Mr. Naring would like for you all to walk across and we're going to take our photo over here. 25 years of service. Reaching 25 years of service is even a more remarkable milestone. For a quarter century, you have helped shape the lives of student scholars while contributing

006to the growth and success of our district. Your experience, dedication, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on our schools. Thank you for your years of service and the difference you continue to make every day. At this time, we will acknowledge those with 25 years of service. Again, thank you and congratulations to those with 25 years of service. Mary Abbercado from the guidance office at the middle school. Darren Avera, a teacher at the middle school, and Michelle Eastwood, a onetoone aid at the middle school. And we're going to ask the middle school principal, Miss Rose Hutcherson, to stand on their behalf. Let's clap real loud for them. 30 years of service. 30 years of service is an extraordinary achievement. Your knowledge, experience, and dedication have influenced generations of students, scholars, and staff through decades

007of change and growth. You've seen it come, you've seen it go. You have remained committed to excellence and have helped shape the legacy of the Amityville School District. We thank you for your outstanding service and lasting contributions. At this time, we will acknowledge those with 30 years of service. Tonight we recognize and thank Adriana Gray, a monitor at the middle school, and Barbara Lynch, a TA at Northeast. I saw a picture of Miss Gray and she was all doalled up at her function last night. So, we are so happy that she's doing well. Tonight, we also recognize our retirees and thank them for their years of dedicated service to the Amityville School District. Your commitment, professionalism, and care have made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community. While we will miss your presence

008and contributions, we are excited for you as you begin this new chapter. Retirement is a well-earned opportunity to enjoy new adventures, spend time with family and friends, and pursue the things that bring you joy. On behalf of the board of education and the entire Amityville community, thank you for all you have done. We wish you health, happiness, and fulfillment in the years to come. At this time, we will acknowledge our retiring employees. So, we'd like to begin with Olympia Emmeruso Coronus. Olympia's colleague Jane Dy would like to speak about Olympia. Good evening. I am so pleased to celebrate my colleague Olympia Curinus upon her retirement from teaching after 38 years. >> Long time. >> Very long time. Olympia started her career in 1987 teaching in St. Magnus Elementary School in Rockville Center. In 1989, she

009was hired by the Amityville School District as a third grade teacher here at Park Avenue. She spent the rest of her career, 36 years, teaching in Amityville in both Park Avenue and Northwest elementary schools. One of the things Olympia enjoyed most throughout her career was mentoring student teachers and new educators. She always welcomed teachers in training into her classroom. There were many. She took pride in fostering their growth, patience, and wisdom. Some of those student teachers are employed as teachers by Amityville today. However, her greatest joy and accomplishment was always the students and families whose lives she touched. The connection she made and the care she showed enriched the lives of so many, many with whom she still keeps in contact with and considers this part of her lasting legacy. Olympia's colleagues hold a special

010place in her heart. Many of them started out as colleagues but went on to become friends and even family. Together, they shared not only the everyday joys and challenges of school life, but also many of life's meaningful moments, both joyful and heartbreaking. Olympia, as you begin this welldeserved new chapter, know that you will be missed. Your kindness, dedication, and unwavering commitment to your students, their families, and your colleagues have left an indelible mark on our school community. The impact you have made will be felt for years to come. I am so very proud to call you my colleague and one of my closest friends. You are a sister to me and I'm so happy we're retiring together. Congratulations on your welldeserved retirement. And now we recognize Jane Daty who is also retiring this year. And

011speaking about her is her colleague Olympia Amaruso Coronas. As Jane said, it really is um a blessing that we get to do this together. Um it is my honor to celebrate Jane Dy on her amazing career and retirement from teaching for 35 years. She was hired here in 1997 and began her career in Amityville. She taught third grade, first grade, and pre-K during her time here. And just a little note, we met when I was chasing her around for her vote coat mine all over Park Avenue building. Hundreds of young minds have learned and succeeded in Jane's classroom. She impressed kindness, respect, a love for reading, and curiosity of learning um new things for her students of over the past 35 years. Most of her days were spent imparting knowledge to her students, but there

012were challenges. She taught on 911 and in the weeks after. She endured the chaotic 5-year Park Avenue construction period and the constant packing and unpacking. She implemented brand new rigorous New York State assessments starting in 2005 with her third grade classroom. And most difficult of all, she taught through the pandemic. Jane conquered her greatest professional hurdle by teaching hybrid and remote students simultaneously to a class of 20 students. Next to the love for Jane has of Amityville is her students. After her students is her colleagues who have been a pivotal part of her 30 years. So many co-workers, current and retired, have been close friends. Amville teachers help each other get through the days, the months, and the years. Jane, you will be deeply missed by your students, your friends, and your colleagues. But your

013legacy is everywhere in the joy of learning, the kindness you modeled, and in the generations who got the very best of you. Thank you for 30 incredible years in Amityville. Your heart, humor, and dedication. And now, as this new chapter in your life starts to bloom and evolve in different ways, I wish you nothing but the best life has to offer. And I look forward to spending it with you. Next we we welcome retiree Magdalena O'Brien. Maggie has prepared remarks of her own that she's going to share. All right. Good evening. Thank you to the board and everyone here tonight to support and celebrate the milestones of our careers. I'm torn between excitement and a broken heart. I'm excited to finally be with my husband, Jack, 247. What could what could go wrong after 38

014years, my love? Not seeing these cuties every day saddens me. Each of them injected me with energy, focus, love, and laughter. The best medicine to stay happy. that I am standing here preparing to end a career that I love and I could easily continue to do forever keeps me wondering. I wonder to myself, will I miss this? Will I be missed? Will I find something fulfilling enough that compares to the 28 years in the vil. If you know, you know. Yes, I will miss being an educator. I will miss the little voices at Northwest asking for help or bringing me a tiny weed at the first sign of spring. I know I'll sorely miss the daily much Mrs. O'Brien. Least I forget the many cards on my desk with the most creative artwork and the

015most misspelled words. Oh, and the hugs that they give. I will miss my own tears in wanting to make everything a happy experience every day. I'll miss the developing young minds of Park Avenue. I was enlightened that 67 wasn't just my age, but also a complete irrelevant trend. Who knew? They've taught me about their individual talents as artists, athletes, mathematicians, back talkers, eye rollers, and their funny and smart abilities to bring a smile to my day. Will I be missed? Oh, I will respond with a resounding yes. I have been blessed to work with the most qualified educators imaginable. Together, we have made some lifelong friendships through respect and our love for each student that needed something from each of us. As our class community becomes family, so do the teachers and teaching assistants. Thank

016you to people like Mark Angler, Erica Jazelle, my bilingual beauties, Carrie Alberta, Christine Romanelli, just to speak of a few, Frank Garcia, James Hackett, Kathy Highland. These are very special people that I will always remember. I will find something quite remarkable to fulfill my retired days ahead. Pop and Glammo are what our grandsons will call us. Both of my son and my daughter are expecting their first child respectively. Both boys due in August. We are excited to meet them and I hope Uncle Philip is excited to meet them too. The retired days ahead will be filled with new life and blessings. We will be enjoying road trips, travel abroad to visit and revisit, volunteering, learning a new language, definitely not minding the clock, enjoying another 38 years with my love. Lastly, thank you to all

017who have been with me and supported me along the way. Continue your care and love as they are the perfect ingredients to mix with at the academics no matter the age. Once they walk through our classroom door, we educate, nurture, advise, console, and encourage their lives with hope and kindness. I will miss this most of all. Best of luck to you all in good health. Next we welcome to congratulate Rosemary Teahada Torres. Steve Lando is going to speak on Miss Torres's behalf. I I asked for the privilege I asked Rose for the privilege to speak on her behalf. Uh Rose is among the first people to have welcomed me to the Amityville family. She was a member of the selection committee and she was a standout there because of the size of her part in

018Grande Coron grande which were grande I have to put it backwards I was never good at my world languages. Uh she has been a blessing in the hearts, a blessing in my life here as a new member of the am the Amityville family for just less than a year. And can I can only imagine the blessing that she has been in the lives and families of students for more than as we calculated some 15 years, 15 years, half a century. I I am blessed that I have known you so soon and so quickly and that you are now will remain a part of the Sanityville family because you still come to the performances and events. So special events. Do you want to read this? Would you like me to read it? So a teacher from

019Northwest wrote this. A teacher from Northeast wrote this special uh and the name is I'm sorry Joanne Rubin wrote this on behalf of Rose. Special events in life prompt people to become nostalgic and recall past memories. My career in Amityville gave me such fond memories. Meeting Rose Torres was a special one for me. When I first met her, my reaction was, "Wow, she is crazy funny, full of life." Our friendship over the years strengthened with every year, birthday, child birth, divorce, and whatever life threw at us. We may not always see each other, but we are connected and that won't change. I am happy to share this milestone with her. I wish I could have attended, but life I wish her so much happiness in her retirement. And we wish you the blessings in your

020life that you have bestowed on thousands of children here in Africa. Next we welcome Steven Butler. Speaking on Mr. Butler's behalf is John Bell. Good evening board and everyone. Thank you for this great event. Co-orker, mentor, coach, and friend. These are the four words I would use to describe Mr. for Steve Butler. If you've ever been to Edmond W Middle School the past few decades, chances are you've seen that smiling face. For 27 years, Steve has been a beacon of professionalism, positivity, and pride, walking the halls and cafeteria at the middle school. But Steve, you're not a onetrick pony. I call you Miles Swiss Army knife. Yes, he's a custodian. Yes, he does his job. But if you walk in the cafeteria at lunch, you'll hear that beautiful voice of his talking to students and

021especially our young athletes. He exudes kindness, support, not just to the students, but to the staff alike. I've been the boys basketball coach at Miles the past four seasons, but my first season, that was a rough one. I coached both the boys and girls basketball teams. You're probably thinking, "How did I do?" Zero wins and 19 losses. And I'm not kidding. 0 and19. But who is with me every step of the way? Steve Butler. Always being positive with the players, being positive to myself, helping me dig out of being upset. This is one funny story I can tell. And it's maybe not as funny, but if you imagine being on our bench, we're playing at Central Ice in girls basketball. We're not playing very well. And one girl who I really liked wasn't hustling, wasn't

022rebounding, wasn't playing defense. I'm like, Steve, why isn't she doing what we need? And without dropping a beat, Steve said, I don't know, coach. You picked her. I nearly fell on the floor. and we still laugh about it every couple weeks. It was the perfect bit of humor to take the pressure off. And he was like, "John, this is not the WNBA. We're just trying to get him better. Don't be so hard on yourself for them." And I needed that, Steve. Um it was just a perfect bit of humor. One of your best alltime lines. And to be honest, Steve, when you asked me to uh the other day to do this tonight, I was really touched. Um I'd actually talked to do Dr. Tabert about it a few months ago. To be honest, you've

023had such an impact on the students and the athletes of Ammonville, but especially Miles. You might not know this, he coached girls basketball for six seasons. So, he worked his shift and then coached basketball till like almost 5:00. He did boys basketball for 10 seasons. And if you've been at athletic event, track, football, volleyball, soccer, you name it, Steve's there. If we play it, Steve's working. After 27 amazing years, you're retiring. You visited the DR, Canada, and uh Jamaica over the years. I hope now you get more stamps on that passport. Selfishly, I hope you're around to be around our sports and to help me with boys basketball. From 0 and9 the last three years, with Steve's help, we are 21 and N. Steve, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you

024for what you've done for the students of Amityville and especially Miles Middle School. On a personal note, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, both personally and professionally. No lie, Steve, you made me a better teacher. You've made me a better coach. Most importantly, and I mean this, you made me a better man. I never had an older brother, Steve, and I look at you as an older brother that I probably never had, and I'm really glad our paths crossed. Please accept this as uh my most sincere wishes of appreciation for all you've done for me, our teams, and the students of Amville. Enjoy your retirement and may God bless you, my brother. I love you, man. So, we'd like to take a moment just to applaud the retirees who were

025not able to join us tonight. from the teachers unit. Carl Ferrara from Northeast, Jane Graasso from the high school, and Adeline Carnovich from Northwest from the teacher assistance unit. Kathleen, I'm sorry, Kathleen Clark from Northeast. Janet Leesy from the middle school from the custodial buildings and grounds unit. Donnell Lewis and Henry Randy Rugan from the onetoone aids. Miss Michelle Eastwood, Donna Pescatelli, and the school monitors Carol Dabberto and Adriana Gray. On behalf of the board of education and the entire Amityville school district community, thank you to all of our honores for your years of service, dedication, and commitment to our student scholars. Your contributions have helped shape our schools and strengthen our community. Please join me in giving our retirees and service award recipients one final round of applause. We invite our retirees to come

026forward for a photograph with the board of education. And do know to all of our honores, you will soon be receiving a special delivery on behalf of our board of education. Would our retirees come forward at this time? Board of Ed Please join the board of education in the hallway for a brief reception to honor our retirees and years of service. this time which is now 7 no 8:33. We're gonna resume and open now at 8 8:33. At this point in time, um before we go to community input regarding board agenda items, I'd like to make a motion to amend the agenda to add several resolutions at this point in time. >> Yep. Motion. Motion to accept. I did it right. Right. So, I'm going to start with I'm sorry. Um before I do the

027the ED resolution, our student board exio has a report for us. >> Good evening everyone. Good evening. I would first like to congratulate all of our high school music ensembles on their outstanding performances this year at NISMA Majors. Every ensemble earned a gold rating and our orchestra received a gold with distinction. These achievements reflect the dedication, hard work, and talent of our student musicians as well as their directors. I would also like to share the success of our student council blood drives throughout the school year. We collected over 150 pints of blood. As a result, we qualified for a $1,000 scholarship through the blood donation program. More importantly, these donations have the potential to save over 400 lives. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make this effort possible. Last night, the athletic department

028held its annual awards ceremony. Congratulations to all of the student athletes who are recognized for their hard work, dedication, leadership, and accomplishments throughout the year. Finally, as we approach the end of the school year, the student council will be holding a summer kickoff cookout next Friday to celebrate the start of summer break. We hope it will be a fun and memorable way for students to close out the school year. That's it. Thank you so very much. Thank you. So at this point in time, can I have a motion? Oh, hold on. Before I do that, I just want to read something before I I do this. So before the before the board considers the next resolution, I would like to provide a brief explanation of the matter before us. Following the May 19th, 2026 annual

029district election and budget vote, the district clerk clerk, excuse me, conducted a routine review of the election records while preparing the official election documentation. During that review, she identified discrepancies between certain tally sheets and the recorded totals. The district clerk indicated that these discrepancies resulted from calculation and transcription errors during the tabulation process. It is is important to note that at this time while final numbers may differ differentiate from the results report on May 19th, we do not anticipate a change of outcome outcome for the budget vote or trustee election. Under New York State education law, once election results have been declared and the ballots have been sealed, the district is not authorized to conduct an independent recount or recaning of the ballots. The proper course of action is to seek review through the Commission

030of Education. Therefore, the resolution before the board tonight authorizes the district to petition the Commission of Education for an order authorizing a recount of the 2026 budget vote and election results. By considering this resolution, the board is not making a determination regarding the election results. Rather, it is requesting that the Commission of Education review the matter and authorize a recount to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the official election records. So, at this time, can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 2C3, which is a resolution to um to appeal to the Commission of Education, and it says, "Be resolved. The board of education hereby authorizes the law firm of Gersio and Gersio LLP to commence an appeal to the commission of education for an order and anulling the certified

031results of the 2026 budget vote and election and authorizing a recount of the results of the 2026 budget vote and election. >> Second. >> Carol Seahhawk is first. Chris Narren is second. All those in favor? Um madam president discussion >> I have this is just the amending of the agenda to add the item that's it I have gotten to discussion portion yet all those in favor >> I motion carries 70 at this point in time we can have a discussion now on this particular item if you like or if I can do a motion for the agenda. Go ahead. Um Mr. >> So before discussion you'd have to move the underlying motion. >> Yeah that's what I'm trying to do. Motion for agenda item 2C3, please. >> Doing it out of order. Why are we

032>> That is fine. If we wanna if if we wanna >> amen. >> That's fine. I'll just amend the agenda to add the item. So, I'm going down the line. So, the next item that we're going to add is Can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 3B1A, the resignation of Danielle Lyall? >> Motion. >> Juan Leon is first. Chris near in a second. All those in favor? >> I you just have to speak into the mic talk. Sorry. >> I >> thank you. Motion carry 70. Can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 3B2A appoint a permanent substitute science teacher? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris Narren is first. Juan Leon is second. All those in favor? I >> I motion carries 70. Right

033now we're going to go back to the agenda. And now we can take community input on agenda items only. When you come to the mic, please provide your your form with your question. Um as a reminder to everyone who comes to to the mic according to policy to be respectful when you come to the mic. Thank you. Wendy Canestra, Amity Bill. That's pretty unbelievable. Um, hold on a second, please. Thank you. >> That's unbelievable. Um, I would like to know who's going to do the recount. Surely not the people who messed up the recount, who messed up the original account. Who's going to be recounting it? You can't have the same people involved. So the re the recount if it's authorized would be determined after uh the commissioner issues an >> I can't hear you.

034I'm sorry John. >> So the commissioner of education would have to authorize the recount after a petition. Then it would be determined who would do the recount. >> And are you asking in your relief of who's going to do that? So that that request right now is is premature because we don't have a an order by the commissioner uh to to authorize the recount. >> No, I understand. But when you're filing your appeal, it should be the board in your discussion, I will encourage you not to have the same people doing the recount be involved that in the that were originally involved in the count be involved in the recount. Those people should be disqualified from recounting every single one of them, including the clerk. Every one of them. That should be in the relief

035and the board of education should demand that. >> Um Okay. Do you John, you good? >> Yeah. So, that's not part of the relief. >> Thank you. >> You're not You're not going to put Okay. >> No, that's not part of the relief. >> Um >> the only thing you will request from the commissioner is the order. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then the board of education can determine who's part of it. >> Well, that's that's up to the commissioner. up to the commissioner. Okay. All right. Thanks. Okay. Let me just move on. Is that okay? Or do you need any to say anything else, John? >> No. >> Okay. Um I know you don't have anything listed here for board minutes on tonight's agenda. You have it for the next agenda, the

036draft agenda. Um there are no draft agenda minutes on the website. Even though your policy says that they'll be up within two weeks of a meeting, they're not there. I emailed the clerk and I got no response. Thank you. We're aware of it. It's being worked on. Thank you. >> You're You're aware of it and you're just not going to do it. >> I didn't say that. >> You're aware of it. It's February. >> It's your time at the mic. Go ahead. At the mic. >> Okay. It's June. That's um four months that you have nothing up there for the community to review. >> Um Okay. I see that there's a bunch of appointments for the next meeting. The next board of education after reorg should be appointing it. Um, I understand summer school you

037would have to do, but all these appointments for coaches, I always stand by that should be done at a reorg meeting. You're jump jumping ahead of the new board that was sworn in. They have a right to make those appointments. As far as these policies, first of all, the fact that they're handwritten and there's pen and it's hard to follow is completely unprofessional, right? You're a $123 million organization and you should demand excellence on every single thing including this. These are official documents on the website and this is sloppy and not professional on the budget planning policy. It says in development the budget in developing the budget. It's underlined. I don't even know what this means. The community has no idea what this means. It's underlined. Is this added? I'm just taking the questions and

038we'll answer when we get to that point. >> It says in developing the budget, the superintendent may seek advice and suggestions from the board of education. You're abdicating your authority and responsibilities. That's the board of education. Why would you say may? >> So, thank you. We have Thank you. We have your your information. We're going to look at it. When we get to that point, we'll discuss them. Thank you. have a couple of questions and the first one is about the discrepancies in the election. So of course this makes things very ugly that this was not done properly that we're finding out weeks later that there are discrepancies. My question is how many discrepancies do we have? That's why we're doing the recount. >> I thought you just said you weren't doing a recount. I'm

039sorry. That's why we're going to the commission of education for asking for a recount. Go ahead. Go ahead one. >> So that that process is lay we laid that out for the commissioner and the commissioner considers the matter and that's part of the petition. >> Okay. The point is you had a recount. >> There are discrepancies that were found. You must have a number, some >> odd number out there that is giving you an idea of how many discrepancies there are. How many discrepancies like how many weren't signed, how many didn't fill it out. I'm making up things, but you have to have five here, four here, six here. You have to have an idea. So that that process in terms of a recount is only official when the when the commissioner of education authorizes

040it. So there is no official number of discrepancies. >> I'm not asking for official. I'm asking for an idea. >> There is there's no idea. There's only an issue. The issue is the issue is presented to the commissioner and the commissioner determines. So then how can the board president say they don't they don't see a problem with the election. It shouldn't change any of the results because we know there's not enough discrepancies to change the results. So you must have an idea of the number of discrepancies. If you can make a if she can make a statement saying that it will not change the result of the elections, somebody has to have an idea of the number of discrepancies. >> So discrepancies were identified, but those numbers are not official and they're not part of

041the public record. The only public record that we have is the results that were certified by the board of education. The process is that the discrepancies are described to the commissioner of education. The commissioner of education reviews the issue and the facts pursuant to a petition, makes a determination as to whether or not there will be a recount or not. Only after the commissioner issues an order for recount and there's a recount, are there subsequent numbers? Well, then I take exception to the board president's statement that's going in the records saying that it will not change the results of the election. She can't say that. >> That's only based that's only based upon >> shouldn't be in the records any >> that's based upon >> those commission are fine. >> That just that is only

042stayed as to those indicated in the informal review by the district clerk. I'll say again, the board president should not be making that statement that it will not change the results of the elections. >> Second question about this, you're going to give this to the commissioner, >> correct? >> What's a time frame that you hear results from the commissioner or a response from the commissioner? >> That's within discretion of the commissioner of education. So, we could go through the whole term of the people that are on the board and we could go through the whole budget process of using money that we don't even know if the bo if the budget actually in fact passed because we don't know how many discrepancies there are. So >> this is beyond my comprehension and it's pathetic that

043this board and the district clerk were not capable of maintaining a proper election. It's really really sad and embarrassing. So the discrepancies that were indicated did not indicate an a change in the outcome of the results of the election >> or the budget vote. >> I have one other question. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'll walk over there. Somebody I'll go back after one. >> Wendy, can't you ask for three? Can't you ask for a stay? That's 3 days that you're looking for immediate relief. >> No, there's no state provision. >> Okay. So, if you found discrepancies and the board certified the vote, the clerk overseas the election, they had to tabulate the the tallies and that means at some point somebody recounted something after the board of education which is improper. That is an improper

044procedure. >> The only recount can be is upon order by the commissioner of education. >> Exactly my point. Thank you. So somebody decided to do this after the certification. So it is common practice these now to put the numbers into the bold system that is uh moving numbers from one page to the next. It's not a recount. Any recount would only be by upon order by the commissioner of education. >> Okay. I also hope that you seek removal of the district clerk over this. Um, as far as these policies, just to go back to that, the one about the budget, it says that the board may advise. You're abdicating your role. That's your role, your responsibility, and your duty. You should never agree to that. All you're doing is giving all authority to the superintendent

045who is the employee. The way this reads is she's your boss. That's not how this works, even though they would like it this way. Um, as far as the recruiting policy, um, again, five community members, um, seven staff members. Okay. Um, and I see that for the probationary administration roles, central administration, eight union members, two community members. Why is the board of education marginalizing the community members, taking away their voice? Same thing with the cabinet level, reduced from five to two. the district. It's pathetic that everybody says, "We want the community involved. We want the parents involved." And then you make steps like this, which pushes the community and the parents away. It's you your actions do not reflect what you say or what you say on Facebook. By the way, some trustees. Anyway, I

046um I am I would love to say I'm surprised. I'm actually not surprised at all because everybody's incompetent. You have to fill out You have to fill out a sheet. Next person. >> Thank you, >> Stephanie Andrews. Yes. And when I'm done, I'll give it to you. Stephanie Andrews. >> Stephanie, Stephanie, can you give you have to give your sheet to the district clerk, please? >> Thank you. I just had someone go back to fill it out. Thank you. >> Stephanie Andrews, Amityville. Uh, first of all, the draft minutes, I know they're not on the website, but there are draft minutes. Correct. Since February, the board gets draft minutes. So then I when I foil them tomorrow, I will be given them within the 5 days because the law is you must provide even if

047they're in draft form to the public. Number two, so someone had to recanvas the vote to know there's a discrepancy. That in itself is a violation of education law. I find it hard to believe one of the election workers would have recanvased anything since they probably don't have access to. So the only person that I can think of is the district clerk. Does this board know? It's my understanding the district clerk I think is an attorney. >> We're not talking. >> And the reason I say this is not only that I happen to look I see something. I believe a a comment was made to someone at the polls that she was an attorney. Now, maybe they misunderstood her, but an attorney would need to know what the violation of law is, >> even though

048they may not be hired as an attorney. >> Please do not discuss a person. >> I'm sorry, I can't hear. You got to talk. >> Please do not discuss the personnel in the district. Thank you. >> Personnel issue. That's the the employee representing themselves to an election worker as an attorney. I think >> excuse me if you're going to yell out, we're going to ask her to leave the meeting. Please stop screaming out from the audience. Thank you. >> I also want to remind the board that I sent a litigation hold letter on the 18th and I sent it to Mr. Sheen. I sent it to the district clerk who has not responded to not one of my emails to her regarding any of the campaign information that was required to be sent in. And

049I just want to remind the board and the attorney that under litigation hold all documents are to be kept unaltered. And as far as the recanvasing as requesting the commissioner to do it, is is the board going to insist that all information is sent to the commissioner? How there it came to be that there's a discrepancy between what the board certified and what we're being told tonight? because that would be holding back information from the commissioner who needs all information, not just what's decided to be sent to them because certainly we will be sending a request to the commissioner. I would hope that we're going to be forthright with what actually happened. >> Thank you. Um, my question is about the hiring committee and why was it decided to revamp that policy? >> That was

050part of the policy committee meeting. We're going to have a discussion on it when we get to that point in in the meeting. >> Okay. Um, so you're going to explain why this was brought up to be revised at at that point in the meeting. Okay. My question here, it says in the original or the one that's in existence now, the committee shall rate the candidates and make their recommend recommendations for the next round of interviews. The second level of interviews will be conducted by the superintendent and her cabinet. And I'm just asking where is those two statements in the new policy because I don't see where that is stated anywhere in the new policy. >> When we get to that point, we'll we'll look at that. >> Okay. Um third uh my next question

051is I heard through the grapevine that an additional surplus was found in the um budget. Is that in fact true? >> Dr. Talbert >> an additional surplus. >> No, there's no additional surplus. >> So there's it's not factual that uh what Mr. Draone said. I think if I remember my numbers correctly, it was about a 2.5 surplus that we were discussing and I even brought up the need for not um putting an extra tax on the community. There's not an additional surplus from that 2.5 or 2.8 or 3.2 whatever it was. >> So when you say additional >> Uhhuh. uh as we're nearing the end of the year, there is an assessment as to how much of the budget will be spent. There have been some general uh assumptions and that information will definitely be

052available once the books are closed. >> So I know I know uh the off the business office does this monthly. So I think the last time we heard this is J this is beginning of June. So May, maybe April or March. So as it stands now, we're at the end of May going into June. What does it show on the books now? What the surplus or lack of surplus is right now? The number is still evolving. Uh Mr. Dregon did report to the board where we where he estimates we are, but that number has fluctuated. So what is that estimate? I know it's an estimate but >> it's definitely an estimate. >> So what is that estimate? >> Um at this time Mr. Dreon that estimate is around >> 6.7 million. >> 6.7 million. This

053doesn't shock the board. This doesn't upset the board. This doesn't like penalize the community after you put a levy on them. And now we're up to $6.7 million. This is the I I've never I've been in this district my entire life. I have never seen anything like this in my life. We go from not having enough money to 3x extra million to 10 million to 2 million. Now we're up to 6.7 million and us as the community are paying more. It's pathetic. You guys should be so embarrassed with yourself. We have about a minute left for committee input on agenda items only. Cheryl Quintai Best Delera Avenue. I'm going to be very brief. I wouldn't even take a minute. We should be so embarrassed that as adults, we cannot conduct ourselves professionally. And I would

054want to make a strong suggestion that when we have our student representative in house that maybe the public um input should be reserved until that individual leaves. I am embarrassed that as adults and professionals we cannot conduct ourselves and then we expect students to conduct themselves. Totally embarrassing. >> Please, please no clapping. Please no clap. >> And we come here every night and the same rules exist. You don't call out, you don't talk out and we have to remind adults and professionals something needs to be done about this. >> Thank you. At this point in time, we are going to go to the agenda and we are going to agenda item 2B 1 through 7. So, does anyone have any questions on agenda item 2B 1 through 7? >> Um, yes, Madam President. I'm not

055sure if anyone would request it to be done individually. If not, I can just begin asking questions. >> I I didn't call for a motion. I just said, are they? So, I I if you want I can do each one individually. I have no problem. And then we can go. Okay. Can I have a motion for agenda item 2B1, please? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Juan Leon is first. Chris Neran is second. Any discussion on this item? >> When you're saying to approve the policy, you're just saying that we're approving the second reading because it's not listed as second and final. >> We we can do it either way. We can do it as a second reading or we can do it as a second and final reading. >> Okay guys, >> so Madame

056President, I I would recommend it being a second reading as final is not um noted here. >> We have the right to make it a second and final reading, a first and final reading if we would like as a board. So now we are having a discussion on the item. If anyone has any comments on the item, these minutes have been I mean these policies have been in place to the board since the last board meeting. So far we have not heard any comments back from any board member about these policies. >> So madame president just to clarify this is a second reading or this is a final reading. First Price President Juan Leon. I'm stating to you that the board could make it a first I mean a second and final reading if that's

057what we want to do. Right now we're just having a discussion about this item. So are there any questions on this particular item? >> So I I don't have any questions on the 6000 series. Um like you said, so that's one through five. We have had these I think we met on them back in like November, December. What I would I would not like to see this be a final reading because I'm not clear in the black and white copy if there's track changes in addition to the handwritten notes. So I do feel as though we need to see a clean typed out for the third reading for items 1 through five. Um, at this time I don't have any specific comments, but that is Yes. >> And any other questions or comments on these?

058>> I'm sorry. So, is it Are we just talking about one? >> So, right. Right now, we're only at the 6,000. That's >> just this. Okay. Just 6,000 because I have on the other. Yep. >> I'm only at agenda item 2B1. >> Okay. So this is this is just my perspective on it and the board can go any way they want. Like I stated before, we've had these policies for the last board meeting. No one has said, "Hey, can you clean it up? Can you take out the lines? Can you do whatever?" So, here we sit tonight and we've had these policies, but no one has spoke up to ask anything about these particular policies to change anything, to ask any questions or anything like that. That's the only thing that is concerning to me

059that no one has spoken up about can you clean it up, can you make it neater, can you do whatever. So, that that's just my only comment. So, the board can do whatever they want, but I you know, I just really feel that we've had it. if you didn't understand the changes, if you didn't recognize what was outlined or whatever, because if you look at 6,000, if you look at 6110, there's really nothing on there, just minor changes and going on down the line. So, >> if the board if the board wants a clean copy, if that's the choice, then that's fine. So, right now, we'll stay with agenda item 6,000. We're having discussion. So, all those in favor of um 2B1 because we had a call for it. We got a first and second.

060We just had a discussion. So, all those now I'm calling for a vote. >> Are we voting on it? >> I'm just doing I'm just doing P 2B1. I I don't mind doing it as a second and final reading or we can just we can approve it as is because excuse me, Mr. um Mr. Sheenan, it's a second reading. Do I if we want to make it a second and final, do I say second to final or do I have to? >> So right now the motion. >> Right now it's just a reading. >> Yes. >> Right. So you need a a reading and approval. So it would be second reading. Reading and approval. >> So I just need to change the motion. Correct. >> You need to change the motion. >> Can I have

061a motion for agenda item 2B1 as a um second and final reading? >> Motion. >> Second. Chris Ner is first. Carol Se Hoff is second. This is just for 2B1. Can I have a um all those in favor of making this a second and final reading? >> I just I can't hear votes, so people just need >> Sure. I >> I >> There's no edits on this version, the 6,000. >> There's just one one edit edit right there. the edit inserted the and then crossed it out. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, um, so, so the key is this. We're up to the vote. >> Either it's do you want a yes or no? >> Well, you guys, you guys have had these policies. You've looked at them. >> So, I if you don't if

062there's something you're not clear on, >> you should have brought it up before. So, we're up to the vote at this point in time. So once again, I so far I have six. Yes. I just need to find out where we're going. So we go to the next one. >> That that was to amend. >> No, it's just >> So was there I'm sorry. Was there a question on the floor about how it was revised? >> Yes. So I was changing the motion. I was doing the motion to make it a second and final reading. >> So that's what's on the floor now. Changing the motion. >> Changing the motion. Okay. So, changing the motion to make it a second and final >> no. >> Right. So, Juan, are you still a no or a

063yes? So, I know. >> Well, I'm I'm a yes and I will hold my comments till the comment section. >> Can I do do I need to do 2B one, two, three, four, and five separately? Does anyone need me to do them do I need to do them separately or do you want them done together? Just so I know. I think we already have the motion for >> 2B one. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm 2B 2, three, four, and five. >> Do you need to be done separately? >> Why don't we just finish with one? >> I did finish with one. >> So, can I have a motion for agenda item 2B1 as a second and final reading? >> Motion. >> Chris Nearing. >> Second. >> Carol Seahhore. All those in favor for a second

064and final reading. >> I >> No. >> And I didn't I didn't hear um Leslie or or I motion carries 52. I'm going to agenda item 2B2. Can I have a motion for agenda item 2B2 >> as >> I'll do it as a second and final reading? >> Motion. >> Chris Ner is first. Carol Seahhoff is second. Any discussion on this item? All those in favor? >> I any nos? >> No. >> Any Megan, do you want to know or >> Megan? No. Yes. >> I'm a no. Like I said before, I would like to see them cleaned up and have it be a third and final with everything typed. So, I'm still a no. So, you can do them all together if >> Okay. So, can I have a motion for agenda item 2B3

065to 2B5, please? as >> as a second and final reading. >> Motion >> Chris Ner Leslie Cretz all those in favor from 2B3 to 2B5 as a second and final reading. >> I >> no >> motion carries 52. I'll do um 2B6 separately. Have a motion for agenda I and 2B6. >> Motion Chris N is first. Carol, you have a second. Any discussion on this item? >> Um, second, please. And this is a first reading for this particular one for me. Is that a second reading? Well, Madame President, while Trusty Mesman is finding her notes, I just want to be clear why I'm voting no. Not because there's anything particularly wrong with them, but it's not typed out. These it looks it looks like this. It has notes all over the place. We need We

066need a finalized document of what it is going to be and then say yes or no. Not chicken scratches and and side notes. This this is our policy and that's what that's what we should be >> Excuse me, Miss Mr. Leon. This is just for a first reading. I didn't say first and final for this one. This is just for a first reading. >> I understand, Madam President. I'm just saying in general terms. I expect a document that is approvable with the changes in it. Not >> okay, >> not handwritten side notes that I have to decipher someone's handwriting and decipher a meeting meaning and things like that. And I expect that as board members, if you have any questions that you can bring it up prior to tonight. >> Thank you, >> Madame President.

067This is the this is the the the venue for the questions. >> Mr. Leon, first vice president, you've had these since the last board meeting, so it's not the first time that you're getting them. >> Again, the issue is not with the substance, it's the presentation, >> right? So, I'm going to pull the motion for um 2B1 because this is just this is just the first reading. So, can I have a motion to pull this motion because this is just a first reading. >> For which one? >> I think you have it already >> for 2B6. >> I'm just going to pull the motion because it's a it's just a first reading. >> So, all those in favor of pulling the motion for 2B6. >> Why are we pulling it? I don't know. >> Right.

068Don't we leave it? So, it's the first reading. Yes. Right. So, it's just the first reading. >> Okay. So, I called for a motion. That's why. >> All right. So, we're going to go to um two. >> Motion failed for lack of second. >> Yes. Thank you. Motion failed. Lack of second. Um can I have um any This is a first reading for the hiring policy for 9240. Any questions or comment about the hiring policy for 9240? >> Is it first reading? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Um no. Do you >> sure? >> Okay. Motion, I guess. Right. We want we're calling a motion to talk about the hiring plan. >> No, we're just this is just we're not we're not we're not voting on it. We are just going to discuss it because it's

069first reading. >> Okay. So, one of the there's a few changes that are proposed. So, we've deleted reference to interim administrative appointments um which I don't agree with. I know that we had an experience this year um in the district where we had to respond quickly to fill an interim position and as such the board majority had decided to bypass the hiring policy procedure in for the sake of filling the interim position promptly. But I don't know that that's always going to be the case. we might have situations where we can step through um an interview process for an interim position. We might know ahead of time uh to so that I don't feel strongly enough to remove reference to interim completely from this hiring policy. Um, I also don't there's things in here that

070have been struck that I don't agree with that the the rating rubric shall be used to score each resume and candidates during all interviews. Uh, that was struck and I don't see why because I think that this year we found success. Um this was the first year with this revised hiring and recruitment policy for administrative positions and it has been successful and we have had great candidates brought forth to the board of education. Um so I don't see why we would be striking that. Um, a community member did raise a great point because I don't see it in here either is why are we taking out the in second round of interview first round of interview reference because I don't see it um the board shall designate the order in which community members are to

071be assigned. I don't want I don't see the need for the board to be involved at that level. Uh we we deliberated at great length last year to land on five community members. Um we're now suggesting to reduce it to two community members and that the board is going to decide who to be selected for the interview. So no, I don't agree with that. Um I do want to see that keep to remain as five community members. we've increased to nine staff from seven staff with a suggestion to reduce community members from five to two. So that's not the balance that we were looking for last year. We we had a drive to increase community engagement and we've in my two years being on the board I think that we do have increased community engagement.

072We might not always agree with the what all the opinions of everybody, right? And that's the nature of today's that's the nature of every day and every experience, right? You're not always going to agree, but we need to open up and and remain um available and to community participation. So, I don't I think that it's important to keep it as five community members and that the board is not involved with deciding who of those community members. Um there was also I also have a concern and this is a thought um that conflicts with some at the table that if aa member should not be involved in the process of somebody they report to directly. Uh that's just maybe a nuance to because we don't again we don't decide which two two AAA members are available

073but uh you know as an example if you're hiring the a principal in any of the buildings that the direct report is not part of the selection of their new uh administrator their new boss. So those are some of my thoughts. >> Thank you >> for the board. Thank you. Does anyone else have any comments about this policy? >> Yes. >> If I might just uh the first, second, and final of Miss Nesman's comments I might add some insight to as to why they were there. But I will do that at whatever point if the board would like me to make that comment. Well, what I was going to ask because I was the only board member at the last policy committee meeting is that we did have a significant discussion on this policy and

074I would ask that either Dr. Talbert or Dr. Lando speak to some of the changes that are shown in in the policy and what the reasons for those changes were. >> So, Dr. Orlando has been an integral part of the hiring committee and has done an excellent job in training the committee and um guiding the process according to board policy as they have navigated through the process. There has been some feedback that has come to his attention from committee members as well as insight that he has gained through the process and that information has been shared with the board members at the policy committee and Dr. Land if you would just take a few minutes you can highlight some of those recommendations. >> So uh trustee me uh the first comment that you made was

075and please refresh my memory regarding the rubric. Is that correct? >> Um I did comment on that. Yes. >> So with regard to the rubric, one of the things that was a clear consensus. Let me say this. At the end of every selection committee, I ask the entire committee a question. And the question that I asked him is what can or should I have done better to facilitate the functioning of this committee? In other words, I I seek feedback every committee. And so many of the recommendations that you see here come from I'm going to say consensus feedback regardless of the membership of the committee. One of the things that proved to be honorous was the complic the complicated nature of the rubrics that were used. And so during the course of moving from the

076first selection committee that uh I had the the pleasure of running which was for the director of uh curriculum we moved from a more complicated rubric to one that was uh became more easy to understand and and easier to use. the even getting to that level two committees ago, one of the things that was said was that it would be really great if there could be some direction that is given to the committee as to who would like to be seen. So the revised version of this policy does not exclude the committee itself from saying we're looking at every resume as in as detailed a level as we'd like and we'd like to select people to move forward into a first round interview. What it does provide for as as the revision is suggesting is

077for there to be some direction given based on a prior review that includes things such as prior years of service uh like service whether or not certainly whether or not a person is certified. The policy the revised policy as written provides for providing the selection committee with every single applicant for the position. There the idea of transparency was very clear in the previous policy and it is a goal of this policy to remain transparent. >> The guidance of trying to give some direction as to who might be seen has made its way into this with the committee able to select any person that it wants to both by score. However, people look at different ratings within a rubric and say well this is more important than that. And so it's not just the raw score

078that matters. It is the it is the consensus of the committee and saying these are people that are worth seeing and it's a process that in addition to looking at scores we have had great conversations with the committees about okay so we've we've got this priority and these are the people that we like what are the advantages and disadvantages we see with each and the committee as a whole has reached consensus as to let's see these people >> right the committee as a whole has taken part in with me drafting questions the committee as a whole has had the opportunity to participate in hey here's questions we might like to ask modify etc and so we've we've done those first round questions together with consensus um and then the committees have functioned very well in

079asking those questions in general in following law in terms of what we're allowed to ask and what we're not allowed to ask >> and then in each of the last committees we have reached consensus in some cases unanimous consensus on these are the people that the superintendent really needs to see and I'm very pleased with the quality of candidates that have been brought to the superintendent and the quality of candidates that have been brought to the board for consideration. >> So although there seem to be things that are taking away from the existing policy, it's not intended to be that way. The transparency, the freedom of the committee to select candidates to interview, the committee's whole participation in the process, these are all things that are included with what I would call although quite verbal

080tweaks. Another thing that became very clear in the selection of a couple of committees is that expertise from among educational professionals was not there. A case in point would be the selection of the director of fine and performing arts. We've selected an outstanding person. However, there was neither an art teacher nor a music teacher on the committee as it was composed. And so therefore the structure that includes some more educational professionals to have their input on the committee is reflected in um 2A uh and the membership that's listed there. Um the so so that was deemed as something that was was valuable. With regard to is there a second level of superintendent committee? Yes, that's actually on the next page and so it wasn't removed. It's just in a different place. Uh it's under um

081it's under number six. The second level interviews will be conducted by the superintendent etc. So it's there with some revised language. However, it is still there. So the first level, the second level, those are things that are still present uh that follow the the initial policy. Um and the last item that you brought up, Trusty Nesman, um I'm sorry that I don't remember off the top of my head. Um I the the two members of the community and the line that says the board of education determined order will be used to assign interested and available. >> Okay. Um it has been challenging as I've reported to have the number of community members designated under the policy there. The other challenge is that um and I I need to add that participation by the community members

082I have reported to the board also has in general been extremely valuable and we functioned exceptionally well. I celebrate the way the committee has worked with each other to reach consensus in terms of overall representation. The question of of balance among the different interested parties is there. And one of the things that became clear is that in certain circumstances particular bargaining bargaining units did not feel that they had a proprietary interest in the election. The policy seeks to allow the committee those those um bargaining units to not send someone to certain committees without us trying to have to u create interest in something in which people trust the others that would serve. So the provision is there to allow for that to be there. The last piece of it is that in terms of balance

083um I understand the board's desire to have Sorry. I understand the board's desire to have community input and again I celebrate the community input. However, no other representative and interested group has more than one member as presently constituted and to try to create a a balance among the interests and to provide the board with the opportunity to say listen for this particular committee. For instance, we have a committee that is coming up for the assistant superintendent for finance and operations. For this particular committee, there are community members who possess an expertise that would be valuable for this committee and we would like those members to serve to provide that opportunity from from a holistic perspective might be something that the board would would be interested in. Uh so it's it's in in effect working to

084empower the board although the number of community members is smaller. You try to empower the board in terms of who's best for particular committees was the goal of that and any any suggestions for modification of language. Certainly happy to listen to >> thank you for the explanation. Um I still and I know this is only a first reading but at the moment I'm not convinced that we should reduce still from five to two. Um and I understand that maybe the community members aren't available and maybe we have less community members participating in certain um hires but um I don't at this time agree to reduce it >> but thank you for the >> Thank you. Any other comments from Bings? >> Yes, Madam President. I have four points. The first point being that um Mr.

085Nearing said that he was the only member of the committee that was present. So I I don't consider that a committee moving this forward for the first reading. That's one person. >> Excuse me, Miss Leon. I just let you know that um in the past there was only one board member that attended a policy committee meeting and actually there was no one from the cabinet that was there. But go ahead. >> Exactly. My point being is that one person can't move this forward to the board. >> Oh, it did. It got moved forward last year. >> It shouldn't. >> Did you on at the time? Go ahead. >> Thank you, Madam President. So, I don't think that that should be appropriate, right? If we have a hiring committee and they're consisted of three individuals, maybe

086two, maybe three individuals, for it to even get to a first reading, the word of one person and it gets to a first reading is not appropriate. Number two, second point. >> I also can just I agree with Trusty Mesman. >> This was not the word of one person. This was the word committee. Removing intram again allows us to fasttrack certain positions and we are a district that has a history of hanging on to intrums for a very very long time. So I am not comfortable with removing intram. That's two. Number three reducing community input from five to two. We are trying to engage our community as much as possible more than ever. Having five community members has done us well. It actually brought you here, Mr. Lando, and it actually hired the assistant for

087Mary Stevens on the curriculum from two very high performing districts. So, we are only beginning to see the fruits of that. So, to reduce five to two seems counterintuitive, especially if we are trying to get community involved. That's that's my that's my third point and I lost my fourth so I will pass. >> Anyone else? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Um so the committee is not just of board members. It is the cabinet and three board members but they it is not far-fetched that any that there are meetings that go on without two or three board members being there. Um to my knowledge it is not required that there needs to be more than one board member at these committee meetings. So it is not impossible for policies to get presented to the board if

088there is only one board member present at those meetings. >> Secondly um on 2A um where it says two community members from the annually approved board of education list. So that does not mean that there is only two members uh of the community that are a part of the committee. It's just that >> there's only two. >> Correct me. Correct me if I'm wrong. There's only two that would be selected for that particular hire because it is if you could explain that you you explained it better at the meeting. >> I think I understand that there's no issue. >> Well, I'm asking that Dr. Lando explain that process. So, so the idea was that I I I had not put any limit when I drafted this for consideration uh and and shared it and and

089discussed it with others. When when it was drafted, the idea was that there could be a variety of community members who might best serve the interests of the district depending on the positions to be filled and and again to provide the board with with leeway in doing that. I don't think it says only five community members here. I don't think there's a limit on the number who the board might select from among >> correct but only two will be at the table >> and it was five >> always five >> so what I will say is that securing five community members has been extremely problematic in terms of the actual functioning and so consideration might be given to considering a different number for the functioning of the committee uh and so that so that we

090have the level of participation that is desired and so also that there is uh I'm going to use the word a more balanced representation. Uh there are many interests that were part of the committees. The the members that have attended these I'm going to again compliment the membership for their open dialogue for for trusting each other not to speak outside committee because what what is spoken about is a secure process to protect the identities of those people that are applicants uh who who might not want their current employer to know. >> So Mr. L Dr. Orlando. >> Yes. >> Would it perhaps be more appropriate to put in a policy up to five members if we think we will only get two or three? We have the option for five. >> Yeah, >> I think

091please correct me if if I'm wrong. I I believe in I believe we still may seek seek five people, but at when it's time for a actual interview, you're only going to place two at that at the for the interview. The policy is written as as proposed has two. I understand I I understand and I hear trustees Mesman and uh Leon saying that two is not enough. My suggestion to the board and my recommendation to the board and to the superintendent is that the balance of five community members when at present there is only one from any other constituent group that serves uh presents a challenge for balance. uh and and so the desire is to propose something that creates uh that allows for different interests to be represented in different ways in a more

092balanced way. Well, thank you. >> And if and if there's a if there is a number greater than two, I understand the desire for that. Perhaps it's not five. >> Well, Dr. Lando, it's it's tough for me to go along with that. And I'll tell you why. I even said it before. I think you were I might be out of line. I think you were a very good hire. And I think and I and I think also the individual in the Mary Stevens is also a very good hire from high performing districts which is what I would like to see here. And that was done when we had five community members on this committee. If we are trying to get community members involved and buy into the district and believe in their district, get them

093involved. >> Can I ask you this then, Trusty Leon? Do you think that if there were only two members of the community on the hiring policy that they wouldn't have selected those two candidates that they would have looked at them and said I'm going to pass just because there's that those two those three other voices is what pushed these two candidates forward? >> Mr. Nearing that's speculative because you don't know what would have or could have happened. But let me ask you a question because you were there. Why do you why would you prefer two and not five community members? So, you know why? I'm going to answer. >> No, no, no. I would like I would like to hear from our second vice. >> Excuse me. And I'm just like everyone has been interjecting.

094I've been very quiet. >> Please. So that so that I can understand from 5 to two. Why is that a good idea to you? >> So I'm going to I'm going to make a comment. >> Chris, come on. >> Excuse me. I'm going to make a comment and then then Chris can respond. At this point in time, we have gone round robin. Everyone has made a comment. Everyone's made an um a comment on what they feel needs to be changed to this particular policy. We've heard all the different comments and at this point in time um let's just make a couple things clear. If we want to stick with the two um the two community members, then we can make a consensus right now. We stick with the two committee members. Um and then we

095can move forward and then from that point we will get a clean copy and if anyone has any additional comments from there they can do additional comments. So if we just want to go forward, we'll get a clean copy and then we can go from there. So as we go forward, it will stay with the two committee members and then we have all the comments and then we'll make a decision of whether or not we're going to adjust anything. So I'm moving on to the meeting. >> Can I just comment first? Go Chris. Yeah. >> So I I am not set on the two community members. I am open to hear for any other numbers. I listened to Dr. Orlando who's been most deeply involved in this in working with this policy and listen to

096his feedback as a professional who's been doing this I would and especially since you think so highly of him that you would consider his feedback to be valuable. Um, so as someone who was listening to the person that we put in this position for human resources that we all seem to think so highly of and I agree that he's a good choice for this position. Um, and has someone who's hired people for over 15 years. I there it's sometimes too many voices could be too much. And I'm not saying that it's impossible to have it effective with five community members, but considering that mixed with the feedback that we were getting, >> that's why I'm leaning towards two. If somebody wants to throw in, let's make it three or four, I'm open to discuss it,

097but that's why that's where I'm standing. Does that how does that fit for you? So I I I appreciate the answer, but I still don't understand. If you're willing to have three or four, where does that come from and why not five? >> I said I'm open for discussion. >> Okay. >> His one of his reasoning was the fact that it adds balance that it's not overloaded to the community. >> Dr. Dr. Lando stated that it was difficult to find participants. That was the reason to go down to two, >> one of the reasons. But if we really advertise and try to get our community involved in a very meaningful process, we very well might be able to have five. >> And that's all I'm going to say on this. toject on that thought too.

098I was wondering too is have we reached back out to the hiring committee to see if they have interest in continuing next year because I think we would be reappointing them at the reorg meeting if they were. uh similarly to how we did with the CBACK, we had reached back out uh to the members uh to see if they would be interested and then I guess we would do a posting um like you're saying to garner if there's other interest um and I guess on top of that is you know is part of it just the scheduling you know have you gotten feedback is the notice of when you're asking folks to be available is it too soon are they not able to react quickly enough and adjust their schedule to participate that >> earlier

099on the notice was shorter than it's been more recently. More recently we've been giving more notice and the number has dwindled. >> Oh, >> it's it it has it often has to do with people's availability. My greater concern >> time of year. My my greater concern in in sharing is uh having a balance of voices and and I understand the desire for community input and one might ask the question okay if if the proposal has changed if the board sees fit to increase the number of community members should there be a concurrent increase in one or more other areas depending on the selection committee that is running and I pose that as a question without a solution. >> Thank you. So, we we have all the comments and this is the first reading and we'll

100go on from there. Um, we're up to agenda item 2C1 at this point in time. >> Motion. >> Okay. I have a motion for agenda 2C1. >> Megan Messman is first. >> Second. >> Chris Nan is second. Any discussion on this particular item? Um, I assume that the new board was I assume this um the new board was asked about Tuesday, July 14th. Is that where it came from? >> Because we were really we were previously looking at Wednesday, July 8th, I thought. >> So, Wednesday, July 8th was I was in discussion with Dr. Talbert and July 8th. Um, there was some complications. So, we looked at going to July 15th, but with July 15th, that is the last day to actually um to do the reorg meeting. So, we just moved it up to

101one day to July 14th. And that's where that's coming from. So, what we need to do, we need to speak out to >> I can reach out to the newly elected individuals and see if July 14th works for them and then we can we'll go from there. >> I think that would make sense. I I I so assumed that that >> what we can do is that we can just go ahead and vote on it. If it doesn't work then next week we can change it that way we can move forward. >> Okay. Sure. >> Sure. >> So all those in favor agenda item 2C1 >> I motion carries 70. Now we're up to the review of the agenda for June 17. So everyone go to the agenda for 217 and I'm I will do

102a couple things together. So we have a presentation from so 1 C1 the curriculum advisory advisory council there'll be a presentation that particular night any questions at all in regards to that item I um I just would request that discussion be incorporated about consideration of reduction of screen time. Uh we have talked about this in previous meetings uh potential to implement techless Tuesday. Um and then if if we are going to formally reduce screen time at specific grade levels then that that be incorporated in whatever handbooks or policies that are appropriate over the summer leading into the school year. Um that's my comment on the curriculum. So I think also it it's um I think we and you did mention that before trustee me and I think there was some feedback that came back about

103that. So if there's any additional information that we go ahead Dr. Tal that we provide. Go ahead. >> So there has been discussion regarding screen time and its reduction. I do believe uh we did update the board accordingly in some of our correspondents about where we were. the curriculum advisory council uh recently reinstated. Thank you the board of education and there has been uh much exploratory discussion around curricular uh items and um they would like to present where we are in terms of a status update. Miss Stevens, do you have anything more you'd like to add to the CAC? uh only that the conversation about techless Tuesday is really the technology committee that's been discussing it. Um but I'd be happy to add to that presentation. >> Thank you. I think Yeah. Thank you. Thank

104you. >> Um >> any other comments on this item? >> Yes, just very briefly. I just wanted to um second what Trusty Mesman said. I think it's a great idea to have students whether it's one day a week or every other week or something like that, you know, working with writing, uh, developing those writing skills again. Um, maybe even using like paper tests or something like that, you know, just to introduce it a little bit that there is a value in that. >> Thank you. We're going down. >> I'm sorry, Lisa. I'm just under presentations. Um would it be is the board open to hearing a little bit from Mr. Draon on the end of year projections and in that were noted earlier and then in concert with that the discussion of what we will

105do with the reserves uh because I think that this is the meeting that we would vote on moving the the um overfunded unexigned fund balance. It's like it's tongue stuff. >> Dr. Talbert >> at this meeting. Is that correct, >> Dr. Talbert? >> Uh, yes. And there is some prepared materials that will be forthcoming to the board around that. And so, Mr. Draone, >> there is an item on the agenda now. It's item three, I'm sorry, uh, 3D2, fund balance recommendations. >> Okay. And that will be the time when um we will present to the board our best estimate >> of uh the fund balance that we will have available and our recommendations as to what can be done with those funds. >> Is that should should it not be under board action? Um so

106I thought that we needed to move the funds before the end of June. Uh the the resolution that we are putting forth to the board authorizes an amount not to exceed that's the way we frame it for each of the reserves that we could add to. Um then we when we finalize the actual balance available, we now have guidelines given to us as to you can put this much into this reserve, this much into that reserve. Um, and we're writing the recommendation very carefully because there are certain restrictions on the money that we can put into various reserves. >> Right. Right. >> For example, >> we can't put in more than 2% >> of the teachers salaries into the TRS fund. >> Okay. Yep. I remember we we had some slides earlier. So um but

107again is the board open to just having it at the beginning of the meeting so that the community sees too the recommendations even if it's just >> one or two slides. What I would like to do is I would like to see are is anything going to be sent home like next week or something like that. >> I was hoping to get that home to you in news and notes this Friday. >> Okay. >> So that you'll have it well in advance of the meeting on the 17th. >> Right. Um it will of course be part of the agenda for the 17th as well and the community could comment on that item because it's on the agenda um at any time during the you know before the meeting excuse me at the beginning of the

108meeting. >> I think I would like to see what what comes home in the news and notes and then if on that point if we need to do >> um if we need to adjust the agenda then I can say to Dr. tell you guys to adjust the agenda and put something on there. >> Absolutely. That would be fine if you wanted it to be a presentation and then a resolution. >> I'm always ready to do a show. >> Well, I would >> It doesn't have to be long. >> I'd have I'm going to agree with Trusty Mesman and it's not a small amount of money that we're discussing. So, I feel like we should >> just formalize it and just have it in >> up for presentation next next meeting. >> Yeah, >> that's

109fine. And so, I'll draft as best I can. >> Go ahead. >> Um the edit as a presentation >> and we'll add it as a presentation >> if that's what my superintendent wants me to do. >> If we're properly prepared with the numbers at that time. >> Yes. Yeah. Madam President, I just have a quick comment to to tail on the end of that. The the projection that the board was given publicly was $2.3 million surplus. Now, I understand things change throughout the year. That's that's okay. And to have now a $6.7 million surplus is interesting. It's it's it's a good thing. It's a good problem to have. but also this board fought so hard to not give 1 million and some change so that every taxpayer in Amityville would have the same tax rate

110as last year and and Mr. Dome, you can correct me on this if you're wrong and I mean if I'm wrong, but my understanding is with the taxation between Nassau County and Suffach County, right? Because parts of our district, East Mass Peekqua are in Nassau County, that since they have frozen their assessments, every every raise is basically shouldered by the Suffach County portion. >> Is that your understanding? >> Can I just can I just make a >> This is a valid question. it and M first vice president Leon I know it's a a valid question but we're in the process of doing the review of the June 17th meeting that's what we're doing we already stated that we we want him to do a presentation for us if you want to make these comments and

111bring it up under new business >> would be quicker if Mr. Draone just as >> and it would be quicker if you would let us continue to go through the draft agenda and do the other things that we have to vote on and then at the end you can ask your questions about the the budget. We already said he's going to do a presentation. So can we please continue? This is not part of the agenda review. This is just you seeking some additional information which is absolutely fantastic. But can we wait to the end of the agenda review and then we go back to June 3rd agenda? >> The answer is yes. Madam President, I appreciate >> it. The only reason why I brought it up here is because it was still on the topic.

112>> No, you the topic was just to move on. >> You just No, I'm going to finish it. The topic was can we add a budget presentation. That was the topic, not what was going to be on. So, now we'll go into agenda item. I'm going to go from 3B 1, 3B 2, 3B 3 A for J, and 4 A down to SS, 5 A down to 5 P and 6 A down to 6 QQQ. Does anyone have any questions on these items? I know Dr. Tab with the TBD. Will we get will these be filled in if not be removed? >> Yes, we are still in the hiring process and those names should be printed prior to the 17. >> Um, any other questions on any of these agenda items? >> No. Going down

113to 8 A and 8 B, 9 A, 10 A and 10 B, 11 A down to 11 JJ. Any questions on any of these items? >> Not at this time. >> No. 12 A down to 12 M 13 A down to 13 I any questions on any of these items hearing and seeing none I will move on now we're down to 3 C 1 through 4 any questions on any of these items. 3D 1 and 2. 31 is going to be forthcoming as well as 32 3D 1 and two. So down to 3E1A through 1G. Any questions on these items? Seeing hear none, I'm going to go back to the June 3 agenda. And now we already have a minute the agenda to add agenda items. Now we're going to be voting on them. Can

114I have a motion for agenda item 2C3 please, which is appeal to the commission of education? >> Motion. >> Chris Nas first. Carol Sehoff is second. Any discussion on this item? >> Yes, madam president. I'm not sure if this is better addressed by the board president or our legal staff, but the question is one that was raised a little bit earlier by a member of the community and that is what is the discrepancy between what was newly located and what was accepted. So that is going to be a subject of the litigation right. So if we are uh charged by the board with preparing papers uh that would be uh part of the litigation. So and that's going to be part of uh the commissioner's uh factbinding process. So with with respect to um that

115question respectfully uh I think it's it's premature at this point to address uh that issue uh just to say that um that there was uh indication from the district clerk as to discrepancies. uh and those those numbers are not uh final or they're and they're not stated uh and they are subject to uh the appeal. And as a follow-up question, is that petition foilable? The petition would be public and the petition will contain the discrepancy in terms of and and that would be part of uh my job in setting forth that to the commissioner. Yes. So, so John, you're saying that in the appeal you're going to spell out what occurred, >> correct? >> After the election, correct? >> Two weeks after the election, >> correct? Nidated for. >> And what will the board see

116the appeal before it gets sent to the commissioner of education? >> Certainly. >> And what what do you what's the timeline? Because we don't have a timeline on this resolution. I don't I don't know what this is. >> The timeline is a there is a time limitation in terms of 30 days. >> Oh. >> Um after the uh you must file that appeal within 30 days after the budget vote election. So >> okay. So this is urgent. >> Yes. >> Okay. And so we're Okay. So you don't know when you'll turn it around to the board is what you're saying. a you know >> function of the factf finding process >> before doing anything. >> Yeah. >> Um thank you. I guess um I would say that you know as a result of this discrepancy

117that was brought to the board uh that the board is intending to review the election procedures uh the written election procedures so that we ensure that this doesn't happen again going forward. Um, I'm not sure what that is going to entail, if it's going to be a new written document or what have you, but the board of education. Go ahead. >> My recommendation would be to uh have regulations uh spelling out um the process that that is acceptable to the board. >> Okay. Okay. And I guess we could you probably have examples from other districts. >> I do. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And that that was something that I spoke to Mr. and about to provide something information to the boards to the policy committee so therefore we could look at that and put

118that in place. >> Correct. Thank you. >> Okay. >> And as a secondary question can we to have a better understanding was this a discrepancy that was districtwide or was it particular to a particular polling site? >> So again I I understand uh we have to we have to do our due diligence. >> Okay. Understood. And my my my final question is this. Given this given the circumstance that just took place, do do you do you feel that maybe now it's a best practice to not certify those that election immediately? Because now I'm secondg guessing that. >> No, I think we just need to have a Go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. >> So I I I understand. And how I'm sorry, let me interject, but how common is it? And do some districts wait

119a day, a couple days, a week? What is your finding? >> Uh, most will certify that night. Um, and it it is a it is a function of process uh and and confidence in the numbers when you're doing the certification. So, uh, and I will endeavor to put together, uh, procedures that gives the board confidence in those numbers when they're certified. >> Thank you. Um, I just one more statement. I I do feel that um to maintain the integrity of election that it is I agree with appealing to the commissioner. >> We all agree. >> I'm just >> Yeah, we we all do. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I I >> Motion carries 70. >> Can I have a motion for agenda item 3B1A? >> Motion. >> Chris Narren, Leslie Cretz. Um, this

120agenda item was already added. >> All those in favor? I >> I. Motion carries 70. You have a motion for agenda item 3B 2A. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris Ner is first. Carol Seahhoff is second. Any discussion on this item? >> All those in favor? >> I I motion carries 70. Now we are down to any old business or new business. >> I have one. Um just wondering what the if we can have an update on the um process for the students um schoolboard members for the upcoming school year. The process for the new school board members um has been conducted at the high school and the high school is in the process of notifying and announcing who that person is. Miss Mullings per policy will continue on next year and as soon as

121the high school has finished their part, we will connect our new student board member with the board of education. Last year, our president did conduct an orientation. NISBA hosted an orientation for them. So we will make sure that they have connections and um that Sarah is also a part of that process to bring them along. >> Any other old business? >> Madame President, would Mr. Joseph Done be kind enough to answer that question if he doesn't mind? >> Just rephrase your question. I was just asking. >> Really don't want to speak longer than I have to. I do. Right. All right. Here we go. So, Mr. Draone, my my question to you was this. So, we were discussing a 2.3 proposed surplus throughout the year. It's looking more like a $6.7 million surplus. My question

122to you was because Nassau County froze their tax assessment rates that what does that mean for the Suffach County portion and do and and how and how does a levy affect the Nassau County uh you know verse Suffach County? Can you elaborate please? >> Sure. And I'll try not to put you to sleep with this explanation. The levy is divided between the Nassau and Suffach portions of our school district according to the market value of properties in the two segments. Not the assessed value but the market value. And the way we get to that market value is by using a number called an equalization rate. It is a number that the Office of Real Property Tax Services, which is a New York State agency, determines for each segment of the district. Right now, the equalization

123rate for the town of Babylon is 0.45 and the equalization rate for the town of Oyster Bay, which is the Nassau County segment, is.12. So what we do is we determine by taking the assessed values and dividing by that equalization rate, we come up with the market value of property in those two segments. And just for the sake of simplicity, if Oyster Bay's market value is $5 billion and the town of Babylon is $10 billion, twice as much of the levy gets placed on properties in Babylon as would be placed on properties in Nassau. If the assessment doesn't change, that means that the prop the tax rate would have to increase to make up for the fact that the assessed base has not changed. It is possible if the market values um turn out to

124put more of the burden on Oyster Bay or less of the burden that people in the two segments of the town would experience two different impacts. We don't control that. The only thing we control, by we, I mean the board of education is the amount of the levy. The way that levy is aortioned between the two counties is not our decision. The way the assessment of each individual property within those two counties is done is not our decision. The tax rate that needs to be established in order to collect the levy that we determine is not our decision. All of those decisions are made by the counties themselves. I don't know that the assessment being frozen in Nassau would necessarily shift more of the burden to Babylon. And the reason why I don't know that

125is that there may be a number of people in the town of Babylon who have claimed that their value that their property is less valuable and therefore the assessed base in the town of Babylon could decrease and therefore less of the levy could be placed in Babylon. The reason why I'm saying that to you is because there's a number of balls in the air all at the same time. And until those balls fall, we won't know exactly what the tax rate is, what the individual impact on a homeowner is, the only thing we have control over is the amount of the levy. I I hope that that answers your question. >> Thank you. Is there any other old business or new business? >> Yes. Um just quickly, I'll be really quick. Um there's an AI

126event, I believe, on Monday at the high school. Um I just want to note that a few um parents reached out. They were confused like was it a district sponsored event? Just I guess with the the look of the flyer. I did get questions about that, but I I know it is. Um, and I just wonder like how are students being encouraged to attend because it is such an important topic obviously. Um, so I don't know if you know the answer to that, Dr. Tower. >> Sure. And I'll have Miss Stevens to elaborate. The students have been having uh in-house uh assemblies during the day and this particular assembly is for parents with parent information in mind to partner with us in guiding good decisions around digital citizenship. Miss Stevens. So this particular presentation came

127highly recommended to us. Um that evening the 8th is a parent meeting students are welcome to attend with their parents but a studentfriendly version given by the same presenters will be the following day the 9th at the high school >> during the school day. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Um so last summer the policy committee started to talk about um edits to the code of conduct and we haven't talked about that through the year but at the time it was I don't know August and there was concern that we could implement the discussion ahead of the new school year. So, I would hope that we are in a position to revisit some of those potential edits to the code of conduct and um prior to the start of the school year um if they

128haven't already been in motion that maybe I'm not aware of. Um, and that we would look to incorporate inappropriate use of obviously social media and AI apps into the student code of conduct. That's all I have. Lisa, I only have two today. Anyone have anyone have any other um comments on new or old business? >> Uh just question that just popped in my mind while Megan was talking about code of conduct. I know at the beginning of the year we were assuming that maybe the the phone pouches would it um help the student behavior once they like get on the bus that they're now able to look at their phones that maybe their their behavior is improved on the bus. Just wondering if there's any data to support what we were speculating at the beginning

129of the year. >> We're actually in the process of finalizing a survey uh that's going out to teachers as well as to secondary students to get some feedback on the cell phone policy as well as the effectiveness of the pouches and we'll be sure to share those with the with the board of education and the community as needed. >> Thank you. Any other old and new business? Seeing none at this time, we're going to go to uh community input or non- engine items. Good evening, Caroline Fanning. I wanted to speak about um the hiring committee and one consideration that was a consideration a year ago that was not mentioned tonight, but it was a consideration a year ago when I was on the board. Dr. Landau, you talked about there being over representation of community

130members, but each bargaining unit only having one person. When a community member walks into a room and they see nine or seven or what have you Amityville UFSD employees, they don't realize that those employees represent different bargaining units. They just see a cohesive hole of people with their lanyards. And they may assume all those folks know each other. They might be wrong. But that was the concern that someone on the outside who wants to get involved and play a role is going to feel like an outsider if they are just one or two in a room with so many others. Um the community is not a cohesive pole. We're not a bargaining unit. We don't have our lanyards. We are very very different. So the idea was to just have more of us, more community

131members to create that balance. And I appreciate how difficult it must be, a challenge, as you put it, so diplomatically hard to have so many different people in a room to make it such a sensitive decision. But I really believe firmly if it's hard, that's what produces good results. And I think a lot of people in the community have been encouraged this past year with the results of your committee. And I applaud you for it. So I would just ask don't take away the element that's making it good. That's saying what I have to say. Thank you. And I'll try to stay calm this time. I'm talking about the hiring committee as a committee member. And yes, we did have five community people on the roster, but I don't remember one meeting where five community

132people were there. I could be wrong, but I don't remember one meeting when five community members were there. We're lucky if we had two, maybe three. So, if you're going to knock it down to two, you're going to have nobody there because I don't know if you understand these meetings where they're from 8:00 in the morning to 4:30 in the afternoon. There's not many people in the community that are going to volunteer an eight hour day to sit in that room and go over papers. So, I am beseeching the board to reconsider the number of community people because what's going to happen is you're going to have none there. Something to think about. And I understand Dr. Lando, you said there is a first level and a second level of the interview process of getting

133this. Okay. So this year we got we got all of the applicants I believe. Am I right? >> So just so you continue. >> Yes. >> Well, that's not exactly what it says here. It says, let me find it now. Where is it? I believe it's here. The superintendent or designate. Nope, that's not it. Where's the sentence I'm looking for? Oh, the superintendent andor designate will select candidates for selection committee interviews. To me, that does not say we are getting all the candidates as it said in the previous policy. So, my question is which is the right wording? >> Dr. available. Are we getting all the applicants for that initial because you know it says here second level but nothing's designated as first level. >> Dr. Lando, could you further explain to her you're more

134familiar with the hiring policy? There are proposed changes that perhaps she's referring to section. I know exactly what you're referring to and >> just bring your mic a little bit closer. Thank you. >> I apologize. The intent of the language here and and I'll I'll make sure that I re-review it. The intent of the language is that the entire committee sees every single candidate, their name and and what the process was by which um there there was a a a choice by superintendent to designate to say these are really people that I think should be seen. And then there's the ability of the committee and I want to get to um I have to get to the language because it's it's verbose and I apologize. So under B, selection committee members will be given the

135opportunity to review all application materials and by committee consensus interview additional candidates provided they possess the minimum qualifications and certification required for appointment. >> But the sentence before that that's not what it says. Under you're looking at a >> a >> so under a the language there is that okay the superintendent or designate will have reviewed every single resume before him and in reviewing it one of the things is you got to be certified. If you're not certified for the position you can't be appointed to the position and so that was would be one of the qualifications. The other thing is that the superintendent or designate may see people that are there that say listen these are people that are really qualified that we would like to see. And so the superintendent is saying or

136the design is saying to the committee these are people that I think should be seen. There is nobody that has been excluded from being seen. It's only please see these people. Whole committee everybody gets to take a look. If there's not a the committee doesn't say these are recommended, they're not recommended in the first round. And in in addition to the people that the superintendent or designate says we really think you should see these people, the committee itself in the same way that we have done and that you have been a part of will have every resume in front of them, every qualification, how many years of service, finding that needle in a hay stack that might be Yeah. You know what? It might be a different experience, but but there's somebody there that's got

137talent. Let's talk about this person. Bring them in and see them. That process is still honored here. The same way that when you've served on the committees, we we've had great discussion on the committees. The intent of this language is to honor the process that we have followed on the committees on which you have served. So I just I just ask that that a be clarified a little bit because to me it reads that the superintendent or designate will go through say 40 applicants and go I like this one I like not based on anything. I can see what you're saying because that's what we did but it doesn't it doesn't clarify an A based on experience or uh whatever you want to put in there. So, so in the line above it, it does

138say shall establish objective position relative criteria. That's the rubric if you will to evaluate candidate application materials and interview performance and perhaps the idea of adding a line there and share that information with the selection committee. In other words, here's the criteria that were used to select candidates that I've recommended for interview. The intent is there in the language. >> Okay. I just I guess didn't read it that way. But I do I I'm I I'm just going to say if you go down to two people, you're going to have no community members at the meeting. That's how I believe. How many times did we have five people there? >> I know. I'm done. >> I I welcome continued conversation. >> Thank you. Ro, you have to you have to give the form to the

139discipline. Good evening. Um, I just want you to know that I have been for many years on the committee of the hiring committee. However, what Mary Stevens has presented, I've learned more than I knew before. And then when um we appointed Dr. Lang and um he started doing the hiring committee, he did an excellent job. Okay, we discussed many different things. Like he was saying, he always asks everybody their input. It's not like oh god I don't want this one to no we all work together and that's how the committee was working and I think it was a very good job and sometimes it's hard to have beside the union members I was a union member besides a union member and um the many people from the outside you have too many people it's hard

140to do really disgusting and then the time is going and it's time to go home and it's very hard. So it was easy maybe to try to use two. Yes, we had four parents when I was on that committee with Dr. Lane. We had like four parents but however some of our you our union members from you know teachers association we custodian association some of them were not available to be there. So then it was a little easier because you still had your community members. So, you know, I think, like I said, I think you're doing a good job. I'm sure maybe two, maybe even three because sometimes you hire two people and they can't make it. It's hard. So, if you have an another person there just for emergency, then it's better. So, I'm

141just letting you know that's how I feel. Thank you. >> Thank you. Wendy Kestro. First of all, the clerk is a public officer of the board of education. It is up for scrutiny. I just want to correct the record that you can't criticize or scrutinize. You absolutely can. >> When you come to the mic, we always ask people to be respectful and that's all we're asking. Thank you. >> Understood. But they can't. They are >> up for scrutiny. >> People to be respectful. Thank you. The board of education here seems to forget most of you that you represent the community. I see two people representing the community on this board. Whoever takes the seats in July, who knows if it will be the people that were announced or if it will be new people. Whoever

142it is should always remember that you represent the community. That's who you represent. You don't represent the unions. The unions are very well represented. Um, I found it disturbing of how the board president was berating other board members about policies they were objecting to on final readings. Discussions happen in public when the board is together in a public meeting. It doesn't happen by email. When I got on the board, I found out was >> Excuse me. Nothing has been happening by email. >> Well, you raided them for not sending emails. >> A second. So, excuse me. I stated that the board has had these policies since the last meeting and no one made any suggestions or anything like that. If suggestion is made in the email then it is brought to the um to the

143meeting. So I just want to clarify that. Thank you. >> And it could be made at a public meeting >> and it will be made but at least we can move forward. Thank you. Go ahead and start it up. Um, that was disturbing how you speak to fellow board members. Um, as far as the hiring committee, I would love to know who you think was a terrible hire that you need to change the hiring committee. Who did you hire that was terrible that you need to change this? Was it Dr. Lando? Was it the director of >> Hebrew questions? We have them. Thank you. >> Okay. Somebody must be terrible that you feel you have to change this or the community didn't do a good job. And by the way, you say only one representative

144from each group. All of those union members are employees. That's one group. Community is another group. So you it's it's not balanced. Um I did notice a board member asking another board member a question and the board president jumping in to stop that. I noticed board members asking superintendent questions, the board president trying to stop it. Um, and lastly, this is for trustees Messman and Leon since you seem to be the only people that understand budgets and you'll be continuing on the new board. If you remember the surplus, the board missed the deadline to lower the tax levy for the first half of the year. If you remember that, I would ask you and encourage you to be on top of that now that you have almost a $7 million surplus. Please be on top

145of that and make sure that you don't screw the taxpayers again. Um, I understand it wasn't your fault because it wasn't brought to you, but now you know about it. Please be on top of it. For anybody that's upset that taxpayers are upset, I would wonder why you are equally not upset. 10 million $10.5 million surplus, eight, you know, $7 million surplus. We are not cash cows. Thank you. >> Thank you, district clerk. >> District clerk, will you be answering my emails? >> Excuse me. Your time is up at the mic. Thank you. At the um if you're going to be rude, then we're >> not going to be She was rude to me. >> Excuse me. If you're going to be rude, then we're going to cut it off here. >> I was not

146rude. >> All right. So, >> I would like Okay. I have I >> Excuse me. I'm going to like I said, if you're going to be rude, we're going to cut you off and that'll be the end of my input. And I'm just making a statement. Thank you. I would like to know after the ballots were read, how were they sealed? How are the ballots sealed? >> Legal. Do you want Do we need to answer this question? Do we have to answer the question? >> So, the ballots are sealed in accordance with education law. >> Thank you. >> They were put in a box after it was read. They weren't sealed. >> Not going through the specifics. >> We're not going through. >> Okay. We won't go through the specifics. Where are they now? If

147you're doing it, where are they now? I think legal just stated we're not going to the Pacifics right now. >> They are sealed. >> They're sealed. Thank you. >> I would encourage the board to have the district clerk removed and not appoint them again. >> Excuse me. Thank you for your comment. >> I'm sorry. This this is public. I'm sorry. Legal and I'm allowed to ask this question, but then responsibilities I'm allowed to address. >> Excuse me. At this point in time, >> I'm permitted to say this. >> No, you're being rude. We're stopping here. Thank you. >> Personnel is appropriate for executive session. >> Thank you. >> The district clerk, >> as you are you are correct, is an officer, but the district is also an employee. >> I'm allowed to talk about her

148responsibilities in public and and a failure. If there's a failure, I am permitted to do that. I actually I actually also >> I called the commissioner's office today and ask Congratulations. I have the right to close. >> That's appropriate. Carol Seahhoff clapping for a constituent. You're completely inappropriate and the best thing that you ever did was not run against. >> Can I can I have a motion to adjourn community at this point? >> Mr. Shehan, I'm addressing I have one vote to close second >> Chris Narren. I mean Leslie Cretz and Michael McDonald right to address the responsibilities. >> We're closing the community input. All those in favor of closing community input at this point in time I >> I. All those opposed? >> Opposed. >> John, you >> carries 52. >> You know the

149answer to >> um at this point in time, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:25? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris Naran is first. Carol, you have a second. All those in favor? I I >> I motion carries