Amityville BOE Mtg 3/4/26

001Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Amville U3 School District Board of Education meeting. Today is Wednesday, March 4th, 2026. And I'm open the meeting now at 5:46 p.m. This is our work session meeting. At this point in time and attendance at the meeting is myself, President um Lisa Johnson. The first vice president Leon is anticipating to be arriving by second vice president Chris Naring is here. Carol, trustes Carol Sehaw, Leslie Pretto here, and it's anticipated that trustee Megan Bestman will be arriving. Also in attendance tonight is our superintendent Dr. Jeannie Talbert, our assistant superintendent for curricular instruction, Mary Stevens, our director of human risk resources, Dr. Lando, our interim assistant superintendent of finance and operation, Joe Done, and legal counsel John She is here at this point in time. At this time, can

002at 5:47 p.m. Can I have a motion to enter into executive session for particular person's employment history and advice from councel? >> Motion second. >> Carol office first, Leslie press second. All those in favor? >> I I motion carries 4. Thank you for joining us. >> Meeting um we are resuming open now at 7:40. Please note all the emergency exits so in an emergency you know where to go and please join the board education in the pledge of allegiance. At this point in time, I'm going to turn the meeting over to Dr. Talbert. Thank you, Madam President, and good evening to everyone. Before we begin tonight's business, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of a valued member of our Amityville Memorial High School family, Mr. Donald Tumi, a dedicated special

003education teacher. His loss is deeply felt across our school community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and especially the students whose lives he touched so profoundly. The white rose that is here at our table speaks of a life that was cherished, a heart that made a difference, and a presence that will always be remembered. At this time, I would like to turn it over to his principal, Mr. John Cardone, who will share words in his memory. Following Mr. Cardone's remarks, our board president will read aloud a resolution of memoriam on behalf of the board of education and we will conclude with a moment of silence to honor Mr. Tumi's life and service. Thank you. Just want to start off by saying Mr. Tum was a really great man. Um he worked

004at Annual Memorial High School for the majority of his career but also spent some time at Park Avenue Memorial Elementary School. We're all going to uh miss him greatly. Um Mr. Tony made a lasting impact through his unwavering commitment to student success and his strong support of colleagues. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure that students receive the help they needed. An example is when he voluntarily met with a student over the summer to provide them the support to pass their regent exams. And I'm sure he did this multiple times. Mr. Tatumi was equally supportive of his colleagues, always willing to collaborate, lend a hand, and contribute positively to the school community. He was a true team player whose professionalism and care strengthen both instruction and staff morale. He had a really great personality.

005Mr. Timmy will be remembered as a kind, patient, and compassionate educator who brought both warmth and humor to the workplace. He had a lighthearted personality and often shared playful moments with colleagues, helping to create a positive and welcoming environment. After Mr. Timmy passed at the high school, I had the pleasure of reading a binder where we had students and we had faculty share um the positive moments that they had with him and it was very touching. Um, so we're happy that we're able to provide that um to his family. Um, even during times where he was not feeling well, he made every effort to come to school, demonstrating his deep dedication and sense of responsibility to his students, colleagues, and the school community. His compassion extended to staff as well, often checking in on colleagues

006when they were out or not feeling well. And then I read in some of the descriptions from the teachers when they were out on leave or sick, he would call them to see how they're doing. His kindness, loyalty, and genuine care for others left a lasting impression. They'll be remembered by hope all who had the privilege of working with him. Uh thank you. And Mr. Tumi will miss you. Thank you very much. Thank you Dr. Cardone for sharing those kind words about Mr. Tumi. Whereas the Anvil School District deeply mourns the passing of Mr. Donald Tumi. And whereas Mr. Tumi dedicated over 20 years of service to the children and families of the Amville school district as a special education teacher. And whereas throughout his tenure, Mr. Tumi demonstrated unwavering dedication, compassion, and professionalism, positively

007shaping the lives of countless students with diverse learning needs. And whereas his colleagues and students remember him for his kindness, patience, commitment to fostering an an inclusive and supportive learning environment. And whereas the board of education wishes to honor his life, his contributions to education, and his lasting impact he made on the Anvil School District community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Ammonville Board of Education extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Tumi and be it further resolved that this resolution entered this resolution be entered into the official minutes of the Amville board of education ensuring that Mr. Tumi's dedication and legacy are permanently remembered. And be it further resolved that the board of education will observe a moment of silence in his honor at this March 4th, 2026 meeting.

008Can everyone please stand and join the board of education in a moment of silence in honor of Mr. Donald, too. Thank you for joining us in this moment of silence in honor of Mr. Donald Tulumi who gave dedicated years of service to the Annville School District. Thank you Dr. Talbbert. I'm going to give the meeting back to you. Thank you. Good evening once again to our president, trustees, members of our school community. We would like to welcome and acknowledge Mr. Joe Draone as our newly appointed interim assistant superintendent for finance and operations. Welcome. Before Dr. Lando begins his presentation on our enrollment history and five-year enrollment projections, I want to provide a bit of context for tonight's presentation. Enrollment projections are not new to us. Over the past two years, we have used projection data

009to guide difficult but necessary staffing decisions. At times, those decisions were not popular, particularly when we had to lay off staff. However, those actions were grounded in data. Prior to that point, we were operating with staffing levels based on COVID enrollment numbers and class sizes that no longer reflected our actual student population. In short, we were overstaffed relative to enrollment. Our responsibility is to align staffing and resources with the students we are actually serving, not the numbers we once had. Using projections has allowed us to correct course responsibly while still maintaining favorable studenttoteer ratios and protecting the integrity of our instructional program. Tonight's presentation continues that work. You will see a 10-year enrollment history, the methodology used to develop projections, and both minimum and maximum 5-year forecast. You will also see projected trends by graduating

010class and what they mean for our middle and high school populations in the years ahead. These projections will inform staffing, course selections, budgeting, and our strategic leveraging of existing full-time equivalents to enhance our classrooms. We plan ahead so that we are not forced to react later. With that, in turn, I turn you over to Dr. Lando, who has indepth experience in projections and will walk us through tonight's full presentation. Dr. Lando. >> Thank you, Dr. Talbert. Good evening, President Johnson, first and second vice presidents Leon and Naring, trustees Cretzman and Seahhoff, Dr. Talbert, colleagues and community members. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to present an enrollment analysis and short and long-term enrollment projections, the completion of which was one of Amityville Union Free School District's goals. The purpose of this work is

011to review the alignment of enrollment and staffing levels for the current school year and to ensure that future staffing levels reflect enrollment needs and are aligned with instructional goals and needs. Tonight's presentation will address the four items shown here and include brief explanations and commentary as appropriate. Presented here are enrollment data from 201617 through 202526. Enrollment declined by 12.8% over that period. 106 at the elementary level, 104 at the middle level, and 164 at the high school level for a total of 374 students. Years prior to 2021-22, the year in which our full day prek program began do not include those prek enrollments. The trend is not unusual. As reported by Western Suffach Boseies, Suffach County public school enrollment has dropped by approximately 10.5% over the past decade. Elementary enrollment data for the past decade

012are shown here with each grade level represented by one color. Note the difference in year-to-year grade level variations beginning in the 2020 uh 21 school year. So again, you can follow each color as it moves across and it's that uh same grade level is varying in that way. It's not cohorts, it's grade levels. These are the middle school enrollments for the same period. The recent increase in grade level variations continues the pattern that began at the elementary level in 2021. And lastly, here are 10 years of high school enrollment data. A cohort survival approach, the standard approach used by demographers was used to calculate the proportion of students enrolled in one grade that continue into the next. Expected changes for all grade levels are shown and based on data from the previous three and five

013years. For example, we expect enrollment of students entering sixth grade to decline between six and 8% in any given year. When you look at the far right-hand columns, the average fiveyear and threeyear changes. Again, you will see if you look at sixth grade, there's a decline looking at the five-year averages of 6.72%. If we look at only the previous three years, then it would be a decline of 7.83%. uh enrollment of students entering 10th grade is expected to actually increase between 6.5% and 7.5% annually. And again, you look at those two right-hand columns and it shows you that growth that we expect as students enter 10th grade. We see here that variations in cohort survival rate can be very significant. uh using fourth grade as a case in point. The percentage of students that continue

014in the next into the next grade has varied by 18.84% during the past five years uh from a low of declining by 11.76% to a high of increasing by 7.08%. This instability impacts the ability to accurately predict future enrollments. Therefore, both minimum and maximum enrollment projections are included in tonight's presentation. So this table presents minimum grade level and total enrollments one might expect over the next five years. It is unlikely that declines will occur in all grades and to the extent illustrated here. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for us to use these figures to project staffing as it is likely that such an approach would not meet student programming needs and we would have overcrowded classrooms. This table represents the maximum enroll enrollments one might expect over the next five years. We are using this

015data to project staffing needs in order to ensure that classes are not overcrowded, especially given the variability in grade level enrollments illustrated in earlier and as you will see in upcoming slides. For next year, the expected decline of 23 students divided among 13 grades, an average of fewer than two students per grade, is insignificant overall. So expected enrollment changes over the next five years uh include a growth of 19 students grades K through five, a decrease of 97 students in grades 6 through 8, and a decrease of 36 students in grades 9 through 12 for a decrease of 109 students overall over the next five years. And again, this chaft, this graph shows you the previous five years and the projection for the five years that follow. The stability of overall K5 enrollments leads us

016to anticipate minimal enrollmentbased elementary staffing changes. However, the variation in kindergarten registrations from a low of 174 to a high of 220. Any deviation from the mean could impact the accuracy of our first through fourth grade enrollment projections. Middle school enrollments expected to dip next year, rise in 2027 28 and then dec decline the following three years. Once again, significant grade level variation is readily apparent. And finally, high school enrollment is expected to be stable next year with minor declines over subsequent years. The grade level variations will require adjustments to teachers instructional assignments within the school. For example, changes to what classes a social studies teacher might teach, whether it's US history or world history, with the overall number of teachers expected to remain very similar. Finally, this color-coded slide uh illustrates expected enrollments for

017each co class cohort over the next five years. The average change is the growth or decline expected on an annual basis at any grade level. So again, that 6.72% decline in entering sixth grade, but a 7.28% increase expected as students enter 10th grade. To recap, we provide 85 pre kindergarten seats on an annual basis, a number that we expect will remain the same. Kindergarten counts are based on the maximum of the three or five-year average enrollments because there is not a cohort upon which to base data and uh to base projections. Grade 1 through 12 projections are again based on the maximum of the three and five-year cohort survival rates. There is no steady pattern to kindergarten enrollment variations and again that may impact the enrollment projections for Northwest and Park Avenue. Districtwide enrollments are

018expected to drop between a little under 1% and perhaps as much as two and a half percent next year uh and between 4.2% and 10.2% over the next five years. Having worked with fellow district and building administrators to engage in a comprehensive review of all courses, class sizes, and teacher assignments, it is clear that current current staffing levels and studenttoteer ratios are favorable, thereby enabling the district to provide rigorous, supportive, and appropriate instruction for all learners. We will continue to use enrollment projections and course requests to establish course section counts and FTE needs. Provide rigorous, supportive, and appropriate instruction. Accurately budget for instructional and non-instructional salary salary lines based on needed sections and teacher experience level, education level, and longevity and support existing and proposed education goals of the district and examine ways to leverage

019existing FTEEs to enhance the educational program. Thank you very much again for this opportunity. >> Thank you so much for the presentation. Excuse me. Um, do any board members have any questions? >> Go ahead. >> Great. Dr. Lando, thank you for that presentation. Um, I've been looking around on the New York State report card website. Is it is it safe to say by just me looking at it going back 10 years it appears that our district has decreased by 10%. Is that more or less what you found as well? >> Yes. And the data that are used here tend to be beds data or data from around September 30th. So we use a common date to predict that. And yes, you would be correct in saying that. >> Thank you. >> Does anyone have any

020other questions or comments? Dr. Orlando, do you know how many students go to charter schools this year? Because I looks like we're we spend $1.9 million. >> I I did not research that data for part of this presentation and I can get that number for you and I'll make a note of it. >> I know that you I'm sorry. Go ahead. I guess just another observation is just that the 10-year trend that you lose about 700 students going from fifth grade to middle school. >> 700 students from fifth grade >> something like that. I'm looking if I'm looking at understanding this combined enrollment graph. >> So let me let me just get to the combined enrollment graph. And are you looking at the color-coded graph or are you looking at the um or the grade

021level projections? >> It is slide three. >> Okay. >> And it shows about 1,250 prek tok students. >> So So as you look at that, you have to remember that there are different numbers of of of grades in each school. So, as you look at the school, if you're looking at the trend, the trend for the uh for the red line is our our prek through two. The trend for the green line is the middle school and the uh or excuse me is K through five. You you look at the different lines and that's the same school. So, you would have to look from year to year and from the beginning of the line to the end of the line to see the change for that particular school. So, uh, there's not there's not the

022dramatic change. The total number of students lost districtwide over 10 years was 374. >> Okay. And you had said that was like a 12.8% def. >> 12.8%. Yes. >> I have a question. Okay. Um do we know what these numbers are compared to um the number of residents in the district or if those numbers are changing with the enrollment or if the number of residents is staying approximately the same and it's just people choosing to move out take their students outside of the district. >> Okay. Uh I I didn't compare the number of students districtwide. It's a similar question to Ms. Nesman's which is the do we know how many students are going to charter schools or to schools to private schools and that's some data that I would endeavor to get for the board

023if you would like me to do that. I did not do that research for this presentation. >> Okay. Thank Yes. I mean the my reason for that is just are are we trending in a downward direction because that's just the nature of who's living here or if that's based on people making decisions on the how the district is performing. Based on my my anecdotal experience, even the district that I live in, the enrollments are declining. This is not an uncommon trend across Nassau and Suffach counties. Although from the minimum that I read, and again anecdotally, Nassau schools seem to be declining a little bit less than Suffach schools. The Western Suffach Bosey's reports speak to uh u a population that is not selling their houses. people tend to say in communities longer uh and a

024declining birth rate although birth rate is not tied and a good predictor for kindergarten enrollment uh but those two shifts are things that Western Suffach Bosei sites as reasons for declining enrollments in schools generally. >> Okay, thank you. Just one thing I and if I recall correctly when we went when we went out for the bond years ago and and it was passed in 2016 if I recall correctly I think it was I think it was Boseies had did a we received the study from Boseies about enrollment and it showed like a if I recall correctly it showed like a huge increase and enrollment that we were going to have over the next like 10 years, 10 to 15 years. I think it was 10 years a 10 year study. So, it's interesting now that

025sometimes we I'm just making a statement if I recall correctly that sometimes it's hard to predict because based on what we saw, we saw that the numbers were going to be going up up and up in terms of enrollment um within projected enrollment. So, it's just interesting how over this 10-year period now that it's it's it's up and down, up and down. And then also just kind of looking at I'm looking at the school year of 20 2019 2020 then in 2020 to 2021 where we were we started with the COVID and home instruction in in 2020 like in March of 2020. So I'm wondering you know is was that also an impact there as well and then once CO was over then the numbers really changed because people maybe decided to stay leave or

026you know leave the the area or just come out of the school in general. So, it's just >> I'm going to bring us back to um this slide. And if you look at the 2021 school year, you see less of a downward trend in that 2021 school 21-22 school year. And if you were to look back at the overall data, there was in many Long Island districts an uptick uh in enrollment coming out of COVID. And the reason for that was that people were fleeing the city and coming out to Long Island schools. That coincided with a spike in housing prices, uh, a decline in available housing. There was a greater turnover and housing prices increased dramatically at that particular time. So there are trends that are unforeseen that uh we can't predict will happen

027when when we try to do these numbers. Uh, you know, could I expend them out 10 years? Yes. But then that 10 years would be guessing on enrollments from kindergarten from 10 years before. And I don't believe that those numbers would be accurate. Uh it is our intent as a district administration to run these numbers on an annual basis and to provide an update and to be able to look at the difference between our projections and what actually happened to inform our decisions as we move forward. And just my last question, the last two columns, am I assuming it's saying average change over five years and average change three? >> That's correct. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> Just speak more into the mic, please. >> Thank you, Dr. Lando. Um, I just now

028I just lost my whole thought. Um, what was um I was I wanted to know about the trending with other districts, but you answered that already. >> Yes. And and that's not from me. That's from Western Suffach Boseies. And there are two different reports that site that. >> And then this is a 10-year projection. Do you do this every year? Do you just follow I mean, we've never seen this. I don't think have we I don't think we've ever seen a 10year. >> I I recall it was I think it was either in 2015, maybe off. >> It was 2014. President Johnson, >> that was the committee report from the outside company and it was a 15-year trajectory. >> Thank you. >> That showed a great increase in enrollment and that was used to promote

029the bond referendum. >> Okay. Any other questions or or comments? >> Yes. More more of a comment. I think I think that just solidifies the 10 to 15 years of projection can be wrong. These things don't factor in social economical factors, political factors that change rebates and and and things like that. So something more like a threeyear or fiveyear is probably more accurate than a 10 or 15. I mean no that no nothing wrong. No, I appreciate it. But just in general terms, >> where where enrollment projections are concerned, I I I would agree with you. Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. It wasn't anything negative against the presentation. I appreciate it. >> I I didn't hear it negative. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions or or comments? >> Thank you so much. >>

030It's my pleasure. Thank you. Any community input on agenda items? >> Lisa, you're going to announce the walk-ons. >> Um I'm trying to make a note of them right now >> before the community comments. >> Yes. Um, so what I'll just I'll let the person go to the mic right now and as I just finish I'm just then I'll I'll come back to it and I'll do that. But let I'm gonna I'm going to do that but I'm I'm just finishing writing everything up. So therefore I can state it correctly. That that's all. So okay >> let the person start at the mic and then if anyone needs to come back. So go ahead. Thank you. >> It it's a quick question for Dr. Lando. Thank you for the presentation. So, I understand that everyone

031in Long Island is trending downward. Amnville 12.9% but Long Island 10%. But what's the deal? Is everyone trending downward in sixth grade or just Amnville? Because the 6.7% drop going into sixth grade and then coming back into 10th, that can't be islandwide. >> Anecdotally, uh, and I'm not speaking from hard facts. I'm speaking anecdotally based on my conversations with colleagues over time. Different districts have different patterns to their enrollments based on a variety of factors. Uh everything from uh as was brought up by some of our trustees whether or not there are uh charter schools or private schools in the area. Um some have a pattern that there is a drop in sixth grade and an increase elsewhere. I've seen other districts that there is a drop uh that there is an increase going into

032sixth grade and a drop going into ninth grade where students might be choosing private schools as they enter nth grade. So it's really a district by district uh uh approach that needs to be followed based on my experience. So I I I would need to look further into why that pattern might be in Amityville before I could answer what it means for us here. >> Okay. anecdotally as a parent of two middle schoolers and community member who talks to other parents um they're scared of the middle school here and I think that's a problem that needs to be addressed because I think this is specific to Amityville. I look at that and I see a red flag but we came through the middle school. >> Sorry Caroline, what was the comment? They're scared to >>

033I think a lot of people flee the middle school. I think they're enrolled up to fifth grade and then they don't want to go through the middle school and then they leave. And I think that's a problem that has to be spoken out loud, which is I'm why I'm here saying it out loud and it's it should not be a pink elephant. The middle school has to get better. Thank you. At at this point in time, I'm just going to uh make a motion to to pause the community input regarding board agenda items. And can I have a motion to pause the committee input regarding agenda items to add resolutions? >> So move. >> Second. >> Lizzie Cretz is first. Chris Naran is second. And once again, that was just a motion to pause the

034community input so the board can add some agenda items. All those in favor? >> I I >> I motion carries. Um 6. So there are several things that we need to add to the agenda. Um the first one, can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 3B1A, which would be for the um appointment of Brendan Mecclown as the pit director from March 5th, 2026 to June 30th, 2026. And the compensation will be $1,646. Can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add this agenda item? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris Ner is first. Leslie Cretz is second. Any discussion on this item? >> This is just to add, right? We're not We're just adding the agenda >> right now. This is just to add. >> Yes. So, we

035shouldn't talk about it, right? We just >> we we can >> It's either way if you So I can we can vote on it and then we can talk about it. So if we want to do the vote just to amend the just >> we just want to amend the agendas and take the vote and the commentary. >> I'll do it for the next portion then. That's fine. >> Correct. >> All those in favor of amending the agenda to add this item. >> I motion carries 6. >> Can I have a motion for agenda item 3B1A? Yeah. Now I now just we have a motion for agenda item 3B1A and then I'll have a discussion on it. >> So Lisa, my request was that you add the walk-on agenda items prior to the community input

036and then the community knows what's on the agenda. >> I'm sorry. Yes. >> And then we go through and we >> that's fine. >> Pull the motions. >> Okay. Right. Okay. >> Thank you. >> We have we have several of them. That's why. All right. Um can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 3C1 which is um accept the use of the town of Brook Haven facilities resolution and it states be resolved the Amville Union Free School District accepts the waiver and liability release from the town of Brook Haven in order for the athletic department to use their facilities. be resolved that upon recommendation of superintendent of schools, Dr. Gina Talbbert, the board of education of the Amville Union Free School District hereby accept the contract. So this is just

037a motion to add this item to the agenda. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Carol office first, Chris Ner in a second. All those in favor of adding it to the agenda I >> I motion carries 6. Can I have a motion? Where am I? No, let me just continue down the line. You can Sorry about that. Can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 2C2 which is a resolution that the board of education hereby approves the first amendment to the superintendent's employment agreement extend the term of the present employment agreement by two years to July 31st 2028 and establishing a base salary of $251,125 for the first year and a base salary of2 $257,000 4 257 403 for the second year and hereby authorizing the president board education to execute

038the first amendment. So all those in favor to amend the agenda to add this item. >> I no I need a motion. I need a motion. >> Motion office first. I need a second someone. No second. >> Second. >> Leslie Cret is second. >> Second. >> All those in favor of adding this amendment. I mean adding this item to the agenda. >> I. Anyone opposed? Opposed. Motion carries 51. So now we're going to go back. Oh, I'm sorry. Um, Trusty Leon was requesting. >> Yes. Yes, Madam President. I I would like to request um a motion to amend the agenda to add 2 C3. Is that correct? >> Um, what are you trying to do? >> 3C3, which my correction 2C3. Yep. 2C3 in order to pass a resolution to fly our flag at half

039staff for our uh teacher at the high school. And we can get into it further. I have the policy up right here. >> Is that I think that's just in the policy, right? Or >> does it require a resolution? >> It's in the policy. It doesn't require a resolution. No, but I I think just for clarification, I thought we had rem removed it from the policy of of of but I know he's looked just kind of scrolled down because I we had a discussion on >> Okay. Well, if you want to have the discussion in accordance >> No, what I'm saying is just scroll down on the end of the policy to see which what the date is on the end of that policy. Well, this is the policy that's on our school website adopted

040109 2013. >> Okay. I'm sorry, Juan. You're just calling a motion to add a resolution to the agenda. So, we can just >> Yeah, >> let's go. >> So, I need a first I need a first or a second to add the um >> motion. Second >> second. >> Carol off a second. All those in favor of a resolution to fly the flag at half staff in honor of Mr. Donald Tuli. >> I I >> motion carry 6. Okay. >> I'm sorry. We voted on the motion. >> No, no, we just we just added >> added to the agenda. >> That's it. Okay. Perfect. So, now we're going to go back to continue with community input on agenda items. So, we're looking at agenda items from this week and from or next week. I'm sorry,

041for the next board education meeting, I should say. So, I would just request that um if you have a a question, it just helps if it's written down. So, if there's an answer that needs to be provided, we we can do so. And just keep in mind in regards to the um policy that we want community input. We want to hear from the community. But when you come to the mic, please be respectful when you when you come to the mic. That's all we're requesting. Thank you. Wendy Canestra. Um, the presentation would have been easier for the community to see if it was bar graphs. It's not in color for us, so it's difficult to see. Just to keep that in mind. Um, I agree that we don't need a 10-year projection. We're trying to

042work on a budget now, and a lot of this is fluff. I'm extremely disappointed in this board of education to extend this contract, not by one year, but by two years. It's fiscally irresponsible. You're strapping the next board with this problem. Now, you have four openings. The board majority is likely going to flip. We're going to be stuck with an inept superintendent with little gain in this district, little student achievement improvement. I sat on this board for one year with a superintendent who didn't respond to the board in a timely manner. Sometimes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes never. It is astounding that you would think the job performance was good enough to put this on the backs of students, the staff who has come up here, a staff member came up here and said 53 days

043went by with no response from the superintendent. None from your staff member. It is an absolute disappointment. Um it's the nail in the coffin for if anybody's running for reelection. So at least that's good. Um the increase in the money over $500,000. Outrageous. I would say to those who have kids in the district, what is in the best interest of your child? You're a parent first before you're a board member. This is to the detriment of the students of Aityville. >> Thank you. Excuse me. I think there was just one person in front of me. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Hi, my name is Danielle DC. I am very disturbed at the lack of transparency by secretly adding this extraordinarily important agenda point to sneak it in at the 11th hour without transparency for the

044community. This is over $500,000 extending the contract of a superintendent where it was already voted her contract would expire and not be continued. And now you secretly all of a sudden in a working session add it to an agenda and just push it through a two-year extension for over $500,000. Does the community not have the right to have any voice in this? They weren't allowed to speak. They were railroaded saying no public comments. No public comments during the last meeting and now you sneakily just sneak it in here. What qualifies you for a two-year extension for $500,000 compensation and this appointment for the interim assistant superintendent of finance and operation? How many candidates were vetted and interviewed with proper protocol and procedure with transparency to ensure that this school district gets the best candidates possible

045for the job? Your role was due to expire and it was voted to expire. Who else has been interviewed for this position? Nobody. Nobody else. You all sat here and did nothing, secretly plotting and planning for the extension with not one other qualified candidate that may actually benefit the student body because last I checked the US News and World Report, our rankings are abysmal. In national statistics as well as New York State, atrocious. Our students in the high school have a 24% college readiness. Aren't you embarrassed? Don't you want more for our students? Superintendent, what have you done to actually improve the statistics and the performance academically for the students? No wonder there is a an exodus of our students. They're sending their students to any school that is better than the terrible performance. And

046the taxpayers need to wake up because the money is being spent to line your pockets and hire your family members and act like a clan. There's people at the deis that don't even live here, but they belong to your church. >> Your time is up. Thank you very much. embarrassing. Thank you. >> So, my name is um Bishop Walter Woolly. I live here in this town for the last 50 years, and I want to thank the school board for recommending the extension of the superintendent. Why do we constantly try to discredit leadership when someone been doing a good job in spite of how others feel? Go look at the history for the last 10 years, 20 years of this school district and stop blaming one person for everybody in the district. One person does not

047solve the problem for the whole school district. is over 20,000 people that lives here in Amleyville. >> Excuse me. No calling out. Thank you. >> So therefore, when a person is doing a job, why discredit that person? Let them do the job. We here as a community said the community. We here as a community trying to work together as one community, not two communities, one community. And everybody have a right to their opinion. But guess what? At the end of the day, the job is being done. The job is being done. And we as people appreciate the school board for doing their job. It's never easy, right? We could we have a different of opinion, but we don't want to fall out because at the end of the day, it affects everybody, students, families, communities,

048teaching staff, all of us. And every school on Long Island is having some of the same problems this school is having. Stop saying that this school here is failing, right? We they doing the best they can with what they have. And in order to succeed, it take everybody to make it work. It's easy to fight and discuss, but it's hard to come together and work out our differences. We could disagree on a lot of things but let's look at the facts. Let's look at some of the facts and be honest and stop saying a person or one person person deserve respect and that your mother your grandmother your father you want someone to respect them. That's point blank call your parents out of the name you be mad with them. Give the superintendent the same

049respect. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good evening, Nikia Wolf, uh, ATA president. Um, first and foremost, I would like to, uh, thank the board and, uh, all of central administration for, um, recognizing and honoring our falling member. uh greatly appreciate it. Had the opportunity to work with uh Mr. Tuni when I was a co-teer for an ICT class. He was my partner teacher. Um in being here as many years as I have um I was actually able to benefit from uh some of his uh mentorship and guidance in in a lot of different ways. So, I thank you for um showing that type of compassion to our member. Um on a different note, um we can already tell that this meeting is going to follow another disgusting trend that it has um that has had

050the that tends to be what it is that we do. I'm really not surprised why it is that it's very hard for individuals for us why it's very hard for us to find individuals to come and work here because I can't imagine sitting and listening to the type of disrespect that continues to happen at every single board meeting. >> Excuse me. No, no, no. Thank you. No call on the committee. Thank irrespective to whether or not you agree or disagree to ask somebody what it is that they're done. You can't even tell them what it is that they didn't do as far as moving the school district forward. You can't tell me whether or not this person who came in when the district was already in a negative position when the school district was making

051was trying to implement and make some changes as it relates to student uh school and um school achievement. I find it very interesting that individuals who once said that the board was overreaching under a different superintendent and that you were going you were trying to micromanage. Your superintendent is now calling for a superintendent to not be here when they came in to try to fix what it is that we obviously created before it is that they got here. um irrespectful irrespective to whether or not you want this person or not, you cannot just associate blame to someone who has not done anything yet other than to help make some intimate incremental growth. Um it is not true that our students can't read or write. Our students have made growth. Is it the growth that we

052would like to see? It's very hard to do without any consistency. We already lost a business official not because of anything that they did because they just got here because they were hired fired hired and then went through a job application then went through an interview process and it wasn't like that this person was one of the finalists. So we wanted to extend it and the person left. So what exactly are you setting up for anybody to want to come in here and think that anyone who is on the board can turn around and rescend their appointments? >> Thank you. Time is up. Thank you. >> Hi, Margaret Shamville. Um, I really don't have anything prepared, but it has to do with this add-on agenda item of extending the superintendent when for months on end,

053I looked you all in the face and said, "Where's the art?" You know, request for quotes for a search firm. You stood there. No, we hadn't done it yet. No, we're a slow walking. We're slow walking. You do it the whole every which way to Sunday. You avoided the question and now we know why because I could have I could have bet a lottery. I could have won a lottery on this bet. But the fact that there's two teachers on this board, past uh retired teachers, whatever the case may be, and can sit here with a straight face and and look everybody in this audience with a straight face and say, "Yeah, I'm going to I'm going to put a superintendent back on track for two more years that's made absolutely hardly horrific strides, slashed

054heads, was in a deficit, and and cut cut the come cut and trim the fat. at people's livelihoods. The stats of the children are not good. You have to took you have to look at facts versus feelings irrespective of how I feel. I feel that I know that I heard in this room that the children of this district are three levels below grade level. So, as teachers on this board, voting in a superintendent that has done nothing to raise the bar in this district is absolutely mind-boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling. You can sit here and sit and say, "Yes, what have you done? You haven't done anything positive to raise the bar to to attract teachers, to raise the culture, to answer questions, to think on your feet, to do any of the things that a leader

055should represent. I see zero leadership skills. And it's not because I feel that way. It's because it's a fact. So all the facts are here. The shady crap is bubbling up in front of our eyes with these add-on agendas adding a 500 grand for someone who's ineffective day in and day out. And I stood at this podium and she sat right there and we begged them not to vote her in because she had a crappy record before and her record stands crappy now. >> Please, no calling out. Thank you. >> Hello. I just wanted to address a couple of things. It's astonishing to me that a union president would disparage residents and taxpayers that come to these meetings to advocate on behalf of students, the district, and the residents. The Constitution allows us to redress

056our grievances in government. And that's exactly the right that we're doing right now. As for somebody saying what you the superintendent does the best they can with what they have. What in the world does that mean? Does that mean our students aren't good enough? Are we have low expectations for our students? Does that mean our staff and our teachers aren't doing well? I mean, what does that even mean? The students are capable of anything. With the right tools and the right foundation, sky is the limit. It comes down to leadership. Leadership with the superintendent and leadership with the board. Is one person to blame? Well, that one person happens to be the CEO of the district. They make the recommendations to the board. The board is the safeguard for the students and for the residents.

057The board has failed those safeguards. I sat on this board. I was privy to things that nobody else in this audience was. We had unqualified candidates being presented to the board of education without even job experience, pertinent job experience. Why can't we get them? Our job postings sometimes are 10 days, not 30 days like other districts. It does come down to the superintendent. >> So, thank you very much. The um at this point in time, community input community input on agenda items is is now over. All right. and we're going to go ahead and proceed with the agenda. We're going to go over to review of the agenda for March 18th. Just give me one moment, please. All right. So, I will start with anything with one B or C. Um, so as far as

058the next budget presentation, what is the suggested approach to the budget presentation for March 18th? Because I know we're doing the line by line on Saturday. >> Uh, yes. So the budget presentation will continue on March 18th. We've had some preliminary discussions as to how to transition from what was to where we are now. And Mr. Drayon, you can update the board just a little bit on our discussions as to what we will present on the 18th. >> Well, first of all, I'm looking very much forward. >> Just do me a favor. You got to bring the mic like way closer to you. >> Really close. >> Yes. Thank you. I'm looking very much forward to Saturday for a discussion to understand the board's concerns. Um, one of the things that Dr. Talbet and I

059have talked about is the I'm sorry >> is the necessity for us to get a handle on fund balance. um because we've had a history in the district of uh a deficit and followed by a large surplus. >> So I want to present first to you on Saturday um my best estimate of what the surplus will be from this year's budget. Thank you. um for the presentation on March 18th. I have not I did watch online the line by line presentation from last year >> to get some sense of what it is that the board would be looking for. I'm hoping that we can organize the discussion so that we can talk about the big ticket items, the large impact items, uh, and quite frankly, um, those items are staffing. >> Sure. >> So, um,

060I'm hoping to organize the presentations so that we can have serious discussions about staff. Um, and there are a number of new ideas that I know have been developed by members of the staff here. I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag yet, but uh we will present those to you as well as items that we're going to propose be added. Um and then my my experience in presenting budgets has been very different uh perhaps than some of the experiences that you've had. I know that when I was first here um four years ago now uh I spent a good deal of time trying to make the budget presentation more transparent. uh I will attempt to continue to do that so that you have some sense not just of the dollar amount

061in the lines but what that dollar amount buys us. Um, so I don't know, Megan, if that answers your question, but >> well, it's helpful uh since you're new to the table here. So, I was just to kind of talk about the next meetings on Saturday and and the 18th. And um for Saturday, I don't recall if I have a hard copy of what we're going to be going over. So, is that something that we're going to walk in if we're >> You have not received it yet. My intention is to send it home to you as soon as possible, >> no later than Friday, obviously, >> um, so that you have it in advance. It's my hope that we can get it to you tomorrow night. But, you know, looking at a $120 million

062budget in just a few hours that I've been here, >> um, it's a little bit difficult for me to make a comprehensive presentation uh, and have it ready for you tomorrow night. I'm going to try. >> Okay. But you are you suggesting that we should move the line by line to a later date or just to >> That's That's not my call. If the board of education wants to do that, I'm more than willing to do that. >> Um, so when we get to um, Professor Best, when we get to back to the other agenda >> and we get to like new business, if we want to bring it up then at that point in time. So, I'm just I didn't mean to interrupt you as we move. Well, I guess well cuz we're talking

063about 318 as far as like what we would be presenting and so we kind of backtracked and talked about 37 too. Um because at our last meeting, I don't know February 11thish, I had asked that for today that we would talk about the recommendations of what to do with the current surplus. So that's a different topic that the board has to discuss too because we have to make a decision as to where all of that money goes before June 30th. Um and then we had also I had also requested that the board would see um what the expenditures would be for 26 27 with contractual increases only. Uh so we haven't seen that yet. Um, and then there's also been discussion about, you know, do we need to go to the t top of the

064tax cap? Do we need to do any increase in tax and for the board to see what that budget option would look like as well? So, and I'm not saying that you're going to have that all for Saturday, but I'm just trying to understand really what the timeline is now. Um, and what we would expect to see for 318, but maybe you don't have a firm answer yet. >> I I would offer to you that the idea of offering a zero tax levy increase >> a little bit closer to the mic. >> Thank you. Makes every business official shiver. >> The reason being, let's assume for a moment that our tax levy is $80 million. And let's assume that we don't increase the levy by 1% or 2%. Yes, the following year taxpayers would enjoy

065a 800,000 or maybe 1.6 million relief. But that relief would be a hole in every budget or every year beyond that. So I am concerned that we not use our savings accounts, which is what our reserves really are, to balance the budget in the immediate future. and really mortgage the long-term future for our children. But that's that's just off the top of my head. If I and I the way I do to approach it is that we should be looking at reducing the budget to the extent that we can still provide the educational services that our children need and have money in reserve for unanticipated expenditures in the future. >> Okay. Thank you. I so that's something else that I've been hoping to understand is that because we went from a deficit to a substantial

066surplus and then how do you what do we actually need to run the school district and that's where I had started to ask the question of well how are we going to end this year what is you know what are we going to have as our fund balance at the end of this year we were given a projected range You may have a different projected range. >> In fact, if I may, um, Rich Schneider gave you a range of between 2.5 and $4 million. I understand. And we promised to give you an update at the end of February. >> So, Tuesday night after my first day here, um, I reported to Dr. Talbot at about 11:00 at night that I had just finished a projection of fund balance and my projection came up to 3.2

067million. In other words, we are going to leave unexpended in this budget. $3.2 million which is roughly about two and a half to 3% of the budget. Mhm. >> Um, and I don't know about you, but 97% is a pretty good grade. So, I think that the budget is in good shape. >> Um, we are going to have a surplus. I have no doubt about that. Um, but it's not going to be in the $10 million range. >> Okay. Well, that's good. >> Yes. >> I I mean, I'd rather like I actually want to use the budget, right? going to ask the taxpayers for the money. Let's spend the money on the students and the staff. >> Better it won't be a $3.5 million deficit. >> Well, of Yes, of course. >> Right. >> There

068are a lot of line items in the appropriations report, which does also still link back to the March 18th agenda that are in the negative. And another thing that had been discussed was that February was going to be a month of kind of shuffling that and correcting that. So, how does the board do a line by line if we don't actually know what each line really needs? >> So, I think I'm just going to interrupt for one second, President. One of the things that I mentioned earlier on is that when we get back to the March 4th agenda and we are under new business, maybe one thing that we can do at that point in time is just decide. We can ask we can just we can decide if we want to move the line

069by line because there Joe just Joe Deon just started really today. I mean I think he was in the building yesterday but really just start today. So >> I was here Tuesday. >> Right. Right. So this is really sort of the second this is today is the second day. So I we just need to really sort of ask that question because there's a lot of things that people were were asking for and he's getting up to speed. So to really do the due diligence to make sure we have the information that we need ahead of time. Number one, I think it's really having information ahead of time because even we got the line by line on Friday. It's still to it's I know last year I think we got it sooner than that. It was

070like maybe a week ahead and it was we had time to really go through it. So I do hear you. So, I'm just saying that let's move that discussion back to the March 4th agenda and and decide about moving the the line by line. So, let's stay focused on the review of the agenda for March 18th and we can continue the discussion about um the moving of the line by line when we get back to the March 4th and we are doing the the new business. Okay. >> I I did have a comment from Mr. Joe Done and it won't it'll be it'll be short- winded, I promise. So, a couple things that you mentioned, number one, we are going to have a surplus, right? On top of the $10.6 million from the 2425, correct?

071That's what it looks like. >> We're going to have we're going to have a budget surplus this year because we have not fully expended all of the appropriations in this year's budget. >> Perfect. leaving us with approximately 3%. Like you said, 97's a good grade. Okay. So, you also mentioned pulling from savings accounts to pay for the balance. That's exactly what this district experienced three years ago when it ran what's called an operating deficit. Right? On paper, we were in the red, but we pulled from reserves to make it not in the red. Operating deficit. Year after that, we experienced one of the worst deficits in AMDville. Amityville's history. followed by one of the largest the largest in Amville history. It is I'm sorry, one of the largest surpluses in Amville history. So these past

072three years have been turbulent to say the least and I think what you're trying to do is find the ground. Okay. So my my question is this. Whenever you get your bearings and you find the ground and you understand what it is we're facing, some board members, myself included, would like to see a scenario with a 0% tax levy increase because we have a record-breaking $10.6 million surplus that we are sitting on. And some people and probably even the um well some people believe you know it's easy to believe that you've been overt taxed if we have that kind of surplus. So in in one of our last and this isn't on Mr. DGO because I know you're just walking in the door but some of the options that have been presented to us with

073this $10.6 million surplus one fund our depleted reserves. So that's something that we need a good understanding of and that's something that the board needs to have an open discussion about because that's something that's going to project for us for years hopefully in a good way. Number two, we can use some funds to fund needed capital projects. So we need to know what what they are, right? Listen, there's always going to be more work and more expenses than what we have money for. It happens. We never have enough money for everything we want to do. We know that. But that's why you have a plan. So, Joe, all I'm asking is in your deliberations and your studies and the things that you're doing, please show us what a 0% tax levy could possibly look like.

074>> Thank you. So, any other questions regarding the March 18th agenda for one B or C1 and two? If not, I'm going to go over to agenda item 2A 1 through 3. Any questions on agenda items 2A 1 through 3? >> I don't have any other questions on the agenda. >> Okay. Any any questions regarding agenda item 3A1? Any questions? I'm going to just kind of loop it together regarding agenda item 3B 3 B 1 A 2 A and B 3 4 A all the way down to SS. Any questions on on that that section at all? I'm assuming for um SS that hopefully we'll get a it has the TBD. We'll get more information on that as we move closer to the March 18th. >> Okay. So 3 B, 5 A and B, 7

075A through K, 9 A through F, and 10 A through C. Any questions or comments on those sections at all? >> I'm not sure which one has the recubs appointments, but we have some 30 odd recubs, additional appointments. Can we just speak to that a little bit, Dr. Miss Stevens, would you like to provide the update regarding recovs after school lunch Saturdays? >> Yes, these are additional programs in addition to what you did approve. Um so specifically the lunch will be at the high school for students who can benefit more from during the school day support. um some of them work after school or participate in activities that make it more difficult for them to attend the afterchool program. So uh we are implementing it in um in the lunch periods. Um most of the

076afterchool ones I believe are additional programs to support additional content areas. The proposals came in after the last board meeting. So, these were additional postings. >> Thank you for expanding on that. How is the Saturday attendance? Because I know I think Wana had actually questions like if we're seeing that there's not, you know, decent attendance on Saturday, if we would re-evaluate. So, the Saturday program began last Saturday. I did stop in. Um there were the students we expected to attend and then some who attended who didn't realize that it was by invitation. Um so we are working with the schools. So attendance was good on that first day. We continue to monitor it. Um we have small groups to make sure students are getting what they need but we will not be running um anything

077that's too low to be efficient. >> Okay. I'm sorry. Can I just um I I don't expect you to have actual attendance numbers tonight, but would you be able to share that with the board? Yes. >> At some point? >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions on any of these agenda items? >> Going down to agenda item 3 C1 through 4. Any questions on these agenda items? Um, any questions on agent item 3D1 or 3E1 A or 3F1 and two? >> Uh, question on 3F2. >> Go ahead. >> Um, this is for Bright Minds Consulting. Um I was wondering if we have any projected attendance. Um I know the district has run similar events where district employees have run these these events and wondering what the attendance was on those similar events and

078then will they there'll be multilingual services at these at these events? >> I'll ask Miss uh Stevens to elaborate. those events are intentional and um providing great services on Saturday, >> right? So, this is part um the bright minds would be supporting the parent program that we're offering on Saturdays. Um we are very intentional about the Saturday program that we are housing it at the middle school. We found that to be the most centrallylo um building that we had that families would be able to attend and all programs are running from the middle school which saves on the overhead costs um but it also enables us to address parents who have children in multiple buildings um and meet the needs of everybody at one time. So to your question, we do our parent liaison have

079been monitoring similar um programs and they have small but steady attendance and we think that when we're addressing all of the buildings in one location, we will have greater attendance for that. Um there will be multilingual support. The presenter um is bilingual and then we do have support available in addition to that um so that we can give one-on-one support. We also um did meet with the PTAs to ask them to help us in getting the word out. So um we're making personal contact with families. Our family liaison are letting them know about the opportunity. So we do expect it to be successful. Um again the target is learning loss. So it's helping build the capacity of parents to ensure that they're supporting their students and know how to do that. Um, but we're also

080looking at topics that will attract them to come in. So, we we do expect success and I look forward to reporting that out to you. >> Thank you. >> Excuse me. Any other questions in these areas? >> I just have a question about recov. Just want to go back to that. What's the ratio size group for recover? >> Uh, we're looking at 10 students to one teacher groups. Thank you. There's no more questions regarding the the March 18th agenda. I'm going to move over back to the March 4th agenda. Right. Going back to the March 4th agenda and I have a motion for agenda item 2C2, which is the the resolution for the extension of the superintendent uh contract for um two years. Motion >> second. >> Carol Seahhoff is first. Leslie Cretz is second.

081Um a discussion on this just for a little clarity on it. Um with the extension of the contract. I stated the salary was 251125 for the first year. Um that will be an increase of $5,000 for the first year and for 20 for the second year it's 257,000. I mean 257 $43 and that would be an increase of 6,000. So it's not an increase of um 500,000 it would be increase of $11,000 total. Any other comments or discussion on this item? I have a brief comment. Um at this time my vote on this matter has not changed. I remain comfortable with the decision previously made to move towards obtaining new district leadership. I feel that this is in the best interest of the students and reflects the community who elected me to serve as their

082voice. Additionally, in executive session, I provided the board with a viable schedule outlining the steps to obtain new district leadership after the four trustee seats are filled in May. Four trustee seats would reflect a new board majority one way or the other, whoever that majority agreed with or didn't agree with. This schedule included placement of a new superintendent and a permanent assistant superintendent of business and finance prior to September, which I felt also would reflect the community's voice in allowing the new board to be involved with this critical decision process. Thank you. You're welcome. Any other comments on this? >> Yes. Uh I have a comment um just in response to the fact that the four seats are up um this year um and waiting for those four people to make that decision. The people

083that are currently sitting on the board were also voted to make decisions and that they were expected to do that within the time period that they're here and to make the decisions based on what they feel is best for the district. Um, if they were to wait for the next group to make that decision, then what would the point of them being here in the first place be? So, um, any other comments on this at all? >> I just want to say that as a past educator for many, many years and monitoring what has happened in the district since Dr. Talbot has arrived and speaking with majority community members as well as staff administrators, I'm very comfortable with my decision tonight to extend Dr. Telbot's contract. Any other questions or comments on this? All right.

084All all those all all those in excuse me please stop both excuse me please stop from both please everyone I'm applauding whatever comments everyone please stop thank you so have vote on agenda item 2 C2 all those in favor I >> I >> All those opposed >> opposed motion carries 42. Can I have a motion for agenda item 3B1A? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Carol Seahhoff is first. Chris Nar in a second. This is in regard to um Brendan Mclon who would be the pit director from March 25th to June 30th. All those in any disc any other discussion on this item? I'm sorry. >> No discussion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> Anyone opposed? >> One opposed. >> Motion carries by one. Can I have a motion for item 3C1 which is

085um to accept the use of the town of Brook Haven facilities? >> Second. >> Leslie Cretz is first. Chris Narin is second. And once again that is for the use of facilities with um town of Brook and I read the resolution before. Any discussions or questions on this particular item? >> Not here. I think just for um clarity um Dr. T, this is with the the baseball team and the use of facilities for games because it's the use with the with the lights. Correct. >> All those in favor? >> I motion carries 6. >> We're down to old business and new business. >> I think I'm just going to jump on the Go ahead. Um, >> I I have new business. So, if anybody has old business, >> um, mine is new business, too. I

086just want to go ahead. >> Um, just seeing the amount of snow that we recently had and the uh impact that this has made on every single parking lot and roadway and sidewalk. I'm just wondering if if and when we'll be able to see what financial impact that has had. Obviously, that has um at least in my opinion, I'm assuming it's it clearly blew past our snow removal line in the budget. Um because years past, we haven't had anywhere close to this amount of snow. Um but I'm also wondering what additional cost this is going to be as far as repairing parking lots and anything like that >> over time. Yeah. So, you know, anything of that of that sort. So, a very good question. We are certainly uh touring the district um to see

087what the impact of the snow has been. Some of the surfaces are still covered. Uh the track being one and we will be discussing some of our preliminary proposals to the board regarding the track as well. Um in terms of overtime, those line items have already exceeded the allotted amount. Um, as we had previously explained, when the $2 million had not been granted in deposit from the assemblyman's office, um, we were asked to continue to reduce the budget by $2 million. In doing so, those overtime budgets were further slashed and reduced. We are aware of that and uh transfers are being analyzed, encumbrances just today um are are being further analyzed and so we will have an update for the board as transfers are being done and being brought before the board to let you

088know where we stand. But definitely there's been some impact from the snow, from the trees to the parking lots. Um and of course with our HVAC systems um heating system has certainly been working over time particularly when the temperatures were I want to say below freezing. Yes. So we will be providing you with updates with that as we move forward. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Just going back to um Trustee Meman was talking about the line by line this Saturday. I just want the board um to think about the possibility of moving that because with the information that we need to review this just to get everything on on Friday, but now it's just we just need to find another day in in order to do it. So the the question I would have

089is are we looking to try to do it before the next meeting on on March 18th or we look trying to do it afterward? So I think that that becomes the the question. That's number one. Number two, before I give it to the board, I just want to ask Dr. Talbert and and really do do we think that if we said the following Saturday to the 14th, that would give enough time because that we still would need to get things to us as a as a board at least by midweek next week by like next Tuesday or Wednesday. So therefore, we have at least three days to to review it even longer. So the question is, do we want to wait until after the 18th to get to do the line by line? then that

090that's really let's be realistic about it. Let's or do we want to give it until after the meeting on the 18th do that following Saturday and then that way we will have everything for at least seven days for at least seven days to really look at and then be able to to come to the meeting prepared. So I'm not too sure what first of all does that sound feasible Dr. Talbbert and then I can pass it on to the board. So, I know it would depend upon all of us calibrating our calendars. I can make myself available on the following Saturday, March 14th. But that of course is contingent upon our new finance and operations assistant super being available. >> I'll be available any day, literally. >> Great. >> Any day the board wants me

091to be available. >> Thank you. So, that would certainly give us some additional time to prepare um a line by line budget for the board that would be a little more prone to what we've been discussing. So, we think we can guide you through the process with a little more clarity. I don't know if everyone can check their calendars and see if that date's available. Can Can I Can I really push it? What about March 21st? >> I No, >> no, I don't think so. >> I'm just I'm just asking. So, we're looking at >> Hold on. >> Well, it's very important. >> Yeah. No, I was just I was just kind of looking at it that it's also Mar March 14th. I'm just asking everyone to take a look at their their calendar and

092you know are would you be available on March 14th? >> Tell your family that you can't come home. >> Or better yet, bring your family. They can learn something. Budgets. >> I'm just joking. Sorry about that. >> The joke is fine. >> Okay. >> No offense. >> Okay. All right. So, I'll go I'll start this way. Leslie, are you >> I'm on that day. >> Megan, >> I I would appreciate a little bit time to look at what we're going to get. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. >> I believe so. I'm just kind of questionable. I have to see what I can move around, but I wouldn't base it on my attendance. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And I just have to check a family obligation. >> I have to get back to you. I I would

093say like let's let's tentatively move it to to the 14th. I would love the whole board to be here. I just think this Saturday is just too short because we don't have anything to look at right now at all. >> Right. >> I agree. And also out out of respect for Mr. Draone who just stepped into the position, I I would like him to have something meaningful for us as well that that would be useful for us. And I think also what will be helpful is that there were some good points that were that have been brought up from tonight and other times and even if we could email some of those points to to Joe Don so therefore he can look at that when he's going to be addressing the line by line. So

094that would be helpful as well for everyone. >> I just want to say if I can't make the 14th I will definitely meet with Mr. Don to go over it >> and >> real Yeah. real close. >> Yes. Thank you for reminding me. Um, so I would be I I know that one from your reaction, Megan, your reaction that you think March 21st is too late. Let me just remind you that the board has until the third week of April, April 24th approximately before they have to adopt the budget to be presented to the community. you have until May 12th to conduct the budget hearing, which is really not a hearing. It's a report to the community on the budget that you've adopted. So, if you I I personally want Steve to be there. He

095knows the human resources aspect of this budget which is 70% of the expense better than I will ever know. So I would suggest to you provided that Dr. Talet and Miss Stevens and also make it um that we move to the 21st. >> Is should we um >> Yes. Well, if if I can I'm sorry. >> Well, the only thing I wanted to say was that we we established a timeline because in the past some board members might have felt that some things were rushed. We didn't have enough time to look at things, respond, go back and forth, and then before we knew it, the date of adoption came. That's why we set up a schedule. >> Gotcha. So, I promise that if you move to March 21st, you will have it at least a

096week in advance. >> So, I'm I'm really going to push it because the 21st is not good for me at all. What I'm sorry, what about March 28th? >> Are you Are you guys available? Are are you guys available? >> I don't know if we would want to wait that long. Is there a is should we just I know like last year was the first year we did it on Saturday and we really didn't have that many people here. Is there should we just go back to doing it on a Wednesday evening? >> So maybe maybe what we can do so I don't want to hold up the community. Let's >> memory I don't remember. Yeah. >> Right. So, what I'm saying is that let's everyone look at their calendars and before we go >>

097we can um Yeah, let's everyone look at the calendars and that way >> online a day. >> Yes. Maybe even it's like the 25th of of >> So, let's look at the calendars that way we keep moving along. >> That way, everyone can look at all their calendars. That would be the most important. >> I really appreciate that, Miss Johnson. Thank you. >> Right. Any other old and new business? >> Yeah. Yeah. Let's cancel the posting and then we can look at any that way everyone can look at calendars. Okay. Any other old and new business? >> Um yes. Yes. Um I would like to amend the agenda to add that uh motion. I guess that would be under what? 41 or or 51. >> We're trying to do >> with Oh, we had already

098added that. We just I guess we didn't call it. >> Yeah. I >> Okay. Right. So, so we're under five, correct? >> No. Uhuh. It would be >> We just go back to 2C3 because that's what we edited as. >> Yeah, it it'll be I'm sorry. It was 2C3. I missed that one. I'll go back and we'll vote on this. >> Okay. All right. >> Sure. >> Yeah. We We may have to We may have to suspend the policy because we took it out of the policy. It's that that policy that's there that's from 201 >> It's from 2013. No, it's an old policy. So, a new policy that we that we did, we we took it out. We we took Yeah, we did. We took out We took out for the employee. We took

099it out for um >> Yes, we did. >> We did. >> Yeah, we did. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, >> and All right. I know. I know what to do. I know what to do. >> Just let me know when you're ready. Go ahead. >> I had a couple of old business old business. Yes. We're still with the old business. Yeah. Um, so Miss Dr. Talbert, could you speak to the status of implementing a grade 3 through six gifted program for 2627? And um, is that accounted for in the balance budget that we've preliminarily been presented? the 2627 budget does not take into account for a gifted program. >> I believe that we passed a resolution past June to incorporate that and at first it was for this school year, but we said, "Okay, let's

100figure out how to incorporate it for the 26 27 school year." >> Okay. >> So, I know that Miss Stevenson can provide us with an update. We've had a number of discussions about next steps regarding that. >> Okay. So, uh the Park Avenue building has formed a committee. They are examining programs in other districts. Um whether they run during the school day, before school, after school. They're looking at the criteria for entering the programs. Um they're identifying at what grade level that begins. um they are looking I'm sorry within the criteria the measures that they're using um so there are a number of aspects that they're working on to determine what would be appropriate for Park Avenue and what they can do with their existing resources and what they would need budget support on >>

101okay so when do you expect to understand the feedback from that committee they are currently working on recommendations Mr. is leading that committee. >> Okay. So maybe if you can advise us on the timeline for that so that we can understand the feedback. >> Thank you. Um a few meetings ago I had questioned um evaluating a summer program options. Is there an update that could be provided on that? >> Okay. Can you Okay, go ahead. Um, so we continue to look at um any grants that would be available to provide programs for enrichment. Uh, we don't currently have any that we're working on. I have been working with the scope program. Um, we are working on an agreement with the district for scope to provide services for the month of July. Uh, parents could sign

102up on a weekby- week basis for the month of July. Uh the cost right now is approximately $210 per week. Um so we're just finalizing agreements with scope um for that to happen. Um as we mentioned um at the last budget presentation, one of the items that we did put in was a summer bridge program for students who are transitioning from one building to the next. um just to identify any gaps they might have in learning and also get them used to their new building and orient them. >> Right. And is that when's that occurring? In August then or because if you're doing scope in July, right? We did meet um this week to review the calendar. Um we are looking at July dates for that. >> Um and I'm sorry, August dates for that.

103>> Okay. And um and then for high school, we are looking at partnering with Boseies um to do the high school uh summer school program. >> Thank you. I so I think that I would suggest and I don't know if it's for the board to weigh in on that we expand the scope agreement to be able to offer after school or early morning support as well throughout the school year. So that is part of the discussion that I am having with scope. not as close to an agreement on that, but they do have two programs. Um, a child care program and then an educationally based program. They run differently with different pricing options. Um, we are able to run both of those programs. The before school program will be a little bit more difficult just

104because of the timing of our buildings and the structure of their program. Um, in the end it would just be whether families found that to be coste effective and if we could get the number. So they require 15 students um per building to run the program. So if families found that to be useful for them then we could pursue an agreement with them. >> So is that something that you intend to once you get all the answers put out a survey to gauge commitment or interest? So, um, Scope actually did work with me on the survey so that we could put that out there and let families understand the options between a child care option and an educational option and what the cost would be for those. >> Right. Thank you. And when will the

105news about the July scope option be like transmitted or has it already? So, we have a I'm sorry. A flyer prepared, but we are just waiting on the agreement. Um, which I assume the board would have to vote on, right? The the agreement. >> Oh, we have to Yes. Okay. So, hope maybe for the March 18th meeting. Is that the hope? >> Uh, yes. We've been working for some time on the agreement. So, it's with legal and as soon as they release and clear it, we will bring it to the board. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> I I just had a quick comment. I wanted to second um what trustee me said about the scope services um in in absent in absence of not having grant funding for some of the students I

106think scope would be an excellent idea especially after school if you want to also look in the morning and see if that's also viable option but especially after school >> okay I have one more um sorry uh another thing that I had raised and I just I'm sure that needs more time, but I don't know if we need I don't know what the next steps are was can we incorporate a reduction in the use of Chromebooks for and what sort of steps would that entail as far as incor implementing or what implementation could look like? So, as a part of our remote learning plan, we've been having in-depth discussions with administrators who've been discussing these options also with our staff. As a part of the superintendent student leadership council, when the students pled the various

107students at the schools, they wanted more of a balance between paper and Chromebooks. So, we are in the process of discussions and what that would look like um from school to school and grade to grade. >> So, as we get closer to something more tangible, we will certainly share it with the board, but it's a transition that's in progress. >> Okay. So, the and we would hope to implement this for 2627. That would be excellent. Um so, I just I just have a new business. >> No, go ahead. But I John's not here. So I'm just going to say my new business. I just wanted to talk about how we had the four seats on the ballot. And just to make sure that I understood that would the candidate that receives the lowest votes then

108fill the one-year seat. >> No, it's it's the the candidate with the highest vote will start will start right right away to fill that oneear seat. It's not the lowest >> because it's like open immediately the one-year seat even though it's only one year. >> Yes. So the candidate that's with the highest >> is desired by the community only gets one year. >> Yes. The highest vote. >> Yes. >> I just wanted to I just wanted to talk about that. >> Okay. >> But I I think you're right. I think that is a legal question because if if I was that candidate, I might opt to have the three-year term. >> You wouldn't want to run two years in a row, >> right? So I I think I think that's maybe a question for legal

109that we can get sorted. >> We can definitely give it to legal. I I'm almost certain that that is the way that it goes because there was conversation that has we that I know the district court has had. So I'm almost but we will ask um Mr. Sheenan and and that particular question. So because that's what happened last year and that's why Juan started right away last year because he filled No, no, it wasn't one. No, it was >> No, you're right. Juan was the highest vote getter. So >> Right. So he >> So he took that seat. So he technically finished um the previous trustes term that I was filling. >> Right. Exactly. >> But then that that seat was up for that election. So that's why he stayed on and now he's in

110for the three-year term. Exact correct. >> So it's slightly different than with this circumstance. >> That that's correct. But that's a unique situation because you were also appointed, >> right? Which is why you took over >> vacancy. Yeah. Yeah. So we'll we'll we'll definitely >> Yeah. legal will sort it out for us. >> All right. Any other any other new or old business? >> Any other older new business? >> Um, do you want me to call it now? >> Okay. >> All right. So, okay. So, here's what's going on. Madam President, I originally wanted to call a motion to um authorize the superintendent of schools to fly the flag at the Amityville Memorial High School at half staff for five consecutive school days in honor of Mr. Donald Tumi. And um that's also based off

111the policy that is right now on our website, which I thought was the most upto-date. I'm being told that it's not even though we we did have this discussion last summer. So, I was part of it. So, either way, I'm asking for the board I'm asking for a motion for the board to suspend that policy so that I can call this motion. >> Okay. So, I'm asking the board of education to suspend the current display of flag regulation, which is 4311.1R, which the new policy does not allow for the superintendent to fly the flag at half staff for this situation. And I would like to ask my fellow board members to approve allowing the superintendent to fly the flag at half staff for five consecutive days for in honor of Mr. Donald Tumi. Is there

112a motion? >> Just get clarification. Is this one motion that is covering both items? >> I try to keep it simple. >> No, I'm just making sure I understand. Uh but motion. So the motion is to to suspend the pol to suspend the to suspend the current policy and to fly the flag in honor of Donald Tumi for 5 days. So that's correct. >> That that's correct. >> I just want to make sure. Right. >> All right. So Carol seeoff is first. >> Second. Oh, >> Juan Leon is second. All those in favor? I >> I >> And Matt, sorry. >> I'm sorry. >> Did I hear everyone? >> I I said I >> I'm sorry. >> Okay. So, it's it's five one, right? And I just want to make sure because we already amended

113the the agenda to add it to the item 2C3. 2C3. We did that earlier. Now we're just voting on the 2C3. No, no, no. >> That was the vote. We we already we vote we voted earlier to amend the agenda. >> Put it on there. So that was the true vote of the >> I that's what I was just stating that we had already >> did it earlier. So now we're just doing >> the vote, >> right? So >> Sure. Madam President, I just I just wanted to read that these two sentences where the um it's the previous policy. It reads, "Flags on individual buildings will be flown at half staff for five consecutive school days if a present employee or student in that building passes away. The flag shall be flown at half staff

114the day of the funeral and uh of any former employee well known in the district at the discretion of the superintendent. Um so e even though the new policy did remove that uh maybe it can be revisited for certain situations such as this. >> I I understand I know that um if I recall correctly some of the concern was it says at the discretion of the superintendent. So I think that was some of the concerns of would the flag be flown for for everyone. But thank you so much for for bringing up. >> Right. Are there any >> just seeking clarity the flag will be flown at has staff at Amivia Memorial High School only? >> Correct. At half staff for five consecutive school days. >> All right. Any other new or old business? Okay.

115All right. So now I'm going back to community input regarding non board agenda items. And just as a reminder when people come to the mic um according to the policy please conduct yourselves in a civil manner. Um we haven't had any obscene language but be mindful of um defamatory statements any there has been any threats of violence state um statements advocating for racial religious or other forms of prejudice will not be tolerated. Thank you. Good evening members of the board of education. I come before you tonight as a resident alumni and someone who genuinely cares about the su success of our schools. >> Please no calling out. Thank you. Um excuse me. Just just stay focused here. Please no calling out. Thank you. >> Okay. Let me start again. I come before you today as

116a resident, alumni, and someone who genuinely cares deeply about the success of our schools. Strong school districts are built on stability and consistency. Real progress in education does not happen overnight. It takes time, planning, and leadership that is supported so that initiatives can be implemented and results can be seen. This is why I want to acknowledge the trustees who made the thoughtful decision tonight regarding leadership. Walking on the resolution to extend the superintendent's contract was a responsible step that provides this ability to continue moving the district forward. Again, leadership should be supported, progress should be protected, and our students should always come before personal agendas. Congratulation, Dr. Gina Talmer. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next. Just unpause it and reset it again for us. >> Go ahead. Good evening, Cheryl Quintai Best for Delaware Avenue.

117Congratulations, Dr. Tabbert. I admire your poise, your professionalism. And to think that you come here almost every meeting and there's like a wrestling match going on. The unfortunate thing is with a wrestling match there's a winner and there's a loser. When we come here we are playing with the lives of our students and there are no winners. We're all losers. Our students lose. And I would like to know what can I do? What can the community do so that we can have meetings that are filled with respect and cordiality? Is there anything that I can do if there is? And it's not every trustee on the board. What can I do? How can we as the community help you to have meetings that the public can come to that we can come to and spend

118hours here to make our contribution? How can we help you to make this a place that seems sane because sometimes it's pure insanity all the bad that's going on? How can we expect to attract and maintain the best candidates in this school district if when they have to face several members of the board, they're badgered? Think about it. Would you want to go into a place of employment and be badgered every single day? Would you stay? You wouldn't. I wouldn't stay. Dr. Talbert came at a time when we were at our lowest and rather than supporting her, she had to make difficult decisions, cutting staff, balancing a budget where there was no budget, but yet still we want to say she's done nothing. She's inefficient. She's unprofessional. Who are we to say that? Where's your

119expertise? Is it all about dollars and cents? Because let me tell you something. Whilst my dollars I'm a taxpayer, my children came to school in this district. They did not go to private school. They came to school and they've all met with their own successes. And if I had to do it again, I would do it because this school district is filled with teachers and staff who are dedicated. I'm a teacher. I know what it takes. My job does not switch off. the job of a superintendent does not switch off. I would do it again. And I want for other families and their children who come to school in this district, not who go to private school, who come to school in this district to benefit like my children have benefited. >> Excuse me. Excuse

120me, speaker. Speaker, you're looking right at me. >> Excuse me. Your your time is up. >> Thank you. So I just want to say congratulations and I do respect >> your fortitude because this is a challenge to sit here sometime some nights. >> I understand Mr. Draon is brand new to the position. And thank you for stepping up because the situation is dire in terms of when >> you just have to direct it towards me first as opposed to >> when when the budget now we have a new director under duress because you know we're very close to the deadline but there's been a citizen committee that was formed that was working alongside the form your former predecessor and this is a robust group of volunteers that have spent countless hours pouring over financials to

121serve as a valuable resource to Mr. Snder and now as a valuable resource to Mr. Draon. So it's not that he doesn't have resources available. There are wealth of information that's poured for hours line by line and there's a lot of questions that still exist in regards to those line by line items because they need to be accounted for. And unfortunately a lot of those questions probably went with Mr. Snyder. However, that committee wasn't even notified of his departure, nor have they been contacted and asked for their contributions to share what they do have to offer to this community uh school budgeting planning. It's a valuable resource. My business partner is part of that committee. There's a number of wellrespected people and professionals in this community that have valuable information to help you prepare your

122budgets and answer any questions to bridge that gap. Have you reached out to them or have you been notified of who they are and how to contact them? >> So, you're asking the So, go ahead, Dr. T. >> Uh, there's a meeting scheduled March 31st, which Mr. Dracon will be contacting the committee to reschedule that meeting uh very soon. He has been briefed on the >> running willingness and the expertise that that committee brings to the table and he's looking forward to continuing the work that Mr. Snder uh carried on when he was here. So, you will be receiving some notifications soon. This is his first day today. >> Okay. Yeah, if I could reclaim some time. Um >> I personally am not on that budget committee. Uh there is a meeting that's going to

123be consulting with all of you line by line that he's preparing for. They're valuable insight as part of the citizen budgetary planning committee. They've already committed many many many hours of their volunteer time. It's very disrespectful not to consult with them and it's valuable insight that could be provided in regards to the current budget planning. before the 31st because you have a meeting Saturday which is going to be postponed and then a follow-up one on the 14th. So the 31st is well after the fact. >> Did you hear anyone say that they would not consult the CBAC? >> Nobody has yet. >> I said to you that they will be notified >> on the 31st. You just said >> No, I did not say that. >> You just said the 31st. >> If you would

124listen. >> I have it on video. >> I can replay it. >> Okay. You can replay your video. >> When is it? Please correct me so that I understand. >> There's a meeting scheduled already on the books for March 31st which will be rescheduled and Mr. Dreon will be reaching out to the committee to do so. That is what I said. >> Okay. I'll tell my business partner so she can plan accordingly because she's already spent hours committed to this. So hopefully it's before he has the opportunity to present his numbers to you because otherwise it's disrespecting all of their contributions and hard work up until this point. So God bless. Good luck. Thank you. >> Nikia Wolf, ATA president. Um, I I don't believe that this is anything that it is that you are

125looking for, but I do appreciate the resolution. Um, apologies. I do appreciate the resolution in which um the flags at the high school um was voted on by a majority to be flown at half staff. So, thank you for that. in terms of that acknowledgement. Um you know we people pass but this was definitely unexpected for uh he and his family. Um we appreciate the work that has been done in central administration and helping the family along with the union and we um appreciate again the compassion uh from the from the school board and also appreciate your resolution. um 2021 2022 oh I'm sorry in 2020 2021 um our proficiency rate was about 30% which means that 70% of our students were not proficient um none of the individuals as far as our central administration

126staff were there every single staff that every single member of central administration who has come in before that has been tasked with making increases and improvement to those proficiency rates. So I have to ask whether or not there has been any improvement since 2020 2021 when individuals were running for the board for the very purpose of keeping uh the administration in place when we had that uh deficiency rate in our um as it relates to our math and relates to our ELA. So, um I find it very interesting and very disconcerting that any person who's going to come in here is going to be expected to in 5 years um fix what has taken many years and um where were individuals then when we had those proficiency rates. So, it's very interesting how it is

127that we're talking about the fact that we haven't made improvements when we have made improvements based on the fact that our proficiency rate was 30%. Of course, we would like to have that improvement to be more than what it is now, but we're talking about five six years and in that time our central administration has changed several times. So I am hoping that in the future irrespective to what it is that you believe you see the value in allowing someone to come in and have an opportunity to fail so that you can berate them before it is that you actually do. Everybody is everyone is entitled to an an opinion in terms of what it is that they want to do. But as it relates to the community as a whole, um as it relates

128to staff as a whole, um we do see that the district is moving in a direction that is positive. And we are hoping that Dr. Talbert with your appointment that you continue to move forward and addressing those proficiency rates so that we can be provide a better product for all of AMDville. >> Thank you. That's perfect. Good evening, President Johnson. Francis O'Brien, 684 Bohemia Parkway, Seville, New York. Vice President, political action, the Amville Teacher Association. Evening, Dr. Talbert, board members, central office staff, community of Amville. And that's what I want to talk about. I wish to speak of our community. We are many pieces from our civic groups, our churches, the board members, teachers, business owners, community members, parents, and students. But unfortunately, with all those pieces, we are not achieving our full potential. What

129I see here and experience at most board meetings is something I simply don't allow in my classroom. We can disagree. In fact, as Americans, we love to disagree with it. love to discuss things and argue and so on and I encourage my students to disagree and present different perspectives backed by evidence. The difference is I don't allow the belligerent and toxic nature I see here in my classroom. Is this the example we want to set for our students? What I ask of my students and to quote Steven CVY who says seek first to understand and then be understood. The recent sum of the ATA contract is proof of that. We disagreed. We argued. We listened to each other and talked and listened some more. In the end, we came to an agreement. Now, the two

130two and a half year period before that contract was settled, over 40 teachers left this district of their own court. This does not count the over 30 teaching positions excessed during the budget crisis. Now, there only approximately 300 teachers. That's over a 20% turnover in a short amount of time. Since then, only a handful of staff have left since the contract was settled. In all the buildings, teacher absences are down. Those are not simply something I'm throwing out to you. Those are facts. Consistency is key, not just for teachers in the classroom, but administrators, central office, and most of all students. What happens in our community begins at home, all of our homes. So, that's what we need to think about when we come back tomorrow. how to move this district forward. Thank you. >>

131Thank you. >> I have I have a question. I'm sorry. I I do have um a followup for Mr. O'Brien. >> Um I I I heard something I never heard before. You said political action? >> Yes. >> I can you describe that? I don't know what that is. One of the things I do is as example is um coming this Sunday, NICE is having a rally in Albany, New York to fix and push our agenda to fix the tier six retirement system. Does not affect just teachers but all public servants. 10,000 nice members will be in Albany for that. Following that, I will be in Auburn for the next two days meeting with members of the New York State Legislature to talk about educational issues, making sure we are fully funded with foundation aid, which

132was a 30-year fight, making sure that other things such as tiers five and six, and as a request from a former U member, your VFW post commander, I do mention to all the ladies that we should do something about housing for our veterans. Those are things that we do as political action within the community. Thank you. >> I just wanted to add that our teachers are very involved in political action through New York State United Teachers. It's an ongoing cause and thank you Mr. O'Brien >> Stephanie Andrew Avenue. So I have like four issues. One was very nice Bosey's presentation but Boseies has been doing this for over 30 years. This is a five-minute presentation that Boseis gives the can give the district if they want. The numbers in Long Island have been steadily declining

133for over 35 years. Amityville basically stays steady or drops. No mystery why they leave sixth grade. Parents don't like middle school. I don't care what district you're in. Those are the smart ale kids. They feel they could take their kids away from the brats. Whatever. Not all kids are like that. But when you're gonna have a problem, that's the age you have problems. And then they come back at the high school because people don't want to pay very expensive private school. No mystery why it happens in Amityville. Very nice presentation, but I find it odd that an HR person comes up and gives a Bosey's hour presentation, 45minut presentation when it could have been done in 5 minutes and they could have done a presentation on how they're going to revamp the interviewing process to

134make it more efficient, more conducive to what the community needs and the district needs. Number two, Mr. Draone was given two contracts the other day interum um consultant and interim and we had no dollar figure uh associated with that. That is supposed to be on the resolution. Perhaps the oversight, the backups didn't get out to the public, but once the board gets it with an associated agenda item, it is public information. Can someone say how much his salary was? So, it's in the minutes of what was approved the other day. I mean, it's not a secret. It's a foilable document. It should be with the minutes. >> Yesterday, March 3rd, Mr. Done served as a consultant for one day. >> I don't know. You feel your mic on cuz I could barely hear it. >>

135Yesterday, Mr. Dreon served as a consultant in the district. His daily rate is $1,200 a day. And today, >> as a consultant, it's $1,200 a day. >> Okay. >> And today, he started as an employee as the interim assistant super and his daily rate continues at $1,200 a day. >> Okay. Is that all? There's no other fees associated with that. In addition, when there are evening obligations such as board meetings, CBAC meetings, any activities, there's an additional hourly rate of $180 per hour. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, as far as um, one person did mention to me the main clock should be stopped when employees staff are up here speaking because they're taking away from community time. I was not talking about my time, the general time. I think that should be uh something the

136district does. The third thing was the flag. Now, I've been a board member for nine years. I opposed it when I was a board member. I opposed it when it was amended to include board members. I find I'm sure the teacher who died, God rest his soul, was a very nice man, loved by his family, loved by his teachers, loved by his co-workers, his children, his students. He's an employee. I don't think it is appropriate for even a board member to have a flag lowered to half staff is determined by the office of flag protocol at the White House and the governor. That's it. This school is named Park Avenue Memorial for one reason only, for the sacrifice of the servicemen and women. Same thing with the Amityville High School. It is disgraceful that in

137this past week, three servicemen and one service woman died, and we're putting a flag at half there for 5 days for a civilian. Every day, a law enforcement dies, a firefighter dies, a soldier, God forbid, is wounded on the battlefield. We don't do that. Why? This is the flag of the United States. It is despicable to do it for an employee. I would not want it done for me. I made it very clear when I was a board member. It's not appropriate and it's not appropriate for a staff member. And the last thing I have to say is no, you know what? I've already said that. That had to do with the clock. The community is what here. These are employees. They have they're actually they're the union official that are coming up here taking

138up community time. They should not be using up the clock time for the rest of the community. Thank you. Just pour the >> Good evening, Dronity Bill, New York. Um, quick question. I did I do serve on the hiring committee and you made a very um provocative statement this evening, Trusty Johnson, that you wanted to hear from the community. Is there a particular reason you chose not to hear from the community at your previous board meeting when everyone from the committee was sitting there? >> So when the community comment section is done, I I will say something in regards to that. When the community when community comments are completed then I will speak on that. >> Okay. I just want to share with the board. I'm not certain if you are aware that there were

139very robust conversations between the community and the staff members. Um Dr. Lando was present obviously did a very good job. Um we donated 16 hours of volunteer time and to have that decision suspended is despicable. And it appears that this is the common theme of this board is that you overturn anything that was done prior previous board. And as a 45year taxpayer, it's quite quite egregious. I have a quick question for Mr. Draone. I had a foil request in to Mr. Schneider on February 11th. no acknowledgement of the foil and I'm just wondering if you have an email address that I can foil send my next foils to you and >> Dr. Talbert >> does it go to who does the my foil request go to that were unanswered and not even acknowledged >> so

140the pardon me the full request would go to Mr. Dragone. >> Okay. >> Whose email is >> j dragon amityvillesd.org. >> Okay. And when will you be answering the question as to why there was no no public um >> when everyone's done with the community comment. Then I will answer. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Can I just ask um Miss Cronin a question? Which um decision is it that you were referring to that was overturned? The policy was suspended for the business official. We were there for 16 hours. Don't waste my time. >> Caroline Fanning. Uh, I have a question about the five-year strategic plan that was part of the superintendent's goals for this year. Where can the public go to see an update on the district website? >> There is not

141an update on the district website. This is the year to actually launch the uh plan, not the plan, not to launch the plan, but to gather information from uh stakeholders from to formulate a committee. uh we have been in conversations with someone to help lead the strategic planning charge starting on next year. So there was a flyer that went out asking if you wanted to be a part of that strategic planning committee to please respond and so that uh information has gone out. >> Did you get much of response? >> We got a few we received a few responses. Yes. because I saw that flyer and to me it was not encouraging. It seemed like just casting a net to all of Amuville to see who wants to help us lead the district and that's

142your job. So I was hoping in lie of that what else has happened this year to indicate that well actually I have as it's written in the goals goal one for strategic planning begin development of the 2025 2030 strategic plan by launching key initiatives across all five strategy priority areas. So, can you give me examples of an initiative for each of the five strategy areas? Cuz the the flyer that I saw on Facebook that there's got to be more than just that flyer. >> So, there's much more than just that flyer. And that flyer was a way to reach out to the community to offer a voice in the process. So when we talked about the student growth and achievement, we centered things around the POT portrait of a graduate which committees have been formed

143at Park and the middle school. Um there has been professional development with staff and administrators with New York inspires as it pertains to artificial intelligence. A regulation for the policy has been drafted. There's a pilot of skill struck going on right now at grades three through five. There's a smart start focus on AI as well and professional development has taken place with admin and teachers when we talk about elevating literacy and strengthening math readiness and achievement across the district. We've conducted data meetings which we've shared during our superintendence reports. There's been professionalism, professional development on SAS, I Ready, Reveal, which are our curriculum materials, and there have been parent meetings. As a result of that, we've shared previously that our 3 through eight scores have increased across the board with a 22% increase in grades

144three, 4% increase in grade four, 9% increase in grade 5, 16% increase in grade 6, 3% increase in grade 8. Overall, an 8% increase over the last two years in ELA. As it pertains to the goals that you referenced, the ELA regions exams have increased from 73% to 75% as late as the January 2020 26 regions. In the area of math in grades 3 through 8, in third grade, there's been a 5% increase in grades five and six, a 1% and a 6% increase with an overall 2% increase on the regions. We can continue uh and actually >> that's helpful. Um and I don't doubt for a minute that a lot of people are having a lot of meetings to do a lot of work. But when I read that as part of the strategic

145plan goal, it didn't seem like it fit what a strategic plan is. When I think of a strategic plan, and as your Facebook flyer said, it's a road map to send us into the future. What you just reiterated or listed off is what's happening now, which all might be valuable and help, but it doesn't show me where I am on the map. It's not where a parent who might be considering, do I want to put my kid in Amnivville or do I want to keep them in private? What is the district doing to reassure me that there is an actual plan yearbyear leading us somewhere else? The work that's actually like I want to see the forest, not just the weeds and I don't I didn't see it on Facebook and I would like to

146be able to see it on the website to reassure parents who might want to come into the district. As a parent of kids in the district, I want to be able to tell them, "Don't worry, there's a plan. If you want to see it, go to this web page. They're they're getting back on track." But what you just told me is not available on the website, nor is it a plan. It's just actions that are happening right now. So, that was my first comment. >> Sure. It's launching and rolling out a plan. This is so much bigger. This is a five-point strategic plan that's definitely going to take time. being able to boil it down into simple language for the entire community. >> Those are action steps. Those are action steps. The plan is going

147to be much bigger than that. The plan is going to even encompass, as our goals do, operations, finances, facilities, family, and community engagement. And we are taking steps to improve those areas. And we have data to back that up. It's not going to happen overnight. It's not going to happen tomorrow, but improvements in key initiatives are happening. You're not going to have a laid out plan tomorrow, Miss Fanning. You're not going to have a laidout plan tomorrow. >> You're going to take time. >> Months into the year, and this was part of the goal for this year. So, we are in year one of the five-year plan. I would think by the eighth month of the first year of the five-year plan that it should be committed to paper so that anyone in the district,

148a potential parent who's wondering, do I bring my kid back in for 10th grade can look at it and be reassured. I want to get kids back in this district, too. >> There are facets committed to paper. The overall framework of the plan at large is not committed to paper as of this date. >> Well, that would be my request. >> Okay. My final question is was a superintendent evaluation conducted >> mid year. Yes, >> it was not. >> There was a review of it. Yes, it was. >> But it has not been completed >> like the past year. It was just a review of what where we're at at this point in time. Not a formal evaluation. >> Did one happen in October? We do it at the end of the year. >> So,

149>> as as so >> I'm getting mixed signals from the board. >> We we do our complete review at in in June. So, there was an there was a um review that occurred and we're going to continue. >> I was on the board in June. There was no review. >> No, I said I mean June of this year. >> But what about the evaluation for last year that should have happened in October? There's no >> I think last year was this completed. I think you're talking about the midyear review. >> The midyear review. >> No, I'm talking about last year's. >> Last year was completed. >> Last year's was completed. >> All right. That that was my question. >> I'm sorry. Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'm sorry. >> Good evening. So,

150I'll be brief. >> You have to I'm sorry. You have to complete a there's a form that you just have to put your name on with with a with a question. So, I'm going to ask you to just come back around again and let the other person go and just there's a form that's in the back. All right. So, everyone has to fill out just put your name on the form and what your question may be. It's it's in the back. Thank you. or um the district can give it to you later if do you need a pen? >> Hi, good evening everybody. Diane Egling or Amity Bill >> just move the mic closer to you. >> My first question is kind of easy. I was wondering why there was no lawyer here tonight. Um,

151it was scheduled just to be a work session and it ends up that we had to put for work sessions the attorney just stop the clock for a second. The work for work sessions the attorney does not have to be here if we're not voting because we were not going to be voting on things. There were items that were added to the agenda and that's why the attorney was here earlier but the attorney did not have to stay for this meeting. >> But you did vote on things very big major things that he was not here for. No one, no lawyer was here. >> Don't understand. Don't understand that. >> Yeah, we had a discussion about it in executive session about the items, >> but we >> But that's not the point. The point is

152the meeting is happening in front of the public. Major things were decided and there was no lawyer at the meeting. >> Okay. >> I just did say that I didn't know that legal counsel was not going to be staying either. >> I didn't know even until he said he was leaving. Go ahead. Well, that should that should have been arranged and if he couldn't stay, another lawyer should have been here. I think that's a problem. >> Okay. >> Secondly, I'm not saying >> just restart the clock again. >> I'm not saying I'm for or against flying the flag at half staff, but my question is if we if you did you decided to do this, how are people informed of why the flag is being flown? Because I went through past the high school months

153ago and I see the flag at half staff and I'm going, "What's that?" I make a phone call. I call central office and I said, "Why is the flag at half staff?" I don't know. Anybody know why the flag is at half staff? She got somebody else on the phone. I one of the gentlemen, Mrs. Egglinger, I'll take care of it. It'll go back up right now. So my point is if the decision has been made to do this, it should be used as an informative situation and it should be used as a teaching opportunity for the students in the district to understand what it means to have a flag flown at half staff. It's an important thing for that to happen and every student in the district should understand why that flag is being

154flown at half staff. My third thing is after I calm down a little bit because it upsets me because I do feel like Stephanie, there are only certain people who should get that flag flown at half staff. My third question is um the September was decision the decision was made to have a cell phone policy no cell phone policy in the district and I've I've not been at every meeting but I have not heard one meeting where there's been a discussion about this how the results are going are the are they going into their packs are they being left at the door are the kids more studious is what's happening. >> Dr. Talbet, I do know Go ahead, Dr. Talbbert. But I do know that um when our student um board members are here, they

155have gave their report on their perspective of how it was going, but go ahead Dr. Talbin. I'm not too sure if you have any additional information. >> Sure. Uh principles have reported out that things are going well, that students are more focused. Parent feedback has been favorable as well. Our student board members report out that things are going well. So, it has been a a great effort from our students and staff to make it a success here in the district. >> Are they still using the um pouches? I guess the word is pouches. Are they still using that to put the phone in when they come in or is that kind of >> No, the pouches are still required. >> Everybody's using them. >> They're required. >> Okay. So, everyone is not using them. I

156wouldn't say, but they are required and they're expected to utilize the pouches. >> Okay. And what happens if they don't? >> Well, there's a policy and a a set of guidelines that they follow if the students do not adhere. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Can I just um address my second girl real quick? Um, I just want to say regarding the flag, your point is well taken and um, and I understand where you're coming from. I think I think for me the the bigger issue was that when I went on to our policy manual, and that's what I use. That's what I use for reference. It's like my encyclopedia. For whatever reason, it wasn't updated. If you can go on there right now, it still has the policy that says

157it's exactly what I was reading from. So, I I don't believe that we will be doing that going forward. Um, but we do need if if this policy was passed, it needs to be on there. It needs to be updated. And I'm not currently on the policy meeting. So, if someone else was and wanted to fill me in, that would have been fine. But, um, I understand where you're coming from, and going forward, I don't think that's going to happen. But, I was reading off of what's in our books right now. I was just a teaching opportunity right there in the district. >> Thank you. >> And Juan, to your point, it is upsetting that the policy is not correct on the website because that was updated last year at some point. So, it has

158been some time. And I guess I would just say because I didn't speak to it that I wasn't like jumping at the opportunity of just putting a policy on hold again since we did that on Monday as well. Good evening. I am Sabuzian, president of the Central Long Island NAACP. And as I said previously, I'll be brief. I would like to congratulate Dr. Talbert on the extension of her uh contract. Uh it's very well deserved. I'd also like to commend the board on taking this action and extending the superintendent's contract. Uh I know it's been a an an issue back and forth for I don't know how many how long. It's been months and months into last year and so on and it really shouldn't be. It shouldn't have been as big an issue as

159it was. There shouldn't have been uh as much uncertainty as there was. However, we're we're past that and I would like to say that there are many in the community, many people in the community who are glad that this action was taken uh in terms of the extension of her contract. My question my question is is is how come the extension wasn't for three years as opposed to two years? Is anyone have an answer to that? >> The decision was the decision was for two years. We didn't look at three years. >> Okay. I mean, has previously has the sup have superintendent received three-year contracts or three-ear extensions? >> I'm not I can't really answer that question. I'm not too sure. being being very honest on the times that I've been on the board. I'm

160not too sure. >> Okay. >> Well, I I just want I just want to say that different districts do things differently. Some may offer a three-year. I know some districts that will tag on one year at the end of the contract a year before. So, there's not really a set way to do it. Different districts do it different ways. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Well, I I I guess we'll be thankful for the two years and um and just, you know, leave it at that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It is upsetting to hear that the policies have not been updated. I work diligently with the other board members on updating the policies and I constantly was saying they needed to be updated. Sending emails to Dr. Talbert and to the board president.

161To hear that that didn't happen a year later is upsetting. Um I heard uh Trusty Leon say the policies is an encyclopedia. The board policies is the governing um of it governs the whole entire district and you're suspending them or you're recommending suspending them. I mean it's terrible. The lawyer also agreed when he was rehired to be at all work sessions. So, somebody must have told him he didn't have to be here because he was here at every work session last year. Somebody must be telling him he doesn't have to come cuz that was the agreement. He comes to work sessions. As for the rec. 89 appointments. That doesn't happen in other districts. 89 appointments. We see the same names. We see repeated names on these stipens. Um the recov is for loss and learning

162from COVID and also for mental health support. I didn't hear anything that rec grant is going towards mental health support. In fact, in this district, I don't hear much about mental health support for our children. They need it. They come really some of them have are homeless. Some of them, you know, um are in forced to care. And that should have been a priority with this recovs and it wasn't. Um, that was a non-resident that spoke, which is another issue. Your non the non-residents are taking time away from residents speaking. Employees are taking time away from residents speaking. That policy should be revisited. Um, also, uh, let's see. I just want to see a couple things. Okay. Um, as far as the budget, I'm interested in a 0% option to hear that you shake for

163a 0%. I've been in a district that did a 0%. This district even passed a 0% tax increase. It can be done. Um, I don't understand that the board the district the the community approved the 2526 budget and that budget included a $3 million increase. So, you're saying we're going to spend the whole budget plus 7 million more from the surplus from the year before? Board members, where's the money? That doesn't make sense. 2526 was approved with a $3 million increase from the year before. Your business official just said we're going to end with a 3 point I think 3.6 million. That means that $7 million of that surplus was used this year. how, where, where is it going to students, where is it going to academic support? Um, for two years, we've been asking

164how much it is to run each building and and and trustees here, Musman, continue to ask. That hasn't been provided. And thank you to Mr. Jon for bringing a laptop. Um, you're the only business official that's done that so far. And I appreciate that that you are prepared. Thank you very much for that. >> Thank you. Your time has run out. Can we just clarify that because that's not that was not my understanding of what was stated that my understanding of spending the 2526 budget within 97% of the 2526 budget did not include spending of the $7 million surplus. It just meant that we didn't spend the $3 million that we increased the budget for. That's correct. $10 million that you're refer to the mic. >> Thank you. The $10 million that is being referred

165to was surplus from the 2425 budget >> that has not yet been put into reserves, >> right? >> And is sitting in what we call the unassigned undesated fund balance. >> In fact, it is technically a violation that we have that much money. >> Yes. So yes, we >> it would be my intention to recommend to the superintendent that we set up a resolution for the board to determine how to move that money into appropriate reserves. We can't spend it. We can only spend the money that the voters authorized in the budget that was presented last year. From that voter authorized budget, we are spending all but 3.5 million. My best estimate as of tonight. >> Right. >> And that estimate will be updated at the end of March and again at the end of

166April >> and of course in June we'll know how good my guess was. >> Thank you. Thank you for clarifying that. And um we have been talking about or at least I have been asking for months to for the board to really talk about where to put that surplus money. So I look forward to that discussion so we can finally make those resolutions. I just have one more quick thing. Thank you for clarifying that. I actually uh I think it was presented a little bit different. So I'm going to look forward to more budget meetings for more explanations. Thank you very much. Um, one last point that I do want to make is that Dr. Talbert's supporters have been up at the microphone, whether it's employees or residents or non-residents, demanding respect and at the

167same time making disparaging remarks about other about residents, actual taxpayers. So there is irony in that. It's a bit hypocritical to demand respect and then say that I guess you're making eye contact for somebody to come up here. Um, yeah. So, I just want to point that out. >> Were you speaking to me >> or were you directing that? >> No, I wasn't directing that to you, Chris. Not at all. >> You were directing that to me. >> I was. >> Okay. So, you're inaccurate. I had contact with no one. So, you would please stop the false narratives. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. Your employee just yelled at me to sit down. Do you think that's appropriate? >> Do I think it's appropriate that you come up here and disrespect me personally when I am

168in my workplace? No, I don't. >> No, that's not >> anything that is happening out there will be addressed as appropriately. >> Okay. >> But that you >> go ahead. >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. Dr. Talbert, you are an officer of the board who sworn in. You are up for public scrutiny and we are so we're I'm not disrespecting you. I'm holding you accountable. That is what residents do. >> I don't mind being held in >> I'm sorry if your feelings get in the way of what you are in the way. My feelings are not in the way. >> You're awfully defensive. >> I lead with integrity and intention. And I just want to remind you that I am to be respected. I'm not property. I'm a person. >> Dr. Tal the advice of these

169people who came up here today to talk about kindness, to talk about respect, to talk about civil behavior, the better we will all be. >> Dr. Talbert, I can agree that this community would be better if we were more unified and we were not we were not um at each other. However, I will remind you that I sat in executive session where you disrespected the board where you disrespected board members. Please do not preach to me something that is absolutely not true of what of what you yourself did. I am here to hold to you and I am not here to hold you and the board members accountable as is my right as a resident as a taxpayer per the Constitution of the United States. That's all I'm doing. >> I hope that you succeed

170because if you succeed, the students succeed. >> Well, I hope that we can work together to make that success a little more. >> We'll see how that goes. Hopefully. >> Thank you. At this point in time, community input is is now over. And so I'm going to answer the question that came up earlier with the community input. So the question came up in terms of how come I did not allow community comments. So just to make it clear, we as a board of education always want to hear from the community whether it's something positive, whether it's something negative, if it's done in a in a whether it's positive or negative. So when we have our when we have a special meeting, we have done it before. We have we have the items on the agenda

171that we're going to address. We don't take committee um comments on the agenda and we don't take committee comments on non-aggenda items. So for that meeting on Monday, that's what we did. That's number one. And then number two, we did have to go back into executive session because we had to have a discussion with legal. So, we knew that we needed to to do that. We had to go back into executive session. And so when people were calling out, you know, do a um intervening motion, um allow the community to to speak. I think the community also needs to understand that we always allow the community members to speak when that when we have the work session meetings, when we have the regular meetings, when we have our special meetings, we typically take it off

172the agenda in terms of committee comments on non-aggenda items and on agenda items. So that's that's what we did um for the meeting on on Monday. So >> so I so Lisa I um >> so that that's what happened. So in terms of um that particular meeting go ahead. Um, I just want to say that I think that as a board member, I would appreciate just being asked if we're interested in taking public comment before the meeting notice goes out that says they're not going to take public comment because we weren't like consulted as a board. So, I would always be open to including the public comment um, special meeting or not. And I'm just that >> no, thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate that. And as we go to do

173the agenda um in consultation with the superintendent, the board president does have the right to make a decision whether or not what's going to be the final decision. So I can always ask the the board I do. It's in the policy. Take a look at it. I can always ask the board members and if we make a decision to add it in, we edit in. So I can always, you know, I can always ask the board members if that's what we want to do for a meeting. And if not, if we we want to do it, we'll do it. If not, we'll we'll take it off. >> Okay. So, just to ask the board members because we didn't weigh in on it at >> Yeah. If if I if I do, I will. If not,

174well, it dep it depends on when the meeting is going to take place and how we have House to get the agenda. >> I'm sorry, Madam President. I now I'm getting a little bit confused. I I mean, I I do agree that, you know, that I believe it's a healthy thing to have comments at the end. What was the criteria for not having comments? It's it's a it's a special meeting. At a special meeting, we do not have to have community input on agenda and non-aggenda items. So, that's what we did. If you look back at other meetings, we did the same thing in other meetings for special meetings. So, it was nothing new that occurred that night. >> Understood. But maybe when there's a group of 10 20 people, maybe we can next time.

175I mean, we did call for a vote and it failed, but maybe next time we could have a little bit to hear from the public. So >> maybe next time. >> At this point in time, can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:25, please? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris Nearing is first. Carol Seahhoff is second. All those in favor? >> I. Motion carry 6. Thank you for coming out.