001Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the board of education special monthly meeting. Today's date is September 22nd, 2025. I'm following the meeting order at 5:45 p.m. Um, noted at the meeting tonight is myself, President Lis Johnson, first vice president Juan Leon, second vice president Chris Mering, trustee Megan Nesman, and absent from the meeting tonight for trustees is Leslie Crutz, as well as Carol Sup. Also in attendance is our superintendent, Dr. Jenna Talbot and our assistant superintendent for public construction, Miss Larry Stevens, as well as our legal counsel tonight, Lisa. At this point in time, I'm gonna have a motion to enter into executive session for the purpose for advice from council update regarding negotiation as well as um particular person's employment district. Chris Nearing is first >> second and the time is 5:45. I
002forgot to mention that. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> I motion carries for Zoom. We'll resume open at 7:30. Thank you for coming. >> The Anvil Union Pree School District Board Ed Board of Education on special session meeting. Today's date is September 22nd, 2025 and we now are resumeuming open at 7:48. Please take a note of the exits that are clearly marked in event of emergency. As a reminder, there is no smoking on school grounds and if you can kindly silence your cell phone as the meeting is going to start taking place. Please join us in the pledge of allegiance. Dr. Telman, I'm going to turn the meeting over to you. >> Thank you, President Johnson. Uh, it has been a pleasure indeed working with our student board members who have exemplified
003great leadership at their schools, and we're going to ask that they provide their reports to the board of ed at this time. Good evening. The start of the school year has been nothing but exceptional. Fall sports are in full swing with a special shout out to our new boys volleyball team while band and orchestra are preparing new pieces for the winter concert. The marching band is currently practicing outdoors for their upcoming performance at News Day. Additionally, the cell phone band is becoming part of daily life. Lots of students say it's not as bad as I thought it was as I thought it would be. While many students are still struggling, the general consensus is that everyone is adjusting well. Starting this week, the policy will also be enforced more firmly. Students who failed to bring
004their yonder pouch to school will now receive detention rather than just a warning. Overall, the school year is off to a strong and positive start, and we look forward to the progress ahead. That's it. Thank you. Sarai, just one quick question. Did you guys attend the um exeicio meeting? >> the virtual meetings. So any feedback from that that you feel that you would like to share with the community? >> I mean not really. >> So what about um members who individuals who have been served in the capacity before and the national um student board member? any tips tips that you provided to you guys that you felt were important? >> Um, >> anything anything about how to prepare for the meeting and maybe how to advocate when you're here at the meeting and maybe meeting
005with more people within your school and how how do you meet with more people in your school? How do you get people who typically don't um answer questions? So, it's it was a good virtual session that that was there and we'll talk more about it and maybe some tidbits that maybe you guys could bring to the table as you move forward. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sure. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, I have a question for Miss McQueen and Miss uh Mullings. Quick question regarding the pouches. Uh just an opinion question. Is it easier for you to receive those pouches and bring them home as opposed to having the school hold on to them or what what works best for the students? >> I think it's best if the students take it home. >> Okay.
006>> Yeah. >> All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Talbert. >> Thank you. We were able to join our two student board members on the virtual training session from NISBA and they were greeted by the chancellor Young and they were also greeted by Commissioner Roser of the New York State Department of Education. And so there were children from all over New York State listening and learning and realizing how important of a role it is to serve as a student board member and that you have a powerful voice and that the board is here and your superintendent is here to listen to what you have to say. And good evening to our members of the board of education once again and a warm welcome to all who are in attendance. I too am
007pleased to report that we're off to a fantastic start to the school year. Our students, scholars, and staff have returned to our buildings with great enthusiasm and a renewed sense of purpose, and the positive energy is really felt across the district. I'd like to provide an update on just a few Q few key happenings across the district as it pertains to health and safety updates. Our director of athletics, Mr. Evan Farcus, has drafted a plan in accordance with the New York State requirements that all school districts must adopt a cardiac emergency response plan. Our district-wide safety plan will be updated to include this new requirement. The revised plan will be presented for the board's review and approval at the October 15th board of education meeting. It is with great pride that we announced Northwest Elementary
008School was selected as a winner of a Crayola Walmart contest. They were the recipients. Clap clap clap clap. Yes. celebrate of a generous donation of classroom supplies from Crayola and a complete faculty room makeover from Walmart. What was once an outdated space has been transformed into a warm, welcoming room where our dedicated teachers and staff can recharge, reconnect, and be inspired. Uh Mr. Francisco and his team of volunteers from Walmart, the dedicated faculty makeover committee, faculty staff, and parent volunteers were present and all helped to make this a reality. A special thank you to Miss Deborah Lee, our social worker, who wrote the grant for this good cause. And a special shout out to Principal Kathy Highland for her leadership and support. We are deeply grateful to both Crayola and Walmart for their investment in
009the well-being of our staff and the future of our school community. Some of our early wins this year. We are pleased to announce and report that attendance among our student scholars is strong across all schools and over 95% of our parents are now contactable through Parent Square. If you've not had an opportunity to download the app, please do so that you can stay in touch with what is happening in the school district. We are looking for class parents and we are looking for classroom volunteer readers throughout the district. There's a place for you. The yonder patches, as Sarai mentioned, has been a gamecher in minimizing distractions. We hosted our first chew and chat at the Amityville Memorial High School and the feedback about the pouches was incredibly favorable. I'm so proud of the work of
010our administration, balcony staff, students, and parents who have put great effort into making this year a success. So, we look forward to continuing with our student and staff recognition programs acknowledging and celebrating the great work across the district as well as our positive behavior incentives to further engage everyone in the learning process. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Talbert. So, at this point in time, if there's any community input on uh agenda items, >> good evening, Chris. >> Hold on a second. Hold on one second. So, just so when he goes to talk, that's when you can start the 15 and you start the three minutes. Go ahead. Thank you. Great. crisp appeal. Okay. Um, I got something I want to say that's not nearly what you think it's going to be. Okay. I'm looking
011at a uh 2A approval of board meetings, board minutes. Why do we have out of, you know, I could see like maybe item 15, you know, not having the minutes uh ready for that yet to review, but what about one to 14? Okay, one to five. One of the board members wasn't even on the board. You know, it takes you this long to review. I mean, reviewing the board minutes also gives you like another function. So you keep fresh in your head what you did the time before, you know, and to have 15 meetings unaccounted for, you know, you got to do better than that. I'm sorry. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other community input on agenda items? Seeing none, I'm going to go to the agenda. Um, so for agenda items 2A1 through
01215, >> can I have a motion for agenda item 2A 1 through 15? Or do you want me to table these these items? >> Well, Madame President, I was not on the board for for items 2A 1 2 3 4 five I technically was. So I would not be able to vote on items 2 a 1 through 4. Anyone else on the other? So for myself, I've had the opportunity to go through all the minutes again to listen through the audio as well as confer with my notes. But then when looking at my notes, there were times that my notes were not as accurate as as the minutes. So there are some there are some minor changes for some of the minutes. Um, so I I'm comfortable with voting on them with the changes that
013we need to make, but I just need to find out from the board members. So, Juan has told me about one through four. So, I have to table those. What about 5 through 15? Do I need to table them or do people need to review them more? If you need to review them more, then please, what I'm going to have our district clerk do is put everything up as drafts the way that they are. And then if you have any corrections, you need to make the corrections so we can finalize these minutes. So I'm waiting to hear back from uh Megan and I mean from trustee Mesman and our second vice president Mir. >> So do I need? >> No. Um I was ready to approve one through five, seven and nine. Um there were
014a few that I had just reviewed for the first time from June. So I agree with the community member that we have to do better and really just follow our policy. I think our policy says that even that we should be putting up the draft minutes meeting minutes within two weeks of the meeting with the watermark draft. So, we had our own issues with, you know, change over in our district work and whatever else delayed this, but there was no reason that we shouldn't have put up the draft minutes um for the community. Um, so I was ready today to approve 1 through 5, 7 and 9. I do have comments on 6, 8, 10 through 15. Um, and I will scan them for the entire board of education and the district clerk. All right.
015So, I'm going to just make a motion to table agenda items 2A 1 through 15. Have a motion to table agenda items 2A 1 through 15. >> Yep. Motion to table. >> Second. >> Leon is first. Chris Ner in a second. All those in favor? >> I I >> I motion carries 40. >> But we're going to still post the drafts. >> Yeah, I'll I'll work with Amory to get them all posted. >> Thank you. Um, can I So, for agenda items 3B 1 through 4, 3B 1 through 4, are there any questions on 3B 1 through 4? Can they be a second and final reading or does anyone need to review them any further? I'm sorry, 2B, sorry, 2B 1 through 4. So, does anyone need to review these policies anymore? >> No problem.
016>> And if you have any suggested changes, then you can mention them here and then we could then at the policy committee meeting next week when address the changes. Yeah, the reporting on the child abuse in the educational setting, it allowed for the building administrator to kind of weigh in on if they felt it was worthy of pursuing the next steps in the process where I felt like it's too much of a risk to leave that up to building administrator where it should if it's reported to a building administrator, it should automatically get reported to human resources >> who are the experts in that subject. matter. All >> right. So, what we'll do at the policy committee meeting this week, we'll make a note of it and we can discuss it further and make a
017final decision and present it back to the board. Okay. >> At our October 8th meeting, >> any any other polic any other feedback. >> So, um the facility use um I did mention this in executive session so I'll mention it out here and we we also others spoke to it as well. There's confusion with the insurance requirements, the umbrella excess liability. Um, everything that is on the agenda for today for facility use has we've been told has been confirmed with our insurance carrier as being adequate. But I think that the policy committee should go back and clean this up so it's not an or situation and it's clearer to any community organization that's looking to utilize the facilities. >> Thank you. >> Um as far as >> I was going to say any other comments
018on the those four items. >> I'm still like we said this I said this when we did the first reading on the display of the flag. I don't necessarily feel that we have to fly the flag at half staff for the death of a past board member. I know it's like I don't know, might as well update it. Uh and then the regulation I would talk about that in the policy meeting as well. um it seems ambiguous that it would be at it's just like it can be flown at half staff or as determined for past employees. So that's I don't know I I would just remove that. All right. So when we go to the policy committee meeting we can bring that back to the table and then bring it back to the board.
019Um some of the things that you're speaking about are things that were spoken about before and it was a decision to to leave it in so we can go back and take a look at it and then bring it back to the board. Any other comments on one through four? Anything from 5 through 8 for the first reading? >> Yes, Madame President. Um items B 5 through 8 are actually part of the corrective action plan which has not um which the board does not want to approve. But regardless the policies can still be worked on whether the board is going to approve that or not. So that's that's the reason why I reached out to the New York school boards association, got those sample policies, sent them over to legal. Legal did review it and
020I am happy to see them on tonight's agenda. >> Does anyone have any comments on these? Is anyone comfortable making a first and final reading or do you want to do a second reading? So >> I would recommend a second reading. >> Okay. >> Yes. I the same. Um I think there's some gaps or some updates that are needed in some of the fields. Um and then is there like can we just immediately comply with this um >> once the policy is approved? Yes. >> Well, okay. So we have like areas set aside for um like lactating for the what is it 9520 in every building as defined in this new policy that we're tell >> we'll provide the areas to the board. >> Okay. >> So at the policy committee meeting we can flush
021that out >> make sure that it's line with the policy. And Madame President, while while we're on that subject of compliance, um just because I don't know, do we fully comply with the genderneutral single occupancy bathrooms? I know that some bathrooms do have signs. I just don't know. Do all bathrooms have those signs? >> I think I'm not Dr. Tal, you can answer, but I'm I know that some bathrooms, like you said, have signs. I'm not too sure. I think there are certain bathrooms that are designated each of the building that are gender neutral bathrooms. So, at present, our director of facilities is uh providing us with the checklist on which bathrooms may not have the genderneutral signage outside so we can provide that updated list to the board when it's provided. Right. And then
022that we can if it's available at the policy committee meeting would have been. So, I'm going to go down to agenda item 2 C. >> I'm sorry. Any other questions? Yes, sorry. >> Uh, so should have actually on listed on here should have been 4321.2 cuz in the action plan it was mentioning uh preschool special education which as the missing policy. This one we already this policy we already have in place. All right. >> Thank you. So, we'll address it at the policy committee meeting. Can I have a motion for agenda item? I'm sorry. Any other questions on under 2B 1 through 8? All right. Seeing I'm going to go over to 2C1. Can I have a motion for agenda item 2C1, please? >> Motion. Second. >> Chris N is first. Jan Leon is second.
023Any discussion on this item? All those in favor? I >> Oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> I do have discussion. I'm I expressed um interest in seeing the compiled contract with the memorandum of understanding that the board of education has been provided with. I have been reassured that this is going to happen and that it there's not going that there's nothing that is else that's going to be evaluated. Um so the fact that we have an agreed upon memorandum of understanding is all that the board is looking at tonight. Madame President, if it's all right, can I ask our uh council to elaborate on this? >> It should be on. >> Nope. M. Do you want to pass your phone? Is that working? Yes. There was a question about essentially the difference between a memorandum of
024agreement and the entire collective bargaining agreement. Right? So the the memorandum of agreement outlines the changes to the collective bargaining agreement that have been agreed to by the parties. So it outlines specifically the salary terms and any other specific areas of the CBA that are going to be changed. The CBA is the collective bargaining agreement and the parties agree to it and it's outlined in a three fourpage document that these are the sections that are going to be changed. Once those once that MOA is ratified by the union and now you know is up for ratification by the board of education it becomes the actual change to the contract. It can be appendix to the contract like attached to it or the contract can be updated by typing in or incorporating the changes of the
025MOA into the CBA. So I believe uh what's being questioned is whether the entire CBA should be changed before there's ratification. That's not the typical practice. And so here what is being presented to the board is a memorandum of agreement. the agreed upon changes between the union and the district as to the changes to the collective bargaining agreement that once approved will should be should be implemented or incorporated into that collective bargaining agreement. So are there any other questions? >> Do you got any other questions on this? >> Well, in other words, is this in good order to be voted on tonight? >> Yes, this is in good order to be voted on. You're voting on the MOA. that specifically outlines the agreed upon terms that the parties have negotiated. Any other questions on this
026item? Any other questions? Any other questions? All those in favor? >> I I >> I motion carries 4 Z. Can I do agenda items 3A 1 and two together, please? M Lisa, before we move on from 2C, uh may I have the floor? >> Yes. Go ahead. Um, I have a motion to amend the agenda to add item 2 C2, uh, resolution requesting complete AAA contract. Do we have a second for this? >> Second. >> Okay. So whereas the board of education has been requested to approve the ammon bill administrators association contract without the complete updated agreement for review. Thereby be it resolved that the superintendent shall provide for the board of education the complete updated AAA contract on or prior to Friday October 10th 2025. So that's the resolution. Um I understand that it
027might not have gone through all of the parties review and approval by that time. The request is such that it be progressed quickly hereafter today's meeting. Um, I was very surprised to find out that the ATA contract had yet to be uh fully completed and we had voted to ratify that in February, early February. Um, so seven months later, it's still not complete. And I know that it's just it's paperwork. Everyone's getting their raises, but I would like to see the paperwork progress quicker. We just discussed how theou uh is really just ready to be put into the contract and completed and reviewed and finalized. So that is why I'm requesting um a timeline and it is not that it had gone through everybody at that point but that theou had been incorporated into the
028contract document by our legal council uh prior to February October 10th I'm sorry October 10. Any other comments on this? Well, ma madam president, I'm I'm not exactly sure about the this this motion because we we have been told that the the contract is in good order to be voted on tonight. And something I would like to see, but I'm not prepared to do a resolution at the moment, is to have all contracts, not just the AAA, but also the ATA and custod custodial units and others posted online. There are school districts that do post their contracts online as a matter of transparency. That's something I would very much be in favor of, but I I I don't know if I'm not fully understanding um the motion. >> So, um so thank you for the
029resolution, Trusty Nes Mesman. Um, one of the things that that was explained and if the legal wants to explain, I don't think there's a need to explain what is that it's going to take it could take a couple of months for this to be done. Right. So, putting a timeline on it of October 10th is is a little concerning to me. So, um, but thank you for the resolution. And >> so again, it's not that it's signed, it's that we get it back from our legal counsel with theou incorporated into the document so that we can keep the process moving. >> But it's not just from council, it goes back and forth from council to the AAA and so it goes back and forth. So it's it's something that if there's a delay on either
030end and that October 10th deadline is not met, then that's my concern. So I know that um so >> Okay. So that's fine. You can Okay. So all those in favor to amend the agenda to add agenda item to C2. >> I I >> I'm a no. Motion fails to add to the agenda. >> Okay. Um, I have another motion. Um, I move to amend the agenda to add item 2 C3, a resolution requesting the cost savings from combined northeast and northwest bus routes. >> Um, you said the cost savings to combine >> combined northeast and northwest bus routes. Northeast and northwest bus routes. >> So, you're looking for the um >> Do you can I read Do you want me to read it or should I >> Yeah, go ahead and read it. >>
031Okay. Whereas the 2526 annual school year budget included separate northeast and northwest bus routes. However, the northeast and northwest bus routes were combined for September 3rd through the 12th of 2025 and the board of education was not aware of nor did the board of education approve the combining of these bus routes. We have resolved that the superintendent shall provide for the board of education the cost savings realized from the combined northeast and northwest bus routes from September 3rd through 12th of 2025 on or prior to Friday February said February again Friday October 10th 2025. So, this resolution is just asking for what was negotiated as being a course savings from combining those two buildings bus routes for the two weeks that it occurred. >> Okay. >> I understand that we pay for transportation on a
032monthly basis. uh that came up last year when there were requests for additional transportation uh related to prek students. Uh we we you know doing anything midmon doesn't didn't really make sense. So I think that by October 10th we should know what those two weeks cost compared to um the the rest of the month. Right. Can I have a first and second on this to amend to add >> motion? >> Chris Neran is first. Second. Megan Nesman is second. Any other discussion on this item? Can I have a motion to approve amending the agenda to add this item? I have a vote. I'm sorry. to minute a vote on this item to be added. Sorry. >> I I >> It's a no for me. >> Motion fails. Any other resolutions? Um well on September 10th
033I provided to the board of education during our work session um suggestions to the superintendent's goals that requested evidence >> that would be on the old business. >> Yeah, that's on the old business. >> Okay. All right. Can I have a motion for agenda? Can I do 3A1 and two together? Yes, we >> have a motion for agenda item 3 3A1 and two. >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Juan Leon is first. Chris Nering is second. Any discussion on these items? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Um motion carries 4 Z. Um I'd like to welcome Dr. Steven Lando. >> I don't know if you want to join us at the board table if you'd like to. You're more than welcome. >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for
034the board of education for your confidence in Mr. Dr. Steven Lando. We're happy to have you on board. He comes to us from the Great Neck School District. He's already brought a wealth of knowledge and insight into the operations of the human uh resources office. And I have to say that on behalf of Mary Stevens and myself, we're very happy to welcome you. Welcome aboard. >> Thank you. >> And I'll present you with your badge officially because he starts tomorrow morning. >> I I think he starts tonight. >> Congratulations. >> Can I do items 3B one through five together? Motion to approve on this first Chris Ner and his second. >> Any discussion on these items? >> Um not to take away from the spotlight of these teachers. Um but now that we do have
035you sitting at the table with us, Dr. Orlando, we did have discussion in executive session about um the tenure packets and possibly expanding what is included um to provide the board of education with further insight as to um the results of the you know educ the education that's being delivered from each candidate as it crosses our table and specifically just more quant quantitative results, the data and like you know passing rates, uh regions passing rates. Um so something obviously for further discussion, but you were not in executive session since we just appointed you. Any other discussion on this item? All those in favor? I >> I motion carries 4. Congratulations. I'm not sure if they're here tonight. Are any of the teachers here tonight? I know. Okay. Can I have a motion? I'm going to
036do agenda item 3B6 through and I I'll make the adjustment. Can I do it all the way down or does anyone need anyone anything to be done separately? Can I have a motion for agenda item 3B6 through 3B 71? >> Motion. >> Right. >> Second. >> Chris Ne is first, Juan. Leo is second. So for um freebie number seven, it's just there's a slight change. There is the effective date is 102025 and the probationary period is 10 20225 to 1019 2028. And for um number 12 it the name there is I'm going to it's is it's going to be a teacher that's being recalled as an elementary teacher and it's Kristen Ventelli Tuck. Right? That's the name that's going to be added there. And then for 23 and 24, um that's even though the names
037are the same, one responsibility is connected to the middle school, the other ones are connected to to the high school in terms of responsibilities. Any other questions or comments on any of the items that are up for a motion? Right. All those in favor? I >> I motion carries 4 Z. >> Are they here? No. Okay. Okay. I have a motion for agenda item 3B 72. >> Motion. >> Chris Ner first. I have a second. Can I do a second? Lisa, can I do a second? LJ second. Right. All those in favor for agenda item 3 B72. >> I >> All those opposed. >> Opposed. >> Motion fails. Can I do agenda item 3B73 down to 3B 101 alto together? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> 3B73 to 3B 101. Juan Leon is first.
038Chris Near is second. Any discussion on any of these items? >> Seeing none. All those in favor? I >> I >> Megan. >> Uh yeah, I just wanted to say that the summer appointments were just sort of a clerical error, right? Uh there if anybody was looking in detail, the summer success cleanup here. I motion carries 40. Can I do agenda items 3 C 1 A through I all together? Yeah, I have to do it. Yeah. 3 A 3 C 1 A through I. Can I do them together or do I need do do I need to do anything separately? >> I'm okay with it together. Megan want can I do them together or can do you want me to do separately? >> Motion to approve. >> Won is first. >> Second. >> Chris Neran
039is second. Any discussion on these items? We had um in executive session talked about motion to approve through November 1st um mot approved subject to receiving the updated insurance if insurance was going to expire during the requested duration. Um which go ahead just Oh, so there was there was a suggestion to update the resolution to ensure that the insurance carried through the use of the facility. So I think there could be a motion to amend the motion friendly amendment to the motion to read um that the approval is subject to the users providing updated insurance that spans the facilities use time period approved. Correct. >> So, Madame President, just can I ask a question? So, what we're saying here, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that we have um we have we have individual
040groups that would like to use the facilities. They have valid insurance, but that insurance policy expires prior to them having the event, in which case, we would require updated policy information. Correct. >> Okay. >> So, this just ensures that you get the updated insurance policy during the course of their use of the facility that lasts throughout the course of the use of their facility as protection for the district obviously. >> Okay. >> Can if if possible, can we take note in public which insurance policies or which groups will be expiring? >> The the board can or you can just have it apply to everybody. so that they ensure that their insurance is covered. So, >> I don't know if you know all of the ones that are expired. >> I think it's better just to
041apply to everyone across the board. So, just in case I would hate to mention a couple of of people, but then we miss other organizations. >> I'm I'm I'm just asking because I'm curious to know which policies uh insurance policies will be expiring so I know to revisit those. That's my question. So, if you want to look at your backup information and and take a look at it. >> The first the first one um the CIO basketball, it expires on November 1st, 2025, and they're requesting to use the gyms through February. So, I don't I'm just trying to do my due diligence to say Yeah. >> Yeah. that we want to make sure that it's clear that they can use the gym up until November 1st and then >> right and the whole point of
042this is that I will just make a note that around October or November I'm going to say did we receive an updated policy that's all >> that's fine >> um are there any >> the rotary is fine that's the one >> yep >> and I don't >> any other ones >> you want to check the others I I'm not I I did look at the other ones. I think min I think they were all okay, but we can I I think by saying >> well I well I mean I just flipped through and Girl Scouts of Suffach County is the same thing. November 1st, 2025. So um so by leaving it blanket for all of them, I would recommend that what we would do is that if you want to go back and take a
043look at everything just to make sure. >> Yep. >> So blank. So this is a motion to amend to the motion is subject to updated approval of the time period that is approved for. Right. So I can leave it like that and we can just vote on it. >> And this would also be subject to um those that are incurring overtime for staff like on the Sunday use as we did last year for a Saturday use. We had the the organization cover the employees overtime >> to be consistent. Yes. >> No, wait. I'm sorry. You're asking if we're including charges on this part of the policy. >> Yeah. >> Like as part they they would be responsible for it as far as the policy. I is a I'm a no for that but it's not
044being consistent with what we did in the past as part of the policy where individuals use the facility on the weekends. >> I voted no last year too and I don't >> okay >> and it's not in here and it hasn't been communicated with the organizations either. >> All right. So we're going to leave >> Have we told the organizations that that's in consideration? So what we'll do is that we'll we'll leave it as is with the motion to amend the motion um subject to updated approval of the time and we will leave the adding of the cost for use of facilities to make sure that if all organizations have been notified that there would be a cost um for use of facilities on the weekend. Right. So that that will not be part of
045this this voting right now. All right. Any discussion on these items? All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries 4 Z. And I have a motion to amend the agenda to add agenda item 3C1J, which is the use of facilities for the Emville Sports Hall of Fame. >> Motion to add agenda item to the agenda. Juan Leon is first. >> Second. >> Chris Narren is second. Any discussion on this item? This item was presented to us today because the updated information was provided. So, any discussion on this item? I would just say again that we were told u by the superintendent that all of these insurance coverages were checked with our insurance carrier and are in compliance with our policy. Any other comments on this item? >> Um, the only comment I have is
046I'm I'm glad to see Amnityville Sports Hall of Fame come back. I know that they didn't, you know, they they had to meet the requirement of of the higher insurance limit that was set by the board. Um, but they came back and they they they're complying with it. I'm glad they're doing that. >> Any other comments? All those in favor for amending the agenda to add this item. >> I motion carries 40 Z and I have a motion to approve agenda item 3C1J >> motion. >> Chris Ner is first. >> Second. >> Juan Leo and second. Any discussion on this item? All those in favor? >> I I motion carries 4. All right. Can I have a motion for agenda item 3D one please? >> Motion >> Chris Ner is first LJ second. Any discussion
047on this item? Hi. So I had questions why it wasn't a complete treasures report and um I was told that it was sub like to be provided after the audit. Um so I guess I'm inclined to just have a complete treasures report and approve a complete treasures report. Um, I'm also not clear why, you know, the audit that ends on June 31st would impact the ability to put together the expenditures report for the month of July. >> Yes, Madam President. I also second that um there have been certain board members including myself that have been asking our financial office to provide us with clarification on certain finances um provide us with complete treasures reports give us a sense of where we are budgetwise and the answer like trusty meman said is absolutely correct we are
048waiting for this audit to be finalized and continue and that's the audit I believe from last school year. So, we still haven't found out how we closed the books or how are we doing now. And I think that that information can be made can be provided to the board of education. >> Any other comments on this item? >> No. No. Thank you, Juan. I completely agree and I and I had asked for the appropriations report through last Friday. Um, and I don't think that that's what I received. I think I received the appropriations report only through July 31st. Um well the whole board did um because there's like I'm pretty I mean it says right at the top of the page July 1st to July 31st and there's no incumbrances for example or like bus
049monitors. Um and what jumped out in me too was an in an adjustment because it was the month of July only. Um, we had an adjustment for our payments to charter schools. So, I did want to question that, but I know Mr. Schneider isn't here. I don't know, Dr. Talbert, if you can speak to that. If we had additional students that we didn't account for in the budget that we had to make that adjustment. >> There is an increased number of students who are attending the charter schools. I don't have those numbers with me at present. >> Yeah. >> Um, the auditor was in district today. he is starting the work and he understands that the goal is mid October to have the audit report to the board. So once the audit report is provided
050um you will have an I you will have concrete information on how the district um completed our fund balance because the books will be closed and the numbers will no longer be moving variables. Is that so? Is that our I we have an October 15th if needed meeting on the calendar and then we have an October 22nd. So, um are we getting the or can we define what date we're going to get the audit report if the presentation is on the 22nd? So, we have spoken to Cullin and Dinowski who is doing the audit report. Um, he feels that the October 15th date is quite ambitious, but he's working diligently to close it out. Um, as soon as we're able to ascertain from him more definitive timeline, deadlines, we can give the board a date
051as to when they will receive it. We asked him to have that to the board prior to October 15th and so we are progress monitoring that as we move forward. >> So is it the 15th is um ambitious for the presentation or for the report? >> For the report the presentation is scheduled for the 22nd. >> Is it that? Okay. Well, we're So right now we're hoping for the 15th is what he's saying. >> Thank you. >> That's what we're planning for. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. So, oh, were you looking at the schedule? We're looking I'm looking at it also but but also too we we continue to wait for October 15th when there are certain board members that when we did receive that audit in in uh late July that outlined some of
052the policies that weren't in compliance that are on tonight's agenda and also outlined some some uh financial um uh fixtures that we should have been working on. That's something I really really wanted to see in the corrective action plan, but we refuse to move that forward and we continue to wait and wait for the 15th when really a corrective action plan when we have deficiencies some of our financial controls should take a precedence in my opinion. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on this item? >> Go ahead, Dr. Talbert. So, Trustee Leon, I believe you're talking about two different reports. You're speaking of the risk assessment report, um, which Mr. Snder did say to you that in October he would provide the corrective action report to the board. The one that trustee Mesman was asking
053about is the actual end of the year financials which is conducted by Cullinan uh Denowski our external auditors. That is the report that we're looking to receive by October 15th for the audit committee presentation on the 22nd. The corrective action plan that you're speaking of is in progress and will be uh presented to the board of education um in October as um our business official had shared with the board. >> Dr. Talbert, I I do respect that. But it it it really is the function of the board that if we as a whole and that's not happening but as a whole if we said we want these items to be worked on immediately because they are um financial um you know I lost >> right financial deficiencies. So if we if we wanted that to
054be corrected the fact that they're being worked on we've been told they're being worked on. We've never received any kind of update except for anything something verbal that they're working on. But what like what exact which deficiencies have been worked on? >> So there were 28 deficiencies labeled as low to moderate and all of them are being worked on at given times. He also expressed to you that if he provided you with the report prematurely, you would not have the justifiable information that you need to be able to forge ahead. So, we ask for your, you know, continued patience that the 90-day window has not yet arrived and we are within compliance to provide that report to the board and it would be considered a timely fashion. And and going back to um the treasures
055report and the next audit committee meeting that's October 22nd. Um we already have moved that up because the last couple years it has been in November and we were saying that that was too late. So we moved that up until October. So therefore we're going to be getting that a little bit earlier this year. >> Um okay. Yes. Because that's when it's due, right? It's due to the state in October and we've been late. >> Um, so we're doing better. >> I agree. >> Go ahead. >> But and then also with the treasure, I don't know how that links to the treasures report because I I do want just like a an actual complete July treasures report. So is this going to come back um in October complete? >> I can't. Yeah, >> the treasures
056report for July would come back complete after the audit is done. >> Okay. Okay. So, we can just wait. Any other discussion on this item? So, all those in favor of approving the treasury report. >> I All those opposed? Opposed? >> Opposed. It's incomplete. >> Motion fails. Can I do agenda item 3E 1 A and B together? 3E 1 A and B. Can I put them together? >> Motion to >> I have a motion for agenda item 3 E 1 A and B. So it was Juan Leon's first second. >> Any discussion on these items? >> All those in favor? >> I. Motion carries 4 Z. Can I do 3F one and two together as a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Chris N is first. Wall on the second. Any discussion on these items?
057>> This was the update to the professional learning plan that we had discussed to add the Thank you. You can expand on that. The FURPA training and the edit the FURPA training is on it. the grade bands align now with the years that move into new schools and I adjusted the um uh the mentor language that had been left in there. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on this item? All those in favor? >> I I I >> Motion carries 4 Z. We're down to all business. I guess I'll take it. Um, we have a existing vacancy that obviously can't continue to remain vacant as we had a meeting canceled last week and we're at bare bones this week. Um, I don't think it's wise to invest the estimated $20,000 in a special election cuz
058who knows if somebody's going to resign right after that election and then we have to spend another $20,000. Um, it is not the school district's responsibility to pay for someone that decided to step down for whatever that reason is. Um, and I am against that method of filling the seat. Um, I believe we would need to appoint somebody and we should figure out how we're going to go about doing that. Madame President, I am in agreeance in in part with second vice president um Chris Nearing. I am not in favor of spending $20,000 to host a special election, especially with the amount of turnover on this board. Um it, in my opinion, it's not a wise decision to do. I I would rather see $28,000 go to almost anything. Or better yet, put it directly
059into the classrooms if that's if we have $20,000 sitting around. So, I'm not in favor of that. I'm in favor of holding out until the May election. Let the people have a choice. There will be three seats on the ballot. Um they can pick the fourth board member as well. It's Democratic. It's the people's choice. It doesn't cost us an extra $20,000. That's my stance. >> So Um, you know my stance because I called the resolution in August for the special election and it failed. I don't think that $20,000 is a lot of money to for a term that's going to last through 2027. Um, and it would be the community that was deciding who would fill the seat on this board of education. We have are receiving $40,000 for selling a little slice of
060our sidewalk at the high school. We're receiving $2 million from the state. Um we just figured out that we we removed the Warrior logo for $38,000 less than we budgeted for. We I just asked and it failed. We combined bus routes. There's been ways to find money. $20,000 and $120 million budget is not a lot of money to afford the community the voice to fill the vacancy. Thank you. So I'm for me I'm honestly torn in the middle of whether to leave the seat vacant into next year at election or going through the process or for appointment. So I'm torn. I'm not too sure which direction I want to go. And I just want to point out to the public that if someone is appointed, that seat would then still be up at the election.
061So it's not like they're appointed to continue the remainder of the two years on the term. That seat would just be appointed up until the election in May. >> That I don't I think that's in conflict with what the legal memo that we got. >> He's right. No, if the if we had the special election, that would continue, right, >> throughout the rest of the term, >> but if it's an appointment is only up until the next election. >> So, the problem with the appointment is that if the board majority would have the pick and the board minority voice is lost. Uh, when we did the hiring committee, we pulled names out of the hat. I don't know how you could possibly do that. Um, I don't know if we would consider that for filling
062a seat. Uh, the only requirements for there's not like extensive educational requirements or there's barebones requirements to put your name in and and apply for or run for a seat on a board of education. Um, so I'm opposed to thinking that this board of education could actually have a productive conversation about filling this seat. I was like scolded for questioning the tenure pro approach in executive session. So to think that I could have a conversation, I I don't believe it would happen. Any other comments on this item? Any other old business or new business? >> Well, well, Madame President, before we move on, can can we I I just want to make sure I get an understanding of where my fellow board members stand. >> I I said that I'm not I'm torn between either
063leaving it vacant or appoint. We're not We're not on a consensus on what to do. >> Right. I'm just trying to get So, Trusty Messman, you're in favor of a special election? >> The special election or putting names in the hat? >> Well, no. No, I didn't say that. I I was just trying to recap what we have decided in recent history this board of education as to how do you pick somebody or volunteers for something? We are volunteers. I think there's a perception that board of education members work for the district but we do a lot of work but we are volunteers. >> I hear you try to take my salary. It's not there. >> Right. So I think everyone has expressed an opinion on this and we'll just >> So I'm So So
064Chris, I mean how how do you how do you feel again? So you're saying that you >> he already stated how >> I do not want to leave the seat vacant, but I do not think it's wise to spend money on a special election. >> So you would be in favor of waiting until May to fill it. >> no, I do not want the seat to be vacant because we've had so many >> You're in favor of appointing. >> Yes. I don't know which way is would be the best to appoint somebody. I that would need further discussion, but I do not want to leave the seat vacant and I don't want to spend the money on a special election. >> Right. So, it I mean it seems like we're we're all over the place.
065So, >> it looks like it remains vacant, >> right? That's what I was stating that everyone had expressed their point. Chris expressed his point, I expressed mine, you expressed yours, and Megan has expressed service. Any other old business or new business? >> Yes. Um, on September 10th, I brought to this board of education uh a marked up version of the superintendent's goals um with additional evidence requested. Uh during that meeting, I was thanked for the work that I had put into, but it was voted down. Um there was no discussion about bringing it back tonight and it is now September 22nd and we should have finalized the goals for the year in August so that it would have been carried over to the building administrators. So I would like to understand if anyone reviewed the
066work that I put into the the goals and the additional evidence that were requested. >> So yes, I looked at the goals. It's I looked at more at the evidence and not the goals. So not changing the goals, but looking at the evidence and um and I think we just need to have a discussion with with Dr. to tell but about um which evidence could potentially be something that we want to add into um as evidence that we want to add into the evaluation. I don't know if it's So, we just have to make that. >> So, okay. So, a goal that I added was that by June 2026, we would increase the percentage of students in grades 3 through 8 meeting or exceeding proficiency on New York State ELA and math assessments by 5%
067compared to the 2025 baseline data. This is a goal that we had last year and it is not in this year's goals. I also added that I I I just I don't I'm having like a really hard time what would be what the problem is here. I added, you know, that we want to reduce chronic absenteeism by a percentage. We want to increase participation in advanced coursework for the 26 27th school year. So, what I'm adding to this document is to drive student achievement and and we have yet to figure out when we would even talk about it. >> It was in a work session that I brought it up. >> Right. So, what I said to you, I looked at the document. For me, it's I'm in support of looking at the evidence, some
068evidence to be added. Um, so you you had your suggestion on goals and I I my thought process is is on evidence. >> Um, Madame President, I do I do second um Trusty Mesman's um wants in in this and how it's student driven. I I too would like to see some of these metrics work. Um I would like to see a decrease in chronic absenteeism. Um, I would like to see our students achieve higher on whatever exams they may be taking, whether it's I Ready or any other any other state exams by a reasonable amount. I'm not sure what reasonable is. Is five too much. I'm happy with progress. I'll take one or two%. I want to see progress in the right direction. That's what that's what I will take. And I think some of
069the things that from last year for the evaluation in terms of and I I you're not the only one. I think every single board member that's sitting here as well as Dr. Talbbert and the cabinet wants to see improvement in test scores um ab being students being absent from school that the key is this one thing that we found last year and Dr. tell me, correct me if I'm wrong, is that by the end of June of 2026, some of that data that we had looked for for last year could not be in there. So maybe it's something that we need to say projected further out, not in terms of um being absent, but it's more in terms of improvement of scores. It all depends on when the scores come in. So if the tests
070are in June, um they're not going to have all that data in place in order to be part of the evaluation. So that will be my concern of adding in. So we are all on the same page that all of us want to see improvement in scores whether it's at the elementary level, at the middle school, or at the high school. The question is when when will these results come in and when they come in, they may not come in in a time frame in order to be part of the evaluation. So, we're all asking for the same thing, but the problem is is that it may not be able to be part of the evaluation because of when the results come in. The exams the regions are in. If we're looking at regions AP,
071those take place in early June or mid June. So, >> well, Madame President, and maybe superintendent can weigh in on this. I believe all or if not a majority of our students are starting their initial Ready assessments this week. Is that correct to to obtain that baseline and see where they are? >> So you're you're correct. But I think with the that that data is provided to us and it was provided to us last year at the end and I mean at the um in the year so it was provided last year. So it was provided at the initial and then at at the end but I think I think what Dr. Tal what >> trusty meman was talking about was other data that that would be applied. So >> yes, well, but the I
072Ready on here, it just says strengthen. >> So I I just my my suggestions are to make it more quantitative and not qualitative. To make it a goal that you can actually measure improvement towards whether or not it's achieved is is a moot point. You want to set a goal and you want to see how well you can get to it. >> We want our top students to keep moving up and we want our lower tier students to keep moving up. We don't want to close the gap. We don't want our top students to come down to meet the lower students. I it's just what I've asked in this document is a lot of data and I just don't I'm having a really hard time how this board of education hasn't considered it further and
073is willing to talk about it during a board meeting. >> Any other comments on this? >> Any other thing on the old business and new business? Yeah, when I was going back through the minutes, um, we had a star stop stop arm stop arm program agreement that was tabled on in August. Um, this was a safety uh pilot that we did last year, I believe, in transportation. I haven't seen that agreement come back. So, are we not participating in that this year? >> That agreement is still under review by legal. There were several changes that had to be made and hopefully we'll have it for the October meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, again, when I was going back through my minute, the minutes and the my notes on August 25th, I questioned why the
074library change orders hadn't been brought to the school district to for approval uh since all of that because since the district owns the library property in simple terms and I was told that we were there was going to be followup with the library director because they had approved change orders in July. So, is there an update on that? >> So, legal did provide the board with a memorandum as to the district's responsibility and as we checked with the New York State Department portal where all change orders are made, we provided the board with an update what was there, which was nothing at the time. Um there was a recent uh request for a permit uh to continue the work, but there has been no submitted uh change orders for us to bring before the board.
075>> But the library board approved change orders for the cost for their the removal of contaminants in the groundwater with their dewatering process. >> So I >> So that's in their minutes. >> Oh, okay. I can't talk to the library minutes, but I do know that legal along with our business official has been meeting with the library director and when there is a finalized update regarding the latest matters, we will receive an update. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, have we learned anything from the new traffic pattern at the high school? I when when Nate Spence was here, he talked about, you know, monitoring if the light needed to be adjusted at Riverside. Is there is that necessary or how are things looking? So, there's been no change with the timing of the lights, but the
076Department of Transportation has asked that we reconsider the number of buses traveling on Merrick Road. So, conversations are underway about an alternative exit uh for all of the buses not to be split between Merrick and East Lake Street. And so, we should have an update on that by next week. >> Okay. >> So, is that a discussion with the village now? >> Okay. Thank you. Uh >> um >> are you moving off to a different subject or I have a followup? >> No, no, I was going to jump on. So go ahead. >> Okay. Um have there been any report on if there'll be a crossing guard that the Department of Transportation will provide on Merrick Road? >> No, the Department of Transportation will not provide any crossing guards. Um, in last week's transmitter, we
077provided the board with all of the intersections where crossing guards are presently placed. Um, as well as those we have requested and the Amityville police as well as the Suffach County Police have reported there are continued shortages of crossing guards. If anyone knows anyone who is interested in serving as a crossing guard, please have them to contact. They can contact us. We will refer them directly to the police departments, but there remains a shortage of crossing guards in both Amityville and Suffet County. >> Thanks, Chris. I had that down here, so I I thank you. Um the I requested when the um sports hall of fame had come up there was some questioning from community members because it looked like it was a district event. It's tied to the district but it's not sponsored by
078the district. And in some written correspondence, I had requested a list of committees uh and it maybe it was the middle of August and the school year started. But I do want to come back to that. I I did want to see um the list of the committees and the charges within the district uh and like the participants if it's an annual appointment or how does that work and just if that could be summarized. I think we provided an update on the committees in the district. Um there are not very many committees other than >> not not the ones that the board sits on like the curriculum advisory committee like the the charge and how are people appointed and how is it annual or and whatever else that we I might not be aware of.
079I don't know the board members are aware of every uh group that meets within >> within the school district within the schools. >> Yes. >> Um we have we have brainstormed that list and I believe the curriculum advisory committee is about the only standing committee right now. The other committees that were very active over the course of uh the federally funded years with grants consisted of several committees such as the >> the digital literacy committee. There was an ELA committee, a grading committee, >> MTSS committee, >> MTSS, um the world language committee, >> athletic eligibility committee. There were several committees that were in place and when the grants expired, the committees um expired. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I, you know, I have more thoughts, but I'm going to keep going on that. Um um
080I've had community members reach out to me that there are not monitors on every bus um in the morning and the afternoon. And I would just like confirmation that there's plans for monitors on every bus morning and afternoon or prek through 2. There should be a monitor on every bus. And PM I would have to get back to you regarding grades three and higher, but there should be a monitor on every bus for preK through two. Okay. And then you're going to confirm the plan for Park Avenue and higher because I've heard that the bus um there's a lot going on on the bus and students might be in need of a monitor so that they're for their behavior and that's so the bus drivers are not distracted. Um I have one other thing and
081it's probably new business but so I can give the mic to somebody else. There was um >> Megan, you can keep going if it's even if it's new business. >> Okay. Um there was a decent amount of money, I don't know, million dollars, say in the budget associated with like software updates and I don't remember the specifics. I had queried it at the time when we were doing the budget and I just would request an update. Um I I can't tell from this appropriations report because it was the end of July of where we stand. Are we implementing everything that we thought we were going to? And where what's the progress? >> Yep. >> Um >> yeah. >> So, Dr. Talbert, I I sent you an email a couple days ago. I'm not sure if
082you had the chance to get to it yet. My my question was I had seen in the past that Edund W. Miles around this time was doing a steam um what do you want to call it a steam fair and I remember attending that and they they do some kind of demonstration on robotics and some other things and virtual reality. Is any is anything like that happening at the middle school this year? >> Uh I apologize for not getting back to you. We did follow up with the middle school regarding your request and there has not been a steam fair at the middle school for the last 3 years. Um if there is a peaked interest, there was uh discussion about doing a survey and seeing if that would be an activity or an event
083that the staff and students would like to include in their calendar year. So I did have the conversation with the building administration and those are the next steps. Thank you, Dr. Talbert. Um, I also sent you a second email last week. I'm not sure if you got the chance to answer that one yet, but it had to do with a meeting that we had in August and it it involved Net Generation and the United States Tennis Association. Um, so we had an initial meeting so everyone knows Net Generation is a 501c3. It's funded through the United States Tenants Association. And we had this initial meeting to see if our district would be good for a program, a program in which they provide each building with tennis rackets, tennis, tennis balls. Uh they provide some kind
084of curriculum. They provide professional training. I mean, we have what, eight tennis courts, no varsity team. So, I sent an email to see how things were going because we're kind of in tennis season now. Is there any kind of update? >> Yes, we did follow up on your request with that as well. Uh, regarding the USA tennis, Miss Stevens, you have an update for us? >> I didn't receive anything. >> No, we we followed up on it. We didn't necessarily send a response. >> Um, so Mr. Varcus was in conversation with the USA contact. Um they are working on scheduling a date for the training of staff. That's the status right now. >> Who's who's the appropriate person person for me to follow up? Who should I address my email to? That's my question. >>
085Dr. Talbot. And I would do it to Dr. Talbot and then from that point she can forward over to um whoever else. So, you address it to the superintendent and if you want to CC um someone else, would you always address it to the superintendent? >> Yep, that's that's what I did. Okay. >> Any other new or old business at this time? Community input on non agenda items. um just come to the mic and give your um your name. >> Okay. Good evening, members of the board. My name is Tara Maize and >> Tara Mazize. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Just hold on one second. You ready, Emily? Okay. Go ahead. >> Okay. My name is Tara Maize. I live at 70 Greyborn Lane in Amniville and I've worked in the district for 16 years
086and I'm here tonight because staff morale is at an all-time low due to repeated incidents of disrespect and unprofessional behavior from certain administrators. This isn't an isolated issue and I hope the board will take steps to investigate and support a healthier work environment. Specifically, I have personally been shouted out and spoken to in a demeaning and unprofessional manner. >> So, hold on just one second. >> It's It's personnel. So, I I may have to have you stop and if you want >> I can rephrase it. >> Um, if you want to give us >> I'm not >> So, just just She said you're not talking about a particular person. >> No. >> Okay. No, but I'm talking about administrative. not talking about a particular administrator. Is that what you're saying? >> In general, >> I
087I think you'd be better. Yeah. Just give her the mic. Just give her the mic. Yeah. Really, in a matter to make sure that there's no allegations of defamation or anything of that nature. Typically a matter like that would be addressed with your supervisor or the superintendent or the cabinet so that it can be addressed more at the level of what the concern is as opposed to straight to the board of education and typically matters involving personnel are not talked about publicly um because it could implicate you know the personnel >> oh without even saying who it is right >> not allowed to speak on it >> you know the issue is is that if it becomes becomes um easy to identify who the person is then it becomes problematic for the >> itident for
088sure it is um but it's the policy of the board in terms of um public participation if there is an issue with regard to personnel or students or something of that nature the response is to typically take it to the superintendent or the cabinet to address closer to where the problem originates And if you if you put it in a like in an email to us, we're not going to respond back. We'll give it to the superintendent and it'll be investigated that way. >> Yeah. It's been 57 days since I had emails responded to. >> So that would be my recommendation. If if you also want to talk to um your union rep for your building as well >> on that. >> All right. So if I would just follow up if you want to
089send another email to us, then send an email to us. to speak on the issue that is >> No, you're better off because if it's something that needs to be looked at, it's a personnel matter and we can't we can't discuss that within district. >> We really can't discuss that. So, I would say if you want to put it in a letter to us and give it to us, then we'll be more than welcome more than happy to take that letter. If you have something written right now, we want to make a copy of it, we can take that information to you. If you want to talk to us over to the side, we can do something like that. But not not at the mic. I can talk to you. We can talk to you
090afterwards if you want to do that. Okay. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Evan Farcus, president of the Amityville Administrators Association. >> Hold on a second. Just hit the Go ahead. >> Good evening. On behalf of the Amnville Administrators Association, I want to sincerely thank you for approving our contract. It has been a long road to get here and your support represents a major step forward. We are grateful that you listen to our concerns and work with us to reach a fair agreement. Although there is much more work to be done, this leaves us hopeful for the future. This contract provides a foundation we can all build upon and we look forward to being an important part of moving this district forward together. Thank you again for your commitment to collaborating and recognizing the value
091of our work. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Emry just >> Good evening. Nikia Wolf, uh Emville Teacher Association President, 100 Court North Drive. Uh first and foremost, um I would like to say thank you to the board for the uh tenure uh recommendation appointments this evening. Um we are looking forward to celebrating with those members as they become um valuable members of the Amityville School District community. Um I am also very happy to see that we have a member who is going to be returning from our PEL list. Um we went through um a very difficult time where it is that um we lost a huge percentage of our u membership. We lost teachers who uh made valuable impact and connection with our students. So, it's great to see that we are moving
092to a point where it is that we can start bringing uh teachers back when there are positions available. Also, um I would like to say thank you for us getting back a human resources person. There are many uh items that we are looking to um bringing to closure and so I'm happy that the central office has the ability to have someone uh dedicated to making sure we get those items closed out. Thank you. Thank you Marie. One second. Sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Good evening. I'm Sierra Pedway, a parent here in the community. Um >> I'm sorry. Pedway is the last name. >> Pedawway. Yes. Um trying to see where to begin. I have a son who has I have a son who has an IEP. Um and it came to my knowledge that is
093not being followed through. Um he also lost the parah that he had and we were not informed that that was going to happen. Um the parah that he now has is Spanish is their first language. It is very hard for him to understand her. um he is on track to be on the honor society. Um and I feel like this may deter um his want to learn, his want to be in school. Um I found out from his old parah that she would not be with him anymore. And I think that's something that shouldn't happen. I should have received some type of notice from pupil personnel. Um, >> can I just interrupt one second? I just have to I just want to make sure just kind of pause it. >> Just kind of pause it.
094>> I just have to ask. So, have you gone through the >> I have gone I'm going to get there. >> Okay. So, you've got you've talked talked to everyone. >> I have gone everywhere. I even tried to come to the district office and was told by the lead security that no one there would speak to me. Um, he then told me that I should go back to PPS and I then went back to PPS. I took off from work just to try to rectify this whole situation. This was on Friday. Um when I got there again, I now finally get a call from the director and am told that I should get something um to kind of tell me how things will be going on Friday. It did not happen. They then told me
095that I would get something on today. It did not happen. I did advise that if I do not get anything, I will be reaching out to my attorney. So can I just can I just ask you >> so therefore you can we can get more details absolutely a after the meeting if you want to either talk to um Dr. Talbert or Mary Stevens and address it right then and there so therefore all the complete details can be explained. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Just just don't don't go anywhere. Hello Caroline Fanning. >> Three separate things that I wanted to address. Um the first is the treasures reports which are monthly and it sounded like the conversation about the monthly treasures reports devolved into a debate about an annual audit report and they're not the same.
096And I think it's really important to keep the two of them separate because when I was on the board it was a ongoing theme that what ought to be provided in a monthly timely manner was always delayed or frequently delayed. It was late and oftent times the excuse was well we are waiting for the auditor's report. They're not the same. So, I would support Trusty Mesman's request that every month because it's on the monthly agenda, you get a monthly treasury report that is hopefully no more than one month past due. And when I say past due, it's because I understand it takes time to close the books. And even if it's a month late, it might not be finalized. But you're a smart group of people. You can handle that things are in flux. And
097if you have a question, you should have a superintendent of finance. He's not here tonight, but I assume you have one to answer those questions who's able to be on their toes and be like, "Okay, maybe you mis understand this because we're still finalizing something." So monthly treasures reports, you shouldn't have to wait for that. You shouldn't have to request it. Second, the superintendent goals. Trusty Mezanine meth mentioned the 5% rubric or metric or whatever. Um, I'm gonna guess that was because one year ago that was a superintendent's own proposed goal for herself. So, it sounds like that a trustee was simply following the superintendent's track of saying, "Okay, you want to set this goal? We're going to hold you to it." But now there needs to be followup. So, I don't understand why there's
098push back against this 5% metric when one year ago the superintendent herself said, "We're going to set a 5% improvement goal for the core subjects." Measurable goals are important. Um, lastly, my final thing is this is my first time seeing all of you since I resigned. I'm the trustee who stepped down and I have so many mixed emotions about that. I feel terrible about it. I wish I was still there with you. I wish I was able to continue. I'm here now because I am a parent. I have two high schoolers. I care so deeply about the success of the the district. Um you have three options on the table. You can appoint, you can leave it vacant, or you can hold a special election. But I can tell you right now, if you choose
099to appoint someone, this district is so divided. there is so much um distrust that you're gonna make it worse. So, I vehemently oppose appointing someone. Either leave it vacant or have an election, but do not appoint. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening, Wendy Canestro. Um, the business official was appointed in May and he's missed several meetings already. Good job reversing his termination. Um, welcome to the HR person. Um, I'm thrilled that you're here. You have a great background. Hopefully you could bring some stability and some sanity to this district. Um, to the teacher who was talking about the culture, I'm sorry you got cut off. You could certainly talk about the culture, but we're here to not talk about things like that and present it in another way. Um, minutes need to be
100done in a timely manner, but when I was on the board, just so those who don't know, I was on the board. Um, the president had them, wouldn't share them with the board till the last minute, so we were unable to see it. There's a reason that we have a district clerk to look at the to look at the um film and to take notes. The board president isn't to take notes and do all this. That's not her job. She inserts herself as an employer administrator. That's what we have a clerk for who's more than capable. Those need to be done in a timely manner and the community needs to see those. Um, Trusty Leon brought up that the board made a request about the corrective action plan that the risk assessment and requests are
101being made. It's outrageous, outrageous that the board is requesting something and it's not being done. I know most of you have no experience in other districts. I do. I sat on two other boards. It's outrageous. This doesn't happen. The board requests something and it gets done. But then again, you have a board president shielding the superintendent from accountability by voting down resolutions. Not shocked. Um facility use. Uh Trustee Nearing brought up, "Are we going to charge them?" While the policy says you may charge them, not that you're going to charge them. Um, I was vehemently opposed to charging, as was Trustee Mesman, double taxation. We already pay a ton of taxes. Why you're going to charge him again? You got $2 million extra from the state under the guise that Northeast was going to close,
102which was a sham because Northeast was never on the table with the board of education. Um, it's the cost of doing business. You have to I'm a fiscal conservative. You have to learn when to spend money and when not to. for democracy. You spent money to a point just to get a shill already had it happen. You don't have a lot of trust from the community. Bad idea. I agree with um former trustee Fanning. Um as far as the wellness committee, I don't see that that came up again. I saw that that was conveniently tabled being that the wellness committee and the expert from Boseies had recommended that recess not be used as a punishment. It should never be used as a punishment, but I know that you wanted to get through with that u
103um code of conduct for it to be used. Terrible idea. You should have your wellness policy meeting soon. Um let's see what else. Oh, I went to the village meeting. I just came from there. ATA, you got approved for what you needed. Last thing, um I'll be very quick. You had said that there was a meeting about the Culvert project where the superintendent, the board president was invited to talk about it. Miss Johnson, you said that the mayor only wanted you and nobody else and that's why nobody else was a was asked. You have a first vice president as a designate if you can't make something. The mayor responded that he would have met with anybody and that wasn't true. Bye. Jacquelyn Stevenson, I just wanted to mention something that I mentioned before at uh
104the last meeting or the meeting prior regarding the empty seat. Uh I feel that the community community should definitely have input in deciding who gets that seat. As I mentioned before, the community has already decided. We just had an election a few months ago and why not go with look at the uh votes the number of votes that the person who did not win received or the and offer that position to that person. If they decline, go with the next person. So you wouldn't have to spend money on another election. You've already had an election just a few months ago. That was my suggestion and it's still my suggestion. To me, it makes sense. Um, the other thing is as a parent just sitting here listening, I'm very, very, very disturbed after hearing someone uh
105who's worked here for 16 years start to complain and mention about um just the way that they are being treated. And I hope that the board does some sort of followup because honestly the board has a tendency to say they're going to follow up with people and it does not happen. I can list the things that I was told in meetings. I'll get back to you and I have not received a response. So I really hope that the person that came up here receives some sort of um followup because to me, like I said, as a parent, that's very very concerning. Thank you. >> Thank you. Wendy Canestro again. Um to piggyback on emails, um many of you may know I was just on the board this past year. Um and you haven't gotten a
106response by email for 57 days. I am still awaiting emails from the board president and the superintendent from when I was on the board of education. So don't I'm not shocked by that either. Um, you know, leadership starts at the top and if there's no leadership, it trickles down. It trickles down to your employees, trickles down to your students, and that's why you have a terrible culture here. Um, lastly, the treasurer's report. Again, great job reversing that termination. To do an appropriation status report, all you have to do is press a button on the system. You get current appropriation status reports. It's um actuals versus bud budget versus actuals. you should be getting that. In fact, your risk assessment report noted that that you're not getting a full treasures report. Outrageous. I cannot believe, well,
107I can believe I shouldn't say that. I absolutely believe that the superintendent put something halfass on the agenda. Any other community input on non-aggenda items? And I have a motion to adjourn. Um, >> so without specifically, you know, stating >> just bring the the mic up. >> Without specifically stating the department and certain personnel, I just want to just reiterate to the board that they really do need to look into the culture of uh the staff members and the way that uh teachers, teaching assistants, support staff are being treated um when they have import and things that need to be expressed. There should be someone that could be held accountable to address those issues. And 57 days is very very unacceptable to have waiting for a response for some type of feedback from unanswered emails.
108It's very especially things that are very important that's affecting you know the learning capacity that's within the school within summer school that's affecting the children that go to summer school and it's affecting the staff and their ability to do their jobs. So I think that that's very important and it gets very overlooked people afraid to come here and speak in front of you guys because they don't want a target on their back. They don't want, you know, that people to be watching them or feel like they're going to be uh retaliated against by speaking up and and bringing important issues to the board. Also, I just want to ensure that you know that all staff, especially like supervisors, administrators are held to professional standards when working with colleagues and supporting students. took 57 days, and
109I'll repeat that again, 57 days went by before this matter could even be acknowledged, leave them by >> or addressed due to the lack of emails being unanswered. And I asked for my concerns to be documented. And I was laughed at and told that there was no HR, there's no human resource. So, I'm thankful that today someone was inducted to take on that responsibility, and I look forward to speaking with you. >> Thank you. Any other community input on non-aggenda items? We have a motion to adjourn at 9:31. >> Motion. >> Miss Darren is first. >> Second. >> Wly on the second. All those in favor? I >> I motion carries. Thank you for coming out.