001Good evening everyone. Thank you for joining us on the Avenue School Board uh meeting today on Wednesday, August 13th. I'm opening the meeting at 5:36 p.m. Uh, present. Uh, with me at the meeting right now is myself, second vice president Christopher Nearing, uh, Trustee Carol Seahhoff, Trustee Megan Mesman, Trustee Leslie Pratz. I also have Superintendent Dr. Dr. Gina Talbert, assistant superintendent, uh, curriculum instruction, Mary Stevens, interim assistant superintendent of finance and operations with Richard Snyder. Attorney John Sheen, uh, be making a motion to enter into executive session at 5:37. I have a motion, please. >> Second. >> Carol first. Leslie Francis second. All in favor on the motion. The reason is >> history person >> be entering executive session for employment history for a particular person and advice of council. >> All those in favor?
002>> I >> motion carries 40. Uh we will be expected to reopen at 7:30. Thank you for joining me. >> Do make a motion to reopen the meeting at 7:45. Do I have a motion? >> Motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> again thank you for joining us. like you to make notice of the emergency exits to the front and rear of the room. Um, you could join me for the pledge of allegiance. Uh, in attendance with us this evening is myself, Second Vice President Chris Nearing, um, Trustee Megan Mesman, Trustee Carol Seahhoff, and Trustee Leslie Kretz, um, board president Lisa Johnson, and board first vice president Juan Leon were unable to be in attendance due to unforeseen circumstances. Uh we also have um exeicio school board members Aaliyah McQueen and Sarai Mullings as
003well as superintendent Dr. Gina Talbert, assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction Mary Stevens, interim assistant superintendent for business and finance Richard Snyder. um our attorney uh John Shehan and officially her first meeting district clerk um Ann Marie Monahan. So welcome to your first meeting. Uh I'd like to turn the meeting over to Dr. Talbert for the presentations. Thank you so much, Trusty Narring. At this time, we're going to have the opportunity to hear from our student exofficial board member uh and which of you will be giving the report on tonight, Sarai Mullins. >> Good evening. This past week, my co-worker Abby and I briefly interviewed five assistant principal candidates for the high school over the course of two days. We asked each candidate the same four questions we had carefully developed together, focusing on qualities we
004believe are essential for assistant principles. After every interview, we used our rubric to rate the candidates in categories such as cultural competence, relationshipdriven leadership, equity focused mindset, and more. Once all interviews were completed, we debriefed with Miss Stevens, sharing our observations, comparing impressions, and discussing how each is each candidate strengths and areas for growth aligned with the school's vision, visions, and needs. We were glad and excited to be a part of the interview process and hope that whoever is chosen does an exceptional job serving our school. >> Thank you. >> You Thank you, Sarai. and we were delighted to have you and Abby as a part of the process and we look forward to hearing more student voice in the district-wide initiatives. And so the superintendence report is brief of course, but we do want
005to say good evening to everyone, to the members of the board of education once again to any staff in attendance, our families and community members as we stand just a few short weeks away from opening school. It's hard to believe, but I want to take this opportunity to share just a few updates and highlights from across the district. As it pertains to our summer projects and facilities, tonight you will hear a brief update on the construction project taking place at Edmund W. Miles Middle School. Our buildings and grounds crew have been hard at work all summer to ensure our facilities are clean, safe, and welcoming for students and staff. We have a building walkth through with the board of education on August 22nd. As it pertains to some of the latest developments, particularly with safety
006and security, we would like to let everyone know that we have ordered the storage pouches that were approved by the board of education in policy 5695 for student cell phones. We will also be installing uh we've also had an implementation meeting with Yonder the developer of the pouches along with various administrative personnel who were a part of the meeting. We will be installing sensors in our boiler rooms and basements that will provide us with an early detection system for floods and temperature changes. We will continue with our uh testing of water sources for lead for the 2526 school year. In the area of instruction and planning, our principles, directors, and instructional leaders have been preparing for the year ahead with a strong focus on our 2025 2026 theme, which is recommmit, reconnect, and reimagine. This
007theme will guide our work as we recommmit to academic excellence, reconnect with our families and community, and reimagine how we deliver engaging and equitable instruction for all learners. Just earlier this week, we had a delightful opportunity to visit some of the preliminary course uh professional learning opportunities at Park Elementary with our summer professional learning institute. I would like to thank Mary Stevens and Miss Patty D for the exceptional leadership they provided in workshops and sessions centered around restorative circles, student engagement, bilingual education utilizing our SAVIS literacy materials. It was exciting. We didn't want to leave the classrooms. teachers gave up time on their summer break to be a part of these wonderful learning opportunities and so we're looking forward to next week where we will continue with the institute. Our summer programs are finishing up
008this week. Students in preK through eight worked this summer on developing reading skills in non-fiction and on their higher order thinking skills as they related to an inquirybased science curriculum. High school students attended core content courses to support them in meeting graduation requirements. We all know that graduation requirements are changing. Next week, the high school will be administering region exams on Tuesday and Wednesday. Looking ahead, in the coming weeks, families will receive detailed back-toschool information from our schools, including class and transportation schedules. Our opening day, well, let me rephrase that. Schedules will be available in the parent portal. And if you need help with the parent portal, please let us know so we can ensure everyone has access. Our opening day for students is September 3rd and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back
009for what promises to be an exciting school year. So, we want to once again thank our board of education, our district leadership team, faculty, staff, and our entire community for your continued partnership in getting behind what is great for kids. Because together, we're going to build a district where every student can thrive. Thank you to our second vice president, Trusty Nering. >> Thank you. And turning it back over to you once again for the presentations. Thank you so much. At this time, we will hear from Mary Stevens, our assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. She has been working diligently along with others throughout the district to provide a professional development plan that will guide excellent pedigogy and increased results districtwide. Miss Stevens, thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Talbert and members of the board of
010education. Tonight, I'm pleased to present the Amityville School District professional learning plan for the 2025, 2026, and the 2026, 2027 school years. This plan reflects our district's deep commitment to ensuring that every educator is a lifelong learner, continuously developing their skills to meet the evolving needs of our students. It aligns the growth of our professionals with district building and individual goals to improve student achievement. Our plan is built on a comprehensive needs analysis process which includes an annual district-wide survey and careful review of multiple data sources including state and local assessment results, student demographics, and emerging educational trends. This ensures that our professional learning offerings are responsive, relevant, and datadriven. This year's survey was completed by teachers and TAs and administrators in the late spring. Those completing the survey indicated their needs in predetermined categories
011chosen in consideration of the elements that I just mentioned. So some of those would include the new science assessments, the roll out of the science of reading program, uh the shifts in graduation measures. So different things that are going on, AI as one of the trends that we're seeing. Participants also had the opportunity to provide feedback on the needs that were not addressed in the questions that we developed. As part of our plan, every teacher participates in a minimum of 18 professional development hours each year with six embedded in the superintendent's conference and staff development days. The remainder of the time would be completed outside of the contractual school day. We track these hours using the frontline education system to ensure accountability and transparency to meet the diverse learning needs of our staff. We offer
012a broad menu of professional learning opportunities from in district workshops and conferences to professional learning discussion groups, cross-grade articulation meetings, action research projects, peer coaching, school visitation and asynchronous online courses, as well as advanced certifications such as the national board certification. All sessions are scheduled and posted in advance, allowing staff to participate as they are able. The content focus of our professional learning is guided by the needs analysis, survey results, and district priorities. This year's key areas include datadriven instruction, differentiated learning, multilingual learner support, technology integration, curriculum alignment with the next generation learning standards, multi-tered systems of supports, MTSS, social emotional learning support for students with disabilities, and culturally responsive teaching practices. This year, we have implemented, as Dr. Talbert mentioned a professional learning summer institute and I do need to take a moment to
013thank Patty Deak. Miss Deak is a teacher at the Edund W. Miles Middle School and co-chair of the professional development committee. She has volunteered her time to help me put together this institute. Uh she has given many days of her summer in the creation of a schedule of professional learning of which we are very proud. I cannot thank her enough for taking the lead on the project. The institute is set to begin on Monday, but we did hold a pre-institute this week to accommodate presenters who were unavailable next week. Sessions were developed based on the identified needs and priorities. Our committee spent time this year reviewing our robust mentoring program for new teachers. We added our recommendation that teachers who were previously tenured would not be assigned a mentor. We further recommended the continuation of
014the one-toone mentoring matches for first and secondyear teachers. This program not only supports teacher retention but also helps maintain high standards of teaching across the district. Finally, through the plan, we ensure compliance with all mandated trainings covering topics from school violence prevention to child abuse reporting delivered through the global compliance network or GCN platform for efficiency and consistency. The results of our professional learning plan are not static. We continuously evaluate and refine our work. We analyze achievement data, gather participant feedback, and adjust our offerings to align with both district-wide goals and individual teacher needs. This ensures professional learning in Amityville is not just a requirement. It is a catalyst for improved teaching, stronger student outcomes, and a more vibrant learning community. And we thank you for your continued support of our educators professional growth. Thank
015you. >> Do any trustees have any questions for Miss Stevens? >> Thank you, Miss Stevens. Um, I was Thank you very much. Uh, so the attachment one I was just questioning. So that has the annual survey >> but I can't see it. So I was just I had jotted down um how are we it's hard to see without seeing the questions that are asked. I was wondering how are you incorporating the feedback because we had also gotten feedback throughout the year when we had issued other surveys um of the timeliness of the professional development and the um appropriateness of the professional development. So I think that I'm just kind of reading my notes but I think you sort of addressed that when you started to speak about even the development of the um summer learning
016>> uh institute. >> So and is that so you're starting that next week you said >> next week is the official week that we had identified but when we looked at the needs from the survey there were some needs where we couldn't get presenters available next week. So we did do a pre-institute that started this week and we do have a few more sessions that will occur after that official week. Okay. Wonderful. And then I guess just like with the timeliness of the professional development I think I had read in here that just like at the beginning of each month everyone's going to be alerted to what's going to be available. Am I remembering correctly? >> It's more like a quarterly um >> they are posted. We do use the frontline system and users get
017a reminder every day about what's newly posted so they are alerted to when those are posted but we did establish that uh quarterly system so that we'll post by quarter and make sure that everyone knows what's coming up. >> Okay. So that's different than what we had last year. >> Uh it was in place last year as well. >> Okay. Because I had recalled some feedback that there wasn't enough notice sometimes. So we are working very hard on the feedback that we receive and we know that people who have to arrange for child care or have other commitments it makes it difficult when things are posted at the last minute. Right. >> Um so we are inviting presenters to submit their proposals in advance so that we can make sure that quarterly there's a deadline
018so that there is advanced notice. >> Okay, that sounds great. Thank you. I um there's an articulation data team meetings >> and at first I looked at it because I looked at it quickly because there's a lot to look at and I was like oh we're missing some grades but I think you're pairing by transition from building >> right >> um so would it be instead of prek to k now >> may not have been updated yes >> so we'll be we were going to because we're moving K back to northeast so it'll be when the kindergarteners transition >> I will make a note to update Yeah, I know it's so minor, but I it just jumped out at me. Um, and the annual trainings, is there something for furer that's also annual or is
019that incorporated already in what is here? Uh, I would have to check on that. Um, I know that usually comes out of the HR, but I I'll follow up on that. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> There any further questions? >> Thank you, Miss Stevens. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. We will be bringing a resolution on 8:25 um requesting the board's approval on the professional learning plan that Miss Stevens just presented. At this time, we are going to ask Mr. Snder if he would come forward. And we have two presentations. The first will be an update on the Edmond W. miles middle school construction project followed by an update on the tax levy. Thank you, Mr. Snyder. >> Good evening, Board of Education. This is our second construction update for the key
020for the project that is happening at our middle school. I will tell you um right off the top that things are going very well for this construction project. Here in front of you, you just see kind of in text form a summary of all the accomplishments that have happened since uh the project began. Specifically up on the the 300 wing, the classrooms there all have their their lights installed with dimmers and the wall tile priming and painting have all almost been completed in the third floor girls bathroom. So, there's a lot of progress there on the third floor that I'm sure you'll like when we do our walkthroughs. The first floor had a lot of activity since we last met. You know, the wall tile insulation in the bathrooms has occurred. Uh floor tile and
021the co- basing in the classrooms is currently being installed. They're continuing to install classroom floor tile on the first floor. All of the plumbing, roughing work for all floors has been installed, and you'll see some pictures of that. And light fixtures are now being installed on the first floor. So, it's going very well. Mount Olympus is our general contractor. Most of the work is falling on them. They have done outstanding work. They've been very responsive. They've been on time, well staffed, and they are on budget. And there you see, you know, a list of some of the things that they have accomplished since the project began. Um, the ceiling tile grid installations up on the third floor is the thing that, you know, most recently happened. So again that third floor is looking very nice
022and the picture will say a thousand words. Seafford Plumbing is the plumbing contractor. They have removed all the old fixtures. They have installed isolation valves on the girls and boys first room first floor bathrooms and are working their way upward. The rough plumbing has already been installed as I mentioned just previously and you'll see pictures of that. And the demolition is completed in the third floor girls bathroom. Eldor Electric is essentially there to run wiring for the lights, install the light fixtures and put dimmers on. They have done a lot of work with classroom lighting on the third floor. All the roughening is done and there is beginning on the first floor. We received all of the fixtures which ones we cannot install before school starts are going to be stored in the basement and
023they will begin to install those fixtures during off hours while school is in session. Inshallah is our HVAC uh contractor and just the way the project was staged. Their work will really begin in September to do the HVAC work and will get very heavy during the summer of 2026. Here are some pictures of thirdf floor classrooms. Uh on the left is uh pretty much a done classroom with new floor tile, the walls painted, new ceiling grid and ceiling lights. On the right side is the room that that was being painted at that point in time and some of the base trim work was missing in that picture, but is now installed. This is room 303. This room is done except for the trim work between the floor and the wall. This is room 301 that
024uh is still being worked on, being painted. Floor tile is installed and again that trim work is yet to be installed. It's a thirdf floor girls bathroom where the floor is being prepped and the walls are being prepped for the tile. And you can see some of that plumbing roughing work there uh in the walls. This is also a thirdf flooror girls bathroom where you're seeing just more prep work of the floors, the walls, and the plumbing work. This is the second floor girls bathroom where they just finished the the roughing. You can see the floor still has to be installed there, too. Second floor boys bathroom is still generally in the same condition as the girls where they're still, you know, prepping the walls and need to work on the floors. So, there's certainly
025some work on the second floor that needs to be done. This is room 105. The picture on the left is prepping the floor for the tile. Uh picture on the right is a little bit, you know, kind of the same thing, just showing the floor after the prep, but that's a room that they're working on as we speak. Picture on the left is room 123. Picture on the right is a nice picture of the the wall tile in the bathroom. I don't think the color the picture is showing how vibrant that color is on the wall. It looks a lot better in person. This is the first floor bathroom. Another picture of that. You can sort of see the contrast of the red and the gray, the Aonyville colors. This is the first floor girls
026bathroom. Uh again, they're completing some of the wall tile on the left and on the right is some more prep work. This is uh room 107 showing the floor tile being installed. Uh on the left is a what we tried to do is get a nice close-up picture of a completed bathroom wall and wall tile. Again, I don't think the picture does does it justice, so we're looking forward to you seeing that during the walkthroughs. And on the right, that is a completed classroom with nicely shined floors that we're also looking forward to showing you. In terms of budget, nothing has changed. All the contractors are on budget. There has been no talk of change orders. The allowances are still fully in place. So, financially we are very well positioned in this project. Uh the
027invoices are starting to come in as I mentioned the last time we spoke. So, the expenditures are starting to creep up. But with no talk of change orders and the allowances in place financially, you know, we are in very good position with this project so far. More work is going to take place as the school year starts during during off hours and next summer will be a busy summer but right now we are looking very very good. Questions on this one? >> Yes. Um I see there's still a lot of work that needs to be done on the bathrooms. Is there the expectation that they will be completed by the start of school >> and turned over by the time you know school starts? They um it surprises me seeing this a lot in my
028career how quickly it comes together. >> And then same with the classrooms. Those >> the classrooms I think are in better shape than the bathrooms because I think it was a little less labor intensive, but the classrooms are all ready to be turned over by the time students are in session. >> Okay. So, as far as you're aware, any of the work that's being done is not going to have caused any interruption with >> as of Monday. That was the last thing on their mind. Yeah. >> Okay. >> No, sir. >> Thank you. Yeah, my I I had a similar question because the pictures are lovely and I thank you for the update. Um, but just to understand the percent complete because I don't from this I don't know how many classrooms are pending like
029so what's the percent complete with the >> Can I get that to you in your in your update? I don't have that percentage of classrooms done complete but I can come up with that with Mr. Galina. >> Okay. Because with that then you can kind of validate their schedule and can they actually complete it before we need to open the classroom doors. >> The construction meeting notes you know they're on target to complete based on the construction schedule we put before them. >> Okay. So I maybe you could share like the latest meeting notes just the board. >> I'll actually send you that report on Friday. >> Okay. That'll be Thank you. That'll be great. Does anybody else have any questions? Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Schneider. Okay. So, as Mr. Snider is transitioning to
030the tax levy presentation. Uh just as a reminder, uh last year uh we did issue a notice to the community regarding the tax equalization and the support from the town of Babylon in terms of legal pursuit to balance that out for our Amityville residents. So tonight we are presenting you with an update on where we are with our tax rate. So, in terms of the tax rates, I thought I'd just go back to basics and just go through the process of how tax rates are set for school districts that geographically reside within one township, which is not the case for Amityville. The tax rate's a very somewhat simple formula. You take the tax levy which is set here in this room through the tax cap process and you divide it by the assessed value that
031is provided to you by the town. It's a real simple way to look at it. Again, we determine the tax levy and the towns the townships in this case Babylon and Oyster Bay provide us with their assessed values. But because we are in multiple townships, we have to take a a bit of a calculation detour to account for the fact that Babylon town assesses their residents in a very different legal method than Oyster Bay. And your assessment, which is on your tax bill, is the figure that is used to determine how much school tax you pay. So how the townships assess you is important. And in calculating a tax rate, we can't simply add two assessments together for Oyster Bay and Babylon because they're not like kind figures. They're arrived doing undergoing in a completely
032different political and mathematical process. So to account for the fact that we have Oyster Bay Township which is assesses one way and Babylon which assesses another, we have to take those differing numbers and convert them to a figure called full value. This is New York state legislation I'm now referring to. And that full value becomes the basis for how much of our tax levy we assign to Oyster Bay and how much we assign to Babylon. And we need to do that to equalize because that's what they call this these figures equalization rates because the assessments are so different. So since the denominator in that formula I'm talking to my math teachers now is so different for each township we have to offset the numerator which is the tax levy to equalize it so that the
033process looks and appears to be fair. Now, there's certainly litigation going on about whether the equalization rates are in fact doing that, whether it's related to the assessments, and there's legislation about that. So, theoretically, the equalization rate is supposed to take the assessment process for Babylon and the assessment process for Oyster Bay, which is Nassau County, and equalize them by taking the tax levy and shifting it between the two tax rate for formulas. So once we get that full value figure, we then allocate the levy and then we run two separate tax rate calculations. The formula now is in two pieces. We take the tax levy and we're going to multiply it by a percentage that we arrive at using the equalization rate and we do that for Oyster Bay and then we do that
034for Babylon. But keep in mind because this question has already popped up in central office. The tal the total tax levy between Oyster Bay and Babylon is the tax cap. All we're really working with here is the denominator which are different assessed values and then taking our tax cap and shifting it between the two jurisdictions so that things are equal in the eyes of the state. So this is the formula. The assessed value for Oyster Bay provided to us by the town is$2 million130. The equalization rate is 0.14%. Which we arrive at 1.5 billion. And then on the Babylon side 20.8 million in assessed value. Notice the total difference in those figures is divided by 67 to arrive at 3.1 billion. Those equalization rates are provided to us by the New York State Department of
035Tax and Finance. we have to use them and this is the process that happens every year. We then take that $4.6 billion figure and use it as a way to allocate the tax levy. So 32.86% of the full value is Oyster Bay. 67.14% belongs to Babylon. And now we're going to take our levy and we're going to assign the numerators and those formulas those numbers. The reason we have to do this is if we just simply added those assessed values together and just did one uniform tax rate, it would take 9.3% of the levy and give it to Oyster Bay and 90% of it and give it to Babylon, which would be wholeheartedly unfair. So the can I have a motion to approve agenda item 2 a 2 3 6 10 13 14 and 18.
036>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I was that has been approved. 4 Z. Can I have a motion for agenda item 2B? Can I do them all together? um 2B 1 2 3 and four. >> Um I'd like to take the code of conduct separately. >> Okay. Or is this for first reading or is this for approval? Uh >> well, they're all first reading, so there's no motion required. >> Okay. >> Well, okay. Okay. So, we need a final on B2. >> Okay. So, it's amend. >> No. So, you go for the first reading and then after the first reading, then you'll go for the approval. >> So, after this, everything's the first reading >> and then you go for the approval after the first reading. >> So, you have one reading and then
037that that will be the only reading and then you'll go for approval after the first reading. Okay. Uh we have any discussion on the following items. Um so I mean we talk about it in the policy meeting, right? So um I think the mission statement was here again. Lisa actually requested that this come forward even though we had last revised it this past December. Um but because again we were reviewing the superintendent goals for the co upcoming year so she just wanted to bring this forward again. Uh there was no changes presented from the policy committee. Um this is the first reading of the regulation for the cell phone policy. So it had just provided some more definition as to how we were going to address if a student needed to make a phone call.
038um some additional communication information for parents so that if they needed to, you know, now that everyone's cell phones are going to be put away throughout the duration of the day to have this the phone numbers and cell phone uh emails um right there in the regulation. Um so this is the first reading and it would be combined right into the code of conduct and again also the wellness policy was updated by the wellness committee u throughout the year. Uh I think that there was um these red lines in here still Dr. Albert I were they going to be removed like the NES1 FR4. >> So I'll clarify prior to this revision there were several red lines >> of uh items to consider. Right. Right. >> And so we removed all of those, but we
039left the um identifying indicators that are corresponding standards for food, nutrition, and health and wellness. Um those are just the standards. So the red lines that we spoke about in the policy committee meeting, those have been removed and a consensus was reached that we would bring the wellness policy for first and final reading and then allow the because it needs annual approvement approval and then allow the wellness committee to go back and insert the information that the red lines were suggesting we consider. So the two experts who were working with us from Western Suffach Boseies had listed red lines and said you should consider and we recommend. >> Yes. Yes. >> And so we took those out >> and said we would approve it as is. >> Right. >> And then the wellness committee would
040go back and make those recommendations throughision. >> Yes. Um, and then I guess we just have like kind there's two fill in the blanks of just like the district wellness committee is supervised by that's in two places. >> Yes. So, Miss Monahan and I spoke today and she was making the insert of Evan Farcus, director of health PE and athletics. >> That's who the board approved on July 8th to chair the committee. >> Okay, great. Um, and then as far as the code of conduct goes, I I mean I'm obviously not going to reiterate the policy committee discussion, but they I did have um a lot of comments um and there was um I guess the thought that we didn't necessarily have time to update the code of conduct before the start of the school
041year. uh we were just going to go forward and insert the regulation for the cell phone policy. Um but I do want to ask again that we have more board members. There is a reference in here that the I can pull up all my comments, but um the responses for the disruptive behavior might differ for grades K through three. Uh but we don't have tables of what would be applicable for I guess actually preK to three. So I had hoped that at a minimum we could do that because it seems like we should be able to extrapolate out the insubordinate behavior, the guidance interventions and the range of possible disciplinary response fairly readily for the younger elementary students. uh to provide clarity for parents quite frankly um and for everyone that has to use this
042code of conduct as a tool. Um on top of that I you know there's in here taking away recess which I had brought up and I really hope that we can as a board think about that more. It's actually not in line with the new wellness policy because the new wellness policy says kids really need a minimum of 20 minutes of recess. So to not have that identified as a potential response um as you know instead just have the detention listed uh and and not the taking away the recess. And you know, the policy committee meeting is was 2 hours long and this was the bulk of the conversation. So I'm certainly not trying to go through all of my comments on the code of conduct, but those are just bigger ones that feel as
043though they could be readily addressed in the version of the code of conduct for the 2526 school year. There >> any further comments? When was when did you meet with the policy committee for the code of conduct? >> Um, two weeks ago cuz last week I was away. Yeah, >> two weeks ago. >> I think it was two weeks ago. I wasn't able to attend but >> I think you were there. >> Oh, no. I was originally not able to attend. That's what it was. I think um so since this is list the code of conduct is listed as revised is this does this go up for approval now as is or is it go up for >> so the code of conduct if I may was approved at the July 8th as an annual
044approval and from that time the policy committee um revised it with two revisions. One is on page seven giving a description of the role of the DASA coordinators and adding the 5695R to the code of conduct so that the regulation would be made available to all parents and students. There was robust conversation about some additional revisions to consider. Um because of the necessity to have this ready for the opening of school, we were requesting to for the board to uh adopt the revised code of conduct. And as we have been meeting with the shared decision-making teams to bring back those concerns that the policy committee brought to our attention um regarding some of the things Trusty Messman mentioned tonight, then we would like the opportunity to have those robust discussions with the stakeholders and bring
045back some of the feedback for further revisions as necessary. So is that so what do you suspect the timeline of that sort of feedback would be from your discussions with the others? >> A couple of months I would say schools opening in September. We're going to be focusing on the 5695 cell phone. It's going to take a lot of attention and then the shared decision maker committees can evolve into this conversation. So I would say we would need a couple of months Okay. Because I had also I'm almost looking at my red lines like I had also hoped that we would talk about the response time for two parents, right? And that was something that and I don't even know if we had communication yet with John to get John's input on what we can
046put in here as far as our turnaround time to involving parents when there are infractions to ensuring that parents are alerted as soon as possible. Um, so I've not had those conversations. Um, as a followup with the legal department as of yet. >> Uh, Miss Monahan and I have been collaborating on where we are, making sure we're on the same page with what was said at the policy committees to bring it to the board at large. And then of course that would be a next step for us. So there are some requirements at law for suspensions out of school suspensions that have specific requirements for parental notification. Um other uh parental notification for other infractions or other uh penalties would be discretionary. uh but at a minimum uh for the students have to receive uh
047notice of uh the infraction and opportunity to be heard before uh the implementation of any penalty. >> Okay. Because Okay. So I don't know what the requirement is but I'm not sure that I guess >> the requirements whatever requirements there are at law would be in your policy already >> 24 hours or we don't know. >> Yeah. So the um for out of school suspension. >> Mhm. >> Um so it must be reasonably calculated to be within 24 hours. Uh but typically uh unless the student uh constitute the student is a continuing disruption to the building. Uh the notification comes before the implementation of the suspension. >> Right. >> Yeah. is apparent there's a informal conference before the suspension. If it's if the student constitutes a continuing disruption, then it's uh by a means reasonably
048calculated uh to be within 24 hours. We also do have an extensive red line copy uh of the code of conduct that legal has reviewed. We shared it with the board some time back. Um so we can revisit that as well. It's an extensive red line that legal went through our code of conduct in 23 24. So um we do have that also as a reference that we can go back to to review. >> Okay. I that's not what we reviewed at the policy committee meeting though. So I'm just looking at this version. Right. Right. Yeah. >> Certainly if you have any questions feel free to ask and we'll provide you. >> Okay. So I will I guess follow up from the policy committee meeting with the questions that we had hoped to get to
049legal. >> Sure. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Are there any further comments? >> Okay. So can I put these four items up together? and to approve the code of conduct with the addition of um the regulation for 5695. So that's as a part of the code of conduct and then we can revisit the code of conduct following that. Okay. I have a motion to approve items 2B 1 2 3 and four. >> All in favor? Motion passes 4. Oh, sorry. Jump the gun. I for me as well. All right. Can I have a motion for Oh, and just wanted to note um as of approximately 8:33, the internet service was restored and the meeting is has been streaming since then. Um can I have a motion for item 2 C1? Second. >> All in favor?
050>> I motion passes 4. And I have a motion for item 2C2. >> So move. >> I have a second. >> Second. names. Do you want to read them off or >> Yes. Um maybe Dr. Sabbert, if you can just inform the community on the process of these c uh renewing these candidates. Sure. This resolution is for the renewal of the citizens budget advisory committee. Last year there were 17 members who agreed to serve in this capacity and the business office reached out to those 17 members and everyone responded favorably um except for four. We did not hear back from four of those members. So this year >> what >> five >> 17 >> and we have 12 listed. >> So last year we're showing >> we approve we approved 17 last year I think.
051>> All right. And there were four we didn't hear from. Okay. So, let's go through these. So this year um the board is looking to appoint Muel Ankodavish, Kathia Aino, Wom Brown Cook, Richard Cronin, Rachel Edwards, Merissa Barley, Deborah McQuillin, Kathleen Nent, Christopher Papil, Cheryl Quentine Best, Dena Rosenberg, and Kathleen Ward, who responded favorably that they would like to continue a second here. It looks like there may be a name missing as I'm looking back at last year's list. Diane Egglinger. >> Okay, >> she responded. >> That's what I was wondering. >> Yes, here's a check. Okay, >> Diane Egglinger. So, we would need to amend the resolution to C2 to add number 13, Diane Egginger. Okay. And then you said that we had received responses back from the other four that they were they
052did not want to continue. They were not. >> No, I could not confirm that we received responses back saying no. >> Oh, we did not receive >> smart. >> So, we're not sure that we actually connected with them. That's what I was hoping. I just want to know that we actually they actually know that they could continue if they want to and we actually made contact with them. >> To double check them, but we sent one email and then we sent a followup. Sorry, we sent one email with the invitation and we followed up with another asking for a response by the deadline. >> Okay. But not everyone is great with their email. So I mean it could could have gotten lost. Is >> would we have the opportunity to if any of these members
053expressed their interest further, we could add them later on? >> We'll we'll reach out to them if that's what the board would like us to do. the four or the five that did not respond and then if we have new additions we can bring them on another agenda. >> Thank you. I Yeah, I guess just a phone call if the email wasn't working just to make sure that nobody gets upset that they didn't know that it was resuming and they weren't asked to continue. >> Okay. Can I have a So I just make a motion to amend the agenda to add that one community member. >> I yield to the clerk. them that respond. >> Okay. So, we'll call we won't make any amendment to the agenda since we do not have confirmation. >> Correct.
054You're you're just on discussion right now. >> Okay. >> So, we're just going to ask that phone calls be made to the five community members that we don't know >> or aware or not aware. >> Okay. Thank you. And I would just like to thank these community members for uh being willing to uh provide their assistance and uh time to the district to help us with this important task. All right. Um Okay. And all those in favor? >> I >> motion passes 4 zero. I u can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add item 2 C3 the creation of the director of curriculum position >> motion >> second. All in favor? >> I motion is added 4 Z. Okay, I'll read the resolution. Um, be it resolved that upon the recommendation of
055the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby creates the position of director of curriculum with a salary range of 150,000 to 170,000 effective immediately. Do I have any discussion on this item? Well, it's very exciting news, right? >> I would have to agree. We have been trying to >> very well needed as well. So, so I guess with the accountant position in the budget that we are not filling and with the savings from changing from an assistant super of HR to a director of HR and some additional title three I think you mentioned we're able to create this position which is really exciting. >> Sorry, was there was there a motion and a second on this? Was there a second for this motion? >> We read the motion so far, >> right? I read
056the motion to to amend it. I didn't >> just to >> I didn't >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, this is a motion to amend the agenda. >> We did that already. >> We did that one already. You moved that on. >> Now, there was a You read out the motion. Was there a second? >> Second. >> All right. So, then you had the discussion and now All those in favor? >> I motion passes 4 Z. >> Um can I have a motion for agenda item 3A? Uh should I do these separately? >> Yes. >> Okay. And yeah. Okay. Okay. So, I have a motion for agenda item 3A1. >> Motion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> motion passes 4 zero. I have a motion to table agenda item 3A2. Second. All
057in favor? >> I >> motion I motion passes 40 >> and I have a motion for agenda item 3 A3. >> All in favor? >> I can I >> sorry discussion. >> I'm sorry. I can we just I will approve it I guess but with the like an edit. Can we approve it with an edit or do I have to come back and bring it again? >> Um, it said like the district safety team for 25 26. I I wasn't on the district safety team. So, we had a discussion with uh President Johnson and first vice president Juan Leon regarding the safety team committee members for 2526 and in lie of bringing a separate resolution to list their names um they were promoting approval of the plan and the committee members embedded in the plan.
058So for the district safetywide team, was it not trusty Mesman and trustee Seahawk? You were not on the district safety team. You were on the >> It seems like there were two separate. >> There's the safety team and then there's the health and safety committee. >> You are on the health and safety committee. Okay. So would you like the names your names removed from >> the district safety team? >> Well, is this is this saying that we put this plan together or is this saying that we're on the district safety team for next year? >> This is saying that you had input to the development of the plan and that you would be a member of the committee next year for this school year. Okay. >> So, does this mean as the as part of
059her other committee last year that that input has factored into this? Is that what this is saying? >> I would say Trusty Mesman has been a great contributor to items in the plan because they did parallel from time to time. But this is saying that she would serve as a member of this districtwide safety committee. And if that is not the intent, then we can certainly remove the names prior to approval. >> I'm not I'm not too clear on is this saying that she helped develop it or if it's saying that she's part of this team for this current school year? part of the team, part of the district safety committee team for 2526. >> Okay. I didn't know that. >> Do you accept the assignment? >> This was the um this was the um
060quarterly meetings I think I had asked you. Is that the same this does this team meet quarterly? They meet mostly quarterly but it they meet regularly throughout the school year and then the dates are disseminated to the members. Mr. Baronis was the um vanguard the leader of the committee. As of now it will be under Mr. Snyder until we're able to discuss further our safety officer leadership needs. And I believe there were sections of this that are fluid that we don't have to continue to approve it. Like there's the pages with different contacts like those just get updated. >> Yes, those pages are updated and those pages are pages eight nine. Do you >> I did update them for the most recent contact list. >> Mr. Steiner did update those contact emails, phone numbers, and
061names, >> right? But I believe they were saying so say somebody in that list resigns from their position or whatever. We don't that we're able to just update. We don't have to come back and reapprove it. >> Correct. Correct. The the title is being approved. As the names come in and out, they can be reapproved. >> Okay. No, I'm not trying to make it a big deal. I So then on the um required action where it says a district-wide school safety team was appointed by the board of education. Now that date says September 16th, 2024. So is that date going to be today's date when we accept this plan? Are we appointing this district-wide school safety team? And I'm assuming everybody on this table besides myself knew that they were on this table. I would
062recommend that we change that date to today, which would be August 13, 2025. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, you're not mending the resolution, you're just amending uh the underlying document. So this would be approval. Approved as amended. >> Yes. Approved as amended. >> Okay. So do I have to make it? We already >> You don't have to change the motion. You're just asking for, you know, so you had a motion. You had discussion. You're not changing. You're not amending the motion. You're just approve. You're calling for a vote >> for approval of the district-wide uh safety and emergency management plan as amended. because you amended it on the floor. >> Okay. So, where are they? We vote for agenda item 3 A3 as amended. All those in favor? >> I motion passes 4 Z.
063I have a motion for agenda item 3A4. Any discussion on this item? >> Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor? >> I >> motion P. I motion passes 40. Can I do 3B1 through 14 together? Okay. Can I have a motion for item 3B1 through 3B14? >> Any discussion on these items? All those in favor? I. Motion passes 40. I have a motion to amend the agenda for item 3B15 to add the name of Mary Francis Hopkins as acting assistant principal at Ammonville Memorial High School. >> So moved. Second. John, do I have to give any further details on the appointment? No. Okay. Any discussion on this item? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor? >> I motion approved 40. Welcome to your new position, Miss Hopkins. We're looking forward to seeing what
064you can do with our students now at the high school, moving from your position in the middle school. Congratulations. Can I do items 3B through 3B 121 together? >> Question please. Well, we can still discuss just that if your vote would be any different for any of the items, >> right? >> Sure. Thank you. >> Can I do all these together? >> Yes. Thank you. Okay. Sorry for that interruption. >> It's okay. Uh to 121. Can I have a motion for agenda items 3B 16 through 3B 121? >> Second. >> Any discussion on these items? >> No. Um all those in favor >> I >> motion I motion carries 4. Can I have a motion to amend the agenda to add item 3B 122? >> Motion. Second. All in favor okay sorry to that would
065be important um to add item 3B 122 which would be um I'll read the resolution be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools Dr. to Gina Talbert. The board of education approves a leave of absence without pay for Mary Francis Hopkins from her position of math teacher for the period of August 14th, 2025 through June 30th, 2026, August 18, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. Um, do I have a first to amend the agenda? >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Motion carries 4 Z. >> And I have a motion for agenda item 3B 122. >> Any discussion on this item? All those in favor >> I motion carries 4 zero. Can I have a motion to table agenda items 3 C1 and 3 C2? >> Yes. >> Second. >> Any discussion
066on these items? >> All those in favor? I >> I motion carries 4 Z. Can I have a motion for agenda item 3 C two uh sorry 3, four, and five. What is it? Oh, roll. Okay. So, we'll do those separately. And I have a motion for agenda item 3 C3. >> Motion. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> That's a roll call vote. Oh, sorry. Uh, okay. Um, myself, Chris Nearing is I. Um, Trusty Seahhoff. Trustee Mesman >> I. >> And trustee Kretz >> I. >> Motion passes 40. >> Can I have a motion for agenda item 3 C 4 and 5? >> Second. >> Any discussion on these items? Um I guess I just would um query the status of the corrective action report. I think that it was initial time frame
067but then there was some discussion by email to try to turn around the corrective action like and I know it wasn't required but we the board asked for a corrective action report to just identify what steps are being taken for each >> uh observation from the order report. >> It's my recollection. I just asked for 90 days to put that together at most. And I'll The 90 days at most. >> Yeah, at most. >> And that's with implementation or >> 90 days to write it to give you the plan. The the timeline for implementmentation is part of the plan. Some of them are already going to be implemented and others might take the rest of the school year, but I have to look at it. >> Right. Okay. But beyond one school year, the only
068one that we might have a problem with that I have to discuss internally is the fixed asset appraisal report. There are some issues with that, but the rest are either going to be implemented in the short term. Some might require the rest of the school year. >> Okay. So, we might see that um in the middle of October, like the latest, you're saying? >> Yes. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Any other discussion on this item? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor? >> I motion passes 4 Z. Can I have a motion for agenda item 3D1? >> Motion. >> Any discussion on this item? Um yes. Um I was trying to in all my last minute scramble as always before a board meeting look back to see what was identified as miss missing from
069the treasures report to see if it was different and included this time around. Um and was it was there anything because I thought the RS Abrams had identified that there was missing um Yeah, we have already implemented some of those actions where they said that you needed trial balances and appropriation status and revenue status for all funds. So, we implemented that with the report >> in front of you. So, you have more in your treasures report now than you had previously, but keep in mind we said that June is still open for audit. So, those reports will change, but you get an idea of what it will look like going forward. >> Okay. So that's why you were saying open for audit. I thought you were saying that too on the appropriations reports that you
070had given. >> They're they're accurate as of the date you see them printed for June, but some of that activity will change because we're still booking transactions and we're still going to undergo an audit and they typically have transactions they want booked. So my point is it it will change and the date of that report. We also didn't have pension expenses for TRS booked because we didn't get the number until earlier this week. >> Okay. because it was quite a I I'm not looking at it, but everything that was appropriated maybe was with associated with the pension. >> Yeah, that's a decent amount of money. So, it's going to show >> decent amount of money that was appropriated. That's why I'm like I'm providing it to you, but know that especially that general fund appropriation
071status is going to change as more transactions come in for Boseies and for TRS and then there'll be some what we call acrruels that the auditors will have us book and even on the revenue side some state aid comes in in mid June also. So >> some things will change but we provided them to you and gave you all funds now and gave you the trial balances as per that RS Abrams report. Right. Right. Shock. Those are the big ones. >> Yeah. It makes it seem like we have a lot of free money, but it'll >> it'll go down. >> Um >> that big. >> So, because the I think, you know, going hand inand with looking at the policies and we were talking I think about purchasing I as I'm flipping through this um
072AJ's heroes jumped out at me. And it jumped out at me because we were talking about, you know, where we're procuring things from and entities and I I didn't know that that facility existed because it burned down several years ago. >> They're operating out of a different facility. >> He has a different facility. >> Yeah, he's might be I'm not one. Yeah, I just I don't know the particulars of it, but he has been operating in a different capacity. >> Okay. Um, so we probably have that on file since we're buying from that entity. >> They would have to provide us with um the appropriate documentation to become a vendor, which would include all their paperwork and I and things like that >> because that's that uh 6,000 section that we're tackling next, right? The
073policy committee >> with with purchasing. Yeah, that that is on the agenda. Yeah. >> Yes. Okay. Um and then so I saw it under the federal funds. So how does that work? We can you can put that under the federal >> federal purchasing generally gets approved through a grant application and as long as your grant gets approved you're authorized to purchase these things. There are other federal procurement rules that you have to follow. But in in general with the grant approval of a grant, that is your guide for purchasing, you're still obligated for general municipal law 103 and board policy, but there's other hoops and regulations you have to jump through with the federal fund. That being the grant and other federal regulations related to fixed assets. >> So you're saying that the grant could
074define that you could buy food through the federal money >> through things like travel confer. You can buy food through federal funds. >> Thank you. I have a question. I know it was answered in an email I sent. Um, but regarding the remaining balance for the class of 2025, um, is it common that the graduating classes don't use up the entirety of the funds that they've raised? And >> it's it's an excellent question, sir. It's common enough that the state in their handbook for student activities provides till I believe it's December 31st. I know I think I sent it in the email >> for the student government and the building principal to me to decide where that money will go. Sometimes the clubs when they leave and they have leftover balances, they will make a
075request to the building principal saying we want it to go here and that becomes an internal discussion. But as long if there's no instructions by the class advisors, then the building principal has to work with the student government to decide where that money will go. >> Okay. Is there any kind of oversight throughout the year while they're building this um account to try to use it by the end of the year since seeing as this these classes are raising the money and >> it really student activities functions under like an instructional umbrella. It's supposed to teach the students how to run a makeshift business and how to how to fund raise, how to purchase things, how to keep a checkbook and keep a budget. So it does kind of fall under the building principle, the
076teacher advisors and the treasurers of the club to monitor to these things and to make sure that monies are being spent and procedures are being followed. And you know really towards the end of the year if there's money left over you know a savvy student treasurer will look at that and say well maybe we can do something with this money that meets the objectives and the charter of our club and use it up. You know, it's just my impression that that most of the time doesn't happen. So, it's left to the building principal to work with student activities to decide where that money will go to. And it's typically other clubs. >> Okay. Thank you, >> sir. Any other discussion on this item? All those in favor? >> I motion passes 4. I have a
077motion for agenda item 3E1. >> Motion second. >> That's A, B, and C. Oh, yes. 3E1 A, B, and C. The first was first >> motion. >> Yeah. The first >> Okay. Any discussion on this item? All those in favor? I. Motion passes 40. Moving on to old business. Um I have I think one old business item right now be the Colbert project that's happening in front of the high school. Uh is there any uh plan to kind of broadcast to the the community on how that whole transportation aspect is going to factor in at the beginning of the year? >> Uh yes, and I'll ask Mr. Snyder to of course extend the conversation. Uh we have been having meetings and a transportation plan um has been devised uh for this purpose. We have been
078talking with um our village officials as well as to when the plan will be released and the routes that will be required for buses, vehicles uh entering and exiting the high school. >> Yeah, I think it was the intention to finalize that plan. And I know our director of transportation is still working with the building administration to figure out how the buses will queue and we could potentially be ready for a presentation on the 25th to sort of say where we are with that or at least give you a report to say how we're going to be handling the busing. >> Yeah, I would think I it might not be complete at that point, but if we have some sort of an update being as that's our last meeting before school starts. >> Absolutely. Um,
079and I know drop off at any school is always in in ideal conditions is a struggle. Um, but I will note that I did notice an improvement last year. Um, but I could only imagine what it's going to look like this year with um, the main road to the school being severely uh, hindered. Do you know if that plan includes removing the um concrete planters along Shore Drive around Avon Lake? >> I'd have to ask him. >> Okay, if you could do that. Thank you. >> The concrete planters along shore. >> Yes. >> Yeah, those are they're restricting they basically Lake Drive. >> Yeah, it's around Avon Lake. It's in the northwest part of the parking lot. because that was initially a request >> that they be removed temporarily >> to gain access for our
080buses. >> Okay. >> Mayor update on the 25th. >> Okay, great. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else have old business? >> Have one thing. Um we Dr. Talbert, you mentioned the scope program at one point. Have we looked into that? Have you looked into that? >> So, there was the initial um exploration for the afterchool programs. They do come at a cost and that was prior to us realizing that we would receive an extension on some afterchool funding that will allow us to operate some afterchool programming. Miss Stevens, could you expound on that just a bit? >> Yes, we we did receive an additional year of funding from the Empire Grant which funds our leaders of tomorrow program. So that would be at no cost to families and we postponed our looking into the scope
081at that. >> Thank you for the information. Thanks. >> That's great information. That's great news. Um I had two things jotted down. The hard copy calendar is that has that gone out to print and set for mail. >> The hard copy calendar is with syntax. Um during our last review there were a few items that had to be edited but it is with them and it should be going to print in the next day or two. >> Okay, great. Um, and then I think our students, our student board members had discussed um, possibly sending out hard copy schedules. So, is that something that we're going to be implementing? I think they had brought that up at the last board meeting when we talked about so it is the practice in both buildings to print uh
082schedules for the first day but not to mail them home because any last minute changes would require them to reprint anyway so they won't be sent home but there are stations on the first day of school where student they receive the first excellent thank for old business. No, I >> there's no other old business. We'll move on to new business. I see on here we have superintendent goals listed. >> Dr. Albert >> ready. >> Yes. Um each uh board member should have a draft. When we copied it, the word draft did not go through on the copy, but it is the draft that you um received on last Friday. And so, um, these goals that we're looking at, they are aligned to the NISSBA superintendent evaluation instrument and to what we're hoping to develop as
083our draft strategic plan that would inform our our steps and visions for the next five years for the district. So under district leadership and vision, what you see listed this year marks the launch phase um of our 2025 through 2030 strategic plan and we are really turning the vision into action this year. Our first year was met with the $3.6 million deficit. The second year was met with stabilizing the district. This year, we're looking to have more action and implement more key initiatives across five priority areas that I will share with you. So as a result of this, our building leaders will align their action plans to our strategic priorities and we'll track this progress using our strategic plan with some scorecards for quarter two for the midyear um evaluation and progress monitoring and then
084of course for the end of the year. So transparency of course will be the key through this process. Providing our board with regular updates and providing our families and staff with regular updates. So goal number two will then center around student growth and achievement. So we're taking a comprehensive approach to learning um supporting students academically while preparing them for the world they enter in. New York State Department of Education is coming down or has come down with some key initiatives that districts are responsible to implement. One of those is the science of reading which I'm really the science of reading which I am so pleased that Mary Stevens implemented this summer to introduce our staff and students to materials and the inquiry approach the critical thinking that's going to be required with the pedigogy as
085well as the learning aspect. She mentioned earlier about the trend of artificial intelligence and under student achievement we have to integrate that. Thanks to the board for approving the policy. We are now looking at a regulation that we'll be bringing to the policy committee. But our plans are to introduce AI literacy um primarily with capstone projects and portfolios in grades five and eight. um also developing those age appropriate guidelines that will allow us to move forward with that. We are looking at um a curriculum and many of our teachers in different aspects have been implementing it but now we have to hone in the ethical and safe and effective use of AI across the district. Another initiative that New York State Department has employed is the portrait of a graduate. And last year, the portrait
086of a graduate was presented to the board of education via a curricular presentation. So students will be building portfolios that demonstrate skills like critical thinking, communication, global citizenship, and culminating as we said in those capstone experiences in grades five and eight. Uh under student growth and achievement will certainly be the focus on literacy and math. And as we said, expanding the science of reading and strengthening our kindergarten readiness skills, fully implementing a curricular that we already have, which is reveal math, and using that I Ready data to guide the instruction and the interventions. How will we measure that? We will be measuring that through our I Ready growth data, student work samples, and evidence from classroom observations. When we look at the third goal centered around district culture and learning environment, we're looking out we're
087looking at not totally abandoning ruler but looking to embed the SEO practices um of recognizing emotions, understanding the causes, labeling emotions, expressing emotions, regulating those emotions through that practice um in a multi-tiered system of support. So, we are presently looking at our PPS staff. We're looking at how to roll this out. Now, this summer, our intentions were to pilot Second Step and to pilot character counts in our summer programming. So, we will be piloting some of those curricular um initiatives this year while we are still embedding the practices of Ruler uh in our efforts to support our students emotionally. As it pertains to goal number four uh with our family and community engagement, we're looking for higher family participation in events and some of that of course may be via via Zoom or live stream
088workshops, district forums. We understand that with the cell phone, we will be communicating regularly with our families to support them through the transitioning process. Outreach more with our multilingual families. uh leveraging improved translation services, ensuring that we have those in place with strategic social media use and tracking those engagement metrics such as event attendance, looking at our parent square analytics and the survey feedback that we're reaching our families effectively. And then the fifth area of that strategic plan centers around operations, finance, and facilities. We are conducting a district-wide enrollment and demographic study to guide our future facilities planning and staffing decisions. Much of that came out of uh preliminary discussions from the CBAC and the board of education. The five-year facilities plan will be updated, submitted to NISET along with the building condition surveys and
089the tech infrastructure upgrades. Our 2627 budget will reflect the strategic plan priorities while we're maintaining our fiscal health and we're going to measure that by our audit results and our compliance reports. So the um of course this will strengthen our long-term vision and our operational effectiveness which has continued to be a focus um of our cabinet and our leadership team because if we can shore up our operational focus, we can close gaps, prevent waste and ensure that we are being more proficient. stewards of every area that we are responsible for. So moving forward this year, I am proposing those goals in the areas of district leadership and vision, student growth and achievement and literacy and math improvement, district culture and learning environment, family and community engagement, and the operations, finance and facilities. That concludes my
090sharing. >> I I have a um a request. Um Mary Stevens, do you think you could provide because I know that science of reading is really become huge. New York City, the tri-state area, can you prepare a presentation to just give the community and the board of education an idea of what it's all about? you know, not the next board meeting, but perhaps over the next couple of months and all the components. >> Thank you. >> Certainly. >> Any other discussion on this item? >> Um, yeah, I have some comments. Um, okay. So, these are the first time we're seeing the goals. Um, and I don't like are we going to I guess we don't like formally accept them or do we formally accept them and we don't have two board member like we don't
091have a full board here. So, um, the first red line that I just wanted to confirm, we're saying that we're going to use the same superintendent tool from last year, right? The evaluation tool. Is that >> I think that has to be decided on in September. By September 10th. Um >> Yes. By September 10th, it has to be filed with the district clerk. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, are we is that what's referenced at the top? The NISSA superintendent evaluation instrument. >> I I I presented these in alignment with what we used last year. >> Okay. So, then we would be prepared to just file that. We can just do it now if we're in agreement, right? at the board's agreement. Okay. Um I Yeah, I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just getting ahead
092of >> I think it would be a good idea to have >> to >> considering we have another meeting before that deadline. So, >> so on August 25th, we'll just confirm that yes, we're all in agreement to use that tool and we can just go forward with Yeah, >> by the deadline >> on the next agenda. >> Yeah, sure. Thank you. >> Okay. Is it formal? And that was >> just an approved I I would recommend that it be approved. >> Okay. That it'll be a formal approval. Thank you. >> Um is it the same with the goals, John, that we formally approve the goals? >> Policy up. >> Oh, you're looking at it right now. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, so the way it's written for the five-year plan, um, it seems like it's
093begin implementation. Um, so I guess the way I we don't have a five-year plan. Um, and when I think of a five-year plan, I think of it as like a collaborative effort even with the community uh to define the priorities and un everybody to understand what's the goals for each year. Um, so perhaps I'm just misreading the intent of the goal when you say begin implementation of a strategic plan. So beginning implementation of a strategic plan notes stakeholder communications and presentations. So it would have to be a collaborative effort. Um, but my goals would need to be um initially embedded for year one. My goals would need to be in the strategic plan for year one. So goals would be centered of course around the instrument. If we decided to use the NISBA instrument, it
094would be centered around district leadership and vision, the academics and the areas that we noted. >> Okay. But we don't what I'm saying. But so is it begin imple begin development of a five-year strategic plan because it's not implementation of an approved fiveyear like and I would have think that the the strategic plan is something that the board of education formally approves. So we haven't done that yet. >> So development begin development. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, and then you did mention and I highlighted too initiatives across all five strategic priority areas. And I I just kind of questioned, well, what are those five strategic priority areas? >> Student growth and achievement. >> Oh, those so those are the five bullets you said. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. So under student growth and
095achievement, I broke out areas such as AI integration for learning and the portrait of a graduate >> to elevate literacy achievement. >> Okay. Understood. Right. Understood. Thank you. Um this just clarifying again it's you know reading a lot. Um you're very close to it and we look at it quickly before we come into meetings. So um so the evidence of beginning the development of a strategic plan um I don't I mean would the principal action plans align with those goals like fall there? I don't I'm not sure anymore right if we change that to be begin development. So maybe that will shift a little bit. So last year the principles had action plans that were formulated from my goals to ensure that we're in alignment and that we can progress monitor as we move forward.
096So once again, I'll be meeting with the principles next week and the week thereafter and I will be sharing my goals and they will be developing their goals and action plans from the bigger picture. So that's what we mean by begin development which is a great transition. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So when I go to AI, I I I don't know. I became like cautious. I just, you know, I kind of read it as like are we we're trying to implement and like use it right away or are we trying to figure out how to use it? And so we want to make sure that the teachers know how to implement the use of AI, >> right? So we're looking to design and launch a district-wide initiative. Right now, teachers are implementing it in
097pockets without a regulation and just using their training, their skills. Some of them have gone out for professional development. But we want to design and launch a district-wide initiative to introduce AI in teaching and learning. And so, we're actually looking at a pilot literacy curriculum um that we have reviewed this summer. And the emphasis with that is ethical use and digital digital decision making and media literacy. >> Yes. Make consistent with all the steps. >> Yes. And to also ensure we get the regulation um you know to the policy committee discussed and approved as well. >> Okay. So to answer your question uh yes that the board adopts you know the goals uh the superintendent and it's a collaborative process the superintendent provides it and then the board adopts it. So yes they are approved
098by resolution. >> Okay. So we'll adopt it in inserted into the tool and then that's what we file or do we just file the empty tool? So the the tool provides the rubric and the different areas, but they're based on the goals, so they go hand in hand. >> So we type them in. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you for checking that, John. Um, under goal 2.2, I mean, but did we I just kind of wrote down why did we pick grades five and eight for the pilot? That's the question. So we strayed away from the earlier grades in terms of capstone projects and the experiences that we will look at in terms of um the implementation of the artifacts. So we will be exposing and introducing it to the earlier grades but
099we will be piloting it in grades five and 8 for an endofyear capstone project. >> Okay, >> more independent learners. But we did not want to infiltrate on the high school because the high school is in transition with regents with um other benchmarks that we want to continue to focus on as we transition from five and eight to the pilot. >> Okay. Thank you. Um under goal 2.3 um you know I just wrote down like measurable goals um by how much. you know, we're saying increased percentage of students meeting or exceeding um is not defined and should it be, you know, should we have multiple subgroups if it's by grade and then different subgroups within each grade and each subject so that there's measurable goals, right? So quantitatively um we ran into some of those
100issues where some of this could not be quantified you know in time to properly close out the evaluation. So increased percentages of students meeting or exceeding grade level benchmarks on the winter and the spring is still measurable but it doesn't necessarily have that quantifiable number. >> Okay. So, you're saying winter and spring? So, they do the tests. I'm sorry. You were going to jump in on when they do the ready >> because the evaluation needs to be done before the end of the school year and we don't have all those grades completed at that point. >> Okay. >> I know that was a big problem when we were doing the evaluation last year. >> Yeah, I had jotted that too. that down that we hadn't seen the results of last year. So, we can circle
101back to that to see how we did do in the 5% goal, >> right? But I that wouldn't be an evaluation of this. >> No, no, no. But I just jotted it down because I was talking about the goals and how do you measure how do you provide I'm sorry. I think this is ridiculous. You think it's ridiculous to try to put a measurable goal on student achievement or student improvement? >> Okay. So, I Leslie, I think this is like the most important part of being a school board trustee. We're finally talking about improving student achievement. So, to have a measurable goal seems very standard. uh you know and we don't have a percentage goal in here. >> Um >> Dr. Robert is explaining to you how it is difficult to have that. >> Well,
102that's why we're here having a discussion, right? So instead of So you're telling me I'm ridiculous. >> I think we there was just some follow-up questions to the explanations that she was giving. you have more to >> I that we need measurable goals on student achievement in a large group and subgroups. Um I don't understand how we're going to measure family engagement. So I would like to understand better how we're going to have measurable family engagement. I'm not ridiculous. >> Dr. Could you explain how some of those measurable goals are built into certain things? Maybe if Miss Mrs. Nman had better understanding of some of those things. Okay. Thank you. >> We don't have to be condescending here, do we? >> I just apologize. I'm sorry. >> I'm tired. I'm running. >> I'm tired as
103well, Leslie. >> All right. she she has questions. She's going to ask the questions. Sus, >> so when we when we look at goal 2.3, um it's all about elevating the literacy achievement and the readiness of our students. And so we would like to look at the I Ready reading diagnostics for winter and spring for increased percentage of students who are meeting and exceeding. Um if the board is okay with that language, we can move forward. Um we certainly internally set progress monitoring goals with quantifiable figures, but the end goal is that we want to elevate it and we want to raise student achievement. Um thank you. And I speak to other administrators in other districts and other states and and they do they put quantifiable goals in superintendent and goals so that it trickles
104down it and that's what I'm bringing up and that's what I would like to see. But I am one voice and apparently I'm an annoying voice. Um the ruler practices I thought we were going to move away from ruler. I know you explained we're not going to move away from ruler, but I think we literally sat here and talked about how you were evaluating options for other curriculum instead of ruler because we had survey feedback from students and staff that ruler doesn't work. and it's still in here as a curriculum, a major curriculum and a major goal as being the core of what we work around. So if I can explain 3.1 district culture and learning environment I am not proposing the program of ruler. I am proposing the practices that we just not abandon
105the practices and I'm not promoting the program so to speak. So I did say that we're looking to pilot second step and character counts based on feedback that we have gotten from staff and curriculum materials that have been reviewed. But we want to integrate the rule of practices into our SEAL instruction with the new correct >> maintain consistency not to just throw everything out. So there will be consistency with our students. Correct. That's why you are maintaining the practices. >> That's the goal. >> Yes. So on the elementary level, when you say to the kids the mood meter, how are you feeling? They're familiar with, oh, I'm I'm red, I'm orange, I'm yellow. And they can equate with how they're feeling. So it could be a starter point for an educator to gain insight into
106where they are. So not to just abandon it, but to integrate it. Um, and on the surveys, the elementary feedback was a little more favorable around ruler. So, we're not looking to say, okay, we're doing ruler, but we are looking to acquire and maintain some of the practices that accompanied it. Okay. But we have been looking at second step and character counts. Now, with the family and community engagement, um, just as last year, we looked at the parent square communication analytics and it let us know how many parents were reaching via email, via text. Um, it lets us know how many parents are responding. Um, and so it was a really good tool to see if the high school started out reaching 80% of their parents, they can continue to check and see how they're
107progressing or if they're losing parents or gaining parents. So that's one way that we uh measure our communications. Um, schools are keeping signin sheets for the most part. some events it's a little more difficult um to have signin sheets for parents and district forums and we use those to kind of measure are our parents being involved are they engaged are they coming out um are they being a part of what the district is um doing to reach them so that's what I mean by family engagement logs and the survey results last year thank you to the board who um approved the family liaison. They were very helpful in terms of calling parents, reminding parents. Some of them walked the community. They distributed flyers. They went to apartments. Um they did a lot to try to
108reach parents and let them know that we really wanted them to attend events and be a part of events here in the school district. And last but not least, the operations, finance, and facilities. The evidence there would be the enrollment study findings, the five-year capital improvement plan, our building conditional surveys. I mean, we're looking at our our track. We're looking at our bleachers. You know, we have some improvements that we do need to do. So, we want to be able to present to the board some of those items that need attention. Um, board of ed presentations on capital improvements. um our budget documentation, our audit reports, compliance reports, our corrective action plans, those would all be a part of the evidence. >> Thank you for entertaining my questions, Dr. Talbert. I hope that the board
109will have a discussion about the goals when we go to accept them at the next meeting. Okay. >> Any further discussion on this item? >> I have one item for new business. Um believe it would be better discussed when we have the other board members here. Um but if um attorney Sheen could just help summarize the options that we have to fill the current vacancy we have on the board. >> Certainly. Uh so there is uh an option to have an appointment. Uh the board may appoint someone to fill the vacancy. Uh the person who fills the vacancy uh would serve in that capacity until the next regular election. Uh the other option is to have a special election uh within 90 days to fill uh the vacancy. Uh the third option uh is not
110a board option. It is appointment by uh the district superintendent which is the superintendent of national boseies. Uh that rarely if ever happens. Uh I you know typically if the board is unable to um operate with an even number of board members. Uh I've I have experience that the superintendent of pop sees actually making an appointment. That's very rare. Um and typically um you know if it is a short time between the election and the vacancy the commissioner has reviewed that issue before and said there's no obligation uh for the board to appoint. Uh but right now you have quite a ways before the election. >> And if we ended up holding a special election, would that seat be up again for election the the next election cycle or would that >> that would fill
111for the Okay. Yeah. >> So it' be for the a little less than two years for whenever the correct that election would happen >> plus month, >> right? Yes. >> Do we have any ballpark figure on what a special election may cost? >> Okay. I've heard others say $20,000. >> Okay. >> It's expensive. >> I've heard that figure, but I've never gone through it and confirmed it. >> We have a community member that volunteered to pay that. >> Yeah. >> Did you say within 90 days, John? Yeah, that's the >> So, within 90 days of the resignation, we would have to hold the election. >> That's that's that's the timeline for the special election. Yeah. >> We'd have to act quickly because I would I know the board's not here, but I think that would
112make sense. >> And then how long like would that process be for us to even start scheduling that if we went that avenue? because I know there's deadlines of postings and all that for a regular election. >> So, the notice requirements are 45 days before the election to have the notification. So, you need, you know, the special election carries everything that a regular election has, its notice, it's um ballots, it's it's everything that a region has is is part of that special election. that the timeline for notification is the first uh legal notice goes out 45 days prior to that uh the date of the election. >> Okay. >> I just wanted to comment on a comment that just came from Mrs. Cronin. Um you said that you would pay for it. I just wanted
113to inform you that that would be considered a donation and that would have to be board approved. It was a good question. Thank you for I didn't get a chance to look at your memo so I didn't see all of that. So we would have to act quickly in order to do so essentially. >> Yeah. So if we can have this as a we be under new business or old business for the next agenda, but obviously it wouldn't be an action item because there's no action to be taken yet. old business since we spoke about it today. Okay. >> I have something else for new business. I'm just asking Dr. Talbert to assure that the Amityville booster club is meeting all policy requirements. >> Which is that? Because I saw that there was another club
114that was kind of circulating on social media. I don't remember what their >> the only booster club that specific name is for wrestling. >> Okay. I did I don't remember the name, but I did see another organization >> the >> No, there's there was another one >> outside of that. Yeah, I don't remember the name of it exactly, but that's that's kind of why I asked uh in my email, which I know it would take some time for them to to research it a little bit, but just to get a list of any organizations that are affiliated officially with the the school, like approved to be operating >> kind of alongside with the school. Yeah, I agree because I think like there is like and this came up because I started questioning the athletics awards
115dinner, the organization that you're thinking is a booster club, but it's not. And then, you know, because the flyer has an Amityville logo with the tide, you know, it's almost looks as though it's a district, you know, uh, affiliated or sponsored committee and it and it's not. um not because Dr. Talbot didn't even know about the event. So to really understand what are our committees and our organizations and then make sure that they're operating under our policies and if we have to revisit our policies like to do so. Yeah. And all that being said, I know we are all schools can benefit from booster clubs, especially one in our financial um situation, but it is also important to make sure that those organizations are operating within our policies. >> Agreed. >> Um do you have
116any idea when you might have that list, Dr. Talbert? >> We will. We started discussing it today, but we will research it and we'll provide you ongoing what we discover. >> Right. Okay. Because as far as I understood, all those organizations have to check in with the superintendent or the designate and would have to follow the was it the gifts from the public policy as well as the use of facilities policy and have the necessary insurance >> and and submit activities a list of activities to the superintendent. >> Right. >> Yes. So we will certainly um continue the exploration of those organizations. >> Thank you. >> Any further discussion on that item? Is there any other new business? Okay, moving on to community input regarding non board agenda items only. uh denomin uh the costs
117for the pouches are what the costs of the pouches the cost of the pouches are >> uh approximately $60,000 of which we received some state aid of approximately 15,000 and there's roughly $40,000 in the budget for it. So we're a little bit under budget on that one. >> Okay. and uh just an interesting conversation. So the event that's being um I guess what's the right word looking to celebrate the athletes of Amityville that is not is this one of the clubs that or these organizations that are not it's all over Facebook. We're coming in October to they're having a I guess a celebration at the high school. It's the sports hall of fame. Is that something that is not under they have to fill out a facilities paperwork and things of that nature? Is this
118the same as the booster club? >> Dr. Talbert. >> So, any organization that would be utilizing our facilities would need to complete a facilities use form, okay, >> and have the appropriate insurance. >> Okay. Now, okay. My understanding on that is there's money being collected for the sports hall of fame dinner. Correct. >> That's what's notated on the flyer. >> And the people that are collecting the money are not um Amityville employees. Correct. >> I'm not sure. I need to go back and look at the flyer as does it say who's collecting the monies? >> Uh I I >> So I think it's just they're not collecting in their capacity. as employee. I don't know if they're actually an employee or not, but they're not they're not collecting it on behalf of the Amityville Union
119Free School District and they're not acting in their capacity as employee when they're doing it. >> I think that's the distinction. Whether they're employees or not, we don't know, but they're >> they're definitely not employees. >> It's not it's not a school sponsored event, and whoever is collecting that money is not collecting it on behalf of the Amityville Union School District. So they're collected in on behalf of having this celebration of the athletes or whatever they're choosing to do. >> All we have is all I've seen is the flyer. So that's all I know about. >> Okay. And then Megan, I'd like to thank you for bringing up the JK Delhi uh thing. I had seen that myself. Do they have the proper paperwork on file? I It was indicated that they have a new
120location. Are we paying JK Delhi? I feel terrible. They're out of business, but >> do we have the proper paperwork? >> They're we're cutting them checks. They're in the vendor file. Then they're vetted as a vendor and have to provide all the paperwork. All I can do is pull it and report to the superintendent. >> That would be great. I would hate to see the district with the liability. Thank you. I mean, all right. Just really quick question as a as me as the vice president of my union CSCA 2. Okay. Um, I just wanted to know, do you know when our 1018 aids will be appointed or um notified what building they will be working at? Because I see we already got we approved our monitors um and but we haven't heard anything from
121our 101 aids. So, they were just exiting me. I told them I will find out if there's anything anything on the agenda tonight, which is not. So, I just wanted to um make sure it would be approved. I don't know what day it will be approved. I guess the next board meeting. >> Miss Stevens will respond. >> We do expect them to be on the E25 board meeting. Miss Lopez is working with me as far as the matches. Um and she's also working with the business office as far as the hours. So, we're finalizing those details and then they should be appointed on the 25th. >> So, the 24th. >> 25th. >> The 25th. But the members, the union members will be getting in their letter before they get approved or after the board meeting
122the 25th. >> They would get be getting their assignment letter. Is that what you're asking? They would get it after the board approval. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, see no further community input items. Uh, moving on to reports. Uh, legal, do you have anything to report? >> Nothing. Very. >> Any board of education members have anything to report? >> Not at this time. >> Comment. If we can have all board members just to remain for a moment to obtain your signature on the tax levy resolution prior to you leaving this evening, we'd appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> We'll do. Thank you. Can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:04 p.m.? A second. All those in favor? >> Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m. Thank you.