001I know. This is Got it. >> Yes. Seriously. Happy. uh if we can reconvene our meeting to open session. The board has been in executive session from 6:00 to 6:30 to discuss a legal matter and a personnel matter. Um and then from 6:30 to 7:00 we had our 2026 tenur faculty reception. Uh if we could all please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Uh, introductions. >> Good evening. John Mc Phillips, >> Dave Hurst, >> Catherine Natto, >> Yan Mcnick, >> Mari, Holly Denbach, Jodie Monroe, >> Bob Tun, >> John Walston, >> Lauren Braso, >> Cleayu, Rose Pastori. >> Um, and I'm really hoping
002it's not the case, but do we have any PIG or SUPA students with us tonight? [laughter] >> We did. >> You guys are really cutting it cutting it to the end. Um, well, welcome. Thanks for coming. Um, you guys need to stay until 9:00 or the meeting is over, whichever one comes first. and don't leave without signing out on one of the sheets that's up here um on a on the board table. That way you get credit for being here. Uh first is our approval of minutes. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the minutes from the May 20th, 2026 regular board meeting. >> So move second. >> Uh any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? That carries. Item three, action items. Um, this is a professional
003action items, tenure appointments. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the following professional personnel action items 1 through six. >> So move second. >> Any discussion? >> You guys are going to be really mad if we vote no, right? [laughter] Let's not do that. >> Uh, all in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? That carries. Um, and you want to do the certificates now? Y. >> All right, sounds great. Okay, good evening. My name is Dave Hurst, deputy superintendent, and I am honored to present tonight's tenur honores. First, we have Laura Bascu being tenured in middle school English. [applause] >> [applause] >> Yeah. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Next, receiving tenure in the area of mathematics, Rebecca Sharafodine. [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of director
004of counseling and social work. KRISTEN CONNOR [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of social studies. JOHN DEER [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of elementary education. Antella Fisano [applause] Heat. HEAT. >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of school social work. MICHELLE GORMAN [cheering] [applause] >> family photo [laughter] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in area of elementary education. RACHEL GIRON [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of school counseling. Britney O'Brien. [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of science. MARIAH QUACKENBUSH [applause] >> [applause] >> receiving tenure in the area of English. Zoe Slesinger. [applause] >> [applause] >> and receiving tenure in the area of elementary education. Jen Steel [applause] >> [laughter] >> Thank you. [applause] Um, congratulations again to all our our tenure
005honores. I think Joelen would love to take a picture of everybody together. Um, I think outside somewhere. Um, and you are you're welcome to stay, but you are also welcome to go home and enjoy your evening as well. as well. >> It's on my list. A very long list cuz I feel like they're >> all these young teachers with their little children. So cute. Makes me feel home. PTSD must have [laughter] >> the exhaustion recollections of the past. >> This one little woman said she >> huh? >> Yes. >> Oh yes. Oh my gosh. >> They all look like that. >> Like a baby. >> Crazy. Hi Uh, next on our agenda is our superintendent report. So, I'll turn it over to you, Jody. >> Sure. Thank you. Uh, just a few announcements. I wanted
006to recognize some of our career and technical ed students. Uh, if you recall last year, they have a CTE signing program now, and we had four students who were recognized at the career and technical ed center. Uh, Nicholas Frost was uh signed for building trades with Bethlehem uh local two brick layers. Connor Jacques uh signed with is in he was in the he's in the network technology program and was signed with New York creates a Micron apprenticeship program. Adella Eve Vegas is in cosmetology. Also signed with New York creates Hudson Valley Community College. And finally congratulations to Matthew Wilcox uh who attends the automotive trades technology and signed with um J&D Automotive. So congratulations to those students if um it's a really great event. They started just a year ago or two years ago. Um,
007also I just wanted to let the board know and our students that we are in the process of doing a traffic study at the high school. Uh, Mr. Ensonia is here and he was responsible for getting that going. So, we will have some information to report or maybe not report. Um, we'll have information on if there's suggestions for improvements or things that we can do to help with traffic flow at the high school. So, that's underway. Also, I did want to let the board know I received an email from Pat Fehee and she wanted us to know that you remember a few years ago she introduced legislation about no drones around schools and that bill finally went through. >> Oh. >> Um, so I was I thought it kind of had >> dropped. Yes. But
008apparently not. So, she let me know that that went through. I don't know the specifics of it, but she did want to let us know that that >> Okay. was final. So, I want to thank her for her efforts. Obviously, she didn't give up on it. Um, I'd also like to thank our school community. Um, we held a ribbon cutting on Friday for Madame Atala. I know that our students were highly involved. Uh, Mr. Andonia was highly involved, Mr. Domel. Uh, it was a really great event. Many of her family members were in attendance. Uh, and we actually had the drone who was doing the traffic study fly over and take some photos overhead of the ceremony, but if you haven't seen the courtyard, it looks fabulous. So, um, you know, especially once things start
009to fill [clears throat] in, it'll look even better. And the family uh basically commented that that's exactly what Madame Matala would have wanted, something like that. So, it was a really nice way to end the week. Um, and that is my report for this evening. It's great. Um the as far as the board report um there's been a lot of end of the year events going on. Uh we've been we've had some good concerts at the middle school. Uh the spectrum concert is coming up here at the high school. Um hope to see people at that. Um I attended the National Honor Society induction ceremony. Um and Meredith was there as well and congratulations to all the new members. Um, I also was able to attend um a wonderful retirement celebration and I would just
010say again congratulations to all of our retirees and thank you for their many many years of service to our Bethlehem community. Um, we also this uh past Friday uh we had another great AAPI food festival um at the high school as well as the um production of Midsummer Nights Dream by the BJCAT and congratulations to all the students that were um that were involved with that production. Um, and I am also told that we had about 30 staff involved with the workforce challenge run, including, correct me if I'm wrong, I think our very own Weston participated in that. >> So, thank you for participating and uh and congratulations. >> Um, I know we um are a lot of our spring athletics um some of them are still going on. Yep. Um, so we will hold
011on some of those. They're coming to this uh coming to the next the next meeting. So I will I will hold on that. >> Um, I wanted to flag for everybody that Bethlehem's um, Pride Festival is coming up on June 20th um, from 2:00 to 5:00. And I know we have a number of uh, high school students um, in particular that are involved with that. Um, so if you're looking for something to do that weekend, put that one on your calendar. Um and then lastly, um I wanted to bring up for um a discussion with the board. Uh we've had we had a public comment at our last meeting um and we've had uh some inquiry about um a school zone in front of Glenmont Elementary School. Um and uh my understanding is it's something
012that um the department of transportation would be looking for uh feedback from the school board on as to whether or not we would support uh moving forward with that. So I wanted to open that up for people to um share thoughts, comments on that. So this is in the wake of, you know, an accident that basically was potentially contributed to by a lack of schools speeds and so I don't see a downside. >> Yeah, 100%. I think that whether it's a resolution or a um or letter in support, whatever makes I mean whatever makes the most sense um structurally is we should absolutely, you know, we've got got folks calling for that. So yeah, >> I would [snorts] support that as well. whatever what whether it be in a letter form or resolution I think
013is fine >> we have we do have um young kids walking by there and I think it's important >> agree or >> agree yes >> um I think probably the best thing to do would be maybe to put a resolution on our next agenda um in support and then um and then also write a letter essentially uh referencing the resolution and sending that to the relevant parties. Um I think both the Department of Transportation and then also the town. Um so um if that's good with everybody, we'll work on that for [clears throat] our next um next agenda. And I'm meeting with the parent who came to the last meeting on Friday about that >> uh because she has some additional information she's received from state DOT and John had reached out [clears throat] >>
014uh in one of the emails there was a comment that there used to be flashing lights there and that the town had taken them down and in John's conversation with the town they have no recolle they don't recall any flasher flashing lights ever being there or any reason why they would have been taken down. So, the fact that it's a state road, I'm not really sure why the town would have had those anyhow. So, >> yeah, >> I maybe she might have more information. I know that she's heard from a couple different people. So, >> okay. And if you can when you meet with her, if you can ask um if she had any more specifics from DOT about exactly what they need from the board um to move forward and then we can craft
015a resolution to address it. That'd be great. >> Uh anyone else have anything they want to add or comment? Um I just wanted to congratulate um the high school odyssey of the mind team. Um I understand that uh world championships were uh recently and um our team came in sixth out of 30 in the world. Um I think they were thrilled with it and I wanted to especially thank um their adviser Becky Fighter understood she drove to Iowa with with a trailer u behind her. So that takes a lot of dedication. Uh, so I just wanted to thank her for that >> and they're coming to the next meeting also. >> Oh, wonderful. >> So, super. >> Anything else? >> I I know we're going to honor them next week, but I was able to
016attend the uh the girls lacrosse game on Sunday, a heartbreak loss to uh to Queensberry, but congratulations to the team on a great run and and to the seniors for for all their uh dedication and hard work. >> It's elementary spring concert season. and I had the opportunity to asend attend Slingland's uh spring concert last week and just a huge uh shout out to the music our music education staff. The fact that they can take these kids that have never experienced anything with an instrument and by the end of the school year they are making something that resembles actual music is remarkable to me um and super impressive. So, and they do a they you can see their their interest and their passion when they're um in the concert setting. So, it's great. Thank you.
017Good job. Um, and if that's it, everybody. Uh, then next up are our student reports. So, I will turn it over to Rosa and Claire. So, I just wanted to reiterate how beautiful Madame Matala's courtyard surgery was last Friday. And Max and I thought we would be gone before we would see it, but it went went faster than we expected. And we just wanted to thank her family, the on Domel, Mrs. Monroe for helping us make the like fulfill her wish to plant more trees in the high school. And we also want to thank everyone who came by and support. We would also like to welcome our two new members of the board, Alicia Brennan and Trista McCarthy. [applause] Congratulations you two. because you're fantastic members of the school community and we can't wait to
018see what you have to do next year. [laughter] >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Um and I just wanted to take um this moment just in case you guys change your minds and aren't here at our next meeting uh to thank you both Claire and Rose for all of your service to the board this year. It really has been a great um experience having you guys as student board members. Um and we really appreciate the insights that you have offered. Um we're gonna miss you guys. Um but wish you um all the best of luck uh moving forward. [cough and clears throat] >> Thank you so much. [applause] You're welcome. >> And that's for you. >> And I'm not letting you leave without [laughter] >> I still don't have a pen. >> You had to have
019a pen. So, congratulations. >> I wear this every day. >> Do you have a picture of the flowers? >> Sure. Beautiful. Put you guys in the middle. >> I'm coming around. [cough] Thank you. [applause] >> Uh, next on the agenda is our presentation this evening. Um, and we have a presentation on an update on the capital bond project. So, I will turn it over to Nick. >> Thank you. I have a hard time seeing. So, good evening everybody. I just wanted to give a quick update on where we're at with our 2025 capital bond project. Um, we're closing out the school year. However, our work continues on getting ready for um the bid in construction coming up here in the fall. The bid is in the fall. Construction's in the spring. So uh just to
020follow up from the November 13th meeting, I'd like to just talk uh about our design and construction phasing schedules, our project status as we sit and uh our timeline and our approach uh as far as logistics are concerned uh swing space and what we're going to do with students and how we're going to approach the project. So we have two design phases associated with this project. Design phase one has begun and um we are in the design development phase currently which means we're gathering all the pertinent information as opposed to our schematic design which was just a 30,000 ft view. [clears throat] So um that carries through to the fall of 2026 when we should be nearing our construction drawings. Um and then in the fall of winter 2627, we'll be submitting to the state
021education department for their review and approval. Um following that, we will go out to bid and uh award contracts and um our construction administration begins. Um winter of 2027, our construction phase one begins. And I'll get to what takes place in each one of those construction phases [cough] shortly. Our design phase two uh begins in the fall of 2026 right after um we we complete phase one. We begin with phase two. Um again it's our design development. We'll be meeting with all the stakeholders gathering the pertinent information so that we can incorporate those into our drawings. Uh followed by uh uh SED submission for review and approval. That will be in the summer through the fall of 2029. And then in the winter of 2028, we can begin phase two of construction. I don't believe
022anybody wants me to read all of these. However, um I just want to touch base. There's a few highlights here. So, uh we intend on beginning construction phase one in the spring/summer of 2027. The reason that it has a slash in there is there are items that we can begin that do not affect program. So, um, I wanted to, uh, say that we we could begin some aspects in spring. So, at Eagle, uh, we'll be doing the air conditioning, gym, cafeteria, roof replacement, parking [snorts] lots, um, and pretty much all of the scope at Eagle Elementary School. All the scope elements. And that is the same for Ellir. Ellir, we want to do all of the classrooms, the air conditioning, uh, the fire alarm system, our ADA improvements, um, uh, stairs and some of the
023infrastructure, boilers, things like that, and our doors. And I'll talk a little more about Ellir specifically, uh, coming up. Again, this is spring summer of 27, so next year. Um, also at the elementary school's first phase, uh, at Glenmont, again, our main focus is on getting our, uh, air conditioning into our common spaces. We've talked about that a lot in the past. Um, some exterior repairs to our skylights and our insulation systems. And then we need to perform the abatement of the hazardous materials in the fifth grade wing prior to our construction. And um and we're doing some doors and our music classrooms at Hammerrell again, air conditioning, cafeteria. [snorts] Uh we'll be refinishing the cafeterium uh stage floor and also correction the cafeteria cafetum floor and the stage floor. Um we'll be doing the
024walls, ceilings. Um I'm not sure who picked the colors at Hammerrail back in the day, but um it's due for a refresh. Um the room 71 we are creating a psychologist office. So we'll be doing that for space and at Slingerlands uh again the main uh construction at Slingerlands uh two main elements other than the air conditioning is the cafeteria and the kitchen renovation. And again we've um proposed that we're going to do the cafeteria uh first phase and then we'll do the kitchen second phase. That that gives us the ability to move them in and out. This is where it gets a a bit busy, but at the uh middle school, we'll be doing um a lot of infrastructure things. The first three things there, um uh boiler replacement, some uh variable speed drives
025for some of our HVAC equipment, our technology, u dust collection systems for our wood shop, uh exhaust vans, uh floors. Uh we already, matter of fact, tomorrow will be receiving the lower gym scoreboards and shot clocks. So, we're actually ahead of the game. we'll be able to get those installed and uh hopefully the students and uh the community will be able to take advantage of them sooner than later. And then we have a lot of furniture coming in. Um and again, those will not happen. Um it says first phase, but we're not going to put it into a space and then just move it back out if it's going to be renovated. Um at the high school uh exterior, it'll be the bus and faculty lot repaving and restriping along with the remainder of our
026sidewalks that we didn't complete last bond. uh the perimeter fence around the football stadium. And I just want to clarify folks, that's the exterior perimeter, the one along Van Dyke that uh goes to the east along transportation. It's not the 4ft fence on the inside. Uh the uh again sidewalks, uh we've got some storm structures that need to be repaired that failed out in the middle of field five. Um and we'll be we're going to do our roofs here at the high school because there's several. We're going to do those in two phases. So, we'll do one the first summer, one area or section of roofs on the first summer and the other roofs will follow in the second and third summers. Um, last but not least, we've got u some furniture which is completed.
027The music chairs came in and that is completed already. And uh we'll be doing scoreboards and gym as well. All right. So now we're we'll talk about um construction phase two which is uh the second summer which would be sum spring and summer of 2028 at Glenmont. This is where the the real work begins with the classrooms. Um again at Glenmont we'll be doing um uh five classrooms. Um and if you note there's a there's an asterk it's July through November. So, as we discussed previously, we may have to extend a little further into summer return from reset. So, instead of us being completed by September, we're going to have to carry through to November. And we're doing a fire alarm upgrade, but we do that second shift and that can be done during occupied
028times. Uh Hammer again, uh air conditioning of the live all the other spaces at the at Hammeril. Um, we'll also be performing the main office renovation and expansion to include a uh conference room. And then again, classrooms. We'll be doing 8 9 10 11 31 and 33 renovations. Again, we're doing them. We can't do them all at once because we would have too many students that we would need to swing around within the building or move to uh other locations. And um the other last elementary school in the second summer is Slingerlands. We have six five classrooms there uh that we'll be doing uh second summer. Again, cafeteria will be done. So, we'll move into the kitchen and then we've got some bathroom work and the main corridor uh of the I'll use the term
029old building or the original building. We're just going to refresh that uh the ceiling and the walls uh and the lighting in there. And we'll also be doing the air conditioning and the boiler plant replacement. middle school. We have uh five areas of roof that we'll be uh tackling on the second summer and air conditioning of the fax uh uh kitchen and classroom. We have the HVAC equipment there. It's just putting coils in. And uh please note uh January through December, second shift is the fire alarm. Again, that's a full replacement buildingwide similar to what we did at the high school. Uh it'll be an overlay and bathrooms and uh elevator floor. We have some uh material on the floor that's failed and we have to get that replaced. Um high school uh again second
030phase of roofs and then we've got a large project here with our bathrooms in the D-wing. [clears throat] So they're stacked bathrooms. They're currently uh multi-fixtured bathrooms and we discussed before we're going to be converting those uh to multiple single um stall bathrooms all ADA compliant. Uh we'll also be doing the second floor classroom air conditioning, uh art room renovations, fax rooms renovations, um and some infrastructure work with our PA and uh some of our data racks. Over transportation, again, it's all exterior uh parking lot refurbishment. Uh we have a bus lift that needs to be replaced, some drainage work, and replacement of some doors. And at the operations and maintenance department, we'll be working on our parking lot and uh in putting in some coffers for our site material. Um currently we place our
031dirt and clay and stone that we use to maintain our grounds in the what we call the overflow parking lot and that's a not okay. It takes up parking spaces and uh we also lose some material with runoff. Then our third summer, uh, Glenmont, we finished the remainder or the balance of the classrooms at Glenmont. Same at Hammer. Um, again, notice our our, uh, construction period moves a little further along than just the two months of summer. And then, uh, the front canopy and we've got some skylight work outside and that's for preservation. We want to keep it up. It's starting to look a little shabby. Um, Slingerlands, we've got some outside. We've got to replace the storage shed. We call it the garage down there. It's a little larger than a shed. Um, and
032sight grading for some student safety. When they try to take a layup on the basketball hoop, they kind of tumble down the hill. So, we're going to remove that hill or ease that hill a little bit. And there's one section of roof at uh Slingerlands that needs to be replaced. Um, and a minor upgrades to the fire alarm system. at the middle school. It's when we'll be doing the uh PE and athletics renovations down in the pit area. Um main entrance doors, uh art room renovations, uh replacing the door, the demising door in the uh cafeteria that's uh motor operated and uh air conditioning the upper upper gym, lower gym in the cafeteria. Um, at the high school, we'll be conducting the main office suites and air conditioning, the balance of the spaces that are
033not classrooms, the gymnasiums, the cafeteria, etc. And, uh, some work at the photo lab and creating some space for music and theater storage. Does anybody have any questions on any of anything that I brought up so far? >> Um, I I just have a quick question on the air conditioning in the high school. >> Yes. Um, I understand that the gyms and the cafeteria aren't going to be worked on um until the spring summer of 2029. Correct. Is there a reason we can't do that earlier? >> It's it it there is. So, and we have spent multiple multiple hours on our block schedule trying to figure out how we can properly uh break up all the mechanical work that we have to do within the buildings by and not affecting the other construction that's going
034on. And that's that's how it laid out. Um we are in the process um of doing an energy audit as well that that the board approved. And that is the other reason that will give us the appropriate amount of time to ensure that we incorporate any recommendations prior to construction. So we're in the right now we're in portion of the design of it and we need to get a little further along with the energy study to make sure that we don't um uh design it improperly and the recommendation afterward. [clears throat] >> Did that answer your question? >> Yes, absolutely. Great. Appreciate it, Katherine. Oh, sorry. Go ahead. Um, just as a followup, are we still going to have the temporary air conditioning if we need it for regent exams? >> We were just talking
035about that. So, uh, yes, for the lower gym, last year we did it for the lower gym. >> Uh, we were debating if we need it or not because Nick was looking at the long range forecast. It didn't actually look overly hot. Um, >> but with all the exams being in there and if it does get hot, uh, I think that's the plan, right, to put it I actually have the proposal coming in from the vendor. Um, and currently I just want to say that we're focusing on gymnasium gym B >> and that's based on the weather pattern and the volume of students and the moving up ceremony, things like that. So, um, we again projecting that we should be fine in all other spaces. Jim B gets it's hot down there right now and
036it's not really hot out. So, um, yes, we are getting temporary AC. >> Thank you, >> Katherine. >> Um, I just wanted to say thanks so much for bringing up the energy audit and and ask for, um, just a headline on that. I forgot where that falls in our >> We're all we are currently in the process. We've done our walkthroughs or well, we did our kickoff meeting, our walkthroughs. They are currently doing information information gathering and mid mid June which is very soon two weeks from now um they're coming back and they have to do some uh data retrieval. Um so they'll be using their own devices to gather data that we don't have the the means in place or currently have. >> So they'll be back mid June for that >> and then
037once they get their data they'll crunch their numbers and provide the recommendations. So like fall probably. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Um just along that line the um we we also met with ND5 their engineer with our engineers to make sure that we were meshing together on what we're thinking with our air conditioning. >> Awesome. >> Um that's the big focus, right? Um you know uh not much we're going to do about envelope other than roofs. It's not like we're going to reshave the entire high school to make it more insulated. So, our big focus is on making sure that the dollars that we're going to spend on this air conditioning are right for um you know, return on investment, life cycle, uh efficiency, and then they're also hopefully going
038to provide us a pretty accurate estimate of what it's going to cost us in the future by adding this electrical load. >> That makes sense. May I follow? And I think the other thing is it I I would hope that there and I can't recall or maybe I didn't know what what the full scope of the audit is. I would hope however if the recommendation is to reshoot the whole high school which I'm sure it wouldn't be but um to at least report on that. Oh, absolutely. >> To advise in in future bond projects and future construction projects too. >> Correct. And and and [snorts] thank you. So what I was saying is that's our main focus to support the bond that we're doing now. But they're going to provide recommendations on everything. >> Wonderful.
039>> All the way from uh I call it plug load modeling. When they walk through and see that we have a toaster and a microwave and all this stuff. Hey, we recommend you know pair that down or have specific locations that you you do that. They're going to hit everything. >> Yeah. And then one other question. Can you just remind me which field is field five? >> Um it's the multi-purpose field that's not really marked by anything. It's out way out the middle. >> Got it. That's why you don't know which one is. There's a there's a storm drain that um it it failed and it keeps creating a sinkhole and it's a little bit beyond our means. >> Great. Thank you. >> Any other questions so far? >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, um superintendent's
040going to take over the second presentation and uh Thank you. >> Thanks. [clears throat] >> I'm here. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. So uh Ellir that is the first con significant construction project for buildings and uh we decided as part of resoning that this made the most sense. So initially uh when we talked about Ellir the construction was going to take uh from the end of the school year 2027 until about November. Um and in Nick's work with the architects and Turner and everybody, they believe that um they can get it all done in one design phase, in one construction period. I mean the classroom renovations if we are able to relocate staff and students through December of 2027. So essentially June 30th or July 1st through December of 2027, Ellir would shut down. So,
041I've been working with we was were talking about this even before uh this was a possibility and so I've been talking with the middle school because of the enrollment decline at the middle school. Uh we have the ability to shift students and originally we were looking at potentially grades three, four and five for that temporary basis and then there was also going to be construction the following year in Ellir which would also require classrooms to move. So with this proposal um we met with the um architects in Turner and Nick and the team to talk about what would this look like if we're able to shut down Ellir for that period of time and be able to still provide what we need to for all students. So this would essentially relocate staff and students and
042the kindergarten and connections program based on the physical layout of the middle school seems that they would be better served by staying in an elementary school. So either Slingerlands or Eagle would have capacity. Uh we would have to work out what spaces they have that would be most appropriate uh for those two levels. We did look at and we still could would look at with the upper grades in the connections program. The middle school does have a a program up there that's aligned with the connections program. And depending on the number of students that could be possible, although that particular room is not part of the the layout of the wing I'm going to show you that we would be using for Elmere. So I'm not sure that would that would work all that well.
043But it's something we could explore. But this would essentially allow the incoming K students to get used to an elementary setting. They come in, they get used to the classrooms, going to lunch, going to specials. Um, it would allow the connections program to still remain uh together as a program. It also allows more immediate access to bathrooms and also mobility needs, which would be important uh specifically for the connections program and allow students to transition back to Elmere in January. and the staff would move with the groups of students to the locations to support the transitions. Grades one through five would move to the middle school and uh Nick went over one of the things I was concerned about is the bathrooms. Were they the same height sinks and everything as the elementary schools and
044Nick went over and confirmed in fact that they are. So, uh we could move grades one through five to the middle school. that would help with transportation and also alleviate issues where siblings are in different schools. Um, specials would be provided as they currently are. So, it would be the kids would be self-contained with their teachers. PE would still happen twice a week. Art, music, and library would happen once a week. We'd have to figure out where in fact are they happening in the classroom. There are some rooms available. What would that look like? uh lunch would probably need to be provided in the classrooms, although that's something we haven't really talked to Claire about uh or looked at the middle school schedule. If you recall, we talked about the middle school moving to four
045lunch periods next year. Um so I don't know that could allow for more flexibility because there'll be less current middle school students in the lunchroom uh during those times. So there might be space for students to go into the cafeteria. Uh but we'll have to work that those logistics out. We would still provide recess. Uh we would look that that would still be scheduled as it currently is. Obviously there's no playground. We can't move a playground. Uh but we could look at is there rental equipment we could get. I also thought we could potentially um ask uh pay our PE staff or some additional staff to help do some organized games and activities at recess. Uh September, October, November generally are pretty nice and it doesn't get too cold. So I think outside there is
046plenty of space at the middle school for recess. Uh so we just have to be creative with what would the activities be that would be available for students. Uh so this is the uh design of the middle school and you can see the wing that's colorcoded and highlighted um is the area that it would literally be shut down. Uh so on the one end where you see the main offices, that is where students would arrive. So that's the far end of that lower new wing and that allows for easy drop off also for parents and allows for easy drop off for the buses. they would go right in that entrance so it would be secure. And there's two uh decentsiz offices there. There's actually 13 classrooms and with two sections of each grade level. Uh
047even if we have that or not there, um we may only have one section in that one grade. Uh so there is still a couple of classrooms that would be available uh to use that could be used for potentially library. when the middle school was having library renovations, they moved their library to a classroom just for access. Um that could also serve as an art or music space or even be used for um other activities. So there's the area for counselors, uh remedial teachers, and the girls and boys bathrooms would be, you know, that section would be cut off. So that would be only used for um the Ellir students. So they would have their own bathroom. we would probably look to put the first graders like closest to the bathrooms just because there are
048no bathrooms in the classrooms there. Uh but that would be kind of what we would look for in regards to where students would go. Um they would have obviously that uh lower end also provides easy access to the fields out back. It's right by the garden area. Um, so there's easy access and it's easy access for parents to um, get into the building as well. So some of the logistics is we would still need to obviously work with the construction management team to solidify these plans making sure that we actually can get this done in the time frame that currently we believe that can be accomplished. Uh there would be obviously stakeholder groups. The middle school their staff would be obviously not able to use that area. So they would be sharing classrooms to accommodate
049uh this transition. Uh we would work with obviously transportation, food services and m to plan for the changes, what kind of minor accommodations [snorts] do we need to make and provide regular updates to the board about the plans. We still have a significant amount of time to plan for this. Uh, so I believe it's possible. It's definitely we have the space to do it. And in the future classroom renovations, particularly with Glenmont and Hamigrell, if we needed to use the middle school, that had been the plan for we talked about upper grades maybe four and [snorts] five, uh, we would have it pretty well ironed out for those sections if we need to do that. So, that is um very brief overview of the initial planning, but I'll be [snorts] happy to take questions or
050if you have questions for Nick about timing or construction, um he'll he can answer those. Um, a couple questions and you and I completely understand you may not have answers to probably other questions people have also because we're in the early stages of planning, but is the current idea to still transport the um the Elmere students separately um to >> Yeah, they would follow the elementary schedule. >> Okay. And that was going to be my followup question. The hours of the day would be the same. >> The hours would be the same. They would be transported just like they were going to Ellir now. they would go to the middle school. I also um already have been in contact with Jay Maloney from schools out >> to talk about a schools out program that would
051typically be at Elmir that could be hosted at the middle school before or after school. So, we're planning to meet this summer um later in the summer where we have more um information about this is this definite so she can plan also. >> Okay. And then I would just say I know you mentioned talking to stakeholder groups but you know I'm sure our Ellmir parents are will have a lot of ideas about how to make the transition easier and things that we need to think about. So >> um the to the extent you can reach out to them directly to get those >> we'd be working with them and the staff uh on staff would have some good ideas as well. Yeah. And it could be um when we talked earlier about not just Ellswear
052but Hammond and Glenmont potentially using the middle school, we talked about grades three, four, five or four and five um in president's council and I know that the parents thought, "Oh, the kids will think that's really cool to be in the middle school." Uh so there's some opportunities where we could use some of the middle school [clears throat] students to work with the elementary students on some different activities, some pal, you know, classroom buddies or pals, which would be kind of fun for them. So, um, there's a lot of different things that we could do with it. So, I'm sure people have a lot of great ideas. >> Catherine, you have a question. >> Um, a couple things. First, to just really underline it to make certain it's clear, we're we are not talking about
053this fall. We're talking about next fall. >> Yes. I know I've heard that multiple times. >> I just want to I'll probably ask that every week we discuss this. Um, but just to make sure we get because I think the timeline matters here. Um my second uh second question was you mentioned uh potentially excuse me moving our kindergarten and connections classrooms to Slingerlands or Eagle. >> Correct. >> And during the recent resoning conversation we were talking about moving students out of those schools. So I know that there are going to be questions around capacity. Part of the reason we reszoned was for capacity issues. >> Correct. >> How will that be impacted by moving students now with it? >> Right. >> Back in. Well, we didn't move kids out of Slanderlands. We needed to add
054kids to Sland. >> Thank you. Yes. I'm sorry. Thank you. I'm sorry. There's still capacity at Slands. And you know, we're talking for the connections program um a very small number of kids and kindergarten is likely two classrooms. So, we're not talking about a ton of extra students um in either of those buildings. Um so, it would just depend on what the sections are in each of them. But currently, I would anticipate that either of those buildings would have capacity to house maybe both of the programs or maybe one building would have kindergarten and one would have the connections program. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You >> the space in the middle school that you're planning to move, you know, four grades into, what's it being used for currently? >> Classrooms. Um, but there's, keep
055in mind, there used to be four teams in the middle school. There used to be 13 almost 1300 students and there's 900 students now. So those spaces are being used there. We've added a lot of counseling. There's some additional um programs that stu in the past where maybe teachers were sharing classrooms. They have their own classrooms now. So, and that would be the case in this scenario where if we're moving the elementary school to that wing, there will be English teachers sharing classrooms um or social studies teacher sharing classroom for that period of time. So, >> so the consequences for the middle school will be potentially somewhat increased crowding for some of their classes. >> They would be in this they would be in less area. >> No program losses. >> No. The one thing
056I would say is that um when I met with the middle school, there are periods of the day where the gyms are also um open. If you don't have classrooms, they have multiple gyms. So that could also be I didn't mention that another area for potentially recess for students. >> Yeah, I know you talked about the the hours for the elementary school, the kids would be the same. And I I guess I'm I'm trying to it's hard for me to think back. The elementary starts later than the the middle school. So that wouldn't that doesn't sound like it's going to be a problem with regard to buses and whatnot. >> No. In fact, that's why that wing kind of works perfectly because they the students would be going in there or parents would be dropping
057them off there. But by being able to section off that wing, it doesn't cause a disruption like them coming in the front of the building at the middle school going through. It's very easy to manage and allow them to have a separate start time and end time. So actually works out really well just by the way that's set up. >> Um and just to restate so the so as I understand you the reason to extend the time until um through December instead of ending earlier is so that in the long run it's we have one disruption as opposed to having multiple disruptions. >> Yeah. So we we um there's so much work in Ellir and it is our smallest building. Um our our challenge is um again everything above 8 ft in the classrooms which
058we intend on air conditioning on the second floor. Everything we have to do there is asbestous containing right there's no issue with the asbestous right now but we can't do anything until it's abated. The magnitude of the abatement would literally take the first summer. The problem with that is then we have no walls or ceilings or lights or we'd have to do it temporary. So we were, you know, typically if we were going to do this floor, we would do it on April break and as soon as June hit, we put the new floor in. We cannot do that at Ellare. So as we moved our slide puzzle around, we realized that gez um the the construction manager said if we got this building for 6 months, you know, we can get it all done
059within that period. We can do all the construction that we need. We go in, we evade. As soon as abatement's done, there's crews working in on every construction [clears throat] element that we have. Um I I also wanted to add once you finish the question. >> Did I answer your question? >> Yeah. Yeah, definitely. >> Um I wanted to add one more thing. So um as the superintendent mentioned, moving these students, that means all their furniture and their library comes with them. I just wanted to make that >> maybe not all the library. >> I got to empty it. Oh, >> we're constructing [snorts] it. [laughter] >> Well, some of it might be a condition. >> Yeah. No, we're weaned it out right now. [laughter] So, um I wanted to share that. And then, um
060I just wanted to update you that I [clears throat] did meet with our construction team, construction manager. They are working diligently on um giving us a finite schedule to make sure it does fit. As Jody mentioned, >> that was going to be my next question. >> Right now, we're saying six months on a block schedule. We are now taking every aspect of that instead of it being a block, it's an actual dance that we say, "Okay, we can or we can't do that." And we will bring that to you immediately. >> Because one of the things we did talk about with the architects and construction managers was that they're saying December 31st, we hope that they given the fact that they have access to the whole building, they would be able to get that done.
061But if not, I mean, then the next available time to really transition students back would be after the February break. So, but they I think feel pretty confident they can get it done in the time frame so that students can return after the break for January 1st and building would be >> you know so again one impact on students and then it's theirs >> and it's all new. uh bits and pieces and uh I I personally believe it's going to be much more economical for the district as well. They can get in have at the [snorts] building and get it over with. >> I did want to share that the middle school Eagle Scout um Logan just built a gaga wall pit to do. Um they just finished it. So um and I can look
062into um playground equipment. um uh they don't really make portable but for we can look into that and make sure that they have good accommodations. >> Actually at president's council the other day there were some elementary PTOs who were suggesting the middle school PTO purchase some playground equipment for them. [laughter] >> It didn't go over very well >> but I I'll come up with something we'll have fun. >> Okay. >> Nick's most excellent playground. I look forward to this. Uh but I mean more more seriously though on that note I would I mean two things two things that kind of come to mind that I'd love to see continued consideration on as we move forward here. One is I would love to see more recess structure at the middle school for this and beyond. Um,
063this is this is something that our students and our families have been asking for for uh for a very long time and I I would love to see if this can help uh help us put us on a glide path to to addressing some of that. That's one piece. Um the second is just you know as we as we think about this as as again as [snorts] um as we start moving things around in the district in the in the coming year and then for Elmir in the following um there have been a lot of conversations and considerations about the the traditions and the values that each of our schools hold and and love and all that. So as we think about [snorts] you know physically relocating students even for a short time and it'd
064be good to give some real thought and work with the PTO's and the and the teachers and the and everybody think about cool how do we take these traditions with us um as well [snorts] >> anniversary is >> so that's kind of cool we also consider that hey when you come back you have your celebration in your your new spaces. [snorts] >> Um I was just wondering if you could paint us a picture if we decided not to do this. If we said no, we want you to do this in three phases because we don't want to move an entire school. What would that like physically look like? What would the kids who um you know, if we only moved say grades three through five out of what would the kids who were still in
065Elmere, what would what would they be surrounded by? that. >> Yeah. So, that again, it's really challenging. However, it can be done. Um, you know, we talk about um I'm not an educator. Let's say the connections program. I know that's in the front right uh wing of the building. For example, when we do that area, we would pick them up and move them to classrooms one, two, and three that are on the other end of the building, put up our engineering controls, etc. So, that was our original intent. And then again that would be one summer >> because we don't have room to move all the second four kids down to the first floor and so on. So we really really struggled with that. We talked about um for example, if we only move three
066through five and we did this over was it two two phases, right? Then we could move the connections program and keep them there. K1, if we were to keep them there, we would probably have to use the library and the gymnasium for classrooms. And then the following year, we would be renovating the library in those two kindergarten classrooms, 16. Um, so those would be under construction the following year. I think that was how it was broken up. But students would have to have classrooms um if we kept them there. Three, four, five would go to the middle school probably. Uh because we I don't even think it would work to try and keep three there. I question whether we could really keep [cough and clears throat] two there and have any quality program, but we
067could try. But they would be in the gym in library for classrooms >> and and really I just want to follow and that's what we ended up. we got all the way down to, you know, wow, we figured it all out until we still had some uh sections left over. And that's when we said, you know, I think um Mike said it, geez, another two months and we could have the whole thing done. And that's when the light bulbs went off and said, well, maybe that's what we should do. You know, when we say um close the building, it's not closed closed. You know, we're not sed we're under construction. It won't be occupied by faculty and students um you know custodial staff we'll be doing our thing but um that will give us that
068time period we need to actually get all that means every element every single one of them that's the LMC all the classrooms the air conditioning the boilers everything >> that's what our hopes are >> John >> we've done a great job was security and hardening entrances. [clears throat] How do how do you proceed managing that additional entrance at the middle school if we use one for elementary and one for middle school? >> That's an excellent question. So, right now that entrance is not pardoned. Um, it does have a card reader on it and I could certainly have it hardened by the fall and it's a very small entrance as well. Um, so we can harden that as we did all the second. We have a few secondaries left at the high school, but we can
069certainly do that. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Touched on this a little bit, but I was wondering if you have any ideas for keeping elementary and middle school students separate during recess and lunch because I know sometimes middle school students might not have the most appropriate topics of conversation for elementary [laughter] school. Is is that what you [clears throat] >> uh Yeah. So, they would we would have designated areas. I'm not even sure they're um some of the lunch and recess time would overlap obviously, but the middle school lunches start earlier. That students at the elementary, don't forget, don't start till 9:20. Really, so their lunches go a little bit later. But we would have a designated area that would be for the Ellir students for their recess area. and we'd have to figure
070out how we kind of section that off. Um or the gymnasiums and then the middle school students would have their designated areas. Middle school students too, if you guys remember, but way back then, um you don't have a full a big block of time like the elementary students where it's kind of like you eat your lunch, you have it, and then you go outside as you want to for it might be 10 minutes, some days it might be 15 minutes. So, uh, where the elementary students are out there for a more long longer time, uh, we would probably have to just figure out how do we best supervise that. >> Okay. >> So, yeah. >> And I again, my grand was spitting, you know, we have a large set of tennis courts over there that
071we could use for the recess area. And we also have the ability for and I don't want to make it sound like we're fencing the kids in or separating but we do have temporary fence that we can put a a demising line and you know at the back of the middle schooling over on the left hand side you know kind of that off and that's the little dude's playground and this is everyone else's. So there's options there. We have we have the ability to to make sure that uh they are separated uh to to an extent >> or maybe we could work on maybe the middle school students having more appropriate conversations [laughter] which might actually be a good thing. >> Any other questions? >> So are are we because Nick wants to go back
072to his team to make sure that you're all in support of trying to move forward with this plan. I think it makes sense. Um I mean it will be it'll be a challenge. Um but we have a year to plan for it, right? >> Uh and I think having one disruption is better than having two or more. And I also appreciate the financial benefit to the district. >> I'd like to thank Mr. Pluggman. Um you know, originally I envisioned a different section. It's that wing is ideal. I was very excited when that was offered up. It's it's self-contained. Yeah. Literally has doors that you can close and there it's an elementary thing >> and that's it. So it has all the amenities >> and and actually a little bit of extra space >> and the
073elementary students will be able to get to use the lockers instead of the puppies which they think at least the older kids will think that's really cool. >> Yes. Yes. >> Very cool. Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh, next on our agenda is our recognition of public comment on an agenda item. Um, and before we start, I first wanted to acknowledge that the board has received several written comments. Um, and I also wanted to remind um any speakers that the board uses the public comment period as an opportunity to listen to concerns but will not debate issues or enter into a question and answer session. Uh, no speaker um should speak for longer than three minutes. Um, and um, Britney, would you mind being our timer? um that would be helpful and that way all
074the board members can focus on the the comments. Um I do have a um a list of people who've signed in to speak. So I will go down through that list. Um when you're called, come up to the microphone. Um please state your full name so that everybody knows who is speaking. Um and then at the end if there's somebody who didn't sign in but would like the opportunity to speak um I will um see if there's anybody else. Um, the other thing that I want to stress, um, and I do acknowledge, I can see based on the topics that people have put down for why they want to speak, um, that the board, um, in public session does not permit discussion of individual district personnel. Um, if you have a comment about an individual
075district personnel, um, you can send that in in writing um, to the board and the superintendent. But uh comments made in public this evening should be kept general um and without specifying individual people. Um so with that I will uh start with Laura Bender and if I mispronounce anyone's name I'm going to apologize in advance. Good evening everybody. Um my name is Laura Bender and I'm speaking tonight as a parent of an Elmere elementary school student. Um, I want to be clear from the very beginning that I'm not here to discuss any individual employee, but rather um a a decision-making process that has been going on that I feel needs to be discussed. Um, and it's regarding the swap of leadership at Slingerlands and Elmere elementary schools. Um, I have no reason to believe that
076any administrator involved in the reassignment is anything other than a capable educational leader. My concern is in the decision itself, its timing and the explanation that has been provided to the community. And when a decision like this has significant impact on the school community, parents deserve to have an understanding of the educational goals that it's intended to achieve and how that success is going to be measured. Over the past week, we've heard that this reassignment is intended to provide fresh perspectives, build upon each school's strengths, deepen collaboration, and strengthen connections across the elementary community. However, many of us are struggling to understand why achieving those goals requires leadership reassignment, especially at a school that is already demonstrating exceptional success. Every leadership transition requires both opportunities and challenges. Even with the best of leaders, transitions require
077time to build relationships, understand school culture, earn trust, to learn the needs of the community. Those realities are not a reflection of any individual administrator. They're just simply part of organizational change. And this is why many parents are asking a very simple question. What specific educational benefit is expected from this change? And why is this the right time to make it? That question is becoming more important in the light of what we learned this week and with what was discussed at extensive discussion tonight regarding the upcoming construction overhaul at Elmere and the temporary relocation of our students for a large portion of the 2728 school year. That transition is going to require a lot of thoughtful planning, strong communication, significant trust between families, building leadership, and the district. And given those challenges that are already
078on the horizon, as discussed, many parents are struggling to understand why the district would choose this moment to introduce yet another significant transition to our school. Educational research consistently identifies effective leadership as one of the most important contributors of a successful school. It also highlights how important continuity is during periods of significant change. When a school is succeeding and additional major changer changes are already approaching, it's fair to ask how this decision advances the best interests of our students. At its core, this isn't a question about individuals. It's a question of process, communication, and how the district balances these new opportunities with continuity in our schools that are already serving our students well. I hope the district will provide greater clarity regarding the rationale for this decision and its intended benefits for our students. Thank
079you very much for your time and thoughtful consideration of this matter. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Joanna Gleon, >> I'm not going to speak. >> Okay. >> Uh Ziggy Majunar. >> Yeah, that works. [laughter] >> Was that close? >> I've heard four. Yeah. Damn, you were perfect, actually. Yeah. Um, sorry, rookie move. I practiced for 5 minutes, but hopefully I can get in three. So, good evening. My name is Ziggy Majimdar, a Slingerland's elementary school parent. I wanted to first thank you for all the work you do and the opportunity to speak. We're very happy to be in such a thoughtful school district, a leader among all schools in New York, if not the United States. We'd like to help continue to lead to new heights so that our children and students have an
080opportunity to reach their fullest potential, be at peace with themselves, and be a force for the kind of changes that enable our common good. The goal of my statement tonight is to request a dedicated schoolboard meeting uh towards a practical action plan to review and improve digital uh digital device and screen use policies in our schools. Uh parents across our community are noticing the negative impact of school-based technology on our children's learning and the evidence is clearly mounting and in the media. We are glad to see that action is already being taken. But given the mounting evidence and significant changes taking place in districts across the US. As a result, we want to help do this right and support all such actions to occur in prioritized and practical time frame. minimize disruption but ensure to
081ensure that the negative effects from edtech use that are documented do not continue. Uh we'd like to have a series of meetings uh perhaps quarterly to assess edtech policies, practices, learn and track actions. This can start with a dedicated meeting to share time between parents, teachers and administrators and open discussion. The issues include, but are not limited to, the overall amount of daily screen time students experience, the evidence supporting use of edtech, especially one-on-one device programs, how families can opt out or find alternatives when appropriate, whether existing policies align with research on learning, attention, and health. I, for one, want to help, and I empathize with the stress and demands of teachers, administrators, and other staff. We got into this only by being surprised that in kindergarten our son was using computer screens and we
082wanted to ask why. And uh in reviewing evidence um largely furnish furnished by I had no stake in this book. Um this [clears throat] book the digital delusion we became convinced it it seems like hardly any good reason for educational technology use in classrooms except when carefully curated for specific students and use specific use cases. So not only in reading math and science but even the ability to complete tests on a computer or use a computer preparation without computers seems to help in many cases. Um the science science is covered somewhat in the book. We don't know if perspective is correct but clearly it motivates discussion as the author is an experienced teacher as well as a neuroscientist that works with educators. My lessons from reading this book suggest there are fundamental reasons why many
083studies show that digital technology in classroom uh can can lead to poor student outcomes. The these appear to be screen and edtech use was introduced without much evidence that it helps students learn even when used as intended. Using edtech takes away time from traditional methods using paper and pencil and more human interaction that may better support learning and development. the mechanisms of how use of digital devices and screens interact with the visual and nervous system that can affect attention spans, long-term memory formation, knowledge integration, um, among other faculties when you compare to to traditional methods. And it's different apparently for developing children versus adults, you know, using tech that weren't immersed in the technology growing up. So, it's one of the best schools in New York, perhaps the US. We'd like to make make sure
084to lead on this topic, not fall behind. I for one am happy to volunteer my time work with you on this important issue in in whatever capacity I can be productive. So I look forward to opportunity to help set up a specific meeting dedicated to review and improve digital device and screen use policy in the Bethlehem school district inclusive of K through 12 especially K through 8. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you Michael Trefleti. >> [clears throat] >> Hi, thank you. I appreciate you giving us the opportunity to talk. I am a father of two Elmir students and another one coming in two years and I just wanted to say something about the leadership transition between Ellir and Slingerlands. When I received that news, I sat down with my daughters at
085the dinner table and I told them um about it. And their response was one of shock and sadness. And they said, "Why, daddy?" And I I love to talk. I talk a lot. And I had I did not know what to tell them. So I read verbatim from the notification that we received as parents which said, "We aim to bring fresh perspectives, build upon existing school strengths, deepen collaboration, and establish stronger connections." And my daughters and I, we looked at each other, and that didn't mean much to us. Um, it sounded, it seemed to me, to be very generic. I taught uh elementary public school for 10 years. I'm really heavily involved and deeply invested in Ellir and in my daughter's education. And um we we would like more real information about why the leadership
086at Elmir is going to move. Um the leadership at Elmir we absolutely adore. Um, I'm not I'm not an easy parent. I have a lot of opinions. I I share a lot of communications. I run clubs. I spend a lot of time at that school. Um, I'm very opinionated. And yet, 100% of my interactions and my experience with the leadership at Elmir has been incredible. Professional and courteous and kind and well-mannered and attentive and transparent and and >> [snorts] >> It may be the one thing in my life that I wouldn't want to change right now would be the the leadership in Ellir. So I asked my children what they wanted me to do and they said come here and talk. And I said do you want me to fight? And my third grader Carmen
087said daddy don't fight. They won't win. She said, "Make a deal with them that they can have this transition between Ellis and Slingerlands, but each principal must be returned after one week." So that's my personal offer from the Trefile Girls. >> Thank you, Julie Stein. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just Okay. >> Do we have anyone else who wanted to speak this evening? Uh, next on the agenda, item seven, action items. A, finance action items. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the following finance action item number one. >> So move. >> Second. >> Uh, any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? >> Any abstensions? That carries. Um item B, professional personnel action items. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the following
088professional personnel action items 1 through 26. So moved. >> Second. [clears throat] Um, I I just wanted at this point I wanted to acknowledge and say that we really do appreciate the community feedback and the passion that our community has. Um, and unfortunately the board does not and cannot comment on um, personnel issues. Um, and I also wanted to note [clears throat] um, and other board members feel free to add to this if, um, I miss something, but there is certain there is some debate on whether the board in fact um, needs to vote on items 25 and 26. Um, but out of an abundance of caution, we have included it on the agenda. Um, we are going to be continuing to discuss um, the necessity. Um but we also felt that it was important
089for um the community to finalize um and the decision. Catherine, >> and just a question, you mean the necessity of having a vote? >> Correct. >> I see. >> Correct. Um whether uh whether it's a legal requirement or not. >> I see. Um any one else? I just want to double check. Okay. Um all in favor? I >> I >> uh any opposed? >> Any abstensions? >> Abstain. >> Uh that carries. May I speak to on the bill? >> Sure. >> Yep. On the bill. Um, I just wanted to to say I want I am abstaining this evening because there remains a question on process and absent any clear direction at this point as to where and whether the board uh is the right decision-making body here. I think it's premature for a vote. That's
090my abstension. >> Thank you. Uh C, support personnel action items. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the following support staff action items 1 through six. So >> second. >> Um any discussion? All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Any extensions? That carries. D. Other action items. It is recommended by the superintendent that the board of education approve the following action item number one. >> So moved. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Any opposed? Any abstensions? That carries. Uh item eight, recognition of public comment on a non-aggenda item. If we have any visitors who would like to address the board on a non-aggenda item, now would be the time to come up to the microphone. Item nine, future meetings and events. Um, on Monday, uh, June 8th at 5:00
091here at the high school, we have an audit committee meeting. I'm looking at you guys. Um, and then at 6 o'clock, we have a policy committee meeting here at the high school. I'm looking at you guys. Um, our next board meeting is on Wednesday, June 17th, anticipating executive session at 6. Um, and reconvening to open session at 7 o'clock. Um, and then on Saturday, June 27th at 10:00 in the morning, we have the class of 2026 graduation. Um, so hopefully I will see everybody there. Um, seeing no need to go back into executive session at this point, um, could I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? I. Meeting adjourned. And Pig and Supa students, don't forget to come up and sign out. Thank you.