001Good evening and welcome to the March 18th board of education meeting for the Chester Union Free School District. Mrs. Arnette, can you please take roll call? >> Please respond with present when I call your name. Mrs. Dersio, >> present. >> Mrs. Naggersmith, present. Mrs. Arnette, present. Mrs. Mrs. Johnson >> present. >> Mrs. Pñena >> present. >> A quorum is present. And we can now proceed with the meeting. Thank you. Mrs. >> Can we 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. Can I have a motion to adopt tonight's agenda? >> I'll make that motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Motion
002passed. Can I please have a motion to approve board meeting minutes of March 4th, 2026? >> I'll make that motion. >> All in favor? Need a second? Second. >> I'll second. All in favor? I. >> Motion pass. >> That brings us to tonight's presentation of Miss O'Hara and Mr. Susa on our budget. Continue our budget process. >> Thank you. Good evening. Tonight we are presenting the proposed budget for the 2627 school year focusing specifically on instructional programs, student support services, and technology. As we shared in our March 4th presentation, these budget priorities are built to reflect the mission and vision of the Chester Union Free School District while advancing the skills and competencies outlined in our portrait of a graduate. To achieve this, we are focusing on three main pillars. strengthening academic excellence through programs
003and staffing, advancing college and career pathways, partnerships, and communication, and optimizing infrastructure for safety, security, and sustainability. This budget represents focused investments in instructional programs, student support services, and technology to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. A significant investment in early learning in this budget expands prek access, eliminating the weight list and strengthening foundational literacy, numeracy, and social emotional skills, ensuring our students are prepared for kindergarten and future success. This budget aligns instruction to New York State Next Generation Learning Standards and our portrait of a graduate, strengthening personalized learning, and preparing students for success beyond elementary school. Our investments strengthen early learning, expand highquality instructional programs, support personalized learning, enhance hands-on STEM experiences, use data to guide instruction, and provide ongoing professional development for our staff. Social emotional learning remains a key priority
004with programs like choose love and PBIS building emotional intelligence, resilience, and responsible decisionmaking while promoting kindness and positive relationships at the elementary level. Funding for co-curricular activities will be maintained, ensuring students have access to programs that provide creativity, leadership, teamwork, and community engagement, including band and chorus, Odyssey of the Mine, intramurals, field trips, and KIDS. And the STEM teacher on special assignment, as has been presented several times at our board meetings, advances elementary engineering, robotics, and media learning through innovative inquirydriven experiences, building creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication while introducing our youngest learners to future STEM and career connected pathways. And just to make clear, this entire presentation is going to be available on our website tomorrow and in the future. uh so that you can read in entirety based on current registration. Uh with
005regard to the Chester Elementary School enrollment and staffing, we anticipate a slight increase in enrollment next year. Our budget continues to strengthen early learning by expanding, as I indicated, preK access and maintaining kindergarten teacher aids, supporting strong academic and social emotional foundations for our young learners. Building on that, we continue our STEM teacher on special assignment, bringing engineering, robotics, and media learning into the elementary level, developing critical skills, and preparing students for future opportunities. And these two areas are highlighted as a significant po component of our investment next year. Our CES staffing plan for approximately 400 students includes classroom teachers, educational specialists, and special area teachers in addition to a comprehensive support team ensuring students are supported academically, socially, and developmentally throughout their elementary school experience. For Chester Academy, the budget continues to invest in
006high-quality instruction aligned with the state standards and our portrait of graduate. We continue to strengthen instruction aligned to the New York State Next Generation standards supporting critical thinking and academic growth. We are expanding personalized data-informed instruction to better meet needs of individual students and all learners. We're also increasing future ready opportunities through college credit courses, internships, and career connected learning. And we're integrating AI, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology to prepare students for the demands of college careers and an involving and evolving workforce while emphasizing responsible and ethical use. These investments support civic readiness and student leadership, preparing our graduates for success in college and in their future careers. Our STEM and engine and technology pathways offer a wide range of courses from architecture and ecology to mechatronics and computer integrated manufacturing. Our partnerships with Sunni
007Orange and Mount St. Mary College provides students with an opportunity to earn up to 40 college credits before graduating high school. That includes partnerships with Sunni Asiggo as well. We continue to support diverse elective offerings in art, family, and consumer science, health, and physical education. And partnerships with businesses and community organizations provide students with real world experiences to explore their interests and support informed decisions about future college and career pathways while reinforcing the competencies outlined in our district's portrait of a graduate. This budget continues to support student engagement through clubs and activities that build leadership and connection. With Passport for Good, students track their experiences, work towards the seal of civic readiness, and build a resume for future opportunities beyond high school. Social emotional development remains a priority, supported by small class sizes that foster
008strong relationships and individualized support for students. Through counseling services, student support teams, and initiatives like safe school ambassadors, we promote wellness, leadership, and a positive and inclusive school culture. Staffing for Chestermy's middle school and high school is structured to efficiently support students across both grade levels, ensuring access to high quality instruction, academic support, and student services within a small class size unique to Chester. That brings us to student support services. Building on this foundation, our student support services ensure that every student receives the academic, social, emotional, and individualized support needed to succeed. Specifically, special education services for students with identified learning needs as determined by the committee on special education and approved by the board of education. Our student support services provide a comprehensive range of individualized supports to meet the unique needs of every
009student. So in mentioning indistrict services, these include related services such as speech counseling, OTPT and vision along with instructional supports like small group content support, integrated co-eing, specialized classes, one-to-one aid support, and health accommodations to ensure all students can access learning and be successful. Out of district services specific to special education. For students with higher needs, we utilize out of district placements through Boseies or specialized programs to ensure they receive the targeted support necessary to meet their individual learning needs. The cost of providing services for our highest need students represents a significant portion of the budget. These costs are partially offset by New York State excess cost aid and federal grants helping support specialized instruction and student success. Our staffing across both buildings ensures comprehensive support for students academic, social, emotional and health needs. In
010addition, our partnership with Boseies provides specialized services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy and vision and hearing support. Moving on to technology, the 2627 budget supports instructional technology that enhances teaching and learning, enables data-informed instruction, and provides personalized learning opportunities. These tools support assessment, curriculum, skill development, STEM, and creativity, building digital skills aligned to our portrait of a graduate. The 2627 budget also supports the responsible integration of AI in instruction aligned with New York State Education Law 2D to ensure secure and ethical use. This includes vetted tools, professional development, classroom applications, and clear guidelines to support learning while protecting student data and privacy. The budget also supports the continued implementation and refinement of synergy, strengthening student safety, accountability, and communication while enhancing secure data management and real-time information to support instruction, emergency protocols, and decision-making
011districtwide. Significant upgrades are planned for infrastructure and safety, including the informiccast emergency system and expanded SE security camera coverage that strengthen emergency response, improve our network reliability, and enhance instructional technology across the district. And our technology department is supported by an administrator who oversees programs and operations, network security and strategic planning. A network administrator managing network security, infrastructure and system reliability and efficiency. One technical services manager that supports district-wide implementation and maintenance of our programs and uh computers and all technological applications. and then our computer operator providing direct technical support for our students, teachers, and staff. There's far more details in each slide than I presented. So again, I just want to re reiterate the fact that this is available for uh further review. At this time, I'll turn it over to Mr. Susa to
012walk us through Bosey's services and the related financial overview of the budget as it connects to instructional programs, student support services, and technology. >> Thank you, Miss O'Hara. Do you want pass along? >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. Um, Boseies is an important partner for our district, allowing us to offer programs beyond what we could provide on our own. These services span across multiple areas of our budget, not just instruction. Um, when something isn't available through our local Boseies, we have the ability to cross contract with another Boseies to make sure our student needs are met. and costs are based on the services we use along with a shared portion of administrative and capital expenses. Boseies also provide services that include opportunities that enhance the classroom experience. That can be things like enrichment programs such as
013Odyssey of the Mind and Mock Trial and also professional development for all all our staff. While we're highlighting the Bosey's portion here, I want to show how this fits into the overall instruction budget. So these next two slides, you'll see the full picture of our instructional spending. Boseies is one component, but this includes everything it takes to support teaching and learning across the district. The proposed 2627 instruction budget of 8.7 million represents an increase of approximately 228,000 or 2.7% over the 2526 budget which is driven primarily by contractual salary increases across teaching staff. As we move through these slides, we'll highlight both these services but also connect them back to the full budget area that they belong to. We are projecting about 50 students who may require full-time BOSIE special education placements. That number can
014change depending on student needs throughout the year. In addition, students may also require require related services such as speech counseling, occupational, physical therapy, or one-on-one support. And again, this is one piece of a much larger special education program. As you'll see here, the proposed 2627 special education budget of 9.3 million represents an increase of approximately 1.3 million or 16.6% over the current year's budget, which is driven primarily by growth in Bosey's tuition, out of district placements, and related services reflecting increased student needs. One of the great advantages of Boseies is access to career and technical education programs. These are hands-on programs that prepare our students for real career careers, certifications, and post-secary opportunities. They also allow us to offer pathways we wouldn't be able to provide on our own. We expect around 50 students to
015participate in the CTE programs. These include a range of trades and technical fields. And just like before, this is part of our larger instructional budget. So again, this shows how all our instructional pieces, including CTE, fit together in the full budget. The proposed 2627 occupational education budget of 1 million reflects an increase of approximately 236,000 or 28% over the current year's budget driven large largely by growth in the Bosey's um CTE participation. And the proposed 2627 school library budget of 237,000 reflects a modest increase of approximately 11,000 which is a 5% increase remaining relatively stable year overyear. Okay. So while this doesn't include any BOSES, we're showing it here to align with the earlier discussion on extracurricular programs and provide the full financial picture, completing the picture of how we support students beyond the classroom.
016The proposed 2627 co-curricular budget of 128,000 reflects also a modest increase of approximately $3,800 or 3% over the current year's budget, remaining stable year-over-year. So through Boseies we also receive support for our technology infrastructure internet service and staff training. There are also people service supports like guidance software and nurse practitioner services. So let's look at how those fit into the broader budget areas. This reflects the total cost of maintaining our technology systems across the district. Boseies is one part of that but not the whole picture. The proposed 2627 technology budget of 1.2 million reflects an increase of approximately 121,000 or 10% over the current year's budget which is driven primarily by growth in Bosei services and computer equipment purchases. This includes all services that students receive beyond the classroom academically, socially and medically. Again, BOSIES
017supplements the work we're already doing in district. The proposed 2627 budget totals 1.4 million across these four areas, reflecting an overall increase of about 154,000 over the current year's budget, which is driven primarily by salary increases as well. Athletics are part of our overall student programs and we'll be going into a more detailed breakdown of that budget in the March 25th presentation which is one week from today. We'll be discussing facilities, transportation and athletics as mentioned and then after that on April 8th we will go into the undistributed expenses central services and Bosey's administrative services. April 21st are our board actions and our final budget overview. And May 6 is our public budget hearing. All this information and this presentation can be found online on our website under budget and finance. And our budget vote
018is Tuesday, May 19th. And that's all I have for you. >> Thank you, Mr. Susa. Thank you, Mr. O'Hara. Do you have any questions? >> I have I have two questions. Um, Miss O'Hara, you mentioned prek. Um, when you were talking about the um expectation of possibly increasing in in students, you said something about eliminating weight list. Is that do we expect uh an additional class or do we expect um like what are we like just clarify that because I was getting excited. I want to make sure I'm getting excited. >> Yeah, absolutely. It's a significant component of the budget and uh the efforts of the district to historically um with the prek program that the board has supported and and uh very important in supporting our young learners and has shown tremendous success for
019our prek students going into kindergarten. On average, we have a weight list of approximately between uh eight five to eight students year-to-year. the incoming preK um is significantly larger from those that have already expressed interest to the tune of approximately 38 students. Our preK class max size with two instructional aids is 20 students. So right now one of the components of preK uh through New York State is working with interested collaborating agencies. Those are agencies that uh support pre-K learning and meet the New York State requirements uh through a very lengthy RFP process. Um if there are agencies and that closes out on the 20th. So a determination will be made um at that time, excuse me, that closes out next week on Monday. The determination will be made at that time um as to
020how we are expanding. But we are saying in the budget is going to support uh any eligible student that is um able to participate in prek will not be on a wait list. So whether that's inhouse or through the support of a collaborating agency will be determined and that will be uh determined prior to the prek lottery. >> Awesome. That's exciting. That's very >> very exciting. >> I'm very excited about that. >> Great question. um because again prek is so important and we've seen a lot of growth with like the prek programs really good prek programs and the fact that we're partnering and looking we may be looking to partner with um agencies I think that's just going to bring not only for the district community but of the overall community and how we're growing
021in Chester. So I'm I'm excited to hear about the partnerships um you know and and I'm excited that our babies are going to be within district getting prek services. I think that's really cool. And then my second question just to clarify it's regards to Boseies. Um Nicole you mentioned there was 50 plus possible placements for Boseis programs and just to clarif um the required services of these students we here in house cannot accommodate or cannot >> this is for the special ed placements. Yes. just um there's a term that we use all the time um RFP. Could you want to explain that to those listening in because it's a term we use >> a lot during the budget process and >> there's a lot of abbreviations in education. They tend to be expanding on the
022daily. So RFP great question stands for request for proposal. So, uh, with regard to prek, there are required criteria for a collaborating agency, meaning that an agency, uh, outside of the district that would provide educational services for our pre-K learners. And many of the districts, um, outside of Chester do work with collaborating agencies. Um, locally um, that has not been an opportunity for us. So we have expanded to outside areas uh go and Washingtonville um really looking um to explore every opportunity so that we can provide our prek learners um with uh the opportunity to have that education versus uh what we've historically had which is the weight list right and so again um what the RS RFP is is a request for proposals um and that allows us to review all criteria. So if
023we had many agencies that submitted an RFP, we would then review the criteria and um have them scored based on who would be the most effective in terms of supporting our learning needs, district goals, and educational programs. >> Thank you so much. Any other questions? Moving along, that brings us to our first public comment. Seeing that um no one is here in person, we will move to round table discussion and I'll start on this side of the table. Does anyone have anything for round table? Mr. O'Hara, uh I just wanted to make a comment. So, we're here in I want to thank the board of education for being supportive of shifting our meeting here to the cafeteria and thank all of our tech department and crew for pivoting and setting up. Thank you, Nick Patel
024behind the scenes there. He's one of the members of the tech department mentioned here this evening and uh the reason for that is our students are um getting ready and they're in the midst of rehearsals for the upcoming play this weekend on Friday and Saturday Saturday if I can say the word I let's say it one more time Saturday. There we go. Uh so we're very excited to uh support our students. It's going to be a phen phenomenal play. I think I'll stop there because I'm having trouble speaking apparently. So but we're very excited. >> Wonderful. Thank you. Welcome. >> From this side, uh, I just wanted to give an update that the next Orange County School Board meeting will be on April 15th in person in motion. Um, for the upcoming meeting, Orange County
025School Board has extended an invite to student board members as well. So, I believe this is will be sending you guys information in case you like. Um, also, NISB's annual resolution survey is underway. The survey is the first step in their annual process of updating uh NISB's official positions on 12 key issues based on feedback that they received from school board members. Uh and then the responses to this survey are used to develop resolutions for consideration by delegates at NISBA's annual business meeting in October. Um I was actually wondering did you guys all get a copy of that survey or Okay. Um I did email them just to confirm if we're supposed to be responding as a district as like a cohesive board or if we're supposed to respond independently. So hopefully they'll get an
026answer to that by tomorrow. Thank you. >> Thank you. Before we move to our state representative, do you have anything to update us? >> Yes. So the senior trip to Disney went smoothly and everyone said they had a lot of fun. The next upcoming trip is to Europe over spring break leaving on the 27th. Broadway performer Arender Robinson visited last week for the drama and course programs during sixth period and he sang some of the songs he's performed and shared his experience working on Broadway as well as his journey to get there and he also answered the many questions that students had to ask. Miss Perto hosted summer paid internship opportunities for those ages 15 plus. The deadline to apply is April 3rd and there's 25 openings and there's various fields such as finance, human
027resources, mental health, emergency services, and a lot more. Um, Miss G is hosting a bad news tournament for seniors 9th period tomorrow, and there's two people on each team. Youth government is attending county service day on April 10th. And then the next varsity club meeting is March 26th after school. And they're going to be discussing the spring pep rally, which will either be April 17th or the 24th. And then also thank you to Mr. Aguilar for handing out pullovers and backpacks to the club. >> Thank you so much. Monday, Friday and Saturday at 7. >> Any questions for our student reps? We're doing an outstanding job. I feel like we're up to date on everything. So, thank you. No other questions. Okay, that moves us to consent agenda. >> I would like to make a
028motion to adopt consent agenda items 5.1 through 5.5. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Consent agenda items pass. That moves us to our second public comment. Seeing that someone has not joined us since our first public comments, we will Can I have a motion for adjournment? >> I'll second. >> All in favor? I >> motion pass. For those of you who tuned in from home, we thank you so much. As we continue the budget process, we the board of education will actually meet next Wednesday, March 25th, to continue our budgetary process. Thank you and have a good night.