001All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to get started here. So, uh, we don't have enough seats. Sorry. Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Not enough seats. But, uh, I guess you guys all here to learn about board policies. Is that [laughter] is that kind of what you're doing here? Um, all right. Well, welcome to our January 15th board of education meeting. Uh, let us stand for the pledge. 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. >> Okay. Uh before we begin, I'm going to have everybody here at the table introduce themselves to uh those of you out in the audience. Starting here on my left. >> Good evening. Scott Ashen, assistant superintendent for
002human resources. Good evening. My name is Kelly Nevin. I am the newest member to the COMAC team. I'm the assistant superintendent for business and operations. Um I'm very excited to be here. I've already had such a welcoming from the staff and um I'm just looking forward to building um more partnerships with the community, students, staff and um yeah, happy to be here. >> All right. Thank you. >> Dana Schultz, board trustee. >> Good evening. Bill Hender, board trustee. >> Good evening. Dr. Cox, superintendent. >> Gus, board president. Good evening. >> Nicole Goldstein, board trustee. >> Tim Russo, assistant superintendent for curriculum instruction. Well, >> Debbie Vera, district clerk. >> Kyla Guber, student representative. >> All right. At this point, I'm going to turn over to Dr. Cox for our administrative report. >> Thank you, Mr.
003Huber. Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our January 15th board of education meeting. I'm just going to quickly go over our agenda. We're really excited. We have some student recognition. If you haven't noticed, we should recognize students more often that this is the packed I've as packed as I've ever seen this uh hubs administration building. So, I'm glad to have our men and women's uh soccer team here with us this evening to celebrate their achievements this year. Then we're going to have our student exeicio board member Kyla is going to share with us a quick update. We do have a district-wide safety plan addendum, Disha's law. Um some board of ed policies and then we're really excited at the end of the presentation to share with you our state of the district, our learning and development
004academy. It's an incredible program that our staff have put together for for new staff that uh that are entering our district to learn a little bit more about the culture and some of the little nuances and things um to make sure that they're successful here in com. So without further ado, I love this picture. Um it was, you know, just it was an absolute pleasure to watch these student athletes play um this year. They are um just an absolute class act. They are um gentlemen and ladies, they are just so respectful. Um it's it's when you're at the game and you're standing on the sideline and student athletes start coming over and they shake your hand and they say hello to you, it just it's it's unbelievable. It gives me the chills and it's I'm
005so happy to have you here uh this evening to recognize you. Um we're going to make this last as long as we can. Not tonight. Um just the road show of the soccer team. They've been presented with um awards or recognition at the town of Huntington. They've been recognized by Senator Mata at um at Comarmac High School. And so I'm going to ask Mr. Fel to come up, say a few words, and then introduce our coaches and recognize our incredible student athletes. and their two state championship awards. Thank you, Mr. Freel. Thank >> That's how you went through a room right there. [laughter] >> Turn me down a little bit. That'd be awesome. Um, first of all, I just want to thank the board of education for giving me a couple minutes just to recognize
006and congratulate and honor and thank uh these two programs right here. uh when you say what you want our student athlete athletes to look like and be like when they leave our community, these are the examples that we give. And it's not just about the titles that we're going to talk about. These are great people, great leaders. They're our role models in the in the library, in the cafeteria, in the hallways. Uh we love them uh just for what they represent. They come from great families. Um this is just a shout out to the Comarmac Soccer League. what you do each and every day, all the volunteers for 20 and 30 years, you should get goosebumps because this is the final product that we want to produce here in com each and every year. Um,
007really special what they did this year for the first time in Suffach County history. We had our boys and girls team from one school district win a state championship. So, I'm just going to say we're the mecca of of soccer in New York State right now. So, a round of applause just to win that. [applause] I I like to bring everything full circle. Um, I just want to thank my coaching staff. You know, to be a coach in in a public school is probably one of the hardest things. Uh, one of the toughest. There's a spotlight on you each and every day. And I'm kind of proud that Dave Moran leads our men each and every day. And he's a product of comarmac. when you meet him, he just oozes love and proud uh pride
008for Comarmac and that's how he coaches. And then Joe Brand the Fino comes in, starts our pro five years ago, takes over our program. He's a product of comarmac played for Dave Ran cuz he's older and [laughter] has has took has took our program even to a higher level. We've been one of the best girls programs on Long Island for decades. But for the last 5 years, he's had the team in the county finals, five out of uh three out of five. So, this has been building for the girls. This is their first state title in school history. This is the third for the boys program, and there's not many uh school districts in New York State that could say they have five state titles. I'll bring even more full circle. Andrew Merrick, we brought
009on staff a couple years ago. I'm so honored that Brandfino and Merrick he looks like I don't know what he looks like Eminem back there but [laughter] he was coached by Dr. Hender in Kings Park and now he's wearing pink hair. So I mean but that was a bet that if they won a state title he would do that and that just shows you the love in our athletic program. Ironically, uh, we had the same bet, only I still have my hair. It's black, gray, but you know, May, you look great back there, buddy. [clears throat] >> Um, I also want to just say publicly that both Dave Moran and Joe Brendino were named New York State coaches of the year. So, that's a special honor. [applause] and uh both both humble, both care for
010their for your children probably more about their well-being, their mental health, and what they're going to do in life than their athletic performance on the field each and every day. So, I'm going to talk about the girls program first. Uh sort of like a Cinderella story story. You know, they had at some adversities, had some major injuries along the way. um they took advantage of uh a regional uh opportunity that never was part of se uh Suffach County. And when they came off a tough defeat in the county championship, we gave everyone a fist and said, "Hey, we're going to make school history. We're going to make we're going to make New York State history." And when we went up to states to the regionals, it was me and Miss Reed. And we saw the
011how focused they were in practice at Courtland. We did a tour. We had a nice picnic at a waterfall because of Brand Nefino's planning. It was amazing. But after five minutes of that regional, I looked at Melissa Reed and said, "This team's going to win a state championship. They just came out and dominated that team." And I just want to thank you for how professional they um they acted on that trip. Then we inherited a soccer group and we brought up Mrs. Lipen Holtz for your state run. She's wearing sambas. She's wearing shingods. She thinks she's a soccer player now. [laughter] It's a It's hysterical. She's texting me and facetiming me at your state tournament because I was with the boys and uh she's just so proud of and she just kept saying how professionally
012you acted, how unbelievable you were and how you represented your parents and our school district. So, I just want to thank the girls. They made an amazing run and besides winning a state championship, it has to be noted they they stopped or ended Ward Melville's three-year state championship run. So, this could have happened earlier, but they were on a very historic run at Ward Melville, and they beat him in the semi-finals, and that's something that is is uh pretty special. But in August, I meet with all my my athletes, my JB varsity athletes. I say, "You got to do a couple things to really win a championship, right? [clears throat] Number one, you have to throw your egos down. Accept and embrace whatever role you earn. starter, first kid off the bench, maybe a kid
013who gets in once a week. If everyone, the parents, and you truly embrace that role, throw your egos out there, you can do something special. And this group did it. Number two, I said, leave your legacy. Leave your mark. Especially the seniors. We had a special group. We knew it. Leave your legacy and your fingerprint on our program. And look around. You guys did it. You left my a my athletic program and our soccer program in a better state from when you started four years ago. We want to thank you. Third, we said give back to the community. You're leaders. You're role models. You guys volunteer at Cougar Camp. You do free clinics for the community through the booster club who's amazing. You go to practice at the middle school and you help practice with
014the little kids. That's why we're great because of what you guys did. It was a threemonth dedication, right? I said, "Cherish every practice, film session, annoying morning workout. Embrace it." And that's what these two groups did. And that's why you're champions. We are so honored and proud of what you did for us and what how you brought a community together. The boys soccer team played in front of 3,000 people. They said it's the biggest event in Suffach County history for an athletic event for soccer because of how passionate the community came together for Brentwood and for you guys. [laughter] These people standing sitting here, they were on the sideline wanting to come into the game. Board members, superintendants, principles, that's why we're the community we are. That was one of the most unbelievable experiences you
015could be a part of and and you guys made that you'll have it for the rest of your lives. You ending a three-year run for Ward Melville and taking a a unique role, a unique path and winning a state championship will have you that you'll have that for the rest of your lives. So, I know you've been very busy. I appreciate you guys probably have to go to practice today. I just wanted to come here represent you to this community because we are honored and so proud of the people you are. So, congratulations to both programs. [applause] I'm going to call I'm going to call the girl uh the girls coach up first. She'll he's going to call your names up. You can just come up and we're going to take a picture with the
016board of vet up up front. It's all right. Your hands look awesome. I I promise. You look great. >> Thank you. >> Bring me first. All right. First, Coach Andrew Merrick, come on up. >> It's perfect. Okay. Okay. I'm just going to read all the names out. We have senior Charlotte Alpertie, Christina Angus, Ashley Azonus, Ava Armstrong. Girls, come on up. We have Sam Benedict, Valentina Castelli, Molina Cerulei, Leah Cohen, Satie Cowan, Ella Cohane, Sophia De Allesandro, Captain Sophie Densen, Captain Madison Darollo, Allesia Deella, Katherine Edwards, Sarah Frank, Rebecca Gillan, Danny Hogan, Jenna Maxwell, that's a lot of names, Brianna Mender, Abigail O'Brien, Carly Pulcini, Sydney Raft, McKenzie Ryan, Olivia Savic, Samantha Skaggs, Claire Sus, Katia Tagalento, Paulo Zuvella. [applause] >> Yeah, guys, side into the middle. >> Yeah, thank you. >> Congratulations. It's very
017Got it. [applause] >> She's going to be Next team I'm going to call up is the boys varsity program. And I I forgot I don't write things down when I talk. Um one special thing I think it's pretty cool besides winning a state champion uh the coach of the year in New York State. I think it's pretty awesome. Um Dave Moran has been part of all three of our state championship runs. He was a player in 95 alongside Dr. Hender. He was an assistant coach on the 14 team and then he's the head coach this year. So I I think that's pretty awesome. I wanted to say that I forgot. So [applause] boys, we're going to call Dave Moran up and he can give you gonna call the kids up here. >> He says he
018memorizes Uh good evening everyone. Um before we get started, um the when I was at the awards ceremony in December, uh a couple of the other coaches said, "Who are all those people that are always on your sidelines?" Uh so that's just a testament to the board. We had so many people coming out, our district administration, our building administration, uh on top of all of our parents that were out. Um people just couldn't believe how much support we have from the top down. So thank you to everybody who is on our sidelines. I don't know how many guest lists uh we had to make the district pay for, but uh either way, it was great having you guys there. So, I appreciate all of you very much. I'm going to call the guys up one
019at a time um kind of as I see them. So, uh, first up, let's go, Ference Baji, Zack Bloom, Jack Lennon, Mo Tillo, Ryan Cercio, Benji Hatenna, Franchesco Justinsk, Nick Lassardi, Aiden Depria, Tyler Abbott, Jordan Gllight, Sebasto, Brady Piron, Chris Mariji, Alessandro Cristiano, Jacob Weiss, Arban Parlu, Dylan Mender, Brian Singer, Parker Chute, Logan Gado, Joe Pomeary. Get everybody up here. Slide down. Slide down. Jackson Crowutamemer, Caleb Kuru, Paul Marsevik, Sebie Bigos, and Christian Lassardi, and of course our three captains, Luke McDunnana, Ryan Shaw, and Braden Oil. Uh we had a lot of uh great awards this year, but before you guys take a picture, um Saturday uh Braden will be awarded over in Philadelphia um and receive his all-American uh gear. He's uh the first all-American I've ever coached [applause] and the second on the
020boys side. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Freel. Way up front. [laughter] as they're sitting down. As they're as they're sitting down, I just want to thank every parent that's here. You are not in this room as an athlete if you don't have a dedicated parent that has bring them to every practice game, tournament, showcase since they're 5 years old. I know many of your faces. I just want to thank you so much for your support of the coaching staff and of the school district and thank you for just producing great human beings. So, congratulations to the parents as well. Thank you. [applause] And to our student athletes and their families, as much as I know you might want to stick around and listen to board policy, um I'm sure that student athletes have plenty of
021uh homework and things to do to get ready for school tomorrow. So, if you want to stay, you're more than welcome, but you're also free to leave if you would like. >> Thank you, folks. >> Thank you all. [applause] >> Next year, you can do it under the lights. pick [laughter] >> that would have been a big [laughter] >> we'll just give him a minute. All right. At this point in our presentation, I'm going to ask Mr. Russo to give us a little update on our multicultural festival which is coming up soon. >> Thank you, Dr. Cox. Yes. So, March 7th uh from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Comarmac Middle School will be our annual uh Comarmac Multural Multicultural Festival. Um at this point, our uh our chair people uh Mr. Mystero and uh
022Miss Lano are working closely with our students and putting together a wonderful event. It's been phenomenal. It's grown each year and we're really excited and it's really an awesome event for for our families to come out and see. So again, that's March 7th at the middle school from 12:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. and looking forward to seeing a lot of you there. >> Thank you, Mr. Russo. At this time, I'm going to ask Kyla to share with us her student report. >> Hi everyone. So, for today, since there hasn't been many updates since the last meeting due to the winter break, I'm going to be instead reflecting on my role so far as a student board member since the start of the year since we're also at the halfway mark already. Um, this role has
023been very, very meaningful to me and I really enjoy all that I do, especially because I'm able to share student voices in a place where students aren't necessarily always able to be here. I'm very thankful to the board for this opportunity and also for always making me feel like my perspective is truly valued and that the student voices are really heard and that you guys are genuinely listening to them and care for them. I also wanted to thank the board and all of the comarmac administration for all that you do for our school district and the students. I've always known how much you guys put in, but now in this role, I can truly see more. How much time, dedication, and work goes into all that you do. not only to these meetings but to
024the school in general and I'm really thankful because you make com a great place and everyone loves it. Um part of this role I get to meet regularly with Dr. Cox. And I think that mo might be the most meaningful part of it for me because being able to share with you everything that I'm hearing, seeing, and experiencing as a student and having that be respected and actually listened to and cared for is really special because the student perspective now is heard and I'm sharing it every month at these meetings where this hasn't happened before. And it's just the start now. So, I'm excited to get it started. And I'm also very happy that every month or maybe a couple times a month, I get to visit one of the schools and actually talk to
025the students. When I first was told about this position and how I could potentially be the one sharing student voices for our district, I knew I couldn't do that without actually talking to the students and hearing from them because I'm in one school, just the high school, and even that I don't know what every student's experience is like. So, I've been able to go to so far all the primary schools and it's been really a great experience, not only to see how their school is and how they love it, but how different it is from when I was there. Mostly because of the com champion traits, which is a new thing. And at Indian Hollow when I've recently visited, they were talking about all the ways that they highlight those traits, how well they know
026those traits and they use those words. Like, I probably didn't even know them. Um, it was right before winter break when I visited Indian Hollow and they mentioned how they have spirit days and I assumed that meant like dressing up for the winter break which they also did have. It was spirit week or spirit day but they also have spirit days where they um they like highlight students who have those comarmac champion traits with the loudspeaker and they get to have a lot of leadership roles there in the primary school. The students at Indian Hollow were so excited to show me around the school, which was a theme through all the primary schools that I've been to, because they really do love everything about it. They're so proud of the teachers they have, their classes,
027what they're learning. They loved their playground, and everything that they did there. Um, they really liked they have this book like vending machine type of thing. And they got to give me a book, and I've never seen people so excited to get me a book. It was so cute. But it was really nice and they really loved it and just all the special things that they have at each of these schools. The one thing when I asked them what would they want at their school is they said they wanted a mascot which goes to just show how much they like love their school and their spirit and everything that like that. So yeah, thank you. >> Thank you so much Kyla. [applause] And of course, Kyla, if you have um some studies this evening, we
028are you're free to go as well or but you're also welcome to stay [laughter] mid midterms. Um at this time, I'm going to invite Mr. Palipolei up to the microphone to talk a little bit about our district-wide safety plan. We did present a little bit on Disha's law, but um Mr. Palipole is going to share with you the next step in that process. >> [clears throat] >> All right. All right. Thank you, Dr. Cox. I don't think it's fair I have to follow uh Miss Gruber every time when I present. It's a big act to follow, but I'll do my best. Um so, yes. Um, Governor Hatchel actually recently passed legislation uh wanting districts to incorporate DESA's law into a district-wide emergency safety plan. Uh, Disha's law is a law that Governor Hawkill signed into
029legislation legislation that focuses attention on southern cardiac arrest and ushers in requirements for school districts to incorporate pre-existing emergency protocols into district-wide safety plans and building level response plans. Um, I will touch on some of those items. Luckily for the district, we have a lot of these things in place already, but recognizing signs and symptoms of a cardiac emergency, staff and administration's actions have taken during a cardiac emergency, trained and CPR certified staff members, and location of AEDs in school buildings. Lastly, contact phone numbers to call for obtaining help in a cardiac emergency. Tonight's board meeting concludes a 30-day review of that period, and these changes will be voted on by the board tonight if approved. Any questions? >> Questions from the board? No. >> I I definitely wanted to point out I know Mr.
030Fel is here with us this evening and um between Mr. Fel, Mr. Palpoli, Mr. Mallister, our uh director of security. they have been going building to building at faculty meetings conducting training and I had the opportunity to attend a few of them and um it it's absolutely incredible that we're able to have staff to provide that training um to entire faculty members. So when we submit this and it's part of our plan, the the number of staff members that are certified in addition to coaches or security guards, but even just giving that general knowledge to our staff in general at faculty meetings is going to go such a long way. And I know how appreciative the staff are. I think that Mr. Freel you could probably speak to there was a time when Mr. Fel
031conducted a training and one of the staff members ended up using that training on a family member at home and saving a life. So the fact that we're going building to building and being able to provide that knowledge is uh is so valuable. So thank you Mr. Felon. Thank you Mr. Palpoly, Mr. Mallister who's in the back for for organizing these trainings. Much appreciated. Thank you. >> I just want to say that um where a student had during a um a try out and if it wasn't for the trained staff, he wouldn't have made it. So I appreciate the effort. >> Absolutely. Yeah. Like I said earlier, Mr. Field, we've gone over a couple times and throughout the ads throughout the district and the trainee has in place already. We're already ahead of the game
032based on this law. So, we're in good place as a district for sure. Thank you, Mr. Palpoly. Any other questions from the board? All right. So, moving on, I'm going to ask you if you could pass the baton to Dr. Ina who will now take us through our policy. We're really excited about this, Dr. Informer. >> Thank you, Dr. Cox. Appreciate it. All right. So, um, in all honesty about excitement, I do have something new and exciting to share about our board policy. Um, you know, I've been sharing this slide for a long time. I think it's important to give the history that in 2019, the board spent a lot of time redoing its entire book. Um over the last year I've been fortunate enough to serve with 10 people on the Boseis policy advisory
033committee um throughout the state and they offer us an opportunity for a new service that allows the board to be even more proactive than it already is um you know with board policy. So I'm pleased to announce that tonight is the first part of a new uh program or service with Boseies where we're doing uh quarterly and as needed audits rather than um annual audits. So the board can certainly rest assured it was already up to date, but now of course it's going to be up to date on a more regular basis if that makes sense. So with that, uh couple couple of policies tonight just to quickly go through for uh presentation sake. Um there's a summary on the um board um for the board to see and the public to see. Uh these
034are later on the agenda for the board vote. But just to name a couple um there is a new policy about the disclosure of employee disciplinary records through foil which says that we must inform the employee of course that their um disciplinary records were foiled. That's state law. Um there's a recommendation to delete a policy that's significantly outdated. Um doesn't mean we don't follow the law anymore. We still do of course we always have to follow the law but the policy is outdated and segments of it were farmed out to other policies. Um, continuing on, there is a new policy about artificial intelligence. Um, you know, the work this district has done this year with artificial intelligence led by Miss Poleium has been outstanding and we continue to do that work. This policy is one
035step forward to doing so in a way that is not only highly effective but is smart, safe, and aligned with state and federal law. Um, in addition, we have a new policy related to cyber security incident response. Again, this is a a new policy that's in response to laws set by state or federal regulations. Um there's a new law uh new law with leave of absences that addresses nursing mothers. Um and there's a new one about graduation requirements and this one I want to point out because I did find it kind of funny. Um portrait of a graduate has been certainly discussion amongst state ed. It's been changing. Um so Bose's actually put a link to the state in there instead of writing all the information into the policy. So now as the state changes,
036we don't need to go ahead and change the policy every time the state, you know, may change direction or change um a graduation requirement, which is very helpful for us. So with that being said, you know, certainly later in the agenda, the board will be asked to vote on these policies, couple of new ones. We're going to delete one and a number of revisions. So that is considered quarter two at this point in the year. Um I'll see you in again. Actually, Bosei said to me they're going to mail us the next one next week when they get this one back and we continue to move forward and keeping our policies as up to date and relevant as possible. So, with that, of course, Dr. Cox, any questions? >> Questions from the board? >> Yeah,
037I just have a question about the graduation requirement. Was was there any significant changes or are we pretty much >> So, with that policy specifically, it adds a link so that we do not have to um if the state says we're going to do X, Y, and Z and then change. Yeah, it just keeps there were other parts of the policy um that moved to uh other farmed out to other policies with here. So in terms of the graduation requirement itself, no significant changes. It just keeps us aligned and at pace with the state. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Thank you, Dr. [clears throat] Warner. >> Y any questions? >> So this is this I'm thrilled to be able to share with you this evening. The learning and development academy. This is something that COMAC has
038created in-house. We have staff members that will be presenting um our learning and development academy with you. It's for new new staff that we hire. Um there was a time when you know we were not hiring staff. There was a time where maybe we were hiring one or two staff. We had 40 plus retirements last year. It was critically important that the district had a learning and development academy in place to support new teachers to make sure that they thrive when they come to com. And I I I can't wait for you to hear about some of the things our staff members um have done to put this in place as well as some of our staff members who are here with you um to share their experiences. So I'm going to turn the mic
039I think back over to Dr. Informer first and Dr. Santella as well. and Mr. Basila. [gasps] >> Thank you everyone so much for the opportunity to talk to you tonight um about the learning and development program um but also just the way that we engage and empower our new educators and our staff in the district. So like Dr. Cox said this was something that came um really out of a postcoid conversation that we had the opportunity to redesign what this program could look like. And with that in our minds um the bigger piece of that was we knew that this large amount of retirements was on the horizon. And we wanted to get ahead of the curve rather than trying to figure something out as we were um rebuilding a team. we were losing so
040many um amazing educators that we wanted to make sure we had a plan in place when our new staff came in that they felt like part of the culture and the community and they felt like they were really valued as staff from the moment they walked in the door. So this program has um been going on now for about five years and we've added to it as it's gone on. So I'm just going to turn it over to Dr. Ina to explain a little more about it. >> All righty. All right. Thank you. Um, so listen, everything we do is certainly intentional. Um, and when we talk about our new educators, our new staff, whether that be new lunch monitors or, you know, subcustodians, whatever it may be, you know, the purpose is about connection.
041When an organization, whether it be a school, a company, whatever it may be, you know, the most important thing, and if anybody's familiar with Peter [clears throat] Ducker, you know, he always said, you know, culture eats the, you know, bagel and pizza parties for breakfast. like there's nothing better than the organizational culture to impact real change. So everything we've done whether it's the programs that we talk about in a few minutes like welcome Wednesday or the educational mentoring program or the teacher mentoring program um all those are done with purpose and it's done with purpose to create a connection between the individual to the organization to the work they do so that we can enrich our culture to have outcomes and those can be student outcomes those could be lasting values teacher retention of course
042um and many many more such as organizational commitment. So, this is important to us because we want you to know that the programs you're going to hear about are intentional programs to enrich the culture of teaching, learning, leading, and supporting education within our schools. So, with that, um, you know, one of our programs is called Welcome Wednesday. And this program is something that we put together for all staff. Um, it's called Welcome Wednesday, not just because it happens on a Wednesday, but it happens because we want to make sure that every new staff member, whether you're a sub, whether you're a lunch monitor, um, you know, whatever it may be, you have an opportunity to come hear from district leadership. And what I love about Welcome Wednesday is that it's the first time that our
043new employees get to, you know, see Dr. Cox, see Mr. Russo, hear from Mr. Asherin, you know, hear from um, you know, district leadership about what it's like to work in COMAC. And one of the things I always kind of start with and say is listen, I've been here 20 years and I love it. I'm going to tell you you're going to do too because there's nowhere like this place. Um, and with that, it's it's outstanding. And I even love when people say like, oh, like you know, Mr. Ash will be like, "All right, I want everybody to tell us what you do and what your plan is." Like, oh, what do you do? I'm just a sub. And I'll cut them off, right? Be like, "No, you're not just a sub. Like, stop saying
044that." Everybody here does something aligned to what we do in schools. whether you're the custodian keeping the um classroom healthy and safe so students can come and learn and you know come to school not sick and learn and you know that's that's amazing like everybody does something and it's incredible. So staff members come to welcome Wednesday to sum up they do hear about our board of education goals we create alignment um into what their actions look like in practice we tell them about our programs we tell them about who we are why we uh why we do things um etc. Um, and just to share, you know, what you're seeing on the screen there, it lives on our welcome website, uh, welcome Wednesday website on the district website. We created like a a yearbook like
045we want people to know they matter from the moment they come. So, class of 2024, you know, you can see there, you can go back, you can look at the years that we've been doing this, you know, it kind of lives in uh, perpetuity on our website. Um what staff also leaves it with which I think is important is you know we're now doing it digitally so everybody gets their little ID buddy and we know we gave it to members of the board so you can see too something they could walk around around with to kind of spark a conversation and create connections with their colleagues you know say hi to me my name's Mike and for oh hey Mike how you doing you know so get to know the people in their building but
046on the back too is a QR code that takes them to our employee resource center so that as you're new and you're learning the system and you're like wait where do I go to do those video tutorials that everybody loves doing. GCN. How do I get there? You scan the QR code. It tells you everything you need to know. So, Mr. H, Dr. Hen is laughing. He knows those videos. So, um, so, welcome Wednesday. I don't want to call it a staff orientation. I want to call it a welcome to our newest staff members, our newest family members, and that's where we learn who you are, who we are, so that everybody can do forward and what's best for kids. Um, I just wanted to share a couple of things. We do a new staff
047member survey. Um, so every new employee that comes to the district has access to the survey. Um, I think it's really cool to kind of see what are whether it be a lunch monitor, whether it be a subcustodian, what they're saying about working in the CMAC schools. You know, from warm welcomes all around to com has a great culture. It's clear people love what they're doing that I feel very supportive to like, hey, my first few weeks were perfect. You know, I couldn't imagine anything better. And to quantify it a little bit, um, I took some of that survey data and just one I want to highlight is, uh, leadership responsiveness. 100% of the people that responded to that, um, survey said that their supervisor was there to answer questions in a timely manner and
048present on the first day. Now, if you think about setting a tone, you know, setting a tone, just being present sends a communication to a new employee that what they do matters to us. And I think that's very important. Um, additionally, we started a new program um, probably about three years ago at this point, our educational um, leader mentoring program. Um, in a lot of ways, we had some new folks coming in who were maybe not necessarily a new director or a new principal, but they were new to COMAC. And then we had some people as well who were starting not only new to the um, uh, position, but uh, here at COMAC. So we wanted to create a program that supports new leaders in understanding who COMAC is, you know, why COMAC does what
049it does and how to be successful in COMAC. So our educational leader mentoring program pairs up, you know, a seasoned COMAC administrator with a new COMAC administrator, whether again new to the system or or not. Um so they can help them navigate, learn how to align themselves and their actions to what the district um values, what our priorities are. Um, and it's been a great program um, for our new folks because it's helped them navigate what it is to be a leader in the com schools. Um, some of our latest mentor mentees um, you know, shared a few words about what it was like to be in this program. Um, you know, some are saying developing a relationship has been the most important part. Learning about what happens not just in one school but all
050schools and understanding how actions in one school, you know, align to district values and how those actions may look different in another school. So, it's been great for our um new folks to come in to have somebody that they can go to to help them um you know with any questions or or or or things they might have to discuss about being a part of the COMAC community. And I think it's great to see too that we've even seen you know that um from the district office level that what's being built is trust, a sense of belonging and our new leaders are coming in with more and more confidence you know as the years goes on from year one to year two etc. So, those are two near new programs when we think about what
051it's like to welcome new people and um new leaders into the district. Um after that, you know, Jen's going to talk a little bit about the educator side of it. >> Thank you. Uh so, in addition to our admin mentoring program, um we have also always had a CTA mentoring program. Um and I just want to thank Mr. Basila for joining us. um because we have created a really great partnership working with the CTA in order to have a really amazing program uh for our new CTA members. So, we do meet the state requirement of mentoring any new staff members who have their initial certification in order for them to move forward to get their professional certification. However, as we do many things, um we felt that it was important to go above and beyond
052and make sure that we were um really reaching out to some other groups of people that we felt really also needed mentors and that was uh new staff to the district who had been in previous um in other districts. They came w uh to us with so much content knowledge and so many amazing ideas, but it was important for us to have a point person for them to get to know the district to get to understand the culture and really just some of those logistical things that new people to a district might not know about. Um and also we added a mentorship um to our counselors, social workers and psychologists which is not a state mandate but we felt that as instructional uh you know educators in the district it was important to provide them
053mentorship as well. This program for the CTA mentoring is a one-year program um through the district and we assign mentors in um you know working with the CTA. However, for the year two through four staff as they work their way towards tenure uh the CTA has uh worked with us to initiate the buddy program. So I just wanted to have Mr. Basil speak about that a little bit. [clears throat] >> Sure. Thank you. Um so thank you for this opportunity to uh speak. Uh like Jen said, we created a buddy program with our uh CTA members working with our younger staff, our newer staff for years two through four. Uh we've built in a number of a number of check-ins. I'm sorry, I'm going really fast. So we've built in a number of check-ins, whether
054it be Google form or we have opportunities for both the mentor and the I'm sorry, the buddy and the person who's the more seasoned teacher who's working with them to check in uh three times a year. Uh we follow up. Uh, we have a timeline, whether it be open house check-ins, making sure our younger teachers are ready for open house, what worked well last year, what could we do, what can we improve on for this year, parent conferences does make everybody nervous. So, how do we help our younger staff, you know, just reach those parents have more successful conversations, be better in their observations, move forward, reach their students, get to their content the best that they can. Uh, so these are all things that we are working with these uh younger teachers going forward.
055We [clears throat] have our teacher volunteers. We have many of them who are CTA reps. Um but not all of them are. Uh we have these reps who have a great relationship with their admin. So they do work in a partnership to make sure that the teachers are meeting the expectations. Uh these seasoned teachers, these reps, uh they know what the expectations are. They know how to help guide these teachers. They know the culture of COMAC as we as we've been discussing. Uh and so we're really working to drive this forward. Uh this was really created because uh I guess when I first came on we had a number of teachers who made it three years and didn't make it to that fourth year. And it was uh they had three successful years, they had
056two successful years and we just felt like we were missing the bus. It was it was almost like we were fishing and just missing not getting the fish on the boat, you know, we're like losing it at the boat. So like what are we missing? What we're making it past year one, we're making it past year two and then things are falling short. So, so this program was designed to just intervene to help keep the guardrails on to help all of our young teachers, you know, be those successful, fantastic teachers that we've come to know, uh, in com. Um, so, so it's really been a great experience so far. I I even want to close with today. I got [clears throat] a call from one of my uh, younger teachers who was in, you know,
057our program. She was in my uh seminar last week for my first year teachers and she was remarking how her friends in her other district don't have something like this and how necessary this is and how important this is and they felt so plugged in and they felt so so helped that they could just go to you know this teacher go to their buddy you know it's not just in a meeting it's not just after school it could be any time during the day so so we dedicated these buddies to be if it's a discipline let's say it's math or social studies it's secondary level then the buddy is also in that discipline. They are nearby. All right? They are on that grade level. They are in the same area and and they are absolutely
058that number one resource for them. Uh and the intention is that they will work with them all the way through tenure and then beyond if necessary. So it's it's it's really that touchstone that we're driving uh to help our young teachers be the best they can and to drive this com culture forward. Thank you. >> Thanks. So, that's a great segue into um what makes this district really unique uh is certainly the opportunities that we have um for our new educators and the learning and development academy is is certainly kind of the you know the center of all of that. Um this program was created kind of out of all of our own experiences. Um when I first became a teacher um in a different district uh I was given like four textbooks and I
059was told like good luck and um I also then went to a two-day summer orientation and then I just never saw those people ever again. So, um, in talking to so many people that came up through, um, COMAC and their own experiences, uh, at their summer orientation, we wanted to create something that maybe, you know, not only welcomed them to the COMAC community, but then worked with them for the first four years of their career here, working through tenure, um, and giving them opportunities to learn and grow with us, so that students could have the best educators possible, whether they were year 1 or whether they were year 21. So, our summer orientation program is a two and a half day program over the summer. It is intense learning uh for our new staff. It's
060really a busy two and a half days. Um we welcome the entire administrative team in and then we bring in different directors to talk really about their focuses and what's going to support those new educators. Um this year we didn't really fit in this room. So, uh we we kind of have had to travel around the district. We had to break up into two bus tour sections. uh we really didn't want to bring the bus tour back, but that was told to us. That was like one of the highlights of people's uh orientation programs. Um so we did it. Um and not only did we bring it back, but we also decided to start bringing students with us. We wanted to find a student component that we could have students talking to the new staff
061and that was the way we did it. And it's been really amazing to hear the students sharing stories about what they love about their teachers and why they think this is such a great district. Um, so that's our two-day summer orientation program, but as I mentioned, this program now moves with the new teachers through their first year um into year four. So, I'm going to ask um thank you, Mr. Rasulka. We're going to swap out some seats here. Um, three of our amazing educators, uh, Sydney, Kelly, and Crystal, to join me. >> I know I know the chairs are different, but please just find a chair. Uh so I asked um some of the teachers to join us because really I can talk and Dr. Forn and I could talk about this all day because
062we have uh sometimes at uh when we're presenting about this but I really wanted you to hear um from the teachers perspective just about what their experiences are. Um so we're going to start with Sydney. >> Hi everyone. I'm a kindergarten teacher at Rolling Hills. It's my first year. Um thank you so much for having us. I think I can speak on behalf of all three of us that it means so much that you invited us here to speak today. Um I started in Comarmac last year as a TA lead replacement and I was invited to come to the new teacher orientation over the summer and the monthly meetings and as a TA you don't typically get invited to those things. So being able to learn through those experiences really meant a lot to me
063and I, you know, became a better teacher because of it and I got a leave placement in a different district in December of last year. And when I left, I started midyear. So I didn't get to go to a new teacher orientation and meetings each month. So I was able to look back on what I had learned at those meetings and it really helped me a lot as a new teacher. Um, and then this year, uh, I was very fortunate to get a probationary position at Rolling Hills. Um, and it was so exciting to be back in Comarmac for so many reasons, but mostly because I knew the amazing support that they have for new teachers. Um, between the orientation, the monthly meetings, the mentor program, um, and collaborating with different colleagues. So, every month
064we meet with all the first year teachers and I keep in touch with all of them. I text another kindergarten teacher at another school and we talk about where we're at in the curriculum and we share resources. So that's been such a wonderful opportunity as well. Um and it really is between everything the support you feel usually being a first year teacher is supposed to be very daunting and it really doesn't feel that way at all between the administration and my principal and my colleagues. It's been such a wonderful experience so far and I feel very fortunate and I do um as they said before in other districts my friends who are teachers don't have the same experience so I feel very fortunate to have that as well. >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Hi,
065my name is Kelly McFadzen. I am a third grade teacher at Smill. Um so I love learning and development. Um, I am always so excited to go to all of the meetings. Um, even after a long day at work, um, it could be very overwhelming to start at a new district, especially being a big one. Um, or even being a an educator already um, in the district such as myself. I have had the pleasure of being multiple different positions um, and this is my second year in my own classroom and I'm still learning a lot in these meetings. Um, the most meaningful part to me is the collaboration aspect. Um, I'm able to come meet with my colleagues from all different buildings, build those, [clears throat] excuse me, relationships. Um, and we just really reflect
066on what is going on in all of our classrooms. And it's nice knowing that everyone else is going through the same thing that I'm going through. It's comforting. um we're able to share, you know, some challenges we might face, celebrate those small victories, um and really become the best versions of ourselves as teachers for our students. >> Hi everyone. Um I'm Crystal Curtio. I am a thirdyear teacher at Com High School. I teach social studies. Um piggybacking off of what everything that they've already said so far, thank you so much for the opportunity to come and speak to you. also for the opportunities, the resources, and the time that you put into the learning and development academy. Dr. Santella herself, coming to all of our meetings, running them, creating the activities. It's a really nice
067space where you get to kind of bond with the cohort of people you're hired with because becoming a new teacher is a very intimidating time period, especially when you're straight out of college. So, coming to these meetings, one of the things that out of college, becoming a new teacher, you're really told is work on your relationship with students and your rapport. And one of the things that I've learned throughout these meetings is the relationship building that you have with your colleagues is just as important because it's going to help you then foster those relationships with students even better. Um, some of my closest friends are people that I've met in the learning and development meetings, fizzed members in my own building who I probably wouldn't have interacted with if I didn't go to these meetings.
068Um, but I got to build these relationships with them. and it opens a lot of opportunities not just to have another face that you know in the building but also to collaborate on lesson ideas that are interdisciplinary and that you could go across content with. Um as far as the stuff that we cover in meetings, so far we've looked into two different books. So we'll kind of do like a book club where we talk about the different um chapters, different instructional strategies, different ways to approach conflicts that you might face in the classroom or positive things like contacting parents and reaching out to them for the good things. So the books are inclusive of everything that you could possibly face. And we've done some really great activities with these books. And sometimes it's as simple
069as like a stations activity around the room where you're drawing what you think the chapter represented. And to a lot of people it's like, oh, you're just drawing. But that's something that I then am able to utilize in my classroom. And I teach high school social studies. So how am I using something like that? It's the ability to take a lesson and differentiate it to meet the needs of my students. Where I have an IB global politics class that I'm lucky enough to teach this year. It's very content heavy. There's a lot of writing. There's a lot of difficult information for students to understand and it's challenging. So, how do I engage them in lessons that's not just sitting at a desk? I'm able to use that station's activity and give them different prompts to
070discuss that are things that they might see on their IB exam come May. So, they're able to walk around the room with different perspectives, collaborate on ideas together, and it's different from the traditional essay that they're writing every quarter. So, it's a way to integrate authentic assessment into the classroom. It's a way to learn new strategies, build our relationships, and it's honestly one of the best things that COMAC has for new teachers. >> Thank you. Um, and this year will be our first year of year four staff. So, we are looking forward to um hosting a graduation, we have decided. Um, it feels like everyone in year four was like, well, we're going to have a graduation, right? So, we've been together for so long and yes, of course, we are. So, um, they will
071be graduating out of the program this year. And one of the other great things that uh we've been doing is offering opportunities for staff who are graduating out of the program um to come back and speak to the newer staff as well. Um but I these three are absolutely amazing educators. Um but when I chose them and asked them to come speak, I was unaware at the time that all three of them are COMAC grads. Uh, and so I just think that again it just shows you the the passion and the love for the community here is outstanding. And we were talking today just about the sheer number of COMAC grads that now work here. Um, from from administration at the entire high school uh to uh to some of our newest teachers. Um, and
072it really is um just amazing um that they want to come back here and be teachers here. So so thank you. Um, just to close, uh, we do have one more amazing program that we rolled out, uh, two falls ago. Uh, we're now offering graduate level classes here at COMAC for our staff. Um, and this was such an amazing opportunity, again, in collaboration with the CTA. Uh, Christina Auzi, who is currently a sixth grade teacher at the middle school. She was over at Northridge for many years, uh, had been to one of my mentor trainings and said, "I know that you mentioned wanting to bring more professional learning for staff. Um, I actually teach uh through a program called ELT and I worked with her um and we set up uh you know a meeting
073with uh with nice at ELT and their program and the the most amazing part about this is that the the graduate level courses that we've offered uh we're allowed to pick them as a team. So we sat down together, went through the entire catalog and decided what was really going to meet the needs of the district and what was going to align with our board goals in order to best like have the best program we possibly could. And the feedback we have received from this program has been absolutely amazing. Our staff love it. Um the best part about it is it is it really combines our our newer staff with some of our more uh seasoned staff who are looking to go back and and earn graduate credits. So they have had just wonderful things
074to say about the program. So we're excited to continue that moving forward and and to offer those college level courses to our staff members. So that's it for us. We we so appreciate your time and the opportunity to speak to you, but we'd be more than happy uh to answer any questions >> questions from the board. So, I I just want to make a comment um for for the three of you here as as new teachers, newer teachers, uh just to have the confidence to sit here today and and share and and show the appreciation for all that the support that you've been given is is truly wonderful. Um and and when we talk about culture more than bagels and pizza, right? Uh it it is working together. It always is. Uh, so I appreciate
075the fact that that the the administrators districtwide and building wide and and CTA members are are really working together to keep the culture going because one of my concerns uh with the turnover that we're having, I think we had like 40 new teachers this year uh is preserving the culture. Um, and that really is turning over the baton to you guys, but sharing the wisdom that we as administrators have here in the in the district, but also with the current teaching staff on board. So you guys have access to administrative support, but you also have friendly faces in the building. And I I think it's just wonderful. So it's a great model and uh kudos to all of you who who put it together and work with it. Uh so thank you from board. >>
076Any other questions, comments from the board? >> Yeah, I just wanted to thank you for coming up here and speaking to the board and sharing your experiences. Um, even seasoned teachers sometimes get nervous to come up and speak to the board and to have new teachers come up. You did a you did a phenomenal job. It it is an absolute daunting task. Um, you know, I've spoken to the CTA union leadership and similar concerns about the culture of uh the COMC school district. There is a level of pride here that's unlike any other. and um to be able to provide this type of program to new teachers coming in because we have hired definitely a number of new staff and we have heard nothing but positive feedback about our new teachers and that and they
077refer to um new teachers as we've hired some absolute superstars and so when you hear about things out there about teacher shortages and things of that nature um com is a be is a place where you know new staff flock to and we are so fortunate to have just an example of three superstars our staff members here with us this evening to share with the board their experiences through the learning and development academy. It's, you know, we say all the time, you know, the experiences that are here in com and we're fortunate to have some teachers that come from other districts realize that the experience is not the same and there's a certain level of care and love between the CTA union leadership, the board, the administrators, the teaching staff, the administrators. Um, that shines
078through. So, thank you so much for presenting this evening. >> Thank you. >> Thank all of you. >> Thank you. >> All right. [applause] All right, that concludes our administrative report. At this time, I'm going to turn it back over to Mr. Huber for board business. Okay. >> All right. So, I think we're going to go right into our first public session. Right. So, I'm going to ask Miss Herman to read the uh board of education statement. Good evening and welcome. We're so glad you're here with us tonight. Your voice matters and we truly appreciate your involvement and interest in our schools. There are two opportunities for public comment during this meeting. [clears throat] The first is for comments related to items listed on tonight's agenda. The second, which takes place at the end of
079the meeting, is for comments on any general school district matters. If you'd like to speak on an agenda item, please take a white card. If you'd like to speak during general public participation, please take a green card. The district clerk will call speakers by number. When it's your turn, please come to the microphone, say your name, and let us know if you're a resident of the district. Each speaker has up to three minutes to speak, and we'll kindly notify you when your time is up. Please direct your comments to the board only. These public comment times are for listening and gathering feedback. We won't be responding in real time, but if a question is raised that requires followup, we'll be sure to get back to you afterward. To maintain a respectful and welcoming environment, please
080avoid discussing individual students or making personal remarks, positive or negative, about specific staff members. And lastly, we want to make sure everyone feels heard. So, we ask that comments remain respectful, focused, and not repetitive or disruptive. Thank you again for being here tonight and for your ongoing support uh for our students and schools. [clears throat] So, this is comments that are agenda items only. So, if you have a white card, white card number one. Anyone with the white card? >> I'm good. >> All right. So, we're going to move on. Uh, at this point, I'm going to acknowledge the correspondence that the board has received. I'm going to make a motion to accept uh several donations. We have a donation of $500 to establish the Marina Graciano Memorial Scholarship for a graduating Comarmac High School
081senior. That is from uh Paul and Barbara Graciano. We have a donation from the Rosenblat uh Chianito and Coulson families for $500 to establish the Theodore Castrinos Memorial Theater Scholarship for graduating Comarmac High School and that is from Dennis and Evelyn Roseblat. We have a donation from the Friends of the Marry and Call Farm for $2,349. Uh we have a donation of $15,000 for district programs which support students suffering from ADHD, ADD, autism and other developmental disabilities. And that is from Joseph Weiss and Francis R. Weiss Family Trust. And then we have a donation of $53.70 from the Box Tops for Education. Uh can I get a motion to accept these donations? >> Can I get a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. All right. All right. I need a motion to
082approve the minutes from the December 18th, 2025 board of education meeting. Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Uh, can I get a motion to approve the personnel agenda? Can I get a motion? >> Second. All those in favor? >> I. All right. And can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda items as presented and/or amended 2 through13? Can I get a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> All right. Um and be it resolved upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education approves the first meeting of the first reading of policy 3311, notification of disclosure of employee disciplinary records. Policy 5413 which is procurement uniform grant guidance for federal awards. Policy 5681,
083school safety plans policy Oh, school safety plans. Policy 5683, evacuation, lockdown and emergency dismissal drills. Policy 5840, artificial intelligence policy uh policy 5850, data networks and security access policy 5851, cyber security incident response policy 6550, leaves of absence policy 7220, graduation requirements. And be it further resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education approved the second reading and moves to adopt the policies tonight. Can I get a motion? >> Oh, is that a motion? That's not a motion. >> No motion. A motion needed. >> Yeah. Motion. >> It is a motion. Yes. I'm getting a motion, please. >> Second. Second. >> All those in favor? I. >> All right. uh going to acknowledge receipt of the professional services from Bond Shonik and King for the month ending November 31st,
0842025 in the amount of $30,87252. We are going to acknowledge the uh internal claims auditors monthly update. going to acknowledge the receipt of the committee of special education recommendations uh dates listed and acknowledge the receipt of the committee on preschool special education recommendations dates as listed. Uh we're going to acknowledge the receipt of the November 26 financial reports as listed and our next meeting. So, the board of education for the com school district shall have its regular meeting on Thursday, February 12th, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Hub's administration building in East Northport, New York. It's anticipated that the board will make a motion for the purpose of adjourning into executive session at this time and at 7 p.m. the board will reconvene in public session for the purpose of holding its regular business meeting. And
085at this point, we will have our second public participation. if there's anybody out there. >> Okay, this is green cards. Green card number one. [clears throat] Please come up. State your name. Dalia Calmeir. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Good evening, members of the board of education, administrators, and the greater com community. My name is Dalia Calmare, and I'm a junior at Komac High School. I'm here tonight to speak on behalf of the boys and girls com varsity swim teams and to advocate for the district to provide busing to swim practice. Many people in our district do not realize that com has a swim team. In fact, both our boys and girls swim teams have a long history of success. I've been a member of the girls varsity swim team since seventh grade and my sister
086Sydney Calmare was a member of the team for 5 years and graduated in 2023. During our time on the team going back to 2018, we have seen incredible achievements, including team members that have qualified for Olympic trials. Many other swimmers on both teams have qualified for league, county, and state championships. This program is worth celebrating and supporting. However, despite that success, our team faces a major obstacle that limits participation and growth. Transportation. Swim practice starts at 5:45 a.m. at the Huntington YMCA. Practice is off campus and there is no school provided transportation. My parents drive me 20 minutes to the Huntington YMCA before 4:45 in the morning. They have to then sit in their car and wait until practice ends at 7:00 a.m. so that I can get back to school by 7:30. I am
087fortunate that my parents are able to do this. Over the past few years, recognition of our swim team has grown. Many students have expressed interest in joining but simply cannot participate because they are unable to secure transportation. This means students are being excluded not because of a lack of talent, commitment or interest, but because of circumstances completely outside of their control. What makes this more difficult to understand is that the district we share with a team with, Northport, has provided busing for students for years. Northport students on the boys and girls varsity swim teams are provided with roundtrip transportation to practice every morning to and from Northport High School and the Huntington Y. This makes it significantly easier for their students to participate. Com is a district that pri prides itself on inclusion yet without
088transportation access to the swim team is limited. A school sponsored bus would allow more students to participate, strengthen our teams, increase visibility for the program, and ensure that opportunities are equal for all students. Providing busing to storm practice is not just about convenience. It's about fairness, inclusion, and supporting student athletes who are willing to wake up before dawn to represent COMAC with pride. I respectfully ask the board to consider implementing morning transportation for the boys and girls swim team so more students can take advantage of this incredible program and comarmac can continue to foster excellence, opportunity, and inclusion. Thank you to the board for allowing me to speak and taking this into serious consideration. Last, I would like to thank Mr. Fel for his mentorship guidance and generosity of his time meeting with me this
089year to discuss the matter. >> Thank you. Green card number two. >> Hi everybody. I don't can't really follow that but [laughter] as a parent of a swimmer who gets up at 5:45. Um I'm Tracy Denna. Um I've been a resident of COMAC for 25 years. I have four children, three that of which have graduated com High School already. My son Logan is part of the varsity swim team for the past three years. Um, we're very thankful that Comarmac actually merged with Northport so that he was actually able to compete in relays and go to states and have a team camaraderie just like all the other teams here in Comarmac. Since merging with Northport, we have represented uh Comarmac at the Long Island Challenge for the past three years, at the Suffach County Championship, and
090at the New York State Championship last year in relays and this year with three individual um uh races as well. It has been a positive experience for the ComX swimmers. I'm here to request bus transportation be added to the budget for the 2627 school year for the girls and the boys varsity team. All three of my children have played, all four, three of the children have played um varsity sports at Comarmac High School, fencing, lacrosse, golf, and tennis. All of the boys receive transportation to and from practice and for uh for meets and for um practices. The golf, bowling, and gymnastics team, all of which have low numbers of participants, have buses to practice, which is off campus at Comarmac High School. In fact, golf had two buses, JV and varsity, because they had different
091courses that they had to get to. Most of our student athletes compete at a club level as well as the varsity level within the same season. They have double practices, which means they are the practice before school and they're at practice for club after school. They compete in meets for varsity during the week. They compete in meets for club on the weekend. It's a huge commitment, one that my son has chosen and that we have a family have chosen to support him with. Providing him with with the team with busing for practice would alleviate some of the driving that most of us swim parents ultimately have to do in order for our child to participate in this in the sport that they love. Some parents have chosen not to commit their club swimmer to participate
092in varsity because they cannot manage this morning schedule. It is very unfortunate as we try to grow this sport in comarmac. The girls team has had a combined team for a couple of years m much longer than the boys. The boys is re it's just been the past three years. But the parents do commit their child to to to juggling work, sibling school times and morning practices. And then we have to get them to school within that 30 minute time period. We're leaving the Y at 7 and have to get back here by 7:25 for the high school. Bus transportation for practice would relieve some of these issues. It would also be beneficial for the kids to develop camaraderie and team bonding. It would assist in getting them to school on time as I sit
093and pray at every light that it turns green that I'm not late for school. These athletes deserve to feel like they are a part being treated just like every other varsity sport in com. As that budget season is upon us, we are hoping that you pri prioritize this in the budget for next year. Please show your support for these student athletes who work so hard not only academically but also every day in the pool. They're a wonderful group of students and they support each other regardless of grade level or skill level. Our last varsity meet for the boys at is at Half Hollow Hill is next Thursday at 5:30. We would love to see you come out and support Comac. Thank you. >> Thank you. Green card number three. Green card number four. Any other
094green cards? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Okay. At this point, I'd like to have a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Motion. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> All right. Thank you all for coming