001Let me go in my office and start changing them. All right. I go do one at a time. All right. testing. You want me to start? I can start. Yeah, I could just do it. I'll just do it by [Music] Sorry for the delay everybody. having a little board docs updates going on in the same time. But welcome everybody to our May board of education meeting. Everyone, please rise 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. All right, I'm going to start with the roll call. Starting from my left, Mr. Scott Ashin, assistant superintendent for human resources. Miss Laura Newman, associate superintendent of business and operations. Miss
002Dana Schultz, board trustee. Dr. Bill Hender, board vice president. Dr. Jordan Cox, superintendent of schools. myself, Steve Hartman, board president. To my right, Miss Sue Herman, board trustee. Mr. Tim Russo, assistant superintendent of curriculum instruction and assessment. Miss Mara Harvey, district council, and Miss Debbie Burgerer, district clerk. With that, I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Cox for the budget hearing. Okay. So, good evening everyone. Uh before we get started, uh Mr. Russo is going to take us through. Not yet, Mr. Russo. So, sorry. um take us through some of our summer programs that we're really excited to share this evening. But before I just wanted to make um a quick remark um regarding a medical incident that uh transpired in our high school last Friday. Um I was with my team in my
003office and uh the rave alert went off that 911 was called at the high school and at that point you typically hear maybe somebody fell, maybe somebody's having an allergic reaction. Um but shortly after that I got a my phone started ringing from one of the administrators and I immediately knew um because the administrator sounded like they were in a rush, a little out of breath, asked if everything was okay. Um they said they had a staff member who went down. Um without getting into too many details, um what hap what transpired that morning in that high school as a result of the staff of that building um was nothing short of a miracle. um the staff of that building jumped into action um and it was and I and we went right over there
004and we watched firsthand. Um I'd also like to take a moment to thank the Comarmac Volunteer Ambulance. So there are a number of individuals um that are going to be invited to our June board meeting to be recognized. Um we sent them letters. We also sent a letter to Comarmac um Ambulance Corps. Um and the board of education would like to recognize those those individuals for their heroic efforts um for saving a life that day. And um I have to say our schools are not just a place of work. They're a home. They're a family. The staff treat each other like um like their loved ones. And so it was just to watch that that day. um and to come back in the afternoon and it was a faculty meeting that the high school had
005held to share an update. Um from where that individual was in the morning till that afternoon was nothing again short of a miracle. And if it wasn't for the staff of Comarmac High School jumping into action, it could have been a very different outcome. And so um we're really looking forward, the board of education is looking forward to um recognizing those individuals in June. It's on June 5th. So please tune in if you have a chance. Um and uh and again, you know, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, um for everything that you do, the staff, on a on a daily basis because um it's it's it doesn't go unnoticed. So, thank you. Thank you, Dr. Cox. Yes. Again, um as a board, we were informed of all the updates and you
006know, we really want to thank everyone really involved and that's why we want to go out of our way again on the June meeting to recognize those who really um went into action that day and really it's a Dr. C it is a miracle that all the stuff that they did and we're very positive of uh all the good stuff yet to come. So thank you everybody on behalf of the board as well. Absolutely. Thank you. Um so at this time we're going to transition into our admin report. I'm going to ask uh Mr. Russo if he could please provide a quick update on our summer programs. So as Dr. said um we're looking forward to uh all of our summer programs this summer, our discovery camp, our cougar camp, and of course our music
007camp. So if you haven't had the opportunity to please uh take the time to to register, thankful to all of our faculty, our staff, our administrative team that helps to support this is a it's a large undertaking and it it starts back in uh December even and everybody starts to put things together and it's it's a it's an awesome experience for our kids and a great opportunity again to just kind of bring our our families together at our schools, which is one of the things we look forward to the most. One last quick announcement. This Saturday at 10:30 on um radio and station 103.9, some of our students and and staff will be featured on Bob Veio's spotlight on Long Island schools. Um Natalie, Luke, and Cassidy, three members of our legislative advocacy committee will
008have the opportunity to kind of sh they took they got recorded about a month ago and they spoke a lot about their advocacy efforts and their recent trip to Albany. Um, once again, they they uh made us all so proud and how they were able to handle that spotlight and just all the insight they have into what they learned through that experience and all the great things that our legislative advocacy committee does. So, they'll be joined by Dr. Cox and Dr. Cenello and Mr. Baji as well. So, we're looking forward to to hearing that. So, hopefully everybody can tune in again 103.9 at 10:30 on Saturday. Thank you, Mr. Russo. I think there's one more slide that shows some our summer programs. Again, this will this presentation will be on our district website. So, if
009you have any questions about the summer programs, uh this will be posted after this evening's presentation. Um at this point in time, we're going to jump into our budget hearing. I'm going to ask Mrs. Newman to take the stage for the last time here. Here. We still have a few more there. [Music] Can you hear me now? Oh, much different. All right. So, tonight is our statemandated budget hearing that is done in public. We have done a number of uh presentations over the past two months um to review quickly. I've promised tonight we're just going over the numbers. We won't be talking about all of the wonderful things in the budget. Those presentations as long as well as the entire budget is on our website. So, we ask you all please feel free to go
010on review it. There is a lot in this budget um for everyone. Uh in a nutshell, the budget uh that is being placed up for vote has an increase of about $5.9 million. the associated tax levy increase. Uh we are not piercing the cap. We are staying at the cap which is 2.29%. Um that's something that the uh board has never uh pierced or gone over. So we're proud to be able to do that and offer all of the items that we have in this budget. Very quickly going over our revenues which we have done numerous times. So I thank you all for your patience. But there is one change. We actually got a state approved budget a little over a month late, but we did get it. Those state aid runs were released last
011night. Um, happy to know what the number is. Cannot say that I am not disappointed in what the numbers are. Um, overall, uh, COC is receiving $14,58 more than what was in the governor's proposed budget. In the revenue slide, we have made that adjustment as we have spoken about previously. Any increases that we received with an approved state budget, we would be uh obviously showing that increased revenue, which you'll see on the first line of state aid. And with that increase, we are lowering our reliance on fund balance and reserves. And that has been reflected here. So that is a slight $14,58 change. presenting the budget in a three-part uh format which all school districts must do. You'll see the breakdown. 73% of our entire budget is going towards the programs and services to our
012students. The remaining 16% and 11% is broken down on the next slide as well. Again, there is no change to this slide because again, even though we're getting more state aid, $14,58, we are not making any changes in that amount to the expenditure side of the budget. So, this is the same slide that we have presented a few times. Again, the tax levy increase is 2.29% and the related budget-to-budget increase is 2.62%. And I think the uh key for us is to ask all of our residents to please come out and vote on May 20th for the budget. The polls are open 6:00 a.m. to 900 p.m. You're welcome, Mrs. Vera. Um and again, that is the only uh barometer that the superintendent and the board of education and all of us in the district
013have to ensure are we giving the community what they expect and what they want. So we do ask everyone to please at some point during that day just come either to the middle school or high school depending on what your polling place is and let us know. That concludes the public hearing for the state budget of 2526. Thank you, Mrs. Newman. At this point, we're going to open it up. Any questions from the board of education? No, no, no questions for the sixth meeting, but I guess get a general general statement. We know that part of the governor's budget was the passing of the banning of cell phones in schools, which as everyone knows, good banner, different is another unfunded mandate, which we use. We had to figure out a methodology of implementing that without
014a policy being passed by the state yet so far. So, um, just letting people know that was part of this the budget, uh, passed as part of the resolution. So, more to come on that. Yeah. So, I will just share that, um, we're still waiting for the official final word on what that's going to look like. Comarmac is not a place that just reacts. Um, we don't make decisions half-hazardly. Um, yes, I'm sure, you know, many parents or community members are wondering or students are wondering what this is going to look like. Um, when we get to that point, we will be putting a committee together. We will be discussing, you know, what this could look like for September. And there will be plenty of advanced notice to our community on what this is going
015to look like. So, at this point in time, we're still waiting for official guidance on exactly what those requirements are. Typically, when something like this comes out, some of the organizations will provide sample policies on what that could look like. Uh but again, we we um we are not a district to react. So, we're going to take a look at all of the information and we will be putting together um guidance for our community, but it's going to take some time. It's not going to happen overnight. So, um that's our update right now at that point at this point. Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Hartman. You're welcome. Any other questions from M? Oh, universal free lunch as well. Yes. Yes. that without the yes the universal free lunch was also passed as part of the but
016and I don't know what the we don't we don't again don't know the impact of that which is another unfunded mandate as we've gone through everything you know it's great it's it's very good but how much is that going to pay out of our budget we don't know so more to come on that as well business all righty so there no committee reports so we'll turn over to Dr. Hender to read the board of education statement. Thank you, Mr. Hartman. Our board meeting has two opportunities for public comment. One where the public can comment on specific agenda items only and one at the end of the meeting where the public can comment on other school district matters. Please take a white card if you have a question on specific agenda items and a green card
017if you have comments during public participation on other school matters. Comments must be no longer than 3 minutes. The district clerk will call each person up by a number. We are monitoring the time and will let speakers know when their time is completed. When called up to the microphone, please state your name and whether you are a district resident. Please only speak to the board directly. The board appreciates the community's feedback. These commentary periods are not times for public debate or for answering specific questions where a direct answer cannot be provided. We will make a note of any questions where the answer is not known and provide a response as soon as possible to the person asking the question. Public comment does not allow for positive or negative statements about a specific employee as it
018relates to his or her job performance. Any matters related to specific students will not be discussed. The president shall terminate the right of any speaker if they are overly lengthy, repetitive, disruptive, disrespectful to anyone andor offensive as well as if the be if the public becomes unruly and lacks respect for others. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hender. I'll turn it over to Miss Verger for comments on specific agenda items only. That would be if anyone has a white card. Uh anyone number one white card? Nope. Okay. Okay. I will continue then. Um moving on to the next section which is correspondences. We had three correspondences and they all were uh responded to accordingly. Moving on to our next section which is donations. Be it resolved that the board of education on behalf of the districts
019donations by the following to be applied as requested and be it further resolved the district will deposit these funds as listed and be further resolved that the board authorize an increase as necessary to list the budget code for use for use of these funds. Number A from the from the Bur PTA of a donation of $25,000. Number B, the for the Greater uh Comarmac Chamber of Commerce for donation of $500. Uh donation C from the Comarmac Grid Iron Booster Club for a donation of $5,370. And last from the Amy Rose Gabrien Foundation for $200. I get a motion. Second. Second discussion. Again, on behalf of the district, a really huge thank you to the Bur PTA. again very excited about this very nice donation they providing the district and we're really excited to hear in
020future board meetings of how this Bur student union will be put together. So again really big thank you to all out there for the for the uh Burough PTA for putting such a large donation to help out the district. It is that's a tremendous big uh effort. So we want to thank you and something else that is on there Mr. Hartman is the the comarmac booster club. Uh that donation that they are providing is for the donation of rental lights for Friday Night Lights football. Um the last one hoping that this will be the last time that we have to rent lights for uh Friday Night Football or for soccer under the stars or any future events. So um you know part of the budget this year. Exactly. Any other further comments? All in favor?
021I motion carried. I get a motion to approve the minutes from the April 15, 2025 board of education meeting. Motion. Any discussion? All in favor? I I. Motion carried. It's coming up. Can I get a motion? Come on. Can I get a motion to approve the personnel agenda? Motion. Okay. I believe there's three people in the audience that like to notice who's here tonight. Kira, Michelle, and Britney, who are all becoming probationary teachers here who will be appointed tonight. So, if you're here, please stand and be recognized. Congratulations. Welcome to the Comarmac family. We know you'll do some great things here and so um happy to acknowledge you tonight. All in favor? I I motion carried. Moving on to our next business. A motion to approve consent consent agenda items as presented and/or amended 2
022through 12. Can I get a motion? I get a second. Second. All in favor? I. Motion carried. There is no consent agenda legal. Moving on to the first first item for resolution tonight, which is a long one and but a very exciting one. So whereas the superintendent of schools recommends that Melissa Baldy be appointed by the board of education of the Comun Peace School District to a 4-year probitionary term as elementary principal assigned to Northridge Primary School and annualized salary of $163,00041 minus Acoal withholding and deductions whereas Miss Baldi possesses certification as a school building leader. Now therefore be resolved that upon the recommendation, the board hereby appoints Miss Baldi in accordance with 30 education law 312 to a four-year prohibitionary period in the elementary in the elementary principal tenure area commencing on July 1,
0232025 and ending on July 30th, 2029 at an annualized salary of $1,63041. What? 163 $163,00041. Sorry, this is a long one. 160 163041. There you go. Sorry. Lots of reading here. Thank you to the legal. So, there you go. Minus applicable withholdings and deductions to be paid by the district funds. And be it further resolved that nothing in this resolution be construed to limit an unfathered statutory right of the school district to terminate Miss Baldi for any statutoily and constitutionally permissible reason while she remains in a probitionary status. If there's any spelling be how to do that as part of elementary school. I don't know how that would even work. That was a lot. But again, can I get a motion? Motion. I get a second. Second. Again, Miss She lights up the room. She's
024lighting up right now, Miss Baldi. So, we're really happy to have her in the district again. Go ahead. Go ahead, Miss Re. I know this is tough for Miss Ree. Melissa, welcome to com as the castle president for the administrators. We welcome you. Um, you have a wonderful group of support and you're going to soar as the outgoing principal of Northridge Primary. Ride the wave. It's a beautiful place. It's a very fine place and we are excited to have you come. We wore our spirit wear so you would know what it feels like to be part of the com family. So behalf of the primary principles, we welcome you to come. Congratulations. [Applause] Welcome. Mr. Dream said you have very big shoes to fill, right? I do. I do. You do have very big shoes
025to fill, but you have a you have a great staff here in COC. So, we're really excited for you to be part of the district and we're very excited um for all you're going to bring here and all all you know just your smile presence is just just grateful we have to have you here. So, thank you for that. Yeah. And Miss Miss needs more tissues there. Exactly. One of one of many she's going to have from now till her day. So, but yeah, again, thank you again behalf of the board. I don't if anyone else has to say anything before No, no. We're going to put one should the board has any more comment, but if not, all in favor? I motion carried. Is there any other resolutions? Yes. But I don't have a
026Oh, the consent. Thank you. Okay, moving on then. Thank you. All righty. With that, I'm going to have a going to acknowledge the following. A statement of professional services from Lewis Jones for the month ending April 30th, 2025 and acknowledged from uh BSK for the month ending March 31st, 2025. Continuing along, acknowledging receipt of the March 2025 financial reports as listed. Acknowledge receipt of the internal claim orders monthly update. Acknowledge receipt of the committee on special education dates as listed as well as acknowledging receipt of the committee on preschool education dates as listed. All righty. So the board of education and the com school district shall hold its external audit planning meeting on Monday, excuse me, not Monday again, May 15, 2025 at 6 pm. The regular meeting will be held on Thursday, June 5th
027at 6 PM at the Comarmac High School, One Scholar Lane, Com New York. Is anticipated the board will make a motion for the purposes of journeying to a executive session at this time and at 7:30 we'll reconvene the public session for the purpose of holding its regular business meeting. However, there's two other meetings we have to acknowledge here. There's there is a going to be a board meeting. So, when we do have the vote on May the 20th, as mentioned by Mrs. Newman. There is a regular board meeting that will take place on that right after the vote is completed to acknowledge the vote and to make sure people are aware of that. So that will happen on May 20th. There's also an executive session that is being held on May 22nd. So it's a
028public board meeting. Public board meeting but followed by an executive session will executive session. Right. And come back not anticipate that we will anticipate of any public comment. Correct. Correct. That is correct. Thank you. A lot of ad living. Thank you from from legal counsel. There you go. So, a lot of more even though budget season is over, still more meetings. So, and again, the meeting in June is going to be a great meeting which is held at the high school at 7:30. It's all the acknowledgements throughout the year and different awards and um take a lot of pictures and it's a very good time. So, we're very excited to be having our next meeting in the high school in June. With that, I will turn over to Miss Burgerer for public participation. Mr. Hartman,
029before we go to public participation, just want to take a moment and um you know, this is uh staff appreciation week and uh want to thank everyone from our administrators to our teachers, uh to our nurses, to all of our clerical and custodial staff, buildings, grounds, everyone who helps make COMAC such a special place. Um keep doing what you're doing because uh it's a great job and it's well appreciated. So, thank you all. Yes. Thank you, Dr. I do. Okay. So, if anyone has a any comments, there is a green card and that would be green card number one. Any comments at all? Oh, here we go. Thank you. Please state your name. Good evening all. Name is Joe Hendrickson, president COMC Security Guard Association. Dr. Cox and Board of Education. I want to thank
030you for giving us the equipment to make that save last week at the school. The AAD was definitely in place and very important to have on scene. I also want to commend the entire team at COMC. Carrie has our statement. We are CHS. It was never more prevalent than that last Friday. We drain, we train, we drill. never have a situation like that occurred in my time here at COMAC, which is almost 11 years now. Um, all the units in the district came together that day, which was amazing, our custodians, our nurses, our initial first responders into the scene. And I also want to commend our students. The students were fantastic, thanking us, responding to our directions. We had made some changes obviously with the situation going on. We rerouted the buses up to the
031top of the circle, kept the bottom circle clear for the emergency service personnel, and they did a bangup job. That's unbelievable. I had parents, obviously Fridays are a busy day for us, and I'm kind of the captain of the ship in the front desk at the high school. We had parents trying to get kids out of school. We had the shelter in place for a reason. I can't tell you how many thanks we had from those parents. It was quite a testament to this team here to see Jordan and your team up at the high school supporting us. Our administrative team doing what they do, training us to be the best we can be at all times. Quite an assessment. Very proud to be a member of the comme community. Thank you very much, guys.
032Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Joe. Any other green cards? All righty. Nope. That's it. All righty. With that, I will take a motion to adjourn the meeting to exact session. Want to go to go back to exact session? I get a motion to adjourn into exact session employment history of a particular individual. Can I get a motion? Motion. I get a second. All in favor? I. Motion carried. Everyone have a good night and we'll see you in uh