001It's okay. That's a doesn't work. Two people on the table 20 grand. That was like the biggest besides Kirsten Is that right? The reorganization meeting of the East Ice School District Board of Education is called to order. Please stand for the pledge of 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. The oath of office will be administered to board of education trustee Timothy Ces. twice. Okay. I, Timothy Cassone, will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of board trustee according to the best of my ability. I am requesting nominations for the position of president of the board
002of education. I nominate Steven Room. Who seconds this nomination? Second. We have a motion made by Chris Zachary, seconded by Mike Doran to appoint Steven Ruland to the position of board president. Are there any other nominations? No nominations. All in favor? I congratulations, Mr. Ruin. Thank you. The oath of office will now be administered to the board president. [Music] raise my hand. I, Steven Ruland, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, that I will faithfully discharge the duties of board president according to the best of my ability. Thank you. I'm requesting nominations for the position of vice president of the board of education. I would like to nominate Timothy Sassone. Who second this nomination? I'll second that nom. We have
003a motion made by Jessica Champion, seconded by Steven Rul to appoint Timothy Ces to the position of board vice president. Are there any other nominations? No other nominations. All in favor? Congratulations, Mr. [Applause] All right. I, Timothy Sassone, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of board vice president according to the best of my ability. The meeting will now be chaired by the board president. [Music] Good evening everybody. Uh first of all, I'd like to thank Mr. Dorgan for his two years of service as board president. He's a pleasure to work with and uh they've been continue to do great things for our district. Also like to congratulate Mr. Sassone for being
004vice president. Thank you, Steve. Uh 5.1 designation of dates for board of education meetings. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby adopts the attached schedule for the board of education business and workshop meetings for the 2025 2026 school year. Can I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Sassone. Second. Second by Mr. Zachary. All in favor? I. Passes. Any items to be removed off the consent agenda? Be it resolved that upon recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education approves the appointments consent agenda items 8.1 through 850. authorizations consent agenda items 9.1 to 9.3 and bonding in other consent agenda items 10.1 through 10.4. Can I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Dan. Second by Mr. Zachary. All in favor? I. And
005just know we just saved about an hour past year's New Yorks back in the day. We used to read all of them. the appointments of each position. You want me to? No, no, no, no. Okay. 11.1 board leazison appointments. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the board of layers on appointments for district-wide committees for the 20252026 school year. Can I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Doran, second by Mr. Zachary. All in favor? I. Okay. Before I adjourn uh to the business uh school business meeting, uh uh Angel uh May, can you step up please? The oath of office will now be administered to to our exeicio student school board member. I, Angel, do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution
006of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the exicial student student school board member of the East ISP school district board according to my best educ. The board of education [Applause] Welcome to the board. You're welcome. Okay, at this time uh before we go to the business meeting, we have uh two public hearings and at this time I uh ask Dr. The bells to explain the way. Good evening. As required by New York State Law 2801- A, we are holding our annual public hearing to present and review the district-wide school safety plan for the East Icelip Union Free School District. This hearing provides an opportunity to publicly present our plan, invite feedback, and ensure transparency in how we prioritize safety. This
007is a critical part of our emergency preparedness and the plan will remain open for public comment for 30 days before board adoption. The district must comply with New York law 2801- regulation 155.17. This legal framework ensures we're head we're adhering to state standards for school safety. Our district-wide safety plan is a strategic framework that focuses on preventing, responding to, and recovering from emergencies. While building level plans include specific operational details for each school, this plan covers district-wide policies and coordination. It is updated and reviewed every year. Our district-wide safety team is composed of a diverse group of individuals. It includes representatives from the board of education, teachers, administrators, parents, safety staff, local responders, and transportation personnel. This diverse composition ensures multiple perspectives and expertise are considered in our planning. Our team in Eastip reflect reflects
008these roles. By involving various stakeholders, we ensure a comprehensive approach to safety. The district chief emergency officer plays a pivotal role communicating to ensure that school staff, law enforcement, and first responders are always aligned and in sync. The officer leads the charge in developing, updating, and conducting training and drills. Our safety team also carries significant responsibilities. They are tasked with annually developing and updating both district and building level plans. The elements of the safety plan are crucial for creating a safe educational environment. Prevention and intervention strategies include proactive measures to identify and address potential safety risks before they escalate. Emergency response protocols are detailed plans for responding to various emergencies, ensuring everyone knows their role during a crisis. Coordination with law enforcement and agencies is vital. We maintain strong relationships with local authorities to ensure
009swift and efficient responses when needed. Our plan also outlines school safety personnel policies. These policies guide the actions and responsibilities of our safety staff. ensuring consistency and accountability. Continuous training and drills are important. These efforts keep everyone prepared and updated on the latest safety procedures. Finally, our communication strategies must be clear. Timely communication is key during any incident to keep everyone informed and safe. Building level emergency response plans are confidential. Each building plan must have detailed for plans, blueprints, schematics, and maps. These are essential for understanding the layout, ensuring rapid response during emergencies. Internal and external communication systems ensure that information is relayed quickly and efficiently. We utilize the incident command system chain of command to maintain clear and organized leadership during an incident. Additionally, our plan coordinates with mental health teams. This is important
010to support our community's emotional and psychological needs during and after a crisis. Finally, procedures for drill drills and exercises are outlined to ensure preparedness and practice. The Dignity for All Students Act is designed to provide all students with a safe and supportive environment that's free from discrimination and harassment. Mental health supports and counseling are key in creating a nurturing environment for our students. They ensure that students have access to the necessary resources to thrive emotionally and academically. Conflict resolution and restorative practices play a significant role. These approaches help in addressing disputes and build a strong cohesive community. Behavioral interventions and support to proactively address and improve student behavior leading to a positive school climate. The plan outlines clear procedures for various emergency scenarios such as lockdowns, secure lockouts, evacuations, and shelter in place. Each procedure
011has a designated chain of command and steps to ensure safety and accountability. Our emergency communication system is in place to quickly inform families and staff. All visitors must use the main entrance. This policy helps us monitor who is coming in and out, keeping our environment safe and secure. A valid governmentisssued photo ID is required from every visitor. Once a visitor arrives, they're screened through our digital visitor management system, the Raptor. This system issues a visitor badge that must be worn at all times. In the case of an emergency such as a lockdown or or evacuation, visitors must follow staff instructions immediately and move to the nearest safe location. Our afterchool program protocols mirror our school day standards to maintain consistency and security for everyone involved. Our district district approved in individuals such as coaches and
012program leaders are authorized to supervise students. Doors remain locked after hours with entry allowed solely through the main entrance or an entrance man by security. Propping doors open is strictly prohibited to maintain building security. Emergency readiness is also vital. After school district staff must be trained in immer emergency procedures including lockdowns and evacuations. Staff supervising students should always have a phone or radio to contact the main office administrator or emergency services. Thank you. We collaborate closely with Suffach County law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency personnel. Our plans are reviewed and coordinated with these agencies, and we regularly conduct joint drills to prepare for real world situations. The plan details roles and responsibilities for school safety personnel, including security staff and our school resource officers. Our personnel receive ongoing training in deescalation, emergency response, and
013identifying potential threats. We also have strict visitor identification, check-ins, and procedures in place. State requires a minimum of 12 safety drills per year, which include fire drills, lockdown drills, and bus safety drills. Staff also receive annual training on emergency procedures, ensuring everyone knows their role during a crisis. We understand the importance of timely, accurate communication. Our notification system includes parent square calls, emails, and texts. We also coordinate messaging with local media when necessary. Our communications accommodate all families with translation and accessibility support as needed. The updates for the 2025 2026 plan include the updated term of secure lockout. This change reflects the latest best practice in school safety terminology. The plan includes our communication framework. This ensures that parents and those in a parental role are kept informed about drills effectively and promptly. Additionally, the
014plan includes personnel changes. This ensures we have the right people in place to execute our safety strategies effectively and we have also incorporated the valuable feedback from the school safety committee. Their insights help us to refine refine and enhance our safety measures. The safety plan will be posted on the de district website and is available for public comment for the next 30 days. Community members are encouraged to submit feedback by email or in writing. The board of education is scheduled to vote on plan adoption at the August 2025 board meeting. And my contact information is as follows. And emails and any type of written comment on the safety plan can be sent to me at either my email or a phone call. Thank you for all your hard work on this, Dr. Bells. This hearing
015is part of our annual review process and an important opportunity to engage our community. Education Law 2801 mandates an annual review of the code of conduct. Before adoption of the code of conduct, there must be a public hearing. The code will be posted on the district website for 30 days for review and comment. Once finalized, the code will be adopted in August at the board meeting and then the final version will be posted on the district website. Transparency is crucial and easy access helps everyone stay informed. Our code of conduct is a comprehensive document that defines acceptable behavior and the consequences for misconduct. It supports our mission to foster respect, responsibility, and readiness for all our students. Outlined are the main components. Each section is designed to clearly communicate expectations and ensure fair and consistent
016enforcement. Beyond discipline, we are focusing on prevention and support. Our district continues to invest in programs that encourage positive behavior and emotional well-being. We recognize that families are essential partners. Your input through this process helps to ensure the code of conduct reflects our shared values. Right? And the timeline is today is the public hearing. The board of education will adopt it in August and then in September the code of conduct will be posted on the website for students, staff and families. In addition, um student uh friendly versions will also be posted and if there are any comments, please again address it to my email or call me with my contact information. Thank you, Dr. Bells. Let's call to order for our business meeting. Uh board president to advise members of the audience that they may
017address the board regarding agenda items after the superintendent's report. Only those members whose names and addresses are listed on the sign-in sheet available prior to the start of the meeting will be recognized during the new during new business. The chairperson will limit discussions of any item by the public to three minutes in order for the board to expeditiously conduct its business. Superintendent report. Thank you Mr. Ruland and uh congratulate uh congratulations on your selection to be president of the board and Mr. C vice president. I want to thank Mr. Doran for his last two years of service as president. It's been an amazing two years and thank you for all your support and everything you've done for our community and our students. Um, I'd like to say that we had a wonderful year. Uh, the
018last two weeks have been amazing. We've had honor society inductions, uh, scholarship nights, athletic, uh, recognitions, uh, finally ending with graduation this past Thursday, which is amazing. So, thank you to our community members, our staff, and our administrators for everything they've done to support our students. Uh, I'd like to welcome Angel as our student member for our board of education. It's great to have you here. We're looking forward to working with you and certainly welcome student voice. So, welcome. That's all I have. That's it. That's it. Okay. Any public comments on agenda items only? Okay. Certified personnel. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the resignations, terminations, leaves of absence, position abolitions, employment employment appointments, tenure appointments, and salary changes in accordance with the
019applicable provisions of education law and the civil service law as cited in the certified personnel attachments. Can I get a motion? Motion. Second. Second. All in favor? I. It passes. Okay. At this time, I'd like to introduce Tara Scully. Tara, could you please stand? Tara is going to be our new principal at the East Icelip Middle School, and we welcome her. I know she has a whole cheering committee here with her, so you can clap. She was just appointed as our new principal. Congratulations, Tara, and welcome to East. In addition, I'd like to welcome some of our new teachers and faculty members. And if you're here, if you could please stand to be recognized. Crystal Pelicano, special education teacher. Congratulations, [Applause] Samantha Wasserman, school psychologist districtwide. Congratulations Samantha Montabani and Caroline Oday. I don't know
020if they are here, but congratulations to both of them as well. Welcome everybody to East Iceland. We look forward to working with you. Thank you, Dr. Aro. Uh 7.2, non-certified personnel. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the resignations, terminations, leaves of absence, position abolitions, employment employment appointments. I have problems with that. How' you How'd you do that for two years, Mike? Tenure appointments and salary changes in accordance with the applicable provisions of the education law and civil service law are cited in the non-certified personnel attachments. Can I get a motion? Motion second. All in favor? I Okay. 7.3 settlement agreement. Whereas the board of education of the East Ic is Union Free School District commenced an article 78 proceeding in the New York
021State Supreme Court Suffach County index number 608747 the year 2025 against the East Disters Association and other necessary parties on or about April 2nd 2025. And whereas to avoid the burden and expense of further litigation, the board of education of the East Icelope Union Free School District, the East Icelope Teachers Association said necessary parties have agreed to settle said litigation and all related existing disputes. Now therefore, be it resolved that the board of education of the East Icelope Union Free School District hereby authorizes settlement of the above action bearing bearing index number of 2025 in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement and general release between the parties. And be it further resolved that the board of education hereby authorizes the board president to execute the above reference settlement agreement and general release and
022all documents necessary to effectuate said settlement. Be it resolved that the board of education hereby authorizes the school district's attorneys to execute any and all other documents necessary to effectuate discontinuence of the action. Can I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Doran. Second. Second by Mr. Zachary. All in favor? It passes. 7.4. The EISA MOA. Whereas the July 1st, 2021 to June 30th, 2025 labor agreement between the East Icelope Union Free School District and the East Icelope Association of School Administrators expires on June 30th, 2025. And whereas representatives of the respective parties have engaged in negotiations for a successor agreement to the ex expiring labor agreement. And whereas representatives of the district and EIASA reached an agreement for a successor agreement for the period from July 1st, 2025 through June 30th, 2030 that has
023been memorialized in a memorandum of agreement that has been reviewed by the board of education. And whereas the membership of the EIASA have ratified said memorand memorandum of agreement. Now therefore be it result that the board of education approves the memorandum of agreement herein after reference. A lot of words MOA means memorandum of agreement by the way. Uh can I get a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Doran. Second. Second by Mr. Zachary. All in favor? I it passes. Steve, I'll give you a second to catch your breath. Um I know there's some unit members here and I just want to say the board and the unit spent a lot of time the last few months to make this happen and I want to thank the administrators unit and their their board, Miss Jones and everybody
024sits on there uh for taking the time to get this done. It was a lot of work. I'm glad we were able to get it done and congratulations to the unit on getting your new new deal. Thank you. [Applause] Okay. 8.1. Any items to be removed from the consent agenda? Okay. 9.1. Consent agenda items 9.2 through 9.17. Be resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves consent agenda items 9.2 to to through 9.17 in accordance with the action presented for each item. Can I get a motion? Motion. Second. All in favor? I I uh I just want to mention two items on the consent agenda are two field trips. One is one to Spain in uh March, the end of March, and the other is a tour
025of Northeast College campuses. uh this is very uh great opportunity for the students to get involved to go to Spain uh if they meet the criteria and also uh to visit college campuses when they're in 11th grade and 12th grade. Uh so uh good luck and hopefully uh the students get involved with that. Um go to appropriation changes. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, the board of education hereby approves the attached list of appropriation changes for the 2024 to 2025 and the 2025 to 2026 school years. Can I get a motion? Motion second. All in favor? I. 10.2 donation from the school store to the high school. Be it resolved that upon the recommendation of the superintendent of the schools, the board of education hereby accepts the donation of
026$3,63.15 from the school store at the high school to the east is school district. This donation will be used to purchase a stationary bicycle to be used by the students of the core program as well as students participating in scheduled physical activity sessions in the sensory room. The revenue code to be increased is A2705.0000 and the appropriate budget codes will be increased. Can I get a motion? Motion. Second. All in favor? Any old business? At this time, I gladly turn this over to Dr. Bells. Thank you. Two items under new business. The first is a trip to Boston. Mr. Spiegel, the middle school assistant principal, is proposing a 3-day trip for eighth graders to Boston, Massachusetts. This trip will take place from May 19th to May 21st, 2026. Students will have the opportunity to visit
027various historical landmarks such as the Boston Tea Party, the Freedom Trail, and in addition to visiting those historic uh landmarks, they'll also have some opportunities to do some team building activities. That's very exciting. And starting that new tradition of the eighth grade field trips. Um the next item on under new business is the extreme heat policy 8113. This policy was drafted by our attorneys and is required by law. The policy states that when the outdoor temperature is expected to reach 82°, the district will develop a strategy for maintaining a temperature below 82° um in the classrooms and the instructional areas and even in the kitchen areas. Um this would include the use of fans, relocating students to air conditioning if there was not an air conditioning um place. uh water breaks and things of that
028nature. Does this include district office like right now? Yeah. Really? Thank you. Those are all the items I have. Thank you, Dr. Bells. Any public comments? Nada. Okay. The next board of education regular business meeting will be held on Thursday, August 14th, 2025 at Sedman PM. Second. Excuse me. Can I have a motion to adjourn? Motion second. Mr. Zachary, Mr. Dan, all in favor? I have a great Thank you everybody. All right. I need more choice.