001Okay, good evening everyone. I'd like to bring this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Heat [Music] [Applause] up here. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] Good. Good evening everyone. Welcome again. Fire exits are located at the sides of the room in the front and back. In the event of a fire, you will hear a fire alarm and at that time, please move in a calm and orderly fashion to the nearest exit. Um, before we move on to public speaking, I would like to read just remind the public about uh our public speaking policy. So the board of education encourages community participation by parents or residents on district related to matters at the meetings as outlined in our policy. Period is not to extend exceed
00230 minutes is scheduled early in the meeting for public speaking with a maximum of three minutes per speaker. Each questions and comments must should be directed to the board of education. The board will not in general answer questions during the meeting in accordance with district policies, laws, and regulations. The board will not permit discussion involving individual district personnel or students in public session. All speakers are asked to conduct themselves in a civil manner. Disruptive behavior, obscene language, defamatory statements, threats of violence or statements advocating racial, religious, or other forms of prejudice would not be tolerated. We ask the public to these guidelines and to speak with just general respect. I understand everyone is passionate. We're all passionate for our children and just because we disagree, we should maintain the respect both on both sides. So,
003thank you all. That being said, I will now make a motion to open the floor for public speaking. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Cth. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone oppose abstain? Motion carries. Speaker number one. >> My legal vacation was great. Thank you. But now let's talk about something more important. Freedom of speech. Freedom of speech is a right to express, the right to speak out, to voice concerns, to ask questions, to stand up for what is right. Exercising that right should not be seen as an attack, but a basic human right to protected by the constitution. Let's talk about the 14th amendment, which guarantees equal protection and fairness treatment under law, which individuals targeted, disrespected, and retaliated against simply for speaking the truth. this is a
004violation. That's called corruption at its core. Trying to tear someone down because they're saying what others are afraid to say. It's called voicing concerns. And no one should be punished for that. Furthermore, I'd like to raise real concerns specifically about staffing, salaries, transparency, no names, no nothing included, positions being created. The community should be getting some kind of excuse for why all of this is happening if we don't have that much money. brings a lot of concern. Trust. The community has no trust. The community deserves more than just board links, docs. We deserve a full explanation, a clear breakdown, a full transparency on how public's funds are being used. Now, I want to say something deeper, something from the soul about freedom of speech. When used with integrity and purpose is a foundation of justice.
005Far too long it has felt like old ways of silence, oppression still echo in our system. We're not in the 1960s. Slavery days are over. Some still act like voices of certain community. Non white have no place on the table. But I'm here to say no more. I'm here to say no more injustice against our children. I'm here to say no more silence while community suffer. I am here to say no more disrespect and overruling and abusing of power. No more breaking rules where you mention names of individuals and there's no consequences left even for those that are domestic violence. Yet no one else suffers the consequences for breaking the rules. No more trying to represent as a whole when there's no representation. It's divided. I am a free spirit. I will not be held
006in bondage. I will not be silenced. I will not be shackled physically or emotionally. The system will not scare me. The system will not terrorize me. The system will not shut me down. I will continue to represent and advocate for all children in our community. I will not remain silent. That time for truth is now. The time for change is now. and the community, our community deserves answered. By the way, did any of the board members all approve this letter for me to return? Just a simple question. It can't be answered. I know. Thank you. [Applause] That concludes public speaking. Moving on to the before we move on to the superintendent's report, I would like to welcome Dr. Harold Kohl's uh Westchester superintendent of Boseis um who is here to meet with us to discuss
007the who's going to be helping us with the superintendent search. Thank you so much for coming by and we're looking forward to our meeting. At this point I will now give it over to our superintendent for the superintendent report, Mr. Lusco. >> Surely thank you. Good evening everyone. Welcome. We we have quite a few things that we want to uh just uh summarize for this evening. The first is our transportation. Um I know that there are a lot of questions about transportation. Um just briefly I want to make sure everyone knows that we did um migrate to a new system this year and in doing so we have faced quite a bit of challenges that many uh comm community members are aware of. Uh we do have a brief update here and we have some
008information regarding how folks could um access bus pass information if you're struggling to do so. I will pass the baton over to our assistant superintendent for business, Eric Stark, who helps oversee the transportation department. Mr. Stark, >> thank you so much. Um so as um our interim superintendent uh Mr. Rusco has mentioned we have had some um very great difficulties um with the migration from our old transportation to our old transportation software and system to our new transportation software and system and it has caused a delay in the printing of bus passes for uh both public and non-public students. Um uh in terms of the non-public students, the ones that are routed by the school district, um there are many there are many that um are transported by um YPC or yeshiva private contractors and
009uh we haven't heard that there are issues there. So it's really the the the uh vendors that are using our system. We are aware of it. Um we're not happy about it either. Uh just to to make that clear, we have been working um over weekends to correct the situations um and and clean the data so that the passes are um able to be printed and um sent out. By the end of this day, we I'd like to say that we have cleared up um probably 98% of the problems. there are still a few um students here or there that might have uh not still to this at this point in time received a bus pass and we we continue to work on that. We have set up the transportation hotline which you see on
010the screen there 845-577-6498. Uh during the business hours, we have um anywhere, depending on the peak time of day, anywhere from three to six of our employees answering phone calls, taking down messages. They may not be able to solve your problem right away, but they'll take the information and then somebody will work on the issue and get back to you. Um if you do not have a bus pass, we want uh to explain a few things that you can do. The first is you can download the Myride K12 app on your um smartphone that uh you can do that also by by using the uh QR code that is up on the screen here. Um and then you uh if you register, you need your student ID, your student's date of birth, and the school
011name, and you will be able to get into that system and get the information that you need for your child. If you have multiple children, you enter in uh all of their um dates of birth and student IDs and school names and you'll be able to get their >> public and non-public. >> Um this is this is for both non-public and public if they are route with a company that is routed by the school district. So it's not not the case for the YPCs. >> Understood what I'm saying. What what are we telling kids, parents from both public and non-public um that are saying we don't have bus passes? Are we supposed to carpool? Like I've gotten multiple calls today from parents. You know, schools don't have their routes. Schools don't have the answers. I've
012gotten calls from administrators, from schools, from parents saying that they don't have their their routes. they don't have and I know you're doing you guys are doing the best that you can and I appreciate all that you and your team have been working over over the weekend and and throughout Labor Day and I really appreciate it. I'm just looking for just an idea of what you know I'm telling people you know I you know we had this major glitch issue. Um but I'm I don't know you know I tell them give give it a few days until things work but I mean are first of all are are parents going to be able to be reimbured if they need to take the children back to school take them on their own? I believe we have
013done in the past where they haven't had bus for whatever reason wasn't transportation and re reimburse the parents a certain rate. Um, also parents want to know when the buses are going to be working. Like what what what am I supposed to like what do we anticipate? Like some schools are starting tomorrow, some schools are starting uh on Thursday. So, you know, >> yeah, all good and fair questions. So, just in terms of reimbursement, um the only thing that I'm aware of and and we could we could check with um uh our attorney is that uh parents can have contracts for a long-term arrangement with a school district if their child goes to a one-off place. Um you're you're allowed to do that. I do not believe that we can just simply um provide Last
014year. >> No, we we did it in the past. >> Yeah, last year they reimbursed. >> It's a very minimal amount, but >> Okay. Well, again, I I can check with with our attorney about that and and get back. >> But I mean, more importantly, we're worried about the bus right now. When are the buses when are the children be able to get their bus passes and go on the buses? >> So, so in terms of the the the current system of what's going on, we have been we have been getting all of the schools ready in the system. Um, we have been printing out the bus passes and mailing them. I want to say again that um 98 99% of those bus passes have been mailed as we speak. Right now they have not
015been received. We have also sent um emails with the bus rosters to all of the um to all of the school administrators. So both both on the public and non-public um we we we prioritize those that had told us that they were starting on today and the 3 uh prior to before the the schools that start on the 4th. Um so we're getting all of that to them. We have also used a mail merge system in um within uh two different systems that the school uses to email um all parents that had email addresses in the guardian lines in the system um their students bus pass information. So, >> right. But also receiving a lot of >> Yeah. That like a lot of the day like they're getting passes, but like they're vastly inaccurate different
016I mean >> just you know just stops the same housetop just because they had the same last name like just inconsistent times from the from the dismissal times or starting times. Um there's I don't you know it's hard for me to >> I know Sabrina was telling me about children routed to different schools that they have been without you know I don't know if that's the same but like >> so what one of the things that we have found again we I'm I'm by no means trying to say that what we've been going through has been anywhere near perfect but one one of the things that we have found uh is that we we do have uh one particular contractor that has per pupil runs which which is IMS that uh it appears that a
017lot of information went out in printed bus passes from them that was wrong. Um and again we're we're trying to help them with their data to correct theirs at the same time working on the issues that we've had cuz we've had plenty of issues on on our own and we're trying to work through through those uh on a daily basis. we've been, you know, I I can't I wish that I could just snap my fingers and make everything better, but I I honestly I I just can't do that. We're working as hard as we can. Uh again, into the weekend, into the into the night. We were here until 10 p.m. last night. Um and we are trying to get everything fixed and we're doing the best that we can. So Eric, Eric, just just
018to be clear, uh the the resources at their disposal is that um some parents will be able to use the app my ride K12. Some parents will be able to find information there. >> Some parents will have received an email which may have gone to spam, so they should check the emails. Um many of the principles uh in the non-publiclix and all of the Publix have received roster information and temporary uh um bus pass information that they can also share. >> That is correct. >> And in the mean anybody else who has not received an email or whose school has not received an email, we are focusing on right now and should be finished with when tomorrow at some point we expect. I I would say that again I we we have finished the first
019run through with all the schools as we speak. Um but we know that there are errors and we we get uh phone calls from the schools. We get phone calls on the hotline from individuals and we are working on those as as they come in. >> As of 5:00 today, there's a school that has a pickup in the morning and uh no dismissal. >> Which school is that? >> Um Ira Schaefer. Emry Schaefer. Okay. Well, I will I will make a note of that. And >> uh as as you make as you make a note of that, I just want to say uh just to answer President Rose's question, uh well, not question, but the comment he made about um reimbursement. Um the parent transportation reimburse reimbursement instructions is still on the website. So, um
020that's something you could do a Google search parent transportation reimbursement instructions to see what we did last year. Second, my ride K to 12 as of yesterday. I didn't check today, but as of yesterday, my son's information was not on there. As of yesterday, I did not receive any email about his bus transport, his trans his bus pass. Um, and as of yesterday, I also did not receive any bus passes in the mail. So, I think that yes, we're seeing all these things that we're doing, but I I think we need to also fact check to make sure that whatever we're putting out there actually works. my ride K to2 app. I'm not sure how parents are supposed to know that this app exists. The only reason why I learned about it is through the
021website. Also, um the email that went out, you know, it was never uh shared with parents who the email was coming from. There was no remind to parents. Um we were just told that, you know, this is what's being done, but we didn't know what to look out for. So, you know, all of this sounds great, but in reality, um I don't know how it's really working because I know it's not working for me and it hasn't worked for a lot of parents to where they're receiving this information. Question that I have. There are parents that receive uh two bus passes within the last I guess two uh two days between today and Saturday. How are they supposed to know which bus pass is correct? >> That's a that's a very good question. And um
022the way that they should know is that the bus passes are dated. So if they have two different bus passes that were sent to them, they should use the information on the one with the latter date. >> The date is on the pass itself. >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. >> The bus passes have have a date on them. Second, um there are parents who are found finding out that their child is no longer going to, for example, lime, they used to go to Limek, last year they went to Limekilm, this year they should be going to Limekilm, but they're learning from their bus pass that they are no longer at that school and they're going to a different school. How are we fixing that issue? I don't know at the end of the day if
023it's because they're being I know one situation where um parents are the students are being switched to a different school but parents are not being notified. So I don't know if that's a transport I don't know who's in charge of that who made those decisions to um make it to where khaki yet is now 12 to1 which is fine if changes are being made but the fact that two days before school parents are not knowing where their child is going to school is a problem. So I'm not sure if you guys are aware of that and if you're not aware of that, how can we fix that issue to make sure that students who used to go to one particular school now going to a different school. How can we make sure that parents are
024aware and not you know trying to figure out and calling the schools because the schools still have them in the system as let's say for example limekilm but like I said when they call the uh registration and transportation they have kiad they're receiving welcome letters from limekilm but transportation is saying something different so how do we fix that issue >> there there some of the issues might be related to lastm minute um special education placement changes. And so, um, I'm I'm assuming that all of the special education parents were communicated with for in the last week or two. >> Yeah. Um, all special education families received a letter as well as a phone call as far as where their child's placement would be. So, but I'm just one step, >> but I'm saying that there
025are parents more than one that called or reached out to me saying that they were not aware that there were changes being made. >> so if if any parent is has a concern, they should absolutely call the office and we can help them through the process. to be honest, no one's answering the phones. And they said that if they I know one parent said if they didn't receive a phone call by today, they would be here tomorrow. >> Okay. So, >> well, we we actually have um a number of folks that are still here at the transportation department and there are a number of parents there and they're printing out bus passes there. We've we have we we put seven additional members on a hotline today. We opened up six new lines um from the
026hotline and um you're right, there are a lot of of problems with this system. There's no question about that. Um but we are making a lot of efforts to try to address the confusion. There is confusion, >> but it seems like it's two different situations though. There's a transportation side to it and then there's the placement of where a student is supposed to attend school. Yeah. So, and >> so I I don't want to I don't want to sit here and blame transportation for all the issues that are going on because like I said, it's two different issues. >> Part of it part of it we're learning about even now because in some cases we thought that the passes were correct in some in some cases we find out that there were additional glitches in
027which data is being uh without our understanding data is being shifted within the system itself resulting in some incorrect bus passes. So there's a lot of technical problems that we have been struggling with and I I want to just say we have been working night and day with the technology team from um this this vendor. Our own folks are working I I can't say 12-hour days but there are still uh uh uh areas of confusion and there are still incorrect bus passes. You're right. Um, the best thing that we can do is that I was there in transportation for much of the day. They are answering as many calls as they can. They're getting better at it. We've got folks here still working right now. Uh, are they working tomorrow? Uh, tomorrow night. What's the
028What's the plan for tomorrow for parents to to receive extra support? They can use the hotline. >> Same thing. Hotline. We'll have we have we have people here. Um there's also um a fair tomorrow for um for the students where they can come and get the backpacks and we're going to have uh kiosk set up there as well. >> Yep. And also um I I'm not sure what happened in your case but all of the principles were were uh have received roster information and bus pass information and they have the capability of print this is a public schools they have capability of printing temporary passes for anyone. So, that I'm aware of cuz I know Pomona sent out a Remind to their parents on uh for Thursday and Friday where they were telling their parents
029they can come in and they'll print out a copy, but that's one building. I can't speak for the other buildings and you know what they put in place to make sure that their students receive passes, but at the same time, I think we have a responsibility too to make sure that, you know, we're not putting everything on the building principles as they have a building that they have to open up on Thursday. Um, bus passes should be the last thing they they have to worry about. >> Well, but they're we're working as a team. >> No, no, I understand that. No, no. I'm not saying that they shouldn't. I What I'm saying is that that shouldn't be majority of what they're working on because um I know I went through to a few orientations last
030week where um even the rosters for students weren't um completed for for buildings where it was being changed constantly every day. Um, so I just, like I said, I just want to make sure that, you know, we have things in place. Um, like I mentioned at the last meeting where I said that, you know, I know the first few weeks of school is not always 100%. But, you know, as past practice, putting, you know, having a call center in place and doing other things. I mean, that was the reason I mentioned it so that we are proactive and not waiting till a problem occur, you know, happens to then try to figure out what's next. Yeah, we have been very proactive. We've been working on this for weeks. We've been working with the technology folks
031at Tyler Technologies for weeks. Um it it there are just a lot of complications with the system. But thank you very much for your for your um thoughts. >> The last thing I'll mention about transportation just I just want to make sure the timing is lined up. I'm also learning that the time has changed for elementary and middle schools. um where middle schools used to come in at 9:25 or start at 9:25 and now they're starting at 9:05. Um I don't know how or if it was communicated with all um but I know that that's also a concern. And in terms of our students receiving their bus passes, are the times based on the new start time or is it the old start time? >> They they should be based on the new start times.
032Yes. And now was that communic was the new start time communicated with the with the staff and teachers because I'm also like I said I'm hearing that a lot of them were not aware that I mean I personally wasn't aware that times were going to be changing. So once again it's all a communication issue on all grounds. >> Would you like to um Thank you. >> Uh other question how would a parent know what the student ID number is? I'm sorry. >> One of when you access the app, you have to have a student ID number. If they haven't gotten a bus pass or if bus passes are wrong, how would they know what the student ID numbers? >> Thank you. Um, Mr. Gandhi. >> So, for public schools upon registration, they all get student
033ID and for non-public, it's uh it was provided by the transportation department. >> So, when provided, they can't this doesn't help them, >> right? Is there a way to take off the student ID and leave uh date of birth and names and addresses? >> That's the unique identifier, right? To apply for the app. >> I understand, but it technically doesn't help the 10,000 kids that are being routed by the district or more. >> Then we would have to check with the Tyler technology as well. If there's a way um >> at least for the next at least for the next week or so, maybe put it back later once they get their final card. But if they never got a card, they don't know what their student ID is. So definitely for public schools again
034uh >> public school I understand but the one that we route for the private school >> so we would check with transportation how they were I mean whenever someone comes here right for transportation department they are given an ID every student has a unique ID that's the only unique identifier that I know of um uh we can also talk to Tyler technology if there's a way to sign the students up without using the student ID. So for for the students that we route for the non-public students we route we can find out if the principles have received that information because when they when they process the applications in technology in in um transportation >> it generates ID but >> as we know a lot of schools didn't get it only some got it and the
035parents didn't get it even if the administrator got it the parents not necessarily got it so technically the app doesn't help them much because they're >> if they don't have the ID But we'll find out if the schools have the IDs even if they didn't get the bus passes yet. We'll we'll see if we can't facilitate that. >> If if we've if we've sent them the rosters, then the rosters will have the IDs for the students on them. Yes. >> A lot of rosters have the same mistakes, then >> but then again, if the parents didn't get it from the school, that means they have to call the school and then come back. >> Sure. It becomes a if maybe there's a way to take off the student ID for a week or something and
036just use a date of birth and an address for information not for to edit anything. I don't believe they could edit they could only read in the worst case someone read an address of the name of somebody that he knows. >> I understand now if they had an ID last year and it's the same. So the student IDs don't change. So >> they didn't know the ID last year and they didn't know >> no I know I understand. But if they did, >> student ID is not something that a kid the parent normally uses. >> A parent or a kid uses they it's not a number. It's a number for administration to use to build. That's about it. >> I understand. We'll look into That's a good question. We'll look into whether or not the
037bus passes could be accessed without the ID, you know, and we'll get back to you. >> Does that student ID number change from one year to the next or it remains a constant once a child has been registered? >> Yes, remains constant. So, an old bus pass would have that same ID number on it that they >> Yeah, that's true. So, if they have the old bus pass >> if they have it, right? >> Sure. >> Uh, just one recommendation. I don't know when the next family university is, but can there be a a family university on my ride K through 12 app to uh walk the parents through how the app works? >> Sure, we can include that. Sure. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Okay. So, um yes. So, we we're just uh want
038to remind folks that we do have a parent portal and it does require them to register. Uh the stu the parent portal includes a lot of information that parents can access for their students. Uh report card information, uh attendance information perhaps. I'm going to ask Mr. Gandhi to explain further. definitely their student schedules, uh their progress report, report cards, all the information is over there as as uh as well as health information. This is the same slide from last uh last board meeting and as promised, we do have our team uh right outside of the PLC room to provide anyone that needs a support with parent and student portal and even if they have issues logging into parent portal or if they want to sign up for parent portal, student portal, they're they're they're right
039outside the PLC room right now. So, they can assist you with that. >> Thank you. Maybe this can be um a family university. I know we've done in the past but do it with >> we just did it last week actually on that we went over the entire portal uh family university that usually August end of August first family university is about parent portal. So we went over the entire session. Yeah it was family university. So >> okay all right thank you. >> Thank you. >> And also uh remind was sent about that as well how parents can access their schedules last week when their schedules went live. Oh, so as we've been speaking the uh cell phone policy will be implemented first day of school. Uh we have been in communication with all of
040the principles. Uh they all are uh sharing information with the uh staff. Um Mr. Kvatz has been sharing the information with union leadership as well. Um, and I think that we're we're good to go. We're ready to start. Um, I think principles are clear. Uh, we've been in communication with them. We've clarified and and and, um, secured that they have a plan. Um, and so, um, no internet enabled devices will be allowed in schools, just to be clear, uh, or if they are in the schools, they're not allowed to be used. And this is from the beginning of the school day to the end of the school day. So students will not be allowed to answer emails, texts, use their um their earbuds or their smart uh watches. Uh we have a practice in which
041they will get one warning uh in the year and after that they will be required to uh submit their cell phones to be uh housed by uh the principal and the elementary uh perhaps by the teacher uh and until the end of the day. So that's that's the policy that we're implementing. Those are the practices we're implementing and we start that on the 4th. >> I know um Pomona at their orientation they are assigning every student a locker with a lock. Um do we know if the other middle school and high schools will be doing the same? >> Well what we told them we have uh different schools that have lockers in different conditions. You know some are are are appropriate for student use some are not. and not all even if they do have
042some lockers that are appropriate they may not have lockers for all students. Okay. So they all they're making a plan that is appropriate for their particular building. >> Um every principal has um received um kind of like I guess you can call them cell phone cubbies if you will. Um they've been mounted in their buildings and in their offices so that they could store the cell phones and the earbuds, the smart watches if needed for the day. Um, so, um, there's district storage in every building. Uh, but what we're hoping is that if the students bring them and they can keep them in their purses, they can keep them in their backpacks, silenced and out of view. >> Thank you. Okay, we have uh just our back to school fair. It's very exciting. It's happening
043tomorrow. I'm going to ask um Dr. Shanahan to give us an update on that. >> Thank you. Good evening. Yes. So, for the fair, we are in the midst of setting up. We have about 2,000 backpacks that we are completing with uh composition notebooks, markers, crayons, pencils, um index cards, folders, spiral notebooks. Uh the uh family welcome the family resource coordinators are the ones that are putting that together. They've also invited and have confirmed about 24 vendors. We'll have vendor tables there. Um, vendors such as Molina Healthcare, Fidelis Care, Labors Local 754, Peer Coalition, Healthy Smiles, VCS, the Center for Safety and Change, Youth Bureau, uh, Finglestein Memorial Library, Rockland Works, Girl Scouts, MVP, Literacy Solutions, SV Lawyer, and the Martin Luther King Center. All these organizations will be represented. they'll be available for parents
044to get information about their services and make that uh personal contact. I would recommend that parents try to get there on the early side because it gets very crowded. The parking lot gets very crowded. So, you want to make sure that you are um you come as early as you can. >> Yep. And you I know you mentioned 2,000 >> 2,000 >> backpacks, school supplies. I saw beautiful a lot of work. Thank you. Thank you to the welcome center as well. And yeah, so the next thing is we just wanted to remind folks if you haven't registered uh your child, please do our normal hours 8:30 to 4:00. You can also register online if you don't want to uh register in person. Um and this slide has been available for folks. We have information on
045our website as well. And we encourage you to please make sure that your child is registered if if they're not at this time. And we did want to share with you uh some of the things that we've been doing this this summer. We had a great um new staff orientation. Uh it was a two-day event that happened uh a couple weeks ago. It was headed by um Mr. Kravitz. Um, and you could see here there's a picture of buses here because we were able to tour the uh district with the uh with our new staff. Uh, Mr. Kravitz, you want to say a word or two? Sure. Thank you. It was a wonderful two days. The way it was structured and set up is we had almost 70 new staff members, teachers, and teaching assistants.
046Uh, they had an opportunity to be welcomed and greeted by our interim superintendent. They were introduced to our administrative staff. They heard presentations from various departments including curriculum instruction, uh our MLE department, our special ed department, and our technology department. Um that was primarily on Monday. On Tuesday morning, this group in front of you that you see in the pictures hopped on three big buses and we toured around the district. Big thank you to our tour guides, um Sonia and Jessica. They were on bus three. tomorrow uh guided bus two and Tom Carton uh guided bus one. The the highlight was stopping at the very last school which was Kaciat where they were greeted by our marching band some of whom most of whom had never ever seen them perform. It was a it was
047a really beautiful welcome. We came back here we ate lunch and then they were in their buildings for the rest of the day. The energy in this room was was palpable. It was um it was really really something. They this this group is excited. they are ready to to do some really good work and we're excited to have them here. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> I also wanted to share with you that we had a great three days. We had an administrator's retreat offsite. This was a great opportunity for us as we have uh quite a new uh quite a large number of folks that just joined our leadership team this year. We're very excited about that. Uh we have discussed and shared with you in the past that we have a number
048of coordinators that joined us um as well as new directors and executive directors and uh so this was an opportunity for us to talk about our areas of focus for the year and uh to just um acclimate them to our district um and it was really wonderful. We uh were visited by Regent's Wills just for a short period of time. Apparently our retreat was in her neighborhood so that was a great great treat. Um so we we've focused our administrator staff um on our uh initiatives for the year. And finally um I wanted to talk about the uh yesterday not sorry not yesterday today and tomorrow superintendent conference days two days uh we welcome back our staff. um these folks here have spent a lot of time uh preparing uh appropriate activities for them and
049focusing them on our um our goals for the year. There's a a focus on literacy um and since we have content area directors for the first time in a long time our content area directors at the secondary level were able to meet with uh their teachers and focus their attention on what our goals are for the year. We've had uh also professional development, multilingual education, pupil personnel, special area teachers, and in addition um our administrators are being trained um they trained every year but further trained on teacher evaluation and administrator evaluations. >> Quick question. Um >> Sure. >> I know in the past we've had opening days where um the entire district would come under one one roof. Um, and you know, there would be a welcome and it was also a chance for I
050guess you can say like a meet and greet, especially if there were new hires. Um, is that something that we looked into at all? Um, I know East Rample personally, I know we have a lot of new hires, especially on the higher level. Um, you know, Rockland Boseies, we had ours last week and I know other districts had theirs last week. Um, did we have one or >> so? Um, it, you know, great question. I think that we tried that last year. Tried to get all staff under one roof. The folks who were here with me last year would might remember this. And we had difficulty um in the buildings with plumbing. We had difficulty with parking. Uh, we had a a significant difficulty. So, um, if we wanted to do that, I think we
051something that we would need to do offsite. >> I mean, we've done it offsite. So, um I know, yeah, we we've done it at RCC, uh that actually did it there for a few years. Um so, you know, there's options >> um that we could have looked into. It's just a thought bec um new staff, new assistant principles and principles being moved around. So, I think it would have been a good idea um to start off the year welcoming everyone back. um in a positive light uh as opposed to just straight uh work um >> you know with professional development but that's something I guess we can look into for for next year. >> Sure. I think that we did start in a positive light. I think this has been a very positive day. We
052had a lot of good feedback um and I think folks are really excited. Uh we have a lot of new energy in the district and um the new administrators had a time to meet with teachers, introduce themselves and um begin to focus everyone in the same direction, but we could certainly consider uh having all staff uh under one roof uh in the future. >> Thank you. Okay. And one more thing, we did have a summer uh school graduation. Um it was lovely. We had about we had 45 graduates this year. this summer. So, they participated in our summer school program and um we had a celebration for them. We're very proud of them. Uh and we just want to extend our congratulations again to them and to their families and to the teachers and staff
053that helped to support them this summer. Thank you. And that concludes my report for today and I'll pass it back to uh President Rose. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Lusco. Um, we will now move on to consent and agenda items. I have a motion for consent and agenda items 1 through 7. Don't speak up at once. >> So move by Vice President McIll. I have a second. Second by Mr. Federer, I believe. Um, any discussion on the matters? >> Uh, yes. Um, I just question about the school counselors. I noticed that we have school counselors being added to CAC yet. Um I know we already have two in the middle school. It doesn't say specifically in the agenda what grades is that also for middle school or what grades will that um the extra
054counselors be covering. >> Dr. Gonzalez. >> Hi. Um, so Trusty Charles Pierre, each of our elementary and secondary schools received an additional counselor. Uh, for the Khaki Steam Academy, because they're that anomaly that falls within the range of both elementary schools and middle schools, uh, we're leaving that up to principal Wilmouth to distribute the case load of the work for um, that counselor to be distributed across all of the grades. Uh, full disclosure, she a she has asked for yet an additional school counselor to be added to the elementary grade levels. um at this time we haven't been able to um sort of finalize what that might look like financially for us. >> Okay. And that was going to be my second question. Um I noticed the last board meeting um and also with this
055one there are um a lot of school counselors being appointed and approved by the board. Was that budgeted for this year? And how many counselors were budgeted? >> Yes, it was. So, um, we budgeted for one, we budgeted to grow by one additional school counselor at every secondary school and we budgeted to increase our total number of elementary school counselors so that each building would have a dedicated school counselor. Up until this year, uh, last year there was one elementary school counselor split among four buildings and it was very difficult for him to sort of establish any roots. So um there are uh there's a budget line for supporting a counselor at every elementary school this year. >> Okay. And the reason for hiring these um individuals is the re the reasons I've noticed we
056put even for our coord coordinators has been vacancy. Um and I know for our coordinators we've never had that position. So I don't know I want to make sure that when we are putting those items on the agenda that we're putting the right reasoning. Um so what would be the proper reasoning for let's say adding coordinator that >> sure >> is being added for the first time. >> We um we budgeted for that which creates the vacancy. >> Okay. >> No we didn't we budgeted for deans. Remember I had asked about the coordinators if we were going to change that in the budget. Sure. I don't think we've done that yet. Well, no. We we budgeted um we budgeted initially we discussed a position that we called a dean and um we changed the title
057to coordinator because uh we were informed by union representatives that there was a historically they they didn't uh like the name dean. It didn't matter because you could use the name dean, you can use the name coordinator. It's the same job description. So, um, but we did budget for all of the coordinators that we hired. They're in the budget and and, uh, that budget was approved creating the vacancies. So, when we put it on the agenda as a vacancy, that vacancy was was created when the budget was approved. That's how we do it. >> But just going back to the coordinators, Mr. Ghart. Um I I know I asked this previously. Shouldn't we change the title from dean to co coordinators? Because there's coordinators of MLE, there's literacy, there's climate, there's different titles. So if
058we're saying dean is now >> it's a distinction without a difference. It's just a name. We we could we could call it dean, coordinator, director. It really doesn't. >> No, I just want to make sure that >> Yeah, it doesn't matter. >> Okay. We had a special education meeting last week and there were certain positions that were still not filled uh resource room uh techs or >> are are we talking are you asking about in um for u in district or you're talking or non uh >> well the resource rooms I believe this was in the district >> for in district >> I believe So >> um Miss Maronei, >> sure. I'm sorry. Can you just repeat the question? >> There were certain positions last week when we had the special education meeting were certain
059certain positions that were not filled >> for speech. >> Uh not speech. I think speech you said that you are filled. Uh I think was resource rooms. >> Um I I I thought it was speech but I I can double check. Let me just double check. Are all the positions filled? That's >> in your opinion everything is filled now. >> Are you referring to the information that we discussed in the um special education committee? >> That's what I'm saying. We had a special education >> committee. So it's resource room for um non-public. That was the one area that we didn't feel that we were able to cover at this time fully. >> So now it's filled. No, no, no, no. That's the position that he's referring to or positions. >> Yeah, we we don't have
060all of that that filled for on-site services. >> Okay. So, so uh there have been no changes since our last meeting of a week or of two weeks ago or so where we informed you where we were, but we could still post and we're posting and and attempting to hire for that position. the speech field. >> Yeah. Yeah. As we mentioned at our meeting, the speech, the OT, the PT, we were able to provide services for the non-publiclix fully on in those areas. Is that correct, Miss Maronei? >> Yes. And so the one area that we still struggled in was resource room. >> When will these schools be notified about the services that that is available? Uh so we met with providers today and tomorrow providers will work to make contact with the schools that
061they'll be assigned to to talk about their case loads. >> Thank you. I have uh two more questions. Um I know there was a certificated item that was added last minute today. Um I noticed there's about 112.2 positions. Um, when it comes to vacancies for teachers, do we have a number a total number throughout the district of how many vacancies we have? We can get a total number. Uh, the 02s, as you know, are for the secondary level for those folks who may not know. Uh, we do have a number of vacancies. A lot of them are bilingual. Um, and we are working to try to resolve the bilingual issues here. We have a a few uh at least one in which we're trying to work with a vendor who will be able to provide
062uh virtual bilingual services. We've in contract with them. It's going to take a little time for us to be able to replace these point2s with actual um full-time teachers, but a lot of them are that um and then we have a couple of areas that are hard to fill that we are working on filling um the entire time. you know, we'll be posting and uh interviewing and hoping to fill those vacancies with full-time folks. >> Okay. My last question um has to do with sports. Um it was brought to my attention that currently our Spring Valley cheerleading team does not have a coach. Um they spent all of last week, I guess, practicing on their own. Um I was told that there would be someone on the agenda for tonight, but I don't see anyone
063there. do we have I was were you guys aware that no one that we didn't have a coach and second will there be someone um put on the agenda or someone assigned at least to supervise uh the cheerleading team while they're practicing since they are practicing on their own. >> So we I have been made aware uh there is a posting up for a cheerleading coach. Um, if the student athletes want to get together on their own, they can certainly do so, not as a fully functioning team until there's a there's a coach in place. Um, there's an active posting up on Olas right now, and we're searching for uh a cheer coach. We had some some leads internally. Um, and we're waiting for the hiring process to finalize itself before we can uh identify
064the coach to bring before the board for your consideration. >> Okay. And for liability liability purposes, if we are having them practice on their own, can they at least be some type of supervision? I know our football coaches have been um keeping an eye because they noticed them last week on the field by themselves, but you know, the football coaches can't be um you know, coaching football during practice and also you know, even though they made made it work last week. Yes, it's my understanding that the coaches for football are dedicating their full time and attention and went over to tell the young ladies that they needed to remove themselves until appropriate adult supervision could take place for them. Um, I will follow up with the director of athletics and get a response to you
065in terms of whether or not we can have someone appointed to help in the supervision. >> Thank you. Are the uh aids, the uh shadows that are in the private schools, are they put on hold? >> Anything changed since last year? >> the onetoone aids, right? Special needs children. >> Has there been any change from last year to the onetoone aids? >> I mean, aside from recommendations on the IEPs, is I mean, there's no We don't have any concerns for supporting students that are recommended for onetoone aids. >> You believe that anyone who is recommended for 1:18 has a 1:18 assigned? >> Correct. >> So there's no change. >> No. >> Mrs. Rusco if you know what since with the in terms of the vacancies I know that it's it's >> difficult you know to
066sometimes get um teachers right yes here in the district you know due to other circumstances or even the the competitiveness of other districts within the county. Yes. um if possible I think it'll be imperative for um maybe you can give us a update you know when you get the opportunity of um if there are any other vacancies that still needs to be filled. So just like a some type of update for the board I think that would help as well. >> Absolutely we will. And I know that it looks like a daunting list. Every every 5.2s equals one person. So, um, you know, we are we do have 860 or so teachers on staff. So, this this I'm not sure how many teachers actually this represents. Maybe maybe 10 or 15. I'm not sure. Maybe
067maybe a little more, but we can certainly ask Mr. Kravitz to give us an update next time. >> Yeah, not a problem. Thank you. >> Because that's a great point, Vice President McGill, because we budgeted for, you know, all these vacancies and, you know, it's good to see an update. Okay. So, we have a motion and a second for item 1 through 7. All those in favor say I. I. Anyone in oppos? Motion carries. Moving on to action items one through 14. Do I have a motion for action items 1 through 14? Moved by Mr. Moses Cth. I will second. Um, we'll open it up. Any discussion on the matters? >> Uh, yes. Um just a I think a correction that needs to be made for action item number five. Um in the attachment it
068says that upon the recommendation of the assistant superintendent for business and the athletic director of Spring Valley High School. Um I'm assuming it's referring to um the person we have in place at Spring Valley and not the athletic director of the district. So, if that's the case, it should actually read assistant director of athletics of Spring Valley High School. >> Well, um, >> okay. Thank you. >> Yes, you're correct. Um, my next question is for item number. All right. I know there were um items I added last minute. Um, number 13 in the in the agreement. It says, hold on one second. It says that um Mr. Carl, sorry, I can't don't want to mispronounce his last name. >> Though um agrees to provide advice and assistance carrying out facilities functions throughout the district on
069a regular basis to be deter to be determined between himself and the assistant superintendent for business. But then in F it says being in attendance in a district two to five times each week with a specific schedule coordinated between Mr. Thernau and the assistant superintendent for business. So, should we remove the language on how it's said in the first part and incorporate that so that it's not repetitive or because I know I looked at the agreement we had in the past and um I think on the top it said throughout the district based on two days um and there was no F added because it was already at the top. I add. >> So, does that mean that at least two days a week, two to five days a week? >> Right. He's he's committed
070it it's it will rarely be five days. He's he's uh offered to commit to us a minimum of two days per week, but this this is a not a fulltime um he has not committed to us full-time. >> No, no, no. I know. What I'm saying is that it's it's said differently at on number two at the top and then you see it says something else uh letter F. I don't see the two being inconsistent. And I boldly say that because I wrote it. I thought that it would be more helpful and specific for the board that it said 2 to 5 days. Some of those days may be remote. There is no internal inconsistency in the early language on F, but it does specify it's at least two. Might be some remote, might be
071up to five depending what's going on. Like I said, I'm just basing it on probably the other agreement that you wrote two, three years ago. >> Yes. No, I understand that. And I looked at the other agreement from a few years ago and I didn't frankly think it was specific enough. I thought this >> So, you're making it >> added some specificity for the board's benefit that it would be a little bit more clear. I didn't I'm not big on the cut and paste. I'm also really bad at not editing myself. So, I edited my previous contract from a few years ago. I think this is better. Okay, that's all I wanted to know. Thank you. And I just want to confirm for the uh number six, the Bosey's contract where it says um the
072recommendation to sign the 20 25 to 2026 contract. Um, but this says 24 to 25 just to have clarity. So on the years, >> July 24th right there. >> Oh, is is this the contract that was continued and extended for another year? >> I'm sorry, just >> we're talking about item six, the Bosey's contract. >> Yeah. Yes. If you look, >> if you look at the now therefore section of it, the third paragraph at the end of it, it's it references 2425 school year. Chances are Rockland Boseies just sent us a a regurgitation of what they had previously without updating it. That should be corrected to this year. I think >> um >> I believe to my understanding this is correct for the final for 2025 after the end of the um school year of
073last year. I just want to make sure we have it correct in terms of um is it us signing the 2425? >> Yeah. >> Or the 2526 >> prior year. >> This is the agreement for the 2526 school year. And when they create it, they use the prior year's cost as a basis for the contract. So that's why they're in there. >> But we agree it should be corrected. >> H >> we agree it should be corrected. >> The entire reference is for the uh 2425 school year. >> Yeah. I mean that's just Yeah, it's attachment. Okay. So, how how are we going to vote on the corrected? Should we have to vote amend the motion? Douglas. >> Uh, Mr. Feder, Mr. >> Before we before we I >> should that be 25, we should
074we should um >> we should ask them for >> um we we can pull it and and bring it back to the >> next. I think I agree >> what we have to bring it back or can we just amend it now? >> I think we need to get clarification from Rockland Bos because >> the resolution refers to 2526 but all the data for services on this. >> I don't think so. We'll just retro it'll be just be retroactive for this year. >> Yeah, we'll it'll it'll be fine. >> Okay. Okay. So, I guess >> so. So, I you need a you need a resolution to amend the motion to approve action items with the exception of six. >> Okay. Mr. >> Moses Scott would like to amend the motion for items 1 through 14
075and we're removing six. >> I I still have a question regarding >> I'm a second here. Hold on a second. >> Okay, that's amended motion. Who? I second it. Okay, so I'll second that. Okay, I'm sorry, Mr. Rivera. Go ahead. >> I apologize for cutting in on facilities consultant. I saw the emails. I'm looking at the attachment. I I recall when we were discussing it last time, we discussed it quite a bit about Mr. Falco's the possibility of him working as a consultant. But Mr. Turnout, it seems that there's a different amount per day. It's my I'm reading this carefully. It says he's going to be here for partial days at about $200 per hour. There's a difference between Mr. Falco and Mr. Thernau. Not much, but there is a difference in how much we're
076paying him. Is there a reason why? >> Yes, there is. Um, so uh first of all, the the we had a contract with um Mr. thrown out before um and you the district actually paid a a daily rate that was much higher than it is in this particular instance. Um there was also a difference quite frankly in their um in their history and their their their resumes. Um and that's not to say that um when we were talking about Mr. Falcone that he did not have a good resume. He was a director of facilities in uh many school districts and retiree. Uh Mr. Thernau actually um was in charge of the um entire New York State um Department of Facilities planning for many years. Um so his he he actually comes with a little bit
077more uh of a of a experience and and greater resume. >> Thank you for the clarity. >> I know this item was added last minute today before our board meeting. Um I know same thing happened at the last board meeting and I had asked a question about um if we had posted the position as of today. Has that position been posted? >> The position has been posted. Um the position um uh we we have gotten the list from civil service. Um and we are in the process of canvasing that. I think I was actually asking uh Matt a little bit earlier. Um have we gotten any responses back? And I think uh we're starting to get those now. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. We have a motion and a second for items 1 through
07814 minus item six. All those in favor say I. >> I. Anyone oppose abstain. Motion carries. Um moving on to information and reports from the board. >> Yes. I would like to start off um with a few thank yous. Um uh the first one I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Kimberly O'Brien and the entire registration team for their hard work and dedication uh over the past few weeks. Um you know over the years we we are used to seeing lines out the door uh during this time. Um but from what I witnessed last week the process has been very smooth. um parents um with parents being helped quickly and receiving timely responses um I want them to let them know that you know their efforts are truly set has set the the
079tone for a strong start to the school year um despite the many challenges. Second, I would like to thank Lisa Mazergo and her team for a job well done with the summer summer program at Spring Valley High School. Um as it was mentioned earlier, last Friday over 40 over about 45 students graduated. um including Alan Pier whose story many of you h may have remembered. Um he was attained at the beginning beginning of June. Um in July he signed up for classes and uh as of last Friday he graduated from high school. Um I also want to say special thank you to Dr. Jones who I personally witnessed going from class to class with a cart to ensure students receive lunch during exam week. Um, I know she's been hands-on with the summer program with
080Lisa and the rest of the team. Um, she was at Spring Valley every day making sure the program ran smoothly. And from what I witnessed as well, uh, while most were at the board retreat, she and one of, uh, a few of the directors made sure grading was completed on time. Uh, you know, this program has been part of our district for several years. And although it had stopped I think uh around COVID um we were able to bring it back a few years ago and I'm and you know I'm just glad that students now have this opportunity to meet their requirements. Um to our teachers, staff and students, I want to say welcome back. Um you know I'm very excited for the year ahead and look forward to celebrating the hard work, growth and
081achievements of our school community. And I also don't want to leave out um the rest of our staff for their hard work. I know it's been a very challenging few weeks. Um but you know, I've I've not noticed the hard work that you all put in and I want to say thank you to you all. Um, the last thing I want to mention, as a board member, I received uh an email last uh two weeks ago and um I just want to take a moment to respond because while I value open communication, mutual respect, I also feel it is important to clarify my perspective as a trustee. As a board member, my foremost responsibility is to the students, families, and taxpayers of this district. That responsibility requires me to ask questions, sometime difficult ones, to
082ensure transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making. My questions are never intended to demean or embarrass, but rather to fulfill the governance role entrusted to me by the community. I want to be clear that I have always conducted myself in a professional, respectful, and constructive manner when raising questions or concerns. My tone and approach have consistently reflected my intent to support the district the district's success by seeking clarity, ensuring accuracy, and providing accountability. To frame this work as demeaning or dismissive not only misrepresents my actions, but also risks discouraging legitimate oversight, which is a critical part of good governance. I respectfully ask that my commitment to accountability and transparency be recognized as a strength that supports the district's best interests. Our students, families, staff, and community deserve both effective leadership and strong oversight. These are not opposing
083forces. They are complimentary and they ensure that the district move forward in a way that is both responsible and sustainable. I remain committed to serving in partnership with my colleagues on the board and with the interim superintendent in a spirit of professionalism and collaboration. Our shared goal is a strong effective school system and I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve that goal. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sabir. >> I would like to Mhm. >> So, Vice President McIll, go ahead. Sorry, we'll get to you, Mr. Fed. >> Thank you. Just on a positive note, um the graduation for our students um that completed, you know, they had to go to summer school, but um one thing that I wanted to mention is just to see how they were determined, they never gave
084up. Um they were very resilient and making sure that they graduated from the district. And I want to applaud them for for their efforts. Um, and it was great to see that, you know, they they did make it. And again, thanks to the staff as usual, but I do want to say, um, as an educator myself, I want to, um, of course, welcome back everyone this Thursday. We start tomorrow, but welcome them back this Thursday. And I I want to right now say to them that we appreciate all that the that our staff members um do for our students. It's going to be a great year. We're going to think positive. Um and I I I want to say to the students, work hard. Um be determined. Never give up. If there's times where you
085are struggling, reach out to your teacher. See if your teacher will give you that extra support that's needed. um they do have regions exams still to take. We'll be fine, but we have to, you know, work hard at it. Um but I know that we're going to be very successful. So, thank you staff. Continue to work hard. Thank you for what you continue to do for our students, administrators as well. Even here, um trustees, the cabinet, you know, let's continue to work hard and make this district the best that it can be. Thank you. I would like to um uh thank Mr. Eric Stark for his hard work that he's been doing in transportation. Although it's really not his uh sole position and it takes him away from his daily duties. At the same time,
086I would ask that if we can work swiftly in finding a transportation director that should really take responsibility, somebody that has knowledge in transportation, experience in transportation, routing, dispatching, staffing, speaks English, read knows how to read applications in English and take care of the department properly. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on to future meeting dates. A regular meeting, please note, is scheduled for Monday, September 29th, 2025, beginning at 7:30 p.m. right here in the PLCC room in the administration building, 105 South Madison Avenue, Spring Valley, New York, 10977. What did I September 29th? Yes, on a Monday. Um, written communications. Since the last board meeting, the board re has not received written communications. I will now make a motion to enter executive session. Do I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Cth,
087I believe. Simon, is that you? Oh, Mr. Feder. Second by Mr. Feder. All those in favor say I. I'm sorry. What are we discussing, Kathy? >> We're going Do we expect to action? We're going to discuss the possible employment of particular persons or corporations and receive advice from council on the LLN litigation and receive legal advice on the Herertado litigation. We do not expect action following >> as well as the Bose seat does that need to be >> well that's person it's covered under the first item. >> Got it. >> Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Anyone oppose abstain. Motion carries. Good night everyone. Thank you all. >> Hold on. I want to go. Okay, I'd like to bring this meeting back to Wait, I don't have a core. One, two.
088No, no, I got Okay, now we can bring the meeting back to order. I'd like to bring this meeting back to order and I'd like to make a motion to adjourn this meeting. I'll take a second by Vice President McIll. All those in favor say I. I. Oppose the state. Is welcome to stay. Have a good night everyone. Bye.