ERCSD - Regular Board Meeting 08-19-2025

001I would say there'll We're going to talk about potentially Oh, you could go to Walmart. >> He asked for a ridiculous amount. Okay, good evening everyone. Like to bring this mo meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. Tuesday evening. indivisible liberty and justice. [Music] Thank you. Good evening everyone. Okay. Okay. Good evening everyone. Fire exits are located in the sides room in front and in the back. In the event of a fire, you will hear a fire alarm at that time. Please move in a common orderly fashion to the nearest exit. Um, we now I will now make a motion to open the floor for public speaking. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Rivera. All those in favor say I. >> And oppose abstain. Motion carries. Kathy, I'm still

002waiting for the Oh, thank you. Thank you, Sabrina. Speaker number one >> Spanish speak. Okay. [Music] responsibility. Director Transport. Soch. Uh, principal. Phenomenal. Okay, [Applause] thank you. Speaker number two. Good evening. The uh public hearing for the uh strategic plans comments were made by the parents and the community and those comments were quite good. I would like to know and I think the community deserves to know how were these comments reflected in the final plan. Thank you. Thank you. That concludes public speaking. We now turn it over to Superintendent Relusco for the superintendent's report. Mr. Rusco, >> thank you all and good evening. Uh before I begin the uh superintendent report, I just want to respond briefly to the comments about the um request for bus monitors for uh the buses that uh transport the

003younger children. We will look into that and I'll have uh a response for you on our next meeting at on September 2nd. >> We'll we'll look in and I'll I'll give you an answer. Um, and in regards to the um the menu changes, what I'd like to let you know is that we will just be uh communicating with um districts in Rockham County to see what uh food services they offer their students and compare them to ours. So, we may not be able to make uh any particular changes, but we will be gathering information and sharing that with you in the future as well. Thank you for that. Um, and now uh to our um report here, I'd like to just let you know that we had a successful summer. We had a number of

004uh learning programs that um were enjoyed by many of our students uh held at the elementary levels and middle school levels as well. Uh we also started a special program this year for our kindergarteners to help them get a jump start uh in their education. Uh our high schoolers are also finishing up. They are taking the regions today and tomorrow. And uh we expect that to have a graduation ceremony for them. I think it's on the 29th. Is that right? I believe the 29th is our graduation ceremony. So we're looking forward to that. Our back to school preparations. Um we do have um lists for folks available because school starts on September 4th. And uh if you would like to know what uh the appropriate school supplies are for your uh for your children at

005their particular schools, you can go on to our our codes, our QR codes that are uh available here and available on the uh school website. In addition, we have a back tochool fair. I'm going to ask Daniel Shanahan to give us an update on the back to school fair. >> Thank you and good evening. Uh so on September 3rd we have our annual back to school fair which is sponsored by the family welcome center and the family resource coordinators and this year we and we have available 2,000 backpacks that we'll be giving away uh for in two different groups K to six which would have folders, composition notebooks, markers, crayons and pencils and grades 7 to 12 folders, spiral notebooks, pens, pencils and index cards and in addition we will have uh community vendors and

006resources present. So Fidelis Care for example uh peer coalition, the youth bureau, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Rockland Works, the Girl Scouts uh and others will be will have tables with information about their services that the community can participate in. >> Thank you. >> Uh just a question. Um I have parents who uh wanted to know uh I think this is more on the elementary level. I know a few years ago because of our budget situation there were certain um items that were on the school school supplies list like for example copy paper. Um I want to know where we are in terms of being able to provide copy paper to all uh buildings. Um because I noticed that from what I'm being told by parents is that that's still an item on the school supply list

007that is being asked um of students to bring to school. If you don't have a particular knowledge about that, we'll have to get back to you about that. >> Well, does anyone have an answer or >> does anybody here at this table know if we are asking students to bring in copy paper? No, I know we are asking it's on the website. I'm ask what my question is, are we as a district able to provide copy paper? Are we providing copy paper? And if we are, why are we still asking parents to purchase copy paper for their for their child to bring into school? So, in ter in terms of the budget that was created last year and and and approved and passed, um there was copy paper in um all of the supply lines

008for each one of the schools. So, hearing you say that was a little surprising to me. I don't know why that might have been asked for, but we have budgeted for the proper amounts of of copy paper to be in each school building uh during the year. >> Okay. So, um, knowing that it is part of the school supplies list, um, what can be done, I guess, moving forward, um, so that parents don't feel like they are obligated to purchase these copy papers cuz even other supplies sometimes they're told to, let's say, purchase three, four boxes of markers and crayons or 24 um, tissue boxes, for example. um how can we make sure that the school supplies list is something that parents are able to afford and also maybe if it's needed maybe putting certain

009things as being optional. >> We we can certainly look into that. We we have not looked at that level of detail, but we will now that you've brought it to our attention and of course we agree they should not be buying copy paper and um there you know reasonable number of pens and p and pencils perhaps but certainly not a lot. So why don't we >> who's in charge of providing the list? >> Yeah. Sorry. >> Who's in charge of making the list? >> I I would imagine that the principles are um Ron do you have any insight on that? So, the principles are in charge of making the supply list. They do receive some feedback from teachers. Um, but I if you could direct me specifically, Trusty Charles Pier, I I just clicked on

010a few of the supply list. I don't see copy paper, so maybe it was corrected or maybe it's on a specific school and perhaps the information that that specific school shared out needs to be corrected. I'm happy to touch base. >> We can get into the exact detail. Let's just make sure that the school supply list is not as is accurate and up to date with what our actual student needs are and what's being covered by the school district. I think that's uh >> makes sense. >> Okay, are ready to move on to our next slide uh is about transportation. Um and I know that a lot of folks are anxious to know when the bus passes will be mailed and arriving home. And I'll pass it on to uh Eric Stark. >> Okay. Thank

011you so much. So, um the first thing that I just want to uh mention is that um we have been this year through a process um because we have upgraded the software that the transportation department uses. We actually have been operating um here for probably more than 10 to 12 years using an older version of the software. In fact, uh it had been so long that we actually missed an entire version. So, um we are upgrading two versions of uh the transportation software. It's something that was uh looked at with the transportation committee. Um early last year, we made the commitment, the board approved us, um moving to the new Tyler Technologies um software. Uh I think we did that in an October meeting, signed the contract, and that process has taken place. um pretty

012much since early November to to get the the changeover done. It is a very complicated process. It is uh made more complicated by the fact that um our district transports more uh students um than uh I believe if I'm not mistaken, and this is something that I've heard, but I've not verified, more students than any school district than uh other than New York City uh schools. But regardless of that, we know that it is a large number. Um, so what I want to say is that there have been uh uh there's been a great deal of work that has been done uh both by the members of our transportation department and uh support from Tyler Technologies who um over the last couple of weeks I have been on a uh one or two daily meetings

013per day to make sure that the process is continuing and moving forward um and that kinks and um things within the program that aren't working are corrected. Um and we have been doing um a really good job with that. Um I'm going to tell you now that um we are we are looking um at uh the fact that um for all students uh in the public transportation, the public school transportation that all students that were registered up until August 15th, those bus passes will be going out um by uh the end of this week, August 20th. Um uh when I say that I mean the the great majority I'm not going to tell you I'm not going to stand here and tell you that 100% of them are correct and are going out but we

014we will be mailing out um uh all of the schools. Is it possible that there will be one or two things that need to get corrected? Uh yes, absolutely that this is a very large district and nothing is perfect, but we are doing our best and uh uh plan to have everything out by um the August 20th, which I believe is Thursday, right? So where's that Friday? >> Thursday is the 21st. Tomorrow. >> Today is the 9th. >> Yeah, tomorrow. >> That's tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Maybe the 21st. It may be the 21st. So, um, so, but by by Thursday, at the end of the day, we're going to have everything in the mail. Um, the same goes for, um, all of the, uh, non-public, uh, bus passes that were done, uh, that that had

015the applications in by April 1st, which is the the contractual date. Um, now there are there are certain areas where things that came in after April 1st, like transfers from one school to another will will fall into the same category as prior to April 1st, but but um new students that moved into the district afterwards um and didn't meet the April 1st date um that it uh because of everything that's going on at the beginning of the year and needing to do that, those those will be we will be out by um uh early October. That's pretty typical with with what has happened. >> So, this actually I actually had a parent reach out to me, a new resident um to the district. So, that means he's they're not going to be getting buses until

016October. Um >> generally that that that has been the case in the past. We're going to do our best with everything to get people processed as quickly as possible. But when I'm asked about when the the outside date is going to be, we we it has been October. >> So So if Mhm. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> So if they don't get the bus passes mailed to them, I'm a little confused because I'm well, not confused, I'm concerned. I see the September date, the October date. So these our students, right, if they don't get their bus passes, will they know at least some type of information as to what bus they're going to be taken to get to school? Like the bus route number like >> No. So the reason that we have that

017date of September 23rd is that's the outside date. Okay. because we have to we have to create a period of time for work to get done with with the newer students that that have that are giving us our um registering after that date because there is so much that has to be done with between the time when we're doing this now and getting everything set up with the bus companies and getting the first few days and weeks of school done properly. you really don't have people um in the office sitting at their desks doing the input work that needs to be done. So that's why there is a gap in that period of time. >> Question that that's typical um in in some I I don't want to say really small districts but in in

018other large districts um for example when when I was in Carmel that would have been a typical answer that we would have given as well and we're transporting a lot more students here. So, there's so much work that has to be done in terms of getting out, watching the buses. Most of our staff is out um at the schools the first couple of weeks of school to make sure that the that the getting the the arrival and the dismissal are are all being done properly that there's just not a lot of of time for them to be doing the processing of new applications. >> Right. So, but how would somebody check like this parent they wanted to know they filled out the application online? Um, like how would they know like what the status of

019their application is? Is they did they get the application? Is there like a pro like can they see like pending or something? Like did they get the application? Like how would they know? The only reason I'm asking like somebody reached out to me asked me which doesn't know they sent in the application. They're a new resident. >> That that's a that's a good question. like is is there a way to track that >> for you? But I will I will get that from you and and make sure that that you're you're able to be uh you're able to answer that question if I will get you that. >> Mr. Stark, just quick. So, do we have at least a number of students that may not get their bus passes until September 23rd or October? Do

020we have like the number? Well, again, so what you what you saw there was that we we processed everything on on the public side from applications that were or registrations that were done up until August 15th, which is just this week, right? So that was Monday. >> So, um it would be registrations that have happened since Monday. Do I have that number here now? No, I don't. I can get that for you, please. um it tends to be lower as we you know toward at this part of the summer but there will be there will be some people coming in uh that haven't registered their children >> a parent so then a parents it it will be a parent's responsibility to ensure that their child is schooled during that gap of time. >> Yes. >>

021Okay. And they are told that >> by whomever >> they should be being told that. Yes. >> But parents work so that's going to be an issue. There's parents that cannot bring their child to school because they work. >> Yeah. Th So, this this is these dates are are similar to what has I don't know if they've ever been presented to you before. Um, but these these dates are are typical to what we have uh been experiencing in this district. I I want I would actually like to tell you that they're probably a little bit better than what we've had in the past. Correct. So, um, yeah, it's not a it's not a great situation, but it it's it's the reality. I I don't want to >> I believe previously it was like 30 days.

022>> Previously, it was like 30 days from when the application came in came. >> I'm sorry, I can't hear. >> It was about 30 days from when the application came in till when they got their boss pass previously. >> 30 days. >> Yes. But this this is for you. So >> what I'm talking about is close to 30. But again, we we will do our best. >> How about the April 1? >> Better than that. >> How about the students in the nonpublic school after April 1st? >> How many students do we have on that? >> I don't have those numbers here. I'll get that for you as well. >> But this is for new students, correct? So >> the difference is the non-public, as you know, has a has a requirement by the state

023that the request be made by April 1st. And in fact, we are not actually even responsible to transport other than new students coming into the district. So, we get that done as quickly as we can. But again, we're we're uh responsible for it's it's it's it's approximately 35,000 non-public students right now. So, u we we work to get that done as quickly as possible. That's the outside date. And again, I I we will do everything within our power to um have those uh bus passes out as quickly as possible. But brings me into the difficult another question about and I believe Mr. Feroh was asking where where are we up to with with the applications being processed. I know there was a bit of a delay like where where are we at with them? Like

024I know as you said we transport over 40,000 children. So where are we you know with um >> I know there were some issues with the student ID >> sending you an update on that daily. I don't uh with with the policy committee today I didn't even look to see if I was given that. So I don't um >> but let's talk as of like yesterday thing. Do we have the numbers of how many children how many applications are processed already? >> Was that not that was >> it was just percentages but we would like them to get an idea >> for numbers. I I I'll have to um convert >> I haven't asked for those numbers. >> I'm saying because we as we know we spoken these student IDs are correlated with with the

025applications. So, you know, we >> I I know that that there were some big issues with the with the software and conversions of the data, but my understanding is that within the last two to three weeks as uh both the superintendent and myself have gotten more involved and uh asked the uh the company Tyler to give us greater support, which they have. Um I um I have we've we've had uh as many as two to four of their employees working either coming into the district or working remotely with us. Um that we've been attacking that problem head on and and my understanding is doing a really good job of that. So I will get you the instead of the percentages I'll get you those numbers so that you are have those >> uh actual numbers.

026Um, I will try to do that from our uh retreat tomorrow. >> Okay. >> But how about if I commit to by the end of the week? Is that okay? >> Sounds good to me. >> Okay. >> Uh, question. So, I see it says starting September 4th. Um, we'll have the hotline. Is it possible for it to start um the week before school starts? cuz I know a lot of time parents have questions um especially if they're not receiving you know bus passes and they know they should be receiving it. So I think if we can start earlier than on the day that school actually starts >> let me give you let me uh give you an understanding of the difference between the two. So you have there the main number of the transportation office.

027So, uh, as I mentioned to you, on the first day of school, most of them are out and about throughout the, um, throughout the district. The main number will work fine until September 4th. What the hotline is is a um technological wonder that has been set up by Bobin for us that forwards their lines to um to them when they're out of the office and it rings multiple people's um phone lines at the same time so that um so that every call will get answered. Okay. So, we activate that on and if I'm not explaining that right, maybe you could jump in and explain it better, but we need that when school starts because people aren't in the office. Um, prior to that, um, everybody's in the office and and the regular number will work

028for any concerns as you're talking about. >> And do we have enough, um, people to answer the phones, especially, like I said, a week or two before school starts? because I know in the past we've had to create um like a call center. Um >> so let me let me ask uh Bobin to explain how how that works. >> So So you're right about the call center. What hotline is the same thing? Um we have enough staff. I know we've talked about it. Uh adding uh other clericals as well from other departments. That's something uh we'll we'll probably have to talk internally about adding more staff to it. We identified four additional clerical uh staff that are bilingual that will be available to answer those phone calls once school starts. Um so we're pulling them

029from other offices uh during critical times, but we just think that this is a priority. So um we're hoping to be able to provide better support. Um >> but once again, I'm referring to before school starts, not when school starts. Well, we have um we have a large number of calls that come in on the first day of school because you know for whatever reason there might be problems and so we've identified that as the first day that we we believe we have a large number of calls. So once once again from my past experience we've always had a high volume of calls the first two weeks the the the first two weeks prior to school starting. Do we have something in place to make sure that phone calls are parents are being addressed when

030they call or when they email? Not only just for transportation, but also, you know, for scheduling, for uh registration, for whatever questions they may have or concerns they may have prior to the school starting on September 4th. >> Um I I'm not sure that I've heard from any of the offices that we're having a difficult time answering the phones at this time. We have the we have that system set up that um Bobin just mentioned so that the calls are going out to all of our folks. So if we are hearing of any complaints and we're unable to answer the calls then we can certainly add more folks. But at this point uh we haven't heard uh uh that we've had any difficulties answering the >> No, no, no. But once again, I'm not talking

031about now. I'm talking about two weeks now before school. Right around now. Right. >> But no. Well, once the the but we just mentioned that um bus passes are going out this week. >> Um I'm pretty sure schedules, you know, they usually don't >> get that. I know Rampo received their schedules already. Spring Valley, I heard they're still working on theirs, but as we get closer to September 4th, that's when parents usually starts calling. >> If it all depends on when things are mailed out. >> Yep. So based on the information that we have on when schedules will be sent to students, uh bus passes will be sent to students, do we have something in place? Okay, if you don't want to say two weeks before, at least a week before school, um so that

032parents concerns and questions can be addressed prior to September 4th. If we find that we cannot handle the phone calls and we're having that kind of volume problem, we can certainly um address it by um taking folks from other offices and putting them there. But we are taking them from other offices. And >> we were told last year that we cannot shift from one department to the other department. We well we can we we can we've identified four people who are bilingual that uh once the volume starts to increase and we start having difficulty we will appoint them for a period of time to manage this you know increase in calls >> and would that be only for transportation or is that also for registration scheduling and everything else? >> Either of those two departments

033where needed we have identified those folks that we could add additional support for. I think we just uh you know just on a I think we just need to make sure that um there is a secretarial staff in each building. So I think just you know needs to be take a just take a look at it make sure in each building there's secretaries right that can answer phones that can answer questions right so on and so forth um even now you know >> even the beginning of the school year but I think >> as the interim superintendent just y >> a word that of advice what you could do is make sure each each building you might even have need to visit each building to make sure that there's secret the staffing in the main

034office is enough so that if there's questions that come from the parents or families, right, those questions can be addressed. So, just >> thank you for that. Um, >> you know, last year we didn't have any secretarial support in the elementary buildings during the summer. So, we made an effort this year to um increase that and offered folks 12-month positions. So, we're aware of the problem and we're we're making efforts to do that. Um and and we have improved it, but we still have a couple of places where we are uh having difficulty filling 12 month positions at at a couple of the elementary schools. Um before you move on to the next slide, um I just want to share that just looking into a few of our elementary schools. Um we have second grade

035Fleetwood, which is asking for one package of multi-purpose paper. Um, Elorado Third Grade, they're asking for one package of multi-purpose paper and five packages of 24 pencils. Um, Gran View Elementary, they're also asking for a ream of white 8 1/2 by 11 printer paper. So, once again, like I said, it's the elementary schools really that are asking for all of this. And I also know that they use um Chromebooks majority of the time. So, I think if we can have somebody just go over the supply list for, you know, K through 12 just to make sure that, you know, not asking for too much. >> Yeah, we will. We'll definitely look into it. >> Thank you. Thank you. Okay, so uh moving on. Uh we want to just to remind folks that we do have

036this new cell phone policy that is required by law. And uh we want to be clear that students will not be able to use their cell phones starting uh the beginning of of school throughout the entire day. Uh they can't use it at lunch. They can't use it at recess. Uh they can't use it at all. And so they're expected to keep their cell if they bring them to keep their cell phones silenced. It could be in their backpack or their purse or their locker. Um if they're found using their cell phone, then they would be required to um submit it and it will be held in a um storage device provided by the district. Again, this is something that is required by regulation and all of the schools in New York State have to

037follow. Um if you have to if you feel that you have an urgent matter an emergency that you uh need to contact your child then we ask you to um contact the school main office. Their phone numbers are available on the website. And we know that this is going to be um a big transition for families, for parents, and for students alike. Uh we ask you to please speak to your children and to support this. It's it's a mandate from the state and um everyone is required to um to participate. So, thank you for that. I have uh two questions. Um I had shared with Mr. D. Carlo and Tom Carton um the yonder pouches that a lot of the districts are using. I know I shared with them that Fieldstone um uses it. The

038state I believe allocates money for this. Is this something that we are looking into? And also in the middle school and high schools. Um I know for whatever reason um they had stopped the students from using their the lockers. Are we going back to where students can use their locker can have lockers to be used during the school day to place their devices in the lockers or um you know what's what's the plan? >> Sure. So, we did look into the yandere patches uh pouches. Um, a lot of school districts did look into them. They're complicated. A yonder p uh pouch requires us to um seal a pouch and then uh it's it's magnetically sealed and then um the student would have to uh go through a device in order to unseal the pouch and

039that would take up a lot of time um during dismissal. Uh in addition, there are other problems associated with Yonder patches. So, a lot of districts actually have opted not to use them. Um what we did purchase were um cell phone storage devices that are going to be uh mounted in the district offices. Um it'll be at each principal's suite or office u at in every building. Uh we anticipate that the the biggest challenges will be at the high school level. Um and but we also believe that students will comply. It might be a bumpy road at first, but they'll ultimately comply. Uh we do um we have not been using our lockers. Um and the condition of our many of our lockers are not are in good condition. So we're not um proposing that

040we start to use them. Some schools um may use them. We really think that students are going to put them in their backpacks, their purses, and if not, then they will submit it and they will be stored in the um in the uh principal's office for the day. >> And who exactly is going to um I guess oversee that and make sure that students um are giving cell phones back and no one like is it going to be locked up somewhere? Are we going to have people in charge of certain grades maybe or and also too with the if they do give it to the principles will phones be turned off? Um because we do know we do now we do know now that with smartphones sometimes certain things we say can trigger it to

041go off. >> Um so how do we plan on making sure that doesn't happen? >> Sure. So um the regulations require that the cell phones be silenced. So um students are expected to silence their phones and to store their phones. Uh if we confiscate the phone if they have to submit it to the to the uh district then our policy um indicates that we're not responsible for for the phone. So they they are using the phone at their own risk. Uh if they are using it in school and they have to uh submit it to the principles. Uh each building has will have their own plan for uh collecting it. Uh we do have um a plan where teachers can inform um the administration via eSchool that a cell phone has been used. We're kind

042of trying to use that to avoid confrontation in the classroom. Um and then the administrators will um follow through. Um but again we um we we already have a a non-selfphone policy in place in one of the middle schools and it works pretty well. The very few number of students that actually you know have to um submit their cell phones. So we believe that it it will be successful. If not I mean everyone in the state will be dealing with the same issue and with the same struggles. This is statewide. Um and it will be difficult at first >> although I I would have appreciated it would have been brought up at public speaking. Um the parent did bring a good point like how are parents supposed to reach their children in case of emergency

043and make sure that we have someone who speaks >> Spanish >> whichever language that is needed. >> Um like who who are they supposed to reach out to? Are they supposed to reach out to secretary, the principal? Is there like a >> central phone system to reach out to? Is there >> So on the website um on on every single um school website are the contact numbers for the main office. Uh we don't have Spanish speaking and Haitian speaking uh secretaries in every building. But we it is always our priority to hire them. Uh but we do have to follow civil service rules and regulations in hiring them. There's there's rules that we have to follow. Um but we have made a lot of efforts to to um staff them with with folks who are

044bilingual. >> Right. But what what is a parent? Let's let's play it out for a second. >> Let's say a Spanish- speaking parent calls up needs to speak to their child. Emergency. >> Um she reaches a secretary that doesn't speak any English. I'm sorry. Doesn't speak any Spanish. She doesn't speak any English. Mhm. >> Is there a Spanish speaking or Haitian or Yiddish speaking um secretary or somebody who can help them? Can they be transferred? What like these are legitimate concerns? I mean, >> yep, there should there should be a plan of action. What's the plan of action? >> Sure. So, um we do have many Spanishspeaking clerical. Okay. We do have many. Uh in addition, there are many people in the buildings that are um employees that speak Spanish and that help to translate.

045So um at first it's probably going to be that we have a lot of phone calls until parents get accustomed to, you know, using that service when it's an urgent matter. Um so at first it's going to be a bumpy road, but um we do have a lot of instances in which translation is required. So, we're going to have to utilize our staff. >> But when you say utilize our staff, um these staff, they're not all in the principal's office. Um so, are you saying we're going to have to take teachers out of rooms or is it guidance counselors? Um who exactly are these staff? >> It could be teaching assistants that speak Spanish. It could sometimes be teachers that are on a break. Um, often times, um, it could be an administrator that speaks

046Spanish. Um, you know, the harder ones will be Yiddish. Um, a little bit harder will be Haitian Creole, but, uh, we do have a pretty diverse staff. Uh, is it 100% perfect? No, it is not. Um, but that that's what we'll do. >> How about you? How about utilizing um technology? >> I'm sorry. >> How about bringing some technology to it? >> Could you could we do have Bobin? We have those. What what's that device, Bobby, that we just purchased that we're going to help? I'm not sure how great it will work on a telephone call, but can you just talk a little bit about that? >> It's called pocket talk. It's onetoone uh translation. So, um our goal is to give it to uh guidance counselors, main office clericals, um and nurse office as

047well. So, where they can if if the student comes to them uh and doesn't speak English, they can always translate using that pocket talk device. >> Every phone now has uh translations, you know. >> Yeah. But cell phone, but they're not allowed. The students are not allowed. So in the principal's office, you can translate have a translator to yourself >> and they've done it before. I mean principles can use >> too much stuff on that. Every >> every computer can do it now. >> Yeah. They could use the translation services. >> So have have we actually had a conversation with um our principles and you know building staff well to to go over what this will look like comes to town. >> We've had a number of conversations with them about it. We've had a

048number of meetings. >> Every building has a plan in place. They're planning, they're in the process of planning. We have a retreat this week. Um, and part of the discussion at the retreat is to address these very issues again. Um, when we worked with them over the summer, a number of them, you know, we didn't always have full staff because they were on vacation. So, we had about three meetings. Um, and different folks came. So, here we have a retreat this week where everyone is expected to come. All staff have to be back at work for the last two weeks of summer. And so, uh, part of the agenda is to address these issues. >> So, it hasn't been addressed yet. >> No, it has been addressed. Um, we have had three meetings on it.

049We've also informed them via email, but we're going to be talking about it with the entire administrative staff um during the retreat. So, uh to to continue uh not just with cell phones, but all issues associated with the openings of school. Have the policy that the board uh approved at the last board meeting has that been shared with the principles and staff? >> Uh the policy itself we don't have a practice where we send them policies. They ask they are aware of the policies. They have access to the policies. They have been fully informed of the restrictions within the policy. So they are aware of it. Um and so we'll continue our conversations with them. They've they've all uh are aware that they're getting the storage devices. They're all aware that students are not allowed

050to use any of these devices during the entire school day. Um they are aware that uh of the the issues associated with this. It's been discussed a number of times. It's been emailed. We've been they've been invited to meetings and they will be dis um this will be addressed again in our retreat. So my my my understanding and um my belief is that they will be fully and completely communicated with. >> I want to go back to the u language question there. There is we do have language lines access to language lines and our staff trained at the schools to be able to use language lines should there be a lack of a person who cannot translate. I'm sorry. Are you asking a question? >> I'm asking Yeah, I'm asking I'm asking language lines like

051do we have access to language lines for translation purpos language lines are is it is that a technology uh device? >> It's usually a service. There's like services out there for translation. >> It's called Propio. We do have licensing for that as well. So our teachers use it for parentage and conferences and all that. >> It's called Propio. Yeah. So it's not norm it's not normally used if a parent comes in and there's there isn't >> the main office can use that as well. Yeah. So you have a you can call the number from Propio and they'll have somebody connect with you on the same call or they can also do a web call as well. So uh our teachers have used it for parentage conferences as well in the past. So we'll be renewing

052that contract as well this year for Boseies. >> Staff are trained on this. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Through our um ENL department. So >> thank you. And are parents aware of this service that we have or can if if not can we maybe send out a or >> Sure. And that's mostly for staff and teachers. I mean when parents come to the school they can always you know uh parents I mean staff and teachers can use that service to get the translations uh live translations on call. So >> but that's for inerson and call phone calls >> right you can. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So moving on, we uh just wanted to announce that our family university is back. This is a very popular service that we offer. Our first um

053session is on August 27th and um there you will have information about um going back to school, your the parent portal that is available to you, the school supplies that you'll need to get and the cell phone policy. So uh please feel free to join us on the 27th. And um we kind of referenced the next slide um earlier and this is about registration. Um so the registration if you have not registered your child for school please do so as soon as possible. Registration office hours are 8:30 to 4:00. They are in our uh central office location. Uh you can also register online. Uh this slide here kind of indicates the things that you will need to bring for registration so that it can be a successful registration or have available to you if you're

054registering online. Um in addition, if you need to uh change your home address, you can do it through the registration process as well. Um and our next slide, moving on, is about our facilities. Um I'm going to ask Mr. Stark to give you an update on um our facilities and the progress that we've made this summer. Mr. Stark. >> Sure. So, um we have a a number of photos here that we're sharing with you. Um excuse me. Several of them. Um as you can see, all of the ones on the left and one of those in the middle are highlighting the paving that has been done. Um, one of one of the uh things that really struck me when I arrived in the district were the were the the poor conditions of our parking lots

055and sidewalks. Um, we made um a decision to use uh a good portion of the leftover funding from the SR ARP funds to do that. We changed our application, had it approved by the state, they had the late liquidation, so on and so forth. Um and we actually used the last of the late liquidation funds uh for the paving of the Pomona um school uh over the last few days. Um there are still a few others that are out there that have not been done. We will begin that work with the money that we included in the um transfer to capital in the current year budget. Um when we are finished with that, we should have repaved um all of the lots that needed it throughout the entire district. Um so that's that's very exciting

056piece. Um may not be >> school looks very nice to me. Um we did have lots of potholes, trip hazards um and things that were that were very dangerous in our parking lots. Um more uh student centered um items that you see in the center is that we we redid the um uh re uh sanded and uh polyurethaneed um all of our gym floors in in the middle and high schools. You see that there. And then um you see the bottom of the third row and the top of the last row um uh the repurposing of our cafeterias. They've been painted. Um that what you don't see on the walls there are we we have uh also done >> um decals of the mascots for the schools and those will be up before it does

057the first day of school. We've also ordered new cafeteria furniture for uh both of the high school cafeterias. Um that will not be in by the first day. It will be coming in um mid to late September. Very easy in terms of that. It's not an installation. When the when the um furniture comes, we will be pulling out the old as as the new is being put in. Um so, one one day they'll come into school and voila, they'll have all of their new furniture. The last piece that you see there is is is um not nearly looking as finished uh as some of the other slides. Um we we do have a major project which was the um complete renovation of the Ramapo High School auditorium that um is um the type of project

058that you would like to do over the course of a summer. It's also the type of a project that rarely would actually completely get finished within uh the summer. In fact, the the o the original um plan has this finishing um early to midepptember more likely than not because of delays in the seating. The seating has to be ordered and it's it's then um installed into the uh the auditorium. Um that was delayed by the manufacturer a little bit. So, we're looking at um the end of September um at the outside early October. Um and uh the principal is completely aware of the schedule there in terms of the use that it has uh within the academic program. Um so they're aware of that and making other arrangements for that. But um a lot of

059good work has has been done. Um we are pushing the contractors on a daily basis to um to move this along. Um there's really little that you can do when you when you don't have your your seating arriving though. So, we're waiting on that and that's really what the delay is there. >> Where are we standing with a director? >> I'm sorry, what was that? >> Where are we standing with a facilities director? >> So, um that's actually something that we haven't talked about. Um um a little more than two weeks ago, we received um the resignation of our facilities director um Matt Tindle. Um he gave us a couple of weeks notice. His last day was actually last Friday. So, um I'd like to introduce to you your new director of facilities, and that's

060Eric Stark, who's talking to you right now. Um he is working feverishly um to um get a replacement for us. So, um uh been working with human resources. We have requested and are canvasing uh the current civil service list for the position of director of facilities 3. Um in the interim we um I have been um speaking with um some retirees about some temporary work. We actually um will be looking to speak with you about that this evening in executive session. So um I will be giving you an update on on a particular individual that I hope might be able to help us in the short term um on a part-time basis. >> In the meantime, who's over who will be or who has been overseeing as of Monday. >> I just introduced you to

061>> Okay. Just making sure. Um >> I've been on construction meetings uh >> I I don't want to say every day, but a lot of days since since this I started immediately because uh even when Matt was here to to get introduced to um the players and the contractors, the architect, so on and so forth. And I'm working with the architect uh to be um kept up to date. our um our uh supervisor of maintenance um is is on site every day and reporting out to me about the activities. I've been over there um not on a daily basis because there's a lot of other things that I'm doing, but um again, that's why we will be talking to you about um this temporary piece. Um and I think that that will be very helpful

062as well, but I'm I'm the one taking care of things. >> Okay. So, I I know the decal was put in to Swoon Valley High School in the cafeteria. I believe they've been working on it since yesterday. It does look great. Um, my question is for Ramipo. We have classes that takes place in the what they we consider the study hall in the auditorium. Um, >> I think they call them lecture rooms. >> Lecture. Yeah, lecture rooms. Um, will Ramopa be able to use those rooms come September or is is that isolated from the work that's being done or is that included? >> No, those rooms are also under construction and and we will have to temporarily uh put those classes in other places until they're finished. >> Do we have other places to put

063them because that's the only reason why we started using the lecture room? I just began those conversations with the principal, so I I don't have an answer for you, but um I'm working with um road on that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Well, the cafeteria looks great. It does not look like a the cafeteria when I was going to school here. So, it was it was really nice. Great to see. >> And that's not finished yet. So, we >> Mr. Stark, I'd like to ask a question. >> A little bit more pizzazz to go. >> I say driving by the buildings and seeing the buildings. They look good. I agree. >> Things do look good. Thank you for that and thank you for that update. Going back to that seating in that auditorium. >> Yeah,

064>> maybe I missed it and I apologize if I did. Did they explain why they're having difficulties getting it in before school begins? And when it does end up going in, is that going to take away from instruction time or do they have a plan set in place to make sure that children will have access to that to those rooms to the auditoriums? >> And and the last question to add to that, do we get a cost savings to that because of that because they missed on getting us by a certain time frame? >> Oh, okay. I I see what you're saying there. So, no, there there's there's there there um that would be a lovely thing to to have in in school construction contracts, liquidated damages, does not happen. Um public um contractors, uh

065if if you put those in the bid specs, I actually tried it once a long time ago. If you put those in the bid specs, nobody bids. So, um it's it's one of the natures of of the of the beast of of public uh work is that um you you get um you don't get great contracts. They have to be publicly bid. You're always unless there's a really good reason for disqualifying a bidder, you're taking the low bidder. And um it's just something that you deal with in particular as to why the seating isn't coming that it's it's a manufacturing issue. Um I can't tell you because I just got involved in that what the manufacturing issue was, but it's just lead time. Um and um it's really not um an unusual problem to have.

066You don't you don't have a really long period of time in a summer to completely dismantle, resurface, um reo all the electric work which is in the ceilings and so on and so forth and get new seating in it. It it's just it's it's a really compressed time schedule. Um and um the fact that the chairs are coming in late, it's it's just it's it's an issue that we really it's out of our control. So what I know has >> I'd like them to answer the last part of the question which was will that affect >> any instruction time for the gyms? >> Will that affect instruction time for students using the auditoriums? >> That that was the question that uh that um trustee um Pierre Charles asked and I told you I I my

067response was that I've just started those conversations with the principal and we'll be able to give you an update on that. Thank you. >> But we're going to we're the the obviously we we look to re re um relocate the classes that are in those areas. >> Thank you very much. >> Um or I know Spring Valley Rampo have their orientations on Monday with the cafeteria and the auditorium still being worked on at Ramipo. I'm assuming there will be plans in place for them to be able to have orientation on Monday at Ramapo High School. up >> for for what? >> Orientation. Ninth 10th grade orientation. >> Oh, >> I can answer that. Trusty Charles Pier, I actually spoke with Principal October Cooper this morning about it. Um, she's very aware of the uh auditorium

068and the condition that it's in. So, they're working their uh their orientation through the gymnasium and in other spaces. It'll be uninterrupted. >> Okay. Okay. And there's no safety concerns with the work that's being done while they're there on Monday. >> Oh, no. In terms of safety, um there was a speestous abatement um as a part of this um renovation that was all done um during the first week of the um of the intercession. Um so that um and that was the the air test and and all the monitoring was done and cleared. um that entire area of the high school was off limits to all staff uh during during the period when asbesus abatement was done. Um the the other work that's being done um uh so for example the the when the seats

069are being put in that entire area will be um roped off um and will not be accessible by by students or staff at that time. >> Okay. And work will continue after hours. >> Say that again. >> When school starts, work will continue after hours. Correct. Not during school for the auditorium. >> Oh, after hours work. I I'm I not a question that I've asked, but um I'll I'll I'll get that for you. I'm not 100% sure. >> Okay. >> Um there there there are times where we will do work during the the school day that is not um excessively noisy. So, but I have to I have to double check on what what the situation is on on the installation. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So, moving on. I just wanted to remind everybody

070that um we do have um a policy new policy also regulated by the state or required by the state and it's um in case we um find ourselves having extreme heat. So, um I want you to know that we are making a lot of efforts to ensure that the buildings are cool. Um we are uh having a contractor come in and take a look at our panels to see if we could install uh more air conditioners. We're we're having that work done now and in the next two weeks. Um in addition to that, we have uh principles who are uh planning um at the building level uh best practices for maintaining um a cool building. Um what you should know is that there's always certain areas in any particular building that is hotter than others

071and areas that are cooler. So there's plans there to move children as needed and to ensure that the uh classrooms are cool. There may come a day where uh we may have to go to remote instruction if we are unable to cool a building sufficiently. Uh so please just be aware of that um and make sure that you are um paying attention to our website uh um advertisements. Uh also be aware that it's unlikely but it could happen that uh we uh go to remote instruction for a particular school uh while other schools are open. That could happen because we may have the capacity to keep certain schools cooler than others. It's unlikely, but it is a possibility. >> Could I could I also just add um very quickly that um we also um have

072recently ordered um over 250 window air conditioning units. Um as as superintendent, interim superintendent just mentioned, we have um electricians looking at the electrical capacity in our buildings, in each of our buildings to make sure that we don't overload the systems. Um, and we are also looking at uh which rooms tend to be the hottest when we have days. Those tend to be higher floors facing the midday sun, things like that. So, we will uh first make sure that we can install to make more rooms cooler and then we will prioritize the ones that um uh tend to be the hottest to get those units into first. >> Thank you. Uh and our final slide is um uh regarding the parent portal and I will ask um Bobin do you want to give us an

073update on that? >> Sure. Good evening everyone. Um so parent portal is where you can find information such as uh student schedules, progress reports, report cards, grades and their health information. Um we recommend all parents to register uh for the parent portal if they not they have not already done so. you'll see a link and a QR code to register and instructions are also listed um on the same page. Um so and if the parents already have existing parent portal accounts and have any issues with it uh please email our data team at er-data ercsd.org and they will definitely uh uh assist you with that. To further facilitate this, our technology data team will be at most of the most of the back to school nights um starting with ECC so we can assist new

074parents whose children are starting uh in kindergarten. Also um our data team will be um stationed outside of PLCC room um during the next board meeting um on September 2nd to help uh parents with the parent portal registration or to assist any parents uh who have issues accessing the portal. Thank you. >> Thank you. Can we also send this as a to parents? Yep. K through 12. We'll be sending that. We already have that ready. Uh next week we'll be sending that as soon as schedules are there. So >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. That concludes the superintendent report. >> Thank you very much, Superintendent Vusco. Thank you for your team for being on top of everything and to our new uh facilities director. You didn't hear that, Eric, but whatever. I made a

075joke at you. It's fine. Moving on to consent and agenda items. I will may now make a motion for consent and agenda items 1 through 11. Do I have a second? Second by Mr. Cth. Any discussion? >> Uh yes. Um I don't know if it's possible if we can table for discussion uh number three on certific certificated personnel recommendations appointments of administrators. So you don't want to table it. What you'd like I think what if you'd like to discuss any of that in exec then we would want to remove that from this agenda and hold it out as a a separate item for after exec. The motion is not to table it. >> Yeah because this looked like a lot of teachers for the beginning of the year. So >> no no I well I

076said number three specifically number three not all of it. Is the goal to discuss it in exec? >> I mean, we could remove it, too, and have a discussion, but I I would want to >> I I would recommend that it not it's on the agenda that it would not be removed and brought back another time. It at best if there's questions, it can be discussed in exec, but you wouldn't want to remove this from the agenda. There's too many there's too many people on this agenda for the start of the school year. >> Well, once again, it's for number three. So if we can have a discussion about number three and still go on with the others that's that's fine. I mean whether it's removing tableabling number three whatever we have to do just

077to >> talk about it before we border approve it. >> You don't mean at the whole three you mean the third appointment the third person appointed. >> It's more than one. >> It's three uh three of them. The first three >> D3. >> The first three. >> Yeah. So if it's easier to do it that way then we can do it that way. >> Are you talking about number three appointments of administrators? >> Yes. >> The whole of number three. >> The first three of number three. >> I don't know. Sabrina are we talking about item certificate of personal recommendations >> number? Yes. Certificate of personnel recommendations number three. >> Number three. >> The first three. >> So I'm I'm not talking about >> isn't the third one. Don't we have a separate agenda item

078for the third one over there? >> Say that again. >> For the third item of certificate number three. We have it on the agenda on the action items. No. >> Correct. Well, we didn't get there yet. So, >> right. But why I'm saying is that the reason why you'd like to table it because you'd like to discuss >> to discuss. >> So I think to do that you have a motion to amend the agenda to remove D3 in its entirety to be separately voted on. If there's a second and a vote to do that. >> I'm sorry, I can't hear you. >> If I'm understanding correctly, you're seeking to discuss aspects of what is included in agenda item D3. So, there would be a motion to amend the agenda to remove D3 to be voted

079on separately. If there's a second to that motion and a vote in favor of that, then it gets removed. Otherwise, it stays on this and the entirety of it gets voted on the consent agenda >> if I'm understanding correctly. >> So, Miss Charles Pierre, you're saying remove the entire certificated personnel recommendations? >> No. >> Table it. The whole the whole item. >> No, no, no, no. Number three. >> Okay. D3 is certificated personnel recommendations. >> But number three of D3 >> inside the report. >> Correct. >> Roman numer spec I mean if you want to be specific it would be specific to the first three of D3 in three. The first three administrative appointments in in three >> just administrative appointments. >> Correct. >> Okay. But the first three to be threes >> I mean

080what what I'm saying why I'm saying >> I mean we can discuss it now if you want to discuss it now. Um, I just have uh questions. I I know we're we're approving an action items. >> I mean, if the question is that we have a separate action item for one of the individuals, we can discuss that, I guess. >> But the thing is it's in consent agend. It's in consent um and agenda items and it's in action items. >> Okay, that's a valid question. Can we get a clarification why they're in >> are are you talking about the employment agreement that's in the action items? >> So the those individuals So there are two individuals that are in consent agenda and they're also on action items. >> I would like to have a conversation

081about it before it's board approved if possible. I know we're not on action items yet, which is why I didn't bring up the ones that are on action items, but since we're starting with consent and agenda items, I'm starting with the certificated personnel recommendation. And as as we get to action items, I would like >> Do you want to discuss besides the fact that they're in two areas, is there any other issues that you'd like to discuss about this? >> The question is not it being in two different areas. >> Okay. So, what is it? >> It's it's it's the position. Um, you know, I don't know the process the position. Uh for example, for action item number 19 where we're establishing the director of secondary >> um you know what is the diff what

082is the difference between that position and the executive director position um roles and responsibilities and also for the the director's position um I know it was pulled from the agenda at the last meeting. Um, you know, to my understanding, it was only on the it was only posted for about 7 days. So, I want to know what process was taken place to get to the final decision of the candidate that we're hiring, which is the same person that was originally on the agenda at the last meeting. Um, how many people applied? How many people were interviewed? Um, we can start with that. Would you like me to respond? >> Sure. >> Okay. And I'm I'm going to ask Dr. Gonzalez to help respond as well because he he was directly involved. So, yes, we did

083post it for probably seven days, which is what legally within the realm of what we can do. And um all of the um candidates that applied were reviewed and then there was a committee that was established as per our practice in the district. And um uh after that committee um Ron can you tell us how many folks you interviewed? >> Yes committee. >> So we held the committee there were five uh folks on the interview committee. We interviewed a total of four individuals. Um it's customary oftentimes when folks do apply on OLAS we sort of they weed themselves out by certification status. Um so there were four candidates So, you know, while they're discussing, I think to just make clarification that I think there was a question to make sure it's clear that with the

084the position director of secondary academic operations that that's not the same as a position that we already have the executive director. I think for clarification I think that needs to be you know discussed as well. Um also um to my understanding too the individuals that are being appointed to these positions um were told even after they were pulled from the agenda um to continue in their in that position. I don't know if that actually took place or not, but um you know, we had assistant principles um starting work not knowing that they were in board approve. Um there's just a lot of things that were happening behind the scenes that I want to make sure is clarified before we actually vote on these items. Um you know, one of them she was was I from

085what I was told showed up to work twice. um it doesn't show back pay, but at the same time too um how is it that we are how is it that we're telling people to even though they weren't board approved to um still resumeuming that position or how is it that we're they're telling others that they they got the position even though it wasn't posted nor we didn't go through the interview process at that time. I'm not >> just just for a procedural point. >> We currently have a motion and a second on the entire consent agenda. So, >> and I asked to have a conversation in knowing that it's a personnel matter >> and >> I'm being questioned about it publicly. So, we're talking about it publicly. >> I I mean after >> I

086I understand that, Sabrina. All I'm saying is there's a motion and a second on the consent agenda items. So we should I think to the extent we can focus the discussion on the consent agenda that's probably the that's >> which is what I tried to do and the action items was also brought up. So I I don't know how you want to go about that. I started off with consent agenda items for a reason. Oh my god. >> Yeah. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor say I. >> I. I don't oppose abstain. >> I I'm going to say no on uh D33 in the first three. >> I'm sorry, the the two. >> Okay. Motion carries. Moving on to action items 1 through 23. Do I have a motion

087for action items 1 through 23? >> 23. >> Moved by Mr. Coff. Do I have a second? >> Second by Vice President McGill. We'll open up for discussion. >> Uh yes. At the last board meeting, we approved an agreement for Rosa uh the Rosa Educational Consulting, Inc. Um why are we approving it again? If I could speak to that, it at the last board meeting, the board asked for it to be right >> uh not voted on last meeting until and come back with the financial information which the exhibit A is attached this time. >> Okay. And I see the agreement is also um longer than the last one, so there was more added to it. Correct. >> Uh that I couldn't speak to. >> It was always a three-year. The RFP was approved on

088the June agenda. So, we just forgot to attach it to the last meeting, which is why we pulled it, but it was a always a three year. >> No, what I'm saying what I'm saying is that um the agreement this time is 50 pages. The other one was about eight pages long. >> This this has exhibit A attached. The exhibit A was not attached. >> You mean attached to the agreement? >> That's it's attach it's attached to the agreement. Uh last time the agreement referenced exhibit A and the board correctly asked what is exhibit A because they couldn't see the money or any of the details and this board meeting exhibit A was appended to the end of the agreement. Correct. >> Correct. uh for the director of secondary academic operations. Who are they reporting

089to? >> Uh number 19. >> Number 19. Um, so I I also shared with you a draft of the um >> I'm sorry. Yeah, I also shared with you a draft of the um org chart and this position is in that org chart. >> I did not receive an art chart. >> You didn't see Kathy didn't did you share the um >> you asked me to bring it to Excession. >> Oh, I thought I asked you to do both to email it and to bring prints. Okay, no problem. Sorry. will share it with you later in the exact session. Um, so I going off of memory, um, I know they definitely report to Dr. Gonzalez. Um, and I'm I'm not sure if they report to the executive director. I can't remember of, um, secondary. >>

090And what's the what's the difference in roles and responsibility between the executive director and the director? >> Sure. So this is a um this director um o oversees primar one of the major responsibilities will be to oversee master scheduling in the middle schools and the high schools is a very specific skill set and it's one that we really are lacking um in our in our district. We we really need to strengthen that. In addition to that, um they will assist with um graduation requirements um with the uh summer school, overseeing the summer school program. We need additional supervision for that. Um as well as helping with assessments um you know just providing being one person of a team that helps with um administering appropriate assessments at the secondary level. So those are the the primary

091responsibilities. Um but there will be others as per the um judgment of the assistant superintendent for CNI. >> So will they be working closely? So they'll be working closely with the executive director and with the assistant superintendent of CNI. the executive director provides more um content area support um more CNI support directly more curriculum support this is more operational so um that's why it says operations in the title >> um so it's really about you know creating master schedules across the programs and also about training folks in each of these um schools at secondary schools so that they can learn how to master schedule. So, this particular person has that skill set. Very important for us and we really need um somebody who can help with that. In addition, we've had a lot of struggles

092with just administration of tests, organizing it, making sure it's correct, accurate, you know, um securing the tests, um just organ organizing a lot of that, making sure that it's accurate. He'll be a member of the team that does that. Um um so we just we just think it's a position we really need. It's like a hole in in our administrative structure right now. Um, as well as helping to oversee all of secondary summer school test administration as well as just the um the scheduling of it and the uh planning of it and the organization of it. >> Okay. So only concern that I have is that um you know from my understanding rampo is currently at a almost 93% when it comes to scheduling. schedules have already been sent out to um students. >> Um

093whereas Spring Valley >> um as of last week they were about 50 to 55% with scheduling um and schedules have not been sent out to students as of yet. >> Um I had a conversation with the individual because um of my son who needs schedule as well >> and I was told they don't do scheduling. So, I just want to make sure that the person we're putting in place knows what they're doing, knows how they're doing it. Um, for them to be, you know, experienced. Um, and for us not to have an issue because like I said, the fact that we're two weeks into school right now and for Spring Valley to be at 50 to 55% when it comes to scheduling and this is the same person we're moving up. Um, you know, we

094may want to take a look at that. >> So, Dr. Gonzalez, can you shed any light on that? I know that there's differences in the schools, but >> yes, and actually, Trusty Charles Pier, that's one of the reasons why we want someone at central office to help manage that, to create consistency. Um, I met with principal uh October Cooper and Principal Carlson this morning. I was at Spring Valley High School for the summer regions administration. Spoke to both of them about the status of their master schedules. Um, it is true that Ramipo High School is further along. They're around 90% complete. Um, Spring Valley High School was closer to 75% complete. Um what is typical is the threshold is about 80%. So once you get to 80% then the rest is just tweaking done by

095the school counselors. School counselors come back on Monday. So we discuss the plan to have the school counselors uh fix holes, continue to finalize schedules. Uh the process that will be put in place is for both high schools uh it's called flipping the switch on the portal for students to be able to see their schedules. uh our counselors report back to school on Monday and Tuesday. So by the 28th, I think that's next Wednesday, we will flip the switch so that students would be able to see their schedules. Um one of the challenges that exists is making sure in this district that we have found is making sure that there is some consistency. So bringing someone on board to the central office level to help manage the master schedule and then coach inside the individual

096buildings the folks that will be doing that um is is absolutely critical. Um this person will work close in tandem with the executive director of school counseling and um this director position would actually report to the executive director of assessment and innovation. Um because another area that we feel like we need an we need an accountability office in in this district so that we can continue to monitor as state education department changes the uh making sure that our principles and APS and teachers know that data really well. this addition would help us along those lines. >> So, we had an AP from Rample High School that was in charge of master schedule throughout the district um who would report to Central. Is that AP still doing that or was >> No, he resigned from that

097position last year. >> Okay. And what is the difference in terms of who does the scheduling now at both schools? It's it's the APs that's doing it now, correct? At both high schools. >> Yeah. So t it's the principal and his or her design. So it's the principal with their team. It's an assistant principal at each building. Now >> I just want to mention um I know 17 is up you know there under um the following. Yeah 17 under the action items. I just want to mention that just for the record that I believe um not believe I know that um the there was a community organization that was also asked to come in to ask questions um in regards to the individual. Um the community organization was the Spring Valley NAACP. So I just

098want to make that clear. I know you mentioned it but I want to mention it too um in regards to this situation. um it was clear and also um number 18 for the the title director of secondary academic operations just for I want to make sure that's clear too that this this position is not the same position as the executive director of secondary academic curriculum and instruction. Correct. >> Correct. >> Can someone say it on >> That's correct. >> Thank you. Okay. So with with the agreement for um uh number um it mentions that they will get credit for work on weekends. Illegal holidays or snow days will only be allowed if preapproved. Um there was something else. Um the the employee shall be off on all board approved holidays when schools are closed and

099any and on any day schools are closed in observance of school holidays. So my question is as an athletic director um we know that sports is on the weekends. Um it's also during holidays. So our ads in the past have always made themselves available. um what's different in this case. And another thing too, we've never had an agreement for our ads. So to see that we have an agreement um for an interimm and to see that they're getting paid um almost 35,000 more than our director, our last director um as an interimm. Um it just it's a little concerning only because if that's what an interimm is getting paid then how much will a director get paid once we do hire a permanent director and why are we going instead of why are we hiring

100interm instead of hiring a actual director. >> Sure. So I I think I can address some of those um questions that you have. Uh firstly uh the last AD did have a contract um and in that contract if you remember we created individual contracts last year at it a little bit earlier was in the spring um but it was a time when the district really felt that it had absolutely no money and um we offered a salary that was quite low which was about 150,000 at the time and I included in we included the district the the board approved in that contract a stipulation saying that they would be able to um get uh compensation, financial compensation for weekend work as per the superintendent's approval. That's what was in that contract to to address the

101issue of number one, a lower salary, and number two, the fact that they have to work on weekends. Um now, um since then we've found that we had more money than we thought and um and instead of offering a low salary plus a potential financial compensation for weekends, we put the money in the salary. That salary is comparable to what other ads get, especially for a district of this size. the comp time the the the so what we removed from his individual contract was that he would get financial compensation he could get time what does that mean it means that if he's working a lot of Saturdays that you know he could not come in on a certain Monday or maybe his a his assistant will work on Saturdays they can have a rotating schedule

102as supervised by Dr. Gonzalez. So, um the reason he has a contract is because he needs one. So, it's a um he it's a um it's an interim. He has to have a contract that that dictates the terms and conditions of his employment. Um and >> well, I'm not I'm not saying he shouldn't have a contract. Um I know I looked to see if we had one for um our former AD that was board approved and I did not find it in Boardocks to be able to compare the two. Yeah, we we did it. What you would have found probably in board docs was um a list of administrators with the chart. Remember how we did that? Yeah. So, he he was one of those administrators listed and then that chart went along with it

103and um >> but I'm not I'm referring to the agreement though to be able to to compare to see what's what's the same, what's different, what's been added. So what happens when when we created the chart and we give you a list of all these folks um um you the board approves the terms and conditions for all of the people on that list that that um enables us to enter into individual contract for all of those people. And those individual contracts include terms and conditions that are reflected on that chart that is approved. Rather than putting up here 50 individual contracts, we list the names and we give you the chart, you approve it, and then we create the individual contracts. >> I understand all of that. But what I'm saying, I'm just saying that

104there was no contract to compare this to. >> I'm not referring to the chart. I'm not referring to the list of 50 people. I'm referring to the AD position, >> right? So, the um the previous AD position was not an interim, it's not a one-year position, it was a three-year contract. That three-year contract that he received, you're right, was not on the board agenda. Instead, there was a chart that indicated the terms and conditions that would be included in his individual contract, which is the same for all of the unaffiliated administrators that we have. The chart um uh includes the terms and conditions that are included in the individual contract, thereby uh uh preventing not requiring us to put the individual contracts on a board agenda. He gets an individual contract because he's not getting

105a three-year appointment. >> He's getting a one-year appointment >> and he's doing the same um thing that he has the same roles and responsibilities as the other because that doesn't go into details as the other um our former AD Mhm. That's a job that would be the job description. >> Yeah. Nothing nothing changes when it comes to that. Correct. >> Right. That's the job description. But I do have to say there's one error here on the chart. It says it's two years. That needs to be changed to one year. So, um, can we can we please make that change on the chart? >> What chart are you referring to? >> Which chart are we talking about? >> The contract benefits for unaffiliated staff. It says contract duration >> number 18. >> Item number 18. >>

106Yeah. Item number 18 that that should say one year. >> So do we need to adjust the motion >> the motion with the the mo modify the motion so that it's >> okay uh >> with the action items with the contract duration in item 18 being one year not two >> year. >> Okay. Mr. C would like to amend the motion. I may second the modified motion. >> Second. Yes sir. >> Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second for items 1 through 23. All those in favor say I. I. Anyone opposed abstain. >> No. >> Uh >> sorry Mr. Federer. >> I say no on item 21. >> Okay. Motion carries. >> No. I'm sorry. No for 17 and 19. >> Motion carries as well. Um okay. Moving on to information and reports.

107So Kathy, you got Yeah. Am I correct? Both motions carry. Even we had a no on item number 23. I'm sorry, item 21 and a no on item number 17 and 19. >> Correct. Right. >> But the motion carries. >> Thank you. Moving on to information and reports from the board. Hope everyone had a nice summer. Vice President McIll. >> Yes. um the end of the summer events which I attended such as the talent showcase held at Himstead Elementary School, East Ramapo fine and performing arts summer showcase um and the STEM summer enrichment exhibition at Pomona Middle School were all phenomenal. At Himstead, our fabulous students showed off their singing skills. Uh during the fine and performing arts summer showcase, we had grades 1 through 10 singing songs as well as showing their acting skills.

108At Pomona Middle School during the STEM enrichment program, students were given the opportunity to present their business ideas to judges like they do on the TV show Shark Tank, which I thought was pretty cool. They were very creative um when it came to their different inventions. Also, thank you to all teachers, staff, and administrators for the work done with our students. Your dedication to our children will never go unnoticed. Lastly, I'm going to keep it short. I would like to wish our students, teachers, staff, parents, families, and administrators a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and success. May this year be filled with positive energy. Positive energy. Strong connections. I'll say it again. Strong connections and a shared commitment to creating a supportive and enriching environment for all. Let's work together to make it

109a year of achievement and inspiration. We are er Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President McIll. Um I'm sorry, Sabrina. Just give me one second before we um I just want to remind all the board members. I should have done this earlier. Kathy, you'll you'll you'll have to excuse my excuse me on this. All board members need to sign the t they should everyone should sign the tax rates warrants before leaving tonight. So >> correct. Thank you. >> Got these over there. >> I will I will take >> have it back and >> I'll have them with me for everyone to sign. >> Awesome. Thank you. Sorry Sabrina got anything? Nope. Anyone else? Thank you. Moving on to uh written communication. Since the last board meeting, the board received emails from Mary Mora and Terry

110Rodriguez. Moving on to I will now make a motion to enter executive session. Kathy, what are we discussing? >> We're going to uh discuss matters regarding the possible employment of particular persons or corporations and we do expect action following. >> Thank you. Do I have a second? >> Second. Second by Vice President McIll. All those in favor say I. >> I. And oppose obstain motion carries. Thank you all and have a good night. We'll be back. >> I'll need this. Okay. Okay. Good evening every like to call this meeting back to order. Um I'm going to read the resolution and then I'll I'll make a motion. You know what? Actually, I'll make the motion. I'll read the resolution and then I'll take a second. Where is the board of education needs to hire an interim

111director of facilities due to the resignation of the prior director facilities and where is filling this position at the time of the essence matter necessitating board action end where is the interim superintendent and assistant superintendent of business have secured a candidate for such position who comes as exceptional references and experience. Now therefore, the board of education hereby authorizes hiring Michael Falconee as a perdem consultant to serve as interim director of facilities commencing no later than September 1st, 2025 at a per DM rate of $875 per day. And number two, the interim superintendent to execute a contract to hire the interim the interimm director of facilities upon terms and conditions mutually agreed to. and the interim superintendent of schools and or his design or her design to be authorized to take all steps necessary to implement

112the provisions of this resolution. Do I have a second? >> Second by Mr. Federer. All those in favor say I. I. And I want to pause abstain. Um, I'm going to say no only because I don't feel comfortable voting on something that was just presented to us. I understand it's needed. Um, but it's a no for me. I'm I'm Oh boy. I know we need I know we're we're in need, right, because of this situation. God. Yeah, we need it. Facilities, we have nobody. >> Is that a yes or no? >> I'm going to say yes because we need it. >> Thank you. Okay, motion carries. Um, now I'll make a motion to adjourn this meeting. Do I have a second? >> Second. All those in favor say I. I. I oppose abstain. Motion carries.

113Thank you all.