001Good evening and welcome to the monthly meeting of the East Rockway School Board of Education. I'd like to call this meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. Could you please stand for the Oh, when I is a shiny example of what it means to be a third grader. She's an extremely hard-working, kind, and caring student who approaches each day with dedication and a positive attitude. She always follows directions, gives her best effort in everything she does, and treats others with genuine kindness and respect. She is as sweet as can be, and a true role model for her classmates. I am incredibly proud of all that Emma has accomplished in the third grade so far this year and I am honored to have her represent our school today. Emma [applause] [clears throat]
002I pledge alce to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisibley and justice for all. [applause] And now we're going to have a PBL project. Oh, we're going to have the PBLO project presentation by Mr. Murray. Um, actually I'd like to uh call up Miss Garo to the podium and she is going to introduce one of the students in her computer science AP class who is working on a very very exciting project um that we want him to share with the community. >> Hi. Um, so I'm really excited tonight to introduce my AP computer science principal student, Adam Bulgowski, who is going to walk you all through his project that he just recently submitted to the AI presidential challenge, which is sponsored by
003the White House. Um, I wanted to talk a little bit about just the computer science course in general. First, um, it was originally started back in 2018 by Mr. Howard and was part of the technology department. and then in 2022 it got moved to the math department and that's when I got the chance to teach class. Um, this is a really unique class. It gives students uh a real true college level experience. They're not just learning how to code. Um, they're learning how to think critically, solve problems, manage long-term projects, and persist through challenges. I intentionally structure this class to mirror a college environment. Oh, hello. uh so students can learn independence, accountability, and confidence before they ever step foot onto the college campus. Um that rigor is reflected in our results. Last year, our
004students earned an approximately 80% AP exam pass rate, which significantly surpassed both the New York State average and the global AP pass rate. And this speaks to the strength of the program and the dedication and talent of the students in the class, just like Adam. Uh just as important as rigor though is creativity and student voice. And you're going to see a lot of that today. Um computer science really is one of the few subjects where students can combine logic, creativity, and real world impact. Um and they really get to show that through the projects that they do in the class and then also the projects that they get to do outside of the class. Um and then when they're given that freedom, they really kind of just exceed our expectations. And I really hope
005that you guys see that today. Um there is a second AP class, computer science A, which I'm really hopeful will be a future course um offered at East Rockway High School. The current principles course that we offer is uh more of a big picture course that covers the internet, cyber security, data privacy. Um in addition to basic coding, while that next computer science a course would be more of a deep dive focused strictly on software engineering. Um, and that's usually the course that would count as an intro to computer science class for college majors. But in all honesty, the best way for you guys to understand the creativity, technical skill, and real world problem solving that our students are capable of is by example, which is exactly what Adam is here to do. So, please
006welcome Adam and his incredible webbased parking intelligence system. [cheering and applause] My name is Adam Kolakovski and I created Smart Park to help combat parking issues. Parking is a persistent problem in East Rockway, especially during busy hours near stores, residential streets, and community hairs. Drivers often spend several minutes circling blocks looking for parking, which increases traffic congestion, waste fuel, and add stress to the community. This problem is even more impactful for drivers who need accessible or handicapped parking where availability is limited and unpredictable. Smart Park was created to address this real community challenge by using artificial intelligence combined with real real time community source data. Smart Park is a web-based parking intelligence system that allows users to submit parking reports, view live availability, and receive AI powered predictions about whether parking is likely to be
007available at a given location, time, and spot type. The system distinguishes between general parking and accessible parking, ensuring that accessibility needs are explicitly supported rather than treated as an afterthought. The technical core of smart park is a machine learning model called smarking sorry parking predictor implemented using logistic regression. Logistic regression is well suited for this problem because the output is binary. Either parking was found or it was known. The model is trained on historical community reports that include location, day of the week, hour and spot type. From this data, Smart Park predicts the probability of finding parking under similar conditions in the future. A major challenge in building this system was data spar sparity. Because Smart Park is communitydriven, some locations initially have limited historical data. To solve this, Smart Park uses a tiered fallback
008system. When recent reports exist, the app displays a live availability status based on a recency window. If live data is unavailable, the AI model generates a prediction using historical patterns. If historical data is insufficient, Smartpark falls back to safe statistical heristics. This layered approach ensures that the system is reliable, transparent, and usable even during early de deployment. One of Smart's most innovative features is the interactive map. >> [clears throat] >> Locations appear as colored bubbles. Green for high availability, yellow for medium, and red for low. The bubble size scales based on the total number of reports for that location and spot type, which visually communicates confidence and data strength. [snorts] Larger bubbles represent locations with more community input, helping users quickly understand which predictions are supported by stronger evidence. Smart Park also allows users to
009click directly on the map to add new locations. When a user clicks, the latitude and longitude are automatically captured and the user can name and save the location. This removes technical barriers and encourages community participation, allowing smart park to grow organically within East Rockway without requiring expert knowledge. Throughout development, IA faced real real world engineering challenges such as inconsistent CS CSV data, missing fields, timestamp parsing errors, and compatibility issues across different components. I addressed these issues by implemented in implementing defensive data loading, automatic column normalization, and error tolerant a prediction logic. This in these improvements made smart park stable, scalable and resilient qualities essential for real community tools. I would like to thank my supervising adult Marie Cordera for her guidance supported throughout this project and the core idea for this project. I would also
010like to thank my teachers and school administrators for encouraging innovation and problem solving. I'm also grateful to the residents of East Rockway whose real world experiences inspired this project and demonstrated the importance of the communitydriven data. In conclusion, Smart Park demonstrate how AI can be applied responsibly to a real community problem in Key Stroke by reducing time spent searching for parking, improving accessibility awareness, and empowering the community to contribute data. Smart Park shows how artificial intelligence can meaningfully improve everyday life at a local level. This system could could be replicated in other small towns facing similar parking challenges. Thank you. [applause] [applause] >> Thank you, Adam, and thank you, Miss Cordaro. That was really I mean, I could hear the kind of murmurss in the audience as he was speaking. um that is a a
011level of sophistication and a level of care that went into that product that he's working on developing. And honestly, if there were any uh venture capitalists listening out at home, I I think they might want to ring your bell because this looks like something that could be monetized also on top of being something that would be really just helpful for the community. So, thank you so much and thank you also for for having students like this in your class. So now we're going to go over new business and assistant superintendent. Mr. Murray is going to do that. >> Yeah, we have a few items for new business and just um for the people in the audience and listening at home. Mr. Damaso does send his regards. He's recovering from shoulder shoulder surgery that he had
012last week. He does wish he could be here, but um I will be sharing on his behalf. Uh first off, in new business, uh we were having a slight change to the budget adoption date. Um we're now going to add a special meeting that will piggyback on the budget work session that was already scheduled for April 21st. So, April 21st will be a budget work session and it will be the budget adoption. Um, and that's going to allow the school board to adopt the budget to take place in advance of the budget vote as is required by law. Um, speaking of budget vote, nominating petitions for anyone who is interested in serving as a board of education trustee are available in the district clerk's office at this time. Um, anyone who is wishing to run,
013they need to complete those nominating petitions and candidate packets, and those must be submitted to the district clerk no later than 5:00 p. p.m. on April 20th. Uh, we have a few donations we'll be accepting later on this evening. So, a big thank you to the Center Avenue PTA for a donation in the amount of $150 for sixth grade activities. Another big thank you to the Rain Avenue PTA for a donation in the amount of $3,000 to be used for sixth grade activities. And then just a little programming note. Um unfortunately we do need to reschedu the family engagement night that was planned for tomorrow. Um our guest speaker came downhill and he was trying to uh tough it out but he let us know today that he will not be able to present tomorrow.
014Um, I know a notice went home via parent square from Miss Mlullen and as soon as we're able to arrange a new night with our presenter, we will uh let the families know and u put that date back on the calendar. >> Okay, so all business so we have two items for old business. Uh just a reminder to any families who are looking to participate in our UPK lottery for the 2627 school year. The interest forms to participate in the lottery are due by the end of the day, Thursday, February 12th and that form is available on the district website. Um, and then all those who do submit those interest forms, the UPK lottery will be taking place on Wednesday, February 25th at 400 pm right here in the high school auditorium. It will also
015be livereamed and you do not need to be present to be part of the lottery. Results will be shared with the families uh shortly after the lottery. Our district clerk takes care of that notification as well. Um, but if you want to be there live and in person, we we invite you to do that as as well. That's local business. So, now we're going to hear from our exeicio student report. Uh, Sophia. >> All right. Under achievements, you have the high school virtual enterprise class attended a trade show to showcase their business model and placed in the top 50 with judges praising student passion and preparedness. Also in the high school, junior Caitlyn Lynch qualified for NASA county championship competition in both the 55 meter hurdles and long jump. Currently, seniors are completing presentations for
016the seal of literacy demonstrating advanced language mastery. The competitive cheer team also held a clinic for elementary students celebrating athletic leadership. Under innovation, the high school designed a new game design and coding course which started this semester, giving students hands-on experience through video game creation and observation. Miss Balfor science research students to a hydroponics farm, learning about engineering systems behind the operation, then seeding and harvesting plant varieties such as basil, kale, and romani lettuce. Under connection, elementary students participated in Valentine's for veterans with their buddy classes, strengthening relationships and community service across schools. In the high school, Mr. Poland and Mr. Gregory brought four student athletes to a student athlete leadership conference at Great Neck North High School, promoting collaboration and character. Brooklyn, in the high school student cabinet, me and my peers are focusing
017on subcommittees this month. We're currently developing projects around the red benchions, monthly periods off where instead of focusing on the curriculum, we allow students an outlet to decompress and outdoor spaces. Each group is working on realistic plans, gathering student feedback and identifying what we can bring forward next. Lastly, under opportunity, the middle school hosted its first ever boys volleyball game, expanding extracurricular choices for students. and sixth graders left for their Ashoken overnight trip this morning and will be returning tomorrow afternoon and we look forward to hearing about their experience. That's all. >> Thank you Sophia and public comments on agenda items. Viewers watching the live stream can send questions about agenda or school school matters to board of education at east rockwayschools.org. Concerns should usually be addressed first with the child's teacher or building principal.
018District level questions go to superintendent and Mr. Dto Tamosa. Curriculum and instruction questions to Mr. Murray and budget or facilities questions to Mr. Van Wart. For technology issues, contact Missland. Inperson attendees who wish to speak should fill out a comment form comment card at this Oh. Um at this form, are there any comments on tonight's agenda items? So we'll go through the public comments at towards the end. So now we're going to do the approval of minutes. Are there any questions regarding the minute from the regular meeting on January 13, 2026? Can I can I have a motion to approve the minutes agenda item 1H? >> Motion by Misso. >> Second by Miss Lonigan. All in favor? I acknowledgement of the monthly reports and correspondence. Receipt of the monthly financial reports of December and correspondence
019that we received five emails. Consent agenda. Moving on to make a motion to create and accept the consent agenda. Can I have a motion to create a consent agenda with the following items? >> [clears throat] >> Recommendations of superintendent personal schedule items 4 A through F. Other items 5 A through G. Approval of CSSE and CPSSE recommendation 6A motion. >> I have a motion by Miss Ligan, second by Misso. All in favor? >> So move. Motion approved. >> Going to accept. Can I have a motion to accept the items on the consent agenda? >> Motion. Motion by Misso. Second. >> Second, >> Miss Lanigan. All in favor? >> I. >> So move. Motion approved. >> Policy matters. Uh the following policies are going to be adopted. One 1120-R school district records regulation. R student records
0203 550 student privacy under the protection of people rights amendments EP 4 8635 8635R information and data privacy security breach and notification are there any questions from the board regarding these four policies no May I have a motion to adopt policy under agenda item 7B14? >> Motion by Mr. Lucco. >> Second, Mrs. Lonigan. All in favor? >> So move. Motion approved. We have eight policies for review listed on tonight's agenda. Um, so we're going to I'm going to turn it back over to Assistant Superintendent, Mr. learn superintendent. >> Thank you, Miss Doyle. Um, so we have a lot of great things happening in the school this month like we have every month. Um, and in the area of achievement, the elementary schools have been holding and are in the process of holding their mid-year data
021meetings with teacher teams. We're happy to highlight strong performance and substantial growth in reading and math on our I Ready and MClass assessments. um they were supported by tiered interventions that have been in place since September. In reading, 41% of our students have already met their growth target for the end of the year and well over half of our students are at least halfway to their target for the end of the year. During these data meetings, decisions have been made regarding increasing or decreasing academic supports based on the student data and also discussed for ways to regroup students in the classroom and then interventions for areas identified in need of support or in some cases enrichment. Uh the middle school is still testing and their data should be available after the break. Elementary parents will
022receive their child's score reports on the I Ready assessment later in this week and middle school parents will receive them after the break. Uh up in the high school, students in Mr. Juet's life science biology classes have tackled the concept of homeostasis while completing the second state lab of the year. And in a uh I guess a nice timing in this investigation, students were observing how their own body when exposed to frigid temperatures will naturally bring itself back to equilibrium over time. Maybe we can blame Mr. Duet for the weather. Uh algebra 2 students have launched their statistics and probability unit with a PBL activity. the classes are collecting schoolwide data on school lunch preferences so they can analyze the data and apply it to their concept. Um, and I believe that is uh Mr.
023Schaeer sent out a parent square today about the um the food services and and it's going to help these students with their project. Uh some great things happening in our arts department. of these Rockaway High School students have earned 67 awards at the regional scholastic art and writing awards. The competition um awarded students from our high school 13 gold keys, 21 silver keys, and 33 honorable mentions across multiple disciplines in the visual arts from photography to drawing and painting to digital arts. So, we're doing great things. And Sophia Caresi has been accepted into the Long Island's Best Young Artists competition at the Hershe Museum of Art. She had one of only 84 pieces that were accepted into that competition from around the island and her work will be on display at the Herkshire Museum March
02429th through May 3rd. So congratulations to Sophia. In the area of innovation, students in Mr. Young's Regent's physics classes held a prediction contest uh trying to make physics fun. Uh students were asked to predict the exact landing point of a ball as it was launched horizontally off a lab table using kinematics. They placed the target on the floor to predict the landing spot and saw if their calculations were collect correct and winners were determined by how close they were to hitting the bullseye. Students in Miss Retrika's chemistry classes learned about the concept of radioactive decay and explored how certain elements are used to determine the age of very very very three berries old material. They used M&M candies to simulate how carbon 14 decays into nitrogen 14 once every 5700 years. Um, we also, um,
025we heard from him earlier today, but Adam Kolicowski, one of our ninth grade AP computer science students, is currently designing an app to display parking space availability in and around local neighborhoods. Um, and like I said, I I hope there was some venture capitalists out there listening because that is an innovative uh, opportunity for sure. Moving on to opportunities. Uh, Mr. Gregory and Mr. Van Ward finalized the contract for the merger of our high school football program with West Hemstead and this will ensure that students from both districts continue to be able to participate in the sport that they love. One home game from each team will be played at West Hemstead and the other three home games will be played at East Rockaway High School. Most practices will take place here in East Rockaway
026Fields unless there's a conflict with another game or another team that season. Um, and the merger includes both our JV and varsity teams, ensuring a we have enough players to have a developmental squad. Um, which is important to keeping a winning program going and so that we can avoid injuries that could be caused by athletes over playing in games. So, thank you Mr. Gregory, Mr. Van Hort for making that happen. In the area of connection, our middle school lacrosse teams will start holding practices on the turf at Rolling River for the upcoming season. This is going to reduce travel time on a daily basis and also helps connect uh foster connection with our neighbor next door. Games will still take place at Bay Park. Mr. Healey and the recruitment and retention committee are working with
027staff from all three buildings to create a series of videos that will feature on our website as part of our hiring and career section. Videos will help candidates or potential candidates connect with our school district as part of finding the best two-way fit that we look for when we're hiring staff. It has to work both ways. You want to be here as much as we want you to be here. Uh we have three family engagement events planned for the coming months to allow parents, children, and teachers to connect in new environments around shared interests. On March 31st, we will hold our third annual celebration of the cultures of East Rockaway event. Uh that's a slight change from the original calendar date, which and that event has grown each year and is always a lot of
028fun. On April 23rd, we're going to hold our inaugural family literacy night, which will be an event for all families in grades K through 12 and include a special presentation by an award-winning young adult author, Paul Valoney, and will be in coordination with the East Rockway Public Library. And on a date to be determined, we will hold a rescheduled family engagement night focused on safe and appropriate use of artificial intelligence. Uh finally, there is a new document on the district homepage. If you just scroll down about halfway, um you'll see information about the rumor verse reality of the potential elementary restructuring plan. Including in this document is also a link to a survey so that all community members can send in feedback, ideas, and questions about the potential plan. And this is only the first
029avenue by which we'll be seeking community input. So you can visit our website, you can take a look at that document and you can certainly we invite you to respond to that survey so we have as much input as possible. Um and that is it for the superintendent report. Now we're moving on to welfare. We want to congratulate Molly the Benadetto and family on the birth of her daughter Isabella. Congratulations to Joe Splendorio and family on the birth of his son Stellan Splendorio. Condolences to Jennifer Mletio and family on the passing of her grandmother and congratulations to Ken McNobble and family on the birth of her daughter Riley. At this time, we're going to move on to public comments. Um, I have three sheets here. I'm going to just one that I saw first and
030then I'll pull the other. So, we have Danielle Danielle, >> come on down. >> Okay. >> Um, am I supposed to go into my question? Sorry, I didn't say your name. >> Oh, so I'm Danielle. I have a daughter at Rain Elementary and I do have some concerns over the potential realignment of the schools. Um, and I just wasn't sure, you know, I wish when this announcement was made, we had more details back in November because I think it's led to a lot of concerns for the town as a whole because we were told that there was going to be a change with literally zero information. Um, one of the concerns I had was that were you aware that in a 2024 study which looked at 6,500 families, they found that students who attended three
031or more schools as children were 60% more likely to experience at least one psychotic symptom by the time they were 12 years old. And you're asking our children to go to more than one school. You have them either, you know, growing up in daycare or with parents. UPK, which is now no longer in our schools, which I found very helpful for my daughter who was at home her whole life before UPK. I found a very easy transition into kindergarten. And I'm sure some of my colleagues who didn't have their children in the UPK at RAM could probably say that their adjustment was a little bit more difficult. So, you're asking them to go to being at home or in daycare to then going to a separate UPK, then asking them to go from a K
032through three, a four through six, and then a middle school and high school. And I just want to know, were those statistics looked at at all? Were you also aware that students who change schools more often are less likely to complete high school and have fewer years of a college education? And are you also aware that a school district in Westchester County was actually sued by their town over the Princeton plan and a modified plan came up that made both sides happy. I wanted I don't want to come with all of my concerns because I have many many more concerns, but I wanted to come with statistics through those concerns because I want to let you know that we're not just here to complain. We're here because we want answers and solutions. Thank you. [applause]
033I would just like to respond to that. Um I thank you first of all for coming and speaking. Um I find all the information very important. Um I would love it if you can send us that report that you have. I would really appreciate that. Um and just to be very clear, there has been no decision made. So, I just want everyone here to know that this is something that we're talking about. There is no decision that is going to be made unless it is a full decision by teachers and families and it's just something that we're looking at. >> I just something that we have >> I understand the frustration where >> I would appreciate that. Um, and I'm not discrediting anything that you said and I understand your frustration and yes, we will
034be presenting information to everyone. Um, if we get to that part and then just um, as the assistant superintendent, I'm not authorized to respond directly to these comments, but I am writing everything down and when Mr. Damasu is back. Um I will certainly share these with him and as as appropriate we'll be getting back in touch with people. I I do have one question. Um we normally don't see this big of a crowd. I really enjoy it. Um for everyone that is here concerned about the question, can you just raise a hand? Thank you. Next up, we have Lauren Pritchard. >> [laughter] >> Hello, I'm Lauren Richard. Um, I have a son and daughter at RA Avenue. I also have a question about the Princeton plan. As the board considers the potential realignment of the
035elementary schools, can you explain how district is evaluating the emotional and psychological impact on students? Specifically, the mental anguish, stress, and disruption caused by an unexpected school change. Um, in my family, my son is currently in the first grade, my daughter's in the fourth grade at Raymond Avenue. Under this plan, my son would be required to leave Green Avenue for one year for third grade just to return again for fourth through six. This not only forces him to adjust to a new school environment temporarily, but also removes him from being at the same school with his sister. So what measures, data, or child focus assessments is the district using to determine whether this type of disruption is within the best interests of students emotional well-being and how will families concerns about stress and anxiety be
036weighed in the final decision. We are definitely looking at every aspect of everything. Um I personally love all the questions. Um sometimes it's something that we don't think about. So, the more questions we get, the better of a decision we can make. And when I say we, I'm talking about the board hearing everybody's voice and making that decision because the decision is not going to be something that we agree on. It's a decision for the community. So, definitely hear everything you're saying. We are in no way um making any decision at the moment. We are reviewing everything. So, I just wanted to let you know that. Thank you. And just for me, there's also, like Daniel's saying, a thousand other logistical questions. Everyone has the logistical questions. You guys, I'm sure we'll put all the
037logistical answers for. And it's just like how do you equate like the emotional toll you're doing to these kids that are in school now that are just going to have to have this disruption to their life and essentially be guinea pigs to this redist redistricting plan. That's definitely mental to take into consideration >> and logistic planning like this. We don't have answers yet. That's how early it's all being reviewed and put together and cashed out before we even say we would even consider presenting it to the public. So >> that's the start date. There's not date got out that it was being considered. So we had to to answer and just say it's not September 2026. It's if 2027 maybe 2020 it you know >> because we were getting questions how we going to do
038the this by next year. So they came out with the date that it definitely you know it's not going to be that fast. It's not going to be that fast. That's why that date >> and I will tell you that mental health is definitely something that we are definitely discussing not only for our students but for our community. So it's definitely part one of the biggest topics that we're talking about. Thank you for your question. Thank you. Appreciate it. Next up, we have Teresa. >> Hi, my name is Teresa and my daughter is Marley. She's in kindergarten at Rain. So, one of the things I found online was, and you brought this up in the last meeting, is that you guys were looking at this in 2011. I found an article in the Long Island
039Herald. I'm just curious why you guys didn't do it in 2011, 2012. Did you have a backlash like this? >> Well, we weren't on board at that time and it was a different superintendent. Um, we had you couldn't even stand how bad the backlash was. >> It definitely was not an organized plan back in 2011. It was that we were going to realign the district and that's how we're going to do it. There was no I can tell you the the administration and the board um we take everything that is being told to us. We have we have teams of people working on this information. We take all that information and then we sit and that's why we don't have physical answers for anyone right now. We are working through everything whether this is something
040that is the best for our students or it is not going to be the best for our students. So um when we say that we have a plan, we have a discussion, we have groups, we are working through the process. Back then they didn't discuss anything about transportation. This time transportation is a big part of it. Um, you know, we can all say how how we feel, but it's not our decision to make. This is a decision for a community. And before even goes to the community, we have to make sure that this is something that our teachers think that is what our students need. So there's multiple steps that we are going through and it's not something that we take lightly. This is something we discuss on every meeting, multiple meetings. If it's not
041just our regular meetings, we add additional meetings. So, we're taking every bit of information and we are working through it. And if this isn't the plan for us, then we work on another plan. We want our students to get the best education they possibly can. Um, and that includes mental health, um, education, and our community outpour. So, if our parents are not happy, how do we get them to be part of our school district? So, it's all one big group. So that leads me to my second question. Uh the superintendent last last month was saying that a part of the reason was that the resources are not even at the school. So I'm not very knowledgeable in this but my common sense was kind of saying can we hire more therapists to make it even
042because your therapists are not needed just in the K through three. You're going to need therapist now or if the Princeton plan was in place. Um they're they were saying that the reason one of the reasons for intervention >> intervention work again not real knowledgeable so that so the resources are not even is one of the reasons why we want to introduce this plan. So then I'm thinking, do we just hire more? >> That's something 100%. >> Like I said, it's not just the Pensac. >> Can Can I Can I jump in there, >> please? >> So two things is in 2011, a lot of schools considered or went to the Princeton plan for purely financial reasons. It was after the state aid got cut with the the stock market crash. What when we're looking
043at it now and again emphasizing looking at it, it's service based intervention is for the kids balancing out and getting as much intervention for um academic services to this student body as a whole. Um and yes, we are looking at they did talk about the imbalance between the two the two schools. You know, there's larger classes at range currently and smaller classes at center. We have sped education at range and um a resource room at center. So if we did the Princeton plan, it would be full ENL services at both buildings and the the thing everybody asks is can't we do everything at both buildings? So part of the process of developing and reviewing the plan is to price out what if we do full services at both schools. How much is that going to
044cost? >> So um >> anyway, excuse me. Aren't you going to take that school anyway? Because now you're going to take through. >> We're going to need it at both schools, but there'll be an what's called an inclusion class. There'll be K3. There'll be one class per grade at grade at at center and there'll be one class per grade for four, five and six at range. So what I can definitely say is that we as you can see this is not something that we take lightly. We hear you. I really every time you guys come I want to hear every question that you have. Um we're not in that process yet where we're saying this is what we're doing because we hear you. We know that you're invested. We know that this is, you know,
045your kids, their education. Um, we don't sit here taking any any question, anything that comes our way lightly. So, we take all that information, we discuss it. We see the concern. Um, and again, maybe this is not our plan. Maybe we look at something different. Maybe you brought more information to us that we haven't seen. Um but no decision has been made and we are still at the very very very very very beginning of this whole process. Um and the fact that the administration was able to share it with you is because they want your feedback. They want to hear from you. It's not that we don't listen and we're not trying to take any information. We do want that. Otherwise, this would have been something like we would have said, "I'm sorry. We cannot
046discuss that." That's not what we're looking for. So sometimes if you ask a question, we may not have the exact answer at that moment, but it doesn't mean that we're not going to take that question and figure out the answer. Um the survey that was put out as of right now, I if you uh read it, those were the only um answers that we do have. But I have a question again. How many green parents and how many center parents? And um out of the parents, are any parents uh parents of ENL students? >> Um English as a newang as a new language. Any parents English as a new language? Any parents uh special ed? And um again just like we all said there's the survey is out and I believe yes >> special needs
047that are not >> not IEPs. Okay. So we do um I know that the district has put out that survey and keep putting in the questions that you have. One good thing I'm seeing is that I do see that a lot of parents are very happy from this group um with the education the way it's going now. They are happy with the education which makes us happy because um that's our biggest concern that everybody every student in our district gets the best education and we are exploring many many options because things are changing and um services need for services are going up. So, don't panic. Do not panic. This is when I tell you in it's like the top of the iceberg right now. Just focus on what we're doing now. Let's just keep doing
048what we're doing now and as things move forward, we will put out information and all your questions. I believe they could put on that survey. >> Oh, yeah. I was I was just going to reiterate uh you know while we love having an audience here because it's been lonely for a couple of years um we you don't need to come to the meeting to ask these questions. So please take advantage of the link on that document to the survey um and that will guarantee that your questions are read and I guarantee you um that Mr. Damaso and the team are reading every single response that comes into that survey. um and taking every single response under advisement. So um while we are happy that you're here and we welcome you to come and speak at
049the microphone, uh you don't need to wait a month to ask those questions. So feel free to answer that uh to send in and view the survey. As um as Mr. Murray has said, um we do see our emails. So um if you ever need to send an email, send it, you know, to the board of education with the administration and Mr. Damaso. We um we see him. we are not able to respond. We do discuss them. Um and I can tell you as being parent of four stu four kids sitting on that other side. I never missed a meeting. I had the same feeling as you. Why are my questions being answered? Why do I feel like I'm being ignored? I can tell you right now, especially with this group, we you are not
050being ignored. We hear everything that you're saying and we definitely take all the information and discuss it. And we discuss it at blank. every question, every concern, whether it's a positive, negative, it it's about us making sure you have what you need for your family, your kids, the community, >> and we want to provide answers. So, if we get the questions, we can formulate the answers. You know, I don't want you frustrated here, but no, they don't have answers. >> Does anyone else have any other comments? >> I have another question. Sorry. So, I know you said you were going to look at, you know, interventions on both schools. Are you >> Could you do me a favor? Could you just start because the people at home can't hear Mike? I I appreciate it. >>
051So, I know you said that, you know, part of the consideration was going to be looking at interventionists in both schools. Are you also going to take that breakdown into how much the cost is going to be for busing the children back and forth as well as this additional staffing that you're going to have to hire for the buses and what the ratio is of staff to children and what's then going to happen if a child is two minutes late or what's going to happen if the school gets stuck at the train track. Are all of our children going to be considered late and tardy that day because of the train track? >> So just something to consider and kind of let us know as well. That is where we are with the transportation. You're
052spending a lot of time on it. >> A lot. >> And I was on center this morning with that coach bus. [laughter] We need to think about this. [laughter] >> Anybody else? >> They have to come up. >> Go ahead. Calm down. Just if you can say your name to the microphone please. >> Jessica. Um your last name please. >> Um we have questions about have we looked into the traffic patterns in the morning because the train comes every 15 minutes. >> Definitely not. This is something what we have been discussing at >> Yeah. There's only two roads in and out and then the train comes every 15 minutes and blocks both sides of the road. >> So that's like a huge >> Yes. This is something that's been close. Yes. >> Because that's definitely
053one of like the hot topics in our group that we have now to talk about at this moment besides the social emotional transportation is nature. I guess Are you the math person? >> Huh? >> I have a map. >> Someone submitted a map to me, so I'm bringing it. >> I love math. [laughter] >> My husband saw that on the on the Facebook page. He was like, "This is great." [laughter] >> We have a Facebook page. >> And whoever had that link for the >> I don't I'm sorry. The link before you leave just send us for that survey. Can you send us that link? So, can I join that Facebook group? >> It's up to you guys. >> The the group of moms who started it >> and I don't have to but >>
054I mean I can definitely bring you the loop a lot of the questions we have. >> And then if we can get the questions before Well, that was just my thing. The traffic patterns. If you guys are looking at that because it comes every 15 minutes >> both times back and forth and now like if we're going to pick up our kids and we get stuck behind the train now our kids are going to be standing there that's an emotional toll because who wants to be that kid left behind. I I agree with you. >> Can I ask um I said I know you said that there's a lot of questions on that Facebook page. It would be helpful for us because I know a lot of people can't make communities. It's difficult, especially when
055you have young kids or, you know, you have stuff going on. If there are questions that aren't being asked, just write them down. If you don't want them answered at one of the board meetings, send it to us in an email or >> or the survey. >> Exactly. All that information is extremely important to us because if we don't see it, we, you know, again, we may not think of something, especially that our kids are older now. You know, you guys are in the thick of it. So, um I think most everyone is really concerned about the psychological aspect and the logistical aspect of having two kids in two different schools and just the traffic patterns of foot locking the kids on top of not maybe not wanting to bust your kid to extend their
056day by um a amount of time back and forth because people had extracurriculars and homework and all that. So, I think that was a big topic. >> I I definitely hear you. I was that mom with three kids at one point in three different schools. >> Five different things to do every single day. I was on two wheels getting to school every day. So I [snorts] definitely hear >> and I won't be in that for you because you know shadow amongst yourselves. >> And thank you again. Yes. Thank you. And I I know I said earlier that I can't speak for the district and I really can't, but what I can do is assure you um that if it doesn't work, it doesn't work. And and that's why we're doing this now. And that's something
057I think Mr. Deep Tamasu would be saying if he were sitting here is we don't have a preconceived notion. We're exploring. We're checking. We're testing. We need this input. Um and we will look at every item with beyond a fine tooth comb and if it doesn't work then it doesn't work. Um we have not made any preconceived notions or decisions about this and I think Mr. Damas will forgive me for saying that. Well, it's it's the truth. It is it is the truth. I I know we all say it all the time but we sit here as representation of the community. So, if we don't take your questions and your concerns sincerely, then we're just wasting everyone's time and I know I have not a lot of time to waste. So, we definitely hear everything
058that you're saying. Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> We have one more. You know, I got I got to tell you that we normally don't do this, but because you guys are a good group, we're >> And just also and Nick in the future if you fill out one of the forms because we'd like to have the exact name and um phone number and stuff. So, if we ever needed to reach out to you. >> Hi. Hi. Uh my name is Lisa Brewer. I am a mom of four and we attend Well, two of mine currently attend RA. Um, I know we talked about to me I I was the one who submitted the map and the picture and the train schedule, which I do have printouts. I don't know if anybody is interested and
059I'm just easy to look at. Um, yeah, I can get them over. But on top of that, um, me and my husband both work full-time. We utilize both the before school programs, the afterchool programs using Scope, the breakfast program, and then certain days of the week we're able to pick the kids up from school and bring them home. Um, I wanted to know if one if you know there are going to be provided these shelves and whatnot, how the after school or before school programs, how those are going to be handled. Will my kids now be going to scope at another school where there's not going to be transportation from the back at 5:30 when it's time for me to pick them up? Um, am I going to have to drop them off at the
060breakfast program in boarding at Rain Avenue School? And then who's going to be in charge of the getting them over to, you know, over to Center Avenue when it's time the logistics of that? I'm imagining my, you know, my youngest son who's actually, it's his third birthday today. I left the party and I felt bad, but I said, you know what? like I want to go because I want to make sure that when it's time for him to go to kindergarten that I'm able to be there and pick him up like I did for his brothers whenever I want to and not have to worry whether I'm going to have to pick and choose can I pick him up today or his other younger brother who was not in school yet either. So at some
061point as a parent we have to make decisions. Okay, I I love the fact that I can go pick up my kids anytime I want. And I feel like most parents love having that opportunity. And by doing this, it's going to take that away. Maybe not from everybody, maybe not for, you know, certain parents, depending on logistics, how it works out, but I'm telling you, for parents like me, we'll have multiple kids indifferent. I'm going to have to literally pick and choose which child I'm going to go pick up. Maybe get them on a schedule. Oh, Thursday is Luke's day. Friday will be Oliver's day. Wednesday's Harrison's day. I have to pick and choose. And I don't want to be put in that position. I love when I'm able to go to the school. That's
062where after school that's where you meet the other parents, you meet the teachers, you get that face to face time. You don't get that on a regular, you know, that's the only time you really get to do that. You get to meet the teachers, you know, the back to school meetings and the meeting. But, you know, it's nice being right there. Your kids come running out, the smiles on their faces, mommy, mommy, I'm here. Like, that's something that so many people are going to lose if this plan goes into effect. So, I'm sure that's already been something that people thought about, but to me, on top of everything else, you know, of course, you know, the emotions of the students, but we got to think about the emotions of the parents as well. Like, I
063don't want to lose that, and I'm going to be really upset if I do. And I've also been thinking about all of the students. Everybody here now, most of the part uh everybody that's here now have students that are currently in the school. That's how they've been informed. But think about all the parents and community out there who don't even know this is something that may be happening. My neighbors across the block, they have a 2-year-old and a one-year-old. They have no idea that this is coming down. And it's something that I've started to talk to other people about because I do feel like they'll want to know. And this is something I just I can't imagine not having that opportunity to go ahead and pick up my kids whenever I see fit and whenever
064it's available and not have that, you know, connection with them and to meet the teachers and everything. So, >> you're gonna have to pick what field you go to. >> That's true. You can choose who you going to. >> The questions keep coming, but it is, you know, >> I want to say thank you. Um, these are definite questions that we have brought up. Um, but when we hear it from a parent, it's not just us saying, "Okay, when I'm in my school, this is my book, which is this." Hearing it from the community is extremely important. So, again, every question is important. >> Great. I really appreciate. Thank you. >> Well, thank you for your time. [applause] >> Last chance. Anybody else? Okay, now board member comments. >> I just I want to Okay,
065I said enough. Have a great night. Thank you everybody. >> I I'll say a few things. I'd like to say thank you to Emma for saying the pledge. Adam, thank you. Great presentation. I know I missed some of it, but I will uh actually they haven't stopped talking about it. I have to be honest with you. So, um I you know, Bill Gates has, I guess, nothing on you. Um, but, um, I would like to congratulate the music and art department. Um, I was not able to attend, but I did see a lot of videos and photos, and I know that they always put on such wonderful performances. Um, I am an East Rocky graduate. All of my kids graduated from here. My husband graduated from here. So when I see traditions carrying on like
066the musical, rock, rivalry, and certain other aspects that we just discussed, um it makes me proud. It makes me proud to stay here, to live here, and to be part of this board. So um for everyone that had a question or just showed up tonight, um I want you to know that it's extremely appreciated. Um take it, you know, take all the information. Um we we will actually be waking up in the middle of the night with writing jotting down questions. That's what we do. And then the next day we're on the phone with each other for for an hour saying, "Okay, we have to meet." And then we make another meeting. And it's additional meetings on top of all not only these meetings that we are at, but um we do take every concern
067that you bring to us, even if it's something as simple as that the kids don't like the lunch, um we worry about that and we take it into effect. So, um, again, appreciate all the comments. Please don't ever feel like you can't come to us. Send us an email. Um, that's what we're here for. Uh, I just want to say thank you to, um, to everybody for coming and, um, I can't wait for our library. As everybody knows, I'm a big RR person. Um, and I look forward to our next meeting. Thank you. >> And James, we did miss you tonight. So, yes, we all had a lot to say tonight, but I I do want to um commend Adam on his project. I could have used it yesterday because I went to the city
068for lunch. So, I drove to the Center parking lot at 9. Count how many empty spots there were. So, I drove back at 11 that I parked and got on the train. Um that would have come in handy. So, but other than that, I'm going to This is going to conclude tonight's board meeting. Can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting at >> Sorry guys. >> I wanted to say congratulations and thank you to Adam. That was really impressive as well as I apologize. Um so now we're going to conclude tonight's board meeting. And can I have a motion to adjourn adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m.? >> Motion. Motion by Miss Lanigan, >> Second by Miss Lup. All in favor? >> I. >> So move. Motion approved. Good night everybody and have a
069great break next week to all the students.