001Okay. >> Good evening and thank you for joining us tonight. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Can I get somebody to please move action 1.02 to approve the agenda? >> Move. Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 500. In the event of emergency this evening and we need to evacuate the building, we do have two points of exit in our room. Just pick the closest door and move as far away from the building as possible. Would you please join me for the pledge of allegiance? >> I alian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We will be moving on to 1.05 which is our public forum. I
002just want to go over a couple of reminders. Um we have two public forums. Our first public forum is for anything or any concerns that anyone in the community has this evening and our second public forum is for anything that pertains to our agenda tonight that can be under discussion. Um, all speakers would get three minutes a piece. Um, superintendent or myself will follow up with you after the meeting. So, as long as you left a contact information with us, if you did not, make sure that you leave that with us before you leave this evening. And either Mr. Lawrence or myself will uh contact and follow up with you after the meeting. Um, also we cannot discuss or listen to anything that pertains to any particular um, staff members or specific students um, during
003our open session, but you are more than welcome to send emails to the board of education or Mr. Lawrence if there's some concern with a particular staff member or student that you would like for us to to know about. All right. And then we have our clerk address is or to reach the board of education is [email protected]. R I I'm sorry, CN Y.org. And then we would just forward that on to Mr. Lawrence if you didn't attach his name. All right. So, our first we're going to call up Finley Nye to join us first this evening. >> Do you want to go first, Finley? >> Or do you want your grandma to go first? >> Well, do I get three minutes or do I have more than that? >> I'm sorry. >> Um, technically three
004minutes. I know that I spoke with Mr. Lawrence. and I know that your plan was to pass off to your family members. Um so I'm going to open that up to my uh board of education. Uh we do have the right to um extend if you're willing if you would. Um my understanding you're just going a few minutes over. Correct. Um or would you like her to pass off when she's done with her three minutes to have family members continue reading along? I'm going to ask you guys what you would prefer. I don't want to set a precedent for people or three units if she wants to pass it on to a family member. >> Okay, Robin. >> Yeah, I agree with that. >> I agree with that. Keeps us It keeps us from getting
005in trouble with other people. >> Okay. So, do you want us to start with your do grandma first then and then go down that way? Okay. All right. Um Justin, I didn't ask you what. I'm sorry. You're over there. It's okay. >> You're good with that, too. Okay. I'm so sorry. All right. So, Pat Marino, >> welcome. >> Hello. Hello, I am here on behalf of my granddaughter Finley. She has done a lot of research on the topic of validictorian solidictorian and these are a few of her findings. One of the first things that was noticeable was the length of time you were evaluated based on the title you wish to obtain. For many of you, you were interviewed or voted into your positions that you hold. It can be inferred that by your ability
006to successfully obtain your titles, you were the best or number one candidate for this position. The titles my granddaughter wishes to reinstate are earned by the individual themselves, who that one might call a four-year interview. Finley's elementary school principal, Mr. Hendrickson, pointed out to her that he believes the start of her academic journey spans 13 years of hard work. In regards to opportunities, scholarships from a general standpoint should also be taken into consideration. If you turn to page number one in the booklet that was handed out, you'll see a scholarship that Finley picked up from the counseling office. Disregarding demographics, the second thing that is asked her is class rank. As the second thing asked to be disclosed, it is reasonable to believe that it will be evaluated care evaluated carefully and leaving it blank
007would certainly hinder someone's winning chances, especially since other applicants recognize their ranks. Furthermore, on pages two and three in your booklets, you'll see Finley's financial aid offer from her chosen school, RIT, before versus after they got her rank. not to put a price on it, but a private wellestablished collegiate institution put an extra $20,000 on that number. And yes, her rank was the only deciding factor in that extra merit scholarship. Thank you all for listening. Shauna will now continue on with report and I >> Hi everyone. I'm here on behalf of my daughter Finley. Uh, I'll also be building on what my mom Cat Marino said. With all the monetary benefits that you just heard, I would now like to address competition. My daughter and I met with Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Henderson, and we
008were made aware of how cutthroat the chase of validatoran and saludiatoran were a few years back. So, we understand the reason for your negative connotations. We do feel there is a solution that Finley will touch on later. Finley had some intricate conversations with her senior class adviser, Mr. Duval, and they came to some conclusions that I'd like to share with you. The most significant one is that like that life is competition. with future endeavors like college and career and currently within my daughter's school with things like sports. I've watched my daughters enough to see firsthand um what a couple seconds means in the water. First chair with our band and orchestra kids are very competitive. How about auditions when it comes to the plays? There is only one lead role. However, there are many kids
009that audition for that. Clearly, there is competition within the school and even still these kids are flourishing. We are not naive to the fact that there is still there still could be disagreements. In the event that someone is disrespectful due to the loss of that specific title, we would find them to be in violation of this Fton City School District mission. For those that don't know it by heart, Finley has kindly written it down for me. The Fulton City community or the Fulton school community will empower students to develop the knowledge and skills to become respectful, responsible, and productive citizens who are committed to lifelong learning. That is directly from the Fulton City School District web page that Finley accessed on April 26th. Something else that we noticed on the page was one of the
010Fulton City School District's core beliefs that reads, "Our vision is to create lifelong learning organization that is the centerpiece of the community." Finley would like to dive into the next piece herself and I appreciate you all for listening. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Hi, I'm Finley Nye and like many academically minded students before me, I worked very hard to get where I am today and I strongly believe that we need to be recognized. As you walk through the gym commons at GRB, you will find records framed, a trophy case of our athletic awards, a display for our spring musical, and our TVs showcasing athletic records of various sports. Everything I just mentioned is an extracurricular GRB. And don't get me wrong, being an athlete myself, I'm not trying to take away from their
011recognition. I get to hold a record with my sister on the swim team, and we'll always appreciate the support. However, I don't think it's wrong to wish for academic recognition in your own school. On page four of your booklet, you'll see the certificate I earned from my New Vision program. New Vision is a part of City Boseies, an organization closely associated with GRB. I've wondered how the ranking of a program such as new vision differs to that of the school its attendees affiliate with. Now that I have talked all this talk you may be going. So where do we go from here? First I think that magnaumaka loud is a wonderful recognition method for the students who earned it and it should continue. Second, I truly believe that identifying valid Victorian and Saludiatoran for their
012academic excellence recognizes their accomplishments and opens so many opportunities for admittance and final financial earning in their collegiate journey. And to avoid historically negative behaviors, students wouldn't be given their rank, which is based on our current system of a weighted GPA, until the end of their first semester of senior year. I'm willing to acknowledge that this solution isn't perfect, but nothing ever will be. So, I'm asking you all to genuinely consider the points that have been made by me and on my behalf, as I feel that these minor risks were focusing on are absolutely worth the rewards that come with reinstating a hardearned title like valadictorian and saludiatoran. Thank you for listening and I'll be here until the end of the meeting for anybody with questions. >> Thank you. John. >> Hello. My name is
013John I. I'm Finley's father and I'm here to speak uh on possible academic recognition uh that I'm Finley's um excuse me that I'm one of Finley's administrators, Mr. Napulo had come up with. Uh this honor will be called the superintendent's medal and it will be awarded to the number one scholar. It'd be the final award given at our annual academic awards night ceremony and the number one ranked student would wear this medal on graduation day. A few things would accompany this honor. The first, this person's name would be astric in the program at graduation. Second, a plaque would be installed outside of the main office for more recognition. And third, a lunch or dinner hosted by the superintendent for the award winner and their family could potentially be a poss possibility. We know there's a
014lot of apprehension when it comes to the titles of validatoran and saludiatoran. But whether reinstating these titles pulls through or not, I believe that this honor would allow um would allow for more academic recognition in our school for our students. It was brought up during a meeting my daughter called in her school that something like this could be put into place relatively quickly and ethically. Thus, it would be reasonable to acknowledge this honor in this upcoming graduating class. The term scholar was also debated on uh during Finley's meeting as whether or not it meant the student with the highest weighted GPA. Uh one of her teachers, Mr. Mandel, pointed out that the key factor of qualitative versus quantitative data, stating the facts that you can't argue with the numbers. The determination of number one scholar,
015meaning number one ranked student, was solidified by the creator of this honor, Mr. Nate Pasulo. To close up nicely, first and foremost desire is to recognize our valadictorian and saludiatoran for their hard-earned academic achievements. The creation of a new honor titled the superintendence medal would be a nice addition. There are boosters for scholastic accomplishment recognition measures. Your willingness to listen is greatly appreciated. Thank you all for your time. >> Thank you. You and Marissa Hanland. Hi. >> Hi there. My name is Marissa Hanlin. I'm a parent as well as a resident, but professionally I'm Dr. Marissa Hanlin and I am I teach at a local university and a graduate program teaching doctor of physical therapy students. In those seven years that I've been there, I serve my um department on the admissions committee. And I
016wanted to talk about what the process is for it that side being on the admissions committee and looking at hundreds upon hundreds of applicants. It's a very rigorous program to get into. You can imagine any graduate school is difficult to get into. And I'll preface this with saying this is my opinion, not the opinion of my um colleagues, my uh college or my university. But when looking, I've done, like I said, hundreds of um interviews, looked at thousands of pages of applications. And when we're looking at students in the sophomore or um senior year that are looking to go into the graduate school in a 3 plus 3 or a 4 plus 3 program, you can imagine that we're looking holistically. We're looking at their communication skills. We're looking at how they interviewed. We're looking
017at their extracurriculars, but we're also looking at their GPA. And when we look at their GPA, it's very challenging to know what type of rigorous program that they've been in or not been in. But when we see those designators, a validictorian or saludiatoran, we automatically know as a committee that those are the cream of the crop. It's a clear indicator. And when I'm looking at 30 to 50 pages per application and reading through a significant amount of data, it is helpful to automatically identify that this is a student that can meet the rigorous demands. We want a well-rounded student, but at the end of the day, they must meet the demands that they can come out and have the knowledge and the skills to be able to pass a national examination as well as pass
018their courses. And so that just takes smart cookies. And although the ones that are there, applying are smart cookies, it when it comes down to two different options and one slot, I personally have looked at those designators before and I know that those choices have gone to the students that have those designators. So I just wanted to encourage you that it per we're looking at students from a wide array of schools. We don't know which school does or doesn't have those designators. So it's helpful when they do and we share a common terminology. Thank you. Thank you. There's that. Thank you. All right. Action 1.06 to approve April 28th 26 2026 regular meeting minutes. >> Second. Nick. All those in favor. I opposed abstaining passes 500. We have uh getting into the home stretch here
019towards the end of the year. So we have quite a bit of activity happening in the next uh two months. Uh on the 14th we have our Swiggo County Olympia which will be held at the Phoenix High School. Uh look at me I'm three event is at 4:00 at Balan Elementary that is also on the 14th. Um you'll notice my colleagues on May 15th our um board of education self-evaluation form will go out. It will be due back to Mrs. Trude on May 29th and we will go over our uh process on June 9th uh for reviewing of our um board of education self-evaluation. May 19th is the annual budget election from 900 a.m. to 900 pm. I encourage everyone in the community to come out. Uh your vote does count. Uh if you live
020on the east side, you will be voting at uh the community um the city hall community building. And if you are on the west side, you will be over at the war memorial. If you have any questions, you're more than welcome to call our office and Mrs. Trude will be able to answer those questions for you. But please make sure you get out um and cast your vote on the 19th. We appreciate it. May 20th, we have a policy committee meeting and then we have our special board education meeting that will ratify uh the budget vote from the 19th. May 27th, we have a tenative board of education meeting. Remember that um there is no school on the 26th because we have that extra snow day. So, should there be any board business that we
021need to discuss, it will be just a very brief meeting to make sure that we get all of the board business parts um taken care of on that day. So, be on the lookout for that. May 28th. Um and from my understanding with some of the concerts, we're not sure exactly where the buildings might uh be hosting. So, um if your students are in a music uh event or any other events coming up that we normally would use our um auditorium because we are under construction, make sure that you're, you know, reaching out to your school, your children's school and watch the calendars carefully. But at this point, we do have um on the 28th is the GRB orchestra concert at 7:30 and that one is in before we start our >> re renovations. No,
022the renovations are happening, but they do have a location at GRB. >> So, we do have Okay. Do we know exactly where? >> Uh the gymnasium. >> Okay. So, they'll be in the gym. Okay. >> Uh the 29th, we already discussed that your board evaluations need to be in the Mrs. Trude. Uh June 2nd, the junior high spring concert will be at the junior high. Um I I notice there's not a time there, so we might want to make sure we get that out to our community. Uh June 4th, uh Lanigan and Volony Spring concert will be at 6 pm. Uh place to be determined. >> Uh June 8th, we have our Title One family engagement meeting. It will be here at the Ed Center. We will be holding the 9:00 meeting that will be
023uh in person here or you can uh hook up to the link >> junior high at six. >> We're talking about the title one. >> I know. I'm moving back to the junior high. >> Oh, you did find the junior high. Yes, >> junior high was six o'clock. Okay. Oh, thank you. >> Sorry. >> I'm sorry. >> I'm like, wait a minute. Six o'clock at night. Like, even your wife was looking at you. >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Henderson, for the time on that junior high concert. Um, but the title one, you can either do virtual or you can do in person here at 9:00 in the morning. Our June um 8th DC meeting is at 5:00 p. p.m. at GRB. June 9th, we have another regular meeting right here, 6 o'clock. On June
02410th, we have our athletic award banquet that is at 5:30 and that will be at the Polish home this year for um those who are involved in the athletic banquet. We also have on the 10th the 5th and sixth grade spring spring concert um with Fairrave at 6 p.m. And then it June 11th, correct me if I'm incorrect, June 11th is our jazz jamberee. you had >> I have June 10th is the athletic banquetss fifth and sixth grade and let me double check >> because we did have a June 10th that did originally say jazz jamberry just want to make sure we have the right time for that >> June 11th was we had the banquet it um hold on so Mrs. Trude's going to look that up. >> It's June 11th is the Jazz
025Jamberry. >> Okay. So, I just want to make sure everybody had that. That is at 7 p.m. and I'm not sure which building holder that. So, make sure that you're following along if your students are involved in that. >> Uh the Bodley Bash this year will be on June 13th uh at Gay Bodley. June 15th, we have another UPK kindergarten transition night 5:30 p.m. at Fairgrave Elementary. A health and safety meeting on the June 16th. A policy meeting on June 17th. And on June 18th is our graduation. That will be right down at the athletic complex um uh 6:30 at GB. Uh no school on June 19th. The facilities will be closed. That is Junth. Uh Father's Day coming up on the 25th or 1st and on the 25th is the last day of stu
026school for students. So quite a lot going on in the next uh couple of months. Um there could be some changes to uh some of those and I know there's a lot more uh uh awards ceremonies and different things to recognize our students on their both athletics and their uh academics. So keep time. Yes, very busy time of the year. So if there isn't any questions from my colleagues, I'm going to go ahead and pass it over to Mr. Lawrence for the superintendent report. >> All right. Thank you. So uh we do have a couple of items on the superintendent report. Um, first we have a group of students here with us and Mr. L's to uh highlight our unified sports program. Um, these students and and Mr. L's, they they do an awesome job
027uh with the program. We're right in the middle of unified basketball. So, the timing of this is perfect and I'll don't want to steal any of Mr. L's thunder. So, yeah. >> Um, well, thank you for having us in tonight. Uh, we are here to talk about the unified sports program that we have. Um, and actually, I'm going to call up our team here. This is uh members of our basketball team. And then uh this is Austin Decller. He's one of the partners on the um unified basketball team. >> He's going to run you through a slideshow and then we'll give you an opportunity at the end to ask some questions. >> Before I introduce myself, I just want to say this is Hayden, Skyler, Michael, and we have a few people that came in
028here tonight to talk about it. and show talk about it and tell them their experience. All right, my name is Austin Dorl and I'm a junior at GRB. I'm here to talk about unified sports, not just as a program I am a part of, but something that impacts our entire school community. Unified Unified Sports is about one thing, making sure every student belongs. Unifying sports brings together students with and without disabilities to play on the same team. Most importantly for me, it creates forever friendships, the happiest memories, and it makes my life way better. This program exists to create connections. It gives more students the chance to participate in sports and be a part of something so meaningful. At our school, it shows up everywhere. You can see it on the court, in our halls,
029and even at school that's like a pepper app. The joy that you see when our unified kids are approached by other students in the hall or celebrated during a game is so heartwarming. Unified is building so many relationships that might have not existed without it. This program impa impacts all the students involved. It builds confidence, creates friendship, develop skills, and more most importantly, it creates belonging for everyone on the team. My connection to unified basketball started before I even joined the team. My cousin Aiden Shrewd was part of a program and after attending one of his unified basketball games with my family, we were very inspired by what we saw. That experience stayed with me and what led me to join the team when I became a freshman. I've really seen what makes this program
030different. The the thing that I find super cool is that both teams are celebrated by everyone. In most sports, the crowd only celebrates when their own team scores. But in unified basketball, it's different. Every basket is celebrated, no matter which team makes it. It stops being about winning or losing. And it has show me what sports can look like when kindness and teamwork matters just as much as the score. In basketball, you really see the excitement. One of my favorite experiences was watching my teammate Jeffrey make his very first basket this year. He has been playing unified basketball for four years and this is a very special special moment for our coach and our entire team. In this photo right here is actually his first basket that we got. Our unified basketball program continues to
031grow and it really comes down to our community. Our home games are growing. We have a great environment where we fill our gym with music, player announcements, and fun. We're seeing bigger turnouts and o even other athletes switch around their schedule to come support us, which says a lot about our school. This picture above are from our games last week. The top picture shows the crowd at an away game and the bottom shows a a crowd from our home game. You can really see the difference and I know that that has a lot to do with the experience we are creating here. >> No one brings the excitement and togetherness like Poland. If you haven't experienced a unified basketball game, this is what inclusive inclusion looks like. This clip will show you how our entire
032um school comes together. If we play that versus Hannibal, but an experience like this, everybody involved wins. One of the stars on the Fulton Unified team is Hayden Lockwood, affectionately known as Beast mode. >> He's been on the team for 3 years and didn't hesitate to tell us about his favorite part. >> Honestly, playing with my friends. Winning comes second to it. Nothing is better than playing with Austin and all my friends. >> Classes ended early and the gym was packed with the entire high school student body. The big crowd is something senior Mitchell Shirtliff is used to as a member of the varsity team. >> This is more of like enjoyment and like friendship obviously, but like watching other people succeed, like kids on your team making shots and just stuff like that. There's
033no place else I'd rather be. >> An afternoon filled with big shots. and more big shots >> and a lot of dance moves. Head coach Joshua Viscom says this team in a day like today is representation of the best Holton has to offer. >> There's a lot of great things going on here. Um, and this is one of the one of the best examples we have and it's really been really been fun for for everyone to come and see how the community has come together. Proud to be here. >> From start to finish, a celebration and a welcome reminder that joy is best when shared in Hilton. I'm Rachel Cber reporting. All right. So, there will be two games next week. The 20th at home in the GRB gym and one the 21st, which is
034a pep rally like you just saw on the screen. Uh at our gym, too, at 1:00 if you guys would like to watch. >> What time is the home game on the 20th? >> Uh 4:00. >> 4:00. >> Thank you. >> Um you want to talk about how your experience is? I've been playing unified basketball for three years since I was a freshman. And my experience is playing with um my friends, meeting new people, and going to um different schools, playing against them. >> Anything for your first year seeing? >> Yeah, this is my first year doing it. Um I've absolutely adored it. Um I love working with the kids. Um it's just amazing. >> Michael, don't. Yep. >> And I like playing with the team actually shoot in all of it and it's fun
035watching other people shoot. >> Yeah. >> Um after having such an amazing experience with unified basketball, I was asked to join the unified bowling team this year too. Just like basketball, every single player is celebrated. The most important parts of unified sports don't show up on the scoreboard. What we focus on is instead is joy, happiness, and connection that unified that makes unified very special. This program has really impacted the culture of our school. There is more inclusion inclusion and more connection between all students. It makes our entire entire school better and stronger. Unified is more than just a sports program. It's a way of making sure every student feels valued valued and included. It creates friendships, builds confidence, and shows us that everyone deserves a place where they belong. Thank you for your time
036and for supporting youth sports which have made a lasting impact on so many people including myself. Um so I I I did want to introduce we have two of our coaches here. We have who is our bowling coach and Josh Visco who uh coaches our our unified basketball team. Um, did anybody have any questions about October? >> No, just I think it's wonderful and I am so happy to see it thriving and thank you all for your time that you give because it it means I know you now have discovered how much it means to other people and I think that's the biggest >> I didn't know there was dancing in basketball. I'm on time. >> Every time out. >> That's wonderful. >> Yes. Can I just hear a story of of Fulton? Is it
037they included one of Beville's uh players or may have been another school, but >> yes, >> Fton may have been girls lacrosse. there isn't any across. Well, we've had instances where >> um a student from Hannibal would prefer to play for us. So, we glad we accepted him on our team for for the games that he came to to play for us. >> Very nice. >> Anything else? >> Well, thank you so much for bringing your athletes to us. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. Great job. Good job, guys. >> Good evening. >> All right. So our our second item um obviously Finley and and her family did a great job kicking us off with uh our our discussion or opportunity to discuss a little bit more valuator saludiatoran um here in our our
038district. Uh after the April 14th board meeting uh that was when uh her parts of her family and others came and and spoke about wanting to reinstitute either valictorian saludiatoran class rank um just those topics. Um, I did do a little bit of research and and talking and to various staff members just trying to figure out how we got to the place that we are and and obviously there was a time what I'm hearing pre-COVID where this was an ongoing discussion. Um ultimately the uh high school principal at the time at GRB Donna Parker's she brought forth a proposal to end class rank um and to as a result that's where uh valictorian saludiatoran um was eliminated as well. So it wasn't a part of our graduation ceremonies anymore and it kind of went handinhand
039with that elimination of class rank. Um, I had a great meeting as Finley mentioned with with she and her mother where she um did a actually a longer version of of what they prepared for you tonight. And um she did an excellent job outlining her thoughts and and reasoning as to why she feels uh both less class rank. I I think more just uh honoring our our top students um is important. Uh I explained to her at the time that really because the original proposal did come from the high school to the board or or to the district, it really kind of lives there. It's it's the high school graduation ceremony that we're talking about and um it really makes sense for the high school to bring a proposal to us if if they'd like
040to initiate some change there. Um, I do know that she and her I don't know if her family, but she definitely met with uh members of our admin team at the high school as well as some of our department chairs, counselors, and so on. So, um, I know that happened. I not sure where we are from there. I haven't received anything else from uh the the building level since then, but we thought it was important that because there was conversation at a prior meeting as well as this evening that we open it up here for the board to at least have a discussion about the topic or have the opportunity to discuss it publicly as well. >> Okay. Does any of my colleagues have anything that they would like to contribute? I just want to
041say I I definitely when I found out that they didn't have it, I thought it should bring you back. Then I did a little research and I thought, well, maybe not. But now I'm kind of convinced I like the I like the idea of those two, the the veil and the sail. >> It was talked about a lot. And so my my only concern is the waiting. That's where all of the problems uh originated. um lots of debate every time about was the right waiting um offered for depending on the course >> and so I would just ask that before because I'm I'm not opposed I am opposed to arguments over the waiting >> so if we could fix the waiting issue um and then just do both do a hybrid of both so that
042we can recognize all of our hardworking students as well as the top two I I wouldn't be opposed to that, but I'm it's the waiting that I go back to those nightmare conversations and they were nightmarish. I mean, sometime it was a hundth of a point >> and then then it doesn't it doesn't stop there. Then the debate is well this course should have gotten more weight because of the rigor and it's just never ending. It really is never ending. Um, people are passionate as you well know and that passion just doesn't let up. And so it was trying to find a way to not have people upset at a time when we should all be celebrating all of our kids and all of their achievements. And I agree with you it um Finley with
043regard to um academics. We tried it. We We have academic awards nights, but again, there used to be an academic club at the high school which fell apart. So, I mean, we just couldn't keep community members and parents involved. They just, you know, they didn't want to be involved. So, that that's that's some of the history that I just want you to know. It's not for lack of trying. It's sometimes for lack of getting people to participate and to keep things moving forward. Um, and for my colleagues to know that also. I mean there's been a lot of attempts to try to make because that's why we open the door the academics first. That's our primary >> mission is to make sure you have the tools so you can succeed in whatever you want to
044do. I mean I I truly believe students should have lots of choices at graduation. I don't ever want to find a student that felt like they were pigeonholding with something and they didn't have the sky's the limit and could explore. So um I am open to that but I just don't know the waiting. I don't know how that's going to get resolved, but that would be my strongest suggestion. Otherwise, there's going to be many more years of heartbreak and uh debate over the waiting issue. And I'm and with the way the coursework has changed, maybe maybe it'll be easy. I I don't know. I'm also concerned as a former student that uh transferred in into 10th grade um and all of at the time all of my ninth grade classes were not weighted even though
045I was I mean I I was top five in my class. Um and I I put that on my resume. I I would I wouldn't stop at saludiatoran or valid Victorian. I think that it's a great accomplishment. I think that it's really, really competitive to get into great programs and I think that we should give every chance that a student can tout um their their achievements. So, but I think that we need to make sure that we're being fair about it because I do remember there being being uh a lot people would take certain classes so that it would uh push their grades in different directions. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Or we had more importantly we had now I forgot students dropping Yes. they would drop courses um at towards the end of their
046high school career >> because they were worried about where they were going to land which I don't think serves anybody well but again if just things to consider moving forward um the pitfalls that we were struggling with at the time um I I I think it I I just think you can't be real fast I I think it takes a little time here to sort through some of those issues That makes sense. Um, >> oh, go ahead. >> No, I was just going to say I was part of the board that voted on >> uh doing away with validator and at the time it was because you wanted everyone with those high grades to be included, right? I mean, you've singled out two and you have others, as Robin was saying, within a hundth of
047a point that are not getting any recognition. And I, as I recall the argument from from Donna, I think that's what it was. She wanted to give as many students uh as possible uh the chance to be recognized for their accomplishments. >> Yeah. And I know the conversation started and I I was not invol involved in the board or in the district at the time, but when my my kids were in school back before 2015 is when as a parent I first heard about um the possibility and I know that it took many years because I think that was like 2021 >> that uh we moved away from the valatoran saludiatoran title. Um the only thing that I can say from my side is um when I'm sitting on that stage looking out at the
048class in general um just to see uh more of the gleam in all students eyes and their um participation. You have some students who will say well I'm only here for my mom and dad. Well now that they have the opportunity to um showcase their academic success. You're seeing a different version looking out at the classmates. I have noticed that from my first year. But I I think that by far in general there shouldn't be um any kind of obstacle or barrier for our students who are in their top who are applying for scholarships that they should have any kind of obstacle to get that information. So that's something as a district, as the high school, we have to look into as well as the conversations go on with the high school. um if if
049it's not brought back, you know, these students shouldn't be losing out on financial um you know, security for their college years just because we don't necessarily rank here in our district at the moment. So, um that's something I want to bring to your attention, Mr. Lawrence, that um I didn't realize that that was happening. I mean, if you call over to the guidance counselor's office when my kids were in school, you could get their class rank just so that they could put it on scholarships. But I also had kids who did not need that when they applied to their colleges either. So um you know there's there's a balance on both sides and there's a lot of conversation I think that needs to be to be had because you know academics is that does take
050place and I know we do have a lot that we offer um in acknowledging our academics we should be doing more. I mean our kids that are working hard from even before high school we should be acknowledging um this a lot. So just just things to think about and put out there for for our students in general. And to be fair, during that there was like a five or ten year period we were inundated as board members um with a a push to move to this model because colleges around the country were saying um that was you know they were dropping uh the old model. They were looking more to this newer model um and and also looking at a whole student. They talked a lot about I I remember just inundated with um information
051to read about the whole student and and encompassing extracurricular not just in school but outside of school and what we were doing as a community to uh broaden opportunities for our kids because they were looking for um more than just grades for the uh their college campuses. they they were looking to build a strong community strong communities because it was multiple colleges. At the same time, they were also talking about doing away with looking with the uh SATs. I mean, that was another conversation that went on during that period that you know they so I mean there's been a lot there's probably going to be some confusion to folks because there was >> um the conversations were different then the conversations seem to have slowed. I don't know it's because the change came about. There
052is still a trend nationwide. More schools are continuing to not rank, >> right? >> Um I reached out to to several folks who were involved in either statewide or or nationwide committees. That's still a trend. However, I'm thinking of my the last two districts I work for, Liverpool and and FM. FM especially, highly competitive uh school district. They don't rank, but they do recognize their top student. So, they've found a way to kind of do a hybrid of we no longer rank, but we still highlight into that. I don't think that's a bad thing. I'm open to that. But so I mean there's just so much to this because it was a long I know that Mrs. Parker studied it for quite a while before she brought it to the board. >> And again, uh
053board members, if you were on the board, and I I was the inboxes were loaded with this is these are things to think about. Um these are these are the reasons why you should be thinking about because these are the conversations that were happening at the collegiate level. Right. >> Um, so here we are >> and I think that Mrs. Griffin was one of the ones who was on the board at the time and then Mr. Dorm and I came on after the fact when it started to be brought more to the table. Um, so we weren't part of that initial conversation. >> There was just a ton of convers I and Donna Parker I believe also had conversations with her site based uh team the schoolbased team with parents and students and staff. >>
054Um, so I mean there was a lot of input and she reached out to other dis schools in our in our dis, you know, our surrounding districts. Um, I know that we're the only one here in Asiggo County, but there are other schools around the area. I mean, not more as you get outside of our area, but yeah, it's it's I mean, our kids deserve recognition, however it is we decide to go with that. But like you said earlier, um, it starts with the high school team because it is it's not a board of education graduation. It's a Gro Grey Bodley. It's it's their graduation. Right. >> So that's so I guess kind of for me next steps I I'll share this conversation with um Mr. Murray and and his team and we'll we'll try
055to go from there. >> You know, it may take a few rounds of >> figuring out what what what it looks like or does it stay the same? Does it go in a different direction? But >> I love the the Magna Kumlady and the Suma Kumlady. I'd like to see this be a a yes and issue. >> Yeah. to to like just give it more opportunity to be able to highlight more students achievements. >> Oh yeah, they definitely proved to us that we had kids that were um early on the first couple of years that literally if I'd known I only needed one more uh point. I could have worked a little harder because I wanted a certain color. I didn't get the sash color I wanted. I wanted that color. They actually asked Mrs.
056Parkhurst and she said, "Well, you're a point off." Well, if you told me, I would have got because I like that talk. >> And just to be clear, in in Finley's proposal and our conversation, she was very clear. She wasn't looking for >> remove anything. She wants a an ant type situation. >> And and in case you're going to leave, could I just say Finley, I really like that you offered up some ideas. You didn't just come to tell us that we got it wrong. It's really nice to have people offer ideas. It's a nice way to um start to move change forward. So, thank you for that. >> Part of the solution. >> Yep. >> Anything else you'd like me to share when I bring this back to Mr. Murray? >> I think that
057Okay, >> that'll be our next step. >> All right, sounds good. That's it for the superintendent report. >> All right, we'll move on to action point 5.0. 01 accept financials. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 500. Action 5.02 to approve the disposal of the surplus property. >> Move it. Okay. >> Somebody second. >> Second. >> Nick. Okay. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstaining. Passes 500. Action 6.01 01 is to approve committee on special education >> move Nick. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. >> This is 500 action 6.02 to approve the discipline appeal. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> opposed. Abstaining. Passes 500. Action 6.03. 03 to the approval of
058the 2025 2026 tax dispute. >> We're going to go with that. >> So Robin and Lori second. >> Sure. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 500. Could I ask one of my colleagues to please batch 7.01 to 7.09 for personnel? >> Robin and Lorie. All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 500 Z. All right, that's it for board business this evening. Uh so let's go ahead and go to our board forum. Lori, would you like to start? >> Sure. >> Thank Thank you for your talk on that because I've been back and forth. Of course, I've been out of school for a long time and I really don't know what you've been in school anymore, but no, you've you've given us a lot to think about. And um
059I want to say good luck to the Olympians for Thursday, but most importantly, have fun. >> And I also want to give a a shout out to the varsity girls lacrosse team. I don't know if any of you saw the article on it, but that's they were mentioning it a little while ago in um Syracuse, excuse me, in Syracuse. One of their players was autistic and our team allowed her to draw, carry the ball down the field and score. And what's her name? Megan Misro. She's the supervisor of athletics for the Syracuse girls varsity lacrosse team. Sent us an email telling us that and how moved they all were and how um it was they were all deeply moved by the heart, the sportsmanship, and the character displayed by Fulton's team. And she said it
060was a powerful reminder of what New York State High School athletics is about. Empathy, inclusion, and humanity. So, I'm sorry about my voice. >> Thank you for sharing. Thank you for sharing that. Thank you. >> So, I thought that was important because that moved me. It really did. It >> was a good story and I I'm very appreciative that you shared the email with us >> about that, too. So, >> and thank you guys for all your reports and I kind of missed you tonight. Um Jeff >> Finley, I thank you so much for um bringing this cause to us and uh giving great feedback and and options. Um I think you presented some really well thoughtout um ideas and I love how we celebrate our athletics. I love how there's some excitement about the
061community being able to come together and getting to see unified basketball and um a football game and uh lacrosse and we get have so many opportunities and there's such a great especially in the past couple years um excitement of our community coming around athletics and seeing um humans pushing themselves to the limit. and creating new um you know like even the Olympics we we we celebrate it worldwide. Um and I would love for us to be able to celebrate academics, the arts, music in the same way. And I think um every opportunity that we have to to be able to to stop and to notice somebody excelling in that that day-to-day um I think it's it's a good reminder that we we do need to congratulate people for the things that they do and whether
062it be um you know the best of the best like or just a personal accomplishment too. I think that all should be um awarded and we should it should be an and yeah, yes that everyone should um be acknowledged. So, thank you for bringing that to us. >> All right. Thank you. >> Oh, and on top of that, um Riley Drew was a student athlete of the week la last week, which was exciting. Um and I love that. That is great for her. It's good for our community. It's good. I think that that's amazing. The >> mom's proud. >> Yeah. Um and the science olympiates who who won last week? >> Say again. >> Science Olympians >> uh took home first place. >> The marathon. Yep. >> Yeah. That's amazing. >> Yep. We have great
063students here and they are excelling very well. >> First year pizza of clay took sixth place, too. >> What is it? >> Feats of clay. >> Oh. Oh, yes. I just saw that today. Yes. Yes, that's >> so many opportunities coming along. Taking a hat on. >> Okay, pretty fast. Mr. Talon, >> uh, thank you, Lori, for clearing that up. I know I heard the story. I didn't realize it was a lacrosse team. For some reason, I had basketball. >> I think in the past we've had the same type of situation with our basketball teams, too. So, yeah. >> Uh, thank you, Finley, and your family um for bringing us bringing uh the perspective back. We've been doing this for so long. Um, sometimes we forget where we came from and why we've done it.
064Uh, Marissa, your point of view. Um, everything that we were told or that I remember being told back when the decision was made was that schools, colleges aren't necessarily looking for that anymore. And so that had, I think, had a big part in how we we voted. Uh if that's wrong and they're starting to do that again, then we clearly need to look at it. So, thank you so much. I just want to point out to everyone that please get out and vote. Um >> how many families we have in the district? >> Families. Well, >> well, how many students? >> 3,000 students, which means in my mind, >> we should have 6,000 votes out there. >> Well, close to >> close to and and we're not getting there >> in a perfect world. And
065yet just the the to touch on the unified sports again. What a great program. What great students who are helping the uh the special needs students in that as well taking time out of their sport and their day. I just it I guess that just shows you what the full community is. And so thank you >> Miss Griffin. Well, the inclusion part is near and dear to my heart. I have loved ones that community and so anytime that they are made to feel part of the bigger community, it's very special to I know how important it is and what it means to kids. But I also know through them how important it is to have the right people that are there to lend them that hand and guide them and make them feel legitimately a
066part of it, not that they are a charity case. And there's a big difference. and our kids do a nice job. It was a very nice presentation tonight allowing those students to feel good about their contribution and and that's so important for um children um all kids, but in particular kids that struggle with some issues. Um it really means a lot to them. They don't have a lot of those opportunities. Um reports were great. I really did enjoy the unified. Um, again, it just warms my heart to see kids helping kids. There are future leaders of the community and um I'm grateful anytime I see that happen. And Nick, to piggyback on you, yes, please vote. Please remind, send out those texts, make those phone calls, remind family and friends it's voting day. Um, oftentimes
067I do find one or two people forget and so I call and, you know, I kind of badger. Go, go, go, go, go. Get down there quick. Um, because it's important. This is people's voice in action on a local level. There's nothing more important in my opinion than to get out and exercise your thought on what we've presented. I think the district uh my compliments to Miss Mrs. Hooper and Mr. Lawrence, I think you helped the board come up with a great plan that allows our kids to keep um programs fairly intact for the most part. There are some changes. So, there will be some things that will be different, but in the grand scheme of things, our kids are still going to have a lot of choices and pathways to follow. And that is
068what we try to be about here. And so we just ask that folks uh again vote first and secondly come next year, come the fall, going to need everybody's support and patience as we move forward and we shift uh make some changes and shift in a little bit different direction to try to do the to achieve the same goals but maybe it's going to look differently. So thank you for that. >> Thank you. Um well you guys have touched base on quite a few things so I appreciate all of your comments. Um again thank you Finley. Um it's never easy getting up in front of a group of people. Um live streaming nonetheless, but uh you were very well spoken and I I appreciate and applaud that you brought some ideas and didn't just come
069and say, "Hey, why isn't this happening?" Cuz we only evolve when we have ideas and input from from the community. Takes a village. Takes a village for sure. So thank you. Thank you. And uh congratulations on your great success. Um, I did want to remind when I talked about graduation being on the 18th, um, please RSVP to uh, Mrs. Ingresol over at the high school by June 5th, or you can let Mrs. Trude know and she will send that on over to, um, the high school whether you're going to be able to join for graduation that night or not. Just kind of let them know so that they can prepare um, for our spot up at the, you know, ceremony. It's it's such a pleasure and an honor to be part of the high school's
070celebration. So, um, also, um, I know it's a little bit early, a little bit premature, but, uh, for those of you who are thinking about it, NISB's conference for our training is in October. It's the 22nd and 24th. Um, it's in Buffalo this year, but I know that early August, Mrs. Trude is going to have to start making arrangements for that. And, as you know, the state all comes together and, uh, things move pretty quickly. So, if it's something that you're even remotely interested in, let Mrs. Trude know um because we can always make arrangements after if something falls through. So um it's a great opportunity to network with uh colleagues across the state and see how they're doing things. Um as well as uh team bonding for our team with our superintendent. So um
071think about that >> and train training is >> the training you just nothing prepares you for this chair. that that training is extremely helpful in making um individuals that sit in these chairs um better at decision making because you develop and understand uh laws. >> Yes. >> Um regulations, you understand current events because they share often times you get get training on what's going on currently for change. So I highly recommend that you take every advantage of training that's offered. Yeah. >> Um I I I trained until I dropped and it it was worth it. I mean I think the community got a lot more out of me because of the training that I did. >> Thank you for that. Um also um I want I want to wish well uh I know Wednesday the
072capstone product students were supposed to start their their project is this Wednesday they were supposed to do it but now it's being moved to Friday because we're have terrible weather tomorrow. Um, so, uh, is, correct me if I'm wrong, is is this year's eighth grade class taking on that section, um, between the high school and the war memorial. So, that will be a wonderful opportunity to see developed. I always love, uh, when they bring that information to us and show us all the work that they've done. And, um, you know, it's a great program that we have here in our district. And, uh, I love that our kids take pride in their community. Um, so just if you're out and about, you see that happening on Friday because it's going to be raining Wednesday. So
073they Thank you for not making the kids go out there on Wednesday. We appreciate that. >> Definitely appreciate that. Um, I also want to just for my colleagues, I kind of want to bring up um a discussion uh maybe we can put it forth to m uh Mr. Lawrence. Um I know we've talked a little bit about this, but um the discussion for our future roles and the process for choosing our student representatives who sit at the table. Um, I know that when this was brought back back in 2018 when I first came on the board and thought that it would be great idea to have a student's voice present at our table, um, the state didn't uh didn't mandate it at that time. So, we were we could be a little more lenient when
074our students couldn't be here. And as with every senior, they get very busy this time of year. Um, and we've seen it over the past couple years where we're starting to, you know, maybe lose a little bit. um whether they're playing sports, whether they're working, whether they're getting ready for their next opportunity in life, getting ready for college, whatever it is. Um you know, how how does that look in how we choose? I know we have a junior in waiting and we have our senior who sits at the table. Is it something we might want to talk about having both of our members sit at the table? Um maybe they can outreach more of our um student population that way. I know that Mr. Lawrence meets with both of our students each week and uh
075that we have meetings and and they are prepared. Um but you know what is it that that we might be looking for? So it's just something I want you guys to think about. Uh Mr. Lawrence had seen it a little bit differently in his past district um that he uh was in and you know now this that the state says we need to have a student sit at our table. So it's okay if our kids are missing occasionally but you know we don't want our kids to take on too much either. So, how how do we look like? But we still want our students to have that that voice where they're voting for their, you know, representation here at the table. So, you know, we just just kind of think about how how we want
076to look at that and we can get that going for for the future the fall. >> Mrs. Abore is attendance is attend are they aware of the attendance requirement? I mean, are we really good? Do we hand them a calendar and say these are the nights you'd be committing to so they have an idea whether >> they do get that in the beginning of the year? Yes. before they before they um decide to run for the office is what I'm saying. Do they understand the commitment? >> We're going to find out that a little bit that happened >> prior because it just you know I mean I haven't been here very long but I have yet I have not yet met a representative. >> Yeah. And she's was great about coming all the time. And
077so like I said, it's she's, you know, she's in sports as well and she's busy athletic uh academically and you know, we've come across this right from the beginning. I mean, >> yes, you know, our very first short blocks. Yeah. >> Yep. Our very first year we had a student on uh who I don't even know how she made it to the board table all the time because she spread herself extremely thin with all of the activities that that she did. So, um, you know, we we don't want to discourage our students, but we also don't want to, um, we don't want them to feel like it's too much once they say they once they commit and then not really know how to tell us that. >> Does the state allow for two to sit
078at the table? >> They do. My previous district did have >> Okay. Because the law wasn't written that way, I believe, when we started. When we started, there was a very specific >> They had to be seniors that now the law has changed. So that then I think it's worthy of uh looking going and looking at it now that the law is giving you more options. We didn't have any options. >> We didn't and and we were kind of starting there wasn't a lot in our area. There were a few schools that were doing it, but it was it was a great opportunity to to bring that >> and it's great to have the students here. I mean when they are present Oh my goodness. I mean >> um the insight >> absolutely >> what
079they got to bring. >> So if my colleagues were interested and I know that Mr. Dorm has been working on a student handbook um so we will definitely have that. So that will go out to future students who will be interested. They'll be able to read through what the work that Mr. Dilor has put into it so that they'll know if it's something they can commit to. But would my colleagues uh like for us to ask Mr. Lawrence to put this on for discussion and follow through before this. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. >> We'll put that on. >> All right. Um >> I don't Do they do they get advised when they're running? Is there someone at the high school that advises them? Because perhaps that person or those people need to
080know what the commitment is >> before they recommend. >> We Yeah. And I think that we did have that a little more previously. Now I know Mr. uh Lawrence has been advising more and sitting in more with our students, but yeah, to get the at the high school level. I know that I'm not sure if it's teachers or if it was the principal who recommended >> Mrs. Parker sat with the students >> right originally, but I mean now like when when it goes out to vote to our students and I don't know maybe Finley will remember because she probably voted on a student but you know I'm not sure who recommends them to us but I know the students get to vote right the you guys vote for >> and I believe because so the
081senior Nina Cunningham recommended a position like this like Gwen has now to me. I at the time was the sports I told her I couldn't take it but she recommended it. That's how I found out about it and you put your name into the pot and your students, your classmates, your peers decided on that. I didn't hear about it from an adult. >> You didn't hear about it from an adult? Okay. See, and that's good to know as well. Yeah. Okay. Thank you for that for that insight. Appreciate that. All right. So, we'll definitely go ahead and put that on the agenda. Um keep uh graduation in mind and let Miss Trude or Mrs. does all know uh if you'll be joining and um I'm just so excited to see where we go in the
082next couple of weeks. Please, please, please community members, get out and vote. Um and we're going to go ahead and move on from here. I lost my calendar. All right, so we're going to be moving into second public forum if anybody wants to join us. Is there anything else that you'd like to share with us? Okay. Do I have another three minutes? >> Yeah, you sure do. >> I don't know. So, ready? Go. For. It's the paper that's not attached to the original colored one. It's a comparison. There's a table that my science teacher made that recognizes on the left side athletic events and on the right side academic like recognition events and as you can see it's very limited. Um all of you spoke just now I think each and every one of you
083thanked me and then went immediately to our sports teams. I mean I mean we're seeing right now the fact that really our sports are our highlight but we are a learning organization. So, in terms of the weighted stuff, I definitely think that can something that we can look at, but as of right now, I watched and I saw last year as I took and I enrolled in my rigorous courses, they were weighted. The college courses were weighted um heavier than a regular course would be. And every student at GRB has the same opportunities to take the courses that I took. So, in terms of weighting things, I feel like it's fairly it's kind of fair at the moment. I think some extra digging into would definitely be helpful. But in terms of the superintendent medal
084as well um like you said uh yes and I think that all this need I think ranking in general is a good thing. I think things like recognizing our top 10 students maybe you don't have to just do balance out but I think the titles are important as um Mrs. Marissa Hanland. I am still a young person. I almost refer to her as she pointed out like their titles are things that they look at when you walk into a room. Someone with a title commands your respect more than someone who doesn't. I whether we know it or we don't I think it is an implicit bias that is in the back of our minds. So as a future career as someone in veterary as someone who wants to go into veterary medicine, my GPA means
085a lot. There are a lot of vet schools, especially Cornell, that will look at things and if your GPA is a 3.7, then you're just out of the running immediately. So, with certain professions and careers that come from high school, I think grades should be more focused on because they are in the future. A friend of mine was slightly upset. She's like, I hate that colleges look at ranks so much. I'm like, honey, unfortunately, they do look at them. So when the fact that I don't have one, we might be upset with how much they look at them, but because they look at them is why it's important to have. As far as I know, I know that many colleges look at it. I've had many scholarships that I haven't turned in because I didn't
086have my rank in time to do so. And even the word unofficial on the letter that was written for me didn't help my case. So I really I really do appreciate you all taking the time to listen to me. I promise I'm reigning myself in. I am my mother's daughter. So, thank you all again for listening. And I just I really do um all I ask is that you consider it. And I think again the risks are so outweighed by the rewards in our cases. And I'm not saying this just because I want to be recognized because I feel that I should be doing this. I'm I would love for this to be made into something import of importance like it is because of the people that were before me, the people that are currently
087in these positions and my sister's very young. So, I think that even I know kids from younger grades that would love the recognition and truly deserve it because we really have some hardworking students here and there's more than just athletes in our student athlete. Thank you. She deserves an applause. All right. Next is action 8.03 for executive session. Mr. Lawrence has asked that we enter executive session for the purpose of discussing uh matters pertaining to our collective bargaining units as well as to a school district legal matter. to have somebody move that. >> Move it. >> Sorry. >> All those in favor? I >> I oppose abstaining. Passes 500. Thank you everyone. We'll do that shortly. Did you bring it? >> All right, welcome back. We're going to move action 9.01 adjournment. Can somebody move
088that? Robin >> second. >> Nick. >> And all those in favor? I >> opposed. abstaining passes 500. Thank you everyone. Have a great evening.