FCSD Board of Education Meeting 10/28/25 @ 6PM (At the Ed Center on 4th Street)

001Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Can I get somebody to move action 1.02 to approve the agenda? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Okay. So, just >> and Nick. Okay. All those in favor? I opposed abstaining. Passes 7 0. In the event of an evacuation this evening, we need to move out of the building. We can go out uh the door here to my right, right out this back door over to the left. Please move away from the building as far as possible. Would you please join me in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We are going to start with our public

002forum. We have one community member who is signed up this evening. Just a quick reminder that we each speaker would have three minutes and that there is no back and forth dialogue at the table but uh if you leave and I do see that you left your uh email address uh the appropriate administrator myself or someone who is uh with whatever your concern is which we'll know in a minute uh will be able to reach out to you at the end of tomorrow or the next day. So we are calling up Kim Swanson. Please join us. Come right up to the podium. >> Hello everyone. >> Hi. Um my name is Kim Swanson and I'd like to begin by sincerely thanking each and every one of you for your service. As a former school board

003um member multi-term in a neighboring district, I know firsthand the long hours and the difficult decisions that you have at times and the thankless nature of this work. So before anything else, I just want to give you my appreciation for the work that you do. I understand it. >> Thank you. >> I come before you this evening not as a critic, but as someone who has sat in your seats and who understands the weight of policy, process, and perception, and who continues to serve students through advocacy without compensation simply because it's the right thing to do. Throughout my years on the board, I often reminded myself that when a student, staff member, or a parent came before us in frustration or in anger, it was rarely their first stop. They came to us because of

004the roadblocks, dismissals, or obstacles that the day had already encountered along the way. My advice to myself and to my colleagues was always to listen to hear, not to respond, not to defend, but to truly hear. Tonight, I'm asking you to do just that. There's a serious issue at the Fulton High School that deserves full attention and compassion. A culture of unchecked bullying has has persisted and despite the administration's awareness, students are not being adequately supervised or protected. When a student is targeted, it is the adults duty, not a not an option, to intervene, safeguard, and to lead. that duty was not fulfilled. To make matters worse, during the recent incident, while many stood, one student didn't. He chose to follow the code of conduct as required in in your code of conduct to help

005and not be a bystander. And instead of being celebrated for courage and integrity, that student was punished. Think about that. The very values that we work hard to instill, leadership, empathy, responsibility, were not rewarded, they were penalized. That's not justice, it's value. Even more troubling, this event was videotaped and shared among students. A minor child being humiliated and further victimized because there was no supervision and a known problem area. That is not just irresponsible, it's unacceptable. We must demand better from the adults entrusted for the student safety and this so this never happens again. When questioned, I was told the investigation was thorough. Yet, when asked to define what thorough meant or why not all students were questioned or even selective students, I was told there were too many disciplinary issues to manage. That is

006not thoroughess. That is >> minutes is up. >> I'd like to just have another minute, please. >> I'm sorry. I know your three minutes is off to me. >> Sorry, I'll have somebody else. >> Thank you. >> Uh questions. Can somebody else read the last paragraph? >> They're not signed up. >> You can do it at the end when we do the second board forum. >> Well, that's for anything on tonight's agenda. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. So, sorry. No. Somebody please move action 1.06 to approve October 14th's regular meeting minutes. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 700. >> Tonight's president report we're starting out with uh the end of the week is the end of the marking period. Uh, happy Halloween. Uh, and 10 weeks are

007up. It's hard to believe that's already through. Uh, we have on November 3rd a Title One family engagement both at 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. So, if you can join, please feel free to join. Um, November 3rd will be our next board meeting. That is going to be on a Wednesday evening because Veterans Day is on the Tuesday. So, we needed to go ahead and move it. >> What did I say? November 12th is the meeting. the 11th of session today. >> You said the third. >> Oh, because that's the third item on my on my list and I circled it because I knew it was very important to let everybody know that our next meeting is on the Wednesday. Thank you. Uh November 18th, we have our health and safety facilities meeting. The 19th,

008we have our policy meeting. Another board meeting on the 25th. Um Thanksgiving break is coming up in the end of the next month. Um December 9th we have a regular board meeting. December 16th, health and safety. December 17th, policy committee. And then the 23rd of December also another regular board meeting. Um we also have on December I'm just going to share we had a meeting at Asiggo County School Boards last night. Uh Jess and Lori joined um that group with all of the uh districts throughout the county. Um, and on No, let's see. It's going to be December 10th. There will be a uh virtual meeting. Um, so that's for Justin Lori for the 10th. And also on December 3rd, Asiggo County School Boards Association and Central New York uh school board association will be

009putting on another uh free seminar training for uh those of us in the district. It will be with Roseanne Bane from City Boseies. Um that invite goes out to all board members if you're interested also to our superintendent, administrative staff, principles, and uh it's a great presentation that will be put on. It's to go over DASA, which is something I know that in the beginning of the year we had talked about doing more trainings. So I think it's wonderful that uh Swiggle County School Boards and Central New York School Board is offering us a free training on that. So, um, keep that date in mind and, uh, let us know if you're interested and we'll get that out to, uh, Roseanne so she'll know who's coming out to the meeting. >> December 3rd, you said

010>> December 3rd. Yep. 6 p.m. at city. >> Um, this will be a great thing also to be uh, keeping in mind. Um, lobby day this year is February 11th. That's for NISPA. It will be in Albany. Swiggo County School Board is also working with uh Will Barkley to set up a date for our school district as well as other school districts in the county to meet with him for things that we think need to be advocated at the state level. Uh the date is to be determined. They're still working on a date with Mr. Barkley's office. So, we'll make sure that we get that out to you. But, uh lobby day is February 11th and we would meet with Mr. Barkley prior to that. Um so, there is that as well. I also wanted

011to uh apologize, Mrs. Hendendrickson, because I didn't ask you about the dragon book at the last meeting. And I uh just wanted to know how that was uh going. I know that's been big. I've heard some kids that were very excited to read it. Got only a chapter in so far. Life has been busy, but I'm excited to read the rest. >> The librarians are actually working on Friday to wrap up the dragons in the bag and working with um Mr. Alex Richmond to possibly name our baby dragon. That's uh what our mentor does. So, we're excited for that opportunity. We've been getting positive feedback with the participation on our website with the questions. Well, that's great. Um I have to hurry up and read this by the end of the week now. Um, and

012the last thing under our president's report is our NISMBA conference was just held last week into this weekend. And we had four members who were able to go into that conference with Mr. Lawrence. Uh, we had gotten an opportunity to meet with the Swo County School Board, um, our small city school association, which is really, um, a wonderful group that we're part of to help us. Uh, and correct me if I'm not putting out enough information, but um, they're working with us. The state has a formula that's been in place for a long time that is being revamped um because we are not getting the adequate allowance for uh, per pupil um, monies in. Uh, that's why it sometimes seems like we're a little behind because we're not getting the money that we should be

013getting from from the state. So that's something that we want to advocate to at our state level on lobby day uh so that we can continue to get where we need to be for small city schools. Is there anything you wanted to add about? >> Well, I think it's important to say it's it's advocacy for a change to the formula. So we received more. Yes. Um because we have been by the way of the formula maybe being tweaked a little bit here and there by uh state officials um have been missing out on what would be millions of dollars over the past few years. They were saying something around uh we're a little less than a thousand about $1,000 per pupil. We're getting less than we should be getting. >> Advocating for us to get

014about $1,000 more per pupil to really get us to the point where we're kind of even >> um based on our our current expenditure. So it's statewide. >> So think about joining us friends in uh Albany and uh we can continue to advocate for that. Um I'm going to go ahead and open it up to a couple of my uh colleagues who also went uh so that they can kind of share some of their experience. Um there were quite a few really good uh keynote speakers and uh >> sessions that we were able to go and and learn different things. So Lori, do you want to start? >> Sure. >> Couple sessions I went to um about navigating digital distractions with cell phone ban. There wasn't a lot of information any more information on that

015because it's still relatively new and they're still discussing what works best, what's going to happen down the road. Will scores improve on tests? They don't really know. Um the one district that was in there, they said the pouches were working. They had some pouches because kids are in there acting, but they complained that the lunchroom was a lot more noisier. So, which in a way I think is a good thing. Um they had suggestions at maybe printing out the policy on the cell ban, having the students and staff sign it. Um in Texas, they gave us an example. They said the first offense, somebody's using their phone when they're not supposed to. This in Texas, okay, they go see the vice principal, the phone's confiscated, but they get sent back to class. The second offense,

016it's confiscated. They have a half day detention. In the third offense, there's a suspension and the parent has to go in and get the phone. >> That's intent. >> But that's in text. >> That's in text. >> I also went to a bridging the gap AI policies for a future ready school community. Um, again, not a lot of information because there there's AI is changing. It's evolving so quickly, quicker than they anticipated. And um, so it's kind of still up in the air. They want to get, you know, write policies, but they want to make sure the policy is written so students can understand it. Um, that that's a big thing because it means nothing to them. And um, you know, if it gets very wordy and stuff like that and they say they should

017be written to empower and equipped, not confuse and restrict. And um, some of their strategies are use terms that are clear to the students. Um provide exa examples. Include scenarios that are acceptable and unacceptable. Um ensure there is consistency across classrooms by aligning teachers on the guidelines and engage students in policy creation and gather feedback during the development. I'm I'm trying to cut back. I got a little wordy on some of the stuff. I went to um anatomy of a dis of district goal settings and I got to be honest I I went there thinking aha I'm going to find some juicy little tidbit I can bring back to our administration and us no we do everything that they put out there are some districts that have no goals but they um our district does

018everything everything that they suggest you know engaging the community um using surveys, use the data, you know, so that's pretty impressive. Um the keynote speakers, the first one was Ted Shrivever, who took me a little bit to figure out. He really was a Kennedy. He looked exactly like one. He talked a lot about dignity, and I'm not going to steal anybody else's thunder, but one thing that struck me is he gave a quote from Arthur Brooks. We have a cultural addiction to contempt, an addition abded by the outrage industrial complex, and it's tearing us apart. That really that that kind of hit me because when you think about it with all, you know, social media and everything like that, everybody seems to be thriving on contempt and um and you know, he talked about that,

019but I don't want to steal others dignities. Then our other keynote speaker was Steve Hartman and a friend of mine described him as a cross between Mr. Rogers and Robin Williams and he is he does a um CBS he does a >> I just told you >> on the road and he talked about kindness and how we really there are kind people out there and we just have to focus on them and I won't go into any more on the keynote speakers because I know that's what some other people want to talk about. >> Mr. Did you Lauren? >> I know that you also got to do the other dignity. Um >> I did. That was it that was very informative. Not as long as Mr. uh Shriers, but it was very good. Um unfortunately

020I wasn't able Failen was with me and we weren't able to get the dignity flowchart. Um but there is a barcode and we can go on to the uh to the website and uh so we'll get those for the rest of the board. >> Okay. And I think that you had sent a um link to us so we can maybe even have M. Trude print that off if we send it to her with >> my my major uh session was uh the first day I spent the full day in the uh pre-convention uh law updates. Um predominantly they focused on freedom of speech for students. They went back as far as 1969 and there was one ' 86 88 2007 and 2008. The uh going back to ' 69 it was students wearing armbands to

021school. Basically it had a peace sign. The courts ruled with the student that they as long as it didn't hit the nexus of substantially disrupting school functions they could wear that. uh 1986 it was lewd gestures and lewd and vulgar gestures where a student gave the finger to uh uh I believe it was either the principal or teacher and they cited with the school there that uh that's unacceptable during school. >> Um 1986 said schools can uh can censor uh school sponsored publications. So those students have freedom of speech um they can't in a school publication such as a school newspaper there are certain topics that are untouchable again but it has to reach the nexus of substantially disrupting school functions. So you can say they kind of sided with the with the students saying

022yes you can but you can't disrupt school. Uh 19 that was at 88 2007 um had to do with uh social media and uh some students uh on social media um I think it was at a school function they had a sign that said bong hits for Jesus. And uh uh they said then that the school can censor speech because of of drug use. It can't you can't you you know uh you you can't trying to think of the terminology they use. But basically if your speech had to do with drug use and just that phrase long hits for Jesus was enough to have them side with the school >> which is probably because it's against the code of conduct at the school. >> What's that? And it's probably because it's against the code of

023conduct of the school. >> Exactly. Um but in a lot of these cases where a lower court may have sided with one way or the other when it got to the Supreme Court there may have been a turnover in the decision. I just can't go into it all. It was just it was so I was aruck with the amount of information that they had on all that. Then we went into tenure and eval staff. Um and then um policies on emptying empty board seats, what we uh what school boards can do to fill that. What are the requirements if any? So that took up the whole day. The majority of those was focused on freedom of speech for students. And I found that interesting. >> Okay. He's so gentle. >> Um really um agree with

024what you know my colleagues said. I did a a lot of the things that I like with the convention is talking to other school districts and see if it's working and what you know it's not working. I did we did speak with one district about the cell phone policy and the discipline how it progressed in their school district and the first one there was um the the first time that when they take the phone away the parent has to come in and retrieve the phone. It's not going back to the student. The parent must come in and sign. And I really like that >> disciplinary approach and then it's in the parents hand and how they want to discipline the student there and then it progresses from there. Um I did like the AI um

025and how the language in the policy should really be empowering our students and our staff and how they want to use it. A lot of the policies are full of negative terms of can I do this and the language is unclear and so they really use a focus on what you can do with it with the AI and give them direct examples and and limit the speech um so that our students can read it and understand it. Um and then some of the other things were really great information we got at the expo. I know I spoke with one company about um staff surveys and um I know we struggle with some staff surveys here and it's limited in how they had different surveys that would a they would use AI to also enhance the

026survey. So if a staff member said we have an issue with discipline, it would then prompt more open-ended questions to see exactly what the issue with discipline is or whatever the staff is. So, I really liked um that and found some of those tools could be really useful for our district. >> Thank you. Um and what I noticed with a lot of the uh sessions that I went to, you know, um there was a reoccurring theme and I know that we have a new superintendent that is possibly going to uh appreciate this. Um it has to do a lot of things have to do with our policy. They have to be clear-cut. Um our students have to understand what the policy is asking for them. So, for instance, with the AI, you know, if the

027students don't understand when they can use it or when they can't use it, they're not going to use it, even if they're being encouraged to use them. Um, but this kind of falls across the board for a lot of our policies. Uh our district has a lot of policies which you are aware of and I know that uh uh it's something that you are looking into um checking at each individual policy and make sure that it's clear and and concise and that the uh community and that our staff and that our students understand exactly what is in the policy and and what needs to be done or upheld. So, um I know that's a huge uptaking that you will be taking on, but there were about four or five different sessions that I went to

028that that talked specifically about policies being um I wanted to go to the Scott Levy uh why school boards matter um session. We were in our small city schools. Um but uh Swiggle County School Board is um in the process of trying to get him to come to be able to talk with us as well. So if that does come to futation, uh I think that will be a really important thing because we do talk about policy and finances quite often and there's a lot to that and there's other things that you know we need to be kind of aware of and and bringing back to our >> uh I just want to bring up one more thing too and I do believe that the NISPA um were recorded session. So I know there were

029sometimes we were in a session but there was another session that we also wanted to attend at the same time. So board members who weren't able to attend or want to go in and watch. Um >> so we we were we were talk that should be coming out on Friday any that should be um put out to us by NISPA. Um the question we were we were discussing was >> are we able to share it amongst our people who were not there with us. So if if that is the case there's four of us who have access to it. Uh we will make sure that you guys can see any of the sessions that you want to. Um I talked with a few other board members from uh neighboring districts who did the virtual who

030were not able to attend. Um and they it seemed to me like they they got quite a bit as well and and so if you can't join next year next year's in Buffalo, you know, think about that virtual option because there's a lot of information that that's coming. Um I did speak with a few vendors uh myself that I just wanted to kind of throw this out to you. Um I know Mr. Lawrence, I told you we we still have to that thought of if and when or how the you know electric school buses will happen. There was a company I gave you the car uh car to. They come and do or um school districts like ours a free analysis. Um so I just you you guys do what you need to do with

031it. I just wanted to bring that to your attention. I know we've been talking about the electric school buses for a long time. Um here's the other part of that. Uh, one thing that I definitely um caught my eye, uh, we have low math test scores in our district and that is something that we are always trying to get ahead of. Um, this AI math co-teer and I talked with Mr. Lawrence a little bit about this as well. Um, it's up to you and the Hendrickson's to look into this if it's something you think would fit for our district, but this is so when there are several students in the classroom, we have that co-teer in there for when there are those minor questions, when teachers are trying to get around. Um, I've heard that

032there's great success with this. Uh, districts are pulling up their scores. Um, I just thought I would bring it back just in case it's something that might work for us. I know that I've heard along the lines that, you know, we Fton's never going to pull their mask scores up. Well, I don't think that that's necessarily true. Maybe we're just need a tool to help us out with, but that is up for you guys. Go ahead. >> Is that a tool that's only available during the classroom or would it be available to students outside of class? >> Uh, that I know that it's worked on inside classrooms. Um, but there may be a component to it that, you know, the district could look into to see. Yeah. and he didn't really go in today. He

033just said >> that might be a good option, too. >> And I know there are other um companies as well. >> Yeah, but the homework part would definitely be great, especially for families that are helping their their students at home. I know sometimes it looks a little crazy. It doesn't look like we did how we did it when we were when we were in school. Um >> academy is freeh. >> Uh we use that. >> It's amazing. Well, we >> but this is just a little something that's different uh with the up and cominging forever changing in a speed of light AI world that we are starting to live to to be in. So, um I definitely wanted to just kind of bring those to your attention. Um but uh the the whole focus around

034policy was the the overwhelming theme that I got from the sessions that I went to over this. And so I would very much appreciate it if we could definitely and the policy committee, you know, for all your help that will be coming up on this and and code of conduct as well, you know, making sure that it's concise and all that's in there. So um but it was a great it was great time to uh you know bond with some board members to uh reach out to other board members who are around uh and nearby so hopefully we can share some different uh resources with each other. So >> Brena, before you move on, I I forgot probably the most important uh court decision that that we had talked about that day is that was

035if it reaches the nexus of substantial disruption of school um schools can regulate uh conduct and speech and social media off campus. Sunni does have policies that uh in order to have like a free speech meeting or anything it has to uh anyone that it's is forming together has to fill out a form and able to do so and then there's there's an there's an area that they can have that it's similar but that that where schools can regulate. >> Yeah. And this this was specifically off campus and social media that they can regulate speech >> if it reaches that nexus. Again, substantial disruption of school function. So >> that >> I don't know how I could have forgotten that last and that was in 2008. So >> well, thank you for sitting in on

036the law conference. Appreciate it. >> Um if there isn't any other questions or anything else to add, I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to superintendent's team. >> All right. Thank you. So we have uh five items this morning. The the first is uh very important. We're excited to have a lot of our students here with us this evening. So we have uh 21 students who are either in band, orchestra or choir who um were selected for the NISMA area all state music festival which is coming up. So um first I want to congratulate all of our students who will will be recognizing tonight. Um outstanding honor. We know a lot of hard work, dedication. This is really years of you practicing and putting in the time to um be selected for this.

037It also says a heck of a lot about our music program here as as a district. So, um very proud of of the program that we have in place and our dedicated teachers and staff who are here. Um I I know endless hours helping to support all of you. So, congratulations to our students and to our staff. Um >> and the biggest supporters, the parents. >> Yes, parents. Parents as well. I know. Yeah, a lot of party carting around and and listening to squeaky instruments maybe early on and uh so thank you for for supporting your students the way you do. Uh Mr. Jakamucci is here this evening. He has a few words to say as well. >> Yeah, I thought I'd stand up. I wrote something out, but that was a lot of it.

038So, sorry about that. >> No worries. Uh hello everybody. If you haven't met me, my name is Luigi Jakamucci and I am the band director at F Bodley High School. I would like to also take a moment uh to recognize and celebrate the hard work uh put forward by our incredible student musicians uh for they have all made uh this year's senior high area all state honors ensembles. Now that's a lot to say but what it actually means is that these st talented students performed NISMA solos this past May at the NISMA solo festival. Their solos were chosen from challenging and renowned works performed by professional musicians. In addition to their solos, students also prepared scales and/or site reading and demonstrated a high level of skill and musical fluency required for selection. Each of these

039students scored among the top performers for their respective instruments or voices across all three counties, Asico, Herkimer, and Onida, earning them a place in the area all state ensembles. uh they will join all the other winners or selected students on Friday, November 21st and Saturday, November 22nd to perform and rehearse with them. Uh so just so that they can be each individually recognized, I'd like them to each stand when they when uh they hear me call their name. Um and we'll give a round of applause at the end. Uh so Rowan Beckross, Annayiah Leon, James Mentor, Xander Bellson, Justin Wallace, Aiden Neil, Andy Kerr, Kieran Persal, Annie Quirk, Broen Quirk, Thomas Wood, Aydah Dumashelle, Jet Drake, Izzy Flood, Kevin Mentor, Abby Spilman, and Matthew Barry. I'd like to also mention one other thing or a

040couple other things before we depart. Uh I'd like to give special recognition to the band students who are sending 12 representatives to the honor band ensemble this year. Uh this is more than any other school district in all three of the counties. Uh which is great because we're not the largest school district in the three counties. Uh, and we would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported these outstanding students along the way, especially their parents and dedicated music teachers throughout Fulton School District. Their encouragement, time, and passion make achievements like this possible. Uh, let's have another round of applause for music. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Congratulations everybody. >> Sorry. >> Thank you very much again everybody. >> Got some scales to practice. >> Congratulations everyone. >>

041Sorry that you had to bring all the chairs. No, >> it's all good. >> We're happy to see it. All right. So, our second item uh this evening is a focus on our district coherence council, an update from Mrs. Hendendrickson. Uh so last Monday we held our first district council meeting of the year filling up the high school library with 55 members which included our building and district um administration, teachers, committee members, parents and my favorite of all. We had seven students who were actively participated um in all the activities that we did. I was so impressed with their um willingness to share their thoughts and we even had a few leading some of the stations that we um we rotated through. So the purpose of the the meeting was to bring our district and

042sitebased teams together to align our goals and strengthen our coherence across the district. Uh we shared our strategic coherence plan goals for uh year two. We did a quick one-word check-in focusing on our mission and vision and had each of the set building sitebased teams review our mission and vision and choose one word that really um stood out to them. A lot of the words that they chose were empower, learner, and hope. Um and then we had each of the building teams break into three groups and they rotated around talking about each one of our circles here, culture, systems and structures, learning and wellness pathways. um and focusing on the two questions that we have up there. What's already happening in Filton that supports our culture structures and learning pathways and what opportunities um can

043we grow in? Afterwards, we collected all of the um the charts and here's a general summary. Everyone felt that we were doing a great job expanding our pathways. Um we have a strong social emotional learning program in our district with mentoring and focusing on life skills and um looking to expand our pre-career um technology and um where's my notes? Career technology and education opportunities, arts and family engagement. Um under systems and structures, our professional learning teams are up and running. Um we're focusing on data driven collaboration. We're doing a nice job supporting our new staff members. Again, focusing on expanding our tier 2 and three to make sure we're providing supports for all of our students um ensuring that we're implementing our multi-tered system of um supports integrated across all six buildings um consistently and

044enhancing our communication um with culture. Um the groups all felt that we have pretty positive culture going through our um all sex buildings with our events and recognitions focusing on our new posters of soar. Um the students shared that they feel like they have strong relationships with the staff and areas that continue to um that we need to continue to grow on are clear communication uh family engagement and um consistently sharing some welcoming practices across all six buildings. So the the opportunity for all six site bases to come together and share what they're doing in each building. Um we saw and heard lots of parents talking to each other and that was a key thing. What's what's happening with the Bonnie parents, the lan parents, how can they share ideas and that was really the

045the purpose of having all six um site bases together was to um support each other. So moving forward, our next meeting is December 8th. At that time, we should have our results from our uh surveys that will be um opening up probably in the middle of November. So, we'll take the time to review those and then um make adjustments to our plans as needed. So, with that DCC meeting, if there are board members who would like to join, um please let us know. And if for any reason somebody cannot make it, let another board member know so that we can make sure that there's a board member on the dcc that night on the 8th. >> Yeah, we just have to be careful so we don't have a form. >> Well, that's why if you

046can tell us in advance, we'll have like like we did the last one. >> Okay. And then just for if if you're one who signed up and and Renee knows that you're coming, then and you can't make it, something comes up, just let us know so she can reach out to another board member. Just so there there will not be a quorum. >> Yes. >> Yep. just up to three. >> And if anybody can't, I can't. My kids are on the BCC, so I'm going there anyway. >> So, I hear Fallon and Tim. >> Well, I'm just saying I'm saying I don't mind. I just don't want to step on toes and >> Yep. Nope. We're all taking turns this year because they're four meetings. So, >> well, I figure I'll go and if someone

047wants me to sit in the hall, so >> I probably hear a few of the balls on. >> I just want to add the seven students were participating. They fully participated. It was It was great to have them there, especially when we went into our breakout groups. A couple of them kind of stole the show a little bit and uh it it was great to hear their voice through the process. >> How do we choose the students? >> Um the principles, we opened it up. Um I gave a list of um people we'd like to have a well represented uh the mayor was there. We try to have someone represented from like the higher um education from the college. So just a a a span of people that can give us input and they reached

048out to parents um and student members. So, usually if the parent was already on the site, they usually brought their their students along, but I know the junior high and high school, I think both Mr. Cutuny and Mr. Murray reached out to students as well. >> Do the students rotate or are they the same students? >> This is the first time we've really had I mean, last year we had the same students for the whole time. Um, we're always open to adding more students. >> You know, it's great to get students voices. >> Yeah. I mean, I can only speak for my kids. I know my kids did sight base and so then when they went to junior high the principal we sent an email to every parent and said we're doing this and if

049any students interested and I just said they're used to it so they want if you need them we we don't get a lot of student participation in these type of things and so >> so we're not going to turn any students away >> right yeah that's awesome good to know >> bring a friend yeah >> we're open for it >> we'll try to make it fun I'm sure you have cookies for them >> I cookies and chips. Um, so also last week we had another exciting opportunity we had uh look at me I'm three. Um, so this was our first session that we held at fair grade. Just to give you a little bit of background. Um, this came about because of the county opportunity or suo county community school advisory that we belong to.

050So family Sheldon and I both participate in this um this advisory. Um, so here's our purpose of that committee. Um, as we go County Community Schools intentionally and strategically connect student, families, schools, and community partners too. I'll give you a moment to read those three bullet points. I'm sorry, I'm not going to um provide access to resources and services that build on community strengths and meeting community needs. Create the conditions that empower every child and family to envision and achieve a successful future in which they make a positive impact on our community. promote positive learning experiences, a sense of belonging, dignity, safety, equity, and mutual accountability for achieving our community's goals. So, that was our purpose. And based on our local needs assessment, we felt like our number one priority was to identify uh a

051way to um support school readiness and family engagement. And so, we came up with Look at Me, I'm 30. So, the goal of this is to build school readiness for our three-year-olds, to get our three-year-olds in our buildings now comfortable as they're transitioning into UPK and K um through play-based learning um with our caregivers. So, we're um connecting the school and the community together. Um we're going to have monthly sessions that are um based on the imagination library books that students um are already getting at home. And this is run um with a partnership through city boseies and our school. We had our first session the first book was bear and bird explore the seashore. We are holding two sessions one in the morning and one in the evening. So our 9:00 session we had

052two students but our um afternoon I think we had 10. So we're hoping in December we'll have even more. So students came in and they had sand uh to sort of warm up and play with the the sea um animals. We had puzzles there for them. Um and while um Mrs. Gates and Miss Broadick uh read a book, the parents were on the other side of the library working with our community partners um just connecting with different um things that they can do at home. They left with goodie bags of uh in the stack. They got to participate in the paint activity and um I think they they the students really enjoy themselves. It was fun to uh be acquainted with three-year-olds again. Um so our next session is December 9th from 9 to 10

053and um then 4:00 and it'll be at Lanigan Elementary. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. We'll uh turn things over to Swooper to focus on our our operations and finance report, but then also we're going to get into the discussion of the 2627 budget timeline. >> Yeah. Uh so we'll start with the September financials. Um there really isn't anything surprising to make note of um in terms of our revenue and expenditures. Um, this year is trending very similar to last year. Um, in terms of our revenue, we're at about 36% whereas last year in the previous slide, we were at 33%. So, it's always a good comparison to see that we're in a similar spot to where we were in the prior year. you know, we just closed our first um tax collection period

054in the beginning of October. So, I know that's always a relief for uh Mrs. Hayden to to you know conclude that time period. It's um a busy time in the business office. So, that um period of time has concluded. We are starting to see some of the state aid flow in and a little bit of our federal money as well. In terms of the expenditure breakdown, again, it's about what we would expect. Similar trending as we were last year. Um, things are picking up a little bit. I, you know, when we reviewed things in August, not a lot of movement had happened on the revenue or the expenditure side really. Uh, the summer months are a little slower, but as the school year starts, um, both sides of the budget tend to pick up a

055little bit. No, that's the last slide for the financials. Um, like I said, really nothing unexpected. I guess that's good news. Um, are there any questions on the September financials? >> Quick question. >> Sure. >> When you say it's trending like last year, is that like we're expecting I I know some of the same trends that we saw last year expecting to continue into this year? >> No. Are we so are we better I mean >> I know we took a much bigger leap on what we assumed the jump was going to be because you know based off a previous couple of years so I'm assuming >> you know that part's you know different looking at from that angle. >> Yes I should probably um explain that a little more when I say we're trending

056similarly to last year because we don't want the the trend at the end to be the same as last year. what I'm seeing right now looks much much better than last year as I project out, you know, towards the end of the year or even towards the middle of the year. When I say it's it's good to see that we're in a similar spot, you wouldn't want to see your expenditures, you know, at at 40 or 50% at this point in the year. So the fact that the percentages are in a similar spot, you know, after September as they were after September of last year, but you know, you're you're dealing with a different budget number altogether, a different revenue side, a different expenditure side. So uh I guess the the spending trend is not

057the same if that makes sense or the projection is not looking the same as it did last year. graphically versus data. >> We're looking much better and I'll talk a little bit about that as we talk about the reserves um in the next few slides. I did want to draw attention to the reserves. Uh it was part of the audits um and our reserves are changing in terms of we've had to use some of them in the last couple of years and we have the ability to use more of them this year should we need to. Mr. Before we go, can I just ask one question? I'm sorry. >> Um I didn't want to interrupt you while you were um going. I just >> to Mr. Connor's point, too. I just wanted to make sure

058>> the benefits portion for year to date is at 18%. Is to me that seems a little bit high. Is is is that where we should be at this time of year in October or is that a little bit higher than >> Well, that's in September. >> That's through the end of September. >> Even worse. Is it where we should be at 18% already by the end of September or is that is that expected or is that >> Yeah, I think you'll be okay. So, if you think about the the 12 months, >> in July, we talking about starting in July. Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, that mean Yes. Okay. >> Well, I think we'll be okay. And, you know, as I look at the benefits line in particular, I think we did

059uh we budgeted very conservatively and I see the results of that in the projections right now. Yes. So, >> bringing it back to July makes no sense for me. Thank you very much. >> It is con. We're the Mr. Lawrence had to remind me that we're the oddballs with our fiscal year. It's not the rest of the world. Um so reviewing our reserves again uh the reserves that we do have funded are an unemployment reserve, our retirement contribution reserve, the ERS reserve, the retirement contribution contribution reserve for TRS which is teachers retirement, the insurance reserve which that's the reserve that we received the legislative permission last year in order to use the insurance reserve also for the purposes of health insurance needs. We do have the reserve for um I'm not going to say the

060whole word. Brenda and I both don't like the the pronunciation. The taxert reserve right now that is not funded because we don't have any major pending disputes. So we were advised by the auditors to transfer um what was left which wasn't a large amount um I think la last year or the end of the year before out of the taxert. Um, we do have the reserve for employee benefits and acred liabilities. You'll hear that referred to as ELAR. And we have a healthy capital reserve. This is a five-year look back uh just a graph. And you can kind of see over time where the district was working on building its reserves. And then you can see the couple of years where we've had to use some of those reserves um to fill some gaps. And

061then 2526 that would be the end of 2526 projected should we use uh the reserves that we have built into the budget. These are the numbers um at the end of our audit in 2425. So, as you can see, our reserves are still fairly well funded with the exception of the insurance reserve and our unassigned fund balance. Those are the two reserves that we dipped into at the end of 2425 in order to um fill the gap that existed at the end of that budget cycle. And um I can run through those numbers, Tim, so you can hear them. So at the end of 2425, the unemployment reserve had 18,000, which we haven't touched that in quite a while. Um the ERS reserve had 2,169,62. TRS reserve 2,228,841. The insurance reserve 300,000. Taxer doesn't have

062anything. The Eilar reserve 3,591,034. The capital reserve 3,557,771 and the unassigned fund balance 67,034 with the total total reserves at 12,472,282. any of those at their 4% levels or >> so the 4% is only for the unassigned fund balance and we're at less than 1% right now. So that's a goal we have moving forward which I'll get to in a couple minutes. The planned reserve use for 2526 again if we need it. Um this is part of the budget that we that was voted upon um last year. uh we're able to use uh one and a half million from our ERS reserve, 2.1 million, oops, that should say 2.1 million from TRS and um 250,000 from Avalar with a total of 3.85 million in this year's budget. If we do that, if we need to

063use all of that, our total reserve amount would be down to 8,622,282. And again, you know, we're going to moving forward closely monitor the revenue and expenditures and plan for any potential surplus. um you know if we don't have to use that 3.85 million we certainly don't want to. Um so you know each month I I'm looking at the projections and monitoring what I think the fund balance might be at the end of the year and I'll start updating you on that each month too as I get a better feel for how the budget is spending and how it's looking. It's still a little bit early and I I want to have a solid feel for it, but I can start including it in the financials each month as well. Um, but I, you know,

064part of the reason that I included the reserve update is as we start to talk about and plan the budget for 2627, we really need to keep in mind that should we need to use reserves this year. I think we need to plan with the idea that we're going to need to use them and hope we don't, but we'll have to keep in mind that reserve use isn't going to be an option. likely isn't going to be an option for 2627 because you could see from that bar graph that, you know, we've used reserves the past couple of years and then plans to use reserves again this year. We've we've definitely depleted our reserves and we've used the reserves that we have access to use. We really can't use much more of ELAR than what

065we are. You know, there's certain usages that you're able to use that reserve for. and we're maximizing what we can use it for. We can't use capital to help us um you know balance the budget. So TRS and ERS were really the two reserves that we could use and we've done that in this year's budget. >> What would be the area like of the biggest increase that we would have to use the fund balance for the reserves? Do you know what I mean? if we were if we were to have to use and not have next year. Yeah. This year. >> So when um when we decided to use ERS and TRS, you have to apply that to the lines in the budget that are for the teachers retirement and the employees retirement. >> So

066it depends on how many teachers retire. >> No. So our contribution Sorry. >> No, that's okay. So we it we're applying it to our contribution to the teachers retirement and the employees retirement system. So you know how we contribute to everybody's retirement. >> Okay. >> And that's a budget line, >> right? >> So when we use the the TRS reserve, we would have to apply that to the TRS line in the budget. >> But if we would we know that number now? >> We have a pretty good idea. Yeah. Why would it change? I'm just trying to understand it. Why would that number change the contribution number? >> It won't. I'm saying if for whatever reason we don't need to use the reserves because we have enough in the budget >> um overall, >> right?

067>> The budget as a whole that there are there might be surplus in other areas that we can use to cover that. >> I think I'm just missing a big piece. We can have this conversation later. I think I'm not understanding something. So the numbers for some of the expenses, Jen, are future forecasting. >> So we're basing that off of what we assume everything's going to. But if we have something that comes in cheaper, say it's material, say whatever it is, then essentially if we have leftover money, we're going to use that money if it's applicable in that area and then we wouldn't need to take it from our funds. But we're assuming right now we're going to have to take that amount. But hopefully as long as we have a successful year and things

068work out, we wouldn't have to and that would save us money in the long run. I don't know if that works. >> Inflation. >> Is that what we're looking at? >> Well, we budgeted very conservatively and, you know, we we decided to put out to the voters that we would use these reserves to close the budget gap, >> you know, should you know, the expenditures be what we think they are going to be. >> Healthcare is a big moving target, >> right? Understand? Yes. if for some reason what I'm seeing is I think the health care cost and some of the other um costs might be lower than what we projected. So that would be we would have an excess in some of those lines. So if we have an excess in those lines, we

069can take those funds and use those >> right? >> I guess that was my question. What would be the biggest area that we would be concerned with? >> So healthcare is one of them because we can't Okay. But this year we we don't we don't have the same issue we did last year. I'm not looking at a deficit, >> right? >> I'm looking at >> hopefully a surplus. >> A surplus, right? >> And then any surplus would be able to go back and fund our reserves. Is that >> Yep. >> I think I have to go back and just like look at the budget lines because it is so >> complicated. I was just wondering if there was one area when you said healthcare that triggered. I'm understanding it now. And this is I probably

070this isn't a great way to explain it, but so much of the budget to the codes and the res a lot of it is on paper. >> Mhm. >> If that makes sense. And ERS and TRS reserves have to be we have to we use if we're going to use them, they have to be used for a certain purpose. >> Right. >> If we don't need to use them because there's money elsewhere, then we won't >> maybe we're not going to use it. Right. Right. >> Yes. So, um, so moving forward as well, you know, we need to set certain goals to rebuild our fund balance, Tim, as you mentioned, to the 4% uh would be a long-term goal and then replenish ERS, TRS, and the insurance reserves as the budget allows and at the

071same time maintain our existing reserves and nclass to continue to earn interest. I have a question on that, and this is probably an in-depth question that you're going to have to do research and get back to me on. >> Um, but what are the percentages? Because we can we can invest some of this in a safe way. >> Um, what are the what are the percentages that we're getting back on the reserve money? Say it's sitting in a bank account. Some bank accounts get.5%, some get 4% APY. Nlass gets 3.9 right now. >> 3.9. Okay. >> The nice thing about NLClass, too, is it's it's very liquid. >> Yes. >> So, we also are able to put non-reserve money there and kind of move it back and forth between NLClass and our >> That's good.

072>> In our bank accounts. >> Have we looked into US Treasury bonds? Because I know right now their interest rates are very high on them. >> We have >> and they can be as low as a week. We looked at um before we did nightclass, we kind of dipped our toe in with a a CD >> and the only thing the only I guess issue we found with that is it didn't have the same uh liquid nature. You didn't your cash wasn't available to you. >> It's not like a brokerage account, >> right? And if you did have to break it, there was a a pretty good um fee to do so. >> Okay. >> In bonds, there's typically a long many years before you and inflation. >> I've seen some federal bonds as low

073as a week though right now and they're very competitive. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean we certainly open to any suggestions. I think nightclass is pretty typical for school districts just because of the availability of your funds. >> Um but we've done pretty well. You know, from July to now, we've made about $100,000 in interest. So, we're leaving everything where it is for as long as we possibly can. And uh >> and the the night class is dependent upon like uh what how do how do they decide what 3.9 is? Is it locked in for a specific amount of time or is it just based on >> No, it's changed. I mean, I think we'll probably see it. It was over four when we invested and >> we're seeing it. >> Last year we saw

074it. >> It was probably closer to five. >> Yeah. So it'll >> but all >> all interest rates have gone down. >> Yes. So it'll eb and flow just like other interest rates will >> okay just making sure that it's not sitting into an account not getting anything. >> No no that's what it was doing. That's why we moved it into nightclass last year. I think it's also important to add so our team has been trying to work pretty hard at sticking to the budget plan that was outlined last year coming into this year. So usually when you start to hit October, November, people start to get comfortable and it's some new needs pop up and it's you sometimes districts stray away from that plan and we're constantly trying to remind ourselves that no we

075we really need to take a look at how we're spending because we don't want to get into a bad situation. So, um, unfortunately that turns into sometimes us having to say no to staff or or to folks who feel like they they really want or need something. And it's because we're we're really trying to stick to that plan to help the district get into a better position than where we've been. >> Yes. Budgeting conservatively and spending conservatively are really the only ways we're going to >> move past the situation we've been in for the last couple of years. >> So, That's all I had. >> So with that, you have a tentative I do workshop that I think we probably most definitely should unless you feel that the next board meeting you will be able

076to bring enough to us. Um >> I mean at this point I think we I with you know input from my colleagues do you feel like a workshop on the 18th which is what Kate has tentatively scheduled for us would be yes beneficial? I I think it might. But if you tell us that you we need more time we can always >> I mean if we if we were to meet on the 18th I think we would probably want to mainly talk about what our goals and priorities are. Um there's not a ton to talk about in terms of numbers just yet. I have rolled over the budget and started to look at it, but um you know we we still need to begin the process of meeting with um building leadership and department leadership

077and you know hearing what their goals and priorities are as well. So do you feel we should maybe push that meeting out >> either way? Um, I just I don't want to have a meeting and then not have enough to discuss because I know everybody has a lot going on. >> We were thinking that one was maybe on last year because there were some topics that, you know, some red flags were starting to go off about the budget. That's why you had a really early one. >> We knew early that the health insurance was going to be an issue. >> Yes. >> And I think that's where we started talking about it in October and started workshops in November. I remember correctly. >> Yeah. For sure. >> So, at the meeting on the 12th, if

078you if you feel like there's nothing more to add, then we'll >> Okay. >> We'll discuss it, cancel that one, and then if we need to add something else on, >> but if something big happens, if something happens, >> you know, within the next, you know, couple weeks, we can we can leave that. >> Typically, we get the the first um state aid runs around January 15th or so, right? usually. >> So, um you know, that's when we really can look at what we've come up with in terms of the rollover budget and compare that to what it looks like we may um be seeing for revenue. That might be longer than you want to wait. You know, if you're thinking you want to get together sometime in December and at least look at the

079initial expenditure, >> okay, >> side of the budget, we certainly can do that. >> And you don't necessarily have to decide all of it tonight. I mean, >> we'll we'll we'll just have another discussion on on the 12th, but for now, you know, if there isn't anything else to add, we can always pick a date >> and that that might work. >> I would suggest though a December meeting wouldn't be a bad idea, especially with me being new here and just newer team all being able to really talk through priorities and >> goals. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, I think priorities though and I think also the way we're going to approach and take on the budget just maybe not as much number but more what's the I guess behind that what's the idea how we're

080approaching it what's you know is it you know return on investment but like how we're looking at all the different factors and approaching it as a whole I think would set us up good to do something this year and then add like you were saying Kate once we have some more of that information then kind of plug it into that model or idea based on all that going into next year before the actual process. >> So it looks like the board meetings are the 9th and 23rd. >> Or is it just the night? >> There's only one board meeting in December because of the um the break. >> Okay. So if you want to keep it to Tuesday nights because or does that start to interfere with like policy committee and stuff like that? We

081could always do it prior and the hour prior to Wednesday. >> We could look at the second or the 16th. >> We could do an hour prior to the board meeting, the workshop. >> We could do that. We could That's a good idea. >> Mel says it works for her. I know typically she couldn't get here until >> So, are we thinking Okay, so our meeting's at 5. So, 4:30, 5:00 when How much? >> Yes. If we did it prior to the >> Yeah, five. Just >> cuz I mean I know we've done it before as early as 4. We've done it at 5. It just depends on what you have to present to us. How much time you think it will >> It's a good idea. >> We'll need >> an hour probably for

082that first one. >> I think so. >> Just to double check on that. So, there's no board meeting on the 23rd. >> No, just one board meeting. >> I don't know where I saw that, but I'll just >> you did you saw it on the president's report. So, >> when is our So, that would need to come off. When is our break, >> Mr. 22nd? >> Okay. Um I don't have a calendar in front of member 22nd starts the break. >> Yes. >> Okay. So then the December 23rd meeting there will not be >> so we'll cancel that off on the president's report and >> on December 9th we're meeting an hour >> we're going to meet at 5:00 so we can do that tenative goals and >> before the meeting. >> Yes. Yep. >>

083And if if that format works for people, probably by I would hope by the 27th we would have the state day runs. >> And if you think, Mr. >> Yeah, you're just hoping, but we should. >> Yeah, >> we could schedule a tenative one also for January 27th prior to that board meeting if that works for people. >> As we get closer, we'll definitely Yeah. And then, you know, as time goes on too, we can discuss if you want if we want to add in um some of the public forums like we did. >> I think that's a good idea, but it's definitely something for us all to discuss as we go >> further. Great. >> Great. That's it for the superintendent report. >> All right. Student representatives reports. Do you have something you'd like

084to share with us? >> I do. I have a couple things. Okay. First, we'll start um so I had um a conversation with Mr. Lawrence. Um if you don't know, we do not have crosswalks or sidewalks on Fourth Street, West Fourth Street, and Chestnut all the way down to West Fourth Street and Cedar Street. And kids in a certain block radius are required to walk to schools. I don't know if you guys have seen how people drive off that state route. It's dangerous. It's super dangerous, especially because winter is coming. >> Um, and sidewalks is something that can be discussed with the mayor. Just something an idea to get out there so that something can be done. Not right now obviously, but like something in the future because we do need it. No, that's very

085good to revisit because I know in the past there have been some times where they have worked with the tried to work with the mayor to get sidewalks in that spot as well as down uh Cedar all the way to the junior high. Is that was it junior junior high or you talking about Cedar Street to the high school? >> I'm talking about fourth all the way down. >> Okay. To the high school. >> To the high school. >> But we've also had >> and then all the way down to the junior. >> Yep. We've had conversations about that as well in the fact that there is a new mayor. Um it would be a great and a new superintendent. Um cuz I know that this has been brought up several times in our district.

086Uh it would be a good opportunity to go ahead and have that conversation again. So I like that you're thinking along the lines of safety for your for your peers. It's great. >> I had a brief conversation with the mayor and he had said yeah we could set up a meeting. So we'll be doing that. >> Okay. >> Hopefully in the near future. >> All right. >> Yeah. Also on Curtis going down to the junior high. >> Curtis to the junior high. >> Yes. >> You see cars coming in the morning and students walking. And so they have to like swerve into the buses and it's just >> in the winter too. Kids can walk and they have to walk through the snow banks because there there's nothing plowing. >> Yeah. Plow break snow up

087when house principal there was always a a big concern of ours that that could be an accident. We we discourage kids from walking but >> but some need to and that's yeah >> um but it's good to bring that up again because maybe you know between the district and and the city I mean I know there's that whole cost effect thing but you know it's nice that you have a meeting possibly scheduled soon so >> we can get something out there about our student safety >> the city should be as concerned about the student safety as >> yeah we've and I know that it's gone through a couple of times and you guys have worked in the district longer than I've been on the board. So, you probably might have heard or sat in on

088some of those those talks in the past. >> I wish I would have, but it was principally it's just something that we were always concerned about when kids walk down Curtis Street, especially in the winter time with that traffic. There's no room. There's no room. There's no shoulder. There's nothing. So, and there's plenty of room to build a sidewalk there. >> Yeah. >> What do we do with fundraising? >> Yeah, that was like one of the ideas like if we can't get it out, maybe we can get out to our community because These are their kids. >> It would hate to be one of those things that we talked about. Never did some sort of tragic knows how to write a GoFundMe page. >> That is definitely just just knowing a little bit about how

089the state state dot works. It's a lot of money. Um, so we will have to really be proactive with probably getting grants for that because it you're looking at like hundreds of thousands of dollars >> to to get >> um signage change and things like that. >> But it's definitely worth >> that we really can't control as a school district. >> Yes. >> So that's where we really need the mayor. >> Squeaky wheel. Squeaky wheel. >> That's the plan. >> Yep. Sure. So that's the plan. Um it's been a while since I've been here cuz I've been so caught up in school and sports and everything, but um I attended um um a board member training um in Liverpool at the Boseies um September 27th. And it was it was just great to be able

090to go there and especially since this is like my first time filling this seat, not knowing anything that's happened or what I'm expected to do. I met all these other students who also didn't really know what to do but able being able to communicate with them and just talk about like what is expected of us. Like one of the things that I learned was that I um am actually supposed to overlook K through 12, not 9 through 12. So that's actually been made a plan to um sit in with student council meetings with the principles or the student councils at the elementary school. >> Okay. and you can use your uh cohort, your peer Olivia to help you with some of those. So hopefully we'll be able to get uh I do believe that CNY

091is going to have another training. I don't have the date off the top of my head. I feel like it was in January there was another date, but I will look into that and let you know. So, you know, you can have her look into that and we can make sure that that anybody who's down the line that wants to come on to the board, it was at I know the last one wasn't open to students who were thinking about it, but they weren't necessarily the student on the board representative, right? Is that correct? So, if you think of someone who might be interested next year, we can get them possibly into that training as well. >> We got some information from the uh school district uh in towards Buffalo. Ken Kent time. Yes, but

092with what they do on I know last part, >> but uh believe it or not, they got a great program. They don't have a handbook. They're looking to us for information, by the way. >> Well, we're working on that, >> but I've got information out. I just forgot. >> Anything else? >> Well, welcome back. How How did the You were in the tennis. Was it sectionals or the >> Yeah, we went to both individual and team. Um we had a couple of our girls advance into the second and third round. >> Um and individuals um the team we made it all the way to the final for the first time ever in G. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. Thank you. We did end up losing, but it's still an experience that we've never had before

093and it's nice to see a poker among us. >> That's great. Thank you for sharing all that with us. All right. Uh action 5.01 accept the financials. Can somebody move that please? >> Move it. >> Second. >> Does anybody have any discussion? Anything for discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Obstaining. Passes 700. Action 5.02 approve disposal of surplus property. >> Move it. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I opposed. Abstaining passes 700. Action 6.01 approve committee on special education. >> Move it. >> Second. >> Was that Nick or Tim? >> Okay. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 70. Uh just take a look at our first read policies. There's three policies we'll be voting on at the next uh meeting. if anybody has any questions or

094if anyone from the policy committee wants to share anything with us. >> Quick question. Any of them have changes to it and >> yes >> because they were a lot of animal ones are they >> they all >> possibly sinking into one or they staying three separate policies. >> Was on the policy three separate policies? really the the main purpose was especially with um 3220 and 3220F was to provide I guess more clarity as far as our policy on um having any type of therapy dogs on campus and and making sure that um we have the proper limit set for insurance um the proper paperwork and training for these animals. Um, we did have several conversations with our insurance company just to make sure that um what what we were putting into policy aligned with

095what they suggested we should and it did. Um, I know there was some discussion about uh what that insurance limit should be. They did uh tell us and reaffirm with us that the million-doll limit um would be the proper limit for this. So now are we talking about students bringing in the their therapy dogs or therapy dogs that might >> we have staff that bring in dogs? >> That's what I was going to say. Provided by the district. >> So under this policy, they would be required to have certification. The staff member is required to have insurance on the dog in case the dog bites any student and they would be solely responsible for any injury. Um there's a whole >> and and we're limiting limiting our therapy animals to dogs. >> That's what you

096know we we would like to do. So I I want somebody's therapy duck, you know, >> even other requests than that. But yes, right now just dogs who have proper certification has insurance papers and have all their shots and all that paperwork's on file. >> And even still, we can refuse and just say no, sorry, he can't bring that animal right now. >> And I just want to be clear, Mr. Ani, you will be the point in person for this. So, every person that has a therapy dog, you will know that it's in the building. You will go through that paperwork with them yearly to make sure that certification is updated, that the insurance policy is updated. It's you're going I don't want it left up to the principles. >> No, but the principles were

097the ones who I had to ask, is there any because staff members don't bring their animals in every day. So, what the only three that were identified on the spreadsheet that I shared, I have all the paperwork for. Okay. >> Um, I know that there was one at the high school that it was no longer welcome just because I guess it was a little yippy. Um, there's one at Fairgrave, there's one at Lanigan, and there's one at the junior high, and those are the only three that have been identified and that I have paperwork for. I mean, I can certainly survey again, but I >> Yeah, because I was told by a staff member, "Oh, it's fine. I just have to have them on a leash and have them certified." and they didn't know anything

098about this the um insurance policy. So, I just wanted to make sure it's employed very directly with staff. >> I think this policy would be a good opportunity to send a reminder out to all staff and make sure that their their dog, if they bring it in, is registered and that everybody's aware. >> Yes. And then that you're the person who's going to be doing yearly the notification of the insurance policy and the certification. I just want to make sure we've got one direct point person so it doesn't get under the >> for clarity on the insurance. Are we talking personal insurance or does is a district also required to have insurance. >> It would be personal insurance. >> So those folks have to have insurance >> is a certified >> and they couldn't come

099back on the district should they actually had a lengthy discussion about this. I did share insurance paperwork so everybody could see it, but anything can come back on the district, right? >> Unfortunately, but they should have their own personal liability insurance for each animal that is in those buildings. >> And under the 3022F, they would be signing that they are aware that they are held liable. >> And while the million dollars did seem a little bit low, I did do some further research and typically settlements that I found settle between 300,000 and 950,000. I did find um a few cases from 2017 um to recently where they did settle from 1.1 to 1.5 million factors are based on the age of the student and and where um the it happens you're talking multiple surgeries you

100know for something like a face bite and things like that with a child. So, while our policy says a million, I would air that anybody should really do two to make sure that they're covered. >> The one we looked at was actually two million. Okay. Um, however, with this being a policy change and a change in practice, I think you're right, it's worth it to send out to everybody and make sure we have everything completed. Yes. >> Because I think some people do think they can >> someone brought one into the district site. Like I think people do think they can bring their animals in as long as they're on a leash or control, but that's not the case. is very more widespread out there than I think that we have a >> so who

101is responsible for reporting that to you? >> I surveyed the principles and asked them to complete a spreadsheet of any service animal that they've had in the district. We had three and I received paperwork for three, >> right? >> Um and that's all I've received. >> What about if they are just bringing animals in? Are is the principal still responsible for reporting to you? And if they do not report to you, then what happens? The principal should be responsible for telling them that the animal can't stay, right? >> Well, okay. And we're going to send a reminder out. >> Yes. With the changing, >> so we don't have to worry about people bringing them in and we don't know about it. >> I hope not. >> So, the principal is going to be solely responsible.

102>> Responsible for the building like anything else. They would be the ones responsible for enforcing the new policy. >> This is putting policies into place that protect the district, protect students. >> I understand that. But we we I understand I understand that policy. about who is in who is going to be required to report that and to make sure and what happens if they do not because that is what what is happening >> and all that you will put into your current policy Jen says just principal discretion >> so currently we don't have a policy that is as tight as this so once this is in >> they don't know about it right >> it will go out to everybody um and principles will be required to enforce it just like any other policy >>

103so step one is the employee is required to tell the >> to self-report and provide >> principal as Correct. >> Thank you. >> And will that information be going on in the school's website so that >> we've never had an issue with students bringing in animals. This is just staff only. >> Like I thought it was pretty contained, but if you think that there's other people bringing animals in, then we need to make sure >> it's been reported especially during sports season because we have sports families who are upset because they're asked to leave the facility with their pet. And we've had several names, not just the three that we know about >> of animals that are brought in the school. Yes. And we don't if we don't have any liability or insurance on this,

104then we need to Yes. We will tighten it up. >> Okay. >> So, make sure you guys read through this. Again, if there's any further questions, please reach out to either Mark or uh Mr. Lawrence, uh, anybody who's on the policy committee, uh, because we will be voting on this at the next one. So, and then you will take care of getting all of the information out to your staff. And I will say this policy it's it's pretty airtight. It's pretty cut and dry what you need when >> I read it. Y >> and I'm sure it came up in your talk the difference between service emotional support like the key differences and distinctions between those. >> Yes, Mr. Hunters. That's the first policy the 1525 for the animal that talks specifically I believe about

105service animals. >> Yep. >> Yes. >> I know that's one of the things right now going on in the blind community. a lot of people because there's been such an expansion of people taking advantage of that that they've had to really classify what's this, what's acceptable, what's not acceptable because, you know, again, people take advantage of the system, it hurts the people that really need it. >> Yes. >> Two therapy dogs and one service dog identified as a >> thank you for the discussion on that everybody. uh action 7.1 for because actually would my colleagues like to batch 7.01 to 7.07 07. >> Move it. Move. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstaining. Passes 70. >> Quick question for you. >> Sure. >> Did we have to pass anything or did you

106just announce the policies? We're reviewing them for next week. >> I was just announcing that this was our first double check on that. >> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. We're going to move on to board forum. Mr. O'Brien, would you like to start? Um, thank you to all the members that went to the convention. It was interesting to hear all that you learned and I can't wait to dive in deeper into um, you know, the things that that um, you think can push our our our district forward. And um, I also congratulations to the um, full music department. It's amazing to see the amount of students that um have been called out in area all state. All state, not just our county. Yep. >> Um for all state, which is a huge accomplishment. Um yes. and

107uh love to see the the uh the three and me uh and that we're we're reaching out to the community um with the littles and and being really proactive with getting to know them. And I think that that's going to really help that transition and how the school can assist and how they can be successful and love school and have a great community. Um and um super thank you very much for uh the financials and and going through and and always giving due diligence about about what we're doing >> all of our questions. >> Mrs. Hutchinson. >> Um yes, I wanted to um first thank our community member, Mrs. Swanson. Thank you for coming tonight and speaking. Um you were heard. Yes, we um we are listening. Um, so thank you for that. Um, I

108also wanted to thank our students. I love seeing our students here. Our music program is just so outstanding. I know some of those kiddos personally. They are so excited. They are so hardworking. They are very excited for the opportunity that this presents to them and just so proud so proud of all of their work and dedication over the years um that they've developed. And then um Miss Elgore, you did mention about one of our notable things in in our math scores and how we struggle here. I did want to bring up again, I know I've brought this up, um previously to some administration, um as a parent, especially at when your kids are in the elementary level. We say we're a data driven school. Getting that data as a parent is very difficult. We have

109star math scores that we can only see one of them a year typically. they're not being updated. Um, not that they're not being done, they're definitely being done by our staff member. Um, but as we've gone through some transitioning in our technology department and and things like that, some things have gotten missed. So, being a parent who worries about math scores and struggles, that's one area where we might need to refocus our efforts and um giving our parents access to our our students scores so they can be be better prepared to help our students out as well. Um it's definitely something that we've struggled with. So, thank you, Mrs. Edward, for bringing that up cuz I forgotten like everything else in my um and that's it. Thank you so much um about the conversation for

110sidewalks. I know we as a district have discussed this um many of times. It does get complicated between the state and the county and the city and which roads are which, but it is something Thank you for bringing it up again and bringing it um on our radar. Um and that's it. Thank you so much. >> Okay, Mr. Connors. >> Uh I think ditto to what a lot of my peers have said. I really want to emphasize uh you know the students tonight. You know it's always great to hear from I heard everybody coming in the room. I'm like are those all the people kept coming in and coming in. I'm like we really do have a lot of people that have excelled in music. So again congratulations. I know you know thinking back I

111was like oh my goodness when I was working Americaore some of these kids were in kindergarten first grade. really feeling old on that one. And uh I think you know Kate, Doug, everybody involved in the administration. I think focusing right now on the budget, making sure we're putting in, you know, all the programs or different things to really, you know, address, you know, money where we have issues say particularly math or something, you know, making sure our funds are going, you know, driven in those areas where we're seeing we need some improvements and making sure that those continue to be the focus at the front of what we're doing. And I think other than that, I'm going to pass it on to my fellow board. >> Okay, Mr. Don. >> Uh, yes. Uh, I want

112to I want to thank Desiree for all the work and effort you put in for our reservations and all the scheduling and uh the various uh functions you got us into. It was great. It was a great conference. Thank you. Thank you. Welld deserved. Um uh Mrs. Hooper, thanks so much for the financials. Uh, I was told once by a an accountant that liars can figure lie. So, I appreciate all your your effort. Um, Miss Habac, I appreciate your insight on the sidewalks and all that you do at the school. Um, I mean, I think she's the first one of our ex officials that have met with you or with the superintendent and her principal. I don't recall any of the other ones coming in. They all have, >> do they? Okay. >> Those who

113have met with Mr. Lawrence. I I don't I just don't recall them mentioning at board meetings that they they have. Um and to start including the uh elementary schools. That's that's great. Hopefully we'll between you and I and Mr. O'Brien, we'll have a handbook that'll we'll point that out for the the next uh uh student board member. So, thanks so much. And then, you know, congratulations to our students uh and the music program. And uh I can't pronounce Mr. Oh, >> Luigi's last name, >> Mr. Luigi. >> Jackamui Jacki. >> Uh, and what a great job he won with the with the program. Yes. >> So, thank you. Thank you, >> Mrs. Nath. Um, ditto. Well, everybody has said congratulations to all the students who were selected to all state. I don't know how many

114um students are selected in all, but it seems to be be a pretty extensive list that we have here in Fton. So, congratulations. That's that says a lot about our music program. So, that that was great to hear. Congratulations um to the girls tennis team. I had no idea that you guys made it that far and it was the first time that you made it to the sectional finals. So, that's quite a feat. So, congratulations to that for doing that. Um Mrs. Hooper, thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you for being so patient and answering questions um and making it so >> I can understand too. >> No, anytime we can look at budget codes and >> but thank you >> Mrs. Hendendrickson. You always um thank you for your continued work. You are always

115trying to bring families and our community together to make that connection and um it says something because I feel like the word is getting out more about the resources that we have within our community. So that's definitely going to help with the readiness of um our soon to be kindergarteners. Um Mrs. Swanson, thank you for speaking out about the importance of su of supervision. Um we listened just like you were saying and we heard. So thank you for um speaking out about that. And Miss Hollandach, thank you for um coming to us with issues and having a plan to take action and follow through. That's very promising. So, that's an important one, too, with the crosswalks and the sidewalks. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. Trump. Miss Blow, I can't really add anything to

116that, but I want to say thank you to Miss Crew for setting us up. I mean, that was I was really amazed at that. And um Mrs. Swanson and thank you with all my colleagues said, you know, we Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Hendrickson. I always have to say thank you. Mr. Lawrence, thank you for all your navigational skills down in New York City. I told him if it were left up to me, I'd still be on the subway somewhere in New York City. But and the students and I hope the students in the band and orchestra and chorus get to come in like they did last year and we we get a little sampling of that >> music in our schools month. >> And I look forward to that. And I can't really add anything else

117to what >> okay said. >> Um I'd like to start by reminding the community that if you would like for the board to hear your concerns to please email us at clerkfton.cny.org. Mrs. Swson, what I was going to um address you with is to please send us the rest of what you wanted us to hear because I know that the 3 minutes goes by faster than we anticipate when we're up there. So, I still want to hear and I know my board members would like to hear what else you had to share with us. So, please just feel free to send that on to us. >> Just a question. Isn't there a second portion that's related to anything you discussed tonight? >> Uh, it would be anything that's coming up for second, but it would

118would not be about something that's not on the agenda. >> It's just about to discuss. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, that will be coming up after board form. >> Perfect. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Uh, and if anybody out in the community has a school end need that they would like addressed, please reach out to Mrs. Trudefolton.cny.org. She's been doing really good at getting uh you into where you need to be to get your questions answered for your kids school needs. Um, I wanted to uh I feel like this is appropriate to bring up at this point. Um, I was speaking with Derek from uh Central New York School Boards. Uh Lori and Jess also heard this last evening, but um the Central New York School Boards Association has for two years

119in a row worked and I will bring you more information, Mr. Lawrence, about the student athletic development program. It's a program that they have that comes in that works with our varsity students and coaches um to help bond um break down barriers. Um there's different uh accountabilities for team accountability. Um and and Derek would get us uh hooked up with Mr. Long who also works in that. Um it's something that they would work on if we're interested if it's something that we could fit into our schedules. Uh I know at this point they said it's with varsity students, but they they listen to coaches, they listen to the students, and they kind of help improve where our team bonding and um different breakdowns are in our in our athletics. So that might be something that

120we might want to take up with um and I can get you in contact with um with Derek out there. Um also uh and I will revisit this with my colleagues if you're interested. We have uh quite often talked about the chronic absenteeism and I know that uh there were still some questions that some of us had. Um we appreciate everything that you know you bring with to us for what they're doing. I did attend a chronic absenteeism um seminar in New York last week and uh Glenn's Falls have has put together and I know that your team is already doing some of these things but huge public awareness campaigns um there's been uh and I think that you had kind of touched base before if we can bring something into the school that our

121kids are interested in you know what are the programs like survey for our kids what is it that would bring you to school what what programs are you interested hands-on programs. Is it something that's sending you out to, you know, Boseies? Is it that uh college high school program? Is it something we can bring in personally here that would bring more of our kids? Every chronic absenteeism student has its own has their own stories as do their families. Um, but they also uh worked to nicely together with students who just in that we talked about that two-m radius where students have to walk to school. Um, in Glenn Falls, they have a program with bikes that community members donate that they work with the city and it's kind of a bike trade. So, if you

122are wanting to ride the bike and you don't you can't walk or it's too far, you want you can't take the bus, just different kinds of things that Glenn's Falls is working on to kind of help with chronic absenteeism. That might be something different that could possibly help with our district. I I have much more on here, but community engagement is one of the the biggest things and I know that you work with families. Um and uh they also said, you know, bringing these kids in, you know, just to feed them and get to know them and build relationships with them outside of school to see where they're at. It's probably something that you guys have been working on as well, but um just looking into Glenn's Falls. It was it was a great session.

123Um I have lots of notes if anybody wants to see them. And hopefully on Friday when these uh sessions come live or not live but when they come out to our email if we can share them with our our colleagues that were not able to attend I think that will be a great thing and I if I get that on Friday we'll make sure if not we will try to get a watch party going for anything you guys want to learn. So >> please share those uh that resource we can add it to the agenda for our title one meeting on Monday. >> Say it again. >> If you share those resources I can add to our agenda for our title one engagement meeting on Monday. Yep. >> To review and definitely do that. So,

124thank you. All right, I think that might be it. I may have missed something, but it's been a great discussion here at the table. So, thank you for everything that everybody's offered. Um, then we will move on to our second public forum. Anything on tonight's agenda, you're welcome to come up and chat with us about >> just a quick compliment to your student board uh member, very impressive young lady. um your due diligence serves the students here very well and I was very impressed by you. So just a compliment and a testament to the fine education she's getting here at Holden because she's obviously uh represented that very well. Um just to your policies that you guys talked about tonight just real quick as a community member. um looking on your board docs on your

125website to to get your policies. Um they're not all accessible. They're not all there. There's some that are missing. And in addition to that, the lack of transparency that really does make it difficult for families to understand their rights and for advocates to guide them responsibly. So, I would just highly like to encourage all of you as you're talking about the policies um to make that a priority directive for yourselves and your superintendent um not just for the optics but because students deserve um a district that meets the standards of transparency, accountability, and equity that public education um promises. So, and just a special note when I was looking up some of the policies, some I couldn't find, um, that do exist, which I did share, um, but also some of them are last updated

126in 1998. I think that's 27 years. So, I just wanted to share that with you and, you know, implore you to do a thorough review of your policies. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right, we will be moving into executive session. Our executive session will be the was resolved that Mr. Lawrence had asked to enter into exe executive session to discuss employment history of a particular person or corporation or the medical financial or credit history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment employment promotion demotion discipline suspension dismissals or removal of particular persons or corporations. Move it. All right. Was that who second? >> Balance. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed passes 700. Thank you for joining us evening. We will be out after our executive session. All right,

127welcome back. We are going to move on to action 8.04, a disciplinary appeal. Could somebody move that please? >> Move it. >> Second. Okay. Those that we are appealing to upheld. Those in favor I >> I >> opposed. Abstaining. >> Passes 601. Action 8.05 disciplinary appeal for students. Somebody move it. >> Move it. >> Second. Okay. Decision to uphold the superintendent. It's a decision. Those in favor >> I >> opposed. Abstaining >> abstaining. >> Passing 61 action 9.01 adjournment. >> Okay. Second. So Nick, Nick and Fallon. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Abstaining. >> Passes 700. Thank you for joining us this evening and have a great night everybody.