001Okay. Good evening everyone. Welcome to our board of education meeting. We all rise for the pledge. I pledge algiance 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. the beginning of the meeting, we have a public hearing uh for our updated districtwide safety plan. That's the law. Um, anybody has any questions regarding that? It's just an update with uh new material, new material that's included in our safety plan that we adopt early on the school year. >> I did look at that new section. Looks good. So just so you're aware there were there it has to be posted for 30 days which we just finished the 30 days at the beginning of the month and uh
002there were no questions that came in during that time. >> Any questions for the pub from the public regarding the safety plan? >> Okay, we'll close the public hearing. Uh later on in our agenda we have adoption of that safety plan revised updated state safety plan. Uh now open up the meeting to public comment. Um again front end is agenda items only. Please stand, state your name and we can ask these questions. And our back end of public comment is for general items. So we'll open it up to public comment. >> Hi, my name is Ellie Mines's. I've been wrestling since eighth grade and this year we've had a lot of girls come up and we need our own girls team because we're having only 10 matches while the boys are only having 40 to
00330 a year and um we need our own coach and it's not fair that we don't have another female coach coaching us and taking us to other events and I honestly think that girls wrestling is and wrestling as a sport is very good for younger children like students cuz it helps them push to get your grades up and everyone's always there for each other supporting one another and it's just a very good sport and we need more like coaches. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment? >> Um good evening. For those of you that don't know know me, my name is Jocelyn Schwart. I'm a 1995 Highland graduate. My husband James is a 1996 graduate of Highland. We have three sons, Benjamin, who's class of 2020 here in Highland. Nathaniel, or
004Nemo to most people, class of 2025, and Gabriel, class of 2029. I feel it's important to point out my three sons based on my following request. Since 2014, I have had a wrestler here at Highland. Over the course of the past 12 years, I've had an opportunity to see firsthand the benefits of this program. For some students, it's a place to belong. For others, it's the challenge. For others, they gain confidence and self-esteem. And others, it's friends here at Highland and at the neighboring schools around us. I have had a front row seat to watching our girls program grow. In 2017, we had one girl and to today, we have seven on modified and six on varsity. 13 girls in total. Our pee-wee program has at least six girls on any given Tuesday. Across the
005nation, girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports. Between 2019 in 2024, the girls wrestling participation has grown by 204%. Over 45 states have sanctioned the sport, and New York is one of those states. The NCAA added women's wrestling as its 91st official sport in January of 2025 with the first official competition to be held this winter in 2026. Locally, we have 36 schools in section 9 that have a full-time girls wrestling team with a dedicated wrestling coach. Coach McFarland has grown the wrestling program here in Highland. He's done a great job juggling the boys and the girls team to this point. The girls have become they have to balance where who's going where. So McFarland has to decide if he's going to go to a boys event or a girls event. And sometimes
006the girls get sacrificed for the boys events. I am here tonight asking that the district can recognize our girls wrestling team in addition add a girls coach to our teams. The girls having their own coach will provide them an opportunity to go to all girls events and wrestle in freestyle. Boys wrestle folk style, girls wrestle freestyle. So having a dedicated coach to be able to take them because a lot of times there are girls events and boys in events held on the same night and it's always who's going where. With the girls coach, the girls will have be able to have the same opportunities that the boys have. I thank you for your time and your cons consideration. >> Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? >> Okay. Uh for the board members
007uh on our agenda under new business, we're going to have discussion for the girls uh wrestling program. Okay. Uh is there anyone else for public comment? Okay. We'll close public comment. Tonight we have our special presentation. uh the leaders of the pack [clears throat] at the elementary school to come up first. >> Good evening everyone. I'd like to call up Samantha Britain as our January leader of the past. Um, Mrs. Jamal and Mrs. Weber. Miss Jamal, her teacher, is here present with us. Samantha was selected as leader of the pack for many commendable reasons. She arrives at school [snorts] each day prepared, enthusiastic, and ready to learn. Samantha consistently participates in group discussions and demonstrates a strong work ethic by always striving to do her best. She is respectful, kind, and helpful to both peers
008and adults. She consistently follows classroom expectations. Samantha's positive attitude and willingness to support each support others make her a wonderful role model. We are very proud of her accomplishments and encourage her to continue her excellent work. Miss Babino, your art teacher, says, "I am so happy that Samantha is being recognized for her for her achievements and accomplishments. She [snorts] is a dream student. Her artwork is always a pleasant surprise. She will of course complete the assignment of the lesson, but there is always more. More than I hope for, more than I imagined. She has a special touch, an artist's eye. She is a delight to to talk with, a deep thinker, and a kind soul. I am blessed to be her teacher. Miss McCaffrey, your music teacher, says, "Samantha is a wonderful student in third
009grade music. She comes to class prepared, listens carefully, and always gives her best effort. Samantha participates enthusiastically in singing, playing instruments, and music activities. and she shows a positive attitude toward learning. Her focus and kindness make her a joy to have in music class. And Miss Hughes, your steam teacher. Samantha is a great example to the students in her class. She is always the first to show she is ready and enthusiastic to work and start new projects. Samantha Samantha earning leader of the pack is welld deserved. >> [applause] >> Just going to stare over here and a nice smile. Shy like daddy. >> Just have to point out the glue and gold the nails that she did. >> Let's get those. >> All right. So, let's take a few pictures. >> Great. All right. We're
010going to pose for this one over here. >> Parents, you can come up too and take a photo. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. Delete. Delete. Here, let us take it so they could be in it. [laughter] >> Sorry, guys. >> You got to have a good social media shot these days. >> All right, there you go. Our middle school leader of the pack is Sydney Reynolds. And you might be confused because she was just here last night meeting. I was winning an art contest, BUT [laughter] [applause] >> my guess is someday she'll be the board rep. She spoke so well. It's good to have her back. I guess you're right, Mr. >> Um, so Sydney's teacher had great things to say about her. Um, her art teacher, as you might imagine. It's an honor to work
011with Sydney in eighth grade studio art. She's a responsible student and caring peer and a delight to work with. Sydney is dedicated to her education, taking classes on her own outside of school, and putting her technique and knowledge in both her homework and classwork. I just love to see her get lost in her art completely absorbed. Congratulations. I'm so happy and proud that you are being honored. Her social studies teacher, Mr. Bernie, said, "Sid is so smart and dedicated to working hard that she will have the brightest future possible. She's a gifted artist along with being a wonderful and creative writer. She is simply the best of the best." Her English teacher, Mrs. Ley, said, "Sydney is a positive and dependable leader in a class. She sets a strong example for her peers through her
012kindness, poise, and fabulous smile. She treats everyone with respect and shows maturity beyond her years. And I wouldn't normally, but this is the first time we've ever gotten feedback from a study hall teacher [laughter] who said that I don't have Sydney in any classes, but she is always super nice and respectful to me in study hall. Two thumbs up. So to impress your study hall teacher is pretty [laughter] >> CONGRAT [applause] just a little bit. There you go. >> Mom, do you want to be in that picture? [laughter] [clears throat] >> Maybe next month. >> All right. Welcome to another one from >> Thank you. >> CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] EMMA. >> Our leader of the pack is Emma Turner. So, lots of good things. The key word you're going to notice throughout is genuine, which is
013lovely to hear. Uh, Miss Simpson said, "Emma is the most down to earth, easygoing, approachable, friendly student I have ever met. She is so kind and conscient conscientious doing extra work in all the classes I have had her in just to learn more to be exposed to the material. Even Emma's bad days make the rest of our good days look bad. She is polite, caring, and an overall hardworking gem of a student. No, it's kind of I told her she needs to fail a few times so I can have her again as I'm already getting upset knowing she will be graduating at the end of the year. Overall, Emma is the perfect friend. She has your back. She will give you the best advice and she always has a humble and insightful all-in-one. Miss Pollock,
014your uh it's photography, right? Photography class. Emma is always ready with a how are you doing or what did you do over the weekend? She is genuine and thoughtful towards her peers, friends, and teachers and puts her best effort into anything and everything [clears throat] that she takes on big or small. Miss Randolph, her health and PE teacher. Emma is very sweet and thoughtful young lady. Every day she makes it a point to ask how my day is and if something seems off to her, she asks what's wrong or what's going on. She is always willing to work with whoever who whomever and give her best effort in PE. It's no surprise that Emma is a leader of the pack. Miss Meyer. Emma is an extraordinarily bright and kind young person. She is uniquely perceptive
015and demonstrates thoughtful concern for others, listens carefully and compassionately to peers and adults alike. as a writer and thinker. She's insightful, um, brilliant, truly a a delight to know and any asset and an asset to any classroom or community. And Miss Matthews, your chorus teacher. Emma is a wonderful student and person. She has become such an asset to choir since she joined. And she is doing an incredible job as a section leader this year. She's a co-leader of the largest group in the choir, which also has the greatest number of new members. She leads her section with kindness and patience while also holding them to a high standard. She knows when to approach a situation with humor and lightness and when a more serious energy is necessary. I depend on her and look forward to
016seeing her every day. CONGRATULATIONS. [applause] >> I'm gonna have you scooch this way a little bit. Yep. There we go. [cough] The parents are gonna join us in the >> Take your time. >> I don't think we'll see him up here. >> One more. One more. >> [clears throat] >> again on behalf of the entire board of education. Uh congratulations to the leader of the pack. Jobs well done. Thank you. [applause] this time. If those that want to leave, you can't. Unless you want to stay and listen to the rest of our meeting, you're welcome. [clears throat] It's going to go. >> Oh, it's going to go quick. >> All right. >> Okay. Not that >> super take. Brilliant. >> Absolutely brilliant. >> Everybody's crying. >> There's a little more discussion. >> Okay. >> No.
017Sorry. [clears throat] The season that everybody's been waiting for. Now, we're going to begin our budget planning season. So, we're going to start with our business official to start the process of planning for our 26 27 school year budget. Uh right now, we'll do the pro the property tax levy estimate. Asmin, you're [clears throat] up. >> Well, thank you. Well, good evening everybody and uh happy new year. Okay. Um tonight I will provide a brief overview of the 2627 property tax levy limit often called the tax cap. Uh the purpose of this presentation is to explain how the tax levy limit is calculated. No board approval or decision is required this evening. So that's good news. Tonight's presentation is step one of the five-step budget development process. continue all the way out through to May.
018[clears throat] The tax levy limit, the tax levy limit is determined by a statemandated formula. When people hear the term tax cap, it is important to know that is not a standard 2% increase across the board. So, let's review some of the key components of the tax levy formula. The tax base growth factor is determined by the New York State Department of Taxation. This is this factor is designed to increase the tax lady base. This is influenced by new construction and home improvements. For 2526, the tax factor was 1.00.63. For 2627, it is 1.0066. Another part of the formula is payments in lie of taxes, otherwise known as pilots. These are agreements between certain businesses and the Olter County Industrial Development Agency. They are designed to encourage economic development by allowing reduced t tax payments
019for a limited time period. Usually, it's between 10 to 15 years. I keep going forward to the good stuff, but I'll keep going. The allowable tax the allowable growth factor this number is provided by the office of state controller. This factor is tied to inflation. It can be lower than 2% but will never exceed 2% even if the inflation is higher than 2%. The office of state controller has the current inflation factor at 2.63. Finally, the capital levy exclusions are the voter approved debt service for capital projects, buses, and boseies minus any state aid. Simply put, this is the community share of the debt service. So, let's get to the fun stuff. Let's walk through the calculations. We start off with the prior year tax levy of 33,9925. Everybody remembers that number? There we go.
020Then it's multiplied by the tax base growth factor of 1.0066. We add back the 2526 pilot payments of 68,684 [clears throat] less the 2526 levy exclusions debt service of 1,793194 to arrive at our prior year adjusted tax levy base of 32,48516. Just take a deep breath there for a second and then we move on to the second part of it. We then multiply that by the levy growth factor of 1.02 less the 2627 estimated pilot payments of 72,852. And finally, we add back the 2627 capital levy exclusion, our debt service of 1,851,913 to arrive at [snorts] our estimated 2627 tax levy number of 34,835747, which represents a 2.73% increase over last year or $926,522 increase. And as you can see, that was really easy to follow and I'm sure you all got it. I expect
021phone calls later. [laughter] This slide just shows the history of the tax levy limits over the last 5 years, and we'll have this available for anybody who would like to see. In January, the governor typically releases her proposed executive budget around the second or third week of January. it has not come out yet and so we're going to look forward to seeing those numbers. It looks like it will be pushed to the fourth if not early February. This provides school districts with an early estimate of their state aid revenue. At the February 10th meeting board meeting, the presentation will will focus in on the state aid and revenue assumptions based upon the information we've gotten from the governor's run. Finally in March the by March 2nd the district is required to submit to submit the
022board approved tax levy calculation to the office of state controller. So on the March 2nd by March 2nd we will have a approved tax levy calculation after it has been vetted by our fiscal adviserss because there are a couple of categories that have some issues we need to look at. I wouldn't say issues on debt service. We're still trying to finalize those numbers. That was our 1 million8 number. So short and sweet in closing this presentation is to provide an estimated 2627 tax levy and clarity around how the tax levy limit is determined. The final numbers will be presented at the February 10th board meeting. As I said, we have some we need to find shore up our debt service. Um do you have any questions? Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay,
023we'll move on to our uh consent agenda items from FA1 to B.2. As usual, if you have any items that you want to pull out uh and vote on separately, we can. If you want to table any items and if you have any questions or things, you can shout them out now and hopefully um our administrative team can answer them. [snorts] >> I make a motion. Second by Ed. Motion made by Mike, second by Ed. Uh, any further discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Carry. So, we would like to recognize Eric Davis is with us this evening. He's in the back row. He'll be taking over for Carol Redmond who's retired at the elementary school. Okay, that's it. >> All right. Under curriculum and instruction, we'll do our uh monthly principal report. Elementary school.
024[clears throat] Uh just one little quick last addition to my report uh that I thought I'd put in there. Um just this coming Friday, we there's going to be a bunch of announcements this morning. a few different readings uh for uh MLK day. So that's the only thing I forgot to add. Um and my next board report will have the names of those students and uh obviously Mr. Wilkins heading up that that um venture. So um do we have any questions? [clears throat] >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Um so I don't have any additions, but what I do have are little gifts for all the board members. Sorry everyone else. I don't have enough. Uh these were the last remaining ones. So our uh hats off to our events committee. I think that's what
025they're calling themselves for putting this together. It's um there was also a slideshow that went with it which if you'd like to see that I can I sent it off to all the families. So you probably got it. You probably got it. Um but it's just a like a holiday card that they put together. Um so I have one for every board member. Um >> yeah. So these uh but they were not done before the last board meeting. Um but they are done now. So there you go. Something from the middle school. Um that is almost all of our staff. There are a few people who chose not to have their pictures taken which is their choice which is totally fine. Um so that is my only um addition. Does anybody have any questions? >>
026Yeah they they did an awesome job with it. It was like super simple and quick and then like they sent us that and was awesome. So >> the video is really impressive. We can send it to you. >> Yeah, I also please if you get to Lisa Joel >> and please share with your staff. I apologize for closing schools the day before the holiday [laughter] impact. >> They're they're on a uh play that they normally do. >> Yes, we did. We're going to work on that though. So, >> all right. >> But that's all. Okay. Any questions? >> Maybe they can do one just before spring break >> perhaps. >> And then that that's still in snow season though, so [laughter] maybe after spring break. >> Jigs. Any questions? Thanks. >> Thank you. >> High
027school. >> Good evening, everybody. Uh, three brief additions. Um, just want to say hats off to Mrs. Mullen for uh, taking over the taste of success launch and learn program that I had when I was the assistant principal. U, so in here I highlighted how we had uh, Olster County Emergency Services in. And then tomorrow, Colleen has uh Ryder Painting uh which is a local uh company uh in the area [snorts] graduate and uh I believe one of the I believe who's coming tomorrow is also involved in the community and has kids in the district. So it's nice to bring that all full circle. So Colleen, great job with that. Uh, additionally, today we started our first annual alumni panel where we had former uh, graduates come back and speak with uh, juniors um, about
028uh, their college experiences. Uh we had a lot of preset questions that the panel was given ahead of time um in order to engage with the juniors about a lot of uh different topics ranging from um studying uh the college life, the dorms, dining, um you know the workload, that sort of thing, being away from home. So it was really great for those students to come back and you know speak a lot of um you know truth and just reality of going uh to the next step. So, I I think it was a great opportunity and we look forward to continue that. And then my last brief update, uh, this past Friday, the 9th, was law enforcement appreciation day. Um, just a big shout out to Brian Scott. I know he's in all three of
029our buildings and, you know, we greatly appreciate him and and everything he does. Uh, whether that's something, you know, on a community based level or something that he helps us work with different families and and individuals. Uh, he's a great addition. Uh, so we appreciate him. Any questions for the high school board report? >> Questions? >> Thank you. [clears throat] >> Okay, our student [clears throat] Logan. >> So, starting off at the elementary school. This week, our second grade students are hosting their annual heroes tea. This is a really special event where students celebrate heroes in their own lives by presenting hero awards and taking part in short play pieces that honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's a great example of students voice in action and give students a
030way to uh to give students a chance to reflect on leadership, kindness, and serving in a meaningful way. Moving on to the middle school. With the colder weather set settling in, students have been making great use of the new TV monitors in the cafeteria during recess when it's too cold to go outside. The monitors allow students to watch videos during that time, which has been a positive alternative and has helped keep students engaged. And a big thank you to the technology services and maintenance staff for working together to make this happen. Also at the middle school on Wednesday, the modified boys and girls basketball teams [clears throat] will be traveling to Meris University to attend to attend a women's basketball game against Fairfield University. This trip gives students an opportunity to experience college life on
031a local campus while al also watching division one athletics in action. Which helps expose them to future academic and athletic possibilities. Finally, at the high school, we recently wrapped up December Spirit Week, which was intentionally tied into the Be a Husky competition run by Mrs. Gmark, where students earned Husky points through spirit week participation. As part of that incentive, the winning senior class will be rewarded with a holiday movie afternoon this Friday, where The Nightmare Before Christmas will be shown. The event includes free popcorn and hot chocolate and gives students a chance to relax and enjoy a movie while celebrating their spirit week efforts. Finally, under the direction of Miss Matthews and Mr. Shot, the high school winter concert was held last month and was a great success. The concert showcased the hard work and
032talent of our student musicians and highlighted the strength of our music program and the dedication of both students and staff. And that's all I have this morning. >> Any questions for Logan? >> Thank you, sir. And we'll move on to our assistant superintendent, Dr. Boyd. >> Good evening, everyone. Um so we're starting to notice a trend of um increased reporting that's required from districts. Um and that's based on a lot of the different accountability measures. Uh so if you get um identified as an area of need, you get put in a targeted support group. They have now instituted pre-target support groups. Um so before you're even highlighted for any areas. Um so for example, Mr. Fer and I met with the um family and community engagement center this week as part of one of a
033few required meetings. Uh so every year we have different accountability measures. Uh one of them for next year is uh feedback from parents and attendants at cse meetings. Uh so we had a really high rate the last time we did it six years ago. Um but we were placed in a pre-TSG group um for that. So, it's it's some of the upfront work, which is not a bad thing. Um, but just another um measure of accountability uh and followup for some of that stuff. Uh, as we prepare for our budget, um, one of the things we do look at at this time of year is our ISR for our Bose services. Uh, so we will have our official ISR meeting with the team from Boseies on February 2nd. I will have some preliminary conversations with
034uh their IAK team over there on some of the services that we do utilize from them. Uh so we're planning for next year and can budget accordingly. Um we were supposed to have our next uh countywide portrait of a graduate meeting this week. It was postponed until um the beginning of February. Uh so we will be meeting then tomorrow. I will be attending uh they're presenting from the state at Boseis uh what this kind of means at the elementary level because a lot of the portrait of a graduate um topics that we're looking at um has focused at the secondary level and you know preparing students uh for life after high school. Uh so tomorrow Mr. McCormack and I will be attending the session at OC's that's looking at what this means for our elementary
035students. Lastly, uh we're starting are going to be having some of our building meetings as we plan for schedules and programming uh for next year and looking at our staff. Uh we always try to maximize our opportunities for students. Um and in conjunction with that, we will be sending um some of our interested students at the end of the month uh to the career tech center at Boseies uh for any of those students for our 10th grade students that will be interested in those programs uh for 11th and 12th grade so we can plan accordingly for their schedules for the following year. Any questions for Dr. Boyd? >> All right. Thank you, sir. Our superintendent. >> Okay. So, last month, uh, [clears throat] we met with Naerta back in December. Um, we are eligible for
036an electrif electrification study through NAERTA. um they've provided us with a list of organizations that can do that study uh that work directly with NAERTA and NAERTA will pay them to do the study for us. Um so we're in the process right now of narrowing down those organizations. We'll bring a couple in, interview them to see which one is going to best suit our needs and is most uh familiar with our local area and our utility because that's really our concern at this point is if we electrify for buses, are we going to have the grid? And so that's one of our biggest concerns. Um the one nice thing that after doing this survey or not sorry not survey study [clears throat] um we are eligible to apply for a waiver to push the date
037slightly. So if you do a study they help you get the waiver paperwork in and we were told by NAERTA that uh those that have done the study will be granted the waiver more likely than those that have not. So, if you've done nothing and you're not looking forward, then you're probably not going to get granted uh any leeway in moving that date. And how long they move the date, we are unaware at this point. But any flexibility they could provide us, especially if we uh need to start thinking about capital [clears throat] improvement projects and uh you know, facilities uh things that we might have to do here, we might need that date to be shifted. Uh the other thing and it came out of last board meeting um doing a safety risk assessment.
038So we've been in touch with Frank Googlieri from Putnham Northern Westchester Boseies. We discussed uh doing a safety and risk assessment here uh in the district, all three buildings and our bus garage. He um took a look at his schedule for the spring. He can get us on his spring schedule if he knows soon. And interestingly enough, he emailed me this morning and said, "What's Highland going to do?" when I said I would be having that conversation with our board tonight and uh I will get back to him tomorrow with uh what the wishes of the board will be on that. Um some other things that are coming up uh I will be attending the Mid Hudson Catkill Council school superintendent meeting in Goan on January 27th. Chuck Dedricch and Greg Burke from Niscus will
039be here uh to talk about uh updates from state ed and uh anticipated uh what what what's anticipated in the governor's uh budget runs uh January 29th that's a Thursday evening I believe 6 p.m. Oxa is holding the legislative meeting that they hold annually if any board members are interested in attending that please let Lisa know and I think she needs to know >> like really soon. Do you have a date on that? >> I do. It's kind of on the bottom of the agenda. >> Is it the 14th? >> So, if anyone's planning on going to that or if you're not planning on going and you have a particular question that you want a legislator uh to know, I can get those questions to uh Dr. Shanker to make sure that they're part of
040that question and answer. Um reminder, Martin Luther King Day is this uh coming Monday. Schools will be closed. And uh and then we have regent week uh at the high school from the 20th to the 23rd. And then two highlights just to point out right now our district uh art teachers have uh put a display on at the Jane Bolawa Conference Center at Olster Boseies. That artwork is up through the month. So if you get a chance, I happened to be there the day after they put it up and it was it some some really nice artwork and we've done a Facebook post on it. So, if you can't get there, at least check the Facebook post out because our our kids' work was really uh spectacular. And then this coming Thursday, we have the
041district the annual district rock concert uh on the 15th at 6:30 here at the high school. So, hopefully folks can attend that. Any questions? >> Okay, we're all good. Thank you, Joe. You're welcome. Okay, I'm going to back up because I think I missed one of the most important u groups in our district, which is the directors. And I think I just skipped past it because every time I asked if there's any questions for the directors, everybody sits silent. So, we're going to back up. And if there is anybody from the board that has a question for our directors, they're here. Shout it out. See what I said? [laughter] >> No news is good news usually in this business. >> I guess they're doing a fantastic job along with the rest of our administration. >>
042Things are plowed and things are heated. [laughter] >> Okay. >> Um under board of education new business. I think this is the part that these [clears throat] young ladies are waiting to hear some discussion. So we have a girls wrestling proposal. Uh tonight will be discussion. There's no need for us to approve tonight or have a resolution, but if the board so wishes, we can do that. Uh I know I had a a conversation with Frank Alonso, our athletic director, this morning. Uh unfortunately, he's at a JV basketball game in Libertuck, so he was not able to attend this evening. Um just some highlights from that conversation. Um the total costs is anywhere from 12 to $14,000 for the girls program which is tournaments, uh uniforms, officiating, uh transportation, all that's incorporated. There's probably the
043coaches of course that's all included in that 12 to$14,000 range. And that depends on uh the number of participants. If if it's a larger group, of course, the uniforms are going to be more, you know, a little bit more money there. Um they have uh some tournaments that they'll be going to. If they go to a few more, it's a few dollars more. So, that's that range. Um the state has um this is going to be the last year that boys and girls wrestling can participate together. What the state is looking to do in section 9 for uh next season is they want them separated. So of course we would have to separate. We'd have to have our own coach for the girls program. Um the not an issue but you know uh coordination for
044facility use would have to be uh worked out through the athletic uh directors and the athletic department. Uh right now I know they utilize uh cafeterias of of the middle school and possibly the elementary school. So that'll all be all those logistics will be worked out. Uh and I'm sure uh the girls that participate. I asked a question of what the anticipated enrollment into the program and we're probably looking at you know a dozen or more uh participants. So it doesn't have to be approved this evening. anybody has any questions or you'd like to wait until our next meeting when our athletic director would be present uh we can have you know some more discussion you know with him section 9 doesn't need doesn't have a deadline that we have to approve tonight >> but
045I'll open it up to discussion with the board >> this would be enacted for next year or correct >> this is for the 26 27 or the winter of >> in favor of it >> yeah Frank did a nice cost analysis of the program. It's very doable. Um, I have a couple young ladies that live next door to me that I uh believe are currently on the team. I hear all good stuff about it. >> Is there uh existing funds in the extracurricular budget to cover this? Is this going to be new money added to the budget? >> What's our ability to afford the program currently? [clears throat] Well, that's going to be a for the 2627. We'll have to add that to the budget. Um, I don't know in terms of the extra classroom
046clubs if they're going to have their own club. There is a wrestling club or if they're going to piggy back off some of the funds that they have there or going to create their own. Um, but in terms of budget, we'll just make that adjustment based upon some of the numbers that I've just heard tonight. I'll just as I build the 2627, we'll add that in as a solid line. And then when we start to look at, you know, trimming certain things, sure, it will be a solid line in there. We'll have to find some other way. >> I mean, you look, Title Nine would say, oh, you know, you've got to put a team out there, but there are restrictions. This is not a small cost. It's about a thousand a player, >> right?
047>> Which a lot of times you have more breakage. Do we need to think about, you know, Matt's, >> you know, you talked about logistics in terms of >> having the boys wrestling and the girls wrestling, you know, are they going to be in separate locations? Do we need extra equipment? That's another thing that we'd have to probably add. >> I'd like to see what the practice schedule looks like because it is limited time. And while 11 and you know why 13 are interested right now, that's assuming practice is right after school. It might not be might be a little later. I think in the um update that um the athletic director provided was that there would be a rotation there will be a rotational schedule of the boys and girls >> right if you
048got an evening we can somewhat worked out so that it's >> equable across and I also asked a question uh did he feel that there was because I know we take on uh a lot of sports and sometimes it impacts other sports in that season. Uh he didn't foresee um bringing in girls wrestling that's going to impact any other winter sports because right now it's just >> basketball and indoor track, >> right? There's limited opportunities. >> Yeah. >> There shouldn't be an impact on those other sports. >> We have a known and increasing interest and I don't see how we cannot do it. >> Sorry, you go ahead. >> I just had a quick question because from all this it's to put a varsity team. What does that mean at the modified level? It wasn't
049clear to me if there's a modified or >> Sounds like this club might cover some of those needs, but let's see how they all curious if that was going to be an additional ask or cost in future. >> I believe Franked it out that that that 12 to 14,000 was encompassing of it all, but we can ask him and have him give more information at the next meeting. If it's if it's a couple thousand dollar more one way or the other, it's probably not going to change >> because I just see costs listed for varsity head and assistant coaches, but then they add the word modified later where there was no cost affiliated with that. So, I was just curious. Okay. And so the only question I had is we have the interest from the
050girls and I support this but do we have interest of a qualified >> female wrestling coach and qualified female wrestling assistant to be able to provide support to the appointed coach doesn't have to be female right I mean obviously be preferred but they don't have to be >> no meaning female for female wrestlers not >> well that I guess that's my other question is there any >> you can't you can't say that it has to one gender as far as the coach. >> So with any coaching, >> I think it es and flows. There may be interest that folks want to coach one year and they might not a year. So that that's an unknown and and staffing could change. Um but I think we always go back out. I I do think that the
051wrestling world has enough folks that they will draw somebody to coach. If it's not somebody internal, I am sure there are folks that are sitting in those wrestling matches that would step forward to be wrestling coaches. And I'm thinking of someone in our front row here. >> I I understand that you can't say like like it can't be separated male and female, but as a female athlete and especially in this sport, is there a female available if the female athlete needs it? I would think because we appointed an assistant female coach for the current [laughter] team which both encompasses boys and girls. I'm sure that should that individual move on. >> We always make adults available should the students need it. >> Right. That being said, at the professional level, it's the gender of the
052the coach or the the nurse or doctor or >> physical trainer is >> it's >> different caliber. >> I understand what you're saying. >> Just a quick question in terms of and this is maybe more of a overall sports question. Um, in terms of having head coach and assistant coach, at what point do we figure out that there is a need for assistant coach just based on numbers or is it based on the sport or I'm not familiar with wrestling at all. So I but just hearing that there's seven students and having two coaches. Just curious in terms of the level of support. >> I don't believe we have a line item right now for girls wrestling. No, >> right now it's a wrestling that would be a negotiated item. >> Uh I I you
053know over the last bunch of years I've always we've seen we've had volunteer wrestling coaches. So I don't think we'll have a shortage of coaches to either uh be volunteers or or you know a coach participating coach that that's got a stipen attached to it. But I believe we'll get volunteer coaches to assist with >> we can leave it on the agenda. Frank can inform us. I don't think Frank would be putting a proposal forward if he didn't feel like he could fill it. >> And plus it's it's the state and section 9 is telling us that you know that's the direction all districts have to go. >> Yeah. Absolutely. No, I'm I'm all for it. I just I'm curious in terms of the need for two stipended positions with you know a team of
054that's around seven >> Frank and Desmond to work out. Right. >> Right. >> So to move this thing forward I think to give the girls >> peace of mind. True. Uh I think we have consensus here that we're going to move >> the program forward. But I think to be uh open to everyone and have any questions that are still out there to be answered. We're going to wait until our next meeting to bring our athletic director in to answer those questions. Hopefully, he doesn't have a game uh on February 9th. >> 10th 10th. >> Um if not, we'll we'll send our questions in. We'll get them answered. >> Those are just housekeeping questions. >> We'll move it forward and that's where the resolution will >> it'll be on will be on the agenda as
055a resolution at the next meeting. >> But thanks to your wonderful speech. Everyone is very much on board. >> We appreciate advocacy here. Absolutely. >> Okay. Uh we'll move on to uh the other item under new business, our security assessment from the Tutman Northern Westchester Boseies. I know Mike brought this up at our last meeting. Uh Joel followed through and and got some a proposal and I'll let Joel speak on behalf of uh what they are going to do for us. So, this is the the initial risk assessment of all the buildings and the bus garage. Um, he has other add-ons that can that can um add on to the uh assessment that he would need more time with that he could do in future years. Um, so this will give us a baseline. would
056give us um uh I believe new maps of all the buildings and uh zones that we need to think about and um it's just another set of eyes other than just the eyes that we've constantly have looked at and are local. It's just somebody from the outside coming in with a that's their perspective and and that's their focus. So >> well these are experts in the field. He gets a chance to look at lots of different schools. We've, you know, going back to our discussion, a Highland schools are safe. >> All the data collected from staff, students, community, uh, safety protocols are reviewed often, plans are reviewed often, events are discussed often with administration. So, it really came about the question, have you ever had an official assessment? And, you know, the answer was no.
057Although these things are reviewed, uh they tend to bring a deeper lens and if we as a board, if the principles thought that that might be something that would be informative, then I'd say let's go for it. It's an option for us, not a mustave. Uh you know, it's a cost here of 13,000, but it's a cross contract. We have about 60 with OC 6040 something like that. So, it's right in the range of what we were expecting, probably around 6,000 actual cost. Though, it's expense driven, so you got to spend the 13 >> and you'll get that percentage back in the following year. So, it's not small money. I don't minimize the money. I just think that if the team thinks that having a review would provide insight into your campus and into your
058building and into the district, then that might be valuable. Just so uh the public that's listening uh from the outside, those that are here, uh we as Mike said, just to piggyback some of his comments, the district does an indepth uh analysis of our of our security on on a a daily basis at times. So, uh we've implemented, you know, a lot more cameras during our capital project. So, we do uh assess uh our security uh constantly and we do bring local law enforcement in to help with the assessment. What Mike is looking at and and I somewhat agree with him there that we're just going to get another layer to maybe capture some things that might have been missed during the local assessment. So, >> and the best thing that could come out of
059it is >> he doesn't give us anything new to >> that would be wonderful >> that >> we've thought of everything. But >> if we haven't thought of everything and there's somebody else to give us a perspective, >> that's a that's a win for our district for safety. And I I I think it's an important endeavor >> because look, safety, as much as you want to spend, the toys are out there. you could have cameras taking every license number that comes on your C, you know, all this stuff. The idea was to just have an outside review and if that [clears throat] um information proved valuable, great. Then maybe we take the lead on it. If not, we could say we had it formally reviewed in 2026. So, >> well, it's validating. >> So, once
060I get once I speak with him, then I will get a formal. Right now, everything is on not formal. So, I will get something more formal and move forward. I don't need board approval on it. I just >> I'd love to see like a scope like [clears throat] like here's what we're going to do for each and >> he also will he could come and get an idea. >> He could present also to the board. >> Yes. Yes. He's not low on enthusiasm. >> Absolutely. [laughter] >> Board members, you're all okay. >> Yeah. Wonderful. >> We could have them in. Yeah. [cough] >> All right. So, we'll move that to future meetings. >> All right. Uh, anybody else else have anything for new business? >> We'll move to old business, our safety plan, uh, the
061Desa Law that we had the public hearing earlier. Um, resolution be it resolved that the board of education upon the recommendation of the superintendent approved the updated 2025 2026 district-wide safety plan as presented to the board during today's public hearing. Have a motion. Motion by Heather, second by Ed. >> Any further discussion? All those in favor? I >> opposed. So carried under miscellaneous. Um Oh, >> there's the deadline. >> Yes. [laughter] >> Was right on the agenda. My apologies. >> Also County School Board Association. Joel presented in his uh update earlier uh January 29th and the RSDP to Lisa is tomorrow. >> No. >> Oh, yes. Tomorrow. >> Yep. >> Already. >> Okay. Um I can take any questions that anyone has. I can get those to Jonah by early next week. >> Okay. Um
0622025 Distinguished Friends of Education presentation that was sent to everyone. And I believe is it on our website? >> It is good photo. >> It came from OXPA and they just wanted to make sure all board members got a chance to take a look at it since you're members of OXPA. Um it's a rundown of uh all of the distinguished friends of education from across the county and a little blurb which I thought was interesting that they did of why these people were selected in each of the districts which actually kind of helps us when we're thinking of next year who we're going to nominate for that award. So, if you read through some of their uh their stories, it might trigger something in your own mind of who the board wants to recognize at
063the next event, which would be next November or this coming November. >> Correct. Okay. Anybody have anything for the uh good and welfare of the district? >> All right. I'll open the meeting up to public comment for general items. All right, we'll close public comment. I need a motion to go into executive session to uh discuss the superintendent contract and evaluation. Motion by Mike, second by Heather. All those in favor? >> I. >> We will not reconvene. >> Thank you everyone. Have a good evening. Good night everyone. >> Bye everybody.