001Good evening and welcome to the regular the Thursday August 14th 2025 regular business meeting and action on the tax warrant meeting of the horse's board of education. It's the first item on the agenda. 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. >> So the f item on our agenda this evening is to adjourn to executive session for the purpose of discussing an individual personnel matter. Is there a motion? >> Second. Any comments or questions on the motion to adjurnn to executive session? All those in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Nay. Abstensions. The motion carries and we will adjourn the
002meeting to go to executive session again for the purpose of discussing an individual personnel matter. We expect to return to public session at approximately 6 p.m. Thank you. Okay, we're the uh school board is returning from a executive session that we held to discuss an individual personnel matter. We're now reconvening in public session. The first item on the agenda would be item two, the minutes. There are two items for approval. 2.01 2.0 02 minutes from the August 5th business meeting and from the board retreat also held on August 5th. I need a motion for approval. >> Any questions or comments on the motion? Okay, seeing none, I call for a vote. All those in favor of 2.01 and 2.02 say I. I. Any p any opposed? Nay or any extensions? Okay, the motion carries. Next
003uh item on the agenda is the time we have for community questions and comments 3.01. And um I will refer folks I think their materials were available when you entered the auditorium but there's a there is a policy on um public participation at board meetings in general. Um, you know, we ask people to state their name and their address and then our policy states that individuals have five minutes to speak. Uh, and um, that it's not intended to be a back and forth, but rather for the board to be able to hear from folks in the community who have concerns or items that they want to share. And, uh, there are some rules obviously about um, decorum and about avoiding discussing individual personnel issues during those comments. So, do we have anyone that would like
004to address the board this evening? If so, please feel free to uh head to the microphone. >> Hi, I'm Teresa Gothweight. I live at 532 Maple Street in Big Flats. And tonight, I would like to express my concerns regarding the ongoing traffic and safety issues in front of Big Flat Elementary School. I live directly across the street. school. And since CO 19 pandemic, parents have been allowed to pick up their children without exiting their vehicles. As a result, vehicles now park along both sides of Maple Street for up to 30 to 40 minutes before dismissal. Oh, sorry. Like this. Should I do this? Oh, I just Oh, can you hear me? Okay. Sorry. Um, with the increasing number of students and staff coming on board this year, I'm concerned that the situation will only worsen
005in the future. There have been incidents in the past, including one where a bus struck a mirror of a van that was parked on my side of the street and after that another vehicle hit the same van. Um, as a neighbor neighbor, I have also encountered situations where deliveries are being made and the parked cars along the road coupled with the stopped delivery vehicles create unsafe conditions for traffic. And I also am concerned with if there was ever a fire and the fire emergency vehicles needed to get through as well. There have been instances when I've walked over to pick up a student and had difficulty seeing oncoming traffic, which I consider a significant safety hazard. Additionally, there have been times when I've attempted to pull out of the driveway after picking up a student,
006and I was unable to see oncoming traffic because of the cars parked on the side of the road. In previous years, the traffic flow was more manageable with two lanes of traffic entering the school and one lane exiting. A few years ago, this was changed to one lane going in and one lane coming out with the lanes traveling in the wrong direction. So, they're entering on the left and coming out on the right. This change has led to further confusion and congestion. I can provide pictures to illustrate that if you'd like me to send them. I propose the following potential solutions. I encourage parents to use the busing system um and and or else park in the driveway, get out of your car and go pick up your kid. That might eliminate parents from doing
007such you because you're making it too easy. Not you, but they're making it very easy. I agree to just pull up and show my name and the kid gets in the car and off you go. you don't have to get out in the weather and um so it's really easy for them to pick up their students every day instead of using the busing and I'm all about the busing. I used to work at the bus garage and it's not a bad thing. Um or restoring the two entry lanes um entering the into big flats. It might give two lanes of traffic going in instead of them sitting out on the road way. While recent modifications have just been done, such as creating an additional parking space by the county um with a larger shoulder for
008the cars to pull off so they're not exactly in the road will probably help some, but there's times when the traffic when they're parked all the way around the church parking, you know, by the church. Um and then they just added additional parking for must be for teachers or parents or whatever. But so there's no parking on either side of the street, but I've been told by Big Flats Town that um they are going to put up 15minute parking signs. Um however, parents show up 30 to 40 minutes before dismissal um and just sit out there. Um another concern I have is the proposed 80unit senior housing development that will be going in on Hammond Street just around the corner. Once those units are occupied, I expect the traffic down Maple Street to increase significantly,
009worsening the current situation. And lastly, I would like to raise a concern about the demolition of the old fertilizer plant on Hammond Street. The building contains a speestus, and there are documented ground contamination issues that were never properly addressed. Once demolition begins, will the school district take necessary precautions to protect the students from potential exposure to harmful materials? I appreciate your time and attention to these critical issues. I hope you can work together to find a solution that ensures the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and neighbors. Thank you. >> Thank Yes. Thank you very much for those comments. I don't Is there anything >> I'll address it after anybody's >> you've seen. >> Okay. Thank you. Do we have any other members who would like to If so, please uh head to the
010microphone. Thank you. Good afternoon everyone. I'm Greg Gweight. Uh the other half of Teresa. I live at 532 Maple Street in Big Flats. Um for well over a quarter century, Teresa and I have resided on Maple Street. And it is really over the past three years have become a major concern of mine of the traffic parked on both sides, north side and south side of Maple Street. Um and I'll reiterate uh the accident that I witnessed. It was an actual school bus accident that actually struck a van's mirror. They were mirror to mirror. There was no physical vehicle contact other than the mirrors, but still we had an accident with a bus. Um, prior when my children went to school there, we walked to school, so we were able to walk across the street. So,
011there's that feature that's no longer there. We don't see many people walking to school anymore. But the issue also um Teresa didn't explain is that my daughter's vehicle was struck by a parent not paying attention coming out of the school who ran into her vehicle on Maple Street. So we had an actual accident with a school bus and my daughter with a parent not paying attention. Um again uh we went from two lanes entry, one lane returning. Um, no parking on Maple Street on either side um was I've addressed the issue with the school um couple of years ago. Um and was told there's nothing they can do because it's a county highway. Raised the issue with the town of Big Flats. We can't do anything. It's a county highway and we're not doing anything.
012Lo and behold, last week I arrived to 7 o'clock in the morning, someone digging across the street and I'm like, "What is going on? Um, we therefore increased our shoulder width to park on the street where there's no parking. Um, that whole side of the street. I have pictures and photographs. Be more than glad to provide them to you. Fire hydrants, homes, driveways that are being blocked by parents waiting in line to pick up their children. And Teresa reiterated the 80some complex that go that's going in. Uh back in the day uh when Eggway was in operation, there was an actual alarm on top of that elementary school that went off when the air quality was that poor that the children needed to be brought inside. So we have that issue, traffic issue, and then
013we got another 360 unit complex going across the street from XGen. So, I can't imagine what our traffic is going to do. What's going to happen along with 30 mph speed limit in front of that school. Um, we need a I I I would recommend a right-hand turn only coming out of school. No left-hand turns. Um, I think that would probably alleviate people crossing traffic that can't see up Maple Street. Um, but the issue has got to be addressed. Um, it's really done nothing but get worse. Um, I see the parking lot was added on to at school. They put some gravel down, crush your run, and rolled it. That's not really going to do anything other than take park cars, move them off. You've got two parking spots in front and maybe six along
014the side. That's not going to do anything with parents lined up driving kids to school. So hopefully we can come to a happy agreement and keep us happy in big flats um to get these people off the street. And I'm on my lawn a lot now that I'm retired and I see these people sitting I'm sitting for an hour prior to pickup to get these kids from school which is absolutely insane. So I thank you for your time and uh the privilege of uh speaking in front of the school board. my first time ever. But uh thank you all very much. >> Yes, thank you very much for the comments. We appreciate it. >> Hi, my name is Jennifer Piaza. Um I live at 536 Maple Street. I am right across the street or Big
015Plat School as well. And these are my neighbors. I am here with the same concerns regarding um the traffic and the student pickup. Um it has it's a short period of time, but it's causing a very dangerous situation in that block of time. I've witnessed many many almost accidents and because I I'm I'm right between the both both drives. So it's it's a sometimes very difficult for me to get out of my own driveway. Um so I have to plan my time accordingly around that. Um but yes the the line starts forming an hour prior to pickup because everyone wants that spot in first. Um and they yes they covered it up because it just became a big mud pit. Um but and even with the no parking signs and they put a brand new
016no parking sign right in front of my driveway. Um so why are they allowing them to continue to park there. Um the line forms and it sometimes goes all the way around the curve um up towards Hibbert and any increase in student population that's just going to get worse because there's no place else for them to go without a different without a different system. um because it creates a one lane uh only situation, not only on the right hand side of um coming into the school, but they will start lining up on the other from the other direction. And it it's it's like a bottleneck of of everybody. And um and especially with the no reduced speed zone for a school, it's people fly through that corner and all of a sudden, you know, it's
017a onelane road. It's it's a I've even almost been hit head-on just coming home from somebody making a lefthand turn because you they can't see. um and add delivery trucks and all the large vehicles trying to get over the tracks. They cannot go through the other access points because it goes the the low bridges um going through big flats. So, Hammond Street is only the only street where they can go over the bridge and all the um including the emergency vehicles. There's been times where that that siren goes off and it's been pretty close to pickup time and I just hope that that never happens that you know that that situation they're not going to be able to get through. Um, and I agree with the right-hand turn that their turning situation is very confusing.
018I mean, I know the the parents now understand it, but the left-hand turn that's it's makes it makes it very congested. It it keeps the traffic from being able to flow. So, it just takes a long it's a long process. Um, so yes, the the it needs to be addressed. Bigger population, more staff, more possibly apartments, and that will be in the neighborhood. It's it's going to get worse. And um I I don't want to see an accident happen. And there's been many many almost. So, um, and I also have the same concerns with the environmental for behind us if that's needs to be, um, monitored as well. And, um, I think that's it. >> The band behind us. >> Oh, I >> We're not playing you off. I swear that's No, thank you very
019much for the three of you sharing those comments. Clearly concerning issues. And I don't know if Dr. Douglas, you have anything you want to >> uh >> anyone else that would like to speak um this evening during our community comment period? >> Okay. And yeah, thank you, President Christmas. Um first of all, I know and I sympathize with all of you. I've been in that same situation trying to get in and out of there. Uh the traffic flow on our end is developed so the buses can get out without the parents crossing over each other because they hate to say it they've almost hit buses as they're trying to leave. So that was suggested to us through our SRO programs to alleviate the on property because unfortunately that's the only thing we can control. You
020are right Greg. They they wanted to take care of that mud pit, but this is the first time we've actually had the county say we want to get them off the road. That's why they tried to expand it because that's actually their road. That's their easement area. Uh but they needed our permission to sort of come into ours and we said we don't have a problem if you want to do that. But our problem is we can't dictate what they're going to do in the town or the county. And it's not one of I hope you understand it's not one of those things well we can't do anything. We have um Mike Coglin, we've been regularly trying to talk to alleviate the situation as best we can. You are correct. The biggest thing we can't
021control is the parent. The parents are coming way too early. There are spots that they could pull in and park, but they prefer to stay out in the road because they think they're going to lose their spot in line. Um the additional hard part is we're landlocked there until a capital project. I can't purchase land. I think in the next capital project for finally finishing the reshaping of the elementary schools and that would include big flats. One of the big things is we've got to change the whole parking structure there. Whether it goes out farther on the land that we use or whether we have some local residents that might think that it might be beneficial if we consider expanding our footprint a little. Uh, I think we probably need about an additional 40 feet.
022Um, but our goal is to try to get it so parents when you come, you come in and pick up by parking and getting out. We have like um along that lane, we have just put in I think it it I don't know if it's in yet, but we're trying to put in 120 ft along the fence. So, that's that's additional parking. And what that's for is you park, you come in and get your kids. I don't know if they will do that, but that's the most we can do because we can't really expend capital funds on it. Um, so that's our quick fix at this point as we try to prepare for the next level. Um, so I I hope you understand we're constantly working. We don't like the fact that they're on the
023road, but we can't tell parents not to. Even though I agree with you, Teresa, I've asked people, use the bus. Our buses are 100% working. They get there. We've been decreased the elementary ride time on them. I wish people would do it, but unfortunately the dynamic lately, especially ever since CO is we'll take our kids. Um I mean, if a 100% of the people took their kids, they'd never get in and out of any one of our buildings. Um but I would encourage people to do the same thing. So I'll ask my principles to also talk about that as well. Uh, as far as the fire safety, we talked to the fire department. We talked to the town to make sure they understand if they have to move the cars out of the way. They
024will. I mean, they're an emergency vehicle. We just don't have control over it, but we'll warn people. So, I don't want to dismiss it. It's just we're limited in what we can do, but we are trying to always work to see what we can do. Uh, I am actually glad that people aren't walking to school. I hate to say it, even though I'd rather have them walk to school just because of that traffic issue. just during the time of school. As far as the senior developments, you know, I've been I've been at those meetings. I don't know how much traffic that's really going to go. I don't know when they're even breaking ground because it's been delayed, but it certainly potentially could have an impact. Um, as far as the 360 units, that's a six
025to sevenyear build that might not even get started until uh 2026 is what I'm being told. And the first amount of units is basically single individual units, a couple two bedrooms, maybe a threebedroom or something, but these are higher rent apartments for young professionals that will most likely be using the corridor to get on and off, but they will tra I would travel into Maners or Picnic Pizza or Shanghai and so forth. So I think that could have it. My biggest concern though is the Auway, old Aguay foundation. Um the asbestous the school has filtration systems as we've been building. Uh that's why that alarm isn't there because the filtration systems have changed by state law. But no matter what, if we're outside, we've got to make sure the town puts it upon it. And
026I'll ask the parents to make sure they make sure the town puts upon it because their responsibility to ensure the safety. We will always try to ensure the safety if we know what's going on, but we really need the town to monitor. So I would ask you really and I know some of the dynamics and I know you'll be there just like several of the other people that have been there when I've been there. Uh but I think that's what we've got to do. uh we just don't the school district can't enter into other governmental business very easily but we do try to put pressure where we can or utilize others to help and I I want to commend you because you guys have always been there. I think all three of you have been
027at the town meetings when we've had it as well. >> So but please reach out at any time if you see something let us know. I am asking the county ticket people for some reason. I mean if there's a revenue shortfall they can make tickets with no problem but I don't like it's not from the school district but we tell our kids follow the rules. >> Yeah. Uh but showing up an hour even 45 minutes it it is getting a little much. And it's and this is not just unique to big flats. It's at Gardener Road. It will be at Ridge Road at Center Street. it will be at the high school. For some reason, it's I got time. I'm going to sit here. And I don't think people understand you're actually causing more delay.
028It's like people will say, "I want to get in and out of the intermediate school and middle school fast. We'll follow some of our suggestions, but nobody follows our suggestions." Some do, and then some don't, and the ones that don't back up the others that may or may not, and then it's it's a sort of selfdefeating process. Uh, but I know our community, our principles are putting out to our school community what the expectations are. And if you'd like, I know you guys could walk right over. Liz would probably hand you what her plan would be as well. Or you can always call me and I'll get it for you. But that's what we're trying to do to work with them as well as the town. And unfortunately, the town is probably getting a little
029difficulty from the county as well. Uh because like the county road in front of the middle school, it took us three or four years just to get money from the state to put the two turning lanes in. Uh and the county had to approve that. So I can imagine it's going to be hard. I can tell you no matter what any project we put forward, it's going to try to solve that problem. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you, Dr. Douglas. And and I'll just reiterate on behalf of the board, thank you for sharing these comments. I think it's certainly worth us considering if there are things we may be able to do. I'm surprised quite frankly that I didn't know that it's not a you would think it's a no-brainer that it's a school zone
030and a a lower speed limit in front of a school. So, >> you know, things we can talk about uh as a board in a future meeting that we might be able to try to uh impact the things that you've raised. So, thank you very much. So with that, we'll move to the next item on our agenda, which it would normally be the report from the student representative 4.01. Uh we have no report at this time. So we will move to item five, superintendent report. So Dr. Douglas, >> thank you. I will try to be as quick and as several things. We are getting ready to open schools and get ready to welcome back our students starting Monday starting to uh grind even overunicated I think we'll start one final communication tomorrow and then we
031all back building just like process what we need from parents. We ask this from parents because we need their help to solve the problem for them and we're willing. Um so start times are out there. Everybody knows dismissal times I want people to know will also be communicated on the first four days. We've been doing this for the past four years and people get surprised about our bus because is heavily reliant on staying on time. The first four to couple weeks of busing, we're trying to sort things out, fix things, and it goes slower at first until we get into week two, three, four. So, what we normally do is the first round of pickups, we will sit anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes early on the bus out and get into the swing and
032it will slow down. We just ask that parents are always available But in this situation, students will get onto their buses, but we will not be dismissing kids from school out at least the first days a little bit early. The first two days probably 10 to 15 minutes early and then dismissal for the students will be at a later time. The Monday and Tuesday probably about half of that with Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of the second week and things. It will take one or two more weeks after it. Last year, I think within a week and a half. So, one of the things we heard is that Dr. Douglas, you said all bus times are going to be under an hour. What I said was all the student ride the road to be delivered home roughly
033an hour or less. That's at the elementary that's at the high school. It is not for students with special needs. Those times were two and a half hours and I think they got it to an hour and a half but that's location. However, to know the people that will have the biggest change in this intermedi. So you an hour 15 time on your app. Remember, it takes 20 to 25 minutes to get from the middle school over the high school. So, you can pretty much know we have been getting a lot of help, but we've been getting some calls uh just like we've been getting some calls for students that are going road center street. The issue is for one year some kids that would normally have like a 25 30 minute run because they're
034closer to Ridge Road and they'd end at Ridge Road. Now they may still have that run but they still have to go pick up other kids and come over to Center Street at Ridge Road. So their time would have expanded and that's caught some people off guard. But it's still within that that time. And here's the thing. and anybody in the Ridge Road runs next year. Those all have to be resituated because now we won't be going to Center Street. So consider yourself if you're in Aaron, you would normally come in and get off at Ridge Road. Now you got to come in past Ridge Road, go to Center Street, but next year you'll be back for that normal route. So we just wanted to make announcements of that. If you have any questions, please
035call the bus garage. If you still need busing, even though I think everybody's gotten at least four or five notices, um, and they will still get some from the principles, please call the bus garage. Don't email, call. They will get you scheduled up until, I think it's August 25th. After the 25th, we have to set the schedule and then just call and then they will tell you when they can get your route ready for you. And it's usually within 24 hours of your call if possible. So please be mindful of that. Uh traffic flow and parking. We kind of talked about it, but all the principles will be setting out their maps for the talk traffic flow. One of the more difficult is going to be the high school because and and Ridge Road at
036Center Street because we've got major construction. Please follow those. Please don't get here early. High school parent, please go all the way out. Use one direction. Do not sit here and wait. If you have a we have plenty of open parking spots to pull in and have your child come out to you. You can only get out of here through Fletcher Street. And all we'd ask is no matter what when buses are exiting schools from families, please make sure come to a stop, let the buses exit as quickly as possible. That keeps everything running on time. It might cost you two or three minutes, but let our buses exit as quickly as possible from the facilities when you see them start moving. uh bus ride times, early drop off numbers for the board. We the
037board was gracious enough. We tried to uh get that out. We communicated out probably four times. We're the deadline, I think, is next week. Uh to date, we've only had 21 applications for people asking. Five have not completed. Of those that have completed, one or two were declined because they could get on the bus. Several were approved. We are still reviewing because now we have the official time. If those people that were approved, we will contact them. If the bus is available, they will need to take the bus. Our job is to try to minimize these by December. But right now, we've got roughly seven that are assigned for I think Ridge Road at Center Street, seven that are assigned for Gardener Road, and two that are assigned for Big Flats. And if that's where
038it ends at this point, we thought it would be more, but it hasn't been. And I want to thank like Amy Sunshine who is offering rides now to different schools for their business. Uh as well as we're here to announce that we are working with the Wings of Eagles for the first time ever for a fifth and sixth grade after school program that is hopefully going to be rolled out Monday, which is finalizing some of the uh communications. But what happens is because they're a nonprofit and it's fifth and sixth grade, all of our buses are there. Parents would have to contract for it for you with Wings of Eagles. They would have to notify where the bus garage where the child will be taken to each day, which would be Wings of Eagles, and
039we would just have to reroute them. That is acceptable. Uh we just do not for elementary cross boundaries. Um Oh, is that going? Sorry. Um cell phone regulations there under the public comment. Those cell phone regulations are finalized. They will be going out tomorrow. There is a fivestage penalty phase. Please look at it. We don't expect to really get above stage one or stage two. Uh we will be utilizing backpacks and lockers at the middle school. They've already utilized the same procedure, but please look at it. Uh K through 8, the phones really shouldn't be in school, but if they are, they're to be turned off and put away. Uh and I think everybody's done that very well. at the high school. That will be more of a challenge. We are looking at and exploring
040some um other alternative storage and um RFID storage, but it's still too early. So, at first, we're going to be doing the backpacks and all of our building principles will be meeting with the school uh student grade levels and explaining the cell phone regulations as well. Uh tonight you have the heat policy which is on uh the board for 1 and 2nd because we have to have it in place by uh September 1st. This is according to the law and been reviewed by our attorneys. Uh we can always look at it later, but we just really need to get it in place for September 1st. I don't know why because if it's a law, why do we need a policy? But they said we have to have a policy. And they I mean the governor
041and the legislative leaders. Uh sports news athletic ticketing. We started that last year. That's getting ready to be rolled out. I know Damian's over there. They're getting ready. We're actually trying to use the student IDs even if they're from last year. They've got to have their student IDs to come to the event and then we will help them. But our seniors that are 65 and older and our horse heads residents will be given a pass for free. Our veterans that are horse heads residents will be given a pass for free. Anybody else can buy them at our first games or more information's coming for the office. That was very successful last year. And uh we're actually keeping the price the same at this point. Uh just to try to help everybody out as much as
042we can. And I think I got almost everything. Half day times. We will have one half day time instead of a half a day time for Wednesday before Thanksgiving. A half a day with the schools being unified in transportation, the half day time. So look for that. That will be coming out from each of the building principles. And then in regards to the heat policy, one thing I forgot, please understand if I'm going to close because of heat. Everybody needs to understand we still have to do instructions. So if we're closing, we're going remote. So I don't think anybody wants to close and we will try to minimize. Now like the two half days last year, I have a little more hours because we finally have put our schedule in line with what the expectation
043is for the minimum number of hours that it does give me a little flexibility because heat tends to hit the second half of the day uh not the first half of the day. And if we can, we'll try to keep everything in mind, but if it's a full day, plan on going remote and people need to have that plan in place and we'll put that in our letter. Uh, and then the last thing is construction update. Ridge Road is closed. We've gotten actually a couple calls that people for some reason with all of our communication have said, "Oh, I thought Ridge Road was going to be open come September." And they've been very good. They I I asked them if they want to go over for a walk with me uh and so forth. And
044then they see the status of it and they're like, "There's no way." Uh, but it is on schedule on time. Uh, and it should be open for the start of next school year. They are just about at the end of foundation and they're already starting to pour the floors. So, metal will be going up relatively in a short time. As far as the high school, they're just finishing demolition. I think within the next 30 days, they'll be absolutely finished with demolition, almost finished with foundation, and they will be starting the steel. Once we get above the ground, that's when a lot of the unknowns sort of tend to go away, except now in planning. And we will be having open houses for people to come into our finished buildings towards October. We're going to announce
045those dates in September. And we also invite the board out for those nights as well. And if anybody would like to go over the next couple weeks, just give me a call anytime. I'll get you a little hard hat and I'll take you to the two places and you can see what's going on. So hopefully that's everything. My board district goals have been presented to the board. Uh, we talked about them with the modified changes that we talked about. Is everybody okay with those? And then I will get those updated. I just need a thumbs up from the board. So, we got thumbs up. We're all set. And then I know the board will be talking about its goals a little bit later. So, that's mine. I know I'm way over the five minutes. Sorry.
046That's okay. Thank you very much. A lot to cover. So, we'll move on to item six in the agenda, finance items for action. There's no audit committee report. And then we have an action vote on items 6.03, 04, and 05. Can I have a motion? >> So second. >> Any questions or comments on the motion. Okay. Hearing none, I call for a vote. All those in favor of the approval of 6.03 through 6.05 say I. >> I. Any oppose? Nay. Any abstensions? Thank you. The motion carries. We will move to item seven, personnel items for action. Item 7.01, action vote. So, we have uh for approval the HR recommendations in item 7.02. Is there a motion? >> So, >> any questions or comments uh on 7.02? >> I have one. >> Yeah, please. Um on
047section A pretty much um one and three didn't we approve them previously? I felt like those were approved um positions previously. They are not transferring right. Those are >> okay >> in section A. >> Yep. So the the asterisks are um one, two, three, >> yep, >> staff members who who we are very happy that they passed successfully passed their civil service competitive examination. They were in a provisional capacity and now they're starting their probationary. >> Thank you. So they were approved in the provisionary before. That's okay. I wanted to make sure that I didn't miss something. So they did approve. They did pass. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other questions or comments from the board? Okay. So, I'll call for a vote on the motion. All those in favor of item 7.02 say
048I. >> I. Any oppose? Nay. Abstensions. Okay. Motion passes. We will move to item eight, miscellaneous items for action. We have an action vote on 8.02. Can I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any questions, comments, discussion. >> Okay, we'll vote. Uh, all those in favor of 8.02 say I. >> I. Any opposed? Nay. Abstensions. Okay, the vote passes. Section nine, board policies. There's no board policy committee report as we have not had any um meetings of the policy committee yet in this cycle. However, as Dr. Douglas mentioned, there is a policy under 9.02 uh related to the state law for maximum temperatures in school buildings and um the district's responsibilities in the event thereof. So there is a policy that is on the agenda for a combined first and second reading
049and and an approval so that it can be put in place as required by state law I think before September 1st is the requirement. So is there a motion to uh approve 9.02 >> second. >> Okay. Uh, any questions, comments, discussion on the proposed policy? Mr. Conklin, I'm going to abstain on this policy in good conscience. I can't vote in the affirmative for a policy that endorses teaching in the dark in the 21st century. So, it says, "Pull the shades, turn out the lights." I just can't endorse that. That's a good teaching strategy. And I know it's the law, but I I just can't endorse that. >> Thank you. Any other uh board members like to speak on the policy? Miss Mon, >> I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly. So, if the
050temperature rises to over 88 in the classrooms, we will move to remote for the day. No, what it means in the policy is if by the law if the temperature at a certain measured multiple a couple times hits that mark, we must do something and remove or close down that site where practical. The state amended this law to basically say we did this, but you'll still make the decision. What I'm saying is if we're have I mean honestly at the high school we have several climate controlled areas so we can move people around. My real concern is really going to be the intermediate middle school. Gardener Road and Center Street are now climate controlled for the most part. Big Flats has some climate control. So that's really one of the big impetus of the next
051potential capital project too and then we won't have a problem with it. But if we start seeing a string of days like that and we were forced to close if we didn't have any days and remember I still got to save them for winter weather. Uh if we were looking at a full day we'd probably go to remote. If we're looking at a half day I now have time because we changed the actual length of day for our elementaryaries and intermediate school. And if I can um because I I have to say I agree with Warren uh and his comments. Uh, I just want the board to note just because it hits 82 doesn't mean you have to do those. Those are some suggestions of what you can do. Um, I agree we don't want
052people in the dark. Uh, but we may have to put fans in instead of turning the shades, but I just want to clarify that. >> Please, M. >> So, do we have does the district have an adequate amount of fans? >> I think Mike just bought a hundred. >> Okay. But our real focus is certain areas because we can move people at this point. >> Right. Okay. Any other questions, comments, discussion on items 9.02? Okay. So, I'll call for a vote on the motion. All those in favor of 9.02 say I. I. Any oppose? Nay and any other abstensions other than Mr. Conkins which has been noted. >> Motion passes. >> Okay, that the motion passes. Moving to item 10. Uh under 1001, president's report. I just three quick items. I'll be very brief. We
053there is in the board docs under public content the posting of the committees for the 2025 2026 school year for the board. So both the board committees which are audit and policy again those are the specifically uh designated committees of the board and then the superintendent ad hoc committees which are made up of board members, community members, staff etc. Uh the board members have been assigned to those committees. So please take a look at that and those responsible for the committees will be sending out the meeting invites etc. But if you have any questions feel free to reach out to me or to Dr. Douglas on those. Second as noted by Dr. Douglas we do have a draft um kind of brainstorming of some board of education. So separate from the superintendent's goals which he
054discussed our board goals for the year. I would ask board members to look at those uh you know think about anything they'd like to see added and then we will and send that in to Terry as the district clerk for um you know she can take it in and and combine it and then we will discuss and and review and approve those in the uh September meeting in the uh public session. So we'll we'll go on record with those. But now it's just a brainstorming exercise. And then lastly, everyone is not allowed to leave until they see Terry and sign the uh we have to sign the tax warrant. It requires all board members signatures. We already approved the document, but we need your signatures, so don't make Terry look for you. With that, I
055will move to item 10.02 to board member comments. So, any board members like to speak? Mr. Conklin? I just have one comment on the regulation and the five-step um progressive discipline and the first step is a warning from the staff member or administration and they're warned to put it away. So, think of like a high school student cuz that's where I spent my career. If I'm on the first floor in the north or south wing and I happen to have my phone out and the math teacher says, "Put it away and the next day I'm in the social studies area and now the social studies teacher tells me to keep it away." At at what point do we know like you could get multiple first warnings along the way by just walking different hallways. Good
056point. That's why our high school principal is going to be the intent is basically a student will get an individual warning from roughly four people the four teachers on their schedule, right? So that teacher knows that in their classroom that's where they're violating. However, the building principal has to work that if it's in the hall, you're coming down to the office and that's how it gets logged in. But they have to work through that as a staff. >> A say I'm walk say I'm walking down the hall. >> Catch him in the hall. >> Get them right down here. Report it. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. I will tell you once we talk to the students I do believe I believe students always live up to the expectation that you set and enforce
057and that's what we're trying to say. Uh the nice part is we had a wonderful conversation because the first thing we get is what about staff members in this regulation? We we've covered it with other staff members and they thought this was a good way of handling it. We're not trying to be heavy-handed, but we are adults, but we still have to model good behavior. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. And I think they were very helpful with that, and I appreciate all their support. >> Okay. Thank you, Michelle. >> That's actually what I was just going to address and ask in regard to this policy. Um, I do take exception with number eight where it references expectations for staff members modeling and behavior. I think that this is something that should be discussed at a building
058level with staff. I do not feel that this is something that should be part of the policy. Um I understand that it is something that could be um how would you say a potential issue if we try to say you will do this in a contractual nature where the regulations sets it for the staff and I have the ability to set that expectation and I must do it on behalf of everybody in the district right >> including the students. So I understand but we have talked to everybody about this. Okay. I just I feel it's not I feel that it's unnecessary to put into the policy. >> Yeah. >> No, I I understand. I wish I could say the same. Uh for the most part, I think I could say it, but there are those
059that this is meant for >> and hopefully it's very few. Mhm. I mean it's if we look at the language of it, I feel like it is it's an ask. You know, we are we are to model, but this isn't a tell, right? So why would we have an ask as part of a policy, I guess, is my is my rub with it. >> The ask is to make sure that the warning is there. If it's violated, I don't need a policy. It's a work expectation. >> Okay. Just wanted to state I I feel it's In other words, a lot of this is Miss Siobhan, if you're in front of students and you're supposed to be instructing, if you're doing something else, that's a work issue and personnel issue. We will address it. >> I
060can tell you our students will tell us, >> but we don't expect that. We just wanted to do it from the positive lens and this is what we have been having staff members ask what does it mean? So, we wanted to provide that regulation so that they at least know what our expectation is whether it's written or unwritten. >> Yep. I understand that. And I just disagree. >> No thanks. >> Understanding. Thank you. >> Respectfully. >> And I will purely because I'm a lawyer and so I can't help myself. Just uh just not to dispute anything you said, but to be clear in the record, the the document that is you're referring to with number eight is actually the district administration's regulation, which is uh you know comes we as a board have already put
061in place our policy and so the language we're talking about is not in the policy specifically. It's in the district regulation that is um entered into under the superintendent's authority set by policy. So just you know just to be clear it's it is there. It's in the regulation just not technically the policy. Just to be clear. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for the clarification. >> Couldn't help myself. >> I love it Dan. Thank you. I still stand by what I said. Thanks. Julie noted. >> Uh, >> thank you. I just wanted to say um I think there was eight intermediate students that were selected from the music department to participate in a New York State Honor Band and I just wanted to recognize them because that's quite an accomplishment especially at that level. Um so
062kudos to those kids. Good luck to all the um kids starting in sports um next week. Um, and as we all know, there's lots of changes happening, right? So, next time we meet, school is going to be in session. And I would just encourage everyone to stay positive about everything. It will all work out and kids feed all off of us. So, the more positive parents can be about things, the more positive it's going to be overall. Thank you. >> You're here, Matt, please. >> Uh, yes. Again, uh, kudos to Mrs. Whitmore students at the intermediate school. Uh, the honor band program is no easy feat. So, congratulations to her and and those band members. Way to go. Um um I wanted to thank Warren for bringing that up about just general student behavior as
063adolescence are want to do as a high school teacher myself. Um sometimes, you know, they see an inch, they try to take a foot, and we just need to be ready. This is a culture shift, ladies and gentlemen. So, we just need to be ready for everything that's going to come at us. So, thanks for bringing that up, Warren. Um, I wanted to just thank m uh Mrs. Goldway, Mr. Goldway, Mrs. Piaza for having the con uh courage to come on up and and voice your concerns about what's going on over at Big Flats. And just to let you know that your concerns are wellreceived. So, thank you for doing that. Um, and as Julie said or Mrs. Monahan said, thank you. I wanted to thank and wish uh everybody a lot of luck. The
064next time we meet, school will be in session. And I can't uh I can't wait to see the doors open and the energy come back into the building once again. All of the buildings. Uh I want to wish transportation all the luck in the world. I know they've been working tirelessly to get everything organized and ready. And I'm just super excited to see it all executed. And thanks. It's going to be it's going to be great. I'm looking forward to the school year. So, >> thank you. any any other comments? Okay. Well, thank you very much. I'll just briefly reiterate uh my thanks to everyone that's worked so hard behind the scenes to get us ready for the school year. It's it's hard to believe it's almost here. Uh those of us with kids, you
065know, I'm I'm sure are seeing that their sad faces, but think about all those exciting those exciting first day of school photos, right? how and how much uh that means to people and I and the idea of trying to be positive and as a you know we'll get through the the bumps of the initial days and uh we'll have a great year. So thank you to everyone and with that I will move us to adjournment. So is there a motion under item 11 to adjurnn? >> So second >> all those in favor say I. >> I nay. Any no abstensions? Okay, the motion carries and the meeting is adjourned. Thank you.