001So this is the August 5th, 2025 uh business meeting of the horse's board of education. Would you please start u with me by honoring America with 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 first item on our agenda is actually to go into recess for our summer board retreat. And for the benefit of the public, the board retreat is intended to cover only um non-district business matters. We will not be taking any action or discussing any district business. We will be discussing board dynamics such as improving communication, interpersonal relations, and training of the board. And those are all subjects that under New York State open
002meeting law, we can discuss in a private retreat setting. So, can I have a motion to go into recess for the purposes of our summer retreat? >> Second. >> Any discussion or debate on the motion? >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Nay. Or abstensions. Okay. So, we will stand in recess and expect to return for the remainder of the business meeting at approximately 7 p.m. Thank you. Okay, can I have your attention please? The board is coming back from recess during which we had a board retreat focused on communication improvements and interpersonal dynamics. So that was not a there was no public business conducted or discussed, but we did open our our meeting prior to going to recess. We've already said the pledge of allegiance. So we are now at
003item two in the agenda of the uh August 5th, 2025 regular business meeting. So I will start with uh item two which is approval of the minutes. Item 2.01 and 2.02 02. Is there a motion? >> Second. >> Any discussion or debate on the motion? Seeing seeing none, call for a vote. All those in favor approval of 2.01 and 2.02 say I. >> I. All those opposed say nay. No. Any abstensions? The motion carries. >> Item three on the agenda. Agenda changes. There are none that I'm aware of. Dr. Douglas. Okay. So, nothing >> to discuss there. >> Item four on the agenda is the time we have set aside for community questions and comments. And there is a district policy uh as to how that is structured which I know was available for folks
004as they came in and I can cover it if need be. But I would start by saying is there anyone who wishes to address the board this evening during this period 4.01 community questions and comments. If so please approach the microphone. >> You can listen. Hello, my name is Angie Pin Lac. I live at 10 Glider Circle, Almire, New York. I'm hopeful that the retreat was successful in the relationship restoration that you mentioned in team building. There can be no doubt that last year's budget season probably took its toll. I actually hesitated to speak tonight because I found myself voling between frustration and apathy. But I had a glimmer of hope when Dan actually responded to an email that I had sent about the retreat asking if it was open to the public. So, thank
005you Dan for taking the time to um respond and explain. I really do appreciate it. The board has a lot of policies that reference community involvement. Um it really just amounts to a whole lot of talk if I'm honest. Section 0000, section 1,00, and section 2000 are great places to see what the board says they want. But unfortunately, actions speak louder than words in regards to community engagement. If I'm really honest, and I think if you're honest, too, you would probably admit that it's easier to run this board when the community is not involved. Um, I think it's probably less messy. Um but unfortunately I think the postcoid disconnect that has happened in this society has allowed for some pretty significant changes within the district um without without people having the opportunity to speak about
006it before it happens. Um and that can be problematic. For example, people wondered how Center Street got closed, but if they took the time to go back and look, they would see that it was in a newsletter at co time. it was it's just everything seems to be lumped in and not given a spot like a spotlight that um it deserves. So my question is does a current board want the same community disengagement? Um is it your agenda to continue to do the bare minimum to engage your stakeholders? I understand that people are on information overload and it's really easy to ignore what doesn't seem to matter, but if you notice you're in a cycle of reaction and reactivity and you guys vote on things and make things and then the board like the community
007and your staff, they get annoyed and frustrated and then they come here and then they speak, but at that point it's too late. So now you're reacting and I'm just wondering if if maybe that cycle can be stopped. Um, I just want to say I don't think it's enough to post an agenda on the website and expect people to know that there's a meeting because normal people don't come looking for this kind of torture of 3 hours of a board meeting. I don't think it's enough to post a meeting on Facebook and expect people to care enough to see if the agenda has an item that might be of interest to them. And maybe it should be enough because we're adults, right? And and we should care. But I just don't think it's enough. And
008I think that the board needs to to recognize that they have a responsibility to do better um and to highlight areas that you know are going to be a problem for our community. I also don't think it's enough to offer a board of education email for the community when you know darn well you don't see all the emails that you get. Um I mentioned Dan responding, but I also emailed on July 16th regarding the July meeting and that was never responded to. So, I don't know if that wasn't seen or if it was just not deemed important enough to respond, which is the response that I got from the superintendent last time I mentioned that. Um, I also don't think it's enough that the only person that's allowed to speak to a community member is
009the superintendent. I think that's crazy because what he does is rebukes, rebutts, denies, but you guys just sit there with zero intention to reply. And I just I think that that is careless, I guess. Um, I think you have a responsibility in a day and age where nobody shows up to your meetings to make the most of the time that you have with somebody standing here in front of you wanting to communicate. And I think the minute you start to decide that what they say doesn't matter, that's the minute nobody shows up to meetings. Um, so that is what I want to say. I I think that unfortunately the families in this community are struggling under the effects of our own apathy. Um but the board has a responsibility to do better. So thank you.
010>> Thank you for your comments. >> Is there anyone else that would like to utilize the comment period to address the board? Okay, seeing none, we will move to the next item in the agenda, which is item five, the superintendent's report. Dr. Douglas, >> thank you, Mr. Christmas, ladies and gentlemen of the board, uh, community members out there. Um, several little things just because this is sort of a board meeting that's a little bit earlier. So, our meeting agenda isn't as deep because normally we'd have another two weeks, but we'll follow up with anything as n we tried to catch everything we can. The state has come up with the maximum temperature policy that's currently in review and be brought to board as soon as possible because it has to be in place by September
0111st. Unfortunately, the state doesn't give us a lot of opportunities and we have had legal review it to make sure it complies with the intent of the law. In addition, we've been working on as a district the cell phone regulations which will be hopefully finalized within the next week to go out like by the date that we said the 15th. But we have been communicating regularly out with I think already three emails to at least the families have registered as well as on our Facebook as well as on our uh district website in regards to different things such as the new traffic flow in the buildings which will be also emphasized over the next three weeks by each of the building principles I think after this week is concluded as well as the new bus
012patterns the early drop off uh application process of which at this point we've only had roughly 14 people uh reach out for assistance, but we also think that when the uh bus schedules get out as well, we might see an influx, but we have to do that in the next couple of weeks. Uh so all of this communication is going out to the families that are registered and so forth and being shared with those that come in and register. Uh the biggest thing is the traffic flow at all of our buildings. One of the questions that we get constantly is, "You need to do better. You need to do this with traffic flow." I wish I had the magic wand to help all the parents, but uh our building principles tried to explain these are
013the drop off points. It's not wait until you get up to uh the front door to drop off your child. a child has um the ability to walk in and we will need to actually use people to do that especially with the amount of construction going on whether it's at the high high school whether it's at big flats whether it's at gardener road uh ridge road at center street whether it's at the intermediate school which is the most concern uh the biggest thing is if parents assist other parents and do the right thing drop off don't wait pull out move forward So more can drop off. We can actually drop off 20 to 30 kids in each lane at one time. Now that's if everything's perfect. We're not perfect, but we need the parents to
014do this. Other than that, we can't tell parents how to drive their cars, but we're hoping and that's going to be the emphasis of the communication from the building principles. Please try to assist us to make this go as smooth as possible. Uh and that's always been the situation. and I think more so over my 10 years here with the intermediate middle school, but it's going to be compounded by some of the changes for this year. Uh bus routes should be going out on our uh students app on August 7th. Um in addition, we have a variety of extracurricular postings that are going outside, not just internally, but to the outside. So if there are people in the community that wish to apply at this point once it goes outside we have the ability to
015get uh individuals that have skill sets to work with our students for open positions. Uh we are looking with the cell phones just so that you know we have uh applied to get the grant money. It's about I think $18,000 that will be coming in. One of the things in the regulations is the use of backpacks, but we also have to develop the progressive discipline or progressive consequences for that. And we are looking into purchasing a variety of yonder pouches for each of the schools that if it goes up in level, then that would be the area that would have to be sort of the next step for maybe a week or a month or so forth. Uh we don't have the ability at this point in the budget to do it for every kid
0167th through 12, nor does the state give the funding. But I will tell you a lot of our kids once they're talked to the parents explained at the seventh and eighth grade do put them away. We have to be vigilant especially the first couple of months and this will be new for everybody. So we ask for everybody's patience but we also ask for the parents to make sure that they have these discussions with uh their student as well. Uh we are working and you'll start seeing some announcements about athletic ticketing for sen seasons just like we did last year. That's getting in the process of as in two weeks our fall season sort of starts to kick off. So that is one of the things that we put into last year's budget. The athletic department
017is starting to do. In addition, uh we are working on energy rebates. I haven't finalized that, but we see the potential that we may have to expend some money to get the energy rebates. But I think on behalf of the board, on behalf of my administration, we want to try to do as much as we can to be as fiscally efficient as possible. Uh so, but that will take a little investment because it gives a yearly gift back every year for the energy rebates. Uh in addition, um we have already taken a hit to our budget uh for this year and I want the board to know there's nothing we can do about it. It's because the SRO program, the county has opted to provide a waiver for all SRO's in the amount of a
01845 12% or so increase in their salary from 35,000 to 50. Uh I will tell you on behalf of the business department, Katie and my staff, we have reached out to the sheriff's office and we actually had been very forthcoming and worked very diligently with the sheriff. He's very understanding of it because this came after the budget season, but it's about a $90,000 hit to our budget and we all know we don't nobody wants us to cut the SRO's. Uh, we actually had a reasonable understanding that of our I think it's six or seven SRO's, Katie, six, seven, I don't >> six, I believe five of those SRO's had already agreed that they would come for what we worked out with the sheriff. Unfortunately, somebody in the politicalness of this got involved and said nobody
019will be getting uh the work that sheriff in the district did. and we will pay the full cost like every other district without any regard to our budget. So, if we are to keep the SRO's, we have to pay it. I'm not in the position to recommend that we're going to cut our SRO's at this point, but it is something we're going to have to work forward with in the future because basically what this means is they could just raise the price every year. Uh, and I don't think that's the intent, but the board needs to know that because it's an additional almost 100 grand cost. So, we'll try to work it out with the budget throughout the year. Uh, we do know that we are ending with a little surplus from last year, but
020that doesn't mean we try to use it. We want to try to build our budget to be stronger and stronger each year as we go. And we said it would be a one to fouryear process. We're in year two, and I think we are getting stronger, but we'll have to wait and get through this year. Uh, I think that's the vast majority. Uh, we do have a lot of things going on. I appreciate the board for their retreat and discussion tonight for uh unified direction going forward. In addition, uh we do have students finally coming back in two weeks, but construction is taking a toll on everybody and it will for the next year. Uh if you've been over at Rididge Road, one of the biggest things we get asked is, "Well, Rididge Road's coming
021back to Ridge Road in September, correct?" I think we've been very clear in numerous communications out because we have regularly communicated Rididge Road would be closed for one year for the purpose of construction. And plus, when people do I I do ask if they've driven by because if you've driven by Ridge Road, you'll see there's no way you could open that building in what, four, five, five week. I know all the kids want five or six weeks, but I think it's four and a half weeks uh before we return. So, uh, so construction is ongoing. The biggest thing we can hope for is get above ground as soon as possible because once you're above ground, you don't get a lot of the unexpecteds that are below ground. Uh, the board will be going out to
022tour that I think in somewhere around October will be the educational tours. The reason why if anybody wants to see what's going on, this is heavy construction is by February you'll start seeing things start to take shape. So, that concludes that unless somebody has anything for me. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Douglas. Move on to item six. >> Oh, just >> is there qu something to clarify or I'm sorry. >> No, no. Okay, you're good. No, no, that's fine. If there's a question, happy to >> wait for me. >> Um, we'll move to item six in the agenda, finance items for action. There's no audit committee report to discuss at this time. So then we have an action vote for item 6.03 through 6.08. >> Can I have a motion? >> Second. >> Any
023questions or comments on the motion? >> Mr. Conlin. Um I have two questions more for clarification on 6.0. 07 a gift from K12 licensing. I'm just curious what is K12 licensing and on 6.08 I just would um ask for a little bit more detail as to what the the contract means and is there a cost uh to participate in it? Katie, you want to go first and then Tony can follow us? >> Yeah. Okay. >> Uh K12 licensing. Um we see donations from them from time to time. Um you'll see merchandise at Walmart or various locations for horseed gear. We get um proceeds back from such sales. Um so we don't uh we get checks every so often from those sales. Um the 6.08 um is a new um a new organization that um was
024brought together by um several Boseies. Um according to educational law um there are some pretty strict um rules that must be followed to protect student privacy data. Um so every contract with a vendor um that the vendor would have access to student data, we have to go through a process of negotiating with that vendor. Um a very strict um 2D New York State uh edlaw 2D contract to ensure our student privacy data is protected um in accordance to the law. What this does, it creates um sort of like a what we see with u purchasing. It creates a um a consortium of sorts where there's already vendors who have gone through this process, contracts that have already been negotiated, who have already gone through the vetting process of the 2D requirements for student data privacy.
025Uh so we don't have to go through the process of negotiating through our attorneys, expending the cost with our attorneys. The contracts have already been vetted thoroughly and properly properly in accordance with the law. if there's someone who's not on the list that we wish to work with, this group will help negotiate those contracts on our behalf. Um, so it it is a um timesaver for the district. It is a moneysaver for the district. Um, and it's kind of a place where we can go instead of doing things on our own to find contracts to uh for various services for the districts. >> Thank you. And is there a cost for joining the consortium for lack of a better word? >> No. >> Okay, great. Thank you very much. >> Any other members wish to
026speak on the motion? >> Uh yes, I have uh a question on the treasures report for the summary of the end of the school year. Um, so when I look at the adjusted bank balance for the general fund savings, that's at a little over $4 million. So is that our final balance? Like when we were talking about what the budget last year and we were talking about what was going to be left at the end with the general fund, I thought we were right around 3.9, weren't we? So I'm curious if this is an increase from like I think Tom had said there is a little bit of an increase and is this what we are at now? um treasurers reports are reconciliation of cash in the bank which is different than fund balance. >>
027Okay. So um are we what was the so that they're not the same? So is there money already reallocated out of that >> in savings and our bank accounts which is separate apart for the accounting of fund balance. >> Okay. So then some of this money is already going to be accounted for. It's not like we're going to take any of this money and then assign it to different places. Right. >> This is cash. Yes. Okay. So, this is cash that we have on hand. >> Yes. >> Extra or that will be or that will be >> our operating money. Yes. >> Okay. >> So, it's already some of some of this is allocated already, but is some of it unassigned? >> This is our operating cash and how we pay for district operating expenses.
028>> Okay. All right. And then there was a couple of adjustments on that and I was curious about the adjustments and what they won. One was for the federal checking and then the other was for the trust and agency checking. Uh the $484 in trust and agency um is likely a payroll adjustment. Um federal checking um is likely year-end entry um that is done when we close the books. >> Okay. So we were short that then it's likely a movement of money. you'll see um in general fund there's an a positive adjustment. >> Okay. So, that money went back over there. >> Okay. I just wanted to clarify. Um okay, those are my questions. >> Thank you, Julie. >> Thank you. Um I just actually Katie had um for clarification on 6.07, which is the
029K through2 licensing. You mentioned that it's money we get from other places that utilize our branding essentially, right? So, um, and maybe I'm confused, but I thought that just a few months ago, Dr. Douglas, you had mentioned there was an issue with one of the local stores utilizing our branding without authority and permission. So, how do we know what stores have received permission and which ones haven't? >> We don't always know because we operate through a license. >> Okay. I just thought that Walmart was one of the ones that you had mentioned a couple months ago. And so >> I've never heard of anything with Walmart. All of a sudden they went through the new uh resetting of the store. >> Yeah. >> And all of a sudden I see two horse heads logos and
030I'm like, "Okay, where'd that come from?" Okay. >> They may be purchasing through these licenses >> through that K through K12. Okay. >> Usually your big box stores and others usually will go out to a licensing agency. We don't necessarily know all their arrangements. >> Okay. So when we see them, you just double check on them to make sure that they're >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Anyone else have a question or comment about the items pending? Okay. So, call for a vote on the motion. All those in favor of item 6.03 through 6.08 08 say I >> I all those opposed nay. Any abstensions? Okay, the motion carries. Move to item seven on the agenda. We have one item for approval 7.02 the HR recommendations. Is there a motion? >> So move second. >>
031Any questions, comments on 7.02? 02 Sue. >> I would just like to uh recognize uh Patricia Carile, I believe is her last name. She will retire as being a special education teacher and just thank her for her years of service for our district. >> Here, here. Other other comments, questions? Julie? Um I saw that um K2 we are losing a social worker. Um is that a position that is going to be replaced? I am Am I missing something? I didn't see an appointment of one. Thank you, >> Katrina. Um I had a question um on the C one and two there is no um salary posted for those positions. >> The res. Oh, those are resignations. I'm sorry. Okay. Okay. And then the other thing that I had a question on are um I'm counting
032that on K 3 through 7 that is um five teaching assistant positions um that are resigning. And I know that there was quite a bit of discussion about um TAs and some of them that were reading teacher assistants and that those reading teacher assistants would then be reassigned to different roles. Are these were these people reading teacher assistants? No, but they're just different various teacher assistants. Do we plan to are we trying to fill all of those five positions? >> Yes. Okay. >> Any other board members wish to speak on the motion? >> Okay. Seeing none, I'll call for a vote. All those in favor of item 7.02 say I. >> I. Any opposed? Nay. Any abstensions? Okay. Okay, the vote carries. We have two items under miscellaneous items for action, 8.02 and 8.03. Can
033I have a motion? >> Second. >> Any comments or questions on the motion? Okay. Call for a vote. All those in favor of 8.02 and 8.03. 03 say I >> I any opposed? Nay. Any abstensions? Hey, the motion carries. Item nine, board policies. Uh there's no there hasn't been any policy committee meeting since our last board meeting. So there's no report at this time, nor are there any policies for either first or second review. So then we move to item 10, board president report and board member comments under 10.01. Uh all I'll say is that I very much appreciate the my the board members participation in our retreat and I think it uh will hopefully be a very productive year for the board. There is one item uh the committee assignments. I appreciate everyone responding
034to the email from Terry for committee assignment preferences and uh I've reviewed that along with um Dr. Douglas and we'll we'll be putting out the assignment. So, I think Terry can make that available to the board uh via email or in the update, but we did our best to accommodate everyone's first preference and then uh I think everyone else is assigned in terms of the auditor or policy committee and then the superintendent's ad hoc committees have members assigned. I think each person is assigned to three. So if there's any questions once you see the committee assignments feel free to reach out but that will be coming and then I'm not sure when the then the meetings will have to be scheduled uh and so watch your you know email for that um in terms of
035them being scheduled. I don't have any other comments in the president's report. So 10.02 I would open it up for board member comments. Sue. >> Um I would just like to say um my husband Ed had his 50th class reunion in July and on Saturday um July 26, Samantha Ike met about 75 classmates and people interested in taking a tour of the high school and the facilities here. And that night you you only heard positive and happy things and how wonderful a job Sam did with having 70 people there. Um so I would just like to say thank you for her for giving up her time and doing that and everyone who attended was very appreciative. They put a lot of pictures up about it of the school and everything. So thank you very much.
036Of course, others they had a really good time. Matt, >> uh, yeah, I wanted to just give an accolade. Um, I know that with all the construction everybody's talking about and all the athletic camps that we've had during the month of July and into August, um, I seem to be hearing some music and marching directions from my house that happen to be the marching band that's been getting ready for their competitive season uh, that started this past week. And I wanted to just uh give some compliments out to John Carlo Levano, uh Brandon Johnson, and the rest of the marching band staff that they're uh working hard to get ready for the beginning of the school year, too. And I'm just so happy to hear the music in the air. >> Have you heard the
037metronome? >> Oh, you can't not hear the metronome. >> You can hear that from miles. Yeah, I can hear it in my house. >> Yeah, just way to go, guys. Super proud. You >> remember that, right? >> Thank you. others. Aaron, >> I also wanted to say thanks for a great retreat everybody. Um uh a couple of things I wanted to ask a question about. Um number one, the cell phone policy coming um that we need to have in place. Tom, I think this is more of a direct question for you. Um, can you expand at some point on are we utilizing backpacks? >> The regulations aren't done at this point, but they are we said they'd be out by August 15th, but I will tell you, as I've said to the board before, we
038are going to utilize as much levity as we can. They always have the lockers, middle school and high school. Um, but the students will have their backpacks as long as they keep them off, keep them away from the time that they're in school to the time that they leave, even in lunchrooms, even in the hallway is the law. Um, but on buses, they can utilize them. So, be appropriate and as long as they're doing what's expected, the administration is working on what will happen if consequences are needed. And like I said, we'll be looking at some type of a yonder purchase as being part of that as well. >> I'm just I'm curious and the reason I ask is because anything that I've reviewed on the cell phone policy from New York State, it states
039that backpacks are not a viable option. >> Has that changed? >> No. What happened was is that is a directive from the governor. It is not part of the law. She is overstepping her bounds legally. Our legal authority said we can use the backpacks. The governor even said you could not use lockers. >> So I'm wondering if there was a donation from a certain political action maybe for pouches. >> Understood. Yeah. Understood. Thank you for that clarification because I think that can be confusing. Yes. Right. So thank you for that. >> It caught all the superintendents off guard. >> Yeah. Okay. Um the second thing and I'm hoping that this is the appropriate time I did bring up previously to our board uh the importance of coming alongside our administrators, teachers, staff, parents, community and
040our students. As this cell phone policy goes into effect, it is going to be a time period of adjustment. And I think it is really critical that we as a collective community, all of us together have to think about what is best for kids, right? That's why we're here. That's why we operate. Uh I did share with the collective board before. Um again, I have a prop. So I have read this book called The Anxious Generation. How the great rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness. I think this is mislabeled actually. I think it should be pandemic of mental illness. Um it is written by Jonathan Hate. H A I Dt. I think that this is one of the most critical readings for anybody that is going to be implementing this policy,
041but anybody in our community that would like to see improved mental health within our children, uh, more connectedness in communities and for children to become children again. Um, and I would like to ask and share and bring this to the attention of the district and the administrators if this is even something that could go as far as possibly being utilized by uh staff and teachers and anybody really uh to help us map out a plan for how we can help our students and our parents adjust to this new policy. policy new way of thinking, new way of bringing back childhood to our students. So I am advocating for that and thought it important to share during comment section. Thank you. >> Thank you >> Julie. Okay, just to piggyback um slightly off of Aaron's first
042comment about the cell phone policy. Um Dr. Douglas, can you tell us you said the 15th would be kind of when everything will be finalized? Um what is the rollout plan? Um can you share a little bit about that? What the rollout plan as far as communication is to the families in the district to make everyone prepared? >> Well, we've already actually started that by telling them that it was coming in each of the three. There will be another one that will come out. I think we're working on it for tomorrow to put out right before the busing. In the next one, we are shifting it to the administrators of their buildings because that's really where they're going to have their most conversation. The building administrators need to have the regulations, which we've already talked
043with them. Now we have to finalize and then they will be rolling it out just like I will have a link to each in our emails for the policy the regulation uh as well as what we've done with each of the main topic items that's generally the roll out and then it's going to be shifted to the buildings for traffic flow the cell phone policy u as it's should be going forward for the start of school but that will give them a good two to three weeks of communication and beyond. Okay. >> Will that mirror also um maybe some highlights on social media of check your emails for updated um cell phones and different things. >> On that she just she just put up something about parent >> it we don't want to say vacation
044planning but it's for parent planning uh for key dates. It's a it's a new thing that's coming up. So she'll be working on something like that so that people know these are some of the tools. And one of the things we can also do is recommend that. One of the things we can do is I don't know what it said. So uh recommend that um maybe they should look at some of the resources like the book anxious generation. That's that would be a good thing for parents because often times the parents don't think of that as well. uh what do we do right off the bat in general when we have a young child and we go out we give them something to take care of their time um and that's a rethinking that's going
045on and I think that book hits it wonderfully >> thank you okay so then my next question um probably also for you Dr. regardless is you mentioned a $90,000 increase to the budget um right off the get-go for the SRO program. Can you um tell me are the who defines the because they are a contracted employee who defines the expectations and the accountability for those SRO's in the building essentially who do they report to right >> uh any SRO program is under the opaces of their legal authority so they report to the sheriff's department and it's a partnership if we have a problem we do our due diligence and talk if there's an accountability issue. We have done that. We've had those issues in the past. Uh and there's been a great two-way streak between
046the sheriff uh and the district. I'm more concerned about the fact that it's a cost and I believe the sheriff has been straightforward trying to help us. I do believe it's outside of his control. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, I also want to thank everyone um, on the board for the retreat. Um, and then I also want to give a kudos to Terry Clark um, for all your help and support setting up the retreat um, in making sure that we had everything we needed. So, thank you for that. Um, it was brought to my attention earlier in the meeting that the live stream was not working. Um, I do believe it's being filmed. So, I do apologize to any of those community members who are not able to watch us live. Um, one of the
047public speakers today brought up um, board emails and um, perhaps it's something the board can discuss on why maybe all of us don't get a copy of those emails. I know we wouldn't all respond. I know we wouldn't want to re have it that way, but it's something that I think has kind of been a topic that has been brought up in the past about people not knowing that the board they've emailed the board and us not receiving it. So perhaps that is something that we could add to our agenda to talk about and see um if that's something that we could fix where at least we could all get copies of that. Um and then the other comment was that sometimes it feels that people aren't being heard and um I've been on the
048other side. I think we all have before we ran for board or maybe while um you know in different roles, but I just want to assure anyone who does come to speak that you are being heard and that we do appreciate everyone being here. Thank you. >> Thank you, Julia. And I'll respond u to the question you pose about emails. So, I know we did talk about that uh and I think in the meeting following the organizational meeting in the board member comments section and I have some what I would propose is that I as a board president working with the vice president um talk to the district administration about what would be feasible and then come back with a proposal to the board understanding the intent being that the board be able to see
049emails that are submitted. Uh but obviously we for um you know open meeting law reasons and others we can't have a sort of free flow of communications amongst the nine board members. So we can come back with a proposal and then talk about that in a in the next meeting if that works. >> That'd be great. Thank you. >> All if you can emphasize all have been for >> Yeah. I mean to be clear, >> never not >> the the practice and since I became board president and I know it was the practice previously is that the emails to that address were for are forwarded. I've seen the the ones that were referenced during the public comment period um and uh so they are seen and um responded to you know as appropriate but we
050can we can improve the process as you know in the in the interest of continuous improvement. I think that's a good topic to discuss. >> Okay. And I just want to clarify, you said they're forwarded. They aren't I don't receive them. So, they're forwarded to who? >> To the board president. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry, Cara. Go ahead. >> Thank you. I just wanted to make a few comments and uh have a couple questions and suggestions. Can you guys hear me? Right next to me. Okay. Um, first of all, Dan and Sue, thank you for the board retreat. I really felt welcomed and I think it was nice to do that. I mentioned something. Did you guys do this last year? And no, you didn't do that. And I think it was really nice
051to kind of get to know everyone and have that retreat. And thank you, Terry, for all the organizing you did for that as well. Um, I just want to thank Angie for coming and speaking. I think community involvement is key and the nine of us are here on the board to serve the community. That's why we're all here. And I think being on the board, we should directly hear from the community. Many other boards around us, uh, board members can be emailed directly. You can go on their websites and see if someone wanted to email me directly, I would have a personal email on there. I think this is something that should be added to the agenda and that we should be able to hear from the community because the community has put their trust
052in us by voting us to be on the board. So, they should trust that if I receive an email from a community member, I will of course share it with everyone on the board. Obviously, we can't get into a big discussion. I also see where other boards have meetings and they communicate obviously respectfully with people in the community who come in and I think we can get more community involvement in in a positive manner if we as board members don't just stare at someone while they come in. Sometimes an issue is addressed and sometimes it's not. And I think we should do a better job with that because we are here to serve the community. Um the last thing I just wanted clarification from Dr. Douglas on. Um I'm just a little confused at the
053middle school. I have kids that go to the school. You can probably drop off cuz there's two lanes, but I don't know how you can drop off two lanes cuz one lane would cut across the other. I would just see it as like one lane of driving and dropping maybe 15 kids off and then you can use the other lane to go around. Is that what it's going to be? That's all I want clarification. Thank you. >> You're actually bringing up a great point which will be on the diagrams that come out. There's actually going to be two sides of the drop off lane. There's an internal parking lot lane and then there's the regular one which you're referring to which is closest to the overhang. What happens is it was always built that it
054could be expanded that both of those lanes one on the inside of the what are they called >> crosswalk? No. >> What's the the guard rail? That's what it is. The one on the inside of the guardrail is meant that you can come on the inside loop and then go straight out. That's why we built that sort of merge area. And then there's the outer loop which comes by the overheads that is going to be utilized and signed for the start of next year. Most likely, if I recall, the middle school is going to use the guardrail side. The intermediate school will use the side that's closest to the building. And that way it trip it actually almost triples the amount of students that can get off once they pull up to one of the
055curbs. >> How can kids cross? Because if you're on the inside of the car, you have to walk across traffic to immediate traffic. >> There is only there is only two places to cross and it is activated by a warning light and there will be people out there. That is a crosswalk which parents are required. Remember, parents aren't um exempt from using good judgment in the parking lot. they are responsible. That second lane is a passing lane. In other words, say you've got somebody that stops in front of stops in front of you and they're getting out their soccer bag or something, which they aren't supposed to do. They're supposed to be ready to kiss and go on that passenger side, get out and go. Uh but say for some reason they do officially in
056that two lanes, you can move over to the left and and go. uh we try to say just be very cautious on it. That's the big thing. But the crosswalks are governed by the push buttons as well as a person's there. And if somebody enters into that crosswalk, they are governed by law that they must stop for a pedestrian. >> Hopefully that helped. >> Yes, that helped. And since I'm new to the board, not 100% sure how this works, but Dan, if you want to add what I mentioned about emails onto what Julie kind of mentioned and kind of discuss that, that would be great for our agenda for the next time. >> Yeah, I did note that, Cara. And I um one thing I would just note, I I I think you mentioned you
057might have used the word private email that it is important to understand that any district email is subject to FOIA and is um it would be, you know, essentially public records. uh so there would be district email. I think that what I want to explore is is there a way again because we want to avoid a circumstance where there are individualized communications or any violations of a quorum requirement where there can be a receipt but you know not uh for viewing purposes but not a responsibility. So there's a technical com uh conversation I think we need to have but I will add in your thoughts on that and then um we can either update the board in an update and then but I think it's an appropriate it is an appropriate item to have discussion
058on in a future board meeting. I agree. >> Just to I think to clarify Dan's once you put out your personal email and say you can contact me on board matters or school district business your whole personal file your whole computer becomes totally subject to foil. That's why we highly recommend do not use it. Use only the board channels because no matter what you are obligated to preserve and retain all information. It's not Hillary Clintonist, but it's sort of that dynamic. We want to protect board members and your privacy. >> Yeah. And and the second thing you noted, I mean, I it's uh I would agree and I there is a board policy that uh 2370 that talks about our public participation period at board meetings and it does allow for response from the board
059president kind of but states that the intent generally is that it's meant to be an opportunity to hear from the public as opposed to have a back and forth dialogue. uh because it's not necessarily the most constructive um kind of time to have a conversation like that, but I certainly as a board president will be willing to respond in accordance with the policy when need be. And I agree with the sentiment that if we can do that um in a way that still maintains kind of what we're trying to do with the period, the it's something we can consider. So I noted that comment as well. Any other um board members wish to speak? I'm sorry, Christine. Go ahead. >> Um just a question about uh fall sports starting. So, I saw on the district
060website where it talks about um the hiring and the open positions and it looks like there's still >> um four head coaches that are still open for the fall and then two um assistant coaches. So, just wondering, you know, are we at risk of not being able to have those sports? >> Can you tell me what positions you're talking? >> So, football modified assistant, um, two two positions >> that those positions are because we don't know if we will have both teams and not right now, but there are some people in line. So, that one >> um, girls varsity swim head coach. >> Uh, I believe they have that wrapped up. They're just going through the final >> pro process. modified head cheerleading coach. >> Uh I believe the same thing there. >> Okay. And
061then both girls and boys head head tennis coaches. >> I I think it's only one. Just Caitlyn. Is it just >> one's fall, one's spring? >> Oh, okay. They're both listed under fall. >> Yeah, we're trying to look. Preferably if you can get one, they'll usually take both. >> Oh, because it it's also listed under spring, right? But but yes, so I just wanted to make sure that we weren't at risk at not being able to offer those for the students. >> I know Damen is still working on it. >> Got it. Okay. All right, that's all I had. Thanks, >> Sue. >> I too. I forgot to mention everybody who came earlier today to do the um retreat. I think it was a a good stepping stone. Uh Terry, thank you for organizing the
062food for us. Um, it's a good start uh for the school year, but I will always say there's always work to be done, but it was a definitely a good start. And thank you for everyone who came and gave up their evening um to do this. >> Agreed. Katrina. >> Yeah. So, I have to echo some of the comments that were also made. My um concern with the SRO's is the 90,000 and I wasn't sure if it's possible to reach back out to Horseids to see if I know at one point in time we had a contract with the village of Horids and they were coming to be our SRO if there's another agency that we can look at if that's going to be >> okay there isn't another one. So, I think that this
063should be something that probably is placed on the agenda upcoming to try to figure out what we're going to do cuz $90,000 is a lot of money um >> I mean >> to think about with the budget. So, I think that that's going to be like an update next month would be important to try to figure out like what we're going to do, what the plan is for that long term. >> Well, the money the money is coming from the budget whether we overspend it or not. There's no other plan. It's either that or the board tells me to cut them. >> That's the problem. That's why I'm telling you tonight so that you know we are going to address it in the budget so that because the board did not want to make those
064cuts. I don't believe the community did. So right now it's just an ongoing float in the budget. And if we end up in the black like we did this this year it's not impactful, but we've got to make sure we put it into next year's budget. But there's nothing we can do. We can't adjust the budget unless the board wishes me to cut something to balance that 90 out, which I do not believe the board wishes to do at this point. >> But if you'd like to have a discussion, just tell me right now. We'll come to you with a plan as soon as possible. >> Okay. I think that this was like one of the bigger pieces that we did have. It's been on it's been part of our budget discussions for the last
065couple of years. So, I think that maybe it should be a discussion that we have. Um, the other thing that I did want to talk about is the emails, too. And Cornney, they have their own separate emails. Um, there's a lot of different school districts that I've looked up. They even have cell phone numbers available right underneath for people to be able to reach out to. And I do think it's really important that we put ourselves out there to the community to be able to communicate to as open as possible so people have the means to be able to try to communicate. um you know any channel that we can have open for people to be able to communicate with us is important and I really think that that's something that needs to change and
066not just a discussion respectfully between you know you guys Dan and Sue and the administration. I think that's a board discussion on what the board wants to have done if they want to have emails or not to have emails. I kind of feel like that's like a board as a whole discussion. Um, I have emailed open media law about this conversation before and they're okay with board communications even on policies as long as you have presented it to the public prior to. But if somebody's near with a concern from the community, we would know and have enough sense because we have trained whether or not we can respond to them, whether or not we have to put them in the right direction to talk to whether or not this is a personal issue or who
067they have to communic communicate to. So I think that that's you know us and part of the training that we go through. So I think that's important. Um I usually thank you for coming continuously and speaking and bringing your comments. It's a really hard thing to be able to do on a regular basis but I appreciate hearing from you every single time. I think it's important that you continue to come and advocate for um the things that you think are important and and I love to hear from you. Um, and I do think it's important that we do address people who come and speak to us. Um, I mentioned a wonderful book. I was clicking on my books on Audible. Sorry, that's cuz I wanted to. That's was my voice was um earlier. Um, because
068I have a book that I would like to suggest to a boy. I suggested it to my sister and my mother and a little bit to Dani. And the book is called great on their behalf and it is by AJ Krabel and he talks about being an effective school board and focusing on student outcomes AJ and C R A B I L. And the book is called Great on Their Behalf. and he um was somebody who was brought up in poverty um homeless. Ended up having a teacher who inspired him, helped him. He failed he became a school board member and ultimately some school board fail. And one of the biggest things um when talking about like our big goals and aspirations and where we're going to might be student outcomes. And one of the
069things that he talks about that I think is excellent is if you are not focusing 50% of your board meetings on student outcomes, then you're doing a disservice to children because you're not you will not improve scores. And this he's wonderful. is inspiring and I think that this would be an excellent step for all of us because I think everyone is here because they have a heart a heart that cares and a heart that wants to serve the community and ultimately I think that we all care about children right and test school doesn't say anything but we want to be able to have standards and we want to be able to focus our energy on our children and um something that he talks a little bit in book two is that student outcomes do not
070change unless adult behavior changes. So I think that this is something that is really um close to my heart right now and that I have been passionate about and I think that he really puts into words a lot of the things that I am frustrated about or that I can't communicate well to the board or I want to um so that so I think we need to put that on the agenda for next time we all come to the table and we have our time to talk about what we would like to do collectively um for that I think we can do that or if you guys wanted to do that tonight that would be fine. And um but I also do think the other piece is talking about when somebody comes and speak to
071us. the does does does the conversation that they brought to us does that go as a topic to the agenda for next time or this is where you confront your evolution because we have had a topic discussion on this previous but I think I think we can definitely improve on that and we would like to um because that's what life sense has always been about is you know we're always working harder to try to do better Right. So, um those are my comments in from the previous meeting. I did want to go into executive session from that meeting with the meeting. They said wait because mine's not here. So, then we were waiting but that's for later. So I think after this just like for a brief one >> you'll have to refresh my recollection
072on and obviously you have to state it. What what would be the purpose of the of an executive session? >> Um it was a superintendent's contract. >> We was a question I said we can't discuss it because it it has to do with that and you guys said well we can't do that because Roy already left the meeting. So if you guys I can upload it to the next meeting. I get that. But I just that was something that was from previous. So that's all. But those are um all the comments and thank you to you for all your hard work and I did enjoy um you know getting to know people on a personal level and having those discussions with everybody this evening. It was nice. >> Okay. Any other board members who haven't
073spoken would like to make a comment? Looks like >> I'd just like to know what our time limits are on speaking. We've had multiple board members during this time speak more than 5 minutes. Is that not a goal any longer? >> Uh it is a goal and I was doing my best to try to keep the time. Um you know I think it becomes a little bit difficult when you've got an interpersonion of response and comment. So, I'm sure I'll get better at it, but the goal is 5 minutes, but then you um I think under our policy then there's a supplemental time after every member has spoken of three additional minutes. So, it's an eight, it's eight altogether. >> All right. So I do have a question about that because the norms were about
074when you're discussing topics but this board member comment time now seemingly has become a time when people can make motions and discussion on things that are not on agendas. Is that what this has evolved into at this point? I mean, when I came on the board, it was, you know, kind of a happy time to say the baseball team did great, congratulations. The um play is great, you know, things like that. Now, it seems like it's a second agenda. We're we're proposing different things and being asked to make consideration. So, I don't know. And I guess where I was starting is is it a five and three for board member comments too because the five and three were for discussions of topics on the agenda. So I don't know. I I I just want to
075know purpose of the time. >> Well, quite frankly, I don't believe we have covered in our written policies any specific guidelines for board member comments. I think it's exactly what it says it is. It's a period of time where board members subject to other restrictions like confidentiality of executive session or individual action can speak their mind. Uh if we think that there should be some structure or specific rules and requirements around it, I think that'd be something we'd have to take up as a potential policy. But I I don't there may be kind of, you know, typical practices about how it was utilized in the past, but to my knowledge that's not in a policy, but um I'm saying that off of memory. So, it's something we can seek to clarify. Uh, and but then
076I think if it's not in a policy, that would be what we'd have to do as a board if we wanted to impose some structure around it to be. Yeah. If I'm speaking freely and in the um aspects of bringing us together as a board, I am in favor of allowing us as board members to speak our minds during the community comment time. I think it's an appropriate time and I think it's a healthy time. >> I'm sorry. >> I was just want to clarify. I wasn't saying people couldn't speak their minds. I was saying is there a time limit on how long they can speak their mind? That's all. I wasn't saying don't speak your mind. >> Right. I want to clar I think you might have misspoken. You said community comment time. >>
077I apologize. Board comment time. >> Okay. Just for the record. >> Thank you for the correction. >> Right. And I and I don't believe other than where we impose the time limits around board members generally in the discussion of a motion that there's another time limit. So >> I was looking to adopt sort of the spirit of that as part of the board member comment period, but that would be something we could um clarify and you know change as a board. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Uh I just wanted to throw out there I think the reason that a lot of us are bringing up the things that we want to discuss during board comments is because um it's difficult to sometimes say you know hey on the agenda I'd like to have this you
078know we have it set up that we each we have one person who's picked and there's an agenda and then there's a meeting but I think that if we allowed all board members to actively say we would like to can we have this on the agenda or this is something that's on the agenda. I kind of think that Robert's rules uses it, you know, like as unfinished business when they start things. It's like, you know, you have your business for that night and then there's people can add in unfinished business and then that is like the rolling over of that becomes the next meeting. So I think because we haven't really in the past board members haven't really been able to use or say this is like this is what I'd like to have added
079to business and have that as a discussion. I think that's why we are all trying to get what we would like to talk about in the comments. So, I think that it would flow better if I understand that we have long agendas and that meetings times need to be managed. But if we maybe improved the way that we allowed people to put something on the agenda, you know, like Aaron was talking about the book, if she was able to say, "Hey, I'd like to have a discussion about this and and was able to put that onto the agenda as a board member." And even though it's not her month to go do the agenda setting meeting, she's able to get that on there. Then we can have that as, you know, prep. We're going to
080talk about this. It engages people. people come, we talk, and then it's kind of it's there. No, other than have nine every single month. No, you know, that's why it's kind of like that rotational thing where, you know, something might still be tabled, but it's coming up in the rotation and then you kind of like set your agendas in that way. But I think that would also keep the comment sections down a little bit. So, I just wanted to add that in there as food for thought. >> Okay. I'm I'll just quickly respond to that and then we're going to wrap this up. So, you have always been able to and should feel free to email me as the board vice uh president or the board board vice president. We attend all the agenda setting
081meetings, and I'm more than happy to receive your suggestions for something on the agenda. I don't think you've emailed me anything over the course of the the month that I've been board president, but if you had something, I'd be certainly willing to consider it. Uh we do have a policy that goes into detail about how agendas are set and it you're correct that in if something if a board member proposes something and it's not added to the agenda um you have the ability to see if there's board support for that in the board comments period. So you're entirely correct. I'm just welcoming you to solicit that um ahead of send it ahead of time and I'd be more than happy to consider it and we see if we can do it. But ultimately the bis
082this is a business meeting of the board of education where the goal is to conduct the business and um you know take action on required district business. So not every item would be ripe for discussion in that context is my view. Uh but we have processes and I'm more than willing to consider items for the agenda. So feel free to send them of course. So, with that, I'm going to call. Is there um item 13? I think we're through our formal agenda. Well, sorry. You Katrina, you brought up in order to go into executive session. We'd have to have a motion for that. Um, is that something that you want to pursue? Yeah. Well, I think maybe if I could we can we could dis as the board president, I'd like to understand better what
083the issue or the question is and then we can maybe facilitate that discussion um better at a future meeting. Like for example, I don't know that any of us have a copy of superintendent's contract on us to talk about it, right? So, I'm not sure what exactly the question is, but I think that'd be >> and there is no negotiations going on either. that I need to be aware of what you want to be. >> May I? Um, so there during um the times of the negotiation, there were some questions that had gone back to the former board president. He was going to speak to the attorneys and respond to answers and get answers to the board members on those. Those answers never came. We never received any answers on those and they ended up
084in the contract and that was the issue. >> Okay. Well, I think it'd be more constructive to try to, you know, I don't know whether or not those conversations were had if we have those answers. I think it'd be worthwhile to try to collect that information and then be prepared for an executive session discussion on it. Yeah, that would be helpful to, you know, the more we can talk about these things ahead of time and be prepared, the more um constructive and effective the meetings will be. I think that's a good thing to try to keep in mind. So, can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Nay. Extensions. Okay. Meetings adjourned. Thank you. >> Thank you.