001Good evening everyone and welcome to the April 21st, 2026 regular business meeting of the Huntington Union Free School District School Board. Can I have a motion to open the meeting? One from Kelly, a second from Jenna. All in favor? That's everyone. Mr. Palasios and Dr. McCallian will not be joining us this evening. It is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education enter into executive session to discuss specific legal, collective bargaining, personnel, and other matters in accordance with the open meetings law. Can I have an a motion to open exec John and a second from Kelly? All in favor? That's everyone. We'll be back at 7:30. Thank you. Good evening everyone. Welcome back to the April 21st, 2026 regular business meeting. Can I have a motion to exit executive session, please?
002From Tom, second from Kelly. All in favor? That is everyone. Um, can I please have a motion to enter into the regular meeting? Motion from John and a second from Jenna. All in favor? That is everyone. Please stand for 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. >> Just a reminder um that we have two exits in the back of the room and two exits in the side of the room on the off chance that there is an emergency. and the Huntington Union Free School District is a smoke-free facility and district. Um, that brings us to our minutes for the April 13th, 2026 board of education meeting. Um,
003it is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board approve the minutes from the meeting of April 13th. Can I get a motion, please? Tom, and a second from John. All in favor? Any questions about minutes? Okay. Uh uh we have an FYI of budget transfers uh to um cover the costs of different budgetary transfer procedures. Anybody have any questions on the budget transfers? No. Okay. I don't need a motion motion for that. Right. Uh that brings us to board member communications and announcements. Do we not have Emily tonight? any of my fellow board members have any comments? Um I would like to personally just thank um Tara Poli and the board of Heffy. Um it was a wonderful night um at the um Harbor Club at Prime uh celebrating the Huntington School
004District and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Sarantino. um they always put on a great um a great event um and hopefully raised a lot of money that will come back to our district. Um I also wanted to congratulate the marching band and again the band parents association of Huntington did a fantastic job um with their pancake breakfast if you haven't ever been. The pancakes are really good. It supports the the marching band and it's a a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning. So thank you to them. Anybody else have anything they want to add? Great, Miss McCoy. So, for the third quarter, our secondary report cards were posted on April 17th. So, for all you parents in the audience tonight, let's take a look at those report cards if we haven't already. Uh, and our
005elementary report cards will be posted this Friday, April 24th. Uh, we also have the first of many senior celebrations coming up with the distinguished seniors dinner on April 30th. We are looking forward to that event. AP exams begin the week of May 4th and we have a SEPTA fundraiser coming up on May 7th at 700 p.m. So, please attend and show your support. Uh, in the area of athletics, uh, fine and per I'm sorry, in the area of athletics, I'm sorry, in the area of fine and performing arts, uh, we have our Huntington High School Honors Ensemble Concert on April 22nd at 7:30 p.m. Uh, band fiesta coming up on April 25th. I believe the performance is at 2:00, but students have to be there much earlier around 9:00. That's a very special event. I
006really don't know many other districts that have their 4 through 12 uh grades 4 through 12th grade students come together to perform. It's really quite a special event. Uh so we're looking forward to that. Uh we have our HBDMBB open house coming up on Wednesday, April 29th at the high school from 6:00 to 8. So for anyone interested in joining our marching band or learning more about it, that's a great info session for you to attend. And then we have our string fiesta which is very similar to the band fiesta but with our string instruments on May 9th. Uh I also wanted to mention that Project Excel of the Huntington Youth Bureau facilitates an annual writing contest called Huntington Youth Rights which is open to students in grades 4 through 12 who go to school
007in the township of Huntington. We have four Huntington students who placed in their respective grade and submission categories in this contest. The winners are Kaylee Bonitez, uh, third place 9th through 12th grade poetry from Huntington High School. Mildred Hernandez, third place 9th through 12th grade essay, Huntington High School. Genevies Spursel, first place fourth through fifth grade short story from Woodhall Intermediate School. And Salom Zuliaga Rivera, third place, fourth through fifth grade short story from Woodhall Intermediate School. Our winners will all be recognized at the Huntington Youth Rights Awards Ceremony that will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at Stimson Middle School in Huntington Station from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Uh just a couple of notes and I know Dr. Harris will talk about this a little bit further. Uh we are awaiting the governor's executive
008budget. Um so at this time we will be moving forward a bit uncertain of our revenue. It's very difficult to plan a budget when you're not sure of what's coming in from the state. Uh but we are doing our best with the information that was provided to us in January. Um we're hoping to get more than we're expecting, but at this time we're planning for what was shared in the January version of the budget. Uh and I'd just like to remind everyone to vote for the school budget on May 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh while you're voting, please stop at our district-wide art show, which is open all day long and showcases the amazing talents of our students in grades K through 12. Uh, and we also have our fashion show, which
009is probably one of the my favorite events that we offer at 400 pm and 7 pm. Um, we really have it set up like if you've never seen it, it's just awesome. The kids come out in all of the um, designs that they've created throughout their coursework and they're wearing them or they have a model wearing them and they do the whole strut down the runway and it's just awesome. So, if you can come at 4 and or 7, uh, you'll be able to see that as well. Um, thank you. Thank you so much. That brings us to our first public commentary of the evening. We will have two public commentaries. Generally, we reserve the first one 30 minutes um for any item for action or discussion on our agenda. If time allows, you can
010go on to other topics and the second one is open to anything you'd like to discuss. Does anyone care to participate in public commentary at this time? Okay, that brings us to our items for action and discussion. So, we will start tonight with our AP honor roll presentation which will be provided by Dr. Ricky Papandria, uh, director of school counseling, K to2, and Miss Michelle Brown, Huntington High School principal. Thank you. Good evening everyone. We are here to talk about our AP honoral recognition for 2025. My name is Rochelle Brown and I'm the proud principal of Huntington High School. >> And I'm Dr. Ricky Papandria, the director of school counseling and testing K12. Huntington High School this year was recognized with the AP Honoral Silver distinction. Um, same distinction as what we had last year
011as well as adding on the AP access award. So, the metrics in order for a school to be designated on the honor role are three categories. College culture, college credit, and college optimization. College culture is the percent of students in the graduating class who took an AP exam at any point in high school, regardless of the score they obtained. College credit is the percent of students in the graduating class who scored three or better on AP on any AP exam in high school. And college optimization is the percent of students in the graduating class who took five or more AP exams in high school where at least one exam was taken in ninth or 10th grade. So taking a look at our results from uh the class of 2025. Um we for our college optimization
012we were at 16% which put us in the platinum level. Uh for college credit we were at 44% which put us in the gold level. And for college culture, we are at 50% which puts us in the silver level. So our goal um as a administrative team is to work on increasing our college culture numbers by increasing access to AP courses and getting a higher percentage of students within the graduating class uh to be enrolled and to take an AP exam. So, the AP access award recognizes schools on the AP school honor role that demonstrate a commitment to broadening access to advanced coursework. To qualify, a school's percentage of AP exam takers from under reppresented, minority, and or lowincome backgrounds must mirror the overall school demographics, ensuring equitable participation in AP exams. So, a little
013bit of the information uh AP information about Huntington High School. Uh Huntington High School was in the top 20 uh 26% of all AP schools in the United States earning that silver distinction. There were a total of 1710 uh high schools in the United States and Canada that received that distinction um of silver out of the 5,723 schools that um that participated in uh or were recognized by the AP honor role. Um there were about 11% of schools that earned that um silver distinction. Huntington High School is also among 13% of schools in the United States to offer the AP Capstone program, which is the combination of our AP seminar and AP research um program. Uh and that's out of over 40,000 high schools nationally. And Huntington High School had a 38.6% uh of the
014453 AP students receive an AP scholar distinction, which is a significant increase, and we're looking to increase that number in future years as well. So we just continue to thank to thank the board of education, the superintendent, the deputy superintendent, assistant superintendent for your support of our AP program. Again, as Dr. Papandria said, as we continue to collaborate, we continue to set our eye on the gold distinction and then in the future the platinum distinction. >> Thank you very much. [applause] We generally honor a lot of our AP students in the fall and we usually do this presentation at the same time, but this information was not available when we did that presentation in the fall. So, that's why we're doing it this evening. We wanted to make sure we highlighted all the great work
015that's taking place uh at Huntington High School and also in the years prior to prepare the students for these accomplishments. Uh so, at this time, I would like to ask some of our principles to come up who are here. I can't see them beyond the podium, but I see Miss Morrow. I see Miss Campbell. I think I see Miss Rafel. Yes, there she is. And Miss Brown, who will be presenting our student recognition awards this evening. I would ask that when your name is called, you come up to receive your certificate, you'll walk down over to the end where Mr. Cusack is while we go through the presentation. And then after the presentation, we're going to ask that entire line to go up on stage so we can take a picture all together. All right,
016now we're on. Good evening everybody. Donna Mororrow, the proud principal at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School. My pleasure to be here tonight to honor these students. And so, first up, we have Daniel Gibbon. Very um big award here for him in National Honor Day. uh uh National History Day. Uh the court democracy, how the tennis court oath reformed France. So congratulations, Daniel. We're very happy for you. And next up, we have our athletic awards. This is the SUFFK Zone Award. This is for outstanding excellence in leadership and citizenship and overall excellence in the areas of um education. And we have Antonio Akerly. We also have Willow Henderson also with the Suffach Zone Award. And we have Mason Wright. [applause] Congratulations students. Good evening. I am excited to announce the awards for Woodhull Intermediate School, also
017for the SUFFK Zone Awards. First we have Patrick Mcmanis. Congratulations Patrick [applause] here. Kaylee Becker, [applause] Roger Hernandez Gomez, and Kaen Silva. Congratulations to our Woodhole students. >> Good evening. I'm Miss Rothell, the Finley principal. I'm trying to decide if I'm the proud principal, the fun principal. Everyone seems to have this name in front of it. So, Mrs. Rothell from Finley. Uh, so I have a couple different ones. First, we have Mia Hodkinson, who also for National History Day, the second red scare, a nation's reaction to rear. Congratulations. [applause] We're excited. We have some of our artists who uh were featured. Um and with honorable mention here to Luna Ramirez. Is she here? This is amazing. That is actually drawn. Just so you know, that is not a picture. That's a charcoal drawing. It it
018blows my mind. And Andrew Parrot also has honorable mention uh at the same [applause] congratulations. And then our suffix zone award, we have Isa Campbell from Finley. >> [applause] >> William De and Manuel Hernandez Colin. Congratulations to all our Finley students. [applause] All right. So again, I am the principal of Huntington High School and it is my pleasure and honor to present this evening's honores that represent some of the best of Huntington High School. The first two honores have enjoyed four spectacular years packed with academic and co-curricular success. These top two seniors have captured the respect and admiration of their peers, teachers, and excelled in every way possible. Our first honore for the high school is the class of 2026 validictorian Emma Pollinsky. [applause] So I'd like to say a couple of words. Every morning
019you are guaranteed to see the two Palinskies coming in together. Emma and her younger brother Clive. Although Emma is quiet and reserved, she is a powerhouse academically and when it comes to extracurricular activities. Therefore, it brings me great joy to present her with the highest honor this evening. Our next honore is the class of 2026 saludiatoran J. Pit Singh, who we can refer to as the smiling Mr. Robotics. [applause] As captain of robotics for the past two years, he has shown extreme heart and dedication to this program. Our next honore is Rachel Huth who won first place at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair for her project on effective fertilizer synthesis in the geocscience category. [applause] Our next two students were named Long Island student visionaries of the year. Violet Palasios and Ava Ben
020Svena. [applause] Who could predict that when they started off by selling snacks outside of games earlier this school year that their team would ultimately raise $242,000. The funds were raised for Blood Cancer United and will be used to advance research and education in this field. >> [applause] >> The next group of honores for this evening's presentations excelled in a variety of categories at the regional competition for National History Day which was held at Ha University. Natalie Pada Lopez, her [applause] her senior individual website won first place at Hofra and will go on to compete in the New York State National History Day competition on April 26th at Sunni Onian. Her topic was a new deal for America. How did social security redefine government's role? [applause] Elena Prior was awarded the Mikeden D in Noenzo Outstanding
021Entry on Long Island History Award for her individual exhibit category project titled Three Wrongs That Made Rights. Huntington, Long Island: Evidence Behind the Protections of the Bill of Rights. >> [applause] >> Three other high school senior division Huntington entries advanced in the first round of judging. A wrinkle in time, how Botox sparked a medical revolution, public reaction, and cosmetic reform by Eva Richter, Julia Goodwin, and Gemma Betto. [applause] The Comfort Woman by Brian Munoz Reyes, Steven Rosado, and Karolina Villanovva [applause] and The Bonus Army: A Revolution of the People, the Reaction of the Government, and the Reform of Society by Franklin Mulane. >> [applause] >> The next group of honores are being recognized for their artistic ability and superb artwork. The Long Island Scholar Artist Award honors high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in both
022the arts and academics. Our first student to be recognized is Lily Wasowski, who received a merit award for theater. The second student to receive this recognition is Kylie Bart, who was named a scholar artist for media arts. [applause] The next student, Karolina Ramos Saravia, won the Hexure Museum Achievement Award in social critique. In addition, her artwork is featured at Hexure Museum of Art as part of Long Island's Best Young Artist Exhibit. [applause] Last month, students from our film class attended the 20th annual Locust Valley Film Festival. Students from across Long Island created projects in the animation, comedy, commercial, drama, horror, music, video, documentary, public service announcement, and trailer categories. Four Huntington films were selected for final screening. Henny England, Hannah Bole, James Harttow, and Amaya Escalona were the third place winners for best commercial for
023their film Polaroid at the festival. >> [applause] >> Charlie Stanforth is a double winner, taking second place in the cinematography category and first place in the best drama category for his film I'm sorry at the Locust Valley film. [applause] And our final group of honores will be recognized for achievement in athletics. The SUFFK's own chapter of the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance honors two seniors from each SUFFK high school annually who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in health and physical education, who are scholastically exceptional, who possess outstanding character, who serve as leaders in health and physical education, and who display leadership in schoolwide activities. Our first recipient is Jack Camstein. Jack is an outstanding young man [applause] who has regularly assumed leadership roles in physical education and health classes. A
024star football and lacrosse player for the Blue Devils, he has been recruited by Sunni Jenniso to play on its men's lacrosse team. In addition, Jack earned all Long Island and all state football. >> [applause] >> And our next recipient is Jolie Wine Shrider. Jolie is a splendid role model and mentor for her classmates and younger students. Jolie exudes positivity and encouragement. She is inclusive in everything she does. Going out of her way to make sure everyone feels wanted, valued, and included in all activities. a soccer, basketball, and lacrosse star for Huntington, she has been recruited to play on the Ruckers University women's lacrosse team. [applause] Our next honore is all state swimmer Samuel Claren. Sam is an all-state swimmer in multiple events. Sam will be attending New York University. He intends to spend the first
025year of college in London and then in the following years hopefully swim on NYU's men's team. [applause] The next set of athletes dominated the football field. All Long Island and all state football Yasier Jones. Yasier rushed 174 times for 1,258 yards and 24 touchdowns last fall, helping to lead the Blue Devils to seven wins and a spot in the SUFFK Division 2 semifinals. His efforts in large part led to the Big Four Championship, Huntington's first in 12 years. He will be playing football at Udica College in the fall. [applause] News Day's defensive player of the year, all Long Island and all state in football. Ethan Lawless is an excellent student academically and has been recruited to play football at Union College. His 2025 statistical line is impressive. He recorded 87 solo tackles, 15 assists, 19
026tackles for a loss, 11 quarterback sacks, three force fumbles, and one fumble recovery. and one interception. [applause] All State in football, Jacob Gusk. Jacob has been recruited to play quarterback for the Udica College football team. Last fall, he found Huntington receivers open on 103 of 136 passes for 1515 yards and 16 touchdowns. He rushed 48 times for 290 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He threw only five interceptions. [applause] And our final all state in football, Teton Alissi. An all-state athlete in track and field as well as football. Teton ended his season with 14 tackles, 10 tackles for loss of yards, nine quarterback sacks, two force fumbles, two pass deflections, and six assisted tackles. He returned 11 kicks this past fall, scoring three touchdown on returns covering 97, 82, and 77 yards. He intends to run
027track and play football at Nassau Community College. [applause] Our [applause] final two athletic honores also earned all all Long Island honors. Julia Goodwin for fencing. Julia runs on the cross country and spring track teams. She is an excellent fencer and due in no small part to her performance, our girls fencing team reached the SUFFK finals for the first time in many years. >> [applause] >> and Eric Hines, all Long Island in track. Eric runs on the Blue Devil cross country winter and spring track teams. His performance in multiple events has been among the best in both Nassau and Suffach counties, and this past winter he captured all Long Island honors. [applause] Once again, a huge congratulations to all of our honores from intermediate through high school. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Kaen Silva. [applause] >>
028All right. So, Emma, if I could ask you, first of all, congratulations As you can see, we start at the intermediate school. Yes, >> just >> we understand that some of you have homework to do and you know we know those third grade uh third quarter report cards are coming out on Friday for elementary. So if anyone would like to step out, we understand and thank you for attending tonight and congratulations. Dr. Harris appears to be ready. [laughter] All right. So, at this time, I will turn things over to Dr. Ruby Harris, assistant superintendent for finance and management services, who will present the school district budget and property tax report card for the 2627 school year. Thank you. So, the presentation tonight represents the culmination of several months of budget development. It maintains student programming.
029It supports our district priorities and reflects a balanced approach within the constraints that we've talked about over the last couple of months. I would love to say that I have a update from the state but I do not. Um they are now in their fifth uh extender since yesterday was the 20th and nothing has yet come forth. So the information we are utilizing as superintendent McCoy mentioned really dates back to the information that came out in January. Um, I think a lot of districts are expecting to at least receive another percent, but due to the fact that that has not formally come forth, we did not build that in. Um, and as we receive updates, as we always do, we will update the board and the community. So tonight's budget, the 2026 2027 uh budget
030that is before you to adopt um you will see in that uh third column really 2026 27 proposed budget. It is a little bit over $161 million that is a little bit more than 2% actually 2.05%. And that includes a tax levy that is 2.76%. So you will see that in the uh tax levy line. Something to always note is the assessed valuation does not get updated until the fall in which the board will then approve the tax rate and then that information will then go out to the community. So all publications includes the actual rate of the prior year. So the year we're in just as a note. um something we like to provide uh I'm more of a illustration than just seeing tons of numbers. So this the overall budget has to be
031provided in a couple of different ways. One is the property tax report card which is also on tonight's agenda. Another is the budget notice that goes out to the community and then the other notification is the newsletter that also goes out. This provides a I guess a simplified way to look at revenue in a couple of different pots. So we have miscellaneous revenue um all of the different areas that are included in our larger budget documents under miscellaneous. So it shows you the percentage and then I also give the total amount of miscellaneous revenue which is a little uh over $5.9 million. And then the second chart is the property taxes and state aid. uh those are large revenue areas. So if I tried to put it in the pie chart, it dilutes the entire
032image, but you will see the prior year shown here as well as the current year for both uh property taxes and state aid. The next item that the board and district are charged with is when the budget documents are put before the community in the budget notice, it has to be done in a threepart budget. So, three components. You have administrative, you have program, and you have capital. Um, this just kind of provides an illustration to what people are only able to see on that one flyer in numbers. So uh as mentioned with the other slide, it does show the prior amounts and the current amounts. So it's a nice comparative. And then just as a reminder, administrative is office, administrative costs, legal fees, insurance, and uh board expenses. The next part in that three-part
033budget is program. Um that is really the brunt of running the school district. that is your teachers and supervisor salaries and benefits. Uh any cost that is associated with instruction, co-curriculars, uh athletics, and transportation. So, this just breaks out what each one of those areas make up in this total $128.8 million. It's just a nice uh illustration to help people understand where the funds are going uh when we plan a budget. And then the last part of the three-part budget is the capital area. Capital totals about 14.8 million. That includes any cost associated with facilities including their salaries and benefits of our staff, debt service on buildings, leasing costs, maintenance, supplies, and equipment. And this is another illustration of what happened in the prior year. uh the prior year being the current year we're in
034and what we are budgeting for 2026 27. Okay. So the next area is a contingent budget. Um I'm going to go through that a little bit more detailed on the next slide. But what this really shows is in the event that a contingent budget occurs, we cannot levy more than has than what has been approved in the current year. So if you look at the far right column, it shows you what the overall budget would be, which is a little bit more than $157 million. um where our revenue would fall then where the tax levy would fall which you will see is the same as what you see in the 2526 adopted um nothing changed in the assessed value uh budget to budget that's actually a decrease and you may be wondering how that can
035happen if you're able to levy what we are currently levying the important thing to note is there is a loss of a little bit more than $900,000 in state aid so we would one be factoring that in as well as trying to plan long-term on what this means on multiple years for the school district. So, it's just important to show that information. So, in the event that the budget had to go contingent, um $3.9 million would have to be removed from the planned budget. Um in reduction, that's a little bit over $700 per student. Um, and all these areas listed in the yellow area, class sizes, staffing, transportation, non-mandated programs, athletic and fine and performing arts and extracurricular activities would had to be reviewed and I would assume that there would be huge impacts to
036those areas. Just to provide a little bit more detail, um, we don't make up the rules when it comes to a contingent budget. There are certain things that are required to be removed. So this just lists those items. So equipment purchases would be removed. PD and conferences, contracts and consultant services. Uh transfer to capital is an item that must be removed. Um and any administrative component of the three-part budget that can be reduced would then also be reduced. And a big area is fees that uh we charge for facility usage. they would be charged the cost that it cost us to allow them to use that area. And uh we would also be looking at reserves and appropriated fund balances and making any necessary uh reduction because you have multiple years you're planning for. So
037the items that are listed above total about 1.26 million, which means that 2.69 would still need to be found within the budget that's proposed. The next area tonight is the transfer to capital. So, we have a transfer to capital in the amount of $250,000. Uh this is a project that is done a little bit more quickly than the larger capital projects that we do. Uh the focus for the 2627 school year is light and sound replacement and upgrades at Finley Middle School as well as the gym sound systems at Flower Hill South down in Washington. To note uh to everyone as well as the community, Jefferson's is already underway. Uh they had a more of an emergency issue, so we are correcting that in anticipation for uh any moving updates and late activities in the
038year. And then these are possibilities of future uh consideration that we could look at as we go year after year. All right. So these are the budget highlights. This was shown last meeting. So just to summarize this, uh, this budget maintains the core of what our community expects. Strong academic programming, mental health support, extracurricular opportunities, and continued investment in our facilities and instructional resources. Uh, the next couple of slides are going to show you what our budget supports. Um, I'm going to give you a moment. I'm not going to read them piece by piece. I'm going to give you a moment to take in the breadth of programs uh that are supported, the opportunities that are maintained within this budget, and the continued support our students receive every day. I think that showed a lot
039even in the presentations that happened here tonight uh for our students and some more And if that wasn't enough, here's some more. So the uh another item to note is there will be a proposition too as the board knows just in case the community has not been following along and this is the first time you're seeing this. Uh so here is the capital project proposal, a little bit over $2.1 million. Um a good chunk of this is our building condition survey priority list which will then remove the 2022 2023 building condition items. Uh the other news to that is the fact that we are about to do another building condition survey all over again. That happens every five or so years. So that is something that will be happening this upcoming school year. And then
040the second component of this are facility upgrade considerations which include uh Wood Hall amphitheater and uh the student restroom renovations at the high school which are currently nonfunctional. That's the second floor area and electrical sub panels. So, proposition one is for 161,13,94. Proposition 2 will be for $2,115,154. Um, I think it's important if there are just a couple of things you had a moment to talk to somebody about regarding our budget is really letting people know that this uh money has to be approved by the voters to be taken out, but there is no impact on the tax levy or the tax rate. So, the this is my last presentation really outside of the uh budget hearing on May 11th. Uh the budget vote will take place on the 19th in Huntington High School from
0418:00 a.m. and 8:00 pm. Uh it has been a pleasure, a rough go at budgeting, but a pleasure really working with all of the administrators that have provided guidance and input. Um and we're excited for the upcoming school year with the support of the board approving this budget tonight. >> Thank you so much, Dr. Harris. I know we all feel uh as the days go on, we're being asked to do more with less. So, I certainly um speak for myself when I say that I appreciate central admin's attention to keeping staffing, programming um and as much extracurricular as possible intact um for all of our students. So, thank you so much. >> It is upon recommendation. Oh, do you have >> No, I would just like to echo uh Teresa's comments. Um, I'm very grateful
042streamlined these presentations as uh as long as you were saying they were and this is your last one. Um, I know it's an arduous task and it's it's uh above the pay grade of many people here uh including myself um to uh and you've been very helpful in informing us and and answering all the questions uh so that we you know we can give the oversight that's needed. Um, I just want to thank you though for your your powerpoints have been terrific and thank you for all the hard work that you put into this. >> And I might as well just uh add to it and say that I appreciate the fact that the budget in my opinion maintains programs and enhances facilities. Um so when you know folks are going to the budget uh
043going to the voting booth later this in one month I guess to vote for the budget uh that's what they should be thinking of the programs that we are keeping here in Huntington um the facilities that we're enhancing and I noticed that on your slide for the uh capital project proposals. You have a big uh image that says priority and when you look at those proposals it seems to me that the priority is the health and safety of students and staff. and that's what we're looking for with the capital uh project proposal. So, I appreciate that as well. >> Yes. Any other comments, questions, concerns? It is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education adopt a budget for the 2026 2027 school year in the amount of 161 million $13,94
044to be placed on the ballot for the May 19th 2026 annual vote and election. It is further recommended that the board of education approve the associated 2026 2027 property tax report card. May I have a motion, please? John one, Kelly 2. All in favor? That is everyone. Thank you so much. Next, we have the Western Suffach Boseies uh administrative budget vote. It is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education adopt the proposed Western Suffach Boseies budget for the 2026 2027 school year. May I have a motion please from Tom, second from Jenna. Any questions, comments, concerns? All in favor? That's everyone. That brings us to our trustee election. Uh it is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education approve the two candidates listed below to
045fill the two vacancies on the Western Suffach um Board of Cooperative Educational Services for a three-year term to begin in July uh July 1 of 2026. We have Janette Santos from Ammonville and Robert Shid from North Babylon. Um, can I have a motion, please? From Jenna. A second from Tom. Does anybody have any questions about All in favor? That's everyone. That brings us to Mr. Cusac. >> Good evening. It is upon recommendation from the Superintendent of Schools that the board of education approve CSSE CPSC submissions as delineated. Can I get a motion, please? Jenna. Second from Kelly. Any questions? All in favor? >> That's everyone. Mr. Hender, >> it is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education approve personnel items on schedules 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 16, and 19.
046>> Can I get a motion, please, John? A second from Jenna. All in favor? That's everyone. Anything you'd like to comment on, Mr. Ander? Nope. Okay. Dr. Harris. >> All right. It is upon recommendation from the superintendent of schools that the board of education approves business items I through M. >> Can I have a motion, please? From Kelly, the second from Jenna. Any questions? All in favor? That is everyone. We have some donations. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, so we have Mr. Joseph West who's presenting a donation of $500 to credit the Joseph Michael West scholarship award within the Expendable Trust account. Um, so thank you Mr. West for that. Very generous. [applause] I think that is all we have today. Yes. That brings us to our second public commentary of the evening. Does anybody wish
047to approach the podium for public commentary? Okay. Any final closing remarks by any of the board members? I just want to congratulate central Oh, go ahead. >> No, no, no, please. >> No, I was just going to congratulate our central administration on putting together another solid budget. Um, I know this is a lot of work and um especially with not having any information from the state. So, um, thank you for all of your attention to detail. Thank you for maintaining what you've been able to maintain within the budget. I know that I speak for all of us when I say we appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> And I was just going to quickly uh say on behalf of myself as member of the districtwide uh safety team, and I think I can speak on
048behalf of my fellow board members, I wanted to just thank Mr. McCoy as well as the rest of her administration uh administrative team for the swift action that was taken yesterday to ensure the safety of our students and staff. I know uh that many members of the administrative team uh were here boots on the ground in the buildings uh helping to get our students home safely uh while keeping staff and parents informed and I feel like that level of care should not go unnoticed. So thank you. >> Absolutely. Sorry, one quick thing on a much lighter note. Thanks John. I agree. Um, uh, Finley PTA has a parent social on Thursday and I know that one often gets squeezed, uh, because a lot of us are going to our younger kids things or the high
049school events that feel really big, but it's at US Bruise starting at 7. It's a fun and easy way to make sure some of the events, many of the events that go on at Finley get funded. I know this year at the beginning of the year, we actually had a budget deficit for Finley's PTA. So, it would be great to start off next year in the green or the black. >> When is that, Jenna? >> It's Thursday. This Thursday at 7. Thank you. Can I have a motion to adjourn the meeting? Jenna, the second from Kelly. All in favor? That's everyone. Thank you so much.