2025-11-13: HPCSD Board Of Education Meeting

001Okay, let's start over. Um, good evening everyone. Today is November 13, 2025. Welcome to tonight's Hide Park Central School District's regular board of education meeting here at North Park Elementary School. Like to call the meeting to order. And now can I get a motion to adjurnn to executive session for the purpose of discussing promotion discipline of a particular person or persons? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carried. We are now in executive session. Okay, good evening everyone. Um, I'd like to return to our open session. Um, and if we could please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of 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

002justice for all. >> Thank you. Uh we do not have any agenda modifications. Can I get a motion to approve tonight's agenda? >> So move Tibbitz. >> Second, call. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I opposed. Motion carried. >> Uh 5.1 upcoming events. There's a whole bunch. So, Wednesday, November 19th, uh is the community schools family game night at Hide Park Elementary. That's from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 19th, uh Havlin Middle School parent teacher conference. That's at Havlin and that's 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, November 20th, FDR parent teacher conferences at FDR 6:30 to 8:30. Monday, November 24th, uh K through 5 early release parent teacher conferences, afternoon and evening. All elementary schools call for afternoon appointments. And then in the evening, it's 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 25th, K

003through 12 early release parent teacher conferences. All schools, call for times. Wednesday, November 26th through November 28th is the Thanksgiving break. All buildings, no school. Uh, Thursday, December 4th, the Havlin Middle School winter concert number one, and that'll be at Havland in their new auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Uh, Tuesday, December 9th is the Havlin Winter Concert number two at Havland, and that's at 6:30 p.m. And Wednesday, December 10th is Havlin Winter Concert number three at Havlin, and that's at 6:30. And then Thursday, December 11th is our next uh board of education meeting. Uh and it says, "Please note the location was incorrect on the uh printed calendar and it will be at Havlin Middle School and open session begins at 7 p.m. Any other upcoming events people like to add?" >> Well, if you're here

004right now, I was going to say there's also the FASA nights this evening at the high school, so obviously you're not at that. Big shout out to the music department for the Harvest Pops concert and the Veterans Day assembly. They were able to honor World War II veteran Ralph Osterhout. Lastly, congratulations to the cast and crew of the legendary of Sleepy Hollow. They had two fantastic performances. Havland is pleased to share that their 10th annual community night was a tremendous success. A heartfelt thank you goes out to their 42 community partners who set up resource booths and interactive experiences for their school community. They are also deeply grateful to their local businesses including Antel's Restaurant, Joe Cristiano's Pizza, Mizu Sushi, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Heart Park Education Foundation for their generous

005raffle prize donations. Special thanks as well to Capas and High Park for providing the marinara sauce for their pasta and meatball dinner. Mr. Shaw is happy to report that they served over 250 meals during the event. Their appreciation also goes to the HMS Jazz Band and Chamber Orchestra for their wonderful dinnertime performances and to the HMS modified cheer team for their spirited demonstration. They want to thank all of their HMS faculty and staff who volunteered their time to make this evening so special. This event would not be possible without their support. North Park is celebrating their students who were nominated and celebrated for the PBIS recognition through their initiative of a character trait of the month. Empathy was a trait for October and they were recognized and celebrated with a letter home, a certificate, and

006invitation to lunch with the principal and two friends to play a card game of their choice. At Ralph, the fifth grade students recently completed a mural led by Tommy Nana to continue beautifying the building. They focused on the upstairs lockers, which they will continue to do each year so that their fifth graders can leave a lasting mark on the building. Violet Avenue kicked off their pick a reading partner program on Friday, 31st, October 31st. Miss Lagwar and Miss Ellis opened the program with an all school assembly, read aloud, and had a book aween costume parade. Students have already turned in their first set of reading logs. Their pick a reading partner program will conclude with their book fair beginning on November 17th. And the readathon in the lobby at Violet Avenue on Friday, November 21st

007with some special guest readers from their district administration and board of education. On Friday, they will welcome magician Robert Mcante and his discover the magic of reading assembly. On Wednesday, November 5th, all students were treated to a thrilling and informative assembly by Bill Robinson and his birds of prey, where participants had the opportunity to learn up close about several bird species. The third grade class got a great opportunity to go to Bodwin Park this past Friday on a field trip where the students learned what to do if they got lost in the woods. They worked together to build a debris hut and a fire to keep them warm. It required students to use a lot of team building skills and perseverance. your turn. >> So, we are busting with pride. We have several things that

008we want to highlight. Uh first and foremost, uh a couple of weeks ago, there was a red ribbon event at FDR highlighting uh mental health awareness and want to thank one of our newest social workers, uh Shauna Davis. Thank you, sir. Additionally, um we had a number of students that went to uh support what actually it's a really big deal. Um it's called the SEMA, which is the specialty equipment market association. It's a trade association for automotive aftermarket specialty parts. So, our students who did a special build at the high school, it's the winter circle project. They actually build a car and they they were actually on display uh showcased the vehicle among famous and legendary builds at an event that had over 2,000 vendors and 160 plus 160,000 plus attendees. And so want to

009congratulate uh two of our alumni, Zachary and Jeppe, who represented us very well uh in this event. And then also want to give kudos to the teachers who run this amazing program. Uh shout outs to Shan Christensen, Derek Zimmerman, Lisa Vanatada, and and of course under the leadership of Principal Ruella. Uh they're doing a fantastic job with that bringing project-based learning uh to life. And um lastly, want to uh acknowledge the amazing performance of the uh Legend of Sleeping Hollow. If you didn't get a chance to see it, you you missed out. Um it was a great performance. The cast and crew did a fantastic job to highlight their musical talents and acting uh gifts and uh just want to give them all kudos. Uh that concludes my items, Mr. President. >> Okay. Good evening

010everyone. So, I am very pleased to um be able to share the artist of and musician of the month. And first, we're going to recognize Aaria Ramirez. She's a fifth grader at Violet Avenue Elementary School. And Aaria is an enthusiastic and passionate artist, eagerly diving into new projects and remaining engaged throughout the creative process. Aaria says, "I like how there are no rules to art. You can draw freely and try your best, and that's it's at least unique. Aaria approaches every art challenge with focus and determination. Her perseverance shines through as she consistently puts the time and effort into bring her ideas to life. Aaria is always willing to try new techniques and express herself creatively, bringing her unique perspective to the creative process. She works she creates artwork that expresses herself and is authentic.

011Her dedication and love of art are an inspiration to other students, making her a true example of what it means to be an artist. So, congratulations to Aaria. [applause] And I don't think Aaria is here this evening to come up and re and receive her award, but we'll make sure she gets it. And our next student is our musician of the month. And we would like to recognize Amir Mudashiru. And Amir is here this evening. And um we'll invite him up in just a minute. So Amir is an eighth grade chorus student at Havlin Middle School. He has participated diligently each class and has shown has grown significantly in his musical ability. His focus on completing his work on time, encouraging the su the successes of his classmates and attending his lessons is an exempl

012ex exemplary demonstration of what it looks like to be a model hide park student. In addition, his oral and vocal skills have grown very well in his three years at Havland. Singing at Havlin Middle School is really amazing, says Amir. Because even though it is really fun to be able to sing alone and something to do when you want to pass the time, being able to sing with other people makes it a lot better. You also get to improve by listening to other people around you. Even if you aren't good at singing yet, just trying to blend in with your peers as you should in core US, he says, um, and you'll get there. So, congratulations to Amir and we'd like to invite him up to receive his [applause] award. >> [applause] [applause] >> Amir,

013we've got your certificate here. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Keep up the great work, Amir. >> Congratulations. [clears throat] >> And I believe we have a student and uh employee award that uh Miss Allesandro is going to give out at this time. Good evening. Uh we're going to start with our student um that we're proud of. And I'm going to say she doesn't know or didn't know until just now that that's why she was really here. So thanks mom. [laughter] [applause] So now we're going to embarrass Avery Leser just a little bit. Um when Mr. Faziel and I sat down to figure out where we wanted to start and talking to some of our staff. Uh one morning we were outside and we saw that bright smile and we came in and we we figured we figured

014it out. So Avery Avery brightens every room she walks into with her huge smile and positive energy. She's always eager to learn, ready to take on any new challenge, and does everything with enthusiasm and kindness. Her attendance shows just how committed she is to being the best learner she can be. As a proud member of the student leadership team, and I do mean proud, she is a leader in there. Uh she truly leads by example. She's a true lion leader and a captain of courage every day. Whether it's encouraging others to be kind, modeling how to be a role model student, showing responsibility, and spreading her positive energy throughout every classroom she's in, Avery gets it done. Her curiosity, her teamwork, and caring heart truly make her a wonderful example of what it means to

015be a confident learner and a responsible citizen at North Park. We're so proud of all Avery has accomplished. We can't wait to see what the future holds. And we, as much as we don't want her to go to Havland, we're so excited for her. So Avery, congratulations. All right. And now on to the employee. Um, and I just want to say again, Mr. Faziola and myself, um, we couldn't do this without all of the employees in this room. This is one of the most challenging decisions to make. Um, and again, peeling back layers, looking at all the pieces, um, it really was simpler than that. And I think that the people that are here from North Park tonight um will agree um in every way, shape, and form that Ann Marquetti is the heart of

016our school community. And I know that sounds like a strong statement, [applause] but that statement is true [applause] and demonstrates the traits of our portrait of an employee every minute of every day. Actually, probably before every day starts. and well after it ends. Um, as a confident learner and responsible citizen, she goes above and beyond every day to support students in reading, help them grow with patience, and she uses consistency and encouragement in doing so. Doing so, she's always willing to improve her practice. She's consistently working with our reading teachers, our classroom teachers, and she eagerly chose to attend a Saturday learning day in New York City um with a which we had a great time in, but I wasn't sure um how much buyin on a Saturday we would get, but Anne was there

017and with a smile. In addition, Anne's commitment to student and staff safety and her leadership on both the school and district safety teams show her deep sense of responsibility and care for others. She organizes the lunchon for fire safety day. She shows up to every evening event willing and able and wanting to support our school community. If we need a PE teacher for a period accord, you know, we need somebody to cover anything, Ann is our girl. She will do it and she'll do it with a smile. Bottom line, whether Ann's greeting students in the morning, ensuring safe dismissal in the afternoon, sometimes even when we're running in the rain, um she does it with a smile. Joy, teamwork, and heart are all words that make us think of Anne. She's truly the first friendly

018face that our students see in the morning and the last reassuring one they see every day. Ann is our very own dismissal queen and is essential in making our North Park community such a a special place. And thank you for everything you give to us, all of your efforts. It's noticed not just by us, but by everyone in this room and all of our students every day. So, thank you again. Um, we are so proud to have you as our on our team and really wanted to celebrate this with you to recognize you as our portrait of an employee at North Park. Good evening everyone. My name is Dr. Pedro Roman, proud superintendent of this district. And today we're going to be recognizing one of our very own. It is a bittersweet um moment for

019us and for the district and uh I want to first acknowledge that this is a profound transition for us. Uh we are here to celebrate the extraordinary career and service of our very own Linda, our assistant superintendent for finance and operation as she's stepping down to dedicate her full attention to one of her priorities, her family. Uh Linda, your time here has not been just a chapter in our district's history. It's been a foundational pillar upon which our future stability rests. The role of assistant superintendent for finance and operation is rarely glamorous. All numbers and charts and spreadsheets and more spreadsheets, but it's arguably the most vital. Over your tenure here in the district, you've navigated a complex economic landscape such as COVID. With unparalleled foresight and dedication, you have given this district a tremendous

020gift. You put us on a true excuse me, you put us on a truly fiscal sound footing. Your legacy in the district is one of prudent management and stability because of your careful planning, your collaboration, your deep understanding of finance, your commitment to maximizing every dollar to make sure the needs of our students are first and foremost. The High Park District is more secure than it has ever been. That security is a testament to your hard work and collaboration with with our team, with the board, with the community, and it will benefit generations of students to come. While we're losing a phenomenal leader and colleague, friend, we deeply admire and respect your decision to shift your focus to your priority, your family. It takes a tremendous courage to make a choice like this and it

021speaks volumes of where your priorities lie. Linda, thank you. [clears throat] Thank you for your leadership, your integrity, your unduring financial uh support that you've provided us and you've left us on sound footing on behalf of the board, the administration, your team behind me, the entire High Park community. We wish you and your family happiness, joy, and peace. You will be missed. [applause] >> [applause] [applause] >> Hello. You can't leave me up here. Um, so I have had the pleasure of working with Linda for only about a year and a half and the choice that she's choosing to do some things for her family. When I first started at the district, I remember when I first met Kelsey and Toana, who's also here to support Miss Linda today, I was terrified that my little guy

022who goes to North Park has um ADHD and he was having a really hard time at daycare at the end of the day. And I remember I was terrified. They're like, "Go in, go ask Linda. She'll let you change your hours." I'm like, "No, no, no. I just started here. I can't do that." So, they're like, "You really, you should. you should, she'll let you." So, I went in there, probably the face color I have now, and I was like, "Linda, I got to ask you something." And I told her what was going on. And I was like, "Is there any way that I can help my son and get out a little earlier so he doesn't have that meltdown at the end of the day?" And she looked at me, she goes, "Yeah, absolutely."

023And I remember looking at her like, "What? That's it?" Like, "It's okay." She's like, "Is it going to help you?" I was like, "Yeah." "Is it going to help your family?" I like, "Of course." She's like, "Then go ahead." And she said, "But you have to make a promise. If you change it, that's it. You got to do it." Well, a week later, the bus change schedule changed. And I had to go back in and ask her again and promise that I would that that's it. But not even knowing me, my work ethic, anything about me, you allowed me to make not only my life better, but my sons. And that's the type of person you are. and that's why we nominated you. And I have had the pleasure of working with you when you're

024never going to be replaced. And we're going to miss you so much. You deal with all the different personalities. You handle everybody with grace, including emotional ones like myself. [clears throat] And we couldn't thank you enough. And we're going to miss you. And we wish you nothing but the best. [applause] There's just one more slide that we want to highlight. Uh we had two of our administrators that were recognized by the Mid Hudson School Study Council at uh their uh awards ceremony. So we want to congratulate uh Joanna, our Joanna uh she is our director for special education. and we have uh Mike Ruella who's our principal for FDR. Congratulations to them both. They won the outstanding uh leadership award. [applause] >> Any more uh pride from anyone? >> All right. Moving on to 7.1

025superintendent report. >> Don't have any items at this time. Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to 7.2, uh, our North Park Elementary School update with, uh, Principal Delisandre. >> I'm just going to take a minute and congratulate Avery and I'm going to send them on their way if that's okay because she will be here tomorrow with that bright smile. So, Avery, congratulations. Thank you [applause] again. And thank you to her family for all your support. Congratulations. [applause] Oh, I need the clicker. Right. So, Paul Faziola and I um were excited to be here with you tonight. So, um it's our privilege to welcome you to North Park. Um I was secretly excited that we were able to host the celebration for Linda, too, when I saw Miss Chenn's email. So, again, Linda, thank you for

026everything you've given to North Park, to us, and to our community. Um, and I mean that both as an employee and as a parent and taxpayer. So, thank you. Um, for those that don't know me, my name is Megan Dalisander. I'm the proud principal here at North Park and former student. Um, but that was a while ago. Um, and with me tonight is is Paul Baziola, who's my colleague in the everyday trench here as we work to improve um, all outcomes here at North Park. Um, first we'd like to thank the board of education, our cabinet, um, Dr. Roman, Melissa Lawson, Linda Steinberg, and Ryan Judge for all of your support. It's with that support that we're really able to continue to do the work we're doing here at North Park on a daily basis

027to improve the student learning outcomes and experience for all of our students here. Um, click. Okay. So, first, this is our vision um and our mission and we really do strive to create this innovative learning environment for all here and I I really hope you see that tonight. um and continuing to empower all of our learners here on a daily basis to be successful um when they leave here in whatever that looks like and whatever their ende endeavor is. Okay, so the drivers of discussion for tonight, we're going to start by celebrating some of our successes, things that we're really proud of here at North Park, um and talk about the investments, and I mean that with time, energy, and money. Um and then we're going to talk a little bit about our current work.

028Um, and this is going to be where Paul speaks to you guys for a little bit about the current work and the targets um and goals we have for improvement here at North Park this year. And then we'll culminate with some um, you know, conversation about our budget, where it is as of November. So, I emphasize that um, because it is still November, but talk a little bit about the budget and where we are, where we hope to go, and what priorities we want to focus on here at North Park. So, first, um, when Paul and I were putting this together, we decided, um, and I'll I'll give Melissa a little credit. She inspired me, too, here to really celebrate our students and our staff in our showcase. So, it does say a stu student

029showcase, but I'm looking at a lot of our staff here, and I know a lot of are watching at home, and they really are um just as big a part of this work as our students and their families are. Um, and so this is our showcase tonight. On the left there, you'll see a picture that was from one of those really, really hot days um in June. So, we had to abbreviate it a little, but that was an attend dance party. So, we'll talk a little bit about our North Park attendance parties. Um and then on the right, you just see um you know, one of the the smiling faces and it's a picture of North Park. But, um I wanted you to hear from the students what attendance means to North Park. And I'll

030get to that in a minute. as we committed last year and I say we being all of North Park committed really really um intensely to the goal that the district set out. Um we had the highest percentage of students who were chronically absent in the district. And for those that know me and I look at my staff and those that know me that are watching um I am a competitor and we like to improve and do better. And I'm looking at some of the the scouts in the back too. They know that too. Um so we set this goal and we were ambitious. We work together on a daily basis. We wanted to improve and decrease the number of students who are chronically absent and that means students that are out 10 days or more.

031Um and so we worked together on a daily basis. There was communication with families any event here through our communication via parent square. Messaging in classrooms. Class poster boards were put outside of each classroom and you'll see that in just a few minutes. Um we wanted to make sure students realized that they were noticed if they were not here. We also wanted them to make we wanted to make those students feel more of a community in their classroom. This collective responsibility truly helped enhance both our classroom community and school community and really push and drive the attendance. Students were also tasked individually with the challenge. We called it strive for 95 95% that is students who were absent for 5% of our school days which is 9 days or less were rewarded with an intent

032dance party at the end of the year. Um hence you see here the amazing work which we will dive a bit deeper with some data shortly is something our whole building is proud of. Uh we celebrated it at every faculty meeting. Um I was proud of the work that we did and I I I really truly believe our staff was and it's something that we're really seeing pay dividends. So instead of listening to me talk about it. I just have a very short video of our students talk about why attendance matters to North Park. important times matter. What's the matter? >> Nice. Why attendance is important? >> Cameron, why are the channels matter? You get healthier in life. >> Dylan, why attendance matter? >> I could have kept going. Um but but we figured that

033these this handful of students really embodied from um first grade through fifth grade. Uh really embodied some of the work we did. And I saw Miss Ferrer. Um, Miss Ferrer was one of the teachers and many of them did this that really embraced these attendance boards and built in their own class goals. There were many of days where I either missed the dance party for 100% attendance or popped in. But, um, that's what that's what our friend Kaden was talking about. So, with this said, our school work um, our North Park's work around attendance is work we are incredibly proud of and that's why I started with this as our success point and we'll go from here. Um, our decrease in chronic absenteeism uh, was beyond what I imagined. So my first full year here,

034we had 26.5% of our students chronically absent. The next year really, it stayed pretty statistically the same at 27%. And with that focus and leaning in and that work and that commitment, um, we dropped to 16, it should be 16.5%. So it was a solid 10point drop and something we are continuing to work on, which Paul will talk about today. Um, and this this we really believe is all truly and directly a big part of the next work we're going to talk about of this impact on student learning. Um, and you can see there on the top right, those are the attendance boards we're talking about. Um, in our third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms, there's often a calculator there and they calculate the percentage of students in their classroom community. Um, if there's a

035100% attendance, if you walk by some of the rooms, there'll be 100% and a smiley face. And it really just gives us a gauge of um, I could tell you if there's a stomach bug going around. I could tell you which teachers we need to talk to. Um, but really we can celebrate and pop in and just be proud of our students for being there. Um, and it really has made students feel that they're noticed if they're not here. Um, so I want to thank my staff for really leaning in. I think they thought I was a little crazy when I introduced those boards. Um, but they really have become a staple of the daily work we do here at North Park. Um, as seen here with this decrease. Moving in to um, celebrating another

036success is this decrease in out of school suspensions. And again, I took the same timeline from my first full year here um to this year. So again, the data there, uh we went from 17 out of school suspensions and these were um incidents. So if one student was suspended multiple times, that would count as two or three infractions. Um so it's not number of students, it's number of incidents. So we went from 17 to 7 to four. And yes, some of that is probably my own personal growth um and our relational capacity building um and my capacity building with the team. But at the same time um we've really spent the past years committing to the work around positive behavior interventions and supports or what we'll refer to as PBIS and also working on our

037building systems to enhance our multi-tered systems of supports the MTSS or data team process here. We are super proud of this work and we'll continue to build this and enhance this. It started our PBIS work started with courage cards which are individual acknowledgement that can be earned for students who are caught embracing the North Park pledge. Um we've also incorporated quarterly awards. That's a teacher nominated award for a courage captain, a lion leader, and anCCL superstar each quarter. Um and in addition, training and turnkey work has supported our school with some restorative practices including circles either proactively or reactively to build community or repair harm. Today we actually celebrated our character trade of the month students and I know Lauren shared that with you. Um it was our first time really celebrating this and playing

038we played spotted with kindergarteners, spoons with third graders and UNO with fifth graders and just had a really good time celebrating the good work they do. Um all in an effort to build relational capacity and continue to decrease this number and um truly make the climate and culture here um just a little bit better every year. I also would be remiss if I didn't mention the support that Bright and that team provides on a daily basis. Um, this is an intervention when appropriate and needed and looks very different for all students, but that is essential to keeping students in classrooms and avoiding consequences that might um might keep them away from learning. Um, and we help to replace behaviors with that. Um, one piece we're excited about moving into next year is we've really delved

039into our student leadership team work with our fifth graders and we're hoping to see some more positive outcomes with that. um in terms of our next success that we would well the last success we want to celebrate this is our academic success. So the call outs you see there those little I don't we'll call them like little blurbs that summarizes our percentages for you. Um again the same growth the only exception is science testing. There was no science exam that year that you do not see that line. So the science exam was introduced reintroduced two years ago for our fifth graders. Um, so you'll see that that's the growth from 2022 to 23 up until last school year. If we look at ELA, we see the increase of 11.2% over that time with an increase

040last year of 6.5%. We're slowly beginning to see the impacts of the UFly curriculum and hopefully we'll continue to see the growth of our students as we implement HMH curriculum and continue to learn around that work. In math, we see the 8.3% growth. Again, 7 and a half% of that was from last year alone. for both of those subjects. Um the implementation of the new curricula, the coaching cycles with our coaches, um and then the PDS that they are that exist in the morning that our teachers are increasingly joining have been significant in supporting the student outcomes here. I also did share the nislat data here. We do have 28 students who are ENL students who take this test every year. Um, and again, I I can't celebrate the work that Jill, Kelly, and Cindy

041do with our students who come um some speaking zero English day one. And again, our growth there was exorbitant um over three years. A smaller growth last year, but we we jumped we jumped well there. Um so, another contributing factor to all of this that I'd like to share with the board is our scheduling committee process, which has evolved. Um I see a lot of our scheduling team here. We have everybody from related service teachers to special teachers, reading, math, primary, intermediate, just all in a room talking about what worked, what didn't, what we could make work, and how we can improve student learning outcomes for everyone. Um, all right. Now, I'm going to have Paul talk about the current work and targets for improvement, and then I'll wrap up with just a little budget

042conversation. >> All right. Thank you, Megan. First off, I just want to say uh thank you to Linda. Um, I've been here long enough to remember a time when we weren't as financially stable as we are now. And uh, that was scary. And then Linda came and and did wonderful things. So, I love it. Love everything you've done, Linda. You'll be missed. Really, thank you. And I also want to thank before I get going into uh, our current work and our goals this year, I want to thank our teachers and staff. This is impressive. This is really impressive. >> [applause] >> Everything that I'm going to mention in a bit, our goals can't be done without these guys. And you could tell by their commitment of being here tonight after working all day that they're

043here to support this work. And it's incredible. It really is. So, thank you guys. All right. So, as Megan said, currently we're celebrating a great success by going down 10.5 percentage points in our absenteeism, but it doesn't happen just by, you know, hey, it just happened. There was a lot of hard work that went into that. And there's a lot of hard work that continues to go into that. And so, one of the most there's a couple of really important things that we do um every week, every day. And one of the things that we do every week is the active work of our attendance team. Looking at the data weekly and reaching out to families attendance, a kid might be not coming to school for various reasons. And the only way that you're going

044to know that is to speak with them, to talk to them, to get to know them, to get to know their individual needs. And I think that's a wonderful thing that North Park does here. If a kid needs something, they get it. They do. I see it every single day. But the attendance team works on really making those connections, looking at the kids that are in danger of being chronically absent and cutting it off before it becomes a problem. Um, the attendance boards, I know that Megan already mentioned that, but that is huge. It's a visual representation of who is in our building every single day. And it's actually a lot of fun. I see Miss Ferrer over there. I go by the her class occasionally and it'll say 100% and it'll say dance party

045[laughter] and I always want to make sure that I'm there for the dance party. Sometimes I miss it but you know it's a real it's a real treat and I know that there's others that do very similar work. Um the older students calculate the attendance like Megan said, you know, and and again it's on their mind. It's every single day, right? making every child feel welcomed and comfortable here. It's a huge part of our day. We take great pride in greeting as many kids as we can every single day on their way into school. Every Friday, we play music so that they can dance into school. We want you here. We want this to be a happy and safe place. And that is some of the real important work that Megan and I in particular

046in our position that we do every single day is to make sure that this place is safe and that this place is welcoming. And so that's another piece that goes into the attendance. And then of course the celebrations, right? Um it's a marathon the school year and you need to celebrate those little successes especially when you're doing big important things. And so to have that attendance party, the kids really talk about it. they really want to be a part of it. And so that's another thing that um that we've done to help uh with the attendance. Another wildly important goal this year for us is to increase our literacy from 45% to 60 by June. That's very ambitious. Very ambitious. And and and as we were creating this goal, Megan and I were like, uh,

047is this even possible? But because we know that we have a staff that will embrace everything that we're trying to do and that they have moved mountains to get our attendance down, uh, chronically absent kid percentages down, I know that they're going to be able to do this as well. So, we're hitting this goal from a lot of angles, a lot of different angles. First and foremost is the classroom. That's where we can have the most impact on literacy. every single day. These people are doing great work and and uh you know we're committing Meg and I to go through and uh see if HMS lessons are being implemented. HMS lessons focus on literacy and small group work and we're uh able to do that. >> HMH, you have it right. >> Oh yeah, he's

048talking about >> I was at HMS for a very long time, right, Eric? [laughter] So that's a fraudian slip h [laughter] lessons focus on literacy and uh and small group work. So that's the classroom piece. The independent piece that we're challenging our students with is uh the millionminute reading challenge. And so that's like independent competition for the kids. Uh we have a scoreboard and uh plan celebrations along the way. The scoreboard is going to be located out in our uh main lobby so that all can see every time they come in or leave. Um we involved the parents. We had literacy family engagement night where we partnered with Statsburg Library um and they showed family literacy act activities aligned to the curriculum that they can actually do at home. So again to teach someone how

049to do something beyond these walls and to continue it on with our curriculum, that's huge. Uh lastly, you know, we we're we have a book nook in our lobby for gently used books for students to take. They know that they can do that. I have two um bookcases in my in my office. Kid wants to take that book home, he takes they he or she can take it home. So, we're looking at it for the classroom, independent practice, family, and community. And with all those strategies in mind, I know that we can do this. So, that's our second goal. Our third one is to introduce and this year we are just introducing for awareness uh the science of learning. The science of learning talks about how the brain works to retrieve and uh um uh

050attain information and we are connecting this work to the teachings of John Hattie to show the why practice benefits teaching and learning um this way has on on students. Um each month our faculty at our faculty meeting our BLT works with us on monthly science of learning principles. October was about retrieval and in November we've uh challenged everyone to work on dual coding. So um with that piece of the science of learning that will also help us achieve our literacy goal. And the fourth one is to create uh increase opportunities to celebrate positive behaviors through PBIS and MTSS extension. So I want to thank the cabinet and the board for making it uh possible for the PBIS and MTS facilitators. So thank you for getting those positions for us. It's really making a difference. Um

051every month the entire school works and practices on a character trait. Last month was empathy. This month, fittingly enough, is gratitude. The month of November, um we celebrate kids that that um have these qualities. We call them seal superstars. We have them down here. I'm telling you, all we have is tables and the kids. And it is one of the best events that I've been a part of. Why? Because you cannot believe the genuine joy when somebody gets their name announced. Everyone's clapping for them. Everyone is cheering and all we're doing is announcing their name and giving them credit for for these characteristics. That's it. That's it. There's no ice cream. There's no balloons. There's no dancing. It's just the certificate. But it goes a long way recognition. Um so that's uh that's a something

052that we are going to continue. Uh oh we have a daily challenge related to the trait on our morning announcements to improve our already positive culture here. For example today's challenge was list three small things that make you happy like a warm blanket, a funny show or a high five. Sometimes little things make the biggest difference. So that was this morning's challenge. So those that's the work that we're currently doing um right now and now I'm going to let you know how you can help us. [laughter] So so first off we are seeking to continue to improve our PBIS and attendance support positions. So that will help us. uh we are seeking to have more literacy based field trips to widen the student experience and to enhance the literacy experience at school. And so if

053you that's the the the trip that Megan was talking about. Oh, actually it's not. If you look at the little photo with our students down there, right? That is the slide from the Ridgefield Playhouse. So the the kids got to experience that literacy through a play. Um make connections with things that they're reading here at school. Uh we also want to prioritize textbook supplies that are relevant, engaging, and diverse. And last but not least, we want to increase travel conference funds for literacy learning for staff. Uh that other photo is from the Saturday conference that Megan talked about from NYC with our teachers and TAs and Dr. Roman. uh they when they went there they had the chance to meet Holly Lane the author of you fly and Natalie Wexter the author of the writing

054revolution. So those are were our goals. That's the support that we would like to request from the board and the cabinet. And thank you for your time. >> Thank you. And to know much of this is already included in the budget. It's just our thinking. So I just want to say that. Um so this is the three-year investment plan. And I will say this was a little bit of a challenge for me in a good way. Um a different type of way to think about um money and impact and what we can do to be strategic. Um and again I have to thank Linda for helping me understand the budget a little bit more. This was a a good practice um just to dive a little bit deeper. So I'm not going to talk too

055much about every line because they're they're pretty holistic. But you can kind of see um here our first two slides that you're going to see this administrative stuff admin us our administrative staff instructional staff and our teaching assistance. This is salary and benefits. Um so this is being projected out um due to you know with numbers that Linda helped with um but with our inflation statistics and assuming um all stays equal. So for example if we have retirements that number might decrease or change. So, um, this is where we are as of right now, November 13th, um, 2025. I just want to share our teaching assistants, what that includes. Um, those are class- size TAs. We have three in kindergarten, three in grade 1, and three in grade 2. Um, all of which we will

056based on our current enrollment. We do anticipate continuing that need. Um, this can change and is reviewed annually though, however, so something else that can shift, you know, in flux. Um we also have one behavioral TA and two reading TAs that are up in that that uh category there. Here we have our teacher aids um our student support staff and our security and school monitors lumped together. So we do have one security guard uh monitor I should say at the desk um and our new vestibule is working fantastically. So again that's an added enhancement. He is um in that line. Also our nine school monitors are in that line. Our student support staff would be our related services, those providers, OT, PT, speech, um I hope I don't miss one, but that would be them,

057our school psychologist, school counselor, um and our school social worker. Um all vital to what we do here, and some of it being regulatory and mandatory, but some of it really being enhancing the programs and opportunities we have here. >> Um >> Maggie, could I ask a question? Yes. Just to clarify. Yes. Um, I understand the one the priority one, but could you explain could you explain the nuances between a two and a three because >> I forgot I was first, Margaret. So, let me explain. >> Okay. [laughter] >> So, I forgot that this is a new So, number one, um, if it's a one, it means it's a regulation or a mandatory something that is required that the district is obligated to provide. Um, could be AIS, for example. Um, special education teachers, things

058like that. That would be a regulation or mandates. Um R two is evidence-based improvement strategies. Those are researchbased um pieces that we would utilize. Um a lot more of that would be in our textbooks or curriculum work. Um just for example and then program enhancement are the pieces such as our field trip perhaps or um you know PBIS monies that would go towards just building out what that program looks like and those incentives that would exist um to continue to build capacity there. So does that answer that Margaret for you guys? I'm still just trying to understand the difference between two and three because like teaching assistance um you have as a three which is a program enhancement but there is evidence-based um information that that is quality you know there's a need for that

059so I guess I I was just thinking the thinking was >> fair I tried to lump them so there weren't 25 slides so I'm just being fully transparent and I know I see my colleagues in the back probably taking notes. Um, but I tried to lump them that way. I see your point, Margaret, in the sense of some of our teaching assistants are class- sized. Those would not be necessarily regulatory. Those would be more a program enhancement. Those are something that um is provided with a criterion that is set u by Dr. Roman and cabinet to support our like kindergarten classrooms at 21 students, for example, would um hit that threshold to be supported by a teaching assistant. That's not necessarily required by law. whereas our special education teacher um for example or even a

060reading AISTA would probably fall into that um regulatory mandatory piece. So um perhaps I could have broken it down different. I was really trying to consolidate um the many budget lines but does so yes some of them definitely fit and I think you see my thinking I'll just jump ahead a little bit. I had a lot of slashes going as my thinking um you know shared pieces as my thinking really you know came to fruition um and using this template. So um like student support staff would be regulatory mandatory um 504 counseling IEP counseling speech sessions um PTO however um like our school counselor uh the work he's doing with the the anti-bullying work and the pushins that would be more program enhancement work. So that's kind of that that's the thinking that was used

061in in determining that. So I hope that clears that up. Um so in terms of I went backwards wrong button. Okay. Um we have our clerical office staff again um kind of mandatory not required by New York State but the work that filing the student reports um all of our student data that's that the shared records recordkeeping those things don't happen without our clerical staff immunization records folders that get to the nurses all of that happens in that space textbooks this one is um some some monies in our district are provided to the buildings um and some you will see and hear more from the director ctors as they speak um to their budget lines because a lot of the textbook ordering in mass um for example if Ralph RS Smith Violet Aav Netherwood and

062myself were all using HMH or Eureka um unless it's a consumable those would be purchased from the the director's budget line. So textbooks here looks very small especially because I know you all well many of you saw my big boxes and big orders of HMH in our gym this summer. um those textbook monies were from our director's budget line. So some of this is this is all North Park specific budget. So we have a lotment and we order textbooks. Some of the things we use that for um and we are always revisiting this is one of the things and I talked to Melissa about this is we use Scholastic News. But with the advent of all of the new curriculum, do we really need and use Scholastic News? And so those are things that we're

063reviewing and thinking about with this budget line as we move forward. Um, will that change the dollar amount that I'm looking for? AB, I'm saying no, not really. It's just how do we all lot the monies that we have um to continue to benefit the goals that we're setting and the goals that the district is setting. Um, teaching supplies. This is our teachers ordering supplies for them and and staff for what they need to teach and instruct. This would not be our student supplies, which I'll talk about in just a minute. Um, so that again will just be the inflationary number because we really are um we we hold them to a tight cap to get what they need and and try to you know be creative where we need to to to fill in

064the pieces. Um our conference mileage travel this will I I am looking I'll get to the financial overview in a minute. I am looking to up this just slightly if possible because we really do want to continue the work that we started last year um where we all went to New York City. It's something I'd like to continue and take back. Um, it's something we're working on here. So, I'll talk about that in just a second. Our office and admin supplies, that budget line, again, just inflationary. There really isn't a code, Margaret, to your point here. Um, because some of this is things like a projector bulb um which they're quite expensive. So, looking at um I'll share with you one of the things we did to try to cut our cost there is I'm

065working with Rick Wart and technology to get our um gymnasium an interactive TV versus the projector screen that she has. um because we've gone through two bulbs in two years and really that that's a a cost that we don't need to have every year um to to get the instruction we need to um so I'm just sharing the thinking. So so lines won't really change just our decision making on these slides um will be impacted. That final piece is a contractual um piece. That dues and memberships piece that's contractual. Um in our contract we're allotted um $750 each for um dues and membership relevant to what we're doing. So that will that should stay fixed assuming contracts stay where they are. Um and really you see that our budget line grows with those inflationary projections.

066Um, but kind of seeing where the money goes and helping me think and us think, I should say, and helping us have conversations about how do we make decisions that are best for kids. Are we using what we're spending money on? Is it beneficial? Um, is it outdated? Is it something that we really need? Um, and that's something we started last year just with planners. We were just ordering planners for everybody. And in our closet, we'd have three or four boxes returned to us with, I don't need these. I don't use them. So why are we buying 180 extra planners if we don't need them? So just really being cognizant and aware of each budget line as we make decisions and as I work with the cabinet and the directors and um the other areas

067so we can do what's best for for kids but also best for our community. Um so that's that thinking. This is the summary. I don't know why it looks like that on this screen. It did not on mine so I apologize. >> Um yeah so I I apologize because I don't know why it looks that way. Uh, we do have a the two lines I'm looking for. I'll have to look at my sheet now because I can't see the bottom of that slide. Um, we're looking for new investments in a few areas. So, I'm going to start with the middle even though that doesn't make sense, but because I know that's where most of our eyes are drawn to is that $24,525$545. that was um our money that was provided to us for our student

068school supplies that have been purchased the past few years through the Stronger Connections grant um which is it's ending and it's over. Um yet that's something that we're really hopeful and um we're eager and hopeful that the board will consider um perhaps putting that in their general fund budget because the equity it brought the way we could hit the ground running day one not trying to scramble to get you know Johnny Sally Billy what they need to get started having those items in the classroom that all look the same that all act the same that are all the same quality um that teachers can pick and make sure they're getting what they need for their students to be successful. We really feel that that's been um an incredible impact to our building and families um

069they've just been so thankful and grateful um for that consistency probably also for not waiting in line at Staples. Um but really it's been a huge like a huge way to get our year started right off the bat. Um so that's where I start with this and wanting and asking and hoping um that student school supplies can be considered when the time comes for the general fund. Um, but I did start there because that number is pretty large. I'm not really looking for any additional allocations. Um, I think we can be cognizant, creative, and innovative with the other budget lines. However, textbooks, I'd like, you know, as Paul indicated, one thing we're trying to do is being mindful and building diverse and multicultural libraries in our classrooms. Um, and so giving teachers the ability and

070the options to perhaps get books um, in a Spanish language so that students have access to something they might be able to read or about Diwali or about something that's representative to all of our students so that the books aren't just our traditional books that we have and books that are enjoyable to read and not just decodables that are part of the curriculum. Um, so that's one thing we're seeking. And then on the bottom, it's hard when it I can't see right. Um, thank you. Um the travel and conferences again I I'm seeking just a thought you know I'd love to have an extra $500 that'd be two to three extra staff members that I could get down um with their willingness and I'm looking at them because I know some of them are very

071willing um but with their willingness um probably through a lottery if I'm being honest at this point because the eagerness and the excitement is there to do this work. Um so I'm looking to to potentially get a little more money in that budget line which I'll be sharing with cabinet in future conversations. Um everything else there though stays pretty much the same. >> Yes. >> On that chart it says um continuing investment is $220, new investment $2,20. Does that mean you're you want to the new budget will be $4,040 or how do I read this chart? Under travel >> I wish it was and I I apologize that it's not the right size that I see here. So travel conference it would be 2020. I'm looking for I was looking for $500 and I really

072>> So So even the school supply says our continuing investment is $24,000 but our new investment is 24. Does that mean it's going to 48 or >> So that would be my apologies and that's not how it should be. It should be read at plus 500. So I will correct that and get it back to you guys. >> Oh, okay. >> I apologize for that. Plus 500. So I just must have copied the line. I thought I proof read this. So sorry. >> Okay. But that it would not be doubling. It would be looking for an extra $500 to bring two to three extra. >> And the reason why you have the 24,000 because that's going to be from a grant to general >> that would all have to move to that general fund. So

073that would all be a new investment in the in in the scheme of our budget. >> Okay. Got it. Thanks. >> Um so again, the benefits of this I'm just going to recap quickly because I know we we've held your attention for a long time. We're going to continue to use this um use what we have to support students and families promoting attendance. Um, PBIS is going to continue to be be built and enhance our culture and climate, opportunities for increased experiential learning, and I showed our garden here. Um, to help with literacy development, writing around nature, um, or whatever experience it might be. And then again, building our classroom libraries the best we can to adapt to the students that are in our building. And last but not least, our next steps are continuing

074to systemize and routinize our practices to improve attendance outcomes. Um, build upon the current MTSS and PBIS practices and systems that we've created thus far at North Park. Celebrating because as Paul said, we I believe in celebration. um and I know we all do the successes of attendance and student learning and then updating you know the cabinet as we go through budget work in the traditional fashion um with any changes or things that I see that might waver from here. Um and that would be that would be it. So I'll any questions? [clears throat] Um thank you. Um, one question I have that isn't really related to anything on here. So, if you don't answer it tonight, that's okay. But one of the things that, um, parents talked to me about is class size. So,

075um, at some point I would love us to look at the class size load, especially as it goes with, you know, little ones to fifth grade, you know, and and how that might be impacting all of this work we're doing. we've got all these new programs, which is great, but if we've got overcrowded classrooms, that has an impact. And and I that's why we approved the class size load aids in K through two, I think it is. Um, but I'm I'm just curious because I I've been hearing there's been a lot of uh students moving in after registration at the beginning of the school year. So, >> yeah. Yeah. And to that point, um I was concerned in August about whether we would have or a need for some TAs in second grade, but um

076you know there were registrations. I mean >> in terms of kindergarten registration, is it appropriate that I answer this now? >> Yeah. Right. Okay. In terms of the kindergarten classes, we are sitting at 24 or 25 in our sections. Um they all have TAs assigned to them in conjunction with that agreement. Um and they're all full-time TAs. In terms of first grade, we're sitting at 22, 23, and 24. Again, all TAS. Um, one of them is a split ICT class, and that is an IC, you know, they get an aid TA for half the day. Um, because they're at they're at the they're at a different number, a lower number threshold. Our third our second grade, sorry, is at 26 27 26. Third grade is our bubble. Um we have four sections of third grade

077that was four sections last year of second grade and we have 93 students in that cohort um sitting at 23 23 22 25. Um fourth grade sits at 25 23 and 27. The 27 is an ENL class. So there was three new additions that had to go into that class which is why it's unbalanced. And then fifth grade we sit at 29 across the board. Um, so it is a large school, but they do great work. Our staff really does great work. Um, and so, um, I'm thankful for the TAs. I'm sure I'm looking at many of our kindergarten teachers and a few of our TAs here tonight. So, we're thankful for that support, too, with with helping kids get what they need in the classroom, um, and even in their breaks in the hallway

078if they need a little walk. So, any other questions? >> Yeah, it's good to have that because as we go to other schools, it'll be interesting to look at how, you know, making sure that that we're similar. Um the other thing was when you talked about your um the school supplies um I've heard from parents how much they love that student school the students school supply line item um will you be doing anything where you because you talked about how you look at you know the planners that just sit in the closet um that maybe for that we prioritize and if the 24 isn't possible what what's the you know how can how can we get what's really necessary Right. >> Yeah, we can absolutely do surveys with our with our teachers. I would say

079that would be really where do we want to start with those surveys and see what is a priority and need versus more of what the want would be. So, for example, I'm thinking of some, you know, those twistable crayons or colored pencils, those aren't really a need. That might be a place we can cut some, you know, some of the money, but you know, our our paper notebooks, you know, composition books, pencils would be more of that in line, I think, with what you're talking about with the need. But yeah, we'd be more than happy to do that work. >> Thank you. Any other questions? >> What I would say is very comprehensive report, a lot of good uh data for the community. Thank you very much. What do you think is the biggest factor

080at least for your school in the improvement of the attendance? What would you say if somebody asked you? >> Everybody being allin, and I mean everybody. Um, and I'm looking at them and even some of our reluctant staff that were a little more reluctant. And um, I mean that with absolute love. Um, like I said, some of them thought I was crazy when I said, "We're going to put this outside of classrooms and we're going to record attendance on it and we're going to, you know, make it a job, do what we have to do." But I will say this would not have happened if they didn't lean into the work with me and our students didn't lean into that work. So really, it's just building that team effect and communicating what what the expectation

081is and then working together. I will also say for us being willing to listen to the teachers when they had ideas or thoughts or wonderings is another piece. So that all-in piece I think is really um it was a part of every day of our year. It still is and we had to commit to that. So I think that all-in team piece of all of us committing that this is going to be done. We're going to look at it. We're going to celebrate that. So I think it's not really something we can buy. It's really just a priority >> 100%. I mean the buyin is so important and so forth. It's great seeing you know both of you together. It's great seeing Paul of course. Isn't it great seeing Paul? Um and so forth. Then

082Paul, don't feel bad about the HMS, HMH. I was in my office today after working in my last district for 14 years and I said the wrong school. So don't feel bad. >> All right. Thank you. Good job. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> [applause] >> All right. Next, we're moving on to 7.3, our energy and Honeywell update. Perfect. Thank you. >> Tough presentations to follow. Um, so we just wanted to take a um 10 minutes. I know uh promised Dr. Roman we'd keep it uh we keep it brief. Just to give everybody an update on where we're at with the uh Ralph R. Smith amendment to our energy performance contract. Um, by way of introduction for those who don't remember myself, Terry Guy, I head up Honeywell's energy team here in New York. Um,

083Justin Bern is uh leads um the district's architect engineering firm from Energia over the energy performance contract as well. So, we have been working hand inand over the last I don't know five or six months. Um and we've completed the um the design work and the costing and the amendment for the Ralph Rar Smith piece is now sitting in the district's hand. So we just wanted to review briefly the the overall scope and economics of the amendment and then field any quick questions you may have. So the the fixed price here for the amendment is a little over 7.6 6 million. It is fully funded, you know, by a competitive grant that we won for the district uh last year for 5.9 million. It also is fully funded through additional New York State building aid

084that gets paid out to the district over 15 years at roughly $300,000 conservatively uh a year for that 15-year period. And there's also additional uh utility central Hudson grants that we're tapping into as well. And on top of that, there's just pure utility savings from the work that we're doing at Ralph R. Smith. All that being said, you can see it actually generates a positive cash flow over the term of the agreement. What I mean by that is all of those components uh that are revenue items that are coming into the district. So, the $5.9 million grant, the New York State building aid at $300,000 a year over 15 years, um, far exceeds, you know, what the district's cost would be out of pocket because if you look at the price of the amendment at

0857.7 million, the grant itself is roughly 5.9. There's a small gap there of about 1.8 8 million for which the district will have to borrow and they would borrow that money and pay it off over that same 15-year period that the building aid comes into the district. So depending on the the resulting interest rate, that's only going to cost the district about $150,000 a year. The building aid alone at $300,000 a year doubles that. So you can see right there, without even counting um the utility savings that we will drive with the new equipment that we're installing, it's generating a positive cash flow for the district. You can see why that particular grant, you know, which we went after uh last year was such a competitive grant for that reason. Um, the other beauty of

086that, which is why you see the building aid so high, most grants, most utility rebates, the way the state factors the building aid is they take that grant amount off of the project price before they calculate the building aid. With this particular competitive grant, that was not the case. The state passed specific legislation, which is why, again, this was such a competitive grant to go after. um that the aid would not be affected one iota by the amount of that grant. That's why you've got such a significant amount of building aid coming in, you know, for this work. And what is the work? The work is the full replacement of all of the heating equipment in that building. That building is, as as you probably know, is has gotten the least amount of capital work

087done, you know, over the last 10, 15, 20 years. It's a very um it's an old steam heated system. Uh I was just talking to the principal about it a little bit before and um it's a very uh costy system to maintain. You get a lot of different um variations in in temperature from classroom to classroom. So that entire system is going to be replaced and uh in addition to that you're now getting air conditioning as well by virtue of the type of equipment that we're putting in. We're putting in uh heat pump equipment that for those of you that may have it in your home provides both cooling and then heating you know throughout the entire course of the year. So all of that new equipment that I'm listing there um mo most importantly

088is just to see the areas that we're addressing. We're addressing all the areas, the classroom areas, gymnasium, auditorium, hallway areas. As I said, it's a complete renovation of all the heating equipment and providing air conditioning to those areas as well. I wanted to show you just some of the um in many cases the equipment in some of these areas is original to the building. This example of the uh this is the auditorium airling unit. Um you can't really see it to get technical, but it's got old I'm sure Greg would appreciate this. It's got some old pneumatic control valves on there. um a very antiquated, you know, airling unit that that is likely beyond its useful life. Here is a picture of the gymnasium. You can see uh just underneath the ceiling there, there's two

089circular units. Those are Sorry about that. Those are small uh heaters. Here's an example of today that's not up to code. there's no fresh air ventilation that's being brought into the gymnasium, you know, so those are going to be removed and replaced with rooftop units that bring in the proper amount of fresh air to the space, you know, which is great especially for an athletic area like a gymnasium as well as said before cooling, you know, when when necessary during uh certain times of the year. This is uh original to the building. These are um the original classroom unit ventilators, old steam units. If you were to look behind that cabinet again, you would see very old coils and um in many in many areas some tough antiquated functioning outside air dampers bringing improper ventilation.

090So all of these old original classroom unit ventilators are being replaced and even the uh the old baseboard steam radiation here in the uh in the hallway is being replaced. So to give you a sense of the timeline, what we wanted to do today is just share with you uh the overall scope, share with you the economics, um deliver the message that it is absolutely a a self-funding deal 100%. Beyond that, as I talked about, it's a generating a positive cash flow. Um, we are in the process of finishing the drawings and specifications with Energia as we speak and we're going to submit to the state ed department the end of next week because it is an amendment to the energy performance contract which the board already approved and we already got state approval on.

091They will expedite that review right away. So, it's good news. We'll get the drawings in. They'll begin reviewing it. At the next board meeting is when we're going to look for your support on the approval of the amendment itself because the state ed department which is why I'm showing SED approval after that board meeting they can finish their review but they can't issue their final approval and issue building permits until we have an approved and signed amendment. So we wanted to socialize you know the scope of work the economics field questions and then come back to you at the December 11th meeting and ask for your approval and execution of the amendment. Ideally at that time already have SEDD's approval on the drawings and specs. So it's just a formality to take that executed approved

092amendment show it to SED they issue us approval and then we're off to the races. The installation schedule for this work is fast. It's about 12 months. We can do a lot of significant roughin work throughout the spring. Uh even leveraging um second shift time to get in here so that we're ready during that summer window to really do the majority of the work. We'll have all the equipment in hand. um all the rough in of all the refrigerant lines will be done and like I said that call it that kind of 8week window during the summertime we hit it hard we get all the equipment in and then we leverage that beginning of the school season when you start to get into the heating season to really commission the equipment. So we're looking at

093really a full 12 month uh period. So, December of next year being wrapped up with the installation. So, with that, just wanted to pause and see if you had any questions at this point in time. Um, I think the scope was distributed to the district and maybe in your hands um for review. So certainly if you have any questions on on the scope, you know, whether it's tonight or anytime over the next three, four weeks, they can be, you know, funneled through to Dr. Roman or Linda and we can field those questions. Um, but really excited. Like I said, this was a um not an easy process with the design. Um, but that grant is is a home run. Not not just from the standpoint of the dollar amount, but really from the fact that

094the state does not take away building aids. So they really are aiding it based on the full value of the work which generates the positive cash flow. Forget the savings, forget the maintenance savings on an old steam system. That's all, you know, in my opinion, just gravy. I mean, just literally the building aid alone more than um covers the financing cost. And so this work doesn't interfere with the timeline of the bigger project, right? It's it kind of fits in nicely. >> It fits in very nicely. >> Okay. >> Yeah. The bigger job is um out for financing right now, I believe. I mean, so it it's probably going to be just in parallel. >> Okay. >> The bigger job is a little bit longer predominantly for the solar piece. So the construction period for

095the base EPC was 15 16 months. And like I said, that's really just for um the solar systems and getting through the final utility sign off and interconnect. They tend to be a little bit lengthy at the end of the um >> and cycle. >> You had mentioned the start of the school year in 26. You know, obviously that's heating season. We're going to have heat for the school when it starts, right? Well, correct. When it comes this time of year next year or in 26, right? So, >> correct. >> Okay. per I mean certainly per per law that has that's a requirement if that's why it's so critical to do the rough in work in the spring um the moment we decommission you know that boiler plant there's no turning back so you've got

096to have the equipment in hand um you've got to have a schedule and plan well thought out and we'll certainly work you know closely with Greg and his staff um and it is consistent the equipment you're putting in is consistent with the rest of the buildings all the work that we're having done So, so you know, Greg's staff isn't going to have to learn something unique to Ralph. It's it's going to be pretty consistent. >> Great question. So, yeah, it's all integrated um first and foremost back to the district's trained building automation system. So, all that equipment um we'll come back to a central server so Greg and his staff can view every single building and control it and monitor it. Um, a lot of the heat pump equipment has been put in through capital

097projects in other buildings. So, it is it is consistent technology. Um, I think the manufacturer we're even recommending is has been used in other buildings. But most importantly, the automation system which ties everything together is going to go uh is a train system. So, we're working with your existing provider right now. >> Okay. Good. Thank you. Yeah, >> I I think we've talked about this before, but I'm gonna ask you to remind me [clears throat] Honeywell is providing the equipment. The contractors that will be doing the work are being contracted by Honeywell. Is that correct? We We're not responsible for putting out an RFP to hire contractors. Right. >> Correct. >> And so you're on the line if things go >> south. Yeah. >> 100% correct. >> Thank you. single point of contract between us

098and the district. We hire the subs, we buy the equipment, which helps with that timeline because think about it, um, heating is so important, having to have it ready by September. You better have the contractors lined up. You better have the equipment in hand. So, um, we don't have to worry about putting it out for public bid. Once we have SD approval in late December, we're good to go. And some of this equipment does have long lead times, so you do need to order it in January to make sure you have it in April ready for the summer install. So, >> all right. Any other questions? All right. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> And Linda, I know I'll be meeting with you, but best of luck. It's been a wonderful year

099and a half. Nothing but a pleasure. So, >> all right. Moving on to 8.1. Um, can I get a motion to enter public participation? >> Moved. So moved. Christine, >> second, Katie. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Okay. So, we have a total of three minutes per speaker. I'll give you a little hand wave when we're at the three minutes um to wrap it up. We'll have a total of 21 minutes for this uh session. We ask that um comments be courteous and respectful to all and please provide your name and address when you reach the podium. There will be a second opportunity um later on in the agenda for a second public participation. Uh would anyone like to uh address the board? >> Dit if you can just hit the button

100to turn turn it on. >> Yes. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Dwit Sagenorf and I live at 28 Louise Place, Statsburg. I'm a member of the Roosevelt Fire District and presently serve as commissioner and I'd like to thank you for allowing me to speak this evening. Want to thank the board for considering the TA tax exemption for volunteer firefighters who reside within the Hide Park School District. I see this tax exemption as a retention and recruitment tool for our fire district as presently approximately 55 of our firefighters could benefit from this exemption if adopted. We have members who own property and have individuals who purchased homes in the district and who have joined as members. The law allows this board of education several options and I will recommend the following. I know you've

101looked at the law. you're well very well aware of the law, but there's a number of things that that I'd like to see you uh basically consider. A 10% reduction of assessed value for firefighters who own property in the fire district. This would be for members who have invested three years as members in the district. Allow members who have served at least 20 years but are not currently active and their primary and and their primary residence is in the school district to be eligible for the exemption. The benefit be given to the spouse of a deceased member killed on the line of duty if they remain unmarried. Deceased member must have had five years of service and was receiving the exemption. Benefit is given to the spouse of a deceased member if they remain unmarried

102and the member had 20 years of service and the deceased member was receiving the exemption. We need to keep finding ways to keep fire our volunteer fire service to be pro to provide protective action to our communities. The option of paid and career firefighters would be a great expense to all taxpayers raising their fire attacks to an unaffordable cost. We all know that. I see this assessment reduction as a way to keep our firefighters volunteering to protect our community. And as you're aware, the Duchess County, the town of Hyde Park, and the fire district has has adopted this exemption. Like to thank you again for this opportunity. Have a good evening. Thank you. >> Would anyone else like to address the board? No. Oh. Ray Struts. I live at uh 23 Franklin Road in Heid

103Park. Um I've been a member of Roosevelt Fire District for about 13 14 years. A lot of you may recognize my voice, some my face from being on the save committee, uh also coming out here for fire prevention and all. This is all at no cost to the taxpayers as far as me being out here. I'm a volunteer. I don't make anything off of this. This is one way that can help everybody behind me and coming up through stay being able to do this and providing the uh benefits to school and all the children and everything else. So, I recommend you follow the recommendations from Dwit that he read off. That would be a great help. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Mitchell Schron. I live at One Ledgewood

104Drive in Hyde Park. Um I'm here to voice my support for the proposal for providing this for volunteer firefighters. I spent many years as an educator and many of the time was very h was very happy when I put a call to 911 and volunteer firefighters were able to come in and provide support. As someone who was uh had a full career in education and then on my retirement decided to give back to my community and join the volunteer firefighting force as a volunteer. I support this and I would urge the uh the board to support it as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, with that we will now uh close public participation. Uh so thank you guys for your comments. We appreciate it. Um and I think we have some discussion

105on the um probably in the next agenda with the community chat you'll give an update. Okay. So we'll move on to 9.1 our uh board subcommittee reports. Did uh did any committees meet? Go ahead. >> Um the special education uh committee met um and uh okay uh they discussed department goals which are the same throughout the district. literacy goals and um attendance. Um so far uh chronic absenteeism is is looking good so far for this year. Um there are some barriers within special education that are a little bit different than the general population. Um so uh that's a little bit trickier um in terms of absenteeism. Um the improving literacy uh they said are It was something that was going to be discussed more in C uh cse meetings and also um a part of

106more observational feedback. Um in addition additionally uh administrators would be attending professional development for literacy as well. Um the uh updates and changes in uh special education programming have been going going well. Uh feedback has been positive uh in that area. And um the other thing was that there will be uh parent surveys going out um to uh parents of special education students. Um, was there anything else? >> Can I can I talk about the budget implications that we talked about? Was that okay? So, I just want to add to that. Um, one significant change has been the number of uh, special ed students who have transferred into our district after we passed the last budget. Um, they come into our district on their IEP. It says they need an out of district placement, which

107um we recognize that these students need, but it's a financial implication that we hadn't put into the budget. Right now, um there's 15 students we're talking about that um that are affected by this. Only two are in district placements that were um recommended for out of district. Seven were CPSE, which is uh the preschool, the little guys. um and then six transferred in with an IEP that says that they need an outofd district placement. So the financial implication is um $861,119 which was not allocated in our budget. So I just want to bring that up. That's it's pretty much stuff we don't have control over. Obviously we want to support our students the best way that we can. But when they come in with an IEP that says that they need this specialized school, we

108need to honor that IEP. Uh the other thing was the change in the aging out. Uh it used to be that at 21 a special ed students time in public education was over, but I guess there's been a re a relook at that and now it's at the end of the 21st year. So that gives us like you know several months more which might not sound like a lot. We currently have three students that that would um affect. So those are unreimbured costs because the uh state will not reimburse us for that. So um couple little changes that are having a budget impact. So just wanted to bring that up. And um congratulations to Joanna on her award that was also discussed. So that was that was nice. But um yeah so Christine and I

109were um Love the love the the Zoom meeting. It's a little bit easier. >> All right. Thank you. Any other committees? >> So, the Duchess County School Boards met um last Thursday. So, you have a member from each district in the 13 uh districts of Duchess County. We had Dan Fuller who's the senior vice president of Ostrada Associates um who is up in Albany and uh dealing with all things that are going on politically in Albany. Um he shared with us again it's going to be a very uh difficult budget cycle. There is a state deficit and so a lot of the members from various districts said well you know this sounds you know kind of what we've heard in recent years and so forth. Um we were talking about the SNAP benefits and so

110forth and since that time things have seemed to be worked out at the federal level, but he did remind us that you know unlike a federal budget, a state budget has to balance. Uh a federal budget does not. There can be deficits a state budget has to balance and so forth. And we went over a number of issues that are um concerning districts. Some districts talked about um you know some of the requirements from the state ebuses and others and wondered if if things were going to be put off and so forth and there wasn't exact word from the governor yet in that regard and then basically we had our report from Boseies. Boseies is having um you know tremendous success with the Salt Point campus. Um and that that's a good thing. The only

111problem is they've actually had to um send some students to Red Hook because they've had such a growth at the Salt Point campus. So, they're doing some um studies of their space at the Salt Point campus and so forth. They updated us that districts now their safety plans have to have a a cardiac plan as part of that. It's due in January of 2026. So, there's a lot of things that are going on at Boseis that they share it in a positive sense. So, our next meeting is coming up in December for Dutch County School Boards. Um, anybody's invited from any school board to attend. >> Any other committees? facilities, right? You were there. Yeah. Yeah. Go >> ahead. Yeah. >> He had his granddaughter with him. It was lovely. Um facilities committee met. We

112got an update on the current capital projects. Uh very similar from from Gregory Cicero, very similar to the um presentations we've seen here. And then we began uh the next order of business will be sort of brainstorming what is the next capital project that we're looking at. We'll be looking at the building condition surveys to help us with that. >> And we also talked about the uh the field naming. [laughter] >> Right. Right. Right. So we're throwing around some ideas about um the the actual um what what it'll look like the for the new field naming. Right. The >> for um >> Right. >> Yeah. which I think is um >> Saturday this Saturday they're going to do the naming ceremony at the field right 12 o'clock okay should have been an upcoming event um

113so any okay any other uh committee yeah all right moving on to board discussion including consent agenda items so um any consent agenda item discussions we'll go through that first and then we'll talk about the community chat and the the firefighter um discussion. >> I I don't I don't have a question, but I do want to um commend Craig Elliott. The donation that we got of the salad bar, it's called a donation, but it's actually a grant that he won, and I just want to commend him on the work and and getting that for us. >> The the salad bars. >> Yeah. >> I I'm really excited. >> That was great. >> Can we go Can we go to lunch with the salad bars? Absolutely. That's amazing. >> And we're going to grow our own

114vegetables, too. >> I love it. >> Any other consent agenda? >> 10.7. I'm going to talk about this again. Obsolete items. Um, I love that Tracy Aninsley at the high school was looking at ways for the books that she's getting rid of. She's sharing them with classrooms and students who want to build their personal libraries. Um, I want to request that we do the same with the professional books. There were a a ton of professional books that are being discarded and I looked through the titles and there um although they were from a previous administrator, there were titles about data team success and differentiated instruction. These are things that are still current topics and I would hate to see us keep throwing out really good resources. Can we find a way that those professional books

115can be instead of throwing them out um that we're we're making them available. We have new staff coming all the time. Um, they're looking for professional development. Um, I'd really like to see us using these resources instead of getting rid of them. >> Okay. Any other consent agenda items? >> It's working. Wonderful. Thank you. So the personnel agenda 10:17 that has the appointment of the interim business official. So we can talk about that. >> Okay. Good. All right. So um so there was concern in the community about the rate that for that and so forth. So I thought it would be important to kind of talk about it in public about where that rate came from. Um in the past the the board has approved rates for um for substitutes for principles. I think $800

116a day. assistant principles, I believe $600 or $650 a day, but I don't remember that rate, the $1,000 being talked about, you know, in open forum and discussed. So, that was the first question that I was asked by a community member. Um, the second question I was asked, um, as I shared with the board, was, you know, was this really truly an open search? I know it's an interim uh position and I know there's a very quick turnaround uh to post the position and so forth, but um in all fairness, like I said, I had some friends who were retirees who asked me about it who probably would have been very interested and and probably would have uh been interested even at a lesser rate and so forth. So, I thought we should have kind

117of an open discussion about that since it's on the personnel agenda. >> Okay. Sure. >> I I can I can certainly answer. >> So um so to your first question um so when we when we do these kind of appointments this is a very different and unique with a specialized skill set. Uh so we don't have a principal, we don't have a director. Um we have those established amounts. We don't have anything for a superintendent and we don't have anything for an assistant superintendent. So with regards to whenever you're setting salary, you want to do a market analysis. So what is the going rate for an interim um as you have mentioned in terms of the interim period, the 30-day posting would not allow us to have somebody ready to go uh and support the

118transition of Linda exiting uh the position and being able to continue with the budget work that is is currently in place. And so that's the reason why um an interim is an interim. It's it's it's someone to get in to kind of stop the the gap and then the posting for the permanent position was posted immediately um when we started searching for an interim. So that that position uh we're currently actively recruiting and um our our hope is that we're going to attract some some good talent. um no one to replace Linda but certainly uh we have uh the association school boards association who's um promoting the position um across the state and um all of our networks. So um in terms of of the interim uh those are those are the responses market analysis

119you have to look at what the going rate is for a retiree and um we needed to get someone in as soon as possible. Sure. And and I would note that of course like everybody else that I back up that um the loss of Linda is a huge loss to this district. Linda is a is an excellent employee and she's a quality person. She's been a a very great employee and and a personal friend. You know, I was just noting that that rate is above her daily rate and so forth. So what I would share is that um another view that um having been an interim myself that there are retirees who can start immediately and I think that in the future if we really think about posting things for key positions I understand you

120can't post every interim position in the world in OLAS I understand that but for key positions like that with the number of retirees and with right now having a very good opportunity of a two-year window where the state has waved any kind of earnings for retirees, I think that we probably would have gotten somebody who would be very very happy to work at a lower rate and and be able to start within that window. I truly believe that just from the feedback that I had. So what I'm saying right now is u moving forward I hope it's a very positive for the district but I would like to see that for um key positions that there's full transparency that every interim position is posted especially for those retirees who are ready to kind of jump

121into position and say I I can start in you know a couple weeks and so forth. I I think that's that's something we have to take advantage of in my opinion from what I'm hearing. >> So one of the things you mentioned was the daily rate. So, um, when you look at the daily rate, we're actually in a savings with this particular, uh, position. We're currently having someone fill in, um, 3 days out of the week. We've come up with an interimm, uh, support, uh, point of contact in the business office for the remaining two days. So, when you look at the actual dollar amount per day, we're actually saving close to about $1,000 per day. um with all wi with not having to pay the full uh five days, $5,000. So, it's actually a

122huge savings for us because we're not having to pay any kind of benefits um or anything like that and it's only two day or three days out of the week. >> Sure, I understand that. And just so the community understands, I just think that we could have even gotten greater savings. You know, there's a lot of people who have a lot of experience in the private sectors and I mentioned retirees and you know, just by putting it out there publicly on OLAS for everybody to apply, you know, I understand going through a professional organization that's that's that's a good thing because there are a lot of good contacts. But I think you know um having things like that publicly posted is very very important because it also shows the community that anybody can apply and

123have the same um ability to be um considered and it's not just somebody who knows somebody in an association. So I think that that's something we should think about. Moreover, I think that since we have agreed as a board to a daily rate for assistant principles and principles, I think we really should now um a lesson learned here moving forward in a positive way for our district. Think about what is a daily rate for um a cabinet level position and really have that discussion moving forward so that um there's full transparency for people because I I think you know some people were taken back by that number. Thank you. Okay. >> Yep. >> I'm just going to clarify. Are you in active or inactive or was that not discussion? Okay. I That's important for them

124to know. Um, yeah. So, we had a community chat and just to remind the community that we decided last year we would have monthly community chats, but it ended up that three board members were sitting in a room by themselves because nobody came. So we decided this year to um do them on an asneeded basis. So President Zagorski and I uh decided with our district clerk that this would be a good opportunity for try to try out the idea that there's something big happening. Let's have a community chat. And I want to thank Jay Makula, our our board um clerk, because she advertised this everywhere. Um, announcements went out all over the community and we did have eight people come which was nice. We had I thought we had some great conversations. Um, let me

125just go to my notes here. Um, some of the comments that the attendees made were that that there is currently a lack of volunteers in the fire departments. Um, part of the the challenge for the fire departments, which I think we can relate to, is the increase in state requirements for training that um, you know, seasoned firefighters were talking about how years ago they didn't have to do the hundreds of hours of training that they have to do now. Um, and that has an impact on volunteers. Uh there were no concerns raised except for one uh community member was concerned about volunteer firefighters who do not own a home if they rent. They're not getting any benefit because they can't afford to buy a home. Um which I thought was interesting. That was really the

126only concern. Everything else was um in support of doing something like this. The thinking was that um it would be an incentive to to prevent I hope I'm wording this correctly, prevent us from to going to paid fire programs because we do have one local fire um firehouse that is fully paid and we hear constantly about the tax implications, much higher taxes in that fire district because you have to pay for um the round the roundthe-clock fire coverage. Um, I asked what that would look like because, you know, whenever anybody says it's going to cost more, I want to say how much more. Um, and the figures that we were given using data from other fire districts to staff one station with four career firefighters 247 and the legally required supervision is about $5.7 million

127and to staff two stations would be about 9.9. So that doesn't mean that's why our taxes are going to go up, but that's going to have a heavy tax implication. Uh the increase in taxes um would be a t these are the figures that I got from the fire department. Uh increase raising taxes rate from 3 $3.14 per thousand to $19.73 per thousand if it was a paid fire department. Now, we're not saying everybody's going to paid fire departments, but I just wanted to ask if we give this tax break, what are what are we looking at? You know, where does this fit into everything? So, that was pretty much the gist. Um Christine and Katie were with me. If you'd like to add anything, um did I get it? Is there anything I missed?

128No, I think you >> I do think um one thing that came up clearly was that the tax break would provide an incentive to volunteers and perhaps keep membership up because it is hard to get volunteer firemen and also and people it's also a lot of training. I was struck by one fireman who said that when he started it was about 36 hours of training. Now, as you mentioned, the state requirements 176 hours for firefighting and 200 hours for EMT. And these are for volunteers working this way. So, the tax incentive, we we had a very positive meeting and um people were really interested in using it as an incentive. I do want to say one comment. The state does offer a tax credit for volunteers. Like if they are a renter, there's there's a

129tax credit that anybody can get whether you owe them a home. >> I don't I don't offh hand. Um >> they said they have to decide, >> right? >> It's you decide the tax credit or the the tax. >> That's good to know. But it but that that group would not be covered under this because we have to go only by what the state is saying we can >> we can cover and that they're not in this group. Right. Okay. Thank you. >> Do you mind if I add to that? So the tax credit is $200 um or $400 if both spouses are volunteers. Um if the board were to pass the tax exemption, uh the volunteers can't have both. They would have to decide what's better for them, the tax credit or the tax

130exemption. >> That's why you she always she always explains things that I don't get. Thank you. >> Yeah. The only thing that I would add is it was overwhelmingly positive feedback. Um, everybody that was there, everybody that showed up was in support of this tax credit. Um, and they just saw it at a as a as an incentive to get people to volunteer to retain the volunteers that they already had. >> So, the way we're considering it, I believe that the district has um the ability to choose between two and five years to begin the plan or am I correct on that? >> Yes, that's correct. um throughout the county, other districts are at three years. >> So, it was recommended if we want to just make it >> universal, the suggestion was to go

131with three years, but we can choose anything from two to five. >> Okay, makes sense. You know, so what I would add is because a couple of people asked me about this is first of all, we love our volunteer firemen. There's no question of that. And we've our volunteer firemen have come out to the Spence household a number of times and helped us out and and God bless you for doing what you do. And we used to my family used to live a part of the town that has full-time firemen. And I can tell you it is a great savings having volunteer firemen when you're in another part of the town where you have volunteers versus full-time firemen. So, um, thank you very much for doing that. No, the only thing I said it wasn't,

132you know, criticism. It was more for the state to consider. A number of people said to me, you know, next thing I knew, people were coming up to me and saying, "Well, what about people who volunteer and work with cancer patients or what about people who were um this or that?" I believe the act is volunteer firemen or volunteer ambulance driver, if I'm correct. >> Okay. So, are we including the ambulance workers? We are. Okay. So, that's good. But my my critique or feedback is more for our enlightened leaders at the state saying, "This is a great idea. I think it's a cost savings. How about some of the other people who are doing great things for volunteering also um in our communities. I shared with the board a list in Duchess County of all

133kinds of volunteer opportunities and some of those people asked me, you know, what about us? And I said, talk to your legislators right now. This is what's on the docket for us to vote on. And so I'm I'm a yes for this. But that was kind of the feedback that I got. Can you explain the timeline? Yeah. Of what we have to do and decide tonight and >> Yes. So, I I would need some direction tonight because the next steps uh would be for the board to decide if you want to have a hearing, which would be legally required. If we were to have the hearing, I suggest that you have it at the next uh board meeting. I think we've already set aside time for that just in case. Um, and then also have

134a resolution that same night after the hearing for uh what you would like to choose. So I would need to know today if the board would like to have the hearing and then if so like what would you like to choose? um would you like to go up to the full 10% in the three years like uh Margaret had mentioned and also the gentleman uh mentioned earlier and uh in addition to that would the board be in support of providing uh the lifetime exemption for uh volunteer with 20 years um service and then also the two uh uh exemptions for surviving spouses for either the spouse of a member killed in the line of duty or the uh surviving spouse of a deceased uh individual with 20 years service. So, I'll start if that's okay.

135Um, based on everything that I heard, um, I would like to move forward with it. Um, I would like us to consider the three years and 10% reduction with the lifetime. Um, you have the wording exemption. >> The lifetime exemption after 20 years and the surviving spouse. I don't know how we could leave out a surve. Um, that would be that would be my suggestion, but open to others. >> I'm I'm hearing a set 10% reduction on assessment. Is that correct or no? >> Yes. Yes. >> So, this would be a separate assessment from the town assessment. I mean, from my understanding, >> for this for school tax purposes, it's the same assessment that's used for the town taxes. Then there's the school taxes, too. Right now, the exemption applies for the uh town taxes.

136>> Okay. So, we're just kind of piggybacking on the town, what town >> cleared up. >> So, what do you think? >> Absolutely. >> Okay. I would second that, too. I think the 10% ex um exemption for three years of service and then also for firefighters killed in line of duty and surviving spouses of people with over 20 years of service. Seems like a good idea. >> I think the only one we haven't touched is the service permanency one. Is that correct? where it's decided decide whether to grant the exemption permanently to volunteers who complete 20 years of service provided the property remains in their primary residence. And I would be in favor of that as well. I think this information goes into the public hearing which will be announced. It'll happen at the next

137board meeting or prior to the board meeting or Right. It won't be during the board meeting. It'll be separate >> at the very beginning of the board meeting. >> Right. >> At 7 o'clock, right after exec session, >> right? Right. So, we could end exact early type of thing, >> right? So then public hearing happens and then there will be a resolution on the next board meeting with this data. >> Yes. The attorneys were waiting uh for this information to >> to draw up the resolution and then I think it's approved uh March or March December 13th uh or not approved. One of those >> December 11th. >> Okay. Close enough. [laughter] Today's the 13th. Okay. Christine, did you have anything to add to the >> Oh, I I I'm in support of the three

138years and the 10 the full 10% and all the other things. >> Okay. All right. So, that's good. Um, good discussion. Any other board discussion that people want to bring up >> here or we're going to do the whole consent agenda vote? >> No, it's the whole thing. >> Okay. Okay. Can we pull the last one 16? Because that's the only one that I wanted to vote otherwise for. >> No, because we already passed the agenda modification part, right? That should have been done at the front. >> So, >> he could vote no on the whole consent agenda. Right. You can still vote no. >> All right. Moving on to 10.1. Could I get a motion to approve tonight's consent agenda? >> So, move. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Yeah.

139Opposed. >> Okay. Motion. Motion carried. >> Uh moving on to you. Good. >> Sorry. A little bit more. >> Okay. Moving on to 11.1. Um, capital project change orders phase 3 A3B 35.7 million. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. Christine. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carried. Capital project change order phase 3B 35.7 million. >> Can I get a motion? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. 11.3 terms and condition conditions for the assistant superintendent for human resources and professional development. Can I get a motion? >> So moved. Christine >> second. Tibbitz. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. 11.4. Terms and conditions for the assistant superintendent for student supports. Second. >> Any

140discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. 11.5. Interm super assistant superintendent for finance and operations agreement. >> So move Tibbitz. Second. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Um 11.6 authorization uh our certifier of payroll. Can I get a motion? >> So move tibbitz. >> Second Katie. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Uh moving on to 12.1. Can I get a motion to enter our second public participation? >> So moved. Christine >> second. Tibbitz. All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Um, same rules apply. Three minutes per speaker. This section will be limited to 12 minutes. Uh, please keep comments courteous and respectful of all and please provide your name and address when you reach the podium. Would anyone like to address the

141board? uh Roman Peton Stoutenberg Drive, Hide Park, New York. And I just wanted to thank Miss Steinberg for all our hard work throughout the years because I've been going to board meetings for quite a while. And like I remember all these different grants we've gotten. I remember the time we sent the budget to the state and I didn't even like correct it because we did it right the first time. And I've just been thinking like this whole time like that's someone who knows how to do her job. And I just want to thank her for all the years of hard work. [applause] >> Would anyone else like to address the board? All right. At this time, we'll close public participation. Any other matters deemed necessary by the board? All right. We don't need a second

142executive session. So, can I get a motion to adjurnn tonight's meeting? >> So, moved it. >> Second, Katie. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.