001It is 7:25. We have returned from executive session to resume our public session. Thank you all for being patient with us. We had a lot of business tonight. Um, if we could please take call the role. >> Mr. Spicer >> here. >> Dr. Colin >> here. Miss Anderson >> here. >> Mr. Ryder >> here. >> Miss Corsones >> here. >> Mr. Fitzpatrick >> here. >> Mr. Lamb >> here. >> Miss Karns >> here. >> Dr. Vern >> here. And if we could stand for the pledge >> to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We have no action coming out of executive session. So we will move to approve the minutes from October 20th and October
00226th. >> A second for the minutes of August 20th. We'll do them one at a time. >> A second. Any discussion on the minutes from August 20th? All in favor? I. >> So the minutes all any opposed? The minutes from August 20th are approved. Now the minutes from August 26th. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? So the minutes from October 26th are approved. We are at our public comment session. We have several people signed up. So good good evening everyone. We are about to enter the portion of the meeting where we welcome public comments. Although state law does not require that we hold a public comment period, we feel it is crucial that we hear from our community about their concerns. The board
003is here to listen. Your concerns and questions may be addressed at a future meeting of the board or you may be contacted by the appropriate staff member or administrator. If you have prepared a written statement and do not have the opportunity to present it, please leave it with the clerk of the board who will see that all trustees receive it. Each speaker will have three minutes and this public comment period will not exceed 30 minutes in total. So if we run out of time, you can leave your statement with the clerk. It is important to note that state and federal privacy laws and collective bargaining agreements prevent us from discussing certain topics in this venue, including specific employees or students, and that is positive or negative comments and pending grievances or negotiations. Any speaker who
004does not adhere to these posted guidelines will forfeit the remainder of their time. Thank you for your adherence to the rules and your interest in the continuous improvement of our district. Our first speaker, >> Daniel Woodham. Good evening all. Um, first of all, I want to thank you for doing the work that you're doing because sometimes it might feel a little bit thankless. So, I wanted to start with that. I'm a farmer part-time. I am a case worker with immigrants part-time at the Olterm Immigrant Defense Network. And that is the capacity besides my overalls why I'm coming here tonight. Um, I'm coming to represent the voice of people that aren't here. The people that aren't here are people that fear for their safety right now, right today. Today, ICE was active in Midtown. Some other
005people will probably talk about that. And during times like this, the four years almost that I've been in this position, we have seen families keep their kids from going to school. Because imagine your kids go to school and you don't see them again. Imagine the child comes home from school and mom or dad is not there. Can you put yourself in that place and think about it, please? It breaks my heart to think about it. My own son in Kingston schools, oh my god, if he didn't come home or if I couldn't come home because I was sent someplace. So I'm coming to ask what are the conversations that are being had already? What are the conversations that might be happening today as a result of ICE activity which will only be increasing as we
006are seeing in New York City, Middletown, Newberg, Pipsy and other parts of New York State. And what can we do to tell people ideally by the way not in English tell people this is a safe place these are the reasons why this is a safe place we're going to assure you here are the specifics the bus is safe the school is safe here's why the school is safe these are the things that I need your leadership to know so that I can tell people that are asking me can I send my kids to school today. This is the place we are at right now in our nation and in our school district. You know, Olster County, Olster immigrant defense network. Thank you. Um, works throughout the county, so several school systems, but primarily we work
007with people in Kingston. So I'm coming without many other words just to please if this is not already a really big topic of conversation please make it a priority. We need to know at the nonprofit we need to know at Catholic Charities. We need to know at family what to tell people. Thank you very much. I appreciate your work. >> Thank you. Good evening. So, back to school means back to heavy backpacks. So according to the National Safety Council and the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that children carry a maximum of 10% of their body weight. Any amount greater than that can lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain as well as poor posture, for example. So for a 50 lb child, that means a backpack totaling five pounds. 100 pounds child would
008be 10 pounds. So, I weeded my middle schooler's backpacks today, which only had um essential school items, a Chromebook, and an empty water bottle. So, my son's bag, he's in eighth grade, his bag was 14.74 pounds, which is 16% of his body weight. And with the science textbook that he brought home today, um the bag weighed over 20 pounds, which is like 22% of his body weight. My daughter here has those items, not the science textbook, but the other items plus a flute. And her bag weighs 15 lbs, which is 17% of her body weight. She has a friend who weighs 51 lbs and is carrying the same stuff, but a little bit heavier instrument every day. So, it's also important to note that my daughter, for example, has to run up three staircases and
009across the entire Miller building in three minutes with this whole load on her back. And some kids are walking with this load to and from school, like a mile or so. And I know middle school kids of all grades are complaining of sore shoulders and backs. Just lifting this bag off the floor requires proper lifting technique to prevent back injury. And my son's backpack is ripping because it's burst into the seats with all the stuff he has to carry. So, there are some obvious solutions. Tear down the stuff. We did that. Use the lockers. I've tried to get my kids to do that. But they say there's not enough time between in the passing periods of three minutes. And they say there's not enough time after school to go to the lockers if they don't
010want to sit in the back of the bus with all the troublemakers. So, some solutions. There are probably other solutions, but one could be longer passing periods, more time after school, and maybe not having kids lug Chromebooks everywhere all day long, or leaving Chromebooks in lockers overnight. Anyways, I hope you will think about it, and I encourage you all. May I pass around this backpack so you can feel how heavy it feels? >> Sure. >> Thank you. Mariel Fury, >> thank you. Also agree with the heavy backpacks. So, first another, thank you for continuing to hire bilingual staff to help the immigrant families navigate the school system. It can be complicated even for English speakers. Also, thank you for sending last January a letter committing for the well-being of all school children, including immigrant children.
011I'm here to request that that that letter becomes something real. Now, this morning, as you know, we had yet another visit of of ICE or Immigration and Custom Enforcement here in Ginsson. It's a harrowing time for families. You know what happened last year? 10% reduction in attendance after members of the press foiled for this data which otherwise we wouldn't have learned about. So for these reasons, we need the board to pass a resolution supporting immigrant students and their families. We also need this resolution to be implemented by assuring that all adults in the school buildings receive a know your right training. We also need that there is investigation, identification and provision of other supports and services needed to promote safety and belonging for all students and their families to reduce fear and also to reduce
012the drop in attendance rates for vulnerable students. Thank you for your prompt attention in this urgent matter. Hi, I'm Mary Michael Kelly. Um, I go by Mike and I am a um member of the community. I live in Hurley and I just want to say I have a copy of a letter that was sent out to all the families on uh January 30th. It starts, "Dear Ka KCSD families, every child deserves to learn in an environment where they feel safe, valued, welcomed, and respected. At Kingston City School District, providing such an environment is not just a priority. It is our duty as educators. I would just like to say that in order to do that, I'm asking the school board to do their part to protect our students and families from federal agents in and
013around school buildings and ask that you ensure that all adults in the school building receive know your rights training. Pass a board resolution supporting immigrant students and families. Reiterate and reshare policies created to prevent ICE from entering school grounds, including policy on protecting data. Investigate, identify, and provide other supports and services needed to promote safety and belonging of students and families, including to reduce fear and drop in attendance rates for vulnerable students. If we aren't doing these things, we are not letting our children learn in this environment that you propose to be the right environment for them. Thank you, [Applause] >> Leslie Gallagher. >> Hello and thank you for hearing us. I'm Lesie Gallagher. I was a teacher in New York City for about 20 years. I taught in Kingston for 10 and now I
014do homeschooling for the school district. Is this okay? All right. We are currently living in extremely difficult and extraordinary times. Normal is ever changing from day to day. These are times of uncertainty. What can be done in the school to alleviate at least some of these fears that the people, the families and the children have? What can the schools which is an integral integral part of the community do? What is the school's responsibility to community members? I have one answer. Adopt policies to educate them about knowing their rights. It's especially important now with the recent Supreme Court ruling on racial profiling. Our brown, black, and children of color, as well as their families, are at a greater risk than ever. We have a responsibility as educators and members of this community to provide them with
015tools. We have expectations of parents. We expect them to provide them with clothing, food, and skills for success in their child's daily living. We also expect them to provide a safe shelter. In turn, they expect us to offer an education in a safe environment. Attendance will continue to decline as the fear grows. That is why it is essential to adopt policies that all are aware of, that all students and their families are aware of, that all staff are aware of. How do we implement this? By passing a resolution, just as many other schools are doing across the nation. I've witnessed the fear. I was I am a member of Olter Immigrant Defense Network. I have been for eight years. I've known many of the families for that length of time. I've seen the fear. I
016witnessed three girls on a corner waiting for the school bus. And while they were waiting, a black SUV slowed down and strolled past them. The fear on their faces was palpable. I think we need to act now. AJ, >> what's your full name? >> Anna Jacobs. >> Hello everybody. Thank you for your service um as school board members. Very um grateful for the work that you do. My name is Anna Jacobs. I live in the Kingston School District. I am a parent of a 12-year-old and a concerned citizen. I also come tonight to talk about the very serious concern that I have for members of our community safety. Um I work with an organization I'm a member of a newly forming organization called Olter Rapid Response. We are um working in the community to try
017to understand and um create forms of protection. And one of them we feel the school is a huge the schools are a huge part of the community. Um, and we really need them to show up to this moment as powerfully as you can with the commitment to every single student in our district with the commitment that we all have. All of our children have value. They deserve an education all of the time. Um, and that that actually in this moment is going to mean that you all adopt some very strong plans and policies to protect your children. This morning there were multiple multiple federal agents in our area, five to 10 cars. We have at least five cars that were confirmed. the ERRO. There are multiple agencies. The FBI, at least one person is confirmed
018to have been detained this morning. That could have been a parent from our school community. We actually don't know that yet. People are afraid. We heard from families that they were afraid to come here even and speak to the school board on this that we need a community where people can ask for what they need and where we can respond to those needs. And when they can't safely ask, we say we're going to keep creating spaces and safety until everyone can be in the room, until we can all be together and we can all access the resources and the things that we need so that we can thrive, we can learn, and we can be together and build together strong. So, thank you very much. I hope you will adopt policy. I hope you'll adopt
019a resolution. I hope that everybody gets know your rights training. And I also hope very much that you will make sure that everyone in your district knows the policies you have already set that are protections against ICE entering the areas. In the meantime, the community has your back and we will be on your side and show up for our community best we can. [Applause] Victoria Barios. >> Hi everyone. I'm not usually tall, but today I am. Thank you for the service that you already provide. Thank you for listening to us tonight and for holding public comments even though you do not have to by the law. I am standing here as a 25year-old woman um who was born in Reinbeck and raised all my life in Kingston. Um I would have been a product of
020the Kingston City School District um except for the fact that I was homeschooled. Part of that was because I had food allergies growing up and it was in the early 2000s and we didn't have some of the policies that we do now for schools to be safe for me to be in as a really young child. Um so I've had to think about education in so many different ways throughout my life. I have two parents who work in education in different capacities and I'm also a mixed child. I'm a mixed person. I've had to think about my identity and the intersections of my identity a hell of a lot. It takes time. It also takes a wherewithal that makes children sometimes who have mixed identities, mixed cultural, national, language, etc. identities have to do a
021lot of deep thinking at really young ages. And what I love about the Kingston City School District and the board is that it's part of your job to think as adults so that children can think, believe, play as kids. Doesn't matter if they're a young child um or a child that's ready to graduate and set off in their next step. I am standing here as someone who was also part of the ICE watch this morning as someone who was driving around in my car or in other folks cars um doing what I could to witness um and to do what I could to protect. I think it's part of the board's uh policy to protect um and I see inspire, educate, graduate students all of the time. I think that looks sometimes different and more
022complex for students that have to think about whether they will be safe to go to school, whether they will be safe not to go to school, whether they will be safe at home, whether we they will be safe outside of the school system when they are not there. So, I'm hoping and asking and pleading as someone who is part of this community and who came back to Kingston to be part of this community even though I didn't have to. and uh in a city that has not always given back to me in every way, but that I want to give back to and build that network of giving um and receiving and belonging. Um and so I'm asking that you ask uh that you are part of passing the policies that have been presented tonight,
023passing a resolution and making sure that kids can be kids uh whether they're in the district or not in the district. Thanks so much. [Applause] Helen, is it Misler? >> Yeah. >> Hi everybody. Thank you so much for having this time for us to say how we feel. It's really important. Um, I worked for the Kingston School District as a K through 12 teacher trainer. I love working for this district. Um, and I really care about the schools and the kids. Um, I don't even want to repeat everything that's been said. Um, I'm part of Olster Rapid Response. We do rapid response. We do ice watches. We are in and around the schools. And I want you to know that we drive around. We drive around the neighborhoods. We drive around all of the the
024side streets, the broad But both sides of Broadway um across 9W Delaware Avenue near the Kennedy School where I also was working. Um it's really important to keep the kids safe. You know, it's like it just comes bottom line the thought that I would send my kid to school and then either not be there to get my kid or my kid would come home to an empty house. It's horrifying. I can't imagine how the kids who are at risk and whose parents are at risk can learn. I've been a teacher since I'm 21. I'm 77. Um, kids don't learn when they're afraid. They don't learn when they're hungry. You guys know that. You take care of the kids. Anyway, I'm done. Thank you for hearing us. Really appreciate it. And yeah, I hope you do
025pass the resolutions. Thank you. [Applause] Davidson. >> Hi. Yeah, I want to repeat everybody's gratitude for being heard around this. Um, this particular issue is very close to a lot of people's hearts. Um, I hi >> um my daughter graduated from Kingston Public School. I have grandchildren in the district as well. Um, I'm not going to repeat what people have said about the risks, about the impact. What I'm thinking about is the impact on all of the children. You know, my children, my grandchildren, they would make friends with anybody in the classroom and all of a sudden those kids would come in or wouldn't come in. And what happened to my friend? That's trauma. Even those kids not understanding or hearing that there are people that will kidnap their friends parents is terrifying and I
026don't want to live in a district that doesn't do something about that. So I understand there's a resolution for folks. I heard that there's a letter that everybody in this district is committed to protecting the children. So, I expect and I trust that you're going to honor that and that you're going to do everything that you can to make sure that all of the children are safe, none of the children, their families, and children like mine who might be at less risk right now don't lose their jobs. Thank you. [Applause] >> And that is already signed up. >> Okay. Is there anyone who didn't sign up that would have liked to address the board? We're pretty much out of time, but don't want to cut anyone off. Okay. Thank you. Just so you know, our
027um executive session ran long because of this topic. We are at the superintendence report. Dr. P. >> Thank you, M. Anderson. Um, sure. I I'm not um I plan on discussing this even though we had the executive session. So, just to let everyone know and I think that the I'll be very general about it, but I do think I do appreciate and I also defense network and family talk. We have been working last year in January. We worked together. We hope to continue to work together around this topic. As far as the school district is concerned, you know, and I said this last year and I said this in my letter and I said it on the radio and on television, um, our goal is to keep our students safe. No one gets access to
028our students. No one. There are only two situations where people can get access to our students. That's with parent permission or someone shows up with a federal warrant or with a judicial warrant. Our our administrators, our security guards, our school resource officers are all trained in that. They know exactly what they need to do. We will not release our students. We will protect our students. If ICE shows up, we have set set steps that we are that we take in our schools. But as was said here on the uh at the at the podium, we can't do that alone. We can protect our buildings. We can protect the school buses. And someone said, "Tell me my student is safe on the school bus. Tell them student." We have allocated all of our resources. We've allocated
029the training. We made sure there was awareness within our staff and communicated that. But again, that need we need to communicate that more broadly. I and I and I asked board members to serve kind of as ambassadors to do that. We have eight bilingual family workers in our school district who are have relationships in the community to let parents know what we do and how we do it. Um but again I I want to part continue to partner and partner with new organizations and new groups to help us because there are parts parts of the district where our students are that we don't have we don't have the capacity to protect right and we don't have you know we have a thousand students who walk to and from school every day you know and we
030don't have enough people you know to help but working together with all of you we can try to do that and we can we can really strive to make sure those students are safe. Yes. And someone mentioned bus stops. We do have bus stops. Um and again don't have the capacity to man every bus stop and even if we did what would we what authority would we have there right? So counting on our our organiza our local organizations our community groups new and wellestablished to you know work together with us to do everything we can to protect our students. We're going to protect our students in our buildings and on our school buses. We can do that. We have the capacity. Our people are trained. We have We actually already have the policies. I mean,
031it's the law. People don't get access to our students whether whether they are our students who are students of immigrant families or they're your grandchildren. People do not get access to our students. They can't question them. They can't remove them from school. They can't have access to their records or any of their any of their data. That's just a fact. And that is something we have practiced from day one. Um even before this administration. So I I assure you our people are ready. Our people are trained. Our people are educated. And we will not we will not give access to our students. We we're here to protect them. But I again ask for your help and for your partnership to protect them. Help us protect them in places where we don't have the capacity to
032protect. So I look forward to reaching out to some of our new our new organizations and again also defense network. We've worked with them. I've been here for 14 years for for 14 years. Family of Woodstock is a partner that's in our buildings basically every day. So they are real partners. So I I thank you for your public comment and I know that um we share your concerns. Our job like you said that letter that was written in February of last year. Our job is to make sure that our students are safe, that our students are are feel safe, are safe, and can learn and that that's that's really that's our main mission. So, thank you for your comments and we will continue to work and we will communicate more to our families starting tomorrow
033and we will make sure that you know our outreach people are out there, you know, acting as advocates for our school district and our students. Does there any questions? I know everyone else has >> I'd like to make a motion to create a citizen advisory committee for the purpose of writing a memorializing resolution by the end of the week or when a full form of the board can be. >> Do we have a second? Second >> discussion. >> Policy 2250 says that we could make a committee that would discharge and take on a certain task. I think we should at least do that task. We can I guess depending on how many people we get, we could have a discussion. What else we do? The only thing that really talk I think needs to be
034talked about is the amount of people invite >> or what? Sorry. Um, I guess maybe the it would be a good idea to prescribe the amount of things we want from the community voices of employers. >> Mr. Rhino, did you have a comment? >> Yeah, again, I'm not necessarily not opposed to a citizen advisory committee, but supportive of a memorizing resolution because I don't I I think we are doing the work that needs to be done and and Dr. Pedalino committed to having folks work with the community um staff um our our bilingual family workers and and I I don't think a memorizing resolution will make our kids any safer. I think it'll actually have the opposite effect. So, um for that I'm not supportive of the creation of this >> parent. I'd like to
035uh consider an exploration of what Mr. Fitzpatrick is talking about to see the parent interest um the community interest and see if it would be something that would folks would feel is effective and then if so if our members of our community uh immigrant community or even the nonprofits that serve our immigrant community feel like it would be a great use of their time. And that could also include parents at each of the 10 schools, etc. Um, I think it's a great idea. I just think we need to gauge interest, especially from those parents who are feeling under threat right now because it would be a shame not to have them. Um, but I think it's a great thing. I don't know, y'all know I'm new, so uh I don't know that I don't think
036it should be a resolution, but I think we should do an exploratory conversation and then if there was interest by those folks, I would definitely um affirm it. comments or questions. >> I guess I need clarification on what what the purpose of the committee would be and what your I'm hearing exploratory. I'm not certain procedurally how we do that myself. >> Well, then let me amend my motion. I move to create a citizen advisory committee to look into the way we can protect our students more what we haven't done already because we have been doing what I understand everything we possibly can so far as messaging >> but there is a lot more I I >> Mr. Spicer then Mr. Any clarification, Mr. Bastard? >> I actually would hope that somebody else could amend my
037motion before. >> I'd like to amend it. >> I'd like to make a motion to amend it. >> Okay. Thank you. >> We need to continue discussion. >> I got it. >> Second. We're in discussion. on the original motion. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> And Mr. Patrick, just a point of clarification. What is the final product you're looking to get? >> Some some of these motions produce a resolution for XYZ. Some of these resolutions produce up. >> So policy 2250 in policy prescribes a citizen advisory committee that says a board at its discretion in accordance to state law and regulation. Appoint a citizens advisory committee of representatives residents of the district to provide advice and reaction on important matters before the board that have special significance to the community. These committee shall be appointed for
038a specific well-defined purpose within projected time frame. >> So you're looking to create an ad hoc committee to >> No, that's no that's something else. That's right above it. The ad hoc committee and our policy, same policy, but the citizen. >> So you want to create a standing committee. It's only ad hoc or standing. >> It's advisor advisor. It's advisor. >> Okay. Citizen advisory committee. Mr. Lamb and then uh Miss Van >> I feel like the community and us are at the same concerns the same point of concerns and I feel like having a committee to discuss more of our what is going to happen takes what we were advised in executive session to do. We're going to be counterproductive to what we were advised. Could can I could I make a suggestion? Um if
039we I guess for lack of table this resolution give the myself and the administration opportunity to work with olster immigrant defense network to talk to our our bilingual family workers to work with the new organizations that have been developed over and talk talk to them and ask them how they think it would work. So that that's kind of what what Dr. in front of you was saying was to get a a feeling for what's the what's the you know what's this going to look like? Um come back to the board with with my findings and allow us then to make the decision based on that. >> Mabby >> I think I kind of paraphrased what you were trying to say. >> Um I think it's important that it's both I'm okay with that but I
040do think it's important that community representation has a direct voice. So I I don't think it's sufficient to have the community be advising you. I think the community needs to be in direct conversation with this board. So it could be that you meet with them and every you know that thing, but my but I would feel more comfortable um without that. I I I think it needs to be direct. We've heard from the in the past from parents and community members that there's a communication and a transparency challenge um in some cases and that there's a desire for more parent and community voice um within the board. And so I I think this is a a powerful step toward that. The other thing I'll say is um um Mr. Fitzpatrick um just getting used to
041the formality um is that um it would be awesome if that committee could actually produce a resolution that the board could look at. So not just an advisory because there is the resolution that the NEA National Education Association has put forward. I think it was in 2016 but it actually has been used since then. It's a really fantastic schoolboard resolution. Um, and so I think there could be multiple advisory capacities that that group could play. And I agree it might be a timelmited group, but I do think it's important for us to start to really d integrate direct voice from community partners and from parents of kids who um who are are currently struggling right now into our processes. So um I think it could be if it were to be time limited, maybe we
042could do it for the next year and see how it goes or until the end of until the next election. This is current. >> Yes, I agree. Um, and also I don't want to stop our progress for all the things we've discussed and decided because then we're just belaboring an an urgent point of action. So to me, I feel like there's a dual track here of developing a committee of very important, valuable voices to inform our ongoing practices, policies, resolutions. But that in we entrust the superintendent to follow through with the commitments that have been very openly made to all of us um for next steps to take in both executive session and here today in the public session. >> Dr. Collins, >> I also want to return to Dr.'s point about the process. I
043I think there was an important point about gaining interest because of actually the vulnerability of some of the families and so I don't know the process moving forward though the idea of having a group working together to solve a goal that has been stated as a district as a key goal. Um sounds good. I just don't know how you how we gauge interest inside this motion. Anyone >> Mr. Ryder I think like committes and this is what it talks about for a citizen action or citizen advisory committee is that um the members are are uh they it's created um specific and purpose and then also talks about um shall be appointed on the basis of interest experience and qualifications. So I think my issue with creating the committee is that if if the idea is
044to have some citizen advisory committee to come up with something that is going to happen in the next week and actually have an impact on what we're currently seeing in the city, then that's where I'm not supportive of that because I don't think that's very effective and I think it could work opposite of putting, you know, some of students at more risk. If if the idea is to have an advisory committee on issues that community members are feeling overall and barriers that we can overcome and and get advice for the board to help create further policies, then I I would be supportive of something like that, but but not for something that is right in this moment because ISIS here in town. I just want to clarify that um and I know we don't normally
045speak to public comment and this is kind of on on this motion, but there was no resolution put in front of the board for us to vote on tonight. There's nothing that the board has been seen. So, some members of the public requested that we vote on something. There's nothing that that we have to vote on. Nothing's been put in front of us. >> Mrs. Bernovich, >> doctor, I'm sorry. >> That's okay. does not you can call me here is not miss um just laying around y um so I um I think that we're actually all kind of agreeing which is that the superintendent and the school need to continue and amplify what they're doing and communicate and that if there is interest because of safety concerns and otherwise there are members of this board
046and also members there are people in the audience um that are deeply knowledgeable about um community and um we we can reach out to them directly and ask them as a starting place this room of people are are you interested are you connected uh so I I think that we're actually having some lowhanging fruit moment here which is that they've come to us as opposed to us having to find those who are interested and I'll also just say um that it's true that in the next week we won't be able to come up with a committ and make all these decisions. But I do think on these parallel tracks that um Miss Karns has described, I think we could actually do something relatively quickly um on both tracks. And it sounds like Dr. Paladino Padalino
047is already um on that track. So I don't I don't I I just don't see any real challenges to this. >> Dr. Collins and then Mr. >> I mean one point of clarification around what Dr. I said earlier you had proposed that you reach out and talk to community partners and via and by using our bilingual workers to their maximum capacity. So it seems as though in some ways that's also involving community members via the community partners. And so in my mind maybe a committee isn't um in this week in this moment necessary for the situation that's in front of us. Um but remains as something that we should consider to a longer term traumainformed sort of approach to working through problem solving with community members. And what's coming to mind is during co we
048actually did have a meeting a a committee that was brought together that had community leaders from various different stakeholder groups and community partnerships and the communication that was able having everybody in one place at one time was I think tremendous for helping to really address issues around vulnerable populations. And so it may be that um for now if we can imagine that the community members you're reaching out to as part of our stakeholder groups and our community partners suffice as the community representation in this moment and then we continue forward not passing this particular motion but we move forward in the next weeks months trying to understand how to pull together a group of people in this format of this community or committee. Um we have a longer term sort of perspective on solving the
049issue. That might be a happy medium for the moment. >> Um the last time I made an ad hoc committee was about the election and that was something we never closed because we never came here and said that it was finished. as far as I'm concerned is still ongoing ad hoc committee. Should I guess I resend my motion and move to make an ad hoc committee to study what the board can do that hasn't already been done by the district and administration because I feel that they he has already done what he can do and I think we should take as much We need to take a look at what we can do as a board on this subject that we would wear as vulnerable students. I don't >> So you pulled your original motion
050>> right to make an ad hoc committee to look at what we can do to protect I'll remove I'll resend my second >> and then >> wait. Are you making a new proposal? A new >> um >> the motion and the second were on the floor. So you would have to remove your motion. She'd have to resend the second >> to resend the motion. The second >> Yes. Thank you. >> So, the motion has been rescended and so now you're prop you're making a new motion. >> No, I'll I'll if someone else wants to do something about it, I'll >> Mrs. Kern. Yes. I just I want to acknowledge I I'm I'm trying to understand your intentions and it feels as though you want community input and voice which I I do agree that we've
051all agreed upon. Um I think that um the idea behind our role is to empower that work to be done on an administrative level by our superintendent and we have a pathway and now a defined way to do that um in this immediate in this in this immediate moment. Um and again there are numerous considerations including the protections and privacy of some individuals and we have to be very strategic about how we engage more voices and who those voices are to ensure that that privacy, safety and security is met. And so my my again I'm I don't have a proposal um but my response to this discussion is we need to empower and support the track that we've discussed as well as continue discussions in the future about a committee advisory group of some kind
052that um in better informs us as a board um about public voice and expertise around this specific topic of uh keeping our children safe. And if I could just add to that, um the superintendent has offered that he will work with his staff and make the community contacts um as requested by our public and expressed here by the board. And um I I think we need to allow him the opportunity to do that so that we have the information so we can make an informed decision rather than just creating committee that we're not even sure what their role would be. >> Absolutely. Just real quick on I agree with everything you said, but I think I misread you on something I said that I think that the district and the superintendent have done and are
053doing, you know, all with the dig in as a separate. >> So is that a question? >> No, no. I just I no I I >> I feel as though there is a there is a new action item on the table that's been committed to by the superintendent. So I think that is more to do and I think that commitment has been made. So that's I think that's the distinction. But I'm acknowledging and honoring your um suggestion that public voice be more part of this ongoing discussion around safety in schools and the protection of our students. >> Mr. Lamb and then Dr. >> financially we have committed extra money over the years for more bilingual family workers. Our family workers are who are trusted by those families in the community, not those of us sitting
054here necessarily at the table. And I think by Dr. sending those family workers out to the parents, we're going to get more honest and more what they're really feeling than by doing a committee where we're going to try and and solicit them to come in because there's a trust already built between those workers and we I I think we have to allow our administration the the power to Let this work and see how we do. >> Dr. um question of point of process. May I make a different motion? >> Yeah, there's no motion. >> Okay. Can I make a motion? >> Okay. >> Um I'd like to make a motion that the board approve the NEA school board's um resolution regarding ICE. Um the elements are declaring KTSD to be a safe zone, creating a
055rapid response team, which we know already is in place, continuing not to allow individuals to enter the school site. Um again, uh we have that. Um continuing protecting student data privacy, we have that. posting the resolution at every school site, requiring the superintendent to report back on compliance, requiring the superintendent to review KCSD policies and practices regarding bully, bullying, and other um behaviors, affirming the employees have academic freedom to discuss the resolution during class time as it is when it's age appropriate and students are made aware that KCSD's uh counselors are available to discuss subjects in the resolution. And then finally notifying after school providers and other vendors and service providers who contract with KCSD about the resolution within 30 days. So I'm putting forth this. This is the NEA um ICE school board's resolution
056um that was uh written in 2016 and has been passed by a lot of school boards. It is in deep support of what we know Dr. Patalino is already doing, but there are some elements of it that have a little bit more of a feedback loop. And so that's what I put a motion for. Second >> discussion doctor or Mr. Briner make you a doctor. >> I'm an I mean technically but I I have an issue. I'm just going to be consistent here. There's been other policies that have been put in front of me the day of and when I'm not able to read. I'm able to pull this up now, but I don't find that passing a sample policy where we're not even putting in like I'd be happy to for me probably be
057a yes on it if it were to be something that was at our next meeting, but I I don't have time to actually be deliberative and and read through this at this moment. So, I would be a no tonight. >> Mr. Lane, >> I would also be a no because I need to put up our policies that we currently have in place to make sure it's not in violation with any of the current school district policies and laws. >> Point to adopt something right away without at least 24 hours >> first reading. Are you to >> you're directing a question to the my point of order was >> we we couldn't adopt a resolution under 24 hours >> issues without the public which is what you're referring to. The other thing is you have a
058polic matters through the policy committee to the board and this doesn't seem to be an emergency resolution. This is more nature of adopting a policy very >> Mr. Spicer >> and uh encourage Dr. Bernie because as soon as the public start to talk about resolutions, I Googled it as well. >> Um, but I I I know that the way resolutions work is everybody needs time to read through it and to decide whether they want to support it or not. So, I would like to move that the NEA resolution for supporting >> we but we have a motion and a second on the floor before you move to do something else. in a motion. I could even table the motion. >> That's the only >> Let's call for a vote. >> I'll withdraw the motion. >>
059Oh, no. I move to amend. >> Okay. >> I thought you wanted me to do that. My apologies again. I'm learning. So, he's gonna have to help me. >> Go ahead. I I'll withdraw my withdrawal. to be put in front of the board and voted on >> I want I'm going to with I'm going to withdraw the motion. >> Okay. >> Who seconded it? >> Mr. >> Do you support the withdrawal of the motion? >> Um yes. Then I would like to make a motion to to move this resolution to the policy committee for review >> and drafting. Thank you. >> Sounds great. Does the policy committee meet this Friday? >> Yes, we do. >> Did somebody second it? >> Okay, I call the question. All in favor of >> um moving this to the
060policy committee for review. >> I any opposed? So the this will go to the policy committee for um review. >> Do you remember where you left off, Dr. >> No idea. I will truncate. Um, >> thank you. >> So, just very quickly, I know I usually give some statistics around the first week of school, the first day of school, etc. I'll just give you some quick things. Um, just so we know, our our student um population as of the first day of school was 5,957 students. are and one of the things that we've been talking about for many years are our class sizes. So I did want to report on that. Um so this is average across the district. So I will give you individual schools in your packet but across the district our kindergarten
061average class size is 17 with uh two class rooms with the high of the high is 21. Those are in two buildings one at Edson one at Graves. In first grade, our our average class size is 18 with a high of 22 at Meyer. Second grade, our our average class size is 19 with a high of 22 at Edson. Third grade, our average class size is 20 with a high of 24 at Edson. And fourth grade, we are also at 20 with a high of 25 at Edson in two separate sections. So, our goals have been to be 21 or fewer in K12. We we've kept that. Um we are we are at 22 at one first grade at Meer. So we're only up over that really in that I'm sorry Meer and Eds and
062by one student in those two places. So we've we've kept pretty but pretty um evenly um spread out across the district again looking at our overall population and the number of sections in some of the class size in our schools. I think the discussion that the board has has um asked me to engage with all of you in the coming up in the later part of the year um about equity, space equity and redistribution of stu of our attendance zones is something that was blatantly blatantly obvious as I was going through this this um these data. So we'll we'll bring that discussion but as of right now our class sizes are are you know actually very small um with the exception of a few sections across the district. Um I know in your packet we
063I I've given you all of the summer school reports. Um just another just quick numbers for you. our elementary summer school which is held at JFK which is K12. uh we had 150 students participate at our rise to five which is our fourth graders going into the middle school we had 49 students participate in our sixth through eight middle school there was 110 students that participated uh summer 9 uh was 58 students participating our our uh extended school year at Meyer was 121 students that's a K through 12 program for our students with disabilities our KCS reading academy which you have that in your packet as well it's not really much so summer school as it is just a really great program that we did with 20 students and then our KHS 10 through 12
06410 through 12 which was run by both we're still waiting for our data from them uh and also just so you know that our regions exams our region scores as well as our New York State test scores are still embargoed so I can't share them with you right now so we're hoping they'll be released from embargo soon last year it was closer to October unfortunately but as soon as we can I will report those scores to questions about the summer school Dr. >> Um, so can you remind us of what the summer nine numbers have been in previous years? >> The summer Yeah, the summer n numbers are lower this year significantly. Last year we were we were close to I think we had 90 last year and that was our highest. So our our
065numbers are were down this year. >> Can you speak to some of the Yeah. why that might be >> Yeah. I mean I I don't like to speculate but I think several different things. Um, one, I think we we made a a pretty big change in our summer school programming. You know, we went through our went through our our funds where we had invested a significant amount of money in summer school where summer school wasn't wasn't math, English, social studies, and science really. I mean, we had significant um uh partnerships. Our community partners were in there with us. We had extra classes. We had opportunities for credit credit acral. we had, you know, you know, agriculture classes and we we had a lot of different things going on. It wasn't wasn't purely academic and I
066think, you know, that drew more students into all actually I think with the exception of the elementary but all of our summer schools really that really drew more students in. Um, with the loss of the ARPA funding, we did we did scale back our programming. Um, and that's maybe not quite as appealing and to students and and families and and actually, you know, abbreviated today as well. >> Yeah, I think I'm one of the cons I feel like the numbers have been fairly consistently strong previous year, you know, a little bit prior or at least increasing for those transition years that we know are so important like the rising fifth graders and rising nth graders. So I think I just want to make sure we're not losing sight of that particular program in summer school
067for all of our students and in particular probably our eld students are vital but I am concerned about those transition years being so low and I saw the report. >> Yeah I I think there's this is a conversation we're having we've had several summer school meetings and we'll have more summer school meetings that we've had among the cabinet. I think you know also we have to ensure that we are properly recruiting. I think that's a big So, we need to redouble our our efforts as far as recruiting students to be here. Um, >> and teachers >> definitely and teachers. >> I mean, yeah, just sort of making it a place in a >> program that is rewarding for all, I guess, is what I'm thinking. >> Any other questions for Dr. Pedalino? >> That concludes
068your report. >> Yes, that report. Well, we just quick on summer graduation. Yeah, we we had summer graduation back a couple weeks ago um which was great. We had three graduates um one who graduated early and two who were um class of 2025. So, it was nice to see them across the stage and it was >> Yeah. Well, many of you were there. It was very nice evening. >> We had to spoil it with a board meeting. That's true. >> That wasn't the party. >> It was not for me, Dr. >> That brings us to our board of education committee reports starting with facilities. Dr. Spicer, Mr. >> Dr. Spicer, honorable doctor. >> I love that. I love that. So, I'm going to ask all my fellow trustees to please review the facilities committee meeting
069minutes because I'm going to I'm going to while while we were talking, I decided to pair down my my report. I thought you'd appreciate that, but you can get the longer version in in the library. So, uh we had a discussion about Edis Edson windows and classroom AC. The windows at Edson are essentially complete. All the rescue windows are in place. So we are in full compliance there. Rooftop equipment is uh uh rooftop equipment for air conditioning is installed. I'm making final connections for yes is is installed. Making final connections for the piping and getting the refrigerant into the systems will make them ready to go. Edson also received electrical upgrades and a new distribution panel to run the AC systems. Air conditioning systems should be completed by the end of September. Edson administrative suite
070work will be completed next summer. There's a lot more to this that you can read uh uh in your library. Daily windows and classroom AC systems. The window replacement is a two-year summer project. Most of the backside of the building and art classroom section as well as the 1992 additions uh and admin spaces will be worked on next summer. But the main air conditioners will be brought online in the next couple of weeks. Just completing the piping and refrigerant installation. Working will continue during second and third shift with no interference to the school day. Daily administrative suite work will also be completed next summer. The committee also selected Miss Julie Noble and Mr. Troy Johnson as its community reps. Uh our 20 uh lastly, our 202526 building surveys will be sent to Dylan, KCSD, and
071BB BBL, our contractors, for review. Then they're going to be sent to all of the building principles for online completion in October. Once the once the principles complete the surveys, they're going to be sent to the board members and a schedule of building walkthroughs will be created and sent out to board members. Our next meeting is Tuesday, September 30th at 3:30. And like I said, the longer version which you watch review uh will be will be in your library. >> So, thank you. And just an addendum to his to Mr. Spicer's report. We did we are open in Edson and By there are there are open items that are still going on. Um we have and we have second shift work going and next time I sit I I met with our architects and our
072um project uh project managers as well as Mr. Bogart uh Monday afternoon. Next time we meet I will have set dates for every one of those open items and when they will be finished. We will we will finish them this fall. They will not be pushed into next summer. I made that clear. So, we're going to have set dates as exactly when will be done so we can communicate with that with all of you and with our teachers and families in those two buildings. >> Thank you, Dr. >> There are some parts of the projects though that do push >> there are next summer. Yes, there are there were many parts there are a lot, but there were things were supposed to be that were in the scope for this year that are >> if
073you go in the buildings, they're clearly obvious to you that they were supposed to be done this year. So that that those things will be finished. >> Any part of the administrative suite part of the project? >> The administrative suite at Edson is is being still not done. It won't be done still this fall. It will be done. I won't put I won't ask Dylan to tell us that. Um but yeah, the administrative suite in Eden is still underway. We we did we did not do the administrative suite at >> Bailey. That's next summer. >> Okay. and and board members. Also, my whole section on all the other projects that were reported to the committee that's going to be that's in the minutes. So, please take a look and and you'll be updated on all
074the other things that are happening throughout the district, not just those two uh projects. >> Thank you, Mr. Spicer. Mr. Ryder, audit and finance. >> Audit and finance. We were scheduled to meet on August 21st. Um due to some confusion mainly the fact that I did not get our meeting scheduled to the communications team before the last meeting. Um we did not have a quorum uh because there was confusion around whether we were publicly noticed and so um while we briefly met there was no action taken. There was the discussion about tax rates which was then taken up by the full board um at the the meeting that was directly thereafter. We tabled a discussion for um updates and planning of the external auditors. Um we talked brief uh about a committee meeting schedule which
075had already been discussed but it's the fourth Tuesday of each month except for when um that Tuesday falls on a holiday which I believe is this month. So we are we are meeting on September 25th at 9:00 a.m. All of our meetings are now in the school calendar and we should be set. Um and then in future meetings we'll go back to the fourth Tuesday. Thank you. >> Oh, and please in indulgence, did I announce the next facilities meeting? >> You did. >> Thank you. >> And policy. >> Policy. We have three um policies listed for first reading. I would like to move two of those for first reading and approval tonight. They were should have been done last month. 5405 comprehensive wellness policy would be the first one. Um that was done with the
076wellness committee and the policy committee. So, I'd like to move that policy for approval. >> Seconded. >> Any discussion on um 5405, the comprehensive wellness policy? >> Um I'd like to offer an amendment to that policy. Um the language in it um is not certain around risk. I would like to make present the language around breakfast being allowed to be eaten in the classroom or students given 10 minutes to be certain. Do you want lines? >> Oh, uh 99 >> and 110 are both to the extent possible and make every effort. I want to make those things. >> What did you want to change it? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Could you repeat that? I don't. So there's the policy reads to the extent will arrange bus schedules and utilize methods to serve school breakfast that
077encourage participation such as allowing breakfast in the classroom or >> that's a that's a contractually negotiation issue. We cannot put that in the policy contractually. Their teachers are not are not required to allow students to eat in their classrooms. >> Okay. Okay. Then what about um provide at least 10 minutes for sitting down? Is that I I would like to I would actually have to review our elementary each individual school's um schedule to see where they are with that. I mean I think we're there but I don't want to I'm sorry Dr. You could speak. So that would have to be hours would have to be adjusted to do that for our monitor. >> I think we need to look at some but we'd have to adjust some of the contract adjustments to the policy.
078I guess we'll talk about it in 30 years. >> I can report I can but I can report back to you as far as removing the if we wanted to adjust it without seeing the the heat in the classroom but looking at the 10 minutes so I can look at the I can work with Dr. Salello look at each one of our school buildings morning schedules to see where what that time is and our bus schedule. >> Just to be clear I wasn't it is broken up. I wasn't expecting you to be able to move that at all. >> So we So are you pulling your amend your So we have a motion and a second. Um all in favor of accepting 50405 the comprehensive wellness policy. >> Uh any oppose? So 5405 has passed
079and the second one M >> second one is student code 2025 that should have been in place for the beginning of school is not going to change. Um, so I move policy 2025 KC KCSD student code. >> Is it 2025? >> Did I say the wrong number? >> It's the updated 2025. >> Yeah. >> 5305. >> Wonder the bottom it says 2025. It looks like that's the date. Oh, thank you. >> 535. >> So, we have a motion. We have a second. Any discussion on the code of conduct? >> Yes. I just want to understand this is the the document that is labeled KCSD student code 2025 draft. >> Okay. So, >> is that right? >> No, it's it's um >> I believe >> 535 but It's like a rubric within our >> because I'm
080in the packet right now. Yes. >> So I Okay. >> Yes. So that is what it's labeled actually the document what I referred it to. Um so the the discussion I wanted to bring up for that is it doesn't look like it um has adopted the updated student code related to the cell phone policies. And I'm not sure if that has to be explicitly stated in that code of conduct document. But since other things were addressed in terms of disciplinary measures for code of conduct behaviors, it feels like there might be some correspondence there. >> We did that in the code of we did that in the other policy. The phone policy has the cell phone policy has the um >> cross references to this policy. >> Okay, I see. So we don't need to
081redundantly add any details about that. Okay, great. I just wanted to clarify that. Thank you, >> Dr. Vanerby. >> Thanks. Um yeah, line I think it's section three um line or item 22 that says use of items including electronic devices and our social media that causes a disturbance. Um I'm assuming that includes phones and then one of the conf or one of the column on the right range of outcomes is up to five days out of school suspension. So >> right in there still even if they're not meant to be matched it's still in there and that's illeal. So it's a conflict. >> Yeah. >> But I can I clarify? It says it the literal use of that is that causes a substantial disturbance. So that's not just having your phone. That's using your phone
082in a way that causes a substantial disturbance. That's what gets you that level three. Not just the fact of having your phone. It's the next step. >> Is substantial disturbance um defined somewhere? Because that would seem to be quite subjective. the substantial word was added last year. It only said >> the question is is it defined? >> Yeah, you just curious if it's defined because uh it's not like a specific activity and so like if if a kid is down here and other kids are looking at the phone and it's disturbing because the other you know sorry that you happen to be the kid but in this case but like it's disturbing and the teacher said that's that's a disturbance that's a substantial disturbance. But for me, I still don't think it's clear enough. I
083think I I'm troubled by it because I know that that actually um we might see some difference of use in that in that policy based on different teachers and different students. >> So teachers don't determine discipline. >> Sorry. Well, who whomever is determining the discipline will have a difference of use. If if what Ms. Karns talked about last time is that that language had to be clarified elsewhere. I think it should be clarified here as well. >> I think with most of our policies, you're going to find that there is a certain there has to be a certain level of administrative um judgment. I mean substantial substantial disruption is generally really that came into the filming fights, starting fights, pornography. Those are the kind of things we were you were we were that were around
084substantial um disruption. We haven't but we haven't you know people students aren't getting suspended up to five days for for you know taking a selfie or now but obviously hopefully now they're not taking a selfie but they do have Chromebooks and they can take they can take a picture with a Chromebook and there's so many that applies to electronic devices across the you know thing but yeah that's a there's a certain said you go through the department there's a certain level of administrative um judgement that you have to we have to allow Uh and again that's the five people there and my job is to make sure that our principles are applying it appropriately and fairly. >> Totally understand. >> Used to be six people that >> I just want to point out that policy
0855300 is the four 44 page document that lays out the level of inappropriate and disruptive behaviors. There's three four four four levels. I'm sure that's very comprehensive. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> So, all in favor of um 5305, the Kingston School District code of conduct, student code. >> Any oppose? >> And the last policy for first reading is 2310. Enjoy it for your um insomnia. Um but 23 to10 is our first reading and we'll vote on that next time. >> And our next policy meeting is Friday >> at 12 the 12th at 9:00, right? 9:30 9:30. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Lamb. That brings us to our consent agenda. Are there any items that trustees would like pulled from the consent agenda? Mr. Fitzpatrick? >> Um, CS, >> but we we do them individually. >>
086Yes. >> CS6. >> CSO6. We pull them now and then discuss them after passing the consent >> B2B or 24. >> So I'm sorry and B24 is the budget transfer. Is that B24. Oh, B22, B23, and B24. >> All right. Um, let's if we could have any other polls before we go on. So if we could have a motion to accept the consent agenda minus B22, B23, B24, and CSO6. >> Any discussion? All in favor of accepting the consent agenda minus those four resolutions. >> Any oppose? All right, we will go to um B22. >> I believe CS6 is okay. >> Well, I just took before C, but you're right. And the order of the So CS06, we have a motion. We need a motion >> to move >> and discussion was just hoping you
087could u tell us the reason behind the number of terminations that >> well at the beginning of the year frequently that those are people who don't respond to calls to come and they don't respond and they don't give us and they don't give us letters of resignation either. Right. So they don't come back but we still have them on the books. So we have to we do have to you know rem remove them. So we have in order to do so we have to terminate them. >> All in favor of accepting CS06. >> Any opposed? That brings us to B22. Motion. >> So move. >> Second. >> Mr. Fitzpatrick. Um this book disposal was just unlike any other that I had seen before. It was um dirty of all one book. Um a long way
088down. Um I was wondering if because all the all the other instances of the time that we weave thousands of books at a time there's um a number of how many books are left over that we have. Are we getting rid of all this book? >> Dr. Can you answer that for me? >> Um, within the book it was a novel. So that's like the comic book version and not the novel version. Okay. And it was very old. Any other comments or questions? All in favor of accepting B22 disposal of KCSB books? >> Any oppose? B22 passes. B23. >> I'll make a motion. Second. Mr. Ryder, do you have a a comment for discussion? Mr. Fitzpatrick. >> Um I 23, right? >> Yes. >> Um were we losing um bus contracts? This is Can you
089explain what this is? >> Oh, yeah. These are our bus these are our bus contracts for for this year. We've passed other like so if you want she's saying say it right Dr. So what I was saying there's two pieces. We put out a body of work for RFP in the spring but then we also have a set of uh contracts that we just extended. They weren't put out to bid just extended into the 2526 uh school year. So there was no RFP for them that wasn't needed. The contractors and the district just wanted to extend our current agreements uh with inflation. So that's all and we do this every year. >> All right. Thank all board members. Can you explain why we would extend some um and why for some we have to go
090back out to the CPI and all that. >> So with the extensions to Mr. Ward's point is uh what happens every year conversation with the district and the contractors. Do you want to extend? Do you want to go on to RFP? The in these instances, these contractors in the district wanted to extend service was fine and it's the same uh same contract just increased by inflation that's set by SEDD. Then there are instances for various reasons whether there be service uh concerns, cost concerns or the contractor can just say which has happened, we want to put our work out to RFP um and the district must do so. Um just like we had if we decided we wanted to put the work out to RFP, we could do so. So the RFP that went out
091in the spring for summer and uh 25 26 school year work that RFP was the body of contracts where the contractor decided they they want to put their work out to RFP. Some contractors because they had not made any adjustments um for their staff in so long needed to do so. >> Okay, >> Mr. Ry. And so I'm gonna ask you one more question. Um, other than this list here, I think it's first student and bus, is there anything else that we contract with for this year as far as transportation or did I misspeak on either of those? >> We have I don't have memorized everybody that went out to RFP. So these extensions are the only extensions that we're it's just last year's contract increased by CPI for this year. Everything else was already
092put out for RP in the spring and awarded. >> I think we awarded in the summer the first student at Bernie bus and then you have four here. So I think >> so all together we have uh seven primaries. >> So I'm missing one. >> So can I call the question? >> You can. >> No. So all in favor of B23. >> Any opposed? >> So B23 passes. That brings us to B24. We need a motion to discuss >> and a second >> discussion. Mr. Fitzpatrick. >> Um I was just hoping for a quick >> Miss Carbon, you're back on again. >> I'm ready. So this time of year um there's a a period in the late summer when our auditors are here. We're closing out one year and also in the fall when we're
093opening up where the board will see a few um budget transfers which is normal. We have um numerous budget codes staffing changes. So if a if a staff member changes a building that would literally change their budget code. Um if an expense is paid um initially was going to be paid by one department or it moved to another. So things move um which requires transfer. So this time of year as things are settling especially staffing being settled um reallocated our grants opening up there's a lot of movement in the fall. So the board will see most likely to more budget transfers as everything is settling and we're aligning where actual expenses are based uh compared to where they were um anticipated to be during budget season. >> I call the question. All in favor of
094B24. >> Any opposed? So B24 is >> approved. >> That brings us to old business. Oh, I had um one thing. In the June policy packet, there was um a few policies that I'm not sure got a discussion, but I specifically remember that 913 9130 staff student relations did get a conversation that did have changes such as um mandating that student staff emails are done with the staff account. A lot of the other policies had things I don't think we got to know that one because we already had the discussion. So >> we the policy committee or we the board >> the policy committee in our >> but it never came to the board for approval. >> Right. >> It was one of the ones with >> Okay. So, Mrs. Siri will check that out
095and make sure that it gets up there. Thank you, by the way, for catching that wellness policy because that didn't come up um right away either. So, I think the fact that we lost our policy chair, we might have had a couple of things that we didn't >> Yeah. Any other old business? New business? Mrs. Kern, >> I just wanted to um ask the superintendent just a little bit of a summary regarding the transition in the transportation um and the busing of students. I heard from many constituents about some challenges which happened at the beginning of the year, but there were some technical issues including most parents not receiving their letter with details um for the first day of school. So, I was hoping you could speak to that a little bit for the parents.
096>> Yeah, we we did have so our our routing um software which is called Transfinder was um kind of went down on us in the middle of this whole thing happening. Um so we were slow getting them out. We have them updated now. One of the things we noticed we some now we have some that say you're on this bus and this is your bus stop, but but the time's not there. So we're going through and we're picking through the the mistakes and fixing them. But it was a a software glitch in in that area. So we did um and then we usually sent home hard copies as well. And unfortunately in the middle of that our letter folder broke and actually thanks to um our deputy treasurer who came up and helped us fix
097it. So we we fell behind in that a little bit. So we had some usually it's it's buses and drivers. We didn't have any driver or buses problems. We did have some communication problems, but we're we're piecing through them and the buildings have been helping us communicate with parents as well. >> Thank you so much for the transparency and also for all those that pitched in because I know how that goes. The other question is just around uh process operational process in terms of reviewing um the integrity of the service providing um in terms of buses and stops that are assigned um or moved um or safety concerns related to that. um uh as well as um the the route in which bus drivers go which may come from base with one instruction but not
098be the most practical route. What is the role of the school administration in terms of reviewing that and working to make sure that students and families are being reasonably serviced? >> Yeah. our trans well our transportation director and like I said again the transfinder which is our routing schedule or so we put all that information in and that that feeds us back what that determines to be the best route which is not always you're right it's not always the case. Um, so it's a little bit of trial and error at the beginning of the of the school year where, you know, we with the our department of transportation director, you know, goes through and and we're kind of feeling our way through it, see what where we are, and then actually Miss Carbon works with
099her to make changes that she sees. We all and we all get feedback from our buildings to make sure we go there and say, "Hey, why is this happen?" We we spend a lot of time talking about why aren't we going to this house or why we go bypass that kid's house before we can drop them even though they they're you know they're coming around at the end. So we do there's a lot of um I always say and I know parents like to hear it it's a good three weeks before we have it right. Um we do our best but it's a good three weeks before we have it exactly where it should be. So there will be a time where there are will be kids cases where a student sits on the bus
100and lots of go by their own house only to be on the bus for 15 more minutes and come back and be dropped off. Um but we work to correct those errors. So it takes a little bit. >> Understood. Wonderful. Um my last question is um regarding um communication. What is the threat of communication if there is an ongoing individual bus issue that parent feels is very unsafe for their child or perhaps was overlooked inadvertently? >> That's a great question. So again, the first your your first stop is is is really in your building. I would say talk to your principal. Um, and if that's not working, you know, we can talk to the transportation director, but I really think going through the principal and then the principal if that's not working to our assistant
101superintendent for that that level, if it's Dr. Williams for secondary, Dr. Carlo for for elementary, we can then have that communication with the transportation uh, director. One of the reasons I I recommend that and one of the reasons we're redoing our chain of communication that Dr. college asked for is um that transportation office is like the New York Stock Exchange you walk in there. It is crazy in there. The phones are ringing, the radio, you know, the the walkie-talkies going. They got the the one base radio from one bus company, another for the other company. It's insane. So going through us helps helps keep that because because then the phone rings and people go voicemail and they're like, "No one's listening to us." And but it's I mean I invite any of you to come
102and spend the day in the transportation office revival and dismissal time. That's really when it's at its best. But so I think that route is still the best. >> Great. Thank you for clarifying that. >> Could you clarify one other thing why parents don't some people do not understand why we're not printing them in the paper and I I >> Yeah, that's a great question too. And we we we started this practice a couple years ago about not printing the paper for for student safety. >> Um you know many of our students our students that um parents don't necessarily want everyone in the world to know where that bus stop is or whether it's an individual student or all of our students. So we don't we don't publish that. We give it to individual parents.
103We put up on our parent portal. That way again you know it's it's about student safety. And I think in today's age >> for sure. >> Any other >> new business? >> No, that was new. >> That was new. >> So, board member announcements. >> Mr. Spicer, >> did anybody else want to go? I am pleased I am pleased to announce that our superintendent, Dr. Pedalino, has been named one of Ela County's 2025 heroes in our backyard. He and all the other honores are being recognized at his ceremony at the point of praise church. I would also like to invite my fellow board members to this lunchon event this October 4th. Congratulations, Dr. Paini. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Any other board member announce? Um this is just to let everyone know um I've
104just sent a notice to Miss as well that the legislative action committee will have its first meeting on Wednesday the 24th from 5 to 6 right here. When Wednesday what >> the 24th >> um >> right before meeting >> thank you Dr. Col in this room. Thank you. That brings us to our second public comment session. Is there anyone in the public that would like to address the board? Hearing none. Uh we do have reason to um exit to a second executive session. Mr. writer. >> I will make the motion to enter executive session to discuss the employment history particular roles and legal events. Great. >> That is second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> So we are in executive session. >> There's not enough minutes. There just only for that one. >> Pardon?
105There's no oppose for that one. Oh, anyone opposed?