001have an open meeting and so if they come and sit in the front they can watch and and participate but um it's a little it's loud and I just don't want anybody want so I'll just give you a couple minutes to call them in if you'd like them to sit right they can sit right in the He will rise to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty. Justice for all. Come on in and sit right in front. Thank you for joining us. Okay, the role please. Miss Jordan here. Mr. Spicer here. Dr. Collins here. Miss Anderson will be here. Mr. Ryder is excused. Miss Fitzgerald here. Miss Coromes here. Mr. Fitzpatrick here. Mr. Lamb here. Okay, we have um nothing
002coming out of executive session today. So, we will move on to um our superintendent. No, we have um we have we have people for public. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just a standing the budget and election. Sure. Okay. So the proposition for the budget um the board of education it was uh voted in favor 1812 or 1,812 to 98. We were very pleased to see that there was more participation in the vote this year. And uh just for those people who weren't sure of what it was that they voted yes for, um the school Kingston City School District, Al County, New York, was authorized to expend the sums of money required for school district purposes for the 2024 2022 school year in the total amount of 249,522,500. and to levy the necessary sum against the taxable
003re property in the school district. And we are happy to report. Do we report on our trustees as well? And we have Thank you. The city school district of the Kingston Kingston, New York, declared elected for three-year terms effective July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2028. May we all live well. Stephanie Karns, 1,851 votes. Marie Anderson, 1724 votes, and Steven Spicer 1,694 votes. Do I have a motion to approve? So move second. Thank you. All in favor? Opposed? Same. Thank you. And thank you. I sorry I'm late. You're right on time. Catch my breath. We do have Yes. Good evening everyone. We are about to enter the portion of the meeting where we welcome public comment. Although state law does not require that we hold a public comment period, we believe it is crucial that
004we hear from our community about their concerns. Sorry, I'm all out of breath. The board is 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 of the trustees receive it. Each speaker will have three minutes and this public comment period will not exceed 30 minutes in total. 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 pending grievances or negotiations. Any speaker who does not adhere to
005these 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. Riley, good evening everyone. Um, thank you uh to our new candidates who um and congratulations for um and thank you so much for volunteering your time to uh this really essential role. Um I am here as uh one of the parent representatives for George Washington Elementary. Um a couple of these kids are mine. We hate kiddos. Okay. Um, I am here tonight um as part of um a group of parents from George Washington Elementary who are very concerned about what's going to happen at our school next year. Um, earlier today, our PTO vice president delivered to you all a um a petition that was signed by 217
006members of our community to support um keeping the monastery program going um protected kids Please. Uh keeping the the monastery program going with its Monasuri reading program which is already science of reading uh uh aligned and has been and has been the only science of reading aligned curriculum in our district that's been in use for a very long time. Um adopting CKLA is no reason to get rid of it. We had 217 community members who stepped up in five days to say how much they agree with that proposition. And what we're asking for is you to really long-term protect that program by making a twotrack option so that our kinesthetic learners, kids who learn with their hands and our visual spatial learners in this district have a way of learning that is science of reading
007compliant and um that CKLA just does not focus on. It does not really provide a lot of hands on a lot of options for for hands-on learners. So, we're asking for you to very quickly please take on cementing a twotrack program and keeping the monatory classrooms that we have intact. I I am a representative. I am here. Oftentimes, we're called the usual suspects or something. I just want to remind everyone that we are representatives who are representing a lot of other voices. And I'm going to read a comment. I speak Spanish. I have been speaking to a lot of our Spanish speaking families throughout the three years that I've been advocating within our district and I'm here to read one of the comments from one of our Spanish speaking mothers. Um, her name is Narida.
008The monastery program is wonderful and I feel so fortunate that my children were able to participate in this program. Please keep it. Thank you. Uh Jana Fischer. Thank you everyone for your time tonight. Um as mentioned my name is Jana Fischer. I'm first year parent here at Kingston City School District. I have a child with an IEP. He attends George Washington. Um, and I'm also the 2024 25 George Washington DT representative. So, I see a couple familiar faces here. Um, so as a designated target district under state oversight, Kingsson City School District stands at a critical juncture. Our responsibility extends beyond academic performance metrics to the fundamental principles of transparent governance. Parents and guardians are not merely stakeholders. They are essential partners in education whose insights and concerns deserve to be acknowledged, respected, and incorporated
009into our decision-making processes. When significant changes to curriculum, programming, or infrastructure are contemplated, parents and community members must be actively engaged from the earliest stages, not merely informed after decisions have been finalized. When budgetary uh priorities are established, the community deserves to understand not just where funds are allocated, but why these allocations best serve our students needs. This is not simply about satisfying procedural requirements. Transparency builds trust. Transparency enables collaboration and only through genuine collaboration can we create an educational environment where every student thrives. I call upon this board to establish concrete mechanisms ensuring proactive parent engagement and transparent communication regarding all significant district initiatives and expenditures. Our status as a target district demands not just improved outcomes but improved processes through which we achieve those outcomes. The future of Kingston students depend on our
010abilities to work together, board, administration, teachers, parents, and community members with honesty, openness, and mutual respect. Let us commit today to making transparency not just an aspiration, but the foundation of our educational mission. As a taxpayer, community member, and concerned parent, I am urging transparency around the following. One, the district commitment or otherwise to the unique GW Monttoauri program and mandatory use of the dedicated Montasauri upskilling funds for teachers. Two, CQLA implementation impacts on student students and teachers plus associated costs. Three, cost per student information around Ireie and my path. And four, details and proper onboarding around special education programs for new parents. Um, and just to speak on that one a bit, when I did come into this district, I have a son that's autistic. I wasn't even informed that there are autism dedicated
011programs within the district. Um, therefore, you guys ended up probably spending more money on my child because he has a onetoone within GW. So, I just think that there needs to be more thoughtfulness and programming around how we educate and on boarding parents. Thank you, Amanda McDonald. Uh my name is Cisco Guzman and I'll be sharing with you a letter from Amanda McDonald, a parent of uh two students at George Washington. I am a lowincome parent and my children attend and are thriving at George Washington. George Washington Elementary School offers a rare public Montasauri program, a choice for all parents in the district, whether or not you are zoned for the school. This is an invaluable resource for children from all backgrounds in our community. An incredible diversity of students are already enrolled in it.
012Most Montasuri education is private, an insurmountable barrier to entry for many lowincome students. The proposed plan would be disastrous for children like mine and for the school potentially losing a significant number of dedicated teachers and forcing young children into an unfamiliar educational environment come fall. The Montasauri teaching method has proven effective time and again. My son, a second grader, is excelling academically across all subjects. If this program is taken away, not only is a precious opportunity wrestled or wrestled from the hands of our most vulnerable students, but parents who can afford a private education will choose that affecting the entire district. In a time where school choice in many places has turned predatory with profit charter schools bleeding their districts dry, I urge you to protect this rare and precious program that stands as a
013living example of the p of public education at its finest. A program that doesn't just serve children today, but safeguards educational equity for generations to come. Thank you, Jason Hart. Hi, good evening. Excuse me. Um, I'm also reading a letter from a anonymous parent um at GW. Um, and we don't allow anonymous parents. We don't allow anonymous. Can I leave the letter for it to be reviewed or You can leave that letter to review and you can make a statement yourself. Yes. But we can't read Okay. So I'm also a parent. I have two children at GW. Um this is our second year. Um and as a parent I will attest to the importance of individualized education. Um my son has uh learning challenges and the mixed age level and mixed age groups of the
014classrooms learning in the monastery education at GW has helped to bring him to a more even level with his classmates. While we continue to educate our children at GW, I feel confident that having consistent and continuous access to a monastery education will continue to benefit my children as it will the community of Kingston. Thank you. Thank you. If you want to leave that letter, I'm so sorry if I mispronounced this. Uh thank you for giving us this platform to voice our uh opinions in certain situations regarding our kids. Uh my kids have been attending George Washington for the past two years. My son especially has been fortunate enough to have the Montasauri education since daycare and um he is really thriving at George Washington and is really happy to be there. Um my main concern
015with the changes that are being talked about is the transparency meaning uh we are being told that the CPLA program is going to be implemented um don't know what that means for the future of the Montasur program in George Washington. I personally and some of my other parent friends are in favor of keeping the Montasa sort of program and doing a two track system in the school. Um, and if that's not uh how it was uh designed to be, we don't know how it will otherwise work. There is a multi-grade uh uh learning uh program at George Washington. Is the DLA going to be um implemented in the in the similar classroom sizes? how is the program going to change the curriculum and we feel like um I mean we're in May and this is
016we're talking for next year so we're really in the dark and um I think my biggest frustration comes from the transparency and the miscommunication between parents and um the administration or powers in charge um and I just wanted to voice my opinion on this matter Hello. Thank you all for allowing us this opportunity to speak. My name is Jennifer Barl. I'm a single mother of two boys in the district. My youngest is attending GW since preK3. His first two years here were in a traditional Montasuri class. This year things changed when his head teacher required I or retired, I'm sorry. I requested a classroom transfer so he might remain in the learning environment he has thrived in. My press my request was denied. I kept him enrolled at GW with the hope that next year
017he would return to a Montasuri classroom. That possibility seems to be in jeopardy now. I grew up here in the Hudson Valley. I graduated from Melbourne High School. I've lived in nearly every single town in Duchess County and now here in Kingston. I've attended school in four different districts. And I'm telling you this because I want you to recognize, as I do, what a special district Kingston is. GW is an asset to our community and it's one of the major driving forces that have brought many of our families here, mine included. As a child, I attended Brendan Monttoauri School in Lraange, which has since closed. My mother is a Montasuri educator. I grew up Montas loving Montasauri, and I love the alternative learning style for my son. I believe children aren't meant to sit in
018classrooms and be restricted to desks and lectures for hours on end. Montasauri allows for movement, hands-on learning, and independence. Losing the option for an alternative curricul curriculum would be devastating. Our other semi-local Montasauri options are in New Pulse and Pikipsy. They're both private and financially impossible for families like mine. I implore you all to please make a commitment to the Montasauri program we have at GW and continue to invest and support the program. I've restructured my entire life around getting my son back and forth to school at GW as he attends their own special permission and the district doesn't allow for transportation. It would be so much easier for me to send him to the school in my zone. But I want to remind you all that doing the easy the best idea. Thank you,
019Mario Fiori. Good afternoon everyone. Last Wednesday at the parent academy at Miller, we learned that the CKLA will be implemented across all elementary schools including George Washington Elementary. This decision effectively ends the Montesori program after this academic year without input from key stakeholders. Montesori is already aligned with the science of reading approach the district promotes. In fact, it has been the only consistently used science of reading compliant method in the district with over a decade of local investment. Montori has shown proven success especially for kinesthetic and visual special learners through its hands-on child le structure. Despite this, the district plans to mandate CKLA a scripted traditional curriculum across all elementary classrooms. While both CKLA and Montesi meet science of reading standards, their teaching styles differ greatly. CKLA requires teachers to follow a script for one
020to two hours daily with students using workbooks and computers. Montesori on the other hand emphasizes developmentally appropriate student centered learning. Last Wednesday we heard that the Montesori trained teachers would not be allowed to use the Montesori reading curriculum next year. You can look at the minute 48 in the district's video on YouTube for this meeting. This decision directly contradicts the district's promises to reduce external curriculum demands and reinvest in the Montesori program. I have to say my two kids attend this, one attended this school and the other one is still there and they love the Montasuri program. In response, GW parents and caregivers began circulating a petition last Friday which I emailed earlier today. The petition calls on the board of education and district administrators to protect the Montori program by adopting a two-track model
021at GW Elementary. This would allow Montasuri classrooms to continue using the de developmentally appropriate science of reading align curriculum without being forced to adopt CKLA. In just five days, the petition received over 200 signatures including 88 current parents from the district and caregivers, 10 parents of past and future students, 10 current students, two current faculty and staff from GW, one former GW staff, over a 100 concern community members, many of whom are district taxpayers. I hope that you take consideration of this important matter. On a related note, I would like to know what is the status of the investigation requested by parents into reports of toxicity within the school leadership. Reports that were collected by a consultant hired by the district and involves over 40 faculty and staff at GW that were interviewed. The dangerous
022conditions affecting both students and personnel still persists. This is a serious internal threat that must be addressed. Please take action. Jacket Wood. Good evening, board members. Uh, I am Jack Beth Wood, a Kingston resident, taxpayer since 2006. I didn't move to Kingston for the schools. I moved here for the Blue Stone sidewalks. But I've been a parent since 2012. Uh both my both my children have attended George Washington School. One in his last year there and the other has already moved on to Bailey Middle School. Overall, my family and I are pleased with our experience at KCSD. I'm here to talk about how KCSD fails to support the Montasauri School at George Washington. Since the turnover from the founding principal to her successor just before the pandemic, there have been sign after sign that the
023district is not behind the Montasoy program. Each time parents like me have objected and sometimes protested and each time the administration, in particular, Dr. Patalino has voiced his support of the program and promised to do all within his power. Yet, I've never seen the school rise to the call. Instead, I believe I see the slow dismantling of Montasauri and broken promises. I asked the board to ensure that Montasauri continues at George Washington for real. The parents are now even asking for a school within a school. Can you believe it? Please make sure that Montasauri is not allowed to die. Thank you, Deborah. Don't worry, I'm not gonna speak a lot. You only have three minutes. I got it. I got it. So, on behalf of the entire ASPA team, and I know I'm jumping ahead
024here, on behalf of the entire ASPA team, which are the directors and building leaders throughout the district, we'd like to thank Miss Loviano. We know that it is not easy balancing New York State standards and the Montasauri philosophy. And for that, Wanda, we thank you and we continue to respect you and your vision and everything that you do for our district. Wanda, we are grateful for your vision, your dedication, your ability to inspire us. Your work is just not about meeting standards. It's about creating a nurturing environment where children thrive. Thank you for everything you do each and every day. Dr. Alvetto and Dr. Hullrich, change is difficult, but we applaud you for making this change for the benefit of all of our students, and we are embracing CC LA. So, thank you. This one's
025a little hard for everybody. Is it Martha? Oh, yeah. Hi, I am also here to speak about CKLA at George Washington Elementary. My family moved to Kingston a year and a half ago from Athens, New York. Um, where a lot of parents sent their kids to a new private monastery school. My kids were enrolled in the Athens public elementary school, but most parents we knew enrolled in the private monastery school. My husband and I believe in public neighborhood schools even more than we're interested in a monastery curriculum and I went to Monasuri school myself from preschool to third grade. Um, it's fundamental for in in my development. But the Athens public school lost a lot of resources through the families that chose the private monastery school and it really divided the community culturally. So much
026so that it was the main reason why we left Athens. I really love that the Kingston School District has options for families. I feel that it's important that two tracks are offered at GW because the options presented at this school help keep our community members invested in the public school system. I'm concerned that without the monastery option in the Kingston school district um will fail a lot of families who need this option. And I'm personally concerned about the resources in my neighborhood becoming divided like they did in Athens. Thank you. Leo Butler. Hi, thank you very much for the opportunity tonight. The whole subject of Montasaori and how to manage its peculiar demands in the context of the public school system is a big topic and that is why although I personally hope the Montasauri
027program will continue at GW. Uh I'm not going to speak about it tonight. Instead, I'd like to make a comment about how decisions get made and get communicated around here. I'll give you quick context. I moved to the Hudson Valley 20 years ago. I helped raise my stepdaughters all the way from kindergarten at Edson uh through KHS and beyond. And just as I was about to be an empty neester, I went and had my own little bundle of joy who's now in kindergarten at GW. In my observation, over decades in this district, the administration has gotten used to a certain way of doing things. In my view, it has tended to be the top down approach. It's clear now that changes are put in the district and almost always challenging to navigate when there are
028so many stakeholders. I respect that it is not easy. At GW in particular, there are many considerations, especially given the multi-grade levels and differing teaching methodologies. But what concerns me the most is how in the dark not only I feel about these changes, but far more sadly how left out some staff privately admit to feeling. I second Jana's and Nor's plea for improved decision making processes, communication and transparency. This evening for instance is great. Um but it's not lost on us that it is late at night right prior to um a long weekend extremely tough to be here. Um involvement in the community I urge you to understand is not by nature a contentious act. I realize that we GW parents have become a kind of squeaky wheel and that seem annoying, but I urge
029you to understand that yeah, we'd rather be anywhere else tonight. I was moved to attend because I think it's important for you to understand that we parent stakeholders may not always be visible. In fact, um our poor U building leader gets to be quite the scapegoat sometimes. Um but we're here and we care very much. Um and frankly, we demand a seat at the table. I beg you really to just improve the communications a little bit and keep us in flight when it comes to big decisions like this. Thank you Christina is picker. Uh members of the school board, firstly thank you all for all you do for our district and uh for a moment of your time today. I am here as well to uh stand with other parents today for George Washington. I
030stand here with a fourth grader at GW about to enter Bailey next year. And I'm grateful for the amazing teachers she has had at GW, particularly her Montasauri teacher, Miss Janice Zto, who she had for three years from first through third grade and is amazing. I find myself once again here fighting for the George Washington Montasauri program as I have been doing for the five years my daughter has been in the school. Once again, it seems that the district administration, whether through oversight or deliberately, is bent on dismantling one of the most special unique public school programs we have. and the only alternative learning style our district offers despite mountains of research to show how differently children learn and also how much they benefit from mixed grades and having the same teacher for three years.
031In fact, the countries with the highest academic performance, some of them are structured to have kids with the same teacher for multiple school years. This has been proven more effective than changing teachers every year. And yet, in spite of the evidence, instead of encouraging different teaching styles, the district administration is forcing a one-sizefits-all program that gives teachers little autonomy. Last Wednesday, Dr. Olivetto said that Montasauri trained teachers will not be permitted to continue to use the Montasauri reading curriculum next year, in spite of this curriculum already being compliant with the science of reading and offering a more hands-on approach to learning than CK CKLA. My daughter, by the way, loved the reading program already in place at GW. This would effectively end what little is left of the Montasauri program at the school. I urge
032the Kingston City School District Board of Education to implement a dual track instructional model at GW to allow Montasauri certified teachers to continue delivering the Montasauri reading methods. And I urge you to listen to the community on this subject and to remember that there's over 200 signatures in support of a dual track instructional model. And this was only in the last five days. That number will continue to grow. And I would also like to second Leah's plea for a better shared decision makingaking at the school, better transparency, and better communication in general. Thank you for your time. That concludes our uh public comment session. Thank you for your comments and your interest in our district. That brings us to the superintendent report. So, a little differently. Usually, we would do a student recognition prior, but
033we're going to wait and do that at the end. So first we have with Washington Can you hear me? That's just for the screen. Can you hear me though? Good evening everyone. Um, let me just take a second. I just want to thank you for having me here today. I would like um just kind of express how going to Montgomery, Alabama magnified my perspective on education. And that was um some time in October that I went with a group of individuals that um really change my view on education. It's very profound. Um I really believe that education is a foundation for personal and collective liberation which refers to the idea that true educational equality and freedom are only possible when all students regardless of their race, language, ability, gender, social economic status, or background are
034given the support and access opportunity to thrive together. It recognizes that our struggles are interconnected and so are our paths to success and liberation. It unlocks doors, broadens perspectives, and empowers our students to shape their own futures. As it is core, education cultivates critical thinking, confidence, and the courage to challenge justice, making it a powerful force freedom. I also believe that instructional leaders play a crucial role in this transformance process. We are visionaries who nurture growth in others by modeling excellence, promoting their collective practice, and creating a culture where learning and leadership flourish. By empowering teachers and supporting innovation and building collaborative communities, instructional leaders help to develop future leaders, ensuring that the pursuit of equity, access, and academic success stems beyond the classroom and into our society. Ultimately, when educators lead with a purpose
035and invest in leadership potential of others, we do more than improve schools. We inspire liberation through I want to personally thank those individuals that made an impact on my personal and professional journey and it has been a very diffto the amazing elementary team. I love you guys very my family and of course the GW community. You are the reason that I go to work every day and I am humbled and truly grateful. And in every school there are individuals whose passion, perseverance and vision begin to shape the future long before they hold a title. Among them are two remarkable women who are with me tonight who are steadily making their mark as emerging instructional leaders. Both bring unique strengths. commitment to equity and culturally responsive teaching, a sharp eye for curriculum development and student engagement.
036Their leadership is not loud, but it's powerfully grounded in action, compassion, and unshakable belief in what's possible for all students. As they continue to grow and inspire, it's clear these women aren't just on the road to becoming instructional leaders. already are reading in that matter the most. So they are here to present with me Miss Stephanie. She's our GWNL teacher and Miss Ko our reading specialist. These are future instructional leaders. So they are here to help me present today um what happens with collaboration success when we are engaged communication is open and respectful and the shared goal is clearly defined. um as we were putting this together and again this is a collaborative effort. Um I've always read this quote and I kind of thought about what it meant. Um education is the key to
037unlocking the world to freedom and we all deserve that. That to me means education empowers all people to explore opportunities, understand the work, the world fully and make informed choices in life. In essence, it is emphasizing that education isn't only just about academics. It is a powerful tool for achieving independence, success, and a fuller life in our Kingston city school students. They all deserve this. Um GW is a targeted support and improvement school. It was that before I entered GW. Um and that means that there is one or more low performing subgroup based on the performance across all indicators. The targeted subgroups are Hispanic English language learners and economically disadvantaged. And when I speak, I always speak about all students just so for the 23 24 school year, our GW Hispanic Latino are at was
038at a 44% that's about 40 students. L's are at 28% which is about close to 90 students and economically disadvantaged was at 63. That's half the building at GW and um and the percentages for this year have increased. So we haven't gotten those numbers yet from the state but they do that but they have but I want to introduce to you the extraordinary Miss Destiny Dan who will talk to you a little bit about shelter construction that was part of our commitment on Hi everyone. So in an effort to support our targeted subgroup as Wanda has just identified, we have implemented the shelter ENL instruction program. This program directly supports commitment one of our step plan. Did you try again? This 1-hour daily program replaced the language lab. Instruction is targeted and scaffolded to meet
039language and academic needs. We emphasize vocabulary development, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This helps our L's to not only acquire English, but learn the content. Our L's are building the skills they need and the confidence through small groups and individualized attention. This is a visual of the sign up. This is what we use to plan our lesson. So, there's eight components of it. So part one is the lesson preparation where we ensure there is clear language and content objectives. Part two is building background knowledge which we do this by connecting lessons to students lives. Part three is comprehensible input by speaking clearly and using visuals and adjusting to their language levels. Part four is strategies. So we do this by teaching different strategies like problem solving. Then we go to part five interaction and we
040think about encouraging group work and language building. Part six is practice and we give them ample opportunities to practice through reading, writing, listening and speaking. Part seven is the lesson delivery. So we focus on the objectives and keeping students engaged. And part eight is review and assessment where we are frequently checking for understanding. SCAP or the sheltered instruction occuration protocol is grounded in researchbased strategies to support L scaffolded lessons are directly aligned with academic content which promotes language acquisition and content mastery. This instruction is delivered by certified ENL teachers during New York State mandated pullout time. Speaking of the mandated pull out time, this is the New York State CR part 154 which outlines exactly how must. So depending on their language proficiency level, they're entitled to a specific amount of standalone time, also known
041as pull out or integrated ENL time, also known as push in. So we have to give our elves the right amount of time based on their levels. And we are happy to announce that through the use of this sheltered ENL instruction program, we have met our mandated minutes for the first time ever. Small group instruction allows us to give individualized support to each student. It ensures that LL's are not only participating in grade level content, but also building English proficiency and academic confidence. Consistent, direct instruction helps bridge the gaps and improve academic performance. This model promotes equity and access while meeting the New York State mandates for ENL students. And most importantly, it lays a strong foundation towards the journey to success. And now I would like to introduce to you this here at TCO
042reading new teacher extraordinaire. Hi, good evening. So, uh, this year in GW, we had two classes that were able to pilot the CKLA program and I had the honor of being able to be the reading teacher in both of those classes. Um so this is our kindergarten pilot class. This is their I Ready um data. So from the fall you can see that only um 38% of the class was coming in on a kindergarten grade level and then the rest of the class was emerging which is fine because it's kindergarten so you're coming out of prek. uh they took the I Ready last week and the entire class the students that did take it are all above or on grade level at this point. Uh the kindergarten uh CKLA teaches um foundational skills in reading
043and writing through the skills and knowledge strands um where skills teaches decoding phonics and fluency and the knowledge gives you background knowledge and vocabulary through reading louds and discussions. Uh this is the rest of the kindergarten classes at GW and every single class this year either followed the foundation's phonics program or did the free access to CKLA or mixed both of both of the programs to explore and as you can see having the direct explicit explicit instruction all of kindergarten is essentially on or above grade level in fourth grade the fourth grade CF CKA um they're coming in where they didn't really get exposure to foundations just because of the way that the rollout schedule was and what grade they were in when it was coming out. So they were coming in with um brand
044new to phonics essentially since phonics is now becoming at the forefront. Uh the fourth grade CLA CKLA focuses on developing reading and writing skills across various genres through discussions, close reads and writing activities. And looking at the top class, which is our CKLA pilot, you can see their her targeted subgroup, which is the striped one at the end, which is three levels or below. Her number went um went lower, I would say, and they moved into going to just two grade levels and below. So those targeted students were able to gain a full year grade level wise uh getting a CKLA this year and then everybody else in the class did increase significantly. So this is just as data from three of my students that I have in this class. Um, all three of these
045students are every single one of our subgroups. And this is based off of the I Ready oral fluency passage. So, it's a grade four reading level. And we can see that from through the progress monitoring, each of those students did increase. So, the first student went from just being able to read 11 words on a fourth grade reading passage to 24 words. Um, the middle student went from just being able to identify and read eight words on a fourth grade reading level to 21 words. And the bottom student went from 58 to 69 words, which it might not look like a lot, but it is very significant when you're an emerging ENL student. So then here's an example of our children's house doing the PKLA. Um, Andrea had just finished the kings and queens unit
046and she threw them a royal ball and it was fantastic and they got to dress up and she did a big feast with all of them and they have such a good time and they really enjoy the knowledge strands and all the the knowledge units that they have. They go into science and social studies and they get to discuss and do activities and do crafts and things like that to just keep them engaged throughout the whole program. I was going to show videos but um Osman here who is in the first video is actually here today and even though he did fall asleep we will wake him up. He was um extremely excited to come today. He spoke about it all day. He knew the time was 7 jump down the stairs to come read.
047Um, Osman is from Guatemala. He just started here this year. He is a kindergarten student. Um, he came into kindergarten knowing nine lowercase letters, 16 uppercase letters, and zero sounds. He is an entering ENL student, and he is here today to read from the book of Sam from um, PKLA. He's going to come up and read with hands, but now he's shy, so we will get him. We're going to sit on the floor like we do in class. He's going to choose which story he's going to read. Thank you. [Music] and CH got cut up on a top of the rock was a gold net Hey a [Music] check a book of the Do check from up. Stuck up stuck in a rock some got [Music] into it. It's bug and it's it's We have
048a super reader award. [Music] I just want to say that, you know, this is really hard for him to be here tonight. Mom was very proud of She would have loved to be here, but his brother came was in high school and he all he wants to do is read. Um, this is just a little bit I mean he does. We're not just proud of Osman, but we're proud of all our students. And if you know me, you know me that it's all about all my kids at GW, all the kids that I've worked through um in my over 25 years here at City School District. Um for me, it's about equity, it's about access, and it's about freedom to provide our students with what they deserve. So, thank you very much and thank you
049comments or questions from the board. We'll start with Mrs. Jordan. Well, I just want to thank you all for coming and I would like to thank um Miss Loiano for mentoring to wonderful people because it's so important to pass on uh the love of teaching and public education and all that means. So, I really appreciate it and it was wonderful to see your student and um I know that all the students that you come in contact with are probably feeling the same pride. So, congratulations. Mr. Patrick, um I just wanted to say that usually um we have slides or some sort of warning of what the presentation would be and I didn't see one like I surprising. So, um, I just wanted to say that was a nice surprise probably one of my favorite pres
050Dr. Collins and Mr. Spicer. Thank you, Principal Boon. I really appreciate your hard work with um this group that is um has been um we've seen increase in population and also just trying to how to support that properly. Um, our entire population in Kingston actually are this demographic. And so I'm um just pleased to see that this shelter program seems to be on a good track. I did have one question because we were hearing from parents about CKLA and Monosuri. I'm curious about how in for ELLL students as especially if you get like an older emerging re um u speaker maybe first or second grade how that interacts a little bit with the pull out time in the ELLL teaching and integrating CLA type curriculum. Okay. Um so scheduling is very difficult because we have
051to meet those mandates and we're trying to get our minutes in with them. So, an entering or emerging student would be required 360 minutes a week with us, which is 180 minutes pull out and pushing in. So, it's really all about collaboration and working with our teachers. Um, so with the CKLA program, we're really going to have to hone in on that collaboration to make sure that we're not pulling them out of that crucial knowledge and skill time. Um, but still making sure that they have their sheltered instruction with us so that we can build on that background knowledge and really hone in on like the vocabulary. So, if I could ask a follow up then. Thank you for that. That um then is the content that is do integrate then some of the CKLA
052content also into the silo uh or CL. Yes. So that is the plan. Um we are told that we are actually going to get a teachers manual. So the ENL team is very excited about that. So we can prepare and prep our lesson to integrate with uh what they're doing in the classroom. And just to clarify too, I think um people think that it's direct instruction the whole time. It is and it's very kinesthetic actually. So there's a lot of movement, there's a lot of music, there's a little bit of everything for all learners. Again, this is for all students. It's not just the select student. But um I just wanted to focus on our LS because we have a high percentage of L's in our building. Um and our homelessness has also increased to
0539. It was 9% last year, so it's even higher this year. Well, thank you for all the work for all of you for presenting. Mr. Spicer, a question or request, then I'll make my statement. Can you go back one slide? Are you able to do that? No. Another one. Who is this? He was like the king of everything. Oh my goodness. That is so wonderful. Thank you for the wonderful presentation. And I just want to say over the years sheltered ENL instruction has proven has proven such an important instructional advancement. It's just true that the children are being taught English using the same subject matter that their peers are getting so that as their English proficiency increases there is no instructional content loss. So in the smoke, so to speak, we have an English-sp speakaking
054child who can be as math, reading, science, and social studies competent as their peers. So thank you for all that. Thank you for the wonderful presentation. Thank you for coming. And I think the goal of that was that when they are with the ENL teachers that they're transferring their skills into the classroom. So it's not just the language of ELA, but it's also math language that when they So when they come from that room, they go back and they just pick up where they left off. And that's the whole idea of that. Thank you. Thank you very much, guys. Sorry, can't go that easily. Um, I want to thank you because I think it was a great presentation and I want to echo what Miss Jordan said that I'm thrilled because as someone who worked
055with Miss Lo Biano a few years back because I've been uh going I won't say how do I'm thrilled to see that it's being passed on to those who can follow in her footsteps. Um I also want to congratulate you because I know change is very very difficult. I understand that instructional change is very hard. We've gone through it so many times in certainly my educational career and I think finding the right pathway and supporting our teachers so that we can provide the best for all of our students is absolutely critical and it looks like you are collaboratively being supported by uh central office and working with your staff to do that. So I want to thank you for that. Appreciate it. I'll speak quick. I'll be quick. I think the presentation was amazing and
056just having, you know, worked in a school as a nurse trying to collaborate schedules and things like that becomes a like forefront task that you're working on and it becomes a really I understand the intricacy and all of the scheduling issues that come up. So, the fact that you met your meaning I think is awesome because the goal is not easy to get to. Um and I mean everyone said coordination 100 times but um I think that cannot be overstated overstated or understated. I just think I I'm really proud that you're able to be efficient and schedule things in a way that is meaningful to get the kids ahead and I I just think of I mean it's just scheduling thing for me because I know what it looks like in my school. Yeah, it's
057a magnet. It is. There's the word. Yeah. So I think I think the goal and it's always been the goal of just as a leader is to really how do we reach all our students again it's all our students not some of our students not the ones we want to do only is all students they all deserve it they deserve to be educated they deserve to be welcomed and affirmed and we have to meet them where they are and give them the tools they need so they can have the freedom to pursue Thank you very much. Okay, just a few more things. I won't I won't extend the superintendent's report much longer. A reminder to everyone here and who is watching at home. Um, tomorrow the 26th through I mean tomorrow through the 26th is
058our extended Memorial Day break. We will return to school on the 27th. Students will return to will return also. So just that I know earlier today just a reminder we are have extended um Memorial Day not Thanksgiving Memorial Day vacation this year. Uh one of the other things that I wanted you've been waiting for I think you probably been waiting for a little quick update on I park 87. So, one I met with Mr. or Dr. Shanker and just really briefly um they are on they're on track. They're on schedule. Um different things are going on there, but if you go you see that the restrooms are ready, the overhead doors are all pulled up. The HVAC system is being completed for actually today as part of a big part they're doing. Um the move
059in timeline is still right on target, moving in in August, being ready to open the doors in September. Um I did um really brief um update from Dr. Shanker in your library. It was a late entry. So if you go back to go back, you can see it in there. Also, anyone who is interested and would like to have a tour or if we wanted to go as a group as a tour, um Os is more than willing to make that happen. So we can go over there, you know, if we if we coordinate it, we want to go over um they'd be happy to have us and show us what's what's going on. Looks pretty good out there. I think we would like I would love to do it. You're on organization. But again,
060one of the things with this project and I know Dr. Shanker presented and you all saw different things about it. One of the really positives about this is it keeps the vote center in Kingston City School District which is great for our kids that go there, but also it keeps the Port Euing Center open and that expends that extends and expands the services they're able to give our students especially our students with disabilities. So, it was I I I thought it was a very um wellthoughtout plan to to move the vote center to make use of that, put it in that that hub that's being built there at park 87 and give us that opportunity to have more space, which is one really is the problem for both more space for our students with disabilities.
061So, I will work with um Siri and Dr. Shanker and get everyone from our board over there to take a look. Okay. Uh any other questions or comments for Dr. Pino? No. That brings us to the board of education. We have a report well policy committee. The policy committee left met last um Friday and uh we have lengthy discussions and um a lot of it was about involvement and the strategizing around that and coming up with forms that will be across all the buildings in terms of use for their BLTs. I don't have that new library today. So, look for next time where there'll be a lot of information for policy. We will be meeting on June 4th for policy again and we're hoping to have our attorney So because we've given them a lot
062of questions over the year and we'd like some definite answers so that we can move forward and so there should be a very rich and voluminous policy to your library and the time of that next meeting for those oh the Friday it's Friday the 6th Friday the 6th I'm sorry I'm still that's So that will be 9:30 and so look forward to we have no other committee reports. I'm sorry. Actually, um, the legislative action committee met this morning, but because there were a number of things, I did type up the minutes, but I'll put out a full report next meeting and I'll include the minutes in um the library to happen. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Did you send her an agenda? That brings us to our consent agenda. Are there any items that trustees
063would like to have pulled from the consent agenda? Hearing none, if we could have a motion to hold on. Um, the S22 So if we could have any motion to accept the consent agenda minus CS 22 second. Any discussion? All in favor of accepting that consent agenda. Any opposed? So the consent agenda with minus CS22. So now if we could have a motion for CS22 and discussion. Um I um I mean I assume since there all these um terminations of student workers is um not all because of one thing. all because of Yeah, that's a good question. I'm glad you asked it. So, the students workers aren't are being terminated because they did anything or there was any violation at the end of every school year. So, me and we appoint or throughout the school
064year really we appoint the student workers and then at the end of the year we have to ter you know terminate them to to make sure we clear the books. So, in June or July we'll probably start hiring some more and then like what do they do? Yeah, they do different things throughout the district including some school area. They speak to different things around the district for us. And I think if we look closely at that list, several of them have graduated. All in favor of accepting CS22. Any opposed? That brings us to our We do have a donation. Yes, we do. Um, the board of education of the Kingston City School District hereby accepts with grateful appreciation the following generous donation to the Chambers Elementary School Library from Shand Drake. A donation of $50.
065So, thank you for that donation. Thank you. Brings us to um old business. I don't know if it's old business or not, but it's an offer. Um last year last well the beginning I guess of this school year I was charged with uh developing a board handbook and I was going to offer to update it since we have so many new policies if it's the board's desire so that when our new board member comes on July 1 it will be updated. I'm in in favor of that. I think that was a I'd like to help with that. That was a health problem. helped last time. Yeah, it was a help tool. Do we still have that same Do we still have that same I I don't know if you call it a committee that same
066I think we're at hog because I'd like to stay on that. I would say so there's a working group and yes I think that would be a great idea and I'm sure Miss Karns would appreciate it. of any other old business, new business. That brings us to our second public comment session. Is there anyone who would like to speak to the board again? I a little tired at this point, but um I did some questions and I know that you probably can't answer just a statement around the data that was shared from GW. Um so just for a little further context, my son has been reading since he was three years old. Um if you look at his report card, it'll say in like reading fundamentals, he's at a four, which is above New York
067State standard, but if you look at his I Ready data, um it shows that he's in the 70th percentile. So clearly there's a disparity between what we're seeing in the report card in real life versus what we're seeing in I Ready. So I'm just curious why the data that was presented wasn't questioned um and if there's more data to substantiate what was presented and in addition to that how are the classrooms selected at GW and why a Montasauri classroom wasn't uh put into the pilot I guess. So that's my statement or question. Thank you. Anyone else? Hi, thank you for this opportunity again. Although I feel a little um like handcuffed because what I really have are questions um and I find very few opportunities to have those questions answered. So I'll try to turn
068them into comments. Um from what I understand, although I'm not totally It is true in fact that CKLA will be imposed on even our Montasauri teachers at GW from the sound of it. Maybe someone would be so gracious as to give me a nod if I'm right about that. Um, okay, maybe not. So basically what happens then is that we have Montasuri classrooms three grade levels who are trained in this very specific methodology and pedigogy right but now they have to take on this entirely new curriculum we're continuing the problem that we have at GW which is that they're not doing sorry they're actually straddling different methodologies and it doesn't work for anyone And I think we need to take that seriously. And I'm sorry it makes you uncomfortable that I'm standing here telling you
069this or sharing my viewpoint um so forcefully. I'm a little shocked at the tone actually tonight. Um I prefer to make friends, but I guess that's too late. Um I just want you to think long and hard about the fact that we have these three grades and someone Dr. Thank you for replying kind of quickly to me that um you guys are on it uh consulting with Albany or Hudson about the three different tiers um in grades and using them as a model or something like that. But I just from my perspective and I do have a master's in English. Um it's not going to work if we straddle this if we straddle the two different methodologies. If I'm speaking out of turn I apologize but I have been in the dark and I'm a
070stakeholder. All right. So, I deserve to know and I encourage you also to come up with ways for parents not only to make comment but also to ask questions, please. Thank you really sincerely for what you do. Sorry if I'm a little aggressive. Just so you know, we do take notes and we do have discussions after public comment has been brought up and it we try our best and so do the administrators to answer those questions. We're just not at liberty to do it during public comment. No, but I think that so when we did the when we asked people to to sign the petition some people also left comments and I would like to read some of the comments from parents. Kate Capoin says that the read comments from anonymous unless I didn't say
071anonymous gonna identify. I say Kate Caposillin. She said the GW Montasuri program was what brought and kept our family in the KCSD is the crown jewel of KCSD. To lose this exceptional program is a massive step backwards in purpose and quality of education for our children. I cannot fathom why anyone would consider this an acceptable outcome for our children. Another parent, Claire Alexandroitz, she wrote, "I enrolled my daughter at GW specifically for the Montesori brand. I am distraught that it is being terminated. Had I been informed, I would have found a different schooling option." Katie de Gusman, another parent, my daughter is thriving in a current GW Montes classroom and reading beyond her grade level. We would be so heartbroken to have this teaching methodology abruptly taken away and for other children do not have
072the chance to benefit from it. SafetyW Montes Hillary Har she said by some tribe with Montesori and continues to at Bailey. Why has the KCSD administration been against this effective and proven learning option from the get-go? It makes no sense. Jennifer B. My son attends GW and a special permission. I specifically chose GW for the Montesori option. I grew up in Montasuri. My mother is a Montasuri educator. I love the method of teaching and learning. I have been so grateful my son has been able to have this experience. Losing it would be devastating. Diana Lopez, we're already in difficult moments at the federal level. Let our children have what they need. Save GW Montes program. Love heart. Amanda Merit, please preserve the Montasuri program is something for the district to be proud of and support.
073Stacy Butler, my brother is a former Monturi student. He is a very successful businessman in the financial field. He really values his Montori education. Ashley Bella, keep choice in our school. Nerda. And this is what actually that was read already. Um another parents I have many more comments but uh I would like since we can leave questions here uh a little bit of transparency about the cost of CKLA versus the cost of keeping the Montesori and also the cost that was promised uh for training the teachers in Montori. Thank you. Thank you. Hi. Um, my name is Katie Duzman. I'm uh the mother of a first grader at GW. I'm really afraid of public speaking and I was not planning on speaking tonight. Um, but I wanted to be here to support. Uh, but after
074being here all night, I felt it was really important for me to speak. And I can see the frustration. I feel like we all can. I can feel it coming coming from um you know the the the word that's sitting in front of us. And um my my daughter's been uh taught by Monasuri teachers uh since she was in 3K and she's now in first and she is thriving. She was one of the maniacs that was up here. But she's just thriving. Loves her teachers. I I can't imagine what it would be like for her next year to have to go from a totally different type of class. And is is that the case? I don't know. I'm really unsure. There's so much um talk that goes around the school that we don't know if
075is real, if it's not. Um there's there's talk now that uh that's a whole group of teachers is going to ask to mass transfer. Like is that a thing? I I we're not sure. But that that's what we're hearing. That's what's going around in the school that all of the teachers will be asked will be leaving the school. and and then what does that look like for my daughter in second grade? You know, this is what she's been been brought up on and is just loved. And it's just as a parent, it's it's really it's really scary. You know, I I don't I how do I explain that to her? And and um and you it's not being explained to us either. We're just so so in the dark. And this is just, you know,
076really just emotionally obviously coming from you can hear my my voice shaking, but um it's I just really implore you to to to listen to us. I know Miss Lo Biano did a did a great job at this and my daughter loves Miss Lo Biano, but but there's just such little communication and I know there's so much frustration within the school, within the teachers, and you can feel that when you walk through the doors. And it's just a we want all our children to feel love. I know that we all have that same goal to raise our children in this wonderful community with wonderful teachers and wonderful principles and to have them learn and and thrive. But if they're in a in a community and in an atmosphere where there's so much angst against them
077or not against them, but within within the the teachers, it's just it's just so unfortunate. And I I'm sorry my you know I I don't have a masters. I'm an artist and I just just feel passionately and um I just really really implore you. I know you're frustrated. I know we are a non-stop but just please take it to heart. I really implore you. It's, you know, there's just a handful of us, but there's hundreds of us and there's hundreds of us behind us that are like waiting for our children to have this kind of education. And we feel so lucky to be in this community and to be able to have this possibility for our children. Thank you. Um, I just have two little things to say. Um, I think Mlano's presentation showed that
078a Montasaur background in education is great because no matter what other curriculum you throw at them, they're going to thrive in it. And also, um, my daughter is actually in that classroom, which was a CLA pilot program, which I knew a little bit about, but I had no idea at the same time. So you can hear my frustration when I say I think I'm sending my kid to a Montasaur school and she's being you in a DKLA pilot program without my knowledge. I think that's just, you know, goes back to the issue that I was saying earlier about the transparency and the transparency issue continues because me personally, if we're going to continue with a more traditional way of teaching our kids, I don't know if the mixed grade uh scenario is suitable for that.
079Is that going to be dismantled or is that going to continue? How does that look? I mean there's so many things at play. I just want to say again goes back to the transparency issue that we're all facing. Any other comments from the public? That brings us to I attended a meeting last year, Novemberish. Um, and we were told that George Washington is one of the they received more funding than any other elementary school in the district. that they received funding specifically for the Montasauri program to invest in teacher training and materials and we were under the impression I was told in the beginning of the year as well that there were many new teachers that were on board and scheduled for Montasuri training. So now with the CKLA program I'm like where did that
080money go? What happened to investing in Montasauri and how does this new program make sense if we were supposed to be supporting and bringing up more Montasuri teachers. So I'm very confused and I think a lot of us are very confused. Where's the money? What happened? Why is there a new curriculum when Montasauri has been working? Why are we not investing in Montasuri? We all have these questions and we all want answers and I know you obviously can't answer us right now, but I'm hoping after this that we answers. You have kids from next year and we're like, what do we do? Do we leave them here? What's the point of sending them to a Montasuri school if it's not a Montasuri school anymore? Why not send them to any other school in the district?
081And then how is that going to affect your test scores when all your kids who learn Montasuri and are thriving and leave that school? Public comment. I think we can move on to board member announcements. Mr. Lamb, I have the pleasure of attending Master Works. Um, and every year I say it can't get better. It does. And our students and our teachers at the high school offer such a special program. Um, I wish everyone could see it because it it was packed. you could have put another person in the room. Um, however, it was an absolute pleasure to experience that. I'd like to thank the administration for supporting that. Thank you. Any other announcements from the board? All right, that brings us to um a motion to adjourn. So, second All in favor of joining
082this meeting. Thank you very much.