001We're ready, Nicole. We can actually handle the pipe. gonna be a little bit before I >> Thank you. >> All right. Good evening. >> Good evening, everyone. Uh, welcome to another board meeting from the Manhasset uh, Union Free School District. So, we'll call this meeting to order. Apologies, we're a couple minutes late. we had a um a tenure recognition event which was outstanding and it just set us back a few minutes. So, thank you for your patience. So, uh first order of business as usual, let's do the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. So, the first uh item for this evening is a discussion.
002Uh we're going to review uh the audited financial statements and reserves for our uh school year ended June 30, 2025. Um so, I guess Dr. Bellary, we'll we'll start with uh you. We have a few things to review here. I would say um you know we're in a really good position in terms of our finances. We've done some remediation. Um, obviously Gerard uh joined the business office this year and we've taken a lot of steps to uh improve our reporting, but I think it's worthwhile to have a a short discussion on this just to make sure we're aligned and uh we share some of the changes we may have to make uh you know given research and um findings that that we've we've uncovered. So, let's uh start with that. >> Mr. Post, thank you
003very much. I want to thank our auditors for being here tonight and Gerard I may ask you to jump in as well. We're going to review our uh end of year close out for last year June and it did come to our attention that there are monies in debt service that that brought some questions to the four and I want to ask you how we arrived at those monies there in debt service. What is the history there? Walk us through that please and I know you made a recommendation to Gerard as well in so far as moving some of that money to capital and I just want to talk about that piece as well. Okay. >> Thank you so much. >> So, um I'll I'll field the question as far as the debt service. So,
004you do have what we call a debt service fund and that monies is earmarked for future debt service payments. So at your district, you did um get a bond or approval of the capital projects um in 23 and unfortunately the state took a long time to approve those projects. So in you did um put money in debt service for bonds and what happened was your financial adviserss advised you to go out for bands which is a shortterm financing. So their um strategy is to do that until 27 was it 27 is when they're recommending you go out for the bonds. So essentially that money has been in your budget for the principal and interest for your bonds starting last year again this year. So basically those monies the purpose of those monies was for debt
005service payments. They are not going to you know hit the books until you go out for a bond because you are doing these bands as short-term financing. So right now you do have monies earmarked in that debt service fund for those future principal and interest payments for those bonds. Okay. Does anybody have any questions on that? >> So so that just sounds like so we have a a sequencing or a timing change. So the the project the approvals the actual construction took longer than anticipated because of COVID supply chain issues uh getting you know the state education department to approve these projects. So we we did the right thing in reserving >> for these expenses and longer term bonds you know presumably interest costs are higher than shorter term debt. So we we put money
006aside. We simply just didn't use it as fast as we thought. Is that fair? >> That's exactly. >> All right. >> Exactly. >> Okay. Um and then as far as your >> Sorry, one more question. >> So, if I could if you could just explain, I guess for others that are maybe listening and maybe are not as familiar, Ted, >> what's typical of when you would report either not using it or kind of how are we managing kind of the catch up? And maybe that's what you're going to be touching on next. I think for folks that are not as familiar with bonds and bands and what is an appropriate amount again understanding inflation and how much should be put in reserve some of that in more layman's terms I think would be incredibly helpful
007for those that are maybe listening to understand and I think the timing um which it seems like we may get to that right so you had in the budget for 2324 the board put in the budget for the bonds for principal and interest and the The way it works is it's a transfer to debt service and then the debt service payments get paid out of that fund. So because the board the budget included that transfer because you thought you were going to bond that year, those monies are now sitting in the debt service fund and when the bonds kick in, you'll have those monies for those payments. >> Okay. And are they collecting interest? Are they appreciating? You you definitely are collecting interest and it keeps in that fund so you can use that money
008for future debt service. >> Are all of these amounts recorded in the correct school years and are they recorded in your financial statements within the correct school years and is interested with the budget? Yes. So if the budget had an interfund transfer, we had that in the transfer to debt service. Yes. >> Can you go over the school years and and when those >> 2324 and 2425? So we're auditing 2425. Last year was the first year that the budget included the debt service payments for the bonds because the district thought they were going to bond that year and based on the delay from state education department they were not able to bond and the financial adviserss advised due to interest rates to ban do a a ban until they're ready to go out for bonds.
009So that's really what the strategy is. >> And just so I could understand, we have our operating budget >> and then we also have the bond that we had approved that we're doing our bond work, >> right? >> Are those intermingled or are those separate? >> So in your operating budget, your general fund budget, you do have a line in the budget for transfer to debt service and that includes your principal and interest for your bonds and all your debt. So not only the debt that's coming on the books in two years, also the debt you already have on the books. So that's a normal budgeting that you do have. You have those monies on your budget >> and the interest is recorded in our financials also. >> Exactly. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> So
010if I could just ask I I think there's a recommendation tonight uh in so far as what we should do. Should that money stay there? We we had talked a little bit about I had talked with Gerard about capital moving some monies to capital reserves or are we comfortable with where it is Gerard? >> There's a recommendation to move the money into the the excess after we we parse out the the money that's for the transfer to debt service the extra money into the capital reserve. That that is the recommendation of the auditors. >> Right. So that was the same as what you did last year. So last year you were over the 4% so you funded the capital reserve as well as the TRS reserve. This year you had limits of 2 million for
011the capital reserve and 2 million for the TRS reserve. So the voters approved the capital reserve and spending monies for capital needs. So that would really be the first reserve I would say you want to put monies into. There is a limit for the TRS reserve. you can't put in more than 2% of the prior year TRS salaries. So you could not go up to that 2 million because you're limited to based on the regulations for TRS. >> So we don't need any further action. We're going to we can make that that transfer. >> The the June agenda there was a resolution to authorize um transferring up to 2 million. It's uh the additional money that's over the 4% is slightly under 2 million. We don't need an additional resolution to move the money into
012the capital reserve. >> Can I just ask um the monies that is are sitting now for the debt service are just to give me some perspective um is it above and beyond what you normally see districts doing? Are we above and beyond because we've waited? Is there any reason to be concerned that there's too much or too little sitting in that account now just because we haven't used it? >> If the timing went perfectly with SED, you would not have had that money. You would have spent it in the year that you had it in your budget, but because the timing due to COVID and what other I don't know why that there was more of a delay, but a lot of the SED projects don't go get approved timely. So, in your case, that
013happened unfortunately. So the work was done and it was funded by BA band bans instead of bonds. Okay. So the monies were in the budget earmarked for debt service and what's going to happen is you're going to convert the bands into bonds and that debt service amount in the debt service fund will be used for principle and interest for the bonds. >> Okay. Anything else? I'm I'm I'm satisfied. Makes sense. Um, thank you for your insight and help and guidance on this. >> Okay. Very good. >> Sure. >> Right. >> Thank you. >> Have a great night. >> All right. Thanks very much. >> No one else can go, but they they can go. >> Um, >> all right. So, let's go on to our You good? >> Superintendent report. >> Oh, superintendent report. I
014didn't uh >> Oh, no. Approval of minutes. >> Yes. Yes. Yep. Yeah. All right. So, can I have a motion to approve uh the board minutes last meeting? Second. Right. All in favor? Right. It's 50. And now without further ado, the superintendent report. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Post. I want to first start with our AI town hall that took place a couple weeks ago. Rebecca, I'm gonna ask you to to jump in on this if you don't mind. and and Mrs. Bruno, trusty Bruno as well to jump in for a minute. Uh we had an AI town hall with students, with staff, with parents and community members, 70 80 people, hundred people were here that volunteered their time to come and talk about the future of these schools, our schools and and its
015role in so far as artificial intelligence. So, uh, really appreciate that effort from all involved and and Rebecca, I'll give you a moment to speak to it. >> So, um, Katherine was also there and we're very grateful. >> Oh my gosh, >> I apologize. Cath, you could have kicked me under the table and said Katherine was there. Oh my goodness. Thank you, Katherine. >> And did a magnificent job. Our students were um very articulate and sitting at the table with people who are AI specialists that live in the community which was we're very grateful for their time parents who were concerned um and in this and it was a really lively wonderful u passionate evening speaking about AI in our future and our concerns and the direction we want to go for the um for
016the district. Please be sure. It's on the website now and was pushed out to social media. Good morning, Manhasset had a great segment about um about the town hall and a super summary and you can see the real energy in the room for that. So, we look forward. Our next meeting is next week, our subcommittee which is about 40 people. It's large. Um, but I think that's great that it was we had 130 people volunteer which is pretty amazing and we're looking forward to those next steps. So, we're grateful to the community more than anything. Thank you. >> Thank you very much, Ariana. Yeah. And if I could add, I think um and you may be adding to this about the um we were some of us were recently at the NISSBA convention actually today
017where they had many AI sessions and it was actually reassuring to sit in the session listening to what um NISBA was sharing but what some other schools were doing and I think kudos to Dr. Chowski and the team that she's working with with your leadership. I really do think the way that we're approaching this um we're far ahead of what others are doing um in in so far as looking at the right way to integrate, understand, educate and empower the right tools and resources for AI. So that was incredibly reassuring as a trustee to sit in those sessions and hear um quite reassuring in terms of how we're approaching this in Manhasset. So, thank you and thank you to those who came out that night and for those that you are volunteering. >> Thank you
018both very much. And and yes, I'll piggy back off of that into the NISBA convention. I had the pleasure of joining four of our board members who were able to make it to the convention today. And it's not only just about the workshops and the presentations, but really getting to meet our uh fellow board members from across long across New York State, not just Long Island and New York City, and meeting fellow superintendent. The conversations that are held there, uh that networking piece is truly important. It's great when NISBA convention is here in in New York City and we're able to attend uh next year's in Buffalo. Not so sure about next year shuffle off to Buffalo. But uh again a great conference and and we hustled in there this morning on the train then
019back then over to the tenure recognition and over here. So uh great day and uh a lot going on. So I thank those board members who again were able to to attend today. Uh homecoming, my goodness, homecoming was a great event. We had a great parade. I got to meet my team for some breakfast at Louis. Little plug there. And uh had a great breakfast. Yes. And we marched in the parade. had a fun time. We certainly picked the right opponent. I think it was 42 to8 uh when I left and uh they did a great job. Our our young men and uh that team uh did a fantastic job. A fun day overall again going to look to make it even bigger and and and better as I know already Dr. Roers was talking
020about some some things for for next year's homecoming too. Looking forward uh to that. We recently had superintendent conference day. I may asked Dr. Chowski to jump in on that one again. And on the superintendent's conversation this past Monday, we had a lot of teaching and professional development by our own teachers. And I always think that's the best methodology. There's a lot of research behind that. So we had our own teachers sign up and deliver professional development in myriad of topics. And maybe Dr. Chowsky, you could jump in on that for one moment, please. >> There were two parts to the day. the the morning were uh based around uh some wonderful training on executive functioning that was led by Miss Peterson and her team and I think that's going to have some big rippling
021impact throughout the district as we move forward. Um additionally with ARA's work on new standards, new regions that are coming um down to town and curriculum alignment as as we continue and the afternoon though is is really the highlight of the day. We had 21 workshops that were offered by our staff. A wide variety of really great topics ranging from AI. Um but there were also regarding um habits, routines and creating classroom making site words stick for K through two. There was literacy, there was math there. It was it was a very very rich and wonderful and actually really fun day. Um Dr. military attended as did um our our other staff which was which was great. So I thank those experts. We're very lucky. It's a great thing when you get to showcase what
022excellent staff and their passions um for teaching and learning with the staff. So thank you. >> Mr. Antoine ran a program right in this room. Three sessions in a row back to back to back like it's back in the teaching days. Well, I'll say this because everybody is giving me the credit for it. The credit really goes to the professionals in my department. Um, I did a session on purchasing and the purchasing process and they wanted me to be the face because I have the fancy title. So, I stood up there and I introduced. But, um, I I really have to give all of the credit to Christina McDonald. She did a wonderful job. she um she stood up there and did three sessions and it was very informative. A lot of people learn things
023that they didn't know before because they say they were never taught and and so it that was really good that she took the time, she worked very hard on the presentation. She took the time to um lay it out, answered all of the questions. So the credit really goes to um Christina McDonald in my office. Also Quinn Quinn um the assistant business administrator, he helped out and as well as Javon. Javon put together um the doggy slide at the end, but he he really did he really did a good job. So, the credit goes to everybody in my office. >> Rod, thank you very much. I appreciate it. Credit goes to you for creating that environment in which people can thrive. So, so thank you so much and thank you to them as well. Uh
024outstanding job. I've been asked to give an auditorium update. I know the late Miss Fever is gripping the district and so there are two auditoriums being worked on. Shelter Rock is moving right along. They've done a fantastic job there. They finished the epoxy there last night. And those chairs are going to be delivered, I believe, November 3rd. I may be giving away some secrets. I don't know. But November 3rd and our chairs are here at the high school. They were actually being put in uh just yesterday. That might even be finished. I meant to sneak a peek in there. Did you look in? What are you guys doing? You can't I didn't even do that. You went in. I gota now I'll go in there. Okay. But uh we're so close and and the kids
025are getting the stage I think Monday and then the sets will move from the black box over to the theater and everybody's just excited like you know like crazy and looking forward to that. And Shelter Rock will be completed a week or so after that. So excited about that as well. So thank you so so so much about that. that's really our our tax dollars at work through a bond to to help do a lot of this work uh for our students. So fantastic. Thank you so much. And and lastly, last week uh was board recognition, right, Nicole? Nicole and I talked about this and we did not have a board meeting. So Nicole does have a little something for our board here. our board is uh their timeless efforts, their diligence, their hard work,
026their time away from their family so they could spend time taking care of the Manhasset family. We actually got them some time, which was Nicole's idea and a brilliant idea for each board member. Each board member also is getting a a certificate from school boards for dedicated leadership in public education and continuing service to the children of this community. Ted Post Allison And not only are you getting that from school boards, but there's a special guest in our audience. Talk about timing. Wow. Look at that. You're not You're actually perfectly timed. So I had one more. We have one from the US House of Representatives certificate of special congressional recognition presented by Hazard School Board for schoolboard assoc appreciation week on behalf of the constituents of the third congressional district of New York. Thank you
027for the vital role you play in shaping the learning experience of students in this community. This work is a testament to your hard work. This week is a testament to your hard work and dedication to providing the best possible education for these students. Best wishes for future success in your endeavors. And that's signed by Thomas R. Suazi. >> This is for the whole board and I'll give >> that is very nice. And we're in session here. The the Congress is not in session and we still got this we still got this certificate. So it's even more amazing. Yes, >> I know. Would you like to come up? Thank you. >> Yes. >> I'm the town supervisor of the town of North Hemstead. You know, I'm also a Manhasset resident. So, I know that we are
028very, very blessed in Manhasset. I've been here 25 years. We're very blessed. And you're not doing this for the town supervisor. You're not doing it for our home values. You're not doing it for the reputation. You're doing it for our children. So, um, you know, we only have a few years where we can make a difference for our children. So, thank you for giving so much of your time. I know you have meeting after meeting. I apologize that I'm dressed like this, but I didn't want to have you even Yes, it's casual. I was at a uh I just played nine holes of golf and so but I didn't want I didn't want to miss you. Um, so but I just want to thank you for for holding our standard high, for meeting new challenges,
029for working with our fantastic administration, our community leaders, our parents, for coming together and and making making this an excellent place for our children. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor. Thanks so much. >> It's nice. Would you like to take a Would you take a picture with us? Is that okay? >> Yeah. We'll come right in front here. Actually, right front here. >> Grab your uh we'll hold one of the grab just grab one of us. Uh grab yours. Not yet. >> We'll put you in the bag. That's just official. Thank you to all and again uh heartfelt thank you to our board. I now uh am completed my superintendent report and I believe uh Mr. Mr. Post >> I'll just say thanks thanks very much for that. That was
030Nicole uh Jen. Amazing. And so we're you know it's humbling being up here. It's it's an incredibly uh important responsibility. And you know when I think about what we've the messaging we're trying to convey is we're we're trying to do our best to put the kids and all of you in the best position to be successful. We're trying to play as a team that this is a team sport. um delivering education and and we're trying to be leaders. We're trying to make people better at what they do. And and that's what leadership is. And I like that definition because everyone can be a leader. It's not just about the president or the superintendent or the vice president. It's it's everyone sort of making each other better at what they do and and modeling that behavior.
031So, uh thanks everyone for that and uh we we really appreciate it cuz you know. All right. Um All right. Without further ado, please. Student delegate report. Thank you, Kath. >> Thank you so much for having me here again. It's an honor to be here. Uh, so for the student delegates report. So, I would also like to comment on the AI town hall meeting for a couple weeks ago. Uh, also a success from the students end. People are really happy about it. It was really nice to have the opportunity to come together with faculty, parents, students, staff, just everyone in Manhasset and get everybody's opinions on it. I think this is really important and vital to the future of the school. So, thank you so much for hosting that and um the AI subcommittee next
032week. I will also be there. Yay. Thank you for that. So, looking forward to that. Everything should be really interesting regarding the matter of AI. Uh furthermore, Student Senate would like to formally extend an invitation to Dr. Pelletary to attend one of our upcoming meetings. Uh we have meetings November 20th, December 18th, and January 22nd, all at 6 p.m. So, please, you're welcome to come to any of these and bring along any other members from the board or just anybody you think would appreciate it. That's all I have for today, but thank you so much. >> Thank you. Any questions? No. Well done. If you need to go home and study, please feel free. This I don't think we're going to be that late tonight, but but you know, I know you have a lot
033to do, but >> you're welcome to stay, but if you have to go, don't don't worry. Don't stand on ceremony. >> Um, all right. So, next up is uh acceptance of a gift from the sea for enrichment adventure. So, the board of education, Manhasset Union Preschool District, gratefully acknowledges and authorizes the administration to accept a gift from the Manhasset School Community Association, SCA, in the amount of $2,970 for the Shelter Rock School Brookville Tending Project Adventure Team Building held on April 1st, 2006. Thank you, SCA. Um, so I think we'll do that. Do we need to vote on that? I don't think so. Do we do >> okay? I guess we do have to vote. Okay. So, is there a motion? >> A second. >> All in favor? >> 5. Of course, we're going to
034be 50 on that. I think that is unanimous. >> Thank you. >> Uh thank you so much. The SCA always like >> Great. Um so important. Um all right, next is policy review. >> Yes. So, I will kick us off and thank you to Nicole to help us kind of organize a couple of the policies that our first reading. The first one we're going to review is 4772, graduation requirements and graduation ceremonies, but specific to um if you call your attention to the second page um and this relates to um if not that uh all of us would remember but to refresh everyone's memory um in August the state education department issued a memo um based on um new uh district requirements with respect to FAPE, which is free appropriate public education until a student
035turns 22 or their 22nd birthday. And currently our policy is up to the 21st birthday. So to be ahead of um the regulation uh for a first reading and for discussion to the board, the recommendation is to change the current language uh until the end of the school year in which the student turns 21 to amend that language um in the interimm the age of 21 is changed to 22. So the way that it's read um for the record until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22. Now what that means um in order for the board to understand is a student may turn 22 before the school year starts or they may turn 22 you know in the first quarter, second quarter and so it is permissible to actually end
036services or school um provided services at any point. So it doesn't align to our traditional at the end of June or when the school year ends. So that is actually um up to the discretion of the board in our district. So I'd like to open it up for any thoughts, consideration, and again this is a first reading. Nia. Yeah. So I would like to share some feedback in terms of where special education is. There are two transition points in New York State Education Department and that is when a student is turning five and it's called when they have a turning five meeting and the New York State Education Department starts funding when a child is three. So there's it's from ages 3 to 5 and they transition at the age of five. And the Department
037of Ed funds when a student has an IEP, a 10-month IEP, they fund until June 30th. And when they have a um 12-month IEP, they fund until August 30th. Always, regardless of when a student's birthday falls within the year. And then the other transition point legally was always when they turn 21. And it followed the same suit when it was June 30th. And then for a 12-month IEP, it was August 30th. right now there was um there's just some legal tension between uh this date of 22 and the way that our policy had always read was the transition point at the end of June. Therefore, from my lens, it would make no sense to have the transition date just be whenever a student's birthday falls throughout the year or to have a transition date mid
038year as that's our most vulnerable population and that's a population that has that needs the most support with transitions. So, to have create a policy that would create a burden for them with transitions just wouldn't make sense. So to have them be with their peers or have their services just transition at a normal point throughout a break with a school year would just make the most sense. So I think what you're re recommending or for discussion is there's actually a few options that we could consider is you know stay with the current policy as written but change the age to 22. Um extend the students time through the end of June. Um and it may be worth looking at, you know, how many students are we kind of would be every year and we would
039discuss that with Miss Peterson. Um and the third option is end the year in December or a predetermined um set point based on the student's birthday. Um one thing that um you know I have understood is you know what's important is to kind of prepare families. So having a coordinator or someone to help with that transition um depending on where we land as a board I think that would be incredibly helpful. I know in other disciplines um that's often done based on certain milestones. I mean retirement we kind of do that and sometimes we have a retirement coordinator for things. I think in this instance for our most vulnerable, depending on where we land, we could consider kind of a transition coordinator type of role to help uh with those particular individuals because we will
040know um correct Laura um we will know who those you know families are um and to work with them. It's >> a um one question about the birthday. If the child's birthday falls in the summer, where do they fall? Do they get like if they turn 22 in July or August, do they continue for that full school year or it's wrapped up wrapped up? Okay. >> I just want to echo Mariana just said. Um I do believe that we definitely need a transition coordinator of some sort to assist families to find another path for their child after they've reached a certain age. And you do need time for programs to be considered or looked upon to make sure that there's availability for them. So it takes some time. I know 21 was always a number.
04122 seems fair to me especially that they are the most vulnerable in our community. That's my thought. So, just to close this out, just so the board understands, the way that it is currently um in our first reading is we have it until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22. So, the end of the school year is June. So, if we would like to change that um and base it on birth date, we would have to amend that language. Chris, do you have any view on this? Dr. Bellari, >> thank you very much. Yeah, I I would want us to consider all factors and certainly the arrival of that 22nd birthday is cannot better not be a shock to us or the family in so far as our preparation. And
042so that preparation for a child transitioning out of school should be happening for years prior. And I hear you about transition uh coordinator and then and certainly that's something that we can can take a look at and and investigate a little bit more deeply. But uh I would say yes it comes down to if it's October 20th is the birthday then up till October 19th and then the child transitions out. If uh you you could do a term where you'd say the child would stay till the end of that term. So the first half of the year, we'd consider that term until the end of January. And then the second term would be February. So if their birthdays after February, they'd stay then till the end of the second half of the year, which would
043be June. Or you could keep it all the way to June, which is one of the things that's being proposed. I would just say that we need, it's incumbent upon us to build a system that allows them to transition out very well with their family and uh wherever it is that they're going to transition to. So, I would want to have I would hope to have confidence in our system that we could do that for our students and again not realize, oh my gosh, their birthday is next week and we need to get this done. So I would be uh I would recommend that we we do the birthday uh if the board feels really strongly about that and and believe me I recognize I work with our f our our our pace parents as
044well and our our uh worry about our most at risk students but uh [clears throat] in so far as the things that are associated with them in terms of resources I I think that uh we have to be cognizant of that in terms of our entire school population and would hope that we'd put systems in place that allow for a smooth transition at the BB bay if we wanted to take longer uh perhaps the end of that of that term. Again, my recommendation. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Pelletary. I wanted to add in a couple more things and Maria, you might be able to add a little bit more. Uh Maria participated for the first time representing our board in terms of voting on some resolutions and there are currently some resolutions in place
045via NISPA to support special education and adding this into uh having the state yeah reimbursement and have retroactive reimbursement up until June. Do you want to speak a little bit about that? had the opportunity for the first time to be a voted delegate for NISSBA and I stayed about six hours on the phone and went through resolution after resolution. I learned a lot. Um but the one thing that did come out of it let resolution has passed for special education that school districts can get monies back to support the special ed and um you know reimburse themselves back. so I can get that information and provide it to the board till June of >> All right. So, it sounds like we we should do some a little bit of data analysis so we have a
046picture of what what this looks like, right? >> Yeah. Can >> and we can come back >> Yeah, >> we could come back with language that speaks specifically up until the birthday and also include language around a um transition coordinator. Um because I will say from a board perspective, speaking for myself, I would feel more comfortable having that in there so that there's, you know, also transparency for family members when they're reading this, they have some understanding of that and that we're committed, you know, to doing that by putting that in there. The only hesitation I' I'd offer there is I don't want to put necessarily Barana in policy that we're going to create a position uh which subjects us and future boards to paying for that. So we can say we're going to do
047one and the other uh but we I don't know that we'd be able to commit that in a policy >> unless I I misunderstood and then I apologize. >> Yeah, it's more around the language of coordinating the process, not the person. It's more around >> the planning to arrive at that point to support that. >> One final thing, Miss Peterson, if you could um just provide a little bit more about this. Boseies has we're in a cooperative with Boseis and they also have point one or point a point FTE for shared cooperative services for a coordinator a transition coordinator. I think they do. So then that's something we could look into having a shared service so this way we're not committing and then we're sharing with other schools. Yeah, always a positive to go through
048both when it comes to things like that. Thank you. We'll take a look at it. >> And then I I also one final thing on this, but when we're looking into our budget and doing our planning for years to come, we already know and could put it into our budget because this really isn't about how many children it is. It's really about our ethos and what we believe in planning into our budget for these children. So again, that was a first reading that will come back um with some updated language. The regulation that goes along with policy 4772 is 4772R. Um and again, that's the regulation on page one. Um whatever language is landed on for the policy, the regulation will follow through. So currently right now it's it's changed from 21 to 22 but
049if language is amended in 4772 it will be carried through uh to the regulation. Uh the next policy for discussion is 5120 attendance and boundaries. Um, in section one of 5121, um, what was not in there and should be added is Gabrieli Court in line 10 was added. Uh, the policy will now read residences located on Shelter Rock Road, Old Shelter Rock Road, Gabrieli Court, or Duke of Glouster. Um, additional amendments include line 12 number 156 was changed to 152. The line exempt of number 207 Milspring Road was added. So, the policy will now read residences located on Mill Spring Road. Address numbers 152 and higher, except number 207 Milspring Road. Line 13, except 112 Chapa Road was added. The policy will now read residences located on Chapel Road, address numbers 107 and higher, except
050112 Chapel Road. Line 19, Manhasset Crest was added and the sentence was amended. Estates two switched places with estates one in parentheses were added around estates one that are within the district's boundaries since there are few houses in the development outside the Manhastric district. The policy will now read residences located in Manhasset Crest estates two and in PN estate one that are within the district's boundaries. Section two under Muny Park Elementary 7 address number 207 was added. The policy will now read residences located on Milspring Road addresses 207 and 155 and lower. And then line 8, address 85 and 112 were added. The policy will now read residences located on Chapel Road, address numbers 85, 1112, 106 and lower. So those um boundaries were reviewed with um Miss Frederickson uh who re reviewed the current
051kind of boundaries um based on the current um mapping. And so this is a first reading. Um and because it was well vetted, I would actually recommend um a first and final reading. >> I'm just going to suggest one item that I've noticed um I'm in favor of all this. I think we just have to I I would prefer I think it make most sense is to order the communities in order of which they come on to Searingtown Road. So I would start with estates two then Manassid crest and then estates one because that's how the order they show. So if you does that make sense. >> Okay. Got it. >> Okay. And then we will so that'll be modified so we'll come back for a second reading. Mariana, I assume that there are no
052houses that are switching elementary schools in this. Just checking. >> No, we checked with Miss Braderson. Do you want to comment, Chris? >> Uh, just yes. Nobody's going to wake up tomorrow going to a different school. >> Agree. >> And some of this was also to make sure from a busing perspective, correct? That was part of just kind of the route >> route being built as we as we speak, right? And so we had to make sure we put people in in the right places. >> Any So that actually concludes the policy review. So these policies will come back and the regulation will come back. Um any other questions? >> Forgive my ignorance, but but so Manhass h how is how how are those boundaries determined at a macro level? is that that that that
053real estate development is within a a map. Do we >> So, Manhass is actually within Manhassid School District. >> Yeah. Who and that is set by uh >> you know what I'm not really sure who sets it but estates one which is closer to the Lie larger portion of it all goes to Manhasset but there's like a piece of it that those homes we just learned this the other day do not belong to they belong to Herics not Manhasset. It's it's a zoning. I would think that the um town of Hemstead zoning department it it really is when when a builder I mean not but not Jen not for you to answer but I think because that's more of uh it is a zoning and you know construction contracting population. I'm imagining and don't quote
054me on this that there's a formula but from what I understand a lot of it is is zoning and population size. Let's so I would say let's bring let's let's just make sure we understand that for our own you know I think Gerard that might be a >> yeah population boundaries perhaps and this will come back >> project just just so we we know and uh and then we can do it the next meeting. >> Yeah, makes sense. Okay, thank you. >> If I could just thank the policy >> group for coming together and really pushing forward. Thank you so much. I appreciate it and we'll continue to do that. You're going to continue to see policies on agendas as we move forward. Thank you so much. >> Great. Uh, all right. So, moving right
055along. Next is, uh, committee reports. So, we can go through these. I know next week is an important week because both the audit and the finance committee will meet. We're looking forward to that. I know for the uh finance committee we have to elect a new chairperson. Uh so we will do that and probably my sense is have our our transportation contract be uh either discussed in the form of subcommittee or just make that you know the one of the primary topics for the finance committee this year because that's that's a big one. Um and then audit committee we can we can go through our our normal process uh to close out. I know we want to get that done. That's on Halloween. So, we try and schedule that in the afternoon on Halloween and
056hopefully parents and committee members are are around. Uh so, looking forward to that. Uh MAC, >> um we had our first MAC meeting last week. It went well. We have enough volunteers for the committee, so we're doing really well. Um one thing I'd like to make, uh note, nothing has changed in athletics. All the practices that we have in place have been in practice for a few years now. So there is no voting, there is no policy changes, there's no nothing happening at MAC. So I just wanted to make that very very clear. Any policies come from the board. As far as MAC, it's practices that are determined and decided and nothing has changed. And if you have any questions, you're more than welcome to reach out to me and I can show you um
057the practices that we have written. Thank you. Anything else on Mac questions? All right, SCA, we had our big kickoff meeting um about a week and a half ago. Uh it went well. Um I think we have a lot of um you know parents involved. We had our we have our Halloween party coming up this week. So there's a lot of activities going on for the kids and you know everything's pretty going pretty well. >> Tower >> major updates. Just a reminder, March 7th is a dinner dance. So it's it's on the school calendar. Um let's keep track of that. Hopefully at the next uh board meeting we'll have a theme and location, but March 7th is the annual dinner dance. >> Yeah. anything for pace? All right, we'll we'll just we'll circle back. Casa,
058we'll go to Kasa first. Kasa wanted to share that um there was a very successful roll out of the study skills sessions for the seventh uh grade transition classes and Connie Bruno passed around some great feedback. There was one student in particular who has maybe some of them have two more than one transition classes and um the kids wanted to come back and do multiple study sessions. So um they were very happy with the feedback and the kids um really engaged with it. Um the other event on well two more events for CASA Red Ribbon Week is coming up at the end of October. Life is a puzzle put the pieces together. So, um, look out for lots of activities across the elementary schools and, um, the secondary school. Tuesday, October 28th at 700 p.m.
059is a very special event for everybody, families. It's called Brain Under Siege, and it's a community event featuring Dr. Steven Dury, a research professor from NYU, talking about how alcohol, vaping, marijuana, gaming are all rewiring our teens brains. So, we're encouraged um, great life lessons to learn from that. kids who attend get their community service hours, so it's easy to benefit. Um, and then, uh, Connie didn't send me this, but of course, the Harlem Wizards game is coming up. I think it's like that first Friday in November. Um, so make sure if you haven't bought tickets yet, come out for that. >> Great. We'll circle back to PACE. >> Had our ribbon cutting for Pace, which was a very exciting day, and we're so proud of our teachers and our staff and our students. We
060also will be adding some yoga classes possibly by Sydney Rosenberg who is a certified nutritionist and she's globally trained and locally trained and she'll be working with the students as a pushin and also possibly at the library. So we're really excited about that from hot staff wellness. Uh recently Pace also had how to improve executive skills without the frustration presented by Dr. for Peg Dawson. And um that's all we have for peace. Thank you. >> That's amazing. >> All right, so next is EOC. >> Um couple quick updates from the EOC. Um last week um the EOCC held their first leadership team meeting and that leadership team is made up of staff and volunteers um in EOCC leadership as well as many of our administrators here as well as a couple of us on the
061board. And um it was really great and energizing to see the the multi-level partnerships that go into running some of the amazing programs that are offered at the EOC. Uh one of which just happened during Superintendent's conference day. It was the anti-bullying event. Um, and I know they have a lot more coming up for the fall. So, >> thank you, Allison, and thank you, Dr. Pelletary, for attending. He stopped by on the conference day. All right, so that does it for our committee reports. Thank you everyone. Next, we'll move to personnel. So, we have a few resolutions here. Uh, the first one, I think we can we can we'll just talk through them and we'll do a bulk uh motion and vote. The first is a regular personnel um approval. This a regular schedule. So,
062this looks like largely the winter sports uh Dena, right? And so, I I I looked through that. I don't have any any issues. I think we're good there. Uh second resolution to approve amendment to employment agreement for with Dr. Christopher J. Pilitary. So be it hereby resolved that the board of education of the Manhasset Union Free School District hereby approves the first amendment to the agreement between the the board of ed of Manhasset Union Free School District and Dr. Chris J. as interim superintendent of schools for the Union Manhasset Union Free School District dated June 24, 2025 and authorizes the president of the board to execute said first amendment on behalf of the board and uh this this effectively extends uh Dr. Pelletary's employment for an additional year uh through the end of the 2627
063school year. So we're we're very we're thrilled and um you know thank you Dr. Pelletary for uh you know committing again to Manhasset and uh you know we we we so look forward to all of the good things to come over the next uh you know 18 months or so. >> Thank you very much. I do. Thank >> uh and then we have a couple other um side letters with Mia. These are these are um you know club advisors. So those look all to be uh in line. The Red Cross club and the debate club. Uh, so I don't see anything else. So, so can I have a motion to approve these uh four Oh, >> I just had a quick question. Yeah. No, no, and have no issues with the just a quick question
064for the debate club and the Red Cross. I know those we had funded and Gerard, this may be a question and clarification. We had approved to fund those out of the budget when we voted on it. Uh the debate club and uh I believe Red Cross, but we're only kind of disseminating the funds now. Were the clubs able to get started? I know that that had come to my attention and just want to understand process so that this doesn't happen in the future if there was a potential stop gate at any point. >> Had to negotiate with the MEA and get an agreement. So that took us a little longer than we expected, but we did ask the board permission to start prior to getting the side letters agreed to. So the postings went out.
065Um so the clubs are already kind of in motion for it. >> So the club was a delay started. Okay. So the clubs were able to get started. >> Got the postings done. We we know um we have a teacher who's interested in doing the speech and debate club and they're already working towards um their first event, which I don't know when it's going to be. Okay. Um, and then just a clarification for the amendment for Dr. Pelleti, should it says June 24th, 2025, is that correct? Or should the date be >> I think that's just we're amending the original >> amending the original from the original date. Okay. >> So, that's referencing that agreement. Yes, Nicole. Nicole's nodding. Okay. >> Thank you for Great. >> All right. So, can I have a motion to
066approve these resolutions? Maria second. Nadia. All in favor? All right. That's 50. Thank you. And then we'll move on to the consent agenda. So, please take a quick look through. This is our um typical uh cse um special education service contracts. Uh approval of instructional service agreements. Uh other we have an understanding with Hofra University conference requests. Um we're going to I guess hire a right a purchasing agent. >> Just speak to that. >> Javon's already hired. >> Yes, >> Javon is already hired. is in the event that the purchasing purchasing agent is not available, Javon would uh be the purchasing agent free of charge. >> He's a backup. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we have some redundancy there. That's good. Um >> are we are we up to number 10? Approval to
067amend the board of education meeting dates. >> Uh yes. Yes. >> Could we Could we review what are the changes? >> Yes, Gerard, it's the March 5th one. >> And you know, I I apologize again. The I guess the board had already adopted a calendar which had the budget um presentation on March 5th. I unfortunately would not be here on March 5th. I I will be away and I really, you know, my first year I really need to be there to present the budget. So that's why I'm asking humbly if we could change the board meeting date to the 19th instead of March 5th. >> Well, you had to say it was it was for you. I didn't. That's it. Don, >> remember that now? Jer, >> I thought we were playing complete chess because
068I look I looked at I did look at it and I was like, I can't figure out what the change is. No, thank you for that. >> Can we look Do we mind looking at that now? because then we could make that change if that's possible. If we could look at our calendar and see if uh >> so March 5th to >> cross out the 5th and make it March 19th. So yeah, it should have been on your schedule already. >> Yep. How about the 19th? >> Yep. So we would just ask that we make that into a public. Okay. Sure. Everyone good? Outstanding. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Um so then we are we are adopting the 2627 school budget calendar. So that sets that uh in motion. Uh and then we have
069some change orders here for looks like relatively small amounts um but related to you know Shelter Rock and Monzie Park uh construction capital improvements. Board of Education uh approves this claims claims report. >> So this looks largely uh BAU. Any questions about the consent agenda? >> Can I just ask one question? when it comes down to the change orders. I'm I you know I I know that jobs modify change, but I do notice that sometimes is it is it customary that they um go in with a job being like bid at a higher number and then having like such an overage of money coming back like >> we hope we hope that everybody's honest, right? We hope that they're not doing that. So, um I I'll make sure that I'm I'm keeping an eye out
070for it, but that's they shouldn't do that. You know, they they should really bid what they expect the job is going to cost, not trying to do some switcheroo at the end. But >> do you think that has any effect on the way the plans are being presented to the um contractors? is there are things that we can do on our end with our architect to have the plans, you know, more detailed if necessary so that they would not have this issue either over bidding or under bidding. >> I I one thing I'm understanding is that, you know, as I'm trying to un learn more about the district is that we're going to have well, we're bidding out the blackbox theater and we're going to have uh an actual walkthrough because I don't think that
071happened in the past. So, it could have been that they bid since they didn't see what they were bidding on, they could have thrown a pie in the sky number because just to cover themselves, but now when we do a walk through, they should be able to look at that the details of the job. So, they're submitting accurate bids. >> Miss Pescet, I don't see out outrageous numbers here. One's about $1,000, right? In terms of an ad. There's the bid that was awarded um included a allowance from any unforeseen conditions. The allowance would be returned to the owner which is fine. I just my my question is basically when you go to bid you bid based on what's given to you as far as the plans and if it's that they're they're honest that's wonderful
072obviously but sometimes bids might not be that's why you get the change orders if the bids are not 100% um to the plan or the specs are not correct that's why you have the change order so it it kind of goes hand in hand sometimes >> thank you >> have you and obviously you're not familiar with the vendors that are on these projects because you just came. But have you ever seen where it's been written into our policy that if you are coming across vendors over time that you don't have to accept bids from vendors? Like would you ever need that from us over the course of time for us to ever write that into policy if you have that a reputation with any vendors? >> I've never seen it written into policy, but we
073could check with legal, you know, but I've never seen it. So, but we could check to see what what we can do to prevent uh vendors from putting from you know like or ex you know overstating what a job would actually cost >> from us being locked into many change orders over time. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Looking to write that down actually. >> And then the only other question I had on the consent agenda I'll wait uh Gerard to finish writing was on the um internal claims audit report. >> Okay. Quick question. Um, so the it's quarter ending 2025 or it's the month ending uh September >> for the >> internal. So which one are we talking about? >> It's line 13 or we have a subject 13. >> So the so
074this is we have we have an we have a claims auditor. They come in twice. Well, they come in after every um check run when we're paying our vendors. They come in and they review every check. So, every check that leaves the district has to be signed off on by the claims auditor. So, that's what this report is. >> Uh monthly or is it what what's the cycle? >> Uh every two weeks. >> Oh, okay. Okay. >> Oh, I'm sorry. The report is monthly, but the the claims auditor is here every two weeks. >> Okay. And then this there were a sample of 221 and there were 26. So, there was a percentage listed 11.76%. And it's more of is that something that we track over time? Is that >> Well, there are certain there
075are several things that they that they track. They they track what they call exceptions. They they take exception to um a claim. So, there's something that maybe uh the amount was wrong. They had to tell us to fix it. Uh something that's common that I'm trying to that I'm trying to fix. Well, that probably was my contribution to the superintendent's conference day presentation was um >> uh confirming purchase orders. So, confirming purchase order is when you order something and you don't have the purchase order and then you do the purchase order afterwards. So, I let everybody know that we're cracking down on that and they're going to get a nice nasty letter from me that you can't do that anymore. So, um that's one thing that's that's it should not be common, but we see
076it a lot. So, we really need to enforce that. So, this is helpful because it sounds like you're you're going to use because there's a lot of numbers on there. So, I was just trying to make rhyme or reason that you're actually going to use those percentages and track it over time then with these monthly reports and they should be going down. Yes, those percentage should be going low. >> That is a goal to bring it down. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? We're good. All right. So, let's uh have a motion to approve the consent agenda. Motion. Second. All in favor? All right, that's 50 on the consent agenda. All right, so now we are at uh public comment. I'm sorry, do we have uh just upcoming events? Did I miss
077that? Yes. So, uh upcoming items of interest. You can see that uh here we have um board of education meetings. Those are interesting items of interest. I'm sure everyone is so interested. Um but but uh looking forward to to all of those. Uh and that's really it. So um public comment. Would anyone like to share a comment? >> So So >> don't all jump >> at once. So Ted, actually I did want to and I apologize for not saying this earlier, but um Superintendence Day was also um it was in recognition of Diwali. So I wanted to also um celebrate and acknowledge um Dwali and the spirit of Diwali is near and dear to me as well because it is the celebration of light over darkness. So, um, congratulations and well wishes to the entire
078community and to those that celebrated Diwali on Monday. >> Well said. Thank you, Mariana. All right. Anything else? All right. Can I have a motion to adjourn, Allison? Oh, yes. Yes, we are going to um go back into executive session. So, we should make that clear um to discuss personnel matters which aren't for the public. And uh now we'll have a motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? All right, that's a wrap. Thank you.