001Please join me in 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. So this evening we'll begin with the public hearing for the code of conduct for the 2025 2026 school year. >> Yes. Thank you. So um just to give you a sense of the code of conduct typically does not have to be um put before the board every single year if nothing has changed. This year with the new um distraction-free schools and our internet enabled device policy, uh we had to make some modifications to the code of conduct. So um formally we have to call a hearing which is what we're doing tonight. Um I'll go through
002just what we what changes we had to make make so that it um our code of conduct is in alignment with our policy now with uh distraction-free schools. And then um the the code of conduct will sit on our um website for 30 days. Uh anybody can comment on it and then um we will then put it before the board on September 15th for um final approval. So really essentially the changes are page 14. So page 14 is where um all of the language about cell phone use um currently is. So everything in red um is what changed. Um we used to have a policy where you know cell phones couldn't be um taken out in class unless the instructor allowed that but they could be used uh in passing time and cafeteria. So that
003language has all um had to change. So um what you see in red essentially is aligned with both the law and the policy 7316 that is before you for its final reading tonight. Um so essentially it show it talks about the storage will be uh in pouches inside the students backpack in grades 7 through 12. Um, students in grades UPK through six are encouraged to not bring any personal internet enabled devices to school, but if they do, they must place them in silent mode and stored in their their backpack and cubbies uh for the remainder of the the school day. Um, and then again, it sort of just emphasizes um the prohibition of internet enabled devices on school school grounds um outside of instructional hours. And that is really the only thing that has changed
004um on the policy. >> Questions or comments before we move on? >> And so this will be um up available uh on the district website for 30 days and then September 15th we'll bring it uh forward to the board and discuss any comments that have been made. um and then do final approval at that point. >> Have you been getting feedback from kids and families about >> a little bit? I think people are really just anxious about it. Um I have had some feedback from parents who are grateful that we've shifted to pouches versus lockers. I think a lot of school districts are, you know, they have to be put away in lockers. Um a couple reasons really. For me, I think parents feel at least more comfortable if there were any type of emergency
005that the student could could get the the um the phone out of their backpack, out of the pouch. Um the pouches, and I wish I could have brought one tonight. We don't have them yet. Um they they should be here before school starts. They should arrive at the end of August. But they are very strong Velcro that actually makes a hideous noise when you open it. So, it's not like a student can sneak it in the middle of class or uh it will be pretty obvious if they they try to open the pouch. >> There are some really good YouTube videos that show the pouches being utilized. >> Yeah. >> What I'm hopeful for too, and you know, we can we'll talk about it a little bit when we get to the policy portion. Um,
006honestly, what I'm hopeful for is that students learn the discipline of, "Yep, I have it on my person, but I know this is not the time or place. This is focus time for me." Um, and I'm actually hopeful and, uh, maybe overly optimistic that students will use the pouches when they're at home trying to study. They'll be able to put those away hopefully and focus on their work for whatever, you know, an hour, two hours of homework time, the phone's away. So, um, it's really a tool that I hope our 7th through 12th grade students find helpful. >> What are your thoughts? Kids been talking about it. >> Kids have been talking about I think there will be like a lot of adjustment time to get used to it. But there's a lot of growth
007to happen once it does get in. So, if everyone kind of brings an open mind to the new school year, there's a lot of growth to occur. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think it's undeniable that we're all distracted by our phones. So just having that tool. Yeah, I think that's great. >> All right. So we will put the uh code of conduct on our website and um again 30 days anyone in the community can comment and we'll bring that back on the 15th and um hopefully get approval for the final code of conduct. >> So that will end the public hearing code of conduct and then we'll move on to item number three recognition. So, we have several uh points of recognition tonight. The first one, I do want to just um thank Mr.
008Matusk. Hopefully um the community and and parents and families saw my uh email that Mr. Matusk and his wife started a U business adventure uh a little bit earlier than they anticipated. I don't think that they were anticipating um launching for several more years, but um they they had an opportunity to launch now. They will be heading down south. But I do I would be remiss if we didn't formally at our board meeting um just thank Mr. Matusk for his uh years of service to the board and the community of Marcellis. >> Very grateful to Josh. We will miss him. >> And then I do want to highlight we've had some incredible um success with um our students this summer. So um we had um several students who attended in Orlando, Florida. um the family
009um and consumer um council leadership academy. And so these students that you see before you here um earned major impressive awards nationally. Um Nelly Hummist on the left hand side um came in third place um for um her work and uh our other students that you see off to the right um did an incredible job as well. they uh placed nationally in the top 10. Um Nelly was third and achieved a gold um medal. So just a huge shout out um to all of them for their work during the summertime. They spent uh several days in Orlando, Florida. And uh huge thank you to Mrs. Milikin who again gave up time in her summertime to take these students um for an outstanding experience. And then um this same group uh attended leadership camp at Sunni
010Oniian uh this summer. We also had um several students participate in a CNY jazz camp at Le Moy College. So Ella Hakes, Maddie Carver, um Cat Benadetto, uh Keelen Wilcox, Garrett Edy, um and Jason DiCaprio was also there. He's just not pictured with the rest of them. But, uh, what a great experience. Again, our music department who are making sure that kids don't miss out on opportunities in the summer. Huge shout out to them. And then finally, this is a Micron Chip camp and we had um several uh upcoming seventh graders. So, these were sixth graders that uh last year who put their names in to participate in the CHIP camp and they did this summer. Um Charlotte Murphy, Kayla Atley, Jason Jackson Garry, Eli Higgel, Analise Brown, Mason Berdon, Brent Johnson, Conlin Hawk, Ryan
011Leerido, Lucas Austin, James Fowler, uh Josh Huff, Grace Kendall, Hunter Hayes, Mara Hel, and uh Alice Maniac. So just a huge um a huge opportunity for them to just be on the cutting edge of what Micron is doing and seeing all the back um sort of backdoor tech uh that is involved in that Micron uh chip and that's it for recognition. This time we'll move on to item number four presentations. So, just to give you a sense of um the work that's happening in the DMS auditorium, Ry just kudos to Ryan Reefer who is capturing really every nook and cranny of the work that has been done. And so, this is an example of a nook and cranny. Um this is really just an area just to show you when you when you look in
012that auditorium, you know it's worn, but seeing pictures like this, you see sort of the real behind the scenes work that had to be fixed. So this is just some patchwork in in one of the areas. Um and then just to give you a sense of how things are progressing, this is a before um of really the the tech area. You probably if you've gone to a show, you've seen it was sort of a hodge podge put together. It wasn't really a a a clear area for a booth. Um and then just to show you what it looks like now. So, there is the booth that has been put in place um for lighting and sound. And so, all of the cords that you saw in that previous picture will now um be neat and
013tidy. And then, just to give you a sense, the epoxy floor paint um has been completed and it's in the midst of being cured. Um the lower side walls under the windows have been painted. The front and rear rear walls are being painted as we speak and it should all the painting should be completed by Friday. Um, and the seating should be coming in. B Ryan, is it the week of the 18th? >> Yes, it was delayed from Monday to Tuesday, but they're going to put on additional labor and still be completed with installing by Thursday. >> So, we're pretty much on target. There are a few little things that we'll be waiting for. The curtains, um, there is a show scheduled. So, the DMS 7th and eighth grade drama is scheduled for November 21st
014and 22nd. And we have been communicating very clearly that we we need it long before then so that we can have our seventh and eighth graders practice and do their rehearsals in that space. Um, but it's going to be an extraordinary inaugural performance uh to just open up that space to everybody. >> And that's it. Moving on to item number five, residents comments. Public expression at the board of education meetings is encouraged in a specific portion of the agenda shall provide for this privilege. In most instances, the board shall reserve judgment regarding questions and concerns that are brought to the board's attention at a board meeting as it is typically not prudent for the board to make instantaneous determinations. In addition, many issues that are brought to the board's attention do not require a formal
015determination by the board, but instead are most appropriately addressed by the superintendent of schools or persons designated by the superintendent without further board action in accordance with board policy 3220 community relations. Do we have any residents comments at this time? Moving on to item number six, business uh IO 6.1 um authorization to participate in cooperative energy purchasing service for electricity and national and natural gas. Resolve that the board of education approves the resolution authorizing participation in the New York school and municipal energy consortium for electricity and natural gas pursuant to the municipal cooperation agreement for energy purchasing services. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Any second? Second. Erica, questions or comments before we vote? So, um, as you know, CMB Boseies is a large organization when we um enter into these agreements as
016a consortium. Um, you might realize it's it's a huge cost savings for us. So, um, having just sort of that bulk purchase, um, brings costs down for not just our district, all several districts. And if you look on agendas across central New York, many districts are entering into the same agreement tonight. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Carried. Item 6.2, approval of special education plan. Resolve the board of education approves the district special education plan 2025 through 2027. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Sean second. Second. Erica. Questions or comments before we vote? >> So, um the the special ed plan has to be revised every two years um in order to be in compliance for state funding. So, um, Cara work makes sure that she works on this, um, you know,
017again, a little bit ahead of the time before it's due just so that we're in compliance. So, she, uh, again scour the the previous plan, looks at what some of the new regulations are and new laws to ensure that it is up to date. Um, and that's what's before you. >> All those in favor? Opposed? carried. Moving on to item 6.3 to 6.3. Approval and adoption of an employment agreement between Marcela Central School District and Jean M. Charlotte. Resolved that the board of education of the Marcelo Central School District hereby approves and adopts the employment agreement reflecting the terms and conditions of Gan M. Charlo's employment as the district superintendent of schools. And be it further resolved that the board authorizes its president to sign the employment agreement on the board's behalf. And be it
018further resolved that the district clerk is directed to maintain a copy of the employment agreement in a supplemental file to the minutes of this board meeting and to maintain the signed original of the employment agreement in Miss Charlo's personnel file. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. Sean second questions or comments before we vote. This is what we reviewed previously and with Kate's guidance assured us that everything within the contract is totally appropriate. Any other questions or comments? All those in favor. All right. Moving on to item 6.4, approval of of second and final reading of board policy. Resolved that the board of education approves the second and final reading of the following board policy policy 7316 use of internet enabled devices during the school day. Can I have a motion? >> Motion Amy. >>
019Second. Second. Erica, questions or comments before we go? So, the only thing that has really changed from the first time that you um viewed this is just the pouch. You know, the we as New York State brought out the guidance um and and designated that they could not be just solely in backpacks without being inside a pouch. Um that's where that shift came from. And as you know, I wanted to act pretty quickly so that we not only could order them, but also make sure that we revised our our um you know, our draft to to reflect that. So, just for so that everybody understands, students in grades 7 through 12 will be given a pouch in the very beginning of school. The expectation will be that their phone will be inside that pouch and
020inside their own backpack throughout the the school day from the start of the bell to the end of the bell. Um again, we're hopeful that we won't have any students that are out of compliance, but if they are, the phone will be confiscated. um what will happen the it will also be documented in school tool because we're obligated u with this law to document it and then also report out that data uh the following school year. So it will be documented in school tool first offense that'll be there and so if a principal has to confiscate a phone a second time they're going to know because the it will be in school tool. So at that point after the first offense, if there's a second offense, we will be asking parents to come and and
021pick up the cell phone. Um we we really need support and help and partnership because as many of you know, we don't have a huge administrative team. We don't have a assistant principal at the at the high school. So we will just need support from parents. And um that's really what we determined would be the most helpful that after after the first offense, we will need parents to come pick them up. As far as it it will be similar for elementary, although I don't think we're going to have uh any any huge amount of non-compliance. Um students at the elementary, we are encouraging them not to bring their devices, but if they do, they will need to be powered off, put in the backpack and away in cubbies. students UPK through six have cubbies so
022they don't have their backpacks necessarily with them. Um so that we'll have the same approach non-compliance we'll confiscate give it back to the student at the end of the day for first offense but after that any subsequent offense we will contact parents um so we we feel like we came up with a pretty logical um you know plan and again um 7 through 12 I'm hopeful that these pouches will also be useful to students when they're not in school. we will be expecting to collect those pouches at the end of the school year like we do Chromebooks. Um, and if they are damaged or not returned, we will be charging uh families a $10 fee because again um we can't continually have that, you know, that uh cost to the district each year to supply
023new ones. So that is essentially the policy. Any other questions or comments before we vote? >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? >> Carried. Item 6.5, appointment of the legal council. Resolved that the board of education of the Marcela Central School District hereby continues to retain the law firm of Bon Shenik and King for the 202526 school year to provide legal services to the board of district in accordance with the terms of the fee agreement between the parties and the board. hereby approves, adopts, and ratifies the agreement effective as set forth therein. And be it further resolved that the board hereby authorizes the board president to grant permission to the superintendent to sign and thereby execute the agreement on behalf of the board and district. The superintendent of schools has the option to consult with
024other legal counsel as deemed necessary as well. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Sean. Second, Erica, questions or comments before we vote? >> So, we've used bond as long as I have been here. And um every five years we do what's called a request for a proposal for services. We did it recently, you may remember, with our auditors. Um and so it's really just it's good practice just to see who what else is out there, making sure that your fees the fees are competitive. Um and one of the things we've we've been happy with Bon Shonik and King that not just their service but um they also have historical knowledge here which is super helpful. Um so we we had another law firm that um did put their uh request in but we
025ended up um with with bond. >> Any other questions or comments? >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Item 6.6 approval of therapy dogs to CS Driver Middle School. Resolve that the board of education approves the service of a therapy dog OB owned by Megan New House in CS Driver Middle School for the 202526 school year. I have a motion. Motion John. >> Second Sean. Questions or comments? We got to meet Obie last time. Super cute. So, um, yep, OB hopefully will be starting with your approval and, um, you know, I I know the plan is to start pretty slowly and, um, if you recall, Lolo has a day off every week. Wednesdays, Lolo is not, uh, on on campus. Um, and we're intending to do really the same model here. Um, we're putting this
026before you obviously because we did that presentation and it was a request from many staff members, particularly our counseling department to have a therapy dog. Um, and you'll see the next um sort of resolution is also for therapy dog at KCH Elementary School. Uh the reason, you know, we've had a therapy dog at KCH for for six years running now, but um I think it's important to have it on the agenda every year so the board v votes formally every school year to ensure that you know it's still a practice that we want to continue. So that's why you see the KCH1 as well. >> All those in favor >> opposed carried. Item 6.7, approval of therapy dog for KCH uh elementary school. Resolve that as a board of education approves the service of a
027therapy dog, Lolo, owned by Rebecca Eaton, in KCH Elementary School for the 202526 school year. Can I have a motion? >> Motion. >> Amy, I've got Amy first and Erica second. Is that what you have coming? Yes. Okay. Um, any questions or comments before we vote? All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. Item 6.8, resolution confirming tax roles and authorizing tax levy for 2025 2026 school year. Resolved that the board of education find I'm sorry. Resolved that the board of education fixes the tax rates as established by the state board of equalization by towns and confirms the extension of taxes as they appear on the attached role. Can I have a motion? motion J questions or comments. >> So the the if you you know in you know in May that the the um community voted
028uh for the budget and so this now allows the district to move forward and and collect. Um, luckily we have an expert here at the table, the former director of real property tax who can can sort of give an overview as well um of exactly what this resolution means. >> So this I think you guys have all seen this every year. So should nothing too special. This is right in my wheelhouse. Um, so formalizing the tax rates and then the item that you all signed earlier was the tax warrant. We give those to tax collectors and that tells them gives them the legal authority to collect exactly max amount of dollars that the district let us know what remains unpaid and we'll collect from the county. >> Any other questions or comments? All those in
029favor? Opposed? Moving on to personnel approval of personnel items. Resolve that the board of education approves the following personnel items. You can see them there listed before you 7.1 through 76. Can I have a motion? questions or comments before we vote on any of those items. >> We have Noah here with us this evening. >> Yes. >> Welcome to Marcelus. We're very excited to have you. >> I'm super excited. >> It's a it's a great place and we hope you're really happy here. >> All those in favor? Opposed? Moving on to item number eight, consent agenda. Approval of consent agenda items. You can see them listed there before you. Items 8.1 through 8.8. Is that the board of education approves the following consent agenda items? Can I have a motion? Motion. Second, Jen. Second, Jen.
030Any questions or comments before we vote? >> The one thing I do want to just point out, you'll see um well, a couple things. The overnight field trip, because it's an overnight field trip, it goes to the board. It's our girls soccer team who is doing a tournament in Albany in September. And then um you'll see a request for employees ch um children to attend Marcelus. We usually do that in April, May. You see it here because um Matteline Dwer we just appointed um you just appointed through personnel and that was a request of hers when she signed on and um requested that she could bring her children to the district. So um that's why it's not your typical time that you see that. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Carried. All right. Moving
031on to item number nine,formational items. >> So um just uh as a um a sort of fun um news, we held our new teacher orientation last week and we had two full days uh last Wednesday and Thursday and Noah who was here was able to attend. Um we have spectacular new staff that are joining our team. Um, just to give you and and again they have gone through the board already, but Matt Serbo is going to be a high school social studies teacher. Elena Arnold is our 8 to1 to1 at KCH. Uh, Lindseay Rooney is replacing Diane Mardle as a speech language pathologist. Anna Phillips is a sixth grade special ed teacher. Um, and we have Noah uh here with us tonight. Noah's going to be teaching sixth grade science and ELA. Um, and I
032I would be remiss if I didn't say Noah, um, every teacher when they apply here has to do a performance interview. So, they we we were able to grab some students this this summer. Um, and they sat and watched uh the performance and Noah did a spectacular job. So, um, you know, we had some teachers that were there that were were wowed by by what Noah was able to show instructionally. So, we're excited. uh again to welcome all of our new teachers and what an amazing uh two days we had with them. Uh lots of fun but lots of learning and um I I think they all said and Noah could probably attest to this how grateful they were to have that opportunity to spend two days here with their mentors with administrators and really
033getting a feel for the district. Um I think it sort of even gave them some inspiration. They they wanted to get started right away. So, um it was it was a great two days. Um distraction-free schools, we covered that. Again, I will continue to message that to families via parent square. I did send a message August 1st to all families. Um and our principles will continue to do the same. Um we will that very first few days of school continually be u holding assemblies and reviewing with students because there will be an adjustment and we recognize that. Um but we'll make sure that we communicate clearly not just to to families but to our students too. Um the new temperature law, you remember we adopted a policy that had to be adopted. Um I I
034Ryan and I are scheduled to meet um next week, but we we already have some mitigation strategies that we've put in place because we have had some hot days previous school years. Um but we will be very methodical in how we put together and communicate that to staff what we plan to do. And if you recall, um, when a classroom reaches 82 degrees and Ryan has, it has to be 82 degrees from the center of the room, um, Ryan has temperature, what they call, um, you know, just temperature sensors that we, many of us will have, we have enough of them that we will be continually reading classroom temperatures. If it hits 82, that's when you have to start mitigation strategies. So, um, Ryan and his team are ready to do that. We have purchased
035some mobile air conditioners. Um, we will be fine for if it's a day or a two-day. What what's going to be problematic is when it becomes a a three-day heat wave because when particularly DMS and even the high school, honestly, some of the classrooms and and KCH, uh, when the rooms heat up and it's day after day of heat, it's really challenging to cool it down. So, we're going to do our best to keep kids in school. Um, but quite honestly, there may be days where we have to call half days because the the the rooms are too hot. Um, over time, I imagine that all school districts are going to be thinking and shifting and talking about capital projects to put air conditioning in. Um, but like many mandates and laws that New York
036State puts in, there's no funding behind this. So that's what will be a challenge in the next several years. Um and then board replacement options due to Mr. Matusk's resignation. So the board has three different options. Um the board could uh um request to have an election call for an election. Um the other option is to do nothing just leave as a sixperson board. Um, and then the other option is the board could convene to discuss if there's an individual that they want to appoint until May. And so what will happen in May, there will now be three seats available. Two of those seats will be three-year terms and one of them will be two years. So it would be the person who has the least number of votes would take that two-year term that
037was vacated by Mr. Matusk. Um so those are really the options that are typical. Um most schools and most boards don't go technic typically with the option um of an election because it's an expense as you can imagine to hold an election for for one board seat. Um but the board can convene to to decide that. And then the last thing uh on information items, the printed calendar is in print right now. Um, if you recall last year, we put a little message on the calendar saying that we are no longer going to be mailing these to every single resident of Marcelis. So, um, and and on that message, it said, "If you still want to receive a calendar, please send your information to this email address." And we've had several. Um, I I do
038want to let people know that we are sending them to households of students, but we will have plenty of extras to hand out to grandparents or whoever wants them. Um, quite admittedly, it is an incredible expense to print them for every single household in the district. And we had many people who called us and said, "Please stop sending them. It's a waste." you know, and so I we listened and um we want to get them to people that want them. So, I just want to make sure people know they will be available and we will get you one if you want one. Um so, we'll have them. I'll have some at the post office. We'll make sure we have some at the bank. Um and we'll have some at the district office for anybody that
039wants them. a good friend of mine who had uh five children did not in our school district but she sent her last off to college and she said as soon as that because they were in so many different activities she said the calendar came I put it right in the recycling so I think you're smart I get it it's nice to have extra copies for grandparents >> yes yes we absolutely want to get them to people who want them but we also don't I mean how horrible it's it's not cheap to print the colored calendar so to to have it go in a recycling bid is is a waste have extra copies like in each building usually, right? >> We'll have that too. Yep. Every building will have extra copies and then we'll get them
040in other places too that you know if people from the community don't necessarily come to the school, we'll have them in places that they can access them. And if anybody here or anybody in the community knows somebody that wants them, you know, please come grab a couple and and pass them to people that you know want them. But that's our rationale. I just wanted to make that clear. >> Yeah, for sure. >> All right. at this time. Well, is that it forformational? >> That is. Y >> All right. Item 10, executive session. Resolve that the um meeting and publicly adjourned and an executive session be convened for the purpose of discussion of the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline,
041suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation. Can I A motion >> motion. >> Okay. All those in favor?