001Good evening and welcome to the Monday, April 21st, 2025 board of education meeting for the Marcel Marcellus Central School District. This evening, we'll start. Can you join me with 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, justice for all. So this evening we'll begin with recognition. So we have a few recognitions tonight. Um one recognition that I want to just um give Tony a shout out for this. So, Udica National Insurance Group, which is the insurance group that we use, they um Tony and I went to a a conference a few weeks ago and um there were many school districts in the room and some of them, not all of them, received excellence and
002safety awards. So, um I just want to showcase that because Tony um this is one of the things that he oversees. And so we received the titanium level um for 2025 school safety uh excellence award. And again, if you were sitting in the room, you would notice the school districts that did not receive these. So there were some that did and we were one. That's great. And what's one of the things that we hear about so much from, you know, parents and families is that safety is so critically important. So, great job. Thanks, Tony. Critically important to us, too. Of course. Yeah. And then, um, just a shout out to several of our buildings and grounds and maintenance crew. So, on Saturday, uh, April 12th, um, Tony and I got a notice from Brian Reer
003that, um, one of the, uh, alarms at a freezer here at the high school was going off. Um Paul Kefir was on site to try to see what was happening. Um and it was determined that the temperature was at a point I think I told Ryan was it like six degrees or the alarm goes off when it goes over 10 degrees and at that point it was at 16 and was rising quickly. So they literally at that moment 8 9:00 at night called a whole bunch of buildings and grounds and maintenance crew to come to move all of that food from that high school freezer to our DMS freezer just to obviously preserve it and keep it safe. Um and then it took several days to just repair that freezer and a whole another crew
004came in just this past Saturday morning to move it back from the middle school here to the high school. uh once it was repaired. So, I do want to just give a shout out to the names. Paul Kefir, Gary Daniel, Rich Dixon, um Matt, Amy Mitchell, uh Sean Daniel again, who came came back the Saturday afterwards. Amy Mitchell came back, Lisa Alice Berger, Mike White, John Spears, Jack Murray, and Rich Dixon. um just a huge thank you to them and you can see them here um working hard on on the weekend to try to make sure that they uh you know did right by the district. So thank you to all of them. Another example of them going above and beyond. So grateful. Thank you. And to be called you know again when we didn't
005expect it and they showed up for us. And so I do want to highlight this is a picture of our high school band and chorus in Boston. And what a great photo. Uh this was captured. I think Katie Bernie has captured this. Um but we had 87 students um in the high school band and chorus go to Boston and they competed in uh world strides. And this next uh picture tells it all. So they won first place gold for each ensemble, ensemble, chorus, select choir and band and then plus additional two trophies. So you can see uh Brian Ackles there and Andrew Wy. Um Brian is our uh chorus teacher and Andy is our band teacher. And just what an incredible uh showing. I had several parents reach out to me who actually attended um
006just to say they were able to listen to the other bands and just were blown away by not even just the talent but the professionalism of our students and how they um conducted themselves. So kudos to uh our our high school band and and chorus teacher, but also to all the students who made us proud and represented so well. Yes. Our music department always goes above and beyond as well. Yeah. And Katherine and I recently were on a committee and interviewing several students for and it was really impressive how many were very much involved in the music and and department and how instrumental it was for them. Yeah, it's a great a great department and just again going above and beyond for our school district. And that's it for All right. At this time, we'll
007move on to item number three, presentations. Yes. So, um I do want to just give a a small update on the building project. Um, so right now you can see the greenhouse is uh being erected as we speak. In fact, as you walk out, you'll probably see that it's um being put up. Um right now some of the detail work is inside the building and outside the building is still happening. So um just some some fixes of um firec mist holes that are in the inside. So, they're going around right now and we're pointing out areas that still need just attention before we sign off officially on the project. Um, but overall it's it's, you know, essentially complete. Any board member that wants to come and tour the building, we're I'm happy to take you
008up after this meeting. um and anyone from the community. We will have um as I I've forecasted before our ribbon cutting and pancake breakfast um on May 31st at 9:00 a.m. So that is um you know just again a great um a great place for our students to explore careers and just learn so much about a and CT. That's great. And then something else that I just want to touch on, um, three areas of our strategic plan that, um, you know, we've spent the whole year really continually going back to our strategic plan. Um right now this is an area that uh Brian Ci Tyler Cooper we're working on collaboratively as uh the portrait of a graduate which I've I've spoken about how New York State is shifting to learning paths and one of the
009big things is a portrait of a graduate meaning what skills will our students need to leave Marshall High School with in order to be successful. um and and really soft skills, not not just academic skills, some of the soft skills, how to look people in the eye when they're having a conversation, how to ask questions, um how to dress for an interview or for a job. So um right now some of this work is being done with Tyler Cooper and Ryan Cid. So that um Tyler is working very closely with this with his independent study students, but we want to broaden that out to all of our students so that they have um this knowledge and exposure. Another area um that we're in the midst of discussing and even um at KCH as well, ways
010to increase physical activity for our students um really within the school day and every day. Um so that's an area that of a focus right now um that we're discussing and planning ways for next year on how we can do better with that. And then operations, Tony has been helping with this. So, one of the things that came up during our strategic planning um process was in a in a facility like Marcellis and a campus like Marcellis with all the different buildings, there are always capital needs. So, there's always something that needs to be fixed. we have to prioritize those needs, you know, based on our our budget. So, one of the things that Tony is working on is really just uh communicating those needs. So, when a teacher mentions to us, hey, I'm noticing
011that needs to be fixed. Well, we can't always fix something right away depending on our budget and other priorities, but what we what they're asking for is a communication. So, a master list so people can see, you heard me. I mentioned this to you and I see it's on the list and I see about when you're looking to make that repair. Um, so that's something Tony is working on. We are actually going to keep that internal. We were thinking of having it be sort of in a place where anybody can see, but for safety reasons, we want to keep something like that internal for our staff to be able to see um, and just have a sense. And that's it for presentations. All right, moving on to item number four, residents comments. Public expression at
012the 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 determination 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? All right, moving on to item number five, business. You can see item 5.1 there. First reading of board policy. Resolved that the board of education approves
013first reading of the following board policies. Policy number 7240, student records access and challenge. Policy number 7241, student directory information. Policy number 7243, military recruiters access to secondary school students and information. Can I have a motion? motion Justin and then I think I heard Katherine second. All right. Questions or comments before we vote. So if you remember these are really um being brought into alignment with the legal language, the current legal language and much of this um the the last time this was updated was 2015 um with ED law 2D. we needed to bring it up to um really just just the the updated laws. Um so these are all in alignment with current law. We also um just so you know the public knows and and the board knows we take data privacy incredibly
014serious in this district. Um our staff have to be trained every single year on Ed Law 2D and um student privacy. Um I I is personally identifiable information. So any student's personally identifiable information. Um so all of this is really um part of just updating to align with ed 2D. But we also make notice to families every year um with with all of these policies. Bob right now is working on um just so that we actually are um have even stronger um buy in from families and an optin ability for our you know when we take photos of students and post them on on Facebook. Right now we have an opt out policy. We're shifting to an opt in for that. So um again we all of these policies we make sure that we are
015engaging with families so that they understand what information is being shared. Um you'll notice like the military recruit we send a notice out to families and they have the ability to say nope we're opting out of this. We don't want you to share child's information. Yeah. Yeah. I it's helpful with the board docs to see the changes that are being made like as we're reviewing them like what what's you know because we didn't always have that so that's super helpful as reviewing them and so they're these came right really from one and then you look at other school district policies that use one they have almost identical any other questions or comments before we vote all those in favor opposed carries Moving on to business item number 5.2 OCM Bosey's administrative budget. Where is the
016board of cooperate cooperative educational services for the soul supervisory district of Anadaga Courtland and Madison counties? The Boseies duly presented its tentative 20252026 administrative budget of 11,370,274 at its 2025 annual meeting. And whereas the board desires to approve said tentative administrative budget. Now therefore, be it resolved as follows. Section one, the Bosey's tentative administrative budget of 11,370,274 is hereby approved. Um the and then section two, the resolution shall take effective immediately. Can I have a motion? Amy second. Second, Erica. Okay. Questions or comments before we vote? So, just so everyone knows, all the schools across central New York that um subscribe to OCM, they're all voting tonight on this exact thing. So what this means, this is really the full overall administrative budget for Boseies, but every school district has a share of that. Yeah.
017And so these are for services like um our curriculum and instruction council that that Bob is a part of the services that Matt Club provides. Um we have teachers in every department, English, social studies, science, math that go to leadership networks. Um that is part of that service. uh our CBO. Um so a lot of that is um put into this administrative budget for both. So that's really what they're voting on tonight and every other board across Central New York is voting tonight as well. And certainly most of us had that experience working with Matt Cook. That was super helpful for all of us. Any other questions or comments before we vote? All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. Okay, moving on to 5.3. OCM Bosey's, excuse me, OCM Bosey's board of education ballot for election.
018Resolved that Marcella Central School District cast its votes for five vacancies, one vote for each vacancy in the annual election of members of the board of cooperative educational services as per the attached resolution. And you can see that there attached. Can I have a motion? Motion, Sean. Sean, second. Second, Josh. Okay. Questions or comments before we vote? So, that was helpful that you put in the link with the the and I there are five votes that you're casting and there are five individuals running. Yes. And these are city board members from other school districts that also sit on this board as well. Correct. Yeah. Okay. And I think um the resolution says so Robert Crackree is from North Syracuse. He sits on the North Syracuse board. Um Stacy Petri sits on the Homer board. Uh
019Margaret Perry sits on the Cenus board. Kim Kimberly Sako West Jenny and then Julie Wising Weisen is at the Diner Central School District. So they all go to two board meetings, right? So they're going to their individual districts, but then they represent with the post OC. All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. Moving on to item 5.4, approval of resolutions establishing a change in exemptions. Resolve that the board of education approves a change in senior, disabled, and volunteer first responders tax exemptions as per the attached resolutions. The change in exemptions will take effect in the 2026 tax year. Can I have a motion? Katherine, second. Second, Erica. Okay. Questions or comments? So, you've been speaking about this for several board meetings. Don Lever came in, we held a hearing and Tony worked with Don um and
020our attorney just to sort of um create this resolution for these exemptions. Um Tony, I don't know if you want to comment at all anything the exemptions. Uh nothing specific. You should only know that the the exemptions and the resolutions resolutions establishing these exemptions are exactly what we've discussed. What's what's counted as income for the purpose of the senior exemption and the exemption for disabled folks and the volunteer first responders. So, so exactly what we've discussed. If if you do have any other questions about these now or going in into the future, then we're happy to answer them. Um the we'll say that the exemptions that you folks are considering tonight do align with what county's exemptions provide. uh and any of the school districts other school districts were adopting or tending to conform to
021what the county has notic. Any other questions or comments before we vote? All those in favor? [Music] Opposed? Carried. Item 5.5, approval of copier lease renewal. Resolve that the board of education approves the how do you pronounce re ro copy or lease renewal. Can I have a motion? Motion Amy. Second. Catherine, any questions or comments? I noticed we're saving some money. Yes. Always like that. Yeah, I mean we have copy with the district. Um and um yeah, we feel like we're they're all in great spots and we haven't had any complaints and um so I think Tony is really looking to try to um get some of this done so he doesn't leave it in in Don's lap. So that's that is true. I'm sure Don appreciates that. Yes. All right. Any other questions or
022comments before we vote? All those in favor? opposed. Carried. All right. Moving on to item number six, personnel. Approval of personnel items. Resolve that the board of education approves the following personnel items. You can see them listed before you 6.1 through 6.5. Can I have a motion? Motion, sir. Sean. Second, Justin. Second, Justin. questions or comments before we vote about any of those items listed before you there? All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. Christine, can I pause for a second? Mike Damon um who is was just appointed uh is going to be the new director of educational technology and innovation. And I just want to introduce Mike. He knows this district well because he works at KCH um you know three days a week. But Mike, I just want to give you the the floor.
023Um, thank you. Uh, thank you for the opportunity. Um, I've been here almost seven years now, three days a week as an instructional technology specialist through Boseies. Um, I am very excited to join this district on a full-time basis. This district has given me a lot of great opportunities and now I got another one. I feel like now it's my turn to pay ourselves back what they've done for me. So, thank you. Welcome. We're excited to have you. Yes. Thank you. Moving on to item number seven, consent agenda. Approval of consent agenda items. Resolve that the board of educ board of education approves the following consent agenda items. You can see them listed before you. 7.1 through 7.3. Can I have a motion? Josh. Second, Sean. Thank you. All those in favor? I'm sorry. Questions
024or comments before we vote? No. Okay. All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. All right. Yes. Go. Now that the budget, how does personnel leaving or coming affect the budget going forward? Do you decide to like a teaching assistant that left? How do you decide if that one needs replaced or not? It's all based on needs. Um if if we have a need for a teaching assistant for a special ed student or whatever else, we're we're gonna we're going to hire. Um as as Tony has described many times, the budget is just a budget. And so throughout the year, there are things that we have to shift expenses here because we need another TA because we have a student that came in that needs a TA and then we we might shift in another area. So
025um we're we're trying very hard to make sure that we're we're you know either not replacing or equally replacing, right? Um I as far as the teaching assistants, I think that's we'll do the right thing always. So if there's a need for a teaching assistant for a student, we're we're going to have to look at our budget and then that's something not spend in an area so that we can do the right thing by whatever student that might need a teaching assistant. And that usually gets determined and like Cara is continually working on that the needs of of teaching assistance with special ed students and she that's sort of an evolving process all the way up believe all the way up to September. um because students coming or going impact that. I think it also
026changed mid year too, correct? Yep, it has. Y it has where we might shift a TA somewhere else or you know student leaves and um so yep it does happen. Hopefully that helps. Yeah. No. Okay, moving on to item number eight. Adjournment. That was a quick one. Okay. Resolve that the board of education meeting be adjourned. Can I have a motion? Erica and Sean. Is that what I heard? Okay. I put down Erica and Sean. All right. All those in favor? Opposed? Carried. All right.