MUFSD Board of Education Meeting, March 19th, 2026

001Please remain standing for a moment of silence. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. The >> flag is over here. >> They move the flag. 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. Okay, we have a very big agenda today, so we're going to get started. I need a motion for the approval of the minutes of February 12th board of ed meeting. >> So moved. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Yep. >> I need a motion to accept the financial reports um for January 2026 and the claims report of February 2026 and financial statements of March 2026. >> Make a motion. >> I

002need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Okay. Now, we're up to the audience communication. anything that's on the agenda that you'd like to speak on, please come up, tell us your name and why you came to visit. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Jeffrey Connelly from Matuck and I'd like to discuss new business item B. So this evening, the board will accept the resignation of one of the high school Spanish teachers. In response to this departure, Miss Brennan sent a message to Kachogi families on Parent Square on March 10th about changes to the foreign language program at the elementary school. Senior Rita Moore will be reassigned to the high school full-time and Senior Rita Charles will be reassigned to the high school in the morning and then the elementary school in the afternoon. Foreign

003language instruction at Kutog East will be cut to one day per week from two days per week for all 440 students. The message was very vague on what the students will be doing instead of the second weekly Spanish class. This is a devastating cut to the foreign language program at Kachog East that will hurt all students kindergarten through sixth grade. Foreign language in elementary school has significant benefits for cognitive development, academic achievement, and cultural enrichment. Just last month at the February 12th board of education meeting, the Spanish department had a presentation highlighting those benefits and the program that we have here in our district. Foreign language in elementary school program has been so successful that the high school recently began offering Spanish 5 with the ability for students to earn college credits through Stony Brook

004University. Our high school students are able to have these opportunities because of the foreign language in elementary school program. students, parents, and the broader community do not want the district to cut this language program in our elementary school. The district should abandon its plan to move the elementary school teachers to the high school, either hire a permanent sub, a leave replacement, or find a recently retired Spanish teacher that can finish the rest of the year at the high school and maintain the program at the elementary school. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Connley. Anybody else? Okay. Superintendent report. >> Okay. >> Um, this evening I want to share uh some appreciation and acknowledgements as well as some recent and unexpected staffing and program changes as well as staffing tied to next year's

005budget that Mr. Delari is going to be presenting this evening. Um, first a lot of a lot of great things have happened in the last month and then some challenges as well. Um, the Matuk marching band took to the streets for their first parade this past weekend for the cut St. Patrick's Day parade. The band delighted crowds with traditional Irish tunes for St. Patrick's Day. Um, you can catch the band again at the upcoming St. Patrick's Day parade in Jamesport at 1 p.m. on March 28th. Uh, Kutis put on a tremendous show under the sea. Um, I just want to extend my appreciation um to the members of the cast that are here this evening. they're going to put on one of the numbers for us. I also want to congratulate the adviserss and students

006involved in this year's production. It was really excellent. So, congratulations, guys. Um, I'd also like to congratulate everyone involved in our high school musical. Uh, a tremendous job was done by the entire cast, crew, directors, adviserss, and musicians. The professionalism and hard work truly showed in every performance. I also want to acknowledge our Boseis carpentry students who built the set. Um, the whole production was really outstanding. Um the Madat High School community service outreach fair took place last week. We had nearly 20 local organizations participating in the fair where students connected with the organizations, explored volunteer opportunities, and signed up for some service projects. I want to thank our community partners for helping inspire the next generation of volunteers and leaders, as well as Mrs. Collins, our junior high guidance counselor, for all of her

007work in coordinating the fair. I want to congratulate we had four students who graduated from the cast culinary program with high honors and impressive attendance. This is something our students have been participating in for the last couple of years. Uh leading directly to job placement for many of them. Uh those students are Marisol Lea, Maria Ona, Juan Carlos Valencius and Sam Javier. So congratulations to those students. I want to acknowledge this year's scope service award recipients who will be recognized at the scope awards dinner on Monday. Um scope stands for the Suffach County organization for the promotion of education. Uh this year's recipients for the Madat Kutchog school district are um our head of buildings and grounds, Mr. Tom Kelly, uh sixth grade special ed teacher, Dan O' Sullivan, and um uh Mr. Burke's assistant

008here, Mrs. Zeski at the high school. Um, so congratulations to the three of them. Um, welld deserved in all accounts. Um, some other upcoming events to put on your calendar. Um, we have the NJRTC military ball is coming up on April 1st. We have a budget meeting April 16th at 6:30. um where we will have uh some department and budget presentations uh as well as presentations on our reserves and tax levy information at that meeting. Kim's Kindness uh is hosting a 5K and kids fund run on April 18th. There are 15 free race entries available to our students. Um you can see the website for registration information for that. Applications for next year's UPK will be available on the district website and mailed to all district residents in midappril. Um we have 33.5 spots available

009this year. Um and then I'll be speaking at the MadCut Chamber of Commerce. Um the annual state of Matt dinner uh meeting on Monday evening and then the Matic Laurel Civic Association meeting on April 27th uh to give our community organizations an update on the state of our schools. Um, you'll see included in this evening's agenda is a proposed field trip for next school year to Barcelona and Paris. Um, we need to introduce this trip now to gauge student interest and determine if there's sufficient participation for it to move forward. We need a minimum of 15 students uh to commit to the trip. As some of you may remember, the language department organized internal international trips every two years in the past. Um, since Miss Scalvin retired, we haven't had a trip. Um, so we're

010hoping to continue that tradition should there be enough interest. Thankfully, Mrs. Stewart has stepped up, uh, our assistant principal here at MHS and is going to be organizing this trip. She's also here to answer any questions that the board may have for her. I know there were some questions if anyone had any. >> No. >> Yeah. >> No. >> Okay. I do. I do. You know, I always do. >> Um, I want to know who's able to go. So, we're offering it to juniors and seniors, our incoming juniors and seniors next year. Um, we'll be pushing in to the 10th grade and 11th grade classes to talk to the students to just see where the interest lies. And then there will be a parent meeting, anformational meeting. If parents can't join in person, it will

011be in the library and offered via Zoom on Thursday on Tuesday, March 31st at 6:30. Um they really the tour company's amazing. They're doing a lot of the tours for secondary schools right now and they've really walked me step by step so far. And I'm thinking actually Miss D reached out to me and offered her support. So, we're really excited and I'm excited to tell the students about it. This is like the big revealed tomorrow. >> So, I noticed that uh the Stony Brook School uh had used this company. Are there other local school districts who have used this company to travel? >> In the upcoming year, two districts on Long Island, one place and Rocky Point are both offering trips through this company. Okay. But they hadn't in the past. Is the first time

012too? >> No, they have in the past. >> Oh, they have in the past? I didn't hear. Okay. Thank you. >> What if someone can't afford it? >> Are you going to fundraising opportunity? Each student who registers, um, there is a fundraising link on the website. So, they can ask for those Christmas gifts, the birthday gifts, uh, through the websites that goes directly to the company. They're offering a payment plan as well. So, over the course of 13 months, families could their monthly installment. >> You can wait. >> And then are all the call >> or you can just call it. >> Will all the chaperones be teachers from the district? >> Yes. So currently I've mentioned it to two of the Spanish teachers. Uh and they're thrilled and excited. Both of them obviously fluent

013in for the Barcelona portion of the trip that will be four days. And then we selected this trip because the travel time in on other itineraries uh students were traveling two to three hours a day every other day. This we would just travel six hours via highspeed train from Barcelona to Paris. So if you know what it's like to get your teenage packed up from one location to the other, that was the best plan of uh for our option at this point. >> Heather, I I thought it said a six to one ratio for chaperon versus students. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Is there an upper limit to the number of kids that can go? >> Good question. >> There really is no upper limit. Uh the tricky thing is is the

014travel arrangements. We're all guaranteed to be in the same hotel location. However, when you get in those those higher numbers, 40 50 students, um it's hard to block a um a flight for all of those students on one particular flight. But, uh the company is super reliable and they said that uh with the flights and the weather that we have on February, they already saw it coming. So, they made arrangements and all of the students will have travel insurance through the company. So, they started to if you will for that and we're able to get everybody back here and back into school on Monday. So, it's going to be a great time. I'm looking forward to it. I'm really excited. I love traveling. I know it's fun for my life and my world perspective. So,

015I'm excited to bring the students and have that opportunity. >> Well, Hela, thank you for stepping up to do that. I appreciate it. Okay. Uh I also wanted to update the board on our kindergarten registration. We presently have 65 registrants. >> Um so this number is higher than what we initially thought it would be and when we presented sections at last month's meeting. Um we were anticipating three sections of kindergarten, but we'll be adding an additional section. So we'll have four sections of kindergarten next year. But it's nice to see those numbers. Um, as everyone knows, Madat Kutoke suffered a tremendous loss last month with the passing of Miss Pickering. Um, I got to say I've been overwhelmed by how our faculty and staff have rallied to support each other, to support our students, as

016well as Miss Pickering's family. Um, there is never a time when they do not rise to the occasion in times of hardship and crisis. I also want to take this opportunity to thank local school districts and programs as well as businesses and community members who generously provided meals to support the staff in our buildings offering a bit of comfort and care during a difficult time following the passing of Miss Pickering. I'd like to acknowledge just kids, the Pana Community School, the Greenport and Southold teachers unions, um two anonymous families in the community, as well as Amiradis of Love Lane. I'd also like to thank the support teams from Oyster Ponds, Greenport, and South Hole that showed up to support our staff and students when we returned to school. So, thank you. I know it meant

017a lot to everybody at Kutch East. There have been some staffing shifts to support our Kutchi students going forward and to fill the void left by Mrs. Pickering's passing. Ms. Vati is on the agenda this evening to be appointed as the Kutchi dean. Miss Lman, our social worker, has had her case load shifted so she can increase counseling at Kut East. And high school guidance counselors Mrs. Collins and Mr. Mashapiro will each work one day a week at Kyogis to cover programming and other guidance related responsibilities. I want to thank all the counselors for their flexibility, acknowledging that this is an extremely busy time of year for our counselors with special education annual reviews, secondary student scheduling, as well as upcoming AP exams and state testing. Um, as the board already knows and Mr. Connley

018uh mentioned, we had a recent and unexpected resignation of an upper level Spanish teacher at MHS. This teacher was teaching three accredited college level classes in conjunction with Stonybrook University, causing us to have to immediately pivot to move senior moore from Kutchog East to the high school. She has the credentials to cover these classes and ensure that our students at MHS are able to receive the college credits that they've been working towards all year. I remind you that this is the second unexpected resignation that we've had in this position this year. I know it felt abrupt. It's because it was. but it was what we needed to do in order to retain our overall K12 Spanish program. Separate in apart, but also connected as part of an ongoing program review. The administrative team has been

019evaluating our programming at Kutchog East, leading me to recommend to the board last month prior to this resignation that as we build next year's budget, we decrease instructional minutes in Spanish so that we may open up more time in the schedule to cover our core academic classes as well as enrichment and supports. When the elementary Spanish program was first introduced in 2017, the elementary school schedule had more time available for enrichment programming as well as for student supports. The program was designed not only to introduce students to Spanish, but to also help increase cultural competency and broaden students understandings of the world around them. These desired outcomes have not changed. Since 2017, the elementary schedule has evolved as the district has added not only Spanish, we've added the responsive classroom curriculum and our 20 minute

020morning meetings. We've added steam, which is two to three 40 minute sessions monthly. Health once a month for 40 minutes. The second step social emotional curriculum, guidance pushins, additional science labs tied to the new standards and assessments, as well as additional reading and math AIS supports as dictated by our MTSS interventions. This is on top of the existing programs such as library for grades K through two which is 40 minutes weekly recorder lessons in third grade band in grades four through six the DARE program and other SEAL lessons assemblies field trips building initiatives as well as art PE and music. All very important opportunities for our students. While these additions support the development of the whole child, they have significantly limited the flexibility within the school day. As we reviewed the schedule and met with

021teachers, it became clear that we also needed additional time to effectively deliver core academic instruction and to schedule related services and interventions that support students through our MTSS system of supports. Ensuring that students receive timely academic support, intervention, and related services is an important responsibility, and the current schedule has made this increasingly difficult. As part of the ongoing program review, we have planned to recommend an adjustment for the Spanish program. For grades K through two, the recommendation is that we go from two 30 minute sessions a week to one 40 minute session a week. And for grades three through six, we would go from two 40-minute sessions a week to one 40 minute session a week. The recommendation moving forward is that all elementary students will continue to receive 40 minutes of Spanish instruction each

022week as opposed to the 60 or 80 minutes they receive now depending on the grade level. and that the program will continue as a Spanish enrichment experience that introduces students to language learning and cultural awareness and helps build a foundation in Spanish and an interest in future language study. Our review of instructional time, student needs, and scheduling demands continues to show that we need more flexibility within the elementary schedule to support core instruction interventions and related services. At the same time, this adjustment does not represent a reduction in our commitment to the Spanish language learning. In fact, we are actively looking ahead to strengthen opportunities for students, including the possibility of offering a seal of biiteracy to recognize students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and Spanish at the secondary level. Scaling back

023the Spanish schedule does not mean scaling back on excellence. Our decisions are guided by listening to our teachers, reviewing student data, and carefully examining how time is used within the school day to best support student success. We remain committed to providing students with meaningful Spanish language experiences while ensuring that the elementary schedule allows us to meet the full range of academic and student support needs. Getting less of anything never feels like a good proposition. But this recommendation is being made because we believe it best serves our students and the long-term strengths of our programs. I acknowledge that the way this change and recommendation was rolled out to our families did not provide for the process that it deserved. My intention was to roll this recommendation out as part of our budget process. So this is

024an ongoing conversation, but those are the reasons behind it. um that resignation at the secondary level forced us to shift um earlier on than actively rolling out these recommendations. And um so we enacted what we were looking at for doing next year in the present. Um it's no secret that finding skilled Spanish teachers is close to impossible right now. Um hence some of the struggles we've had with maintaining uh people in that position. Um but it's for those reasons why um that decision was made and again it's part of the ongoing budget process looking at next year. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um now we need elementary leadership report. >> Good evening. Um tonight I'd like to introduce our play directors um and some of our student cast. Um this is uh our play Little

025Mermaid this year was uh one of the things that brings joy to Kutchog East. Um this play was, you know, just as much as the other plays, but even more so this year. Um we have uh students here to perform under the sea. So please join me in welcoming directors Sophia Ristoff and Julia Barlay and the following students. Al Elelliana Mercier, Elsie Stanovich, Glenn Amarati, Lily Huff, Madlin Sanders, Vanessa Rosa, Vivian Botti Johnson, Beckham Wall, John Brush, Satie Koig, and Stella Rkowski. Also, um, I missed I missed Benny Zarnett. Sorry about that. Life is better than anything they got up there. You dream about going up there, but that is a big mistake. Just look at the world around you. What more is you looking for? Under the sea. Under the sea, darling is a

026town where it's wet. Take it from me. Up on the shaft of the waves on the land day when The bus gets hungry. Guess who underest the dark? Play the He can play the lings on the string. The trap sings the goldfish a ship. We are Fish And you don't have to wear your best Good job. >> Thank you everybody. That was awesome. I hope your presentation is as good as >> I know. >> What music do you music do you have? >> All right, that's good. finished. Okay, >> next. You're up. >> Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Going to get through this efficiently, but that is a tough act to follow, so bear with me, please. All right, we have the March student exeicio board report. So, starting off with academic achievements. Recently, 49

027juniors and several seniors were accepted into the National Honor Society recognizing their commitment to scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The induction ceremony will take place next Thursday on March 26th. And additionally, senior class rankings have officially been finalized with Jay Chen named valadictorian and Ryan Harded named saludiatoran. So, congratulations to them too. And then National Honor Society update. The board put together a kindness campaign with ballot nominations that were set up in the blue lobby. The membership evaluated the nominations. We did that past Tuesday and the winners will be announced shortly on the morning show. And the prizes include merch from our virtual enterprise class and flowers made by us at the last meeting. And the purpose was to spread positivity buildingwide and promote kindness. And then we also had students recently go to the

028DACA competition up in Rochester last weekend or last week rather. It was Laura Man, Charlie Carter, Rachel Hos, and Marlo Colmore. And Laura Man earned a top 10 medal in hospitality and tourism professional selling. And Charlie Carter Carter earned a top 10 medal on the business, law, and ethics team decision-making exam. This competition also marked Mrs. Nappy's final DECA event as she will be retiring this year after founding and growing the Metatech DECA program over the past 24 years. So congratulations to her. And then we also had a successful mock trial season. About 20 students in grades 9 through 12 were involved this year. The team competed in four trials during the season. Last year we advanced to the playoffs and finished in the top 10 out of more than 30 Suffach County schools. And

029this year's team has continued building on that experience. Then an art update. Students in the art department recently collaborated on a mural honoring Lewis Armstrong for blast black history month. The project was created in partnership with East End Arts and the artwork is currently displayed at the Floyd Memorial Library in Groupport alongside pieces from other Long Island schools. And then in addition, several Madison students artists were recently recognized at the Parish Art Museum for their work. The musical theater, the Matuk Musical Theater Company recently performed the Adamsfield musical from March 6th through the 8th and the show featured a large cast and production team and was a great success. It was quite amazing if I say so myself. And following the musical, auditions for the spring play were held on March 9th and preparations for

030the next production are already underway with Julia Sheldon cast as Wendy, the one in the middle. And then the music department, it is music in our schools month and we celebrated by putting on our annual stairwell concert, a tradition that celebrates music in our schools month. The performance takes place in the school stairwell, allowing students and staff throughout the building to enjoy the music. Additionally, the Matuck marching band was recently featured on News Day TV, highlighting the dedication and talent of our student musicians. Spring athletics are underway at Matuck. Students are currently competing in track, baseball, lacrosse, softball, and boys tennis across both the varsity and junior varsity levels. We're looking forward to another strong athletic season as those teams begin their schedules. Athletic recognitions. Two maters matuk seniors live parin and myself were recognized

031with section 11 cheerleading honors. Parin earning all class and walling earning all county academic awards. These awards recognize both athletic dedication and academic excellence and it was great to see matech represented. The varsity cheerleaders also hosted a successful pasta fundraiser at Amiradis on February 26th to support the program. Big shout out to Amiradis. They always support us very nicely. And also a Tucker challenge update. The Tuger Cup Challenge continues to build school spirit across grades 7 through 12. Students earn points for their class through participation in academics, athletics, performing arts, community service, and school events. Right now, the senior class is in the lead with 60 points. The class with the most points at the end of the year will receive a courtyard picnic celebration. And the best buddies and inclusion update. The best buddies

032club recently held a pledge in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day. Students are encouraged to wear Best Buddy shirts and mispatch socks on tomorrow, March 20th, to help raise awareness and celebrate inclusion. It was yesterday we set up the pledge table outside of the school store and it was honestly a really great turnout. We had all the shers and a bunch of people pledge which was really awesome to see and promote awareness. And the club is also preparing for upcoming events and continuing to promote a culture of friendship and acceptance throughout the school and community. A way we're doing this is attending the friendship ball in April and we're all really looking forward to it. We also had the Shamrock Shuffle 5K. The fifth annual Shamrock Shuffle 5K was held this weekend and organized by

033the Matuck High School Athletic Booster Club. This year event had a special meaning as all proceeds were donated to the Pickering family. And it was inspiring to see so many members of Matza community come together to support them and honor the amazing woman that she was. Student recognition. Several students were recently honored at the Breakfast of Champions for demonstrating Tucker pride. Recognized students included Laura Man, Claire McKenzie, Eliza McCarthy, Vivian Canen, Zelada, and Juliet Laf Lafimina. Student workshops. Matuck also hosted the mobile museum of tolerance, which visited campus for two days of interactive workshops organized by the CARES Committee. Students participated in an immersive learning experience focused on tolerance, empathy, and understanding different perspectives. Some Kajuk East updates. I had the privilege of meeting with the Katogis kids via Zoom a few days ago and

034they told me about all their music in our schools month celebrations. First off, they have the mass singer which typically just teachers, but this year for the first time they had sixth graders participate which they're super excited about. And then they also have name that tune every day over the loudspeaker and the all district band concert taking place next Tuesday on the 24th. And upcoming Kachogi events include family math night on the 25th, spirit week next week, the PTA science and math assembly hosted next week, and the science fair coming up and tuck night junior coming up as well. And then the very fun PTA danceon with the theme of Hollywood. And then upcoming events for the junior high school, we have the semiformal tomorrow with the theme of boots of bling. It will be

035very fun. And then the blood drive next Wednesday, March 25th, and National Honor Sign deduction next Thursday, March 26th. And then a student board committee update, which is something me and my fellow Exeicio members are implementing, is will be five students per grade level with my fellow board student representatives. And the purpose of meeting with the committee is to further bridge the gap between the youth voice and districtwide effectiveness. Making sure to address statistics statistics found by the CARES Committee and brainstorming solutions to help those who may feel disconnected from our school. Thank you. And that is all. >> Rick, I think next month you should bring more information. I don't really think that was enough. So, thank you. Okay, we're up to department reports. I guess social studies bring >> briefing. >> That's why

036you're going first so you can get it over with. >> Yes. Seriously. Um when I break out in hives, you'll know why. That's, you know, kind of my thing. All right. Um I'm not going to use the microphone. So I don't think I've done this for three years. So I tried to think about what the social studies department has done um in the meantime. So kind of our goal is to get them to be prepared citizens, participate in their communities. So we did some um gravestone cleaning this year. We sent cards to veterans. Um in terms of academics doing that first. So we've got great region scores, but in terms of APS, that's where we've really had a surge. Um, we've added AP European. Um, we've added AP research. And the numbers for this are

037really great. Um, I think I just saw the list for kids in going into ninth grade. I think we have close to 50 students who are going into nine honors, which would be the track to go into AP world. So, the numbers are great. The numbers for AP Euro are great. The numbers for AP research are great. Um, so our academics have been really good so far. Um just I can talk to AP research really quick. I just wanted to highlight this. Um this class has been fantastic. Uh Brooke is in this class. They do college level research. So they write research papers as if they were doing their um their PhD. So they follow the exact same format. They do authentic research. Um they do lit reviews methods. They um gather their own research

038and then they share it out. And uh some of the topics that we're doing this year, uh what challenges do Hispanic women face in medical school? Um they're doing an ethnography where they're interviewing people around the country who are in medical school. Um Brooke is doing a sentiment analysis on how politically active women uh first ladies are portrayed in the New York Times. Um we Jay was doing uh spiderweb geometry to see if you could build houses um using um what 3D printers to build. Um so this one I just wanted to highlight because this class has been fantastic. So just kind of some of the things that we've done in the last couple years. We started the the ceremony on 911 to start off the the school year. That was our crazy idea. And

039you can see the daffodils are still coming up around the the walkway. We now do an annual uh 911 trip. We'll be doing that again next October. We are able to get reservations for that. So uh we need board approval for that. That's coming up pretty soon. So our next trip is October 21st. And shout out to Amiradis who have provided the food for us every year. And it's been absolutely amazing. and we get close to 100% participation from the 11th grade when we go. Then uh we've gotten so we are taking the 10th grade to the Holocaust Museum. So that's becoming an annual trip. We just celebrated Black History Month. Now the classes are doing things for women's history month. And then I brought students with us because kind of the direction we're going

040now is there's the seal of civic readiness which is to make um it's part of they'll get the seal on their diploma but they need to become sort of active participants and they need to do civic projects and in eighth grade they try to do something to make their school better as a group. So, I'm going to bring them up to kind of share and then there's projects throughout and it kind of culminates in senior year where they do individual civic projects, but they're going to share >> lofty goals um that we have. You guys introduce yourselves and kind of share out that's our courtyard. >> Oh jeez. >> Well, not currently. >> Beautiful. Um I'm Jack Connell and we're trying to make a koi ponds and we're asking we're making different groups of we're

041asking our grade and like to join different groups like um construction fundraising media and they're all contributing to this kipon. >> This is our executive committee. So we've been meeting every two weeks. >> Yep. Hi, I'm Jackson Kobus and like Jack said, we're going to make like committees. So, we put a Google survey on like the Google classrooms. So, there's like a construction group, there's a site planning group, a fundraising group, and there's a couple other groups, but like we're trying to figure out how our students want to help each other and use teamwork to make something of our own. >> Hi, I'm Ryan Norris. Um I'm also part of the executive committee and um we're trying to make this as student-based as possible as Miss Bighgam and Miss Stewart have um repeatedly reminded us

042that it is our initiative that has to put this forward and we they helped us come up with the idea for a fish pond and we sent the idea out to our um class and asked them for their opinions and they all Um the majority of them agree that this would be a good idea. And so we're hoping to um build up funds and plan where we're going to build this pond and maybe make it an outdoor learning space for more of the student community um moving forward. >> So part of their learning is doing the board presentation and they'll be addressing you again um to kind of keep you a breast of what we are doing. >> Great. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> All right. And then >> I was gonna

043say like >> I got to go out with a bang, you know. Um and then the last thing is America 250. Um we're doing our best to try to put this together. Um we had lofty goals. Uh and everything we kept trying to do was falling through. I mean I think we should have started planning probably three years ago. Um, I had envisioned having, you know, Revolutionary War reenactors on the front lawn and sheep shearing and candle making and um, I I was going all out and I think the Revolutionary War guys told us what they were available in 2036. >> Yeah. 31. >> 31. Okay. So, that was their next ability. So, I think I'm gonna be out by then. That's on you guys. Um, and then everybody wanted to be paid. So, we

044kept coming up with other ideas and everybody was, you know, thank you, but they're already busy or they're already planned. So, we've pivoted a lot. We've met a lot and we kind of went off of this is coming from the US Department of Education. They do this idea of America's field trip and America gives. So, we tried to build off of that. So, um, Miss Stewart was able to set up with Hikville that the ninth grade is going to do a day of service at Hikville. So, that's part of that. Um, we give back. We can log our community service minutes. Um, and we thought we'd use a resource that's close by. And then for the seventh grade, uh they're going to put us through like a field trip day and teach the students about

045um colonial chores, farming, um they'll go through the barn, uh the animals. So, seventh and nth grade will be going to Hikville. Eighth grade is we're building off of their Washington DC trip. So, we're creating projects for them to do off of that. 10th grade is going to do a time capsule to be opened at. We haven't figured out when we're going to be long gone. Right. >> Right. So, um, >> but the capsule will be created and made by the carpentry program. Yes. And buried on the 22nd. >> And buried on the 22nd. 11th grade years ago, we had veterans come in to speak to the students. And that was um an amazing experience. So, we're going to have veterans come in and speak with the junior class. And then the senior class is

046going to go to the senior center, uh, collect some oral histories, do a 250 birthday party with the seniors, and then they're going to go down, the seniors are going to go visit the kindergarteners. They're going to ask the same like oral history questions of the kindergarteners that they did with the senior citizens and throw a little birthday party um, for America with the kindergarteners as well. And our goal is to do kind of a fourth of July in May deal. Um, we have school, I believe, on May 22nd when a lot of the other area schools do not. So, we thought we would use that day and kind of do a spirit week and a culmination and share. We're going to do a speech contest. Um, we're thinking maybe a softball game where we're

047still working. >> Yes. Yes. >> Well, as a matter of fact, the cafeteria has cleared it that they'll use our grill and they're going to cook the students hamburgers and hot dogs. I'm going to set the cafeteria up with picnic table tablecloths and stuff like that. >> Fourth of July in May. >> So, >> and that's it for us. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you guys. >> Anybody have any questions for Miss Brigham before she sits? >> No. >> That sounds like an amazing amount to organize for all the different grade levels. So, thank you. >> Yeah, they've been working hard at it and beating their heads and hitting a lot of roadblocks, but overcoming the uh those challenges. So I give Mr. Burkin has bring him a lot of credit. >> Okay.

048Amanda McHugh. Hi, good evening. Um, typically I present the um, ENL department information, but the truth is that Amanda here does a lot of the work behind the scenes and she is the um, ENL department coordinator, a position that we um, put together a couple of years ago because of the increased enrollment um, in the program and the increased um, demands of the regulations. And so Amanda is wellversed in all things. She also teaches in both buildings. She teaches two classes at the high school and then spends the rest of the day in the elementary school. So, she has a real grasp on both, you know, on the entire K through 12 program and really can give you a profile of every single kid in the program. So, um Amanda's going to walk you through

049um our ENL program. >> Thank you for the introduction. My name is Amanda McHugh. I'm the department coordinator for English as a new language. Um, so we are predominantly Spanish speakaking for our kids, but we also have Polish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Mandarin this year. Um, currently at Kachchuck East, we have 92 L's and at Matuck Junior Senior High School, we have 55 L's. Our largest group currently is second grade. Um, we have 20 L's in second grade, which you might think, oh, that should be a bilingual program, but six are commanding, and not all of them have a native language of Spanish. Our lowest group this year is ninth grade, and we have five L's in 9th grade currently. Um, we were so happy with the kindergarten screening numbers because we're going to actually screen

05016 possible L's for next year coming into kindergarten. and our seniors, we also have a lot of them on track to graduate this year. So, it's a good year for us. Um, based on the state requirements, we have five different levels of English proficiency. So, if you start at the first level, we have entering. So, students at the entering level from K through 8th receive two periods of ENL instruction. So they have their standalone which is an ENL pull out and they get that every day for 40 minutes and then they also get an integrated class with a co-eing model. So it's an ENL teacher and then a classroom teacher and that's 40 minutes a day as well. If they're at the entering level at the high school, so 9 through 12, they'll get an

051additional integrated period as well. So basically three periods of ENL instruction a day. As you go up to emerging um you would get two periods. So you get that standalone for 40 minutes a day and then the co-eing integrated period as well. Transitioning we typically do one period of integrated a day and same with expanding as you get up to our last level commanding. Um once students reach the commanding level they get an additional two years of ENL services. um they really typically res require 90 minutes, but they're in classes with our other students, so they get the 40 minutes a full period every day. Um this year was amazing. It was actually our largest group of kids ever to pass the nislat. So we had 25 students reach the commanding proficiency level. So students

052at this level are no longer considered L's according to the state count. But for us, we do still count them as L's because they require two more years of services. So we just want to ensure their academic success before they go on into the older grades. So we gave them little certificates because we're so proud of all their hard work and dedication over the years. Some of these kids we've had since kindergarten and then they passed. Um, when you look at assessments for our English language learners, we have two assessments. So, when a student first enters New York State and we think they're an English language learner, we give them the nicotel. That determines if they are an English language learner and then it also determines their proficiency level and that's how they're placed. Then

053every year annually, we assess their progress on the nicest lap, which is what we want to see the most most growth in because then it shows us that they're ready to meet the curriculum standards and they can do well and find success on state assessments. For our state assessments, only our first year English learners have a one-time exemption from the ELA test. After that, they're required to take all other state exams and regions assessments. However, we just learned about all the things nice to tell, nice to slat. New York announced we're going to actually become a WEDA state >> just to keep things exciting. So, um, WEDA is actually a consortium of states across the country. New York's the 42nd state to join and it provides the standards and assessments and different curriculum that the

054states follow. So New York would be following the same thing that other states are doing as well. Um we think it will be a good transition for us and it is similar but you may have noticed it went from five levels to six levels. Um transitioning is now known as developing and then our commanding level is going to be split into two. So, it's going to be bridging and then reaching. But our kids will be assessed the same way with the four language domains. So, they'll still be assessed listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Um, but we're waiting for some more guidance from New York State. So, we're still waiting on that. Um, here are some highlights from this year. We chose to highlight we had Spanish bus drill. So, for our newcomers in kindergarten who

055don't speak English yet, we did our bus drills in Spanish and the kids were so excited to hear the rules and the guidelines in Spanish as well. It was very cute. We also had some exciting opportunities for our sixth graders. We had sixth grade buddies, so they came down and they met with our new kindergarten students and they got to play with them and they meet with them every few months. Our sixth graders were also able to share their social advocacy books. So, they met with our third graders and we paired up our sixth grade L's with our third grade L's so they could see like what they're going to be doing when they get to sixth grade. Um, one really fun day we brought our sixth grade L's over to the high school for

056the ENL Thanksgiving feast, >> which they loved the turkey legs. They were huge. They were so excited. They got to meet the older kids and they got to meet the ENL teachers at the high school. So, that was really fun for them. And finally, we have the continued success of the um English pan parent class. So Jesse King is offering that. It's five weeks personalized instruction and some of the high school kids actually come and they babysit the younger kids at the English class for parents. Our students have a lot of success with some community outreach options. Mr. Patre spoke about the cast culinary program and four of our students actually passed their exam. So, we were really excited about that and then they're hopefully going to find jobs in that industry. Our cultural connections

057club provided a night for the younger well a day for the younger kids to come with their parents and do a holiday craft at the Kutchuk New Suffk Library and they read a book. So, they're hoping to do something similar in the spring as well. And then this is our whole ENL team. We have our ENL teachers, our community liaison, and a lot of dual certified teachers. And we just wanted to thank all of you for your support of our program. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anybody have any questions for Amanda? >> Okay. Lappy. One more time. >> There you go. >> She's not. >> I promise this will be quick because I I know how busy you all are. Okay. So, it's the business and technology department. It's myself, Luan Nappy, uh Mark

058Mincielli, tech teacher, and Steve Levvino, as well as the tech, uh another tech teacher. These are all the courses that the business department offers. Um I just want to put this out there. You know, I'm retiring. Um, and it would be just a sad thing to see some of these things kind of disappear. Um, currently the virtual enterprise class is offered for six college credits through Farmingdale. Um, accounting is offered for three college credits through Stonybrook and financial literacy is as well. um that did not run this year. So, and I don't know what your plans are for next year with that, but those are what I've been doing the last 26 years. Um the DECA Club, Brooke did um kind of already talk about that. So, there's Laura, Charlie, two of our winners, and

059the school to work program. Another important um aspect of what I've been doing for quite a while. It started 26 years ago. It was my first year starting at Matate. Um and then I took it over the Karen Valinsky if you recall. Um she had started the program and then I took it over the following year. Um we do things like a mentor breakfast which we had in November at Piconic Landing. We brought in businesses to share their life stories about college, about how to get to, you know, to the top if that's what you wanted, military, whatever, whatever students were interested in, we had people there to to chat with them. Um, we're doing a job fair on next Thursday on the 26th and I'm currently prepping for the junior job shadow, which is

060um, April 24th. So, Metatechuck merch. Um, that's my virtual enterprise class and it's kind of taken a life of its own at this point. We started off with t-shirts, sweatshirts, um, you know, hoodies, that kind of thing. But now we're into we're doing blankets and coffee mugs, hats, totes, string bags, pretty much anything that you can press, we we could do. Um so that's kind of like taken its own life. Um we also some of the money that is collected and the profit of it we do give out to DECA share some of that. Um the profit we've donated to the AP research class, the National Honors Society, the junior high yearbook, WHS, the culinary class, and the nutrition class. So we kind of it kind of honestly it just breaks even uh what we

061do because we offset some of these costs um with those things. This is the technology flowchart. So these are all the classes um that they that they offer. Um Mr. Mincielli and Mr. Levvenia. And I think there might be a couple other ones. Advanced ones might not be on here. Welding is an advanced welding on there. >> Yes, that's on. >> Um, okay. So, this is Mr. Levvenio's welding class and if you did not see that poinsetta tree live, I mean, it was just phenomenal. Um, so this is his class making that stand for the point setters and it was absolutely gorgeous. >> Lot of revisions on that. >> I don't know why. >> Yeah, Mr. B involved in that project. Well, he's involved in this one, too. I think I saw him. >> Um,

062so this is the uh the same class, not the same class, but different kids, I think. Um, but they're they're fixing all the railing, the handrailing out here. Um, so it's just a great class. And now we're up to Mr. Mincielli, which is he brought one of his toys with him. >> So, this is the new robotics and engineering class. Um, the platform I chose platform. The Arduino on the lower left hand corner, they use those in a $25 microcontroller and they used all over the place. My nephew was in Sunni Mar years ago and that's one of the first times I saw one of those. So, our platform is based on the Arduino. So, they're using the same software. They can just about do anything with the Arduino they can do on our platform.

063So, it gives them a little leg up into the same kind of college. So, I just wanted to show you here's one of the blocks. I'm not so good driving it. Last time I played with a video controller was being called Pac-Man. >> Now, the last project they do in that class is it Griffin. >> It is Griffin. >> I may not be able to get this thing back. Okay. So, anyway, the last project we do is a search and rescue robot. So, the kids are working, their consoles are in the classroom. They have to figure out how to get two-way video and audio communication from the bot to back to the consoles, one of the desktop computers. So, what I do is I hide a bunch of models like this in the shop, and

064we time them, and they have to run around, scurry around through the shop, see if they can find them, grab them. Mind you, you're looking at a screen about that big on a computer, and retrieve them and deliver them out into the hall to the goal area. So, I have a couple of short little videos, two little quick videos. Paige Keller was driving the bot. She was, what do they call it now? Locked in. I think that's >> You have to look at She's on a computer and you have to kind of focus in on that computer. It's a little bit small. Um, but let's start it. >> She didn't know I was I was filming. She was in >> this computer right here. >> Oh, I see. >> So, she sees the bottle. It's

065harder than you think. >> I think it's hard. >> And the robot somewhere else, right? In the >> Yeah, she can't see the bot. All she can see is what's on her screen. The bot's in the other room. So, she took second try. She grabbed it and now she's heading for the door. Trying to drive the bot through the door without is tricky because you only have a very small field of view. So, here's delivering the bot. So, the other bottles already in the gold, you know, it could be a person. whatever. So, she's getting it in. She's trying to figure out if she's in the goal. >> And that's it. >> Good job. >> Thank you. >> That's And that's it for the presentation. >> Thank you. >> And Miss Nappy, congratulations. >> Thank

066you. I just messed this up. They put it back in there. Oh, sorry. It's going to be Miss Gilberry anyway. >> You're up. >> Okay. Well, right off the bat, I do not have any robots. So, I don't know if you were expecting that. Mr. Burke, this was not on the memo about robots. Um, but I don't have any robots. Sorry. Um, for those who don't know me, I'm Anne Gilvi. I am the English department coordinator. Um, this is my first year being department coordinator. Um, I very much enjoy it. Um, didn't know if I would. I do. Um, I'm really grateful for the opportunity. Um, I'm representing my wonderful department. Um, these five women including myself. Um, we're very passionate about teaching English and bringing new ideas to it. Um, and it's been a

067wonderful experience so far being their leader for a while. Um, so just to give you a little sense of a student's journey in English 7 to 12. Um, it's what you would expect. Your core classes, you start in English 7, go on to English 8. This is junior high. We're building off the skills they come into um, high school or junior high with from elementary. But then when they get to the high school, there's choices. So each level of high school English, you have what's a English 9, 10, 11, 12 regions track and then you have advanced tracks. So, we have honors in 9th grade and then different levels of AP English for 10, 11, and 12, seminar, language, and literature. Um, and we do go into the classrooms when kids are making schedules, um,

068and give them a heads up about what the class is like, um, what it entails, um, so they can make the best choice. Guidance counselors of course are there to guide them as well. But we always, every year, the person who teaches that class will go into the class before. So, as someone who teaches AP language to the 11th graders, I go into the 10th grade classes and help them understand what the class is and how to know if it's a good fit for them and to be available if they have questions. Um, so those are the choices they get going into high school. We also have classes for students who might have a demonstrated need of some more support. Um, so we have ENL classes and they are grouped seven, eight, and 910. These

069are co-taught by English teachers and ENL teachers. We also have special class English, three different levels for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. And this is actually taught by a teacher technically in the special education department, but she's co- um dual certified in English and special education. So, we invite her to our meetings too because she's uh part of us as well. Um we also have other support classes for any student with a demonstrated need in areas of literacy. In the junior high, it's called language arts. in the high school. It's called academic intervention services class. Um, and so that's students who've been demonstrated as needing some more support. It could be from September, it could be during the year. Um, and it's a small group with an English teacher focusing on their needs individually.

070We also have integrated co-taught English and that's every grade level 7 through 12. So within this English 7 through English 12, at least one section is going to be an integrated co-taught class with an English teacher and a special education teacher teaching it together. Um, and we also have electives. We currently have two public speaking and creative writing half-year courses, um, which we're so glad we still have and students enjoy getting to continue to explore English outside the typical English curriculum. Um this year our department has actually participated in some professional development. You may or may not know there is a new sort of new English regions. Um the next generation English regions exam will be given for the first time this June. Um and so at my request and um happily we appreciate that

071the administration approved a day a release day for us to take a look at that as a department. And so we did this in December and we examined the um what we had been given of new updates um and compared it to the exam from last year. We focused on making sure we not only understood and could see the changes um which honestly they're not that many a little bit of language changes, new rubrics, um but it's still the same tasks. Um and so then we turned our focus to making sure we're aligned our grade levels with each other but also our assessments. We have midterms. We have finals. Are they still aligned with what the regents would be asking kids to do the year next? Um, and then we just shared best practice and

072strategies with each other. We're very cohesive department. We're very communicative. We have an amazing group text that I started this year that has taken off pretty wildly. Um, but it's great because we're constantly in communication. Quick, maybe silly example, but yesterday one of my students really wanted a copy of a book. We're doing a free read in nine honors and someone took the last one. I put a text out to the group chat of the English teachers. I had one within a period. Found the girl. Hey, we got the book. She was like, wow, that was fast. Yeah, we're fast. Um, so there's really this communication between us about are we doing the best things for our students and how can we support each other? Um, a month later, some English teachers went in January

073to an Eastern SuffK Boseies conference again about examining this new uh, regent exam that'll be here in June. So, and now for the fun stuff. Um, I asked my fellow English teachers, just give me some highlights, recent highlights of of cool things you've been doing in class, so I can give the board and anyone at the meeting a sense of what's going on in English classes. Um, and I discovered kind of three trends. Research, self-expression, and community. Classroom community and larger community. So, I'll just give you a couple of highlights. Um, for example, research. Our nine honor students have just finished a unit about argumentation and debate. So, they're learning the building blocks of argument. everything from what they've learned in junior high building on more rhetorical terms getting them ready for AP seminar, AP

074language, AP literature. Um they engage in lively but respectful debates. Um it was heated but enjoyable. Um and then their goal is to write passionate, mature arguments. Um and they're doing a wonderful job. It's a really strong group. Um our English 10 students also doing research. What's interesting about this is while they're doing your typical research, students are in the library, they're online, they're getting verified sources, making sure that it's reliable information, their teacher encouraged them, pick an issue that will directly affect your life as a teenager. So, that was a really, I thought, relevant twist on that. Um, this year, um, research always is a big part of AP seminar because that's what they do all year. So, this is a picture of student presentations. Some of you have gotten to see these over

075the years. um these students work in a group. Um there are many groups within the class and they pick an issue as a group and they're doing group research but also individual research. So if we're in a group and our group has decided we're going to study um ompic weight loss drugs, you might be looking at from an economic lens, but I'm researching it from a health lens and someone else is researching it from an ethical lens. So we all individually research but then we have to come together, collaborate, make a presentation and talk about solutions to any issues we found. It's very advanced work and I teach the 11th graders who come out of this class and it really does make a big difference in their understanding of research and argument and writing with

076voice. Self-expression is another theme I noticed. Um this is kind of an interesting thing. Both our seventh graders and our ENL ninth and tth graders have been working recently on personal writing and memoir. And while they've both been reading memoirs on their own level to get mentor texts or just focus on comprehension, when they're writing their stories, they're learning the writing process. So, it's about expressing your own life, but also learning what makes a good piece of writing. particularly I thought wonderful was how our ENL students um were writing about stories of their own experience adapting to life in a new country and then their teachers had them read them out loud to each other. So this is about literacy. This is about confidence building reading out loud in English and community as you hear

077your fellow classmates and their experiences. So really exciting. Um 12th grade is really a lot about self-expression. Identity is the theme of the year. Um and so recently they were um looking at different people's stories, how different people express themselves. They read this is a new book for our curriculum um the happiest man on earth, the beautiful life of an Awitz survivor. And then they each researched and wrote about all different individuals in history who've struggled but been resilient. And a lot of this is preparing them for their senior speeches. It's a Matuck tradition started long ago by Tom Brennan where seniors give a speech 20 to 30 minutes long about themselves, their journey um and where they are as they're leaving Matuck. It's really special tradition that teachers have continued in the 12th grade

078classes. So that's self-expression. And then lastly, creating community. This looks very different in different English classes, but since our course is about communication, it's natural that we do have community built within our little families of each class, period. Um, in English 9, they're doing something you might not realize. It's actually community building. It's called peer review. Kids write essays and then they share them with each other and have to give each other feedback. I was speaking to their teacher about this and she was saying one of the things she notices is it's great to see that they have to be thoughtful in their language. So if Mr. Petray and I are reading each other's essays, I have to give him feedback to help him do better, but I have to think about how do I

079say this in a way that doesn't make my friend mad at me, but also accepting of my advice. And it's a mature process. Um, so it helps writing, but it really creates connections as well. Um, our AP literature students, while they're getting ready for the AP, they're analyzing poetry, they're doing something Mrs. Wilsberg's brought in this year, March Madness poetry edition. You start with 32 poems, but there can be only one winner. Um, and so they're looking at the merits of a poem, analyzing a poem, and having a really good time battling it out pretty much. Um, community can look different in all different AP classes. This is AP language and composition, and they are doing something called synthesis. They get an issue and there's a bunch of different sources that have opinions on it.

080So, what I did with them is we had a synthesis dinner party. They each got only one source the night before and that source had its opinion. The issue was, should cursive handwriting still be taught in elementary schools or do we only type? I know, scandalous. Um, but they got so into this. They came in, I gave them a name tag. You could not be yourself. You had to be your source that day. Of course, we had snacks. Um, they love the tablecloths. Don't worry, those are fake candles. Um, and they sat at the dinner table and had a conversation, but they had to speak as their source. Who agreed with them? Who sat on the same table, uh, the same side of the table as them? And then I asked them, if you had

081to plan a party with these same people, where would you sit everybody? And so the really the focus was on the issue, but more about expressing your point of view and listening and responding to others and their point of view. That's really a lot of the focus of synthesis work within AP language. Um, and then lastly, a wonderful example of literacy and community is a project that our eighth graders are starting now and have done in years past. Um, and they read a book called Pay It Forward. A big focus of the book is service. Um, and then they research and write about local people who have given time, energy to community service. This is the newspaper made last year. Um, and this is just page one of the different reports that the students did

082about local community service heroes. And then the final piece is these kids, these eighth graders plan and carry out a service project. So these are some of the images from last year. So those are just recent highlights of ways that we know that sometimes English can seem old and classic. Um but we really do focus on educating the whole student, tapping into their passions and helping them see literacy is a big part of their life and it's not going to go anywhere. Um and then lastly, just a thank you. These are what we kind of consider the literary extracurriculars and we're very grateful that they continue to exist. Our newspapers, our literary magazine and our different theatrical productions and we see that as another way that literacy continues to be a part of MHS even

083outside the classroom. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any questions for Mr. Larry? >> I just want to tell you the Adams family was awesome. Really, really. >> Thank you. It was a very very special year. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Oh, thanks. >> Okay. Board of Education Committee reports. Cares. Miss Warren. >> You got a budget presentation. >> Oh, wait. I was going to let Charlie go home. >> It's all good. >> Well, I saw I saw Charlie's name, but I just figured whatever. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Sorry. Budget presentation. Oh, it's right here. I'm not in a hurry, am I? Thank you, Charlie. >> Down at the bottom. >> Let them go home. >> I just wanted to get you to walk. >> Perfect. Thank you. Oh, okay.

084Great. Well, thank you. Thank you everybody and hope I can keep up because all the presentations tonight have been excellent. Great job. Um, tonight what we're going to be doing is we're going to be covering a number of different areas that we have. In the past, we've had three different presentations that hit on all of the areas, all the topics on the budget, which have been condensed into two. We're going to be taking you through the tax levy cap again because that's important to understand. We're going to teach you about budget codes just to review. And then the areas that you see in front of you, the elementary, the junior, senior high, curriculum, innovation, technology, pupil personnel, which includes our special education department and health, physical education, and athletics and we'll click with this one.

085The uh again, everything always goes through our mission statement. The other part that I would like to tell you, I will be cruising through some of these 3,000 slides. All right, that you'll have um all of the budget presentations are also on the school district's website under the the business department. First area that we talk about, this is what the proposition on the ballot is. There is one proposition uh it is an increase in the tax levy of 2.63%. Uh the proposed budget increase budget to budget is 3.19. Tax levy cap. This is the area that you look at and the way it goes. It's this nice formula where you have many different variables included in it. It takes last year's budget, multiplies it by a growth factor that we're given. You end up adding

086the pilots, taking out your capital exclusions. You multiply it by that 2% you always get to hear about whenever they always talk about a 2% tax cap. Then you subtract what your pilot expectations are. You carry it forward to the bottom column and then you add what your tax levy is. And then if there were any increases in your ERS or TRS, those are your retirement services that you pay into. If the increases by more than 2%, you're allowed to use that as one of the areas that you could put on. Uh thankfully, neither one of those have increased by over 2%. And that gives you the tax levy limit. Budget codes. What you vote on uh what the taxpayers vote on is called the A fund. There are different funds that you have. C

087is for cafeteria. F is for your uh your grants. H is for any of your construction um capital projects. And V is for any of your debt service funds. We do not have a V fund thankfully. Uh any debt that we incur is included in our regular budget. Cafeteria fund again flows well. And then our grants go from year to year. You'll see here. And just to take you through, you'll see the different codes. The last digits of the codes you're going to see, it'll either come up 10, 20, or 90. Anytime you see a 10, that's Kutchog East. Anytime you see a 20, that is the high school. Anytime you see a 90, it's districtwide. You'll also see other budget codes that will have numbers in the 40s and 50s. Those are specific to

088departments. The middle numbers that you see, that 200 or 400s that you see there, the way that works is 100 is anything that has to do with payroll. 200 is equipment, and your 400s are your supplies and contract services. You can change, you can actually do what's called budget transfers, which you had one of them tonight, and moving money in your 400 codes. You cannot move anything out of your equipment codes which are the 200s into the 400s or the 400s into the 200s. So now to take you through this is the Kutchog East and the junior high. These are the different areas that we looked at that still this budget maintains over in Kutchog East which is the class size the alignment that we have the also continuing providing the support for MT providing

089support for MTSS also your social emotional wellness we're sustaining the extended learning in this budget and we're also doing the contric curriculum development and continuing our coaching in both ELA and math. Um, we end up maintaining all of our special education supports as well as our clubs and the Tucker core values which is the student recognition and the student led cares committee. We also are maintaining in the areas we're keeping our special areas that are Spanish which you have heard of the reduction that there was steam and health education. Here are the different codes that you will see associated with it. Just to give you a little bit of an idea, there is a decrease. The major decrease is in equipment. We've had a program where we end up changing classroom desks. This year we

090are chang. So that's for the decrease. the materials. Really what there is is just a shift in what the materials are going to be purchased on. The next area that we focus on is our junior senior high school. So you could see that we're maintaining the optimal class sizes and we also have robust AP course offerings. What you may have seen is just recently the Matuck Kutchog school district was awarded the AP honoral gold distinction. That's by the college board. I believe um that less than 15% of schools receive either platinum or gold distinction. There's also a silver and a bronze distinction. So again, congratulations on the great job. And as you can see from all the presentations, there's definitely many many reasons why we ended up achieving that distinction. We're looking at the alignment

091that we have the continued alignment. Also, we're implementing now MTSS is moving up to the seventh and eighth grade levels. We're also keeping our Boseies program and our in-house carpentry program which has been growing. We are looking at curriculum development that what we continue to do and you'll see that in the curriculum slides because there's a little bit of a shift in the areas that we're focusing on. We're also maintaining our our coursework, principles of engineering, continuing the educ program that we have that aligns with the data informed decision- making, universal screening, progress monitoring, and intervention. And then we're also continuing the NJOTC program, which is a great program that currently is involved with over 60 students. You'll see that in your budget on these areas. Many of them are very similar when we talk

092about the codes. Uh and this is mainly our equipment codes. You'll see a little bit of an increase in art and music and that's because of the cost of equipment in those areas. Same thing as it goes on in the next slide. The one that I'll p focus on is this bottom one here which the increase in NJOTC. This this ties us along with what our expectations are for that. Um, this is a this is a dollar amount that is split between the three school districts of Greenport, South Hold, and ourselves. And it comes up with a per pupil cost in which you have to pay for all of the various resources that are in included in that program. The next area, as you could see, many of it stays very similar and flat. Again,

093music, there's an increase in our supplies over here. This is the great slide where you get to see a million zeros because it maintains exactly what we are doing and we're able to continue without any decreases. Looking across here, very small increases and decreases. You'll see this the OED program. This is not because of an increase in the number of students but it's an increase of the cost of occupational ed through the Boseis program. The next area is the curriculum development, curriculum innovation development. Uh thank you to Alana. She ended up putting uh the the areas where the focus how it goes onto the five different areas with professional learning strengthening MTSS data informed decision making the supports and then the curriculum alignment and development. That's what a theme you'll see throughout in these areas.

094You will see you see a lot of the different reds and then you will also see up top in the green what this is there's curriculum development and the dollar amounts in which it comes out of is specific to these codes. So overall if what you are seeing is there is a shift in where the curriculum development is and what our focus is on and the reason why you'll see decrease in increases is because it has to be specific to the code in that area. next area. And also just so that you know the um the directors and principles of course are here. So specific questions if you like um I'm rolling through but if you have specific questions we can always come back to it with the technology department. Thanks to uh with Kelly

095we have the different areas that we look at here in which what we are doing. You heard a little bit about there's the budget transfer that you see tonight because that is the update that we're doing. um in some of our Chromebooks. Chromebooks are going up in cost uh significantly as soon as next month. Uh it's not an April Fool's joke, but April one there is an increase and then over the summertime there's a scheduled additional increase. Um as you look here with the different programs that we have, there's a major decrease in essential data processing equipment because of the programs that we've had to replace equipment. One of the areas that we're looking at that we're trying to do in this year's budget is an update on our bell system, which is also our

096PA system, which is also tied into our clock system. So, we're looking at creating uh putting them all together, but that would be in this year's monies, not next year. So, you see the decrease that you have in next year's. Also the other part that the technology department is very much tied into is the significant amount of software and then also different um books and technology that is used through our library and AV programs. So you will see increases and decreases in these areas to bring you back. It is a zerobased budget. So everything and the reason why you'll see that is because everything has to be justified whenever they give their presentations where uh you'll see many of the different parts that you'll see in our um junior senior high school and our elementary

097program. A special thanks to Patrick and Amy because many of those are consistent from year to year but the focus might be on a different area but it could still come from the same budget code. As you can see here again some of the software we have decreases uh increases and decreases goes from buildings to districtwide. The next area for mayor uh we like to thank Meredith uh and pupil personnel special education. They did the same type of following with the breakout in the five different areas. This is I mean basically it's a school within a school one of the different areas that you see on the services related services supports out of district programs and then our student support personnel that we have in house. When you go through this, you will see an

098increase. Many of the increases or decreases are based upon the students needs that we have both in district and out of out of district students that we place. Uh so you will see areas well might go up significantly or might decrease significantly but that's based upon the specific needs as we we review them. Um and that's what Meredith really brings to the table with us. So as you see many of the different supports whenever you're doing something in-house that remains the same but everything else changes based upon programs was an in-house program out of district program or a boseis program. The next area go over our last area to look at is our health physical education athletics department. uh with the instruction we're able to maintain the adaptive PE program stay in compliance complete comp

099compliance from grades K through 12 and also our supports that we give in health education at the K through 12 level our sports offerings as you see them right there there is a minimal increase that you're going to see and that comes from the different programs that we are involved in with section 11 and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association we also have maintained our combined sports with the school districts of South Hold and in some cases with Greenport. Uh as you can see, we did have a significant decrease in uh the equipment because of what the needs were. We had netting that was a major expense that we had in this year's budget and also scoreboard which we do not have there. And then other areas that you'll see this increase

100is 16,000. That's because of different fees that you have from section 11 and the officials fees that have gone up a decent amount. So from 191 to 207 and that takes you through and thank you for the beautiful picture there Mr. Perk and and also the pictures throughout the program from all our directors and principles. Uh our budget uh vote is on May 19th from the hours of 3 to 9:00 p.m. It's held in our gymnasium at the junior senior high school. And if you have any interest in uh wanting to become a board member, there are three seats that are available for the people uh to come in. And um you could speak to Lisa Bieber, our district clerk, to go over any of this information. Sorry about the speed that that went through,

101but again with all the other presentations, I thought if I didn't allow you guys to s stand up and stretch, I should get through this pretty quick. But if you have any questions, >> hey Jolie, the uh increase in tariffs are being placed on some of the countries, is that having a a large effect on us? Well, you'll you'll there are different items that are in the budget that it definitely will have an effect. You know, as you see, you know, you don't just go to the pump, the gas pump, we end up with oil prices, but you don't know if that's cyclical or where that's going to be. But you will see in certain areas when it related to tariffs, uh the one is the Chromebook situation. Um the Chromebook situation is one where

102it's going to hit where you're looking at a cost increase of anywhere from 13 to 20% an increase in some of those areas and even higher. So in the technology areas you'll see a significant amount. Uh as it relates to equipment and supplies that you have throughout in some of your departments that you'll have um you will you will see that increase. So it's a little bit more than usual but other areas such as technology is significantly greater. Equipment you will any type of equipment you will see there will be a greater increase than the your supplies but there's still an increase in both areas. >> And then do we have a lot of kids participating in the extended learning day currently? Uh we do I yeah I believe there was over 80 last um

103last year and I think we look at the numbers this year but >> is that a correct number 88? >> Yeah >> Charlie the uh the stock market recently has been quite high which which is good for >> not mine >> for for our retirement accounts and stuff. Uh right now it has fallen quite a bit. Uh that's going to be give you a challenge to keep a handle on. >> Well, yeah. I I I do that in my other job being at home. But um just so you know, like the retirement system accounts, that's based upon usually a five-year average of what the stock market is. So sometimes what you will see there there has been a decrease but you know your S&P is over 6,500. It was almost 7,000. If you look at

104the S&P just a number of years ago it was in the 400 range. You won't see you will see that when it comes forward as one of the areas that you look at there and the next presentation you're going to see the amounts we pay to ERS and TRS. um their gains they are significant inc percentages that we pay but increase from year to year is not TRS is actually down in the percentage that school districts have to pay uh the percentage the amounts are based upon salary so if your salary goes up of course that increases but those percentages are down and they they haven't risen more than 2%. >> Thank you. Anybody else? >> Thank you, Charlie. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay, now we're on the board of ed committee reports, which

105I jumped the gun before, but uh Lorraine, the cares committee. >> All right, CARES Committee met uh last week, this week. Last week, um we had an update from Mrs. Brennan on Kog East. They are reviewing did a review of the student care committee meeting including recruitment continuing and focus on belonging and inclusion. They celebrated the 100th day of school. There was a suggestion to put positive quotes in all the hallways. They were looking for ways to honor Kelly Pickering and information gathered from teachers serving on the committee is shared with the building teachers helping to communicate and reinforce the purpose. Mr. Burke updated us on the high school. The committee met and reviewed their goals and actions. There was an increase student participation by clarifying the Tucker Cup, expanding club recruitment opportunities and strengthening

106student feedback systems. There was an increase in junior high student engagement by conducting lunch outreach initiatives and a sixth grade transition day. They're creating mentorship through student assemblies, advisory period connections, and peer mentoring opportunities. And the junior high kinship create a Tucker Nest uh the upper classman lunch visits and other supports. >> Okay. And policy, community relations, and legislative, Miss Warren. >> Okay. We met and the following policies were there were no changes. They were reviewed for to be readopted. That was policy 8111, reporting of hazards. Policy 8115, pesticides and pest management. Um, buildings and grounds maintenance and inspection. Policy 8220. Policy 8330, authorized use of school owned materials and equipment. Policy 8332, the use of district owned cell phones. policy 8334, the use of credit cards was updated. There were no changes in policy

1078336, use of surveillance cameras. And there were also no changes in policy 8421, the idling of school district buses and private vehicles on school district grounds. We decided to table policy 5425 on automated external defibrillators. And then we are adopting for a first read a new policy 8130 on school safety plans. I think that was all of them. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I have negotiations and personnel and Mr. Petrey covered all of my information in his report. So we're on to donations. Um I need a motion to accept a donation. >> Motion. >> So moved. >> I need a second. >> Second. And I just want to read it. It's to accept a donation from the Matatechuck High School Academic Booster Club in the amount of $330.87 to support the eighth grade trip to

108Washington DC for the 2025 26 school year. Any discussion? >> Thank you. That's right. Okay. I need a motion for resignations, terminations, leave of absence, and reductions. >> Make a motion. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion. >> All All in favor? >> Okay. Turn the page. >> Okay. I need a motion for what? >> Okay. Maybe that's Thank you. Um, I need a motion for to approve personnel items C one through C39. >> Make a motion. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Nope. >> All in favor? >> Nope. >> Okay. And then I need a motion. Hang in there. I need a motion to approve resolution items A through M. >> Make a motion. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in

109favor? >> Nope. >> Okay. Lots of pages. And now we're up to audience communication. Anyone have anything they want to bring to the podium? Come up. Give us your name. >> Hi, Jen. Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. Uh, Jen Anderson. I have two students or two children, one at the high school and one at Kutchuk East. Um, first I'd like to say thank you um for to the board members and administrators for all your time and support for our children's education. Um, so I'm here because I just wanted to discuss a couple things. Um I was really disappointed in hearing about the cut of the Spanish language program at Kutchug East students. Um since it's the flesh program started at Kutchug East um now we're seeing just the results the great results at the

110high school at the secondary level where students are advancing in their Spanish language skills. Um we're seeing them progress and now where we finally have Spanish five and college level Spanish um at the high school classes. So, um, I asked the administrators and board of ed if we can find any way to keep the flesh program at twice a week at Katrug East. Research shows that in order for students to acquire the language, they need to have at least 90 minutes of language a week, twice on consistency. I understand that other subjects have to be offered, but if we could find a way to continue offering the twice a week program, it will greatly benefit the students opportunities and also literacy skills for both English and Spanish. Um, the second thing I wanted to talk

111about is um with teachers resigning, that's a concern for our district to be able to hire and keep qualified teachers. um how can we I asked this question how can we stay competitive with other districts in our staffing so that our students could get the best education and then the last thing I wanted to speak is um moving forward um if there's been any updates on the district in with the talks about consolidation if there's been any updates on that and if not what would be plan B uh for the district moving forward a lot >> I can speak to the the consolidation piece at at this point in time. Um we're not able to move in a forward direction. There is no interest um expressed from any other districts to even look at a

112uh a potential study of some kind which would be the first step. Um we are having conversations internally about um how we could potentially increase student enrollment um in the district, but those are really the very beginning stages. um of of trying to get creative, but it's it's on the radar. It's alive and present in a lot of our decision making. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> Jeff Connelly from Matuck. Um just want to say I'm disappointed in the board and administration. Um, the bottom line is that you're cutting enrichment programs for Kutch East students. And I'd really hope that you guys reconsider and find a way to keep the flesh program two days a week. Like Miss Anderson said, students really need 90 plus minutes to acquire the language. Um, so hopefully you guys can

113figure it out. >> Thank you, Jeff. >> Okay, is that it? Okay. >> Okay. I need a motion to adjurnn. >> Make a motion. >> I need a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? Let's go home.