Middletown City School Board Meeting 03-05-2026

001Good evening and welcome to our community members, staff, and board colleagues. Thank you for joining us for the March 5th, 2026 regular board meeting. We appreciate your time and engagement. At this time, we now call the meeting to order. meeting is subject to change at the time of the meeting. Any change will be noted at the time they are made and again after the meeting on the public board minutes which are available on the district's website. We would like to remind everyone that translation and interpretation services are available during this meeting. If you need assistance, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate you. Tonight's pledge of allegiance will be led by Mr. Moore. United States of America. >> Mr. Parino, do you have any moments of silence? >> Thank you, President

002Romero. The first moment of silence this evening is for Pat Carroll. Uh, Mrs. Carol taught elementary school for over 20 years in Middletown. She worked in some of our quote neighborhood schools, Liberty Street, Albert Street, Truman Moon when we had neighborhood schools. Very dedicated to fundamental skills. I served with Pat on a number of skills committee as they were called then and she was a strong advocate of mathematics and reading. Uh Pat was al also very active in the community volunteering on a number of occasions to help students on her own time. Uh so please remember Pat in your thoughts and prayers. Uh the second moment of silence this evening. Please remember all our service personnel in the conflict in the Middle East, >> especially those who the six who have lost their lives. Very

003difficult situation. I'm certain that some of our uh former students are involved in that conflict. And the final moment of silence this evening and it's for an icon in the civil rights movement, Jesse Jackson. Uh Jesse Jackson, I had the privilege of meeting him with William Carter at one time. Uh Bill was a neighbor, colleague, and friend. And Jesse used to go, Mr. Jackson used to go to Albany. and he said he said to me uh John would you like to come with me? Yes, I said and believe me uh uh Mr. Jackson just exuded uh confidence, exuded power. It was a wonderful experience. So please remember all these people in in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you. Thank you. The mission of the enlarged city school district will be led by Mr. Estrada. Thank

004you. We strive to provide fiscally sound educational opportunities in a safe environment that continuously supports our diverse student population. We will enable all students to graduate, to reach their full potential, to become lifelong learners, and to be competitive productive members of society. Thank you, Mr. Estrada. Um, roll call. Miss Montre, >> Dr. De Jesus, >> Mr. Estrada, >> here. >> Mr. Moore, >> here. >> Mr. Parino, >> here. >> Mr. Rhett, >> Miss Romero, >> here. >> Mr. Basin >> here. >> Mr. Freddy Williams here. >> Pastor Williams, >> here. >> Thank you. >> May I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented? >> Second. >> Thank you. Um, all in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Um, our spotlight on excellence is going to be on Black History Month poem and it's

005going to be led by our acting superintendent. >> Good evening. So last Friday I had the opportunity to visit uh Twin Towers Middle School, Mount Hagen Middle School, and here at Milittown High School. And we were able to um see several of the Black History Month celebrations. And I just wanted to celebrate two of the performances that I saw last week. Um the first is going to be a poem from two scholars at Twin Towers Middle School. So we have uh Jada Grant and uh Jade Richard. So, they're going to come um forward and they're going to share a poem that they wrote and performed for their their friends and staff at Twin Towers last Friday. >> Yay. >> Hi everyone. >> Hi. Welcome. >> Oh, it's on. Okay. This poem is called Redefining the

006ABCs. When I was younger, I used to recite my ABCs. Now that I'm older, the ABCs have changed for me. Each letter has a meaning that makes up my identity. They're not just letters, but they're pieces of me. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now recite our version of the ABCs. A. for ancestors. The blood they shed, the people they led out of the chains of torment and misery, the apology of which they have yet to receive, but still >> B lead that one day they will finally be free. The nation observed but refused to see the history of what we achieved. They deny the reason why this nation thrives. They tried to disguise us as inhumane. Three-fifths of a person because of a compromise. Now, let me tell you where the truth lies. Good e

007enough to be exploited. Take our culture for their entertainment. They say for liberty and justice for all, but we could never maintain it. F for fight, blood, sweat, and tears. They try to make it disappear. Year by year, 28 days we celebrate the history we make. >> Gunshots thrown because of the color of our skin. All because it's pigmented. H >> for history. They try to rewrite, but the truth does not dim, it ignites. >> I for impact. J for justice. >> K for knowledge. Education is elevation. L for legacy written into destiny. M for melanin. Not a weapon, not a flaw, but a masterpiece brushed by God. >> They try to end us, but we endure the pain. Stay open through the storms, through the loss, and the rain. The people found power, our

008purpose unchanged. On Q, we rise up. No silence remains. From the start, we know who we are in this game. Through pro >> we turn every stress into flame. for liberty, equality, unity we claim and you hear the reason. You hear the truth every time we explain >> in a society with so much variety can only see the bad in me because of the black in me. Something that makes me extraordinary. Why >> must it divide us depending on the color we see? >> They treated us like zero, less than a name. Now we add up the power and rewrite the game. >> Wait, >> we skipped a letter W. >> Cuz they tried to split W in two. They tried to to divide the U from the U. >> But we are not fractions

009anymore. >> That was beautiful. I have a question for you ladies. Uh, you ladies, y'all created that yourselves? >> Yeah. >> How long did it take you? >> A while. Great job. Great job. >> Got to get that public. >> That was beautiful. Great job. >> All right. Thank you, ladies. >> Beautiful. >> And then next, we're going to welcome the Enchanted Steppers. So, this was a team that was formed three years ago. You've seen them >> at a lot of a lot of events. They've performed um at a Junth event. They're at football games. They're at anyone who asks, they show up. So, they've been at the schools. Um, one program that we're hoping to grow because they went to Mhagen last week and there's demand for stepping at the middle school. Um, so

010I'm gonna welcome Serma Thomas who's the adviser and they're going to give an introduction and they're going to show us uh their routine. >> Thank you for having us tonight. Um, we are going to start with a brief introduction by Madison. She is the captain of the step team here at Middletown High School. >> Before we move, you should know why we move. Step didn't just start on stage. It started in unity and tradition and rhythm passed long before any of us were here. Rooted an African movement and calling response. Stepping grew through black fraternities and sororities where rhythm became language and movement became a bond. When voices weren't always heard, bodies were spoke. When doors were closed, when created when we created our sound haven to show my mercy. Let's go. Yeah. >> Release.

011>> Yeah. I have Denise, >> great job. That was beautiful. >> Next question. >> Yeah, of course. >> Miss Thomas, how you doing there? I had a couple questions I always wanted to ask you. I watch you guys been doing this for um the last two three years. First of all, how did you come up with the name Enchantment or how did y'all >> um so honestly I just made up the name because everything about these girls and this team is magical and we hope to put you under a good spell, not any bad spells, you know. So, I just thought Enchanted because everything about them is just like magical, fairy tale, amazing. And when they started off, they were just so like elegant and soft and just like little fairies. So, I was like,

012Enchanted. Makes sense. >> Great name. Great name. Wow. You know, I want I also ask um um some of your members are missing, right? How many members do you have? Um, >> we have 14 current members and we just added four more members to the team that just started this week >> and we hope to expand to the middle schools. >> Wow, that's great. And um, who's your senior member? Who's the most senior? >> They're they're all freshman and so yeah, the seniors are not here tonight. >> Wow, that's worth clapping. >> Question. That's excellent. I I saw the group perform at the uh uh brothers keepers and sisters keeper program and was excellent which you helped arrange and Mr. Jesus is Dr. days is your daughter and it just amazed me the routine. How

013long does it take? How do you long does it take to get that routine down? How what other practice is like? You must practice a long time for that. >> Yes. So they practice um they practice twice a week. But honestly the routines it just kind of happens. Like sometimes I'm just sitting there and I'm like, "Oh yeah, we should do this." And then sometimes they come with their own stuff. Like as they've gotten more used to it, they start to create their own um steps and bring it to the table and they work off of each other and bounce back and forth. And it's been an awesome journey to see them grow, especially when I have them from freshman year all the way to their senior year in college and beyond. And they're still

014stepping. Some of my girls, they go to college and they step. They run their teams there. Um, and I just allowed them to have their own creative process. So they >> Well, it's excellent growing. >> Yeah. But how long does it They learn pretty fast now. So by this time of year, they're like learning things like after two practices, they know a whole step or sometimes at the end of a practice, they know a whole step. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Good job. Yeah. >> Thank you for having us. >> Thank you for coming. That was great. May I have a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes of February 12, 2026 as presented? >> So move. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. There has been an additional

015um action item added that has been added um prior to the beginning of our meeting today. There are no administrative personnel action items. May I have a motion to approve instructional personnel memorandum 16 numbers 1 through 7 as presented? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any discussion? discussion first. >> Um, so I've got the second. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? And motion passes. Thank you. May I have a motion to approve non-instructional personnel memorandum number 16 C numbers 1 through nine as presented. >> So move. >> Can I have a second? Second. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. May I have a motion to approve financial memorandum 17D numbers 1 through 12 as presented? >> So move. >> May I

016have a second? I had Parino and Mr. Tobias. Any discussion? >> Yes. Just a quick question. Yes. on one of the items, excuse me, on the financial memorandum, it referred to the security audit requested by uh the athletic director, would it be possible, we have um we have a safety and security committee, right? Would it be possible for the board member from that committee, you know, when they it was presented that they're going to give a report back to the head of security, would um would it be possible for the chair or whomever of that committee to be present for that as well? >> Yes, we can arrange that. >> Okay. >> And just to elaborate on that, they're also going to be working with our security staff and then help with supervision of athletic

017events. That's what they're going to be doing. and train around that and then part of that involves the audit as well. >> Yeah, I think it's a really good initiative um to have. >> We have a uh Ed, we have a report on that tonight on the meeting of the safety and security committee. Thank you. >> May I have a motion to approve? All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. May I have a motion to approve special service memorandums 15e numbers one through two as presented? >> So move. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. May I have a motion to approve change orders number um 12F numbers 1 through two as presented? >> So move on that. Second. >> Any discussion? >> Are those credits? >> We

018like the credits. So, >> and and um what's the amount of the credit? >> The credit is for $4,927. >> Thank you. >> I saw it, but I thought I'd ask publicly so that they would so that everyone would be able to everyone would know the amount. Thank you. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. May I have a motion for the approval of the 2026 27 school year instructional calendar as presented? >> So move. >> Any discussion? >> No question. >> Mr. Parino, >> and I guess this is directed to >> acting superintendent. Uh, is this a a county calendar, Camille? >> Uh, for the most part there's we have um as far every district is doing their own um count calendar. So we we worked with Boseies superintendent at Bosey's

019got um there's a calendar committee >> and there's a primary calendar but some districts are doing >> um for example some are doing one conference day in the beginning of the year some are doing two but it's pretty consistent across the districts. I I guess the reason I'm asking this is because for the past couple of years uh for the uh uh Christmas winter recess we've had uh uh two weeks off and I see this year it's uh 24th and 25th. Is there >> Yes. Uh so so the districts are going with the uh most of the district we're going with the shortened so it's going to be about a week and a half which we've done a couple years back we had the week and a half but we have the full week again

020in February. >> Okay. >> So that's the that was a tradeoff. >> All right. I think I think that um that two-eek period falls uh traditionally has formed maybe every other year or there's a there's a couple of gap years where then we have the week we have a week during that time and if I'm not mistaken we have there's there's a period of time that we you know there's a gap and then we have the way the calendar falls we have a two weeks so it depends on the date and the way the calendar falls within the days if I'm not mistaken. >> Yes that that was true as well. So, so for example, this school year if we would have um come back to we would have not done two weeks, we would

021have come back to school for one day and then gone back. Um but there were districts this year that took off the first two days. I think it might have been the 21st or the 22nd instead of the two weeks. So we, you know, there was still some variation. Um but this year many of the opponent districts for on doing the same same break with the full week. Labor Day is Labor Day pastor is really late and I think Raja Shana this year I don't think that's a holiday because it comes at the end of that very first week in September. >> That's that was going to be my question because typically we have Byam Kapoor and Rashashan and I didn't see Rashashan. >> Yeah, it depends on where where it falls. So this year

022because of where it fell and then just um the point about the conference day. So this year's calendar will look different because typically we start after Labor Day. This year, Labor Day is um the starts the sec starts after the 1. So, it's going to be the two conference days um two days, two instructional days with with scholars and then Labor Day. So, it will look a little different um because of the late Labor Day. >> Thank you very much. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Be it resolved that the board of education hereby concludes the administrative leave of Superintendent Amy Credent and directs Miss Credent to return to her duties effective March 9. Can I have a motion? Also, I do know that um we may be calling for

023a roll call. So, can I please have a motion? >> So, move >> and a second. Parino Miss Enro. Um Miss Montree, can you please do a roll call? Dr. De Jesus, >> no. >> Mr. Estrada, >> yes. >> Mr. Moore, >> no. >> Mr. Parino, >> yes. >> Mr. Rhett, >> yes. >> Miss Romero, >> yes. >> Miss Tobias, >> yes. >> Mr. Freddy Williams, >> no. >> Pastor Williams, >> yes. Motion passes 63. >> Thank you. As the community is aware, Amy Cedon has been on leave since September of 2025. At this time, we'd like to announce that Miss Cedon will be returning to work effective Monday, March 19th. >> 9th, sorry, 9th. Uh March 9th. Miss Rose Tobias, do you have anything? So, now we're going to move forward. Uh, Miss Rose

024Tobias, do you have anything in regards to the audit committee? >> Yes, audit committee. >> Uh, I'll have to ask for an approval, but I just want to express my thanks to the committee. We had with snow dates and everything. We had to move it around a little, but we met on Monday evening. Um, we reviewed claims and everyone should have had a copy of the minutes from October 7th. I need a motion from this board to accept those minutes. >> Move by Mr. Estrada, seconded by Mr. Pino or Pastor Williams. Any discussion at all? Hearing none. All in favor? I >> it passes unanimously. And what I'm doing is quickly looking through. It's April 13th at 5 4:30 p.m. our next audit committee meeting. Thank you, Miss Tobias. Now, we're going to um ask

025for public participation for um our public to have the opportunity to address the board. The board will designate a portion of its meeting agenda for public comment for a period of up to 40 minutes. Each speaker will be allowed up to four minutes. The public is not permitted to discuss topics and or matters involving specific individuals. Speakers must sign in prior to speaking. Speakers are not permitted to seed their time to other speakers. A timer will sound when you have 30 seconds remaining to address the board. Alco district invol. Am I right? person. Thank you. Anyone who would like to come up and speak to the board. I just want to thank the board for the work they did during this period. But I do hope that you guys have a plan to protect the

026staff and that Mrs. Creden understands that we are very upset with her right now and I'm very upset with some of you right now. Thank you. Would anyone else like to come up? Um, have we received any letters to the board of education? >> No. >> Okay. So, now we're going to move along to our superintendent updates that include our budget presentation. You're bringing us good news for the budget, right? Good evening. So, we're just here tonight just to talk about the first part of the budget. So, we're going to go over the administrative, capital, and benefits component of the budget. So, our administrative is investing our leadership and supporting for supporting our student success. Capital is the expenses that surrounds our facilities. So, how we maintain our facilities, how we improve our facilities, and

027then benefits are how we support our staff and programs to maximize student outcomes. So with anything, we we always start with our mission statement. Our mission statement, we strive to provide fiscally sound educational opportunities in a safe environment that continuously supports a diverse student population. We enable all students to graduate to reach their lifelong potential to become lifelong learners and to be competitive, productive members of society. So just uh we want to highlight fiscally sound and then about being fiscally sound but also making sure that we providing a safe learning environment for our scholars. Here are the goals that were drafted by Mrs. Cedon early in the year. Uh similar to last year, just um keep it in line with the recent strategic plan. So the areas around academics, attendance, engagement, fiscal responsiveness, development, and

028responsiveness. The budget development doesn't occur with one person. So it takes a community of stakeholders. So, we rely on feedback from stakeholders throughout the year to make decisions around um the budget. For this year's budget, uh we're estimating 10% of the budget will be administrative expenses, 20% for benefits, 12% for capital, and the bulk uh will be 58% which is instructional. As we're building the budget, some of the considerations that we take into account, we look at CPI. So, we're assuming a CPI of 3%. Of approximately 3%. Uh the tax cap levy of 2%. That's by state ed requirements. The contributions to TRS at 5%. So, TRS, the teacher retirement system, that is the retirement system for our instructional staff. And then our employment retirement system, the ERS, that is for our non-structural staff, that

029is a 7% we estimate for that. Our health insurance premiums continue to climb. Um, so that is 7% that we're building in that assumption and that's also I'm working with AROSI who rely on for our healthcare plan uh for Bosei services. So those are services that we contract with Boseies 5% an average of 5% for contractual salaries. Those are the contracts that we carry over an estimated $7 million foundation aid 1% increase. Um so we are waiting for the final run from the state. So again this is just an estimate and then we have to account for un unfunded underfunded mandates that will um come up from the state. So earlier um pastor you mentioned portrait the graduate. So as we that's an example of as we start to hear more information about what that

030may entail um what that would impact our budget as well. >> Uh good evening everyone. So the just to let you know we everybody knows the the the news around um state ed and even our relationship with federal government and all the nuances of the budgeting process coming into this year. Well, the truth is it it didn't get better in in in in most parts. We saw some people's eyes went up when they saw the 1% because if you if you've been here a long time, you would know that for years, that number was 2% increase every year. And you may think it's not significant, but 1% on millions of dollars is very different from 2% of millions of dollars. So I just want to give you that's the first piece of bad news that's

031hitting us walking into our budget process. Um the other piece is just the opportunity that um you know there there different um there were hopes that we will get special funding for like ENL programs and these and and so forth with the with the um with the proposed um foundational aid and and and formula with different state aid formulas. Well, that did not happen. we the first run of the budget showed the same old formula and it didn't um there were nothing specific for like ENL students and so forth. So that created another issue another hurdle that we had to go over. Um one good news is that we didn't think we're going to get um e- rate um this year that we got. So we got rate and we got an increased amount in

032our in our rate. So that's another piece of good news that's offsetting it. I'm saying all this is because we went in with a very conservative approach. Conservative approach in that we know that we're not spending our personal money. We're spending public's money. And because it's public's money, we're making sure that every line we went through with a with a fine-tuned comb and we um we made sure that we we we examine where savings opportunities are and where we do not need to spend excessively. Now, one of the things that was is going to be very different about this year budget is the fact that we've used what is called the position controls. And the position controls, if you guys have noticed that year after year, we've we've we've done a lot of journal entries,

033sometimes pages of journal entries, right? Because we have to offset negative balances for people showing up in different department being paid from another department. When we use position controls for this budget, what it is is that everybody gets put into exactly where they're budget. They're getting paid exactly where they're budgeted. So that movement will show some variances as we go along and you will notice that. All right. So first let's start with administrative in administrative budget. Um right and this is really it involves salaries involve equipment contractual items but we see that um right there no major swings per per se on this page and just to let you know just a couple shifts in um in personnel and that's really what what what happened in for the administrative. Um but as we go along

034as we continue to the next page um we we'll see that um in personnel we had um personnel and um public information services we actually had some shift with our with our position controls. So there was one additional person added to personnel and then after that one person then we had some people moving around um just to make sure that we have it's offset for the public information services is that we found that um the budget that was set place last year was not enough to cover two additional people. So we actually corrected position controls actually corrected it for us to say right the so they get exactly what they're going to pay this year is actually budgeted. One of the things that we're making sure is that everybody who is employed is covered in

035the budget. And that is something that we made sure that is correct. And so in that case, that's why you see the public information services, that's where you see that 16.97% swing. I just want to point that out for everybody. >> Yeah. And those were the two additional positions that we put in last year. Um, so Marcus is in one of those. Um, right. So that so that's the position that we're referring to. So that's so just so you're aware of what we're position. So, we took care of Marcus in the budget. >> You're You're good. >> You're welcome. >> But, uh, just can you clarify again why it wasn't in in >> Oh, absolutely. >> It was just in a different line item or it just accounted for. >> So, it was in a

036different line item. >> Okay. Yes. >> And make sure it's there. and >> and you'll see that in some other parts is so so what what Norville and and Norville and Nikki um what they what they did was to go through and make sure that if position lines up and Rhonda sorry and Rhonda as well they went through the make sure that lines up if you're in you know department at the people that actually report under that role are in that line item so it just will eliminate some of the the uh budget transfers that you're seeing because we're moving line moving the money is there but removing money from one line item to another. So that's the the goal that that would reduce some of the budget transfers for for salary. >> Will we

037be getting paper handouts because of this because usually then we could go home after the meeting and if we had questions get back to you. >> Absolutely. We can we can we can get paper handouts for everybody. So um so one of the things that um especially with the position controls and I just want to say that it's a it was a collaboration between HR um technology and my department right so and and because what we had to do was to identify exactly that's one of the first things when I came on board like I just noticed that we had way too many transfers and and so it's one of the things um I I I went in investigating with the budget how can we better um look at people and put them in the

038right buckets just to make sure and with um with with Ronda leading the charge and and Nikki making sure that the technology works, we had a we had a really good we had a really good outcome to see exactly where every everybody's being paid from exactly where they're budgeted. So um so then then with so if you notice the big swing is um central um data processing. So you're talking about people you come in with ambitions, right? That's one of the ambition um ambition is I'm going to look to see where there opportunities for savings. So what we did is that um I I with with the help of of building and ground security technology we we started looking at very different accounts. This one specifically was with technology. And while with technology is that

039we noticed that after COVID, during COVID, we most school districts and I knew that from from this course I taught in LIU, most school district went arai and just start purchasing all these different um programs. So all these virtual programs, digital programs, schools are spending all these different things. They're just buying them up, giving students access from all different places. Do you know what happened to those programs a year later? Only three people use them, >> four people, five people, sometimes one, sometimes zero. But who but we're still paying for them. So we went in and we look, we did a entire audit to see how many people are using these. We identified the ones and we were able to actually do make that savings that you see right there, $655,000. So that is the

040shift that you're seeing between what was budgeted last year and what was budgeted this year. >> Right. Yeah. >> Um and and well, so these are just what you'll see here is the the regular increase in um in supervision both for regular school and special education. The last line that you're looking at is really you're going to see more talk about this when we do instruction because exactly because the research planning evaluation feeds our PD um our our assessments all these different things that we use to ascertain how scholars are performing. So that is something that we are committed to. Um Mr. Adma is committed to it. Um I know this is the a goal of a superintendent. Want to make sure that we have all this stuff in place so we'll have sufficient funds

041there to actually make sure that we can pay for all the work that we're going to do there. Okay. No, that's all right. Thanks. So in terms of um in terms of benefits, we know ERS and TRS is is always going to be going up year after year. I just want to make sure um so we have enough to do that. Um now the social security um especially this is totally in alignment with um the the proposal that municipal municipal solutions did when Jeff Smith came and one of the reasons for this is the fact that um you know there are certain programs that had reduced um people's social security um what they what they contribute a lot of those have now um gone and now people are end up people end up paying more

042and what does it impacts our contribution to that socreas So, so we find that we're setting a higher budget for social security just to make sure that we have we're covered in that section. So, I just want to make that clear. The rest were pretty much standard um within this line. And the same thing for um um our medical, dental, and um and insurance. And then the union welfare pretty much just inflation. So if you notice um benefits which represents 20% um it's only going up roughly overall 5.52%. So that's that's for the overall um growth from year to year in the budget. >> Yes. Okay. Thank you. Now if we if we go on to to capital. So um so this is the the capital process is it's it's a long phase right you're

043talking about we go into short-term bond short-term um debt and then we um and then eventually as the projects close we go into long-term debt right um and and and and so but it's it's a process and what happen is that year after year there's some fluctuations well we are very grateful that this year the fluctuation is in in our our favor in the fact that we are actually um some of the debt has debt service have been as falling off and for this year um we have a lower a lower budget a lower need a lower expense that we're going to incur um for short-term debt in this coming year. Now, that's celebration for this year, but that's not going to last very long. As the twin project progress there progresses, we're going to

044see that there going to be a lot more. So, but for at least for this year, we are celebrating the fact that we have some level of um of savings that's coming up with capital. All right. So, we talk about collaboration with other teams. So um so what we're one of the things that we're doing if you look at the two um two areas um maintenance and we look at um the Bose security with the swipes and so forth. So one of the strategies that we have employed um this year is that we have um we have we're looking at what expenses what projects we can start early whilst whilst we have some funds savings from other accounts and what we're doing is that we're purchasing and go and starting jump starting some of these

045projects earlier. What what that has done for us is that it has he has given us some relief for the budget for next year because now we have actually incorporated those expenses in this year um under this year expenses. So that's what we have done there. Um we actually have money set aside. We're using that to purchase all those. Um so that's why you see a savings of $1 million in that account that we're going to use to go forward. And that is the main driver why with capital year-over-year we'll see that um if you skip to the next one capital year-over-year we have pretty much um which represents 13% of the budget we have um uh an a a decline because um because we we're spending some of the money up front and we're

046leaving the budget for next year. Now um you know M Mrs. Mr. do is that um we have what this this process doesn't occur in isolation. It's not just one person sitting in a room and and putting numbers together. It's it's not um it's not even just the business office making this happen. Everything that we say and everything we echo is uh is is is a voice of many people working together drawing the ving opinions and feelings and emotions but at the same time logically looking at what where expenses are going what do we need to spend on that's why the budget process is a long process and even though we have November 3rd as our jump off point it really started as all the way in the summer the moment we started with our

047ST3 reports and our SAMs we are starting already started thinking about what are the expenses we're going to incur for for the next coming year. So, but we respect and we value the partnership of our community. It's Middletown. The voice of the parents are important. What do you value? All these different things. So, we made so many opportunities to make sure that we have pe we have the opportunity. They have the opportunity to give us their opinion, their voice, what they value. So, on November 3rd of the of last of 2025, we actually had our budget information session. Um, I know Mr. Parino had jumped on a few of them and had some really good questions. Thank you, Mr. Perino. It was very helpful. Um, but that wasn't just the only one. We we followed

048that up with a December 3rd um information session as well. And then in January, January 20 when we start getting some kind of some some gravitas around our budget, we're able to now kind of share more information, talk about the gra the the the the the influences that things are going to influence the budget for this year and so forth. But that doesn't end. And April 13, as we get our final run from the state, we're going to go back out with more budget recap and to make sure that the community knows that it's not just the school board, it's not just the the the people who work here, but the community knows exactly that we value we value their voices and we're going to make sure that we do everything to spend the public

049money in such a way that it will work for everybody without demeaning or reducing our our teaching um efficacy. Now, um on May 5th, we are going to go to the um city of Middletown. Um and and we've um we've sent we yeah, we've scheduled with them. Um it's scheduled. We just want we're just waiting for confirmation. So, but it should be there. And then um on May 6, we'll have um our May 11 then that's when we have our budget um review. The next slide talks about really why we're here. So, I know that everybody in this room or probably even those who are on and and the thing that you want to hear, you want to hear what's the tax rate, right? I know. I know that. But there's a process to get

050to get in there. There's a process to get what's the tax rate? What's our cap, right? On what we're working with. How much did the state allow us to um to tax to to increase taxes by? And how much are we actually doing it? Well, it's a process. And this is the first step of the process. What we want to tell you though is that we are truly committed to this community and to make sure that you're valued and you're protected. So whatever we can, you will right, you will see that we've put in our our hard work into it to make sure that we're representing your voice as well. So please, so this today is administrative capital and benefits. Probably not the most exciting piece, but instructional program is coming up next. And I

051know most people want to do that, right? most people want to log on to see what does what what is that going to look like? Um eventually um by by April 9th we're going to do the um the revenue discussion and now that where that's where it gets really spicy um because now we talk about to talk about where all the different funds are coming from right and we'll be able to see what can we really afford because here I am I'm presenting all the expenses that we're going to have can we afford them well April 19 by April 9 I'll be able to tell everybody exactly what we can afford and then um and then If I'm able to convince the community and convince you, then by April 21, we'll adopt a new budget.

052And that's that's that's what we're celebrating. We'll celebrate that moment, right? When we actually get to adopt a new budget and go off to an amazing school year and being able to create all the things that we dream of for our children. And then eventually, um, so May 19 is our is our, um, May 19th, sorry, May 19th is our our budget vote. And um if just to let everybody know if we keep it within that 2% so let's right if we keep within that 2% we only need 50% plus one right so maybe that one but yes 50% plus one and that's so that's that's the hope that's all we need to have the budget passed and then the final page that we're going to show is really just our we're inviting everybody back

053on March 19th to really hear about our instructional programs and remember this is just the first leg. Second leg is a little more exciting, but the third leg is coming up and that's where all the excitement begins. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> That was very persuasive. >> Question. >> Yes, Mr. Pere. >> Interestingly enough, uh in the uh on board, the latest edition >> Yes, sir. of on board. Uh the teachers retirement system released an estimate. >> Yes. >> And the employer contribution is they recommend figuring 8.24%. Now, which is good because it's down from 9.25 Yes. >> percent. Which can save any district a good deal of money. >> Yes, sir. So >> that's actually excellent. >> You've probably read that. So hopefully we'll take that into consideration. >> Absolutely. >>

054Second thing, and I'm all for going to the Middletown Council on on this. Uh perhaps we should offer uh and I remember one year we did this couple years we've we've done that to offer the town of Walkill >> as to attend one of their meetings. And uh >> I I totally agree with that. >> Present the present the budget if they want. >> Yeah, they have and there's a new town supervisor, so it might be good just to go out there and and just ask them if if it's okay if we stop by and >> it has been done in the past. >> Yeah. Yeah. We we'll we'll reach out to them next week to make sure and um Yes. Just to schedule because I think that's important. That's a whole other part of

055our community. So >> supervisor. >> Exactly. What better way to partner with our community and to be done away as a student. >> Thank you. >> There's other uh folks, nice job on that. Nice graphics presentation. >> Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Uh so let me let me um applaud you on on the um uh the piece. One of one of one of the biggest jobs for us as a board and one of the one of the biggest um assignments for us as board is is the budget. >> Yes. >> Um and and and that's and and and for us that's that's one of the paramount pieces of what we do. And so I think the majority of us that sit here at this table um have you know really strived to get a good

056working understanding on how the budget works. Um and uh you know we attend we attend different uh you know developments um trainings things of that nature in order to get a good understanding of how the budget works. I I want to um you know uh when it comes to the public, I think that it's really important um that you lean into each and every board member that's sitting here at this table as the as part of the um messaging. >> Yes. >> Um that goes out to goes out to the community. Um when it comes to the budget, um each and everyone that's sitting at this table has different parts of the community that they're that they are connected to. And so I think that's real important um going going forward. I also want to

057applaud you though for um for the um the virtual the virtual catch um to bring clarity and to bring kind of clarification to that um those programs that were in place during co were absolutely necessary to the time. >> Yes sir. >> But it's just like it's just like milk um expiration dates come. >> Yes. And if you don't if you don't um pour out my wife my wife is like that. If today is what? Today is what? The 5th. It's March 5th. If the if the milk if the milk says the expiration date is March 5th, you can guarantee by midnight garbage. >> No matter how long it's been in the refrigerator, that milk's getting poured out. >> Yeah. >> And and I'll go in looking for cereal and there's no milk. Uh because

058I didn't pick it up and they didn't call me to pick it up on the way home. >> Say that's your fault. >> And yeah, well that's my fault because but they didn't call me. But besides besides that, um I think that that's that's really important to understand that there's some things and and and even when it relates to the state with these unfunded mandates that there's many unfunded mandates that we're responsible for. >> Yes. >> That at the end of the day really the expiration date has come on many of those things and that's why we that's why we continue to advocate that you know um that's one of the things that that I I try to do so much is advocate for those things. I spent I spent I spent six days in

059DC in DC uh uh you know talking about talking about things surrounding title one IDA IDA those are programs that if we're not careful with the with that federal funding that is going to greatly impact us not maybe not this year >> I know >> but by next year I can guarantee you that this this might not look exactly the same. Yeah. >> So, u you know, I want to applaud you for um for finding those >> little areas of savings. >> Yes, sir. >> And changes because little things matter whether or not anybody understands it or not. It really does matter. So, congratulations on on on this aspect of it. And I'm looking forward to the um the instructional as well as the um the revenue. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you. >> Yes,

060I'm I'm excited too. Um and and that's one of the things um just to echo that sentiment is that um you know the the budget is is a larger bucket of small increments and you can never overlook any small increment because you'll miss the whole bucket, right? So you have to keep you have to have an eye for each small increment and make a decision on that. Eventually, those increments will add up and create a budget, right? >> A budget that represents your values, represents our community, and make sure that we're not wasting a penny of anybody's. >> Absolutely. >> So, thank you. >> Yes. >> Very sarcastic statement, but yeah. >> Yes. >> Um just a couple um questions. First of all, um congratulations on going through your first budget for the school district.

061>> Yes, sir. >> Um but I I want to commend you for what you said earlier about um you know, you saw that there was a culture of of transfers. >> Yes. >> And um recognizing that and and that culture comes from the top what you set as an expectation. Yes, sir. for your staff. Um especially during the budget time when um you know that's always been one of my pet peeves. There shouldn't be a lot of I mean we have enough historical background in um our finances. >> Yes sir. >> To be able to determine within within a certain parameter um without having to go through it. So, I I think after a while, um, you know, we let our guard down, less focus, and and we're like, let's just put the numbers here,

062and then we'll we'll eventually match it up one way or the other. So, I commend you for um changing the culture in the business office so that um, you know, and we understand, listen, it's going to happen. >> It's always a fluid situation. Things come up. Um, but at least you're making the effort and showing your staff that that's what the expectation is. >> Thank you. >> Um, you know, the other thing is we haven't really realized yet because we're still under construction at Twin, but we've increased the cap the square footage of that building by how much with this new project? >> Well, how much is it building? It's >> I don't recall that 40 50,000. So that's another 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of additional maintenance. Yes. Um so you know we need

063to make sure that we don't overburden our existing buildings and ground staff and um that has to be something that we have to make sure they do an outstanding job um with our buildings now. But now we've continue to grow and and you know with that obviously comes expectations um and we want to make sure that we're giving them the proper support from a maintenance perspective as well. >> And just to add to that, one of the things that Bill has done this year is that um Bill has been um doing um one-on-one tours with all the princip the leadership teams from the buildings. So so he'll meet with them, set up a date, and they'll just walk the property and they will now get to share their vision with Bill and his team. And

064as they share their vision, right, you Al comes up with something or or Paul comes up with something and in two weeks they're like helping to realize a goal that this building principal has. And I think that's to me that's that's just a amazing way for building and grounds to to work and partner with your team. And I just want to applaud Bill for that in this moment. >> Yeah. And don't ever be afraid to ask the board for the support. >> Yes. Thank you. >> I mean, the worst that can happen is we don't have it. So we can't do it but um I think in most cases from uh most of our trustees up here you know we want to give our employees the proper support they need to be successful >> thank

065you so much >> in the long run. So and then the my last uh question was I know when we kind of were discussing our at our last meeting that you guys were about to head to some meetings up in Albany about um what the budget might start to look like. We only had the governor's determination from January. Any indication on um >> Next week. >> Now, I did see that there's a um and I don't know. I was interested in attending possibly I don't think I don't know if it's next Friday. Small city school districts was going to have a get together in Albany. Yeah. >> To discuss the impact of the budget on small city school districts. Is that next week? I think it's >> No, I think >> next Friday. >> March

06610th. Is anybody interested in in going? I might try to go if anybody wants to hit your nobody's any if nobody's doing anything and want to take a trip to Albany with me. >> Um, let me know because I might try to do that. >> I think I I think I have to be there for that. Um yeah, >> also also rural rural schools is getting set to have their have their uh meeting as well. Um talk along those same lines. And u uh one last one last um uh request um at some point at some point I'd be really interested in um real interested in finding out where we stand with our with our reserves. um the unrestricted um restricted and unrestricted reserves and and where we stand in our reserves as it relates

067to our capital projects as well as um I don't know um where we stand as far as the reserves are concerned when it when it comes to um our um um health insurance. >> Yes. So ERS TRS um capital reserves absolutely um unappropriated funds >> we'll we'll we'll be able to share those with you. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Appreciate you. >> You're very welcome. Yes, Mr. Rick. >> Oh, yes. Um, again, I want to congratulate you on your first budget there. And, um, >> thank you, sir. >> You know, um, we're just really pleased with how, um, you took the time to really, um, put this together. Um my question to you is um now that you have this lens that you had opportunity to um really look through and see what budget

068looks like in your eyes. Um coming down the pike, what do you what do you see as maybe one of the biggest hurdles that you might have to be um keep in the forefront? You kind of touched on that a little bit, but I appreciate if you can share a little bit of that. >> No, no, that that that means a lot to me um because you're asking for my my vision, which is right. So, thank you. No, the truth is um as as as I look um we are very diverse community and um and and we have well so we're a diverse community living in the midst of of of other communities who are not as diverse. We're a poor community living in the midst of other communities that is not as poor. And

069what it has it has what is called economic barriers to entry. So all the others communities have I can't just move into one of those communities because I would have to have a really great credit score and a large down payment for one of those nice homes. >> I can't just move into them. But the thing is I can move into Middletown. I can get an apartment for $400. Right? I'm I'm just exaggerating, but I'm saying that it doesn't take the barrier for entry is very low. What it means, it means that when we we can a lot of people with needs will come into our district, which we pride ourselves in making sure that we can help them to realize their dreams, but as they come in with those needs, it means that we

070have to find ways to support them. We have to support them through special services, which gets really expensive. We have to support their language translation needs. We have to support, right, 504s. We have to support all the different things that they come. We have to support the fact that they're just poor children and cannot afford college credits. So we have to find ways to keep that going where we're paying for college credits or else most of our young people will not be able to take college credits. So we have to find all these different ways. So we have to going we for the future we're going to have to be creative just because of who we are where we're located and the people we serve which is not a bad thing. It's the great work

071is a reason why you're all here. It's a great work that we're doing, but we just have to realize that there going to be challenges to make sure that we can help every family, no matter how poor they are, no matter what their needs are, that when they come to Middletown, they can realize their dreams. If we start charging for college credits, we'll have two kids in a class. >> If we start right, if we don't offer stuff, we won't have special services or special our special needs students will not graduate and go off to college. I've seen it in my own family. My nephew came in and he's now studying engineering in a in in in in a university in Massachusetts. Those are the things that we seeing. We see that every day and

072that's the challenge going forward. How can we keep this momentum and serve the population that we serve when things are getting tighter when all other districts around us cannot relate to what Middletown faces? We are unique, uniquely placed and uniquely positioned. We have a really special job. All of us. >> Thank you for sharing that. Thank you very much. >> Yes, sir. Um, I just want to say I commend you on tonight's uh presentation because I do recall, you know, once you came on board and um some of the settlements was to make this your own, right? Yes. and um and to date I've been able to witness that and uh commend you for it >> and for you know for me being here you know under six years and some of the the biggest

073discussions amongst the community was to see a line item budget and being able to be more transparent and tonight was a definitely a step towards it because there's things that you know we haven't been privy to in the past and now we have the opportunity to see >> so I take uh you know I take my hats off to you and you know obviously give you your flowers for what you're doing so far and definitely see your passion you know cuz that definitely could tell, you know, your passion is deep and you definitely care about the community. So, continue your good work and I look forward to seeing the other um items that come come on board that, you know, obviously expose us to what's to look forward to when it comes to voting on

074the budget in May. >> Thank you, sir. This is my home. >> Yes, Mr. Pino. >> Hey, I was just thinking thanking Dr. Connell for the presentation. Um, a couple questions. Do you anticipate having to go into one of our reserve funds to keep the tax levy at reasonable at this time? >> So, I am going to say this. Um, when um when Municipal Solutions came and Jeff Smith, he applauded Middletown for one thing. He said, "You have enough unappropriated funds, which is which is not which is not one of the reserves. you have enough unappropriated funds that you can actually balance your budget for the next few years, right? So that's one of the things that um so we we can actually so we have that as an opportunity. >> So we will we'll

075have that discussion maybe in the next two weeks or so uh the next the next two board meetings. But um but yes the we have an appropriate funds that will be able to help us and that's not going into a reserve. >> Okay. So, we're not using the short answer is we're not going into the reserves. >> Okay. I I remember some years I remember one year we used as much as $5 million to keep the uh tax levy low. >> Yes. >> Which I hope it is this year. And >> yes, our our hope >> is that we will keep it within that 2% that 2%. >> Thank you. >> That's the hope. >> So, real quick, just clarification on your um on what you just said too as as using fund balance. Um,

076you know, just so everyone knows, the public knows that we haven't done that in quite a while. But in those times when we did have rough budgets, when we go back to um the um you know 20 2012, 2013, especially 2014 around that time when there was really we were we were fighting as long as what the tax levy would be. Those were times that we used >> Yes. uh we used um fund balance because we had we always have had a healthy fund balance but we've used it but um if I'm not mistaken we haven't done that in at least the last six six years we haven't had to do that to make those transfers so um >> from reserves >> right right >> yes >> and I think >> yeah we've used fund

077balance >> we've used fund balances we've used unappropriated funds unappropriate funds that we hadn't had to go into other places you We haven't had to go into other We haven't had to go into other areas to pull out, but unappropriate unappropriated. Yeah. >> But um >> but there's always a fine balance on the unappropriated. You don't want to overuse it because that unappropriated fund balance is what along with the reserves is what gives us our Moody's rating. Yes. and especially when we're going to start to go into long-term debt for the Twin Towers project, we want the best available rates for the bonds um on there. So, it's important >> to utilize it with a fine balance, which we've done a a masterful job over the years >> in doing and hopefully, you know, we'll

078continue to do that to augment it. You know, the the good thing is not as much as over the last few years, but Middletown is still a very much growing community um from a population basis and the and our school district. So, typically, and I expect that it's probably going to be the same this year, um that our tax cap is actually much larger than the 2% that is even listed on there. I think in the past few years, it's even been as high as 4%. that if we wanted to go that high, we could still be underneath the tax cap for that. Um, we've never thought of ever going there and we've um kept it nice and low, but we're one of the few districts in the state that can say that because their

079population growth is still, you know, um, somewhat healthy compared to our brethren throughout New York. So, >> absolutely. And Mr. Estra just gave you a sneak preview of the next two weeks. That's all right. Thank you. Well, thank you to everyone. Um, Dr. De Jesus, at this point, you have been the only one not to say anything. And, um, Mr. Freddy Williams, do you guys have anything you'd like to say? >> I do know. Yeah. I'm sorry. And I hope you get that sorted out. Um, Vice President Williams, anything you'd like to say? >> I'm fine. He he does excellent job as always. We appreciate you. I'm good. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um, Dr. Connell, I do want to say great presentation, amazing job and thank you for everything. >> Thank you so

080much. Really appreciate it. And and thanks to Mrs. Adma, >> of course, Mrs. Adma. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Now, um she's still >> Yeah. Yeah. Emergency days, UPK program attendance and 3 to 8 testing. Yeah, I was like my readers are So, just just while that's um Oh, we're ready to go. All right. So, just wanted to provide a couple of updates. Um the first one, so there was a letter that went out um last get my weeds confused. uh last week was last week uh to families just and also staff received information about where we are for emergency days. So at this point we are at two emergency days and if we have to um go beyond those two emergency days we will have to make up those days uh during spring break.

081Sorry to bear with bad news. Um, so Monday, March 30th will be the first day. Tuesday, March 31st, and then Wednesday, April 1st. So, I will continue to keep you updated. I'm hoping um supposed to get a little warmer that we have no more delays, no more snow days because those are early days um watching the weather. So, just wanted to make sure everyone's aware of that and we'll continue to keep the community updated because I know it impacts um plans during that that spring recess for our community. >> I think Mr. Lug I think Mr. Lugo is going to have a conversation with nature after the >> So we would have we would have been at one but the the state of emergency that day was waved for across the state. So um think

082so um otherwise we would have been at one. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. All right. Um next topic I wanted to talk about is UPK. So this is the time of year that we begin our UPK registration. So just to give you an update on the program. So UPK that program um we're continuing to grow full day the full day portion of it and the reason why we do that because that provides a better learning experience for our scholars than the the half day option. So this year we have 242 uh students and our prek program and then we have 10 half-day students. So a full day is five hours uh half half day is two and a half hours. So we have 22 students total and that's across 10 sites. That includes our

083program here at Maple Hill. As far as being able to participate in the universal pre kindergarten program, our UPK program, uh the child must be four by December 1st of 2026 and they must reside within the Middletown City School District boundaries. We do have options again for full day and half day. Most of our programs are full day options. All programs are 180 days a year. This it's important to note that the schools follow their own calendar. So some schools that we work with follow the school district calendar. Others follow their own calendar, but it's 180 days a year that is covered through the UPK program. There's no cost for the 180 uh days. The only cost that families would absorb for UPK would be if they need before care, after care, or if they

084want to um have have their child in the program, say during the summer months outside those 180 days. And we do not provide transportation to the UPK program. Registration uh will occur this year starting Monday uh through the 9th through the 20th of March. The the registration is by appointments only. So families are able to call 845-32613000. That's our central registration number and they're able to make an appointment. Appointments are 30 minutes long and they do not have to bring their family. So if you know anyone who has a child who will be four by the end of or by December 1, please um spread the word. And at this time, we're also um seeking requests for proposals. Those are applications for any schools that want to be a partner for the UPK program. The

085applications are out. They are due May 1st. And then between May 4th and and May 29th, we'll review the applications. May 29th, we hope to be able to notify schools. That's dependent upon when we get our allocations from state ed. So last year we received them a little late so we weren't able to let schools know we're able to work with them. So depends on what the a lotment is or the allocation is as to how many schools that we're able to partner with. And then June 4th again contingent upon the information from state ed we are hoping to get those contracts to the board of vet for approval. any um programs interested in working with the district for UPK, please contact Jill Kelly at 845 326 should be 326 uh 1162 and um our

086email upksdm.org. >> You're you're fine. >> So, uh do the question was do we do screenings? So for UPK, we don't do the same level of screening for kindergarten. So what we um we do have a short questionnaire where we ask families information around um has their child attended a pre preK program or early early learning program. Um we ask about toileting. We ask about do they know you know maybe their shapes, you know, how do they separate? So we have some basic questions that we ask and that's to help our schools when we do place them to have information about uh the children. So that's something that we're doing new this year. Just hearing from our our schools and our teachers about some of the concerns that came up >> and immunizations as well,

087right? >> Yes. Because it's because we receive state funding for this program, they are required to have immunizations, whereas if they went as private pay, that wouldn't be a requirement. >> Thank you. >> I just have a couple questions. One, um, this past year, even currently, is there a waiting list? >> Yes, there's been a wait list. >> How long is that? uh >> approximately doesn't have to be >> and we we probably have at least 20 and 30 kids on the wait list. >> Okay. So, they're not serviced because there's just no room right now. >> Yes. Every the since I I've been working with the program, we've had a wait list. So, we do a lottery um because we have more slot more more interest when we do slots unfortunately. So, we're hoping

088that by being able to fulfill our our number each year that maybe the state will give us more. Um but I know it's also based on their funding. That is a push this year for Governor Hokll to get more um prek. So, I'm hoping that um we'll get more because we do have families that are interested. We just don't have the the space and we have we have partners that are willing to that have the space to do it, too. >> Now, are there um is there also um when you're reviewing a an um an organization that's interested in becoming a partner, um is there a curriculum alignment? like are there goals that we as a district want these programs to meet and then how are they assessed if they're meeting that? >> Yes. Uh

089so there's there's two two parts to it. Um so we do provide curriculum for the schools. So any of the um so we have uh our instruction leaders work with the teachers there. So we do faculty meetings once a month. We do director's meetings twice a year. We do three to four professional development opportunities each year with the teachers where they'll come onto our property. We'll spend a full day with them. So, we provide that support throughout the year. We do evaluations by using our administrators. We'll go out and evaluate them each year. Um, so that's those are the those are the main ways that we supervise that that curriculum. Um, there are some requirements from state ed as far as some of the progress monitoring that we have to do. So, we make sure

090that that's in line with the state as well. We do site visits once at least once a year in addition to the evaluations. We're going out and there's a checklist to make sure there's health and safety requirements there. And then my last question is um do you find that most of the ones that we partner with are strictly have just Middletown resident students or do you find that some of them have a mix of neighboring school district children as well? >> The larger ones do. So large some of the larger ones do partner with some like mining for example um the Y has mining some mining um kids there. So it just depends on the size of the school as to which schools they they partner they partner with but mostly it's Middletown where the

091larger provider for UPK. >> Thank you. So some some of these some of these um so I haven't been involved in involved in um uh with UPK UPK uh providers prior to my being on the board. Um and you know I thank you for your answers. Um also your question some some of these um programs also offer support for um even our our teachers our teachers and staff that are here too. So, um, >> but it's, um, I know that the process the process of, uh, of of receiving a provider for UPK, I know that it I know that it's it's very detailed and, um, so, you know, just for the sake of everybody in the community that they know that this is just not something that you can't just show up and pop and

092and say, "Hey, we want to be a provider." there are there are many many things that they have to meet. There's a there's a there's a threshold that they have to meet in order to be able to to be a provider as well. So, you know, and it and sometimes it's not it's not as easy for uh the smaller schools because not only that, they also are daycarees and different things of that. But, um this is nothing this is nothing that's just that simple. you guys you guys do a fantastic job in um ensuring that the providers are um you know up to par. >> Thank you. >> So I'm going to talk about attendance just give you an update of where we are attendance wise. So I have a couple of um data points

093I want to share with you. First I'm going to do comparison. So right now we at this point in the school year we are at the interim point. So the halfway point for marking period 3. So the first graph I just wanted to show you is for all of our schools and it's showing where we are for marking period one. So it's going back to mark period one. So the blue column represents last school year. Red is this school year. So as you can see we're you know first marking period we were performing similarly. Nothing nothing too drastic um with the start of the school year. as we get into the second marking period. So, second marking period that, you know, we get into temperatures start to drop, we start to see some illnesses, especially

094around uh January, we had a lot of kids out in December. We had the flu this year. So, we did see a a big dip with attendance, not just with our scholars, but also with staff because we that the flu this year, the strain of the flu um impacted a lot of um a lot of families this year. Here we are now. So I just want to point out that as I mentioned the data in the blue column from last year that shows the full marking period three. Um this one is just showing up to where we are as the interim. So tomorrow will be the interim date. So I just wanted to give you kind of where we are. So overall we are showing improvement. We have done a a lot of different uh

095strategies throughout the throughout the schools to recognize positive attendance. So schools you you'll see that there are cere across the board you'll see that schools are recognizing our scholars for being here right. So there's um uh today we had a program at Presidential Park. Um there's breakfastes, there's lunches, there's star students. So there we are recognizing the positive attendance because we want our our scholars to know that we we celebrate them for being here. And we also just don't rec recognize perfect attendance. So data has shown that's not the best way. There's reasons why we don't want kids coming to school if they're sick and we understand there are emergencies. So there are opportunities for kids to get recognized if they have maybe maybe November wasn't great, but maybe we saw improvement in December. So

096we we've been open to a lot more ways to recognize our scholars for showing up. And this one is just showing year to just a comparison for uh the year. So the blue column is marking period one, red is marking period two, and yellow is marking period 3. So again, nothing that's standing out. Any questions with attendance? >> Right. And the last topic, all right, is uh New York State 38 testing. So, usually we get this um usually we get this a little bit earlier, but just wanted to just give you some updates on last year's testing. So, uh the first graph you're seeing is showing we're going to start with ELA. So, each year we give tests for ELA, uh math, and science. So this presentation focused on the data for ELA and and

097math simp simply because we have that data um that's the data that we um do for all grades three through eight and the positive is that we are showing improvement overall. So last year we were at 28% proficiency rate. Um this year we're up to 37%. And so as we shared with the board that we we've done a lot of work around over the last few years are trying to look at just where we were u we've brought in some new programs. So the I'm interested to see next year where we are because we've started the CCLA um work across elementary this year. Uh we also prior to this year we did some work with foundations integrity at at the earlier level. So we are seeing some some some growth in the early levels levels

098of fifth grade this year. uh we saw um the best results. You know, eighth grade we're still, you know, trying to figure out um you know, eighth grade we you know, that's the area that we are looking at just to see um what the challenges are because we are seeing a drop there. We do have um some kids that are in the honors class, but there you know there's still something else that we're that we're just looking into to figure out um where that drop is. But our our hope is that as we've brought in um more programs where we're seeing seeing some continuity instruction across classrooms and across buildings that we're building a stronger platform at the our foundation at the elementary level and that will carry us into the middle school and we'll

099see some increases in those numbers. The next graph is showing the state data um compared to um compared to us. So the red is New York State, the blue is is us and again you know there is a gap um but we have been closing the gap and that's what we want to see. So we understand that it does take time but you know I'm happy to see that we are moving in the right direction. Can uh just for future reference um because I I continue to make this argument um every year for the last 20 years that I've sat on the board um can we um just in the future I don't mind this um graph. We're not here to hide ourselves from anything. Um, but to be fair as well, I'd like to

100see a graph that compares us to the 54 small city school districts because that is um I think I think the community would be very surprised by that difference. Um, those are our brethren when it comes to our um population. That's not to say that this is not what we should be not aspiring to, but I everybody needs to kind of from a public perspective understand the challenges that small city school districts face, which is why we're always crying about the budget. >> Um, and fairness in in aid to small city school districts because our challenges are different than Warwick. Our challenges are different than uh Mining Valley. They just are. Um, but they're not that different from Newberg. They're not that different from Bingmpington and Almyra. And so watching that comparison, I think, is

101very important for for at least for my edification. I co-sign I co-signed that um that particular I co-signed that statement because um one of our one of our um one of our school districts that we're we're compared to quite a bit and we've been in we've been in um we've been in in connection with them for quite a few years. um very similar to us >> skenctity um while they're very similar to us I think that our numbers would far outweigh their numbers and even when it comes to the graduation rate when you look at our graduation rate in the past couple of years in comparison to their graduation rate um I think that it would show that Middletown is actually doing quite well and that's not the excuse that's to say there's always work

102to do and we always got to keep striving to do better That's one of the things that we have to always do. But I I agree with Mr. Estrada. Um I would like to see those comparisons not just to the whole district. You're talking about over 700 school districts in New York, you know, in comparison to those others. I would like to see how we compare to school districts that are similar to ours as well. So thank you, >> Serena. >> Agree with Bishop Williams. I I think we're doing well and I'd like to give credit for that to our instructional staff. Um I see Tiffany Hall is here tonight and uh as I said at the last meeting we had an excellent uh teacher and learning committee meeting and what impressed me uh was

103that uh the group is willing to try new things. They're datadriven. Uh they're very prescriptive with each student. So this is why I believe we're we're making progress. We're not afraid to change. We pilot programs instead of just go bulk buying, which is also very good. So credit to the instructional staff for the improvements we are making here. and and in her former role, our acting superintendent for curriculum, I mean, she's worked her butt off, >> her butt off. >> Technically, the instructional staff includes the administration. >> Yeah. So, um you know, I know she's worked very hard for all of them have worked so hard for this. The only thing the only um thing that I find not concerning but you know you look at these for blips and stuff like that is uh

104the eighth grade level. It looks like the numbers are down across the board in eighth grade. And given that that's the transition into high school and ninth grade where we want to make sure those students are coming in with uh not only focus but enthusiasm not feeling that they're down from an academic standpoint is something to look at for the future. Yeah. And just something that's difficult to see from this graph too is one of the things that we do is also look at the cohort data. So we're looking at so we look at this last year or we look at >> this year's fourth grade and look at where they were in grade three and we are seeing some improvements along cohorts. So you can't really see it from this graph. So that's something

105that we are but that that that's one of the areas that we've got to >> um figure out what because you're right they start off behind there that's a lot more work we have to do with them in high school. we get them there, but we want to be able to give them >> Yeah, we've done a good job. We don't run from our numbers. Our numbers are what they are. Uh Mr. Perino's been a very strong advocate making sure the programs we have in place at the lower levels that we address them. Um but I'll continue to make the argument that when we have a student who joins us from kindergarten on, we have a 94% graduation rate for a reason. when you know so these numbers wouldn't result in a 94% graduation rate.

106When the students stay with us for long periods of time, our instructional staff does an outstanding job to get them to the finish line. But the reality of our situation, like a lot of other small city school districts, especially uh north of New York City, is we have a lot of scholars that come in midstream and they need a lot of support services that to play catch-up, >> so to speak, and those get into the numbers as well. So, I I think um we use these numbers to try to help improve ourselves in those areas, but understanding that we're doing a pretty good job if your students with us from beginning to end. where we have to kind of u do extra focus on is when we have those students coming from other areas of

107the state and they're coming in with a deficit that we now have to make up for them. All right. And then we're going to go on to math. So with math, we we saw a slight increase. So we didn't see the same increase that we saw with ELA. Um but we did see an increase overall. Uh so we saw a dip. So if you're looking at the fifth rate data compared to uh previous data so there is a dip there and then eighth rate you know you're you're seeing the increase um with the eighth rate compared to uh the last two years. So I said slight increase there's just some of the things that we've been doing um this year with um with uh sorry elementary we sharing this with teaching and learning committees that

108we've been working on a pilot. So last year we met with uh we and I'll say um Dr. um Barbara Rekio she met with the elementary math teachers and gathered a list of different math programs. So so again trying to make sure that what's happening in one classroom is happening across the board in another classroom in another building. So that's what we our goal is because when we do that it doesn't matter who you have you're getting the same instruction. That's something that we've been trying to shore up over the last few years. And from that, she solicited a list of um programs. She brought vendors in to talk about the programs. We narrowed that group down to uh three vendors and we did a little more digging and then we um went with two

109of the vendors that we're piling this year. So, we have a a large group of teachers at the elementary level that are piling uh two different programs. One is I Ready Math and one is HMH math. So they did the I Ready math in the um earlier in the year. Now we're into So we did into into math in the first um first part of the year. Now we're working on the I Ready maths and then based on that uh we're getting feedback from the teachers about what works um best for for our scholars and then from there our goal is to hopefully adopt one of those programs for next school year and that way again we'll see the consistency. We'll build a stronger foundation. So we're looking for programs that offer a bilingual component.

110So thinking about our population provide um programs that that allow us to differentiate a little bit better. So some of the programs they they they're they don't they they go to a certain level. So we want to make sure that we have options for all of our learners. So we've been working with it's not just general education teachers, we have bilingual teachers that are piling. We have special education are piling. So we're trying to get a wide variety of teachers that are in the pilot to get that feedback. And then based on that, like I said, we're our goal is to be able to adopt one of those programs for next school year. So that's happened at the elementary level. Middle school math did that a little bit earlier. So they were a year ahead.

111So they are in the a full year of HMH into math. And so with that, we're hoping to see um some improvements with middle school math. And with that with that change. So um that's kind of the work that we've been doing just based off of the observations we've made and the data we looked at over the last few years with some of the things that we can do to tighten up our programs. When you show the grade eight, >> does it show ELA and the regions or just ELA or >> uh for so this data just shows uh would be so the algebra on one algebra one um they're they're not in this group this this is just the New York state testing. >> Okay, >> when you look at the school report card

112it does take that into you know give that data but um this one we're just looking at the kids that took the actual 38 testing. I was thinking for that. >> Yes. And we have we have more we have we do have more scholars that are taking algebra 1. So over the past few years we've been increasing the number of scholars. So we do have more kids that are taking the test and and being successful with it. >> And do they take both tests? >> They just take the algebra regions. And if they're taking biology, same thing. They'll take they just take the regions exam instead of taking the eighth grade science exam. All right. And this one again is just showing comparison to the state. So we you know so we are um still

113below state. Um but again I just want to highlight we are we are making some progress. Um so you know it takes time but our goal is to you know continue to improve figure out what we're doing well figure out where we need to to work on and then to get the profession scores up. And then just want to close. So we sent a letter out to families in January about state testing. So just state testing this year across the state. All districts are required to do CBT. As a district, we are well ahead of that. So we've been doing that for years. But all the tests will be computer-based testing. There will be some um paper options. So if a child has certain accommodations based on their 504 IP, they may be allowed to

114get a paper test. So that still option still exists for families. I don't want families to worry that there's no paper test. Um, but it just depends on the accommodation. The dates for the ELA will be April 22nd through 23rd and that's for grades 3 through 8. Math will be April 29th through the 30th and that's grades 3 through 8. Then our science exam is only for grades 5 and 8 and that will be May 7th. Um it would be nice if we could see um you know the prior years uh 2023 2022 to just kind of get a scale of how we're progressing as far as in math. I mean the numbers don't look that good but you know you want to see the progress. >> Does that make sense? So you went so

115the year before that was uh that was the year so 20 202122 that was the year after that was the year that we came back um that was the co year >> co right >> oh okay >> yes so that that year it wasn't given to every everyone >> and that's this year's graduating cohort right >> yes >> that's yeah >> oh thank you for that yeah that graphic yeah Um, >> Eden, >> you have a question? >> Oh, you're raising your hand for graduation. Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. This is what I'm here for. >> Just given to this board. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you so much for your presentation, Miss Adma. >> You're welcome. and sixth grade. >> Now, we're going to move on to board of education updates

116and we're going to start with Mr. Lugo, our student board member. Um, do you have any reports for us? >> I know. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, I know last meeting I wasn't here. Uh, my apologies. Due to the fact My Brother's Keeper, we went on a trip to a stand and deliver in Albany with the rest of the New York State My Brother's Keeper programs. We went to do it was a stand and deliver for our fellows. Um it was a three-day trip between Wednesday and Friday. We left Wednesday after our Wednesday session and then we came back Friday in the evening. Um it was nice. We had a nice time. Um we were collaborating with all the other My Brothers Keeper programs throughout the state. Um, and it was just an overall weekend.

117It was a weekend that was overall dedicated to collaboration. Um, but I know these past Sorry, my mic turned off. I know uh this week and these past few weeks have been a little bit chaotic due to the past snow days and today we had a little electrical issue with a transformer out into 11. But um there I just want to speak about a few of like the amazing things that have happened in these past few weeks. Um first to end off Black History Month, we had a Black History Poem cafe and our new cafe which uh myself and Nepor contributed in. Um I just want to thank Miss Jasmine Ortiz and our jazz crew for an amazing performance that they gave. >> Yeah. Um, I want to thank everybody else who showed out to

118perform. Um, and just for just overall for making this possible. Um, and then uh something else that happened, it was something that had sparked over social media and was uh originally a studentled idea, but uh our lovely principal, Mr. Don Hugh had caught wave of it and asked for the student leaders to try and set this up to be in a more orderly fashion because there was a previous situation uh towards this for a simple uh similar matter down south where a principal had to end up suspending over I want to say 250 students. But we had a walk out protest against ICE. Um, which I had the honors in being one of the leads for said um, walk out. Um, it was a 15minute walk out between 12:00 and 12:15. the students were allowed

119to leave the building and we circled the bus loop and was just outside showing just showing I guess you could say our MIDI pride and how connected we are cuz even though there was some people out there that it didn't necessarily pertain to them they definitely had friends or people that they were supporting and they were there for. So that was definitely beautiful to see like all of my peers and everybody in like my generation of the community together and just standing standing very tall. But um lastly I wanted to talk about today we had a leader and me summit um that happened here in our our media center. both. We were greeted by both Mhagen and Twin Towers lighthouse teams alongside with schools from as close as Port Jervis to schools as far as

120Amsterdam. Um, sorry, they came here to learn about what we've been doing with our lighthouse team and how leader and me has been being promoted in our our schools in our district. myself, Nepor, uh, Leader andMe President Olivia Grogan and other of our lighthouse team representatives went alongside the leader and me group. Uh we gave tours around the high school uh showing various classes and activities we have to offer, answering questions, and the day ended with a student-led panel where they asked us questions and we we gave them our personal heartfelt responses on our school community and just our overall school culture. Um but yeah, overall the these few weeks have been filled with much excitement as we get closer to the end this year. And thank you. >> How did how did the other

121schools react, the students about the high school, the uh >> about our high school specifically? >> Yeah, the other school district. >> It was a very eye openen experience, I'd say. Um we I was given the tour and I was showing them like our treasures at Middletown High School. And it was simple things like other schools not having a pool that made me realize how lucky I am to have all these all this all these resources and all these curriculums that are placed with things that most students don't have and how much how much of of an advantage Middletown High School has put me at and how I should be using that to my advantage and I shouldn't be taking those for granted. I even during my tour I had had a self-reflection and I

122was like wow like it was like it was really surprising because we have a course here uh called lifeguarding that we take at at our pool at MHS and I was telling my group from Port Jervis about it and I was like you guys take lifeguard they were like we don't even have a pool >> so I was like I was very like very it was very shock yeah very taken away I was very shocked and then I know we're if not the only one of the only schools in the Orange County that have a college and career center. Um, so it was just very eye opening to watch to uh like hear their questions and like just respond to all that they had to ask about so much so much difference we have from

123their schools. And it was like it was just very like I don't know it was very moving to like understand I had like just to see like like I I felt a like I felt a little like if I was like I don't know like I felt like if I was bragging in a way but like I didn't want to like I didn't want to feel like that because they came here to see our building and I was their tour guide but it was just like you guys like I I didn't I didn't I like I get to sometimes I forget get how lucky I am till I see how things how pictures are painted in other people's perspectives. But yeah, uh overall uh these few weeks have been good. Um and yeah, just ready

124for this school year to come to end. Thank you. >> Great presentation, Mr. Lugo. >> So proud to have you on this board. Um now we're going to move on to community engagement. Mr. Estrada, can we start with you? Um, I have nothing. I just >> I do want to commend our young ladies, our basketball team. Unfortunately, they fell short >> um tonight against Newberg. Um, >> but uh 60 to 52. It was a it was a one-point game with like three minutes left. So, um I did get a a message that the amount of fouls called against us versus Newberg was almost three times the difference. But anyway, I'm not going to harp on that. They they had a a great they had a great year. Um, and I I want to um you

125know, commend them for doing that as well. And obviously with our earlier action, I do want to thank uh Mrs. Odoma as our acting superintendent who did an outstanding job under difficult circumstances over the last um six months or so. So um we appreciate your efforts. it will not be forgotten and uh thank you >> Mr. Moore. >> Thank you um President Ramona Ramono um I just have a quick uh just reflection point um and as you went over the data um Mr. Doma um I just want to give us something to look forward to. So the New York State uh English proficiency is considered to be at 70 if I'm not mistaken. it's a 75 in ELA, right? And in math and algebra is it's anywhere between 70 and above. And the reason why

126I bring this up is those are benchmarks that um are set for post-secary success for students, right? And our mission statement is that we want to make sure our students are lifelong learners, right? And the success for students to graduate college is usually benched is usually the data reflects that if a student is able to to successfully be proficient in English and math at those particular scores, they have an opportunity to be successful and be able to graduate. So although these um reflections when it comes to the historical data here with the grades through three through three through eight and yes we do have a high graduation rate but I think we need to start looking and focusing on how successful our students are beyond um graduating here in Middletown and what can they do

127to make sure that we what we do here presently to make sure that they are successful beyond the graduation um from Middletown. So that's something I just wanted to take a emphasis on. Although the state data reflects what it reflects, our ultimate goal is to make sure these kids are be able to be successful outside and beyond their graduation um here at Middletown. Um lastly, I wanted just to say um it's been a tremendous ride for our our girls um basketball team as mentioned and um you know, they had some success yesterday. Unfortunately, I had to go back to back so I knew that would have been a challenge for them. Um, but last night was definitely a sight to see. They came out with the tremendous amount of energy. Um, it was actually a

128huge difference from previous games, especially playing a team that you played just the week before um to come out the way they did. So, I'm you know, unfortunately I wish we were there tonight to be able to see it, but um I just want to say kudos to them and um Oh, >> yeah. We give them applause. Why not? Um just trying to think uh and then lastly uh just Mr. Nolman, thank you for um for all you have done over the last uh couple of months. Um your patience, your your ability to just, you know, handle pressure the way you handle it is just something that's commendable and um I'm honored to, you know, being able to have seen your, you know, your professionalism and your growth uh during that time period. So, thank

129you so much. Appreciate it. Thank you. Mr. Bino. >> Yeah, I'd like to firstly I'd like to echo what Mr. Start and Mr. Moore said about uh Mr. Saddam. Nice job. These very, as Ed put it, very difficult times, and they were difficult. Now, on and on here. Um couple things. Uh we have a celebrity in our midst is his photo was on the uh uh on board and there he is. He's flashing. What is that? A peace sign or a victory sign. Bishop Williams. There you go. >> Peace or victory? >> Well, anyway, thank you. Thank you so much for advocating for us and uh for funding and for New York State. I know it takes a lot of work. So, um a couple of other uh quickies here. Uh this Saturday, the Quanis

130pancake breakfast right here in Middletown High School. The Quantis Club supports our key club, which is Quanis educated youth, uh scholarships and so on. and you'll see members of the key club in high school and the middle schools here along with NGOTC and members of the student council. It's a nice day. Uh serving starts at uh around 7 a.m. and goes to 12 and you can also buy uh raffle tickets there and they have uh uh pastries and so on which they sell. So it's very nice. Uh continuing on, have some nice times coming up in the district uh namely Middletown and uh uh musicals. A march is both music and theater in our schools. And the first in line is uh Twin Towers Middle School, Dare to Dream. And that'll be this coming Friday,

131tomorrow, 6:30 and Saturday at 2, followed by March 13th and 14th, Newsies Monhagen. And both of these performances are at 6:30 on Friday and two on Saturday. Then we come to March 20th and 21st, the high school into the woods. Mr. Alan is uh directing that. And the Friday performance is at 7 and and the Saturday performance there's two two at 2:00 and 7. And also I want to say that uh the performers from the high school musical will be at our s Malberry House our senior center uh this coming Wednesday at 12 at 1:00. Uh thanks to uh uh the principal of the high school, Miss and the uh assistant principal uh Mrs. Ma helped arrange this. She always does a good job. And uh Dan Higgby Pro bono is is donating the bus.

132So uh that's also uh that's also very positive. uh black history in the 40 seconds I have or 36 now. Very impressed in all the buildings as I may have said with the integration of uh black history into the total curriculum, science, mathematics, uh the arts, uh whatever. All schools had programs where they range from bulletin boards to students doing projects, uh, musicals, uh, whatever. So, uh, good job on that. Uh, Twin and Manhagen had I'm done. Okay. Don't go over. Thank you. >> Um, we're going to move over to Pastor Williams. And I'd like to say that those were my pictures to show tonight. But thank you, um, Pastor Williams. So, there's a lot of good things that's going on. Again, um, congratulations to the girls, um, on having such a wonderful, um, season.

133Um there's also um sports wise um our indoor track team is is sending um a few of our uh athletes to states this weekend. So we want to support them down at Ocean Breeze. I think it's going to be um a wonderful showing. We've had some amazing record breakers and you know I'm a track I'm a track parent so um but we've had some amazing amazing um record breakers um in this year's um track class and so we want to applaud them all of them. We're going to have an opportunity real soon um to have all of our all of our um winter winter sports uh teams um be recognized in in very near future if not the next meeting the but very near future. All right. Awesome. So um with that also there's so

134many other great things going on. I think Mr. Parino mentioned the concerts and the plays and the different things that's going on. Uh, but there's been some wonderful wonderful great events that's been happening uh in our district and I think it's it's it's it's good for us to take those time to um to highlight those. I do also appreciate what Mr. Moore said about um highlighting the you know uh the benchmark that's been set. Um we have a lot we do have quite a few of our scholars who have graduated from Middletown and have gone on to do great things and um I think it would be is it's a good thing for us at some point to make sure that we um find out where they are, follow up with them and um and

135highlight them in some way even on our even on our um Facebook page or within on our website um to try to highlight all the great things because uh we always say it once your Middletown, you're always Middletown, you know. And so, uh, with that with that being said, um, uh, I just I just want to thank Mr. Parino. He he put that picture up, but, um, those are the things that we continue to do, um, is to advocate. That picture um, held 70 individuals from New York State. That was just our New York State delegation, and we were third or fourth in attendance from around the country. Uh, and so, uh, many gathered, at least at least a thousand gathered in Albany, uh, not Albany, but in DC. The next week was Albany. Um,

136and I was in Albany at the same time that you were with my brother's keeper. I just I was tied up with what I was doing, so I couldn't make it over to support you guys. But, you know, my heart was there. U, but, uh, those are the things that we have to do. And I I need to make sure I clarif um public education. And um you know, I'm appreciative of the fact that I have this opportunity to to represent um not just not just our district, but to represent Orange County, to represent this whole region. Um my my um responsibilities include Orange, Olter, Sullivan, Duchess, and Green Counties, you know, and so um to be able to have those opportunities to go there and be side by side with like-minded people from all

137over the state and then to be down in DC with like-minded people from all over the country is a wonderful experience. Uh uh so I don't know I don't know um I don't know where we where we stand um as far as going to different conferences. I know we vote under on different conferences but I would encourage at some point at some point in the future that um some of us here at the board table aside from me and my position um make our way to the national school board um uh conference is going to be in San Antonio. So maybe not this year, but next year because I think it'll be a great experience and it will expand and open your eyes to see that the picture is a lot bigger than just what

138we see here in Middletown. So thank you. >> Thank you, Pastor Williams, Mr. Red. >> Excuse me. Good evening, everyone. Again, um I just enjoy bringing um bridging the gap between community and schools. Um we had a couple of um exciting culminating Black History Month activities that were going on. This one in particular at the Malbury House in association with the YMCA and some other um constituents. It was a very wonderful turnout um presentation that we had um several activities going on, several vendors and um young performers, senior historians telling stories, some of our own students here um performing as well. And there was food and beverages as well as um entertainment and um again um it was just a wonderful occasion. This was the biggest turnout we had. Um, one of the great things

139about it was bridging YMCA along with the Malberry House and um, you know, um, it was just a good activity, a good event. Um, we had some young people and that's my wife and I. We sung a song there, a little bit of Mottown classic. >> No, that's just my twin brother. Don't worry, baby. >> Okay, thank you. Thank you. >> Okay, moving right along. Um, we um we brought together a really good program. This is our third year in doing this. This is um it's called D9 Greek Sorority and Fraternity Panel um here at the high school. Um it was really exciting event to be able to bring some people in to the building as well as they had several staff that are Greek members. Um this is my fraternity, Alpha Fi, Alpha Sorarity.

140I mean, excuse me, fraternity. And uh it was established December 4th, 1906. Um I can tell you a little history about it. Um but um these fraternities and sororities were established because of um the fact that um African-Americans could not go to um colleges and universities. So when um Cornell University offered nine black students the opportunity to um achieve a scholar uh education. what they did was um they banded together so that they can uh fight the good fight of uh building you know their um scholastic and educational endeavors. But again, I'll tell you more about that. This is some of the people uh we have quite a few people on the staff here that were part of it. Um it was uh we had um a lot of u memorabilia and um we uh

141gave a presentation. Okay, there's Miss Robinson. Of course, we had our own um of course um acting superintendent um Camille Loma was a part of this as well and her sorority and you know um it was just a really good occasion. The kids really enjoyed it. I think the biggest part of it to cut to the chase to the story I was telling you is that um we gave kids an opportunity to recognize that um building community, building um collaborations and support from other people make it easier for you to achieve your goals on college campuses. uh when we went to when I went to school for instance, I did not know about any sororities and fraternities but they all stand for excellent excellent academic excellence, scholarship, community service. Um we all have our different

142colors um and but um for the most part it's all about building community and supporting um educational endeavors on college campuses. Uh, I'd like to go over a little bit and just um also um can commend our um girls basketball team. I saw them the other night. It was one of the most inspiring games. They beat a team Pine Bush that um they had a hard time beating in the past and uh they went up to Newberg and fought a good fight. But um you know again um congratulations to that. And I also want to commend um our acting superintendent Camille Loma for incredible job. you know, um it's tough um working under the conditions that you have, but we really are just grateful for what you've done and what you continue to do. Um

143I think I'm just going to leave it at that right now because um for the most part there's just um a lot of moving parts and it's just um unfortunate. But um as we move on, the most important thing I say all the time is about children first, students first, putting out a program that's going to support these kids. Because when we playing around with collateral damage and holding up that opportunity for children to learn because of um um situations that, you know, we have difficulty proving or or we can prove. Um, at the end of the day, it's just about, um, being a put a product out there, you know, teachers that love our kids and care for them and build relationships with them and going to support them. And that's what I stand

144on. You know, I've been in this profession over 38 years and, you know, I look at the facts and I see things for what it is. And, um, sometimes when you hit a wall, and I'm saying this to people that need to know, when you hit a wall, sometimes you just you can't get through it. You have to just um plant plant your feet down and continue to press forward knowing that as far as integrally and dignitywise that you're doing what's best in the in in the job that you're called to do. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Bias. This past weekend, uh, we had several teams compete at Orange Strobosis for the Odyssey of the Mind. This is the first in many years that I was not in attendance, but my

145sincerest congratulations to the high school who took second place, >> to Maple Hill, and >> Bon Manhagen who took third place and will be going on um to the state to compete. I have sat here and tonight is one of the most rewarding nights. Uh Mrs. Adomo, listening to education. That's why I joined this board of education. It's bothered me for the last several months and over the weekend um I put some thoughts to words and I am going to read them. I have sat here far too long as an enlarged city school district of Middletown board member and I've been silent. I have seen, as many residents have seen, the destruction and the tearing down of this district since July 1. There have been very few occasions since September that I heard the words

146student or education. The questions that have been raised by the residents is how much have these many lawsuits cost, the externals and the internal investigation of the superintendent, the three unresolved EEOC complaints, the one notice of claim, and the current complaint to the New York State Commissioner of Education. I will be requesting that the total amount of money including all attorneys cost, all salaries and all cost associated with the lawsuits in any way be made public. Let us also remember that this past June, a superintendent's evaluation was completed by the board with outstanding marks. In July, a new contract was negotiated and everyone was seemingly happy. But within three months, the tides had changed. A letter was written to the commissioner for the removal of a board member. The president, who was elected in July,

147was forced to resign and was replaced. Special meetings were called, sometimes with no consideration for the short notice or who could be in attendance. I do not know what the personal agendas of some board members are, but this must stop and we need to get back to educating our students. We must be better. Students need to be our number one priority, not board members special agendas. Thank you. And that's again in no respect. Mrs. Adulma has done an outstanding job. However, I just don't feel that we as a board of education have focused on educating our students and education. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Sias and vi Vice President Williams. >> Good evening. Um just want to start with recognizing uh the our girls wrestling team and one person in particular uh MadiRaa Manerie

148who placed sixth in the states. Uh the boys as well. They did an amazing job on both sides, boys and girls wrestling. Um you know uh kudos to the girls varsity basketball and JV teams. They did well. Um and uh wanted to give a salute to the JV uh boys basketball team really modified all the way up to varsity. JV in particular I was able to make out of their 21 games 19 and the two I didn't make is because I was here and my commitment to this board. Um, so I did a little digging and Dave Coats gave me some information that the JV boys had a record of 18 and three and the first record that superseded that was in 2005 with a team that was 19 and1. So it's been 20 years

149since the JV team has been that good. And um, I want to give a shout out to uh, Coach Everton Brown and Coach Daniel Grant. Amazing job with those boys. um the camaraderie and and the way that they fought for each other. That's that's MIDI pride, right? That that's what it's about. Um also, I have an image. Um okay, it's up. Yep. So, this is uh this Saturday and uh I assisted the uh parks and wreck of Middletown and um along with Selenez. She's awesome. She's a gem for the parks and wreck and uh Lieutenant Dolan and um Chief Awanu for uh MPD. And I think this is the third year um they're putting a game together with uh boys from modified freshman is one team and then JV and Varsity that's the other team

150and they play against the uh the MPD and the games are kind of interesting, you know. Our boys are out there doing uh doing some work, you know, so um I'm really uh happy to be involved in that. That's once again this is Saturday at the main gym in Middletown from 12 to 3. Um, so that is that with the sports wrap-up and I want to end off with uh, you know, tipping my hat to uh, Mrs. Adom and not just Mrs. Adom uh, people that stepped up, you know, um, Tiffany and Terrence, great job and working together as a team. Uh, Norville, uh, Jillian, you know, Bill Bartlett, you guys did some amazing things. and you got tested. There was some things that happened within the district uh structurally, you know, and um you

151guys came together and did an amazing job. So, uh Mr. Dome, I just want to, you know, tip my hat like once again um for the way you led with integrity, class, consistency, and transparency. So, um you know, like it's like I said, it's a team effort. It's a team effort. So um but the way you lead is is super important and uh in this world whether it's business or any other fashion. So um once again I just want to thank you guys and uh you know I'm happy to be here and and to me the kids that's where it starts. So I don't I don't you know me personally I don't know um how other people feel but uh you know I'm in it. MBK, right? Uh basketball games, uh my not forprofit, Middletown

152Youth Sports. We're actually part of this event on Saturday, too. And we donate um Middletown Youth Sports actually donates a scholarship every year for the past 3 years. So, the kids, of course, that's why we're here. That's why that's why we all should be here. Um I'm not accus There's no accusations of anybody with a private agenda. I don't I don't say that. Um I think we're here for the right reasons. And um we just have to remember why we joined this board and and the people that put us here. We we're doing it for them. Really, we're not doing it for us. So the community is is is is key and these kids are part of the community. Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President Williams. Can we reshare the Twin Towers pictures, please?

153Okay. I would like to take a moment to recognize and commend Twin Towers Middle School for hosting a truly inspiring Black History Month assembly led entirely by our scholars. This event beautifully showcased the talent, leadership, and cultural um pride within our school community. Some highlights of the celebration included scholar leadership. students led the entire program proudly introducing each performance and sharing the cultural significance behind the contributions being celebrated. Outstanding music performances, the jazz band and modern band uh delivered impressive performances that captivated the audience and demonstrated the remarkable music talent of our students. Um student conducted musical arrangements. One of the most remarkable moments was a m a musical piece arranged and conducted by one of our own scholars highlighting the creativity, leadership, and confidence our students are developing. We had powerful student poetry. Two

154of our eighth grade young ladies whom we um witnessed tonight presented a poem that they wrote themselves. They recited it with poise, strength, and confidence, leaving a me a meaningful impression on everyone in attendance. There was African drumming celebration. The assembly also featured an energetic performance by Kofi and Sen Kofa, drum and dance whose African drumming presentation brought the entire auditorium to life. Scholars and educators alike were invited to join in the celebration um dancing and engaging with the rhythms in a joyful and inclusive experience. This assembly was more than a perform than a performance. It was a celebration of culture, of talent, of leadership and community. Twin Towers Middle School continues to create meaningful opportunities for our scholars to lead, express themselves, and celebrate the rich history and contributions that shape our community. Thank

155you to the students, educators, and organizers who made this such a memorable and impactful event. Um, thank you for re-sharing my pictures. Miss Adma, I want to give you a huge thank you for everything that you have done and everything that you continue to do. and I commend you and your team for a magnificent job. >> Thank you. Um, >> President Romero, >> I'm sorry. Yes. Oh. Um, well, nobody's mentioned it, but I thought I'd mention, um, I hear people come up here once in a while talk about, you know, their, um, family members. But, um, I want to congratulate my son for his fourth consecutive year at Mhagen High School basketball, coaching them to 113 record. This their fourth consecutive winning season. and he continues to just um build young men into not just

156outstanding basketball players but helping them to manage the game of life as well. So congratulations Marcus I love you and President Romero and while we have that picture up there I just mentioned to uh Dr. You're going to hate me for this, but >> God, >> you know, I wasn't on the board when the um recommendations and the approvals came for Twin Towers Middle School, >> but we have to address what should be the most beautiful auditorium of any high school in the state of New York because the stage needs to be refurbished and I think it's got the same seats that it's had for 50 years. um there. So, we probably in the refurbishment. >> Well, they do amazing with what they have. >> Correct. 100%. But we need to I think about stepping

157up to the plate with that auditorium because um you know the uh the Paramount obviously is absolutely gorgeous, but this auditorium can can be just as gorgeous if done correctly, especially the historical nature of it. So, something to think about. >> Yeah, Mr. Lugo has something to say. >> Uh, all right. Just making sure I'm Mexican. Uh, something I've picked up on just hearing around uh, student student. Well, coming from a student, I just want to commend you and show you my public and vocal appreciation and let you know that your period of leadership was amazing. And it's it was definitely something that I would like not not expect like but you get what I'm saying expect like coming into a a school environment and that I I would like I would hope for a

158positive environment to be like so I just want to tell you that everything that you've done is very appreciated. No deed that you've done has gone unnoticed. Um, we all appreciate you coming from the high school to the elementary schools and yeah, I just wanted to say thank you for all that you've done. >> Do we have any um that was beautiful, but do we have any committee reports, >> Mr. P? >> Reports if we have the time. Um the uh Mr. Strada mentioned refurbishing the auditorium at uh Twin Towers. Uh portions of Twin Towers will be opened this fall. I understand the uh some of the new section and the media center. And continuing on with that, uh Mr. Str and I were talking about honoring a 30y year or 30 plus year member

159of the Twin Tower staff who taught in middle school who was an assistant principal and a the principal and that is Mr. Thomas Buckeye and maybe in that refurbished auditorium it might be nice to consider naming that auditorium after uh Mr. Buckeye because he did put his spent his whole professional life in that not only in that building but in this building when it was AJ Verality which was a quarter the size. I worked with Tom uh since about the beginning in the 60s and ma just an amazing person. I'm going to say that >> and Miss Kate Shid's father >> great great recommendation. >> Okay. So any well it was both ours Ed Ed and I tal had talked about it >> both of ours and I think it's welld deserved but going on

160with the couple brief committee reports uh facilities committee meeting uh we met late January and uh uh Bishop Williams, Bill, myself, Norville and Barbara Kerr and Camille were there. Um the impression I get is that we are doing more of the maintenance work inhouse instead of hiring out right now. And the second thing on that is that uh the buildings and ground and maintenance staff while people are off during Thanksgiving and uh uh the winter break, Christmas break, uh they are responding to emergencies and doing the their regular work. Uh example, uh MHS a power outage on Thanksgiving morning. Uh they the electrical switch gear needed replacement and uh R totally electric under this assisted with this with our men also taking a lead in this pipe broke at Manhagen Middle School Christmas Day. It

161was fixed within hours. He installed power for TV monitors through uh our uh um MHS. Replaced two heat exchangers on the large gym. Now, this is what they do. I could go on and on. And Hagen, they seal the floors, but I think you get the idea on this. >> They are uh they're there when they're needed and u I call them our first responders. Uh they've been there this whole winter. It's been a oldfashioned middle town winter, I call it. uh and uh cleaning up and they get there at 5:30 and start the work when many of us are still either sleeping or cleaning up our own driveways. Um safety and security committee, I think this district has made tremendous progress on this. the uh bag scanners the the uh the process time for

162arrival has been exponentially short shortened by 30 minutes. Uh it I have had no complaints on this and you know they found with this bag uh the this bag detectors they found things like knives, vapes, drugs and so on and it also serves as deterrent deterrent to kids when they know how effective this is. You don't bring these things into school. Uh they're working on license plate readers that we have them at currently at Twin Towers Middle School and a board of education and we plan to add the rest of the buildings. Uh they're working on an increased district lockdown button system. So a lot of good things are happening. Uh we still have positions open, staffing positions, but uh we're in the process of filling these. So, uh, I want to commend, uh, Bill

163Bartlett and Lenny Zapka, uh, for the work they're doing in this district. That's just a snippet. I could go on, but it is getting late. So, that's my committee report. >> Thank you, Mr. Parino. Anyone else have anything? >> Um, yeah, policy meeting is being rescheduled um to be announced uh by way of email. We'll get that out to you guys. >> Thank you, Mr. Moore. Yeah, I just want to mention to uh Mr. Williams that the girls JV went 18 and one. So I think they did a lot better than the boys. I just want to give you a heads up on that. >> You got to set up a game. >> We got a lot of winning going on in town. >> Did you hear him? He wants to set up a game.

164>> That sounded like fighting words to me. I don't know. >> Okay. >> I think each of you should serve as assistant coaches to the to those in that in that >> conflict of interest. And and and Mr. Williams, just so you know, because I'm a chaplain, the police department asked me if I would play with them, but I told them as a resounding no because they're playing against our boys. And I'm going to be there rooting for our boys. So tell them to beat them down. >> Good. As you should. Do we have any conferences, professional learning, or educational matters that we'd like to discuss? Okay. Well, with that said, um Mr. Lugo is going to share some events that we have coming up. >> Yes. So, tomorrow, March 6th, we have our Superintendent

165Conference Day. Um, also on March 6th and the 7th, we have our Twin Tower spring musical. Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 2:00 p.m. March 10th, we have Special Services Caregiver Training 5 to 6:00 at Presidential Elementary School. March 13th and 14th, Mhagen Spring Musical. Friday at 6:30, Saturday at 1 at at Monhagen Middle School. March 16th, we have our K through5 shortened session conferences. March 17th, our 6th through 8 shorten session. March 18th is our 9th through 12th shorten session. And March 19th, we have a board meeting at 6:30 here at Middletown High School Media Center. >> Thank you, Mr. Lugo. With that, may I have a motion to adjourn? >> Second. Any discussion? And all in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Let me